40 Things I learned in 40 days…

I have created a list of 40 things I learned in 40 days of being on the Dream Tour.  Here is the first installment of the first 20.

1. Clean rest stops are good for the soul of a weary traveler.

2. A good night’s sleep is more precious than gold.
Everything is better when you are well rested; your attitude, your outlook, the way you treat others is better. You can offer the best version of yourself to the world.

3. A lack of sleep is a ministry killer.
When don’t get the sleep your body needs, it not only affects you. You can miss opportunities to bring Kingdom to your community and those around you.

4. Mountain regions that are flat on top and look like a table top are called “mesas” because the Spanish word for table is mesa.

5. Everyone in life needs space.
Introvert or extravert, we all need space. We need space to decompress, to reflect, to create, and to just be. There is something incredibly freeing about having a sanctuary of space.

6. AAA is worth the money.
If being broken down on the side of the road for 3 hours while having to go to the bathroom is exciting for you, then….don’t spend the money. But, if you want assistance in a timely manner, then I recommend purchasing the coverage. After being on this trip, I will be investing in AAA.

7. Starbucks is a playground for ministry.
Be open and prepared to minister, whenever, wherever…you may just be surprised by how the Lord brings a kingdom connection. It could be at the Starbucks near you.

8. Hospitality is an attitude.
It has little to do with how large your home is, how luxurious your guest bedroom is, or whether you can cook a gourmet meal. Instead it has everything to do with how you offer what you have. Hospitality is not limited to how you treat people in your home: it’s an attitude you bring with you everywhere you go.

Hospitality is an attitude of grace that chooses to radically bless and radically love because you know what it means to be radically blessed and radically loved. Hospitality creates a space, wherever you are, for a person to feel loved and cared for, whether that is a complete stranger or a life long friend.

9. Your trip to the west coast is incomplete until you have been to In-N-Out Burger. 

10. College students are in a perfect place in their life to dream big.
I’ve noticed that college students, more than anyone else, have a strong faith in their dreams. They are not jaded by failure yet. They don’t feel limited. The sky is the limit. They are in a setting where they are told, “you absolutely can” more times than not.

I believe, that if this generation starts believing in their dream, working towards it and doesn’t stop until it comes to fruition, we will have a whole new generation of bold dreamers who will advocate for the next generation of dreamers.

College students really will change the world.

11. Freedom is something you have to fight for.
If you want freedom you have to choose it. It’s yours in Christ but you have to renew your minds to it every day. You have to intentionally fight for it. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. If you don’t know how to fight for it, ask someone who does. Have them walk with you, fight for you, and teach you. It is worth every effort you put forth.

12. Know this: just because almonds are good for you, does not mean that you can eat as many as you want.

13. Self-condemnation is not attractive. It really isn’t.
And being hard on yourself does not actually make you stronger. You may think that telling yourself, “I am not enough” is a great way to motivate yourself to do greater things, but that’s just warped thinking.

How do I know this? Because this was exactly how I thought before I came on the Dream Tour. Now I understand what it means to take every thought captive: repenting from self-condemning thoughts, rebuking the enemy in his lies, receiving forgiveness, and replacing the lies with truth. Is it helping me find my true identity in Christ.

14. Love IS the greatest motivator.
It trumps self condemnation, self hatred, guilt, and everything else. The Beatles were on to something when they said, “All you need is love.”

15. If you are stuck spiritually – start giving thanks.
Something changes in the spiritual realm when we give thanks. The enemy hates it when he hears us giving thanks. I think, in fact, it might just terrify him.

Now, I am not saying that if you give thanks then Jesus will give you exactly what you want. He’s not a genie in a bottle, and there is no magic formula. I am saying I’ve noticed when people who are desperate for Jesus start giving thanks, things start to move. Something shifts. A spirit of gratefulness changes things.

16. If you want to exfoliate your skin, consider standing in a windstorm of 50-60mph.
Your skin won’t regret it. However, the rest of your body might. If you don’t know where to find one, check out Moab, Utah.

17. Confession creates a way for healing to be ushered in.

18. If you have been searching your whole life for some fried pie, just get off exit 123 on Highway I-40 near Oklahoma City.
You can’t miss the 37 signs leading up to the exit.

19. Anything seems possible when you have a great group of prayer warriors on your side.
Every joy and every sorrow seems to have greater depth when you surround yourself with a community that prays together.

20. Adrenal glands help regulate the hormones that are sent out in your body to help regulate stress.
Before the tour, I knew nothing about them. Also, did you know that if you are under constant stress, you can wear out your adrenal glands? Did you know that very organ that is created to regulate stress in your body can actually become too stressed out to function if you don’t manage external stress well in your life?

So, if you aren’t managing stress well, now is a good time to start!

More lessons learned coming soon…