Unleash!

Many of you know that I enjoy reading in my spare time. One of the things that I have discovered about myself is that in order to finish a book I have to be able to relate to what I am reading on some level or another. Recently I was given the privilege of previewing Perry Noble's first book entitled, "Unleash!".  Before I get into any details of the book I want to say that if I have ever read a book that I believe is universally applicable, relevant, and relatable it would be "Unleash!". 

Throughout this book Perry challenges readers to pursue a life of fulfilled purpose. 

Here is a quote from Unleash!:

“It’s completely possible to live with purpose rather than stumbling through our days trying to figure it out.” #unleashbook

I personally believe that the subject of purpose is one of the most awakening subjects taught in the church today. In saying that, I would also note that the direction that Perry takes this book is absolutely amazing! The whole time I was reading it I felt like I was watching a movie unfold! 

One of the many things that I loved about this book was the transparency that Pastor Perry had in writing it. The personal stories that are shared in this book are eye-opening and convicting in the same time. 

Perry opens the book by describing what it looks like to live a life that is unleashed. From there on he uses the story of David defeating the Giant named Goliath to show readers through scripture how God uses people to live an unleashed life. 

It doesn't matter where you are in this journey called life, I believe we all could benefit from the words God has given Pastor P for this book. 

So if you're ready to break free from normalcy you can pick up a copy here: unleashbook.com

Celebrating my Bride!

April the 18th will always be a special day to me. It was on this day in 1987 that God blessed the world with Tara Nicole (then Baker now Calhoun). Therefore as I approach this day I do so with celebration in my heart!

It is my desire on this most special occasion to shower Tara in words of praise, adoration, and love.

Most of you know that Tara and I became friends in September 2006 and married in September 2009. As I reflect back on the last six years I can say with assurance that because of Tara, my life has been changed for the better.

Over the course of this last week as I prepared to celebrate my bride on this special day, there was one passage of scripture that was continually before me.

The Wife of Noble Character

10 A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Before Tara and I even knew one another I would spend countless hours with this passage. During those times I would pray this passage over the person that God would bring (futuristic) into my life for me to marry. Everyday I wake up I thank God for answering those prayers.

This passage is a beautiful description of who Tara is:

10 A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank God for Tara. I rest assured knowing that we are working together and moving toward Christ.

13 She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

If there is a task to be done, Tara is eager to jump in and be hands on.

14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

If I had to describe Tara with one adjective it would be “planner.” This passage hits that on the head! Tara is a person who has her ducks in a row before she begins anything and as a result she is successful.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

I remember setting with Paul and Carol as I asked for Tara’s hand in marriage and I never will forget how they prided themselves in raising Tara to be a diligent person. For those of you who know her, you know that once Tara sets her mind on accomplishing something, you had best step aside because nothing will alter her course. This is evident in her desire to become a Social Worker. There are many moments that I draw strength from Tara’s work ethic and diligence. Many people don’t know that she held down a full-time and part-time job while being a full-time college student AND a Pastor’s Wife. She didn’t just “survive”, she excelled and graduated in the Advanced Master’s Program at WKU with honors! I laugh sometimes because I think Tara eats pressure for breakfast.

20 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

This might as well say, “Tara opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Another adjective for Tara is compassionate. One of the reasons she is a Social Worker today is because of her heart to serve and help people.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

When I read this passage I see a home that is covered in the (scarlet) blood of Christ. Purple in biblical times was a very expensive dye, and was only used on items of great value. When you speak to someone who knows Tara, they will tell you that she is a person with and of value.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

I would like to think that I am “cool” by association lol! The greatest compliment or conversation I have had with someone has involved Tara is some fashion. It is said that, “Behind every good man is a great woman.” I firmly agree! I would not be a fraction of who I am without Tara’s love and support.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

Tara is probably the strongest person I know. She may not express it very often but people of her caliber seldom do.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Tara will admit that she is a “quiet” person. And anyone who knows Tara knows that there is no denying who her daddy is. Tara like Paul is a person of few words, but I have observed that still waters run deep. When I want wisdom and even when I don’t want it, I know I can count on the discernment of Tara.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Tara is an “on the go” type of person. Idleness is not in her vocabulary. If it needs done she sees that it gets done.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

If you talk to me longer than 60 seconds I am someway or somehow going to tell you about my wife. It’s not work to me, it’s east because she is a praiseworthy person. Nobody can hold a light to her!

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

I’m blessed in this section as well because Tara has such an attractive grace and peace in her life that you can’t help to be drawn to. She is also a lover of God and places Him 1^st in her life, plus she’s a hottie!

31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

This brings me to one final thought. When I look at Tara I see Jesus. I know and have experienced the Christ-like love that she has in her life. It is a love that is undeserving, unrelenting, and asks nothing in return. This love doesn’t come by chance or by working for it, rather it simply comes from a place of private worship and devotion to Christ. As Tara lives a life of worship she can’t help but give to you from the overflow of her heart, which is a reflection of God’s heart.

I am truly blessed to call Tara my bride and it is on this special day of celebration that I want to wish her the happiest of all birthdays!

Why I Want to be a Teacher

In preparation to apply for the Teacher Education Program (TEP) @ Alice Lloyd College I was required to submit multiple papers from previous course work. One of the papers that I had to submit was entitled, "Why I Want to be a Teacher." I would like to take the next few moments sharing with those of you who have endured Tara and I's recent transition with what I wrote.

Why I want to be a teacher?

When I was a junior in high school my family members and friends would frequently ask me what I wanted to be. For the longest time this question plagued me because I had no clue. It seemed like everywhere I turned there was this inescapable question. Many times I would respond by telling them that I would let them know when I grew up. When that answer didn’t suffice I would explain my case further. I had watched too many people around me who went to work five and sometimes six days a week to a job that they hated and faced with dread. It was clear that their only motivator was money. During that time I may not have know exactly what I wanted to do but I did know that I did not want to end up like some of them who simply lived for the weekends. I will admit that it may have taken me longer than usual to discover what career path I wanted to pursue, but now I am certain. I want to be a teacher.

Throughout the following years after high school I set out on many different endeavors. It wasn’t long before I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed working with young people. This has become one reason why I have decided to be a teacher. Over the course of the last four years I had been given the opportunity to work extensively with young people in various age groups and settings. It was during that time that I saw the spark in a young persons eye when they learn something new and it connected with something in side of me. As I further worked with young people I decided that in some capacity this is what I wanted to do with my future.

In 2006, Max Lucado wrote a book entitled, “Cure for the Common Life.” In this book Lucado unpacked the idea that every person is designed to live in their “sweet spot.” Some people may be familiar with the phrase “sweet spot.” Usually people identify it on a golf club or a baseball bat. This is the spot on these two devices that when hit correctly sends the ball in the desired direction with precision and finesse. I can say with confidence that my “sweet spot” is teaching. The first time that I officially taught a lesson was in the youth ministry that I was a part of. I was presented the chance to teach our youth on a ministry trip that we had taken out of state. I spent hours preparing for that one lesson and it paid off. I remember the moments before I was to begin the lesson, my stomach was in knots and I felt a lump in my throat. It was only moments into the lesson that I knew I had connected with my sweet spot in life.

I believe that teachers have a great opportunity and responsibility to impact their students. As President Obama said in his most recent State of the Union Address, “Teachers are the building blocks of America.” Teachers can encourage a student to excel to great heights and achieve whatever they want to become. I agree that the future of America will be shaped through the efforts of effective educators. When I reflect back over my educational experience I can identify numerous teachers who made a difference in my life on all educational levels. I could name teachers from grade school all the way into my college career that has profoundly impacted my life and shaped my educational experience. I know that this is what I want to do for others. I want to be a teacher so that I can make a difference to the students I hope to teach.

I don’t believe that a single good characteristic makes a teacher great or effective. I believe that a great teacher has multiple characteristics that shaped them into becoming effective in what they do. I am thankful for what I have been able to be a part of in the last few years because I know it has led me unto this moment. At various stages of my life I have been fortunate to unearth different pieces of my puzzle. At one stage I have discovered that I enjoy really enjoy working with young people, at another I found my passion for teaching, and another I realized that I could make a difference in someone’s life. Each part of who I am has helped me to see that I want to be a teacher because I know it’s something that I care deeply for and love.

P.S. For those of you who haven't heard, I was accepted into the TEP following an interview with the Education Department Chairs as of 11.10.11. Which means I am one step closer to seeing this dream come to pass. I would like to say thank you to all of you for your prayers and support. With Love, John

"American Christianity"

"Our issue is not that you need another message, our issue is not that you need another fire tunnel, our issue is not that you need the glory of God to come down in another worship service. Our issue is that somebody has to awaken us to the realization that if we have the Holy Spirit of God living inside of us then we should be changing things in our communities instead of laying hands on each other until we fall down again. In the Bible they were anointed enough to lay hands on people until they got up. Because we can't make people get up, we have made the pinnacle of the charismatic experience falling down. God has not given us His anointing to make people fall down. God has given us His anointing so that we can make people get up out of sick beds, out of paralyzed positions, and cancerous comas."

The above excerpt came from a message that I have been listening to repeatedly for the past week and it has shaken something on the inside. The text was taken from Luke 13 in context with Jesus' parable about the fig tree. The sermon was entitled, "Uselessness." Let's just say that it was good, convicting, and challenging! Btw, that is the type of messages we need to be listening to.

Lately my heart has been focused on the thought of "American Christianity." Just saying it makes me squeamish. Honestly I think for the most part that we as American's our missing it when it comes to manifesting Christianity.

For so many people their Christian life does not stretch beyond an hour and fifteen-minutes per week. For others their Christian life is about an emotional feeling when they talk about God....those who yearn for an emotional experience more than God!

Let me just stop and say that Christianity is not about you having an emotional experience. I can go to the movies and have an emotional experience. God is BIGGER!

God's love toward us is passionate, yet we are passionless until it comes to our own personal pursuits.

Why is it so hard to love Him and pursue after Him with intensity?

Why do people get distracted so easily?

Why can't people commit to serving Him? Why can't He be enough?

It shocks me to think that if there were no hell that people wouldn't profess Christianity. God loves YOU! Why can't that be enough? If God never did another thing for you, would you still serve Him?

God does not just want the pieces your life that you are half-willing to give but He want's and deserves everything!

I can't stand to see wasted potential....I know my God is greater! God can do amazing things through you if you would live in complete abandonment to Him.

Maybe you have lived passionless and pursued your own desires, but don't give up. Listen what Joel 2:25 says:

“ So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you."

My God is in the restoration business and He loves working on messed up "projects." He can redeem your wasted years, it's never too late. Just surrender.

Power or Praise?

I would like to again share with you an excerpt from one of my favorite books, "Why Revival Tarries." By Leonard Ravenhill.

"One does not need to be spiritual to preach, that is, to make and deliver sermons of homiletical perfection and exegetical exactitude. By a combination of memory, knowledge, ambition, personality, plus well-lined bookshelves, self-confidence, and a sense of having arrived---brother, the pulpit is yours almost anywhere these days. Preaching of the type mentioned affects men; prayer affects God.....The pulpit can be a shopwindow to display our talents; the closet speaks death to display. The tragedy of this late hour is that we have too many dead men in the pulpits giving out too many dead sermons to too many dead people....A sermon born in the head reaches the head; a sermon born in the heart reaches the heart....Away with this palsied, powerless preaching which is unmoving because it was born in a tomb instead of a womb, and nourished in a fireless, prayerless soul."

For years these words have always echoed in the deep parts of my mind and recently have made a connection to the words of the Apostle Paul as recorded in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

¹ And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. ² For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. ⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,⁵ so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

As I pair the words of Paul to the heart of L. Ravenhill I am faced with an unsettling truth. It is possible to mistake "good preaching" for God's unction, approval, and sadly enough for some, the anointing.

Paul is very clear in this passage, Power accompanies the anointing. Preaching without the anointing is powerless and ultimately lifeless. It may make us feel good and may even inspire us but it leaves us unchanged.

Are we so patterned to comfort that we have lost sight of how important God's anointing is. For the sake of "growing" a church I believe we have discovered how to have a service without truly depending on God. If we can get the right dynamic of a worship band and learn the 5 highly effective ways of making people comfortable then why do we need God? (Insert sarcasm here).

Please know that this is not the case that is happening everywhere because honestly I have been blessed to see ministries that have refused to go "forward" without God's presence and anointing. And as a result have seen God's continued blessing and true spiritual growth within their ministries.

It reminds me so much of Exodus 33:1-3. God told Moses he could lead the Children of Israel into the promise land, which they had waited for so long. God even said he would send an angel to drive out all of the enemies BUT if this is the decision that he would choose then He (God, His presence) was not going. Listen to Moses' response:

"If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here." Ex. 33:15

What was Moses saying? Ultimately that God if you don't go with us then it is better for us to stay here (in the desert, a place of hardship void of comfort) because Your Presence is here.

That is how important God's Presence is! That is how important it is that we are not comfort-seekers! In our quest for comfort we can easily loose sight of God's Presence.

All that matters is His Presence in all that we do! If God's Presence is not in it, don't do it! But if it is, then go for it with all that you are!

He Gives us Himself

I read this today from a Max Lucado daily devotional. It was something I wanted to share with you because I feel it applies to all of us no matter where we are in life. Enjoy!

"I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

- Matthew 28:20 NIV

The story is told of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle. The guide before him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeds and thick underbrush. The traveler, wearied and hoe, asked in frustration, "Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?!" The seasoned guide stopped and replied, "I am the path."

We ask the same questions, don't we? We ask God, "Where are you taking me? Where is the path?" And he, like the guide, doesn't tell us. Oh, he may give us a hint or two, but that's all. If he did, would we understand? Would we comprehend our location? No, like, the traveler, we are unacquainted with this jungle. So rather than give us an answer, Jesus gives us a far greater gift. He gives us Himself.

-Traveling Light

Like I said, it doesn't matter where you are in life because God knows. Revelation 22:13 says, that God is the beginning and the end. It's great to know that when he formed us, he had our end in mind. The current place you are in, is not enough to be worried or upset about. God doesn't see what you are, rather He sees what He has made you to be. Can we surrender our worry, fear, past-regrets, and anxiety to see what He sees? God gave you a beginning so trust Him to also give you an end. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11

Everything is meaningless

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

I have always been a person who loves to read a, “good book.” When it comes to reading there is a personal truth I have found which is, that books are season specific for me. What I mean is that I have noticed that I can start reading a book that may in fact be inspirational, encouraging, challenging or honestly one that will later land on my “top 10 list” but if I am not in a place in my life where I can relate then my interest fades away. Well, months ago I bought a book entitled, “Crazy Love” written by Francis Chan. Initially I had a great interest in this book because I had already devoured “The Forgotten God” also by author Francis Chan (Which by the way is on my top 10), but I didn’t get maybe two chapters in before I laid it down only to pick up something else. This is by no way saying the first chapters of the book are bad or uninteresting, but I know me and if I am not hooked early on I might as well not continue because I know from experience the Lord will lead me back to it when it’s the right season. Needless to say, two days ago was that day.

Well, today I am in chapter two and the question has been, “What matters in life?” It wasn’t long into the reading that Chan brought in a familiar passage from James:

4:13-14 “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

This chapter really hit a nerve; it talked about how we get so weighed down with things that don’t matter (the things that hold no eternal significance). While we are wrapped up in focusing on the things of tomorrow we don’t even think that there isn’t a guarantee for tomorrow. Like James said, life is like a vapor, here only briefly and then it vanishes.

After reading this chapter I went on to read through the book of Ecclesiastes and honestly I have never saw it the way I did this morning. The words of King Solomon are still ringing in my head, “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” How true! Everything outside of knowing and showing Christ is meaningless. Solomon who had everything mind you, looked at it all and said, “You know none of this matters. None of this has any eternal significance because when I’m dead what I have done with my life will be tried by fire.”

Maybe it’s just me but I find it so easy to get wrapped up in things that do not matter. When I realize that my focus is on stuff that doesn’t matter, God then helps me to become more sensitive to Him. So, today I will live with the attitude that this truly could be my last and if I have a tomorrow I will do the same. It’s not being morbid but rather being aware. The purpose of my life is not about me, but it is about Jesus. Today is not about me, but about it is about Jesus.