When I can picture the humanity of Jesus it actually helps me understand his divinity.

When I can see the humanity of Jesus it helps me connect with Jesus in this world.

When I can see the humanity of Jesus it helps me bring his love and mission into our world in concrete ways.

When I see his divinity it gives my humanity power.

When I see his divinity it gives rest to my fears.

When I see his divinity it reenforces my mission and purpose in this world.

I was reading Psalm 26 this morning and was hit with this question, “Am I comfortable praying David’s prayer?” David asks God to examine him inside and out in confidence that what he will find is a man of integrity and great character. He was being attacked by his enemies and he is asking God to check his integrity. Who deserves to be victorious in these battles? They are a bunch of liars and haters but check my heart and find that I am a man of integrity.

I believe this is written before David committed an affair, killed his friend, and schemed his way to deep sorrow. David had times of spiritual strength and times of spiritual emptiness. Sound familiar? It is in our times of spiritual emptiness that we often skip this important step, “Examine me, God, from head to foot…”

Be bold today and pray this prayer. Take a moment to write down what you hear from God. Adjust your schedule, your rhythm, and your actions to align yourself down the path of spiritual strength. This may just open the door to God’s next adventure for your life. This small prayer may save your marriage, your relationship with your kids, and your ministry.

Along the road to the race we have mutiple fundraiser campaigns set up to reach our goal of $100,000. Currently we are running 3-5 miles a day every day in the month of January. We would love your support and help in reaching our goals.

2012 TeamXXXchurch Fundraiser Focuses:

• 20,000 bibles
• 6 women out of the porn industry
• 3 international outreaches
• 250 families with x3watch pro accountability software
• Launch a national parenting campaign

How Can You Help?

• Support me in our January Campaign $1, $2, $3, or more a day ($30, $60, $90)
• Run along side of me in January (It’s not to late!)
• Convince your company to sponsor our endurance team
• Post about our team on your facebook/twitter feeds

Click here to help!

Here’s my run for today, day 3.

This comes following a Porn & Pancakes event at Rolling Hills Christian Church.

Jake,

You might remember me, we have been attending Rolling Hills for about 2 1/2 years now.  Last weekend at the porn and pancakes, my bible study men, my dad, and myself attended and i was especially moved.  I had been dealing with the crippling drug of porn for years, i could not shake this problem no matter how hard i had tried i could not overcome it by myself.

Sitting there listening to the message Craig gave about things you should do if you want to fail, basically named everything i was trying to do.  After the event my friends and i talked about how the software and the message moved them and how they wanted to join and be accountable as well.  On my drive home and the day to follow, i knew what i needed to do.  I felt like my life was being lived for God daily, but there was still guilt and shame that was riding on me.  Being a new father, and married for 3 years, i knew this wasn’t how i wanted to represent Christ to my son or wife, nor anyone I come in contact with.

Monday morning came and I came before God and prayed that my confession to him and my wife would be in his hands.  My wife blew me away with her response, she stated that she understood and that we would work on this together.  She understood the impact porn has on men, and people in general, she appreciated the fact i could tell her about my problem.  My wife and I had a great conversation that day and become closer as a couple, and closer to God.

People always talked about when they confessed the burden of their sins they could literally feel the weight lifted from them.  This is exactly how i felt when i came and confessed, i no longer have a need or the urge to look at porn.  I talked about this experience with my bible study, later that night i received text messages from a couple guys stating that they were motivated about how i approached the problem.  They were going to come clean with their wives as well.  They stated how it was humbling to hear from another man about an addiction that was tackled and not putting on a face thinking i don’t have any problems.  I just wanted to say thank you for putting on this event.  It has given me freedom from something that has ruined my life for to long, and God is taking my life back to live for him daily.  Not only did this event help me, but it is now helping others who have seen me and want to change due to how God has changed and shaped my life.

I spoke in Ohio a month ago and they posted a segment of my message - if you are struggling I hope it helps.

This weekend I raced in Vineman 70.3 and as I overcame the grueling pain of it all as I thought about this time last year. I was racing last year with Mark’s name written under my wrist. I finished the race, turned on my phone, to hear the news that Mark had passed away late the night before. Not only had Mark passed but also his Mother just hours after him. It is (was) horrible.

Mark’s life mattered. He mattered to his kids, his friends, his family, and to his wife. As difficult as the last years of his life were he fought to leave a positive legacy. I will never forget his fight. He refused to give up even when it was time. He was in a battle with knowing the truth of his future and leaving those he loved behind. I think he won.

I am reminded of why I live when I think about Mark.

I am reminded of what is important.

I am reminded of growth in suffering.

I am reminded of friendships.

I am reminded that the things of this world pass away.

I am reminded that I must love my family in the present moments.

I am reminded that in the end Jesus will rescue me from the pain of this world.

I am reminded that we all will leave people behind and it is this I hate.

Thinking of you Mark…

Love you my brother.

In the last 5 years, I feel like so many books about church growth seem to restrict and control the movement. We only do these 3 things and nothing else. If someone in the church has a deep conviction, a talent, or a following of people that want to head in ABC direction, but it was not birthed from a church boardroom full of paid church leaders, we kill the plan. Instead of equipping people to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead with their gifts and talents we squash their vision. It is almost like we are saying, “unless we dream it up and create it then it is not worthy of existing.”

Although leaders must keep those who are following them heading in the direction they believe God has revealed, we must also not kill people’s unique passions and convictions.

We have interpreted many books focusing on simple church models to restrict and control instead of to equip and release. The church is made up of individuals with specific gifts and talents given to them by God to be used. I remember it being said, “give a high capacity person a low capacity job and they won’t play at all.” This is not discounting a heart for service, but it is reflecting on the need to empower individuals to tasks, projects, and ministry focuses that fit who God designed them to be. So maybe the quickest way to take a step back in leadership influence and effectiveness is by controlling everything while encouraging people to use their gifts to grow the kingdom of God.

I think growing churches have learned to let go of the tight grip and following the Ephesians model of leadership.

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.’ [EPHESIANS 4:11-12]

If you are a leader, how tight is your grip? If you are a follower, are you prepared to lead?

Despite being asked several times whether he would take responsibility for the incidents that transpired, Camping deflected every time, saying he was just a “humble Bible teacher” who was merely relaying the message found in the Bible.

“I don’t have any responsibility. I don’t have any responsibility of anybody’s life. I’m only teaching the Bible. I’m simply saying, ‘This is what the Bible says.’”

Camping also took no responsibility for those who gave up everything based on his predictions.

He says that he does not have to take any responsibility for the pain he helped inflict on thousands of people, not to count the millions of Christians who now have to overcome this craziness as they share Jesus with their friends. He calls himself a “humble Bible teacher” and yet shows no humility following his false predictions. I don’t think he owes those who followed him anything material, but an apology and some responsibility, absolutely!

I just think we all have to be careful when we teach the bible. Harold says “I’m only teaching the Bible” as an excuse to his false leading. Last I checked the Bible is truth. The bible doesn’t lead people astray but leads people to a loving, comforting, compassionate, all-knowing Dad.

As a Pastor i carry the heavy burden in teaching God’s truth rightly. I don’t pretend to be without fault or to know all the answers; that’s the way it is supposed to be. There is one who knows all the answers, one who never fails, one who is always right, and one who never has to apologize - his name is Jesus, not Harold.

The church is not about a pastor but about the person and life of Jesus Christ. Paul warns us not to be led astray by meaningless arguments and philosophy.

“Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ.” [COL. 2:8-9]

He continues to double-talk and argue - Admit you were wrong and let’s move on.

Death is the one thing that will bring a strong grown man to uncontrollable tears. One of the men at the memorial hinted that he might lose it while sharing and sought some affirmation. Is it okay to cry? I am strong, but I think in this moment I may be weak. Death breaks us down at the core. Why? We were never created to deal with death.

In John when Jesus goes to Lazarus home town and finds his sisters mourning we read about Jesus emotions (John 11:1-45). Jesus weeps. Why? Does he weep because he will never see his friend again?

The story reveals two future experiences Jesus will have with Lazarus. In Jesus’ interactions with Martha Jesus assures her that Lazarus will live again. Martha responds, ““Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” (John 11:24). Jesus will see Lazarus again when all children of God are reunited with him after death. Towards the end of the story the real miracle takes place and Jesus walks out of the tomb with his friend by his side. Lazarus is raised from the dead! Once again, why does Jesus weep? I believe Jesus wept because he hates death. He hates what sin has done to his creation. Sin has caused death to enter into God’s story resulting in anguish and pain for his children. God, just like a  healthy earthly Father, is always moved by the pain of his children. He never wanted us to experience these feelings. He wanted to protect us. And it is this truth that brings Jesus to tears.

I didn’t know the man who I spoke about today in the memorial service, but I did fight back tears. Why? I hate death and so does God. However, I know there is hope. There is a resurrection to come for all those who have placed their trust in Jesus. His grace and His love overcomes Lazarus’ grave and his love will overcome your grave.

This is not the end - there is more to God’s story than the present world. If there is anything good about death it is this, physical death almost always proceeds resurrection. There is a world to come!

Jesus is my overcomer. The weight of the world does not control my life. The pressures of this world will not conquer my soul. The weight of this world must only remind me of my need for Jesus. I was not created to face the pressures of life alone nor do I have the capacity to overcome without Jesus.

Jesus has overcome and I can place my faith in Him.

With all this talk about the end of the world these last few days someone could easily mistake the peace and comfort of God is reserved for a time to come. However, the reality of Jesus is that he has brought his kingdom to earth. He is available today to bring us peace. He is offering himself to you now with a promise of a better future. In the future we will experience the fullness of His Kingdom, there is a better experience still to come, but we are not removed from the realities of Heaven on earth.

Jesus died, was buried, and then rose from the dead so that we could live resurrected here and now with hope in an even better future in his fully established Kingdom.

So today, Jesus has overcome. I can rest in this truth.