Back in Action

Wow - six months go back quickly don't they?

Finally I have a computer that allows me to access the blog on a regular basis and decent internet access. Amazing how often we use these tools that they almost become necessary. My hope is that the new Chromebook will be a nice addition to some of the new tech tools I now have at my disposal.

2014 has seen a variety of changes but I'd like to think they have been good ones, not only for me and my wife but our families and friends. Hub City Church is becoming exactly what I thought it would become when we joined in 2012. It is a beacon for those that are lost, a place where the broken come to heal, and has become a family - not perfect, but one that is attempting to follow Jesus. We are thankful and blessed to be a part of this church.

2015 promises to bring even more change (doesn't every new year?), however don't expect any New Years resolutions from me.

Except that I hope to post a little more on this blog.

Blessings to you in 2015.

The Family

Perhaps the biggest fear my wife and I had when moving from Indiana to South Carolina was this: What will we do if something goes wrong?

While living in Michigan we had my family and our friends who lived no more than 45 minutes away. If a car broke down, if the washing machine went out, if someone got sick then we knew someone would be around to help us out. When we moved down to Indiana we were only 15 minutes away from my wife's family, and while we were able to make friends as the months and years progressed, it helped to alleviate some anxiety to know that if anything went wrong at least we had her family nearby to help.

When we moved to South Carolina we were moving to a strange (yet beautiful) new world and didn't know anyone. We were both able to get jobs, but like most people we weren't necessarily looking to make friends at work (thankfully my wife was able to do so). What this meant is that we were on our own if anything went wrong. Car didn't work? Refrigerator died?  Get lost in a brand new city? Too bad; you better be able to take care of it yourself. We never realized how much we relied on family to help us through difficult times.

I think that is why it was such a joy to find our church family at Hub City. Many of those attending were just like us. That had moved from far away, left family and friends, and started a brand new life. Not only that but they understood what it meant to be so far away from everything that seemed normal, especially when you had no one but yourself to depend on. They took us under their wings and became more than friends; they became our new family. They didn't really know us and we could have been quite weird. Yet the only thing that mattered was that we had the same Father, the same Spirit, and they treated us as more than just 'tourists'. As I type this I can't imagine what it would be like to not have them in our lives. How pale and shallow things would be. Who in the world would I be able to share my love of baseball and movies?

That is the great thing about being in God's family. Despite your past, your mistakes, the difficulties you face, the family of God says "Come on in". You don't have to wash up first or get your act 'together'. For those who believe you're given all the rights AND appropriate responsibilities of those who belong to the family. It is amazing to see the natural workings of the church in this capacity and it can move someone from just being a part of the crowd to being an individual who is committed to serving and loving the people around them. Just like a family is supposed to do.

So today, invite someone in your home. Make them a part of your family.

-Mike

Routines

We're all slaves to something. We may be a slave to our jobs, our hobbies, even to whatever addiction we might have (drugs, alcohol, TV, food, etc). For me I'm a slave to my routines. The routines I engage in allow me to accomplish far more than if I were just to fly by the seat of my pants. Some routines, when they turn into habits, can be great for productivity in the workplace and at home. The desire to simplify and decrease the amount of stuff in my life has allowed me more time to focus on what is important.

Routines can also create unwanted distress or angst. Sometimes our routines can become so over complicated or suffocating that they drain the joy out of life. Our entire focus can become exclusively about our routines and color the way we see the world. If something messes up our routine it is then deemed 'bad' regardless of the situation.

This has happened to me in the past to me especially when it comes to working out and eating healthy. You can begin to focus on specific aspects of life, of trying not to cross certain lines that you fail to enjoy opportunities when they pop up. While I attempt to eat in a pretty simple way, if a friend asks me over for dinner, no longer do I say no just because I know what they may be cooking isn't the best possible meal for me. It's more important that I enjoy the time I get to spend with them rather than worrying about the calories I may consume. 

I'm learning that I can simplify my routines so that flexibility is a positive rather than a hindrance to my goals. This brings a new level of joy that I had not yet experienced in the past. It seems like a good way to live.

The Fear of Preaching

Whenever someone asks me "So, do you enjoy speaking in public?", I always hesitate in answering. The quick answer is that I do enjoy the process of communicating what I'm passionate about to a large group of interested listeners (or captive listeners in some cases). But when it comes to preaching I have to add one caveat and it is that I'm absolutely terrified of preaching the word of God.

And I think that is the way it should be. The Bible is unlike any other text in existence in that it comes from Yahweh. What He says matters far more than what has been written in all other books combined through the history of the world. His Word saves (1 Corinthians 1:18), it changes people (2 Corinthians 5:17), and most importantly it speaks about His son Jesus. It gives us the reasons why we are what we are, why we deal with the issues we deal with, and how sin has infiltrated into every aspect of our lives. I cannot think of anything that gives a pastor or preacher more power or authority than this. But too often we whither away from difficult passages, or assume the audience won't understand some of the finer nuances of well-known stories, and in the end it does not give full glory to God. The entire Bible is the counsel of God and is sufficient for our needs. It is like having the key to the entire nuclear arsenal of the U.S. military...and if that wouldn't make your hands shake in awe and fear I'm not sure what would.

This Sunday, as I preach on the topic of forgiveness, I will pray that God gives me a steady voice, but an even steadier heart. May my love for Him overwhelm whatever fear I may have.

-Mike

Influence

I suppose, like most people, I believe my level of discipline is pretty solid. I do not easily fall for schemes, scams, or cons. When someone tosses a sales pitch at me I quickly tune out without interest. It takes quite a bit to gain my attention for anything other than what I'm passionate about. In fact I grow suspicious when someone tries to sell me anything at all.

Or at least that is what I thought until I cut out cable T.V.

It was then I realized how easily I was swayed by the commercials that flashed across the screen. The newest burger creation danced across my eyes? Suddenly I'm hungry even though I've eaten. An improved version of my phone just released? My 'old' phone now seems strangely obsolete and useless. A sale for a new/used car that looks far better than the one I own? I start thinking that maybe I should take out a loan.

These types of messages are sprinkled into every type of media in the world today. Whether it's the  TV, radio, magazines, blogs, etc. the underlying message is subtle: You're not as happy as you could be. You're not as important as you could be. You're missing out on something life altering. You are incomplete without this particular product.

And you know what? It's a lie.

The only thing these messages do is attempt to put you in a position to buy things you don't really need. Is there anything wrong with the items being touted? Of course not. Material things are neither good nor evil. But when modern marketing tactics are created, molded, and implemented to make you want to over consume...there is something wrong with that.

So what can you do?

1. If you still have cable or satellite TV you can mute the commercials and go do something else. Wash some dishes, do some push ups, fix a healthy snack, anything but watch the fluff that fills in the dead time before your show starts back up. This is something my dad did on a regular basis when we would watch TV and I never understood why...until I was older. Now he looks rather wise and discerning.

2. You can cut out regular cable/satellite TV completely. Because of faster internet speeds and services like Amazon Prime or Netflix, you can watch most of your favorite shows on these services without commercials. It's amazing how quickly your show goes by and you're not inundated by constant marketing messages. It actually gives you more time to do things you're passionate about!

3. Understand that at some point everything you own will either be replaced, given away, or thrown away. Take a look around your living space. See that couch? You may keep it for 20 years but at some point you'll replace it. Notice those magazines in the corner? Those will eventually be thrown away. The shirt you're wearing? You may give it away to Goodwill because it doesn't fit as well as it once did. Did I mention that when you die everything you own, no matter how much you may have loved certain possession, will either be given away or sold? When you think of your material possessions like this sometimes it seems down right silly to covet anything.

When you're not being influenced by outside forces you can be the one who influences others for good. Hopefully I can use my 'extra' time in this way. Seems far better than driving in a car I can't afford to buy a burger I'm not hungry for on my way to pick up a newer version of a phone that won't be any better than the one I have now. ;)

-Mike

Decreasing 'Screen' Time

Like many people I work in an office. My main tool is a computer which means I'm looking directly at a computer screen for roughly 9 hours a day. This was never really an issue until I got older. In my younger days I would work, come home and eat, and then jump online for the rest of the night without any ill effects. About 6 months ago I noticed that when I came home my eyes were so tired of looking at a screen that just glancing at a TV, my phone, or our laptop would make me feel physically ill.

I know full well we were not made for just staring at a screen for hours on end. Our eyes (and bodies) need movement, they need different environments, and most of all they need rest. So for the last 6 months I've made it a habit to slowly reduce the amount of screen time I have to endure.

1. At work I limit myself to 10 minute increments of staring at my screen. In most cases this means printing off what emails I need so I can look at paper copies. Since I have to scan in all interactions anyways it saves me a step and I can look at the paper rather than the screen. After 10 minutes I get up and stretch, look out the window at the trees, close my eyes for a moment, and then start to work again.

2. At lunch, instead of reading my Kindle or looking at my iPhone...I take a nap! I know, in our society napping is almost considered taboo as we want to constantly be productive. However I have an hour lunch so I can close my eyes for 20-30 minutes and allow them to rest. It's amazing how refreshed I feel even after a hectic morning. My eyes find it much easier to look at the computer screen for the next 4 hours if I do this.

3. By 9pm I turn almost all electronic devices off. While I may read my Kindle (it's not a Fire so doesn't have a backlight), or sometimes will watch a sporting event, I give myself an hour before bed without staring at a screen. It prepares my body for bed and allows my eyes almost 60 minutes of non-screen time. I may wash some dishes, get things ready for the following day, or I may just go to bed early.

None of these things are ground breaking, but like many things in life that bring long term value, they are small and sustainable.

-Mike

Small Things

Have you ever noticed that certain traits or characteristics may have names you've never heard off? If you're afraid of spiders you have what is called arachnophobia. If you're someone who tries to save every penny and loves to count it (think Scrooge) then you're a miser.

I recently found out that I'm what some might call a minimalist.

A minimalist, in it's most basic form, is someone who attempts to live with as few material possessions as possible in order to focus time and energy on things that have greater value. It means not getting caught up in the gnarled version of today's American dream: over-consumption. A minimalist is someone who is no longer encumbered by the desire to have the latest 'it' gadget, car, clothing, and so on.

In some cases it may mean changing the entire focus of your life. For some it means leaving a six figure career in order to help orphans. For some it means giving away numerous possessions that previously were a burden (financially, emotionally, physically).  In some cases it just means simplifying how you live your live. For me I've always had the tendency (or desire anyways) to purge myself of unwanted possessions. The fewer items I had surrounding me the better I felt. I never knew it had a name or that it was a movement of any sort. But the journey to simplify over the last few years has focused on 3 areas of life.

1. Material Possessions

When my wife and I moved from Indiana to South Carolina we had to downsize from a 3 bedroom house with a semi-furnished basement to a two bedroom apartment. In order to make this happen we had to sell, throw away, and donate about 50% of our possessions so that we didn't have to make monthly payments on a storage unit. I was surprised how easy this was (for me) and how freeing it felt to no longer have all this 'stuff', most of which we weren't using anyways. And since our move, roughly 2 years ago, I have steadily reduce the amount of material possessions I own. While I won't touch my wife's things (though I subtly suggest that certain things should go) I have managed to reduce the amount of clothing, movies, books, and games that normally would blanket our home. For Lent this year I made it a goal to sell, give away, or throw away one thing every day. So far it is has been an amazing experience to see things that once I never thought I could live without (such as cable TV, some of my Steelers gear) be removed from my life and yet I seem to be...happier. Who knew?

2. Eating

Maybe it's just the way that minimalism has come about, or perhaps the people who have brought it to the forefront, but it seems that numerous minimalists are vegetarian. This never was a possibility for me, and after reading recent studies that suggested that vegetarians have a higher chance for mental disorders and other health issues I was glad to avoid this type of change. However, I have been working to reduce the number of processed foods that I eat. Essentially my eating strategy is this: if it comes from an animal (meat), grows in the ground, or grows on a tree it is fair game. Anything else should be eaten sparingly if at all possible. Now I still love a good Coca Cola (with sugar and not corn syrup) but I have noticed that my body has responded in very positive ways. At some point I'll begin to add more grains into my diet and see what the right ratio is for me. What I have noticed is that grocery shopping is super easy, quick, and I have fewer boxes to recycle. I also now know exactly what is going into my body instead of looking over a food label and thinking "Uhhh, what exactly is that??". While I do have to shop a bit more to obtain fresh fruits, veggies, and meats, it has well been worth it so far.

3. Exercise

If you're like me then exercise is one of those things that we attempt to avoid if at all possible. Yet, because of the society/culture we live in (at least in the United States) a lack of exercise slowly saps the body of any real strength, endurance, or the ability to live in the way it was designed. I've exercised on and off for years with differing results, but just like with my eating I've started to simplify the way I exercise and why I exercise. Now I get up first thing in the morning and alternate each day with either resistance training or a cardio workout. The exercises I engage in are focused on the largest muscle groups, and I differ my cardio workouts as well. Thankfully I live in an apartment community that has a small gym...but I wonder if it is possible to get the same results in a way that doesn't involve any kind of equipment? No longer am I exercising just to lose weight but do so to feel healthy. I'm not looking to run a marathon, enter into a Mr. Universe contest, or even try to keep up with the CrossFit crowd. I'm simply looking to put small changes into effect now that I can keep up with even when I'm 80.

Each of the areas above effect numerous other areas of my life, and it's been interesting to watch how these ideas of simplifying have trickled down into my work, my hobbies, and my relationships. As things progress I'll post more updates and will share any new revelations that I come across.

-Mike

Growing Older

I wish I could have come up with a much edgier title, but having a birthday puts perspective on many things. As I sit back and reflect on this day, my birthday, I've come to some not so startling conclusions. These are not epiphanies as much as knowledge becoming (I hope) wisdom.

I'm not the same.
37 years have gone by and who I was at 13, 21, even 35 has changed. In some aspects quite drastically. My focus is different and it affects numerous parts of my life and the lives of the people around me. I can see where I have grown, where once weakness ruled now there is strength. In the same breath I can see certain areas where I still struggle and wonder if there will ever come a time when I know for sure I've mastered this sin. But I see things more clearly and give praise to God for the grey hairs on my head because I know He's used the situations that have occurred over my lifetime to mold me into who I am. Heck, I even drink coffee now!!

I desire less
I've noticed over the last 2 years that I have less desire to own things. Where once I would spend what I could to purchase the latest gear with my team's logo on it, even today I find myself caring less about sports, wealth, and material possessions and more about obtaining experiences. I would much rather go to a baseball game and see the sights and sounds than just buy a t-shirt.  2 years ago was also when I started praying that God would reduce my obsession with sports. God true to form answered my prayer and not necessarily in the way I wanted. While I am still struggling to figure out what to replace it with I can tell that my life is richer for watching less sports and engaging in time with family and friends. As I slowly remove things that no longer have value and free up much needed space, a level of freedom has arisen that is more than I bargained for. I'm still wrapping my mind around the idea that by owning less I actually have more of what really matters.

I watch less TV
For some it may seem small but for the first time ever I cut cable out of my life. While I still have a Roku and have access to basic television, I rarely watch it anymore. And because I have less access to TV I have less access to sports (see above). I've come to the understanding that it matters very little if I keep up to date on the most popular shows as in the next 5 years they will most likely be off the air. I find that my mind is far less cluttered than what it used to be and it has freed me to pursue other things. I never realized how much time and resources TV took up in my own life. TV isn't bad, but like many things if we do not create boundaries it is more than happy to suck the joy out of life. I even get more enjoyment out of movies now than I ever did before.

I know what and who I am
Just like everyone I've attempted to become all things to all people. Yet I can't think of a time when this actually worked out for anyone's good. It's taken me far too long to come to grips with what and who I am. Some people will enjoy being around me, some will not. I am a child of God. I love to laugh. While I enjoy good theological books I'm not an academic. I prefer the practical over theoretical. I'm a better speaker than writer. I feel more alive preaching than in anything else I do in life. I'm not ashamed of being weak nor of not having every answer to every question that is asked of me. I'm not a manager or a future CEO, and nor do I wish to be. Money does not motivate me at all and I'd rather read a good book out on my balcony than go to a party. I'm an introvert with extrovert characteristics that I've worked hard at building to allow me to function in society. Just because I don't call doesn't mean I don't love you but it does mean I severely dislike talking over the phone. I'm happy and content with what I have and do not wish to aspire to be anyone else walking this earth. But if I could be a bit more like Christ today than I was yesterday then I would know I'm moving in the right direction.

God willing, I'm looking forward to the next 37 years. Who knows what lessons I might have learned by then. Hopefully it won't take that long for another post ;)

Newness vs. Faithfulness

If you've ever ordered a cable package, phone service, or a new credit card, you know that all the perks are given to people who sign up for a service. From a certain percentage off the monthly fee, maybe an upgrade to a new data plan, or a free sweatshirt with the team logo of your choice, all the best things go to the new customers. If you've been a customer for numerous years what do you get? You already know the answer to that: nothing. You're considered to be entrenched as a customer and most likely you're never going to leave. It's better for the company to offer its services in a way to attract new customers.

Have you ever noticed that many churches do the same thing? They spend an enormous amount of time making people new to their community feel at home; from the welcome, to the music, even the message itself is geared towards making new visitors comfortable. New visitor luncheons, tours of the facility, even orientations so the visitors can get a good lay of the land. The desire to have the visitors return (and become regular attendees) is so high that in some cases it can seem as if we worship what is new and forget about those who attend to the community faithfully each and every Sunday.

I've read enough church growth manuals/books/essays to know that it is important to make sure you get some new faces into the church on a regular basis. But I've observed that the bulk of the work each Sunday gets done by those who now call the community 'home'. They volunteer to serve, give of their money, and do what is necessary when many others will not. They have committed to joining hands with others to do what God has asked of them. They've bought into the mission of your church and now need to be given the resources, time, and support that they deserve.

While I'm no expert, it certainly seems that for long term health of the church there needs to be a 30/70 split in the time you give to the new visitors and those who are now regular attendees. Those who attend regularly need more time (70%) and attention than new visitors (30%). If you find that 70% of your programs and resources are going to initiatives created solely for new visitors then you can bet there is an issue with the health of your community.

So what are some things we can do as a church to make sure the community of faithful attendees stays strong:

1. If you're a church leader say 'thank-you' in person to those who are serving on Sunday mornings. They usually work harder than anyone knows and rarely get the credit. Don't take them for granted!

2. Make sure that new visitors know (those who've attended 1-4 times) that while you appreciate them and are glad they are attending, that your church gives time and attention to those who are showing faithfulness on a weekly basis. Think of it this way: Do you give more time and attention to your own children or the children of your neighbor? You may care for all of them but you'll always give your time/energy/support to your own kids first. Why not have a fellowship dinner with the volunteers just to show your appreciation?

3. Publicly highlight some of the work of your consistent volunteers. I realize that not everyone likes public recognition, but it is good for the family of God to witness the faithfulness of others in the serving of the church. Hearts are moved and zeal re-kindled when we see how our brothers and sisters are used by God.

4. Create a process to move visitors from merely attending to getting involved in serving on Sundays. When a person puts some skin in the game and 'buys in' to what is happening at the church then they will start to become faithful in attending on Sunday and pursuing God in other aspects of their lives.

Faithfulness is to be revered far more than newness. May your week be filled with opportunities to honor those who are faithful to your community.