My Hero

This guy is my hero.
I wonder if I can pull something like this at Alta?
Maybe I'll keep my cliff jumps under 200ft.
Make that 100ft.
Ok, honestly, I will do about 20ft. But that's where I draw the line!



I'll be sure to take a video if I do!

Naked Before God

Series: How to Look Good Naked
Sermon: Naked Before God
George J. Saylor
February 10, 2008

Last week we kicked off our How to Look Good Naked series. I have to give God the glory because I had some amazing conversations this past week. People shared how hard it really is for them to look in the mirror. They see shame, guilt and regret. It usually came down to one two reasons. One group sees the names they have been called, the things that have been done to them, the image that was superimposed over their body, their mind, their soul. Others see the faces of those they have sinned against. They carry the guilt and shame of what they called others, what they did to their children, to their spouses, to the parents, to their friends.

Read the whole sermon at cccsermons.blogspot.com

What will God give you?

It's fun how certain themes can start to appear in our lives. For the past few days a theme that's been hovering around conversations is this idea that God won't give you more than you can handle.

I don't believe that. I don't read that in the bible. I've experienced quite the opposite.

It think this is where well intentioned Christians get mixed up:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

But there's a big difference between temptation and what we can or cannot handle.

In fact, it would seem from numerous bible stories, and my own life experience, that God delights in getting us into situations we can't handle.

Noah didn't know how to build boats.
David couldn't take on a giant.
Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh.
The disciples appeared soundly UNqualified to take the mantle of Jesus.
And I am clearly in over my head!

None of us, no one on the team, has ever planted Connections Community Church before.
All of us, no matter how much church experience we might have, are in new waters with the mission. Because God is doing anew thing. And it's taking past our own strength.

And it feels amazing to have more than we can handle. Because we are learning more each day to pray, to follow God, to lean on Him, and to lean on one another.

I'm finally getting good at saying, "I don't know how to do this. Can you help me?" I'm saying that about a lot of our areas of development. And I'm praying it very sincerely to God.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

God's giving us more than we can handle so we can ask for help, lean on Him, and give Him all the glory. That's kind of the whole point.

Naked Before the Mirror

Series: How to Look Good Naked
Sermon: Naked Before the Mirror
George J. Saylor
February 3, 2008

Few months ago now, Robin calls me to come see a show on TV. I walk in and see that she has on the W channel- "Television for women who hate men or want to learn how to hate men. " I said I’d take more joy from watching paint dry! But then she says the show is called, “How to Look Good Naked.” So out of respect for my wife and in order that I might understand better the unique and wonderful ways in which God created women, I figured it was my duty, nay, my obligation, to thoughtfully observe the show...

Read the whole sermon at cccsermons.blogspot.com

I'm Lost Without You

Last night I awoke from my self-induce hibernation.
It seems as though I've been sleep walking through the past 9 months.
But now I have reason to rise-
Lost is back on.

Yeah, the television show. Honestly, it is far and away the best drama on TV I've ever watched. It surpasses any movie I've seen in recent history. The writing is remarkable- the character development, the attention to detail, the interwoven story lines. I love the tension between science and faith, fate and free will. It's amazing.

The point is, I want Connections to offer the community worship services with the care, craft and passion that characterizes Lost. Honestly, if folks can create that caliber of art for network television, for profit- then how much better can and should we do for God?

I hope my writing, our development, our crafting services goes to a level no one has ever seen before. I pray that we weave together music, drama, video, teaching and more with such art that the world can't help but notice. I hope it's so amazing that we are left with no option but to give God the glory.

The greatest thing about last night- I was left so satisfied, like eating a gourmet meal. And at the same time, I wanted more immediately after it ended. I hope people have that same experience at Connections- deeply satisfied with God, and longing for more of Him.