I have a Problem!

Ok... I have a Problem. I need some self-control in an area of my life. I really don't know why I do this. I am starting to act like I did before.

I am starting to read one particular book and have not even finished it when I pick up another book!

That's not a very good problem, because I get confused. Hehe.

No really, in all seriousness... I started reading "Elders and Leaders" by Gene Getz and got up to Chapter 10 and I picked up another book. This book is like a textbook because before reading every chapter of the book you must read large portions of Scripture. For example, a chapter from Titus where he talks about Elders in the church.. or Acts where Paul goes on his missionary trips. I only made it to Chapter 10. Ugh...

The next book that I picked up is called "He is Not Silent" by Albert Mohler.. This book deals with the art of Preaching in the Postmodern World and its one of those books that you really need to focus on what the author is trying to let you know. An amazing book that you will not understand if you are reading another book. In other words, I'm screwed.

This Monday, I was drawn to buy and start another book called "What is a Healthy Church?" by Mark Dever.
Dude, I should not have picked it up!

This book has only 120 something pages (small and short). This book answers the question of what is a healthy church and how can you tell that it is. Its one of those books that once you start reading you get momentum and suddenly I'm halfway done with the book... a very practical book.

So, I am reading about Church Leadership, Preaching, and Church Growth, along with my daily reading of 1 John. I need to focus, right about... NOW!

Pray for me.
I think Ill finish "What is a Healthy Church" first, then work my way up.
I need to stop buying books.

Did you know that Mark Driscoll came out with a new book called, "Death by Love -Letters from the Cross"?

Uh-oh.

Fema Pod on Saturday.

What a weekend!

I tell you, when you have electricity in your house... when your TV works, when you can charge your phone, when you can flick the light switch on and the light comes on in your closet, we sometimes forget what it is not to have that luxury. Well, because of Hurricane Ike, my family and millions of other homes in the Southern part of Texas did not have that luxury. We were without power for 6 days, until all the lights came on Friday around 2 AM. Thanks Jesus.

Saturday morning, I decided to go to a FEMA POD and help out by passing ice. I loved it. Its priceless the look on people's faces because they are getting a couple of bags of ICE.

I got to meet so many people that were volunteers. I met a guy that his power had not even been turned on and he decided to come out and help.

I met 2 Hispanic guys that were there volunteering and went to Lakewood Church (Spanish service, of course).

To see so many cultures and races... so many types of people with different backgrounds really sets your perception on another level concerning "your community."

I think I will do it again this Saturday coming up.
Wanna join me?

Let's see if they have the PODs up this weekend... then we'll go.

Where is the Church?

The weekend is finally here and the Centerpoint electricity trucks have finally made it to my area of my zip code. For the last 6 days, because of the challenge of Hurricane Ike, there are still more than 2 million people without electricity (the last report I heard).

But the people of Houston, overall, have been patient and helpful... not all of them though.
I got flicked off at a streetlight because I didn't go when it was my turn to go. It's kind of confusing to treat those traffic lights that don't work as 4 way stops, because there are soooo many cars. Ahhh!

Anyway, I got an announcement and an invitation to make.
Although, we all have suffered in varying degrees this past week from the devastation of Hurricane Ike, we still have a mission.
While some may think that their mission is to sit in a pew all their life, I believe that we were created for a bigger purpose.
We see the behavior of the Church in the book of Acts and there is a strong need to restore that picture of Church.
Sometimes, the church looks to help with an intent to get something back. I am glad that tomorrow, the only thing that you will get back is the satisfaction that you are helping your community.

FEMA has stationed PODs all over the city of Houston and surrounding areas. PODs are Points Of Distribution where people that need ice, water, and a meal can come and get what they need.

I am asking all of my friends and family members to get together and volunteer at a POD tomorrow. Maybe some of you have already done so and you have made a difference in people's lives.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Sept, 20 at 12:oo (Noon), I will be at the Church Without Walls parking lot. The address is 5314 Bingle Rd. Houston, Tx. 77092. (Click on the address to get a map).

Mapquest it and try to make it out there.
We will be there for a couple of hours... so wear comfortable shoes and bring that bright smile of yours.
Let's impact this city and be the Church that God called us to be.

If you need more info, you can call me or text me at 832-309-0312.
God bless you guys.

Hurrican IKE Update 2!

Well.. I am tucked away in a small couch with my lovely lady by my side at a Panera that is open for business. After a hard day of work, I decided to take my girlfriend out to eat. We decided to hit the Fuddruckers that was open in 1960, right next to the Willowbrook Mall. I had a Chipotle BBQ Specialty burger which tasted D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

But after getting in the car to come to Panera to relax and get online, it did not feel so good. Apparently, eating a hearty meal after eating "hurricane food" since Friday, is not a good idea. Hehe.

I love my girlfriend. She is amazing and I am grateful that she has been there for me at my lowest points in life. I believe that marriage will be fun (when the time comes) with our 6 kids. Ha. I'm not joking. Maybe the Lord will change my mind after the first one.

I still don't have power at my house, but thank Jesus that I can open all my windows and let the cold breeze in...
I cannot complain. There are people that stand in long lines for hours at the gas station to get gas and at FEMA's PODs (Points of Distribution) just to get a bag of ice and 2 water bottles.
I hope things get back to normal soon.

Galveston will not be the same. They will have to rebuild that city.
We will have clear blue beach water after this is over. I guarantee it. Hehe.

This too shall pass.

Hurricane IKE Update!

Ok... I finally could get to a computer at work. My job warehouse office complex has electriciry and thats why I HAD to come to work. Sucks! At least its better than staying home without electricity and food.

It has been a crazy 4 days. Here we go:

• Crazy winds on Friday night.
• Electericity goes out on Saturday around 2 AM.
• My cell phone does not have service, so I cant get ahold of no one. Sorry guys, if you called me. I'll get back with you as soon as I am able to.
• Saturday, during the daytime, it was HOT!!!
• No. You do not understand how hot it was.. I literally slept outside my balcony.
• I reread Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll... Hey, no TV, no Internet, no ANYTHING!
• Can you sense my frustration?
• It rained Sunday night... so I started to feel the cool breeze coming in.
• Thanks Jesus for the cold front.
• I went out a couple of times to McDonald's, gas stations... and its amazing to see how people act when they are in need.
• It was pitch black on Sunday night. Not even one streetlight on!
• Monday? We had some good weather. I felt like I was in San Diego... but no electricity or gas or comida (food).
• Apparently, we did not stock up on canned goods.
• Oh, I also smelled B-B-Q, and for once, thought I was going crazy... just to find out that my neighbor accross the hall was cooking B.B.Q on his grill. AAAAHHH!
• I really miss my lovely lady. I have not seen her in 5 days. I love you babe.
• Why am I at work?
• About to go hunting for food and maybe end up standing in line for 1 hour at a Panera somewhere... maybe in between a lady that has not showered and a smelly old man.. Way to be community minded, Tony. Hehe.

Through all this, I am thankful that God would not allow my situation to get worse. I think of the people that had homes in Galveston and other parts of this great city of Houston that got more damage. I ask that Jesus helps them and gives them peace.

God, I am thankful in everything. Thank you.
I smell... Pizza?

One of the first emotions of humankind... Fear.

"It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.

"After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
"The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'

"The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'

"The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. 'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.'

That was Matthew 25:14-30 from The Message.

As I talked with my pastor last Friday and poured my dreams and visions of ministry, I realted to him that when I think about planting a church, I sometimes have fear of failure.
Can I tell you Im not perfect?

He reminded me of this story and told me that this guy hid his talents becasue he had fear. When the master came back, it did not go real well for him.
He then told me that I would fail. That was encouraging (Smile). It really was. Everyone in ministry has failed before one way or the other. You just have to get rid of this "play-it-safe" plan and go out on a limb with a plan.

We must understand that we must be like the first 2 servants. They went to work. Read it again.
My ESV translation says thatthey "went at once and traded with them"

So, in my churchplanting journey... I must go to work.
Instead of digging a hole and worrying about small irrelevant issues, I must go to work.
Instead of fleeing God's calling like Jonah and paying my own way, I must go to work.
Instead of not answering God's voice and hiding in the garden because of my fear like Adam, I must go to work.

Kaleo, A wedding and Small Groups.

A lot of things happened on Sunday.

-I visited a church that I had missed out on since February.
-A friend of mine, Danel Hernandez, decided to take the plunge and say, "I Do." Hehe. That was cool.
-I got to spend some time with a friend (pastor's kid) that is passionate about helping his father (pastor) with small groups at his church. I was impressed with the knowledge that this guy posessed on ministry.

But, let me focus on my visit to Kaleo Church.
At the beginning of this year (2008), I met with a pastor of a somewhat new church (3years old at the time). They will be celebrating their 4th anniversary this coming Sunday. I had breakfast with Bill at la Madeleine that February... and he asked me about my story and we talked about ministry. I made it a point to go to his church, but never ended up visiting until this past Sunday.

What a message! Bill started a new series based on teh first book of John and for a couple of weeks will be teaching from that book with the series title: Walking in the Light. It was a simple teaching but insightful. It was an awesome experience.

They currently meet in a YMCA gym and had a very organized service order. I think that they did everything with excellence. The people were friendly. I was so moved when a total stranger that I had never met before but is a brother in Christ nudged me and ask me if he could serve communion at the end of the service.

I am looking forward to talking with Bill some more. I believe that I can learn a lot from him in my churchplanting endeavors.

I'll visit again this Sunday and I believe that a good friend of mine will accompany me... so Im excited.

And may I add that the WHOLE service only lasted about 1 hour and 15 mins!
Short but effective. Hehe.