An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.

A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.

A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it.

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.

If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. In fact, as pastor whose calling it is to help others follow Him, some might find it odd that I didn’t list God, spiriutalality or faith as one of my catergories.

While it’s true that the bible teaches that God is to be first in our life (Matthew 6:33, Matthew 22:37) I find the language of God first then on with other things not very helpful at all. I don’t think God’s desire is to be checked of a list and moved on from. This kind of thinking comes out of the secular/sacred idealogy. This philosphy sutlely teaches that there are two arenas of life. One reserved for our religious/God/church/spiritual life and the other for work/play/everything else life. This secular vs sacred has been one of the worst philosophy’s that’s seeped into the fabric of Western Christianity. And I reject it!

God is not at the top of the list so He can be checked of and we can move on to other pursuits on our own. But true Lordship is allowing Jesus to reign over and in all facets of my life. As a follower of Jesus Christ, my entire existence is offered to him to rule and my to steward towards that end.

It’s not God then my family or God then my fitness or finances or whatever else is on my list. But rather God in my marriage. God in my finances. God in my…

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  -Colossians 1:16 NIV

• 2. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something
• 3. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
• 4. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

Ian, our worship pastor, asked the crowd Sunday how many people made resolutions. Apparently I was one of 3 at the 11:00 service to raise my hand. It seems that to make a New Year’s resolution is a thing of the past. Blasé.

I understand. Today the gym was packed. At least 3 times as many people were cursing those holiday calories. But things will be back to normal in a couple weeks and I won’t have to wait for my treadmill. I get why people are fed up with attempting to change their life only to fail. Why try? But if, like me, you’d like to keep dreaming and reach some goals then then keep reading.

I’m a fan of New Year’s resolutions and for years, I’ve used the week between Christmas and New Years to evaluate my life and make adjustments. As I look over my journals I’ve discovered that this week is pivitol in setting the course for the upcoming year. I’ve learned a few things along the way about the process of setting New Year’s resolutions. Here’s a few thoughts:

1. Don’t try to change your life in one year. For most of us, it’s taken our whole life to get us to this place that we’re not happy with. The direction of your life is more important then when you get there.
2. Be specific with your goals. For example, don’t say, “I’m going to get in shape in 2012.” Instead, how many pounds to you want to lose? By when? Be realisitc but specific. And write it down. Anything worth accomplishing is worth writing down first.
3. Make a plan. A goal without a plan doesn’t stand a chance. A plan answers how you intend to accomplish your vision. Schedule it, budget for it and be tenacious.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. See a counselor. Hire a financial planner. A fitness trainer. Join a class or group. Enlist friends. Accoutability is critical for your success.
5. Be gracious with yourself. You will have setbacks. Get back up and keep going.

For what it’s worth I evalutate my life and set goals within the following catergories: Family, Fitness, Finances, Relationships & Reading/Writing. I’ve found that if I prioritize those areas then everything else follows suit.

Tomorrow’s post will address why you don’t see God as one of those priorities.

2011 has been a very busy year in the Harris home. Michelle continues to juggle the demands of running our home and her business plus serve in more ways then most people will ever know along side me in ministry to the amazing folks of Brooklake Church and the South Sound community.

Cambria is a senior and has chosen to attend Northwest University next year. She has already been accepted! In addition to excelling in school, she is one of the founders of a new ministry called Love Unleashed; a student movement to bring hope to the South South Region.

Marissa is a freshman and as you can see is becoming a beautiful young woman of her own. She is one of the most witty people I know and keeps us entertained with her endless one-liners. She’s an amazing student, loves Jesus and continues to remind us to love those less fortunate.

We’ll have some very exciting to share early in 2012 but for now…

Merry Christmas! We love you all!

Scott, Michelle, Cambria & Marissa

I recieved an email from someone who is doing a project for me thanking me for my patience and letting me know that he will finish the work just as soon as he can. I know how busy this individual is and I was not expecting him to finish my project ahead of some other stuff but I have to say this simple two sentence email impressed and assured me.

I now don’t have to wonder if I’m forgotten and he broke the ice by taking 20 seconds to send a quick email assuring me that my project still matters.

A little communication goes a long way indeed.

Our team is busy putting the final touches on what will be our finest Christmas Services to date. I absolutley love these services! And I hear over and over that “the Christmas Eve service was the first service we ever attended at Brooklake.”

We are offering 6 identical services: Friday, the 23rd at 7 & 9pm and Saturday the 24th at 5, 7, 9 & 11pm (no services on Sunday, Christmas Day).

Check out our video on our site and definately bring people with you!

I’m grateful for those I have the privilidge of doing life with…my family and friends, I cherish you. I’m thankful that God’s grace is mine through Christ. I’m thankful for the wonderful folks, past and present, that I have the honor of serving. And I’m thankful for what’s ahead.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

But I’ve noticed something as a byproduct of our church moving forward. More people are facing tough circumstances then ever before. Financial challenges, marriages hurting, sicknesses and dozens of other hardships. There’s a price to pay for taking ground. And by taking ground I’m talking about the gospel of Jesus penetrating the lives of people God loves and we’re sent to serve.

If you’re one of those that are trying to make sense of it all, take heart. It can be discouraging at best and downright disolusining at worst to try to reconcile why it is that all hell can seem to break lose in the misdt of God doing so many great things. But let’s press on church. God is with us and and He sees our faithfulness. He’s for us not against us and promises to never leave us. I and the team are praying for you and thank you for your sacrifice. More importantly, people’s lives are being changed by the grace of God.

Keep inviting. Keep loving. Keep serving. And…

Keep your chin up. It’s all worth it.

Pastor Scott

We all have a bad day. A horribile week. And most of us will go through a season of extreme preasure, loss, discouragement and maybe full-blown depression.

But in all of life’s challenges, I’m responsible to make sure that a bad day doesn’t turn into a bad life.

I choose today to live with gratitude, joy and hope. Not just in my heart but on my face too.

I’m committed to two kinds of people. Those far from God and those committed to do whatever it takes to reach them.

Sadly, not all Christ followers will grow to their full potential. Spiritual maturity is not about how long you’ve been a follower. It’s not about how much Bible you know. At the end of the day, Christian maturity is caring about what God cares about and by His grace, doing something about it.

When we make it about us and how good of person we are, we become toxic. To others and ourselves.

That’s a strong statement I realize. And don’t get me wrong, when we first become a follower it is more about us. But it shouldn’t take long before we reach the tipping point and realize that with the same grace we’ve received now we are to roll up our sleeves, go to work and do whatever it takes to reach people far from God.

When we make the mistake of thinking that we have to reach a certain level of maturity before we engage with God’s mission then we’re in danger of a couple tragedies:

1. We never grow up. The very thing we are fighting for (or at least telling ourselves that we’re fighting for) is more of what we think will “feed us.” So we want the pastor to preach “deeper” sermons. We want the programs that we’ve become accustomed to. We want our music just so. And we argue that all of this is the perfect concoction for our spiritual growth. But in the long run getting all of this actually produces a Christian equivalent to the spoiled brat that none of us can stand to be around. In the end it’s not spiritual growth we’ve attained but a closet full of idols that have neither served our growth or Christ’s glory but stole both like a spiritual parasite.
2. We’re part of creating a church that never reaches anyone far from God. When church is all about me. When all that we do is catered to those that are already convinced, we drift off mission. The Church is never about me. Ever! It’s been said for years now that the Church has a mission but it’s more theologicaly correct to say, God’s mission has a Church. And our part is to get swepted up into this mission and in doing so we will experience growth like we never thought possible.

For the record, I’m thankful to serve a local church that gets this. And to my Brooklake Church family, let us never, ever lose sight that we are on His mission. Together we are His Church and we are here for our world. You have my commitment to help you grow more like Christ as together we live as missionaries to those accross our cult-de-sacs, cubicles and communities.

If you find yourself attending a church that is neither on mission nor has any ambition to live as missionaries, you might find my post on How to Pick a New Church helpful.