Good Advice

"I like to tell young preachers, you don’t fail when you invite people to repent and follow Christ and no one responds. You fail when you don’t invite people to repent and follow Christ." -Craig Groeschel

Stop and Listen

Today I'm staying in, I feel sick as a dog...But I'm glad I can catch up on some reading.
The Washington Post did an experiment with Joshua Bell, the world’s best violin player. They put him in a Washington DC Metro stop to work his musical magic. Would people stop and listen to the world’s best violin player who’s playing one of the world’s best violins (his violin was made in 1730 and cost $3.5 million)? check this clip out


Why wouldn't people stop and listen to one of the greatest musicians of our time? I think there are two reasons why:

1. People are to distracted- several people who walked by this man had a chance to listen to a FREE concert of a great musician but because of the busyness of life: emails, newspaper, lattes, text messages, phone calls they all could not appreciate the sounds of a masterpiece.
2. People just didn't know who this guy was- I have to say if I didn't read about who Joshua Bell is, if this article didn't explain the truths about who he is and what he has done, I would have never known who he was, so I think I wouldn't have recognized him.

Do you think these two reasons hold truth about "Jesus?" I mean several people have NO time for Jesus. We live in a busy world that demands more time at work than more time with the Lord.
also several people don't know the truths about who Jesus is other than what they see on TV, there is a need for people to be like this article to explain to others who Jesus is, our Christ our savior.

Today take time to listen to the music, take time to listen to what Jesus is saying to YOU.

Identifying your strengths

Read a great section in my book, "The Truth about you" by Marcus Buckingham, and just wanted to share a little quick bit on how to identify one's strength. We all can acknowledge that we are strong in some areas but also weak in other areas in life. I don't know about you but listing my weaknesses was ALOT easier than listing my strengths, but here is a great way to identify them:

Knowing God's Promises

"I pray also that you will have greater understanding in your heart so you will know the hope to which he has called us and that you will know how rich and glorious are the blessings God has promised his holy people." -Ephesians 1:18


One of my favorite spots to hang out and read the bible or any other book is Starbucks. I just enjoy the people, the music, the setting, oh yeah and the iced chai latte (or Horcahta that's what I like to call it) It seems like everything makes my experience there a great one! So as I was in Sbux yesterday I came along this verse and I started to think "How do I KNOW the promises of God? What do they SAY about me?"
For the longest of time I always wished I had internet service here at Sbux, it would just make my experience even better. I remember times when I'd bring my laptop and just stare at it in hopes that I would magically receive internet someway somehow, but nothing. Not to long ago I asked my mom what kind of service plan we have and what is included in our plan, to my surprise our plan ALREADY includes free wifi at any AT&T hotspot!
So what I'm trying to say is this, that the internet service, the one I so desperately wished I had, I already had it. It was already mine, but because of my lack of KNOWING I wasn't able to receive it.
Many of us live life that way, walking around with the promises of God right in front of us but because our lack of knowledge we aren't able to receive them. Dig through the scriptures and search for the promises of God and once you have it hold on to it and come into agreement that HIS promise is YOUR promise.

I AM SECOND

Going through my daily blog roll this website "I AM SECOND" was mentioned. Not knowing what it was all about, I was glad I came across it. If you have time check it out, it's pure testimonies of people that you and I might know. Some are actors, athletes, and musicians. I clicked on a familiar face, Josh Hamilton, some might not know who he is but he's a baseball player who made a tremendous comeback last year in the MLB. As I watched his clip it gave me goosebumps, not because it's a sad story but because you see the power of God and His work in someones life.
I thought to myself...If I was on that hot seat what would I say? (maybe i'll make my own video)
All the videos conclude with a declaration and I want to end this with the same declaration...I AM SANTOS SAMAYOA AND I AM SECOND.

Who will you vote for?

It's time to VOTE!! First of all I am really excited about this year, why? because I finally registered to vote. It took a while for me to vote, roughly around 5 years! (sorry) There is a huge buzz around this years election and frankly both major candidates leave me wanting to submit an absentee ballot. Although it's a hard decision to make I think I have come to a conclusion, I will be voting for...haha, anyways this vote is not a laughing matter and I'm not sure where you stand either with Obama or with McCain just understand this, that as faithful Christians and Americans we owe it to our country and to God to vote! so let you voice and convictions be heard Novemebr 4th!!
I had a hard time coming to my conclusion but here are a couple of blog post that helped me define my conclusion:

1. Cameron Strang- Founder and Editor of Relevant (One of the BEST post, pretty long though)
2. Perry Noble- Senior Pastor of New Spring church (This post is in your face, no corners, just straight to the point!)
   
3. Ed Young- Founder of Ed Young Ministries, has this series online or on itunes called "Politicked" (He says he will tell you who you should vote for, this will be interesting)

Everyone loves money

Today was an interesting day, I listened to my podcast as I walked to school and then started my journaling session. What was surprising was that both my journal and the Podcast both related to FINANCES. Finances is something that all of us deal with, money makes this world go around, but God has a different twist on the way the world looks at money. I heard this message by Perry Noble on Money. He says that 16 out of the 28 parables are about money!
So my journey started off here in Malachi 3 and just a couple of verses into it God asks a profounding question, "Should a person rob God?"
Well this question kind of irritates you, or at least it does for me. I was raised in church and was always preached by my parents, "Remember to take 10% for your tithes." As a kid i really just wanted to say HECK NO! I didn't understand the principle that my parents were trying to instill in my life. Well I have to thank my mom and pops for that valuable lesson that I will cherish and instill in my family one day. As I got older and started sweating for my money I also noticed something else, and here is a confession, "It started getting harder to TITHE!" Just because my paychecks were getting larger and larger (yeah right) my hand held my money tighter and tighter. Today I realized the many times that I robbed God. Several times that I missed giving my tithes, or didn't give when I should've, but before I get all down I'll never forget how God came through for me. See I have given tithes and I still do, but I remember my biggest check that I ever received. I honestly didn't want to give all my tithe because that would be almost $100. I wrestled with God, and finally he challenged me to give, not just 10% but 15% and guess what I was OK with that. I really didn't see any fruit but in His time God blessed me, double of what I tithed. I stood there with a new check and I remember telling God thanks because He kept his promise.
There is something that Perry Noble says in his message, "God doesn't need your money, you need Gods blessing!" this is so true, we need Gods blessing for our lives. If we trust God with our money, we will see more of Him in our lives.

Busy

Well so far this week seems like it's getting busier and busier, but just wanted to share some quick blogs that really encouraged me.

The first one is for any leader who has felt insecure at one point. This really spoke to me because I have fallen int this category several times. I allow what people think to determine my potential. It's crazy the plans that God has for one, they seem to big and too far fetched almost impossible but still God calls, will you and I answer? If you have ever felt insecure about leading well check this out.

The next blog is from one of my favorite bloggers Perry Noble. He writes about something that P. Nick spoke about last Friday, which he titled "Purposely Seeking." This blog just adds more detail to what P. Nick was speaking about.

Velvet Elvis

I was on Bart today after hanging out with Amanda and I started listening to this old audio book that I purchased on iTunes along time ago called "Velvet Elvis" by: Rob Bell. Here are some quick notes I jotted down while on Bart.

• "Salvation is for all of me"
• "No amount of success can heal ones soul."
• "Wherever you go, there you are"
• "It's easier to keep going than to stop!"
• "They (Pastors) are to scared to look weak!"
• "Are you smoking what you're selling?" :)
  
• "Jesus rarely gave answers, but ASKED several questions."
• "Disciple-to be like their rabbi"
• "If you see your discipler walk on water, then you believe you can be like him."
• "The Rabbi has faith in his disciples."
• "Rabbi's choose disciples not because of who they are but who they can become."
• "Jesus leaves, but trusts His disciples to make more disciples."
• "Jesus believes in me, God has faith in me, and the Rabbi knows I can be like him."
  

Change Happens

Have you ever had a hard time seeing, finding, or just experiencing Jesus? I know I have. In our reading today Zacchaeus also had a hard time seeing Jesus. Luke 19:3-4 explains that Zacchaeus had a hard time seeing Jesus mainly because of his height, most of us might remember singing this song when we were younger.
So what happens when our view of Jesus gets faint? what can we do? well I am trying some new things to freshen up my quiet time with the Lord.

1. Changing the scene- I don't know where you journal or spend time with the Lord, but I usually spend my devotion time in front of the computer in my office (not really an office but it's my room) I've decided to change things up!
   •first I'm going to try changing the look of my room, the feeling of something NEW makes all the difference.
   •I'm also going to try journaling in different places this week, changing the scene.
2. "Brand" your week- I remember Ant used to pick a word or a phrase to start his week, and he would apply that word or phrase throughout the week in his journaling. Every month our church tries to "brand" a new series. This month was "Everyone" and soon we will be entering into "One Month to live." Try branding your week by making titles for your focus point. This weeks series, for myself, is entitled "Change Happens."
   
3. New translation- There are several translations out there, but which one is the best for you? well only you can decide that. I have always used the 'NKJV' just because that's all I really knew that was out there, but now I have been reading the 'NCV' version which I really enjoy and recommend but I think I'm coming to a point where I might choose a new translation, thinking about 'NLT'. What has worked for you?
4. Accountability- This one might be something that I have heard for a long time but at times I refuse to do. Staying accountable helps me stay focus and on track. Even this blog is a great way to stay accountable to all of you. Accountability isn't meant to condemn you but to challenge you. I'm going to choose around 2-3 ppl to stay accountable to with my devotional time.
   

The Fuse

Tonight was an intimate night at the Fuse. We may have been short in numbers but the presence of God was there not only in worship but in the word. I've probably have heard this message a couple times already, but tonight was just different. Tons of new revelation, you can really see how much P. Nick has grown. Anyways just wanted to share some points of what he preached about:

-Re-Training Your Thinking-

• A flesh is just a slave waiting for someone to tell it what to do.
  
• A car cannot operate without an operator.
• Galatians 5:6-How to battle the lust of the flesh.
  
• Psalms 119:9-How can we change? by taking heed (paying attention) to the word=Jesus
• To say that temptation is a sin would have to mean that Jesus was a sinner (remember Jesus was tempted) which cannot be, being that Jesus was sinless.
• What did Jesus do when He was tempted? He used the WORD..."It is written" In times of our temptation WE HAVE TO battle with the Word of God!
• "The next time the enemy reminds you of your past, you remind him of his future."
• If you are getting tempted by the enemy, that's a good sign, because that shows that you are a threat to him.
• How do we RE-Train our Thinking?

1. Un-Learn-We are creatures of Habit
   
2. Learn New Things-If you break a habit you need to replace it with something NEW
   
3. Apply & Live what you learned-Repeat, Repeat, Repeat!

War Room/ Internship

Since last Friday when Pastor Johnny Murillo came to preach at the Men's Conference he also did War room and Internship. Pastor Johnny had so many great points that really re-activated the flame for ministry. I guess you can learn a valuable lesson through someone elses hardship. Here are a couple notes i jotted from War Room/Internship:

•"Every Leader has to have the ability to LEAD!"
•It's good to have ambition but not selfish ambition.
•ask yourself, "Why does my ministry exist?"

• Re-think your Mission Statement

• It has to be written down

• Your ministry adapts to the Church's Mission Statement

•"Leaders are Readers."
•A book all leaders should check out, "Good To Great" By: Jim Collins

• Who's on the Bus? Get the right people on & get the wrong people off!

• Your best strength can/will be your greatest weakness

• Write down the qualifications- Get the right people on the right seats

•You have to VALUE your Mission Statement Rather than your Relationships
•Nothing Personal Just MISSIONAL
•Who's willing to make the same sacrifices as you will?

•Top level leadership have to see your sacrifice & commitment like you.
•Good Research & Development Team (RDT):

• What are your fish attracted to?

• What's your bait?

• What age/generation are you aiming for?

• What attracted YOU?

•"Leaders are THINKERS."
•"You CANNOT think if you are fatigued."
•"REST is a WEAPON!"
•2 ways to learn: 1. Mistakes 2. Mistakes of others
•Need to be COMMITTED to LEARN
•This is a marathon not a sprint.
•Acts 17:26- You are where You are because of God.
•Avoid stress by Rest, TAKE YOUR SABBATH!

How does your church look like?

So I've been staring at this picture for a long time and all I can think about is CWC's phrase which goes like this: "A Church of ALL backgrounds, ALL races, and ALL generations serving One God." (Rudy Jr., Me, Vin-Thomas)

Lament

My enemies, whom I have never harmed, hunted me down like a bird. They threw me into a pit and dropped stones on me. The water rose over my head, and I cried out, “This is the end!” But I called on your name, Lord, from deep within the pit. You heard me when I cried, “Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help!” –Lamentations 3:52-56

What happens when the bottom falls out in YOUR life?

I don't know about you but reading through the book of Lamentations can get kind of depressing. The root word for Lamentations is Lament which means "to cry." Reading this book I wondered if there was ever going to be something good, where is the shining light of hope in these 5 chapters? In the beginning I put up a question, "What happens when the bottom falls out in YOUR life?" will you still trust and believe in God? I'm not talking about problems such as: "I broke my nails, I locked my keys in the car, I didn't study for a mid-term" yes those are problems but how about when we go through the ringer, and our problems seem bigger than God himself. The writer of Lamentations knew what it was to suffer, what it was to have life come to an abrupt stop. Yes he had all the rights to quit life, quit following God, but NO! He didn't quit but he CRIED out to God. The following verse shows how God shows up, "Yes, you came when I called; you told me, “Do not fear.” Although in out toughest times in life it may seem like God is no where in sight, know that he has not left you to die, but is waiting to help as soon as you cry His name.
I recently heard an awesome message by Louie Giglio <---if you have time just check it out and listen to this powerful message that may be one of the strongest and best messages I've ever heard. It goes right along with the question above "What happens when the bottom falls out in life."

The Sound of FREEDOM

How does Freedom sound like, you may ask? Freedom sounds beautiful, freedom sounds like a fight, freedom sounds quiet, freedom sounds united, freedom sounds desperate, freedom sounds like tears, freedom sounds passionate, freedom sounds like fists hitting the wall, freedom sounds like a choir, freedom sounds peaceful, freedom sounds like Troy, Samson, Tee, Amanda, Sabrina, D.J....Freedom is being experienced here at the "FUSE" this very moment. I came to the FUSE, a little late but what I'm experiencing right now is FREEDOM. I wish I could put to words what I am listening too.

One word that I've noticed I've used a lot this week was the word "Crazy!" mainly because there is no other word that can explain what has been happening in my life. Crazy! I believe what had triggered this crazy experience had to be last week, last Friday to be exact. After P.Nicks message we worshiped. Now I'm more of a conservative worship, I do my screaming and shouting on the inside; but last week I was able to release this worship that I contained inside. I remember hearing the shouts of Samson, that triggered not just something in my emotions but inside my spirit. I remembered seeing D.J jumping and dancing, and for a quick moment I saw myself doing the very same thing. I heard the sweet sound of Amanda as she sang, feeling overpowered by the spirit I too, with all that I had started worshiping, singing the same song. I'll always remember one phrase that Amanda said..."No rooftops, no ceilings" two phrases that seem to have no value, but it challenged me and irritated me this whole week.
How would my worship look like without no rooftops or ceilings? Well last Friday was the display of a worship with no roof tops and and no ceilings. Although I wasn't inside the sanctuary tonight I believe that they were having worship without roof tops or ceilings. The Fuse will never be the same again!

Ponder Points

Just read this article about a young man named Todd Doxey. Doxey was supposed to put on a uniform for the Oregon Ducks, but due to a tragic accident that took his life away Doxey was unable to play. Although he wasn't there his presence was felt. What happens when our lives come to an abrupt halt? what will we be remembered for? I loved this quick insert that was in this article, made me think about the book "One Month to live" See what the coach of the Ducks had to say about Doxey:

______________________________________________

"The impressive thing is that, for the last eight weeks, we've heard all these people talking about Todd," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. "But they're not talking about how he died. They're talking about how he lived."
______________________________________________

What kind of legacy am I leaving behind? If there is going to be one word that people will remember me by what will that one word be?

EVERYONE

Well as you may all know we are about to start our new series in a couple of weeks entitled EVERYONE (more on this later). I'm so excited and pumped about it, I'm going to have the privilege to start this series out, I'm going to be focusing on EVERYONE : Connected! But before we start anything I wanted to get some ideas to start some type of video that we can play before every sermon. I found this video online which was simple yet got the message across. We can definitely do something like this but we can add more, I just don't know? what do you think? any help/suggestions/or comments are more than welcomed.

What are you reading?

Growing up I hated to read. I always thought it was boring and something old people do. Ever since I went to Masters Commission I've discovered a passion to read not just the bible but also BOOKS. WOW I can't even believe I just said that. I don't know if it is because I'm getting older that I'm growing fond of reading or what? but every time I pick up a book I remember a poster that hung on my middle school library wall, it read "LEER ES PODER" which in English means "Reading is Power" what once was something boring and dull has now become something that I do constantly. Besides Journaling I try to stay active with reading books. Since this new year has started I have planned to read atleast 1 book a month, so far so good! I'm really proud of this achievement but still have 4 months left and I don't plan on stopping this success. To give you a closer look here are some of the books that I have read this year:
1. UPRISING By: Erwin McManus (Jan.)
2. QUIET STRENGTH By: Tony Dungy (Feb.)
3. TWELVE WHO WERE CHOSEN By: William P. Barker (Mar.)
4. THE DEVIL'S DOOR By: John Bevere (Mar.)
5. TRANSFORMING DISCIPLESHIP By: Greg Ogden (Apr.)
6. PORTRAIT OF A FATHER By: Bishop Steve Perea (Apr.)
7. WINNING THE BATTLES OF LIFE By: Paul E. Toms (May)
8. DO YOU! By: Russel Simmons (June)
9. ONE MONTH TO LIVE By: Kerry & Chris Shook (July)
10. IN A PIT W/ A LION ON A SNOWY DAY By: Mark Batterson (Aug.)

I have four months left, do you know of any other good books I should check out?

God is still moving

God has been moving all over CWC! both in San Jose and Milpitas. We have been hit by waves of the Spirit every Sunday and all we can do is ride them. Amanda, my girlfriend, just recently started blogging and she posted a blog about her experience last Friday. It was one of the BEST reads i have ever read. so if you have time go ahead and check it out and see what God is doing here. I remember talking to her and saying, "Wow every ministry is getting hit by the spirit of God! first the youth, then the whole congregation, now the single adults! who's next? the Kids Club! I can't wait to see the children impacted with the spirit of God, imagine what they will be able to do?"

Smith Notes

Sean Smith is a powerful speaker , and every week it seems like the word gets better, but most of all the practicality that he brings to the table makes you want to prophecy over people. Here are a couple notes I jotted down on Wednesday at our Prophetic Evangelism Classes.
•Numbers 11:16-29- The story of the 70 elders who kept prophecy in the church but never took it out.
• When every one else was inside, Eldad & Medad were the only ones who took Prophetic Evangelism out to the camp (Streets, Market place, outside the church)
• "They're not the enemy, they're captives of the enemy."
• Prophecy is divine encouragement not human encouragement.
• It's a tragedy to keep prophecy only in the church.
• Prophecy- Knowledge imparted by revelation.
• Insecurity is PRIDE in reverse! (WOW) because you are still looking/focusing on yourself. God calls us to be humble. Humility is looking/focusing on God not you.
• Get Zealous for God- "God I refuse to live without you."
• Invite the Holy Spirit to interrupt your schedule
• "Bring the Experience, Be the Experience!" (this should the purpose of my blog)
• Be more impressed with the word going into you than with the word coming out of you.
• God is not expecting instant maturity.
• Obedience sharpens hearing.
• When we can't track God we can trust Him.