Weekend Reflections

I felt like I was still recovering from Easter heading into this weekend, but fortunately God has enough energy for all of us!

• My Lil’ Raiders won in convincing fashion.  Drew up a reverse halfback option play that kept the defense on their heels
• Lots of visitors Saturday night; it just keeps growing.
• All 3 services on Sunday are full.  We need people to move to Saturday night. You’ll be hearing more about that.
• Felt the message was very simple and practical: which equated to powerful. God seemed to be using it in very specific ways.
• D-Lo brought great leadership and insight this week. Seriously, at the end of the worship I felt full, before the message!
• The worship might have been that much better because my bride was on stage this weekend
• Live Like You Were Dying really seems to be hitting people.
• Ryan and Adrienne had their 3rd son Friday morning! Yeah!!
• Lots of hurting people right now: what a chance for the local church to shine.
• Praying for teachers and administrators right now; the schools are hurting.

Lori and I are in California for the Catalyst West Coast Conference. We have a team of 42 from Palm Valley here, with staff and volunteer leaders.  It’s going to be an awesome type of growth with our team.  Pray for our leaders, that God challenges us to a whole ‘nutha level at Palm Valley Church!

Weekend Reflections (easter edition)

Wow!  I feel like I was run over by a truck, but easter at Palm Valley was awesome!!

• Over 4,000 people came to PVC this easter, a new record!
• a ton of life change happened.  There were lines at the Fresh Start table every service.
• Saturday 5:00 had people sitting on the floor; what an awesome kick-off to the weekend!
• Our children’s volunteers had such awesome attitudes: they were loving the fact that there were kids everywhere.  You guys/gals are the best!!
• I hear Student Ministries were packed in all 4 of their services.
• There was even a crowd at the 7:00 am Sunday service. Who would have thought?
• Preaching 6 services is insane
• I couldn’t stop myself from greeting every service. I love talking and praying with people.
• Live Like You Were Dying is really striking a chord.
• The song “More” is awesome, loved D-Lo singing it.
• Praise team brought the energy this weekend. Worship was awesome!
• God’s doing something big at PVC.
• Cool thing is: we do it again next weekend. Here we go!

Game Time

It’s Saturday afternoon, getting ready to head to church. Over the last 10 days…

• the flu has run through our house a few times over
• I’ve got a stomach doing twists
• the evil one attacked every piece of technology the church owns
• Crazy people from days past keep popping up, trying to distract me.
• I’ve not slept well
• I just don’t feel right…

However, it’s game time. Over the next 24 hours I get to preach Christ, and Him crucified and risen, to people who need life that’s only found in Christ.  The Palm Valley family has stepped up, they’re inviting and preparing, it’s GAME TIME!  I love our church; they get it!  It’s not about us, it’s about Him!  It’s not about us, it’s about them finding their way back to Him!  We get to make the introduction!

I’m all jacked up to see what God does this weekend.  There’s nothing greater than knowing that the things we do for Christ will last for eternity; it gives a great sense of focus.

Weekend Reflections

• Great wrap-up to Snapshots of the Savior series.
• Derrick and the team nailed worship: loved “nothing but the blood”/”you never let go”.
• Thanks to worship hosts: great job with communion
• Kidzone is blowing up!  Thanks volunteers!!
• Student Ministries wrapped up Sex In The Spring. Proud of the team for handling such a tough subject!!
• Pray for me as I prepare to speak to students and parents at “Purity Night” Wednesday.  I’m looking forward to students and parents committing to working together in purity!
• My son Jake had his first weekend on the youth praise team.  I’m so proud of him for stepping out in this!  I’m proud of you son!!!
• My 8 – 11 year old Raiders lost our first game, but I had a blast.
• Great Home Team Sunday night.  BBQ and all the sides, awesome Bible study, some tears, real prayers: all make for a great night together.
• Home Team is something I need, not something I do because I’m a pastor!
• PVC’ers: are you in a Home Team?  If not, contact Dennis and get connected.
• Seriously, do it now
• My TarHeels are playing for the championship, can’t wait to watch the game!
• All Duke and UConn fans who rode me all season: there’s always next year for you  
• Pray for me this week as I prepare for Easter.
• Invite people to join you at PVC this week.
• Go to www.palmvalley.org and download your free copy of “More”. It’s an awesome song!

Easter Promo

Here’s the promo for our Easter series…

Live Like You Were Dying Invitation from Palm Valley Church on Vimeo.

Weekend Reflections

• After 2 weeks off, I was ready to preach this week!
• Teaching on Matthew 9:9-13 is one of my favorite topics. I love reminding people that Jesus loves them!
• I was so speaking so intensely this weekend that I kept giving myself migraine headaches.
• Mario Huerta, doing spanish translation, never had a chance this weekend; I was speaking way too quickly
• I love Palm Valley Church; they’re willing to receive a tough word and apply it.
• Derrick, Chad, Jason, Tom, Heather and Celine did an awesome job with worship this weekend!
• The Playhouse PreSchool area had new carpets and dividers: I heard it looked awesome!  They also expanded their area to accomodate more kids.
• Thanks to all of our children’s workers; you all completely rock!!!
• I’m hearing a lot about the great things God is doing in student ministries; especially during the Sex In The Spring series.
• Doing communion this coming weekend: it’s going to be a powerful service.
• I can’t believe easter is only two weeks away: Live Like You Were Dying.
• I’ve got a huge burden on my heart for our community. I believe God is about to do something big at Palm Valley.
• I’ve been burdened to pray for our school teachers and administrators; they’re on the front lines in our community.
• PVC”ers: get out there and invite, invite, invite. I’m praying for hundreds to come to Christ through you this easter!
• flag football practice starts tomorrow: the 8-11 year old Raiders are going to dominate

That’s it for today: I plan to blog a few thoughts on leadership this week, stay tuned!

Sex In The Spring

I’m biased, but I believe we have an incredible Student Ministries team at Palm Valley Church. This last weekend they had just under 300 students, IN A PORTABLE setting!  I’m proud of Darius, Jeremiah, Christina and all the volunteer mentors; they’re truly helping students become fully devoted followers of Christ.

I’m really proud of the team this month for tackling a tough issue, SEX. They’re starting a new series this weekend called “Sex In The Spring”.  The world has a ton to say to our teens about this subject, so it’s time we as parents, and as a church, gave our children a Biblical perspective on this incredible gift from God.

As a parent with a Jr. High son, I’m thankful the team is teaching on this topic, and you can bet I’ll make sure my son is there!  Parents: if you think your child doesn’t need this series, you’re badly mistaken. They’re already hearing about it, seeing it on TV and everywhere they turn, they need help to figure this out!

For more info visit http://pvcstudents.com/ and be in prayer for the team as they tackle this topic!

Weekend Reflections

This weekend wore me out, but it was all good. Here’s a snapshot…

Friday

• 6:00 pm – helped perform wedding for Derek and Christina. It was 10 years ago that my wife Lori helped Christina pray and give her life to Jesus. So proud of what an incredible young woman she’s become. Ryan did a great job with the vows!
• 7:00 pm – dinner with some great friends, good to catch-up and laugh together.
• 8:00 pm – raced to Buckeye for my oldest son’s basketball game. They got smoked but played hard!

Saturday

• 9:00 am – viewing and memorial service for Whitney Padilla. Tough to lose a 19 year old, but rejoicing that she knew Jesus as her Savior. The Palm Valley family stepped up BIG time to care for the Padilla  family. Daniel, Darius and Jeremiah were awesome in their leadership this week!
• 10:30 am – Coached my 7-9 year old boys to a 35-6 victory while wearing my suit from the memorial service. Parents agreed I should keep the suit; good look and good luck
• 11:30 am – raced back to Buckeye for my oldest son’s last game. They got smoked again but I’m proud of how hard they played.
• 12:00 pm – 7-9 year old team party at Peter Piper. Fun time with the families. Hard to eat healthy there
• 1:30 pm – at my youngest son’s last game. I love watching him play; he dances every time his team scores. (thought) God must rejoice when we celebrate the life He gives us
• 4:00 pm – on stage for sound check, then grab some quiet time in back room.
• 5:00 pm – First service. Best I’ve felt about my message for this service in a long time!
• 6:30 pm – good crowd, this service is growing. Lots of laughter at some dumb things I said  
• 8:00 pm – UFC 96 party at our house. Had a blast with a full house and great mix of people. Great friends, good food, pretty good fight card. At least Rampage won
• 11:30 pm – finally climbed in bed, can’t believe I have to set the alarm

Sunday

• 8:00 am – at church getting geared up with the praise team.
• 8:30 am – 1st service crowd started a little slow, but really got going as the message went on! I love this crowd; they get up early to get to church!
• 10:00 am – Service is jam-packed. We need more people to move to Saturday night to free up seats (hint, hint ).
• 11:30 am – I’m whipped, but full crowd got me going. I got choked up and cried during this services. Not all that unusual for me, but I just felt God working in and through me!
• 1:05 pm – getting 3 shots in preparation for Haiti trip (OUCH)
• 1:30 pm – headed home with 20 Jack in the Box tacos and 3 Jumbo Jacks to feed the troops.
• 2:00 pm – turned on the North Carolina – Duke game (tivo is awesome ) to watch my ‘heels beat up on the Dukies. D-Lo and I had lunch riding on this. As Carolina wrapped up the victory I texted D to let him know I was thinking PF Chang’s sounded really good this week!
• 3:30 pm – dropped in on the KidZone volunteer appreciation picnic. Everyone’s having a blast; cool to see so many new people. I love our volunteers!
• 4:30 pm – walking up the street with a pot of spaghetti for our Home Team potluck. Great study tonight on the feeding of the 5,000. I love our Home Team, it’s like being with life-long friends. It’s a great way to top off the weekend.
• 9:00 pm – dropping dead in the bed. Need to get up early Monday, hit the office and then the gym to work off the weekend

Pray For Me Today

If you see this and you’re so inclined I’d really appreciate your prayers for me this week. Specifically in 3 areas…

1) I’ve got a HUGE meeting at 7:00 am this morning that could have HUGE ramifications for where Palm Valley meets for the next few years! If God opens the door, this would be a HUGE step forward for us. Did I mention this is HUGE Pray for wisdom for me and God’s favor for those we need to help us in this process.

2) Lori and I, and some of the staff, are heading to the C3 conference in Dallas. We’ll fly out Tuesday and come back Friday. Ed Young and his wife Lisa have been great friends to Lori and I, and have had a big impact on Palm Valley Church. Each year at this conference I find that God really refuels me and He’s always used this conference to speak to me about next steps for Palm Valley.  Pray that I’m refreshed spiritually and challenged in my leadership; both prayers I’m praying! Thanks. On a personal note, I love this conference because it’s like a reunion with ministry friends from all over the country. Us pastors are a weird bunch, but we get each other and it’s fun to hang with my tribe for a few days

3) Pray for my message preparation this weekend. I’m stoked to be teaching on the temptation of Jesus, His holiness, and what it means to our relationship with Him. I’m fired up for this weekend at PVC. BTW, bring people who don’t know Jesus: they’ll thank you!!

Weekend Reflections

Crazy week, awesome weekend…

• My 7-9 year old basketball team lost a nail biter, 8-5. The boys put in a great effort.
• I didn’t know what to do with myself Saturday afternoon since I wasn’t teaching.
• I had a blast just walking around church all weekend.
• Our nursery, pre-school and grade school areas are knockin’ it out of the park. Forget portable, there’s just not many kids ministries operating at this level!
• Ditto for students, the energy in that area is “off the chain”
• Darius brought it this weekend! God’s hand is all over this guy.
• From Darius: bring hope to others by 1) going to them, 2) listening to them, 3) praying with and for them, and 4) following up with them. 
• Those are great parenting tips also
• It was very moving to pray over people at the end of each service, but more moving to see everyone praying for each other!
• The staging is ridiculous for this series; blows me away each time I look at it!
• Had a veggie pita for lunch, get serious. I need a steak :)
• Helped a friend move Sunday afternoon, cool to see some guys from our Home Team show up.
• GREAT home team meeting Sunday night. You know it’s the real deal when everyone in the room is crying together.
• PVC’ers, don’t forgot your memory verse for the week: Psalm 94:19.
• Heading to C3 in Dallas this week. Looking forward to hanging out with ministry friends and recharging my batteries!