31 Days, 31 Needs
Something I am dreaming about for our Church this July 2010... (inspired by something I saw on sochurch)
Displaying 31 specific needs within our Church community and in Orange County on our Church website and then challenging the people of Calvary Church to meet and erase these 31 needs in the 31 days of July.
It would be cool if how it worked is that as each need was met, the person or people who met the need could go on-line to our site and check off or cross the need of the list. That way as the month went along, new visitors to the site could check out what projects and what needs still needed to be fulfilled.
What type of needs would we meet?
Here are some potential ideas off the top of my head:
#31 - Clean/Pick up the trash and debris that are scattered throughout the open space between 4th St and Cabrillo Park Dr. in Santa Ana.
#30 - Re-Paint the Bus Stops on either side of Tustin Ave between Wellington St and Fruit St. in Santa Ana (Must contact Santa Ana Public Works for materials and permission)
#29 - Go to Local Grocery Stores and ask for Juice Box and Capri Sun Donations for our August VBS (Need 5,000 total)
#28 - Buy (2) Disneyland Annual Passes for 2 Teenage Boys in our Church who lost their Dad to cancer earlier in the year.
#27 - Donate a slightly used Size 14+ Prom/Bridesmaid Dress (the most needed size) to Orangewood Foundation's "Belle of the Ball" High School Foster Youth Program
#26 - Go Clean-up the Backyard of one of our local missionaries who is unable to do yard maintance right now because of health issues
#25 - Bring Soda's and Chips to Monday, July 25th's, 2pm, Olive Crest Group Home Bible Study in room G101 at Calvary Church
What are your thoughts on this potential outreach project?
What would I need to do to make this project go?
Displaying 31 specific needs within our Church community and in Orange County on our Church website and then challenging the people of Calvary Church to meet and erase these 31 needs in the 31 days of July.
It would be cool if how it worked is that as each need was met, the person or people who met the need could go on-line to our site and check off or cross the need of the list. That way as the month went along, new visitors to the site could check out what projects and what needs still needed to be fulfilled.
What type of needs would we meet?
Here are some potential ideas off the top of my head:
#31 - Clean/Pick up the trash and debris that are scattered throughout the open space between 4th St and Cabrillo Park Dr. in Santa Ana.
#30 - Re-Paint the Bus Stops on either side of Tustin Ave between Wellington St and Fruit St. in Santa Ana (Must contact Santa Ana Public Works for materials and permission)
#29 - Go to Local Grocery Stores and ask for Juice Box and Capri Sun Donations for our August VBS (Need 5,000 total)
#28 - Buy (2) Disneyland Annual Passes for 2 Teenage Boys in our Church who lost their Dad to cancer earlier in the year.
#27 - Donate a slightly used Size 14+ Prom/Bridesmaid Dress (the most needed size) to Orangewood Foundation's "Belle of the Ball" High School Foster Youth Program
#26 - Go Clean-up the Backyard of one of our local missionaries who is unable to do yard maintance right now because of health issues
#25 - Bring Soda's and Chips to Monday, July 25th's, 2pm, Olive Crest Group Home Bible Study in room G101 at Calvary Church
What are your thoughts on this potential outreach project?
What would I need to do to make this project go?
Pageant of Our Lord
Last Night (Sunday), my family headed to the South Bay (Palos Verdes, Ca) to go to Rolling Hills Covenant Church's annual "Pageant of Our Lord."
I am a closet art history nerd (Thanks to Mr. G in High School) but as we sat down in our seats, I have to admit, I was completely exhausted from a busy day of ministry at Calvary and began wishing I was at home. My attitude changed as soon as the Show began. I was completely moved and stirred emotionally and spiritually by what I saw. It was simply an incredible experience.
If you live in the Southern California area, you MUST see the Pageant of Our Lord.
Go here to see the schedule for the rest of this month and to buy tickets.
My favorite live art was the depiction of Max Greiner's Bronze Sculpture, "Divine Servant." This sculpture tells the real life account of Jesus washing Peter's feet in the upper room on the night he would be betrayed (John 13). As I took in the piece, I was just humbled to the point of tears thinking through the extent Jesus went to demonstrate His love to us. One of the powerful details of Greiner's sculpture is that the only way to see the face of Jesus in the sculpture is to bend down on your knees and look up. It reminded me of the what Romans 14 says, "For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'
I am a closet art history nerd (Thanks to Mr. G in High School) but as we sat down in our seats, I have to admit, I was completely exhausted from a busy day of ministry at Calvary and began wishing I was at home. My attitude changed as soon as the Show began. I was completely moved and stirred emotionally and spiritually by what I saw. It was simply an incredible experience.
If you live in the Southern California area, you MUST see the Pageant of Our Lord.
Go here to see the schedule for the rest of this month and to buy tickets.
My favorite live art was the depiction of Max Greiner's Bronze Sculpture, "Divine Servant." This sculpture tells the real life account of Jesus washing Peter's feet in the upper room on the night he would be betrayed (John 13). As I took in the piece, I was just humbled to the point of tears thinking through the extent Jesus went to demonstrate His love to us. One of the powerful details of Greiner's sculpture is that the only way to see the face of Jesus in the sculpture is to bend down on your knees and look up. It reminded me of the what Romans 14 says, "For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'
(You can see a version of this Greiner Scuplture at the Anaheim Vineyard in Anaheim, Ca)What I really enjoyed about the Pageant of Our Lord was that every art piece, every Choral arrangement and every musical instrument seemed tuned to pointing towards the Greatness and Love of our God. That is why this performance moved me so greatly. Here is a promo piece that was made for the pageant a few years ago:
10 Commandments
The Ten Commandments - motion (kinetic) typography from Vit Ryznar on Vimeo.(Thanks to Brad from NorthPoint for finding this video and for Vit Ryznar for creating it)
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"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it."
James 2:10
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"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:1-4
My Vote For Best American Idol Performance of 2010
Every Generation has a performance that turns History upside down.
I am just glad I was around to be a witness for this one...
Thanks to Matt from North Point Atlanta for discovering this for me.
I am just glad I was around to be a witness for this one...
Thanks to Matt from North Point Atlanta for discovering this for me.
The Homeless Guy Who Found 2 People Drinking Beer In Our Baptismal
Some of the things I experience in life are just too strange NOT to be true.
A homeless friend of mine who lives in the neighborhood of our Church recently told me he was walking through our empty Church Worship Center one weekday evening (kind of strange in itself) and came across 2 guys drinking beers in the Empty Baptismal. He told the guys they shouldn't be doing that and asked them to leave and they went on there way. (No word on what happened to the beers).
It will be impossible to get this story out of my head next time I am in there to do a baptism.
A homeless friend of mine who lives in the neighborhood of our Church recently told me he was walking through our empty Church Worship Center one weekday evening (kind of strange in itself) and came across 2 guys drinking beers in the Empty Baptismal. He told the guys they shouldn't be doing that and asked them to leave and they went on there way. (No word on what happened to the beers).
It will be impossible to get this story out of my head next time I am in there to do a baptism.
Atheist Visits Santa Cruz Churches
An Atheist who lives in my hometown of Santa Cruz, Ca is visiting local Churches in the Santa Cruz area and posting thoughts about his experiences. Really fascinating stuff providing a different perspective for those of us who are believers in Jesus and regularly attend Church.
If this topic is interesting to you like it is to me, you have to check out the website "Church Rater" based on an incredible insightful book by Matt Casper and Jim Henderson called "Jim and Casper go to Church."
Deep Thought from Hebrews 7
Victor Estrada and I read the Bible together every Wednesday morning.
This time is one of the highlights of my week.
This week we were sitting in Hebrews 7.
Victor's Bible Study Notes had this comment on verses 23-28:
"By Sunrise tomorrow our activities of today will already become part of our past.
Yet They will also be playing a part in the shaping of our future. So take advantage of today!"
This quote fired me up. Carpe Diem people! Let's live today's life completely sold out for Jesus Christ.
By the way, you can become a "FAN" of Victor Estrada on facebook by going here.
This time is one of the highlights of my week.
This week we were sitting in Hebrews 7.
Victor's Bible Study Notes had this comment on verses 23-28:
"By Sunrise tomorrow our activities of today will already become part of our past.
Yet They will also be playing a part in the shaping of our future. So take advantage of today!"
This quote fired me up. Carpe Diem people! Let's live today's life completely sold out for Jesus Christ.
By the way, you can become a "FAN" of Victor Estrada on facebook by going here.
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!
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: 
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?
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
=================================================
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.
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!
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!
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