"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." - Colossians 2:6-7 Thankful people are more than happy people; they are changed people. In the Colossians passage above, Paul makes a connection between being strengthened in the faith and overflowing with thankfulness. The more you learn to live your life in Jesus, the more you will learn to see the world the way he did. As you become rooted and built up in him, it will be harder for situations and circumstances to control you. As I learn to trust more in Jesus, I am inclined to be more thankful. The reason is simple: his way is the best way. It's when I go my own way that I get in trouble! As my…

Even if you’re not a car buff, you’ve heard of concept cars – prototypes designed by car companies as a way of pushing the envelope. A few of these might actually make it into production; most don’t. A good example is the Egochine by Peugeot. Just looking at it makes me want to go shave. There’s a big difference between a concept car and one that makes it into production. One is a concept; the other is a reality. In the same way, there is a difference between God as a concept and God as a reality. God as a concept is lighter than you. You shape it. It fits in around your categories and ideas. A God concept won’t change your beliefs because you make it fit within your existing beliefs. In other words, we don’t have a real God, we just have a concept -- and one that…

Here's the video of my sermon on rejection. Sorry for the bad cropping!

Back in 2001, we made the decision to leave the church tradition we both had grown up in. We felt God calling us into a new, more contemporary direction. I found myself one of two finalists for a senior associate position outside of Chicago. Over two years, I would transition into the senior pastor position. It was a fantastic opportunity to be mentored by a successful pastor. The church operated a Christian school that our two daughters could attend. Having been born and raised in Peoria (downstate!), I still had family in central Illinois.  And ... it would put me within striking distance of Wrigley Field. After returning from our interview, I'll never forget the phone call from the chairman of elders. He politely informed me that they had opted for the other candidate because he came from the same background. To put it bluntly, I was devastated and disappointed. But…