I love imagination

This summer I taught improv classes for kids. Crazy kids all under 13 creating amazing, chaotic, and outrageous stories performed with out a script, funky props and costumes. What a great reminder that God created us to dream, create, and expressively live a good story! Although God wants us to mature we mustn't ever lose our ability to believe in the impossible as we become adults, especially with our faith. Kids have this innate ability to think, create, and imagine new worlds, new creatures, and new stories. I see this completely in my daughter. She loves wearing her "clicky shoes" (tap shoes, sort of) with her bathing suit, pajamas, or any item of clothing for that matter, while she runs around playing house and chatting with her dolls. People say that as kids grow up, adults teach them that it's not possible to see the impossible (IE miracles, wonders). No wonder why we have generations of adults, and sadly Christ following adults, who don't believe that God, the God who created the multi-milky universe, could still heal the sick, give sight to the blind, or raise the dead. And therefore we have generations of Christians living boring stories (lives) and passing on a stale faith. It's movies and stories like "Where the Wild Things Are," that remind me there are adults in the world that still can imagine the unending and wonderful possibilities that still await us who dream...especially those who dream for God and his kingdom.

I don't want to "GO" to church, either

This somewhat humorous (although dangerous) happening is another compelling reason for the need for correct theology. The church is God's people on a mission, not a building we sit in on Sundays.

If we lived a better story, maybe our kids would want to join the amazing adventure that God has given his people. Get rid of the language, "Go to church." This minimizes God's plan for us be active in engaging with the world in love and to be sharing life passionately with one other. The church is not a place that you can go. The church is a group of people on a mission so the correct question is: are you a part of the Church? Therefore, the question can not be: "Do you go to church?" It's not just semantics... it is good theology.

Anytime I can talk about this I will. And thanks to this 7 year old from Utah for helping me out.

HWW 2009

Our summer is always complete when we travel to Lake Don Pedro for water-sports, worship gatherings, and relaxation. But, like most of our retreats, we had a van issue. A flat tire 5 minutes from our arrival at the lake. Thankfully, we were safe and we were able to change to the spare quickly.

The weekend's topic of discussion was God's Story.
What story are you telling? Is it worth it?

What's the setting, style/tone, and plot for character (us) in our story?
Are you passionate about living your story? Why? What makes your story different?
What’s one defining moment in your story that stands out (overall or most recently) that has shaped you most significantly?
Who and How is it affecting others?
Whose story has affected you?
What parts of your story do you need to include others in?
Is your story one worth living?
So with that came lots of time for talking about that and hanging out around the lake.

Israel: Brotha, Friend, and personal videographer. You'll usually see him with a camera in hand (which after a fall into the water still works!).

The peeps after boating with two of the Sampson's kids (Joel and his brother Jeff Sampson were so gracious to give their weekend to us for towing people around).


Wakeboarding



Waverunners

And 1st ever generater powered dance party in the camp thanks to DJ Supershan.







...and a great baptism celebration.


We also had the amazing Andrea Hamilton with us to lead us in music worship again this year. We were very blessed.

Hot Water Weekend 2009=a weekend of worship!
Crazy fun

Why I feel like a Zombie

Thanks to great technology (the video baby monitor), we can see what our kids are doing instead of sleeping. Which means that we aren't sleeping either cause we're too busy watching..and laughing. Mercy! But we're happy our daugjther loves to sing and loves to sing to God (Blessed Be Your Name and How Great is our God our two of her regulars)...Just hoping she sings herself to sleep. This girl could pass up every afternoon nap to sing and play in her crib. Pray for my kids to sleep well..and while you're at it, pray their parents sleep well, too!

(If you can't see the video on Facebook, click here).

The Unlikely Disciple

Just finished this book. I couldn't put it down and stayed up until 2am. I am going to pay for this in just four hours when my girls get up, but it was worth it.

A true story of a 19 year old guy who immersed himself within the Christian (college) culture in order to gain a first hand, honest experience of life inside the Christian Evangelical world as one who personally was not a Christian"insider" himself.

Genius.

I laughed out loud reading this 19 year old's witty account of experiencing insider church language ("Praise the Lord," Purity rings, Every Man's Battle), corporate church worship hand waving, and "Cold Turkey Evangelism" on Daytona Beach during Spring Break. I thoroughly enjoyed this story because it took me on a journey (where I could look at myself from the outside), once causing me to spit out my lunch laughing at his experience with the strange ways of Christians and Christian culture. And other times I rolled my eyes frustrated by our (the Church's) hypocrisies, lack of grace, and other un-christ-like ways like homophobia, racism, and self-righteous attitudes.

It's a good sign when a book challenges me to think, wrestle, laugh, cry, disagree, and motivates me to love others with God's compassion. That's the essence of a good story.

Read this book and consider how your life might be perceived by those on the outside of Christian culture. Ultimately, I see it as a possible tool of reconciliation with Christians and culture and a great piece for discussion with your believing friends and non-believing friends alike.
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Listen to an interview with the author, if you can get past the somewhat "amateur" interviewer here.

images of community and prayer from the past 3 days

This past Sunday, 7/19, our church (God's people on a mission) gathered around this great couple, George and Lydia Cover, on their way for a year in Beirut to live and serve. We prayed and sang over them. Beautiful.

Then on Monday, my friend and former Seminary professor, Dr. David Eckman, graciously came to our community (which he does about annually) to teach and share his experience, wisdom, and research. I love his teaching on our identity and how God shapes us and redeems our family of origin (no matter how great or how difficult) so that we see him as our true and intended Father, and the church as our new family. His teaching and books are in the the top ten most influential books in my life. We sat and discussed theology for about 3 hours.

Then, Tuesday during our normal young adult small group time at Red Morton park we had guest speaker. My friend (who pastors in Berkeley), David Nyquist joined our young adults to teach about God's power and authority in US to expand and bring his Kingdom to Redwood City. He shared his experience with "Treasure Hunting." Prayer walking with intentional purpose to hear from God and pray for people specifically. See here for more info.

During our sharing times, one of our own Loved Ones, Bristol, shared her story of stepping out in faith and trusting God to provide for her and her son, (my God-son) Cameron. (He's really our whole community's "God-son." Everyone loves them both so much and embraces them as family)! We all are family! I love it.
Two other LOVED ONES of ours, David and Ben, leaving for mission next week are prayed over as Ben goes to London and David to Africa.

After the prayer walk ("Treasure Hunt) we came back to share stories. A--MAZE--ING. Seriously I was on my knees enjoying the stories, laughing, praising God..filled with energy and excitement. Wow!
Living and Serving Community.

(and that's only Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday).

Vlog 12 July 2009 TRT 4:13

See this month's VLOG here.

I HEART Redwood City

If you are local, don't miss what the city offers. Click here. Meet people, mingle, be a light.

Especially make it to PCC's sponsored, family friendly event on Thursday night July 23rd.



Skate Demos by Skate Church

Music by the Corner Laughers, "Kung Fu Fighting"

Live Kung Fu Demos by California Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

Other fun Kids' stuff.

Summer iMix

How about some music to spice up your summer?

Loving the Poor

Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
This Sunday PCC will talk about what God's word says about the poor. Our Street Church celebrates 8 years of ministry this year. Here's some words from a family who cook meals for our Street Church gatherings:

We wanted to share briefly with you how serving in this ministry has been such a blessing for our whole family. We have watched God open our children's eyes and soften their hearts toward people, especially those in need. They love to help cook when we have the opportunity. It becomes a family effort. We pray over the food as we prepare it. We talk about Jesus' compassion - how He sees through the sickness, the dirt, the anger and despair - how He sees the heart, how He loves. We talk about the dirt in our own lives, our brokenness, our need for grace and compassion from a God who adores us - all of us. It's so much more than cooking to meet a need for that week. So much more than a check box on a list of serving to-do's. We're watching God mold our kids (right along with us), break their hearts for people many would rather forget about, grow compassion in them, help them to see
beyond themselves, and realize the joy of serving. Thank you for this ministry, Tony. Thank you for your vision, your heart, your dedication in leading Street Church for so many years. Thank you for letting us participate in this way. Many times we've prayed that God would help our tiny 1920's Wedgewood oven make it through another dinner (ha!) and just like the loaves and fishes, He provides!



What a testimony to how God can use us. Every Christ follower is called to love the poor. How are you serving?

The week Pop Culture mourned

A friend turned me on to a church that meets in Los Angeles, they call themselves Expression 58. They are very focused on loving and serving God through creativity, art, film, and music so that they might transform culture, specifically Hollywood Culture. (They also live by Isaiah 58, powerful truth for Jesus followers). I instantly admired their vision. Since funerals are being planned and Hollywood, the world, is talking about the deaths of Pop Culture Icons Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, I think Shawn Bolz's (Expression 58's lead pastor) words are completely timely. May the church hear the call to prayer and compassionate action.

Take the time to read his blog here.

Overheard in public

Mother to her adolescent son:

"Well, you can't expect people to understand you if you're going to make up your own definitions for words... and I just don't have the patience for it today."

Classic.

Isn't that what we all want? To be understood? You can just imagine what he was saying to her right before, "But Mooooom, why can't you just understand me!!!"

sidewalk chalk

I usually give a pack of sidewalk chalk to newly married couples. It's a symbol of how, if they're willing, they can be used in the lives of kids to make a difference. Kids just love spending time with people who'll love them. Get on your hands and knees and just draw with kids, you'll see how they will just let you in their heart. I liked this picture.

"Quote Unquote"

Tonight we said goodbye to Revelation and now we move on to Proverbs, (as a PCC church family), I also closed out an on-line Seminary course (in the same subject). My prof sent this out to all of us students, and it reminded me of what God wants us to be:
"We may sometimes catch ourselves saying that we aspire to be the “New Testament church,” but it would be more appropriate (in my view) if we instead aspired to be the “Biblical people of God.” In practical terms, this means that we must study and teach the Old Testament as energetically as we study and teach the New Testament. And by “we” I don’t mean each of us individually! I mean “we” the body of Christ. It’s a team project."
-Rich Erickson
Fuller Seminary

Reviewing my last week from Father's day June 21-today June 28th.

Thumbs UP. Great week. I just have to recap:
When a dad's birthday falls in the same week as Father's day, some might feel the way people who have birthdays at Christmas. (Y'know, "kill two birds and give one gift?"). Not that I'm looking for gifts, I just really scored a great week.
Last Sunday it started with heart shaped pancakes and coffee when I woke up! Happy Dad's day from my family! I loved it.

We had some great family hang out time. My wife blessed me. I love her and I love being married to her and being a dad to my two girls.
Side note, For my daughter's 2nd birthday she got a playhouse and a family with Dad, Mom, and two daughters. Sound familiar?
Here's a picture of the dad figure:

What does this image say about how fathers are seen in our culture? (Besides possibly that men aren't masculine enough, I mean, really, he looks slightly feminine). This seemingly "innocent" toy gives a wrong impression of fathers or just affirms the stereotype that I don't want to be: always seen with cell phone in hand. I know I'm not the only dad that struggles with this because I've seen many dads, at restaurants or parks, talking on phones while their kids wait in the wings. (Even a grandpa figure has a crazy big phone.) I am striving to be seen with my phone less in my hands so that my hands are free to hug, chase, and carry my girls around! (This means I often leave my phone at home while on walks or at the park).

So... on to GAP AT THE MOVIES! Review time.

Three movies in one week. THAT'S RIGHT! I actually got to sit in the movie theater three different times in one week. That's the benefits of having a birthday the same week as Father's day! (Thanks again to my wife! She knows what I love!). So here are my reviews:

Star Trek. I FINALLY got to see this 5 star movie. Over two hours but I was never bored. I was always more of a Star Wars fan so I worried if I would feel "left out" of the inside info, but that wasn't an issue at all. The story moves fast, the acting is so believable, and the plot makes sense. It makes you question, "Am I living out my greater purpose?" So, if you are way behind in your movie viewing, check this out.

Moon. This indy flick, in limited release, is very well done. Dark and a bit sad, but a great commentary on identity and controversial issues. Sam Rockwell is an amazing actor, and you'll agree as he plays two different people, sort of, in the movie. I don't want to spoil it. I highly recommend this. It was a bonus for me cause I hang out with good friend Matt Nightingale.

Now on to the little blip on the greatness of my week.

Transformers. I fell asleep. A friend commented on facebook saying, "At 2.5 hours...it was 1.5 hours too long." I second that. It needed a lot more editing for me to green light this flick. I've always been a huge Transformers fan. I grew up with every single one of those toys awaiting me at the foot of my bed every morning I woke up. I loved playing with them, watched the cartoons, and loved the first movie. Shia LeBeouff is going to have a great career as an actor. There's no denying he's good. Michael Bay brought , blow-em up action but the story had many holes, lacked substance, and tried to hard ( what ended up lame) laughs. Therefore my suspension of disbelief "grace" was not willing to cover over the length. And yet, it still sold out the box office and will probably go on to make a third installment. I just hope they don't try to sell tickets by lowering the bar with more "potty humor." Spoiler alert: I mean, come on, humping dogs, ok, ha-ha, but then a humping robot. I just rolled my eyes. My wife also cracked me up when she said something about how even running through the dessert the lead actress, Megan Fox, had glistening lips and perfect hair. Ben Mankiewicz of At the Movies reviewed it and had some funny things to say about it, too.

So besides much time at the pool trying to escape the heat wave here in Redwood City it was a relaxing weekend that ended the week with a great concert, in one of my favorite cities, with a new favorite band.

TRANSFORMation

The only "Transformers" worth being mentioned right now are the ones being changed by God's work (that's a ping that requires a movie review in a later post). I was emailed this video below portraying changed lives of students at UC Santa Barbara. The second woman featured is a part of our church family. I met her two years ago on Father's Day and (with with some other women) prayed with her and seriously before my eyes saw God do something in her. She suffered some serious wounds but with God's love and the support of community she began a great healing process. Now, two years later, after letting God do a lot of work in her, she is a college graduate and an intern with Campus Crusade for Christ. I love TRANSFORMATION!

...um, SaraLee? Jesus said so..

Ok, so SaraLee, with the mission to DELIGHT YOU EVERY DAY, came up with this advertising slogan sighted on the sides of delivery trucks in our local grocery store. Catchy, kind of, but it's an interesting perspective on how much of advertising (which I have been a part of through commercials and other acting stuff) feeds consumers ideas about what will satisfy. (See this old school commercial). Don't we all sometimes believe, even for just a moment, that SOME THING (food, clothing, relationship toy, car, any dazzling new item) can provide some sort of happiness or satisfaction? And when we believe it we instantly must have it. I've found myself in that funny place with coffee. Yes, even my beloved espresso drinks have failed me! I have one or two almost every day and I have to admit there are times when I get all excited for some grande goodness only to honestly feel a little "let down" after sipping to the end of the cup within 20 minutes. It might seem silly but it's God's little reminder to me that all the great things, all pleasures in our life, ALL END. Everything good (and bad) comes to an end. Roller coaster rides end, great dates, vacations, wedding days, sexual encounters, books, food entrees, and that "high" (whatever causing it) comes to an end. Ever get that same feeling after watching a big blockbuster movie? You pay (currently in my theater) $10.50 for a 2 hour escape where the action and effects take you to far off lands, only to have the lights go up to realize you're in a movie theater, with popcorn all over the floor, and it's time to go home. That's how God created life-constant reminders that all it has to offer isn't enough and won't fully satisfy. Only HE can give us the full contentment we long for and I'm glad for that..or I'd be constantly chasing after false substitutes. I pray that the world, that I, would know who (God) and what (everything about himself) really satisfies...and settle for nothing less.

Vlog 11 June 2009 TRT 6:17

Pawn Shop kings

This band is coming to Redwood City June 28th! I hope if you're around you'll come. If not, just go to itunes and support them. Good music!
www.pawnshopkings.com

June-OH

Heads up. It's June already. What? Yes. Summer is here.

For me it means:
Father's Day!
Lots of pool time with my kids
More sunscreen than normal (Did you know we should be wearing it daily no matter what the season)
SUMMER MOVIES! Transformers...
INTERNS!
Annual Tahoe vacation (Beautiful. See this pic. No joke, Blue water!)
No School!! (Yes, I'm STILL working on my Masters).
PCC Young Adults small groups in Red Morton Park starting June 16th.
Thursday Night Movies OUTSIDE downtown RWC
Hot Water Weekend (7/31-8/2)

and this past weekend's WHITE WATER RAFTING TRIP! IT WAS A BLAST!!


HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE!