As many of you know, we’ve had a lot of problems with our newborn Josiah. We started out with colic and him screaming (not crying) from 11 pm until 2 am. Thanks to our pediatrician, we were able to figure out what was causing the colic and were able to get that remedied.

We had about one week where things were peaceful and then he got this awful congestion. Not a runny nose sort of thing…it was hard, crusty uhm, uhm, well, you know. I wanted to take a pipe cleaner to his nose, but knew that probably wasn’t the right application for the pipe cleaner.

The congestion kept him awake a lot during the night. And, as all parent’s know “If they’re up…you’re up!” 13 weeks of sleep deprivation will really make you delirious. But, we decided to do something about it and chase that lion.

We were able to get in with a pediatricENT (ear nose and throat) doctor and get some medication. We had also scheduled to go to Castaway Bay at Sandusky just two days later just to get away from the house. Wewere told by the doctor that themedication wouldn’t fully take effect until Monday. We almost decided not to go when we heard that.

We knew that going to Castaway Bay could be a disaster, but we went anyway. Honestly, it was our best weekend ever with him. Sometimes you just have to take the lion by the mane and go for it. We are so glad that we took the risk to go to Castaway Bay. We would have looked back with deep regret that we didn’t make that choice to go.

I think this is where we all trip up. If we don’t take risks (chase the lion), we will live a safe life, but one of regret. Look back in your own life, and I think you will agree with me,that the times we took risks were the greatest and most thrilling parts of our lives. When we chose to play it safe, we have little to show for our inaction. So, go chase the lion!

We started a new series called "Chase the Lion." A friend of mine, Mark Batterson, wrote a book called "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." You can find it on Amazon here.

This last Sunday, we talked about defying odds. The main thought is that we seldom see God as a big God. We downsize Him and make Him in our image rather than the other way around. We sometimes fashion Him so human that He is bound to time, space, and thought. The problem is that we don't really see Him as being infinite and therefore why and how could He ever help us with our day to day issues since He is simply "along for the ride."

The opposite is actually true. God is as much in yesterday as He is in today as He is in tomorrow. He is infinite and we are finite. When we finally get through our thick heads that God is a big God we finally can experience a break through in our spiritual lives. So, I leave you with this question?

Have you downsized God so much that you have not left room for Him to surprise, transcend, or overwhelm you?

What is it within you that just aches? I'm not referring to what you see a physical therapist or doctor for. This kind of aching just won't go away. It's the type of aching that screams out "Somebody needs to do something about this!" You just can't get rid of it but you also have trouble helping other people to feel that same ache or burden.

This Sunday, we're talking about Blessed with a Burden. What is it that God has given you a burden for? Maybe the better question is: Whos is it that God has given you a burden for? Is it single moms, orphans, homeless, or maybe your heart burns and is bothered by the fact that people in Africa don't have access to clean water?

God blesses us with these kinds of burdens so that we will be the agent of change in the world. But, how do we we get to where our burden becomes a blessing for others? How do we get started on this journey that God has blessed us with?

I hope to give you several things this Sunday morning that might help you discover your burden, what to do with the burden, and how to motivate others to join you in taking this burden and making it a blessing to the world.

So grateful that our growth groups (small groups of 10-12 or so people in them) are really getting a vision to help out Cleveland. One of our growth groups recently made a decision to help the homeless. The group decided that they would purchase or donate blankets, socks, hand warmers, and other items to help the homeless throughout the harsh wintertime in Cleveland.

You guys and gals are my heroes. You have really taken on the identity of Blessed to be a Blessing. Instead of just sitting around and talking about the Bible, you actually went out and lived it out. It's awesome to hear how people have said to me "I came to Gateway because I wanted to be part of something that can do so much more than what I can do alone."

Here's a big secret that I'm unveiling here and will unveil to everyone through the Blessed series that we are currently in. Gateway gave $8000 to missions this last year. Well, not technically a year...from April until December! I am so grateful to be a part of a church that cares about our community and the world. This missions giving included helping inner-city kids who needed clothes for school, Thanksgiving meals for inner-city families, as well as sending money internationally to help families in 3rd world countries to have clean water, medicine, and spiritual help.

You definitely have been a blessing to people locally and globally. Keep it up, Gateway. The best is yet to come!