Urbanity!

Blog Link

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:33:00 +0000

Came across this: http://tallywilgis.blogspot.com while here: http://swerve.lifechurch.tv

Always good to see God moving in our inner cities.

In the News...

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:59:00 +0000

This weekend the Saginaw News, our local paper, did a profile on our family and our faith through a very difficult year. The article can be found here: http://www.mlive.com/saginawnews/living/index.ssf/2008/11/saginaw_church_family_finds_fa.html

Thanks to the Saginaw News and journalist Denise Ford-Mitchell for taking an interest in our family and church. Thanks also to Patty Leffler for bringing my family and New Beginnings Church to our communities attention.
Sincerely hoping God is lifted up through this,
Rob Lovell

End of Dalight Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:45:00 +0000

Do we get it?

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:36:00 +0000

I've been reading John chapter four this week which contains the story of the woman at the well. The story revolves around four people or groups: Jesus, the Samaritan woman, the disciples, and the people of the city.
Now traditionally, we've been told this story ends at verse 34, with the disciples returning from the market with lunch, but then we miss a key point, an entire scene to the story. Let's take it from the beginning: Jesus sends his disciples to buy food- Jesus waits at Jacob's well- Jesus meets the Samaritan woman, reveals himself as the Messiah, the disciples return and the woman goes off to spread the good news through out the city. Now here's what caught my interest: 1) the disciples were clueless to the spiritual matters at hand....

And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman:..
(John 4:27)

2) The Samaritan woman was more in tune with the gospel than Jesus' disciples...

The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
(John 4:28-29)

3) And this scene gets to me... the Samaritan woman returns to Jesus with those she had witnessed to and Jesus seeing them coming (kinda have to read between the lines) says,...

Say not, There are yet four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together.
(John 4:35-36)

I think we too often are too comfortable with Jesus. We're still glad for our salvation, maybe we even have a place of service,...but do we really get? Or do we still get it? Is our relationship so routine, so familiar we are no longer in awe of Christ? No longer are we overcome with the enormity of what Jesus did for us, hence we let the burden of others who are without him fade. We've left Jesus at church at went to brunch and while the woman at the well serves our family...we don't get it...we miss our purpose and opportunity.
Do you remember when you first came to Christ? Like the Samaritan woman, we couldn't contain the good news. We wanted to tell...we had to tell others about, HIM! We were overjoyed the we finally got it, that we understood, and we wanted everyone to know as well. Perhaps we were shunned. Maybe we felt ineffective, but more than likely we've fallen prey to the adage, "familiarity breeds contempt."
My prayer this week is that God would make my relationship with him uncomfortable. God burden my heart and your church with a fresh vision of what Jesus did for us. Help us once again to "Get It!"

Its Baaaaaaaack.....

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:51:00 +0000

Sorry for my absence from the blogosphere last week. Turns out the back pain I was having last weekend was my body prompting me that something wasn't right. After running some tests, it was determined that my leukemia had returned and my best course of action was to get a bone marrow transplant.

So, long story short, I took a pretty hairy ambulance ride from Saginaw to Ann Arbor's U of M hospital to prepare for a new round of chemo to push me back into remission while a donor match is found.

This has presented me with some all new challenges that I'm still trying to wrap my mind around. Please pray for me as I sort this all out.

For starters the prognosis isn't that great. All said and done there's a 50% chance this is going to work... basically the same odds as a coin toss. Secondly, my hospital stay is going to be lengthier than before. I was informed today that I'd be here for 1-2 months. Wha...? Two weeks seemed like prison. How am I gonna do this? This is going to be the struggle of my life. Please pray for expediency and effectiveness in the days ahead.

I was reading Paul's anguish of a similar situation in 2 Corinthians 12. You know, "My grace is sufficient..."
Break that down..." My ( God's) grace (provision) is sufficient (enough). What God has provided for me is all I need. So if I'm healthy at home or sick in the hospital, I have exactly what God intended. I admit, I don't like this. I mean this is grown up Christianity that requires integrity, accountability, faithfulness. Am I ready for a relationship that gives total control- physical, mental, emotional control- to God. I decided this is a contest of wills and whatever the rest of my life ends up being will be based on who wins.

for my (God's) strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

God shows himself strong through weakness. The key to God working in our lives is not our efforts, but our surrender. Don't get me wrong, I know we must "work out" our salvation; but this passage isn't about ministry. It's about authority. Who's in charge of me? Is it God or self? God wants total surrender; for us to give up, give in, and become weak so that Christ can work within and through us to accomplish his purpose. If we are willing to let go we can be used. This means letting go of who we think we are, what we want to accomplish or be. It means replacing self will with God's will. Why would anyone do that?

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
(2 Timothy 1:7-8)

You see, our afflictions, ailments, trials- they are to become a living testimony of God's power as we surrender to them. Paul encourages us to not be afraid, but to embrace our weakest moments, knowing God's provision will empower us not only to make it through, but more importantly will add authenticity and authority to the gospel of Christ. We are his witnesses. There is no back up plan to save humanity. Only those willing to surrender the fear of adventuring into the unknown, can be used to do great things for God. I'm not a great person, but I have a great mountain I must climb and I will surrender it to God. What about you? What trial, illness, or anguish do you face? Aren't you tired of fighting? Do you remember what your fighting for? Whatever the trial, however you got there, surrender it to him. His grace for is sufficient for you.

God Remembers...

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:51:00 +0000

I love the Scriptures. Really, no matter how many times I read them, God always give me fresh insight from His Word. Sometimes it's a passage of teaching, sometimes the principal of a story, and sometimes a phrase of Scripture hits me in a way that stops me in my tracks. I love that! To me it's as personal as God saying,"this is for you."
Right now I'm reading through Genesis, the story of Noah. Can you imagine the life of this godly man and his family? For 120 years Noah preached salvation by faith in God's plan. 120 years without a convert. No one came with Noah and his family. Noah and his family lived, and worked, and built the ark of God's design while facing ridicule, disrespect and adversity. No one believed them.
No one believed him when herds of animals showed up. Oh, I'm sure it caused a stir. This wasn't something you saw every day. But Noah had long been deemed "the crazy religious guy," after all, he was calling people to follow an untried method for something that had not yet happened for a God they could not see. So Noah gathered his family and this eclectic herd of animals and got them in the ark. No one believed them.
And then it began to rain. It took a minute for those outside to comprehend what was happening. A raindrop hit their face for the first time in their life. I imagine them looking heaven ward and wondering, "Wha...?" Suddenly the words of the crazy zealot were coming true! People hurried home from work to be with their families. Hours, perhaps days passed and homes were abandoned for safety on higher ground. Could Noah's predictions really be true? And what about Noah and his family? Scripture says God himself shut them in. They were informed of God's plan for judgment, but knowing something and experiencing it were two different things. I imagine fears rose within the ark as did the water. and as timbers creaked and and the boat began to move, sons comforted wives even as they looked to dad for guidance. Faith was in action, lives were on the line, and God was moving his hand. For more than a month it rained from above and flooded from beneath, forever changing the landscape of our planet, a rough ride I'm sure.
At some point, or points doubts must have arisen. Will it ever let up? Are we gonna make it? So many times in ministry we find ourselves in less dire circumstances, but with the same questions. Taking a step of faith, following God's plan though it may be untried, doing God's work without seeing immediate results, asking people to trust in the vision God's given us; will we make it? Today, one simple phrase reassured me we will.

And God remembered Noah, ...
(Genesis 8:1)

In the end, God remembered his faithful, and fulfilled his promise to see them safely through. So take heart my friends. God always delivers.

Truth Solution Paradigm

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:41:00 +0000

I read Steven Furtick's blog this morning on Old Beliefs/New beliefs and Just had to pass the link along to my church family and those who read my blog. Enjoy!

http://www.stevenfurtick.com/uncategorized/old-beliefsnew-beliefs/

What I Learned This Week...

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:38:00 +0000

Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
(Romans 16:17-19)

This reminds me much of something I read in T.D. Jakes- Maximize Your Moment. I don't remember his exact phrasing, but the idea was along the lines of this text. We as Christians are here to fulfill an all important purpose-reaching a lost world with the gospel. Our mission is singular, and time is of the essence; because of this our time is valuable, too valuable Paul writes, to waste on those who simply wish too consume the church's resources. Oh, they talk a good game. Thy know the proper Christian nomenclature, but they don't back up their words with actions.
Romans tells us to mark them. The Greek word there means to take aim at. In today's lingo we would say, "Scope out the situation." If they talk a good game, but the only action you see in their life is causing strife and hardship within the church...avoid them. Maximize your moment, the time you've been given to serve and worship Christ by staying away from them.
Paul concludes this section of Scripture by stating the reason for separating from the discontent: It will affect your testimony and ability to fulfill your mission. So...take an assessment. Who do you surround yourself with: the complainers, the "You should have done it like this" crowd, or those who are at work too busy telling, bringing, and teaching others about The Way.

What God Showed Me This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:10:00 +0000

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
(Romans 7:21-25)

Sometimes I feel guilty about this passage of Scripture. It's hard not to relish the fact that Paul, arguably history's most successful Christian, still struggled with sin. Then I'm reminded that while he was one of Scriptures greatest men of faith, he was human. No human save Jesus was immune to sins curse, and of course the bigger lesson here is that of justification.
All of us, even the best of us are infected by sin. Paul cried out in thanks to Jesus for deliverance- from sins debts and penalties, forever freed by the Savior, justified by his sacrifice.
I know that all seems redundant to those who've known Him for awhile, but I just can't get over it. I hope I never do.

Church Spam

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:45:00 +0000

Don't you just hate spam? I do- in all it's forms. Of course there's the meat-like product in the can. I say meat-like but it's kind of a cross between meat and Jello...so gross.
Then there's email spam, the junk mail in your in box; you know the credit apps., colon cleansers, free vacation, and my personal fav. - the letter from distraught people in foreign countries who can only trust YOU, with their millions of dollars. Ah, yes, so much spam- I hate it!
I was thinking this week about how some Christians are like spam. They could be members of your church or church hoppers(gelatinous meat-like creatures). Church spammers, inundate your staff with their problems, needs, and especially complaints. That's all well and good except that the church receives zero participation from these people... it's all about them. I think of them as spam, because I feel like they are scamming the good hearts of fellow Christians. They want to take advantage of programs for their kids, themselves, etc.; but will never volunteer, and if by chance they do it's a half-hearted effort or no-show. So what's the solution.
1. Stop spending your time on them. It's wasted effort. Just like opening those spam emails only attracts more spam and wastes your time, church spammers will suck up as many resources and as much of your energy as thy can. Learn to "Just Say NO!"

2. Put them in place. Too few churches implement a plan to put members that do not share the work load into an inactive status or remove them altogether. Members need to act like members and participate; after all, why be a member of something you don't really want to be part of?

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
(2 Thessalonians 3:10-11)

3. Point them in the right direction. This is a two-pronged point. First, You can't demand participation without a system of integration. We need to have a system to train people for ministry and then have opportunities prepared to incorporate them in the church body. In this way we fulfill our obligation to restore people to their proper place in the body of Christ.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:1-2)

The second prong has to do with the stubborn spammer. This Church spammer, knows their place, has the knowledge, experience, etc. but wants to ride a church pew and siphon your churches resources. Pastors and leaders, it is our duty to our churches to point these individuals to the door and let them know they need go elsewhere. Seem harsh, maybe so but if you want to succeed in reaching people for Christ and discipling them in the life cycle of the church, They have to go.

...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

(Hebrews 12:1)

I realize some of this is easier said than done; but in the end the entire church will have peace of mind and strength of being by reducing your church spam.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
(1 Corinthians 9:26-27)

What God Showed Me This Week...

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:16:00 +0000

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
(Romans 6:12-14)

I read a quote from C.S. Lewis this week,"When I Invited Jesus into my life,I thought he would put up some wallpaper and hang a few pictures; but he started knocking down walls and adding rooms! I was expecting a nice cottage, but he was making a palace in which to live."
Isn't it amazing how we want to define and contain God? So often we want to tuck him into a corner of our heart, when he's come to take over; and conversely, God's promised us victory over sin. The problem is- it's his victory- not ours. We've already proven our failure at triumphing over sin. What we need is to give control to the one who has won over death and sin, Jesus.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:57)

38 Special

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:08:00 +0000

This Monday was my 38th birthday. Thanks to all my family and friends, my church family, and everyone who is tied to me who wished me well and made my B-day special.

Danger Zone!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:50:00 +0000

Just had to share this post I read from Miles Paludan . It was an encouragement to me, and I hope it will be to all those that live and pastor in the danger zone!
http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2008/07/02/guest-blog-miles-paludan/

Twittering!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:01:00 +0000

Well I recently started twittering. I had an account for some time but hadn't used it and honestly, didn't relate to it; but I'm beginning to get the hang of it, and am enjoying following my friend,colleagues, and leaders I respect. So, Heres to Twittering and I'll keep ya's posted!

http://www.twitter.com/rob_l

Metro-Rednexual

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:08:00 +0000

Having moved from S. Carolina to Saginaw, MI , I found Tony Morgan's blog post this morning a laugh riot. Thanks, Tony. I fully plan on using/sharing this with my staff. :) - http://tonymorganlive.com/2008/06/25/metro-rednexual-contest/

Finding Perspective.......

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:59:00 +0000

Urban Perspectives- http://fcsministries.org/up/index.html
had a great article by Bob Lupton on urban blight and the real estate crisis facing urban America. You'll find it in the June 2008 archives titled, " When the Bubble Bursts" It was challenging and encouraging to see successful urban ministry being carried out. Thanks, Bob, for your dedication and testimony.

Fried!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:09:00 +0000

Wow! I know I'm behind on my blogging again, just wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for their prayers this week. I had my heaviest chemo treatment to date this week and I'm fried- seriously. I spent a couple days at Covenant Oncology(y'all are awesome!), and came home late Sunday night. Unlike most times when I usually just get nausea and weakness...this time I got some pretty bad skin lesions. I look like a leper and MAN!- it itches!
On a whole though, I'm doing well, and hopefully this big treatment of chemo will keep me from having the marrow transplant. I'm feeling pretty good today(besides itching,lol). Thanks for all your prayers and support.

In Christ,
Rob Lovell

Foundations

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:14:00 +0000

This Week I'm starting a new series of messages titled "Foundations."
I was struck by David's frankness as he contemplated what good men were left capable of
when the foundations of righteousness aren't upheld. Nowhere does this
dilemma seem more relevant than in the city. The Devil (yes, I think he's a real, literal being)
has been tearing down the foundations here for generations.
Truth, Morality, Family- brick by brick our foundations have been pulled down.
Over the past generations Christians have sat idly by for the most part,
turning a blind eye to the crumbling mortar and loose blocks.
In the short term, our solution was to just move to surer footing- out of the cities and into suburbia.
In the end though, the adage of "As goes the city, so goes the nation", has rung true.
So.......what can the righteous do? Plenty!

Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
(Neh 2:17-18)

Foundations need to be repaired, maintained, and protected. Honestly, we've failed
to protect our Christian foundations. We haven't maintained the heritage of faith passed onto us,
but it's not too late too rebuild. As long as there's one voice for Christ there is hope.
Twelve men established our foundation the world over at a time when Christians suffered
all manner of adversity and were at a huge deficit compared to our
transportation/communication advances. Truth be told, we have the greatest opportunity
to reach people for Christ than any other generation; but first we have some home repairs to do.
We need to repair the cracked mortar of moral standards that keep us in place.
We need to make sure we're standing well within the center of our sure foundation, Jesus Christ.
Only when we ourselves are on solid footing can we begin to show others
how to renovate their lives, their families. Then we must go. It's no longer
O.K. for us to be in good repair while our neighbors fall apart. We must return to the city
like Nehemiah, let the condition settle in and burden our hearts.
Let us also, rise up and rebuild!

Back on Track

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:55:00 +0000

Hey Y'all!
I know it's been forever since I posted to my blog, and for that I apologize. For those in the know,lol, you're aware of my sudden battle with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). God has been gracious to me and through the prayers of hundreds of pastors and thousands of Christians, I'm moving into remission.
Now that I'm feeling a LOT better, I wanted to return to my blog and get at least one weekly post. I'd like to post more frequently but don't want to over commit right now. So, I'm back on track, and I'll keep ya posted on our ministry here in the city, my progress in my fight with leukemia, and whatever else crazy is going on ,lol.

Snow Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:33:00 +0000

This morning we woke up to almost two feet of snow, heavier where it's drifted. It's amazing. Everything has a fresh layer of pure white covering it, and in the city that's saying something. In a couple days foundry ash and auto fumes will turn it an ugly gray-brown.
I feel like that's what we're doing in the city so often, the church I mean. There's no shortage of churches here in Saginaw. Yet we aren't effecting change, not lasting change. It's like that snow. We put ourselves out there, cover the area with a blanket of good deeds but it's soon tarnished and then just disappears. We aren't effective at lasting change.
That's depressing, sorry. I really don't want to discourage anyone. What I do want though is more than a superficial deed that makes me feel good about me. I want to change the life of those around me. Perhaps I'm too simplistic, but I'm really wondering what it's going to take until we fulfill the commission of Jesus. I have a kinda mantra here: Urban renewal through spiritual renewal. Lasting change is going to take place not by feeding people or sheltering the homeless(both noble causes by the way), but by waking up the new man. That's something only God can do. It's up to us(me and you) to carry that message.

Commitment

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:08:00 +0000

In my wanderings on the web, some call it surfing, but I'm not that coordinated, I came across a wealth of info. on religion, churches, and urban culture. http://www.polis.iupui.edu/RUC/default.htm
The Polis center spent a lot of effort compiling why things are the way they are and why churches haven't had more of a positive influence on their community. While I commend their efforts, many times they missed the point, which may be why they appear to be currently defunct. In this article, http://www.polis.iupui.edu/RUC/Newsletters/Research/vol2no5.htm
titled Religion and Mobility in 20th Century Ind. , They extol the virtues of people commuting out of the city or to other neighborhoods, effectively passing by their local congregations. True the do experience the different subcultures that exist throughout the city, but I think they miss the whole point. The point is commitment. Somewhere both churches and congregations have said I'm no longer committed to you.
Churches are largely to blame. We have moved entire congregations out of the city, away from where there needed most. In the inner city, only those who can afford to go to the churches new suburban location relocate with the church, leaving many disgruntled and abandoned by it. Some stay, and struggle. The greatest need of inner cities is two-fold. First the gospel, and all its regenerating power. We will never see urban renewal without spiritual renewal. Churches not committed to the good news aren't churches, just social reform agencies. Secondly, we must go beyond simple relief efforts and effect lasting change in peoples lives. Shelters, food assistance....They're all good things, they show people we care, but they don't change peoples lives. People need education, jobs, and recovery from the very addictions and problems that caused them to miss out on education and lose their jobs. They need to be equipped with the fundamentals of finance. Most Churches aren't that committed. Because we lack commitment, people go elsewhere or don't go at all.
Churches aren't entirely to blame. Some people are over committed, and giving the church a dedicated portion of their time, especially if it doesn't effect a change, is something they are no longer readily giving away. We live in a world where the status quo is do more. With the middle class quickly disappearing as we become a global economy, we must either do more or give up. Finding balance is key, yet too often elusive to those wanting to live the American dream. In reality, the church faces a dilemma , Just as the middle ground of class structure is disappearing, so is the pool of people willing to be committed church members.
What's the solution? Churches must exhibit a sterling track record of commitment to there community. They must provide real answers and then back them up with the proven methods of life-building found in Scripture, square one of which is the Gospel. Secondly we must educate our congregation and community that our commitment to them is reciprocal. That as they commit to the vision of the church, they will reap the benefits that a caring, local congregation can provide.

Here we go!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob Lovell) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:32:00 +0000

Well people, this is my newest attempt to keep ya in the loop with what's going on in my little world. Hopefully we'll both gain some insight into what God has for me/us/others through my ministry here. I've never been one to journal, so this is a new experience; however I've felt impressed lately to provide a place for my thoughts outlines, and vision for the community God has placed me in. So hopefully we'll all find this a useful experience. Feel free to email or comment here. I could always use a few pointers as I launch this new chapter of ministry.
In Christ,
Rob lovell