I am constantly reminded about the importance of the father-son relationship. Even though the son’s relationship with his mother is just as important, there is something unique about the father-son relationship.

I have been trying to teach my boys about being a R.E.A.L. man. The acronym stands for: Reject passivity, Exemplify integrity, Accept responsibility, Lead courageously. A person can learn these principles from anyone, but when a son sees these traits modeled by their dad, it powerfully reinforces the significance of manhood.

This is something I want to keep on growing in, as my time with my boys will be limited as they go off to college.

The best way to teach them principles is by spending time with them. It is critical to find teaching moments through the daily things of life. I am praying that every father can make the investment to raise up the next generation of men.
 
 

 
Happy Mother’s Day, especially to Christina who has exemplified what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman. The longer I observe what mothers go through, I more I realize that it is one of the most difficult roles a person can play. Too often, we don’t fully understand what mothers go through because we are not walking in their shoes.

It is easy to take mothers for granted. But if we can look at life from their perspective, we would be more thankful for all that they do.

This video show the limited and self-centered perspective of a child. One day, when the boy has his own family, he will understanding the sacrifice that his mother went through for him.

I am thankful for my mother and all the sacrifice that she has made for me throughout the year. I am also thankful for Christina and her life of sacrifice that she is demonstrating to our family. We are forever blessed!
 
 

 

Photo by gbtan.org
 
 
 
This weekend we are having our leadership team summit for the 18th time in our church’s history. It is hard to believe that HMCC in Ann Arbor is finishing off its 17th year of ministry. There are lots of memories. Lots of ups and downs. But at the end of the day, there is nothing but joy and thankfulness for all that God has accomplished.

Sometimes when we do the same routine for a long period of time, it is easy to forget about God’s faithfulness. We quickly forget the history of how things got started. As I pause and reflect on the last 17 years, I am grateful that God brought us through different seasons. Many people have come and gone; and we have raised up many generations of people who are now making an impact around the world.

This weekend we are starting our 18th leadership team. With the new generation of people on our leadership team, it is important that tap into the 17 years of history and tradition. I was inspired by the Michigan Football Tradition. I always found it fascinating that they name their football team according to a number. This year’s 2013 team will be Team 134. The reason behind this is because of the 134 years of Michigan Football. The 2014 team will be Team 135.

Starting this year, we are going to use the University of Michigan football team number reference to identify our leadership team. Therefore, this year’s leadership team will be known as TEAM Community Team 18.

The reasons for this are:

I am looking forward to partnering up with Team 18. It is going to be a great year!
Let’s win some championships!

 
This song has been on repeat throughout the day. There are times when a song has a way of ministering to you at just the right time. Usually, it is a combination of the song’s words and the situation you are facing at the moment.
 
 

 
There is something very beautiful about blending in various styles of music together. Not only does it give a fresh flavor to the song, but it highlights the uniqueness of the different styles. I have always been a Gospel Choir lover. I still remember my first Gospel Choir concert that I attended when I was in college. It gave me goosebumps as they were singing songs with so much passion, rhythm and soul.

In many ways, it is similar in the Body of Christ. When people with different personalities, talents and gifts come together, beautiful music is created. When everyone is in sync, it glorifies God. I am praying that churches in a region or a city is able to understand this. No two churches are exactly alike. This is why we need to learn how to appreciate and honor different churches in our area.

When we are able to come together in unity, the world will be able to hear God’s melodies; and there is a good possibility that they might even like it.

This is one of my favorite U2 songs, but the song was elevated even higher with the Harlem Gospel Choir step into the picture.
 
 

 
God always has a way of taking something that is familiar and giving it a fresh perspective. The Cambodian church that we visited on Sunday was singing the song, “I Can Sing of Your Love Forever.” I think I sang that song hundreds of times, but for some reason, when I heard it sung in Khmei and the people who have been rescued from sex slavery started to sing, it wrecked me.

It was at that moment, I realized (again) how a song is powerful not only because of the words and the music, but because of what it means to the person who is singing it. This is why worship is always a good indication of what is going on in a person’s heart.
 

 
We arrived safely in Phnom Penh on Thursday morning. Then we spend the afternoon walking around the city and observing everything that was happening around us. In the evening we did some investigative filming. It was truly eye-opening.

Then on Friday we spent the whole working with a ministry. It was a phenomenal place filled with incredible people. Even though it has only been 2 days in Cambodia, God is speaking powerfully to us. We are truly grateful and humbled by what we are seeing here.
 
 

 
We are at the airport and waiting in the lounge to catch our flight. The team and I are excited to experience all that God has in store for us. I believe that this is the beginning of greater things for our LIBERTY Mission movement.

Please keep us in your prayers as we work with various organizations that are on the frontlines of the human slavery fight. I will be updating through the trip via Twitter and on this blog.
 
 

 

Photo by HMCC-AA Publications Team
 
 
 
We started a new series called, “Persona” this past Friday at Access, our gathering for college students. The dictionary defines, “persona” as, “a person’s perceived or evident personality, as that of a well-known official, actor, or celebrity,” “personal image or public role”. We all know how our public image does not always match up with our personal/private image. This is why we all struggle with issues of hypocrisy, authenticity and honesty.

As we started the night, it was exciting for two reasons: 1) The gathering place was packed and filled with students who were hungry for God; 2) Diana, one of our staff members, under HMCC’s pastoral covering, shared God’s Word.

I can’t wait until we can get the message online so that people can listen to it. Even though this was her first time, God used Diana powerfully as she shared God’s heart about authenticity and honesty. She set the example of being brutally honesty and vulnerable by sharing from her own personal life. I am praying that God will raise up more college students with character of honesty and authenticity.

As I have said many times before, “Our CHARACTER is the CONTAINER that CARRIES our CONVICTIONS.” If our convictions and dreams are big, then we need a bigger container. So let’s get busy building up our character for Christ.

 
Whenever I see or read stories about couples who have been married for a long time and how they are still in love, it inspires me. Many people do not fully understand the level of commitment that is required when they say their wedding vows on their wedding day. For some people, it is just a formality. For others, they genuinely say it, but do not know the fully extent of what is required.

When things are good, everyone is happy. But when things are bad, it challenges the commitment that was made on the wedding day.

With each passing year, I am humbled to know that my wife, Christina made that commitment to me. Through all the ups and downs, she has remained a steady rock in my life. I am inspired.

This video shares a little bit of my heart for the woman I said, “I do” to in front of God, our families and our friends.
 
 
 

 

Designed by HMCC-AA Publications Team
 
 
 
Often times, change comes from the inside out. It is a work that God sovereignly does in our hearts. But a part of the change process requires our responsibility to faithfully exercise the spiritual disciplines. It is not a matter of legalism, but rather it is an issue of obedience. God designed things in such a way that when we cooperate with Him and do our part, He will bring forth His transformative work in our lives.

We want to start off the 2013 year on the right foot.

As we participate in practicing godly habits, God will use our obedience to bring forth changes from the inside out. This coming Sunday we are starting a new 2-part series called, “Inside Out” where we will examine “inner” spiritual disciplines as well as “outer” spiritual disciplines.

God is weaving a beautiful tapestry from the messiness of our lives; but it will have to start from obediently seeking His face from the inside out.

Join us in the journey!

 

Designed by HMCC-AA Publications Team
 
 
 
We are in a desperate need for heroes. In our generation, we haven’t seen many people rise up who have the testimonies and the witnesses of Christ-followers who have journeyed before us. With every generation that passes, we lose sight of these great men and women of faith.

In this new Access series, we want to dig up some of these “legendary” people who have made a difference in history. Journey with us as we try to get inspired and impacted by their stories. We will be looking at their testimonies, trials, and triumph.

It is my prayer that God will raise up a new generation of people who will leave their mark in history for the glory of God!