WOW -  faculty retreat – there has been a lot, but here is some wisdom that I have picked up in no particular order:

10. You can love someone without ever spending more than 20 seconds with them.  Love is like the beauty of the ocean depths, but many of us still only use waders in the waters of love.

9. 1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – have you ever wondered why love is the greatest? I am not sure, but a colleague of mine suggested that maybe its because love is the only one that is eternal – you see, in heaven there will little need for faith or hope, but love. . . . . love will always be there.

8.The places where I am most unlike Christ is where God wants to work the most

 7. One of my goals needs to be: Radical abandonment to God and radical availability to others.

 6. True Christlikeness comes at the point where it is hard NOT to respond as He would – D. Willard

5. I am as holy as I want to be – be disciplined – most imporatnt things in life do not seem urgent in the moment.

4. Fact: Life intune with God is nurtured by time alone

3. Almost everything that is worthwhile in life is difficult at first

 2. It is delusion to think that a great relationship with God can be carried on sloppily

 1. Do our lives look like we want to HEAR from God? Time for silence is MADE not found.

Finally, . . . simply. . .  a true learner obeys -

This was so much fun – seriously, thanks all to Ben Sanders (brilliant. . . and from California) who lets me run with my crazy ideas. I love being able to serve with such talented people at my church . . . Bryant family fun!

This is a video of the “Feed” – which is our church’s way of doing announcements – enjoy!

The Feed 7.31.2010 from Ben Sanders on Vimeo.

Thanks again Ben!

Yes, I know that we have all heard most of the stories about David in the Bible, he killed a lot of people (Philistines in particular) and certain wild animals with tremendous courage and fortitude as the ultimate underdog with strange weaponry. He reigned over God’s people, committed aldutery and murder, was the father of Soloman and Jesus Christ was born from his lineage. I do not want to down play any of those things – for they are an entire sermon series/books in an of themselves. . . . but I have been surprised recently by some new twists in his story that have spoken to me:

no chance right

- http://yankeerev.wordpress.com

1. Opportunities to kill giants in your life usually come when you are focused on some other task and seemingly “unprepared”: this just makes sense, the enemy is going to try and attack you when you are distracted and don’t have what you think you need (i.e.bringing food to your brothers at the front lines. . .without armor or a sword) – but in that moment. . .  our task-oriented focus MUST ALWAYS be vulnerable to the opportunities of God almighty.

2. You can defeat the giants in your life with what you already know how to do: Do you are do you not trust that God will never forsake you (Heb 13:5). If so then live believing that God’s work in your life IS THE PREPARATION for the giants. It may have only been a sling and 5 stones, but David knew how to use them . . . . what do you already know how to do that can help defeat your giant(s) – thanks Rob Wegner for this insight recently.  

3. If you truly believe then run: Simply put. . . David KNEW victory was at hand – so he ran (1 Samuel 18:48) towards Goliath. Seriously, if we trust that God is good all the time and is always with us then why hesitate – NO – let’s get off our butts and run into battle. . . no excuses. . . victory is not waiting on God. . . it is waiting on us!

4. If you ever think you have workplace drama/issues as well as in-law issues?  Read 1 Samuel 18,19 – Boss/King/Father-in-law trying to murder (literally) David many times. . . . . and what did David do? What should all of us do? He trusted God more than he hated the situation - remained obedient to God amidst the confusion/stress/anxiety. . . he did not quit on God.

5. God could have put anyone in the lineage of Jesus His son. . . anyone – who did he pick? David of course. . . .but also, Bathsheba (Mathew 1). . . this is our God - He took one of the most shameful acts in all of Israel’s history, and redeemed it. . . it is simply who He is – it’s called grace and it blows me away! Have you ever had someone that you have associated/and put trust in fail you?? yeah . . . pretty rough. . . . what’s even more difficult sometimes is to follow in God’s footsteps – claim and redeem their willing heart.

- http://miketodd.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c65c453ef010536d4981b970c-pi

Why do they call them leaps?

Because it’s not just a step. . . it’s not even a jump. . . it is something that you are choosing to do that inherently has quite a bit of risk – it is pushing you to the edges of your ability or capacity.

Why are they so good?

I believe that they are a critical part of our spiritual race because it forces us to rely on God who promises to be reliable and that in our weakness (or vulnerability – i.e., whatever is being risked in the “leap”) His strength is made perfect. Then at the aftermath of the leap. . . whether it turns out exactly how we thought it would or not. . . God is once again shown to be both GOOD and FAITHFUL. . . . thus, giving us memories or stories to share with each other that both edifies the Church, and constructs protective barriers around our heart from the bitter root of unbelief that tries to grow from time to time. These stories of God touching our lives in profound ways when we need it the most becomes the comforting evidence that He is always with us, and always wants what is best for us. They also can be seeds that are sowed to our children and grand-children.

Sadly, many of us are so far removed from the enslavement of the Hebrews in Egypt or the parting of the red sea – or even the passover to feel a tangible peace and comfort from recounting those stories. . . . but when we “leap” at God-ordained moments – new stories are born. . . . fresh evidence is discovered for us personally – that can inspire us to not just land from the leap, but to run full-speed ahead into whatever God has in store.

I took a leap today. . . . and no I can’t tell you what it is – not yet at least — but, I believe it is what God is calling me to do. . . . and once you believe something . . . . truly believe something  – there is no reason to simply walk to your opposition or decision. . . no, look at what David did with Goliath in 1 Sam 17 – he ran to meet the giant, why delay when you know that victory is at hand?? David needed no last minute preparation. . . his life WAS his preparation – same way with your leaps of faith – God has been preparing you for this moment for longer than you could ever know. . . trust Him. . . and take off!