Sunday Remix

Here is the remix of the day:

• This morning's message went great. It was the first time I had ever committed a whole message on John 14:6. I felt it came out great. My wife even complemented me. Believe it or not she doesn't give me any freebies and is a great critic to me. That's a critic in a good way as she pushes me to communicate better.
• Today was the first time my parents have ever seen me preach. They have heard me but never seen me live. It was great to have them down in our experience this morning.
• This afternoon I had hot grease spatter in my eye. I'm ok it really was just a major irritation all evening.
• Our youngest daughter broke her arm tonight with the help of her sister. It was not a major break so there was good news. Pray for a quick healing as she is very, very active.
• I absolutely love the worship from Lifechurch.tv's South Oklahoma City campus. It is right up my alley.
• Trying to keep it short ala Gina's post. Hope I made it.
• Can't wait for Heroes tomorrow.
  

Saturday Remember The 80's

Thanks for a trot down memory lane Scott.



Now back to prepping for tomorrow.

Friday D-Hall Thoughts

Some random Friday Thoughts:

• So want to go to Unleash...knew that I wouldn't hit this September 28th deadline. Just not the right timing. Doesn't mean I won't go just means there is the price change.
• How in the world did I take over an Outdoor Ed. class? Don't tell anyone but the only garden we ever planted I KILLED.
• Subbing has opened up a huge door to teens that I never had while I was youth pastoring. I would encourage every youth pastor out there to do this...even if it is just once a week for a while. Talk about opening doors. It has given me more face time with 100's of teens. I would probably say that I've subbed now for over 500 teens in this month between all the classes I've been in.
• This Sunday I'm jacked. I'm preaching on Jesus' statement - I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father execpt through me. If you are connected to Journey Church three things...invite, invite, invite.
• Going back to Victoria tonight to a volleyball game surprise visit.

YouVersion

Looking for a great bible tool online...Check out YouVersion.com

The following was posted at Swerve from Lifechurch

Three months have quickly passed since we revealed the concept of YouVersion.com – a free online Bible that connects the interactivity of Web 2.0 with the timeless truths of scripture. After several stages of Alpha testing and one Private Beta release, we are excited to announce the Public Beta version is now LIVE and ready for you to explore!

Simply go to YouVersion.com to see how it works. Everything is free and will remain free, but to interact with some of the personalized features you’ll need to go through a simple registration process.

Here is what you can do with YouVersion in this release:

• Search for scripture, jump to a book/chapter/verse, or scroll through our Bible Reader
• Star verses and content
• Tag verses and content
• Contribute and/or associate images, videos, links, and text to verses or series of verses
• Start journaling in the “My Journal” feature
• See what others are sharing
• Email items to your friends and family
• Rate content
• And so much more…

Currently we have integrated the following Bible translations:

New King James Version (NKJV) - Thomas Nelson
New Century Version (NCV) - Thomas Nelson
English Standard Version (ESV) - Good News Publishers/Crossway
King James Version (KJV)
World English Bible
American Standard Version (ASV)
Smith and VanDyke Arabic Bible

We have signed license agreements and will very shortly be making available:

The Message (MSG) - Navpress
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) - Holman Bible Publishers/B&H

We also have a commitment from:

Contemporary English Version (CEV) - American Bible Society

At this point, default translation will be King James Version, but you can easily change that if you’d like by simply clicking on the title.

Our Digerati Team has been eating, sleeping, and dreaming all things YouVersion for the last three months and it is nothing short of incredible to see how their commitment has paid off as we are right on schedule. I’d also like to express our appreciation for the hundreds of Alpha and Private Beta testers who contributed their time and given feedback! Additionally, I’m very thankful for the publishers who have captured the vision of this project and been willing to allow us to use their translations. We certainly couldn’t have made it to this point alone.

This is just the beginning. Several more features will be rolling out in the coming weeks as we continue to develop this tool.

Now it’s your turn to discover YouVersion and help us make it better by giving us feedback during this beta release. For those of you that blog, we’d love to have your post your thoughts about it. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for this new community of people reading, reflecting, and sharing how God is moving in a brand new and exciting way. I’ll see you there!

Subbing Update

Busy days...for a little update, I have been asked to step a classroom temporarily as they find a new teacher at one of the schools. Don't know how long it is going to be but what it means is that I will have daily assignments for now. The class schedule is perfect and will allow me some time to keep focused for our weekends. But...they are all classes I have never taught so I am having to learn outside of the day to make it work. Oh yeah...it's outdoor education...we are planting a garden. The only one my wife and I tried to grow...we killed.

Sometimes in life we need to kill off some things in our lives that are holding us back. For each of us there are various things. Craig at Swerve has been doing a post series on Dysfunctional Pastors. There are many things I have noticed in this series that I need to work on. Things I need to intentionally kill if I am going to take myself to a new level.

It's awesome to know that God works us through those things. That is something I have tried to instill as a philosophy of ministry. For many years as a pastor I was judgmental in many areas. I even looked down on people for not have the fortitude that I had. Dang...how wrong I was.

Now I have realized that I'm not here to see through people but to see them through. I want to show them and extend them the grace they need to be overcomers. I also want to challenge them through God's Words so that they can be successful in every arena of their life.

Now I am no longer trying to kill those gardens but plant seeds in peoples lives that turn into a harvest.

Feeling Thankful

I'm feeling pretty thankful tonight.

Thankful to God who has gifted me with talents and experiences that He is using to supply our needs right now.

A wife who puts up with me.

Three awesome kids...couldn't have asked for better.

Journey Church...this church is going to rock this area...I ain't kiddin'!

Dean...who is stretching me and I'm stretching him...iron sharpens iron and I'm glad for the friendship we are developing.

The loyal people who are sticking with us as we find our selves and are implementing the DNA that God wants for His Church.

Collision

Had this thought for a series today as I was monitoring D-Hall.

Series Title: Collision or Crash

Series Idea: What if we lived each day with the thought that our lives are divinely intersecting with someone. That God has uniquely put people in our paths for the purpose of showing them His light through our lives. That there is an imminent collision about to happen that could change someones life.

I think I'm going to work it out.

God's Will

There are times where I feel really anxious about being in God's will. I think it comes from this sincere desire to be and do what He wants.

In launching Journey Church I have seen that it isn't just going to be easy. Part of me likes that...and part of me doesn't.

Through sports though I have realized that things that are truly worth it come at a price. Some of the people that start the journey with us won't end with us. Some don't have the fortitude. Some will feel it is just too hard. Some God has not destined to be with us. Who knows all the reasons.

I do know this...where we have started is not where we will finish. God has great plans for Journey Church and it is going to be like an investment in a new company.

On the front end you might not see the return. It might not even come quickly. But as you continue to work and pray and make it become the exact thing God wants it too be...that invest will come back in great reward.

There are many out there who are watching and waiting...some waiting to see if we are going to fail. Others are waiting until we get everything just right and then they will jump in.

If you are with us at the beginning, know that God will reward your faithfulness.

If you are here at Journey Church now...remain diligent and pray...the best is only yet to come.

Heroes

Ok...gotta say Heroes tonight was great. I'm still hooked for another season. I like the concept and the story...so...yeah, I like it.

I liked Heroes so much I did a message series on it last year. It was a take on Acts 1:8. Posted up one of the messages...I still think it was one of my best. Even made a cool trailer for it.

So Heroes...two thumbs up from me. Can't wait 'til next Monday @ 8.

Public vs. Christian School Part 2

Last week I started a discussion on Public vs. Christian School. You can catch up by clicking here.

First off I can honestly say that this is a hot topic. So hot I might add that to be honest I am going to tread real carefully with my posts. My intention was to have posted it all last week but I'm just getting back into it.

Remember, I have been on all sides of this topic. And to be honest I can see and understand the points from both sides. At the time of writing this all three of my daughters are enrolled in public schools, ages 7, 11, and 14. So where do I start.

Don't know if I can cover it all here but let's start with the Christian School point:

The true purpose of Christian Schools should be to partner with parents who want their children to have a biblically based education.

Being involved in Christian Education as a teacher and assistant principal I can honestly say that the educational side is sound. That it, in the right environment, does prepare our children with a sound education that can help them succeed in college. I have seen the students succeed as well as the test scores.

To be honest though Christian Schools are not a place where we can hide our Children from the "worldly influences". Except within a super strict controlled environment, there are children who are not followers of Christ who attend these schools.

I have seen many parents who are not followers of Christ place their children in these environments to escape much of the influences of the social side of public school.

Here is my opinion:

I honestly feel Christian Schools have a place in helping me raise my children with the right Godly influence. Although I do feel that it is the parents role to be the guiding force, I also realize we don't live in a perfect world anymore. With many families now having much busier schedules than normal Christian School can be a perfect environment to raise your children not only in their early formative years but also in their teen years.

I have seen that our oldest and middle daughter to have a stable start that has helped them transition into public school and has allowed them to not be as influenced and be a witness.

In my next post I'm going to try and tackle the public side but would love to hear some thoughts from you guys and gals out there. I really want to hear your perspective as we dig into this so leave a comment.

Remember I've only tackled one side but would love to hear some other points on the pluses of Christian School.

Random Video

Can't understand it but I thought it was creatively done...

Sunday Remix

Thoughts from Week 9.

• Hard to believe that around 7 or 8 years ago I stood on a platform in Church and told God that I never wanted to be a Sr. Pastor...and now here we are in Journey Church as one of the Sr. Leadership Pastors.
• There is so much in the message this morning. Making Disciples is a huge subject. Speaking on it this morning was only the tip of the iceberg.
• My buddy Randy knocked it out of the park this morning as they kicked off their first ever church service of LifePointe...100 people...19 kids...20 decisions for Christ....Way 2 Go Bro!!!
• This morning I felt good during the message but felt a little bogged down in the middle.
• We were missing key people this morning due to sickness...even in all that we set up faster than ever.
• Really feel momentum each week and that God is preparing us for what He wants to do.
• We are so close to securing a site for our Student Ministry in the Calallen/Tuloso-Midway Area. I know most of you have no clue where that is. Anyway pray for us. To pull it off we are going to need a youth leader. I'm a great stand-in for now but for it to be successful it needs a strong leader.
• I feel we have to get sharper in our systems as they are going to be key to God using us in a great way. I know a lot of churches that don't get that point.
• Music set was great this morning. I love The Stand by Hillsong United.
• Pumped for next week...we are doing a message called "I Am The Way". It's going to be a pure gospel message. Pray for God to draw in the lost and Journey Church to reach 'em.
• Heroes Season 2 tomorrow...I'm so ready.
  

Make Disciples

Got to preach this weekend in our adult experience at Journey Church. We continued our series Why Did Jesus Have To Say That. Below are the links


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The Family Part 2

Our Middle Daughter...she's the wild and crazy practical joker of the crew...ready to make you laugh...

The Family Part 1

Our oldest...she's grown up so fast...and is so awesome...becoming a strong woman of God.

Event of The Day

Had a flat today...


On the highway....


I hate go-cart tires...


FYI--Still had a great day...

I've Got An Addiction

The best place to hear is from the source.

You can hear a lot of lies from a lot of people but I figure you might as well hear the truth from me.

The cats out of the bag...and I'm giving you full permission to spread the word on me.

I'm Addicted!!!

I don't do King James that often...reading in foreign languages is tough for me...but as I study verses I will kick it out and bust out the strongs and vines to get some deeper word meanings.

I Corinthians 16:15-16 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

How you like that one??? I think I figured out my addiction...and it's biblical. Thanks Dave for pointing it out.

Good Day

Don't tell anyone but I had a great day subbing today. The teacher I subbed for has a student teacher who taught in her place while she was out. So throughout the day I was able to write down a lot of my thoughts for the Sunday message called "Making Disciples".

This is something that is so close to me...it is my ultimate purpose in life and why I do ministry. I have really taken it to heart in ministry and over so many years have geared what we did in our ministries to accomplish this. Some churches want a certain "type" of person. And they will push them out if they don't fit their "mold". We have always been the type that want to love the unlovable, want the unwantable, and reach the unreachable.

We want to be people that don't see through people but see them through.

I wrote down a definition today of what I see church should be. I'm playing with it so it is going to be tweaked but here is version one:

Create relevant environments to connect people where they are with the life flowing power of Jesus Christ and to enable people as connectors to partner with the Holy Spirit in the process of following God's command to make disciples.

Whew...that's a mouthful, but in a nut shell, is what I see.

Thoughts???? Good or bad welcome.

Public vs. Christian School Part 1

Said last week that I would be posting some thoughts on public vs. Christian School education.

Is one better than the other? What should a Christian do? Can a student go to public school and make it out Christian? How can we reach all of the students away from God if our Christian children aren't in the public school setting? Is Christian education the same quality as public? Is there a balanced approach to either setting?

My general background is: 12 years of experience teaching in two different Christian schools. Three daughters that have been in both teaching settings, public and Christian. Subbing experience in public schools. 14 years of ministry experience working with teens. 13 years of experience attending a public school.

Last week I posted up a questionnaire and the vast majority, 81% at the time of this post, responded their children were enrolled in a public school setting.

I don't know if I'll answer all of the questions but I am going to give you my opinion and take on it all. It may take a few posts to do it in so please stay tuned.

I really would like to see some conversation stimulated on my blog so do enter your opinion on it all as we go along.

Right Now

I'm sitting in class as a sub watching a student teacher teach the class. There are days when subbing is good.

Fight For Kisses

You gotta see this...it made me laugh...but then again...I'm not sure if it will make you...only you will tell.



I needed that laugh...thanks to my buddy who doesn't blog...

I Don't Know

if I going to post today. Well, I guess that is what I'm doing. I really feel I have been pushing hard on this for a while and I just need to let it come as it comes on here.

I have this idea of wanting to take what I'm writing to a new level. I also want to post many of the lessons I'm learning as a church planter.

So for a while this may come as it comes and it may be more than usual or maybe less...I Don't Know. We'll have to see.

Busy Weeks

I just plain decided to take a break from blogging for the weekend. I have been pumping it pretty hard over the past year. I have tried to be consistent and post regularly even when it is sort of non-sense. (Don't know if any of you have noticed that.)

With my schedule now I have to begin guarding my time.

A lot of my time I am spending trying to learn and grow myself, prepare for our weekend experiences, work on Journey Church, and continue to be the best husband and father I can be. And that is all in the evenings as I am working as a substitute teacher in one of our local schools. They have been calling me everyday over the past two weeks.

This weekend I am pumped. I am teaching in our adult experience on "Making Disciples". It is going to be informational and challenging as I will be challenging Journey Church that we are all to be intentionally fulfilling the "Commission" Jesus has called us to.

Just Three Words

Busy, Busy, Busy

The Next Level Part 8

Last point in Going To The Next Level.

Point #7

LEARN TO LIVE IN YOUR VISION REALITY

It's not that hard...you just do it.

Your vision reality is that arena where you reach your potential.

Pressures of life, work, money, retirement, home, family, etc...cause our current reality to expand and our vision reality to shrink.

Use visualization and positive affirmations to allow yourself to dream.

Anything less than that is beneath you.

Public vs. Christian School

Michael, Pastor of Oak Leaf Church, over on his blog You Can Know God, has had some interesting posts on Public School vs. Christian School. You can read here and here on it. Very interesting points from both sides in the post and the comments.

Being a previous youth pastor, assistant principal of a Christian School and now having subbed for two weeks straight in one of our local middle and high schools I am going to chime in on this conversation next week with a serious of posts.

Don't know exactly which side is going to like it or not...and it will be totally my opinion.

To help me get an idea of where my readers stand please vote on my poll below.

 What type of school do your kids go to?

• 
  
  Public


• 
  
  Christian


• 
  
  Homeschool


• 
  
  Mixture (some in one or the other)

view results
Free vote poll

RSS Readers my need to go to original post to answer

The Next Level Part 7

Getting to the last two points of our Next Level blog post series.

Point #6

CREATE POSITIVE DISCONTENT

It is healthy and normal to want more out of your life--if you didn't want more something would be wrong.

Frustration comes when we want more than we are "willing" or "able" to change to get.

Most people live in a dream world because they are not willing to change. People that truly want change do it.

Someone that truly begins to dislike their present state enough to pursue their potential creates the positive discontent that is a catalyst through their chaos.

Reality Check...YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES IN LIFE:

1. Change to reach the next level
2. Keep the old order and be frustrated.

That is why to reach the next level you must foster discontent with your current reality.

You have got to:

• Realize your new reality is real
• Realize your new reality is achievable
• Realize you are discontent with your old reality.

Simply Partnerific

Got to get the short version of this out tonight. I wanted to do a longer post and I may still do it. One of our "volunteers" (I consider her more of a ministry partner) hit an absolute home run tonight.

We had our Journey Student Connect Group, which is rapidly growing into our Student Ministry, tonight. Unbeknown to me, she printed out over 100 flyers and got them all over their neighborhood, sent myspace bulletins, and knocked it out of the park. She even led the bible discussion. Altogether we had 19...we did have 4 that were under, under age...so we didn't officially count them. That would have made it 23.

Now that's taking ownership and that is what I love. Way to go Talitha and her husband James for hosting and making Journey Church an awesome place to be.

The Next Level Part 6

Short point today as we continue Going To The Next Level.

Point #5

BECOME OTHER-PEOPLE FOCUSED

When you begin to focus on others, you expand yourself, allowing yourself to go further than you've ever gone before. This is also another way you begin to close the back door.

In ministry I have know many people who as they were challenged to step up into roles where they began to focus on others or lead in areas, this made them dig down more to prepare...to grow themselves.

The more people you add to the capacity of your heart, the more it stretches you.

Check out the full list of points with links in my post The Next Level Part 1

The Next Level Part 5

Let's get right into it today with our next point in Going to the Next Level.

Point number 4

CLOSE THE BACK DOOR ON YOUR OLD LEVEL

Do you want to really move to another level personally or organizationally? If so then you have got to slam the door shut on where you were.

To your mind...chaos is what is between your present and your potential.

Chaos is what you experience when your mind, which is accustomed to order, does everything it can to stay in its current reality.

That is why you must press through. Sometimes we have to burn our ships so to speak.

The only way to convince your mind that the next level is where you need to be is to use order--the very thing your mind craves--as the reason why you should get to the next order.

So accept that you will deal with the moral walls and peoples opinions and ignore the resistance.

Break your minds ability to self-sabotage by closing the back door on the old and decide going back is not an option.

If you haven't read all of these series of posts...see The Next Level Part 1 for a list of them all.

Remember The 80's

Yep...I used to watch this show...I was in Junior High leave me alone.

Journey Church Praise Report

I know this is never gonna get old and when I hear about them I'm gonna shout it to the roof top...so here it goes.

This week we received this testimony from Pam who is a faithful partner of Journey Church.

Two Sundays ago I agreed in prayer with her and one week later she had this to say.

Wayne has had several major health problems in the last five years...God has seen him though and healed Him time and time again!!!

The latest miracle...
Wayne had been having some chest pain for several weeks, and decided to go see his dr. The doctor ordered a chest x-ray and results showed old scar tissue and some new active lesions on his lungs.

The doctor told him at that point they would test for tuberculosis and cancer. They did the tuberculosis arm/test and said to come back in 2 days, and then a (PET) test for cancer would be scheduled. Wayne being Wayne, thought now would probably be a good time to tell me/Pam what was going on. I didn't know any of this was going on ......Hellooooooooooo, So he came home and told me.

I am a believer in God's word, I believe that God healing power is for All of us, not just the"good church going people" as Wayne believes. I immediately began to pray and stand on God's promises, (I love IIChronicles 20) took authority in Jesus Name, and came against the assignment of tuberculosis and cancer in Wayne's body! And just started praising God. I thank God that, I was able to reach out to my prayer partners, and knew to call on the elders of the church to stand in agreement with me boldly before the throne of God in Jesus Name. After all He is The Great Physician!!!

Two days later the tb test was negative. Wayne went for the cancer PET scan, on Wednesday. On Friday he went back to the Dr. for the results. The Dr., to say the least was a little confused....The PET scan showed, all old scar tissue, that he said looked like old tuberculosis scars, NO new active disease that was reported in the first x-ray and NO tuberculosis NO cancer. Glory be to God!

I want to thank you and Journey Church for being the obedient, sincere, loving people that God has called you to be.

I see the heart of Jesus in this family of God! For sure, for sure! I love you all.

Come on now folks...give it up for God.

The Next Level Part 4

So here we are "Going To The Next Level".

Last week we started this series of posts gave you the first two points to help you get to the next level: 1) Know the difference between fantasy and vision and 2) Knock down the moral walls that restrict you.

Today I want to jump right in with point number three.

RESET YOUR EXPECTATIONS

"People don't get what they want, they get what they expect."

This is true not only of people but in organizations as well. Our expectations are a huge determining factor if we are to reach our potential. Those that expect to get to the next level will get there.

In sports, business or life "those that expect to win are the ones who win".

That is because your current reality is based on your expectations.

Remember back when you were in school. You had this expectation of what type of student you were. For me, I was an "A" student. By that it meant that I settled for a 90. I could care less of getting a 100 unless I needed to bring my average back up. I only studied enough to make an "A". Being an "A" student meant that I could miss a few questions no problem. Could I have been a "100" student? You bet. The potential was there and the work ethic could have been there too, if it were my expectations.

So today...reset you expectations.

• Set your expectations to begin to reach your potential and attain that next level living.
• Challenge your beliefs about what you believe you deserve out of life.
• Keep yourself accountable to someone you can trust and who believes in you.
• Surround yourself with people who are at the level you want to attain next in your life.

Funny Thing Was

I went to church at the Holiday Inn today...and...they didn't charge me.

That's right...we don't charge people to come to church.

Seems there was a...hmmm...how should I say it...rumor...yeah that's it...a rumor was going around that we are charging people to come to Journey Church.

I knew it was going to start and it only encourages me. Those that have to lie...well...I won't go there.

Truth is we don't charge anyone to come to Journey Church...so if you hear anyone out there saying that...do me a favor....PLEASE DISPEL THE MYTH.

Thanks

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (I wonder what I'll hear next.)

Sunday Remix

7th Sunday is done...Here are my thoughts on the day.

• So far our average is staying even. We had 44 in attendance. And every week we get a little smoother.
• Today, we had live music. We still need musicians if you know anyone out there.
• The message I had for our Journey Kids was right on this morning. I talked about sin and how serious Jesus takes it. It went great. I had one kid choose to follow Christ today.
• Great testimony brought back to us this week after I prayed for one of our partners last week. I hope to get her to type out and I can share it with everyone.
• I am so pumped to preach in two weeks. I'll be going two weeks in a row. One of them I will be giving a clear presentation of the gospel.
  

Quickie

Only time for a quick hit this morning.

Today...7th week for the Journey. I'm so pumped. My buddy is preaching main adult experience. I'm preaching children's.

Life's A Journey...and I'm loving it.

The Next Level Part 3

When you hear the words "pro-athlete" what do you associate that with?

For different people it means different things...hero, overpaid, dumb jocks, etc...

Our belief systems and the things we associate them with are tied into the moral walls that determine our reaching our potential.

Currently I am doing a series of posts on Going To The Next Level.

In our last post of this series we talked about Knowing The Difference Between Fantasy And Vision. Once you know the difference between fantasy and reality and you start learning the process of succeeding, you next need to:

Knock Down The Moral Walls That Restrict You

Most people have a pattern of thinking like this:

words -->> pictures -->> emotions -->> belief systems

It is around our beliefs that we create moral walls...this is actually great until we realize that where we want to go is not our current reality.

You begin to order your beliefs with the words you associate your beliefs with.

When we hear a word we automatically associate it in our minds with a picture. With that picture we attach an emotion that contributes to our belief system.

In order proceed to a new level we must knock down those moral walls by going back to the words to re-associate a new line of thinking.

For example...many years ago I went away from saying the word youth group. This was something we used over and over again. In many ways this word associated a small minded approach for me. A group was small...using the word ministry presented a more larger and purposeful way of doing it.

Beginning to use the words youth ministry began to knock down some moral walls for our team as well as our teens. Now we were filled with a more out-ward focused vision. It led to us growing and reaching out to more teens.

What moral walls do you need to knock down that are keeping you from reaching your potential? Begin today to associate a new way of thinking with yourself and/or your team.

The Next Level Part 2

This week we started a new blog series here about Going To The Next Level. In Part 1 we talked about how everyone lives in their present and we have this unlimited potential above us. In order to get to that new level it moves us into an area of chaos that our mind hates and will try to sabotage us to keep us in the present.

This can be in all areas of our lives. We all can reach our next level whether it be in financial areas, relational areas, organizational areas and any other area you can think of.

The first way to begin to reach your potential and that next level is:

Know The Difference Between Fantasy and Vision

Most people believe in a fantasy world versus a vision for life.

This is tough because many and all of us are taught to dream big dreams for our lives and not let it hold us back. Too often those dreams really are fantasy.

Fantasy is this extravagant imagination or supposition with no solid foundation. I used to coach basketball and really hated to tell some kids the truth. There were many that had this imagination that they would play in college and that one day they would be in the NBA...only problem is they didn't have the athletic ability or skills necessary. But they would live in this fantasy world that imagined that they could. Tough part is you didn't want to crush their dreams...because you would tell them to dream big...but there has to be a solid foundation and realism to your dream. Just watch American Idol...and you will know what I mean.

The number one problem with fantasy really and truly is that when you get it, you lack the internal preparation necessary to remain at that level so you self-sabotage and lose it all.

Why do you think most of the poor people who win the lottery only end back up where they were? How many athletes have you seen get those dreams only to do something stupid to sabotage their success? Why do you think many churches can never break through those levels they dream of?

A Vision For Life though is where we can go if we are to reach our true potential and transition to the next level.

Vision entails knowing what you want (goal), understanding what it will take to get there, and applying yourself 100% to do what is required.

If you are not doing anything to prepare for the next level of success in your life, it will never come for you.

For me it has taken years of knowing what I want (to be a pastor of excellence and passion who develops others to make an impact in their world), understanding what it will take to get there (learning from the best, dying to my dreams, studying and preparing myself for the moment God makes it happen), and applying myself 100% to do what is required (that is why I spent five years at Faith Family working in their Christian School working with teens so that I would be and learn in a ministry that was doing something great).

Most churches, pastors, businesses and people aren't getting there because they don't understand and are not doing what is required to get there.

What are you going to do today to begin to move "you" to your potential? And are you going to start preparing yourself to handle it when you get there?

Beginning Answers To Prayer

Hey everyone who reads my blog and ramblings...especially when there are like 10 posts in a day...

Just wanted to say a big thank you for those that are praying for our family...just to let you know that God is answering your prayers out there for us.

Since having to leave our last church we really have struggled in finding a job...you can't imagine how difficult it is. I really can understand how people could go homeless if they lost their jobs.

Statistics say most people are two paychecks away from being homeless...reason is that they are living out of their means.

This week I got called out to sub at the high school and the middle school for four days...that will come in huge when they pay. Also I really feel they will begin to call me on a regular basis. If they do and my wife subs about 2 or 3 times a week it will take a huge relief off of us financially as God grows Journey Church.

God has given us an opportunity to do something great and just know by praying for us you are helping to build something from the ground floor and the lives we touch are going to be touched because of you. For anyone who wants to know how they can partner with us read about it in my other post called Partnering.

I should be continuing my Next Level series tomorrow as I left all my notes in the class I was subbing for, sorry it hasn't worked out as I planned so thanks for your patience...BE BLESSED!!!!

Blog Update

Hey everyone...I just have time for a quick update...

As you know I was in the middle of a new series of posts called Going To The Next Level.

I didn't get to continue on with it yesterday and not sure about today as well. I got called in to sub yesterday and today...and with my evenings being full it has left me little time to blog.

Keep praying for me...I need more of these sub jobs...

Social Networking And The Church

I spent about 6 to 7 hours working on our Journey Church Myspace today. Nice for a holiday huh?

Right now, it is our main source of web presence.

To be honest I really wish more church websites had the ability to create the social type of networking like myspace. I really don't think it can happen because you aren't going to get millions or thousands of unchurched people to sign up to a "church" network.

That is why I see myspace as a great way to reach out to other people within your city and provide interaction. To be honest I see more churches using blogs and social networking to be more effective and create more interaction. There are some churches leading the way in these areas.

The Next Level Part 1

Imagine if you woke up one day after and what you had known all your life was changed.

How would you feel? What emotions would you have?

For example what if were born with clasped hands. That's right, you are a one-handed, two-thumbed person. This is all you have known all your life. Nothing else. Even though having two hands and ten fingers is obviously better, you have now knowledge of what it would be like for the alternative. Clasped hands are safe and normal and all you know.

Now imagine waking up one morning at 40 and you know have two hands and ten fingers.

Do you know what the reaction of most people would be...look, scream, and clasp the hands back together.

Remember, this is all you have know as the norm and even though the alternative is better, when you broke out of the norm fear caused you to go back to what was safe.

Our minds are exactly like this. Everyone of us is geared mentally to demand order. Our minds will also do everything they can to keep that order even when it makes no sense.

That's why over this series of posts we are going to talk about going to the next level in our lives. This can be in every area.

When we try to move to a new level from our present to our potential our mind will sabotage itself back to its present level.

The move from our present to our potential causes chaos for us mentally and our minds fight that chaos to return us to the stable thinking of our present.

This is why most people don't change in their lives, why churches remain the same, and why organizations don't break out of the rigid way of thinking that keeps them in their present state.

What you believe to be true and real is just a perception built upon where you are in your life. That is why we must breakout of the mental sabotage that holds us back from the higher levels God wants for our lives.

Some things we will learn:

1. Know the difference between fantasy and vision.
2. Knock down the moral walls that restrict you.
3. Reset your expectations.
4. Close the back door on your old level.
5. Become other people focused.
6. Create positive discontent.
7. Learn to live in your vision reality.

Sunday Remix

Thoughts from today as I wind down the evening:

• Journey Church was hitting today with 60 total attendance in our 6th week. Folks this is an awesome number. We have really done no major marketing at all. Only word of mouth. If you go to Journey the time is now to spread the word. Let's reach this area.
• There were three churches meeting at our hotel location today. That is totally crazy. The Holiday Inn must be the birthplace of churches for this city.
• I have really decided that I and my wife are not children's pastor. We do a "good" job. But we need someone in there that can do a "great" job.
• If you would like to partner with us you can do that in several ways. We need people who want to be in on the ground floor of a movement sweeping across the Coastal Bend.
• Let me expound on that 60 number for a moment. After 3 years the average church plant has 43 people...God is already doing something great with Journey. After 6 weeks our average attendance is 41 people. PRAISE GOD!!!
• I'm bummed that our myspace has been down since last Wednesday. And then today it was totally down. It has been our major source of getting the word out about Journey as we build up this church to the point of getting a website. I may be breaking down tomorrow and building another one tell they do something with it.
• Still pumped about getting 1,000 visits last month. For a guy how really is a nobody on the church scene and doesn't really have a lot of connections out there, I'm really pleased with where this blog has gone.
• This week is our second Journey Student Connect Group. I was pumped about last week's attendance and look forward to this week. I really want to shore up a youth director soon though.
• I really want to blog on how God uses prayer and systems to grow a church. I might do that after my next series of posts on Going To The Next Level.
• Jacked about Heroes starting soon. Best series on tv...no doubt.
• I'm a secret BB fan. Oops, I guess the cats out of the bag.
• I redirected our website name to our podcast page so people could continue to listen to our podcast.
• I busted my butt the last two days on powerpoint stuff and a video. Boy am I ready to turn that one over. Every weekend I spend about 3 hours on powerpoint. I want things to look great as we start out even though I don't have a volunteer to make them. Great thing is I have two awesome ladies stepping up to the plate to help on Sunday mornings.
• God came through this morning for our family personally...thanks for your prayers and continual support.

Relevant Christian Site

The other day I told everyone I would introduce you to a blog connection I made. Through blogging I met Jimmy Eldridge who has a site called Relevant Christian. The web address is relevantchristian.com.

Jimmy posted up an article I wrote and has added me as a contributor to the Relevant Christian site.

Make sure you check out the article called "Defining Moments". Click -->>HERE<<-- to read the article.

Also if you have a myspace make sure you check out the Relevant Christian Myspace and add them as a friend.

Thanks Jimmy...Keep up all that you do.

Saturday Thoughts

No special blogs today...since I blogged 10 times yesterday.

Next week stay tuned I think I'll be blogging on Reaching The Next Level. It will take me about 7 or 8 days of posting once a day on that topic.

That will be my main theme going through. I may start it tomorrow. And of course you may find my usual mix of other things going on. Hopefully tomorrow I'll do a Sunday Remix.

Keep praying for us as we continue to launch Journey Church...if there is one main thing you can do as one of my readers it is to do that.

Pray for God's blessing and wisdom for our leadership team.

Pray for God's blessing on our finances so we can reach the coastal bend area.

Pray for laborer's to get it done.

1,000 Milestone

Well it is 12:00 a.m. and I just checked...it looks like as of right now...I made it...a new milestone...a ceiling broken.

I'm no Chris Day...but I hit the 1,000 mark with an official tally of 1,003.

Checking my Google Analytics for the month of August 2007 and here is what I got:

1,003 Visits
1,496 Page Views
506 Unique Visitors

Majority of viewers use Internet Explorer and connect by DSL.

Besides coming straight into my site...the top content was Clothe The Naked, Church Behind The Scenes, and Skater Falls 50 Feet.

Shout-outs go to:

Flowerdust.net
Serialyouthpastor.com
Connecting For Eternity

For the blogs sending the most hits my way.

And you thought you guys lived in this secret world out there on the internet.

I even have a list of names of everyone that visited with your home address...nah just kidding.