Ireland update
Posted: Jul 3, 2010 in Uncategorized | No Comments

I cannot express my gratitude for everyones prayers for my mom. She is out of the ICU and is recuperating very well. They discovered she has extreme vertigo and that has been the cause of her dizziness. She still has some bruising on the brain and is not out of the clear yet so please keep up the prayers. God is doing some amazing things here in Ireland. We have been in Northern Ireland for the most part. The Northern part is apart of the British rule and for centuries they have been at war with the southern part. Its only the last years that things have calmed down. They have these “peace” walls built up separating the Protestant side from the Catholic side. We did an outreach on Friday where we were able to bridge that gap. Several people showed up to the event including my skateboarding friend from the days prior. I was able to lead him to Christ that night…(He’s the kid on the right)

We are at an event in Belfast right now called Summer Madness where 3,000 young people come to worship the Lord. We’ve challenged all of them to invite their unsaved friends to tomorrows service, pray that many come to know Jesus. Thank you for all your prayers and love!

Prayer needed
Posted: Jul 1, 2010 in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Received news this morning that my mother was admitted to the hospital. She fell and hit the back of her head puncturing a hole in it. She has small bleeding on her brain and they had to staple the wound shut but she is stable. I spoke with her this morning and asked her if she wanted me to come home, she said, “No honey, what would do me best is if you win everyone there to Jesus.” So with Gods help thats what I intend to do. The devil has no shortage of obstacles to throw in our way to distract us from Gods work… I love my mother with all my heart and this is definitely a low blow but though I am pressed I will not give up and quit these bodies of ours go through struggles so the LIFE of JESUS can be seen! If this brings someone to Christ although its tough its worth it. Thank you for your prayers! God is doing great things! Much love!

Ireland update!
Posted: Jun 27, 2010 in Uncategorized | No Comments

What up! Arrived in Ireland on Friday with major jet lag! There is definitely nothing worse than trying to stay awake when you really want to sleep. The missionary was generous enough to helped me stay awake by giving me a place to speak Its been beautiful weather here, sun has been out and its been about 70 degrees. I spoke twice in two different churches in a city called Antrim this morning. A couple of days ago the missionary team thats here was doing some street evangelism in Antrim when they ran across a gang beating up a homeless man. To make a long story short one of the students went up to the gang leader after the incident placed his hand on his heart and said, “you have a broken heart and you need Jesus to fill it.” The gang leader broke down and allowed the team to pray with them. Being from America we come with so many expectations of what a missions trip should be and how we think God should move. We think we should step off the plane and everyone should fall over in the presence of God. God works through alter calls and healing and even through placing hands on a gang bangers hearts, but Im realizing He also works through handing out a hot dog to a hungry child or helping a little kid feed grass to a horse, or riding a skateboard down a really steep hill because some kid wants you to (that was scary by the way). What Im trying to say is ministry is relationship, it doesn’t always come in nice pretty package we think it should. Ministry is being available thats it. Being available to serve the needs of people. At the end of this life I don’t think God will be mad a me for not preaching at the kid who wanted me to ride his skateboard down that hill. Sharing Jesus is more than words, its time, its feeding the hungry, its riding skateboards down scary hills. The challenge is to be available to be used in whatever capacity Jesus sees fit. Thanks for all your prayers and love! Gotta go, Im speaking in a town called Portadown tonight. Much love!!

LOST
Posted: May 25, 2010 in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

This past week the television series LOST concluded its six year run.  Some thought the ending was great, some thought it could have been done differently.  I was undecided at first, but eventually leaned toward respecting what the writers came up with.   Whatever your thoughts were, most all can agree it was a dynamic, heart-pumping, captivating plot!  I was amazed by the many emotions I experienced as I realized how attached I had become to these fictional characters.  After the final episode concluded and I sat listening to Jimmy Kimmel crack jokes instead of interviewing the cast, (which ticked me off!) I sat staring at my TV. waiting for them to come back with something about starting a new season.  I’m thinking, “It can’t be over!”  As the reality set in that there would be no ”next season,” I began to go through the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression (reflection, loneliness), and then, finally, acceptance.  I did wallow in self pity for a while wondering what I would do without Jack’s mood swings, James’s sarcasm, Hugo’s humor, Sayid’s skill to make anyone squeal through torture, and Kate keeping all of them guessing which one she really liked!  I thought to myself, “What a great series!”  

The whole premise of the series was each character finding their purpose, each of them trying to find meaning.  I talked to some people about the ending and saw some of the status updates that my friends had posted.  Some were confused, and some didn’t like the ending.  I spoke to one of my friends that said, “Last night I wasn’t a big fan of the ending, but I’m beginning to understand it more, and I like it now.”  The only ones that could give LOST its ending were the ones that gave it its meaning–the writers.  The writers explained that they knew how the story was going to end long before the last episode ever took place.  As much as we all of fell in love with the characters, the writers were the real heroes; they gave the story meaning, along with those cliffhanger moments where we couldn’t wait until the next episode.  

I’m reading a book by Donald Miller called ”A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”.  In his book Miller talks about how ultimately our lives are one big book written by God.  He speaks of a time he went to a conference where this big name screen writer was doing a lecture on how to create a great story.  The guy talked about how the key ingredient to a great story is conflict, and without conflict your characters will have no meaning, people will become disinterested and stop reading or watching.  He went on to say, “You put your characters through hell!!”  By putting them through this “hell” you capture your audience and leave them wondering what will happen, you leave them wanting more.  No one wants to read or watch a story that’s perfect, they like drama.  They like to see the character go through hardships.  With that said, no writing team understands this concept more than the writers of the television series 24.  There is no fictional character in the history of TV. that has been through more “hell” than Jack Bauer.  This man saw his wife murdered, he’s been captured and tortured by the Chinese (who pronounced his name, Jack BOWA), hunted by every mercenary there is, betrayed by close friends, and has died at least twice!  Come on!  If that isn’t putting your character through “hell” I don’t know what is!  I’ve been a faithful 24 and LOST fan since their beginnings and if the stories were perfect, with perfect people, I probably wouldn’t have kept watching.  The reason?  Because I wouldn’t have been able to relate.  They captivated me with their imperfections and their quest to find a purpose.

Our lives are one big book and God is the writer, he’s continually writing away at the story and putting his characters through “hell”, but  why?  Is it because he’s some sinister God that likes to see his kids suffer?  No, quite the contrary, it’s because He’s the master writer; He’s creating conflict and adversity so when (and if) we work through it we become better for it.  So at the season finale everyone stands to their feet and gives a standing ovation, as tears roll down their face, completely blown away of how someone could over come so much adversity.   I can see it now:  The angels are up in heaven sitting in their comfy chairs of the theater eating their popcorn (or mana), waiting for the next episode of JASON MAUPIN to air!  What will happen this time?  I would like to see the teaser for that!  Ha!!  

I have to be honest, there are times I don’t know what He’s writing, or even if I like what He’s writing.  There are times where I wonder if He has “writer’s block” and forgot about my story.  Or that he’s already written this we need to move on!  There are times I feel like Jack Shepherd from LOST. I ‘m frustrated at where I’m at; wishing life would “throw me a bone!”  There are times I wish I could skip the heartache, the pain and drama and get to the good stuff.  But it’s the heartache, the pain and the drama that makes it interesting and keeps the ratings up.  I guess I’m just happy He’s still writing about me, that my season didn’t get cancelled or worse my character didn’t die. 

I’m not a believer in purgatory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory) but I’m a believer that all of us go through struggles, trials, and hardships.  I believe we will continue to go through these struggles, trials, and hardships until we learn the lesson the writer wants us to learn.  Once we learn the lesson, we’ll move on to the next chapter.  I need to trust the writer more…I need to trust that He knows best, I need to learn the character He has created me to be, I need to “Let go” as so many people told Jack in the series LOST.  I need to be content in this chapter of my life and stop trying to skip ahead, knowing that it’s this chapter that’s grooming me for the next chapter.  At the end of my life I want to look back and say, “That was a great series!”  I want to enjoy life, not worrying all the time.  I want some action, adventure, some drama, and romance (with my wife of course).  I want my story to be interesting and I believe that everyone has the right to be the hero in their own story.  The tough thing to swallow is, if we want to be the hero and not an extra on the outskirts we have to go through “hell.” 

Proverbs 19:21 says: “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”  The bottom line is the writer is the one that knows best.  We can detour from our purpose as Jack Shepherd did several times in LOST, and give ourselves more heartache than if we had just stuck with the script.  Or we can surrender to the writer’s hand knowing that we may not be a big fan of the ending but after a while we’ll realize why “that” happened and why He chose “that” ending.  After all, the writer is the one that gave the story purpose in the first place, so why wouldn’t he know how to end it.  To all those who like me are struggling to play your role, play your part, play it well, remember to stick to the script; when you’re in a dramatic part or some major turmoil is going on, learn what you need to learn so the page can turn and the story can move on.  Be encouraged that every dynamic, heart pumping, captivating, story only comes through blood, sweat, and tears.  Be encouraged that if you persevere through the scene-even though you may not agree with how it’s scripted- you will win the hearts of many and be chosen to star in many more roles to come!  This may sound crazy but I want to thank the series LOST for opening up my eyes to the wonders of a story, my story.  I may not like every line of the book or series Im in but I do know I want to keep reading and watching, waiting in anticipation for the ending that one day will come.  And although I may not get 13.5 million people to tune in to the “season finale” as long as the Writer is there and He is happy, then I’ve done my job.

Much love!

Hard work!
Posted: May 1, 2010 in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Hard work never killed anyone but why take the chance?  Seem like that’s the mind set of a lot of people. Sure, people working hard to pay the bills and feed their family is a given but that’s not the hard work I’m talking about.  I’m referring to goals and dreams that people have but are too afraid or too comfortable to make them happen.  If you asked an elderly person what they regret in their lifetime almost 100% of the time they would say, something that they didn’t do rather than something they did.  They wished they would have spent more time with their family, they wished they would have started that business, they wished they would have saved more, or laughed more or loved more…they wish.  Should of, would of, could of, but they didn’t.

I hate regret.  When I was little my brother wanted our mom to take us to a haunted house.  She said she would take us if I agreed to go.  Gee thanks mom for leaving it up to me.  As all young siblings know it’s only a matter of time before you buckle under the pressure of your possessed older brother or sister.  After about an hour of me saying no, no and no.  I finally agreed to go.  The whole ride to the haunted house I remember my brother behind me whispering in my ear, “A werewolf is going to eat you!  Werewolves like chubby boys like you!”  I tried to hold my fear in but when we pulled into the parking lot and I looked to the exit I saw a drooling, howling werewolf chasing two grown adults out of the haunted house!  I couldn’t hold my fear in any longer…matter of fact my fear came out in the form of vomit as I launched it all over the dash of my mom’s new car.  Needless to say I didn’t go into that haunted house.  Seems like for years after that I had to put up with my brother telling me how awesome that it was and how I missed it.

I vowed then at the age of six never to miss out on anything again!  God calls us to things that seem impossible.  God called Noah to build an ark; he called Moses to part the red sea; he called David to kill a giant; he called Abraham to leave his home and go to another land; he called Sara to have a child in her old age; and he called Jesus–his own son–to die on a tree.  Each of these things were hard, extremely hard, and I bet at times when Noah was building that boat or Moses was leading those people, doubt would creep in.  I bet they wondered if they did the right thing or if it was worth it.  I think its funny how we think when we’re doing what God called us to do there should be no resistance and every door should just come flying open!  Tell that to the Apostle Paul… shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead.  Was he out of God’s will because things were tough?

Too many people take the easy road because it’s all they’ve ever known.  They wouldn’t admit it but it’s easier to stay with what they’ve known than to take a blind step of faith and maybe fall and go through years of hard work.  We build our kingdoms with our blood sweat and tears and when God calls us to something else we have become so attached to what we’ve built that we resist the call to start over. We begin to ignore and neglect the voice of God and rationalize and justify why we don’t need to do what he’s asked.

If there’s no cost, there’s no dream.  My personal dream of being an evangelist and motivational speaker has not been easy.  It’s taken hard work to be we’re I’m at today.  It’s taken sacrifice, not just on my part, but on my family’s part.  Sometimes I ask God why he couldn’t just call me to be a youth pastor or better yet, a regular “Joe” that works a secular job, attends church and pays his tithes faithfully.  I know I wouldn’t be satisfied as a “Joe” because it’s not what God wants for me.  I know I would regret it, and one day when I got to heaven it wouldn’t be my brother telling me what I had missed out on—it would be God who would show me all the things I could have done if I would have trusted Him more.

I’ve learned people call you crazy when you do what God wants.  They don’t understand it, they in some way might even be jealous because they wish they could have the faith that you have and trust as you trust.  Just a few weeks ago my wife was offered a worship leader position at a promising church where she would be compensated very well.  The church we attend now cannot afford to pay her for her amazing abilities and it would have been so easy to accept this position.  The thing is it would have been easy, convenient, and financially wise.  A secular person might say “this is a great move for the both of you financially and corporately!”  But, that’s not where God called us.  He’s called us here, and being here takes work–hard work–but as cliché as it sounds, hard work does pay off.

I hope I never get so settled in my dream that when God calls me to the next dream I don’t go because I’m afraid of the hard work.  What’s the dream that God’s given you?  Are you afraid of the hard work it’s going to take to get there?  Don’t live in regret!  Get your hands dirty and reach for the impossible knowing that if God calls you He will equip you!!

Much love!

HERO
Posted: Feb 26, 2010 in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

I like super heros! My favorite superhero is Wolverine, I don’t know why…maybe because he has knives that come out of his hands and he rides a motorcycle. Im finding out that you don’t have to fly, run through walls, or be some freak of nature to be someone’s hero, all you have to do is care.

I just finished a two day school tour up here in Wisconsin. I was called up here because a student committed suicide about three weeks ago. I had many thoughts about how this week would go but nothing could prepare me for what happened. This week has been incredible! I Spoke to 1,300 students in five schools and 50 students gave there lives to Christ! Many people were touched by Jesus… words cannot do it justice. So many people are hurting… One girl came up to me at a school and showed me several scars on her arms where she had been cutting herself, she couldn’t deal with the pain inside so she would cut herself, the pain on her arm made her forget about the pain in her heart. One girl took me aside after the assembly and told me she was suicidal because a close relative had molested her, another girl said she had been selling herself for sex. One person emailed me anonymously and simply said, “I can identify with your story and I want to thank you for being so real, it helped me understand that if you can make it I can make it.” It was addressed: “to my hero” Its amazing what can happen if we open up and allow God to use our pain for someone else’s gain.

You don’t have to go far to see hurt. I know around the world kids are hurting and we constantly send money over seas to help. I applaud that, but please don’t just send money as an excuse to ignore what happening in our own country. Take time to get involved with the people right next to you. There are people that live in our communities that need the love of Jesus. You might think to yourself “I don’t have a story.” Everyone has a story! Ghandi a spiritual leader once said “If Christians acted as Jesus intended them to act then all of India would be saved! I like your Jesus but I don’t like your Christians.” Jesus’ message was simple, it was four words “LOVE” So many times we pass the obligation to someone else, what if there wasn’t someone else? What if there was just you? And Jesus’ message of love was dependent upon you. Will you be that love? Will you be someone’s hero?

Politically correct
Posted: Jan 6, 2010 in Uncategorized | No Comments

I was watching the NYC New Years’ bash and having a great time bringing in the new year when the camera zoomed in, on two DUDES making out!! Yeah I have to say that made me cringe. I yelled out, “Oh my gosh!!!” It seems everywhere you look our society is trying to normalize the not normal. A little shot here of two guys holding hands in a commercial, a magazine here of two women kissing, it’s like the media is trying to warm us up to it.

Ayn Rand, an atheist, wrote in her novel “The Fountainhead” on how to wreck a society. One of the rules she states is to teach the people to laugh at everything, including the sacred and sinful. Wow! That’s probably the most sinister but yet true statement I’ve ever heard–teaching people to laugh at what is considered sacred.

I didn’t laugh when I saw that gay couple kissing on the screen, I don’t think homosexuality is funny, I think its disgusting. I don’t think the person is disgusting I think the act is disgusting; there’s a difference. In Proverbs 14:9 in The Message translation it says: “The stupid ridicule right and wrong, but a moral life is a favored life.”

It’s not politically correct to say two guys kissing is gross. We’re supposed to say, that’s so cool they’re embracing who they really are! It’s not cool, its not all right. In Leviticus 18:22 it says: “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.” I don’t know how the bible can be any more clear. Some say, “well that’s the old testament we don’t live by that law.” In the New Testament 1 Corinthians 6:9 says, “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality–none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.” Yet you have ministers giving their stamp of approval by marriyng same sex couples.

I don’t believe in singling one “sin” out saying it’s worse than the others, I believe sin is sin, and my sin is just as gross as when I saw those two dudes kissing. I will not however sit on the sidelines cheering “sin” on just because I want to be “politically correct.”

I respect those who stick with what they believe, those that stand out amongst the crowd when everyone else is cheering the wrong way, they remain steadfast in what they believe.

Homosexuality is not right, it’s not cute, it’s not cool. Growing up, my pastor gave an analogy one Sunday morning using two extension cords. He brought one of the youth up on stage and asked them to try to plug the male end of the cord into the male end of the cord. The student looked puzzled, tried and obviously failed. My pastor then asked the student to try to plug the female end of the cord into the female end of the cord. The student again looking puzzled tried and failed. My pastor said, “Why isn’t it working?” The student replied, “It doesn’t fit!” My pastor then asked him to take the male end of the cord and plug it into the female end of the cord. The student did, and said, “It fits!”

Homosexuality doesn’t fit folks! Everyone has heard the analogy if God believed in homosexuality he would of created Adam and Steve not Adam and Eve. I have several friends who are homosexual and one family member. I pray for them just as I would anyone who I feel is misguided by sin. I love them, I don’t and will never bash or make fun of them. They know where I stand and that I don’t condone it. As time goes by in this New Year, just because our world is getting more sophisticated and technology is growing doesn’t mean you have to throw your morals out the window. Stand for what you believe! Teach your kids the difference. Don’t be afraid of gay people, extend your hand in love, and hopefully through a friendship you develop with them you will earn the right to speak into their life. When you earn that right, speak the truth in love.

What’s keeping you from standing for what you believe? Is it peer pressure? The feeling that you might not be “politically correct?” I challenge you to find out what you believe and why you believe it and take a stand.

Much love!

THE ONE
Posted: Dec 31, 2009 in Uncategorized | No Comments

I moved from the East coast to the West coast about seven months ago.  Life on the East coast is quite different than life on the West coast.  People on the East coast have a very fast pace of life.  Everyone’s always hustling and bustling around, always busy doing something.  Sometimes I think they don’t even know why their busy.  When you live that way for a long time you start to feel guilty for not being busy–you feel you need to at least look like you’re busy.
 
I was a part of a discipleship program called Masters Commission for about nine years.  I went through the program for three years then was hired and went on staff for six more years.  My time in the program was invaluable. I learned a lot; one of the most important things I learned was a good work ethic.  I accomplished things I never dreamt I could do, but because I was given the responsibility to do it I was able to do it.  One time I remember working for a youth event called “Kingdom Bound.”  Kingdom Bound was a kind of Christian “Wood-stock” (minus the drugs). Several stages were set up in a huge field and about 50 different Christian bands would come and play throughout the weekend.  Obviously those stages didn’t just get set up by themselves; no, they were set up by Masters Commission students.  We ”slept” at a local camp (we worked from about 5am to about 2am loading bands in and out–not much time for sleeping!)  Cool thing is I got to meet the Newsboys, Third Day, Rebecca St. James and a bunch of other Christian singers and musicians.  We would wait for one band to finish and then get the next band loaded in and ready to play in 15 minutes.  We worked that schedule for two straight days. And then after the last band finally finished playing, the real fun began!  Our job now was to tear everything down.  Everything included ten stages fully equipped with state of the art lighting, trussing, and speakers.  Believe me when I say that nothing–and I mean nothing–associated with staging stuff is light. All of it is bulky, awkward, and heavy!  We worked from 5 am in the morning to 5 am the next day–24 hours straight!  I have never, ever, been that tired in my life!!  One of the girls working with us even started to fall asleep standing up!
 
When working in the ministry, one thing you need for sure is a strong work ethic.  But at times I wonder if   our work keeps us from having a close relationship with Christ.  In Ministry we are often event oriented.  We move from one event to the next, to the next. Events are great, don’t get me wrong.  A lot of planning on how to reach and save the lost goes into events.  We just had one for our Church here in Arizona. We hosted an event called “Movie Night at the Park” where we showed the movie “Polar Express” for Christmas.  About 200 people turned out, most of which had either never gone or had quit going to church.  It was a great event!  Events aren’t bad but sometimes we can get so wrapped up in The Event that we forget about our purpose for the event: REACHING PEOPLE.  
 
I’ve done it myself; I get tunnel vision, becoming so focused on getting each detail right that I miss opportunities for ministry all around me.  Have you ever read the book “The Screwtape Letters,” by C.S. Lewis?  It’s written from the eyes of a demon called Screwtape.  He’s writing letters to an apprentice demon teaching him how to deceive people.  I was thinking the other day, “man, we (Christians) are so fooled.”  We are out hustling and hurrying, trying to plan our next event.  And in all of our busyness, we’re passing by people and God wants us to stop and minister to them.  But we miss the opportunity because they’re not part of the plan; they’re not part of our event, our agenda, our whatever. What they are to us in that moment is an inconvenience.
 
Have you ever been talking to someone whose attention is elsewhere?  When I first started out in ministry I was at a convention and began a conversation with another evangelist.  I was asking him questions, picking his brain, wanting to learn from him.  Yet the entire time we talked he kept looking over my shoulder. I went away with the feeling that I was just an interruption, just a blip on his radar, while he was searching for someone “more important” to come along.  I remember feeling like an appetizer being picked at while he waited for the main course to arrive. Even though I know I’ve been guilty of treating others similarly, I hope I never forget that feeling. God help each of us not to get tunnel vision in pursuit of our goals, our tasks, our events that we miss what Christ has in store; that we not forget that He is to be the main course.
 
Yet, it’s so easy to do!  We work so hard planning these events so that thousands of people can come to know Jesus but we glance over the one with a need who stands “in our way” because they have nothing to do with the event.  WOW!!  The Devil isn’t stupid.  I can just see him down there with his pitchfork orchestrating a bunch of busy little Christians so focused on doing their busy, godly work–all the while missing God’s more immediate and more important purpose for them.  “We’re doing it for the Lord!”  Even though your intention is to please God, please make sure you’re not missing the “little things” in your zeal to finish your quest.  Slow down, take a deep breath. 
 
Often it’s like we’re trying to earn our love and acceptance from God.  Most people know my story.  I was raised in a very strict home with a father who was mentally, verbally and physically abusive.  I spent my childhood trying to earn his love and acceptance.  One thing my dad appreciated was hard work.  I remember one Saturday when I was a kid spending three hours on my hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor.  I scrubbed and polished tile by tile, making sure I could see my face in each one.  After I was done I asked my father to come and see what I had done.  I remember the feeling I had from his approval along with a feeling of accomplishment.  I would have scrubbed for 4 hours or even 4 days for that feeling.  The cool thing is we don’t have to scrub any floors for God’s acceptance or approval.  In fact in Isaiah 64:6 it says we are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.  That may sound discouraging but it’s quite the opposite. We should be encouraged to know there is nothing we can do to earn God’s love; all we can do is accept it.
 
Make the time to take a deep breath in the midst of your planning.  The next time you get annoyed by someone interrupting your hard work, stop and take time for that person.  Truth is they probably don’t care about your event, but wouldn’t you make their day if you were totally interested in them?  What if you took time to silence your cell phone, look them in the eye and ask them “So how are you?”  Growing up, that’s a question my youth pastor never failed to ask me: “So how is Jason?”  It meant the world to me, and after asking the question you could tell he really wanted to know.  It’s about PEOPLE, not about the events, not our busy agenda, not the next text message, or the next …next.  It’s about the One.  THE ONE.

Out of control!
Posted: Sep 29, 2009 in Uncategorized | No Comments

The journey to your destination.
Posted: Sep 1, 2009 in Uncategorized | No Comments

So this guy’s on his way to a really important meeting and the train is late to pick him up. He’s really ticked off ’cause this meeting could mean a really big promotion for him. As he’s waiting for the train, he looks around and sees everyone else without a care in the world. Kids are laughing and playing, parents are joking–no one seems to be worried that the train is late except for him. It frustrates him that everyone else doesn’t seem to mind so he stomps his foot, huffs and puffs and grumbles in a loud voice, hoping someone will see his frustration and catch on to the fact that the train is late. Some people acknowledge his frustration and it begins to make one or two others angry as well. The rest couldn’t care less, they’re having the time of their lives! An hour and a half past the scheduled time the train finally arrives. The conductor says all aboard and begins taking people’s tickets. The frustrated man, along with his converted frustrated clan, push their way to the front. After a cutting remark to the conductor and a nasty look to a smiling little girl, he takes his place in his seat. He pulls down his shade and folds his arms wishing he could make time go faster. For the next two hours all he can do is grow angrier and angrier at the ignorantly oblivious passengers. They’re looking out the window, pointing at the sites, laughing and enjoying the ride. All the angry man can focus on is how he will not be happy until he arrives at his destination. He won’t have to deal with these people, he will finally get that promotion, he will finally make his mark in the world. The final minutes seem like hours and as the train finally pulled into the station, he jumped up and excitedly declared, “at last, we’re here at my final destination!” Pushing his way in front of the passengers he jumped off the train and fell flat on his face. As he picked himself up and looked around he realized this place wasn’t all that fun. He realized it was the journey that would prepare him for this destination if only he had taken it in. This time the man was not angry, but instead he sadly wished he could turn back time. He wished he could go back to the that station and not be so impatient. He wished he would have enjoyed his surroundings and smiled at that little girl, he wished he would have opened his shade and marveled at the magnificent sights and scenery. But it was too late; the journey was done and the destination wasn’t all what he thought it would be. He wasn’t ready for his meeting; he wasn’t prepared for this new place because he didn’t take in the journey and learn what it had to teach. The other angry passengers looked at him with hate. He made them miss their journey because of his terrible attitude. He never thought the journey would be the lesson he needed to learn, he never thought the journey would prepare him for his final destination. The man was hopeless and felt deep remorse for how he caused others pain. He wished he had another chance to make things right, to start again. He went to his meeting and pulled it off but didn’t get the promotion he wanted. The next day he went to the station and waited for the train to arrive. When the train was late he began to grumble, and it was like dejavu. He huffed and puffed and kicked and stomped, angry again that he wasn’t at his destination. How quickly he had forgotten the pain he caused and the lesson he didn’t learn– that the journey was what would prepare him for his final destination.

Awhile ago I watched a movie called Click, starring Adam Sandler. This movie, as with most Sandler movies, has its crude parts. However, it did make a great point and I was really impressed with Adam Sandler’s acting. It tells a story similar to the one I told above about a man who is so eager to get to his destination and will do anything to get there. He neglects his wife and kids and becomes a workaholic. When time doesn’t move fast enough for him through a series of events he gets a remote from a weirdo scientist played by Christopher Walken. This remote is amazing! Or is it? It not only controls the T.V. but it controls EVERYTHING else! He’s able to pause, rewind and fast forward through the boring parts of his life. What he doesn’t know (it’s always the things we don’t know) is that the remote has a memory and remembers the things that you don’t like and fast forwards them for you automatically. Before he knows it he’s 65, divorced and his kids have turned into workaholics just like their old man. At the end he’s lying on his deathbed wishing he would have enjoyed the journey and not had been in such a rush.

Six years ago when I started Elevate Industries I was passionate in wanting to win the lost. I knew God had called me and was going to open up the flood gates and in no time I would be speaking to stadiums full of people. I wish I could say it happened like that! Actually, it all started at an alternative school of about 15 kids. I spoke my heart out and then I waited for the next event, and then I waited….then I waited some more……then some more….then, you guessed it, waited some more. I knocked on doors (figuratively speaking) called people up and then…… I waited! Come on God what the heck is this! You called me! You told me I would be used by you to win the lost–where are the stadiums!? Where are the huge crowds? I remember one time speaking to a youth group in Wisconsin of about 10 kids. I booked about 8 services in Minnesota and Wisconsin and rented a car and drove from place to place. With my flight, car rental, food, (I like food), lodging and gas, it averaged out to be $90 per place just to cover my expenses. At this one particular place in the middle of Nowheresville Wisconsin after I spoke, the youth pastor came up to me handed me the check and said “Im so glad you came! We have such a hard time getting people to come to this little church and speak.” I thought to myself “I’m just glad there were people!” I thanked her and put the check in my pocket without looking at it, as I still do to this day. Later when I was at the place I was staying (I know you’re thinking he’s a big time evangelist so he probably stayed in the Ritz Carlton or something! Nope, my friend’s parents’ basement, the price was right and the food was good!) I looked at the check and it was for $50. It felt like I got the wind knocked out of me. Here I am giving my best and I was going to be going back home only to look at my wife and say, “sorry honey, we actually didn’t make money on this trip, we didn’t even break even, we’re in the hole about $400!” It wasn’t that bad I actually ended up coming out on top $200 and that was for two weeks.

What happened to the huge crowds, the stadiums…yeah tell me about it. Needless to say the first two years on my own were pretty discouraging. In the first year out on my own I spoke to 10,740 people. Of those 10,740 people guess how many of them were in stadiums or huge crowds? A big fat 0, none, niente, nada, and however else you say it in every other language. I had to fight for those 10,740 people, I had to pound my fist on the ground till at times it was bloody for those 10,740 people, and you know there were times I would start feeling sorry for myself. I would doubt my calling, I would wonder if I was really cut out for it. There were times I wish I could have fast forwarded till I was speaking to the stadiums. Then I came across a short but yet powerful verse in Luke 16:10 that says: “Unless you are faithful with the small you will not be trusted with the larger.” I’d read that verse before ,but now it actually meant something to me. I remember God speaking to me when I was on a four-month sabbatical, not by my choosing but because I didn’t have any place to speak. I was feeling sorry for myself and God said, ‘Hey, why don’t you use this down time to prepare for the stadiums?” Have you ever had someone tell you something and it’s totally obvious and after they tell it to you, you feel stupid for not figuring it out yourself? Yeah, well that’s how I felt. I climbed down off of the feeling sorry for Jason shelf, dusted myself off and began to prepare for the greater things God had in store for me. I started not to worry about the bookings and instead began to get ready for what God would bring. It’s amazing because when I got my mind off of “I gotta get places to speak!” and instead focused on “I need to be ready for when God gives me places to speak!” doors opened up! Instead of praying “God please provide financially!” I began to pray “God open up the doors so I can win the lost!” I changed my perspective and overnight my outlook changed.

I no longer think about what’s next. Don’t misunderstand, I prepare for what’s next but I live in the now, learning what God has for me so when I get to the next I will be ready! I’ve known several people in my life that are never satisfied–they are always wanting higher pay or a bigger home, more of this or that. They are never content and you know what? They never will be. I’m so blessed to be used by God to speak to his people, Tomorrow God may choose to take it all away, but Im fine with that because it’s his dream that he has entrusted to me not my dream. Learn to be content, learn what God has for you now, to prepare you for the later.

Much love!!