Pointing to Jesus

I got off the phone earlier ago with my Pastor, Dan Vera. I'll be honest I love to tweet, Facebook, and blog encouraging thoughts. To be even more open with you, when I post encouraging stuff, I'm really posting for my own reminder because I'm smack in the middle of a tough round in life.

Lately those tough rounds have been even more frequent and it's been trying on my mind and heart. So today when my Pastor called me I couldn't help but breakdown after the call, matter of fact it's happened that way the last two times we've spoken on the phone. Yes, it's been that tough. I thank God for my Pastor who without a doubt is my spiritual father. I thank God for making me better through example my Pastor has shown me. I thank God that my Pastor has always demonstrated great wisdom, incredible vision, and flat out wholeheartedly believes in people. I honor you Pastor Dan, I honor you as my spiritual father, my coach, my friend and so much more.

I want to be a better Husband, father, leader and follower of Christ because of what I've seen in my Pastor. Thank you for setting the standard, thank you for pushing me, thank you for seeing in me what I struggle to see in myself at times. Thank you, for pointing me to Jesus. Strength & Honor!

One way ticket

For most people Wednesday July 21st, 2010 was a normal day that ended with a normal evening with our normal shows playing on prime time television. For my family and team it was everything but normal July 21st. Tara was on the computer getting ready to click the final submit for our airline tickets. $150 dollars per ticket is a fantastic deal but as the final submit button was clicked a thought ran through my head. Oh, I've had this same thought before, hundreds of times; YOUR CRAZY! Let me tell you the real price of these tickets, they cost everything! Yes I said everything, our comfort, our friends, our families, our jobs, and the list could go on. EVERYTHING!

Wednesday July 21st we picked up our One way tickets to a destination 2000+ miles away. Our lives as we know them have been far from normal. My family is far from normal. The team we have is far from normal. Our prayers are far from normal. We are giving up everything normal to simply do one thing, win people to Jesus.

I'm not sharing this post to praise our sacrifice, I'm sharing this post to challenge and encourage you. Here's my point, even though our daily life is no longer normal, something deep inside tells me this is the way it was always supposed to be. We're supposed to live like everyday could be our last. We're supposed to risk like it totally depends on God. We're supposed to make a difference for Christ by Loving All, Giving All and Telling all. We're supposed to live life for Jesus and no one else, live for God's will and nothing less. Life was meant to be lived like a "one way ticket".

What are we going to do?

The Path Pt. 2

Oops! This was supposed to go out last week, I guess that lets you know how my path has gone lately (unpredictable terrain change). That's OK! It's part of life. Can I give you a side note, the more you don't have to know everything, the more you will trust God with everything. End side Note.

Here's what I really want to say. Have you ever had the question God where are you right now, that question you will have more than once in life. Here's a lesson that I've seen in my life. The harder it is to track God, the harder you'll need to push your trust in Him. Trust that although the path has changed, God does not! Trust that God is still leading you. Trust that God will make a way. Finally, trust that God is doing something in you when everything all around you might not seem like it.

God has created you for the long haul. At the end of the day encourage your soul to find rest in the fact that God is still God no matter what and, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion... Phil 1:6"

The Path Pt. 2

Have you ever known where your headed in life but not know where your at right now? We are at the half way point of 2010 right now and I don't think I've ever lived life like I've lived it in the last 6 months. I've never had a relationship with Jesus like I have today. I haven't dreamed, pursued, had a stronger marriage, been a better father, prayed, worshiped, studied, grown, hungered or engaged life like I have in the last 6 months of my life.

The flip side I've never been more stretched, never experienced more fear, have never felt more alone, never had more insecurity, never worried, never wanted to quit as much as I have in the past 6 months.

Like a famous man once said "life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get." They key is sticking to the path even when you get what you didn't want or expect. Too many people get off the path that God has for their lives, for their marriage, for their children, for their purpose the minute they encounter what they do not understand. If you have to understand everything before you can trust God, then you don't have faith. The path will become invisible, impossible, impassable, impenetrable and your ability to trust God no matter what will be the only thing that keeps you on the right path.

Fear will get you to camp, Faith will get you to contend! Contend for the future that God has planned for you, don't stop! More tomorrow...

The Path Pt. 1

Sometimes it's clear, other times it's fuzzy, sometimes everything lines up and other times you have no idea where you are at. Sound familiar, The path of life...We are all on a path. I think we all have dreams and idea's of the ideal path. We have moments when we wished we had paid a little more attention to signs of the past on our path. The path can be exciting, risky, unknown, adventurous, sorrowful and joyful. The truth is, your path has the potential to become a legacy leaving a trail of future opportunity or your path could fade away known only to the feet that walked it, your own. No matter what, you will determine the path you travel on.

Big Decision...I know, so here's some encouragement for your path. The bible is filled with so much hope and direction for your path, from God setting you on the right path, to making your path straight, to choosing the right path and so forth.. One of my favorite passages is the following:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

The next few blog posts will be dedicated to the path, these will be fresh ideas that I'm in the middle of right now. Hopefully your encouraged for the path your on. Oh yeah the picture above, that's my son Isaiah and I walking on a path in Hawaii. God is walking with you too, trust Him, take His hand and he will make your path straight!

Princess Leia

My little girl Leia turns 3 today. I love playing tea, love making faces with Leia, tickling her, rubbing her little feet, chasing her and kissing her. I wont be able to explain in this post how incredibly wonderful and awesome she is. What I can say about my little girl, is that she has changed my life and made me better all around. It's an honor to be the father of Princess Leia.

A friend of mine yesterday gave me a great nugget of wisdom on raising daughters. I was told every girl needs to know one thing from their Dad, "Daddy am I worth fighting for?"

My daughter is worth fighting for, her purity, safety, honor, future, hopes, dreams, her entire life and all that God has created her to become it's worth fighting for. I will fight for my marriage so she knows how to fight for her's one day. I may not be the best Dad, but I will fight to be the best that she needs in her life. I will fight to be an example of a Christ follower in her life. You are mighty, valuable, precious, beautiful, purposed, unique, and there is only one of you on this entire earth. I take this mission, this mandate, this God given opportunity to fight for my daughter. Yes baby girl, you are worth fighting for and Daddy will be sure to fight for you every step of the way!

Happy Birthday!

Trust is everything

Have you seen the Geico commercial that talks about trust? A man demonstrates his trust by leaning back and putting his complete trust in a small gecko to catch him. Two thing's mentioned by the ad is "trust is everything" and "you gotta feel trust" I agree trust is everything when it comes to God. You gotta trust God with everything and in every situation but to tell you the trust, you won't always feel it.

Matter of fact the barometer of your trust level with God is if you can still trust Him even when you don't feel it. Can you trust God even when you don't feel safe? Can you trust God even when you don't understand? Can you trust God even when you don't see a way? Trust is everything, but you won't always feel it.

People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing. Isaiah 26:3-4 The Message

Stick to the dig!

There are weeks when life has such a wrap around me that it's hard for me to wrap around what God is doing or speaking to me. This has been one of those weeks. Usually the earliest part of my week is the easiest, I can see and perceive what God is showing me and speaking to me through the word more than at any other time. Why the earliest part of my week, I might just be wired that way but I'm thinking it has to do more with the fact that my week has yet to become filled and crammed with work, life or problems that needs fixing.

So what did I do this week? I stuck to my spiritual shovel and kept digging. That's what I would tell you "Stick to your dig" Keep digging through the word of God and through prayer until you can understand and perceive what God is doing/saying. Stick to your dig!

A story is told of two brothers who bought land in California during the gold rush era. The brothers had high hopes of making it big! Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and nothing was happening. The brothers begin to lose hope and soon they stopped digging and sold the property. The next person that bought the land began digging in the same exact spot that the two brothers had stopped. The new owner dug 6 inches more and hit the jackpot. Let this story encourage your heart today. STICK TO THE DIG, your closer than you think!

Get Hungry for Wisdom

When I was growing up, occasionally we would have frozen entree's (tv dinner's). I say occasionally because my mom can cook, BIG TIME! Ok, back to the frozen entree's. I used to love eating those Hungry Man entree's, especially the chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, corn and to top it off chocolate pudding. BAM!

Just like a Hungry Man entree can provide a complete meal, Wisdom will provide a complete life!

Here's what Godly Wisdom will do for your life:

1) Shield- There are two teachers in life, experience and the other is wisdom. One will hurt more than the other. Too many folks are living today with failures, decisions and hurt that happened years ago. Wisdom will shield your life, it will fool proof your life, it will protect you. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. Proverbs 2:7

2) Sign- One thing certain in life is at times life will be uncertain. We need signs in our life of escape, direction, guidance and counsel. We don't have all the answers, don't have what it takes to make it successfully through life by our own thinking. Seek His will in all that you do and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6

3) Strength- The wisdom of God will bring strength to your life and strength for life. The wisdom of God sustains our life both physically and spiritually. Then you will have healing to your body and strength for your bones. Proverbs 3:7

4) Success- A full life is a life full of wisdom. Wisdom is the tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. Proverbs 3:18

Get Hungry for Wisdom!

Hope Anew

A phrase stuck out reading Psalm 78 today. "So each generation should set its hope anew on God" Psalm 78:7

It's so easy for one generation to blame the previous..."this didn't happen, this should of happened, this is why we are where we are today?...can you hear the complaints? Have you felt that way? As I read Psalm 78:7 though I felt such incredible grace for today. Each generation has an opportunity to set it's hope anew. Each generation will have a chance to discover, create, and live for God anew; despite what may have taken place in the past or where we stand today. Each generation will have it's opportunity to make it's mark for God. Is there anything more powerful than hope? Hope let's us know that our best days are ahead of us, that opportunities still remain, untapped potential still exist. History making dreams are still out there, history making songs, history making purpose, history making people walk the earth today.

Set your hope anew in the Lord today, there's a grace upon you to live, encounter and see something new today. What hope will you live, what hope will I give, what hope will I leave behind. The next generation is depending on what you set your hope on. Set your hope anew on God...

Two sizes too small

Occasionally when I arrive home and slip off my shoes a pair of little feet will slip right in after. My kids walk around the house slipping and sliding, the real fun begins when they try running in shoes way too big for their little feet.

God's purpose in our lives will usually feel the same way, two sizes too big for you. God size dreams, God size purpose, a God size calling will always make you feel two sizes too small. To grasp even the smallest bit of understanding of what God wants to do through you it's enough to rattle your knees.

So how do you gadge progress? How do you know if your making any headway at all when you feel two sizes two small? Here's what I would tell you.

When you begin to embrace what was previously impossible, you've grown two sizes bigger. If your taking steps today that previously you feared to take at all, you've grown two sizes bigger. If your dreaming bigger today then you did yesterday, you've grown two sizes bigger.

Two sizes too big for you is never too big for God. Today is important, get growing!

Convinced

He stretched and pushed himself beyond what he's ever done before in his short eight year life. Through rocky steep terrain, strong chilly wind, and the occasional slip; Isaiah pushed his body 8 miles to an elevation of 2200 feet and reached the summit of Mission Peak in Fremont Ca.

The most memorable moment for me as a Father is when my son became completely convinced the mountain he was climbing was his.

I was reminded of a quote from Mark Batterson's book Primal. "Few things are more thrilling than doing what you didn't think could be done." Hearing my son say "we are not quitting" gave me a glimpse of what God probably feels when He sees us totally convinced of our biggest purpose and most incredible dreams. I was absolutely thrilled seeing my son trust me and believe my words of encouragement every single step of the way to the top.

Can you hear God encouraging you to the top of your biggest dreams? Are you convinced the mountains in your life are yours? "Breaking a sweat for a God-given vision is the key to fulfillment and fruitfulness." Walk, dream, and live completely, wholeheartedly, and undeniably convinced!

Going to the Top

Taking the day off tomorrow but I'm still going to work. See that mountain in the background, my 8 yr old son Isaiah and I are taking the journey to the top (hopefully). Supposed to be an awesome day and I'm sure we are going to have an incredible time. We'll begin our trek at 9am PST, and I'll post updates via twitter along with pictures of our journey. Follow along, shoot us a prayer and we'll see you at the top!

God Bless!

THRIVE

I was reading out of Psalm 69 this morning and it challenged my heart so much that I wanted to share two pieces of scripture.

"...you who seek God, may your hearts live!" Psalm 69:32

When you seek God, your heart will find His heart for your life. When you find the heart of God especially through scripture it's not hard to find strength, relentless love, perfect peace and hope.

"...those who love his name will dwell there." Psalm 69:36

Think about how many names there are for God. Jehovah Jirah: God is our Provider, Jehovah Shalom: The Lord is my peace, Jesus the name above all names! Pick a name, and dwell under it.

Let God's thoughts bring you strength today, allow who God is to bring you hope and assurance. It's God's desire for you to thrive.

Thriving, Green and Growing

I paid a visit to the church I grew up in today, spent about 5 minutes inside the building but left with the most powerful thought. While talking to the receptionist, I noticed how many plants she had in the office. Mary began sharing that one plant was about 7yrs old and another about 10. Both plants were thriving, green and growing. I honestly didn't not know plants lasted that long.

Here's the powerful part of the story. Two of the plants we were talking about were gifts from the former Pastor Dr. Richard K. Tanon. You see, Pastor Tanon went on to be with the Lord as of Feb 7th, 2008, yet in that office that I walked into today, there still remained something growing that he had left behind. I was left with this thought, "Are you living to leave something behind or will your life simply be forgotten?"

I'm not talking about success, I'm talking about significance. Are you living with a sense of destiny about your life? Plants are not the only thing Dr. Tanon has left behind. Templo De La Cruz, is a thriving church 90+ years young now being led by another great man Pastor John Masis. There are many sons and daughters, marriages that are still thriving, ministries that continue till this day because of Dr. Tanon. Pastor Tanon baptized me when I was a kid. My first ministry opportunity came at Templo. I was taught how to preach by Pastor Tanon. I felt a sense of awe and privilege as I left the parking lot earlier.

This Sunday I return to my former church with humbleness and gratitude. I'm returning back to my roots, where it all began, where the dream first burned in my heart. I'm still thriving, still moving forward, and today I'm on the verge of my biggest faith move yet. Thank You God for putting a man in my life like Pastor Tanon, who lives beyond the grave and has paved the way for someone like me. Can't wait to preach on Sunday!

Quick thought on Courage

"Existing is easy, living takes courage"

I don't know who this is going to, maybe it's just me. Maybe your on the verge of stepping into something big, or in the middle of an unknown and crazy storm in life.

"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." Deuteronomy 31:6 The Message Version

Those who live are able to leave their country because of their trust in God like Abraham. Those who live are able to stand where nobody else will stand and take the giant out like David. Those who live understand that with God on your side your the majority like Gideon. Those who live are able to endure hardship and still move forward even when it seems like all hope is gone like Paul. Those who live know that the cross isn't the end like Jesus.

Don't exist, LIVE!

My #1 Goal

I met last night with our church planting team and shared with them my number #1 goal for this year. As much preparation, praying, stretching and meetings we have had to plant a church, my number one goal is not to plant a church this year. My number one goal is to make sure my life, the life of my family and the lives of my team operate whole. To me wholeness looks exactly like the list above. Get the list right, keep it a standard and God will bless your obedience. Get the list wrong and cracks will develop just about everywhere. Believe me, I've worked with my list out of order before and it's the most unfulfilled and most tiring journey. Just like changed people change people, whole people fill people. You can't give what you don't have and if you keep trying you will lose it all. To prove my point even further check out the following twitter post by Rick Warren just 18 hours ago "In Texas for funeral of a pastor who took his life."

Listen Pastor, Ministry Directory, church planter, Christ did not die on the cross for you to do ministry, He died for you to have relationship, He died so you could live Whole. What's your number #1 goal today?

More to Inspiration Pt. 3

If one word from God can change a persons life, it makes you wonder why so many people live with the same problems, hangups, and mistakes for years, sometimes their entire lives.

Everyday we have the opportunity to be the recipients of a life changing, now word from God. Remember the intended target of a word from God is ultimately transformation. Inspiration+Revelation=Transformation

Two Points that have rocked my world recently like never before:

Invest in Listening: Position yourself to hear from God, specifically through God’s word in Prayer. (Podcast, sermons work) God still speaks through His word! Ask God to search your heart through His word.

Invest in Understanding: Take time to allow what God is showing you to transform you through deeper revelation. Ask God to change your heart through his word.

Don't miss out, or take another day for granted, live inspired, live with revelation, be transformed.

Happy 8th Birthday Isaiah

Eight years ago today I experienced one of the most trying and joyful experience of my entire life. Although the circumstances were not ideal and stretched my faith, I would not of changed not one second the day my son Isaiah was born. This morning as I reflect back eight years ago I'm reminded of three very important things that came front face in my life, three things that came to life more than ever. These three things I'm writing to you my son, I hope they will remind you of how incredible you are son and how big God is and lastly that your story touches others who read this.

1) God is Faithful- At one point we didn't know if we would even be able to have you, but God blessed us. The day I found out that I was going to be your dad I knew in my heart I would have a boy. I pictured us doing everything together, still do. I know I haven't always been faithful, gotten busy at times, even messed up saying the wrong things but I'm praying and I'm trying and I will never give up trying to be the best Dad you need me to be. When you were born son, I saw the faithfulness of God at work in your life and mine. I saw that God will never leave us no matter what. You know the way Dad sometimes throws you in the air and you know every single time I'll catch you? Yes, God is the very same way, He will always catch you in life, no matter what!

2) God is our Healer- I would not of changed being separated from you for the first nights of your life, I would not change 5 days of you being in the ICU, would not of changed a collapsed lung because in the end God showed Himself true to His word as our healer. "You'll never know God is your healer till you've been in a place that you needed God to heal" You know how you bring your toys to me son and you ask me to fix them when you've played with them a little too rough. Well life can be rough at times and sometimes you'll need some fix'in. God is your healer, He's done it once in the most incredible way and He will do it again and again and again if needed.

3) God is Love- I walked into a love the day you were born unlike I had ever experienced before in my life. It was then that I was introduced to the Love of God at an entirely new level. I quickly realized that as much as I love you Isaiah, that God loves us even more, God loves us even enough to send his son to die for us. God is the perfect example of a Father because of his incredible love. It's God's love that I'm striving for as I raise you my son. You see Zai, God's love covers faults like I cover you when you go to sleep, God's love encourages us to just like I believe you can do anything in the world, God's love also corrects us to make sure that we stay on the right path. I want you to know that everyday I'm asking God to help me to show you love just like He shows us in the bible. I love you son, you don't have to do anything for it, you can't do anything to stop it, I just love you, your stuck no matter what.

Isaiah you see how special you are? God taught us a lot the day you were born and probably showing others who read this today. You are my son of promise, my son that has brought healing into my own life, helped open my eyes at times, you are the son I've always wanted and more. Thank you for being you "no one is more you'er than you.- Happy Birthday to You.

-Love

Dad

More to Inspiration Pt. 2

INSPIRATION+ REVELATION

Imagine getting ready to jump off a diving board into a swimming pool. You stand at the edge, heart is pumping, your feet and legs are getting ready to work together to build the momentum to spring off the board but then you don't. Imagine just standing on the diving board looking at the water, then 5 seconds turns into 15, 20 turns to 30 and the inspiration that you once had to even climb on the diving board in the first place begins to slowly die. Still standing there or backing down the ladder, either way you haven't lived the full experience yet. This is the perfect example of inspiration without revelation, you haven't experienced everything yet.

Can I challenge you to pursue the depth of what God has been stirring in your heart. Don't take the small impromptu highlights about yourself, God and life for granted. Sometimes it's a single words that seemed to grab your attention when reading the bible, other times those ideas and thoughts that seemingly came from nowhere. Sometimes the inspiration starts through a sermon, a book, a conversation or a song. The life lesson that I'm trying to share with you through the diving board illustration is, inspiration doesn't have longevity. Inspiration will jump start your life but only revelation will keep you going through life. If inspiration is the wow, then revelation is the why. Inspiration will excite you but revelation engulfs you just like the water that surrounds you in a pool. Ask God for understanding, ask God for revelation about what He is stirring your heart about. You haven't seen anything yet until you take the dive.