geocaching

I heard about this thing called geocaching. there are over 800,000 hidden boxes around the world. There is a website called www.geocache.com that gives you the global coordinates to these boxes. It's kind of a treasure hunt for the whole family. When you find the box you are supposed to do 2 things...
1. Sign your name on a log... make your mark.
2. Takes a something out and put something back in.

It sounded interesting to me. so I typed in my address and set the search to search 6 miles from my address. I was amazed to find that there were over 100 of these hidden boxes around where I live. I took my son and a friend to seek out some geocaches. I was amazed to find several that were hidden in locations that I drive by just about every day. Josiah took out a toy and put some back in and we signed our name on the log. I was excited. We raced home to tell Candie and my friends wife. They endured my long story and when I was done Candie said... "Now listen to our story." She proceeded to tell me how her and our our friend patty met this homeless woman. She took her into Subway to buy her a meal and seized the opportunity to minister. Patty listened to this woman as she begin to tell her story..... then at just the right time, Patty shared Christ.

While I was searching for treasure and making my mark and depositing more than I was withdrawing.....Patty was doing the real thing. It's amazing the treasure we drive by and walk right by everyday. We are given the coordinates but never really get intentional about the search. We don't make much of a mark on people and sometimes we end up withdrawing more than we deposit. I learned something valuable that day....I want to go treasure hunting more often.

Deserving?...Uh....No.

I sat in a camp meeting service a couple of years ago and heard Tim Hill Preach. He had just been elected as secretary general for the church of God. As he preached, he talked about how he didn't know how he was chosen and why he was chosen... he was honored but he admitted that he was still shocked that he was chosen. I sat there and thought, "Come on!!! you know why you were chosen! It's no mystery!"
As i type this, I realize what he meant. Last Friday I was elected to the Ca/Nv State council for the Church of God. I was the 10th man chosen to serve my church on this council. Once I got past the exhilaration of being chosen, I began to look around and saw men that I began to imagine would do a better job than me. men who have pastored when I was in my mothers' womb. men who have sacrificed more. men who deserve it more. there was a touch of embarrassment. I had people congratulating me telling me "I deserve it"...... Thank you but..... deserve it?.... really? And Gram Bell doesn't? Bud mayabb doesn't? Rod Richie doesn't? E.N Cope doesn't? Johnny Taylor Doesn't? James Harper Doesn't? Any other man who has served faithfully doesn't? Thank you but I don't deserve anything. How did I get chosen?" I didn't pass out campaign buttons. I didn't run a smear campaign. I didn't accuse any other minister of having William Ayers in their living room when they were called into the ministry :) Why me?
My answer.... I still don't know. And as I read my last post that I posted a couple of months ago I have to remember that it is God that calls. I can spend the next 2 years with my head down in some sort of false humility or I can Trust Him and just do my job.

Grab it by the tail!!!

So God told Moses to throw down the stick that he had been carrying for 40 years on the ground.... the stick changed and became a snake. The next thing Moses does is run from it. How does a man run from something that he has grown so accustomed to after 40 years? Well Moses did it 40 years earlier when he ran from Egypt after 40 years of Egyptian living. God tells Moses pick it up! Moses grabs it by the tail and it becomes the thing that he was used to before it became so dangerous to him..... the same thing happened to Moses in Egypt! He grabbed it by the tail and it eventually became the place that offered no fear to him before.

It's sad how we tend to run from things that God has put under our authority. It changes shape, changes Characteristics, etc. and we find ourselves cowering to things that just a minute ago was firmly in our hand.

I have decided that I am going to respect those over me but I will not be intimidated.
I will have an open mind to God, but the voice of the enemy will not find an audience with me.
I will do what God tells me to without reminding God... 1. I am nobody... 2. What if they don't believe me?... 3. Don't you see my flaws?.... 4. are you sure?

I'm Tired!

Yeah I said it. I'm tired and weary. It's been over a month since I have posted and the couple of people who may have been reading these things may have moved on to more interesting reading than reading about the inner workings of my mind..... or lack of. Let me list some things...
1. spent a week at campmeeting
2. Cleaned the facilities after every campmeeting service.
3. My wife working part time and going to school part time.... how does that affect me???? If you know my awesome wife you understand.
4. Got real sick at campmeeting... spent 2 days in an old dormatory in bed.
5. developed an ear infection that left a ringing that I still have.
6. was camp director the next week at youth camp. Exhausting!!!

Your probably formulating your opinion and how you should word telling me what an idiot I was for doing all this.... you won't get much of an argument.

7. The last night of campmeeting, I got a call at 2:30 in the morning that precious Diego Flynn, the 1 year old who was sick from my church passed away.....spent the entire night and next day with the family watching them mourn as they hold his lifeless body in their arms.
8. performed his funeral and all of the things that goes along with it.
9. Dealt with finances
10. received other hospital calls
11. dealt with family issues.
12. Still a pastor, still a husband, still a dad, still a son, still a Christian... you get the point.
13. mix into all this dissapointment, frustration and other personal feelings.

This pales in comparison with what others have endured... but I can't help but look back over the past month in amazement of how my wife and I made it!
I had several people get in my face and my wifes face and tell us to slow down.... some of those people were well intentioned and knew what they were talking about... some minimalized, trivialized and conveyed an ignorance that says, "just leave things undone". God has heavenly angels (messsengers) and earthly angels (messengers). I want to list some earthly angels.... Shyrel O'Neal, Sean O'Neal, Jesse Rodriguez, Kelly Rodriguez, Delma Villareal, Loyd Wood, Mark Williams, Sandra Williams, David White, Alfonso and Emma Rodriguez, Amy Steenburg Fernie and Patty Portillo, Fide Ortiz...and most recently, Dan Maston(don't be offended if your name was not here this time) these are people that God sent to me at strategic times when I needed something. Tommorrow I'm preaching about the woman with the issue of blood... in the midst of "busyness", her world stopped as she touched the hem of His garment. I'm tired, yet I feel like have have touched his hem... the bleeding has stopped... and Jesus has stopped and is asking the proverbial question, "who touched me?". My touch gets his attention and His touch secures my healing. Yeah I'm still weary and yeah that 2 week vacation in a couple of weeks looks real good, but I can honstly say, "the bleeding has stopped". He is good!

A Dream

At the risk of appearing like I ripped off martin Luther king Jr., This is part of a messsage I preached last Sunday.

I have a dream…
• I have a dream of a church that has a passion for Jesus and a passion for people.
• I have a dream of a church that sees people saved on a regular basis
• Who sees every guest and every visitor as an honor to have them.
• Where everyone takes ownership in what’s going on and where no one sees themselves as the owner of the church.
• Where love and compassion drive what we do.
• Where guests aren’t treated like they have leprosy nor have a hidden agenda for being here.
• Where we all can put aside our own insecurities and fear of failure and reach out to people who need community.
• Where family is loved and appreciated but never placed above the heart of God for the lost.
• Where there is no favoritism or partiality toward certain people and apathy and indifference toward others.
• Where we all live what we say in the church house and at our own house.
• Where a visitor can come and not feel like their on some foreign soil or feel like their crashing a family reunion.
• Where every single person is greeted with a friendly hello and a handshake.
• Where everyone sees their own worth and understands that words, expressions, body language, and attitudes matter…. As well as the lack of.
• Where shame is instantly felt when we knowingly disregard someone.
• Where everyone is on time and ready to minister.
• Where though we take vacations, we don’t take vacations from giving.
• Where we recognize those among us who serve and we see what we can do to help.
• Where we look for opportunities to encourage.
• Where everyone knows everyone’s name within the first 2 weeks of their first Sunday with us.
• Where theirs as much energy put into our youth as into our adults.
• Where nursery work is viewed as ministry and not baby sitting.
• Where every event has a purpose and if you say your going to be there, your there and where we take responsibility in remembering what’s going on.
• Where prayer is going on.
• Where fasting is going on
• Where true fellowship is going on.
• I have a dream of a church where preachers are called and where men and women dream dreams and see visions.
• Where integrity and character are being developed by everyone.
• Where we start looking for excuses for being here instead of making them for why were not here.
• Where we don’t give up on people.
• Where we see that the spirit that unites us is thicker than flesh and blood.
• I dream of a church that desires the presence of God so much that TV’s get turned off, where bibles get dusted off, where alters get cleared off and where the flesh comes off.
• Where heaven is always in our sights and where hell strikes such terror that we can’t help to do what we got to do to pluck souls from it.
• I dream of a church where the balcony is not just used to film services and collect dust bunnies.
• I dream of a church where I am asking for volunteers to become parking lot attendants.
• I dream of a church where the pastor or the CE director doesn’t have to pass around one more sign up sheet for nursery workers.
• I dream of a church that will not put one more limitation on God.
• I dream of a church were its people put into practice and remember what was preached and taught.
• Where God is the first person we call.
• Where His presence is revered, so cherished, so respected that we are either compelled to worship or to leave.
• Where we never ask the question again “whether this church is right for them.”
• Where we aren’t afraid of the prophetic word and where we aren’t gun-shy to speak in tongues and where those who don’t agree with it realize they are sitting in a Pentecostal church.
• Where our relationships are such a precious commodity that we place value in investing into them regularly.
• Where peoples motives aren’t questioned.
• Where there’s no jealousy toward someone who’s being used by the Lord.
• Where conviction grips us instead of the compulsion to dismiss the word and the presence of the Lord.
• I dream of a church where people don’t need to be begged to meet deadlines to pay deposits or get involved or to show up.
• I dream of a church where people don’t disregard what the pastor speaking because they think everything’s fine.
• I dream of a church where I get asked, “when the next revival”, when’s the next water baptism service? When’s camp meeting?”
• I dream of a church where the American dream is replaced with the God dream.
• I dream of a church that can be a beacon of hope to those that need it.
• I dream of a church that is gossip free, partiality free and jealousy free.
• I dream of a church that doesn’t just protects it’s own but offers the same protection to the stranger.
• I dream of a church that has the faces burned in their minds of those we have dealt with unkindly.
• I dream of a church were instead of placing the burden of acceptance on the visitor that we bear that burden.
• I dream of a church that I get to preach to an unsaved sinner every week…hopefully not the same one!
• Where no one gets put on a pedestal and no one is kicked off of one.
• I dream of a church where its people use love, tact and diplomacy.
• I dream of a church where room I made for peoples gifts.
• I dream of a church absent of insecurities but are reminded that it is God that has called me.
• I dream of a church that is quick to discern when the enemy is working and is quick to kick him out in the name of Jesus.
• I dream of a church who invokes the Name of Jesus over their problems instead of invoking their own remedies that haven’t worked up to this point anyway.
• I dream of a church that doesn’t make excuses for sin.
• I dream of a church that surrounds those who come to the alter to pray on Sundays.
• I dream of a church that realizes it’s potential
• Who understands it crucial role in our history and our society.
• I dream of a church full of people that have the audacity to invite someone to Heritage.
• I dream of a church that doesn’t need phylacteries or long religious robes or other outward things to justify themselves but glories in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

I agape U?

In one of the greatest Superbowls ever played, the Dallas Cowboys were beaten by the pittsburg steelers. One of the key players for the Steelers was Lynn Swann. Swann was asked how did the Steelers beat the favored Cowboys. Swann said that "both teams were presented with oportunities to make great plays... we simply seized more of them." We like to choose the opportunities we want to sieze. Like I stated in one of my other posts, we like to be the one that chooses who we show kindness to and who we want to love. I have found that much of the love that we exhibit is simply "Phileo" love...The love that is "Brotherly". This is the kind of love that we choose. We choose the people that look like us, who sound like us , who believe like us and who is easy to love. I have found myself loving people around me because it is easy. What is hard is the "Agape" love.....the love that God loves with. I kid myself when I treat other christians with love and call it agape (though at times it is)... no it's not! Agape is when I love a person who has nothing to offer me... they may even treat me rude. The love that Paul talks about in the love chapter of 1 Corinthians is rarely exhibited and misunderstood....in my opinion. We miss opportunities to win people to the kingdom because we can't get over ourselves. Even in our good intentions we can still market the church for the people we want..... I may be kicking a dead horse but I think we might win if we pay attention to the opportunites that present themselves.

Meeting

Went to a youth camp planning meeting with the state youth director and his secretary. We discussed schedules, staff and theme. I came away from the meeting like a lot of meetings like this feeling the burden of youth camp, feeling the honor of being part and feeling the excitement of anticipation. I am also amazed at the amount of work it is and the details that many people do not realize that goes into facilitating events like this. I always had the perspective of someone showing up on day 1 of the event to work and serve. It was only within the last 3 and a half years that I have seen the pressure that is on the state youth director and the board in dealing with lethargic leaders, changing culture of kids who don't value "Camp", the cost, the liability issues that come with events this size (the liability and legal issues have grown, ie. background checks, insurance, etc.), half hearted attempts by some who don't see the effort behind the scenes. Above all this, there's the pressure of helping make camp an impacting time for the kids. In helping with Winterfest, teen talent, youth camp and other state functions, I have grown to love and respect our leaders. The experience has helped me as I lead the church I pastor in the things that we are doing now.

As a pastor, It is difficult dealing with people who follow from a distance and are quick to criticize motives, effort, methods and strategies (doesn't happen very often). As I have followed the direction of the state youth director, I have tried to apply what I desire to see in people who follow me. We all have to follow someone, we are all accountable to someone. I can't complain about nobody following me if I struggle in following those over me in the Lord. I have seen our state youth director exercise tremendous patience, restraint and Godly character in dealing with all these issues.

From "Diapers" to "Depends"

I spent Saturday night with the youth of our church at a youth rally in Tulare... What am I doing? I'm not a youth pastor anymore! I had the best time laughing and having a great time with the kids. Today I met Loyd Wood at his home and rode with him to the rest home where he goes every Monday morning to sing with the old timers. he had been inviting me to go with him but I kept putting him off. I went today and it was one of the biggest blessings I have received in a long time. I got to speak for a few moments to the people. I spoke a word entitled, "Turn or burn!!!".....kidding..... "the Lord is my shepherd". I only spoke for about 7 minutes but it was the singing and interaction with the people who don't get a lot of attention from the church and outsiders that was the best.

From teens to 90 year old's... what an honor. You know what I learned out of this? It is easy to pursue people who look like us, talk like us, live like us, etc. We tend to pursue and surround ourselves with people WE choose. Why is it that we go after the "cool" factor? We pursue the generation or the people that have the most to offer.... completely ignoring people that have the rest of their lives ahead of them and the people that are literally the closest to eternity.

It seems as though we can be quite selective in who we go after.

When Jesus died, Joseph of aramathea begged for the body of Jesus... I have always heard that "beggars can't be choosers". as a Christian who is begging for the Body, it seems as though at times I have been a "Chooser". Joseph didn't beg for the head or the arms or the eyes or the feet or the most important parts.....but he begged for the BODY. As a "Beggar" I don't have time to be a "chooser". The people who need Christ the most may not be the most "Chic" or they may not own a big black Bible and they may not even have a taste for Starbucks but they are members nonetheless who need some people begging for them.

Lakers Vs. Celtics

I thought I would get spiritual and pose the question... Is it possible that the Lakers could play the Celtics in the NBA Finals? Wouldn't that be awesome. I know, I know gone are the Days of "showtime", Bird hitting the "3's" Danny ainge crying like a baby, Kareem hitting the skyhook, Rambis dunking with his trademark glasses, Red Aurebach smoking his stoggie, Pat Riley pacing the bench, Magic being Magic... but wouldn't it be a clasic match-up? It would remind me of when my dads friend Ken would come over and him and my dad would watch the game after I had to go to bed and they would keep me up from all of their yelling at the screen...Oh those were the days. Kobe and the crew look good and Garnett and his gang of wanna-be Celtics are on a collision course with history.... I think I just found my message for Sunday morning!

I'm a MUTT

I recently bought a book entitled. "Why we are not emergent...by two guys who should be." written by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck (both in their 30's). I saw the title and it peaked my interest because it has seemed as though there are two categories of churches out there... "Traditional" and "Emergent". Some would deny this, but what I have read and heard, there are underlying philosophies that drive both types of churches. I would admit that I have been limited on my understanding of the emergent church and have drawn my own conclusions and have been judgemental. I thought this book would help me as I have tried to put in words what I have sensed from the movement. It has been like nailing jello to the wall for me. After reading the book I came away with mixed thoughts on how these guys painted the picture of the "Emerging church". They took some really absurd comments from some of the men that have been at the forefront of the emergent. Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Leonard sweet, Ermin McManus and others who were all quoted in the book and critiqued. They have some beliefs and philosophies that I don't particularly subscribe to. Then it hit me... I have made some pretty stupid comments before... you have made some pretty "boneheaded" comments.... we all have had beliefs and opinions that may have not been biblical.

I came away from the book realizing that I am a "MUTT". If you know anything about dogs... a dog that has several breeds is considered a mutt. I realized that I am a bit "emergent" and a bit "traditional". There are those that pride themselves in being "Pure bred" and in the process try to reject a majority of what the other is. I have been judgemental of those who have a genuine desire to be genuine with people (emergent) and I have been judgemental of people who desire to never forget where they came from (traditional). I have seen the emergent attempt to "create" the right atmosphere (God's job) and I have seen the quirky mannerisms of people still trapped in the 50's, 60's & 70's who live like Christianity began in that era. I know a woman who was so steeped in tradition that she went dumpster diving trying to retrieve the old pulpit that my former pastor trashed after he constructed a new one.... that's tradition gone bad!

Over the past year I have tried to "nail the Jello to the wall" trying to place a moniker on me and the church I am a part of. I have seen shades of of what some would classify as "Emergent" and shades of what some would call "Tradition". What stands in the center creating these shades is Christ. I am not out to create a "type" of church or to re-invent something that Christ did right the first time (even if I call it "Getting back to what he meant"). I have seen some "Emergents" do things with "maverick spirits" who were more riddled with rebellion than James Dean... but I have also seen some who were doing it with a pure love for Jesus who were doing it with sincerity that made more of an impact in one day than some traditionalist would do in a year... if at all. I have seen some "traditionalists" who were so stiff necked that if Jesus walked by they would never know it... but Ohhhh they got the lingo down... ohhh they had their "Holy Huddles"..... but then I have seen some who would rather die than to water down the gospel and did what they did not to spite anyone and was still attractive toward those who were looking for a relationship with Christ... while some emergents were having coffee, they were praying people into the Kingdom.

What could you call Jon Goats? maybe a "mutt". There are other "mutts" out there that don't need the novelty of one of these titles to justify who they are. Simply being Christian is good enough. I have never read a book that was so "against" something that ended up helping me realize that it's not all bad.

Connect with the culture yet maintain standards. Speak with relevance yet live biblically. Be transparent. Realize your not perfect but don't use it as a licence.

I once took a personality test....you know the ones that tell you if your more like a lion or a golden retriever, etc. After taking the test I remember thinking, "yup that makes sense... that's me!" Without telling myself I want to be a golden retriever! I want to be a golden retriever! I want to be a golden retriever!" I realized that title simply assessed who I am, that title helped me understand who I was. I don't ever want to find myself telling myself, "I want to be emergent! I want to be emergent, I want to be emergent!" OR " I want to be traditional, I want to be traditional, I want to be traditional". It's at that point that I am no longer genuine.