There was so much to take in at the Catalyst West Coast Conference, and I don't want it to be just another conference experience where I attend, take a bunch of notes, and not do anything with the content or experience. So, by blogging about it, my hope is that I can digest things a bit more and that those things become a part of me, rather than a bunch of great ideas. I know I won't be able to put into practice all that I heard about, but I trust that God's Spirit will help me grasp the most important things as it pertains to me.

So, here goes...

--"Make Meaning, Change the World" - Guy Kawasaki talked about the businesses that go into it with the motivation of making lots of money and gaining high social status---he notes that these businesses fail many times because the motivation is in the wrong place. Hearing him talk about this made think of my motivations... that I must keep them in check! Do I desire to simply please the Lord and genuinely helps others? Or could there be a part of me that desires personal gratification, praise from people, acceptance, recognition. And the ugly truth to that question at times has any ugly answer. Yes, I do struggle with the desire to people please, be recognized by others, etc. ICK! I MUST fight this motivation and bring it back to one more genuine - to love God and love others! That's when I know God will bless my endeavors.

--"Don't Worry, Be Crappy." Guy Kawasaki's message here was to not worry about having things PERFECT---waiting until you're "positive" that everything will be perfect will keep you unnecessarily stuck. For instance, I have been thinking and praying about starting up a monthly prayer and awareness meeting regarding sex trafficking. There's a part of me that says if I don't have it all planned out and know exactly what it will look like, who's going to come, what we're going to do every meeting, than I just won't start it up. And I know that's just silly! Yes, God desires me to pray about it; yes, He wants me to seek His direction, and, yes, planning is a good thing, but there comes a point when I need to trust God in the unknowns and walk forward. And as I walk forward into something unexpected ("crappy"), I'll deal with it then, with God's help. No amount of planning will keep away problems or challenges--there will always be something that comes up. This brings me to another thing Kawasaki said...

--"Let 100 Flowers Blossom" - We need to pay attention to the unexpected "fruit" or results and let it ride. So, maybe some results occur that I was not expecting or planning to happen, but don't fight it. Rather, ride the wave by watching what God is doing and partnering with those unexpected blossoms. Definitely easier said than done, especially for someone who resists change and anything unexpected!!! But hearing these things again will hopefully help me the next time something like this happens. :)

Okay, that's it for now. Part 3 to come soon--there's still so much more to digest!

"The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." -Psalm 103:8

"May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully." -Ephesians 3:18, 19

You're invited to join me to a fun and exciting Book Release Party for a friend of mine, Lindsey N. Isham. She just published her first book titled: "NO SEX IN THE CITY: One Virgin's Confession of Love, Lust, Dating and Waiting."

This is will be formal event where the women are to come in one of their old bridesmaid's dresses and men are to wear a tux or suit. So, if you don't get to dress up often and like to, this is your opportunity.

The night will include prizes for the best and worst dressed, a scavenger hunt, book signing, a raffle and more.

If you'd like to join me, let me know! It's Saturday, July 10, 6:00 PM in La Jolla. I know this is way early planning, but just want you to save the date if you're interested. And it will help Lindsey plan for the big event!!

Click HERE for the evite.

Click HERE to check out the book on Amazon.

What a great last two days!!! At the last minute, I decided to attend the Catalyst West Conference and I'm so thankful I did! Here are some of the highlights & take-aways...

Highlights:

--Meeting up with "old-school" Rock Church peeps...exchanging hugs, getting updates on life and ministry, talking about old times, and making new memories...priceless!

--Talking with Bethany Hoang, the Director of International Justice Mission Institute. She gave me some ideas on next steps in furthering my involvement against sex trafficking. I also talked with Jeannie Mai who traveled with NightLight, an organization in Thailand that goes into brothels and ministers to the women and children being bought and sold into sex slavery.

--Laughing so hard my stomach hurt as one of the comedians poked fun at things we Christians do.

--Hanging out in front of Sprinkles Cupcakes with friends, disappointed we got there after-hours, but then being surprised with 3 dozen cupcakes for FREE from the manager! The excitement and applause from our group could be heard blocks away. :)

--Connecting with God through the worship music.

--And, of course, listening to gifted speakers like Francis Chan, Andy Stanley, Craig Groeshel, and Rick Warren, who have a deep love for God, years of ministry experience to glean from, and a desire to help other ministry leaders grow closer to God and continue making a deep impact for Jesus.

Take-Aways
--Andy Stanley's Talk: Being in a position of leadership has many uncertainties. Not having all the answers or not being able to "see the future" is to be expected. Uncertainty does not mean failure! God moves mightily through the uncertaintly. During times like these and when I feel like giving up because I don't understand all the complexity, I must get CLEAR on what God has asked of me, be flexible in my "plans," and move forward with faith.

--Erwin McMannus' Talk: I must strive to live my "heroic life." We must unleash the hero in each other. We're not all going to be Ghandi, not one person can change the whole world, but if we each make those "small" decisions to live a Christ-like life, we will tilt with world in the direction it needs to go and that is a life of love, hope, service, sacrifice, compassion, etc.

--Rick Warren's Talk: "Divert daily, withdrawal weekly, retreat annually." A sabbath day cannot include the "honey-do" / to-do lists, email or phone. Forget time management and focus on energy management. Keep learning, remain humble--teachable. Purpose doesn't change, but terminology does. Keep things simple. During Jesus' ministry on earth, He kept "turning up the heat" with His disciples... as a church, we must have a desire to move people from "come and see" to "come and die" because that's what Jesus did...

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? Luke 9:24-25

Below is some scripture that really encouraged me today. I hope it encourages you too!

Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us...

A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time...

Finishing is better than starting, patience is better than pride...

Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what He has made crooked?

Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

-Above verses taken from Ecclesiastes 7


Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes... So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. - Ephesians 1:4, 6-7

Thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrifice. Thank You, Jesus, for Your Word of truth, hope, and unconditional love! I would be completely lost without You! Happy Easter---You are risen!