I had a little revealation as I pulled some clothes out of the washing machine last night. They were all stuck together and started to form into the shape of the cylinder that just did a cleaning number on them.

It’s a lot like the world we live in. The environments, the conditions, the forces working aginst us all want to ultimately shape us into themselves. The faster the pace, the faster the spin cycle. But at the end of the cycle we are still who we are. The washing machine of life doesn’t make us loose our identity.

I heard a speaker say recently, “Our value was nailed to the cross.” Jesus put our value above all. He wants to be the one to shape us..or reshape us from the spin cycles of life.

I’m living proof of that truth. I could list my history, my environments I fell subject to growing up (and many I put myself in) and it would make for a 4 part Jerry Springer Show mini-series. For years it shaped me, until I met the ultimate creator who came in and reshaped me from the inside out. I looked a little like this picture, until He put me in His arms of love and brought me back to the original design.

It doesn’t make everyday a walk in the park. But it does give me a connection with a Father who wants me to be in His shape…and welcomes me from the battles of life to His refuge so I can get in shape.

Breathe In & Smile Out,
Chris

I’m a bona fide Who Dat nation card carrying member. If you cut me, I bleed black & gold. Tonight’s game with my Saints battling the dirty birds of Atlanta I learned a couple of lessons in leadership from our star QB Drew Brees.

A great leader knows when to drop back in the pocket so he can read the field

A great leader knows exactly when to time the pass

A great leader knows who to throw the ball to

A great leader celebrates the victories with the team

Brees has a superstar, or great leader, ability to drop back and make the big play. He reads the field of opposition. He looks for the opportunity. Most importantly he places the utmost confidence on the receivers to catch the ball in the small windows he threads it through. Ultimately he rallies the team to rise to the occasion, sets the bar, and delivers the opportunity for success. In the the end the team celebrates the victory.

Breathe In & Smile Out,
Chris

Ephesians 1:18

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,”

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Quote for the day:

“‘Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your presence all our fears are washed away” — Paul Baloche “Hosanna”

I’m embarrassed to say I missed the U2 live YouTube concert last weekend…I was not one of the 2.5 million who tuned in. And I wasn’t one of the 1.2 million who streamed the archived YouTube show…that changes tonight, check it out!

It was classic U2 at all new levels…stage, sound, songs, crowd…unbelievable! Best seat in the Rose Bowl.

Breathe In & Smile Out,
Chris

Reading through a book from one of my favorite authors….excellent chapter on fear and conquering fear by unlearning…be inspired.

“The goal of love is fearlessness! As we grow in a love relationship with God, we unlearn the fears that paralyze us and neutralize us spiritually. That is the essence of faith. Faith is the process of unlearning your irrational fears.”
Mark Batterson from “In A Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day”

1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.”

Breathe In & Smile Out,
Chris

So the rumor mill just got turned up a notch with the recent NYT executive editor Bill Keller’s “off the record” interview Could the e-reader market get an Apple revolution? Will Steve and the Cupertino gang come in and put the slam dunk on the democratization of the book industry? Will iTunes U + the Apple Tablet empower the education industry overhaul?

All I have to say is if the MacBook Pro becomes a touch like this wishful comp illustrates…count me in! At $800 the price is right for a Christmas frenzy.

Breathe In & Smile Out,
Chris

I’m convinced God gives us kids for at least two reasons. First, so we can feel the unconditional agape love He has for all of us…and second, so we can really practice following Him, applying His instructions at home before we take it to the streets.

Here’s my picture of that lesson I learned yesterday…one I would like to call “Beautiful Mess.”

Now, it didn’t start so beautiful…I must confess. It was early morning…the first cup of coffee had not been enjoyed…and my little helper was not listening to the instructions…coffee was all over the counter…he was getting frustrated…i was getting frustrated…did I mention I didn’t have any coffee yet :-0 So, here is a picture of where it could have turned the wrong way:

This is where the application part of the life lesson comes into play. Ethan was not happy that he couldn’t get the 8 scoops of coffee in the filter without the beautiful mess. I wasn’t happy that my coffee was going to take another 15 minutes if I chose to have a teachable moment for both of us. But I took the time to hug my lil’ buddy, encourage him, help him clean up the beautiful mess, and walk him through the 8 scoops a couple more times. In the end, he felt a father’s love in a tangible way….and we both celebrated with smile and some coffee brewing:

I don’t share this to give myself some big pat on the back. Believe me, I get it wrong more times than right…especially if I haven’t had any coffee I share this because in the end it painted a picture of the love from our Father who created us. Our Father who loves us in the beautiful mess. Our Father who wants to come alongside us in the trials, the stress, the failures, to gently help us clean it up and try again. He comes to comfort, not condemn. He comes to encourage, not discourage. He comes to lift up, not put down. He comes to instruct, not destruct. He comes to experience life with us, not bring death. He comes to help us persevere so there can be celebration with every accomplishment.

Such a simple lesson, yet when you see it unfold before your eyes it becomes one I know I could do better outside the four walls of my home. I believe every mess has a beautiful side to it. I believe we are called to see that beautiful side so we can have the right perspective. So we can see beyond and rise to help people live beyond. To the place where all things “work to the good of those who believe and are called…”

Eugene Peterson captures it best in the Message translation of Romans 8:26-28:

“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

Breathe In & Smile Out,
Chris

If you haven’t read this book yet, go get it and jump in!

It is from Mark Batterson who is an amazing thinker and relevant preacher of the gospel. His church in D.C. has exploded and was one of the first movements of church into a movie theater venue. If you’re in the area be sure to hit Ebeneazors for the best cup of joe in town (and every sip you take helps support the church).

Here is one of my favorite quotes from his In A Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day:

“Faith is unlearning the senseless worries and misguided beliefs that keep us captive. It is far more complex than simply modifying behavior. Faith involves synaptogenesis. Faith is rewiring the human brain.”

Looking forward to the new Primal book that is coming soon. Stay tuned,

Breathe In & Smile Out,
Chris

I had a nice surprise last night when my wife told me that my 5 year old son made me something special…and he wanted me to wear it for the Fields of Faith event. I was excited and anxious to see what it was…and even more excited to put it on in front of him and tell him how much I loved it!

Now to anyone else it looks like just a collection of beads on a string. For me it was so much more. It represented the love, the compassion, the desire to give me his best and most precious gift. Me being the father and recepient made me happier than I can describe here.

I think that is exactly what our Father in heaven wants from us. He wants to have us think about Him…desire to give Him our best gift….and to do it out of our heart, not obligation. It doesn’t matter what it looks like to the world, our Father cherishes the authentic love….and this father will always keep this necklace here in my car to remind me.

Breathe In & Smile Out,
Chris

November 17th we will all be able to hear the full mastered new album “Battle Studies” from John Mayer…until then take a sneak peek at some of the raw tracks on YouTube. Here is the link to the new song “Taking On Water.”

Pretty bold move to let the unfinished work out, and a brilliant marketing move I must say! Check it out he has about 5 songs up, just posted them a week ago. Unfortunately none of the videos/songs are embeddable, but worth the visit if you’re a Mayer fan.

Breathe IN & Smile OUT,
Chris