Category: hmm… thoughts

No, I didn’t misspell "week." It’s intentional. As Holy Week begins I am feeling especially weak and helpless in the face of all that is going on.

There is an unsurmountable list of thing to accomplish. As always… it’s not a matter of doing things I like vs. dislike so much as I am having to wade through God’s blessings as He abundantly provides.

This is a MainStreet week. Which means that we are charged with transforming the auditorium into a kids world. A two hour program once per week takes 3 weeks of planning and several days of labor. At this point in the ballgame, everything has to come together. I also have to help all of our volunteers, actors, singers, and everyone else not get complacent and rest on the idea that "it’s been great in the past, this one will be great too." Each MainStreet has gotten bigger and bigger… more and more complicated… and more and more fun! This one is no exception and I’m feeling swamped by it.

This week is Easter. Duh. In the midst of preparing my spirit for the week I also have to prepare an incredible experience called "The Journey" for Friday night. Which means after MainStreet ends we have to do a quick change to the auditorium. And then after that service Friday night we have to transform the room one more time for the Easter services. Again, not complaining… just a big weight to carry around this week.

I have a heavy heart. Last night an uncle past away after a long series of illnesses associated with a stroke several years ago. As he was a believer I am comforted to know that he’s found peace and the pain is now gone. But that is little concession for those of us lost. On top of all that I am trying to determine if it’s possible for me to travel to the funeral and get back here for all of my many projects this week. I have a narrow window of opportunity… let’s see how it works out.

Next week is our mission trip. Every year this thing sneaks up on me. While there isn’t tons left for me to I still need to finalize some details to make certain that 100% of the trip that I can control will run smooth. I love the city, I love the ministry, I love the time with students… and it’s crazy to think that leading a mission trip will actually be a break!

Weakness. The good news about feeling weak is that it always leads to dependence. If this week goes well it is the direct result of my ability to hand it all over the Father. These are your tasks God, take them, bless them, and use me despite myself.

This was on Seth Godin’s blog today and I thought it was poignant.

Two Reasons People Say No to Your Ideas

"It’s been done before"
"It’s never been done before"

Even though neither one is truthful, accurate or useful, you need to be prepared for both.

It’s amazing to me that the more I say "yes" to ideas, even crazy ones… that God blesses me. What does that say about people who are careful?

I don’t know if I’m headed to this years summit. But I do think this is a great advertisement for it. I know what I’ve gotten out of the summit is two-fold.

1. I get to listen to some of the great minds in leadership inside and outside of the church.
2. I get to listen to the same stuff that church leaders will be talking about, writing about, and thinking about for the next year.

Well done video, by the way.

By the way. Go to the YouTube page for this… the first comment is very funny.

There are people who "don’t get" viral marketing, how it works, or it’s power. There are a lot of people trying to do it… and most people think it’s a waste… here’s a little piece CBS did on the power of viral marketing.

I’m camping out at Sempre Caffe today to finish 4 different articles I have due. Good stuff… just super busy.

2 for the Romeo Peach
1 for YMX
1 for Simply Youth Ministry

1. 
   A new couple came to our small group last night. It’s incredible and I hope they are here to stay.
2. Google introduced "themes" for their personalized homepage. These things are so sweet because they respond to your location. As the day progresses the sun comes up and sets. If it rains it rains on the picture… all kinds of cool.

This is the video of Zach Hunter I showed in Light Force last night as I encouraged them to take risks for God. Isn’t it great to know that God calls His people to live boldly for him? I am careful not to put Zach on a pedestal, yet he is an example of the power of students.

I wonder what Light Force students are capable of doing? In fact, I dream about what they could do…

CNN Interview – Feb. 18th

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There is little I find more odd about being a pastor than getting hate mail from other Christians.

I just don’t understand why Christians do this… they disagree with something I say or do and then send me mail or email. Do they really think that this pleases Jesus? Christians attacking other Christians is just sad.

Now for what I got today. I get it… some people hate Rick Warren. Some people hate the Emergent Church. Some people hate worship music. Some people hate that our church wants to reach people with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. And others just hate me. OK, I can handle it! (Thick skin is part of the job!) In fact… I find getting stuff like that funny. Really, I do.

Here’s some unsolicited advice for hate mailers and hate emailers:

• If you want me to read it, put your real name on it. If you think you are going to change the world with an anonymous letter or email, think again. Stop reading this and watch the movie Luther again. The dude signed his name. The first thing (OK, the second… I’m human) I want to do when someone attacks me is see how I can talk to them and find out how I can restore the relationship. (Most issues between believers are simple misunderstandings in my opinion) If you are just hating me and don’t put your name… I can’t do anything with that and I will simply delete it.
• If you want me to take it seriously, use a decent source. I mean… do you really think places like Light House Trails or Southwest Radio are reputable? I don’t know these people personally… but I do know that they have no credibility among anyone but hyper-fundamentalists. In fact, I’d be happy to point you to examples where they intentionally sensationalize things to prove their own point. Including blatantly avoiding attempt to fact check their "facts." Likewise, their practice of "guilty by association" and "secondary assosiation" are clearly anti-biblical concepts. Anything that comes to me from these sources goes straight to the trash (folder). Hit me with someone who at least has a similar belief system to me, OK?
• Don’t contact me because you have an issue with someone else. I believe in Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 18. I don’t get why people send me hate mail because of someone else. Someone… explain that to me! If you don’t like someone’s ministry… contact them, not me! If you can figure out how to contact me… how come you can’t figure out "rickwarren@saddleback.org"?

That said… 99% of the comments, mail, phone calls I receive would NOT constitute what I’m labeling "hate mail." I would define hate mail as people who try to contact me anonymously with accusations via my blog’s comments, email, or snail mail. In fact, most emails, phone calls, comments, and snail mail are quite pleasant… even in disagreeing. I can handle disagreements… but hate mail just makes me laugh.

This guy makes being disabled look good. This is a classic "When life deals you lemons, you make lemonade" story.

So this afternoon I went to a Farmer Jacks to pick up some stuff for our event tonight. When I think supermarket, I like to think of finding everything I need in one place. Convenient, right?

Wrong. Nothing about "supermarkets" are convenient. Who puts cookies in the produce section? Who puts water in an aisle with baby food? How come the "fast lane" is anything but fast? How come things are labeled as "sale" but they really mean "sale if you have our loyalty card?"

See, bad supermarkets take advantage of their convenience and make the process completely inconvenient. To top it off, they have terrible customer service that goes out of its way to make you feel unimportant and stupid for not knowing that they hide cookies next to the fruit.

Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be a solution that provides convenience and good prices.