flatline...

Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your ears... Well it looks like I am about to give up the ghost again on this blog. I just wish I had the time, but in reality I feel like I just dont have the time to keep up with this blog as well as I would like to. It's hard letting go because I do have fun writing from time to time, but in reality I think my mediocrity is hurting both you and I. Me, because I hate doing something halfway. You, because you don't really get all of me if I am doing this halfway. So this is the last hoorah as I am going to take this thing off of life support. Thanks you few faithful folks!!! I love you and you have a special place in my heart... Cue trumpet playing taps... Peace

Top 5 Urban Influencers list...

Check it. I love everything rap and hip hop. So, if you are like me, check out these websites below. They are the deal, and you might learn a little something along the way too!

1. Rapzilla: www.rapzilla.com

Rapzilla is a website dedicated to up and coming urban artists. I love how they spend a lot of time with the hottest cats in the rap game who rep the name of Jesus. If I were you I would be checkin this site at least once a week. I like it because it's simple and they have plenty of legit content!

2. Passion 4 Christ movement: www.p4cm.com

P4CM is a great site for the most real and inspired spoken word! I love listening to what these folk are spitting, because it is both heat and light! They bring the passion and the truth in one sitting! Pastor Justin has a great vision for bringing Christ to the streets and connects artists with the truth of God in a very inspiring way and this site is just one piece of what these guys are doing in LA.

3.Sphere of hip hop: www.sphereofhiphop.com/

SoHH was one of the first places I connected with true hop hippers that were unique, had tru style and loved Jesus all in one spot. These guys have all types of music and if you are into the crazy stuff, they got it here. There are beatsmiths, beat-boxers and urban beatnicks on their playlist. Plus there are forums where you can learn anything from turntablism tips to church discussions.

4.Crossover Church (Tampa, FL): www.crossoverchurch.org

If there is a place that is killin it, Crossover in Tampa would be it. Not only have a personally been there and seen it in action, but I know that Pastor Tommy is the real deal. This dude loves Jesus. These guys are the ones who put out flavorfest (ps. if you love hip hop and jesus... you MUST go to this event) but they are also doing tons of good work in their community as well. 2 Legit to quit mayne!!!

5. Urban Youth Workers Institute: http://uywi.org/

Do you have a deep passion for seeing Christ magnified in the lives of urban students? Are you looking to connect with others that have that same passion? UYMI is a website designed to connect you with resources and help you take your next step in serving those in need. They have trainings and seminars, so check the web and give them a shout!!!

I hope you enjoyed the sites! I got heaps more, but it's way to early in the morning and I gotta get some sleep!!! Peace and God bless!!!

Best be ready son 9.28.10

9.28.2010 Lecrae: Rehab... It's gonna be off the charts gooooooooood!!!

Oh my... "Silence is deadly"

Saturday Night Musings

So I should be sleeping because tomorrow is the big day... We will be busy running around, making the magic happen. People will be juiced up and ready to go with coffee in hand and big smiles on their faces. The strings will be tuned and the messages will be prepped. The doughnuts will be fresh and the chairs will all be straight. The lights will be cued and the sound should be perfect. The computers will be buzzing and check-in will work without a hitch.

Sometimes it seems like its a well oiled machine, that doesn't need tuning. It runs in high gear and purrs like a kitten. But the truth is without God we don't have anything. It is all lights, smoke, and posing. Without the Holy Spirit we are just another production, almost like broadway or any local theater troupe. Without hearts that are in humble posture to the Almighty we are just another busy religious parody.

But I know with all of my heart that we are not that machine. The church will rise up tomorrow and in buildings all over central Florida God's name will be lifted up. See, we have been praying and are praying this very moment for God to be the center of our attention. We have put our whole hearts into what you see on Sunday. Not because we want it to be flashy, but because we to give God the best that we have. We do that every day you see. As long as He gives us strength we will push as hard as we can to just reach one lost soul. Because you know what, I was once that person. I still remember my "first" Sunday. And believe it or not, every Sunday is someone's "first" Sunday.

So no matter what you think, or believe, or hate, or love, or disdain about this thing we call "church". Please take a second to remember that it is God's church and Christ is the head of it. Christ loves the church and it really is the hope of the world. So before you cast judgment, or decide to sleep in because it's not worth it, remember that. Remember what is good, lovely, worthy, hopeful, joyful, wonderful about Christ's legacy in the world. Pray for her (the church) and go to your worship gatherings tomorrow with great gladness in your heart. Let's celebrate together what God has done, so we can go out and be the hope of the world 7 days a week.

great wisdom- D.A. Carson

"People do not drift toward Holiness...

Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith.

We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated."

----D.A. Carson

Please don't think for one moment, that when you cross the line to be a Christ-follower that the battle is over. In fact, it has just begun. You must realize it is our natural tendency to fall away from Grace. (many times because it's all we have known)

But we must remain diligent, putting on the things of God (Eph 6:10-11) that we can fight the good fight. So put up your dukes today and know that the battle belongs to the Lord!!!

mmmmmmm... salt...

Salt. I dont think about it much. I mean, I grew up in the south, which means you salt your food before you even taste it (and butter it). I remember one of the earliest phrases I learned was, "pass the salt". Why??? Because I like me some flavor!

I'm not one of these fitness fanatics that say food is just "fuel". Gas is fuel. Firewood is fuel. Food is my pleasure. That's why I want my food to taste good! In the gospel of Matthew 5:13 it says that WE (as Jesus people) are the salt of the earth.

If you are in Christ, you should have flavor. You flavor the world like salt flavors food. But think about it, you don't put chunks of salt on your plate. That would be weird!?! It would be like saying "Hey pass me the salt, I need to salt my big chunk of salt a little more..." Salt flavors the food. What this means is the food (the world) actually benefits from the salt's presence. It (salt) makes a difference...

You (are the salt) make a difference! If you are in Jesus, realize that he has put you where you are for a reason. You may be disgruntled, because you are in a harsh work situation, or a bad school, or a terrible carpool group, or a sketch neighborhood, etc. etc. But here is the real deal. If we are to live like Jesus, we need to be in these places, because we need to bring the God flavor (love, selflessness, hope...) to these areas. God has called us to be salt in a place that has lost it's true flavor.

Now, I'm not downplaying that it is hard to live in contexts that don't seem to put God first. It is a high calling to take up our cross. But who can snatch us from His loving care? If God is for us who can be against us? If we are in Christ that is the ultimate prize.

Even if we die. He is worth it...

Now, go out and share the flavor!!!

Video I have been jamming lately...

Hey family. I have decided to add a new page to the blog. If you look over to the right you will see different menus and one of those is "Read More". I know there are some of you out there that love to see what's new in gospel rap music and I will try my best to update this from week to week (or so). If you look on that menu, you can select, "Video I have been jamming lately" and it will take you to a page with one of my favorite videos that I have been getting crunk on. So definitely check it out and get your jam on!!!

Trip Lee- Between Two Worlds - June 22

I am a super-huge fan of Reach Records. One of the artists on this label is Trip Lee. Now if you haven't heard yet, this guy is so legit. I love his rhymes and beats, but better yet I love his heart for Jesus and The ministry. I promise you, if you want to listen to some uplifting and challenging tunes, this will be a great buy--June 22!!! Peace

Great is thy faithfulness... PART2

so anyways... back to the story...

So God specifically told me that I needed to go to Orlando. I whined for about a day and finally made the call to cancel my plans to Germany and reroute myself to Orlando for the summer. Well... a quick snag. It was too late to get financed for the trip to Orlando, because it was about two weeks away. (It's a long story, but you have this big process you go thru with IMB/NAMB to get funded for your summer trip as a student... yada yada... long time)

So I think, "well God, looks like this confirms it! I gotta go to Germany!" Boy was I relieved! After all, following God is very rational, because we serve a very rational and practical God. Obviously, there was no way to get to Orlando. Right???

Right. There was no way to pay to get myself to Orlando. But I heard God tell me. "That's where I want you to GO."
Damn. I was cornered. I had a little savings and not much else. Now this is the time where you usually hear... "Then this random check came in the mail for $2000, and God paid for the whole trip, because what God orders, He pays for!!! Glory Halle---"

No... Didn't happen.

If you wouldnt mind going with me to this verse, Matthew 13:44 Did you read it? I'll be here when you get back, just click the link, or pull out your Bible.

I had to empty my pockets to go to Orlando. I had nothing... I went for it, because I KNEW God was telling me to go. Just like you are reading the words on this page God was speaking into my heart so that later (even now 10 years later) HE would receive GLORY. God was preparing a story that would put the spotlight on Him and His son.

So I recall feeling a little sick to my stomach that I had no money left. I paid for my flights and was hoping I could make it the whole summer on what was ultimately a "faith" budget. (When you have nothing it really is a "faith" budget. lol) I still remember boarding the plane and taking the first leg of the flight to ATL. I just couldn't believe I had missed the trip of a lifetime to Germany!!!
* * *

As I write this I realize there is a heck of a WHOLE lot about that summer that went on to change my life, my view of God, and my heart. But one of the biggest things that happened, was that I met my wife. Her story about coming to Orlando, was just about the same. She was reluctant, almost disappointed to be going to Orlando. She thought "Whats in Florida!?!?"

This week 10 years ago I saw my wife for the first time. I still remember seeing her for the first time. I was devastated by her beauty... I had never seen a person more beautiful in my life. I couldn't even start up a decent conversation with her when I first talked to her. It was an EPIC FAIL.

But then God reminds me that it's not my business to worry about making my own way, but to trust HIM. So I knew that since God was a rational, practical and sensible God, that I had a snowball's chance in hell to date this girl. So I needed to get over it. But something in the deep back of my heart trusted God. Obviously since the title of the last two posts is not "how everything is really sucky.." you know that this gorgeous Jesus-follower became my bride. Despite myself, God found a way for Kim to actually see what God sees in me. She loves me. She loves me so hard. We are best friends. And it's all Jesus' fault.

So please don't tell me what God can't do.

I am the son of a Mexican migrant worker who only ever knew toil and poverty. My mother and I were beaten by her first husband. I grew up in a trailer, and lived below the poverty line most of my life. I remember times that there was only beans to eat. But God was with me then...

I grew up with horrible self-esteem problems, and ran to every known thing to quench the pain of this life. I got drunk when I was 13. I wanted to kill myself daily. I was depressed more than any teenager should ever be. I smoked weed and lusted heavily in high school. But God was with me then...

I had a full ride to school, but failed out my first year. I was desperate and lonely. I drank very heavily. I had to work my tail off for the 7 years while going to school. I didn't think I had what it took to make it.But God was with me then... (and I was the first person in my whole family tree to graduate from college.)

God was, is, and will remain faithful. You may not believe in God, especially in His son Jesus. But I ask you, look at my life! Look at what He has done. I am a damned mess, but He has taken this mess and found a way to bring beauty, joy, rightness, goodness, wonder, passion and hope through his son Jesus. I have so many reasons to point to Jesus, because HE IS LIFE!!!

It was my first year in college when I heard Jesus call me. I cried out to Him, and He heard me. Now 15 years later, here I am...

please pray for our team in the D. R.

This week we are taking a team down to the Dominican Republic and we certainly would love it if you prayed for us while we were down there. We are going to be exploring some options for Grace Fellowship to connect with on an ongoing basis. Hopefully we will be able to start doing mission trips down there and connect our fellowship with service opportunities and maybe sister congregations down there. Who knows? The sky is the limit! And I am stoked!!!

join us - April 8th - no shoes!

Tom's Shoes is a fantastic organization with a great mission. Please check out this video and join us on April 8th!

Easter Extravaganza!!!

Just wanted to give a shout out to all the volunteers that came through for Easter @gracefellowship! You guys rocked it out and many people took their 1st step toward Christ this past weekend! Everything went so well and it is all you! Way to SERVE teams!!!

I am not a superstar.

I am not a superstar...

I have faults, flaws, pet sins and the like. I am sometimes selfish and self-centered (and redundant). I sometimes forget to pray for kids. I sometimes see a parent coming and quickly duck around a corner to avoid chit-chat because I think they might hold me up from something "more important".

Many times I rant more than I bless. Most days I can't stand Kirk Cameron. I sometimes cheat when I'm playing Uno. I don't replace the toilet paper when it runs out. I get impatient and angry... often. So, if you are looking for a super-star student pastor. I'm not it.

But what I can give is Christ. Despite my best efforts to be an idiot, God has saved me from a life of sin. I am changed and know he can change even the "worst" cases. I know I rolled off a lot of bad attributes about myself earlier, but God really has given me fruits of His spirit and I try to live in those every day. But it is only because of HIS grace and HIS mercy that I do any of this. Because, I am not at all a super-star.

But I believe with a zealot's intensity that Jesus of Nazareth is who He says He is. I believe that He is present and active in your student, in their schools and in Youth cultural in general. I believe we are His people and He has called us (together) to reach students with His good news. I am willing to die upon this hill. But I am not a super-star. I just want to be the "Norm" God created me to be. God is the object of ultimate glory. God's light shines into the deepest of darkness. This is the solid rock I will stand upon. Will you join me?

ways 2 serve!

Hey my peeps. Easter is right around the corner and since we are not having student services on that day we encourage you to SERVE!!!

There are heaps of spots available from helping out in FarmHouse (GraceKids), helping with the Easter Egg hunts in-between services, helping reset the sanctuary and other spots as well. We have spots available in all services (8:30, 9:15, and 11:00)! You can email me, jason@gogracefellowship or mindi@gogracefellowship for more info!

This is a great opportunity to "influence your world" thru service, ya heard!!!

A good and gentle reminder for today...

Where is the love???

So do you remember a time when your best girl said the dreaded words, "i only like you as a friend"? What a swift kick in the pants that phrase was. I want to know what woman came up with that retort. She is like the person who invented toilet paper, or Cheez Wiz.

She would get a chick Nobel-prize.

I mean, it's pretty much indestructible. When a girl says this it's like what the Royal Flush is to card-playing. You lose.

Seriously woman, you really messed me up. I mean no matter how you retort to this statement, you lose. You either look psycho, whiny, weak or weird. And if you say, "I was feeling the same way," She'll read right through that like a pane of glass my friend. If you felt that way you wouldn't be having this "just a friend" talk. You would be gone. Guys never have this talk. Why? Because we're idiots. We would have never come up with this phrase.

But seriously. What makes us get so mad about this, is that we feel tricked. You feel duped, like an idiot, thinking that this person liked you. You felt that this person was on the same level with you and really all along they were slowly drifting apart. It hurts. But I want you to think about this. In what ways are you "duping" people along the way? Have you put way less into a relationship (not just romantic, but maybe even friendships) than the other person. Do you find yourself barely hearing things they say just so you can talk? I know I do this.

None of us want to feel insignificant. We all struggle with this deep inside. What makes you feel insignificant? Is it the person who says, "i only like you as a friend."? Or are there deeper moments of dissatisfaction and insignificance that you are dealing with now? I'm here to say there is someone who loves you more than a friend. But this person loves you much more than a lover ever could. The bible says that Christ will never leave you or forsake you. And that's the (T)ruth.

New Series: Search for Significance

We are going to start a new series in GraceSTUDENTS this February called "Search for Significance. Everyday we struggle with our significance in life. Many people feel invisible to those around them. They just want to know that someone cares, that someone notices---that God cares. In this series we will learn about how Christ gives us significance and how He calls us to replicate that love to those around us who might feel invisible.

I attached an older clip, but I still feel that it shows a real-life example of this being lived out in a Christian's life. I know some of you get so tired of hearing about Tim Tebow, but after this clip I hope you will give him kudos for living what he preaches.

Identity: Lecrae

We got alot of requests on the video/song we played last week in GraceSTUDENTS. It is by an artist by the name of Lecrae. He is connected with a talented bunch of holy hip-hoppers who run with Reach Records. And for any pople out there who hate the idea of Christian rap, you need to repent because these guys are bringing the gospel in each song in a powerful way!!!