Advancing Forward

Think about the story of Jericho. Joshua heard from God and was instructed to lead his people around Jericho seven times so the walls would come down. This is an odd military strategy to take down one of the most fortified cities in the ancient world. No catapults. No ramming the gates. No tunnel digging. Just marching.

Imagine the crowd with Joshua.

If his people were anything like ordinary people of today, then I'm sure there were the following categories:

The Grumblers. Their words were full of negative talk. They had nothing good to say about the the plan, the leadership, or proposed outcome.

The Skeptics. They guys just didn't believe in the plan. They may have liked the leadership, but they didn't believe in how the leadership was leading. They didn't have faith in God's plan. Or they didn't have faith that their leaders were even hearing from God to receive a plan.

Foot Draggers. These people literally wouldn't move with the plan. They were at the end of the marching unit shuffling their feet not wanting to take part in the strategy. They didn't get involved because they didn't believe in the leadership or the plan.

The excited. These guys heard the unusual plan and were filled with excitement to see how it would all play out. They eagerly did what they were told because they expected a miraculous outcome.

The Influencers. These people were not only excited, but they were the catalyst for leading people in the march. They were the encouragers, the motivators, and the one who set the example by taking the lead. They influenced people to align with the mission and to eagerly carry it out.

Who are you at work, at home, at church?

We choose how we will live life. We choose who we will affect others.

Instead of being the foot dragger or the grumbler, become the excited...become the positive influencer.

Let's intentionally make a positive difference. We've been created to do that!

The Cast is Off

Cooper got to enjoy the Fourth of July (actually 5th) in the water!

He's so happy to have his cast off. He still needs some time to relearn the walking thing. He walks as if the cast is still on.

But, we're thankful his leg is healed, and he's going to have a great summer.

(Yes, the inflatable pool needs some help. No comments needed on that!)

Bradley Hathaway Concert Tonight

He's got his full band tonight. It's gonna be good!

And I can't wait to hear Good Morning Midnight.

road trip @ The Fields

The Fields Church will be taking a six-week road trip through Hebrews 11.

The power of youth

In the last 30 days I've served in both San Jeronimo, Honduras and Mattoon, Illinois (USA).

Each time I'm amazed at the willingness from the kids to jump in and help.

Painting desks in Honduras

Washing cars at West Park Plaza in Mattoon, IL.

We need to empower, equip and train our children and youth to take ownership in improving their world. Let's set them up to succeed. Let's help them understand they are significant.

Imagine the power harnessed in the youth of the world.

The meeting of the minds

Welcome to the Junto.

Well before signing the Declaration of Independence, and at the young age of 21, Benjamin Franklin was already a visionary in building organizations. In 1727, Franklin brought together a group for the purpose of facilitating discussion amongst interested and exceptional individuals about topics of the day. The group, initially composed of twelve members, called itself the Junto (Latin for meeting). Its members all lived in Philadelphia and were drawn from diverse occupations and backgrounds. They each shared a spirit of inquiry and a desire to improve themselves, their community, and the lives of others.

Ten diverse and deep-thinking individuals have gathered from the East Central Illinois area to do the same. I'm a part of it. And Wednesday we met for the first time to figure out how/when/where/why we'll gather and discuss topics important to today.

From spirituality to agriculture to work burnout to the green movement to the search for happiness; a list has been made and topics have been suggested.

I'm excited to gather once a month with such diverse intellectual minds in the area. As we share our own stories, opinions, perspectives and questions, I believe we'll all have something to contribute...and something to learn from.

I'm excited to simply expand my circle of friendship.

Meet Louis

Thursday, June 11, was our day off in Honduras. We ended the evening with a meal with the pastor's family and our entire team at Pizza Hut in Comyagua, Honduras.

We were really looking forward to the pizza after a week of some home-cooked authentic food.

Our team gathered in the typical looking Pizza Hut. We excitedly ate some bread sticks, and then anxiously waited for our pizza. Then it arrived. It was so good!

Then I noticed a boy standing behind me the entire time we were serving up and eating our pizza.

He just quietly stood and observed our team eating.

His name is Louis.

And we found out he was a street kid. He was by himself. He had made it past the door greeters. And he stood by my side watching us eat....over eat too much pizza.

We pulled a chair up. Invited him to sit with us. We poured him a drink and got him a plate of pizza.

I broke. I teared up as I sat next to Louis. I watched his little dirty hands cherish each peice of pizza that he picked up off the plate.

In broken Spanish I told him my name, asked him his age, and asked him if he lived in Comyagua. Then I asked him if Jesus was His Savior. He nodded yes, as he ate his pizza.

I put my arm around him, and just TRIED to imagine my son on the street fending for himself for dinner.

Lord, take care of Louis. Feed him. Clothe him. Educate him. Protect him. Help others step into his world and bless him.

I left an hour later and headed to a hotel.

He walked down the street...