"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."  John 8:31

     According to the book of John if we abide (dwell, live, reside) in His words we are His disciples and we shall know what is truth and that truth will bring freedom.  Jesus is inviting us to live a certain way. His way.  If we make being a Christian just about just saying "yes" and having a head full of facts, rather than a metamorphisis of how we live, we may have missed the message.  In other words, if we want to know truth than we need to begin to live a certain way.  Does knowing then come from living?  
     Is living the way of Jesus the best possible way to live?  Does a church then become a community of people learning how to live the best possible life?   First century historians often describe first century believers as "living" differently.  They called them "followers of the way".  They described, not what christians "knew" but how they "lived".  Simply put, they lived differently and it stood out ... that is what defined them as "the way".  Does that describe the church today?  The early church earned the name Christian.  They didn't have to define themselves because their lives defined who they were.  So does this pose a problem-- if we call ourselves Christians?  Okay so Christians do have a tainted name and we often put up some pretty good grace excuses.  But if I have been invited by Jesus to live a certain way and if I take him up on that and desire to live this life, shouldn't that have some effect in the community that I live in?  Do I have to remind everyone who I am and what I live for?  In other words --does my life define me as a Christian or just my mouth.   

        

Okay, so I was thinking over how many cars I have actually owned.  Check this out.

1. 1979 Red MGB Convertible
2. 1980 Silver Mazda 626
3. 1988 Red Mazda B2000 truck
4. 1985 Brown Jeep CJ7 Renegade Beast
5. 1966 White VW Karmann Ghia Convertible
6. 1982 Red Nissan 280zx Turbo
7. 1960 Primered Dodge SuperCab Truck
8. 1987 Red Acura Integra
9. 1990 White Jeep Cherokee Laredo
10. 1994 White Honda Civic Hatchback
11. 1982 White and Blue Ford Bronco 
12. 1995 Green Saturn SL2
13. 1999 Red Chevy Blazer
14. 1982 Black Toyota 4-Runner
15. 1980 Blue Jeep CJ5
16. 2002 Silver Toyota Corolla
17. 1999 Burgandy Ford F250 4x4 Diesel super cab
18. 1999 Tan Ford F250 V10 super cab
19. 1999 White Chrysler Town and Country
20. 1965 Yellow Jeep CJ5 v8 beast
21. 1992 Black Honda Accord
22. 2003 Gunmetal Jeep Cherokee
23. 1974 Burgandy Pontiac Grand Prix (this should be between number 17 and 18)

hahha...oh my gosh.  I love cars.  I would have to say my favorite of all of these has been the 1999 F250 V10 and the 1985 Jeep CJ7.  The 66 VW was a piece of junk and 2 Hondas were very reliable.  The Nissan 280ZX Turbo was by far the fastest car and the Mazdas were reliable, but boring to drive.  The 1999 Blazer had a very solid feeling.  The 99 F250 Diesel was a blast to drive but very loud.  The 82 Bronco made me feel like a cowboy.  The 95 Saturn was a great car but horrible in the rain.  The 80 CJ5 was a death machine and the 66 CJ5 never ran right.  The 87 Integra was like a go cart.  The 90 Jeep Cherokee was a blast to drive and did well off road.  The 79 MGB was an amazing first car but not very reliable, and its more of a chick car.  Lastly the 1999 Town and Country is the best and most reliable car overall...we have put many miles on this thing and tortured it with 3 kids and 2 adults that ignore its maintanence needs...it still treats us well. 
Ahhhh but my favorite that wasn't listed because its not technically a car --was the sandrail....I miss her so... this would have been a blast in Idaho!
Hey Michael Gotto...remember the night we almost died....."bleached bones...is all that would have been left of us!"

        

I love mexican wrestling



Meet Americano Ultimo

        

It's Monday morning...Saint Patricks Day.  My moms Birthday.  Green Day.  I took a walk this morning with Michelle and Madison in downtown Glendora.  I must say..it was the most beautiful day.  The sky was bright blue with no clouds and even the crazy "gray" cat came to visit us on our walk.  I don't like cats...but this one is cool.  It seems to know when we are in the neighborhood and waits for us.  Cats. 
It's about 11am and I have been frantically making phone calls and sending emails to various churches and friends.  No response.  It's kind of funny that even though your world stops everyone else's world keeps going.  Michelle and I feel like we are in a state of limbo.  Trusting God for the future but having to wrestle through each day.  It's been hard for me since I have never been without a paid job.  Really...not since I was about 12 years old.  In case your wondering..here is a "off the top of my head" list:

• Ages 12-15: Paper Boy for the Tribune/daily aluminum can collector, yes, I rummaged trash cans for cash
• Ages 15-16: Casa De Burrito -- professional dish washer, burrito creator
• Ages 16-18: Alpha Beta Courtesy Clerk, master of the mop, cardboard box crushing king
• Ages 18-19: Remax Mortgage cold calling sales (we were getting people out of their 11% rates back then) 
• Ages 18-20: Focus on the Family (bookstore, Batch clerk, Returns department, Dr. Dobsons yes man)
• Ages 20-20: Camfel Productions Ministry, traveled western US, cheap motels and ate really bad fast food
• Ages 20-22: Clearwater Chemical Professial Pool Technician, Uniform = flip flops and short shorts hahah
• Ages 20-24: Internship with CCV, worked with a group of interns learning youth ministry
• Ages 22-25: Server at TGIFridays, master server and connoisseur of fine dining
• Ages 25-29: Full time Youth Pastor at CCV in San Dimas
• Ages 29-32: Youth Pastor in Portland Oregon...I miss the trees, pale skin, and lack of vitamin D
• Ages 32-38: Back serving at CCV
• Now --- leaping out in faith and trusting God

 Thank You God for giving me the most incredible life and incredible years. 

        

Okay...so many have asked about what opportunities are out there...here is a list with little detail. 

Locations:
Austin, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Boise, Idaho
Salt Lake City, Utah
Pennsylvania
Louisville, Kentucky
Fort Meyers, Flordia

All of these are in the "discovery" stage.  Pray we find a place that I will be able to use my giftedness to benefit the church.

        

Could you keep our kids in prayer.  They have different thoughts and worries about moving.  They are scared at what lies ahead but trusting in God.

Mackenzie  4th Grade -- Excited about the adventure, but at times cries because she will miss her friends.  She has had an incredible impact at Willow School with her teachers and classmates.  She will be greatly missed and her ministry to others as well.  Pray that she continues to work hard even though this will be her last year at Willow.

Cooper  1st grade --  Does not want to leave school at all.  He loves Willow and also has been a huge blessing to his friends and classmates.  He loves his sports and karate and will have a hard time leaving. 

Madison 3 years old -- She just smiles a lot.  She is ready to go anywhere.

Thanks...Bill