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“If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” II Corinthians 5:13

Have you ever been accused of being out of your mind? Has your passion ever been so high that people didn’t get you and actually tried to talk you out of being aggressive, expressive, and focused? You are in good company. I am with you.

People don’t understand passion that is different than theirs, but if it is directed at Christ you are in a good place. He ignites passion and inspires faithful commitment. If you walk with Him, you will stand out. you will be different, but that is not something to run from, but something to embrace.

When someone says, “You are out of your mind!” You can say, “thanks for noticing.”

Have a great weekend.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to announce that my favorite (that I have written) and best selling book is going to be rereleased next week.

“I Want the Cross!” has been out of print for a couple of years now, but no longer.

I think the reason that I really like this book is because I got such great feedback from it. I wrote it for a teenager who was wanting to stop the roller coaster motion of their faith. Those people that are up one minute and down the next need to embrace the principles that help them find steady and stable ground the lead to growth. These are the principles that I learned through the years (couldn’t necessarily articulate them, but began to apply them) that took me from a bored, apathetic Christian kid who knew everything but didn’t know how to apply much of it to a person who was focused and ready to gain ground with God.

Even though I wrote this book for teens, people of all ages have embraced it. Several college ministries used it in their small groups and I even received letters from prisons where the inmates had passed it around and been touched by it.

The first chapter outlines a time in my life when I was arguing with God…not about His goodness, but about my chronic failures and the discouragement that brought. It was a pivotal time for me as it was the moment when I really dug in my heals and decided that I had to figure out how my faith should affect my life.

Well, I don’t want to share too much about it here, but I want you to know that it will be available on the website in the next couple of hours. Check out the bookstore at www.groundwire.net to order your copy. And, let me challenge you with this. What about ordering an extra copy (or a couple) to give to young people that you know are working through their faith? No pressure, just something to think about.

Have a great weekend.

Sean

I chatted this morning with a father in Australia. Hannah, his 18-year old daughter took her own life in January. He approached us wanting to know how he could help us get the word out about our coaches that are available to help young people deal with the issues that eventually became too much for his daughter to handle alone.

As you can imagine, I was touched by his story. My heart went out to him, then joined with his in determination to offer support and assistance to as many as is possible, whenever they need it.

Today, I was reminded of how incredibly important our mission is.

Would you join me in praying that the Lord would continue to open doors so that when the Hannahs of the world are looking for support, they would somehow find one of our coaches prayerfully ready to offer the hope, perspective, and encouragement that they need?

Have you ever felt spiritually dry? (Don’t worry, this is not an observation about your life as much as a confession from mine).

I mean have you ever felt disconnected. It isn’t that you don’t love God, you just don’t feel close.

Well, that is how I have felt over the past couple of weeks. Physically I have been exhausted. Emotionally challenged (had a misunderstanding with a close friend this week). And, just not motivated to spend time with God. All of those factors have led me to a place where I have felt dry.

Well, today, after talking with a friend about how I was feeling, I decided it was time to push through it. I wasn’t going to accept it anymore and I wasn’t going to whine about it. So, I went into “change posture mode”.

Rather than sit and wonder why I was feeling disconnected, I decided to connect. Rather than complain that I felt dry, I chose to spend some time close to the living water. Rather than hide from my situation, I chose to confess.

Well, it is working. As I spent some time worshipping with some great vertical music, I began to see God in focus. Rather than isolated, I began to sense His comfort as I read His Word. And, instead of lacking energy, I began to pace and confess all that I know about Him, “My God, you are amazing. You are powerful. You are loving.” That kinda stuff.

And, you know what, it is beginning to work. Spiritual energy and motivation are returning. Heavenly perspectives are replacing my “woe is me” ones. And, I am in the beginning stages of pulling myself out of it.

I felt compelled to share this today, not because I am proud of the spiritual desert that I found myself in and not because I want you to pat me on the back because I am “pulling myself up by the bootstraps”. I am writing this because I believe some of you might be able to relate to my condition over the past couple of weeks and you need to be encouraged that it is just a season and you can dig out. Don’t give up. We all go through these things. But, God is just waiting to help us get to a good place again.

So, thanks for letting me share. And remember, His eyes are on you just waiting for an opportunity to convince you of His love.

Sean

Reading through the gospels again and got to Mark 8. Jesus asked Peter, “But, what about you? Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered right and I wanted to throw out my answer here as well. Here goes.

“Jesus is the lover of my soul. The saviour of the world. The answer to every meaningful question. The giver of peace and the one who offers hope. He is the most meaningful figure in history and the rock of my salvation. He is both enormous and all-powerful, as well as relevant and personal. He is the mover of mountains, the performer of miracles, the healer, and the heart lifter. He will never leave me or forsake me and He will make all things work for my good.

He is perfect.

He is everything that I need.

And He is everything that you need as well. I pray that you discover in Him the answers you are looking for, the provision necessary, and the comfort you long for. He is more than enough.”

Let it sink in.

Sean