Relentless Pursuit

Introducing Visual Studio LightSwitch

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:16:29 GMT

In the next couple of weeks I’m going to write a post about Visual Studio LightSwitch and how it’s going to change application development. In the meantime, checkout the LightSwitch overview on the Microsoft site to see what the hyperbole is all about.

Christmas, Christmas time is here…

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:56:04 GMT

I’m so torn this year over the Christmas holiday. I think my views on things are starting to change and it’s leaving me in a quandary. We all know that every year Christmas becomes more and more commercialized. Decorations go up earlier in stores and they open their doors earlier on Black Friday just to accommodate people’s shopping.

The biggest tragedy of all is that this starts the question, is Santa becoming the reason for the season instead of Jesus?

As I flip through the TV stations and see what’s on I see so many movies that miss the point. Each one, in and of themselves, is not the problem. I enjoyed “The Santa Clause” series, but in the scheme of things are they another symptom of a larger problem?

I look at the Christmas tree in our living room and ask myself, is this something that celebrates the birth of Jesus or does it glorify a pagan tradition? If it doesn’t give Jesus glory is it something that I should have in my house? Jesus was laid to rest in a manger, he died on a cross, he didn’t decorate an evergreen. Next year, instead of a tree I may erect a cross with a manger under it. It would be more appropriate. Jesus was born to die and that is the only tree, the cross, that has any lasting meaning.

Maybe I’m just being cynical this year. Maybe by the time next year comes around I’ll have this out of my system. I hope not! I don’t want to be lukewarm anymore. I want my life to be a fire for the Lord of Hosts! I don’t want to be lukewarm Laodicea, I want to be the ones who purchased gold refined in the fire, and white garments to cover my shame and salve for my eyes that I may see. I want to endure to the end that I may be granted the right to sit on King David’s throne with Jesus.

So, throw off the secular tradition of Christmas and let’s return to celebrating the birth of Christ!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:46:17 GMT

Well, it’s that time of the year again. In 11 days it will be Christmas and 18 days it will be 2012. It’s that time of reflection for me. What goals did I set for 2011 and did I accomplish them?

Sadly, when I switched my blog engine and moved to a new host I lost last years list, so I’ll do a redux of what happened in the year and talk about some of my preliminary goals for 2012.

This past year was a roller-coaster ride. From having our 5th child and first girl Eowyn to switching jobs and churches and going back to school.

The first big thing of the year was the move from Family Fellowship Christian Center in Donegal to Well Spring Church in Scottdale/Dawson/Scottdale. When we first moved to Well Spring it was in a small building in Scottdale, soon we outgrew it and moved to a church building in Dawson and the we purchased the former Mennonite Publishing House in Scottdale to become our permanent meeting spot. It’s been an amazing journey so far and I only wish more people from FFCC would have come with us. Well Spring is doing amazing things and I’m just thrilled to be along for the ride.

The next big thing that happened was transitioning jobs from Federated Investors to West Penn Allegheny Health Systems. It’s been an interesting change. I won’t say that the grass is greener at WPAHS, it’s just a different lawn. The struggles are similar in nature if not the same in subject matter.

Next we had our little bundle of joy, Eowyn, she’s has been such a blessing over the past 5 months and she is so darned cute. Methinks she will be a daddy’s girl. She’s growing so fast and I truly don’t remember life without her, even though it’s only been a few months.

I started at American InterContinental University Online. I’m working toward my Bachelors in Business Administration. I just finished my first class this past week with an A+. I’m feeling good and things are going just fine. I can’t wait to get my degree in 2013 and get out of active development and into a management role.

As for 2012, my goals are simple. Get straight A’s and graduate Summa Cum Laude for the Associates degree level classes and go on to continue that until graduation in 2013. I want to start my own business, I have a couple of ideas rolling around, but will not talk details until I have them. Just keep on the lookout for something coming from me in the near future.

As far as church is concerned, I’m looking forward to seeing the permanent sanctuary opening up and seeing unprecedented growth for a church in Scottdale, PA. Jen and I plan on opening up our house to a hospitality ministry to help show the people in the church and community that they are loved.

To wit, we plan on moving shortly after the new year to Mt. Pleasant, to be closer to everything we care about.

Anyway, that is the preliminary goals for 2012 and a redux of 2011.

Another Week of School, Another A

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:37:06 GMT

I just finished my third week at AIU and I once again got A’s on my Individual Project and Discussion Board assignments. Not only were they A’s, they were 100%. It feels good to be getting good grades.

I was worried going back to school. It had been so long since I had actually done any formal education it was a mental hurdle getting back into the swing. However, now that I’m back in I’m enjoying the experience. Getting good grades helps though.

First Week at AIU

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:42:14 GMT

I’ve completed my first week back in school. I’m going to American InterContinental University Online to get my bachelor’s in Business Administration.

The good news is I got an A on my first Individual Project! I had rave reviews from the professor and I only missed 5 points because of a mis-formatted reference. That makes me sad, I was so concerned about my references and I still got it wrong. Oh, well, it won’t happen again.

Other than that, I’m stoked about the grade.

Chia Seeds

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:36:45 GMT

OK, before you laugh, bear with me.

I couple of weeks ago I read this article about the benefits of Chia Seeds. I’m normally pretty skeptical on things and this one did seem a little ridiculous on the surface, after all, chia seed = cha cha cha chia.

I looked the seeds on Amazon to see how much they cost. Oh, $12 for 2lbs. It’s not that much damage if they are useless, so I ordered it.

It’s been a little over a week now since I got my seeds and I’ve been using them regularly. There are a couple different ways to consume the seeds, either sprinkling them on another food, making a “gell” out of them by putting them in water for 15 minutes or so, or my favorite, putting them in Green Tea or Gatorade.

Instead of going to the vending machine to get a snack I’ll grab a drink and throw the seeds in. 15 minutes later I have a mix that kills any hunger I’m experiencing and gives me a pick-me-up for a few hours.

I haven’t lost any weight yet, but the more remarkable thing is that my blood sugar has been starting to normalize. I’ve been struggling with my blood sugar levels for a few months now, it’s just been high and I’ve resisted the urge to go to the doctor. My GOD is a far better physician than anyone on earth and I believe that I AM healed by the great I AM.

Anyway, the last couple of days my levels have been getting lower and lower and I believe in short order they will back to normal without the need for medication. I’m not there yet, but if the trend continues you can call me a true believer. I’m going to keep using these awesome seeds and see where it takes me. I’ll keep you updated along the way.

Church Music by David Crowder Band

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:14:01 GMT

I have always been a big fan of the David Crowder Band, yet I delayed in picking up their newest offering “Church Music” for almost a year. Well, a couple months ago I finally broke down and purchased it. I had a lot of new music at the time so I didn’t get around to really listening to it.

Today, I feel that I have ripped myself off. Much of what I have always loved about the band is there, but amplified. I use the term amplified purposefully. They have always had electronica as part of their offering, but with Church Music it is front and center and they do it better than anyone else. Not just anyone in the CCM, but anyone. Period.

The electronica is not just noise, but a vital and integral part of their worship to the One True, Living God. The electronica is the life of the music as the Holy Spirit is the life of the band. Removing it would be removing the heart of this amazing work of art.

David Crowder himself will never be accused of having the greatest voice in the world. However, the Lord’s anointing flows through is vocals with the same passion in which the man sings them. It is the classic example of surrendering yourself to your Lord and your Lord will give your gifts the perfect punch for the moment.

If you want to be brought to tears, listen to All Around Me and How He Loves. Other’s have done How He Loves, but this version touches my heart. The only group that does the song better, in my opinion, is FlyLeaf in their live shows. I wouldn’t say better actually, equal anointing resides in both. It is an impassioned plea from both groups.

If you want to dance or shout or run or… you get the picture… Phos Hilaron (Hail Gladdening Light) is brilliant. The rest of the album is awesome as well, but from the upbeat standpoint, that is my favorite song. My only complaint about it is that it’s too short. I want it to continue after in winds down to its premature conclusion. Perhaps that is the intent of the song, to leave you wanting more, and the album does that, delivers so much more.

All in all? David Crowder Band. Good job. You have blessed my socks off with Church Music. I just wish I would have listened sooner. For that I apologize to you. Thank you for your servants heart.

School Selection

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:45:20 GMT

Well, I think I’ve decided on the school I’m going to attend to get my Bachelor’s degree. I’ve submitted my application to American InterContinental University (AIU). AIU is an online school that offers the flexibility that I need as a father, minister and employee.

It’s going to be tough, but I’m determined to escape this layer of the rat race in which I find myself.

If everything goes as planned, I’ll be starting November 7th and completing in as little as 24 months. Hopefully I can take it to it and get it done in as little time as possible.

Here’s to gaining more knowledge. May my education never be an excuse.

Back to School

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:28:33 GMT

This week has been one of the most trying weeks of my life. It’s not that it’s been a “Bad” week. On the contrary it’s been a very good week. It’s just been trying.

Let me explain.

A couple of weeks ago I made a decision that I wanted to start looking for management positions instead of active development roles. Immediately, I was was submitted to a company to become their Web Development Manager, a position that I would excel at given my background and abilities.

This week I discovered that I was being rejected without an interview because I don’t have a bachelor’s degree. It doesn’t matter that I am the best person for the Job or that it would be a perfect fit for me and the company, I don’t have the right piece of paper saying the right thing.

This upset me a little and has motivated me, I am going back to school to get my Bachelors in Business Administration. I refuse to have a piece of paper get in the way of me and my promised destination of being the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). I live in the blessing of Abraham. The Lord said to Abraham, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of the heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22:17, 18)

I will be making the decision on which school to go to in the next couple of days. It’ll be an online school so that I can have flexibility to attend when I can and still have time for family, church and work.

Revival Times

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:42:50 GMT

Revival.

It's coming, that is certain. At Well Spring Church we are preparing for revival in anticipation of it's imminent arrival.

We are in full prayer mode. We're covering our church, town, state and nation with prayer for renewing of hearts and minds.

We are in training mode. We are working diligently to train people through biblical study to handle the influx of new people.

We are in preperation mode. We are working hard to bring our facilities up-to-date.

And starting on 9/22/2011 at 7pm through 9/25/2011 at 6pm, we'll be having a conference called "Holy Spirit Explosion".

If you want to be part of a great wave of revival and Holy Spirit inspired awesomeness. Be at Well Spring Church next week and you will be blessed!

Well Spring Church
616 Walnut Ave
Scottdale, PA 15683

The Overlooked Mission Field

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:47:25 GMT

When you start hearing about the mission field most people think of boarding an airplane and traveling to a foreign country. And it's true, other countries are an amazing mission field and are in need of what missions can and do bring to them. However, there is a mission field that is overlooked and in desperate need.

What is this amazing field you may ask? Well, I'll tell you. It is right in front of you everytime you open your front door. Everytime you exit the church. The greatest, untapped mission field starts with your friends, neighbors, town, city, state and country.

This was brought into my reality a week before Jen and I got married.

You see, Jen and I met on an online Christian chat room. We were pioneers! This was long before the dating website wars, this was when chatting was really in its infancy. The long and the short we met, fell in love and 13 years later we're still there... In love that is.

Another gentleman we met on the chat room was a Messianic Jewish man. He called us the week before the wedding in order to pray a messianic blessing over us. It was awesome and powerful. As we talked we asked him what brought him to the United States. His response? He was a missionary from Turkey to the U.S.A. I was blown away, I had never heard such a thing before. We're a Christian nation, why do we need missionaries to come to us?

Well, over time I've come to the realization that one of the greatest mission fields in the world is right here in America. As our beloved country descends further and further away from it's Christian heritage we are in more dire need of people willing to sacrifice to restore that legacy.

Will you be the one that walks into the mission field today and works the field to reap a great harvest or will you go through your work-a-day life just hoping to not fall under.

I encourage you to take a step of faith and look people in the eye and see the pain that they are feeling. And when you do that, pray about how you can help that person come to know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Wellspring is moving!

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:07:59 GMT

Well Spring Church is Moving

Well Spring Church has had a wild and crazy year, to say the least.

Last year we started looking for a new building, we had been in an anex of the Menonite Church and it was cramped to say the least.

We started looking and thought we had come to a merger agreement with Family Fellowship Christian Center (now they are called "Just Praise Him") to merge our congregations together and let the current pastor at FFCC move on to his next calling in Miami, FL. That fell through in November, which is how I ended up at Well Spring.

In January we were allowed to use the facilities at 1st Covenant Church of Christ in Dawson, PA. They had not been using the facilities for a regular church service for some time. They allowed us to come in and hold services there for the last 8 months. In March they actually contemplated giving us the building, but that also fell through. We were once again looking for our next place to meet and have our church services. We really felt called to have our own property so we wouldn't be relient on other people.

Which brings us to the big news! This past Friday/Saturday Well Spring Church closed on our first building at:

616 Walnut St
Scottdale, PA 15653

It's 70,000 sq/ft and it's massive, an entire city block! We're in the process of prepping it now and by this Sunday, August 21, 2011 we'll be having our first service in the temporary sanctuary.

We are looking at this as our perminant corporate headquarters, if we outgrow the facilities we'll move the congregation to suite, of course.

Come join us this Sunday and any Sunday at the NEW Well Spring Church and see what God is doing!