Please Pray for Chris Elrod

We got a prayer request this morning from a member of Compass Point Church. Apparently, their pastor, Chris Elrod was seen coming out of a piano bar dressed as Liberace earlier today. He was singing “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows.” He had a hop in his step, thrilled that he came in second place in the Blogging Pastors Fantasy Football League while I came in next to last.

Anyway, keep the man bag toting girly man in your prayers, please.

Sunday Wrap-up

• Chris got the jump on me.
• It is true. I did break into the theater…can’t tell you how though.
• Our setup crew rocked this weekend. 1:15 minute setup (1:29 if you are counting the actual time on premises). 40 minute tear down!
• The new hospitality shirts pretty much rock my face off.
• Locale of the guest who came the farthest to be at Life Pointe? Sweden….heck of a drive.
• Phil and the crew kicked some rock-n-roll in the hizzy!…all in place of Jesse. Great stuff.
• Looks like Miami is getting a first round draft pick.
• Some of the most vivid descriptions of what it looks like when someone follows Jesus is found here.
• I will scan and post the picture of Cal Ripken Jr. and me soon. I had huge chicklets in the 4th grade. Your guaranteed to have a laugh at my expense.
• There are a ton of new people I have to get to know. I’m afraid to ask people if they are new…many have been here for a couple months and I’m clueless.
• Also, it was good to see some really good friends who had been gone from the church for a bit back at Life Pointe.
• My alma mater, Lee U is undefeated in NAIA basketball. A few people are suggesting they step up to NCAA Div II. Seeing that they beat ECU yesterday, I have to agree.
• Finally, Ela’s video, story, and life are incredible. American consumeristic Christianity is perplexed by people like Ela who serve when their lives are turned upside down.
• Every time someone complains about how we expect people to serve, I want to beat them with one of Ela’s oxygen tanks.
• Jesus said He came to serve, not to be served. How do we think we are better than Him?
• In fact, the very place that Satan has attacked Ela is the very place Christ is magnified in her life. Her lungs are deteriorating. But, she makes around 50 phone calls per week on behalf of the church…serving Jesus. That sounds a lot like the Apostle Paul.
• I couldn’t have asked for a better end to 2007. Great day!

Saturday Quotable

“You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America’s Cup, France is accusing the U.S. of arrogance, and Germany doesn’t want to go to war.”

- Chris Rock

BIG news this Sunday

Hear it from me in person. There’s more than one item of significant interest. Zero hype…it’s most definitely, the biggest piece of news we’ve shared as a church.

Book Review: Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears

This Christmas break, I enjoyed a great read about the very person that is responsible for this global festival of generosity, Jesus of Nazareth. Out of roughly 70 books read this year, Vintage Jesus is my favorite read of 2007.

Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears provide an excellent 240 page Theological and cultural treat for the reader to enjoy in Vintage Jesus. Seasoned with vintage Driscoll, the book is full of wit, wisdom, and Scriptural gems.

Like Mark’s first two books, Vintage Jesus is bold and in your face…even potentially abrasive, an awkwardly attractive trait to me. Already knowing that Mark is an excellent Bible teacher, I was blown away by the strength of delivery of layer upon layer of awe inspiring truths about Jesus Christ. After reading Vintage Jesus, I am more committed to and appreciative of Jesus’ massive sacrifice for me.

Gerry Breshears portion of the book is obvious. Without looking at the division following each chapter, “Answers to Common Questions about….”, you know that Gary is writing based on the absence of many explosive pop references and the antagonistic and highly enjoyable quotations of other authors in their own words when they flippantly refer to Jesus by names such as a “bastard messiah” or in translating their theological platitudes in a more earthy translation which leaves liberal theologians/religionists exposed and hoisted on their own petard.

Breshears portion is not at all off tempo but right on the mark and pertinent. He answers exactly the questions that may naturally arise as you read Driscoll. And, they’ll serve adequately as firewood for great discussions later or even in the small group that may be organized around “Vintage Jesus.”

I highly recommend reading Vintage Jesus because it is Scripturally faithful, vivid in its depiction of Jesus, and it is far from being a dull read like far too many books on Scripture are. This book is a must read. I give it my strongest recommendation.

Download the 5 page review/notes of Vintage Jesus here.

Merry Christmas

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23

2007 Life Pointe Awards

Looking back in 2007, I can’t help but remember the unique people at my favorite church on the planet. I give you the 2007 Life Pointe Awards:

• Most Prolific Life Pointe Blogger – Chris Day
• Most Likely Not to Sleep – the newly engaged to be married Casey Watkins
• Most Likely to Get a Reality Check in 2008 – the newly engaged Casey Watkins
• Coolest Hair – “Ritz Crackah“
• Shiniest Head – (3 way tie) Paul Hollifield, Joe Porter, and Elvis Ackerman
• Best Hats – Jesse Santoyo
• Most Likely to Pray with Someone in the Middle of Wal Mart – Arlene Rance
• Most Likely to Call You – Ela Ortega
• Best Coffee – (tie) Anne Johnson (Starbucks on Sunday) and Mark Martinez (Colada on Sunday)
• Most Likely to “Get ‘er Done” – Victor Lopez
• Most Likely to Love a Stranger on the Other Side of the Planet – Colin Aparicio
• Most Ridiculously Blessed Pastor in the World – Me
• Most Likely Parent to Mosh at a Life Pointe Concert – Evelyn Guerra
• Most Likely to Pull a Pastor’s Truck out of the Mud – Dan Bard
• Most Likely to Let a Cell Phone Ring During Church – (this is just a hint to turn off your cell phones)
• Best Accent – Jonathan Mends
• Most Beautiful Woman Alive – Kelly Johnson

OK. I’m going to stop there but, the list can go on, if you like. Be as creative and lengthy as you like. Have fun.

Book Review: The Age of Speed

In keeping with the theme of Vince Poscente’s book, “The Age of Speed,” I downed this book in just over 2 hours.  After chapters 1 and 2, I began reading the first and last line of each paragraph to get on with it.  I guess I learned the lesson well.

So what’s the point?  Well, its actually a powerful one.  Do your stuff faster so you can save time for the important stuff.  The mantra of the 21st Century is to do more quicker so you can do even more quicker.  Poscente offers a new route…maybe not so new.  But, it is not a popular suggestion.  It is good in theory.  But, in practice, it is not widely embraced…through I’m a big proponent.

My favorite tidbits?

• Quit multi-tasking whenever possible and avoid interruptions.  Studies show that it takes up to 30 minutes to refocus when you restart an interrupted task.
• The old parable of the turtle and the hare is problematic because it illustrates a point that slower is better than faster using a faulty assumption.  It is assumed that the hare fails to finish because he’s too fast.  In actuality, the hare fails to finish because he’s lazy and doesn’t follow through while the turtle just wouldn’t quit.  Good point.  I like it.

Is it a book I’d recommend?  Sure.  But, don’t buy it.  Go to Barnes and Noble, buy a Venti Americano with room and polish the book off.  Then, go buy “Getting Things Done” to grab a few practical insights on how to do what Poscente suggests.

Rufus Hall (1925-2007)

One of the several aims of my blog is to share my life experiences with my children.  So, while I don’t journal my daily experiences, I do share significant personal experiences primarily for the sake of my children when they are older.  This is one of those personal entries.  Still, I think there is something to be gleaned by anyone that reads.

On Saturday, we said goodbye to Kelly’s grandfather, Rufus Hall.  By the time I was born, all but one of my great-grandparents were gone.  I’m glad that Kourtney and McKenna were able to meet and get to know Kelly’s grandpa and and mine.

Here are some notes about Rufus:

• He was born in Kentucky and lived in Toledo, OH.
• He wrote a book about his life experiences (really entertaining reading).
• He built his house with his own hands.
• He had a baby that died.
• 6 months later, his first wife and child were killed by a train.
• Those events shaped the man he became but, it did not destroy him.
• He remarried Eileen, whom my wife shares a middle name with.
• He wouldn’t let his second wife, Eileen fix him dinner until it was dark.  The reason?  Because you can’t work after dark and there’s no sense in wasting daylight by eating.
• He loved Jesus.
• He had a bad experience with a church and he blamed Jesus and quit going to any church for a few years before making things right with Christ.
• He looked back on his time with his kids and wished he had spent more time with them.
• He was proud of his house and the “plot of ground the Lord had given him.”  He promised God he would take good care of it.
• On Saturday, his kids, grandkids, and great grandchildren shared stories about this unique man who made the lives of even my 3 children possible.  I’m blessed as a result.

Kelly’s Grandpa

Kelly got a call today that her Grandpa died.  It was expected and unexpected all at the same time.  You think you’ve got it all together and are ready for this moment.  But, you’re not.

We’re leaving tomorrow mid day which means we’ll miss the Life Pointe Volunteer Christmas Banquet which is jam packed with some of the most giving people either of us have known.  We’ve gone through sad times with people at Life Pointe.  We’ve been comforters and we’ve been comforted through some of the most raw and transparent moments people go through.  Words cannot express the appreciation for the kind of relationship that has been extended to us and that we’ve been invited into.

Thank you for being such a wonderful family.  We’re so blessed.

O Holy Night – a classic you’ll never forget

You may want to forget it. But, you never will. This may be the greatest Christmas song ever performed. Simply speechless.

Sunday Wrap-up

• I think our 9 AM service was fuller than our 10:30.  That’s a first!…one that I’m incredibly excited about.
• Thanks to everyone that has made the move to the 9 AM.  You’re incredible.  You’ve created a fantastic worship venue where people are making significant spiritual decisions.
• I’m glad to have made it through the 10:30 without the power going out…sounded like a hurricane outside of the theater.
• My friends, Gordon and Pearl are back from Toronto for the winter.  These are some great people…wish we had them year round.
• Did I say it was pouring rain?  Did you know we had a picnic on Key Biscayne?
• About 30 of us made the trek and braved the weather…totally worth it.
• I slung a football with Thomas.  He made fun of how serious I look when I’m throwing.  He’s a big kid so he gets away with it.
• When he’s in the NFL, he better remember me.
• We were stalked by two raccoons.  They had no fear.
• I ran at him to scare him off.  Didn’t work.
• Thomas tried to give one of them Wasabi.  Unfortunately, the little guy didn’t go for it.
• Chris predicted the Dolphins win…not many people making that call.
• Jesus last words are powerful.  I loved reading from this passage today. We won’t take our cities without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
• Don’t think for a second that our churches can do it with clever marketing packages and cutting edge trappings.
• People follow Jesus because they are drawn by the Holy Spirit.
• I got a text message from Manny Molina saying Miyagi’s Sushi Bar & Grill by the theater is open.
• I got a second one saying it is really good! DANG…can’t wait to hit that place.
• Check out how the place looks. I love good design.  This place definitely has it.
• If Clinton Portis will dial it back and Plaxico Burress steps it up in the 4th, I’m in the finals in one of my Fantasy Football Leagues.
• Paul hard core cut me off at Exit 13 on the Turnpike.  No blinker.  Blind lane change.  That boy is learning how to live in S. FL.  My heart is swelling with pride for all that he’s learned in such a short amount of time!
• We just finished the Survivor Finale party at my house.  I won’t spoil it.  But, I will say that you should always finish strong.  Finishing is everything.
• Our windows are open.  It’s 60 degrees…no a/c…incredible weather.
• I got a call this morning from a good friend right before our 9 am service…really encouraging to know you have people…really great people that are in mission with you.
• I couldn’t be happier to be a part of such a wonderful church family.

The Homestead HairVenture Continues

I am going to get my mop cut.  I am a desperate man on a search for a decent cut.  I’m afraid.  But, I must face my fears!  I have a great feeling of affinity for people who are frightened of church and who have bad experiences in the past.  Walking through those doors have never looked so scary.

So, here I am heading out the door on yet another HairVenture…pray it goes well.

Reclaiming this Generation

There is much ado about the number of young people missing from the church (18-35 year olds) and rightly so. Ed Stetzer has done the best research that I’ve seen on this very real issue with the Church in America. The question being asked is how do we reach these people?

My response is not scientific. But, as usual, I feel fairly committed to my opinion. Here’s the problem:

• When we become territorial as pastors and volunteer ministry leaders and fail to replace ourselves, we have a leadership problem.
• When we view methodology as sacred, we have a problem of relevance.
• When we over-emphasize non-essentials and treat them like core doctrines, we have a problem of Scriptural integrity.
• When we preach materialistic hyperbole, we have a credibility problem.
• When the message we preach does not mirror the message we live, we have a congruency problem.
• When the directives of Jesus are simple and focused and we teach a broad, undisciplined message, we have a problem of mission.
• When we focus on reaching a particular generation at the exclusion of others, we have a problem of isolation.
• When we fail to appreciate the needs of a diverse culture, we have a problem of tunnel vision.
• When we fail to understand cultural and sociological trends, we have a problem of elitism or separationism.

If we focus too much on who is missing, we may actually recreate our current problems, institutionalize those problems, fail to really correct the core problems of the Church in 2007, and then realize our current generation gap problem again- only delayed a few decades in the future.

If you want to see missing generations return to the Church, then begin being the church as opposed to being an archaic, frightened, nice little boys club where grannies dictate style and decor and men who lack control in their own homes, jobs, and lives exert their repressed desire to weild authority over a limp wristed, undecisive, lame 7th Heaven type of a pastor.

Simply focus on the mission of Jesus and live it. Communicate Biblical truths. Live out loud. And, expect to see people’s lives redeemed. This is no weak Jesus that we serve. Yet, we treat Him as though He is unable to function. We are not helping Him. We are serving Him as a great privilege. Let’s go for it and stop being so tentative in our ministry perspectives.

I love this little cat

Blake is 6 weeks old.  He smiles a lot.  He’s the coolest little guy. I love the way he smells.  I love how he lets his sisters love on him.  I love being his dad.  When he’s older, I’ll have him logon to travisjohnson.net, read this entry, and see how much I loved him even when he was a little guy.  I know that in 20011, I’ll love him even more!

So, Blake, if it is 2011 and you’re reading, “Want to go out to the Redlands for a milkshake at Robert Is Here?”  I’m buyin’.

Busway Opens Sunday

The north/south Busway that runs right by our building that we are in the process of selling opens Sunday.

It stretches from Florida City to Dadeland South.  Later, they’ll turn it into a Metro Rail line with stops at Campbell Dr. and Kings Hwy.  I really don’t know why they didn’t build it as rail in the first place…other than government likes to do construction projects.  So, by doing a busway, Miami-Dade has an opportunity to do another project in a few years.

Mundane Moments

Every moment, every day, every life is experiencing some kind of trauma.  In every mundane moment, we have to realize that we may be salvation for someone.  I pray that we are never so focused on ourselves that we fail to see the implications of how we live even in those most average, most forgettable moments.

Sunday Wrap-up

• Awesome day @ Life Pointe.
• Anytime, you get to open your message with a boxing analogy, you know its going to be a good day.
• By the way, it was awesome seeing Mayweather KO Ricky Hatton last night. That’s what you get for booing the National Anthem. Watch rounds 8-10 here for yourself and see Hatton get jacked up while 10,000 of his soccer hooligan fans chant in the background.
• I loved the new setup in the lobby today. Great job by the hospitality crew!
• Jesse and the band rocked the house today. It seemed like God broke into the place and was really there…He really was!
• I had a blast today. Sharing about vision and leadership as we looked at Joseph’s life was a lot of fun.
• We’ll probably make that CD a free resource to give to our guests and anyone else that would like to pick it up.
• 7 people in the 10:30 service made decisions to follow Jesus.
• I’m praying for them that they really go for it and hold nothing back from Jesus.
• We had over 30 people at our new members luncheon at Capri. Really super people. Chris was one of them.
• Most of them are already involved in a ministry at Life Pointe!
• Also, Juan was our server. That guy rocked. Seriously, if you ever go to Capri, ask for Juan to wait on you. That guy understands the power of excellence and is passionate about people.
• I passed one of our new Starbucks on the way to Capri. They are popping up everywhere here. Read more.
• Kids Life is taking some big steps up right now. They minister to 100 kids every week. Anne and her team is doing a fantastic job.
• Jonathan Mendz represented our Sierra Leone project and shared an awesome reading on Peace for the second Sunday of Advent. It was beautiful.
• Least importantly, out of three Fantasy Football Leagues I’m in, I made it to the playoffs in one thanks to Ryan Grant RB Green Bay. Last year, I was in 3 leagues and won all three. Sheez. At least I beat David in the Blogging Pastors League (maybe).

Most Embarrassing Moment?!

I’ll share mine.  Leave a comment and share yours.

The story is set in the Chattanooga, TN airport.  I was a freshmen at Lee University, going home for Christmas break.  I was on crutches after rolling my ankle playing basketball.

To board a flight at Chattanooga Airport, you have to go down a flight of stairs (two stories high) and out onto the tarmac.  It was nice of them to install slip-resistant coverings on all the steps for your safety…except I was on crutches.

I was at the front of the line of about 60 people when my right crutch hung up on the top step.  I fell face first down the stairs – head over heels.  When I landed at the bottom, I flexed my muscles anticipating to find broken bones.  Sweet! – none were found.  In relief, I looked up just in time to see one of my crutches hit me right between the eyes.  To rip off one of Jesse’s favorite words, I have to simply say, “Dang.”

Swaziland Project Update!

WOW! You guys are awesome. On our first Sunday of our Christmas offering which goes to our Swaziland Project and the new churches in Austin, TX and Weston, FL, you gave $14,440 of our $25,000 goal! In addition to that Colin Apparicio has collected thousands of dollars in school supplies, diapers, shoes, toys, and medical supplies from individuals and corporate sponsors for our spring mission trip to Africa (date to be determined).

We have until January 6th to give the last $10,560. If you haven’t given yet, talk to your family and go for it. I shared with you guys on Sunday that Kelly and I are giving our biggest gift to Jesus this Christmas. I hope you’ll join us. If you’d like to contribute, you can mail Christmas offerings to:

Life Pointe Church – 1100 Old Dixie Hwy – Homestead, FL 33030

You can also call in a contribution over the phone (305.247.0889), giving with a credit/debit card.

Gettin’ My Starbucks On!

I just wrapped up message prep for this Sunday’s week 7 of likeus.tv at my new favorite Homestead watering hole, the Starbucks on Palm Drive.  One venti Yukon blend later and I felt this good.  Sunday should be interesting.

Miami Condo Glut a Great Opportunity for Teachers

Check out this great idea. I like it. Down payments and housing assistance in Miami condos for teachers.  What a great way to attract high quality teachers to challenging schools in Miami and to reward the ones who have been serving our community so well. In doing so, you also remove condo inventory and help recover from the condo bust…a win/win for teachers, our students, the schools, and our economy.

Brothers separated at birth?!

Paul Hollifield and Hines Ward?  You make the call.

Dreaming Sessions

This morning, we continued our tradition (new) of having staff meeting at the new Starbucks on Palm Dr.  We went through some of our regular items.  But, we kept coming back to one topic in particular.  It is a thought about what Life Pointe will look like tomorrow.  I’m refraining from talking about it specifically…for now.
Right now, it is an idea.  The idea could transform a chunk of our community.  It could totally impact the future of our city and how it develops.  It would change us more than anything.  To be honest, it scares me a little.  But, I think that’s a good thing.

Routine may very well be the biggest enemy to  real growth (substantial, personal growth).  Routine has kept this place of need from fully entering into view.  But, over the past week, I’ve been forced to look at some things differently (not by my choice).  The new perspective has opened my eyes to some opportunities that have been staring at us for quite some time.  So, the question is not “will we take advantage of the opportunity?”  The question is “How will we take advantage of the opportunity?”

We will.  It is just a matter of when and to what degree.  I can’t wait to share it.

Sunday Wrap-up

• I felt so distracted and flat this morning in the 9:00.  I wanted to call a “do over” about a quarter of the way through my message.
• Fortunately, I’m one of the most unnecessary parts of Sunday…just a minor player in the story of Jesus.  So, no biggie.
• If your heart was touched, it definitely wasn’t my fault. Blame it on God.
• At the 10:30, I pulled my stuff together and had a great time.
• I’m getting attached to a whole new group of really awesome people that are exploring Jesus at Life Pointe.
• Looking at Jacob’s life- its crazy to think that he gave the birthright to his 2nd born grandson, as Isaac and Abraham gave their birthright to their 2nd born sons.
• There’s some meaning in that.
• Colin’s reading for the beginning of Advent was super…especially coming from him.
• I am looking forward to the coming of Jesus…want to see His kingdom come to this town in the most significant way.
• Today, was also the kickoff of our Christmas Offering…anxious to see how it turned out…praying for $25,000 to bless the kids in Swaziland.
• There were several people that said they were ready to follow Jesus today.  That’s exciting.
• After service, I ran up to Vision Church to check out their setup in Arvida Middle School…loved the auditorium.  Its a standard layout for a number of Public Schools in Miami-Dade. Great hospitality from Matthias and his church.
• We are on mission and God is at work…willing to do whatever it takes to reach this city (and beyond)!

Quick Hits from around the blogosphere

• Rick has photos of the thugs that killed Sean Taylor.
• Chris has me salivating over our newest Homestead restaurant, Casavana Cuban Cuisine.
• Tadd and his 12 week old church were interviewed by Tom Brokaw (report 1 and report 2).
• Ed talks about church planting in the Assemblies of God and how Christians of varying perspectives may not be able to cooperate in church planting but how we can cooperate with one another in leadership development and the sharing of best practices.
• Chris on meeting Evel Knievel and his death.
• Lew talks about marching on Burger King.
• The leader of the AG is seeking anonymous blogging pastors.
• Brad finishes up a series on “How Not to Suck at Church Marketing.”
• Scott shows you how to pimp your ride…even if you don’t have a car.
• Stuck on the Palmetto says it’s over!  Woohoo!

More Venezuelans Than Usual Coming Soon to Miami

Prediction: Hugo’s Socialist Referendum will pass (he controls the election mechanism).  As a result, Miami will be welcoming a few more Venezuelans than usual.  Welcome to Miami.  Sorry you had to leave home because of the little, maniacal dictator.