Fire, faith and Kids more like Jesus than me.

"Get out now..!!!" This is what I told my wife and kids on Nov 8th 2018. What would soon be known as the world costliest disaster of the year was about to hit my little town of Paradise. The Campfire had just started to burn homes in our town. Smoke was everywhere and we had no warning. It was a day that forever changed my life and the life of everyone in our county. We furiously packed what we could, prayed and headed out.

I've been working with children and teens ever since I was a teen. I grew up in San Jose California and attended a church in Los Gatos. It was there I was taught to serve. You see as High schoolers our church had taught us the value of serving others. So I did.  I volunteered for day camps and summer camps for our church. I went on missions trips and worked with kids from Hawaii to Inner city LA. This is where God grew in me a passion for serving others.

I felt may call into full-time ministry in High school but I ignored it. I grew up very poor but as a married adult I went on to be in a successful business. At church, I was the best volunteer you could find in youth ministry. But something was missing.  I couldn't wait to minister to kids and teens. But even though I was successful, to the point of recognition of our company in Forbes, I was miserable. God called me into something. I ignored it. Finally, in 2004 I was grabbed by the Holy Spirit and few other pastors and God put me, no dragged me into full-time ministry. You see he was looking for me to be faithful. I finally said yes. He took care of the rest. 

Ministry can be difficult. Youth and Children's ministry isn't glorified. You are expected provided things for children or youth that are meaningful but you wonder if you are making a difference. How do you measure discipleship? Why does it feel like others expect you to provide "childcare" and cute holiday things? Why is a youth pastor expected to fix the problems of every teen when there has been zero discipleship at the home. It can be overwhelming. Being on staff at one place for 15 years this year I have finally seen some of that fruit but it really can be thankless and so many of us wonder why God has this calling on us. How do we know we are effective? 

28 years I've worked with youth and kids but since the fire, one thing I know about kids has never more been true. 

They get the deep things of God and dwell in Him better than I can or could teach them.

We were evacuated for a long time and were living in a donated RV wondering what tomorrow would hold. I was stressed and not trusting God at that moment. In fact, I was pretty angry with God. I was venting my frustration and then my youngest son turned to me and said. "Dad, you know Gods got this and has a plan..... right?" He had a better faith than I did. You see at the moment I didn't know if we had a home, job, church, family, friends.. Everything we knew was potentially gone and yet my son had faith.  I was still counting the deaths, the destruction, and the loss and wondering where was God. My son was trusting God and seeing him at work despite the tragedy.

Our church building was one of the few to make it. My first Sunday after 3 months of being evacuated from our church I did a time of prayer with kids. It was about all we could muster. A boy prayed up front and asked God to help all the people who were homeless and to give us all wisdom in decision making. Another girl cried and prayed for all the kids who lost their pets in the fire. Another little girl said, "You know what stuff doesn't matter, my family all got out safe and God loves us." Another said, "God has brought our family so close and I get to see my parents much more now.living in a trailer."  Childlike faith for the win.

As a kids pastor, I was surrounded by the very people I was in charge of ministering too and I was the recipient. I was the recipient of the Holy Spirit working through them, I was the recipient of a childlike faith I had lost as an adult, I was a recipient to kids showing love and care for others just like our Saviour did for us.  I received thousands of letters from other kids sent to our community by kids at other churches and schools. They all carried simple truths that I had somehow forgotten despite teaching them every week.

Our kids still need help. Some of its professional counseling after witnessing some pretty horrific things. I am getting counseling as well. I'm totally dependent on God. I still have no idea what the future of my home, my job, my church, my friends and my town will look like.  Our church has mostly moved away. My friends and family are scattered.

But for now, its where he wants me to be.

Totally dependent

Faithful,

Available

Teachable

With a heart for others

 I will be repeating the simple truths of God and the Bible that I know to be true. 

In other words. I need to be just like Children.

So now it's not in the wondering, but In the abiding that I wait, rest,  heal and serve. 

Like my son said, "Gods got this and has a plan.."  That will preach kiddo!!

Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. "

Trevor is the children and Family pastor at ParadiseAlliancee church in Paradise Ca.

Sooo what if the world that we know looked at the church and said, "Wow They are amazing, loving giving serving people. They have something different. They seem to love Jesus and each other. They serve the needy and don't seem to be as affected by the problems of this world like  I am." Now we know the world and the church will always be full of imperfect people.  I heard it best described one time this way.."The church is a hospital for the sick not a podium for the saints."  Lately I have been struggling.  I know the best thing Jesus left behind to continue His work was the church.  I know what we are supposed to do and be. Its tough to look at our world and Its perception of the church( & Jesus) and not get a little dismayed at what has happened to the message and life of Jesus that we are supposed to be showing.  I also know great things that are happening in the church .Working at one  I get to see changed lives ,needs met and people being loved all the time. So If this is all true why do we see culture rejecting Jesus because of the church.


 I also wonder if  I am part of the problem.......
 I wonder if the church( people and organization) is part of the problem.....

I wonder why we as Christians feel the need to engage in culture wars.
I wonder why we take political sides  that may be contrary to Jesus teachings and examples. ( both "sides")
I wonder why we have made cultural ideas cannon.. ie.. retirement, money, security, marriage, spiritual practices, isolating our kids, no risk living, etc....
I wonder why we think American brand of Christianity is somehow more sacred than any other in history.
 I wonder why we only get spiritually fed from church or pastors.
 I wonder why we try to put our values onto a society that doesn't know Jesus..
 I wonder why we put such importance on issues like homosexuality vrs other issues.
 I wonder why kids who grow up in the church cant tell me why they  believe in jesus message.
 I wonder why church kids don't know their dads.
 I wonder why people believe Christianity is a list of dos and donts.
 I wonder why Christians have reduced their faith to dos and donts.
 I wonder why we think Christian living is black and white in a world full of grey.
 I wonder why Jesus didn't give a ton of answers.
 I wonder why we turn grey things of the Bible into Black and White.
 I wonder why we don't ponder the mysteries of theology, and be ok with things that cant be answered.
 I wonder why good people dont read their Bible.
I wonder why SOOOO many Christians fell they cant share their faith.
I wonder why we are a culture obsessed with sex.
 I wonder why dads don't lead their family's
 I wonder why couples don't lead their families
I wonder why God  doesn't come back now.
 I wonder if Ill be surprised at whos in Heaven.
I wonder why marriages get on cruise control.
I wonder why this week I don't have a single night at home.
I wonder why I haven't read the Bible to my own kids in months.
I wonder why our kids haven't learned about God from their parents.
 I wonder why we think this World, Country, Church and God owe us anything.
 I wonder why we buy into this world and are comfortable.
I wonder why  I worry about dumb stuff all the time.
 I wonder why I fall into sin..even stupid easily avoidable ones.
 I wonder how its possible to meet and counsel soo many lonely people, including me if Im honest.
 I wonder why I worry soo much
 I wonder why My identity is soo wrapped up in what  I do and whom I'm around rather than in Jesus.
  I wonder what things I have bought into that aren't in Scripture or of God.
 Iwonder why I mwriting this instead of snuggling with my kids as they fall asleep.
 I wonder how many teachable moments in my kids lives, my life and the lives  I impact  that I have missed out of busyness and worry.


WHAT IF  ................
 I stopped worrying about everything.
 I served others more.
 I left unscheduled time as a big part of my day.
I kept my kids from being too busy with good things.
I had dinner with my family more.
I didnt buy into the idol of busyness and teach/show my kids that.
I built more relationships with people who dont like church.
I had no fear in sharing the gospel.
 I didn't worry about the future.
I focused on the gospel rather than cultural issues
 I stop worrying about money
I stop worrying about my kids
 I told my wife how amazing she is everyday.
 I took time to stare at the stars and have time to WONDER about God with My family.
 I read the bible to my kids more.
Held children and spent time with them.
Invited a Zaccheus to dinner
I was honest and told my kids how imperfect I am.
Got to know someone who is gay
Hung out at a bar.
Met peoples needs  physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Lived selflessly
Actually knew my neighbors well
Was willing to give up everything...including my kids if God chose to take them.
Lived every moment by Loving God and serving/loving others
 I knew and lived the freedom that the gospel brings, rather than worry if  Im doing it right or looked to to do it right.
People wanted to be like me because Im like Him.

What if the church  (people):

Loved gay people, divorced people, homeless people, hard people, angry people,wallmart people, rich people, politicians, moms, dads, families, neighbors.
Was seen as the place where caring happens.
Didnt claim to have all the answers but the main one.
Admitted to being imperfect .
Wasn't obsessed with sex.
Wasnt obsessed with preference in "services"
Went to "church" together.
Equipped families to have their own strong faith.
Gave generously to the point of sacrifice.
Had strong relationships.
Had time just to dwell together.
Couldn't wait to get together again.
Met all the needs of every person in their body
Viewed all as equals no matter social or economic station.
Was an irresistibly draw to their community and the world.
Had time to read and talk and discuss Scripture together.
Lived 24/7 with the gospel of Jesus being lived and spread.


What if the World......

Saw the church as the only reasonable answer to life becasue of Jesus in them

Knew and desired Jesus by what they saw in the church.

Was loved and served by the church.

Desired Jesus because of me!!

A Manifold Resurrection Why the risen Jesus met people in five different ways

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/april/30.62.html

Thought I would share this great article on Easter Jesus and how he wants a personal relationship with us!

SOO why do I travel???????

                                                        Sooo many people have asked me why do you love vacations? Talking about them going on them helping others book them, telling people how to afford them. Well  I really have been thinking about it a lot.here are some thoughts.
Well the following verse in Ecclesiastes could be one of the most depressing in the Bible. Really it could.
Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

All Is Vanity

1 The words of the Preacher,^[a] the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

² Vanity^[b] of vanities, says the Preacher,
     vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
³ What does man gain by all the toil
    at which he toils under the sun?
⁴ A generation goes, and a generation comes,
    but the earth remains forever.
⁵ The sun rises, and the sun goes down,
    and hastens^[c] to the place where it rises.
⁶ The wind blows to the south
    and goes around to the north;
around and around goes the wind,
    and on its circuits the wind returns.
⁷ All streams run to the sea,
    but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow,
    there they flow again.
⁸ All things are full of weariness;
    a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
    nor the ear filled with hearing.
⁹ What has been is what will be,
    and what has been done is what will be done,
    and there is nothing new under the sun.
¹⁰ Is there a thing of which it is said,
    “See, this is new”?
It has been already
    in the ages before us.
¹¹ There is no remembrance of former things,^[d]
    nor will there be any remembrance
of later things^[e] yet to be
    among those who come after.

 The authors seems to talk about the meaninglessness of life, of routine of the rivers pouring into the sea but the sea never rising. How work never seems to be done. how knowledge and wisdom in the end seem meaningless. In short...Many times  I feel this way. I have been on this earth a while now enough to realize that I get burned,  I lose my joy, I find most things meaningless. The joy of my salvation really seem to be distant and even dare  I say sometimes unimportant to my daily life. I know all of this is not true but there are times I am just tired of the world around me.I long for escape and  I long for Jesus to redeem this place. Depressing isnt it:) Pastors arent ever supposed to feel this way. Were the ones close with God, nature and people at all times. the reality it is the loneliest position on the earth for many of us. This week  I got into the middle of 12 conflicts between believers.. yep that was a depressing week. it makes you wanna crawl up in a hole and hide..Or maybe fly to a desolate beach and sit:)

Now before you think Ive gone off the deep end into a deep dark depression, understand this is something Satan loves to use this on me and others.  The times  I get to feeling this way  I know I need rest. For me rest has to be away. And  I mean away from everything, My job, my responsibilities, My house, My local culture, my stresses, some of my family members( had to say it), my good friends..  I recharge by getting away.  The funny thing about me also is I actually get energy from my job.  I love being at the office , I love what God has called me to do. But there is a reason that life insurance and job burnout turnover for pastors is in the top 5 of professions.  I see the guys leaving the ministry all the time because they have not taken care of themselves with the demands of the job.  I want to be in this profession for life. But  I want to be healthy as well.  I need rest.  I need time far away. Rest is an important part of our health. God did it in creation, Jesus did it "often". Some could argue the man with nowhere to lay his head was a constant traveler. (please dont call heresy on that one it was meant to be funny)  We can make every excuse i n the world to not take a trip, or rest, or Sabbath.  I did. For about 9 years I didn't.  I worked and worked and worked and guess what? There is always more work. You know what? Your never done. You never arrive. You need to take rest. Rest for your body, mind, soul, family and for the health of your workplace. take time to think pray and just be. Take time to be present with your kids in a different place. take time to celebrate your marriage and reconnect. take TIME to get out of the normal routine and do the work of REST!

LUKE 5:16   But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

Mark 6:31 ESV

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Psalm 127:2 ESV / 84 helpful votes

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Mark 6:32 ESV

And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

Hebrews 4:9-11 ESV / 40 helpful votes

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

                                     The second part of this travel passion it is really just getting to do things that I hear people say Ill do this when Im retired.  I get this.  I said this for many years when  I was in construction. The funny thing is I also have seen people never get to live out a bucket list.  I had the privilege of working with pastor dick johnson. This man loved the outdoors, He loved vacations. He would tell me all the amazing plans he had for retirement. Sadly/happily within a few years following that he was in real paradise with Jesus.One time on a hike in Hawaii with my wife I saw a couple from our hotel. They were turning back because they couldn't make it to the waterfall. they just weren't physically able to. That was a lightbulb again for me. My kids being able to see different places and cultures. To understand that the God we serve is still God in different cultures and places really has helped their faith too. (ill blog about this one later)  I really believe vacations provide lifetime learning opportunities for our kids in a very meaningful way. Many people who have grown kids tell me when the reminisce with their own kids many memories are around Holidays and also vacations.  I want my kids to see the world out there both good ,bad ,ugly and insanely beautiful. Growing up as a child in a poor home of a single mother, I really didnt get to see the world, or really anywhere. We were to lucky to have the rent paid so we could eat.  I know many people are in that position as well.  I get it. But for me I found a way on a youth pastors salary to do it.  I really work hard to do it. In my next blog below Ill give you some of the how toos of my  travel plans.




HOW DO I DO IT? BRASS TACKS FROM A GUY WHO LIKES TO TRAVEL WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
                                          OK Brass tacks....... How do  I do it? Some of Trevor's Secrets revealed.
I have become a vacation expert in many cases because  I made this a priority. Many people think  I spend ridiculous amounts of cash on a vacation. The reality is  I have found other ways. I find deals.  I like to research for other people deals and this helps me plan.  I took my kids somewhere tropical cheaper than someone camping for a week on the coast. Sometimes  I do have a little more of an expensive trip but only because  I have budgeted for it.  Since everyone always asks I ll give you real life example of how  I vacation on the cheap.
                                           First understand  I kind of always make a three year plan.  I mainly use certain credit cards to build up points for three years to get to a certain destination on travel rewards.  I always allow flexibility in case any special deals come up. A quick example is one time  I realized that taking my family of 4 camping in our trailer was costing us about 100 bucks a day per person with gas food and all stuff we bought or did. ( i know people do this cheaper) But after research  I found  I could do a cruise for 65 bucks a day per person. My choice is the cruise!! So this does mean a lot of planning and saving.  Iknow where im going for three years(with some flexibility built in.)
                                            Second. Know that  I travel in off seasons, always.  I dont go anywhere in the summer  or winter.  I usually keep travel to May or September through 2nd week in November. Almost everywhere you will find fares and hotels half to more off than during summer. Yes,  I do take my kids out of school,Yes they make up the work, Yes they are still learning great stuff on a trip. Take your kids to see a Mayan ruin rather than looking at a picture:)
                                              This year  I will be taking three trips.
1. Next month Maui. airfare for four paid with miles points. No cost. Hotels for two weeks paid for with miles, no cost. my only cost for two weeks is food and rental car. Cheaper than camping in Almanor for me.  I even scored discounts for half or more off on activities by buying tickets or vouchers off ebay or craigslist. yes there is a risk there but so far have not been burned. Estimated trip will  cost us no more than 600 bucks for a family of 4:)

2. We won a trip on facebook with most of your help. But yes  I enter a lot of contests.  I dont watch much tv but do a lot of research on the computer. This is actually the 3rd trip/thingy we have won. 1st was hawaii condo, second was disney tickets in a raffle, and third was this current monster trip we won. Its by far the biggest. Yes this involves some luck:) But anyway we will probably go to either Princeville Kaui, Grand Cayman, Vieques puerto rico.(Check it out its amazing one of the few desolate Caribbean islands still with miles of empty beaches. The W resort was on the bachelor this year. Dont ask how  I know this.)  This trip will cost us NADA as we also will get spending money as part of our winnings. cool huh. start entering some vacation contests. People do win them.

3. Disneyland in November.  My favorite week to go. Email me if you want the week its the best. No waiting in lines. Points from hotel used to pay for lodging. Tickets paid for by winning a raffle and using points from the Disney card. And about half our meals paid for in points built up from the disney card. A few times i have even scored leftover tickets on ebay. I am an insidear so if you want info on anything disney let me know. No I dont get paid for it. Its just fun. Probably spend about 800 on this trip as we are driving down there and we are suckers for disney dining and paraphernalia.
http://www.mousesavers.com/dlmeals.html is a great place to look for disney ways to save..

So for a year  I am estimating to spend 1400 bucks on three trips. What do you do with your tax refund:)  I will in some upcoming blogs give more info on my 3 year matrix and what credit cards  I think are best for travel. (hint I hate cash back cards) Please take special note you should NOT go into debt for vacations or anyother thing on credit cards. Do not be tempted to. Its not worth it

my new badge!!

Well here it goes

Im not sure if anyone really wants to hear what I have to say but here it goes!!