New Adventures

New adventures and opportunities to create deeper relationships with people and Jesus always intrigue me. I am a man that loves to spend time with his family - no people that I would rather be with than my wife and best friend and my two kids. Some think I am nuts, but I am so blessed and truly enjoy their company so much that I would rather spend time with them than just about anyone else...you may be the same way.

I do also really enjoy spending time with other men that are interested in digging in to their relationship with Jesus. This has provided me a great opportunity to share my life and love of my family and Jesus with a few other guys.

Recently, I turned over the Tuesday night group to Ric McNair (who is doing a fabulous job) so that I could start developing a new discipleship study. God called me to ask just four other brothers to leave that group and come alongside me - thankfully three answered that call and we are meeting 2x per month now. We are working to truly open ourselves up to each other and discover what and how God is calling us to a deeper relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. So far, it has been awesome. We are truly seeking to become disciples of Christ so that we can in-turn assist in the disciple-making process with and for others. Trust me, we are no better than any one else out there, just making a conscious decision to put Christ in the middle of what we do and how we live our lives. Is it easy? no. Do we struggle with sin? yes. Does discussion, prayer, investing time in God's Word and turning away work -- YES!

This coming summer, we hope to break our group of four into two groups and each invite 4 new members into our groups. We want to replicate on a smaller scale so that we can establish more men into being rooted and grounded in Love through the Word of God and a deeper relationship with His Son Jesus. I can't wait...will you pray for us please? And would you do so by name? Rob Johnson, John Gutierrez, Rob Goodlett and Mike Bowers need your prayers - we need you to be warriors for us...

Stay Strong

Gal6:9-10

Rob

2009 Closing Out...

As 2009 comes to a close, I would be remiss if I didn't share an update as to what is going on...


God has done some remarkable things in my life and this year has been no different. He has blessed me with an ubelieveable wife and family, placed me in a sweet position in a nearby municipality and surrounded me with some good brothers that keep me accountable and digging in to His word.



Here is what has happened in the last 6 months alone:

1) I moved jobs from Corona DWP to the City of Menifee. Instead of managing 35 people for a Water Department, I work for the City Manager and do not supervise anyone. The adjustment has been great - trading a 30 mile one way commute for 7.5 and worrying just about one person - me. My plate is now full with what I must accomplish and get done, instead of working to insure that all of my staff are accomplishing the bits and pieces that make up the bulk of the work. It is a different mind set now, when I look around to see who can assist me to accomplish my goals, the mirror is the only thing I see.

2) I started and have taken three courses - back to back to back - at Rockbridge Seminary and am on my way to a Master's in Ministry Leadership. It has been a good change of pace for me, but also difficult to manage my time between work, school and my first love and ministry: my family. They have been so supportive, mostly because I wait until the kids are in bed and then am up most of the night reading, studying, and writing papers. I am taking a little break from school though with a much needed semester off.

3) The Men's Ministry has expanded to include two weeknight studies of varying degrees. Tuesday night is moving through Books of the Bible, reading and fellowshipping and praying. We even added guitar worship to kick it off each week. Usually a group of 15-20 guys meet each week. Thursday nights is a more in-depth study using the Bible and a companion piece to dig into Scripture. It requires at least 2 hours of "homework" each week and has just finished up a study through Genesis.

4) 1st Saturday of the month Men's Breakfasts have been great...we average 25 guys in attendance and have been focusing on self-discipleship and what that means. Come join us - 7am each 1st Saturday of the month at The Lamb's Fellowship.

5) About 2 months ago Ric McNair came alongside me in ministry and wanted to serve the guys on Tuesday nights by facilitating the study. We worked and connected side by side until I felt God's call to move Ric right in. He will now be hosting and facilitating Tuesday nights - I have new duties at work which conflict on 1st/3rd Tuesdays so it is good to have one guy step in and keep it all together.

What is coming in the new year? A host of new opportunities to engage the men of Lamb's in fellowship and to serve others. I have been working on an idea for quite some time and am soon to be announcing what God has been moving me to do. I am excited and a little unsure, but feel that I must continue to follow what God places on my heart.

I hope and pray that you would be continued to move toward Him and to develop your relationship with Jesus into deeper territory.

Mens Camp Out

Boy, have I been neglecting this blog or what? Check out these sweet pix of our last men's/son's camp out in September!

So much fun - about 40 total guys/sons spent the night at our favorite hang out - the Sheffield's (awesomest hosts ever!) in La Cresta.

For those of you that don't know, we camp at an equestrian center next to their awesome pad and they allow to come over and use their property like a campground....complete with skatepark, basketball court, grass volleyball court (both lighted by the way for late night entertainment) and a shooting platform for clay pigeon shooting... We had an awesome time - special thanks go out to Rob Goodlett, Joe Geddes, Jim & Amber Sheffield, Tom Meyers and Chip Rawlings and to the rest of the gang that hung out and helped clean up the site before heading down the mountain to come home...

If you missed it, we will be doing it again so be on the look out for the next men's campout.

Jesus...its just that easy.

I changed jobs recently and am also attending Rockbridge Seminary furthering my education by obtaining a Masters in Ministry Leadership - along with Dillon playing baseball and McKenna doing Gymnastics Level 3 - we have much going on in our lives right now...

I have been taking a course on evangelism and have noticed some buzz words entering the ministry world like: organic, transparent, missional. It always amazes me that we need to try and put "new" labels on age old ideas. Is it so that we can seem smarter than everyone else or is it so that we can try and put a fresh spin on the Gospel?

It seems to me that if we continue to be disciples of Christ - which in my opinion is different than being or calling oneself a Christian or believer - we will continue to be organic, transparent and missional - because Jesus was the originator of all of these things. Let's keep it simple...

Dillon spotted this shirt the other day and we ended up buying it for him...Jesus, It's just that easy.

Unmerited Favor Explosion

I have shared this with most everyone that I have talked to in the past two weeks, so I thought I would blog it as well. God's unmerited favor, when it strikes, is almost too much to deal with. I mean we already lead such blessed lives and I realize that all I have, from my wife and children to my home and job, is from God. He has taken care of my every need and so much more.

Recently, I have been the recipient of an awesome answer to prayer. What is even better is that it really came out of the blue. I was praying about it and for at least the past 8 months, but I guess I never really expected it to happen. Do you know what I mean? I guess I had been in a prayer rut. You know, asking for the same request over and over, but maybe not believing that it could really happen or that God would deliver it to me.

With God the impossible is possible ... be thinking about how you are praying and what you are expecting God to do with and to your prayer request. Do you really believe that He can meet your needs, even if He doesn't answer your prayer? How are you or will you respond to His unmerited favor?

I found this verse a while ago during a deep struggle and under much stress at my, as of tomorrow, former position:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. " Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)

Stay Strong

Cmon join the twitterati!

Listen up - you guys that are attending the study on Tuesday & Thursday nights need to get hooked up on twitter - this way we can speak encouragement to each other throughout each day. Just go to http://www.twitter.com/ and sign up. It works best if you have an iPhone or blackberry style phone so that you can download free programs to keep in contact with -- so many people. I have been encouraged by following these people:

@jvh74 - Pastor John Hansen

@Rwsharpie - Pastor Ryan Sharp

@pastormjw - Pastor Mike Wilson

@lambstechie - Brian Murray

@thelambsf - The Lambs Fellowship

@ericbeeman - Chorus Church

@betterthanblank - Alex McLean, Rancho Community Church

@fastchurch - awesome info regarding church in america

@donmilleris - Donald Miller, Christian Author

@JohnPiper - DesiringGod.org

@kirkfranklin - dude, its Kirk Franklin, now GO!

@courageouschurch - Pastor Shaun King, Atl

@andystanley

@therealtobymac

@danhendo - Dan Henderson

@walshdc - Danny Walsh - Lambs Life Groups Leader

@edstetzer - President of Lifeway Research

@rickwarren - Lead Pastor Saddleback Community Church

@sabocortez - Rancho Community Church

@sailingtwidget

oh yeah, don't forget me @thatguyrobj!

19

What a blessing...God never ceases to amaze me. First night of Hebrews and God crams 19 guys into a small room - with 6 first timers!

It will be an amazing ride through the next 12 weeks as we snap on that chin strap and work our way through this amazing sermon known as Hebrews...thank you Jesus for these brothers.

Stay Strong

Mens Breakfast August 1

Hey Guys!

What an awesome time hanging out with you today...just a bit of recap for those of you that could not make it. I received a very strong message from God this past week and wanted to share it this morning...concerning our Men's Ministry and me personally.



Psalm 1
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight in in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.





Phew, here are some bullet points from my brief message this morning:

• At work and parts of my life I am walking in the counsel of the wicked -- need to stop, not sure how to do it without leaving my current job - pray as I seek to do that soon - as spending 12 hours a day in that environment is dragging me down.


• I want to delight in the law of the Lord --> need to be in the word daily...not just lip service. Brother Dave hooked me up with Youversion for my iPhone & I immediately added it to my home screen.


• I want to meditate on his word day and night --> again with the being in the word - DAILY


• I want to be like the tree planted by the streams of water: create shade for others, produce fruit and be used to build things for Christ!


• Psalmist talks about two ways with no middle ground: way of the wicked & way of the righteous -- glad to be part of the way of the righteous now need to live daily like I am.


• Wicked will not stand in the judgment as they will not be able to withstand God's wrath - thank you Jesus that you called me to come follow you.


• So, where are you today? Are you going to stand firm in Christ like that tree by the stream of water? Are you going to produce shade and provide comfort, fruit and be used for God's purposes?


• James 1:22-25; 1 John 2:15-17; Galatians 6:9-10

Stay Strong and as Kirk Franklin says - GO!

Rob

New Genesis Study: Thursday, August 6th!

Hey Guys -- check it out, you now have two opportunities to get plugged in to a Men's Study - for us, by us! Small group studies are one of the best ways to get to know other guys at Lamb's and create friendships with other believers. We spend too much time in the world taking in all its junk - we need friends that are believers and are like-minded...come join in.

Starting, Thursday, August 6th at 7pm - Gregg Fosgett will be facilitating a study through Genesis. This study will be at The Lamb's Fellowship in room C6 or C7 - just come ready for some great time of worship through scripture and prayer. If you haven't met him, Gregg is a really neat guy. He was actually the catalyst to the Tuesday night study over a year ago. Gregg, myself, Chris McMurtry and Rich Payne starting meeting on the back porch of Lamb's as an alternative to the Tuesday morning crew. We have kept this thing going for over a year now and it is time to expand. Check your bulletin and this blog for more information about the new studies.

Stay Strong

Tuesday Nights are en fuego!

Wow, we have been soooo blessed at the Tuesday night study....James snaps off some important truths to us right off the bat in Chapter 1 and then goes so much deeper in Chapter 2.

While discussing the intro to James, we talked about the book being:
(1) a "how to" book of / for the Christian life
(2) one of the most practical books of the NT: offers instruction & exhortation to Christians who are experiencing problems.

James speaks of prejudice, improper speech, judging one another, leaving God out of our plans and even bitterness .... already had two great weeks of discussion!

The recipients are the 12 tribes and from Nelson's Compact Commentary this is defined as:

• Jewish / Christians living outside of Palestine
• Most of which seem to have been poor & suffering from oppression by fellow Jews
• Some of them had been imprisoned & deprived of possessions & livelihood
• Under these conditions, they fell into worldliness, fought amongst each other, favored the rich over the poor & lost their original love for one another
• If works = natural result of faith
• If we truly believe, we would act on belief
• We need to get out lives in line with what we believe...

Join on Tuesday night at RJ's Sizzlin Steer (6:45pm)...next week chapter 3

Mens Bfast this Saturday

Hey Guys,
Just wanted to remind you all that we will be having a Men's Breakfast this weekend on July 4th. I will be bringing a message about manly stuff, so you don't want to miss it! We have changed the time to 7 am so that we can all get up a little later...if you have time - come by a little early and help Lance Ladd and me cook up some grub and set up the room!

Many hands make light work...

stay strong
see you soon
Rob

Man ohhhh man...

I haven't put up a post in a while and have really been meaning to get back to it. Here is what is going on in my neck on the woods:

• started masters in ministry leadership program at Rockbridge Seminary


• working like a dog


• watched daughter McKenna take 3 first place ribbons at gymnastics awards


• signed up son Dillon for fall ball


• had a great weekend last week: friday, waterpark; saturday, yard work, nap & the edge; sunday, 3 services trying to sell Storm tix & then the beach


• reading a few good books right now: the making of a leader, J. Robert Clinton; the jesus i never knew, philip yancey; blue like jazz, donald miller; and jesus in the margins, rick mckinley...hopefully i will finish at least one in the near future...

what are you doing?

@thatguyrobj

Storm Night of Fellowship!

Next weekend - June 27, 28 & July 4, 4 will be the only time that you will be able to purchase tickets at Lambs for the upcoming night of fellowship at the Lake Elsinore Storm Game on Friday, July 17...the Storm is playing someone...

I have secured 100 tickets for the game and 100 tickets for the pre-game tailgate party supporting Student Venture. Storm tix are $6 and Tailgate Party tix are $3 = $9 per person for a great night of hotdogs, sodas, chips, philanthropy, baseball, Christian music, fireworks, family fun and fellowship with other believers.

We want to fill the Stadium - so come on out.

I will have a table next weekend and the following weekend, but you must pay up front for your tickets in cash or checks made out to The Lamb's Fellowship (Storm Game in the memo).

randomness...

Random thoughts over the past few weeks:

~how did I get so hung up on twitter?

~do I really need to get the new iphone?

~what if I won the lottery? would I really do all those things that I say I would...

~can I really complete a masters program, work full time, be a husband, dad and men's ministry leader at the same time?

~why can't we just be the men / women we feel called to be?

~does the car you drive really make a statement about you?

~what if you could give all of your money away?

What do you think?

What is God Doing?

It has been a while since I was asked to take over the leadership of the Men's Ministry at Lamb's and I thought it was about time to share with you what God is doing...

With the help of a few brothers, we started a Tuesday Night bible study that has been going strong for over a year now. More than 35 guys have joined in at one time or another and we, mostly me, have been blessed by what we have seen, shared and discovered about ourselves and those guys at Lamb's. We still meet on Tuesday nights at RJ Sizzlin Steer @ 6:45pm. We will be starting another study coming up in August on Thursday nigths as well.

Over the past 6 months, God has been changing lives of those men that have stepped out and stepped up to take an active role in the Men's Ministry. We are a small but mighty bunch of guys who, just like you, struggle with stuff on a daily basis. We may be a little different, because we like to talk with other guys that are going through life like we are to make sure that we encourage and provide a bit of cover for our brothers too.

Those guys have joined together to produce a great campout with 20 guys in attendance. We have a golf outing coming up, we have hosted monthly Men's Breakfasts as well. As our community gets bigger, we will have more opportunities to create times for guys to get together with each other.

As the Men's Ministry Leader, God has put on my heart to serve and encourage as many men at Lamb's that need it. I work best when I can encourage a brother to step out in faith and take a challenge that God has put on his heart. I love to see men step up and put their hand in the air to be used by God. We are so fortunate to have a relationship with Christ that we must be counted on to stand up for that relationship, as well as the others that God has entrusted us with.

If you need someone to hang out with and talk to for a while, I love to get me some coffee and would happy to meet with you. If you need some encouragement or prayer, don't hesitate to contact me. If you want to talk about opportunities that we should be or could engaged in - bring it on! There is so much going on at Lamb's that you could feel like the Men's Ministry is not doing anything, but let me tell you - the Men of Lamb's are involved in every ministry at Lamb's...so fear not. God is bonding a solid group of men together on Tuesday nights and at our monthly Saturday breakfasts.

We can stay in touch several ways...
1) you can respond to blog postings
2) you can email me at thatguyrobj@gmail.com
3) you can www.twitter.com me @thatguyrobj
4) you can always call...send me an email and I respond with my phone number...

Stay Strong (Gal. 6:9-10)
Rob

Kris Allen Singing "God of this City" = sweet!

http://vimeo.com/4787116

it's been a while

I haven't blogged in a while...I have to admit, I have become stuck on twitter (@thatguyrobj) and having a lot of fun trying to keep up with everyone. God has been working on me for a while and it has been exciting to see Him create change in me. What was once a desire to be near Him and understand what His will is for me is now becoming an adventurous journey. Things that I have desired in the past, but were too afraid to think about or wonder about are showing themselves to be real possibilities for me - it is an exciting time.

Things I am thinking about:
-How do I know the will of God for my life?
-Practically what does this look like?
-How can I become more actively involved in my relationship with Jesus?
-How has my understanding of who Jesus is changed?

Books currently reading:
-Romans
-1, 2 & 3 John
-The Jesus I Never Knew - Philip Yancey
-Jesus in the Margins - Rick McKinley
-Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
-Shadow Boxing - Dr. Henry Malone

What are you doing?

Men's Campout Report

Wow - what a great time...kudos to Rob Goodlett for putting on a great show in putting this overnighter together. A huge thank you goes out to our hosts and totally fantastic couple Jim and Amber Sheffield...it would not have been possible without you!

I arrived on the scene about 3:30pm to see about 8 guys hanging around throwing shoes and hear echoes of shotgun blasts from the platform high above the Sheffield house on the property adjacent to our base camp at the Equestrian Center, owned by Dan Stephenson.

What a perfect day for a camp out...not too hot and not too chilly. THe horseshoe pit was competitive, but it got tighter when I took a walk over to the Sheffield property and stopped to chat with Tony Kestle, who was watching a two on two basketball war.

Just as I sat down to watch the fest, MAN DOWN! At first, we thought it might be just a little fall, but it turned out to be a popped ankle. Not sure if it is broken, but Eric Tomlinson's short day was over. Jim Sheffield, the most awesomest host in the world, drove him back down the hill to seek a real opinion and we prayed that it would be just a sprain. I jumped in to the game as Dave's new partner and ended up winning a very draining game of basketball. Dave has a killer 15 foot jumper by the way...

As I shuffled back to our site, the guys had built a substantial fire and we were ready for some more horseshoes. A few games of shoes and it was time to get our food on. Rob G. manned the BBQ and put out some outstanding Dogs and Burgers and Amber Sheffield delivered some good old fashioned chili -- yep, we had quite a time later!

After dinner, we relaxed by the campfire and got to spend time just hanging out - being guys. We had a great time of worship led by David and a discussion on the Lord's prayer facilitated by Rob G. So cool how a bunch of guys who really didn't know each other we so quickly bonded together by time spent focusing on Jesus.

Around 10pm, 8 of us decided it was time for some volleyball under the lights on the Sheffield's sweet grass volleyball court. A mere 40 some degrees couldn't stop over 2 hours of fun. Amber and Jim broke out some hot chocolate, tea and coffee for us and after one more game, we headed back to our camp fire where some guys headed off to bed - while the firebugs continued into the early hours of the AM.

Thanks to Joe Geddes for letting me and Jeff Hohenstein crash in his rig. I heard it was cold out in the tent, but Joe had the temp just right all night.

By the way, never underestimate the impact of a 24 pack of Ding Dongs, some chili and late night volleyball at a Men's Campout! Thanks for a great time guys, the next one we will be adding our kids.

Again, kudos to Rob Goodlett for making this one happen and to our wonderful hosts the Sheffield's and the Stephenson's.

Camp Out de Men - 4/25 - 4/26

Join us for the first Lamb's Men's Camp Out! We will be posting signs along the way and will be sending out multiple emails this week -- and we will have everything posted on this blog as well. Check back early and often...

Here Rob G. and I are following Jim Sheffield from his property over to the equestrian center that is next to his property - and will be our base camp.

You can arrive any time after Noon on Saturday, April 25th to stake a claim for your overnighter. A large 12 - 15 foot firepit will be the center of our site - so pack some wood if you remember. We will be staying Sunday until about Noon.

Please bring your own food and maybe a little something to share as we hang out at the campfire on Saturday night. If you have a guitar, bring it. I believe that Rob G. has lined up the music, but a jam session would be cool too? eh? Of course!

Here are a few shots of the Sheffield property that we will have access to as well, along with some awesome hiking trails are: basketball court, grass volleyball court, skeet shooting platform, concrete skatepark and a lot of nature to hang out in. Come join the fun...

Mens Bfast Recap

Hey, for all you that missed it, we had an awesome morning last Saturday. We invited a good friend of mine, Eric Beeman, Associate Pastor of Chorus Church in French Valley, to share. Eric presented us a challenge: Take up the sword and get in the battle.

He reminded us that we are in a battle - every day - and that the only way that we can fight is planting God's Word in our hearts and relying on Him to carry us through. He boldly talked about the imagery in Ephesians 6 - the action that is mentioned and how we are to put on the full armour of God. We are not supposed to put all this stuff on and then sit down, but to "stand firm" in Him. The battle gear that God tells us to put on is for protection and most of it is a defense mechanism against the forces of evil. That is right, protection -cause we are in a fight - Lord give us the ability to see those things that are unseen that war against us! Since, we cannot fight with a breastplate or a helmet, but with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17) - we need to pick up that sword and get in the battle.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Thanks to Eric for taking time away from His family and church home to be with us and deliver a great message! Pray for Eric's ministry and family, me and mine, and the brothers and sisters that you are fighting with - let's get in the battle and be ready!

What are you using your Sword to fight?