Coming Clean With My DUI(s)

I’ve been planning on this post for about a month. I specifically set aside time to reflect on something of great importance, “Who’s been my Influences?” Or, I would like to refer to them as my DUIs, “Dangerous Uncompromising Inspirations.”

I have chosen 6 individuals, fitting for the close of ’06, who have effected me greatly. Some you’ve simply heard of, others are famous, and several are people God’s brought along my journey.

As we’re all aware, DUIs are normally given to people who drive drunk, but putting a spin on it, I think of the term quiet differently. D is for “Dangerous.” These individuals are dangerous because they challenge my comfort level, they challenge my misconceptions of Christianity, but most importantly, they challenge me to question my beliefs, thus making them dangerous.

U is for “Uncompromising.” These individuals don’t compromise their lifestyles and beliefs for the Gospel. This easily leads me to the “I”. I is for “Inspiring.” Uncompromising men and women are inspiring (those who don’t compromise in relation to the Gospel). If these individuals don’t inspire you then, well I’d be shocked.

I’ve excluded Jesus and my parents, who have certainly effected me far beyond any individuals listed, in effort to avoid any clichés and exemplify others whom God has brought along my journey besides the obvious. So here we go…

* The truth is that these men are simply individuals trying, or have tried, to live holy lives in their journey. They’re just like you and I, except different, different in the fact that they make me uncomfortable. Get those type of individuals in your life.


1. TERRY BLEY

If you’re looking for the “super cool,” loud, and obnoxious youth pastor type you, won’t find it in Terry Bley. You will, however, find a man with great reverence for God. This is displayed so lavishly throughout his life.

Terry is one of the most down to earth guys I know. His “above reproach” lifestyle has always shaken me. His passion for holiness has always been disturbing, challenging me when he was completely unaware. I’ve been watching Terry since I was barely 11 years old. I’ve been challenged since that day.

Terry is dangerous because of his pursuit of holiness. His fear of the Lord is evident as his wisdom is unrivaled. He is uncompromising in his values, love for his family, and most of all his love for his savior. He is inspiring because of his consistency in his spiritual life, even through tough trials. Terry is a youth pastor in tiny Nappanee, Indiana…

This makes Terry one of my DUIs.

2. DAN GRUNSETH

If you’ve never believed that by teaching a Sunday school class you could eternally impact someone’s life, then you haven’t heard my story about Dan.

I was a punk 15-year-old freshman who cared little about church. Dan was my Sunday school teacher that year and to put it simply, “I hated him.” I don’t think he was too fond of me at first either, being the kid who makes teaching more of a headache than a fulfilling ministry.

Yet, this story is unique, this story different than others. Dan killed me with kindness. His love for me was detestably comforting; his love for me was like Jesus’ love, life changing.

After nearly 9 months of time with Dan, Jesus broke through. Dan was Jesus to me at that point in my life, and because of Dan, I began my journey, my love relationship with God.

Dan is dangerous because he loves unconditionally. His commitment to seeking the heart of Christ is uncompromising. The way he loved and ornery high school freshman who despised him is inspiring. Dan was a Sunday school teacher…

This makes Dan one of my DUIs.

3. JASON SHOWALTER

For a short season in my life, I had the blessing of knowing Jason Showalter. He’s taught me about grace, peace, love, and compassion, more so than anyone I’ve ever met. He’s truly inspiring to me.

It saddens me that I’ve never been able to share this with Jason. I want to share it in person; however, it’s almost impossible at this point. Jason has left with his wife and two kids for Morocco. He won’t be coming back anytime soon either. His family made a ten-year commitment to “dwell” among the Moroccan people. What a commitment!!

I’m proud of Jason. I love how he makes me feel uncomfortable. He’s dangerous by how his decisions shake you to your core. He’s uncompromising by his commitment to the gospel. And Jason’s inspiring by leaving what’s here to say, “yes” to Jesus’ barbaric call.

Keep Jason in your mind over the years, especially through this unimaginable transition to Morocco. Jason’s a “doer” of the word, a “doer” of what Jesus said…

This makes Jason one of my DUIs.

4. SHANE CLAIBORN

I’ve read about Shane, heard him speak, listened to what others have said about him, but I’ve never met him. Shane is apart of a new movement in American Christianity. He is the author of the “Irresistible Revolution” and founder of The Simple Way. .

Shane’s passion and zeal for people illuminates Christ’s message to love the least, last, and lost. I suggest you read his book. It will make you question who you are and I love that.

I’ve actually had the opportunity in college to visit the area in Philadelphia where Shane, and those involved with The Simple Way work. I’ve see what they’ve seen, touched what they’ve touched, and have heard the sounds they hear.

Shane is a dangerous person. He is dangerous for the ways in which he calls Christians to question why we do what we do. His lifestyle and words make me search deep into the topics I would rather surpass. Shane doesn’t compromise in his values to love. He’s uncompromising in his loving mission here on earth. Most of all, Shane is inspiring. He inspires me to live uncomfortably, not only physically but spiritually as well. Shane is a 20 year old, dead locked, hippie looking Christ Follower…

This makes Shane one of my DUIs.

5. ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

St. Francis of Assisi is one of my heroes of the faith. Disturbed by a beggar asking for money one day, St. Francis life took a dramatic shift. You Can read more about his life HERE. .

I encourage you to read the story of St. Francis. Besides the life of Christ, St. Francis truly resonates with my heart. Was he crazy? Maybe, but perhaps he fully embraced the Gospel.

St. Francis is dangerous as his life and actions display radicalism in our faith. At the same time, his life embraces the heart of God fully. He was also an uncompromising man. He wouldn’t let his father’s manipulation sway the burden he had for the church. He chose less to gain more. St Francis is inspiring because of his radical or possibly just Christ centered focus. St Francis was a boy, brought into this world by a prominent business man, who chose to be a poverty stricken apostle…

This makes St. Francis of Assisi one of my DUIs.

6. MARTIN LUTHER


Martin Luther, the monk we have all grown to love, the monk who changed Christianity, as we know it today, the monk who nailed the 95 Theses to the Wittenberg door.

Most of us are very familiar with Luther. Movies have been made about his life, books written about him, and translated the Bible into German, having great affect on our King James Bible.

He has an extremely impressive resume, yet, Martin Luther had many struggles and issues we tend to look past. Nonetheless, he is extremely inspirational to me. Perhaps it’s his defiant attitude he had nailing that document to that door, or the fact that his theological ideas were revolutionary for his time. You can read more about Luther HERE. .

Luther is a dangerous, dangerous man. Again, like other mentioned today, Luther causes me to question myself, my beliefs, and my faith. His uncompromising stance against the Catholic Church at that time is suspenseful. He risked death, yet didn’t taste it in vain. Luther’s inspiring because of his uphill battle he fought his entire life. He never let his conviction pass…

This makes Martin Luther one of my DUIs.

These are my DUIs. Who’s been your influence? Who do you let speak to you?

I’ve learned, from doing this excise. people watch us from the sidelines. I’ve watched many of these individuals from the sidelines and am not the same because of it. I guess whether we want it or not, we’re being watched…