With Everything

This morning, I was listening to a song that has blessed me so much since the first time I got the latest Hillsong CD, This is our God. "With Everything" has easily become my favorite song on the CD and our worship team will sing it for the very first time at our New Years eve service in a few days (I can't wait!) As I begin listening to the words I thought about a New Year that is about to start and the word mandate strongly came to my heart. The word mandate means an authoritive call to action. Almost sounds milliteristic in a sense. I truly believe that this is a "mandate year" upon the church, it's a call to action, it's a call to move, a call to take risks, a call to not just have a vision but to see that Vision come to pass. I believe that suddenly is not around the corner anymore, it's here, things are moving quickly. Yesterday I spoke a message entitled "Run" which is taken from Habakkuk 2:2, Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. I believe that we have no choice but run with Vision, you can't walk with it. Running signifies intensity, conviction, it means "With Everything" "When is the last time you saw a football player walk into the end zone from the 50 yard line?" There's a mandate to run, a mandate to vision, a mandate to live With Everything for God in 2009. Those who run will not miss out, but will carry out what has been appointed for such a time as this. With Everything, run!

Home from Work

By the time my wife gets home today, I'll be on my 4th cup of coffee so that I can finish some Christmas shopping tonight. I'm home from work this week, which means I've traded in being a systems administrator and now I am a chef, diaper changer, referee, story teller, dish washer, laundry specialist, jungle gym, hero, video gamer, and that's just a few hours into the day. The title that I cherish the most though, is simply just being called Dad.

Children are an inheritance from the LORD. They are a reward from Him.
Psalm 127:3

Ready for Christmas?

I still have a few gifts to buy which means gift wrapping... But I'm ready for Christmas. I'm ready in my heart. I'm ready to read about the birth of Christ with the family on Christmas Eve. I'm ready to build a legacy in my home of laughter and song. I'm ready to play video games with my son, kiss my daughter and tickle her. I'm ready to hold my wife and reminder of how great life is with her. Are you ready for Christmas, is your heart ready, not the presents or the food or any other preparations but your heart? Make this Christmas truly memorable by preparing your heart and living for what truly counts.

What comes natural?

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. 25 No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. John 2: 23-25

What a statement, people began to trust Jesus but there was a struggle in Jesus to trust people because he knew the nature of man.

I begin to think about what comes natural and what does not come natural in my life, when I read today's passage. The bible say's that people began trust in Jesus because of the miraculous signs Jesus did. What about those times when it's hard to see Jesus in the middle of everything going on in life? Faith comes natural when the road is easy, throw a couple of bumps in and it's a whole new ballgame. It's easier to believe when you can see God working, see progress, see some hope, it's almost as if faith comes natural. But there are also times in life when it's hard to see God. There's little to any faith being used when I can see, it's when I can't see and still believe that faith has truly kicked in.

Loving friends comes naturally, loving neighbors does not. You and I can choose our friends but I've yet to move into a neighborhood, yet to move into a job, yet to attend a church where I can choose all who are there. Jesus said love your neighbor as yourself.

And just because we are days shy of Christmas, Receiving can come natural more than giving can, especially radical giving. Who does not like to receive presents? I love opening presents at Christmas time, especially the ones with my name on it. But I truly want giving to come easier then receiving in any and every arena, not just at Christmas but all year long, not just to family but to anyone who is need. Giving radically is giving beyond what I know I can.

Pleasing God is based on His nature in me becoming greater then my own

The Night My Heart Grew Two Sizes

Last night I had the privilege of being a part of a Christmas dinner with group entitled the Renaissance Scholars. "RS" is a program that recruits and supports foster youth in their education at CSU East Bay, and it's also where my wife Tara works. I finally had the opportunity to meet the incredible individuals that my wife comes home to talk to me about daily.

I sat with three young ladies Déjà, Regina, & Angelia as well as my wife. Usually when I eat in a place with $30+ dollar plates I am much more serious, but last night I laughed and I laughed and I laughed some more, thank you ladies. I had such a wonderful time and feel privileged to have dined with "greatness" last night. I could tell by some of the conversations, that each of these young people has a story to tell. I realized the courage and tenacity that these individuals have within them and I encourage you to never stop, to never quit. I'm probably not far off by saying that these young people should not be in college educating themselves...but they are and they are succeeding. There probably should not be any smiles on their face because of the cards they have been dealt in life but they are smiling and making others smile as well. Last night in just a few short hours my heart grew two sizes I can only imagine the heart size of my wife and others who daily get to rub shoulders with this awesome group of young people.

I’m reminded of a story that I heard from my Pastor, Dan Vera. In the early 90's nobody could take the Orlando Magic seriously. The Magic was young, yet to have a winning season, and two of their last four seasons had ended with them in last place. The 93-94 NBA season gave way to a young man in only his second year playing, named Shaquille O’Neal, and every time this 7 foot 1 giant took hold of the ball it looked like an orange in his hands.
Despite previous last place losing seasons a sign stood above the exit way of the Magic which read, "Why not here, Why not Now, Why Not us." The words penned above the door at every game would enter the court with the Magic and also became the character of the team. If nobody else believed in the Magic, they believed in themselves and in the 1994 NBA season a young franchise team with tremendous odds against them, had their first winning season and was in the playoffs. Although the Magic did not reach the ultimate goal of a Championship that year, the character of the team is what I encourage you with today, "Why not here, Why Not Now, Why not YOU." “When someone believes in you, you win, but when you believe in yourself everyone wins"

RS keep it up, dream and dream big and thank you for making this holiday season special for me, you grew my heart last night and I urge you to grow yours, the skies the limit. To Kevin who is the visionary of this program, the Bible says, “Without vision people perish.” Vision impacts, it influences, it paves way for what could be and should be. Keep spreading the Vision of what could be and should be in the lives of young people. I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies "Gladiator" "What you do in this life will echo in eternity"

Have an incredible Christmas and go into the New Year knowing that anything is possible... God Bless

The Power of the One Liner

Last night I had a conversation with my buddy Troy. As we joked and laughed around an outdoor fire all of the sudden the setting changed as Troy reached for a notepad and began to write in a little notepad. Because Troy's a singer I assumed he was writing a verse for a song but I was wrong. What Troy was writing was just a random thought that he felt God was dealing with him about. I begin to share how last week I was impressed to jot down some one liners myself in a book. I don't know if the thoughts are sermons, or blogs or just areas that I'm to think about I just know in that moment that I received them that I had to write them down. A scripture that has been on my mind lately has been Habakkuk 2:3 "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run." When God speaks to you, sometimes you get just clues, clues will point you in the right direction but to seek the fullness of the revelation you have to run after it. So the next time you get that random thought, that insight, that one liner that comes from out of the blue, write it down, so that you can run with it, and see it to fruition.

Making Mondays Count

It's so easy to wake up and drag on Mondays but today as I picked my boy up from school he told me "hey dad I did like you do and I preached today." My boy began to tell me how he spoke to a friend "Harmon" whose parents are separated. I'm so proud of my son Isaiah he truly is influential already, even at 6 years old. I was challenged as Isaiah took what he hears on Sundays and made it count on Monday. I'm learning not to underestimate how God uses your children to speak into your life. Thank you Lord, and thank you son for your obedience.

Sowing Peace

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:18

Looking at this scripture I thought about what it meant to "sow in peace" because of some things that have recently gone on in my life. To sow means to plant. Many people are familiar with the passage that say's "You reap what you Sow" This is the same principle and James say's if we want to harvest righteousness or living right with God then we must sow peace.

It's difficult to "sow in peace" and it's so easy to do the opposite. The opposite of sow in peace are the following: "prove I'm right and you’re wrong," "make my point," "ignore my flaws and see the flaws in others" or the favorite "making sure I have the final word." Recently I have had the opportunity to sow in peace. Here's what sowing in peace looks like:

Repair the heart: There’s always more to an attitude, a word, or an outburst, these are just symptoms to something deeper, sometimes that's all we see and we ignore the heart.

Extend Grace: Grace pardons, it forgives, it's hard to do immediately but when grace is attempted immediately more often then not you'll see immediate results (A Gentle answer turns away wrath...Proverbs 15:1)

Have a Love that stretches: The bible say's "Love covers a multitude of sin." The ability to cover someone in love is found when your love can stretch past offense, past hurt, past wrong doing.

"When we sow in peace at the same time we are sewing back a relationship, the heart, and a life and this is where the righteousness of God can truly be found."

Monday Morning Thoughts...

I haven't posted a Monday morning thought in a while. After an incredible Sunday service yesterday I feel compelled to today, so here it goes:

• Production Day unfolds as CWC'ites are running around like little ants
• Quad shot Gingerbread Latte is waiting for me in the kitchen hows that Mazda commercial go a again "zoom, zoom"
  
• Ronnie did a great job with the props, hard work but well worth it, the stage looks great
  
• The Church hallway looks like Disney's Main street
• Service starts, incredible energy in the building
• Wow good crowd but it may empty out when the play starts...
• Wow the seats are still full, if we had advertised we would of had no room left
  
• Good touch of humor in the production, people need to laugh
• Three kings are too cool
  
• Was that...thriller Dance? it scared me when I was little but it looked great in church
• The play was called Home for Christmas, in the end I believe that's what we made people feel at our church on Sunday, 5 people came to know the Lord and looking out in the crowd at the faces and the tears I know there was more. You don't always score a touchdown with some people and that's ok, but a lot of yardage with gained, they are inside the 20 and almost there.

Yesterday was awesome. Thank you PBen and the production team for giving of your time, your energy and your hearts, you guys preached a great sermon yesterday. Tear it up in SJ next week!

Oh one last thought...

• How come Santz and Zai are going up for the final bow they were'nt in the play?

I had to fight it off

"...We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation." Hebrews 6:9

Yesterday was a tough day, I had a lot on my heart, and this morning I felt the tug like today was going to be even tougher. I'm driving to work and this thought pops in my mind and simultaneously deep in my heart I feel I needed to hear those words. I realized at that moment it wasn't me just thinking, but the Lord was speaking to me. The words that popped in my mind and gave me energy today was "you have to fight it off." Discouragement, doubt, frustration, stress, whatever it is that weighs you down, You have to fight it off. Then today's verse spoke into my life even more, so much that I had to stop reading and instantly begin to write. You are meant for better things, that come with salvation. What comes with Salvation found in Christ and Christ alone?; peace, security, completeness, hope, purpose, and the list can go on and on and on.

We have to fight off what weighs us down because we were meant for better things. I was not meant for discouragement, I was meant to have a gleaming hope for all to see. I was not meant to be in worry, but to live in freedom and joy. I was not meant to just go through life but to live life with a target called purpose and with passion. I-YOU-WE-US were meant for better things. Fight it off, there's so much to fight for. I know of many people who are struggling this Christmas but you have to fight it off, Your meant for better things!

Lord I thank you because it's IN YOU that I have life and find the ability to live.

Fill in the blank

"As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God..."

2 Timothy 4:6

What an incredible statement to be able to say, "my life has been poured out..." There's great meaning behind that statement "poured out" especially when looking at the life of Paul. If you read between the lines and look at Paul's life poured out means "I gave it everything", "I risked it all", "I was persecuted but was never stopped", I have nothing left, everything was spent, everything was used, everything was poured out so that others might know the love of God.

What does poured out mean in your life today? Poured out might mean:
I really need to speak to _________________ today so they realize the love of God.
I have always had a dream to do___________________for God.
In 2009 I want to make sure that I accomplish _____________for my family, my home or my marriage.
I don't want to die without seeing ______________ occur in my life.

We will determine how much of our lives we pour out, and into what or who we pour our lives out to. We will determine what song, what dream, what creative idea, what sermon, what good deed, what influence, will be used or not. I want my life poured out as an offering to God. I want my life to please Him, I want my life to matter, to count, I want my life to live past my grave. Where do you need to fill in the blanks?

The Spirit of AL

I'm a visionary and passionate one at that. One thing that I've noticed in leadership is that your greatest strengths can become your greatest weaknesses. Because I am so driven and so passionate about influencing lives for Christ my motor is constantly running. I was watching my favorite channel the other night (Food Channel) they were having a holiday decoration contest made out of food. One guys tree was over the top as I watched the show further I realized not only was this guys creation over the top his personality and his character was too. I asked my wife, is that me, she replied yes, sometimes.

I love my wife, she makes me better, her answer was sweet, subtle and powerful. She often will wait till I see things rather then trying to make me see what she see's. I know it drives her nuts. Let me explain what I mean by the spirit of AL. I am a Raider fan, but the owner, Al Davis has his hands in everything, as a result he has stifled his team and his organization to the point where last Thursday the sports commentators were flat out making jokes about them. The "Spirit of Al" is driven, but it drives relationships south, it stifles growth and in the end what you are most passionate about will never come because the team is out of balance.

Here's what I'm realizing:

• If an event or a task has gone south it's usually because I did not communicate it effectively.
• Allowing people to dream builds an invaluable trust
  
• I learned this from my Pastor, "sometimes you just have to allow folks to sink or swim", If I have have prepared a team member, if I have set them up in area of their strength, if I have communicated effectively, chances are they are going to swim and they might just be the next Michael Phelps of Ministry
  
• In the end you hurt the team and hurt yourself in ministry if you stunt the growth of the players.

A note to all those running the race next to me, thank you for your continued patience, thank you for trusting me, I truly do have complete confidence in you. I believe in You, I need you, have much luv for you all. I rebuke the spirit of Al

Consistency Is The Key

"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8

The key in any type of training is consistency. Improvement in any arena is impossible without consistency. Today's verse talks about training for Godliness producing benefits in this life and the life to come. I truly want my life to reveal God. I want what I do, how I treat people, how I speak, everything to reveal God. I want Godliness to be revealed in my marriage, in my parenting, in my work ethics, in my relationships. When thinking about this scripture today I thought, what is the first thing that I would like people to think of when my name is first mentioned? How do I get there? The key is consistency. Thinking about 2009 I want to start mapping out the areas of my life that I struggle with consistency in. It's ok to struggle by the way, struggle means there's a fight, I rather have a fight in me then no fight at all. Even Paul said "...we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God..." It's going to be a struggle to get to anything that will echo in eternity. Words like "I made it", "I believe", "we won" all carry consistent hard work in the back drop. There's something about consistency that reminds you of how far you have come and how much you have to go, it keeps you sharp, it keeps you progressing and keeps you growing. Living life without consistency is like saying you want to win an Olympic medal and not train for it. What does your life, relationship with God, marriage, children, home, relationships, finances, look like if you are consistently training to improve in Godliness?

In The News

Couple of things that stood out to me today as I read the news. The first was the economy and the current job rate. 533k people lost their jobs in November it's the most in 34 years. The past two days at my job people have been let go. It's disheartening watching someone walk away carrying a box of their things.

The second thing that I noticed was in Saudi Arabia 3Million people gathered for the Muslim pilgrimage hajj.

Have you ever read the news and felt like you were just standing still looking at a world that is lost, hurting and in deceived. Check out Habakkuk in the bible his people were going through an extremely difficult time. Habakkuk is begging, complaining and crying out in the first chapter, you can feel his anguish and heart. Then the Lord answers in Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.

We desperately need a move of God in the world and I believe it's coming and you and I get to be a mouthpiece, an influence, a servant in God's work. The Lord's vision will press on to fulfillment, and it will not disappoint, if it delays wait for it. What are you doing in the waiting? What you and I do in the waiting will determine how much we are part of the vision. Prepare yourself people of God, prepare yourself to be used, prepare your hearts to love the unlovable, prepare to work, prepare to give, pray and seek and find the Lord. The Lord's vision will press on and it will not disappoint!

Spending Money Or Spending Time Pt. 2

or Being ALL there...

One of my favorite restaurants is Chili's. If it's not a burger, it's the Monterey Chicken or the Quesedilla explosion salad, ok that's enough I'm getting hungry. The problem that I have with a restaurant like Chili's and going with the family is "being all there." You see, 90% of the time Chili's has ESPN playing in the background, which usually accounts for me being 50% there with my family instead of 100% ALL there. Instead of engaging conversation, laughing, enjoying the time out with the family I'm glued to the sports world and I'm not ALL there. It doesn't stop at Chili's though. I have this little thing in my pocket called a cell phone and like OCD I pick it up constantly even at the dinner table once again affecting me being ALL there. The other day when I went to eat with Isaiah I purposesly showed him the phone on the table, I turned it over and I pointed out to him that I was not going to pick it up. I showed Isiah that I valued our time, our conversation, our relationship more then an email or a text and I was all there for Him. Making time is one thing, Being All there is another step that I have to take initiative in. Maybe you have to turn off your phone, maybe you have to not eat where there are TV's. Maybe you have to sit with your back towards distractions, whatever it is make sure YOUR ALL THERE.

Spending Money Or Spending Time

My boy and I have another afternoon planned together today. We are heading out to Panera his favorite sandwich spot to do his homework. Anytime Isaiah and I do his homework we make it fun like a math problem is a "bad guy" or the world is depending on his next answer. My boy and I have had so much fun lately and I'm loving in it. For many parents, including myself I have been guilty of spending extravagantly on loved ones for Christmas as a way of making up for what's been missing all year long. I don't plan on spending as much this year on gifts, but I do plan on spending more on time and although I haven't started shopping yet for Christmas items I have been spending on time already. Sometimes it takes creatitivity, sometimes your dragging tired, sometimes you have other things you have to do (what we think is urgent), giving of your time in those moments is priceless. Make up with more time not with more gifts this year, again create moments that you will live twice. I'll have part two of this little pep talk later. (Being All There)

Infuenced by a 6yr. old

My son and I planned to hang out yesterday, so we went to grab a bite to eat at ToGo's then some coffee and coco at Starbucks. While waiting for our drinks my son started with the following sentence, "Dad I have something difficult to say" I sat back and waited for my son to talk and he begin to tell me how his teacher is not a Christian. I could tell this wasn't sitting well with Isaiah. I asked "so what you are you going to do about it?" The response that I received was "I'm going to talk her into being a Christian" I replied how are you going to talk your teacher into being a Christian? Isaiah replied "I'm going to tell her that being a Christian is better then not knowing God" I gave my son some pointers but I walked away with a few pointers from my son as well. I come into contact everyday with people who do not know Jesus and I'm sure you do to. How much does it bother you to come into contact daily with people who do not know Jesus? What are you doing to make Christ known in the simplest of ways? I know if Isaiah was influential to me, he certainly has and will continue to be influential in his teachers life and he is convinced she will know Christ one day, with faith like that I believe it. Thanks son, I love you.

Hope That Will Not Disappoint

"...this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:5

Finding hope in your life can be difficult at times, it seems lately that people are finding it difficult to find hope day by day. Have you ever hoped in someone or something only to find disappointment? Paul say's, in every problem, and in every trial, everything that we face, everything that is in opposition to you, everything that stresses, frustrates and wearies your spirit we can consider joy in all these things because of a hope that we have in Christ. The demonstration of God's love to mankind, his willingness to send Jesus into this world with humble beginnings, and the sacrifice that Jesus gave, gives me all the reason to hope in times of little hope. And the bible say's...this hope...will not lead to disappointment.

Have you ever placed hope into someone or something only to be met with disappointment? People will fail you, sometimes plans don't always work, unexpected situations take place, but the hope we have in Christ will never disappoint. Christ does not promise the perfect life but He does promise the perfect path, the path that leads to Him and a path to eternal life. Life is not easy, it's not always clear, it won't always go according to our understanding. The hope I find in God's word, and in His voice, give me direction in the darkest of times, it gives me endurance just when I thought I could not go on, and it gives the ability to bring hope to others. A jump in the stock market, job security, or new president is not enough, we need the hope of Christ, today.

The Power of God's Word

Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. Matthew 22:29

The Sadducees had a problem hearing Jesus talking about a resurrection when they did not believe that a resurrection was possible. Jesus pretty much answers, when the word of God is absent in our lives we not know the power of God. Whenever I have found it difficult to believe in a dream, believe in myself, believe what God can do in my life and through my life I can always look back and find the reason why, and it's usually because I have neglected or have not disciplined myself in my devotion time with God. In physics, power (symbol: P) is the rate at which work is performed or energy is transmitted, or the amount of energy required or expended for a given unit of time. The equation for power looks like this:

Spiritually speaking, Time spent in the Word=Power. I've been raised in church and have probably read the bible through and through many times already, but that does not mean I do not need it daily. I need God's word, I need it present, I need it active and I need it working in my life constantly. There's no question we all go through times of drought or a slump if you will, and during those times it's hard to hear God and hard to see hope, those are the times for greater pursuit. Some things are only found with great pursuit. I wonder how much I've missed or have delayed when my pursuit struggled in my devotional life? To know the power of God, to know the power that God has given you, time spent in the word is needed.

Lord your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee. I want to know your power Lord lead me through your word!

To Fire on all cylinders = RISK (Follow up to "it" a few weeks ago)

Yesterday we had one of our best services and concluded by far the best series yet. For four weeks were challenged by "30 Days to Live", the question "How would you live your life if you knew you had only 30 days left" has changed my life and no question a lot of other people as well. I will never look at Psalm 39:4 the same again "Lord remind me how brief how my time on earth will be."

We set out a mark with this series and that was to push envelope little by little as the series unfolded over 4 weeks and that we did. Every week the atmosphere changed by scenery, props, people, media and yesterday the team blew it up with a whole new delivery approach. Instead of ending the message with a drama we started the message with the dance/live music/narration/and video all at the same time. Since Troy and Santos were involved in the series I had them help with the finally by recapping and introducing the sermon. All in all, there were many twists and turns in making yesterdays conclusion a success and the team executed with precision and professionalism which revealed their value for God's word and heart to touch lives. If one word could sum up yesterdays team victory I would have to say R-I-S-K. We fired on all cylinders yesterday because everyone had the same goal and everyone went out to make a play. This is part of "it". This is what makes a church "sticky." When everyone innovates, when everyone gives their best, and when everyone takes a risk. And the beauty is the end result lives are transformed, homes are changed, marriages are restored, peoples dreams are birthed. My my my...WE are getting "it"

Fresh DIrection

I wrote about Vision the other day and wanted to follow up with a supporting post. Part of my 30 Days to live challenge has been to have dynamic daily devotions with the Lord for the next 30 days. Let me emphasize Dynamic. Everyday, I've been on a hunt for something new, something that I have not seen before and something that I have yet to experience at the feet of the Master. There's nothing like fresh direction in your life. My senses in life and for life have been awakened. Ever go for drive and not know where we you are going, it get's frustrating, it get's tiring and it's easy to just turn around and never reach your destination. In life we are on a journey and in that journey fresh direction is needed not weekly, but daily. Daily I've purposed myself for fresh direction from God because I'm on a journey, life is short and I don't want to make a turn when I'm not supposed to turn, I don't want any big detours, I want to hit my mark, I need to hit my mark. I need fresh direction. What does my life look like in 60, 90 days, in a year if every day I have fresh direction from God?

X > 2 = 1

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19

Do you remember the greater than and less than signs when first beginning math in school? The above math statement obviously does not make sense in the math world, if X is greater then 2 then it can't equal 1, but this is the concept that society moves by today. The more you have, the bigger it is, the more it cost the greater you are. Jesus' words today tell a completely different story in today's verse, Jesus say's if you want to be great then you must become less. Becoming great in the kingdom of God is being great at humility, meekness, mercy, peace, justice and the bible say's for all those who become great in those things they will be called great.

Becoming great for God requires less of me. Less of my reactions, less of my emotions, less of my ways, thoughts, defense, less of me. But why? Jesus say's because you are the light and you are salt of the earth. We are surrounded by "temporary greatness" all day, every day. Eternal greatness shines like a city on a hill and all who see and experience it's light realize something genuine, something unique, something that may be missing in their lives. We are called to be great in what the world would consider less, but in the end it's what really counts, it's what's missing in the world and it's what makes the biggest impact. What is it that I need to become less in to become greater in the kingdom?

Lord my desire is to influence lives and challenge hearts to a relationship with you. Let every encounter, every person that I come into contact leave your impression rather then my own.

What fuels your Vision?

The Wheel of fortune is being aired from Hawaii this week and I have had the opportunity to catch it twice by accident. As the camera panned out from the crowd and showed all these people I could feel the beginnings of a smile across my face, and my mind begin to wander and dream, my heart begin to stir and beat with intensity. I realized at that very moment my Vision was being fueled. I have a vision not for an island, but for a people, for a city, for a region, for the world. My vision is ridiculously huge, it's so big that I can't accomplish on my own, it's so big that it often buckles my knees, it makes me want to hide. The Vision that God has given me can only be accomplished with his help. Let me ask you, what fuels your vision. It seems silly that a game show would fuel my Vision but it did, why because for a moment, for just seconds , I could see plainly, I could see with the eyes of God, I could see what will be. As big as the Vision of God is in our lives, we need to be able to have these moments of plain sight because Vision is mysterious, it's not sticky, it takes a beating at times but it's there, it's always there. Think of a car, the bigger it is the more fuel it consumes. Vision doesn't just show up, it takes time, it has to grow and you do as well so you need fuel for the journey. Fuel that motivates, fuel that encourages, fuel that sparks creativity and the heart of God. What fuels your vision? What brings that smile to your face when you think about the real you? What stirs your heart, what takes your mind and breath away? Do you have fuel today? When is the last time you filled up? When is the last time you saw in HD God's dream for your life?

Spread the news!

News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Matthew 4:24

News spreads fast now a days. It doesn't take long for a chain e-mail to circulate, or a news article or what was watched late at night in the news. The scripture say's that news spread about Jesus not just in His home but "as far" as Syria and people from all over begin to bring all who were sick to Jesus. Before the internet, before newspapers, and TV, Jesus was the highlight of the world then and guess what He is still the most important news today.

And the bible say's... He healed them all... Powerful words. Jesus didn't miss a beat, he wasn't too busy, he wasn't to preoccupied with an agenda, Jesus Healed them all. We live in a world today that is dying, people are sick from a hurt, sick in their hearts, sick in their minds, sick emotionally, mentally, physically but most of all they are sick spiritually. Jesus wants to heal today as much as he did in the scripture above. Where does healing begin? By spreading the news, spread the news that there is a hope, spread the news that there is peace, spread the news that Jesus is here today to heal the land, the people, the hearts, the homes of every single person who calls out. Spread the news today in a simple email, spread the news with an act of generosity, spread the news with an act of God's love. He's here, he walks with us, He walks in us, He wants to work through you today, would you spread the news of Jesus today...Now...don't wait, every single act, every single moment is precious, it's vital even more vital then we think. Spread the news of Jesus!

Lord, help me to risk today what I was afraid to risk yesterday, help me to step out and reach who I haven't reached, help me to slow down and to see all you desire to touch today. -amen

Getting back to basics

My mind is running like crazy this morning, so this may be one of several posts today. While driving to work today I thought to myself, I need to get back to basics, get back to what counts this coming Holiday; relationships, appreciation, laughter, plenty of picture taking and creating moments we will live twice. Then I came across this article on CNN's site, it reaffirmed what I was feeling this morning. Here's the article. What are your plans this year for the holidays, maybe you shop less and spend more on quality time. Maybe you spend less and create more by creating a gift. Whatever it is, I think it's long overdue...we need to get back to the basics, what truly counts.

When the going get's tough

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 10:12

How was Paul able to say that when he was weak he was actually strong? In weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties Paul was able to feel strong.

There's a tremendous strain on our nation right now, many things are uncertain, every week we are hearing layoffs and great hardships. Seems like every time I'm driving I'm seeing more and more homeless people. People who appear recently homeless at that. Yesterday I received a call from my boss regarding the talks about lay offs at our company. This morning as I came into work people are walking on egg shells. There's a sadness and stillness in the office like the eye in the middle of the storm. Based on the reaction of people before anything has taken place it's evident what people have placed their trust in. I'm not trying to minimize the magnitude of what it means to lose a job, but when you are squeezed, when you are really stretched who you really are is revealed. What's been revealed is people have depended on jobs, on money, on things, to provide happiness and now that America is seeing this great hardship the happiness is gone. Isn't that what happiness is built on happenings? When those things that make us happy are taken away what do we have left? Paul said I have joy, I have delight, I have pleasure in hard times because whether it was going good or it was bad I have always built my life on what lasts and that is Christ. We need God, we need an authentic, and genuine touch of the Master on our nation. Now is the time to live for Christ, now is the time to bring hope to a hurting world, now is the time to love and give radically.

Questions to think about?

What is revealed when your stretched?
Have you built yourself on an eternal perspective or on earthly preferences?

Lord your word say's If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. We need a healing in our land, so I seek and pray and turn to you. Let us hear from heaven, not from a podcast, not from someone else's devotional or story but let us hear directly from you today, Revelation, Signs, wonders, Miracles...

30 Days to Live Challenge

How would you live your life if you knew you only had 30 days to live? This question has turned into a challenge in my life and it's a challenge that I've passed onto our church. For the next 30 days I have vowed the following:

• Dynamic Devotions with God
  
• Don't sweat small things
  
• Laugh as much as possible
• Keep in perspective the power of small things (acts of kindness, generosity, words)
  
• Do what I used to do, do what I know counts, and live what will outlive me

Taking the challenge? I would love to hear about it. Drop an e-mail on what you would change for 30days; 30days@cwcmilpitas.com

"If 21 days can become a lifestyle, 30 days could birth a legacy"

Encouragers will find themselves surrounded by encouragers

"...I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you.
I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds." 2 Corinthians 7:3-4

Paul was an incredible encourager, in fact look at his words "fight the good fight" , "finish the race", "take heart". Looking at this verse, I find that people who encourage others will find themselves surrounded by encouragers. The word encourage in the greek means to admonish, to hold one to his duty, to disciple. To put encouragement in a picture it's those people standing on the sidelines holding the cup of water during a marathon.

Even Paul who gave tremendous encouragement, needed encouragement, because life is a marathon not a sprint. Looking at this chapter the DNA of encouragement can be found. 1) An open heart: a heart that respects, a heart that is willing, a heart that see's potential in others, transparecy, humble. 2) Building words; Paul said I take great pride, I have great confidence in you, I would live or die with you 3) Ability to confront; authentic confrontation holds another to their duty, what they are capable of, it produces a champion, it's getting others to win before yourself. Do you have an encourager in your life, someone you have heart to heart talks with, someone who you build with your word and they build you, someone who allows you to confront them and will confront you when needed. Encouragers will find themselves surrounded by encouragers.

Lord please continue to birth encouragement in and around my life. Lord I pray that you would continue to build a culture of encouragement in my home, in our team and in our church. Great vision requires great strength, strength that can only come from You and through the people you have placed in my life. -amen

Glad To Be Back Home

Flew back last night from a quick trip to Boston. The place I stood at was in the middle of scariest forest that I've ever seen. Care to see, here's a link . Anyway I'm just glad to be home, glad to be with my family. Just wanted to provide a quick update because I haven't posted since Monday. Until the next episode... I'm outta here.

A Weekend To Remember

CWC's World Changers Conference went great. The highlight of the evening was watching my Pastor pour into Pastors and churches representing our network. I felt Pastor Dan's message was in perfect timing and it truly challenged me to leave everything on the field because the Hand of the Lord is upon us in everything we do in His name. Practically speaking PDan used one verse and that one verse I will never look the same at again. The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. Ezekiel 37:1

We had a great time in service yesterday. New Faces both in San Jose and Milpitas. There is an incredible amount of momentum right now in both campuses. I want to finish strong. Right now I'm putting some numbers in my head by Christmas that are enormous but I'm running with it because I believe God will do it.

My family and I are so priveleged to work with such incredible people next to us. Thank You everyone for your hard work, your hearts, and for just being you. Get ready...the time is come, what you have been praying for is here, Break Down the Walls, see your family saved, see what you have wept over come into fruition... see that the Hand of the Lord is Upon you, Upon us and He will do a great Work! Get ready to Change the World!

Innovation

Recently CNN did something in the news arena that no other news company has yet to do. An interview took place on Live National TV, with the use of a hologram image. The person that was beamed over to the news studio was some hundreds of miles away surrounded in a green tent, and 35 HD cameras. The construction of the tent alone took approximately 3weeks to build, not to mention the money and manpower. Talk about innovation.

Innovation is a word that I have heard a lot lately. I heard "innovation" when I went to Disneyland some weeks ago. I'm hearing innovation a lot in the Christian arena in regards to ministry. Ever hear someone say "I've never seen it that way", that's innovation. How about "that was ahead of it's time" you got it innovation. Innovation catapults, it makes things better, it propels, it sends the average into extreme. Perfect example the Bike. The bike has been around for hundreds of years but innovators have taken what has been around for many years and turned it into a world of humongous dirt ramps, twists and turns 40 feet in the air known as BMX. The challenge that I've had lately is to not do Ministry the same but to innovate, to dream the message into a dynamic and powerful presentation of God's love and hope. We changed around one little thing last week and the atmosphere changed completely at church. What small thing can you change that could make things better. I loved this quote that I read "Great innovations not only come out of difficulty, but they're often created because of it." Feeling like things need to change it's time to innovate. Feeling like things could be better it's time to innovate. You've heard this saying "The message is the same it's the methods that change", perfect example of innovation.

Why we vote on Tuesdays?

I was watching channel 5 news last night and they did a short on "Why we vote on Tuesdays" "Back in the day" a Tuesday voting day, would allow people to travel from far away places to vote, but the main reason was because voting on Tuesday would not allow the most important day of the week to get interrupted, Sunday. Sunday was a day for going to church and nothing else would replace it. Our country was founded on the word of God, it was founded on values from the Word. In fact at one time our judicial system required Judges to attend Bible based classes. Our value was the word but that has changed throughout the years in this great nation.

America has valued tolerance vs. the standards of the Word and as a result teen pregnancies, drug addiction, rape, violent crimes, suicides, etc. have all increased.

We have valued gain and wealth vs. giving and serving and as a result we see more and more homeless every year while America is stricken with a credit crisis.

Why are values important? Our values today will determine our future tomorrow. Jesus said in Matthew 6 "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." I want my values to match what God values. I want my heart to be where God's heart is. Voting on Tuesday is a reminder for me of what this country was founded on, it's a reminder of what we need to get back to and that's God and His word. I will uphold the word of God today with my vote.

Monday Morning blurb...

1. Had our first round table journaling session on Sunday...Wow better then a triple shot of Peet's
2. May have a new series out of the round table (Organic Living, or Going Green)
3. Pre-Service meeting is growing, the team is getting bigger.
4. The worship team tore it up yesterday. "I have a new favorite song" LOL
5. Troy continues to push the envelope in worship, No LIMITS!
   
6. Amanda keep taking us to that place in worship... where nothing is rehearsed.
   
7. I love making eye contact with my wife on stage, seeing her smile...priceless
8. Great Video Santz, "It's good to celebrate victories early"
9. 30 Day's to live, it's going to push us over the edge, I can tell already.
10. What does our church look like by January if we keep the same momentum?
    

Glimpses of Gold

S) But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
Job 23:10

O) Somehow in the middle of Job's trial. In the middle of both Job's discouragement and frustration and even his complaint, Job still finds glimpses of Gold, glimpses that he will be as gold.

A) In our lives we need glimpses of gold. Just one glimpse of who God is, just one glimpse of who you are in God. A glimpse of Gold will provide you with hope just at the right time. How do we find gold? Job 23:11 "I have stayed on God's path, Job 23:12 I have treasured His word" The hope we need, the heart we need, the courage, the peace, all of it is found at the feet of the master and treasuring his Word. Look for the daily glimpses of gold. Have you ever missed something on the ground like some money? I have it's easy when your not looking for it. If your looking for daily nuggets of God's word and strength you will be sure to find them.

P) Thank you God for this journaling session today. Thank you for the word that you used from others as well to speak encouragement into my life. Help me to find gold today!

"IT"

Just because I'm an I-T guy that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about "IT." Here's a little more detail. Soon our leadership team will begin reading a book by Craig Groeschel entitled "IT, how churches and leaders can get it and keep it"

Lately something has been happening with our team and our church. Before we have even ordered the book, I think we are beginning to see the signs of "it". What is "it" you might ask? If I could exactly detail it we might not be seeing it, but I'll try to explain the best that I can. When a football player has a break out game he knows he's got it. When someone who has dreamed or trained for something all of their lives they are not afraid to try it. When a business explodes not just because of their product but because they are it.

"It", is hard to describe, but you know when it's shown up because things start to go the right way, everyone is on the same page, people don't feel left out, people want to be a part of it. "It" changes the direction of the leadership, "it" sparks creativity, "it rises new leaders", "it" is when what should be starts to be. I'm beginning to see the signs of "it". I'm seeing it in my life, I'm seeing it in my home, I'm seeing it in our team, and now we are seeing "it" in our church. What's changed? How do we keep it? Here are a couple of things that I've seen and noticed?

1) Vision may be birthed out of a leader but it's accomplished through a team.
You'll never get "it" by yourself!

2) Give a chance for people to shine.
You never know what you might be missing if people don't get a chance to shine.

3) Give trophies more then tasks

• Trophies=appreciation, encouragement, quality time
• "It's not about giving somebody something to do, it's about making people feel valuable enough that they feel they can do anything."
• Value people and they will value the Vision

4) Notice progression in the small things.
It's easy to miss small progression when your living with a big vision.

Just a quick jot of my thoughts, I know i've been promising multiple blogs throughout the week but it's been so busy, sorry. Harvest Party is this Friday so we'll see how far blogging goes again this week.

When life gives you more questions then answers Pt. 1

Do you remember the first roller coaster you rode on? The first roller coaster I ever went on was called the Cyclone, I don't remember my age, but I know I was terrified and I went on it more because of peer pressure. Needless to say I had fun and went on the roller coaster several more times that same day. What's fun about going on a roller coaster for the first time is the speed, the uncertainty and the surprise.

You know life is a lot like a roller coaster, there are unexpected turns, unexpected drops, moments of exileration, moments of anticipation it's fun and crazy all at the same time. The unexpected is fun on a roller coaster but in life it's not fun. It's amazing how we can have faith in the engineer and mechanic of a roller coaster more then the engineer and mechanic of our life. Anytime you do something great for God you will often find yourself living with the unknown. What's known, is God, and he does not change. What's known, His word and it's eternal? What's known, I am a child of God and He promises never to leave me. Find peace in what's known about God and what's true of your position in Christ. Leave the uknown to God...

Ever feel like your missing out?

I haven't been able to blog this week because I had some major projects dumped on me at work. So I just wanted to share a quick thought? Back to the question, Ever feel like your missing out? Kinda feeling like that. This week Catalyst 2008 started. I really wanted to attend last year but we never had a chance and this year I didn't even try. Catalyst is a Next Gen Leadership conference with incredible speakers and incredible worship. I saw a pic tonight of the worship and it looked awesome. I was looking forward for my wife and I to share this weekend with the team but it never happened, but there will be other times, other conferences, and other events. This year has gone by so quickly, I can't believe it's over in less then three months. I want to go out with a bang. The clock is ticking... Every day has to matter. There's an urgency in my life to do the things that are important with my spiritual life, my family, my relationships, and ministry with excellence more than ever. I want and I need to get better, I just want to live my life well. It's funny how something like missing a conference can speak to your life. My goal is to squeeze as much out of these last three months of 08 as possible. Doesn't mean being busier it just means being better. I dont want to miss out.

Are you in over your head?

Last week I read a quote that couldn't of come at a better time. It spoke to my life so much because it was exactly what I was feeling. So here it is:

"I’m learning that the only way to allow God to truly use you is to be in over your head. From Abraham, to Moses, to David, to Ester, to Paul, we see time and time again God showing His power through men and women who earnestly sought God to accomplish what they could never do on their own."

You've heard the saying life is a marathon not a sprint. Their are times when you feel like life is a sprint and you have the energy, the passion, the zeal to do it. I truly believe you have to take advantage of those seasons because the time is limited I call those "my burst times". Then you come to the "place of the in between." Just like a marathon runner who is in between stages, in between those cups of precious water, in between that next landmark. The times of in between really remind you that you are in over your heard. It's reality check time, it's heart check time, it's discipline check time. The problem is, the "in between" is an area where most folks just check out. I faced an in between time last week. I needed that precious cup of water and could not see it. I remember asking my pastor a few months ago "How and what do you do when you feel like you just don't have it for the upcoming Sunday, when you feel like someone else should preach" The response I received was " I preach anyway thats when my best sermons come out." Sunday morning went incredible I felt effective even though I was in the place of in between. What I learned was that your cup of water could be closer then you think so don't check out, check into the presence of God, your heart, your discipline all those things that I mentioned last week that make you the best you. Secondly, the in between will last as long as it's needed. I've learned so much in the last 10 days even feeling so drained mentally and spiritually. Had I not refelected on where I was at and what was needed I could still be in the "in between." If you feel like your in over your head, your in a good place it just means your chasing a God dream instead of a dream that's your own. I will post more on the times of "Burst" and "In between" thoughout the week. Keep running the race! Stay in over your head!

Fishing Routine Pt. 2

I remember when I was little my brother and I got a Nintendo entertainment system for Christmas one year. We must of stood up playing Super Mario Brothers all night. One game that we loved was a game called Contra. It was a two player shooting game that was a lot of fun. I remember being stuck on certain levels and though the game would never end. Anyway we finally beat the game and continued to play it even after beating it, we would even try and pass the game without dying. Pretty good huh?

Sounds a little like life? Sometimes we are just stuck playing the same game in journaling, marriage, parenting and our spiritual life. I'm not talking about playing church or stuff I'm talking about remaining at the same level. God desires to take you from "Glory to Glory" from one level to the next. So you put in the new game cartridge of life, new chapter, new season whatever you want to call it you go to a new level, but your discipline, standards, and heart remain the same. In other words my life is being called to a different level on the outside then my inside can handle. Here's what happens when the inside doesn't match the outside, everything is effected relationships, leadership, creativity, energy, passion, everything feels like its R-O-U-T-I-N-E. The level you were on was good at the time but your old ceiling is now your existing floor, so everything that makes me strong on the inside must get stronger. Practically speaking that book you really enjoyed reading some months ago was really good for that time. That podcast you listened to several months ago was really good for that time. That time you spent with family was really good for that time. Everything that I consider a discipline, a standard, everything that makes my heart dream must intensify. Does the level that I am living at on the outside match what's taking place on the inside? If not all you will feel is tired, frustrated and empty. Here's another question, Who do I have to become on the inside in order to live out my biggest dream? Settling for anything else...is just routine.

The fishing routine

I had a conversation with my pastor yesterday and we talked about routine. The question that I asked is how do you deal with routine? You ever get one of those answers that pretty much takes a huge load off of your shoulders, yup it was one of those kind of moments. The answer I received is that not all routine is bad. The example that was used is sports teams look for routines it's called "jelling". When a team has routine the execution becomes second nature. I think we have jelled and are still jelling as a ministry team at CWCM. It's when the routine is not producing a win that you must begin looking for a change. Don't get me wrong I don't feel like we are losing in ministry (there is no failure in ministry). I just think our game has to step up because we are a Superbowl team.

So here's where I'm at. Having a sunday service is like going fishing. In fact Jesus called it "fishing for men". So every Sunday I go fishing, fishing for lives, fishing for team members, fishing for world changers. Imagine going to the same fishing spot every day and catching some fish but still feeling like it's routine. Routine? If your catching fish everyday it's a pretty good day you'd think because there's some days you catch none. I'm not bored of catching fish, it's just when I look at the world, when I look at the community I see bigger fish and that's the catch I want. It's that ellusive catch that you just feel like your barely missing that can make the daily stuff feel like routine.

I asked the team that I work with, does their need to be a change? The answer is yes. One thing my Pastor said you can't make change just for the sake of change. You have to know your target and why change is needed. So what's are target? How do we get it? How do you know what routine to keep and what to remove? You have to go back to the playbook and the coach, go back to the word, go back to the Lord and allow Him to give you the new game plan. I will post another update tommorow on this same thought. Until then maybe you find yourself in a routine in journaling, in marriage, in parenting, or in ministry. There some routines that you can't live without, so they must stay but that doesn't mean they have to stay the same.

Lunchtime Hussle!

Two friends of mine were the victims of a lunchtime hussle today. I know I'm not supposed to laugh at this because it stinks being ripped off but the story is hillarious. Two guys asked my friends if they wanted to buy laptops for $200 (bargain right?)a hot one at least. So my friends take a look at what appears to be laptops in a box. Nothing was powered on or tested. My friends who are IT guys btw (which makes the story even funnier) proceed to the bank forked out the $200 dollars for a Sony and HP laptop. The pics will let you know the kind of deal that they got. We are still trying to figure out what exactly they paid for...

Time to think...

So I've been on this mini quest lately, it's the quest to get back to normal. I've had some time off from speaking up until last Sunday. Trying to get back into the loop of things last week was so incredibly difficult, I found it so hard to get my thoughts going. For those of you who have read this blog you've probably have noticed that I haven't been as consistent. I realized my thought life, my thinking time, and my reflection time is incredibly important. Pastor Wayne Cordeiro say's this "Praying is thinking deeply". I would go as far as saying this; my reflection time is vital to my vision and if what the bible say's about vision is true (and it is) without "Vision people perish."

What's in a thought?
Clarity - Nothing better then "High Definition Living"
Accuracy- Living life with a target
Revelation- God is actively and intensely dealing with every detail of my life
Simplicity- I'm able to work smarter not harder. Life just comes easier.

I just realized I spelled out C-A-R-S. Just like a car needs gas to go anywhere so does your life, it's called Vision. And what fuels vision?;all of the above. See I'm getting back already, it's a good thing to think.

Go through it, to get to it

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." Daniel 10:18

Within the last week I have been feeling this incredible stretching in my spirit and to be honest it's been something unlike I have ever felt. I've felt an attack against me but I've also felt this incredible call from God to trust Him more at the same time. Can you imagine having a vision like Daniels, his city, his people were going through desolation and it burdened Daniel so much that he pleas with God. Sometimes we encounter times in our lives when God accelerates his move upon our lives and so does the enemy. If the enemy can stop you with fear, distraction, discouragement he will. Here's what this passage reveals God provided strength to Daniel in his time of stretching and he will provide strength to you as well. Daniel was called "Highly esteemed" another word for esteem is value, favor, distinction. Then God said Peace! Be Strong Now; be strong.

Last night I went to our worship event "Collide" at first I did not want to go. Little did I know what God had planned. I was at a point where I felt like Daniel in a sense. I felt the stretch of God but I also felt the discouragement and distraction of the enemy. Had I not gone I probably would not be journaling this morning. I felt the Lord touch me as we went through a prayer line there were prayers all around but several words hit me and stuck and it was similar to Daniels message of encouragement. A word went out saying relax, just relax in the Lord. I could feel that I was tense when I went up, I wanted God but was afraid to let go so the word came at the perfect time. Then I heard the words champion, I heard the word overcommer, I heard the word new thing that God was starting over in my life. Then when I went and prayed to the side afterward I just cried out to God help me I need you. I had my hands lowered to the side and stretched out. The Lord told me raise your hands like a champion, I felt God saying I'm declaring you a champion right now. I felt God declare victory over my life last night in the craziest way. For the rest of the evening I could not keep my hands stretched out and lowered, they had to be raised up with two fist. I'm still in the time of stretching but I feel like a champion in the middle of it. You see, sometimes you have to go through it to get to it. You have to go through a fight, have to go through a stretch, have to go through a fear of the unknown to become all that God wants you to be. In the middle of going through it God says your highly esteemed, your favored, your valued, there's distinction upon your life, in other words your set apart. "Peace! Be Strong Now; Be Strong. God declares you a champion now, he speaks victory over your life, raise your hands like a champion, the victory is yours.

Lord thank you for your word, thank you for your strength, thank you for your encouragement. Thank you for never leaving me.

Why wait?

The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26

Looking at the reading today the word "wait" really jumped out. Waiting is not something I'm good at, a couple things I don't like waiting for: waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting for food at a drive thru, waiting for a situation to work out. Think about everything you feel when you have to wait now think about what God's doing. Here's what this portion of scripture reveals to me, God is not impatient, doesn't stress, He does not feel pressure, He doesn't get anxious, He doesn't worry, He doesn't fear, He doesn't react the way we react when we are going though a time of waiting, He doesn't change He's just God.

The other day I went to a church. I couldn't help but notice how many people were wearing bluetooth headsets inside church. Our society is driven by agenda, driven by performance, driven by results, driven by the speed of available technology. Remember the saying "Good things come to those who wait", yeah that's not our culture anymore it's the complete opposite. Culture today say's "If you snooz you lose", "Make every second count" and the favorite "Early bird get's the worm first." So, how do you think we approach God when it comes to patience and waiting on Him? We expect God to move on our timing, based on our ways, and how we would like Him to move. The challenge is to wait on God and do it daily, look for His direction, His will, His timing in everything.

When I wait for something I notice a few things:
1) My heart becomes pure- motives, will, emotions (v.40)
2) My character grows -endurance perseverance, maturity, In the wait theres always a bigger lesson.
3) My thankfullness increases - I treasure and value more what I waited and worked for.

God honors when I depend on Him and look for Him in every arena of my life. "God things come to those who wait"

Stick to the Plan

The LORD has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago. Lamentations 2:17

While I was in High School I took gourmet foods just because I thought it was going to be an easy class. It was easy, but more than that I was pretty good at it. Till this day, I still enjoy cooking. One thing about cooking unless you do this as a profession, it's not something you want to rush. Even though I'm pretty good at it, I still get the occassional messup, you know the perfect recipe gone bad. I could be cooking something that I've done a dozen times but when I'm rushing it doesn't turn out the way it's supposed, the taste, texture, sometimes the whole thing has to be thrown away, just because I was not careful to plan out the details. Looking at today's scripture reminded me of my life. My life is planned by God not "just put together." My life has details in the design it wasn't "just drawn up" but it was planned long ago and God fullfills His word.

If God sticks to His plan, how much more should I? Practically speaking, lately I've felt in limbo. It's been hard to get out of this vacation mode. I don't feel as sharp, I'm putting things together last minute, details are easily being overlooked, plans that I know I need to keep are being delayed. If you want the recipe of your life to turn out great you have to stick the plan, the plans that you know God has for you, the plans that make you great, the plan that God has placed in you to make others great. We can't just throw things together and hope our lives turn out incredible. If you want an incredibly lived life you have to plan and stick to the plan. Sure life alters are schedules and even priorities get disrupted but I have to recalibrate and get back to the plan of God. One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11 which talks about the plan of God for our life, it's incredible, it contains hope, it contains a future. I want that plan, I need it and need to stick to it.

Lord I want your hope and your future in my life, my family and in ministy. Recalibrate my heart, my mind, my discipline, everything that makes me the best me for you. Help me to stick to the plan that you have for my life, in Jesus Name, amen.