Weekend Warrior Wrapup

New Series "Whatever It Takes" & Easter

2012-03-12T10:11:00.002-07:00

Jeff, began a new series "Whatever It Takes". Living out our compassion and taking action with the ones God puts before us. A team went out and took action at a ladies house in need.

I began doing a Bible study on Youversion.com called compassion to follow along with the series. Join me in this 14 week Study to rediscover the compassion of Jesus. http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/compassion

We have so many exciting things coming up for Easter this year. You can begin to invite your friends and point them towards http://easteratalive.com

Jeff and Kathy did an amazing job presenting the seminar on sex. The couples were very engaged and I am so glad we have a pastor that will be open and honest and answer tough questions about life.

A BBQ & Series WRAPUP With The Web Guy

2012-03-05T08:59:00.001-07:00

I really enjoyed hanging out with everyone Saturday night at out first Saturday service BBQ. It got a bit cool but it didn't stop the crowd from fellowshipping and having a burger & dog or two.
Phil did a great job closing out the Pure Sex series. Forgiveness is a tough topic and it brings up a lot of hurts people have from abuse and betrayal. We have to forgive unconditionally to move beyond the damage done to us. Phil also said forgiving does not mean forgetting. We don't have to give back trust when we forgive. Trust is earned.
Jeff will be beginning a new series this weekend called "Whatever It Takes". I expect it will be a great one as it sets the stage for he Easter season.
We are planning the biggest Easter weekend we have ever had. We are pulling out all the stops. Here are a few of the things planned:
Easter Egg Hunts
A Velcro Wall
Inflatable Obstacle Course
Snow Cones
More....

Everything and more you need to invite your family, and friends & coworkers to Easter weekend.

A Weekend Away With the Aliens

2012-02-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

I was away this weekend with the family visiting my parents in New Mexico. The guys got to do some snowboarding and met a couple new friends.

While I was away it was one of the first times that I wasn't worried about my teams pulling off the weekend. I was able to leave and was confident that the kids and first impressions team would create amazing environments for all attenders and guests. I did however miss having my coffee & donut Sunday morning.
Thanks to the amazing volunteers and team leaders that make every weekend possible. Without you we would not have amazing weekend experiences like we do each week for people who don't like church. Thank you again for all you do!

Mike's Blog - This Weekend @ Alive Chruch

2012-02-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Jeff began the talk with the question, "What was your first thought when you saw this banner out front"? He got many varied responses and some as expected were offended. Jeff went on to explain that this picture is just feet and the 3 letter word sex and how we have let outside sources make us think about sex as dirty.

Some felt is was dirty and were embarrassed. Others didn't want their kids to see it because they were not prepared to have a talk about sex with them. Still others like Jeff don't like feet and can't get past the idea of dirty feet. However you think of it, sex was not created to be dirty. Sex was created by God our creator to be a beautiful expression of love for us to enjoy, when kept within the parameters he set for it.

Over the years I have had to change my thinking about sex. My framework for sex was based on what I had seen and heard from outside sources. Once I began to understand the truth of what God had intended sex to be It was very freeing to me. Sex is not a dirty topic we shouldn't talk about. It is a gift and a pleasure made by God to be enjoyed withing the relationship of a married man and woman. When we take it out of that framework sex becomes something it was not intended to be.

Jeff challenged us to begin by changing the way we think about sex. Changing our minds is where great sex can begin. Are you ready for a change of mind?

Mike's Blog - Loss of Another Music Icon Whitney Houston

2012-02-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

I am a mad crazy music fan. I have a very diverse taste in music. I like Hip Hop, Rock, R & B, Rap, Country, Blues, Jazz and fusions of many of these and more musical styles. As I am eagerly awaiting Grammy show tonight my heart is very heavy at the loss of another of my top 3 artists, Whitney Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012.)
Whitney was the best pure singer of my generation and probably a few other generations. Although she was derailed from a rocket ship of a career by drugs and Bobby Brown, she still remains one of my favorite singers of all time. Her performance at Super Bowl XXV 1991 of The Star Spangled Banner, is still burned into my memory as if it were yesterday. Whitney's passing, however it happened, will be felt in music for many years to come and will be heavy on my heart for a long time as music has lost another great one.

Luther Vandross (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was another velvet voiced iconic singer who was my second favorite of all time. Of male, pure singers none was better than Luther. He sang more children into conception than any other of our generation. Luther was as smooth a balladeer of any time and I miss his amazing voice. Luther's duet with Gregory Hines and his wedding classic "Here and Now", which was sung at my wedding, are 2 of my favorite from the original velvet teddy bear. He passed far too early as many music legends before him. I would love to hear his sweet smooth voice one more time live.

Stevie Ray Vaughn October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990 is my favorite of all time. He traveled from the dark side of addiction and back and just months before his death I watched him perform live at Blues on the Rocks at Red Rock amphitheater in Denver.

He told of his journey back from addiction and how he hoped to live long enough to make right some of his wrongs. Stevie played the super charged blues as if it were pouring out of his veins. He sang of playing his ax until his fingers bled and lived what he sang, gluing his calluses back on with super glue to keep playing. He was taken far to soon and I think of his epic guitar virtuoso often.

Celebrities Remember Whitney Houston (rapradar.com)
Whitney Houston Dies at 48 (popsugar.com)
Remembering Whitney Houston With a Look Back at Her Life in Pictures (popsugar.com)

Mike's Blog ~ My Team Didn't Win The Superbowl

2012-02-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Actually my team is the Dallas Cowboys and they weren't even close to the big game unless they are were watching as spectators. Congratulations to the Giants and all their fans.

Great weekend at Alive Church and the Superbowl love First Impressions team did an amazing job as usual. We had some guests in from another state and they are gave our FI team a 10 out of 10 on making them feel welcome.

Ii wrapping up the Unlocked series, Jeff did a great job reminding us to the invest in others to stay outwardly focused and avoid imploding as a church. It helped remind me to continue investing in others because everybody spends eternity somewhere.

Jeff will be kicking off the Pure Sex series next weekend. Be sure to get there early for a seat and invite your friends and family to hear what the Bible has to so about Sex.

Mike's Blog- The Executive Delivers on Relevance

2012-01-30T05:27:00.000-07:00

It was another great weekend at Alive Church. We nearly ran out of space for the 11am service today. Consider Saturday night next week and get an early start on the Super Bowl. I am not rooting for either team so I will be watching to score the commercials.

Jason did a great job communicating our core value of relevant environments. At Alive Church we are committed and passionate about using what is cultural to say what is timeless. I really enjoyed Jason's illustration with the cups. I tried to get Jason to use my coffee cup but he said I would have to wash it. Not happening!

Thanks to the amazing weekend ministry teams that make Alive Church a safe, relevant and irresistible place that we can invite our friends & family to hear timeless truth.

This weekend Jeff will be bringing the unlocked series home with "Unlocking Freedom". With a weekend to refresh I expect it will be somthing you won't want to miss. Get there early to get a seat.

Mike's Blog - Beginning a New Bible Application Journey

2012-01-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

Did it make you nervous when Jeff was cutting out the passages in the Bible? Even though I know the Word is not paper and ink it still made me a little uncomfortable to see him cutting it up. It is an illustration that will stick with me for a long time. Do I respect the Bible more than I live it? How many passages do I ignore because they don't fit into my box of how to live? It is as if I take scissors and cut them out of the Bible when I don't apply the truths I know.

Jeff Challenged us this weekend to begin a 30 day reading challenge today and read through the Gospels on Youversion.com. Here is the the LINK if you would like to join us for the 30 day challenge.

I felt a renewed challenge this weekend when Jeff talked about how many pages would we have if our Bible was only the parts we lived. I know there is much more to the truths in the Bible than what I live and I will work towards bringing my life up to the level of the Word in place of bringing the Word down to my life.

Did it make you nervous when Jeff was cutting out the passages in the Bible? Even though I know the Word is not paper and ink it still made me a little uncomfortable to see him cutting it up. It is an illustration that will stick with me for a long time. Do I respect the Bible more than I live it? How many passages do I ignore because they don't fit into my box of how to live? It is as if I took scissors and cut them out of the Bible when I don't apply the truths I know.

I hope you will Join us for the 30 day reading challenge and begin living under the authority of the scriptures to find freedom and fulfillment. Reading plan link: http://ext.youversion.com/img//mobile/overview-collage.jpg

If you need any assistance getting it set up on your computer or mobile device please contact me. I use it on my Android phone and my iPod.

Mike's Weekend Recap

2012-01-16T08:37:00.002-07:00

I am so honored and thrilled every time I get to be part of the baptism celebration at Alive Church. Four more people were baptized this weekend during our worship experience. I love meeting the families and joining with them in celebration next step in baptism. We will be have baptism again in 6 weeks.

I have 10 tickets to the Get Motivated Business Seminar on Wednesday. Some of the staff is going. Contact me at the office if you would like to go.

If you missed any of this series "Unlocked" you can watch them on the online archive or listen to them via podcast. Here is the archive link: http://bit.ly/170A1M

Jeff will be continuing the series this weekend. Invite a friend to the live experience or they can watch online at: http://alivechurch.com

I Want More Chicken!

2012-01-09T08:05:00.002-07:00

As I was reading my Youversion.com reading plan today, I was reading Exodus 16:4-15. It is part of the story of God providing manna from heaven for the Israelites who had previously thought they were going to starve to death in the desert. It is amazing how quickly their attitude went from I'm starving to I'm full to demanding something more.

I have to guard myself from that same attitude. I am full with manna and suddenly I'm thinking ribs would be nice and maybe some steak and some cheese cake for desert. Perspective is a tricky thing. If I allow myself to be concerned to much about me I loose the perspective of how much I have to be grateful for.

My attitude is one of the few things I can control in life. Choosing to be content in a world where enough is never enough is not easy but God said, "I will provide All your Needs". Not all my selfish desires.

Phillipians 4:19 19 But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I get to choose weather I accept enough with a grateful heart or demand more chicken. I hope you can find contentment where you are with what you have.

I'm Back from Vacation and am Plugged In

2011-12-12T12:21:00.001-07:00

I did it! I went a whole week without anything in digital online media. I saw people with their devices and was envious but still made it.

I missed you all a ton and can't wait to see you all and catch up.

I did come back to over 1000 emails DMs PMs and messages so today is officially unsubscribe from stuff I don't need day. I want to see all the contact with real people but gotta clean up the inbox so I can see it.

Another Great Weekend @ Alive Church Oro Valley

2011-10-31T08:25:00.001-07:00

I had a great time team teaching with Jeff this weekend on Fasting

I learned through the fast I did that fasting is a great way to reset your perspective.
I learned that you should always check you pants and shoes and other clothing for scorpions, before putting them on.
I learned that picking up the donuts for the weekend while on a fast is tough.
Several people committed to fast with us this week for clarity, courage and breakthrough. Yah!
I also was reminded by the examples we read that God can do amazing things for His purpose when we join together in fasting.
I was reminded that as the church we are to be contributors not consumers.
Thanks again for all the volunteers who give their time and energy making our campuses great and safe experiences for everyone.

Oro Valley Alive Church Update

2011-10-17T08:28:00.003-07:00

A few things I discovered this last weekend at Alive Church:

Camping with a bunch of Alivers and kids is a lot of fun.
Trying to sleep at night while camping is not happening.
The food we eat while camping does not digest well with me any more.
I love Baptizing people and hearing their amazing faith stories.
Electricity and water do not work well when mixed.
We have an amazing bunch of volunteers at Alive that do amazing work every weekend.
If I invite my first impressions or other team leaders over for lunch, Cindy makes a huge killer lunch.
http://www.AliveChurch.com is committed and living out "Leading people who are far from God to be followers of Jesus".

When Men are Courageous Families Win

2011-10-03T08:43:00.005-07:00

If you have not seen the Courageous movie yet what are you waiting for? Go see it!

It made me laugh out loud several times.
It made me and almost everyone around me cry.
The crowd responded out loud multiple times.
I was challenged as a man:

To be a better Father
To be a better Husband
To help single moms mentor their boys
To be a better follower of Jesus

Men's 4 Week small group begin this week. The purpose of these studies is to teach men how to become the courageous men God created us to me. Contact Nancy at the office 520-544-7638 for times and locations.

Even the King Has To Own His Mistakes

2011-09-26T09:29:00.002-07:00

King David was a great man in history. He accomplished many great things.
Her are a few of his accomplishments:

Conquered and claimed the city of Jerusalem
He brought the arc of the covenant to Jerusalem
defeated the Amalekites, Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and Ammonites and others
United the North and South kingdoms
Killed a bear, lion and a giant
Wrote some really cool songs/psalms

If David the king lived today would all of these accomplishments be wiped out by the fact the he was an adulterer and a murderer. Today not even a king in most cultures can get away with taking a mans wife and having him killed.

David is still classified as a man after God's own heart. He realized his mistake and owned it. He confessed to Nathan, the people, and most importantly God.(Psalm 51) 3 For I recognize my rebellion;

it haunts me day and night.4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just. Psalm 51 NLT

I have messed up in my life in just about every way possible. If I measured my bad against God's good I would fail every time. I am encouraged every time I hear or read David's confession in Psalm 51. He laid it out with nothing held back. If God can forgive David, he can forgive me too. All of us screw up in one way or another and any sin no matter how small or large is still equal and wrong in God's view.

Whatever you may have done in your life, however you have failed, confession with David's attitude can make it right with God. You may still have to suffer the consequences of your actions here on earth but God says all is square when we confess with nothing held back. We can be men and women after God's own heart.

Michael Gray

AliveChurch.com

Oro Valley Campus Weekend Update

2011-09-19T15:33:00.001-07:00

Wow! What a weekend!
27 Committments to Christ on all Alive Church campuses. Sooooooo amazing.
Alive Church volunteers were beyond amazing.
Alive attendees invited a lot of friends.
Jeff really challenged us to Fight for our families.
Jeff will be announcing the grill winner this weekend.

Michael Gray
Alive Church
Oro Valley Campus
520-548-1970

OV Campus Update- Beast Feast - It's this weekend!

2011-09-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

I cant believe it's here. This next weekend is the First ever Alive Church Beast Feast. There is so much to do but I am so excited about this upcoming event. Here is a recap of what is coming this weekend.

New series "Courageous", based on the movie that will be releasing on the September 30th kicks off this weekend.
Saturday night following service:

Frank Lopez Group rockin' the Oro valley stage.
Chuy's catered Tri-Tip Dinner
Jumping Castle
Snow-Cones
Other Family Entertainment.
Come early and stay late

Sunday Morning

8:30 Chuy's Tri-Tip burritos breakfast.
12:00 Chuy's Tri-Tip Lunch
Jumping castles
Snow-Cones
Other Family Entertainment

A Special Thanks to Chris from Chuy's for helping us pull this off with catering for 2 locations. It is going to be a special weekend and we could not have done it without your help.

Jeff will also be drawing for a super cool duel gas and charcoal grill!

My hope is that many families will catch the vision of what God can do in their families life. 85 to 90 % of Young adults are leaving the church after high school. Parents leading their kids towards Jesus in partnership with the local church is the best hope we have slowing this exodus out of the church.

Join me in praying, investing and inviting for this great upcoming weekend and the upcoming "Courageous Series".

The Pieces That Make Me A Whole Man

2011-08-29T09:04:00.001-07:00

I know you have heard it before but I am going to say it anyway. My wife Cindy is the other part of me that makes me better than I humanly could be. As this was the first time Kacey(Our Son) & I were alone for a week without her I discovered several things about myself.

Without Cindy:

Kacey and I would be malnourished or starving.
The house would look like it does before we clean it prior to her return.
I would forget some of the important things that have to be done to exist.
Her dogs Tank & Chopper would be doomed.
I don't think I would be motivated to get out of bed every day.
I would lose what little balance I have and would wonder around aimlessly.

Even though Cindy is all that for me, to be what I need to be for her and our family, I have to be centered in Christ. He is the only resource of love, patience, kindness, gentleness, self control.....that will help me to be the man I need to be for my family. Without Jesus, I have no hope of being the other half of Cindy I need to be or the father my kids need me to be.

I am very excited about our upcoming "Courageous" series and the movie launch. I am praying that through the beast feast, movie launch and the 5 week teaching series we will see many many men discover the courage it takes to be the men God created them to be for their families. Here are a few links and resources for the series and events.

http://courageousmovie.com/

Courageous Living: Dare to Take a Stand

Courageous Living Bible Study Leader Kit

Courageous: A Novel

Alive Church Oro Valley Baptizm Weekend

2011-08-22T08:24:00.004-07:00

This was the most fun I have had on a weekend all summer. I got to baptize 5 people during our weekend at the Oro Valley Alive Church campus. I just get very excited about people becoming followers of Jesus and taking the next step in being baptized. When they come out of the water and the crowd gives a roar of celebration It is about as good as it gets in my book.

My favorite quote on the why do you want to get baptized questionnaire was from Rutchel. She said that after a long journey through different churches, "I lost my religion and found my faith".

Thank you all for sharing this great moment with us @Alive Church. I cant wait for the next time we do baptism.

If you are ready to take the next steps and be baptized please contact me and we will get it scheduled.

OV Campus Update. Half Empty Nest Syndrome?

2011-08-15T08:22:00.003-07:00

I found myself in a bit of a funk this weekend as we sent our oldest daughter Danielle off to college in Texas. We now have an empty room in the house that was previously occupied my our lovely daughter. We are so proud of her and we know she is going to do great but, it is a weird feeling to look around the corner expecting to see her and she is not there.

I am grateful for Cindy and Kacey and love them very much but it is still a change I don't love or have not adjusted to yet.

I am also thankful for my team at Alive Church Oro Valley and how the great team chemistry helped me push through the weekend. I was able to get into the great weekend experience and keep my mind off of missing Danny. Thanks guys and gals for the great weekend and for a great weekend experience.

My Smart Phone Addiction

2011-08-08T08:07:00.006-07:00

I admit it. I am a mobile device addict. I eat with it, sleep with it and it is in my pocket or by my side every second of every day. It is my precious Android Incredible device.

It is a very useful tool. I read with it, run with it, Skype with it and sometimes I even use it as a phone.

I have to admit that sometimes I use it as a crutch to avoid real human contact. It seems easier to get lost in the machine like I'm in a Tron world than to engage real live people. That is partly my personality and partly a human process error on my part.

So here is my plan:

1 I will use my device less and I make a concerted effort to choose people over the device.

2 I will take one of my vacations this fall and do a full digital cleanse.

Youth Ministry a '50-Year Failed Experiment,' Say Pastors- What do you Think?

2011-08-02T15:18:00.004-07:00

Why are kids leaving the church? Is it the separation of youth ministry from the adults in the modern church? What could be done differently? The movie "Divided" seeks to discover some answers. Watch it and voice your opinion. It is statistically proven that we are not transitioning youth into adult worshipers. What are the answers?
http://www.dividedthemovie.com/

Life Comes At You Fast. Do You Have Crisis Insurance?

2011-08-01T09:47:00.008-07:00

This weekend Jeff encouraged everyone to commit to being in a life group this fall. Jeff's teaching from the "Exponential" series was about the good and bad influence in our lives.

A life group is a safe place where we can be honest with each other and have good influence on one another. I rely on my life group to give me strength, encouragement and to hold me to the standard of how the Bible says I should live. I also love the food and good times we have together.

This weekend I was contacted by 2 people in crisis. One is in a life group and the other is not. The one in a life group has a group of people rallying around them to assist and walk through the crisis. The other person in crisis does not have a team rallying around them and will have a much tougher time getting through the next few weeks. They both have the prayer and support of the pastoral staff but add a life group to the mix and you can get through anything.

One thing is for sure, you will have crisis in your life. You are either heading towards a crisis, in a crisis or coming out of a crisis. Get you Crisis Insurance and check the life group box on your communication card. Our team will help you find a group that fits you so you can be prepared for whatever life throws at you.

Stalking for a passionate Student Ministry leader

2011-07-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

I am on the prowl and I am not to proud to stalk you if you are the passionate leader of youth I am looking for. If you are looking for a Job no need apply. I am looking for someone with a passionate life calling to lead youth into a growing relationship with the Jesus.
Blog Respond me
Call me
Facebook me
Twitter me
Google + me
Smoke Signal me
...That is if I don't stalk and find you first.
http://AliveChurch.com
Church Staffing Posting

AliveChurch.com Oro Valley Weekend Wrapup

2011-07-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Like the bear in the pic sometimes I am oblivious to the world around me. Kacey and I were on the other side of a window no more than 2 to 3 feet away from this guy and he was so distracted by the bird food he was eating that he didn't care about the crowd of people that had gathered to watch him. Like him I have a bad habit of getting buried in "get it done". Last week I had my head down and was going to get it done.
Fail!
In spite of the things that I didn't get done last week God did His thing this weekend. Eight people made commitments to Christ this weekend at Alive Church campuses and that never gets old. Amazing volunteers showed up and did amazing things to create wow experiences for our visitors.
I have decided to take more time this week to enjoy the ride and those around me that I am serving with. I am celebrating Gods greatness and celebrating again that God is God and I am not! Don't get me wrong, God is not OK with me phoning it in, but I will enjoy the ride and appreciate those around me on the journey.

Weekend Warrior Wrapup

New Series "Whatever It Takes" & Easter

A BBQ & Series WRAPUP With The Web Guy

A Weekend Away With the Aliens

Mike's Blog - This Weekend @ Alive Chruch

Mike's Blog - Loss of Another Music Icon Whitney Houston

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Mike's Blog ~ My Team Didn't Win The Superbowl

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Mike's Blog- The Executive Delivers on Relevance

Mike's Blog - Beginning a New Bible Application Journey

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Mike's Weekend Recap

I Want More Chicken!

Phillipians 4:19 19 But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

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I'm Back from Vacation and am Plugged In

Another Great Weekend @ Alive Church Oro Valley

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Oro Valley Alive Church Update

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When Men are Courageous Families Win

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Even the King Has To Own His Mistakes

Oro Valley Campus Weekend Update

OV Campus Update- Beast Feast - It's this weekend!

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The Pieces That Make Me A Whole Man

Alive Church Oro Valley Baptizm Weekend

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OV Campus Update. Half Empty Nest Syndrome?

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My Smart Phone Addiction

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Youth Ministry a '50-Year Failed Experiment,' Say Pastors- What do you Think?

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AliveChurch.com Oro Valley Weekend Wrapup