I just watched this video about 5 minutes ago and if you ever wondered why it is important to have a global mindset and stay on top of the latest technology for ministry here is a great picture why...

James 3 Wrap Up...

This is a shorty but a goody, okay that was cheesy but I really do like this scripture because I see snippets of myself in it. I can remember times when God was doing something awesome and either my selfish ambition got in the way or someone else's and messed up everything. I have learned more from mistakes than obedience to check myself and get Zac out of the way.

James 3
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3

Playing catchup due to ice I will comment more later...

Blessings,

James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

James 2: 14-26

I have had so many discussions about this and the whole Saved by Faith and Works discussion. The big opposing verse is in Galatians 2:16 "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." My personal thoughts are who was the audience: One group he was speaking to were believers that were not being productive in their faith and I see him saying "How can you have faith and no works they go hand in hand, faith without works is dead." that was Zac's paraphrase. The second group he was speaking to would not have necessarily been believers but devout Jews who stood on their "Works" more than anything else. With that said, I like the song where it says "ALL OF LIFE COMES DOWN TO JUST ONE THING AND THAT IS TO KNOW HIM AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN" I always thought these guys were weird because they said one thing and then mentioned two. The reality is that we can't know Christ without the desire to share him. I believe works do not come from us they come from Christ who changes us. I will throw my thoughts out there though, We are saved by Faith and Faith alone, works will come out of a relationship with Christ.

James 2: 14-26

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness--and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

James 2: 1-13

Today I was at the longest Auction in the world and I almost missed everything I wanted to bid on. I am home now and just got done doing a little work on my baby girls room and am settling in for the evening. I was reading through these verses with my son tonight and as I prayed over him I just prayed that God would give him the eyes of Grace not judgment. I get stirred up inside when I see people treat others unfairly just because of their outward appearance. We never know what someone has walked through in their life and should be lights to all. This is also tough when people are real annoying I won't name names but man this is a tough one for me but it is also my opportunity to be more like Christ...

James 2

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, You sit here in a good place, while you say to the poor man, You stand over there, or, Sit down at my feet, 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 1: 16-27

There is so much to chew on in these verses but I am going to pick out the area that spoke to me the most. The words "be doers not only hearers" followed up with "deceiving yourselves" are strong words. I am challenged by these words and in my walk with God. Being in a ministry position I struggle "counting" what I do on the clock as much for God even though it is ministry. I like to find ways outside of my job to serve and be a doer of His word. I am not always succesful at doing this but I am sometimes.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

RICK WARRENS PRAYER...

Rick Warren's Prayer

Almighty God, our Father:

Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone.

It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.

History is your story.

The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.

We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity.

Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.

When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.

When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.

And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.

May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.

And may we never forget that one day, all nations--and all people--will stand accountable before you.

We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, 'Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

James 1:9-15

Hey guys sorry about the delay today I have been sheet rocking my baby girls room. Enough excuses lets get down with this scripture... I love these verses and I am challenged by the reality
that God does not do the tempting with evil but rather it is us "ME" and our"MY" own junk that leads to that. I also like how it walks through the birth process of Sin and how it is a reality that we don't just happen into sin but rather it is a process. We have the ability to break that process down and guard against the sin that is in our lives "I have to be more intentional though if I am going to do this". "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial" I Pray for strength to live a life that represents this.

JAMES 1:9-15

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Study on James: 1:1-8

This is by far one of my favorite books of the bible. I have used this scripture many times in my own life when I was walking through JUNK. God has also given me opportunities to share this verse with many people that I have had opportunities to minister to in the past. I have seen light come into dark places for people when they began to try and live this scripture out. I think this scripture ties right in with the scripture where God tells us that we have to have a renewing of our mind. When we face tough trials and the world says "It's your party you can cry if you want to" God's word says "Consider it pure JOy when you face trials of many kinds". WOW!!! What are your thoughts.

James 1
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

New Feel!

This Monday this blog will take on a new feel to it. I will continue to post life stuff but effective Monday this will also be where I Intentionally post a daily Biblical reading/study. I am beginning a new type of accountability with some friends that will be blog driven. Comments are the interaction and we are accountable to each other to comment about the daily read. I am excited about this and pray it will bless those that come across it as well. See u Monday.

Zac

One Prayer

http://2009.oneprayer.com/

Check this out and spread the word. One Prayer rules and I can't wait...

Zac

5 hours in the ER

Yesterday I was pumped, God had put an awesome message on my heart and I was ready to share. It was titled Jesus "The Rock Star" VS Jesus "The LEPER". I sat down with one of our worship leaders that I am beginning discipleship with and I went over it with him. He shared with me a great verse out of Luke that God laid on his heart that went really great with what God had given me so I was going to have him share at the end of my msg. My wife and son got to the church and we noticed a knot on Aydens head that he had gotten the previous day was extremely bigger. We called the nurse hotline and they said get to the E.R. So I went in talked to my Wed. night team and pulled out an unused Nooma video that tied right in with what Jess had shared with me earlier and asked Michael to lead the upfront activity and away I went. We got to Death Valley I mean Valley View and the waiting room was FULL. We filled out the forms and then had to sit in the waiting room for over 4 hours with a hurt, tired and cranky 19 month old. We were between a kid that might of had R.S.V "EXTREMELY CONTAGIOUS" and some dude that slide his hand up and was bleeding like a stuck pig. After being moved to an exam room for another hour they informed us the internal bleeding had stopped and his body should absorb the excess blood over the next few days, and the swelling would go down. I did have an opportunity to strike up a conversation with the R.S.V kid "came back negative, he just had bad cold" and his mom and grandma. They were like, yeah H2O that is the church that is a little different right and I was like HECK YES we are. Long story short they will be visiting this weekend and I am excited to see what God is going to do.

Blessings

Zac

Loving me some Google...

I am in my office corner area and I am about to head to the college to hand out some fliers and make some connections. I have a certain time that I am doing this in because I have just fallen in love with the Google Calendar. This calendar not only allows me to schedule my week and keep track of everything on my iphone it also allows me to share it with my team and I can also have a copy of their calendar so we know where the others are if we are in need of them. This is a great concept and I am excited about this new addition to what we are doing. I know that a lot of times without direction and intention I can let time pass without being as productive as I would be if I had a plan. SO I GUESS GET A PLAN....


Have an awesome day,

Zac

The Day Off...

Okay I took today off and I did some honey do's. We now have working lights in our living room and a partially sheet rocked baby room. Thanks Steve for the help today. I am on day 2 of no t.v. and I have to confess I am learning that I put a lot of time and energy into the tube. I have been in the word like 2 hours today and I have gotten soooo much stuff done. I pray this is not just a 40 day thing but that it challenges me to approach my tv time differently, with INTENT. I want to be so much more intentional instead of just doing "Whatever". I have so many things that I am excited about that are around the corner but I will just have to blog on them as they come. Have a terrific Tuesday, wait there is only like 20 minutes left so have a Wonderful Wednesday.

MONDAY IS HERE!!!

www.tokbox.com

TokBox

www.tokbox.com

Sweet New Free Tool...

Change 3...

Okay today I buried my Grandmother and it was sad yet at the same time very peaceful. God kept speaking the word SNAPSHOT into my spirit. I kept thinking about the moments of life with her and each one was like a snapshot of our life together. I just wanted to share that briefly as it was a big part of today.

Change is this weeks discussion point and I am excited about our Worship at H2OChurch.cc and where God is taking us. I had a meeting with our Worship leaders last night and we discussed where we are as a ministry and some possibilities for the future. A lot of really good ideas were discussed and I am expecting great things. Later that evening I received a phone call from a friend asking if it would be possible for Jami Smith to lead worship for us over the next two weekends and I talked with our worship leader and I am pumped to say that she will be leading worship at H2OChurch.cc over the next couple of weekends. This will be a neat change, I would not take anything for our worship team but it is a unique opportunity to have a worship leader come in that has worship songs that top the radio charts and that has lead at some the the biggest christian venues in the the nation. I am expectant of this change, it will be a short one but fun.

Blessings,

Zac

Change 2...

Tomorrow I will be at my Grandmothers funeral. She was 96 years old and I can't imagine the changes that she has seen over the years. Horse to car, writing letters to the telephone, the telephone to cell phones, microwaves, televisions, and sooooo much more. She grew up in the depression and if you open a drawer in her kitchen you will find hundreds of bread ties because she was always afraid that another depression would hit. She saved everything and even picked up pennies from the ground. Over the past few years I used my camera and captured many of her amazing stories and I am so glad that I did because now my kids can hear these awesome stories of her life. I wonder what changes I will see over the span of my life. I think we will inhabit another planet but I may be wrong. It was neat today when I did a conference call with one of the Life Church guys and another pastor from out of state. The call was all on video through the internet. No post tomorrow due to funeral, have an awesome day.

Blessings,

Zac

CHANGE...

Some people hate it some people live for it... I was blessed this weekend as I heard from people that attend LifeChurch.tv about how their Experience changed them. It was amazing to hear these people say this is who I was and because of Christ this is who I am. These "Stories" of Life change were like a breath of fresh air for me. So many times in ministry you can get caught up with the "Stuff" that is going on around you that you, or i guess I should say "I" miss the Life changes that are going on. When I went home yesterday I simply reflected on what God has done in my life and the Life Change that I have gone through and I was brought to tears as I remembered who I was and because of Christ who I am and the things that brought me to tears were not that I am a "church pastor" or that I work with an "amazing" church, it was that Christ has molded me into a good Godly dad, that for the most part I am a loving good husband, and that I don't let work "Ministry" come between me and my family. What is your Life Change story.

Blessings,

Zac