Pastor Dan’s Blog

From Dream To Destiny

Joseph’s dream led him to his destiny. He moved beyond the problems of the now into the promises of the next. Many of Joseph’s now moments would have caused many to give up on the next. Joseph was able to see beyond the now. Your dream is the hope that fuels your passion through the problems of the now.

 

When I was 17, I left San Jose to a small bible college in Arizona. I never lived in San Jose again. When I left, I did so knowing I would never return. Little did I know that God’s road map for my life included bridges I had burned.

 

I had a dream to make a difference. I wanted to encourage & challenge a generation through the word of God in a non traditional way. I had never dreamed that some day I would plant a church, pastor a church, author a blog that has reached 49 states and 72 countries, speak to NFL executives & players, it just wasn’t my dream but it was my destiny.

 

When I came out of high school, the Air Force was my destination. I took the ASFAB test and scored a 95% in mechanical and 17% in communications. In other words, public speaking was not my gift. In fact the recruiter told me I could pick my field in mechanical but would never be in the communications field. Now today, I am a communicator. Your dream will lead you toward your destiny.

 

The word of God explains it this way. The dream pushes you toward your ultimate destiny (purpose) for being placed on this earth. Joseph’s dream in actuality was a very small part of the big picture. Joseph’s dream was for his brothers to bow before him but to his destiny was to use his influence & power to save the world. The dream of his brothers was an insignificant part of his destiny. Sure the brothers eventually bowed before him but that was not his destiny. The bowing (dream) is the result of his destiny (purpose) being fulfilled.

 

Your dream is not your destiny but it will lead you to it.

 

Your dream is about you but your destiny is about others. Joseph’s dream was about people bow to him but the dream left out the “why” they were bowing. The “why” is our destiny. Like a carrot in front of a stubborn mule that motivates him to move, our dreams are God’s carrot to keep us moving toward our destiny.

 

Next week I will tell you how to push beyond the now in life to reach your next.

Tags: Destiny, dream, next, now, purpose

Decade of Lessons

This past Sunday was truly an epic on for CWC San Jose & Milpitas. We linked both campuses through the internet for the State of the Church Address. In a couple months, it will be a full decade that has passed since we planted CWC in San Jose. This past decade has taught me some wonderful lessons that I do not want to have to repeat in this next decade.

 

It has taught me:

 

1.      The Cost Of Vision

Every vision has a price to be paid in order to accomplish it. There is a cost associated with each dream connected to our lives. Our passion must be greater than our desire in order to see the vision achieved.

 

Throughout the word of God we see Moses vision of freedom for his people was paid for by his discomfort by leaving Pharaoh’s palace. Joshua’s vision of leading his people into the promise land was at the cost of Moses, his mentor & friend dying. David’s vision for a temple for God’s presence was at great financial sacrifice and disappointment of someone else accomplishing the task. Jesus vision to save the world came at the cost of humiliation of the cross.

 

We have paid a steep price for the vision for the people of Bay Area. We left the comfort & security of our home & jobs in Manteca. We dealt with the loss of my daughter Jessica following her three year fight with cancer. Even some friendships were affected as a result of the move. Vision has a price.

 

2.      Must Plan For Success

We came to San Jose with the express determination to succeed but we had no plan for what to do after the initial success. We succeeded at planting a service not a church. If a church closes its doors and the surrounding community does not notice, did that church ever really exist?

 

We had not planned to fail however we did not have a phase two to follow our success which was a failure in and of itself. Every new venture we take now is done so with a follow-up plan to capitalize on the success. Success without a succession plan is failure.

 

3.      Preparation Precedes Promotion

This is one of the deepest truths I have come to understand. It is a truth I try to instill in our interns. It is how you prepare that will determine your level of promotion. Opportunity will not wait for you to prepare yourself once it comes knocking at your door. We must practice like a champion if we are to play like one.

 

The one that saves his best sermon, best song, best effort for the big crowds will never have one. We must bring it strong daily or not bring it at all. Like a coach, God is watching our daily preparation and is determining whether or not we are prepared for the promotions He has in store. The promotion to be married, have a child, get a job, become a manager, own your own business, buy  a new car or start a new ministry.

God is first and foremost a steward. He manages the resources of heaven. He will not send blessings someone unprepared to take care or utilize them properly. Stop burying your gift and use it.

 

4.      Lastly, the Goal is BEcome Not To Come.

For the past decade we focused on getting people to church. Each event, illustrated sermon, production or give-away was focused on get people into the doors of a building. Our success or failure was based on the number of butts in the seats not in lives changed.

 

The next decade my goal is to get people to BEcome the church.  Our focus is not on building a great building but building great people (not that there is anything wrong with builds, I would love another one!). Our focus cannot be on getting people into the doors to come to church but to get them to become the church everyday of the week.

 

If we are going to change the world, stands to reason we must be producing world changers.

 

The next decade will truly be a great one with the new campuses started, new churches planted, Life Houses established, people trained and as a result a world changed. We may not be able to change the whole world but you can change the one you live in.

 

Get ready for a great decade!

Tags: become, decade, plan, preparation, vision. price

Vantage Point: Failure

How we see is more important that what we see.

 

Our vantage point or outlook on our failures can set us back or set us up.  Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player ever, became the best because of his failure. His failure to make his high school team is what fueled his fire to become the best. Our failures need not be fatal or forever. Each failure, properly viewed and responded too can become a launching pad toward your destiny.

 

Check out his video.

 

Remember, no arrow can hit its mark without first experiencing the pulling back and rising tension and pressure upon it. The farther it is pulled back, the farther it will go forward. It is the very tension and pressure that provides the momentum necessary for the arrow to achieve the desired velocity and hit its mark. Your setbacks are setting you up for your comebacks!

Tags: comebacks, failure, setbacks, vision

Vantage Point

Vantage Point according to Webster’s is a position or standpoint from which something is viewed or considered; especially point of view. In essence it is how we view things. Your vantage point determines your breaking point. We all have personal vantage points. Each crisis in our lives has been viewed differently. Every person in our family & even friends respond to these experiences differently. How we view each event will determine the ultimate effect that event will have in our lives, positive or negative.

 

How you see is more important than what you see.

 

A movie by the same name came out in 2008, which highlighted the same event through the eyes of various characters. Each saw the same series of events, yet through different sets of lenses sue to their unique vantage point. Our vantage point in life will determine whether or not our experiences will make us or break us, bring breakthrough or breakdown, or make us victims or victors.

 

How you see is more important that what you see.

 

Joseph’s life gives us great insight to vantage points and how they affect our outlook on life. Someone said one time, “If we have buggers on our glasses then everyone we see will have buggers on them.” Joseph’s trials can be viewed through three different vantage points:

 

1.      Through The Vantage Point Of Our Failures:

Joseph’s brothers carried the weight of the guilt and shame of their younger brother’s demise with them through out their lives. The sound of his cries never left them. They went on with their lives but seeing through the lenses of their failures. Even when blessings came their way, they considered it a curse. When they found the money they used to purchased grain in the each of their sack, they considered the blessing a curse from God.

 

Notice:

They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”  ~ Genesis 42:21

 

Our failures of yesterday can skew our vision today. We live our life based on regret for sins & failures of yesterday. We reason that we don’t deserve happiness due to our failures of the past. So when blessings do come many people sabotage their happiness because they don’t think they deserve it.

 

How you see is more important than what you see.

 

2.      Through The Vantage Point Of Our Past:

Joseph’s father saw the series of events through the vantage point of the past. Past & failure are two different things. While both are products of the past, our past is not necessarily failure. Our past experience can affect our view of today’s blessings. Jacob’s vantage point has been affected by the perceived loss of his children. He has experienced difficulty & loss. Now, every event he see is now through the lenses of disaster.

 

Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” ~ Genesis 42:36

 

Many experiences we have had in the past can change our vantage point in life. If we experience constant hardship we get use to seeing all events in life through the vantage point of trouble & tragedy. Jacob’s past experiences have even caused him to forget about his name changing encounter with God. He is still referring to himself as Jacob not Israel. His past has left him hopeless.

 

How you see is more important than what you see.

 

3.      Through The Vantage Point Of Our Destiny:

Lastly, we have Joseph who viewed each event through the lenses of destiny. Vision has the power to see beyond the current trouble to the coming triumph. It changes your lenses by which we view life. It does not dismiss the pain but is acknowledges a greater purpose is at work.  

 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ~ Genesis 50:20

 

Destiny is not fate. Destiny puts confidence in God not in chance. Destiny reasons that I am God’s therefore, He has a plan therefore I will be patient. Your ability to wait is connected to our confidence in the person who has promised. Joseph had great patience because he had great confidence in the God of his dreams.

 

How you see is more important than what you see.

 

So how do we change our Vantage Point?

1.      Face Your Failures

We cannot live life through the eyes of our failures because once we are in Christ we are new creations, the old is gone & the new has come. If we are new, then we have no failures of the past to worry about. If God has forgotten shouldn’t we? We have no past therefore & no failures. We can’t change our failures of yesterday but I can affect my choices today. You failed, okay. We all do. Now get up & move forward.

 

2.      Pass Up Your Past

The rearview mirror of a car is much smaller than the windshield because what is behind is less important that what is ahead. Our past can cause us to live in the rearview mirror of life not the windshield. Jacob missed out on the fact that Joseph was indeed alive, Simeon was in prison but still alive as well and Benjamin would not be killed but in fact taken care of better than any of the brothers! Our past can make us miss out on the breakthrough that is happening right in front of our faces.

 

3.      Declare Your Destiny

Joseph spoke his dream and ended up in a pit. When you speak your dream, get ready for the dream to take action. The dream belongs to God. Nothing you face can wipe out the promise God has for your life. Today view each and every pit & prison in life as a process towards the promise. Change your vantage point & change your breakthrough point!

 

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

 

 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.    ~ Romans 8:35-39

 

Nothing can separate you from God & He holds your destiny!

 

Remember, How you see is more important than what you see.

Tags: Destiny, failure, lenses, past, vantage point

One More Round

Back in 2006, one of the best rounds in boxing was fought by two warriors Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo. These two had faced each other in other epic battles. This fight however would be the most memorable. In the tenth round Corrales is knocked down twice by Castillo and seeming on the verge of defeat. After two brutal knockdowns it would seem wiser to say down. Bloodied, bruised, with a point being deducted for spiting his mouth piece for the second time, Corrales does the impossible. He gets up then he knocks Castillo out and wins by knock out.

Check out the video. (Thanks, Pastor Anthony!)

Breakthroughs are not given to the talented but to the tenacious. You never know what the next moment holds for you if you give up and throw in the towel in life. Each swing in life could be the knockout we are hoping for but we cannot throw a knockout punch lying on the canvas. We all need a little get up in life.

The Bible says in Proverbs 24:16, “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.”

It is amazing that God’s view of righteousness is so much different than that of the religious folks. Many religious people would call a man that fell seven times a sinner not a saint. It seems that even in the Old Testament during the dispensation of the law that true righteousness was based the ability to get up and believe, even in the midst of failure. Abraham was considered righteous based on his faith not his failures.

You may have fallen or been tripped up several times by the same opponent in life but keep getting up. You are only a failure if you fail to get back up. You are not what you have done or what has been done to you. Get back up again, you never know if you have one more round left in you.

Get up, One More Round!

Tags: failure, faith, fall, get up, one more round, righteous, saint, sinner, stand

Breakthrough

Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown.

 

Some of the greatest inventions in life were the result of a barrier the inventor had faced but refused to give up hope on. Some of the greatest stories are from people who overcame obstacles & handicaps (Ben Underwood). Whether in the medical arena, sports field, technology or travel, all breakthroughs can about because someone refused to breakdown & breakthrough.

 

Barriers are a way of life. Life is full of barriers, obstacles and roadblocks. These barriers can release great breakthrough in our lives or set us up for great breakdown. It all depends on how we face them. The life of Joseph gives us a wonderful picture of a man that refuses to breakdown.

 

He realized that:

 

Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown and believe

Breakthroughs aren’t obtained by the talented but the tenacious. You see, Joseph was not a superhero. He was just a young man who realized God gave him the dream and only God could take it away. His brothers or his father could not take what they had not given to him. His dream would not be validated or voided based on his circumstances.

 

Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown and prepare

Promotion comes without warning but not with out preparation. We cannot sit idly by and wait for breakthrough to happen. We must continue to give our best and prepare everyday for that day of breakthrough. Joseph kept doing the right thing even when no one noticed. His integrity would not allow him to stop doing his best. Everyday in Potiphar’s house or in the prison, he gave his best effort.

 

Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown and be free

We all know people who have been released from prison but are still prisoners to their past. It is possible to be out of a situation but still be imprisoned by it. Your location might change but the memories can keep you locked up. If we are to breakthrough we must be free from yesterday’s bondages. You are not defined by what happened to you.

 

Notice Genesis 41:51

51Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and the family of my father.” 52Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering.”

 

Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown.

Barriers are not removed in one decision or action, it is a series of decisions or actions. Joseph had two sons: Manasseh & Ephraim following his release from prison. Their names are important. Manasseh means “Forgetful” while Ephraim means “Fruitful”. The principle is deep but simple, “You must give birth to forgetfulness in order to produce fruitfulness.” You will never be fruitful as long as you hold on to the hurts of yesterday.

The Apostle Paul, the former persecutor & murderer of the church said:

 

13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13

 

We cannot change our past but we can change our present & future. We must make a decision to give birth to forgetfulness. Like a baby, forgetfulness is a action that is conceived, developed and then delivered. It is a process.

 

Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown.

 

How do we birth forgetfulness?

1.       Acknowledge hurt to begin with.

If we are to forget we must first admit the pain exists. Our natural defense system causes us to deny that any pain or hurt ever exist to begin with. We refuse to give the abuser the satisfaction to acknowledge their actions effected us in any way. Joseph was able to identify that he had had trouble in his life.

 

2.       Identify its source

Next, Joseph identified the source of this conflict & pain. He states that “the family of my father” is where the trouble came from. He had to identify the source if he was ever going to be healed. Knowing what caused the pain can be the first step to achieving freedom.

 

3.       Give it to God

Lastly, Joseph states that “God made him forget”. Every unfortunate memory of abuse, neglect, abandonment and betrayal has a pain associated with it. It is not until we are healed from the pain of the event are we truly able to event for the glory of God. The abuse is a one time affliction that left undealt with can imprison you for a lifetime. Once the pain is faced & handed over to God, you are now on the verge of breakthrough.

 

How can a sexually abused girl speak openly about her pain to others in need? How can a physically abused woman stand strong and encourage others in an abusive relationship? How can a former addict give hope to others who are struggling with addictions? They have removed the pain from the memory and moved into forgetfulness which releases them into fruitfulness.

 

Not being fruitful in your marriage, career, relationships or endeavors? Check and see if you have moved into forgetfulness. Forgetfulness must be produced before fruitfulness.

 

Remember, Breakthrough happens when we refuse to breakdown!

 

Tags: barriers, forgetfullness, fruitfulness, obstacles, roadblocks

A New Year

Okay, so I got a late start on the 2010 blogging (What else is new!) I was freezing in -22 below weather in Minnesota and I am just thawing out now . . .

 

This year is already so much different than last year. At this time last year I was already experiencing burnout. I was emotionally & physically drained. The New Year did not bring hope rather it brought an overwhelming feeling of “here we go again.”

 

It was during that time I did what I knew was right, what I had learned over the years. At times I felt as if I was living by fake not faith. It was then I truly understood what faith is all about. You see folks, it was not a trial I was enduring nor a battle I was fighting. My family was fine, my marriage was great and the ministry was doing well.

 

Stay The Course

Like a GPS that will only give direction when other options are coming up in the road otherwise it will say nothing. It will just say “stay on I-5 south” only when another highway is coming up.

 

At that moment in my life I truly come to appreciate the value of faith. My faith was not in faith but in the Lord of my faith. I had to do the things I knew how to do even when I felt nothing in the process. I read, prayed, preached and counseled even when I was in a time of emptiness. I worshipped and gave thanks even though there was an emotional disconnect.

 

Be Transparent

I was very transparent with my church during those times. It was risky because minister’s at times don’t want to reveal their weaknesses for fear of losing the respect of those they minister to. That thinking keeps us lock away into solitary confinement, where hope is lost. This why we see so many spiritual hero’s fall over the years because we have failed to provide the one thing Jesus said we would be known by, LOVE.

 

Jesus went through all the ranges of human emotions as well. In his last hours on earth, He surrounded Himself with His disciples. The worse thing you can do during those times is to isolate yourself. We need each other. If you are facing a rough time and are struggling between faith & fake, confide in an spiritually mature accountability partner. They might not provide answers but they can lend support.

 

Don’t Make Any Major Decisions

When you are in that down time do not make any major decisions. It is at this time that many of us make decisions to leave a spouse, quit a job, leave a church or walk out on a family. Never make a permanent decision based on a temporary circumstance.

 

You will weather this storm. We all go through these times and not all these experiences are spiritually connected at times could be a physiological issue. You see we all have waves in our emotional make up. Like it or not we are emotional beings and our emotions can affect us at times.

 

Know You Are Not Alone

These times tend to make you think that no one understands what you are going. You feel as if you are the only one going through this struggle. It can develop a sense of embarrassment.

 

I wondered out loud in my prayer time, how can I be going through this . . . I am the pastor! It was then I read a story of a well known pastor who on a jog found himself sitting on a street corner weeping uncontrollably. He was having a breakdown. This actual brought relief to my soul, that I was not alone. Others are facing the same struggle. I am not crazy! (Although some would argue that point)

 

If you are facing this please know you are not a bad person, you are just going through a tough time. We all do. Hang in there. You will come out of this and be able to celebrate the New Year as I have this year!

 

The best is yet to come!

Tags: Alone, course, decisions, faith, fake, overwhelmed, transparent

Ability To Press On - Part Two

We are quickly approaching the final weeks and days of 2009. In a couple of days we will embark into a new decade. It is quite a stark contrast to the fear we entered into this decade with; remember the Y2K scare? (The world was going to shut down because of a computer glitch that would not recognize the year 2000)

 

Now we head into this new decade with hope. We are expecting better things. We believe for better times, economic stability and personal breakthrough. Why? Quite literally, for some things can’t get any worse. Things must get better.

 

Joseph had faced many challenging times in his short life. Trouble seemed to target him like a smart bomb. Regardless of his efforts, he would climb the corporate ladder only to come crashing down due to the actions of another.

 

He taught us how to handle difficult times:

1.      Change what you can, accept what you can’t.

Joseph’s success in every venue in life was the result of his choice to change what he could and accept what he could not. He lost little time on trying to complain or mourn over the various circumstances in his life. He would not allow a bitter spirit to destroy his dream. He understood that he could not control what others did to him but he could control his response to them.

 

In his book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” Steven Covey talks about our circle of influence & our circle of concern. His whole thesis is that we spend way too much time dealing with the circle of concern, things we have no control over (people, economy, conditions) rather than expanding our circle of influence, the areas we have personal control over (our attitudes, our actions, our response). One focuses on others, the other focuses on our ourselves.

 

 

2.      Realize that God is still in control

This is probably one of the hardest things to accept. In times of trouble, when everything seems out of control and in chaos, is God really in control? Joseph was able to recognize early on that God may not cause everything to happen to him but God can use each individual trial and trouble for His ultimate glory. He knew God was in control. Like Rick Warren says, “God never waste a pain.”

 

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

                                                                                                                           ~ Romans 8:28

 

Notice that this is not fatalism, there is a prerequisite to each test turning into a testimony; we must love God, be called and have a purpose. Like Joseph Jesus was able to keep the course knowing that His Heavenly Father had everything in control. In times of trouble realize He is still in control!

 

3.      Your location doesn’t change your favor

Joseph’s standing as his father’s favorite son did not change based on his location. In the pit & prison he was still his father’s favorite son. This recognition allowed him to excel in every environment. He knew that favor and blessing would follow him.

 

This principle is found throughout the word. The Prodigal Son was still his father’s son in the midst of famine & the pig’s pen. David was still king even in the Cave of Adullam. Jesus position on the cross sis not change the fact that He was the Son of God. Your favor does not change based on your circumstance or location in life. You are still favored by God, even in trouble times!

 

Like the squeezing of an orange or apple, what is in side comes out when pressure is applied. Difficult times don’t make us, they reveal us. They squeeze out of us what is really inside. I have come to recognize that times of trouble reveal our true belief & philosophy. What we truly believe in our hearts will be revealed when times get tough.

 

We say we believe that God is love yet we hold grudges against those who hurt us. We say we believe that God provides yet we stop giving at the first sign of trouble. We say we believe that God can restore marriages yet will walk out when we face the heat in our own marriage. We say we believe that God is in control yet we freak out and try to take matters into our own hands.

Stay faithful. Be patient. Promotion is on its way.

Tags: circle of concern, difficult times, favor, God in control, location, trouble

Thank You!

Huge thanks to everyone for all your efforts to help us reach & even exceed our goals this past Sunday. With your help we were able to bless over 125 children with bikes as well as bless over 200 families with Christmas gifts. Your sacrifices help ensure that this Christmas will be a memorable one for many underprivileged children this holiday season.

 

Each child will someday grow up and the bike and the gifts will break, rust or collect dust but the memories of God’s love expressed through your efforts will forever be in their hearts to treasure. In each trying time they face in the years to some, they can still hold on to hope because of what God provided for them through you.

 

On behalf of CWC, Angie and I, we would like to once again express our deepest gratitude and humblest thanks for all your love. May your Christmas lights shine brighter, your credit card bills be lower and your joy be overflowing.

 

Much grace;

 

PD & Angie

Tags: bikes, Gifts, God's Love, THANK YOU

Bike Update

We are currently at 82 bikes just 18 away from our goal. Each bike already has a name ready to attach to it. We are so close to achieving the dream and impacting 100 children this Sunday morning. Thank you in advance for helping us reach this goal whether you are from CWC or not, together we made it possible.

Thank you.