The timewarp continues. We just checked in to the 70s. After calling the front desk to notify them of our non-working air conditioner, we discovered that there's a light switch that turns it on. You know, on the mainland, our air conditioners aren't operated by light switches.
We opened our curtains to discover a lovely view of the roof of the dining room. But above that really is a beautiful view of Diamond Head.
I'd write more, but we haven't eaten for over 9 hours and I'm about to pass out.
Lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise.
More adventures to follow...
Rob
Monday, March 16, 2009
Finally Aloha!
So we were finally greeted with an "Aloha!" by someone from Hawaii! Yay! Our rental shuttle driver, whose name I could not pronounce, gave us our first official Hawaiian greeting.
On a side note, it's very beautiful, but the airport is like a time warp back to the 70s.
On a side note, it's very beautiful, but the airport is like a time warp back to the 70s.
The Lei Lie
Upon arrival at the airport, contrary to popular opinion, I was NOT greeted by a Hula Girl placing a Lei around my neck.
It was just an airport.
More to follow...
It was just an airport.
More to follow...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Suffering all week...
So I'm getting up early in the morning to head out for our SWC Pre-Trip. Jeff B and I will be getting up way too early to head out to fly out of LAX to go get things set up for our Choir/Mission Trip this June.
This trip brings a new meaning to the phrase "Suffering for Jesus." I mean, not only am I having to spend like four consecutive days with Jeff, but we have to fly out of LAX. I think that when the whole concept of "Purgatory" was originated, it was meant to refer to LAX.
Okay - so I'm off. If you see John Montgomery, tell him he should be jealous. This might just trump our pre-trip of several years ago when we rented the Mustang...
Keep reading this week - more details to follow.
(Including the "mystery location")
Rob
<><
This trip brings a new meaning to the phrase "Suffering for Jesus." I mean, not only am I having to spend like four consecutive days with Jeff, but we have to fly out of LAX. I think that when the whole concept of "Purgatory" was originated, it was meant to refer to LAX.
Okay - so I'm off. If you see John Montgomery, tell him he should be jealous. This might just trump our pre-trip of several years ago when we rented the Mustang...
Keep reading this week - more details to follow.
(Including the "mystery location")
Rob
<><
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
You were dead...
So I'm preaching through the book of Ephesians right now. We've finished Chapter One and tomorrow night, we begin Chapter Two. There's so much great stuff in Ephesians. If you're reading this, you're probably well aware of my obsession with the Gospel (after all, if we have to have an obsession, why not a healthy one?). Ephesians is so rich with Gospel content.
There's tons of great stuff in Ephesians, but the first two chapters are basically a Gospel exposition. Chapter One talks about salvation from God's perspective. Chapter Two shifts and looks at it from man's perspective.
Chapter Two starts "You were dead..." That's the starting point of the Gospel. We are sinners. We must come to grips with our own sinfulness if we are to be saved. In Mark 1:15, Jesus says "Repent and believe in the Gospel..." In order to come to a point of repentance, we must be aware of our sinfulness.
So many in the evangelical world don't deal with sin. I've heard "Gospel Presentations" that don't discuss sin. If you don't start with sin, you never get to the point where you need a Savior.
This morning, I was reading in 1 Corinthians and saw something I've not seen before. In 1 Cor. 10:13 it says "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability , but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." We've all heard this verse many times. It's certainly encouraging to know that God will hold back temptations that are more than we can withstand. The flipside to that coin, however, is that we no longer have any excuse to sin. God always gives us a way out. Sin is not something a believer must do. We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness. God has given us "...all things that pertain to live and godliness, through the knowledge of him..." (2 Peter 1:3)
Plant that in the back of your mind. Let it simmer there for a bit. You CAN go through today without sinning. God has not only promised to give you a way to avoid sinning, but He has also given you everything you need to live a holy life.
THAT encourages me.
Seeking Him,
Rob
<><
There's tons of great stuff in Ephesians, but the first two chapters are basically a Gospel exposition. Chapter One talks about salvation from God's perspective. Chapter Two shifts and looks at it from man's perspective.
Chapter Two starts "You were dead..." That's the starting point of the Gospel. We are sinners. We must come to grips with our own sinfulness if we are to be saved. In Mark 1:15, Jesus says "Repent and believe in the Gospel..." In order to come to a point of repentance, we must be aware of our sinfulness.
So many in the evangelical world don't deal with sin. I've heard "Gospel Presentations" that don't discuss sin. If you don't start with sin, you never get to the point where you need a Savior.
This morning, I was reading in 1 Corinthians and saw something I've not seen before. In 1 Cor. 10:13 it says "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability , but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." We've all heard this verse many times. It's certainly encouraging to know that God will hold back temptations that are more than we can withstand. The flipside to that coin, however, is that we no longer have any excuse to sin. God always gives us a way out. Sin is not something a believer must do. We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness. God has given us "...all things that pertain to live and godliness, through the knowledge of him..." (2 Peter 1:3)
Plant that in the back of your mind. Let it simmer there for a bit. You CAN go through today without sinning. God has not only promised to give you a way to avoid sinning, but He has also given you everything you need to live a holy life.
THAT encourages me.
Seeking Him,
Rob
<><
Saturday, March 7, 2009
GOC!!!
So we're in the middle of the GOC. So far, it's been a great week! Tom Eliff preached at the opening service on Wednesday night and it was definitely moving to see the response to his message. He invited people to be open to God's leading this week and so many came to the altar to pray, it was amazing!
I was standing there, looking at all the people praying, thinking "this is great!" The visual image of all those people praying, seeking God's face and His will is one that will stick with me for a while! To see some of my students down there was great as well. (Check my facebook for a photo of it from where I was standing)
The weekend will be coming to a conclusion soon, and the best is definitely yet to come! Tomorrow morning, Kelly Davis will be speaking to the High School students, and we've got two more services together as the whole church! I can't wait until tomorrow night. Julian, the pastor of the "Shoebox Church" in Ensenada couldn't make it for GOC (thanks to the denied visa, but that's a story for another time), but if everything works, we'll have him live via Skype at the service. We've got a big surprise coming and I can't wait.
Be sure and be a part of as much of tomorrow as you can. All three things tomorrow will be "not to be missed." Sunday School with Kelly, and both Worship Services are going to be great!
See you there!
Rob
<><
I was standing there, looking at all the people praying, thinking "this is great!" The visual image of all those people praying, seeking God's face and His will is one that will stick with me for a while! To see some of my students down there was great as well. (Check my facebook for a photo of it from where I was standing)
The weekend will be coming to a conclusion soon, and the best is definitely yet to come! Tomorrow morning, Kelly Davis will be speaking to the High School students, and we've got two more services together as the whole church! I can't wait until tomorrow night. Julian, the pastor of the "Shoebox Church" in Ensenada couldn't make it for GOC (thanks to the denied visa, but that's a story for another time), but if everything works, we'll have him live via Skype at the service. We've got a big surprise coming and I can't wait.
Be sure and be a part of as much of tomorrow as you can. All three things tomorrow will be "not to be missed." Sunday School with Kelly, and both Worship Services are going to be great!
See you there!
Rob
<><
Monday, March 2, 2009
DiscipleNow 2009!!
So a few years back, we had Ross King scheduled to be our worship leader for DiscipleNow. He was all booked and ready. Then, when he got to the airport on Friday, his flight was first delayed, then cancelled. One flight after another wasn't available and the end result was - Friday afternoon, 3:00 p.m. No worship band for a big weekend event. Panic? Not quite.
Enter Andrew Beck. I called Andrew and told him "hey - you're on! You're going to be leading worship this weekend. I'm putting a band together for you. Practice is at 4:00. I called a couple of students and a couple of youth workers and put together a band for the weekend in only a couple of hours. I can't believe it all worked out. The band (who had never played together before) did a great job.
Fast forward a few years to now. Andrew is travelling and leading worship at churches all over Texas. He's on tour with World Changers this Summer. And Ross King is headed back out here for another try.
I'm very excited about the weekend! The theme of the weekend is "Worship: What We're Made For." Ross is hands-down one of the best worship leaders out there. He has a truly humble spirit and his ability to bring a group into God's presence and step out of the way so that we can experience God is unparalelled.
Currently, our planning has us enlisting Host Homes. We're looking for about 10-12 homes in the Highland area to host a group of students for the weekend. Letters are going out today to the lucky ones. If you think you might like to host a home, get in touch with Rob or Gretchen.
Please be in prayer for our weekend. It's coming soon! Pray that our students truly learn what it means to be a worshiper of God.
Seeking Him,
Rob
<><
Enter Andrew Beck. I called Andrew and told him "hey - you're on! You're going to be leading worship this weekend. I'm putting a band together for you. Practice is at 4:00. I called a couple of students and a couple of youth workers and put together a band for the weekend in only a couple of hours. I can't believe it all worked out. The band (who had never played together before) did a great job.
Fast forward a few years to now. Andrew is travelling and leading worship at churches all over Texas. He's on tour with World Changers this Summer. And Ross King is headed back out here for another try.
I'm very excited about the weekend! The theme of the weekend is "Worship: What We're Made For." Ross is hands-down one of the best worship leaders out there. He has a truly humble spirit and his ability to bring a group into God's presence and step out of the way so that we can experience God is unparalelled.
Currently, our planning has us enlisting Host Homes. We're looking for about 10-12 homes in the Highland area to host a group of students for the weekend. Letters are going out today to the lucky ones. If you think you might like to host a home, get in touch with Rob or Gretchen.
Please be in prayer for our weekend. It's coming soon! Pray that our students truly learn what it means to be a worshiper of God.
Seeking Him,
Rob
<><
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