The New Year

With the new year brings a new perspective and in some ways a mystical feeling of a fresh slate. This year I hope to...

Work hard and work smart.
Drink a hot cup of coffee most mornings and a cold glass of beer most evenings.
Be kinder and gentler with my kids.
Talk about things more with my wife.
Spend time with Jesus more closely.
Spend time reading, studying and critically thinking about His word.
Eat new things I've never eaten before.
Write more.
Draw and paint more.
Play with my kids more.
Plan just a little more.
Hit the cigar bar with the guys consistently. This kind of "me" time is so refreshing.
Go to Oregon with my fam and my parents (and hopefully my siblings who live so far away right now).
Call my brother and my sister just to talk and catch up often.
Hang with my dad.
Love my wife more tangibly and passionately.
Teach my boys to pray. Teach my church family to pray.
Exercise and play sports a little.
Walk my tiny dog Phoenix in the evenings.
Put more effort into my schoolwork.
Play my guitar almost daily.
Be faithful. Be kind. Be a servant of my Father.

Here's me at a little pub and brewery in Boulder this last weekend when Jess and I took the boys to Celestial Seasonings for a tour and a family day... don't worry, those 4 glasses in my hand were "tasters" just to decide which brew I wanted to order :) HA!

And here's me and the boys when we were Caroling at a couple nursing homes on Christmas morning:
Happy New Year, and the Lord bless and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and give you peace.

More Room for God

I just opened a facebook account... had a myspace for a long time, but never a facebook until now. I love it! It is easier, trimmer, and faster than myspace. And on day one I found like 30 friends already that I know! Love it.

Lately I have been taking a break from movies, which has freed up a lot of "me" time. I assumed "me" time was time where I was relaxing or rejuvinating, but Isaac told me that "me" time is time focused on bettering myself. So I have been picking a different activity to practice each day. One day it is my guitar, another day drawing or painting, another day practicing ballooning, another day writing... I realized that so much of my time is spent just existing. Just getting by. But I don't want to see my life pass me by. Not spiritually and not carnally. I want to live, learn, grow, accomplish, love, do, seek, understand. I want to truly live.

It also has given more room for God in my daily grind. More time to pray and think critically and listen to Him. More time to study the scriptures for myself. More time to prepare for church gatherings, outreach, and ministry. More time to minister to my wife and kids, to serve Him together.

I do not know all that life has in store, but I know that if I can keep Him first and give Him space to lead and guide everything in the future, I will see my life matter.

A beer I recently enjoyed with my pal and brother Bruce Duncan...

Books that Have Changed My Life

Just recently, two different books have been brought to me by the Lord to teach me some incredibly important and timely messages in my life and in my ministry. Sharing them with you is to me one of the most important things I can do on this blog, because they have done a huge part in rescuing me from my own version of Christianity... rather I want HIS version of Christianity.

If you get your hands on them somehow you will be soooooo blessed and touched and enlightened. Each contains a message that is pertinent for our generation and for our phase of Christianity right now in the US and the world. Each will take you deeper into Jesus, drive you to your knees, and enlighten you concerning his work in this world in the 21st century!

Organic Church - Neil Cole









I am avidly searching for the definition of church - Christ’s definition. And the church that raised me (and to whom I am most grateful) I do not believe is it at its essence. It has too much else added on. It’s “Jesus + ...” Neil Cole has, in my opinion, removed all the extra and found the essence, the DNA, of the church, at its simplest.

Anyone who shares a burning desire to fulfill the great commission should read this book!

I just bought half a dozen of these books, so if you would like to read a few chapters of this book to sample it before reading the whole thing, just let me know...


Revolution in World Missions - K.P. Yohannan












Dr. KP Yohannan will greatly encourage you with stories of what God is doing among the unreached of Asia. Many have said recently that other than the Bible, this book has had the greatest impact on their life of any book they'd ever read! I can already sense that time will show that this will be the same for me too... It's that powerful!

You can get the world missions book free by going to gfa.org (gospel for asia). You'll see a link and I think you just have to do a quick free sign up and then they send you the book free of charge, no strings attached. I did it and I will never be the same.

I also just bought a gaggle of these books to give to every sincere Christian I know...


Thanks for listening to my recommendations. I have read a lot of books on church growth, small groups, prayer, missions... but never any like these two. I guarantee that they will be worth the small investment of time that they take to read the first few chapters to sample! They are not specifically about dictrine, but rather the heart and purpose behind Christ's message. They are so awesome.

Thank you's from my heart

Just was impressed on my heart to write some thank you's to people who have invested in me and helped make me the person I am, and who also have encouraged me to be the kind of better person I want to each day be.

To my wife Jessica -- You are beautiful and you light up a whole room with your presence. Your laugh is contagious, and your smile is to die for. You have forgiven me for many things, and yet have taken the ultimate chance on me, and have loved me in spite of my faults. We've been through so much together... My best friend and strongest critic; I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I want to be a better husband and friend to you as the years go on. Let us conquer and persevere together through everything life and ministry throws at us.

My boys -- You have forgiven me for being mean from time to time, and have loved me in spite of it. You have helped me to live for something other than myself and have helped teach me patience. I look forward to many nights camping out and many days playing and talking together. Caleb - your smile and your laugh are so wonderful, and your love for God makes me want to be a better teacher. Collin - your smile and laugh are awesome as well and I am convinced that God has wonderful things planned for both of you.

My parents - Dad, for your friendship, and for all the camping trips and rounds of golf and guitar lessons -- you have modeled a faithful husband and father to me, taught me how to be responsible, how to manage my money, and how to spend yourself for the sake of those you love. Mom, for all the sleepless nights and wisdom you have imparted -- you have taught me how to pray faithfully, how to live and persevere through the hard times, and laugh and smile through it all. You are a pillar and have been probably the greatest human asset in my growing up.

My brother and sister - Nate, for Saturday morning cartoons and video games... I have always looked up to you and loved you, and I will never stop praying for you. Erin, you are gorgeous and very special and I will never stop praying for you. I hope to spend more time together in the future.

My grandparents - Grandpa Gordon: you believed in me and forgave me when few others did, and I appreciate the stand for God you have exampled and the trail you have blazed in the spirit. My late Grandpa Hyatt: You taught me how to be gentle, kind, selfless, and generous... I miss you. My grandmothers -- you are the sweetest ladies and should be commended for your selfless devotion to your families.

Dacia, for your spiritual partnership and friendship with us I cannot thank you enough. You are so special and giving, I know that God will give you his best in this life and the next. Don't keep searching and trying and going deeper. God wants to take you higher.

Chip Donahue, to be given time and respect and sincere friendship from a man of God like yourself is an honor. Thanks for breakin me in and showing me that you can still be a man when you're living for God.

Aaron Jackson, you are the sweetest and kindest friend. Don't change that.

Desi Starr, you are a good man all around, and I appreciate your sincerity and open friendship.

Gabe Ramirez, I am convinced that God brought you into my life at just the right time. For the many laughs and rich company and heartfelt prayers and sharing I thank you!

Best friends throughout my life -- I wish friendships always lasted for a lifetime, but unfortunately they are usually only for a season: Nathaniel Bishop (trips to seveneleven) , Jonathan Saiz (movies and lake powell), Andrew Vigil (spy stuff and sleepovers), Robert Przekwas (flip books and adventures), Dana Hemmes (spy tech and summer fun), Jerediah Montoya (childhood play and softball games) , Dave Burton (debates and wisdom and friendship), Michael Burton (late night Olive Garden and playing pool at the laundromat), Natalie Bass (hours on the phone), Jenny Holdaway (hours talking in the car), Eric Sahs (art and wrestling and conversations about God), Isaac Johnson (choir and church and lots of drama:) ), Gabriel Ramirez (softball and lots of laughs and prayers)... Ya'll have been in my life during different important times and trials, and I thank God for each one of you!

There's a Nancy G song that says this:

So here's to you
My few and faithful friends:
Drink from the cup of memory with me,
And when we look back
We will laugh or maybe we will weep;
For tasting life
Sometimes can be so bittersweet.

Here's to you.