21 Days: Day 3 - Temporary

For the next 21 days this blog will be dedicated to a

journey with Jesus Christ.

One word will be posted each day, with a brief video explanation.
I pray it is an encouragement to those who are walking the same 21-day path!

(Special shout out to K1, my videographer for this segment!!

Love my girl!!)

21 Days: Day 2 - PRIME-Time

For the next 21 days this blog will be dedicated to a

journey with Jesus Christ.

One word will be posted each day, with a brief video explanation.
I pray it is an encouragement to those who are walking the same 21-day path!

21 Days: The Beginning

For the next 21 days this blog will be dedicated to a

journey with Jesus Christ.

One word will be posted each day, with a brief video explanation.
I pray it is an encouragement to those who are walking the same 21-day path!

The Big Idea

"What's the big idea?"

It was a question posed in 2009 by my friend John. John is an incredible

communicator. Last year, he centered his talks around a main theme or focal point. For linear thinkers like me, this seemed challenging at best! I find comfort in the structure of a verbalized outline following points A-B-C, 1-2-3. But the discovery I made is that Jesus taught in "big idea" concepts.

Today, I reflect on God's "big idea" for my life. On December 19, 2008, He told me the big idea of my coming year was one word: Revelation. As I read my 2009 journals, I am amazed at the

faithfulness of my Father to deliver so many messages in revelation after revelation. Some involved my family, some centered around my ministry and others (the most precious) traveled to the depth of my being as He revealed areas where I needed to grow.

With anticipation, I am now considering the "big idea" He has expressed will come in 2010. Again, He promised one word: Awakening. This brings a flood of emotion - excitement, anxiety, wonder, awe, hope ..... What a wonderful concept to experience with Jesus during the new season!

I'm curious - what is the "big idea" God has impressed to you in 2010? I pray that you will seek Him - discover His concept - and then immerse yourself in a world of fascination as He weaves the tapestry of your life in the days to come.

My heartfelt thanks to John and Colleen for the countless ways you have poured into my life and the lives of many others.

Psalms 17:15 - "And I - in righteousness, I will see your face. When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness."

Ch 10: The Crux of the Matter

This book begins and ends with the same intense passion. And I agree to chapter 10 as much as I agreed to chapter 1.

P. 172 Chan states "The world needs Christians who don't tolerate the complacency of their own lives." Concurrence with this statement begs a question: How/why do we become complacent? Pretty simple .... Comparison + Inadequacy = Complacency.

"We have a God who is a creator, not a duplicator." (P. 167). What a profound statement! And yet I often become frustrated because I cannot duplicate the traits I see in my fellow believers. The love of Laurie - the wisdom of Brandi - the self-control of Toni - - - - Admiring these amazing women of God is not wrong; the problem arises if I allow my gaze to remain on them instead of Jesus and His unique design for my life.

Comparing myself to others will deny Christ's unique purpose through me. And the enemy quickly shifts the act of comparison to feelings of inadequacy. The summation of these unhealthy factors results in a summed life of complacency. "....I'll just settle for this level of God in my life, because I won't ever be able to (...fill in the blank...)......"

In 2010, I expect an "awakening" from my Heavenly Father. I anticipate a beautiful confirmation of I Cor 12:4-7: '...different kind of gifts...different kinds of service...different kinds of working...' The celebrated differences + an awakening of my identity in Christ will equal anything but complacency!

Thank you Francis Chan for this book. I respect your dedication to call the body of Christ to a place of Crazy Love.

Ch 9: Who Really Lives That Way

The journey of reading this book has been long. Honestly, I was very motivated for the first few chapters - agreeing with Chan that we (the western church) need a massive wake up call. We need to love our Lord Jesus in a greater way. Then somewhere along the way, my reading experience changed.....



I began to become more discouraged than encouraged with the book. I almost wish there was a sub-chapter suggesting the reader 'hold on - - Ch. 9 is coming'!



This chapter helped me understand the journey toward a greater love for my Lord is doable. The inspirational stories of many who have suffered for His cause lifted my spirits. Page 156/157 documents Rachel's story - - how she could live 20 years with a people group who murdered her brother is unbelieveable, but true none the less. George Mueller's demonstration of dependence on prayer is amazing!



I'm currently reading a compilation by Rebecca St. James entitled Sister Freaks. This entire book is story after story of women who have suffered and/or made the ultimate sacrifice for the Kingdom's cause.



Friends, we can never repay Him. We can never fully love Him in the way He deserves. But we can spend our lives searching for ways to grow in our devotion to Him - forever striving toward Crazy Love.

Ch 8: Profile of the Obsessed

Obsession is a strong word, and yet I beileve we live very obsessed lives. The norms we have placed on our own life are packed with seemingly inescapable responsibilities that will forever altar our destiny if we don't continue the frantic pace. Work - Family - Friendship - Children - Community - GOD - - - all these life facets comprise His design for our lives. Unfortunately, we quickly distort the God-honoring framework into an unrecognizable blur repeating itself until our life seems but a quickly disappearing stripe in the rearview mirror of our racetrack world.

On the bottom of page 131, Chan lists Luke 14:12-14 to drive the point of living outside ourselves. I recently served at a dinner for individuals that were homeless, fighting addictions or recently released from prison. While my heart was burning with a sincere desire to extend love to these people, I was ashamed at how ill equipped I was. The lack of relevant small talk appeared as the Grand Canyon between me and the faces I saw. I realized it; I have not purposefully invited the outside world into my world. Take note- - it was not that I had intentionally excluded them- - but I had failed to purposefully include them as part of my life.

Now, I long for obsession. To be obsessed with Jesus - -what He wants me to do - - where He wants me to go - - who He wants me to reach. I want to be a risk taker -page 133-with a life motto of God, bring me closer to you during this day, whatever it takes....