The power of narrow!

Life can get crazy from day to day as I try to make since of Gods priorities. I no longer have a desire to live large and shallow but I want to live deep and narrow. The power of a river is not how big it looks but how deep in flows. The depth of a river like our lives is not in the expansion of its banks but in the narrowing. Rivers likes men’s lives can look big and impressive on the outside but shallow with closer inspection. Shallow is great for canoes but not for large ships caring precious cargo. I am impressed with what men can carry not what carries a man! What do you carry?

Owning your beliefs!

My daughter is a senior in high school and will be heading off to college this fall. She is at that terrifying place in life and so are her parents where she is deciding for herself what she truly believes. For 17 years we have told her what to believe and have tried to live those beliefs in front of her. She has seen firsthand the hypocrisy with in so many so-called believers even those in leadership that sometimes it becomes difficult for her to understand Christianity. I reminded her of her own hypocrisy and mine and that my belief is in Jesus not His kids!

All I can say is WOW

All I can say is WOW! Last night in the cave was simply unbelievable or should I say very believable. Over 200 men were in attendance and the presents of God was everywhere. I want to personally thank every guy who invited a guest to be with them last night. Men of the cave blow me away! What an honor it is to serve you. To all of the Team Man Cave warriors who set up and tear down the cave every Wednesday night a big thank you! You turn a gym into a hospital where God does heart transplants. I love you guys and have a passion filled week.

Dead men walking!

Many times I ask myself what makes a man fully alive? How much of a man’s day is filled with enthusiasm, joy, adventure and pursuing of his God given calling or passion? How many dreams have been shelved in the name of responsibility or he just too tired to think about it. I will never settle for the same old thing or succumb to being satisfied with the way things are. While I am alive I want to live everyday with expectancy and dream about what could be until I take my last breath. I want to be fully alive while I die daily!

Doing What You Love

Doing what you love! I believe passion is doing what you love. Passion is the one thing that God has called you to do that makes since to know one but you. It is the one thing that ignites the heart of every man and directs him on a journey of significance. Passion is not the sin of obsession for it cares more about the effect on others than its own personal fulfillment. Passion can be shelved, buried, displaced, ignored, and sadly forgotten but it can never be taking away or killed. What’s your passion? Find out at The Man Cave this Wednesday night.

Board Games

Board Games! My wife loves board games…I do not! Yesterday sandwiched between two wonderful football games was a board game. The name of the game was, “Sorry” and the game was older than well everyone but me. My desire was to get the game over quickly so I could be back to my football games! At the end of the day as I lay in bed God played back the two games. And then the question was asked, “Which game had more significance to your family the one you played together or the one you watched”? Be significant. Man Event in 2 days!

Write a Letter

Write a letter! I remember when there were no e mails, no cell phones, no PowerPoint’s, only four stations on the TV and the remote was your dad yelling at you to, “change the channel”. I can remember when you took the time to write a letter. There is something about one’s own handwriting that makes it personal and not so one dimensional. So in the next 24 hours write someone a letter or just a quick note. Emails are not a relationship!

Laughter

Permission to laugh! Someone once said,” The best part of your day is your first laugh”! I am grateful for the amount of laughter in the Zelesky home. The Bible says that, “laughter is good medicine” and we all could use a large dose daily. People take life way too seriously and of course there are those who don’t take life seriously enough. Today look for humor like you would a precious treasure. In the heartache of life there is buried humor! LOL

The Board Meeting

The board meeting! I am the first one to admit I do not do well in meetings. Last night I went to the annual board meeting and sat before the board of Sunset Christian Church. I was there to give a report on Man Cave Men’s Ministries. I went to share my heart but had no idea that I would experience men of great faith! The men who sat around the table blew my mind with the love and support I felt. I want to express my gratitude to the board and my dear friend Pastor Greg for allowing me to walk out my passion for guys! Thank you!

Bad Mood

Deal with it! I woke up in a really bad mood today. My brain was filled on the things I needed to get done and the tools I needed to get them done. Hey are there any guys dealing with too much to do and not enough time or recourse to get it done? My dad used to tell me, “I have champagne taste on a beer budget”! So I stop midstream and delighted myself in the Lord. I brainwashed my brain! I thanked God for what He has not what I think I need… You would like now!

I Choose It

Welcome to Cave Day! The wind is blowing on the outside but tonight the wind of the Holy Spirit will be blowing on the inside of The Man Cave! My wife just called to let me know that some of my fence just blew over. You gotta love life no matter what it brings your way. 10% of life is what happens to you 90% is how you choose to respond to the 10%. This will be a great day why? I choose it!

Heading Home

We are all heading home today after taking fun to another level in San Diego. Many pictures were taken and moments created as we simply enjoyed being with each other. Nicole, our daughter, is heading off to college out of state this fall so the nest will be somewhat empty. I am learning to run to what’s important and away from what is not! The Cave is coming in 2 days!!!

Invest in your family

The Zelesky family has been hanging out in our favorite town: San Diego, CA. Last night Nicole and I had a pillow fight (I won) and today we are taking a bike ride over to Coronado Island. Family time is the only time that you are investing in your legacy so invest well! We are all heading home tomorrow and then days away from the CAVE. Love you guys!

Family Zone

The most important thing! Sorry I missed my post yesterday but I am on a little get-a-way with my family. I loved yesterday! No phone, no laptop, and no thought of anything but time with the fam. Often you have to turn something off to turn something on. Declare to yourself the Family Zone in your home! Know when to stop working and pull out some board games and just hang out. We must live the cave at home!

The journey

God has a calling for every man! I was caught up in a moment of time last night as I saw several men coming forward for prayer. Their hearts' cry was simple but complex… what is the call of God on my life? It will become my life’s goal to see men built up not beat up, to live intentionally. It is one thing to know what your gifts, talents and abilities are, but it is another thing to know what’s YOUR CALLING--your passion. Stop letting your life define you and start allowing God to define your life! Welcome to the journey.

Why are you here?

What is your Passion? It is my passion that every man would discover and live his God given passion. Why in the world were you put on the planet and what is THE CALL of GOD on your life? Tonight at the Cave I will answer those questions through the life of the Apostle Paul. You are here for a reason! By the way, it is a specific calling…

Feelings or Faith?

Feelings or Faith? The reality of my faith is tested daily as I put my trust and hope in the hands of my heavenly Father. What I feel many times is not Gods reality but my own based on my limited knowledge of what is presently happening. During this fast your feelings will be tested… trust God He knows what’s coming!

When does God speak?

When does God speak? I believe God speaks when we are listening. There is much talk about God being silent however I believe many times it is the noise in our lives that drowns out the still small voice of God. During this time of fasting and prayer try to listen more than talk. Weird advice coming from me! Don’t miss The Wall today…noon at Sunset Christian!

The First Day of the Fast

Welcome to the first day of the churchwide 21-day fast! That’s right a fast! What does it mean to fast? Die to self in order to live at a higher level with God. Fasting allows you to truly think about what is important in your life. You will hear from God I promise you! So men of the Cave take the lead… no excuses! God will be for it, the devil will be against it! The Cave is just days away!!!

God's House

The church is God's house, not our house! I wonder sometimes if we have moved into a house that does not belong to us. Do I make Sundays more about my personal comfort, not God's? Do I worry about myself not being offended more than I worry about offending God? Maybe that’s why in Rev. 3:20 Jesus stands outside His own house and knocks! Have we moved Him out? Pastor Z

Pray With and For

Who do you pray with and for? I know it is a weird question but it tells a lot about your prayer life. I think the challenge for men if we are really honest is to pray with our family members and for our enemies. If the cave isn’t happening there it simply isn’t happening! The cave is more than a good old boys club!

The New Normal

WOW! The Cave was at capacity last night as men heard from one of the best! I want to thank my good friend Roger Crawford for sharing your heart and life with the men of the Cave. Corey and the worship band were better than ever as men raised their hands and hearts to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Special thanks go out to all the guys who set up and tore down the Cave. These are the best of times! BTW The Cave is the NEW NORMAL!

Wants and Needs

The older I get the more I want to make the choices that will cause me less stress. I hate drama as I guess most guys do. So why bring more to my life with another stupid choice? What I feel I want normally will bring great stress. I’ll try to stick with the needs! The CAVE TONIGHT AT 7:00pm

Passion and position

Your passion for life will change your position in life but your position in life seldom affects your passion for life! What is your passion? What ignites your life? What would you do if you never received a dime? The Cave is going to Rock this Wed.

Waking up

I love when my faith wakes me up not my fear. I rose early (3:50am) with the desire to take my time to another level. I want every moment to matter. I am going to work on keeping my ego in check today! I love the stillness of the morning. Man Cave in 2 days… I am so excited!

Priorities

I spent most of the day thinking how I can be more intentional and remind myself in 2010 what are my priorities? Man Cave is just 3 short days away… my heart is pounding!

Truth

Cherisse and I read the following line in our devotions last night, “The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth that men do not want to hear”. I have often said that the truth will make you free but it will really make you mad first! What truth are you avoiding? The Z family is heading for the snow today. Good read for guys, "The Wedding” by Nicholas Sparks