I probably should have written this post first before the last. You see, I recently visited one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world to snorkel. Just one problem, I completely missed the whole experience!

After a 10 mile boat ride to the reef, let’s just say I was experiencing a little, “motion sickness”. (Note to self – don’t eat a big breakfast before embarking on a boat ride in the ocean) Once we arrived at our destination, our Captain instructed us on the, “do’s and don’t’s,” of snorkeling. (Note to self again, listen to your Captain and make sure you get a good seal on your mask)

Feeling quite funky, I leaped into the ocean to explore the fascinating creatures below. I soon discovered my mask was filling up rapidly with sea water. Trying to breathe counter-intuitively thru my snorkel tube…I panicked and took a HUGE breath thru my nose. Consequently, saltwater raced up my nasal cavity and proceeded to flood my lungs. Gagging, coughing, and chocking! Gagging, coughing and choking some more… I couldn’t get air!

Forget those fascinating sea creatures, I now had a new goal; swim as fast as I could 30 yards back to that fascinating boat.

Now this is the closest I have come to physically drowning, on the other hand, I have had some experience in the, “emotionally drowning department.”  I know what it feels like to tread as long as you possibly can, and be so exhausted you begin to sink. I know what it feels like to take in water, gag, cough, and choke and feel like you’re emotionally drowning in depression.

I guess you could say I’ve gone under, and by God’s grace have been resuscitated. So, I just want to be clear in this series of posts. I’m no expert and I don’t have it all together. Nonetheless, I am learning ways to go back out in the water again. And I’m learning how to become emotionally buoyant and bounce back in hard times and rediscover this incredible adventure called life.

I pray these strategies to float are helpful to you.

Have you ever seen Letterman’s Late Show segment “Will It Float”? If you haven’t, it’s a silly sketch that serves no other purpose than to drop random items in a pool of water followed by Letterman’s classic question…Will It Float?

I think emotional health is a lot like that sketch. Now I realize our emotional health is no laughing matter so please allow me to explain by asking you this question.

Are you emotionally buoyant?

What? Seriously, will you emotionally bounce back when the storms of life toss and turn you in a raging sea? Unfortunately, too many people never stop to consider their emotional health until they are in a crisis. Hence they are in some serious deep water. The reality is ALL of us will face uncharted waters at some time in our lives. It comes with the whole “life thing.”

The question is…will you float?

In this series of post I will discuss strategies to float.

New York Times, John Noble Wilford wrote, “Mr. Aldrin’s problems began almost immediately as he struggled to adjust to life in the limelight. This made him increasingly uncomfortable, which led to erratic behavior and eventually depression and alcoholism. … In any event, he was hospitalized for severe depression.”

In Buzz’s own words he states, “Recovery was not easy. Perhaps the most challenging turnaround was accepting the need for assistance and help. Looking back at it now–with over 22 years of sobriety–this was probably one of my greatest challenges. But it has also been one of the most satisfying because it has given me a sense of comfort and ease with where I am now.”

My own take on Buzz Aldrin is this. He never dreamed his explorations would lead him to become the chairman and spokesperson for the National Association of Mental Health.

Perhaps his new mission has been more significant than his mission to the moon.

Whats your take?

Unforgettable Furtick Quotes…

“God had to get to me early before life talked me out of the dreams God had put inside of me”

“Elevation Church started with a core group of people who decided we were not going to let our lives pass us by without seeing God do something mightily in our time.”

Cremeans Couch: Steven Furtick Part 1 from Northway Church on Vimeo.

Chilled summer? Not a Chance!

The summer of 2009 is record breaking for Northway Church! I wanted to share with you some of the highlights.

•    Northway Church goes International. Northway’s message goes to 22 countries!

•    86 middle School students go to camp.

•    16 accepted Jesus Christ as Savior!

•    110 High School students go to camp this next week!

•    How many will accept Christ? Please be praying for all of our students and leaders.

•    Do the math, that’s close to 200 students whose lives will never be the same!

•    Thank you for your generosity! Over 15,000 dollars came in camp scholarships!

•    We are in the process of a little extreme makeover in CP. We are making new environments where people can hang out and fellowship.

•    After months of set backs and jumping through hoops, the dreaded and dilapitated house in front of our Colonie location has been demoed!

Not a bad July! What’s next? This weekend will conclude our, “One Prayer” series followed by “Student Weekend.” You don’t want to miss this! This promises to be the most impacting service of the summer. We will be highlighting over 200 students that went to camp. We believe the Next Generation will be the greatest for Jesus Christ and after experiencing this service, you will discover why.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” – 1 Timothy 4:12

Set an example. That’s what our students are doing at Northway Church. We took 86 to Middle School Camp a couple weeks ago, and they have come back fired up.

Next week, we are sending over 100 to High School camp. 100 lives are going to NEVER BE THE SAME! My life was changed at camp, and I can’t wait to see what God continues to do through these camps.

Check out some of the stories from our Middle School Camp:

Buzz Aldrin’s homecoming to earth would be no moon walk. It was the highest in human history (238,857 miles to be specific). At only thirty-nine years old, Buzz would soon sink lower than the altitude to which he soared. After Aldrin’s splash down, he essentially became non-functional, drowning in depression for more than a decade.

But that’s not something N.A.S.A. would want you to know. Cover up? Conspiracy? Who knows? At the least, it was a public relations nightmare for the celebrated Aeronautics. Think about it, only the well-ordered and disciplined minds get to explore space, right? And who wants to hear about an over achiever astronaut hero turned villain for the future dreams of space travel? Let’s just say for that time and era it would be better left as “Top Secret” and “Classified.”

So, how could one of the greatest over achievers in human history sink so low? How could Buzz pass the most arduous aptitude testing and yet plunge to an abyss darker than the far side of the moon? I would reason, despite the earth orbiting the sun 40 times since then, and numerous explorations in space travel, we have not reached the summit of emotional intelligence.

I would argue that your E.Q. (Emotion quotient) is equally important as your I.Q. (Intelligent quotient). Why? Because it will dramatically impact every area of your life. From your relationships, friendships, and marriage, to your children, your career and finances, there will be no place your emotions will not explore.

Pause.  So, I’m writing this while on vacation for my first book.  I think you can tell the theme will be about emotions. I would welcome any feedback or ideas for a title.

At only seventeen, he had already accomplished more than his peers being accepted by the time-honored West Point. However, this was just the beginning of an illustrious career that would take off like a rocket ship. With his BA in hand from West Point Military Academy he pursued his Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Emerging as the Best of the Best, his military profession led him to fly 66 combat missions during the Korean War. Now his gifted resume would include “War Hero” as he out maneuvered and shot down two enemy planes.

Fast forward and you can see how his whole life had thrust and prepared him to go where no man had ever been before. Destiny launched him to an elite status to be held by only two people in all of history.

His name? Edwin “BUZZ” Aldrin, Jr.

Today marks the 40th year anniversary of Apollo 11. America’s mission to the moon. “One small step for man….one giant leap for mankind.” No, not his words, for he was the other guy! His words??? “Magnificent Desolation,” didn’t seem to have the same gravity as Neil Armstrong.

Nonetheless, some would have you believe the whole “Man on the Moon thing” is a GIANT hoax, one BIG conspiracy. Now I have never held the view of a “conspiracy theorist”, however I would argue that the biggest conspiracy and cover up happened upon Buzz Aldrin’s return to earth.

Let’s just put it this way… it wasn’t a safe landing.

I’ll explain tomorrow…

In part 3 of CC, Craig will share his heart on what he believes God’s vision is for the church globally. I don’t want to give it away, but let me just say I agree ONE hundred percent! It’s time for… What could be… What should be… What must be!

Cremeans Couch: Craig Groeschel – Part 3 from Northway Church on Vimeo.

How could you encourage another church or pastor in your community this week? A phone call? A card? An email? How could you share resources? How can we have a spirit of cooperation instead of competition?

Is there a path to success? From spiritual, physical, relational, and financial goals, all of us are chasing success in some way. But too often, success seems illusive and out of reach. I’m excited about our upcoming series “Summer Trifecta” where we will discover the success secret…

Success leaves clues.

Like following breadcrumbs on a path, we can follow successful people’s principles and reproduce them in our lives. I’m honored to host three successful leaders in the church world today, Mac Richard, Preston Micthell, and Troy Gramilng as they unpack the secrets of their success.