The Call to Exceptional Living

A few months ago, in my blog entitled Seismic Shift In 'A Point Of View', I confessed to you that "I am convicted that perhaps, tragically, I have been living more as an American than as a Christian."

I also wrote you that "I am also concerned that, by and large, the Church in America is off-track and needs a seismic shift."

With those thoughts in mind, I want to take the next weeks, months, etc., and explore the difference between the American Dream and the Kingdom Dream.

Future entries will explore questions such as: 

- Where have these two dreams intersected, and where have they diverged?
- Were these two dreams ever the same dream? Are they still the same?
- Can a shattered American Dream be saved?
- Are people of Christ even called to live the American Dream?
- Is the American Dream hindering the advancement of the Gospel?
- Etc? Etc? Etc?

Up front, I would like to propose the idea that, too often in Western Culture, Christians merely settle for the American Dream.

While the American Dream is an amazing gift of liberty filled with unequalled freedom and matchless opportunity, it pales in comparison to the Exceptional Living offered to us in the Lord.

Also, while the American Dream is susceptible to corruptible ideologies (ie: perversions of the Golden Rule in which "those with the gold make the rules" all while trying to "keep up with the Joneses"), we have an opportunity to live the exception to the rule. We have a chance for Exceptional Living!

Finally, let me state four more things to consider:

1) I am a patriot of our great nation! I plead for Mercy for our land. I even stand in my living room when I hear the National Anthem on television. I pray for our troops, and I intercede on behalf of our President, no matter the person's political party. I LOVE THE U.S.A.!!! That said, I believe that even though I am a citizen of this land, my true citizenship lies in a Kingdom that knows no borders and is Exceptional compared to every other nation on this globe.

2) My goal is not to be incendiary, confrontational or heavy-handed, though sometimes that may be the effect. However, my goal is to inspire you to live exceptionally. I really believe that we have a chance to create a vertical trajectory for our lives, in which the desires of this world fade away in light of the Exceptional Life offered to us!

3) I will never get a chance to say everything in one blog post. I will not have time to offer every opinion, point of view, etc. Instead, I will seek to offer my observations, coupled with Scripture as well as history and current events. If you feel I am missing something, please join the conversation in the comments section. I want to stimulate discussion.

4) If you are reading this blog, and you do not consider yourself "Christian" (ie: said the sinners' prayer, go to church, accepted Jesus as your Lord, etc.), this is not an "altar call" for you. That is not my intention. However, please know that (A) this blog is coming from the perspective of a man who has been raised in church, studies the Bible, prays and wants to see the Kingdom of God established "on earth as it is in Heaven" in the way that Jesus Christ (not other well-meaning human beings) intended; and (B) I invite you to read this blog anyway. Please continue to let these thoughts challenge you and, perhaps, inspire you to know that, apart from mankind's religion, there is actually a relationship with Jesus that can call you to Exceptional Living. I want you to be a part of the Life that I know, and I hope you will continue on this journey with me.

You are all amazing people, and I look forward to going forward with you in Exceptional Living!

MORE TO COME...