When You Come Down

Check out our story here, featured on The Leap Year Project:

Bootylicious

 

A few months ago I was invited to be the guest speaker for a weekend winter youth retreat happening in February, by a friend who is a pastor along the Oregon Coast.  In college we used to live on the same dorm room floor, and co-hosted a radio show called “The Blender”.  We met at a Denny’s near SeaTac last May to catch up and share with each other where our lives had gone since being students in Chicago. 

I was reluctant to say yes… Did I have the time to prepare for three separate messages?  Would this be a wise use of my “Seattle time’? Could I do it?  I agreed to do it, and God used it. Truth is, this was a humbling opportunity to serve Jesus and His church.  Rather than just some speaking engagement, teaching is all about Jesus and a chance to tell others that life and eternity is ultimately all about Jesus.

I knew that I myself would be going through the “Who Do You Think You Are?” series at Mars Hill, so because it’d fresh to me, I figured it’d be timely.  Knowing your identity really is as Ps. Mark says, “the one thing that changes everything.” This is absolutely a core concept.

God let’s us receive our identity from Him, Satan wants you to achieve one.  We use many things to explain us, but only one thing can define us.  Your identity is not found in your stuff, your relationships, your hopes, or your pain, but in Jesus.  And it is so freeing.

Since we were on Mt. Hood, I used my identity issue issue of thinking "I'm so hood" to share the concept of true identity

Shelley and I had perfect weather (…for February, 50 degrees and clear sunny skies) as we traveled through Portland and onto Mt. Hood.  We met up with the group, and had a great time tubing in deep snow, playing games, and eating lots of food.  Oh and Jesus let me get up and share a few times, and all went well.  I was honest and challenged the students to do the same.  I am praying it was a weekend they can look back on and say “Jesus showed me who I am.”

Man Up Anthem

(The following is a short, outdated update)

Last Fall, I was invited to be a part of Leadership Boot Camp at Mars Hill Rainier Valley.  It was a 10 week course with training in the areas of discipleship and leadership.  And if I haven't told you about it yet, it rocked my world.  LBC has forced me to re-evaluate my life.  My relationship with Jesus. My Religiousness.  My attitude.  My perspective.

So, am I surrendered? No. Well, yes. I hope.  What is this life about?  Thank you Mars Hill for so often reminding me that really “It’s all about Jesus.”

Going In

Earlier this year at the NWMC, we went to a workshop on "At-Risk Youth Ministries".  So much of what was talked about in that session really connected with us.  Afterward we introduced ourselves, and had the complete honor of beginning a relationship with Tyrone McMorris of Casino Road Kids Ministries.  He is one of the most genuine people I've ever met (for real), and has a huge heart for the kids and community he serves.  With every story he tells and kid he connects with, Tyrone's honest passion shines through.  Tyrone has been working in the Casino Rd. area of Everett for about 12 years, and officially founded CRKM in 2008.

A couple months after first meeting, we were able to get together and learn more of each other's stories.  Then last week, we finally got up to Everett to check out CRKM in action.  Even with a torn Achilles, Tyrone was more than willing to give us a tour, overview, introductions, and answer any of our questions.  We learned more on the importance of relationship and education, establishing positive partnerships, and developing a niche ministry.   

From the very start, Tyrone showed a lot of interest in what we are doing and has remained very supportive.  We are grateful for his example, prayer, and friendship!

You Have Conquered

One month ago today, Steve Toms died.  Reality can hurt but love is a propeller. 

Normally when I blog, I am lucky if about 60 people put a hit on the site.  But a month ago, I posted an entry that had 1,200 views in the first two days.  It had nothing to do with me or the words I used, but it was a small glimpse into the influence that Steve Toms had ...has.  I would argue that Steve 's impact now has an even further reach than before. 

I've replayed hundreds of times, the way he'd walk into the cafe at Life Time Fitness, and would shriek "Josh-oouuuuu-WAHH!!!".  With it came his big grin (we ALL knew it) that would cause everything in its path to immediately smile back.  He was a quick-witted smart aleck, but with an honest heart and a unique way of communicating simple truths.  And when he did call you out on something, the reasoning was undeniable and the insight moved you towards being a more admirable person.  

Jesus gave him a new way to move forward, and Steve was life-giving because of it.  His journey was one of hope, positivity, and empowerment.  He motivated, energized, and mobilized me; really he did that for everyone who knew him.  My hope is that this would continue to be true.  Be open to being affected- whether just one month later, or 30 years from now... 

Miss you much man.    

-j

Look Around

This past weekend I drove down to Portland to be a part of the first ever Father-Shift Conference.  Fatherlessness in America is a major, major problem... and various groups in Portland are very aware of it not only across the country but also in their own city.  The goal was to raise awareness and equip the community to bring healing and change the landscape of fatherlessness in Portland.  The conference was described as for you if: 

-You have experienced or are experiencing the pain of fatherlessness 

-You are raising your child/children alone

-You desire to impact the lives of people in your church/school/city

-You want to become a better father, you want to learn practical ways to show Jesus' love to hurting people

-You want to unite with believers throughout the city to make a difference

-You value the biblical mandate to care for the fatherless. 

I was completely sold, and registered quickly (and found it funny that I was the only one out of hundreds who signed up for a vegetarian lunch option).  Since I was having a friend in town, and he works in the schools, I made him sign up too.  If you work with or are around children, youth, families, adults, parents, or any other human beings, you are feeling the far reach of this issue.  We are all, weather explicitly or not, confronted with fatherlessness... 

Most of all I went so that I could listen to and meet with Dr. John Sowers of The Mentoring Project.  He's the president of TMP, a non-profit (founded by Donald Miller) that is "re-writing the fatherless story through mentoring."  John is at the forefront of the field, as being recognized by the White House, and has a book titled Fatherless Generation. I was able to schedule some time with him to connect, get to know each other a bit, and ask questions.  Loved hearing his heart through our conversation- he's a really genuine man doing an awesome work.    

It was a big win to get in on the conference, be around like-minded people, and make some great connections. 

-j

Defector

I am forcing myself to come up with words, in humble hopes of encouraging you in some small way…

My Life Time family called to tell the unbelievable news that  Steve Toms had died this morning.  As I jogged home after abruptly leaving work, I did not know if the water on my face was my tears, or this Seattle rain.  Lots of both. 

I am frustrated. I am pissed. I am sick at heart.  I am wishing I was back in MN right now, to grieve with you dear friends.  Steve had purpose, direction, and an energy none of us could match.  He harnessed his passions for the purpose of God's glory. He was a great man surrounded by great men.  And all this comes less than three weeks before he and Ashley's first anniversary.  We all know that Steve was the best of best; that is why this is just so damn hard to swallow.  Steve changed us all.  

This is often the nature of death- unexpected, inconvenient, sorrowful, shocking.  All our days are numbered.  Steve knew this, and had a hope in God that extended beyond this temporary life you and I are still experiencing.  By faith total surrender is the most necessary thing we could ever do.    

So I am also grateful. Grateful to have known him over the years.  Grateful for many conversations, often spiritual… even just last week.  Grateful for the man he was.  Grateful that there is real opportunity to come around and support Ashley and young Jameson.  I am grateful that he knew Jesus.   

As we are filled with sorrow, in this delicate moment, let there be hope.  In a place we don't yet know, Steve is now partying to the glory of God.  Soon the masses will gather as we celebrate the story, the life, and the impact of the one and only, Steve Toms.