A Town Center Christmas

Tomorrow Kingsfield will be taking over the Aliso Viejo Town Center from 5:30pm-9pm to bless the OC a little. We'll have everything form a giant slide for the kids, to live Christmas music with Brook James and the worship team. Rumor has it that we may even make it snow a little (Disney style), not to mention the hot cider, carolers in costume, free churros, crafts, you get the idea. I'm really excited about the opportunity to be in the community and am praying that the Lord uses our time to change some lives. We as Christians can sometimes get trapped into focusing on such petty things, and most of those things are usually very self serving and and become self consuming. We want everything we're doing as a church to move us past ourselves and into the commission God has given us reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we simply gather together on Sundays and get into the Word and then live the rest of the week without going out into our world. It makes me wonder how much of the Word is really getting into us.

Lord as we step out in obedience we pray that you will work in our midst... We look forward to all it is that you will accomplish.

Meeting in the market place...

So we've been doing Church at the Aliso Viejo Town Center for just over a month now and I think were starting to get the hang of it. It was a big challenge for us moving from a “never having to do anything to set up on Sundays” to a “now we have to do all to set up on Sundays”… honestly I was holding my breath a little on the first Sunday. Watching it all come together absolutely blew me away, Lots of hard work has gone into making it happen and it’s all so worth it.

Here’s a few of my most memorable moments from the first few weeks…

· Wondering if anyone was going to show up to our first 8:30 service and if I was going to be preaching to the staff. Relived to see that people actually get up that early and show up to church.

· Brook printing out volunteer name tags and blown away that we had to make close to 100 for the first week… You go Kingsfield, rock the volunteerism.

· Everyone heading out to lunch after the 10am’s… walking into Wahoo’s and running into so many Kingsfieldians. (were on to what your doing and are actually working toward getting those with a bulletin in hand some discounts, ya… who loves ya.)

· Meeting with some of those who were the first to gives their lives to Jesus in the theaters… Love to hear the stories and can’t wait to hear all the more to come.

· Our children’s ministry volunteer actually singing in somebody, taking down names, putting on wrist bands and walking them into children’s church only to find out that they were coming to see a move… classic, way to go guys, Jesus loved to use the element of surprise.

· The smell of popcorn after the 10am… Not a bad thing, seriously, I kind of like it and actually think that somewhere down the road when the Lord moves us on from the theaters I’ll actually kind of miss it.

· First Men’s morning fill in the interim HUB, something just felt very fresh about the whole thing. An exciting new adventure. By the way we call it the interim HUB because the real HUB is currently undergoing some construction just around the corner and won’t be completely done until sometime in December. Excited to watch that whole thing come together.

· A lady walking by our connection table on her way to a movie and signing up for SheMinistries, how cool is that?

· Meeting the many new faces that have been showing up, looking forward to watching God work in and through each one.

Keep up the good work Kingsfield, keep praying as we press on into all that God has in store.

Chris

Kingsfield Moving Forward >>>>

For quite sometime the leadership of Kingsfield Church had been praying about what would be next for us as a Church. While we were in the process of selling our 45 Tesla facility and moving forward on some plans to develop the larger lot of land next door God began to direct us elsewhere. We (actual a very talented architect in the church) drew up some amazing plans for a beautiful facility that on the surface seemed to make so much sense, but in the end none of us felt that the Lord was calling us to build there. Rather we sensed the Lord calling our body into a new season on ministry and moving us to place where we could more effectively fulfill the commission that He has given us. God has called us to "Go into the World and preach the Good news!" ~ Around here we like to say "Connecting People to Life in Christ!". As we sought the Lord He opened up the doors for us to meet at the Aliso Viejo Town Center in the Edward's Cinema and we jump in.

Chris

Walk by Faith

Often when God desires to stretch us and teach us more about who He is He'll call us to take steps of Faith in our walk of Faith.  Those steps take on different forms in our life at different seasons of our life, but they always require one key ingredient...  FAITH.

In other words we should not expect the things God calls us to do to be easy.  Often we think that if it's God it's easy.  Ahhh, Not True.  Because of the very nature of Faith, we can expect those calls of God to move us past our own understanding and resource and put us in a place where we must rely on Him.   So often we take steps of faith because we believe that God is calling us to, but then in the middle of it start to doubt and get worried because things get a little tough.  What we need to realize is that when we made the decision to take that step of faith we also made the decision to put our life in a place that might be a little uncomfortable for a season, a little stretching.. 

Think about Peter walking on the water...  Nothing of his own strength enabled him to do so.  It was only possible as he keep his eyes on Jesus and trusted Him. 

What steps of Faith has God called you to take lately? How are you holding up?

Keep your eyes on Jesus 

Chris

We like Home Groups!

Kingsfield Church is passionate about living out the commissions God has given us in His word. One of those is interacting with one another in a way that honors Jesus and allows us to not just do church, but rather be the church. For that to take place one of the things we hold to as a church is the importance of Home fellowships (soon to become connection groups after our summer revamp... but shhh, no one knows yet). On Sunday a passage in James 5 reminded us yet again of their important role in our church.

A twitter from your house plant!

Tatum and I are notorious for killing house plants, and have for the most part, if not entirely moved to the fake stuff. Not as cool as the real deal, but it works for now. I recently ran across something that might help us out. it's a kit called BOTANIcalls. Simply put this deal enables your house plant to Twitter you whenever it needs water or wants to thank you for taking care of it. Talk about brilliant.
When we surrender our lives to Jesus we are in no way promised that life is then spent "skipping through the daisies". As a matter of fact Jesus promises us that we will experience tribulation. James tells us that there will be of all sorts of shapes and sizes. As Christians it is not Gods intentions that we would face those tribulations without Him. What we have been given as Christians is a connection to our creator, water for our thirsty souls. We've taped back into our purpose and brought back into the atmosphere where we've been created to live and thrive in relationship with God.

How foolish it is for us to neglect that relationship and not cultivate it. How foolish to not move ourselves constantly toward the very one who has given us life. how foolish to not abide in him as John 15:5 tells us "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." If you plant a seed and give it the resource it need to come alive. We couldn't then withhold that same resource and expect it to flourish.

I have to wonder, if I had a BOTANIcalls in the soil of my own heart how often it would twitter me and what it would say when it did? Would it be content with the amount of nutrients I'm pouring into it though interaction with the Lord and His Word? Or would I be getting the message that says "hey buddy, I need more, getting a little dry here!!!"

May we never be those who are guilty of holding back from the soil of our lives the nutrients we've been created to thrive in.

Lots going on

At this point I have come to consider myself one of the worst bloggers ever. There are guys who are probably ten times more busy then me and yet still kick out the blogs. I don't know how they do it, but I am determined to figure it out.

Speaking of busy, I personally have never been more busy in my life and am asking the Lord for an extra portion of His grace to be able to manage it all. My days have consisted of everything from creating graphics for the upcoming Series and planning out my teaching schedule to board meeting and ministry budgets. All normal stuff, but just lots more of it than usual. I've literally been non stop from early in the morning to late at night with all sorts of great stuff that God has on my plate right now. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

A highlight over this last Couple of weeks was the first ever Kingsfield Married Couples Breakfast. We had a great time together over some breakfast and games. Then Tatum and I got a chance to share with the couples some things that had been on our hearts for them. We've heard great feed back and are actually looking to do a breakfast for the couples every 3 months.

This last week I took some time to get away by myself for a couple of days. I used the time to seek the Lord and His continued direction with all that He is doing. I had a great time with the Lord and really got so much done as I was able to kind of turn off the phone and emails for a few days. Well at least that was the intention, some things somehow just can't be ignored.

We'll be finishing the book of James next Sunday at Kingsfield church and then start are trek toward Easter in a Series I've titled "Statements : from a cross ~ from a tomb". We'll be looking at many of the statements made by Jesus and those who went looking for Him after the crucifixion. Each one meant to shape our lives.

Here's a sneak peek comp of the graphic...

My Valentine, and the coffee shop.

On Friday Tatum dropped the kids off with the grandparents and set out on our valentines date night.  Were really simple when it comes to the whole dating thing.  We really just love being together and can spend hours just walking and talking.  This last Friday we found ourselves as usual sitting in Peets Cafe, sipping coffee, eating Gelato and talking for hours.  She had her usual evening half caf and I got my usual Hazelnut latte extra hot. I know my drink sounds a little girly but I'm convinced that the "extra hot" part balances out the feminine tones in "hazelnut".  We literally sat there for over 3 hours talking about anything from family and the kiddos to ministry and Kingsfield.

I am so blessed to have such a Godly and amazing woman.  She is always so supportive and so much fun to dream with.   The longer we spent talking the more and more excited we got about what God is doing and what He is leading us to.    I truly am amazed at how much God has blessed us with our marriage, our family and Kingsfield Church.  I left Peets Friday humbled by the goodness of Jesus...

Faith Works

At Kingsfield this last week we started a new series that I'm very excited about. Were doing a study through the book of James that were calling Faith Works. Life can bring about any number of circumstances. Each one giving us opportunity to see how big God is as we trust in Him. No matter what life may bring our way when were willing to trust in Jesus, He will always bring us through. James shows us what Faith looks like in the life of a believer under the everyday moments... The series will be online and can be downloaded off of our podcast.

I'm really excited about 2009 and all that God has in store... both for the Normans and Kingsfield Church. He is so good to us.

Chris

Christmas with the Normans

I don't know how time flies by so fast. My last post was forever ago and for that I apologize.

Lots has happened between then and now.. (I know, I'm hysterical), unfortunately way to much for me to get across in a blog update, but lets hit the basics...

Kingsfield has been great, were closing out the year strong and really excited to see what the Lord will do with 09. I always love new years. I know that nothing really changes, but still I get really charged to start thinking about what's ahead. Christmas Eve service was alot of with a great crowd out to enjoy some time together as one big family. We used the tension between Christmas almost 2000 years ago and a typical Christmas today to launch us in to our study of Isaiah 9. The Drama team helped paint the picture and did a great job, it was perfect. We'll have the service on line soon for those of you who were out of town.

The Family is doing great as well. Christmas was spent running around between families. We're grateful enough to actually enjoy spending time with our families. We're also very grateful that both sides actually only live a few miles from each other in Redlands. Today we reconstructed the house that was torn into pieces. Well really Tatum did that as I went to work assembling a bike, electric scooter, big wheel, and a mansion doll house, bigger than both my girls. Our new kitten Bella thinks it's for her.

Yes, I said kitten... I have never really thought of myself as much of a cat guy. Until my daugher started asking for one and then I happened to run across the "bengal cat". The bengal cat is supposedly more like a dog than a cat. They actually are very much about the fam, like water, hang their heads out the window while driving, can fetch, and learn tricks. Not to mention the fact that they actually look like a leopard. The one we got is 4 generations removed from the Asian Leopard and has a super cool print. Totaly safe so no worries... we did our homework first.

Baby Steven...

This past Sunday Morning I had the privilege of doing a very special baby dedication. Baby Steven is a 9 month old boy from from Haiti and has been staying with a very loving family in our church for the past 5 months. Steven had spinabfida and the Worrells took him in through mending kids. The sacrifice that the Worrells made gave Steven allowed for Steven to be operated on in the states.

On Sunday Kingsfield prayed for him as he will be going back to Hattie this week. The prayer is that Steven will be able to be brought back to the U.S. through an adoption agency early this next year.

I really respect the Worrells for opening up their lives to this child. Their selfless investment has radically impacted not only Steven life but their own as well.

I love watching what how God works when were willing to step outside our comfort zone.

I've got a short video that J&S Productions (Jono and Simono) put toether... so check back later and I'll get it uploaded for you.

So it's been on my mind

On the way home from a benefit dinner for Growers First we drove past main beach in Laguna Beach. At a stop light several students were making tons of noise on the corner and crossing the street with their signs, supporting their cause. Their efforts were in protest to California's yes vote on Proposition 8. Proposition 8 reversed the supreme court ruling to allow same sex marriages, and will now place a biblical definition of marriage in the California Constitution. It will be stated as “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California”

Several things hit me as I watched these students rallying together... I'll share one for now and maybe share some later.

One was the desperate need every generation has for a true cause. My heart really went out to them. So many are searching for something to stand for. They long for something bigger than themselves to unite them and give them purpose. I wonder if those students were really motivated by cause itself, or by the fulfillment that having "a cause" brings.

I wonder what would happen if the church was to embrace it's cause with the same "force" that these students have embraced theirs. Not that we would hold protests and picket parties, rather that we unite with a boldness in the proclamation of the Gospel.

It's my prayer that the church, with wisdom, would be careful not to "tear down bridges" with unchristlike behavior. Also that we would not simply "build bridges" for the sake of "unconditional love". Rather that we would keep the bridges we do have, build the bridges we don't have and then drive the truth of the gospel across. That we would care enough to boldly call sin, sin. Then we would boldly point sinners to the sinners savior, Jesus Christ.

That is Gods cause and it must be ours as well... Jesus said of Himself in Luk 19:10 "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Paul wrote in 1Ti 1:15 "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst." The sin factor goes for every one of us. Rom 3:23 tells us "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God". But thanks the Lord that there is hope for even the worst of sinners. Rom 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord".

so we want change?

The votes are in and Barack Obama is our President elect. As he moves into his new role we need to be reminded of our role. Gods word tells us that our role is to pray for our leadership. Pray that God would grant him the wisdom to make the tough decisions that are before him. No mater what takes place, we know that God sits upon His throne and it's He who's ultimately in control.

America wants change and it's my prayer that we see it. Although America may be looking for it in the political and economic arena, the big change we need is elsewhere. What we need is a change of heart. Even if policy and procedure could usher in a strong economy it could never user in true peace. We would still be a restless people.

We were each created to thrive within a relationship with God. Outside that relationship we will never thrive or find rest. Jesus alone is the only one who could promise to provide for us the rest we are craving. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. "

It's my pray that America would find what she is really crying out for. It's my prayer also that the church would be bold enough to proclaim the gospel and point the way.

The Resurrection

Sunday we had many people show up to our service for the first time. Many of them had come out to Blast and decided to check things out. We were in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 examining the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of life beyond the grave. Paul describes the Integrity, the Implications and the hits us with the Issue. The main issue is not that the resurrection is hard to intellectualize. The issue is that the resurrection forces man to deal with God, who calls all men to surrender. Surrender is difficult for us because we like to be in control. Even if we don't trust ourselves, we often would rather trust ourselves more than trust God. When men realize that God is good and cares His people, surrender becomes easier but still not easy.

On Sunday there was a huge response and we say many first time commitments to the Lord.

Thank you Lord

BLAST was a Blast

On Thursday the staff and some amazing volunteers began to set up for BLAST 08. The goal was set high but the team has always been the make it happen people. Besides the thousand other things that were happening, the stage was built, the map was finalized, and Jonathan was still going strong on the "Amazing Maze". He and his team had been working on it literally all week... For those of you who don't know the "amazing maze" was probably the largest cardboard box maze ever constructed. Jonathan and his team take the chairs out of the sanctuary and fill it with a crawl through maze that has all sorts of options to get lost, not to mention several layers, and slides, ect... Last but not least, what seemed to be a crazy idea from Carrie turned into actuality as Chris Reinhardt and team strung lights between our facility and the building next door at some 40+ feet in the air.

On Friday the maps were passed out early in the morning and the teams went to work turning our back parking lot into a county fair. Complete with everything from cotton candy to pony rides. The front got a little love as well and ended up having some major curb appeal. Complete with a huge projection of a video loop BLAST LOGO in space..

As 6:30 approached people began showing up and packed the place out. Music from the blues band filled the air as the smell of popcorn and BBQ completed the already very cool atmosphere. The kids ran from booth to booth and loaded up on Candy as parents tried to divide their attention between their many conversations and not losing their children. The kids seemed to have so much fun. The Amazing maze was a highlight for the older kids as they moved through endless tunnels with their glow sticks... some kids were stuck in the maze for over 30 minutes.

We had more people show up this year then ever before with well over 1000 participating over the course of the evening. I personally met many families from all over Orange County that were experiencing their first introduction to Kingsfield Church. It's my prayer that many of those who came out would join us on Sunday and find out a little more of what were all about.

God is truly doing some great things and were having tons of fun

Up Next

Our study in the book of 1 Corinthians has been amazing. As we took the time to study 1 Corinthians, Kingsfield has grown in so many ways. Paul wrote the letter of 1 Corinthians to set things straight in the chaotic church in Corinth. By studying Paul's letter, we gained the much needed insight to address many areas of our lives, and also, theology that often times is ignored, including - sexual intimacy in our marriages, views on being single, the ways we worship, how we handle the "gray area's" of the bible, and so many other issues. If you missed any of it, you can catch it online. All the messages can be viewed on the media page of our website or by subscribing to either our vodcast or podcast.

One thing that stands out in the book of 1 Corinthians is the fact that "Pastor Paul" was taking the time to answer the many questions that were on the heart and mind of the Corinthian congregation. When we finish out the book of 1 Corinthians, we'll be following the steps of Paul, and doing the same thing with Kingsfield. Starting this Sunday we will begin to accumulate any and all questions that come our way through the various channels that we'll be providing both online and at the church. Then starting on the 16th of November we will launch into answering the top 4 questions over those 4 following weeks.

The goal is to keep us from wandering, by taking what we are wondering, straight from the Word of God!

After QnA, Christmas will be upon us (believe it our not!), which will lead us into a time to reflect and remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Then we'll be launching into another book of the Bible to start out 2009. 

Wow this year has gone fast!

Thank you Lord for all that you have done. Bless this next series. May many come to know you as their Lord and Savior. Amen.

Fresh LIfe Church

This Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at Fresh Life Church in Montana. Fresh Life is pastored by my good friend Levi Lusko (pronounced with an uhhhh and not an ewwww) and is being used by God in a mighty way to change lives not only in Montana but around the world with it's internet presence. (you can check out their webisite here) About 2 years ago Levi and his wife stepped out in faith and moved to Montana. Fresh
Life was born and started serving up exactly that, "fresh life". The Church recently went to two services at 9 and 11 and it looks like it's time for a 3rd. The place was literally packed out at both services. Just before 2nd service I was hanging out up front and overheard a college student on the phone with her friend say "hurry up!!! I'm trying to save you a seat but I don't know if I can." The energy before service was electric, and from beginning to end these amazing people were absorbing every minute of it. Through worship, announcements, and the message the gang was tuned in and couldn't seem to get enough.

Fresh Life Church is surrounded by a great staff who are super talented, love the Lord and His people in a big way. They are all working very hard and it's exciting to see all that the Lord is doing through their efforts. It was an honor to be with them on Sunday.

After services at Fresh Life I called the Kingsfield staff and received a great report. Pastor Armondo Garcia brought the Word and encouraged the church in a huge way.

Can't wait to be back with everyone....

Chris

Saturday in Seattle..

So Tatum and I were on our way to Kalispell Montana and had a layover in Seattle. It was supposed to be only an hour but when we found out that there was another flight at 9pm. We quickly checked to see if there was any room on it. Sure enough there were over 40 spots left and on a whim we decided to check out the infamous Seattle. The car rental was cheap and we were on our way.

First stop was downtown Pikes Place, as we were on the hunt for the original Starbucks... as a disclaimer I do have to say that I've become a huge fan of Peet's lately, but could not pass up the opportunity. It was defiantly easy to spot with the line running out the door. So in we go, order the usual manly drink ("grande hazelnut latte", with the manly part being "extra hot"), and then on with the rest of the day.



After visiting Mars Hills Church we headed down the road to meet up with two students from Kingsfield. The girls are now going to school at a Calvary Chapel Bible College extension in Seattle. Maritza and Bethany are two girls that have been in Tatum and I's life for years. Both of them were in High School ministry with us, and Bethany was actually with us when we were overseeing the Junior High ministry. It was so encouraging to hear of all that God is doing in their lives. They each a have a fire in their life for the Lord that just keeps growing and growing. I really hope that they enjoy the rest of their time in Seattle, but cant wait for them to get back home to Kingsfield and bring their fire into the work that's taking place in the OC.


We dropped the girls off at their place and then headed down to Queen Ann to hang out in a Peet's so I could spend some time absorbing the message for Fresh Life. Tatum when on a walk and after about 2 hours we headed for the airport, had dinner and jumped on a prop plane headed for Kalispell.

Tate and I really enjoyed Seattle. It has tons of personality, with great people, love the downtown vibe, and are excited to see that there are several really healthy churches preaching the word of God and reaching one of the least churched cities in the nation.

Fwd: The Well

Just got done teaching at The Well and had a great time!!! I love watching what God is doing with this group. They have huge vision and a huge God who's given it to them. guess what, He's not only big enough to give it He's big enough to make it happen..

Chris

Weeks End

Today we hit the final two Spiritual Gifts that we will be looking at in our series, Prophecy and Tongues. both have become very controversial as there is much confusion attached to each of them. For some reason I like tackling the issue that have brought confusion and controversy to the church at large. Addressing the issues that typically get ignored in scripture. I enjoy watching God move in such a way that people leave at the very least with something to chew on.

As we covered Tongues and Prophecy today the body seamed to be a little more in tune than usual, I noticed more people then usual writing references down and taking notes. After service many told me that this morning was the first time that they had heard these gifts addressed in depth from a pulpit. I realize that it's probably not what you typically focus on when your trying to evangelize the world and grow your church, but even despite that we had many come to the Lord. God is good, He is so faithful.

On a final note, prayer tonight was great. I love the fact that so many at Kingsfield realize the importance of prayer.. Not only is there the Sunday night group but also the Saturday morning men's and Wednesday Woman's. Tonight some of the prayer cards were actually praise reports for things that we had been praying on already.