random thoughts to begin my week...

great weekend. we had our services and they were good. the pep-rally for our ministry went well. we signed up 7 new leaders to begin training them for the work of the ministry. our focus has recently shifted from doing ministry, to preparing others for their part of the minsitry. It is quite challenging and different from what I have done before, but it is beneficial. Dee and I are already benefiting from this new focus. it takes alot off of our plate so we can focus on building and directing. I just wish we could have done this before. but when your focus was building systems and not people, it just doesn't work out. We have to keep the focus on building people and not ministries. ministry will happen out of healthy people. so pray for us for added wisdom and direction as we continue our work. it is a blessing to serve God. it is a blessing to serve the people of God. May God bless you.

heaven here on earth

so I had a great day today. went to the kids school today for their end of the year parties. it was cool. reminded me of when i was just a young buck so excited the school year was over and summer was in session. they were dancing, laughing, singing, and all that great stuff you use to do before you "grew up". man, it was fun watching my children celebrate a milestone in their life. so yes, they all passed. wow, my oldest Sam goes into high school this year! im getting old. its all good though because everyday I get closer to God, and have more fun in my life. im mean, its not always easy. challenges are just a part of life. but God is always there to teach me and guide me. I went to a prayer/cookout deal tonite at Toby's house. very cool. God showed up in a powerful way. It was nice to experience God in an organic way. just some guys sitting around blessing the Lord with worship and prayer. prophecy was flowing, revival in our hearts, and just the awesome love of the Lord Jesus. it doesnt get much better than that. God's will was done tonite. a little piece of heaven here on earth.

my goodness!!

I was just interested in refinancing my house for a better rate and maybe a little extra cash. I filled out a form online and bam!!!!!!!!!! 589,235,453 people called within 24 hours!! what a competitive market. ha I mean they did not waist anytime. I got to tell you. I hate when they bash competition too. You know if your product is good and you do business right you dont have to worry about everyone else. Im sure there is enough home mortgages to go around. Anyways, just thought I would share that. otherwise it has been a productive day. lots done at the church and house. Now im getting ready to go get ready for a dinner date. sooo... peace out!!

monday was cool

started by going to the church and redoing the sound in the MP room. then we went and picked the kids up and took them to Tae Kwon Do class and watched them(we opted out of our class tonite). Then OCharleys for a little bite to eat, yeah cuz, the kids eat FREE baby!! Then we came home and played a little football in the yard. cool day. well... hope your day was sweet too. if not, sorry, but look at this way. if your reading this it cant be all that bad, your still alive! God bless you.

interested in bible college courses?

check out http://www.freebiblecollege.com for info on free online bible courses. you can even pay for them at like only $20 a course then receive a degree once you complete them all. pretty cool stuff if your like me just wanting to learn more and be more effective at ministering the word. dont get me wrong, the bible is indeed all you need to learn about God. but these courses teach you in suc a way you can catalog this info and become more effective in communicating it. sooo... whatever. if you are interested check it out. its pretty cool.

random stuff on Sunday...

so its mothers day, hope you didnt forget!! I almost did being the inconsiderate person I can be sometime (at least im honest) however I did get my gift and did give it to Dee this morning. she liked it. was some nice earrings that I know she wanted. matches a bracelet she already has.

had a great conversation with a very cool Toby at church today. great guy. we were talking about missions, and how he had went to Costa Rica for a wedding and ended up staying for two years to spread the gospel!! very cool. talked about how God provided for Him supernaturally for those years and really did some cool stuff in that time. I will be hangin with that guy some more. for sho!!

so im at home now cookin' some chicken and about to eat with the family. ya heard!! watching the Godfather (only the coolest movies EVER made) so that is about it today. should be a cool week ahead. will be making some contacts with other youth pastors in the area to see how things are going and possibly do some stuff together. sooo... until next time peace out!!

rend your hearts, save the garments

I deleted my old blog and wanted to start a new one. so here it is. I began asking God about two months ago to break my heart for the same things that are breaking His. I was inspired to do so after reading these scriptures from the book of Joel 2:

12 "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

I read that and came to the conclusion that God isnt into our outward expressions of "religion", He is not concerned about how many times we sit in a seat at church, or how well we sing a song, or if we know how to motion our hands in a certain cross formation, etc. He is most concerned about our life being pure for His plans and purposes to make an impact on this earth for the advancement of His kingom. God wants us to "rend our hearts" to show our commitment and love for Him and not go through meaningless motions. He wants us too be concerned with the same things that concern Him. That is orphans, the poor, widows, single moms, people that have never heard the gospel, and so the list goes on. As a matter of fact, James went as far to say that our religion is useless, defiled, and impure unless we are willing to help these groups of broken and lost people. I figure that is why that after two years of attending church most Christians feel like they stop growing in Christ. I mean, faith without works is dead, meaningless religion in the eyes of God. Maybe that is why we feel so far from God sometimes. we have to assume that after that long and we have no works of faith being done (also talked about in James) that it is considered just religion. repetition of meaningless rhetoric. going through the motions and saying the right things but living passionately in defiance to what God looks at as pure and unstained. my hope is that I can continue to be conformed not of this world but transformed by renewing my mind and my heart before God everyday and saying God I want you to use me to make an impact on this earth for the sake of your Son's sacrifice and the love that You have for all the people, of all the nations of this creation you have placed us in and granted dominion over. Lord help me.