Christmas ain't the same without a bbq in the snow

Just sittin' and thinking about Christmas and what it means. There is so much to it....As a Christian I remember the birth of CHrist and what that means to me...and as well just Frankie I think about my friends, family and people that I miss.

We would hold a Christmas party back in spokane at the house...food, beer, snow and friends. Pretty much all were welcome and I miss that. All I can do is let my friends know they are all in my thoughts.

Last Christmas my dad was not home for the holiday and it was my first Christmas back....Dad will be home this year and that makes me happy. Beths mom is in England which made tonight a bit odd (oh yeah Notre Dame beat Hawaii today!!) for beth, the kids and Beths dad.

I guess what I am trying to say is this.....If you are not a Christian remember it's all about family, friends and loved one....if you are a Christian well it's about the same things plus remembering the birth of Christ.

This goes out to all my friends and family all over the country....God Bless you guys and have a great Christmas!!

Cheers
Frankie

Gone but not forgetten

On December 16th 2004 I had just moved to Washington, my birthday had just past (12/14) and I receive a phone call from my friend Chumly with news I was not expecting....On December 16th 2004 my friend Ernie Cortez passed away after a battle with cancer. I along with a bunch of others did not know he was sick.

The last time I talked to him was shortly after Thanksgiving in 2004 just to let him know beth, myself and the kids were doing ok and adjusting to living outside of California.

All I am really saying is that I considered Ernie my friend and always looked forward to him coming into Fresno from Oakland

I still think about him....hope I will see him again someday!!

And so the show goes on.....

Saturday December 6th was kind of a big deal. "Why?" you ask. Because saturday was the first show I have done since coming back to California...let alone Dinuba!!

The bands were All Or Nothing (from Hollister), Your Pain, My Victory (Sacramneto) and two locan bands (Throne of Agony and ICATCHFIRE).



I went into this show with no real expectation....I mean come on it's Dinuba and to my suprise we had over 60 kids show up and have a good time!! Even Lindsee had a good time. She helped hand out fliers around the high school for me.

Ever since the show added Lindsee keeps telling me everyone wants to know when the next show is going to be. You know how crazy that really is and what is even crazier that my child who a year ago would have nothing to do with dad's shows was there helping and hanging out with her friends (sniff sniff)

There was one thing about the whole night that was a little of kilter and that was some of my friends were not there to enjoy the night with me....Alicia, Marshall, Thomas, Gus and some of the others but that was the first people to come to mind.

The great thing about this night was that we collected toys that were donated to Open Gate Ministries which is a battered womens shelter....So there are some little kids that are going to get a little somethin' somethin' for christmas!!

I wish people understood that this show probably meant more to me then it did the kids in the comminuty.....I am pushing 35 and the truth is sometimes this is all I know!

Number 1 question I have been asked this week is "When is the next show?" I am not sure I can promise there will definitely be another on!!

Thanksgiving.....

So yesterday was thanksgiving and it really is kind of clich' at times. Why do we only give thanks once a year...should we not be grateful everyday for our families, friends, the things God has blessed us with. I know we are all guilty of being ungrateful little basterd....but we need to learn to be grateful more then oh once a year!

Cheers

The last day or so.....

First I keep coming back to scripture in Joel 2:12-13. 12 is calling us to return to HIM and it is a direction to fast and then 13 God say we are to "rend our hearts and not our garments"....I just keep coming back to this almost like a default switch.

I was put into a postition to think about Epehsians 6:10-18. The word the STAND is used three times in this passage
1: "Stand against the devils schemes"
2: "Stand your ground"
3: "Stand firm"

Definition of the word STAND: 1. To cause to stand; place upright.
2. To engage in or encounter: stand battle.
3. a. To resist successfully; withstand: stand the test of time; will not stand close examination.

I think these definitions are great reference to what God has called us to do....The stand strong!!

There is so much I am still learning and just do my best to not only trust in but to have faith because you can not have one without the other.

The Blood Of The Lost......

EZE 3:17-19......The word WATCHMEN came to me during prayer on Friday night and it was confirmed. I do not beleive in coinincidences when it comes to the word of GOD. During my time of prayer the same word came to another person who I had not talked to or shared this with....So here it goes.

I am not sure how to put it without posting the whole scripture so here it goes...If we as Christians know someone is walking in sin and we fail to minister to them and share the Gospel with them , and they die there sin is on our heads....we are responsible....If we do what God commands and they still choose to turn from there sin and die....there sin and death is not on our heads.

I beleive that GOD is calling people up to be WATCHMEN.....This really puts everyone of us who calls ourselves Christians with a sense of responsibility.

The Call

I just found out that Jeff from DBC is going to be at The Call in San Diego. Jeff and his wife are getting ready for a church plant in Seattle this year. They are hoping to get settle between thanksgiving and Christmas. I think Seattle is a good city to see a DBC plant....it is a city that needs GOD!!!

There has never been something I want to be a part of as much as I do The Call in SD.....I mean I am willing to sleep on the street if I have to. SOmething is there and I want to be a part of it

this was kind of cool to learn!

So many years ago I worked in the church...I worked under Tim Riche' (jr high pastor) and lance leach (youth pastor). Well Tim has been gone for some time now and rumor has it Pastor Roger is getting ready to retire and lance is stepping up to the plate and so I have been curious who the youth pastor at VWCC was these days....did they step out and bring in an outsider.

I spent some time online last night trying to find out who the YP was and I was pleasently supprised and well quite prout to know the YP is one of my kids from when I was working with jr high kids his name is charles rigby. Finding this out actually brought a tear to my eye....

What is the American Dream?

You remember...2.5 kids, dog, wife / husband, nice house and good job. Today I was talking to my friend Al Serna and he asked me the question "What is the American Dream?" and I gave him my answer. Then he said this that kind of left me thinking....."GOD IS CHANGING THE AMERICAN DREAM!"

I mean seriously.....the housing market crash, banks are failing, the govt. has decided to define marriage (vote yes on prop. 8). I honestly think that Al is right. I beleive GOD's desire right now is to not only shake up the country but to wake up the church. Please understand something I am not one of those who beleive the the United States is God's Sovereign land (thanks Isreal!!) but I do beleive that as a country we were founded on "biblical principles and morals" and that our nation and culture has changed so drastically over the 45 years that the country has decided there is no room for GOD.

At what point is the church going to wake up, going to not pray but intercede, when are pastors going to see sin for what it is....SIN and not pussyfoot around it becuase "It may make someone uncomfortable". These are just a few small things.

For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead...." Ephesians 5:14

sometimes things just do not go the way you want....

I wish life was an easy thing. I wish I could control the outcome...but I can't. The hardest thing to learn is to let it go and be content with the fact that I am healthy my kids are healthy and my wife is healthy.

So things do not go the way I want....thats life

What was it the blind man knew?

This question was asked in church this morning and alot of people had a different answer and I thought about it for along time actually and here is my answer and why...

When Jesus was roaming the country sides doing miracles his reputation began to proceed him....So when he came to the blind man, the blind man knew that Jesus could heal him from what afflicted him.

It was after he was healed that he beleived the he was the Christ....he knew that this man could do miracles but it was not until after his healing did he "see" the big picture.

So often that is the way it works....first comes the experience but then comes the real truly beleiving in who God says he is.

Does that make sense

Lifes awesome like that!!!

Today was cool bacuase me and the kids spent time with some very close friends of ours...The Howard family.

Shawn and I spent some time dicussing theology and our faith (which we do alot when we visit)....Most of the time (ok almost all of the time) we are on the same page and we view the state of the church in some of the same light.....but like any good healhthy relationship there is always going to be something that you might not agree with no matter what side of the conversation you are on.

This is where I am going with this....I beleive alot of people are unable to hold healthy conversations when it comes to our beleifs because so often someone has to be...Listen that person you are talking to can have an insight that you would never have thought about.

When push comes to shove we all serve the same GOD!!!

It's Friday.....again

It's been a long week for some reason. The word has not come easy to me this week and neither has my prayer time.

Last Sunday was my first SUnday not working for almost 2 months and I went to fellowship at a church called Living Word Fellowship (http://www.lwfdinuba.com). It was really awesome....a great time of ministry and worship but I am ready to get back to Wellspring and just pray God something great in that church.

Right now one of the things I think about is how much I want GOD to begin to pour out his spirit and I see it starting to happen in different places and I want to see it happen in the central valley because I feel if it starts to happen here it will pour out of the valley and into So and Nor Cal.

I am almost done with the book of John and I think I am going to start back into Acts again. I just need God to reveal himself to me.

I should never have started this book....

I am in the middle of at book called "Starving Jesus". I am finding it to be one of the best things I have ever read next to "Screwtape Letters".

When I am done reading it I am going to write a long blog about the book and what I am learning from it (I am also reading my bible at the same time).

I have learned two things.....GOD IS GOD and being a Christian goes beyond the walls of our sad little lives. Being a Christian effects everyone around us (family, friends, strangers...etc).

If you have not read this book you must read it.....you must your view should not be the same

Truth is sometimes simple.....

I NEED TO GET TO DALLAS!!!

Conferance is paid for...I just need to get there. I will squat on the street if I have to!!

Grace Doctrine....Sometimes A Bunk Doctrine!!!

So here it is folks....I am going to do my best to get my thoughts out with scripture to back it up so be patient. If you disagree with me that fine, disagree with me!!

Here is what is going on inside me right now. I feel that there are people teaching Grace and Love (which are wicked important to our salvation) but are fogetting about faith and forgiveness. I undersatnd we do not want to push people away but want to draw them in towards the kingdom but this is where my issues come into play. We can not use GRACE as a crutch to live in sin and be a Christian under our own rules.

IT IS BY FAITH WE ARE SAVED....

Romans 3:21-31 goes into the fact that it is by faith we are saved. "(v.22)The Righteousness of from GOD comes through FAITH in Jesus Christ to all who beleive." It goes on to talk about we all have sinned (which I do not deny that that I am as much a sinner as anyone) and fallen short of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:1-10 puts it quite plainly that yes it is by Grace we have been saved. But what I see happening is that people are forgetting the importance of (v.8 and v.9)For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (v.9)not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 5:1,2 "Therefore since we have been justified through FAITH we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace we now stand."

Mark 1:15 says what I am trying to say "The time has come" He said "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and beleive the good news". This is from Jesus himself...A call to not only repentance but Faith.

I guess what I am trying to say is this....YOU CAN NOT LIVE ON GRACE ALONE. We mus live in faith that is why it says "By Grace we are saved through faith".

Salvation means coming to a place of repentance....Grace means living by faith....and being a Christian means having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Please do not get my wrong....Jesus had the right idea...Love your neighbor as yourself....Love the sinner and hate the sin (1 John 4:8-9). But if we are not also teaching Faith and Repentance we are not giving people the whole truth.

Next week is it!!

So next week is it....California State Barbers Exam in Glendale California!! I have not done as much studying this week cause I have had a lot on my mine. Wayne told me to just relax keep studying and put everything aside.

This test is a big deal....I am actually pretty confident that I will do ok. The stressful thing is really all the extra stuff I have had to learn. Beth has done her best helping me out.

I wish wayne and I had more time to kick it around so cal after my test. When we get into town I pretty much focus on my test in the hotel room and get a good nights sleep.

Oh yeah, I want to go to Cisco Burger!!!!

Seriously my head hurts...

I have been sitting here for about and hour trying to figure out what to type. Just finished talking to my older brother and my mom......I am still not sure what to write.

When you have family there is always good and bad times. Sometimes you can not control them, sometimes you can. Unfortunately this instance is something I can not control and it has been eating me up to a point where I can not study and focus on my state boards which are NEXT WEEK!!

All I can say is this right now....I love my brothers!!! Both of them and I know sometimes I can be a DB and I am sorry. I am proud of both of my brothers. Wayne has been at the same job for a while and when it is time to retire he willl be alright and well billie finishes law school and that is not small job. I missed my brothers while I was in washington and I have my days where I feel that the adjustment on being back in California has been a bit tough on me (not quite sure why...maybe all in head)

I think I do have a point in this blog and here it is (before I loose my train on though)....No matter how close your frinds may be when you have family remember they are your family for life!!

I hope this makes sense even in my own head!!!

time will come

You know I was hoping at this point I would have some kind of revelation...Some big answer to my questions but I am learning it does not work that way (well sometimes it does). To know the will of God takes time, takes prayer and takes just well....listening!

At this time my desire is to know the heart of God....And all I can do is spend time in the word, in prayer, fellowshipping with other beleivers to encourage. Do not get me wrong I do not believe in dropping you "non christian" friends because in the end they need God as much as I do.

Easter Sunday....

This might piss someone off and thats cool but I have one complaint about easter sundays.

Yes it is the day we as Christian acknowledge the resurection of Jesus Christ...but what about the rest of the year!!! Why does it seem that the resurection story is not important for the rest of the year.

The death and resurection of Jesus Christ is why we have salvation, so why do we as a body only make a big deal out if it once a year. It is part of our hope for salvation if this day had never happened we would have no hope for eternity.

my two cents

Nations Of The Underground 2008.....along road ahead

So here it is.....I got registered for Nations OF THe Underground yesterday and I am really excited about this. For a couple of reasons....1) this is my first time back to Texas since about '93, 2) Hopefully finally get to meet my sister shannon and her family and 3) To be apart of NOTU and just put my self in a position the be equipped to minister the Gospel.

Listen I know it sounds odd for some people who know me...But since the move there have been a few changes. Things I have not really talked about to anyone about but these are changes that I am quite proud of. One of the things I am doing is starting the process rolling to be a volunteer with Youth For Christ here in Dinuba to the extent of becoming a Chaplain. Which leads me to Nations of the Underground.I am trying to get to NOTU for the biblical and spiritual training to share the gospel and you may be shaking your head and wll thats cool if you are but I beleive God has started to birth a desire in my life to do what he wants and not what I want...I am really not sure how to explain this.

Listen I am still going to share beers with the ones I love....I do not want to be one of those two faced guys "who find religion" and you know the kind of person I am talking about. But I do hope to be the person that when you sit down with me and chat you see a diffence in me. For more information on Nations OF THe Underground or Deliverance Bible Church please go to www.www.nationsoftheunderground.com. Below is a donation button...if you choose to you can make a donation to help me get to Texas.

Also if I make it out....I will have all my barber gear to do haircuts while in the area.....so keep that in mind.

Cheers

Frankie

Whats more important...words or actions

This weekend my Father in law is going to this conferance thats about "Relational Evangelism" which really leads me to my question....Whats more important what we have to say or how we live.

I think it is really easy to say it is one or the other, but I think really it has to be both. Our words need to match our actions. You can live your life in a positive way and be a good influence and role model but whats going to happen when all they see is that Joe shmoe is a "good guy" but not once did he ever show CHrist, not once did he ever share the word of God and bring the the chance for Salvation.

IS it a fine line or am I just insane.....Do we sometimes forget that sometimes the world can just see us a "Good People" unless we grow the bullocks to share CHrist with those who may not know him...or even know you are a christian.

Thats whats in my head tonight
Cheers

Creating a Unified Front

It is encouraging to find groups, individual or organizations that share your same desire...even if they do not know it.

One of the things that I have always wanted to be apart of is something that can change the world....Be around people that desire to see the lost come to God. Below is just what I am talking about



"God bless these guys and all they put there hands to....let the holy spirit lead them in directions most christians fear to go"

The weekend is here

So today my oldest daughter went to Morro Bay with her youth group...I told her a few things before she left.....do not spend all your money and use the time to seek God. Pray read your bible....etc.

I desire God to do great things in the lives of my kids....use them to turn the world on its ear!!!

Hmmm...I wonder

Sometimes when I think about it...the moves has been difficult on me. In almost five years I made friends that I pray will last a lifetime.

When I went there I was part of a ministry called Homeward Bound that ended up right down the pisser. I do not know if it was the lack of supervision over the intern that started it....the lack of follow through with people that were apart of it...or it could be God really was not apart of it and we were working in our own vain and self righteous ambitions.

I know for myelf I gave up....gave up on God...other christians and the church. For some reason it was really easy to walk away.

I am tired of walking away from God

Heart for da' masses...

What do you do when you have a heart for people but it seems like you can not get your own life together...you want GOD to use you while at the same time you want GOD to change you.

Listen I am not peter, paul or stephen....I am Frankie. I desire to know GOD - I desire to breakthrough my sin - Sometimes it is easier to give up and live like the rest of the world but that is not what I want....I want GOD to use me to change the rest of the world.

Tomorrow I am meeting with the leader of YFC here in Dinuba to talk about doing a show and during our conversation today I understand his point of view....his concern is this "Where is Jesus in it?". Truth is it is a vialble point and my goal is to get a few bands together who have a heart for Christ and a desire to share the Gospel.....Man its crazy to begin to desire what GOD wants and not what I want when it comes to sharing the gospel.

Ah Crap

So I thought I had something to say but turns out I really don't.....I am bored, broke and out of work still. I got up went to church with in laws and watched football....Have not been out with others in some time....Nothing interesting going on!!

Easier Said Then Done...

There are days you just don't want to get up for church or read or even pray. There are days you just want to not really care because it's easeier to live life that is complacent to what is going on...

I wish I could say that I have it figured out...that all the things needed in life to serve GOD came easy to me but they don't.

I guess thats why this walk straight and narrow......makes the journey a little more difficult