I am doing something for the next couple of days that I don’t know if i have ever done.  I am taking a personal retreat.  I am really seeking the heart of God on many things.  Dreams, passions, vision…etc.  I am so excited to be using The Storyline Conference as a major piece of it! I was struck by how much money and time I spend on so many different things to make my life easier or better or more efficient, but when was the last time I actually spent money, got away and did a serious inventory and self examination of my life. What kind of man, dad, friend, lover, hero, villain, or saint am I? What are my weaknesses, my blind spots and my greatest temptations?

My desire is to have some time to just think on my life; my past, my present and my future.  I want see God in the storyline of my life but also to make some changes so that the trajectory of the story becomes even better.  When I read about the Storyline Conference my heart skipped.  I have appreciated Donald Miller, his heart, his authenticity, his vulnerability and his love for Jesus.

So I watched this and was sold…

So when was the last time you stopped, carved out time in your life to do some focused self-examination? If you are anything like me, the answer is probably, not for a long time…if ever. The time is now.  At least for me!

I love the church I am a part of. It is a true community of messed up people that are seeking to live as followers of Jesus. This past week we asked ,

“Is the Gospel Worthy of Your Generosity?”

It is a question that cuts to the core of selfishness and fear. It causes one to really wonder if they believe that God is Lord of all and that they can trust him with everything. This video that we showed just talks about how The Gospel is causing life change in people. Not a punch list and pat on the back of what we have done, but just a reflection on what God is doing and how we long to keep that the main thing.

So watch it and really ask yourself

“Is the Gospel Worthy of Your Generosity?”

WATER

I have loved Living Water and their work for years now.  This year they have introduced an incredible gift for Christmas. Check this out:

A physical gift card that allows one to ENTER THE STORY of a village somewhere in the world that desperately needs clean water!!  It is a cause oriented relation gift that allows the gift-reciever and friends to huddle around a computer, type in the redeem code on the card, and then put that money to work in a chosen village or area somewhere in the world!!  What an incredible tool to use for friends, family, acquaintances and for our family our kids.

We are putting one of these cards in each of our kids stockings.  On Christmas morning, along with many other fun things there will be a moment when they open these cards and the the consumer morning takes a screaming halt to ENTER THE STORY of a country, a village, a family, or a person that desperately needs clean water and is dying with out it!!

So join me…watch this incredible video and go purchase a card and  join me and my family in our new Christmas tradition – WATER!!!

because CHRISTMAS [IS] CHANGING THE WORLD!!!

Christmas [is] changing the world from Living Water International on Vimeo.

My good friends at i5810 media asked me to go interview someone for their Hope to the Hungry campaign to raise money for Rescue missions that help the homeless.

I love hearing and seeing stories of life change. You know those stories that are crazy and wild and are only created by God. I got the chance to sit down with one of these God stories. His name is Brian “Head” Welch. He is the ex co-founder and lead guitarist of the band Korn! God has used this guy in great ways. Take a few minutes and watch!!

What is God doing in your life??

Rwanda, a 9 Year Old & A Forever Changed Family

Many of you know about our adoption of our amazing daughter 4 years ago.  It still amazes me that we have her and she is ours.  The complications of the adoption were many and at times we were told it wasn’t going to happen. I will never forget the day I was standing in the Minster of Family and Genders office in Kigali, Rwanda and out of the depths of my heart and holy justice came these words

I will do what you need me to do…I will drive all over your country and get whatever papers you need with whatever signatures you need but I WILL NOT LEAVE RWANDA WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER!!!

I will never forget the look on the ladies face when she just realized Aslan had stepped into her office !!  At the time Rwanda didn’t really work with adoption agencies and so this was an independent adoption.  I had no idea what was going to happen, but after 7 weeks of begin stuck in Kigali, Rwanda and then Nairobi, Kenya and then back in Kigali, Rwanda and then back in Nairobi, Kenya, getting another US Ambassador and US Consular from another country involved, crying and praying and crying some more…we boarded a plane for home!!

It still brings me to tears even as I write this…I wanted to share this Adoption Story through pictures!! Enjoy!!!

What about you??   Why not adopt??