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As promised, I’m going to be devoting some space on this blog over the next few days regarding the phrase: Live Big.

For those unaware, first let me give some context for the phrase “Live Big”.

Way back in the spring of 2005 the lead pastor of Journey Church, along with some key leaders set out to define through words what a new church in West Chester might look like. Like any good church or business for that matter, they set out to create a meaningful, inspirational, life changing set of mission, vision & values. What they ended up with was quite good… it was also a lot for the run of the mill new church visitor to retain. They decided that they needed one good phrase that spoke to the heart of this new church, and summed up all of their core values. The outcome was: “Inspiring People to Live Big”. As if this wasn’t short enough, it didn’t take long for the phrase “Live Big” to rise out up and become the motto for Journey Church.

The phrase and the thought behind “Live Big” comes from a couple of places in scripture. The first is found in 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 which in The Message paraphrase simply says this: 

Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!

The second, and the more oft repeated passage from which Live Big was comprised is found in John 10:10. In this passage, Jesus is talking to a crowd of people that includes a group of Pharisees, Jesus’ disciples, and a man who was just healed from a life of blindness. Jesus shares a truth that is a must for each of us to hear if we are going to grasp what God desires for us in terms of our lives:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

So if this is the background of the phrase: “Live Big”, then what does it mean? Check back here over the next few days and I’ll do my best to put into words my understanding of what Living Big looks like in our daily lives.

Our motto at Journey Church is: “Inspiring People to Live Big”. While simple, it is still rather vague in the sense that people can often find themselves asking: ‘What does it mean to Live Big?’

Over the week or so, I’d like to devote some digital ink to defining what it means to LIVE BIG!

To kick things off, I must share the following video with you. When I saw the text on this link, I couldn’t believe it… the video is awesome. The actions displayed by the person in this video are a quintessential example of living big!

I’ve read a couple of blog posts in the past few minutes that have really struck a chord with me. I encourage you to go to the following two links and check out the posts. Don’t stop there though, go through the comments and hear what others are doing in similar situations. Post 1 from Ragamuffin Soul. and Post 2 from Joshua Griffin. Check them out!

The reality is, we live in a fascinating time. We have dozens of affordable luxuries at our fingertips daily. The question for us should not be: “Can I afford that”, but “Do I need that”. What do we really need? what could we do without? 

I’m wondering what some of you have to say about this. I’m wondering if you’ve ever gone without a modern luxury, so that you can tackle debt, be obedient to God, sponsor a Compassion child, to “Go Green”, or anything else along those lines. 

In the spirit of full disclosure, I feel the need to say that I don’t do without any of these things. I’m not seeking to convict, just to spark conversation! Jenessa and I have digital cable with DVR. We have RoadRunner cable internet. We both have cell phones. We do NOT have a home phone, but only because we honestly have ZERO need for one. We drive two cars, but have no car payment… when we purchased a new car after totaling our old car, we stayed within the boundaries of the insurance check to replace that car.

 I actually went through a period about  a year ago where I contemplated killing the cable at our house. After thinking about it, and figuring out the money I would be saving, I determined that it wouldn’t be “worth it”. Turns out that I’m on some freaky cheap package with Time Warner Cable. I get Digital Cable + DVR + Roadrunner Internet for $85.00 per month. If I cancelled the cable, my RoadRunner internet would go up to $45 per month by itself. The nature of my work situation at Journey Church does not allow me to go without the internet at my house, so we determined that $40 a month was worth the Cable & DVR.

For the record, I could totally go without cable. There are resources & tools out there that would enable me to enjoy all of the same programming I do now, without the cost. My ideal setup would be: Apple TV + BoxeeTV + Hulu + Netflix. Now I just need someone to step up and buy me that Apple TV for Pastor Appreciation Month!  (I never thought that I’d link to CBN on this blog!)

These are the things going on in my life, and rattling around in my head at this minute. Enjoy… beware… share.

• I’m currently at my favorite local coffee shop. It’s comfortable, low traffic (unfortunately for them), and has good hot chocolate. I hate coffee, call me a kid if you’d like, I’m okay with that. The reason I’m here is because I felt cooped up in my house, and needed a new scene. One of my favorite bloggers, Mark Batterson, famously says: “Change of place + change of pace = Change of perspective”. I try to live this our in small bits daily, and in large chunks yearly (through retreat weekends, etc…)
• I’m through the first 3 chapters of Crazy Love by Francis Chan. So far it has definitely not disappointed. Francis has laid out some common things in these first three chapters that we all “know”, but don’t “know”. Things about God, life, death, and love. Good stuff! My only regret is that I’m reading it alone… any blog readers out there want to step up and work through the book with me?
• The Journey Church adult small group that Jenessa and I host at our home kicks off tonight. I’m excited to see who walks through the doors… if there is not an influx of new blood into our group from last season, I plan to make sure that’s the case by next Thursday! If you need a place to hang/learn/grow tonight, stop by our place from 7-8:30.
• This might be the last year that I can handle not being at Catalyst! Catalyst has become the premier conference for church leaders across the country. I’m following all of the action as best I can at the following sites: Catalyst Backstage, Tony Morgan’s Blog, Various Twitter Accounts. My favorite quote so far comes from Andy Stanley, talking about moral authority, he said: “As leaders you need moral authority with forgiveness, family & finances…. Give, save, live on the rest…. No one cares how smart you are as a leader. They want to know if you have the moral authority to lead”. 
• A friend of mine tells me that there are cops on all of the local interstate entrance/exit ramps, and in each of the median turnarounds. Wonder if that has something to do with this?
• That’s all… My plan now is to devote some more time preparing for the topic of Fear, and the kickoff of the Monsters, Myths & Masks series at Journey Church & BIG Student Ministries.

(First off, Sorry for the blogging break. The past couple of weeks have been spent traveling, and jumping back into the full swing of the Fall ministry season at Journey Church.)

I’ve made some recent book & music purchases that have me excited about what I will learn & experience over the next few months. Check out the recent additions to my library and let me know what you think in the comments!

Music: (Loving some of these new tunes)

• OK Now – Jon McLaughlin – Just purchased Jon’s new album this morning. Can’t wait to give it a few full listens and hear what he’s created in the time since his outstanding first release, Indiana.
• The Glass Passenger – Jack’s Mannequin – In college, “Something Corporate” was one of my favorite bands. Now Andrew (lead singer) has been off on his own for a while. I love what I’ve heard so far from this 2nd album! 
• Under Summer Sun – Matt Wertz – Matt’s music was meant to be listened to in the summertime. Unfortunately, the album didn’t come out until late summer… still a great listen though!
• The Bright Sadness – Charlie Hall – Hands down the best album currently out in the “worship” genre. Charlie delivers in a big way both musically and lyrically with this gem!
• Hello Love – Chris Tomlin – Tomlin is God’s cheerleader. This album is a collection of anthems that churches all over the world will be singing in a few months. Great stuff.