Live Out Loud

All things are Possible...Event 10,000 Tents in 2 days.

2010-02-02T10:03:00.006-05:00

My Friend Shaun King put out an urgent message for partners in South Florida to help get 10,000 yep... 10,000 tents on a shipment with partnering organizations for Mission Haiti.

URGENT ...... is an understatement on how we need South Florida people to respond to what I am, along with several thousands homeless people in Haiti are about to ask:

PLEASE DONATE A TENT NOW! We need to get 10,000 Tents to Haiti in less than 48hrs, and the clock is ticking. Here's how you can help:

Click here to purchase online & shipped to: 21113 Johnson St. STE 120 Pembroke Pines, FL 33029.

Or purchase a Tent at the Local Walmart, Target or Bass Pro Shop in Miami for tents 11551 No.West 12th. Or you can call there and order @ 305.341.4200. Ask to speak to Mgr Scott Tarlow to call & buy. All sizes and costs available. Designate 4 Haiti under name Esther Ortiz

We have two drop off at are 2 confirmed drop off locations:

Broward County Location

Healing for Haiti Now

Here is the address to the drop zone: 21113 Johnson St. STE 120 Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. Click HERE for a map. Hours: 9-5, Monday- Friday. For after hours donations call us: 954-432-0321

Miami Dade Location

J-R Custom Mica Furniture

Here is the address to the drop zone: 411-H NW 132nd StreetOpa Locka, FL 33054

Click Here for a map. Hours: 10:00 - 4:00 p.m. Attn: Jesus Travieso. 305-761-4476

Please Consider helping us. I can be reached on twitter: @Bennysalas or via email: bennysalas77@gmail.com also Follow @Shaunking, @Countrycuban @kimberlybrooke @healingHaitiNow

Where I ..... BE!

2010-01-22T12:54:00.016-05:00

So I have come to grips with the fact that Blogging daily is not going to happen for me because its too much at the time but at least I can twitter everyday so at least I feel content with that. But, much has happened that I need to just "Blah-G" about! 1st my lovely wife and I made the decision with much prayer, advice and conviction to serve at Crossway Church. A new church plant in the Davie/Plantation area that is lead by pastor Jon Elswick and his wife Melissa Elswick. We felt that this was an opportunity to learn, serve, connect and experience a church plant during the developmental stages and initial growing pains. Besides we like Jon and Melissa!

This experience would be priceless in our endeavors to prepare ourselves to launch Freedom Culture Church in the next couple of years. Of course that's my plan but God, can change that just as easily as he lead us to this ministry that has a lot of potential. Of course I'm wrapping up my classes at Trinity Int'l University and looking forward to the possibilities of going on to Seminary, we'll see what happens.

Lastly, our campaign, Healing For Haiti Now is heavy on our hearts as we seek to join our community, churches, neighbors and whomever to join in on this cause! Healing For Haiti Now is a relief efforts through West Pines Community Church, Crossway Church and other partners to bring relief Aid to Haiti! I don't think we will ever be able to wrap our minds around such devastation and pain that many are experiencing at this moment but one thing we do know is the God of comfort who allows us to rest in Him in moments of despair.

Keep this effort in your prayers, follow our Tweets, Fan Page and Blog Site.....Mostly pray for the people of Haiti, the relief workers on the ground there and other organizations trying to make a difference in these difficult times.

Refocus: Church Planting, Life, Goals, Marriage & 2010

2010-01-06T13:00:00.009-05:00

Happy New Year!!! How many times have we read, heard, said and thought about those words lately. I would say my NEW YEAR began about 2 months ago when I had to make some tough choices and decision about the direction my wife and I were headed in. Now I’m grateful for a loving, amazing, supporting and ever tough-minded partner that has been by my side when I was a single youth pastor and now future church planter but we hit the wall in our efforts to see certain dreams and goals accomplished. Our decision in 2009 to begin moving forward with planting Freedom Culture Church was on high hopes and became the focal point of everything I was trying to do.

Yet, in October 2009 we realized that we needed to move in a different direction and began praying about plugging in with a fellowship of believers or church before we planted our church. Of course initially I was not having any of that when we first started this journey but God is His graceful mercy served me up a piece of HUMBLE PIE as we continued to realize how time consuming, lonely, disappointing, challenging, financially, emotionally and spiritually draining it had become! I try to not be one that complains too much (wonder what my wife thinks about that last statement) because I want to view challenges as opportunities and stepping-stones not obstacles and stumbling blocks except I got burned-out quick! Trying to finish my education at Trinity International University (B.A. in Organizational Leadership and Minor in Christian Ministry) working a 40hr job as a case manager at a Downtown Miami Homeless Shelter, trying to lead my wife of 2yrs and our home, social networking ( @bennysalas - Twitter, BennySalas - Facebook, @freedomculture - Twitter) to get our name and establish our identity was a lot to keep up with and all were not working out well!

REFOCUSING: We are currently in prayer as we speak about opportunities to connect with a church in the South Florida Area that will be launching in the next 2 weeks or with the sending church of the soon to be launched church. We felt the need to learn how to do this correctly, be part of a fellowship we can serve and grow in and connect with some partnership/relationship/friendship because church planting is hard enough without people in your corner. Secondly I’m trying to finish up these last classes I have left to graduate by May or the latest December of this year, give or take It’ll be this year. This long journey of graduating from college has been a fight like you cannot imagine (I’ll blog about my journey to finish some other time) but I’m determine finish this year …before Jesus Comes back. ……Which may be in 2012…just kidding!

So as of right now Freedom Culture Church is on hold as I finish up some important classes, plug in with my wife at a local church that we can serve and learn from and get healthier as we prepare to launch a church that will outlive us!

Lastly but most importantly the health of my marriage is key! My wife and I are on the same page, growing in our love for one another and are hearing and sensing God hand with us. I’m grateful once again for my wife, as well as people like Rubin/Janyl, Ed Arroyo, Doug Rea, Jon/Melissa Elswick and Peter Hong who all have been a part of this season where we faced many challenges and had to think through some important questions. Keep us in your prayers, as I will be making more post updates on our status as well other things I love to blog about! Take care AMIGOS!

Having an ENCOUNTER with God

2009-08-30T14:57:00.006-04:00

Day 1 after an amazing time of teaching, worship and encouragement with the Freedom Culture Team at the Hillsong United ENCOUNTER Conference 2009 in Miami. The place was literally filled with thousands of people hungry to hear the message of Faith, Hope & Love which seemed the themes throughout the main teaching sessions. Of course any Hillsong event you can bet will be filled with Music, Creativity, Teaching and a passion to praise God. This being my third Hillsong event, I felt God so much differently in time past. I really felt that I had an ENCOUNTER with God.

To be honest, it was not like this deep revelation as you would think but I sensed several things that God wanted to do in my life that I was not allowing HIM to do because I was not having personal encounters with Him on a regular basis. I must admit I fall short in this area of deep solitude time with the Lord and have been feeling that God wants to do more with me but I'm not making time for Him to do so. I want go off the handle by just blaming the busy schedule I have but truthfully, if I can make time to Twitter, Facebook and Blog...I can make time to have FACE-TIME Encounters with my God.

As Pastor Brian Houston explained: An ENCOUNTER is a collision with the unexpected. Usually an encounter is referred to as a hostile, violent or even emotional struggle between two people in an unexpected manner. When I hear that, I cant help but to reflect on the struggle it is to have these encounters with God and how Satan (The enemy) thrives on stealing that encounter time with the Lord. Think about how many times just this week something came up that pulled you from devoting more, or someone said something to you that threw your day off, or we entertained a negative thought that could have robbed our seed of faith that we are believing God for.

Having an Encounter with God will be a struggle because the enemy knows that when we get in God FACE-BOOK (His word that reveals His face) that we will be transformed into the image His son and that spells conflict for the enemy! God desires that you and I Have Encounters so that we can expect the unexpected from our Lord! That's in your face FAITH! God wants to fuel us up with His presence so that as we live our lives in a world that doubts God He can reveal Himself as the God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-faithful & all-loving.

I challenge you today to have a God ENCOUNTER!

Having a Nehemiah Experience

2009-08-17T12:59:00.005-04:00

If you have never read the book of Nehemiah, then I advise you to immediately once your done reading this blog-posts to spend some time reading the story of how God used a simple cup bearer name Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and write one of the most powerful leadership books today.

Nehemiah's heart was broken from the news brought to him about the City of God "Jerusalem", and the condition and destruction that served to reflect the reproach and shame upon the citizens. Nehemiah had an experience in his life in which God placed a burden on his to respond to the ruined city and rebuild it. Is it possible that God chooses a man or woman who seems to be the unlikely candidate to bring a revolution & rebuilding to their city?

The answer is YES! God uses this man, which by the way his name "Nehemiah" means (Yahweh Comforts) to bring hope, justice and peace to a City that had been desolate for over 100+ years. I must admit that I am challenged by this story to become a stronger person of prayer to find the essence of what really burdens my heart for my city? What will I do in my actions to reflect the burden place upon me, as well as other leaders whom I network with? How will I handle the criticism, as Nehemiah did, and continue to build in the midst of opposition? How will encourage, empower and lead a revolution in South Florida to build something through Freedom Culture that will please God!

Yes I had a Nehemiah experience, how about you?

Becoming a Partner with Freedom Culture

2009-08-10T20:08:00.005-04:00

Hello Freedom Culture: Today I made my first genuine attempt to ask friends, partners and followers to join me in our efforts to begin raising support for our Freedom Culture Plant/Launch for the 2010. I can't begin to tell you how exciting it is to envision what Freedom Culture seeks to be in South Florida. As we are building relationships with people, we are inviting people to join our launch team and dream with us what God has laid on our hearts for this community. Maybe that's YOU!

There is so much need that one message will not cover all that it will take to make this dream become a reality. From Sound equipment, a trailer, resources, staffing, rental expenditures, funding to help with cost expenditure.......The list goes on and on.

The Good news is this! Along with the regular giving of my wife and I to this mission, as well as commitments from a partnering church planting organization (Northwood), we had our 1st commitment today from someone who is seeking to offer support for the next year. We need your prayers & generous partnership support to raise the funds needed to reach our community and successfully plant Freedom Culture. We are also in process of funding from our ECC partnership and partnering churches that also believe in this vision.

Please prayerfully and generously consider partnering with Freedom Culture? That means maybe you can make a commitment for the next year of $50-$100 a month ($25 a week) or a one time donation...Either or every dollar counts and goes toward helping us dream out this vision.

If your interested in becoming a partner, email me at: benny@freedomculture.org or

Freedom Culture Inc.
P.O. BOX 170806
Hialeah, FL 33017

Thank You so much for taking the time to connect with this vision!

Freedom Culture Coffee House Hangout

2009-08-01T17:12:00.008-04:00

South Florida, were are so excited about our 1st Coffee House Gathering this Sunday at "It's a Grind" Coffee House In Miramar, FL ( 12703 Miramar Pkwy Click for directions). The event kicks-off This Sunday around 6pm till about 8pm with awesome group of people from around the Miami Dade/Broward County area's coming to hang out, enjoy some coffee, socialize with new people, connect with Freedom Culture and support the cause of Community Partnership for Homeless.

You can expect some live DJ music by DJ. Mr.E & spoken word poetry by Yannick of Soul Movement Crew, Maeve of Arts of Color, Live comedy by funny-man Monte Benjamin and a brief intro by Benny Salas on the Vision of Freedom Culture.

We are also asking for your support in raising a donation of school supplies for the children of Community Partnership for Homeless. With the upcoming school year, many children who are residents at the 2 emergency shelter locations (Downtown Miami & Homestead) need your help

and support. We will be collecting: Book bags, pencils, pens, markers, erasers, notebook, folders, paper, pencil boxes and other school necessities. If you would like to make a financial donation to CPH, click here.

We are launching Coffee House events every 1st Sunday as social gathering for the community, share the vision of Freedom Culture. We look forward to meeting you at one of our event gatherings or come-unity group gatherings. Please connect with Benny Salas or Freedom Culture on Twitter, Facebook or for more info email us: info@freedomculture.com

Social "Not-Working"

2009-07-06T07:51:00.010-04:00

It's not often will you hear a post a like this, or at least I've not heard of one that will address the issues of balancing your social networking time along with the other million-and-1 tasks you have to do in a day! Go back to the days of MYSPACE.... Remember that? Yeah, I still haven't deleted my account yet, not sure why I haven't but nonetheless that's my goal for this week.

Anyways, when MYSPACE came out I recall spending so much time trying to get my profile page to look "HOT" as I scrolled through all my friends’ pages reading comments and so forth. Of course that got played out real quick and then FACEBOOK came along. I sat on it for a while but then it took off and I got HOOKED.... Again! Then to join the craze of bloggers I had to up it up-1 and begin blogging to share my thoughts on issues and topics I felt were relevant, personal and close to my convictions. Now we have Twitter! (WHEW).......(UUGGHHHH).....Does it ever end or will it ever end?

It's called Social Networking and thousands upon thousands; maybe millions of people are social networking everyday. Why else would Twitter and Facebook crash and freeze up! Think of the amount of time, energy, focus and concentration the Social Networking-Sphere has and will cost you in the long run. I along with the many social-networkers have a good reason for being addicted to posting a thought, Tweet or Blog to develop our organizations or get our name out there. Let's be honest for a just a moment and rate yourself on how much do you social network on a regular basis?

(1 2 3 4 5)

1-not so much

2-few times a day

3-Just enough

4-More than enough

5-all day

I must confess that I am a 5 and if I'm not balancing my time correctly I could very well be off the Charts! A conversation I had with my wife about these issues took place a few months back when I was basically living like a zombie. Every time my phone alerted me that I got a message, email, text or Tweet I had to answer it no matter where I was! It flat out pissed my wife off and for very good reason I might add. My attention to details, conversation, small things, personal time and family time and most importantly God time was sucked by the need to know what everybody else is doing and for everybody to know what I was doing.

This is Blog-fessional (Confessional Blog) where the conversation came up again after having spent quality time with my wife she asked me to engage in more conversation with her family and my opportunity to show her that I’m a changed man (Work in Progress still), didnt turn out good for me as I blew it! To busy trying to be excited about the (ADVERTISEMENT COMING) The Aug. 2nd Coffee House Gathering at It's a Grind Coffee House @ 6pm in Miramar, Fl.

My attempt to justify why I was messaging details only revealed to me that I was being selfish with my time and not honoring relational time with my family. It raised a Red Flag as I just had a conversation this past week with a good friend whose marriage is suffering and in restoration and healing due to the Social Networking disease. Is social networking bad? No! Yet when it’s where you find validation, acceptance, friends and identity then it can become unhealthy. I mean we are in a time where we can reach the world at the touch of a click or push button…..Amazing! Not so cool when it’s becomes your mistress or is the only time your intimacy happens for you.

Here are changes I hope to implement in my social networking sphere:

Don’t compromise my relational time (My God, My wife, My Church, My Friends).
Shut my phone/laptop off for meal times, devotional times, reflecting times and rest times.
Don’t set everything to alert! May have to disable a few of them, actually already did. Easier said than done, because supposedly everything is important…NOT TRUE!
Create a specific time to answer important things and specific time for non-important things.
Work, Ministry, Education & Study time must come first! Am I offering the bulk of time building my future or my social networks??? (Big Challenge)
Be cautious to not get arrogant and prideful with followers.....Keep my integrity in Check!

I’m sure there are more ideas you and I can come up so feel free to add. I want to stress that I’m not saying that you don’t social network, I’m just challenging you to think about this issue in your personal life and what this may look like! Maybe you think I’m too extreme or not extreme enough, but I just want to be healthy in my life that’s all. If you have to Google your name to see how many time you pop up, it's a sign you have social networking disease.

New Blog Added "Live-Out Loud"

2009-07-05T02:37:00.008-04:00

I just added a new Blog called: "Live-Out Loud." The Purpose of this blog is to address the social issues in our culture that cause for voice to speak up on. I along with others will be posting on this blog along with links to other blogs that deal with issues and concerns of interest. All matters will not be addressed, yet this will be a culmination of a variety of issues that deal with Social Justice, Compassion, Morality, Ethics. Politics, Faith, Life, Music, Arts & Culture. Please be Patient as the site is under Construction.

Not sure if that will be the pic for the Blog yet. This is just a Test Page. May switch to WORDPRESS.

Popularity Screws Over Morality!

2009-07-02T09:34:00.006-04:00

I debated about writing this blog but than I came across a great posts on FACEBOOK by April R. Silvers thoughts on this matter and I felt that anger rise within me to say something about how that made me feel. Besides it’s my blog anyways….lol.

Last Sunday night I tuned into the 09' BET Awards after coming home late from a speaking engagement that I had to be at and so I caught the last 30 mins of the show, expecting to hear or see a final tribute to Michael Jackson. What I got was anything but a tribute to Michael Jackson but a reality check of how trashy mainstream media will go to keep their popularity alive.

Here’s what my Tweets from twitter page looked like as I was watching this garbage and conversing with some friend about what was on the screen:

@LaSportsanista why do u want 2 cancel
BET is str8 up GHETTO!10:13 PM Jun 28th from twidroid

MAXWELL is singing mine & @sharonsalas song.10:15 PM Jun 28th from twidroid

@LaSportsanista yeah I know. BET awards needs major facelift. Unfortunately the stereotypes seem to fit.10:21 PM Jun 28th from twidroid

@LaSportsanista Another perverted lil'wayne song! I don't hate him, just his message, hope some guy doesn't treat his daughter that way10:30 PM Jun 28th from twidroid

BET awards should be ashamed of themselves for that last performance..Lil'wayne trash music10:32 PM Jun 28th from twidroid

Lil'wayne just trashed women then brings his kids on stage for a song....Wow! Pray God spares HIM! God heart just broke over that stupidity!10:36 PM Jun 28th from twidroid

@waynesutton I agree!10:37 PM Jun 28th from twidroid

@mileycyrus sorry the world had to hear lil'wayne song disrespect you. Keep be'n a positive role model becuz lil'wayne isnt .10:49 PM Jun 28th from twidroid

If you didn’t have the discomfort of watching Lil’ Wayne performance then I’d advise you to search it and see why everybody is buzzing about his performance for all the wrong reason. The song “Every Girl” flat out degraded women as he rhymes (which In my opinion he sucks at) about basically having sex with almost every girl he can have sex with. You could barely hear the song because almost every other word was “Bleeped” out! Sounded more like someone trying to tune a radio and not being able to pick up a signal…It was that bad!

Worse than the bleeping, worse the performance, worse than anything was him bringing little girls, even his own daughter on stage while he was performing the song! WHAT! Are you kidding me! Yes, he’s basically pimping and treating his own flesh and blood child as one of his many HOOCHIE girls he rapping about. I decided to not post the full Lyrics because I don’t want that nonsense on my web page but here are a few bars from his song:

“for free suites I’d give Paris Hilton all-nighters,
in about 3 years holla at me Miley Cyrus”

I could only imagine what his daughter’s thought as their Idol Hannah Montana is be sexually assaulted by their father on live TV. I do apologize for the long post but I make no apologizes about the stupidity and filth people would display to demoralize women in the name of Lust! Let’s be honest, lil’ Wayne has not been the 1st to do this and will not be the last either.

The moral fabric of family values, purity, integrity, respect and Godliness has been on the decline for decades and with each foothold the enemy can influence a person to desire after their flesh will only put us in jeopardy of what’s to come. Of course it never seizes to amaze me when these artist are esteemed and honored by society they never forget to thank God for it, yet they have just wounded the heart of God!

Heartbeat of HOPE!

2009-06-01T12:11:00.008-04:00

I have spent the last 5 days in the Minneapolis, MN area on a Church Planting retreat with a few Freedom Culture leaders, my wife, Rubin & Janyl and new Coach Ed Arroyo of C4, that was hosted by the ECC. This informative training was to better equip leaders and church planters with the tools to plant healthy, thriving churches that will lead people to a relationship to Christ through the movement of Church Planting.

It will be hard to recap all that was processed throughout the week but I will share with you some key things that really spoke to my heart about why we need to plant Freedom Culture as a Multi-ethnic, relevant church in So. Florida.

Plant a Church because........

People are seeking community through relationships, not just through events.
You genuinely care more about people than your social profile or ministry status or talent.
If your not about reaching people where they are at, your not ready for the HARVEST.
You understand that people need to BELONG before they can BELIEVE.
The Church is about RELATIONSHIPS & PARTNERSHIPS...You need both!
The call and mission of Christ compels you not the fall & lack of vision you've seen in others.
With the "AL's" in Mind: Biblical, Missional, Devotional & Connectional.
People have Agenda Harmony with you. If their a problem now, they'll kill the dream & vision in the long-run.
Strong leadership stool sits on these three types of legs: Spirituality, Strategy & Chemistry.
You see the Church bigger than your church planting ideas. Build the KINGDOM!

I'm sure there is a lot more information and strategic ideas I could have share but these were a few thoughts that really impacted my time out here.

Musically Declined!

2009-05-22T08:47:00.013-04:00

"How do you like your Hip-Hop Music, some like it holy, some like it polluted"..... spits a verse off a Christian Hip-Hop artist album who has identified the cultural stance on Music as somewhat tainted to ears of the hearer's. Hip-Hop Music, along with other types of genres have changed and shaped the the minds of many people both young and old in such a way that it's more than just about making music, its about creating a world or image that's people strive to live out! For someone like myself who really has never owned nor given Country music the time of day, I have seen that sex in Music in no different in country than that of T-Pain and Jamie Foxx saying "Blame it on the aaaa-lcohol." It's just packaged & sang a little different.

Music plays a major role in the direction and cultural view in our society. we got our dance moves, fashion design, language...You name it! I recall when I was teaching abstinence education in the public Schools that I would throw out a verse of a song like.... "I don't see nothing wrong" .....Of course all the kids would say "With a little Bump & Grind"

Listen if you come across this blog and you sing, dance, or whatever it is you do...Young people are watching and they will follow whatever you allow or agree with, regardless...So get over it, we all have or create influence one way or the either...The question is what will you do with it!

Of course I'm not a music bashing and just because I'm a pastor doesn't mean that I think all music is of the Devil or evil or shouldn't be listen to because it's your choice.......as the saying goes "Garbage In, Garbage Out." I actually enjoy a lot of pop culture music and other types such as Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary music and mostly Worship Music. I think as a society we have to regain a sense of respect for the art of music and not be afraid to re-learn the art of being a critical thinker to determine what's acceptable and what's not!

The issues that I have is these mega-stupid-stars...I mean Superstars who portray these false images to our culture as if what their singing, Rhyming or displaying in these raunchy videos play not role or has any affect on the listening audience.....Are you kidding me! Fine make music, but please let's make sense and try to maintain the dignity and integrity were hoping for this next generation to live by, because if we keep going this direction with pop culture of reality TV shows and American Idols (no pun intended), we will be setting up our next generation and kids for failure and false hope!

Team Blueprints

2009-05-18T07:54:00.015-04:00

Here's a Run-Down on what I was able to take away from our weekend with Don Davenport of the ECC & Freedom Culture team members Sharon, Rubin, Janyl, Jason, Rene, Nancy, Marcos, Marcella.

A few thoughts on Team Building:

Build the team with God leading the charge and with leadership modeling it!

Build the team with patience, perseverance & self-sacrifice.

Build the team with people who are sold out with you for the greater cause.

Build the team with one person at a time, no matter how long it takes.

Build the team with the understanding that people, leaders will fail..but God will never fail

Build the team with the openness to allow others to lead in area's they are better in

Build the team with the expectancy that we are about creating HOPE for people

Build the team with confidence, motivation & encouragement...momentum is essential

Build the team around the cause, vision & need to plant/launch Freedom Culture in So.Flo

Build the team around relationships that create community for others to engage & connect.

Build the team through constant prayer for God to open doors to meet the right people.

Build the team with realistic goals and achievable benchmarks..and stick to them.

Build the team with CRAZY-FAITH to believe that one-day it will reach it's full potential.

Build the team with the understanding that "Your Not" the only team on the field. Learn how to Play the game w/ others!

Now if you do these things will your team succeed? Not sure, but find what works and what doesn't for your team and work it the best way you know how!

Highway 101 : FAITH

2009-05-12T08:53:00.014-04:00

Trusting God sounds like an easy task doesn't it? Just go to church, be good and don't kill anybody, right! But I would challenge the cultural norm by saying that it's hard to trust in God in this day and age especially when we have condition ourselves to depend on what we can see not what is unseen. The scriptures reminds us in Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." and that can be the hardest thing to do! The truth is, if you can't or can see a way out or into something your probably a good candidate to utilize your faith!

Huh!!! It was your thinking right about now, Let me Explain! You have to be willing to see beyond what your seeing in order to see what you can't see! Get it! Cool. Faith is not Magic or luck as some might misinterpret it. But a trust in the nature and nurture of God's sovereign will.

Too many time we see people fabricate faith based upon emotional outburst of forcing God to do something they want, leading people astray from what faith is and can produce is our lives! James 1:2-4 "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Far to often we get upset, angry and frustrated with the process of Faith because it stretches us beyond on our own capacity that cam almost have a negative outcome if your not mature to understand God purposes. Maturity not in the sense of age, but experience in trusting God to not only take you to it but through it! Jesus was lead into His moment of Faith on the Mountain and even He has to take comfort in the Father and angels who ministered to Him.

Take time today or this week to reflect, evaluate & pray about regrading wants may be going on in your life right now that God may be using to work out your faith through & ask God what is it that He wants you to see that your not allowing Him to show you?

Blah-ging: Frustrated Church Planter

2009-05-11T13:08:00.010-04:00

YES, I AM FRUSTRATED! Here's exactly what I mean, by definition, how I feel:

(frŭs'trāt') tr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates -

To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart:

To cause feelings of discouragement or bafflement in.

To make ineffectual or invalid; nullify.

Many have warned me that if you desire to plant a church be ready for the disappointments, backstabbing, broken promises, stress, anxiety and feelings of wanting to quit and were they ever right about that! Lately, we have be re-examining our approach toward building our team and realized we needed to be more about the relational building with people who we can pour into and begin to walk out life with. I mean that's what 1st Century Church planting was anyways being among the people, loving God, meeting the needs and worshipping together in community.

Of course figuring out how to effectively reach the community is the challenge and with my days being consumed at the Homeless Shelter, it's even more challenging trying to find time to effectively build into people, build a launch team and build the organization. Of course, im not trying to this by myself because we have a few folks we have asked and invited to be part of the core in helping bring to fruition what we envision Freedom Culture to be as we prepare to launch in 2010.

Why did I write this "Blah-g"...I just needed to vent! Thanks Matt for giving me an ear yesterday, I needed it!

Thinking Outside the B.O.X.

2009-05-06T09:11:00.014-04:00

The term "think outside the BOX" never gets old, no matter how many time you use it. It's kind of like reading the Bible for someone who opens God's word and "Boom" something you read in the past leaps of the pages in a new way that you never saw before. Too, often we get stuck in the "BOX" mentality without knowing that we have been in it longer than we needed to be, until something or someone reveals that "Boom" in our lives and we see things differently.

Just take a minute to reflect on your past, not too long because some stuff is better left not to think about.....but what are those things that have had you living inside the "Box" longer than you needed to be? Relationships? Failures? Fear? Doubt? There is always something we can link back to that has shaped our thought pattern or that Box that at time keeps us safe in our comfort zone.

So what is the BOX? Or to better understand the question, what is the adopted mindset that is limiting life's opportunities for us to become revolutionary, transformational and effective to the best of our capacity? As I was talking to a friend last night back home in Chicago, I was challenging him to "think outside the Box" about his organization and to envision what they could become if they applied and implemented some new ways of thinking.

I must admit I felt kind of proud of myself because I gave him some good advice that challenged and encouraged him to think through some things. Now, isn't it weird how for some strange reason in times of discussion with other, we get these nuggets of wisdom to share that are birthed out of all the mistakes we have made in our career and lives! If I had heard myself in the third person I would have said about myself "Man this guy appears to have it all together and figured out." Yeah right, not exactly!

After I got of the phone with him, I realized that I was dealing with the same things that I was attempting to help my friend out with and was wondering why the heck am I not taking my own advice to apply the truths to build my organization, Ministry & personal life. I guess you can say I had the "BOOM" experience....Again

The word that is often used to describe the pattern or model of a person (in this case stuck in the "BOX" mentality) is the term Paradigm. Paradigms are often not bad in nature, that's unless your stuck with the inability to move forward, so here's what an actual paradigm means:

(a mental model; a way of seeing: a filter for one's perceptions: a frame of reference: a framework of thought or beliefs through which one's world or reality is interpreted)

As stated by Thomas Kuhn: Paradigm Shift as a change from one way of thinking to another. It's a revolution, a transformation, a sort of metamorphosis. It just does not happen, but rather it is driven by agents of change

So here are 3 simple ways to breakout of the "BOX"

B - Believe in a Yourself

Finding the courage within yourself to conceive a desire and achieve a goal that is not measured by people's standards but by personal conviction. Everybody is different so just be you!

O - Other people challenging you daily

Having people holding you accountable and pouring positive things in your life that become stepping stones not stumbling blocks! The most challenging I believe because it exposes and challenges the real you!

X - X-Ray Vision

Seeing beyond and through your past to the future God has waiting for you life. Can you see the bigger picture that lies behind all the things you are currently challenged and faced with? I challenge you to see through the lens of God, His plans and future is so much more than what we can even imagine.

Relationships: Agent of Hope

2009-05-05T07:48:00.007-04:00

Relationships is a mountain that with time becomes a journey, that for some people may get harder to climb and conquer as life goes on. Usually when we hear about relationships we think male/female, boyfriend/girlfriend idea's but of course that's really only scratching surface on the topic and issues of relationships building that stem from our childhood, adolescent & adult stages of life. All sorts of relationships have contributed in the formation of our strengths, weaknesses, joys, experiences, downfalls or insecurities that as we get older we begin to dig up a few things that we thought were buried underneath the surface of new relationships.

As my wife and I have been journeying through are marriage for the past 1 1/2, together 4 yrs in total, we have had to confront the "GHOST" of our past that creeps up at times when something in are relationship needs to be addressed. I have learned that you can't just tell someone to get over it and expect issues to go away as a means of moving on because everybody deals with situations differently and so having the right relationships around you are essential in moving past those relationships that hold you back.

The work that God does in our lives is an amazing work because it's through these challenges that God is molding us to become relational to a culture, world and society that has been let-down, disappointed and left to play the "every man for themselves" game of life. As we think about creating community for people, it's through the relationship tools that we have learned that enables to become transparent and open to those who don't have those spiritual relationships in their lives. What would happen if "those who really".....Key word.... "THOSE WHO REALLY" love God would become more relational to their neighbors, community, culture and strangers.

It's hard to swallow the "I love everybody" pill because many times loving people requires a choice for us to be open and willing in building relationships, which often we pick and chose who want to do that with. Yet, as an Agent of Hope, people are seeking our relationships because as Christ representatives, we are to offer the Greatest love relationship ever given to mankind which is a relationship with Christ, lived out by the local church (you & I).

Decide or Discover?

2009-04-29T14:17:00.006-04:00

I think at some point or another we have all made decision that were either premature to see the outcome or too late to change the outcome. Fact is, that when it comes to life's choices how do you know which one to choose? Do you decide before you discover or do you discover in order to decide?

The path we may be walking on at this very moment, is it what you what you have decided for yourself, or is it what you have discovered walking in the direction God has mapped out for you. Now, this may sound contradictory, but you have to decide to trust the process that God wants to take you through in order to discover all that God wants to get you too. This is not about prosperity in the form of money, but holistically taking the very essence of who you are and completely trusting in the something much greater than yourself.

So many people have truly missed out on God's plan for their lives because they have decided that Church, Religion, Christianity, Spiritual Matters, Moral Righteousness and Self-Sacrifice is not for them, but for people who are damaged, broke, poor, bad/evil, deep sinners with emotional issues. I would challenge the notion that we are all broke, homeless, emotionally wounded in some way, and in need of redemption from the bad disobedient ways that dwell within our human nature.

Yes we are all Human...I figured that out the hard way! But we are also spiritual being, created to worship a living God who has Decided for us to Discover the most amazing path life has to offer. So, The next time you get ready to forget about God, challenge yourself to discover what God has for you! The next time you get ready to quit on something you really care passionately about, challenge yourself to find another best solution! The next time you get ready to say I can't do it, challenge yourself to discover the person inside of you that says YOU CAN!

Re-Cap of Exponential09 Conference

2009-04-27T12:42:00.011-04:00

The Exponential09 Conference in Orlando, FL was an amazing conference filled with creativity, leaders and vision for church planters. It was the best conference I have been to thus far. About a few months ago, my wife and I were asked if we would like to volunteer at the conference by our our fellow church planting amigos Matt & Janie Mehaffey of the The Pursuit Christian Church, in which we gladly accepted. We knew that we needed to be in this environment with leaders who are also planting churches in their local city and we prayed & fasted leading up to the conference because we wanted to hear clearly God's voice and direction with Freedom Culture (Twitter Page & Web Page). God truly began making sense about what our focus needs to be at this present time and the vision for becoming a reproducing church planting ministry became clearer as we heard speaker's, leaders, trainers and pastors share what God is doing on a local and global level.

There were several highlight points about the conference which included not only hearing Pastor Craig Groeschel Speak about preaching a "Dangerous Message" but having the chance to chat briefly with him and Efrem Smith in my car while I was picking them up from the Hotel to the Conference. These are truly 2 men who I admire deeply for the passion and commitment toward building up leaders and the local church, who I have denominational connections within the ECC. Of course my wife who had never heard either Groeschel or Erwin McManus was blown away by the way these leaders communicated the word in very relevant authoritative way that impacted about all 3,000 people that were in attendance.

The most reassuring time though for us was connecting with the New Thing Network and the leadership of Dave & Jon Ferguson.

It's amazing how Twitter connected me to Dave Ferguson, which connected me to Matt Mehaffey in South Florida, which connected me to Exponential09 which connected to hear the passion of the New Thing Network which resonated in my heart with what God has called us to build in this South Florida Region. I can't tell you how excited I am to have connected with the New Thing Network & with many others who have really encouraged My wife and I, and rekindled that passion for South Florida Miami/Broward Area to be reached through the Local Church, sharing the message of faith, hope and Love which is found in Christ!

Pastor's Profiling Pimps!

2009-04-19T20:52:00.005-04:00

Just when thought it couldn't get any worse in the media culture within the faith community, ESPN Outside The Lines does a special report on "Athletes and Televangelist." Now of course when I heard the topic, I wasn't shocked that mainstream media was talking about this topic because this abuse of the prosperity theology teaching has been under scrutiny for the past decade, which it should be because of the abuse and misleading it teaches congregants and new believers. What did appalled me was the fact that ESPN was doing the reporting on this topic. For many years, Churches have been using Athletes, Celebrities, politicians and other High profiled people to promote and validate their ministry or church status.

It's kind of a twisted idea to use High Profiled Athlete's as popularity contest of name dropping to attract people to the church. What are your thought's on this topic and how would handle a High-profiled athlete in your congregation?

Blog Series: "Life is Like - Daring to Take a Jump"

2009-04-15T12:52:00.006-04:00

If you have or not been keeping up with any of my blog posting, I'm probably not the guy you want to save you if your high in the air, maybe considering hanging on a ledge for fun and you need help, because 9 out of 10 I will leave you there hanging, praying Jesus Comes and saves you. I don't like anything that makes me feel uncomfortable, unless it's a dare! When it comes to a dare or a challenge I reconsider because I never like to feel that I can't do something or at least give it try before I chicken out.

So, in this "Life is Like - Daring to take a Jump" posts, I have seen that many things in my life will never get off the ground until I am willing to elevate my thought pattern (Paradigm) or unless I am willing to give up the art of "PROCRASTINATION" which I have learned to master of the years. As I was reflecting his past week with my wife on several important issues and matters we have be working through: 1) our marriage 2) Our ministry 3) buying a townhouse 4) bills 5) education ......I mean the list goes on and on, but I have had to come to terms that I am not pushing myself to jump as high as I know I can.

I refuse to complain, whine or allow other peoples decision to dictate my destiny, vision and future but the challenges of launching a church have been far more stressful and discouraging than even I had imagined. During this fasting period that I have asked others to join with me in for Freedom Culture, I have been challenged to elevate myself in a more holistic way of eating right, working out, trying to implement spiritual disciplines & have a more positive outlook with people.

I admit that I have to stop letting certain small, non-important things that bother become a stumbling block but rather accept the dare to work through the challenges with a positive attitude to see it as a stepping stone.

The question that I leave you with is how daring are you to step out and take the jump into what you envision God has for your life?

South Beach Experience

2009-04-13T12:50:00.008-04:00

Our Sunrise Gathering Experience was breathtaking to say the least. For a ministry like Freedom Culture, drawing closer to God in this season is essential and vital to what we have envisioned God to do in the City of Miami. Being on South Beach worshipping and sharing from the scripture took me to a place I have never been to before in my spiritual journey. Hearing the water splash against the sand and the birds in the air just allowed me to release myself from the all the cares that day to day living doesn't allow us to reflect upon. I'm not a tree hugger or an environmentalist so I wont get cheesy, I just was able to see, hear and embrace creation that worships a living and resurrected Christ!

I look forward to next years gathering and pray that Freedom Culture would continue to do life in Miami that reaches our communities.

Freedom Culture "Easter" Sunrise Gathering on South Beach

2009-04-08T13:57:00.009-04:00

Join us this Sunday for Freedom Culture "Easter" Sunrise Gathering on South Beach. This is a special time where we observe the Easter Celebration of the Resurrected Christ.

Location: 1 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 (click here)

Time: 6:30am - 7:30am

Contact: 786.253.6717

Email: info@freedomculture.com

Invite your friends, co-workers and family to this event that will bless you this Easter season!

Bring a blanket to sit on or chair
Coin change in case to feed meter

Challenges: Rise Up or Fall off?

2009-04-06T07:28:00.017-04:00

I use to work for the electric company Commonwealth Edison as a Meter Reader when I was living back home in Chicago in 2000 and I decided to go to what they called Pre-climb school in my attempts to move up to another position. First of all I don't know why I wanted to move up other than make more money because to be honest I hate heights and getting anywhere near a spot where I can be "totally fried" by electricity was not in my future plans, but nonetheless I was up for the challenge.

Here's what was said to me in a parking lot while walking into work by a gentlemen who worked in Underground Dept prior to me going to Pre-climb school: "don't be a (#%!$@ - Bad word omitted), don't let that piece of wood beat you." I decided to ask him a question about the school since he obviously passed it since it was mandatory to move up in the Overhead or Underground Departments. The man was referring to climbing the pole's as "That piece of wood" and also made reference to slapping that wood......Yes he scared the Hell out of me, but he taught me a lesson that has stuck with me and that was to face my challenges.

My challenge was that I had a torn ACL and Meniscus injuries from basketball and my knee was still sore and giving me problems. I had replayed in my mind falling off the the 40ft and 60ft poles, which I actually did and told my instructor "I quit". I remember him pulling my aside and telling me to not quit and that I'm only 3 days away from completing the school and I can retry climbing the 60ft pole I fell off from later. I told the instructor give me a day to think which of course I had plans to not return but I couldn't say that at the time and look like a punk in front of those men who had the same fears I had. So the whole night I debated to stay or quit, and then like God spoke out from the clouds I heard that guy in the parking lot say "don't be a (#%!$@ - Bad word omitted), don't let that piece of wood beat you."

After 2 weeks of training, I graduated from pre-climb school and even though I never made it to either department within the company, I can never look back and say I quit or as that man said "let that piece of wood beat me." All my co-workers were surprised that I made it past the 1st 3 days because so many other's dropped out who couldn't face their fears or just resorted to quitting before they pushed themselves harder to try.

Life challenges are designed to get the very best out of us, while encouraging us to face our worst fears. As I think about my life in general, I am reminded of the many times God is asking me to step up and climb those challenges yet I am comforted that He always goes before as He did for Joshua ( Joshua 1:9) David (1 Samuel 17:47) or King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:15) where He assures that the Battle is the Lord's.

What Challenges have you run from that God is challenging you to run into? Will you let that challenge beat you or will you be encouraged this day to climb upon those challenges, get the very best out of yourself and reach your potential in life! I encourage you this day, Don't quit before it's time for you to the overcome your challenge!

Blog Series: "Life is Like Walking a Line wire"

2009-04-01T12:27:00.015-04:00

I have always wondered how and why someone or anyone would walk a line wire. I mean as a kid I was trying to at least walk on the parking block without falling off or along the curbside without falling into the grass or get hit by a car... which if we did do without falling off just got respect from the homeboys, nothing worthy of an award. But as I reflect on today I see that "Life is Like Walking a Line Wire". It must take an incredible-crazy amount of courage to walk a line with no harness, safety net, or really any attachment to anything other than the line beneath your feet. We all face different challenges in our lives which I believe God uses to keep us on the fine line or the straight path toward to the goal. We are all challenge to walk on the fine line holding on to nothing but what's underneath us. It's possible that many time we were not standing on God's word or promises for our lives and therefore or ground may be a little shaky. In order to "Walk by Faith", we have to be willing to Walk the Line Wire and dare to trust that God will uphold, sustain and catch us if and when we fall!

Blog Series: "Life is Like - Cafe Con Leche"

2009-03-31T08:43:00.002-04:00

If you're LATINO or live in Miami (no matter what race you are) you understand the words "Cafe Con Leche" very clearly. Café (Coffee) con leche (with milk) is a coffee beverage consisting of strong or bold coffee (sometimes espresso) mixed with scalded milk or steamed with Sugar is added according to taste.

Neither one is good alone, you need both for the beverage to taste good, if not you will get a head rush of CUBAN coffee to the top of your dome causing serious and bodily harm........Just Kidding. Regardless our lives are like this beverage in that we need people who are different than us to mix into the fabric of our lives and help us to make life better than doing it alone. For some that may your spouse, as Pastor Troy of FRC preached about in his Family Matters series or maybe that's a positive friend who is living day to day life with you, or for other's that's a mentor/coach/pastor who is mixing it up in your life and making the best come out of you!

No matter how you look at it, we all need and long for the "Cafe Con leche" experience if we are to grow in becoming better. When I decided to leave Chicago for Miami in 2003, I served in a very vibrant ministry that was missing the "Cafe con leche" essential in my life. I realized that Partnership and Relationships are both important in doing life. If you're not careful you'll mix the two up and be very disappointed in the long-run when things don't turn out how you expected it too.

Here's my thought for the day: Who are you mixing it up with in your life? Is the other person(s) steamed milk or spoiled milk? How sweet is life tasting to you? Are you putting enough ingredients (sugar) into your cup of life?

Blog Series: Life is like....Mr. Potato Head

2009-03-25T07:25:00.012-04:00

I will begin a NEW series of blog-posting called "Life is Like" that will reflect various people, places or things that better depict what life is really like! To begin my 1st of many of these postings I want to begin by saying that "Life is like" Mr. Potato Head. Yeah, that's right Mr. Potato head. As a kid I always liked Mr. Potato head because the idea of constantly adding, changing or re-arranging a variety of things was just really cool to me. I'm not sure if I or my brother had one because if I did have one, my brother sure hogged it up and I barely had time to play with it, but nevertheless I do remember many times playing with it in school.

Anyways, I view life this morning as me being the potato and God being the one dressing me up for my day! Here are some unique truths about the picture you can's stop staring at......

The Potato does not have a say so as to what the designer will dress up him with today.

The Potato has only 2 things to worry about which is to be still and trust that something will be put on him.

The Potatoes will be changed & re-arranged everyday so you never know what to expect.

The Designer has to the right to do whatever he wants since he purchased Mr. Potato head in the first place.

The Potato may not always like what he looks like but too bad....Deal with it!

The Designer will show off his work once it's it has been pieced together.

The Potato will be in the Hands of the designer.

I'm sure there are a few more truths you can think of as you dissect the picture but how similar is this to how God the Designer and us as the Mr. Potato Head should function. God wants you and I to be still or as some say "CHILLAX" (chill/relax) so He can design and continue piecing together our everyday lives. We may not always like what we look like or what He's doing but we need to trust in His working hands. The best way I can describe it scripturally is Isaiah 64:8 "Still, God, you are our Father. We're the clay and you're our potter: All of us are what you made us."

"Off the Cliff"

2009-03-24T07:52:00.005-04:00

That "just hanging on the edge" feeling sometimes best expresses the condition of our heart or faith when it comes to the daily challenges and dreams we envision for our life. I must confess that many times I have wanted to jump of the cliff in faith believing that I'm free, kind of like that song I use to like by Tom Petty "free falling" but other times I have just refused to get any closer to the edge or even look out far enough to see what could be because the adrenaline, risk and fear was far to great to embrace.

I have been challenged alot lately, which for some reason doesn't seem to let up in life as we take greater risks, dream bigger dreams and live beyond our own capacity, faults and insecurities. Now I would be wrong at this particular time if I did not include what has been my source of strength in the midst of these challenges which are: 1) God 2) My wife Sharon.

God's word encourages in Hebrew 11:6 "It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him." I am challenged to grasp this word and apply it to my daily life because I must know that when I trust God that He will not fail, let me fall or let me Down! It may sound ignorant or foolishness to someone who does not understand the faith it takes to trust in Jesus, because I have learned that within my own strength, I have failed myself, yet I still can't recall or remember not one time in my life that God in His merciful and loving ways has not come through for me in the end.

Updates and Freedom Culture Info

2009-03-18T06:12:00.007-04:00

Lately, I have had no choice but to eat, drink, sleep and plan everything around launch team development, and to be quit honest it's the right direction we should have been in a few months ago. Nevertheless, were on track and getting focused on preparing people for launching Freedom Culture in April 2010. This past Sunday along with every Sunday except the 1st Sunday of the month (Will Explain keep reading) we had our launch team discipleship at one of the newest people who have joined our team and I get excited everytime I think of the potential we have and the really purpose for why God has laid in on our hearts to launch Freedom Culture. I informed the team that we will begin our 21 day fasting on March 28th - April 18th, leading up to the Exponential Conference April 20-23, were we are praying and expecting the Lord to really speak to us at. (Thanks to Pastor Matt & Janie Mehaffey for sharing the opportunity to volunteer at this event where the cost will be paid for.)

We got some cool and creative ways we will be helping others through this fast using Twitter, Facebook, Text Messages and Blogs! We want people to know what's going with Freedom Culture and the development of this team. Please Continue to pray for us when you get the chance. Also, we will be working on a final date and details for the "Free Community Car Wash" in April and our second vision casting gathering on April 5th. Yes, these are exciting times and we need people all around the Miami Dade and Broward area to join our team and grow with us as we "DREAM BIG" for this city.

A Re-Post from my wife: Songs in the Key of Salas

2009-03-17T13:19:00.008-04:00

This morning like every other morning was a great morning with my hubby (tongue twisted yet?). My husband and I spent some much needed time in devotional and reflecting on our marriage. So, I wanted to share with all the married couples and married couples to be the great message this book had for us..."Songs in the key of Solomon" by John & Anita Renfroe.
The devotion focused on Trust... "Sacred Trust" What's interesting about the devotionals is that it calls the couple to do weird things before you begin the devotional. This devotional called my husband and I to sit on the floor cross-legged, knees touching. ***SIDENOTE: WITH OUR DOG JUMPING IN THE MIDDLE, MY FEET FALLING ASLEEP AND MY HUSBAND COMPLAINING ABOUT HIS KNEE, IT WAS A TOUGH EXERCISE BUT WE FORMED A NICE CIRCLE AND WERE FACE TO FACE AS WE OPENED UP TO EACH OTHER***

Trust has been an easy thing for my husband and I. We never have given each other a reason to not trust. Which I thank God for because in my previous relationships that wasn't the case. I didn't trust and my lack of trust made my relationships a nightmare. Can we agree that if there is no trust in a marriage it will always be in turmoil and strain the marriage? The verse that set the tone for the devotional was Hebrews 13:4-6 . It also made an amazing analogy which I will quote from the book, "Some houses have picket fences (cute for decoration), some have chain-link fences (good for keeping things in), and others have concrete walls (perfect for keeping things out). Make sure you're building your marital fences out of the right material." p.192 I have made it my priority to protect my marriage by any means necessary. I don't like to give room for gossip or temptation. Marriage is sacred and I want to keep mine that way.

After the devotional it asked us to reflect on a couple of questions but the one that I found most important was this one..."Identify any weak areas in your marital circle of trust. Is anyone lurking around the edges, posing some kind of threat (friends, family members, business associates)?" So, I post this up not too boast or brag about my marriage but to encourage other marriages to reflect on their relationship with their spouse. You'll be surprised what comes out!!!

From (Benny)
I have such an amazing wife that I can't even begin to tell you! Im not gonna say my wife is hot, even though she is, or that she is the most beautiful women because she is, or......ok, ok, ok.....she's "off the CHAIN." But I'm learning more and more each day to love and grow with my wife in every area of my life. Even to where I am able to heal from some past mistakes through the love and strength that comes from being loved and loving someone who is been journeying with me for the past 6 years as friends and now as my partner.

Transparent for the world to see!

2009-03-12T05:38:00.013-04:00

I recall my High School days back in 199? (we'll just leave that alone), when my teachers would be using an overhead projector to work out math problems or when I was in church and they would project the worship songs on a screen that first of all never fit on so the singer would be blinded by the light so they looked like two-face with half of their face displaying the words, not to mention that they always misspelled words in which some "genius" came up with the bright idea and decided to lick their finger as to wipe the misspelled word and re-write the word over the smudge part leaving the congregation to wonder throughout the praise/worship how GHETTO that looked and why couldn't they have someone who spoke proper English write it out, robbing away from your worship time. (It can't believed I remembered that)

I'm not sure if they even use overhead projectors anymore, I think they still do somewhere in America but I realize that my life, your life is a lot like that projector! Here's why. God puts on the big screen everyday of our lives and many times, we have errors or misspell what God is trying to say to us! Yes, the excuse that I'm only humane or I'm not perfect is a great way to say "yes I might have gotten wrong this time", but the reality is that the more you walk with God, and live out your God-Potential ( a Troy Gramling word usage), the better it becomes to reflect living out your life on the BIG SCREEN of life. The great news is that God never leaves the smudges for others to see, instead he cleans us thoroughly and never misspells not 1 single word in our lives. Yeah, we may get it wrong, but God never gets it wrong!

The truth is God is using us and our lives to reflect to a broken world how big and awesome He really is. Each of us has a story to tell and no one can tell it like you or reflect the love God has for you the way can, so let's God write over your life and be transparent for the world to see.

Blah-ging: God, Launch Team & Twitter!

2009-03-10T12:41:00.014-04:00

So when I have taken time off from Blogging, I tend to culminate a bunch of things going on in my world of family, ministry and life in which I call "Blah-Ging". Therefore I speak whatever I want, in whatever way I want without doing an injustice to those bloggers who might go "WTH" was that about! Anyways, we are into a 3rd week of revamping and refocusing our strategy toward building our launch team and I have to tell you that God is speaking to me more clearly now than ever! It's like things are making not just practical sense but spiritual sense. Something that I know I should know but of course I have to learn the hard way "LIKE U DO" that when you cannot try to do things that only God can do in His timing! As much as this may sound confusing because I think we are so conditioned by our surroundings to make things happen, it's really only in God's timing that no matter what you try to make happen, when God releases it to happen it will come to fruition.

Another great thing that has happened to me is the social networking and relationship building (if you would call it that) in the social world of Twitter! I FREAK'N dig Twitter because it has connected me with leader's and people who have poured something into my life such as @leadhership @tgramling @cubanpastor @jimmypruitt @louicanchola @edstetzer @Johcatkinson @mattmehaffey @edyoung @markdriscoll and of course my BTF (Best Twitter friend) @joselopezjr. Not to exclude the tons of resources that are at the disposal of your fingertips and great insight from leaders all times of the day! I am a big fan and recommend if your going to stay current in the social-statuspshere, get a TWITTER!

I just seems that in this season of my life that "I get" where God is leading us (My wife and I) plus the team were are building as to what the mission is that he has called me to embrace for my life and ministry. For a while, my wife and I had to work through much discouragement and challenges with finding a clear direction for Launching. Yet, along with that we have met many great people and have learned valuable lessons of life, leadership and loving people that only comes with the process.

Are you about Ministry or about the Mission?

2009-03-05T07:21:00.010-05:00

This post may seem like an oxymoron since I'm pro-ministry in being bi-vocational, yet I have been hearing and sensing the Holy Spirit really challenge me to understand what my Mission is, not just what my Ministry is. Since the age of about 17, I have been involved with ministry from being a small group leader, usher, worship team (Thought I could sing, not anymore) performing arts/hip-hop dance ministry, drama, youth leader, youth pastor, discipleship pastor, associate pastor in training, youth program director and now a lead church planter....You might say that for the past decade or more ministry has run thru my veins.

Now I don't have a background where my grandfather or great grandfather was a preacher and left this great legacy of leaders in the family, well actually my grandfather was a preacher for a little while when he was younger but couldn't let go of the alcohol and women so he called it quits and became a church critic. With the exception of my grandmother and aunt who keep mainly my brother and I in tuned and connected with God, there was no real sense of God within the home I grew up in. Not to say that my parents didn't support my decision because they always have supported me, which I'm so grateful for, yet what I really needed is what many call a "Spiritual mentor or Father" that could help me mature along the way.

The great thing was that when I had people pour into my life they trained me good on ministry. The Church, Liberty Christian Center in Chicago, gave me a platform and opportunity to spread my wings and grow into ministry. Of course like every church, they had their faults but when I left Chicago in 2003 for a ministry opportunity I felt that my time was up which is where I can begin to trace back the beginning stages of defining my mission.

It is now that I been able to understand that I can have ministry going on for myself, doing alot of things and keeping busy in the name of Jesus and still be off from the mission that God has called me too. Am I saying that I have done that??? YES, in the past I have but I have also realized that If I don't define what that Mission is I can get consumed doing ministry work not mission work. Mission work allows us to not get burned out with things that we can do but shouldn't do because it's not part of the mission. When I say this, I mean this from 2 perspectives: Your Ministry Mission and your life's Mission.

So here's my personal mission statement: My life's mission is to Serve Christ, my family, church and community with the passion and integrity that will impact generations, leaving a legacy of hope.

Building with what you have!

2009-03-03T00:58:00.002-05:00

I was never much of a building block child growing up because I had always chose stayed away from things that take long, or make you think more that you need to, instead going for quick easy games or toys that made everything a little more quicker. I recall never really liking extensive video games that took hours to complete, levels and strategy because 1st of all, my brother would take all the time up and by bedtime I never got to play the stinkin game so I chose easier games that I can beat in a short amount of time.

For the past few months, or actually 2 years, I have been trying to strategically think or ways we can plant this church, FREEDOM CULTURE, but I must confess that I am guilty of thinking that this ministry and vision could be built with a shortcut mentality. After a few months of frustration, emotional drainage, spent funds and quitting and re-hiring myself once again, I have come to a place where building with what we have, with the vision we have, and the people we have is the most important place & healthiest place we as a team need to be at. For the sake of long blogging, let's just say we were doing the right things at the wrong time!

Our Vision casting gathering this past Sunday went really well as 12 people showed up to hear what is it exactly that we are envisioning for 2010, which is our projected launch date. I did a brief run-down of who I am and what are some the things that I have done, been involved and reason for gathering these people to be part of a launch team that seek to plant a New Church in our community. What has been so liberating about this particular season for our team is that we feel less stressed, more focused, more organized and clear as to what is really priority for this season, and that's building our team one person at a time.

Our plan is simple, yet will keep us busy as we work these next 10 months. We will be hosting a public gathering at IBB Church every 1st Sunday of the Month to intentionally cast vision within our community that would embody a cafe type vibe, with a clear and precise direction as to how we are progressing from month to month. The other 3 Sunday evening for the rest of month meeting in homes, coffee shops, anyplace we can have a meeting as we will focus more on Discipleship, Leadership and Team Building/Planning, while a monthly outreach and some group social events that help us get outside to do life together.

Strategy

2009-02-25T12:53:00.005-05:00

I have been for the past week reflecting one some things that I have felt I needed to focus more on in regards to building a launch team around the vision of Planting Freedom Culture. The cool thing that has been so amazing is the confirmation that God had brought to me through venue like Twitter, which has connected me with great Pastors around the U.S.. Pray for us as we get ready to "As Jimmy Pruitt" stated Turn this ship around in the right direction.

Changing Directions

2009-02-23T07:22:00.010-05:00

This past week I was on my way to Fellowship Church for the Satellite Night services for the C3 conference when I took the wrong turn on 826 Palmetto Expwy. and had to travel past my exit in a whole other direction. A few times I was tempted to bust a U-Turn at one of those spots where like the State Troopers sit and wait to catch people like me who want to make an illegal turn but I instead waited till the next exit which was like 20 blocks from where I needed to be.

My week seemed to reflect the same experience,that I had been traveling the wrong direction with developing the core team for our church plant. Felt like we were focused more on the logistics of gathering people, which by the way we need to do, but we needed to spend more time building and working with the team that is front of us and prepare them. I had shared with my wife some of the frustrations I was feeling with not being able to focus on the essential because doing the gatherings bi-weekly and Come-unity groups every Friday were draining me on top of my 40hr a week job at the homeless shelter and leadership prep meetings, set-up for the gatherings and sermon prep....Basically I was drained!

We did make great progress though by talking it out on what we needed to mainly focus on and what are some things we can commit to as being part of this core team. we set a launch date of January 2010 so we can Begin working out the process with the ECC and decided on the best day for us to meet is on Sundays. We also had 2 new people join us (Myself, Sharon, Rubin, Janyl)in our core team meeting as I shared with them the need to recruit others and a brief word from Nehemiah 2:1-18, and his heart to respond & rebuild his City. I am so grateful for those who have hung in their with us as we have had to figure out this core team development and have for those who have served in any way possible. God truly know what he's doing with us and I have to trust HIM, we have to trust HIM and His leading.

Jack in the BOX

2009-02-21T16:38:00.007-05:00

As a child, I hated the Jack in the Box yet I could help to not stop wanting to play with it because it was so unpredictable. The idea of trying to crank something up with the element of surprise is every kids temptation.

In our lives, there are things that we are trying or should be attempting to crank up for God. For some it may be a goal that has been lingering for a long time, a relationship with someone of the oppposite sex(hopefully), a ministry that God has laid on our hearts or something that we feel we are winding up, trying to get something to pop up. The element of surprise is not always what we are hoping for though when it feels like God may pop something up because the truth is God is always unpredictable.

Why do I say this? God knows how to pop up at times when we don't expect Him to and speaks a word, drops an idea that redirects our path. It's funny because while we are sometimes thinking we are cranking or winding things up the right way in our lives, God in His love, mercy & mission gracefully reminds us that He is God and knows the exact time to pop up.

Here's my thought! When was the last time you allowed God to unexpectedly pop up in your life? And if He's not, then are your even cranking anything up so He can pop up?

Reality Check blogs!

2009-02-16T10:27:00.005-05:00

For the past few months I have been on twitter, a social networking tool that has allowed me to connect with some people in Ministry that otherwise I would not have access too. I also has taken a lot of my time away, as my wife would agree but I have been able to convince her that this is for ministry purposes and since we are building our core team, we need too, I need too be out there as much as possible. But when is too much, too much! I present to a honest video from Carlos Whitaker aka loswhit aka ragamuffin soul:
I truly can appreciate your heart Carlos as it has made me re-think some priorities in my life, which I can admit needs to be 1). God's daily voice for personal growth 2). My Marriage & daily growth with my wife 3). Ministry and Church Plant 4). Social Networking. I'm glad we can have transparency to this degree in the community of faith. It has also made me reflect on the reason why I blog, twitter and seek to connect into the social world.

Checking Your Pulse!

2009-02-14T11:53:00.005-05:00

The story found in Nehemiah 1-2 (along with the rest of the book) reveals the Burden felt by the king's cup bearer for his City which laid waste in ruins. As I have been thinking deeply about what was on his heart that made the king sense that his heart was broken, I ask myself the question of what's breaking my heart for the my City? Originally from Chicago, I am like many here in South Florida that are transient when it comes to roots and community in Miami. I have had to develop not a ministry concept, though that's essential to how we execute ministry, but a pulse for what going to my make heart BEAT for my community and city. What's going to be the Heart BEAT of Freedom Culture? With our Miami Dade Public School about the slash another $56 millions dollars in budget/job cuts, it's bad enough that Miami Dade has one of the worst schools systems I have seen in a long time with a High School dropout rate reported in 2006 that a teenager has a 53% to graduate.

Teenage pregnancy reported in Miami Dade County for every 1,000 girls, ages 15 to 19have been increasing from 36.4 in 2005 to 37.7 in 2006. HIV rate in among the Highest in Dade and Broward County.....Are you catching my drift? We must let God break our heart for what breaks His heart! Does our communities lie in ruins just while we are having church gatherings and selfish prayers that have nothing to do reaching community that's desolated and lonely with out no hope? Are we about HYPE or about HOPE? I am asking myself these questions as we build our core team to plant Freedom Culture, a church that cares about community! I don't not claim to have these answers, neither did Nehemiah, but he saw the destruction, he responded to the need and rallied a people and generation that did not just examine the change they desired to see but became agents of change they needed to be. Pray for me, us Freedom Culture and those would rise up in this time to be part of the Transformation that defines the Mission of Freedom Culture which is 'To Lead People Closer to Christ by reaching our City and transforming our Culture".

Miami Dade Teachers Protesting in front of School Board Building.

2009-02-11T18:00:00.007-05:00

Teachers angry that more budget/job cuts are underway for Miami Dade Public Schools. We need your prayers or this will be the worst downsizing in Miami Dade History.

Heart for the City!

2009-02-10T12:49:00.005-05:00

For the past few months I have been chomping on this word called: ecclesiology
Which is by definition:
1. The branch of theology that is concerned with the nature, constitution, and functions of a church.
2. The study of ecclesiastical architecture and ornamentation.

I first heard this terminology about a few years ago when I was challenged by Eugene Cho at my 1st ECC Midwinter Conference that I attended as I was thinking about the first steps of Church Planting. He said that I need to define what my ecclesiology is before I begin thinking of planting and to spend time mapping what that looks like in an Urban context. I have interpreted that our ecclesiology can best be understood by what are our theologoical views as it pertains to the scriptures and what are the church (as a whole) matters that make and constitute the process by which Freedom Culture lives, breathes and moves by.

That can take many shapes and sizes, but in a urban context, the City life becomes the heartbeat of why we do ministry the way we do ministry. As I was reading Nehemiah 1 & 2, I saw the heartbeat of Nehemiah and his passion to rebuild a broken city. I pray that Freedom Culture develops a passionate heart for the City.

Reflections from Midwinter Conference in Chicago

2009-02-07T15:43:00.008-05:00

This past week I made the trip up to Chicago for 4 days to the Evangelical Covenant Church(ECC) Midwinter Conference which is like the main conference hosted by the ECC. When I went last year to Midwinter, I was still checking out the ECC & had not gone through the pastoral assessment & realistically still trying to figure out if the ECC was a good fit for me and what we were seeking to do with Freedom Culture. What I really enjoyed mostly about this trip was 1st Efrem Smith's sermon that was on point with where many people are struggling with in this economy and their ministry hopes but to remember that "They are not alone, God is with you on this journey". And of course he's funny as heck!

I met so many pastors and leaders that have had churches up and going for years and have planted other churches as well. In the past I had taken it for granted when I met someone who was a pastor or a leader but now that I am planting a church with a team that I am still developing, I want to take in and learn as much as I can. The trip really confirmed and reaffirmed my thoughts and future with the ECC. It's actually been about 2 years since we began talks about preparing the future to plant a church in Miami, South Florida area. Since then I attended a Pastoral assessment (need to complete 1 session with my wife)which thus far we have been recommended for Church Planting which would open doors for us for coaching, accountability, friendships, community, training and funding. We were also told to wait at least 6 months since at the time I had just got married so decided to continue to meet with people and invite them to come here what God has been putting on my heart.

One person who I admire his passion and global perspective on many things and who I had the pleasure of sitting down & talking too is Eugene Cho of Quest. Check out his video blog at the ECC Midwinter Conference:
the larger Missio Dei from Q Cafe on Vimeo.

Now if your like me and you get excited about a vision, you would think people would be flocking to be apart of it and that we would be opening our doors by April! I mean we have been connecting with alot of people, hitting up the parks with info cards and free water, hosting gatherings with free coffee, live music and relevant biblical teaching, not to mention that we don't even bring in enough from the giving to offset the expenses. It has been tough to get at least 10 people to say "Count me in". I would like to believe that I'm a strong visionary that cares about people to see the potential in others that would revolutionize the way people see ministry and the kingdom of God, so to have only a handful of people and feeling that at times were making slow progress makes me feel like I'm not doing my best to get at least 30people to get connected with me on this journey. It's really hard work because there are so many challenges, fears, discouragements and obstacles you have to deal with, oh let me not forget so to be honest it's not as glamorous as you think it is!

The reality is my wife and I have seen thus far our share of disappointments, heartbreak, backstabbing, gossipers and phonies. Don't worry I will not rant, rave or call people out. I'm just stating that we have been through alot thus far and were still here seeking to plant this Church no matter what it takes. I mean I have retired from church planting like 10 times but since I'm the lead pastor I re-hired myself again.

Tomorrow I meet with 3 of our core and faithful leaders: Sharon (My Wife), Rubin & Janyl. I always look forward to meeting with them because I needed to trust again after being let down so much and having them around (Rubin & Janyl) has been a healing process for me to trust again. We look forward to the future and expect great things to come our way as we build God's kingdom and lead people closer to Christ, reach our City & transform out Culture!

Who's on your Flight!

2009-02-06T09:37:00.008-05:00

As I heard the conversation of the Stewardess talk and shed a few tears I was wondering what was going on. Jeffery B. Skiles, the Co-pliot of Flight 1549 which amazingly Landed safely in the Hudson River was on board with is wife (To excited forget her name)headed back to Charlotte from Chicago. I sometimes have to work through my fear on a plane but when I heard that he was sitting 2 rows behind me I felt really safe.

Watch CBS Videos Online
It can best be put that when you have someone who is an experience pilot on your flight it doesn't matter what turbulence you feel, how high you are in the air, what fears you have because you know somebody on that plane has been through it before! I guess the lesson I learned is when i'm face in the Turbulences, High fears in my life I need to trust in the Flight plan God has set before me. Because Christ has endured the redemptive work of the Cross and has passed through the Journey already I can trust that as long as He's the Pilot of my life Im safe and secure in Him.

A fulfilled life

2009-01-31T21:23:00.011-05:00

My high school years were filled with many activities like being involved with dance with the Ensemble Espanol or at Lincoln Park High School , skateboarding, sports, church going and of course trying to get a girlfriend. I reached a point though in my life when I realized that a lot of things were filling my life, which were good, yet I still was left feeling a sense of being unfulfilled as a person. It was around that time that I came to a personal decision to follow Christ at the age of 17 after experiencing the power of God at an Acquire the Fire Event.

I fast forward 14 years from that time I have come once again to that place of understanding that sometimes the things that fill my life doesn't always fulfill my life. In a culture where technology, multi-media, reality TV shows and trend setting are given so much attention, it's even easier to fill your life with many things that are unfilling. I think about my world on the social networking scene with facebook, Twitter, Blogs and other social networking communities that can fill me and quit honestly can keep me busy all day long. I have to admit it's hard to keep up with everything because as important as those things are, I have to constantly remember that my life must fulfilled by the presence of God daily.

I states in Psalms 145:16-19

"You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.

18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them."

I have been dwelling on this passage for the past 3 days, well actually the whole chapter, just sensing God bringing me into a place of being satisfied and fulfilled in the Greatness of who HE is. What are those things right now in your life that are keeping you full but not keeping you filled? Is God filling you up or is your God tank empty?

Thoughts On Ted Haggard!

2009-01-30T07:33:00.007-05:00

One of the most shocking blows to the evangelical church was the fall of Ted Haggard. A whole new can of worms has been opened since news broke that an special on HBO called "The Trials of Ted Haggard" will air on Jan.29th. As you might or might not know, Ted Haggard admitted to having sexual affair's with a male prostitute from which he said he only sought him for a message and to purchase of Crystal meth. At first like most people, I was shocked and disgusted at what I had heard because this was a big-time preacher who many followed his leadership. Then I felt compassion for him knowing that reality set in and I thought, wow how many people would be shocked if the pages of their own sins where revealed. Of course we look at what he is accused of and admits too as being something very difficult to accept and swallow but after watching his interview on Larry King, my heart went out to him and his family.

I believe that the story of Ted Haggard is going to changes the way the Christian Community embraces people in the gay community, deal with sins committed by spiritual leaders and has a process of Restoration that the church can function by. What I'm trying to say is that Ted Haggard may have be ex-communicated by the church he founded in Colorado but I believe his ministry will be much bigger once God lifts and restores him. Yes, I'm rooting him and his family on!

You probably thinking I'm crazy but the community of Faith now has no choice but to wrestle with this and so we better be prepared to help bring restoration to all types of sins. Is it fair to say that God will never use him again? Let me ask you, have mines and your sins limited us from becoming all that God wants us to become or are we still a work in progress! I know people who are living double lives and practicing sexual sin and we would never say to them what people are saying to Ted Haggard because we judge in ways that seem unfair. This story has changed my views on Ted Haggard because after seeing his wife and kids stay together and love on their father who had asexual relationship with another man and do other things that were sinful, says alot about the man and the family that loves him.

We would have never believed this to be true in our day and age but we are witnessing probably reality at it's core. This is reality! Sexual Sin is reality! And so is God's power to restore the broken hearted and those who come to Him with a heart of repentance. I wonder how many people wished they could stop the madness in their lives! I pray that this story has a uplifting and encouraging ending. I pray that God will use Ted Haggard to bring hope and healing to men and women who are struggling with the same kinds of Sins.

The Weekend

2009-01-29T14:07:00.004-05:00

This Friday

Topic: "The GOOD News"
We are starting off with the book of Romans.

To get started for "The GOOD News" read Romans 1:1-17

Be there @ 7:30pm
Location: 17720 NW 64th Ave. Hialeah, Fl 33015
(The Moors, enter through North gate) Call 786-464-0085 for more information. Mapquest

This Sunday

Get ready for a Madden Madness 09 throw-down at 5pm and following the Super Bowl at 6pm.

$5 donation at the door
We are going to have Burgers, Chips, and soft drinks.

* If you would like to bring anything like soda, chips or snacks please feel free to pitch-in! We won't get mad!

Invite your friends, family and people you know to come hang with us!

Please RSVP # of attending to:
info@freedomculture.com
*Don't forget to wear favorite Jersey*
Location: (IBB) 17701 NW 57th Ave. Miami, Fl 33055

Roaming through Romans

2009-01-29T07:23:00.004-05:00

Our Vision for Come-Unity Groups is "to Connect, Grow and Serve in Community", which is what we will be doing for next 3 months as we go through John McArthurs study of the book of Romans, which is by far one of the hardest Theological books in the N.T. As we will be kicking off our 2nd Come-Unity Group this Friday (Email: info@freedomculture.com for info), I have sensed that what people really are looking for is not just to talk about topics, though we need that balance in a relevant way, but their is a hunger for God's word and application of the Scriptures that create healthy spiritual growth and knowledge.

Bob Roberts on a live stream from the Innovation3 conference this past week spoke about making disciples, which I know we are suppose to do, but truthfully not much of it is being done. I see more leaders maintaining disciples instead making disciples. I'm just as guilty for this action so I am in no way blasting anybody but the Great Commission was to go out and make disciples, and by default we know that is a life-long journey.

Come-Unity Officially kicked off!

2009-01-28T00:22:00.004-05:00

With such a crazy week I almost forgot to share with my readers that we launched our 1st official small group meeting or as we call it "Come-Unity Group" that kicked off last week Friday. We had 10 people show up and let me tell you we have already grown by 100% in one gathering. OK, I'm exaggerating because we usually have more show up to our bi-weekly gatherings on Sundays.

I had been a while since I had hosted a group in my home, other than strategic team meetings, that has come together to talk about the scriptures, life and our world around us. The time was awesome to say the least as I sensed people were able to really engage in the topic and share their thoughts and views. We bounced around this idea of community in our group and what that looks like in our culture. We also dialogue about our own personal the need for community in our lives and why it's so important to be connected to a community of people where we can connect, grow and serve in.

Our Vision for Come-Unity Groups is just that: To Connect, Grow and Serve in Community. Our desire is to see people plugged into the groups so they can begin walking out in community with other people their God purpose along with experiencing the power of relationships and biblical fellowship. Join us for our next group this Friday!

Critic or Catalytic?

2009-01-26T12:42:00.007-05:00

Many people offer opinions because they either have something to say that makes sense or just have to say something that is non-sense. I am sure if your reading this blog that you have encountered both types of people that really need to learn the difference about which one they are. Let me define in detail what a Critic is and what a Catalyst is.

A Critic is:
1. a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
2. anyone who expresses a reasoned judgment of something
3. someone who frequently finds fault or makes harsh and unfair judgments

A Catalyst is:
1. Chemistry. a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.
2. something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected.
3. a person or thing that precipitates an event or change:
4. a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic

I once hear someone say that as a leader your either a Thermostat or a Thermometer, let me explain. The thermostat is an instrument used to a set the temperature and a thermometer is an used to take the temperature. Notice the difference that one Set's it while another takes it. The challenge for us as people, leaders and followers is that to many times we can become a critic watching people, life, goals, dreams go up and down like a thermometer taking the temperature that's either hot or cold instead of being a Catalyst creating change as a thermometer and setting the temperature we desire to see, feel and experience.

I have come to this truth while being in ministry for the past 10 years that almost anybody can be a Critic because they just need an audience of people that will agree with them but not everybody can be a Catalyst. When I think about our City & community, I can't help but see the need to be an agent of change in our local community. I can watch others do what God has laid on my heart or a sit back and be a thermometer or I can became a catalyst and create change, set the thermostat in my "Hood" and influence others to become all that God has called them to be.

This past Sunday my wife and I had dinner with Pastor Raul Palacios and Wife Heather which was a blessing to see the Catalytic heart of their Pastor Troy Gramling and the Flamingo Road Staff through them that just excited me! It's also made me think "Dang I have long way to go" but I knew if I'm going to plant and launch Freedom Culture that I need to surround myself with visionaries and people who have bypassed the era of being a critic and moved into the realm of being a Catalyst for Change. I pray that in this community that god has placed me in that I will be a CATALYST and not a critic. I pray for all critics as well that they would become catalyst themselves so the have something to really talk about instead of sitting back watching everything around us go up and down. So just a thought to chew on, become an agent of Catalytic change or one not of Critical change.

Focus

2009-01-24T14:18:00.010-05:00

Finding Focus has several distinct definitions that describe something that is clear, precise or concentrated enough to bring clarity to an image. For many years I went without wearing contact or glasses in spite of the fact that I knew I was suppose to but when I started to wear contacts I couldn't believe that I went so long without them. In our lives there our many things that can take away from our focus or make us get a little out of focus and all together lose focus completely. Finding your focus is not the problem as much as keeping your focus is because you can find out what it is that you need to be focusing on but if you don't execute or implement a plan you can very easily lose the sight of the goal.

So how can we keep our focus in alignment?
1. Reflection Time - Allowing God to adjust and re-adjust the focal lens of our lives.
2. Clarity - What image or goal do you see or envision in front of you?
3. Perspective - Do you see changes and challenges as obstacles or opportunities?
4. Accountability - Allow others to challenge your vision!
5. Committment - Stay firm in your vision and committed to the process.

Phil 3:12-15
Not that I have already obtained this or mam already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for othe prize of the upward pcall of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything ryou think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

In SYNC!

2009-01-23T10:31:00.008-05:00

A few months ago I changed my cell phone from a T-mobile dash to the G1 google Android (Thank you Jesus) because I needed something faster, more hi-tech and more accessible with features in the palm of my hand. The only problem was that I lost data while shifting SIM cards because my PC (I'm in route to getting a MAC, so take it easy) did not sync my information to outlook and therefore emails, addresses and phone numbers, a lot of information was lost.

What I am realizing about being in SYNC is that you catch the details, information and data when your syncing in on God, life, Ministry and relationships. Yesterday I decided to check my wife's blog to see what she has wrote about and it's was almost exact to what I blogged and what we were talking about the night before last. The cool thing is that when we are connected in our lives to the things that really matter most, it's easier to sync and download the important details, data and information that help keep us in line when our system of life crash.

Pimp My Patrol Car

2009-01-22T16:24:00.002-05:00

pimped out Police Car in Miramar, FL
Posted via Pixelpipe.

The Art of Subtraction leads to the Growth of multiplication!

2009-01-22T11:30:00.010-05:00

A great lesson that I have learned in these past few years of leadership and ministry development is that sometimes when you think have a good addition, you must also subtract something so that you can have growth by multiplication! About a week in our Freedom Culture Gathering we decided to mix it up and spend about 15-30 mins with our guest that were interested in talking more in depth about the vision of Freedom Culture and where we want to be in the next 6 months. The great thing from those few minutes was that I probably got more done in those few mins of sharing and seeking to connect people with the passion I have and the development of our core team, than I have through any sermon that I have preached! So the good news is that we might potentially have 3 new people (attenders) come on board to join our launch team efforts to compile a core team.

The Subtraction part I'm sure you knew was coming right! Well unfortunately we experienced a very disappointing situation that many church planter, Pastor's and leader's face and that's the reality that sometimes a person who you think is an addition is really nothing more than a subtraction! What does that mean? Well it's when you as a leader realize a person becomes more of a negative than a positive! We all have those people in our lives that just love to keep us in the Revolving Door of negativity which take away from us being all we can and themselves as well.

Through this experience in particular our church ministry, my wife and I, our team and the vision will grow because we can only learn for the next time how to guard and discern with greater wisdom people who are the negatives and not the positives. It's weird how you read something though as I was reading on the Lifechurch.tv (SWERVE) blog on being an "Intuitive Leader" that I shared with my wife about what I had been felling. Not only did reading those blogs help to prepare me from a great leader like Craig Groeschel but it will multiply in the way that I lead to help others grow in their capacity to become great leaders as well.

SPEECHLESS!

2009-01-21T07:21:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was a day when I as an American for the 1st time felt like our country might be headed in the right Direction. Of course it's still to early to say but I'm sure like almost every American that viewed the The 44th Presidential Inauguration, a sense of hope (No reference to the campaign) filled them after seeing our Country experience distressing times in our nation. Many people will say "Pray for the President" and I agree whole-heartedly but I would challenge others to pray for themselves because the President is not the agent of Change, the people are! For that very reason we have the 1st African American President because they, THE PEOPLE believed in a cause and rallied around that!

I must confess that initially I was not an Obama fan or McCain fan and my vote sided more with McCain initially but after realizing that when we put Bush into office, the people still made certain actions happen that the President could do nothing about! I look forward to the African American communities to be taken more seriously because the reality is they have been neglected and we need to see transformation in the way we build up our people.

The other issues of course that had me speechless was Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California delivering the invocation upon Obama in a "in your face" fashion that I'm sure ticked off a lot of people. Many people don't know that Obama and Warren have a relationship and so I’m sure Obama knew what he was doing when he asked Warren. My wife shared with me some interesting news regarding the topic of Rick Warren praying the "Lord's Prayer" and how some felt it was offensive to their beliefs.

Now what doesn't seem to amaze me is the hypocrisy that lies among people who say "let people have their freedom" and so we allow someone to do that and then we say "but your violating my beliefs"! Yes, that will happened in a country that is founded on these truths and yes as Christians we will be offended as well. Peter talks about this very thing in 1 Peter 2:4-8 when he says Christ, the rejected one is "A Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of Offense". I am not about fighting to make my point across because I believe that gets me nowhere, but I believe and and proud not as a American but a Christian when Rick Warren, who was unapologetic claims the name of Jesus! Let's not forget that that's the greatest hope for not just our nation but the world!

"Full of S@#?" - The Real Curse Word

2009-01-19T10:58:00.007-05:00

Yes you read it correctly! I said it without not regard to what the Culture might think or the Christian might perceive it to say because as people we are so "Full of SINS"! The topic for "The Revolving Door" Series, lead me to speak about a very hard to topic on SIN and the struggle which the Apostle Paul (Romans 7:13-25) speaks about in his discourse of repeatedly dealing with the inner-man and spirit man battle over doing the things he wishes not to do! Some have debated over not over the content of the text because it's clear what he's saying but rather about the text being before he came to knowledge that he was living in repeated before his conversion to Christ or after his conversion. I have taken the position that this is after his conversion since my own folly's lead me to believe by experience that what he's talking about I have lived! Secondly the verbiage is not in past tense but in present tense and therefore he expressing his inner struggle with Sin.

I like what my Twitter pal and new friend Pastor Jimmy Pruitt said that we call it "issues not Sin". Our culture has a hard time calling it Sin as well because when we say we have issues we are kind of riding the surface of the matter that can either be an issue or not be an issue depending on how I feel about it! The reality is that Christ died to redeem us from our SIN, so how is that we cannot talk about it! It is a hard issue because we question who defines what Sin is? Or who determines what is Sinful?

I am sure you would agree with me that we have a Sin issues in our world and culture that has gone unaddressed! I have vowed to not be an one of those guys standing on the corner with a bull-Horn shouting at people to either 'turn or burn" in hell messages but we have to talk about the issues of SIN in a way that people get it!

Ed Young on Church Pirates!

2009-01-16T12:39:00.008-05:00

Ed Young is one of my favorite speakers and leaders that has cracked the code of planting a church that's relevant and relational. Many people years ago would not have dared to touch the kind of ministry he has been so influential in establishing. So when he speaks to church planter's I want to take notes! After watching this clip from last year that I stumbled upon on Community Planting, I felt I needed to reflect on this video clip because I agree with alot of what he's saying and at the same time I have some disagreements in general with church pirating as Ed Young would say on "a whole nutha level".

In response to Ed Young clip, I feel that planting a church that takes people from an existing congregation by splitting a church to start another is flat out WRONG! I have seen that happen many times in the Miami area where they plant like right around the corner from the church they have been in for so many years. It's what I like to call "TRANSFER" growth, not "TRANSFORMATIONAL" growth. If you really dissect a church, most churches grow that way anyways, so therefore is every Pastor a Pirate? Not necessarily!

For example we have some growing, thriving churches like Flamingo Road Church, Trinity Church, IBB Church, Miami Harvest Church, Christ The Rock, Oasis Church, The Pursuit Church (I like Matt Mehaffey) ......Should I continue......in my back yard as I am trying to build my core team and launch Freedom Culture. First of all I won't even think about competing for people or as some might view it "members" because I believe there is not enough churches in Miami to nurture the need to church one of the most un-churched Cities in South Florida, so there's room for everybody. The networking though among pastor's and churches (okay here comes the part where I vent) SUCKS! I have tried to reach out to pastors and connect with them but they are so far up in their little kingdom they forgot the Big Kingdom! I know... I know.... there busy and realistically as a pastor you do get pulled every which way but I have sat with a few men who I respect greatly (IBB PASTOR'S - Love these guys) because they took a minute to speak into my life and be a friend! But some could care less and though I have made attempts to meet with them, my church just isn't big enough to meet with them!.....YET!

While I have felt the burden to plant for years, the question of being a pirate doesn't really fit me because I actually resigned from my position as a youth pastor because I was being labeled as a Pirate for doing things differently and out the box in which the Pastor, who is a Godly man, felt that a group of Young leaders began to see me as an influence in their life and became insecure about what my intentions really were.

Now did some people after I left that church come to find out where I was at? yes! Not to be big-headed by saying that, I just mean that we really wanted to help people grow in their God-call. I'm sure that's not what this clip is saying, because it's clearly about people splitting churches but the "Whole nutha level" is how churches in general grow because the can attract alot of people through media, cultural relevancy and transferring in a dynamic team from other existing churches. I'm sure somebody will disagree with me and I understand because I think I may be hypocritical on this topic because I would be interested to know if somebody came to one of our gatherings and decided they wanted to be part of the church plant that was a member at another church.

I mean they tell you in church planting to develop your team around some season veterans who "get it" about church planting and to attract other leaders, so the reality is that we will be doing some recruiting and checking out some folks that we think can be part of our team but at the same time doing it with a sense of integrity and respect will make the whole world of difference.

I realize that people who make up some of our core and those I'm looking to connect into our core have come from other places but at the same time I praise God for not having that guilt or view of being a Church Pirate! I'm sure that once Freedom Culture is officially launched that people will come and check it out and might hopefully stay with us to build it but I pray that God help me to become a catalytic leader that understands the dynamics of both transfer and transformational growth.

Living out Community!

2009-01-15T08:18:00.008-05:00

I have share in my previous blogs on a couple in our community that my wife and I met through one of our outreaches at the Local Park as have developed a really good relationship with this young couple with 2 children. As I made my usual checking in on the people phone calls, I could hear the stress and frustration in his voice as he shared with me something that had happened the night before with the mother-in-law. So we invited them and the kids over for pizza and some time of hanging out to hopefully be an ear to what they have been going.

The short version is that they had to move from our apartment community because times have gotten financially tough for them and were unable to live within in their means after he loss his job due to cutbacks! They are staying with family which I know has been a humbling experience for them, so we have vowed to stick by their sides and become friends and Pastor's to them. Keep us in your prayers as we intentionally seek to impact people & families in and around our community.

What I BE about!

2009-01-14T07:58:00.006-05:00

Having a "Vision" is not easy as people think it is because more times than not, a Vision can sometimes consist of nothing more than an idea for change that deals more with the moment-here and now solution than a long term plan for transformation and growth. I have come to this place in my Journey after being married for a year, taking on a secular job and CHURCH PLANTING as to what is my vision really looking like for my life!

Before I was constantly jumping at opportunities that seem to give me this sense of vision until I came to a place in my life that not everything that comes my way is a God-vision plan but just a good opportunity or idea. Andy Stanley says in his book Making Vision Stick "that he often jokes that three primary obstacles to making vision stick are success, failure and everything in between." Do I agree? ABSOLUTELY!

I have probably been better at failing than succeeding, yet I realized that every time I succeed at something, it's directly connected to an experience or a time in my life that I tried something and have failed yet have mustard up enough guts to focus more on the what I envision will be different. I think that many people do not succeed in their personal, finances, marriage, education, employment, relationships or ministry because the have let the failures in their lives kill the Visionary in them.

What would it look like if people began to really focus on their vision? What might they accomplish emotionally, spiritually, physically, financially, relationally & socially?

Core team is developing!

2009-01-12T07:42:00.009-05:00

On the days we don't have our bi-weekly gatherings scheduled, the core team meets to reflect on the last gathering, prepare for the next week as I go over and lay the foundation down for leadership development and sermon thoughts. This time we went a little bit over time because we did something different with each of the leaders. We had each core leader begin sharing a little bit on the book they are reading that can contribute to the development of the core team and ministry. I realized that their are so many great books out there that can contribute to our development that I just can't read them all.

So I asked our team to help me and as we begin to work and develop the 5 Systems of a church plant that Ed Stetzer talk about in his book "Missional Church Planting", and be part of the learning journey that I am on the better comprehend and grasp the concepts, principles and ideas that we can incorporate to be an effective church plant.

Here are some of those reads:

Sharon is reading: Fresh Ideas

Rubin is reading: The Revolutionary Communicator

Diana is reading: The Heart of the Artist

Janyl is reading: Fusion

Catching up and keeping busy!

2009-01-11T15:25:00.007-05:00

I read someone else blog about not blogging as much because they have been on Twitter more and I thought well that's dumb..........that's of course before I realized that I actually like Twitter alot myself but no need to fear I will blog and share my thoughts and life with you. So I have been in this mindset of really thinking through our approach with Freedom Culture and how we are connecting people to some of our goals that we want to reach organizationally while keeping people ministerially and spiritually.

I wish I can say that it's an easy concept to figure out but the fact that we have started gatherings and have not launched out our first official service on a weekly basis, it's a good thing that we wrestle with these truths early on. I'm trying to do some reading as we prepare in the next 6 months so I have vowed to have these books read and completed:

1). Ordering Your private world (started already)

2). Creating Community (Ordered book, waiting to come in)

3). Making Vision Stick (Ordered book, waiting to come in)

Ministry: It's not what you get from it but what you give through it!

2009-01-06T19:17:00.006-05:00

It never seems to amaze me how ministry effects the life of people we serve at one point or another. I got this message from one of my old youth that was involved in the youth ministry I was a pastor at and it made me realize that ministry is not about what I can get from it but what I can give through it. I'm learning that truth even more in greater depth that as I have gotten married and stepped out to plant Freedom Culture.

Anyways, I want to share with you the message between me and this person after I asked him how he was doing?:
"Good, any chance I can go to your church if possible haven't been to one in a while, alot has changed I have moved in with dad and sister moved out on her own family drama u remember my mom, well yea haven't really been to church in awhile but I remember when I was in your group it was good experience."

I share that with all respect to the person who wrote that to me because it moves my heart to know the power of the Gospel when God appoints leadership in the life of a person. What's so strange was that we had another person come on Sunday to our gathering who said the same thing to me about wanting to connect with our ministry because of the influence the ministry I was able to serve in had on her life!

I understand that as people, leaders or pastors that we have an influence on the lives of those God connects us with and it's crucial that we get the "IT" factor in that ministry is not about what I can get from it but what I can give through it.

Off to a Good Start!

2009-01-05T08:41:00.000-05:00

We kicked off last night with "The Revolving Door" Series at Freedom Culture and I must tell you that not only was I proud of the way our team pulled it off but the presence of God was in the House! We had 5 new people check us out for the first time, which 4 of them was a direct result of FACEBOOK (add me). As Jack Hakimian said on twitter "@bennysalas good service, good message and most importantly experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit there. Praise God!".

When your building the foundation of a ministry momentum is so important because you can see little by little with every step we make and every time we plan the team drawing closer together and the spirit of God lead us into the real reason why we have burden to plant Freedom Culture! Just seeing people touched by the Worship and the word was Worth it all! Not boasting about what we do, but boasting about who we worship and are passionate in making HIS name Famous in our Culture!

What I love about even being apart of Freedom Culture is the intentional approach we take to want to build community with those who come through the doors and hope to see again be part of this spiritual community to do life with! Here are a few pics of the people that came to hang out at Freedom Culture!

Getting ready for 2009!

2008-12-31T11:04:00.007-05:00

Do you agree with this being one of the craziest year of your life? Wait a minute........Didn't you say that last year! What the heck, every year seems to challenge or stretch us in new ways. I definitely felt stretched in a few ways! Here are some thoughts and reflections of my 2008.

Started a new job at Community Partnership for homeless.

Moved into a Bigger Apartment.

Got rid of my first dog Asia and realized we wanted a dog so we got Rico!

Dismantled one team of slackers to begin building with a new Core Team of good people and leaders (yeah I said that).

We launched Freedom Culture gatherings & outreaches.

Blogged like a nut!

Got addicted to Facebook and Twitter!

Got a T-Mobile Google G1 phone because the T-mobile Dash SUCKS! .

Turned down a few Pastoral Positions opportunities that I'm still wondering why I did? (Serious note: God wanted me to Plant the Vision of Freedom Culture and I believe in the purpose with all my heart! )

Rented More DVD's in one year than I did my whole 30 years of living!

Besides that, I'm excited about 2009, especially the next 6 months as we will diligently work to hopefully grow our group participation to at least a solid 30-50 people through bi-weekly gatherings, Small groups, leadership development and community outreaches.

OOHHH..... That's what Christmas Means!

2008-12-26T11:41:00.008-05:00

A while back I shared on my blog post our meeting with a couple at The Country Village Park in our community during our Free Water events. As we (My wife and I) have been trying to connect with this couple, we decided to invite them over our house for a Christmas Day lunch because we have been really wanting to spend some time connecting and building community with them. Without disclosing to much info, this family has been in a tough situation as a result of employment loss and financial stress. The part that really sucks is that they live 2 about minutes away, 1 complex away from ours and they are planning to move because they can't make the monthly rent payment. Yes, I wished I had the funds to help them but we're trying to figure what can we do.

We spent some time praying, encouraging and then asked them "What can we do to help you"? You would think the would have given us a list of things but actually they said they needed encouragement and community with other people who can be by their side and read the Bible with and have family nights playing games! Okay, did I miss something because I was ready to write a check to help with groceries and gas or whatever they needed for their baby but I God let me see that giving isn't always what we think it is! I mean I got schooled about what this "Thing" call Christianity or being a Christ-follower is all about? Seeking Christ, Doing Life and Building Relationships!!!!

The good thing is they are only moving less then 7 mins away and so they will be close enough still and they will be coming this Sunday to our Freedom Culture gathering. We have something though planned for this couple and it includes Wedding Bells for them, so stay tuned to see how God will do some amazing things through this couple! If you want to help this family of 4, you can contact me at my email: benny@freedomculture.org. I believe this is what God has Called the Church and Freedom Culture to be about!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-25T10:57:00.002-05:00

My little Santa helper - Rico Suave Salas

"hay chihuahua" I've been delivering gifts all night!

Posted via Pixelpipe.

God is doing a New Thing!

2008-12-24T08:24:00.008-05:00

There's an old song by DC Talk that I can remember listening too as a young buck titled "God is doing a new thing" and yes I use to listen to DC Talk....Got crazy memories of being young in my faith and those songs were like "off the chain" at the time......besides they were the only non-whack Rap/R&B group. But the truth is that God is doing a new thing! As I spent some time checking out Newspring Church and the Internet Campus for lifechurch.tv , I was inspired hearing the sermons and seeing God do some amazing things in our very own back yard! I get so excited at what the Kingdom of God is doing and ask God constantly how Freedom Culture can align themselves in the community to create a movement that is reaching the church-ed and unchurch-ed communities.

This weekend I'll be sharing the Last of Core Values on: CULTURE - A New Way of Living! I was thinking about this topic and John 3:16 popped into my spirit and I began talking out some key points to myself (Pastor's you understand what I mean) that I believe God wants me to share with those this Sunday. This is our last gathering before we really get the ball rolling in 2009 with "Come-Unity" Groups in the homes and outreach to get Freedom Culture moving into this next year with momentum, structure and core teams members developing in their leadership capacity.

DETERMINATION!

2008-12-23T08:48:00.007-05:00

If your a true Chicago Bears fan you can understand that last night was a sweet victory for us! As I was sitting at Capone's Flicker Lite, "A Chicago Bears Stop" in Hollywood, FL. The place was jammed with die-hard Bears fan, which every time I go reminds me of home! To bad I have to wait till February when I return back home for the ECC Midwinter Conference. Actually that might be a good thing since it's below zero weather which I think I can do without! As we watch the clock winding down in the fourth quarter, there was this gut feeling that the Field goal with just under 25 seconds to play and the game tied was going to be blocked somehow. I mean were talking about the Defense which has saved our butts so many times that you just believe they'll do it and they did!

The only thing I could think of when Alex Brown blocked the kick was Determination. Actually watching that game kind of refreshed me! It may sound kind of cheesy but when I saw the replay of the defense all reaching up to block the kicker, the vision that came to mind was not just reaching for what you want but needing other team mates on the front lines around that are willing and determined to reach also. What that means to me at this point in my life is more than you can imagine because as we are developing our team, we looking for willing and determined people who have a heart for Christ and reach toward the goal Paul stresses in Phil 3:14.

The really cool thing is that yesterday I had a teammate, Pastor Ed Arroyo spend time with me on the phone going through ministry ideas and structure & Pastor Ed Carey who talk to almost everyday, help me this morning reach a little higher as he challenged me to strive and seek those things above not here on earth! It's great to have friends and people that are Kingdom Minded people who want to do life with you.

OOHH!!!!I just created a new saying for these guys who I consider friends that "two ED's are better than one"

Good News!

2008-12-22T14:28:00.004-05:00

Good News is always Good News! The Good News is our partnership with IBB church will continue through June in hope's that Freedom Culture can hit the ground running or at least walking a little faster in 2009. We will be kicking of and beginning weekly "Come-Unity" small group gatherings along with our bi-weekly (1st and 3rd Sunday's) fellowship gatherings that will be packed with heartfelt sermon topics that should interest those seeking some answers and leadership from a local church plant.

This Sunday Dec. 28th, we will conclude the year finishing up with the last of core value: "Culture - A New way of Living". I can't tell you how amped I feel about sharing this one because hopefully I will have some co-workers and guest checking us out for the first time. Oh yeah......Merry Christmas too!

Catching up

2008-12-21T16:34:00.006-05:00

I haven't been to much in the blogging mood or as my friend Jeremy Del Rio (Great Blogger by the way) would say "I was on an Blog-cation" meaning a vacation from blogging which I had no problem taking. Anyways, let me bring you up to speed on what's been going on in my world these days and what we have been thinking on with Freedom Culture. We spent some time hanging with the leaders exchanging some gifts on Friday which is always fun at my house, then I was getting ready for Saturday afternoon to attend and perform a Christmas Party- Surprise Engagement/Wedding event. Yes, it was crazy but really awesome to not only be apart of a wedding but to perform my first actual wedding! It's wasn't too bad either, just gave me some practice for the May Wedding of our core leaders Rubin and Janyl.

Today we hung out with Natalie and Ricky over at Flamingo Road Church and let me tell you there stage Christmas set-up was absolutely ridiculous just check it out!

PRESSURE!

2008-12-17T07:25:00.006-05:00

I tried to find a picture that can somewhat describe how I am feeling right about now in my ministry life and so the best idea I can come up with is a pressure gauge! Some will say yeah of course their is pressure, the economy is tough and Christmas is 1 week away and not enough money to buy gifts. Rather the kind of pressure I'm thinking of is more like the pressure to produce results that need to reflect the effectiveness of our efforts to plant Freedom Culture Successfully in Miami. Let define what I mean by saying that pressure is the state of being pressed or compressed, a constraining or compelling force or influence.

Pressure can be a good thing! If we don't have deadlines, goals and objectives then we will become great at procrastinating, which I have done in part to avoid the pressure of failing at church planting. Like so many who I read about have done when God gives them a vision and the flop and become discourage about doing whatever it was they set out to do! I had a great meeting with the Pastor's of IBB Church regarding the partnership we have with using their facility at a cost which after that meeting I felt pressured to make some things work in the next 6 months and begin thinking through the next steps for Freedom Culture. Now, though they are not telling me anything about Freedom Culture directly, because they have been one of the most amazing churches and people I have ever come across, they gave me and my wife some really good challenges and insight to re-think, as Russell would say "Our Niche" for the community. I needed to hear that because as I was chatting with Jimmy Pruitt on Monday, I admitted that I need define what we are about and not try to mimic what many other great churches in South Florida and around our doing! It's to think multi-campus church planting but I'm not ready for that nor should I engage that pressure on out team too soon. It's not to say leadership tools, ministry ideas or cultural relevancy is not to be learned from because I take notes from those who have planted already because there is much to be but I have to be patient and let Freedom Culture Develop it's own identity.

What I am learning about my pressure:

What and How am I hearing, seeing and confirming the work of God in this season of my life.
How far can go you without over-heating. In other words how can I maintain a balanced and healthy life & ministry without burning out.
What other alternatives can we as a team think through to take healthy pressure and produce effective results.
What is Freedom Culture about in our community? And have we defined our "NICHE" yet!
Are we doing alot of cool things that seem churchy or are we doing church development in a cool way!
Does the core team carry the same burden for the Church Plant (I believe so) or am I shouldering the development process alone with my wife!
Do people get what we are doing or is Freedom Culture just another "church plant gone wild" in their community.

Another Busy Sunday

2008-12-15T11:54:00.007-05:00

Actually my Sunday was busy but not stressful so I'm cool with staying busy! We met some South Floridian Church planters over at The Pursuit Church and then chilled out at TGIF watching the Dolphins put together a nice game. Hey don't get me confused, I'm a Bears fan to the core. So over lunch we were thinking of this New idea for Prayer that we want to introduce to local pastors to connect with, buit were thinking through it and once we have worked out the details we will launch soon in '09. As I stated on twitter that my wife came up with this great idea (she told me earlier though) to clean the room late last night after returning back from a really cool event that IBB church put on for christmas (Was sup IBB fam) and I was thinking she must be "LOCA" (not really) and I tried to work my way out of it but the Holy Spirit (exaggeration moment) stuck me in the head and said "get up thy lazy and unfaithful cleaner" so I decided to polish off a few bedroom items which for sure saved me from "a free cup of Guilt", "a side order of I'm sorry" & a very "rightly so" ticked off spouse! All I can say is thank you Jesus! I think my dog though was going a little loco though about the cleaning as you will see what I mean!

Hanging with Matt and at IBB

2008-12-14T17:09:00.005-05:00

We decided to take a few of the Core team members today to check out The Pursuit Church and Lead Pastor Matt Mehaffey in Pembroke Pines today and we had a great time at the service and afterwards chatting with the staff about church planting, networking, Hillsong conference & worship websites, partnership! Met Matt on Twitter and Yes it was all good! Really liked what they are doing there and hope to connect with other local church planters in the South Florida Area.

Also will also be joining IBB church tonight for a Christmas play they have had going on thru the weekend and I know they have been hauling butt trying to get this weekend going. Keep you posted on how it goes!

CPH Christmas Party

2008-12-13T23:06:00.000-05:00

Last night my wife and I attended the CPH Christmas Banquet at the signature Grand which we had a blast hanging with the staff and friends as we saw many unusual things happen at the event. Isn't it a trip when your co-workers start acting a fool or start dancing like they actually have some groovy moves? Well I saw 2 things that was absolutely hysterical. First, one of the kitchen staff decided to do 2-step and the funky-chicken (j/k) until her pants dropped down to her knees while dancing with a case manager. I'm not sure many people on the other-side saw it but I happened to catch it! Secondly this guy whom I had never seen starting Spanish dancing with one of the CPH staff and I guess what has appeared to be a lost of step fell flat on his butt. The funny thing I found out was that this guy was a party crasher from another party being hosted in the same facility and was "drunk" blasted out of his mind. Other than that we had a good time!

"How to install a husband"

2008-12-12T15:19:00.006-05:00

Rubin sent me this email and I think you would enjoy it!

INSTALLING A HUSBAND
Dear Tech Support,
Last year I
upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down
in
overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry
applications,
which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0.
In addition, Husband 1.0
uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as
. Romance 9.5 and
.
Personal Attention 6.5, and then installed undesirable programs such as
. NBA 5.0,
. NFL 3.0 and
. Golf Clubs 4.1
Conversation
8.0 no longer runs and
Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system.
. Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these
problems, but to no avail.
What can I do?
Signed,
Desperate.

DEAR DESPERATE,
First, keep in mind,
. Boyfriend 5.0 is an
Entertainment Package, while
. Husband 1.0 is an operating system.
Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears
6.2 and do not forget to install the
Guilt 3.0 update.
. If that
application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the
applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5
However, remember, overuse
of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence
2.5,
Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1
. Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad
program that will download the Farting and Snoring Loudly Beta.
Whatever
you do, DO NOT under any circumstances install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a
virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your
system
resources.)
In addition, please do not attempt to reinstall the
Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash
Husband
1.0
In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited
memory and cannot learn new applications quickly.
You might consider
buying additional software to improve memory and performance.
We
recommend
. Cooking 3.0 and
. Hot Lingerie 7.7

*oouchhh! I got some updating to do! lol

Just a few thoughts

2008-12-11T08:08:00.008-05:00

Since we are in the Christmas Winter Holiday Season, which if you live in Miami you can't tell when it comes or when it goes due in part to most people having no Christmas spirit at all! I think the scrooge may be running this town or something. Anyways, tonight I'll be spending some well needed time in prayer and planing for Freedom Culture with my wife, in preparation for our Sunday afternoon core team gathering. During my few hours yesterday with Marcel Sanchez, associate pastor of IBB church, I was able to reflect some things I just needed to get more insight on. Thanks Marcel for hanging out over breakfast, I needed that! At times it can feel that the Church Planting process if very overwhelming and even to much to handle at times but then you talk to someone who has been there and it all makes sense, you just got to hang in there and have a teachable spirit. I sometimes can struggle with organizing my thoughts because I tend to over-think and stress myself out with the logistics of organizational development that if I'm not careful can miss the little details that matter most, so as you can imagine, Balance is really key for me.

So, here's how I need to create balance in this season of my:

Clear picture of the bigger picture - God factor
Spend time with those who balance me out - Relationships factor
Build with those you trust and are not afraid to take risk on - Trust factor
Don't be afraid to take healthy risk (That's weird) - Risk factor
Think through and ask myself the tough questions - Preparation factor
Seasons come and go, so endure the changes and make adjustments - Time factor

2008-12-10T15:48:00.010-05:00

Just returned from the Luncheon hosted by Integrity live for the Hillsong United Encounter April 17-18, 2009. For real, this is gonna be crazy! My wife and I went last year and it was something words cannot express, you just have to check it out for yourself. Here are some pic from last years conference we went too in Orlando.

Pastor Brian Houston and wife Bobbie! She prayed for my wife and I! I asked her too! lolBrooke Fraser worskshop : the Secular myth

Hard Times Come No More

2008-12-09T16:30:00.004-05:00

In the urban community of Downtown Miami it reads "Hard times come again No More". For many who don't know I work as a Case Manager at Community Partnership for Homeless and see everyday the struggle of many people losing their jobs going through one of the toughest economic states our generation has seen.
Posted via Pixelpipe.

FYI: Florida foreclosure rate is officially the worst in the nation. 1 in every 10 americans homeowners is either at least one month behind in their mortgage or facing foreclosure.
Check out this video link of CPH on CBS4.
http://cbs4.com/video/?id=67015@wfor.dayport.com

Let's pray for a real change in our economic structure and for those who walk in the compassion, justice and mercy of God, to rise up & help their neighbors.

Chicago Bears 23 - JAX Jaguars 13!

2008-12-07T14:53:00.002-05:00

Chillin at a Chicago Bears, Cubs spot in Hollywood, FL.

sunday game gear

Leadership: "From Hurting to Helping"

2008-12-06T14:21:00.007-05:00

I was invited to speak to the leadership team of Kingdom Covenant Ministries in South Miami (Kendall Area) this morning on the topic: From Hurting to Helping, by Pastor Ed & Anita Carey. These Pastors have been a mentor to my wife and I as we have been seeking a direction in our church planting adventures with the Evangelical Covenant Church. The seminar started off with a breakfast and brief word from Pastor Ed and then he released me to share with the people.
We took a few Core leaders with us: My wife, Me, Pastor Ed, Rubin and Janyl also came along for the leadership advance training.

Below this picture we lifted up the Pastors who have been seeking a new paradigm shift in their ministry to raise next generational leadership in the ministry.
I spoke out of the story were Peter and Jesus have these encounters during Christ transition from being with His disciples to bearing the burden of the Cross. Peter in his moment of speaking courageous words of never denying the Christ (Matthew 26:31-35), finds himself being exposed about his weakness, leaving him discouraged about the character of his heart. In his moment to put up or shut up (Luke 22:54-62), Peter (from a distance) See's Christ being falsely accused and does absolutely nothing about it! He denies Christ twice and by the third time he denies Him, Christ makes eye contact with Peter and Peter makes eye contact with Him and then he hears the rooster crow. Can you imagine the heartbreak Peter felt knowing that just a day before or so he was so bold and courageous and passionate and now he has denied Christ, following him from afar, mixing in with the crowd and cussing up a storm!

I think it's those moments of discouragement and brokenness that many in Leadership deal with, we can say things that are character does not quit match up to the potential it takes to sustain it. The truth about Peter was that he was hurting.... I mean really hurting bad because the text says 'he wept bitterly". What I do know is that Jesus takes Peter's hurting and discouraging heart and challenges him to go a help people who are hurting as well (John 21:15-19).

Jesus encourages Peter after making breakfast for the Disciples by the sea to "feed the flock and tend to their needs". I believe Jesus was teaching Peter to move from his "hurting state to his helping state". I wonder how many of us, as leaders, God uses in our brokenness? The reality is we don't have to stay discouraged but rather allow God's word to encourage us in the time when we just blow it! I know I have blow it quit a few times and have seen the grace of God transition me through the hurting stages. Brokenness for some may not come in the form that Peter experienced, yet, the principle is that God can use us to serve through our place of weakness and broken condition to be influential in the lives of many. We know later that Peter end up preaching the first sermon in Acts 2, in which thousands come to know Christ! I think that you would agree that God uses broken people for his perfect work.

Bowling This weekend!

2008-12-05T14:38:00.005-05:00

Bowling Night
Freedom Culture Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 7th 2008
TIME: 6:00pm
LOCATION:
Sparez
5325 South University Drive
Davie, FL 33328

MORE INFO: Bring your friends and family with you and get ready to have fun!

If you have any questions call 786.253.6717.

The Big Idea

2008-12-04T11:42:00.008-05:00

This is a picture of my brain trying to think strategically about how we can better reach our community! When I think of my community or communities of people, were looking to connect with people who we can identify with in regards to living life, doing church and spreading the gospel message too. I truly get the passage in Matthew 9:35-38 when Jesus is moved with compassion for the people in His community that have no direction and are in need of laborers too guide and lead his people.

The text records so much of Jesus dealings in the community as being birthed out of the Ministry of Compassion. The reality is that no matter what we seek to accomplish in ministry or organizational structure, it's the compassion we show to the people whom we are living life next too that counts! As I racked my brain reading book after book, blog after blog, facebook after facebook, twitter after twitter (By the way Dave Furgeson has some good stuff, just met him on twitter) I know that people matter above all and real "Big Idea" is modeling the compassion of Jesus to a community that are scattered like sheep without a shepard.

Hanging on for the Ride!

2008-12-03T12:42:00.010-05:00

We'll I thought the week was off to a good start until a phone conversation that I had somewhat threw me for a loop and it seems like I have not yet recovered from it! I'm taking the situation for what it is and "trying my best" to let God enlighten me as to the direction he has for me and the Church Plant.

These are those time when you reflect on the Goodness of God when it feels like the things your hoping for would work out and it just takes time for it to come to fruition. I admit I can be impatient and even challenging so I must hold myself accountable as well, and if I don't my wife will remind me anyways, but the strength to continue pursuing the mission of God when life challenges confront you will determine your level of attitude and altitude. Here are some key things that are getting me through the challenges.

God - Understanding that I am nothing without God's plan, His Word and the ability to Pray that lifts & moves me closer to Him in spite of any circumstances. .

My Wife/Family - The one who knows me inside out and may not always agree with me but loves me like non-other. I love doing life with my wife. Most of my family in Chicago but I stay in contact with them.

Positive People - I have a deep relationships with fellow leaders Ed Carey, Larry Acosta, David Robertson, men who I can be transparent with! Also my Freedom Culture Core Team leaders (Sharon, Rubin, Janyl, Diana) that bring much joy to my life! A lot of work lies ahead but we have a great Team thus far. IBB Church Pastors (Marcel & Russell) Oh almost forgot the Devos Learning Community too! (Tommy Carrington)

Social Networking/Blogging - Blogspot, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter. Connecting on a network level keeps me fresh and interested in the world today.

My dog Rico - The little guy snapped on me Sunday night and sunk his teeth in my nostrils.. No joke I have a scab in the my nose.

The Mission of the Ministry - Beginning this journey and adventure of Church Planting I knew would not be easy so I did expect these challenges but I love the mission of the Local Church and the impact it has on the culture for Christ.

2008-12-02T17:31:00.001-05:00

g1 phone

my life, ministry and techie skills just easier and more fun with the G1.
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Guest Post from My wife! Check it out.

2008-12-01T13:58:00.006-05:00

My wife encouraged and insisted last night after our gathering to read her blog. First of all I'm just excited that she's blogging but it really inspired me to hear my wife give her insight on our gathering last night. I must admit I almost felt a little discouraged but I truly believe the Holy Spirit really showed up last night in a comforting way that I have not experienced in a long time. Reading what my wife wrote allowed me to reflect on what God is doing and how he is building our team and ministry, so therefore today's blog is a guest post blog from my wife's blog......Enjoy!

We just came from our Freedom Culture gathering. I really want to express what a GREAT gathering it was. I'm going to be honest...there was one first time visitor and the rest of the people were the usuals. In total there was 10 people. Why do I share this? Because it was impressing to see how my church reacted. Everyone was in position at 6:07pm, worship began, greeters were at the door, and the power point was up and going. It impressed me to see that regardless of the numbers my church got up and proceeded. It reminded me that my church is not about numbers, or performing it's about drawing closer to Christ.

I was reminded of the scripture in Matthew 18:1-5 "1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me."I saw the childlike faith in the leaders, in my husband and realized that everyone believed in God. They did not pout and question why people were not present, they just believed. If you have seen any child that has began to develop a relationship with Christ the child believes whole-heartedly without any hesitation on God. If God said it, it is going to happen. I saw all the leaders and people that were there in that same light. They carried a childlike expectancy on God and expected that God would minister and move if two or 2,000 people would have been gathered.

Worship. Diana and Gerry (from Relevant) stirred within me something awesome. There had been this steel wall/door that was placed there by disappointments with so many "religious institutions" and experiences. They were able to completely knock the door down and make the way for me to connect with God through worship. There are no words to explain how it felt. It was great hearing Diana's voice again. Her voice just brings a different dynamic. Gerry's leadership and Diana's voice and anointing was just beyond what my skin could contain! It was a supernatural experience that I do not expect too many people would understand.

My husband gave a great message on C.A.R.E. our fifth core value. He was relevant to where we as believers and as people need to be. We need to be COMPASSIONATE, ACCOUNTABLE, RESTORATIVE, AND ENDURING. Like Brooke Fraser sings in her song Albertine "Faith without deeds is dead!!" How can I as a Christian say I love Christ or follow God if I cannot back my actions with deeds or, love without and conditions, to endure and restore people who need!Tonight's gathering was awesome. My spirit and attitude is refreshed and sparked.

Hopefully you could join us for our next gathering on December 28 at 5:45pm. FREE COFFEE!

C.A.R.E. - A Heart of Compassion

2008-11-30T11:30:00.004-05:00

I am so pumped about today's gathering! The heart to C.A.R.E. about people must be birthed out of a heart of compassion that Jesus had while He did life and ministry here on heart! The truth is you don't need to be a God follower or christian to have a Heart of Compassion but Christ give us a reason to have a heart for the hurting, poor and less fortunate. We pray for that to be the heartbeat of this ministry and we develop into our core values and not only seek to reach our local community with hope but one day the Global community as well.

My Friend holds true to her promise!

2008-11-29T09:13:00.004-05:00

Wanted to Share this email with you of a good friend of mine back home in Chicago who I remembered while we were at Moody told me about this day and it's finally here. Congrats Melody & Fabien.

A 28-year-old Chicago Latina Remains
A Virgin Until Marriage

Chicago Couple Teaches and Practices Abstinence Until They Tie The Knot This Week

WHAT: In a time where casual sex is the norm or “seems to be the norm”, teen pregnancy is on the rise, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are spreading at an alarming rate, a Chicago couple has chosen to save all sexual activity until matrimony.

After years of practicing what they teach, Melody LaLuz, a 28-year-old virgin will wed 30-year-old Claudaniel Fabien better know as “CD, ” who is of Haitian decent and moved to Chicago from Arizona. As abstinence educators, they have inspired thousands of youth nationwide by teaching them all the benefits of saving sex until marriage. Together they have served as real life examples that abstinence until marriage is not only possible, but also works.

“Sex is worth the wait! We believe this and we live out what we teach---it’s true that abstinence does work,” said LaLuz and Fabien. At 16 years old LaLuz made a decision to save sex until marriage and plans to keep that decision until her wedding day.

After meeting in Uganda , Africa in July 2006 on an abstinence missions trip, the couple sparked a friendship, later leading to a romance. Prior to their dating relationship, LaLuz remained single for six years in keeping with a seven-year commitment she had made while in college not to date. In the sixth year of her commitment, she met Fabien who had been single and abstinent for five years. He had made a commitment to “start over” while in college. They quickly discovered their common interests and their shared values for abstinence until marriage. Not only are they saving sex until marriage, they are waiting to share their first kiss on their wedding day. The couple will marry on Saturday, November 29, 2008!

WHEN: Saturday November 29, 2008 at 1pm
The couple will have an open ceremony inviting family, friends and even their students throughout Chicago Public Schools on the North Side and South Side to share in this special occasion. Hundreds are expected to attend.

“Some teens have been to more funerals than weddings, and we want them to see a real couple who is madly in love, get married after waiting to save sex until marriage,” said La Luz.

2008-11-28T14:18:00.007-05:00

Last Year my wife and I were in Riviera Maya Mexico enjoying the Thanksgiving Holiday on our Honeymoon celebration in a Resort that was off the chain! Man I want to go back there again! Anyways, this year we were in West Palm Beach Florida looking out into the beautiful blue Ocean & sky. Sounds cheesy I know but wow, it was an awesome view!

We are getting ready for our 5th Freedom Culture Gathering this Sunday and I can't wait to speak on our 5th core value called CARE: Caring for the Needs of one another! I would say this will probably be the most heartfelt message of our core value sermons series dealing with the responsibility we have to model the heart and character of Christ! Please don't miss out if you can make it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T12:06:00.003-05:00

Don't ya just love the holidays! I'll be in West Palm Beach chillin with my wife Father wife family for the day! Check back in soon! Have a great day!

News Flash - Keeping ya fresh on the 411

2008-11-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to keep the Miami-ans informed of 2 "Must be apart of events" taking place as we prep our calendars for the new year. The Hillsong United Team w/ Pastor Brian Houston will coming to Miami, here's the 411:

Dear Hillsong United Fan,We are excited to announce that the 2009 Hillsong United Encounter will be coming back to Florida. Join us at the Bank United Center at the University of Miami on April 17 – 18, 2009 for a weekend of impassioned ministry and worship! Registration will open on December 1st at www.integritylive.com. We are offering a special ADVANCE rate until December 31st of only $69 per person. That’s a savings of 50% off the door registration price! Space is limited this year, and like the Orlando event, it could SELL OUT, so we recommend registering as soon as possible.Need additional information? Join us for a special FREE Leaders Luncheon hosted by Integrity Live coming to:

Miami, FL – December 10, 2008The Bank United Center at the University of Miami 1245 Dauer Drive Coral Gables, FL 33146

H100 Room12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Doors open at 11:30 AM)RSVP by December 4th: www.hillsongunitedconference.com/miamilunch

At the Luncheon we will: provide additional event information, provide promotional materials including fliers and posters, and answer any questions you may have regarding the conference. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 1-800-503-0629 or via email at info@integritylive.com We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Integrity Live TeamPS – Stay up to date with the latest Integrity Live News by texting “ilive” to 66937 *The free luncheon is limited to 2 (two) leaders per church. Additional leaders are welcome to attend at a cost of $10 per person. Please visit www.hillsongunitedconference.com/miamilunch for additional information or to RSVP. Standard text messaging rates apply to all text messages

Plans for One Prayer 2009 are underway!
Save the date: One Prayer will take place from June 7 - 28, 2009.

The premise for One Prayer will remain the same: what if we could be the answer to Jesus' prayer (John 17:20-24) for his Church to become one?
The teaching theme for 2009 is, "God Is..." We'll be exploring the attributes of God through messages like "God is Powerful," "God is a Fortress," "God is My Provider, " and "God is Love."
We'll unite as the Church in action as we share, serve, and give. We'll be sharing resources, serving our communities, and giving to a meaningful cause.
One Prayer is all about churches working together and we've already had several churches offer to contribute ideas, time and resources to making One Prayer 2009 a success. We are also working on some plans that will engage many of you in the creative process for One Prayer. It's going to be a great year for unity!

Look for the first phase of the new website to launch in mid-January.
Be anticipating an even bigger response to One Prayer in 2009 and believe it will be an opportunity to leave a permanent imprint of Christ on the world. We hope you'll be able to join us for a phenomenal moment in God's Kingdom.

Pastor's Gone Wild Series: Tony Jones on Same Sex Marriages!

2008-11-25T08:31:00.016-05:00

This is not my usual "Pastor's gone wild" tirade of pastor's who seem to have gotten wacko on biblical absolutes but I came across this interesting blog by Tony Jones on the same sex issues which seemingly has grown to be an influential movement in the emergent church and in our culture. Allow me to state my position as a God follower that God is a God of love, Peace, Mercy and Justice in which I believe wholeheartedly to be true. Let me also state that God is a God of wrath, judgement, and Holiness in which, that which is ungodly or contrary to his precepts will be judged. It's always hard to talk about topics and issues that deal with the nature of a person because who are we or for that matter, who am "I" to say what's right and what's wrong! Thank God for America and it's platform to speak out on such topics that have caused and stirred up conflict in our society. I never heard of Tony Jones until I came across this article on Monday Morning Insight which reported a statement made by Tony Jones that said "I now believe that GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer) can live lives in accord with biblical Christianity (at least as much as any of us can!) and that their monogamy can and should be sanctioned and blessed by church and state.

I am drawn to this blog because of the content that is both factual and un-biblical in it's context at the same time! I stated in one of my previous blogs that God condemns the acts of Homosexuality and fornication regardless of the culture's view on this issue. I don't want to sound harsh, insensitive or a "homo-phobic hater" because truthfully I am not! I have had friends, client's, and even fellow Christians who have embraced such lifestyle which I have never had a hatred for them, yet I disagree with the lifestyle they chose to live as being accepted by God. This is a difficult topics because as a Church, were do we stand on these issues in light of God's standards! To say that this issue out shines the rest is invalid because the issue of Sin holds no biases, yet these issues of same sex relationships is more "I feel" an issue of identity. Because I do embrace a spiritual view that many might not consider to be applicable to this topic, my convictions and study of the scriptures, along with the a cultural view leads me to believe that a spiritual stronghold, sexual abuse, exposure to sexual perversion such a pornography can all be contributing factors that nurture those feelings. I understand that it is not the case for everyone who is (G,L,B,T,Q) which I do believe is true in some respects, but please someone tell me why those leading Churches have become such COWARD'S on this issue. If it's what we believe then it's what we believe. To show love is essential no matter what the sin issue is and so therefore are we saying that loving someone means we have to accept their beliefs and views on Sinful acts regardless if it contradicts our real convictions?

The scriptures are plain and simple and the truth about homosexuality should not make it taboo or unspoken in the local church because the issues have been here and it's never going away! We should model to anyone, regardless of their lifestyle practice, a spirit of love and mercy that would engage others to experience the cleansing the comes from knowing God.

Please understand that I do not hate the (G,L,B,T,Q) community at all! Please share your thoughts and concerns on this issue!

Leadership - Law of the Lid

2008-11-21T17:54:00.008-05:00

I'm in the process of taking our leadership 'Core Team" that we have thus far through John Maxwell's book "21 Irrefutable Laws of leadership" to help our team and myself with some fresh foundation for leadership. I have read through this book already but it never seems to get old because the principles are always applicable no matter what stage or level of leadership your in. We started off today in our core group leaders meeting with talking about the first law:

The Law of the Lid - Leadership ability is the lid that determines a person level of effectiveness.

The idea is that your leadership ability will only go as far as the lid you put on it, therefore reflecting how effective a person really is. Duuuuhhh, he just said that is what your thinking but realistically if you have capped off your capacity for growth it will reflect on the results by which your leadership can be measured. The challenge for this law is that it always has to be implemented on any level to avoid the pitfalls of just doing good when we can be doing great! Someone once said that the "enemy to Great is Good" since doing a good a job will sometime satisfy you enough to be content, neglecting the opportunity for greatness.

Some other key points made from this chapter are:

Your leadership ability- for better or for worse - always determines your effectiveness and the potential impact of your organization.
the Higher you want to climb the more you need leadership. The greater the impact you want to make, the greater your influence needs to be.
You can find smart, talented successful people who are able to only go so far because of the limitations of their leadership.

Here is some food for thought!

Have you identified lately those limitations in your personal, relational, spiritual, emotional, financial and professional life, that has place a lid on your capacity?
In your leadership role, how effective are you and are you being as effective as you could be?
Are those around you influenced how your leading and are you challenging them to grow in capacity as well?

My 101 Blog Anniversary!

2008-11-20T12:39:00.006-05:00

Today I'm celebrating my "101 Blog Anniversary" and must confess I feel like I have yet to scratch surface. Why Blog? What is so important about what I have got to say that you haven't already heard? Is it really because I have something to say or just because I really have to say something? The reason I have enjoyed the ART of Blogging is the unique thoughts, ideas, insights, opinions and perspectives we can share with the world that would otherwise not give us the time of day! I usually like blogging because I have something that I want to address or give an opinion on or more over because something cool is happening in the world of ministry that would hopefully challenge, inform or encourage somebody in some way or another. I blog few on politics, even though I have come to grips that alot of my views my be conservative mixed with a dash of liberalism. I try my best to hold a cultural worldview and a biblical worldview that has shaped, reformed and informs those who would give any blog a moment to check out and read.

Thanks much if you have check out any of my blogs and left a comment or just glimpsed through. I can't promise you I'll blog everyday but I promise to do my best at blogging! Peace Out! Till next blog.

The Sunday Wrap-Up!

2008-11-18T22:09:00.009-05:00

Sorry for the late Blog on the Freedom Culture Gathering we had this past Sunday but I was caught up celebrating my 1 year anniversary of marriage with the wifey! Yeah......I know you would agree why? Well I thought I would report that our neighbor and new friends Jesey and Jackie & Co. came to our gathering this past Sunday and hung out with us for the night! God is so cool isn't He. Maybe you don't know how we were able to connect with this couple but the short version of the story is we met them at one of our outreaches passing out water, then met them again at an event in our leasing office over free pizza, got the chance to pray over them and then I ran across him again throwing out the garbage. Can we say God is up to something, Absolutely! Anyway, they showed up and it's was a joy to have them join us for something we are so passionate about! Truthfully, it is for this reason why we have started these gatherings to connect the churched and un-churched in our community to a growing multi-ethnic & multi-generational ministry.

We also had Yannick & Mr. E of Soul Movement Crew dropped by the gathering to share some spoken word poetry and promote their celebration weekend:The core value sermon for this gathering was on "COMMUNITY" as it relates to the first century church in Acts 2:42-47 and closed with an intimate time of communion and prayer!

The worship again was "off the Chain" led by Jerry "your the man-one band" Sosa. People really engaged in the worship with a real passion and longing for the presence of God! Here are some pics from the gathering.

1 Year Anniversary Today! Love you Babe!

2008-11-17T13:29:00.006-05:00

Today I celebrate 1 year of Marriage to my Lovely Bride, best friend and lover Sharon Renee Salas. I dedicate this blog to her on this special day as we reflect on our first year of marriage and look forward to many more years ahead. Let me share with you what I think about my wife! She is a beautiful, intelligent, thoughtful, strong, disciplined, fun-loving, caring, woman who challenges herself and me to become more efficient in whatever we do in life. She has taught me so much since we have been together and I have had the honor and privilege of being her husband in leading our family and marriage closer to God. I want my wife to know that I respect her, love and honor her not just this day, but every moment I get to spend with her on Earth! I am so proud of all her and all the accomplishments she has reached thus far. I may be a few, well actually 8 yrs. older than my wife, but I look up to her work ethic and walk with God as an example to me. I know that when we have children she will be an amazing mother and help me to become an amazing father. Thank you Sharon for hanging in there with me through the tough times and being their to laugh with me in the good times. I love you, Te Quiero Mucho!
Your Husband,
Benny

"Free Water"! Again?

2008-11-15T07:37:00.012-05:00

We were out & about last night at The Country Village Park in the Miami-Hialeah area passing out "Free Water" to our neighbors in hope's of connecting with our local community. We are trying to be as intentional about inviting people to come check out our Bi-weekly gathering which will be hosting this Sunday while getting to know our neighbors and being involved in our local community. It's really is funny though when you hand out "Free Water" how people react!! So therefore we decided that next time hit the streets again we will take a video camera and give you never seen before live, unedited, uncut behind the scene footage of the madness that take place at the outreaches! Okay so I'm exaggerating just a little bit, but this has really opened a door for conversation with people and has given the team confidence to invite others while articulating the vision to our community. I mean this community is a fishing pond filled with teenagers, young families and young adults who we have been able to find at the local parks and other places in our area. We praying that God will give us the strategy, wisdom and creativity to reach this demographic area and connect our neighbors with a Ministry and community of believer's.

What's really cool is that they are also building a skate park in the park we have designated to be are target area that will be opening soon and will sure draw in a whole other demographics of teens and people. Maybe you don't know but as an ex-skateboarder....... Wait, what! ooohhhh you don't believe me! Check these out!

That's right it's your boy grinding that bench in Venice Beach California back in 1990. Wow 18 years ago, that's crazy it was 13 y/o! That's all I did when I was a young -buck, man I miss those days! So Just know I got a heart-spot for my fellow skateboarders!

Amen for SEX!

2008-11-14T14:26:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite speakers and leaders Ed Young of Fellowship Church issued a challenge that not even the secular world has done which is for married couples to have sex for the next 7 days beginning Nov.16th 2008.

Last night we talked about this in our Devos Learning Community Group and it drew some mixed feelings as to "why" he would do this or as one person said that they thought is sent the wrong message! Personally, I think it's EXACTLY what the church needs to do and stop punking out from talking about the gift God has blessed in Marriage and take a stand on this topic without any fear. Now this is a Sexual Revolution like non-other which I'm sure some knuckle-head will try to twist the real intentions behind that Ed Young is making for married couple to draw closer in intimacy and affection for one another. I know when my wife told me about this challenge, God spoke to me in a Vision I agreed. For once I did not argue back with my wife! Lol If your married and you have read this blog.....Like I said if your MARRIED, then participate in sharing this next week with your spouse growing in intimacy and togetherness. You know the real cool part is that I celebrate my 1 year Anniversary of Marriage with my wife and this will sure be one I will never forget!

Going Home for MidWinter in February?

2008-11-13T13:43:00.007-05:00

Every February the Evangelical Covenant Church has the Mid-Winter Conference (Click for brochure/conference details) where all the Evangelical Covenant Churches within the Denomination gather in Chicago (My Hometown) for workshops, networking and spiritual renewal. I'm really looking forward to attending this year again, connecting more with the ECC and the vision they have to plant churches and effectively build long-lasting church ministry. Yes, the process has been extensive and long for us to go through but I believe and pray this is God's leading and direction for Freedom Culture.

Pastor's Gone Wild/The Church Divided over Same Sex Marriages?

2008-11-12T07:30:00.013-05:00

I have been on this blogging campaign, you can say to bring to the forefront issues and belief's that supposedly pastor's seem to believe in that are contrary to God's standards. As stated before you may think I'm working against the Kingdom of God and really should not worry about these issues as long as it's not bothering me or hurting anybody but I beg to differ when the church rises up to stand for something that really is more about pleasing men than pleasing God. It amazes me still how the church can be divided over such an issue as Same Sex Marriages! Either I misread something in the text or my pastor ripped out those verses (Not really) or people are just so blinded they refuse to accept what the scriptures says. Did we not forget why God Destroyed the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? In light of my ranting and raving, I am not troubled at the story of people protesting in front of Saddleback Church after the Proposition 8, Gay Marriage Ban was approved in the state of California. Click here for Article.

I can deal with those who have a secular humanistic worldview to be the one's protesting but when the pastor of the 4,000-member All Saints Church in Pasadena spoke out against Proposition 8, calling the religious community's support of it "embarrassing", I get pissed off! The church as whole, regardless of what Theological view you adhere to or denomination you belong to should be firm about the absolutes and not be cowards in their view regardless if it's unpopular.

I usually give a laundry list of scriptures and passages regarding topics that are clearly contrary to the God's word and so I will not cease to provide you with the 411:

Leviticus 18 (The whole Chapter)
James 3:15
1 Thessalonians 4:3
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Matthew 5:28
2 Timothy 2:22
1 John 2:16
1 Peter 2:11
1 Peter 1:14
Jude 1:18

Just because I provided a list of scriptures does not mean that we should walk around hating people because that's not what Christ preached! Yes He preached love and so do I, but he also said to not approve the things of this world too! Do I sound overly-religious? Maybe I do but the issue of Marriage and same sex benefits should be dealt with and as long as we will live in a culture and society that embraces such we will have to fight with the issues. So, therefore let's get the facts of life from both a biblical context and moral context and not be afraid to stand for what we believe. This church and pastor reminds me somewhat of the passage found in John 12:42-43 where the Rulers believed Jesus words and teaching but because of the Pharisees that did not accept Him for the fear of being out-casted and placed out of the Synagogue. Listen, Jesus said we will be out-casted so we do strive to fit in with something that doesn't fit our moral, spiritual and ethical values.

Pastor's Gone Wild: The Randy White Saga

2008-11-11T09:40:00.008-05:00

Quit often I blog about the issue and topic of "Pastor's Gone wild" not to tear the Church apart but to inform the people and readers of this blog about the mishaps that go on in the Christian world. The bible is clear about False teachers and how to handle them when it comes to misleading the people into a wrong perspective of God. These are some powerful scriptures that can better help you develop a conviction on your own before you watch the video clip and read the article:

Psalm 5:4-6

Matthew 7:15-23

1 John 4:1

Galatians 1:8

1 Timothy 3:1-13

1 Timothy 6:3-10

2 Peter 2:1-22

Some Call this "Prosperity Gospel" but like I heard a pastor say, it really should be call the "Greed Gospel". Please read the scriptures, click on the article link I have provided and leave a comment on your thoughts.

What's going on in my HOOD!

2008-11-10T13:10:00.005-05:00

My wife, Rubin and I decided to go show some love over at Relevant Church Miami Sunday morning since we have bi-weekly gatherings and this was an off weekend and it's was really cool what they got going on there. Saw my bro-ski, J.P. who is sick-alicious on the guitar! Being there in the service sparked some new and fresh ideas in me to think about and it really was refreshing to see all the young people there engaging in their church. Relevant Church I think is a 3 year old church plant and they seem to have a good future ahead of them. We hope to connect with them since they are literally 4 minutes from my house and about less than 7 minutes from where we host our gatherings.

I also last reported how I felt God led my wife and I to meet with this couple in our community who we met at the park previously during our "Free Water" outreach and so with that on my mind still, I was on my way to go throw out the garbage and guess who I run into? You got, the guy, Jesey walking down the stairs! Now I'm convinced that God does what us to get to know this couple and I am excited about connecting with people in our community. We exchanged numbers again and look forward to this Sunday Nov.16th gathering when they will join us!

Live Out Loud

All things are Possible...Event 10,000 Tents in 2 days.

Where I ..... BE!

Refocus: Church Planting, Life, Goals, Marriage & 2010

Having an ENCOUNTER with God

Having a Nehemiah Experience

Becoming a Partner with Freedom Culture

Freedom Culture Coffee House Hangout

Social "Not-Working"

New Blog Added "Live-Out Loud"

Popularity Screws Over Morality!

Heartbeat of HOPE!

Musically Declined!

Team Blueprints

Highway 101 : FAITH

Blah-ging: Frustrated Church Planter

Thinking Outside the B.O.X.

Relationships: Agent of Hope

Decide or Discover?

Re-Cap of Exponential09 Conference

Pastor's Profiling Pimps!

Blog Series: "Life is Like - Daring to Take a Jump"

South Beach Experience

Freedom Culture "Easter" Sunrise Gathering on South Beach

Challenges: Rise Up or Fall off?

Blog Series: "Life is Like Walking a Line wire"

Blog Series: "Life is Like - Cafe Con Leche"

Blog Series: Life is like....Mr. Potato Head

"Off the Cliff"

Updates and Freedom Culture Info

A Re-Post from my wife: Songs in the Key of Salas

Transparent for the world to see!

Blah-ging: God, Launch Team & Twitter!

Are you about Ministry or about the Mission?

Building with what you have!

Strategy

Changing Directions

Jack in the BOX

Reality Check blogs!

Checking Your Pulse!

Miami Dade Teachers Protesting in front of School Board Building.

Heart for the City!

Reflections from Midwinter Conference in Chicago

Who's on your Flight!

A fulfilled life

Thoughts On Ted Haggard!

The Weekend

Roaming through Romans

Come-Unity Officially kicked off!

Critic or Catalytic?

Focus

In SYNC!

Pimp My Patrol Car

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The Art of Subtraction leads to the Growth of multiplication!

SPEECHLESS!

"Full of S@#?" - The Real Curse Word

Ed Young on Church Pirates!

Living out Community!

What I BE about!

Core team is developing!

Catching up and keeping busy!

Ministry: It's not what you get from it but what you give through it!

Off to a Good Start!

Getting ready for 2009!

OOHHH..... That's what Christmas Means!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

My little Santa helper - Rico Suave Salas

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God is doing a New Thing!

DETERMINATION!

Good News!

Catching up

PRESSURE!

Another Busy Sunday

Hanging with Matt and at IBB

CPH Christmas Party

"How to install a husband"

Just a few thoughts

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