The Only Time You Should Look Back Pt. 1

The only time you should look back at anything in life is to see how far you've come. This weekend marks the 9 year anniversary of my church Christian Worship Center of San Jose. My journey actually began 8 years ago, I was frustrated, felt dreamless and had lost my purpose. My wife and I were expecting our first child and little did we realize how wounded our marriage was. If you would of asked me 8 years ago what I would be doing today it may have angered me because that's how much frustration I was living with. As a result of a gracious God and a praying wife my journey has been marked by incredible moments, incredible people and one incredible church.

Moments I remember...

The first heart to heart with my Pastor
(The famous question that haunts me till this day "If you could do anything for God that felt like a little kid in a candy store what would it be?" I didn't believe my answer at the time but I dared to believe that it would come true. )

The first time I taught marriage class (Wait a minute I'm young, my marriage was far from perfect, what do I have to offer someone else) I did it and it ignited an old flame for speaking again.

The first time I helped with youth (We had just left running a youth group, I missed my kids. These new kids could not replace our old relationships but it brought energy to my spirit
Thanks to my brother Matt for asking me to help out.)

The first time I preached at CWC (Boy was I rusty. I was like the tin man. I had a great setback the week before tried to get out of speaking but my Pastor got in my face and told me I had to do this and I was going to do great and that God was going to use me)

Our first Masters Student
Another life changing question this time from my wife. "Whats stopping us from giving?" This one moment has sparked an incredible relationship with a young man that I believe will one day change history and mark the world with an intense passion for God.

My first Heart to Heart with our MC Student
I found purpose again, I felt passion. It was time, time for the dreamer to start dreaming again. Our relationship was God designed. Thanks Pastor Nick for trusting me, my home and keeping Santz at our house althought it was supposed to be temporary.

The first time we announced we were planting a church in Hawaii
To hear the support of the church, the cheering, the excitement to have incredible people standing next to me willing to put their hearts to the greatest risk possibly ever in their life is priceless. Till this day I'm humbled by this memory.

There have been plenty of other moments, and plenty of other people along the journey but these were the moments that marked me. These were the moments that I can look at and after I can say was never the same again. Thank you Lord, thank you for an incredible church with incredible people, thank you for my Pastor, and most of all thank you for my wife because today we are living the dream together.

The lessons I've learned coming next...