What happens when someone gives? I believe the heart of God can only be fully tapped into when someone gives. It is through the gift of time and significant resources that we "get" what sacrifice is and see what salvation looks like. Giving sacrificially is done by so few and it's seems to be becoming more scarce. Our culture of spending and material necessities squelch our God created desire to give. As a culture, we give when disaster hits, but a few weeks later we go right back to hording. I truly believe that if followers of Christ would take the risk and start giving, they would discover a side of faith that they never knew was there, a side that cannot be discovered without great sacrifice; because when you do give, you do receive and it's a gift that breathes life into your soul.

This last week my church, Hillcrest, did something to prime the pump. They gave out envelopes with $500 cash inside each one. As people are giving it away, they are seeing the joy of giving and seeing the need to continue the practice. Some may not get it, but some are and I believe that once you prime the pump, the life giving water should continue to flow. I'm excited to see what happens, not only with the $500, but what happens in the lives of people after.

It’s my birthday today…39 years old…one year away from the strange 40 and not knowing exactly how to feel. My life is about as demanding as it has ever been. I know this pace is not good and I know that I need to set better boundaries of priority and definitions of success. What did I do with the past 39 years? Am I where God planned for me to be? Has my resistance and disobedience to God’s plan put me way off track? What legacy am I leaving to my kids? What kinds of things must I do to be the husband my wife deserves? Have I grown as a pastor? Do the people I shepherd feel loved and does God’s love flow through me? 39 has brought more questions than answers. I have reached the tipping point and realize I’m no longer looking forward to getting older as I just might have more years behind me than I have in front. The time to “get it right” is shrinking and there’s no time to goof off and say, “Some day I’ll get serious.” My kids are growing up; I’ll have a real teenager in a couple of months.

I do have comfort in the eternal God that loves me. He knows my mistakes and departures from his plan but in all of that he still loves me and still gives me opportunities to do that plan today. I may not be able to go back and restart or do over, but I do have today. I can make a choice to be a great dad today. I can love my wife sacrificially today. I can preach like each week is my last sermon each Sunday starting now. I can love others the way God loves me, right now. For God knows the plans he has for me.

I will embrace 39. 39 years of learning what I should not do. 39 years of missing the mark. 39 years of not being serious about my humanity and taking for granted that I have an infinite number of years ahead. 39 will be my year to realize that I may not have the years I thought. I will choose today to be happy and not wait for this to pass or for that event to resolve before I will step into contentment. I chose today. I am 39 and I will embrace the year.

Thank you God for my family, a great wife, real friends and a loving church. You have given me so much. Help me live to my full potential in you! Thanks for 39!

What will solve the financial issues facing America (and the world)? It seems that overspending, spending more than what we have (debt), got us into this situation. Some people bought more house than they could afford. Some people have increased unsecured credit through over spending on credit cards and buying too much stuff on credit that they really can’t afford. Very few people have any reserves because their debt to income ratio is off the charts and leaves nothing left over. So why are we buying the belief that spending more is the fix?

I suspect that our financial situation will continue unless we change us. It’s time to stop spending like there are no repercussions, like we will never have to pay it back. I know that portions of industry will collapse if we do not continue to purchase at the rate we have been, but that’s just the point. We have to stop and allow our economy to reset. It will be painful, but to continue on the plan of “keep spending” when most families economic foundations look like a house of cards will only prolong and intensify the inevitable.

It’s time to stop spending and let the companies fail that need to fail. It’s time for us to stop buying and become content. It’s time to value financial security instead of financial insanity. It’s time to pay a person who acts and a person who plays a game for a living an appropriate wage. It’s time for all of us to knock ourselves down a notch or two and live within our means. It’s time for us to set an example that our government so desperately needs to follow.