This is a question posed to me by a few people lately and I wanted to try and tackle it.

It’s a strange dilemma, if I’m honest, I still feel a bit nervous when inviting people to church. It reminds me of what it felt like when asking someone to the big dance.

“What if they say no?” “What if they think I’m weird?” “What if they laugh at me?”

All those kinds of things run through my mind. And yet, the more I talk to Christians the more I find I’m not alone. Many of us struggle with that nervous tension. It would be easy to talk ourselves out of inviting people to church if it weren’t for this one truth: Everyone spends eternity somewhere. Yes, I’m one of those crazy people who still believes in Heaven and Hell. And yes, I also believe Jesus is the only way to God, because He is God.

All that said, I’ve learned some things over the years about how to invite people to church. This doesn’t necessarily mean they will accept your invitation but following these few suggestions can definitely help.

1. Have a place worthy of your invitation. If you aren’t excited about your church and desperately hoping your friend, neighbor, spouse and/or co-worker will attend this Sunday, why are you still there?

2. Be specific. The following rarely works: “You should come to church with me sometime.” It works about as much as, “We should do lunch sometime.”

You have to be specific. “Will you join me this Sunday for the 11 am service at our church? I can pick you up around 10:15, we’ll get some coffee along the way and then go to lunch afterwards. How’s that sound?”

3. Be an expert about the Family Ministry environments at your church. If you are inviting parents with kids, the single most important issue on their mind is, “Will my kids be safe and will they like it?” Do your homework and let them know you’re already thinking about their kids. Email them information about the kids programs. Tell them stories about how much your kids or your friends’ kids enjoy the church. (If you aren’t sure the kids enjoy your church’s family ministry environments, please see point #1.)

4. Leverage the church’s website. More and more churches are trying to help you invite your friends. Check out their website, Facebook page, etc.

5. Don’t give up. My experience is that I have to be persistent and keep inviting. I can’t tell you how many times friends of mine have said they were coming to church on Sunday only to cancel on Saturday night. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be defeated. Hang in there. Keep inviting them.

This isn’t about church attendance. It’s about eternity. And when eternity’s at stake, we can push through the awkward tension knowing that we’re simply doing what Jesus did – reaching out to those who are far from God.

So, who are you inviting to church this Sunday?

Favorites

This is a completely random post. I thought it would slightly entertaining, light, and fun. Here are a list of a lot of my favorites:

FAVORITE “FAST FOOD” RESTAURANT – McDonald breakfast
FAVORITE “SIT-DOWN” RESTAURANT(s) – Sushi
FAVORITE MLB TEAM – Los Angeles Dodgers
FAVORITE NFL TEAM – Pittsburgh Steelers
FAVORITE COLLEGE TEAM – Oregon Ducks
FAVORITE NBA TEAM – Los Angeles Clippers
FAVORITE TV DRAMA – Heroes
FAVORITE TV COMEDY – Big Bang Theory
FAVORITE REALITY TV SHOW – Survivor and The Biggest Loser
FAVORITE NEWS PROGRAM – Don't really have one
FAVORITE MAGAZINE – Don't read magazines
FAVORITE BOOK – Mere Christianity
FAVORITE “NON-CHRISTIAN” BOOK – The Reagan Diary
FAVORITE “CHRISTIAN” SONG – Just Be Help by Casting Crowns
FAVORITE “SECULAR” SONG – Anything Eric Church
FAVORITE “ON MY IPOD WHILE WORKING OUT” SONG – Fast and Loud
FAVORITE “COUNTRY” SONG – Eric Church
FAVORITE “WORSHIP” SONG – 10,000 Reasons
FAVORITE ALBUM – Canons - Phil Wickham
FAVORITE CHRISTIAN ARTIST/BAND – Wickham
FAVORITE RAP ARTIST – dont listen to rap
FAVORITE ROCK ARTIST/BAND – not sure
FAVORITE COUNTRY ARTIST – Eric Church
FAVORITE BOOK IN THE NEW TESTAMENT – Luke
FAVORITE BOOK IN THE OLD TESTAMENT – Isaiah
FAVORITE FONT – TNR
FAVORITE ICE CREAM – Coffee
FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR – Opening Day for Baseball
FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL SPORTS MOVIE – Rudy
FAVORITE MOVIE TRILOGY – Matrix
FAVORITE 80s ACTION MOVIE – Topgun
FAVORITE COMEDY MOVIE – Dumb and Dumber
FAVORITE CHICK-ISH MOVIE – A Walk to Remember
FAVORITE ARTIST – dont have one
FAVORITE NAP TIME – anytime is a good time for a nap
FAVORITE SOUND – crack of a ball hitting a bat
FAVORITE GADGET – Galaxy S5
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE – DVR
FAVORITE VIDEO GAME SYSTEM – Galaxy S5
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT – South Lake Tahoe

Those are just a few of my many favorites...

The Sun

The Sun is the star at the center of our solar system. It has the diameter of about 1,392,000 km, about 109 times that of Earth. About three quarters of the Sun’s mass consists of hydrogen, while the rest is mostly helium. Less than 2% consists of heavier elements, including oxygen, carbon, neon, iron, and others.

The Sun is approximately 149.6 million kilometers from the Earth. At this distance, light travels from the Sun to Earth in about 8 minutes and 19 seconds. The energy of this sunlight supports almost all life on Earth, driving Earth’s climate and weather.

I am amazed by the Sun.

I remember when I was living in Minnesota and a massive snow storm came in leaving 6 inches of snow on the ground and freezing temperatures. To be nice I thought I would try shoveling snow for the first time ever. I checked the weather before going outside and saw that the temperature was a cool 15 degrees, so I bundled up and went out to brave the cold.

As I was shoveling the snow off my driveway, something caught my eye. Despite the 15 degree weather (well below freezing), the Sun was actually melting the snow. As insignificant as that may sound, I was amazed that the Sun was stronger than the surrounding circumstances.

I was reminded of a simple, yet profound truth…

In the same way, Jesus (the Son) is stronger than my surrounding circumstances…even if it seems improbable or impossible. I know it is a bit cheesy and cliche, but truth is truth. And this truth hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday.

If you happen to be reading this and you are going through a difficult season, know that Jesus is stronger than your surrounding circumstances. No matter what you are going through, the Son is stronger.

A Fathers love

Being a foster parent is hard, rewarding, frustrating, awesome, gut wrenching, and the hardest thing one could ever do. I love the little things that I can do to make sure they are supported and maturing like they should, like helping them learn to walk, "talking" with them, clapping my hands, showing them how to blow kisses, smiling at them, the list could go on and on..

I love going in to their room during nap time or bed time and watching them sleep. I see their little faces so innocent and cute, it melts my heart. Tonight I was laying in bed and thinking that this is how God must view us while we sleep. See I go in to check on them to make sure they are ok, not awake and needing something, and to see they are comforted, which if you have ever seen a child sleep I have to wonder how they are comfortable. I feel like this is what God does while we are sleeping, we may not know He is there but His presence is in our room and He is standing next to the bed falling in love with us more and more, just like I do with the twins.

Today we took the kids to the beach for the first time and I was walking with one of the twins holding his hands balancing him while he walked on the sand. I let go one time and he fell and just looked at me like help me. When I held both his hands again he started walking, I think this is how we are with God sometimes, He is helping us through life and when we fall we need to look to him for help. He is always there we just need to ask. But being the adults we are we think we can do it ourselves. I don't need God because I can do it by myself I need God because I cannot do it by myself.

I understand the term a fathers love more and more by the day. I would do anything for these kids, much like our Heavenly Father did everything for us. Thinking of God like this makes gives me a deeper appreciation for everything He has done for my life. I don't deserve anything from Him but yet he gave me his best, His son Jesus. I just want my life and fatherly love to reflect the love and grace that my heavenly Father has shown me.

Weight Loss Journey update

The last four weeks has been up and down. Ive lost weight but not much. Im down to 304!!!! Christal and I have totally revamped our diets. We have cut out white grains, only eating whole grains, more veggies, and no sugars. We have started working out a lot more, even taking a weekend trip to Yosemite and planning other trips on the weekends to go hiking.

Im learning that the weight loss journey is full of ups and downs, but the important thing is not to get down when things are down and not to far up when things are up. Goals are a very important part of this journey also. my goal by the end of february is to be down under 300 lbs. 2 weeks to lose 5 lbs is very do able.

The big goal is set for next year in the summer time. I want to get into shape and train to hike up Half dome. I know it seems like an insane goal considering christal and I did the first .8 mile of the long 8.2 miles to get there trek and I almost died (ok not really but I almost quit about 4 times). But as I was looking at half dome this weekend all I thought to myself was I want to be at the top of that thing looking over the Yosemite valley. Cant wait!!!!

Other good news is I dropped a whole pant size, I have been wearing a 42 waist for as long as I can remember but on sunday I got new pants that were a size 40! Im so pumped and cant wait to get into the 30's!

weight loss journey 1-12-13

Has it been over a year since I posted? Wow?!?! What a year though. I have moved 2 times, left my pastoral position, started attending a new church, and most importantly got married!!!! 

I write today for 2 reasons: 1, I said I would blog more and 2, because I miss blogging. I guess Im blogging today for accountability reasons, thats three reasons but its my blog so whatever. I am at a point in my life where decisions are getting bigger and bigger. I cannot think of just myself anymore I have to think of my family. I need to get healthier in many ways.

The first way is I need to get healthy is to lose weight. I want to come back on this blog this time in 2014 and have lost 75 lbs. Its a lofty goal but none the less its a goal I have and really want to see it happen. My wife deserves a healthy husband and I need to do it for myself. In the future when kids start coming I need to be healthy for them. It is my job to teach my kids how to lead healthy, productive lives. 

I know its a taboo thing to talk about but if Im going to truly lose the weight I have to make it a public thing. The thought of putting my weight on this blog scares me and motivates me. so without further ado my starting 2013 weight is 316. At the time of writing this blog though I am now 311.2!!!! Already on the right track! cant wait till next week when I can share more of my weight loss journey and update on the weight lost!

top 10 fears

Found an interesting website that lists the top 10 fears in America today. Here’s the list:

1. Speaking in public
2. Snakes
3. Confined spaces
4. Heights
5. Spiders
6. Tunnels & bridges
7. Crowds
8. Public transportation (especially planes)
9. Storms
10. Water (as in swimming & drowning, not drinking)

_____________

What I know about fear:

• Fear paralyzes.
• Fear often keeps you from doing what you are supposed to do and often makes you do things you are not supposed to do.
• Some fear is healthy (For example, being afraid to tickle fight a grizzly bear is healthy.)
• Let your fears be replaced by confidence in God’s plan for your life.
• “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)