"Test of Fire" Voting Video

It goes without saying that Christians have an important decision to make on election day; with prayer and a clear conscience, may you make yours as a citizen of this great nation!

The Cross of Christ: No Hidden Agenda

Some organizations and religions are very secretive and protective, only revealing information about their agenda to those who've joined them, or have sworn an oath not to disclose what they see and hear within the walls of their organization.

Christianity isn't anything like this.

In fact, Jesus revealed as mush as He could about His intentions for being with mankind during His earthly ministry, and the Bible speaks openly and honestly about so many topics to anyone willing to read it. Christianity doesn't hide anything.

Whether it's about mankind...

The nature of God...

Who Jesus was...

Why our world is sinful...

How God views sin...

God's remedy for sin...

The fact that we're all sinners...

We all need forgiveness for our sins...

And that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation for all of mankind!

The truth of Christianity isn't blurred, obscured, or hidden to anyone. It's as open as it can possibly be, because God's desire is that all who are willing to repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, do so before they breathe their last breath on this earth. 

No hidden agenda...

No secret rituals...

No blood oaths...

No special underwear!

Just the plain truth about mankind's condition and God's amazing grace!

  

We needed a Saviour, and God sent Jesus to be such...

We needed forgiveness for our sin, and God sent Jesus as the only means of receiving such...

We needed to know love, and God sent Jesus to demonstrate such...

We needed to know the truth, and God sent Jesus to reveal such...

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."" -John 14:6

Do you believe.......?

Educating Children Pt 2: The Pros and Cons of Public Schools, Private Schools and Home Schools!

OK, my 2nd post on 'Educating Children.' Today's title:

"The Pros and Cons of Public Schools, Private Schools, and Home Schools"

Hopefully, I'll be able to portray a pretty good picture of what I experienced in my own life as a public school student for 12+ years, and now a homeschooling Dad for 12+ years.

What I present is no way meant to be an exhaustive list of pros and cons, and may not accurately represent what you've experienced and have seen in your neck of the woods.

I understand that public schools in wealthier rural areas out perform public schools in poorer urban areas. My portrayal is based on national averages and overall behavioral patterns in general, not one district in particular.

We'll start with the pros and cons of Public or Government Schools, and end with the pros and cons of Home Schools.

Public or Government Schools:

Pros:

• Already paid for by your tax dollars. Out of pocket expenses are kept to a minimum, and limited to such things as field trips and perhaps fund raiser events. Depending on school, you may have to purchase uniforms as well.
• All the work is done for you. All you need to do is get 'em there. Either drive them yourself or have them ready for the school bus rain or shine.
• Your days are just that, YOUR DAYS. No kids to disrupt you while watching TV, surfing the web, making calls, running errands, etc., etc..
• Frees up Mom to pursue a career outside of the home where she can find her perceived happiness and true liberation from what the Lord says matters most.

Cons:

• Unbiblical world view is taught to your child for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 9 months a year, for 12 years of their life.
• Negative and evil peer pressures surround your child for time stated above.
  
• Child is faced with all types of sin that most children are unable to walk away from because of immaturity and lack of time being trained by parents.
• Innocents of child is lost at an age when unable to process the things they hear and see such as: sexual misconduct, vulgar language, homosexuality, immodest dress, poor character, rebellion to authority, rebellion toward God, hatred of God, etc.
• Parents sin against child by placing them in an environment that is hostile toward what they believe and where the child will almost always be the one who's converted. A lack of charity toward our children is to sin against them.
• Class sizes are about 1 teacher to 30+ students.
• No biblical or jurisdictional authority over the education of your child.
• Parental authority in the life of the child is almost completely obliterated.
• Unnatural surroundings (age segregation) leave children ill-prepared for real world.
  
• One size fits all approach to curriculum, learning styles, etc.
  
• Virtually no one on one time with teachers unless they're deemed 'special need' or 'underachieving.'
• Slave to schools calendar and schedule.
  
• Child is forced to violate the commands in Psalm 1 which reads:

1 ¶ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Private Schools:

Pros:

• The Same as for Public Schools, with the following added.
• Teachers try harder because they're paid better.
• In Christian Schools, at least the Teachers are suppose to have a biblical worlview. But according to the Barna Group, only about 20% of Evangelicals actually have a biblical worldview.
• Facilities are better maintained than at public schools.
• The sins of the students are more white-washed, giving the appearance of 'not-so-bad.'

Cons:

• The same as for Public Schools with following added.
• Students at Christian Private Schools act and think like their public school counterparts sending confusing signals to your child who you tell that the kids there are better because they're "Christian."
• With so many "Christian" students doing 'it', 'it' must be ok for your child to do it, or so they think.
• Many students there are there because their parents are hoping that private school will 'get out' what public school 'put in' for 8 years.
• No biblical or jurisdictional authority over the education of your child.
• Parental authority in the life of the child is weakened by time apart and by who the child views as "intelligent."
• Financial Costs. Can leave many families financially burdened, especially larger families with multiple students attending.

Home Schools:

Pros:

• Controlled environment.
• Environment conducive to learning.
• Child is taught by parent or co-op leader who is under the authority of Jesus.
• Parent-child relationship strengthened throughout school year.
• Authority of parents in child's life is established and strengthened .
• One on one time of student/teacher.
• Class size limited to number of children in family.
• Curriculum tailored to child's' learning style(s).
• Supremacy of God in academics upheld.
• God's relevance in the world is taught to child throughout school year.
• Superior academic performance on SAT, ACT.
• Higher level of performance per grade level compared to public and private school students.
• Hebrew method of discipleship (walk beside, talk beside) established in child's life.
• Obedience to commands to "bring up" children "in the Lord". (Deut. 6: 4-9; Eph. 6:4)
• Family vision impressed upon child without negative influence dissuading child from it.
• Negative or ungodly behavior can be dealt with swiftly while still trainable.
• Complete control over calendar and schedule.
• Children mature much quicker.
• Adapts much easier to people of all ages and genders.
• And everything else I missed!

Cons:

• Children can suffer if parents are lazy and undisciplined.
• Parents don't take the eduction of their children seriously enough and leave child ill-prepared for life outside of home.
• Some parents who opt for the "relaxed" method to home educate their children are so relaxed that they sleep thru entire year of school.
• Boys can suffer identity issues and become feminine with Mom doing all the educating, if Dad isn't pro actively discipling his boys on how to Men and making them work hard outside of school.
• Added cost of curriculum per child every year.

Again, these aren't exhaustive lists by any means. Just what I've seen and experienced in my own life and in the lives of those around me.

Share your thoughts and add to any list you'd like via a comment or two!

Power Quote

"When there's no hope for tomorrow,
there's no power for today."
-Mark Jobe
(Lead Pastor, New Life Community Church, Chicago, IL)

Life Without God

What would life without God be like?

I thought about that as I looked at this picture of the little boy facing the giant Sumo Wrestler. It made me think back to the days when I wasn't walking with the Lord, and how I felt when life threw me a challenge.........(very overwhelmed!)

I didn't have any assurance that my decisions would work out. I didn't know whether I was doing what was best. And I certainly didn't believe there was much hope. It was what it was, and that's just how life is--or so I thought.

Then one day, the Lord opened my eyes to His reality. He allowed me to see Him for who He really is--a loving a caring Father who watches over His children--and to know Him personally, not just know "about" Him theoretically. The gospel--which I had heard growing up--made perfect sense to me for the first time.

I had always heard that Jesus died for sinners, but wasn't convicted that I was one. I had always heard that there was a heaven and a hell, but wasn't convicted that I'd be spending eternity in one of those two places. I had always heard that Jesus could save me from God's punishment for my sin, but wasn't convinced that Jesus' death on the cross was a death He died for me and not just the "good" religious folks.

You see, friends, going through life without God can be as overwhelming as being the little boy in this photo. You feel like you just have to take whatever life throws at you. Your kids will be what other kids are. Your marriage will be what other marriages are. The future will be whatever the "future gods" say it will be, and so on and so forth.

This was me for a good portion of my life before the Lord revealed Himself to me and allowed me to hear what He had been telling me my whole life--I love you, I want to forgive you, and I want you to spend eternity with me! I now see that God had been telling me this my whole life, but I wasn't willing, nor wanting, to hear His voice. I believe He's always telling these same things to everybody alive, but like me, not everyone is willing, nor wanting, to hear what He has to say. So, they go on with life, facing insurmountable challenges thinking there isn't a better way, an easier way, and a more certain way, when the whole time God is telling them "There is."

Jesus said "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) God has offered you rest, will you receive His offer? God is offering you forgiveness, will you receive His forgiveness? God is offering you eternity in heaven, will you spend it with Him?

I leave you with these beautiful words that Jesus said to all mankind during His time on earth, and that He still says to us today....

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy. I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly."
-John 10:10

Obama's Supreme Court Nominee: Bitter Sweet for Latino Christians

As a Mexican-American, part of me wants to rejoice in the fact that soon, the highest court in the land will better reflect the diversity of the American people. Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's Supreme Court Nominee, is a girl who has come up through the ranks and I'm sure has made her family proud.

Now, she stands only a few weeks away from becoming the first Hispanic ever to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, and oh how I wish I could rejoice in this, but I can't...

As a Latino Christian, I know that Sonia Sotomayor embraces an ideology that my Bible speaks against. She stands side by side with the radical far Left ideology that President Obama himself embraces, and because of this, I can't say this is a good day for the Hispanic community.

Some in my community, or might I say, most, will see this as a great moment to celebrate. Just as most in the African-American community saw the election of Mr. Obama as a great moment to celebrate. They see our country advancing past ethnic divides and moving toward a more inclusive future that will open doors to our children and will hopefully put to rest the bigotry and racism that has besmirched our Nation for far too long. And to this, I rejoice with you. No one wants to see these sins carry on into to the future, No One!

To see our Nation move forward in the area of racial diversity and racial inclusiveness is a very worthy goal that I desperately want to see occur as well. But at what cost? The price we pay as Americans to move forward an agenda of "inclusiveness" and "diversity" should never come at the expense of righteousness. It shouldn't come at the expense of Godliness, or morality either.

There are things more important than having our first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice, at least in my eyes, and one of those would be wisdom. Another, holiness. And yet another, integrity. These traits come through the fear of the Lord. The word of God declares that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The kind of people we should hope to have leading our land are God fearing people who evidence their faith through good works and and a biblical worldview.

When one doesn't fear the Lord, there isn't anything that's sacred. Whether it be an unborn child created in the image of God, or the sanctity of marriage between a Man and a Woman. If God isn't feared, everything is subjective. If God's moral law isn't held as holy, all laws become subjective and arbitrary. This is where I believe we're headed as a Nation.

If I sound pessimistic, I am. In an earthly sense. If it weren't for the gospel of Jesus Christ, I'd have no reason for hope at all. All would be doom and gloom. Perhaps I'd have my own conservative talk show to lament for the next 8 years!

Yet, I am hopeful, because the gospel cannot be legislated out of our Nation. It cannot be voted on by the American people. It cannot be removed from power by the President. Nor can it be made powerless by Godless human beings.

So, let us renew our hope, and strengthen our witness. If God could change Judea and Samaria with twelve Spirit filled Men, surely He can change America with several million who call Christ Lord!

2008 CTA Bus Rodeo Competition

I know it's a bit late, but just thought I'd post it anyway.

Last year I was fortunate to make it to the "Winning Circle" portion of the CTA's Bus Rodeo. The Winning Circle are the top 40 operators in the system, 5 from each of our 8 garages, who made the cut from round 1 competition. It was fun, and I hope to return again this year.

The CTA gave us all some very nice prizes, and fed us well too. I seen old friends there, and made some new ones, like Jairo Naranjo. He has won it all four years in a row.

The competition consisted of driving an obstacle course in a set time. The course tested your abilities in a number of manouvers, such as: Y backs, driving through diminishing barrels at 40mph, going through tennis balls that weren't visible, making perfect L/R turns, and much more!

Below are some pics I snapped on my cell phone...

Above: Me in front my bus before driving the course!
Below: The Champ, Jairo Naranjo! (Bald one)

Above: Jairo and Joe walking through the diminsighing barrels!
Below: New Flyer bus used in competition!

This year's competition will begin this spring...we'll see how it goes!

Manhood...Defined!

Who defines Manhood?

Bible...or...Culture?

Answer: The Bible!

Check this verse out;

1 Corinthians 16:13

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (English Standard Version)

Here it is in the Amplified Bible;

13Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!

Isn't it great to know that as Men, we don't have to be effeminate to follow Christ. We can, and are called to be, masculine. Spurgeon once said: "There has gone abroad the notion that in order for a Man to follow Christ he must sink his manliness."

What strikes me about the above verse is the gender specific command that Paul places on the Men at Corinth. How I wish we heard more of this type of language on Sunday mornings. We need Pastors to lay it on thick when it comes to being Men in the biblical form that Paul describes in the text. Perhaps if they did call us out more, we might see an uprising of spiritually strong, firmly devoted, family loving, Christ glorifying, masculine men!

I wonder what you all think about the Men in church today. Are they masculine? Courageous? Firm in their faith? Alert? Responsible? Strong? Chivalrous? Godly?

Let me know what you see!

Are American Christians Committed to the Church?

In my last post, "Growing On Your Own," my good friend, Kevin, raised an interesting point with this comment:

"Statistically, many Americans already believe they don't need the church in order to be spiritually growing people. And that's the problem. The church doesn't fit into the growth plan of most people who want to be spiritual."

I'd like to know what you think about this. Do you want to be spiritual? And if so, does the church fit into this desire?

Do you think "most" people who want to be spiritual think they can accomplish this without the church? And a bigger question is, "Can this be accomplished without the church?"

Look forward to hearing what you think about this issue! And gentlemen, (or ladies), don't hold back!

And for those who live outside the US, I'm curious about how committed you see the Christians in your country are toward the church?

When Rockers Repent...

Read an article the other day about how Reginald Arvizu, better known as 'Fieldy' from the band Korn, had found God and repented of his past behavior and sins to his fellow band members. Fieldy is the second member of Korn to become a Christian. The first was Brian 'Head' Welch. You can read about his conversion here.

If Fieldy's repentance is real, and from what I've read it seems to be, I say Amen! Imagine the impact someone with his connections could have on the music industry. Think of the witnessing opportunities he could have within the crowd he runs with.

In the article cited, he said his Dad, a born-again Christian, had only one with on his death bed, and that was for his son to find God. And according to the facts, he was born-again the night his father passed away.

I'm sure you could point to things in his life, or Welch's, that may provoke some thought of "That isn't right." But be careful, because they might do the same to you. These guys coming to Christ from the industry they're in reminds me of the passage in Mark 2 when Jesus was having lunch with the "sinners and tax collectors," and told the Pharisee's, who hated to see him with such dregs of society, that he came not to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners. And according to scripture, these guys are 'sinners,' and me too!

Other notables who've gotten saved, according to their testimony and not my opinion, are: Deion Sanders, MC Hammer, RUN (of RUN DMC), Bono, and I'm sure you can name some.

My hope is that we see and hear about more stories of repentance and faith in Chirst as the years go on within the music industry, sports industry, hollywood, etc. These industries may be hard to conquer, but the gospel is powerful. Jesus said; "I will build my kingdom, and not even the gates of hell will prevail." If they're called, they'll get saved. Glory to God!

¹⁵ Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) ¹⁶ But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

¹⁷ When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” - Mark 2: 15-17

Christian Tattoo Artists

This is Seattle tattoo artist and shop owner Damon Conklin. Scary dude, right? Think again.
He's an evangelical Christian who uses tattoos as a form of religious expression.

Christian tattoo shops are gaining a lot momentum these days. Some of the artwork being done is fantastic. But not all would agree that tattoos on Christians is OK, right?

So I'm asking what you think.

Should Christians get tattoos?

Is any scripture violated by getting them?

What message is sent by Christians who get them or have them, like myself?

To read the full article on the tattoo artist above click here! I could be wrong, but I believe he goes to Mars Hill.

"Uniqueness in Christ" by Erwin McManus, Catalyst Conference

Erwin McManus - Jesus Wept...

Bibles, Beer, and Culture...

I've known of The Journey's ministry at the Bottleworks for some time now, but just saw their promo for it on Youtube. Thought you'd enjoy it! I love this idea...

But for the grace of God, there go I...

Unless you've been on a media fast for the last few weeks, I'm sure you're very familiar with the recent story of former Governor Eliot Spitzer (left with wife), and his adulterous escapades with a call-girl named Ashley Alexandra Dupre (seen below), that he paid $4,300.00 for.

The story has rocked the political world, and I'm sure Eliot's world as well. He resigned from the Governorship last week as a man in disgrace, and has sought refuge in order to begin the process of rebuilding his life, marriage, and family.

I've heard lots of talk radio covering the story and some jokes from comedians and late night show hosts like Leno and Letterman. They do have much to poke at, with Spitzer paying from business accounts that were easily traced back to him, moving large sums of money from his personal accounts to the accounts belonging to the call-girls company. He didn't cover his tracks well, that's for sure.

But as I've thought about this story, I can't help but think about the tons of men out there who indulge in the same behavior as Eliot Spitzer, but haven't been caught yet. Or so they think!

Then there are the ones who have been caught. Guys like...

• Jesse Jackson, who fathered a child from a female worker of his who he was having an affair with at the same time he was counseling the Clinton's through the whole Lewinsky scandal.
• Bill Clinton, you know the story.
• Rudy Guiliani, who has been married three times, and had affairs with some of them while married to others.
• Rush Limbaugh, whose been married I believe three times now.
• Ted Haggard, former President of the National Association of Evangelicals, who was found to be having sex with a gay male prostitute.
  
• And the list goes on, let your memory fill in the rest...

My point in mentioning these guys isn't to throw them under the bus along with Spitzer; but rather to remind Men of just how common these type of affairs occur. And I'm sure that some guys reading this can recall their own adulterous affairs of years past, or current, that their wives may or may not know about.

Men, you know your own frailty apart from the grace of God as well as I do. You know your thought life, or should I say lust life, better than anyone but God. So how is it that we can take someone like Spitzer and point our fingers at him as if we're any better a person than he is? The words of Jesus come to mind when he said, "You have heard it said, 'Do not commit adultery,' but I tell you that any man who lusts for a woman has committed adultery with her already in his heart." Anyone innocent?

I'm sure many of the reporters covering the story are having affairs. The talk show hosts talking about the story all day are probably having affairs. And so on and so forth.

What this story has made me do most of all is to thank God for His grace in my life. A grace that is redemptive, restorative, and rythmatic. God's grace through Jesus can redeem the worst of situations, and worst of offenders. Christ death at Calvary is sufficient to satisfy any demand for atonement by the Father for any sins committed by mankind.

God's grace is able to restore the years that the enemy (with our participation) has stolen and sought to destroy. Jesus death at Calvary is able to restore anyone willing to believe in Him to a right standing before the Father.

God's grace also brings rhythm back to a shattered and broken world. God created this world in the beginning with rhythm and structure that was completely beautiful, and his grace is in the process of restoring all things back to himself.

I'm hoping that the Spitzer family has people around them who know the word of God well enough to help bring healing to their family. After all, where can you go from here if you're Mrs. Spitzer, and you don't know Christ and His suffering? How does Eliot begin to rebuild without knowing what he's building toward? They need God grace. They need it to bring them to repentance (him at least for this affair). They need to show them how to forgive. They need it to give them a picture of what a marriage is suppose to look like. And they need it to allow them to begin the process of rebuilding.

Then there's Ashley Dupre who comes from a broken home in Jersey. I wonder if she's been seeking an identity that her Dad may have never given her? Would things have turned out differently for her if her Dad had loved and discipled her like he was suppose too. Does she know Christ? I'm no longer so willing to say that people who sin this grievously don't know him, after seeing what people who claim to know him get caught up in. I'm hoping someone can bring the gospel to her that will help her walk away from this lifestyle and into a life of redemption and beauty!

So Men, let us all remain sober minded about our humanity and let us give God glory for his grace functioning in our lives. For without it, we are left without hope in this world and the next!

John Piper on the Prosperity Gospel...

Why Should We Study Theology?

I'm a few weeks into my new theology class through Moody Bible Institute's distance learning program, and am really enjoying the content and discussion to this point.

The class is "The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit," taught by a retired Pastor/Contractor who's been in ministry for about 30-40 years in various capacities. Our class has people from various theological streams and it has caused some disagreements already, but always ends cordially with the teacher smoothing everything over.

There are people of the Wesleyan persuasion, reformed persuasion, dispensational persuasion, catholic, etc.. Some have been saved a number of months, some for a decade or so like myself, and then others for several decades. So it's quite a mixed bag.

The class has challenged me to study more in depth, to think more critically, and to know what I believe, why I believe it, and be able to explain to others why they should too. These are not traits or characteristics that most men have or desire to have. If it doesn't include drinking alcohol or watching sports, most of us men would much rather take a pass. And that's not to say that drinking alcohol or watching sports are wrong or should be avoided entirely. I enjoy a nice glass of wine or good beer when having dinner with my wife, and occasionally will catch important games that matter primarily in the post-season. But for the most part, most men, or should I say, most 'Christian' men don't really desire to know their Bibles all that well. They leave it to the "professionals."

So what's caused this? In my own experience, what has caused me to dig into my Bible was seeing other men that I "respected" dig into theirs. And when I say other men, I mean "men." Masculine, non-effeminate, heterosexual, one eyebrow, meat eating men. The kind who you'd want with you if you were gonna get jumped on your way home from bible study at 10 pm in the alley behind your house. Now there's something to consider! (Can you tell I grew up in Chicago dealing with these scenarios?)

And I firmly believe this begins from the pulpit. Do we have real men leading in most churches in the US? Do these men like the UFC? Do they hunt and like to kill things? Can their wives beat them up? Do they love their wives as Christ loved His bride? Do they disciple their children like God does His? Are they passionate about Jesus and His gospel? Do they portray Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, or is he just always the humble Galilean peasant who took a beating and was killed by stronger men, then tell you to go and do the same? What about the Jesus of Revelation. Sword protruding from His mouth as He comes to slay His enemies! Now that's a masculine man!

Don't get me wrong, we need the whole Jesus from scripture. But why is it that we mostly only hear of the weaker, softer Jesus who laid down His life as a ransom, (as portrayed by them) and not about the Lion of the tribe of Judah Jesus who will slay those who oppose Him in the end??? Could it be that a lot of Pastors better relate to the former Jesus, and not the latter one? Just a question.

I thank God that I've been in churches, some for over ten years, that were led by men who who were "men." They loved the Lord, their Bibles, their wives, children, and spoke in a way that made me want what they had.

I'm also thankful for many leaders and churches in the emerging church movement. Not emergent, but emerging. (Click here to understand the difference.) These men and churches have been very effective in reaching the most unchurched in our land; men between 18 and 30. These churches are filled with men in this demographic. I cant' explain it all, but see some common denominators that begin in the pulpit. To see some of these churches, look at my list of churches under 'churchville' to the left.

So back to the question at hand..."Why should we study theology?"

I believe the answer to my question is because we're men, and that's what "men" do!

Meeting "The Man"

On January 29th and 30th, my wife and I, along with some close friends, headed to Deerfield, IL, for a 2-day church planting conference hosted by Acts 29. Acts 29 is a church planting network that seeks to help equip Men to plant, and re-plant, church planting churches.

The co-founder, and President of A29 is Mark Driscoll. Mark is the Lead Pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, and author of several books. He planted Mars Hill in the fall of 1996, with around 12 people in his home. Today, Mars Hill averages around 7,000 in attendance every Sunday. Truly a work of God!

I became acquainted with Mark Driscoll in the late 90's when my marriage was rocky...my holiness was invisible...and my god was myself. I was driving home from Chicago late one Saturday night, when I tuned in to WYLL to see what they had on. This was a Christian talk station, that occasionally had something on worth listening to. This night would alter the course of my life forever.

The program that was on was a live call-in show called 'Streettalk.'(No longer on) It was hosted by guy named Leif Moi. Leif was a general contractor, Pastor, and host of this program which aired every Saturday from 11pm - 2am Chicago time. Well, Leif happened to be a Pastor at a young, newly planted church in Seattle named...yeah, you guessed it...Mars Hill.

Leif had a co-host come in periodically to help in out or cover for him if he needed the night off, and his co-host's name?...yes again...Mark Driscoll. The two would speak to Men in ways that I didn't think Pastors were allowed to talk. Little did I know Jesus, Paul, the Apostles, and Prophets had been speaking to Men like this for thousands of years, unbeknown to me.

Well, since then, I've spent countless hours being molded, rebuked, corrected, convicted, and whatever else good preaching is suppose to do by Driscoll, and have followed the life of his church and other ministry endeavors with great delight. Ministries like Acts 29 and The Resurgence. Mark is also on the board of the Gospel Coalition, headed up by D.A. Carson and Tim Keller.

The Lord has used Mark in my life to do great and mighty things. And for that, I will forever be thankful. When I spoke with him at the conference, I relayed this message to him and he was as humble as I've ever seen any man be. My wife and I both found Driscoll to be very kind and friendly. He even gave my wife a closed fist 'high-five' when he found out that we have 8 kids. I think he even told her that she 'rocks.'

I thank God that after using Driscoll to draw me close to Christ with much needed hard words, He then led me to a solid church, led by another Pastor named Mark, who would've known, Mark Jobe at New Life Community Church in Chicago. There the Lord brought Men into my life who would disciple me and prepare me for useful service in the kingdom of God. Mark, Mike, Asa, Dave, that would be you. I spent the better part of 12 years at New Life and am forever thankful to those Men who God is using mightily in the Windy City!

So all in all, the conference was extremely insightful, but the highlight of it all was finally, after all these years, getting to meet the General. You know, he even told me that him and Leif have recently talked about doing Streettalk or some form of it again. Well, if they do, I pray that some guy out there screwing up his life and not loving his wife will just happen to tune in on his way home from work, and maybe, just maybe, alter the course of his as well!

Church Planting with Acts 29...

This past week, my wife and I, along with some close friends packed up our bags and headed up to Deerfield, IL., on the campus of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, for a two-day church planting conference hosted by Acts 29.

This trip was kind of like a "third heaven" experience for me, because it was 10 years in the making.

Acts 29 is a church planting network co-founded by Mark Driscoll. Yes, the Mark Driscoll. (Just type his name in the search box at the top of this blog to see other postings about him and you'll know that I'm a big proponent of his, and have been for over 10 years.) I'll post about my personal thoughts, and put up a photo with him in a later post.

This church planting "bootcamp," as Acts 29 calls them, was very, very insightful, and comes highly recommended for all current Pastors, and anyone interested in possibly planting a church some time down the road. See their website for a full list of topics that are covered, doctrinal beliefs, current churches, etc., etc.. You can also subscribe to their free 'podcast' and listen to previous bootcamps from previous locations.

At this conference, on top of meeting and conversing with Mark Driscoll, I was also able to meet and converse with other Men who have taught me much about life and church planting thru the years.

Men like Darrin Patrick, who serves as VP of Acts 29, Dr. Ed Stetzer, Scott Thomas, director of Acts 29, Dr. Mark Dever, founder of 9marks ministry, and Tyler Powell, asst. director of Acts 29.

These Men were first class in all respects. Polite, courteous, intelligent, and willing to converse with people until they felt all their questions were answered.

Some topics we heard teaching on were:

• Leading the Mission
• Preaching the Mission
• Kingdom focused Church planting
• Missional and Biblical Church planting
• Church planting evangelism
• Vision for Church planting
• Q and A concerns for church planting wives

To see upcoming bootcamps, and other venues to hear these men at, visit their respective websites.

Thanks to the Acts 29 team for a first-class church planting experience. The gospel was proclaimed unashamedly!

Family Driven Education...

Great perspective on Education from Voddie Baucham!