Just because I can…

A quick note from my iPhone… Yes I did and I love it.

Parks

One of the most incredible things about moving here to Albany has been the adjustments that have happened in our life. Everything changes – your schedules, where buy groceries, how you spend money and time. Parks have become a lesson in relaxing for us. There are a ton of great parks here in Albany and Clifton Park. At least a couple of times a week we’re finding a new park, swinging, climbing on monkey bars and throwing or kicking a football (depends whether it’s American or European).

 

God’s been teaching me the importance of slowing down, resting and just breathing. Life in Portland was at times lived at a ragged pace – moving has allowed us to recalibrate that area of our lives – even though, in many respects, the level of responsibility has increased. Make sure to take time to rest, breathe and enjoy the scenery.

Monday Morning Update

Wow what a weekend. We had another fantastic weekend in church and thank God for His presence. Kelvin and Steve (on drums) did a great job leading us in worship and as we sang Let it Rain, the presence of Jesus fell in the room, a prophetic word opened us up to responded to God’s goodness. The thing I covet most in my own life and the life of our church family here in Albany and Utica is the presence of Jesus. It’s been such an awesome thing to see people touched my the presence of Jesus – you can’t help leave changed. Yesterday we focused on Matthew 6 and Luke 11 and discovered a few things that Jesus wanted us to know about prayer:

1. Find a specific place and time – it’s one thing to rehearse details, its and entirely different thing to allow your relationship with Him to be the foundation of your prayers (rather than your list). It’s the difference between the detailed communication that often takes place been a husband and wife and the kinds of communication that tends to happen when you go on a date or away for the weekend.
2. Tell God how great He is.
3. Surrender to Him and let Him know that His deal is bigger and more important that your deal.
4. Let God know about your daily needs, don’t babble on about it after all He already knows and is going to provide food, drink, clothing…
5. Ask BIG. Be passionate, persistent and full of expectation. Honor God’s greatness by praying stuff that’s bigger than you’re ability to accomplish it. God isn’t bothered by our persistence, He’s honored and moved by it because He loves us.

Last Night of GC – Authority Issues

Once again the speaker brought the house down. It’s pretty amazing to see what God has done here in Utica through the conference and the incredible line up of speakers (from around the country and local) that came together.

Ed Young brought more one-liners and sound effects in a single sermon that I’ve ever heard, not to mentioned the way he weaved a ton scripture together. In the most creative and disarming way he talked the crowds about Authority Issues. Here are some of the highlights:

• Authority plays out on the rugged plains of reality.
• We’ve got to get under what God puts over us, so we can get over what God wants under us.
• Be an Umbrella Fella or a Princess of the Parasol.
• Four Benefits of being under authority
  • Protection
  • Position
  • Perfection
  • Purpose
• Ed’s dating advice: Here’s the church. Here’s the steeple. Look inside to see all the HOT people.
• Orbit your life around the local church.

On a side note had a great time hanging out with the Finochio family over the past couple of days. Especially enjoyed long conversations with John and Jan about life, church and the many great things God’s up to. Nathan and Gabe played with their band on the last night of the conference – I was impressed! Great stuff. Hope to visit Canada in the near future to visit some good friends (and pick up some Bounty Bars and Smarties, plus maybe a little shopping in Toronto…)

More great stuff from Ed Young

So as if last night wasn’t enough we had a great time in Ed Young’s leadership session this morning. Here’s a few thoughts from the session:

Four components to every meeting they run at Fellowship Church:
1. Ask the question  “what if?” -  asking this question tells you what you’re not doing and who you need to ask the question of.
2. Delegation – the entire team owns the issues, but delegating to the appropriate party sets up an infrastructure that allows things to get done as well as defining who’s responsible to investigate (see previous post). Delegation allows for creativity.
3. Now explore what is – What is the current reality and what needs to change. What is rapidly becomes what was. So what needs to change?
4. Investigation – Exodus 18. Moses was the first vision vandal robbing himself and others of what they needed to do. Investigate what you’ve delegated.

Second Thought from Ed: Change creates conflict which creates the opportunity for growth.

Third Thought: Keep your vision vertical, not horizontal (ie with God, not with what people think). Hang out with the right THEY. People who are Tough, Honest, Encouraging, Yielded yes men and women (yielded to God, the vision and your friendship).

Just spent an hour with one of my heroes…

 

Ok it’s late, but I have to jump on with a quick post… A great evening with Joyce Meyer (and day sessions with Mark Schilling, Mike Servello, Stephen Baldwin), but the highlight has to be the hour I just spent at a table with one of my faith heroes, Ed Young (and by the way for those who care (namely Shine) for the second time that I’ve met Ed he commented on my shirt – that’s a side note though).

What an honor it was to sit with Ed and all of us just ask question after question about multi site, pastoral philosophy, creative communication, team building, speaking etc. My take away (one amongst many) – delegation without investigation is an abomination… he shared some incredible stories about how he creates aliases and pretend needs to make sure that every team from parking to the pastoral team is functioning in a way that meets everyone on a personal level. Even with 20,000+ people at five campuses the church grows one life at a time and they make sure to keep that as a central focus of everything they do.

So appreciated the opportunity to meet Ed Young (and Lisa), and love how he had questions for us seating at the table – love that he’ always asking questions…

First Session – Chris Hill

Chris Hill brought the house down tonight with a message titled Somebody Open the Gate – probably one of the best talks I’ve ever heard on praise. Based out of Psalm 100 the main thought revolved around the fact that you (not the worship leader) are called to make a joyful noise (praise). Everything we give to God (our gifts, talents, finances etc) are things He gave to us in the first place, with one exception – our praise. God doesn’t need our praise because He has low self esteem or needs us to pat Him on the back. God wants us to praise Him for our benefit. He hears our praises and like a Father responding to the adoration of his kids rushes in with His presence – and there we are transformed, in His presence.

On a slightly different note, quote of the night – “I was ready to pull out my rebuker” - Chris Hill (with his finger pointed). Context: Chris was in a church where a 400 pound danced like a ballet dancer and another person howled like a heavenly hound dog… in that moment “I was ready to pull out my rebuker.”

So if you’re feeling a little critical today, make sure to keep your rebuker holstered.