Do I have to share?!?

Now I want you to know that I really do like to share.  There are many things that I love to share with people, but there are just a few that I really don't like to share.  Here are a few of those things:

My french fries

My tooth paste

My bacon

My phone

My internet signal

My Coke

My sandwich

My $100 bills  (Not that I have any.  ;)

My worries

My sin

Sounds pretty selfish of me right?  Keeping all that stuff to myself like that.

"Creepers"

Yesterday I took my kids to their swim practice.  It was like most days.  When we got there early, like usual, there was a group of high schoolers practicing at the pool.  I looked over and noticed a man, who looked rough, looking in at the swimmers and mumbling things.  My daughter told me that it was pretty common to see "creepers" at the pool, watching.

I wasn't interested in this man being there watching these kids. And I definitely wasn't interested in him watching MY kids.  I knew that this man was probably troubled.  But I also knew I had to go and say something to him.

I walked over to the coaches who were at the pool and asked them about the man.  They told me that they had called dispatch, the police, but it had been 15 minutes.  I told them I was going to go over and talk to the man and tell him that he needed to move along.  They seemed relieved that someone was going to do something.

As I started to walk away the young male coach asked if I wanted him to go with me, I said, "Sure."  So he followed along behind. He quickly realized that I was going to go talk to the man outside of the chain link fence and asked if it would be better to stay inside the fence.  I thought that was reasonable and so we approached the man with the chain link between us.  Here was our conversation:

Me:  "Hello Sir, do you have any students in the pool practicing?"

Man:  "No.  I was just watching the spectacle."

Me:  "Well, if you don't have any kids in the pool it's probably best that you move along.  If you want to come watch and cheer at a meet that would be great!"  (Not that I really meant it would be great, just that it would be a better place to realistically go watch swimmers you don't know.)  ;)

Man:  "Oh...Okay.  I was just watching.  You guys have a great bunch of swimmers out there!"

Me:  "Thank you very much!  We sure do!"

The man then preceded to pick up his stuff and walk away.  The coaches thanked me.

The police showed up about 10 minutes later and I went over to talk to the officer to let him know what happened.

My kids were watching me the whole time.  I wonder what was going through their heads.

We as men need to step up a little bit more.  We need to show our families and those around us that we aren't going to stand by and watch things just happen.  I know I have a long way to go, but yesterday God helped me show courage with love.

I don't think the man walked away feeling horrible.  I believe he was actually quite happy to carry on a conversation with someone. At least yesterday that's all that was needed to defuse a uncomfortable situation.

Reckless Abandon

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

1 Corinthians 1:25

The wisest men I have ever known were/are nothing more than men who had a reckless abandon for God.

Feeding the Hungry

Today the Branches went and fed some people who were hungry.  They were easy to find.  Right there in the open.  We had a barbecue.  Everyone loves barbecue.

You know what else people love?

Someone to talk to.

Someone who will pat them on the back, give them a hug, or shake their hand.

Someone to joke with.

Someone who will hand them an ice cold Coke.

I talked to several at the park today.  One of the coolest conversations I had was with a man who picked up a Pepsi, instead of a Coke (When a Coke was readily available.).

Me:  "What are you doing?!?"

Him:  "Just grabbing a Pepsi!"

Me:  "Why?!?  There's a Coke right there!"

Him:  Smiling, "You can't tell the difference when you pour them in a glass!"

Me:  "Yes you can!  But they aren't in a glass anyway, they're in a can, one says Coke, one says Pepsi!"

I proceeded to tell him that the next time we come out, which will be soon, we will have a taste test for everyone.  Whichever drink they choose in the blind taste test is the drink they will receive, even me.  We'll just see if I can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi in a glass.

Me and this man had a good time today just mixing it up with our pretend argument.  We both laughed and smiled.  He was fed, and unfortunately, he drank a Pepsi.  But I also think he felt loved today.  I know I felt loved today.

End it

I put a red X on my hand today.  You should too.  Below will explain why.  If you decide to place a red X on your hand after reading this or watching the video please just leave a comment on here saying end it, or leave the same comment on my Facebook page.

From enditmovement.com:

Slavery still exists. 

We want every man, woman and child to know that there are 27 million men, women and children, just like them, living in the shadows. Working as slaves. In 161 countries. Including our own. Let's shine a light on slavery and END IT. 

Visit enditmovement.com, to watch the video, take the pledge and then pass it on. Let's make FREEDOM go viral!

Secret Desire

My secret desire...to record a album with some of my best friends.

What's stopping me?  Really nothing.  I have two friends with recording studios.

So maybe it's not so secret anymore.  And maybe...

A Few Good Men

In light of some of the stuff that I've been thinking about recently, and the way God has been growing me, I thought I'd share with you some of the best men I have in my life.  These are men I admire.  I will try to keep it brief so you don't get bored.

From Haviland, Kansas
Ryan Kendall--This guy is a jack of all trades.  He loves Jesus, his family, photography, running, Jesus, music, basketball, and Jesus.  All of this and he's my fishing buddy.

From Indianapolis, Indiana
Bryan Vickery--He is so humble yet so amazing.  He's kind of like the quiet thunder in my life.  Even from 2150 miles away.  I don't think he knows how important his opinion is to me.  Because he loves Jesus so much.

From Escondido, Californa
Matthew Thompson--We've known each other forever!  He is so talented, as a musician, singer, father, husband, he is creative, and he loves Jesus!  It's like the complete package.

From Dundrum, Northern Ireland
Richie Shilliday--We only spent nine days together all the way back in 2009 but I admire him for his confidence.  I don't know if I know of another man with more God confidence, which is really the only kind of confidence to have!  Oh, and by the way, you guessed it, he loves Jesus too!

From Kigali, Rwanda, Africa
Matthew Nash--A lifelong friend.  A friend that sticks closer than a brother.  He loves Jesus.  Anything more need to be said?  And yes Matt, I am now feeling like I will be out in Africa in the future to do some God stuff.

From Escondido, California
Nathan Harris--I would trust this guy with my life.  He is maybe one of the most loving people I know. And he loves Jesus, kind of a natural fit!

From Muskegon, Michigan
Dave Eikenberry--My lifelong Pastor.  I think most people who will be reading this will know how much I love this man.  He loves Jesus!  The most important thing to him!

From Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, and California
Kristen Sorensen--Yes, that is a man.  Mentor and encourager.  He has been instrumental in helping me understand that I can lead.  He is also my golf spouse.

From Yorba Linda, California
Jason "Chief" Morones--Man-Crush Alert!  I love this man.  He is the man I love to hug the most.  He loves Jesus!  He loves students!  He is amazing!

From Ladera Ranch, California
Brandon Cuevas--My singing partner, my dance partner, my theology partner, Brandon is one of the most unique people I know.  I have not laughed harder or cried more with anyone, than I have with him.  And he loves Jesus!

From Escondido, California
Nate Canady--Dude is solid!  I think he can to all the things I want to do but don't get off my lazy butt to do.  Plays guitar, piano, reads, learns languages, is a chemist!  Loves Jesus with his whole heart!

None of these guys are perfect.  We all have our things that God is working on in us.  But I am one blessed man to have all of them in my life!

If you didn't make the list, know that I love you.  It has to stop somewhere.  There are many other men I admire and trust.  You guys rock also.  I did this today because I need to learn to encourage more.  Something God has been teaching me.

I've noticed something Nasty.

Just something I've noticed.  I think it's how God is growing me in this area.  If you take it personally know that I took it personally first.  Don't think I'm picking on you, I'm picking on myself.

Christians are mean to each other.

Example:  The Bible docudrama

I've heard a lot of Christians talk about it in the negative.  I don't know why?  I watched the whole thing and thought it was great!  Of course there was some "creative license" taken, we weren't there to actually see what happened.  We don't know what all of the emotions looked like.  

But we do this.  We have to make drama.  We think we have to have something to say.  I have to feed the forces of nastiness.  

We should love more.  We should enjoy each other more.  We should look past minor disagreements and leave them there.  In the past.  Actually, we should stop disagreeing over minor things.  

I don't think loving each other looks like correcting each other all the time, in minor things that don't matter.

What really matters is Jesus.  If we agree on Him other things should just be "creative license".

(Please don't prove my point and suggest in your mind that we can all think anything we want about important theological things.  I'm talking about minor things that don't make a difference in our faith walk with Jesus.  ;)

A Lost Art: Special Effects vs. Straight Story Telling

Has our society lost the art of story telling without the use of special effects? Don't get me wrong, I like CGI, but there have been things made, albeit most many years ago, I can watch because the story telling is just so good.

For example, recently Andy Griffith died, I can still sit down and watch the Andy Griffith Show and be completely entertained. Another example would be The Cosby Show. How good was the clean humor and story telling in that show?!?

We have lost something by improving ourselves, if you want to call it improving.

What are some of the best non-special effects stories you have ever seen, either on the silver screen or on the tele?

Dear God,

So I always tell my kids when they pray that they aren't writing a letter, so instead of starting their prayers with Dear God, they usually start with something like, thank you God for today, or something like that.  Today I thought I'd actually write a letter to God here on my blog.  Seeing as God is omnipresent and omniscient I think He will get it.

Dear God,

I love you.  I feel like I always have, although I haven't always shown it.  I'm having a hard time down here.  I'm guessing that has to do with me not with You.  But it doesn't change the fact that I'm a mess.  I'm getting old, feeling old, I'm poor, weak, I have anxiety, and I'm trying to walk in faith when sometimes that feels like I'm walking in the dark.

Where are you?  Are you with me?  Maybe the better question is, "Am I with you?".

I'm tired.  I need your strength.  I need your help.  I need to feel you show up.  I need to know you're there.  Is that my lack of faith showing.  Well I am pathetic.  You know that.  So would you help my faith be more faithful?

You are the God of the Universe.  If that's not true, none of this matters.  But I believe You.  I believe You are Holy, Awesome, Majestic, and Powerful.  I believe You are able to do anything You have set your mind to do.  Please Do Your work in me.  Please let that work be so evident that people will have to say, "Only God could do that!".  Please.  And when You do, I will point to You.  I will make sure people know it's You, and definitely not me.  Please.

This is my cry, literally me crying out to You.

I love you,

Pink

Ten Things I Like

Here is the contrasting top ten, Ten Things I Like!

1. Drumsticks
2. Rocks
3. Getting in the car and seeing over a half a tank of gas.
4. Naps
5. Apple
6. A Change Jar
7. Making someone smile or laugh.
8. The Holidays
9. Fresh hair cuts, especially by my stylist Kimberly Harris!  She's awesome, you should go see her.
10. The word Bombastic.

What do you Like?

Ten Things I Hate

My mom always said hate was a strong word. As a matter of fact it seemed to be the only real cuss word in our house. But I thought I'd pull it out and give you a list of ten things I hate.
So here goes:

10.  Heat.  Anytime the temp gets above 85 I hate it.

9.  Gas.  Actually, I hate being so dependent on transportation that uses gas.

8.  Sticky stuff that gets on my hands.  I hate it when my hands get sticky.

7.  Tube TVs.  What did we do before flat panels?  Tube TVs are just so dad-gum heavy!

6.  When dirt gets on my new pair of shoes.  I know it has to happen, I just hate it when it does.

5.  Flies.

4.  Greed.

3.  Fat, on me, not on steak, I love fat on steak.

2.  The game Marco Polo.

1.  Raisins.

Five Solas

I have a new shirt.  If you see me wearing it, the below explains. These are Latin phrases that were used during the Protestant Reformation to give distinction between themselves, reformers, and the Catholic Church.

"The five solas articulated five fundamental beliefs of the Protestant Reformation, pillars which the Reformers believed to be essentials of the Christian life and practice. All five implicitly rejected or countered the teachings of the then-dominant Catholic Church, which had usurped divine attributes or qualities for the Church and its hierarchy, especially its head, the pope."  Wikipedia

Sola Scriptura = By Scripture Alone
Sola Fida = By Faith Alone
Sola Gratia = By Grace Alone
Solo Christo = Through Christ Alone
Soli Deo Gloria = Glory to God Alone

The Problem With Me

The big problem with me is that I think I can say or do enough to change someone else's life. That isn't my place. My place is to live in such complete dependance on Christ that His power transforms me. That transformation is then a testimony to His work. As this transformation occurs I will say and do things that will be used to change other's lives, but it is still His power that transforms and changes others.

It's all Him. His power. His Love. His transformative work. 

Not me. I have no power. I have no love. I have no way to transform myself...without Him.

The Cost of War

Now before you get your knickers in a twist, I am not posting this as a commentary about not ever going to war. I'm not here as some pacifist trying to say that we need to give peace a chance. Although I wouldn't be opposed to the whole world just getting along and all of us living in peace. I've been curious recently about how much the war has cost America since 2001 and found this site. I'm sure someone could find something wrong with it but it's my blog and I found it interesting.

http://costofwar.com/en/

I have also read that there has been some economic damage done to our economy besides just the actual cost of war. This has made me understand that we aren't talking about where we can place the fault for our deficits. This has been a series of unfortunate events that has led us to our economic woes.

"We're nominating a President, not a Pastor."

I have done a pretty good job staying out of the fray, until recently.  You see, as a pastor I really don't have a dog in the hunt.  To be more specific, I am independent.  But here over the last several years I have become truly independent.  Not someone who says it for attention, but one who actually means they are independent.

(Is "dog in the hunt" an actual saying?)

Anyway, I digress.  Over the past several years I have defended Bush, defended Obama, even in some regards defended Clinton.  Generally I believe some people who have gotten into conversations with me think when I speak of these Presidents that I am for them.  And believe it or not, I am.  All three of these men say they believe in the God of the Universe, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  They have all claimed that Jesus is their Messiah.  I want that to be true.  They have all done things and said things that are contrary to what it means to be a Christ follower.  Haven't we all.  I want all men to know Christ and follow Him.  So if I want all men to know Christ, I want all Presidents to know Christ.  If I want all Presidents to know Christ then I want them to show that in their lives.

Some people have said to me in the past, "We're nominating a President, not a Pastor."  I get where these people are coming from, but I guess what I really want is a President who knows Jesus, follows Jesus, and in every aspect of His life is being affected by Jesus.  Knowing Jesus would naturally spill over into his Presidency.  If Jesus is the life changer, shouldn't this be what all Christians want?

Alas, most believe, including the Presidents themselves, that being Christian and being President are two separate compartments.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that Presidents should set out a decree that all people have to believe in Jesus.  That's ridiculous.  But I do believe that Presidents who claim Christ should make Christ the central focus of their life and that should reflect in the decisions they make.

So as we go further into this election year just know that I want all involved to know Christ, the real Christ.  "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."  (Philippians 3:8a)  I want all to know the Truth.  I want all to be speaking Truth.  Because Christ is the Truth.

There is Nothing More Important than the Worship of God

I shared this yesterday morning during our service.  "There is nothing more important than the worship of God."  It's hard to make it meaningful enough using just my voice or this place where I type simply words.  How do I go about really helping people understand that they were made for worship of God?  Too much stuff is in the way.  Too many voices in our heads.  Too many other things to worship.

I guess I can start with this one place, in this one moment, if you are reading this right now just take a moment and tell God how Awesome you know He is.

If you don't believe God is Awesome, or don't believe in God at all, and you find yourself here on this blog wondering why you are looking at this, please take sometime to think about your eyeball and how that super mega computer in your head was built.

God You Heal Me

I am a sinner.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

I am weak and damaged.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

In my deepest distress.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

In my deepest pain.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

I lack faith.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

I lack belief.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

Courage is far from me.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

Anger is my companion.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

The Son has saved me.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

The Spirit is mighty.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

You God are my Healer.

God you know this.

God you heal me.

Mental Illness?

Aren't we all mentally ill? Don't hear me wrong, I'm not suggesting that there isn't a thing such as mental illness, but because of the fall don't we all have a problem with our heads and hearts. I wonder if the people who are actually diagnosed with a mental illness are the only ones who are actually not mentally ill. In other words, I wonder if all of us should be more vulnerable and speak up about the things that give us anxiety, fear, anger, and all of the other horrible things all of us think about. Maybe the only way to truly deal with the things that go on in our minds is to talk to someone, or better yet, talk to God about them. But unfortunately we will usually not do this. Then we will be stuck in the vicious cycle of thinking things that will cause us more anxiety, fear, anger, etc. Sometimes this leads to action from our anxiety, fear, anger, etc., and that just isn't good at all.

Solution: Talk to God. Talk to someone who loves God. Become vulnerable. Repent. Believe that God will help you. When He does, remember how he helped and continue to grow!

Things I've Been Thinking as a Pastor

(Please don't read this if you have a tendency to take things personally. These thoughts are not directed at any one individual. They are also just thoughts, and they are possibly wrong. But they are my thoughts none the less.)

1. People will always tell you they are coming, and then most won't. (Sorry to those of you who feel like that hits too close to home.)

2. It is hard to start a movement.

3. It is great when it dawns on people that they really can be a part of a church!

4. Most of the time I see the problem but don't know how to fix it, I generally just want to slap it around.

5. Satan's forces are at work.

6. The Holy Spirit is STRONG!

7. I don't rely on the Holy Spirit the way that I should.

8. I need to step up and become a catalyst.

9. Sometimes when things don't work out I look at how they have worked out for other pastors, and there's a moment, a brief moment, when I want to give up.

10. I'm gonna have to force myself to push that publish post button down there.