Fruitfulness pt. 1

After speaking to a Pastor friend this weekend I had a thought about the proper utilization of time. I honestly believe that God honors us when we value and use the time that He has given live on earth. “We will never have enough time to do the things we are not supposed to do, but we will always have enough time to do the things that we are; the things that God has called us to do” When I am doing what God wants me to, he will provide the resource, the strength, the man power, anything that is needed to get the job done. If it’s a God dream that you are living with, there’s no question that it’s a big dream, much to big to be done by yourself. I’m in this season of adjustment right now, looking for that “much fruit” part of my life that Jesus talked about in John 15:5. A question worth asking often "Am I being fruitful or just faithful?" More on this thought is coming soon…

You the Man Pt. 3

I've been incredibly busy since the last time I posted. I was also delaying because I was a little hesitant on what I'm about to say because it's not so easy to say it. Are you ready? Here it goes..."The quickest way to defeat men is to be unteachable" Be honest how many times have you tried putting something together without instructions. I've tried countless times, and I usually have to track back because I can't move forward anymore. Life will always have a chalkboard in front of it. With each new season, each chapter, each lesson it requires a new approach, new mindset, different heart, a teachable spirit. Life cannot be put on cruise control, your marriage, your job, your parenting etc. When the seasons change in life and they will, it will always require a new game plan. Just like in sports what worked the last game, may not work in the next and so it is with life. Look men, it's a different time, a new season, chances are your feeling more pressure at work, may be worried about the future, concerned about money, I won't even say what kind of pressure this puts on your home and marriage. Every time I've turned the corner in life, in marriage, spiritually I've realized that I need a new game plan. If your in a jam today, pressured, tired physically or spiritually, feel like giving up, feel like you can't handle it. "If you keep doing the same thing, your going to get the same results" I'm looking forward in getting better today... better in my relationship with God, in my marriage, as a father, as a leader, and as a man, but truthfully I won't if I stick to what I know or what I think I know. I need God, I need accountable relationships, counsel that is wise, people of character and integrity and most of all I need my wife. I have to be willing to learn from all of the areas every single day if not, I'm in trouble.

Victory is reachable when you remain teachable & you:
1) Humble yourself daily to God and His wisdom for you as a man, husband and father; find out the game plan by prayer and bible reading.

2) Women was made as a help mate for man. When my wife whispers truth it's the most powerful voice in my life next to God's. I truly believe God speaks to my me through my wife, after God she knows me second best.

3) Small lessons come in small packages "like your kids" Even my son has taught me things about myself.

4) Pride will kill you, it will kill everything about you. Pride kills relationships, marriages, families, pride will kill you man. Stay teachable, stay humble.

You the Man Pt.2

My 7 year old son has been studying Kajukembo martial arts for about a year now. I remember the first day that he attended class and the first lesson he was taught. The instructor displayed a black belt and said this is where you want to be one day, but you don't act like a black belt the day you receive one, you start acting like it now with hard work, disipline and respect.

I'm sharing this story to share this, "Champions are contenders long before they receive their trophys." That word contend means to engage in competition, and to take a position to win. You have to contend for your purity, contend for your marriage, contend for your family, contend for your spiritual life like a champion contends for a trophy. Your the X factor, the game breaker, and the playmaker of your family, your marriage, and your children. Nobody...and I mean noobody can play your game like you can. You won't always feel like a champion but that doesn't mean that you can't compete like one.

Contenders vs. Pretenders
1) Contenders know when they don't know and aren't afraid to seek out God's Wisdom
Pretenders will do exactly that, keep pretending until they can't pretend anymore.

2) Contenders show up daily in what will make them the strongest (prayer, journaling,
accountable relationships, family time etc.)
Pretenders have little to any progress in the arena of life because of their lack of discipline in
the important areas of life.

3) Contentenders are competing for something much bigger then themselves (call of God,
family, marriage, home and their legacy)
Pretenders fail to realize whats at stake if they miss the biggest game of all- L-i-f-e

You the man! PT1.

Men, ever wonder why you are so competitive, why you have to fix something instead of getting another man to fix it, why quitting just isn't an option, it's because God has created that in you. God has created in every man to be a champion, that's why we always dreamed of hitting the ball out of the park in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and full count, always wanted to fly, always wanted the fastest car, always wanted to save humanity, it's in the design of every man to become somebody's hero, to matter, to make life count, and to leave something just as powerful after we are gone then when we lived here on earth.
What happens when you do not feel like the man; when the champion just cant get things clicking anymore; When a slump kicks in and your batting average starts to take a turn?

Truth is men today are dealing with more pressure, more stress, more problems, and more issues then ever before. Men are barely able to provide for families. Men are struggling for identity in a time that is unknown and unpredictable. It's difficult feeling like the man, when your fearful, insecure, not making ends meet, feel like your failing more then succeeding and when your at a point when there are no more options and can't fix everything. Doesn't mean that your still not the man because you are. Not saying you have to man up, society has done that for you already. I'm saying your the man because of what God has placed in you. Champions are declared in the ring, on the court, in the arena and on the field. The belt doesn't just show up around your waist, the trophy doesn't just appear in your hand and chances are the playbook you used before will not work today. It's going to take praying differently, growing differently, different kind of wisdom, different kind of technique. Let me ask you these questions. What's on your belt? What does it say about you, the victories you want to see happen in your life? What does the champion in you truly look like? Is it worth fighting for?

P.S. Women if you made it this far on this post, be sure to tell your husband "He's the man!"

Mixed review of the weekend

I was able to rest, had some dinner with family, date with my daughter and wife and even got a great deal at Macy's but I still had mixed feelings about the weekend. When I worked in retail (teenage years) they used to say it takes at least 5 good experiences to offset one bad one. Needless to say there were just enough tough news this weekend to mix in with my good experiences which gave me a mixed review. So I was driving to work this morning, set my iPod to play anything, just play something, something that will encourage my spirit. The song Your Grace is Enough by Chris Tomlin started to play and the words were not only timely but perfect. I am nothing, can't do anything, won't go anywhere, won't accomplish, can't dream, absolutely cannot live without the grace of God. So above the mix, the good and the bad, I walk in God's grace this morning. Grace that allows to me do, become, live and accomplish what I could not before it was given to me. Not sure who the author is but check this out “Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you're beyond the need of God's grace.” Btw "Your Grace is Enough" is still on repeat...

Provoked

I have had an incredible heart realignment as of late. So much that I can use words like bothered, stirred, challenged but I think the best word to use is provoked. Our hearts are easily distracted and easily drift often from the path that God wants us on. "If your off by a few degrees in the open sea it can be catastrophic" How much more dangerous is it being off by a few degrees in our hearts when it comes to life. We have a saying at our church "Hows the heart" it's a question of alignment, a question of direction, a question of determination. If your feeling provoked don't ignore it, get back to heart.
Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. Psalm 37:4

Traveling steadily does not mean we will not struggle it's where the struggle takes place that is important. If I veer slightly away from a path while hiking it's much easier to get back especially if I can see it, but the farther I veer and longer I stay away the harder it becomes. How's the heart? Provoked?

Pee In your Pants Courageous

“This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach." Deutornomy 11:30

The transition is about to take place in the lives of the children of Israel. One leader will sit and the other will take over. As Joshua prepares for this new challenge, and opportunity, the Lord reminds Israel of His call upon their lives, He reminds them of obedience, He reminds them of what's at stake. Leadership transitions are tough especially mid journey. Can you imagine the fear in the people, can you imagine the fear in Joshua's life? New leadership, new territory, new enemy, new odds and they did not look good from man's perspective.

The reason why this verse spoke to me was because of the portion of the verse "it is not beyond your reach". I read something on a blog that I go to often and there was a quote that spoke to my life. The writer wrote about the safe, secure, and assured areas that we often find ourselves in when it comes to living and doing something for God, the challenge was to try something "pee in your pants courageous" Have you ever tried pee in your pants courageous: worship, evangelism, creativity, speaking or just plain living by faith" Bottom line "pee in your pants courage" is living with an undeniable faith in the God of the impossible. What if Abraham Lincoln stopped after failing so many times? What if Martin Luther King backed out because of death threats? What if Walt Disney's troubled family life would of stopped him from dreaming? What if Joshua said, I can't, I can't do it, it's too hard, it's too much?

History is marked by the lives of people who understood that something great was always within their reach. If secular society will not quit, how much more cant I with God with me. It's not beyond your reach, your greatest dream, your greatest you, your greatest song, your greatest book, your greatest potential it's all within your reach. God promised Joshua that He would personally be ahead of him in his journey and it's the same in my life and the same in yours; with that kind of promise why not live Pee In Your Pants Courageous. The genuine greatness that lives in your heart today was put their on purpose, it was put their by God, it's not beyond your reach...

Glimpses Of Greatness

Had a conversation yesterday with my son, when he mentioned "I cant wait to find my gift, I'm so excited to find out what it is" The conversation that we were having was about him leading others to Christ especially one of his little friends at school. There's nothing like hearing a child believe that when they grow up their life will count for something incredibly great. My son talks about going to places like China and Japan to preach Jesus. Oh yeah did mention he's only 7. Remember when you wanted to be a superhero when you were little? What happened to the glimpse of greatness you once had, some would say "I grew up." If growing up means that I can't dream anymore then I want to stay young for the rest of my life.

Never know how much till you try it...

For two consecutive days I left work and skipped my normal lunch routine. This time I took my laptop to work on video for the Sunday message. I don't change my routine much. Looking back at my last two lunch days and what it's done for me personally; I can honestly say I never realized how much getting away and changing my routine would help me. Maybe you need to change your routine. I actually have more energy just from changing my routine. I guess I found another opportunity to recharge, mend the nets or whatever you want to call it. For you people who are in ministry; refueling, recharging and mending the nets should be a non negotiable in your life. Even Jesus retreated after ministry to a secluded place. Even though recharging our lives is a common sense thing it's not a common practice and you'll never know how much a location, a time, an opportunity will mean till you try...

I'm a junkie

I had a rude awakening last weekend at Disneyland, I found myself several times moving so fast that I was easily leaving my own child in the dust so that I can get as much out of Disneyland as possible. Then my wife said it, we move to fast. We move so fast if you can't keep up we will easily leave people behind. I begin to think, if I'm doing this as a parent, what am I doing as a leader. I'm a junkie, a performance junkie, results junkie, progress junkie, I don't know how to relax. I go to sleep thinking about what could of been done better. So today I did something that I've never done for lunch, I didn't eat. I went to a local cafe, ordered a tea, sat in a comfortable chair with a good book and my Ipod and relaxed. I'm confessing my life just in case you are there too. The marketplace is an extremely volatile place today. The words buzzing around "stay busy if you wanna keep your job", "how soon can you get this update out" "whats the status of your projects?" Transitioning out of the office doesn't help when your connected by an e-mail capable device so it easily creeps into your house, parenting, dinners, ministry and leadership. So my plan moving forward is to keep my Mondays the same-Lunch at the cafe with my book and my Ipod. How crazy is it when you have to pencil rest into your calender?

Six Life Changing Words

While reading about Moses today six words spoke to my heart. Get-up-and-resume-the-journey. Moses was not done yet, his mission, his mandate, his call, his life purpose all of it was yet to be completed.

My son got a bike for Christmas this past year and he's just like me, when things don't work the way he wants them to, he easily gives up. If Isaiah does not get back on the bike though he will never learn how to ride it. It's a work in progress...

I loved riding bikes when I was a kid, in fact it was one of the things that I remember most about being young. When I think of those times while riding, the speed, the home made ramps, huge downhills, the races, everything would of been missed if I had not gotten back on the bike. Life is a lot like riding a bike. There are times when the journey is slow, sometimes it escalates into a passionate race, times when it's grueling and uphill, unexpected turns and twists, and lastly there are those times when you fall. It's not a matter if you will see a journey like just mentioned, it will happen, it's life and it happens to everyone. The Lord says get up and resume the journey. Get back on the bike, get back on your purpose, get back on your mission, get back to the vision, get back up and resume what you were designed to do. Think about what's missed if you don't get up and resume the journey, think about what's at stake. Listen nobody said you have to run the perfect race. As much I put pressure on myself, trying to perform and produce only one thing is required and it was the one thing that Moses told the people of Israel. v. 12 records to "fear the Lord and live in a way that pleases Him" I know things may not be ideal, I know you may be tired in your mind and in your heart probably more then you have ever felt, frustration may be at your front door, may have even thought of tossing the bike, but only one thing is required. Live in a way that pleases the Lord. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" Let your shoulders relax, let that sit in your heart. It's not about what needs to be done, it's about who He is calling you to be. The Lord calls us his children before he calls us his servants. The Lord wants my heart before my heart is to be put to anything for Him. Not every trail is the same, and sometimes it seems like the trail is going to be too tough to handle, but it's well worth it. Get Up and resume the Journey

Leaps and Bounds...

I had one of the most amazing Sundays yesterday. It kinda reminded me of an old Mountain Dew commercials with some crazy guys base jumping off the side of a mountain. I saw an incredible team base jump into the presence of God without little to any concern of how the landing was going to be. I saw Sylvia pour out everything when she did the simplest of things in just welcoming people into service. I saw my wife speak up, speak out, speak life and as she challenges the people of God to new levels. I saw Amanda speak up as a leader, prophecy in song and walk in her anointing. I saw Troy and Santos minister with seasoned, relevant, revelation. Oh yeah did I mention Tee, Samson and John went jumping with us later that night and worked the altar for TWO HOURS pouring into the lives of people that they do not know. You all are crazy and I love it. You based jumped into a whole new level of God's anointing upon your lives. When you jump you get others to jump. I'm proud of you all. We turned the corner again. Time to look for a new cliff to jump off of now. Much love everyone! Proud of you! Maybe we'll drink some mountain dew before service on Sunday! LoL

Laser Guided Missile

I had an opportunity to minister tonight at my old church. I felt in my heart that I needed to take a team with me, although I had no idea what to expect I just new God wanted to do something unique and powerful. We got in and after a quick sound check the team that I went down stairs to pray. It was at that moment I knew that something incredible was about to happen. My wife could feel it, I could hear it in the prayer of the team, God even used members who are usually quiet to speak with boldness. I don't ever think I've heard the team pray with that type of intensity. Then like a laser guided missile God operated through the team with precision and accuracy. The move of God through the team was unbelievable. I've never seen us so sharp in the spirit. (Again wish, my boy Santz was there, but I knew he was ripping it up where he was at too.) Wow John, I knew you had something, I just new I had to bring you with me. Amanda, go ahead girl you got it. Babe your decleration before everything fired me up. Hey Troy man dude that was amazing, I love being in God's presence when your there too. Tee/Samson, way to touch lives, even those you do not know. Sylvia I know you left it on the field, your voice sounded like it. Vince, Vince, Vince, duuuude your amazing on the keys, just ushering the presence. Have you ever seen the altar grow? I literally mean grow. The altar was packed but there were still some people that didn't come up. I looked out at one point and saw the altar grow. I looked and all over the place there were people laying hands and praying over each other. I looked at Troy, shrugged my shoulders as if to say what's next. So we did nothing for a minute but wait on God (Thanks Amanda being sensitive). I was overwhelmed by what God was doing, I just had to get on my knees. I have never seen this team so sharp, never. And while normally we are in different places on Sundays at least for some, God did something amazing in us and through us. All I know is I'm ready for what's next and cant wait to see God move again. Lately I've experienced the presence of God at a level that I've never, ever have been at. I want more, I want to see the Glory of God. I've have been so convniced, so impacted, so in love with the presence of God lately that I just cannot wait to get back. Well that's all I have for now. I had to get this out now that it's fresh. Be Blessed!