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Kyle

For those of you business types, I was turned onto Michael Hyatt’s blog recently. Who is he? He recently was promoted to the CEO and President of Thomas Nelson after Sam Moore had the reigns for 47 years…BIG shoes to fill.

So if you’re looking for productivity and efficiency inspiration, look no further. In one night, his suggestions for email efficiency inspired me to go through over 7200 emails to only have 2 left in my inbox. What did I do? Read this.

Oh…and he even responds to emails from strangers….I tried and got a response in less than 4 hours.

I want to be like Mike.

Yeah. I’m gonna be a dad. It’s a girl. It’s really a girl! (pictures and video to come later).

For those of you who have already had kids, especially you dads, you get what I’m going through. It’s surreal. It’s hard to believe and honestly, you just feel like you’re living and watching another life being lived through your own eyes. Everybody keeps telling me my life is going to change…I know that, but I don’t understand it; and I don’t think you can explain this one…it has to be experienced.

She’s gonna be beautiful.

Kristy and I just journeyed back from a 4-day road trip to Johnson City, TN to see Tara and Jacob before heading onward to Winston Salem, NC to visit our best friends, Rob & Vangie Sperti. All I can say is, great times. Thanks to all who made our trip so enjoyable.
I continue to stand back in amazement at what God is doing in and through our world. Sometimes I get lost in my own world; thinking it’s huge, significant and will have a great impact. The reality is, it’s the greatest story ever written, lived and told, for me. That said it is big…to me. But when I stand back and survey the works of the Lord, I marvel at how many “workers” are doing exactly what I strive to do everyday…but in their own world. To each, it’s significant. To each, it means everything. To each, it’s their best effort to do exactly what God requires of them. Recently, my perspective of those other “workers” has begun to change. I’ve become less critical, judgmental and honestly, a lot less competitive with and of them. We’re all on the same team, yet sometimes I forget that. I often become centered on what I don’t have and covet what they have; mainly in the spiritual arena. The problem with that is, it’s simply ungrateful. Looking at my life right now, shame on me for ever thinking such things. I could easily mask it with spiritual words like “fervent desire” but I believe that when I truly pull back the layers, what I want is simply self-centered. You could insert any selfish sin and it would probably apply. However, I refuse to be distracted by my own sin. I repent, acknowledge and quickly move on…so help me God.

Motiveight is moving along and quickly. I’m up to a small handful of clients that are keeping me busy. Fortunately, opportunity abounds and I seem to be finding favor everywhere. Unfortunately, I need a really talented individual who’s interested in working for a small start-up with the possibilities of ownership (for the right person of course). They need not to be afraid of doing any and every task…after all…it is a small company. Interested? Know someone? Please email me > kyle@motiveight.com.

If you haven’t read or heard by now, Kristy and I are pregnant and celebrating 14 weeks this week. After almost five years of trying, every week that we progress is a celebration. We are humbled by this gift.

For those of you who are tracking our move to Nashville, we’re getting settled and enjoying our new life here. It’s funny to look back and realize how ready I was to move here. I don’t really miss Orlando (the city) at all. I guess you could say that I was done with that season of life. Our friends are missed regularly. After five years, it’s hard to say goodbye…especially to friendships that started but never really realized their full potential. There are lessons to be yet learned there somewhere.

Our house is coming along. We’ve been told that the roof decking is on now. I hope to post pictures sometime this weekend. Plumbing starts on Wednesday! Electrical is right behind that (I think).

A couple weeks ago, Kristy’s dad (who’s building our house) came and presented an opportunity to move into a spec house his company has had on the market for over a year now. It ends up that it will be cheaper for them to have someone living in it rather than leave it empty. So, Friday, we move out of the PODS and into a brand new house. The time with Keith and Sharry (Kristy’s parents) has been enjoyable but cut short. I will miss our 8pm coffee ritual. I guess we’ll have to move it to the spec house.

I miss blogging. So much life goes by that I regret my failure to be disciplined to journal it. Plus I’m a talker and let’s just face it…people are busy and it seems, generally disinterested in the details. Blogging is sometimes the best, most convenient and easiest way to get out your thoughts without having to burden friends with the details. Here, if you don’t like it, move on.

Until next time friends…and I mean friends.

Last night was our last cell group. Another step closer to us moving our life to Nashville. At this point, we just need to sell our house and we’ll be on our way. — It was nice to spend an evening with friends; good food and good conversation. Thanks to all of you who’ve been a part of our cell these past couple of years. I hope in some small way, Kristy and I had some kind of influence on your life. peace out!

It’s 1:41am. Talbot (Salem), OR.

Last Friday I had the privelege to spend some time with the folks out at City Bible Church in Portland, OR - thanks to Marc Estes, Ranjy Thomas and Doug Lasit for your time, hospitality and wisdom. If you are ever in the Portland area and are looking for a church to attend or visit, this is one you’ve got to check out. My experience and interaction with them has been nothing but stellar. But the reason I write…

From time to time, I come across music that makes me smile…and I push it to everybody I know. On Friday, Doug gave me a CD that they recorded at their Generation Unleased: Divine conference back in February of this year. First of all, the inperson experience was incredible. Thousands of people SERIOUSLY going after God…unashamed … nothing to stop them from meeting their maker. And now I sit on a couch absorbing the same anointing that captured, embraced and changed the hearts of so many that night. You can’t deny that God created these melodies. They are as fresh today as they were when written by those who sought to capture their own expressions of worship through the boundaries of words. This is exactly what He wanted His people to create. He is very pleased. But…that’s not really why I write.
Today, I had a strange and significant moment. No doubt this will not come across as heavy as it’s impact on my life but that’s because it was something that happened for me, at that moment.

I was practically born a Christian. I’ve lived in church, almost literally, my whole life. If there’s been a ministry, I’ve probably done it at least once. I’ve seen people around me come and go. Some come, excited and free, only to leave disenchanted and discouraged because “it” didn’t go the way they intended. I’ve seen people bitter, confused, hurt, angry, judgemental, afraid and quite frankly separated not from the world, but from holiness. In the moment all seems justified and worthy of the justifications, but I doubt it’s spiritual validity, really. But some come excited and willing to do anything they can to meet their maker for the rest of their life. It’s natural that we’d all go through the ups and down of relationship but as I’ve said time and time again, it’s not what happens to you that counts, it’s what you do with the opportunity that matters. You will fall either the to left or the right at some point. You can’t sit on the fence with God. that’s lukewarm and you’re nothing but puke in his mouth. So what does this have to do with my moment today? A lot…

Today, I experienced a moment when everything around me didn’t matter, but one thing. That I, would always be found in Him. I was suddenly aware of what life could look like alone. Completely alone. Does that translate? If not, then stop for a second, turn off the music, mute the TV and just stop for a second. What would life look like for you if your faith didn’t exist? If the promises that you believed, either consciously or subconsciously were non-existant. If you were left completely isolated to just work it out? Can you imagine? What would your marriage look like? What would relationships look like? What if you weren’t told when you were being an idiot, selfish or simply wrong. People just don’t care that much about you. Only God cares that much. He’s there for and through everything. People can’t even begin to fulfil that kind of relationship. People who think this thing about God is rules and religious activity are seriously missing out on the peace and joy of a God who wants to be closer than a brother, a friend, a Father who knows no boundaries. He wants the best for me. Even when I don’t deserve it, he gives freely…without recourse…without strings. Seriously, who is like that, but Jesus! I’ll never leave that. I can’t. Can you?

You might be wondering why I lead with the City Bible guys and their new CD? It’s easy. Read these words and you’ll understand the timing and depth of my moment today. Seriously, man couldn’t orchestrate this if we tried. Who is like Him!

There is none like you
No one else compares, to all your majesty
The world will know your name, as you are lifted high
and all will bow down

who is like you
No one else compares
to everything you are
To all the things you do
Who is like you
I live because you are, my everlasting arms.
You are so beautiful.

Amen.

A couple of nights ago, Kristy and I stopped by a CVS to pick up a late-night beverage for our ride home. While searching for the perfect drink I decided that a pack of Reeses Pieces would perfectly complement my drink of choice. Now, I know that Reeses at 11pm isn’t the best thing for your body, but I had mentally moved past that, until…

I reached down to grab a pack of Reeses and in front of the candy isle was the cutest little three or four year old girl. She was standing there with her mom as they were getting ready to check out as well. As soon as I reached down and took the pack, I heard the little girl say, “Is that junk?” I was shocked! What did she say? I looked at her mom and she hesitantly said, “yes, it is.” Okay, seriously, this isn’t happening. I’m being called out by a three year old girl. Come on. And then she says, “isn’t that terrible?” She asked again! I stood somewhere between laughing and a bit of disbelief that I was being called out by such a little conscious. In response, I looked at her mom again and she shrugged her shoulders as if she had no other choice but to say, “Well, yes it is.” It was classic. Kristy and I left laughing and enjoying our Reeses all the way home.

It’s been a fun, busy and exhilarating couple of months. Quite frankly, I’m not sure that I could have had the imagination or expectation to even ask for what’s come my way in the past few months. It’s been good. It’s been life defining. What?

From August 5-September 13 I embarked on a journey through a 40-day fast. In typical God-fashion, it wasn’t at all what I expected. So what did I expect? Honestly, I wanted it to be a spiritual high that would take me soaring. I expected that because of my sacrifice, God would have to do something to reward me. Yeah. He did something. The best word to describe that is REFINEMENT.

Refine defined means: remove impurities or unwanted elements from (a substance). Or, my favorite is, improve (something) by making small changes, in particular make (an idea, theory, or method) more subtle and accurate. In case you didn’t catch the details here, this word is a verb, which requires action from the root. When you add the removal of impurities with making small changes, what you get is a process and “product” that becomes more “accurate.” When you’re talking about the human soul, this isn’t easy and it’s certainly isn’t what anybody would call a spiritual “high.”

Looking back is always fun. In the midst you wonder; in hindsight you begin to see clearly. What I noticed and learned most is that God really isn’t all that concerned with what I am when I get done, it’s what I do between here, and there. It’s a cliché that has been known and declared for ages, but somehow it doesn’t really stick with us. What I wanted was something completely different than I got, yet looking back, I got exactly what I wanted. At the beginning of the fast, I asked for only one thing: that I would truly know Him closer than a brother. I’ve read that intimacy is created in conflict. If that is true, and I believe it so, than God and I are best friends. I am thankful. I’d do it again.

From a physical standpoint, the part that everybody seems most interested in (ironically), I lost 29lbs during the fast. And no, I wasn’t really hungry. After about 3-4 days, the hunger subsides and the bodies’ ability to refocus its source of energy is pretty amazing. I can remember a half-dozen times during the fast that my mood was altered (meaning I got pissed off) because I was so hungry, but that and other things became my calling card to spend more time with Him.

So what did I really learn? This relationship with Christ really isn’t as hard as I make it out to be. He’s generally pleased with me and isn’t concerned if I spend 5 or 50 minutes with Him today. Think of it like a personal friendship. When your friend calls and says that they need to talk with you, unless you continually blow it off, they won’t purposefully withhold the information from you if you don’t immediately drop what you’re doing and listen. In fact, even if it was that urgent, wouldn’t it be expected that they would find some other way to get your attention? Scream, yell, throw something at you, hit you…something, right! Then where is the theology that if we are distracted and God needs us that we’ll “miss it” if we don’t drop everything? Again, there’s timing, but the friendships I know would give me grace for my inability to fully be “on” all the time. “If my father (friends) know how to give me good gifts, how much more will the Father give” applies here. If my friends give me grace, how much more can I expect the Father to give me grace? A heck of a lot.

When the Bible says that He’ll never leave or forsake me, it simply means that He’s just, there. It’s only our sin that makes us feel far and that’s why He calls us to rapid repentance. The buildup of sin is like building a wall. The longer you go without dealing with it, the bigger the wall seems. Remember sin is authored and offered by Satan, so when we participate in it his plan will be to distract and eventually remove us from relationship with Christ. The next time you feel far away, remember that it’s just a ploy to mess with your emotions. You can’t trust them (your emotions or Satan). You simply have to know better.

Looking for a small business accountant. Anybody know of someone that they’d recommend?

Kyle

Hey friends. I have an issue that just came up that I need some feedback on.

Yesterday it came to my attention that there is another Motive Marketing company in the same industry/market as some of my clients. They are challenging me to change my name to avoid further confusion in the marketplace. I understand this and although there aren’t any trademark infringements that I can find, want to respect their request. I feel it’s only fair and that I’d want the same if I discovered something similar. So, I need your help and creativity. I’ve got a logo that’s already being branded and honestly, I just like it. If I can keep the “M” and company name starting with and “m” that would be great. Any suggestions?