Surf Camp

Will you pray and fast with me? Scripture tells us that these two spiritual disciplines should be practiced when seeking divine guidance, intervention, protection, and to break through spiritual strong holds. I am looking for prayer partners who will pray and fast for the spiritual strong holds here in Ocean Beach and for our impending launch. Isaiah 58, which I call the OB chapter, challenges me, "Is it not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6

Our goal is not to manipulate God (See Acts 23:12,14) or to impress people but to be drawn deeper into the presence of our Abba Father. Fasting reveals the things that control us and actively demonstrates repentance, grief, humility, and wholeheartedness. These attributes are rare attributes for me. Please join me in the season of seeing God's kingdom advancing and captives being set free.


Update on Michelle – Michelle came home Saturday evening and is still feeling cruddy. Today she is a little stronger, so I do believe there is some progress being made. Tonight (Tuesday), I am going to have a dedicated time of worship and prayer over Michelle. I would like to invite all who are able to join me. I am going to start around 9 pm, after I get my kids to bed. Call if you need directions
(619) 221-0034.

Well, we are just a few days away from our first Sunday morning worship. I was so encouraged today meeting with OB Elem. Principle Margaret Johnson. I could not have dreamed for a better partnership. She is rolling out the red carpet for us.

Twists and Turns

I wanted to let our good friends and ministry partners know about Michelle's health. Michelle started having a IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) fare up about five weeks ago. Some of you may remember that Michelle suffered for almost at year with these kinds of symptoms back in 2002-3. Over the past five weeks her tummy issues have progressively deteriorated. She went to her internist three weeks ago and he ran a few test and referred her to a GI specialist. Unfortunately the fist available appointment was not until the 28th of August. Mean while, Michelle got weaker and weaker. On Tuesday of this week, Michelle blacked out and I took her to the ER. She was severely dehydrated and they gave her IV fluids and where able to get her GI appointment moved up to this afternoon.

We went this afternoon and her GI and he decided to admit Michelle into Green Hospital. He felt that she has suffered enough and they need to get to the bottom of things immediately (GLORY). The thought is that when Michelle was healed back in March from her pituitary disease, she stopped taking corteff (a steroid). It was most likely this steroid which she has been taking for her pituitary disease, was also suppressing her IBS.

It has been frustration for Michelle to be sideline with so much happening with the church plant. In the midst of Michelle's health struggles, things with the plant are taking off. We are less than three weeks away from our "grand opening" service. Our leadership team has taken shape and we will have a "launch 101" meeting this Saturday. I will post pictures of a water safety and surf clinic we did for neighborhood kids last Saturday in the next day. Please continue to pray for Michelle health and God's grace for our Church plant. Oh, by the way I and to sit for my Ordination exam in the next two weeks. Gulp!

Living the dream

Thirty three days and counting until our official grand opening worship service! Things are really starting to come together. Please add me to your daily pray list over the next few weeks. As things are ramping up with he OB church plant, simultaneously I am working on ordination in the PCA, Michelle's back and stomach have been flaring up, and I will be flying back to Florida for a quick two day trip (Aug. 12-14) to visit my sister. Pray that I would be so immediately aware of the Holy Spirits presence and work in my life.

The last few launch team/worship services have been amazing. The diversity of our congregation along with our passion to worship has been prefect. I could not have dreamed of a better group of people in OB to worship the Lord with.

When we began meeting at OB Elementary back in June, we had 15-20 homeless folks join us for a "family meal." Most of them bailed before the meal. This created tension for some in our launch team. "How could they eat and then leave without coming to our service?" We had to wrestle with what grace looks like in a ministry context like OB? Our hearts changed and we could love unconditionally. Then on the first Saturday in July, it started to happen. Our homeless friends started joining us for worship. One man wept through the entire service and stayed for prayer after the service. The Lord invaded this mans heart and he asked for two of our men to drive him to the police station. He had an outstanding warrant for parole violation and he was tired of running. We have also had a couple guys earn their 30 day AA coin of sobriety!

Prayer Requests
1. Pray for us to find just the right children's director.
2. Michelle's back and stomach have had a flare up in the past few days.
3. My studying for ordination