Fan the Flames

Yesterday I came across a quote of mine from a conference evaluation I completed at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit last fall. At the Summit, attendees were challenged to avoid the "shadow mission" that so frequently draws us away from God's mission for us. I remember being particularly challenged by that message and shared my resolve in the evaluation I completed at the end of the conference.

As I look back, I wonder if my passion is as fervent as I hoped it would be when I wrote that. Might be time to fan the flames.

Low and behold, Willow Creek chose it as one of their featured quotes. Check it out here.

Thanks for Giving

Yesterday I received a call from the director of Real Options, thanking me for my gift, and for all the other gifts they received from you on on behalf of Flora. I can't thank you all enough. Your generosity is an inspiration. If you missed out and still want to give, click here.

Giving Gifts

Yesterday my wife and I decided to give a financial gift to Real Options for Women, a crisis pregnancy center in Plano. As a pastor, I've been sending women to them for years, and have participated in supporting their programs and services as well. Only recently has my family become clients of their excellent ministry.

As I've been wrapping presents this week, I've been reminded of how blessed I am. Often when facing difficult situations in life, we can become myopic and fail to see the big picture. Our problems look insurmountable, and our resources seem so few. But the truth is, if God is our supply, our resources far exceed our problems.

So if you are in the gift giving mood this year, might I encourage you to give to Real Options? You can donate online at: http://www.friendsofro.com/index.html If you feel led, in the comment section of the donation page, please put "For Flora Lucas."

Please give first to your church, and then meet the needs of your own family. Don't ever be afraid to be a blessing to someone else.

Holiday Crud

Yesterday I was down for the count with the holiday crud. I'm almost never sick, so when I am, it is actually worth noting on a blog (just kidding). I've quarantined myself today so as not to share this holiday cheer with anyone else. I'm detoxing with carrot juice and distilled water.

For those who have emailed recently concerned that my lack of blogging indicated another disaster, rest assured all is well in the Lucas home. Nothing new on the pregnant daughter front, other than to note that she has mellowed a bit lately. I wouldn't say she has matured or grown any, but I believe God's got that coming in the near future.

Angela and I had a two day get-a-way last weekend. We retreated to a Dallas hotel and later did some Christmas shopping. It was nice to have that time together. Both of our schedules have been quite hectic, so that time of connection felt very important. I'm happy that she and I have been able to keep our communication going in this crazy time. I can see how the pressures of life can tear couples apart. Without an intentional effort to spend time together, the mundane could overcome even the healthiest marriages. She is still my best friend and worth every minute of my attention. I'm so thankful to God that I have someone like her in my life. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to handle the curve balls of life without her.

I'm embarrassed to say that we have yet to put up a single Christmas decoration. Honestly, it has nothing to do with our attitude toward the holiday. I'm totally "pro Christmas." Maybe it is just a symbol of the holiday for us this year--light on tradition, heavy on reality.

A Day Off

Yesterday I took the day off. Literally. Except for eating and clicking the remote, I did virtually nothing. No big deal? Are you kidding? Reaching that level of relaxation seemed impossible just a few days ago. Call it "the peace of God" or just being totally spent. Either way, I needed it.

For two weeks now, I've had a nearly constant headache, a heavy heart, and the tortured knowledge that I was responsible for both, because of my failure to totally surrender to God things that are beyond my control anyway. Ridiculous.

I hate to compare myself to anyone in Scripture, but the example of Elijah by the brook certainly comes to mind.

Awaiting the angel.

Of Mice and Men

Yesterday my "baby" girl turned 11 years old. Wow! I still remember the day she was born. I had spent the morning interviewing for a job at Grace Community Church. By the time I got home (in south Dallas), my wife was ready to go to the hospital. I count myself blessed to have been there to see both of my biological children born. In the end, I got the kid and the job.

Stephanie is an amazing young lady. She has a tremendous heart for God and an unstoppable desire to serve Him with her whole life. In many ways she already is. She started her own ministry earlier this year, and she has regular Bible study time with me. What a cool kid!

But Steph is also quirky. So I wasn't that surprised when she told us that she wanted a mouse for her birthday. And I'm not talking about a mouse you plug into your computer. She wanted a rodent. How cool!

So anyway, Angela stopped by the pet store on the way home yesterday to pick up a couple of fancy mice. However, when moving them into their cage, one got loose in the car. Angela drove home, and I helped search the car, but we just couldn't catch him. We all piled in and went to dinner to celebrate, but still we couldn't catch the mouse. After dinner, we decided to pick up another mouse in case we couldn't catch the renegade.

Finally, last night Angela and I removed the chairs from the van and practiced every move we saw in Crocodile Hunter to finally corner the critter. I was up front, so I leaped behind the divers seat and sprawled across the floor to block off the front of the car with my body. Angela used the flashlight and noise to push him towards me. Using a small rug, I managed to trap him and grab his tale. Gotcha!

No doubt, Steph's 11th birthday will always be a memorable one. And lest we be tempted to forget anytime soon, we have three cute mice to remind us of the adventure.

Preaching Therapy

Yesterday and today I preached a message that was written months ago, but certainly seemed ordained by God just for me. Funny how that happens.

Right now I feel like I'm on a roller coaster of emotion. I know it's cliche, but true nonetheless. One minute I sense the peace of God which passes understanding, the next I want to cry or scream. I'm not much for whining, but I'm certainly looking forward to the day when even this feels normal. At least then I can stop obsessing and problem solving 24/7.

If you missed the sermon, check it out on my podcast: http://www.clickcaster.com/steve-lucas

The Hard Way

Yesterday, just as I was beginning to think my daughter was really starting to learn her lesson, she took a few steps in the wrong direction. I'm not sure why I was thinking this lesson would somehow take root faster than any other in her life, but sometimes you can't help but engage in wishful thinking. So much for that.

Learning the hard way--her preferred method--often involves both intense and protracted pain. Of course, that's why they call it the hard way.

It is rather unfortunate for the those who find themselves in close proximity. The thing with painful lessons is that there is plenty of pain to go around.