A Rising Generation

Blowing my mind with Blessings

2009-05-12T22:41:00.003-05:00

A few things to mention about how good God is:

He always rebukes me (and it doesn't hurt, because I love Him and He me)
2 guys moved my stuff out of my condo and into a trailer...from the 3rd floor in 95 degree Texas heat. Paul Riley and Cillo Campos are my heroes.
Cillo drove the trailer to Fort Worth, helped me unload it into my new home, and drove the trailer back to Austin.
Spoke with 2 scholarship people today. Both mentioned that they felt the committees would look favorably upon my application. (Major encouragment)
Friends in Austin are helping me locate and find employment in Fort Worth.
Friends in DFW are helping me locate and find employment in Fort Worth.
Gateway Church people have blown me away with hospitality and first impressions. I might not have to visit another church!
My parents are so close to my heart. It is a blessing every day that I get to talk with them.
The scriptures are molding me into the man God has created me to be. I pray that everyday I would depend on Him and that God would know I will follow Him anywhere.

Music Love

2009-05-08T15:21:00.003-05:00

For those of you who may not know me well. I absolutely love music. It is a true gift. I will often post music or song lyrics on this blog. These songs typically grab my attention with truly thoughtful and soul stirring words. Here is a gift for you. Charlie Hall's "New Year".

My heart beats like a drum, flying up with the sun
I grab Your hand again
Renovated with life, my eyes again bright
And You are radiant

Where hope can hold my hand of sorrow
And we can walk into tomorrow
Where peace is found in troubled days
And the joy of Jesus carries pain

This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine, lift up your eyes
This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine and point the way to God's great life

I'm held in a place, a beautiful space
Where heaven meets the earth
My heart opens wide and the Father pours life
Deep inside my soul

Where hope can hold my hand of sorrow
And we can walk into tomorrow
Where peace is found in troubled days
And the joy of Jesus carries pain

This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine, lift up your eyes
This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine and point the way to God's great life

Where hope can hold my hand of sorrow
We can walk into tomorrow
This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine, lift up your eyes

This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine and point the way to God's great life

This a new year, this is a new day
Rise, rise, rise and shine
This is a new year, this is a new year

Church Hunt Continues: Next Up Gateway Church in Southlake, TX

2009-05-01T15:31:00.001-05:00

Which is it for you?

2009-04-30T22:57:00.000-05:00

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.

CS Lewis

Moving to Ft. Worth, TX

2009-04-07T08:58:00.000-05:00

In this note I first want to acknowledge how grateful I am for all of you that I tag in this note. You are my family and my friends. You have blessed me in so many ways and I just want you to know that first and foremost.

Okay, so I'm moving to Ft. Worth at the beginning of May. God has taken me on this amazing journey over the past few years since I put all my trust in Him and so many of you have put up with me along the way. ;-) Lake Hills Church, its people, the pastors, volunteers, and newcomers have been so instrumental in my spiritual journey and in my growth as a leader in the church. I have grown in love, service, and leadership while learning from some of the greatest men and women of God I have ever met. And now...it is time for me to pursue further training for the ministry that God has called me to.

On May 11th, 2009 (in a month) I will be starting my first classes at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For the next 3 years I will be a full-time Masters of Divinity student at the campus in Ft. Worth. I am very excited to begin this next chapter of ministry, certainly one that will challenge me in new ways. I also hope to find part-time gig with a great church in the DFW area to be able to apply what I learn in school. I'll be living on campus, more than likely eating cafeteria food and drinking a lot of coffee. Oh, the life of a college student.

A few people have asked me, "Will you come back to Austin after you graduate?" I wish I could give you an answer to that question, but the fact of the matter is that God has called me to serve His church and to become a Pastor. That could be in Austin, TX or Australia. My only prayer is that I remain faithful and that I would follow where He leads. If that is Austin, TX then that is where I will go. I am completely humbled and honored to have served under Pastor Mac Richard and with all of my friends and family at Lake Hills Church. This is my church home and my church family AND I am who I am because of this church and where I go and where I serve, the thumbprint of LHC will go with me.

Before I move I want to see as many of you as I possibly can. A few friends have suggested that I have a going away party/dinner. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! On April 21st from 7-9pm I will be at Maria's Taco Express on South Lamar. Please come by as I would love to see you before I leave. I will be sending out a Facebook event and Evite, so be looking for that soon.

I love y'all and am so thankful for our friendship. If you don't live in Austin, no worries. I wanted to let you know what's next in this journey also.

God Bless,

Dan

A long sabbatical

2009-02-02T20:27:00.005-06:00

Hey friends,

Many of you probably don't even read or look at my blog anymore after I seemly gave up on it a month ago. This month has been extremely awesome...and crazy! My responsibilities have always been quite daunting since being asked to join the Lake Hills Church downtown campus team. However, I am so encouraged every day to be surrounded by such great people, amazing hearts, and such great talents and gifts to use. I get to take a front row seat everyday as I watch God unfold His great purposes and plans in and through people. We serve a great God. He is faithful and He is more than good.

I wanted to take a moment and just share with you a few things that God has done in our Lake Hills Church community in this past month alone.

Over 200 people have been added to our LHC singles database

Over 15 people have committed their lives to Christ in downtown services

76 people registered for our 1st core class

141 people are involved in launching our Mobile Loaves & Fishes ministry (clothe & feed poor)

161 people are involved with Fusion

Over 100 people are getting involved with Life Groups (48 of which are single adults)

We have averaged 350 people or better in the last month of attendance...almost 100 up from the fall.

5 LHC singles leadership staff have been added (non-paid, but deserve everything God does bless them with)

These are just a few things I get to be a part of day in and day out. God continues to move in our community and in our city. It is never too late to be part of something that is bigger than yourself. I have to thank God, He lets me be a part everyday.

I've missed my friends! Glad to be back!

Incredibly creative and thought provoking!

2009-01-08T16:11:00.001-06:00

What do you think?

When you can live forever, what do you live for?

2008-12-09T15:57:00.002-06:00

Okay, so I went to Twilight last night and actually LOVED IT! I do tend to enjoy vampire stories and chick flicks, so I was told this was the right film for me. Little did I know that I would find a picture of the movie today to share with you. I was also quite intrigued by the tagline on the middle of this poster. I am not necessarily saying and thinking that they idea of living for and with a vampire is the secret to what we should all live for, but I think the question being asked is a great one for us all to consider. I know what I am living for! Do you know what you are?

Old School

2008-12-03T16:10:00.002-06:00

Today has been a back to the old stuff day. For some reason I found myself seeking out music from the old days. Here are some of the artists (mostly Christian) that I downloaded today.

Shane & Shane

Third Day

Darlene Z (something) All of you know of whom I speak!

Rebecca St. James

My personal favorite Michael W. Smith! For 1 reason only

You are Holy (Prince of Peace)

Does it get better than having the men and women echo each other? What a great trip down memory lane today! Who are some of your old favorites?

pride

2008-12-02T09:42:00.003-06:00

Below is a blog post by a friend, Mentor, and Pastor Pete Wilson. Pete is the Pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN. Pete's blog WithoutWax has been an incredible resource in my life for almost a year now. I encourage you to check out WithoutWax, but also to consider the question posed in this particular post on pride.

pride

It will keep you from…

asking questions, admitting your wrong, and confronting your sin.

It will erode…

your ministry, your marriage, and your influence.

It will run off…

your kids, your friends, and your followers.

It will limit…

God’s work in you and through you, your impact on others, and anything else you care about.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Please do yourself a favor and ask yourself this: Is there a current relationship, decision, or habit that is being influenced by my pride?

Top 10 Thanks

2008-11-25T11:17:00.002-06:00

Tis the season for being thankful! On the brink of my 28th Thanksgiving Day celebration I wanted to share with you the Top 10 things in my life that I am thankful for!

10. Texas Longhorns are #2 in the BCS

9. I get to live in the greatest city in the world, Austin, TX.

8. Somehow I have become a reader, hated it in school, LOVE IT IN LIFE!

7. Coffee!

6. My Pastor and my Church, Mac Richard and Lake Hills Church.

5. My teammates at LHC Downtown: Chad, Lane, Chris, Scott, Susan, Susan, Allie, and Dave.

4. My health has never been better, my physical conditioning is a whole nutha story! HAHAHA!

3. For the opportunity to lead and love people. God has and is giving me so much, I pray I would always share it with others. Especially those who are part of LHC Singles community.

2. I love my family: Dad, Mom, Chris, and Ellen.

1. Jesus is Lord. I am not.

There are so many things that I am thankful for, but these are just a few to share with you this Holiday season. Share with me 1 thing that you are thankful for this year?

Lake Hills Church // We Will Sing

2008-11-19T12:14:00.002-06:00

We Will Sing Intro from Lake Hills Church on Vimeo.

This Blows my mind EVERYTIME I watch it.

2008-11-13T11:51:00.003-06:00

A CD I cannot stop listening to!

2008-11-06T16:00:00.004-06:00

Last night I had the opportunity to road trip to Dallas, TX with some friends to visit the Live DVD recording of Fellowship Church's new album, "Closer to the Start." I was so excited that Pace Hartfield and his worship team at Fellowship invited us to join them, we even got to meet up with their staff and other special guests after the recording to ask questions and hang out with some of the coolest people around. Needless to say I had a blast.

But that isn't where it stopped. Pace gave me a free CD last night and 1st thing this morning I uploaded to my itunes, listened to it while I was in the shower, put the CD in my car on my way to work, and have been listening to it non-stop all day long! Below is a quote that I heard from Ed Young, Pastor of Fellowship Church, about the CD. I didn't realize that he would be so dead on with these words.

"This album is more than a collection of songs. It's the conversation the Church should be having with the world."

I couldn't agree more. Not only am I grateful for my experience last night, but I am grateful that 1 more time God has lit a fire within me to share His love, light, and hope to people everywhere that need it, including me. I have been reminded again that God and God alone makes all things new. I want to be closer to the start. To purchase this CD click on the picture below. I have also included a video of what we witnessed last night.

Closer to the Start - New Creation from Ed Young on Vimeo.

Election is over. What Now?

2008-11-05T11:03:00.003-06:00

Now that all of the campaigning, voting, crying, screaming, yelling, and madness is over. What now? I would like to share with you a blog written this morning by a friend in the wake of the 2008 Election. This is a must read for all of us today. Thank you Brad for sharing this with us. Click here to read History in the Making!

Let me know what you think of this blog post.

Best Book I have EVER read!

2008-11-04T14:21:00.007-06:00

This book is absolutely incredible. A true story of how two people from polar opposite worlds meet to make a bond that nothing could separate. This story will inspire you, challenge you, strengthen you, and more importantly allow you to focus on what truly matters most to us in this life.

I am curious to know your thoughts on this book as I will definitely be sharing mine over the next few weeks as I journey through the 2nd half.

I believe that I have made a very BOLD statement as the title of this blog, but at the half way point, I can't imagine any of this story losing its luster in my thoughts and in my heart. This is a must read. Go buy it or borrow it today!

Favorite Blog Posts and Links

2008-10-15T16:33:00.002-05:00

Over the past few weeks I have read some absolutely incredible blog posts. Here are a few of them for you to check out, trust me, you won't be disappointed:

Financial Uncertainty? Why not be wise with your money? Check out this post by one crazy, but stupid smart Mark Cuban. How to Get Rich
Boldest Post I have ever read: Perry Noble's "Attention Pastors: Keep your Penis in your Pants!!!"
Should I shut down my blog? Check out this great one by Anne Jackson.
What fills your bucket? How do you get inspired, encouraged, or filled? My friend Pete Wilson at Without Wax tells us what he thinks in "My Bucket."
How did I get the idea for doing a favorite blog posts and links post of my own? My buddy Zak White could tell you. Check out his favorites: www.ZakWhite.com

The Hope of the World

2008-10-07T12:41:00.001-05:00

As we continue the message series "Uncertainty" this weekend I wanted to send out a message to all of God's faithful volunteers and servants. As a nation we continue have uncertainty about the economy, presidential elections, and the current state of national security. As individuals we have uncertainty about how we will best raise our kids, support and encourage our spouses, or for singles adults choosing the right person to date and potentially marry. Our world is stockpile high with uncertainty. I am extremely hopeful in these times, because our God is anything but uncertain. Do not look to people for certaintly, because we fail. Do not look to the government to be the end all be all solution to every problem. Place your faith in God who richly provides us with all we need.

Alex Alexander, Pastor of Family Life at Lake Hills Church told a group of people at our LHC Downtown leadership retreat this summer that we as a church must have people with a "Will do" attitude rather than a "Can do" attitude. When the heat rises all around us, it is God's church that ALWAYS rises to the occasion and now is no different.

Here are 3 ways in which to rise to the occasion right now:

1. Trust God financially
2. Love People enough to share what God has done and is doing in your life. Invite them to be a part of the Local church, for us, that is Lake Hills Church. Commit to being at church every weekend and commit to bringing a friend, co-worker, or family member.

A thought from scripture about this: Luke 11:42 (Jesus speaking to the Pharisees) “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things."

Are you tithing and are you loving and leading people to Christ?

3. Serve with compassion and commitment
Jesus committed himself all the way to the cross with compassion for you and for me.

I believe with everything I've got that in these times of uncertainty that God's people will rise to the occasion. We will block and tackle (Give to the work of God through the local church, be the local church by inviting and sharing God's grace and love to people who need it, and serving the family of God because we have been blessed and loved!) Let's bring hope to this world that desperately needs it! If you and I will do these things our world will change!

Spur Leadership Conference Bullets

2008-10-02T18:51:00.004-05:00

Les Csorba:

Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things.

Steve Price:

Leaders are more concerned with leaving a lasting impact on the people and organization that the lead rather than making a short term, forgettable impression.
While running one day with Steve his dad reaches down, picks up and hurls a diet coke can towards him from the ditch they were running beside. Steve's father looks at him and says, "Success is found in this." Steve is thinking, "What the heck is he talking about?" "Success is found in 'cans' not 'cannots'."
Between trust and passion we find great leadership. Trust which is built through serving and competency. Passion which leads the way to love what you do and do what you love!

Ed Young Jr.:

Ask Questions. ASK- Always Seek Knowledge
Ask the right people the right questions to get the right answers.
What are the biggest questions in life? Master, mate, mission

These are only just a few nuggets from today! My brain is so full, I couldn't get the rest out! I'm sorry. Learning from those who have learned before. I love it!

Next Generation Leader

2008-09-30T09:09:00.003-05:00

I am reading the book "Next Generation Leader" by Andy Stanley. I want to write an entire page out of this book, because it just makes sense to me. Servant Leadership at its best. Let's all take a page out of this book, literally!

There are times when you must pitch in and do things that fall outside your core competencies. But those occasions must be chosen strategically, and they must be the exception, not the rule.

Every December, my father's organization, In Touch Ministries, faces the challenge of shipping thousands of tapes and books to people in time for Christmas. In the days leading up to Christmas my dad shows up at work in blue jeans to help out in shipping. He doesn't show up to run the shipping department. He understands the difference between his responsibilities and his core competencies. He places himself under the authority of those who have expertise in the facet of the organization.

One may wonder: As a leader, is this the best use of his time? Yes and no. For the other fifty-one weeks of the year, the answer is no. If he spent most of his time in shipping, eventually there would be no new product to ship. But for one week of the year it is the absolute best use of his time.

By strategically and temporarily stepping away from the arena where he adds the most value corporately, he steps into an arena where his appreciation is felt personally. Showing up for several hours a day on the assembly line sends a message to every employee about the significance of his or her individual contribution. By becoming "one of the guys" for a week, he enhances his influence with those who follow him once he is back in a coat and tie.

Look for opportunities to temporarily shoulder someone else's burden within your organization. Be strategic in your timing. Remember, once you step outside your zone, don't attempt to lead.

Leadership Costs

2008-09-26T08:55:00.004-05:00

This morning I was reading a passage of Scripture in Luke 14 that expresses that there is a cost to following Jesus. As I read this passage of scripture I began to realize that different people and their specific leadership costs things that are the same and that are different.

For example, as I began to think about what costs I have made for the leadership I have been given or called to carry out, I began to realize that not everyone has the same calling. I know what you are thinking...DUH, super DUH Dan. Thank you for overstating the obvious. I am going to re-write this passage of scripture from The Message translation and then explain what I am thinking and pondering.

25-27One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.

28-30"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.'

31-32"Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce?

33"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.

34"Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it's useless, good for nothing.

I believe that with every thing I've got that this first section of scripture is talking about personal accountability. More than anything, I am first responsible for letting go of my life, my own moral character, and devoting and submitting my whole being to relationship and followership of Jesus Christ. (I probably made the word "followership" up, but just go with me.) I believe that this isn't the top priority of my life, but the ONLY priority of my life. All others things flow out of the blessing that is Knowing the One True God and Jesus Christ who He sent.

Now, as my Pastor always says...Do not check your brain at the door, but expectantly ask questions of God. In this next section starting in VS. 28 it talks about weighing the cost of building. If we are to truly build our whole lives around and on top of the foundation of knowing Christ than we must weigh our cost.

For me personally this means a lot of things, because I work at a church and am training to become a Pastor. Does it mean that I am set even further apart then those that I lead? For this conversation I leave that question up to you. For the sake of this post I will suggest a few costs that I have taken to live my life as best I know how in obedience to God's will. Here are a few bullet points:

Drinking alcoholic beverages in public (Its also hard to purchase from the grocery store, since that is public) I do this for the sake of my friend struggling with alcohol, so he can know there is full life outside of drinking adult beverages. I know because this used to be a major struggle in my life!
Sexual Purity - I have currently never had sex outside of the marriage bed! Let me also say that since coming to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord has also meant that His blood has been sufficient for covering over a multitude of sins in this area, prior to relationship with Him. If His forgiveness and covering is sufficient for me, it is sufficient for you. As Jesus said to the woman caught in the act of adultery, "Where are your accusers?" "Not here" she responds. Jesus says, "Then neither to do I accuse you, but go and sin no more!" Please tell me if the world you live in can muster up that kind of forgiveness.
Financial First Fruits - I have committed to bringing God the very best of my earnings. The first 10% of my income (pre-tax) is scheduled to always be withdrawn to go to the local body of Christ to where I belong. For me, I share my tithe with the ministries and mission of Lake Hills Church. I share this with them, because this is where I love, but more importantly because this is where I am loved!

You are probably asking yourself, Dan, there are a whole lot of passages of scripture that deal directly with what you just pointed out. Yes, but today through Jesus' teachings (often in parables) I discovered indirectly who God has convicted me to be and what I am to do to honor, glorify, and make His name famous.

If you are reading this blog:

May you become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ and may you be set free in doing so! What I have described today are a few ways in which Jesus has called all believers to participate in His Kingdom here on this earth!

You Don't Have What It Takes

2008-09-17T12:57:00.002-05:00

I had the opportunity to watch and be a part of the LifeChurch.tv internet campus last night. I know the idea of having a church campus online sounds crazy, but let me tell you. I experienced the freedom that only Jesus can give last night through what they did on that campus last night. LifeChurch.tv is going through an incredible message series right now called "You Don't Have What It Takes."

"I can't please everyone, but I can please God."

How many times in life do you feel like you are running yourself down into the ground by taking more and more and more on just to make other people happy? Going to more events, taking on more tasks, changing your lifestyle to please others.

There are 4 Characteristics of People Pleasers:

1) People Pleasers take most criticism personally.

2) Feel an extraordinary fear of rejection.

3) Find it hard to express their true feelings.

4) Find a hard time saying no. (Overcommitted)

Harriet Braker wrote a book called "The Disease to Please". She claims that people pleasers are addicts. Just as a drug addict seeks drugs, people pleasers seek approval. This is a very dangerous disease, because when we become obsessed with what people think about us, we forget what God thinks about us.

Pastors, can I get an Amen? Are you looking for praise from men more than praise from God? Do you twist your ideas, vision, and efforts to please people all of the time rather than trust God's calling for your life?

Check out this great message by clicking here.

Leadership Conference

2008-09-08T10:21:00.002-05:00

BACON!

2008-09-06T11:24:00.002-05:00

I came across this video of Jeff Gaffigan on Flowerdust.net. Many of you have seen the amazing Hot Pockets comedy video (One of my favorites), this has got to be one of the best sequels ever! Check it out!

Two Farmers

2008-08-26T11:11:00.003-05:00

There had been a drought for weeks. Everything seemed to be hopeless for this years crop. One farmer decided to pull back, to wait and see what would happen and gave up on continuing the process of preparing his field for harvest. Another farmer with the same dilemma kept on. He didn't give up on his field and continued his daily due diligence in preparing his field for harvest.

When the rain began to fall, who do you think trusted that God would bring the rain? The farmer who stopped to wait and see or the farmer who continued to prepare his field for the harvest.

Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.
3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Song in My Heart!

2008-08-21T19:35:00.003-05:00

If i find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the felsh that i fight is at best only light and momentary,
then ofcourse I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared

Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

Am i lost or just found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
An avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become

For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He's coming

Brooke Fraser // C.S. Lewis Song

Greatest Race Ever!

2008-08-11T15:26:00.003-05:00

Fired Up!!!

2008-08-07T21:41:00.003-05:00

I LOVE THE OLYMPICS! The Olympic games to me still represent what is pure about sport and about competition. Athletes from all over the world representing their country in hopes of bringing home the gold.

Spectators from around the world watch so closely to see if their favorite team or individual will accomplish what only dreams bring. Amidst all of the turmoil and angst that has saturated these Beijing games, I am still grateful that humanity can still find hope and excitement in these games.

I will be watching a lot of TV over the next few weeks. Some of my favorite events include: Track & Field, Swimming, Gymnastics, Wrestling, Soccer, and this year I think I will even see if Team USA can redeem themselves in Basketball. ESPN has helped peak my interest with their "Road to Redemption" show.

What do you love about the games?

I have never heard of the person who has screwed up their life by following God's will found in God's Word!

2008-07-30T17:16:00.004-05:00

We live in a time period where information is readily available at the blink of an eye. Conversations and connectivity with each other is at our finger tips. As a Christ follower I have increasingly seen many of us make excuses for why people do not respond to the Gospel. Often times we blame ourselves or other Christians that have painted a bad picture of who Christ is and can be for people everywhere. This is true, however, what I know to be even truer is that I believe Christians across the Globe and even pastors and church leaders have turned to philosophies that do not depend on the Word of God. We lean on our great music, our cool environment, our coffee shops, and our community building to show how much God loves them. Great tools, but none of those things will prosper a marriage. None of those things will rescue someone from any kind of abuse. None of those things will lead someone to serve selflessly. If anything it makes people want more me, me, me. We are the church, we are different, we should offer hope and more importantly we should be teaching people to obey everything He has commanded us. The world can offer great music, great coffee, and awesome environments to be a part of, but the Kingdom offers eternal freedom that begins now for anyone who would follow. Are we leading people to follow? Or are we scared that non-Christ followers have all of these bad feelings towards us as Christians?

The question I am asking and pondering in this post is this: Have you ever heard of the person who has screwed up their life by following God's will for their life?

Weekend Highlights

2008-07-28T19:58:00.006-05:00

This weekend was great. Here are a few highlights :

Friday night at Austin's historical Broken Spoke. Who knew I could 2-step?
Friday I also found out that I would be spending the next 4 months on an intense brigade of traction and adjustment to correct a major structural issue in my spine. Good news is that it is correctible. Bad news is it will hurt a lot and cost a lot. Please be in prayer for me to have God's strength during this tough process. His endurance would be AWESOME!
Saturday morning I spent 2 hours reading the book "No Perfect People Allowed" next to the brand new Spanish Oaks pool.
Saturday night, my roommate David and I went and hit golf balls at the Spanish Oaks driving range and played a few holes. Since my roomie is a professional golfer and has won the US Amateur and the John Deere Classic, it was great to get his input on my golf swing...Which is basically like learning from scratch!
Sunday morning worship at Lake Hills Church was the best it has ever been. I am not exaggerating.
Went to lunch with a few friends at El Arroyo after church.
Sunday night was incredible. David flew out to Memphis and I decided I would attempt to put into practice what he taught me about his golf swing. He had an indoor driving range built into our garage, so I swung the sticks for a little bit...until I shanked one and the ball riqocheted back and hit me in the shoulder. Golf ball dimple indentions will definitely leave a mark.

And that is my weekend highlights. I hope your weekend was as great as mine.

All Access

2008-07-22T15:04:00.004-05:00

This Sunday at Lake Hills Church we are beginning a brand new message series called All Access. We will be exploring inner workings and function of the church, and what Christ meant when he said that he would build His Church, the hope of the world. Invite someone to join us this weekend for All Access.

7th in line for New iPhone 3G

2008-07-12T08:20:00.004-05:00

From Death to Life

2008-07-08T10:27:00.005-05:00

This morning I was reminded in John 8 that Jesus has always been about moving people from death to life. Even before He Himself went from Death to Life. The grace and love of the cross was even present in this encounter, check it out:

John 8

1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11"No one, sir," she said.

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Jesus was even thrown into controversy and put on the spot. How do you respond in times like these? Does panic set in? Are you often stressed and possibly frustrated? The way Jesus handled this situation is genius. I want to be there. My broken down life is crying out in this situation to own God's offer of forgiveness. This is an encounter that we see Jesus in all the time. My prayer is that we would be the kind of people that open our lives to this encounter with Jesus. I also pray that I would be and we would be the kind of people that could respond in this way to people who desperately need to be given a chance. A chance at redemption and a shot at LIFE. Jesus is always moving us from death to life. Do you think any of the Pharisees in this story where set free? I believe that at least 1 probably was. 1 person is worth it. My life is worth it for Jesus. Your life is worth it for Jesus.

Please Pray for My Hometown and the people caught in this Fireworks Catostrophe!

2008-07-06T15:31:00.001-05:00

Vacation to Home this Week

2008-06-30T11:12:00.012-05:00

Here is a picture of my hometown during the autumn season. Charles City, IA boasts of a great midwestern life. The changes in seasons bring the smells of tailgating, the sound of birds heading south for the winter and the beautiful sights of leaves that are changing colors and are ready to fall off their branches. The brisk chill of air that comes during football season is absolutely spectacular.

At left is a photo of the historical Suspension Bridge that has been a landmark of our city for many years. On my trip home this coming week I will be praying for our town to come together to revitalize and to restore what once was.

Much of the midwest suffered from major flooding damage over the past month, my hometown was no different. My family's home was safe and my parents survived, but much of our town, even this historic and beloved Suspension Bridge did not.

It is amazing for me to think that what once meant nothing to me, means everything to me now. It is that age-old philosophy that we do not know the true value of what we have, until we do not have it anymore. I am reminded today what God continually feels as He sees His children and His creation turning their backs on Him, not understanding the true value that He gives to us, to our lives, and to our world. The good news is that if we turn back to Him and walk with Him...everything can and will be restored. I pray not only for the lost historical landmarks in my hometown, but also for its people (past and present) to unite with one another to bring hope to our city and Glory to our God!

Austin Music Hall...church?

2008-06-23T21:30:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday morning we did a run through of all set-up for a church service in the AMH. We did everything from chairs, lobby environments, sound, lights, video screens, band rehearsal, video message playbacks, etc. We even talked through a lot of these processes to try and fine tune them. Up until this point, Lake Hills Church: Downtown has just been an idea. Now it is taking shape and a GREAT SHAPE if I can say so and I will. We even had a few emails from volunteers who were a part of this Sunday's beginning.

Below is an email message from one huge hearted LHC Downtown launch member:

Guys,
Wow, what can say besides that I am amazed by everything that you all have been doing for the downtown campus. Today, was such a treat to be able to be a part of and to start experiencing what is to be LHC downtown and it is because of the tremendous effort and passion that you all have put into this church.

I have a confession that I have been in a huge drought on really getting involved in a church the past 2 years (besides showing up on Sunday mornings) and that lack of serving has really made me feel a distance from the church that has been very disturbing. In God's amazing ability, which is completely unfathomable, I had the opportunity to sit down today look around and see the empty hall and then see a church seemingly flawlessly coming together. I finally felt that this is it! I am ready to dive in head, feet, side, which ever direction God wants me to go to be a part of this church. I am ready to serve his Kingdom wherever I am needed and that is so exciting. I am uplifted with all of your warmth in welcoming every person who walks through the doors and all of your willingness to make sure that every person who walks through the door whether they have been there since the beginning or walking though the first time feels so welcomed and that they are a part of the church, that we are a community of christ not just a place to worship. We are here to be a family no matter what your story is, you are a part of our community.

You all are doing such an amazing job of thinking of everything when it comes to making this church resemble the perfection that is Christ (The chairs straight, the kiosk in the most welcoming spot, the music, the video feed etc..). I am praying for each one of you and your leadership during this exhausting yet amazingly exhilarating time. I guess to sum things up, I want to say Thank You for being you and for having such Christ like hearts to lead the church that I am proud to say is my church home.
Thank you,

(For the sake of this blog I am keeping the writer anonymous.)

CAN I GET AN AMEN! THIS IS GREAT FUEL FOR MY NEXT 30 YEARS OF MINISTRY!

http://lhcroadtrip.blogspot.com

2008-06-14T08:33:00.003-05:00

This morning our early team of volunteers, band, and staff left for Colorado to set-up for Road Trip 2008. A few nights ago we got a chance to pray for our band members. Here is a post from our LHC Road Trip Blog about that night.

Salvation is Here
Tonight, Kerra, Dan and I had the opportunity to pray with our band. It was a great privilege. As we prayed I felt an overwhelming consensus of hope among us; that God would call students to salvation, the redeeming of the stuff that they're not proud of and the freedom found in forgiveness.

Please pray that God would begin, even now, to call students to himself.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would break down wall after wall; that shame would be replaced with freedom and that skepticism and cynicism would be replaced with trust and meaning.
Pray that God would put back together students who are broken.
Pray that God would release students from their pasts, their shame and the things they're not proud of, so that he can use them to change the world in his name.

Pray without ceasing
Love Wins,
Kirk

Please Pray

2008-06-12T08:36:00.003-05:00

We are in the midst of a series of Messages called One Prayer. I believe that God is doing amazing things in and through this series...Globally. What I think is incredible is that I believe that when you pray for things, God will give you the opprotunity to respond. Maybe we should also pray, God, make me aware of the opportunities that you give me to respond.

Last week, we heard a message from Pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv called Lord, Make us One. This is a message for "the church" calling all people to play for and in the name of Jesus Christ and not for their denomination, their dogma, or maybe even the name of their specific church. We celebrate as "the church" the sacrificial atoning work of Jesus Christ that bonds us all to One Hope, One Spirit, One Baptism, One Love, One Lord, and One Prayer.

Lord, Make us One is a prayer that gives people the chance to respond to the cries, hurts, and brokenness of this world and to respond by being the hands and feet of Jesus...TOGETHER.

Following Craig's message this week in my own personal life I am finding opportunities in which God can unite people to resurrect and to renew brokenness here. I received an email this week from my parents describing some of the devastation that has taken place in our hometown due to floods. How will the church in Charles City, IA respond? How will the church in the midwest respond? Better yet, how will the church in Texas respond (me and maybe you)? I am praying for my parents and my friends in my hometown: for the there safety and for the floods to cease. More than that, I am praying that people will be united together to repair and restore and that ultimately they may see the love, truth, and grace of Our Father in Heaven.

Quiet Time, Face Time, Scripture Study

2008-06-07T09:46:00.003-05:00

Do any of these phrases ring a bell to you? If so, then you have probably been around church at least 1 month out of your life. I am curious to know where these phrases come from. I am also more curious to know where, how, and when people do these?

A week from tomorrow our high school ministry will pack up and take 2 tour buses full of kids to Copper Mountain, CO for Road Trip '08, our summer camp. In our first break-out session I will be teaching on intimacy with God, more specifically as it relates to studying Scripture. If you would, please describe to me what this time looks like for you? How consistent is this time? Is it sacred to you? How do you study Scripture? By verse or by book? Consider this a case study on everyone who reads this blog. I value your input and your energy and effort in responding. It will go much further beyond my own eyes and ears; potentially into the hearts and minds of our next generation. Thank you for response!!

Perryisms

2008-06-04T21:30:00.003-05:00

I got this from Tony Morgan's blog. Tony is a pastor at Newspring Church where Perry Noble is the lead Pastor and communicator. I love what these short, but power packed sayings...say. Here is a few of Perry's top phrases:

“Being a Christian is saying ‘yes Lord’ before you know what the question is.”
“We try to get God in what we want to do rather than getting in what God wants to do.”
“I thought you said goat testicles.”
“Christianity is nothing more than a series of next steps where we fall more in love with Jesus.”
“The church is not better off because you come and occupy a seat.”
“Part of being an adult is stepping up and taking responsibility for where you are spiritually. Your next step is your personal responsibility.”
“If you’re here and you’re breathing, God is not finished with you yet.”
We need to ask God, “What do I still lack?”

Church Hopping // Social Networking

2008-06-04T09:24:00.003-05:00

This morning I read a blog of one of my closest friends and mentors. In this blog he speaks about an article that speaks directly to the topics of Church Hopping and Social Networking. Here is Alex Alexander's Blog:

social networking and church hopping
I read an article today that has me thinking about the connection between social networking and church hopping. The concept is not that new, it has always existed. It seems there has always been a certain nomadic Christian who bounces from one community of believers to the next. But as of late it seems to be a little out of control - or greater than I have ever experienced anyway.

Here’s a quote from the article -
“We now live in an automagical world. A world that is composed of not one future, but multiple futures. A world of self-chosen communities or tribes that are nodes in large, complex networks of such groups. A world in which hierarchical pyramids of control are crumbling and the Taylorism world of precise affluence has become a Web 2.0 world of mystical influence and social networks.” Randy Elrod, The Death of the Alpha Leader

I do believe that social networks and technology are influencing people unlike ever before. This is due in large part to technology and its ability to connect people instantly and over a large geographic area.

I am able to watch a worship service (music and message) from many great churches all over the country thanks to streaming media over the Internet. I am influenced by phenomenal pastors and leaders (in essence sit under their yoke) by subscribing to their blogs. I even know what some of them had for dinner last night thanks to Twitter.

As a participant I find this all very exciting and fascinating if not a bit voyeuristic. What could be better than having access to some of the greatest teaching and leadership on the planet? And, what does this have to do with church hopping?

Here’s my theory: Because of this access to other great churches and leaders, people are becoming increasingly hypercritical of their own local church and leadership. As a pastor, I find myself playing the comparison game as well. “That church (in another state) is really being blessed. I can’t believe how quick they’ve grown in such a short amount of time.” Or, “I wonder why we don’t seem to be as creative as them?”

The problem with this thinking is that technology creates a false sense of community and fellowship. Truth is, I have lots of friends and churches I attend via the Internet, but how many of them do I really know? With how many am I really able to do life with?

So, church goers are increasingly being influenced by guys who live in other places like Grand Rapids, Nashville, Seattle, or Dallas making it more difficult to be influenced by their own local pastor and community. And, because it’s unrealistic to move to one of these other cities, many are choosing to leave their current church in search of greener pastures which I believe they will never find. I don’t believe that technology will be able to replace true human connectivity. If we can’t sit down and share a meal together, then we are not in community.

The rest of the article delves more into the leadership implications of this New World. If you’d like to read it, just click HERE.
Do you agree? If you do, how do we adapt?

Prayer Walk

2008-05-31T11:47:00.003-05:00

As some of you have read about in this blog or know about through our friendship. Our church, Lake Hills Church is embarking on a new adventure together. We are launching our first satellite campus in Downtown Austin, TX. We have begun building community through retreats, life groups, and a few events this summer to get to know each other. It is always incredible to see the diversity, different history, and lifestyles that God is bringing together to share with our city His message of Hope and Love.

Today, as we walked the streets, prayerfully seeking the Holy Spirit to show us our mission, all sorts of things started to pop out for me personally! I began to think about the hurt, heartache, and often times helplessness that we drive our personal stories into. I thought about choices that people make that can dictate where they find joy, peace, and happiness. As I walked the streets of Austin (downtown) this morning, I began to see a vast array of difference in people, of life circumstances, and I began to see how God sees them. FAMILY! My heart was breaking this morning. Often my prayer is for my heart to break for what breaks God's heart. This morning it swallowed me whole! A perfect Father loves His children and His people. His heart breaks for seeing His kids turn away from him. His heart breaks for seeing them hurt. His heart breaks for seeing them fear. His heart breaks for seeing them confused. Guess what? "Them" is us! People always ask, "how or why I have faith?" I always think and sometimes even say, "If God truly is who He says he is and if He did what he says that he did, then there is no reason to fear, new life begins today, this moment and this time. It begins now. The hope and peace that surpasses all understanding is Jesus. It is always Him, it has always been Him, and it will always be Him who removes all of that "crap" from our midst."

Today, I felt so blessed to be a part of our great God's Kingdom. Today, I felt so blessed to be a part of an incredible community of people that call Jesus their Lord and Savior. Today, I felt like God is stirring in and amidst Downtown Austin to bring a new hope and a new way. He is always creating and today he was creating in my heart a passion for helping, serving, and loving his Children in Austin, TX.

The Mission and The Message

2008-05-29T00:52:00.001-05:00

"We have a world that is desperately crying out for the Church of Jesus Christ to be living our message and reconciling this world into relationship to Jesus. He has called us to be on a mission to change the world."

In the Age of Global Connectivity - This is Crucial!

2008-05-27T21:51:00.001-05:00

Seriously Considering it.

2008-05-26T00:26:00.005-05:00

Thoughts??

Thankful to God, grateful for our Troops, and Proud to be a Longhorn!

2008-05-25T15:05:00.002-05:00

Bill Little commentary: Memorial Day 2008

"In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields."

Sitting in the back of an ambulance near a battlefield in France, a Canadian doctor, Lt. Col. John McCrae looked out on a cemetery where a gentle breeze stirred the wild flowers that provided the imagery for this classic poem of World War I. A friend lay buried in the field, one of thousands who died in what was called "The Great War -- the war to end all wars."

Sadly, that lofty goal has never been realized.

"The torch" has been passed from generation to generation. Brave men and women stand today in harm's way, fighting to preserve the life we know.

Memorial Day is, and should be, a day of honor. Since the days of the War Between the States, this has been a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. And in that space, history both mourns, and applauds, who they were, and what they did.

And as the massive remodeling of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium nears its completion during this summer, what started in 1924 as a concrete edifice dedicated to those Texans who died in World War I re-emerges as a majestic monument to them, and to all those men and women who have served our country in any foreign conflict.

Juxtaposed with the Louis Jordan Flagpole in the southeast corner of the stadium (a monument honoring the first former Longhorn killed in World War I) are a plethora of significant factors that recognize the value of leadership, as well as the importance of history. The stadium veterans committee is already working on a re-dedication of the stadium this fall, as well as a plaza outside the north end that will serve as a special place to remember the veterans and memorialize those who died.

Mack Brown's office contains a healthy supply of pictures and flags sent by Longhorns serving in the Middle East, and the stirring memory of Marine Ahmard Hall carrying the American flag onto the field started a tradition that is repeated each year.

About a month ago, Coach Brown sat in his coaches conference room talking to more than a dozen touring cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point. The subject had to do with teamwork and leadership.

A little over ten days ago, Penn State coach Joe Paterno and Hall of Fame wide receiver and Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann came to Austin to help celebrate the launching of a Distinguished Chair in Leadership in Global Affairs in Mack Brown's name.

The Chair will be connected to the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and it is not without irony that one notices that the LBJ Library and the stadium -- two of the three most recognized structures on the UT campus (the Tower being the other) -- sit across the street from each other.

The students who helped raise the money for the construction of the original Texas Memorial Stadium did not have the benefit of today's technology to understand about "global affairs." All they knew was that school mates had died in faraway fields whose names they couldn't pronounce.

It was a big, big world, then.

Today, instant communication and travel have made the world a lot smaller, and yet larger with the challenges. And as Mack accepted the honor of the Chair named for him, he acknowledged that leadership cannot come without teamwork, and teamwork is about relationships. All of which goes back to the benchmark principles of his football program -- communication, trust and respect. All applied with a common purpose.

Global affairs have to be about all of that. That is the power of education, the reason for reasoning. But as we dream of a world where we can all work together, it is important to remember that reality says there will be a time where, despite the best of efforts, men and women will have to stand and fight against the demons of greed and jealousy.

That is why, on the lake or at the barbecue or at some distant outpost where death bids hard to take the valiant, it is important to understand what Memorial Day is all about.

The men and women of the United States Armed Forces fight, not to make war, but to achieve great peace. Death is, and always will be, a part of the reality of war. That is why, on Memorial Day, America pauses to honor those who have lost their lives in battle.

Because the men and women we honor, whether it is amid the white crosses at Arlington Cemetery or a family plot in a little town in West Texas, died fighting for our freedom.

And there is no thanks great enough, or memorial big enough, to repay them and their families for that.

Or, as another poet wrote as a reprise to McCrae's poem, "We cherish too, the Poppy red that grows on fields where valor led, it seems to signal to the skies that blood of heroes never dies."

SpurLeaders.org

2008-05-23T11:31:00.000-05:00

The I Heart Revolution

2008-05-21T17:48:00.001-05:00

Purity

2008-05-17T15:48:00.003-05:00

Gentleman! We will fall! There is no timing on when or how graceful the fall it may be. Do you have safe guards in place against sexual immorality, pornography, and lust? Do you have accountability for yourself and your staff to protect your organization and the individual from going down a path nobody wants? Do you have a strong situational game plan for engaging with members of the opposite sex that are not your spouse?

I was reminded in a conversation yesterday with a friend how serious this really is in our world. Satan will do everything and anything he can to take YOU and your organization down! Do you want to go through the pain, possible humiliation, and consequences that may stem from being reactive rather than proactive? I am thankful that I need help in this arena. It makes my good relationships with friends GREAT! I implore you not to lie to yourself and think that you are good and covered. You are not. You will fall!

Here is one resource you may want to consider as a safe guard for maintaining accountability and purity: Click Here.

I am praying that God will knock our socks off and back on again during our time of ministry! Let's do what we can to honor Him and protect the integrity of the message we carry by being intentional along the mission!

Students Reinvesting

2008-05-14T18:20:00.009-05:00

Today, 4 former students of our ministry returned to reinvest themselves in our current students. Taylor, Tyler, Adam, and Breanna have finished their first years in college. Texas A&M, ACU, and UT were all represented today, my favorite of course being UT since it is my alma mater, but that is neither here nor there....

Taylor, Tyler, Adam, Breanna, and I put on Road Trip t-shirts, grabbed 200 or so flyers and stickers (featuring the logo above) and went off to Lake Travis High School where we spent two hours during lunches to talk to kids about our summer camp known as Road Trip. You have no idea how proud I was to watch these former students in action. All of them told me how awkward it felt to return to high school and to be there under the circumstances. However, what I saw was absolute love and selflessness. My prayer has always been that students would leave our ministry as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, was a beautiful day and an inspirational one for me personally. Today was a day that God truly showed me that what I do matters. I cannot wait to see the response from students that we spoke with today. I am so proud and humbly ecstatic to know that God has worked through me with these kids and that He is continuing that work now...through them!

If you read this, please think about this for your own life and if you have a moment, share it with me!

Timeless

2008-05-12T08:43:00.004-05:00

This morning I realized how precious time is. This past week was amazing! My dad had successful knee replacement surgery, my mom watched him and supported him through it. I had a great phone call conversation with my brother. I spent the weekend at a retreat getting to know, worshipping with, and making s'mores along side of 30 new friends at our downtown campus launch weekend. It was also amazing to see families coming to church in droves on Mother's Day! Mac and Julie Richard did a phenomenal job of teaching on the beauty of a woman, the beauty God stamped in the soul and on the heart of every woman! My weekend ended with a great time with high school students. Watching students worship God with everything they are is inspiring. It was a truly great week last week!

What I have become increasingly thankful for is the time that I have been given, to love God and His people! To invest my time, energy, money, words, and talents with people, with friend new and old! I found myself asking God, "Is this the peace that passes all understanding? Is giving Jesus my all, giving Him myself to invest in others a gift? Is it possible God that your desire for our lives is to live freely...freely giving away what we have of ourselves to others and what we have for others!"

I pray this morning not for wisdom (which is great and important), not for discernment (which is also important), but for a peace to give my life away to be used by Jesus to reconcile the world back to Himself! If people are not seeing Jesus in me; than God You must increase and I must decrease! This is my prayer, that I might know Him and that I would be known by Him, so that all others...ALL OTHERS...EVERYONE...would KNOW who He is. I once heard a story asking a Speaker what his left hook would be. A left hook being the big knock out punch that would make the crowd erupt with joy and a sense of WOW! I want my left hook to be Jesus in me! Nothing more or less!

Shout it from the rooftop!

2008-05-08T18:32:00.003-05:00

Have you ever wanted to tell the whole world about something and you can't!

Well, right now there is something happening in my life that I want to shout from the rooftops, because I am that stinkin excited about it! But! Alas, I cannot speak about this thing that I want to shout out! So this is my way of sharing without actually sharing!!!

And now everyone reading this hates me...because you want to know! Wow! Now we all lose! My BAD!!!!

Laminin! This is incredible!

2008-05-06T10:16:00.001-05:00

I wish I had a picture that could describe it!

2008-05-05T08:48:00.005-05:00

Sunday was absolutely FULL and incredible! Our band launched their new EPs. One song in particular, "Through Our Hands", will no doubt be an anthem of the future! I promise, as soon as I get digital privileges to this song. I will post it! If you know anyone in the music business, please find a way to get this song out there. It is powerful, thought-provoking, and fire igniting! You will leave this song with the desire to change the world, because of the power within you!

Okay, so that is not all! Yesterday afternoon our church celebrated Baptism! 75+ people touched and changed, FOREVER, by the love of Jesus Christ, were baptized yesterday in front of a standing room only crowd of about 500+ people in our parking lot. But it doesn't end there. Our band performed from an outdoor stage, old and new tunes. The kids had blow-up obstacle courses and trampolines. Our resident Games 2 U truck and trailer had flat screens and video games a plenty. The line of kids never stopped growing toward the dunking booth, that of course I had to participate in. Everyone loved this so much, that by the end we had many many volunteers to get in the dunk tank, rather than throw at the dunk tank. It was awesome...AND it kept me from getting back in it! YES!!!

I am not done yet! The LHC Grill Team had been smoking chicken breast, sausage, and brisket all day and had BBQ galore. Seasoned with grilled beans, potato salad, onions, pickles, bread, iced tea, and cookies!!!! It was phenomenal! Not to forget mentioning that it was 80 degrees and a gorgeous Texas Hill Country DAY! Blessed doesn't even cut it! We at LHC call that...A GOD THING!

As tired as I was beginning to feel, it didn't end there. Our high school ministry piggy-backed this event with our own worship service outside! The band played, the students worshipped, our student minister spoke, the students discussed and communed! What a day! Thank you God for letting me be a part of what YOU are doing! It is truly a gift to be able to do life beside the people of Lake Hills Church!

2008-05-02T16:07:00.002-05:00

Today was incredible. 76 degrees on a cloud free Texas sunshine day. I spent most of today walking the links. However, today we were walking around watching the Champion's Tour Fedex Kinko's Classic. From Fred Funk waving at a little boy and giving him one of his golf balls to amazing bunker shots from former Longhorns Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw. What a day! The best part of the day was being able to hang out with my friends and co-ministers (Alex Alexander, Chris Larsen, Chad Zunker, and Ryan Kelsheimer). We had an absolute blast! I just wish I would have gotten a hat from the Cadillac guerilla warfare crew on my way out. (Especially after I had told them I would at least 5 times while passing by their booth today)

I hope everyone has a great weekend! PS. I am pulling for Fred Funk after watching him be such a hero to a kid today!

One Church // Multiple Locations

2008-04-30T07:53:00.001-05:00

Ministry of Reconciliation

2008-04-26T09:36:00.003-05:00

God inside of us, reaching out through us, to reconcile people to himself.

Would this have been a very exciting proposition without the but? Here is what I mean: Acts 1:7-8 He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

What do you think?

Go Ye Costs

2008-04-23T21:08:00.006-05:00

It is amazing to me what Jesus said it would cost to follow Him. Throughout scripture many things have been mentioned: time, energy, money, talents, mourning time, and life. There are probably many more, but these have stood out to me for the purpose of this blog post. I am also amazed at how expensive it is to put forth a great ministry. Whether you church is mission minded, evangelism minded, mission and evangelism minded, or mission, evangelism, community, and discipleship minded; regardless of what it is...IT COSTS MONEY! I am convinced that it is true, where your heart is, your treasure will be also. Somebody much smarter than I mentioned that once. Because I believe in Jesus. Because I believe in His Church. Because I believe in leaders all over the country. Because I believe in all people who consider themselves Christ Followers. Because I believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit IN US, we have been given a great task and responsibility. We, the Church have been commissioned by Christ to be the hope of the world. Christ in you the hope of Glory!!!

I came across an organization that can help in any major capital campaign for the Church. Take a look at what The Gage Group can help you and your congregation do to GO YE!

Simple Transactions // Taken For Granted

2008-04-19T12:40:00.003-05:00

Here is a post from a friend named Pete Wilson, Pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Nashville, TN.

Grace at Lowe’s? April 19, 2008 • 14 Comments
Yesterday morning I wrote about my desire to be a part of a community in which we attempt to make this world a little more like God intended by our existence.

I ended with a question yesterday that simply said, “What is one thing you can do today that will make this world more like God intended?” I went ahead and answered my own question by saying “Today, I want to extend grace.” Sounded like a good thing, a kind of Christian-like thing to say.

Three hours later I found myself in the checkout line at Lowe’s here in Nashville. The cashier, Gail, was not the quickest cashier in the store. I guess you could say she was down right slow. I knew as I watched her check out the customer in front of me that I was in for an ‘experience’. Then it was my turn.

This poor lady was a disaster. She couldn’t do anything right. She couldn’t find the bar codes. She couldn’t find the prices in her book. When it was time to pay up she couldn’t figure out how to swipe the card. She canceled out my transaction twice and we had to re-scan everything. My first thoughts were, “Are you kidding me. Come on lady, I don’t have time for this. Get with it. How hard can this be?”

Than it hit me…this is it. This is your chance. Extend grace now. I started to think about how difficult her life was. I can’t imagine that in her mid-thirties this was where she thought she would be in life. Is she a single mom? Is she struggling to make it financially and this new job is exactly what she needs? Is she lonely? Is she scared? Is she overwhelmed and having a hard time balancing it all?

The more I questioned myself the more my heart started to soften. For the next 15 minutes (yes, it was actually 15 minutes) I had the opportunity to try to help her pull it together. I tried to make her laugh and assured her that we all have days like this. I tried to calm her down by telling her to take her time and I was in no big rush. I can’t tell you how many times she apologized and commented on how thankful she was for my patience (patience…those of you who know me are laughing right now).

I don’t tell this story to say “Hey, look at me and the good things I’m doing,” but rather to say, when you ask God for opportunities he will deliver. When we commit to allow God to use our lives to make this world a little more like He intended, He will use us.

looking for more opportunities,

pete

Favorite Movies from my 1st 10 Years of Life

2008-04-18T16:41:00.017-05:00

I am afraid this might speak volumes about who I am as a man! Clearly, I wasn't scared enough to let everyone in on it! HAHA!

What movies did you love as a kid?

SillyFull

2008-04-17T14:09:00.005-05:00

Have you ever had a week where really silly things just jump out of your mouth?
We had campus clean up day and to a few members of our staff about Laura Parker sweeping, I said:
"Let Laura Happen"

To Our Creative Media Team about our Summer Camp Intro Video:
"Just throw up a logo and make it dance."

This week we have also been creating a game of LHC Bingo using all of the catch phrases or buzz words that you hear around our organization. Here are just a few:

"Caught behind the 8 ball."

"It's neither here nor there."

"Goodnight Nurse"

"I was born at night, but I wasn't born last night."

"Bandwidth"

"Does that scale?"

"Sweet Brown Sugar"

"The fact of the matter is"

Our Pastor about a service with low attendance: "It's like a friendship circle"

Does your organization, team, or family have any of these awesome phrases? If so, I would love to hear them.

Is it Really Loss?

2008-04-17T12:50:00.004-05:00

I have just began reading a book by A.W. Tozer entitled "The Pursuit of God." Our Pastor of Spiritual Development Chris Larsen gave it to me from his collection after I had asked him for a recommendation. I am only finished with Chapter 1, so it must be good if I am blogging about it! HAHAHA!

I wanted to quote this book, because it made me think about how we view LOSS? Especially loss as it pertains to Philippians 3:8. In this verse it references loss for the sake of knowing Jesus. Here is what Tozer says:

When the Lord divided Canaan among the tribes of Israel, Levi received no share of the land. God said to him simply, "I am thy part and thine inheritance," and by those words made him richer than all his brethren, richer than all kings and ragas who have ever lived in the world. And there is a spiritual principle here, a principle still valid for every priest of the Most High God

The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight. Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it purely, legitimately and forever.

As you think about your life, think about change, loss, gain... Has it been scarcely felt as loss? Does your delight, appreciation, and awe grow in your Lord?

Is God Calling You?

2008-04-12T14:53:00.004-05:00

Philippians 3:13-14

3Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I am becoming more and more passionate about seeing, encouraging, and helping others to discover this for their life. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. The hope, healing, and love of Jesus Christ is the purpose for which we have been called heavenward. It is in all people, some choose it and some do not.

I believe that as the Body of Christ we have been given specific talents, personalities, positions, and areas of the globe in which we can choose to be an influence in. Will you choose to be an influence of hate or of indifference or of love. When 1 person comes to know and accept the love of Christ in their life, all of eternity celebrates and so as Christ followers, we do also. I also believe that God has specifically called each of us heavenward in Christ Jesus. "I press on toward the goal" is a call to look towards God's heart and purpose for our lives. I believe with everything that I am that we all have eternity in our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

As N.T. Wright's notion in Simply Christian: we are a people, all of us, that are looking for a world put to rights.

In another book, The Irresistable Revolution by Shane Claiborne, a conversation between men about a prayer to God. Shane writes about two men discussing why God allows all this poverty and war and suffering to exist and one man admits that he is afraid to ask God that question because he thinks God will reply with the same question. The Spirit whispers back “You tell me why we allow this to happen. You are my body, my hands, my feet.”

Eternity also celebrates when 1 person discovers who God has called them to be, for the purpose in which Christ has called us heavenward. You may indeed believe in God, but God more importantly believes in you! Will you be who He has called you to be?

One God - One Heart - My Heart - Our Heart!

Did this surprise you? It gave me chills!

2008-04-10T09:17:00.002-05:00

Tears of the Saints by Leeland

2008-04-07T10:09:00.000-05:00

There are many prodigal sons
On our city streets they run
Searching for shelter
There are homes broken down
People’s hopes have fallen to the ground
From failures

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

There are schools full of hatred
Even churches have forsaken
Love and mercy
May we see this generation
In it’s state of desperation
For Your glory

This is an emergency!

Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!

And all Your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

How many times do you find yourself?

2008-04-06T07:35:00.005-05:00

Friday night I attended a concert at the Frank Erwin Center and something really stirred in me that night. I strongly believe that the Holy Spirit of God really wants me to infuse this message into all who will hear it. From 3am to 7am, I began to write down many thoughts that seem to have been pierced on my heart. This message is for our kids, for our brothers, for our parents, for our friends, for our Pastors, and for all of those people that we pray for every day. Let's pray for ourselves:

How is your relationship with God?

Does it come and go with the people around you and their faith?

Does it come and go with a good message from your pastor?

Does it fade like the music you just heard on your iPod?

Or is it yours?

Are your arms wrapped around Jesus?

In your prayers, in God's word, in your thoughts, in your prayers, in your personality, in your gifts, in your talents, in your time, in your Church, in your money, in your dating relationships, in your marriage, in your work...

As I think about Overflow, I think about how Life flows from the source. What is your source? Do you want it to infiltrate all of the areas of your life? Or do you want the areas of your life to determine your faith?

How many times do you find yourself? Living the faith of others...

Preparation, preparation, preparation!

2008-04-04T11:36:00.002-05:00

Road Trip 2008 is our High School Ministries week-long expedition to Copper Mountain, CO. Roughly 150 students will load up buses on June 15, departing from Lake Hills Church in Austin, TX to make the long journey. There are so many moving pieces to a trip like this. It is all about preparation and it is all about asking the hard questions of how do we handle this, if this should come up kind of scenarios. We travel with a large number of adults. Here is a list:

Registration Crew - 15 incredibly patient and service minded parents.

Band- 3 Singers, 1 lead guitar, 1 keys player, 1 drummer, and some other instrumentalists.

Productions- 1 sound technician, 1 lighting, and 1 CG.

Pastor- One amazing Pastor Mac Richard.

Small Group Leaders- Rising upwards toward 20 sponsors and more.

Security Team - 3 adult parents that come to ensure the safety of all of our students.

Hospitality Team - 4 parents that run our camp store and provide lunches to each room.

Registered Nurse/EMT/Doctor - 1 Camp expert on health

Bus Captains - Well, I think this is the hardest one of them all!

Now for the questions of booking activities, scheduling conflicts, renting sound, video, and lighting equipment. Promotions using t-shirts, stickers, bags, hand outs, mailers, name-tags, camp books, etc. Writing talks, quiet times, camp resources. Planning worship sets, intro videos, backgrounds, lighting designs, and much much more. If it sounds like we have a lot of people going with us to support the camp, it is because of this one reason. WE WANT OUR ENTIRE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FOCUSED ON THE SPIRITUAL WELL BEING OF THE STUDENTS THIS WEEK. Since everything is spiritual, we can minimize distractions by having better plans and more people to execute those plans. If you are planning a trip like this, here are just a few ideas to think about when planning your trip. If you have a larger group going, I applaud your efforts. If you have a smaller group going, I applaud your efforts. And if you have any suggestions or questions. Our staff would love to hear both!

Thanks God, that sure is inconvenient!

2008-04-03T09:43:00.000-05:00

Do you ever feel like that? When you are scouring scripture, digging deep with your Lord, just you and Him getting serious with one another and then He seems to tell you something completely inconvenient to how you live your life!

HAHA! Okay, so I realize the title of this blog entry is a bit over the top, but that is okay. Today, I read this passage of scripture from Philippians 2:14-16.

Here it is:
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

I can kind of get my arms around the last part of this passage. I can get the fact that I do not want my efforts to come up empty and void. I want my sweat, blood, and tears to count for something! After all what's the point, if it doesn't.

ONE QUESTION:

Have you gone 1 day lately without an argument or at some point whining just a smidge?

If you have, you are a lot farther along than I am! A matter of fact, I enjoy the fight (at times). And now, I am trying to get more choosey in my battles. And I am certainly praying and trying even harder to have more grace flow through my battles than I would normally. So, can you see how this verse would completely feel inconvenient to me.

Is there a verse like this in your life?

PS- And I must do it! Why? Because Jesus Christ is my LORD! No one else has done more than he has for me, but I will do it not because of what He does, but because of WHO HE IS!

I love You, Kosuke Fukudome!

2008-03-31T17:23:00.000-05:00

TODAY IS OPENING DAY! Yes, amidst all of the hoopla and attention drawn towards March Madness, it is easy to forget about America's Favorite Pastime. As a die-hard, life-long, crappy year enduring, billy-goat hating, Steve Bartman forgiving, forever hopeful, Wrigley going, and loveable Chicago Cubs fan; I love opening DAY!

Kosuke Fukudome (pronounced Kas-kay FooKooDohmay) is my new Cubs hero! His first pitch as a cub was lined to center field for a double. His second at bat he walks. Third at bat he lines a base hit to center field. UNSTINKINBELIEVABLE. His 4th at bat. The Cubs have just gone down 0-3 when Kerry Wood gave up 3 runs in the top of the ninth. Bottom of the ninth, lead off base hit, 2nd batter walks. 2 men on (1st and 2nd) and Kosuke Fukudome goes up on the pitcher with a 3-0 count. Can you feel the excitement?.............

CRACK!!!!

HE FLIPPIN BELTS ONE OVER THE DEEP RIGHT CENTER WALL> Just over the basket above ivey at the cold and wet Wrigley Field. WELCOME TO THE CHICAGO CUBS KOSUKE FUKUDOME!

Will this be the year? I'd love to hear what you think.

That's Just Funny // I don't care who Y'are!

2008-03-31T16:38:00.000-05:00

Songs of Our Heart

2008-03-29T22:58:00.000-05:00

I am amazed at how much power an encouraging word has in our lives! This weekend I had an opportunity to spend time with former teammates, coaches, and friends. In the midst of a dinner with these friends, I briefly checked my email to find a note from a mentor/leader. The email was a note imploring those who received the email to live a life above reproach. Now, I love this, because I work hard to live this way. And I too, have skeletons in my closet like the best of them. It has often been said of great leaders before us. Chief leader = chief sinner. The best among them. After reading this email, I spent some time reflecting on my life, my challenges, my failures, my falls, and my successes.

Here is what I came to! When I spend my life worrying about what I shouldn't do, I fail and I fall, because I am focused truly on failing. My mind, my thoughts, and my actions become my fears. I fall miserably. This reminds me of the kind of leader I never want to be. My prayer is that the voice, message, and mission is so evidently carried on my heart and my sleeve that all who see me, become enchanted and inspired to get on board. I succeed when my whole live and being is centered and focused on Jesus. When my heart is focused on His mission...a mission of love and beauty and hope. My prayer is that the song of my heart can be an inspiration to many to live to the fullest. Because that is what I am given, because of who Jesus is in my life. I am going to finish this blog with a song that blasted my heart and soul with a shot of adrenaline. To be on mission and to forget about failure. That is what it means to be above reproach.

The Blessing // John Waller

Let it be said of us

while we walked along the living

Let it be said of us

by the one's we leave behind

Let it be said of us

that we lived to be a blessing for life.

Let it be said of us

that we give to reach the dying

Let it be said of us

by the fruit we leave behind

Let it be said of us

that our legacy is blessing for life

This day, you set life

you set death right before us.

This day, every blessing

and curse is a choice now.

And we will

choose to be a blessing for life.

Let it be said of us

that our hearts belong to Jesus

Let it be said of us

that we spoke the words of life

Let it be said of us

that our heritage is blessing for life.

This day, you set life

you set death right before us

This day, every blessing

and curse is a choice now

Everyday we choose

to be a blessing for life.

For your Kingdom

For our children

For the sake of every nation.

For your Kingdom

For our children

For the sake of every nation.

We will choose to be a blessing for life!

I Now Like Jim Rome!!!

2008-03-26T16:06:00.000-05:00

I found this quote off of my friend Joey's facebook page. Jim Rome has finally said what we have all been thinking.

""TU" is not funny. It is not insulting. It is dumb. Just imagine if folks from Texas kept talking about M&A and giggling. That would not be funny. In fact, it would be retarded. That's why UT fans don't do it. Please learn. You want to lose the image of country bumpkins? Of a people fond of sheep? Of a people that aren't stupid? Then quit building things that fall down. Quit chasing cheerleaders around with swords on national TV. Quit whooping in church. Quit whooping period. Quit putting up scoreboards for the enjoyment of dead mammals. Quit spending your Friday nights practicing how to yell."
-Jim Rome-

This is going to hurt...very soon!

2008-03-26T13:49:00.000-05:00

Are you taking enough risks?

Leadership and Indignation...Selah!

2008-03-24T22:11:00.000-05:00

Amazing Grace (How sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

These words that were written by John Newton are just as loud today as the day that John wrote them, thought about them, experienced them. Selah! This is a word meaning stop and listen. This word is similar to that of Amen which means to let it be. So today, for a few moments. You and I. Together. Let's Selah. Let's learn from our brother's past.

Has God placed eternity in your heart? Are you using what he has placed in your hand for what he has placed in your heart? No matter what the circumstances are you BEING who God has called you to be?

Amazing grace, what a song. And today for me, what a movie. William Wilberforce literally became sick from having such a heavy hearted and difficult task to accomplish. His task, his calling was to abolish the slave trade that threatened hundreds of thousands of lives. He surrounded himself with people that helped his journey, his calling...they even helped him find it and they even helped him keep it. The thing that I kept coming back to during this movie was, "why does he continue if it is making him sick?" I think the answer is, he can't help but do it. It is in him. His heart for these people, these souls, these friends, these slaves was far bigger, greater, and relentless than the disease that was trying to hold him down. Isn't that in fact a great picture of freedom from bondage?

Because 1 man overcame sickness from overwork and stress. Millions have dignity, life, and freedom. Thank you William Wilberforce for overcoming sickness. Thank you John Newton for writing Amazing Grace, for sharing Jesus with William Wilberforce and for showing him what changed your life! Because of their indignation we see a different world.

Because 1 man didn't have a place to lay His head.

Because 1 man came to seek and save the lost.

Because 1 man loved others more than his comfort.

Because 1 man loved when others hated.

Because the enemy couldn't defeat him, death couldn't keep him, and the tomb couldn't hold him! We are FREE! Let me ask you, is it worth the fight? Is it worth the uncomfort? Is it worth the pain? If it is, if he is? What are you waiting for? We have work to do!

I love Hot Pockets!

2008-03-22T11:59:00.001-05:00

The Oaks

2008-03-19T16:31:00.000-05:00

Many of us have marveled over the idea of having a brotherhood or a group of guys that would truly be men of faith. To be a part of group of guys who would wrestle, argue, discuss, and mull over the scriptures and over life. Well, the past few weeks have been a work in progress for a few of us. My friends have decided that we would take a step in that direction. Here is that first step:

One friend suggested that we should call our group "The Oaks". A group of men named the "Inklings" (C.S. Lewis, J.R.R Tolkien, etc.) had an incredibly profound impact on our world, our culture, and our media and we would love to offer the same. The idea of "The Oaks" came from the passage of scripture listed below. Do you have such a group or would you like one?

Isaiah 61

The Year of the LORD's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^[a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations

Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner, saved by Your grace.

2008-03-15T10:32:00.000-05:00

The Jesus Prayer. This short, concise, and repetitive prayer first written as a journey of concentrated prayer is one of the most powerful and sometimes forgotten postures of our faith. This prayer came out of a 19th century Russian work entitled in English, "The Way of a Pilgrim." (Wikipedia must get credit for this research). HAHA!

Okay, so I am beginning to study and look around at different arenas of Christianity, their history, their differences and how we got here. What I am finding is that what we do as a church or as leaders of the church can sometimes take us in directions that lead us to JESUS or away from Him. It has gone on for centuries. Now, this work was written by an anonymous author who while traveling across the country studied the Philokalia and practiced the Jesus Prayer devoutly. The author struggles through his own faith, through his leadership and influence on others. It fables the life of Jesus and the struggle of Orthodox Christianity. Well then, most of us have come along way since these times. Probably not by our own accord, but through people who have written works and struggled spiritually and put to written form their own struggles and wrestlings with scripture and the church. And now today I struggle with the fact that I do not pray a Jesus Prayer enough!

As I grow as a leader and seek God and His word, all to often it is for nuggets to teach on. I feel that sometimes I scour scripture to learn more about teaching, to learn how to lead, to defend a way that I believe in. Are these wrong? Probably not. But I do think that I can and sometimes do forget the core for why any of it even matters.

It is the Jesus Prayer that matters. It is Jesus. It is only Jesus, and me on my knees crying out to Him, with a posture of desperation. I don't know how many times this week I have owned my sinner(ness) or how many times this week I have claimed Jesus as Lord or how many times I have remembered sincerely that He died for US! Not me, but US! All of us. I feel convicted that this should be my prayer to begin everyday. I prayer of confession and a prayer of thanksgiving as I remember why I even get to do what I do. As I remember that God gives amazing gifts and the greatest of all, Lord Jesus, the Son of the Living God.

Question: I know that for those of you in ministry, your job is PEOPLE! Have you taken a moment today to realize that you are PEOPLE?

Mobile Loaves and Satellites

2008-03-14T20:19:00.000-05:00

The month of March has been a whirlwind for our church and it is only just beginning! A few weeks ago, our downtown satellite campus ministry was unveiled to the whole church. Now, Lake Hills Church will exist in 2 places at the same time, with same vision of redefining church for the city of Austin and beyond.

You can check out more information about LHC Downtown by clicking on the link.

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On Wednesday night, I was blessed with the opportunity to participate and be trained for one of LHC's newest ministries. Mobile Loaves & Fishes is going to be a ground shaking ministry that God will use to affect our city and our people. Over 400 people have already signed up in providing food, clothing, and dignity to our brothers and sisters in need. God has already begun a work in our people to become His hands and feet in this city. Please pray for God's vision and direction to be solidified and carried into the next phases of these ministries.

Times are exciting and it won't stop there. The Church Super Bowl itself is only one week away. Easter 2008. Nothing we do matters, without EASTER! 5 Services! 2 on Friday night and 3 on Sunday morning. It is a fully packed month! Check your engines! Are you Ready?

Yes, I VOTE!

2008-03-12T22:10:00.000-05:00

I know what you are thinking... Well, start your laughing engines now. I VOTE every week for who I think is the best in AMERICAN IDOL. HAHA! Here are my favorite 2 contestants! Both of which I have voted for in the past 2 weeks.

Jason Castro

Brooke White

"ANew" Appreciation

2008-03-10T12:18:00.000-05:00

This weekend is a first for me. I really enjoyed a remake of an old school hymn. The song was "Jesus Paid It All." This new rendition of the tune is by Kristian Stanfill who I just happened to have seen live at Passion in Dallas.

I HAVE A CONFESSION! Hymns, typically do not do it for me. I was not saved until I was in college, but I grew up attending a small town Methodist Church in Iowa. Pipe organs, hymnals, robes, choirs, and a lot of food were very common in my days there. I have some great memories and some not so great ones. I surrounded myself in church life as my choice and I did not get it until college. It took awhile for the message to sink in...I am just that thick! I have even fought Christians for the way they do church, because I felt it just wasn't working. The answer is, it works and it doesn't. AS A LEADER, you must seek God to find what WORKS in your setting, in your circumstances, with your people, and you have no choice, but to do what God tells you that you need to do.

Now, for the last 5 years of my NEW LIFE, I have attributed much of my leadings to Christ through music and a way of worship that was different than that of what I grew up seeing, living, and singing. Today, I am seeking a deeper appreciation for those that have come before us. I started to research some hymns and of course got on iTunes to find some updated versions. For some reason, this song (rendition by Jars of Clay) hit me like a 2x4 across the forehead.

Question: Is this you?

They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love (Peter Scholtes)

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

And we pray that our unity will one day be restored

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side

And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Fun Quotient

2008-03-07T10:55:00.000-06:00

I seriously lack fun in my life. I took some time this morning to reminisce over my life, how it has changed for the better and how it has changed for the worse. I have realized that what I have done is squelched my favorite activities. I am running with people that don't enjoy what I enjoy. And vice versa. Why would I do that? For their sake and for mine, why have I done this to them and me? HAHA!

My main questions are these: Am I trying to gain approval from other people? In that case, have you done this or find yourself doing this? I would love to hear anyone's response.

Candy Machines and Lines of Kiddos

2008-03-03T19:18:00.000-06:00

Okay. This quite possibly might be my worst moment ever as a human being. My awakening to the fact of the fall of man, the depravity of Dan, and much worse. Saturday night we took some high school students to the "Mega Fun" Main Event. 7 of us played a round of miniature golf under some backlights and Kirk will probably not admit this, so I will...I beat him by 1 stroke.

Oh yeah.

Since everyone was exhausted and starving from a long and enduring 18 hole round of golf. We hit up the Main Street Cafe there at Main Event for some grub. Kerra Gentzel ordered some popcorn chicken, which I am sure was great, but came out after everyone was finished eating. I am convinced that there is not a lot of things that are worse than watching other people eat while you are sitting there peckish. Ummm. Yeah, I just looked up another word for starving. Thesaurus.com. Who knew?

Okay, so let's get to the meat of this story. Following our din time. We scattered about and started playing games. I bought a $10 card to play games with and went on my way. First of all, my job is to hang out with high school students. SO....the first thing I did, was abandon the high school students.

Next, I found myself at a candy machine game. The object of the game is to drop down the crane, pick up a piece of candy with the crane, and then drop the candy into a slot where other pieces reside. In this slot there is a sliding board going in and out towards and away from the candy. The idea is that you drop a piece of candy in and it will then put the rest off and into my hands.

Okay. So if you did not understand the game. Get out of your house and go have some fun! We are all kids at heart! LET YOURS OUT>

-----------------Time Out-------

I am a very competitive person.

------------Game On------

I stood at this game for about 20 minutes, spent about $6 ($.25) per play. I accumulated 3 pieces of mini candybars into the slot, but still none would fall. I really felt like I was making some progress when I so rudely became interrupted.

From a few steps behind me, the words of a mom chime, "Hey guys, I will just have to go buy you some candy, because this guy is clearly never going to let you play this game." HAHAHAHA! WHAT! WOW! I just got called out by a mom with 2 little toddlers standing behind me. This is quite possibly one of the most confrontational moments I have ever experienced in my own mind. My first thoughts, "Back off lady, I have been working really hard to get this piece of candy." My second thought, "Dan, this is a place for kids and you are hogging the game." Whoa jeez! This is quite the dilemma.

I stood there...

...staring at my progess

...and considering my options.

...I sighed

And I walked away from the game. (Defeated)

HAHAHA! Isn't this story pathetic.

Here is where it gets good. I returned to the game a while later (bout a minute and a half). They must have given it one shot and lost and left. So I was BACK IN THE GAME! YES! I decided that I needed to go for a regular size candy bar in the game in order to knock the others off and into my hands. About $3 later and my feat was accomplished.

Here are the results:

About 45 minutes

An angry mom

Disappointed kids

Lost high school students

And Dan (with 3 miniature sized candy bars)

I'll let you decided on whether or not it was worth it! HAHA!

4 Years Ago Today

2008-02-29T09:36:00.001-06:00

I will never forget what happened 4 years ago on this very day. It was the most life altering day of my life. By far the most significant in my 27 (almost 28 year life). On February 29th, 2004 I was baptized in a hot tub belonging to a Lake Hills Church member. It was an overcast day, with a few spots of sunshine, but all in all a bit chilly. There were many of us. New believers, long-time church goers (the non-commitals, hahaha), and many spectators surrounding the pool and hot tub that day. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was extremely emotional. After all Jesus Christ was, is, and will be the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.

That day, all of me died! Literally. From the moment I was raised up out of the water, my life would never be the same. As I stepped out of the hot tub and into the brisk air, I grabbed the towel that was being handed to me and headed straight for an inconspicuous corner of the property (behind a cabana and at the corner of a fence), where I completely lost it. As I began weeping with grief, sorrow, and joy I knew that my life was completely different. I had committed to Christ as He had already fully committed to me almost 2000 years prior. I couldn't help but think about what had happened, where I had come, and how I had gotten there.

As the tears began to subside, I knew that I had to return to the group and watch my new friends, brothers, and sisters as they entered the water. As I turned around an older woman approached me and smiled. "Isn't this a great day?" She asked. "I don't think it could get any better." I responded.

I remembered thinking that this must be the end of the conversation. Not a whole lot of other things were needing to be said. After all, I did not even know this woman and she sure doesn't know me.

"I have seen and witnessed thousands of these during my time." She said gently. "And yours...yours was different." She said with a really big smile on her face.

I smiled back at that woman as she turned to go back to the crowd. A few of my friends spotted me and ran up to begin congratulating me on the day and on my commitment to baptism.

I remember that day like it was yesterday.

Four years later, I still think about that older woman. I have since that day become very involved in our church, through volunteering to set-up mobile-church, to middle school small group facilitating, to interning, and now as a full-time staff member on the high school ministry team. I believe God can do and say things in and through just about anyone or anything. And today, I believe in Angels, because today I remember a day of commitment, a day of change, and a day of a woman that I have seen once and never after.

God fuels, restores, and redeems me daily. And I will wake up tomorrow, like I did today and I will praise His name and I will remember forever...Leap Year Day of 2004.

Problem AND the Solution?

2008-02-25T21:48:00.000-06:00

It is interesting to me when God starts to begin conversations with us. Right now as I begin this blog, I am sitting in front of the TV. I am watching in HD the Texas vs. Kansas State basketball game. There is 5:47 left to go in the game and Texas leads 57-52. What a strange time to begin a blog and to begin thinking about something so crazy...

As a fan and alum of the Longhorns, I find it interesting that even these thoughts could pull me partially away from the television. God must be wanting to teach something that is more important than basketball. HAHA! I apologize to all of you basketball fans, but believe me I am surprised at this as much as you are.

Okay, so here it goes!

It has become very clear to me over the past few years that we (the human race) have gotten ourselves into a mess. We love to chart out own course often times to our own demise. And then in the middle of the demise, we like to point at God or blame him for our current state. There is no doubt that my whole life has been more about promoting myself than promoting others. Where the heck does this come from?

Or even better yet I have found myself even as a Christ follower reading the scriptures and thinking to myself. Dang, so-and-so really needs to read this or hear about this particular passage. HAHA! What? I am spending personal time with God, often praying that His Spirit, the Holy one would begin to transform my broken life, purge it and clean it for a better human. Even in this time of trying to draw closer to God, I start thinking about how I can change someone else or how someone else is falling short of the Glory of God. It must be my job to tell them. WOW! Tough job! Any thoughts on that?

Okay, so here is what I am working through right now in my faith. To illustrate what I am praying about and trudging through the scriptures to learn about; here is a couple of quotes from one of my favorites, C.S. Lewis:

Are we the problem?

"Let's pray that the human race never escapes from Earth to spread its iniquity elsewhere."

Okay, so I truly believe that misery does love company. Most of us can't argue with how we like to "1-up" people in our stories of hurt, habits, and hang ups. Often times to the extent that we seem to brag about it. Now, this doesn't happen all the time. As I would like to propose the opposite spectrum.

Are we the solution?

"God seems to do nothing of Himself which He can possibly delegate to His creatures. He commands us to do slowly and blunderingly what He could do perfectly and in the twinkling of an eye."

Okay, so before I get to what I am thinking about this, I want to state very clearly what I believe.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way and solution to our contagious problem and poison known as sin. He death on the cross subdued sin, paying it's rightful penalty. And here is where it gets fun and fries a circuit in my intellect.

Jesus Christ overcame death not only for His fame of being bigger than sin and death itself, but to empower and give the solution back to us. What? How flippin hard is that? You mean he wants me to help Him repair, restore, and reconcile our brokenness even in the midst of our own filth?

Whoa? I get myself into some deep waters at times, but I may have bitten off more than I can chew in this one. And that my friend...is what keeps me on my knees.

Please post a comment! I would love to hear what you have to say about this. What you think or a place I can research more about this to grow more in this arena.

I love y'all and I pray that God changes you so much that you cannot possibly hold out in changing and loving the world around you.

And now. As I come to a close on this one. The game also comes to a close. Hook 'Em Horns! Horns win 74-65!

C3 // Bishop T.D. Jakes

2008-02-22T10:40:00.000-06:00

Churches have personalities and they get that personality from their leader. People watch what preachers do not only listen to what they say.

It is anything, but simple. Even Jesus' closest disciples did not understand him fully. They walked closely and listened carefully. Jesus was concerned with overthrowing Satan and not overthrowing Caesar.

The cost of leadership is conflicts. This is not a controversy between Christ and the world, it is between Christ and the Church. Luke 24:13-21

If only we could just see him clearly and what he is up to. If only we could see what Jesus is teaching us when he is teaching us. We want to conquer our day, make a difference in our ministry, grow our relationships, and all with having no problems and unbelievable happiness.

Pishop Jakes points out that all throughout scripture God has done these 4 things to all characters in which He uses in His story. Sometimes the cycle is repeated.

Take, Bless, Break, Give:

*Moses was taken out of the river, he was blessed in the house of Pharoah, he was broken in the desert, and was given leadership over the nation of Israel.

**Josheph was taken away and sold as a slave, he was blessed in the house of Potiphar, he was broken in prison, and was given title of Prince of Egypt.

***Jesus was taken from a virgin woman, he was blessed with the teaching and ministering of miracles, he was broken on Calvary, and God gave him to be Savior, Lord of lords and King of kings.

Where are you among these stages? How have you seen God play these out in your life? And are you praising God, because the break stage is actually a bless stage.

C3 // Tommy Barnett

2008-02-22T09:18:00.000-06:00

In a conference of Pastors, many visions, and many denominations...Tommy Barnett's first comment is that we come together, not for denominations, but to be united by One thing. By our God, my God...Jesus Christ.

A prayer for many: Lord, don't give me thousands of people to share your love with, but Lord give me 1 person. Just 1 person that might believe in your wonder, in your power, in your redemption and healing, and in your saving grace. Give me 1 person that I may share the Gospel with and that they may be saved.

"Wanting to Quit":

1. Wanting to quit is a sign of success

2. The more you have to quit, the more you want to quit. (the higher you go, the more riskier, harder, more impactful, and lonier it becomes)

3. You can enjoy the luxury of wanting to quit, if you know you're not going to quit.

It is not wrong to want to quit, but quitting is another story. I am sure many have wanted to quit a job, quit a sport, quit a cause, quit a marriage, quit a relationship, quit a church, quit on God...

But quitting is another story. As I think about Jesus, I think about what He knew. I think about the story that He came to earth to play out. I think about the circumstances and the culture of justice and religiosity. In the the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed a prayer of wanting to quit. "Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Jesus wanted to quit, but quitting was another story.

How do you keep from quitting?

1. Burn the bridges behind you. (let the baggage go)

2. Don't tell anyone you want to quit when you want to quit.

3. Do not expose yourself to what you don't want to be.

4. Lock yourself in, so that you cannot quit.

Appreciation and Inspiration

2008-02-21T13:09:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been a part of a good team? You know... The kind of team that everyone seems to pull each other up and more together. The team that celebrates the W's and mourns the losses together. They don't point fingers, but they endure all things together. I have been a part of several teams throughout my lifetime. Successful in a myriad of ways.

Right now. Without going any further with this Blog entry. I want to say thank you to the people I love...my teammates! They make it fun to come to work, they inspire me to be better (inside and out), and they are always, always finding ways to SPUR each other on towards love and good deeds. Something, someone much smarter than I encourages us all to do.

Major props to my teammates. KIRK GENTZEL, MATT WILLIAMS, ALEX ALEXANDER, GINA JACKSON, and JASON JOHNSON.

Mighty to Save

2008-02-18T00:21:00.000-06:00

"Yes, Lord"

2008-02-17T23:19:00.000-06:00

This weekend was absolutely incredible. Almost 3 days, 2 nights, a lot of driving, and a lot of rain; Passion '08 in Dallas, TX was a life-changing experience. It is amazing to me that 6000+ students, mostly college, from the southern region of the United States would come to shout praises to their God. They came to be renewed by a vision of following Jesus, challenged by mentors to become "Change" on their campus. Students gathered to pray for the healing of broken campuses all over the world, to give away money, clothes, towels, and socks for people who are desperate for them.

I am blown away by the fact college students are typically not very wealthy, most don't have a whole lot of extra laying around. But this weekend, I witnessed that it doesn't matter. The clothes off of their backs and the clothes for tomorrow were eagerly given away when it meant helping, restoring, and providing for peers who had lost everything in a tornado that wiped out their dorms and college campus. Union University students miraculously made out unscathed as their entire campus was destroyed by the tornado. These students at Passion responded without any preparation, without being told ahead of time that there was a need. They gave because when people hurt and when people need, there is God. And so there we should be also!

So what I have learned this weekend is that no matter what the need, no matter what the hurt, now matter what pieces are scattered, no matter what the circumstance...when God's heart calls out to your's and to mine; our response should be simple. "Yes, Lord." We want our hearts to be God's heart, we want our purpose to be God's purpose. We want these things because the name of Jesus has changed us. We are and have always been "the problem" and yet our Father chooses to USE US to be the SOLUTION to the problem, our problem. God's power heals, it changes, Jesus loves with compassion for the sick, His Holy Spirit fulfills and completes, and we raise His name above everything and we do it by simply saying, "Yes, Lord." Isaiah 26:8