Prep for the new place

Yesterday morning, several people from the church and I met to clean-up and prep the new place for our first Sunday of worship there. Although we were working, there was so much excitement in the air. There's nothing like being in God's time of change, and I am so grateful that the church is willing to embark on this journey. Man, it's so sweet to see the momentum growing. I almost want to get ahead of myself, but I gotta take it in stride.

FYD 2008

What a weekend!! It was awesome to be part of an experience where a bunch of people were worshipping, going crazy, screaming, jumping, crying, giving their lives to God, etc. It was bigger and better than last year's (not that bigger is always better) event. And now, we're definitely focused on following-up with the teens and early 20's that made decisions to change the direction of their life.

The team that works with me did a fab job. They are hard-working, have a servant's heart, and they also believe in this. Their sacrifice and work is priceless, and I am so appreciative of everything they contribute to make it happen. Everything was just off the heezy!!

My "day" job

Last winter, we re-launched our regional youth convention and called it FYD 2007 (find your destiny). This year, we are continuing with it but tweaking it to be Fulfilling Your Destiny. It's been quite a ride planning and organizing this thing...filled with its share of speed bumps along the way. We're really trusting God to impact teens' lives and help them find and fulfill their purpose in life. Anyway, we start today, and I still got a bunch of stuff to do. I'm out!!

Another good Sunday

We had a good Sunday yesterday. Had a good turnout, a lot of high energy in the air and got to spend some time with a couple who recently decided to come on board and be part of our core group. It was cool to just hang out and dream a bit about what we're planning on doing in the not-so-distant future.

Next Sunday will be our last Sunday at the Ontario location as we prepare to move to our new place in Upland. Our group seems to be pretty excited about the move and is looking into the future with quite a bit of optimism. I am extremely grateful for this group and for being so willing to journey with me on this adventure.
In the following weeks, our foundation will continue to be laid, and by the beginning of March, a date should be set for the launch of our replant. Exciting times...

We had another weekly meeting last night for the formerly known Vida Nueva Upland church. Although we are in a "prenatal" stage as we develop the architecture of this replant, there's excitement among the small group of people to venture out into the unknown.

In our Sunday meetings, we've been talking about going over to "the other side," or next level, be it in our relationship with God, family, other people, job, etc...including as a church. In the last few weeks, we've been reviewing Abraham's story, especially in the beginning of his journey out of the known and comfortable. God calls him to leave his country, family and father's house and quest into the unknown. God gives him awesome promises, but he doesn't tell him exactly where he's going. It appears as though he gives him hints here and there, but regardless, he does want Abraham to trust him on this trek.

So, we're on a journey...to who-knows-where. God has definitely been giving us hints here and there, and even though things aren't crystal clear, we've definitely made the decision to obey and trust him. Despite the apparent uncertainty (not to be confused with doubt or lack of faith, btw), there's a peace in our hearts and minds as we journey with God.

You mean...today?

Have you ever heard anyone saying something like, "I can't wait until I graduate from high school (or college) because then I'll be happy?" Or..."I can't wait until I get a raise at work 'cause then I'll be better off ." Or..."When I get married (or have kids, grandkids, etc.), then things will be better." But what about today?
Why do we have a tendency to look to a better tomorrow when all we have to do is change our perspective on today?? One dude said, This is the day that the Lord has made... (Ps 118.24a).

Didn't wanna sound preachy, but I woke up this morning with this passage ringing in my head. Man! How different things would be if my perspective on the todays in life would be more optimistic and purposeful as I pursue God and fulfill his vision for me and others...even in the "small" things!

I choose to view today as the day God has made.....and it's filled with purpose and vision and opportunity and beauty and dreams and, well, you get the point.

How will you view the todays in life?

SBUX: in decline or on the rise?

For a good while now, I've been close to being a Starbucks addict. I've tasted just about everything they have to offer, except for tea....definitely not a tea person. However, not sure if it's because of the monotony of drinking a certain drink all the time or what, but I'm starting to stray from SBUX and trying other people's coffee. I've tried The Coffee Bean, Seattle's Best Coffee, and other local coffee shops. My favorite so far is SBC, which is usually found at Borders bookstores. I'm finding myself seeking Borders out solely for their SBC coffee. Man! I guess I can't live without being addicted to some kind of substance!

So anyway, I've heard several rumors about sbux being on a downward slope, and it seems as though I will be adding to that decline. However, I'm still open to receive any kind of sbux gift card!!

What about you? Are you a Starbucks person?

Missional Church of God

While browsing some friends' sites, I came across missionalcog.com, which seems to provide dialogue among COG people about Jesus' mission for us. I think I'll be contributing periodically to the discussions at hand. Check it out when you get a chance.

Breakfast Club

Years ago, when his airness, Michael Jordan, was at his peak, he, Scottie Pippen, and a couple of other players met almost every morning to work out and improve their game by doing other stuff together. They called themselves the Breakfast Club.

Yesterday morning, I met with three other "younger" pastors to just hang out, eat breakfast, bounce ideas off each other, grow together, etc. It was cool to just hang out and discuss stuff. 2 of the guys have been pastoring a while now and are growing, and the remaining guy and I are the rookies. It was cool to hear about what they're doing, how they're growing, strategies being implemented, to be encouraged, etc.

We'll be meeting once a month, and it's something I will be looking forward to, for sure. Now, while we don't pretend to be the Jordans of ministry, we will challenge, encourage, push, and be accountable to each other. Ahh, the breakfast club.

The adventure continues...

Ship's Sailing Out!...with the right people on board

We had a great worship service yesterday with a better-than-average attendance and the series we're on is just kickin! I had a bit of trouble while playing a couple of videos with my computer at 256mb of ram. So, I think that may have been the last time I'll be using that comp because I had offers from three different people to use their computers from now on!

Last Sunday, a friend of mine let me know that she will be joining the church, and yesterday afternoon, my boy and his family let me know that they have decided to get on board and sail the open seas with us as well. So, we now have three "new" adults that are joining us, and the good thing about these guys is that I've known them for a long time and there's already a sense of trust that bonds us. At the same time, the architecture of the church is coming together.

What an adventure!

Lion Chaser's Manifesto

Mark Batterson wrote a book called In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day where he talks about lion chasers. Below is the lion chaser's manifesto, which I will be adhering to:

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Chase the lion.

New year, new season

With the beginning of this new year, it's definitely a new season for Vida Nueva Upland. The holidays were a nice close to the previous chapter in the life of the surviving church. There are many plans still brewing that will take VN Upland on a neverending journey of health, outreach and ministry, where it will thrive. This is a process, however, and a learning experience that has endless possibilities.

Yesterday, a couple of families and I went to check out a couple of places to call home (for a while, anyway), and it seems as though we have a green light. The meeting space is somewhat smaller than where we now meet in Ontario, but now, we will have a room for children's ministry, we will be paying less than what we've been paying, and we won't be meeting in the same place as one of our sister churches. The latter may not sound as a big deal, but it was just kinda weird having two congregations (who report to the same office) meet in the same place.

So, it appears as though we will be moving back to Upland within a month. It's kinda funny because I just started a new series called "The Other Side" where we talk about crossing over (not Jonathan Edwards style) to the other side in terms of faith, in our relationships, jobs, ministry and as a church. It's kind of a "next step/level" talk. And this move to Upland feels like we're going over to the other side. I'll comment more on what else is going on soon.