Whatever you do…DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR HEART!

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I have an enormous pet peeve.  I hate this more than almost anything.  When I see it I grit my teeth in anger.  When I hear it I want to scream.  If I did though I would look like a raving lunatic though because the thing I hate is SOOOO rampant in this world.

Have I built it up enough?

It’s encapsulated in three words.  The three most ridiculously stupid words ever spoken.  Here it is:

“Follow Your Heart”

It pains me even to type those words.  I hate them with fiery passion. I hate them even more when a believer in Jesus spouts them out.  If I happen to see it on a fellow believer’s Facebook status or Twitter feed I’ll quickly reply with:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17.9

Ya, I’m that guy…

When facing a difficult decision it isn’t just a bad idea it is just about the WORST idea that anyone can take.  Following your heart, your sin-sick heart is not a good idea.  Following your heart will destroy you.  If you are looking for advice that will ruin someone then tell them to follow their heart.  Currently, I am inundated with people who have followed their hearts and it has led them to awful places, low places, destructive places.

When people follow their hearts they end up following what suits them best, what pleases them most and what would make them the happiest.  What’s wrong with that?  EVERYTHING! Specifically though it’s SELFISH.  This is not what we were called to do or be.  We weren’t called to serve ourselves, but others.

[3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
(Philippians 2:3-4 ESV)

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never PURELY served anyone when I was following my heart…

What should we do instead?   

As believers we have been given something different inside of us to follow.  When we trust Christ we are indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit and given a different thing to follow, rather a different person to follow.  One who isn’t sin-sick, but is perfect in holiness, righteousness, and love.  Paul says it like this:

[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
(Galatians 5:16-17 ESV)

Following your flesh is another way of saying following your heart.  STOP DOING THAT!

Follow the Spirit, walk by Him, and listen to Him.  This will lead you into peace, joy, and hope…

AND I won’t scream at you.

Christ is all,
Jason

For a good resource on understanding the Holy Spirit see Francis Chan’s book Forgotten God.

Is Pain Necessary for Spiritual Growth?

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We all experience pain and difficulty. We all deal with strife and frustration. We all hurt and we all have hurts. This is part of life. This is part of the Christian experience. God allows hurt. God inflicts hurt. Why? The simple answer is “it’s the best thing for you”. But somehow that answer feels like it lacks something…

A GREAT Thought

Recently, Matt Chandler reminded me of a teaching that relates to this thought:

God is not the ambulance driver that shows up after the wreck. He’s the surgeon that will make the cut, knowing exactly what to cut out, exactly what to leave in, exactly what to take, exactly what to let alone.

God isn’t showing up at the scene of a catastrophe saying “how did this happen?” God is The Surgeon who knows exactly what needed to be cut and exactly what needed to be removed. He knows the EXACT issue. He sees the EXACT problem. He understands what needs to be taken and what needs to be left in. He knows what in your life has become an idol and what in your life draws you into worship of Him. He is not surprised. He is not caught off guard. He is not overwhelmed. He is a surgeon.

Some Simple Thoughts

  • Your cancer didn’t catch God by surprise.
  • Your spouse’s cheating didn’t catch God by surprise.
  • Your business partner’s theft didn’t catch God by surprise.
  • Your job problems didn’t catch God by surprise.
  • Your singleness didn’t catch God by surprise.
  • Your issues with your boss didn’t’ catch God by surprise.

A GREAT Verse: Philippians 1.29 ESV

[29] For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake;

You see God’s goal for you is NOT EASE. Let me say that again. GOD’S GOAL FOR YOU IS NOT AN EASY LIFE…I know that’s what a lot of people signed up for when they raised a hand or walked an aisle. But that isn’t what God promises. He grants us two gifts according to Philippians 1.29:

  1. Belief in Christ. Heaven; Hope; Eternal Life; Victory Over Death and Sin; JOY
  2. Suffering for His sake. Pain; Heartache; Difficulty;

The BIG Idea

[29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
(Romans 8:29 ESV)

God’s plan for you is not ease. However, God’s plan for you isn’t constant pain and difficulty either. God’s plan for you (and me) is that we look like Jesus. ONLY He knows what that means. ONLY He knows what needs to be removed in order that we look like Christ. ONLY He knows best.

Christ is all,
Jason

Bubba Watson – Christ Follower, Master’s Winner (in that order)

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Yesterday I started watching the final round of the Master’s, in my opinion the best tournament in golf. I love watching these guys hit shots that I could only dream of hitting. I took a nap after a long Resurrection Sunday morning, I woke up and had some honey-dos to take care of, and then I returned to the couch just in time to watch a playoff between Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen. They tied the first hole and then Bubba Watson took the second hole to win the green jacket.

At that point I only knew that Bubba Watson had a weird name and a pink driver. Then all of this information starts coming out. He recently adopted a baby. He I start following him on Twitter (@bubbawatson) and notice something that he posted before the final round of the Master’s Started:

Thanks everyone for the support! 3 reasons tomorrow will be#awesome, 1. Jesus has risen 2. See my new baby boy & my wife 3. Masters Sunday

Bubba Watson is a believer in Jesus Christ and uses his position as a professional platform to talk about Jesus. He’s leveraging position for Kingdom advance. Are you? Paul did…

[12] I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, [13] so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. [14] And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:12-14 ESV

Paul took seriously his mission wherever he was: in prison or out. His position existed to advance Christ and the Gospel. Bubba Watson’s position exists to advance Christ’s kingdom. Your position as student, teacher, businessman, pastor, friend, neighbor, homemaker, grandparent, etc exists to advance the Gospel. Where are you advancing it today?

Time to get to work…

Christ is all,
Jason

To read about Bubba Watson’s Testimony check it out here at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Music for Easter/Resurrection Weekend

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I’m a big fan of Matt Chandler and The Village Church.  They have recently released an album and it is excellent. It’s filled with Gospel-Centered lyrics and a powerful focus.  I’ve been listening to it for a couple weeks now nonstop.  You can purchase it here.  On Good Friday I thought that this song would be perfect: In My Place.  Here are the lyrics:

In my place, He stood condemned
He Who knew no sin became sin for us That we might become His righteousness

Bearing all my sin and shame
The punishment and blame
He conquered the grave
That we might become the heirs of grace

In my place, Jesus died
The spotless Lamb laid down His life The wrath of God was satisfied
In my place, Jesus died

Nail pierced hands, bleeding side His body bruised; my God crucified A crown of thorns, dying cries
His flesh was torn; my God crucified

Hallelujah, what a Savior! 

Christ is all,
Jason

Happiness at 33, Maybe. Made Joyful by a 33 Year Old, Definitely!

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According to a recent survey done by Friends Reunited the age of optimum happiness is age 33.  They polled people over 40 and found that 70 percent of respondents over the age of 40 said they did not find true happiness until they were 33 years old.  I’m 31 so this finding makes me happy (not optimally happy mind you, but in a forward looking type of way).  I’ll be 33 in 21 months.  I’m looking forward to optimal happiness.  The study made me think though.  The study made me meditate about that age and what happened to a special 33 year old more than 2000 years ago this week.

Christians are in the middle of what is known as the Passion Week.  I know that word sounds weird today linked with Jesus.  The word passion has a distorted meaning today.  It’s original english meaning was suffering.  This Friday we celebrate Good Friday.  Christians call it good because it’s the day that we celebrate Christ’s death on a cross and the salvation that it purchases for us.  This week Christians all over the globe look to this week for sober reflection, careful meditation, and excessive joy.

According to Friends Reunited 33 is the age when people attain happiness.  I don’t know about any of that, but I know that I have received excessive joy from a 33 year old who hung on a tree.  I know that I am blessed immeasurably because of what a 33 year old did for me on a cross.

I don’t think you find happiness at an age.  I think you find happiness in a person.  I humbly submit to you that person is Jesus.  May you find peace in Christ.

Christ is all,
Jason

Here are some Scriptures that I’ve been meditating on this week.  Maybe you’ll find them beneficial.

Hebrews 12:1-2
[12:1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. [18] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. [20] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Galatians 6:14
[14] But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.


Ed Stetzer – The Explicit Gospel: An Interview with Matt Chandler

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I’ve already preordered my copy of this book.  Eagerly looking forward to it’s release.  Here’s an interview with Matt Chandler (Teaching Pastor at the Village Church) done by Ed Stetzer (head of Lifeway Research).

Ed Stetzer – The Explicit Gospel: An Interview with Matt Chandler.

Goals Update – April 2, 2012

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I’ve been sharing my goals updates for a few months now.  Sharing progress has kind of been an accountability thing for me. I know I’m going to share it every month and so I’ve got to keep it up.

  • Lose 35 lbs. I’m down 29 pounds after my weigh in today. In January I worked on just exercising regularly. During February I focused on watching calories Monday – Friday AND Working out 5 times a week. Throughout March I became more conscious about what I eat on the weekends and making sure I do at least one “project” around my house on the weekends.  I’m really excited about my progress here. I’ve got more energy and I find myself in a better overall mood. I also hit the golf ball further, hopefully the softball too.  Downside: none of my clothes fit.
  • Publish a book. Still editing, but moving further faster.  This is mostly Allie’s department. She is GREAT at getting me to actually say what I mean. She’s excellent with words. Here’s a link to what I think of my wife. She’s awesome!
  • Read 15 Books. I’ve finished 7 books. I’ve read:
    • Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman: A really great book that calls believers to do more than just cheer for Jesus, but really follow Him. I highly recommend it.
    • A Book You’ll Actually Read on Church Leadership by Mark Driscoll (Both interesting and helpful in thinking through specifically women in ministry)
    • Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley (One of the best books I’ve read on preaching and teaching the Bible, if you are a communicator looking for a book to read that will instantly help your preaching/teaching then this is the book for you).
    • Sticky Teams by Larry Osborne: This is an extremely helpful book on dealing with the ins and outs of building effective teams specifically within a church context. I’d recommend many of it’s insights to business leaders as well though. Larry Osborne is a great leader and pastor.
    • Great by Choice by Jim Collins: I’m a big Jim Collins fan. He writes great stuff for business, but it is so well researched that I feel like he is unmasking some things that have been spoken about in the Bible. He recognizes much of this and knows that it has great application within church contexts.
    • Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson: An interesting book on the iconic leader of Apple. Jobs was an innovator for sure and a huge success in business, but not so much as a human. You’ll find out Steve Jobs was everything you thought and more in terms of his technological and marketing abilities, but that he is severely lacking in the character department. SEVERELY!
    • How The Mighty Fall by Jim Collins: See the Great by Choice explanation.
  • Contribute 15% to my retirement account…Up to 10% now. Lest you think I’ve made the mistake of not saving for retirement. I do have a 403(b) and a Roth IRA. I stopped for a while to follow Dave Ramsey’s baby steps and we’ve recently gotten to the retirement section.
  • Start my doctorate. STILL, Not Yet
  • Study the book of Isaiah. Through Chapter 6.
  • Increase my blog readership. In January my monthly readership was at 830, February hit 1023. My goal for March was 1500 and I had 1937!   My goal for April is 2300.  If I post I write strikes a chord with you please share it.  It will be super helpful.
  • Develop an iPhone App. No progress.

I’m excited about how far I’ve come.  It’s April 2nd and I’m close to accomplishing many of my goals and coming this far this fast has given birth to other thoughts and goals I could accomplish.  I’m not special.  I’m just getting serious about improving myself.  Anyone can do this.  The biggest thing for me in this is learning to do it systematically and submitting my goals to Jesus and allowing Him to direct me in them.

Christ is all,
Jason

Gambling on a Name: The Jets Bet on Tebow; Tebow Bets on Jesus

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Tim Tebow is officially a New York Jet.  The trade was completed Saturday, March 24th.  I love Tebow.  Today he had a press conference with over 200 credentialed media personnel.  TebowMania has hit Broadway. There is no doubt that his name brings with it some controversy, a HUGE following, and a ton of publicity (ESPN ran the press conference and ESPN2 posted tweets of others who were watching the press conference).  All of this is what I think the Jets are trying to capitalize on in bring TebowMania to New York.  They are gambling on his name to bring in fans and create controversy.

Remember the Jets are in a town that is filled with big name athletes and teams.  In most cities the pro football team is the big game in town.  In New York though you are contending with the Yankees, Mets, and Knicks (have we forgotten about Linsanity?).  And don’t forget there is another pro football team in town that just won the Super Bowl…The New York Giants.  The Jets are betting on a name to help them gain and grab some publicity, sell some tickets, create some controversy, and sure…win some games.

Tebow isn’t the name to gamble on though…

I love Tebow.  I love watching him play and his herky-jerky throwing style.  (It’s a lot like watching Charles Barkley swing a golf club).  I like watching him run into the line of scrimmage like a battering ram.  I love watching him win.  I love watching him handle reporters who want so badly to catch him not doing the right thing. I loved watching him throw the pass that knocked out the Pittsburgh Steelers from the playoffs (I’m not a Steelers fan).  I love how even the most antagonistic reporters towards Tebow walk away talking about what a great guy he is.  I love that he stands for his faith firmly.

BUT While he is a good guy, good athlete, and strong testimony for Jesus I wouldn’t bet on his name.  I’d bet on the name that Tim Tebow is betting on.

[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him (Jesus) and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)

Tim Tebow’s name sells tickets (and Jockey’s and jerseys and probably just about anything).  Jesus’ name is above all names (including and especially Tim Tebow’s).

Jesus’ name will cause EVERYONE to bow one day(even Rex Ryan one day).

Jesus’ name is the one that I’m betting my life and eternity on.

I like sure things…don’t you?

Christ is all,
Jason