think big

recently God opened up the door for the summit to move to a much better location.  we will be moving in 12 weeks off campus (just 1.4 miles away) to vista verde school.  this strategic move will double our space and give us the ability to minister at the next level.  there are many reasons for moving (better location, more parking, additional space for more kids & youth classes, getting off of campus and out in the community), but the driving force behind this decision is to reach more people!  God is asking us to get our eyes off of ourselves and see all the people around us that are so lost and so confused.  this move is not convenient, it’s expensive, it will require a lot of strategizing and hard work… but it’s all about people!  people are what matter to God and it’s time we think bigger, take a risk and go to the next level!

with any change comes fear.  the fear of making a bad decision at a critical crossroad, the fear of looking foolish, the fear of losing people, the fear of failure, or just the fear of trying something new.

in isaiah 54, God says, “clear lots of ground for your tents!  make your tents large.  spread out!  think big! use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep, you’re going to need lost of elbow room for your growing family.  you’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities.  don’t be afraid - you’re not going to be embarrassed.  don’t hold back - you’re not going to come up short.”

i know God has inspired this move and is asking us to create more space for Him to fill.  deep in my heart i’m convinced that He will show up and take the summit higher.  i know He is building His church and hell can’t stop it.  so with God’s help we will break out of small thinking, rise above the fear, take a risk and go for it.

this is not just a summit church thing… this is a you thing!  God is asking you to think big, to spread out, to take risks, to go for it.  don’t be afraid, God is with you.  don’t hold back, God will show up and show off!  without faith it is impossible to please God - step out, this is your season.  don’t hold back… God says, “my soul has no pleasure in anyone that shrinks back.”  think big… don’t be afraid… every step the sole of your foot takes, God is with you!

climbers

“the slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve all the problems of the human race.”  calvin coolidge

there are only 3 types of people in this world:  quitters, campers & climbers.  the truth is that i’ve been all 3 at different times in my life, but i know that God wants me to climb - to embrace the upward call that He has put on my life.  the psalmist wrote, “the way of life winds upward for the wise…”.  paul wrote, “i press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

quitters abandon the climb - they give up!

campers delay the climb - they give in!

climbers live for the climb - they go up!

God has called you to a life of climbing, not camping or quitting.  i’m sure right now in your life there are circumstances that make you want to give up - but resolve not to - don’t let anything stop you from pressing on and taking another step up the mountain.  after all, isn’t that where God is - up.  He is the high and lofty one, He resides on His holy mountain.  He pulled us out of the pit and set our feet on the rock.  He has called you (and given you the strength) to ascend to the high places.

maybe you have reached a certain altitude with God and feel like you have given enough.  maybe you feel like you have served enough and helped enough and now it is time to kick back a bit.  i’m so thankful Jesus didn’t have this attitude.  this lukewarm condition that plagues so many in the church today.  i fully realize that people camp due to fatigue, frustration, or just a lack of focus (or vision).  campers forget why they are on the mountain in the first place - they are there to climb it - to summit.   purpose not to camp in your spiritual life - break camp, get rid of anything that slows you down and get moving again.

“the Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon the high places.”   habakkuk 3:19

“…stick with what you believe and don’t quit… it won’t be easy… anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times.”  paul, acts 14:21-22 (msg)

may God strengthen you and inspire you to continue to move upward. refuse to quit or camp or let anything distract you from your climb today.

hovering

in the very opening thoughts (literally the first few sentences) of the bible, we see God’s Spirit hovering over the earth - ready to unleash an inconceivable amount of power in the creation of the galaxies.  by nature, this is what the Holy Spirit does… He hovers… He is fluttering between heaven and earth… He is lingering overhead… He is suspended over every person and every situation on every continent… He is ready to do something - eager to create something new and amazing!  He is so close (if you want to) you can feel Him.  you are so close to a breakthrough - don’t give up!  He will empower you to breakthrough the frustration, breakthrough the disappointments, breakthrough the fear, breakthrough the hurt, breakthrough the pain, breakthrough to an entirely new dimension in life.

my thoughts recently are along these lines… i sense God is ready to do something big, but have no clue what it is (yet).  i’m convinced that there is so much more for my life, for the turner fam, and for the summit.    i know that the future is going to be so much greater than i can imagine.  God is hovering… He is directly overhead… He is closer than you think… He is ready to unleash something fresh over you… you are under the mighty shadow of His wings!

a few scriptures i’ve been thinking about:

• “God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”  ephesians 3:20a

• “God will give you your heart’s desire and help you fulfill all your plans.”                                                                                                           psalm 20:4

• “I know what I’m doing (says the Lord).  I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”                                                                                                   jeremiah 29:11

stars

last night i had to run outside to get something i forgot out of my truck.  i was blown away by how clear it was and how bright the stars were.  i stood there and gazed straight up and got totally caught up in the moment.  i sensed God’s presence and all of my concerns and anxiety just melted away.  i needed to be reminded that God is in control and He said He would give me the desires of my heart.

the scripture that immediately came to my memory was isaiah 43:19 - 

“Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.”

i want to encourage you that God is up to something big in your life and it is about to manifest.  He is on the move and specializes in making all things new (and improved and better and magnificent).  trust Him, seek Him, expect Him to show up!

when is the last time you looked up at the stars?  what would you love to see God do in your life, but it looks impossible?  remember, nothing is impossible for anyone who trusts God!  

fractured

a few days ago, i fractured my right ankle and tore some ligaments.  thankfully (after seeing a specialist) there is no long-term damage and i should be back to full strength in about 4-5 weeks.  while i was at the er (for 4 hours), i was amazed by all the different people that were streaming in - all with serious, but different needs.  my heart broke as i watched each person struggling:

• a baby that was having trouble breathing (gasping and shaking)
• an elderly lady (who looked about 95) that could not stop vomiting (an uncontrollable stream) - her frail husband weeping and holding her
• a young guy (21 or so) that was spitting and coughing up blood - ready to pass out at any moment 
• a girl that had overdosed - her mom panicking and yelling at the hospital staff
• 2 drunk guys - one was forcefully shoved in by police officers and then handcuffed to his bed - the nurse knew him by name and she was obviously bothered he was back - later she told me that he shows up about 3 times a month
• a lady (that weighed about 450 pounds) that was unconscious - they successfully revived her and rushed her into surgery
• too many other people to talk about - various ages, various ethnicities, various needs

God is here!

“energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. tell fearful souls, “courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right and redress all wrongs. He’s on his way! He’ll save you!”  isaiah 35:3 (msg)

life isn’t really fair… is it?  one minute you are on top of the world, the next minute you are hit with something that floors you and causes you to to curl up in a fetal position.  this life (and the enemy) has a way of zapping your energy and strength and leaving you questioning and wondering when will God make things right… when will He show up and save the day.  

whether you are dealing with a relationship blow-out, with financial pressure, with career changes or set-backs, with a health problem or anything else… never forget that God is in it with you!  ”God is here” is the most encouraging truth to grasp when you are surrounded by the pain and problems of this life.

we have a God who never leaves us, never forsakes us, is ever-present and is always helping us breakthrough and overcome whatever adversity we find ourselves stuck in.  He is with you… He is with me… He is with us and that should bring us confidence and comfort.  

“when the one who hates us comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a well against him.”  isaiah 59:19b (nlb)  God is always there to protect us and shield us from the floods and schemes of the wicked one.  regardless of what you are going through right now… God is with you, He is strengthening you and the dark, toxic waters of the enemy will not touch you. 

summit worship

enjoying life

i came across this scripture and think it is amazing - i’m totally adding it to my life verse list…”Jesus came enjoying life.”  Matthew 11:19 (Phillips).  if He did, then we should… right?  most people i know don’t really seem to enjoy life.  i know i don’t always enjoy life - maybe i enjoy life 65% or 75% of the time, but not all the time.  i think the pressures of life, relationship drama, money issues, career stuff, kids and other responsibilities seem to (at times) suck the joy out of life.  when you look at the life of Christ, it is obvious that He joyfully kept moving forward (and doing God’s will) regardless of the circumstances He faced.  Jesus never had a bad day.  i think He saw each day as a gift - as an opportunity to enthusiastically reach people and change lives.   i’m convinced that the joy He had is what gave Him the strength to love and lift others everywhere He went. 

“The joy of God is your strength!”  Nehemiah 8:10b (MSG).  where do we get the joy of God?  the answer is revealed in Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is fullness of joy…”  taking time in the secret place (anywhere when it is just you and God) everyday is what allows God’s Spirit to fill us with joy and to infuse inner strength into us.  when this life ends and all the pressures and challenges we have to deal with quickly fade away, we hope to hear, “well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of our Lord.”  why not go ahead and enter into that joy right now!  take a minute and cast every care, weight and anxiety on God.  ”God is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”  I peter 5:7 (msg).  

“the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 13:52.  ask God to fill you up with joy, ask him to help you to start enjoying life.  ”but the fruit of the Spirit is… JOY!”  galatians 5:22.  ”my brother and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy.”  james 1:2.  everyday is a day that God has made and He tells us to rejoice and be glad in it.  we all have days when nothing seems to go our way, but if we choose to respond joyfully, no matter how bad it gets - we can always enjoy life and trust that God is in control.

i pray that you start enjoying life regardless of what you are having to face in your life right now.  may God fill you with joy and grant you unlimited strength.

warranty

almost all products come with some type of warranty.  it is the basic promise from the manufacturer to guarantee that it will work for 30, 60, 90 days or even years.  You can also buy an extended warranty on anything from a new macbook to a toaster - this ensures that after the original warranty runs out you have coverage for another year or two.

yesterday I had to call  at&t because my motorola cell phone was not working.  i was ecstatic to find out that i had called on the exact day when my warranty expired and they would send me a new phone within 3 days.  the customer service dude said, “you’re lucky you called today, tomorrow you would have been on your own”.

this got me thinking… i’m so grateful that i have a manufacturer that has not only given me a lifetime warranty, but an unconditional eternal warranty.  this brings massive confidence to me, that when i’m broken or damaged or out of alignment in some area of my life - God’s guarantee is always there to repair me, restore me, fix me.  many warranties are void if you accidentally damage the product (by abuse or some other factor).  with God, even when we damage our lives by making foolish decisions or even purposefully rebel against Him - His warranty is still valid.  

genesis 1:31 (nlb) says, “God saw all that He had made and it was very good.”  God created you perfectly, without defects, you are His masterpiece.  in psalm 139 (msg), david said, “oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb.  i thank you, high God - you’re breathtaking!  body and soul, i am marvelously made!  i worship in adoration - what a creation!  you know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; you know exactly how i was made, bit by bit, how i was sculpted from nothing into something.”

so be encouraged that whatever needs to be fixed in your mind, your soul, your body - God’s knows exactly what part needs to be replaced and His warranty is fully intact (He will fix you!).  remember that Christ stands at the door of our heart and knocks, if we unlock the door and let Him in - He can get close to us and figure out what is wrong with us and what needs to be repaired.  let Him in, let Him examine you, let Him start today.

“He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be.”  romans 8:29 (msg)

“i’ll repair the holes in the roof, replace the broken windows, fix it up like new.  you’ll be strong again.”  amos 9:11 (msg)

“God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty - never canceled, never rescinded.”  romans 11:29 (msg)

dry

i have been out of town for 13 of the past 20 days.  after i got back from my second trip, i realized my lawn was turning brown and looked horrible.  i’ve always prided myself in having a much greener, healthier, more robust lawn then both of my neighbors (especially the one on the left).  as i investigated, i found out that our sprinkler system was broken.  so, for the past week, i’ve had to go out early in the morning and water the lawn and shrubbery (what a great word, say it with me “shrubbery”).  the daily watering takes about 15-20 minutes.  i’ve already noticed a huge improvement, and my little, tiny (socal) lawn is coming back to life again.  i had a guy come over and identify the sprinkler problem and he will be fixing it in the next few days.  from that point on, it will totally be taken care of automatically and i will not have to go out, crank up the hose and saturate the ground.

all of this got me thinking… if we don’t take 15-20 minutes each day to water the soil of our heart with God’s word and prayer - we dry up.  how many time have we put our spiritual life on “auto-mode” because we fail to recognize the importance of watering our lives with God’s life-giving word.  ”auto-mode” is set to water us once a week at church, but that is definitely not enough (not even close).  i wish we could simply look in the mirror and see that we need more God, but we can’t.  deep down we know we do.  we know we have dry places and burn spots that need to be drenched with the water of the word.  His word causes us to flourish, His Spirit brings new life to us daily.  how many of us are in a self-inflicted drought?  how many of us are honest enough to admit that we are dry spiritually (because we’re not seeking God daily).  

“he finds joy in the word of the Lord and he thinks about it day and night.  this man is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time and its leaf never dries up.  whatever he does will work out well for him.”  psalm 1:2-3 (nlv)

excerpts from psalm 119:

“my soul is laid in the dust.  give me new life because of your word.”

“i will never forget your word for by it you have given me new life.”

“oh, how i love your word.  it is what i think about all through the day.”

“how sweet is your word to my taste!  it is sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

“your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

“the opening of your word gives me light.  it gives me understanding.”

“i love your word more than gold, more than pure gold.”

“your word is my joy.”

“those who love your word have great peace, and nothing will cause them to be hurt in their spirit.”

“i will never forget your word.”