Easter was amazing! God showed up in a huge way in both of our services, and so did a ton of people. We had the largest attendance we have had in our short, two-year life. We saw 5 people baptized, very cool. And 14 people gave their life to Jesus and accepted His Love into their heart! That was the best part of all.

We always ask, "So what?" when we are done with our services but today I want to ask a different question.

Now What?

Easter is over. For all of us who serve in some capacity around here, it was the biggest day of the year. We worked very hard praying, preparing, planning, and pulling off what turned out to be a huge day. The tendency after a huge "event" like Easter is to lay back a little and enjoy the fruit of your labor. Like when you finish a big project at work or around the house or finish a big event or production at school. It's good to relax and enjoy what you have accomplished.

However, I was reminded in staff meeting this week that we cannot afford to do that. Instead of sitting back and relaxing after a great Easter celebration, it is imperative that we strive for more of God's Best. I believe every week at Midtowne should be a "big" week. I believe every week at your church should be a big week. We should give our very best each and every week so that we can get in on God's Best each and every week.

I also believe that we should not ask God to repeat what He did. I think that is too easy. In his book Crazy Love, Francis Chan talks about an experience he had with a young lady on a worship team. Her prayer after and amazing night of worship want not, "God, do it again." Instead, she prayed, "God, do something bigger and better." What a great attitude! One that I think we should all strive for in our walk with God.

The Now What is this. Don't live in the victories and accomplishments of your past. Press ahead for more of God's Best. That is just what the Apostle Paul was saying in Philippians 3:12-14 NLT. I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Don't misunderstand. I totally believe in celebrating victories and accomplishments. But when it comes to getting in on God's Best for your life, don't stop and settle. Press on for more of what He has for you.

PS - for those of you who just have to have a So What, here you go. Do your part to make this week at your church as big of a deal as Easter was. Who says you can only have huge crowds and huge fun twice a year? Not God.

The Backbone

"I have to be strong. I'm the backbone."

That's what the man told me as he sat in my office, tears streaming down his cheeks, venting to me about the problems he was facing in his family. It's hard to watch a grown man cry but it's also very encouraging because I'm convinced that when we begin to admit our weakness and let our rue feelings show, real healing and growth can begin.

I'm not sure why we as men think that we can't be emotional. Nor do I understand why men are so afraid to share their feelings. Somewhere along the time line of history, men got this crazy idea in their heads and for some reason have a hard time getting rid of that notion.

As I look at history though, what little bit of it I know, I can recall some great men who were not afraid to let their feelings show and admit their weaknesses. In fact, all great leaders know that the best way to compensate for their weaknesses is to surround themselves with people who make up for their weaknesses (just look at their wives. We ALL married out of our league.) Presidents have cried. Kings have cried. Military leaders have cried. Even the greatest man who ever lived cried (check out the shortest verse in the whole Bible, John 11:35).

I'm thinking if men like that can show emotion, the rest of us should not be afraid of it. I believe that showing emotion is not a wimpy thing, but one of the most manly things a man can do (and I've heard that chicks dig it too, at least my wife likes it when I am man enough to show some emotion).

So What?

Backbones were designed to bend but not break. Think about it. If your backbone could not bend, life would not be very pleasant. Obviously, if it breaks you're in serious trouble. So as a man, leader, influencer, or just everyday person, don't be afraid to bend and show some emotion. You will probably find that your "body" (i.e. family, staff, friends, etc.) is way more comfortable and effective when you do.