in the midst of it 12/05/2009

Ever find yourself asking questions like – what am I doing? – what should I do next? – is this really what I want to do?

There will always be more questions than there is answers in this world as we know it.   There really is more to do – than can be done.  We make our choices on what to do. Sometimes choices are made for us because we do not decision making authority. Sometimes we have the complete ability to make these choices as it is all on us. It’s when we are in the midst of it that we realize that our wisdom is not enough and we have to rely on God.

Within ourselves at times we think we are helping God by not asking Him the questions that should be asked to get the anwers we need. Our lives have become so complex so diverse that direction and wisdom is needed from God.  Years ago it was a few things coming at us at one time – now it is many, so many things that need to be addressed and completed.

There is a saying guess you could call it a life phrase that goes “I choose my battles now that I am older – those that I think I can win & want to spend the enrgy on”. With this busyness in life we experience this relative so real. No one wants to lose. Everyone want to be right – thinks they are right – believes they are always right. In the midst of what we are doing – what we are involved in – our position is to win – to accept victory many times before we have actually won.

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an opportunity of a lifetime 08/03/2009

An opportunity of a lifetime was to meet – Pat Mathis. Pat Mathis was the example that Jesus walked out on the seashore of Galilee and the streets among the people. Pat would have had the wisdom to ask the question – you without sin cast the first stone or as I would say – who is going to throw the first rock?  That’s the wisdom she had – typically always carefully choosing her words, making them count for the moment at hand. After the introduction to Pat, the friendship was formed. A friendship that would continue and last, a friendship that has for many spanned decades and some generations. A famous old guy once said – “I never met a man I never liked”  – the same could be said about her. Pat always saw good in someone, found value in them. If we could buy it we would – it’s priceless and it was part of her personality. It was an opportunity of a lifetime to be in friendship with Pat Mathis.

Our God that we serve and love – so MUCH – greatly gifted Pat Mathis with unique creativity. Pat’s sewing skills were amazing and what she could craft with her hands was a true gift from her creator. Pat knew where her gifting came from, she humbly would show her handmade products to you. You knew where her smile came from, deep within boasting only from a heart that said – Yes, I made this but my inspiration and talent are beyond me and above me. Award winning – Yes, County Fair winner, the fruit of her labor was recognized. Making and designing most of her clothes, it was an opportunity of a lifetime to experience her creations.

Pat Mathis crafted and built miniature doll houses. These houses have hundreds of hours of design, creativity and labor invested into them. Pat made one for each of her granddaughters as a keepsake.  A treasure for their children in the future. Leaving a legacy of her creations for many to enjoy. Do you understand what I was talking about now when I spoke about her wisdom?  Pat had the forethought to craft and create these heirlooms to be passed from generation to generation, becoming an opportunity of a lifetime.

Pat Mathis also loved computer technology. Pat was a QuickBooks accounting expert and trainer. Because of Pat Mathis many small businesses were setup by her skills as only Pat would set them up, the right way. Pat loved working with graphic images. Pat helped build the foundation for video presentation for her church, this church, the church she loved so MUCH. Pat took ownership of this project. Pat consumed herself in this project, then taught others and duplicated herself. A sign of her great leadership. If you would look behind you on the second level, the room behind the large pane of glass is the production room. This is where she spent countless hours of energy and time. Pat had a giving heart and understood serving others. There was no self and me, rather instead it was us and them. When Pat gave and she did often and frequently, that became an opportunity of  a lifetime for the recipient.

Pat Mathis was love in action and deed. To know her was to love her. Pat was her own self, not duplicating anyone. Pat had the unique way of loving someone, how they needed to be loved – how they wanted to be loved. Her words were purposed, her personality was plain, nothing fancy for this one, it’s how she was and that was fine. Pat loved to hear of the successes of her children and grandchildren. Her heart was full of love for her family. Her heart was full of love for her friends. Her heart was full of love for her church family and for her Pastor and his wife, Pastor Kemp and Carol Holden. And for her new Pastor and his wife, Pastor Marty and Becky Sloan. Pat believed in Pastor Marty, watched him on TV and quoted him.

Most of all and most importantly the heart of Pat Mathis was full of love for her Savior and Lord, Jesus. Not ashamed to give glory where glory was due, not ashamed to give praise to one that lived in her heart. Her God, our God that we know, was her most prized possession. Her face would radiate with the love of God, her smile would greet you with the grace of God we need and search for, her words would comfort us and lead and guide us like the Holy Spirit, her heart would love us and love us and love us. Pat was a Wife, a Mom, a Mother-n-law, a Grandmother (Grammie), a Sister, an Aunt, many things; most of all she was a friend. Pat Mathis was – an opportunity of a lifetime.

deo MMIX – a look back 06/19/2009

CORAM DEO MMIX – The Underground – promoted to be – the don’t miss this event – an accurate and true statement it turned out to be.

THURSDAY night - DJ Reddy doin’ jams – lights on stage – hard work is always worth the effort – especially for the kingdom.  The music builds – it builds – dooks are open – the crowd rushes in – trying to get to the front row – trying to be with their remix group. It’s arrived – it’ s deo MMIX – here we go. One Band cranked up to 113db audio – God anointed worship – song after song hands lifted in surrender.  The thirst is being quenched. Such an experience to be a part of as I ran the video presentation for worship. Experiencing God in worship does not stop anyone in the tech booth from lifting Holy hands in honor of our Holy God.

FRIDAY morning – breakfast then the continuation from last night. Intense worship reeking from the platform played skillfully & sung by a band dedicated to the cause of Christ. There’s nothing like it – singing praises in the am at a youth retreat – cornflakes &  Christ – Good Morning Jesus – how are you?  Rap groups split off  – 40 something – amaZing synergy in these groups as they go – meet – share with their leaders and others from their hearts. These students love these rap groups as they learn about others & most importantly have a chance to express themselves in a small safe environment.  Ready for this – HS/CC dodgeball tourney – it’s a furry of flyin’ rubber balls – face paint – fast action – friendly braggin’ rights for the year. Afternoon activities – swimmin’ – skateboardin’ – sand volleyball – sleepin’ – it’s all good.

FRIDAY night – One Band – One more time – pushin’ the people to praise – experiencing the presence of  God – One more time.  Pastor Craig presented the drama – The Moment of Truth – aWesome presentation of revealing the lives of 2 believers. Powerful – persuasive – great character roles – the crowd at the altar was Huge. People moved forward to find an altar of repentance & our God that we love – so MUCH met them with arms wide open. Later in the band dorm where I stayed – hunger took over so we went to find some fast food – found a KFC/Taco Bell. Ok – 6 guys ready to eat anything at this point – we start the order process & then after the 1st order we are told they can only take one order at the drive-thru – what! Next – here we go in unknown territory looking for a well-lit sign that had food spelled on it somewhere. There’s a Sonic – STOP – made fresh daily – Yes! – we get our food & have a pre-Midnight picnic at the red tables in front. Always wondered why those tables were there. We placed personal orders using our 1st names – it  was funn-E.  The Sonic lady takin’ orders was just as funn-E as we were – she was playin’ along great – we kept the dialogue rollin’ - love u.

SATURDAY morning – more cereal & the revealing of the bad breakfast burrito. The only way you could eat thiswas knowing that God would heal you quicker than normal because it as a God-event Youth retreat titled – The Underground – where these burritos could be going soon once you participated.  Another round of worship  – musicians play – singers sing – lights flash – words on the screen – we Will go – we Will go – we Will fight the fight…   Rap group time – these students are stoked for this activity – I belong – I belong in this rap group. First time I used the word – stoked – Yea – I went there.  Ok – here we go agane (spelled correctly) – let’s play inside w/multi-color d’balls – it’s JH tourney time. Let’s play outside – v’ball – hit me w/your best shot – here come the boys from the South. We will swim – we will splash – we will burn – we will smile – we will have fun.

SATURDAY night – intensity turned up – the last night – music cranked up – worship begins – hands lifted up – One Band playin’ with the anointing (agane) – song selection for each session was aWesome – loved being a small detailed part of  what God did – I will serve – I will help – I will care.  How does a worship leader end a song – end worship – when God’s presence is so thick ? – talkin’ thick frosting here.  Now it’s time for the theme drama  – lights down – black out – The Underground.  A multimedia drama – students & leaders – songs – video which was craZy – treMendous – unBelievable – there goes Landon raisin’ the bar agane – Mr. bar raiser guy – his talent is not normal – it’s Heaven gift stuff – it’s obviously like Hollywood style – I’ll call it Heavenwood style. PoWerful with a capital W – that’s one word to describe it  – the presentation of – The Underground – we experienced.  Moments of humor – the crowd of some 370+ roared – intense moments of drama – the crowd of some 370+ silenced.  Hours & hours of prep – prayer – practice – brought results when the last word was spoken.  Pastor Josh opened the alter as God spoke to the hearts of those that were ready to receive.

SUNDAY morning - last bowl of value brand cereal – imitation frosted flakes without frosting ain’t bad – freshness always wins. Last set of worship – last time for – we WILL fight – we WILL fight – we WILL make it right – or something like that.  Rap groups become a small army of servant squads as they march out to do accomplish their clean-up assignment. I love it – work never hurts – a great discipline to shape character – in this case – team work atmosphere is established. The baptism waters are ready – everyone at the pool to celebrate with the 70 or so who have made this decision – this life changing decision.  I’m taking photos – making memories to share – a friend asks me to hold his iPhone for safekeeping – Ok – I can do that – not a problem – I’m not getting wet.  AmaZing is a good descriptive word to use as you watch one by one – as they are baptized in the waters of repentance. Then I hear it – Elijah’s mom, Monica calls out a name – Kortni Hobbs. What? – Hey wait – that’s my daughter. My mind racing at major RPM’s right now – I tell myself I have to get in the water – I have to experience this with Kortni. Just then – Pastor Craig finds me on the pool deck & tells me I need to get in the water – I heard that. I hand the camera to Kat, unload my pockets (except my friend’s iPhone – oops),  jump in & head towards Kortni.  I hug Kortni – I hold Kortni – I tell her how proud I am of her for her decision to be baptised again.  Her Icon leaders pray for her – Aaron & Reggie – these guys are Icons in her spiritual life.  Then Pastor Craig turns to me  – puts his hand on my shoulder – and says – “this one is all yours Dad”.  WOW – what a gift that Pastor Craig just gave me – the honor & privilege of baptising my beautiful daughter that God gave us over 15 years ago.  I immersed Kortni in the water and as she held her nose & I held her -  Heaven rejoiced – the crowd clapped & shouted Kortni’s name. I have re-lived this moment many times – many – many times since then – since that day.  I made a memory that day – it was a family memory – a destiny moment in Kortni’s life & I was there to see it – to experience it – to participate in it.  In the near future I will write a blog solely based on this spiritual moment in our family history. 

CORAM DEO MMIX – Huge God event in the summer of 2009.

Live podcast – streets of Hollywood 03/28/2009

Saturday afternoon – at my brothers -  having a conversation about Friendship evangelism. Still relevant in our society – always will be. Tonight – Mike, an ex-gang member (Latino – to help illustrate) – will be in the streets of Hollywood – reaching out to help those that need Christ – that need to know the love of  the God that we love so – MUCH.

Ricky helped Mike in his street evangelim methods to minister Christ in the inner city & streets of L.A.  Hundreds and hundreds of hours have been spent reaching out to people in the L.A area. It’s amaZing isn’t it how the passion of Christ replaces the stuff in our hearts that builds up in our lives. Stuff – stuff like hate – stuff like bitteness – stuff like rejection – stuff like loneliness – stufff like being un-loved. When Mike – found Christ – accepted Christ - God also placed passion in his heart – helped him find his purpose to help those like he was – where he was – what he used to be like. Spoke to Mike earlier, heard the passion in his voice & words  as he told me what their plan was for tonight.

Think about this – this guy is on the west coast. We are in Arkansas – connecting with a guy named Mike – that is making this Saturday night a priority in his life to help others – to be Jesus on the streets of Hollywood. It’s amaZing to me – how Christ can change the heart of a person – radically change the heart – never to be the same again. This person’s life has been changed – a new person emerges from the botton of the pile – to the top of the mountain. Go here to see pics of Mike & watch this video – http://www.laforjesus.com/Street_Evangelism.html  Ricky is talking to 3 guys on the Santa Monica pier & then Mike follows up. Pretty aWesome – pretty cool.

Ricky started off the podcast and spoke first to Mike & then I asked Mike a few questions. I asked Mike about where does his passion come from to go to the streets and minister Christ to those he came in contact with. Mike has a great testimony of God’s grace. Mike’s past was unbelievable but because of God his future is going to amazing. Mike’s compassion and love for people was evident as I spoke to him. This is a guy you (we) definitely want to have on your team. I told Mike it was just like God to do this - Mike was answering my questions before I could even ask them. – it was aWesome & neat to experience. I asked Mike I know God has called him to share Christ on the streets but what else has God called you to do. Mike shared with me that one of the desires of his heat is to pastor a  church. Isn’t that great. This guy – this new friend of mine – would be a great pastor – I just know it. Mike told me that his wife is a great team member. She goes out on the streets with Mike  and minsters along his side. She sings & loves worship & leads worship also. 

Mike & his team were having alot of resistance as they reached out & tried to share Christ on the streets of Hollywood this night. Sometimes it just goes like that - God still plants as we sow seed into the hearts of people for the kingdom.

facebook member – hummm… 03/14/2009

Finally joined the facebook family of facebookers. Feel like I am one of those now – whatever those are. Kinda fun to add friends – especially when you receive a request that someone has added you – that’s funner. Happy times are when you locate a friend you have spoken or seen in a long time. I am going to use Facebook to keep up with friends & buds. And most importantly to spread the word & the world of – MUCH.

WAKE – 5 powerful words 03/01/2009

Invited by Jessica A to be speak at the Wake remix on – 02/26.  I told God from the beginning of the calling on my life to preach; if asked, if needed  I will show up. It was raining for a while  that night – that’s Ok – just God proving He’s God again. Wake has a great meeting place, very comfortable, relaxed feeling. Of course I had that awkward feeling of being the new guy, older guy multiplies the effect. No worries though - once I spoke I knew I would bring them. Make them feel comfortable with me, gain their friendship by laughter & confidence by teaching what the Holy Spirit had iven to me.  Topic title  – 5 most powerful words – God – Jesus – I Love You.  Think about it – they really are.

I built the foundation of the lesson with God, called him the big universe guy. He created Heaven & worked his way down to making “dirt man”, quoting Chris Hill@ Genesis ’09.  AmaZing God – created love for us – so we could experience Him. Since God is love – when we know God – we know love.  We make it hard sometimes – it shouldn’t be – it wasn’t intended to be hard.  Then I moved onto to – Jesus. He’s our aWesome God & loving saviour. Jesus picked – chose 12 people to be close to Him – to teach – to mentor. Not a special group – common people from different backgrounds. God is a people God – a people loving God. If God loves people – understands people – then if we are to be like God – an imitator of God – then we are & we can be a people person also.

There is something about love – it’s a common ground for everyone – everyone wants love – needs to be loved – wants to be loved. It’s God desire for us to experience love – God through His Holy Spirit has placed love in our hearts – it’s deep within us. We can love. I am sorry if you did not grow up in a good family, if you maybe have not experienced love like you should have or would like to. It’s not fair – I know. We can  – we all can  experience love – it is the heart of God for us to love & to be loved. We should love our friends – they are our friends – we are blessed  – they are a gift of God to use – favor from our God that we love so – MUCH.

Kellie, young beautiful wife of 26 years. Great person – only 7 sins in her life so far, its what I always say. Great example for young women of God, you need to meet her. She is crazy about me – just ask her. She loves to help people like me. I love Kellie so – MUCH. Kortni – beautiful teenage daughter loves God. Loves people  – will talk to anyone. Always talking to her friends, wanting to help them.  Cheerleader but very humble – not typical type. Adopted to our family &  to our hearts,  a gift of God. We love her so – MUCH. How can you not love your child – she is , he is your child. What a blessing to be a parent. Kortni &  I used to have daddy & daughter talks. Small talks about life, about people. I taught her to observe people. Why people say certain things at certain times in situations. We never finish a phone call without saying  – I love You. Kortni has & still does hear the words – I love You all in the time in our home. Kat our MC student now in her third year & in her second year with staying with us. She has a found a home in our hearts. How can you not love someone who lives in your home?  You have to – you just have to. We slap a high five & say – “love” when she turns in for the evening or leaves the house.

The 5 most powerful words – God – Jesus – I love You.

Genesis 09 – the event 02/10/2009

’09 – change is gonna come 01/02/2009

Been waiting for the new year. Anticipating – Believing – Expecting this to be the year of change and turnaround. How? – more prayer – more word  – more worship – more quiet time – MUCH more God.

“we can if we want to – we will if we need to”

The economy is messed up, I guess it has finally caught up with our society and culture of America.  It has to get better – it will – we are a strong nation and able to endure alot.  Pastor’s all over our nation are encouraging their people to pray more than ever for our nation and for those in authority and leadership.

“take 10 minutes every day and pray”

Pray for whatever you need to pray for – just remember to pray. My Pastor reminds us all the time that the most important thing we can ever do is pray. Pray for your families – pray for favor – God will and wants us to speak to Him. He will listen and He will answer. He is the God of Heaven and Earth. Our God does care – our God does have compassion for those that He loves  – His people, those that have chosen to accept His name and those that haven’t at this time.

“our God is the God that loves us so – MUCH – so very MUCH”

philippians 1:9 the Message 01/02/2009

so this is my prayer that your love will flourish and that you will not only love MUCH but well