Faith to Move

We built that little yellow house in the middle of the picture before we had a pastor, before we had a children's home, before we had a church in Mexico. We built it in faith believing that God would send the right family to build a great work with us in TJ. We had no idea that someday we'd tear down the little church we built and put up a new one- the large building on the left. That he'd lead us to shelter children at risk and give us the opportunity to share the lives of so many children with Siempre Para Los Ninos, the big building on the right. God's plans were bigger than our dreams or visions- thankfully -and He's given us the chance to share in more than we ever imagined when we first rescued a family, living beneath a tree, and built their first house.

Now it's time to build again. In order to build- that sweet little house- that's become a home for Pastor Israel and his family, has to be torn down. They're tearing down in faith believing that God has something greater in store for them. They’re trusting that we will be faithful in our work. It's a testimony of loving obedience for each of us- it's faith to move. It inspires me.

It’s the way it is with life: change. We fight it- but it’s a useless battle and one we don’t want to win. We grow up, our children grow up, our dreams grow up… God’s ways are not our ways and His dreams and visions for our tomorrows often include painful tearing down, today. But His tomorrow is the only one worth living for: His community of the faithful the only one that will hold us when the foundations of this world shake beneath our feet.

Are you building on His Firm Foundation today? It’s The One Foundation that can take us through every move, every change, every curveball life throws at us and continue to give us promise to deliver a brighter tomorrow, without fail. If not, you can join us this Memorial Day Weekend as we begin to build a brighter future for church, Siempre and the community they live in… as we build, God will renew something within us- it’s called faith, and it’s contagious. If you’re going through a time of tearing down, or building up, why not join us for the weekend? I’ve discovered that faith and dreams are both contagious. Come out and catch the dream and build your faith.

Just a Thought

Every church, every pastor approaches Easter in their own way. I've been to the workshops from the mega-churches and learned enough to help me dream bigger dreams and feel like more of a failure. It's a tough spot: there's so much to learn from the 2-300 pastors at the top of their game. Problem is, it's like the guy from the corner computer store going to a seminar led by Bill Gates, he's probably going to be in awe by the time Bill's done talking but he won't walk away with much that's really practical for his situation. The same thing can happen for a pastor in a church that's yet to crack 500 or maybe even 50 in attendance, when they wander into the shadow of the mega church pastor. Lot's of inspiration- these guys didn't build great churches because they're bad at what they do -but not a whole lot that the rest of us can really relate to. Regardless of what they say, leadership that's asking their members to attend other churches on Easter Sunday so the one time attenders can find a parking spot, have a hard time remembering what it's like for the rest of us. It's not their fault- it's our reality - their's and ours. It is what it is.

Don't believe me big church pastor? Just watch the video of our staff meeting- that's our entire pastoral staff -and when you're thinking, "How do they keep their doors open with guys like that!?" Remember that there are pastor's watching thinking: "Wish our church had a video camera." "Wish I had a staff to have a meeting with." Pastor, if that's you... this is your staff meeting. Dig in. What we're doing works, for us. We won't have 3,000 for Easter, but we know how to get you to 300. We're still looking up to the big guys to figure out the rest of the way up for us.

I filmed our last staff meeting and asked staff to go over their ideas for Easter. Not ideas from a book but just plain old normal ideas for pastors in churches that have yet to break 1,000 at Easter- but would love to with their whole hearts. When I've had the opportunity to share with pastor's, I reccomend 3 books to build their ministries- to build God's church: 1. The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren, 2. The Purpose Driven Church, Pastor Rick Warren, 3. Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry, Pastor Doug Fields. If you don't have these books in your library, buy them, read them. I've given these books to pastors in Nairobi who owned no books other than their Bibles- and firmly believe that these three books are a great foundation for building a great church whether you're in California or Kenya.

Final word of advice- should you ever decide to video tape a staff meeting, wear a baggy shirt and don't slouch in your chair -watching this thing made me feel like Jabba The Hut! Apparently there are certain areas where growth is not a problem for me. Next week, I'll post a shorter video with our pre-Easter pointers, I'll be wearing a baggy shirt, untucked... and I promise to sit up straight!

Blessings for your best Easter outreach yet, wherever you're working. May God build His Kingdom through you this Easter.

Eric

Sunday Afternoon with John

After our Sunday morning service last week, Debi and I headed to a friends house to help he, and seventy or eighty of his other friends celebrate his 60th birthday. Ready to nap, we left after only an hour or so, Debi's very understanding: it was a good party.

Our son John showed up at the house not long after us- and before I'd dozed off for the afternoon, with a gift- a web cam for my lap top he'd picked up at Best Buy for only $9.99. I've discovered with computers that if somethings on sale and if it says it's easy to install- avoid it like the plague. But being cheaper than a chicken at Easter, I jumped on the deal and John and I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to get the thing to work.

We started out confident. I've got lots of years messing with computers and John's got over a decade of hard core use and training. No way could a ten dollar piece of equipment get the best of us... 3 hours later... lots of laughs... a few angry exchanges... and minimal success- as reflected below. We took the thing off, set it aside and headed back to our work schedules. No nap for dad.

John's expects alot out of his computers. I just want them to work. This camera didn't fit into either of our standards. That said, in failure and wasted money, we had a fun afternoon together and I was reminded of what a great son I have and how much I enjoy being with him. Sometimes, even the things that fail us provide unexpected moments of success. Enjoy the only video our little camera ever gave us. Know that behind the frustrated faces and father and son were really just glad to hang out together. Life, it's a good thing.

blessings,

Eric

Our Days are Numbered

That's my dad. My hero. The guy I've looked up to and wanted to be like for as long as I've been alive. I'm blessed: no bad memories, no heinous mistreatment, no neglect... only love. Dad's never felt anywhere near perfect. Much as I love him, I'd never say that he's perfect. But I do believe he's always done what I'd like to do: his best.

Dad and mom now live with my brother Tim and his wife. Mom's fought alzheimers for several years and sufferred a major stroke as well. Dad's suffered a major stroke and numerous minor ones. As a family we've struggled through with trying to learn how to watch our parents slip away from us a little at a time. It's never been fun. Dad and mom will never be who they once were. They think more about Heaven, than healing. Each time I'm with them I'm remembered- in no uncertain terms -that our days are numbered.

My wife Debi and I try to spend some time each Friday with mom and dad. Debi usually washes and does mom's hair while dad and I hang out togehter. Sometimes I'll read aloud, other times we'll just shoot the breeze, we've always enjoyed being together- that hasn't changed. Last Friday Debi suggested I take Dad out to get a haircut- so the boys hit the road for our adventure.

Dad doesn't remember where he lives- has vague recollections of certain streets as we cross town -and had little clue where he would get his hair cut. I remembered where he use to get it cut, we'd been there before. So after a short drive, dad was up in the chair getting a great cut and relaxing hair wash and scalp massage. The guy did a great job, all for $8- for the cut, $3- for the shampoo. No wonder the place was packed!

Walking out, we decided to sneak away for a cup of coffee and piece of pie. Two guys cleaned up and out for the afternoon. Half way through our pie, dad looked up at me and said: "I feel bad doing this without your mom." We called over our waitress and ordered a pie to take home to the rest of the family. Guilt assuaged, we wrapped up our adventure in peace.

Simple events- afternoons I once would have avoided, just to stick to my "schedule," I now look forward to. They've become highlights in my week. Moments I look forward to. We've been given a gift, a reminder of a truth we all know but avoid every day, our days are numbered. Knowing that my times with mom and dad are now at a premium, I hate to let one of them pass by. The guilt of not being with them more, of not doing more, can be overwhelming... somedays I feel like the guilt is greater than the sadness... then I have a Friday afternoon, like last Friday, and all is well... for awhile.

To those of you I love, that share my life through this blog, thanks for loving me, wish we had more time together. To those of you that love my dad and mom- thanks so much for your prayers and support- I know they've lifted them and us up at times and in ways we'll never understand. Each of us need to remember, every moment, to honor and love one another, to appreciate the moment. Our days are numbered and we've been blessed - He's given us today.

Eric

The Light of Day

I have a confession to make: much of our work around Central Community never sees the light of day. We have videos, that have been sitting on computers and in drawers for months- some years. In my bookcase, I keep the note card to every message I've preached in the last 15 years- in boxes, in storage, copies of every message- almost every word I've spoken in public for the last 20 years, along with notes and outlines- are archived. And this list goes on- but you get the picture- so much good work with so few people checking it out. One day a week I plan on posting some piece of "hidden" or archived work on my blog- today's the start.

This video is a follow up on our team 3 trip to Kenya last year. The trip was filled with medical clinics and blessings- and a good time. This video was made by me for the 3 of us travelers, who knows, you may enjoy it. I do every time I watch it, for two reasons: I was there and it brings back lots of great memories and I'm always happy to have it slide out of the darkness and see the light of day. Enjoy. May God richly bless you in the days to come.

Eric

Today's Window Into Kenya

Every trip to Kenya is reflected in hours of video and thousands of photos - usually taken by someone other than me. Marty was the man with the keen eye and steay hand this trip- thanks Marty. When we return, I spend time editing clips together that tell a story... this one gives a feeling... a feeling of what our trip was like while we traveled. Enjoy!

Eric

Good Friends

That's my good friend Patrick and his family. Marty and I had the opportunity to take them out to dinner at the Safari Park Hotel while we were in Nairobi. It was the first night of our crusade and Eunice, Patrick's wife, had come forward for prayer after the message. The moon was HUGE, the weather perfect and I was praying with friends... then we had the opportunity to eat together. Patrick and his wife showed off the kids jackets- said that Debi had sent them for Christmas- what do I know? Then he started asking about so many of the past Kenya teams from Central Community by name: Tom and Ellen, Rosie, Chris, John, Pastor Israel, Pastor Ken... I couldn't help but think, "What a trip! I'm sitting in Nairobi, with a Kenyan friend, asking me about "my" friends, 12,000 miles away. God is too good. His Kingdom beyond our understanding. The fellowship of believers way better than we ever deserve.

The great blogs are over at Pastor Ken's, John's and Matt's spots - be sure to check them out- they've got video and everything. Matt's is so real I thought I'd catch a cold just watching it. Me, I can't believe I figured out how to upload this photo of a good friend I love. My "brother from another mother." I hope you'll meet him someday- here visiting us- or all of us together in Kenya. God's connecting us around the world and He's doing it as only He can. It's so good to belong to one another.

blessings,

Eric

Home

It's good to be home. Debi's changed some things... the house looks incredible. She's always up to something good. But all I needed last night was home: in any shape, any condition, home sweet home. Good stories to come in the days ahead- today, it's just good to be home.

blessings,

Eric