Ten Things I Think

1. I think that it is very sad that the likes of Adam “Pacman” Jones and Lindsay Lohan do not have anybody in their life that loves them enough to help them stay out of trouble. Could we get an intervention or something?

2. I think that this humidity is a bit weird. I don’t think that we could deal over the long haul and 60% humidity is nothing compared to other places.


3. I think that this year’s men’s ski trip will be the best ever even though it begins on Sunday September 9th which is the first Sunday of the NFL season and the Cowboys play that night and I will miss the game because I will be driving to sleep on the ground by a lake. (I know…stop whining!) Seriously, the trip gets better every year and I would not miss it for the world!! Guys, you really should go with us.

4. I think that my friend Robert Hatch, who will be speaking to us on the trip, will really enjoy being with us. He lives with three women (his wife and two daughters) and he needs to be around some testosterone. He will enjoy getting to know you guys and I know that you will enjoy the “Hatch” Man.

5. I think that the New England Patriots will win Superbowl 42.

6. I think that the allegations brought against Michael Vick are some of the most hideous I have ever heard, but…isn’t it weird that we seem to be more creeped out by animal abuse than we are by human abuse.

7. I think that Richie and Becky Henson are going to enjoy their time in Springfield, Missouri. We thank you for your prayers on their behalf. By the way, they have made it to Springfield safely. Springfield is a big enough town to have everything that you want and need, but, in many ways, it will feel like a small town after LOS ANGELES.

8. I think that cleaning out closets is one of the most tedious yet rewarding chores in life. There is nothing like having your dress shirts and t-shirts hung up and organized by color. I know. I am a sick puppy. For further verification see #3 again.

9. I think that God’s faithfulness is amazing. Venice Church will celebrate its 80th birthday on August 19th. It is a wonderful testimony to the faithful servants who pioneered this church and came before us. You should be proud to carry on this biblical heritage here on the Venice/Mar Vista border.

10. I think that our church is on the cusp of something big. I have been praying that we would be used by God in a powerful way. I am praying for unity and strength as God calls us to be salt and light in this neighborhood. I am excited about what God will do in and through Venice Church during the rest of 2007 and into 2008. Please pray with me to that end.

News To Use

I am very excited about what has transpired this summer, what the remainder of summer holds, and what God will do among us in the fall.

Our Rockstars Children’s Ministry has just completed a very successful Vacation Bible School. Many children were encouraged and taught God’s Word all while having fun in the process. Many of the children were visitors who heard about Jesus for the very first time! It doesn’t get any better than that. Congratulations to Jen Villaryo and her team for a job well done.

Amy and I are looking forward to a week of vacation beginning August 6th. You will have the pleasure of hearing our missionary, Paul Newell from FamilyFellowshipChurch http://familyfellowshipchurch.com/ in Beaumont, speak to you on Sunday August 12th (one service @ 10:00 AM). I know that you will love Paul and he will love being on the Westside where it is cool.

Baptism @ the Beach Sunday is one of my favorite days of the year. It comes up on August 19th. We will have one service @ 10:00 AM and then head to the beach for lunch and baptism. If you want to be baptized, please sign up by responding to this email or on the back of your response card on Sunday.

The Men’s Ski Trip is September 9-11 and is always a blast. My friend Robert Hatch from Stonebrooke Church in Vista, California http://www.stonebrookechurch.com/index.html will be our speaker. I know that Hatch will be a blessing to you fellas.

And…one more thing. We will be experiencing 40 Days of Purpose together this fall. It is a great time to focus on God’s plan and purpose for our lives. We will be learning about God’s desire for us to live out the purposes of evangelism, discipleship, community, service, and worship on Sunday mornings and in our small groups.

Please pray with me about all that God is doing in and through Venice Church. There is nothing like the church when it is working right! It is a pleasure to serve along side of you.

What a Weekend!

Amy and I could never fully express our gratitude for all that you did to make Richie and Becky’s wedding a success. If I must say so myself, it turned out really well. Amy and I were extremely pleased. If I begin to name all those who had a part in making it so special I would surely leave somebody out and so I will not name names, but you know who you are!! Thanks for making 7.7.7 a special day. The entire weekend was spectacular and a blessing to our family.

I trust that your child is enjoying our VBS this week. All of the reports are that a good time is being had by all. If your child has not made it…bring them by tonight. They will enjoy it and you can have a couple of hours to walk around Costco or have a Starbucks and look into your mate’s eyes. It is a good deal if you can get it.

Make a special note about our Annual Baptism @ the Beach. It is coming up on Sunday August 19th. We will have one service and then head to the beach. Lunch will be provided. If you would like to be baptized you can sign up by responding to this email or just write “baptism” on the back of your response card on Sunday.

I will see you Sunday for one of our two services (9:00 or 10:45 AM). We will start a new series called Reframing Your Worldview.

July 4th

This is about as a big as a week can get for us. Amy and I thank you for all of your prayers, support, and hard work that you have put in for Richie and Becky’s wedding. We are looking forward to the big day.

Before we get to the big wedding we have a big holiday on Wednesday. I always loved the 4th of July. I loved it for so many things like picnics, parties, watermelon, homemade ice cream, and of course fireworks. I don’t know if I have ever told you that my brother’s birthday is July 4th. When we were kids my brother thought the parades and fireworks were for his birthday. My parents let him believe it for a quite a few years.

Yea, so, on Wednesday my brother will be 46 years old and the good old U.S. of A. will be 231 years old. Our nation’s “birthday” is significant. We are a blessed nation. We are more blessed than most Americans realize. It is the simple freedoms that may escape us. The freedom to worship, to speak the truth, and the freedom to be safe in our own homes may be taken for granted. We live in the greatest country ever. It may not be as great as it once was, but it is still the best ever. Let’s pause and give thanks to God on Wednesday. Freedom is always based on God’s grace. He has been very good to us.