"Can we get an amen...and a dog biscuit?"

"There's a disturbance in 'The Force.'"

 Against all conventional wisdom (and warnings from me) Pastor John of a vibrant church plant in Minneapolis, Living Stones Covenant Church asked me to give the message to his flock yesterday. A recent client for whom I developed a brand story to help share their heart, voice and passion. 

Against all conventional wisdom (and warnings from me) Pastor Brian took the stage after they played their new brand story, the lights bursting on after complete darkness during the QuickTime movie: 

 

The flock squinted from the abrupt explosion of light, their vision focused and I noticed a lot of  blinking; likely from the image of me and Bentley sitting on the stage ready to address them with (hopefully) words of insight and inspiration.

I began my 25 minutes clarifying that the dog was, in fact, Bentley and not Brian who was listed on the Sunday pamphlet. I asked if people had noticed us the many times we had come to church during the months of this brand process. More blinks and nods. I mentioned that most probably remembered him more than me. More blinks and nods. I mentioned that many probably asked themselves, "What's this guy's story? And what's with the dog?" More blinks and nods.

"It's all about the power of your story." That began 25 minutes I will always remember. Not because this Messy Messianic was able to check off another "bucket list" item or a narcissistic urge to be on stage (although I must admit that when hooked me up with the remote headset mic I was VERY tempted to break into "Danke Shein" when I hit the stage). It was all about making eye contact with 150 lives. People coming together in a room of grace, hope and joy. Experiencing God who loves them unconditionally. To remind them, and all of us, that there is and always has been One Story. A glorious and eternal dialogue. That every one of us is a unique character in that story. Some a drop of ink, a letter, a punctuation, sentence, chapter, book or volumes. A distinctive and vital part. More blinks and nods.

I concluded, speaking about the "power of resurrection." Approaching Easter we customarily think of "resurrection" defined as Jesus rising from the grave three days after his crucifixion. Duh. Yes, it is the first meaning in Webster. It's the second meaning that stirred me, and the one I emphasized in my closing remarks:

"2. A revival from inactivity and disuse."

We can view life from the flock. We can be led by the many of the world's shepherds we choose. We can go where they take us. We blink and nod. Then we follow. 

We can also choose to blend the the ink of our lives, letting the characters form new words and celebrate the unfolding story from the One shepherd and author. Then we follow pillars of fire and cloud.   

Are you reviving and using your ink?

Wink. Nod.

Let's resurrect.

For emphasis:

(b) and (b)

Living Stones Covenant Church: http://www.livingstones.org/