Through a friend of a friend, we welcome Jason Mather and the Long Beach Project to the city.
I have yet to meet him, but am hoping to soon. Another church planting friend here in Long Beach, Chris, is also getting to know him. This city is in need of a spiritual revolution, and there is plenty of need for more churches in Long Beach.
Welcome!
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Monday, April 04, 2005
How the Pope Turned Me Into An Evangelical-NOT
One thing we shouldn't do is jump on the "The Pope is cool" bandwagon lest we offend our Catholic peers. Yes, I know earlier I said that anyone who wants to jump on the "race bandwagon" is welcomed, so perhaps I was wrong in that also.
Like many, I have Catholic uncles and aunts. They know I'm not Catholic. They know I'm not into Mary, the Pope and the Saints. So why are we suddenly into the Pope? Of course I want to be, and in some ways I am. The Pope was a man of God, a role model of servanthood, kindness, gentleness and an evangelist, a spiritual leader to millions of youth all over the world.
Who our role models in the Evangelical faith? We need some more.
So if you are jumping on the "The Pope is cool mobile" do it with reverence, with honor to those who truly follow this guy. Learn from them, ask your Catholic friends how THEY feel about this. Don't try to act like you care if you really don't. And if you do care, ask questions and care for a long time. It seems the writer of this article had a genuine Pope experience.
How the Pope Turned Me Into An Evangelical.
Like many, I have Catholic uncles and aunts. They know I'm not Catholic. They know I'm not into Mary, the Pope and the Saints. So why are we suddenly into the Pope? Of course I want to be, and in some ways I am. The Pope was a man of God, a role model of servanthood, kindness, gentleness and an evangelist, a spiritual leader to millions of youth all over the world.
Who our role models in the Evangelical faith? We need some more.
So if you are jumping on the "The Pope is cool mobile" do it with reverence, with honor to those who truly follow this guy. Learn from them, ask your Catholic friends how THEY feel about this. Don't try to act like you care if you really don't. And if you do care, ask questions and care for a long time. It seems the writer of this article had a genuine Pope experience.
How the Pope Turned Me Into An Evangelical.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Overwhelming Yet Controlled Sound
I'm not the world's biggest U2 fan. Coldplay has stolen my heart. But Rudy just got back from last night's concert at the Anaheim Pond. Read his post here. And read the U2 news article - from @U2.
As a musician, I like this paragraph. It's every band's dream:
Let me say this: No major-scale band, save for Pearl Jam and maybe Radiohead or Coldplay on particularly boisterous nights, plays with as much vigor and fervency, and none (including those) can leave its minions so inspired.
And what power from so few instruments! So overwhelming yet controlled is the Edge’s singular, chiming sound, so tense and insistent are Clayton and Mullen’s rhythms, that the minor flubs each man inevitably makes get amplified a thousand-fold.
That's awesome.
As a musician, I like this paragraph. It's every band's dream:
Let me say this: No major-scale band, save for Pearl Jam and maybe Radiohead or Coldplay on particularly boisterous nights, plays with as much vigor and fervency, and none (including those) can leave its minions so inspired.
And what power from so few instruments! So overwhelming yet controlled is the Edge’s singular, chiming sound, so tense and insistent are Clayton and Mullen’s rhythms, that the minor flubs each man inevitably makes get amplified a thousand-fold.
That's awesome.
Friday, April 01, 2005
If Hybels Can do it, You can do It
What amazes me about this conversation is that Hybels is speaking about a 'senior pastor conversion.' About racial representation on staff, on stage, in the drama, worship team, elder board.
I am the only non-White staff at Bethany. If I was gone, they would most likely replace me with a White worship guy. That's just the nature of who we are at the top. The congregation has become more diverse, our main worship band has 3 non-Whites including myself.
I remember being at an elder board a few years ago and challenging them to consider a non-White elder. We now have 1 African American elder. It's a start, but this is not a design or intention of Bethany yet, it's more an accident. As Hybels says, there has to be a 'senior pastor conversion', we're not there yet. God can use me in this, and I feel he has in the time I've been on staff.
It's amazing how this is surfacing again. Remember Promise Keeper's racial reconciliation books, prayers, etc. That was a start, but not many churches thought it credible or possible at a large White church scale. Now, here we are again. Race is Hip. Let's get on the bandwagon my friends. Step right up, no questions asked, no checking of your live in nanny INS papers.
Emergent meets Ethnic. What does that make it? Ethmergent? Ethnomergent? Somebody sell this, market it, write books, do the circuit, make Zondervan some bucks. Rudy, Sergio, Liz, let's go on the road with this. I don't mean to sound sarcastic with this. I'm serious, let's have a White, African American, Latino, Asian American team go around talking about this to churches in Southern California. Let's start with our denomination Conservative Baptist, then to EV Free, and it will spread.
What do you say? I'm ready, it's real for us, it's been our quiet, silent secret desire. Now, it's going mainstream. I think Hybels is right, there will be plenty of Spiritual attacks. So we need to be ready for that. May God do this in His time.
Anyone?
Harder than Anyone Can Imagine - Multiethnic Church.
I am the only non-White staff at Bethany. If I was gone, they would most likely replace me with a White worship guy. That's just the nature of who we are at the top. The congregation has become more diverse, our main worship band has 3 non-Whites including myself.
I remember being at an elder board a few years ago and challenging them to consider a non-White elder. We now have 1 African American elder. It's a start, but this is not a design or intention of Bethany yet, it's more an accident. As Hybels says, there has to be a 'senior pastor conversion', we're not there yet. God can use me in this, and I feel he has in the time I've been on staff.
It's amazing how this is surfacing again. Remember Promise Keeper's racial reconciliation books, prayers, etc. That was a start, but not many churches thought it credible or possible at a large White church scale. Now, here we are again. Race is Hip. Let's get on the bandwagon my friends. Step right up, no questions asked, no checking of your live in nanny INS papers.
Emergent meets Ethnic. What does that make it? Ethmergent? Ethnomergent? Somebody sell this, market it, write books, do the circuit, make Zondervan some bucks. Rudy, Sergio, Liz, let's go on the road with this. I don't mean to sound sarcastic with this. I'm serious, let's have a White, African American, Latino, Asian American team go around talking about this to churches in Southern California. Let's start with our denomination Conservative Baptist, then to EV Free, and it will spread.
What do you say? I'm ready, it's real for us, it's been our quiet, silent secret desire. Now, it's going mainstream. I think Hybels is right, there will be plenty of Spiritual attacks. So we need to be ready for that. May God do this in His time.
Anyone?
Harder than Anyone Can Imagine - Multiethnic Church.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Running Out of Excuses
This talks about why YOU should plant a church. I'm not naive, I'm not green, I have friends that are church planters right here in Long Beach, it's hard, it's rewarding, it's being broke.
But this article uncovers all my concerns:
1. Salary
2. Failure
3. Gifting
I may do a multi-site instead of a church plant.
Why YOU Should Plant a Church.
But this article uncovers all my concerns:
1. Salary
2. Failure
3. Gifting
I may do a multi-site instead of a church plant.
Why YOU Should Plant a Church.
Schiavo's Final Moments Remind Me Of Abuelita
If you've been here, you've been here and you're here again. The scene described here is what it looks like friends. Death is common, and is the destiny of us all, I'm now realizing how even the most private of moments, as when I was with my grandmother together with her 5 children and Rachelle for the last 15 mns of her life, is so similar to Terri Schiavo's Final Moments With Husband:
"Michael Schiavo cradled his wife as she clutched a stuffed tabby cat under one of her horribly contracted arms. Looking on were Felos, another attorney, Michael Schiavo's brother, Brian, and several of the hospice workers who had cared for her during her five-year stay there.
A bouquet of white lilies and roses perfumed the room.
Around 9 a.m., Terri Schiavo was dead. Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, were not on the hospice grounds. "
"Michael Schiavo cradled his wife as she clutched a stuffed tabby cat under one of her horribly contracted arms. Looking on were Felos, another attorney, Michael Schiavo's brother, Brian, and several of the hospice workers who had cared for her during her five-year stay there.
A bouquet of white lilies and roses perfumed the room.
Around 9 a.m., Terri Schiavo was dead. Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, were not on the hospice grounds. "
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
I am an Artist
Do you consider yourself an artist?
"artist":
n : a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination [syn: creative person]
I am an artist. What is your art? I know pastors/speaker/leaders who are artists. I know carpenters that are artists, I know graphic designers who are artists. What is your artistic medium?
This article called, "Imagine That! got me thinking about all this. It's pretty basic but good regarding Art and church leadership.
Post Easter Depression
The Blood of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus....
Tried to work out this morning, no energy, will try it in the afternoon.
Just down and depressed. I went to bed at 8:30pm last night, was supposed to go on a date with my wife, no energy. Felt dizzy.
Just wrote a 2-page journal, non blog, entry. Too real for this blog. This is the 'safe' version, oh well.
The blood, the blood, the blood of Jesus. I stand against you Satan, I put on the full armor of God.
This Sunday is the last Sunday I will play with 'my band', starting April 10th, we will have a new band. I am mourning that.
This Sunday marks three months since abuelita's death. She died Jan 3rd, 2005. No, I am not over it. Yes, I'm still grieving her. 'Is it getting better' people ask. Sigh.
It was an exhausting push to GF and Easter, well worth it. I'll be fine. It'll be okay. Lot of great things were done in the Spirit this week. Many lives touched, the Gospel was preached faithfully, God is good.
I wrote a song a while back for times as these:
/It's the blood that sets me free/It's the blood the covers me/That gives me victory me/My conscience fully cleans/From a heavy heart/It's the blood that God now sees/It's the blood at Calvary/That Jesus shed upon the tree/Empowers me brings victory/Over the enemy/It's the blood/.
I'm off to get ready for the day. Sometimes that's the best thing to do. One step, two steps, three steps, forward. Hope you're doing well. A friend told me for her, moving through the tough times is about putting on her make up. So for our female readers, I'm off to put on my make up.
UPDATE: Getting ready, feels good, did my ab work, very nice. Off to the rest of this day.
Tried to work out this morning, no energy, will try it in the afternoon.
Just down and depressed. I went to bed at 8:30pm last night, was supposed to go on a date with my wife, no energy. Felt dizzy.
Just wrote a 2-page journal, non blog, entry. Too real for this blog. This is the 'safe' version, oh well.
The blood, the blood, the blood of Jesus. I stand against you Satan, I put on the full armor of God.
This Sunday is the last Sunday I will play with 'my band', starting April 10th, we will have a new band. I am mourning that.
This Sunday marks three months since abuelita's death. She died Jan 3rd, 2005. No, I am not over it. Yes, I'm still grieving her. 'Is it getting better' people ask. Sigh.
It was an exhausting push to GF and Easter, well worth it. I'll be fine. It'll be okay. Lot of great things were done in the Spirit this week. Many lives touched, the Gospel was preached faithfully, God is good.
I wrote a song a while back for times as these:
/It's the blood that sets me free/It's the blood the covers me/That gives me victory me/My conscience fully cleans/From a heavy heart/It's the blood that God now sees/It's the blood at Calvary/That Jesus shed upon the tree/Empowers me brings victory/Over the enemy/It's the blood/.
I'm off to get ready for the day. Sometimes that's the best thing to do. One step, two steps, three steps, forward. Hope you're doing well. A friend told me for her, moving through the tough times is about putting on her make up. So for our female readers, I'm off to put on my make up.
UPDATE: Getting ready, feels good, did my ab work, very nice. Off to the rest of this day.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Lord, Be My Life on Resurrection Day
I think I actually took a nap during the sermon. And tonight I speak in Resonate, our Sunday PM service. I'm toast. I peaked Good Friday, that was awesome, today, it's all fumes and faithfulness. But God is bigger than my energy level.
I also feel the grief of my friend. He came to church this morning and told me he and his wife are seperated, they have two children. He's my age, grew up together kind of thing. Sad. Tough. He said, "I don't want to bring this up on Easter..." hello! Life, Resurrection, ashes, seperation, he turns ashes into beauty.
Then a friend was telling me that last night her and her husband were at a friends' play where the cast was in drag, 5 o'clock shadows, beer bellys, etc.
We're all in process, I am in process, so are my friends. They struggle with drag and divorce, I have my own list.
In Search of...the Resurrection.
I Need it, You Need it, We all need it.
I also feel the grief of my friend. He came to church this morning and told me he and his wife are seperated, they have two children. He's my age, grew up together kind of thing. Sad. Tough. He said, "I don't want to bring this up on Easter..." hello! Life, Resurrection, ashes, seperation, he turns ashes into beauty.
Then a friend was telling me that last night her and her husband were at a friends' play where the cast was in drag, 5 o'clock shadows, beer bellys, etc.
We're all in process, I am in process, so are my friends. They struggle with drag and divorce, I have my own list.
In Search of...the Resurrection.
I Need it, You Need it, We all need it.
Friday, March 25, 2005
My Thoughts on Good Friday
__VERTICAL MUSIC___________________At the Foot of the Cross.
At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
YES, MY HEART IS YOURS LORD
Through the judgment You received
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, MUCH JUDGMENT YOU RECEIVED. YOU DIED FOR YOUR FRIENDS, FOR SINNERS LIKE ME. I'M SORRY FOR THE JUDGMENT YOU HAD TO BEAR ON OUR BEHALF.
And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart
THIS IS EASY. WHAT CAN I DO BUT GIVE YOU MY HEART LORD? THERE'S NO NEED FOR YOU TO WIN MY HEART, YOU MADE MY WHOLE BEING. MY HEART CAN'T HELP BUT MELT IN THE PRESENCE OF SUCH GRACE.
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
OH MY LIFE IS sUCH ASHES. ISN'T YOURS? I'M READY FOR THIS TRADE. THE ASHES IN MY LIFE ARE GREY, THEY ARE THE SADNESS I FEEL OVER LOSS, OVER MY OWN FAULTS, OVER THE PAIN I SEE IN MY WIFE, OVER THE BROKENESS IN MY FRIENDS' MARRIAGES. ASHES, ASHES, THEY ALL FALL...I'M READY FOR THIS TRADE.
And wear forgiveness like a crown
LORD, I NEED THE CROWN OF FORGIVENESS ON MY HEAD. IT'S NOT A PROUD CROWN OF DIAMONDS, BUT A CROWN OF NEED, OF FORGIVENESS FOR MY LACKS, MY LUSTS, MY SELFISHNESS AND DEPRAVITY. FOR THE TEARS I CAUSED ON CANELA, OUR 6 YEAR OLD THIS MORNING. THE TEARS I CAUSED UPON LITTLE DAVID, OUR 1 YEAR OLD, AS HE DIDN'T WANT TO FACE AND TURN HIS FATHER FACE TO FACE. I HURT WHEN I MAKE THEM CRY, EVEN WHEN IT'S TEARS OF GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE AND LOVE.
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
LORD HAVE MERCY UPON ME, FOR MY MANY FAULTS, AND NEEDS. WHY DO I HURT SO BAD OVER GRAMMA? I WISH I WAS STRONGER, I AM NOT. HAVE MERCY UPON ME LORD. HAVE MERCY UPON MY WIFE LORD, IT'S TOUGH BEING A MOTHER OF THREE, SHE IS AN AWESOME WOMAN, LORD HELP HER IN HER LOVE FOR OUR AMAZING CHILDREN.
I lay every burden down
HOW MANY BURDENS DO WE CARRY? CAN'T COUNT THEM ALL, CAN WE? THE BURDEN OF NEED, OF LOSS, OF SIN, OF BROKENESS, OF PASSION TO BE, TO SERVE, TO LOVE. THE BURDENS OF THIS WORLD ARE MANY. LAY THEM DOWN TO SLEEP, LORD LAY ME DOWN TO REST UPON YOU.
At the foot of the cross
THIS IS THE CROSS. THIS IS WHAT THE CROSS REPRESENTS - MERCY, FORGIVENESS, GRACE. IT'S SO AMAZING.
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
COMPLETE, WHAT IS THAT? I AM SO INCOMPLETE. I NEED TO BE COMPLETE LORD, BUT MOST TIMES I FEEL LIKE MR. POTATO HEAD, ALL MY PIECES LAYING ON THE FLOOR. BUT THIS IS POSSIBLE, THIS IS WHAT YOU OFFER, THIS IS GRACE, THIS IS EASTER, YOU MAKE US COMPLETE THROUGH THE LIFE YOU NOW LIVE.
You have given me life
EASTER MEANS LIFE, IT MEANS THE RESURRECTION OF YOUR LIFE AS WELL AS MINE. MY LIFE IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU LIVE. THIS IS MY HOPE, MY NEED, I DON'T NEED MORE DEATH, OR SIN, OR CONDEMNATION, MY SINS CONDEMN ME, MY SOUL CONDEMNS ME, I NEED YOUR LIFE LORD JESUS. WE WELCOME YOUR LIFE. YOU ARE RISEN IN ME IN US.
Through the death You bore for me
YOU BORE AND ENDURED SO MUCH PAIN. FOR ME, FOR US, FOR THIS WORLD, FOR INDONESIA, FOR MICHAEL JACKSON, FOR TERRI SCHIAVO's body, FOR CHILDREN WITH AIDS.
I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down
IS THIS REAL? IS THIS POSSIBLE? BECAUSE IF IT IS, THIS IS IT. THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR MY WHOLE LIFE, THIS IS THE BEST MESSAGE THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER. THIS IS WORTH GIVING YOUR WHOLE BEING AND STRENGTH TO. IS THIS WHAT JESUS DOES? IS THIS WHO HE IS? YES, THIS IS IT.
Music and lyrics by Kathryn Scott
2003 Vertical Worship Songs
CCLI# 4157353
At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
YES, MY HEART IS YOURS LORD
Through the judgment You received
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, MUCH JUDGMENT YOU RECEIVED. YOU DIED FOR YOUR FRIENDS, FOR SINNERS LIKE ME. I'M SORRY FOR THE JUDGMENT YOU HAD TO BEAR ON OUR BEHALF.
And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart
THIS IS EASY. WHAT CAN I DO BUT GIVE YOU MY HEART LORD? THERE'S NO NEED FOR YOU TO WIN MY HEART, YOU MADE MY WHOLE BEING. MY HEART CAN'T HELP BUT MELT IN THE PRESENCE OF SUCH GRACE.
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
OH MY LIFE IS sUCH ASHES. ISN'T YOURS? I'M READY FOR THIS TRADE. THE ASHES IN MY LIFE ARE GREY, THEY ARE THE SADNESS I FEEL OVER LOSS, OVER MY OWN FAULTS, OVER THE PAIN I SEE IN MY WIFE, OVER THE BROKENESS IN MY FRIENDS' MARRIAGES. ASHES, ASHES, THEY ALL FALL...I'M READY FOR THIS TRADE.
And wear forgiveness like a crown
LORD, I NEED THE CROWN OF FORGIVENESS ON MY HEAD. IT'S NOT A PROUD CROWN OF DIAMONDS, BUT A CROWN OF NEED, OF FORGIVENESS FOR MY LACKS, MY LUSTS, MY SELFISHNESS AND DEPRAVITY. FOR THE TEARS I CAUSED ON CANELA, OUR 6 YEAR OLD THIS MORNING. THE TEARS I CAUSED UPON LITTLE DAVID, OUR 1 YEAR OLD, AS HE DIDN'T WANT TO FACE AND TURN HIS FATHER FACE TO FACE. I HURT WHEN I MAKE THEM CRY, EVEN WHEN IT'S TEARS OF GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE AND LOVE.
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
LORD HAVE MERCY UPON ME, FOR MY MANY FAULTS, AND NEEDS. WHY DO I HURT SO BAD OVER GRAMMA? I WISH I WAS STRONGER, I AM NOT. HAVE MERCY UPON ME LORD. HAVE MERCY UPON MY WIFE LORD, IT'S TOUGH BEING A MOTHER OF THREE, SHE IS AN AWESOME WOMAN, LORD HELP HER IN HER LOVE FOR OUR AMAZING CHILDREN.
I lay every burden down
HOW MANY BURDENS DO WE CARRY? CAN'T COUNT THEM ALL, CAN WE? THE BURDEN OF NEED, OF LOSS, OF SIN, OF BROKENESS, OF PASSION TO BE, TO SERVE, TO LOVE. THE BURDENS OF THIS WORLD ARE MANY. LAY THEM DOWN TO SLEEP, LORD LAY ME DOWN TO REST UPON YOU.
At the foot of the cross
THIS IS THE CROSS. THIS IS WHAT THE CROSS REPRESENTS - MERCY, FORGIVENESS, GRACE. IT'S SO AMAZING.
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
COMPLETE, WHAT IS THAT? I AM SO INCOMPLETE. I NEED TO BE COMPLETE LORD, BUT MOST TIMES I FEEL LIKE MR. POTATO HEAD, ALL MY PIECES LAYING ON THE FLOOR. BUT THIS IS POSSIBLE, THIS IS WHAT YOU OFFER, THIS IS GRACE, THIS IS EASTER, YOU MAKE US COMPLETE THROUGH THE LIFE YOU NOW LIVE.
You have given me life
EASTER MEANS LIFE, IT MEANS THE RESURRECTION OF YOUR LIFE AS WELL AS MINE. MY LIFE IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU LIVE. THIS IS MY HOPE, MY NEED, I DON'T NEED MORE DEATH, OR SIN, OR CONDEMNATION, MY SINS CONDEMN ME, MY SOUL CONDEMNS ME, I NEED YOUR LIFE LORD JESUS. WE WELCOME YOUR LIFE. YOU ARE RISEN IN ME IN US.
Through the death You bore for me
YOU BORE AND ENDURED SO MUCH PAIN. FOR ME, FOR US, FOR THIS WORLD, FOR INDONESIA, FOR MICHAEL JACKSON, FOR TERRI SCHIAVO's body, FOR CHILDREN WITH AIDS.
I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down
IS THIS REAL? IS THIS POSSIBLE? BECAUSE IF IT IS, THIS IS IT. THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR MY WHOLE LIFE, THIS IS THE BEST MESSAGE THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER. THIS IS WORTH GIVING YOUR WHOLE BEING AND STRENGTH TO. IS THIS WHAT JESUS DOES? IS THIS WHO HE IS? YES, THIS IS IT.
Music and lyrics by Kathryn Scott
2003 Vertical Worship Songs
CCLI# 4157353
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Grace Flows Down On Good Friday
I wish I had pictures to show you of the stage for Good Friday. We have three 45 foot red ribbons flowing down from the top of the ceiling unto the stage. The ribbons represent the grace of God flowing down to all of us.
"Grace Flows Down" is the theme for the evening, with the accompanying song of the same title along with original material, candles, water, wind and many songs of worship.
Not everyone will be in church this weekend. Some people are going to Yosemite to enjoy God's beauty. Others, have no idea of what Easter and Good Friday represent. This is why it's important we do these events, to let people know what Easter is all about. And it's not about everyone being at 'our events', it's not about having a full room and lots of people come to church. It's more than that, although I want that. It's about you and me being the grace of God to our friends and neighbors, to John and Gina, to Stacey and Marquis, every day.
"Grace Flows Down" is the theme for the evening, with the accompanying song of the same title along with original material, candles, water, wind and many songs of worship.
Not everyone will be in church this weekend. Some people are going to Yosemite to enjoy God's beauty. Others, have no idea of what Easter and Good Friday represent. This is why it's important we do these events, to let people know what Easter is all about. And it's not about everyone being at 'our events', it's not about having a full room and lots of people come to church. It's more than that, although I want that. It's about you and me being the grace of God to our friends and neighbors, to John and Gina, to Stacey and Marquis, every day.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Attacks on Easter Week, Praying
Last night I got a 'tough' email from someone in the church. I hardly slept last night, grieved by its content. I don't need this Easter week right? Yet, I have to deal with this because it can otherwise cause distraction and division, which Satan wants.
The timing of these things, Easter week, never ceases to amaze me.
I am praying against the enemy, putting on the full armor of God, and today I'm going to call the person and talk this through. Please pray for me. I'm also doing the 'closing' for Good Friday, leading worship Sunday AM and speaking in our evening service. I'm excited, but I need a nap.
The timing of these things, Easter week, never ceases to amaze me.
I am praying against the enemy, putting on the full armor of God, and today I'm going to call the person and talk this through. Please pray for me. I'm also doing the 'closing' for Good Friday, leading worship Sunday AM and speaking in our evening service. I'm excited, but I need a nap.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Journey 2005: Goodbye Everyone
A fellow blogger says goodbye. And in his last post he gives words to a few of his readers including me. Nice words. Thank you Journey 2005 and goodbye.
Journey 2005: Goodbye Everyone:
"Ailyn, you're a great father, stay that way. Mystic, keep travelling - I will too, but in a different way. David, you and your grandma will meet again. Toledo, thanks. My path will be different from yours but I think they ultimately lead to the same destination. DM, guess what? Now I have a back problem too ..... :)"
Journey 2005: Goodbye Everyone:
"Ailyn, you're a great father, stay that way. Mystic, keep travelling - I will too, but in a different way. David, you and your grandma will meet again. Toledo, thanks. My path will be different from yours but I think they ultimately lead to the same destination. DM, guess what? Now I have a back problem too ..... :)"
Friday, March 18, 2005
I Would do a Great Church Service
I guess who wouldn't right? But if I do a church in downtown Long Beach, CA, it would be a great church service. I've looked into organic, house network, art galleries, coffee house and more. And looking at who I am, what I've been trained to do, who Bethany is, and the need for an Emergent church in downtown, I would do church the way I know how. It would be multi-site deal through Bethany, call it Bethany Urban, rent a space, get the band, the sound and lights, the web guy, the children's director, the small groups person, the arts people, the team staff, no video venues, we would do the preaching, equipping and pastoring ourselves. Give us $40,000 to start up and we're off and running.
That's how I would do it. And yes, I've been thinking about it again. We would then be able to help church planters and others to do what they're called to do in downtown. We would be in relationship with these guys. In fact, I'm already in relationship with these guys. I want to be the pastor of Bethany Urban, a place of relationship, rest, training, home, and worship for postmoderns in Urban Long Beach.
Who Would I Vote for?
This CID-Gallup poll, (1,281 voters) shows that Nicaraguans think a Sandinista (not Ortega), would be the best president. I hope not. I would vote for Montealegre of the PLC.
Polling Data
Who do you think would be the best candidate for the presidency?
Herty Lewites (FSLN), 30%
Eduardo Montealegre (PLC), 16%
Daniel Ortega (FSLN), 10%
Not sure, 41%"
Polling Data
Who do you think would be the best candidate for the presidency?
Herty Lewites (FSLN), 30%
Eduardo Montealegre (PLC), 16%
Daniel Ortega (FSLN), 10%
Not sure, 41%"
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