Pastor Mike the Repo Guy

Freaky night. I just helped repo a Volkswagon Passat for my brother-in-law, Kory, who owns a car lot. Seems like someone had gone delinquent on their payments, so in East Tennessee, the car legally belongs to him. So, around midnight, four of us guys set out to get it back. Game on! (Here we're alerting the cops to the fact that we're poaching the car, so they're aware when the current owners call it in as stolen.)

Giggling like freshmen at their first dance, the four of us developed our plan. Katie's two brothers, Kory and Kyler (the Hollywood film editor) would stay in constant phone contact with us while my twin brother, Christopher, and I would actually jack the car. Sweet.

I must've drawn the short straw, because I was the designated photo/videographer for the mission, while Christopher got to drive the Passat. Well, it beat staying home, let me tell you. Hearts pounding, we arrived on scene at the rear of the apartment building. There she was, with her front bumper sitting about 5 feet from the sliding glass door to the unit! This was going to take stealth and speed.

Getting in as quietly as we could and being careful not to slam our doors, Christopher and I kept a wary eye on the sliding glass door and windows right in front of us while he inserted in the extra key Kory always keeps just in case a situation such as this one becomes necessary.

After a couple of unsuccessful attempts at starting during which every second felt like an hour, the VW finally sprang to life. Slamming it into reverse, Christopher lurched backward in the darkness with the headlights as yet unlit. I was freaked out that someone was going to come out that back door at any second. When he had it turned around, Kory and Kyler roared out the driveway ahead of us and onto the country road toward home.

Stopping at a local gas station to admire our work, we finally let out a sign of relief. I called Katie to let her know we were safe, and then we began noticing the first of several bad news signs. The entire air blower assembly was sitting on the back seat of the car. Then, on the way home, it started smoking. Stopping in the middle of the road, Kory checked it out. Turns out the turkeys had blown the head gasket to the tune of about a $1200 repair job. Yikes. It's no wonder they didn't want to keep making payments on a dead car.

I hope you enjoy the videos as much as we enjoyed making them! (Note to dial-up users: Why bother? You have better things to do than wait for these videos to load! P.S. Get faster internet access!)


Move over, Dog the Bounty Hunter! Yeah, right. Though I enjoyed the rush, I'm not sure I'm exactly cut out to be a full-time repo guy. Pastor Mike the Repo Guy. Hmm. On second thought, maybe I should call up the Discovery Channel after all.

Chick-fil-A ROCKS!

Driving through the night 8 hours from the Memphis airport to East Tennessee after flying all day wasn't my idea of a picnic. Then the familiar Chick-fil-A sign shone like a beacon on a stormy night. With no Chick-fil-A restaurants in my area of Cali, I crave the taste of their sandwiches, their fries, their lemonade, their ice cream . . . get the picture?

Trying not to squeal the tires turning off the freeway, I tore into Chick-fil-A with Katie in tow. She INSISTED on buying me a t-shirt along with the meal. Fine. I might as well own up to the whole "I'm a fan at the nerd level" idea.

After hunting around for a t-shirt, the helpful crew member alerted the night manager, who came out to give me grief. Yikes! It was Daniel Morgan, a friend from my old IBLP days, when I used to be his "Family Coordinator." This meant that when he was nothing more than a wee whipper-snapper, I was supposed to try to give him good counsel and sage advice while setting an example for him. Right.

We obviously graduated to Friend Level, and good thing, too, because this man now held in his hands my Chick-fil-A future and dreams. But would he fulfill them?

Done.

I won't tell you that he gave us TEN "Be Our Guest" cards (good for one free sandwich at any location) because that might get him in trouble OR make him look like a pushover. So, instead I'll just say that he HOOKED ME UP. No, you can't have his phone number. He's MY friend.

Maybe this Christmas vacation in East Tennesse isn't going to be so bad after all . . .

Merry Christmas!

Christmastime with little people in the house . . . what a difference being a dad makes! In spite of all the carefully planned treasures for my family, I still found time to hope, worry, ponder, debate, muse, and fret over what little ol' ME was going to get. Aargh. King of Commercialism, I concede this battle to you.

No, I didn't get the main thing on my list, a surfing calendar. Instead, my mom got me a boat trip to watch suicidal surfers hit Mavericks (INSANE surf spot near Half Moon Bay, for you novices) from as close as 30 feet away, in the water. SWEET! But, sheesh. No calendar. Guess I'll have to take enough pics to make my own.

I was able to make Katie's season a bit brighter with an iPod Nano (4GB, 3rd generation, video enabled, yada-yada for those of you who pretend to care). She'd been relegated to Technology's Stone Age thanks to our 1989 Buick LeSabre that has a barely functioning stereo and cassette deck. Now, with the cassette adapter, she's got all her fave CDs on the go. Did I hook her up or what? (Okay, so in this tumultuous employment season of our lives, it didn't hurt to get a REALLY good deal on the Nano, but that's between us.)

We're off at 4:30am to join the unwashed masses who will be traveling tomorrow. We'll be in East Tennessee, visiting Katie's side of the family. I think they've got electricity, so I should be able to plug in my laptop, fire up my Broadband Access Aircard from Verizon, and keep in touch with the civilized world. (Okay, so it just FEELS that way. I guess the running water isn't quite the luxury I usually make it out to be.)

I certainly pray you and yours had a blessed Christmas. May the Savior Whose birth we celebrate be nearer to you than ever before, and may you continue to seek Him diligently throughout the New Year.

Uglier than me

Warning: The following post may not be suitable for small children, pets, pregnant women, and squeamish men, myself included.

I'm sitting at the San Jose Airport waiting for an iguana to arrive. No, I'm not expecting it to waltz through the security checkpoint and head for baggage claim. I'm actually waiting for it to arrive via Continental Airline's cargo and, as is so typical for iguanas, he's late.

He could've called and at least let me know his flight was delayed, or maybe had flight updates sent to my cellphone so I would know in plenty of time.

Oh, great. They just called and let me know he's arrived. Now I get to take him home to wait for his new family to pick him up. I hope I don't fall in love with him on the 10-minute drive home!

"Here, leezard, leezard!"

Texas, what are you THINKING?!!!

I'm writing this on the way home from a quick trip to Texas to help out some friends in ministry, and **YIKES!** am I glad to be headed back home!

No, I'm not a Texas hater. I'm just an observer. And as such, I am entitled to observe. I'm privileged to have been the first person in my family to hit all fifty states which, incidentally, Texas was one of them. No, really. It was.

No, I don't LOVE Texas. I love a lot of Texans, but don't LOVE Texas. If this statement offends you, you are a True Texan. So, how do I LOVE thee, sweet Texas? Let me count the ways:

1. Your highways and major roads are all named after presidents, trees, and numbers. And usually marked with those objects as well, instead of those cumbersome signs that other less-progressive states use. (Side note: I hate getting lost. Especially twice in the same trip. Thank you, Texas Department of Transportation. I'm setting out cookies and milk for you this Christmas Eve, because I believe you exist, in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.)

2. Smoking is your State Habit.

3. Destinations are separated by hundreds of miles of nothingness for no apparent reason. (Note to my good friends at the TDT: Maybe plant a few treees every couple of miles. Eh?)

4. You think you are still the biggest state in the Union. Remember 1959? (Hint: Think cold.)

5. You think 5mph will make a difference at night, so you post TWO speed limit signs. One says the usual 70mph and looks like what normal Department of Transportations in other states put up. The other, directly below that one, is black with white writing (Oh, I get it! It looks like NIGHT!) and says Night Speed Limit 65. Are you kidding me? Glad we found such an effective way to save so many lives. Way to go again, TDT!

Enough said. I'll be home before I'm scarred any further. Thanks for the lovely time, Texas!

Ministry @ Morgan Hill church & ordination

Yesterday we were guests at a new church plant in Morgan Hill. Pastor Max Hudson and his wife, Debbie, planted Oakridge Church (http://www.oakridgechurchonline.org/) about two months ago and are averaging 70 in attendance, meeting at the Morgan Hill Community Center. Originally, I was just going to sing "O Holy Night" as a solo, but I ended up also leading the music for the worship time and playing the offertory on the piano as a duet with their gifted pianist (nice work, J.T.!)

After singing with my brothers for the Nutcracker at noon, Pastor Max and his family took us to lunch in downtown San Jose. A great time of fellowship, and we hope to get together again soon. Meanwhile, I'll be playing the piano for their worship service this coming Sunday. Scary thought, as I'm not a congregational pianist and they are used to a fabulous guy at the keys. Humility, humility, humility.Aargh. Why does humility have to be practiced in FRONT of people? I'd be happy to work on it privately!!

In the evening, we attended another church plant in nearby San Martin, as they were ordaining three new deacons. Fellowship of San Martin (http://www.fellowshipofsanmartin.org/) was started in February by one of my mentors, Dr. Mike Stewart, and they have a great plan to reach out to their community with their Sunday-night-only approach to worship services and deacons who reallly serve and minister to the families of the church. I'm sure we'll be back, as it is a nice place for us to land on Sunday evenings while we minister in various churches Sunday mornings.

Exit Interview @ Shoreline

(Note: The title of this post is not "Exciting Interview" in the interest of your continued stable blood pressure.)

So, my Exit Interview was today with Shoreline Community Church's Executive Pastor, Dennis McFaddin. Great guy, great "interview", great feeling going into and out of the moment. 'Nuf said. Well, maybe just a few more details.

Dennis asked ne a series of questions ("The worst thing about working at Shoreline? The best thing? What could we do better?" Etc.) looking for feedback and I gave it. He listened carefully and made me feel like he really cared about me and my input.

I then gave him the page-and-a-half of analysis I brought with me and we went through it, including where I felt I had grown, my personal negatives (where I felt I could've done better), my personal positives to the glory of God, and where I feel that Shoreline could improve. (No, you can't ask me for a copy!)

When it got down to the bottom line of the official reason why I got ______ (insert your favorite fun firing line here: let go, the boot, my walking papers, my eternal reward, etc.), it was numbers. I was also told I need to grow in my ability to listen. (At least that's what I think he said. I wasn't really listening . . . no, no, no. just kidding!) Both of these items (decreasing numbers and need to listen better) have definitely been problems for me during my time at Shoreline, so no surprises.

I'm grateful I was given the opportunity to air some frustrations, give positive feedback, receive some personal growth points, and pray for each other's ministries. Dennis did a fine job at a difficult task. All-in-all, a truly great meeting. Thanks to those of you who prayed for me.

Big prayer item

I've been asked to prayerfully consider taking a senior pastorate sometime in the near future somewhere in the greater Bay Area. (Am I being vague enough?!!) Very exciting and lots of positive angles on this one, but we want the Lord's will, not ours. I had not considered becoming a senior pastor just yet, but will be open to God's leading.

Please pray with Katie and me that the Lord would continue to give us clear direction as to our next move.

Preaching review

Katie and the girls joined me for what turned out to be a delightful service at First Baptist Church of King City. About an hour and 45 minutes south of us on 101, King City is a town with a growing Hispanic population and with a very distinct small-town flavor.

Arriving at 10am, we checked the girls into the nursery, Katie joined an adult Sunday School class, and I spent some time in the pastor's study/church office.

The music was above average for a small church, with guitar, drums, and vocals under the leadership of their keyboardist, Steve. I officiated during communion, and then delivered the sermon. My text was 1 Peter 1:3-9 and I titled it "Time Trials". (Amy Choate, a lady I had recently hired at my previous church, sent me an encouraging note last week that included this text and, in addition to really ministering to me, I also felt that the Holy Spirit wanted me to use it as my text for King City.)

In this passage, Peter is encouraging believers to remember the "living hope" and "inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade" even though we have had to suffer for a little while. My question at the end was "How much time do you spend reflecting on the glory versus the grief?"

Thanks to those of you who prayed for me. I definitely felt God's presence and His Holy Spirit prompting me throughout the message. What a humbling thing to be used of Almighty God as His spokesperson to His people.

We were given a generous honorarium and taken to lunch by Steve and his wife before heading back home. A full day, but a productive one in which we certainly felt we were blessed.

Preaching this Sunday

Just a quick note to let you know that I'll be preaching at First Baptist Church of King City this Sunday, November 25th, so please keep me in your prayers.

The church has been looking for a senior pastor for a while, so I'll help fill the pulpit this Sunday and also help conduct their communion service. Katie and the girls are planning to join me, so it should be a fun trip.

For more info, you may call the church at 831.385.3819. Thanks for praying!

Moving in a New Direction

“We’ve outsourced your job.” “We’re no longer in need of your services.” “We need to go in a different direction.” “Your department is being downsized.” “Can we just be friends?”

Do these phrases make your heart beat a little faster? Your palms get a little sweaty? Your head start to spin? I heard one of these recently and it made my heart beat quite a bit faster. Funny thing is, my heart hasn’t slowed down a bit.

Ideas of what the future may hold have been swirling around in my head literally since my drive home after being fired from Shoreline Community Church (Monterey, California). (Yikes! “Fired” sounds brutal, and my dismissal was anything but brutal. A Sensitivity Rating of 9.75 on the Dismissal Scale. Congrats to the fine gentlemen in question.)

Not just job ideas have been swirling in my head. Also, silly little things such as how easy taking time off work for Christmas will be. And instead of one week paid missions trip leave right after Christmas, I think I might stretch it into two weeks in India. Unpaid, of course, but unhindered, too.

My time as Children’s Pastor of Shoreline has come to a rather abrupt end, but the road is wide open. I’m totally excited about the new direction God will take the children’s ministry at Shoreline (which I named “Shoreline Kidz”). I’m even more excited about the new direction God will take me.

Toward that end, I’ve got some projects in the works that I’m not able to disclose just yet, but will look forward to sharing in this space in the near future. Suffice it to say that your prayers are coveted!

A great way to communicate with me in the future is via my long-time Verizon cell phone number: 408.590.4186 and e-mail addy: michael@dentonbrothers.com. Drop me a line to let me know you’d like to be kept up-to-date.

One final thing.

Shoreline staff: Thank you for the opportunity to work alongside you. It was a great ride, and much is still being accomplished for Christ’s Kingdom. Keep up the good work!

Shoreline parents: Thank you for the privilege of working with your young people. Your children are truly a blessing from the Lord, and I pray you always value them as such. My verse for coming to Shoreline was Malachi 4:6, “He shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers.” I pray that God continues to draw the hearts of your children even closer to you than before, and your hearts toward them.

Shoreline Kidz: I have LOVED being your Children’s Pastor. It has been one of the biggest joys of my life. To see so many of you come to a saving faith in Christ, to see you sing His praises, and to see you learn how to be His followers has brought me great pleasure. I know that the leadership at the church care so very much about you and they will find another Children’s Pastor who will love you as much as I do, and who will help you become totally committed to Jesus Christ. I hope we can see each other some time before heaven, but if not, may you continue to walk with the Lord all the days of your life!

The Children’s Ministry Staff: You are simply the best. My heart is filled with gratitude for your kinship, your teamwork, and your efforts on behalf of the children and parents of Shoreline. Thank you for investing in my vision and helping this Children’s Pastor do more than he ever could have alone. You did it! You turned things around, served our volunteers, supported our leadership, and made things happen. Keep it up! The next Children’s Pastor will inherit an amazing team. You are doing a phenomenal job, and I know the best of Shoreline Kidz is yet to come. You have become my very closest friends, and I love you all.