Take A Bite Out Of Life

I read recently, "Courage isn't the absence of fear, it is pressing on in spite of it."
I've known people who were so paralyzed by the prospect of failure they wanted to avoid decision-making altogether. But I don't think they realized that avoidance is a failure in itself. If we're never willing to risk we'll be stuck in a perpetual state of limbo. I've been under the limbo stick and that's not comfortable. It's not living.
I'm so thankful to have a father who has been willing to take risks for God. He is a man of faith and God has worked through him in so many awesome ways.
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." I want to cultivate faith and take risks for God.
So I'm going to keep biting into those chocolate candies -even when I'm not sure what the filling is.

Aimana Flies The Tahitian Skies

Sunday night I talked a little bit about a wild ride I had in a plane when my friend Aimana was taking flight lessons. The flight instructor would send the plane into a dive, or turn off the engines, and then Aimana would have to correct what he'd done. He learned well because he now flies in Tahiti from island to island.

This Sunday

God is definitely stretching me in my new role as Associate Pastor. I'm looking forward to Sunday.
Our Breakfast Core Team Meeting starts at 8:30 and is open to all! During this time we enjoy some good food while sharing the vision for our Contemporary Service. We welcome anyone who'd like to be involved with this new work.
Our Traditional Service starts at 10:30 and I'll be speaking this Sunday on "Jumpin' Jehoshaphat". He was told, "A huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight you." Imagine getting that phone call. We'll see how he went from shaking to singing.
Our Evening Service starts at 5:30 and my sermon title is "Is Your Produce Suffering?" It's not really about vegetables. The subtitle is "What Is Your Suffering Producing?". I don't want to stop short of what God is really trying to accomplish through my trials.
We'd love to have you join us!

Rainy Memories

It's been raining here today. When I lived in Seattle it got depressing after awhile. But we get it so rarely in Southern California, I never mind it. Except for the time my car did a 360 as I was merging onto the freeway. That wasn't good.

Chapel In Paradise

I love this chapel in Yosemite. One time I walked quite a ways in the snow to go inside. I was freezing by the time I got there but the heat was on and the piano was unlocked. No one was there but me and God. I'll never forget it.

Uncelebrated Holiday

Well, that holiday we look forward to all year has come and gone. President's Day. I was disappointed that I didn't see one person wearing a top hat or chopping down a cherry tree. People just don't celebrate like they used to.

And you are....

Ever forget who you are? I'm not talking about amnesia. I don't watch soap operas but I think every character on those shows is required to have amnesia at some point. It must be quite traumatic. Just imagine if it were you and someone was by your hospital bed giving you all the wrong information. You might be led to believe that you're a professional wrestler. They might tell you you're a parka salesman in Brazil -or that you organize the August Death Valley Marathon.
The world can be a brutal place and the enemy will try to get people to do to you what he wants to do to you. Who knows what awful things you may even start to think about yourself because of the constant onslaught. Don't give in to the lies he sends your way. Find out what God has to say. If you've given your heart to Him, remember your true identity...
1st Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

A Silly Prayer

I once prayed for God to allow me to grow in faith and character ...without having to go through trials. There didn't seem to be an outburst of laughter coming from the direction of heaven but I imagine that I provoked a few giggles. It's probably along the lines of asking for grass to grow without rain. Or sinks to be cleaned without Comet. Or wanting juice without squeezing the orange. Or driving in LA without traffic. Or eating beans without consequence.
He really seems to like this concept of perseverance. In "The Way Of The Wild Heart", John Eldredge said, "What is the context God most often uses to make a man a man indeed? Hardship." You might be tempted to groan at that point. But for me it's a relief to know that when things seem to be all wrong, it's really to make things all right.
Romans 5:2-5
"...And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Houston, We Have A Problem

I believe those famous words were uttered with the horrific realization that the moon was not actually made out of cheese. They had really been depending on it for a lunch break.
Launched into outer space lately? It's difficult for me to imagine all that's involved in getting a rocket off the ground. I'm sure there are a multitude of problems to solve. But with each resolution, you're that much closer to making history.
We're launching a new ministry. So many things to do, places to go, people to see, blogs to start, it can be a bit overwhelming. But the little problems along the way are worth it because we believe in the mission. And what helps is we're not traveling alone. In fact, the One who made the moon is directing the flight.
2nd Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.