We have looked at Dreaming Big and Dream Killers now it’s time to look at Dream excuses. These are the excuses that come from our own hearts as we try to pursue our dreams. Here are a few.

1. “I’m not good at (Insert skill here.)” - When God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt Moses’ response was “I’m not good at public speaking”(paraphrase). God replied “I made your stinking mouth, I’ll make sure you can speak.”(Once again a paraphrase) Moses whined some more and eventually God said “Fine, I’ll send you brother with you to do all the talking, but you are still going.” So in the end Moses excuse was pointless.
2. “I don’t have enough (insert resource here)” - Whether it’s time, money, space, people, or whatever, God is bigger then any resource that you need. The story of Jesus feeding the five thousand went something like this. Disciples - “Jesus, send these people home so they can eat, we don’t have enough food for them.” Jesus - “How much food do you have?” D - “Five loafs of bread, and two fish, that’s not even enough for us to eat!” J - “Father Bless this food, amen. Here you go hand it out.” God can use the small amount of resources you have if you ask Him to bless it and trust His plan.
3. “I’m not good enough for this” - Simply put none of us are. Peter denied Christ. Paul murdered Christians. David was and adulterer and murderer. Noah was a drunk. If you feel unworthy then you are in good company.  Embrace it, be open about it, and trust God to make up for it.
4. “I’m comfortable where I am” - I can’t think of a specific example of this one, but I think it is the underlying issue in all of our excuses. We don’t want to get uncomfortable.

What excuses have you used? What excuses are using to delay a dream God has given you right now? Move past those excuses and into God plan for you

In continuing my thoughts on dreaming big, i wanted to talk about a few types of dream killers(people). You see whenever someone has a big dream there inevitably will be dream killers trying stop that dream from coming true. Here are a few of the big ones.

1. The Comfortable - These are the people who are in your life who are comfortable where they are at and know that your dream would upset their routine.
2. The Jealous - These people are the ones who have forgotten their dream or gave up on it. They are bound and determined to keep anyone else from achieving a dream so they can feel better about not achieving theirs.
3. The Rivals - These are people who have a similar dream to yours. They are similar to the jealous except their motivation is to be the only one succeeding at the dream. They may not be a rival in your eyes, but in their eyes you are a rival
4. The Doubters(a.k.a. The Skeptics) - They are the ones that don’t think it is possible to achieve your dream. Whether it is something they see lacking in you, your plan, or just the validity of the dream in general, they don’t hesitate to point it out to you.

How do you deal with these people when they stand in between you and your dream? What are some other types of dream killers(people).

One of the things God has been putting on my heart lately is the concept of dreaming big. You know, reaching for the stars, going for it at all costs, walking around with your head in the clouds. Yeah, that type of stuff. So I recently came across a copy of “The Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkenson and decided to buy it (it was $1, can’t beat that) and give it a read. I am loving it so far as it is really challenging me to re-think my dreams and how to go for them. Anyway I really just want to share some of my thoughts on Dreaming Big.

1. We serve a BIG God, who gives BIG Dreams. - Yes, you have a big dream and it is from a big God.
2. He gives us BIG dreams so we can go out and fulfill them. - God gives us those dreams to go after, not to sit around an reminisce about.
3. He can do more with your big dream, then you can even dream. - check out Ephesians 3:20
4. People will try to discourage you from going for your dream - Weather it is in the form of doubters, criticizers, or those “just trying to protect you” from failing. Don’t listen to them!

One of the areas He has stretched me with this is the area of church growth. I have seen too many times churches that just don’t dream big and don’t have the desire to grow, because they think that they should just be content, and that God doesn’t want them getting to big for their britches. What a load!

The God I serve wants to see people come to know His everlasting Love and know the life that is found in Him. Why would he not want your church to grow. For all you church leaders out there struggling with this, know this, God did not call you into ministry to stay where you are and not experience growth. He will never think you are self serving for trying to grow your church through reaching the lost. Other pastors might, church members may, outsiders might say things mean and untrue about you, but the God of the universe will be pleased that you are reaching the lost and seeing lives changed.

Big Dreams are from God, don’t be afraid to pursue them.

These are some of the things God has been putting on my heart to pray for the past few weeks:

• This guy and his family. I folow his church and have seen him lead worship, so he has been on my heart the past few weeks. Read this and you will see why I have been praying for him.
• Other churches. Specifically NewSpring, Elevation, and Lifechurch.tv. Also the pastors of those churches Perry Noble, Steven Furtick, and Craig Groeschel. These churches have had a big influence on me the past few years and I love reading these guys blogs. They have really encouraged me and forced me to grow with their wisdom and insight. If you haven’t read their blogs yet head over and check them out.
• My wife and her lupus. I am praying for God to heal her and give her relief from the chronic pain that comes with the disease.
• My little minions. I am always praying for them(as well as my wife), but really have been praying for them lately just in regards to their future.
• My new church.God has led us to a great church in the last month. It is less then a year old and the vision and passion God has given them for the lost is awesome. I am praying for wisdom and guidance in serving God and the church, and praying for vision and strategy for the leaders.

So those are some of the things God really laid on me in the past few weeks to be praying about. What are you praying about? I would love to hear so we can be praying together.

I was thinking a few days ago about some life lessons I learned from my dad and wanted to share some of them with you.

#1 Responsibility

When I was 10 or 11 I was really into hockey. No being that I lived in sunny, warm SoCal, ice hockey was not something that was available to me, so I played street hockey, but I loved watching the NHL (National Hockey League, which based upon their ratings i would venture you may not have heard of them ). Well back then the LA Kings had a certain guy named Wayne Gretzky, and they were a pretty good team. They had made the playoffs and were in a game 7 for the conference championship. Now, I don’t know how, but we somehow manged to get free tickets to the game. Needless to say I was stoked. (more…)

#2 - Throw a BBQ

I know it probably seems like a lame idea, right? Well, not if you do it a little different. Try setting up at the local park, or local venue for fireworks, and throw a FREE BBQ. That’s right, free, as in no strings attached, no donations accepted, no tracks passed out, no attempts to promote the church - other then telling people who ask, no preaching, teaching, or anything. Just FREE.

Why do this you ask? What benefit does this have for the church? Well besides just being a great thing for your community, it does promote your church. people will inevitably ask why you are doing this and who you are. At that point you tell them the truth. “We are (Your Church Name). And we are just out here to do something nice for the community”. You will probably even have some people ask when you meet and such so you should have some small, and I stress small, invite cards handy to give those that ask.

It may not seem like muc for the amount of work and money involved, but hey serving the community should be blessing enough.

And on a side note please go to a public place to do this, not your church parking lot. If you do this from the parking lot you will miss a huge opportunity to reach people who will take the opportunity in a park, but would drive past a free BBQ in a church parking lot.

***Another easier variation on this would be to only hand out free (cold) sodas/waters to people.***

#3 - Do A Giveaway For Military/Vets

Our active duty military give up a lot to serve our country and often times aren’t acknowledged or rewarded very often. Go out and get some things to offer in a giveaway to active duty military personnel. Weather you have to buy it or ask for donations. It is a great way to say thanks to those who are currently protecting us.

Some things you could give away:

• Gift Certificates(Restaurants/Movies/Sbux/Retail Stores)
• Video Game Consoles/Games
• I-pods/MP3 Players
• Gift Baskets
• Anything and everything you can get donated in new condition.

How would you get some of these items? Well besides buying them as a church or asking attenders to donate them, you can go around to businesses and ask them if they want to sponsor the giveaway by donating items, advertising (for newspapers/TV & Radio Stations/Websites), money, promotional materials.

Once again try to run this event in a public place on the 4th as you are more likely to get more participation then running it at your church. And once again mention that church is running it but don’t make that the main point. The main point is that you are wanting to honor service members and you shouldn’t care who gets the glory.

If you have good relations within the community then you would be suprised at the amount of support you can get. Every business want to be associated with honoring the military esspescially on the fouth of July, it is just good advertising for them. and great community service by you.