A Plug for Deidox Films

Dave Mahanes, the Producer of Deidox films has asked me to put out a plug for his series of films. This is easy for me to do, as I have been really moved by the series so far.
Dave's team creates powerful short films spotlighting the unique lives of individual followers of Christ.

"Dei" is Latin for God and "Dox" is short for Documentary.

I have shown 3 of the short films in our Young Adult Gatherings at Calvary and have received a great response from our group. So go to deidox.com and preview the shorts for yourself!

Books on the Night Stand

I am an ADD Reader. I normally bounce between 2-3 books at a time before ever finishing one particular one. Such is the case right now.

Here are a few books I am enjoying time with:

"A Million Years in a Thousand Years" is a great book
by Donald Miller inviting each of us to live a greater story
than the mediocre one we seem resigned to live with.

Jim Belcher's "Deep Church" is an amazing commentary on the state of the modern Church. He critiques without coming off sounding critical. This book will impact my life as a Pastor for years to come.

"Why Guys Need God" is by Rock Harbor Pastor Mike Erre.
Mike is speaking at our Men's Retreat this May
and this book will be the theme for our weekend.
I am really excited to discuss this book with the guys at our Church.

Is God an Acquaintance or an Intimate Friend?

A brief video from Wycliffe Bible Translators in our Sunday Church service today
triggered a random thought in my head.

Has God been reduced to being an acquaintance in our lives?
We allow Him to briefly check in with us on Sunday mornings or show up for an occasional crisis.


Or


Is God an intimate friend, a permanent member of our daily moments?

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

A Friday Off Day

The Family and I had a great day off today.
We really needed it, as it was my first full day at home in 2 weeks.
We slept in, then headed down to Newport Back Bay for a serious 10 mile bike ride (Kids rode in our bike carriers). Then we headed home for Tuna Sandwiches and rest time. Then I tickered around in the yard and garage and at the hardware store until Dinner. Marie made a delicious Taco Bake for dinner, we skyped my parents up in Santa Cruz and then heated up the Jaccuzi for the first time in 4 months and the kids practiced their "deadman's floats" and "swordfishes" until we all felt like prunes. It was a awesome day of rest, laughter and simply talking and hanging together. Thank you Lord for this day.

One of my mentors from afar, John Piper, has set up an interesting model of work for his staff. The goal is to create margin and balance for them so that they can be a healthy team. Read below:

=================================================

For the purpose of time invested into ministry and time off for rest and family, the pastors split the each day into 3 Rest & Rejuvenation modules (morning, afternoon, & evening) or 21 modules a week.
They have pledged to take off 7-10 R&R modules a week, and to take off 3 of these modules consecutively (to fulfill a
Sabbath principle).
Most pastors take their Sabbath on Fridays, and choose 4-7 other modules a week to
take off.
For the full explanation, see the Policy Handbook, 2.50 Office Hours, Work Schedules, & Location
available under Resources at http://www.hopeingod.org/AdminstrationEmployeeHandbook.aspx

=================================================

Tim Challies Repost: God Watches Your Google

Tim Challies is an amazing writer/blogger.

Recently he posted about a 2006 mistake where AOL released
over 650,000 users date of what they had searched for on-line over a 3 month period. \
Here is a repost of his blog post:

One of the exposed users sadly googled the following:
body fat calliper 2006-03-01 18:54:10
curb morning sickness 2006-03-05 08:53:23
get fit while pregnant 2006-03-09 18:49:37
he doesn't want the baby 2006-03-11 03:52:01
uou're pregnant he doesn't want the baby 2006-03-11 03:52:49
online degrees theology 2006-03-11 04:05:24
online christian colleges 2006-03-11 04:13:33
foods to eat when pregnant 2006-03-12 09:38:02
baby names 2006-03-14 19:11:10
baby names and meanings 2006-03-14 20:01:27
physician search 2006-03-23 10:20:04
best spa vacation deals 2006-03-27 20:04:09
maternity clothes 2006-03-28 09:28:25
pregnancy workout videos 2006-03-29 10:01:39
buns of steel video 2006-03-29 10:12:38
what is yoga 2006-03-29 12:17:31
what is theism 2006-03-29 12:18:30
hindu religion 2006-03-29 12:18:56
yoga and hindu 2006-03-29 12:32:05
is yoga alligned with christianity 2006-03-29 12:33:18
yoga and christianity 2006-03-29 12:33:42
abortion clinics charlotte nc 2006-04-17 11:00:02
greater carolinas womens center 2006-04-17 11:40:22
can christians be forgiven for abortion 2006-04-17 21:14:19
can christians be forgiven for abortion 2006-04-17 21:14:19
roe vs. wade 2006-04-17 22:22:07
effects of abortion on fibroids 2006-04-18 06:50:34
abortion clinic charlotte 2006-04-18 15:14:03
symptoms of miscarriage 2006-04-18 16:14:07
water aerobics charlotte nc 2006-04-18 19:41:27
abortion clinic chsrlotte nc 2006-04-18 21:45:39
total woman vitamins 2006-04-20 16:38:16
engagement gifts 2006-04-20 16:57:04
engagement rings 2006-04-20 16:58:37
mom's turning 50 2006-04-20 17:51:13
high risk abortions 2006-04-20 17:53:49
abortion fibroid 2006-04-20 17:55:18
benefits of water aerobics 2006-04-20 23:25:50
wedding gown styles 2006-04-26 19:37:34
recover after miscarriage 2006-05-22 18:17:53
marry your live-in 2006-05-27 07:25:45

Challies writes, "This woman goes from searching about pregnancy, to realizing that the father does not want to keep the baby, to researching abortion clinics, to researching whether she can, according to her faith, choose abortion, to dealing with a miscarriage. And at the end of it all, life goes on and she seems ready to be married."

Challies goes on to write:
What is so amazing about these searches is the way people transition seamlessly from the normal and mundane to the outrageous and perverse. They are, thus, an apt reflection of real life. The user who is in one moment searching for information about a computer game may in the next be looking for the most violent pornography he can imagine. Back and forth it goes, from information about becoming a foster parent to the search for incestual pornography. One user went from searching for preteen pornography to searching for games appropriate for a youth group. Others, spurned lovers, sought out ways of exacting revenge while still others grappled with the moral implications of cheating on their spouses. These searches are a glimpse into the hearts of the people who made them.

This all raises two great questions in my mind. First, would I be prepared to have my searches revealed to the public? There are searches that may be private but not immoral--I may be looking for information on a medical condition, for example. That information might be embarrassing but I could remain unashamed before God. But there may also be searches that are private precisely because they are immoral. In such case shame would be the proper reaction. The second question is whether I would be prepared to address my search history with God. What would I say to him if he were to ask me about the things I have gone looking for online. Could I tell him with confidence that what I have sought is an indication of a heart that is aligned with his purposes? Or would I have to confess that my searches point to a heart that is drawn to what is evil and perverse?

While the search engines may never forget, I am grateful that God does forget. He forgets the sins of those who turn to him and confess those sins. Psalm 103 promises that "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." In Hebrews 8:12 God promises "I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." There is virtue in forgetting.

June Mountain

I had a great weekend hanging out at June Mountain with College and Young Adults from Calvary. We had a ton of snow and spent 2 full days skiing and snowboarding this:

Our theme for the weekend was the "Kindness of God."

We talked through Romans 2:4 and Colossians 3:12.
One of the greatest parts about the weekend was a laminated business card that Jon our College Pastor handed out to everyone as they picked up their lift ticket. On one side of the card was Romans 2:4 and on the other side was Colossians 3:12. Jon challenged us to memorize the 2 simple verses as we waited on chair lifts and cruised around the mountain. I was blown away at how many people took advantage of the card and memorized the scriptures. On the drive home yesterday, one of the college students stopped me and Jon and told us it was the first time he had memorized scripture since the 3rd grade. I was so excited for this student, yet also kind of convicted that I haven't spent more energy encouraging students to memorize Bible scriptures. I really want that to change in my future years of ministry.

I love what Psalm 119 says,

Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.

Amy Grant Hanging Out at Calvary Today

Amy Grant and company are on our Church campus today to prepare for tonight's concert. If I run into Amy in the halls of Church today, what should I say?

A) Did you watch Olympic Ice Hockey yesterday?
B) Is a Tennessee Christmas' really the best?
C) Do you want to hear my Baby, Baby - Angels Watching Over Me Rap?
D) Are you available to lead worship at our Young Adult Gathering tomorrow night?


Also:

Congrats to Ryan and Michelle of Anaheim who won my blog ticket giveaway!

Richest City in the US is in Orange County

The city of Newport Beach is the richest city in America according to
portfolio.com

According to their statistics, the per capita income of Newport Beach is $86,586 and the median household income is $123,958.
Nearly one in three Newport households — 28.6% — earn more than $200,000 a year and the median home value tops $1 million.
(adapted from OC Register.com)

Marie and I love spending time in Newport Beach. Our first date was on Baloboa Island in Newport. We often spend our Friday's with the kids at the beach in Newport.

How do we as Christians stay "De-Orange County-ized?"

How do we live in this area of massive wealth, yet stay grounded in our mission to live as citizens of heaven, not storing up for ourselves treasures on earth but focusing in on storing up treasues in heaven?

It a question me and Marie ask ourselves a lot as we raise our family here in Orange County.

Tiger's Apology

What did you think of Tiger Wood's public apology today?

I respected him for not placing the blame on anyone other than himself.
In a culture where we often blame addictions, others and circumstances for our bad behavior,
I appreciated Tiger owning his behavior.

As I watched the press conference, my heart went out to Tiger.
He must feel the weight of the world on his shoulders.
It saddened me to think that his only solace was to look to the teachings of Buddhism.
Buddhism seems like such a ill-equipped philosophy to deal with our guilt from sin.
Basically it coaches us to look within ourselves to do more and do better.
It is completely empty of forgiveness and new life.

I pray that Tiger in his self-evaluation will have someone he trusts explain the good news of Jesus to him. What a relief it would be for him to understand he can be made new, forgiven of his past and given the power to live faithfully to his wife and kids, not through self-help but through the power of cross! I pray Tiger will hear the Gospel loudly and clearly at this stage of his life.

Oh how the words of the 1876 hymn, "Nothing but the Blood" by William Doan and Robert Lowry could provide relief and peace to a guy like Tiger right now.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

"Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins."
Hebrews 9:22

Where is our Treasure?

In this short video created by sermon jams, we are confronted with the reality that nothing but Jesus Christ is worthy of being our treasure.




You can find more "sermon jams" here.
Thanks to Joshua Harris for the link.

Laundry Love + NewSong Church in Irvine

Newsong Church in Irvine, California has become a role model in our Orange County Community for effective local outreach. I really respect their obedience to God's call to be Salt and Light into our community. They call their community and global outreach program, "Unleash Beauty."

One of the projects they have gotten involved with over the past year here in my city of Santa Ana is called "Landry Love Santa Ana." Laundry Love is part of a larger international movement to assist low-income folks with free laundry services. It is a small way to show the love of God to people in our neighborhoods. I love it.

Orange County Chick-Fil-A's Giveout Free Food This Week

To celebrate its 6th anniversary in Orange County, all Chick-fil-A restaurants will be giving away free food Monday, Feb. 15 through Thursday, Feb. 18. Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Here’s the lowdown:

Monday: Free spicy Chicken Sandwich

Tuesday: Free, 3-count chicken strips

Wednesday: Free Original Chicken Sandwich

Thursday: Free 8-count Nuggets

(Courtesy OC REGISTER)

The Church on Mission

Ed Stetzer has become one of my favorite bloggers/authors/pastors.
His insights into pastoral ministry are compelling and challenging.
Go check out his blog after you watch this video he created recently:



This video summarizes my dream for the Christian community I am a part of, Calvary Church.

Free Amy Grant Tickets for Orange County Concert

The Big Red Tractor

The Big Red Tractor from Jacob Lewis on Vimeo.

A Sad Night at UCI

Michael Oren, Israeli Ambassador to the United States spoke tonight at UC Irvine here in Orange County.
His speech was interupted several times by angry Muslim students, leading to 12 arrests.
The anger of the protesting students seems strange to many of us in America.
But for Muslims and Jews, it is part of the norm after thousands of years of tensions, dating back to Ishmael (who Muslims identify with) and Isaac (who Jews identify with) in Genesis 16:8:

"The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac."

There has been tension, anger and hatred ever since.

How Are Christians to Respond?
As Christians, we are called to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6).
Yet I also believe we are called to pray and have a heart for Muslims, for Jesus loves the world and that includes our Muslim friends.

The following video makes me sad and honestly makes me frustrated at the Muslim students acting so rudely. Yet, I pray that as you and I watch this, the Holy Spirit will begin to develop a heart of compassion for both people groups as we realize that the good news of Jesus Christ and the riches of God's amazing grace is available for any Muslim or Jewish person who is willing to receive it!

My Sermon from Last Sunday at Calvary Church

If you are interested in such things,
you can listen to my sermon from last Sunday (1/31) at Calvary Church
by going here.

The message is part of our 10 part series we are doing at Calvary on the Book of Genesis called Road Trip: A Journey of Faith.
My message is titled, "Road Trip: Grace for the Journey"
It is based on the true story of Hagar, Abraham and Sarai from Genesis 16 and 21.

Here was my outline from the morning:



1. We travel the “Boulevard of Bad Decisions” when we rely on ourselves and not on God.
*Genesis 16:1-3
a. We doubt God and His word/promises to us (Gen. 3)
b. We create man-made plans, without God (Prov. 3:5-6)
c. We are driven by works (achievement), not by grace (receivement) (Gal. 4:22-23)

2. We experience the “Parkway of Pain” because of our bad decisions.
*Genesis 16:4-6
a. Pain and Conflict between Hagar and Sarai.
b. Pain and Conflict between Sarai and Abram.
c. Pain for Hagar (in desert)
d. Pain for Sarai and Abram (still no child, no fulfillment of promise)

3. We are met by the “Rest Stop of God’s Grace” in our pain, despite our bad decisions.
*Genesis 16:7-11 and Genesis 21:1-21
a. God’s grace to Hagar by meeting her in the desert and guiding her home.
*Genesis 16:7-11
b. God’s grace to Abram & Sarai in keeping his promise, providing a miracle son.*Genesis 21:1-8
c. God’s grace to Isaac and Ishmael in His plans for them.
*Genesis 21:9-13
d. God’s grace to Hagar and Ishmael again.
*Genesis 21:14-21
e. God’s grace to us!
*Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 11:28-30

Eric Mason: My Favorite Pastor to Listen to at the Moment

Eric Mason is the Lead Pastor at Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, Pa.

His sermon podcasts have some of my favorite ones to listen to lately.

He received his THM from Dallas Seminary and his Doctorate from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

Eric is an incredible speaker. He will get you rolling with laughter and in the next moment, cut to the heart with conviction. God is using this man in mighty ways.

Here is an excerpt from the Mission Statement of Epiphany Fellowship:
"We would like to see The Name of Jesus Christ Magnified by the credibility of the Church being reestablished in the world through Robust & Relevant Worship, Rich & Relevant Word, and Real & Relevant Witnesses (Eph. 2:20-21). We want to have inward depth, and be outwardly missional."

Here is the website of the Church: Epiphany Fellowship
Here is a great article from Ed Stetzer's Blog on Eric Mason.

Go here to subscribe to Eric's sermon podcasts.

13 Powerful Words - Romans 12:9

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

ROMANS 12:9

This is the passage I will be teaching on this Tuesday Night at our Young Adult Gathering at Calvary. I had the honor of teaching at both Sunday services at Calvary this past Sunday on Genesis 16. I thought I would be dreading trying to prepare for another sermon just 2 days later after putting in so much mental, emotional, physical and spiritual effort into Sunday's sermons. But just the opposite is true today. I feel really excited to teach on Romans 12:9 Tuesday Night. This passage is incredible:

1. It challenges us to Love without hypocrisy.

2. Hate what is objectively evil in God's eyes (not make evil what we hate - John Piper)

3. Cling to what is objectively good in God's eyes (not make good what we cling to - Piper)

All of this in 13 words. The Bible is amazing.

Obama's Church Attendance

A recent ABC news story reported that President Obama attended Church only 3 times in Washington DC this past year.

The story gives an interesting angle on the difficulty on just "showing up" for Church when you are the President of the United States. The Security measures and clearances required for Obama and his family to attend Church delay most Sunday services and cause regular Church members to be left without a seat.

Obama tells ABC News he keeps his faith alive through a daily devotional he reads every morning, sent from one of his aides.

I am no Obama apologist (What he did to the Supreme Court Justices in his State of the Union Speech this week was politics at its worst), but I have to say I don't blame him for not attending Chuch publicly. It seems like it would do more harm than good to the other worshippers around him.

But this brings up an interesting topic. As a devoted follower of Jesus, What do you think a good expectation is for attending Church?

-Every Sunday?
-Most Sunday's?
-Whenever it works out?

I would be curious to hear your take on it...