The Planet of Cham

God, teach me lessons for living
so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!

A friend posted this on his facebook and so I share it with you.

You wrote a letter and You signed Your name

Because I believe in being transparent, then what you read is what you get with me. In saying this, I am learning something (though I have a long way to go).

David Crowder Band - How He Loves

"Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ."

"everybody wants a revolution but nobody wants to do the dishes." - Claiborne

On halloween, modest girls are hot. - We should just call it "show off your sucky father issues night" I think. (via @donmilleris)


-- Post From Cham's Phone

I say that trials and tests locate a person. In other words they determine where you are spiritually. They reveal the true condition of your heart. How you react under pressure is how the real you reacts.-- John Bevere

I see so many Princesses trade in their crowns & gowns for the rags of this world. I watch their hearts grow in innocence and then slowly fade in to a dark nightmare. It is sad.



-- Cham

"The moment God is figured out with nice neat lines and definitions, we are no longer dealing with God." - Rob Bell

"The degree to which we openly express our feelings should be governed, not by fear of reprisal, but by our commitment to loving others." - Larry Crabb

God's love regulates the heart. The heart regulates the hands. Our ability to extend the Kingdom through giving starts with a heart full of God's love.


-- Cham's Phone

It's good to reassess your life, goals, dreams, and desires. Helps to see where you are. I'm currently in the process of evaluating my life, dreams, goals, & bucket list. I hope to correct weaknesses, build new strengths, & ultimately be usable by God to the fullest.



-- Cham's Phone

Most want transparency.., but most are afraid to show it.

We are half-hearted creatures like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

You can be professional in ministry and still not fall prey to the hype. Hype-centered ministries are just that..hype. They produce hype-driven people who talk about hype and live hype-drive lives, but when the hype is gone...they bail and so does their hype-driven leader. Authenticity, consistency, and perseverance stands the test of time in a ministry and in a persons life. Sorry..read an ALL-Hype blog that urked me.

Yes, I live Francis Chan, but that is not the reason why I am looking forward to this book. I need an overhaul in some areas and I think this will be the demolition crew to do it (used by God)

After reading 2 Cor. 5 (msg) -

"This life is one big mission trip, and then we get to go home with our brothers and sisters to see our Daddy." - me

2 Cor. 4:7

At times I find it humorous when Christians get afraid to deal with others who have problems, issues, disfigurements, etc. Sometimes its comical because I watch them clam up and then sometimes it turns out sad because they miss an opportunity to share the Love of Christ to somebody. The crazy thing is that I understand both sides. I was once "that guy" who could talk the talk all day about reaching the least of these, the forgotten, and the shunned, but never do anything about it. I was the one who would keep my distances, make the hidden jokes, and slither away from the uncomfortable situation. On the other hand, I am now that person who is on the receiving in due to some crazy events in my life. Sometimes people don't know how to respond. They get all quite and fade out of the conversation. Its humor and tragedy in a slow waltz. The tragedy is that people miss out on opportunities to support, to learn, and to agape others. They miss out on the 2 Corinthians 1 where we can take our life lessons, hurts, and healing and reach out to those who could use the help, the hand, and the love. I understand why people get confused sometimes about Christianity, because some of us are spiritually schizophrenic. Ponder this.

Some days, we just need to be child-like in our faith. It moves us beyond the fear of taking a risk with what God is calling us to do. We then learn that there is no risk, but just a grand PURPOSE. That is when we see the big picture. That is when we experience God stories. That is when we meet a GREAT BIG GOD.

A year ago, The Commons ran about 30+ people this time last year including leadership. Today we hit 128 and that is with a few families out. God is up to something in this unchurched area.

I will take the front lines of what I do over a comfy chair any day. I have done both, & have earned the right to express my choice.

An college professor of mine use to say, "Leaders are readers". I use to think it was corny (sorry Brad), but it makes total sense to me now. When you read through the Book of Proverbs, you can see a major theme of the importance and benefits of obtaining wisdom. This was confirmed when I was listening to a pastor say that his church offers a $500 dollar bonus to each of their pastors that reads 35 books in a year. You may think that is insane for a church, but its not. $500 dollars is nothing in light of a pastor who is knowledgeable (which makes them priceless). This has lit up a goal in my life. I am trying to push myself to read 2 books a week (given there thickness both in pages and depth). I want to be growing, so I can help others grow. I want to feed me, so I can feed others. There is no financial bonus for me doing this, but the end result will be worth far more. This should be interesting.

I don't journal, but I am going to start. I heard a pastor the other day saying that he doesn't journal well, but the times he did God used it. So.., I am beginning to journal. Wish me luck. I will state the obvious, it will be tough for my ADD. I know though that great things will be revealed through it. I journaled last year in the form of a picture book (pieced stories and pictures to for a book that Apple, inc can print) and I go back to it often to see how God is faithful. I am interested to see how God uses it.

Straight out of 1 Cor. 12 (msg)

taken from "Jesus Loves You This I Know",

I have been listening to The Nines (http://thenines.leadnet.org/) in and out most of the morning. It consist of a ton of pastors who are spending 9 minutes on video sharing a small chunk of wisdom on leadership, life, and God. It has been really great, especially being 9 minutes per pastor (for those who are ADD that helps). So far, the thing that jumped out at me the most is when a pastor said that, "In pressure, we find out who we really are. It is the progress report for us to see where we lie." It's funny because I just ready Ps. 30 this morning where it said,

1 Cor. 9:19-23 (msg):

Before any conclusions arise, know my heart. This is not a stab or rant just a thought. My thought, as I am sipping Folgers coffee, is what if everybody who buys starbucks or your preferred chain on a weekly basis decided not to buy any special orders ( traps, caps, lattes) for a solid month. Then take that money from that and invest it into a humanitarian nonprofit organization, a mission, a missionary, the homeless, or whatever God places on your heart. Just for a month. Not a long time, not a big sacrifice. Imagine though the impact. Imagine the blessing. This is said out of encouragment because I have seen God bless those who bless others. Just a thought. No bux October anybody? Change the world!


-- Cham

I have read the chapter in 1 Cor. a million times, but never in The Message. It puts the last part of 1 Cor 6 in a new way. I will let it speak for itself, and see if you catch all that I see.

I think to many times we pass by those who are "forgotten". I am definitely guilty of this act. It is so easy to be consumed with life, decisions, success, and ___________(fill in the blank) that we overlook the opportunity to be Christ to those who are forgotten by us and society. Jesus loves the forgotten, its all in the Gospels. The ones that are in the shadows and those that fade into the backgrounds of society. He cares about them as much as He cares about me. He loves them as much as He loves me. If you take a minute and stop in your world (me included), the forgotten will appear. Will you reach out and love them the same as Christ would? This is a challenge to myself first.

Below is my twitter:

Typing from my phone. It has been a busy summer, but God has been rocking it out at The Commons. In the midst of fall preparation for The Commons, I'm going to try and catch everybody up with everything God is doing with me here. Love you all.
Just got through shooting some footage, on to editing.