Adoption

Love is an amazing thing. Its not a depletable resource - it actually multiplies! We have a new addition to our home - after a long process of more than two years we finally made the trip to Ethiopia this year and now our daughter is home and sleeping in her bed as I write this. It didn't take long to realize that I didn't have to divide my love and ration it out - love multiplied. We loved Amira before we even met her and we knew that we were prepared to overcome any obstacles, travel any distance, break though any barriers, prejudices, or fears. Our love for her was unconditional, it didn't matter where she came from, how she looked or what needs she had. She is our daughter and one of God's most beautiful creations.

Throughout this entire process I began to realize how strangely familiar this was, and that this kind of love did not originate within me. My human nature and my ego tend to want to be selfish, self-centered, stingy and greedy. But there was a time when I was adopted too. This same thing happened to me spiritually. God adopted me into his family and loved me so much that he overcame all obstacles, traveled any distance (look it up, it was pretty far), and broke through all barriers. His love for me is unconditional, it didn't matter how I looked, what I'd done or what needs I had.

I am so thankful that God calls us his own - to the point that he even calls us "co-heirs" with his only son Jesus Christ!

Someone once asked us how we could love a child that was not our own - Russell Moore said it best in an article he wrote describing his experience: "I was at first reluctant to adopt, because I assumed an adopted child would always be more distant than a child "of my own." I was wrong. And I should have known better. After all, there are no "adopted children" of God, as an ongoing category. Adoption tells us how we came into the family of God. And once we are here, no distinction is drawn between those at the dinner table."

Who Jesus is not:

What Jesus is not, but at times throughout history
mis-represented as:

*Angry

*Controlling

*Imperialistic

“Forming an empire, based on domination and subordination."

*Narcissistic

“Personality trait of egotism, pride, selfishness. Applied to a social

group, it is sometimes used to denote elitism or an indifference to the

plight of others.”

*A Franchise

“A strategic business model and system to effectively distribute goods

and services”
It’s time to re-discover Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life. John 14:6

Persevere

Great big HELLO!
I'm not sure if anyone reads this but its great for me to write and put my thoughts down on the keyboard. It's crazy to think that its been 4 months since we started Live Church LA. That's roughly 16 Sunday's and everything important in-between. So here's the truth, this is hard and easy all at the same time. Doesn't make sense? Well, its like navigating a brand new road when you're the guide and you don't know what's around the corner, if you have enough gas, do we have money to buy gas, where are we going anyway, what does the destination look like, is there a destination etc. And yet its easy because I realize that there are things beyond my control and that my main job is to love, trust, persist and be anxious for nothing. My faith has really been tested in amazing ways - do I really trust God to lead, guide, speak, provide, and do the impossible!
I know that theologically and philosophically people question whether or not God is in control or we are. My answer to that question and my understanding from scripture is that we can be in control if we want to, or we can surrender it and allow God to be our guide. I chose and continue to choose the later.

Matthew 16:24-26

²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. ²⁶What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Video

Cool story on Live Church LA from student at USC School of Journalism:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzrpl2tKy5o

Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:9 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Whatever challenges or opportunities you are facing today, we are praying for you that God will give you strength, courage, and hope. Remember too that there are many around us (family, co-workers, friends, even enemies) that are facing incredible challenges and opportunities as well. Sometimes God's answer to their prayer is us - be strong and courageous for them as well.

Keep going strong!

This last Sunday we knew there was going to be a triathlon in town, so I requested and viewed the "official" plans directly from the city and LA Live concerning street closures. We were thrilled to know that Olympic would be open to all traffic. Well, on Sunday morning we discovered that not only was Olympic completely closed, but so was every other street surrounding the South Park district. There was mass confusion - even the police didn't know what was going on. AEG employees were shocked to learn that they could not get to work, and they run everything here. Awe - the beauty of living in downtown LA. We sent out word to everyone driving in to not come - the closest parking was three blocks away and Club Nokia couldn't even open. I've never told people to not come to church!! Sorry to everyone who was diverted. This will never happen again, I promise!

We ended up having church at the restaurant below, and it was great. God had other plans for that day. We talked about overcoming obstacles and having faith, perseverance, vision, hope, and surrender. Everyone sitting around the table opened up and shared current experiences in their lives that required these attributes. There were no musicians, but we all worshiped God and His goodness, faithfulness, mercy and blessings in our lives.

Surrendering our plans to God and allowing Him to guide our steps brings true success and fulfillment. Keep going strong!

Grand Opening!

We had a great Grand Opening service! Thank you to The Movement Band, to all the support and encouragement from friends who came, and to Councilwoman Jan Perry for presenting the church with a Certificate of Commendation welcoming Live Church LA to the city.

We are ready to build! I imagine it will be like planting a seed, constantly watering it, giving it time, taking good care of the soil, patiently letting it take root, giving it sun, and watching it grow. It will be a labor of love, a walk of faith, and a true blessing.

Please pray for wisdom, favor, provision, and a constant focus on the goal - loving God and people!

Story

Story about Live Church LA - check it out:
http://blogdowntown.com/2009/09/4703-live-church-opening-its-doors-at-club-nokia

Word is Spreading!

This Sunday, September 27th (10am at Club Nokia at L.A Live) is the Grand Opening service! The word is getting around town - Councilwoman Jan Perry is coming to the service and will do a short greeting. Did an interview and took some pics today with a downtown news source (I'll let you know if its gets published). The Farm of Beverly Hills located just beneath Club Nokia is giving us free coffee and lunch specials so everyone can hang out after. Thank you for your continued prayers. We are a new church start-up and we have start-up needs. We are believing God will provide above and beyond all we could ever ask for or imagine!

New Strategies

When I look at what has made the biggest impact on the city of Los Angeles it has been things like economic development, jobs, small businesses, and lower crime, cleaner more sanitary streets etc. I think that most churches have good models for bringing Christians together and serving each others needs. I am challenged now with making a real, non-Christian attention getting, impact on my city. I want the low income families, the homeless, the police, city council and the mayor to bring up the names of Churches when they are asked what has made this city a better place.
What I typically find is that most models end up putting all their focus and energy into creating these communities and having big gatherings but little time, effort, and considerable resources are put into the tangible touch on the city and its people.
Having a big gathering does not impress the city, it doesn't show them unity, it shows them that there is a bigger group of Christians and they are probably going to use their leverage to unify on voting issues. That's how non-churched, non-Christians think. Until we display that we can really make a tangible difference in our city that isn't a church-growth strategy in disguise or political meddling, I don't think we are anything more to them than a religious gathering.

Cultural Shift

Just read a great book (very challenging and controversial). "Thy Kingdom Come" - An Evangelical's Lament: How The Religious Right Distorts The Faith And Threatens America, by Randall Balmer. In short, this book is a call to Christians and the Church to untangle itself from the distracting propaganda and power of the religious right and to realign with the message of the gospel. The message that God loves us and has made a way - that there is hope, forgiveness, redemption and real power to change the world - the message of Jesus Christ. That is what we should be known for, not for what we are against or who we endorse or what we stand on the corners of streets protesting.

Websit is LIVE!

Website is LIVE - this is really happening!! www.livechurchla.com

Official Name!

The church is now officially recognized by the State of California (what would we do without that) and filed with our officially registered name "Live Church LA". I am working on our website, the address will be www.livechurchla.com just like the name (it should be ready soon). We also have a logo and will send to print this week for business cards, letterhead, flyers etc. A huge 'Thank You' to Sarah Pata who has donated her time and her God given gift and passion for graphic design to help with all of this - her work is incredible! Thank you for your prayers and to many of you the financial support towards establishing this new church in downtown LA!
(P.S. We finally have most boxes empty and worked all day yesterday making it feel a little more like home in our new place. If you are ever in the area let us know and stop by - we will make you a nice fruit smoothie with our new blender....is that weird?)

Update 8-01-09

Wow - the move was tuff! Thank God we had great friends come and help (thanks Kaylyn, John, Jasmine, and especially Ryan, Andy and Zach for coming all the way down to LA for the toughest part. Getting out of the house was easy. When we arrived here we had to take everything up a freight elevator one trip at a time, then walk it all the way across the top to our unit on the other side. It will take me a week to recover. Everything is just pilled in our house.
Sleeping here last night for the first time was wierd. Getting used to the new sights and sounds. Looking forward to worship, communion, and connecting at the Cause tomorrow.

Update 7-30-09

I know its been a few days since the last update but things are really moving fast and slow!? We are moving out and into downtown Los Angels tomorrow. Our renters will move into our house in Chino Hills on Saturday. Shelley has been collecting boxes from work and packing a little every night for the past week. Most big stuff we either sold, gave away, or are leaving for our renters so it shouldn’t be too big a job (I hope). Funny thing is, four other people are moving into the same complex in LA so we have a one-hour window from 1-2pm to use the loading dock and freight elevator.
Things with Club Nokia are going well. I met with them last week and we should have a signed contract soon to use their facilities. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!

Great Meeting

Today I had very important meeting with the GM and Director of Operations for Club Nokia. Meeting went very well, things look promising. Last week I went to the Skid Row development meeting and met a group of non-profit leaders and learned a lot about what the needs are among the poor and homeless in LA. Tomorrow I will catch the Metro Link early early in the morning to attend an LA economic forecast meeting and will have the opportunity to meet downtown business leaders.

Packard Lofts!

So I think we found a place! We have looked all over the South Park District in Downtown Los Angeles for a workable two bedroom/bath place to be that would accomodate us and our future adopted kids for the next few years at least. We found one place and filled out an application, but neither of us were too excited about it. I couldn't bring myself to fax it in. So on Monday, we decided to see a few remaining options. As we were leaving, I saw Packard Lofts, the old location for the Packard car dealership, and had Shelley call. This place was perfect in every way! They had a "two months free" promotion which pro-rated over 14 months made it affordable. So we are getting a lot more for a lot less, without the promotion we wouldn't have even thought about it. www.packardloftsla.com

Not Worth It

Driving and owning a “dream” car is way overrated. Besides the name and notoriety of certain cars its still just another car with four wheels, and it goes forward, backwards, and turns left and right. I’m not recommending that anyone drive a piece of junk, but take for example my situation. I owned a Cadillac CTS - great car but again, just a car. It went forward, backwards, and turned left and right (it also had an aux input, very important for iPod lovers like myself). But I did some research and now I’m driving a brand new Pontiac Vibe (don’t worry, the ’09 has the Toyota Matrix engine and great head room) with 0% interest for 72 months and cut my monthly payments in half! I got it at the Reynolds dealership in West Covina of course because they seriously rock, you don’t feel like your being hunted by sales associates who are foaming at the mouth. Anyway look, my point is, don’t fall into this trap that driving the right car will make you happy or give you some type of fulfillment. Just make sure it’s reliable and that it has an auxiliary jack for your iPod.

One step at a time

We are learning to trust God daily, one step at a time. It's difficult in our human nature - I want every thing and every detail planned in advance - but God keeps leading us one step at a time. Obviously God has spoken clearly enough to us that there is a vision and direction that we are heading towards. But the only thing that's crystal clear is.....God is asking us to trust Him daily, one step at a time. It feels a bit like what he told Abraham - he said go, and I'll tell you what to do when you get there. I'm actually learning to like it, and I'm beginning to think this is how God wants us to live everyday of our lives. Too many of us are living and trusting our own plans and goals. It's very difficult in our flesh to admit that we don't control our future, and we go insane pretending like we can. But there is so much freedom and life when we give it all up and start putting our 'now' and 'then' in his hands.

Rented!

8 days with a "For Rent" sign in our yard and tomorrow we should be wrapping up details for a family with twins to move in soon! Now we are trusting God to lead us to find the right place to live in LA.