In Mark 6, Jesus comes home — and Jesus was amazed. Home was one of the few places — maybe the only place — where Jesus wasn’t much of a teacher, where Jesus wasn’t much of a wonder-worker. Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. They had grown up with Jesus. They had grown familiar with Jesus — holy ho-hum, majestic mundane. I wonder if american evangelicals have grown up with Jesus? Have we reduced holy wonder to supernatural pictures on toast?

E.V Hill spoke at one of the early Promise Keeper Conferences in Colorado years ago…the day before the conference, he was interviewed by a local television reporter, the guy said, “Tell me, why are 70,000 men coming to Mile High Stadium and meeting for 2 days? E.V. Hill said, “Well were going to talk about Jesus.”

And the baffled reporter said, “Is that all?” E.V. Hill later said, “He doesn’t know how much that is.”

Do we?

Paul exclaims about Christ in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” Has the indescribable become holy ho-hum describable?

I want to be a person who is continually in awe, a man who lives in dumb-founded wonder of the power, love and holiness of God. Instead sometimes I take Jesus for granted. I grew up with Jesus. I know the stories. Familiar. In order to be filled with awe I need to come into contact with glory. Here’s the problem… when my heart as-is comes into contact with glory.. sometimes our hearts have to get undone before we can be made new. Sometimes God has to mess us up to open the door to glory.

And don’t forget this… God’s power is not for show. If He strengthens us…if He heals your heart and gives you encouraging power. If He fills you with wonder, it will be for a purpose. With that kind of power, love and wonder, He may expect you to fearlessly follow Him, even into dangerous places. If God answers your prayer, He may ask you to do something that requires great inner strength, like take a step of integrity at work that could lead to losing your job. Or maybe it will lead to an act of courageous generosity.

I’m just saying…if we aren’t willing to go to the edge of wonder, and take a step of faith…we may never leave the slums of holy ho-hum.

I know two videos in a row…but someone sent this one and I thought it deserved another listener or two…

My sister passed this God-story on to me.  Dianne grew up in the little country church that I grew up in — Ramsey Baptist.  Pretty amazing God-story.  Listen all the way to the end.

So my question is…  Can we praise God in the midst of the storm?  Knowing that He is our rock and that children are a gift, do we praise Him in the storm? Can I say that this is grace?

So yesterday was Lynn and Josh’s birthday.  What did we do?  We spent the better part of an evening putting together a trampoline.  Yep that’s right Lynn wanted a trampoline for her birthday.  Just kidding, it was for Josh.  Assembling a trampoline is quite a  procedure — two instruction books, 96 springs, a handful of screws, lots of non-rustable metal, safety nets, and the bouncy mat.

But here is what I noticed, trampolines come with a lot of rules — at least ours did.  I’m not talking about assembly rules, I’m talking about usuage rules.  Like — NO JUMPING.  Well okay, you can jump, but there is NO…  jumping high, jumping with others, jumping with balls, jumping that leads to flips, jumping that includes twists, did I say no jumping with others?  In other words to use the trampoline properly, you can go on by yourself — as long as you weigh less than 250 pounds and are older than 6 — and do one of four moves…

1. 1) Jump from your feet and land on your feet.  (Don’t go too high.)
2. 2) Jump from your feet and land on your knees.
3. 3) Jump from your feet and land on your butt.
4. 4) Jump from your feet and land on your stomach.

Once you have mastered these four moves you are now ready to go back to your ps3 and live vicariously through something that has no possibility of ending in pain.  Trust me.  I havc four children.  On more than one occasion I have told my kids to “be careful.”  On more than one occasion I have asked God to “keep my kids safe.”   On more than one occasion I have told them not to run with scissors.

I’m really not advocating thrill-seeking, risk-taking behavior.  But I would like to suggest that if we think that the primary goal of  life is to be safe, we may miss the life we are trying to save.  If the only adventure in life we seek is of the Disney-ride variety, (man-made thrills within boundaries) we may miss seeing God at work.

So here is what I’m suggesting — go ahead and do a flip.  Bounce a little higher than you should, tuck your knees up under your chin, and turn.  You may not land on your feet the first few times, in fact if you are a little concerned about it, ask someone to help you.  But ultimately it’s up to you to take the first step.  Go ahead — do a flip.

(You understand I’m also being metaphorical here, right?  As in take a chance.. don’t always play it safe.. control doesn’t necessarily lead to life.. safety may not be God’s #1 priority..) So..

• – Do a flip in your neighborhood by reaching out to someone that hasn’t smiled at you.
• – Do a flip at work by offering a lunch-time Bible study.
• – Do a flip in your career by considering that you might chase a dream.
• – Do a flip in your relationship with God by going on a short-term mission trip.

I won’t guarantee your safety, your success, or your sanity.  But I do know that Jesus once said (something like this) that if we try to hang onto our lives we’ll lose life — but if we open up and let go of what we are trying to hang onto — we may paradoxically find our arms full of life.  So go ahead — do a flip.  In fact do it with a friend.

This question will not be found on any Mother’s Day cards that you run out to buy today. It is not a question for the mother’s who are weak in heart. It is a question that must be put into the context of a whole life, not just a moment or a day. It is a question that you must answer for yourself, the radical Mother’s Day question is… “Is Jesus worth everything to me?” Your right, this isn’t just a radical Mother’s Day question, it’s a radical question for all of us, but to put it in perhaps more succinct Mother’s Day language… “Is Jesus more important to me than my kids?”

A few years ago I was in Myanmar I was speaking at a conference for pastors and missionaries in Myanmar, all national missionaries. On Saturday evening, the last evening of the conference we had a commissioning service. I spoke on how Stephen was stoned and his sacrifice opened the windows of heaven for God’s power and grace to pour out how because of him, the terrorist Saul became the missionary Paul. I asked for those who were willing to give their lives for Christ to come forward.

And you realize that these are people who have seen missionaries, pastors, friends lose their homes and even sometimes die for Christ. There was a group of pastors from the northern part of the country who ended up not coming because the week before a missionary in their region had been beaten and killed by Buddhist Monks. There was a man who was the chief in his village, who was going back to be a missionary to his village, but once the people found out he was a Christian, he would lose not only his title but his home, possibly his family. There were two young men in their late teens, early 20’s who had become Christians in the last few months who had been kicked out of their home by their parents… they wanted to go to Bible School and then go back to tell their village about Jesus.

I had asked everyone to go out into the yard and get their own rock and then talked about how Stephen used the stones that were thrown at him to build an altar of worship. I asked those who were willing to give their lives for Christ to come forward and build an altar to God and the people literally ran forward. They knelt by the altar of stones and began to pray…you know what they were praying… God give me the power to be your witness. Take my life if you desire. I give my life to you. You are worth everything to me.

Is Jesus worth everything to me? Is Jesus at the very center of my heart? Is he more important to me than my kids? With all my heart I believe that the best gift any mother can give to her kids… is a heart that places Jesus first. I am so grateful for the places where I have seen my mother and my wife do that.

I love Brian Regan.  He makes me laugh and even occasionally sneaks in a bit of conviction.  Watch this video (thanks to the Tobers) and think back to the last time the me-monster attacked.

What is it about the me-monster inside of us that has this incredible drive to out-do the person next to us? There is a phrase in the Bible that describes the pathway to abundant life — we need to die to self. What does that look like at a dinner party? While we are standing in line at a grocery store, in back of the little old lady who is paying in pennies? While we are catching up with old friends? When we are concerned about getting the credit due us? When is the last time the me-monster attacked your life?

The Whole World is Looking for a Connection! Everyone is looking for a partner…someone to run with, talk with, sit with, laugh with, play with… Someone to push them or maybe even carry them a little further than they can go on their own. Someone who is willing to sacrifice their comfort for your best. Someone who will love you even though you’re crippled…physically, emotionally, spiritually, or perhaps relationally crippled…seemingly disqualified…

The All Better Book is a book in which elementary school children try to solve some of the more difficult world problems, like what to do about global warming, or how to get people to stop smoking. Here’s one of the questions, these little minds deal with: “With billions of people in the world, someone should be able to figure out a system where no one is lonely. What do you suggest?”

Kalani (age 8) suggested that someone should find lonely people and ask their name and address. Then ask people who aren’t lonely their name and address. When you have an even amount of each, assign lonely people and not lonely people together in the newspaper.

Max (age 9) had a bit more practical answer. Make food that talks to you when you eat. For instance it would say, “How are you doing?” and “What happened to you today?”

But it was Brian (age 8) who obviously spoke from personal experience when he wrote, “Sing a song. Stomp your feet. Read a book. Sometimes I think no one loves me, so I do one of these.”

With billions of people in the world, someone should be able to figure out a system where no one is lonely. The whole world is lookng for a connection.

In fact we were created for community… As Randy Frazee writes in his book, Making Room for Life… “God designed us with a connection requirement.” Introverted, extroverted, life of the party, solitary hiker on the Appalachian trail… researcher, CEO, married, single…it really doesn’t matter… it’s not a personality thing, it’s not a stage of life-thing, it’s not a role preference… it’s a God-thing. God designed us with a connection requirement. We were created for community.

Sometimes it’s good to be alone. Solitude can clear the mind and cleanse the soul. Sometimes we get all-peopled out. But that doesn’t change the connection requirement.

This weekend at Calvary we are looking at the story of a woman who was disconnected — for the better part of 12 years. Then Jesus came into town and with just a touch… she found a life-giving connection.

So how are your connections? Are you looking for a touch?

In January, I had the amazing privilege of hearing the story of MS, a former Buddhist monk who became a follower of Jesus.  (If you didn’t read it, click “What Are Your Stories?”  MS wasn’t the only one, while I was there I baptized 19 new followers of Jesus, all former Buddhists.  

Then in February, Pastor Bruce and Pastor Vic were in Myanmar for the first graduation of Calvary Theological Seminary (the school we helped to start) while they were there they baptized another 22 former Buddhists into the amazing journey of following Jesus.   Last month the orphanage sponsored a Bible camp during MM’s water festival, 19 more Buddhists chose to become followers of Jesus and were baptized — that’s 60 in a little more than 3 months!  Revival in Myanmar!

Meanwhile they struggle.  Over 90% of the people live on less than $2/day.

 The children at the orphanage have gone through a couple of difficult months because of sponsorship needs.  One family — that chose to become followers of Jesus — have been expelled from their village by their relatives.  This family has lost everything for their decision to follow Jesus.  They have no land, no home or property, and no job — which means no food.

The struggle goes even deeper than that.  Mr. P and Mrs. M became followers of Jesus and were baptized by Pastor Bruce.  Mrs. M was pregnant at the time.  Last week, due to complications with the delivery — including no hospital in the area —  Mrs. M and her baby died.  At the funeral, the good news about Jesus was shared.  Hope was given.    

I can’t tell you how grateful I am to Calvary for your willingness to partner with these beautiful people — your prayers, your dollars, your time and energy make a difference.  You are an encouragement to them.  Sometimes you are the difference between life and death for them.  Your help is a reminder to them that they are not alone and that God loves them.

If you want to help, pray.  Pray for the 60 Buddhists represented by this post.  Pray for the family of Mrs. M.  Pray for the finances to support the children.   Pray for Mr. N, I baptized him in January and now he wants to go to Bible School so that he can share the good news with others in his country.  If you want to help, give.  You can go to and select Myanmar Ministries.  Every dollar given will go to help the needs listed in this post.

I remember going on the Jungle Cruise at Disney World for the first time with my daughters — Katy was about 4 years old. If you have never been on the Jungle Cruise, you sit in boats and float down a man-made river, filled through a man-made jungle filled with fake dangers and thrills. We were sitting in our boat and guide is talking about the wild animals and the restless warrior natives, he’s cautioning us to be careful and follow his directions. He’s holding his pistol and promising to guard us with his life. We round a curve in the river, the guide fires his pistol and yells, “Hit the floor, it’s an attack.” I look over at Katy and I can’t keep the laughter in my mouth as I watch her throw her four year old body, face first to the floor…arms covering her head. A perfectly normal response to the thrill of the danger.

But then you get older and you’ve been on the Jungle Cruise four or five times, and it loses it’s thrill…I know where the fake crocodile hides and when the hungry hippo roars…I know the words of our fearless guide by heart, especially the jokes. It’s easy to doze off. The only way to get a thrill is to live vicariously through the thrills of those to young to know any better.

For some of us…maybe especially those of us who have — or at least think we have — followed Jesus for a long time, our faith has become like a Disney ride. If you think that being a Christian is all about coming to church on Sunday morning, singing a few songs and listening to someone speak…your faith is nothing more than a Disney ride and I’m telling you sooner or later it will lose it’s thrill. You know the stories, you’ve exchanged the adventure for a man-made momentary thrill.

But what if following Jesus is nothing like a Disney Ride? What if it’s more like standing up to a giant with just a slingshot? What if it’s more like being thrown into a pit with lions — because you wouldn’t stop praying? What if it’s more like getting caught in a storm while Jesus wrestles the wind? What if it’s more like being willing to carry a cross, or care for someone with aids, or give away your retirement fund to feed hungry children, or serve someone who doesn’t really like you.

What if it’s nothing like a Disney ride? Wouldn’t that be cool?

No I’m not talking about the shoes. I’m talking about the toothed-tailed variety. Nowadays you can find a Wal-Mart everywhere you go, but before Wal-Mart, there was Woolworth’s. Anyone remember them?

Once upon a time they invented and dominated the five-and-dime market. The Woolworth’s vision was that you could get anything, and get it cheap at their store. And they had everything… including crocodiles. Some of you might remember this story. For a mere 75 cents you could buy a small croc at the five and dime — very popular buy for kids who longed for a pet, couldn’t afford a dog and didn’t want a cat. Think about it, what kid would want a cat, when they could purchase a 6-inch-long, big-eyed, long-nosed, whip-tailed, still small-toothed crocodile. You could feed it a few bugs or minnows and imagine you were on safari.  

Did you know that crocodiles typically continue to grow throughout the course of their whole lives? There is no maximum size-limit. They just keep growing — about a foot a year. In the wild they usually don’t live long enough to grow beyond 15-20 feet. But with good conditions — I’ve heard — they could easily double that.

So are you thinking what I’m thinking? One word. Lawsuit. How could Woolworth’s do something like this? Simple, every crocodile came with a box. And every box had a warning. “Never. Ever. Never leave your crocodile outside his box. Funny thing, the croc would never grow larger than his box. As long they didn’t live outsde the box, they would stay the same same small, five-&-dime size.

So this week I’ve been thinking about the awe-full power of God. No. My question is not, “how many of us have put God in a box.” We can’t. He won’t be contained. Our question is “Am I Living Life Outside the Box.” Or am I hiding from God in my box — keeping my dreams, my hopes, small, like crocs in a box. If your answer is yes, just understand, God didn’t put you in the box.