Appointed...for what?

Effective spiritual leadership does not come as a result of theological training or seminary degree, as important as education is . Jesus told his disciples, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you" (John 15:16). The sovereign selection of God gives great confidence to Christian workers. We can truly say, "I am here neither by selection of an individual nor election of a group, but by the almighty appointment of God."

-J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership

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Colossians 1:28-29

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. - Paul, Apostle, Servant, Example

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God is the One that has called us to serve because of His choice. As a result, this should have some serious implications on the way we lead. Should we not be more bold in what we attempt? Should we not be willing to take greater risks within the leading of His Spirit? When we operate within the clear and known will of God, the blessing and result of greatness is immeasurable.

I believe that Paul accomplished much because he attempted much. He was not about himself or about others. He was about the mission that God had called him to. In Colossians we read about both the power of God in a man and a man's resolve to work and to work hard. Paul labors and struggles, but he does so with the energy of God, which was "powerfully working in him."

Does this same energy of God, AKA the Holy Spirit, not reside within each of us that have been regenerated through Christ, His suffering, His sacrifice, and His resurrection?

Then what is it? What is it that slows us down? What is it that keeps us going further? What is it that hampers God's work in us to see more people come to Christ, more churches started, more people served, more people fed, or more people blessed?

I believe it's 2 things.

The first, since life is convenient, we've grown lazy. Imagine if Paul were alive today, would we not see even more incredible things?

Second, I think we doubt what God is able to do in and thru us. Not just pastors, evangelists, or ..., but through "regular people" (whatever that means). When the people of God learn to tap into the power of God, I believe that we'll see the movement of God. Education helps, but God is smarter. Resources help, but God is richer.

An appointment by God, more powerful than we can fully understand.

learning to lead...

^{Colossians 1:9 --} For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Excerpts from Spiritual Leadership, Chapter 2:

"If the world is to hear the church's voice today, leaders are needed who are authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial. Authoritative, because people desire leaders who know where they are going and are confident of getting there. Spiritual, because without a strong relationship to God, even the most attractive and competent person cannot lead people to God. Sacrificial, because this follows the model of Jesus, who gave himself for the whole world and who calls us to follow in His steps.

True leaders must be willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience.

One last thing must be said, a kind of warning. If those who hold influence over others fail to lead toward the spiritual uplands, then surely the path to the lowlands will be well worn. People travel together, no one live detached and alone."

If we lead, then let's do it right!

this morning at CF DT

this morning at CF DT, i was given the privilege to teach; both at the leaders service and the regular attendee service.

the gospel was shared and people gave their lives to Christ.

i'm always amazed and humbled that God chooses to work through such a messed vessel like myself

the best is yet to come

i would have to say that the best for ministry and city work is yet to come. i can't really say why, other than God is doing incredible things and i'm just grateful to be a part of it.

the best is yet to come.

reload conference miami

today i was given the privelage of sharing the little of experience that i've gained with the brightest folks serving in south florida.

today at Christ Fellowship DT, we were able to host the RELOAD conference; sponsored by the Urban Training Network, Youth For Christ, First Priority of South FL, and Family & Children Faith Coalition.

There were about 275 folks there for the same reason. to learn how to be better in serving and ministering to their communities.

I'm inspired by the great things that God is doing through so many folks. I'm also humbled because I realize after gatherings like this one, I am not needed...thank God.

i want to be faithful

Hosea 3

¹ The LORD said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes."² So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. ³ Then I told her, "You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will live with you."

how many times are we to keep loving someone who doesn't love back? as i read this, i'm struck by the word "AGAIN." i think this is an incredible description of God's love toward us. He loves us again and again and again and again...of course this is God teaching man to honor his wife. but the comparison is clear that God does this with his people the same.

in verse 2 it describes to us hosea's payment for his wife. i know it's weird because it's not american currency. bottom line, it's a lot of money. love is not cheap and there will always be a price to keep it, bring it back, and if necessary redeem and restore it. again, God is the one who leads by example (matthew 27, mark 15, luke 24, john 19) as i glance over the cost of love, i can't but help stop and breathe deeply...because it hurts. to know that i have been the cause of such great pain. how many times has God told me "I'm your God, don't do that because it displeases me." or maybe "You are cheating on me with your time, your money, your resources, your life; stop it."

incredible that God would use hosea in such a way. we honor these men of the scripture, but this is one guy i would not want to be. i can't imagine the difficulty of raising a family without there mother because she's out prostituting herself. hosea is hardcore because he buys her back over and over again - because GOD tells him to.

i want that kind of obedience, i just don't want that kind of trial. i think it's part of the territory however.

i want to be faithful to my God.

that which matters most

so it's been almost 2 months to the day that i last blogged.

lot's of incredible things going on. so much so that it's easy to forget that which matters most. i appreciate this pick that was taken by a buy attending Imago Dei, out in portland oregon; cool cat.

it reminds me most of all that in the middle of life and it's clutter, it's important not to forget the sacred; that which matters most.

what matters most and is it reflected by your time, money, and actions?

life. money. hope.

this weekend at CF we started a 2 part series by dave ramsey. good stuff. lots of insights.

above all, he mentioned this one piece of info that was so true

20% is head knowledge

80% is actual doing

knowing about over spending is easy to understand; not overspending is the tough part

the same thing could be said about all the stupid things in life that we do

we know it's stupid and would never recommend anyone else to do it and yet we somehow end up doing it ourselves

it's the 80% that's tough

to the Don...

tonite i had the cool opportunity of being with a pastor friend of mine, noel lozano (aka The Don) to celebrate his 10 years of ministry. myself along with a few others laid our hands on he and his wife; prayed for their church, membership, future, and God's will

pretty cool time. please continue to pray for him and his family; most people have no idea how hard it is to be a pastor/pastor's wife/pastor's kids

to reading...

been reading about sin lately; what it is and how it works. also been getting ready for a message that i will be sharing at CF DT next week, it has to do with sin.

in the mean time, i'm trying to implement what i'll be sharing. it's easier said than done.

my sin is very real and alive. it reminds me of my past, which stinks.

which is why i'm thankful for God's word; it reminds me of my future, which is incredible. 

can't wait to share with CF next week.

proceed with caution...

so this is what i'm learning about...

God is holy

I am not

i know it doesn't sound like much, but when one begins to understand who and what the essence of God is like, anything in comparison is pitiful; especially me

knowing how screwed i already am and can potentially be helps me reframe my thoughts and my position when i approach God

He's holy...proceed with caution and reverence

"holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts. the whole earth is filled with His glory" - Isaiah

to the sexy prayer...

so i was thinking about guys that lead worship. some cool, others not so much.

either way, when they get into, there's almost always that pause or break in the middle where you can sense that something cool is going on. it's at that point that the sexy prayer begins.

passionate words are uttered. hand gestures are used. it even becomes emotional. 

the catch is in the tone. the voice and feel changes. it's...well, it's sexy.

am i the only one that thinks so?

to breathers...

so being out in the community meeting folks and developing new partnerships is pretty exciting...and draining. been out and about moving fairly quickly for the last few weeks and i'm a bit tired.

not complaining, just stopping to breathe.

if i don't i'll miss the other good things happening all around me.

don't forget to look up every now and then; lots of good things happening in our world.

to 9 years of marriage...

so today i celebrate 9 years of marriage with adriana. loving it.

i can honestly say that i have no regrets in my marriage with her. if  the next 9 are any where as adventurous as the first 9, then the rest of my life is going to be incredible. 

i remember the day i said 'i do.' 

i still 'do.'

adriana, i will love you as long as God allows me to. 

little dave's surgery...

in case you didn't know, my little son dave had a minor surgery procedure done on his ears today. he should be able to hear much better

just wanted to say thanks to all of you who thought of him and prayed for him.

he came out just fine; we are having difficulties calming him down now.

ironically enough, we can already hear that his speech is improving. he's pronouncing his words a bit clearer

thanks friends

to reflections...

so during my quiet times with adriana, we are going over a study called 'down pour' by j. mcdonald. good stuff.

here's where i'm at. there's a few things that i've noted and been convicted of.

-i truly don't realize how holy God really is...it scares me

-i don't spend enough time in worship of Him

-i need to start praying for revival

so with that in mind, i'd like for the blogopolis out there to consider these things with me and to take them to heart

what would it take to bring personal revival?

what would it take to bring revival to our cities?

i know it starts with prayer, what's next?

"I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground" Isaiah 44:3

father's day...

in case you forgot to call your dad, step dad, dad-in-law, mentor, older guy you look up to, etc.... today is father's day.

you might want to give him a ring. if things are weird and you don't know what to talk about, here's a couple of things you might want to say...all true of my dad and those men that have mattered to me

here's 5 things that could help make father's day

1. i love you because...

2. my best memory with you is...

3. one thing that i've learned from you is...

4. one thing that i would like to learn from you is...

5. you are an example to me because...

and to top it off, give your dad a hug and kiss. yes a kiss on the cheek is all good

i love this place

just wanted to let you know that christ fellowship is beginning it's new series this weekend. went to the saturday night service, it was good.

it's about the church, it's role, and how God is doing some great things through it.

check out anyone of the 5 campuses

to facebook...

so i was going thru my facebook and noticed some new friend requests from highschool...la souwesera (southwest)

i accepted and began browsing thru their page. before i realized it, i was like 50 clicks away from my own home page.

initially i thought it was curiosity. but after some reflection, i'm wondering how nosy i really am. also, it's pretty easy to stalk people thru facebook. when ever someone does anything, like updates, pic change, hangover, fart, anything...i'm quickly informed.

maybe i'm the only one, but this has the potential of becoming an obsession if i'm not careful. curiosity didn't kill the cat, but it's making him blind

anybody else have a thought?

is it me or is it all of us?

todays services at downtown...

this am i had the opportunity of teaching at both the christ fellowship downtown services; 9.30 am leader service(my heroes) and the 11 am service.

as i was processing what was shared, i thought i might highlight some of the points that were shared. 

here goes (in case anyone out there cares):

1, we have found the saskwach(bigfoot) in the bible, his name is Goliath. he's big, mean, and hairy

2, the inaction of a nation, people, or person demonstrates what they believe about God

3, God’s invitation for us to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. (henry blackaby is the man)

4, no action = no faith

5, hasn't God proven Himself to us over and over and over again? why can't we just trust Him?

6, i can only do what i can only do. once i've done my part, God does his part

7, impossible is nothing...for God

i'd love to hear what different folks heard around the city in their houses of worship. 

what's God telling you out there?