The Journey Continues…

I have been really enjoying the sermon series on “Acts”. There has certainly been a freshness to what God is doing in all of us. Just as the the early church experienced so many fresh and new things, we have been also experiencing the same. One commentator stated that the early church was, “Growing, Glowing & Going”. It feels good to be a part of a church like that. However, growth always comes at a price. The similarities of our journey and the early church are “mind boggling”. Can I ask you a few questions? Have you ever asked yourself…

1. “Am I willing to pay a price for growth in my life?”

2. “Is growth happening around me, if so, what is different about my behavior?”

3. “Am I teamed up with people who are on the same journey as me?”

4. “Is the pain I am experiencing, producing growth?” What is leaving my body? 

5. “Do I have enough train fair in my pocket to make the next stop on the journey?”

Listen guys, nobody said it would be easy, they just said, God would never leave our side. If you are praying for God to remove your trials or to reduce your persecution, you are praying incorrectly. We should pray for strength and power to overcome the trials. I would like to conclude by sharing with you a word that was given to me recently by someone that I respect and I see as a man of prayer. It came in the form of a text message on my iPhone:

“Big challenges are God’s way of saying, ‘I chose and called you because I know you are up to the challenge…’”

God allows you to experience it, because He knows you can handle it.

Stay focused. Keep the faith. You are the best.

Pastor Al

5 More Random Things

Here are 5 more random things about VOSD. Enjoy.

5. Most of our support staff is under 30 years old.

4. All of our webpage, artwork and television is done on a Mac.

3. Our services our broadcast on iTunes.

2.VOSD was originally planted in 1985.

1. We have been endorsed by our last 3 presidents, including President Barack Obama.

5 Random Things about VOSD

I have been on a little hiatus from blogging because of Twitter, but here are a few random things about Victory Outreach San Diego.

5. On Sunday morning, VOSD averaged 56 first time visitors per month in 2008.

4. VOSD has grown 550 members since January 2008.

3. VOSD has 53 active cell groups through out the city with a goal for 75 by June.

2. Sunday morning services are viewed around the world with over 1000  views per day.

1. VOSD has 9 weekly services. With a total attendance of over 2500.

Book Suggestions/Reviews

Today I want to kick off a new blog category for personal growth. Pretty frequently I will have people ask me, “Pastor what books are you reading?” And I will usually go blank because it is difficult to remember when I just come off the pulpit, but the fact is: I do like to read and I usually read a number of books at the same time. So I have decided to periodically post a list of books that I am reading with a short review. So here is a list of a few books that I have been reading over the past few months.

The Making of a Leader by Frank Damazio.

I have been reading this book for 10 years. I have never completed it. I just skip around it like the Bible. To me, it is the Bible of leadership. It is filled with so much leadership truth. I have been blessed by it over and over again. You will too.

 

 

 

 

 

Futuring by Samuel R. Chand.

Samuel is great. If you are familiar with his classic “Ladder Series” of books you will love Futuring. Samuel has done a fine job in outlining what the church is facing and what the church will be facing in the hour that we are in now. It may seem a little late for some of the concepts the church is implementing now-a-days but it is great for us because most churches are like 10 years behind anyways. (That’s Barna not me so don’t get upset.)

 

 

 

Confessions of a Pastor by Craig Groeschel.

Everything Craig is doing right now is hot because Craig is probably the most innovative pastor in America right now. Knowing Craig, he probably would not like that I said that, but too bad, it’s my blog. Sorry Craig. In this book, Craig is real and it is so helpful to guys like me who hunger for some real stories of real pastors. Why is it so difficult for guys to open up? Anyways, Craig does a great job and it helps a lot of people.

 

 

 

Being Leaders by Aubrey Malphurs.

I fell in love with Malphurs when I had to write my thesis for college. (Developing a Vision for Ministry by Malphurs) He is a great writer and its an easy read. Being Leaders is in a series of books which include; Building Leaders & Leading Leaders. In Building Leaders he discusses a number of components to effective leadership. He reconstructs the meaning of influence, direction and establishes character as a driving force for leadership. It is refreshing to hear a different angle in a Maxwell world. Malphurs does a fine job.

 

Hope this has been helpful to those of you who love to read. Remember, “Readers are leaders and Leaders are readers.”

Pastor Al

5 Things I love about Fasting

How are you doing on the fast? Hope your doing well. Although fasting can be difficult for some over the course of 40 days and sometimes we make mistakes and stumble because some people want to eat certain things at certain times and pressure others to join them. We can always pick ourselves up and keep pressing on in the love of Jesus. Here is what I love about fasting.

5. Increased prayer time.

4. Worship music playing all day @ home. Ambiance.

3. Heightened spiritual awareness.

2. The unity of the body.

1. Witnessing God’s power at work in peoples lives.

Pastor Al

What is Twitter?

I want to introduce all of my blog buddies to Twitter. Your response may be similar to Georgina’s when she said, “What is Twitter?” Well, Twitter is a cool way to keep up with the up to the minute happenings of your favorite people. For instance, I can follow my good friend Anthony Pharrell on Twitter as he updates what he is doing during random times of the day.

So if you are interested in what is happening with me, or what is happening in the ministry, just log on and follow me to the right of this page. You will get all the updates.

If you want to sign up for Twitter and be a part of our blog community just join Twitter for free and follow me to greatness. JK.

Anyways, lets stay connected, as we pursue God’s plan for our lives.

Pastor  Al