Don't Mess With Texas

Houston, we have a problem ...and his name is Paul. Yes, I'm off to a seminar in Houston this week and probably won't be blogging. Thanks for stopping by and please come around again soon. Have a great week!

Jennifer

We are world-famous for having the world's best secretary. We're thinking about getting a sign out front...The World's Best Secretary Works Here. Her name is Jennifer and she has worked especially hard this week to get everything ready for our School of Ministry -which starts tomorrow.

Also one of the major perks in having her here is that she's got an incredible voice. Sometimes I'll hear her singing ...but not nearly enough. I think that should be a bigger part of her job description. Not only is she a talented musician -but also a Youth Pastor. She also happens to be one of the coolest people on the planet. So if you call in, be extra nice to Jennifer.

Java Jive

I wanted to blog something but I'm afraid I had a bit too much coffee this afternoon. Sometimes if I've done that and haven't had much to eat, I start to get the jitters. It's too bad because I was going to write something incredibly profound, of course. But now my hands are starting to shake and lkdjfle kwlla;f;a kwwkejrfke ,...,83j4akkwla;a;!

Prayer

I've been reading Philip Yancey's new book "Prayer". In case you were wondering, it's all about prayer. I've been enjoying the read. He asks some tough questions. Some he leaves just kind of hanging in the air. Some he suggests possible answers. I appreciate his honesty.

This passage caught my attention:

"I see the Christian's life on this planet as a battle...We try to follow God on a place in active rebellion against him. I don't expect prayer to make that any easier, any less problem-filled. I do expect it to give me the inner strength to keep fighting. Persistence is my way of demonstrating faith."

Whether we get answers or not, prayer gives us the strength to keep fighting the good fight. May 1st will be the first of our Tuesday night Worship & Prayer Meetings. They'll be from 7PM to 8PM and this will be a permanent part of our weekly church schedule. I've been convicted to get something like this going for awhile now. You don't see many prayer meetings in churches anymore. Maybe it's time we get back to that.

Don Croswhite

This is an exciting and sad day for me. My great friend, Don Croswhite, has enlisted in the Army. He is leaving today for Fort Benning in Georgia. He is off to become an Airborne Ranger. He'll be in Georgia for awhile and then move to Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

I'm excited for him but, selfishly, I'm sad to see him go. I've practically watched him grow up over the past 17 years. He is incredibly talented. He designed the web-site at my former church and we had people joining the church just because of the site. He brought technical genius, acting talents, humor, and most of all...passion...to so many of the Musical Productions and Kid's Crusades that were produced at the church. He designed the artwork for the cover of our CD. He helped us write a play titled "Christmas: Unplugged". And he also just happens to be one of the funniest people on the planet. Don, I am so incredibly proud of you. Be careful out there. We'll keep you in our prayers.

Zion National Park

Just had to put this one on the blog. I made reference to it in my message last Sunday morning. It is the view you see from Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. I almost got to the top of this hike when a lady warned me that people fall off of it all the time. I told her I wanted to check it out. But then I got to a place where the rock got very slippery and steep...and then it started to rain. Rather than fall into the abyss, I turned back. This is one instance where pride could have literally sent me to my death. I killed pride instead.

This Weekend

I'm looking forward to our Pizza & Bunco Night tonight at the church. Sometimes people just need an excuse to get together and visit. If pizza and games are the requirement, I'll be willing to make that sacrifice. :)
This Sunday morning, April 15th, my message is titled "More Love, Less Taxes". No, I'm not running for office. Zack and Matt were two of the most detested men in town. While religious leaders wanted to keep their distance, Jesus approached them in a way that benefited everybody. Join us!

The Pursuit Of Happyness

At one point in San Francisco we found ourselves in kind of a scary part of town. While asking directions, someone even tried to steer us around these streets. But I was so glad to go there because we spotted Glide Memorial Church -which was featured in the film "The Pursuit Of Happyness". This church has an awesome ministry of reaching out to people in need.

Here at Faith Christian Assembly, we may not have the rooms and beds, but we do support "We Care". They are a near-by Family Support Center that is committed to giving families and individuals help in times of crisis. Yes, even in Seal Beach people have needs. You never know how hard of a time your next door neighbor could be having. In "The Pursuit Of Happyness", Chris Gardner looked like a pretty sharp guy and I'm sure no one would've guessed he spent the night in the subway. It's good to be a very present help in time of need. No question need be asked...that's What Jesus Would Do.

Lights, Camera, Be Quiet

The other day, I suddenly found Hollywood across the street. For some reason they like to film in my neighborhood. You can spot them from quite a distance because they'll have cranes in the air holding enormous lights. To film scenes at night, they have to light it up like it's daytime.
This time they were filming a pilot for a new show on NBC. There were cops (actors) checking out a dead body in the alley. I was hoping to play the dead body but they already had someone. I wonder how many years it takes at Julliard to play a dead guy?
Then the next night they were sitting in their car, I presume, for a stake-out scene. I was taking my nightly walk and was stopped from proceeding so they could finish the scene. I felt it would've been much more realistic to let me walk down the street -as that is my custom. Maybe they just didn't like to see me waving and sending shout-outs to Mom and holding a sign that said "Come To Faith Christian Assembly In Seal Beach!" I think it would've added to the excitement of the stake-out.

Whose Fault Line Is It Anyway?

I read a story that "the number for morbid obesity is on the rise." Thought that was worded poorly. It surprised me that we're all still putting on the pounds because I thought the lawsuit against McDonald's was going to fix all of that. Wasn't it all their fault for not putting the calories on the menu? How were we to know that cheese and salt and french fries and shakes would add to our mass? Maybe it's time to sue the companies that make the scales. It's really their fault for making us so unhappy.
I guess it just makes us feel better to have someone to blame. But does it change anything? We won't be able to play the blame game on judgment day. That will be the ultimate in personal responsibility. I'm so amazed that Jesus paid the price for our sin...the only One who was blameless. He had every right to take us to court and pronounce us guilty. The lawsuit of all time was levelled at Him. And no, He didn't counter-sue.
Hopefully we can learn from His selflessness. Otherwise we'll all end up suing our moms. If they hadn't brought us into the world, we never would've gotten fat. Doesn't most therapy lead back to Mom anyway?

All Aboard

It was a great day!! Much thanks to everyone who came and everyone who helped us launch our 8:30 service today. It feels good to finally have that train in motion and we're looking forward to where God's going to take us. Happy Easter!

You Are Here

Had a great practice with the band last night. We're all very excited around here. Can't wait to see ya. Here's a landmark to find us by as you cruise down Seal Beach Blvd. Hopefully that makes it easier.

Once, on a trip, I went to a mall I'd never been in before to look for coffee. I was staring intently at the Directory trying to find the store. Finally I found those comforting words, "You Are Here" and I noticed that the coffee store looked very close to it on the map. Sure enough, I looked and it was right next to me. No wonder we men hate maps.

Tomorrow starts our first 8:30 Contemporary Service. Afterward we'll have snacks and Starbucks. Come and celebrate Easter with us!

Yo...Howdy

This is a shout out to all our homies who came and hit the hood. To put it in my own vernacular...great thanks to everyone who came and handed out invitations to our Easter Services in various neighborhoods around the south land. Yo yo, homeboy...what a hoot.
We had 23 people come down last Saturday and get their exercise by giving out thousands of postcards...each with prayer. We can't thank you enough for your help. You are loved and appreciated!

On The Streets Of San Francisco

This is the city, San Francisco, California. We visited here. We carried Bibles. My name's Paul, Pastor Paul, and the blog you are about to read is true. The names were not changed as I didn't feel it was necessary.

I've been meaning to post these pics of our trip up north for the CEA's Pastor's Retreat. It was so cool to connect with a lot of the pastors that I've known since I was a kid. It was also great to see so many young ones who've joined the organization.

Here we are getting in a bit of sight-seeing. Gary & Sheri rode a Cable Car. I walked to Ghirardeli Square. We didn't get a chance to eat Rice-A-Roni though. (The San Francisco treat.)

The last night we ate at Houston's. I'll be in Houston later this month and am hoping to eat at San Francisco's.