Scribbles

Google Wiz Kid and Faith

2009-04-13T11:20:00.001-05:00

While pursuing the NY Times and downing a latte at Starbucks before the outside Easter service at The Loft yesterday, this headline gapped my attention---“A Google Whiz Searches for His Place on Earth.”

Sanjay Marvinkurve, a key engineer in Goggle’s mapping team, has a U.S. work visa but his wife does not so they live in Canada. He works in Toronto at Goggle's sales office and flies to Google headquarters in northern California for important team meetings...thus the title for the article on U.S. immigration.

“...his place on earth”---I like that phrase; it has a great ring to it for Jesus Followers for we are called to have a place (purpose) on earth. We’ve all heard much about our purpose on earth since Rev. Rick Warren’s mega best seller The Purpose Driven Life hit the scene in 2002.

Lofters intellectually know the importance of discovering one’s life purpose at any season of life; Andy and Terence talk about it often. We understand that our specific purpose and calling may change somewhat over time and that we should spend time in study and reflection to refine our calling from God. Our challenge is to move all that head knowledge 18 inches to the heart, isn’t it?

So, here is my scribble to us today. Ask yourself, did I spend any time during Holy Week musing about my calling from God...asking the Holy Spirit to help me refine it and sharpen it for the Kingdom? Ouch.

Need some help with this challenge? You might want to go to Warren’s web site and work through his suggestions on purpose statements for each area of your life. Here’s the link.:

Might I also suggest that you share your findings with other Lofters in community? Why not? I'd love to hear from you. You can also follow my daily tweet muses on Twitter.

More later,

Selah

Up to the task

2008-09-04T13:16:00.001-05:00

I was an entrepreneur almost my entire working career beginning several firms and partnering with others to form larger private corporations. It was satisfying and rewarding in many respects and I was willing to take risks because I felt strongly about my capabilities and those with whom I associated. Fortunately, we “won” much more often than we “lost.” That said...my first thoughts when International Leadership Institute approached me about spearheading a new initiative for them to create a product line of new curriculum, I said to myself, “sure I can do that. I’ve written audio tapes, a lot of articles published on the Internet, contributed to books and resource guides and really have enjoyed designing or “retrofitting” Christian teaching and studies for small groups and other venues.”

As it developed into much a much larger Kingdom project than either ILI or I first envisioned, I began thinking “wow...I’ve prayed about enlarging my territory for Kingdom purposes (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), but this may be over my pay grade”, as a certain Presidential candidate would declare in a debate setting.

As I scribble this, I wanted you to know what I was thinking...for a little while. Isn’t Kingdom living and accepting Kingdom purposes all what being a devoted Jesus Follower is all about? This new initiative is above my pay grade...and I’m thankful about that. I desire earnestly to have a deeper walk with Jehovah; I look forward to being entirely dependent on Him for this Kingdom adventure.

So this brings me to your journey. Is God speaking to you about stepping out in faith? I don’t know what that may look like for you...leading a Bible study for youth for the first time; entering TWUMC Special Blessings shadow ministry, becoming involved in September Serve, organizing a mission effort locally or internationally, becoming involved in a church plant or helping The Loft launch its new Saturday night service---I just know this---until you are willing to enlarge your territory, kick out your preset boundaries and ideas, and let God be God, you really aren’t being truly sold out to Jehovah for His Kingdom purpose in your life.

“How do I start”, you ask? First, earnestly seek God and His purpose for your life...for this season of your life. I’ve said this many times before, but just “Find out when God is working and be willing to join Him there."

On a personal basis, pray for ILI and their Kingdom purposes; for wisdom and direction with all their new initiatives and for the resources necessary to continue to enlarge their territory through changing lives every day in more than fifty nations by accelerating the life-transforming spread of the Gospel.

Selah

I AM is Who I Can Become

2008-09-01T07:31:00.001-05:00

Laurie Beth Jones in her book, Jesus CEO, has an interesting chapter titled "His "I AM" Statements are What He Became."

She states, "Jesus did not look back on the events of his life and say, Hmmm...I must have been the Son the God." He declared himself to be the Son of God, and the proof followed.

Do you believe that words have power? I do..I hope my life is a testament to that. In the last ten years or so, God's spiritual gift in me of exhortation has really taken off...I'm much more encouraging to others than I used to be. Maybe, I finally grew up or maybe I AM who I can Become? Yes, early on I realized that I had the gifts of leadership and teaching and these were confirmed in the body of Christ. But, its only been these last few years that I've realized that God was calling me to be more---a special encourager.

I have to confess that I like it. I like who I am becoming. The 2008 Olympics reminded me again how important "self-talk" really is---not only in athletics, in politics and in mega-corporations, but to YOU AND I as Jesus Followers.

So, here's the deal. If Jones is right in her book that Jesus' I AM statements are what he became, do you think it might just be a little important for us Jesus Followers to follow suit?

Here's something to try at her suggestion: "Whom do you tell yourself you are on a daily basis? Remember, words have power.

Selah.

Passion: You know it when you have it and when you don't

2008-08-31T20:37:00.000-05:00

For some, it is difficult to pin down a definition of passion. Gordon MacDonald in his book, Renewing Your Spiritual Passion, says it's hard to measure and difficult to pin down. But he goes on to say, "But you know when you have it, and you are quite aware when you don't. So, I often return to this book...its a good read and one that I "go to" annually.

Why you might ask? It's easy...I have to work to retain a balance in my life; I learned that many years ago, so I always ready Renewing and also Ordering Your Private World each year. I've mentioned this before in my blogs. Simply, I do not want to drift away even a little bit from being passionate about being a Jesus Follower...not any more.

So I ask you. What's driving you these days? Is it passion? Or is it habit? If it's habit, may I recommend that you check out TeamLoft's newest blog, JavaTalk. It's purpose to to help us understand the importance of eight precepts that will keep us Jesus Followers on track.

Let me give you one example, if I may. I try to ask myself at least weekly a simple question---When am I at with God right now? I've come to realize that if I drift a little away from being passionate about God, I will become restless and, frankly, a little bored. I know that I'm at risk saying this to my friends...but I'm being honest.

So, Lofters....what's driving you these days? Is it passion? Or is it habit? I'd love to hear from you.

Selah
For more information about The Loft and the mission of www.teamloft.com, visit our web site.

The Bermuda Triangle

2008-08-28T17:01:00.000-05:00

It hit like the Bermuda Triangle. First, Hurricane Gustav barreling down on the Gulf; second, a Facebook note I received from Radu Pop in Romania; third, chaos at Walmart. Before you think I’ve totally lost it (my wife already knows that I have), let me ‘plain.

People are beginning to panic again in the Gulf Region...we just don’t like the sound of Hurricanes a coming. I can relate; Hurricane Alicia did about $70,000 damage to my home in 1983. So, it begins again...the hustle bustle; filling up the automobiles; buying staples, goodies and the like; hording water; the sense of urgency; calling relatives that live “way up” North in Dallas....the list is endless. Yet, I still have a little time on my hands, so...I scribble...and try to find some deeper meaning that we can find together from all this panic.

Enter the note from Radu, the young History Maker in Fagaras, Romania, that goes like this “I forget to tell you about my father who is not Christian, we are all happy because last week he was with as to a man conference made by our church from Fagaras. It was nice and we are happy that our father listening the word of God there. I wanted to share you our joy family. If you remember please pray for him.” (this is a direct quote from him)

One of the things I brought back from Romania was a grateful heart that in that Post-Christian country, the remnant was alive and well. They are deeply committed men and women of prayer and faith and are totally sold out to Jesus. I can recall vividly at least twenty times I prayed specifically for family members and friends of these young friends. I have to confess that I don’t know that I have twenty friends or family members who aren’t Christians.

I guess this is my Bermuda Triangle....O’ God, give me the same sense of urgency for the lost that come my way as for Gustav. How about you? “Father God, send them our way.”

Selah

For more information about The Loft Church and the mission of TeamLoft, visit our web site.

Tell me about yourself

2008-08-27T20:21:00.001-05:00

Hello Jesus Followers,

I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of folks for the first time over the past couple of months in the Houston area, at church, and in Europe. I remember reading a book a number of years ago about some of the cultural differences between Americans and Europeans---and there are many.

One, however, really became apparent these past couple of months. Simply put, in Europe one when greeting you will ask the question, "tell me about yourself." In American, it's usually "what do you do" or "where do you live." Europeans would feel that they insulted another by "checking them out--status or job wise." Now...before you scribble me a note in haste, let me add that I also often fall into the same mode while in Houston.

Last week I attended a men's conference called "Men at the Cross." It was terrific and I'm glad I was able to attend. Lofters own Brandon Health was the guest worship artist on Friday evening. It was pretty neat when we TWUMC'ers gave a shout out when he asked from the stage if anyone there was from The Woodlands. During the event, I bought a Stephen Artherburn book titled Midlife Manual for Men. I'm always interested in reading new perspectives about finishing strong (for obvious reasons if you know me).

Artherburn wrote about the same European/American cultural difference. In Chapter 5, called Provider, he details a conversations he had with a guy from France who said, "You know, in Europe, when you begin a conversation with someone yhou've just met, you ask them how they are doing, how they are feeling, or what is going on just then in their lives. But here in America, you ask each other something entirely different...what you do for a living. In Europe, a person is defined by who there are. In America, a person is defined by what they do."

Artherburn goes on to challenge us Jesus Followers to rid outselves of "defining yourself by whatever's written on your business card." I want us to drill down a little on this thought for a moment.
First, consider who Jesus hung out with....generally not a very impressive lot with hope for senior level management in the empire. Second, think of your own personal relationships...both with Jesus Fellowers and in the community as a whole and not just your "close friends." Are most of those you hang with all cut from the same mold---socially, economically, interests, education, etc.? Third, take some time to muse about what you really know about those you call friend. Is it only what they do or where they live. When was the last time you asked themselves what is going on just then in their lives? (ouch)

Gordon MacDonald has written that he and his wife meet regularly with a small group of friends (every month or so) just to catch up. They don't talk business, ministry or church life; they just meet to find out what is really going on in their lives. He often writes that these are the people that he wants at his memorial/celebration service because they knew him best.

Sage advice from Arthurburn and MacDonald. Let's practice it. Don't be concerned when I see you again and just ask what's going on in your life, or how you are really feeling, or how are they feeling....I'm very European and, as Martha Stewart says, that's a good thing...come to think about it a little more...it's a Jesus thing.

Just some scribbles for thought---I've got to go and call a friend.

Selah

For more information about The Loft and the mission of TeamLoft, visit our web site.

Proud Papa

2008-08-26T10:43:00.000-05:00

Hey Gang,

On August 31st, my son-is-law will be ordained into the ministry at his church, Grandview Fellowship Church. I'll be there instead at The Loft playing the proud papa and grandpa role. Scott and Amy, along with other Jesus Fellowers recently responded to a call from Jehovah to plant a new church in Sugar Land. For the past 9-10 years they have contributed much at the North Campus of a large church (hint: the largest SBC church in America). But recently the Lord called the campus pastor and a team of others to "expand their territory/boundary and begin afresh and they heeded Jabez' Prayer call.

You'll hear more about their journey at A Lofters Life. The church's grand celebration opening is September 14th, but God is already blessing them...they expect about 150 at this preview service Sunday.

And get this....these guys are Lofters at heart if not in name. They sense a cause beyond themselves; they embody a "go and tell spirit" (have already had a mission trip to Latvia and several local missions ministries in place all in the past 10 weeks) and they are serious about being Jesus Followers.

So....yes, I'm the proud Papa this Sunday....Selah

Community and Prayer

2008-08-25T18:31:00.000-05:00

Hey...

I received an urgent prayer request this morning from dear long time friends and members at TWUMC. A mutual acquaintance at our former church of ours youngest son was in a boating accident at Lake Conroe on Saturday night and was in surgery at Hermann Hospital.

Although I hadn't seen the Macons in over four years, I immediately thought of their need. Isn't community so important....at all times during our journey together. Later today, I received an updated report that Taylor was doing well after surgery although he would probably have several more surgeries. Taylor had told his pastor that "he thought he was going to die when he say the other boat racing toward their pontoon. God is good.

Selah

Welcome to Scribbles

2008-08-21T18:59:00.001-05:00

Hey Gang,

Welcome to Scribbles...another Uncle Bob blog. This one details my journey as a Jesus Follower. As with all of us, there will be some highs and lows...keep me grounded, will you, with comments! Until later, Selah.