So, we are in the middle of a parenting series at Church (GCC – you can follow this link to watch the full service), and this past weekend really made an impact on Ang and I. Mark Beeson encouraged us think about the vision, mission, and values of our family. Now, Ang and I had thought about doing this before, and there have even been a few times in the past few years that we actually set aside time to work on this. . . . . and . . . . nothing happened – something came up, . . . we just weren’t feeling like it that day, etc….. – you might have had similar days/thoughts.

So, chalk this up to a way in which becoming foster parents has already made us more intentional parents – we no longer have any time to linger in figuring this out. Don’t get me wrong, . . .  I feel like Ang and I communicate well, and are on the same page 99% of the time when it comes to parenting, but that reality is not an excuse for not thinking through these concepts and getting them on paper. The way that I see it – it will only improve our parenting and our family as we have something that we can return to and remember where our focus is – AND it is a tremendous tool to create a COMMON LANGUAGE of intention and purpose in our family that we can pass on to our children. .  . . . so, . . . yes. . . this will be hanging in our house

Here is what we have come up with

THE VISION (why do we do what we do):

The Bryant family has been given tremendous privilege, talent, resources, and heart to do great things for the Kingdom of God, and we will live to that purpose because we believe that loving other people first as Jesus does – without the worldly conditions of status, characteristics, beliefs, or past behavior – is the highest call given to us.

THE MISSION (what are the steps that we take towards the vision):

As a family we seek to always give God maximum glory by worshiping Him through all of our daily activities – regardless of the circumstances.  This starts with daily submitting our priorities, attitude, time, service, and provision to the LORD.  In addition to studying the truth found in the Bible, we will critically educate ourselves in the opportunities that God has placed before us and seek with great perseverance to be the best stewards of His gifts, which He has so generously poured out to us. If God’s revealed will is somehow in conflict with our own wants and levels of comfort, we will choose to “get over it” and trust Him. We refuse to believe that the greatest life that God wants for us is one of ease, but one that is full (Jn 10:10) – living at the edge of all possibility – accepting both the good days and the difficult ones. The Bryant family will always stand to fight against the enemy and his lies, and will not shrink back from the mantle of carrying the good news to ALL the world.

THE VALUES (how do we treat each other):

1. We choose truth over lying in every situation – regardless of the consequences that may follow.

2. We will treat each other with unconditional love – being accepting, respectful, and kind.

3. We will seek to serve one another before receiving.

4. We will encourage each other in every activity – choosing to build up, and never to tear down.

5. We will choose to view conflict as a tool for unification instead of division.

6. We will be grateful, not greedy.

7. We will sharpen each other to be healthy spiritually, psychologically, physically, intellectually, and socially.

8. We will generously give grace to each other – choosing forgiveness over condemnation.

9. We will try our best knowing that is all God ever asks of us no matter the result.

10. We will stand up for one another, and be there for each other no matter the sacrifice.

11. We will genuinely listen, seeking understanding not only of words but of the heart.

12. We will bring our fun with us; wherever God takes us .

- I encourage you, at whatever stage of life that you are in – to take the time to do this . . . establish your focus in life. . . it is worth the time and effort!

I was recently asked to put my thoughts down concerning when I feel most connected with God and disconnected from God. I only listed my top two insights in both categories, but I thought I would share them with you:

I feel God closest in either one of two ways. First, when I am in a different culture than my own – especially on a mission trip of some sort. I have been blessed to be able to travel around the world quite a bit, and many times I see God most clearly when I am staring into the face and the life of someone who is doesn’t look, act, or talk like me. Second, when I am on my last leg. This may the result of busyness sometimes, but when I need to get something done, but have no idea how to do it. . . .and no time to figure it out. . . God comes through in the clutch for me, when I am most vulnerable – I love that about Him!

There are also 2 main ways that I feel disconnected from God. First, a little background . . . see, many people are told the lie that “they’re not good enough” for much of their life – maybe from Mom and Dad, or a teacher, coach, or peer – and that can bury people, but that was not the case for me. See, most of my life I have been told, by many well-meaning people, a different lie that is just as dangerous – “I AM good enough.” At times, I can believe that I have all that it takes to succeed on my own – the talent, experience, athletic ability, looks, intellect, marriage, family, etc…. when I do, God usually feels distant b/c I have usually left Him in the dust. Second, I have often times in my life had an idol of “happiness” – and I pursue it fervently – moreso than God. Now, this is not neccesarily pursuing shallow things or buying “toys”, in fact, I am often times worshiping happiness with just establishing the simple expectation every day that a successful, God-honoring day must entail me being happy by the end of it. This is what I now know to be true – true happiness/joy cannot be pursued directly, but it is a perspective that is gained ONLY as a result of pursuing and trusting in God’s plans/purposes/work for me each and every day. Some days are difficult others. . . not so much – over time God’s spirit inside of me is teaching me the perspective of true joy, but when I ignore this guidance, and worship happiness – I distance myself from God.

Jesus did not die so that we could be tame! I understand that there is a balance here between safety and risk. . . especially as a parent – because it is sooooo not about ME anymore, but I really do think we can all risk more. On my life performace, I want a high score – not to compare to other people, but so that the judge can see his divine choreography performed the way that he intended it to be in my life.

This is not just for me. . . . this what I want to bring to my wife, and my children. Just like in the workplace, who can the boss can use most? Capable people that are willing to give up the most. I pray for the courage to risk in life – not stupid things – but those things that have eternal potential – love, forgiveness, time, etc… and I want my wife and kids to be able to look to me to help inspire their own God-ordained risks.

This is a graphic video that really tells a story that happens all too frequently today. Please – do not text while driving. This not just for your sake, and others riding with you, but for others driving as well. Think about it. . . beyond their own lives they may also have kids in the car, and those kids – need their mommies and daddies alive.

Please . . . it is not worth it!

Thanks DC Curry for the heads up

A colleague of mine sent me this video on how those who tend to believe in more pseudoscientific phenomena tend to also call upon others to be more open-minded!?? When in fact, from a philosophical stand point, that seems to be a very weak position. There is also a lot to be digested for the Church as well in this video – Turn your brains on and watch this:

There has sense been informal discussions among some Bethel faculty concerning this video, and so I just wanted to let you in on some of that – if your brain doesn’t hurt too much already

“I’m afraid that I detect some biases in these arguments that seem to be at the root of the issue.

Take a look, for instance, at 2:16.  There is a claim that a lack of (natural) explanation giving rise to a conclusion that an event is supernatural is a contradiction.  To quote the video, “In effect, it is saying that ‘I can’t explain something; therefore, I can explain it.’”  I’m afraid this is false.  What’s being claimed is not that a phenomenon cannot be explained, but that it cannot be explained using natural processes.  Thus, the argument is really, “This process cannot be explained through natural processes; therefore, supernatural processes must be employed.”  There are actually arguments like this made in mathematics:  that a particular system (in our case, an axiomatic system) is not sufficient to answer a particular question, so something outside of that system must be brought in to explain it.

While I can appreciate the argument by the person on the left side (at 0:52), the crux of their argument seems to be bashing the “non-scientific person” because they are not open to natural explanations.  At the same time, isn’t the person on the left falling into the same trap by denying (for instance, at 0:17) the possibility of any supernatural explanations for phenomena, thereby also excluding certain conclusions?  I can accept a scathing rebuke of the group on the right that attributes everything to ghosts (though I think a straw man argument has been set up here), but I think there are more than just the two sides.  We appear to have an excluded middle.  Can we not be open to both natural and supernatural explanations?

In fact, this leads down a very interesting road.  How far does one need to go to exhaust natural explanation before it can no longer be invoked?  The analogous questions in math (in terms of axiomatic systems) have answers.  A lot of work was done in these areas since the 1930s and Goedel’s incompleteness theorem.  I am surprised this is not being asked in the scientific community.  The issue I have is, are these questions even being allowed to be asked?  If not, why not?”

Here is another video about how science and religion can work together (not nearly as heavy!), and fight some of the criticisms of Christianinty hating science:

 http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=48261586648

A good friend of mine, DC curry, just posted this video from jonathanjarvis.com  – and it is truly helpful in understanding how we got into all of this mess as a country.

Thanks D.C. and thanks Jonathan for the creativity and clarity!

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

So, in the Fall here at Bethel we have a series of talks over the course of 3 days that we call the Deeper Life Conference. The guest speaker for these days is Jill Briscoe .

I wanted to give some highlights of this journey over the next few days starting with today’s talk:

- There is no such thing as an ordinary day when it comes to the Holy Spirit

- You don’t learn error/lies by studying error/lies, you learn it by studying the Truth

- When you feel overwhelmed remember that you are over-shadowed by the Holy-Spirit, who has overcome all things!

She encouraged us to do an exercise in learning about the Holy Spirit. She said to go through John 16 and make a list of all the “work of the spirit”
1. He is a Counselor
2. He will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgement
3. He is the Spirit of Truth
4. He will guide you into all truth
5. He will tell you about the future
6. He will bring Glory by revealing to you what He receives from Jesus and the Father

The question then I have for all of us. . . Are these things happening in our lives? How would we know??

I know this may be a reminder for you, but it was one that I needed recently – As one is able to determine the health of a tree by the quality of its fruit, so it is with us, we know by the fruit that we are (or are NOT) producing. . . here is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23):

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control

Fruit happens . . . . . . . let’s make sure it’s the good stuff people!

Amidst these very busy times in my life right now, I wanted to put forth some of the thoughts I have had (or been reminded of) recently:

1. If God asked me to give up _________, could I?

2. An “idol” is anything in which I find a source of security, identity, and comfort in outside of God’s will - where and what am I putting more trust in than God today. . . right now?

3. Really? . . . . . people who treat you and me like complete junk. . . . they’re just hurting – hurt people hurt people.

4. Why do I sometimes feel the need to exaggerate the truth – to make it sound like “it” was bigger, better, or brighter than what it actually was. . . in a way, . . . am I saying to God that the witness he gave to me is not good enough??

5. Why sometimes do I have to act like I saw “it” coming. . . when I didn’t. . . . or act as if I already know something . . . when I don’t. . . .   . . in a way, am I telling God that He can’t teach me anything?

6. In showing that you care – Initiating communication/time to be with that person is priceless

7. No matter how others treat me, or what the world is doing to me . . . .I refuse to take refuge in the snowballing comfort of being a “victim”, where complaining and excuses reign.

8. If there are 2 or more gathered in God’s name and I do not feel His presence. . . it’s on me, because He’s there.

9. There is a fine line between believing the lie that “I don’t have what it takes” and the lie that “On my own, I do have what it takes” – that line is where God and I can really do some damage to darkness.

10. I can’t wait to hear Jesus laugh

Perspective is often a funny fellow of sorts, now I am not talking about Ha, Ha funny, but strange, weird, different kind of funny – hold-on flashback!! – lol (if you don’t know what I’m talking about click HERE and go to the “Drama” tab – click on “I miss you money”). Now back to it. . . at times I am convinced he will stay (like coming back from a mission trip – or going through a trauma). . . other times I am seeking desparately for her but she is nowhere to be found. I’ve had a bit of a roller coaster with perspective over the past few weeks – and here are just some thoughts -

 1. I lost 2 tremendous friends in death, and could have been killed myself. . . . I have a baby coming in 7 weeks

2. I second guess the authenticity of comments from long-time friends . . . I trust completely in communication with an Indian comrad I met for only 2 days

3. I question God whether I am the man to potentially lead a world changing movement. . . . He says, give me your 5 loaves and 2 fish.

4. I have worked several days in a row 15 hours a day. . . . 2 of my friends lost their jobs, and another is waiting to here -

5. I have seen the despair on a Father’s face as he comes to grips with not being able to provide for his family. . . . I have seen the joy and excitement on a child’s face as Daddy comes home from work.

6. I have felt pushed close to my human capacity as if backed into a corner of a room in my own mind/heart that I have never been before. . . . but. . . in that seldom seen dark corner – I have discovered a new, very small doorway, that I had never noticed before, and it leads into a much bigger, larger, and brighter room.  

7. Jesus the only one to have every “right” to not have to “deal with people” especially those that “have issues” or a “past” or those who are “lost” . . . . was proud to be known as “friend of sinners.”

8. With #7 in mind, I am challenged by this perspective: If you want to find Jesus, spend time with the people that He spent time with.

9. I have been exhausted physically and emotionally. . . only to be reminded of  true exhaustion - through a conversation with someone who was/is lonely. . . no friends. . . no support. . . no real relationships . . . . . . to turn to cry and noone’s there to wipe away your tears.

10. Being humbled to new depths as I am faced with many “problems” of rapid growth amidst such a national tidal wave of despair. . . . I do not understand it. . . . I threw “fairness” out the window 5 weeks ago. . . . my conclusion. . . . my real, true, and only hope in any circumstance is to fall to my knees and cry out “Dad, please come and help, my family, my integrity, my marriage, my work, my relationships, my present, my future, my everything. . . . it was yours to begin with – I’m not real sure why I took it away from you, but. . . . I am giving it back now – it’s so much better off in your hands Dad.”

I have sensed from the moment that I stepped foot on this campus that I was called here. . . . . in part. . . . to stretch these students into becoming more than they every thought was possible. . . . to start a few fires in their hearts and minds that they cannot ignore, – - – you know, I often believe in my students so much more than they believe in themeselves. . . . . and one wish that I have for them. . . . is that they live out this radical love of Jesus. . . . . without feeling destroyed when others don’t approve.

This is a video that we used in our identity series last year or so at Lifeline (GSM now). . . . and it is a wonderful reminder to me today that God loves you and me so much. . . . . enough that. . . . we don’t have to play the comparison game anymore. . . . that your worth is NOT CONNECTED to others’ dissaproval or. . .  conditional love. . . . .The truth of God’s grace has set you free from those chains of being obsessed with other’s approval. . . . Praise God for that freedom. . . . and live like you are free. . . . because you are!

It is always interesting to see where God is stretching me. . . there are so many areas that I need to mature in, . . . .  and so, it’s fun to see which one God chooses at different times in my life

I had the opportunity to speak at the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) group at Penn High School this morning. . . . it was actually very funny to see young people actually moving and talking, and generally . . . . . just alive, at 7:30 this morning, b/c . . . . usually in my first class . . . . . . . . I sometimes see my college students in a lucid form of sleep as the make their way to their seats. . . . , and that is at 9:00!

What an honor it is to be able to influence the young minds of this generation. . . . . . . and I think today. . . I finally learned (emphasis on “finally”). . . about being content with step #2. . . . .

So. . . what is step #2. . . . well, it started with a nudge of the spirit back in June. . . . . Hey, I want you to be one of the first from this area to go to India (this December) on the Justice Team. . . . . ok! sounds great!! . . . . . .  . . . . . .then I started to realize that this trip was going to be unlike the countless trips I have been on before to places all over the world. . . . . . . this time. . . . there may not be tangible successes. . . . . . completed “projects”. . . . very little evidence of doing “anything” – no houses built, no wells dug, no food distributed, no conversions, no drastic life changes, etc…. – but, in a 15 step process of someone coming to know the freedom of knowing Christ. . . . this may be step #2. . . . . . . . and we all KNOW, logically, that #2 is just as important as #15, but . . . . . my stubborn heart is finally starting to get it. . . . let’s look back at God’s hand -

1. Nudge for mission trip to India on Justice team

2. Learning that our mission may be one that “JUST” involves initial relationship building (just time being around natives), and learning about the horrible situations in more detail 

3. An overt reminder from my friend and justice teammate Don Reynolds - that being an obedient pioneer into a new adventure is a worthy call – regardless if the ONLY thing that we do is make mistakes (that future teams can learn from) and try and love people while we’re there.

4. I hear this message about being a domino in the line of someone coming to know the love of Christ (see post on 9/11)

5. My wife sends this video to me – see it in my 9/24 post

6. I get surprised to hear God telling me to not prepare much for my FCA gig this morning

7. I understand that it was not preparation that God was against, instead he was preventing me from trying to be step 14 or 15 when I was supposed to be #2. . . .

8. I I ate breakfast with some of them, I told the group a great personal story to connect with, I made the students laugh, I ended the story with the point that God loves them and that He has your back, and I encouraged them to have a great day – and come back next time. . . . .

9. I walked to my car content. . . . content to have just been one small, somewhat forgotten, step in a student’s long journey. . . . content to have been obedient to #2. . . . . .

You see, I always want to be 14 or 15. . . . . . . because those are the glory spots. . . . those are the spots that you can hang your hat on and feel good about yourself because there is “proof” that you made an impact. . . . . . . . . . the problem is . . . . . . there are lots of people out there that need a 1-13, . . . . and I want to be able to be ready for wherever God puts me. . . . . . . So, thanks father for being patient with me in the past about not wanting to be a step 2 guy, you know I will probably need reminders every now and then, but thank you for nurturing me, for stretching me to be an even greater force for your kingdom. . . amen

You guys have already heard me talk a lot about my block class. . . because I really do care so much for my students. . . .

. . . . and I get to have a lot of fun!

Yesterday, I saw the first real signs of the transition from High school to College. . . you know. . . . when the students start saying things like “man, why did we do all of the stupid stuff in high school. . . . who cares what other people think!” – I love this part, because they are beginning to realize their place in the adult world – as they are. . . . not what their friends think they should be. . . . but their own man or woman. . .

Anyways, they had their first speech yesterday in Speech class (the other half of block), and it was on  wisdom they had gained thus far in life. . . . . so, I wanted to share just some tidbits of their wisdom

God taught me how to love, and not judge others through the stinging pain of insults and judgements that others rained down on me

wisdom is not just knowing you are gifted, but knowing how to use your gift for good

wisdom does not just happen overnight – it takes proper trainging, time, and the ability to learn from mistakes

I knew what I wanted to do, but didn’t know the steps. . . . . but I believed that Bethel could get me there

I had always been a Christian as long as I could remember. . . . or so I thought. . . . until I felt loved and accepted for the first time

wisdom is the ability to see the big picture of the present and future, but also the past. . . looking back and seeing God’s hand move

worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of sorrow, but it empties today of strength

which do you have. . . . reasons or excuses?