Route 66 this week

Our #1 initiative as a church this year is to have every person at Palm Valley read the Bible in 2008. I have been praying that each of us would hear from God every day as we read His Word. In order to help, we’ve concentrated on doing these things together…

1. We’re all reading the One Year Bible (new living translation). If you don’t have your copy, get one at your local Christian bookstore today.
2. Journaling. I encourage you to spend 20 minutes reading the Bible each day, and then 20 minutes writing your observations and applications, as well as questions.
3. Talking about it. We’re encouraging every Home Team to spend time sharing each week what you’re learning.
4. Having fun. We’re going to take a journey along the old route 66, from Chicago to Santa Monica, via video. Each stop along the way we’ll have update the journey of life along God’s route66 (the Bible).

We’ve also set up a web site, www.pvcroute66.com, which will be a place you can visit daily to share the journey with our church family. There’s even a blog so you can write in and share what God is doing in your life through the journey. Each day one of our pastors will write some thoughts from their daily reading, and others in the church family will also.

As we begin, I encourage you to visit www.pvcroute66.com and share with us why you’re excited about reading the Bible this year, and/or what you’re hoping to get out of it. This will become a journal for our entire church as we read from Genesis to Revelation this year!

Men’s Camp

I’m fired up about men’s camp next weekend. If you’re a guy from Palm Valley Church, you need to be going! Walk, don’t run to www.palmvalley.org and sign-up. I’m speaking at two of the sessions, and I can’t wait to share about some of the things God is doing in my life.

And no, I won’t be playing paintball with you. I’ve learned from experience that everyone loves to gang-up on the Pastor.

Down Time

I’ve taken a few days to get away with the family up the the snow of Pinetop. Some friends let us use their cabin, and man is it awesome! I’ve had a blast just hangin’ out with no agenda. I didn’t realize how tired I was until I find myself sleeping 12 hours per night, and then taking a nap on top of it

I’m glad I don’t live in the snow, but it has been fun. Here’s some highlights…

• Watching my back at all times. The kids believe every moment is a good time for a snow ball fight.
• Our dog didn’t go to the bathroom for the first 2 days, too cold for her
• Snow angels, does it get any better.
• Reading this book, it’s rockin’ my world.
• Lounging, it’s sweet.
• Sipping Starbuck’s pepperming white chocolate steamer’s in the snow.
• Watching my baby girl experience snow for the first time.
• Family game time in the evening. Last night Lori and I smoked the kids at “Disney’s Scene It”. They should no better than to challenge us.
• Going tubing tomorrow, should be a blast. Hope I don’t hurt myself.
• Some down time to prep for “route 66″ next week. I can’t explain how pumped I am for this series!

That’s it, I’m off to throw some snowballs at the boys

Christmas at PVC

Okay, I’m just recovering from 5 incredible Christmas services. All I can say is Wow! Some thoughts…

• Our volunteers rock! Thanks to the hundreds of you who served all weekend to make this happen. You gave up valuable time to welcome people, love on kids, lead worship and the dozens of other roles to make it happen. A huge thanks from me to each of you!
• Derrick and the praise team knocked it out of the park. Unbelievable worship, and great staging. We’re just starting to see all the potential this team has.
• Brent got beat up every service by moms who wanted to bring their babies into service. Many of them acknowledged that they knew our policy, but thought it didn’t apply to them. Huh? I know it’s tough, but I believe it was the right decision. Thanks Brent for standing firm and doing the hard job.
• Val and the refreshment team make it happen every week. Love the food these gals bring!
• Our staff is willing to sacrifice. On top of the normal Christmas stuff everyone has, these guys and gals were on campus for nearly 3 days straight making Christmas happen. I love being in this with you all!
• Ronnie Buford rocks the parking lot, enuf’ said
• The nursery, pre-school and kids team are off the hook. I can’t believe how they come through every weekend.
• I lost my voice a few times this weekend, but made it through. Drank so much green tea I spent half the night in the bathroom
• Love being on stage with Lori. She’s just plain fun to be around.
• Thanks to Anthony and Shannon for sharing your story, it had a huge impact on a ton of people. I love that PVC is a place that welcomes people to join us for the journey!
• After teaching 5 services sick I was whipped. Fell asleep on the couch during dinner at Lori’s parent’s house.

I just can’t explain how sweet it is to be leading Palm Valley Church right now. There is such a great spirit and incredible momentum right now. Christmas was awesome from beginning to end, and I believe a great kick-off to what God’s wanting to do in and through us in 2008.

Chicago Is Very Cold

Last wednesday the video team (Michael, Derrick and Darius) flew with me to Chicago to shoot some video for the Route 66 series.  We had to get up VERY early, which is never a good start to the day. The flight to Chicago was great, landed about 1:00 pm. This is where reality set in!

We went straight to Wrigley Field to shoot video. It was awesome to be at such a historic place, especially as a huge baseball fan, but it was stinkin’ cold in Chicago (about 30 degrees). With the wind blowing I’ve never been that cold. To make the video look more natural, I wore just a sweater, no gloves, scarf or hat. I’m not sure how I look natural standing in the cold talking about the route 66. I think I just looked like a natural idiot   We even got to shoot some video from atop the apartments across from Wrigley, which provided an awesome view down into the stadium with it’s snow-covered field.

Next, we drove up and down Michigan Ave, the magnificent mile, with the windows and sunroof open to get the best lighting. Again very cold. What a mad house that place was with all the holiday shoppers.

Thursday morning we woke up early and went to shoot video from the starting point of the route 66. Very cool to stand there and think about Palm Valley Church as we begin the route 66 Bible journey for 2008. The street where we shot was like a wind tunnel, making it incredibly cold (I know, cold is a recurring theme). Lastly we headed to the Sears Tower for our last video shoot.

Why all the video? Well, you’ll have to be at PVC on January 5th or 6th to find out. All I can tell you is that we’re going all out to help every person in our church to read the Bible in 2008. We’re going to travel (via video) across the United Stated via the route 66 as we literally travel God’s route 66, the superhighway of His information for us (I just like that phrase).

As we flew back late Thursday night I was frozen and exhausted, but excited about how God will use this video to excite and interest people about reading the Bible this year. One fun part of the trip was getting to eat Geno’s East pizza in Chicago. Without a doubt, this is the best pizza I have ever had!

Continuing Impact

Mike Bullock is a guy who is having a huge impact at Palm Valley Church, as well as in the world. Mike is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, and a committed servant at PVC. He works the sound board, and is always willing to help wherever necessary. I love his heart. He and his wife Angie are two of the most encouraging people I’ve ever met!

Mike is also a renowned writer of award-winning comic books. As Mike has been seeking God as to how he could use his talent to impact people, he came up with an idea for his latest series, “The Phantom”, issues 17-19. Mike decided to write a series in which the Phantom would help protect food shipments to the Invisible Children of Uganda. In the series Mike is able to shed light on the plight of these forgotten children (by the millions), and promote a ministry that is seeking to help them.  Read about it here.

A couple side notes: if you buy the comic books with the “B” cover (I recommend you do), you will see that the food shipments being delivered are from Palm Valley Church. Every crate has our logo on it. I also love that in the pictures of Mike he is always wearing a Palm Valley shirt (he’s rockin’ the “Made” shirt in the interview above).

I know people often wonder “how can I make a difference”, so I wanted to share Mike’s story to inspire others. Here’s a follower of Christ who took the career he already had and asked God to use it to impact people. That’s a prayer God loves to honor.

Lastly, I must also disclose that Mike is a Raiders fan, which further elevates him in my eyes. I’ve actually found someone who’s as passionate about the Raiders as I am!

weekend reflections

Had a blast this weekend just hanging out on the patio and talking with people. It’s not often that I’m not teaching on a weekend and have the opportunity just to walk around campus and see what’s going on, but it was fun to do that this weekend. Here’s some thoughts…

• It’s a great privilege to get to pray with people. I heard some incredible stories today, got to comfort some hurting people and pray with them. It’s such an honor to me that people want me to pray with them!
• Got to sit in service with Lori which is always a treat for me. I love watching her worship.
• Ryan did a great job teaching. Happy 30th B-day Ryan, you’re getting all grown-up.
• Can’t get the picture of Ryan as a cowboy out of my head, it’s way too funny
• I see some serious leaders developing at PVC, and I believe they’re going to rock this community for Christ!
• The nursery area was so quiet today. Why? They have an incredible team who ensure that every baby is being loved on. Nothing but smiles.
• Monty Kelso brings the worship. I’m privileged to have Monty as a friend, and I love when we get to have him lead at PVC.
• Played Tiger Woods golf on the wii for the first time today, I’m hooked. I’ve seriously got to show some restraint and not go buy a wii “for the kids” for Christmas
• Christmas is going to rock at Palm Valley. Make sure you brings friends who don’t know Jesus. They’ll thank you.
• Monday is the 14th wedding anniversary for Lori and me. Can’t wait to take her out for a special night and remind her how much I love her. I’m the luckiest guy on the face of the planet!
• My Raiders actually looked pretty good in losing to Indy; I’ll take that as a moral victory.
• Got to help a friend move Saturday. I don’t like to do it all the time, but the exercise was good. I feel 38 this morning.
• “Mighty To Save” is one of the rockin’est worship songs ever; I love it!
• Update: Jeremiah’s band beat out our youth band. This officially makes him the worst youth pastor ever. Although he claims it’s a good life lesson for the youngsters Check out the pic’s below.

 

Jeremiah Rockin’ Out!

 

 Jon and the boys jammin. I loved it when he climbed up on a speaker and jumped backward while playing!

More Impact

Extreme Faith Productions is sponsoring an area-wide competition, the Arizona American Christian Music Showcase (ACMS).   The competition started with 24 bands, and two bands represented by Palm Valley have made it to the semi-final round.

One band, About The Author, is led by our Jr. High pastor Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s a great youth pastor, and I’m told he rocks the house leading worship!

The second band, Two Days ‘Til Tomorrow is the youngest band by far – their band has members from 12 to 17 years old, and the other bands are made up of members in their 20’s.  Jon, Zach and Ryan are all from the youth praise band. I’m fired up to know that we’ve got up and coming worship leaders at PVC, and that they can flat out rock. I love these young guys, and I’m pulling for them as they head into the competition Saturday night.  Pray for them as they give it their all.

By the way, if you’re free, It’d be great to have people show up and support these bands as they compete. I’ll be there. The info is:

Saturday 12/15 (pm)

Scottsdale 1st Church of the Nazarene

2340 N Hayden Rd

Scottsdale, AZ 85257

     7:00-EchoTribe

     7:35-No1Else

     8:10-About the Author

     8:45-Two Days Till Tomorrow

http://www.extremefaithproductions.com/event3.htm - the Rage Music Festival info

By the way, I also told Jeremiah that if his band beats out the student’s, he’s the absolute worst youth pastor ever

PV Sightings

I love the fact that Palm Valley has an impact on our community, and it always amazes me that I see PVC’ers everywhere I go. Two weeks ago at a school assembly (one of my boys was student of the month ) the principal brought 3 boys on stage. All 3 were on a local footbal team playing for the state championship, and all 3 attend PVC. By the way, the one 27-24 with a touchdown on the last play. Congratulations to Dylan, Trupe, and Blake!

Tonight I was at a Christmas musical at school. The first soloist comes on stage, and he’s a 5th grader who’s in the KidsZone ministry at Palm Valley. The third solo of the night was another young man from PVC. Great job Brandon and Walker!

Another cool aspect was that friends of ours from church came just to cheer our boys on. Can I just say I love doing life together. I love the people of PVC, and I can’t believe what kind of opportunities God will give us in the future to reach this community for Jesus!

By the way, if you see me out in the community, please say Hi! It’s hard for me to recognize everybody, but I love saying hi and getting to know each other a little better.

weekend reflections

I wrestled with this week’s message as much as any message I’ve ever done.  As of Thursday I had 7 or 8 different directions on my heart.  But one thing I’ve learned about wrestling through the message preparation process: often the more I wrestle, and the more uncertain I am going into the weekend, the bigger the opportunity for God to use it.  It reminds me that it’s all a God-thing anyway.  This weekend was certainly true of that as I felt very uncertain going into the weekend, yet God gave me very clear direction as I headed into the 2^nd message of the (ACT) series.  It really hit home as we all consider the impact we’re to have on the world around us for Jesus Christ.

Here are some other thoughts from the weekend:

• Danny Larsh did a great job leading worship. He’s a tremendously talented young guy, and I love having him visit us from time-to-time.
• I’m excited about the Route 66, One-Year-Through-the-Bible journey to begin January 1. It was cool to see so many people preparing in advance, and getting their One Year Bible on the patio this weekend. If you don’t yet have yours be sure to get one this weekend so we can all begin reading together at the first of the new year.
• I had some great opportunities to pray with people on the patio this weekend. It always impacts my heart when I get to pray with someone that’s hurting; to bring a little hope into their life and remind them that God can and will work in their lives. We are trusting Him when we pray together.
• Our staff Christmas Party Sunday night was incredible. We had an awesome dinner and a great time just hanging out together. I love the team I work with. What a blast to get some down time with them.
• Congratulations to Mark & Julie Gumm. Not only is Mark an incredible Executive Pastor, he’s also a huge devotee to living with financial peace. Just this month they paid off their home, which means they are completely and totally debt free. If you’re at Palm Valley and you’re struggling with debt, you need to get with Mark and get some help with how to arrange your finances to move to financial freedom.
• I love the song “For the 21^st Time” that the band did Sunday. It’s so very moving and meaningful, but also very challenging. We need to make sure we’re always looking for hurting people around us to show them Christ’s love.
• The pre-message video was awesome. Thanks to the Olson family for sharing their story with us, and to Michael for doing such a great job of telling that story in such an incredible way through video.
• Huge thanks to the set up and tear down teams who continually get the job done each weekend! Thanks also to Dennis Johnston for his great leadership in that area. If you’re looking for a place to serve at PVC, this is a terrific team to join.
• My Raiders were horrible. Enough said.
• My boys are a crack up; they keep me laughing all day long. However, my little baby girl has me wrapped around her little finger
• Daniel and the Compassions team are doing an amazing job of creating a caring network for the hurting in our church. Great job Daniel