Pastor Mark and Sarah Lehman

Merry Christmas From The Lehman’s

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:37:55 PST

No letter this year. Infographic!

Click to enlarge.

Poured!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:12:12 PST

Foundation is poured!

Foundation Being Poured!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:46:59 PST

Thanks be to God!

Footings Being Poured!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:08:14 PDT

Thanks be to God!

Dirt Work Started!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 11:00:01 PDT

At the end of June we had our ceremonial ground breaking.

This past week – we literally broke some ground!

Look at 1:10 in the video. Someone tall lent a helping hand. Kinda.

Christmas Present Painted!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:15:27 PDT

For

Christmas my wife bought me a blank canvas. It was a gift of unique possibilities.

Abby Pimentel, a skilled artist in our church, had recently started making her paintings available for purchase. Her specialty: Painting the Word of God.

For months the canvas sat in my office torturing me with what to place on it. Finally I came to my decision. I recently received the painting.

I love it!

Abby’s studio, Painting Truth, is worth checking out. Her portfolio is here and her Facebook here.

Life Gives and Takes

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 07:41:22 PDT

We seem to have reached the age where life stops giving us things and starts taking them away. - Dean Charles Stanforth, character in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

The Bible teaches that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, and in either case His name is to be praised.

Does He use time, the aging process, and impending mortality to do this? Methinks so.

It time didn’t march, and if death were not a fact, how then would we live? Probably not as wisely as we should.

Great Sunday–20 Baptisms

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:09:40 PDT

Last Sunday, August 21, was an amazing Sunday in the church we pastor.

300 in attendance at the morning services, and about 300 at an afternoon Water Baptismal Celebration.

Rejoice with me and watch this video. Hint (Watch all the way through for a fun picture of me!)

Second Guesses

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:43:28 PDT

At age 44 it is most likely that I have more yesterdays than tomorrows.

When I think of time wasted, misspent, and used for things that really don’t matter, I get wondering.

Am I pouring my life into what matters most?

Second guessing past decisions seems at best to be a depressing trip down memory lane, and at worst doubting God’s direction and Lordship over my life.

Instead I am looking forward with anticipation and expectation. Anticipating God’s voice and expecting his direction/correction if I stray.

Lord, I am willing. Please give me ears to hear no matter what You might be speaking.

Change–Finishing The Sentence

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:27:03 PDT

Having dinner with my wife for our anniversary and the topic of change came up. We conversed back and forth about where we had lived, etc.

She then started the sentence, “One thing that has changed about you is that . . . “ –> and then I finished the sentence for her.

Not uncommon for married couples, especially for 21 years. But The look on her face was palpable. I nailed it.

Perhaps the change is so obvious to anyone who has known me up close for a decade of more.

I finished her sentence with the words she was getting ready to say, “ . . . I am a lot less legalistic and more gracious.”

So thankful for change.

http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/change-architect-sign1.jpg

Conner–Summer of 2011–So far

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:10:51 PDT

Our son has had a busy summer:

He started mowing lawns for pay. Had three lawns going at one time.

This caused a checking account to have to be opened.

Sarah has been giving him some cooking lessons. Best fried chicken she ever had!

And he had a great time at Middle School Camp! (holding the #5)

Maui, Hawaii Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:30:46 PDT

Things have been busy since returning from our 20th anniversary trip. Will share some insights learned later. (I really understand the biblical concept of “wind and waves” a lot better know).

You can also see these pics (with notes) on Facebook at this link.

Miss U Conner

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 22:58:03 PDT

Enjoying Hawaii, but thinking about our son.

Written in the black sand of hidden Makena State Park, Maui, HI.

Groundbreaking Successful!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:19:17 PDT

What a day!

We fought the sun, the wind, the rain, the microphones, and even some rigatoni challenges.

In the words of that great theologian ‘Mater we “got ‘er done.”

Now let’s keep Building Tomorrow Together!

Father’s Day–Word Cloud

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:13:22 PDT

I asked the congregation last Sunday to list 3 positive characteristics of men and 3 negative characteristics in a survey.

Graphing their responses into a Word Cloud (www.wordle.net) we showed and shared them as part of the message today.

Summer Goals–Cooking With Conner

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:30:12 PDT

I recently had my son set 4 SMART goals for this summer (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound.)

Apparently Sarah had some goals for Conner as well. Cooking.

Conner is scheduled to plan, purchase, prepare, and present one meal a week. with supervision of course.

Tonight: Chili Cheese-dog wraps, Corn on the Cob, and freshly cut pineapple.

Groundbreaking Announced!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:53:01 PDT

Sunday June 26th will be the day that Family Life breaks ground for a new facility.

Getting this date on the calendar has taken about two months longer than expected.

It will be so good to show physical progress instead of just talking about planning progress.

Believing that this will give us a shot of momentum to carry us forward with increasing velocity!

Insights From Amarillo Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 29 May 2011 19:22:14 PDT

We just got back from Amarillo, TX, attending Sarah’s niece’s graduation from High School. Some simple insights:

West Texas is way out there

Every high school has pride

Every town has great places to eat (The Big Texan)

Everything is bigger in Texas.

www.lifechurch.tv does things well

There the places that have not yet seen 1980

Beauty is a 75 mph speed limit sign

There are not enough 12v outlets in a 2003 Buick Regal

When my wife drives, I can think and strategize

We need a bigger vehicle when Conner hits his growth spurt

As I age “Free Hot Breakfast” isn’t what it used to be

Explaining Financing–M&M Style

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:18:24 PDT

Tyler Kelly, our staff pastor, is a fine financial mind in his own right, but he willingly let me play the straight man as we explained our financing and status of our Building Tomorrow Together Capital Giving Campaign to our congregation . . . M&M style.

Eiffel Tower Makes Appearance At Church!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:37:47 PDT

About a year ago my wife started brainstorming about a theme idea for a banquet. French theme. Paris in the springtime.

Well, she pulled it off, in spades!

Now, anyone want to buy an Eiffel Tower? Cheap!

Baking During The Sermon–Really?

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 08 May 2011 13:35:29 PDT

This morning, Mother’s Day 2011, I actually baked cookies during my morning preaching time.

Seriously.

Took some work, and I had to learn how to make cookies, but the message, “The Recipe of Your Life,: and the cookies, turned out well.

See video below:

Easter Celebration–4 services–440 people!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 14:55:58 PDT

Thanks be to God for the victory of approximately 20 decisions for Christ and a total attendance of 440 people over 4 services!

6:30 am

8:30 am

10:00 am

11:30 am

Capital Campaign–One Year Marker

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:36:05 PDT

Yesterday the congregation voted unanimously to go forward with financing a new facility.

This was somewhat of a forgone conclusion, as we have been raising fund for exactly one year.

God has been good, people have been faithful. At the one year mark, we are receiving the Faith Promises at a 93% rate. When we include the First Fruits offering, we are at the 39% mark of total funds that were Faith Promised.

The congregation received a full update that you can view here, or below.

Limitations: 10 Things I Will Never Be

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:40:00 PDT

The Bible is filled with people loaded with limitations that God helped them conquer. (i.e. Moses, a stutterer, became a great spokesman.)

But many of these same people also were great because their limitations forced them different directions: (i.e. Paul, in prison, starting a writing ministry.)

I still dream, but along the areas of my strengths, not my glaring weaknesses. My limitations open the doors of focus for greater progress in other areas.

____ things I will never be

Sought out by the creative class for my original ideas
A professional athlete or Olympic medalist
Creator of any earth shaking new technology
Employed as a mechanic
A master craftsman in any “trade” (carpenter, etc.)
Considered artistic
Skilled in tasks requiring a love of heights
A model for anything other than socks, maybe
On American Idol
indispensable or irreplaceable other than to my family

NOTE: To any positive confession friends, I am not talking myself down, I am merely choosing the areas I will not labor or linger for minimal results.

Name our Building–Win a $50 Sonic Card

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Lehman) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 07:00:10 PST

We are in process of designing a "Future Site" of new facility at Family Life. In doing so, we now realize that we have no idea what we are building!

Relax, we know what we will use it for, etc.

But, what do we call this new facility/structure?

Family Life Full Life Worship Center Gymnatorium Sanctinasium?

Names are important, therefore we are giving away a $50 Sonic Card to whoever suggests the name we end up choosing.

Enter as many times as you like, in writing, whenever you like. Email. Certified letter. Written on your prayer request. Whatever.

Originality is worth nothing. We just need a name that fits. No purchase necessary.

Employees of FLAG may not win and should have already come up with a good idea by now.