To all my peeps in blog land. I really, really, really, need your prayers! I know there are some that read this blog that pray. If you are one of them will you please pray for my back? I threw it out earlier this week. I can't remember the last time I was in this much constant pain. I'm not sure if it's the devil or if it's just old age. I am sure of this one thing though....it HURTS! I have been stuck in bed for about three days now and it seems to be getting worse! Vicodin helps but every time I take it I see chickens and other farm animals. Very bizarre! I hate asking for prayer for myself but I need all the prayer I can get! To many good things happening and I don't want to be side lined with this untimely back issue. So, all that to say please pray! THANKS!! 

Have you ever had an overwhelming sense that something huge was going to happen? That is exactly what I'm feeling now. I just have this crazy sense in my spirit that God is moving on our behalf in a much bigger way than we could imagine! We have stepped out as a church, now; it's time for God to step in!!

Things will be cooling off at The Life Church!! Our AC as in... air conditioners are going in this week and next! They started construction yesterday. I am now praying for three or four weeks of a 100 degree plus weather. To say it has been hot in our services is a major understatement. This means I can wear long sleeved shirts to church again without melting away!!

A huge thank you to all our faithful folks for enduring the heat! You'll have a higher a place in heaven and a little extra gold on your streets!

• Kicked off double services @ The Life Church today!
• 9am crowd was great! A lot better than I anticipated.
• The Life Church rocks!!!!!! If you go to TLC and you're reading this....you rock!
• 10:30 service had a lot of empty seats. This is a good thing. We now have room to grow actually we should double in a few months!
• Transformation series ended today. It was great to cast vision and strategy! What made it great is people get it! That's why I love TLC!
• Although it was a great series I'm glad it's over. I'm ready to move onto the next series!
• We have the best staff and leadership team on the planet, hands down! They all stepped up today huge!
• We are finally getting our ac units installed this week! Can I hear an amen!
• The only bad thing that happened today was the Raiders won.
• I forgot, there was another bad thing that happened today........ My boys football teams got whooped real bad today by the Galt Warriors. Nick lost his game 21 - 0 and Nate lost his game, are you ready.........52 - 0!
• That made for a long day and a longer drive home.
• Everything is much bigger in Galt. Them boys were biggg! 
• Our youth group is Rockn! God has big plans for that ministry
• Our kid's ministry can stand toe to toe with any other kids ministry! They had an awesome day today at the park with a huge turn out!
• The Lord's Gym is in the works!
• We may have scored a ton of weights...literally!
• James did an incredible job on the video today. God's got big plans for that young man!
• Dodgers are in first, which means Jesus loves me!
• Cowboys are 1-0 soon to be 2-0 which means Jesus loves me!
• Raiders won today which proves miracles are for today!
• It's been a long, long, long day
• I'm out.....Sweet dreams!

I'm posting a few quotes from a message Ron Carpenter preached several months ago. Pastor Ron is one of those guys that just straight brings it........

• The definition of diligence is doing a little thing a long time until something big happens.
• You will never win if you keep quitting!
• The church waits on the world to create a problem and then responds to it. We need to do church in  a way that it puts the world on its heels!
• Having to be inspired to do what is right is the lowest form of maturity!
• There are people who don't mind if you fail....but it really bothers them when you succeed.
• Gossip is a symptomn of an unfulfilled, boring life. The only way you can focus on my life is because there is nothing happening in yours!
• I want you to be so focused on your future that you don't have time to talk about other people's past!

In my reading journey a while back I stumbled upon one of those quotes that make you want to shout AMEN! Actually I did! It was an awkward moment at Starbucks. I'm not sure who's humble genius is behind these powerful and very practical words. Whoever it is, if you're reading this and I'm sure that you are, THANK YOU!! Oh yeah the quote, "WORK like it depends on you and PRAY like it depends on God". Wow! If there is a secret to success I think this may be it! That is a powerful combination!
Hard work + Prayer = Fruit, Success and Abundance.

The Lord's Gym Stockton! That has a serious ring to it. We announced yesterday @ The Life Church that were going to be launching a Lord's Gym. There was such a great buzz in the house yesterday. We are contending for a transformed Stockton!! People  already want to give and get behind this ministry.

I remember standing in front of our Home Missions Board presenting our proposal for The Life Church Stockton, when they asked the infamous question, "How are you going to win Stockton for the glory of God?" Well, I had several answers for them but one on top of the list was The Lord's Gym.  I believed it then and I believe it even more today having been in the city now for almost three years. If were going to transform Stockton for the glory of God Stockton needs a Lord's Gym! Stay tuned for more updates on The Lord's Gym Stockton! The ball is officially rolling.

God is truly doing somehthing great @ The Life Church! If your a Lifer please don't take this for granted. What God is doing in us and through us is so so special. It is the fruit of your sacrifices, your labor, and hearts to serve. I'm just sitting here at my desk amazed at all God is doing. Not surprised by any means but truly amazed!

Our church is like the athlete that passed his physical and is now permitted to play. We as a church have been granted a clean bill of health and are now ready to get in the game and transform our city!!!! I'll leave with this thought, "This is just the beginning, the party is just getting started!"

Brian Houston is the Pastor of Hillsong in Australia. Along with being a great Pastor Brian is a great leader.
Below I'll post a few of his quotes. Enjoy!

• "The greatest challenge in leading is finding time to be visionary and not focusing on what is already there"
• "Our role as leaders is to keep lifting the ceiling in people's lives"
• He said one of the questions he constantly ask himself is, "Am I being a good steward of the platform God has given me?"
• "Leadership is proven in the valleys, not at the mountaintop!"
• "The devil doesn't care how big your church is - he cares how influential it is"

Lead well and lead strong!