Take Me Out To The Ball Game - Korean Style!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012


A couple of weeks ago I was privileged to visit South Korea. While there, the family I was staying with invited me to attend a professional baseball game with their son. They told me it was vastly different than our American baseball.

Being a huge baseball fan, it wasn’t hard to convince me to go. Just before we left for the ballpark, my new Korean friend asked me to wear his prized Twins jersey. Turns out a tall American - at a Korean baseball park - wearing a Twins jersey creates quite a stir. I think that was my friend’s intent.

We showed up to the stadium and found our seats. And, I have to say I was extremely surprised. Korean baseball fans love their baseball. The Koreans have done an amazing job of creating a crazy baseball culture for the fans that truly turns them into participants. These fans sang, cheered, clapped, and danced for their team. It was like a mix between American World Series baseball and World Cup Soccer. Don’t believe me – check out the video below.

“Participation” is such an important key in our walk with Christ. Jesus never called us as followers to sit on the sideline and simply watch church happen. We are called to go – to make disciples – to teach – to serve – to give – to care – to impact the world. The challenge for us as leaders in the church is to create an atmosphere of participation. An atmosphere that encourages imperfect people to get involved, to allow God to stretch and use them for His glory.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I still love American baseball. I just have a new appreciation for how the Korean baseball fans participate in the game.  If you ever get a chance to visit South Korea (which I highly recommend) I suggest you catch a baseball game. It’s a great cultural experience!

The True Definition of Missional

Saturday, May 26, 2012


This week I came across the post below by Artie Davis. (http://pastors.com/the-true-definition-of-missional/)  

I love the fact that his article is simple and encourages churches/ministries to focus on results. I believe in vision, purpose, planning, discussions, defining your goals, etc. But we often get caught up in planning and never spend any time in evaluating the outcome. This may be the most difficult and yet the most critical success in impacting lives for Christ.

What would happen if our churches/ministries focused on asking the three questions Artie mentions below? How would our ministries change?

 The True Definition of Missional

Measuring UpMissional – The church buzz word of the last five years. It’s what we’re supposed to be. It’s what we’re supposed to do, but understanding that, well… there seems to be some “Tension-al.”
This is the way I see it. I’m a very simple guy, therefore things have  GOT TO BE simple. I never see God trying to make things hard to understand, or difficult to define. Jesus equipped a circle of “uneducated and untrained men.” He didn’t do that by making their mission hard to understand, or define!
I think we spend way to much time debating the what something means, and not measuring the outcome of what we are doing. Really…I care far less of what your definition is, or what you’re doing, the big question is…
What are you getting DONE?
1- How many people are you seeing come to know Jesus?
2- How many people are learning what it means to follow Jesus?
3- How many people are becoming LIKE Jesus, and bringing others in?
If those (3) questions are measured and are being DONE and growing. Then guess what, it doesn’t matter what others may say about how, why and where you are doing it, it only matters that you are getting it DONE!
When you give an account before the Father don’t want to hear, “Good system”, “Well executed definition.” What we want to hear is … “Well DONE!”
That is all…
Source: ArtieDavis.com

Friday Fun!

Friday, May 25, 2012

I love Friday! So, just for fun here's a video someone shared at the office this morning from Hoops and Yoyo. Enjoy!

You Steady My Heart

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

I love to plan. I love to create a list and mark things off as they are accomplished. I believe in vision casting and planning for the future. I think its biblical.

And yet, I've been reminded lately that as we plan we must hold those plans loosely realizing God may have other ideas. Sometimes the best thing we can do is determine our next step. Not our tenth or eleventh step but the next one.

I'm thankful that God promises to guide us and never leave our side. If we focus on Him instead of the unknown worry goes away. He steadies our heart.

I love this new song by Kari Jobe and the truth it conveys! This is a great reminder for me today.


The Most Important Thing

Tuesday, May 15, 2012


One of the greatest lessons in life that I am still learning is that the most important thing I can do every day is…spend time with Jesus.

This is neither a luxury nor an option rather it is the most important thing we can do as believers. It is a necessity. Everything good in my life is outflow from my relationship with Jesus. Spending time developing my relationship with Him makes me a better husband, father, friend, son, brother, neighbor, minister, and person.

It seems so simple yet experience reminds me it is not easy. My biggest hindrance is myself.
·      My busy schedule makes it easy for me to make excuses.
·      My wondering mind often makes it hard to focus.
·      Sometimes guilt even makes me feel like I need to do a better job at my to-do-list rather than spend time alone with God. Time alone with God doesn’t seem very productive to many church members.

And yet, this must be our focus. We must make this a priority.  It is the most important thing.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

Yesterday I turned 44 - Now What?

Saturday, May 12, 2012


I have now lived an incredible 15,696 days on this earth. That’s a lot of living; 22 years married to my high school sweetheart/best friend, 3 amazing daughters, a ton of unforgettable moments, living in five different states, visiting 10 countries, and making plenty of mistakes along the way.

Now that I’ve lived 43 years and one day, what’s next?

Here’s my thoughts:

·      I want to love Jesus more. My hearts desire is to grow my relationship with Jesus more than ever in the days I have left on this planet. This must be my first and highest priority.

·      I want to love Julie more. God blessed my socks off when He blessed me with my wife and best friend. I more than married up and I want to love her with all that I have in the days, months, and years ahead.

·      I want to love my daughters more. I have lived long enough to realize the most important thing I can give my children is my time and to live out my faith in front of them. So many things are competing for my time. There are many fun and incredible options. But, nothing compares to loving and pouring myself into these amazing girls that God has given us.

·      I want to love others more. Our world continually invites us to live for ourselves. And yet, God’s word encourages us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. May God help me to see the opportunities in front of me each day. May I have the His heart for those who cross my path.

·      I want to continue learning. I may have lived over 15,000 days but I still have a lot to learn. I want to read, study, and be stretched. I never want to stop being a learner.

·      I want to continue taking risks. The older I get the harder it is to accept change and challenges. Its easy to set back and get comfortable. I don’t ever want to be in that place. I want to continually take risks – to be challenged – to try new things – to go new places – to push myself beyond my comfort zone.

·      I want to be used by God. I want to impact lives for Christ. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself. I want to be used up for Him!