From Al on 11/30/11:

What is the state or position in which you approach God?  According to Ephesians chapter 3 it is in our relationship with Christ and our faith in Christ that we approach God with freedom and confidence.

^{Eph 3:12} In him and through faith in him we may approach God ^v  with freedom and confidence.

Jesus is the phone line to God and our faith is the current that carries our prayers to His ears.

I don’t give much thought to prayer.  I have been praying to God since I was just a little boy.  As a young child I was taught to pray over my food, before I went to sleep for the night, and when I was troubled by something.  My dad would tell me that when you pray always end the prayer with the statement in Jesus name.  I see in Ephesians why he taught me in that way.

Prayer is our connection to the Father through the son for each day.  It is the act of praying that connects our hearts to the heart of the Father in heaven and it is through prayer that our relationship with God the Father continues to grow and thrive.  Yet I take the opportunity to pray for granted.  Notice what the verse says: “we may approach God ^v  with freedom and confidence.”  We may but we don’t have to pray, we get to pray but we are not required to pray.

Prayer is so important to our daily walk with God that the enemy has attacked it in our schools and all kinds of public life.  The enemy knows that the action of prayer is the beginning of relationship and our vision of what God is doing in the world and our lives today.  It does not take me very long to be able to name the prayers that my God has answered.  If you pray daily I suspect you would say the same.  Our God is a prayer hearing and a prayer answering God.

As you begin this day I encourage you to take a step back and open your relationship with God and your world with a conversation with the Creator.

My prayer for today;  God I come to you in the name of Jesus and through my faith in him as the savior of my life.  I thank you for the opportunity to pray and be in daily relationship with you.  I thank you that you hear me when I pray and that you answer all my prayers.  Give me discernment to understand and accept the answers I get to my prayers.  In Jesus’ mighty name amen.

There is a strange sport in parts of the south and Midwest called Noodling.  Ever heard of it??  This is where a man, or a group of men, wade into a slow moving river, poking and prodding the holes where flathead catfish are spawning.  They then dive down and reach into the underwater lairs, hoping that a monster “cat” will take the proffered bait—the noodler’s hand.

One guy mentioned that it was almost addicting…he said, “When you stick your hand into that hole, and that fish grabs on, it’s the biggest rush of your life!”

In between thinking about this, and laughing my head off at these crazy guys (women are now joining in too), the thought occurred to me that Jesus was a noodler.  He came down from heaven looking for us.  He poked and prodded around until he felt something that resembled something that needed to be pulled out of the hole that we have created for ourselves.  He knew he had something that we couldn’t resist, even though we didn’t think we really needed it.  But, we bit anyway and he pulled us up out of the mire.

If Jesus has done this for you, part of what we’re called to be is a disciple, which means we want to be like him.  In a wild way, we are being called to pull someone else out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves.  Maybe it’s another friend?  Maybe it’s your child?  Maybe it’s your wife?  Your dad?  Part of being a good noodler is watching someone else do it so you can take the plunge yourself at some point.  Who knows, someone you never thought might just chomp down on your hand and want to go where you’re going.

I invite you to read what Bryant Hutchinson encountered below.

I went on the GTD trip to Glacier National Park for a number of reasons: A chance to disconnect from the world. A chance to experience the beauty of GNP and God’s creation. A chance to push myself physically. A chance to be with other godly men.  But most of all I felt a very strong urging and desire to go on this trip.

Well, let me tell you I was able to check everything off my list, as I experienced everything that I had hoped for and then some, and then some more, and then even more.

Being in the backcountry, there is no cell phone, e-mail, electricity or showers…is this a bad thing?  Absolutely not!  I was focused on the present and my surroundings and the people around me 24/7.  I didn’t have the clutter of thinking about reading e-mails or checking the news or any other activity that normally fills my head.  I journaled about what was going on and wrote a poem and even wrote an actual letter with pen and paper.

God’s handiwork is so evident in Glacier, just looking around is enough to fill your heart and soul with wonder and awe and love for the Creator.  I expected the scenery to be majestic and I expected to see some wildlife, however, I didn’t expect to see moose and mountain goats and long horn sheep and hoary marmot and mule deer and grizzly bear.  I especially didn’t expect to see a grizzly bear less than 50 yards away, how awesome is that?  By the way the top speed for a grizzly is 35 miles/hour = 17 yards/second, which means that I was less than 5 seconds away from shaking hands with a grizzly!

Physically I am in great shape (my opinion), I have enjoyed playing basketball, walking, running, camping, skydiving, downhill skiing…never met an obstacle I couldn’t climb over or around, yeah I am all that!  I can now say that I carried 40 pounds on my back, representing everything I needed to survive a week in the wilderness for 46 miles in the heat and altitude and swarming bugs, uphill and downhill and over rivers and through rivers.  And most importantly I proved that I could do it all myself—except I didn’t.  Not our longest hike, but our most difficult hike started at 11 am, our destination was Elizabeth Lake, 10 miles away, with an elevation change of 2300’ up to Ptarmigan tunnel at 7200’ then 2300’ back down to our campsite.  I was excited for this hike and was looking forward to conquering the mountain.  All 7 of us started at the same place, we all hiked for 4 hours uphill in the sun, but I was the only one that was severely affected by the altitude, dehydration and the sun.  With the Ptarmigan tunnel in sight, I sat down for a rest in the shade and almost passed out.  It took a half hour before I could drink and eat and declare that I would only go down the mountain through the tunnel…then I had to rely on my brothers to carry my pack while I struggled the rest of the way up the path.  I was almost taken out by my pride, but I finally had to admit that my God is bigger than me and that I couldn’t conquer the mountain without help.  I am not ashamed of my failure, I am thankful that God provided friends to help me and the strength to keep moving forward when it would have been easier to turn around and go back down the mountain.

I was looking forward to meeting 3 guys I didn’t know and getting to know the other 3 guys that I already knew.  That we were on a mission of spiritual quest and journey together really started us out with some shared hopes, desires and expectations.  Hard work and physical exertion beside another man will bring you closer.  What really surprised me was the “My wife is the best in the world” contest that seemed to come up in many of our serious conversations.  I think this issue could have really divided us; however each of us knew what I know that “my wife really is the best wife anyone could ever have”, end of argument!  I have done a lot of guy trips, and I am always put off and disgusted by the discussions that seem to center around wife bashing or drooling over some unknown woman.  I was blessed to be with 6 other men that share my viewpoint, and all think so highly of the woman that God has placed in their life.

Why did I feel God pushing me toward this journey?  I believe that He wanted to show me that: Living in Him is sufficient; He has created a beautiful world, filled with sights and experiences beyond my expectation and He wants to share it with me; He is bigger than me, yet loves me enough to deliver me through the toughest trial; Although I sometimes feel like a chunky white rock in a big pile of smooth green and red rocks, I am not alone in my beliefs and hopes (He also told me that I have the best wife in the world); and finally, He wanted me to look at one burden that I have been carrying with me for many years, and He wanted me to lay it down and walk with Him.

This journey was more than adventure; it was about discovery of my heart and the heart of my Heavenly Father.  Thank you Abba Father.

Bryant is center, back row, at the top of the Ptarmigan Pass.  Way to go Bryant, and thank you God for restoring us heart, mind, soul and strength.

Matthew 13:13    

The Message (MSG)

^11-15He replied, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it.”

This post is for all of my friends who have issues.

And as my friend Rob Link says, “If you have a pulse, you have issues.”  It’s part of the human condition, the effects of the Fall.

I noticed something about myself just this morning.  My friend Jeff emailed me today saying that myself, along with Pablo Giacopelli (the author of the next book to be published by Heart & Life), were mentioned in a podcast last night with Gary Barkalow’s Base Camp group.  The “campfire conversation” was on the topic of “Risk.”

While I haven’t listened to the podcast yet, my response to my friend Jeff was “Thanks…Risk is where God shows up, and that is where I want to live.”

Pablo was copied on the message and he replied back saying, “You’re going to like the podcast Kev.   My address is R.I.S.K 007.  Love, Pablo.”

I cracked up.

It was at this moment I realized that my forecast for living is not the actual way I live.   I forecast my life a lot.  I “want” to live with Risk.  I “want” to live where God lives.

Do you all know what “False Humility” is?

I believe that is where I live most of the time.  I live in this place of “longing” and “want” thinking that is humility, instead of resting in the assurance of what already is true of me.

The truth/reality is, I am walking with God.  I am living a life of risk (I left corporate life 5 years ago to start a ministry to men, women, and families with little certainty of financial stability).  I do live where God lives.  Instead of hoping for it/desiring it/wishing for it–I am living it already.

Anyway, I’m tired of the forecast.  Real Life starts Now.   It reminds me of a quote that same friend Jeff sent me:

Eat Pray Love (2010)
David (James Franco)

Apparently, I am not the only one who lives outside of the “now.”

Are you tired of the forecast?

“We want to swim across the lake.”

A cautious observer said, “You need to have an adult with you.”

I had just come down to the lake to grab my towels and book that I had left there earlier in the day.   Noticing what was happening, and the uncertain looks on the faces of these 10-14 year old boys, I replied–”Hey guys, I’ll grab a canoe and paddle out with you.”  One of the boys’ mom’s came with me.   Some of the boys opted to swim with a life jacket.  This brought much relief to the cautious observer (who happened to be the camp director’s wife).

I could see it in the eyes of these boys–they wanted to test themselves.  They wanted to see if they “had what it takes.”

Oh the joys of boyhood.  And the even greater joys of growing out of boyhood into the cowboy stage of masculinity.  How I remember the times when I was allowed to do something risky, to push myself, to be a part of a group doing the same thing, tasting achievement.  It was even better when I knew there was someone strong watching, encouraging me along the way.  I can still remember the face of the man who encouraged me as I struggled but then finally got up on a pair of water skis.  To this day, I consider him one of a few key men who spoke into my life.  Who helped me feel like a man.

The boys on the lake may not have seen anything other than a cool dare for themselves that warm July evening, but I believe that will be a memory that will not fade from the hearts.

Who knows?  Maybe someday in the future they will be the man in the canoe, cheering on the boys of summer.

Keith has developed a 27-string guitar, a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that is as beautiful to look at as it is to listen to Keith play.

I was introduced to Keith about a month ago through Gary Barkalow’s The Noble Heart. Gary does live podcasts with people talking about living from their God-given desires, passions, and purpose. As Keith shared his story of the 30 years it took to create his 27 string guitar, it brought back all kinds of memories for me and my early growing up years in music.

I grew up playing saxophone in the high school band. I also played for three years at my alma mater, Central Michigan University. Was voted “Most Musical” by my senior high class. Voted “most spirit” by my fellow Marching Chips at CMU. I played the role of music buyer for the largest chain of Christian retail stores. I used to pride myself on how many concerts I would go to each year.

I have loved guitar music since I can remember. Loved everything from B.B. King to Stevie Ray Vaughn to Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar and the likes of Keola Beamer. Not to mention Phil Keaggy.

Over the years, it seems that my passion for music has changed. What I thought was going to turn out to be a fun hobby simply lost it’s hold on me and I stopped playing and have lost my critical ear for listening. Now I listen to the radio. It’s a far cry from where I used to be, and what I used to find great enjoyment in.

I’m not sure why, other than the music I played was something I tried to “excel” at. It was something I tried to be perfect with. It wasn’t something that came naturally to me. There was something behind the notes that was my real passion.

But with Keith, that noble purity and musical passion is deep and real and true. Couple that with being able to masterfully play 27 strings and you have a unique beauty and humble strength that is hard to compare.  Thanks Keith for inspiring me and I hope countless others.

Watch Video Here.   Keith Medley \”Ancestors\”

You can also purchase Keith’s CD “Ride” by clicking here.

Lev 26:10 You will still be eating stored produce from the previous year ¹⁶ and will have to clean out what is stored from the previous year to make room for new. ¹⁷

Last year my friend Bill & I were in the 2nd year of restoring an old ’82 Honda motorcycle.  We’d manually scrubbed a bunch of rust off of the chrome & rims, took it in to get the carb & fuel system cleaned & repaired (then did it again myself later), replaced all of the fluids, tubes, plugs, etc.

The bike looked great, but when I’d get it going down the road & gave it some throttle, it would still sputter & chug along.  It would eventually get going to speed, but the real potential of the bike was not able to be put to it’s designed use.

After inspection, we found there to be a bunch of rust in the gas tank.  It would let a bit of fuel out, enough to idle & run a bit, but when opened up for more speed, the chunks of rust would block the exit, and also some would occasionally slip out  to clog the new lines & freshly cleaned carb & filter.

I took the tank off several times to dump it out, clean the debris out, but could never get it to completely clear out.  It was frustrating.

I found a company that we finally sent the tank into that sandblasted the paint off of the outside, as they had to drill into the tank in 2 different spaces, then blast the innards of the tank.  After this process, they applied a coat/a new liner on the inside of the tank, then patched the holes & returned it.    It didn’t look anything like the tank that I’d sent in, it looked like scrap metal.

What I didn’t realize is that even though the patches looked rough, it was perfectly sanded smooth for a new coat.  We took it in to get painted, and when we got it back, it was stunning.  I couldn’t wait to get it back onto the bike.

As we did so, the bike fired right up, and heading down the road I could immediately tell the difference.  It rode like a brand new bike.

So what does this have to do with us?

Who, like me, has ever been running through life like the bike before the tank was fixed?  Ever felt like you’re putting every ounce of effort to blast forward, but either didn’t have the energy or strength to follow through?  Everything looking good on the outside, but your wellspring of fuel is tainted/clogged?

I’m not talking about a physical condition.   What is in your spiritual heart that needs to be blasted out?

You were made in God’s image.  Do you think that He built you to “chug”?

The process/name of the company was actually called “Renu”.

I know of someone that came for us that wants to do this to your heart.  Will you invite Him in?

I challenge you to, and then feel the fuel of the Holy Spirit run through you.   He’ll show you how strong & fast he actually made your spirit to be.

You’ve blown it again.

You’re not a good provider.

How much more can you take?

You’re not as smart or as successful as you used to be.

There’s something wrong with you.

Despair creeps in and my day tanks.  And the next day.  The verse “Be strong and courageous” is of little help when strength is nowhere to be found.

So I rest in “Be still and know that I am God.”  Ps 46:10   I abide in Christ’s love for me and stay there until oxygen returns to my lungs.  It takes awhile.  Longer than normal.  A small praise of thanks for who God is, who I am, where I am, and the good that God is up to in my life.   The voice rushes in.

This is foolish.

This will not get you anywhere.

This will not help add finances to your family.

Why don’t you get a real job.

Small praises give way to more gratitude.  Gratitude for large things first, then medium size, then the small stuff.  The praise is drowning out the voice of negativity and joy returns.  With the joy comes new ideas.  An idea that says “What you are experiencing here and now is not the end…There is more to your life than the pain of what you are now experiencing.”

Gratitude helped rescue the day.

It wasn’t easy.

It was a battle to find joy.

But it was worth it.

The words, “I love you,” “I’m proud of you,” and “I like you,” have enormous healthy weight to them for young and developing hearts.  The absence of these words can haunt that young heart and keep it stunted even after 50, 60, 70 years of aging.

We do not live any longer in a “Father-culture” in America primarily due to dads not working at or near home like they did prior to the industrial revolution.  However, awareness of absent fathers is gaining momentum, and with that awareness, I believe the children are going to be the biggest beneficiary.  Current Fathers who grew up without fathers are finding healing from their wounds and in that health and growth they are investing and being intentional with their own sons and daughters like never before.

I am really proud of James Hetfield from Metallica for giving time to his own healing.  It’s having such a good impact on his wife and kids and his entire life.  I was blown away by this recent video from FoxNews.

Check this interview out with FoxNews.

And also, here is the trailer for the new documentary Absent they reference.

Couple this with the new movie Courageous coming out this fall from Sherwood Pictures, and there is very likely going to be a renaissance and awakening of intentional fathers all across our land.  For those interested dads in initiating and blessing their sons into manhood, I have written Passage to Manhood:  A Father’s Guidebook to Initiating His Son.

No matter what your kids age, it is never too late to tell them that you love them, that you like them, that they are beautiful on the inside, and that they have what it takes.

Go the Distance, James…and all of us wanting to go after the hearts of our kids.

I love so many things about these type of retreats (all modeled after what Ransomed Heart does in Colorado) because they help a man (or woman ala Captivating/Unveiled) get to the root cause of what drives our pretender, or false self.  It allows time to be alone with God, being directed to answer some challenging questions and invite His voice to speak.  I’ve been a part of these retreats for almost 8 years now, as a participant and as a leader and presenter.   I’ve done alot of hard work in going after old wounds and getting healing.  I’ve seen many men (and women) get their hearts back because they’ve done the hard, yet rewarding soul-work.

So on Friday, as I was sitting alone in the quiet (amidst 220 other guys seeking the Father) with my own thoughts and God’s counsel, He brought up some things from my past that were undealt with.  Ancient things, covered over by many years of build up and scar tissue.  Wow.  Was not expecting what God dug up.  I am in a bittersweet spot at best, and am so thankful for the way God came for me.  It seems like what he showed me was the magna cum laude/magnum opus wound of my life.  That wound carries a message, and I think I have not handled this part of my heart very well — for years.  It has something to do with not receiving love.  And when you don’t handle a key part of your heart very well for years, you can bet that you are probably not handling other people’s hearts very well either.  Because when you don’t receive love well it is hard to love others well.  Especially those who have hurt you.  At least I know this to be true for me.  I’m allowing Jesus to show me what to do with all that he brought to me.  I sense he wants to do a deep healing work in this very sensitive part of me.

Michael called today and as we spoke of the weekend, one thing he mentioned was that the more a person gets their heart back, the more you will be able to feel. I certainly must be getting my heart back more and more because I have felt greater joy over these last several months than in a long, long time.  This weekend it seems I have felt a sharper pain than I can recall in many months also.  It’s like it’s such a pain that only the Father knows because of some deeper brokenness in me.  I’m very glad to have Jesus to walk with in times like this.

I oftentimes will ask–”God, I wonder what you are up to with this or that situation?”  This is definitely one of those periods.  I love it that not everything in life gets wrapped up neatly with a bow.

And with that, ministry life goes on outside the garden.   There is still much work to be done.    A glorious process of being under renovation and advancing the Kingdom at the same time.  Even though I would like to just sit still and allow God to do a new work in me, the battle continues on and ammunition is needed at the front lines.

What is God up to in your life?
For Freedom,

Kevin