Jesus is Risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

The words from the book of John about Easter in Chapter 20

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.




They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"



"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus."Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!"



And she told them that he had said these things to her.On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side.




The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

Looking for Summer Interns...

Do you know anyone who would be a good fit for PCC's summer internship?

Pass this on!

Wedded Bliss

Right now I am writing from a hotel in Chicago. I got to see some family and also visited my Alma Mater NPU to promote PCC's Summer Internship. But the main reason we (me and my family) are in Chicago-land culminated this weekend with the wedding of a good friend of ours Aimee, now Mrs. Melgar. It was a beautiful ceremony of worshiping God. I love officiating weddings (a lot more than I like going to them, sometimes).


There is something amazing about facilitating this momentous event the lives of people. I don't just want to sit and "watch" but I want to participate! Especially when I get to celebrate with two people who have patiently and purely waited for God's best for their lives it is powerful!
Getting to pray with people, speak from God's word about God's plan for love and relationships--I just love it. Last night was no exception. What an honor! And I always get to have great conversations after, too. Mostly because people have stereotypical expectations about pastors. Why is it so weird that I was dancing the Macarena and doing the Robot on the dance floor? Don't all pastors do that?
(Seriously, last night I got to pray with a couple whose grandson Dylan was in some critical care at three months of age. Please pray for him to heal!)

I have loved having my family attached at my side, too. After the ceremony I just had to run to Wendy and tell her how much I love her and that I will forever keep my vows to her! Another nuance in the wedding officiating for me is what God is teaching me and doing in me now that I am a father. Below is a letter I will print out and put in Isella's journal that I am keeping for her!



Dear Isella,
You had your first wedding experience. I was officiating the ceremony for two great Christians who God brought together. I got to see two people vow to commit to love each other and rely on God's power to have a marriage that thrives and lasts. I usually get a little choked up when I am doing a ceremony because preparing always reminds me how much I love your mom and how I would do it all over again with her. But now that we have you I have more reasons to get emotional. As I watched the bride's father "give her away" tonight I couldn't help but think some day I will do that for you. Just thinking about it causes me to well up. Not so much that some day I will "lose you" to your future husband (although I do get a little sad thinking about that and that I loved you first song hits me right in the gut), but because of this amazing privilege God has given me to raise you up to be a godly woman--just like your mom--and prepare you for two things--1-to raise you to love God and be a blessing to the world and if God wills a total gift to your future husband and 2-first and foremost (if God wills) to wait and find a worthy man who loves God with his whole heart and will love and honor you! After the ceremony I was holding you and walking through out the wedding hall talking to you about how much I love you and how I vow to give you my best so that you can be who God created you to be. I desperately pray and hope that you see God's good plan for your life and that you make great choices that honor him. Every day I will pray for you and remind you of this so that when that one day comes and I give you away and you are now longer under my care, I can faithfully say to you that I have loved raising you and preparing you for the life God has for you!
Dio Ti Benedica figlia mia! Ti amo con tutto corozone mio!

Rolling the dice

Saturday night Wendy and I had a date night and spent it with a hundred other people. PCC's Plus Ministry hosted a huge Chinese food potluck and a little known dice game now becoming famous called BUNCO. It was a cool intergenerational event. Seriously, four people came up to me saying how nice it was to see "young people" attending the event. They didn't just mean me and Wendy but a group of PCC young adults joined the fun, too. I love that. We might not like the same music, wear the same clothes, or be dealing with similar life issues but we can eat the same food, play the same games and share the same God! Andrew, one of our young adults, said he made ten new connections with people he never would have known by just coming to a worship gathering on Sunday. That's so worth it! And people invited their friends. One favorite moment was seeing this big muscular guy with tattoos on his arms and great facial art (goatee and beard) towering over three little gray haired ladies as he rolled the dice! A man after my own heart! I pray he sensed God's love and acceptance in this simple way. I love our church and the effort to be connected and intergenerational. I hear more and more how important this is from the men and women in their twenties. So thanks to Plus Ministry! Another one of my favorite moments of the night was partnering with Henrie(tta)--I was her partner once and we won, and then she rolled against me and beat me silly. She's good. She had a way of rolling winning combinations multiple times in a row and doing it humbly. While if I would have rolled the same combos I would have been it rubbing in my opponents' faces HMMMM....

CONFESSION:
It's funny that I wouldn't call myself "competitive" but I gotta admit I got little edgy and impatient rolling those dice with no success! You know you have issues when you are praying for the dice to roll in your favor. I had to laugh. I'm praying to win the game when I could have been praying for people to have fun, be blessed...or you know, come to Christ. Thank God for his grace and sense of humor.

La tartine has a new system

When you order you get a city instead of a number! Clever . This was
mine from Sunday. Sent from my iphone.

buzz

This past weekend I was at a training for a new physical fitness program that is coming to PCCC! That's a P and 3 C's --Peninsula Covenant Community Center!

BODY TRAINING SYSTEMS
Check out the link and watch the video at the bottom right hand corner.

With that--I came away this weekend pumped (and sore) about this new group fitness program coming to PCCC! The trainer leading the weekend was so into BTS that she motivated all of us through her excitement about how BTS can change people's health and change their life---and seriously I came away pumped about real life change not only through group fitness but through God's love! Our trainer at one point said that this group fitness program is so awesome, people are going to be talking about it. She believed in this "product" so much as a way of life that she believed there would be a buzz around Redwood City about people's experience with Body Training Systems. It really convicted me. I thought, how often is the "buzz" about stuff that isn't really satisfying or eternal? The buzz usually is about movies, sports, fashion, money, news, etc....but when we are living in God's kingdom--we have so much to "buzz" about. It really made me think! I hope I buzz. I hope WE buzz.

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

Friday 2/29/08

This Friday night is YOUNG ADULTS' DISCIPLESHIP NIGHT.

Discussion, prayer, Q&A, scripture, and practical application to your life as a Jesus Follower around the issue of WAITING.


MEETING room is in the community center LOUNGE not the lobby, but the lounge located between the Bayview room and Room 301 right next to gym. It was formally used as the summer intern lounge.

Park on the church building side, walk across the brown bridge, go up the stairs toward the gym, take a left down the hall, pass room 301 and enter in the last door on the left.

Una mas Burritos and drinks provided.


LED BY WALT GERBER former lead pastor from Menlo Park. Pres.
6:30 pm start.

Living the transformed life: Green book reflection

When I hear people talk about how fathers should get up at the crack of dawn, before the whole family is awake, to read and pray...I'm tempted to feel guilty. Because I'm not a morning person and never have been. The thought of getting up even one minute before Isella does (usually 6-6:30am) is not very appealing! I never hear people talking about how holy it is to stay up late at night and pray-only that getting up early is what really spiritual people do. (I think I'm going to have to change that paradigm). With that said, when I do get up on the early shift (which believe me seems like never compared to how many times my wife does) of course I am talking with God, reciting scripture over Isella, singing, and trying to bring to find ways to praise God and through the day. Even with out getting up early to study, there are still many ways to pray, be devotional, and align your day with God. It's not always easy to read on the early shift, because Isella happens to really like books---and always want to get her hands, or mouth, on them. She is pulling herself up now which means she's falling backwards a lot, too which means hitting her head or other parts of her body on whatever furniture is behind her. So it's hard to keep your eyes on a book when you fear for your child's life every few minutes. Despite that, I managed to read a few pages from the GREEN BOOK today (with Isella close by continually grabbing for the book. I even read the verses out loud and prayed Philippians 1:9-11 over her. I couldn't resist shooting some pics of her eating the book). I loved this reflection below (in light of my last post from Thursday). If you are following along in the green book we are in the third Sunday of Lent found on page 140.



Probably our journey of forgiveness will be impossible unless we realize we can't do it alone. We are not the source of our healing. Truly the kingdom of God is within us as Jesus told us. But that Kingdom is God's presence, and we need God's help to experience that inner glory. As with any deep healing and release, the empowered mercy of God within and around us is ours to claim. We must face the facts: we are vulnerable (woundable); we have been hurt; we need to name our hurt and our deep needs as clearly and fully as we can. Little can change until we have faced where we actually are.
-From Forgiveness; THE PASSIONATE JOURNEY by Flora Slosson Wuellner



May we name our hurts and needs and experience God's love, mercy, and power (wherever it is in a movie theater or a bathroom)! May we experience God's kingdom. May we be a people who eat God's word and live it out! May we be transformed!

Definitely, Maybe, SCARY

Since being married I've seen more chick flicks than I ever thought I would see. And hey--some of them I am actually liking...27 Dresses-Check, Juno-Check, Enchanted-check.

Last night we went out to see another chick flick and in the downtown RWC CENTURY 20 theater lobby they had this cardboard cut out for pictures. With iphone in hand we got a shot. I fell to my knees laughing so hard it was worth the scary results. It was a great release to what happen minutes before....



In all seriousness-- we had just come out of the show from seeing Definitely Maybe (Ryan Reynolds/Abigail Breslin).



I thought I would love it because of the father daughter thing, which I did. Cute.



Acting was really good and believable. But what really got me was the issue of divorce. Although the movie doesn't delve into the pain all that much. It was a typical, Hollywood glamorization that just barely touched the pain and consequences of divorce But that didn't stop God's Spirit from moving in me. (Can God use a movie that doesn't necessary promote him or his values for family/sex in any way?--Well, God did use it) After the flick I went into the the bathroom and just cried. I just sat on a toilet--looking at the ground to see if there were any other feet hanging out beside me--crumbled up toilet paper and just bawled for a good two minutes. It came out of no where, so it seemed, but God was there with me in that moment. I really needed to do it. It was another part of God removing some of Satan's fiery arrows from me. And honestly I wanted to avoid it and cover up my face--even from Wendy. When I came out Wendy looked at me, wondering what took me so long and said, "Uh, are you OK? Did dinner not agree with you?" And I said, "Well, I'm not OK, and it wasn't about dinner." We talked in the car on the way home and I realized there are many layers to this experience (being a child of divorce) for me, and it's good for me to recognize my on-going process of healing and maturing--(and blogging about them is such a good way for me to process and ask for prayer). The movie showed a little bit of the pain a child goes through when parents divorce and last night I was reminded of that pain, and some of the reality that the pain never fully goes away even through adulthood. Although I was only five when divorce first struck my life, I still feel the effects as a 32 year old adult. I love my parents and give them such grace (and all others in my family who have endured divorces, too) for the past. No family is perfect and we all have our dysfunctions to work through and heal. And as I look forward I pray God continues to remind me of his love for me and his power to redeem the past and make right the future! For his glory in my life and now in my marriage and family. God is good and he redeems. Joel 2:25

IT REMINDS me of this song that God inspired in me about 4 years ago!


Since the very beginning, you had a beautiful plan,
we have a way of forgetting, forever your purpose will stand

even when we had wandered, you led us back to your ways,
you are renewing our spirits, you are redeeming our days

LET IT BE FOR YOUR GLORY, LET IT BE FOR YOUR FAME, LET IT BE FOR YOUR KINGDOM
AND LET IT BE TODAY

you are close to the broken, you rescue those in need
oh Father will you forgive us, we want your Spirit to lead

you revealed yourself, you've shown the way
so now we pray in Jesus' name

LET IT BE FOR YOUR GLORY, LET IT BE FOR YOUR FAME, LET IT BE FOR YOUR KINGDOM
AND LET IT BE TODAY


I pray our community comes full circle in finding true redemption in all our pain.

Sex, Love, and More

Tonight was cool. Once a month (or so) we have what is called a DISCIPLESHIP night: A gathering to discuss relevant issues for the Christ-following young adult. With some good pizza and Starbucks' Frapps on hand we went after tonight's Topic:

DATING/LOVE/MARRIAGE/SEX

It was so cool to partner in ministry with my wife Wendy and share (in our crammed living room) with a bunch of our young adults, all who are trying to figure out God's design and authentically live for him in our community. I love it and I was so proud to see these men and women taking their relationships and purity seriously.

I could have gone all night talking about these issues--and teaching from my own baggage, but we have Isella's internal clock to deal with early in the morning so we obviously had to end.

Here's some of our notes from the night

Overarching concept: God has called us to a life that honors him. If we know God’s love, our actions will reflect who he is in all of life and all of our relationships. God’s design from the beginning has been one man and one woman in an emotionally, sexually, and spiritually intimate relationship (one flesh) called marriage. We as God’s followers must seek to understand God’s design and live it out faithfully as a means of loving him and loving others (Great Commandment) in healthy community. This is known as a standard (Bull’s eye) that we seek after not because we have to, but because we want to, knowing that it honors God but also has benefits for us and those we are in relationship with. We have an absolute truth from God’s word. Although not every explicit detail has been spelled out for us in scripture we can appropriate God’s truth practically in our life and relationships (and help each other, too)! Remember our life is about experiencing (feeling) and choosing love and this puts us in partnership with God. This puts us accountable to have discussions with our friends and dating partners to prevent from creating bonds (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) that were only meant for marriage---and a good, healthy, God-honoring relationship is worth waiting for!

FLAME-Rob Bell Video recap: Three types of love in the Hebrew: Friendship, Commitment (marriage), and Erotic. We need all three for healthy sexuality! See Video below (10 minutes in length)

Verses we referenced tonight:
Genesis 3
Song of Solomon
Romans 7
1 Corinthians 6
Galatians 6
Ephesians 4 & 5
1 Thessalonians 4

Resources used in our conversation:
(All of them and are available on amazon.com for under $15).

What’s the Difference? Manhood and Womanhood defined according to the Bible By John Piper

Relationships by Drs Les and Leslie Parrot

Boy Meets Girl & I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris

Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Boundaries in dating by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Love is a Choice (Letting Go of unhealthy relationships) by Hemfelt, Minirith, Meier

Thrill of the Chaste, Finding fulfillment while keeping your clothes on by Dawn Eden

Should I Get Married? By M. Blaine Smith

Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships by Chip Ingram

Broken Image by Leanne Payne

All of these books have aided in our relationship before marriage and continue to be resources we reference for others and continue to go back to for ourselves in different ways! To those who participated tonight, thank you! Wendy and I loved it and we will continue to pray for you. Don't forget to take another (or deeper) look into the packet with all it's articles and worksheets. There are great pages in there for those needed healing of past sexual sin, those wondering about current compatability, and those considering marriage. These are great conversation starters and reasons to pray together as a community! Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (purity!)!

God is Good! God's design for relationships is Good. God loves relationships!
God loves sex (in marriage)!!!

Syncing....

I've been spending some time this week syncing. Not lip syncing sorry, but getting all the info from my old phone to my new phone. It's a little time consuming but it has to be done and I don't mind because I really like this phone. Thank you again to those who made it happen. It often tries to get me to worship it. This amazing little iPhone wants me, wants my time and my affection. But I remind it and myself--that MAC is not a god I want to bow down to. Besides I only bow to one God, the true God. Obviously iphone worship is a little humorous, but lets be honest, how easy is it to worship things? Very easy for me. So the most important syncing I'm trying to do is with God. Connecting with him and aligning my heart with his. I've been in my my favorite epistle which is Ephesians yesterday and today. I love that Paul spends three chapters straight up preaching God's love, our identity and straight theology! Then chapters 4-6 are all about living out of that place of receiving God's love and being our true identity. I always appreciate that what preceded the commands of holy living is the love of our holy God. It's always important for me to remember when Paul preaches no hint of sexual immorality, be filled with the Holy Spirit, live a life worthy of God's calling (and more) that he first told us God chose us, marked us, saved us, blessed us, and empowered us to do so (in chapters 1-3)



We are also currently now on page 128-DISCIPLESHIP in our GREEN BOOK readings. Since we are in the season, called Lent we are preparing for Easter (Lent is the 40 days before Easter--which you can read about on Page 126 in the Green Book. One word you'll need to know is Catachumen: a person being taught the elementary facts, principles, etc. of Chrisianity).

Here's a fave reflection of mine from this week's reading. It is used for the response prayer on 129 and quoted again on 133. Make this personal for you. I have added my own in parenthesis.

(Abba Father) Take, Lord, and recieve all my liberty(free will) my memory (the good of old and the pain of the past), my understanding (my gadgets, dreams, expectations, discouragement) and my entire wil--all that I have and call my own. You have given it all to me (my family, my ministry, my community, my giftings). To you Lord I return it. Everything is yours (my money and my time) do with it what you will. Give me only your love and grace. That is enough for me.

Craig R. Dykstra's reflection on the Church on page 133 is completely encouraging and challenging.

The blessing prayer on page 130 is very eye opening. Great to use hand in hand with SEEK GOD FOR THE CITY.

Don't forget lots going on!
Thurs-Valentine Dinner at Fallon Fellas
Friday-Young Adult Discipleship night at our house!

Check in at our calendar online!

www.peninsulacovenant.com/ya

How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts!

So today was a crazy, awesome day. Usually if I wake up at 6am I am sitting in my pajamas with Isella in the living room. Today I was getting ready and preparing for our church's worship gatherings. I had to sport a full on suit (a rarity for me) for the formal time in the morning and got to speak three times on Luke 11:1-13. I really experienced God's spirit moving, loved being a mouthpiece for him, and was again affirmed of my call to use my gifts in the community of PCC. I love our church. And wearing a suit wasn't half bad.

PCC's Worship Gatherings


As I spoke, I was reminding not only the church but I was reminding Myself three times today that God gives good gifts, even in our pain or tragedy God is still good. It is the goodness of God that motivates us to be persistent and bold. I love truth!

Usually we all go out and hang out at La Tartine after our 5:30pm Sunday night worship gathering. After being so tired from a great, long day, I was ready to go home and just relax with Wendy. But I was encouraged to show up at La Tartine because someone said, "You're going to get a gift." Of course this aroused my curiosity and I wanted to grab a quick bite to eat anyway. The crazy thing is all these great friends of my mine--the young adults who call our community home got together and pitched in to treat me. Just because. Some shared some verbal encouragements and thanked me with a toast and then presented me with huge box. I prepared myself for some hand-stitched quilt or scrapbook to pop out (don't get me wrong--we all could use another quilt) but when I opened this huge box --what was disguised inside was an iPHONE!!!!!!!!



I was shocked, tripped out, speechless, and sooo totally thankful! About a month ago at our retreat we had an iPhone conversation. I casually joked that I "admired" this new technology from afar but realistically it wasn't in our budget. I never thought I'd own an iPhone!

And now I do. This is a sweet gift. We have a sweet community. It was so funny because the baristas were hanging out over the counter watching the whole thing happen. Watching me open it and asking if it was my birthday. Um, no it is in June and Christmas was two months ago.

Hugely thankful! I love being a PCC pastor. I love our community. Thank you!





Now, I have to learn how to work this gadget....

Visiting Chicago and NPU

I just got back yesterday from a little trip to Chicago. Every year around this time the denomination that PCC is a part of and that I serve in has a conference. It's usually held in the cold of Chicago (my roots) to give true meaning to it's name: MidWinter Conference. It was cold and snowy--and thankfully I got in an out by plane with no major delays. Amidst workshops and large gatherings sessions meant to teach, equip, and encourage pastors and church leaders I got to hang out with family and friends. This was probably the most refreshing for me. Although it is so hard to leave my wife and daughter, I fully appreciate Wendy's sacrifice of being a single mom for five days (not easy with no daddy breaks) so I could go! I missed them a lot but had a lot of time to brag on them and show slideshows of Isella through my computer :)!



The most significant times were spent with a some good old friends from college just praying and talking about what God is doing in their lives, churches, and families. Another highlight was visiting my Alma Mater -North Park University--and doing dinner with the college students from PCC. Along with fellow PCC friends/co-ministers--Gary and Marilyn, we made our way to familiar territory of Chicago's north side. Re-entering the famed Anderson hall dorm was like a dejavu!



Holly, Elle, Christy, Jenny, and Justin (honorary PCC member as a former intern) went out to my favorite Mexican restuarant Garcia's. We had such cool conversation. I was reminded of the "good old days" of college life. Those years at NPU were so formative in my understanding of God and the church. I lived among great lovers of God who weren't just talking--they were walking. Even at a Christian school it is not easy to find people who are serious about their relationship with God. As we talked (over some of the best burritos ever), I was so encouraged to hear these college Christians wresling with issues on campus and dreaming about their future. I pray that this generation goes deep into God's heart (Ephesians 3). I pray that they would truly understand his love and respond appropriately and authentically. I pray that they are protected from the enemy's seduction and deception (Ephesians 6 and 1 Peter 5) and I pray that they enjoy God's love and live in their identity as his Child (Ephesians 1-2)! What a time well spent. Talking about life, future, the church, and good issues. Add some laughs about Christian culture and some good music and youtube suggestions ( I spent an hour on itunes later that night looking up their suggestions and found some new favorites) and it was an all around good night to connect with our church family!


Awesome part is that it snowed and made the town look beautiful.




PS. I welcome your comments--and I am always looking for good music suggestions. What kind of music selections? Any really--but mostly--funk, blues, rock, dance, alternative, Euro, Latin, folk, electronic, jazz, and pop. I'm picky about rap/hip-hop, oldies, classical and country. I like some selected few. I've been into maybe a handful of hard-core. So any you can send my way would be great. I've got an itunes card to use.

Shalom

I have found myself (again) in need of some rest both in the Lord--a spiritual refreshing--and a physical respite from working, studying, and doing. I got on a plane for a conference and thankfully built in the time was pockets to find peace and prayer. I was looking forward to getting out of my routine (although desperately missing my family) I hadn't had much time to do some writing, journal, movie watching, and just getting horizontal for an extended amount of time with some good tunes. In the midst of life's routine, one of my biggest challenges is that I am continuing to find myself challenged in the pursuit of my "higher education." A masters degree requires a lot of work in general. A master's degree in theology just comes with added pressure for me. I feel this need to give it my all, after all it is not just a piece of paper I am after but a depth in my understanding and relationship with God. I also want my studies to be worshipful not just hoops to jump through. At times I resent Seminary. I get frustrated how much emphasis I/we (who is we? I don't know--just some people that I assume think like this--possible another issue I should address) put on seminary. As if sitting in a class and writing papers qualifies anyone for ministry. (I mean, sometimes I wonder what happened to Jesus' way of making disciples--taking ordinary people and spending life, teaching, healing, and loving people. Please don't get me wrong I see the value of my education and really appreciate what I am learning, but I have to be careful not to miss God. In other words it is easy to do God's work (studying, helping, exerting energy, etc) and miss interacting or seeing him, God, face to face--for whatever that means.

For instance, I am desperately trying to finish papers and read 1000 page books --just to finish them so I can move on to other parts of life--like just laying on the couch, playing with my daughter, and enjoying my wife. Well, all that to say that I want to learn to balance the aspects of my life--my family, and then ministry in community all the while CENTERING my life on God--consciously knowing he is in, involved, around, within, and over all that I do. I'm learning to be fully present and in the moments of my life--not lingering in the past or fearing anxiously the future. My word for this season continues to be AT HOME. I am called to be at home with myself, at home in God and his love. God wants me to be loved, secure, humbly confident, and satisifed--and it is is still a struggle. The struggle- juggle can be overwhelming. Guilt wants to be my (pseudo-) friend. Guilt likes to remind me that I'm not good enough at studying. Guilt enjoys pointing out how much more could be done in our community, guilt lies to me about what others think and the how my choices my affect my family in negative ways. (I have this nagging fear that my wife or daughter would feel second or third to my work or anything else. (Let me just say that I love my wife and Wendy is such a huge encouragement and support and helping me try to maintain a healthy balance and believe truth).

On top of this, I am finding myself in some situations where I am at a loss of how to respond. I am seeing the battle of the Spirit and my flesh and I am asking God to fill me and help me.

So, today-I had some time of sitting and resting in God. I got in the green book, which got me in the word. Reading number 10 on page 88 is titled: Come and Rest while. Hmmm..How appropriate.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;

for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-14)

I then attached an ipod to my head and let truth sink into my mind. I love this sound. I played it over and over and over and over and sang at the top of my lungs claiming it as my heart's prayer asking God to take my life---all that I am and align my will with his.

Take My Life Lyrics by Passion

Lead Worshipper: Chris Tomlin

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee

Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee
Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use every power as You choose

Here am I
All of me
Take my life
It's all for Thee

Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at your feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee
---


Here I am Lord. I'm yours. I'm at home. In you, I'm complete and satisfied. You are good, enough, and more than good enough for all of me and my needs and struggles.

I love your peace. I love you God.

MISSION ITALY 2008?

It's past midnight and I just can't sleep. I've been in planning and future prep mode all day. Wendy and I have been talking and praying all night. It seems like God is leading me (and any others that want to join) back to Italy this year. There have been some fun and significant signs that it is time to organize a team and return. (Not even kidding--besides that I had a dream where I was talking Italian with our friends there last week, I've had numerous people ask about Italy, and then a candle yesterday dripped wax in the shape of a boot!)




Each trip has amazing special memories and God's supernatural encounters (plus great food! Que Buona!)


We went four years in a row as a community (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006--some pictured here from 2004, 2005, and 2006), and then we didn't go this past year because we had our baby. Wendy and I have been praying a lot about this and it seems that the best option would be for me to go and lead a team with out her and Isella. Although this will be really hard for me to be away for two weeks, I know God will enable me and take care of them. Wendy is totally for this and I really sense God guiding. We have always had this in our prayer and we feel very connected to our friends and church there. In fact, I talk with Marco from Catania by Skype a lot and Antonio by email and phone every so often!
(Team 2003)
(Team 2004 above)
(team 2005 above)
(team 2006 above)

So I am inquiring to see who out there would be interested in joining the team, raising the money, and doing the hard work to prepare for ministry and unity! Anyone? Soccer players, musicians, actors for dramas, and anyone with a heart to help people know God's love who is willing to learn another language (or use a lot of hand motions and a dictionary).

We are still praying through this but here is a rough time line--


3/2: Deposit & Registration due March 2nd-$500

March-June Fund raising ($4000) Daddy Daughter Dance, letter writing and other creative ideas.

Secure passport

Training meetings April, May, June, July

Full payment by June 29th

Depart for Italy August 22 (Ponte Tresa/Lugano and Catania/Sicily with possible day or two in Rome)
Return September 6th Home


Please contact me so I know if God's will for our community and so I know who our team might be! I am praying for the right people to go! God, call them I pray!
(These types of missions require people to be very patient, flexible, humble, able to travel fast and well under hard circumstances (like long flights and sometimes uncomfortable lodging), self-controlled, not easily discouraged to quit, and a team player).

Visit the Basile's blog (Marco and Cinzia and Sofia from Catania here)



This is totally exciting!

LeadNow 2008

Today I was planning out my year with all the gatherings, retreats, events, and personal and family travel (which will be fully released soon, I hope). Last year, Jeff, (friend and PCCYA leader and servant), and I attended this cool conference that we plan to return to in Dallas. So I went to their link to find out the dates and found me in their promo video. Hey, do I get any residuals for that?

LeadNow 2008

Either way, we have spots open for this trip. Are you someone aspiring to be a leader in this generation? Do you love God and his peolple and want to know how to make a differece in our community and in the world? Then consider going to Dallas Texas November 13-15! Roughly costs $400 with food, flight, and lodging.

Greenbook reflection January 14-20

Green book reflection!
Hey Community! I hope you will join with us in reading and sharing the scripture and reflection from A GUIDE TO PRAYER FOR ALL THOSE WHO "SEEK GOD, or better known as the GREEN BOOK!
I am encouraging anyone and everyone to read it, share it, and pray it!
It's a weekly devotional book with dates that leads us into scripture and reflection from some of the greats like Dallas Willard, Henri Nouwen, Mother Teresa, and Brennan Manning. (Don't judge the book by it's cover-pictured above-check it out here Amazon link: if you'd like to buy it or I have a few copes for $10).

This weeks reading, January 14-20th
reading 8, starts on page 74

THE WISDOM OF SEEKING GOD!
It starts out with James 1 saying that if you need wisdom ASK GOD FOR IT!

I am asking God for wisdom for my/our family's/pccya ministry's future and I am asking for wisdom in balancing out a healthy paced lifestyle, wisdom for financial provision, and my dental issues! PLEASE God I pray for your wisdom. I know 1 Corinthians says we have the mind of Christ, and I really want to think and reason like Jesus.

A quote that stuck out for me that really encourages our need for intentional personal time and time in community is on page 77 by M. Shawn Copeland.

He starts out saying, "Daily personal prayer, examination of conscience, and participation in a faith-sharing group: these smaller practices can be of real benefit to us in sustaining the larger practice of saying yes to life (God's will to love him and others) and no to destruction (the lies of the evil one-sexual impurity, drunkenness, gossipping, bad money making decisions and more). ..."

and

"It is unlikely that we will deepen our relationship with God in a casual or haphazard way. There will be need for some intentional commitment and some
reorganization of our own lives. But there is nothing that will enrich our lives more than a deeper and clearer perception of God's presence in the routine of our daily living."
William O. Paulsell


I pray that our community is one that seeks God's wisdom together and truly participates in the community of faith.

God, I pray for those in our church to mature in their faith, to identify the thorns that prevent (Luke 8) their bearing fruit and experience you to full satisfaction so that they can say yes to you and NO to all ungodliness. In the powerful name of Jesus! Amen

Titus 2:11-13. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

2008 Winter Retreat

Oops we did it again. We had a great weekend of connecting with God and each other in Twain Harte. Great food, laughs, fun, discussion, tears, and renewal. Although I am currently fried, Kentucky Fried out with so much that has gone this week (hence taking me so long to post the fun) I have good memories and continue to love what I hear and love what I see. One really cool thing is that we are attempting to all get on the same page devotionally and prayerfully by uniting around scripture through a very cool book! It's this random little book that I got as a gift and it took me 6 months to actually read it while it sat collecting dust on my shelf. It's called, "A Prayer Guide for all those that Seek God." It's a weekly devotional book with dates that lead us into scripture and reflection from some of the greats like Dallas Willard, Henri Nouwen, Mother Teresa, and Brennan Manning. It has been revealing and reminding me of some amazing truth. (Don't judge the book by it's cover--check it out here Amazon link: if you'd like to buy it or I have some extra copies I'll make available at the Deep or at La Tartine). My desire is that we use it this year, bring it to every deep, every retreat, use it in our small groups, individually and all together. Once you read it then share and pray it with others, blog about it and give feedback to others. I love the reflections in this book! I've actually given it to a few of my other buddies and we try to email periodically things that stand out and pray for each other with the scripture and topics.



This retreat I borrowed these awesome pictures that we used to tell stories about our lives. We picked one picture that represented where we were in life currently and another picture that represented where we hoped God would take us this coming year. Some very cool conversations.

It is true, a picture has 1000 words.

My first picture was this poor trapped seal with wood in it's mouth. Looks like it was captured to be scalped. For me is represented how bound I feel with my dental issues and how lame it can make me feel as if I was trapped and bound sometimes. My second picture represented the freedom and peace I desire that can only come from God's peace and a slower pace of life attained by finding my acceptance in God's love not in how much I can do or what people think of me. It is sad to confess, but I have found myself believing lies about my worth. I wonder how long this will take me to believe. I still don't really believe that God's love is enough when I see in my behavior poor choices with my time. Although I never think this intentionally or consciously say this, what is underlying in my actions is the belief that I need to earn God's love and the love of others by working hard for it. This week is great evidence of that. In my mind I am not doing enough or I feel like I am barely working. So as I am trying to catch up and plan out the start off my year I was totally over-doing it to the point of exhaustion. So when I finally had some moments to pause, evaluate, and connect with my wife on Wednesday-she helped me to see that I have been going non-stop and been out way too many hours. Isn't that scary how you don't even realize you're going too fast until you crash. I know I need to give myself grace --I had back to back overnight trips this week with also starting Seminary again and some papers due for my ordination process and the beginnings of Summer Ministry planning. I still am unpacking my bags from the retreat. UG-I just want to put the brakes on. -One of my hopes this year is that I can live with God as the center of my life and have a healthy pace of life. To me life wants more and more of me it feels like I need to do more and more to keep up BUT this lie robs me of peace, my family of time, and God as the center of my life. Oh, Father--have mercy on me and let me see you and see my life in truth. I pray that our community can reflect this, too! SELAH!

Starting off 2008

Happy New Year. Every so often my life gets a little jolt. This can happen in many ways. Just today it came from a book. Over the past few years two books stand out as shaping who I am (outside of the Bible). Becoming What God Intended by Dr. David Eckman is a foundational book about God's love, character, and our identity and relationship to God. The Present Future by Reggie McNeal is a foundation book about the Church, our mission, and God's call on his people for the world.

Today I have just finished this book.

THE SHACK by William P. Long

I laid on my couch speechless, in awe with tears on my face, feeling loved and satisfied and still wanting more all at the same time. This book has now become another, what I believe, foundation book in my understanding of God, his character, my identity and yes--the mission of the Church. What a way to start the new year.

It was given to my wife and me by a good friend just a few days ago. The way she detailed parts of the story, I knew I had to read it asap. The main character has a weekend with God. Yes, a full interaction face to face, voice to voice, physical experience with Him...or all three of him, or her...or..Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu. You simply must read it.

I can't really explain it and I don't want to give it away. You just have to read the story. The tag line to THE SHACK, is "Where Tragedy Meets Eternity."

I already want to read it again and I have re-read pages over and over for some of it's amazing reminders and explanations of truth.



This book deals with questions about evil, forgiveness, God's goodness in tragedy, God's awareness of our pain, expectations, devotion, religion and religious institutions, the Holy Spirit, hell, sin, rules, freedom, priorities, the Trinity, and ultimately God's love for us.


It has been my life's quest to understand God, to know him, and to experience a true relationship with him. But somehow, sometimes, there is a faint, sometimes deep confusion, or sadness, maybe even guilt and distance that pokes it's ugly head interfering in this journey of mine. Why do I feel incomplete, dissatisfied, not enough, and even mad at God sometimes? Why do I sometimes experience seasons where it seems that God is far? Why even though I desperately want and claim that God is good, do little questions and frustrations cause me to lash out toward God when circumstances are hard or seem "unfair." It is because of my choices, my wrong perceptions. This book helped realize that I must admit, yes, I do blame God for evil. I blame him for not acting like I would and I even, when I am honest, think he's NOT ALWAYS GOOD. I shake my head even looking back at that last sentence. Perhaps this is why I sometimes feel bouts of shame. That I, a confessing and practicing follower of Jesus--a Christian--and A PASTOR NO LESS have lingering confusion about God and his goodness. It is because I don't (and never will fully) be able to understand him. This book helped me, blessed me, and set me free. I feel like an infomercial, but on so many fronts I was confronted with truth in my life, my life that sometimes is filled with lies, self-absorption and self-protection. I even realized that as an Evangelical Christian-(one who believes in God's unmerited favor: GRACE)-do have falsehoods in my mind that cause me to have a tendency to work hard to earn God's love and the approval of people. Why else would I get burned out, feel overworked/exhausted, or act judgmentally as if I myself were God?

Seriously, after reading this book what I sense God saying to me (among a myriad of things) or what sticks out right now is that he wants me to be at home with myself (with no comparison or condemnations toward others) and this can only come with trusting him and his unconditional love for me (and the world).

I was confronted with how often I feel the need TO DO SO MUCH STUFF or BE somebody I'm not. I see the potential that I have to become a "personality" for God rather then simply God's person. I have been noticing, or maybe it is the Holy Spirit pointing this out, that at times I can actually feel within myself a tension to be someone I'm not. It comes in when I turn on some internal switch to be who I think I should be or who people want me to be instead of being the loved child of God, safe, and content with the gifts, abilities, and physical make up that I have. It's a huge difference that brings peace to my whole being when I am enveloped in God's love, enjoying the same intimate, fun, serious, and intentional relationship that God has within the Trinity.


This is deep, too deep to fully even spout out on this blog. Wendy has yet to read it and plans on starting soon, because I am yearning to process this with her. I keep bringing things up and she says, "Wait!"

For now, I am processing it with my Papa! And, seriously I have a renewed sense of love and peace today. Godronic that it would happen today, the first day of 2008. Who needs resolutions. I just want to have God as the center of my life. Not as my 1st priority among a list of other things, but as the center! (A great discussion on this in the book. I'll have to blog about it another time). What a great way to start the year.

My word for this next season is AT HOME and also TRUST.

Please do yourself a huge favor--READ THIS BOOK because I would love to process this with you!



THE SHACK WEBSITE

Pin Head? Piercings? NOPE, it's...Acupuncture

I know..It is Christmas not Halloween. Here's a story for you!




This is totally real and it is ridiculously sad (sad because of the circumstances that I have to do it). I am seeing an acupuncturist right now weekly. I've had to go because since my crazy, five year long dental process, I've had lots of facial pain and muscle tension as a result. I've never had botox but I think I know what it feels like (poor Orange County Houswives--this plastic feeling stinks). I've had so many shots in my gums--my theory is that somehow it has caused tightness in the muscles or numbness in the nerves around my mouth, cheeks, and nose. It's nuts but sometimes just smiling and talking can hurt my facial muscles or make them feel or tight and unnatural (or like the Joker my smile just awkwardly sticks). In my therapy I sit there for hours with (about 20) pins in my face hoping for some relief. I admit I was VERY leary when acupuncture was prescribed. Can I even do this as a Christian? Isn't acupuncture NEW AGE??? I'm sure some of you were thinking that, too. Or least you should be wondering.

Well after researching it, I realized something. Just because we Westerners do medicine the way we do (prescriptions, surgeries, etc) doesn't make Easterners and the way they practice health wrong. It is just different. God works in the states and overseas remember. God is bigger than than my box he has been reminding me of this a lot lately. It has taught me to valuate and exercise cautions with my pre-conceived ideas. It's not like they are chanting or channeling spirits by any means and needless to say if they were I'd be out of there. Sure they use the word "Chi" when talking about releasing and circulating energy-but you'd find that in a karate dojo, too, and Christians practice Martial Arts and we don't burn them at the stake. I'm OK with this. It's not mystical in any way. I feared seeing Buddha statues and YIN/YANG symbols everywhere, but I found neither, thankfully or else I wouldn't feel comfortable being there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupunture (for more info)

Although, I haven't felt a ton of results, I have little relief and I'm open for any way God wants to bring a miracle. I also am not able to go as much as they suggest (3x a week which they say would be better)--but I have felt some relief after a long session (like the one pictured). And the great thing is that it is completely free. Working with our Street Church (www.street-church.com) I got connected to a free clinic given by professionals who volunteer their time. It is also a great way for me to meet others who are on the street and invite them to be a part of our church on the street. So God IS providing (so that it only costs me TIME) and working in the midst of this craziness somehow. One other cool thing is this older Vietnamese lady -Lan Anh--who is so sweet, humble, and generous. She has taken such good care of me and just like Jesus, one time, (because they encourage you to take your shoes off) she put my sock on my size 11, nasty foot, because I got cold and I couldn't reach it with all my pins. She bent down and said, "Here, let me do it, you just relax." Of course that was easy for her to say, but I tried, and watched her as she served me in that humble way. Totally awesome. As I sit there I often pray for her, my healing and the healing of others who I know are in chronic pain, and those around me. It is so humbling as I look around the room and see many others coming for treatment--many of them with no place to live--and here I am free-loading. I love that I am no better than any of them and I could just as well be on the street, too, but by God's grace I have enough to live and provide for my family. As I sit there I look at each individual and think about the stories behind each face. So, just like in the dentist office, I am trying to see that where ever God puts me, I am there for a reason.

Every time you come or go, Lan and Denise give everyone a big hug. As I do, I pass God's love on to them and say the typical, "God bless you," but I am trying to be intentional that when I hug them I pray God's love over them. And I am also praying and waiting for the time I can have conversations that will point people toward him. Although it's hard to talk when your lips are pinned together but I'm working on it. God use me--through and even in my pain.

Blades of Glory/Christmas Party 07

Wendy is in Portland right now and coming home tomorrow (She had a play date with her friends)! Isella and I had a great time and lots to do this weekend. Isella helped me finish my final Seminary paper, visit some friends, go grocery shopping and make the rounds at two different parties. Thanks to the my inlaws, I also was able to join the second and third leg of our Young Adults' Christmas Party. What was awesome about this progressive event(three places traveled to for food, fun, and games) was that things went right along schedule and I wasn't even needed. I just got to show up and have fun. I am so thankful to have some really great leaders and mentors paving the way in our community. Thanks to Glenn and Jenn, Ruby and Leo, and all the guys at the Fallon House. I love seeing how we have become such a close community that the guests who were brought tonight were welcomed and loved. I had to show up late and leave early because of dad duty, but I was stoked that I saw God at work within the group! I love being a pastor to this crew!

Getting ready for Christmas

With a baby, it takes longer to do everything. What once took one day or a few hours stretched into a three day process. Good thing we started in November (wink wink). Isn't true that we are prone to spend lots of time "decorating," trimming the tree, shopping, and hanging lights so much that we feel tired, drained, and empty! We spend ourselves prioritizing the outside while neglecting the inside. The real truth of Christmas IS LIGHT and sometimes we miss it. We spend time putting on and putting up the lights all around our house and fail to experience the light in our life and heart. That's at least what I feel sometimes at Christmas and periodically in life.


One of the best illustrations of this is Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation--one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. It is a classic. Clark buys thousands of lights to string up on his house practically breaking his back with no success.`Meanwhile he is going crazy and his family is falling apart inside the house! Sound familiar? The analogy plays out practically in how we spend our time and in the condition of our heart!


Sigh. Just today, I was driving to class, running late, tired after a long night of paper writing, feeling bad that I didn't have good quality time with my wife and daughter this morning and I dropped my peanut butter and jelly bagel sandwich in the car (Another bad sign that I am running an unhealthy pace is when I am eating a meal in the car). It seemed to bounce like a pinball on three different places in the car before landing on my final project and then my bag. It was just to be expected. "Ridiculously typical," I thought. This all just happen in 10 minutes from leaving my house to get to Seminary. I prayed and then I cried. Oh, God, please help me! I'm just over this. Over feeling rushed and worrying about my performance. See, I am caught between the tension of doing good work in my seminary class and arriving on time--well prepared--with taking car of myself, being filled with God's love and having quality time with my family and maintaining the ministry entrusted to me.

Somehow I pulled it together, I remembered that life is more than our "present sufferings" (as if these are REAL "sufferings" comparatively) and I am made for eternity. So I must have this perspective. In class, one woman presented her project using a song titled, "I'll carry you." With lyrics like: "When you can't go another mile..." It was touched. I was at peace for the moment.

Romans 8:17-19

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

I am a child of God. I will live like one and believe the truth. (I need this as I still have one more 10 pager to write and some reading journals to complete).

Philippans 4: 4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I pray we rest in God. Take deep breaths, stop the running around, the search for significance is found in nothing and no one but God and his love for us!

Peace on Earth and all people, whom his favor rests!

This is Merry Christmas!

TRADE AS ONE: This Sunday

We’re having a store of fair trade items on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 9 am to 6 pm at PCC.




Trade as One is a Fair Trade organization that exists to change lives the lives of the global poor by supplying products that give them jobs while bringing more meaning to oue lives as believers. We believe that by meeting each others' needs through the vehicle of trade we create a powerful and sustainable way to change our world for good. The organizations we source our products from work with the poorest of the poor, the abused, trafficked and those suffering from HIV / AIDS. We are proud of both the work that they do and the quality of the products they make.
As much as I am frustrated by the commercialism of Christmas by American Culture--I think if you are going to buy gifts this Christmas--and I'm sure many of us will, lets put money toward causes that will touch the lives of those who need it. Not just make others richer to buy more cars and houses, but enable others able to EAT! I've met Nathan. He's a totally humble guy who is very passionate about helping others and freeing people from the oppression of poverty! Nathan will also be here to speak at our Compassion and Justice classes at 11am and 4pm.




We partner closely with churches because we believe that the Christian faith is a powerful motivator to see a world take shape that more closely reflects God's intentions for it. Trade as One aims to be a vehicle for faith and values to be turned into action.



The Trade As One Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G29zbXwuHZo



Nathan George, Founder (lives in Cupertino!)

Thanksgiving 2007

Our 5th annual PCC Family Thanksgiving. What a day. Truly it was a feast. Something like 10 turkeys, hundreds of pieces of pies, and double that on bread! But the people made it what it was. God was at work today. People were worshipping in the kitchen--meaning as they were washing and drying they were honoring God! I loved what today was. I loved the generations and the color of our gathering. We had so many uniquely created people! And it must have been the biggest prayer circle I've ever been in. I just sit back and simply say, "Thank you to God. Thank you to everyone who made it what it was"

Another Beautiful day

Our church had a great day of serving and partnering with the community. Schools, habitat for humanity, and some families were blessed this past weekend.

Listen to what the principals say about partnership with the church. I love that in being like Christ we are truly being a community TO the community. I love being able to know by name, and hopefully know in person someday, people who are serving and working in our community. Three schools were impacted this weekend. I love our church!

As I watched yesterday unfold, I am reminded of my love for community. Specifically, this RWC community. We/I really like living here in RWC. Despite the outrageous cost of living, I enjoy so much about this beautiful Climate best by government test area!

One of my favorite things is to walk into a cafe, restaurant, or grocery store--whatever--and know the person behind the counter. It's a small town feeling to be known by name, I know. But although we live in a city of 75,000 people, there is still a way to experience community in such a way. It just takes getting to know the people of our community. Names are huge! When someone remembers my name I feel good and I want others to be remembered, too! And this shows care and in a small way this is how I can be like Jesus. It seems like nothing, but over time I can see how really awesome relationships develop!

I just got back from La Tartine, and tonight, whoa...Wendy was asleep when I got home and I had to wake her to talk with her. God is just at work in people's lives!

If I were to write a book on community I'd start simple baby steps like introducing yourself to the people you live by, work with, school, gym, etc. Frequent the same restaurants and gas stations. Go in the same check out lane for groceries and say thanks to the lady checking your groceries. Make a habit of getting the name of your mail carrier. My guy is Eli, he's a really cool guy. Sometimes if I'm home during the day, I'll hear him lift up our mailbox lid and just make a point to say hi. Start with names and being thankful for the ways they serve you (like our local heroes: teachers, police/fire, etc. Then once we have a relationship we can show our love by serving and helping meet any needs they have. This in essence is our Beautiful day.

Ahhh. Ok. I'm just thankful for all this great stuff! It's a great time to send a THANK YOU note! I think I'm gonna do that this week!

I'm gonna write some notes to service people! (Like "my" baristas and those who are assisting in my dental work. I've been there so much I've gotten in good with the hygienists!)

Anyone else want to join me? Who are you thankful for? Write a note and give some words.

Here's to a great week of being thankful!!!

What Would Jesus Buy?

Summary from Wikipedia:

The film focuses on the issues of the commercialization of Christmas, materialism, the over-consumption in American culture, globalization, and the business practices of large corporations, as well as their economic and cultural effects on American society, as seen through the prism of activist/performance artist Bill Talen, who goes by the alias of "Reverend Billy," and his troupe of activists, whose street theater performances take the form of a church choir called "The Church of Stop Shopping," that sings anti-shopping and anti-corporate songs. The film follows Billy and his choir as they take a cross-country trip in the month prior to Christmas 2005, and spread their message against what they perceive as the evils of patronizing the retail outlets of several different large corporate chains.

This film releases this week!

Celebrating our one flesh!

I celebrated three years of Marriage with Wendy! November 12th is our anniversary. I love this woman so much. I choose and want to give her my best and I feel intimately close to her. Marriage is an amazing and complex thing. The Bible says that people who get married have lots of problems, and it is true. But Marriage is a gift from God and these problems become challenges that sharpen and make us more humble, the way God intended us to live! I love my wife and I am a better man because of her! I love sharing all the FLAMES of love with her! Thanks to God!

We celebrated in many ways--a night out, coffee, encouraging and praying for each other but at night we went to San Francisco joined by others from PCC to hear Rob Bell. This is what I took away:

You don't have to live like this.
You don't have to earn God's love.
You don't have to burn out to feel good.
You don't have to beat yourself up to pay for your shame.
You don't have to pay for your own sins.
You don't have to live like this.

Fall Retreat 2007

Amazing weekend.

Why?

God. His Love. People responding to his love. People loving each other.
And Tater Tots.