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My old friend Seth Barnes recently asked me to recount a "magic moment" we shared together in central Mexico back in the early 1990's. Our story was featured on the popular "World's Worst Missionary" blog. Read about it here

Toxic Series C

Looking forward to my talk this Sunday on "Toxic Words"...

Married for 20 Years - Kauai to celebrate

I stand amazed at God's mercy and grace -Steph and I celebrate 20 years of marriage! Marriage is not easy - and I m thankful that God taught us enough about his grace to survive the challenge of loving for a lifetime! Not to mention his gift of a daughter and a son!

4 games in five days

This is what we do when the umpire is late for the game, and we are bored...

Rancho Vista Article Photo

I am very excited that a local magazine is doing an article on our "Creative and Fun" church. Although the article will not come out until March - we did the photo shoot yesterday with our church staff.

So here is the question - which photo would YOU choose for the article?

BTW - thanks to Moments Treasured Photography by Susanne Pedro for these photos. www.moments-treasured.com

Time Warp of Celebrating a Facebook Birthday

Today I had the best birthday of my life. It began with my two children coming into our room and hugging and kissing me - and then my wife hugging me while my kids jumped on me and screamed happy birthday. I than received a very touching card from my Mom and Dad that was very emotional.

Throughout the day I began to receive greetings via Facebook. How strange and wonderful something like Facebook is. In a period of 10 hours I received greetings from:

+The friend (girl) in High School who I actually chewed tobacco with - and then kissed.
+Various "kids" from my first Youth Group who are now in their 30's-40's (youch).
+The Bride from the great wedding I went to in Mexico last summer.
+Someone who just began attending our church 2 months ago
+Kids from Minnesota who I led on a Baja trip a couple years ago.
+My sister.
+Old but good friends from Kansas, South Carolina, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and other strange places.
+Many friends who I have consistently beat while sitting at a card table (and a few friends who have beat me around a card table).
+A guy I "co-starred" in a High School performance of the "Odd Couple" with.
+Many friends who I have served in ministry with in various churches, who I have had the honor of serving the Lord with shoulder to shoulder.
+Random folks that I have shared experiences with on mission trips to Jamaica, Costa Rica, and MANY of our Baja friends.
+My failed workout partner who once told me the only way he could motivate me to operate the "crunch" machine at the Gym is if he tied a Krispy Kreme to the end of it.
+Parents of kids I have coached in softball and little league
+Old High School kids from Yosemite "Supertrips" (many now married with kids of their own)
+3 of the couples whose marriages I officiated.

I could go on. My point is I am extremely thankful to God for the rich variety of experiences and people that he has brought into my life. Today has really given me appreciation for the width and depth of good friends I have - and for that I am extremely grateful to God!

Goldfield or Foolsgold?

Last week I had the chance to travel with a few guys to Nevada for some R & R. Part of the trip was an ardous drive to the town of Goldfield - where my friend Art is...wait for it...contemplating the purchase of a historic hotel - the Goldfield Hotel!!!
I must say it was an absolutely cool old place -with lots of history. FDR gave a speech there, and the palce just smells like history (in a good sense). And lets be honest - the thought of purchasing a historic building and turning it into a hotel and casino is just kind of cool dream.
The "Brain Trust"- Art, Fred, and Buzz. They are observing a longstanding but obscure Nevada law that compels all men to place right hand in their right pockets when crossing the street.

The discussion on the ride back was a perfect primer on my sermon for the week "speaking the truth in love". We had a good debate on the relative merits vs. risks of the project. For some reason Art just reminds me of another man who saw great potential in a two bit town in the middle of nowhere - Bugsy Seigel when he opened up the first real casino in Las Vegas.

Birthday Girl and Composure

The more I coach the more I discover life-metaphors that sports teach us. My daughter took the mound this week on her birthday. She was excited all day that she got to play ball on the day of her birth. Then...things did not begin well. She could not find the plate. She could not pitch a strike for her life! I was dying inside. She walked the bases loaded. She got an out. She walked in a run. She walked in another run. She got another out. She walked in another run....

As Team manager -I called time out - and walked to the mound. In seasons past when Michaela struggles at pitching- she kind of gets tear-eyed and fearful. Usually when she struggles she wants the HECK OFF the mound. But on the day of her birthday - feeling all 11 years of her age - she looked back at me in confidence and said "DAD, I'M FINE".

I went back to the duugout and she proceeded to strike out the next batter. And I realized my daughter has developed a sense of "composure under pressure" that only comes from being a seasoned 11 years old veteran.

Wisconsin weekend

Steph and I just returned from a weekend in Northern Wisconsin. We were with some of our friends fro Cottage Grove, Minn. at a retreat. We had a great time - and as these pics show- it is beautiful up there - and not nearly as cold as you think...as long as you wear 8 layers of clothing...and stay insde by the fir.

SWING THE @#)(*#@$* BAT!

Most of our weekends our spent either coaching or watching our kids play sports. I prefer to coach because i make a HORRIBLE spectator. Steph and I are very proud of the dedication and growth both Jake and Michaela have made. However - sometimes it is SO FRUSTRATING! Recetnly Michaela has gotten into the bad habot of being tentative at the plate. She swore that the ump was calling strikes when they were really balls. I keep begging her to be more agressive at the plate. Who is right? Look at this pic (incorrectly date stamped) and tell me!

Labor Day Part 3 - A Festival of God's Grace!

One Sunday afternoon just south of Ensenada...

A Pastor that we have recently become friends with partnered with a group of churches from Tulare, California to throw a special event for the migrant workers south of Ensenda. Food, fun, music and most importantly the Gospel of Jesus Christ was all part of this day. I will let the pictures do the talking...

I met John and Rochelle Brogan from Tulare. Both have a real heart for the people of Mexico. They are involved with Young Life - and have brought many groups down and done some incredible work in coordination with the local Pastor and his church.

Pastor checks on stage...He worked all day, yet never broke a sweat...

Labor Day Part 2

Went to church on Sunday. On the way to festival - dropped off some stuff. "Hillarious Givers" Judd and Pete. Carmen, Jake, Mom, and Michaela deliver items from Journey church to family. We will be building them a house in December!

Labor Day Road Trip Part 1 - Estero Beach

Just got back from a quick jaunt downt to Ensenada. Along with our family we had Carlos "The Cuban" and his wife Carmen, Pete and Irma, Dallas Cowboy "Chris" from LA - and his betrothed Joan - from the mean streets of Brentwood. Judd Wheeler served in the role of scout.

My New Passion - Homes for the working poor

10 years ago Stephanie and I began an organization, Baja Bound Ministries, with the goal of serving the needs of Christian ministires throughout Baja. Over the past 10 years we have had a significant impact on ministries in Tecate, TJ, Rosarito Beach, Routa De Vina, and Ensenada.

This year we began a new phase of our ministry with the construction of our first home for migrant workers south of Ensenada. I AM HOOKED! Ben Gaines and I have set a goal of building 100 homes in the next 10 years for the working poor. If you are interested in getting involved, we have already begun reserving weeks for groups next year. So contact me NOW!

Bellow you can see a brief overview of our project.

House Part 1 - In The Beggining...

I am not always the most organized person - but God has always given me grace by providing the right person at the right time for the right job. The first week of our summer Chorus church from Temecula partnered with my church teen ministry to get the project started right. We were blessed with the very talented "GORDO" - who supervised the building. Note his lucky Trevor Hoffman shirt. Don't worry - Gordo is a better closer than Trevor nowadays...

House Part 2 - Boston Comes to Town

My boy Todd from Grace Chapel in Boston has partnered with us for many years, and always brings a hard working group. In fact, if they would ever shut up about the Patriots, Clam Chowder, and the Red Sox, they might be my favorite group. Oh - and they are still convinved that Bill Belichek did not cheat.

Boston served with great energy - and managed to get the house wrapped, finish the framing, and put the plywood on the roof.

House Part 3 - The Norsemen from Minnesota

Our summer project was completed with the help of 36 folks from Crossroads church in Minnesota. As fate (i.e. GOD) would have it - thier youth Pastor James Racine has worked as a framer: As Hannibal used to say in the "A" Team - "I love it when a plan comes together".

Middle picture shows the entire team praying for the home before handing keys to the family.

Bottom picture is the one I will remember the most from this summer. When a family that previously had nothing entered into thier new home.

The Joy and the Pain of Youth Sports

This hurts! For the past season I served as manager for Michaelas "Blue Dolphin" softball team. We managed to draft an incredible team - loaded with unbelievable talent. In a league of 12 teams - we were certainly in the top 3-4 teams. Our "Dream Season" continued as we pulled a first round bye for our tournament. In the second round we won our game fairly easily.

Then came "Dark Saturday". We had a double-haader. The first game was against an extremely good team. We battled to a tie - exchanging leads several times thought the game. We played two innings of sudden death. We came up with our lat at bats behind by 4. We scored two runs quickly (one of which was by Michaela stealing home). Then with a runner on and the tying run at the plate...ground out...we lose.

We returned for an evening game against a team that we had handled easily all season. To make things even more favorable - they were short a player - and only field a team of nine instead of ten. WE LOST. Season over.

Woke up this morning pretty bummed. Was thinking to myself - the thing about sports is - there is no ambiguity. You either win or you lose. As Jim Rome says "Scoreboard".

The Best Church Staff In Chula Vista

Rancho Vista Church Staff Retreat

On January 2nd we had our annual staff retreat. It is a chance for our high level minsitry leaders to get away and pray, plan, dream, laugh, and eat. One of my BIG DEALS when we started Rancho Vista was for our staff to be "healthy". I have had the unfortuntate experience of working in minsitiries that were fraught with gossip, jealousy, and a lack of trust. I am committed to having a healty ministry -and that comes from having a healthy staff that enjoys working together - but can also "speak the truth in love" when needed.

Center is Steve Eller - our worship leader - and a man who deeply desires to know and follow Jesus Christ. If you have never heard him sing - come to Otay Ranch High School any Sunday @ 9 & 10:30 am and be prepared to be blown away.

To Steves left is John Oliver. John is one of the most personable people you would ever want to meet - but also an extremely gifted and seasoned pastor with a ton of vision and insight. He is also a cancer survivor. John is about the most well-known Christian Pastor in Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch or the entire South Bay. I am yet to have a meal in a public place without someone recognizing him and giving a warm greeting.

To the center is Jessica Sesma. Jessica just came onto our staff this year after attending Rancho Vista for a few years. Jessica leads the best children's ministry in Chula Vista. Along with being highly organized and committed to ministry - she is a graduate of Berkley - which gives all of us a lot ways to make fun of her.

I once had a boss who said "you should only hire people who you want to have lunch with". I look forward to eating a lot of meals with these guys in 2008!

Why I Love Rancho Vista Church Part 2

For the past two weekends a groups from our church in Chula Vista traveled to various parts of Baja to deliver Christmas to the children. There is no other time when I feel closer to Christ than when you and a cold child a warm meal and what will probably be the only Christmas present they will recieve!

My church has a great group of people who are passioante about serving the poor in Mexico. These trips are the highlight of my year - and are filled with laughter, joy, and a LOT of smack talking on the van.