Movement III - Hanging Out By My Casket

Moves are painful. The last one (S.C. 2002) was the most excruciating. With every move, however, I become wealthier and deeper. As my car moves quickly through life I realize that two things last forever, people and God's will (Matt. 24:35). In my review mirror: New Jersey, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Ohio, along with a cast of incredible characters I would never have known had God not moved me on.

In Bob Logan's book, Coaching 101, Bob talks about an important lesson he learned from his father. Bob's father told him success was to find out what God wants you to do, and do it!

When I am dead, and you guys are hanging out by my casket talking about how good I look, I hope for only one really nice thing to be said about me. What God said, what God did, and what God wanted was Dino's obsession. Over a lifetime that will include some chipped teeth, embedded concrete, a stabbed hand or maybe two, a few blenders, and even worse. But it will also include knowing when to move, like Paul, like Jesus. Moving and investing in the right people and places.

Not included: trying to impress you guys by being a hero. Don't get me wrong, I love Gatorade baths. I want to be a hero. But if that's what drives me then my lack of influence is all but guaranteed. One voice, one passion, one audience, and do it! Nuff said. Learning from Leaders starts tomorrow.

Meeting with the Church Multiplication Group www.scmultiply.org in Columbia yesterday. I love those people. So focused. Much passion. Much hope. I think about the unusual way all of them ended up in the same room. No smart guy pushing the buttons. The God of the Universe making the calls. Things work so much better that way.

Movement II: Dino Makes a Bad First Impression

Learning from leaders (what to do, what not to do) I have discovered a common what not to do. What people think matters too much in determining an God's assignment. Should we consult a multitude of counselors? Yeah, I think that is somewhere in the Bible (Prov. 11:14 for those keeping score at home).

My bias, however, can skew Bible advice. Be sure you ask enough people, when pondering your next assignment, not just the ones you know will agree with you. Notice God's advice in Proverbs does not necessarily suggest you take a popular vote. Yes, I see that hand, God is calling me to Hawaii. More accurately, the advice is to get a variety of perspectives. Oh, I get it now. Bummer!

People gain security in numbers. I don't. I never had the luxury. The popular vote for me to pastor my church in Marrero, La. was 87%. In preacher terms, that is low. In fact, so low, I said no to them, multiple times. I then accepted the call and during the first year the numbers got even lower. For Cincinnati, the executive board voted a whopping 73% in favor of me coming to lead. My former pastor, Ron Herrod once told me, Dino, you really don't make a great first impression. Oh yeah, well, I don't care . . . anyways . . . more tomorrow.

Home yesterday for a day off, in honor of expectant mothers, Labor Day. Shopped a little. Abigail got two new frogs, Molly and Cyrus. Much needed respite for the Senesi family. First full week of school was too much drama for us. Week #1 included broken bones, bloodshed, and worst of all a Vols' loss. No real positive spin on the Cal loss for me because of the hard schedule. More loses coming (3-4). I don't care (<<< that was a lie).

A Theology of Movement

When did we get the impression a Christ follower should never quit, move to another place, or accept a new assignment? I fear we are so starved for recognition and affirmation that we will put our hand in a blender (or stab it with a knife 8/30) to get it. Too often I watch men grind their face and that of their families into the concrete for what they think is the cause of the Gospel. The question: Is that always the thing to do?

No secret blog messages here. Today, I am where God wants me. No question. Today. Yet, I have always been intrigued by what criteria people use to stay or go. Some value staying. Others value going. God values both.

When I wrote my personal mission, vision, values thing back in the late 90's at an Ohio retreat, I remember the words I wrote: God assigns and reassigns His people over the course of a lifetime. Nothing is more important than hearing and obeying His assignments.

Jesus, keynote speaker at the disciples' commissioning service, said, "And whoever will not receive nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet (Matt. 10:14)." Jesus was rejected at Nazareth, and he left (Matt. 13:58). The ministries of Paul and Jesus were all about coming and going. Movement. Hello and goodbye. More on this important subject tomorrow.

Carl Martin (carl@crosspointclemson.org) was at Willow yesterday. Carl asked the question: Where are your spiritual hands? Carl is a movement maker. A movement maker is someone who creates environments for God's will to be done and His Kingdom to prosper. Carl always lifts me to a higher level. God uses him to bring value to any room. Enjoyed Dustin Willis (talktodustin@gmail.com) and Midtown Sunday, too. Dustin asked the question: What tables does Jesus want to turn over in your heart?" Ouch. Nothing like being around movement makers.