January 2 & 3 @ Palm Valley

We are looking forward to a new series beginning at Palm Valley Church on January 2nd and 3rd.

Here is a promo video for you to check out.

On Turning 40…

Today I woke up as a 40 year old man.  It’s hard to believe, but according to culture, I’m now middle-aged.  Reaching milestones in life often causes me to reflect and ponder, even pontificate , so today I thought I’d do it out loud on my blog for everyone to share…

• I have lived half of my life without Jesus, and now half with him.  I’m amazed at how much better life is when we walk with Him.  I’m so thankful that Jesus redeemed me from my sin and chose me as His own.  Everything I am, everything I have, all my dreams and hopes belong to Him.  I’m grateful for the Bible, which truly is a “lamp to my feet and a light for my path”.
• Waking up today I realized I am the most blessed person on the face of the planet. 
  • I have a beautiful, loving wife who is the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman.  Thank you Lori for 16 great years, and being willing to do life with me!
  • My four children bring me great joy.  Each one is such a unique creation, yet each one carries parts of me.  This morning they honored me, they made me laugh, and they fill my heart with pride more than they’ll ever know. 
  • I get to pastor the most incredible church on the planet.  When we started Palm Valley Church 9 years ago in our living room, I never could have dreamed what an adventure it would be.  I’m so thankful for the people of PVC; your faith, your generosity, your growth, and your willingness to allow me to be human.  The best is yet to come!
  • I have incredible friends.  Everywhere Lori and I go in the community, we see people who are a part of our lives, and are thankful for our ministry to them.  You are not “church attenders” to me, you’re friends, you’re our family.  Thanks for the full page on Facebook today, I read every birthday wish and thanked God for you.
  • I have a home and food to eat.  During this economy, and my travels over the past two years, I’m reminded how remarkable this is.
  • I’m thankful for my father, who sacrificed so much of his life to provide for and take care of 3 children on his own. He’s a great model of a man who loves Jesus, and serves people selflessly. I’m thankful that he experiences such joy in his life, he deserves it!
• Looking back at the mistakes and failures of my life, I feel each one has taught me so much.  I see how God has used them to draw me closer to Him and make me more the man He desires me to be.  It’s my prayer that I not repeat the mistakes of my past, but make completely new ones as I move forward
• In the last year, things have really come into sharper perspective for me.  I feel like God has separated what isn’t essential to me from what is, and I’ve been able to digest it.  I’m less concerned about what people think about me, less concerned about what is said about me, and all-consumed with seeing our community transformed with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
• I’m in better shape at 40 that I was at 30.  I’m 70 pounds lighter, workout more, can do more physically, have less pain, and am in much better health.  40 is truly just a number to me, and I plan to keep getting younger  
  • I’m thankful for a great dentist friend, who reversed 30 years of neglect in my mouth and gave me back a great smile.  Seems stupid, I know, but I smile a lot more now
  • I’m thankful for a great doctor friend, who helped diagnose and treat some real health issues I’ve faced, and help me get healthy.
• I’ve become more and more sappy about the children and teens of our church. They make me tear-up, I dream big dreams for them, I want our church to be a safe haven for them to become dangerous.  My heart breaks for children who don’t know how much God loves them, simply because we adults have failed them.
• I”m thankful for the friends and family who have stuck with me.  I grew up feeling alone and abandoned, and that shaped a great deal of my life.  Jesus has changed that, and he’s used people who love me enough to stick with me through the ups and downs to remind me on a regular basis.
• I’m thankful for all I’ve learned in the past few years, and I know that because of this I will be a better husband, father, friend and pastor in the next decade than I was in the last!

I’ve lived an adventure filled, incredible 40 years.  I can truly say that turning 40 hasn’t phased me, just made me realize how blessed I am.  I’m more excited about the next 40 years, and all that God has in store for me.  Thanks for being on the journey with me!!

Random Thoughts

Sitting in the SeaTac airport, waiting for our plane, here’s some random thoughts this morning…

• Had fun at Timberlake this weekend, always great to see what God is doing in other churches, reminds me we’re a part of a big Kingdom!
• Love Seattle, great vibe and lots of natural beauty.  Too cold for me though.
• Excited about our new series, “A Christmas Carol” beginning at PVC this weekend. 
• Pumped about the release of our Christmas CD, everyone at PVC this weekend gets a free one.
• We’re also asking every PVC’er to give two more away as invited to our Christmas services!
• We are doing far more Christmas music this year than we’ve done in the past.
• Everyone needs more Christmas joy this year!
• If you read today’s reading in the One Year Bible, it’s crazy that the angel was prevented by “the spirit prince of persia”.  Reminds us of the battle we are always in.  Read Ephesians 6 today.
• It was great to see our niece all grown up
• Always amuses me when very public figures no longer want the publicity when they commit “transgressions”.
• BTW…a two year affair is not a “trangsgression”, it’s a breaking of covenant with your spouse.
• I love traveling with Lori, its’ a great time for us!
• Can’t wait to get home and see our kids, we miss them
• Don’t miss this weekend at Palm Valley, and bring somebody with you!