Legacy Shepherding Updates

 Randy’s December 2009 Update

Merry Christmas! It’s a season of celebration!

Here is an anonymous story of life-change worth celebrating.  It’s a great representation of some of the lies that many people struggle with:

My Top Ten Lies List – by Anonymous:

          “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

 “Identifying and naming my Top Ten Lies was huge for me.

“Lies like:
1) I don’t have what it takes.  I’m not good enough (not smart enough, not eloquent enough, not good looking enough, not outgoing enough, not __________ enough);

2) People are thinking bad thoughts about me.  They see my flaws and inadequacies.  They are judging me, even though they are acting nice to me.  I fall short in their eyes;

3) My lovability is based on my performance – when I succeed perfectly I’m lovable, when I fail (even slightly) I am reject-able;

4) I have greater worth and value when I please people, when people think and say nice things about me;

5) If people really knew me inside, they wouldn’t love me.  I have to stay hidden;

6) I have to take control of my life.  I know better than God what I need and want for my fulfillment.  God doesn’t have my best interest at heart.  He won’t give me what I want, or he’ll ask me to do something I don’t want to do – like stay single or serve in a third-world country;

7) I have to fix myself first and get myself presentable before I can go to God;

8) Showing and feeling emotions equates to weakness.  It’s better to ignore, minimize, and/or repress them; 

9) As a leader I have to look perfect, I can’t show any weakness or vulnerability, or people won’t want to follow me;

10) When God looks at me, he’s usually disappointed.

“After naming these awful lies, I realized how much they were holding me back.  Through the mentoring process, I’m slowly claiming the Truth that offsets each lie.  Over time, I’m believing God’s truth more.  And the truth is setting me free.” – Anonymous

Closing Thoughts:

We all have lies that hold us back at times.  What are your Top Ten?

Thankfully we still have a Savior who frees us from lies and leads us into truth.  I believe he desires to remove any lies that would keep us from fully experiencing God’s extravagant love and our amazing full potential to extend love lavishly in our world.

Recently a young man said to me, “This ministry has major exponential life-change on people”.  He’s observing the rippling impact this unique ministry style can have – following Jesus’ example of pouring into qualified men and women who are equipped to pour into others, who can then pour into others, and so on…

Jesus was an amazing lover.  I think he wanted to multiply lovers like himself when he said:

“Therefore go and make disciples (lovers) of all nations, …teaching them to obey everything I commanded you…” (Matt 28:19a, 20a)

His great commandments to obey, he narrowed down to two:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…and…Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30, 31b)

Not only are the young people we are investing in becoming extraordinary disciples, they are also becoming extraordinary lovers – lovers of God, themselves, and others.  I applaud these young people for their courage to go on such a journey, and I’m grateful for their honesty.  The truth is setting them free…to love extravagantly.

Thank You:

Thank you so much for your participation in this life-changing, world-changing work.  I believe your investment in these amazing individuals will reap eternal dividends.  They truly are difference makers, living out their unique redemptive potentials in a wide range of social issues, communities, and locations.  They (and others like them), the young church, are the hope of the future.

Financial Support Update:

There is still a financial need in reaching my support-raising goal for the year.  I could use your help and your prayers!  Contributions are tax deductible.

Contact me at:  randy@legacyshepherding.org with any questions.

May you be blessed by His love this Christmas season,
Randy

Photos by mysza831 at flickr.com

Some simple decorations at my house Macy’s.

Merry Christmas! I haven’t written a Christmas letter in years – which some people may appreciate!

Here’s a brief pictorial update on my life (outside of ministry).

Friends Return:
Andy: 

Around Christmas last year, one of my closest friends, Andy, moved back to Chicago from San Diego.

“Are you sure you want to come back at the beginning of winter?” I asked.

 Talk about a rude re-entry.

He went from this:                                                      To This:

   Ahhh.                             Brrr!

It’s been great having him back.

Rusty:
In the fall, one of my other closest friends, Rusty, moved back to the Midwest from North Carolina.  He is currently attending seminary just outside of Milwaukee. 

He went from this:                                                          To this:

I took a trip up to see him:

When they are all running around in those black cassocks, the place looks like Hogwarts!  Can’t you just picture it?

Up Where We Belong?

I ventured up to the clear bottomed sky decks on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (former the Sears Tower). Yikes! 

I took some of these photos without looking down.  I went with my motto of the day, ”just aim and shoot…and check your pants later”!

Family Events:
Scott Graduates!: 

My youngest nephew, Scott, graduated from college this year.  Wow, they grow up so fast!  It seemed like just yesterday, he was sucking on a bottle…oh yeah, he was…at his college graduation party!  We celebrated in a park after the ceremony.

Kristin Weds!:

 One of my god-daughters (my cousin Kathy’s daughter) got married this year. She was a previous Miss Teen Minnesota.  Almost everyone from my mom’s side of the family traveled to Minnesota for the wedding. It was fun having extended time with the family…

Step Aside Picasso: 

I allowed my inner artist to express itself through painting this year.  These were my favorites:

 Some people thought the first picture was of a lady with blue hair (like Marge Simpson, I guess).  It’s supposed to be a blue head covering like the kind women wear in Muslim countries.  After these art critics told me the blue hair thing, I noticed their faces turning blue.  Then I realized my strangling grip around their throats was a little too tight!  I’m still learning how to receive constructive criticism.  It’s tough being an artist! 

I had some painting parties with friends which was fun.

I love seeing people express their creativity, including those who swear they don’t have any talent.  Those are the ones to watch.  They crank out masterpieces that put all my paintings to shame.

Birthday Celebration – 49 and holding: 

My friend, Andy, treated me to an awesome Bob Schneider concert for my birthday.  It was a FUN concert.  Lots of people singing along.  I was going to put a Youtube sample of  one of his many great songs, but then I noticed at the end it led to other songs I wouldn’t necessarily recommend.  Ahhh, living in the tension of life’s paradoxes.  I wish I could recommend all his songs.  He’s brilliant.  It truly was one of the most fun evenings I had this year. 

Praha and Pivo: 

I went to Prague this year with a 20something group from Willow Creek Church.  I got the chance to graffiti on the side of a building…all for a good cause (a promo video)! 

 It was a mission trip, so it wasn’t really a vacation.  I’m realizing I am soooo in need of a real vacation…and perhaps some Pivo (beer) would help too!  If you know of anyone with a condo someplace warm, available in February, let me know! 

 Small Group – being known & loved:

 
 My small group has been an on-going highlight.  It’s important to me to be in circles (as opposed to rows) where I can be known and loved.  Our group has been together for about two years.  We continue to dive deeper together.  I’d tell you more, but what happens in group, stays in group.  (Note: this old photo is missing Matt).

Moses From Burma: 

I love opening my home to friends who are in town.  We had numerous house guests throughout the year.  The winner of the “Traveled the Furthest” Award was a guy named Moses.

Moses is from Burma (Myanmar)(between India and Thailand).  He is a new friend of Rusty’s from seminary.  Moses experienced his first Thanksgiving with Rusty, me, and my family.  It was his first time tasting turkey, pie, and mashed potatoes. 

Whenever Moses would try something new he would say, “Welcome“.  A slice of pumpkin pie – “Welcome”.  When he’d see something amazing, he’d say, “God bless America”

We took a trip downtown.  It was the first time Moses had seen buildings over 12 stories tall.  God bless America!

Ministry: 

Many of the other highlights of the year involved ministry, which has been a huge highlight in my life…but I’m not talking about ministry in this Christmas greeting.  You can read about some of those highlights in my monthly ministry blogs.

Closing: 

That gives you a little taste of my life this year.  I’d love an update on yours.

May God bless you this holiday season and throughout the new year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,
Randy