Being Transformed

As a kid I loved transformers. They started as cars and changed into robots. Today I know the transformation process happens in me and it is a little more painful than playing with childhood toys. I realized that in order for transformation to occur I had to let go of what I was and strive towards what I am becoming.
To make this happen I found two simple steps. Listen to God and follow what He says. That's it. As I listen to God He shows me areas of my character that need work. Then all I have to do is act on those reminders and change will happen. However, it is many times painful to acknowledge the weakness and to take action.

Little Leaks

Yesterday my wife came home from an overnight trip to find a puddle in our garage. Needless to say we were a bit disturbed. It turns out we have a tiny leak in one of our pipes in our concrete floor within the wall from the house to the garage. It would be easy to fix if it were accessible. However, it is behind our water heater and only can be accessed by a little crawl space. The floor needs to be jackhammered after the wall is dismantled. All this is for a little leak.

It reminds me of how important my personal integrity is. There may be little leaks in our life. However, a hole in our character, can create nightmarish consequences. It may be as innocuous as not reporting something our taxes or a little white lie. Then it becomes habitual and is embedded in our character. It can take a spiritual jackhammer to get it out.

It is probably going to cost thousands for our little leak in our house. But that is nothing in comparison to how much a character leak may cost. That is why I am in an accountability partnership with a friend. We use a tool called covenant eyes that keeps a list of every website and emails it to our partner. We then get together weekly to discuss any issues. it is a powerful force in my life to keep my integrity intact and to overcome my little leaks.

Be Still

I love doing active stuff. I love the outdoors and hiking, climbing, fishing, hunting, etc. Just last weekend I was out at Joshua Tree as a teacher's assistant For BIOLA University's climbing class.

In all my activity, I find that I need to regularly re-center myself and figure out who I am. I know it may sound like navel gazing but it is so easy to listen to the voices of media or others around me who think they know what is best for me. I continually have to filter out these verse and listen to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit whispering to me who I am and what my purpose is.



A verse that helps me recenter is Psalm 46:10a, "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." I am not God but I can be still and see his work in the rocks and the trees. Also, God shows up in the nations in powerful ways. Nothing happens that is beyond Him.

Through this process I decided to develop a website to help others refocus on their hearts in the journey. it is called http://www.leadwild.com/. I am still working on it but there is a good start there. I find that this process also helps me to refocus on my purpose.

So I "be still" as I realize my place in this world is serving God and not being God.

Keeping up

It has been a while since I posted anything so here are a few of the latest things.

I went paintballing with Faith Community Church in Encinitas in February. About 20 youth and five adults all shot each other. Great fun!

I went hunting in February with my wife and Dad. We shot a dozen quail and scared a hundred more!

I went Rock Climbing in January at Joshua Tree National Monument for Training with a Biola University Masters leadership challenge class. It went down to 13 degrees at night which is very cold for California deserts! I will be a teacher's assistant for two Rock Climbing trips in March.