Chris Vonada's Blog, page 5

More Than We Could Have Imagined…

I arrive back from 8 days on the mission field with a new and refreshed perspective. Amazed once again to see God working through and in the people we touched as well as within me and my teammates who made the trip, it is so hard to process and articulate completely what happened.

The journey to the northern border of Panama was a long one… 3 planes through 4 airports (yes you read that right!) and 3 shuttle buses. Getting there wasn’t so bad, only one minor glitch a flat tire on one of the buses that was quickly swapped out. Our journey home included a 6-hour delay in the Miami airport that turned an already long day into the longest – 24 hours from start to finish!

The first day in Panama set the tone for the rest of the trip. Our hosts, the folks at Faithful Servant Missions, organized a pastor’s conference. Everyone was invited and quite a few showed up! We welcomed them with communion and a foot wash. Then we asked about their needs. So many shared, and we took notes – following up as much as possible throughout the week.

While this was my first mission trip, many of our teammates who had been on trips previously all said this was no average trip. Our routine day was a long one…

“One thing we did every morning while on missions, was to spend 30 minutes reading the Word, a chapter a day, starting in 1 Peter. We would then spend 30 minutes in small group discussing it.” Doug Powell

FSM was awesome!! Great venue for a mission trip/adventure. They’re connected in the local community and with many local churches. Bonus: their facility is on the slope of a volcano! Excellent place to pick up a few rocks and ponder God’s creation :-). And that I did…

We often felt jealous of the locals and how they were connected with the Lord. We could see it in their bright faces as they worshiped in church. How they were excited to see us and hear our stories. How they prayed, wept and talked to God. We saw the Lord working in every nook and cranny. Our ventures into the community were heartwarming. Add into the mix a few projects at FSM and we were spent. Wiped out, giving it all to God and His mission to the point of exhaustion for 8 straight days. It was so overwhelming I went to bed every night with the thought “I don’t know how to process all of this…”

William’s baptism. Photo courtesy of Clint Capps.

Thirty-five people stepped out in faith on our trip. Several were baptized, along with local legend “William,” a Ngobe Bugle Indian. There is no way we could have imagined it would have been what it was. Thirty-five people brought together from all walks of life… every conceivable past situation… for some reason people felt safe in this rural setting of a foreign country. People shared their darkest secrets and as they did we all prayed for them… wept with them… and we compassionate for each other. Transparency was the norm on our trip. People felt safe. We were safe to share about ourselves and our past. It was raw. No matter how dark, we did not feel judged or condemned. That was awesome.

“I see your heart, and I see your soul, and I know who you really are.” Daryl Jones speaking of Ed Perez.

These are people to whom I feel well connected.

I arrive home with a renewed connection with the Holy Spirit. It’s been a few years since I felt so close… I must admit I miss that. But, who’s to blame? Only me and my acceptance of the distractions that take me away on a daily basis. So many of these distractions are choices that I make. I stay encouraged by the people who went on the trip and those we met and how they are molding to be more like Jesus… one day at a time…

This was real. Our people are real. I loved seeing that and God’s love in action.

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The Evil Lure Of Being Busy

Here’s the scenario: a friend asks how you are doing. “Busy,” you reply.

Busy. Great! What does that really say? We’re all busy doing something, right?

We all want to be busy doing good things. However, we miss the point of interaction when we say “I’m busy!” Next time you’re tempted to say it consider what exactly are you so busy doing?

Being busy… I usually get caught up working on or trying to figure out something or another. Or cooking some awesome food. Exercise. Hanging out with friends or family. All good things, right? Watching TV? Not a habit of mine, but maybe that one is ok in moderation. Playing video games or the like? It’s entertainment, right? Reading God’s word? How many of us have good intentions here but when something else comes up we’re putting the Bible on the back burner, so to speak? If you’re so busy that you need a daytime and nighttime nanny to take care of your kids are you too busy? I’m just thinkin’ the answer could be affirmative… you’re too busy doing something other than savoring the moments with your family.

How about this one – have you ever told someone or even yourself “I’m too busy for ____!” Well, you just defined your priorities.

“Success ultimately comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” Henry David Thoreau

Ha! Great quote! This sounds like doing something one might enjoy to me because how do we define success anyway? So when it’s all said and done, will you be looking back and say you were successful in achieving your goals? Can you say that about last week or last year? If you watch ants move about they stay pretty busy building and carrying around breadcrumbs. They’ve reached their self-actualization or maximum level of achievement. It’s pretty basic for an ant, but how about me and you? The reality for us is a bit more complex.

Here’s something to consider: We live in an age of having vast information at fingertips. How many times a day do you Google? I Google’d this query (LOL) and found that the average person Googles 780 times a year. So more than a couple of times a day. Google’d what? Sure, I Google “Panama Geology” because I’m going there #onmission in a couple of weeks. In contrast, have you ever started looking something up and a couple of hours later realized that you just burned a bunch of time? Since I’m sometimes indecisive, I can look at shoes, sailboats, or even the best bug spray online for way too long. Is this a trap.. the evil lure of being busy? Hmmm…

If we consciously think about how we would choose to spend our time, and about those pesky distractions that draw us away, we can feel better about how we approach and execute in our day to day life.

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” John Maxwell

It’s all a matter of perspective. And priorities.

Next time someone asks how are you and you’re busy doing good things with margin just say you’re awesome. And then take the time to interact…

Image courtesy of arbyreed on flickr

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Turning Pain To Gain

When Jesus died on the cross, there was a lot of pain. We feel His pain when we go to church on Easter. Lots of people show up that don’t normally attend church and we hear of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

When it’s all said and done, we walk about feeling inspired but that feeling is often lost in the daily minutia of life. I hear it all the time from people who ebb and flow. Those who are “onboard” Sunday but step off the path by mid-week. Is it just a function of putting Jesus in a box? Probably something like that.

It happens at work frequently, this notion of turning pain to gain. It’s called hard work. Whether you’re learning a new skill or maybe trying to meet a tight deadline, overcoming the learning curve or sweat equity results in a payoff. Achievement. Or advancement. When we try to take a shortcut, we often loose. The same is true when we give up.

This is also true in many sports: we advance to the next level whenever we experience pain. Pain comes along with growth and advancement in skill; we go farther. Or faster. Or score more…

There’s nothing more rewarding than running a race with painful endurance and closing the deal. Our cross country coach used to tell us everyone who participates is a winner. I like that thought.

“Some people want it to happen; some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Michael Jordan

Jordan made it happen. He spoke of failure and not giving up. A lot. He also spoke of talent. Did MJ rely on talent to take him to the top? Certainly not. He also said, “The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.”

We turn that pain to gain when we follow Jesus. He came for a reason: so that we could have forgiveness for our sins. And eternal life. Why? Well, it’s a basic truth of turning pain to gain: there is no other way.

If you want to learn and grow surround yourself with the best players in the game. (Click To Tweet)

But wait, there’s something over and, above all, that… Jesus did something more in His “labor of love.”

“I have come so they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus

What’s that all about? While most of us are probably not going to pass from this life today, eternity starts now, not somewhere over the rainbow…

“The glory of God is man fully alive.” Saint Irenaeus

That’s it. You’ve been set up. Will you convert pain to gain? Will you live out “fully alive” today?

Image courtesy of wikipedia.org

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The Importance Of Our Relationships To God

Why are our relationships important to God?

I think it’s the most important activity here on earth. Think about the “one anothers” in the Bible: love one another, be at peace with each other, be devoted to each other, honor one another, live in harmony with one another, stop passing judgment on one another, accept one another, serve one another, forgive each other… the list goes on.

So who are we going to ___ one another?

Other people silly!

Here’s why:

– We’re created in God’s image. How we treat one another is a direct reflection of the presence of Jesus in our lives. Our relationships with one another are as important to God as our bond to Him. That’s why He said go and make amends with your brother before coming to the altar. We’re impoverished without good, solid relationships with other people. We can’t assemble in a manner pleasing to God unless there’s unity. That’s built on the foundation of one-on-one interaction.

– Relationships with other people often define our best circle of influence. Think about it: from our interaction with our closest, most intimate compadre, to that brief encounter a complete stranger in a foreign country, we’re leaving an impression when we interact with other people. That warm smile in the grocery store several years ago may seem a little fuzzy than the high school sweetheart who’s fond memory is so sharp as if etched in stone.

– Relationships define our presence. They matter more than policies and procedures. Think not? Think again! You’re on an island without other people. Plus, we can accomplish orders of magnitude more when we combine our gifts and talents. God made us that way, to compliment each other.

Introvert? It’s all good, you still need presence. And relationships. Introverts are relationship people too. They just prefer perspective to bubbly socialization. They socialize easily but prefer not to. At least at the same frequency as their extroverted counterparts.

“God is not just looking for performance but is looking for presence.” Joby Martin

This is pretty huge because we can never live by the law. We can fulfill it only by acting in accordance with God’s love.That’s going to involve some other people. Relationships are important. Do all you can to make and nurture the good ones. Start by being likable. That requires transparency. Be genuine and open-minded. Show an interest in one another. Ask questions. Be consistently passionate and at the same time fun. Relationships matter. People matter. Smile, and you’ll go far!

 

“All Sorts And Conditions Of People: The 7 Essentials To Extraordinary Relationships” is my book about people and relationships. You can pick it up by clicking this link to Amazon.com.

 

I’m no longer running comments on my blog. Please read this blog post to understand why.

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The Only Decision In Making More…

Man I love to cook up good memories. I run into old friends occasionally. Two of them just last week that I haven’t seen in many years.

And so circumstance entices a decision: Should we make more memories?

Should we spend more time catching up?

Should we carry on…

I’m finding the only limiting factor is time. While we can’t make more time we do have a choice…

The blink of an eye… it only takes 1/3 of a second. That’s pretty fast.

Can I decide that quickly?

Is it worthwhile in the big picture of things?

Should I go with my gut?

The  only decision in making more…

Image courtesy of kannilc on flickr.com

I’m no longer running comments on my blog. Please read this blog post to understand why.

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Why Do We Have To Leave A Comfortable Place?

Visiting a comfortable place is awesome. Like going to Grandma’s house… maybe it’s that familiar smell of something yummy on the griddle, the deer antlers on the wall, or Grandpa’s reclining chair. Whatever that image brings to mind it is one that

Man, my blog got really comfortable. Over a period of 5 years writing at I’m Just Thinkin’ I got way TOO comfortable with the place. So it was time to press on and keep moving forward. I’m still brushing off some dust here and at my other websites so please bear with me…

Jesus calls us in the book of Acts to be His witnesses and carry the good news message of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Doing so will most likely cause us to leave a comfortable place. In obedience. And as an act of faith. What will we learn along the way?

I’m no longer running comments on my blog. Please read this blog post to understand why.

Image courtesy of Jason Priem on flickr

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Is There Shelter In Unity?

Pastor Joby Martin at the MLK Breakfast

MLK Day always seems to be a day of reflection for me. I get all sentimental and then up on my soap box. You can read some of what I feel is my best material, posted on this day the past few years, like “How To Win In The Endeavor For Peace” or “Religious Freedom: What Does Jesus Really Look Like These Days.” With the history of Jacksonville, Florida as the backdrop for my experience, I just feel we have come so far, then I see the current setting of new challenges for deeply rooted thinking that seems off-key… and I head off to type another “Peace, Love and Unity” post.

Is there shelter in unity?

I think to get to the place of unity we have to embrace vulnerability. White guys have to be eager to go to the MLK breakfast here in the south. Church people need to mix and mingle better outside of their small group and congregation… not down the street with the folks in the next country club, but across town (or globally for that matter) with people who need to know we care. Conversations need to take place despite adversity. Then, unity is achieved through diversity…

“We need to reach that happy stage of our development when differences and diversity are not seen as sources of division and distrust, but of strength and inspiration.” Josefa Iloilo

Is there shelter in unity?

Yes. There is when we ALL have the love of God painted on our hearts. Then, there will be no more poverty. Or discrimination. We won’t have to worry about walking safely down a dark alley either. On that day our differences will be our strengths as we will truly be one body. We see a glimmer of that in our world today… and for this we have hope.

“A great misunderstanding in the world is that we must wait until we feel safe to be vulnerable with other people. They must earn our trust and show us they will not take our wounds and cause them to bleed more. We misconstrue the wisdom of guarding our hearts, our life’s wellspring, as a command to build a fortress around them.

We are never safe from pain, and safety has nothing to do with vulnerability.

Vulnerability will hurt… It is a paradox: once we realize being vulnerable is never safe, we are then free to be vulnerable. We guard our hearts by giving them to the Guardian. We accept the fact that hurt will come. We see wounds as gifts. When this dramatic shift in our spirit occurs, fear no longer controls us.” Anne Marie Miller

Those black men who marched in Selma and in Jacksonville some 50 years ago had unity. They we also throwing themselves out there. Their vulnerability was answered with hostility. The unity these brave men carried was in their cause. Did they find shelter in unity?

The answer to that question is that it all depends on your perspective…

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. What, then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:28-31

Yea, they found shelter… and hope in their situation. Because they knew the Lord. They understood the bigger picture.

Is there shelter in unity? You can share your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

 

I’m no longer running comments on my blog. Please read this blog post to understand why.

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Processing Influence

John Maxwell wrote that we will each influence on average 10,000 people in our lifetime. That’s a crazy big number. I can easily understand how someone like Maxwell could influence that number and even many more. However, the sociologists who shared the statistic say it’s just the average Joe who has this type of swagger. Sounds ridiculous?

Processing Influence…

Will you influence other people? Absolutely. We all do. The question is HOW you will influence them. Here we find the most valuable consequence of influence… the ability to create positive change.

The secret to change is not resisting what we’re called to leave behind, it is the burning desire to build upon what is new. (Click To Tweet)

How did I get on this gravy train anyway?

The new year brings many people to some desired change, even if it is temporary. How do we as leaders muster up change… or, effectively, process influence? And so January began and I got to thinking about this…

The more I read the more intrigued I became. It seems two of the key ways to create or “process” influence are:

– Inspiration. When we share certain values or ideals, we can process influence by inspiring other people. If you follow me around on social media you are well aware this is a favorite activity of mine… sharing the stuff that I find inspiring. Inspiration is also a long-standing category here at I’m Just Thinkin’ – we call it “Soul Food.” All good stuff!

– Relationships.  Remember All Sorts And Conditions Of People: The 7 Essentials Of Extraordinary Relationships. Yep a relationship book written by yours truly. I am fascinated by people, personalities and the dynamics of relationships – be it at work, within a family, or when we socially engage. We influence the people around us, even those we casually encounter at the grocery store or gas station.

Inspiration and relationships… is this all sounding familiar now?

“Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.” George Elliot

On a related note I wanted to give you a heads up on a change here at my blog: I have turned off comments.

Why?

Great question!

Here’s my take on the evolution of comments and influence:

– Comments were once thought of as a measure of the success of a blog. I started to wonder about this a couple of years ago… and so I changed some things around. Sure enough, others are dancing to the tune of the same drum. While comments afford a venue to build community, they are being replaced by interaction on social media. This is happening for a few reasons, but the important point is this: I appreciate community (remember I write a category that includes “unity”) and hope to continue to hear your feedback and carry forward conversation. My readership continues to grow and for that I’m very thankful. However, for the most part, my readers both loyal and sporadic, by and large don’t leave comments… and I’m ok with that. Think of it this way: would you rather have someone comment on your blog or share your post on FB or Twitter? I’ve been thinking the latter for some time now. It’s the mere circumstance of exposure. Seth Godin never had comments on his blog (He seems to be a pretty sharp guy). Are you catching my drift?

As a side note to all this I can’t even tell you how many books that Thomas Nelson Publishers and others provided to me in advance of their release. I gladly returned the favor by writing a review of them and graciously giving them to friends. All through that process we built influence and community. It was a win for everyone involved. That opportunity is still available to up and cummers. What comes around goes around…

– This has been a long time coming for me (pulling the comments). As I mentioned there are other like-minded writers… you can read about Michael Hyatt’s reasons here. While I successfully eliminated electronic or robot-generated comment spam from my world years ago, I still get them. When Michael says his 10 minutes a day culling the spam amounts to 60 hours a year… I’m getting on-board (though I don’t spend even that much time on mine). When friends ask me about the spam issue, “why do you get them?” there are only two scenario’s here… it really goes back to processing influence… remember, Jesus told us we would face resistance in the world today.

“Conversations matter. That doesn’t mean comments sections are the best place to have them.” Michael Hyatt

Influence is important and conversations matter. Curating a sense of community is important to anyone who chooses to be an agent to invoke positive change.

So we’ll continue to have the conversations…

Thanks for your interest in my writing. I hope you will continue to stop by to read here then share and discuss my content on social media.

Question: What do you think about “processing influence” and blogs without comments? You can share your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

Image courtesy of James Willamor on Flickr.com

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How Do You Say Christmas?

Tis the season… for what?

To go shopping…

To be merry…

To make Figgie pudding…

Plus the standing rib roast… yes…

The 12 Scents Of Christmas…

How Do You Say Christmas? Another one to ponder that I have never written down. Well, today’s the day – here are my thoughts and Bible verses on how to explain what Christmas is about… all in one neat little package:

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35

Next up for the angels: a vision in a dream to Joseph…

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25

I’m thinking the buy in from Mary and Joseph required extraordinary faith and obedience… and a little know how from the prophecy of Isaiah and Jeremiah… spoken hundreds of years earlier. The story of the coming Messiah…

And it came to pass in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2: 1-14

And so Jesus was born into mankind. Wholly man, wholly God. Love was born on that day. What? Yes, 1 John 4:8 says that God is love. But why did He come?To save all of humanity from their sins. He gave us an opportunity, or choice… believe. That’s it, just believe. For the wages for sin are death, and all of humanity failed in that regard. There is no other way to the Father other than through Jesus.

And so on Christmas a child is born, our Savior. The story of his life continues through Easter, when we remember His death and resurrection. Continues? Yes, continues and points to Jesus… on into eternity.

How do you say Christmas? Are you prepared to share the story of what Christmas is all about?

image courtesy of Dilly Dul on G+

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A Time To Finish Strong…

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

It’s the 4th quarter…

It’s time to finish strong…

I have an awesome friend Carol Peterson who is a planner. I generally like to have a plan too but not quite like Carol. She makes a plan, fine tunes it, reviews it, tweaks it, lives it, modifies as needed. Oh yes, then there is the quarterly review… just when I’m nodding off Carol reminds me to review my plan. I’m sure as I consider the next few words of this post she’s already working on “the plan post” for the first of the year. I like that about Carol… one of the many things that helps to keep me on my toes.

Well I think this has been a pretty good year. I published my 4th book, The Wellspring Of Life. This was my baby from the very beginning. Not too long thereafter… everything changed. God spoke to me through a friend and… chicka boom chicka boom… new opportunities blossomed.

I picked up a part-time job at my church. Geology? No, still doing that but this is in Information Technology… yep yep yep I learned a bit of how to do I.T. along the way. And the writing? Lordy yes, I’ve been at that too… writing content at church and ghost writing on environmental issues to boot. Plus finishing up my 5th book about finding your calling…

Needless to say I’m pretty stoked to settle back into a groove. But before I do I’m going to rework my websites… just like I’ve reworked my schedule! Yep, all 3 of my URL’s. My goal is to have that done by the first of the year. I’m counting on Carol and my other writer friends to encourage me and hold me accountable. Praise God! And I’ll need prayers from all of you as I have no idea what this is going to look like at the moment… just that it is time to finish strong…

How will you be “finishing strong” this year?

Image courtesy of indegogo.com

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