Do I Have a Mentor?

Just a few thoughts:  I would have never made it through the more challenging times of my life without the support of those close to me. We have all been in the place where we just needed to hear an encouraging word or maybe we needed to be slapped in the face with truth. The challenge comes with defining who “has the right” to speak into our lives.  Who do we trust to be honest with us?  Who do we look up to and strive to emulate?  So, ask yourself!  Do I have a Mentor?

We were formed by God to cultivate and thrive in great relationships.  So, why are relationships difficult?  Well, allowing someone complete access into “who we really are” can be a daunting task.  It’s not always easy to open ourselves up for the “approval of others”.  I mean, that’s what we all want right?  We have a thing on the inside that desires approval.  There’s nothing wrong with that…as long as the “approval thing” doesn’t take the lead.  There must also be “thing for truth” and a “thing to be yourself” that keeps the “approval thing” in it’s place.

So, in all of that, having a mentor helps keep everything in focus.  We should be challenged to be bigger than ourselves!  The oversight and influence of a mentor helps us more effectively enter the “world conversation”.  Our relevance is broadened and at the same time defined.  So, a few questions.  Do you have a mentor?  If so, how have they influenced or helped you?  Secondly, are you currently mentoring someone? If not, why?

Thanks for your thoughts!

My Daughter Is In School–Yikes!!!

Ok, today is awkwardly surreal!  Not in the sense of…I can’t believe my baby is 5 and starting Kindergarten!  Rather in the sense of…God, please help Moriah be the young lady you have gifted her to be, and may she well represent the name of Jesus (ok, that part is cool, because I know what she’s made of…)!  Then I had the thought…. “and God, help her to represent the Crutchfield family well…”—and then it happened! My daughter is in school….YIKES!!!!

All of a sudden I lost touch with all of the spiritual thoughts and was transported back to my days in school.  All of the pressure to be “the pastor’s kid”–was at times unbearable!  I begin second-guessing all of the things we’ve taught her.  Was it right?  Did we focus on the important things?  Does she even know who she is!!!!!  And then the words of my son brought me back to reality– “Dad…..Dad…..Dad, I gotta go potty!”

I’m glad I experienced that moment, but even more than that–I’m glad the moment helped me to relax.  In all of my desires and dreams for my daughter I want her to know that most importantly–I love her for who she is.  And I believe that God’s big enough to orchestrate it all.  Sometimes it is so difficult to release your thoughts, dreams, creation…..and let it simply exist.  Whether your child or your business idea…the “first day of school” will inevitably show up.  And in that moment….everything you’ve worked on is displayed–and the only strings holding it up are the support strings of love, discipline and hard work that you poured out in secret.

Can you imagine the heart and mind of Christ?  He watches us show up for all of the “first days” of our lives…knowing that He gave everything He could give to set us up for a win!  Yet, He doesn’t force us to yield….He lovingly encourages us when we’ll listen.  So, what has he released you into?  What “first days” are you facing right now?  Is he saying anything?

What Have I Done For Others?

There’s such a great feeling that comes from accomplishing goals and tasks and seeing dreams become a reality! There’s also another side of that reality, which is, completing tasks and realizing that you’re still not satisfied. We’ve definitely been made for something more than ourselves. A sense of purpose that can only be fulfilled by answering this question: What have I done for others?

I have so much to learn, but one thing I do know is that placing value on others brings joy and fulfillment like nothing else! One can have all of the “things” the world can offer and never be complete until he or she learns how to give and serve others.

This principle is no doubt perfectly portrayed in the life of Jesus Christ and can only truly be embraced and understood through a relationship with Him. A King that came to serve and totally mess up our idea of self-entitlement. What picture, other than this, paints so vividly the idea of placing others above yourself. What did He do for others—give His very life….while we have to contemplate & rationalize helping someone on the side of the street without “waisting our time”!

So, what have I done for others? God, help me! What about you? What have you done for others? What is your filter for meeting the needs of those around you?

“Daddy, What Can That Do?”

“Daddy, don’t let me fall…”  I can still hear him saying the words to me as we sat on the dock with our feet swinging off of the edge.  I was looking through photos the other day and came across this pic.  I was quickly taken back to the very moment as if it had just happened again.  His hand began to squeeze my knee as he seemingly sat up straight as if to conquer the vast body of water he was staring at. Hudson began asking one question after the other about water and rivers….and everything else he could think of.  Daddy, what can that do?  Sitting close to me as if I held the answer to every question in the universe.

The weight and responsibility of raising a child rested heavily on my shoulders during those moments.  I felt as if all of creation was watching me during that moment…waiting to see how I answered each question.  Those few moments seemed like an eternity.  It was just me and Hudson–and the world was ours for the taking!  I felt needed in a way that words fall short to explain.  Looking back at that moment I find myself rather humbled by its’ simplicity and enormity.

Do you ever wonder how God feels?  Sitting on the throne with His Son by His side…peering down on His creation.  The answers to each of our questions are found solely in Him.  There are so many things I want to teach Hudson, but timing is everything.  He has to ask first! Can you imagine all of the things God has to share with us….if we would only be still beside Him long enough and ask.

If you could have one question answered by God today…what would it be?

Religion: Continued Thoughts

Okay, now for a few other thoughts. First of all, I want to say how thankful I am for my heritage. Growing up as a pastor’s kid was worth every second (& awkward moments). I had 2 loving parents that represented the heart of Christ better than anyone I know. Their love for others always boggled my mind as I watched them selflessly give everything they had to others.

At the same time, I must admit, that my view of them was filtered through a tangled web of religion & tradition.  Many times not even realizing it. I watched for years as this not only hindered their progress as pastors, but at times defeated them physically & emotionally. Some of the scars are no doubt part of life in ministry or leadership and need not be pondered. But…what about these others….could they be avoided?

The thought is this…there are no doubt numerous pastors and churches that are giving 110% every day to live out their calling as best they know how. So, how do we speak life and encouragement without positioning ourselves as “judge & jury”. Maybe it’s all in the heart? We, of course, want to strengthen the local church….right? I have no doubt that God’s Word (truth)…spoken in love and grace…will take care of every situation!  If we’ll just concentrate on what God has before us…getting “our house” ready (both at home and the church we’re planted in)….and commit to following His heart…I believe that God will use our relationships to sharpen us and make us better! The Body of Christ is diverse…we all need each other, but we all need each other to be HONEST & REAL!

Any thoughts?

Loosing Your Religion: Thoughts Inspired By My Pastor

I have to say that our last series at Celebration Church:  Loosing Your Religion–really got inside my heart and head.  Pastor Stovall shared thoughts over the past few weeks that summed up so many years of me “doing church”.  I look back over many years of being a pastor’s kid and watching the lives of so many–crushed by religion.  My hearts’ cry is to see God’s people rise up against our “religious past” and stand for the “life-change” fueled by grace that is represented so well by our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

The words Jesus shared in Matthew 23 keep ringing in my ears.  We have to understand the strength of His words towards the pious religious type.  He left no room for the fake…head knowledge only lifestyle and insisted that there be more to our lives then abiding by a set of laws–there must be grace & love….some heart to the “why behind the what”!  So, why….time after time…has the church defaulted to law and tradition…at the risk of alienating the lost–ending up with an endless cycle of grumpy church folks and a world of lost people? Well, there are definitely many answers…all of which I will leave for other days!

I just wanted to throw this questions out there!  How can we truly be the hands and feet of Jesus and send the religious spirit packing?How can we personally spread the true heart of Christ?  Let me know your thoughts.

I’m Stirred Up!

What is it that stirs you up? You know…that one thing that makes you go crazy like nothing else on the planet. Well, outside of my wife and kids…I have to say that being around people that have the heart of Christ…or a servant’s heart–just makes me light up on the inside like a billion lightening bugs (i know…weird analogy). So, for those of you that do that for me…thank you!

I have to say that God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve at a church that has the “heart of Christ”.  Being part of a global “re-thinking” of normal church…is what I get to experience every week at Celebration.  I love being around the energy and heart of my pastor, Stovall Weems, as he pursues God’s calling on his life passionately with no regrets.

Well, I’ve shared a few of my “pot-stirrers”….So, who or what are yours?

Now That’s Faith!

I must give some page props for Celebration Daily Devo!  If you aren’t spending consistent time in God’s Word…this is a great option.  Even if you are…it’s still pretty cool to participate in something that 1,000′s of other people are doing on the same day.  I was reading the other day in Matthew 2 and couldn’t get past the “void” between verse 13 and 14.  Imagine having a dream and feeling that God was speaking to you through an angel in the dream.  Then, you wake up, and based on that dream–you take your family and get out of town.  You just up and move that night because of a dream….NOW THAT’S FAITH!

So, what would you do?  Would you trust God through a speaking angel making an appearance in your dream or blame the pizza you ate after 10p.m.?  I mean really….it’s a valid question.  Are we tuned in to God’s Word and His Will?  If God’s Spirit is leading us or nudging us to take a step….make a move….will we?  Of course we’re not just talking about moving your family.  What about the “small things”…like being the hands and feet of Jesus.  You know…being the church outside of the church walls.

What do you think?  Are you prone to second guess a gentle suggestion from God to reach out to others or make a change in your daily routine?  Or will you jump out of the boat at His command?  Let me know your thoughts!  I know I need some help in this area

What Brings You Fulfillment?

There’s nothing like an extremely productive day!  We all have them and we all fail to have them.  So, what is it that makes a productive day?  Is it task oriented or feelings based?  Or is it a mixed cocktail of both of those with some “boss approval” thrown in there.  Maybe a better question is this…Are you fulfilled after a productive day?  Some times I find myself very productive, yet at the end of the day…something is just missing.  So, I have to ask myself…Steven, what brings you fulfillment?

I would hope that fulfillment is based on something more purposeful than completing tasks or punching a time card.  Maybe it’s connected to purpose.  Something has to be bigger than just existing.  What about the difference in doing something that you love and loving something that you do….(okay, i’m just messing around with words…stop thinking about that one).  Seriously though, for me, I’ve been trying to concentrate more on what I do for others…opposed to what I do for me.

Deciding to really live for other people is hard.  This is not an easy tasks for me and I’m sure every personality type reacts differently.  I’m sort of a very selfish person…I admit it!  I’m much better, but still have a long way to go.  The past few months I have really been “messed up” with this thought.  It rest more in the idea of what I deposited into others for the day….not “what I accomplished”.

So, throw in some “spiritual thoughts” and here we go.  If we concentrated less on fulfilling daily tasks and more on fulfilling the “great commission….what would our world be like?  If being the “hands and feet” of Jesus took priority over our portfolios…how would our city look….or the block where our church building sits.  What about our neighborhood….is God’s footprint more noticeable because we live there?  God, please help me to focus on what’s important to You….

I think focusing there will bring the only “true–lasting fulfillment”….What are your thoughts?

You Messed Up…Suck it Up and Deal With It!

Growing as an individual requires ultimate honesty and transparency with self…and others of course. So, what do you do when you realize you messed up? How do you correct your course when you have set off running in one direction and found out that you’re supposed to “not be running yet”? That you “jumped the gun”…”opened your mouth too soon”! Well, speaking from experience (very recent experience). You suck it up and deal with it.

Anytime you begin dealing with words and phrases like “Purpose”…”Dreams”…”God’s plan for my life”…well, needless to say, it gets interesting.  The fact is….the more you deal with those things…the more you will “MESS UP”.  Is that a bad thing?  Many times we convince ourselves of that, but can I propose that messing up is essential.  It’s all part of it.  Unfortunately, our culture has been extremely efficient in creating a “fear of failure”.  Can I be transparent for a moment?  Thanks!

I have been so perplexed by the changes in our plans that I stopped blogging.  I didn’t know what to say.  For those of you that have followed my story…you know that we were planning on moving to Philadelphia in a few months to plant a church.  In February that all changed.  Ironically around the time of my last Blog post.  I convinced myself to stop talking because of the “mass confusion” it was bringing in our own lives.  Well, I know that communicating is a BIG part of my purpose, so that answer was stupid in and of itself.  But the “fear of failure” was so strong that I really could not overcome it.

So, fast forward to now…and God’s plan has completely revealed itself.  Yes, God had planted a seed in my life to plant a church…I just “threw up” too early.  It all made so much sense at the time…the passion…the plan…the everything!  But, God was not ready to release us.  The lessons I’ve learned the past year have strengthened my foundation in ways I never could of imagined.  And I will share those in posts-to-come.

Today, I ask you these questions.  Get honest with yourself and answer them:  What have you failed at “epically”.   How has “fear of failure” stunned you into complacency?  What lessons have you learned in failing?

Love You All!!!!  And let me know your thoughts!