Dream Start Pt. 1

10 Years ago I shared a dream with my Pastor Dan Vera, it was personal, crazy and scary all at the same time. The question that was asked was "what is it that would make you feel like Christmas everyday if you could do it" I began to share a vision about planting a church in Hawaii. My Pastor did not laugh, he didn't say are you crazy, he just said "ok". Several years went by, there had not been much talk about planting a church. I went to church, I joined internship, was involved somewhat but ministry was not really in my immediate heart.

As time went on we had a Masters Commission Student living with us named Santos Samayoa "Santz". I honestly did not want to let anyone in our house I was scared that they would see my flaws but we took a risk, and I'm glad we did. I honestly would like to believe we impacted Santz life that year, but it was the complete opposite that young man blessed me, he ignited the dreamer again and stirred my heart. It was one of those stories where you try to bless someone but in the end you end up being blessed.

I felt like Rocky getting back in the ring again. The dreamer was out of shape, I had been out of the ring for a while but I was hungrier then ever to do something great for God. We had a wedding coming up and it was in Oahu. Immediately a deep burden began to set in all over again. While on a sunset cruise in Waikiki my wife noticed something different about me and asked "what's wrong" I mentioned to her "for some reason I feel like this is where we are supposed to be." It was weird, I never wanted to go to Oahu. Anyway we came back didn't say much then came year two with Santz...

The second time around housing a studen was different.Santz didn't come by himself that next year, we had two additional and remarkable young men living with us. Two boys were cousins and they were Samoan. Leebo and Ulla Pomele. Again we set out to be a blessing but that year our lives were dramatically changed. Something happened in our home that amazing year. Till this day Ulla, Leebo and Santz still call each other brothers. Till this day we remember those times. I love the Samoan people, their hearts, their culture, their anointing for music, all of it. Something was happening in my heart, it was getting bigger...

Later on that year we went back to Oahu for a conference. I'll never forget the moment, we were leaving from Oakland Airport to Hawaii and the security guard looks at my ticket and says "oh going home sir" I'll looked back at my wife and just laughed. What an amazing time in Hawaii, got to visit some family and things began to solidify in our hearts. We knew where we were going to be, didn't know when, didn't even know what were going to do but we just knew Hawaii was the place we were going.

Stay with me I know this is long but I need to share it. We came back I acknowledged to my Pastor that we felt we were going to head out to Hawaii one day but I did not acknowledge my dream. I had yet to acknowledge what we were to do. Honestly I was scared, did not feel qualified and truthfully felt that I would fail.

YEAR 3 Masters Commission
Two new students were in our homes this year, it was Jon and Samson, we instantly saw the potential in these guys. I remember Samson coming over our house, he was going through a lot of stuff and was wandering and searching for himself. I remember thinking come into my home, and we'll make a champion. I remember seeing Jon with his large Samoan hair and thinking I want that kid too. We'll they stayed in our home and for 10 months we had our late night cereal talks, character building and lots and lots of guitar and worship. Why do I mention this, because this is Christian Worship Center of Hawaii in the making. There was a reason why we had all of these young men in our lives. There was a reason why I was introduced into the Samoan culture. There was a reason why Santos was in the middle of all of this too. Now that I look back at my story I could see God orchestrating HIS story and a big one at that.

There's always something bigger then what you see right now. I know this is getting long, and so I'm going to close it for now, believe me there's more. I'm going to warn you though, prepared to be challenged and to be pushed over the edge. I'm sharing these very close events to my heart because I want to set some folks to flight this very week. I believe there's a reason why I must do this now, so get ready and stay tuned tomorrow.

Original You

I'm not sure how it is in your neck of the woods but in the Bay Area right now the fad in terms of hats are these hats with flaps that cover the ears. A lot of kids and young adults are sporting these "duck hunting" hats, at least that's what I call them. Anyway, as I drove home from work yesterday I passed by a bus stop only to notice that half the kids waiting for the bus were duck hunters, yes they all had the same type a hat. I drove down the block a bit further and what did I see, yes more duck hunters.

It's not that I don't like the latest fad or hate duck hunting (truthfully never been duck hunting) but what struck me is what I felt God saying to me through the story above. God has created you to be an original, not a copy cat, not a cookie cut human, an original.

The only part of duplicate in you is the image of God. God is so incredible and so vast that even being created in his image He's created you to be an original.

There's an original purpose, original potential, and original dream with your name on it and nobody and I mean nobody can live it like you can. Live Original!

23 years delayed

I got into a conversation the other day with a man who has worked with the same company for 23 years. At first I thought about loyalty, faithfulness and dedication both on the employee and the employer. Then the conversation became shocking because I asked another question. "Is there something else that you would rather do?" The man looked at me a bit puzzled and said "what do you mean?" As if I knew something that was about to take place with his job, which I didn't. I enlightened the question a little bit by asking the following:

Is there something else that you would much rather do, something that your passionate about, do you have a dream? Immediately I got the attention of the man and I could see through years of desire, passion and struggle. The answer is yes. The man began to share his dream but it quickly turned to "Do you know how hard that it would be?" "It's way to difficult."

Instantly the coach in me began to take over and I said "yeah but you only live life once." "Wouldn't you much rather like to live trying at something you love and have passion for then settling for something you just show up to?"

My point is this, if your alive today and your not living what you love don't settle for where your at. I don't care if your 23 or 63 years old don't delay another day what you were created to do. You only have one life to live, so live it well and live it with purpose. This conversation although it probably got than man a little disturbed that he delayed his dream for 23 years and counting, I hope it encouraged him to live life on a limb and to truly live what is in his heart.

I recently watch the movie Avatar and in it is a powerful quote by the lead actor. The quote say's something like this. "Sometimes life boils down to one crazy and insane moment" You see if your willing to step through the threshold and cross into that one crazy and insane moment than you'll never delay another day of your God given potential ever again. On the other hand if you let fear grip you, if you allow what if to stop you and if you allow how to be a mountain in your life, then you will delay day after day and just might find yourself 23 years later still looking for the perfect opportunity to finally try.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Life is bigger than your cubicle

A pen holder, PC, monitor, telephone, your favorite quote strategically displayed, and some pics of the family...does that sound familiar? If it does, it's probably where you spend 8+ hours a day in an 8x8 space called your cubicle. This may not be everyone's space, but we all have a space that we work from. We all have a space where energy is exerted, tremendous effort is made, and time is spent. Then, as it happens almost every day during the week and especially on Friday's check out time is here, but I'll be back. I'll be back either tomorrow or next Monday, then I'll began the routine all over again. Ahhh cubicle life isn't it awesome!

No, I'm not trying to make your life feel dull but check it out. Our lives count for something so much bigger than what we can see right now. Maybe just maybe I hit a nerve and even got some items right about your workspace but what does your Heartspace look like? How about your thought space? How about a vision for your life? Here's a simple analogy from the Dr. Seuss', as big as your heart is for God's purpose, is as big as the life you'll live. Even the Grinch ended up making an impact on his community. What if I told you God wants to do something incredible with your life to make a difference in your job, community, church and in the world, have you ever thought about this? Are you living this way? Do you love what you are doing and are you doing what you love?

Today as I look at the world and some things I'm feeling in my heart I want to encourage you with some simple and challenging words, "Life is bigger than your cubicle." In fact, life is about working from a purpose more than a paycheck and the greatest discovery you can ever make in life is finding what you have been placed on earth to do and actually living it out. Take that purpose to work every day like you do your favorite coffee mug and you'll have more than a job, you'll have purpose. Pray that God grows your heart two sizes bigger so that it can be filled with His heart and His purpose and His plan for your life. There are people all around you that need you to be the person that God has called you to be that's why your lives have crossed paths. I'll leave you with three words that I've seen on twitter and facebook in response to the terrible tragedy in Haiti. Make an Impact. I challenge you, I dare you, I urge you make with every fiber of my being as I type this. Make an IMPACT!

Disaster Relief for Haiti

Change Is Tough!

Today was our first Sunday of the year and the first Sunday at our lead church in San Jose. I thought I was going to be extremely excited but honestly it was a day of mixed emotions. I guess you can say my heart was in two places at one time. I wondered throughout the day how the campus we just concluded leading was doing. Honestly it felt like the first day away from your child when they enter kindergarten. As I pondered here and there I received a txt message while in service that read "Your Bro. is tearing it up." It was from my buddy Santz. As I read the txt my heart knew we were doing what we were supposed to do.

Change is not easy, sometimes it's painful and even after it's taken place at times you will wonder "am I doing the right thing" Why does God take us though change? You'll never reach your purpose without changing chapters. Each chapter is a new season, a new opportunity, a new adventure and it's part of the journey of life. Every year at this time I'm reminded of some powerful words that were once said to me. "If you keep doing the same thing, you'll get the same results"

Take comfort in the fact that when God navigates you through change, God is navigating you into a new chapter. As the page turns into this new year, new decade, and new season, realize you are a chapter closer towards your destiny. Embrace change and know that He who never changes is with you forever.