Rock Harbor - Brian

A Lab and a Bag of Gummy Bears

2012-01-23T15:34:00.000-08:00

I was not planning on stopping by home last Wednesday afternoon but my usual office, Starbucks, was a little too crowded and noisy. It was unusual that our yellow lab did not greet me enthusiastically when I came to the door, but I figured he was simply enjoying a lazy afternoon and did not expect one of the family to stop by and wake him for his slumber.

As I sat at the computer and worked, I noticed him slowly making his way toward me. He was crawling on all fours and whimpering as he slowly, methodically journeyed in my direction. After making it halfway, he gave up and just lay there with his sad puppy dog eyes focused in my direction (see picture above).

I’m not necessarily a dog lover, but still recognized that something was obviously wrong with our playful pup. Add in the fact that I knew he had broken into the cupboard and devoured a large quantity of gummy bears the previous day, moved me to action. Well, I called my wife and she took action.

The vet induced vomiting and soon we heard the news that the gummy bears, which would not digest and come out the natural way, did come out the same way they had gone in. And the puppy was not happen with the experience.

After Rolo spent the night at the vet, continuing his unpleasantness and adding explosive discharge through the natural means of getting rid of waste from the body, we brought him home.

As Janiesa was leaving the vet’s office, one of the receptionists said, “well, that should keep him away from the gummy bears for awhile,” to which the doctor responded, “nope, he’s a lab.” Just as she predicted, upon arriving home Rolo ran directly to the cupboard in which he had stolen the gummy bears. Really, dog?

I find myself a lot like that dog sometimes though. I get into something I shouldn’t and then experience some difficult consequences. And then I find myself going right back to it.

“God, help me to pursue those things of You. You are my loving Father, my Dad, who will only give me good gifts. Keep me from those things which will cause unnecessary discomfort and pain.”

Experiencing 1 Corinthians 12

2012-01-16T14:08:00.000-08:00

I’ve read it on my own, taught it to students, and preached on it many times. 1 Corinthians 12 is all about the body and the necessity of all the parts. It speaks of the difficulty to function, even if only one part is misfiring. I always understood it, but for the past week (and next couple of months) I am living it.

On Tuesday, my left thumb was accidentally slammed in a sliding van door. I’ll spare you the details, but lots of blood and repair work occurred (and proudly no screaming) in the emergency room of a hospital in Oakland. One important detail that you need to know is that I’m left-handed.

Upon returning to my hotel room that night, I went to take out my contacts. I’ve been reaching into my eye and removing this little piece of plastic for 30 years, so it is pretty quick, easy, and I don’t even really have to think about it. Some nights I find myself in bed and don’t even remember taking them out. Not this time. You see, I have always used my left thumb and forefinger to remove them. So I stood there in front of the mirror struggling for about 20 minutes trying to get them out using my other hand.

The next morning, I stepped into the shower (left hand wrapped so as not to get it wet) and quickly realized that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to wash my right arm and armpit. And I struggled to brush my teeth with my right hand. Ever tried flossing with one hand? Then I couldn’t keep the food on my fork as I would bring it to my mouth (again, using my right hand). Mind you, I did not do all of the said activities in the shower.

I made a purchase and couldn’t match the signature on the back of my credit card for the life of me. Of course, this is after I struggled to get my wallet out of my left back pocket and kept the line waiting. Asking someone to take your wallet out of your pocket while in line at Target is apparently not acceptable and frowned upon.

I now appreciate my thumb in ways which I never did before. The appendage which I previously thought of only when talking about hitchhiking, is now one of my MVP’s. I can’t wait for him to get off the disabled list and make his triumphant return (hopefully in time for the playoffs).

Over time, I’m sure I could make the adjustment and function without it. I have many friends who impress me greatly by overcoming difficulties and disabilities in their lives. But for me, this is a new experience.

So, the next time you or I feel insignificant, let’s read 1 Corinthians 12 and remember that God made us a very important part of the body. The body needs us functioning at full potential! Even if one of its main roles is washing the right armpit.

New Starts

2012-01-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

I am not big on New Year’s resolutions. It’s not that I don’t believe in new starts. It’s just that when the calendar flips over, most things remain the same. I still have the bills from Christmas to pay, the weight I gained through the season, and will be showing up for work week after week as I did last year.

I do believe in new starts. I believe that God wants to do something new this year through me. I know that I am so thankful for the new life He brought me through His Son, Jesus. I am a new creation!

So, no resolutions this year, but a reminder to look continually to God as I experience the new start and life He blessed me with.

That is what I am looking forward to in 2012.

Reflections on Christmas

2011-12-27T14:02:00.001-08:00

On Christmas Eve, after the church service and before our boys open one gift, we spend time as a family reading and sharing about the story of Jesus’ birth. This year, it was an especially good conversation and our boys provided practical application to a very familiar story to them.

We read about the angels and our boys responded by saying they need to be more like the angels in sharing the good news. We talked about the shepherds and how these guys quickly went to see what they had been told about. Our boys application was that we need to be more eager about seeing God than doing our own things.

We then read about the wise men in Matthew 2. These guys came in search of a king whom they could worship. And they came a long way! In contrast, King Herod was looking for the one called king so that he could wipe Him out and protect his own thrown and lineage. Our application… are we more interested in worshipping Jesus and making Him king of our lives or are we protecting our own kinghood. Pretty goo insight from these guys, and a challenging application for us all.

So what did you walk away with this Christmas? How will your life be different because you have a Savior?

Love All Challenge

2011-12-19T15:36:00.000-08:00

What if we all did something this Christmas totally out of the ordinary? Maybe it’s buying a $2 cup of coffee and giving the barista a $20 tip. Or going into a restaurant on Christmas Day and paying for the meal of a single parent eating with their children.

It doesn’t have to cost money either. Plenty of our neighbors would be encouraged by a Christmas card made especially for them with an encouraging note inside. How about the person working at the gas station on Christmas Eve night? There are probably several things we could do to show them that they are not forgotten. That this celebration is not only about those home with family.

But why would we do any of this? What is the point?

“For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son…” It was the perfect gift, meeting our greatest need, and given from an attitude and heart of love. If He did this for us, we certainly can demonstrate His love for others in a tangible way too.

So, how are you going to “Love All” this Christmas? And if you have a story to tell, post it in the comments below.

Merry Christmas!

SOAP: A Chosen Instrument

2011-12-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

I was reading in Acts the other day and came across an extremely familiar story. It is one of those which you learn at a very young age and whenever the pastor begins to talk about it think, “been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.”

As many of you know, I have been doing the SOAP method of daily devotions for quite awhile now. So, I picked up my journal and began to write down my observations and applications from the story of Saul on the road to Damascus. Here is what I wrote…

S (Scripture) – Acts 9:15, 16

O (Observations) – A chosen instrument, the one hand-picked by the player, the one he chose to use. It is used to play the song of the instrumentalist – the instrument does not get the glory (doesn’t even get to choose the song), instead the master musician gets all the credit. Even more, the instrument will suffer through it.

A (Application) – How does God want to use me? He has a specific purpose, something which will bring Him great glory. I must let Him choose the song and play me to perfection as He chooses.

P (Prayer) – Lord, I am Your instrument to be used for Your purpose. Help me to submit daily to Your desires, even if I will suffer for Your sake.

As you look at this passage, what are your thoughts? What is God putting on your heart and challenging you with?

Successful Change Requires Careful Transition

2011-12-07T15:42:00.000-08:00

I recently listened to a podcast on making changes and transitions. I like change. I do well with it. In fact, I think I sometimes change things just for the sake of change and to see what will happen. But the longer I’ve lead and worked with people, the more I’ve realized that most do not feel the same as I do. They value stability, repetition, and the known. And those are good things.

Here are some thoughts I heard from Tim Brown (Senior Pastor at First Baptist, Clovis) on leading people through change.

“People don’t resist the change, they resist the loss.” Tim shared how in order to help people let go and prepare themselves for change, we must first identify who is losing what. Then we can acknowledge the losses openly and honestly and begin to compensate for the loss people are experiencing.

Another key to helping them let go it to make sure you mark the ending, treat the past with respect, and let the people take a little of it with them somehow.

As you move to the new beginning, Tim gave several hints to keep people from wanting to go back to the way it was before. First, be consistent. We must communicate the same message over and over and not assume that everyone is onboard like we are.

Second, we have to get some quick successes and share those with others. There is nothing as powerful as stories of the benefits of the change. So celebrate those loudly and often.

I don’t know what changes are going on in your life, but I know I experience it often (again, I’m usually the one creating it). Hopefully, these tips from Tim will help you lead others more effectively through change.

Advent Conspiracy 2011

2011-11-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

We kicked off our Advent Conspiracy 2011 focus at Rock Harbor this past Sunday. Each week, we will have a practical 8-10 minute message to help us focus on entering the story and experiencing a meaningful season as individuals, families, and a church.

Our family looks forward to sharing and looking for ways we can participate and make a difference each year. We have participated in local and global efforts in the past years. This year, we are beginning to talk about what we can do together.

Advent Conspiracy centers on 4 values:

Worship Fully
Spend Less
Give More
Love All

There are resources available to help you along the way:

Download a Rock Harbor Advent Conspiracy calendar here. Hang it on your fridge or put it on your desk and find time each day to participate and focus.

Sign up for a daily reading plan. Download the YouVersion Bible on your smart phone or go to youversion.com for your personal computer. Choose the “Rediscovering the Christmas Season” reading plan and it will direct you to a passage each day until Christmas. Add to the experience and start a Christmas SOAP journal. It will begin a habit that will benefit you well into the new year.

We invite you to join with us this year and enter the story...

Practice What You Preach

2011-11-21T17:18:00.000-08:00

Today was a pretty difficult day. Started out with an early meeting in which I was immediately forced to make some decisions. Through the day, it seemed like more and more choices, decisions, and forks in the road would appear right in front of me. Maybe I was just aware of it more or looking for it.

At Rock Harbor yesterday, I talked about making wise decisions using the truths taught in the book of Proverbs. I almost didn’t get to share the message. Driving over the icy roads led to someone running into a transformer and knocking out the power at the location in which we meet. Since the power was not back on by our 10am start time, people went home. When the power returned around 10:15am, those still there asked me to share.

This was one of those days when I was tested to see if I listened to my own message. We’re still in process, so I’ll let you know how it turns out.

I encourage you to make godly decisions today. I was in the audience once when USC professor Dallas Willard was asked how we can best follow God. His response, “make the next right decision in God’s eyes.”

The Need for SOAP Every Day

2011-11-15T16:16:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, I shared a message with Rock Harbor Church from Psalm 1:1-4. I have been continually thinking about the principle in verse 2 about delighting in the law.

Psalm 1:2 “but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.”

In order for us to delight in the law, we certainly have to understand its role in our lives. And to understand it, we must first meditate and study it. And to meditate on it, we must first read it.

To many, the bible seems like an outdated book meant to guide the ancients, with little relevance to us. For others, there is so much to be learned from the ancients as they mentor us in the ways of God. First, we must engage with them. This is where the difficulty often lies. How do you get something meaningful out of something written in a different language and culture so long ago?

I started to SOAP. It’s not something I came up with on my own, but something I’ve been reading about for awhile now. As I have put it into practice, I’ve begun to have a clearer understanding of what God is try to reveal and teach me. Here’s the process…

S—select a small section or single verse of Scripture and read through it multiple times

O—make an Observation or two. What really jumps out at you?

A—ask God for an area where you can Apply the passage to your life.

P—write out a short Prayer based on what you have learned.

The final question each day…

How will I live differently today because of what I just read?

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

I'm back...

2011-11-07T14:45:00.000-08:00

Well, it’s Monday and the blog is back. It’s been a long time since I’ve shared my thoughts or posted anything on this page. Which makes me wonder why my counter continues to go up? Are people really interested in my old thoughts? I feel like they should have been dropped off at the Goodwill a long time ago.

So here it is… some Mondays will be thoughts on my Sunday and what happened as I lead a church congregation. Some weeks will provide a peak into what I am discovering as we experience family life together (a beautiful wife, three boys, and our yellow lab Rolo). And then
others will give you insight into what I am thinking, feeling, and learning about myself and my God. So thanks for coming along for the ride and feel free to leave comments as we experience this together.

Building Momentum

2011-05-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

I remember being in elementary school when they brought the big “earth ball” out for PE. As a small student, the 6 or 7 foot in diameter ball seemed gigantic to me, and it was! The teacher formed two teams and we began playing a simple game like soccer by trying to push the ball into the opponent’s goal. I was the goalie and soon saw the ball coming quickly at me and the goal I was defending. Showing little fear (this is me telling the story, so I can include this assumption), I stepped in the path of the oncoming ball to stop it and push it the opposite direction.

You can probably guess what happened next. I learned a science lesson about momentum. Instead of stopping the ball and reversing its direction, the ball continued into the goal carrying me with it, head over heels. Apparently, my friends found this quite amusing.

At Rock Harbor, we are experiencing a good season of ministry. I have received great feedback on the worship music, teaching, and the impact of our Community Groups in people’s lives. For this, we are thankful to God and give Him the praise.

So let’s keep it going and build on the momentum this spring. I hope you will plan on joining us at 10am these coming weeks as we work hard to bring you meaningful experiences which give you the opportunity to connect with God and others.

Ready for Easter?

2011-04-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

I'm ready for a celebration! What a great day Easter is. It's all good news and life-changing and I get to tell the story.

I invite you to join us at Rock Harbor for this Easter...

You can check out our website at http://www.rockharborchurch.org/.

Good Reads

2011-04-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

Here's what I have been reading lately. If you have any good suggestions for future reads, please let me know.

Sticky Teams by Larry Osborne - a very practical book on building strong teams, getting them on the same page, and moving in the same direction. A must read for all leaders.

The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter - a great story of their church in Denver, Adellum, and his personal spiritual journey. I felt challenged and convicted throughout this book. I've changed some priorities and goals of mine.

Guerrilla Lovers by Vince Antonucci - filled with funny stories (I found myself lol at Starbuck's), the author paints a great picture of what it means to really love others. I found it very practical as well - not just "love people."

Multi-Site Church Road Trip by Geoff Surratt - as I investigate the direction God is taking Rock Harbor Church, this was a helpful tool to look at some of the models and what others are doing. Although, we will not copy anyone directly, the book does help me direct my prayers and ask God what He may be up to.

What Am I Doing for Lent?

2011-03-20T16:42:00.000-07:00

A couple of Sundays ago, I introduced an opportunity for the upcoming Lent Season. Lent is traditionally a time to reflect and focus on the upcoming Easter Celebration. But I asked, what if we take this opportunity to be obedient to what God has already asked us to be doing? Instead of, or in addition to sacrificing something in our lives, what if we simply choose obedience.

My choice? I'm going to concentrate on being in my bible multiple times a day. I'm going to be reading with my sons, my wife, and on my own. As I read, I'm going to be asking God how this makes a difference in my life. Then, I'm going to pray that I live out the principles He shows me.

Want to join the challenge? I will commit to praying for you, so let me know the area you are choosing to focus on. I love to pray for the people who are looking to grow nearer to their God!

Valentine Pressure

2011-02-11T16:08:00.000-08:00

There was an interesting conversation I overheard this last week right outside my office. Not a new discussion, but one that happens at this time every year. One of the parents who had brought their child to play at Safari Sam’s was complaining to a friend that Valentine’s Day has become a ‘retail’ holiday, rather than one centered around love. They were pointing out how restaurants raise their prices for this one night, Costco was charging more for flowers, Hallmark cards are now $3-$4, and the babysitter even asked for twice her normal rate. They threw their hands in the air and said, “I give up.”

As I pondered their discussion, I realized something. A day that was set aside so that we could communicate our love to those around us, can potentially become a day of financial pressure and obligation. That is quite different from the original intent.

In the same way, a church can certainly lose its focus and what it is all about. At Rock Harbor, we never want to forget the love God has for us and the opportunity we have to respond to His love in worship. It is not about guilt or obligation, but the joy and hope that Jesus brings.

I hope that is the reason you join us. We are glad you do.

Progress

2011-02-02T10:53:00.001-08:00

My health program is going well. I'm eating 6 times a day and getting healthy. There have been no major pitfalls yet. For those who track measurable goals, I'm down 20 pounds in a little more than 2 weeks. That means I'm on pace for my 40 pounds in 6 weeks goal.

Here's the thing... I realized that this program is working because I am keeping my metabolism up by eating a bunch of times through the day and making sure only good stuff gets in. The result is a heathier me.

So how is my spiritual metabolism? I have now put a system in place for that too. Regular times in the Word and prayer throughout the day. And, making sure only the healthy stuff is getting in (Philippians 4:8).

How are you remaining healthy?

The Diet

2011-01-19T09:23:00.000-08:00

It's official, I have begun the first hardcore diet of my life. Due to health issues over the past several years and the constant pain in my knees (makes me think Brandon Roy and I have something in common), my goal is to get back to my college weight. My goal is two months and forty pounds.

I have a coach, a plan, the support and encouragement of my wife, and the continual teasing of my 13 year old son. I'll let you know how it progresses.

Here's the thing... I put several systems in place to up my odds of getting physically healthy and success. Do I take my spiritual health as serious?

I am thankful for those of you who challenge and encourage me in my faith. Next week, I'll share with you some of my plans on how I am going to spend time getting spiritually healthy this year.

Vision for 2011

2011-01-09T17:06:00.001-08:00

This morning, I had the opportunity to share with our church community our vision, values, and priorities for 2011. This is an opportunity I look forward to each year as I am excited about what God is doing at Rock Harbor.

I am not going to summarize our vision (you can listen to the podcast at www.rockharborchurch.org), but share with you some of the excitement.

I am looking forward to teaching 1 Peter in our winter teaching series. "Be Hopeful" is an encouragment to each of us no matter what we are going to face in the coming days, weeks, and months.
Our Community Groups are great places where people are sharing and living out authentic community together. This year will include opportunities to serve in our community.
We have a great group of people leading our ministries and setting our direction. Serving is good for the heart!
On Sunday mornings, people are connecting with one another and more importantly, with God. Our worship is inspiring and encouraging.
Finally, our kids and students are benefitting from strong ministries and being raised up in godly way. Thanks to all involved.

Praise God... let 2011 be for His glory.

2011 Really?

2010-12-30T13:18:00.000-08:00

Okay, now I know I am getting older. I find myself saying those things that only old people say. "Wow, the years seem to be going by faster and faster." And,"It seems like 2010 just started a couple of days ago." Although those feelings may be true, the reality is that 2011 happens in two days whether it feels like it's been a slow year or a quick one.

So, I am making some resolutions this year. They are the typical ones. I'm going to lose some weight and keep exercising. I'm going to work hard to memorize more of my bible and pray more effectively. I am going to invest in my relationships with my wife and boys. But there is a difference...

I am not going to do these alone this year. It's not going to be all about my will power and determination. I am going to do these things with others, in community.

I have a health coach to help me through the challenges and obstacles which derail me from remaining healthy. I have a small group of guys who will encourage me in my spiritual habits as I hold them accountable as well (and I'm going to be memorizing with my sons). My wife and I are both committed to keeping a date night and so the two of us will walk through this together.

I am thankful for these relationships and excited about 2011. Ware you going to be doing?

Thanksgiving or Giving Thanks

2010-11-19T15:10:00.000-08:00

Everyone is asking the question. We talked about it at work, in our Community Group, on Facebook, and even with the baristas at the coffee shop. So, “what are you doing for Thanksgiving?”

I liked the answer one of our twin boys gave at the table this past week. He said, “I will be giving thanks.” Too simplistic? Maybe, but it’s the only time I’ve heard an answer anywhere close to that. Instead, I know which house many families are going to and who will be cooking the meal. I could tell you which homes are looking forward to the football games and which will keep the tv’s off. I can tell you who is going to bed early so that they can go shopping at 12midnight or early the next morning. And, I even know the employees who will be working at Safari Sam’s, as it will be open Thanksgiving Day this year.

I probably don’t have to tell you my point. Please take time to be thankful this year. Sure, family, food, football, and fun are all great (even things to be thankful for), but nothing in comparison to who God is and the peace, joy, and comfort He can bring to our lives regardless of the circumstances we have experienced this past year. Share with others, let them know, who God is to you and how grateful you are for Him.

"Fan" of Jesus?

2010-11-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

During a routine check on facebook the other day, something along the right column caught my eye. I am often amazed or concerned that these advertisements are relevant to me. How much do they really know? Who told them which brand of toothpaste I use and why would someone want to help me be a better churchplanter? Have they been to my church?

So here is what caught my eye... apparently, many of my friends have become "fans" of Jesus and facebook wanted to know if I wanted to become a "fan" too. I start thinking, what does it mean to be a fan of Jesus?

I've been a Giants fan most of my 43 years, so I celebrated with them this last week as they broke out of their World Series slump. My oldest son became a fan, bought a Giants hat and we got him a shirt to complete the outfit. He wore it the last several days with pride and we had to tell him to take it off and wear something different (as soon as Janiesa washes it, he'll probably be showing it off again). Anyway, I understand "torture" and what it means to be a Giants fan, but still, what does it mean to be a fan of Jesus?

And which Jesus? Is it "Baby Jesus" that Will Farrell is so fond of in one of his movies? Or maybe it is "Vending Machine Jesus" who I ask for stuff from and hope that He gives me? There is "Crucifixion Jesus" and the pictures which make us feel bad for the suffering He endured. For others, there is "Best Friend Jesus" or even "Jesus is my homeboy."

Here's the conclusion I came to for my own life. I love Jesus and He is the biggest part of my life. I am not merely a "fan" of Him, but dependent on Him to meet my every need. It's not about wearing the hat or t-shirt, but opening my life to Him every day and following His will and not my own.

Now, if that makes me a facebook "fan" of Jesus, then count me in. Then this question jumped into my head (I know, that's a scary place to be). If Jesus were on facebook and in the right-hand column it asked if He wanted to become a "fan" of Brian, what would His response be?

Moving Forward with Mission

2010-09-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

I find myself meeting with pastors from around the country on a fairly regular basis. They tell the stories about the churches they serve in, the people, and their hopes. As I listen, I often hear a lot of negative reports and complaints. They seem to be just holding on and hoping things will change someday. In those conversations, I am reminded how thankful I am to be the pastor at Rock Harbor.

I am glad that we are not just sitting around and doing church, but want to hear from God, pursue Him, and experience life-change. We want to bring the hope of salvation to others so that they can experience God’s life changing grace too.

Over the past six weeks, we have been working hard on setting a course for the future. Our Twenty-Ten meetings were not only an opportunity to hear from the Shepherds at Rock Harbor, but also to see how the vision is unfolding for the future and get feedback on what God is doing.

One of the key discussions we have been having is about our Sunday morning meeting space. Although location is not one of our top priorities, we do want to meet in a space which enhances our ability to carry out the mission and values of Rock Harbor. We want to build community and we desire to grow our relationship with God and one another. After much prayer, input, and discussion, a decision was reached earlier this week.

Beginning with our 4 Year Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, October 3, we will be meeting at 10am in the multipurpose room at Safari Sam’s. Many of our current attenders were with us when we previously held our worship at Safari Sam’s. Just as an experiment… please let your kids know that we will be meeting at Safari Sam’s for Kids Cove. What was their response? Thought so.

You may be asking why a church would want to meet at a place like Safari Sam’s. Why a smaller venue? Why somewhere which does not look like a church at all?

Let me first assure you that we are not going to be changing the importance of teaching the truth or the Sunday morning music. We do feel that the environment of Safari Sam’s enhances our ability to worship together and communicate the truth of God’s Word. The smaller venue promotes a community feel and the opportunity to be a participant, rather than a spectator of what is happening on the platform.

If you are in the Sherwood, OR area, we invite you to join us as we seek God and live out His desires through community inside and outside our church.

State Baseball Playoffs

2010-07-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we were off to the state baseball championships in Corvallis. It was the last weekend of baseball for a season which started way back at Spring Break. The season certainly had its ups and downs as we played well, played poorly, played in the extreme heat, and the rain (that's Oregon baseball).

Through it all, the boys persevered and were playing for the prize this weekend. It was at times stressful and pressure filled, and at other times a whole lot of fun (fingers crossed).

The outcome... we ended up 8th in state. We are proud of the boys and especially our son, Anthony.

A Lesson in Humility

2010-07-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Last summer, Janiesa, my parents, and I took the boys to family camp at Mt. Hermon. This was as exciting for me as for the boys because I had spent 5 great summers on staff at this camp. Many of the memories from 20 years ago came back (this was largely due to the fact that much had not changed in the areas I had worked over the 20 years). One of my favorite activities had been the high ropes course. It was just my luck, they had built an even better one, higher and more difficult, than had been there before.

After some encouragement for my 12 year old son, the three of us were signed up to go through the course together one afternoon (Janiesa is the adventuresome type too). I was really looking forward to this shared experience and the memories we would be making together. I know I was also hoping to show my son how his Dad could still do this kind of thing too.

Boy was I wrong. We climbed up to the first obstacle and Anthony went across with no trouble. As I ventured out onto the narrow wire and looked down, the earth seemed to increase the velocity in which it was spinning. So much so that I became completely dizzy. I tried to push through, but Anthony had to go on without me and I had to take the walk of those who cannot complete the course. He did great and Janiesa did too! I was extremely humbled. It was probably the one of the most humbling experiences of my life (my kids say it is because I am so old).

In Daniel 4, King Nebuchanezzar, the King of the World (that is basically what he was) was humbled before God, our King. There are great great biblical principles we learn from God when we live humbly as Christ followers in our every day lives.

2010-07-14T15:56:00.001-07:00

Last week, Janiesa and the boys took on the monumental task of cleaning out the garage while I was at work. They put four quadrants on the driveway (keep, garage sale, recycle, and dump). Each was separated with a line of duct tape. Then, for most of the day, they carried out treasures and trash to the appropriate quadrant. There were many people out walking in the evening and every comment was similar, “That wasn’t all in your garage was it? It couldn’t be.”

Now, the garage is supposed to be the one area of the house which is my domain. Obviously, I have neglected my responsibilities and am thankful that Janiesa and the boys did something I probably never would have attacked so aggressively. It’s not that I planned on having a garage stuffed from floor to rafters. It’s just that I kept adding one more thing without going through the junk which was already there. And there is also the fact that I sometimes treasure things which really should be thrown out in the first place. Anyone interested in some Jeff Gordon diecast or memorabilia? It’s going on craigslist next week.

Here’s what I realized. My life can easily become like my garage. I want to keep adding godly things to my life, but I also have to be getting rid of some of the trash which I have put in there and has also accumulated over time. Without getting rid of the trash and unused items, and without identifying what the trash is, I cannot continue to grow as God desires. So what do you say? Will you join me in cleaning out the trash this week?

Reflections on Sunday

2010-05-17T16:10:00.001-07:00

Each Monday, I have a chance to look back at Sunday and everything that happened during this busy day. But Sunday is not the highlight of my week, which may seem funny considering I am a pastor. There are always moments during the other days when I spend some great time with God or my family. Those are my highlights. But let me share with you what happened at Rock Harbor yesterday.

The Holy Spirit did a great work through Acts 12 and the principles in that passage. Many of our people were challenged to live out our calling as Christians and not wait, wait, wait.

After the morning service, a bunch of parents gathered around tables to hear about the upcoming summer for our student ministry. It is always good to hear of the growth in student's lives and the opportunities for future growth as well. I was just a parent of an 8th grade son in this meeting and not a pastor (which is a huge shift after 15 years of leading student ministry).

During the afternoon, a grade school girl brought family and friends to our backyard as our youth pastor baptized her in our hot tub. How cool is that (or hot in this case)? I love seeing people give their lives to Jesus and publically let everyone know.

Later that day, while simply running errands, I was able to spend some quality time with Anthony, my oldest son. I am so proud of him and the man he is becoming. And I know this... my wife gets the credit too for letting him know what a real man is.

I have a lot to be thankful for... to God be the glory!

May 3...

2010-04-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

I meant next Monday, May 3, not this past Monday. Ohhh, the anticipation!

Next Post?

2010-04-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

For all who have asked when I am going to blog again... wait for Monday.

Time Flies

2009-11-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

Is it really Thanksgiving already? Is Christmas just around the corner? Have I not blogged in 2 months?

With the arrival of the Fall, came the routine of the season. I found myself keeping a pretty similar schedule from week to week and doing the same things over and over again. Before I realized it, weeks (really months) had passed. Where did it all go?

Have I really accomplished anything over these weeks? Sure, I've been busy, too busy really. I have started and completed tasks, read some books, gone on dates with my wife, done homework with the boys, and even preached a number of sermons. I can remember bits and pieces, but as a whole, one day really bleeds into the next.

So here's what I am going to do... I'm going to live this next month intentionally. Each morning I will get up and ask God what He has for me that day. I'm going to pray through my schedule and appointments and look for opportunities to interact with people with purpose. Then, I'll set some time aside to reflect back on what God has done that day. With Thanksgiving, I'll anticipate what the next day's adventure will be.

Anyone with me?

Forward

2009-09-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile, it is good to stop what you are doing, lift your eyes up, and look for what is coming ahead. Looking forward helps us determine where we are going and what is important.

This Sunday at Rock Harbor Church, we will be doing just that. God has put a great vision in the hearts of our church community. We'll unpack the details and begin praying for this coming year. I cannot wait to see what God has for us.

Sunday, September 27

10am worship

11am Forward meeting

Square Peg, Round Hole

2009-09-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

A mom was sitting in Safari Sam’s this week with a young toddler. Her siblings were all in the jungle gym, but she was entertaining herself with a hollow ball and different shaped blocks. We all know the toy and remember trying to put the correct blocks through the corresponding slots.

Yet this little girl had not yet figured it out. She continued to try putting the wrong blocks through the incorrect slots. Every once in awhile, I watched Mom intervene and try to help her put a block through the right hole. The stubborn child would have none of it and returned to her wrong block, wrong hole ways. Maybe that is the beauty of this toy. She was occupied for a large period of time.

At Rock Harbor, we are part way through a study in Romans. Our study is very similar to what I observed with this little girl and her toy. God has provided a solution to our unrighteousness and separation from Him. There is a solution to our sin problem! But like the toddler, we observe people trying to do it on their own. For long periods of time, they are occupied with their own ways and solutions. Yet, they labor in vain. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be us too trying to force square pegs through round holes.

Heart Check

2009-07-02T21:49:00.001-07:00

The last several months have been difficult as I have been experiencing unexplained chest pain. They have continually poked my arm and taken more blood than I believed flowed inside of me. I've walked on treadmills while connected to countless wires and experienced the chill of numerous stethescopes pressing to my chest as I take deep breaths over and over again. I also wonder if it would be less painful in the long run to have my chest waxed verses the regular ripping of the ekg leads, hair and all.

Today, I watched in amazement during my echocardiagram. There, on the monitor in front of me, I could watch my heart beat. Now, I was thrilled as I watched the heartbeats of my unborn children through the ultrasound, but today was incredible. They measured the walls of the chamber of my heart and checked each valve. They timed every movement and blood flow down to thousands of a second. The result... in 5 days, I will get a very detailed report of all of the functions of my heart.

This all got me to thinking, where can I get an echo of my spiritual heart? I want to check all the different functions and make sure that I am spiritually healthy. So I began to test myself.

Do I trust God in all areas of life or am I holding back?

Am I excited to spend time with my God or am I merely "going through the motions?"

How have I been growing recently?

In what areas is the Spirit working in me?

Am I seeking God's agenda for my life or asking Him to carry out my agenda for Him?

Do I want to love others as He does?

What is my calling?

Will I praise Him no matter the circumstances?

I'm sure there are many other questions I could be asking and will do so in the future. How about you? Have you had your spiritual heart checked recently? Let's not neglect our spiritual health.

Good Reads

2009-05-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

I've had several people ask me recently what I've been reading. This has actually been a great season for me as many of the books I have read are certainly worth the time and effort. Here are three recommendations...

For Christian Growth - Refuel by Doug Fields - Not only is it a short little book, but it gives great insights on spending time with God and learning to build our schedules around our relationship with Him, rather than squeezing Him into our already busy schedules. If you attend Rock Harbor in Sherwood, we'll be looking at some of these principles in our September teaching series.

For Leaders - Axiom by Bill Hybels - This is probably one of the best and most practical books I've read on leadership. These 76 leadership proverbs are well worth the read.

For Church Growth - It by Craig Groeschel - As churches, we go through seasons of momentum and times when we feel like we are walking barefoot, uphill, in the snow, with no end in sight. This book not only gives a fresh perspective, it ties humor into the practical illustrations.

I keep reading because I remember a quote from Rick Warren at a conference I attended several years back. He said, "Leaders are learners."

Let's keep learning and leading.

More to come this summer...

Ordinary People Living Extraordinary Lives

2009-05-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of trips I would like to take my family on sometime during our lives. One involves golfing and spring training down in Arizona while everyone in Oregon is cold and wet. Another trip is going back to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. I can imagine walking the halls, seeing the pictures, looking at the equipment, and reading about the history of the game I love. I’d tell my boys stories of players they have never seen play and then tell them about some of the greats I did not get to see either. I just think it would be an incredible experience together.

This summer at Rock Harbor, we are not going to Cooperstown, but we are going to be learning from Hebrews 11. This chapter is often referred to as “The Faith Hall of Fame.” There we find stories and the principles put into practice by great people of great faith. They were pretty ordinary until they began living a life of faith in God. Then, He made them extraordinary! This will be an incredible experience as we walk through this together.

I invite you to join us through the summer and see for yourselves these “ordinary people living extraordinary lives.” We’ll be kicking it off this Sunday so make Rock Harbor a part of your Memorial Day weekend plans.

Refreshed or Drained?

2009-05-18T23:24:00.000-07:00

We each face times in our lives which drain us of our energy and other times which bring refreshment. Sometimes I feel like I am facing one draining situation after another. I find myself searching for something to refill my tank.
A couple weeks ago, I was at a pastor's conference down in Southern California. One of the speakers shared his approach to keeping from getting drained. I've been trying it and discovering that it really works. Now, I can't take any credit for it, but here it is...

Divert Daily - for me, it's checking my fantasy baseball team, relaxing with my wife, or playing around with our boys

Withdraw Weekly - I'll admit, I have to work on this one more. I'm always answering the cell phone or checking email. I need to totally get away from the work week.

Abandon Annually - I'm looking forward to two weeks this summer in California without even thinking about work. I'm sure my family will also enjoy the fact that I give them my attention fully.

So give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

Spring Break??

2009-03-27T21:11:00.000-07:00

It's Friday and our Spring Break week is almost gone. I can remember being in school and really looking forward to a week of no school and especially, no homework. Not being in school any longer means that Spring Break is no longer a "break," but a challenge of balance.

There have been extra demands on my time this week. Work has needed more and my family has wanted more too. I can honestly say that spending time with the boys and Janiesa is a lot more appealing. So it was good to sit through a movie and watch them laugh (even though I wouldn't make Paul Blart: Mall Cop my first choice). It was fun to bowl with them and see the changes in their expressions as different numbers of pins fell.

All in all, it wasn't a "Spring Break" but instead, a good reminder of what needs to be important week in and week out. Now, if April wasn't going to be so busy with Easter and...

Moving to Sherwood High School

2009-01-15T23:11:00.001-08:00

It's been a great 2+ years of meeting at Safari Sam's for Rock Harbor Church. As I was looking around the room the other day, memories filled my thoughts. God has done a lot in the people's lives whom have been a part of our church community.

This weekend, we open a new chapter in the Rock Harbor story. With our move to the high school, we provide additional seating so that more people may join us. The chairs will be a little more comfortable and less crowded. The sound will be more under our control. But the room doesn't matter, we're still going to be worshipping the same God. That's what it is all about.

I look forward to someday looking back at our days in the high school and seeing God's faithfulness and provisions. But for now, I hope you will join us for the journey!

The Facebook Experience

2008-10-08T14:04:00.001-07:00

Okay, I sat down with a couple of friends this past week to talk about staying connected with people when everyone is so busy. Yep, I'd seen myspace, facebook, plaxo, and other internet tools, but really never spent any time with them. After our conversation, I went back to my office and opened my first FB account.

Within minutes, I'd found several people I'd been trying to find for years and we began to send messages back and forth. Then requests for 'friends' began to come in. Soon, my Blackberry was vibrating every couple of minutes with new requests and messages. But why?

Why did I care that someone was 'on their way to the grocery store' or 'just wanting to change their status?' Why did I write that I was 'going on a date with my wife?' But it was good to feel connected, to know that someone was reading about my life and I was intersted in theirs.

So I'm going to keep updating my status every once in awhile and look in on how others are doing. I'll stay connected through emails with some of those I miss talking with. More importantly, I'm going to remember what 'church' is really about. It's not the message, the singing, or even about Sunday morning. It's walking through life together, sharing and encouraging one another, and growing as Christ followers. Through FB we can be 'church' when not together as 'church.'

I invite you to join me on this journey.

God Cares About My Middle School Student

2008-09-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

School has started, but I don't know if that is good or bad? On one hand, it gives us a family routine and keeps us all busy with homework, projects, and limited time at home. On the other hand, it keeps us busy with homework, projects, and a limited time together at home. I love our boys and the opportunity to spend time with them, even if it is just relaxing on the couch or watching them play a video game.

We headed out the door yesterday morning. Janiesa took the twins to the elementary school (big 3rd graders now), while I took Anthony for his first day of middle school. He did not hide his nervousness well as we crept along toward his new school. We tried to talk, but it didn't help much. I shared stories of my experiences at that age, which really did nothing but add to his nausea. So we prayed.

We prayed specific requests. We asked God to put people in each of his 8 periods whom he could sit with. We prayed that his nervousness would quickly be turned into excitement and that his butterflies would go away. We prayed for a good start to this three year experience.

Last night, we sat down on Anthony's bed and prayed again together. He thanked God for the friend he put in each of his 8 classes. He thanked Him for taking away his nervousness and making him hungry instead. He finished his prayer by thanking God for giving him someone to sit with on the bus ride home whom was a lot of fun.

I am so thankful that our God answers the prayers of our son going to middle school for the first time. I am also thankful that our middle school son realizes that God does answer His prayers.

I think I'm going to pray more like him today and pray specifically. I'm a little nervous for this meeting I'm about to walk into.

Mid-life Crisis?

2008-08-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

No new sportscar, or leaving buttons open on my shirt, or hanging out with younger people, but I think I'm going through a mid-life crisis. My wife and I were talking about it the other night as I slumped down on the couch tired and exhausted. The dog quickly jumped on me, licking my ear to remind me that there was to be no rest that evening.

There are times when you reflect on where you been, where you are now, and where you hope to go. This is one of those times for me. Our oldest son is entering middle school, my body constantly aches, and the calendar reminds me that I am getting older. The potential is there for me to become a complaining, grumpy guy.

Can a mid-life crisis be good? Well the 'crisis' part probably can't be, but the reflection is changing my outlook for the future. I'm going to concentrate more on my relationships, looking out for other's interests, and growing as a person. I'm also going to continually reflect on what God wants to be doing in my life and going deeper with Him.

As you relect on your life, what is your outlook for the future?

Anthony's New Experience

2008-08-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

One of the great benefits of being a dad is watching your kids experience new things. It it even more exciting when you get to experience it with them. As our oldest son, Anthony, reaches middle school (I'm getting old), we are able to do lots of new things together.

This summer, we have begun golfing together. There's this great little course about 30 minutes from our house which readily welcomes kids. The downside is that there are lots of "fours" and taking cover.

I really enjoy spending time with my kids. Right now, I'm going to grab my bible, read a little, and pray. I know God enjoys spending time with His kid too.

How Has God Shaped You?

2008-08-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

This summer, I have been teaching a series on the life of David and his experiences. We find them in the bible in I & II Samuel. There are so many lessons to learn from this man as God took David's successes and failures and molded him into someone who did great things for God.

My jobs have always put me in a position where I have the opportunity to help shape people. What a responsibility! But recently, I've been taking a look at how God has shaped me. He has certainly used different people and experiences to make me the person I am today.

So I've talked with some of them, thanked them, let them know how God has used them in my life. It's been a blessing to hear their stories and to catch up on what we shared.

Now I look to the future! Who will God use now? In what lives will He use me as a tool for shaping?

I invite you to take a minute and reflect. Who has God used in your life and what lives do you have influence in? Set aside some time and pray for those people, or drop them a little thank you note.

Allergies

2008-05-13T16:01:00.001-07:00

It's allergy season again and it makes it very uncomfortable around our house. It also means we have to run to Costco to get large quantities of kleenex with which we practice making baskets in our trash cans. My kids take Claritan like it is candy.

I watch as my sons try to wipe the pollen from their eyes, only to make it worse. They get puffy, red, and teary. You can see the discomfort on their faces. That darn pollen!

In a similar way, sin in my life acts like pollen. I'm allegic to it. It makes me uncomfortable and it bothers me. I try to wipe it away, but it just gets worse.

I thank God that He is so much bigger than my allergies. He takes my sin away and renews my relationship with Him. It is so refreshing.

The New Puppy

2008-04-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

I promised you a new blog in a couple of days, but it's taken almost a month. No excuses but... Passion Week was great at Rock Harbor and very busy for this pastor. Then we had Spring Break which is the busiest week of the year at my other job, Sales Manager @ Safari Sam's.

Well, we have a puppy. His name is Rolo and he is full of energy. He is also a handful with potty training, keeping him off the furniture, and teaching him not to bite.

The boys love him very much and are looking forward to when he is "fully trained."

This reminds me of our spiritual journies. We can't remain puppies all of our spiritual lives, but it can be a fun phase. It just gets old if we never mature or learn.

Life's Difficult Lessons

2008-02-28T15:52:00.000-08:00

I've been spending a lot of time with my son recently offering comfort and encouragement. If you've been reading my blog, you'll remember that we adopted a stray dog back in early December 2007. We named her Caramel and my son loves her dearly.

Unfortunatley, Caramel is not a good fit with our family and neighborhood. Having lived on the street, she is very dominant, protective, and has become overly aggressive. We've tried everything, but she needs a different environment than we have to offer. Try explaining that to your 10 year old.

All he understands is that he loves our dog. He doesn't understand that there is something out there better for her. Which got me to thinking...

How often do I hold on to things instead of giving them to God? God has something better out there for me, but I miss it because I am satisfied and holding on to what I already have.

In a few days, I'll be writing another blog and sharing some news. It's going to be exciting for our boys and far better than anything they've ever imagined.

Until then... I'm going to try to loosen my grip and let God provide for me.

Looking to Other's Interests

2008-02-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

As we make our way through the book of Philippians on Sunday mornings, there are many practical applications. Paul has a powerful way of blending theology with practice.

Last Sunday, we read together the beginning of chapter 2. Of course there was the usual discussion of unity, but it was really verses 3 and 4 which spoke to me the most. It is with humility that we view others. This is not a "woe is me attitude" instead it is a reflection of our heart. It's not based upon our skills or abilities, whose better or worse, but the position we allow others to enter into our lives in.

It's so easy to take care of ourselves, to protect our own interests. This week, I've tried to see the opportunities to look to other's interests. I shouldn't be amazed at how many chances God has provided. They are there all the time.

I'm going to continue forward with this same attitude. I encourage you to join me.

We're staying indoors

2008-01-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

I'm a summer guy. I like wearing shorts, the long warm evenings, and all the outdoor activities. When it gets cold like this, I don't get to do my favorite things.

Instead, I watch some football or other tv. I end up surfing the internet or reading more of the newspaper. I help the boys with homework and play games with them (which is not a bad thing).

What do you do during the cold weather? Let me know...

Writing Is Not My Thing

2007-12-18T11:38:00.000-08:00

You don't have to look too closely to see the date on my last post. There has been a lot going on since the beginning of November and I have not taken the time to share it. I could use the excuse that writing is not my thing. Let me share with you some of my observations and happenings...

It's been cold and rainy. I'm not a big fan.

We got a dog from a shelter on December 1. I haven't been a pet lover, but Caramel is a great addition to our family.

We realized how blessed we are as we celebrated Thanksgiving. It was a good time for our boys to share with one another.

Anthony and I get to go to a Blazer's game this Friday. We are excited to do this together.

We've been to three Christmas Parties.

Target's shelves are pretty bare for those of you doing last minute shopping.

Rock Harbor Church continues to grow each week. It's been so encouraging! People really love God and are experiencing life with one another.

Christmas is coming and I can't wait to celebrate Jesus' birth.

I'll try to be more faithful in updating what is going on. I'm sometimes confused at how many people are interested. Thanks for sharing my life with me.

The helicopter

2007-11-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

I'd had my eye on a remote controlled helicopter for quite some time. As I saw my birthday gift, wrapped by my 10 year old himself, it looked the right size. Sure enough, I opened up a red flying machine.

I went to the store where it was bought and took my free flying lesson. Then, it was back home to buzz it around the house. The store owner told me most people crash and destroy it within the first 15 minutes. I'm really good though, it took me 20.

It's been repaired and I'm flying it better. The controls which once seemed so difficult to use, are becoming more natural and almost second nature. It doesn't crash nearly as often now.

Which reminds me... learning to live our lives in relationship with God can be so difficult. We crash and burn in the first couple of minutes. Through perseverance, it becomes more natural. Then we have the freedom to fly (but I still crash, just not nearly as often).

Yep, I turned 40

2007-11-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

It's been two weeks since my 40th birthday. I haven't blogged about it yet, but that doesn't mean I'm in denial. It's more a statement about the busyness and priorities of life right now.

Let me say this though... my birthday celebration was great!

My wife and the kids made it very special. The highlight was the couple's day at a spa in Portland, which my wife had set up. We had massages and pedicures. I'd never go by myself, but enjoyed relaxing with her and being pampared. Yes, I'd go again (although getting the pedicure did receive odd looks form some of the women in the spa).

Turning 40 was more about memories than anything else. I never pictured myself reaching this point in life and don't know what to expect. I'm thankful for the love of my wife and family. I enjoy our kids and watching them grow up.

Most importantly, I love and appreciate God more and more. I see His wisdom, provision, and protection on a daily basis. I'm learning more about relationship with Him rather than just facts about Him. This is a great comfort in the stage I am now.

So now I'm 40. I'm looking forward to what that brings.

Celebrating

2007-10-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

I'm a low-key guy. Whether it be a birthday, anniversary, recognition, or receiving an award, I don't want to be seen or be the center of attention. I wish I was better at celebrating.

This week marks the 1st Anniversary for Rock Harbor Church in Sherwood. The time has past so quickly! Let's celebrate! Let's not downplay the great things God has done through our church and in our lives.

Do you have something to celebrate? Has God done something in your life this past year? Please post a comment and share it with all of us.

Oh, one other thing... I'm going to do better at celebrating my wife's birthday and our anniversary in 2008. Just thought you'd like to know.

Meeting People on Their Own Turf

2007-09-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

Being a youth pastor for over 15 years, I used to always tell my staff... "You need to meet students on their turf." I cannot count the number of sporting events, school plays, music performances, and even speech competitions I've attended. Have you ever been to a middle school beginning band concert? Now that's devotion!

So why do I as a Christ follower often try to invite the world to me? Do I expect people to have the same priorities as I do when they do not have the same relationship with my God? I've discovered over the years that I ask people to come to my turf, where I have the homefield advantage, where I am comfortable. In doing so, I have built walls and placed obstacles in the way of my friendships.

So I ask myself, am I making an effort to meet people on their own turf? What does that look like? What will happen if I do it?

What do you think?

Big Boy, Little Bike

2007-09-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

Today was going to be a lazy Saturday morning. I was surfing the sports scores and checking my fantasy baseball team when our youngest comes bursting through the front door. "Anthony fell and hurt himself. He needs you. He says he needs you now." So I rush out the door, ready for blood, expecting the worst.

The good news is that the lesson was bigger than the injury. Anthony hadn't been riding his own bike, but had chosen to be riding his brother's much smaller bike. It doesn't fit him anymore and in applying the front brake too aggressively, he had gone over the handlebars, bruising his leg and scraping his chin.

Anthony is growing up and with his added size and maturity, he requires more grown up bikes and ideas. Although it is occassionally fun to play with the things which used to be his size, he has moved on to an entirely new stage in life.

Spiritually, we face the same issues. Am I becoming more mature? Am I growing in my relationship with God?

Anthony's bigger bike can do many more things. It has nice suspension and 21 gears. He can go faster and further, off curbs, and take jumps!

It's the same as we grow with God. But sometimes, I think we like the old bike. Even though it doesn't fit us anymore and we bruise our legs and scrape our chins.

End of Summer Vacation

2007-09-01T10:38:00.001-07:00

We finally were able to get some time away and enjoy the summer. It was loading up the Suburban and logging 2100 miles in 10days.

It was good to spend some time with our families and and be back in California. The boys were able to experience new adventures and have a lot of fun. Mom and Dad had fun too! The best part for me was the amount of time we were able to spend together and the things we could do as a family. It makes me happy as a Dad when the kids turn to me and say, "Dad, thanks for taking us here. It was really fun. This is the best vacation ever." Which really means it was a good vacation, or we don't get out enough. Here are three of the many experiences I enjoyed watching my boys have.

1. We went to Mt. Hermon (a camp I counseled at way back in college). There was a big tree house which they enjoyed playing on. One of the challenges was a big pole - bigger than they had ever seen. They encouraged and supported one another as each successfully overcame their fear and went down the pole.

2. After the treehouse, we headed down to the creek. The boys were surprised that I let them walk right down into the water. We creek walked, splashed, watched fish, laughed, and ended up at a cool waterfall. By the end, we were completed soaked and filled with good memories.

3. Our boys love to play with animals and were excited as we headed for the San Francisco Zoo. They ran from one exhibit to the other, wanting their pictures taken with their favorites. By the end of the day, my knees were sore from all the walking, but my steps were light from seeing the smiles on our boys' faces.

A lot of memories were made on our trip and there were a lot of 'favorite' things. The best moments for me were walking hand in hand or arm in arm with Janiesa as we watched our children.

Now that vacation is over, it's back to school!

Beach Run

2007-08-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

We're off to the beach again this Sunday, August 12. Our kids have been asking when we get to go again! We leave right after our 10am worship from Safari Sam's.

We'll be in Pacific City enjoying the sand, sun (hopefully), and the dunes. Last year, our boys went up and down, up and down, over and over again. They proved to me once again that I was old and out of shape.

I enjoy the opportunities to just be with people. I don't have to be the pastor, but can be the wiffleball pitcher, or sand castle builder, or fire starter.

Everyone's welcome to join us!

State Baseball Tournament

2007-08-01T17:04:00.000-07:00

Our family loaded up the Suburban and head for Eugene for the state baseball playoffs. We didn't know what to expect and how long we'd be staying. Our 10 year-old son, Anthony, was excited just to be playing in it.

The kids played well and the parents cheered loudly. After upsetting several teams, we finished 3rd in the state. It was a great accomplishment for our boys!

Anthony played great in the tournament against the better players. He had the game-winning RBIs our extra-innings game! Going home with a medal around his neck made him very proud of his team.

As an extra bonus, Anthony celebrated his birthday on the last day of the tournament.

Happy Birthday, Anthony!

Way to go Sherwood Stealers!

All-Star Game

2007-07-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

I sat with my 9 year old son watching the home run derby. Growing up in the Bay Area, I pulled for the Giants and enjoyed getting to a game with friends and family. The big left-handed slugger, Willie McCovey, would step up to the plate as I anticipated a big swing and hoped for a home run. Here it was, 30 years later, and they were honoring him for his accomplishments which I had watched and admired.

The next night was the all-star game. Before the game, they honored Willie Mays, one of the greatest players of all-time.

I remembered both men in their primes. They were strong, quick, athletic. But now, McCovey enters with crutches. Mays walks slowly, my son comments on how old he is. It was difficult to believe that these were the same men whom I had watched in my youth.

But life does that - no one can escape. Regardless of our past abilities and accomplishements, time marches on. I pulled my son closer, gave him a kiss on the head, and reminded him that I loved him. He told me that I was old.

Summer Adventures

2007-07-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

There are certain signs that summer is here in Oregon. The ice cream truck draws our boys and their coins to the sidewalks for tasty treats. Sprinklers and kids in swimsuits play in our homemade water parks to beat the heat. And on our street, the 4th of July rivals any of the big firework shows.

Of course, there are also the bike rides, walks, and baseball games. All of these activities provide us with the opportunity to laugh, play, and get to know one another better. I'm thankful for the summer and the simpler life (once baseball season ends).

What are the summer signs for you?