Stuff Christians Like

If Jesus called your cell phone, you’d answer. You’d probably wonder how he got his photo in your phone. Or how his contact info came up without you making a profile for him. I don’t care if you’re an atheist, you’re not kicking Jesus to voice mail.

And you know he’d be calling from an iPhone.

Jesus hates Droid.

Look it up. That’s in Luke I think.

And quit making stuff like this. It’s dumb.

How’s that for a headline?

Yowza! Allow me to explain.

My wife Jenny can’t stand public displays of affection. She’s a private person and thinks that making out in public is awkward.

Recognizing that as the mature husband I am, I invented a game called “Jon tries to kiss Jenny on the mouth.” It’s an amazing game but, for years, I didn’t have video evidence.

Until today.

About a month ago, I spoke at Catalyst in Dallas. After my speech, they surprised me by having Dave Ramsey and my family join me on stage. Dave flew them down to celebrate Start hitting the New York Times list.

It’s a pretty awesome moment, and one that certainly highlights Dave’s generosity and willingness to celebrate.

It’s also a pretty funny moment of me trying to kiss Jenny in front of 5,000 people.

Enjoy!

I need to get something off my chest.

I need to be transparent and authentic (words Christians love).

I need to confess something.

Whenever the minister asks us to close our eyes so that people can raise their hands indicating a salvation moment, I peek.

That’s a lie. I don’t peek.

I look.

I count hands.

I survey the room in an ocular way. (That’s fancy talk for eyeballs. I’m wicked smart these days.)

I look. I can’t help myself, and it turns out I’m not alone. A few months ago, after just such a bow-your-head moment, my wife said to me, “Hey that biker guy gave his life to Christ.”

I immediately shamed her for looking and judged her. That’s part of being a Proverbs 32 husband. Look it up, it’s in there.

Now it’s your turn. You ready to come clean?

Have you ever looked during the salvation moment?

I think even Jesus might hurt his foot when he steps on a lego.

After all, he does know what it is like to be human.

Regardless though, it appears that a group called “#weoccupyJesus” reinvented the walking on water scene with legos.

Well done. I think the reactions of the disciples are the best part of the whole thing.

Sometimes, when something happens in life, it feels like God has passed me the baton.

I get a good opportunity and feel the pressure to maintain it all on my own.

Something bad happens and I feel like I need to weather it myself.

I’ve made my bed, and it’s time for me to lie in it. (Or is it lay in it? I always confuse those two.)

But the older I get, the more I’m realizing something simple:

God never passes the baton.

He never asks us to completely take the wheel.

He doesn’t bring about something good and say, “OK, it’s your turn. Let’s see how you do without me.”

He doesn’t start a storm and then see if we can swim.

He’s a present God, not an absent god.

Does he invite us into his story? Without a doubt. Are there decisions to be made and actions to be taken? Of course. This is not a call to laziness; this is a call to control. As in you don’t have to. God never asks us to be god. That role is already taken.

There is no baton pass.

I don’t know who did this, but it’s a horrible thing to leave in a dark bathroom. (Via 9gag)

I wrote nearly that same headline almost 2 years ago, and I’m excited to announce again that I’ll be speaking at the 2013 Epoch Awards on October 28 in Atlanta. We’re giving away another $50,000 in grants to six nonprofit leaders–to people who are crossing the street or the world to change this world we live in. Fantastic, huh?

So, tell me, who deserves this money? Is it your friend? Missionary? Neighbor? Co-worker? Ministry leader? Pastor? Well, they can’t win if you don’t nominate them, so do it! Today! Here’s the link: http://epochawards.com/nominations/nominate/

The deadline for nominations is June 15th, so get them in now!

Last time, we got more than 430 nominations from 5 continents and 25 countries. We can beat that this go ‘round, don’t you think?

In addition to handing out the money to the winners, one of my favorite speakers of all time, Bob Goff, will be doing the keynote. You don’t want to miss his heart-felt, mind-blowing, and rather comedic, explanation of how to live.

Finally, I leave you with this 30 seconds of Epoch:

When:            October 28, 2013

Where:           Fox Theater, Atlanta, Georgia

Tickets:         Purchase tickets for yourself and a friend, or for a table of friends here. Use code “Jon,” and you’ll save $25 off the ticket price!

Attire:            The Epoch Awards is a black tie event. While I know most of you own tuxedos (and ladies, we don’t need to know how many evening gowns are tucked away in that closet), I’ll be renting one and you can, too, but don’t feel like you have to.

It’s going to be an awesome night, in an awesome location, for an awesome reason. Hope to see you in Atlanta!

I don’t need to be sprayed with cologne while I am walking in the mall. I already smell like sandalwood and a forgotten beach day.

But sometimes, I’ll get approached by mall kiosk salespeople.

They want to sell me a hair braid kit for my wife or a vacation rental or a small helicopter that will break when I make eye contact with it at home.

It’s a problem, albeit a small one.

How does my friend Wendy deal with it?

She tells the salespeople, “I’ll stop and listen to your pitch if, at the end of it, I can tell you about Jesus.”

That my friends is the very definition of win-win.

If they say “no thanks,” then you don’t get blasted with lavender body rinse.

If they say “yes,” then you get to share about Jesus.

And it’s so unexpected, that it usually starts some really interesting conversations.

Next time you are at the mall and don’t need a knock off pillow pet, do what Wendy does.

I promise your day won’t be boring.

My friends Tripp Crosby and Tyler Stanton are hilarious. You should follow them on Twitter because you would love them.

A few months ago, they made a video introduction for my speech at Catalyst.

Without further adieu, I give you “Shoot Christians Say.”