“If only…”

It feels like I’ve had several “if only” conversations lately. “If only” is a phrase used in the never-ending search for “IT.” If only I… [fill-in the blank]
…had that job.
…held that title.
…lived in that neighborhood.
…made that amount.
…went there for vacation.
…etc.

My earliest recollection of “if only” and the never-ending quest for IT goes back to when I was a little kid and I had a Huffy bicycle. All the kids on my street owned a Schwinn. I had a Huffy—Kmart’s brand. You couldn’t be cool with a Huffy. But, that was my life. No expensive brands for me. My friends had the Spalding indoor/outdoor leather basketball and I had one my parents bought from a grocery store–that looked like a brown painted volleyball. My buddies wore Levis and I wore Sears’ brand—Husky pants. I was that kid–Husky’s on a Huffy. All the discount brands started with “H” for “humiliation.”

So I saved my money and, with a little help from my parents, I finally got a Candy Apple Red Schwinn 3 speed—very fancy. I rode that thing around like I was the CEO of Schwinn and they gave me the very best one ever made. No baseball cards in the spokes for me—not a chance—that was so childish. But, it wasn’t long before I determined that my life would be a little better if I had a 10-speed.

I wish that was my first and last visit with “if only” thinking… unfortunately that’s not reality.


Question: how do you help coach people to get past this limited thinking. What’s your advice? Share it here.

An apprentice & A climbing companion


In the Message Paraphrase, Matthew 5:1-2 goes like this…

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

This morning I intended to read the entire Sermon on the Mount, instead I got stuck with the language of these two verses. My thoughts went like this:

1. I resonate with the term he (Eugene Petterson) uses for the followers of Jesus: “Apprentices.” It sparks new imagery for me that some were an apprentice to the Master (Jesus). An apprentice is someone who is concerned for learning more than simply knowledge–he/she also wants to acquire the skills connected to the Master’s knowledge. It’s not just “what” the Master knows, it’s also “how” the Master goes about his skill. It’s a more complete picture of what is modern-day discipleship. Typically, “discipleship” is reduced to knowledge (what one knows), but the image of an apprentice is so much bigger–what he knows, how he does it, what he thinks, how he perceives reality, etc….

2. I also love the phrase “climbing companions.” The apprentice is up-close, personal, willing to climb–committed. A companion connected to the Master. Following Jesus requires effort–His way is not easy, but the companionship is good. The word “companion” carries with it a relational-side that is attractive to me. Following Jesus may require some “climbing” (difficulty) but I don’t have to go at it alone–that’s the beauty of a companion.

Question: is there anything in the way Eugene Peterson translates these verses that inspires you, intrigues you, or challenges you? If so, what?



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When losing control is a good thing!


I went camping last week with my family and confirmed what I knew to be true in my heart… I don’t really like camping! I made this no secret via Twitter.

There’s lots of reasons to support my disdain, but the bottom line behind my dislike of camping is that I like being in control. Camping exposed and amplified that reality—there’s just too many variables to be in control.

When I began to really think about my “need for control” it hit me clearly that control and faith don’t co-exist.

My need for control expresses my lack of faith.

In Matthew 8, this Roman officer understood control—he was familiar to being in control. Control of others… Control of decisions… Control of situations. Control of himself. But no amount of control could heal his servant. He was out of control… and, thru faith, he handed control over to Jesus.

This officer came to a faith conclusion and gave up control. He recognized that he wasn’t worthy… but Jesus was worthy.

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all the land of Israel! Matthew 8:10

My guess is that Jesus isn’t amazed by me trying to control and fix everything myself. Could it be that Jesus is amazed when you and I lose control?

A lot to think about… but, I’m still not going camping again.


Thoughts? Share them here.


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