Will Ferrell knows something about mentoring. In one of his more classic movies, Kicking and Screaming, Ferrell plays Phil Weston, a vitamin shop owner turned coach of his sons youth soccer team. Phil takes over a hapless team that not only struggles to win a game but to even score a goal. In his first practice with the team, Phil character decides to get to know the players a little better. As the players go around in a circle saying their names two individuals take center stage. Byong Sun, a 3 foot nothing forward on the team, and Ambrose, a freakish giant of a kid, step to center stage Phil says this: “Well, maybe you and Ambrose can team up – he’s big and you might form one megaperson.” As Phil makes a humorous observation, he also touches on an idea that finds its roots all the way back to Sir Isaac Newton.

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This post is a part of series on mentoring (more information here). A very important and needed conversation inside the church. We would love for you to be apart of the conversation. Make sure you mentioned that kyle sent you there and you could get a 10% discount on your next purchase (kidding).

What if I told you I could give you a flat washboard stomach in three easy steps? You would probably look at me and realize that it is not that simple. You know the effort that goes into getting washboard abs, the pain that it takes to do thousands of sit-ups, and the frustration of not eating ice cream after dinner. It is not easy, it actually is the farthest thing from easy. The idea that you could look better after completing three easy steps makes it appealing, but does not necessarily make it true.

In some senses, it also devalues the message. Instead of putting a price on something, we tend to under value it to make it look easy, to make it seem that the risk is worth the reward. On the radio the other day I heard an advertisement for a pill that would allow you to eat whatever you want and still lose weight. I could not stop laughing, mainly because of the absurdity to this idea but also because people are willing to try this. In my mind, it was a complete joke, because I knew that it was not that simple. I think we like to do the same thing with the Gospel message. Bottle it up in a quick and easy 3 step process that will get your attention and make everything better. The absurdity comes when the message does not deliver what we thought it would.

Look around any church today. The one thing you will find in most churches is a cross. The symbol that unites all Christians together under the umbrella of grace. This symbol has come to mean something more of a charm then a message for the crazy. Think about it, if we truly looked at the cross and did not think the message was absurd I would be concerned. The idea that someone would die on that thing is crazy, but then that it would bring grace to you and me takes it over the top. Instead, we want to take that message and turn it into an idea that makes sense, something that is practical and understandable. Something that we can market, share with our friends, and hope that they join the crowd.

Instead of trying to make sure that you are not crazy you might want to make sure that the message you are preaching is crazy. Instead of trying to fit in, trying to look normal, we should consider looking crazy. The fact that someone who is a sinner can still be used by God should be the craziest thing anyone has ever seen. Maybe the way we should make sure we are not crazy is by not looking at others but instead focusing on the message of the cross and redemption.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

“John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey” (Matt 3:4).

I am in the land of Nash all week (that is the cool way of saying Nashville).

This has been a trip that has been developing for the last 3 or 4 months that is finally here. Last time I was suppose to be here my trip was detoured by a flood that hit the city. That was the beginning of the summer, now we are at the end of the summer and I am here and ready to go.

As I was driving here a new thought hit me…

God doesn’t just live in Missouri

Profound I know, but in reality I have limited God to the situations that I presently am in.

Its amazing to see how far God is ahead of you.

And shortly into my trip I got a glimpse of what God is doing. This thought will be something that will stick with me for the rest of the trip. The idea that God has a plan and it is not limited to living in a basement excites me. So as I hang out with friends, meet new friends, and have some interviews, I am excited to see God in Nashville.

Where is God for you right now?

*kyle

Will you do me a great favor and take this survey for me.

I cannot really tell you why just yet, but it is for a couple projects I am working on that will benefit you the community.

And you know what would be really awesome, if you would RT this post so that others will take this survey as well.

Just click that button on the left. I assumed you did so, thanks.

Take Survey Here

And if you need a link to ReTweet the survey directly, here you go: http://bit.ly/azfCH7

*kyle

I hate going to professional baseball games. I love baseball, I played from age 4 to 20, but I hate going to the games.

Why? Because I always had to sit in the stands and not in the dugout. This applies to more things then just baseball…concerts, churches, conferences, and even meetings. I hated to spectate, I wanted to participate. There was something frustrating about not being behind the scenes and apart of the events instead of watching. I wanted to be in the dugout, the backstage, the greenrooms, and even the board room meetings. I felt like I was being left out of something great.

There is an opportunity out that is going to allow you to get out of the stands and into the dugout with some of the biggest leaders around today. Guys like Francis Chan, Pete Wilson, Scott Harrison (from Charity Water) and my new favorite leader Scott Belsky will be there.

What could this possibly be?

It is Backstage Leadership.

(more…)

Both Pro Life and Pro Gun?

I heard a radio spot the other day advertising for the state auditor election race. The current Missouri Senator was endorsing someone for state auditor. He went through the whole speel an then got to the end and said: “I think you should vote for blah blah because he is pro choice and pro gun.”

Huh? What does that have to do with auditing people?

I thought I would ask you…can those two sit next to each other?

Pro Life and Pro Gun?

*kyle

This was and probably will be one of the craziest movies I have ever seen. If you have seen Inception check out the image below, if you have not seen Inception stop what you are doing and go see the movie first then come back and check this out.

As soon as I finished watching this movie, I immediately wanted to go home and start to dream.

What is one dream you have had lately that you can share?

*kyle