My Favorite - 5

Here are my favorite places outside the US (places I've been)

Tigris River, Mosul Iraq

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Windsor, Canada
Italian Alps, Milan

Mt Etna, Siciliy
Euprates River, Bagdhad Iraq
Kuwait City
Lajes, Azores (Off coast of Portugal)

My Favorite - 4

These are some of my favorite places in the US. I've been to all of these spots:

Niagara Falls

Sunshine Skyway Bridge, FL

St. Louis Arch

High Mojave Desert

Cades Cove/Great Smoky Mountains

Ft. Desoto Beach, FL

Meteor Crater, AZ

Painted Desert, AZ

My Favorite - 3

Here are some of my favorite statements/quotes/sayings etc.

Serious:

- "Pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you" -Batterson

- "Be...don't appear to be" - Zeigler

- "Rememeber your name" - Me

- "It's not about what people think, it's about what God knows" - Montoya

- "Discipleship isn't free" - Betzer

- "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" - Churchill

Classics:

"Are you kidding me?"

"What ya gonna do"

"Ya know what I'm sayin?"

"Kato Mate"

"Yesh"

TV/Movie:

"Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta hug!" - Tommy Callahan

"Go on with the chlorophyll!" - William Madison

"Abraham Lincoln once said that "If you're a racist, I will attack you with the North," and these are the principles I carry with me in the workplace" - Michael Scott

"The only reason you're still concious is I don't want to have to carry you" - Jack Bauer

My Favorite - 2

My favorite TV show is The Cosby Show. Call me old school or whatever, but I was literally raised on that show. It's funny, clean, and for the most part real. (Except for the fact that I don't see how a Doc and a Lawyer with 5 kids had time to keep the house clean, do laundry, grocery shop etc.). I've seen every episode several times. Some I know by heart. If you ever ask me "have you seen the one when"...I'll just cut you off and say "yes"! I actually watched a good bit of the show on video tape. During the school year we had to be in bed between 8 and 8:30, so my parents would tape it for us and then we would get to see it the next day after school. Then we went to these neighborhood Bible studies called "The Good News Club", and those also happend on Thursday nights. So again, we watched them on tape. I'm so thankful for DVD. I have the first 3 seasons. Looking forward to getting the rest. God Bless Cliff, Claire, Sandra, Denise, Theo, Vanessa, and Rudy (and Elvin, Martin, Olivia, Russell, Anna, Winnie, Nelson, Cockroach...)

My Favorite -1

This week I'm going to share some of my favorite things. It's always hard to narrow down a favorite movie/food/song, but I'll do my best. I'm not a real random person... everything has a purpose. So I'l try to explain some of the reason why "these are a few of my favorite things"

Favorite song: Again I Say - By Israel Houghton

I first heard this song at a worship conference. It was so powerful that I wish we could have sang it all night. Some of the things that make it great are the chord progressions, the rhythm, and of course the lyrics that come straight from the Bible. The irony is that Paul wrote those words from prison to a church where he had been beaten and put in prison. It also helped me through some tricky days in ministry. See, the night I heard that song for the first time was the eve of my new adventure as the Singles/Young Adults pastor at First Assembly. I was still in the Army and trying to walk through the first steps of faith that led to full-time ministry. It was in the lonely, confusing, and downright hard times, that this song served as a great encouragement to me. That's why "Again I Say" is my favorite song. Listen to it. Worship to it. I hope it helps you as it has helped me. 

Sleepy Sunday

I've been really tired today. I need to drink more water. It's also been very hot and muggy, I know that doesn't help either.
I've got tons to do this week in preperation for MCC 08-09. The week should fly by.
We'll need some miracles in the next few weeks. Send some prayers out if you remember us this week.
God is already doing great things and I know He'll continue to show up and do what only He can do.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Lion Chaser

Mark Batterson's "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" is probably one of the most influential books written in the past 15 years. I've read it, taught from it, and even require it's study in our Master's Commission program. And yet, it's not until right now that I am finding myself having to live it. I am chasing the biggest lion of my life right now. And it's not related to MC, Young Adult ministry, or even being a pastor. It has everything to do with following Christ. I am at a crossroads where I can run away from the obstacle, or I can chase the lion. Thank God I'm moving in the right direction by his grace! God give me the strength to defy the odds, face fear, overcome adversity, embrace uncertainty, take risks, seize opportunities, and look foolish!

Saturday Thoughts

- These sure are dark days we are living in...I'm glad I have a life in Jesus.

- It feels like it's going to rain. I hope it does.

- I'm glad summer is coming to a close. I'm ready for football and cooler weather.

- I watched the 1989 version of Batman yesterday. Boy have times changed!

- I'm excited about the future of Next Level at First Assembly. It's going to be a BIG year.

Family Friday

The day started with some thunderstorms and now its sunny. It's been a day of naps and lying around. I definatley needed today. There's more and more happening as we get closer to MCC 08-09. Plus we've got our annual Homecoming/Revival coming up at the end of the month. Plus the kids start school in like 3 weeks! Thank God for family days like today!

Politics Schmolitics

It's starting to heat up! November will be here before we know it and the course of our nation will head in a direction it's never been in before. I'm not scared because I know God is in control. But that doesn't mean I'm not concerned. Christ-followers have to be ready for what's coming. We are going to be tried and pushed and we have to be Jesus in a world that hates Him. But hey, at least hey gave us the heads up right? I hate that the current party system forces me to have to pick one issue over the other. There are issues on both sides of the aisle that are important to me. Nevertheless, we must search the word and vote as close to the Bible as we can. And we need to walk in love toward those who disagree with us. I have a dear Army buddy who serves in the state capitol. We don't see eye to eye politically at all. But I love him anyway. He is my brother in Christ.  I guess I want to challenge everyone to get involved in some way. The Bible says anyone who knows the good they ought to do...and does not do it..SINS. (James 4:18). Being involved in our nations political process is the right thing. It's our duty as citizens. Here are some links of issues beyond the election that you can get involved in:

The so-called "Fairness Doctrine" - A Free Speech Issue

McDonalds and the family - A morals issue

Disaster Relief/Helping the Poor - A compassion issue

Support the troops - A War issue

Creation-care - An environmental issue

Deeper

It's definitely been a week of "deeper". I'm probably more focused today then I've been in a long time. It's awesome to sit back and see where God has brought you from. It's humbling to stand in rooms and look at people who a year ago were different. To see God bring change is awesome. But what gets me up in the morning is the next level. I know where God is taking me. And that place is deeper, higher, and farther than I've been before. I saw a church sign today that said you don't have to know where you are going if you follow the Way. I get that. As long as I stay full of Him, He'll put in the exact position He needs me to be in. I encourage you to stay hungry for Him. Don't settle for what worked yesterday. Don't rest in your routine. Go deeper.

Rain Rain

We got some much needed rain today. Being from Florida I love rain. (Yes the it rains almost everyday in West-Central Florida) So I was pleased to see that it was raining outside... too bad it brought some high wind and lightning with it. Rain is cool, but storms make me sleepy! I was working on my sermon for Wednesday night and the power went out. When I get in a study/writing groove I don't like to quit. So I finished my notes in the dark. Thank God for laptops!

Some more supplements

Here's what I'm on right now:

Frontline - The Combination

The Power of Potential

My American Journey

Five for Sunday

1. "When somone believes in you...you win. But when you believe in you...EVERYBODY WINS"- Z

2. I didn't get a full nap today...but God had more important things for me to do. Sometimes interruptions are good.

3. I just watched a buddy step into his destiny. I love it when God shows up and shows out in peoples lives!

4. My church rocks...in an R&B/gospel/Islander/latin/southern/are you kidding me kind of way...there's no place like CFA

5. I wish we had a soft serve ice cream machine in our church...I'd be eating some right now!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Great time

We've had a blast in Texas. The retreat was an awesome time of refreshing and connecting. I'll post some thoughts from the sessions some other time. All I know is that we've come away with direction, focused vision, and a fire in us like never before. This is going to be a great year not only for MCC, but for the MCIN as well. 

I've been to some big cities in my day (Atlanta, Miami, LA, Vegas, Seattle, Chicago, Cleveland, DC, Bagdad etc.), but Dallas is BIG. Do to some GPS malfunctioning I got to see a good bit of the city yesterday morning. We'll be back this way (Ft. Worth) for SRMC in November and then South Dallas for the MCIN Conference. I'm glad I know my way around! Here are some pics from downtown and the Gaylord Texan Resort where the conference was held. I didn't stay here... maybe next time. 

JFK

When I was in the 3rd grade I became fascinated with Presidential history. I was drawn particularly to JFK. I read all that I could get my hands on. It has been a dream of mine to see where he died. Think whatever you want about conspiracy or whatever... but the bottom line is this: a President being murdered is a BIG deal. I was overwhelmed by the sense of history. It's literally in the air. I've seen this place a million times in book and film. But to touch the grassy knoll, stand by the X where JFK took the fatal shot, to touch the Texas School Book Depository, to drive my vehicle down the same motorcade path, to stand where Zapruder shot his film, and to stand behind the so called 2nd shooter fence... was priceless for me. There's one thing checked off of my list.

Double Decker Challenge

I had to eat this monster burger. If I finished it...I won a 10 dollar game card at Gameworks. As the picture shows...too easy. Give me something hard to do!

So far...

... everything has been great. We've had some amazing conversations, learned a ton, and laughed plenty. There is something freeing about being in an environment where you don't have to spend 10 minutes explaining to everyone what you do. We've hung out with MC Directors from Alaska, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Iowa, New Jersey, and Alabama. And that's not everyone that's represented here. Today has been a pretty full day. We have a service tonight (Pastor Lloyd Zeigler is speaking!) that I know is going to be life changing. Tomorrow we have a morning Q+A session and then a full day of group activities. I'm still hoping to get to Dealey Plaza! I'm so blessed to have a Pastor and a church that is behind Master's Commission. Master's is more than just a new way to do youth ministry. Master's is more than just cutting edge discipleship. Master's Commission is the future of the Church. Period.

How bout' them Cowboys?

No trip to Dallas is complete without seeing some Cowboys. I figured the NFL type would be good enough. My flash was being stupid...but you get the picture. This is my 9th NFL stadium visit (Tampa Bay, Miami, Jax, St Louis, KC, ATL, Tennessee, Pittsburgh) only 23 to go.

Whatadrive...Whataburger

Thank God we made it! Time to eat...
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

The stars at night are big and bright...

Texas here I come! I'm getting ready for the MCIN Directors Retreat in Dallas. I'm stoked! I love road trips, I love hotels, and I love MC. Does it get any better? (Yes it does, but still...) I'm going to do some serious sight seeing. I've been fascinated with presidential history since I was in the 3rd grade. So I'm really looking forward to visiting Dealey Plaza and the 6th Floor Museum (Texas School Book Depository). I'm going to try to stand on or as close to the "X" that marks where JFK took the fatal shot. That might seem a little macabre, but its all in the name of history.

I'll also hit up Texas Stadium, Calvary Chapel, and maybe Southwestern Assemblies of God University. The networking is what it's all about though. We'll get to rub shoulders with director's from all over the nation. I'll finally get to meet some of my heros in Master's Commission. I'll post pics and what not from the road and along the way. 

Week of Weeks

The past 7 days have been a trip to say the least. We spent the weekend with some dear friends who are missionaries in Austria. They planted and directed Vienna Master's Commission International.

To give to this awesome ministry click here.

We stayed up past midnight all weekend just talking Master's and vision casting. It's so great to be strategically partnered with another MC that is on the other side of the world. We bounced ideas off of each other and I can't wait to implement some of the things we gleaned from them. Our students won't know what hit them next year. Get ready!
I also spent time with my dear friend who is serving God and country in Ecuador. He has been gone the past 6 months and it was great to catch up last night. I can't wait until he is back for good.
And then there is the other stuff. Thanks for anyone who prayed, gave an encouraging word, or did the right thing. Remember what Pastor Montoya said Sunday morning. Let's be united. Let's love. Let's let God fight our battles. "Far be it from me (us) to sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you (each other)" - 1 Samuel 12:23

Sunday Stuff

- Our friends will be hitting the road after church. Its been great hanging out, cathcing up, and talking MC til 1am

- It's going to bee a great week! Lots to work, lots of relaxing

- I'm proud of my MC grads! Remember your name!

- We start a new series called "Fearless" in Young Adults this morning. It'll be great.

- I'm already wondering what's for lunch...
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

5 Saturday thoughts

1. The dinner theatre should be nice tonight

2. No young adults meeting tonight

3. I really enjoy watching "Run's House"

4. I'm blessed beyond measure!

5. God is growing MCC...I'm so excited

Work I Believe In - 5

This one is for fun. I believe in Brooks, Barber, and Williams. I believe in the most effective cover 2 defense to ever line up on a field. I believe in smash-mouth-run-it-down-your-throat-pick-you-apart Gruden offense.I believe in the cannon shots from the pirate ship in the North end zone. I believe in swashbucklers and the most menacing mascot in all of football. I believe that great things will happen on those 100 yard that are bordered by MLK, Himes, and Dale Mabry. Go Bucs!

Work I Believe In - 4

I love soldiers. I have a passion for our servicemen and women. I served in the US Army for 5 years and I spent 1 year in Iraq. There are so many uninformed extremists ,both conservative and liberal, who don't have a clue about what our military goes through. There are peacenik liberals who think our soldiers are just tools of destruction with no soul. There are right-wing fanatics who think our soldiers are God's agent of wrath on a heathen world. Both of these extremes are so shallow. Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, are people just like you and me. Some of them just needed a good steady job. Some are more educated then you and I will ever be, yet they CHOOSE to serve. They are mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters. They represent every state (and our territories!). They are a slice of every language and tongue, religion and culture. The decisions they make day in and day out are hard. if serving in the military were easy, everyone would do it. Yet these great Americans choose to live selfless lives to protect someone else's right to sit at home and do nothing. They give themselves so that protesters can complain about the war in freedom. Talk about ironic! And they need Jesus too. The Chaplains who provide for the spiritual needs of our service men and women are my heros. I'm so blessed to be in a military church. Over 2/3 of our churches are directly related to the military. We have Ft Campbell , KY right in our backyard. We have several men and women from our congregation currently deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and parts unknown. Pray for our military. Heres a little video of my unit... The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)... in action. This is what I lived for a year. (FYI: at about 6:43 into the video, I'm driving the forklift that pulls the stuff out of the plane)

Work I Believe in - 3

I am passionate about reaching America. I have a strong call to be Jesus right here in the US. I love ministry that gets out of the office, away from the pulpit, and into the lives of everyday people. No ministry accomplishes that better than the Dream Center. There are Dream Centers all over the place. I have a dream of one day being directly involved in dream center ministry (planting, directing, etc). Here's some info from the one that started it all...THE LA Dream Center led by Pastor Matthew Barnett.

Work I Believe In - 2

Lloyd Zeigler has indirectly influenced me in a great way. Since the mid 80s he has been the leader of Master's Commission USA and eventually became the CEO of the Master's Commission International Network. And you know how much I love Master's Commission! Pastor Lloyd has a heart discipleship and ultimately people. This year he is chasing probably his biggest lion yet. With the blessing of Phoenix First Assembly and Pastor Tommy Barnett, he is planting "The Relevant Church" in the Dallas area. Along with the church plant, the entire MCIN and MCUSA teams are relocating to TX as well. I'm so excited about what God has in store for this great movement called Master's Commission.  Here's the intro from this year's MCIN conference in Phoenix.

Work I believe in - 1

For the next few days I want to share some projects that I really believe in. These are missionaries, church planters, and just good ole' Christ-followers who are my hero's.

Today I'll start with Earl Creps. Earl is an educator, writer, and for a while has been the voice of all things postmodern/emergent/relevant/hip/ or whatever you call it for the Assemblies of God. I just think he's neat. I've never met him, but I've read his work, listened to his lectures, and follow his blog. He is currently a church planter with the great task of starting a work in the community of UC-Berkley. That's right...a Christian work in one of the most unchristian places on earth. What a concept! I pray that great things come out of this work and that many lives will be impacted when Christ is revealed to them. I'm praying for you guys!

To give to this awesom work click here.

Twitter pressure

I've succumbed to the peer pressure. I'll be updating like mad via twitter. I figure all I do on face book is update my status, so why nor get connected with a site that is designed to do just that. I think it is more practical for updating folks during conferences and what not to. We'll see how it works out. Follow me by clicking here.

24 and saturday

I just found this 24-wiki page. I'm loving it! Its got all of the info for all of the seasons,books, comics, webisodes, novels, and more. I'm going to start collecting the books soon.
I had a very chill Saturday. Last night was a very late night...it was cool to chillax. I did some studying too, but for the most part I just rested up for Next Level tonight.
The weird thing is that for the first time in a long time...I have NO plans this week. I'll do the normal routine things...but there is nothing on the "radar". Maybe I'll finish a book I've been trying to get through for a while...we'll see. Oh, props to my wife for getting the downstairs bathroom squared away. She got her Mary Poppins on today!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Spent

Shot about 4 hours of fireworks...I'm wiped out. I still have a box of misc. stuff leftover. The road and drive way look like a war zone. Good times...not war zones...fireworks. This will definatley go down as one of the great 4ths. I even got my history channel on this morning with a mini marathon of "The Revolution". Now its time to veg out! I'm spent!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

July Relaxin'

This month is geared up to be "classic summer".  I've already done (and will continue) doing the firework thing. Tuesday night we sat out on the back porch and had a blast setting of crackers, sparklers, parachutes, fountains, volcanos, snappers, rockets, and a partridge in a pear tree! The weather was great and it was awesome. We are going to go to the city fireworks display tonight. That should be a real blast. Nothing like 20 minutes of fireworks on the taxpayers nickel. I'll do the BBQ thing tomorrow with some great friends and of course unleash my arsenal of pyro which should take a couple of hours at least. 

My son will be headed of to summer camp in about 2 weeks and my wife an I will be heading to Dallas for the MCIN Directors Retreat. It'll be great to spend some time in Dallas. I plan to make a pilgrimage to Deeley Plaza. We also have some MC Europe missionaries who'll be spending next weekend with us. It'll be great to catch up with them (and plan missions trips!).

Discipleship 101

I had a great discussion on discipleship yesterday. We talked about how some churches redefine discipleship...whenever they think it's not working. For example:

"Sunday school is declining, so let's start small groups."

"The small groups aren't growing, let's start interest groups."

"The interest groups are slowing down, let's define discipleship as works of community service."

And on and on....

The bottom line is this: discipleship happens ONE on ONE. It happens when a new believer becomes a COMMITTED follower of Christ AND THEN finds another new believer to help become a COMMITTED follower of Christ. We tend to focus on one end or the other. But Biblical discipleship is an intimate ONE on ONE process that happens 7 days a week as we do life together. That is our call. I love church planting. But church planting that doesn't have discipleship at its heart is just continuing the problem. I love outreach. But outreach for outreach sake is just secular charity. We have to be driven by the call to impact one life at a time until all are impacted (Matt 28:19-20).

A well known church recently released a study that proves programs don't produce disciples. They produce church-folks...but not disciples. After looking at some of their findings I just wanted to say DUH! If you read the Bible you know just showing up isn't going to produce a mature Christian. If your hearts and minds are not transformed by the word (which is what happened with the 12) then you aren't a committed follower. There are some great churches and para-church ministries that are doing it right. I pray we will all be faithful to the Commission.

Prep, meetings, explosives

Had a very fruitful day. I'm preaching from Deut 8 tomorrow night and I'm pumped about that! I spent all day getting ready...except for a couple of great meetings I had. And to top it all off I get to legally set off fireworks starting tonight! Can't wait!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T