What I’m learning

Not teaching as much has given me some time to read more, reflect, and just hear from the Lord.  Here’s some random stuff I’m reading & learning…

One Year Bible: I know, it’s a given.  However, I’ve really been hit as we read through 1 & 2 Kings (and beyond) at how repetitively sinful the Israelite leaders were.  Over and over they turn from God and do their own thing.  Because of this they miss out on God’s best. I desperately want to experience God’s blessing on my life; so I want to avoid the mistakes of the kings!

By the way, as I read this month I see a pattern in those who fell:  hardness of heart led to lack of discipline led to giving in to temptation led to sin action led to sin lifestyle led to consequences!

The Hole In Our Gospel:  challenging book that takes us back to what it means to follow Jesus. It’s more than saying a prayer and going to church; it’s a sacrificial lifestyle in light of all Christ has done for me!

Crazy Love: Great read about how much God loves us; not because of what we do but because of who He is! Our life is to simply respond to Him by loving Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength.

The Principle of the Path: I think Andy Stanley is an incredible leader, so I read anything he puts out.  This book is a strategic look at how the church can be more effective at accomplishing the vision God has given us.  I appreciate Andy’s simple, straight-forward, yet practical teaching.

Weekend Reflections (NYC edition)

I’ve take the last few weeks to relax, spend time with my family, read, and visit some other church leaders and their churches.  This weekend Lori and I were in the big apple.  Here’s some thoughts…

• Didn’t realize how fried I was until the last few weeks. I’ve enjoyed not having a busy agenda.
• Spent time with Nelson Searcy and Journey Church in New York City.
• I love hanging with Nelson, he’s a great systems guy and I always learn from him.
• Journey Church is making a difference in NYC. They’re reaching a lot of young singles.
• I guarantee Journey is the friendliest place in New York. I know that’s not saying alot :), but the Journey guys really go the extra mile in welcoming people.
• I enjoyed sitting in worship with Lori.  We rarely get to do that, so it’s always fun!
• Darryl Strawberry (yeah, that one) shared his testimony. He’s a changed man since he gave his life to Jesus!
• Journey has more people in small groups than attending church; figure that one out.
• Being in New York reminds me how big the world is, and how many people are lost w/o Jesus.
• I’ve walked more this week than in the last 6 months; didn’t take cabs at all.  Living in NY would keep me thin.
• I officially love NYC.  Central Park, museums, architecture, history, cultures, crazy people, it’s all here
• If anybody wants to know how to do New York on the cheap, let me know. Lori and I made it a game and experienced the real NYC.
• Heard services at PVC were awesome.  I love Wayne Cordiero and love that we could have his message.
• Can’t wait to be back at Palm Valley next Sunday as we kick off “At The Movies”.
• You won’t want to miss next Sunday as I teach from “Remember The Titans” about what the Bible says about racism and prejudice. Should be tense!
• I Lost a good friend this week. Ray Blasdell passed away. He was a great friend, leader at Palm Valley, and a person who loved Jesus.  I’m glad he’s freed from a body that was failing him, but he’ll be missed.

As requested

I’ve received a ton of emails asking ot hear this weekend’s message at Revolution Church.

You can listen/download it here

I want to thank Dan Sutherland, who spent time Saturday giving me wisdom, insight, and even his teaching notes from his message during a similar situation.

Weekend Reflections

This was one of the toughest weekends of my life. So many emotions, so little sleep; but I truly got to see God work in a big way…

• My heart is broken for Gary.  I’m even more pained for Deanna and the kids. 
• I’m ticked that the evil one was able to injur so many.
• I was asked to speak at Revolution this Sunday and deliver the news. 
• Didn’t sleep a wink Friday or Saturday night.
• I’m grateful for Dan Sutherland for providing me insight, wisdom and even his notes from a previous message he gave on the subject. 
• I was overwhelmed at the response of the people at Revolution. What an incredible body. I was so glad to be there for them and help provide hope!
• I was in the lobby after each service to greet and answer questions. That was the real ministry!
• Noticed that Revolution has more “Affliction” t-shirts than any church i’ve attended. Loved seeing so many guys at church.
• Missed being at Palm Valley; I love my church family.  Thankful to them for encouraging and praying for me this weekend.
• Had lunch with Gary today. Lots of tears and tough things to talk about.
• I’m completely drained, I’ll blog more this week, but that’s it for tonight

New Series This Weekend

I’m fired up about our new series beginning this weekend at Palm Valley, titled “One Prayer”.  This is actually the second year we will be participating in OnePrayer. Last year…

• we partnered with over 1,800 churches representing nearly 1,000,000 Christians in 28 countries.
• we shared video teaching and joined together in prayer to become “One”.
• Over 660 churces were planted in Sudan, China, Cambodia and India.
• As a church, we developed a bigger heart for waht God is doing in His Church around the world.

This year we will again join with churches around the world to answer Jesus’ prayer that His Church would become one!

• We will be challenged by incredible pastors, Craig Goerschell, Andy Stanley and Francis Chan.
• We will explore the question “God is ……?”. (my message is “God is Good”)
• We will come together at Palm Valley to provide backpacks with school supplies for every foster child in the west valley.
• We will give to help plant churches around the world.  Our goal is 1,000 churches this year!

PVC’ers, please be in prayer for this incredible series. I can’t wait to be with you this weekend as we kick off OnePrayer.

Jr. High Camp Wrap-Up

Just finished the last chapel of Jr. High Camp, the kids are playing a night game and then it’s off to cabin time.  As I get ready to head down the hill in the morning I wanted to share some thoughts with you about this year’s camp.

• Hands down the best jr. high camp Palm Valley has ever been a part of.  For the past few years we’ve been renting out our own camp and doing our own programming. The Student Ministries team hit a home run in every way this week!
• 118 Jr. high’ers and their leaders creates a lot of energy, and a lot of fun.
• I’m so grateful for so many at Palm Valley who gave extra to provide scholarships for students who couldn’t afford it.  Let me tell you, your giving made a difference in young lives. I saw it first hand!!
• So proud of Jeremiah (jr. high pastor) and his wife Amber.  J’s developed into an incredible pastor, and he really shined this week. I love his heart for young people!
• Heard some very moving stories from kids who are facing really tough odds.  In all reality, Palm Valley is their “lifeline” of hope.  We’ve got to hang on to them!!
• I gave the students about 1/2 hour each night to ask me any questions they wanted. Some thought-provoking questions. It was cool to be able to speak into them about the up’s and down’s of my life.
• Loved doing the chapels each night. Our theme was “FLIP”. To change from doing life the world’s way to doing it God’s way. My three talks were…
  • Handling anger God’s way
  • Realizing how much God loves me
  • The cost of following Jesus
• Cool to see young people connect with God’s Word and make some hard life decisions. Pray for these students as they live out their faith in Christ!
• It was awesome to watch our High School band, Two Days ‘Til Tomorrow, lead worship for the camp.  I love that God is developing a generation of worshipers in our church.
• Loved letting the kids interact with my family. I think it’s eye opening for a lot of the kids to see how I treat my wife and kids. Many of them haven’t seen a healthy family model.
• So thankful for the youth mentors who took a week of their life to come invest in teens.  They gave it all this week to make an impact on these students. Loved their heart!  Many of them are High School students in our ministry who are now pouring into the younger students.  Made me a proud pastor!
• Darius and Nicole have done an awesome job of leading the youth department!
• About 15 kids gave their life to Christ on Wednesday night.
• Tonight I asked the kids who were willing to “deny themselves, pick up the cross and follow Jesus” to stand up. Very moving to pray over a room of students who are falling in love with Jesus and passionate about serving Him!
• Melonie Witt came as camp nurse. She was awesome!!  Thanks Mel for loving on kids when they get boo-boos
• I’m so excited for our church, these kids are going to lead us in winning the west valley for Christ!!
• Parents: your students need you to bring God’s Word into your home, to read it with them, to teach them, to help them understand. 
• Can’t wait for High School camp. Parents, get your kids signed up!!
• Very tired, going to sleep now

I messed up last night

The headline is more selacious that the story

Last night was the semifinals for our 8-11 year old flag football team, the Raiders.  I don’t know why, but I got really nervous yesterday, couldn’t even eat dinner.  I was so excited for the kids!  When it came game time my stomach was in knots; I’ve never been that nervous for my own sports.  I just didn’t want to make dumb play calls and ruin it for the kids.

So, we started the game with the ball.  The first play I called was a fake reverse with a short pass.  Our players ran it perfectly, but the defense was prepared and intercepted the ball and ran it back for a touchdown.  Down 6-0 right at the start.  Our defense stopped the extra point try, and it was our ball again…

I decided to run the reverse this time, thinking we had set it up with the first play.  They read it perfectly and sacked us at our own 1 yard line.  My stomach was really turning.  The next play I called play action with a swing pass to the receiver running a slant out.  The guys ran it, but again the defense was sitting on the play, intercepted it and ran it back for a touchdown. 13-0 and we’re only 3 minutes into the game.  I thought I’d ruined it for the kids and I felt horrible!

I went to the sideline and encouraged the kids, even told them it was my fault and they would be fine. Inside I felt like throwing up.  However, we went back out and I told the kids we would be fine, just have fun and give it their best.  I swallowed and called the next play.  We actually gained positive yards and we all breathed deep.  From there on we caught fire, winning the game 47-19!  I was so proud of our kids for hanging in there!

As I thought about it, our game is alot like leading a church.  I get nervous every week, wanting to make sure that I give God my best.  However, sometimes we make calls that end up looking disastrous.  However, it’s at these times we have a choice.  Shrink back in fear, or take a deep breath, trust God and go for it!

At Palm Valley we’ve made some dumb calls. However, we always learn from them and come back stronger!  I’m determined to learn from every mistake, and not to repeat them, but make new mistakes :)  Leaders, don’t ever get discouraged by the scoreboard, or the critics, and keep going for the touchdown, giving God your best!!!

BTW, the Raiders go for the championship at 6:00 Wednesday, and I won’t start the game with the fake reverse pass I’ve got a new trick up my sleeve :)  should be fun

Weekend Reflections

Defnitely one of the greatest weekends we’ve experienced as a church family…

• Adam and DC rocked worship this weekend. Truly the “ebony and ivory” of worship leaders!
• The message was as simple as I’ve ever preached. Simple is good, and helps clarify.
• Baptized 189 people who wanted to publically identify with Jesus. That was aweseom!
• Over 150 in CLASS yesterday, great turnout.
• We prayed over 34 high school students headed out for GO student missions trip.
• $17,200 pledged to provide for GO and other student opp’s this summer.
• Raiders won the regular season championship. So proud of these kids!
• Our Home Team just spend time sharing what this has meant to each of us. Awesome time together!
• Great job Paul and all the volunteers who pulled baptism together. It was incredibly well organized.
• Excited to launch a new series called “Prayer” next weekend. I know, not the most creative series title, but we want to be clear and simple on this one.
• Heard tons of life change stories off of baptism.  God is really at work changing lives.
• I love leading PVC, you all rock!!

Weekend Reflections

Live Like You Were Dying has been incredible…

• It has surprised me a bit how people have taken to the theme.
• There was an air of anticipation this weekend. People came really wanting to learn how to forgive.
• It was heavy. During all 5 services you could sense that people were wrestling with pain and hurt from the past.
• Had 1 guy storm out saying “I can’t forgive”. I thought that was one of the most honest statements I heard this weekend. I know his pain, and I’m praying for him.
• Loved that the guy sitting behind him chased him down to hug and pray with him.
• We don’t forgive because we feel like it, nor because they deserve it, but because we’ve been forgiven.
• Loved the worship in the middle of the service. Amazing Grace always makes me tear up. It describes my life!
• Markiss was hitting it on electric guitar; loved seeing him come out of his shell
• Excited about baptisms in 2 weeks!
• Incredible Home Team Sunday night. We had a “fiesta” potluck wiht mexican food. Man, can our group bring the food. It was awesome!!

If you have an athlete in the home…

I don’t often mention stuff outside of Palm Valley Church, but if you have a child who plays sports in junior high or high school, here’s a cool opportunity for you.

The Second Annual Westside Sports Medicine seminar is happening this Saturday, May 9th.  The seminar covers how to properly train your athletes, avoiding injuries, properly treating injuries, and other key topics.  As a parent with young athletes, I find these topics incredibly valuable.

The seminar is free and open to coaches, parents and athletes. You can find out more at www.whitetankspt.com .