The Non-Essential Adventures of D'Art
Passion is Mandatory
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I have spent my most of my life on the move. Growing up in a Navy family, off to college, then to chase after my dreams, I’ve never put down deep roots in any geographical location. But during that time, I’ve come across a ton of people. Nice people, fake people, hairy people, short people, smelly people, etc…. The list goes on and on.
I’ve narrowed my list down to one character trait that the people I surround myself with must possess. That one trait is Passion. If you aren’t a passionate person, find something you are passionate about, then come back and we can talk.
Passion is Mandatory.
A Beautiful Intersection
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I stand at a beautiful intersection. I stand at an intersection of where the safety of life and the danger of the Gospel collide. I stand at an intersection of adventure and boredom. I stand at the intersection where grace meets condemnation. I stand at an intersection of life and death. I stand at a beautiful intersection.
Late Night @ Waffle House
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Last night I met a good friend at Waffle House. Waffle House seems to get better the later it gets, so my friend and I met up at around 11:30 last night. We didn’t leave until almost 1:00. My friend, we’ll call him GB, mainly because that’s what I call him, is more than a friend to me, he’s more of a mentor, a spiritual father of sorts. GB has pastored a couple of different churches and served in many capacities over the years. I’ve never asked GB how old he is, it doesn’t really matter, but if I were to guess, I’d say late 60’s. That’s right, seasoned and still loving some late night Waffle House.
We chat, he tells me what’s going on and I get to share my thoughts with him. Without the fear of rejection or the fear of looking foolish, I shoot my questions off. It’s wisdom I’m seeking the most, and I’ve come to the right place, GB is one of the wisest men I’ve ever met. It’s my privilege to get to hang out with him and pick his brain. I can come to him with any question, because I know he believes in me. You know how I know? He doesn’t just tell me, he shows me. I have never been out with GB and had to pay for a meal. He won’t let me pay, I’ve tried. He just says, “D’Art I’m investing in your ministry.”
Last night as I was leaving, I made the statement, “I’m going to do this, either I’m going to make it, or I’m going to fall flat on my face.” To that GB retorted, “Either you’re going to make it, or God’s a liar. And we both know God’s not a liar.”
Thanks GB for your investment, and for believing in me.
Strategy
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Today I’m sitting at Panera Bread putting to paper what has been in my heart for years. Putting dates to goals, visions, and dreams that have for so long been, “someday.” I’m developing a Start-Up strategy of sorts. I’m excited to see what happens, how God moves, how He speaks. I love what the Bible says in Habakkuk 2:2-3:
“And then God answered: “Write this.
Write what you see.
Write it out in big block letters
so that it can be read on the run.
This vision-message is a witness
pointing to what’s coming.
It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait!
And it doesn’t lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.”
–Habakkuk 2:2-3 (Message)
Get in, buckle up, and throw your hands up, it’s about to get exciting!
Here we Go!
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January 23rd at 7:30 pm of this year, I was sitting in Section 303, Row 8, Seat 6 for game 22 of what would become the Boston Celtics 17th Championship season, the first in 22 years. Did you follow all of that? I was there almost 5 months ago. That night I threw up a Gideon prayer, which I know you aren’t supposed to do, but I did it anyway. Tonight, prayer answered.
When I traveled to Boston back in January to see if I was hearing the heart of God correctly, (God do you really want me to start a church in Boston?) I met with a couple of church planters, Hank & John with Reunion Boston, who are already at work in the city, doing amazing things. I got the chance to pick their brains, and tell them about what I felt like God was saying. I asked them how they knew that Boston was where God was calling them to when they started. Hank told me that he prayed a silly prayer and asked God if He wanted them in Boston then let the Red Sox win the World Series. They did, and won their first title in 86 years. God answered his prayer.
So on the 23rd of January I asked God for the same favor. If you want us in Boston then let the Celtics win the NBA Championship. Tonight they did. I knew we were headed to Boston before tonight, but when that final buzzer sounded, I couldn’t help but smile.
Boston
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While doing some research I came across this website ChurchofBoston.com. I thought huh, cool, let’s check it out, so I did. Excellent website, great branding, awesome feel, I was pumped.
Come to find out Church Of Boston is not a church at all but a restaurant and nightclub. Huh, I thought again. After some further research I found a this picture which was advertising their Brunch deal.
Boston needs Jesus.
Here are a few ways to help pray:
- Pray for the City
- Pray that Jesus would change people
- Pray for the churches in the City
- Pray for Us
Insider Info
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The NBA finals have begun. And I have insider info as to who will win the series. Stay tuned, story to follow.
The Sweet Spot
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We all desire to be in that “Sweet Spot” of life. But few are willing to chase what that looks like. Contrary to popular belief, the sweet spot is not a place of Bentley’s & Beaches, Lindsey Lohan is a good example of that. If we believe that chasing the almighty dollar is the answer to living in the sweet spot, we are terribly mistaken. The sweet spot is so much bigger than what is in your bank account. It’s so much bigger than global recognition. It’s even bigger than anything we can achieve by ourselves.
I believe that we all have God given giftings. What we do with those giftings are up to us. We can either use them for the furthing of His kingdom, or we can try to make a buck. I also believe that every once in a while an opportunity will jump up and bite us in the butt. Too often we dismiss that divine appointment, and keep on about our mundane existence. I also know that if we really do desire to live life in the sweet spot that God has designed for us it’s going to cost us everything, even our own lives.
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?” Luke 23-25
It’s about trading in your story to be apart of an eternal story. It’s about realizing that God’s plan for humanity might just play out though my hands, but first we’ve got to be completely surrendered.
Complete Surrender + God Given Giftings + Divine Opportunity = Sweet Spot of Life
Will it be easy? NO, absolutely not. But I promise you, when you come to the end of this life, you won’t regret living life to the fullest. You won’t look back and bemoan the missed chances. You’ll just wish you found the sweet spot sooner. But be warned, the sweet spot is a dangerous place to live. Are you up for it? I say BRING IT ON!
I love THE city!
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I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I Love THE city. Not just A city, but THE city. Kellie and I have spent the last 9 years of our collective marriage in smaller towns. Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Augusta, now we are in THE city, and we love it! So what’s so different from THE city and a city, you ask? Here we go.
A city
- Best Restaurant, Outback
- Mall Anchor stores, Sears
- Coolest Hangout, Wal-Mart
- YMCA hours, 5am-9pm
- Favorite Team, High School Football
THE city
- Best Restaurant, Cheesecake Factory
- Mall Anchor store, Neiman Marcus
- Coolest Hangout, Apple Store
- LifeStyle Fitness Hours, 24 Hours
- Favorite Team, Local NBA team
If you don’t live in THE city, then there is still hope for you. No, really, I’m glad that God places people where they fit. And I’m glad that I’m THE city guy. I’m looking forward to our journey in these cities God has put us in.
