Malaysian Airlines Flight. A Look from 30k Feet.

It was an accident.  It was the pilot.  An engineer.  Mechanical Issue.  Eh.

If you're like me, you've heard a dozen theories about what has happened to those 270 people on that airliner and what happened to the plane itself.  Blame here, there, virtually everywhere.  26 countries looking for the same big, but very small airplane in a vast ocean or on land.  Somewhere.  Anywhere.

Does this look like our journey for the definition of life, especially as Americans?

We are guilty of habitually searching for the "solution" to our problems in our nation, in our lives, and in our souls.  In debt?  Get a second job!  That'll surely make you feel more secure!  Except, when you had money...you still went in debt.  Eh.

We live in a culture where anything is possible, and especially now, anything goes.  Want a husband that doesn't do that annoying habit?  Divorce that guy and marry that other guy.  Except you eventually see that he has habits, too.  Eh.

Oh!  I know!  I want to feel the true meaning of life!  Give my money to the poor, that'll surely make me feel great!  Go to a church that teaches that I'm awesome!  That'll lift my spirits and I'll feel self-sufficient and that I can do this life!  Except, eh. 

Life can literally seem like we are searching for that tiny little plane, that resolution, in the midst of an Indian Ocean.  

I can't speak to how to find that plane, and I'm as anxious about it as anyone.  It's all that I've seen in this hotel room since I arrived and plugged in for the day.  There's been at least three "new theories" based on evidence.  It won't be until someone says "HERE IS WHERE THE PLANE IS!", when we'll all be relieved and, hopefully, jump for joy that those passengers are alive.

Unlike the flight, there is already an answer for our own search.

I wish people could see the love that God has for them and their lives.  The chase of anything is meaningless without the saving work of Jesus and the understanding of his creation.  He created everything, in his beautiful mind and for his ultimate purpose.  We just have to trust in his way!  In debt, in richness, in other tough or rough circumstances.  He calms the storm.  He brings sanity to our search because HE is the answer!  He is not the ranch on your salad or the queso to your chips.  He IS the meal!  Let's stop the confusing search for something we'll never achieve, something we'll never be satisfied with and look to the one who will satisfy every desire we'll ever have.

I don't know why I felt like I needed to write this out but it was the message repeated again and again and again in my head while I write a deck for a client.  Maybe it'll speak to someone.  Maybe it won't.  Either way, a great reminder of searching for the King and not for his goods that we want to use for our own purposes.

Once is random. Two is a trend.

A friend of mine used that phrase this week for something entirely unrelated, but it nailed down some thoughts on social media for me.

One of the recurring things I've seen play out on social media is some intense bickering on a number of subjects.  Sometimes, it can be fun.  I defend Michael Young, the Rangers best position player ever to play the game.  I defend Tony Romo.  I get blasted about both, unanimously, every time.  It's all in fun.

Another thing that people argue about, and this is typically either a conservative vs. liberal discussion, is anything political.  Sometimes it's a weighty subject such as gay marriage, while other times it is about something like what President Obama did the day before such as play golf.  While important discussions sometimes, it almost universally causes the biggest divide even among the closest of friends.  It's a weird animal to watch play out.  And unhealthy.

Yet another people argue about, and this is generally a Christian posing another question for Christians, is any hot topic that causes much conversation among Biblical Christians.  You name it: Divorce, Alcohol.... anything that typically brings out the name-calling of fundy vs. contemporary vs. grace addict.  It's always been an animal.  And perhaps social media empowers one to converse about said subjects.  But is it healthy when done on an open forum?

Is it healthy to discuss cultural hot topics and "go on record" and share articles supporting your cause?

This is something I'm guilty of.  I'll just be fully transparent.  I used to feel like social media was a way to share the latest news and create a discussion.  That certainly is a way people use social media.  But I think, in 2014, it's probably overkill at this point to share some of the same thematic stories.  For instance, in 2013 I caught myself saying "I'm sick of Yahoo posting the same cultural articles.  They're clearly all about that."  Do I know the people over at Yahoo?  Do I even know the copywriter who was asked to write on the subject?  Nope.  Do they personally believe it?  Who has any idea!  But the hot topics generate clicks, comments and ultimately cash for the company.  And that's all that matters to them.

But for us on social media, especially as believers in Jesus, repetitively trying to "shout" to the masses about the cause can come across the wrong way.  What if we approached it differently?  I still think it's important that we bring Jesus to the culture and Biblical understanding of our place in this world via any channel we possibly can.  It's what we're called to do.  But what if it was about a single person who you have some sort of relationship with rather than the masses and friends you haven't spoken to since middle school but ended up "friends" on the world wide Facebook?

What approach usually challenges you more:  Social media ranting?  Or a challenge from a friend or colleague?

2013 was one of the toughest years of my life from a personal level.  My college roommate challenged me in a few areas, and I ended up walking out of a conversation with him because things were so, healthily, heated.  Months later, hard as that conversation was, I'm a better man for it.  My entire home group of men came to my house at 9pm one night to confront me about something that, while "small" in most people's view, they wanted me to be held accountable for something and they let me know it.  In a huge way.  We're talking a CIA-type operation.  All rode in the back of one of the trucks, lights off so I wouldn't see/hear them outside and boom, a phone call:  Ben, we need to talk outside.

On the other hand, I've seen literally hundreds of social media posts with the intent or desire to "challenge" the way we think about something.  While these posts are from genuine people with very good intentions, social media has to be short.  Do we really have enough context in our post that one person can put out something in the proper way?

In the same way, don't define people by their posts.

I used to use social media as a way for, if I die at 30, my kids would be able to go to my channels and see what I was "all about".  And then, God literally brought this to my attention on a drive home recently.  When talking with my kids, I am not a die hard Rangers fan with 80% of my discussions with them about the Rangers.  I never talk politics with them.  I never rant about culture with them.

With that said, if my kids viewed my Facebook after I die, would they see the same Daddy that they knew over the years?  Or would they see an entirely different person, even if the posts were well-intended and informed as possible?  One post is random, two is a trend.  A dozen may quickly, unintentionally, define you in a way that was never intended.

The reality is, and I know most people connected to my Facebook won't believe it:  The Rangers and politics and hot topics of the day don't really come into play for me outside of Facebook or a heated discussion in person.  I wake up every morning and thank God that he's blessed me with an incredible wife, a son that continues to make me laugh, and a beautiful daughter that will arrive any moment.  And an incredibly supportive family.  A career I love.  And problems that will never be discussed on Facebook along with dreams and desires for my life.


What if we made relationships the priority, and then discussed Biblical issues and God's grace in the context of our friend or colleague.  A conversation over coffee, through a round of golf, or while watching a sporting event is far more effective and you'll get much more out of it than short tidbits on Facebook/Twitter/Youtube/Google+/#anyotherchannelthatwillinevitablycome.  I love seeing the pictures of families, the stories of kiddos and the fun times of people along with prayers that can be sent their way.  Either way, I don't want to define anyone by their social media interactions and I hope that people might have that same mindset for me.

Happy 2014!

Where is our hope?

Too many Facebook posts.

Over the past few months, there have been no shortage of political Facebook posts.  Some roasting the left, some attacking the right.  Some complaining about political posts.  Some de-friending, blocking, and commenting.

It's social media.  It is the nature of the beast.  I guess between knowing what someone ate for breakfast and what someone's continual belief is on a political stance, it is a true animal.  Maybe that's why people like Pinterest?  Because it's just pictures and less voice?

I am guilty.  I am guilty of thinking my Facebook posts have any "weight" on getting people thinking, including myself.  I am guilty of exhausting your news feed, particularly during debates.

Too much hope in man.

As I went to bed last night, relieved that all of the debates are through and that people can begin voting, I replayed the past 4 years.  And then I realized it's really about the last several thousand years.  Sure, the economy is barely tracking along.  Sure, America is at a true crossroads and voters have a say in which direction it heads.  All of these things are important.  But one trumps them all.

As much as I think people are inspired by Obama, one would have to admit he pretty much guaranteed he'd try to save the world.  This is not a bad aspiration.  It's quite honorable.  But I think we all know that even Obama knows that he can't save the world.  There's too much brokenness.  And I think we can all say that Romney wants to bring the hope back to the American people for the American Dream.

I love the American Dream.  It sounds like something anyone would want, and it is.  It is the single reason why I believe there is such a massive immigration issue.  We flee to freedoms, and away from dictators.  But even with a management of overseas issues, and a revival of the American Dream, the world is still broken.  In my opinion, his outlook of how things should be from a governmental stance make more sense, and I will vote that way.  But to say that Romney is the end-all to save America, to restore peace, is silly and quite frankly shouldn't be put on him.  Nor Obama.

To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

This is something my Dad told me while we grabbed some pizza the other day.  His point was that no government action is really going to solve the issue of the economy.  A tax increase, a bailout, anything we do will impact one group while equally and oppositely impacting another.  It is an absolute true statement and one that is popular among those in physics.

As I let that sit with me over the past few days, it impacted my thoughts on politics.  The more I think Romney will be such a better President, the more I tend to put hope in his ability rather than trusting the God of the universe who controls everything.  The more I think that Obama may win, the less trust I put in God in controlling a world where we continue the trend of the past four years.  It is a struggle and one where I hope I am not alone.

And then there is one scenario where the law of physics doesn't apply.

For one action, the entire world was redeemed.

This can't be!  Was this an Obama mandate?  Did Romney declare something new?  Wait, it must have been something Bush did that I keep hearing about???  What could it be?

Oh, yes, it's the most refreshing truth in America.  It's the most refreshing truth in Israel, which is also the same truth in Iran, Afghanistan, and even Australia.  The ultimate truth is that no matter how much good we do, how many problems we solve in the world or in this country, we have a broken relationship with God.  This is because of our sin against him.

Everything we do is distorted.  From the President, to you, to me... we are a mess.  And then Jesus came.  When we deserved death, even after a wonderful American Dream style of life, he came to save us.  After our life that constantly ignores his presence, ignores his reality yet uses his stuff for our own good as we see fit, he STILL saves us if we accept Christ's sacrifice for our lives.  It is the single greatest trade in history.  I confess my millions of sins, and he forgives!  This is why we run to him and away from our ways!

One man saves.  His name is not Mitt or Barack.  His name is Jesus.

Can you imagine if your feed was flooded with this news instead of politics?  I know, I'm dreaming of Facebook in Heaven.  

I apologize for those who I've offended with pointed posts.  I apologize to those who I've annoyed with a hundred posts on why my political stance makes sense.  And I pray that God forgives me for sometimes being louder about politicians than he himself.  I pray the American soul stays, and that is one of freedom to believe these very things.  America has always been a formation of ideas and principles.  May those ideas continue to bring us more of God and less of ourselves.

Dadhood one year later.

Being a Dad.  The best job in the world.

As I look at the past year of my life, remembering all of the moments of Luke's first year, I can only stand in awe of our God.  The moment he was born, something changed in me that will never be the same.  I can't really define that "that" thing is, but I know my entire being changed.  Just like it did when it was the day of our wedding, only different.  I guess it brought me a whole new understanding of God that I couldn't fully grasp before.

Rolling. Crawling. Walking.... Dadda.

Milestones are crazy.  You sit and watch your kiddo do the funniest things.  Of course, they're the funniest things to us, then shared on Facebook, and of course some people wonder if we'll need counseling for "oversharing" pictures.  But the crazy part is, we knew he'd roll, crawl, walk and eventually will talk in understandable words other than "momma", "dadda", "dog" and "ball".

Is this not a picture of our relationship with our Father??  How many times do we wonder if we'll ever get past this or that struggle, mature in our walk with God, stop this or that?  Each time we do, God already knew we were going to.  Yet the angels still celebrate with him that we took that step in our lives!  What does that celebration look like?  I don't think there's a Facebook in Heaven, but I'll bet that celebrations with God are millions of times better than text/pics/video on a broken website.

Routines. Something I never had.

Before Luke, Rach and I didn't have much of a routine.  I certainly didn't.  Spur of the moment was much, much more common for us.  She is a planner, so things like vacations and weekends still had a structure of sorts, but nothing like now.  I feel like an Olympian when we only take 5 minutes to pack up and get out the door.  

Bedtime has become my favorite.  We both understand that he likes us to both help put him down.  We've given him a bath together for the entire first year, minus an occasional Rangers playoff game of course.  Luke understood those nights that dad had to be at Granddad's watching our Rangers.  But my favorite part of everyday is praying with Luke.  He knows I'll read the same exact story - Goodnight Moon - then we pray.  My prayer is everything from something small to something so serious as his salvation when he's older.  

Be there.  That's what stuck with me.

Pretty much everyday for the last 5 months, I've been able to come home for lunch and hang out and play with Luke.  Hanging with him for an hour before work and another few hours in the evening has been awesome as well.  Helping start a technology company has run in tandem with this time.  But I heard something a long time ago that stuck with me.  "If you can't help and manage your household, nothing else really matters".  Pretty simple, yet profound.

God has blessed us with so much in Luke's first year.  I know everything will continue to change, both in Luke and around him as well.  Culture will continually change.  But if we lead by Biblical examples and help Luke see the love that God has for him in Christ, he'll have a rock for a foundation.  Both of our parents did that for us and I can only hope that in everything we do, he sees our love for him and then the even deeper love that God also has for him.

Until next year...

The Power of Social Media

What kind of "voice" does social media give to a person?

In the past few weeks, it seems like the digital world has gone mad.  Not that there haven't been numerous things in the past few years that caused a firestorm of tweets, Facebook posts, blogs and other things.  But these past few weeks have been especially busy.

We had the crazed gunman.  I'm guilty of a few posts about that.  Everyone had something to say, whether it was compassion for those who lost loved ones or those that wanted to destroy any hope of another minute on this earth for the gunman.  

We had the Chick-Fil-A stance on traditional marriage.  That brought on what seemed like thousands of opinions on it.  It brought DMs to my inbox because of things I said, mainly because of differing of views.  Some were strong, one-sided.  Others were two-dimensional.  And still others were saying "I just want everyone to shut up".

Yesterday, the flair up began again because of the horrific attacks on a temple where folks were gathered together to worship their god.  Things like "White Supremacist", "Racial Profiling" and even "Terrorist" were used.  I think there's one word we can agree on about it, and that is that it was "horrific".

All that said, how are we, who believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, supposed to use social media?  Looking back, I'm as guilty as anyone in providing a sharp sword toward those who I thought were shoving their opinions down my throat.  They probably said the same about me.  Guilty as charged, to borrow from a popular phrase.

Do we speak out about everything we can in order to point to the Gospel?  Do we just use it to keep abreast of current issues but not say much about it?  The things my head struggles with...

What did Jesus do?

If we look at the Bible, Jesus definitely had several moments where he pointed at culturally-accepted norms and pointed to the Gospel as the Way.  He even turned tables over - although that was on a group of believers inside the church.  But make no mistake, he wasn't a fairy that was on earth to make everyone as happy as they could be.  I have to imagine, though, that the world was just as screwed up in that day as it is now.  Read 1 Corinthians where Paul addresses their culture.  It wasn't pretty.  

Now there wasn't social media back then, but there was the most powerful man on earth.  Because he was God in human form.  He could've used any form to tell people the truth.  Instead, he always asked the Holy Spirit to reveal things to the people.  If you look at the Scriptures, he was in constant commune with his Father and the Spirit.  Are we?

What does this mean for us?

I guess my point, that I'm constantly going against because of my own sin, is that outside of things done through the Holy Spirit's power in us, we are always going to hit a wall.  Trying to strategically speak out against issues we feel strongly about is absolutely an honorable thing and one that Christ calls us to do.  But we should speak out, praying the Spirit to help us, and then let Him do the rest.  Constantly fighting a broken world with a broken concept that is being reputed back and forth by broken people is going to be... broken.

Can you imagine that if we, as believers, took a stand, but then took more action through a season of prayer as well?  I'd love to think that we are praying for this nation everyday, especially in its spiritual state of warfare. But I don't know that many of us are, myself included.

So let's absolutely speak out.  But remember to point to the Gospel, and remember to pray that God will do the rest.  He said that he has won the battle in our lives!  How much more can he win the battle of mankind fighting a failing desire to please itself!  We see through a narrow lens of certain things that get under our skin, but he sees a world that ALWAYS fails His perfect design.  Pray that the broken world will be reconciled to him more and more, not that one issue will just go away.  If that issue does indeed go away, this world still isn't peachy.  It's still broken.  Until he returns...

The Journey

God has been doing some work in many areas of my life.  It's been fun learning to be a dad.  With that, he's continuing to teach me how to be a husband that follows God.  Even more, he's been working on my gift of faith that my crew has seen in me throughout the past several years.

All of these things have been top of mind lately with a venture that came to fruition.  18 months ago, a friend of mine approached me about a startup that he'd been developing on the side, specifically about his first app.  At that time, it was an idea with many routes it could take.  We talked philosophy, marketing, development and a number of other topics.  This led to trips to Starbucks a few times each week.  I'm pretty sure they were tired of my hot chocolate requests when it was 90 degrees outside.

From there, it has been a ride.  We released Attune's first release.  We began the journey of helping provide small businesses with the technology solutions they needed, specifically surrounding apps and backend technology.

In the past few months, another one of our partners and very close friend went full-time with our startup as well.  He was needed to keep the details of the business running on a day-to-day basis.  He's been a massive help and really helped solidify the vision for us.

Early this year, they approached me on the need for me to go full-time.  I was seeing great times at my current marketing agency, having a ton of fun with the projects and clients I had.  So I began praying for what to do, how to do it and all of those details.

After seeking opinions, advice and feedback from numerous people, I felt like God was telling me it was time.  I asked Him for an answer to three specific prayers.  He answered them, one by one over time.  Last Friday it was evident what He wanted me to do.  I had been reading in Acts about Paul's story, his journey.  He didn't have a safe life, a guaranteed anything other than his eternity with the Father.  That is exactly what the Lord was telling me.

God has provided eternal life for us through the cross of Christ.  Eternal life.  It is reliant on him and him alone for this.  So too is our earthly life.  We can think we are providing for ourselves, but we're not.  He provides our daily bread.  It was when I understood this, and when he answered those prayers, that I let go of that "control" I had of the situation and submitted to what He was calling me to do.

Times are going to be great.  Other times will be perhaps tough.  And yet others will be just okay.  But this is what I know:  When we submit ourselves to Him, life is no longer a blind journey.  We may not know every path of the journey, but we do know that the prize is Christ and eternal life with the God of the universe.

So here's to the last few bittersweet weeks at Stratmark and to a new phase of my life.  I can provide a lot of things to Luke and to Rachael, but if they don't see me following God when he calls me to things, I've missed the most important thing of all.  It's time to put this gift of faith in action and see what He has in store for us.

Merry Christmas, Nana and Granddad!