after the thrill is gone

new deep

2011-03-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

been a while since i've written here. since my last post, i hit a sort of wall. truth be told, i haven't been entirely sure what i'm doing with this blog. it's a personal blog, but the pendulum swings erratically from one thing to the other. i'm not exactly sure who cares, and i'm not sure i care who cares. this is my first blog, and it has been a really fun experiment.

all that to say, i won't be posting much here for now. there are two huge things my wife and i are doing that we'll be blogging about elsewhere. it will replace much of what goes on here, and i'd like to take this time to introduce them to you!

first, and most exciting is that my wife and i are starting the process to adopt our first child. after a miscarriage and a failed fertility treatment attempt, we have found that we're infertile. painful as that is, there is a great opportunity here. we're starting the process to be adoptive parents in the riverside county foster/adopt system. if you are interested in following the details of that adventure, i invite you to join us by subscribing to our family blog.

the second thing is a worship leading blog. it's not ready to be unveiled yet, but i'm working hard to make that happen by the middle of this year. it'll include things learned as i lead worship from small groups to church plants to mega churches. it will have practical tips on band leading, guitar playing, singing and arranging, as well as programming other creative elements into worship services. i'm enjoying quietly developing this project and praying God uses me in ways that only He can!

follow my twitter of facebook for further updates. i'll continue posting personal type stuff on my tumblr. much love to everyone out there and for those who have actually read this thing over the last several years, thanks for being part of the journey!

night of worship live stream - playback

2011-02-23T17:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who tuned in or came to this amazing night! There's a big pile of toilet paper and canned goods for the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission thanks to you and I am humbled to have been a part of your night as we brought our all to Jesus!

This first video has the first part of the night. The recording stopped right in the middle, so there are two video's. This is the first time we've done this, so it's not perfect! Content on the first one starts at around 1:50. Thanks again!

recap of 2010 & top posts

2011-01-09T22:33:00.000-08:00

2010 can easily be called one of the greatest years of my life thus far. i think a lot of that has to do with the fact that my wife and i wrote down some very specific goals for the year that included time limits and specific results. i read and traveled more than i ever have, i achieved several endurance race goals, and most importantly, i fell more in love with Jesus, and with my wife. it truly has been an awesome year.

many of you joined with me on the journey. some of you through this humble blog. so i thought it would be fun to list my most read posts as a way of remembering and celebrating. thanks for being on the journey with me!

1. a call for prayer - i am so bless that this was my top hit. you guys stepped up and made this exponentially more popular than any of the other trite stuff i put up here. you read about my friend who was facing prison time in africa. you joined in praying for him. and as a result, he was set free after about a week. wow!

2 & 3. running down a dream & porn, rock&roll, and vegas - even more blessing here... i ran a marathon to raise money for xxxchurch.com, and you followed along, and gave sacrificially to the tune of $1700. thank you!!

4. coming out of the closet - i thought it'd be fun to share some things that tend to separate me from the pack, and encouraged you to do the same. fun little experiment.

porn, rock & roll, and vegas: recap

2010-12-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

have you ever wanted to do something outside of yourself? ever had a passion that took time away from other other valuable things? the solution is sometimes to give up one to make the other happen. however, sometimes there is an opportunity hidden in those things where when they are integrated, all of those valuable things are accomplished to a greater degree of success than if you'd tried them one at a time.

for me, i found an incredible opportunity to turn my endurance sport obsession and twitter addiction into a healthy way to raise awareness and funds for one of my favorite ministry organizations, fireproof, father of xxxchurch.com. many of you have followed my progress on this pursuit over the last 6 months, and many of you have been crucial donors, retweeters, and advocates for this cause.

i am humbled and delighted to say that thanks to you, we have raised over $1700!!

i am also delighted to say that i achieved one of my goals for this year, completing my first marathon, and doing it in 3:34:16!! i was on a team of people all sporting a race jersey that said, "race with purpose" on the front. people were cheering me on by yelling that phrase out loud as i passed them, and it encouraged me greatly to press on, even to the point of yacking right before the finish line!

it was a whirlwind of a weekend, filled with the satisfaction of accomplishing goals and supporting a great cause. thanks again to everyone who made it possible.

do you have passions that can be integrated for a greater good? get out there and make it happen!

this weekend is about rock & roll, porn, and vegas

2010-12-03T09:43:00.000-08:00

many of you have been following my journey, and after almost 6 months of training, i'm running in the las vegas rock & roll marathon to raise money and awareness for xxxchurch.com THIS WEEKEND!

i'm extremely happy to say that thanks to my amazing donors, i've been able to raise over $1700!

you can still be a part of this through prayer. we're hoping to make a scene. there will be over 25,000 runners at this event, and we'll be there with our x3 jerseys on. there may be opportunity for interactions with people who'll ask questions, people who are hurting and haven't told anyone, and people who desperately need the love of Jesus. that's ultimately what xxxchurch.com is all about- showing Christ's love to a people that don't normally feel it.

so pray that this is what happens. and while you're praying about that, please pray for my knee. it's ruined my last 10 weeks of training, which is really disappointing for me personally. my hope is that it miraculously doesn't give me any trouble, and i'm able to meet my goal time of 3hrs, 30 minutes (around an 8 minute/mile pace).

will you remember me

2010-11-10T22:16:00.000-08:00

pic from http://mathiole.deviantart.com/art/Alternate-ending-180247295

i was a weird kid. (i still am)

i used to journal almost daily, and in my journal, i would pretend that it was a piece of literature that the last surviving humans found after a nuclear holocaust or something. i assumed that they'd been born inside a bomb shelter, and were orphans. if that were true, then they wouldn't have any survival skills as a result. so, i would write about how to start a fire, and where to find water near the area they would have most likely found my journal. i also included historical events that i thought needed to be remembered, like space exploration, who the president was, and why everyone seemed to hate him. these entries were told with the utmost accuracy and knowledge, at least that my 8 year old brain could muster up. they were also mixed in with entries about girls i liked at school, stuff my sister and i fought about, and reasons why i was mad at my parents.

i have no idea where the thing is now. hopefully it's sheltered in such a way as to preserve it. i'm sure someday, someone will need it. they'll appreciate all the work i put into retelling my 2nd grade current events lessons and they'll pass down the stories to the generations that follow them. yup. that's the mark i wanted to leave on earth when i was 8.

i sometimes look for it on found magazine.

God is at work in argentina!

2010-11-09T14:31:00.000-08:00

i am truly a blessed man. my trip to argentina was so amazing!

we spent the entire week serving side by side with a local church called 'Jesus Ray De Paz' in the city of lanus, a suburb of buenos aires. each day had it's own challenge. the pastors of our church are all bi-vocational (most are outside the states) but they took the week off from work to serve with us while we were in town.

we connected with an orphanage that works exclusively with AIDS victims. we served for a day at a farm that was a temporary home to men recovering from drug addictions. we helped a woman who was very poor by working on her house, which was falling apart. in every effort that was made, an extended effort was made to bring along members of the local church such that these efforts would be ongoing and come from the church, not from us.

we on this trip and at southwest believe that God has a plan for every region to bring hope, love, and salvation in things felt in the here and now, as well as in things eternal. we believe He wants to accomplish these things through the Church, and we pray the things we did while we were there will serve to promote just that.

i'm humbled to have been a part of it, and thankful to everyone who prayed and donated funds. what a privilege! buenos aires is truly an amazing city that has unfortunately been tainted by the last 100 years of unkempt crime and corruption. but the spirit of the city is alive in the love shared by the people living there. we ate, laughed, sang songs, and shared stories- all through our translators. they have given me a wonderful gift in their friendship and love.

God is truly at work in argentina! thanks to sebastian, our church's youth & worship pastor, and the one who coordinated our other teams and their churches. thanks to our translators and to the people who shared their homes and meals with us. i hope google translator doesn't mess this post up too much when you read it! love you guys!!!

a call for prayer (& a prayer answered!)

2010-11-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

hey folks... i have a prayer request for a college friend of mine who is a missionary in Dakar, Senegal, Africa. she and her husband have been serving there for several years now, and were out on a date when something horrible happened.

they drove by the scene of a hit and run accident where one of the victim's bodies was still in the street. the lighting was very poor and they ran over that body. because the real suspect ran, the authorities have no one to charge but my friend's husband, and they currently have him detained in a prison cell.

the accident was several days ago, so he's been detained since that time. there is a hearing tomorrow morning (that's 1:30am for us in the west coast) that will determine if they release him. the US embassy has been contacted but it sounds like the best possible scenario is for him to be released without their direct involvement.

these are some of the most amazing people i've had the pleasure of knowing. they have a beautiful little boy, and have served faithfully sharing their lives and the gospel at a boarding school housing for girls in Dakar for several years now.

please take time throughout the day to pray for justice and peace. thank you.

UPDATE - (11/3/10 11:30am) - praise God that my friend was able to go and see her husband in prison. she brought him food and clothes (prisons in senegal don't take care of prisoners, it's up to the family) and was able to share 10 precious minutes with him. trial is tomorrow morning, and is supposed to last all day. please pray!!!

UPDATE - (11/4/10 8:00am) - PRAISE THE LORD! My friend has just updated us that her husband was found innocent! He hasn't been released yet, but plans are that today or tomorrow, he will be. Thank you to all who prayed!! Who the Son sets free is free indeed!

spanish caravan

2010-10-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

so many amazing things happening lately, the most current of which is that i'm going to argentina on a trip with my church on friday! my wife will be with me as well, and she's leading our team as we aid a local church to help them impact their surrounding area. we'll be hanging with musicians, worshipers and worship leaders, aids victims, orphans, and assisting this church as they minister to their local area in and through these people.

a few weeks ago, i was asked at church on stage why i'm going. i said, "cause my wife wants me to." it got a good laugh, but i'm serious! i have never felt the push to be the 'go-on-mission-trips' guy. i've always taken my ministry very seriously here at home, and done my best to live as if i'm on a mission field every day.

however, in talking with my wife and our amazing missions director, jane wallace, i'm realizing that i'm only fulfilling a portion of the great commision, where Jesus tells us to go out into the world (not just my neighborhood- matthew 28:19). there's also the passage in acts 1:8, where Jesus sends the disciples into the surrounding areas, and to the ends of the earth, which is an example to us.

it's time for me to go to the ends of the earth.

so, yes, it started cause my wife wanted me to go. but i am going to argentina out of a sense of obedience. God has opened all the doors, and i'm walking through them. i'm going hoping that my heart will grow and change. i'm hoping for barriers will be brought down, for the Spirit to act in ways i've never seen, and for the Gospel to be preached in a greater way as a result of our presence. i'm also hoping that after we leave, the positive effects we bring will be lasting and empowering to the local ministers for years to come.

please partner with me by praying for our team. there are 4 teams going to 4 churches in the buenos aires area. thanks for reading!

livin' on a prayer

2010-09-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

i have a friend who i ride bikes with frequently. he told me about a dream he had the other day where we were riding and a mountain lion attacked us. he said the lion devoured him, but then the dream reset.

again, we were biking and a mountain lion attacked. he said the lions were massive, overwhelming images. again, the lion devoured him, and the dream reset.

a third time, the dream started with us riding. a mountain lion attacked, looming over our heads. but this time, we prayed. and when we opened our eyes, the lion was gone.

any dream interpreters out there? this sounds all 'book-o-daniel' to me!

the first reaction i had was to feel called to pray. (obviously) i run 4-6 times a week right now, and i usually run with an iPod. but since he told me about this dream, i've been ditching the iPod and spending that time in prayer. it's been an amazing time with God. i love when God uses a friend or a dream, or in this case, both, to tell me something.

what's God been telling you? how is He communicating to you?

the timing was funny cause we had just done the song the weekend before at church by bon jovi called 'livin' on a prayer.' below is a video of it. the truth is, we are living on a prayer. oftentimes, it's all we have. don't skip out today, take a moment and pray. maybe the best time would be NOW!

more than just dust in the wind

2010-08-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

we intro'ed this song to southwest in early august. it was an amazing moment for us, and i am so thankful to gungor for what an amazing group of musicians they are. their writing and performing has been a landmark find for me as a worship pastor and as a Christian who loves music.

the song it talks about the beauty of God’s creations. if you remember the creation story, God literally spoke things into being. he took dust, and created man. he saw that it was good… you remember the story? i think it’s safe to say that He created something beautiful out of dust. i'd like to propose that if His creative powers are what created us… then they are powerful enough to recreate us.

if you are feeling doubt, anxiety, pain, or sadness… feeling like you aren't that beautiful... take this time to ask God to recreate you.

if he can make beautiful things out of dust, He can most certainly make beautiful things out of us.

spanish caravan

2010-08-30T06:42:00.000-07:00

there's a few things our church does that really get me going. on that list is that our spanish speaking ministry is the fastest growing ministry in the whole church! on occasion, we have the pleasure of blending the two languages and congregations together. here is a clip of the spanish band and video cafe band together doing 'everlasting God.'

joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea joy to you and me

2010-08-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

here a video of the worship band and i singing 'cannons' by phil wickham.

one of the prayers i pray each weekend is that people who don't know God would see His glory for the first time, or for the first time in a long time. that's why i like songs like 'cannons.' it states that all of creation is already singing in response to experiencing the great Creator. we just have to join in.

if you're a southwest regular, bring someone along this weekend, and pray this prayer with me! you never know what God might do.

coming out of the closet

2010-08-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

here is a fun list of things i don't care for that everyone else seems to like. don't hate me! this is supposed to be fun. if you have a comment, please include your own list. THEN you can chastise me for my opinions :)

1. julia roberts. i don't find the laugh she does in every movie charming. i don't think her smile is nearly as beautiful as everyone says it is.

2. braveheart. at the insistance of just about everyone i talk to about this, i have attempted to complete this movie, and have yet to. it moves so slow! sorry folks.

3. R.E.M. monotonous songs, brackish voice. not my kind of music.

4. chick-fil-a. should i buy their food just cause they're Christians? every meal i've had was a flavor-less, soggy piece of breaded boredom. no one seems to agree.

5. LOST. i gave it a shot, but couldn't buy into it. i'm glad to have those 6 years of my life untainted by the cult of LOST.

what about you? do you hate chocolate or in & out burger? you're crazy! but so is everyone else. come out of the closet with it already.

fireproof bio part 3 - the strip church

2010-08-23T01:39:00.000-07:00

i'd like to tell a little more of the story about fireproof, the ministry i'm running a marathon to raise support for.

there are three main things fireproof does: xxxchurch, the strip church, and heart support. i'm giving a rundown of these three ministries, and this last installment is about the strip church.

the strip church might be my favorite, and to some people, the most controversial thing fireproof does. they have a presence on the vegas strip, in brothels and clubs, and at conventions. they use things like free bus rides and rex the rabbit to gain attention. they give free lunches to card flickers, makeovers and home cooked meals to prostitutes, and cupcakes, cigarrettes, and coffee to erotic dancers.

all this is done as a way to meet people who, for the most part, have been alienated by the Christian community. the strip church meets felt needs, and starts ongoing relationships. they go where no one else is going, giving away Bibles and telling everyone that Jesus loves sin city.

all this goes on as a gift to these people from people like you through events like the one i'm doing- the las vegas rock-n-roll marathon on december 5th. you can be a part of it all by giving, running, or spreading the word!

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT!!
strip church's web site

ready or not, here i come

2010-08-18T01:42:00.000-07:00

i think with most things in life, if you wait until you are completely ready and prepared to do something, you will never go for it. this has been the case in just about everything big in my life. i have two major examples:

(1) i led worship for the first time with only a sliver of a fraction of an inkling of an idea of what i was doing. but when it came to the moment where i was in the hot seat, doing my thing, i was forced to rise up and tackle the mountain that was before me. there was carnage... so much carnage... but the things i learned from the mistakes i made empowered me to go at it again, and again. i'm still (and will always be) learning something new every time i lead.

(2) i got married, and was still a child. i was completely unprepared for what i was committing the rest of my life to. i took a friend, roommate, business partner, and intimate lover and put it all in one person. i remember the first year being filled with desperate cries of 'what did i get myself into?!' but after almost 4 years, i've learned more about love than i'd learned in the previous 24 years. i now know the joy of unconditional love, the elation of overcoming obstacles together, and the peace of knowing i have someone to journey with every day as a result of jumping in.

i would not have the benefit of either of these scenarios had i waited until i was 'ready.' in fact, if i had waited till i was 'ready,' i would still be waiting.

it's amazing how in those moments... when it's do or die... when success is the only option... something inside you comes to life and breaks through. except when it doesn't. but even then, you learn so much more than you would've from reading about it, talking about it, going to therapy, or anything else you would do while waiting to be 'ready.'

if there's a big decision on your plate right now, and all you're doing is waiting to be 'ready' for the challenge, i say GO FOR IT. you'd be better off trying and failing than sitting around waiting for everything to be just right.

fireproof bio part 2 - heart support

2010-08-16T01:37:00.000-07:00

i'd like to tell a little more of the story about fireproof, the ministry i'm running a marathon to raise support for.

there are three main things fireproof does: xxxchurch, the strip church, and heart support. i'm giving a rundown of these three ministries, and this one is about heart support.

heart support is taking the strategies and tools that have made xxxchurch a success, and applying them to other sicknesses, such as sex, food, internet and substance addiction/abuse. it's an internet resource that connects the afflicted with a starting point, some empowering facts, and resources to get help. and keeping stride with xxxchurch, there are stories to read and contribute to, such that God can use us to help each other in our brokenness and in our victory.

although most of this is offered for free, it all costs money to put on. this is why i'm running the las vegas rock -n- roll marathon. please show your support by spreading the word, retweeting links to this post, or donating money to the cause. my goal is to raise $1,500. you can also help by entering to run yourself, or by telling others about this amazing ministry and the opportunity to partner by giving. thanks for reading.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT!!
heart support's web site

longer better faster stronger - what it takes to achieve goals

2010-08-11T05:20:00.000-07:00

success doesn't just happen. it takes a commitment to putting the work in, one day at a time, to be successful.

i learned this the hard way. in my first 2 triathlons, i didn't follow any kind of plan. i just haphazardly worked out as it was convenient. the result was a poor time, a poor race day, and worst of all, loosing to my buddies. i didn't have a plan, and i didn't succeed.

for my third tri, i did not want a three-peat! so for the first time, i followed a plan. it was much more work and way more difficult. i worked out 9 sessions per week, 6 days a week. some weeks were a 20 hr commitment to training, equal to a part time job. i struggled to even eat enough food to fuel the demands i put my body through. but each day as i went to bed, i would look over my training schedule for the next few days, and make sure i carved out the time to put the work in. and for the most part, i completed my training.

on race day, it felt like a day in the park. the work had been done, and the time had come to reap the rewards. the payoff was sweet! i knocked over 30 minutes off my previous best, and beat both my buddies. i felt great the entire event, and after. i enjoyed every second of that day, and it's all because of the time i spent each day putting in the work, one day at a time, to be successful.

what are the goals you want to have success in? is there plan you could follow to see the results you're interested in? put it in your calendar or on the top of your to-do list, and commit to it. you won't be disappointed in the results.

fireproof bio part 1 - xxxchurch

2010-08-08T23:02:00.000-07:00

i'd like to tell a little more of the story about fireproof, the ministry i'm running a marathon to raise support for.

there are three main things fireproof does: xxxchurch, the strip church, and heart support. i'll give a rundown of each one a post at a time, starting with xxxchurch:

xxxchurch is probably the most popular of the ministries that fireproof does. and without looking at their website to research what i'm talking about, i can tell you most about it, because it's the one that has had the most influence in my life.

among other things, xxxchurch is the ministry responsible for X3 Watch accountability software. you put it on your computer, put your spouse, or your accountability partner's email address in the settings field, and the software emails any questionable sites you visit to that person, who with the right relationship, challenges you, prays for you, forgives and uplifts you to be the person God is calling you to be, by keeping your eyes free from viewing internet porn. they also have an iphone and andriod version of this. i use these on my phone and my computer. it's one of the primary ways i stay accountable to my wife.

xxxchurch is also an online community, where people can talk about their struggles, find strategies that work for overcoming bondage, and get connected.

although this is offered for free, it all costs money to put on. this is why i'm part of a team running the las vegas rock -n- roll marathon. please consider supporting me by giving financially, running with me and raising money, or by telling others about this amazing ministry and the opportunity to partner by giving. thanks for reading.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT!!
xxxchurch's web site

work hard for your money

2010-06-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

The crescendo of the blogs, books and billboards I have read of late seem all to have the same message: work less, output and earn more, and here's how to do it...

For the record, I love the stuff! It enforces forward momentum behavior. It challenges me to produce measurable results and grow my leadership.

I'm left with a puzzling question though: What about everyone else?

What if everyone did what these books and blogs said? We might never get the "nut's 'n bolts" stuff done. When the focus is all about reducing email checking frequency, delegating, getting out of unimportant meetings, and the like, where does that work end up? You gotta admit, the poop's going to land on someone and then someone is going to have to do the dirty work. There's always a bathroom to clean, a yard to upkeep, and oil to change (my activity last night).

There's still a huge (and overlooked) value in hard work. Some things just take time… plain and simple. Sure, you could get someone else to do it, be it paid or volunteer, to "increase efficiency" or "streamline performance," but the bottom line is someone is still doing the hard work of the thing. What if that person reads Tim Ferris too? What do they do?

As a restaurant waiter for 4 years through college, nothing made me respect my manager as a leader more than witnessing his leadership in action through hard work when we were slammed. He wasn’t afraid to roll his sleeves up and do some dishes, plate something up for me, or even take a table if need be.

As leaders, we can’t just apply all of these short-cut, time saving, efficiency principles across the board, never actually doing some hard work because we're so good at working smart. There will always be something of great value left to do, and if you want to see the people you're leading grow to be leaders too, then show them something more than quickest path to doing your busy work. Let’s strike a balance with these new shortened work week concepts. The ideas are absolutely amazing, but we need to stay humble and willing to work hard when the need arises.

man after God's own heart

2010-06-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

i'm reading through the bible in chronological order, and i've been amazed by the story of saul and david. if you don't know of it, i'll quickly summarize: david had been anointed as the next king of israel, which saul was king of at the time. saul was jealous of david because he was better looking, really good at guitar, and everyone liked him more. so, saul wanted to kill david.

david went on the run. saul went on the chase, taking thousands of men with him. there were a few occasions where david could have killed saul, which would have ended david's hiding and running, and made him king. one of those times, saul was taking a leak, unknowingly, in the same cave that david and his men were in. the only thing david did was cut off a portion of saul's robe without saul knowing of it. seems like a minor thing to do in light of the situation, but david regreted it! it says in 1 samuel 24:5 that david was conscience stricken for having done this. he said to his men, "the Lord forbid that i should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed..." he risked his own life, and postponed taking that which was rightfully his, in order to honor God.

killing saul would've been easily justified, but david refused to kill someone anointed of the Lord, the God he worshiped and served. now that is a man after God's own heart! what did he do instead? he ran, hid, and wrote.

if you read through some of the psalms, you can see the agony david went through. hiding in the wilderness, i imagine him in some cave with his ancient guitar, up late at night in fear of his life, crying out to God for protection.

in psalm 17, he writes "may vindication come from you" (v2) and "rise up, o Lord... rescue me from the wicked by your sword."(v13)

in psalm 35, he writes, "fight against those who fight against me" (v1) and "awake, arise in my defense!" (v23)

but that wasn't all he said in those songs. litterally, in the same songs, he wrote, "when i awake, i will be satisfied with seeing your likeness," (17:15) and, "my toungue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long." (35:28)

this is what a man after God's heart looks like - worship.
it's sacrificial.
it's obedient.
it's trusting.
it happens in the most uncommon places.

could it be happening right now, right where you are? even if you're losing your house, business, job? even if you and your spouse fought bitterly this morning? even if your dog threw up on the carpet (that one's for me)?

give it the priority in your thoughts to honor God with each decision by being truly obedient to Him no matter what. His ways are better than ours. david knew it, and we should follow his example.

runnin' down a dream

2010-06-01T21:52:00.000-07:00

i've never raised funds before, and i've never run a marathon.
but i'll be doing both of these this december 5th in las vegas at the rock-n-roll marathon.

i'm doing it to raise awareness and funds for fireproof ministries, responsible for xxxchurch.com and other amazing ministries that help people who are addicted, stuck, or victims to the porn and sex industry.

i am one who has benefited from this ministry, and there are thousands of others. perhaps you could benefit by simply putting X3Watch on your computer.

and yes, i'm asking for you money. i'm normally freaked about stuff like this, but for this ministry, one that i believe in so fully, i have no reservations. don't be shy. open up your wallet and get out your debit or credit card, and click the link below to donate. go big. whatever that means for you, be it $1 or $1000 bucks!

there are people trapped in bondage to pornography and prostitution, from adults to children. fireproof is working to bring healing to this world. please show your support!

links
rock-n-roll marathon
fireproof ministries
xxxchurch.com

using the same old song and dance?

2010-05-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

when we encounter change or challenge in our everyday life, it can be so easy to refer to the past and use it as the primary tool for decision making. but is it always the best tool?

we use tradition as our guide. "it worked then, why shouldn't it work now?" "we always do things that way." "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

we use tradition as a source of pride. "like those before us who began this great movement/business/organization/family/church..." "... the RICH traditions of our past..."

BUT, we also use tradition as a crutch. "i know it's an antiquated system, but we don't have time to reinvent the wheel, just keep doing what you're doing."

instead of making decisions based on tradition, why not make them on intention? our intentions grow and change with the current needs of whatever movement we're a part of. every day has an intention, a goal, a step towards the grander intention or goal. traditions are the oposite. they stay put. they are the result of achieving an old goal. although this is something worth celebrating and considering when encountering the future, it isn't necessarily the best decision making tool, and yet it seems to be used in a disproportionate way.

when we come to the point of making a decision, our mindset shouldn't be "what has worked in the past?" but "what will propel us into the future?" or "what will help us best fulfill our intentions/goals?"

give the dog a bone

2010-04-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

a good friend of mine, Paul, sent this too me with a the encouraging word following. thought i would share.

"ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you... which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature, and the breath of all mankind." job 12:7, 9-10

I know I would not have stopped my car to help the dog. The FEAR i would get hit or bit, maybe i might get blood on my shirt, no doubt my hands would get dirty or it could make me late to where i was going. Fear would have kept me driving. When God takes time to show me in a dog the heart of John 15:12-13 [My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends], it makes me wonder what today has for me. - Paul

grounded

2010-04-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

is getting grounded a bad thing? when you’re 13 it is.

but I’m 28 and it's become a good thing.

i sometimes get lifted away, my life’s sails catch a stray wind. the waves of the days grow too large for my rudder to fight it’s contradictory push and when it’s all too much to fight, it feels good to be grounded.

"LAND!!!!" can you see the clips from movies of men at sea? they’re so excited. i know the feeling, not because i’ve ever been at sea, but because at that moment, it’d been too long since i’d taken a moment to be grounded. i look forward to it, and get stoked when it's within reach.

a sweet song, a great bike ride, a killer run, an evening with my bride, an encounter with a great friend, a fulfilling worship service… these are a few things that bring me grounding. and sometimes if it’s been too long, it’s time for me to take matters into my own hands, and create ground for me to rest.

are you in it? is it time to make ground for yourself?

to perform to your full potential, you will need these times to regroup, recharge, and then re-enter. make them with me. most recently, it was an old favorite album (The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium) played front to back while i sat in a chair with my dog at my feet. i said and did nothing. i stared at the walls of the room.

maybe it's time for you to do the same. clear your schedule. shut down. recharge. do something good for yourself that will make you a better leader/lover/spouse/parent/friend in the end. thank God for the time, it is a gift from Him.