I have taken some time away…a little for personal time but most for busy traveling and speaking. The Fall has been great and very busy. But I’m been with some great people. Just this last Sunday in a church I was privileged to speak in we saw an adult man whose mother has been praying for him for a long time turn his life over to Christ and step forward to get involved in Christ’s church. A couple who were living together and knew they needed change responded to Christ’s call with tears…and smiles, and set out to get their lives in order.

Wow, it never loses the wonder to me to see lives changed by the power of Christ. It’s what make life worth living!!!!!!!!! and ministry worth doing!!!!!!! What has God done around you lately?

And one wonderful serendipity….the MADE TO COUNT JOURNEY, a 50 day personal/group/or church-wide study which Randy Singer and I wrote just got a great mention in an article by OUTREACH magazine and got picked up by CHRISTIANITY TODAY. Isn’t that great. They mention two of the many churches it’s been done in pastored by Coy Arnold and Danny Wood. Take a look

http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/campaigntrail.html

Thank you to the churches, people and groups that have made use of the MADE TO COUNT JOURNEY. You can find more about it if you have interest at www.totallifeimpact.com

HAve you ever noticed that regardless of what some say they tend to walk another way?

Let me give an example. I entered into participation in vocational ministry I had many who were years ahead of me tell me that my priorities should be “God, your family, and your ministry…in that order.”

But as I have watched through the years, I noticed that many (not all) who told me that seemd to pratically do it something more like “God…ministry………………….and then family, and sometimes ministry seemed to creep into #1″. It probably wasn’t intentional, but it still happened.

And I have to admit, while I didn’t want to admit it, there were times when the priorities got out of order for me.

Maybe they have for you too, whether you happen to be in vocational ministry or God has posted you in the work place, or as a stay at home mom, or some place else according to His plan. It’s a battle isn’t it?!?

That’s why I’m going to shut down for a couple of weeks and focus on my bride, Cheryl, and I’m looking forward to being with her, special friends, and NO WORK!!!

Maybe you ought to carve some time out to do the same soon. After all, we will give an account fo where we really invest our time…so let’s invest it well.

I’ll talk to you again in a couple of weeks…and in the meantime I’m going to hang with my best friend, Cheryl, a just do what she wants to do. See ya.

Being one who travels thousands of miles a year, and experiencing all types of challenges in flight and scheduling, you can imagine how excited I was to read that there are changes coming. The new direction will be to use GPS rather than radar to guide planes. That will bring a lot of changes.

With radar planes need to keep 5 miles apart due to the fact that radars spin around every 12 seconds and a jet at high altitude can travel a mile in that brief time. But with GPS it will reduce to 2, speeding up landings and takeoffs.

In addition, planes which can’t see where each other are will be able to with Automatic Dependent Survelliance-Broadcast systems. Presently only the ground can see where all of them are. In the future pilots will be able to moniter other flight from his own cockpit, choosing his own route if needed or desired.

In addition the new system will provide much more information on weather allowing pilots to make better and earlier course corrections. This will be combined with a whole host of new data, according to reports, through high speed data links between both planes and the ground.

That will be great, when several years from now, it is in place.

But, it made me stop and think. God has provided each of us with guidiance systems that put even these modern inventions to shame in comparison. God Himself has promised to guide us with His eye upon us, to tell us when we are going in the right direction, and that even among our best laid plans God still directs our steps. And that is even better news…because I’m making daily decision a lot more than I’m in a plane. And as good as controllers are, they are not infalliable. And the One willing to guide you and me is!

So, amidst the new technologies and innovatios, I remain thankful for the Ancient of Days!

How about you?

With Fall within view, and school just around the corner, that means hunting can’t be too far behind! I just finished an article for the CHRISTIAN SPORTSMAN’S MAGAZINE. The focus is how important the “aim” of our life is…and what happens if that “aim” isn’t accurate. Read it…and then let me hear from you.

EVEN THE BEST OF AIMS…

I was fired up. It was finally deer season!

My trusted .270 with a new Zeiss Conquest 3-9 X 40 scope was in my hand…and my wife’s hand was in the other. This was the first day with the scope and the first day Cheryl had ever gone hunting with me. It would be a day to remember, of that I was convinced. And my wife would see first hand the hunting skills I had honed to perfection (feel free to smile)! I hadn’t had time to shoot since we had arrived late the night before, but the gunsmith had assured me the bore sighting he had done should be sufficient.

Being an elegant woman, Cheryl looked as comfortable as Laura Bush would be in Realtree camo. But who was trying to make a fashion statement here, anyway?

The dark morning was crisp and the frost hung in the air. Our breath created suspended crystalline vapor as it exploded out of our mouths. The morning was still and the anticipation high. I was intent on a BIG buck, and my wife would be there to celebrate it with me.

Making our way by flashlight down the log road we headed to our predetermined blind area on the edge of a large wooded area. We had scoped it out the day before. Nestled into the wood’s edge we would have visual sight line of the woods behind us and a large food plot in front of us. We had shot lines in approximately 320
degrees. And a big buck had been spotted in the area over the previous weeks.

So you can imagine my heart pounding when just as day broke when out of the woods from across the plot came two does. And then two more. Creeping out into the plot they kept looking back over their shoulders to the woods. Suddenly, approximately 45 degrees to their left another doe…all looking back to the woods.

My finger began to twitch. I could sense it. Even my wife was glued to the unfolding drama. And suddenly, the movement from across the field caught my attention. Squinting through the dusky dawn I saw the 8 point buck strut out. Barrel chested, he came across the field and about 85 yards away stopped and stared right to where we were nestled in the brush.

Quietly, slowing—and excitedly—I raised my rifle into position, sighted through my new Zeiss and laid the cross hair on the buck’s shoulder. Squeezing the trigger, I knew I had him. And when those seconds cleared and I refocused to see my buck on the ground …there he stood! Staring at me!! It was impossible. I knew I was a better shot than that.

And then he snorted…I swear I heard him snicker! Then he pawed the ground, looked at where I was ensconced, and I fired again. And again he stood unphased. Then slowly, majestically he snorted once again, turned and looked back once again and plunged into the foliage.

My wife’s eye’s said it all, “How could you miss at that distance? Even I could have hit that!!”

And to add insult to injury, another buck would come out two hours later, turn broadside, and invite a take down shot. You guessed it; I took the shot…and missed.

Dumbfounded I headed back to our agreed on meeting point where I knew Richard would be waiting. My hunting buddy was as dependable as the dawn and a crack shot. He would have the answer. Shoving aside the embarrassment, I described the morning to him. “Let’s see,” was his only response as he grabbed my gun, set up a target and went out 50 yards and rested the rifle on a shooting brace he zeroed in and fired.

14 inches wide right. He adjusted and took another shot. 10 inches low. Adjusting several clicks he took aim and fired once more. 11 inches low and to the right.

And so it went for a full box of shells. What in the world was wrong? Were we both blind as a bat? Should we give up hunting?!
And that’s when Richard said, “Maybe I should check the mount.”

If only he had said that 15 cartridges ago! He found that the mounting was loose and regardless how well we thought we were aiming, the loose mount moved just enough to throw every shot off…and in a different direction!

Lesson learned, at a high expense. You can think you’re aiming well. You can be careful and intentional in you aim of where you’re headed and the action you’re wanting to take. BUT, if there are loose points in your life, when you “fire,” no matter how we intentioned you aim, you’re likely to miss. And the cost could break your heart.

So, before you take “aim” in life, be sure your convictions, values and beliefs are screwed down securely. Don’t worry as much about what you “feel” as what you know God’s word says. Be sure that nothing is “loose” in your life that could throw you aim off, regardless of how well your “aim” might be!

SO, HOW WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE MOST HELPFUL IN KEEPING THE AIM OF YOUR LIFE ACCURATE? AND WHAT ARE THE GREATEST DANGERS YOU’VE THAT CAUSES LIFE’S AIM TO BE MISSED?

Cheryl was scanning through an article recently from TODAY’S CHRISTIAN WOMAN and came across a wonderful article by the title I have given to this article. The writer was Penny Schlaf Musco. Its focus was all about “what is full time ministry?” Is it relegated to seminary graduates? Is its location only on the foreign mission field or within the church walls? And are those who stand on the church’s platform every Sunday the only one in THE MINISTRY?

Thank God for those called to vocational ministry and missions. Scripture makes it very clear that they are key in God’s economy. Those called voacationally are there for a specific purpose: to equip the rest of the followers of Christ to DO THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY “right where they are!!!!” And “starting NOW.”

That is why my dear friend, Randy Singer, and I penned the book MADE TO COUNT. We desired to return to the wisdom of our forefathers who did not see a division between the sacred and the secular. For them, God meant for all of or life to be integrated with the effects of our faith. Compartmentalization was not an option.

That is how Benjamin Franklin could call the Continental Congress to prayer, and our nation’s first colleges have God reflecte consistently through their founding documents, or why government of the people, by the people and for the people was based on Scriptural foundations of dignity of every person and the freedom of every individual with a responsibility to the corporate whole.

As I shared in the previous entry, the Puritans saw God to extend a General Call to a personal relationship with Him, and a Particular Call to a misison along side Him–right where a person lived and worked. The Reformers referred to Primary Call being “from God and to God” with a Secondary Call “to a particular work, occupation, or station in life.” It was not meant to be either/or but rather both/and.

I was thrilled to be quoted along with my friends Os Guiness and Angie Tracey who are making a wonderful contribution to God being busily at work in the work place.

Where do you see that happening? And how?

On Monday July 30, 2007 the USA TODAY ran an article titled “FAITH AT THE OFFICE. WHY NOT?” It was wonderfully written by a pastor in Northern Virginia and the contention was that faith should not be exculded, but should have a place at the table. It is interesting that in the 90s the hottest word in the work place became “spirituality” according to a number of cultural gurus. Could it be because faith as been locked away in the storage closet too long? Or relegated to the clean up crew after hours?

Let’s face it, there is a hole in every human heart that cannot be filled by anything, or anyone, outside of the Creator…not even work.

So, since this has been a passion of mine for some time, I submitted a response to the paper. Whether it will be used or not, only time will tell. But I least I want to share it with you and hear your feedback.

Faith@Work

It is ironic that we have tended to make faith and work
mutually exclusive in our nation. Especially when our forefathers did not. They did not primarily refer to what they did throughout the week as their work, job, career or profession…but as their vocation. It derived from the Latin word vocatio which referred to a “calling.” In their view there was a touch of the divine in the mundane of their labor.

And look at what they accomplished. An educational system second to none, the esteeming of higher learning, and the establishment of a system of government that despite its imperfections has stood the test of time. The free market square where freedom of speech, privacy, private ownership, treasured immigration and the freedom to fulfill one’s dream was guaranteed by the under girding of the freedom of religion that did not separate the secular from the sacred.

Thus it was that every state’s constitution refers to the hand of Providence that made the government and marketplace possible. And the first Supreme Court actually celebrated in worship and Communion. Worship services were held at times in the House of Representatives. And the Puritan settlers taught there was a General Call to a personal relationship to God, with a Particular Call of place and position according to God-given talents, gifts, skills and character.

So why not allow for a place for faith respectfully and gracefully lived out whether in the Boardroom, the office break room, at the construction site or in the hospital halls? It gave us a pretty good beginning…might it not also grant us a strong future?

Today and tomorrow I’m in Washington DC and I am having a blast speaking to over 500 leading students from across the nation’s schools on The Christian Heritage of Our Nation and Leading From the Inside Out. And what better place to do that than Washington DC?!?!

And NO better group to do it with than students. Why? Because throughout history they have often been used as a vanguard to the key movements of God? Anybody out there remember the Jesus Movement?

And it’s happening again today. Last week USA TODAY ran an article titled Children Get Holier Than Thou. It’s focus is on the surge of faith that is happening in the youth of today. They are not satisfied with their parent’s often “comfort zone faith.” They want to feel it, know it, experience and live it. They want to be on the edge and believe if you’re not on the edge you’re taking up too much room.

They want to be On Mission believers whose faith makes a difference not just on the day of worship…but every day, everywhere, and in every activity. In other words their faith is integrated into all of life and not simply relegated to a building or an event. And you know…that’s what I want.

And these students with me this week personify that heart beat. And how does that make me feel about the future? It’s as bright as the promises of God!

How do you feel? And what are you seeing in young

When we hear that question our thoughts usually go to the subject of money. And we figure someone is about to lecture us on “having too much,” “spending too much,” or “wanting too much.” But let’s don’t go there this time. Let’s look at this question from an unexpected slant.

A friend, John Grant, recently sent me his insightful news letter, in which a section stopped me on this issue. Let me share it with you….

ENOUGH
A father and son had their last moments together at the airport. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the father said, “I love you and I wish you enough”. The son replied, “Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your support and love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.”
They hugged and kissed and the son left for his flight. The Dad walked over to the window near where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy but he welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?” “Yes, I have,” I replied. “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?” “I am old and he lives so far away. I have health problems and the reality is - his next trip back will likely be for my funeral,” he said.
“When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough’. May I ask what that means?” He began to smile. “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.” He paused a moment and looked up trying to remember it in detail and then he smiled even more. “When we said, ‘I wish you enough’, we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.” Then he recited the following:
 I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
 I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
 I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
 I wish you enough spirit to know that you are connected to things beyond your control.
 I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
 I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
 I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
 I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
( Written by Jack Levine )

So how about it, do you have enough? And, what did this story mean to you? Thanks John, for challenging me!

This week I am honored to be in Washington DC with approximately 1200 top high school students from around the country. I have the privilege of teaching them on the fact that God Calls every Christ follower to Himself…and to join Him in a mission to change the world. We are looking at that in the context of our Founding Fathers, the vast majority of who saw their work not as a “career” or “job”, but as a vocation. And vocation derives from the Latin word vocation which refers to a divine calling.

Did you know that 24 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence had seminary degrees in their background? How about that 52 of the 55 founders of the Constitution belonged to orthodox churches in the colonies? And that Washington, after being the only officer of 86 for the British/American forces not shot down in a battle during the French and Indian War wrote to his family that he found 4 bullet holes through his coat yet not one hit his skin? Yet numerous horses were shot out beneath him.

We’ll also be looking at HOW TO LEAD FROM THE INSIDE OUT. What are the ingredients that God gave to Joshua for effective leadership? In Joshua 1:1-8 God gives a hand full of factors that have to be in place for a man or woman to be a godly and successful leader.

These kids are great! So, when people ask me if I am worried about the Next Generation I say, “Absolutely not!” There are some of the brightest stars I’ve seen in a long time in this group. I’m more worried about their parent’s generation who have too often settled into comfort zones and have too often lost the cutting edge. Overall, I would say the future is as bright as the promises of God!

How do you feel?

All of us hope that our life will ultimately make a difference. We hope that when it is all said and done the imprint we leave will be more like a hand placed in wet cement, that when the cement sets, the handprint is there as long as the cement exists.

Maybe too many of us fear that our imprint may be more like a hand stuck in a bucket of water….pull it out, and within about 15 seconds you can’t even tell it was ever there!

Cheryl and I spent the last week with some folks who are making an imprint that lasts. We were honored to speak to coaches and their spouses at Coach’s Camp for FCA. Dickey Clark stands at the helm giving it great leadership, and we saw men and women who are committed to making an eternal difference in the lives of students in high school and college. These are folks putting “Christ’s imprint” in the wet concrete of student’s lives…many who never darken the doors of a church before they meet a Christian coach!

Did you have one of those in your life? I did. Tell me about him or her?

Are you a coach and want to accomplish that? What are you doing to make it happen?