As many of you know I am on vacation, out of reach, and having a great time. But I want you all to have some food for thought as it relates to the need for strategic partnerships bringing the gospel to Europe and the upcoming Jetset Tour to Europe via the Upstream Collective.

The following is piece written by Caleb Crider and Larry McCrary.

I just wrote an article for Catalyst on the dangerous trend of gaining converts to our causes without gaining converts to Christ. Here are a few paragraphs.

I continue to see movements gaining traction among Christians that do not seem to have many converts. In other words, they have recruits to their cause, but few converts to Christ. And, I am concerned. I am concerned that in the name of "fixing the Church" we are not proclaiming the Church's gospel.

...

So, my Reformed friends, let's not only read 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John (that is, John Calvin, John MacArthur, and John Piper), let's go plant some more churches. My emerging church friends, let's take a pause from the theological rethink and head into the neighborhood and to tell someone about Jesus. My missional friends, let's speak of justice, but always tell others how God can be both "just and justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." My house church friends, let's have community, but let's be sure it is one focused on redemption. My Baptist friends, let's focus more on convincing pagans than Presbyterians. And, my charismatic friends, let's focus less on getting existing believers to speak in tongues and more on using our tongue to tell others about Jesus

...

If you want to convince me (and the body of Christ) to your cause, you must show me it is a better way. You must tell and show something different. You must not just protest what is, but you must show me what should be.

You need to go an read the whole article to see these excerpts in context at Catalystspace.com, but come back here and let's talk about it. Agree, diasgree? Share your thoughts in the comments.

New beginnings.

First day of fourth grade--new school, new clothes, and the nervous hope for new friends to fill in for the ones she left behind in Georgia. This morning was my oldest daughter's first day of school. We were both nervous, she was brave, and I was proud. She marched in like a trooper and ready for the adventure. I'm not sure why--but moments before she got out of the car, she asked me the date. Then it hit me...

I committed my life to Christ 30 years ago today (a few years after this photo was taken!).

It was at a youth camp in Central Florida. While the band played "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus," I did. And I threw my life and hopes "upon Jesus" too.

As I was getting my tires fixed after dropping off my daughter, I wrote a few of these thoughts out... they are not proofed well, but they are a few thoughts that came to mind on my spiritual birthday.

A few things surprised me on the journey:

1. I thought I would have been more holy by now--that I would have overcome the flesh, be more consistent in my spiritual walk, and just be a better Christian. But, I have learned that Paul was right in that "the very things I want to do I just don't do" (see Romans 7:15). Keith Green used to sign a song based on Romans 7 that I listened to as a new believer--I would passionately sing the part "Lord it seems so sad, why am I so bad, when in my heart I only want to be like you..." As I grew in understand of the scriptures I have learned that does not change until I am set free from the "body of this death" (Romans 7:24).