Whirlwind!

Lots going on in life right now. Ministry is extremely hectic, but it has been an amazing couple of weeks!

Here's some life updates.

Change Your World is going to be one of the seasons of this church that is remembered for years to come.

My father-in-law Jerry and I have put together The Top Ten Ways NOT to multiply your talents. Here's a sample from week one!

No 10 from Wadsworth UMC on Vimeo.

Chaia is going on 9 weeks old and has begun smiling. Its hilarious. Time is flying. She is sleeping better at night which is a bonus.

My sister Becky is in the hospital on bed rest waiting on the little bun in her oven to come. He is 32 weeks at this point, so prayers are still needed as he gets bigger and and organs continue to grow. Prayers also for Becky whos life has been on hold for a few weeks at the hospital. Pray she stays focused on the positives that this little guy is progressing and developing rather than the negatives, that hospitals, magnesium and being away from home/family all suck.

My life gets simpler after Sunday. City Love, a collaborative outreach effort of 5 Wadsworth churches will be finished, and my plate becomes a little more managable.

I'm celebrating Labor Day by getting up at 4 a.m. to head to New York with three buddies to golf 18 at the Upper Course at Peak N Peek. We will hit up a second golf course east of Cleveland on our way back through Ohio...36 holes of golf + 7 hours of driving = One EPIC LABOR DAY.

Indians are on life support....Jim Thome was a nostalgic signing, but the fact remains that 5 of our starts are injured. That is tough for any team to overcome, but especially an Indians team that is relying on Shelly Duncan and Jason Donald to be key contributors right now. Still...It would be a beautiful thing to be 3 or 4 games out come next Monday when the Tigers come to town for a 3 game series.

Browns vs. Bengals in a week and a half. This is a must win for Cleveland. And it must be convincing. Here's hoping.

CHANGE YOUR WORLD!

So, I have been on a week hiatus from blogdom, but wanted to share about our church's epic Sunday this past week.

We revealed that the church had received a $25,000 gift from a former member of the church (who left Ohio back in 1963!)

We also shared that we are participating in an initiative called Change Your World and we passed out $5000 of that gift to the congregation with the charge for them to multiply their talents to change the world.

The goal is to turn our $5000 into $15,000 and then divide that money into six causes (modeled after Jesus' commands in Matthew 25:35-36.)

We are feeding the hungry in Wadsworth.
We are fulfilling the thirsty in Bolivia.
We are tending to the sick in Sierra Leone.
We are releasing the captive from sex trafficking in Mali.
We are clothing the naked in Northeast Ohio.
We are sending a team to Joplin, Missouri to rebuild a town for those who are homeless.

I'm involved in two different Talent Multiplying Endeavors. I received $60 and am helping organize a golf outing for Marian's Closet. The hope is to provide all the prizes for the top three golf teams free of cost to the Closet and then watch that money multiply into thousands of dollars.

I also am participating in the REAL Men of Genius Fantasy Football League. One guy in the league used his talents to buy a prize for the winner of the league. All the other guys put $20 into the pot to enter the league. We turned $20 into $220 to help rescue 5 women from the sex trade in Mali, Africa.

This is one of the most unique and compelling endeavors our church has journeyed in. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Humble Pie

Was listening to the Indians White Sox game last night on the radio as we drove home from Wing Night with the Young Adults.

Tom Hamilton, the best baseball announcer in the game said something that I felt was specifically for me at just the right time...He was talking about baseball...but the conviction I felt was about ministry.

He said, Baseball is a game that is full of people that are being humbled or about to be humbled.

I feel this truth far more significantly in the context of ministry. Either I'm being broken or crushed...or I will be broken and crushed soon.

The more I've been walking with God, the more I realize the depth of my wickedness and the grace of the cross that goes even deeper still.

We need to leave room for the crushing.

Roll Tribe!!

Well, the Indians are in contention in August which seems like a rarity in the last 10 years. But its pretty exciting. The Browns are also gearing up for a new year. Here's some thoughts on both:

I am in the minority who likes the Ubaldo Jimenez trade. More than the players we lost or gained, I like the statement that management has made by saying we are invested in winning now. And to be honest you won't find a more friendly contract. If we do make the postseason and can put Jimenez Masterson Tomlin out there in a 5 game format, I like our chances.

The Tribe taking the first two against Detroit is big. Even bigger is the way they did it, first ripping their hearts out in 14 innings. Then, stomping on their hearts in a 10-3 thrashing. But the biggest test is tonight...Verlander is one of the most dominant pitchers in the game and we have to beat him to cut it to one game back. I'm hoping Fausto Jekyll comes instead of Fausto Hyde.

The Browns are not great. Perhaps the team with the most holes to fill and the most cap available to fill it, they did absolutely nothing in free agency.

I do like the core group of young leadership on this team though. If Hayden and Ward continue to move into the role of defensive game changers and Rubin and Taylor stuff the run like they're built to, the defense could be strong enough to compete every week.

The other side of the ball puts the offense into offensive. The key needs were to get some wide outs who could take some pressure off Hillis and Ben Watson. Our best solution was to draft Greg Little. I think he can help at wide out, but it may be a year or two before he is a legitimate threat.

I like McCoy and I think the new offense could benefit him and preserve his life.

My predictions: Indians keep it close the rest of the year and play the tigers for all the marbles the last wseries of the season.

Browns go 7-9 and 3 and 3 in the division. (We beat Cincy twice and upset Pittsburgh to ruin their playoff hopes.) You heard it here first.

Post from Perry Noble

Read this today on Perry Noble's Blog...it was right on time for me...hope it is for you too!

SHUT THE HECK UP and DO WHAT GOD SAID TO DO!

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 04:35 AM PDT


Last week I tweeted, “Stop saying ‘I can’t’ and focus on the fact that HE can!” I wanted to take some time to develop that a little further…

I believe there are too many people in the Body of Christ who claim that they can’t do what God has clearly called them to do. Why? Several reasons
They are so obsessed with their inability that they fail to see God’s ability to do immeasurably more than all they could ever ask for or imagine.
They are seeking to be understood by everyone…and because of that live in disobedience. (WHERE in the BIBLE did God EVER ask anyone to do something that made complete sense?)
They believe that what God wants them to do is easy! (Where in the BIBLE did God EVER ask anyone to do anything that was easy?)
They believe that God could never use them to accomplish anything significant…despite the overwhelming Biblical evidence that God most often accomplished extraordinary things through ordinary people.
They become more obsessed with the voice of critics rather than the voice of God.

I could go on and on…but you get the point. I honestly believe that the world would see Jesus in more undeniable and unbelievable ways if leaders in the Body of Christ would simply step up and do what God has called them to do…if they stopped saying, “I can’t!!!” (By the way…if you can’t do it then why in the world does God keep bringing it to mind?)

Questions…
What if Noah had said, “I can’t build a boat?”
What if Abraham had said, “I can’t relocate at this stage in my life?”
What if David had said, “I can’t fight that giant…he’s too big!”
What if Nehemiah had said, “I can’t build a wall around and entire city!”
What if Peter had said, “I denied Christ, I can’t preach to all of these people on the Day of Pentecost.”
What if Paul had said, “I can’t write down what I feel the Spirit leading me to write; after all, who would actually read the words of a former murderer?”

The Bible is FULL of people who refused to focus on their inability…and chose to believe in God’s ability working through them. AND…I believe if leaders in the church would step up and do the same then we would see what Jesus said in John 14:12 become more and more of a reality.
Philippians 4:13 says “I can in Christ,” NOT, “I can’t!”
II Timothy 1:7 says that the spirit of fear doesn’t come from God…but rather power, love and self discipline.
II Corinthians 9:8 says God is ABLE!

HE CAN…and in Him we can!

So…shut up with the “I can’t” and do what He’s called you to do…life is too short and hell is too hot for church leaders to screw around with their own insecurities and fears!

HE CAN!!! And He wants to do it through you!

EPIC Weekend Part Three

After achieving greatness at the Legends Cup, the next task was to take a team to an all night softball tournament and bring home 2 trophies in 2 sports in 24 hours.

Unfortunately Mother Nature thwarted our plan and rained us out.

On the plus side, we got to spend the evening with Josh and Cruz Hawrot. Josh, Shaina and I went to undergrad at Mount Union and it was great to see them and their little one on the way! (Due in January!)

Sunday. Shaina, Chaia and I left for church at 6:30a.m. and didn't return home until 10 p.m. Long day but a fun day. Our Young Couples Small Group that has been meeting all summer at their final meeting. The guys told the girls that we were going to go golfing and that we were sending the girls to the spa. The ladies went off to a relaxing afternoon and as soon as they left, the men initiated Operation Love Bank, a top secret part b to treating the ladies to a nice evening. Each guy smuggled a dress, shoes and makeup of their mate's and we placed them all over the living room of the house the women would return to after the spa. We placed a note and a rose on the front door.

Then the fellas took to grocery shopping and meal prep. We were able to rent out the Whole Day Cafe facility and add a little romantic ambience and then the ladies received a text telling them to be there at 7. We had a nice dinner together and had opportunities to encourage and pray for the ladies. It was a really good end to a really good weekend.

I was able to wash Shaina's feet which has been an annual experience that started on our wedding night and has been tied to our anniversary every since. She's had her feet washed in Wendy's, an arboretum, each of our homes, and now a cafe.

Today is 8 years together. 8 years in and we've still got it goin' on. I love you Shaina. Here's to 80 more.

EPIC Weekend Part Two

Saturday.

8:00 a.m. The sporting event of the year began. Team Thompson...Team Winans...27 Hole Battle Royal for the LEGENDS CUP. Here's how it went down in our 5th annual Legends Cup. 16 points possible...Team Thompson, the defending champions needed 8 to retain the cup. Team Winans needed 8.5 points to win.

In the front 9 scramble section of the competition, 2 of my guys scrambled against 2 of his guys in 4 different pairings.

Our first pairing (me and Mark) took out Scott and Steve for a point
Our second pairing (Rick and Chuck) took out their opponents for a point
Our third pairing (Jordan and Matt) halved with their opponents for half a point.
Our final pairing (Todd and D-Lo) took out their opponents for a point.

Team Thompson 3.5 Team Winans .5

In the middle 9 best ball section of the competition

My pairing got trounced by Scott and Steve.
My second pairing took out their opponents for a point.
My third pairing took out their opponents for a point.
My fourth pairing took out their opponents for a point.

Team Thompson 6.5 Team Winans 1.5

The deal seemed all but sealed going into the last nine (indivual competition). We needed 1.5 points to win.

I checked in with my team after five holes. 7 of our 8 matches were losing! This meant we'd lose the cup.

I was down two to Scott (the captains match). Then I cut it down to one on hole 6 and cut it down to even on hole 8. With only one hole to go, and knowing there was a lot riding on our match, I step up to the final hole.

I played a conservative hybrid shot off the par 5 tee...succulent...down the middle. Scott who had been Herculean off the tee all day goes with driver and whether it was added pressure, my partner coughing in his backswing or me praying curses upon his golf game to the Almighty, Scott popped his tee shot up. He then tried to make up for hit with a massive 3 wood that ended up in the water. I stayed conservative. Hit a 7 iron to about 115 yards. Scott put his 4th shot on the green. I have a 9 iron over a lake to keep the pressure on him. Scott, always playing strategy, pulls his cart right next to me for the shot of my insignificant golf career. I hit the ball...and said "Onions". I put it on the green and got a 2 putt par to beat his 2 putt bogey.

Found out as all the pairings came in that Team Winans had made a huge run and actually took 6 of the last 8 points. I had two other guys get half points.

Team Thompson 8.5 Team Winans 7.5

And I beat my nemesis (and best bud) for the first time in the history of the Legends Cup. I will be sippin Mountain Dew from the Legends Cup for the next 12 months. haha. All kidding aside...It was a fun day of golf on a beautiful course in Massillon.

EPIC Weekend Part One

Friday.

Got to see a long time friend and his family who were up from North Carolina. Mike and Courtney and their 4 little ones are a blast and an adorable family.

After some fun visiting them in Canton, Shaina and I dropped off the bean at Grandma Thompson's house...where she successfully had multiple diaper blowouts (Good job Chaia! Just like we trained you!)

Meanwhile, I took Shaina to Red Lobster for our anniversary (which is coming up tomorrow!)

I'm not a big sea food guy, but I am a big Shaina guy and she likes the stuff so I lather my shrimp and scallops in bbq sauce and stock up on the cheddar biscuits and everything is just fine. We then went back to get the bean and spent some time with Grandma watching the tribe build a lead they would blow later that night.

Leadership Lesson. Get a Glimpse.

The Lord said to Moses, "go up to the top of Pisgah and look around you to the west, to the north, to the south, and to the east. Look well, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, because it is he who shall cross over at the head of this people and who shall secure their possession of the land that you will see."


Moses had to be crushed. One slip up cost him the chance to lead Israel to the land promised hundreds of years before to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaace and Jacob. All Moses would taste of the Promised Land was a glimpse. He was going to die with the rest of the Israelites who were 20 years or older (except Joshua and Caleb!)

But along with the glimpse of the Promised Land, Moses got a glimpse of how it would all go down...Joshua would lead the people. So Moses could pity himself and Israel because they didn't get as far as they thought they should. Or he could pave the way for the next leader to take them further than Moses ever could.

Whether you're a lead pastor, a paid church servant or an unpaid servant leader of a small band of people, your number one aim is to get a glimpse of God for where He wants to take your group. 3 years from now. 10 years from now. 20 years from now. And if and when He breathes that vision into you, you have to ask yourself if you're willing to serve and lead in ways that allow young eagles to spread their wings or if you're clipping them for your own glory, your own security, your own image.

Moses had the chance to bury the whole movement out of disappointment and bitterness that he wasn't going to be 'the man'. It is much the same with all of us in leadership positions. Will we set others up for success as our successors.

What is the glimpse from God you need and what heart issues need overcome to encourage and strengthen a young eagle to take the ministry you've invested in to the Promised Land?

(Studying the Book of Joshua this Fall in LifeWorth Groups! Join us!)

Pray for the Longs!

My sister Becky is pregnant with their 3rd little babe. He is about 28 weeks in and Becky is showing some signs of pre-term labor. Little Benito (name has not been verified as of yet...perhaps Benoit or Benton or Benificent?) needs to go away from the light over the next few weeks so he can get to a better birthweight.

Pray for God to have his hand on the Long Family...For there to be a 'cork' that keeps labor from happening for a few weeks. For mom and baby to thrive. And for this baby boy to like Hide N Seek as much as his brother and sister...or my relevance as an uncle will diminish significantly.

Our God is more than able.

Epic Weekend

I'm excited for this weekend. Saturday is the fifth annual Legends Cup. Team Thompson looks to retain the Cup for a 4th time in 5 years against Team Winans. 8 vs. 8 27 holes of golf...9 scramble, 9 best ball, 9 individual. Can't wait.

After 27 holes of golf, we're playing in an all nighter softball tournament in Massillon. One pitch. I'm gonna be toeing the rubber for this tournament which should be pretty interesting. We'll wrap up this tournament by 4 a.m. Hit up some iHOP and then I will be at church. Then the guys in my couples small group are heading golfing while the ladies in the group enjoy a day at the spa. Then we will have our final couples study.

It's going to be a hilariously busy weekend, but I can't wait!

An Axiom to Live By

Got hit by a line in yesterday's message. Quoting John Oswalt, "We tend to become like what we worship."

This can be an encouraging or devastating truth. If you're worshipping Christ, and you become more and more like Christ, this is a liberating and life giving statement.

But if I worship my stomach, I'll become grumbly and dissatisfied. If I worship my wallet, I will become stingy and lack generosity. If I worship democracy I will become entitled and demanding of 'my rights'. If I worship anything other than the Living God...it will be evident in my character and lifestyle.

So...the challenge for us...Who or what are we becoming?

And be careful presuming that lipservice will pay off.

Isaiah 29:

13 The Lord said:
Because these people draw near with their mouths
and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote;
14 so I will again do
amazing things with this people,
shocking and amazing.
The wisdom of their wise shall perish,
and the discernment of the discerning shall be hidden.
15 Ha! You who hide a plan too deep for the Lord,
whose deeds are in the dark,
and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”
16 You turn things upside down!
Shall the potter be regarded as the clay?
Shall the thing made say of its maker,
“He did not make me”;
or the thing formed say of the one who formed it,
“He has no understanding”?