Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 "Let's Dance"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, May 27^th, 2009

Title: Let’s Dance

Text: Psalm 100:1-3 (NIV)

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. ² Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. ³ Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Recently I had the enormous blessing of traveling from North Carolina to one of the most beautiful places in all of creation. Costa Rica. I and 2 other staff members of Tsunami Ministries traveled there to see what doors God would fling open for a new mission trip that we are planning. While in Costa Rica we had the blessing of meeting some amazing people and seeing some breathtaking sights. Whether it was seeing the Arenal volcano or the opportunity to sit in the presence of a 90 year old missionary who has dedicated his life to serving God by serving others in Costa Rice since 1950. The list of encounters that left us speechless would take pages to compile.

I would say that one event that most impacted me was the Sunday afternoon that we had the blessing of attending worship at a Methodist congregation in a section of San Jose named “Los Guidos”. Los Guidos is probably one of the most dangerous communities in this Central American country. It is filled with the wide-eyed innocence of young children and the tortured lives of individuals involved in gang life. Los Guidos is certainly a place an outsider would not want to be caught without the security of those who truly know the dynamics of a neighborhood in such need. And right in the middle of this environment is this diamond of a church led by a truly Godly man, Rev. Edgar Ponce, and individuals who are embracing the life-changing relationship with Christ.

As we stood in the back of the sanctuary and watched the room begin to fill with the buzz and joy of worshippers, everyone from the “Young at Heart” to self-titled “Former Gang-Bangers” found their way into the welcoming atmosphere that grew in the anticipation of showing their adoration for the blessings that God has given them and looking forward to seeing what future God would unfold before them. The band began to play some of the very same songs that the youth worship band at my church play each week. The only difference was they sang in their native Spanish while the 3 “Gringos” in the room joined in by singing the English version. But no one minded. We were all worshipping. I also noticed that as each new song started, a few more of the teens in the room would make their way from the pews to the front of the sanctuary, and before we knew it, about 50 young people ranging from about 3 years to 18 years old were standing and dancing and singing and worshipping with a reckless abandon that is rarely seen in any who call themselves “Christians.”

There were no amazing lights flashing, no huge video screen with eye-catching images. There was no dramatic stage area with artistic flare that would set the feel of the room. Instead there were only those who entered this sacred space with an open heart, open mind and open soul, and authentically invited God to fill them with the Holy Spirit. They worshipped with no care of what anyone around them may have thought. They were intimately engaged with God. These were young people who had no clue where there next meal would come from, what their lives would be like and even if they had a future at all. Many came from abusive homes where drug use was prevalent. But they didn’t let any of that stop them from doing what we are all called to do. Worship God with all we have. It came so naturally to them. And when it was all over, and the 3 of us began to leave the church, the people embraces us, wished us well and I could tell my the gleam in their eyes that they were very glad that we came to share such an experience with them.

This was a moment that has been etched in my brain and my soul, and one that I have replayed, with the vivid recollection of the sights, smells and sounds I encountered at that moment in Los Guidos. I must tell you also that I have been moved to truly strive to put aside all of the distractions and cares about what others may be thinking as I show my gratitude for what God has done for me. I have been inspired to reflect on the many amazing and often non-deserving blessings I have in my life and look upon the throne of God with a new found appreciation for all I have and what God has called me to do, and let down my guard to worship God Los Guidos Style! You care to join me?

Something to Think About:

• How do you worship God? With a reckless abandon or with one eye opened looking to see who is watching you?
• Why do you think most of us find it so hard to let our guard down and just open our hearts to full-on worship?
• How can your attitude as you enter a worship setting effect your ability to truly worship God?
• What can you do to enhance your worship experience?
• How can the way we worship God impact the lives of those around us?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, reveal in me the many blessings and reasons I have to be so thankful for all you have done for me. Help me to find the passion of the worshippers in Los Guidos and embrace each and every opportunity to worship you, in all settings, in a way that will authentically touch the lives of those around me and more importantly bring joy to you. I am so blessed. I love you and words cannot express how very much I appreciate your unconditional love. Amen.

Monday, May 18th, 2009 "The Total Package"

Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton

Monday, May 18^th, 2009

Title: The Total Package

Text: Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Back in the day, while growing up in Charlotte, my buddies and I would often get together on Saturday mornings and watch professional wrestling. As I think back on those days it is always fun to remember some of the old timers that we’d get so excited to see. Guys like “The American Dream”, Dusty Rhodes, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and of course the guy who was everyone’s favorite, “The Nature Boy”, Ric Flair. But there was one other wrestler that we all knew could beat anyone at any time. This wrestler was a lean, mean wrestling machine and the fact of the matter is he was one bad man. His name was Lex Lugar.

Lex was certainly one of the best in the business and definitely won far more matches than we lost. This guy was one of the great champions in professional wrestling history. Because of Lugar’s muscular build, speed, quickness and the understanding that he would never quit, no matter the odds, the announcers gave him the name, “The Total Package”. Why? Lex Lugar had everything a wrestler needed to be the best. And Lex Lugar used it all to be the best.

As I sit here today thinking about my life as a Christ-Follower, I have to ask myself one very serious question. Am I The Total Package? Now of course I’m not asking if I am one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Don’t be silly. Of course we all know the answer to that question. Don’t we? No, when I ponder that question I do so in the light of whether or not I not only posses all of the qualities it takes to be the person that God desires me to be in this world, but also, am I using those qualities to do what I am called to do?

I have no doubt that God has blessed each of us with all of the attributes needed to shine brightly, meet the needs of the least and the lost, stand firm in our faith in the face of opposition, and positively impact this world in the name of Christ. But, the true test is whether or not we are using all the amazing and powerful gifts that our gracious and loving God has blessed us with. Are we each the Total Package for God in the world we live in? Do we each love our neighbor with the same unconditional love that God has for them? Do we live our lives with a contagious joy that makes others want what we have? Are we the peace makers of our world, or do we find conflict at every turn? Do we show the same patience with others that God has so lovingly shown each of us? Is an authentic spirit of kindness, goodness and faithfulness something that others see beaming brilliantly from our lives? Are we each gentle yet strong enough to embrace the person that God has created us to be and then share our relationship with God to the world? And do we each utilize the control of our bodies, minds and mouths to build up instead of tear down? In other words, are we The Total Package for God? If the answer to each of those questions is yes, the yes we are God’s Total Package in this world. But to truly obtain that title we must understand that we have to have and use all pieces to make us whole.

So, join me in striving to be the person that God has planned for each of us to become. Let’s sincerely work to live a life that is evident of our passion for God. And maybe, just maybe, when others think about the Godly, loving and servant-minded example we have set, they will refer to us as “The Total Package”.

Something to Think About:

• What do others see when they see you? Do they experience the Total Package or not?
• What things are holding you back from being The Total Package for Christ?
• What could you impact on this world truly be if you were to posses and use all nine facets of describes in today’s text?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I know that you have given me all I need to positively impact this world for you. I know that with those gifts I have a chance to reach the lost, lead people out of the darkness and into your waiting and loving arms, and inspire others to do the same. God, light a fire in my soul to do those things, and that through all of this you will receive all honor and glory. I love you God. Thank you for your love of me and your faith in me. Amen.

Friday, May 15th, 2009 "The Long-Shot"

Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton

Friday, May 15^th, 2009

Title: The Long-Shot

Text: Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

⁷ The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Have you ever watched a horse race? I’m not much of a “Horse Racing” guy, but each spring it is kind of cool to watch the three biggest horse races of the year. The biggest, of course, is the Kentucky Derby. This race is fondly named “The Run for the Roses” and thousands of people show up to historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky for the first race in the “Triple Crown”.

Each year as the race approaches the buzz starts about who is the horse to beat. Then people begin placing bets on who they think will win the big race. The horses that are more likely to win obviously have more people bet of them. If that horse wins the race, the amount of money a person wins is not all that large. But if a person takes a chance and bets some money on the Long-Shot, or the horse that is least likely to win, and that horse happens to win the race, the amount of money that a person can win could be enormous. All it takes is someone who is willing to put their faith and money, of course, in the horse that is considered the one NOT to bet on.

At this year’s Kentucky Derby, the horse that most people felt was not only the one that would not win the “Run for the Roses”, but would probably come in dead last was non-other than “Mind that Bird”. The professional betters in Las Vegas rated the horse as a 50-1 long-shot. Meaning that if, by some miracle, the horse were to actually win the race that included 19 other horse, for every $1 a person bet on “Mind that Bird”, they would win $50. Quite a payday, isn’t it? Well, as the races started and the 20 beautiful horses broke from the starting gate, the horse that very few people had any faith in came out last. About a quarter of the way through the race, as the horses slipped and splashed through the muddy track, “Mind that Bird” was still in the place that most people thought it would be. But while the attention of all of the spectators and millions of television viewers were fixed firmly on the horses at the front of the pack, the long-shot began to make its move. One by one, “Mind that Bird” skipped past horse after horse until, all of a sudden, the horse that was thought to finish last, found itself leading the way, while 19 other thoroughbreds dodged the splatters of mud and muck that was being kicked up by the eventual winner. “Mind that Bird” crossed the finish line with an easy victory. Despite all of those who thought the horse didn’t have a chance, and shouldn’t even be in the race, the long-shot showed them all and won the biggest horse race of the year, while the jockey of the 2009 Kentucky Derby-Winning horse, kept saying that he knew the horse could win. The jockey never lost faith in the horse.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were viewed as the long-shot? Has anyone ever pushed you aside and made you feel like you were less than the rest? Ever questioned yourself because you knew others were questioning you and your ability to do something special? I’m sure you have, and if you haven’t, just wait. It will happen. The question you need to ask yourself is, “When it happens, how will I respond?” Will you listen to all of the naysayers or will you focus on your goal, put forth your best and show them what you’re made of? Will you pack it in and become defeated before you ever take the first step out of the starting gate or will you stand against the opposition, no matter how hard it may be, and cross the finish line with your head held high? You need to know that even when everyone else is betting against you and you feel like the long-shot, that God has faith in you and is never surprised when you show all of the doubters what you are really made of.

If you are an authentic Christ-Follower, the power of God flows through you as much as the blood that pushes through your veins. The presence of the Holy Spirit fills you with a greater volume of air that fills your lungs. God never, ever views you as a long-shot. You are the living, breathing, world-changing presence of God in this world. When we embrace that understanding, grab the reins and begin to push past all of those who want to see you fall, only a fool would be willing to consider you a long-shot. Believe it.

Something to Think About:

• Have you ever felt like a Long-Shot?
• What were the circumstances? How did you respond?
• When considered the long-shot has someone showed faith in you and enabled you to believe in yourself, even when others didn’t? How did you respond then?
• How can finding the strength that God is able to grant you make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you? How can God use that strength to make an impact on this world?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I know that you have gifted me to do amazing things. I know that you have a special plan for me and the life you have placed in front of me. Help me to fully embrace that understanding, tune out the screaming voices of those who want me to give up, give in and question myself, and be the champion that you know I can be. Amen.

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 "Take Me To Your Leader"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Wednesday, May 13^th, 2009
Title: Take Me To Your Leader
Text: Luke 6:39 (NIV)
³⁹He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

Have you ever been on a road trip where your vehicle is only one of several on the journey? During my time in youth ministry I have been a part of more caravans than I could possibly count. It is always a stressful time as you pull out of the parking lot on the way to your destination, but it is especially stressful if you are the lead vehicle. There is something about knowing that there are other carloads of people behind you as you head down the road. The way you end up being the front car is usually due to someone in that car actually has a clue how to get to the finish line in a way that is safe, quick and efficient. However, as the lead car you just know that there are people in the other cars who are questioning just about everything you are doing. “Why are they going this way? Why didn’t they take that exit? They’re driving too slow. They’re driving too fast.” You have either heard those things or you may have even said those things. Being the leader of the pack is a tough job, and if you are that leader, or your claim to be the leader, there is one thing you better know for certain. You better know where you’re going and how to get those following you there.

Our faith journey is very similar to that situation. If you are announcing or have the idea that you want to be a leader in your faith, then you have to be able to successful navigate the path you’re on and help those following you feel that you are the quality person who is qualified to get them from Point A to Point B. I mean, these people are obviously following you, the leader, because you have convinced them that you know what you’re doing and where you’re going. It cannot be a case of “the Blind leader the Blind”. If we choose to embrace the call of leading others in the name of Jesus Christ, to help them grow in their faith, realize the Godly purpose for their lives and hopefully nurture them to become true and authentic leaders for Christ, we must also understand that we have to know where we are going. We have to prepare ourselves for the journey ourselves instead of standing by and pointing into the distance. True leaders will do all they can to make sure they are on the appropriate path, and therefore enable those following to navigate their journey as well.

How in the world can we ever direct others toward God if we aren’t on the journey ourselves? How can we point the lost toward the unconditional love and acceptance of Christ of we don’t even know how to get there? How can we stand confidently in the line of questioning about our faith and our active lives for the Kingdom, if we have not prepared ourselves for the journey? Leaders must continue to be equipped and prepared to successfully lead others, but it is up to us to do those things. God will not force it on us.

We are on a long road trip toward an eternal life with our Creator. I only hope that I have been the type of Godly leader than can step out of my vehicle at the gates of Heaven and look behind me and see that all those who have put their trust in me to lead them on their journey are standing there as well, present and accounted for. Don’t you?

Something to Think About:

· Do you consider yourself a leader for God? Why?

· What tools or gifts do you possess that make you a good leader? Are you using those gifts?

· How could you better prepare yourself for the call of leading others on their journey with God?

· You have the ability to lead others for God. Embrace it. What can you do now to truly lead others to a relationship with Christ?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I pray that from this moment forward I will begin to prepare myself understand how to get to you. I want to lead others toward you and toward and more fulfilling life and relationship with you. Thank you for your call on my life. I also thank you for those who are leading me. Please strengthen them and help them to seek you as you continue to use them in leading others. Amen.

Monday, May 11th, 2009 "Unfinished"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Monday, May 11^th, 2009
Title: Unfinished
Text: Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

A couple of years ago I hired a band to play at one of the Tsunami Ministries Fall Experience weekends. The name of the band was “Unfinished Business” and these guys were great. They were not the typical band that we would have hired to play one of our weekends, but they did a great job. They were just a bunch of great guys who had been around the block a few dozen times. There were a few dents in the fenders. They had weathered a few storms. Okay, basically what I am saying is that they were a little older than our usual bands. They were not old by any stretch of the imagination, but they had been to a few high school reunions.

It was great to have the chance to hang out with them and get to know them more. They enjoyed being with all the youth who were attending the event, they were passionate about their music and they had no problem sharing their stories of how God had been and continued to work in their lives. That is why they picked the name for their band.

It seems these days, everywhere I look and everywhere I go, I keep running into things that cause me to think about this idea of being “Unfinished”. As I look at my life, where I’ve come from as a guy raised by single mom with modest means, to my time in the army and as a Charlotte police officer, then how ministry began for me 18 years, to what God is doing in my life and ministry now, and wondering what could possibly take place in the future, I fully realize that I am totally unfinished. It is so nice to know that God is still working on me to challenge me, stretch me, shape me, call me and send me to be the person that God has planned for me to be. And I am very okay with that. I would be sad if the person I am now was God’s full plan for me and my life. Not that my life isn’t amazing, but I want to do so much for God.

Think about your life. Look at the person you are today. How has God changed you from the person you were a few years ago. Think about your faith and your confidence in sharing your love and relationship with God with those your encounter each day. And what does your future hold? Only God knows, and that is so cool. Scripture says that a good work has begun in each of us. Not a mediocre work, or a so-so work and certainly not a bad work. Instead, God has begun a good work in each and every one of us. I can’t help but think that work is for each of God’s creation to do amazing and impactful things in this world that will cast a brilliant and blinding light on the glory of God. That work is for each of us to reach our full potential and truly realize who we are created to be. Also know that God has not just began a good work in us and then left us unfinished. God will continue to work in our lives and as artist works to complete the masterpiece. We are God’s masterpiece. We are the beautiful lighthouse standing firmly on the ocean’s cliff guiding the seeking ships past the dangers and into God’s safe harbor. We are the hands that will comfort, welcome, love and accept those whom this world sends away and fails to take care of. And how cool is it to know that even as an unfinished work, God still calls us and uses us to do the work at hand? Then one day the master craftsman will return and add the final touches to the work that began in each of us well before we ever realized there was a craftsman. At that time, we will be finished.

So as you make your way through your life, day by day, year by year, find strength in the fact that we are all unfinished, works in progress. We have all come so far and the future is bright. It is sure to be an amazing ride as we see where God calls all of us on our journeys.

Something to Think About:

• How have you seen God mold you from the person you one once was into the person you are today?
• What took place to make those things able to happen?
• In what ways would you consider yourself “Unfinished”?
• Even though you are an unfinished piece of God’s art, what more can you do to positively impact this world for God?
• How can you help others do the same?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, Master Craftsman, creator of all. Thank you for the good work you began in my life. Thank you for your presence in my life and for using me to, and unfinished piece, to do your mighty work in this world. I open my mind, soul and life to you and embrace your call on my life, as you continue the good work you began in me. I am yours. Amen.

Friday, May 8th, 2009 "Risen"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Friday, May 8^th, 2009
Title: Risen
Text: Mark 16:6 (NIV)
⁶"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

As I sit in my office, reading emails, surfing the internet, following people on Facebook, checking out the headlines and feeling the pulse of this world, I am both saddened and amazed by the world I live in. My heart aches for a society that seems so consumed and focuses on following something they view bigger than themselves. This planet is filled with billions of people who are in a full-out pursuit of fulfillment, no matter the cost. There are 22 “Major” world religions. 22 different paths that people around the globe are currently walking on. 22 routes that give direction to people’s lives. Whether you are one of the 2.1 billion Christians, or one of the 1.2 billion individuals following the Islamic faith, or even one of the 600,000 Rastafarians on the Earth, there is a good chance you are part of one of these 22 groups. Or, maybe you aren’t religious at all. Maybe you don’t believe in God or Jesus or Buddha of any of the others. Maybe you are pursuing another force. It could be fame, fortunate, status. How about education, high-levels of athleticism or something else like that? I don’t care who you are. Everyone is following something or someone. Every person is trying to find fulfillment and meaning for their life.

I am a very blessed man. I have the greatest job in the world. I have the privilege of being a part of the lives of remarkable teens who I can truly see changing our world. I am blessed with the humbling opportunity to travel around this country and speak to groups about the life and love of Christ. I have the most wonderful, loving, caring and supportive wife possible and children who actually think I’m a pretty decent guy. I am the richest man in the world. But even with all of this, my heart breaks when I think of the fact that billions of people, who have all been molded and formed and shaped in the palm of God’s hands, have no true understand of what that can and should mean to them. And instead of running toward the outstretched arms of God, they have their sights set elsewhere. All the while the world is like a cosmic traffic cop, waving each person through the intersection of the rat-race, with most people thinking they have is all figured out. Then sitting silently at the end of the day wondering what their life is all about.

To me the text from John 14:6 says it all. “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” The Way. The Truth. The Life. But when that short phase is brought into the light, Christ-Followers are often viewed as intolerant, close-minded or judgmental. Well how can that be if the God we claim to follow gives us that creed and then directs us to share it with a lost world? And how can Christ-Followers truly be authentic in their faith if we think otherwise or are too timid to share the truth?

You see, unlike any other religious movement, whether one of the so-called “Major 22” or some other religious sect or even the worldly carrot that enticingly dangles in front of each of us, Christianity is very, very different. What’s the difference? We follow THE risen God. We follow the one who left the comforts of paradise to come and live amongst us. We follow the one who is both fully human and fully divine. We follow the one who, instead of sitting in some other-worldly, supernatural place pointing a disconnected finger and placing judgment, came to Earth to be the blameless sacrifice that would atone for all of the mess we had created and remove everything that separates us from God. And we follow the one who kept the promise. The promise that he would not be done with his final breathe on the cross, but would stand up, walk out and rise up 3 days later. We follow THE Risen God. Not one of many. Jesus is the only one to accomplish this. Sure, anyone can make the promise of something like that, but Christ is the only one who delivered on that promise.

So when we find ourselves trying to reach the lost, let’s not forget who we worship, who we follow and who we love. It’s not just some good man who lived for 33 years and had a 3 year ministry with 12 of his closest buddies. Instead, find courage, strength and power in the fact that we follow the one who conquered the sting of death, rolled the stone away, rose from the tomb and paid the price for you, me and all people. HE IS RISEN!!!! Let’s make sure the world knows that.

Something to Think About:

• What do you put your faith in?
• Are you chasing the false idols of this world or are you consumed with the risen one?
• Is your pursuit of a more fulfilled and intimate relationship with Jesus evident for all to witness?
• How can that relationship become closer and more intimate?
• How can God use your relationship with Christ to impact the world around you?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I pray that from this moment forward I will find the passion in my soul to stand firm in my relationship with you. Help me to find the loving, compassionate and strong voice to stand in the line of opposition and live a life that is reflective of your presence in my life. Jesus, thank you for keeping your promise and for the sacrifice you made for me and for all. I pray that I may live a life worthy of the gift you have given me. Amen.

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 "Is It Contagious?"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, May 6^th, 2009

Title: Is It Contagious?

Text: Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

My little girl Avery has been sick for a few days now. She is usually a bounce out of bed and hit the ground running, little red-headed rocket. However, yesterday morning instead of vaulting from her “Big Girl” bed Avery just remained in her room. Eventually she made her way downstairs and slowly crawled up onto the warm and comfortable lap of her mommy. Then Avery quietly whispered into Kim’s ear, “I don’t feel good.” Kim could instantly tell that this was definitely not a case of a 4 year old trying to skip pre-school, but a little girl who just felt rotten. So, we did what all good parents would do. We gave her some medicine and apple juice, laid her back down in her stuffed animal covered bed and turned on the animated classic, “Open Season 2”, which she watched back to back for the next 8 hours. Praying that she would be back to her old self this morning, we quickly realized that this was not to happen and eventually Kim bundled Avery up and carted her off to the doctor. After an exam and a quick swab to the throat, our suspicions were confirmed. Avery had strep throat.

Kim called me as they were leaving the doctor’s office and gave me the news. It was nice to have an idea of what was going on with my little girl, especially since the entire country is trying to combat the Swine Flu. I had a strong suspicion that was not the case, but I did ask the common question that most people tend to ask when they realize they’ve been around a sick person, “Is she contagious?” Kim let me know that as long and known of us eat or drink after her for the next day or so that we should be just fine. And Avery should beck to normal very soon. That is good news considering we have 2 other children running around the house, and the fact that when I get sick I become the world’s biggest baby. The last thing Kim needs is to have a household of sick children including the 39 year old big one.

Getting sick and then spreading those germs on to others is never a fun thing. I know that there have been a few times when I felt so bad that I would have never wished that on anyone else. But nonetheless, we see every Flu season cases of sick people passing their illness on the next person and then the next. Being contagious and then spreading it to others is never a good thing. Or is it?

I must say that I wish our faith was a bit more contagious. Not in the sense that we spread germs and sickness, but in the notion that our spirit, our compassion for others, the light of Christ and our willingness to love all people the way Jesus does becomes so overwhelmingly attractive that any person we come in contact with begins to do the same things. How cool would it be that when we really allow the spirit of God to flow from us, saturate the world we walk in, begin truly doing the things that God has called us to do, and we love our neighbor as ourselves, all of a sudden those people start to do the very same thing? They have become infected by the incurable presence of their loving Creator. Then before we know, the contagious spirit of Christ has spread from person to person, house to house, country to country and so forth, until the world is blanketed with God. So let’s start the pandemic spread of Christ’s love, mercy, compassion and grace. Let our actions and reactions, the smiles on our faces and our willingness to meet the needs of others speak louder than the shirts we wear, the sermons we preach or the songs we sing. By doing so, we can change this world from the inside out. I have a feeling that being a contagious Christ-Follower could change the world as we know it.

Something to Think About:

• Have you ever become sick because you’ve been around a contagious person?
• How easy was it to become infected?
• Do you think that Christ’s presence in your life is such that it could positively infect others?
• In what ways are you a Contagious Christ-Follower?
• In what ways could you become more contagious?
• How could this impact your life, the lives of those around you and the world?

A Few Minutes with God:

Gracious God, I pray to you today that you may fill me with your spirit of love, mercy, justice and compassion and that your presence and your place in my life may be so evident that all I encounter will feel your power and be drawn to a closer, more meaningful and fulfilled relationship with you. And that through these contagious encounters, your impact will cover this world and change it forever. In your Holy name, Amen.

Monday, May 4th, 2009 "Attack of the Zombies"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Monday, May 4^th, 2009
Title: Attack of the Zombies
Text: Ezekiel 11:19 (NIV)
¹⁹ I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

This past Sunday night the program for both my middle school and high school ministries was entitled “Stomp Steve”, and the premise of this enticing program was for the youth to brainstorm and come in with anything they wanted to and then challenge me to tie it back into God or our relationship with God. Now, they also had to be able to connect the idea back to God themselves. This was amazing and hilarious. The payoff was that if you could stump me then that person could go and get something from our concession stand. So, for most teenagers this is something worth putting a little work into, and boy did they ever.

Some of the ideas were quite silly. For instance one senior high fellow throw out, “I once say a duck sitting in a tree.” When I asked him how that could be tied back to God, he simply said, “All things are possible through God.” Touché. We went back and forth and they kept throwing things at me and I kept giving my answers. Then one youth asked how I could connect “Zombies” back to God. I immediately got this image of a person sluggishly moving throughout the world, with no spark in their eyes, no emotion on their face and no purpose in their motion. I could almost feel the sadness and lifelessness in that person and it saddened me. I mean, just take a few minutes and imagine that being person being you. Think about a life with no purpose, to joy, no love, no emotion. Think about a life where you have nothing to look forward to, a life where each minute is the same as the one before it and a life that when you take your last breath, simply stops existing. What kind of life is that?

Well I can’t help but think that there are billions of people around the globe who are living the life of a zombie and they have no clue. They are just going through the motions, day after day, with no true eternal purpose in the minds. They deal with the ups and downs of this life without the comfort and love of God and those who have accepted Christ lending a helping hand or sharing an impactful word. People who hold tight to the idea that they must live for today, get all they can, take care of their own needs and enjoyed it while it lasts because it will all be gone one day. How sad is it that each day we stride just inches away from people who may not have the assurance that this life is not the end of it all? It bothers me that there are amazing people, who do remarkable things and seem to do it all right, but are empty inside because there is a God-shaped hole in their hearts. I am convicted that I am called and equipped by God to reach the lost and help them find true meaning, true existence and true eternal life forever in the paradise of Heaven, but I am not doing enough to reach them.

I am no Zombie expert, but I bet if the zombies really knew that there was a true, meaningful and loving alternative to dead-end life that this world has promised them, they would accept it. And by doing so they are accepting so much more. They accept a life of amazing purpose and a Godly plan designed specifically for them. They accept the idea that no matter what this world throws at them that there is a personal God who walks with them across those amazing mountain tops and through the darks nights in the valley. They accept the fact that when we take our last breathe and our life on this big rock ceases to exist, that our souls will jump for joy and leap for love as we enter the gates to our new home with our Creator in paradise. But us Christ-Followers must step up and begin doing what we are called to do and reach out to those who need to hear and experience the Good News of Christ.

The best part is that this is better than any scary movie or silly video game. This is the real deal and we have the God-given task of reaching the lost for God with love in our hearts and God’s spirit filling our souls. So, let’s get to work. There are zombies all around. Go give them God. They won’t know what hit them.

Something to Think About:

• How can God us you to reach the lost?
• What abilities do you have that you can use to reach the lost?
• Name 3 people in your life that you feel may be spiritual Zombies and they don’t even realize it?
• Write down the ways God can use you to reach those specific people.

A few Minutes with God:
God, please fill me with a passion to reach the lost. Help me identify those who are in desperate need of hearing your word and feeling your presence. I pray God that I will stop just moving through life with my blinders on and start seeking out those in need of you. Amen.

Friday, May 1st, 2009 "Can I Help?"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Friday, May 1^st, 2009
Title: Can I Help?
Text: 2 Chronicles 7:14
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I am a typical guy in so many ways. I have refused to pull over and ask for directions when I’ve been lost. I flip the television from HGTV to ESPN every time my wife leaves the room. When no one is around, I have been known to drink straight from the milk carton. My body can make such amazing sounds that it is as if a band is preparing to play a concert. And I am far too often too proud to receive the help of those around me. Now I’m not thrilled by any of these things, but I am probably most embarrassed by the idea that I allow my hard-headedness to get in the way, and cause a lot more heartache and stress that I should have had to deal with. I know that my life could be so much easier if I would just put my pride aside and reach out to those who are willing to help me. But if I were to do that, it would mean that “My” way didn’t work. It would mean that “My” will was not done. It would mean that “I” had to depend on someone else to get me out of whatever situation I got myself into. That is hard to do.

My journey in Christ has been very similar. Many times in my life as a Christ-Follower I has basically looked at God and said, “God, you just hang out over there. I’ll take it from here. I know what I’m doing. No problem. I got this. I’ll yell if I need you.” And every time I have done this, I can picture God looking at me with an “Oh no! Here we go again.” smirk on his face. I tend to have this idea that as much as I may confess to love God, there are just some things I know more about and things that I can handle on my own. And God, like a patient parent, willingly slides aside and observes my actions from the place I have asked him to sit. In those instances I move from being a Christ-Follower to a World-Follower.

Well, we can all guess what happens next. Once I impose “My” will on the things that I’m involved in, instead of seeking “God’s” will, plan and direction for my life, things start to slowly go astray. Sure, at first I may appear to have a handle on everything. Then all of a sudden, one by one, obstacles begin to pop up and cause me some issues. I begin to realize that the plan I put in place may not have been the wisest thing to do. Eventually I see that my will is inflicting pain and suffering and stress on those I love and care about the most. I notice that the “easy road” vision I had has become a pot-hole cover highway leading me away from the safety and security of God’s presence, and straight to the destruction and hardships of this dark world. Before I know it, I am waist-deep in a sinking sand, instead of firmly planted on the solid-rock foundation of God. All because I’ve allowed my will and selfish pride to rule my life instead of giving full control to my loving God.

I am not saying that I can even begin to understand what God is thinking as all of these things are happening, but I do know that I have sat back and watched my own children pitch and fit, throw themselves on the grocery store floor and scream at the top of their lungs because they want to do it themselves. So, I too have sat back and watched TK, Carson and Avery stumble, fall and fail, as I look on thinking, “Please just let me help you before you get hurt.” I know that God is doing the same thing. I know that God must think that if I weren’t such a hard-head and if I would just lay down my pride, reach up to him and allow God to lead my way, I would not have to learn the hard way. I thank God each day that he is so loving, caring, compassion and intimately involved with each aspect of our lives that God will never turn away from us, forget about us or watch us slip away. God will never tell us that we made our own bed and now we must sleep in it. Instead, God is actively standing by and hoping to hear our cry for help. God is patiently waiting for us to humble ourselves, throw in the towel in striving to do our will and allow God’s will to guide our journey.

Now, this doesn’t mean that our worldly actions don’t bring with them worldly consequences. It doesn’t mean that God will say the magic words and the pain and destruction that our pride can cause will all go away, but it does mean that whatever we go through and whatever consequences we must endure, we will know that the hand of God is on us, and if we then continue to seek the face of The Almighty, and allow God’s will to be done in our lives, we will overcome, in this life and the life to come. It all starts by calling out. Go ahead. God’s listening. I promise.

Something to Think About:

· - In what ways have you imposed your will instead of giving control for God’s will to be done?

· - What was outcome in those circumstances?

· - Do you often find that your pride gets in the way?

· - What make us think that our way would be better than God’s way?

· - What can you change in your life to give God control?

A Few Minutes with God:
God, I pray that today, at this very moment that I will be able to lay down my pride and allow your love and your will to be in control of this life you have so graciously given to me. Help me to learn from the mistakes I have made and to realize that most of those hardships have been as a result of me imposing my will instead of seeking you and your guidance. I need your help. Amen.

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 "Feeding Time"

FUSION Devo: Wednesday, April 29^th, 2009
Title: Feeding Time
Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NIV)
¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I am certainly not a food expert, but it is no secret that I am a man who likes to get his grub on. Eating is something I love to do and I begin thinking about my next meal about the time I finish my current one. I joke about the fact that I go to the gym 4-5 days a week and workout like a crazy man simply so I can eat. I have been gifted by God in many ways. However, have a working metabolism is not one of those gifts.

A few months ago, while on our whirlwind, 6 countries in 12 days, trip to Europe, besides the fact that we were going to see amazing sites like The Louvre & Eiffel Tower in Paris, St. Mark’s Cathedral and take a gondola ride in Venice, hear the ringing of Big Ben’s bells and see Buckingham Palace in London, my buddy and I were equally as excited by the fact that we were going to enjoy some fabulous food. We were not disappointed. Food has always been a big part of my life. Probably too big.

As much as I am a lover of food, I often forget the fact that without the nutrition we receive from food and water, life as we know it would be very different. It is obvious when I look at videos and pictures of the people from underdeveloped countries that food is not something I should crave or find guilty pleasure in, but should be thankful for and cherish. Sure, I may say a quick blessing over my meal, but when was the last time I really thought about what life would be like without the food I was about to shove into my mouth? The sad fact is that statistics show that poor nutrition and starvation plays a role in the deaths of over 5 million children each year. It breaks my heart that people are going to bed each night without food in their bellies, and because of that lives are ending.

How come we don’t look at our spiritual health in the same way? Why is it that we don’t take the time to give ourselves the spiritual nutrition we need to remain happy, healthy and production followers of God? I mean, as an athlete, we preach the necessity of drinking and eating enough and taking in all of the appropriate nutrients they need to perform at their highest level. But we neglect the things like, prayer, study and fellowship that enable us to grow and be the Christians we should be and through those things help us take on the tasks that are in front of us on our Christian journey. Why is it so hard to understand that when we fail to make the time to feed our souls, we are starving our spiritual selves and killing the power of Christ that resides within us? How can I perform at my highest level for God if I am slowly killing my soul?

I have no problem rolling out of the bed, starting the coffee marker, feeding my children and making sure that I shove something in my mouth every morning. I make sure that I carry my lunch out the door or make plans for lunch each day. I would never go to bed without making sure myself and family have enjoyed a good meal. But daily I struggle with making sure I find the time to speak with God, spend time reading and studying God’s word and making sure that I have enabled by children to crawl up into the lap of Christ. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen asleep in the middle of a prayer as I lay in my bed. I am ashamed by the number of days I have pushed by personal time with God back and back and back until I just say, “Oh! Well I’ll just read double tomorrow.” And through all of the selfish acts of placing a greater priority on my scheduled instead of giving God the first booking of my day, I am starving my soul that is so desperately craving the power, love and wellness that is graciously and generously given by God. It has got to stop.

We must all do a better job of keeping ourselves spiritually healthy. The world is banking on us filling our plates with so much stuff that we make no room for God. It is a serious need for us to remove the garbage intake and replace it with a healthy portion of the presence of God in our lives, everyday. Can you imagine a world filled with healthy Christ-followers? The impact would be world changing. Let’s do it. It is feeding time!

Something to Think About:

• Would you consider yourself a Spiritually Healthy person? Why or why not?
• Do you spend enough time being spiritual fed each day? How?
• What are some other ways you could become healthier in your spiritual walk?
• How can God use you to help spiritually feed those who may not even realize they are starving?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I know that spending time with you each day is a must if I desire to be the person you have called me to be? Help me to make you a priority each day and allow you to fill my soul with the things I need to spiritually grow and serve your people. Forgive me to allowing my schedule to dictate when I meet with you. And I pray you will help my passion for you word to become so apparent in my life that others see it and want to follow that example. Amen.