It’s Saturday

We had a sleep-over last night, so it’s pretty crazy in our house this morning. The kids stayed up until 1:00 am, and then were up playing at 6:00 am. How do they do that? I made the donut run this morning, and now it’s just hit me, it’s Saturday!

Saturday is different at our house, because it’s a work day for me. It’s one of the bummers of having a Saturday service. Typically I go to the office on Saturday morning and spend a few hours reviewing my message, and making sure I’ve got it all buttoned up.

Set-up starts at the school at 1:30, so I’m at the school really from then until everything’s done at about 7:30 this evening. To be honest, there’s times I feel like getting rid of Saturday services and simplifying my life.

However, every Saturday night I see people coming to Palm Valley, connecting with Christ and other, and growing in their faith. I talk to so many people who couldn’t come on Sunday, It reminds me why this is worth it! I love that our staff, leaders and volunteers are willing to pay the price to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ!

So, it’s tiem to go gear up for another great Saturday at PVC.

This Is Hilarious

You might remember the “pitch your tents” guy. Blake is a youth pastor who was preaching at the adult service, and while meaning to say “pitch your tents”, he mangled the words. The video clip became an instant internet classic, and propelled Blake to unreal fame.

Anyways, as if the guy hadn’t been hammered badly enough, some guys decided to play a prank on him. They posed as the FCC and went to his church offices.  You can view the original video and what happens next here…  Blake Prank Video.  This poor guy deserves a raise!

Anxious!

It’s 1:30 am, and I can’t sleep. Why, you ask? I’m pumped about this weekend at Palm Valley Church. So much stuff running through my head. I saw so much life-change last week, I’m praying that God does it again!

I’m excited about the challenge of helping families pull it together with Christ at the center.

I’m excited about the huge upgrades coming in our kids ministry.

I’m excited about the momentum in our student ministry. Tons of new students coming each week; and I’m seeing the passion on their faces. God is lighting them on fire!

Anyways, I can’t wait to see you this weekend at Palm Valley Church. Can I encourage you: PLEASE bring people who don’t know Christ with you this weekend. They will thank you for it!

As for me, I’m going to try to find a way to fall asleep and enjoy my day off tomorrow.

Date Night Fun

Tonight Lori and I headed to “Don Rafa” for some great mexican food. If you live in the ‘hood and haven’t been to Don Rafa’s, you need to get there. It’s located on Dysart Rd. South of I-10, in the Sam’s Club parking lot.

If you go, 2 things… 1) Order the “sopes”, they’re incredible. 2) Say hi to you waiter. Jose, one of the waiters, started coming to Palm Valley through our “Project Freedom” ministry, and now brings the other waiters with him on Saturday nights.

This alone makes Don Rafa’s the coolest place to go, but the food’s a bonus.

By the way, after dinner, we walked around Linen N’ Things, looking at cookware and kitchenware.  Can I tell you, only Lori can make hanging out at the store fun. I love her, she’s my best friend, and a blast to be with.

Not the most wild n’ crazy date night, but the time alone and having fun together are what’s most important. Parenting tip: our kids deserve healthy parents; which means we must place our marriage above them. I know it sounds harsh, but it’s true. Think about it!

Why “ParentHood”?

I was asked yeseterday why I’m doing a series on parenting. In short, it’s because I believe the family is too important for us not to help people in our churches build health into theirs. Everybody wants to have a great family, I’ve found that most people just don’t know how to get there. I want to help!

That’s why I do a marriage or parenting series once a year, usually in the fall. I believe one of the greatest impacts Palm Valley Church will have on our community is by having healthy families that will last. This will stand out, because most families are struggling to stay together.

It’s also why I’m so committed to the development of our children’s and youth ministries. We’re making some huge changes, and giant advances to these ministries in order to help us reach more kids for Christ and to help them grow to maturity in their faith.

As a pastor I walk through the children’s area on weekends and I think of 2 John 4, which says “How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living in the faith…”                                    

Children’s Ministry

Received some crazy news about our Kids Ministry today. I can’t even share yet what it is, but it’s all good! Something absolutely (i mean absolutely) huge is about to happen. You won’t believe it.

I’ll be able to reveal more in the next week, but here’s a little tidbit…We’re going to be rearranging all our children’s areas, classes, etc. The atmosphere for each children’s space will be significantly upgraded. The children of Palm Valley Church are absolutely going to be rocked!

Can you tell I’m excited? Stay tuned for more details, and pray for the growth of this vital ministry.

Good Friends

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24 (nlt) “There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”

Those types of friendships are rare in life, but invaluable. Tonight I hung out with that type of guy in my life. We went to the D-backs game (beat the giants ), but just spent most of the evening talking about life, marriage, friendships, dreams, struggles, etc…

Most pastors I know really struggle with trusting people (It’s a job hazard). I’m blessed to have a few guys in my life who are spiritually mature and discerning, trustworthy, and care about me more than my role at church. Tonight was refreshing for me, and reminded me just how rare these types of friendships are in life.

This guy is genuine, and closer to me than a brother. Cool thing is that his wife is great friends with Lori, and are kids love hanging out. It’s a relationship that moves us all closer to Christ, and we have a blast together along the way.

Can I let you in on one of my deep beliefs? You will only find these types of relationships if they’re centered around Christ. If the relationship is built on money, career, sports, common hobbies, it will never attain the level of unity and intimacy that God wired us to crave.

So I encourage you, seek out friendships with people who are growing in Christ, they will encourage the same in you! A great place to start is by joining a Home Team Bible study at Palm Valley Church!

Answered Prayers

I asked you last week to pray for Dallas, a 3 year old who was having the 30th surgery of his life.

Today, Paul Lewis (Pastor To New Believers) went to the hospital to visit Dallas and his family, and found the room empty. When Paul reached Dallas’ parents, they told him that the doctors had released Dallas to go home, and that’s where they were.

Can I give out a BIG YEAH GOD! This young boy went home a week earlier than the best case predictions, and is doing great. Thanks for praying, it affirms once again that God answers the prayers of His people.

Super Bowl Baby!

The Oakland Raiders (God’s team) are off to a flying 1-0 start in pre-season. I know it’s only pre-season, but you can’t discount a team learning how to win no matter the situation. I’m pumped about watching the Raiders tour to the Super Bowl this year, it’s going to be fun.

Note: some of the above content is very tongue-in-cheek humor and may not be the serious opinion of the author

Kind Words

Gary Lamb had some kind words about Palm Valley Church on his blog, along with Westridge and NewSpring, two other churches I have the utmost respect for.