2009 Reading List

I enjoy reading and usually read a fair share of books on a yearly basis. The one thing I have never done is plan out my reading. A guy (great encourager) at church challenged me to do just that. So, this is the first year that I put together a reading schedule with definite timelines of when the books need to be started and when they will have to be finished. Well, so far so good. I finished my first book this morning and will start book two tomorrow.

The first book was called Freedom's Frame by Rick Green (www.rickgreen.com). It was a great book on how the freedom we have in this country is framed by four key principles. I would highly encourage you to pick it up.

In February I am going to read a book called MacArthur's Millenial Manifesto by Sam Waldron and I am also a huge John Grisham fan and his new book The Associate is out and I will try and read that as well. To top that off a dear friend of mine (Allan Taylor - Minister of Education FBC Woodstock, GA) wrote a book Sunday School in HD. It has not gone to print yet, so I am reading the transcript. He wants me to write a recommendation that will be included on the book cover, so I have to finish that book next month.

So why am I sitting here writing this, I need to get to reading...

Planning Conference Recap

Today the IBC staff had its January 2009 planning conference and I believe it went really great! 2009 should be an awesome year in which we see God bless us with growth (spiritual and numerical) in ways that exceed our expectations. I am just so proud of the team that God has put together. They all have great gifts, talents and abilities and are passionate about using them to see people changed with the truth of the gospel. I am absolutely amazed that God has chosen to put me into the mix.

Out with the old in with the new

All my life I have enjoyed new things. Not in a materialistic way, because I also appreciate used things that have been taken care of well. I just enjoy the way something new presents itself. New carpet that has that new carpet smell. A new car that has that new car smell. A new puppy, well....., hopefully you get the idea. For me a new year is very much the same. It is a time when you can let go of what happened last year (the old) and embrace the challenges of a new year. I think sometimes that people get stuck in what happened last year (or yesterday for that matter), forgetting that they have the ability to let that go and embrace something fresh and new. That is also the way it is with sin in my life. I can choose to wallow in it or confess and forget it. For me the second option is much better. I believe this is what Paul meant when he said, "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead." (Phil. 3:13) HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR EVERYONE

The weekend is here.

Well Friday is here and that means some great things are here as well.

1. It is a great college football weekend (go Buff's)
2. The possibility of sleeping in on Saturday (I said it was a possibility not a probability)
3. My Upward Soccer team plays tomorrow (can you say total domination)
4. Lunch today with Meagan (Gretchen is in Texas, so it is just me and Meg until the girls get home)
5. Chores (get to vs. got to)
6. NFL (The Broncos are going to destroy the dreaded Chiefs on Sunday)
7. Sunday is almost here (weekly family reunion)

The truth behind proposition 8

Much has been said about the upcoming election in California, especially as it pertains to proposition 8. Last night I was watching TV and a commercial came on in which the parents of a lesbian daughter were outraged that their daughter could not marry her partner. I watched as the truth about prop 8 was distorted to continue to promulgate the lie that the opponents (no on prop 8) are pushing.


It would take to long to discuss each lie, but there are three that are at the forefront. The real issue at hand isn't potential lawsuits to ministers and churches. However, this will happen (don't let the opposition lie to you). They would like nothing more than to erode Christianity, because the core of our faith (Holy Scripture), contradicts a homosexual lifestyle and calls it sin.

It isn't that their rights will be violated, because they already have all the legal rights I have except the right to file a joint federal tax return (by the way this will not be solved by defeating prop 8 because it is a state issue). This is the smokescreen that they are using to try and manipulte the feelings of voters, because as American's we believe in the rights of the people of this country.

IT IS NOT BECAUSE WE ALL HATE HOMOSEXUALS. That is always the easiest lie they promulgate because it is the easiest for people with no common sense to believe. I am sure that some Christians (if you could really call them that) do hate homosexuals, just like some homosexuals hate Christians. A quick rule to learn, any absolute statement is absolutely wrong!

The real issue is the issue of the institution of marriage. Biblically, marriage is an institution created by God (who is very real) between a man and a woman (the way He created mankind). Saying that marriage is an institution between two people who love each other (rather than between a man and a woman only) is just another step at moving God out of our society. Socially, it has been proven (for you who choose to use the scientific method to prove your faith) that marriage between a man and a woman has a greater positive impact on our society than any other relationship that may exist.


Do not be lulled into thinking that this issue is just about two people being able to say that they are married. If it really were that simple, I would be the first to join the opposition.


This issue is one for the generations. I was not alive when prayer was banned from our schools or when Roe vs. Wade occured but I am alive now and I hope we as Christians draw a line in the sand and refuse to give any more ground!

Sunday reflections

"It was the best service I have ever attended in my life." "I cannot believe all my friends were not here today." "Wasn't that the most moving service ever."

These are just three comments that I personally heard last Sunday about our new worship service format at 10:45. I would have to echo that it really was awesome. I would also say that our 9:00 service was equally as awesome. The message was right on. If you missed it, get the CD! The music was just incredible. All of it came together for one perfect storm of a service. Pastor, Jeff and our worship team need to be commended for a job well done!!!

Our Bible Fellowship Ministry also did a great job of adapting to new changes. Jason and the Education Staff did a great job of ensuring that everyone had a place to go and that God's Word was communicated to those who attended.

I have been saying all summer that I believe this fall may be the best fall ever!!! Even though fall is not officially here, we are well on our way!!!

Reasons to celebrate

As I sat this morning several reasons to celebrate came to my mind.

1. Fantasy football has officially begun
2. College football has officially begun
3. The NFL begins in one week
4. The Democratic National Convention is Over (it is amazing that all you have to do to be nominated is know how to say and spell the word CHANGE - should be an interesting 61 days)
5. The weekend is here
6. WE CAN ALL GATHER TOGETHER THIS WEEKEND AT CHURCH
7. CHRIST IS LORD AND IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING

have to vs. get to - a perspective on doing chores

Do I have to do my chores today? Every parent has heard these words uttered by their children (of course there are some adults who feel the same way). Not me, I enjoy getting to do my chores. Today was my chore day around the house. I got to wash both cars then I got to do some minor car maintenance (top off fluids, change oil and filter, install new air filter) then I got to mow the yard. Notice the subtle difference between the two. To me, I enjoy these things I GET to do. To me those things are therapeutic (call me weird). Of course don't think that there are things (chores) that I feel like I have to do. I think a great daily goal would be to look at everything in life as things we get to do!

Just a little random thought.

Whole lot of shakin...

Living in SOCAL is great!!! I honestly mean that, even though I never thought I would. It has grown on me (of course 70 degrees in the middle of winter helps). I love it for the mountains, the desert, the beach and the PEOPLE (some of the greatest as far as I am concerned).

However, the one thing I will never get used to is the earthquakes. Yesterday, there was a whole lot of shakin going on. At around 11:42 a 5.4 quake hit in Chino Hills (not too far as the crow flies). I was working on my computer when the ground began to rumble and then the jolt hit. Words cannot describe how an earthquake feels (you have to experience them to know). To me it is the most unnatural feeling in the world. The ground is not supposed to move, at least not where I grew up. I would love to say that I am getting used to them, but the truth is, I am not.

It just makes me realize how fragile this world truly is and that the really only firm foundation we have is found in a personal relationship with Christ.

I am finally back

It feels good to finally be posting again. The reason for the long delay is that our home computer crashed and we did not replace it for a while. I do not post while I am at work so I had to wait to get a new computer. Of course by the time we got one, I was out of the habit. Here are some really important events that have occurred since my last post.

• Meagan (my oldest daughter) GRADUATED from high school and is registered for her first semester at Crafton Community College
• Marissa (my middle daughter) GRADUATED from middle school
• Malory (my youngest daughter) GRADUATED from elementary school
• The church voted to bring on two new ministerial staff members (Jason Barker as Minister of Education and Jonathan Jones as Minister to Middle School)
• We went on a family vacation to Montana (Montana is quickly becoming one of my most favorite places)
• I am now the Executive Pastor of Immanuel

I would say however that the single greatest thing that has happened continues to be the faithfulness of God. His faithfulness ALWAYS amazes me. As I write this there are some significant things coming my way that I will expand on as they come.

• I am leaving for Russia next week for a mission project in which I get the privilege to minister to our M families (looking back this means I have had the privilege to visit The Netherlands twice, Poland, Cambodia and Mexico - only God could have orchestrated all of that).
• Meagan will begin College, Marissa will begin High School and Malory will begin Middle School.
• Our two new ministerial staff members will be arriving
• Gretchen and I will celebrate 21 years of marriage
• Marissa will turn 14

I know that through all of this the Lord will continue to show His faithfulness. Stay tuned...

Attract, Connect, Grow and Serve

Last week during ministerial staff meeting there was discussion about an important issue. The question was whether the people of immanuel (members, attenders and guest) knew exactly what they were supposed to be doing. This opened up some great dialogue that I believe will do nothing but help us fulfill the great commission as a church. If you want to read what we believe God desires for us do you can read my post on June 21, 2007 (Matthew 28:19-20 would not hurt either). My intention over the next month will be to take each of these four elements (ATTRACT, CONNECT, GROW and SERVE) and give insight to each individually. So starting Monday I will begin with the task of ATTRACT! Stay tuned.

Leavened bread

It's funny how we can read through scripture many times and not see something. That is the great thing about God's Word. It is alive and speaks fresh Words every time you read it. This morning I was reading in Exodus about when the children of Israel left Egypt. Get this picture 600,000 men (plus their wives and children) left Egypt in a single instance. A place where they had lived for 430 years. That was when God stepped in, in a big way, and got them out. They left in such a hurry that they had not added leaven to the bread they were making. Many times leaven is thought of as an agent that represents something bad (beware of the leaven of the Pharisee's...). To the Israelites the leaven was supposed to reemind them of the fact that God had set them free from the Egyptians. It was a reminder that He came through in a big way. That got me thinking about the big things (actually all things) God has done in my life. He certainly has come through in a big way in my life. I have many reminders of this fact. Some of those reminders are the source of joy while others are a little more painful, nevertheless, they are reminders. I pray that I will not turn those reminders into anything more than what they truly are. Reminders of when God came through in a big way.

I am already tired....

The 2008 election is not even here yet and I am already tired of politics. With all that is at stake this year, I am sure we will see an unprecedented political media blitz or should I blitzkrieg. I saw yesterday that the amount of money already spent on this election is twice as much as 2004. Needless to say, I am anxious for November to be here and gone. However, I do ask myself the question in the midst of all this junk, what am I to do? To me the answer to that is very simple. TRUST GOD! I will pray, study and vote my convictions but at the end of it all, I will just have to trust God. The people who get elected will be put there by God so I just have to know that He is in control of things. So, hold on to your seats it is going to be bumpy ride for the next 10 1/2 months.

Year of Intention

I am always amazed at the amount of New Years resolutions that are made and just as quickly broken. How do I know this happens? Because I am one of the millions (possibly billions) of people who have done that very thing. The beginning of a new year rolls around, resolutions are made and then.... I am sure you can get the picture. It is a very vicious cycle. I was reading an article the other day that I believe sheds some light on how to overcome this. The article was discussing the importance of being intentional. It really caused me to do some thinking. I believe that nothing really great comes by accident. If it is truly great it was the result of someone being very intentional to ensure its greatness. I believe that God is an intentional God in everything He does and if we are to emulate Him we need to be intentional. So my resolution for 2008 is to be intentional. There are certain things that I believe need to be accomplished this year and if I am not intentional, well.... Hopefull this intentionality will show up in the accomplishment of tasks for the glory of God and His Kingdom.

Thanksgiving recap

Here is my recap of Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday). To start off my parents came in town to celebrate the holiday with us. It was a great blessing having them here. We enjoyed every minute we got to spend together. Gretchen cooked like crazy and the food was awesome. I got to deep fry another turkey. I would like to say that this one was the best so far. We watched some football. Jeff, Jody and the kids came over (the stuffing was probably the best I have ever had). Rob Signs brought his Texas Fire Crackers and some desserts that were just incredible. One day someone will be able to get the secret recipes out of him. The day after thanksgiving Gretchen and Jody loaded up to go shopping at 4am. I slept. I had to take dad and mom to the airport. We did some things around the house then we went to the REV/Norco game. Saturday was putting up the Christmas lights outside (I have to quit adding things) and doing some chores. In the midst of that I took a break to take the girls (each with a friend) to see a movie of their choice. Me, Malory and her friend went to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. It was absolutely an awesome movie. I would highly recommend it. All of this put together made this Thanksgiving a GREAT one!!

I'm Baaaaaaack

Okay, now everyone can leave me alone about not putting up a post in over two months. It was not intentional, I just had a lot on my plate. Since I last wrote the following things have happened.

• We finished Walk Thru the Bible
• Completed another 24/7 prayer week
• Gretchen and I celebrated our 20th anniversary in Las Vegas (had an absolute awesome time)
• Led a SS conference in San Diego
• Traveled to Texas to preach the ordination service for my great friend Jeff Ritter
• Led another SS conference in Eugene Oregon
• Hosted Team Impact
• Took a little breather
• Harvest Festival (although Rhonda did the work)
• Started 3 new Bible Fellowship Classes
• Spent some time sighting in my rifle for my hunting trip which starts tomorrow

As you can see it was a crazy two and half months. Of course the highlight of all this was Gretchen and I celebrating 20 years of marriage. God truly blessed me by giving Gretchen to me! Here is to as many years as God allows (hopefully many, many, many more)!!!

As I write this, I am less than 12 hours away from leaving for Montana. For me an Elk and Mule Deer hunt in Montana is a chance of a lifetime. I am sure you will hear more about this in the days to come.

Next Friday is Malory's 11 birthday. I am going to have to celebrate a day late because I do not return until Saturday. I am glad that I have a daughter who understands (don't you Mal Mal)!

Okay, so I am back. If I write this and no one responds, I am going to be disappointed.

Two teenagers - how did that happen?

MARISSA IS 13!!!!!!!!!!! I am not quite when or how this has happened. I remember all to well the day she was born. Now she is a teenager and a very beautiful, smart, talented, caring, giving (I could go on) one at that.. I looked in the mirror this morning and there were more gray hairs than yesterday. I swear this is true. I just did not see this coming. Next thing I know...never mind, I would rather dig a hole in the sand and not watch what happens next. Of course I can't do that. I enjoy watching my kids grow up. As they grow up our relationship matures. I am anxious for each new day with all three of my girls and the challenges and rewards that they present. Of course if my girls read this, you can stop getting older any time.

Walk Thru the Bible

You do not want to miss this

Walk Thru the Bible is coming this Sunday. I know that many have never attended a Walk Thru the Bible Seminar. I can promise you, if you attend it will be one of the best things you will ever do. I am posting a video that will give a better definition of what will happen at the seminar. Our seminar leader (who is not the leader on the video) will be speaking in both services this Sunday and will give us great taste of what will happen if you choose to stay for the rest. If you have children in the 1st - 6th grade you will want them to be a part of this great event. SEE YOU SUNDAY!!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

The official start of College football 2007 started yesterday. I love college football. It is by far my favorite sport. I enjoy watching any game at any time. Of course my favorite team is the Colorado Buffaloes. I grew up in Boulder watching the games. We had season tickets and every home game during the fall I got to go to several games each season. I remember one game in particular when after the game I was able to go into the locker room and meet the players. I was all of about 10 years old. I will never forget that - it made me a lifetime (not a fairweather) fan. I cheer for them when they are good and when they are bad. Last year they did not give me too much to cheer about. I hope this season is different. Regardless of the outcome I will pull for them all season long. I am anxious to see what this season has in store. MY SATURDAY'S ARE FULL UNTILL JANUARY!!!!