Easter 2011 - The Day After

Easter was huge this year, and it seems to be building in momentum in ABQ and all around the country.

Here's a link to the stadium event in New Mexico:

Easter 2011 - The Day After

Passion Rocked.; Rob Bell on the Slippery Slope

A few thoughts now that I have de-compressed from 11 days on the road:

Passion 2011-

http://www.268generation.com

Passion 2011: Outrageous, contagious & dangerous to darkness

The emergent church hypesters like to pontificate on the failures of the church. Pardon me, Jesus sort of said He would build His church & He does all things well. Case in point: Passion 2011 in Texas: 10,000 18-25 year-old's spending the weekend in a poorly ventilated conference center in Ft. Worth. Chris Tomlin rocked,

Francis Chan wept, Louie leveled us with his message on branding and the Koso people group got their Bible translation funded. I slid in as the guest of Pedro Garcia through Shelley & Louie Giglio. Louie may not be the best Bible teacher on the planet, but he could be the best Bible communicator.

The new Mrs. Chris Tomlin (Lauren), unknown guy, Chris & Pedro (texting of course), lunch Passion 2011.

I finally had the chance to meet him after admiring his ministry for more than a decade. These guys could act like rock stars, but they are totally down to earth.

Fifteen years in, Passion shows no signs of decay. They are pushing the edges, going large and leaving a mark. If this is the American church in decline, I will gladly go down with this ship.

Rob Bell: What the Hell? To great fanfare, his book, 'Love Wins,' came out challenging the concept of eternal separation from God.

This new book pretends a lot of the red letters in the New Testament are invisible. Great angst and confusion over heaven and hell.

Really? This makes me grieve for the 10,000 plus in his Grand Rapids flock. How does he start each message, 'We can't be sure, but …..?' 'Love Wins' is a confused, ambiguous book at best. No one likes the idea of hell Rob, its just that Jesus and the Bible are very clear about it. Get over it & get with the program or get out of the pulpit.

Let's remember this is the same guy who observed,'We have to admit that the church in America is mostly a failure.'

I'm sure he can find a liberal seminary that would love to have him on the faculty.

Guest Speaking at Awaken in Tennessee:

Church Planting is an exquisite, exciting, frustrating adventure.

This was a flashback to my start up days at Calvary Chapel Southbay and later in Colorado. The results are out of your control, I remember standing in parking lots wondering if anybody would come. Somebody always did. At the end of the day, God was always faithful, you learn not to despise the days of small things. Sometimes, a gusher of living water shows up as in Albuquerque, other times, not so much. But that is not the issue, Jesus said Go! I salute those who have Gone.

Montana

My favorite new question, 'Are you related to Levi Lusko?'

My favorite new answer, 'Who?' Not really of course. Levi is blazing trails and setting records. I could not be more thrilled.

See for yourself: www.freshlifechurch.com

(Plus, look at these grand-daughters!)

Miami

In addition to having the worst drivers in the country, south Florida has the distinction of being the cross-roads to South/Central America and the Caribbean. It also has Pedro Garcia. I cannot tell you what is about to happen in Miami, but I know a spiritual hurricane is forming. I want to be in the eye of the storm.

This might kickstart it:

www.oneconference.com

Here are some shots from the Life FM open house along with Pedro and Lourdes Garcia during Team Week.

Coast to Coast & Then Some...

This is not a trip- its a tour. California to Florida with stops in Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Tennessee. Wouldn't do it if the projects weren't worth it.

Passion 2011 in Ft. Worth this weekend. Outrageous worship and teaching. Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Louie Giglio & Francis Chan. Need I say more? Yeah, I know it is for 18-25, but I was the guest of brother Pedro - very, very grateful for the chance to see this. 10,000 college students- truly the hope of America.

Late night with part of the Anthem team in Phoenix, much needed by the ASU campus, 50,000+ students.
Dr. James Dobson was kind enough to give me an interview for the Never Surrender Documentary.
I was able to stop by and see Al Pittman while in the Springs, this shot is from his office balcony- million dollar view of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. His church is blowing up (in a good way).
Heidi- joined me in Texas, the Fresh Life Team Van from Montana was able to swing by ABQ and pick her up. Here's a shot from downtown Fort Worth with two angels warming up for the resurrection.

Final tour thought after 7 security checks: Mr. TSA guy, you don't know me that well.

Spring Break

Spring Break in Montana with Larissa & Heidi. Our friends at Pottersfield Ranch were kind enough to provide a nice condo and a pick-up truck for us to drive. Felt like a real resident!
Mush you huskies! Always wanted to do this.
Whitefish, Montana, home of Hammer Nutrition. Met with them to set up a Fresh Life Radio ride next summer.

Heidi Summer Lusko on the first sunset of spring in the Flathead Valley. Saturday night service at the Strand.
Sunday morning at the Whitefish Fresh Life Campus. Packed.

Nice to have Crystal Lewis Ray leading worship with her daughter Izzy & band. Wild new song from Kevin Guido. You'll hear it in the future. I know when I hear a hit.
Levi preaching the Rise & Rise Again series. The intro video was outrageous.
Side trip with Levi & Coy to Billings, where Fresh Life Radio is getting a new FM station. This could be a future location for a Skull Church Event.

Two Weeks of High Speed Snapshots

Tucson Conference- Highlights?

Pastor Chuck was there for all three days- wonderful

to be able to see him and hang out.

Mike Macintosh, Bob Coy & Steve Mays were there along with Don McClure and many more......including of course, Pedro.

Levi & Bob Coy compare study note technology
Tappan dinner with Scott and Pam Richards. Planning some diving excursions hopefully.

Sunday night at ABQ. Anthem launch for Nick Crespo & the Phoenix team- Arizona will never be the same. Glad to serve on his board and help blow things up in AZ.
Pre-game green room
Weekend in Fla- classic corner at Calvary of Ft. Lauderdale.

Also watched their lacrosse team practice. Really.
Spent a big weekend at Calvary in Miami- one year anniversary for Life FM

Guest speaker at Rebel Church.

Got to know Ben Houston from Sydney. He thinks I have an accent.

Good to see Pedro kicks off the One Conference for next year. Epic.

www.oneconference.com

Excellent speakers, yes. But a conference with a cause.

So Cal & San Diego

Spent some time with Daniel in California, he is working on his

film, 'The Persecuted, (www.thepersecutedmovie.com). It is really getting traction. We are also seeing interest in TV land for Riptide, (www.riptidemovie.com). And finally, we spent half a day shooting the principle interview with Lt. General Jerry Boykin for the bio documentary we are producing about his life and book, 'Never Surrender.' He is a great brother, it is an honor to produce this film. Levi happened to be in So Cal speaking at a Harvest retreat at Green Valley- but its a big state, couldn't catch up with him, wish we could have.

Random Week Snaps

Red Bull creative meeting in Montana with Levi, Kevin Guido, Coy Trammel and Josh Bowers.

Famous Dave's with Alivia. The moose is still looking at me.
My good friend Kent was in town last week for a sad occasion, but it was great to have Uncle Kent at the casa.