Author Archives: Kevin

“Life is an adventure or nothing at all.” I love that quote from Helen Keller who was born blind and deaf.  Cindy and I live this out daily. For the day of our 20th anniversary we decided to celebrate by getting into a new sport: paddleboarding. We had tried once before and got hooked.  So we went again to Carlsbad Lagoon close to our home in San Diego.

Much in life is paralleled in the paddleboarding experience.  Here are some lessons I learned.

• Be balanced. – Even with such a big board it takes effort to stay centered. It is the same with life.
• Keep a smooth flow. –  I tried to muscle my way through paddling and it just got me tired.  Long full strokes it what makes the board work. Keeping focused on long term goals and plodding on is what moves us forward in life.
• Enjoy the view. – You can see so much standing on the board.  In the same way,  look around and see the beauty God is placed all around you.

Twice a year my wife and I are teacher’s assistants for Biola’s Rock climbing classes.  As I train others to overcome obstacles of rock and fear I find that I am learning so much about myself in the process.

I Need Help

I come from a hard working independent “get R done” background.  The philosophy was you make it happen, no matter how hard.  I find myself trying to do things on my own and gutting it through.  However in Rock Climbing you need a belayer who holds the rope for you.  They keep you safe when you fall and you can depend on them. When I am in trouble, I need to find and depend on people who will be there when I fall. It is so valuable to have an accountability partner who knows you at your weakest and accepts you for who you are.

I Need Encouragement

Rock climbing is just as much about spiritual strength as it is physical strength.  On the climbing course we take students to a friction face climbing area called Hall of Horrors.  On a couple of climbs the handholds are so small that a quarter sized nub is considered a bombproof hold.  However the biggest obstacle is actually fear.  We have helped beginner climbers make it up these intense 5-10 climbs by encouraging them each and every step of the way.  The students are so shocked when there climbing shoes seem to stick to a sheer face.  And they are elated when they finally make it to the top and scream in triumph!

In the same way we all need encouragement as we face insurmountable obstacles in our paths.  For me it is the daunting task of fund raising.  My position is fully supported by donations of ministry partners who encourage me every step of the way.  in every aspect of my life i need people who won’t let me down off the rock until I accomplish what God has intended for me.

I Need Mentors

Dave Bedell is our climbing instructor.  We call him Dr. Rock.  He is a wise sage when it comes to the outdoors and to life itself.  His wisdom, encouragement and patience has helped many a student to experience breakthrough on the rock.  And those breakthroughs led to the courage to overcome all of life’s obstacles.  Each of us needs a Dr. in our lives who can encourage us and give the wisdom we need to experience the full life of Jesus.

I encourage you today to reach out to others to help encourage you on your journey.  And encourage somebody else on the way.  You may already be somebody’s mentor.

The marathon runner races for the finish line. Nothing else matters. Throwing off everything that encumbers, the goal is the prize.

That is reckless abandon.

Daddy’s arms
I remember a marine helicopter pilot in our church small group with his two year old girl. He throws her high up in the air and she screams with wild delight. There is not a care in her heart as her dad catches her in his strong hands. Living out loud and not hiding my light. Not caring about the critics. Living connected and with Jesus.

Deeper in Love
This world hurls it’s rocks at us and tries to break our spirits. We need to live with reckless abandon as we connect deeper into the love that Jesus has for us. He will not leave or forsake us. He has a vested interest in our success and will catch us.

Not Alone
We need to trust he will be there when we are in the ring fighting the demons in our life. His power works through the Holy Spirit who is in us. We are not alone, that is why we can live with reckless abandon.

Full Life
“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10 The fullness of God leaves no room for our self doubt. He will empower us and give us what we need when we need it.

Are you living with reckless abandon? Are you fully devoted to Him who loves you intimately? “I am the vine you are the branches. Abide in me an I will abide in you.” That is the promise He made to us.

Abandon. I need to abandon my hurt my pain, my struggle, my discouragement, my sorrow, my sin and my shame. I need to abandon my life. When you lose your life you will gain eternal life. That is life now and for all eternity.

“I blew it again!”

How many times have I said this phrase… and meant it. It seems life is full of poor choices. Whether it is being hotheaded in a relationship or entertaining secret sins, our bad choices follow us wherever we go.  As they pile up they erode our character and ability to influence others in positive ways.

So how do we overcome these bad choices?

Well, the following has helped me when I find I have failed again.

Repent 

Every bad choice is a good choice that was not made. The first thing is to acknowledge what I did was wrong and to turn away from it. That can come in asking for forgiveness from God and those that have been wronged. It can even mean forgiving yourself for the failure.

Refocus

When we have blown it the Enemy comes in and tries to take us down. That is why it is so important to refocus on who God made us and His purpose for our lives. God loves us unconditionally and accepts us the way we are. By acknowledging who we are in Christ we break the cycle of shame and guilt. In this it is important to have a people around us who we trust who can help realign our lives with the truth of scripture.

Replace

Our bad choices are motivated by deeper unmet needs in our life. Security, belonging and significance are at the core of our being. When we make bad choices we need to understand the underlying motivation and meet it with a healthy choice. For instance, If I find myself overeating I need to ask why I am choosing this. Am I feeling bored? Lonely? Insecure? I then need to seek a healthy alternative to meet this need. It may be as simple as taking a walk or listening to good music.

Redeem

The ultimate goal is to break the cycle and help others to do the same. Redeem means to buy back or realize potential. There will be consequences for our actions that we will need to face. Redemption means we pay for the loss our choice creates in whatever way we can and move forward.

As we overcome bad choices it gives us strength make better choices in the future. Our experience then gives us wisdom to help others who are facing the same temptations.