Winter Fest 2014 Recap

Well, the website has been quiet for the past week because I’ve been swamped preparing for, and running our 2014 Youth Winter Fest. This past weekend we had over 350 people from 13 churches gathered together for an encounter with God. Our theme for the weekend was Surrender, and during the weekend we heard inspirational and challenging messages by our speaker, Duffy Robbins. We were led in worship by the band All We Are. We had an awesome time experiencing the Nubian Gents who minister through hip hop music and dance, and share passionately about Jesus. The students attended workshops, had lots of fun during free time playing in tournaments, and met other students in our Magical Booth of Friendship (ha ha!). It was a tremendous weekend, and once again, God’s promises were fulfilled: “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” (Matthew 18:20). And, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! … For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever” (Psalm 133). During our response time, we had students come forward and write on white flags the things they wanted to surrender to God. We had 337 flags filled out! Wow! May fruit remain!

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Cover to Cover

This is what our church is doing together in 2014 … Join us!

Cover to Cover 2014 Trailer from Shelter Rock Church on Vimeo.

Look Who’s 16 Today!!!

Happy Sweet 16 to our oldest daughter, Claudia! The years are flying by and we are so proud of the woman of God she is becoming! May God continue to give her the grace to live for Him and influence this world with His love by the choices she makes.529415_473337929380450_1521608367_n44986_428415458886_6296746_n934054_507877779259798_804219143_n529728_471781649536078_886877185_n525111_487746301272946_282013610_n375104_503830262997883_1841217379_n

Books I Read in 2013

read-books-that-you-enjoy

  1. 52 Reasons to Believe by Gregg Peter Farah
  2. 52 Ways to Grow Your Faith by Gregg Peter Farah
  3. 99 Thoughts for Volunteers by Danette Matt
  4. A Covenant With My Eyes by Bob Sorge
  5. A Treasury of Saints by Malcom Day
  6. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
  7. A Youth Minisry Volunteer Speaks His Mind by Rick Williams
  8. After The Fall by Craig Demartino
  9. Criticism Bites by Brian Berry
  10. Deep and Wide by Andy Stanley
  11. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
  12. Epic by John Eldridge
  13. Hard Sayings of Jesus by F.F. Bruce
  14. How Good is Good Enough by Andy Stanley
  15. Ivan Spencer: Willow In The Wind by Marion Meloon
  16. Kick Me: Adventures in Adolescence by Paul Feig
  17. Ministering to Gay Teenagers by Shawn Harrison
  18. Night by Elie Wiesel
  19. Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms by Max Lucado
  20. Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood by Dennis Rainey
  21. The Daily Bible: In Chronological Order
  22. The Danger of Raising Nice Kids by Timothy Smith
  23. The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle
  24. The Life of the Body: Physical Well-Being and Spiritual Formation by Valerie E. Hess and Lane M. Armold
  25. The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen
  26. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
  27. When Sorry Isn’t Enough by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas
  28. Wisdom Chaser by Nathan Foster

Family Vacation Day 1 Pics: Malibu

Thanks to our friend Tim Smith “The Parent’s Coach” and his wife Suzanne for hosting our visit and showing us around Malibu and Calabasas. We spotted actor Kevin Bacon and drove over to Justin Bieber’s neighborhood (I have a two girls, OK?!) Great people and fun times! (Follow Tim on Twitter by clicking on his name above. Check out his website, and invite him to speak at your next function!)

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