A Christmas Carol

Looking forward to a great series starting this weekend at Palm Valley.

In Seattle

Lori and I are in Seattle, first time here, and it’s a very cool city (literally)   Luckily, there’s plenty of coffee shops for Lori to try!

Over the past four years I developed a friendship with Ben Sigman, who became the pastor of Timberlake Church about 1 1/2 years ago.  It’s been a joy to watch Ben lead this church through transition and now incredible growth.  At Palm Valley we feel called to encourage and equip pastors and churches, so it’s a privilege to get to preach at Timberlake this weekend and encourage them; as well as reminding them what an awesome Pastor they have!

PVC’ers: I’ll miss being with you this weekend, but don’t miss as Pastor Sean will be leading us in a service focused on gratitude and worship through communion.  I believe it’s going to be a powerful service!  Don’t skip Palm Valley, but if you’re home tomorrow, you can actually watch Timberlake’s services live at 10:15 am and 12 noon Arizona time and see me preach.  You have to love the internet age!  I appreciate your prayers.

Thankful today

Today is the day we all do what we should do everyday, remind ourselves of how much we have to be thankful for   I’m so blessed, so today I thought I’d share my blessings…

• I’m thankful for the love of Jesus Christ, that He redeemed me from the trash heap of culture 19 years ago and gave me life; life abundant and life eternal.
• I’m thankful that He never gives up on me.  I’m still not the man I want to be; but as I look back over the last year I see how God is bringing Philippians 1:6 to fruition in my life.
• I’m thankful for my wife Lori.  After 15 years of marriage, I love you more everyday.  You are my best friend, an incredible mother to our children, co-founder of PVC, and more beautiful than the day I met you at that prayer meeting!
• BTW singles: great place to meet your future mate is church
• I’m thankful for four amazing children.  You have changed my life; you bring me great joy; you make me laugh; you make me want to be a better man to help you navigate the course of life in a challenging world.
• I’m thankful for the awesome staff team I get to serve with.  You all are so dedicated to the Lord, and to PVC. I love going to battle with you, and I can’t wait to see what God does through this team this year!
• I’m thankful for our small group.  Lori and I love the poeple we get to do life with, I love that you guys let us be ourselves.  Thanks PRVH for your leadership!
• I’m thankful for great friends.  When Lori and I started PVC 9 years ago, we felt all alone in the world.  The richness and depth of friendships God has blessed us with amaze me.
• I’m thankful Palm Valley Church.  I can’t imagine leading any other church.  I love the willingness of our church family to be stretched and challenged, and to make it “all about Him!”.
• I’m thankful for the new building; and the opportunity to help more lost and hurting people find hope and life through Jesus Christ!
• I’m thankful for my health. I turn 40 next month; and I’m truely younger and healthier than when I was 30.
• I’m thankful that for the first time since 1970, the Raiders play on turkey day.  I know it’s not much, but they’re my team
• I’m thankful for the smell of incredible food coming from the kitchen, so I’m off to eat it

Be blessed today, and reminded of how much God has blessed you from His glorious riches in heaven!

Faith Of A Young Man

While we were in Haiti, the team visited a hospital in Cap Haitian, on the northern part of the island.  One of the things we learned is that the hospitals have a severe lack of resources. The rooms aren’t sterile, and they reuse things like rubber gloves and instruments.  In addition, they don’t have medicine.  When the doctors diagnose a patient, the family must take the prescription and go get the medicines needed, and bring it back to the hospital to be administered.

Often, they told us, parents will not have the money for the medicine, and simply leave the children at the hospital.  It’s heartbreaking to know that many times parents feel forced to leave their children to die over medications that can often be purchased for $5.

The Student Ministries at Palm Valley has selected this hospital as their “Greater Things” contribution.  The students will be giving to…

• Create a sterile environment in the hospital, providing cleaning supplies and necessary equipment.
• Purchase gloves/bandages and supplies for the doctors to utilize.
• Provide medication for children whose parents can’t afford it.

So, here’s where it gets personal   This Sunday my 12 year old son, Jake, came out of youth group and said “today was life changing!”  We asked him “why?”, and he shared what Darius taught about how $5 can save a child’s life in Haiti.  He told us how excited he was that PVC students is taking on this challenge, and that he wanted to be a part of it.

Jake told us that he is giving ALL of his money to this cause.  He’s been saving his allowance/birthday money for a while, and has nearly $100.  We know he’s been saving to buy something special, so we asked him “are you sure you want to give it ALL?  Maybe you want to give some and still buy something for yourself?”

He responded “No, I couldn’t enjoy a toy knowing that I could have saved the lives of more children.  I’d rather help them then do something for myself.”

So, I’m a proud dad today, who’s challenged that my son’s faith has surpassed my own. I wish that my heart was as soft to the prompting of the Lord as Jake’s.  I pray that PVC would follow the lead of a 12 year old and live selfless, sacrificial lives that bring glory to the name of Jesus!

I’m grateful for Darius, Jeremiah, Christina, and all the youth mentors.  I’m grateful for everyone who serves in our children’s ministries where Jake has grown up. I’m grateful for a church full of people who “get it”. It’s not about us, but all about Him!

Weekend Reflections

This was a big weekend as we finished the “Greater Things” series.  We’re quickly approaching the purchase of our new building and there’s so much going on around PVC; I love it!

• I really enjoyed teaching this week’s message on worship.  I think I just like saying “nard”
• Caitlin singing “Hosanna” is off the chain powerful!
• I loved seeing the response of PVC’ers as they brought their GT commitments forward.  I could tell there had been lots of prayer and genuine sacrifice.
• PVC’ers – I believe the Lord was honored by your heart for Him this weekend, and obedience to His calling!
• PVC’ers — if you haven’t yet made your commitment, you can do so this week or next.  We’ll give you plenty of opportunities
• I can’t wait to see how God uses our gifts to change lives in our community with the gospel!
•  This weekend’s going to be special, as we extend our worship time and focus on communion.
• Can’t wait for our next series, “A Christmas Carol” beginning December 5th/6th.
• We’re doing Christmas big at PVC this year. Why?  We all need more Christmas joy!!
• I’ve taught 15 weeks in a row, and I’m whipped.  I don’t like to teach that many in a row, but it’s the season we’re in.
• Looking forward to some serious eating this week. I’ll be doubling up on P90X to burn the calories.  There’s nothing like Thanksgiving. 
• I pray you have a meaningful celebration this Thursday with family and/or friends.
• Saw “Twilight”, and for the record I’m on team Jacob.

Treasure Box

Had a great time this morning serving with the “Treasure Box” ministry. If you’re not familiar, you can go to www.palmvalley.org and order a week’s worth of food for $31. Once a month the boxes are delivered and we distribute them at Palm Valley to those who have ordered.  It’s good food and really helpful. You don’t have to be in need to order boxes; and I encourage more PVC’ers to save some grocery money and take advantage of this.

This morning we had about 18 guys and gals show up to help unload the delivery and get the boxes out.  It was a joy to work alongside people so excited to help.  I love the people of PVC!!!

This Weekend At Palm Valley

Back From Dominican and Haiti

What an incredible trip, and then awesome weekend at Palm Valley.  Here’s two of the videos we showed this weekend…

Haiti 2009 from Palm Valley Church on Vimeo.

Greater Things – It Is Time from Palm Valley Church on Vimeo.

Leaving Haiti

I’m sitting in the airport in Port-Au-Prince right now, waiting for our plane to Miami.  All I can say about the trip is WOW…

• the Haitians are such wonderful, beautiful people.  I have never been so warmly received!
• This nation is in need of help.  The people are willing to do work, they need equipping and education.
• Palm Valley Church will be a part of that!
• Definite highlight was preaching in Value Baptist Church last night; the church Palm Valley built last year.
• The Haitians know how to worship.  They have such joy and passion for Jesus!
• Saw the church in Julienne that we helped build last year with hurricane relief, and where we are building a well.  You’ll see video soon.
• There are some great leaders here that need our partnership.  I believe strongly in them.
• I can’t wait to speak this weekend at PVC about the Greater Things I believe God has called us to.  Don’t miss this weekend!  I mean it, don’t miss this weekend!!  Seriously!!!
• Pray for us as we travel home today and tomorrow, lots of flying.
• Can’t wait to meet with leaders of PVC tomorrow night to challenge them to lead in the Greater Things commitment.
• Can’t wait to see my kids, miss them so much!!  Thankfully I got to love on hundreds of Haitian kids this week; they are so loving.
• See you this weekend at PVC!!

Dominican Day 1

Awesome time in Santo Domingo today.  Toured some of the churches in the network we are working with. My heart was really touched at Villa Hermosa, one of the poorest ghettos of the city.  They Yulien, who’s 24 years old, and his wife have a huge heart for this community.  The church is growing and creatively reaching hundreds of kids each week.

Palm Valley’ers:  I got to see the hurricane shelter built with money we gave them.  It’s used as a school classroom for 97 kids during the week, but will also keep them safe in an emergency.

Had dinner and late night with pastors and leaders from the area, awesome to hear how God is working through them.  I love the unity and vision they have to help lost and hurting people find hope and life in Jesus Christ!!

It’s almost 1:00 am as I write, and we have to be up at 5:00 am for our flight to Haiti, so I”m off to sleep!