#585 - THE LAST 9 DAYS

As I am on my flight back to Oakland from Atlanta, I can’t help but think about the myriad of ways that God, once again, showed Himself as powerful, faithful, gracious, and kind. Here are a few highlights:

WHILE IN MARIETTA…

• Formed a special bond with our host family Kyle & Lolly Collins

• Preached the Friday Morning Main Session of the MOVE Conference, and was affirmed by many of the attendees that though I wasn’t initially scheduled to be the one to speak that morning, I was “supposed” to be there. (Also received a very generous honorarium!)

• Enjoyed serving with the other church planters in the Bay Area on the “Effective Church Partnerships” Panel

• Thanked Kevin Ezell and Gregg Matte, in person, for the positive impact they’ve had on my life and on theMOVEMENT Church. 

• Confirmed invitation to preach Johnson Ferry’s Services on Sunday, June 24.

• Scheduled Bobby Smith and several others from Johnson Ferry’s Music Ministry to join us on Labor Day Weekend to support and strengthen the music ministries of theMOVEMENT and other Bay Area church plants.

• Watched a couple of movies, ate delicious meals, and strengthened relationships with leadership and congregation of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

WHILE IN SAVANNAH…

• Shopped and ate. 

• Rested and relaxed.

• Watched Black Panther.

• Worked on Sexology messages.

• Stayed at our first Autograph Collection Hotel.

• Toured the historic sites on a horse and carriage.

• Ate some more.

ADDITIONALLY…

• While I was away, nearly $30,000 was given to theMOVEMENT unexpectedly!

  • $20,000 from out of the ordinary tithes/offerings

  • $5,000 from an out of the ordinary partner church support check

  • $4,500 from an out of the ordinary grant from the California State Baptist Convention

To God be the glory! 

All I deserve, in light of my sin, is eternal separation from God. BUT GOD! In His grace, in His mercy, and in His goodness lavishes me with blessings, opportunities, and experiences that go far beyond what I can even conceive! I stand in awe. “Lord I’m amazed by You, and how You love me.”

INTERESTING FACT:
Just as I was finishing writing this post, I opened up the fortune cookie I was given with the dinner I had eaten before boarding the plane. In it, were TWO fortunes (pictured above)! One fortune cookie. Two fortunes. (Good ones too!) When God rains down His blessings, He pours down His blessings! HAHA!

#584 - ENTRUSTED NOT ENTITLED

Entrusted with life not entitled to longevity.
Entrusted with vision not entitled to success.
Entrusted with position not entitled to perks.
Entrusted with leaders not entitled to loyalty.
Entrusted with wisdom not entitled to listeners.
Entrusted with influence not entitled to notoriety.
Entrusted with gifting not entitled to opportunity.
Entrusted with resources not entitled to abundance.
Entrusted with partners not entitled to commitment.

ENTRUSTED WITH VERY MUCH.
ENTITLED TO VERY LITTLE.

Nothing is earned.
Nothing is merited. 
Nothing is deserved.

IT'S ALL GRACE.

Be grateful.
Steward accordingly.
You will be held accountable.

#583 - WHY SEXOLOGY?

On Sunday, March 11, I will begin a 3-part teaching series entitled, Sexology - What Does God Have to Say About Sex? In an effort to prepare myself for the series and remind myself of why I'm preaching a series like this in the first place, here are a list of reasons why I'm convinced a teaching series on sex, from a Biblical perspective, is necessary.

• Because sex was created by God, it should be understood by the children of God. 

• Because God's purpose for sex is unknown, sexual abuse of all different types is rampant.

• Because the Church is often silent on issues related to sex, Christians are getting their answers to their questions about sex from the world rather than the Word. 

• Because when the Church does speak up about sex, it's often done in a way that is both judgmental and dogmatic.

• Because sexual sin negatively impacts you and others around you in a way that other types of sin don't.

• Because people at theMOVEMENT are wounded because of sexual sins they've committed and sexual sins that have been committed against them.

• Because our middle/high school students are being bombarded with false narratives about sex.

• Because our parents don't know how to talk to their kids about sex. 

• Because our singles are struggling because of misunderstandings about sex.

• Because our marriages are struggling because of misunderstandings about sex.

• Because, as a pastor, I am responsible for preaching the full counsel of God's Word.   

If any of these reasons for why I am doing a teaching series on sex resonate with you, I encourage you to join me either online or in-person on Sunday, March 11!

Your prayers are appreciated!

#582 - THANKFUL

Thankful for support. Thankful for partnership. Thankful for opportunities. Thankful for encouragement. Thankful for friendship. Thankful for affirmation. Thankful for hospitality. Thankful for prayers. Thankful for teaching. Thankful for laughter. Thankful for your example.

THANKFUL FOR LOVE.

Thank you Johnson Ferry for hosting my wife and I for a fourth consecutive year at your MOVE and Global Missions Conference.

theMOVEMENT is a stronger church, my wife and I have a stronger marriage, and I am a stronger pastor because you are committed to our success. 

May God bless your ministry one-hundred fold what you have generously blessed the greater body of Christ!

Thank you.

#581 - ONE RECOMMENDATION ON SLEEP

Can you imagine a life without sleep? Can you imagine how much we could get done if we didn't have to sleep? Can you imagine how your nights would be spent?

You ever wonder why God created sleep in the first place? He could have very easily created humanity with no need for sleep. Yet, He did. But why?

I believe, 

GOD REQUIRES US TO SLEEP BECAUSE GOD DESIRES US TO TRUST.

Every time we sleep, we have the opportunity to declare, I trust God. I trust God to do what only He can do while I am sleeping. I trust God to make up for the time I "lose" while I sleep. I trust God to replenish my strength. I trust God to wake me up.

With this in mind, I would like to encourage you with one recommendation on sleep. I know this isn't possible every day, and it may not even be possible every week. But, I would encourage you to make an attempt at least once a month to:

SLEEP UNTIL YOU ARE FINISHED SLEEPING.  

Though that sentence may shock you and seem to be to you an impossibility, I encourage you to, every now and then, make it a reality.

Sleep until you can't sleep anymore. Don't just sleep until you have to wake up, sleep until you want to wake up. Sleep until you've rested.

Now, I know you have excuses why you can't do this. Legitimate ones at that. But, regardless of what your excuse is, you need to do this. Once a month, once a week if possible - do this.

You need this to do this for you. You need to do this for your spouse. You need to do this for your kids. You need to do this for your job. You need to do this for those you lead. You need to do this as a way of declaring to God - I trust you.

SLEEP UNTIL YOU ARE FINISHED SLEEPING.

God will be honored and you, will be happy.

#580 - KYLE AND LOLLY

This is Kyle and Lolly.

They have graciously and generously hosted my wife and I while attending the Johnson Ferry MOVE Conference here in Marietta, Georgia.

While spending time with them, as well as many other "seasoned" believers in Christ from the church, God has taught me so much. But, before getting into the main lesson I've learned, here are a few astounding stats about their lives.

1. They've been married for 50+ years.

2. They've raised and loved their 3 kids for 50 years.

3. Lolly served in vocational ministry for 20 years.

4. Kyle has served (and is still serving!) in vocational ministry for 18 years after retiring from working in the corporate world for 35 years! 

5. They've attended and served at Johnson Ferry for nearly 25 years. 

6. They've been followers of Jesus for 60+ years!

Faithful to Christ. Faithful to each other. Faithful to their children. Faithful to their jobs. Faithful to their church. Kyle and Lolly are a beautiful portrait of faithfulness. (And they are by no means finished!)

The unfortunate truth about me is that:

• I have not had enough exposure to faithfulness like this.

• I have not had enough appreciation for faithfulness like this.

• I have not had enough humility to learn from faithfulness like this.

Here's my big takeaway that I hope drives, inspires, and encourages me for many years to come:

LONG-TERM FAITHFULNESS IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN SHORT-TERM FRUITFULNESS.

For way too long, I've been way too impressed with quick results. For way too long, I've been way too interested in being an "overnight" success. For way too long, I've been way too concerned with the fruit God was producing in my life in the present.

This is short-sighted. This is naive. This is immature.

The measure of my life will not be in how I start, but it will be in how I finish. The legacy of my life will not be in what I do over a period of years, but it will be in what I do over a period of decades. Success for me will not be in launching strong, it will be in landing well.

Thank you Kyle and Lolly for giving me a priceless gift - your example. 

From this day forward Rebekah and I will have a target to aim for - a lifetime of faithfulness.

#579 - THE ESSENCE OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Tomorrow morning, our Student Pastor at theMOVEMENT Church, Spencer Romero, along with his leadership team, is going to take our student ministry on their very first Winter Retreat. This is very significant for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, as a church, we understand that we are only as strong as our involvement with and investment in the next generation. If we don't raise up the next generation of Christians and Christian leaders, the future strength of the local church will be in jeopardy. I praise God that though our church is "young," we are still taking seriously the task of bringing the good news of the gospel to the youth of our city.

Secondly, it makes me think about how just seven years ago, as a Student Pastor at Crossroads Church in Fremont, I took my students on their very first Winter Retreat! How the time has flown. But more significant than the time flying, is my gratitude for my leadership being multiplied.

Something I used to do is now being done by someone else, so that the things only I can do can be done by me.   

This is the essence of leadership development.

I no longer see success as only getting things done. (Though getting things done is very important!) I now see success at getting things done through other people. What I can do is very, very limited. But, what can be done through others is unlimited!  

Tonight, please join me in praying that God would impact the student and leaders at this Winter Retreat in a very powerful way. But, I ask that you would also join me in praying that several years from now, someone who used to be in our Student Ministry will be leading a group of students to go on their first Winter Retreat!

Development. Reproduction. Multiplication. Movement.

This is our aim. 

#578 - HOW TIME CAN BE FOR YOU OR AGAINST YOU

Years ago, I received a piece of advice I didn't appreciate as much as I do now. It was a principle that I believed was true, but now, that many years have gone by since I first heard it, I am even more convinced of it's validity. The principle is this:

TIME WILL EITHER PROMOTE YOU OR EXPOSE YOU.

For better or for worse.

If you are lazy.
If you are immature.
If you are irresponsible.
If you cut corners.
If you break rules.
If you tell lies.

You will be exposed.

If you are faithful.
If you are diligent.
If you are consistent.
If you overcome obstacles.
If you practice regularly.
If you work hard. 

You will be promoted.

Let this sink in for just a moment...

It's only a matter of time before who you are in the dark comes out into the light. It's only a matter of time before the seeds you sowed in the last season will reap a harvest in the next. It's only a matter of time before your habits become your legacy. For better or for worse.

TIME WILL EITHER PROMOTE YOU OR EXPOSE YOU.

You cannot escape this. This can either be a dream come true or your worst nightmare. Live accordingly.

#577 - HOW TO FOSTER EFFECTIVE CHURCH PLANT PARTNERSHIPS

As written about in a previous post, theMOVEMENT has been blessed to receive over $1 million in partnership support over the last 5 years. What God has done in partnering theMOVEMENT Church with various churches across the country has been nothing short of a miracle. Having no previous relationships with or knowledge of any of these churches is proof that God deserves all the glory and praise for the supernatural connections He has made. 

Through these various partnerships, we've been able to launch a healthy, growing, almost self-sustaining, preparing to reproduce itself church plant in the heart of one of the most expensive places to live in the entire world! The Bay Area of California, more specifically, the city of Oakland. 

How did this happen? How were these partnerships started? How were these partnerships maintained? Many factors go into it, but after 5 years of cultivating partnerships to support the church of our church plant, here are the main lessons I've learned:

FOR THE PARTNERING CHURCH

1. Be convinced that planting new churches is an effective strategy for evangelism. Tim Keller writes, "The single best way to reach non-Christians is to start new churches. The transitional new community creates space for outsiders to plug in." For the gospel to advance, new churches must be planted, sustained, and then re-produce. The degree to which you believe this will be the degree to which your church invests in partnering with church plants. 

2. Be interested in the success of churches other than your own. Though this may seem condescending to even ask, it is a question worth honestly answering, "Do we want to see other churches, especially new ones, succeed in reaching people with the gospel?"

3. Be sacrificial in paying a price to see that success come to fruition. If the answer to previous question is "Yes," the answer to this one is equally important. Are you willing to pay the price of investing in a church other than your own? Are you ready to give financially? Are you ready to send your people out to support another church? Are you ready to invest time during your Sunday Services and small groups to pray for church plants? Are you ready to "lose" something for another church's gain?

4. Be willing to serve the church plant on their terms. Can you give financially without directing the funds? Can you send missions teams when it's convenient for the church plant? Can you send missions teams to do work that the church plant needs done and not to do work you prefer doing?

5. Be discerning of the Lead Church Planter. Do you sense an anointing on his life for planting and pastoring a church? Does he have a track record of starting and growing something from scratch? Does he have the spiritual gift of leadership and has he used that gift to win people to Jesus and make disciples? Is his marriage healthy? Pray about this. Get more than one set of eyes on the planter, his wife, and his team and discern accordingly.

6. Be ready to start before you're ready. Especially to churches who have never partnered with a church plant before, you must be ready to start before you understand everything about partnering with a church plant. Much of what you will learn about how to partner with a church plant is learned after you partner with a church plant!

7. Be OK with asking tough questions. Because you will be accountable with how you invested the resources of your church, you must be comfortable with checking in on your investment. Are Sunday Services growing in attendance? How are disciples being made? Is the leadership team healthy? Is the church increasing its internal revenue through tithes and offerings? Is there a plan for this church to become self-sustaining?   

FOR THE CHURCH PLANTER

1. Be convinced of your unique mission and vision. Do you have a burden? Do you have a burning passion to reach the lost? If you're not convinced of what you're setting out to do and why you're setting out to do it, you will have a very difficult time convincing anyone to support you. 

2. Be clear on what you need. How much money do you need, exactly? How many volunteers do you need, exactly? What kind of support do you need, exactly? How can the partner church help you to accomplish your mission, specifically? How can you be prayed for, specifically? The more clear you are on what you need, the easier you make it for a potential partner church to meet that need.

3. Be ready to give an account. Keep accurate numbers. Keep accurate accounts. Keep track of stories. If you can't answer the question of how your church is doing with specific numbers and compelling testimonies of how God is moving within your new church community, the partner church may begin to feel as if their resources are being stewarded poorly.

4. Be honest about your struggles and failures. Partnering with other churches to support your church plant is about so much more than the money. What has been more valuable to me than the money is the mentorship. Mentorship from more seasoned pastors and leaders is invaluable. But, the door for mentorship to take place is opened by you when you are honest about the difficulties you are having as a church planter. 

5. Be entitled to nothing. A partnership with a church is a gift and a grace from God. If a check doesn't come in, if a promise is not kept, if communication is not frequent, if a partnership ends prematurely - guard your heart. Be careful to never feel, think, or act in ways that communicates that your partner church owes you anything. They don't. God gives. God takes away. Bless God and bless the partner church, regardless. 

6. Be thankful for everything. Every check, every prayer, every volunteer, every phone call, every act of kindness, every correction or rebuke, every word of advice - be thankful for it all. Thank the church. Thank God. Be in awe and wonder that God would allow any help to come your way. 

7. Be prepared for the relationship to transition. Just as a relationship with a parent and a child evolves over time, so will a church partnership with your church plant. If the partnership is going well, over time, the church partner should be pouring less and less into your church and your church should be pouring more and more time into another church plant! This is how the cycle continues and the multiplication of healthy churches can become a reality!

In no way are these lists exhaustive, but I believe they do lay a good foundation for existing churches to partner with new church plants. Please feel free to comment below with other best practices you would recommend!

SPECIAL THANKS TO: 
Crossroads Church, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Houston's First Baptist Church, Central Baptist Church, 1st Baptist Trussville, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Epic Church, Echo Church, Southcliff Baptist Church, Stonegate Fellowship, Liberty Baptist Church, North American Mission Board, California State Baptist Convention, and the East Bay Baptist Association. You are the partners who have helped make our church plant a light in the city of Oakland!

#576 - THE NEXT 9 DAYS

Tomorrow morning, my wife and I will fly to Atlanta, Georgia. Half the time will be spent in Marietta, Georgia at a missions conference, and the other half of the time will be spent in Savannah, Georgia resting and relaxing. 

Though I'm thankful for the time away, when we return there will be a whirlwind of events and activities in our life and in the life of our church.

With that in mind, in an attempt to maximize these next 9 days and prepare for the days following the trip, here are my primary goals and objectives during my time away.

WHILE IN MARIETTA...

• Strengthen relationships with friends at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

• Serve humbly, faithfully, and courageously as a Breakout Session Panelist and as a Main Session Speaker.

• Connect and engage with church planters in the Bay Area.

WHILE IN SAVANNAH...

• Rest.

• Eat good food and spend quality time with my wife.

• Finish first 2 messages in Sexology series.

For me, in the midst of chaos, specificity and clarity brings peace.

If you find yourself anxious or overwhelmed by all the stuff that's on your plate, I encourage you to write a list. Get it out of your head and put in on a piece of paper (or note on your phone). 

Even the most daunting tasks seem smaller when they are reduced to a single line!

#575 - A PASTOR'S WORST NIGHTMARE

In almost 5 years of ministry in the city of Oakland, this has NEVER happened before. With 15 minutes to go before service started, we've been afraid that it might happen, but it never actually has. It always gets fixed just in time. It always works right when we need it to. The problem is always solved.

But, not today.

OUR PROJECTOR DIDN'T WORK.

You're probably saying to yourself, what's the big deal?

Well, because we are a church that wants to be sensitive to first-time guests, especially those who are new to church, we utilize the projector to help our guests follow along with the different aspects of our service.

We provide lyrics to our songs.
We provide visual aids to our messages.
We provide scripture for our time of corporate prayer.

No projector. No bueno.

And if that wasn't bad enough, 

OUR HEATER WAS BROKEN TOO.

And it was cold. Like 50 degrees cold. And for us Bay Area folks, that's cold.

Now, I know there are many of you reading this who do and have done ministry in way worse conditions. Now before you judge me (because I know you are!), I hope you can empathize with the fact that anytime you can't do ministry in the way you are used to doing ministry it can be very frustrating. Frustrating and distracting.

But, I believe God used our hiccups and hangups in today's service to remind me of a lesson that I hope to not forget anytime soon...

IF GOD IS WORKING, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF EVERYTHING ELSE ISN'T.

And on the flip side of that truth...

IF GOD ISN'T WORKING, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF EVERYTHING ELSE IS!

And the truth of the matter is, today, God worked. Today, God moved. Today, God used our broken circumstances to reveal His perfect strength. Today, God glorified Himself through the singing of songs, through the corporate prayer of His saints, through the preaching of His word, and through the power of multiple testimonies! None of these things needed a projector! None of these things needed heat. It would've been nice, but it wasn't necessary! 

Just when I think I know what we need to do ministry effectively, God reminds me in only the way that He can that He is not limited by anything.

GOD IS NOT LIMITED BY ANYTHING.

God is not limited by our technology.
God is not limited by our meeting space.
God is not limited by our staff size.
God is not limited by our budget.
God is not limited by our education.
God is not limited by our abilities.
God is not limited by our band.
God is not limited by our resources.
God is not limited by our volunteers.
God is not limited by whatever excuse you have for why you can't do ministry effectively in your context.

GOD IS NOT LIMITED BY ANYTHING.

Now, let's all do ministry from this point forward with the peace and confidence that comes from believing that is the truth!

#574 - ALL DREAMS REQUIRE THIS

As one who, from the time I graduated from high school, started developing great dreams, goals, and aspirations for my future, for many years, I struggled with faithfulness in the present.

It came more naturally to talk about it than to be about it. I felt more comfortable with coming up with a new pursuit than seeing my last pursuit through to completion. But when I heard these words, everything changed:

Your head can be in the clouds, but your feet have to be on the ground.

You can dream big dreams for the future, but you must take small steps in the present. You can have great aspirations for what could be, but you must be ready to give great dedication to what is. You can be confident that you were made for more, but you must be faithful when you're experiencing less.

Head in the clouds. Feet on the ground.

Vision statements must be accompanied by action plans. 5-year projections must be supported by daily goals. Grand declarations of where you're headed must be backed up by clear evidence that you're willing to put in the work to get there. 

Manage the tension. 

Then. Now.
Future. Present.
What will be. What is.
What you want. What you have.
Where you're going. Where you're at.

You must keep your eyes on both.

If your head is always in the clouds, you'll miss out on the beauty of today. If your feet are always on the ground, you'll miss out on the potential of tomorrow.

#573 - HOW TO GET OFF THE CAROUSEL OF MISERY

Do you find yourself unhappy? Do you notice yourself experiencing prolonged sadness? Are you surprised when even good things don't brighten up your day? Are you frustrated by your inability to "snap out" of it? 

During many seasons of my life, I have had to deal with the very same feelings. Thankfully, I think I've found a cure. 

THE CURE IS CONTENTMENT.

Being deeply grateful for what you already have. Needing absolutely nothing else to feel complete. Feeling extremely satisfied with what you've been given.

THE CURE IS CONTENTMENT.

Not being owned by success. Not being enslaved by approval. Not being driven by materialism.

THE CURE IS CONTENTMENT.

Wonder and awe for what is. Understanding and patience for what isn't. Peace and serenity for what will or will not be.  

THE CURE IS CONTENTMENT.

The quality of someone who sees God's goodness. The character trait of someone who recognizes God's faithfulness. The response of someone who experiences God's grace.

THE CURE IS CONTENTMENT.

Without it, you feel like you're missing out. Without it, you're convinced God is not for you. Without it, you believe you're getting the short end of the stick. 

THE CURE IS CONTENTMENT.

A pre-requisite for being entrusted with more. A must have for being blessed with abundance. A necessary ingredient for being ready for greater.

THE CURE IS CONTENTMENT.

Find it. Practice it. Embrace it.

Life without it is a carousel of misery.

#572 - THE DRUG YOU'RE UNAWARE YOU'RE ADDICTED TO

So many great tweets.

Powerful quotes. 
Poignant one liners.
Provocative threads. 
280 characters or less that makes you go wooooow.

So many awesome videos.

Stand-up clips.
Sermon highlights.
Speech snapshots.
1 minute or less that makes you go oooooh. 

So many compelling "stories."

On religion.
On politics.
On social justice.

15 seconds or less that makes you go hmmmmm.

We're commenting. We're liking. We're re-tweeting. We're sharing.

But my concern is this,

ARE WE CHANGING?

Inspiration on social media can be like a drug - temporary high, but no long-term positive impact. Instant euphoria, but no lasting conviction. Momentary bliss, but no paradigm shift. 

Let's not let this be us.

The next time you come across a poignant tweet, video, story, link, blog, article, etc. online, that challenges you...

DON'T JUST SHARE IT AND MOVE ON. LET IT SINK IN AND BE CHANGED.

#571 - PERFECT TIMING

The helpful hand.
The harsh rebuke.
The desired result.
The financial support.
The loving correction.
The supportive friend.
The encouraging word.
The insightful resource.
The favorable outcome.
The pivotal partnership.
The desired opportunity.
The necessary connection.
The romantic relationship.

Whatever it is you need, God will provide it for you exactly when you need it.

Never late. Rarely early. But always on time.

If you knew everything God knows. If you saw everything God sees. If you understood everything God understands. You would comprehend why you don't currently have the thing you think you currently need.

GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT.

Trust it.

#570 - A MILLENNIAL'S WORSE NIGHTMARE

I'm overlooked.
I'm undervalued.
I'm unappreciated.

I'm not new.
I'm not flashy.
I'm not cutting edge.

I'm present when everyone else is absent.
I'm working when everyone else is sleeping.
I'm going when everyone else is stopping.

Bigger and better doesn't impress me.
The latest and the greatest doesn't distract me.
My results compared to yours doesn't affect me.

I'm boring.
I'm mundane.
I'm repetitive.

But...

I REQUIRE COURAGE.

I don't just start well.
I finish strong.

I don't just make promises.
I keep them.

I don't just arrive.
I stay.

Through hardship.
Through difficulty.
Through turmoil.

I STAY.

Through criticism.
Through failure.
Through setback.

I STICK.

When the luster has left.
When the shine has subsided.
When the glisten is gone.

I PERESEVERE.

When all that is left is work.
When all that is required is sweat.
When all that counts is being able to be counted on.

I THRIVE.

Who am I?

I AM FAITHFULNESS.

And you will never know
success and fulfillment
until you know me.

#569 - HOW ONE MOMENT BECAME $1 MILLION

It was, on this exact day, five years ago that God would give myself and the team of people who started theMOVEMENT Church in Oakland an opportunity that would result in $1,000,000. For real. 

FEBRUARY 19. 2013.

My wife and I had only been living in Oakland for a little over a month. We were seven months away from launching weekly services. But, we had only $12,000 pledged towards the $190,000 we needed by September to start the church. A significant gap to say the least. 

Having very few relationships with churches, organizations, and people who could actually make raising this amount of money a reality - we were truly walking by faith (or foolishness) depending on how you want to look at it!

But Rich Johnstone, a member of the original team of 20 people who started theMOVEMENT and the Send City Coordinator for the Southern Baptist Convention for the San Francisco Bay Area, graciously gave me the opportunity to share the vision of our church with a group of pastors (primarily from the South) who were interested in investing in new church starts in the Bay Area - an opportunity of a lifetime.

They came.
I shared the vision for our church.
I asked for their support.
My pastor affirmed my calling.
They prayed for me and our team.
They left. Then...
We waited.

A week later, we received our first email from a church (1st Baptist Trussville), letting us know they were interested in supporting us. Several weeks after that, we received another email...then another...then another. 

By May of 2013, we had raised more than what we needed to plant the church! We were stunned.

But God wasn't finished. God isn't finished.

Over the last five years, through denominational support and church partnerships from all across the country, God has brought over $1,000,000 in financial support into our ministry!

One day. 
One moment.
One 15-minute presentation.
One million dollars.

We did only what we could do then God did what only He could do. 

We arranged the room so the guests would be comfortable. We printed the visual aid so they'd have something to take home with them. We prepared the presentation so the vision would be understood. We set-up the website so there would be a way they could respond. We prayed. We trusted. We waited.

God provided the opportunity. God ordained who would be there. God moved on the hearts of those who'd partner with us. God compelled the missions committees to approve. God gave us His favor. God showed us His grace. God poured out His blessings. God moved. God acted. God delivered.

How do you turn moments into miracles?

Do the natural. Trust God to do the supernatural. Do the ordinary. Trust God to do the extraordinary. Do the possible. Trust God to do the impossible.

There is no other way.

#568 - BROTHERLY LOVE

Today my brother Ernest, who lives down in Southern California, was able to make it to church. I hadn't seen him in a long time, and had no idea he was going to join us for service today so it was a pleasant surprise.

Immediately after I finished preaching both my brothers came over to me, hugged me tight, and prayed for me. They heard me. They empathized with me. They cried with me. I wasn't expecting this at all.

It felt so good to be supported, held up, affirmed, and encouraged by my younger brothers today. So many times, as the older brother, I feel like I have to be strong for them, but today, they were strong for me. 

THEY WERE STRONG FOR ME.

Sometimes, love is being strong for those who can't be strong for themselves. And today, my brothers gave me that expression of love. Today, my Heavenly Father used my brothers to give me exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it.

God is faithful. 

#567 - A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JORDAN

We all have our heroes. Men and women who've inspired us to be great and to achieve great things. Men and women who you look up to and hope you can be like one day. Men and women who give you something to aspire to.

For me, without a doubt, one of my heroes is Michael Jordan.

I was born in 1982. The year he became a national star by hitting the game winning shot for North Carolina in the NCAA Championship Game to beat Georgetown. But, my earliest recollections of him is watching him beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals to win his first NBA Championship. I've been a fan (maybe even a fanatic!) ever since.

Being that today, February 17, is his birthday, as a tribute, I wanted to list 3 ways he's inspired me over the years.

INTENSE WILL TO WIN

MJ had a will to win like nobody I've seen in the NBA since. (Kobe came close.) Every possession. Every play. Every game. It all meant something to Mike. You could see it in his eyes. In his demeanor. In his intensity. Not only did you see it on game day, but the stories that are told of how intense of a player he was in practice really are the indicator of how fierce of a competitor he actually was. 

From watching his various documentaries and films, I would also come to learn that his competitive nature impacts how he does everything. Golf, cards, ping pong, gambling (which I don't recommend. Ha!), owning the Charlotte Hornets - he does it all with one goal in mind - winning. Intense will to win. I respect that.

DOGGED DETERMINATION TO OVERCOME

From getting cut from the varsity basketball team in his freshman year, to recovering from a broken foot in his second season, to losing three consecutive times to the Detroit Pistons before making it to the Finals, to coming out of retirement...twice - MJ was and is resilient. Failure wasn't ever something that held Michael back, it only seemed to make him stronger.

One of the greatest examples of this was the 1995-1996 NBA season. In the 1994-1995 playoffs, the Bulls lost to the Orlando Magic in the semifinals. Jordan would made an embarrassing mistake in Game 1 that cost them the game. A mistake leading many to believe that he had, "lost it." Well, the very next year, MJ would lead his team to a 72-10 record (only bested by the Warriors in 2016 when they went 72-9) and his fourth championship against the Seattle Supersonics. The year after people thought he had "lost it," MJ won the NBA All-Star MVP, the NBA Regular Season MVP, and the NBA Finals MVP! Dogged determination to overcome. I respect that.

INNOVATIVE SWAG THAT SET HIM APART

A gold chain in the dunk contest. Baggier shorts. The armband. The legband. The SHOES. The creative dunking ability. The fadeaway. The footwork. The finishing at the rim. He did it all with so much Swag. Style. Creativity. Innovation. MJ was fresh. And no one at the time, in the league, was like him. His swag transcended basketball and influenced hip hop and pop culture. When the Dream Team went to Barcelona in 1992, on a team with Magic, Bird, Ewing, Barkley, Drexler, Robinson, and Malone - MJ was the main attraction!

And this swag reverberates through pop culture to this day. Kids who have never seen him play do anything they can to grab a pair of his shoes. His moves on the basketball court are imitated by players today time and time again. Innovative swag that set him apart. I respect that.

Pursue a greater will to win.
Develop a deeper determination to overcome.
Get yourself some swag.

I'll respect that.

#566 - I AM BLESSED

The people pictured above are the pastors/wives (two are pastoral apprentices) that I am privileged to lead and serve alongside at theMOVEMENT Church. I am so blessed by their presence and friendship in my life.

They pray for me.
They listen to me.  
They stand beside me. 

I AM BLESSED.

They're sensitive to my needs.
They're patient with my faults.
They're concerned about my marriage.

I AM BLESSED.

They support me. 
They encourage me. 
They love me.

I AM BLESSED.

They challenge me.
They confront me.
They discipline me.

I AM BLESSED.

We lead together.
We pray together.
We teach together.
We shepherd together.

I AM BLESSED.

As I do my best to carry out the calling that God has placed on my life, I am strengthened by the gift of knowing that I do not do it alone. 

I do not shoulder the burden alone.
I do not fulfill the responsibilities alone.
I do not pursue the vision alone.

I AM BLESSED.

May God receive all the glory, honor, and praise for being a gracious, good, loving Heavenly Father who would be mindful enough of me to place such beautiful people in my life!

I AM BLESSED.