Forget Me Not

I did it again! Ugh!

Most of the day today I felt horrible. I was in a lot of pain and my energy level bottomed out. I considered coming home this afternoon, but didn't have the strength and thought I would be a danger on the road. Fortunately, I didn't have any meetings this afternoon that I needed to contribute to! I spent most of the afternoon in prayer and doing some reading. This is a good thing, but not what I had planned.

When I got home this evening and took my dinner time medications I realized that I hadn't taken my morning medications today. No wonder it was such a tough day, duh! You would think that after ten years of the same routine that I wouldn't forget, but I do. I even have my medications in one of those daily pill boxes. At least that way I can tell if I took them or not.

I will now have to have Paige start checking to make sure that I have taken them. It seems that I'm forgetting them a couple times per month. I don't know if it's because of the memory problems I still have because of my stroke a few years ago or if I'm just too preoccupied to remember details like that, but the consequences of forgetting are pretty rough.

At least I don't forget the important things like prayer, my devotions, and telling Paige how much I love her. If I start forgetting those things, that would be tragic. I'll take rough over tragic any day!

Understanding the Bible

Ryan and I were talking about the meaning of a word in Genesis this afternoon. I love discussions like this! We were looking at the Hebrew word and the English translations. It was interesting to see how it was translated in different places. It didn't impact the meaning if you looked at how the words were used throughout the Bible, but it might if you only saw it used in the one place.

That got us talking about the plain meaning of the Bible. In other words, what would the original hearer have understood the passage to mean. If it was originally intended for them, don't you think that the author would have written in a way that they would have understood? Word pictures, symbolism, idioms, etc. are culturally specific.

With that in mind, here are two important points to remember when you are studying the Bible:

1. What a word means in one place, it may mean something different in another. This can happen even within the same country and language. Take the word "cool" in English for example. To some it means somewhat cold, while to others it refers to a person's persona.

The Bible is no different. Before we dive into the theological discussions that often divide people, we need to ask what the writer's audience would have understood. From that we should derive the meaning of the passage. It usually means that we need to come back to a simpler reading of the text. Always look for the simpler meaning before looking for the complex. Most of the time you will be correct in your understanding.

2. We also need to look at the type of literature we are reading. For example, you wouldn't read the comics that same way that you would read the business section would you? Of course not. You shouldn't read poetry in the Bible the same way that you read history or prophecy either.

Anyway, that's a couple of tips to make your Bible study simpler. More than anything, just spend time regularly in God's Word!

Weekend Rewind

- What an amazingly powerful weekend at Palm Valley Church! If you weren't there, make sure that you watch the video at http://www.palmvalley.org/ (It should be up sometime on Tuesday).

- The message on depression was made more powerful by the testimony Julie did about her own struggle in this area. Thank you for being honest and so vulnerable!

- At the end of the message people had an opportunity to release baggage that they had been holding onto. The bags were then hung on the cross to symbolize that Jesus carries our burdens and the sin and guilt of those things were nailed there with Him.

- We also had the Fresh Start Class this weekend. Attendance was light, but it was important for those who were there. I think that was a God thing, because after Saturday night we were able to care for the needs of someone in the class, and then again on Sunday I had the privilege of praying with another who's life has been greatly impacted by God.

- Saturday night we got the chance to hang out with two of the coolest people I know. Terri and Linda have been faithful servants of the Fresh Start ministry since it began. They are transitioning to another area of service. I will miss them in FS, but am glad they will be doing something they really love, and I will still see them around the church. It's important in a church to allow people to move to different ministries when they feel led, and without guilt! Often, when someone leaves a ministry in a church, they also end up leaving the church because so much pressure and guilt has been placed on them. At PVC we encourage people to try out different things and do what God calls them to do in accordance with their SHAPE.

- It's so cool to see when religion turns into relationship in people's lives. I got to see that this weekend.

- This was the first run of the revised FS material. I'm so glad Ryan was able to sit in on Sunday's class. There were a couple of things he picked up on that will be really helpful going forward. I was having trouble with one of the transitions and he picked up on it as well and had a great solution. I love having a team that supports, encourages, and challenges each other. It sounds weird, but I couldn't wait to get his feedback. It's not about me, or any of us who teach, it's about making sure the right message gets conveyed in a way that best accomplishes what is intended.

- I can't wait for next weekend!

- By the way, besides the normal pain and fatigue, I felt great this weekend. I was careful not to overdo (too much). Thanks for all the prayers! God protected me and gave me strength this weekend. To Him be all glory and honor and praise!

Ministry to New Believers - It Matters!

It is such a blessing to get to watch God work, changing lives every week here at Palm Valley Church. In many ways it is overwhelming to see 47 lives changed so far this month, but I know that since God is causing the growth, He will also provide the strength, wisdom, and vision to care for these new believers.

One of the books that I am reading right now is called "Making Vision Stick" by Andy Stanley. It got me thinking about our vision to "Coaching new and returning believers toward spiritual growth". I realized that I don't articulate it enough to our coaches. Here's why this is so important to me:

- In the parable of the soils (Matthew 13), only 25% of the seed grew and produced fruit. That means that 75% didn't! I want to make sure that we do everything we can to nurture that 25% and to increase that number as much as possible (It would be great to be able to reverse the percentages!). This is a parable, not hard numbers, so we constantly search for ways to improve on this. There is too much at stake not to do everything we can to lead people toward maturity!

- We have many who come and are reconnecting with Christ after being away from Him and the church for many years. I don't want PVC to be the reason someone rededicates their life in another church sometime in the future!

- Other churches hand out materials to new believers. Other churches call new believers. What's different about what we do here at PVC? Relational connectivity! By connecting our coaches relationally with new believers we connect them to the church. By building relationships with them over time we are better able to encourage them to take the next steps in their faith journey. We are much more likely to help them make strong connections with Christ and His church. It's all about relationships!

- Programs only facilitate growth, they don't cause it! Our Fresh Start Class and New Believer Growth Groups are important, but they are only vehicles to accomplish our vision and purpose. They are not and we will not allow them to become the end focus! They exist as tools to help us fulfill our vision of coaching new and returning believers toward spiritual growth. This happens best in the context of relationships and we constantly drive people toward connecting with others. For example, I am nearly finished re-vamping our Fresh Start Class materials for the fourth time in 1 1/2 years. We want to continually improve what we do and how we do it. The tools will change and evolve, but the vision and purpose won't!

- There is nothing greater than hearing the life change story of someone who has encountered Christ. I live for this!

Who Does Satan Think He Is?!

I woke up in agony on Saturday. My back was on fire with the myofacial pain. The pain wouldn't ease up (My medications weren't helping, and if I take the heavy stuff I can't function, so I avoid it if I have to do anything). I hadn't done anything taxing on Friday.

Only ice relieved the pain somewhat because it numbed me for a while. Between set-up and church I went home and laid on the floor with my back covered with ice packs. That helped me get through service and then back home for more ice. Daniel asked if he could do anything to help and I said yes, pray for me. It's great to be a part of a staff who readily cares for each other! Prayer was the most important thing he could do for me at that time. God graciously empowered me to get through the evening.

Sunday was worse if anything! I had ice on my back on the way to church, and Paige brought ice with her so I could ice my back all through 1st service. Darius prayed for me! I made it through the morning and part of tear-down before going home for more ice. In the evening it was more ice and back to church for membership class (and a brief stop at Marty's 65th B-Day party - Happy birthday dad!), then back home for more ice.

Today I woke up extra tired from the long weekend, and in the usual amount of pain. But, no fire!
In many ways, I feel great!

It's obvious that it was Satan putting a huge stumbling block in my path. The pain would have normally shut me down, but I had a hunch that it was spiritual warfare, and I wasn't about to lose this battle! Who does Satan think he is? I hate the phrase, but it is so appropriate here - Satan, you're not the boss of me! God has been doing so much at Palm Valley I knew that I needed to be there. I blogged a few days ago about the attacks we have been facing and some ways to face them. Sometimes you have to play hurt. Most people didn't notice, that was the intent.

In may ways, I could have stayed home. Most people wouldn't have noticed that I was gone. The Fresh Start Team is great and they could have handled everything just fine without me there (there ability didn't play any part in my decision to be there). It certainly would have been better to be home where I could have taken other medications to help eleviate the pain.

So why did I go?
- I mentioned it before, because it was a battle and I knew that if I stayed home Satan would have won.

- A conversation I had with a young lady who was hurting made it clear that I needed to be there at that time. Other's could have had that conversation, but I believe that it was God's plan for me to be there.

- 33 conversions this month shows us that God is doing huge things in the hearts of people coming to Pallm Valley Church, and I felt that I needed to be there to see His hand at work. 14 more conversions this weekend show that I was right! That's 47 lives changed forever in the past 3 weeks!

- I was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go, and to stay. I can't explain it, but in my heart I knew that I had to be there. It wouldn't have mattered if I was invisible and I didn't encounter anyone, I needed to be there because the Lord said so! He is the boss of me!

I am sure that there will be times, as before, that when I am in that kind of pain, I will need to be at home, but for this weekend that wasn't the case. Spiritual warfare is something that I don't fully understand, but the battle belonged to the Lord, and He won through my willingness to be at church even when it hurt so bad. What a privilege to have suffered this weekend as part of such warfare.

Greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world!

New House Pictures

Here's a few house update pictures:
What's hotter than a girl who can use power tools! I love my wife!
Here's the beast! 73" DLP. I can't wait for MNF! NASCAR is great to watch on it!
I didn't think we could fill a 48" fridge. I was wrong!
Here's the new driveway. The walkway is now done and I'll have pics on the next update.
How cool is that! No, not that we got all four cars in the garage, but that everyone was at home at the same time! It doesn't happen much any more.

Isaiah Update

As my journey through Isaiah continued this week, two things really jumped out of the text.

First, in Isaiah 20:2-3 it says, "2The Lord told Isaiah son of Amoz, “Take off the burlap you have been wearing, and remove your sandals.” Isaiah did as he was told and walked around naked and barefoot.
3Then the Lord said, “My servant Isaiah has been walking around naked and barefoot for the last three years. This is a sign—a symbol of the terrible troubles I will bring upon Egypt and Ethiopia."

That seems so bizarre! I'm sure even then it was uncommon to see someone walking around naked. I can't imagine having to live that way for three years. That includes winter! What a powerful object lesson. I'm glad that God didn't tell others (that we know of) to do that, and that He hasn't done it lately.

Second, in Isaiah 22:11 it says, "But you never ask for help from the One who did all this. You never considered the One who planned this long ago."

What an indictment of God's people. How can you fulfill God's plan if you never ask Him for help or for guidance in following His plan? This is a huge reminder that if we try to fulfill God's plan in our own power there will be severe consequences. We need to remember that we are His servants even when we are leaders.

God is Awesome!

It's obvious and constant, but God is awesome! Last August we were amazed when God brought 33 new believers to Palm Valley Church. So far this August (two weekends) we have already had 33 conversions! It is so amazing to see God work beyond our wildest hopes. It is clear why God led us to go to having the Fresh Start Class two weekends per month and offering the class on Saturday nights each month. It's also clear why Satan has attacked the servants in this ministry so hard this year! Greg often says it, and I have observed it to be true as well, that Satan attacks hardest when God is about to do something big. Here's how to stay strong during the attack:

1. Pray - not your every day prayers, but fervent, on your knees, tear shedding prayers that take significant amount of time blocks. Pray often and constantly for the ministries, the people, yourself, and the church.

2. Study - beyond daily devotions, study deeply on the topics that will affect you most during this time. This is a great time for word studies.

3. Gather - Spend time with other strong believers who will encourage you and partner with you through the tough times and then celebrate with you when God blesses.

4. Touch - Spend extra time caring for those involved in the ministries most affected, especially the volunteer leaders.

5. Persevere - Stand firm on the Rock of your Salvation! The trials will produce endurance (James 1).

6. Prepare - Stay focused on the vision God has given you. Prepare for God to fulfill that vision. This shows faith and confidence that God will accomplish His purposes.

7. Praise - Take time to praise God that you are worthy to face the trials. Thank Him for His blessings when they come. Praise Him for the strength to overcome the evil one.

Praise God!

Thanks A Lot!

There were so many people that did an awesome job this weekend, I know I have left out a lot of people.

Here are a some that I need to specifically mention:
James Everett III - James you rock! James is one of the most faithful people I know. He arrives at 1:00 on Saturdays to do pre-set-up so that when everyone else arrives, things are ready to go. He also leads the team to set-up the check in stations and then helps with putting up banners. This week we had some new banners. I didn't know until I was helping him on a couple banners that he is afraid to be up on a ladder. not only was he up there, but he was drilling holes and stretching bungees while on a 12' ladder. He even busted his knuckles! James really went above and beyond this weeked (he does every weekend, but even more so this weekend).

Larry and Trish Phillips - You inspire me! After serving Saturday night, they came back and served again on Sunday because I needed help. They have stepped up into a leadership role in the Fresh Start ministry and I love to hear and see their passion for new believers. It is such an encouragement to me and I can see the impact they are having on others!

Thanks you guys!!!

Fall Kick-Off

No, I'm not talking about football (though I can't wait for USC to start playing!). This weekend we kicked off the fall with the "Baggage" series. The message was powerful and everything from the sets, songs, videos, message, really flowed together well.

Attendance was crazy. We hit 2000 on a "regular" weekend for the first time. There were 113 Junior Highers and 150 kids at the 10:00 service!!! We had 7 come to the Fresh Start table after the 10:00 service and 16 signed up for the Fresh Start Class this weekend. I can't wait! We really need Palm Valley regulars to come to a service other than 10:00 and serve during that time.

The new/added signage looks great! Michael and Brent (and Art) are doing a great job on this, and I know it will keep getting better!

Some people we had invited a while back came to visit this weekend, and I actually saw them. I haven't had a chance to talk with them about their experience yet.

I can't imagine how pumped/exhausted Greg was after services were over and he finally got home.

We've been anticipating an explosion or God doing amazing things here at PVC, and I think this weekend was just the beginning. I continue to pray for strength, health, and unity of our staff and leadership. Satan is going to kick back hard because I am sure he is ticked off at all of the changed lives, tough! We won't stop, in fact, we will continue to seek ways to reach more for Christ and to raise them up to be fully devoted followers - mature believers!

Shots I Hate to Love

Yesterday was a big day for me. I saw a new pain management Dr. He was good and explained things well. Communication with a Dr. is so important to me.

Yesterday I got three cortisone shots in my left shoulder. They hurt! If you've never had one of these shots, I'll try to descibe them. When they put the needle in, they know they are in the right place when it hurts the worst. Then, they inject the medicine which burns. The area is weak and tender for a couple of days. Then, POW! It get's so much better. That's the day I look forward to.

Thursday or Friday my shoulder should feel 1000 times better with so much less pain. I can't wait! I hate these shots and put off getting them as long as I can, but I know that they really help.

Next up is preparing for epidural shots in my lower back. The shots are similar, but more pain. They have to use MRI pictures and then live X-ray when they do the shots. It's a bit scary because they have to go right near the spinal chord. The shots happen over a three week period. They sedate me when they do it. I won't be completely out, but close. I hate the process, but love the results.

It makes me think of God's discipline. The Bible says that God disciplines those He loves, which is everyone. I hate being disciplined by God, but I know that once the process is over I will be better. I will be closer and more obedient to Him, which is my life goal and purpose.

Isaiah

I was studying Isaiah 15 and 16 in my devos today and couldn't help but to think about how detailed Isaiah's visions were. There are even details on what the conditions of the streams will be.

I have read that the prophets were God's "covenant enforcement officers." I think the description is fitting. Their job was to warn people of God's impending judgement for not following their covenant with Him. It wasn't always bad news, but it seems that is the predominant content.

It seems like the role of prophet is opposite of the role of pastor today. As a pastor, our job is to proclaim the Good News of Christ's resurrection. It is to announce the new covenant, based on better promises that God offers to all people. While we need to occasionally confront those living contrary to the covenant, we predominantly get to share the good news, not the bad (except for the hell, fire, and brimstone guys who love to scare people into faith).

I was thinking that in some ways we are the same. I think of how Jonah didn't want to go to Ninevah because of their wickedness. He wanted God to judge them and destroy them. Sometimes there are people I want to see God judge and destroy too. Fortunately, it's not my call! God loves all people and wishes for everyone to come to repentance. Ultimately, we need to obey God and share His message with even the "least of these". Like Jonah, we need to sit back and watch God work. We need to lose the arrogance and remember that we are sinners too, saved only by the grace of God ourselves. Unlike Jonah, we need to rejoice when our enemies turn to Christ and celebrate that we are now brothers and sisters in His kingdom.