Last week, Erica, Josiah and Myself went to a Church Planters Assessment in Elk Grove, Ca at Discovery Church. The organization that hosted the event is Growing Healthy Churches. It was an intense 4 days of looking “under every rock” and a bit like The Apprentice for church planting. We gained some great insight into ourselves, our scars and our future. During the assessment we were split into two groups – East Coast and West Coast. The West Coast group was given the charge of putting together a proposal, plan, vision, strategy for planting 5 churches in 7 years starting in Elk Grove, Ca. Here’s a little video we created for our imaginary church plant, Refresh Church. (Actual footage taken in Elk Grove) Enjoy..
1 Feb
Church Planters Assessment (GHC)
18 Jan
Josiah Laughs
Grandma Paige came and visited for one night and she figured out how to make him laugh. Enjoy the video.
26 Dec
Josiah’s First Christmas
Josiah had a great time this Christmas-even if he slept through one of the family gatherings. He’s had his Aunt, Grandma, Grandpa, Great Grandma’s (x3), Great Grandpa, Second Cousins, Great Aunts and Uncles and Mitch playing with him. The only problem we have is – how do we get all of his gifts back home to Santa Rosa?
21 Dec
I’ll be home for Christmas…
We’re heading to Fresno for the Christmas Holiday. Everyone is pretty excited to see us to see Josiah. Just thought I’d share a quick picture before we take off in the morning. I think he’s a musical prodigy already.
20 Nov
Book Review: Scouting the Divine by Margaret Feinberg
I recently had the opportunity to hear author Margaret Feinberg, at the Catalyst Conference, share how her book Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool and Honey came about. Actually, every attender got a free copy of her book! (Thank You!) Since I was in the nose-bleed section, I got a signed copy…very cool.
Over the past month I’ve travelled with Feinberg through the pages of her book. Taking in glimpses of my savior in ways I had not thought of him before. The old illustrations I’ve heard all my life have blossomed into something more real simply through her explorations of what it means for Jesus to be The Good Shepherd. Feinberg also explores other parables and stories that involve wine, vines and honey. The details of being a Shepherd, Vintner or Bee Keeper bring new meaning and light to these stories from the bible.
What does it mean for Jesus to proclaim that he leaves the 99 to find the 1 lost sheep? Well, that’s a very common thing for Shepherds. Of course you’d leave the 99, because there is strength in numbers. The 99 are better protected, but that 1 needs his Shepherd to find him or he will most certainly die. Sheep can’t live without a Shepherd. They need someone to lead them to still waters and green pastures. When alone, the enemy targets them and wins.
This book is told as short stories and vignettes that are sure to color your personal understanding of scripture and your devotions. I recommend this easy read to you. Go buy it, read it and you’ll see what I mean.
This has been part of the Scouting the Divine Blog Tour.
16 Oct
The Moment I Cried
I’m not a person that cries very often. Even in great, dramatic, movies I can hold back those flood gates. But at Catalyst Conference a little over a week ago, I was touched by this moment. Watch the whole thing, the emotional moment is about 3/4 of the way through the clip.
more about “Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment on Vimeo“, posted with vodpod
Do you sponsor a child? We sponsor Banganjalo and one day we hop to meet him.
14 Oct
Catalyst Conference Entertainment
One of things that I love about Catalyst is that they are always trying to engage you and keep your attention…even between sessions. Check out this video of some footage I took during Catalyst last week.
The Conversation