A Trip to LA

This Tuesday and Wednesday I went down to LA and joined a ministry called 3DM:

http://www.3dministries.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=62639

It was a great time of meeting key leaders from different churches, discussing discipleship and other things, along with be refreshed by having a little time away from IV.

I was able to stay at the host pastor's house, along with some the 3DM leadership team...the pop-up trailer you see in the pastor's backyard was the room I shared on Tuesday night (it was awesome). The whole trip was a great experience - I am really encouraged by people who are seeking the kingdom first and going after the Great Commission that Jesus sent all His followers on:

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

IV Culture

Here are a few pictures that depict some of the IV culture...they're taken by a beautiful sister in the Lord named Alexa who graduated two years ago. I thought of these pictures today as I just got off the phone doing a pastoral reference for her for a missions organization that she is going to work for called Wycliffe. This missions organization focuses on unreached people groups, specially translating the Bible into their language.

Next year will mark my 10th year of doing ministry in Isla Vista - over these years I have seen hundreds come and go, it never gets easier sending people off; however, it brings me so much joy to hear or see people leaving IV and continuing to love Jesus with their whole life!

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." (3 John 4)

Victory = no more pacifier & no more bear

Last week Hope and Samuel let go of some false comforters...maybe that is a bit overstated, but either way Hope gave up her Pacie and Samuel gave up his bear! Thankful to see my kids come out of such bondage to these things, again that was a joke, kind of.

I took the two of them to get some yogurt as a reward for their victory and new found freedom!

A text I sent yesterday to about 40+ brothers:

Proverb 29:18 - "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law."

When people lack vision, they lead unrestrained lives. Father, may you give us a greater vision for Your glory, Your love for us, and being conformed into the image of Your Son.

I sent this text yesterday as I thought about the importance of having vision for His glory, His love for us, and being conformed into the image of His Son as we go through "various trials" (James 1:2-4). It has been said that vision gives pain a purpose...it's key that as we go through life we understand that all the trials, suffering, and problems have purpose, which is why we can't afford to waste them but rather allow God to use them...giving us a greater vision for His glory, His love for us, and His transforming work of making us more and more like His Son.

Thank you God that vision gives pain a purpose...by Your grace may we not waste our various trials today.

James 1:2-4 (The Message)
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Examples of how to bring God into everyday life

Here are a few examples of how to bring God into life with other people:

Tell someone about…

- your relationship with God
- your struggle with sin
- how God has encouraged you
- how He answered a prayer
- how He has spoken to you through the Bible
- how He has given you an opportunity to share the gospel
- how He has given you a place to serve another believer

Here is a great quote I came across the other day by John Maxwell:

'Want to IMPRESS others? Talk about your successes. Want to IMPACT others? Talk about your failures.'

It amazes me how throughout the entire Bible it does not shy away from exposing the life, failures, and sins of men & women of God...reminding us of how much we need Jesus daily and how we are all like sheep who are prone to wander. I know in my own life I can find it difficult sometimes in relating to someone talk about their strengths, yet I find it easy to relate to someone as they share their weaknesses.

"But He (Jesus) said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Cor 12:9)

Life in IV

Next to our home are 2 holes of a 9 hole Frisbee golf course...over the last few months the local gardeners, which we are on first name basis with, have been cleaning it up and making it easier for people to maneuver through the course. Samuel and Hope have been having a blast playing on this dirt mound that was created by the cleanup of the course...I am stoked on how much our kids enjoy the dirt and playing outside - the more I see them outside getting into things and making their own toys, the more I am convinced that the best toys for kids are the same ones that kids have been using from generation to generation: dirt, sticks, rocks, bugs, etc.

love & honor, along with learning...

Today two incredible brothers, Mac & Justin, came over to hang with the family and I in the late afternoon. Later Caleb, another brother, came over to say hi and ended up sharing with us about needing prayer and strength for some stuff going on in his life right now, including a missions trip to Thailand that he is going on in the near future...both Samuel and Hope were in the room as we began to pray over Caleb and were able to watch Mac love and honor him through washing his feet, and hear Justin and their dad pray over him. Holly and I are so stoked to have our children growing up observing tangible acts of love and honor happening in our home. The kids later ended up praying for Justin, as he broke his collar bone a few weeks back.



This last picture is baby J sporting Justin's glasses - classic!

Caleb's B-Day Party

This last weekend we went to Ventura to celebrate my nephews 3yr old birthday...my sister and brother-in-law hosted the party at this indoor playground/clubhouse. I think I heard there we about 40 kids and like 60 parents - it was awesome watching so many people 3ft and under running around and playing together. Samuel, Hope, and baby J and a blast too!

The kiddos this morning

Here are 2 pictures I took on my way out the door this morning...I love seeing the kids reading together and hanging out in Hope's bed. I added baby J in the photo too, as he is at that age of not being able to sit still for very long.

Jesus Burgers

At the end of this month it will conclude the 9th year of doing Jesus Burgers in IV...we are so grateful to be apart of this night and to have witnessed so many incredible conversations and testimonies over the years!

God gave me a good reminder of His faithfulness this last Saturday as I looked to the grill and saw Joseph (the guy with the great smile) still joyfully behind it and engaging people as he cooks their meat for them. And then glancing over to the fire and seeing Derika (the gal with the beanie) who has been showing up from the beginning still loving and listening to people tell her about their lives and stories.

Only the faithfulness of God could begin something like this on the infamous street Del Playa and keep it going all these years!

"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." (1 Thes 5:24)

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

John 8 (Message Bible)

Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.

Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?"

"No one, Master."

"Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."