Pete Wilson's Blog, page 24

He Knows Every Tear

I continue be amazed at how God has wired us. His attention to detail and the uniqueness of each individual He’s created is just astonishing to me. In this message clip I talk about a study done called “They Typography of Tears” and why this project further reinforces not only the way God “knows” us but how God ultimately “cares” for each of us.

Friends, Football and Fatherhood

A couple of Sundays ago at Cross Point, we had a blast celebrating our dads for Father’s Day.

I’ve learned more about being a father by simply having conversations with

other fathers than probably anything else. So I thought it would be a

blast to sit down with two of my friends and just talk about fatherhood.

What we’re learning, how we’re failing and what we’re scared to death of. These are two dads in

two different seasons. One’s a fantastic speaker, author, and worship

leader and the other is the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans.

Hope you enjoy.

You Are Not Alone

I want to introduce you to my friend Andy. Like me and so many others there are times that Andy struggles. Really struggles.

I just wanted you to know today that you ARE NOT alone. I know you feel all alone. I know you want to run and hide. But your not alone. There’s a God who knows you deeply and you’re surrounded by other broken people who are hoping and praying for healing.

More Than A Lemonade Stand

I was working on a message in my home office yesterday and decided to take a quick break and walk to get the mail. At some point in the afternoon two of my boys had decided that they wanted to open a lemonade stand. They were sitting in the front yard eagerly waiting for that first customer.

I believe you should always stop and buy a glass of lemonade from kids but especially if it’s your own kids.

And then after you buy it, pull up a chair and use that opportunity to encourage your kids to chase after all their dreams. Today it’s a lemonade stand but tomorrow it might be a business idea, an invention, or a non profit that might change the world.

What I’m Learning About Fatherhood and Life

Another Father’s Day is quickly approaching. That day and what it represents has certainly changed for me over the years. Sure it’s still a day to honor my own father and the way he’s shaped my life, but as a father of 3 boys it’s also a time to evaluate.

I’ve faced a lot of challenges in my life, but probably none greater than being a dad. I’m not sure that I’ve ever felt so inadequate for a mission.

Last week I was reminded of just how much I still have to learn.

I was out of town with my family visiting our friend Bob Goff. Bob doesn’t have many rules when you’re with him but one rule at “the lodge” is that the answer to any question is “Yes”. The answer to any challenge is “Yes”. He says, “Say YES to everything.”.

Well, one of our opportunities while we were with Bob was to do a high ropes course. I’m not particularly fond of heights. I didn’t want to say “Yes”. However, standing in front of the sign up sheet for the ropes course, my middle son Gage said, “Dad, I want to do it.” I quickly responded with “Gage, you don’t want to do this buddy. Trust me, you won’t like it. It’s high and unstable and not really designed for someone as young as you. I don’t think this is a good idea.”

As we walked off Gage’s head was hung low. After a dozen steps or so he finally lifted his head and I could see huge crocodile tears forming in his eyes. I grabbed him and we sat down on a bench.

I said, “What’s a matter buddy?” He just starred back at me with those big, blue, teary eyes. “You didn’t really want to do that did you?” I asked.

There was silence for about 15 seconds and then he said those words that would just pierce me. “Dad, I just wanted you to believe that I could do it.”

I think it was John Eldridge who wrote years ago that every son is basically asking one question of his dad. The question is, “Dad, do you think I’ve got what it takes?”

Gage was asking that question when he wanted to sign up for the high ropes course and he felt like I was answering it with a resounding NO. “No son, I don’t think you’ve got what it takes. I think this is too scary for you. I think this is too much for you. I don’t think you can handle this.”

But that’s not the darkest part of this story. The darkest part is that I was the one that was scared. Not Gage. I didn’t want to go up in those trees. I didn’t want to face my fears. And instead of just admitting that I projected my fear onto my son.

It got me thinking. How often do I do this? In what other areas of my kids’ life am I projecting my fear and insecurities on them?

So here’s something we all need to be thinking about these days. As a friend, parent, spouse, pastor, boss….

Both fear and courage are contagious.

How contagious? More than you ever imagined.

Convicted, I walked back to that sign up sheet, put our names on the list, and asked Gage to forgive me. An hour later we were high in the sky, walking along shaky wires, conquering our fears together.

I’ve never been more proud of my son, Gage. And from the moment he lept off the last high ropes platform and his feet landed safely on the ground he walked around with his chest puffed out as to say “I’ve got what it takes”.

And you know what?  He does.  He really does.

Stop Impressing and Start Investing

Think about how it would change our days if we would allow this counter-cultural challenge of Jesus to help us stop trying to impress those around us and start investing our time, money, influence, hearts in others.

Invite To India

Let’s go to India together! I’m serious.

This fall, November 10-15, 2014, I’m traveling to India to see my friends in Calcutta and I want to take some pastors to see the work we’re doing in a couple of communities there – one city slum and a rural village. We want you to see how much progress can be made against poverty in these communities!

Cost will be about $2,500 and includes – flight, hotel, on-the-ground transportation, food, and water.

If you’re interested in going on this trip, please send me an email at pete@crosspoint.tv and tell me your name, role, church, and why you’d like to travel to India with me and my team. In addition to you seeing what God’s doing there, I’m looking forward to spending a few days talking church, leadership, spiritual transformation, and anything else you might want to chat about.

The Illusion Of Control

One of the most difficult things we’ll ever be asked to do in life is to surrender an outcome of a dream. Listen to two incredibly inspiring stories of two people from two different walks of life talk about how they surrendered their dreams.

Do you want to be an Approval Addict or a Dream Chaser?

There’s a lot of giants standing in the way of us and are God given dreams. Obstacles that threaten to detour or wreck us at every turn. But one of the biggest giants is not actually on the road in front of us but fighting from within. I’ve discovered that being an approval addict and a dream chaser are usually not compatible.

I Have A Lot Of Doubts

I have a lot of doubts. But that doesn’t mean that I lack faith. Let me explain…