Northwest Leader - Brian Dolleman

What I Frequently Want To Say To Christians

Brian Dolleman - January 29, 2013 - Uncategorized

Nadeen, a store clerk played by Cheri Oteri on SNL (in the ’90′s) had a catch phrase…

Simmer down now.

She was hysterical. My favorite was when she would say “simmer down now” with each syllable stretched out to sound like a race car changing gears.

That’s what I frequently want to say to Christians.

Chill out. Relax. Take a breath. It’s gonna be OK. Simmer down now.

In John chapter 10, Jesus describes himself as “the good shepherd.”

Here’s what the Good Shepherd brings to the table:

His purpose is to give us life, abundant life.
He sacrifices his own life for the sheep.
He knows his sheep and his sheep know him.
No one can take his sheep away from him.
He calls his sheep by name.
He leads them.

In this passage, Jesus contrasts the “good shepherd” with others (a thief, a stranger, a hired hand).

Here’s what those guys, let’s call them “bad shepherds,” bring to the table:

Stealing, killing, and destroying.
Abandoning the sheep when danger comes.

The Good Shepherd gives us peace and rest—with him we are home.

We are known and loved and cared for. We are family. And we are calm with confidence.

In contrast, those bad shepherds offer bad stuff.

If they were our shepherds, we would have good reason to freak out and be anxious.

I feel like many Christians act as if they have a bad shepherd.

They are insecure, anxious, nervous, concerned, stressed, living in fear, defensive, paranoid, on the run…

But we don’t have a bad shepherd.

We have the Good Shepherd.

Hello?

Simmer down now.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn how to live… freely and lightly. —Jesus (Matthew 11.28-30 MSG)

PB Mini-Bytes: Feed Your Creative Self

Brian Dolleman - January 28, 2013 - Leadership Bites, Uncategorized

In today’s PB Mini-Bytes, we talk about knowing what inspires you & feeding your creative self. Listen & enjoy!

Feed Your Creative Self

Friday Fun & Freebies

Brian Dolleman - January 25, 2013 - Fun / Humor, Uncategorized

We survived “Blue Monday.” Let’s celebrate! Here are some freebies & fun stuff for ya…

#1. FREE BOOK—Dirty God: Jesus in the Trenches by Johnnie Moore.

I can’t stop Tweeting lines from this book. Love it. Be the first one to comment on this blog post & I’ll send you a copy (scroll down to the bottom of this page to comment).

#2. FREE BOOK—Love Does by Bob Goff.

This is currently (still) my favorite book. I love the stories, adventure, & challenge to love God & do stuff. Be the first one to comment on this blog post & I’ll send you a copy (scroll down to the bottom of this page to comment). Also—follow Bob Goff on Twitter. You’ll be glad you did.

#3. VIDEO—Miscellaneous Pranks.

Look for the line, “I like your elbows.”

#4. VIDEO—The Poorest President in the World.

Can’t help but like this guy—the President of Uruguay.

#5. VIDEO—Grandpa Goes Ham on a Rascal.

Thank you Taco Bell.

#6. VIDEO—Professional Soccer in 15 Seconds.

So. Much. Drama.

#7. VIDEO—Beautiful Falling Burning Piano.

The music of Hauschka.

#8. 350 Sq. Ft. Apartment with 8 Rooms.

I think I could do it. Not sure I could live with anyone else in it.

See you next Friday for more fun & free stuff!

Like this post? You should also check out:

Friday Fun & Free Stuff Archive

Mud Eye -vs- Plank Eye

Brian Dolleman - January 24, 2013 - Uncategorized

When Jesus healed a guy who had been born blind, he used a rather unusual method.

Not that there is some “usual” method of performing miracles, but still, this was pretty strange.

Jesus spit in the dust, made some mud with his saliva and dirt, then rubbed the concoction on the man’s eyes. The man was told to go wash his eyes in a local fresh water pool.

The man went and washed—and saw. Soon the town was buzzing. (John 9.7, 8 MSG)

And then all kinds of drama ensued.

People debated.

“That’s the blind man!”

And, “Oh no it isn’t. He just looks like him. This guy is the blind man’s doppelganger.”

Finally, the man spoke up for himself.

It’s me, the very one. (John 9.9 MSG)

OK, that settled it. Now everyone wants to know: WHO did this?

When he told them about Jesus, they took him to the Pharisees to report what happened.

The Pharisees grilled him like he was on trial.

Some of the Pharisees decided Jesus was a bad dude.

Obviously this man can’t be from God. He doesn’t keep the Sabbath. (John 9.16 MSG)

The arguments went on and on. They even brought the man’s parents in to be questioned.

They called the man back a second time.

“Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man (Jesus) is a sinner.”He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9.24, 25 NIV)

I have always loved that line. “I don’t know what you guys are talking about. I’m not interested in participating in your theological debates. Here’s what I know—I was blind, but now I see.”

Boom. Roasted. Drop the mic.

But the Pharisees weren’t done. They argued some more with the man, then cursed him and kicked him out of the synagogue.

They said, “You’re nothing but dirt!” and they threw him out in the street. (John 9.34 MSG)

Sheesh. Such a crazy day for this man who had been born blind. I feel like right about now, he needs a hug, a snack, and a nap after all that drama (that’s what I would need anyway).

After being kicked to the curb by the Pharisees, the man is approached by Jesus.

They talk back and forth for a few minutes…

Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.” (John 9.39 MSG)

The Pharisees, lurking around the corner, come out to crash the party again.

Some Pharisees overheard him and said, “Does that mean you’re calling us blind?^”Jesus said, “If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you’re accountable for every fault and failure.” (John 9.40, 41 MSG)

And so, at the end of this drama-filled story, we have “mud eye” -vs- “plank eye.”

I know it’s a weird comparison.

Just roll with it. I’d rather be mud eye than plank eye…

One of those who knows they can’t see instead of one who thinks they see everything.

A self-admitted sinner in need of a savior instead of a self-righteous, self-appointed judge of everyone else.

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? (Luke 6.41 NKJV)

Who To Blame & Other Wrong Questions

Brian Dolleman - January 23, 2013 - Uncategorized

There were four of us siblings growing up together in my family.

When anything went wrong (something spilled, stained, torn, broken, left open, not turned off, or all the cookies eaten from the cookie jar), we instinctively knew what to do…

Quickly point a finger and assign blame to another kid.

Or perhaps the more subtle approach: “You might want to ask Katie about that.”

And use these famous words: “It wasn’t me.”

Yeah, we all become talented at shifting and assigning blame early in life. As we grow up, we take on a more sophisticated approach to the blame game. Instead of pointing an actual finger, we do it with our words, thoughts, or attitudes.

In John chapter 9, Jesus and his disciples see a man who had been blind from birth as they walked down the street. The disciples were curious, so they asked Jesus, “Who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” (John 9.2 MSG)

They were trying to make sense of something gone wrong.

It was time to do some accounting—break out the ledger sheet, do some tabulations, and place an “X” in the blame category. The disciples made 2 columns: 1) the blind man, and 2) his parents.

Who gets the “X” Jesus?

We need to know, so we can nod our heads knowingly and think, “Yes, that makes sense—it’s all Bob and Pam’s fault. I had my money on them anyway, and now Jesus confirmed what I thought about them. Such a sad story. And a good reminder for us all: don’t sin like them!”

Except Jesus didn’t point the finger.

He didn’t assign blame to Bob and Pam, or their blind son.

Jesus answered their question, but He didn’t give the disciples an “X” to place in a column.

Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.” (John 9.3 MSG)

Put down the ledger guys.

Now is not the time for accounting, tabulating, putting “X’s” in columns, pointing fingers, or assigning blame. You’re asking the wrong questions.

Look instead for what God can do.

Wow!

That line hits me hard: Look instead for what God can do.

Talk about an attitude shift.

Rather than trying to make sense of something gone wrong, we need to be looking for what God can do.

In the case of the man born blind, Jesus healed him. The man who had never seen before could now see.

When things aren’t right, we might be tempted to ask who is to blame and other wrong questions…

But instead, we need to be looking for what God can do.

My 2 Weeks Of Not Being Able To Taste

Brian Dolleman - January 22, 2013 - Uncategorized

I recently came down with some terrible influenza virus that seemed to linger on and on.

Then, while it was on its way out, my sinuses got all weird.

I’m not sure if they were infected or plugged or just mad at me—but they were certainly uncooperative.

My head hurt all the time and I couldn’t smell or taste anymore.

I was miserable.

At the end of my rope, I asked my wife to get me a Neti Pot.

I was embarrassed to even bring it up.

I’ve mocked this strange little nasal teapot on several occasions.

But now I was desperate and willing to try anything.

After a few days of constant decongestant medication and regular tea parties for my nose, the clouds began to break… I could kinda-sorta taste again.

Now, I’m almost back to normal. What a relief!

I know I sound pathetic, but c’mon, not being able to taste food for 2 weeks??!!?!!

The sparkle had disappeared from my eyes—I was lost and confused.

A world without flavor is no world at all.

This reminds me of the Message Bible’s paraphrase of Jesus’ famous “you are the salt of the earth” teaching:

You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. (Matthew 5.13, 14)

More on the subject of having full-use of your senses tomorrow…

PB Mini-Bytes: Good Secrets

Brian Dolleman - January 21, 2013 - Leadership Bites, Uncategorized

In today’s PB Mini-Bytes, we talk about having good secrets. Listen & enjoy!

1.14.13

Fun & Free Stuff For A Foggy Seattle Friday

Brian Dolleman - January 18, 2013 - Fun / Humor, Uncategorized

Let’s get to it! I have some stuff to share with you…

1. FREE STUFF—NWLife Limited Edition Surprise Pack.

Can’t tell you what’s gonna be in your surprise pack, but I can tell you what MIGHT be in it: stuff like a new logo keychain, NWLife cylinder beverage tumbler, new logo sketchbook/journal, new logo pen, or maybe even one of our favorite books. The first 3 people to comment below (scroll to bottom of page) will receive a NWLife Limited Edition Surprise Pack in our new, logo-stamped cotton, “spare parts” bag.

#2. VIDEO—Ghost Driver Drive-Thru Prank.

If you haven’t already seen this video, get yourself ready for a good one!

#3. VIDEO—Acrobatic Slam Dunks.

It would be fun to see the fail/blooper outtakes from this video.

#4. Woody Allen Fights A Kangaroo.

I’m laughing at him, and yet I know he’s far more courageous than me. I’d never attempt this.

#5. Pogo New York.

I like that they show some fails in this video.

#6. Dudes Trying To Put Motorcycles In Trucks.

I love this ( it probably makes me feel good about not having a motorcycle or truck).

See you next Friday for more fun & free stuff!

Like this post? You should also check out:

Friday Fun & Free Stuff Archive

Imagine: No One Left Out

Brian Dolleman - January 16, 2013 - Uncategorized

It’s no fun being left out.

I distinctly remember some Friday nights in my younger years, wondering what my friends were doing—and when I called, all their answers were vague variations of “Oh, I need to stay home tonight.”

And then I’d hear about the thing they all went out and experienced together.

Ouch.

Being left out stings.

More recently, I’ve been experiencing that “left out” feeling on Sunday nights.

After our 5pm service, we throw a party every week. There’s hot food in the lobby for everyone…

Except, you gotta get in line quickly. If you don’t, as I’ve learned from experience, you get left out.

No more food.

So I drive home tired and hungry on Sunday nights.

It’s no big deal. Really, I’d rather everyone else got plenty of food because I don’t have a food shortage. I have food at home. Honestly, I’m that American who could use to miss a few meals on a regular basis.

I’m sure you have your own “left out” stories too.

One of the most famous miracles of Jesus is the feeding of the 5,000.

The food supply was desperately lacking. Willing to help, a young boy offered Jesus his personal supply of five barley loaves and two fish.

How would you divvy that up?

It seems like it’d be enough to at least give the 12 disciples a little afternoon snack.

Instead of splitting the food 12 or 13 ways, Jesus decided to leave no one out.

“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. The men alone numbered about 5,000. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people… —John 6.10-13

Jesus decided to leave no one out.

It’s interesting to me that we call this the feeding of the 5,000—but a careful reading of the story indicates that more than 5,000 people were fed that day by Jesus.

Let’s be honest, this event happened in a patriarchal, chauvinistic, male-dominated society…

One where women and children didn’t count.

Thus, we have the “feeding of the 5,000.”

And yet, Jesus didn’t leave the uncounted out. He counted them in—because to Him, they matter.

That’s the point: people matter to God.

Not male people. Not one race of people. Not a particular type of people.

Just people. People matter to God.

I love the image the book of Revelation gives us of a future day of worship…

I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. —Revelation 7.9

Jesus took what a little boy offered (a drop in the bucket amount of food), and He did something extraordinary with it. He fed everyone.

Trying to imagine a world where no one is left out, where everyone is fed, where everyone is cared for, where everyone is loved, where everyone is given worth and dignity…

It seems so, well, impossible.

But then again, Jesus does His most famous work in the arena of the impossible, doesn’t He?

Let your imagination run wild (like the imagination of a young boy with five barley loaves and two fish). Dare to believe that who you are and what you have—although small, insufficient, and insignificant—in the hands of Jesus, can make a huge difference in the world today. Imagine: no one left out.

I Want To Be A “Drop In The Bucket” Christian

Brian Dolleman - January 15, 2013 - Uncategorized

I want to be a “drop in the bucket” Christian.

Do you know the origin of the expression “A drop in the bucket?”

It came from the Bible.

For all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. —Isaiah 40.15

It means a very small, or unimportant amount…

And it seems to indicate a status of insignificance and insufficiency.

Small and not enough.

A drop in the bucket.

Ever felt like that?

Like, “Who I am and what I have to offer isn’t enough.”

Can I make a difference?

Does my attempt really even matter?

The “drop in a bucket” expression is found in another place in the Bible…

The Gospel of John describes huge crowds of people following Jesus and listening to Him teach out on the hillside near the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus was concerned that the people needed to eat.

He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do. —John 6.5, 6

Philip started making calculations. It didn’t take long for him to figure out this would be impossible. They didn’t have enough money. Philip pulls his pockets inside-out to illustrate his message to Jesus: NSF (non-sufficient funds).

Then Andrew steps forward…

Andrew said, “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.” —John 6.9

And then Jesus goes to work.

You know the story. We call it “the feeding of the 5,000.”

That little boy’s lunch was offered to Jesus. It was just a drop in the bucket.

Insignificant and insufficient.

But in the hands of Jesus it became so much more.

It was incredibly significant. Everyone ate. In fact, the Bible says they ate until they were “full.”

And it was more than sufficient. Twelve baskets of leftovers were collected.

What was small and not enough becomes big and more than enough when put in the hands of Jesus.

Let’s get back to those feelings of personal insignificance and insufficiency…

Like “who I am and what I have to offer isn’t enough.”

Can I really make a difference?

Does my attempt even matter?

Yes. Yes. Yes!

Because the small and not enough becomes big and more than enough in the hands of Jesus. We don’t do the heavy lifting. Jesus does. He isn’t asking for us to save the world and carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. He does that. He is The Hero.

He’s simply wanting to stretch our faith and get us to be willing to offer up our “drop in the bucket.” I find this to be both liberating and humbling all at the same time.

It’s liberating to know that I don’t have to do the heavy lifting. The pressure is off. I’m free to be small and insignificant. It’s a relief to know that I don’t have to change the world. I just have to be willing to offer my “drop in the bucket.”

And it’s humbling too. Being a “drop in the bucket” is not applauded. The boy in the story who gave his lunch to Jesus didn’t even get his name printed. He didn’t get to take credit. Sure, he offered up his “drop in the bucket” lunch, but he didn’t perform a miracle that day.

I think we need this liberating, humbling experience…

To offer who we are and what we have.

To give our small, insignificant, weak, and insufficient whatever (talent, ability, resources, testimony, experience, finances, etc.) for Jesus to use.

I want to be a “drop in the bucket” Christian.