New Recording

As a songwriter, it's always an honor to have someone acknowledge your music. Even more so, when someone chooses to record one of your songs it is such an amazing feeling.

Last night, I found out that the group Liberty Quartet released their newest CD in early November with one of my songs on it. The song is "He Came to Me". This is the second group that has picked up this song.

If you'd like to hear their take on the song, head on over to their website at www.libertyquartet.com. In fact, you can listen to the full version of every cut on the album from there.

Thanks Liberty Quartet! I'm honored to have one of my songs on this great project.

MetroWest

January 11-13 we are hosting MetroWest here at Immanuel. This conference is for full time worship pastors in the western US. Its a time designed for networking, refueling, and relaxing. We all learn from each others ministries, getting new ideas as well as retooling older ones.

Brentwood-Benson, G3 Worship, Lifeway Worship, Meyer Sound, MusiCalifornia, DktrDave Audio, as well as California's State Baptist Convention have signed on as sponsors. Actor Tony Burton, best known for his role in the Rocky movies, Gospel recording artist Karen Wiggins, and worship leader and Singer/songwriter Mark Roach will be sharing testimonies and leading us in worship. Its going to be amazing.

If you are a full time worship pastor in the western US and would like to join us, please let me know ASAP. We'd love to have you be a part of MetroWest 2010.

Family

When Jody and I first were married, I found myself struggling with letting go of the single guy part of my life. I wanted to be married, but I had a hard time adjusting to my new responsibilities as a husband. However, the Lord did a work in my life early on and taught me what an incredible blessing he had given me in my wife.

In His perfect call of of us to move to Texas for seminary, the Lord taught me what it meant to cleave to my wife. It was the best thing for our marriage and we learned what it meant to love each other
and depend on one another completely.

Now, all I want to do is be with my family. The addition of what will soon be 4 kids has only added to that desire.

I really don't know why I'm writing this. I guess its because as I reflect on goals, both past and future, my biggest accomplishments all center around my family.

Thank you Lord for Your amazing blessings. I am so looking forward to 2010. We are welcoming our 4th child in January. I so can't wait!

California Christmas

This is our fourth year in California but just our first Christmas in socal. Our baby is due in January so we thought it best not to travel this close to the due date.

Last night we experienced our first Immanuel Christmas Eve service and it was amazing. We had dinner with friends and then got up early this morning for some Christmas fun. The Squeaquel was a great movie that we went to see this afternoon, and we'll go to another friend's home for dinner tonight. Our first Socal Christmas has been great.

Jody gave me the new Droid phone and it is amazing. I'm still learning what all its capable of and I'm already blown away. This little toy is going to be what I spend most of my time on for the next several days. In fact, I'm blogging on it now!

Christmas and Children

Christmas is so much fun right now with our 3 kids. They are so excited. I've loved watching them sit at the tree and talk about what they think is in each present. But, what has really been fun to watch is their creativity.

They have been making Christmas gifts for me and Jody, as well as each other. This will be our fourth Christmas at Immanuel, but our 1st in California. Because Jody is in her 9th month with this pregnancy, we felt it safer not to travel to Georgia this year.

We will really miss our big family Christmas this year, but we will have a great one together in Cali. So, Merry Christmas! Make it about family, giving, and the Savior. And for our parents- we can't wait to see you in the new year. We love you all and miss you very much.

Immanuel Lights Pictures

Here are some pictures from our Community Christmas Tree Lighting - Immanuel Lights:

Hello Cayman Islands

We've recently picked up some readers in the George Town area of the Cayman Islands. Thanks for following what the Lord is doing in our ministry. I'm always interested in hearing how you found this blog. Let me know...glad to have you.

I'll be posting some pictures this afternoon of Immanuel Lights. Check them out later today to see some of the sights from this year's Immanuel Lights.

Hello Mongolia

I just want to say "hello" to some of our readers in Mongolia. So..."hello". Thanks for reading and following our ministry. Write in some time and let me know who you are and how you found us.

If any of you reading this blog have a blogger account and want to receive updates from me every time I post, click on the follow link at the top of this page and become a follower of thechiefend.com.

Radio Show

Alright people - I need your feedback. If I started an online radio network, would you listen to it. The concept is not totally thought out yet, but here is sorta what it would look like: Christian Music, Commercial Free, Live Show Weekly.

I know that is pretty vague, but that's where I am. The Live Show would feature interviews, discussion of current events, topics (some of which would be chosen from listener suggestions), and church ministry issues. Other than the live show, it would just stream uninterrupted Christian Music 24/7.

It would be a lot of work, so I don't want to venture into this thing if there is no potential audience for it. Now it's your turn - tell me what you think. You in?

Lots of News

I have just come through an extremely busy time of year for our ministry. Sorry I haven't had a chance to sit down and write. It has been crazy. I will just give you a list of things here, but I'll do some follow up blogs with pictures soon. Here are a few things we've come through in recent days:

1) Immanuel Lights saw a larger crowd than last year. This is our community Christmas tree lighting. In it's second year, we are already seeing growth and larger interest in this ministry event. We had an estimated crowd of 1500 - 1800 people.

2) Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service was a HUGE success. Its success is being determined by the responses that we have received via emails, cards, and phone calls. Typically, this service hasn't had much response in past years. We're glad that this year saw an impact in the lives of our people as we honored the Lord together.

3) David Phelps led our church in a Christmas Concert with the Immanuel Choir. The response we've received as a result of this concert has been wildly positive. Here are a few quotes we've gotten from cards and emails:

"It was amazing! When is he coming back?"

"I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. It was the best concert I've ever been to in my life!"

"I came reluctantly, not knowing what to expect. I left impressed and amazed, wishing it had not ended."

"Can we please make David and the Immanuel Choir a Christmas tradition?"

"I am now ready for Christmas. Great call this year on bringing Phelps in."


I'll post some pictures soon of the various events. Now, on to Christmas Eve planning. You don't want to miss this, Immanuel. Start inviting friends and neighbors NOW!

A Day of Thanks

This is officially my 600th post. It couldn't have come on a better day than Thanksgiving Day, 2009. I not only celebrate this milestone, but also this great day as I talk about what gives my life meaning and purpose.

God has radically changed my life and saved me, so I am very thankful for His salvation. With that understanding, I want to focus on His greatest gift to me apart from my salvation; my family.

I have the most amazing wife. She is my biggest supporter, my #1 fan, the mother of my 4 kids, and my best friend. She's everything to me. Jody, I love you with everything I have...including my bank account.

Each of my kids have my heart in their own way. Caleb is a sweet, thoughtful, giving, compassionate kid. He's my little buddy, and always seems to want to do the right thing...after I've threatened to kill him. Abby is my princess in every sense of the word. She is sweet, smart, and strives to do her best at everything...especially aggrevating her brother. Ella is our little tiger, filled with attitude, persistence, and stubborness. All traits that one day will bring her great success (we're praying!). And, our baby who is set to arrive in January. This little one has already filled our home with joy and laughter in anticipation of her arrival. And, has cost me thousands of dollars before she has even been born. What's that all about?

God has chosen to bless me beyond imagination with my amazing family. Undeserved, yet so appreciated. I am so thankful!

Thankful for our Church

Continuing our focus on Thanksgiving, today I am thankful for my church. Immanuel has been such a great place for our family. We've witnessed God at work in the lives of families and individuals over the past 3 years. He has done a work in our lives, as well. Our time in California has been amazing because of our church.

Without fail, we look forward every week to seeing our people on Sundays and Wednesdays. Our kids can't wait for those days, either. Our family loves Immanuel and Immanuel has loved our family. We are extremely blessed.

Our Pastor and staff are amazing. I serve alongside some of the best people in the world. Our volunteers are servants who serve the Lord with a passion that is contagious. We are so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with this great church.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful for Friends

This week, in honor of Thanksgiving, I'll be posting things that I'm thankful for. Today, I'm very thankful for friends. Jody and I have some great ones. Below, I've made a list of what and who we're thankful for. We have friends who:

1) Pray for us
2) Call and ask to have our kids come over. They love on our kids and treat them like extended family.
3) Invite us on vacation. In fact, we're staying with some this week in their time share at the beach. DLand today!
4) Have served with us in ministry in the past and still stay in touch with us after all these years.
5) Followed us all the way from TN to plug into our ministry here in California.
6) Sacrifice for self to help us.
7) We can be ourselves around.

What are you thankful for today?

Hollywood Meets Fontana

The movie "Due Date", starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx, is currently being filmed. In fact, the 210 eastbound is being shut down tomorrow in Fontana, between Sierra and Ayala, for the filming of one of the scenes. That's pretty cool...sorta.

It's just funny to me that they can make a 30 ft tall monkey climb a building with a woman in his hand; they can have an earthquake end the world while a man in an RV jumps over holes in the road and navigates his family through a city that's falling all around him; they can send a man to the center of the earth, creating a whole new world of prehistoric creatures, yet, for a freeway scene, they have to go to Fontana and shut down the 210? I'm just saying.

So, be on the lookout tomorrow if you're planning a drive through that area. I guess Bass Pro Shop is out for me tomorrow. I'm not about to follow a Fontana detour.

Thanksgiving Eve Worship

Thanksgiving Eve at Immanuel is going to be amazing. This is definitely the place you need to be Wednesday, November 25 at 6:45pm. We will hear about life-changing blessings from each of you. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to text in their prayers of thanksgiving. Throughout the service, we will post them on the screens and celebrate together what God has done in the life of our church and in the lives of our people. Come be a part of this celebration.