Success

"....God does not call us to success, but to faithfulness. Why are we not ever satisfied with processes our labor, but always need to see results?"
-Marva J. Dawn

Its meant to be lived

"The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived. "
-Thomas Merton
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Officially on Vacation...

I will be posting pics and thoughts from my two week journey via my blackberry. See you when I return. Many blessings.

My Christmas Gift To You...

After you watch the video friend me @ http://www.tokbox.com/Matthew5784

Coming To An End...

The year is quickly coming to an end. Every year around this time I start my new year by reflecting on the year passed. For a person in ministry, it's incredibly important to hit the pause button during this time of the year. I'm taking 12 days off. That's a first for me. I've taken a few days off here and there, but not 12 days in a row. I'm sort of worried, but I have a great team who has my back and will take care of running things. Here are a few things that I'll be doing on my time off and during the year to come.

1. Journaling (over my vacation and the next year)
2. Letting the word of God penetrate my heart daily.
3. Meeting with a spiritual director. (more on this to come)
4. Praying (seeking his will, strength and direction)
5. Time Audits (Looking at how I used/spent my time)
6. Evaluating my team and letting them evaluate me.
7. Reading (The Sense of the Call: A Sabbath way of life for those who serve God, the church, and the world)

To all of my peeps in ministry land, how will you spend your time off? I'd love to hear what you do.

Engineering Secrets

"Engineering is the art of modelling materials we do not wholly understand, into shapes we cannot precisely analyse, so as to withstand forces we cannot properly assess, in such a way that the public has no reason to suspect the extent of our ignorance."
DR AR DYKES British Institution of Structural Engineers, 1976

Apology...

I must apologize for my lack of consistent blogging. I have been incredibly busy and haven't had the time to post new entries. To all those who subscribe to neverknowall.blogspot.com please hang in there.

-ML

Primitive Social Networking...

Could text messaging be a thing of the past?

Beach Baptism

Every year at Beachpoint we head down to the beach for our annual beach baptism. It is an incredibly special experience for me. This year I had the privileged of capturing on film how God is moving in the lives of some of our people who were recently baptized. I thought I would share this video with the rest of you.

-Matt

Fall Series Graphic Update

exodus
Originally uploaded by mlworship

Here's round two of graphic loveliness for our fall series. Comments please...:)

The Only Possible Reaction

If we have no real interest in praising him, it shows that we have never realized who he is. For when one becomes conscious of who God really is, and when one realizes that he who is almighty, and infinitely holy, has "done great things to us," the only possible reaction is the cry of half-articulate exultation that bursts from the depths of our being on amazement at the tremendous, inexplicable goodness of God to men.

-Thomas Merton, Praying the Psalms

Clarity to a Blogs existence

After many years of denying that I didn’t know everything I have come to a place of admitting that I will “Never Know it All.” My blog is an expression of a that simple idea: Every day I look to learn, and be inspired by ideas, concepts and truths I never knew existed. I encourage you to join the journey with me as each new day my posts hope to capture and learn something about the unknown.

The Now...

"We habitually stand in our now and look back by faith to see the past
filled with God. We look forward and see him inhabiting our future;
but our now is uninhabited except for ourselves.

-A.W. Tozer

Pampered To Death...

Last night my girlfriend and I went and saw Disney's new movie WALL-E.  As we were walking out of the movie theatre I said, "That was the biggest propaganda piece ever."  I must confess though, there was some truth behind what the message of this movie was really trying to communicate.  For some, the movie was a love story between two robots. For others, you might have picked up on what was also being communicated.  Here's what I think they were trying to say, "We are consumers, who are demanding, lazy, overweight and don't want to work for anything."  It was sort of scary because it was somewhat true.

Children's Ministry Ideas

LightcompD
Originally uploaded by mlworship

I've been working on rebranding our childrens ministry at BEACHPOINT. Here's one of the many ideas. I think I like this one the best. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

A New Song

This week my intern and I are in Chicago, IL attending the Willow Creek Arts Conference. If you've never been, I highly recommend it. The arts conference has become a yearly ritual for me. This conference comes at a key time of the year for me. I find myself, after Easter, spent and in need of being surrounded in an environment of creativity and other artists. Today, Nancy opened the conference by speaking about creating a new song. We all have to "fight" to be creative every week. To be fresh, not stale. To be alive, not dead. To plan every week as if there were no rules binding our creativity and to create "New Songs" every week. When Nancy talked about "new songs" she wasn't just talking about music, she was talking about newness in every creative element. Nancy also talked about new songs being birthed in intimacy and surrender. Intimacy and surrender is the starting place for creative greatness. It's where God can speak and inspire our spirit. If any from my church is reading this, I owe you an apology. The last few months I have been running on fumes. I have planned worship out of routine. For a creative person routine is one step next to creative death. Tomorrow is full of break-out sessions which equate to practical stuff. Yeah!

Exodus

TheJourney
Originally uploaded by mlworship

In the fall my church will be going through a series on exodus. We haven't come up with a title yet, but I thought "The Journey" could be good. This is the start to the creative process of designing a series graphic. I would love any ideas you have. Critique is welcome.

Beachpoint Summer Graphics

I took these at the beach yesterday. I'm playing with the idea of using rotating images during the summer on our bulletin. I would love input and critique. Feel free to leave your comments here or shoot me a message on twitter.

-ML

D60 Fun...

New Lens

I just got a new camera. Here's a test shot from our "All staff, staff meeting."

Information vs. Communication

"Information is giving out; communication is getting through." - Dr. John C. Maxwell

Make a Difference in OC...

I sent this out to my arts team. This is your invite if you read this blog and aren't on the arts team at beachpoint. Check out the info below...

Beachpoint Worship Arts,
We have the privilege of partnering with Second Harvest. Second Harvest mission is to "eliminate hunger in Orange County." This is a prime way in which we can make a difference in the world around us. Check out the details below.

The Details:
Who's invited: You, your entire family and friends.
When: June 1, 2008 from 1-3 pm
Where: Local field (most likely in Irvine. We will know the specifics next week.)
Cost: Your time
Additional Info: If you'd like to participate please email me at mlworship@gmail.com by Friday, May 23rd and download permission slip, fill it out, and bring it with you on June 1st.

I will post the info for the field location once we receive it from Second Harvest.

-ML

Thoughts on God?

I wonder if the world's groanings about the church and Christians are
Gods too.

-Matt Lewis

New Look...

Just got done tweaking the look of my blog. Now my twitter page and my blog have a similar look

Backstreet Boys

I'm so excited, yesterday one of the musicians on our worship arts team at beachpoint flew out to join the Backstreet Boys on their European tour. I'm totally stoked that one of our musicians is using their gifts in the world.

Regret...

Regret occurs when you don't do something that you know how to do or have the means to do it and you should have done it."

Easy Blogging...

How many of you have checked out Alltop.com?

Alltop.com is designed for those who want to easily and quickly jump into the land of blog reading. Alltop.com, is Guy Kawasaki's newest creation which has some incredibly cool features. For example, mouse over a blog post link and a pop-up window will show you the first few lines of the blog entry. This is an amazing feature. You no longer must click on the link to figure out whether or not the entry contains what you're looking for. You just mouse over and you can read it right there all on the same screen. Check it! This is a must for those who do not know how to use Google or Yahoo reader. You have no more excuses to get into reading blogs. So get started at Alltop.com

The best twitter app ever!

Today I discovered the best desktop app for twitter. The app is called twhirl. Check them out at twhirl.org Thank you to all the folks at twhirl for making my life on twitter so much better.

Receive Christ's Freedom?

This is exactly what makes me puke.

comments welcome, please...

Don't You Get It...

Recently, I have done some freelance design for another ministry . Specifically, I have been working with them to design the staging and set for their upcoming conference. At the beginning of this project I was encouraged to think out of the box, to bring them a design that would help people feel "engaged." I spent a lot of time designing what I thought met their expectations. When I brought the idea to the table they just didn't get it. I was extremely confused.
I thought man my idea must be bad. After thinking about this situation I learned an important lesson.

Just because someone else doesn't like your creative idea, doesn't mean it's bad.

Any creative types out there that can relate? How do you handle critique?

Daily Purpose

Ever get to the end of the day and ask yourself, "Man, I'm tired, what did I get done today?," Here's a simple idea, create a daily purpose card. It's easy...

How to create a daily purpose card...
1. Use a simple 3x5 card and write down what your one purpose is for the day.

Tip
If you have a large goal you are trying to accomplish, break that goal down into manageable "daily" steps. Use your daily purpose cards to help you achieve your larger goals.

The Three Axioms Of Authenticity

Recently, I've been reading "Authenticity" by James H. Gilmore and B. Joseph Pine II. It is a great read and I highly recommend it. Here's a snip it from their book.

Axiom 1
If you are authentic, then you don't have to say you're authentic.

Axiom 2
If you say you're authentic, then you'd better be authentic.

Axiom 3
It's easier to be authentic if you don't say you're authentic.

Food for thought church...

Life Is Going To Have To Change...

This is an extremely personal post. For all of my friends, relatives, and co-workers who might read my blog please be praying for me. There is a huge opportunity on my plate that needs much prayer. I need the Lord's wisdom and guidance. At this time I can not share the details of what I'm talking about, but please be lifting me up in your prayers.

Sell Out...

"Consumers will pay a premium for authenticity, but there comes a point (which differs, depending on the individual) when they trade off the real for a more available, cheaper substitute with sufficient quality."
- James H. Gilmore & B. Joseph Pine II

I wonder if we, as Christ followers, ever act like this? Do we ever trade off the real for the cheaper substitute?
Shoot me your thoughts. Let's converse.

Loyalty

"Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is tested."
-Martin Luther

Momentum

Momentum is great, but sometimes it takes you places you never thought you'd go and you should've never gone to begin with.

The Neighborhood's Best...

Today as I walked into my local Starbucks I noticed a new "campaign" that big green is running. I don't know the name of it, but I totally understand the purpose behind it. The picture above was located at the top of the banner. You see Starbucks is trying to re-establish itself as a "staple" in the local community. The banner had other sayings on it like, "Life happens over coffee." This is genius, in some ways the Starbucks marketing team is trying to give a global chain a local feel. Here's some questions to ponder and chat about:

1. How does the local church "engage" the local community like Starbucks is trying to?
2. Should we strive in the local church to be the "neighborhood's best?"
3. How do we change the perception of the local church?

Please understand, in no one am I saying we should be Starbucks. I do think there is a lot to learn from a company that has had a lot of momentum. Momentum is great, but sometimes it takes you places you never thought you'd go and you should've never gone to begin with.

Harnessing The Power of Online Social Networks

We live in an amazing time! Through the use of blogs, email, and social networks we are now able to connect and keep in touch with people we would have never been able to through conventional forms. I'd like to pose a few questions of much debate within my network of friends.

A social network service focuses on the building and verifying of online social networks for communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others, and which necessitates the use of software. (courtesy of wikipedia)


1. Should the church harness the power of social networks to increase connectedness within the church community?

2. INS (Internal Social Networking) vs. ESN (External Social Networking) what's the difference? Which one better serves the church and the great commandment?

3. What are some practical ways the church can use online social networks?

New Blog!!!

My Church is trying out the whole "blogging" thing. Check it out at beachpointchurch.blogspot.com

iPhone Breakdown

So I broke down and bought one. Yes, I bought an iPhone. It's amazing...blah...blah..blah. You know the hype. I love it more than my blackberry. My blackberry was an emailing machine, but the iPhone has coeherced me. It's so sleek and sexy. Well there you go.

Starbucks Breakfast Sandwiches and Church Programming

Something was missing today at my local Starbucks. It wasn't the coffee, pastries, ethos water, or latest version of cranium. It was the breakfast sandwiches and wraps. If you didn't know Howard Schultz is back and he's cleaning house. One of his first moves is to get rid of the breakfast sandwiches. He feels that it interferes with the "aroma" of the Starbucks brand. As much as I am a lover of the Starbucks brand breakfast sandwich, I've got to give Schultz credit. He's decided that even though a breakfast sandwich can be great to provide as a product to consumers, it's not what the Starbucks brand is about. He's come back in and is "refocusing" the company. Hallelujah!
Let's bring this story into the church paradigm. How many of us have programs or sacred cows that should have died of years ago? Why are we scared to trim the fat? I think there is a lot to be learned from Starbucks and Schultz. Even though you could provide a product that your customers like, in the end, the product or program is excess that doesn't really speak to who you are. Let's be honest, leave the breakfast sandwich to McDonald's and leave the coffee to Starbucks.
I'd love to hear what you'll think. So feel free to post away!

Ron Paul 2008: Hope For America

Who is Ron Paul? What do you think of him? Is he going to be the next President?

iPod touch

this is my first entry from my ipod touch

Love

"How is it that the same thing that can make your life a rhapsody can also leave you gutted, like a dead fish wrapped in a day-old newspaper?"
-Erwin Raphael McManus
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Cravings

"Bitterness is the enemy of love because it makes you unforgiving and unwilling to give love unconditionally. It is the enemy of hope because you keep living in the past and become incapable of seeing a better future. It is the enemy of faith because you stop trusting in anyone but yourself."
-Erwin Raphael McManus
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Skinny

I am standing in starbucks waiting for my first "skinny" mocha. If you haven't heard starbucks launched the skinny line of drinks. My grande mocha now only has 130 calories. Amazing! I'd love to hear what everyone thinks.
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