#859 - A TALE OF A TRAGIC TRAINING RUN

I was supposed to run 5 miles at an 11 minute/mile pace. Instead, I “ran” 3 miles at a 13 mile pace.

I felt super lethargic. Legs felt heavy. Breathing was rough. I had to walk more in this run than in any previous run.

Training had been going so good. Why did this run go so bad? Unfortunately, the answer is super clear.

  • I ate fast food the night before.

  • I did not get enough sleep.

  • I ate pizza for lunch.

  • I did not drink enough water during the day.

  • I haven’t been stretching.

  • I overdressed. The temperature was too high at the time of my run for sweats and a long-sleeved shirt.

The above is a recipe for disaster. As I walked the rest of the way home, after completing the 3 miles, I was reminded of a very sobering principle, I hope stays at the forefront of my mind for the foreseeable future…

PROPER PREPARATION PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE.

#858 - HOW AMBITION BECOMES A THIEF

This is how your ambition can be your worst enemy…

When it blinds you from the miracles in the present. When it steals your enjoyment of the moment. When it takes your attention away from the beauty of what you already possess. When it prevents you from expressing deep gratitude for what is. When it makes contentment an impossibility.

Does ambition always have this negative impact? No. Can ambition be a good thing? Of course.

But, it can also be a thief that steals right from beneath your nose. BE AWARE.

#857 - STAND FIRM

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

The tradition of reading the scripture.
The tradition of corporate fasting and prayer.
The tradition of gathering for worship.
The tradition of fellowshipping with one another.
The tradition of confession and repentance.
The tradition of baptism and communion.
The tradition of sending and commissioning.

Heavenly Father, please give me the resolve and courage to stand firm in these timeless traditions practiced by followers of Jesus for centuries. Help me to reject the lie that because these traditions are ancient they are powerless. As these things become more and more “out of style,” may I be found be found more and more faithful. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

#856 - UNLOCKING “MORE”

There’s more blessing in giving than receiving. There’s more satisfaction in serving than in being served. There’s more joy in creating space for someone else to thrive with you than thriving alone. There’s more life in being curious about others than in seeking for others to be interested in you. There’s more fulfillment in dying to yourself for the sake of someone else than living to protect your comforts. There’s more pleasure in leveraging your privilege for someone else’s progress rather than using it only for your own.

In living selfishly there’s less.
In living selflessly there’s more.

Don’t settle for less by merely living for yourself. It’s way too small of a way to live.

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

#854 - 10 REASONS I’M THANKFUL REBEKAH PAZ IS MY VALENTINE!

  1. She humbly submits (even though it isn’t always easy) to Christ’s call for us to live/serve in Las Vegas.

  2. She lovingly supports me as I fulfill my assignment of leading/preaching at Hope Church.

  3. She patiently serves me, particularly around the house (even though I should be doing more to help), in ways that I do not deserve.

  4. She passionately fulfills her role (with excellence) as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of Acts 29; all the while being a co-worker that all of her colleagues love, enjoy, and highly value.

  5. She consistently cares for our pup Merritt with a love and intention that any dog would be spoiled to have.

  6. She hilariously disciplines herself to learn to speak Korean even though there is no specific reason for her doing so other than her overall love and fascination with Korean culture!

  7. She sneakily saves money so that if we’re in a financial pinch, she can miraculously bail us out.

  8. She sacrificially makes herself available to her family preferring their needs to her own.

  9. She joyfully pursues her love relationship with Jesus Christ not letting the reality that she is surrounded by ministry (her work and mine) be an obstacle to true intimacy with her Savior.

  10. She quietly lives her life in such a way that bringing attention to her progress and success is the very last thing on her mind. (Hence, the reason I’m doing it!)

Rebekah, you are the perfect wife for me.

You are awesome in more ways than these, and I am blessed to be your husband in more ways than a single blog post can cover.

I LOVE YOU.

#852 - THOUGHTS ON AVOIDING ENTITLEMENT

  • Because of my sinful nature, the only thing I actually deserve and the only thing I have actually earned is punishment, death, and eternal separation from a holy God.

  • Because this is true, anything that I receive above and beyond eternal separation from God is only a result of the grace, kindness, favor, mercy and love of God. (Everything that God allows to happen in our lives has been filtered through his loving hands. For him to act in any way towards us that is not loving would violate his character.)

  • Because that is true, every thing that I experience that is not eternal separation from God is an absolute gift from God, and the only proper response is awe and worship of God.

  • Because that is true, every disappointment I feel is only a revelation that I have began to believe that I have earned or deserve something more than what I am actually experiencing. But, I haven’t. (Disclaimer: just because we don’t deserve better doesn’t mean we should always willingly subject ourselves to worse. Ex. An abusive relationship.)

  • With all that in mind, entitlement to anything (opportunity, health, wealth, relationships, provision etc.) is most easily avoided when thoughts of having earned or deserved anything better are most quickly disregarded.

  • Here’s what I’m not saying: It’s ungodly to wholeheartedly pursue “more” or “better.”

  • Here’s what I am saying: It’s unwise to think you’re entitled to it.

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:20-21

#851 - 3 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR PRESENCE A GIFT

LISTEN INTENTLY.

  • Pick up on emotions.

  • Be sensitive to feelings.

  • Ask follow up questions to understand better.

EMPATHIZE DEEPLY.

  • Enter into their world.

  • See life through their eyes.

  • Take on the feelings you would feel if you were in their situation.

RESPOND COMPASSIONATELY.

  • Use words to describe back to them how you are perceiving they feel.

  • Continue to ask questions to gain an even deeper understanding.

  • Encourage them with the type of encouragement they need to hear, not only the type you feel comfortable giving.

After 17+ years of marriage, 10+ years of pastoral ministry, and scores of counseling/shepherding conversations, I am convinced…

The more you approach a conversation with an intent to give rather than to get, the more the other person will receive.

#850 - 3 SIGNS YOU’RE READY TO BE DISCIPLED

YOU’RE HUNGRY.

  • To grow in your relationship with Jesus.

  • To obey Jesus like you’ve never obeyed him before.

  • To read/understand God’s Word in a deeper way.

YOU’RE HUMBLE.

  • Aware of your need for help.

  • Convinced you don’t have it all figured out.

  • Ready to invite someone in to lead you to understand the gospel and respond to its beauty.

YOU’RE HONEST.

  • About your past suffering.

  • About your present sin.

  • About your particular struggle.

Not perfect. Not sinless. Not holy.
Just hungry. Just humble. Just honest.

#849 - ABOUT DEEPENING RELATIONSHIPS

Being in a new state, in a new city, at a new job, at a new church, in a new role…hundreds of miles away from my closest family and friends is requiring me to form and foster new relationships.

Here are a few things I’m learning thus far:

  1. Emotional effort and energy are essential. No investment. No return.

  2. Authenticity and vulnerability are accelerators. The more I disclose the faster the relationship grows.

  3. Need and desire are initiators. People who don’t want new friends aren’t great candidates as friends.

  4. Pickiness and prejudgements are obstacles. I’d rather be in the process of making a friend in an imperfect situation than be friendless waiting for the perfect situation to present itself.

  5. Humility and meekness are required. If you are convinced you can live this life void of several quality, loving relationships, that’s not preference, that’s pride.

#847 - THE 5:1 RATIO EVERY LEADER NEEDS

Five questions for every one answer.

Ask. More. Questions.

Questions to sharpen clarity.
Questions to deepen understanding.
Questions to invite feedback.
Questions to demonstrate interest.
Questions to facilitate discussion.
Questions to identify issues.
Questions to broaden perspective.

Stop giving answers prior to investing the time to ask more questions.

More questions. Greater insight. Better answers.

#846 - WEEKLY RUNNING REPORT #1

In an effort to hold myself publicly accountable to the training for my half-marathon that I said I’d take more seriously, every Sunday night, I will post my runs from the previous week.

4 Runs. 13 Miles.

By no means am I running fast. But, since declaring last week that I was going to take my training more seriously, I have done just that. Mission accomplished.

This week’s goal: 4 runs. 22 miles.

#845 - GOD WILL GET IT TO YOU

When God wills to get it to you, no person can keep it from you.

Finances. Opportunity. Relationships. Knowledge. Healing.

When it’s time for you to have it, you will have it.

There is not a single thing that you need to accomplish God’s will for your life, today, that you do not currently have. There is not a single person that can get in the way of what God has called you to do, today. You have everything you need to do everything God is calling you to do…today.

So…

Rest, relax, and steward faithfully, today, what God has already placed in your hand.

Trusting that, tomorrow, when you need what currently isn’t in your hand, God will get it to you!

GOD WILL GET IT TO YOU. TRUST.

#844 - THE TRUTH ABOUT AUTHENTICITY AND VULNERABILITY

We automatically appreciate and enjoy it when we see and experience it in others, but, for some reason, we have difficulty living authentic and vulnerable lives ourselves. Why is this?

Here are a few reasons why I think many struggle…

  1. We fear if people knew who we really were they would not accept us.

  2. Fake is fast. Surface is speedy. Authenticity and vulnerability requires time.

  3. We tried it, but had a bad experience. Someone responded negatively/harshly, someone took the information and used it against us, or the person/people we tried to be authentic and vulnerable with didn’t seem to care.

  4. Hiding has become habitual. Being honest has become unnatural.

There are very likely many more reasons why living authentically and vulnerably is difficult, but here are a few reasons to pursue living this way anyways…

  1. Living a lie is exhausting.

  2. Living unknown is depressing.

  3. When you are more vulnerable with others, you create a pathway for others to be more vulnerable with you.

  4. Trust is built when the truth is told.

These are very quick thoughts that possibly in a future post I will expound upon, but in the meantime, here are four quick ways to live more authentically if what I’ve written so far intrigues you…

  1. Tell someone the audacious dream in your heart.

  2. Tell someone the difficult pain in your past.

  3. Tell someone the current struggle in your life.

  4. Tell someone the irrational fear in your mind.

These truths about who you are will strengthen any relationship you desire to deepen. I encourage you to give these truths a try. Freedom awaits!


#843 - THIS IS PASTORAL MINISTRY

As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
1 PETER 5:1-4 (NLT)

More gritty. Less glamorous. 
More private. Less public. 
More prayer. Less proclamation.
More conversations. Less quotes.
More living room. Less laptop.
More obscure. Less “highlight reel.” 
More intimate. Less impressive.
More others. Less me.
More Spirit. Less self.

THIS IS PASTORAL MINISTRY

 Comforting the grieving.
Reconciling the disunited.
Correcting the wanderer.
Challenging the apathetic.
Counseling the confused.
Evangelizing the lost.
Equipping the saint.
Reminding the forgetful. 
Encouraging the discouraged.
Discerning the deceitful.
Protecting the vulnerable.
Calling out the called.

THIS IS PASTORAL MINISTRY

Gracious not forceful.
Meek not domineering.
Resilient not defensive.
Patient not hurried.
Focused not distracted.
Present not isolated.
Sacrificial not self-preserving.
Humble not self-promoting.
God-dependent not self-reliant.

THIS IS PASTORAL MINISTRY

Lord, please help me never to forget.

#842 - THE CONNECTION BETWEEN FAITH AND LOVE

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV)

You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it’s only right that we give thanks. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (MSG)

Your faith is growing abundantly…phenomenally.
The love of every one of you for one another is increasing…developing wonderfully.

Growing faith.
Increasing love.

I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive.
Can you truly have growing faith without increasing love? 
Can you truly have increasing love without growing faith?

Where is the tension for you?
Should your faith be producing more love?
Does your love need to be fueled by more faith?

Here’s the statement that I want to be true about my life: The greatest evidence of Edward’s faith in God was great love for others.

I love Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of James 2:14-18 which highlights this idea in a greater way:

Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?

I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.”

Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.

Faith and love.
Love and faith.

Without one, the full expression of the other is impossible.

#841 - MOTIVATION FOR MY NEXT HALF-MARATHON

On February 27, I am registered to run the Rock N’ Roll Half-Marathon in Las Vegas.

I have not trained well up until this point. I am not prepared. This is not good.

With my dire situation in mind, here are 25 compelling, motivating reasons why, over the next 25 days, I need to focus and train like I know I am capable of training…

  1. It will be a waste of money if I can’t finish the race.

  2. It will be a waste of time if I can’t finish the race.

  3. I need to work out.

  4. Training for and finishing this race will motivate me to run another one.

  5. I need to be a man of my word. If I say I'm going to do something, I need to do it.

  6. I can’t let another month go by without taking my physical health more seriously.

  7. The goal of finishing this half-marathon will require me to also achieve a more important goal - re-instilling the habit of consistently exercising.

  8. The feeling I’ll get when I cross the finish line and receive the medal will be so fulfilling.

  9. Finishing races makes my wife proud.

  10. Finishing races makes my dad proud.

  11. An unhealthy leader/pastor is not a leader/pastor worth following.

  12. The less I train the more painful running the race will be.

  13. If I can’t muster up the resolve to train for this half-marathon, it would mean I am more lazy and un-disciplined than I think I am.

  14. The joy I experience when I run will return as I start to run again.

  15. It is poor stewardship to not run in the expensive Nike running shoes that I purchased for running!

  16. I’d rather experience the pain of training than the embarrassment of telling people I didn’t end up running the race because I didn’t have the discipline to train.

  17. New sermon illustrations await me.

  18. There may be people who end up motivated to run a future half-marathon with me because they see/hear about me finishing this race.

  19. The character development I will undergo in the process of training is priceless.

  20. Training will give me more to write about than not training.

  21. While I train, I can simultaneously be thinking about content creation.

  22. If I don’t train to run this half-marathon, comfort will have superseded my convictions. This is not the type of man I want to be.

  23. Physical health and spiritual health are inextricably linked. To think otherwise is naive.

  24. The more I train, the less guilty I feel about eating what I love to eat!

  25. I want to share a picture of the accomplishment in my February PAZUPDATE!

3 mile training run. Tomorrow. No excuses.

#840 - MY 1ST INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS TRIP!

Amman, Jordan. To encourage missionaries. To prayer walk the streets. To serve in whatever way we are asked. For five days. During the tail end of Ramadan. Amongst a 97% Muslim population.

To expose me to how the Kingdom of God is being expanded around the world. To break my heart for what breaks God’s heart. To give me a greater perspective of the global mission of God. To change my life forever.

I. CAN’T. WAIT.