I know it's been a while

As most probably know I've been by vocational for the last two years in ministry and in the marketplace. I've been working on some pretty big projects and by the time I hit 3pm I don't want to touch another computer thats the reason for my absence. Anyway I just wanted to leave a thought or two before closing out 2009. Here are some immediate personal plans that I have for my spiritual life.

1)Read Primal by Mark Batterson. Right now I really feel God wants to reveal His heart to me in a new and deeper way. Glad I have Primal to assist with that, it's a good read. I've received a few emails, had a few conversations and have experienced some incredible heart surgery from God in the last few weeks. I'm still on the table, so I can't tell you everything yet.

2)My son and I will be diving into the book of Proverbs starting tomorrow. Last night we had a talk about investing money. I compared an empty ziplock bag and what daily investmants into that bag looks like after some time. I told Isaiah, we are going to invest into his life with wisdom and life lessons from Proverbs. Since Isaiah likes Star Wars, I put it this way it's Jedi Training through Proverbs.

3)Last Sunday was our final Sunday being the Campus Pastors of Christian Worship Center Milpitas. With the Holidays and just being busy, I've had little time to debrief things in my own life. For the first week I plan on really getting quiet with God and listening, finding new energy, new passion and deeper insight. Now is the best time. For those who don't know a team and myself litterally went from attending a church to leading a church in a matter of days. It's hard work especially when everyone works, goes to school, has families, and wear multiple hats in ministry. I really feel like God had us in boot camp. "Suffering clarifies the call" As much as I tried to strategize for a war it was too much. You can't strategize a war when your still being made into a soldier, you have no idea how to fight it. I learned alot being in Milpitas a new way how to fight for my spiritual life, marriage, my children, my integrity and for people. I discovered a whole new level of leadership. I litterally can take a look back at the last two years and can identify chapters from God's chalkboard lesson that he had us on. A Major part of my debriefing is to identify and document those chapters and I hope to share those with you soon.

For right now those are the top three things that I'm intensely focusing on in the next week(s) for my spiritual life.

In a little over 12 hours, for some less, a new year unfolds and not only that, but a new decade. When I look at the last decade, I realize that there were some moments when I wasted time, opportunity and had some priorities mixed up. My number 1 goal for 2010 and as a new decade unfolds, Make sure God's in it or I don't want to be a part of it. I need and want God DESPERATELY in EVERYTHING I put my hand, heart and energy to. When God's my priority, desire, and purpose, life is SO MUCH better. Get ready! It's a new time, a new season, your time is now, the best is yet to come. Shake off failure, past dissapointments, hurts, procrastination and hesitation and put the pedal to the metal on your potential and thrive in the life that God has for you. IT's YOUR YEAR! See you in 2010!

Gratitude Challenge - Day 7

“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1: 20-21

Impossible! A virgin women pregnant? Not only did Joseph believe it , but Mary did as well. In fact, I love the response of Mary that is found in Luke 1 “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”


This passage today made me think of my own mother and the women of God that she is, she dared to believe God and always stood by the scripture with God all things are possible. My mom absolutely refused to allow our ship (family) to sink! My mother made sure we ate as a family at the table because "the family that eats together, stays together." My mom worked, cared for a home, washed our clothes, had to be a father at times, sacrificed constantly, raised four children by herself and managed to be in the choir at church and teach Sunday school.


One time, on my birthday my mother could not afford a birthday cake, so what did she do? My mom looked for bottles to recycle just so that I could have a cake for my birthday. I could go on and on of the hard times we went through and how we weathered the storm but I choose to dwell on the facts that my mom always had a song in her heart, always knew God is faithful and made sure as a family we would stick together no matter what. Nothing was impossible, she believed it, passed it on to me and today I'm passing that on to you. I'm so thankful for my awesome mother Sandra Vasquez who is the best. I'm living a great story because of great mother who lived her story great despite the hardships and difficulties. Thanks Mom!

Whats been happening at "The M"

The M is short for Milpitas and I'm talking about Christian Worship Center Milpitas. It's been a while since I blogged about what's been happening at the M. Just felt like we were in a slump and batting avg. was dipping. I was determined to press through as was the team. Can't wait to tell you what took place this Sunday. So here it goes.

-We've been on a series entitled "Inspired" The story God's telling. In life there are two stories the story we are living and the story God want's to tell. When our story and God's story link up that's where the greatest dreams, biggest potential, and greatest life is discovered and lived it's where you live life and give life "Inspired"

-Prayer/Team journaling was incredible this weekend. How important it is for every member of the team to speak the same language, have the same heart and feel the same burden. Amazing things happen when there is Synergy!

-Spoke on Dreams this weekend and how inspired people live with Great Dreams. “God doesn't like hard or difficult dreams, he likes them impossible!” It’s amazing the size and amount of doors that God will open if we simply dare to go after the impossible.

-How can we put this into practice today! On our notes was an area to write My Dream: I then gave the opportunity for people to read/share their dream to everyone in the crowd. Tears began to flow as people began to share their dreams. Especially when two homeless guys began to share what their dream was.

Charles- Who was a sniper in the military has battled with Post Traumatic Stress for sometime now. With tears in Charles eyes, he simply said "I just want to do God's will" It was the simplest and most powerful declaration of a dream that I've ever heard. We honored Charles not because he's homeless, but because of what's He's done for our country, what he's battled with and how he's still has a dream to please God!

-There was such a "BIG Atmosphere" this weekend; it allowed people to see God bigger, believe God for Bigger and dream Bigger. Bases are loaded, were bringing in the runs, and I can’t wait for this weekend!

Truett Cathy

72 Hours

Amazing 72 hours to sum it up: conference, birthday party, church, preach, after church birthday cake, then off to another birthday party, then off to see friends and family at another church. If I added Thursdays events I might start to get really overwhelmed but here are some highlights that I've discovered in the last couple of days.

1) In leadership seperation is a good thing. I need to seperate, gather my thought life, hear from God through the bible/journaling. Seperation and Isolation are two different things. Seperation I'm running to God, isolation takes place when I'm running away from everything including God. I found I seperate better on paper then in front of a computer. The computer poses to many distractions for ie. Twitter, Facebook, Tech stuff. I'm learning to steward my computer time.

2) I've been asking too small, and walking like it. God's grace goes so much further than just to get you through the day. God's grace empowers your to live extraordinary. With God's grace comes inspiration, rejuvination, encouragement, creativity, productivity, ingenuity, strength, rest, future and that's just a small list and it's yours to live and yours to give. Take a whole new approach when you ask God for Grace. Take a look at John Bevere's book Extraordinary

3) It's amazing the doors God will open if you just begin to walk towards them. Whatever it is that stops us from walking towards God's plan, His Will and purpose for our lives, when we finally break free of those barriers and just walk, God will start opening some amazing doors.

There's so much more that I received from the last 4 days but these are the main highlights. Inspired Sermon #2 coming up shortly.

Did you know that you inspire God?

How precious are your thoughts about me, oh God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! Psalm 139:17-118

 Inspiration in it's simplest definition is the overwhelming urge to do something creative. Have you ever had a great idea that would not go away? Chances are that idea was being fueled by inspiration. Take a look at Psalm 139. The author of this Psalm David, declared this thought about God "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Did you know that you inspire God?  You have been created for one amazing story and out of God's overwhelming urge to see YOUR life, your story come into existence, God made you, and right now even as you read this God is inspired about you. In verse 17, 18 of the same scripture it reveals that God thinks about you constantly and even God's thoughts about you outnumber the grains of sand. What is God inspired about? God's inspired about the potential of your life, plan of your life, purpose for your life, reason for your life, God is inspired about the story that HE wants to tell through your life. 

Two Stories being told

Life has two stories being told, the story your living and the story God created you to live. Our greatest desire in life should be that our story lines up with God's story because that's where the greatest inspiration takes place. But, often our stories and God stories don't line up, either it's a hurt from the past, a failure, or a present circumstance. 

Isn't it true we all want a story that can be told well?

When it comes to your marriage, isn't true our intention that our story be told well? When it comes to our career we want a story that can be told well. When it comes to our children, we would like to inspire them with greatness so that later in life they would tell our story well. Everyone wants a story that in the end can be told well, live past our grave and inspire someone else.  

What should I do? 

1) Inspired living is living with a heightened awareness of who God is.

Everyday I should live with a heightened awareness of who God is, right here, today, right now!

2) God wants to inspire you through his thoughts. 

Everyday there is a new thought that is waiting to fall upon your ears, mind and heart.

3) It's the thoughts of God that bring life to my story. 

Everyday your life is designed that it needs to be inspired by God because without it we just exist. To live is to be inspired...

He's only 7yrs old and he inspires me...

I walked past his homework hanging on the refrigerator this morning. I wished I snapped a picture with my Blackberry, maybe I'll get it later and post on this same entry. The words good job were written at the top of the page by his teacher. Underneath I could not understand a single word, why; because everything was written in Mandarin. When I look at the dreams and the accomplishments of my seven year old, it does something inside me that amazes me. I really believe what God has inspired in my son has already begun to take fruit. My son believes one day he will go to China to tell people about Jesus and he tells me we're going to open a CWC (Christian Worship Center) one day.

Then last week we got on the topic of Brazil for some reason and the question came up. "Dad do we have a CWC in Brazil", I replied "no son we do not." The response I got and what followed is still blowing me away days later. "Well dad we gotta go to Brazil and open a CWC over there too" I replied "replied what about China?" "We're still going to China, then after it will be Brazil" my son replied.

Again, these are the words of a seven year old and to him traveling around the world, preaching Jesus, and opening churches is normal thing, it's just the way that life is and what we are suppose to do. When I look at the destinations in my son's heart compared to the destinations in my own, his look much riskier, and crazier but he belives and say's it like it's completely accomplishable and something that will happen in the future.

I thank God that my wife and I have been able to encourage my son to believe God in the impossible and he believes it. I also thank God for allowing us to install compassion in my son for those that do not know Jesus. But today, I must say son, you inspire me, you inspired me to continue to believe as you do with a childlike faith and trusting God will provide a way no matter what. Thank you Lord for my son Isaiah and my daughter Leia, the lessons, encouragement, and strength that you have taught me through their little lives is priceless.

Welcome All!

I just checked my Google analytics for my blog and saw that I have some new visitors from very far away. Just wanted to say welcome to my new visitors from Cochin India and Lucknow India. Also for those of you in the states that are new as well, I would like to say Welcome and thank you for visiting. Feel free to post comments I would love to hear about you. I hope that in anyway that I can, I can serve you with my life lessons, encouragement and hope that I find daily through Jesus.

God Bless and Welcome!

The Bumper Sticker

We were stuck in traffic last Friday, the work week had officially closed, kids were hungry, I was feeling a bit cranky and although we were not at each others throats the atmosphere had the potential for it. Since we were in the carpool lane I was passing cars by but it was slow enough that I was able to catch a bumper sticker that sparked something. I asked my wife "did you see that?" She replied "the bumper sticker?" I replied YES! Then it came to me, at that moment we installed a tradition, something that we would train up our children with, something that we would always remember. The bumper sticker simply asked a question, it wasn't magical, wasn't outrageous, even the text looked normal but in the stage of our life that we are in, what we know is ahead of us and the attitude that we had at the time it made a profound impact.

What are you thankful for?

Yup that's it, told you it wasn't magical. We made a decision after reading that bumper sticker that when life get's tough and when we may not be seeing each other eye to eye and the air is thick with attitude we are going to stop and tell each other what we are thankful for. I declared it, we agreed as a family and we did it.

So, in our little green Honda Accord, we went around saying, what we were thankful for. Even my 2 yr old gave her thanks. "Uhm I'm thankful for Zai Zai" (her brother) What a powerful moment, what an attitude adjuster, what a powerful life lesson. If your going through it today, if your attitude is slightly sour, if your confused or frustrated, stop and think: What are you thankful for?

With Excellence

I am a student of one of the greatest teachers of excellence that I know. I've learned a whole lot from my Pastor, mentor and friend, Pastor Dan Vera, What I've learned most is that excellence must be a standard that we always keep ahead of us in anything we do for God. Excellence is as plain as black and white. Sometimes excellence means you must play hurt, other times it means suck it up and get the job done all the way, but one thing that excellence always is, "Doing the best that you can, with what you have"

Just moments ago I text some of my team and I brought up a question that we ask now and then to grade our level of excellence. "Can you see the heart?" Here the answers I got back:

1) Getting back...
2) No, I feel disconnected
3) I feel like everything is moving too fast
4) Vaguely

Why am I showing this too you? Why am I exposing our current struggle? Why am I being so vulnerable? Because, You can't do anything excellent if one ingredient is missing, HEART, and all of our hearts have a way of straying. Life, schedules, jobs, problems, family, stress, etc. all of it has a way of affecting your heart and if your in ministry like I am how do you continue to do things with excellence when your heart is under all of that? Truthfully you can't, and if you try, there will be this unsatisfying feeling in your gut because heart was missing. I'll be honest I hate that feeling. I can't stand to think I'm wasting time, life and energy because I can't find the heart.
So what are we going to do?
Maybe under difference circumstances, but we've been here before, so we know what to do. We may be tired, stretched thin, and even burdened with some stuff, but we know where we want to go, and where God wants us. We know how to find heart again.

I know with that simple text just moments ago, people are beginning to think, regroup and prepare to encourage one another. I can hear the question now, "How's the heart?" Can you see it? Can you feel it? Can we pray about it? If excellence is your standard, find the heart, don't wait, find it now. Say a simple prayer and ask God to help you get back on track. David's prayer in the bible was this "I will not offer to God that which cost me nothing"

Anything with heart involved will cost you something, but in the end, it cost you more if you live without heart. Find the heart again and live excellent.

I don't have what it takes, but I'm still standing

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them Romans 8:28

No, I haven't arrived, so don't let this post fool you. I don't have what it takes, but I'm still standing. When I look back at how much I've been stretched, pulled and pressed in life, those words in Romans 8:28 mean so much more to me. "Everything... every difficulty, every pressure, every time I wanted to give up, every time I thought things were not going to work out, every time my wife and I prayed and wondered who are we kidding? Every time I confessed, apologized to my team for not being the leader I felt they deserved, Every time I ran inside, screamed inside, was spinning out of control in my mind.
E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G worked together for my good.

I can't explain it fully, all I know is I've had to hunt for what I did not have. I've had to depend on what I could not produce on my own. I've had pursue, depend, and lean on a strength that is not my own. I've had to quiet my life and listen for that single sound whisper that is louder and more powerful then any word produced on this earth. I stand today because of God, and to continue to stand will be because of God, there's absolutely no other way I can put it. I realize now that the times that life felt like it was spinning out of control the most is actually when God was doing His greatest work in me. God loves me, and He loves you, and truthfully you don't have what it takes...but you can still stand when you sit at the feet of Jesus and depend on Him more then you depend on yourself. Your going to make it, you can pull through, because Jesus will get you there...

Inspired Pt.1

Ideas capture the mind, inspiration compels the heart. Why is this, because, anything birthed in the heart is hard to let go. I've had ideas that come and go, ideas that never quite take off or ideas that were just bad all together. Being inspired has a way of getting my full attention and getting the attention of others. Inspiration has a resounding effect on the heart when pursued. When I've been inspired to do something, experience something or accomplish something, there is very little that can stop me especially when I know it's God doing the inspiring. Inspiration is like a fire that consumes a person from the inside, ignites anyone around and spreads even further. Take a look at Twitter, how many times have you seen someone post something inspirational. 75% of people I follow on Twitter and Facebook say something inspirational more than once a week, is that coincidence or am I just following inspirational people? Where does this desire to leave something behind, make an impact, and to say something important come from?  

There must be a common denominator...

I believe God wants us to live inspired lives for Him. What does that look like, an inspired life for God? A life inspired by God, is living with a heightened awareness of who God is, His purpose in our lives and lastly a heightened awareness to those who around us daily.

You see, your life is a story, it's a story fearfully and wonderfully created, it's unique and it's to be filled with inspiration. Be inspired... There is more to come on this thought later. 

I'm curious though, what or who has inspired you in life? Why? Feel free to comment below. 

Just let it go, somehow, some way...

I'm literally writing this blog just minutes outside of a big disappointment. I have a lot on my mind, plenty to still do, oh yeah and I'm preaching tomorrow to people on how to live a better life. Immediately I began to call on the Lord because the best thing to do when you feel alone is to get alone with God. I had a decision just a few minutes ago, I could continue to be disappointed, hurt and angry or I could just give it to God and let it go. I asked God what I should do and really felt in my heart just to let what I was feeling go.

Listen, people are going to disappoint you, you will have unmet expectations in life, and you will experience hurt and after each of those moments you will have a decision to make. You will have the decision to let it go on, or to seriously let it go and give it to God. I look at it this way, the longer I hold onto things that hurt, disappoint and anger me the longer I get hurt in the end. If you grabbed a cast iron pan that was hot by the handle you would get seriously burned, but who would continue to clinch their fist around the handle and hold onto it? It's the same way in life, you have to do everything in your power to let things go otherwise you'll continue to get hurt. Truthfully I've gotten burned while cooking a lot, but I hardly have any scars at all because I let go quickly, get the picture?
Let it go, somehow, some way, find an alone place with God and let it go, you'll be glad that you did.

The Back Burner

If I ever have the chance, I just might take up being a chef on the side... I love cooking so here's another cooking illustration for you. Sometimes when I cook I can have as much as three to four things on the stove as I prepare a meal. The front two burners are the most important, I need to watch those items, pay extra attention and make sure I revisit them often. The items on the back burner however are different. Items on the back burner are an important part of my menu, but they will always have reduced flame, reduced attention and reduced priority.

Sadly many people, (and I have been guilty of this as well) place God on the back burner of their lives. How can we expect to have a life that is piping hot with purpose, bubbling with blessing, and as flavorful as life can get, if our relationship with God is on the back burner? Isn't it true that the minute things go wrong, take an unexpected turn and we have no answers, is the same minute we put God back on the front burner again? If there is one thing that I've learned is this "if anything is before God everything will eventually fail." You and I cannot, and should not, even attempt life with God on the back burner. You need God, burning, bubbling, and boiling hot first in your life otherwise your purpose, destiny, and greatest dreams are just simmering and probably just barely at that. Keep God on the front burner and your life will flourish beyond measure.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4

Something small but powerful...

It's Tuesday October 13th, and we are experiencing our first real storm of the rainy season. Tree's are blowing in the wind, palm tree remnants are on the roads and visibility was extremely poor at times during my drive. Something small but powerful caught my attention this morning though as I passed a church during my drive into work. On the church property there are three flag poles, each with a flag hoisted atop. The first flag I noticed was the California state flag, this flag was not blowing at all. Matter of fact the California flag looked like it had been wrung. I begin to think, similar to the state of the California flag, California has been through the wringer in terms of the economy. Families, homes, communities and jobs, have all gone through a tremendous storm that has affected the luster of the Golden State.

Next I saw the American flag, although it was flying, it was barely able to fly. A corner of the flag was actually folded up and the flag looked incomplete. I believe that there is a grace upon our nation that is allowing us to rebound from one of the greatest economic struggles we have ever seen. It's not the Fed lowering interest rates, it's not jobs starting to come back, it's not even a different president that is keeping America flying, it's the grace of God.

Lastly I saw the Christian Flag, and this flag although it was being pounded by wind and rain continued to fly as if there was no storm at all. I love what a visiting speaker at our church recently said "There is no crisis when Christ is." When Christ is...your trust, hope, strength, and faith, no matter what, you will be able to fly. The crisis, rain, wind, and storms of life no matter how ugly, how big, and how long they may seem to last cannot stop who Christ is. Your meant to soar, meant to fly, meant to spread your wings in this life and be the best You that God has called you to be. Fly today, no matter what your crisis is...because Christ is...

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life..." Psalm 23:6

The Daisy Cutter

Heard something from The Nines conference yesterday that really spoke into my life, I'm applying it a little different, it's about The Daisy Cutter weapon. The Daisy cutter is the largest conventional weapon in existence, it weighs 15,000 pounds and 17 feet long. I learned originally the Daisy Cutter was used less as a lethal and destructive weapon, and more as a psychological tool. In other words it had a lot of bang but not a lot of buck.

In life, leadership and ministry it's easy to get spread really thin fast. Here's the danger: although you may be competent of many things you can only be great at one thing, several things at most. Chances are, if your plate is filled too much, your making a big bang, but that bang doesn't have a lasting effect. In other words I've become a weapon of intimidation for the kingdom instead of a weapon of transformation. The danger of being a Daisy Cutter leader is at first it seems like it works, but in the end you work harder especially after you find out it's not working. Here are some things I recommend.

1) Find out what your core competencies are (In 8 words or less can you define who you are as a leader)

2) If multiple responsibilities is a must, what is the first hat that you can give away? I guarantee there is at least one hat you might be wearing that fits you good but it will fit someone else great.

3) Ask for Wisdom on how to lead. Wisdom was the first thing King Solomon asked to lead God's people. God loves people, and if He trust me to lead them, they deserve to be led well.

And Dad...I love my God

Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:15

Joyful are those who have made the Lord their God. When I read this scripture today I was reminded an event that took place approximately two weeks ago. It was a Sunday and we had a great time at church and also went out to eat with some friends after wards. My son and I were alone in the room taking his shoes off when he mentioned to me. "Dad I love my my mom...and I love you Dad...and I love my God." I was taken back by the words of my son, because they are powerful words.

I've often said this, anyone can be a father, but not everyone can be a Dad. To me a Dad shows love to their children is their for them but not just physically but spiritually as well. I've realize that I have a responsibility as a Dad to spiritually nurture my children just as much as I do physically. But here's the way this works my actions physically, my words, my behavior, my character will setup and example whether my children are receptive to what I try to teach them spiritually. If I'm just talking but I'm not walking what I'm trying to teach them about the bible will go in one ear and out the other. I need to make sure that I remember these two components to fatherhood go hand in hand. You can teach your children spiritually if you haven't walked it physically. In a few weeks I'll be sharing at our men's conference and I will be speaking from the movie Gladiator. In particular I'm speaking on one famous phrase and it's messing me up inside. "Your faults as a son, are my failures as a father" I never want those words or that thoughts to be true of my life. It's important that I take this scripture to heart today and live it and duplicate it in my children.

Sunday Recap (Just being real)

Changing things up from my regular Sunday recap post, hoping it encourages someone out there to hold on, stick out, and know that God will make a way.

• If you only knew how many times I've felt like I just didn't have it in me to preach on Sundays. It's not a bad place to be in because even when I thought I've had it, I really didn't, truthfully I never have had it. It's always been the strength of God that has carried me and allowed me to do what I do. Not having it means I'm depending more on who does have it and He's the one I'm preaching about every week. Yesterday was one of the "I don't have it" mornings but I've quickly been able to train my heart to recalibrate to Who does, so yesterday ROCKED!

• If you only knew how many times I've felt alone. Like I'm carrying something all by myself, am I kidding myself in thinking this could really be done? "Is there anyone else that believes as strongly as I do?" Is it supposed to be this way? The truth is yes, at least for a portion of the time. Somebody has to feel the burden, someone has to feel the pain of "what could be and should be", someone has to dream, if not you then who? You might dream alone, burden alone, even feel like it's your pain alone, but don't you dare ever run alone. You need God and you need people to help you accomplish what He has birthed in your heart to do. Yesterday we came together not as ministers, pastors or interns. We simply came together as a family, as a team of people who love God and we ran together. I took what I had prayed about, worked hard to prepare, and prayed over throughout the week and multiplied it in the leadership, then we together multiplied it in a service so it could be duplicated in homes, families and eventually a city. Your not alone in the mission, it just starts with you.

• If you only knew how many times I've felt lost, like I've missed a turn somewhere along the way and don't know where to turn next. Saturday, the day right before I'm supposed to speak into peoples lives and show them the way I felt like I lost the way. It wasn't just last Saturday, it's a lot of Saturdays. That phrase "living by faith" is not a loose term for me anymore. I listened to a message last Saturday that was passed on by my good friend Pastor Nick. A quote was mentioned that rocked my world. "The biggest room in your brain better be reserved for things you don't understand, because if you need to understand everything before you trust God or serve God then you don't understand the concept of faith"- Jentezen Franklin. Listen to me your only as lost as your faith is. You can be 100% certain in the unknown if you have faith. I allowed Saturday to fuel my Sunday.

Yes Sunday was a great day, but what it took for me to get there was priceless. Just wanted to be real. Appreciate your Pastors, the leaders of your church by praying for them, they could really use it today.

Project: Giving A New Start

What is Project Giving a New Start?
I'm excited to tell you about an opportunity that is presently taking place within Christian Worship Center of Milpitas and San Jose. Every year more and more children are showing up to their first day of school without school supplies such as pencils, folders and backpacks. With the current economic downturn we want to be able to help our community by assisting as many children as we can by providing the necessary tools to start the year right. Our interns program has recently launched Project: Giving a New Start which will collect monetary donations as well as school supplies to help the school children of our community.

How Can I Help?
There are three ways that you can help Project Give a New Start

1) Clicking the following link Giving A New Start to find out more about donating safe and securely online.
2) Follow us on Twitter or our Facebook page and pass the word around to your friends and families.
3) Lastly you can help by purchasing items that we are in need of.

The Blog for Giving A New Start can be found here

Every little bit helps, together we can invest into the future of children who are desperately in need.

God Bless

Sunday Recap Aug 16th

-One crazy Saturday night. Ever had a dream that is so real it feels like your awake? Yeah I had one of those kind of dreams. Such a powerful experience that I could not shake it entering into Sunday.

-Same time, different schedule today. I started playing some music over the sound system and just focusing on God. Before I knew it there was a group of people with me praying and stuff. It's those impromptu moments when God gets your complete attention that changes everything in your day.

-The worship team setup the service so crazy today, music was on, words were on, most of all the heart was on. When we bring our best to God as ministers, God does amazing things in our lives and the lives we are ministering to simultaneously.

- We continued our "At the Movies" Series. Santz spoke on Life Lessons from the Darkest Moments of your life. Santz spoke on when it's our darkest moment, God is actually doing his greatest work. The final question was simple and straight to the point. "Do you trust God?"

-I really believe that there is a lot of heart surgery going on in our church right now. I mean that in a good way. I guess that's why this post is so serious. I feel my heart being worked on and I can see it taking place in the lives of others. People are receiving hope, healing from hurts, past is being broken and hearts are being stirred for an incredible future. Something powerful and special is happening. Can't wait to speak next week.

Much love everyone, have an awesome week.

Google vs. God

Are we trusting Google more then we trust God? Is Google getting more hits then people are praying to God? Reading an article earlier today certainly points that way. "Google it" has become a popular catch phrase probably more then you hear "pray about it." I know God and Google are not in a search engine war, but here's my point and this is where I believe the heart of our society has gone. With Google I can find results almost immediately. With God sometimes my search results are "wait". With Google I can pick and choose which answer I like best. With God His answers are not always easy to accept. "Googling it" doesnt take much effort, while "Seeking Him" will require effort through prayer and reading the bible. So what's the point?

We want answers in life quick, want answers our way and we want them with little to any effort. But here's where Google cannot compare:

Google made the application "google earth" but God created that earth and everything in it.
Google's super powered servers cannot compare to the knowledge of God.
Google results cannot compare to the best results that God has for your life.


What else?
Today, people are facing the greatest amount of uncertainty that they've possibly have experienced their entire lives. Another fact of life is; Life will produce more questions then answers at times and during those moments only God can help. People are searching...bottom line. People are searching for hope, peace, encouragement, value and purpose Google may be able to point you to some sites to find direction but only God can make those things come into fruition in your life.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." ~ God

August 11th 2009 Journal

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:15

When John 13 takes place it was custom to have an area for people to wash their feet. The roads were not paved and were pretty much loose gravel and dirt. There were no cars so you could imagine what the feet of of someone who wore sandals looked like back in this day. Jesus does something extremely incredible in this chapter he washes the feet of the disciples including the disciple who would betray him. After all is said and done Jesus say's "I have given you an example to follow, Do as I have done to you." So I asked myself what are the examples that we see that Christ is asking of me today.

There are three things that I see in the example of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples:

Humility

Servanthood

Forgiveness

These three areas do not come easy. Matter of fact for most people none of these characterisitcs come naturally. Jesus said follow my example so if I am to do this what must I do. I took self inventory and came up with the following:

Humility- It's not about me being right it's about what's the right thing to do.

Servanthood- It's not about me being a slave, it's about putting values on others before myself.

Forgivness- It's more for me then for the other person that has offended or hurt me.

Do as I have done to You ~ Jesus

Going throught the motions Pt. 2

Have you ever done something any old way, just to get the job done? If it's gift wrapping a gift for a party that your late for, no harm done; but if it's life and the important things in life, going through the motions won't cut it. God has given you and I the opportunity to live a grade A life (Abundant) not perfect, but it's still an A. The problem is most people live their lives comfortably with a C Average within their family, marriage, job, and entire life.

I don't want to just show up, I want to be ALL there so here are a couple of questions that I've asked myself to get myself all there.

1) What does my life look like right now?
Life is either invested or spent. Investment means there will be a return. If I'm spending there will be little to any return at all. Are you a spender or an investor of your life?

2) What are the important things that I need to keep important today?
It's easy to replace the important things in life with the urgent things of life. What are the important things you might ask? The important things are the things that are going to matter, 2, 5, 20, 100 years from now, those things easily get lost within the urgency of life.Write down a list of the top 10 things that you absolutely cannot ignore for the day. Take care of today and tomorrow will take care of itself.

3) What refuels my life and how often do I require a recharge?
I am good for nothing if I do not have rest. I'm not talking just 8 hours sleep. I'm talking about rest in my heart, mind, soul, finding this type of rest is intentional. When the refueling of my mind, heart and soul is absent in my life I'm heading for a breakdown. It's not that I've lost my passion, energy, my creativity, it's that I haven't taken time to recharge the very things that ignite those things in my life.

If you are leader in anyway, work, home, church etc. You are responsible for bringing the best you possible, this means that you are all there. Your passion, energy, and presence is critical and it's vital. Take advantage of these three questions and apply them to your life.

Going throught the motions Pt. 2

Have you ever done something any old way, just to get the job done? If it's gift wrapping a gift for a part your late for, ahh that's not too bad. But if it's life and the important things in life, going through the motions won't cut it. God has given you and I the opportunity to live a grade A life (Abundant) not perfect, but it's still an A. The problem is most people live their lives comfortably with a C Average within their family, mariage, job, and entire life.

I don't want to just show up, I want to be ALL there so here are a couple of questions that I've asked myself to get myself all there.

1) What does my life look like right now?
Life is either invested or spent. Investment means there will be a return. If I'm spending chances are I won't little to any return at all. Are you a spender or an invester of your life?

2) What are the imporant things that I need to keep important today?
It's easy to replace the important things in life with the urgent things of life. What are the important things you might ask? The important things are the things that are going to matter, 2, 5, 20, 100 years from now, those things easily get lost within the urgency of life.Write down a list of the top 10 things that you absolutely cannot ignore for the day. Take care of today and tomorrow will take care of itself.

3) What brings refuels my life and how often do I require a recharge?
I am good for nothing if I do not have rest. I'm not talking just 8 hours sleep. I'm talking about rest in my heart, mind, soul, finding this type of rest is intentional. When the refueling of my mind, heart and soul is absent in my life I'm heading for a breakdown. It's not that I've lost my passion, energy, my creativity, it's that I haven't taken time to recharge the very things that ignite those things in my life.

If you are leader in anyway, work, home, church etc. You are responsible for bringing the best you possible, this means that you are all there. Your passion, energy, and presence is critical and it's vital. Take advantage of these three questions and apply them to your life.

Going throught the motions Pt. 1

A sign that you may be to busy in life is when you find yourself going through the motions. When your busy beyond your capabilities you find your life showing up for everything, being all there for nothing. I think we've all been there, show up to work, church, family time, and not being fully there. When life management slips through the cracks, everything we show up to, are in charge of and are accountable for is average at best. Even our core competencies the things we are good at turn out average because we have just enough emotion, just enough passion, just enough energy to barely get by.

Here's where barely getting by gets you to, it get's you to A-V-E-R-A-G-E. If you want the average life, the average marriage, average job, average everything in life then just keep showing up and going through the motions, but if you want to be all there in life, if you want passion, energy and enthusiasm in life, relationships, and purpose then you can no longer just go through the motions.

I'll cover some questions in my next blog post that will help get out of going through the motions.

Been a while

It sure has been a while since I last blogged. So I just wanted to give an update on things. I've been CRAZY busy. So busy that it's been difficult to find time to relax and gather my thoughts. I plan on getting back soon though, really soon because believe it or not blogging relaxes me, settles my spirit and anchors my life back to what really counts. On another note for several weeks now I've been dealing with this ear problem. As of today I've been to the doctor three times, taken anitbiotics, ear drops, decongestants and now they are sending me to an ENT specialist. Appreciate the prayers and if there is anything I can pray for you about just let me know on the comments. God Bless and Much Love.

-Ant

Problem or Opportunity?

When God put's opportunity in front of us it's often packaged as this impossible feat. The feat is too big for us, too much for us and to great for us. "Thanks God for reminding us how small we are..." Nope it's quite the contrary God is reminding us how BIG He is inside us. The longer we focus on the smallness of our lives the more we feel inadequate, pressured and frustrated. Then in the middle of the chaos God put's a pause... into our lives. Just like a commercial mid abruptly putting the current program on hold . That pause serves as a infomercial to inform you that God is with you, that nothing is impossible with Him. Practically speaking when faced with insurmountable odds I've noticed the following stages:

Breakdown Phase: When everything is overwhelming, unsettled and direction is hard to find. I can hear life, hear problems, hear circumstances louder then I hear God at this moment.

Pause Phase: Like calm in the middle of a storm. Sometimes I can intentionally pursue these moments, other times they are just planned by God and His direction and His plan is clear as day. Renewed strength, passion begins to build and purpose becomes clearer.

Breakout Phase: Just like Beniah of the bible of II Samuel 23:20. I begin to chase what I was running from before.

Just Thought You Should Know...

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding. Isaiah 40:28

Wake up! and smell the Jehovah Java, this is is one of those double shot of espresso scriptures challenging my life today to wake up. Look alive, walk with some hope, with some trust in God. Walk like your Daddy can beat up anything, because He can. Isaiah 40:25 say's "Who is my equal?, say's the Holy One. God's never had a challenge, never been contended against, never been rivaled. God does not worry, does not get tired, does not lose energy. The doors God opens nobody can close, and the doors He closes nobody can open. Nobody's NO is bigger then God's YES. He is second to no one, before was, was, God WAS. He is the undisputed, undefeated, HEAVY weight Glory of the entire universe and them some. Would you help me welcome into your life, into every circumstance, into any and every arena of challenge life might present. He's the dream maker, the purpose behind my purpose, the author and finisher of our faith, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the bright and morning star, the always present, all powerful... the one...the only....God the Almighty.

Just thought you should know...

Default Setting

"...But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done... Psalm 75:9

There are two types of people in the world, complainers and worshipers, and there isn't much circumstantial difference between the two. Complainers will always have something to complain about, worshipers will always find something to praise God about. They simply have different default settings - Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.

Reading this scripture today reminded me about my default setting. I'll be honest, there's a lot going on in my life right now, a lot of pressure, a lot of demand and it almost seems easier to set my heart on complaint mode rather then worship mode. There are moments when a default setting to worship God, and trust that God is bigger then our problem will not come automatic, it's times like this when worship must become intentional. The scripture today gives perfect example of what intentional worship looks like. You may be going through a struggle right now, But as for me... may be facing tremendous pressure in life right now...But as for me...may even feel like giving in...BUT-AS-FOR-ME... I will always proclaim what God has done... Where's your default setting today?

Much Love

Vision Test

For the Lord has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has closed the eyes of your prophets and visionaries. Isaiah 29:10

It did not take me long to journal on this passage today. What caught my attention was the word "Visionarie" A Visionarie is what I believe God has called me to be, a person who brings life to people, families, regions, for without Vision people perish. This scripture today is talking about a people who had their own plan, tried to do things their way and stopped being obedient to the word of the Lord. As a result the Lord poured out a spirit of sleep, and the eyes of the prophets and the visionaries were closed.

"To test vision, you must test the heart first" If disobedience closes the eyes of vision I want to be obedient to the point that I live life in High Definition. I want to be able to hear a now word from God, not yesterdays revelation, not a revelation from someone else, I want to hear what God wants to do and say today. What a terrible sight to be closed off to Vision. To be closed off to the heartbeat of God, to be closed off from His plan, His purpose and His will.

Let me see God, and when I can't or if my vision becomes faint help me to go back and check to make sure that I'm doing everything right, everything the way you want. Help me Lord to remember the vision test.

A Beautiful Struggle

Feeling the grind today, the best way that I can explain it is that in between stage of where I'm at and what I'm called to do. Sometimes it's easy to get impatient and frustrated because life goes around once. I don't know if you have ever been there, but I guarantee you, you will. Like a butterfly in the cocoon it must go through a struggle before it can become all that it was intended to be. In the struggle is where the greatest work of God is taking place. Remain faithful wherever your at and God will promote you to where your supposed to be. Thank you Lord because the metamorphosis has begun.

Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

The Path

"...Mark out a straight path for your feet..." Hebrews 12:13

Recently I heard Andy Stanleys Leadership Podcast on the principle of the path. The principle of the path says this: "Your direction determines your destination" and to take it even deeper "intention will not determine your destination." These are pretty easy concepts to understand especially when we are driving or on a hike. If I want to drive to the beach which is west of us but I start driving EAST it does not matter how much I intended to get to the beach I will not end up there. My destination was determined by path I chose and the direction I took. This is where this scripture spoke to me because in life the principle of the path is something that we easily ignore and we find ourselves lost, find ourselves without direction and then ask ourselves later "How did I end up here?" The bible says to "Mark out a straight path for your feet..." and in Hebrews 12:2 we find exactly what path to take and it says, "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."

The encouragement of the bible today is "Make sure Jesus is in front of the path that your on." When Christ is leading the path, the destination of my life will be exactly where it's supposed to be and it will be the most fulfilling and rewarding when this takes place. I've always said it takes 3 people to make a marriage work, it takes a Husband, a Wife and Jesus, I've marked out a straight path for my marriage. I believe the key to me being the best father, leader, friend and person is when my life is guided by the standards that God shows us in His word. Maybe you need to mark out a straight path for your marriage today, as a parent, for your finances or in your spiritual life, mark it out, make sure Jesus is in front and follow Him.

If there is any area, any area at all that I am not on the right path on I give you permission to realign my life, my heart and my direction today. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Seeing From A Distance

"...but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it..." Hebrews 11:13

Faith gives us the ability to see from a distance what may be extremely far away. Sometimes victory in our lives seems so far away. Sometimes a dream is only but a beat in your heart but faith brings the assurance that one day it will eventually be in your hand.

Ever watch something from a distance, to catch a bigger view you look through binoculars. Faith is just like a pair of binoculars it allows you to see from a distance no matter how far or how absent your promise may seem. The moment you look through a pair of binoculars, what may be far away jumps in front of you instantly. There have been times in my life when what I dream about, hoped for and believed in, seemed so far away but the minute I look through God's binoculars I find the assurance and strength to keep moving on. Those "binocular moments" though at times are small, are incredibly powerful, powerful enough to get me through a tough day, powerful enough to keep me from the tipping point and powerful enough to keep me going stronger then before that moment took place.
Can you see from a distance today, take time to peer through God's binoculars and see what God has planned for you...

Without wavering...

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise Hebrews 10:23

The potential to lose at anything in life is when you waver. In sports, nobody has ever played a perfect season, not every pitch is a strike, not every ball is caught, and in life it's the same way. Hebrews 10:23 say's "Let us hold tight without wavering" "Without wavering does not mean perfect progression, it means progression without losing sight of your goal no matter what"
Wavering is not when you are tired, frustrated or even pushed to the limit of breakdown, wavering is when facing those challenges and becoming undecided about your goal. It's when your mind becomes unresolved about who God say's you are. Wavering is when all of the sudden you begin to think, "who was I kidding", "what was I thinking", "this is not me". Without doubt, your life will face challenges on the way to believing and seeing what God has actually planned for your life. Too many people give up when their victory is right around the corner, they give up on their children, give up on their marriage, give up on God, give up on life.

Don't allow what's happens to you in life to effect your God given goal for life. I prayed for a young man this weekend at church and God put something in my heart for him that was powerful. I mentioned to this young man "Life has tried to make you feel like a bronze all your life, but God is telling you to go for the gold." Don't allow God's word, His promise, His design for your life to become skewed, hold on with every bit of strength you have and when your out of strength know that God's strength takes over. Frustration will challenge your grip, but wavering begins the process of loosening it. Hold on tightly without wavering...

Sunday Recap July 12th

-Went to sleep thinking about church, woke up thinking up about church. Every Sunday I get to influence, challenge, and encourage lives to live for Jesus. It's some of the most precious 75 minutes of my week and I absolutely do not take it lightly NOT ONE BIT.

-Felt like tweeting the following post last night, but really felt it should wait. Found out a few other Pastors that I follow on Twitter had the same encouraging heart this morning.
Here's what they posted, mine is towards the end:

Pastors...if HE really is THE MOST HIGH GOD...then PREACH today like THAT IS TRUE!!! BRING IT...hell is too hot for us to be cowards! - Perry Noble Newspring Church, South Carolina

Pastors-today you'll come to a point in your msg where you'll think: "I can't say that." Say it.
Steve Furtick, Elevation church, North Carolina

Hey Pastors & Worship Leaders: Let's serve God with our whole heart today! Our God is ALIVE and cares about us! How awesome?! Shaunk King, Courageous Church, Atlanta

Is there any greater cause than the cause of Christ? Luv incredibly, inspire hearts & touch lives. Preach 4 a generation u might never see.

- I visited our lead campus in San Jose early before our service, had to see the rest of the family. Feeling like God is about to do something incredibly special and unique...and I'm not just saying that. It's time for the greatness to show up in peoples lives, take a risk for God.

-Our worship band is going through a HUGE transition right now. Our team of musicians and singers are up for the challenge and they brought it HARD today. So proud of them. Incredible time praying with people smack in the middle of worship. Great call Jesse, great call.

-Something that has happened often at our church is meeting new faces from far, far, away. Met a new guy this weekend all the way from Germany. Toby loved service, loves journaling and we loved him right back. Hey Toby I feel like your family already man.

-My Boy Santos preached, he lived with me for several years while in Masters Commission, you know what that means it's roast Pastor Ant time. Man Santz called me an instigator, big smack talker and super competitive. I get to preach next week bro remember that. Ah ah aha.

- We've been discovering God's blueprint the past weeks, this week Santz talked about living it. Straight from 1 Kings 19, Elijah hid in the cave, although victorious in the previous chapter, in 19 he was fearful and discouraged. Sometimes that's us in life. We stop living God's purpose, we hide in the cave and God calls out "What are you doing?" Some people are afraid to live amazing but God has called us to live amazing. -Santos Samayoa. LIVE YOUR PURPOSE. Powerful message. I love to hear Santos speak, because I remember him when he was just a ruddy kid like David in the bible, now he's a Giant Killer. Love you Santz, your the man dude, you and your soon to be wife had such a HUGE influence on today's service, amazing.

-Getting ready to start a new series in a few weeks. "At the Movies" courtesy of Pastor Angel Menchaca from CWC Dinuba Thanks bro, you inspired me. Also we are taking a new initiative towards building a journaling culture and life on life growth. Can't wait to unveil this new experiment.

Sometimes it's easier...

Been having this thought and have experienced a bit this week so I had to blog on it. "It comes natural to live by feeling then to live by faith" It's easier to live by what you know then to pursue what you don't know. It's easier to believe where your at then to trust in where your going. Truth is, you block the greatest you when you allow feeling to run your life rather than faith. Your greatest purpose, your greatest potential, your greatest dream, the greatest you will remain unknown without faith. My prayer is that faith becomes natural more then our feelings, deepest fears or biggest roadblocks. God has not called you to live by feeling, He's called you to step out and live by faith. I have a friend who recently wrote a poem. Matter of fact I did not even know that she wrote but glad that she did because it's perfect for this post.

The Lion
by Amanda Mikkelsen
My mind is racing
Cant seem to help my mate
Brings back such feelings
I cant shake
I know uncertainty; I know the way
It makes you feel as though
The road is clear yet youre no where
Near the path
Lock eyes with the lion
Its your turn to fight
Get up on your game and stride
The strides you know you must take
Your eyes are weary but keep that lock
On him
Things will open up
Things will fall in place
Things will work
Dreams will work
Work until its done
Work


"Faith makes the impossible work"

Sunday Recap

-Had a fantastic 4th so I was expecting a great Sunday on the 5th

-Launched a new off site LifeGroup at Starbucks. This thing has some amazing potential, were expecting BIG things out of this latest experiment.

- On a weekend we celebrated the freedom of our great country a mother and child attended a church service for the very first time in America at our church. We made a big deal, because it is a big deal so we recognized and honored this tremendous journey of a family being reunited. Prayer works Sumant! Congratulations on your family arriving and welcome Geethu and Advay!

-T.L. the ministah unleashed his latest song to open the message. By the way a new CD is due to be out soon available on iTunes. More info on that to come within the next three weeks. We can't wait!

-We continued our series on "The Blueprint", but with a twist. Complete video driven sermon, other then the first and last 4 minutes. Great success, many people were touched, a lot of positive feedback. Great experiment... definitely won't be our last.

-Had a chance to talk to several folks during the day and heard some beautiful stories. Take some time, listen to the stories of peoples lives, they are amazing. Thanks Kanchan for sharing your heart and your amazing story, more people need to hear it.

-Ended the day with a great lunch with the team and some shaved ice. Started brainstorming our next series. We have some great ideas, can't wait to see things unfold.

Should have some more pics later during the week!

My warning lights

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING Just like a warning light to any gauge in a car, my life's warning lights are going off and it's time to pull over and refuel. There are some simple but extremely practical signs that remind me that it's time to pull over and recalibrate:

1) I can always tell the order of my life by the order of my computer desktop. If my desktop is crazy, icons everywhere, some even overlapping others that's usually how my life is going. Oh I'm productive and I'm busy but too many things overlapping, and the important things easily get missed.

2) Blogging, When I'm blogging it means I'm thinking, when I'm thinking it means I'm finding rest. It's been difficult to find rest lately. I'm talking about that rest in my heart and my mind when I can easily discern the voice of God speaking to my life. If I can give you a better picture it would be like this: at this level of rest it literally feels like God is speaking constantly to you. I'm talking life defining stuff, things that you would not normally think of, things that you could not think of on your own.

3) Physically my body will start to tell me it's time to rest: I know it's not in the bible but sometimes I think God uses a cold to slow me down because sometimes that's the only way I will.

Last year at this time I was burnt and I would continue to ignore the warning lights. I'm not ignoring them, now. Matter of fact I do things a lot differently now. We all have our kryptonite, can't deny it or ignore it. Don't ignore the warning lights when they are blinking in your life. What are your warning lights? Care to share, please comment below, would love to get some feedback on this topic.

Blueprint Moment

Met with my son earlier today, it was his last day at school and he is getting ready to start a new school next month. My wife was also there so I walked both my son and her to the car. As I walked away, I looked back to say bye one more time, sitting in the back seat was my son, his eyes said everything he was feeling. "Daddy, why can't things be the same, why can't I stay here, why can't we just be normal?" Up until two weeks ago my family has lived in the same city for the last seven years. I've had the same job for the last 10 and little Isaiah has gone to the same school for the last two. As of today we have sold much of our possessions, living in one room, my son will be heading to a new school in a new city in a matter of weeks and that's just a small piece of what's really about to happen. Our normal life has changed, it's changed so dramatically that it almost seems easier to go back to being normal.

But, is normal what I really want? Is it where I'm supposed to be?

I think today I experienced one of those blueprint moments with God. I felt as if the creator of my life unfolded the schematics before my very eyes and heart. In fact a scripture that I read today say's this "and your real life is hidden with Christ in God." "Your life was never intended to be normal it was intended to be purposed." Within normality I create my own blueprint only to discover it leads to a dead end. Man is intended to live life everyday with a sense of destiny and to discover how our lives are truly supposed to count for the creator that created us.

I'm not going to lie, I'm uncomfortable, my faith is daily being stretched, but I can't live in the norm because I'll die inside. Today I put my complete trust for my life, my marriage, my family, my team in the hands of an all powerful, all knowing and ever present God. My life was not intended for normality it was intended for a purpose

June 14th 2009 @ "THE M"

Sunday Recap 06-14-09

-Seems like the night before service I was tossing and turning and praying for much of the night. Honestly at around 4am I had a lot of concern going into Sunday. A lot of change in my life taking place right now and still adjusting. But I maintained my position in prayer and wasn't going to allow anything to stop a great day.

-Got to service and I was pumped. Finalizing our message series "Moving Forward", trying some new technical elements, new band on stage, oh yeah and a bbq afterward, can it get any better? You better believe it...

- LifeGroups begin: New folks showing up to journaling class almost an hour before service starts. enerGY, enRGY, ENERY

- And the countdown begins t-30 till service starts, the lights are set, the sound is getting prepped and my heart can't wait to preach. Troy Lepisi has his RUN DMC glasses on. Amanda Mikkelsen and Big Roob are getting ready to lead the team into worship.

- The team prays in the back, we focus on one word. A word that is actually a title from Jake Hamiltons latest CD. The word is "Marked". Our prayer is that people would leave marked by God today and on their way to the mark of their God given destiny.

-Ready, set, go it's 11:17am time for service: Newest addition to CWC Milpitas and the CWC Hawaii team Rev. Julie Grimes opens service for her very first time and definitely not her last. Great job, great intensity.

-Missed a portion of worship. I walked across the way to pick up some Indian food with my buddy Sumant for our BBQ after. That's right Indian Food. Every week I get to preach, Latinos, Whites, Islanders, Asians and Indians. "All races, All Generations, Serving one God"

- My mouth drops for a minute as I walk back into service. Much bigger crowd then last week. Santz opens the sermon, recaps how far we have come the previous weeks. We open with a question via a Txt message poll. As the figures start tallying right before our eyes, people start gasping. (pretty cool). Todays message "Chase the Lion" from 2 Samuel 23:20. When your pursuing a God given destiny you will have to come up against a lion that roars fear, uncertainty, failure, past...Lock eyes with your lion, chase it and take it out.

- Great service, great response, most of all people came to know Jesus as their saviour.

-BBQ time. Actually could smell the smoke during final prayer. I'll admit it, my mind wandered for a split second. Wow Jesse and Troy and Nelson got everything ready to go. I look out and see an awesome community being built. Can't help but smile because of the culture God is building at CWC Milpitas is incredible.

-Almost forgot to mention "I PREACHED IN CONVERSE ON A SUNDAY" Man it was comfortable, wish I could do that every week.

HUGE Momentum at CWC Milpitas right now. I have a convincing feeling, we haven't seen anything yet. BACK to BACK BIG Days coming up. New Message Series "The Blueprint" launches next week. We're also Getting ready to make some big announcements soon toward the building of our community.