How my boy helps me understand God!

It has been a crazy last few days.  God is moving as always, but apparently so is baby Ella.  Trey and I spent last night in the hospital waiting room while Trisha sat with nurses  who were stopping labor.  It was lots of “fun.” Trey handled it very well.  Judging by the looks I got, I think he knows we are crazy.  Trisha is doing just fine.  If anything our adventure has helped us realize we are not quite ready.  Consequently I now have a honey do list.

I love being a parent.  It is something you cannot understand until you actually have a child.  God has taught me so much just from my first 19 months that have given me a great perspective.  Not long ago God showed me a small glimpse of himself through a situation with Trey.

It may come as shock to the grandparents but, on occasion, Trey acts up and requires discipline (remember mom and dad he comes from me).  I don’t remember what Trey did but I had to punish him.  He cried like crazy. It broke his heart.  He looked at me with a look that would kill.  We had to put him to bed not long after and I felt horrible. (it was however very needed)

Later, I was thinking about the situation and was very bothered. I was talking to God.  I told Him, “God, I had to discipline him. If he does not learn obedience from us he won’t learn to obey You.  It was not optional.” All the while God was telling me I know.  Then I said, “God do you think he knows I love him.” Immediately I could feel God saying, “I know how you feel!”

Then it hit me.  All the rough spots Trisha and I had gone through in the last 2 years were necessary.  And every time I would question God and where He was in all of this, He was saying, “Know that I love you! This has to be done. I need you to be in a better position then you are now! I am shaping you to bring Me more glory which is what you have been asking for!”

It is hard to accept God’s discipline and shaping.  Often we associate having money and easy living with God’s favor.  We totally don’t get it. God’s favor is always more of Him and more of His glory not more stuff and more comfort.  His favor is found most when we are in the midst of trials.  Deep spiritual growth does not come outside of trials. It comes from His continued discipline. Know that He loves you no matter what and what he is doing is to shape you life for more of His favor.

Back into the blogging world…

I am jumping back into the blogging world.  My mind is filling up to much and I need a place to dump what God is teaching me. I know it has been a while but I am making it a priority to blog once a week.  Here is what God is showing me lately.

God has been doing some amazing things in my life in the last year and change.  Since calling me to Canvas He has given me an amazing son, taken a well paying job, provided me with a paying job (it sure reminds me that my work doesn’t pay the bills but HE provides), given me a daughter (whom I can’t wait to meet in March), allowed my family to be put through stress (see previous items),  moved us 4 times (with a 5th impending) and allowed us to be tested and sifted in many different ways.  I would not trade it for anything. Through all the stress He has drawn me closer and closer to Him.

It’s odd sometimes how we are taught to view our circumstances in the church.  We have had a financially stressful year.  God has taught us so much about His provision.  It is often taught that if you are following God, you deserve to be comfortable. You deserve to have an “abundant life” and flourish in all ways.  That sounds amazing… to bad it is not in scripture that way.

You see we have to stop reading the Bible from our earthly standpoint.  The abundant life Jesus speaks about in John 10 is not the way we think of it.  Walking closely to HIM is the abundant life.  It is not about money.  It’s not about possessions. It is not about comfort.  To assume we deserve anything other than death and hell is to assume we are better than Christ Himself, who laid down His life for us.  The Bible actually teaches that to get the abundant life, it REQUIRES trials, tribulation, and discomfort.  James 1″Count it all joy, my brothers,[fn2] when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Notices it says WHEN and and not if.

Philippians 1:29 says: “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” If we do all we can to keep from suffering then could it be said we do all we can to keep from growing to a deeper walk with Christ?

He is EVERYTHING! He is the abundant life!

First Week working in Savannah

I have been in Savannah for a little more than a week.  Trisha, Trey and I are getting back into a routine together.  It has been amazing coming home to my family after work.  I missed them terribly!!

This week has been a different experience.  I started my new job cutting grass for a large private club here in Savannah.  They have 6 championship golf courses.  These are beautiful!! My job is to work on a crew with a few guys.  We maintain the landscaping and parking lots around the club houses and swim and tennis areas. (I also get to play for free whenever I want!!)  The job itself is work.  I spent five and 1/2 years getting my body into shape for my previous job (sitting in a desk driving a computer) thus it is not quite in shape for this job yet.

On top of the hard work, God has used this job to humble me.  I went from being a Network Engineer lead technician – to a guy who cuts grass and wears a uniform.  I spent 5 years working my way up to a well respected employee of a great company to the guy that alot of people look down upon.  I took a lot of pride in my job at Cbeyond.  I taught myself cutting edge technology and became the person people went to with questions in my group.  Now I cut the grass.  God  is humbling me.  He is taking down my prideful self one wall at a time.  With each step of faith Trisha and I make, God takes something else, but with everything He takes, He gives me more of Himself. The more of me I give up, the more of Him I get.

Christ MUST increase – I MUST decrease!!!!

Many Changes – New Commitments

Lots of things have changed since I blogged last.  So here I am with an update blog.  I commit to blogging more from this point on.  If you feel I am not blogging enough, please leave me a comment or shoot me an email.

So here is what is going on with the Tanner family…..

• God showed me the main reason I had not quit my job was pride.  I made something of myself and my career and did not want to give it up
• Some awesome people stepped up and gave sacrificially to help me be able to come home to my family.  This was a huge encouragement.
• I decided to quit my job before I had a job lined up.
• God provided me an incredible job!! All along I said I want a mindless job that I can just enjoy… like cutting grass on a golf course.  So I am going to be cutting grass on a golf course!!!!
• My son started crawling.  That will change your life!!!!  This little man is crazy.
• God continues to show up in amazing ways in the lives of the people at Canvas church.
• This blog is being brought to you by my amazing God provided MAC Book!

God has been so good to my family the last month.  I am privalideged to be called to follow Him to Savannah.  I can’t wait to see what God does as we start the next part of our Savannah journey: the part where I actually get to live there!!!!

Be praying for us and make sure I blog regularly…

Faith vs. Common sense

I have been told many times that God calls us to use our common sense. I have several problems with this. The first one is, common sense is not very common. Believe me. I support phones and internet over the phone and have spoken to many people who missed the boat on that one.

Second, and more importantly, I find in the bible God tells us not to use our common sense. An often quoted verse, Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” One might say your own common sense. There are also several stories that common sense was thrown right out to follow God. In every case, it was so that God would get the full glory of the situation.

Example 1: Gideon

God told Gideon to lead Israel into battle. He started with 32000 men. He was all geared up for the battle when God said, hey – You got to many men. I need to get the glory for this. So through a series of test and questions, God has Gideon narrow down the count a tad. He narrowed it to 300 (not that 300 – this was another more farmer like less ripped body builder trained warrior.) It was 300 against about 135,000. Where is the common sense in that? Common sense would say – Gideon, it is stupid for you to take 32,000 into battle against the… wait what you are taking 300? Death called, he’ll see you in a few.

Example 2: David

This is a story we all know. A young boy hears a giant challenge men and mock God. David watched everyone hide and do nothing about it. Having great faith in God, David was like, “Hey guys, don’t you know that our God will win this one? Someone go out there and kill that man.” I am sure after the laughter was over someone said – “You do it.” And David was like I will. So he turns down the king’s armor and sword and spear. Instead, at God’s direction, he chooses 3 rocks and a piece of cloth. That’s like turning down a couple assault rifles and hand grenades for a BB gun. Not sure there is a lot of common sense there.

Example 3: Me

God called me to take my family and move to Savannah to start a church. At first, it looked like God was going to make it easy to work in Atlanta and still live in Savannah. That way my family would be provided for and I would still be able to work at Canvas. Through a series of events, it did not work out that way. It would go against all common sense to quit my incredible job, ask people to support us and still think my family would provide for me.

The thing is, often when our heart is right, and we are following God, common sense can be our number one enemy. As Christians, we need to replace common sense with simple faith. God will always do what he said He will do. After all, Gideon’s 300 won, David beat Goliath with a rock , and I know God will provide for us.

“ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11: 1

The last few months

I am making an effort to blog more.  I think people can learn about how God is working in me through reading this blog.  My prayer is that people may learn about God and His character through my life and circumstances.  That being said, I know there was a large gap in my blogging that I need to cover to catch up the 5 people who read my blog.

So before the quick blog last week, I blogged in November… to keep this blog from being to long to read, I will hit the highlights.

November was filled with Thanksgiving and college football – GO GA TECH.  I also celebrated my 3 year anniversary with my best friend and love of my life Trisha.   We were still praying about job opportunities in Savannah.  God was teaching me patience.  His timing is best.

December was crazy, very very crazy!! 1st of all it was Christmas (thanks capt. obvious.)  It was a fun time celebrating with our family.  Trey enjoyed the Christmas tree lights and any thing that moved and sang.  My inlaws, with whom we were living, sold their house.  (long time answered prayer.)  My boss told me I could work 3 12 hour shifts allowing me to go ahead and move to Savannah!! (long time answered prayer.)  We found the perfect house to rent in the heart of midtown!!! We were sad it was available but happy to take it.     God showed us He provides in His timing.   We packed up and awaited the first week of the year to move.

January has been a rollercoster ride.  We moved into our new house and started to settle in.  I was off the first 12 days of the year.  It was great.  While we were moving in, my boss called with some news about my new schedule.  She said it wasn’t happening.  I was angry, but I some how had a peace about it.  Not long after that, I celebrated my 27th birthday.  It was cool.  Trisha and Trey met me for lunch. I love when that happens.  I began the hardest thing I have had to do in my life the following week.  I started spending 5 days a week in Atlanta while my family spends it in Savannah.  I drive home to meet them on the weekends.  It is rough.  God and I have had several conversations about it.  (we have had plenty of time with 2- 4 hour car rides a week.)  What it comes down to is this.  1. God knows what is going on.  The phone call from my boss did not suprise Him.  2. God is in control.  His way of doing things is much better than mine.  3. Any amount of hardship is nothing compared to the suffering Christ endured for me.  Who am I to think I deserve any thing more than Christ received.   When I compare myself to anyone it is easy to say I deserve this or that.  When I compare myself to Christ, it is easy to say I am worthless and meaningless and unworthy of everything.  The truth is, apart from Christ, I have no worth and the only thing I deserve is death.  God is loving.  He will have me in Savannah when it is His timing.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9. “For {as} the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55: 8-9

Canvas launched last week.  2 people who did not know Christ when they woke last Sunday, knew Him when they left Canvas.  What an awesome start.  Worth everything Trisha and I have been through to get here (or almost here as it may be).  The best part is – THAT WAS WEEK ONE!!!! WE GOT A LOT MORE COMING!!  I count it an awesome privalidge to serve an amazing God who desires to be in a relationship with a worthless being like myself.   I am still praying that God would open a door for me to work in Savannah, but I know my God is faithful and will get me a job when He says it is the right time.  Praise to God who cares enough to let me ask things in prayer.

According to your Faith

It has been way too long since I blogged. I am making a commitment to blog more. Life has finally slowed down a little. More on that in another blog…
Here is what God is dealing with me on as we launch Sunday. Please be praying for us!!!
Mathew 9:27-29
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus *said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They *said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.”

How many of your prayers would be answered if God said “Be it done according to your faith?” I wonder if sometimes big God sized things don’t happen because in our hearts we really don’t think God can or will do something. God healed the 2 blind men because they had enough faith to believe He could. They were unable to see. Imagine what they would have missed if their faith was weak. Let’s have total faith that God can fill up that auditorium. I am praying that the faith of Canvas Staff and core group would be increased as we all prepare for this awesome weekend. It’s coming Savannah. The presence of God is coming.

COMMUNITY!!

Its all about community.  As the Journey Pastor at Canvas Church it is my job to push community.  As a staff, we though community was lacking at core group so we paid money to move it to where we thought community could be better cultivated.  At Canvas, we are about transforming a city by transforming lives.  We focus on 3 things and three things only: Elevate (gathering together as the body) Journey (we believe life is a journey and we focus on helping people walk through it) and Action (we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus).   So why is community such an important part of this? I am glad you asked.

The Journey is best lived out with other people to support you.  A group of believers doing life together, holding each other accountable, and encouraging each other.  In Acts the community was so strong in the early church that they sold possesions to make sure no one had need. Community brings the church together.  But how does it tie into anything else?  I am glad you asked again.

I was reading Erwin Mcmanus’ book Soul Cravings (wonderful book – easy read).  In it he says the following that just made everything click.

“The more we live disconnected lives, the more we become indifferent to the well-being of others. The farther we move from community the closer we get to violence……. When there is disengagement from human community, there is the potential for inhumanity.”

Community is the key to seeing other people the way Christ intended us to see them.  When we spend more time with humans, in human interaction (facebook doesn’t count) we are reminded of the struggles people have or the financial difficulty they could be going through.  True christian community makes sure our hearts break for the things that break the heart of Christ.

That is why I will forever say the answer to our problems is small groups and deep community.  Community causes people to see Christ!!!

Yea – Yea I know – Its been a little while

I haven’t blogged in a while.  Not because of the lack of things to blog about – and I can’t really say it’s because of the lack of time.  It is more the lack of priority.  Sorry it has just fallen down the list.  So here I am blogging again.  Let me fill you in on the last month.

- I started this month off with a trip to Savannah to speak at core group about the journey and also look at houses. Trisha, Trey and Kid all joined the trip and we had fun.  We also found some awesome houses.  Core  group was a blast.  God is stirring things in Savannah.

- Trey turned 3 months old.  I can’t believe it.  He is one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me.  He is smiling and playing with us more and more.

- I went to Catylast with Doug, Jared, and Richard.  We had a blast.  I was challenged alot.  My number 1 take away came from Andy Stanley (suprise suprise) – To reach people no one is reaching you must be willing to do what no one is doing.  I also discovered Matt Chandler from the Village church. I have been listening to his podcast. WOW!

- God has been fine tuning my vision for small groups.  I am seeing it in a cool way and am getting very excited about what God will do.

- Trisha and I spent a whole Saturday together just us.  We needed it.   We just hung out and had fun.  With no house to go to it kind of felt like we were dating all over again.

- Trisha went to dinner the other night and left me alone with Trey.  I have an amazing respect for all she does everyday after that.  I don’t know how she manages to eat or sleep much less get some other things done.  What an amazing wife I have.

All in all it has been a good month.  God has done some awesome things.  We are just waiting on Him to move us in His timing.  Please continue to pray for us as we seek God’s direction in finding our way down to Savannah.  This is going to be one amazing ride.  I will try to let some more of you in on it by blogging more.  Sorry.

Getting settled and stirred at the same time…

So we are getting settled in at Trisha’s parent’s house.  It has been a stressful tiring week.  Ike had me working late all while trying to get ready for moving while also trying to drum up money for closing.  All this time, while trying to get physically settled, God has been stirring my spirit.  God has shown me His provision this week.  IT looked like the money wasn’t going to be there for closing (several times) and then at the last minute it showed up.  God increased my faith greatly.  Early on some people made the comment that some of us were going to Savannah because it was “sexy.”  I assure there is nothing “sexy” bout what we have gone through.  God has stretched us. Let me explain a little.  You my remember from several earlier post that no one looked at our house from May to September (quite the long time frame when you are waiting on something.)  When we received the offer on our house we knew we would lose a lot of money if we took it.  It was a hard decision until Trisha put it into perspective.  We were talking about the money we would lose when she said if you could pay “x” amount of dollars to go to Savannah and do what God called you, would you do it?  I could not help but to say yes.  And with that, we signed the contract.  Well when the money we would owe came in even higher than we thought, I will say, I never doubted that God would come through, and I never doubted that I made the right decision.   It became easy to ask myself that same question about everything.  If you could give up your car to do what God called you, would you?  If you could sell your guitar to do what God called you, would you?  It hit me, how many times did I not do what God wanted me to (or did it slower) because I couldn’t let go of something?  God desires all of us.  All we have belongs to debt.  And while God does give us intelligence and common sense (some of us any way) He never tells us to rely on it over Him.  There is a verse I have probably heard a thousand times.

Pro 3:5	Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
Pro 3:6	In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING!!!!  – That part of the verse has never jumped out at me so much.  What we did many would call stupid.  I don’t care. I am excited about what God is going to do in Canvas Church. I would much rather do what we did than live safe and comfortable.  The free fall of faith is the most amazing rush ever.  So I ask you, what are you holding on to.  Jump out and enjoy the life Christ meant for us.  Like this my favorite commericial, I guess i am the pilot.