Jars of Clay is Coming to Immanuel

That's right! The Christian Band Jars of Clay is going to be at Immanuel on October 11th. Make plans to be here that night. It is going to be a great opportunity to worship together with one of Christian Music's greatest bands. I've put in a clip of one of their live worship concerts. Check it out!

The Greatest "Job?" Ever

I can't believe God allows me to do what I do on a full-time basis. I get to work with the greatest people daily, I have an awesome choir and orchestra that make me look good, and I get to tell people about Jesus. Today, I had the honor of making hospital visits. I went by one of the retirement homes and visited with one lady. She couldn't talk due to her condition, but she could give me hand motions and I could read her lips (most of the time). As I finished praying with her, she gripped my hand and wouldn't let go. She just laid there smiling at me and squeezing my hand. She didn't have to be able to talk for me to understand. She was just so appreciative that I had come and taken the time to pray with her.

Witnessing our prayer time together was this lady's roommate. I met and talked with her, as well, and told her about Jesus. She began to cry when talking about her family and how she has no one to visit her. But, she got a thrill out of the fact that I was paying her some attention.

I have opportunities all around me to tell people about Jesus. I've got to be more sensitive to the open doors the Lord constantly presents me with. I have the answer to all of their problems - I can't keep it to myself.

Chasing Dreams

I've blogged recently about our view of God. Our view is shaped by how close we are to Him. Just to clarify, think about how objects appear smaller the farther away we are. We can't truly touch it, examine it, or understand it until we are up close to it. And when we're close to that object we can finally attest to the size of it. It's the same with God. We can't truly know Him for Who He really is unless we're up close to Him. And as a dreamer, that is when our dreams take flight. As Mark Batterson puts it, our dreams will never be bigger than our view of God.

I've got a huge dream that I've been living with since childhood. However, I never believed in it until I grew closer to the Lord. I've always dreamed of being a song writer and having something published. Now, I know, many of you out there have already lived out that dream. But, to me it is one of those intangibles. One of those dreams I believed I'd be chasing for a life time. I might still be. However, I'm taking a big step today towards seeing that dream lived out.

I'm pitching three songs today to a publisher. It's a weird feeling putting yourself out there. But, what do I have to lose. If they reject all of them, I'm no further away from being published than I was. (At least that's what I keep telling myself.) So, we'll wait and see what happens. Hopefully I won't receive that letter that says "don't call us, we'll call you". That wouldn't be good.

Lisa's Song

Anne Johnston-Brown, just one of many of our awesome Immanuel Choir members, recently wrote a song called We'll Be Alright, dedicated to Lisa Lyons . Lisa, our Outreach Productions Coordinator here on our Worship Staff, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is facing chemo, beginning this Friday, and possible surgery later this year. We're trusting God with this one, and we know He loves Lisa far more than any of us possibly could. Trust His hand!

Anne has also given this song another title that I like even better, Lisa's Song. Check out the music video she made for it below. We love 'ya, Lisa!

Sunday Night Rewind

- Our Pastor preached an incredible message out of John tonight.
- We had a lady share her testimony about how God delivered her from the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses and saved her. She now is coming to Immanuel and is interested in starting a ministry to bring people out of the cult religions and into a relationship with Christ.
- I am exhausted. Come Sunday night, I have very little left. Whew...long days.
- Praise Team auditions are next Sunday.
- I am leading worship at a funeral tomorrow. Old Rugged Cross - Amazing Grace. I've never heard those at a funeral before (just kidding).
- We're praying about a television ministry. Our own, that is. Pray that the Lord gives us direction. I met with the finance committee this afternoon concerning the possibilities. We don't want to go on tv just for the sake of being on tv. We want it to be a ministry that's worth the time and expense.
- Frank Salgado was back at church this morning. Frank had a major heart attack a couple of weeks ago. His comments to the choir this morning? - "Thank you for your prayers. All I have to say is....My God is a Mountain Mover!"

UFC 7/7/07

Tonight's UFC is definitely lives up to its name - it is STACKED. I have watched one fight and it was off the hook. The second fight is going on right now - I have it paused - I love TIVO. Going now to watch the rest. I just had to post - I love the UFC.

I'm Melting, I'm Melting.........

Okay, it is just flat out hot. I don't care if it's summer. I don't care if it's Southern California. I don't even care that it is a dry heat. At some point - hot is hot. With the heat comes the concern of electric bills going way too high. This in mind, we went out and bought a tower fan today. It is really cool. We found this thing on sale, and it has a remote control, a temp control, a timer....anyway, it is awesome. Ahhhhhh, finally cooling down. I think I'll go now and just lay in front of it.

Twice as Nice?

One of the issues we are facing as a choir is that God has been blessing us to such extremes that we've outgrown our current rehearsal facility. Leading up to the summer, the room has been packed out...and when I say packed out, I mean packed out! What a great problem to have. Every rehearsal is high on energy and that makes for an incredible worship experience. We are praying that the Lord will carry this momentum over into the fall. However, with this comes a need to create a solution.

We are seriously considering creating a second rehearsal time. Sunday afternoon seems to be the obvious solution. I'm thinking that those involved in other Wednesday night activities that keep them from participating in rehearsals may be free to attend a Sunday afternoon rehearsal. It may also lend itself to be more convenient for some of those currently attending Wednesday night. The chance we take is in diminishing the energy level and excitement of Wednesday's rehearsals.

Part of being a leader is making those decisions that have the potential for both success and failure. That's my role, so it is ultimately my call. I'm totally trusting God on this one!

Crazy List

Here's another list of things that are on my mind right now:

1) I absolutely love our Pastor and the direction he is leading us. (Pastor, you owe me $20 for that one.)
2) Ella figured out how to get her hand into her diaper. I found this out today when I picked her up and she put her hands on my face. Not a good moment.
3) I'm finding out everyday just how amazing God is.
4) Jody's cousin, Josh, is coming out to visit the beginning of August. I'm taking him surfing. Neither of us have ever been. If I survive, I'll give you the details.
5) A friend of mine, Matt Hall, has seen 14 people join the church that he pastors and 4 saved in the past 2 weeks. Praise the Lord!
6) I serve the most amazing church on the planet.
7) My dad just sent me an autographed book by Sonny West. Sonny was the bodyguard for Elvis Presley. Elvis fired him. How much might that go for on EBay? Hmmmmmmm.
8) I am sending in an application to be on ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER. I figure even if I only win 5-10 thousand, that is more than what I have in my bank account right now anyway. I can't lose.
9) My cell phone is still not working. Why - even when you have insurance - do they still figure out a way to get money out of you? I just found out I have to pay a $50 deductable. I should have known.
10) Jody is the most amazing cook. Even though it's 10:55pm, I'm thinking about going down for a little snack. 2nds anyone?

Does It Float?

Yesterday was quite a day. I had some down time, which was good, but we also got together with some friends for a 4th Bash and Fireworks show. They had a pool so I went out to sit with some of the guys and keep an eye on the kids. Everything was cool until the ladies decided to join us...which normally is a great thing...but that is usually the time in any party when things can go a little crazy. You know as well as I do that any party involving a swimming pool always ends up the same way. Some poor unexpecting soul ends up fully clothed at the bottom of the water. Well, this year, that poor soul was me. I had gone to the deep end of the pool to check on one of the kids, and that's when it happened...I was pushed from behind by one of the women.

Normally, things like this are fine and I'm cool with it. I am one who likes to play practical jokes, so I don't mind being the recipient every so often. However, I had my cell phone in my pocket. That's right! Everyone always thinks little pranks like this are funny until they realize they didn't think it through. I've tried everything. Taking it apart, drying it out with a hair dryer...but the fact of the matter is it is fried.

Again, I like practical jokes. Just make sure before you push that next fully clothed adult into the deep end of the pool that you play that scenario out in your mind. I use my phone to record all of my new song ideas...you know - themes, lyrics, etc. All gone. Hopefully, the Lord will recall most of them to my memory.

Now, for the good news. I do have insurance on the phone. So, I'm going down later today to Verizon in Redlands to get it replaced. My KRAZR has been the best phone I've ever had. It will be sad today when I put it to rest. It's okay Teresa - it was funny...I guess....but payback is coming.

HAPPY 4th

Have a great 4th of July with your families. We are planning on going to a friend's home for dinner, and then swimming. Later we'll catch some of the area fireworks from a nearby park. It should be a good time. Happy 4th of July!

(Make sure you check out today's previous post for a much needed prayer request.)

In the Words of the Prophet M.C. Hammer

M.C. HAMMER had a song that I often quote just because it seems to fit in every situation. "You Gotta Pray Just to Make It Today" was a hit song many years ago, but that plays out to be true in our lives on a daily basis. Prayer has to be a central focus of our walk with Christ. Not just prayer for ourselves, but also prayer for others.

I have been blessed to have LISA LYONS on my staff as our Outreach Production Coordinator. Lisa is responsible for everything from sermon skits to the three major musical productions we do each year. She ALWAYS does an incredible job yet shifts the glory off herself onto those around her. She is the ultimate staff member. Lisa recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and desperately needs our prayer. To talk with her about it, she is very upbeat and positive. Almost as if she doesn't want others to worry. (She's still protecting all of us) But, she will soon begin chemo for 18 weeks and will need us to lift her up.

Please be in prayer for her and for her family. We're all in this together. Whether you live in Egypt or in Highland, as believers we are a family. When one celebrates, we all celebrate. When one hurts, we all hurt. Let's join together as the body of Christ and pray for Him to do an amazing work in the life of Lisa during this time.

Leading Worship

I can't tell you how often I am involved in conversations about our role as worshipers in the church. Many often want to make it about our individual issues about musical preference and style, when the reality of it is that we were created to be worshipers. It needs to cease being about us and focus in on Him. Now, with that being said, I do believe God has made us musical for our enjoyment as well as His. If we don't like the music we're singing, it throws up a huge road block in our ability to lead others through that particular style or song. Therefore, we must constantly be aware of the people we are leading in worship and choose music that will both honor God and facilitate worship among His church.

I'll be talking soon about our role as worship leaders and the 1 Year Commitment we are asking our people to make at Immanuel. Check back soon and give me your input.

Creative Teams

I'm excited about tomorrow's staff meeting. We're going to be looking at doing ministry in creative ways that will impact lives, help people to grow in their faith, connect our people into the life of the church, and offer tons of ways for people to serve the Lord and others through ministry opportunities. I'll give you a list of things we are going to implement soon. I believe that we must constantly be experimenting and devising ways to reach as many people as possible while meeting the needs of the people God has blessed us with. I agree with Mark Batterson when he says that the church should be the most creative place on the planet. Pray for our worship staff as we seek God's face in planning for His bride.

Sunday Night Rewind

It seems that there is always something happening at Immanuel. Tonight was our Patriotic Celebration. It was absolutely amazing to see Jordan Smith back with us, and he carried the Navy Flag tonight during the worship service. For those who don't know, Jordan was involved in a road-side bombing in Iraq 3-4 months ago. After sustaining injuries and experiencing paralysis, Jordan experienced something supernatural as God touched and healed his body. Jordan - thank you for risking your life for me and my family. We love you and are glad you're home!

I've never seen a church family get so "pumped" over God and Country. Immanuel lit up tonight as we celebrated together. I've already got HUGE ideas for next year...and yes, they will be accomplished. The more I get to know God and the closer I grow to Him, the bigger my dreams are. We are going to accomplish huge things in the coming weeks, months, and years. I am convinced that we are going to see the hand of God upon us as we win Highland and the surrounding communities to Christ.