McMahan's Musings

Radical Review of David Platt's Radical

2011-02-27T17:57:00.000-08:00

I had listened to all the hype about this new book on the market called Radical by David Platt. I mean, this book is on the New York Times Bestseller list so there must be something to it...right? I picked this book up for a trade out...I said I would write a review on my blog and they would give me the book for free. Its a done deal! So, with that, here we go...

From the very outset of the book...Chapter 1...I kind of had a biased slant on the book. I know that I am not going to be a very popular review on this book because the way I felt after reading this first chapter was this. I felt guilty for being born in America. There, I said it. I mean, for some reason, I felt it was my fault that God put me here as a son to my parents. America, one of the wealthiest countries in the world and I felt it was my fault.

The author goes on to make his case for worldwide poverty and the church of excess in America goes on like nothing is more important than their need of a new lighting and smoke system for their Sunday "Worship Experiences". While there are parts of this book that I really and wholeheartedly agree with, the more I read, the more of the social justice agenda seemed to be pushed in the first half of the book. I thought that, what seemed to be this type of agenda, was okay to address but I was really beaten down by it. While my family supports organizations that help orphans, widows and different people groups all over the world...it was almost like this wasn't enough. I mean, it was almost to the point of selling my kids, my home and assets in order to give the money I get from their sale to some person in India that has nothing.

As the book progressed, for me, it got better. I really felt the author hit his stride at Chapter 5. I am a big believer in missions work. I also know the value of going to a setting that is not your normal comfort zone. It stretches you! It beckons you! It changes you! I will never forget my first missions trip to Honduras in 1995 with a Missionary named Randy Bardwell. It radically changed my worldview.

The last thing I want to address is the year long challenge. The author give us 5 areas in which he challenges us to make a long-term commitment...this is outstanding!

1. Pray for the entire world. Get an aid such as OperationWorld and literally begin praying for everywhere around the world in this one year. You’ll be amazed, he says, at the way prayer opens our hearts and minds. Jesus asked his disciples to pray not for the poor and the sick, but for the people who would go to them. He wants us to pray for people to go to the countries you will learn about. Great family project.

2. Read through the entire Bible in one year. “We have settled for far too long for “Bible lite,” both as individual Christians and in the community of faith. We have adopted a Christianity consumed with little devotional thoughts form God for the day…” Imagine the power of praying around the world and reading the Word for an entire year! Do you think you would be transformed at the end of that year?

3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose. Pick a concrete project and devote every dollar you can to it for one year. Set a cap on your lifestyle for this one year and get involved with changing your world personally through your giving.

4. Spend your time in another context. This is the one we’re all afraid of, isn’t it. Go. We have to change our context and go. He suggests that if we could just give 2% of our time (roughly one week) to changing our context and bringing the Gospel to the world, it would revolutionize the other 98% of our time.

5. Commit your life to multiplying community. Find a place within your body of believers to make disciples and support each other. “If the radical, simple living we see Jesus talking about were more common in the church, it would be much easier for us to live simply as well…give liberally, go urgently and live dangerously together.”

Overall, this book was like a rollercoaster ride for me. There were points I agreed with, disagreed with, struggled through and breezed through. I am a proponent of reading things that are from different points of view than what I embrace. While they aren't always the easiest things to read and sometimes I struggle through them...they help me to grow spiritually. I would recommend this book as a read to others. I would also venture to say that this author, David Platt, might be faced with a call to missions versus pastoring a mega church in the States. Whatever his future may hold...keep challenging your faith and ours.

Costco, a stuck wheel and my Bag of Fruit Medley

2010-11-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

I recently took a trip to Costco...okay, so I am a regular there...who is keeping track anyway? It was a windy and rainy Monday and I was kind of pressed for time as my 'to do' list looked like Santa's naughty/nice list. I was kind of in a hurry because of the cold water falling from the sky when I reached the friendliest greeter in the world. Her name was Anna and her smile was as wide and white as the crescent moon. She said cheerily, "Hi and welcome to Costco...do you have your membership card?" It was at that moment I reached for my card only to realize that I had left my wallet in the truck. I told her of my plight and she turned that white smile upside down into a frown and said, "Well, you'll just have to hustle back out there and get it." I shook my head and muttered something like, "Heaven is easier to get into than Costco..." Really, salvation is more easily attained than a Costco card...thank you, Lord, for your son Jesus and His work on the cross.

Now that I am back to the door, Anna, greets me like it was my first time and she had the worst case of short term memory loss on God's green Earth. The same conversation takes place but this time...sopping wet...I show her my card that allows me through the pearly aluminum door of Costco. I am finally just getting over my faux pas and grab a buggy to do some Costcoing!

Televisions, Blu Ray players, Computers, Cameras, Clothes...all inundate my senses. I think to myself...I hope there are samples today...

As I am pushing my buggy, one of the wheels gets stuck and starts making that awful sound of a wheel not doing what God intended it to do...you know, TURN...

It was then I realized, I should probably head over to the bedding area and just take a nap. However, I felt the spirit of NASCAR Pit Crew member come over me and decided to flip the buggy and work on the wheel right there. I had to unstick the wheel. I couldn't just let it go. Even some 'Associates' admired my initiative in executing a shopping cart pit stop. Finally, after borrowing a box cutter from one of the paid admirers, I was able to free the wheel and let it going back to doing what it was created for...rolling! Which is what I needed to do in order to get the kids picked up from school on time. Sometimes, I have to admit, in my spiritual life I feel like that wheel sometimes. We were created to have fellowship with God yet so many times I feel stuck in my spiritual growth, prayer life, study life, personal life. Sometimes, I need God to do a little pit stop on me to get me unstuck. He does this through a book, a blog, a friend, an overheard conversation, a phone call...really, any number of ways...I just have to be willing to have my life flipped upside down in any place...even the aisle of Costco if need be.

Back to Costco.

I am steering down the aisle with all the agility in the world and some of the best defensive buggy driving known to mankind. I am grabbing samples left and right not even hesitating to hear the worker's spill about why I need to buy this product. I was hungry and in a hurry. That is when I saw it...a 2.5 pound bag of Fruit Medley. I love fruit. I love medley. What could be better than a huge back of both...and it all mixed up?

I grabbed one and considered two. I couldn't wait to pay and get back to the truck, rain or not. I unpacked and literally threw everything into my truck as quickly as I could. I ripped open the fruit medley and promptly ate some kiwi, strawberries, raisins, walnuts, mango, pineapple and of course, bananas. It was my little piece of heaven. Each piece of fruit different flavors, different sizes, difference thicknesses...it was AWESOME!

Recently, I took that bag of fruit medley to the deer blind with me. It was so great to sit there and watch deer and eat fruit medley. I began to think of all the people that I have crossed paths with in my life. Those friends are a lot like that bag of fruit medley. Different backgrounds, different personalities, different thicknesses...okay, sorry...

But I began to think...God created each of us for a purpose. For His purpose. He also created us to produce fruit...it just so happens that all of us that are followers of Christ are a part of His big bag of Fruit Medley. I must admit...I am glad I am in that bag. If you aren't, I want you to seriously consider Christ.

Romans 5:8 says that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I love that! It is because of that verse that we don't have to have a Costco card to get into Heaven. Our wheels (lives) are freed to become whe He wants them to become and we are a part of the Heaven Fruit Medley (different flavors and sometimes mixed up). Nonetheless, God loves you and I am truly glad that He place each of you in my life at one time or another.

Things I learned from mowing my yard...

2010-07-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

So I decided that my yard needed to be mowed. I mean, I mow it regularly but we have experienced some rain this month that triggers the fertilizer and makes my yard grow even faster. Now, it wasn't too hot...I mean, it is Texas and it is the Summer so there will be some heat. As I was preparing to mow, I noticed a couple of things that really caught my attention.

1. There were weeds growing with the grass and in my flower bed. Now granted, I haven't been giving the attention I need to, but I had no idea how quickly they can grow in among the things you want to grow.
Lesson: Your spiritual life is the same way...unless you give special attention to growing the things God wants for you, weeds will invade and take your attention away from Him.

2. I realized that the grass was greener and taller and standing up toward that sun. One thing I am sure of is that water brings grass to life. Gardening tip...if your grass is brown, add water. It was awesome! I love having a green yard and want to cut it so that it remains green. The grass loves the sun and without it the photosynthesis process could never take place. Okay, just so you know I understand what I am talking about...photosynthesis is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. How about that? Plants create their own energy and ability to live on a daily basis.

Lesson: Just as the grass stretches out toward the sun for life, we should stretch out toward the Son for life. We need to water our lives with the presence of the Holy Spirit daily and create a bond that creates a lifestyle that reflects the life God has given us.

3. The lawnmower needs gas to run and sharp blades to cut...oh yeah, and never forget to check the oil level. Even though oil is unseen, it is what keeps the lawnmower engine running and the blades turning. Now, couple that with gasoline, and you are all set to cut the grass. Like all plants and trees, pruning brings new growth. Pruning is painful for the plant. The process of pruning is finding the places that can be lopped off and done without yet making the tree or plant stronger and more beautiful.

Lesson: There are "things" in our life that could be pruned. Let's face it, there are some things that we think are vital to living, but in reality, we would never miss it if we did without it. Think back before cell phones...did you miss them? NO! Think about now...we used to be tied to pagers and thought we couldn't do without a pager...where are they today? They have been pruned! I had to ask myself the question...God, what do you want to prune in my life and when it is pruned, what NEW growth is going to come from it? Check out Psalm 139:23-24

4. I have a bag catcher on my lawnmower. I have to make frequent stops and empty the bag. I filled up an entire trashcan full of grass clippings. After I mow, I take this trashcan down to the curb for the trash men to pick up at the next scheduled stop. They empty the can and return it to my curbside. I think those clippings wind up at a landfill, discarded with other "junk" that people have discarded and designated to die and never be heard from again. When you think of your clippings this way...its kind of depressing. They are destined for death in a rubble heap. Yet, they served their purpose, have been pruned and now are gone.

Lesson: This reminds me of one of my favorite passages of Scripture...2 Corinthians 5:17 I love this passage! It is the grass clippings passage. No matter how many times life has mowed over you, how many times you have been put out and left for the trash heap, no matter what kind of shape you are in...God takes all of that away and says...I see new life! I see the things that can be great! I have a purpose for this person. And instead of us viewing ourselves and our current circumstances as trash destined for the curb, God sees us as the plant that has been pruned and will produce new growth and more beautiful fruit that is pleasing to Him.

If there is one thing that I have learned about God and His Word...

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”- Matthew 24:35

Maybe it was just the heat and I was delirious...

but maybe this was for someone out in the world of internet...

Tom Landry, Purple Sage, Roses and a Ford F-150

2010-05-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, we had the 33rd Annual Tom Landry Open. What a day! We had right at 284 golfers out at Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, TX. It was awesome! I was stationed at one of the holes on the Country Club Course with Long Drive Champion Nyle Pruitt aka The Nyleator! He can crush the ball…over 400+ yds per drive. He spent the day trying to catch up to my drive that I put out there…okay, that is a stretch…no, really I am just dreaming. The course was in great shape. One of the things I noticed was the Azaleas. I used to live in South Louisiana and had them in my flower bed. Can’t grow them up here without a lot of work and $$$...

This weekend, I was slated to do some flowerbed work. My whole list was given to me by my wife, Shannon. She told me to dig up the Purple Sage bushes…she said she didn’t like them. So, off to get the shovel and put in some sweat equity to get rid of them. After digging a while on the first one and knowing I still had 3 left, I decided to go and get a rope and my trusty F-150 pickup. I was already tired and decided to just pull them out of the ground. That was a decision that I will never regret!

One of the rules of our gardening at the house is...when you take something out, put something else in that requires little to no attention and will come back each year. Shannon told me to make it pretty...So, I planted roses. I told her I planted 3 rose bushes...one for her, Madison and Katie. She was flattered and I got some much needed brownie points.

Here is where it got interesting. I was digging in the bed to plant the roses when my shovel hit something that sounded like a rock or metal. So, I did what every good shovel operator does and dug down again to see if I would hit it a second time and I did. Come to find out, it was a huge piece of concrete that was down deep in the soil. All I could do was think, I added the majority of this soil a few years ago. How did this get here?

That is when God dropped this little nugget in my thoughts. I began to think, even though the flowers are blooming and everything looks great on the surface, below the topsoil and mulch, down deep, there are rocks. In order to have the best growing conditions possible, you have to get all the rocks out. I was reminded of the passage of Scripture found in...

Matthew 13:5 (NIV)
5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.

Prayer: God, help us to get all the rocks out of our lives that are below the surface and unseen. They may be rocks that only you and each of us know about. Help us to dig deep so that we can be the most fertile soil for You and Your Word. Amen.

Weekend Reflections

2010-04-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

One thing I have learned this weekend is...I am no longer designed to do the splits! After slipping in my garage, doing the splits, hurting my back and then kicking the hearth of our fireplace and probably breaking my little toe, it has definately been an interesting weekend.

I then began to think back to last weekend and realized I was speaking about the Holy Spirit. I know that there is a spiritual battle taking place in the heavenlies and that the enemy of our soul doesn't want anyone to tap into the Spirit's power. So, I stood up this morning with a heartbeat in my toe and said, "Satan, that's the best you have? I am still standing!"

We were able to take a trip through the Old Testament and see the workings of the Holy Spirit. I found it interesting that the Holy Spirit rested on people for specific purposes in the Old Testament. Now, the Holy Spirit is for all believers.

As I am preaching through this series, I want the Holy Spirit to lead me, protect me, provide me with wisdom and empower me to serve God's purposes more each day.

TOMS Shoes, Facebook & Christianity

2010-04-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

My daughter recently asked if she could have a pair of TOMS shoes. I immediately went to my closet and started to grab her a pair of my shoes. That is when she told me what they were. She told me about this company and how they give one pair of shoes to a person in need with every pair purchased. I then asked her to let me see the shoes. We went to the website and looked at them. I thought...Meh...

She pleaded with me...its for a good cause. Sure they were more than I wanted to pay for THOSE shoes...but the purpose was a good one.

I then saw their advertisement on Facebook and quickly realized how big this project was. There are 175 million people that log in to Facebook everyday. That is incredible! TOMS shoes is now taking their purpose, their cause, their core value that everyone should have at least one pair of shoes to the world of Facebook.

I had to ask...what if the church...what if my church, my denomination...the Assemblies of God...what if I...took up the cause of Christ like TOMS Shoes has taken their cause?

We spend a lot of our lives trying to find happiness. Helen Keller said,

"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."

I can think of no more worthy of a purpose that the cause of Christ...what will you do?

The Holy Spirit and "Unisex" Clothing

2010-04-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

I know you are probably wondering about the title...pretty catchy huh? I hate to admit this, but after finding that my predominate spiritual gift is the gift of putting my foot in my mouth...not sure on the Scripture reference. Anyway, the whole 'unisex' clothing, cologne, names and pretty much whatever else you can think of, really is not a good thing for people like me.

A few months back, I went back to my hometown to visit. We were out and about and I ran into a friend that I attended High School with. After making the courteous restaurant table visit and catch up that is so much expected in the Deep South, the conversation turned to what we are doing now and how many kids we have. I, being the excellent father that I am, had a picture of my 2 kids(that was BK...before Katie). Then my friend announced that she had just had a child and just so happened to have the baby in the car seat on the floor beside her. This is when business picked up. I could feel it...my spiritual gift welling up inside and about to be exposed to the world.

The proud mother grabbe the handle of the car carrier and showed me her most cherished newborn. Now, to be fair to me, all newborns look alike! All of the them are kind of crinkly, red and slobbery. What sets some apart is that some have more hair than others. I know what you are thinking..."You didn't tell her she had an ugly baby." No, that was a different lady. Anyway, one of the first things I noticed was the UNISEX color of the carseat, the UNISEX color of the baby's blanket and matching beanie. So, what do I do now? No clues yet as to if it is a boy or girl. So, I reach in and kind of pull the blanket down to get a peek of the baby's clothes...guess what...the color is ambiguous. I have no clue what I am looking at other than it is a baby and a proud momma.

So, here comes the moment my spiritual gift is getting closer to public demonstration. I ask, "What is the baby's name?" The mom said, "We name the baby Terri/Terry. I know both men and women named Terri/Terry. Come on God, I need some help here...throw me a bone! So, I said to my friend and proud mother, "It sure is cute!" That was the moment you have been waiting for.

My friend, was incredibly upset at my choice of pronoun I used to describe her baby. She said idignantly, "IT! I will have you know that you do not need to call my DAUGHTER...IT."

So, I did what any good person would do...I tried to explain myself. However, I soon realized that you can't explain your way out of this type of thing and what was intended to be a very cordial moment with an old friend that I had not seen in years was now victim to me in all my glory. So, I apologized and quietly walked to my table with those in my party just shaking their heads in disbelief as to what happened. I even think I heard a random "Bless his heart" by some onlookers like they were on the midway watching the maneating chicken.

Then I thought, what if God has the same reaction to us when we call the Holy Spirit it. I wonder if He just shakes His head and looks at Jesus and says, "These people, they just do understand who He is."

The Holy Spirit wants to have a relationship with us, counsel us, give us divine wisdom, protect us and give us supernatural love, joy and peace. We just don't know what we have in the third person in the Trinity.

So, with that, pursue a relationship with the Holy Spirit...He will change everything.

Success...that word wears me out!

2009-12-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are at the cusp of a new year. Every year at this time, I take a few days to reflect on what has transpired over the course of the previous 12 months. I evaluate where I started, where I was in the middle and where and how I finished out. There is one thing that drives me absolutely crazy about evaluations, especially self-evaluations. It is dealing with the wins and losses...notice I didn't used 'successes and failures'. I had a friend who knew that I was doing my yearly review and asked me if I had a "successful" year of ministry. Now, don't quit reading here...this can crossover to the world of occupations outside of ministry as well. I want to go on record now...I cannot stand the word "success" when it relates to ministry. Success to me is when you climb the corporate ladder, you get promotions, you get huge bonuses or raises that are extreme. Success to me implies building up yourself to a higher level so that others can recognize your accomplishments.

Success reeks of self, pride, and fear. These things isolate man from God, man from man, and man from himself. If we are not careful, we will build our own little private isolation booths. Another negative impact of addiction to self, pride, and fear is that they result in unhealthy horizontal comparisons. Instead of measuring success in terms of how well a person is following God's plan for their lives, people are constantly tempted to look to the right and to the left to see how you stack up with others around you. True success is simply obeying God's will for you life...its not having the most at your church, making the biggest amount of money, winning the most games, or even getting that promotion.

"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves, they are not wise. We however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you." - 2 Corinthians 10:12-13

Start Fresh Every Morning

2009-10-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a lot...abnormal amounts of time with my nose in the Bible or in a book have consumed my "free time". I am the world's worst at totally messing things up. I have that spiritual gift...you know, the one that has the gift of putting one's foot in one's mouth? I have it. And I am also one that can take something and do it, but sometimes it is totally backward of what God intended or how He has it set up. By nature, I am a problem-solver. I tend to treat everything like it is a situation that can be overcome or there is another way to get around it or the best and my favorite way of dealing with a problem...head on and knock it on its backside like an Adrian Peterson run.

However, rest is not always something that I can easily solve. Here is the reason...there will always be a tension between what I do and who I am because they run so closely together. I say it all the time...ministers, minister; doctors, doctor; coaches, coach; ushers, ush (not exactly sure about that one). A little over one month ago, a good friend challenged me with a devotion and has since felt like God's purpose for him in my life is to remind me to REST. I also have a mindset of...I don't have time to rest! Guess what? The world will still revolve, people will still have needs, my family will still be there...however, God told us to take a Sabbath...and REST. I am guilty...I haven't been observing a Sabbath. As a minister, my work is done during worship on most people's Sabbath. Sure, I can take a day off, but what good is a day off if I consume it with work anyway and neglect resting?

I read this little excerpt in a book from Dr. Wayne Cordeiro called Leading on Empty. In this few paragraphs, he reminded me that God broke out lifetime down into bite-sized chunks that we call years, where every 365 days or so everything begins anew. And within that, he gave us four season, or quarters (sorry for the football reference here...I like it!) as opportunities to start all over again. Even within that, he factored in what we call months, repetitions of the lunar cycle. And, if that weren't enough, He broke it down to days or 24 hour segments of time, and those into minutes, unlimited opportunities to start again, to begin fresh!

Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us of this new beginning: "The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

A few weeks ago, I went and played golf. I used to be pretty good at the game...then I began working. Golf kind of took a backseat. Anyway, I was lined up to hit my drive and I crushed it! I was sitting there in my finishing pose watching a drive that Tiger Woods would have envied when it happened...my ball took a hard right into the homes that were lining the fairway. The ball made serious contact. However, I did not hear a scream, yelp or crash so I thought I was alright. Then I started thinking about the rules...that is a 2 stroke penalty. I was playing with a friend and said, "Take a mulligan!"

I immediately made this dude the first one I call to do anything. A mulligan is a free do-over. No penalty.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could imagine a conversation like this one at the end of the day?

"Oh God, I don't even know what to say. I messed up so much today."

And the Lord smiles and says, "Take a mulligan. Just do it over. Tomorrow is your second try, so get some rest."

In essence, that is exactly what He does. I'm not saying we should minimize our sins or deny our problems and mistakes. We need to deal with them correctly, in the way God would have us deal with them. Often we do, but then we still don't take the mulligan!

The Lord says, "I am giving you forgiveness. Let's start all over."

And we say, "Ah, no, no. I feel so badly. I've got to beat myself to death."

And God says, "Won't you just take it?"

How many of you would say, "Boy, I could really use a new chance at life." This is why God gives us 24 hour increments. A new beginning.

Psalm 30:5 says, "Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning."

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

Prayer: God, I pray for all who read this that they be inspired to rest. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in you. I pray that we accept the built in mulligans you have provided for us with each new day. May each person strive to do your will for their lives. Amen.

Passion is the Spark for Your Fuse...

2009-10-22T17:34:00.000-07:00

Passion Is The Spark For Your Fuse
Ecclesiastes 9:10

God has put into every person the potential to be passionate. One person with a passion is greater than 100 people with an interest. What is the main reason that people don't know what they are going to do with their future? They have only an "interest" in their destiny.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Everyone loves something. We are shaped and motivated by the things that we love. Those things that we love is our passion. If you ignore that thing that you are passionate about, then you ignore one of the greatest potentials that God has placed inside of you!
"Nothing significant was ever achieved without passion." - John Mason

Sometimes, we forget that there are some things that we love to do…something that we are good at doing and not just good at, but when we do it, it is relaxing. Paul had to remind Timothy of this in his 2nd letter to him.

2Ti 1:6-7 ISV
(6) For this reason, I am reminding you to fan into flames the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands.
(7) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.

QUESTION: What would you do, right now, if you knew you could not fail?

Jesus Christ was a passionate man. He died for us because He loved us passionately!!
How else would someone come to the conclusion to die for you and me.

How can I become passionate about something if I know I will probably mess it up? This question shows that a person has a negative outlook on themselves. This is the "loser" mentality. Isn't it ashamed that God doesn't look on me as a loser like I do? Most winners are ex-losers who got passionate about something.

What is Passion? Passion is simply this... enthusiasm, excitement, joy, happiness, etc. The worst loss in the world is the person who has lost his enthusiasm, his passion.

Why is it then that you see so many Christians that are totally opposite? Some are excited, some aren't.

I believe that you see a difference in Christian’s excitement because of one of two things:
1. There is an abundance of passion in their life, or
2. There is a lack of passion in their life.

You see, when you add passion to belief, it becomes a conviction. And there is a big difference in belief and conviction.

What is the difference?
Belief agrees with facts, while conviction brings consistent action to your belief.

Why is this so important? Because a person that is driven by passionate conviction, can do anything they want to do with their life-except give up on the thing that they care about!

A good example of a “passionate conviction” can be found in 1 Samuel 14:

1Sa 14:6-15 MKJV
(6) And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised ones. It may be that Jehovah will work for us. For there is no restraint to Jehovah, to save by many or by few.
(7) And his armor-bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart. Turn, for behold, I am with you according to your heart.
(8) And Jonathan said, Behold, we will go over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them.
(9) If they say this to us, Stand still until we come to you, then we will stand still in our place and will not go up to them.
(10) But if they say this, Come up to us, then we will go up, for Jehovah has delivered them up into our hand. And this shall be a sign to us.
(11) And both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.
(12) And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor-bearer and said, Come up to us, and we will teach you a thing. And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, Come up after me, for Jehovah has delivered them into the hand of Israel.
(13) And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed after him.
(14) And this was the first blow, when Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck about twenty men in about half of a furrow of an acre of a field.
(15) And there was trembling in the army, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the spoilers also trembled, and the earth quaked, and it was a very great trembling.

"What generates passion and zeal in you is a clue to revealing your destiny. What you love is a clue to something you contain, which is your future." - Mike Murdock

What is destiny? It is your fate, your vocation, it is what you are on this planet for…

Fulfilling God's plan for your life is a passion or it is nothing. In Deuteronomy 10:12 says, " Serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul."

"Without passion man is a mere latent force and a possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark."- Henri Frederic Amiel

You see the attitude that looks negative all the time always quits before it is time for success to happen. Pessimism never won any battles.

"there are many things that will catch my eye, but there are only a very few that catch my heart... it is those I consider to pursue." -Tim Redmond

If you couple passion to what you were created for…you can change the world.

Let The Passion That Is Within You Rise To Meet Your Destiny.

Prayer: God help everyone who reads this to regain their passion for you. Help each of us to become passionate as Christ was passionate. Help us to let others realize that the passion we have on the outside is from a change on the inside. Amen.

My Prayer for you:

1. Have you lost your passion for God?
2. Do you want to regain that lost passion for God?
3. Are you afraid of what God wants you to do?
4. Do you want to become a passionate person like Christ was passionate?
5. Will you respond to the Holy Spirit this morning?

Turning a new Page

2009-09-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

I have turned a new page in my life. My oldest child has started High School. Now I get to test all those theories I used to give as a youth pastor to parents of High Schoolers to see if they work or not. I am quickly learning that I know a whole lot less about parenting than I thought I knew. However, one of the things that I do is look to those who know a whole lot more about life than I. I want my kids to take the leadership qualities they naturally possess and develop them for the good of our home, their school, their peers, their coaches, their churches and ultimately the Kingdom of God. So, today, I am going to give you a devotion on developing people...It is called 12 Rules for Bringing Out the Best In People. Let me know what you think...

12 Rules for Bringing Out the Best in People

1. Expect the best from the people you lead
· When your authority doesn’t expect the best in you it doesn’t motivate you to
become anything.
· Think about the people who believed in you.
· When you Expect = “I Believe” When you Demand- “I Require”

2. Make a thorough study of the other person’s need
· Take care of their needs
· Make “deposits” in the “emotional account” before you try to “withdraw.”

3. Establish high standards of excellence
· Call for this…it’s worth it. Give everything to it.
· Your attitude and actions need to exemplify excellence in kingdom principles. Attitude and Action are two things YOU control.
· Don’t challenge someone to do something that you haven’t taught them to do or standards that you personally aren’t living.

4. Create an environment where failure is not fatal
· See past failure as what they “can be”

5. If they are going anywhere near where you want to go…Climb on the other person’s bandwagon.
· Figure out their interest and be their support (outside the field/court).

6. Employ “Models” to encourage success
· Point out names so individuals know who are doing it right.
· Whatever you reinforce will be repeated.
· Give them an invisible model in front of them to live up to. When expectations are high, people tend to try to reach them...

7. Recognize and Applaud Achievement
· Let them hear what they’re good at! Motivate them. Be specific. Don't blow smoke!

8. Employ a mixture of positive and negative.
· Celebrate attitudinal successes as much as other successes.
· More positive than negative yet sparingly, there needs to be some negative reinforcements. Coach John Wooden had a 12 to 1 good/bad ratio.
· If you want to give the negative reinforcement, you need to wait to give it.

9. Appeal sparingly to the Competitive Urge
· There is a positive peer pressure to be Godly…You live to the level of your competition.
· Iron sharpens iron.

10. Place a premium on Collaboration.
· We’re a team; we need each other.

11. Build into the group an allowance for storms.
Learn to prepare for the unexpected.

12. Take steps to keep your own personal motivation HIGH!!
· Books w/ authors who motivate you.

Prayer: My prayer for you today is that God uses you where you are to bring out the best in the people that God has placed in your care.

Scripture: Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. - NASB

GC Squared...

2009-07-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

I heard this phrase this weekend from Coach Rod Olson. This little equation has stuck in my head and I can't get it out. I wish I could get it out of my head and have it embedded in my heart. Oh...what is it? What does it mean? Something that I have heard in church a million times and, truthfully, said a million times. It means the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. GC squared.

I have a relatively easy time with the Great Commandment. You know, Matthew 22:37

I mean, it can sometimes be difficult for us to give God all of our heart, soul, and strength. Especially when we have made the schedules we try to keep...note it is the schedules we have made. Now, keeping the Great Commission is a whole different ballgame.

It can be hard to love our neighbors. One thing I remember from my fraternity days in college was this..."You have to be a brother to have a brother." Now, don't get me wrong with all this, I am just illustrating a point. If you want to have a neighbor, you must first be one. What does this mean? It means we need to care about people and share Christ with them just as someone cared about me and shared Christ with me. We need to learn to love people like Christ loved people.

Love covers a multitude of sins...GC squared...

Discussions on Salvation

2009-07-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

Okay...so the last few days, I have had these discussions on "what it takes for someone to be saved..." You must first realize my spiritual background and that I grew up and am currently in a Pentecostal denomination. We constantly had altar calls, hands raised to signify we wanted to be saved, looked at our neighbor and asked the question, walked to the altar with our friends, had people lay hands on us and pray, the "repeat after me" prayer all in the name of becoming saved and experience the life changing salvation that knowing Christ brings.

With that said, I was asked, "What does the Bible say one must do to be saved?" Being highly trained, a graduate of a Christian College, an Ordained Minister and a student of the Bible...immediately my mind raced, in Sword Drill fashion, to Romans 10:9-10 where it says,

Romans 10:9 NIV - YouVersion.com: Online Bible: "9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

So, that posed the next question..."Do you have to go to an altar, repeat after me, raise your hand or really even pray a prayer of repentance?" Or is it more like saying the words, "I believe"? It has been an interesting few days to say the least. Now I am curious, what do you think?

What if Everyone Served?

2009-04-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

For the last few days, God has really messed me up. I have been dealing with a lot about the state of RFA (Rockwall First Assembly), the family at RFA and the direction that God wants RFA to go. One of the things that has consistently come into my spirit and I have to admit it is in the area of love. One of the things that concerns me is this…RFA has become “me centric”. In other words, we worry more about our own ‘internal’ problems, complaints, preferences, and criticisms, that we forget about those on the outsides of our walls.

Let me explain it to you this way…It all started with the television show, Extreme Home Makeover. Anyone watch that? I cry every time at some point during the show. Then, I added to this, the Bible study we did about feeding a child in Thailand that my wife led at our house. Put on top of this, I started reading a book entitled, Same kind of different as me by Ron Hall. Through all this, God is getting his message through to me…at least I believe. God has been doing a number on a person who is not real compassionate. I have a hard time understanding the necessity of taking care of our neighbors…

What I am learning is this…Love is the single most crucial element in the universe. It is what God asks of us. It is what He gives us…unconditionally. It is what we hopefully can have the fortune to find in our companion, family, and friends. It is carried out through our actions or lack thereof, our words, and ultimately our finances. Love covers a multitude of things…both right and wrong.
In fact, without love, one is lost and lonely. Jesus was quizzed on the 10 Commandments by the Sadducees and Pharisees and was asked which was the greatest commandments…his answer was recorded in Matthew 22…

37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

I find it interesting that everything else in Scripture hinges on these two commandments…both have to do with love…I want to talk today about the question…What if everyone served with the same heart attitude that Christ served with? Let’s unpack that a little more today. What would that look like?

1. When I serve it best expresses the compassion of God to others.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son; that whoever shall believe in Him, will not perish but will have everlasting life. John 3:16

This type of compassion can become more of a competition if we let it. However, in competition, someone loses. That is not the case in knowing Christ…at least not for people. It is a loss for Hell. Then one day, a mother asked Jesus if her sons could sit at His right and His left in his Kingdom. The disciples were upset with the lady and Jesus knew it. He called them together and told them it was not for Him to decide rather His Father. He went on to tell them in Matthew 20..

"If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others. And if you want to be first, you must be the slave of the rest. I did not come to be served but to serve others; I came to give my life as a ransom for all." Matthew 20:26-28

God’s desire is that I’d be a contributor at my church, not just a consumer.
When you serve, it best expresses the compassion of God to others…

2. My serving is what keeps the ministries functioning properly.

Watch This is our new recruiter for servants at the church...just kidding.

"So the twelve apostles called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” Acts 6:2-4

My job is to be the servant. The pastor’s job is to be the equipper.
It is not about serving me, as your Pastor…its about serving the cause of Christ.

• When I serve it best expresses the compassion of God to others.
• My serving is what keeps His ministries functioning properly

3. When I serve, it helps me to become more established in my faith in a way nothing else can.

"God has called some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, to train the church how to serve so that they may become strong and mature in their faith." Ephesians 4:11-12

I ask why? Why did God give all of these different offices and even the one and the same offices? It’s a little thing called love. You see, when you are established in your faith, you realize that love is what covers everything.

In these past few weeks, I have come to realize that I have weaknesses that are more deep than just physical and mental weaknesses. I have spiritual weaknesses. They go deep. It hurts to see these, it is painful to experience these, it is not fun to admit these weaknesses. However, the only way that we can overcome these weaknesses is through faith in Him. Total surrender to Him. I don’t care if you have prayed a sinner’s prayer before or not, it is time for total surrender and getting back to the basics of Christ…Love for Him and love for others.

Pray: God, help us today to experience your love. Help us to realize that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Help us today to embrace your love, mercy and grace.

Weekend of Champions Recap

2009-03-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

Man, oh, man! What a weekend! The Weekend of Champions is over and it was a huge success. Lakeview Camp in Maypearl, TX, is an incredible place for a retreat like this. Close to 650 middle school students, Coaches, College Huddle leaders and staff all came together for the sole purpose of "Getting Focused". One thing that quickly stood out to me was the huddle leaders. If not for the huddle leaders, the camp would not function. They have a huge impact on the lives of the middle school student/athlete. However, when I try to figure out who the MVP is of this event, I also have to give careful consideration to the Huddle Coaches who got them there in the first place. Then, I think, maybe it is the staff of Dallas FCA...nah...

Then it hit me...Jesus! He is our MVP. Without Him, where would we be?

The Coaches were ministered to by Jeff Jacobs, Coach's Ministry Director. Oscar Roan hit the ball way out of the park. Destination Known led everyone into worship. MC Pdiddy had some nice witicisms. Bethany and Candice kept everyone in the proper medicated state. Shana and Noack were like the great puppetmasters they are. Chauncey and Santiago had a great team of Huddle Coordinators and all I had to do was make sure that Jaroy didn't kill any campers with his mad "trash" skills under the WOC Dome or the waterballoon launchers.

All in all, it was a great weekend. One that I need some recovery time from, but it was awesome. Oh yeah, if you haven't seen it yet, here is our opening video.

WOC Idol Video

Weekend of Champions

2009-02-25T15:33:00.000-08:00

We are getting ready for a great weekend this coming weekend. It is Weekend of Champions time! Maypearl style! We have a great weekend planned for Middle School students from all over the Metroplex. I am going to get a little extra sleep beforehand because I know, I won't get it there. We are expecting close to 600 in total attendance. From coaches, huddle leaders and students, take time to say a prayer for us this coming weekend.

Legacy Builder's Study Group

2009-02-16T11:26:00.001-08:00

I am so excited and humbled at the same time to be associated with the coaches in Crandall, TX. Coaches Aimee Hamsher, Rich Hamsher, Megan McCrummen and Deneice Blount are all doing an incredible job with the huddles at the High School and Middle School. We are starting a Legacy Builder's Study Group in March. What a Legacy Builders Study group does is takes a group of coaches and studies God's Word together. We will be following a study guide and will meet at the Crandall Cotton Gin. Our first meeting is scheduled for March 3 at 5:30pm. If you are in the Crandall area, feel free to stop in and say hi. If you would like more information on starting a group, feel free to email me at tmcmahan@fca.org

40 Tips for a Better Life in 2009

2009-01-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

40 Tips For A Better Life - 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. REMEMBER, GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or e-mail them to death!)

37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Share this with those you care about. I just did. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-11T06:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays...er...Merry Christmas!

I am sorry, I guess I had a moment of political correctness come over me. What was I thinking? It must be the medication I am on. This holiday season has been a hard one for me. I have been battling bronchitis and a sinus infection that will not go away. I know, that is TMI (too much information). I won't even go into the new item in my medicine cabinet, the Neti Pot.

I am feeling better but am so sore from the constant coughing. I feel like I have been doing 10 minute abs for 4 days straight. I wonder why I don't have the 6 pack? I guess if you do the ab workout like I have, one gets the whole keg instead. At least that is what I am going with. I hope all of you are getting your final Christmas gifts purchased and wrapped. I am about to start. Yes, start. I know, I should have been doing this for a while now, but hey, it has been busy around the McMahan household.

Madison is in the middle of her basketball schedule at school, Cole and Katie just finished up football and cheer. They both received awards...Cole was Mr. Consistency given for the most consistent player on the team...it was very fitting for him. He played multiple positions and did them all consistently well. He even played running back in one game...mainly to block, but his only carry he got 8 yds. Katie was the Best Tumbler on her team. That girl is an aweome flipper!

I guess I am telling you all this is because during this time of year, I get nostalgic and very family focused as I look back on the year. I am so blessed that God has given me my wife, Shannon, and out children. They are all gifts from God. With the birth of Christ being the reason for season (sorry for the cliche'), I have reminisced about the birth of my children. In fact, just this morning, I was telling them the funny things they used to say when they were learning to talk. I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning but even moreso than opening a gift...I can't wait to see what God has for their lives. It is my job as a parent to teach them the fear of the Lord and to always be sensitive to what God wants them to do. It is not necessarily a lesson that is done in a classroom, it is a lesson that I have to live.

With that, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas! Live your life without any question who is giving you direction. Here is a little card from the McMahan's.

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Here comes Christmas...like a locomotive.

2008-12-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

Its' official! My son's football season has come to an end. We just returned from the National Pigskin Classic in Las Vegas, NV, which is where we spent Thanksgiving. I know its hard to believe, but I really realized just how much I enjoy my family while we walked down the Las Vegas Blvd. The kid's faces as we walked into the M&M store...my wife's face as she saw dark chocolate M&M's was priceless. That was when we turned the corner and saw it...Christmas stuff. I guess I had been so focused on finishing the season, working at the church and with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, that I borderline forgot. I know, that is horrible.

That is when I started to remember the Christmases when I was growing up. I love Christmas!!!! My youngest daughter, Katie, asked me last night when we were putting up our lights. She knows my rule...no Christmas lights up until December 1st. So, now I start the task of making sure they all work and putting them out for our neighbors and all who drive by to see. Did I mention, I love Christmas!?!

One thing I have heard all my life is this..."It is more blessed to give than it is to receive." I love to receive gifts...but I actually love watching people's faces light up when there is a gift for them. One of the greatest gifts I know of is the gift of salvation. I love to see people's faces light up when they actually understand and the light goes off that Christ gave them this gift. It is almost like a train has hit them...and in a good way. I love to see people understand what Christ actually did for them. I love to see people when they fully understand that Christ was born to this Earth for them. He had one appointment here and that was to take away the sin of the world. I understand He performed miracles and did a lot of other things and I don't want to diminish the works Jesus did while living on Earth. However, his purpose was for you and me. He came to die. Now if that doesn't hit you like a locomotive, I don't know what will. I love Christmas because it reminds me that Christ died for me...and for you. Merry Christmas and may the love of Christ consume you during this holiday season.

Why I Love FCA!

2008-11-18T08:44:00.001-08:00

The other day I had someone stop me in the middle of the conversation we were having. I really had no idea that I was doing it, but throughout the course of the conversation, I had mentioned or referred to FCA numerous times. This person stopped and asked, "What is this FCA you keep talking about?" I explained that we work with coaches, student-athletes, and communities to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is when they had their 'A-Ha' moment and I was able to continue our conversation.

Then, out of nowhere, they asked me, "Why do you love FCA so much?" I paused. I began to think about that question. Was it all the coaches, athletes, people of influence throughout the different communities that made me love FCA? Was it the ability to meet professional athletes and college athletes along the way? Much to my surprise, that answer was NO! I came to the conclusion that I love FCA because God is allowing me to use the talents, abilities, knowledge and my interests in His ultimate masterpiece. I am able to lead people to become Christ followers without any regrets and do it through the avenue of athletics.

I guess the main thing is this...focus on the main thing that God has given you to do...and do it!