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A Tribute to Mom

My mom with my dad and Dave at Dave's airborne graduation doing what mom's do best...loving!

What can I say tomorrow is Mother's Day and I have been blessed with the best mom in the world.  I'm not kidding...I really feel that way.  I am so thankful for her.  I've included an excerpt from my new book Breaking the Discipleship Code that my mom wrote.  Let me set it up...The third part of the book answers the question, "What does a missional follower of Jesus look like in...?"  My mom has been through a lot including an ongoing life threatening illness.  Recently she has been part of a clinical trial that is kicking the backside of her disease and bringing about a cure for all.  As I wrote about being missional in the context of suffering I included this as a missional snapshot at the end of the chapter.  Take a moment to read it and take a longer moment to celebrate your mom. 

Tomorrow I will get to see her for a few moments and I will give a copy of the book...I can't wait. 

(Patricia Putman – awesome mom, artist, school teacher, pastor’s wife, and cancer survivor.)

      My husband and I just returned home from Houston,Texas last night marking the second anniversary of my treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I was diagnosed in 1992 with Polycythemia. From 1992 until 2005 my red cell blood count would rise until I would have to undergo a phlebotomy. I was constantly fatigue and iron deficient from the treatments. In 2005 the doctor indicated that I was coming up on a day that I would enter into the spent phase of my disease where my bone morrow would stop making cells and then I would die.
    For a brief time I was depressed but it wasn't long before I was on the internet searching for a clinical trial. No doubt the Lord led me to the MD Anderson website where there was a clinical trials open for Polycythemia Vera and other Mmyeloproliferative disorders. Through a series of communication and referrals I became part of the trial.  I am now in complete remission, and my doctor has assured me that this trial is about a cure for PV. I believe that it is only a matter of time before I am cured.
    It has not been easy. At one point I really wanted to quit. As time passed and I grew stronger I began to realize that I had to see the trial through to the finish. I came to understand that not only my life depended on the research, but those in the future that would become sick with Polycythemia Vera were depending on me and the others in the trial. Now they won't have to fear a disease that had at one time carried a death sentence.

Full Day...Full Life...Fullness

"I've come that you might have life and have it to the full."  These are the word of Jesus.  I can really relate.  I haven't always been able to...some days I still struggle...other days life throws me a curve...another day there will be suffering...such is life...at the same time my life is full.  I'm not sure that I would call yesterday typical, but here's what it looked like for me...

It started at 6:00 am with a prayer time at MLC for National Day of Prayer.  It was good.  A great reminder to pray more for our country.

After prayer I got to hang out with Todd Nichols our worship pastor.  Todd is awesome and I've spent very little time with him since he joined our team six months ago...it was a good time to catch up, check in, and connect.  Thanks Todd for your time.

Later morning I met with our IT guy and worked on an outsource contract for all of our computer and communication needs. 

Had a conference call with Chip Riggs from Hope Baptist in Las Vegas.  We are working on our partnership in the middle east where we will be training 100 pastors and 30 young leaders in December.

Spent the balance of the morning working on lots of different administrative stuff. 

MY wife called about noon and wanted to go to Bon Jovi Concert...not my thing...but my wife is...We picked up a couple of really cheap tickets in the nose bleed section.

Drove down to Catalyst headquarters for a podcast with Brad Lomenick.  We talked a lot about my life, ministry and new book...Breaking the Discipleship Code.

Did all this on my motorcycle which is like a vacation every time I get on it.

Went home and took a 15 minute nap...I'm not sure if it was a power nap or not.

Had a second prayer time at 6:00 pm for National Day of Prayer.

Went to Bon Jova concert and got back home by Midnight. 

Heard from a old friend David Langford via e-mail.  Second reconnect from my high school days in two days.  Really cool. 

Did I say anything about a full life...Today is my day off so I am going to ride my bike with a friend and tonight Tami and I will catch a movie, hang  out at Barnes and Nobel's, and have some dinner...wonder who I will hear from or connect with today?

Have a great day and don't forget to live.   

Humble Reminder

I got a call on Monday from an old fiend I went to High School with back in the late seventies.  I graduated in 1977.  One of the last times I saw Jay he was strung out on drugs.  Most of us were in the seventies.  I had found Jesus and was serving as a 21 year old pastor in a church.  I was having a tough time because I kept bringing people of different races and people like Jay, who used a few drugs, to church and the folks were sort of hacked off about me ruining their country club.  Anyway, that's another story for another time.  I took care of Jay one weekend and took him to rehab at the first of the week...I think Jay was in and out of rehab, jail, prison, etc. for the next few years. 

When he called on Monday I knew he was doing good. I could hear it in his voice.  Turns out he has been sober since 1997!  Four years ago he and his dad reconciled.  A Big deal  - Jay had not had a relationship with his dad since High School.  Jay is attending a new church plant that is running over 600 people (after two years) and working with at-risk teens. 

If that's not good enough, he has a Harley Night Train...I can't wait to go riding with him.  God is good...never give up...and I can't wait to get to heaven and see a whole lot of Jay's I don't know about or have forgotten along the way....keep living the Jesus way!

PS. Did I say their will be Harley's in heaven?  I wonder what kind Jesus will drive...cruiser or touring?

Miracles - Don't Miss The Details!

Miracles: Everybody needs one is more then a sermon series, but a reality.  Every day I wake up with the reality that I need a miracle.  As I interact with others along the way I am aware that I am not alone.  We all need a miracle. 

When my son called to let me know that they had been in an ambush this week I immediately knew he was a walking miracle.  While the driver of his Humvee will be going home due to his injuries and it is questionable whether or not the machine gunner will return it is still a miracle.  At the end of the day they all walk away.  They have been through the valley of the shadow of death referred to as the kill zone in military terms and they have survived.  As I talked to my son on the phone I quickly told him that he had experienced a miracle.  I can't explain how a RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) goes off in your Humvee and you don't receive even a scratch.  The fact that the others lived to see another day in spite of their injuries is a miracle. as well.

I don't understand miracles.  I don't understand why some people get their miracle and others don't.  I don't understand why this time we got a miracle, next time we may not. 

At the same time I'm finally OK with not understanding miracles.  As Henry Blackaby often says, "God is God and I'm not."  Last night our Teaching Pastor Rodney Anderson preached an awesome message on this very subject reminding us that there is a far bigger story in pay out there and we are yet to see the final chapter.

In our ministry team meeting this week I raise the question what if we are missing it when it comes to miracles.  I mean we are so reserved and conservative when it comes to this kid of stuff.  What if God really does want to take over our lives and provide a miracle for us.  What if he wants to heal our illness, restore our marriage, restore our children, repair our finances, comfort our loneliness, bring peace to our depression, see us through our education, give us that job, build our churches, and glorify His name. 

What if when we get to heaven we discover that there was so much more that God wanted to do in and through us if we had only believed. 

All I know is this past week we received another miracle.  While I am still struggle with my doubts I am more a believer this week in miracles then I was last week.  It's all part of the journey.  Do you need a miracle?  Why not ask God and expect to receive one.   

new iPhone

I'm waiting for my wife and thought I would use my new iPhone to blog with. Pretty cool...best phone I ever had. If you haven't taken time go to the ChurchPlanters website and sign up for our Best Practices Praticum. We are approaching 20 teams so I cutting off soon. Visit our event page for details.

Getting Shot At!

My son got in today from a ten day mission and gave me a call.  It is really amazing to me how God keeps showing up in the details.  Tami and I both have really been concerned for him over the past few months.  If you pay attention to our world you know things have really heated up in Afghanistan.  The picture on the right represents the Humvee my son was in about two months ago when they were hit by a IED (Improvised Explosive Devise). All four of them walked away...nothing less than a miracle. 

Unfortunately he can is very limited to what he can say.  I do know that over the past 10 days they found a rather large number of IED's...6 of them exploded...they lost a brand new Humvee...they are mourning the death of a fellow soldier who was kill in action...they were constantly under fire...and they caught a large number of Taliban in the act of planting an IED...let's just say they skipped the introductions and took care of business. 

I tell you about this for a number of reasons...1) It allows me to get it off of my chest...it is my greatest burden.  Often it is all consuming to me.  2) I really do appreciate your prayers and hope this encourages you to pray for my son and all the troops.  3) I'm really proud of my son and I want you to know how much of a man he is.  4) I want you to realize that there is a lot of stuff going on in this world it is so much bigger then you or me. 

Back to my son...he told me as soon as he got off the phone he was going to take his first shower in ten days and get some sleep.  His routine on the mission was to sleep 3 stand guard 1.5.  He will be sent out on his next mission some time between 18 and 48 hours.  He was hoping for 48 because it would give him 6 good meals.  When he is on mission he eats one MRE a day. 

This should be his final mission before he comes home for an 18 day leave.  This will be the first time I've seen him in 10 months. 

Next time you take a shot at somebody...think about those who are really getting shot at.  Please pray for my son and all the troops....david

IED Attack

Last night we received a phone call from the front lines of the War on Terror.  Not one you necessary want to get.  With our Son serving in the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan we consider "no news, good news".   Thank God it was our son.  He was on a Satellite phone in one of the most remote and dangerous places in Afghanistan.  He had just survived an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).  He began the conversation with his mom saying something like, "Mom I'm okay, but we just got hit by an IED and I wanted to call you before you got a call from the Army and the story got all messed up."  As they were leaving a village they were hit.  The IED blow up the Humvee.  Two of the brave soldier  in the Humvee was blown from the vehicle.  Another one was blown into the bulletproof windshield.  Somehow they all walked away. 

While the others were taken in...my son loaded up his radio, weapons,  and other gear and headed to the top of a mountain where he spent the night.  As a Forward Observer he is trained to call in the heavy artillery.  He spend the night running recon, ready to rain fire down on the enemy at any moment.  The next morning he made it back to the camp where he called me.  We were able to talk for about 30 minutes.  He was banged up pretty good. He had intense pain in his back and legs from the blast, but he was alive.  He was hungry and thought he might get a hot meal.  All of the soldiers hit by the IED are being flown to a larger Forward Operational Base where they have the medical equipment for CT Scans and observation.  In approximately a week my son along with the other three will be refitted and sent back out to continue the War on Terror. 

I was on the runway at the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta when I got the news.  I immediately thanked God and gave Him all the credit for saving my son and the other troops lives.  I thought of Psalm 91.  I read it often as I pray for my son and others. 

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
      will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
   He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
      he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
      and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
      He will shelter you with his wings.
      His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
      nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
      nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
      though ten thousand are dying around you,
      these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
      and see how the wicked are punished.

I tell you this story to say thanks for praying...prayer does make a difference.  I also tell you story to encourage you to continue to pray for my son and our troops...david

God Really Answers Our Prayers

God really does answer our prayers.  On Friday I got up and as usual I got on line and checked out what was happening in Afghanistan since my son is serving there with the 82nd Airborne.  I've gotten pretty good with my Afghanistan geography and when I read the headlines it took my breathe.  An American soldier had been kill in a fire fight in the area my son is operating in. Since he serves on the front lines as a reconn scout these kinds of headlines always gets my attention.  When it hits close to home I typically spend the next couple of days on guard.  I hate it, but it is simply the way it is...

I found myself praying very specifically all day, "God, I sure would love to hear from my son".  Then it happen at 7:00 pm that night he called.  In the past three months he has called about twice so his calling was a really big deal. 

When he calls some random number pops up on my caller id and their is a long delay after I pick up...then I hear that voice, "Hey dad".  That's is music to my ears.  We talked for about 30 minutes. It was really early and no one was standing in line waiting on the phone.  He was really doing well.  I could hear it in his voice.  He talked about the fire fight he had been in.  He talked about spending 5 days with 5 other scouts at 2500 meters on a mountain at an observation point.  He talked about how he worked side by side with his Platoon commander pre-plotting targets and tactical plans as they advance.  He talked about coming home in October for two weeks before going back to finish his 15 month tour.  He talked about the fact that had been thinking about reenlisting.  He talked about his training  and how important it was considering he wore 60 pounds of gear and carried another 100 pounds in his rut sack. 

When we got off the phone I praised and thanked God for hearing my prayers.  God really does hear our prayers...he hears them when we are praying for our children...he hears them when we are planting a church.  He just simply hears them....Thank you God for hearing my prayers....Today I pray for my son...I pray for all of our troops...I pray for the special forces soldier that lost his life last Friday...I pray for the 3 NATO soldiers that died today.  I pray for the 7 kids that lost their lives when they were used as a human shield.  I pray for our leaders who have to make very difficult decisions related to this conflict everyday...I pray for peace on earth and good will toward all men....d

Memorial Day Reflections

I thought I would post some of my Memorial Day reflections...

1.  I really love and miss my son...I am so thankful for his service to our country...but can't wait until he returns from Afghanistan.

2.  I am really proud that my grandfather was a machine gunner with the Navy and serve our country at the Battle of Normandy on D-day...he helped changed the world.

3.  I am really proud of my other grandfather who served in the Air Force as a glider pilot.   

4.  It takes guts to jump out of airplanes that are flying at 1000 feet off the ground...my son has a lot of guts as a member  of the 82nd Airborne.

5.  The heavens long for "peace on earth and good will toward all men" so do I. 

6.  I wish preacher who have nothing at stake in the war would learn to be quiet.  I hear these guys get up and preach and while it may be really cool to talk non-violence...it would be really cool to have a world without disease and sin...get over it...where would we be if we hadn't taken up arms during WWII? Where will we be in fifty years if radical Islam goes unchecked? 

7.  Nation building is not simply our military's responsibility, but it is all of our. 

8.  There are many families in deep pain today because their soldier paid the ultimate price with their life...my prayer go out to them today....why not take a moment and go to the DOD website and read the names of our fallen soldiers and pray for them. 

9.  Jesus paid the ultimate price for our freedom...

10.  I really wish my son would call I haven't heard from at all in 4 weeks.

David   

In Him All Things Hold Together

I will never forget the first time God really planted "In Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17b) really deep into my life.  As you know we all struggle with the same sin, the need to be in control.  I had just accepted a job with a large mission agency.  My family was still living in Charleston, SC and I was on a business trip in New Mexico.  All I had was the keys to a rental car and a borrowed house in my pocket. I felt like I was a million miles away from my family.

This week I feel the same way.  Not a million miles away, but sort of out of control.  You know out of my element.  Here's the deal. 

• My son who you have heard me talk about unless you are new to this blog is serving in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne.  I've heard from him once in the last six weeks.  Every night when I go to bed I say a prayer for him because I know his day is beginning and i know he is somewhere in southeastern Afghanistan hunting down terrorist.
• My wife is in Europe.  Yea that's right Europe.  She took off with another man, her father and they have traveled from London to Rome over the past two weeks.  She will be home today so don't call the house. 
• My daughter was traveling home from supper last night and was hit by an oncoming truck.  It was a hit and run.  Someone in a fast traveling work truck decided to take up both sides of the road at a high rate of speed while approaching her.  We are grateful that beyond losing a mirror and getting really freaked out about the whole deal that she is okay.  I would like to punch whoever right in the nose especially in light of the fact they kept going. 

Other then that it has been a fairly normal week.  Speaking of Normal maybe this is normal.  Anyway this morning I was reminded of this scripture that God put really deep in my life a few years ago.  Perhaps you are like me and really really use a dose of it.   

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by him all things were            created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or     authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things     hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from     among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have all     his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on the        earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:15-23,      NIV). 

Anyway, a great reminder that while I'm not in control...God is!  If you are a church planter I'm sure you can relate.  david