So much going on it's hard to keep up, but the Lord notices what you are doing

Have you ever felt like that? So much going on in your life that you're really not sure you are accomplishing anything? It's been that kind of crazy few weeks at Mission: GO Detroit. First, since being unable to renegotiate a new lease with our previous landlord we were blessed by the favor of the Lord with an incredible new space just 1 mile north of our previous space. It is larger, more adequate for our needs, and beautiful inside and out. What a blessing the Lord provided as we were not sure of our next step. So, over Thanksgiving weekend we rounded up as many able bodies as we could and made the one mile move north. Honestly, it may be just as easy to move across country as it is to move up the street.

Couple that with increasing opportunities for service and ministry, and actually having to learn to say "no" to some things, has kept us hopping. Rochelle is working part time with the home school partnership, we continue to teach 3 classes outside the dojo, and are being asked to give special presentations across the area. As I write this I am preparing for one this evening to 50 Boy Scouts working on a Fitness Badge. Again, wondering in all this busyness if we are accomplishing anything.

But as I've been spending this fall in the Book of Psalms I was reminded that the Lord does take notice of what we are doing, especially as others look to us as an example. That was great confirmation for me in this hectic Urban Missionary lifestyle. The Lord notices.

It's a crazy-busy time of the year. If you're not careful you may actually run into yourself in the hallway coming and going. Work, kids, school, hobbies... CHRISTMAS! By the way, please do not miss CHRISTMAS! But remember this, the Lord notices what you are doing. He sees your labors.

Stay faithful and enjoy the journey.

Just a simple thought as I watch the snow fall in Metro Detroit,

Shawn

A Man of One Book

It has been an extended period of time since my last blog post. During that time the Lord has been impressing, actually reimpressing, some things on my heart.

A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).

People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.

To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.

Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is nothing of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), so that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:9-10).

In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).

Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).

God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).

So, what are you reading?

Find the backdoor into people's lives and make your way in with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn

A Man of One Book

It has been an extended period of time since my last blog post. During that time the Lord has been impressing, actually reimpressing, some things on my heart.

A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).

People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.

To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.

Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is nothing of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), so that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:9-10).

In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).

Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).

God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).

So, what are you reading?

Find the backdrop into people's lives and make your way in with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn

A Man of One Book

It has been an extended period of time since my last blog post. During that time the Lord has been impressing, actually reimpressing, some things on my heart.

A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).

People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.

To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.

Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is noting of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20). So that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." (Philippians 3:9-10).

In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It. Is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).

Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).

God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).

So, what are you reading?

Find the backdrop intopeople's lives and make your way with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn

Unspoken Word on the Street

You tell me of this Jesus and His great love for me

But in your life of words and actions it's hypocrisy

I've read the Book you gave me; thanks for the compassion for all to see

But I hear the things you say about me: lazy; won't work; a dreg on society

You think I want to live like this: food stamps; section 8; and Medicaid

But the truth is I feel ashamed; worthless; lack of dignity

I don't need another preacher from the burbs hawking at me

I need a missionary heart loving life into me

You ask me to come to your church but you won't come sit on my porch

I know it's hard and can be scary too, but if the JW's and LDS can do it why not you?

I really want this Jesus and the life you say He gives so free

I'm just afraid and need you to do this new life with me

So don't let my words offend you; please don't stay away

Come a little closer, despite them, because my belief in Jesus might be today

Hold Nothing Back

Come as you are, every area of your life exposed
Hold nothing back, every member of your body; sins untold

I hear your voice, the way in which to live
But guilt wages war as what I want and what I do are not the same within

So not just the whole, but each part alone
I bring to the Savior; saved... sanctified... whole

And as it is for me, let it be for Your Church
That the world may know the love-life of Christ
Available for all who search

Give Him Your Burdens

The burdens of life can be so heavy
Shoulders aching under the strain
The stresses of each day so many
No relief to be found for the day

But the is a Savior who carries our burdens away
"Bring them to Me," He said
"Exchange your yoke which is heavy,
And take up Mine which is light" today

"I will give you life," He said
Life abounding in joy
The burdens of this life that once seemed so heavy
Now laid down at the cross of Calvary no longer my life to sway

Give it to me straight

Words on a page mean a lot to you
They're a source of hope and truth, and strength for you

But those words on a page mean nothing to me
Until I see them lived out for the world to see

I want what you've got but my defenses are high
So advance His Gospel be force if His words cannot lie

Give it to me straight don't cover it up or make it PC
I live a different life then you and my life is in need of hope you see

If Jesus is the way and His word brings life
Then preach it to me hard giving me hope, removing sins strive

No Fear - I'm Free

Fear is a chain that binds
It locks us up
Body, soul, and mind

Its links are strong
Its lock secure
Jesus blood the key
That holds the cure

Salvation in Christ
Sets men free
Chains fall off
Locks broken on a tree

His cross of love
Prisoners set free
Spirit like a dove
Praise God, my Jesus loves me

The Love of Christ
Lavished on me
Perfect love that set me free
Perfect love - no fear remains
Freedom in Christ to be attained
So call on Christ, never be the same

Cast to the Other Side (John 21)

Have you caught any fish?
We've labored all night.
Bring what you have.
We've not even a bite.

Don't be discouraged, stay where you are.
But the fish are not biting, we're heading to shore.
You're in the right place, but your nets the wrong side.
We're trained to catch fish!, you're just a stranger on shore,
But whatever you say, our wisdom no more.

I have enough fish, I. have enough bread;
That's not the point the man on shore said.
We're tired and no sense does it make,
But we'll cast to the other side, in case a catch we should take.

The Nets will they hold? The catch is so large!
Heaven's resources untold, who is this in charge?
Bring it ashore and add to my fry,
You were in the right place, just new methods to try.

The man on the shore,
We suddenly knew who He was.
But no one dare say,
Until He called us as one.

My resources are yours,
And to you I will give,
Fish for the catch,
Just follow my instructions, new life yet to live.

So stay in your place, the place is not wrong.
The spray in your face, casting your net with a song.
So what do we learn from this man on the shore?

The resources are His, He gives want you lack.

It's a journey of faith, never look back.

Prisoner of the City

I'm a prisoner of the city
The guards are my fear
Prison walls built so high
The cries of the city ring in my ear

I'm a prisoner of the city
They say I'm free to go
Be just like everyone else
Who said, "God loved them"
As they drove off with their love in tow

I'm a prisoner of the city
But my sentence is not from man
The love of Christ compels me
In chains of the Gospel I take my stand

I'm a prisoner of the city
If I leave they'd say I tried
But Jesus loves the city
For the city too Jesus died

So a prisoner of the city I choose to be
Remembering how Jesus found and rescued me
The love-life of Jesus, His presence to be
Opening prison doors, setting the captives free

Play With Me Daddy

Play with me daddy, my little boy did plead
A game of flag football is really all I need

Work to be done, a child has to wait
A decision to make, which do I take?

I've missed it before, these play with me dates
My child's fleeting moments in innocencies gate

I tried to do both, to play and to pen
It seemed a good option, but only just then

But I better decided for just one so someday when
So not to look back on "what could have been"

The decision was right, the joy on his face
When I laid down the pen, played the game, slowing the race

Play with him, three games did he win
Play with me daddy, please son, ask me again

Sights and Sounds

It's the sights and sounds of the city
Sights and sounds of the neighborhood
Dogs barking barking, babies crying,
Traffic screeching, and bullets flying

It's the sound of kids playing ball in the street
The sight of two cars who meet,
Passing a rock, addictions to keep

It's the sight of the elderly couple shuffling along
Who remember their block,
The sound of joy and laughter
Instead of a lock

It's the sights and sounds of anger
Fueled by hopelessness and fear
What can be done to take back our streets
And lose the gun, Bring back the peace
So our streets can be safe, the community one

But out of the darkness echoes a voice
Of One crying in the wilderness, offering a choice
It's the sound of Salvation, and the Sight of Love
Jesus weeping over the city, offering His Blood

Lay down the hurt and come to the Cross
Enter His Kingdom, laying down the loss
You see, Christ is invading the streets
Transforming the sights and sounds of anger and hopelessness
To sights and sounds of Grace and Peace

So watch for the sight of His coming
Listen for the sound of His voice
He echoes throughout the city
New Life He offers, sins forgiven, causing rejoice

So call on Him today,
The sights and sounds of the city,
The sights and sounds of the streets,
All will be made new in Jesus
If for no one else, our Savior loves you

Little Boy In the Gym

Little boy in the gym fighting back the tears in his eyes
Being raised by a dad who says "real men don't cry"

Working his combos as hard as can be, it's only day one of a long journey you see
He's gotta get it right or his fathers disappointment he'll be

Take it slow and easy to him I say, you don't have to get it perfect, just try today
Real men acknowledge the pain, and release it with tears

You see, crying can either stop us in our tracks
Or push us through carrying the pain on our backs

Crying allows us to feel the pain, and savor sweet victory
Tears are the bodies release and the cleansing we need

So to the man who says, "real men don't cry"
Stay away from my son before he starts believing your lie!

The ones who say, "real men don't cry"
Know nothing of manhood, or even wanna try

To the man who says, "real men don't cry"
Lay down your arrogance and misguided pride

Real men look to Jesus who not only wept, but died
Defeating the grave and in life canceling the debt

Little boy in the gym with tears in your eyes
Seeking your fathers approval if only this time

Just remember this truth, that it's okay to cry
Jesus our Savior loves you, and so do I

Teddy Bears

In the city we see it every day
Teddy Bears nailed to a tree
So easy to miss
Too painful to see

They're more than a face
In a pict on a tee
They're innocency lost
These Teddy Bears nailed to a tree

They represent a life
Snuffed out from what could be
Taken out by hate
By mans own lost innocency

So don't ignore the pain
Follow Christ and Go and Be
Take to the streets
Christ's love-life to be

Teddy Bears belong in a child's arms
Not nailed to a tree

Fight Camp; A Door or A Bridge?

Thanks Paramount - River Road Campus (Amarillo, TX) for leading an amazing week of Fight Camp 2016. Mentally, physically, and spiritually we all walked away exhausted. Your 14+ hour days; your love for kids and families; all enveloped in your love for Jesus. And Lion's Roar parents and volunteers who didn't have to give back to their school, but chose to and the difference you guys made. Friend's from a nearby church who gave of time and resources so each child could break a board to demonstrate their newly learned and honed skills. I could go on and on as it was an amazing week.

Fight Camp 2016 really did serve as a back door into people lives as campers not only learned some really cool martial arts moves, but more importantly, learned about Jesus who loves them. This is what back door ministry is all about in the urban context, or any other context probably. But the neat thing about Fight Camp 2016 is that God used a back door to become a bridge for one little girl and her dad.

You see, there was a cute little girl who attended each day of Fight Camp 2016, and gave it everything she had. Day after day parents were there watching their kids learn martial arts moves and have fun in classes ranging from; kickboxing to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, to wrestling to crafts and music, and of course, snack time. So this little girl took the initiative (we call it a God-thing) and called the dad she had never met (only talked to on the phone), nor knew what he looked like, and invited him to come watch her break a board on the final day. And guess what God arranged? Yep, on that final day when she was to break her board to demonstrate her skills there was a strange man that had not been there before. Taking a risk she asked, "are you my dad?" He replied, "yes." What an amazing moment in Kingdom life that may not have been possible outside of God's intervention at Fight Camp 2016. Healing, reconciliation, and restoration of a broken family began as a back door became a bridge.

Since that day I've been wondering how many other back doors God could turn into bridges? Is there a door you've been walking in and out of that God is trying to turn into a bridge? A bridge to Him or a bridge to others? I'll never look at a back door opportunity the same again as now I'm asking God to divinely turn all back door ministry opportunities into bridges of salvation, healing, restoration, and reconciliation.

Look for the back door this week,

Shawn

It Is Enough!

All four Gospels record this incredible story of Jesus feeding the five thousand (now by most accounts this was 5000 men, plus women and children, so the total number could have been much greater). Can you imagine the resources this would have taken to feed this many people, and on the spur of the moment? Does Little Caeser's even keep that many hot and ready pizza's on hand? Clearly for the disciples this is a question of money? But for Jesus it was an opportunity for faith driven compassion. Philip, Jesus said, "where shall we buy bread for these people?" Jesus already knew what He was going to do, but He asked Philip what he thought? "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!," Philip exclaimed. But notice the glimmer of faith in Andrews words, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

Now it's really easy to pick on both Philip and Andrew, and the rest of the 12. But Andrew had enough faith to bring what he had to Jesus (actually what a little boy was willing to give up for the sake of Kingdom work. The little boy might truly be the one with the greatest faith in this story.) Was Andrew bemoaning to Jesus, "this is all we can scrap up, it'll never do," or, "this is what we have Jesus, what can you do with it?" I think Andrew was speaking the latter, "here is what we have Jesus, thanks to the generosity of this little boy, now You, Jesus, need to take it and make it work."

If this is the case then the moral is simple, how are you looking at the resources you already have? Jesus, this is all I have. Or, Here Jesus, I have this, now I need You to do something miraculous with it. I'm working on changing my perspective as I am realizing that no matter what I have in my hand it is enough for Jesus to meet every need.

I don't know what resources you have in your hand right now, or think you don't have, but this I do know, with Jesus it is enough.

I'm striving to be like the little boy, here Jesus, take what I have. But I'm also striving to be like Andrew, take what I have Jesus and do something miraculous with it.

Grace and Peace,
Shawn

I asked God for the city and He gave me a bus stop

As ministers most of us pray, "God, give us the city...," and we can cite Scriptural references for that prayer. And then we go about our daily routines often times missing God's response to our prayer. I've been praying that prayer too in our work as Urban Missionaries, dreaming visions of grandeur of God giving us the city. But to be honestly, I had no clue what "give me the city" meant, but it's how we pray. And so, I say that prayer every day. And then God went and did what He loves to do, He confronted me with His Word. Jesus said, "Do you not say, "There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest." (John 4:35 NASB)

I know that Jesus, that's why we're here. Now, just lead me to those fields and I'll start harvesting. And His response? Why would I give you other fields when you are not tending to the one right in front of you?

Huh?

Let me give you some context. As part of our initial ministry at Mission: Go Detroit we have opened a martial arts school, Lion's Roar Extreme Martial Arts. In His wisdom God has landed us on a prominent corner of a busy intersection in our community. Thousands of cars and pedestrians pass by every day. And right outside our front door is a bus stop, a harvest field. Daily, hundreds of people get on and off the bus right in front of us, and do you know how we have been ministering to them? Yeah, I've had to ask for forgiveness because I've neglected the field God has given me. All of a sudden God's words hit home, "why would I give you other fields when you are not tending to the one right in front of you?" Ouch!

And, God worked through my daughter Cori to bring it home all the more. Cori is an artist and she has been painting advertising on our store front windows. Last night it was hot, especially by Detroit standards and while she was painting a lady was waiting at the bus stop. As her and Cori carried on casual conversation the lady mentioned her back her. So Cori gave her a chair and a cold bottle of water, you know, that whoever gives a cold drink of water to one of the least of these does it to Me as well thing Jesus taught? (Matthew 25:35)

Then the Holy Spirit continued His conversation with me about the harvest fields. He lead me back to a journal entry from about a month ago. I was asking the Lord what to do with some poorly utilized space in our building? Ironically, the bus stop is right outside the door. I felt the crazy impression to use it as a gathering place with a place to fellowship, with coffee and water, Christian books, etc. How crazy I thought. So I just kind of let that sit. Hmm, the harvest field. But then human reasoning kicked in. But God, we have children that pass through that area for classes, and we don't know who might be in there. I'm a little fearful. And wouldn't you know, the Holy Spirit checked me and said I needed to ask Him to sanctify that fear into boldness because "perfect love cast out all fear." (1 John 4:18) Then He reminded me that we are a martial arts school. At any given time the place is full of people being trained in martial arts and during the time the kids are there Big John is always in the building. Big John is a nickname that fits him well. And what a better way to teach our students of the love of God. The dojo (school) might be the safest place in town while open.

So, Lord, forgive me for not caring for the harvest field right outside our door. Thank you for giving us the city in the form of a bus stop.

Has God already answered your prayer for the harvest fields? Stop, and take another look around. You might be surprised at what He has already given you.

Look for the back door!

Shawn

Living "IN" Uncertainty

un·cer·tain·ty

ˌənˈsərtn(t)ē/

noun

• the state of being uncertain.

1. "times of uncertainty and danger"

   synonyms:

   unpredictability, unreliability, riskiness, chanciness, precariousness, changeability, variability, inconstancy, fickleness, caprice

• something that is uncertain or that causes one to feel uncertain.

plural noun: uncertainties

"financial uncertainties"

synonyms:

doubt, qualm, misgiving, apprehension, quandary, reservation, scruple, second thought, query, question, question mark, suspicion "she pushed the anxious uncertainties out of her mind"

1. I think there is a difference between living "with" a sense of uncertainty and living "IN" uncertainty. "With" indicates that someone or something accompanies another person or thing, like a baked potato accompanies a steak. For some, uncertainty accompanies life. "IN" on the other hand designates a location, a place of belonging. They live in...
2. It may seem subtle and arguable to some, but understanding the difference between living "with" something and living "in" something has made all the difference for me. It's helped me embrace uncertainty as a place in which we live, at least for now. 
3. To live "with" something means often that I know the costs involved. For instance, my wife Rochelle lives "with" a big picture, but not so much detailed person. Rochelle knows the costs associated with this and chooses to love me and live "with" me despite them. My friend Al says that I don't like to get into the weeds of the project and he's right. But to live "in" something is different as the costs can change daily, often costing everything. I don't always get to choose the uncertainty I'm living "in." It just comes as part of the life we live in. 
4. Many of the people we get to live life with live "IN" uncertainty. Detroit is still a fragile environment in many ways, including the economy. Many of our neighbors live "IN" a state of changing uncertainty every day. I know many would prefer to be able to live "with" the uncertainty as it might provide a bit a stability in knowing what the uncertainty entails, but their lives change daily as do the uncertain struggles. They just live "IN" this place of uncertainty.
5. In many ways this last year has been a place of uncertainty. Living "IN" uncertainty as to mission and purpose, and even if we're doing anything of value for the Kingdom and others. But embracing this place, this location of "IN" uncertainty has brought peace. God doesn't always lay out all the details. Sometimes it's just a big picture (sometimes just a snapshot) of His plans. I think this living "IN" uncertainty creates a new sense of reliance on Him as the only stable thing in your life.

It's uncomfortable, I get it. Someday's it's just flat our hellacious. I trust God that this too shall pass... someday. But for now this is where He has placed me...and maybe you(?). The place He has providentially put me (you) "IN." It may be uncomfortable, this place of uncertainty, but, at least where we live, it is more of a reality then any sense of normalcy. So I'm choosing this uncomfortable place of uncertainty, because as Voltaire said, "certainty is absurd."

So, can I challenge you today to stop begrudging the place or thing of uncertainty you're living "with," and choose to trust God and to learn to live "IN" this place knowing all things are under His orchestration.  Now, enjoy the place you're "IN" and go knock on someone's backdoor. They might just invite you in. Shawn

Mission Statements; Vision Statements; Purpose Statements; Stop the madness...How About Just "Being True To Your Life Mission"

Over the years I've had the privilege, and frustration, of helping carve out mission statements and vision statements for colleges, non-profits, and churches. Many of you have too as for many years these were the primary focus of the business world.

We wrestled through our identity; our calling; our clientele; how long it should be or how short it should be; the difference between mission and vision; and on and on... And in too many cases watched those skillfully crafted documents go up on a shelf until the next push for mission and vision statements came along, usually with new leadership.

But many years ago I worked through an exercise in discovering God's mission or purpose for my life and since then I've tried to keep that in focus (yes, believe it or not I've actually tried to live by it). Simply stated, I believe my Life Mission is "To Live A Transformed Life That Leads To Transformed Lives." One year ago God's call lead us to the City of Detroit with the mission of "Transforming A City That Transformed The World." Looking back it's evident how God was making preparations in my own life then for the place of service He has us in now.

But now I have to be honest and transparent. This past year we have been pulled in multiple different directions trying to be true to God's call and measuring up to mainly preconceived ideas of what we should be doing. In all of that I somewhere along the way sat down God's mission for my life and picked up man's mission for my life (at least the one I thought I needed to write). How frustrating it is to live outside of God's Life Mission in lieu of your own life mission.

But this last week we were traveling to Florida to perform a wedding for a great young couple. As we drove we listened to some leadership podcasts for a business that we're part of. Guess what came up? You betcha, personal life mission statements and core values.

Rochelle asked if I had ever developed my own Life Mission Statement and list of core values. I immediately said "yes," and then fell under a strong conviction that if Rochelle had to ask then I haven't been living them well enough. Over the next several days God and I continued a conversation about returning to the Life Mission He gave and the core values that empower that Life Mission. For me they are:
  Lead by example
  Accept others without trying to change them
  Understand others before trying to be understood by others
  Give more than I get
  Help others find success in life
  Teach
  Edify God and others
  Reflective, prayer based living

These core values remind me to LAUGH, because I tend to live life with an intensity that can drain me I need my core values to remind me to spend time in laughter (ask Rochelle or those who know me well and they'll agree that this is hard for me, but I know I need to focus on it for my own good and those around me).

So I re-engaged my Life Mission and committed to living a truly transformed life in order to lead others to finding life transformation; first in Christ, and then in other areas of their lives. After all, Jesus is in the life transformation business and calls us to be about His work.

If you really want to make Kingdom impact, whether in a large city in need of Jesus life transformation, or in the rural areas with the same need for Jesus, discover your own Life Mission in Christ and commit to living it out daily. Outside of His Life Mission we live in frustration. But inside of it we live in victory and joy.

Now, go knock on someones backdoor of life and live out Jesus Life and love.

Shawn

The doing is in the trying...

I am amazed sometimes at the honesty of kids. In martial arts we are working to instill the character of perseverance; giving it your very best - 100%. It never ceases to amaze me at the kids who say, "No! I don't want to." We may ask, "who's going to give it 100% today?" and it is not unusual for 1/3 of the kids to say, "No!" Some have even just walked away during class (I'm pretty sure my sensei would have told me to just keep right on going out the door). Now, before you say, "Well, it's just too hard for them." I'm not talking about training for a marathon, just simply moving sometimes. It saddens me the culture of quitting that has developed in our kids. And it's not just physical, it is evident in their school work and relationships as well.

While I'm not a huge Star Wars fan, I have seen all the movies. And the famous scene between Yoda and Luke always draws me back to the need to teach and mentor. Luke is struggling to do as Yoda instructs and has excuses as to why he cannot do it (granted, lifting a fighter out of the muck seems rather difficult, but Yoda knows Luke has the ability within him). And Yoda's famous line, "No!, Try Not! Do or Do Not, There is No Try" rings true because I believe what Yoda was teaching translates for us in the real world, "The Doing Is In The Trying!" Saying "No," or just walking away is simply not an option, especially for many of the kids we get to minister to. And since we slip in through the backdoor we are translating that to Scripture and the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "...whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." Most of them have never thought of that before, or even know who God is. But, when we can talk about doing things for the glory of God and not for ourselves they start thinking and asking good questions.

A lot of our students come from environments of not just quitting, but much of the time just not even trying. Without fail, however, when they "try" they "do." It's clearly not a lack of ability, it's a lack of motivation. So, again, slipping in the backdoor with "Truth," and not just movie lines we are introducing another Scriptural truth from Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, "...the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." I hate to say it, but for many that truth is completely foreign.
So, now in addition to creating a character of "trying is doing," and
perseverance we are creating the character trait of "motivation." "No Work - No Eat" really challenged the mindset of some of our students, for which we are so thankful

Another motivation was not being rewarded for something the student cannot do. Unfortunately, many of our students are in a school district that cannot pay their teachers so they have "sick-outs." The students know that they will often be passed on, so their expectation is that they will just be passed on in martial arts as well. Not passing created a motivation as they understand that working for something you want has intrinsic value that just "getting" it doesn't.

Life skills and character development through the back doors of students lives. It's hard work, but when a students character starts to change you begin to really see the hand of God at work in their lives, whether they recognize it as such or not.  

Pray for us as we continue to minister in creative ways, with students who are becoming hungry for more "character" change as they see different results (the hand of God moving in their lives) occurring.

Blessings on your weekend!
Shawn and Rochelle

My Thoughts from 1 Year Ago. Still True.

Beware, you may not like what the Word has to say today...

A tough message for the Church:

"but the hill country shall be yours. For though it is a forest, you shall clear it, and to its farthest borders it shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and though they are strong." (Joshua 17:18 NASB)

Why is that so interesting? A forest is a thicket, a intertwined mix of branches that form a place of safety or refuge from the world around. It is a place that lacks cultivation. A place to run to to escape the distress of the world. Could it be that we have allowed the Church to become a forest? Jesus said we are the branches and He is the vine (John 15:5). Have we become so afraid of the world that as branches we have decided to interweave ourselves with other branches and have unwittingly created a forest that others cannot run into and we cannot get out of? Is God asking us to clear away the forest so that it can be cultivated land? What are chariots of iron? This is personal for my family, clearly for us they are cars. When we think of the car industry where do we think? Detroit.

Jesus, help us through Your Holy Spirit to clear away the forest so the land can be cultivated. May we not be afraid of those strongly entrenched forested areas but rather see them as land ready to be cultivated so that new seed may be sown to produce a harvest.

What Are You Looking At?

What are you looking at, the door or the obstacles (adversaries)? 

"for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." (1 Corinthians 16:9, NASB)

When things get tough what do we look at? People in need of Jesus or people or things getting in the way? Is our attention being drawn away from the open door in front of us by the door that seems to be closing.

What I've noticed is that closing doors make a whole lot more noise then doors that are opening in front of us. And noise gets our attention! But often open doors are quiet. Hurting lives are not always noisy, in fact, many hurting lives are tired of being noisy because, although they once drew peoples attention, there was no response so they've become quiet believing no one cares anyway.  

But the doors to their lives might not be as tightly closed as we may think, in fact, they really may be open. Maybe we've shut them because we perceive them to be too difficult; too out of reach; too hard; too adversarial; too... whatever adverb you want to place with it. But what I'm beginning to realize is that if I haven't actually heard the door close and slam shut then it is still open, even if just a crack.

Cracked doors can seem difficult, but take heart, the door is still cracked open. Cracked doors can either be seen as adversarial or as an opportunity. The cracked door is not a shut door, it is a door intentionally left open to test us as to whether we're willing to push it open. Often, cracked doors have eyes peering through them wondering if anyone even notices that the door is cracked open.

Cracked doors can often be overlooked doors. Doors that have been slammed shut are easy, we can shake the dust off our feet and move on. Open doors are easy, these doors invite us in. But cracked doors... they're more difficult to even know what to do with. It's really in our own perspective sometimes; I often make a preconceived conclusion that a cracked door is a closed door. But what we're discovering is that a cracked door is a testing door. Testing us to see if we're willing to continue to knock and push on the door. 

So, what are you looking at? The closed door or the cracked door. Cracked doors only stay open so long, If we don't push on it the door will eventually shut completely. 

What's captured our attention? The noise of the slamming door or the quietness of the partially cracked open. I'm rethinking the door cracked open. It's a more difficult door, but the door Jesus often calls us to knock on and try to push open. I'm so grateful for the open door for they encourage us as people invite us in openly. The door that's been slammed shut allows me to move on. But the door cracked open? That door requires more work, but peering from behind that door cracked open might be the eyes of a hurting life or family that's just waiting to see if someone will be willing to knock and push on their quiet noise.

Just a rambling thought on this beautiful spring day. Lord, help me not to overlook the cracked door. Help me not to miss that door that is partially open because I have become distracted by the doors being slammed shut in front of me. 

The back door is open, come on in...

Shawn 

Share Your Life and "Everything" Else Will Follow

"And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had." (Acts 2:44 NLT)

"All the believers were of one heart and mind... they shared everything they had." (Acts 4:32 NLT)


Sometimes it's easier to give a dollar than it is to really share everything we have. Poverty runs deeper then lack of money and resources, in fact, much of the poverty is really a lack of connectedness to others.

I'm a product of the "church," and as such I know, like some of you, that "church" can be one of the loneliest places to be. As a pastor I've tried every "gimmick" that experts said would work in closing the proverbial "back door." But I know that too often the "church"gives up on people just as they are about to share their lives with us. Maybe because we find it difficult to share our lives with them? "I don't want to think about my life before Christ, or the struggles that I've had, even as a growing Christian," we say. "They just take too much out of me" I lament to myself and to God.

I've used the same sentiments. But lately I reminded of those people who continued to share life with me, even when I wasn't the easiest to share life with. They shared their hurts and struggles; their failures and subsequent growth. That couldn't have been easy for them, but they "shared everything they had..."

Sharing life takes a lot of energy (and maybe even hurt along the way) and granted, it is easier to give a dollar here and there. But the relationships we build when we share life are eternal. Life is messy. Don't be afraid of someone else's mess, at some point someone wasn't afraid of yours. Jesus wasn't, and still isn't,

Invest your life in the lives of others. As you share life everything else seems to follow. Share your life and see how you get invited into the back doors of peoples lives.

Have a great weekend and get messy and share life!

Shawn

The Back Door is Open

We enjoy driving around Detroit, especially the old, historic neighborhoods. Nicole Curtis from the HGTV and DYI TV show Rehab Addict has projects she has either completed, or is in process of completing, and its fun to go and see those, and to take guests by to see. What I notice are beautiful front entrances, many with large porches for people to sit and talk. Having grown up in Flint I can still remember my dad sitting out on the front porch in the evening carrying on conversations with neighbors next door or across the street, all sitting on their front porches. But nobody going inside. Still today, homes with beautiful front porches and these grand front doors, but nobody going inside.

And then we moved to the suburbs to escape the city. And eventually we found ourselves in a true suburban home with an attached garage. Then the back door was really inaccessible because you had to go through the garage door to get to it, I have a friend who grew up in the city too and he thinks the attached garage may be one of the down falls of our society. The more I think about it the more I see his point.

But I also remember Paul's back door, and Charlie and Ronnie's back door, and Jeff's back door. And ours. Not very fancy, and not much of any kind of porch to sit and talk on either. Really just a step, or a stoop. But that's where we entered the house. The front door usually led into living rooms that were well kept and tidy. But back doors, they usually lead into a landing which allows you to either go up into the kitchen or down into the basement, you know, where real life happens, and the things of life are kept. Think about it, if you are invited to a close friends house how many times does the conversation end up in the kitchen? Most, if not all, if you're like us and our friends. Those landings; where muddy shoes are left, where coats are hung and groceries are brought in. Where daily life comes in and out.

Our house now has that type of back door. You walk right into a landing, and either choose to go up to the kitchen or down to the basement. Either way, the back door leads to our lives. The front door leads to a nice foyer and beautiful staircase and formal living area. But come through the back door and be careful of the shoes and coats and dogs and...

At Back Door Ministry (part of Mission: GO Detroit) we want to form relationships where we can go straight to the back door of friends homes and lives, and in turn they come through ours as well. Where we share in the daily struggles, you know; muddy shoes, coats hanging in the entry, groceries waiting to be put away... life! Kids, jobs, family, finances... Coming in and out of the back door may not always be as tidy and well kept as going through the front door into living rooms preserved for show (my mother was queen of this), or nice foyers, but it is real life.

So if you have me over I hope we're close enough to invite me through the back door. I want to do life with you and share our victories and struggles; our muddy shoes and groceries left on the counter (reminder; put your milk away!). And when you come over, just come through the gate, pet the dogs (Big Bella, Little Bella (yes there's a story to that), and Coal Miner), and come through the back door, take a right on the landing and come into the kitchen, grab a cup of coffee and come on in. That's where I think Jesus did life with people; coming through the back door into their muddy shoe area where coats were hung, into kitchens with groceries left out, into basements where people store (hide) things... Ours is open, come on in.

Church Outside of Church

DETROIT? Martial Arts? Church Planting?

God, You must have some sense of humor?!

But none the less here we find ourselves. It's another story which I'll share at another time, but for now know that less than a year ago we were content pastoring a great church with multiple campuses in Amarillo, TX. Then God! Then God stepped in and rocked our world.

So, obediently we packed our belongings and headed for Detroit believing we were to start a new "church." Little did I know that I had no idea what "church" really looked like, even though I knew all the language of "Organic," and "non-traditional," and "coffee-shop"... and other clever words to describe church outside the "Church." Now we are discovering what "Church" truly looks like outside of the church walls.

I grew up in Flint, MI. Yes, the Flint, MI of the now infamous lead water supply affecting thousands. But growing up in Flint, and now living in Detroit, I am reminded that strangers knock on the front door, but friends use the back door. I don't know that I ever used my friends front door for anything, but instead we always went to the back door, that's where friends entered the house. So, with that mind set we are building friendships so that we are welcome to come through the back door of people's lives with the Love-Life and Love-Light of Jesus.

So, I invite you to join us on our journey as we introduce Jesus through the back doors of people's lives. Our main outreach tool in doing so is Lion's Roar Extreme Martial Arts, teaching kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, striving to reach kids and families while building lasting relationships that form community revolving around Jesus, whether they realize it or not. Is it "church?" Maybe not in the sense most understand, and some will never approve of, but the more we engage with the lives of people and build lasting relationships we are convinced it looks more like "Church" as Jesus understood it then what most will ever experience without it.

So, thanks for joining us. Check out our websites: Mission: Go Detroit and Lion's Roar Extreme Martial Arts to gain a deeper insight into our ministry.

Till next time, blessings.

Shawn