And You Thought Twenty Was Big.

 Hello friends! My blog today is one of encouragement; for myself and hopefully for those of you out there who are chasing a wonderful vision for your life in which you strive daily to accomplish.

 I'd like to start by saying a few things about my own personal dreams and goals. I have two things that are constantly pushing me forward in my life; they are the back bone and foundation of my diligence and passion:

1. Gods will for my life.

 I am always considering which direction God wants me to head. I desperately seek his voice in the meaningful decisions in my life. So much so that I have, at times, been challenged by the Holy Spirit to make decisions with out the voice of God. Not because I don't need his voice but because I can be crippled into not "moving forward" because of the fear to take a risk and be wrong. I mean heaven forbid I don't get everything right...HA.

2. My (future) Family.

 This is actually an extension of the first, in that I know God's will for my life is to raise up a family of righteousness. This family is not limited to biological kin but speaks of any person that I take on the responsibility of second hand leading in discipleship (I say second hand because all should be first led by The Christ). I firmly believe that I have a calling over my life to lead young people in their walk with God, to disciple if you will. Not through any organization or official title but by the means of my future home (accompanied by my future wife), by taking in young adults and showing them integrity and doing my very best to be an example of righteousness. This is a true passion in my heart that drives my every move because I firmly believe that, yes, expanding the kingdom is truly important but more than that the Church needs a quality over quantity mentality.

 Now that you know the dreams/goals for my life I can tell you a little story...

 Saturday morning (5am) began like most mornings; I arose from a groggy state of sleep and, just like a cheesy zombie movie, moaning with my arms out crept through my dark home. After a brief controversy with a light, that I am still sure was trying to burn my eye balls out of their sockets, I sat and began to read my bible. After this I got myself ready and headed to my Saturday morning 'mans meeting' at the Church.

 Half way through the meeting the Pastor informed us that we would be ending early due to the breakfast for men that was occurring in another room... mmm food. After eating way to much meat and starch we sat and talked about manly things like cutting down timber and almost fighting our dads ( to which we all conceded that our dads would have totally owned us at the time of the dispute.).

 Next a man, 72 years of age (who looked very youthful), took the pulpit and began speaking about his testimony. Surprisingly his life looked a lot like the way I want mine to look. He discipled many young people with his wife; from his own kids to foster children. It was so encouraging to hear what great works God had accomplished through this mans obedience. At the end he opened up for a period in which we could ask him questions about his life. This is the part of the story in which God shows me how infinitely cooler he is then me...if he has not done so to you yet, argue with him sometime and it will inevitably follow.

 As others were asking questions and the man answered, I was talking with God in my head. "God this is so cool! This is what I want to do with my life! God could you imagine if I had like ten kids come through my home? The things that ten authentic disciples could do for your kingdom would be unimaginable!" 

 God replied with a simple idea "You should ask him how many he has discipled"

"Oh probably a lot God, I mean he's 72! He's had lot's of time to do this."

  "How many do you think is a lot?" After God asked me this question my soul had the realization that I was about to get a swift kick of revelation in the face from the creator of the universe.

 In knowing that I was about to learn a lesson I upped my game "Twenty... Yeah over twenty would be an insane amount God."

"Ask" repeated God, this time I could feel a small smirk on his face indicating that he wasn't finished with me.

 So I raised up my hand and was then called upon "Sir" I said "How many young people have you discpled and have had come through your home over the years?"

 His eyebrows raised and his eyes trotted around the room indicating that his brain was searching his memory bank. "Well I would say 2 to 5 over the course of 40 years." 

"Seriously God? You had my heart set up to be wowed...I mean good for him but I said a lot would be over twenty and he's only had 2 to 5 over 40 years...what gives?"  To be perfectly honest rather then disappointment my soul felt proud to have stumped the Almighty God with such a large number as twenty...Oh I am such a turkey sometimes.

"Just wait" Spoke God with that little smirk on his mouth growing with every passing moment.

 Just then the man started speaking again. "So...lets take the smaller number to be fair, 2 times 40 is 80 and then add on a few for good measure...about 100 young people, not including the three years we spent in Brazil." 

 My jaw dropped.

 "And you thought twenty was big." God's plan had fallen into place and He then left me with this. "You wanted ten young people to disciple, well I want you to disciple over one hundred. You limit yourself Michael, you need to dream bigger!"  

 There are many times where we forget, as Christians, that we serve a very real, very involved, God of everything. He is not limited and so because He is in us, with us, and around us, we are not limited. I ask of you today my friends dream bigger, because each time we dream something so "impossible" for us to accomplish we must understand that because we are victims of our flesh we have actually dreamed something that is completely possible. However if we let the Holy Spirit dream for us, well we will never be able to fathom the accomplishments that our God has is store for each one of us. I encourage all of you, do not be limited, do not underestimate God, dream bigger everyday, and don't EVER be stopped by anything!