First Church Pitch

Damon and I shared our vision for River Park Community Church tonight with the elders of First Baptist Ventura. The response we received was completely positive and the possible negative question (which wasn't even meant to be negative) was defended by Pastor Rob. The Lord continues to go before us! We'll find out details of their response hopefully by end of January before we fly to Atlanta and speak with North Point folks about strategic partnership.

Four key questions

So you're busy today... filter your busyness through these four questions:

1. Why am I doing this?
2. What is the goal?
3. Why will I succeed?
4. What happens if I choose not to do it?

So, what are you going to change? :)

Time (read: Life) Management

What are the top 100 things you'd like to do before you die?

We all have to deal with a non-renewable resource in our lives. Time. It's a gift and it can't be re-grown, fixed, or replaced... once today is over you can NEVER get it back! (sorry to be such a drag today!)

Randy Paush was on Oprah this month sharing a 10 minute version of a speech he gave at the University he teaches at. He shares about time management from a compelling platform... he has pancreatic cancer and only has months to live. Though I don't completely agree about his summation of humanity he makes many wise statements about how to manage your life.

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0aO64aKqek

Here is an hour lecture he gave in 1998 on time management... Lot's of 'gold' here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2750363533451832628

Confluence of craziness!

My wife (Shanna) is due any day, I'm moving my living room back into our place (haven't had one since June 29th) and hoping our kitchen will get installed before our son arrives, and I'm planting a church. Yea, I'm bored. Did I mention I'm battling a cold?

I'm a whiner! God is good and I feel is preparing us for something great next year!

Damon and I toured Rio Vista Middle School in Riverpark yesterday. Gym seats 500+. Multipurpose room with stage seats 500+. Facilities are better than anticipated. Now we just have to secure them. Looking forward to what the Lord brings here!

Retreat!

Finished first of three evenings at a Talbot Alumni Retreat here in Costa Mesa, CA. Was introduced to our speakers, Dale and Becky Burke, who wrote the book, "How To Lead & Still Have a Life". I'm here more for the fact that Dale is speaking and that it's $100 for this whole retreat (includes breakfast and dinner!). I would have come if Dale was teaching yo-yo classes because he's a great leader, teacher and man of God. This is a timely topic as Shanna and I embark on a very crazy, busy, unpredictable servant-leadership venture in planting a church. There are at least a couple other church planters here so I'm excited to hear their stories!

Church Planting Day 3

Damon and I met with the Senior Pastor of Camarillo Community Church. He was very excited about our call and invited us to come and share our vision and strategy with their board of elders when we get all of that stuff together.

Damon spoke with Senior Pastor of Carson Valley Christian Center who was very excited about our call to plant and wants to help us in any way he can including personally mentoring Damon.

I spoke with a potential 3rd staff person of our church plant today who said she feels that she is done in her current position. She's taken it as far as she can and is seeking God for a change. I said Damon and I would not be so stupid as to refuse to accept her application in the next few months. She seemed very intrigued... even excited! So we'll see...

Sound Equipment

I really like the digital console, it has helped with saving monitor settings and overall mixes. We currently do not run a separate monitor board.
Sound Mixer - Yamaha M7CL-48
4 Mid-Hi speakers - EV QRX 212/75
4 Subwoofers - EV QRX 218S
3 Amps - Lab Gruppen Fp 6400
Wireless Mics - Shure ULX Wireless systems Wireless In Ears - Shure P4TRE systems Headset Mics - DPA 4066 Snakes - CBI and Whirlwind Cases and Racks - Road Ready

We're planting a Church!

Last night Shanna, Damon, Janna and I decided that we feel led to move ahead with making plans to plant a church next year. We hope to open our doors next September. With at least 3 preview services through the summer. Lord, I pray that you'd continue to open this door wide.

Damon and Janna we're assessed well in Green Lake, WI. We're meeting with Ralph the senior pastor of Camarillo Community Church tomorrow to talk about their potential role in supporting our plant.

We plan to tell Rob Perkins early next week. Lord, I commit my life and my families into your hands and pray that you would be our provider.

To Your honor, glory and power!
Amen

Organizations quote from Perry Noble

Left to itself an organization will always look inward–that is why LEADERSHIP with a heart for people is so important in the church.

"I climbed up the chains!"

Today right before dinner Carissa and I walked to the park. She told me to "Go sit on the bench"... I sat nearby on the grass. She proceeded to climb up the chain to the top of the park slide apparatus. She made it all the way... she was so excited and I was so excited for her. I clapped and yelled, "Good job!!!" I could see the power of my encouraging words fill up her tank to overflowing as she was glowing with pride and excitement! She quickly went down the stairs to conquer the chains one more time and then a third before we went home. Lord, thanks for the gift of seeing Carissa conquer her fear and develop!

We just got back from a walk... Momma snoozed as she was feeling naseated. While carrying Carissa I stepped in a depression in the concrete and rupped skin off my big toe... ouch! I went over on both ankles too and almost fell to the ground. Thank God I didn't! Carissa was so concered for me... she asked to kiss my owee... being a little too bloody and on a stinky toe I told her she could kiss my cheek instead... nope, she insisted on the toe... though I never let her... yuck!

Mexico

April 1-7
Led a team of 14 down to an orphanage in Ensenada, Mx. We built 25 beds. What a great time getting to know other men in the church while blessing the children. Lord, bless Jay and Joan as they continue to serve you faithfully.

Invincible? Not!

Back is out! Monday morning I was changing out our 5 gallon water container... that was all good. Didn't feel anything. Slowly during the day my back tightened. I thought it was from stress. I even went for a run that morning. I got home at 5pm and told Shanna I needed a massage. Tuesday morning I awoke at 3:30am in pain! Couldn't get back to sleep for a couple hours! All day Tuesday I felt like an 85 yr old. This morning (Friday) I'm much better and Lord I pray that I'd continue to improve as I'm leading a team to Mexico to serve you next week!

We leave Sunday and return the following Saturday. The team has raised close to $6000 over the last month. Yeah God! I'm bringing down $5000 to buy materials to build 34 bunk beds and whatever else the orphanage needs. Lord protect us and help us to work together effectively. We're at Gaga and Gran's place visiting. Gran was surprised twice yesterday when we came and when we told her that grandchild #2 is on the way. Lord, I pray Gran would feel honored by the 28 people attending a surprise party for her birthday tonight... even her sister is flying in from Colorado Springs! Grampa Mel is giving her a trip to Hawaii... hopefully she graciously accepts in front of everyone!

Sales of Systems?

Do I want to continue in an environment where I have to continually sell leadership systems or do I want to run with guys heading in that direction? Lord, I pray that you'd direct Damon and I's steps. We want to be effective Lord... I know you'll take care of my staff and students at this church, but I feel compelled to obey you in being as effective as possible to reach folks with your message of salvation using this culture. People love Starbucks because they understand the system. People love fast-food because they understand the system and they get excellence repeated no matter what state of country they are in. Why can't the church be the same? Achieving that doesn't negate grace, love and serving one another authentically... the fear of many opposed to the corporate church.

We're Pregnant! 2-27-07

When I got home at 5pm Shanna asked me to grab a book in the bathroom for her... a pregnancy test was on the counter... I didn't even look at it cause I knew she was pregnant... and she is! Thank You Lord! Keep Shanna & baby healthy Lord, thanks!

Daddy Needs a New Diaper???

Carissa tried to put a new diaper on her stuffed animals while I watched from her bed. Then she came over and tried to put one on me! She even made reference to my "Poo Poo Butt" as she tried! What a crack up!

My sermon on Jan 28th went pretty good. Bob Tobias, elder chairman, said I did well and that I should speak again soon. That was very encouraging. I gave away 24 "Total Money Makeover" books too! Lord, I pray people are reading them and following them! One lady in the 2nd service took the one I offered for free... she was so appreciative and said her family could really use financial help right now... thanks Lord!

Sermon Prep

I've got my message down to 8 pages 14pt times new roman font. I think I'll be doing some more slicing tomorrow!

Father, I thank you for this opportunity to share your Word and insights with the congregation this Sunday. I pray for your protection over my heart and mind this weekend. Help me to make wise choices that will keep me focused upon you and diligent in my continuing preparation. I pray for good sleep and that you'd touch my body and bring me back to full health.

Lord, I pray for those who will be at church and especially those in financial trouble and heart trouble... may they hear clearly and change their habits even this week.

Shanna bought toddler panties for Carissa tonight at K-Mart as we're going to start potty training tomorrow morning. Lord, I pray that Carissa would pick up on this quickly and not soil to many clothes. Give us patience too Lord... we'll need it!

Big!!!

Father, I pray you would use me to carry your Word and message of salvation to multitudes of people!
Damon called yesterday and said he had a meeting with Ralph... the Pastor of Camarillo Community Church. Ralph said they've been planning for a year to plant a church in Oxnard area and are looking for leaders to make that happen. That's potentially incredible! He recomended a next step for me, Damon, John Turner and our wives to go to the Baptist Church planting assesment center in Wisconson! Lord, I pray that you'd give clarity and open this door if this is your will. Ralph is going to be at North Point in three weeks and Damon will try and get him and John Turner together for a meal. Lord, I pray for something big to come out of this. I pray for John Turner and that you'd guide him out to this area to plant a church.

Father, I want to be part of an effective team focused on reaching out to the community... I love the people here at this church Lord, but if you call me elsewhere, I'll follow.

Simple Church: a congregation designed around a staightforward and strategic process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth.

There is a relationship between being simple and being effective.

Change is here...

Well, today I found out that our H.S. Pastor is going to be done at the church in less than two months... instead of the expected 5 months. That's pretty darn quick. The Elders pushed the date up so they can release him to fully concentrate on his church plant. That was a shock to him... and the whole staff. Tomorrow I have a meeting with the CMT (Co-Management Team) to discuss my role. I'm guessing that I'll be asked to take over high school as well as middle school. That's big to me... I'm feeling stressed and nervous about the conversation already... why? Cause change is change which is change and that means change.... uneasiness and less control and many unknowns etc... also, I question whether I'm the guy for the job. I question how this will work structurally. I question whether I can relate well to high schoolers. I am wondering whether this is a time the Lord is releasing me to another church.

Lord, give me wisdom and discernment and courage in the coming days. Lord, give me the right words to say during the coming crucial conversations.

Came home with Carissa's 'big girl' mattress today. $99.00 from the Ortho Mattress place on main... good price. I hope she's comfy on it! We'll try her out on it this Friday night. Tomorrow we go to an LA Kings Game and Carissa is spending the night at the Yanez's house. Should be fun!

Prayer & Treasure

Jan 8, 07
I'm speaking to my students on prayer this Wednesday. I'm sticking to a great format that I've used many times successfully in my own prayer journey... ACTS. We're actually going to take time to write out a prayer journal to God at the end of my message. My goal in speaking is to not just be a talking head but to cause my students to learn by modelling and getting them to practise what I teach. Lord, I pray for fruitfulness this Wednesday!

On the 28th I speak in the three main services on treasure.... where your treasure is there your heart will be also. 2nd time ever in the pulpit here at first Baptist and I'm talking about money. Lord, teach me this month. Overflow my cup with your wisdom in this scripture and help me draw out your principles in a creative and memorable way for people to remember.

Wow, it went up to 29 celcius today... in January! I ran at the beach... it was glorious! The tide was high though, so it ment trudging through softer sand. Slowest time yet, but I still completed it! Yahoo!

A little pooch ran past me... I said 'hi' to him... he glanced at me quickly but then swung his attention to his master right away. Something I need to do with distractions lately... swing my attention away from them and to my master.... Lord, thanks for using a dog to teach me today.