Making a Difference

Away from it all

This is going to be an incredible week.  I have for the past few weeks been feeling the call to get away and just hang out with Jesus.  For me, this usually entails me going through a lot of frustration, dissatisfaction and finally I realize He's calling me.  So I'm here..in the middle of now where in the white mountains in a cabin all alone, well not alone, It's me my bible and Holy Spirit..a few bottles of water and a great sense of anticipation.  What will be different for me is the ability to blog and record my time for you to follow along...pretty cool i think.  I have to tell you it's already begun, as I was driving up here through the mountains, listening to various of my favorite preachers and prophets,  I pulled over a few times to just get out and look at the world I live in.  I don't know if you're like me but i rarely just stop and look..always in a hurry, always a deadline, always a schedule.  I told Jesus, I need to do more of this..just enjoying the surroundings you've put me in being willing to stop and throw the schedule out (that's a big one for me and all you other A-types out there)  When we do stop, we get a new perspective, we see things that were there all time but for whatever reason, we never realized it.  What is REALLY going on around you that you have no idea because you simply haven't looked.   It may just change your life forever, that's what I'm hoping for.

-pw

Home sweet Home

Well we're back from the much needed vacation with the kids in San Diego.  I have to tell you I think I could live in a place like that.  The sun, the beach, 70ish degrees it's a nice place to be, minus of course the California traffic.  We went to Sea World I think 3 times in about as many days, can never get enough SHAMU!  Really it's all about making memories with the family, you only get one chance to raise your kids ya know and it's true, they really do grow up fast.  The next few weeks should be pretty full, we are hosting a globalawakening event based on training students to walk in the supernatural also tomorrow our team of about 18 students and leaders leaves for a missions trip to El Salvador.  AHHH summerbreak...yeah right!  -pw

How much you want for this?

So today and tomorrow I am embarking on a new kind of adventure.  i am having a garage sale, well not really a garage sale, as much as a driveway sale.  If you're not familiar, it's when you get up at the crack of dawn, throw your belongings all over your driveway and invite every person you can, insane or not, English speaking or not...to rummage through things you paid top dollar for and ask, "how much you want for this?"  My response.."how much do I want for that?",  well I actually want back what I paid for it, I know, I know I'm an idealist so, I'll settle...  Maybe, what I want for that is what I took the time late last night to write on the homemade masking tape price tag!!  I really never went to garage or yard sales when I was a kid, I've really never been even as an adult, but if I do, just for kicks, I think I'll just pay the person what they wrote down on the sticker.  Just to watch the confused look on their face.  -pw

blog clog

I'm not sure if it's what I'm eating these days or if I'm just really busy.  I mean I keep setting down at the computer and thinking, "man I need to write something, anything!!" but then something more pressing, urgent or just funny happens and that thought is gone.  So I finally pushed through and made it happen.......Things are great on all fronts, family is good, ministry is actually doing very well, we've been experiencing what I would call a real "flow" in our services.  Last night was no different, students pressing in at the altars, hungry for and responding to God's presence.  Our latest endeavor "320 images" is off the ground and running.  I have really come to find out that I enjoy the creative process of screen printing.  If nothing else, it's a chance to let the creative juices flow and work with my hands.  It's keeping me pretty busy.  Hopefully this little exchange as freed me from the blog clog so...let the goodness flow. -pw

Identity

This topic of identity seems to be popping up a lot so I thought I'd take a few minutes to write about it.  Identity is who you are but also who you are not.  There is something so attractive about someone who is comfortable with their identity.   It is the crisis of  the 20 something age.  who am I?  what will I believe?  How and where will I live?  Part of our responsibility as leaders in the kingdom is to help those students figure out and yes even shape the identity of this generation.  A key to finding their identity is the Word of God and Worship.  When Ezra the prophet arrived upon the scene of Jerusalem, his job was to help the children of Israel figure out who they were and are.  He spent all of His time teaching the commands of God and being an example of worship.  In all of our figuring out of identity, don't forget the word and worship.  My belief is this, you become like those you are around..so it makes sense the more you are around God and the things of God, the more like him you become.  -pw

Children are a gift from God

I know, I know it's been a while since my last post, but there's a good reason.  This past week my wife took the edge student and went on a missions excursion to Oregon Mexico.  While they were there ministering to the orphans (all the orphans of the world) I was at home with my 4 kids.  Man I have to tell you of all the things that I do, this was one of the most challenging.  Don't get me wrong, I am blessed with 4 incredible kids but they are in fact- kids.  I don't know how a single parent does it.  So outnumbered all of the time.  If it wasn't breaking up wrestle mania 3 it was Changing diapers or making dinner.  I have an absolute new level of respect for my wife.  You see so many times I take off and "head to the church" or "be out of town for a few" and she is there holding down the fort.  Parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world, and you don't get a chance to push the "reset" button.  I have made a commitment to remain connected with my kids.  You see a few years it hit me, we constantly expect our kids to adapt to our world, especially the world of ministry.  How many times to we make sure that we visit their world? to connect with them where they live?  For my oldest it's time and video games, my daughter - daddy dates to Libby l ( if you don't have a daughter, trust me you have no idea)  My youngest daughter - tea parties and just hanging out and my youngest son - throwing a ball back and forth (sorta resembling fetch).  Take the time to connect with them - you won't be sorry you did.  -pw

Caught up

It's so easy to get caught up some times in all the stuff we have to do as youth pastors.  I have to preach here, lead here, confront here, plan here, correct here..all the while trying to remain "cool" and "relevant".  You begin to feel like if your not up on the "latest" thing then somehow you're not really that good of a leader.  Sometimes I can get so busy with the business of the ministry that I forget what the "business" of ministry is..you guessed it...people.  Loving them like I love myself and my God.  Relevance, Excellence, Leadership are all moving targets, what used to work there doesn't work here..But there are always people, people who need to be given hope, encouraged, challenged and most of all loved.  Don't forget your "business" keep the main thing..the main thing.  -pw

man is my body rockin...

I started working out again.  For too long I have been unable or unwilling to regain the physical disciplines that I once had.  I decided enough is enough and got back on the work out train.  I know what you're thinking..it's not even new years.  So this time I decided to go with a personal trainer.  His name is Javier and he is really helping me out a ton.  Javier started coming to elevate about two months ago and I have to say I really enjoy his passion for Jesus and helping people. He is a true man of God.  As far as the workout..I really feel like I will see the best results I ever have.  For now though..my legs, back and especially arms are about to fall off.  You should have seen me try to shave after todays chest and arms work out...pretty comical.  - pw

Back by popular demand

So in response to all of the many comments urging me to write...(OK there was really just one guy!)  I just thought I'd share some insights that I've come to in the midst of the 21days of fasting we're in...

We always talk about David and how he was a man after God's own heart,  but what made him so.  As i was reading through Psalms a few things jumped out at me..

1.  Ps. 38:13 - when people spoke deceit, malicious things David "chose" to be as deaf and dumb.  To me that means he didn't hear it and he sure didn't respond to it.  How much does what other people say to us our about us put us in a tailspin and consume our creativity?

2.  David kept coming back to Prayer and the Word.  When he faced what he called "enemies" one verse says he "resorted" to prayer.  What do you resort to?   When things weren't going well he would go to the commandments and precepts of God (the Word)  What do you go to when things are tough?

3.  The largest book in the Bible, Psalms 119 is mostly about the Bible?  Read it and underline how many times David talks about the commands, word, precepts.  The guy is absolutely addicted.  He compares it to money, food, friends and always, the Word comes out on top.

That's all for now, but maybe check back and I'll share my thoughts on David's Leadership style.  So now the masses (both of you) can read and be satisfied. -pw

New Year New Season

I know it's been a while but we have really been in an incredible season that has kept us on our toes.  It all began as we were prayerfully considering what God had for us for the new year.   We began to feel like God was leading us to fast and pray,  so that's what we are doing.  The incredible thing is that we have embraced what we call 24/21.  Twenty-four hours of prayer for 21 days straight.   That's right students praying for hour long shifts (sometimes 3-4 hours shifts) every hour of the day and night.  I have to say that I'm so blown away by how God is speaking to the hearts of students and how students are responding.  Don't get me wrong, I've always been a believer in fasting and prayer...but this is something totally different.  This is a movement, not sure how far it goes to be honest that doesn't even matter.   All that matters is that we are living one day at a time in obedience to Jesus.  One thing I know for sure, 2008 is a year of firsts, a year of new beginnings, and will be unlike any other year that I've known of.  I'll keep you posted right here.   -w