Come Early Stay Late

I liked what Bob Hyatt had to say in his recent blog about community as the Church, especially what he said about making time to connect with people on Sunday after the worship gathering:.

Here's one thing I've noticed: When we stay after for lunch together- it's often the same people who stay. And interestingly enough, it's people who seem to have no trouble feeling connected.

Others come late, leave right when things are done and are rarely present to the rest of the community any other times but that narrow band of an hour and a half on Sunday. And, again, interestingly, often those who make a rhythm of coming late and leaving early later eventually complain to me of not feeling a sense of community, of connectedness.

This isn't a poke at or slam on anyone in particular. I just feel this loss of slowness, of languidly enjoying each others' company- maybe it's an airbrushed and idealized picture I'm carrying around in my head, but it just seems like we didn't have as much to do back then, as much to rush off to... and being together seemed more of a priority.

I don't know how to encourage people to come early, to stay late, to help set up and tear down as a shared activity, to endure the same pub food week after week as a sacrificial act of community building, to invest and create the community they long for rather than hoping it just happens... I honestly wish I did.

But I will say this- I've rarely regretted giving my time to others. To myself, to the internet, to TV and busy work yes. To people, to community, no.

Praying, walking, and listening with a mission to bless

All over the world supernatural movements of prayer are being led by the youth of the church. No need for any type of formal training or degree just a pure heart and desire to follow Jesus. This movement of prayer,which people are calling a "Treasure Hunt," is like prayer walking with a mission to listen to God and find people who need God's love and healing. They are called "Treasure Hunts" because God's treasures are people and he leads prayer seekers to them via nudges, clues, and impressions from the Holy Spirit. (Sound crazy? Learn more about listening to God in this way by watching this video.

Now, I have to admit when I first heard about this I was skeptical for two reasons. First, I wondered if this was just another Christian fad. Would this launch into a formulaic program branded with t-shirts, coffee mugs and key chains only to be quickly forgotten for the next "outreach strategy?" And second, is this truly real? Does God speak with clues of who we should pray for, what to pray for, and where we should go?

Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. Hebrews 3:7-8

So I started reading, learning, and experimenting. I met with a trusted friend from college who pastors in Berkeley and was experiencing God in this way. He told me stories where his church would pray and God told them things that lead them to walk all over the city.


God even spoke specific names of people walking down the street where God would instantly reveal specific life needs of the people they met. Can you imagine someone walking up to you and saying, "I know your name, what's going on in your life, what kind of pain you have, and I want to tell you God loves you and wants to bless and heal you!"?

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

That's the kind of God that loves us. It's a perfect example of what PCC is learning through Revelation. God is a God of supreme power and His will is to draw all people, tribes, nations, and languages to himself through Jesus. So since January I've been experiencing God regularly in this way, like I have never before.

Last week, specifically, there were three days when groups of PCC young adults and students went praying through Redwood City. One experience went like this: My small group of men met at PCC's campus and asked God specifically to tell us who and what to pray for and where we should go in Redwood City to pray. All six of us took about ten minutes separately to talk and listen to God. We had paper and jotted down what it seemed God was saying to us, no matter how unusual. Then we came together and shared what we heard.

It was undeniable that almost each of us had heard God tell us to go to Sequoia Station because we each had written down a location in that area. We continued to share other things almost seemingly random like, "white shirt, post-it notes, books, hurt left leg, freedom from alcohol, man on bench," and even names of people. It sounds unbelievable but as we compared notes it seemed that God actually gave us the name of someone: J____, a location, an appearance, and things she would need prayer for. This was our "Treasure Map." I have to tell you, it was so exciting. I just asked God for faith to be led in His powerful ways.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6

We split up in two groups of three and drove to Sequoia Station. Within five minutes of arriving we were praying with people. My group arrived in Safeway, in the aisle that has both "books and post-it notes." We waited and asked anyone and everyone who came down that aisle if they needed prayer. We prayed for people who needed jobs, had illness, and we prayed for a woman in a wheel chair who had a "hurt left leg." When we showed her our list of things we were looking for she looked at us as if we had just revealed she won the lottery. Amazing.

So as we were just about to leave that's when we saw HER. We spotted a twenty-something girl wearing a white t-shirt and we felt God tell us SHE was J_____, the name he gave us. So in faith we tapped her on the shoulder and asked, "Is your name J____?" She nodded her head yes. You can imagine the look on her face. But she was completely stunned when we told her what we were doing and how we found her. We told her our mission for the night was to ask God to lead us to people he wanted to bless and heal. She was freaked out, as were we. Could this really be happening? We showed her our "treasure map" with her name on it, white shirt, and other things. We asked what she needed prayer for. At first she said, "Nothing, really." So we said we would just pray for God to bless her. Then one of they guys in our group, being nudged by God, said, "Are you sure there's nothing specific?" That's when she told us she had faith at one time, but now she was a single mom, pregnant, and dealing with substance addictions. We got to speak God's love over her, pray healing and protection for her unborn child, and encourage her to find help. It was amazing, right there in the entrance to Safeway. God is not done with J____, and God is definitely not done with me. I'm still learning to listen and loving what I'm learning.

Starting next Thursday June 4th, one of our young adults will be leading a weekly Treasure Hunt: prayer walk with a mission to listen to God, bless our city, and find people to pray for. Every Thursday anyone is welcome to join, learn, practice, and step out in faith to listen and follow God on the ultimate hunt for His treasure. Meet at 6pm in the courthouse plaza across from the Fox Theater. Anyone is invited. That's any one, untrained, unprofessional, inadequate feeling person who just simply loves God and wants to follow Jesus to join on one of the ultimate treasure hunts. It's an adventure and definitely not a fad that's going out of style.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21.

Reabolish Slavery

"Quote Unquote"

Desperation and humility often work in tandem to bring us into our God-ordained destinies.
-Bill Johnson

Vlog Episode 10 May 2009 TRT 8:03

I have a "thing" with the Church. (Some of you who read this blog hopefully know that by now). Some call it semantics but I think it's an overlooked statement that really has some deep theological value. Bottom line we are a CALLED OUT PEOPLE-a group, a family of God's people invited by God himself to be on a mission to bless and transform the world-not just sit in a building once a week or study the Bible to feel good. I'm on this mission to gracefully challenge people to change their language. We are a PART of the Church. We ARE the church. We DON'T GO TO church because church is not a place. I recently spoke on the topic of the Church a few Sundays ago at PCC's worship gatherings. You can hear it here.

So here's my most recent VLOG on the Church and wanted to share it here! It includes some really cool street interviews on how people think about the Church.

Hope for the right brain

Complaining, ahem..suggesting sometimes helps. You might remember my issues I posted about one of my professors. Get this: Cool thing is the C giving prof changed his syllabus to accommodate different learning styles for his next quarter's class. He emailed me saying he took into consideration my learning style challenges and asked for some suggestions. Those taking his course this quarter had the option of filming a presentation and some other non-linear type things! Hallelujah. Maybe I'll take this guy again and maybe there's hope for artisitic right brained people in semianry.

Good Theology in Song

Read this. John 5:17-30.

If we want to be like Jesus then we should follow his lead! He went to the Father, he prayed to the Father, he listened the Father, he submitted to the Father's will.

Listen up MEN!

I'm sitting in Gary's office right now listening to this. Our jaws are dropped, we are laughing, and we are yelling AMEN. Preach it.
What do you think?

Celebrating the mother of my kids!

I wanted to post a current family picture as we celebrate Mother's day--(and I wanted to promote the work of my good friend and photographer, John Meyer. Need photos? Contact him). I'm so grateful for the mom that my wife is to our girls. I am in awe of her. I learn from her, and because of her-- our kids are alive--and haven't gotten food posioning yet. She's the queen of food handling safety-she schools me often and makes me wonder how I survived my bachelor years eating leftovers that sat in the fridge for weeks (and re-used plates while grilling that had raw meat on them. Oops). Thank you Wendy for being my awesome wife and amazing mom to our kids!

Being a husband and a dad is one the most fulfilling parts of life God has given me. Even with dirty diapers, baby cries, and two-year old toddler issues, I'm loving this season of life. My character is being refined and I'm, again, having to re-learn good boundaries. I need to let things go (which is why I wrote about this) in order to lead my family well and be the husband and father that blesses them and honors God. No easy feat. That's where God's good grace and strong power comes in.
I pray God's protection over my family, that we would be unified. I pray all families rely on God's power and Jesus' example. I pray for healing from pain and past hurts and for strong families to develop with commitment to love and forgive and to prioritize time together. And today I pray for mothers! Thank you God for moms!

An Average Theologian

I actually got a C in my (one and only) Seminary courses last quarter. A flippin C? MERCY! I'm a pastor? Embarrassing! Yes, I did question my salvation for 30 seconds but then rationalized it wasn't because I'm a bad theologian. Although I joke... seminary has minimized me into feeling like an "Average Theologian." My C status came because of life's on-going time crunch and this class was a not so good fit for my learning style. First, I knowingly had to submit papers where my editing (if there was any at all) was worse than a third grader because I did what I could with the time that I had. And second, honestly, I'd rather learn about God and what he's doing in the world in a much different way than sit in a class room (very different than Jesus taught his disciples btw). Some seminary classes are very linear, slanted toward one learning style that isn't mine. I don't get energized sitting behind a desk in a room with no windows for three hours of lectures. I need a group discussion, how about a movie clip for an illustration? Or give me some play-doh and paint so I can create. I'm so post-modern...cue eye-roll, I know but fifteen page papers and final exams are like bamboo shoots under my fingernails. I even asked my prof if I could write poetry or make a video instead of writing a paper. He said, "Seminary is a word institution." Man, how I wish the education system would put out magazines :). I just didn't have the time to put 40 hours of book study into one 4 credit class to spit out info in papers and tests while trying to prioritize my wife and two kids. Another one of my professors actually said, "If you want an A in this class, it'll take forty hours of studying." Forty hours of studying for one class??? There's only 168 hours in a week, dude! (What if a student was taking more than one class?). Most people need to work 40+ hours weekly and sleep at least 6 hours a night. That leaves 86 hours a week to spend time connecting with God, being with family, eat three meals daily, exercise, pay bills, surf facebook, AND then hit the 6-inch thick required reading with no pictures? (Actual seminary books below for one quarter of work).
All this to say, Seminary (part time for the past 5+ years) has humbled me immensely, taught me respect for the grandeur of God's word, given me many all nighters reminiscent of college, (and caused me back pain carrying around 7 large books in one bag, no exaggeration), while all at the same time reminding me that a Masters Degree will not make me more effective for God. I am learning a lot, but it's like sand paper for TP. And the tassel isn't quite in sight but I'm going to persevere..as if my life depended on it, not that it does, it just makes it more dramatic for this blog. Wah-wah right? Wendy reminds me to remember this in fifteen years when our kids are complaining about trigonometry. And believe me, I will. I'll tell them how I had to suffer too, (much like my parents had to walk up hills in the snow to school and had no remote controls), it's a part of life.

Reflecting on- talking about- The Church.

I spoke this past Sunday on The Church. Hear it here!
The word CHURCH actually goes back to the OT in Exodus when God saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In Deuteronomy 4:10—Moses recounts God’s directions to ASSEMBLE THE PEOPLE-it’s the same Hebrew word that is used in the NT=ECCELSIA : A called out people, a body of people who accept and believe God’s invitation to worship him, follow him and engage in the mission in life together (and helping others to do the same).
I break it down like this:
CHURCH: PEOPLE CALLED OUT-(not a building).
PEOPLE: A GROUP, COMMUNITY, FELLOWSHIP (each person individually gifted and called to be a part of the whole).
CALLED: LOVED AND INVITED BY GOD TO WORSHIP (all are invited but not all will accept).
OUT-TO A PURPOSE (to know and worship God and help others do the same) AND MISSION (to bless/show compassion).

I talked about how this PEOPLE CALLED OUT were responsible for changing the world. I used examples of how God's people started mission movements, hospitals, impacted music, art, and civil rights, etc. In recounting the church's history I falsely (unintentionally) credited the Brady Bunch Mom, FLORENCE HENDERSON, as the founder of modern-day nursing, not..

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE,
who actually did. I had her right name in my notes and even mentally had it on my brain as one of my best friends has the same last name. UG. Oh well, thankfully two people came up to me and let me know the blunder, and it had me rolling around on the ground laughing. Why was Carol Brady on my mind? I have no idea. The legitimate info I got from a book Gary Gaddini loaned me called, What if Jesus Had Never Been Born? An easy read for anyone wanting to know more about Christian history. I like that it didn't leave out the "sins of the church," either. It's an honest depiction that reminded me God chooses broken sin-prone people to do his will. That's what stokes me on the church. God chooses US-regular, broken, ordinary PEOPLE to infuse us with his Holy Spirit power and CALLS us loved and chosen to an unstoppable mission OUT in the world. God grow your church to expand your kingdom.

An intersection in my life

The Church and a Smoking Tangent

I'm speaking this Sunday @ PCC's worship gatherings. Topic :The Church. It's one of my top 10 favorite subjects. If you read my blog you know my little slogan, "Don't GO to church, Be the church." I'm excited and grateful to challenge our church family to BE and those who are searching-- to join the mission of God's PEOPLE CALLED OUT! Those three words: People Called Out, are how I describe God's intention for the Church. I'll go into detail Sunday. I'm praying that we become the church God intended us to be, fueled by his power as I've been re-learning about.

I looked for an image with a stereo-typical church building crossed out to symbolize the building isn't the church, the people are. But I couldn't find one, (is that offensive?), but I did find this:
Funny and random.
Tangent-I have to say this about smoking. More churches should put ashtrays near exits of their building, or on their patios so that people who smoke would feel welcomed. Y'know the church should be the kind of people who say come as you are, (issues, addictions, hurts, doubts, questions, etc), experience God and let him change you. Instead, we as the church have dug our own hole turning "church" into a weekly event where people traditionally dress up, act polite, sit, spectate, and go through a religious routine for 90 minutes. Ug. Many people don't want to gather with the church because they are turned off. More on that later....

By the way. I've actually had a few people (mostly teenagers) ask me:
Q: "Does God send people who smoke to to hell?
Everyone wants to know if there behavior will send them to Hell. I try to explain God's more concerned with a relationship and he's full of love and grace but I also like to have a little fun so I've come up with this little saying:
"Smoking won't send you to Hell, it only makes you smell like you've been there. :)"
God loves you: smokers, pastors, addicts, and even the "religious spectators."
God, we need to experience you so we can be changed.

Jesus in today's pop culture

Rev 1:12-20 in my own words:
I turned face to face with the one speaking to me. I saw seven huge, blazing torches like on “Survivor”. It wasn’t Jeff Probst there, but this amazing God-like gladiator-man. This was no special effects movie creation. He was awe-inspiring. His eyes glowed like shooting stars and his feet were like cannons of fire… more than Iron Man or any super hero. When he spoke his voice was like crashing tsunami waves overpowering my ears. In his hand he showed me what looked like seven Milky Way galaxies right out of "Star Trek". When he spoke it was as if his words were the blades of "X-Men’s" Wolverine. His words demanded attention, cut to the point, and were sharp truths. Looking at him caused me to fall to the ground. He was beautiful and mysterious all at the same time. I had to worship him. His face was brilliant, like “Watchmen’s” Dr. Manhattan, (but not blue or creepy). He put his hand on me and said, “I am more than you could ever imagine, creator of the world and all humanity and I control death and life. These torches represent seven (groups of people) churches who follow me and I want you to bring them a message.”

The door night.

I was cleaning up my computer when I found this video clip.


It's from November 16th last year when some really cool things happened in our 5:30pm worship gatherings. Gary spoke on Revelation and used an illustration of 3 doors representing our decisions to belong to the church family, believe in Jesus and follow him, and intentionally bless others. Everyone was invited to "walk through a door." It was very moving. Some people made some decisions to follow Jesus that night. Since we tape each gathering I wanted to post it to remind our community, much like baptisms, of our shared privilege of helping others who profess faith to walk with Jesus and follow through with their decision. All the prayer and movement from that night just touched me. May we continue to be a community where people hear and respond to Jesus, and where each person finds accountability and grace to continue.
Hear the message that God used to inspire the decisions here.
Do you know anyone who needs encouragement or to hear the truth in love? Who are you praying for to come to know God or to come back to Him? Don't forget to share some love and prayer through phone call, text, email, or the best way--face to face contact. Hebrews 3:12-15.

Technical difficulties

I despise some of the (almost pornographic) ads on myspace. (What's with 90% of myspace users named something that sounds like a My Little Pony figure?). That's why I use Facebook, where they make users use their real names and there's way less compromising ads.
But I get overwhelmed with how many ways we can be contacted nowadays. I'm having to defend myself from the guilt that comes when I don't return these requests (or pokes) in a timely matter. The call back list seems to grow daily for me. Sigh...

Facebook messages, TEXTs, IM's, Voice mails on the cell, home, and office phone.
Then there's Email--most of us have not just one, but two, even three. Skype (video chat) and I can't believe I joined TWITTER, but I like the way you can connect it to facebook. So I dug my own hole, but I intend to use these avenues of communication for God with good, guiltless boundaries. I want to connect people and share stories, prayer, and scripture via my updates (I'll spare you *and my time* from taking any quizzes. Sorry to sound snobby, I just don't want to know what type of Bacon, Fungus, or Disney princess I am:). I'll accept anyone who wants to be my virtual friend even the most random people that I wonder why they requested me. Do they really want to keep in touch or just have a large number of virtual friends? I guess I'll never know. (BTW..how much time comparatively do you think we spend on the computer compared to face to face conversations with real humans and even with God praying or reading the Bible? I'm convicted). A friend of mine blogged about why she wouldn't get a facebook and a lot her points called me out.

Here's some questions I have in general about this growing part of American life:
Does all this tech stuff make us more
narcissistic?
FB, Twitter, myspace, and blogs give us us more ways to tell the world about US? I mean does the world really need me to update my status with:

7:48am I woke up. Still tired. Furry Teeth.
8:30-I ate cheerios, two bowls. Honey Nut.
9:30am-Deodorant. Old Spice. Ever Clear. Goes on smooth.
11:57-I'm chewing gum and it's really stale.

You've got to watch this Twitter spoof.

We have more venues to focus on ourselves and this isn't always good. See this article on MSN.
How do we monitor this and protect ourselves from overly indulging in our self?

2-Does all this advancement in technology just give us more distractions from engaging in real life? I think sometimes yes that's why we need good boundaries. I have to deliberately TURN OFF my phone and computer--everything to have some quiet and also to give my family my best attention. I'm ashamed at how much I feel "compelled" to check email in the car or anytime during the day. I'm trying to give myself some hours of use and I'm limiting my Facebook time to prevent an addiction. Shane Hipps thinks all this virtual engagement diminishes community. Watch his video. What do you think?

I want to be aware. Challenged. Connected to God and real community. But don't expect me to bail completely from all this tech stuff. I really do enjoy it and see it's benefits. It's good when used in moderation, for intentional purposes, and for a tool to inform and encourage. Still, I want to be careful for my own heart, and especially for my family as I make a statement with how I spend time time. And like I recently shared, I don't want to be known as a hubby/dad stuck to my cell phone or glued to my computer. Now with that: Turn off the computer and do something. Start a revolution. Play a board game with your spouse. Go outside. Talk to a friend. Hug a tree, just don't plant a virtual one on my facebook, please.

More from our Ugandan Girls

I wanted to share these funny and humbling quotes from when our Ugandan girls stayed with us.

Kids: (seeing queen size bed in our guest room)" Wow. Who sleeps in this room?"

Us: "It's just for us our guests who come to visit."

Kids: "So it's always open, no one stays in here? (Translation: You have an empty bedroom when we're accustomed to a whole family in the size of this room).

Us: (Gulp) Yes, but we also have our --um, two computers in here. It's also an office. (Yikes).

Kids:  This bed is sooo big. It's only for the two of us? There's plenty of room Auntie Wendy, maybe the babies want to sleep with us? Or Uncle Tony, you and Auntie can sleep with us."

(Here they are sleeping vertically across the bed in this pic).

-----

Listening to my daughter's kids music in the car by Vege Tales,  I explained the concept of the singing vegetables. Hours later when we were playing the CD again she said:

Esther: Are these the Vegetarians?

Me: Vege Tales, yes.

Esther: Wow, they sing so good, they sound like humans.

--------

After dying our Easter eggs I tossed the little wire dipper thing in the garbage. Again, Esther, one of the little girls saw me and said:

Esther: Uncle, why are you throwing that away?

Me: Because we are all done with it.

Esther: But Easter comes again next year

Me: That's OK, I can just buy another one. (Typical American consumer response, right?)

Esther: You need to save it. Take it out of the garbage and don't throw it way after I leave, either.

-----

Wow. She put me in my place.  What a simple reminder how easy it is to take for granted our comforts and instant accessibility to whatever we want.  My mentality is so materialistic, where her African perspective, (where they have so little and not storage units full of stuff or the ability to just throw something away and repurchase again in a year), cherishes the little things.

God change my heart.

Children of the World Choir, from Uganda

As a church we invited the this choir from Uganda to join us. It was a great celebration. Our family hosted two of the girls (age 9) in our home for the weekend of Easter. An adventure that exhausted us, but was a great gift.

Invisible Children

This is how I want my kids to know me

There are moments like these, when I'm relaxed, in the Word, and choosing closeness with my kids that I say to myself, this is how I want them to know me. I want love to be the hallmark of my life and my home. (Thanks to Wendy who takes pictures so that they, and I, can remember)!

I also want them to know me as a loving husband to their mom, patient and compassionate when I need to discipline, willing to get on the floor with them, a man of my word, a man of THE word, a man of prayer, and a man of God who acts like Jesus and lives a faithful, passionate life of love for others, one who blesses others, a man who and takes care of the poor and needy, a man who models healthy expression of emotions, a man who is a good steward of God's money, a man who beleives God for his power and ushers in the kingdom....Hmm..no small feat.

This is how I don't want them to know me:
Busy
Glued to the computer
In front of the TV
On my cell phone
Selfish

Stressed

Anxious
Always late to things that are important to them
Overworked
Negative/Harsh/Judgmental toward them and others
Complaining about life's challenges
Materialistic
Angry

Passive
Sarcastic
Fake
Legalistic

With God's love and power--this will be possible.

Rewards

I get parenting tips weekly online. This one struck me. I know not everyone who reads my blog is a parent, but what can we learn about this in regards to God? I think it applies. God rewards each of us differently and uniquely, too. I love it!

Should You Give Rewards Equally?
Rewards can be helpful at times to encourage growth in character. If you have a daughter who continually interrupts, you may focus on the character quality of thoughtfulness. You may set up an alternative behavior so that whenever she feels like interrupting, instead of just talking, she puts her hand on your arm as a signal that she wants to talk. You might then put your hand on her hand indicating that you have "heard" her and that you will allow her to speak in just a moment. It's a great technique to teach thoughtfulness. What if the child is still having a hard time not interrupting? You may try a reward to raise the stakes for your daughter and get her over the initial hump to learn a new pattern.

Be sure though as you work with habits of behavior like this you're also talking about the heart. "I appreciate the way you're becoming more thoughtful." Or, "We're doing this to develop some self control in your relationships."

Sometimes parents struggle because when they reward one child, they feel they need to reward all their children. Should you reward one child when you don't reward the other? This thought comes from the belief that fair means equal. Children often point out what they view to be inequity in a situation and call that unfair. But children are all unique. Each child has different strengths and weaknesses, and should be treated uniquely. Parents get into real trouble when they try to treat all their kids equally.

Teach your children that you don't even try to treat them the same. If a brother sees his sister receiving a reward, and he wants one too, then you might say, "Your sister is working on something in her life and the reward is for her progress and effort. If you want to work on a character quality in your life, let me know and I'll think of a reward for you too." Don't be motivated by the "It's not fair" complaint. That's just an indication that children don't understand what fairness really is.

Fairness treats all children according to their needs, which usually isn't equal. Each child needs to feel loved and cared for. Each child needs to work on particular issues. Focus on each of your children as individuals and reward them according to their needs.

This idea was taken from the book, Home Improvement, The Parenting Book You Can Read to Your Kids, by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
Continue to receive tips yourself, you can sign up at www.biblicalparenting.org.

Easter Poem

I wrote this to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. I tried to put all the script over the video but it wasn't working so here's the words.
EASTER’S ITI
He is not here
He is alive, the angel said.
She ran and ran to announce the news
But don’t confuse, what happened 2000 years ago
With a story, of faded glory,
But with the miracle of created beings
Simple and broken
Trembling and weeping
Transformed by the power of his story.
Like You.
Like Me.
Changed, forever because
He woke from this death
by the love and power of his Father
Now waiting to wake me, wake you, wake us..
Will you trust?
Abba?
Burst into my heart
And twist into my eyes
Free me from the lies,
That deny who you are
Easter is more than just a nice little day-
To make me sway
All religious and dress up all fancy
Cooking some potatoes and ham while I
Sit in a pew, with maybe a few of the same hands
That would mar
The God who created the mountains and the seas
In order to do what they-what I- please.
Could I be like them? Willing to dispose of the savior blinded by
His weird behavior, killed then and in some way today
By all those choosing to squeeze him
In a tiny theological box, or paper,
That tell us how to live, give,
as if to shine some little light into the cosmos maker,
Center of the universe He is
Eyes of the galaxy,
mysterious creatures
Wrapped around his holiness –singing-shouting-screaming
Sweetly- loudly as whispers so close like breath, like rain
May I not profane-the one, the great, I am-maker because
There’s no truth in the perfection of a happy holidays picture
If it’s just about eggs..
But the perfection of you, God with DNA
With the sounds of a donkey bray,
Heavenly beings warred and went to battle.
Because the hands that shook a rattle
Creator of a thousand hills and all the cattle
Was Ready for nails, whips, and scars.
FATHER FORGIVE THEM,
FORGIVE ME
FOR I KNOW NOT WHAT I DO
He deserves more than just bumper stickers on our cars
Or just Sunday mornings, or one-week trips, or twenty-minute quips,
God..You are here everywhere. Now and forever.
In my mind.
Sharing my pain.
Removing my shame
healing my anger
with your powerful finger…of God
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, in my life
As it is in your heavenly kingdom always..today, now, and forever more
Jesus, gone from the tomb
He can make a barren womb
Full, safe, and the objection of his affection
So will we live life as though doomed
In our money and in our marriage
Waiting for prince charming
or that perfect date
Are we willing to negate
Truth for what we can’t feel?
Just check the disciples, in Matthew 28
As he ascended, some still doubted
But that didn’t seal their fate
They still worshiped,
With lingering hurt
Because they had experienced him,
Eyelashes in the dirt
Face to the ground,
So profound.
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.
The same Spirit that lifted him from the dead.
Is now in me.
In you.
Lifting you Up.
Filling your cup.
Lets praise him
It’s true what he said
And What he did
Will bless you.
If you let IT.
If you let HIM
Oh Happy Day,
That’s what I say
He washed my sins away,
He washed my sins away.
-my prayer. my poem. my desire.
tonyjgapastione

The Crucifixion

Good Friday. A time to reflect. A time to weep and mourn. But not for long.

Watch a video here.

May we all have perspective today of the love of God for the world demonstrated through the life and death of Jesus Christ. If you are near Redwood City join our gathering tonight 8pm in PCC's Worship Center for TENEBRAE.


Easter awaits...when we celebrate the end of all darkness, sin, and death as it's done away with forever because Jesus conquered the grave and the evil one. TO BE CONTINUED.

Are you living a good story?

I've heard Donald Miller talk about this twice, live, both with Lead Now in Dallas, (in which I hope to return this year again in November).

What is a story? with Donald Miller from Brian Mosley on Vimeo.

Imperative concepts!


Why does story matter? with Donald Miller from Brian Mosley on Vimeo.

Kidnapping Tragedy

As a human being, let alone a father, I've been beside myself hearing about this kidnapping case just a few hours from where we live. In reading the article in the above link I found out a pastor and his family are involved in the case. They lived close to Sandra, who was found dead in a suitcase, and has been missing for about a week when she was found Monday. I pray that the church can be a source of comfort and love during this sad time for the family. I am just hoping that there is no link to the church or anyone in the family or friends in this horrible event. I pray with sadness knowing God is our only hope in times like these.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Forgiveness is not human it's Divine

http://www.asweforgivemovie.com/
I'm trying to get a hold of this movie. It sounds awesome. In light of Passion Week, we all need to be reminded to forgive.



Here is a description about the movie:

"Could you forgive a person who murdered your family? This is the question faced by the subjects of As We Forgive, a documentary about Rosaria and Chantal—two Rwandan women coming face-to-face with the men who slaughtered their families during the 1994 genocide. The subjects of As We Forgive speak for a nation still wracked by the grief of a genocide that killed one in eight Rwandans in 1994.



Overwhelmed by an enormous backlog of court cases, the government has returned over 50,000 thousand genocide perpetrators back to the very communities they helped to destroy. Without the hope of full justice, Rwanda has turned to a new solution: Reconciliation. But can it be done? Can survivors truly forgive the killers who destroyed their families? Can the government expect this from its people? And can the church, which failed at moral leadership during the genocide, fit into the process of reconciliation today?"

April 2009 VLOG Episode 8 TRT 6:10

God's power is real

Easter Party

Wake Up Church

God is definitely speaking to us who are a part of PCC (as well as the Church world-wide).
Listen to guest speaker J.P. Moreland who spoke on the Kingdom of God. I sat there listening last night just amazed. This is the timing of God. I had no idea what he would be talking about when I arrived at the gathering. But in divine timing, God reminded and revealed there is more.

LISTEN TO HIS MESSAGE HERE. 

GOD WON'T RELENT until he has it all. This song has been on REPEAT this week.

March 2009 iMix

My Twin Brother Ronnie

I haven't been in a Denny's in a couple years. When I was single I used to go every other Tuesday with my friend Ronnie after our Street Church gathering. This week I was pleasantly surprised to find out our local Redwood City Denny's has been majorly upgraded as I relived the past on Tuesday Night. That's a good thing because I remember years ago the table tops were just as nasty as the bathrooms. I wonder if the healthy safety board intervened or something, because it was quite dangerous to your health to indulge in a little Moons Over My Hammy (my favorite), back then. But now, with their extreme make-over Denny's edition they went a little Starbucks/Cafe-ish. I liked the lights and even the bathrooms were more than decent.
But my favorite part of Denny's this week was hanging with Ronnie. I've known him for almost 11 years, as long as I've been in in Redwood City. Ronnie is 38 years old. He can be found screaming his head off at a Giant's game as well as in the front row of a Brittany Spears' concert. He's a Special Olympiad who swims, golfs, and plays basketball. Ronnie sometimes has the most amazing memory usually bringing up embarrassing my most moments and things I wished he'd forget I said. And other times he takes my "advice" out of context and I wince as he recounts what he thinks he heard me say, that he usually already passes on to five people. I get a phone call from Ronnie almost every day, sometimes twice a day and sometimes he leave messages on my home, cell, and my office line-just to report about his day or ask for some one's phone number. But sometimes he calls and prays for me and my family on my voicemail. Amazing. Ronnie is a gift! He has some mental disabilities but this doesn't stop him from being completely unique, fearfully and wonderfully made, created by God. He often refers to me as his, "Twin Brother," when he introduces me to someone. As I sat across from him, giving into one of my tempestuously tempting vices: seasoned Fries with ranch dressing, I thanked God for putting Ronnie in my life. I really do enjoy him. God's used him to teach me me a lot of patience ( a lot), compassion, and also child-like faith and simplicity. Although there are times when my heart breaks for some of his challenges that he's gone through, and other times I am on the floor laughing. Here's a quote from our Denny's conversation:
Ronnie: Don't take this the wrong way, Tony, but you're lucky to be married to Wendy.

Me: Why would I take that the wrong way?

Ronnie: I just didn't want you to think I was mackin' on your wife.

Me: No worries, I take that as a compliment. My wife's hot, I know!

Ronnie: Ya, that's what I meant, I just didn't want to say it out loud.

Ronnie also said, "Let's make sure to tell the waitress that God loves her after the meal." He did. And then he asked me how to say it in Spanish, and he tried that, too. I totally enjoy this guy.

Worship is not just music and shouldn't be a product

Much like my "DON'T GO TO CHURCH," soapbox, the misuse of the word WORSHIP affects me the same way. I apprecaite this video.

Seek God for the City (for Worship from every nation)

I've been using this awesome prayer guide during the season of Lent. Today's reading inspired me. I found myself yelling out loud, "YES! YES GOD, BRING IT!"
Read these scriptures.
Psalm 22:27-28
John 4:23

Pray:
For citywide worship events to draw together believers from many churches as never before,
that extravagant worship of God would resound through the city, and
that the Father would find what his is seeking: many new worshipers in our city!

Our New Family Logo

Thanks to friend and graphic designer GLENN WONG!

In Memory of the OPD officers

Remembering those Policemen who were shot just across the bay.

Praying for their families.

I have a two year old.

We are really experiencing Psalm 127:3 today!

My daughter Isella turned TWO today. Cupcakes, a train ride, friends and nieghors, butterfly tattoos, Koi Fish, park playing, and total beautiful sweetness. We are so thankful God gifted us with this little girl. She is growing up, learning so much, and helping us to become the people/parents God wants us to be. God is teaching me so much being a dad. There's nothing like being a parent to learn about the true love God intended. So many times as I am holding her, praying, and singing with her that God reminds me that his love for me (and her) is millions of times more deep, high, wide, and unconditional. Beautiful. 



Spent some time at a new fave place for us in San Mateo. The Japanese Gardens where they feed the Koi fish daily at 11am and 3pm.

I love being a dad.

VLOG Episode 7. TRT 3:43

Cash Crash Newsflash: God is in the recession

It seems that God is always teaching me to trust him, especially in the area of money. I have family and friends who also, some with out jobs, are facing some huge financial challenges in this time. It's hitting a lot of people. Currently, our church has cut 10% of it's 2009-2010 budget and there will be no staff raises, not even a cost of living increase until possibly June 2010. Personally, I wonder how with two kids, one income, a failing economy, and lots of out of pocket dental bills we will make ends meet. I am tempted to worry, but when I stop and remember who my God is, I worry no more. This week we received a bill for $1100 for a new dental mouth guardthat I have to wear to help treat my TMJ pain. YIKES. This was not good news. I asked the dentist for an extension until April 1st and she was graceful to say yes. Then within 24 hours God provided 20% through the generous giving of others, who just felt prompted by God to give with no knowledge of our financial need! Talk about eye-opening and awe-inspiring. God is a provider. Why do we worry when God says he will provide when we seek him, abide, and live life in his Kingdom! If I'm really going to claim that I'm a Christ follower, I need to claim Mathew 6:25-33 and really live it. So, I'm trusting that either through a tax return or some other cool way God will cover this (and finally bring healing to this crazy pain in my mouth someday!)

For more thoughts on God in this challenging economic time read John Piper's blog.

Here's a snippet of what he says:

Some of) God’s Purposes in This Recession
Now what are some of God’s purposes in this recession? I will mention five:

1. He intends for this recession to expose hidden sin and so bring us to repentance and cleansing.

2. He intends to wake us up to the constant and desperate condition of the developing world where there is always and only recession of the worst kind.

3. He intends to relocate the roots of our joy in his grace rather than in our goods, in his mercy rather than our money, in his worth rather than our wealth.

4. He intends to advance his saving mission in the world—the spread of the gospel and the growth of his church—precisely at a time when human resources are least able to support it. This is how he guards his glory.

5. He intends for the church to care for its hurting members and to grow in the gift of love.

nose, mouth, eyes, ears

I'm a pizza snob so this is in no way an endoresement for Pizza Hut, just four different ways to experience pizza and it made me laugh.

Marriage is hard

Every wedding I officiate I include those three words: Marriage is hard. It's a biblical concept. Paul told the Corinthians, "Those who marry will have problems." Anyone who thinks "Happily Ever After," doesn't take work, isn't living in reality. That's why right after I say those three words I remind each couple that with God's power and two people committed to God and each other, the hard work becomes a blessing and a sweet reward of deep friendship and life-long companionship. Just like no one becomes holy by accident, no marriage becomes good with out major work, communication, forgiveness, prayer, and commitment on a regular basis!

A couple weeks ago we had guest speakers join our gatherings and speak on marriage.
Wendy and I both were very encouraged. I really encourage all married couples to listen. I think those single and wanting to be married would benefit from listing, too. Enjoy Paul and Virgina Friesen as they encourage married couples to work hard and singles to have a realistic picture of marriage.! These are three different talks that build on one another. Click and listen!

Firestarters

Keeping Hot part 1

Keeping Hot Part 2

Daddy's Girls

Don't listen to the Bachelor

I have no concept of time right now. I joke around and ask Wendy (ala LOST), "When are we?" We are very sleep deprived. In writing this post I'm barely sure what day it is, let alone when I noticed, but it seemed loads of people were updating their facebook status last week in response to the Bachelor. Some were mad, others wrote it off as staged, and still some ranted how ridiculous it was. I was intrigued. What happened? Thanks to YOUTUBE here's what I found!





To be honest, I think these types of relationship reality shows are not only cheesy, but crap. Crap. They don't encourage God's design therefore can add to difficulty people have in making good relationship decisions. Could these shows be like Harlequin romance novels? They perpetuate wrong expectations and encourage Hollywood-type fantasies (some sexual) that are not possible in the "real world." Since these are some of the very lies I BOUGHT into myself back in the day, I am speaking from experience. Here's a quote from the Bachelor after he dumped the 1st woman he was engaged to:

"I can't control my head. I wish I could control what I was feeling. If I could control my heart and my head, in a second I would do that."

Somebody needs to tell the Bachelor: YES YOU CAN! This was one of the truths that set me free. LOVE IS NOT JUST A FEELING (like this definition). Love is a choice to serve, bless, enjoy, cheer on and partner with another person for their betterment- even at the sacrifice of your own "feelings." The writers of Love Dare say we must LEAD OUR HEART and not let our heart lead us since our heart can deceive us. If we just live life to "feel good" we might miss and avoid some great gifts God wants to bless us with in relationships. One of the greatest thoughts I had about a week and a half ago was watching my wife birth our 2nd child. As I watched I "felt" such love, appreciation, and attraction for her. I was so glad I didn't walk away from Wendy back in the day because I didn't "feel" a constant emotional-love- high. I had to learn love takes commitment when I was used to walking out as soon as feelings went away or things got tough. I vowed to love Wendy regardless of how I feel and I'm so thankful she CHOOSES to love me in the same way--cause believe me the way I am (selfish, rude and smelly--see this post for more on that-which are only a few of reasons) can potentially affect Wendy's feelings, but she loves me by choice. (Which also brings feelings of love, too!). That's what wedding day Vows are all about.



Finally, public TV I think is crossing the line with the amount of sexual situations/skin they show--that hot tub scene as shown on this talk show seems totally inappropriate. Watching that stuff makes me stumble and definitely isn't good for me to watch if I want to keep my thoughts pure and honor my marriage.. Hebrews 13:4. I'm bummed thinking about how many tweens, teens, and twenties types watch these shows are left feeling lonely, unloved, and worthless in comparison. God--we need you. Thank you that your design is the best and most satisfying.