Hawaii Rocks!

I know it may come as a surprise, but we are having a great time in Hawaii! It has rained (poured!) off and on since we got hear, but that's no big deal. We brought ponchos and they have worked out great.

On Monday we went whale watching. What an amazing experience. We saw so many whales we lost count! We were barely out the harbor and one came almost completely out of the water, making a huge splash not far from the boat. Even on the way back in we had one about 50 yards from the boat and about five or six taking turns popping their heads up out the water like a whack-a-mole game. They had a great buffet lunch on board.

Afterward we drove up to Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, and watched the surfers in the big waves and in the pipeline. It was very cool to see some really young surfers shooting the curls. It was fun to watch. We went to Roy's for dinner, an upscale restaurant here at the resort.

Tuesday was kind of a patriotic memorial day. We started at Pearl Harbor and toured the Arizona Memorial first (I was surprised to see how old the ship was). I've always wanted to see it. I love history, and being an AZ native it has always been a dream to visit. It was a solemn experience, more powerful than I can describe.

We went to lunch, then toured the USS Missouri. The battleship was finally decommissioned in 1992. We saw the marker where Japan surrendered. The ship even served in Operation Desert Storm. It was interesting to see the 15" guns and Tomahawk missiles on the same ship!

We finished the tour at the Punch Bowl which is a military cemetery in a crater overlooking Honolulu. It was powerful to see the memorial to the missing (over 28,000), and the graves of so many who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom!

The day ended with a BBQ with nearly all the staff and trustees who are hear for the conference. We had a blast! We were so tired, but stayed up until 10:30 talking with John and Jillayne. If you don't know them, you should take the time to! We have had a blast spending time together.

Paige and I slept in this morning (until 7) and today's plan is to rest, hang out at the beach, and enjoy the opening night of the conference. I can't wait!

Connecting Point

Beginning February 5th we will be launching a new video based discussion series called Connecting Point. While primarily designed for new believers, it contains core teaching that anyone can grow with. I am so excited to finally launch this series!

I have learned a lot about creating and producing materials of this nature. I've done some video teaching in the past, but that was as a youth pastor (many years ago) and using an old fashioned video camera (it had the VHS tape inside). Quality was terrible, and I had no clue how to edit. For this series, we're using real video equipment and Don who is shooting and editing the material, really knows what he is doing. Even the rough cuts that I have seen look good!

I am praying that this series has a huge impact in leading new believers in their next steps of growth. I get to lead the first group to use the material and I am anxious to spend time with people who are hungry to grow in Christ.

We still have a lot of shooting to do, and I could use a lot of prayer that it all comes together as God has led.

Off to Hawaii

It might seem a little odd, but Paige and I are going to Hawaii next week, and that's no the part that I'm most excited about!

For years, I've attended Pastor's conferences and seminars only to come home and try to convey to Paige what I had learned and how I was impacted. This will be the first time in a long while that she will be attending with me and I am so excited! I can't wait for her to share in the experience with me.

True, the conference is in Hawaii, and I am sure that we will have a great time. I am not downplaying how much I am looking forward to going to Oahu with Paige, but I am so excited about her going to the conference with my, it wouldn't matter where we were going, even if it were across town. The conference is being let by Wayne Cordeiro, author of the "Divine Mentor." If you haven't read this book, I strongly recommend it.

Most of our staff and their spouses are going, as are several of our legal trustees. It will be a significant event in the life of our church and I am glad that we are sharing it with those who support us and partner with us most.

While we are there, there are a few things we hope to do. We want to see Pearl Harbor and the Arizona. We want to go whale watching. We also want to go snorkeling. We aren't strong swimmers, but we had so much fun when we went to Kona several years ago we are looking forward to doing it again. We also want to take some time to simply relax!

I'll blog about the conference when we return. Please pray that God "disturbs" us and challenges us to new depths in spiritual growth, and new heights in ministry. We're going from Sunday night to Saturday morning. I can't wait!

Why I Journal

I have always wanted to journal, but have never disciplined myself to do it consistently. The Route 66 Journey we are on at Palm Valley Church has helped me with that. When we began reading the One Year Bible, I also committed to journaling. I'm so glad that I did!

As I look and listen for God to speak to me every day, I need to write down what He says! He is God, and I have a terrible memory. His conversations with me are the most important of my day, and I need to be able to reflect on what He has said to me, and refer to it.

If taking notes in meetings is important, how much more important is it to take notes when you sit at the feet of God Almighty!

I have already been reviewing some of the things God is teaching me and it is so great! I understand Him more and I remember more because I have taken notes and am reviewing them. Forever a student of the Master, I want to be mentored every day by Him and journaling helps me to be a better servant of His teaching.

I began using the SOAP method which is very simple. You can learn about it at www.pvcroute66.com . Check it out! If you've never tried it, I challenge you to try it for three weeks and see if God doesn't bless you through it. The Israelite kings had to write the law for themselves and study from their writings. What a great example!

New Believers Come with Baggage

This shouldn't be a surprise, but to some it is. Christians often think that everyone thinks like them, has the same moral and ethical values and boundaries, and have some knowledge of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

While that might be partially true for many of those returning to their relationship with Christ after running from him and doing their own thing for a number of years, it is often not the case for many making their first time decision to follow Christ by giving their lives to him.

Jesus said it was the sick who need the physician, and I see that to be true over and over again. When people come to Christ for the first time, they don't have any idea what they're getting into. Some are living sinful lifestyles, some have no social understanding or boundaries, some carry the baggage of years of hurt, or of hurting others. Others carry guilt or the baggage of a religion they were "involved" in, but never understood.

So how to we change these people into mature believers? WE DON'T!

Let me clarify. Our job is to love them in Christ, teach them to get to know Jesus and pray for him to work in their lives. We aren't their judge, but that doesn't mean that we condone sin. We need to coach them and mentor them along the way, and allow the Holy Spirit to convict and reveal his purposes in their lives.

2 Timothy 2:2 says that we need to teach God's truth to others who will be able to teach others also. In other words, we need to reproduce what God has done in our lives into the lives of others, who will reproduce what God has done in their lives in the lives of others who will do the same.

We need to lead them toward maturity, and let God change them. Everyone has a part, the person needs to learn to feed themselves and seek God, God will continue to touch their hearts and fulfill his purposes in them, and we need to be humble servants who love and care for those God brings our way.

Working with new believers can be messy, but it is so rewarding! There is nothing like seeing the light turn on when someone hears from God in their life. We simply need to help them learn to hear from him every day, and we need to make sure that we are doing the same!

Happy Anniversary!

To Paige, my love in this life, happy 24th anniversary!!!

At once it seems like we've been together forever, and at the same time, like we just met. How amazing it is to go through this journey of life together. We've seen tough times, and great times, and we've seen God work over and over.

We have both changed over the years, and I wouldn't miss it for a moment. I love sharing life, love, and ministry together. Together we're a great team, the parents of two incredible boys (young men).

I love to stay home and snuggle because you enjoy that. I love to go on adventures, because I like that, and you enjoy the sights with me. We've seen some incredible works of God, and we've participated in some too.

I will love you, honor you, protect you, and continue to help you grow in Christ as we grow in Him together.

I LOVE YOU!

Sunday in Review

It may sound redundant, but I'll say it anyway, what an AWESOME day! I'm sure it can get better, but it hardly seems possible. So many lives are being changed, and the excitement level around PVC is so charged up that it's obvious that God is doing huge things in the hearts of many who call PVC home, and those He is bringing. We have felt that God was about to do something big, and if this isn't it, then hold on to your hat for when He does! Here's some highlights of the day/weekend:

- Adam rocked "Move Along"! Okay, honestly, I had to ask him to explain it to me - Oh, I get it!
- Derrick was really funny introducing "Oh, Happy Day"! - Oh, that version!
- Some of the best messages are simple! Greg did a great job explaining Bible study, journaling, and the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer).
- Twelve people came to the Fresh Start Class. There were some powerful ministry moments after the class. God is really challenging some of these new believers, and some are facing some huge battles!
- We had crowds at the Fresh Start Table after some of the services. Pray that the Lord brings workers to the harvest! It was really cool to talk to one couple who gave their lives to Christ for the first time, together during service!
- If I haven't said it before, the stage looks awesome!!! Thanks to Derrick and his team for all their hard work!
- I miss Caleb! That sounds random, but he went back to school this week and barely stopped by for lunch today before heading back to school. Just having him around is a blessing. I'm so proud of my boys!
- Greg seemed over-dressed for PVC :-). It must have been winter attire (For somewhere)!
- I still saw lines for Bibles and journals! WOW! We've sold over 600 Bibles. People are so excited about reading Scripture together! Many of the new believers are on the journey to, that's so cool!
- J.T. rocks! I thank him a lot, but never enough for all that he does. He leads our set-up and tear-down of the check-in stations and helps with putting up and taking down banners, and helps with the big stuff in elementary (He has the gift of strength). Today during tear-down he looked really winded. He said he had been walking fast to get in a workout while he was serving! I think he's one of God's "mighty men" that it talks about in the O.T.! Thanks J.T.!!!
- I can't wait for next week!

Route 66 Update

I hope that you are doing the daily reading and keeping up with the www.pvcroute66.com blog. Paige and I are reading Scripture together for the first time in our 24 years of marriage (our 24th anniversary is on the 14th!). We have just had different times that we each studied and for no real reason, we just haven't studied together. I have to say that I love it! I love her and to now share this together is so awesome!

I have been journaling every day. This is my goal for the year, so I'm following through so far.

I love the way the One Year Bible lays out the daily readings!

I think I'm reading the passage about three or four times per day, so by the end I'll really have grown in knowing God's Word. Paige and I read at breakfast, I read alone in my office and journal, I read with staff each morning (Monday through Thursday), and I read ahead working on Home Team curriculum. It's not a burden, I'm having the time of my life spending this much time in the Bible! One of the cool things is that God shows me something different with nearly every reading.

If you haven't started, don't worry about getting caught up, just start! Then if you get time, go back and pick up what you missed. Start, and start now!

You Know it's a Bad Day When...

I was making a bunch of phone calls to some new believers here at PVC the other day when one asked when the next Fresh Start Class was going to be. He said that he had gotten a postcard the other day with a September date! Ugh! I sent out 75 postcards that said September instead of January! Fortunately, besides me, our Fresh Start Team is making calls too. Hopefully people will figure out the error and look on-line, or ask at the Fresh Start Table.

If that's the worst thing that happens, that's not too bad! I spoke with some new believers who were not just excited about their new faith, but excited about reading the Bible too. I hope our regular people are as excited as these people are and stick with it!

We should have a good crowd for the FS Class on Sunday!

Life Is A Highway!

WOW! What else can you say after a weekend like this?! I don't think there has been this much buzz about a series at PVC since PureSex. People are so excited about getting into the Bible and hearing from God for themselves.

Derrick and his team did an awesome job on staging and music. It's too bad Pete can't play guitar very well :-)! The guy flat out rocks it, and he's a USC guy too!

The classic cars on the patio and the route 66 road signs along the walkway were great touches.

The message was simple and straight forward, Greg did a great job (as usual).

We had at least four first time decisions for Christ just today!

People are so excited. Some people we have been inviting were planning to come, but didn't make it. We'll keep praying!

We read day 6 together as a family after dinner at the table tonight. What a blast! If you don't think reading the Bible is fun, you need to be at our house when the boys are around. It was a riot! From Abram chasing birds, to Joshua's comment that the Amalekites sure seems to get beaten by God's people a lot, it was a lot of fun!

The song "Life is a Highway" with the "Cars" movie background was a lot of fun.

Of course on life's highway there are bumps too. Friday's shots were a lot more painful than they should have been and it's been a tough couple of days. I'll talk to the Dr. tomorrow to see what's up. Just one more round of shots to go this coming Friday. I was still able to be at church and pray with some people (Including a friend heading for Iraq!). The life change happening at PVC makes any pain worth every moment!

Route 66: The Journey Begins!

Route 66 begins at Jackson Blvd. and Lakeshore Dr. in Chicago, Ill. The actual beginning has moved around a bit over the years, but this is where our journey begins. This is at Grant's Park which borders Lake Michigan.

Things to see in the area:
Clarence Buckingham Fountain
Union Station
Sears Tower
The "L"
Wrigley Field
Chicago Water Tower
Lou Mitchell's Restaurant

On the road toward St. Louis:
White Fence Farm
Rialto Sq. Theater
Launching Pad Drive-In (With an GeminiGiant out front)
Polk-a-dot Drive-In
Odel - Standard oil station
Funks Grove - Maple syrup since 1891!
In Springfield:

1. Bill Shea's Gas Station
2. Cozy Dog Drive-In
3. Route 66 Drive-In
4. Route 66 Dream Car Museum
5. Abraham Lincoln (enough said!)

Ariston Cafe

Check these places out on-line, or go there!

Don't forget to go to www.pvcroute66.com to follow along the Bible reading blog as well!

Two Minute Tuesday - Fresh Start

2007 went out with a bang with 19 people committing or re-committing their lives to Christ here at PVC! That means that about 266 people had there lives changed at PVC in the past year! God is so amazing, and we are so blessed that He chose us to be a part of the life change process in the lives of these people!

So what's in store for 2008? Hang on for the ride, because it's going to be even more amazing than last year! I obviously have no idea how many people will connect or re-connect with Christ at PVC this year, but even if it were only one, we have a significant work ahead of us! I believe that it will be many, many more, and won't venture a number because that's God's thing, but I will say that we will make every effort to endure that each person who makes a decision for Christ this year will connect with God's Word and His church.

There will be some new materials coming out this year that will help us better accomplish our purposes. Stay tuned!

In the mean time, here are three things that you can do to help new believers at Palm Valley Church this year:

1. Connect deeper with God yourself. Be sure to do your daily devotions. Here from God every day!
2. Pray for the Fresh Start Team, for Diane as the coordinator, and for me as the pastor in this area.
3. Serve graciously! Not under compulsion, but with a joyous heart. Bring others into service with you!

I can't wait to see what God's going to do!