Glitz, Glam, & Jesus

Last night hundreds, probably almost thousands, paid $22 (that's like 5 Starbucks' drinks, man) to sing, dance, and witness the world wide, (church proclaimed), phenomenon known as HILLSONG UNITED. A group of people who love God and want to serve him in the world (AKA: a church) through music, media, and messages. So, I must mention that this church (a called out people), also happens to be made up of extremely good looking, trendy dressed, twenty somethings with cool accents, who dance and sweat around the stage strategically striking awesome guitar strumming poses. What better way to get people to follow Jesus, right? (hmm..Shane Claiborne has a great quote in Irresistible Revolution about being "cool for Jesus," and how Jesus might even have been considered UGLY. Yikes. I'm convicted).


Can I say if I've coveted anything--besides being a hand and foot model-it's to be a sweaty Rock Star.

So there we were just a small group of youth groupies, tweens, twenty (and thirty plus-me) somethings all crammed into a building in San Jose to experience the music that has filled the lips of worshippers all around the world. I was excited to go because I love music and experiencing God in and through these types of venues. And I love the story of the Hillsong band which emerged from the youth group of passionate followers of Christ. But here's my thoughts on my experience...


First off, when we arrived at Jubilee Christian Center, no joke we (Shoe and Rocky carpooled with me) were at the end of this line at 6:30pm. The last will be first, right? I couldn't fathom so many people lining up for a gathering like this--and made me wish this were the norm--the typical case for most of our worship gatherings--maybe that's what it felt like for the guys in Mark 2.


But thanks to friends who arrived earlier-we DID get to be first---cause....WE CUT in with them. Did I feel bad? Yes. Yes, I did, but because everyone around loved God, too, I absorbed the love and grace that permeated that place--and didn't get punched in the face, nor feel bad afterward--like what would have a happened if we were entering any other different concert. So continuing, we entered the huge building--which some people mislabel a church-(more ranting on that in a post later this week) that I admit I admired!

It was ginormous, with it's high tech, swarming, strobe lights and feature film-like video equipment! Again, I tried not to covet. But then I started getting all philosophical and theological. Maybe it's because I'm the 30plus guy now. But I was thinking about how we as the church complicate the gospel, mislead people, and get carried away by the hype--which, come on, I love a good smoke machine, once in a while, just like the rest--but sometimes it's these experiences that American Christians compare as they "church-shop" and then don't commit to a family of believers because they "don't feel" the worship, don't "get fed" by the messages, and don't like what they see. Oops, I digress, I said I would rant later this week. So, last night, I couldn't help think of the worldwide church....like in Africa. How our brothers and sisters there simply worship by the dust of the ground and with only the sounds they can make from their own mouths. Humbling. Humbling, Humble pie! They aren't complaining about their worship venue, that's for sure.

So by this time I pull my scattered brain back into the moment. As the night goes on they gave away FREE STUFF like CDs and T-shirts (with their cool logo) by throwing out their products to us blood-thirsty American consumers--sorry-more sarcasm-(I ALMOST bought a t-shirt for $25 but bought instead a sticker for $2). Cool Logo, huh? A picture is worth a 1000 words.



They also had a competition. Below is our very own Carla, who went up for the "Australian accent impressions." Every one thought she did great! And that's because she's a native Australian. Way to go CAAHR-LA!

So then..
Out comes their (very non-geeky) Hillsong United front man for the Band. He really wasn't your typical sweaty rock star, even though he looks like it. He's got heart. He really challenged us. As all these philosophical thoughts were going on in my head and I was seeing all these people raising hands and singing out to God--myself being one of them...

I found myself really doing some mental work, wanting my heart to be right with God as I sang. I didn't expect this experience to be "work" at all. At one point I heard another one of my (non Hillsong) favorite songs playing in my head. Jon Foreman's INSTEAD OF A SHOW which has amazing lyrics from Isaiah. I've fallen in love with the song while at the same time feeling completely uncomfortable and disturbed. Watch and listen here. And it was a perfect anthem for the night. So as I am singing these great Hillsongs--I'm thinking about how easy this is to worship God in this way (feeling conviction and enjoyment at the same time) and how good it feels as I dance around with the colored lights swirling all around me (Seriously at one point I imagined Heaven and the excited of worshipping at God's throne). Is there anything wrong with that? Comments? I don't think so, unless--like Mr. Non-geeky guitar man said last night--that's all we do. I was so struck, appreciative, and impressed that this glam band for Jesus really GETS IT. In fact, that's what he said last night. At one point he stopped, and looked at the crowd. Almost prophetically, in the quiet- between songs, with some gut of frustration and compassion--he said, "I wish we could all just get it {the gospel}." And he went on to talk about the Church's need to GO, to serve, and to live out God's love in the world by loving others-AS WORSHIP! And check this--they had videos of serving and going--TO AFRICA.

Hey, I HEART HILLSONG UNITED!!!!

They really seemed to be challenging and warning a generation of people from getting emotionally wrapped up in feeling good about singing and walking out the door and doing nothing- ignoring the real needs of the world. And maybe he was also warning us NOT to pigeon hole our worship to just singing--but that it also includes feeding the hungry, taking in orphans, clothing the naked, healing the sick, and visiting the imprisoned. This gutsy Australian also called us out as the American Church saying we are a SLEEPING GIANT! And he's right, we have SO MUCH and we have so much potential that we really could help lower the pain and evil in the world (some being 27 million in human trafficking, 63 million orphans, 1 in 5 in San Francisco hungry to name a few) but we're tired, blind, busy, lazy, and too comfortable.

I walked out of that building last night breathing deep, breathing deep the breath of God and the mission of his church. Now, that was a sweet time of worship for me. It "felt" good and not so good. And I like that.

As I made my way to be with our Street Church, I was encourage and filled.



Here's the crew who came together last night and gave up 5 Starbucks drinks. Way to suffer for Jesus everyone!

What I did on my SUMMER STAYCATION

Well, it's almost come to a close. A great two weeks ending with Labor Day weekend. I will return to host Sunday Night at PCC tonight and rejoin the La Tartine crowd-then back in the office Tuesday. But I wanted to do a quick recap--for my own reflection--and if any readers care to know how "productive" I was the past two weeks. Wink, wink.

So, let's see. If this were the first day of school and I was assigned an essay on how I spent my summer Staycation it would be:

Sleeping, sleeping, and more sleeping. Mind you that "sleeping in" with a toddler consists of 7:30 am, and when my wife takes the early shift, I got to 8:30am. (Quite a difference from the "good ol' days of waking at 10am!).

Spent lots of time reading and watching movies--another post on that soon.

Good times of journaling and enjoying my new spot-a bistro table which I bought to journal and read in the forest-----our backyard.

Lots of organizing and more unpacking-Finally have some, I repeat, SOME organization in the garage from our mid-summer move which we still have about 10% left to finish.

and lots of trips around our great Bay Area with my awesome, little family!

Pretty much no time on facebook, no email, and only two times blogging-and I rarely answered (or returned) phone calls promptly. It was a much needed break!

Here are various pictures from my STAYCATION!

Needless to say, I soaked in so much time with my daughter. She is a blast. Her little personality is so fun and she has tons, tons, tons of energy that make me feel old, old, old!


Isella got a chalkboard and has started following in her mom's footsteps already. She's got the making of a teacher. It's so cute how she draws and gets proud of herself for reaching high. She always wants us to draw balloons.



Below is her 1st painting experience at the San Jose Children's Museum.






In her animal sound variety show, she's now picked up the HOWL of a wolf. ARROOO--OOOH-OOH-OOOH


My wife Wendy made some great hamburgers and I got to grill them out! Sooo Good. And yes, I do wear that chef's hat. learned a lot from my 8 years of restaurant experience: It's all about keeping the hair out of the food- and a chef's hat looks better than a hairnet.



Time well spent.

imix..while enjoying time off

God continues to speak to me through music. Do you ever just find yourself weeping while you you listen in your car or on your ipod? Whether by myself or in a crowd of people it doesn't matter-when I am centered on God he can reach me, settle me, and move in me through music. I create this mix on the heels of summer. Post interns, sans crazy summer pace. I am tired, exhausted really, but thankful. I am enjoying time off, being with my family and without any real agenda or appointments. It's nice to decompress. This mix tells the story of the summer and moving forward. Will you stay the same or will you change? Will you choose to act the show or live the life? I hear these questions posed to me and now I turn them to you through these songs. I dedicate them to Autumn ( a great musician and enjoyer of music who shared some of these songs with me), the summer interns, and Rashell--who waited patiently for this imix. Lets live live prayerfully, Biblically, and authentically with no secrets--as a way to thank God and honor Him.

Break Time! What a summer!

Hey Community--

Just communicating to you all that I will be taking a break starting today for two weeks! I won't be around much and will not be online at all (facebook or email) in an attempt to prioritize family, rest/recoop, and really hear and connect with God!

I truly love our church family and being a part of what God is doing here in Redwood City. What a crazy, cool, busy summer we've had.

Highlights include:

The 1st Deep of the Summer at the Fallon house before Ben left for turkey and we "communed" with Afghan bread and juice.

Azusa Pacific's original play JOE in our worship center

Worshiping with Shane Claiborne and the bay area's finest Christ-followers in San Francisco's Grace Cathedral in July

Hotwater weekend's amazing musical guests, togetherness in general that weekend praying and sharing God in August

Baptisms

Seeing Tori come to know God

Interns and their interactions in our church family

Small groups at Red Morton Park

Mercy Cafe-an outstanding third year (bigger and better)

Street Church

Our Stand worship art on Sunday Nights

and

Dance party glow stick action on the campground & fellowship hall

Seriously a great summer!

Thanks to all of you who served and participated in making this a freaky deaky rad season of life and community!

Well, now the summer is over and it's back to La Tartine on Sunday nights! Our Discipleship nights will start back up at our (the Gap) home in September and we'll resume the Deep again--all dates TBA! Pleas consider partnering and serving Tuesday or Thursday nights with Street Church (www.street-church.com) we really need people to be a presence on the street to love, pray, serve food, and talk with people about how they are loved by God!

I'd also love to encourage you to consider being in a small group on TUESDAY NIGHTS! I'd like to start a new monthly gathering on Tuesday nights at 6:30 for all men and women in small groups to be together--more to ocme!

more info/dates when I see you next or on our website or my blog!

TILL then I leave you this challenge

BE A LIVING AND SERVING COMMUNITY
BE A LOVER OF GOD AND ONE LOVED BY HIM INTIMATELY
BE PEOPLE OF PRAYER, PRAYING WITH ONE ANOTHER REGULARLY
BE THE CHURCH WHO KNOWS AND SHARES THE WORD
BE MEN AND WOMEN OF INTEGRITY, AUTHENTICITY, PURITY AND NO SECRETS


God Loves You,

Tony

Update on Glory Ruth

Please keep praying for Glory. This is from her Dad:



I just came home from visiting Glory. she seems to be progressing very well. thank you all for your continued support and prayers. below is a report from Glory's nurse and case manager if you are interested.

One day at a time
Sid


Developmental Care Plan
Glory

Competencies:
Glory is able to attain a steady heart rate, good oxygen saturation and pink color when she is handled, as well as during her quiet time in the isolette. She was positioned on her side with her arms and legs flexed an tucked in close to her body. As Glory moves about in her bed she attempts to selfcalm herself by bringing her hands up to her face and mouth, and by clasping her feet together. At times she pulls her arms and legs in closer to her body for a more secure feeling. Glory also make soft mouthing movements on her feeding tub, which is a sign of hunger,but is also a way for her to calm herself. During alertness she raises her eyebrows to show an interest in socialization.

Sensitivities:
Glory is sensitive to activity around her bedside, with sounds within the nursery, and to handling. She generally breathes at an irregular rate with some retractions seen beneath her rib cage. As she is handled her retractions become deeper and her breathing is faster, but at times she has pauses in her breathing. However, her oxygen saturation remains stable throughout. Although Glory's color is pink, she has an underlying yellowish color (jaundice) to her skin. During handling she becomes slightly mottled in color. Glory exhibits a lot of twitching of her face, body, arms, and legs, both during handling and when she is quiet. This is fairly common for premature infant and should decrease as she stabilizes her breathing, and gets bigger. Glory squirms and stretches, using jerky, flailing movements. She extends her arms out in front of her, as well as spreads her arms wide apart. She also extends her legs and pushes against the blanket. However, she usually tries to pull herself back together by bringing her arms and legs back into flexion. Glory fussed a few times with handling, but generally stayed in a quiet state.

Recommendations:
Thank you for placing Glory in the covered isolette to protect her from environmental stimulation. Position Glory with her arms and legs flexed and tucked in close to the midline of her body. Bring her hands up to her face, and bring her legs together to allow her to self-calm herself. For Glory to touch her own face is the most calming thing she can do for herself. Place her well down into the fold of the snuggle-up to give her close, firm boundaries to push against. Bring the straps of the snuggle-up over her arms and hips to bring he boundaries in closer for a more secure feeling. When placing Glory on her tummy, use the prone positioner to allow he to drop forward for more relaxed shoulders. When handling Glory use frequent handcontainment, by placing one of your hands over her head and the other hand over her hips an legs. Provide this containment prior to handling her to prepare her for a change; during handling to help keep her calm and well regulated; and following handling to help her smoothly transition into deep sleep. Once she is relaxed and going back to sleep attempt to leave her alone until she needs to eat again, or until she needs you to attend to her. Use slow, deliberate motions when handling her, allowing her to set the pace of the care she receives. Encourage the parents to participate in Glory's care, as much as tolerated. Allow them to kangaroo hold (skin-to-skin) each day for extended periods of time to help develop a closer bond. Encourage them to talk to and touch Glory when they visit as their touch is a more loving touch, rather than the working touch of the staff. Provide support and encouragement to the parents as they welcome Glory into their family.

G. M, RN,BSN
Developmental Case Manager

HWW 2008

Hot Water Weekend August 1-3, 2008.

I love my job.

Vacation Vacation..oh, How I love you

So right after our amazing HOT WATER WEEKEND (8/1-8/3 VIDEO TO COME IN A FEW DAYS)--The Gap fam jetted four hours up to the mountains! There is nothing like a vacation in a place with no cell phone reception (our cabin has almost zero!) that helps you relax...a little bit at least. You can only do so much relaxing with a toddler, can I get an amen from any parents out there?, We have from 11:30-1:30 every day and then from 6:30pm on to read, nap, watch movies, etc. Otherwise from 7am on we are chasing our little girl around the cabin or hanging at the beach trying to keep her from swimming out into Lake Tahoe. (She is a total water baby. What is it with kids that don't care how cold the water is? I feel like such a wimp! She always wanted to stay longer in the water than I did and I would have to take her out--with tears in her eyes!)



BUT...thanks to grandparents we DID got some solo time outside of the normal nap and bed time schedule. Wendy and I actually got to have some time to be together alone at the beach (and access to wireless internet thanks to Pops' laptop). It was great.

It's been all too short though. A small 5 days, which extended to 6, we were loving it so much. (Although I am looking forward to a 10 day staycation--vacation while staying at home to close out August)!

So, tomorrow morning I will be headed back home to the last Sunday of Mercy Cafe and the last Sunday with our interns. We also will be celebrating baptisms on the lawn at 4:3o pm, too.

This next week is intense as we close out the summer and say goodbye to our summer interns. It also means all the fall planning for our young adults will come out next week, too. Stay tuned for dates of retreats, the deep, and discipleship nights, etc.

I will produce one more VLOG for the end of the summer. PS. No one one the "Starbucks contest." There really is one less Starbucks..and it was the one in Albertson's/Lucky's! 7 left in RWC, now.

More soon...

Please pray for GLORY RUTH

This special little baby girl belongs to God! She is 2 lbs 1oz and was born (around) 3 months (I think) early to a family (fellow pastor Sid & Linda) in our church family. Please pray for her to be healthy, and for God to show is miraculous power--to amaze people and show HIS glory and power!!

God, I believe in your power. I know you can heal. I know you can breath your life into this child. You made this baby you formed all her days. Please in the powerful name of Jesus show your love and show your grace to her parents and siblings!!!!

Raise up your people of prayer God!

Amen

a prayer. a poem. a confession. an exhortation.

At least I don't bow down to any statues..

Daniel 3. (It's me)

Funny little story,

Nebuchadnezzar… storing up his glory—

Poor little guy

Better get his act figured out

Cause that's what' it's about..

But it's not just him,

that I can pass over with a whim,

Take a good look at yourself,

For once

Other than to fix your hair,

acting as if you didn't care

About what you wear,

or what your drive

Shiney -shine up that golden chariot, of mine

guzzling its gas-

So what if it doesn't last,

I'll just charge a back up-

Cha-ching-

The American dream-of thee I sing

Getting our way,

Day after day,

forgetting the poor and

Shutting the door to the enslaved & oppressed

Because we're afraid, or confused

and besides I'm way too busy,

And we don't know what one little ol' person can do,

So we write a check at the end of December

And feel good about just being a member.

Could this be idolatry?

Couldn't these all be idols?

Strutting our stuff

With the cigarettes we puff

It's me,

it's you,

We all act like fools,

Tooting our horns

Secretly checking out porn

Acting like we have it all together

Trying to weather

the pain,

of the ten pounds I gained by

avoiding the confession

I should have been telling

to my friend who asked, "Really, how are you doing?"



if I can just whip up a snippet

to avoid sharing the integrity that I lack

I'll put on a show

And receive a pat on the back,

It's the lie I believe

That all I need

Is to be "liked",

Esteemed, the crop & cream

But if I'm honest..

I am an idol,

I am an idolater.

I worship myself, my ideals, my ways,

(And I wouldn't mind if everyone else did the same)

I worship the stuff that I eat and drink every day

I don't even realize

I buy trinkets that decay—

Believing and hoping they will fill me,

make me feel good.

And they do,

For moments, days, and sometimes a week

It's not just the drugs, sex, & alcohol in which we seek

To find this fulfillment

It's the coffee, chips, and the target trips,

brand new threads and king sized beds

Complaining about my spouse,

The size of my house,

and paycheck,

Or any part of my body that I doubt

doesn't match up

with the air brushed models at grocery store check out.



But hey, at least I don't bow down to any statues…

Vlog Episode 3 July 21, 2008

Call and Response

On Saturday night a few of us has the opportunity to hear about the making of this film. One of the producers is local and shared about how the business of human trafficking (kidnapping and/or forcing people to work/have sex against their will) is on of the most lucrative money makers of this generation--more than Levi's, Apple, & Google. It is mind blowing and disgusting all at the same time.

Spread the word. Pray. Do something.

You'll hear more about this.

Here is a clip from David Batstone, Author of NOT FOR SALE.

July's Vlog Episode (#2)

(Sort of) Live (previously recorded) from Arizona

Moving day

1 uhaul 2 pick up trucks 3 hours so far

Garage sales and bachelor parties

Today was a full, but good day!



Can I interest you in some Nordic dolls? (Even though the troll resembles the creepy little guy in the Sonny Bono movie from the 80's).

Or how about Mr. Wonderful?



Everyone needs a bedside lamp with a spinning wheel on it.


These and other used items (like half burnt candles, VHS tapes, and sweaters--which didn't sell so well in the triple digit heat) were displayed and sold with zest today!

In an effort to PURGE & downsize before our move we partnered with
my in-laws and threw a "two family garage sale," & haggled with all the bargain shoppers! Some of them come with a fire to get a deal! And I had no problem playing Monty Hall. I was happy with the cash we took home and the stuff we unloaded. So humbling to think of our American culture of consumerism. I am such a product of it.

After we packed up the leftovers for Goodwill I met up with a bunch of Godly men from our community who were celebrating Frankie Markovich. In 6 short days he'll be saying I do.



I missed the hike and golf outing but made it for the best part. A time of encouragement and prayer. Frankie's brother made him wear an ultra-tight/small green t-shirt in which all the guys wrote truth and encouragements to him as a future husband. After spurring him on to love his wife we prayed for him. Now that's a good bachelor party in my opinion.

And OK, of course there was lots of MEAT, especially tri-tip steak, SCUM-a fast pool table style game, and of course "bathroom humor." I don't know what it is about men, but we like talk about about the noises and things that come out of our body! I laughed a little too hard, but hey-we did it all to the glory of God!


Three cheers for men (of God!).

June 2008 iMix

June's mix is a story of being called out for God, humbling ourselves to connect and be filled by him, going out, and celebrating. This season at PCC we start a discussion about STANDING from Daniel. Three questions. What do you stand on? Who do you stand with? What to you stand for? From start to finish listen for God's call in our lives and his empowerment to fulfill it! Tim Hughes' song, "God of justice" is prayer, a command, and an anthem for our generation. I can't listen to it without visuals of impoverished and enslaved children around the world popping into my head. We must do something.

Check out this song # 15 by
TIM HUGHES
GOD OF JUSTICE

God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served

Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God

You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give


Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord

Chase me, Catch me

What a (good) crazy long week. A week of 14 hour days (training week for the interns) ended with an ER visit and a 72 hour virus for Isella. We were so thankful when Friday afternoon she became our happy little girl again. It was so hard to see her cry and just have to "push" through it until the fever broke. I'm so glad it did. Now I can celebrate Father's day with out worries. So in honor of Father's day I have a dad refelction!

My daughter has been doing this thing for a while. It's the "Chase Me" game. She crawls as fast as she can around the coffee table (or into her bedroom), looking behind her to see if we'll chase her.


And of course, we (either Wendy or I) DO chase her. We say, "I'm gonna get you!" (Which is so funny because that seems like such a weird thing to say. "I'm gonna get you?" Isn't that a line from some B horror movie? Somehow it ended up being a playful game for kids.


Anyway..along the chase, we play Peek-a-boo, and duck behind doorways and tables saying, "I see you." She just giggles and loves it. She will often bend around corners and just scream gleefully!

I can't help but think of God while this exchange is going on. When I catch her I just hug, kiss, tickle, and tell her I love her over and over and over. (As I'm doing that I always sense God saying to me, "Tony, I LOVE YOU, I love YOU, I LOVE you, I LOVE you, I LOVE YOU, too!") Then she gets up and starts the whole thing over. Almost as if to say, "Will you keep chasing me?" And I always want to answer: YES! Isella, Papa loves you and always wants to be close to you!





Isn't that what we all want? We want to be wanted, we want to be chased...even when we are running away.

I'm glad that's what God does!

From the park to the ER

Our young adult small groups kicked off last night at Red Morton Park. The weather was perfect for people to mingle around, mangia (eat), and throw the football around. The plan was to gather everyone together and cast a vision for why are small groups are meeting at a park in the community. We have hopes of meeting new people playing soccer, relaxing on blankets, or cheering a softball game and inviting them to join us for dinner and have conversations that show we care about RWC!



We had a great turn out, but I had to leave early!



I got a call that Isella had a 104.3 Temp.
ER here we come.
One hospital wristlet--that she didn't quite understand.
and two hours of waiting for a simple dose of motrin.



No ear infections, everything looks fine. Could just be a virus they say.
Thankfully her temp went down to 101 while we were in the ER and we are now home.
She was so sleepy.



We go back to check up tomorrow.

Interesting note: It was the same doctor who sent Wendy home from the ER when her appendix burst just later that night. HMMMM.....We pray.

Thoughts on Passing on Gas

I usually am not one to "slam the man," but dang. $75 for a fill up? Isn't that crazy? Seeing this number on the gas pump really made it real that we are in an economic crisis. Bums me out how many road trips won't happen because of gas prices.

But if we look on the bright side, it could encourage us to be more intentional to pass on gas through more carpooling, walking, and biking and GAS GIFT CARDS become more of a hot commodity around gift-giving times!

Launching my VLOG

Community, Creativity, Contests..and maybe some more things that start with C.

http://www.youtube.com/tonys2cents

Mercy Cafe

What started out a dream years ago has now been going strong three years. Mercy Cafe is a summer long, party --every Sunday afternoon and night. I love it. It's chocked full of music, food, chill time, new people, and activities from frisbee and bocce ball to volley ball. We have Market Fresh Comedy Team returning to do their improv again (7/27) as well as an end of summer dance party planned (what's the end of summer with out a dance party!). The team of people who are bringing to us are a dedicated bunch of young adults led by Jeff and Aftan. There are still numerous ways to get involved and help (email jeffandaftan@gmail.com). Every Sunday enjoy life music and burgers, which are always supplied, and mingle with people from all over Redwood City and all different ages. It's a family style potluck buffet type deal where you bring some food to share or throw some greenbacks in the donation tub! This is a real piece of community and BEING the church. Invite anyone and everyone you know. June 8-August 10th. This is what the writers of Hebrews was taking about when he/she said don't give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. But meet together and encourage each other (Hebrews 10). We can't do this if we don't get out and get involved. I hope PCC and all of RWC will! Check out the link (and pass it on) for upcoming scheduled artists at www.peninsulacovenant.com/mercycafe. Isn't the logo cool? I've heard T-shirts are on the way. I'd wear one

PS. Our interns arrive this weekend, too. 12 of them.

.

Don't mess with the Zohan

ya...that's right, I'm being mistaken for Adam Sandler these days, minus the cut-off jean shorts.

Relaxing is good.. and thoughts about "too much skin."

I've been on a little vacation this Memorial Day weekend. Its really
been good. Wendy was in a wedding, we hung out with some family and
had time to relax. San Diego is really nice!I'd rate it my 2nd favorite U.S. place to vacation under Hawaii. Besides Redwood City this would also be a great place to live. The weather is always amazing,surfing, fun hang outs, good eats, and I've heard about great communities of God that are here.... but there is a "I'm too sexy" vibe in SD thats a little overwhelming.. Lots of skin showing if you know what mean. I guess it's to be expected in a beach town but I don't think I'd like that always in my vision or want to raise a daughter in it. We've got that enough everywhere else and its hard enough without a beach nearby. I wonder if people in Alaska have this issue? I know that we all have an out with any temptation, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:13, so for some, maybe that out is not going to the same place (or living there) where a particular temptation exists. Food for thought.

Speaking of food.

San Diego even has a little Italy! Another reason to like it. I'm waiting for a pizza right now as I blog with my phone. I'm looking over all the people and praying for them to know how much God loves them!

And this pizza looks good!

Compassion UNLEASHED Conference

Today I am @ a conference called COMPASSION UNLEASHED.
www.ourbeautifulday.org

Artistic NOTE TAKING

Loved learning today from Dan Kimball. That guy speaks my language.
He talked about our "church speak." We can't GO TO CHURCH. We ARE THE CHURCH.
The church is NOT A PLACE. If we are not specific about this we are inadvertently teaching a wrong theology. Too many people think Church is just on Sunday--because too many Christians act like it is. We must be the church always--God's people called out to live His mission!

He (Kimball) laughed about teaching his kids to say, "On Sunday we go to the Church's building." That's what I want to do. I don't want to argue over semantics, but I think it is really important to take the extra 7 seconds and clarify what we mean, not just for ourselves, but for any one listening to us.

The kids nursery rhyme needs to be changed:

This is a building and this is a steeple, bust open the doors cause the CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE!

Good News for your ipod in May 2008

I'm convinced more and more that we need music to be a regular part of our life. God uses it for so much--to teach us, bring us peace, and help us communicate our need for him. And often God uses it in my life to communicate his love and plan for me. With a dance beat. hip hop, or acoustic guitar these songs have moved me. Take some time to listen to each song--as they were picked specifically and arranged in the order to tell a story. My soul has been touched and set free through May's mix which includes songs of some of the summer artists who will be leading at PCC on Sunday Night or at Mercy Cafe-including After the Chase, Travis Avila, Jerome Madigan, and Kokua.

procrastination

I'm kinda procrastinating blogging about deeper things right now--I've been wanting to re-cap about truth and evangelism stuff (listen to messages here) and we just had a great night at the DEEP last night. So much on my mind, so much experiencing God and seeing him at work in people's lives that I want to process but I don't have the time that I want to dedicate to a meaty post quite yet--but I will get to it, plus I've been kinda sick for a bit here and there. I thought it was food poisoning, but maybe it is the flu! My stomach is what Wendy and I call, "Churny!"

So meanwhile, here's a fun pic from our movie theater down town.

On a date with my wife, we played in the lobby with the fun movie promos. How fun is this Hulk statue? I am a HUGE super hero fan and this summer has lots to satisfy my super power hunger! Iron Man, Hulk, and Batman--what in the world? It makes me want to run out and get underoos! This summer has a lot to offer for movies! And Narnia next week should be good, too.

I continue to LOVE our city. It's growing. ALSO Now through summer every second saturday is an artwalk!!


Ahhh. A nice, light, post!

DON'T FORGET TO LOVE AND HONOR YOUR MOMS~

Community Love!

She held up her shiny diamond over the counter with a big smile. “We’re engaged,” I shouted, “That’s awesome,” and turned around to everyone in the café yelling, “Hey everyone, Andrew and Monique got engaged!” Everyone burst out clapping and shouting. I knew they had just got back from France so I asked, “Did you do it at the top of the Eiffel Tower?” They both nodded, smiled and explained the details. I was so excited for them. Andrew then looked at me as asked, “Do you wanna be our pastor?” “Of course I would!” (I’ve never been asked to be someone’s pastor. Beside I already consider myself their pastor “unofficially!”). Anyways, what Andrew actually was asking was if I would officiate their wedding-lead the ceremony/vows, etc. What an honor and a privilege. It really is one of my favorite things to do. I love doing weddings because of the sanctity and specialness of that day in the life of a couple. And to think I just met Monique and Andrew last July. I just love our Redwood City community. Andrew and Monique are the owners of La Tartine café in down town Redwood City. The PCC Young Adults (and some high school students) hang out there every Sunday after SUNDAY NIGHT the 5:30pm PCC gathering. (Not to mention Wendy and I on dates nights and other coffee craving adventures. I have a new fave: White Mocha Freeze). Inevitably conversations and relationships with those from PCC are fostered there but also with others who work there or who happen to wander in and I’m seeing some cool natural and intentional friendships and conversations there. Join us there for the next 5 weeks (until Summer Mercy Cafe starts at PCC) and learn love to our community, too!

Picture that struck me

I've got a lot to blog from the past weeks. Objective Truth, evangelism, etc...I'll get to that..but till then to hold the spot--this struck me.




Corner of McGarvey & Alameda