Weekend Reflections

I am totally and completely whipped this morning. There’s been a ton going on over the last few weeks, and after 4 services, I’m tired.

• Saturday night is really growing. i’m not sure if it’s because people are moving over to free up seats on Sunday, or because football started
• It was cool to see Sarah at church this weekend. If you don’t know her story, you need to read it. By the way, leave her a comment and let her know you’re praying for her.
• Shout out to Michael Anthony on the sound board. I saw him lugging speakers after serving all 4 services. Our sound guys are awesome!
• The worship was awesome this week. Check out Derrick’s blog for a rundown.
• Trust within a staff is huge. I initially wasn’t sold on what Derrick wanted to do this weekend, but he was so passionate about it I had to trust his heart. He was right.
• Had leaders from our church over last night and it was great. Leaders in our church are craving more opportunity, and they’re going to take us to the next level.
• There’s a lot of hurting people right now due to the market fall. It was cool to be able to pray with and encourage hurting people after every service.
• Talked to two 21 year old guys who gave their life to Christ yesterday, awesome!
• We’re changing up our kids and youth areas in a couple weeks to create more space, should be very cool!
• My wife rocks, I got lucky!
• Daniel’s doing a great job building the compassions team.
• Huge news coming Sep. 29/30. You don’t want to miss this weekend!

Funny Stuff

Our Student Ministries is doing a series called “Bodybuilding”. They’re talking about what the Bible has to say about our heart, eyes, ears, and hands.

They’ve done a couple cool thingst to tie the series in for the students. one is temporary tattoos with the series logo. It’s been fun to see these all over the community, with kids proud to wear e’m and invite their friends.

They’ve also brought in a special guest star named “Jim”, who’s doing some instructional videos for the students. It’s hilarious stuff, watch it here.

Great Opportunity

Many of you know a young boy in our church who has been fighting Leukemia for the past two years. Josh is an incredible young guy, with a huge heart. Throughout his fight he’s continued to be an encouragement to others, and keeps telling people the God has a purpose in all of this. He’s got great perspective! My boys pray for Josh every day, and they get so excited when they see that he’s able to come to church.

You can learn more about Josh on his web site. 

Josh has also done an incredible job raising funds for the fight against Leukemia. Tomorrow night he’s a part of “kids unite” in Goodyear, which is a fund raiser for him. If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family, and a great way to help Josh, you can head out to the Goodyear Park tomorrow night.

Learn more here.

Also, continue to pray for Josh’s healing.

Praying It Through

I’ve begun reading through the book of Matthew in my time with the Lord each day.  I’ve been so encouraged by the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, and the very practical teaching He gives to followers. This morning I read the New Living Translation of Matthew 7, and this stuck out to me…

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)  

“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. [8] For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
I love the way Jesus says “keep on, keep on, keep on”.  I don’t know about you, but in my prayer life I’m often “one and done”, meaning I pray about something and then seem to forget about praying for it anymore. Jesus is encouraging us here to passionately pursue the heart of God when we pray, and to know that if something is truly important we ought to continually bring it to the Lord in prayer. I know I’m praying about some things right now, and they’re continually on the tip of my heart and mind.

How about you? What’s going on in your life right now that you’re praying God will show up in. Are you “keepin’ on” in prayer?  I know that right now a lot of people in our church are going through some tough times. I encourage you to “keep on” asking, seeking, and knocking. After all, the Lord has already promised that He will not let you down. So seek Him and what He’s wanting to do in your life, then you will have direction for your next steps.

I’m keepin’ on for you

This Weekend Will Rock

I’m fired up about this weekend at Palm Valley. We’ve got such momentum right now, it’s obvious God’s doing something big, and I believe He’s got even bigger plans for the coming months!

In my teaching this weekend I’ll be answering the question “Why Does God Allow Suffering”? It’s the question I’m asked more than any other, and I’m sure you’ve wondered it yourself (I know I have). Well, this weekend we’ll looking into the Bible to see what God has to say about this.

By the way, this is one of the best opportunities you’ll ever have to bring people who don’t know Jesus with you to church. I challenge you to bring everybody you know who needs to be there. Since all of us deal with this question, you know the message will apply to their life.

Also, Derrick has planned an awesome music set. I guarantee you this: we’ve never done a worship service like the one we will do this weekend. After looking through it with Derrick this morning, I’m pumped. Make sure you get there early and bring people with you!

People Matter

Today in staff meeting I shared a message titled “People Matter”. This has been the slogan of PVC since we started, and it’s my heartbeat. I want every person in our community to know they matter, and that we care. Below is my notes from this talk. If you attend Palm Valley, I encourage you to get involved and serve, helping to make sure that every person know they matter. If you’re a church leader, I encourage you to cast this vision to your leaders. In a church culture filled with creativity (which I’m all for), we must continue to care also! Here’s the rough notes…

People matter…

Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV) 
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. [36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
 

1) People are not a ministry distraction; they’re the reason for it (v.35). Jesus went from town to town and village. I’m sure at points he was tired. He intentionally kept going becuase He wanted to impact more people. Work & prepare with people in mind, especially people who need what we have.

No matter what the task, approach it as a ministry and a vital opportunity to care for and pray with people. When people share things with you don’t just say you’ll pray for them, stop and do it right away.

2) People deserve shepherds that care (v.36). Jesus had compassion for the people. True shepherds care about the people they’re leading.

We need to genuinely care about what’s going on in their lives.  Get out from behind-the-scenes to meet people, and to meet their needs.  Go the extra mile.  Make life fun, especially for the kids.  Laugh with people.  Life change happens best in this setting.

Email is not always appropriate, particularly if someone is in duress or crisis.   It’s another reason we need to build teams because we can’t always be everywhere and do everything ourselves.  Set follow up “tasks” for yourself to be sure to re-connect with people for updates.

3) People should not be ignored, but cared for (v.37).  Jesus knew to make provision for the people needing our care.  Don’t leave follow up just to the connections team.  Be sure to keep your eye on the prayer requests, or towards those people that inquire for information.  Determine how you can go the extra mile.  Set “hospitality” into your heart.  Invite people into your heart and home. 

4)People are to be equipped, not just scheduled (v.38).  Beware filling holes in lieu of building people.  Take time for the personal touches.  Send equipping email.  Call those in your span of care at least once a month.  Unless you take the time to care in this way, people will not stay with you for the long haul.

We don’t need to hire more staff, we need to equip the people in our church to lead.  That means we need to develop people (Eph 4:11-12), even as we pray for and teach them.    Whatever you’re doing, divide your job by hours and go find people to help you.  You will get more done and develop leaders along the way!

Begin your day with this question:  What can I do to encourage and equip people today?

Why I’m Going Gray

Right now God is doing an awesome work at Palm Valley Church. Lives are being changed en masse, people are inviting Jesus into their heart during every service, more people are stepping up to serve than we’ve ever seen, and there’s just an awesome feeling on campus during the weekends. I love my job.

On the flip side today was one of the most depressing days I’ve had in 15 years of ministry. Right now a lot of people are struggling, and it hurts my heart. 4 people stopped me on the patio yesterday and asked for prayer because they’re losing investment homes, and they’re worried about the impact. Today I learned of 2 more good friends who are facing the loss of their homes. Another good friend called me to tell me he’d been let go at his job this morning, adding to 2 others who were let go last week. I hurt for people who are hurting. As a pastor I love the people in our church, and I hate to see them struggling. Yet I rest in the promise that the Lord has their situations in the palm of His hand, and He will not let them go.

At the leadership level I have a responsibility to continue to lead the church where God has called us to go; and we’re facing some real challenges. I feel like God is stretching and growing me in incredible ways. Growth is always uncomfortable, yet necessary and rewarding. I want to be the man, the husband, the father, the pastor God wants to develop me into. To steal a line from my message yesterday, I’m “tuning in to Him” to see what He’s doing through this.

Overall, please know that I’m not freakin’ out. I just sense that right now a lot of people at Palm Valley need real leadership and encouragement, and solid answers about how to live through times of uncertainty. This teaching series couldn’t have come at a better time. Palm Valley’ers, please know I’m praying for you. It’s times like this that God will develop our character and draw us closer to Him; as well as each other. I felt so much peace this weekend as we talked about the foundation for our lives, Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that it is exactly what we all needed to be reminded of.

You don’t want to miss the upcoming weeks at Palm Valley as we continue to talk about how to live with certainty in uncertain times. I’ll be bringing some very practical advice from the Bible about how to make it through the tough times in life.

I also decided to write this post to help other pastors. I know that there are a ton of pastors out there feeling the same way today, and I want to encourage you. Be strong and courageous, and continue to lead your church through these tough times. I believe all of our churches will come through this stronger, refined, and better equipped to reach our world with the good news of Jesus Christ!

Weekend Reflections

Awesome weekend to start the “unCERTAINty” series. Here’s some thoughts…

• This series is right on time, so many people hurting and worried right now.
• The worship rocked this weekend. Derrick put together a powerful service!
• I love meeting in the auditorium, such a better feeling than the gym.
• The students started a new series called “bodybuliding”. It was cool to see them all walking around with their tattoos (temporary) for the series.
• Lori and I had a group of leaders over for dinner last night. Great to just hang out and chill with great people.
• There was a 15 minute wait at the Fresh Start table Saturday night. Lives are being changed.
• We need more Fresh Start volunteers
• You don’t want to miss September 29 & 30. There’s going to be some huge stuff happening that day.
• Raiders are 0-1. I can’t wait to see who we take with the #1 pick in next year’s draft.
• My baby girl’s growing up way too quick. I need to figure out how to stop that.
• Heard some very cool life-change stories this weekend. it’s always encouraging to hear how God is using us at Palm Valley.
• UFC 75 was cool Saturday night (free). Matt Hammill got robbed.
• This week’s message is “Why Does God Allow Suffering”. I’m praying hard on this one!
• Ian saved the day Sunday. We had some audio equipment explode, and Ian figured out how to make it work on the fly.
• Pete rocks on the harmonica (who knew )
• I’m feeling whipped this morning, need to go to the gym and work it out.

That’s it for this morning. Have a great day!

Uncertainty

About 6 months ago I wrote down in my journal that I needed to teach a series titled “unCERTAINty” (props to Ed Young for the title). I really wrestled with God over it, because it didn’t make sense to me. The economy was great, people were optimistic about the future, and there seemed to be bright skies ahead. Yet, I just felt God was prompting me to teach this series.

So, we scheduled it. The creative team went to work on it. I started to craft the message ideas, points, illustrations, etc… Then it happened, the market began to crash, the mortgage industry went down the tubes, our economy struggled, people in our church were being laid off left and right. God’s timing is always perfect.

I can’t tell you how excited I am about this series beginning this weekend at Palm Valley Church. I’ve talked with so many hurting, confused, and fearful people lately; I can’t wait to teach the hope that is found in Christ. I believe this is going to be a life-changing teaching series.

We’re expecting a ton of people this weekend, so I’m asking for your assistance in reaching more people with good news about Jesus. If you attend Palm Valley, please help us in 3 ways…

1. Invite people who don’t know Jesus to come with you this weekend. You can even send them an e-invite here.
2. If at all possible, please don’t attend the 10:00 am Sunday service. It’s packed, and we need more seats for people who don’t know Jesus.
3. Get there early. The service is going to be awesome from the very first moment. Plan to be there with enough time to check the kids in and get seated. You don’t want to miss a minute of the service!

Long Day

Today was a long day. After being in the office for a while (message prep, couple meetings) we drove out to Riverside, Arizona to shoot a video for this week’s service. Where is Riverside you ask? Good question. It’s about 2 1/2 hours east of Goodyear.

So we drove out and did the video shoot, which I think turned out very cool I really believe it will help people connect with the message this week, “How Do I Build My Life On A Solid Foundation”. I can’t give away too much info, it would spoil the surprise this weekend.

Anyway, I’m beat. Shooting videos always wears me out. It takes a lot of mental energy to keep repeating lines over and over again, and try to remain consistent. I really believe strongly though, that videos done well help tell a story that engages people with the gospel. We’re committed to doing this consistently, and our team is getting better each time at producing excellent videos that support the message.