Month: June 2013

Reckless Pursuit: Ch. 7 – I’ve Got A Surprise For You

/ landoncollard / 2 Comments

552497_100927980069453_322965092_n

Meet Kristen! Beautiful isn’t she!

She’s the amazing woman I’ve had the privilege to be married to for 16 1/2 years. Every day with her is a new adventure. Sometimes, it’s the new project she’s dreaming up. Sometimes, it’s the challenge of parenting alongside her. Sometimes, the joy of date night.

I love this woman and I love being married to her. There is never a dull moment with her. There is always something new and exciting. Another adventure.

Every once in a while, I intentionally change our routine in order to show her what she means to me. I lead her into an adventure of my creation. Shower her with little surprises. Little gifts that communicate my love.

The following is a snapshot excerpt of the upcoming book…

Reckless Pursuit: God’s Story of Relentless Love – Chapter 7: I’ve Got A Surprise For You

                  I wish I could tell you that my overwhelming love for Kristen just naturally led me to want to shower her with gifts. But I can’t. Instead, I gave to her because that’s what you do to show people you love them. She found a red dress hanging in the bathroom of our honeymoon suite because I heard about some brides getting wedding gifts from their husbands and I thought it was a good idea. I wrote a poem, had it framed and wrapped it up for her to open at Christmas, just five days later. I gave her gifts and wanted to express my love and then simply moved on to the next thing.

                  But Kristen doesn’t function that way. Gift-giving is an art form for her. She studies people, noticing what they like. Learning their style and their interests. She listens for clues in their speech, in their clothing and even in their home décor. When the time comes to give them a gift, she nails it. She seems to know exactly what they need, often when they haven’t even thought of it yet (I have benefited from this many times myself).

Reckless Pursuit is currently being prepared for publishing. It will be made available to the public early this fall. Keep coming back here for more updates and teasers.

reckless_pursuit_book_cover

Advertisement

Reckless Pursuit: Ch. 6 – Can I Ask You A Question?

/ landoncollard / Leave a comment

IMG_1128

When you hear the words, “best friend,” who comes to mind? What emotions instantly invade your heart? What memories rush in, taking back to a different time?

There are not many things in this world that are better than true, deep, meaningful friendships. They fill our lives with love and laughter. They fill our schedules with unending activities. They dominate our time on the web through Facebook, twitter, etc. They rank high on our priority list and we value their thoughts and opinions.

But there are some times when well-meaning friends aren’t that helpful. There are some times when “that kind word” is better left unsaid.

The following is a snapshot excerpt of the upcoming book…

Reckless Pursuit: God’s Story of Relentless Love – Chapter 6: Can I Ask You A Question?

                  So many times, well-meaning friends say things to people in the midst of their struggles that simply don’t help! They say things like, “Just let go and let God.” Or, “You know, God works all things for the good for those who love him.” Or even, “What do you think God is trying to teach you through this trial?” They think they are pointing the suffering person back to God but often they end up raising accusations, both against God and against their hurting friend.

                  Sometimes, there is nothing left to let go of. Sometimes, it isn’t God who is working in their situation and there is no apparent good to be found. Sometimes, we suffer at the hands of the Accuser. Sometimes, the only lesson to be taught is that we live in a broken and fallen world, where things are not as the Father desires for us.

Reckless Pursuit is currently being prepared for publishing. It will be made available to the public early this fall. Keep coming back here for more updates and teasers.

reckless_pursuit_book_cover

Reckless Pursuit: Ch. 5 – I’m Confused

/ landoncollard / Leave a comment

IMG_1087

Do you ever feel like there are multiple versions of you and some of them just aren’t that good? You ever wish you could push the reset button and try that last interaction again?

I know for me, this feeling happens way more often than I’d like. If you are like me and find yourself here more than you’d like, take some solace in the fact that we are in good company. God’s people throughout the biblical narrative find themselves in this spot over and over. Yes, even our heroes. Even the spiritual giants. Even people like Noah reacted thoughtlessly out of anger and I can’t but read his story and wonder how things could have turned out differently had he been more controlled. More in tune with God’s heart.

The following is a snapshot excerpt of the upcoming book…

Reckless Pursuit: God’s Story of Relentless Love – Chapter 5: I’m Confused

       Unfortunately, too often I find traces of Noah’s face on my own. My eyes narrow in. My teeth clench. And my cheeks get flushed. I lash out at my children in a moment of weakness and frustration, immediately regretting my actions.

       But other times, I am the complete opposite. I am inappropriately passive. I excuse behavior that should be immediately addressed. I dismiss actions of selfishness and disrespect instead of naming them and diverting them from being planted into the long-term character of my children.

       When I step back and gain some perspective, I long to model myself after our Father, not our ancestors. I want to parent with his boldness, conviction and his passionate pursuit of the hearts of his children. Yahweh loves his children so much that he is willing to do whatever is necessary to get their attention, even if that means intentionally creating utter confusion among them.

Reckless Pursuit is currently being prepared for publishing. It will be made available to the public early this fall. Keep coming back here for more updates and teasers.

reckless_pursuit_book_cover

Reckless Pursuit: Ch. 4 – How ‘Bout A Do Over?

/ landoncollard / 2 Comments

June 2012 140

There’s my little girl, doing what she does best – entering her world of make-believe. Sometimes she’s a princess. Sometimes a tomboy. Sometimes she’s several characters at once, all having conversations with each other. She can transform herself into anything she dreams up and enter a world far from here.

This time she’s the damsel in distress. I love her imagination, creativity and the drama she brings to her environment. She’s our “Anne of Green Gables” (a movie character who seemed to continually initiate drama because of her emotional reaction to her world).

As fun as it is to watch Reagan live out life like this – sometimes we don’t need the extra drama. Sometimes, life has plenty of it on its own.

The following is a snapshot excerpt of the upcoming book…

Reckless Pursuit: God’s Story of Relentless Love – Chapter 4: How ‘Bout A Do Over?

Immediately, my entire world was altered. What meant everything just a couple moments before now had absolutely no value at all. There are no words to describe the fear that consumed my heart. Nor, the horror of watching this scene play out in complete disbelief and yet fully knowing what the end result would be.

Have you ever been here? In the midst of your worst nightmare with no way to stop it. It’s not a dream you can wake up from. It’s not a childhood game of make-believe that can be instantly restarted with the call for a “do over.” No, this is real and terrible. It can’t be escaped no matter how much we run or hide or self-medicate.

What do we do then? Where do we turn? What options do we have? And what do we do with God?

Reckless Pursuit is currently being prepared for publishing. It will be made available to the public early this fall. Keep coming back here for more updates and teasers.

reckless_pursuit_book_cover

Reckless Pursuit: Ch. 3 – Don’t Ask Me

/ landoncollard / Leave a comment

IMG_0943

Ever feel like getting your kids to do what you want is an almost impossible task? Like it would be easier to learn to read and write Hebrew than it is to control your children? Frustrating, isn’t it, how little control we really have!

The following is a snapshot excerpt of the upcoming book…

Reckless Pursuit: God’s Story of Relentless Love – Chapter 3: Don’t Ask Me.

                  I have come to realize that this issue is the same whether I am parenting my children or counseling and mentoring adults. I truly have no control over other people. I can tell them what to do. I can give them warnings. I can guide them in the way they should go. But I can’t choose for them. I will never have that level of power over them. I have also come to realize that I would not want to. They are not robots to be programmed. They are people! Each, with their fiercely independent personalities. Each, with an amazingly unique spirit, just like my children are each radically distinct. Brady is my compassionate, quiet leader. Reagan is my spirited, fairytale princess. And Brycen is my rambunctious, little athlete. To control them, to force them into a predetermined mold, would be to rob them of their life. I cannot dictate their decisions anymore than I can make them love me. It is their choice.

Reckless Pursuit is currently being prepared for publishing. It will be made available to the public early this fall. Keep coming back here for more updates and teasers.

reckless_pursuit_book_cover

Reckless Pursuit: Ch. 2 – You Did What?

/ landoncollard / Leave a comment

IMG_0394

So, what do you do with this?

Could anything be more adorable? You want to laugh and drink the moment in but what if you are this little guy’s parent. You are responsible for not only what he does but who he is becoming. If you laugh, what happens? Does it cement this behavior? If you get on to him for sticking his tongue out do you turn something playful into unnecessary punishment? Where is that User’s Manual for these little guys? Wow, the task of parenting!

The following is a snapshot excerpt of the upcoming book…

Reckless Pursuit: God’s Story of Relentless Love – Chapter 2: You Did What?

…there is very little in this world that disturbs my heart more than going to bed at night after an unsettling conflict with my kids. I lie there running the scene through my head over and over, wondering if there was anything that could have been different. Did I handle myself correctly? Did I care for their hearts? Did I respond out of anger? Do they know how deeply I love them? Why do they seem to invite these interactions at times? What can I do to steer their hearts in a different direction? And if my heart is turned this way because of simple disconnects between me and my kids, what does the ache in the Father’s heart look like when I willingly defy him?

Reckless Pursuit is currently being prepared for publishing. It will be made available to the public early this fall. Keep coming back here for more updates and teasers.

reckless_pursuit_book_cover

Reckless Pursuit: Ch. 1 – It’s Really Good

/ landoncollard / 2 Comments

IMG_1039

Do you remember the joy of sweets from your childhood? The smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven and the anticipation you had as you waited for that first bite? How waiting for your mom to finish icing them was almost torture? And then, as you bite and experienced the first rush of flavor hit your tongue – fulfillment! Complete satisfaction!

Now, as an adult, I don’t experience cinnamon rolls with quite that amount of passion. No, this is emotion that is saved for greater things, one of which is my kids. I’ll never forget the overwhelming experience of watching each one of them come into this world.

The following is a snapshot excerpt of the upcoming book…

Reckless Pursuit: God’s Story of Relentless Love – Chapter 1: It’s Really Good.

…recalling these experiences, I am overcome with the thought that God’s initial moment of becoming a father was similar to mine but yet so different. His moment was complete and utter joy. There was no struggle. No concern of sickness, disease or death. No fear of the worst. No heartache of watching the one you love in pain. It was the purest moment of love the world has ever known. It was the God of the universe becoming a daddy.

Oh, how I would love to have seen Yahweh’s face during these moments of creation! How incredible it would be to see his escalating joy as he moves from completing one masterpiece to the next. The wonders of a universe filled with stars and galaxies beyond our imagination – joy. The beauty of the sunset – more joy. The fresh fragrance coming out of a newly formed meadow – overflowing joy. On and on it goes, from one remarkable design to the next. Dolphins – joy! Eagles – joy! Camels, dogs, chimpanzees – indescribable joy! And then…can you imagine how he could hardly contain himself as he unveiled his final masterpiece? 

Reckless Pursuit is currently being prepared for publishing. It will be made available to the public early this fall. Keep coming back here for more updates and teasers.

reckless_pursuit_book_cover

Reckless Pursuit: Part 4 – How The Father Wins

/ landoncollard / Leave a comment

IMG_0795

Reckless Pursuit: God’s Story of Relentless Love is in its final stages of production and will be made available early this Fall. As we move toward announcing its arrival, I will be posting regular teasers straight from the content of the book. Today’s snapshot look at Reckless Pursuit comes from Part 4: How The Father Wins.

For the past few years, I had been a part of a small group of men who we affectionately referred to as “The Pirate Monks.” We were an unusual gathering of men from all kinds of backgrounds but with one thing in common — we were radical Jesus followers.

All of these men knew, very personally, what it meant to be broken. Each one of us had struggled with life and had experienced the nasty sting of defeat. Broken relationships, addiction, denial, failure, self-medication and guilt were part of all our lives on varying levels. But we refused to be defined by these things. As real as these struggles had been in our lives, our freedom was more present, more tangible.

And so we would gather to rehearse and celebrate the freedom we had found. We would tell our stories both past and current and we would remind each other of Yahweh’s story. Of his love. Of his pursuit. Of his dedication to us, his children. We would look each other in the eye, ask the hard questions and demand for life to be lived the Father’s way. The way that results in blessing and freedom.

There is tremendous blessing available, even when it’s unimaginable. There is freedom offered, even when it is not seen. His love is indescribable and his pursuit is incredible.

Keep coming back for more from Reckless Pursuit.

reckless_pursuit_book_cover