tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50815100658182756582012-01-26T22:13:23.474-08:00Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.comBlogger2131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-27814912627649936462011-12-21T09:28:00.000-08:002011-12-21T09:30:36.206-08:00

At this time of the year, many people long for Christmas in a CUP. "C" stands for CONVENIENT. If we are honest, what makes Christmas merry is that it is difficulty-free! We want everything to come together at the right time, in the right way, and as something that works into everyone’s schedule. That would be great! That would be good!“U” stands for UNCOMPLICATED. We also believe that

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-44384374652559998932010-12-20T16:42:00.000-08:002010-12-20T16:51:35.189-08:00

You ask the average person on the street what they want for Christmas and many will say, “World peace.” Some people even think that’s why Jesus came – to bring world peace. I mean, didn’t the angels say at Jesus’ birth, “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men”? Didn’t the angels announce peace on earth at Jesus’ birth? The reason many people think this is because that is the way older translations

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-2877819480875059972010-12-19T14:48:00.000-08:002010-12-19T15:02:09.500-08:00

Here's the video we showed this morning in church:

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-51566016243564546372010-11-11T14:25:00.001-08:002010-11-11T14:28:05.328-08:00

Before I was married, I worked as a waiter to put myself through seminary. And it was during that time that I was challenged to grow in grace of giving. And it was a challenge, partly because it was hard to predict how much income I would make. After all, my tips varied from night to night. Each time I showed up for work I was hoping for a good shift, a busy section, and good tippers.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-28196905490739668252010-10-28T16:41:00.000-07:002010-10-28T16:50:05.962-07:00

The Bible celebrates an exalted view of marriage.Our culture, on the other hand, propagates many myths about it. And, quite frankly, one of those myths is that marriage is just a legal contract. But in the Book of Malachi, God calls marriage a spiritual covenant. And He emphasized the spiritual component by explaining that when that covenant is broken, people are actually breaking faith (see

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-57911410406387320712010-10-19T16:13:00.000-07:002010-10-19T16:59:57.842-07:00

In the final book of the Old Testament, God told the people that they were sending mixed messages. Their faith whispered one thing, but their faithless actions shouted something else. Our actions always send the louder signal. So God told them that they would lose their blessings. He actually says this: “I will curse your blessings” (Malachi 2:2). Curse is another way of saying Wreck. If

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-62866268724040927652010-10-07T16:44:00.000-07:002010-10-07T16:47:50.530-07:00

Malachi had a tough assignment. Because the people of his day had grown complacent, contentious, and disobedient, Malachi was called upon by God to issue a stern warning. So what will God say through Malachi? How will God begin? What will be the first words out of His mouth? We find God’s opening words to His wayward people in Malachi 1:2: "I have loved you," says the LORD. Amazingly, God

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-2722765159385655252010-10-01T09:07:00.000-07:002010-10-01T09:10:42.628-07:00

Beach Baptism 2010 from Green Valley Church on Vimeo.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-60364907722122792422010-09-28T16:30:00.000-07:002010-09-28T16:36:33.122-07:00

The Bible ends with an amazing invitation: The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" -- REV 22:17 Looking closely at this verse it becomes clear that God wants His Spirit to work in sync with His Bride (that’s us – His people) in such a way that, together, we would invite others to come to Him. Now, of course, this is the very thing that makes a lot of people uneasy. Let’s be honest. We are okay

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-48394415762905566612010-09-21T12:23:00.000-07:002010-09-21T12:25:17.428-07:00

You were made to make a God-sized difference in this world. God pre-packaged you for a significant purpose. The Bible puts it this way: If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides… 1 Peter 4:11 I’ve never gotten over the first rush of knowing God was using me. As a teenager on the phone, it suddenly

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-35527852288916870492010-09-15T17:06:00.000-07:002010-09-15T17:15:52.854-07:00

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing... Heb. 10:25Gallop regularly surveys the religious faith of Americans. In the most recent results, as always, the overwhelming majority of Americans still consider themselves Christians. What is interesting to me is that they also break that category into smaller groupings (Catholic, Evangelical, Mainline denominations,

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-58497286254135662122010-09-08T17:49:00.000-07:002010-09-08T18:03:52.084-07:00

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” -- Jesus in John 17:17We live in a Wikipedia World. Information, which used to be as rare as rain in California, now floods our lives. So it is more essential than ever that we see the Bible as more than just more data to process.Let me illustrate this. A lot of people look at Bible Study this way. Imagine the Buckethead below represents the

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-9578693790171029942010-08-24T11:29:00.000-07:002010-08-24T11:31:20.428-07:00

In the Bible, King David wrote:Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5To acknowledge and confess means to agree with God. It is a way of saying that His perspective on the world, on morality, and even on our own lives, is the proper framework. More than that, it is

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-81813453657999518192010-08-18T22:02:00.000-07:002010-08-18T22:25:59.146-07:00

In your anger do not sin… Psalm 4:4 I recently read a very relatable story. Author Kem Meyer tells of a friend who arrived at his church just before the service began. He sat down behind a family he didn’t recognize. As he waited for the service to begin, he noticed that their teenage son was playing on his Gameboy.As the service started this guy was irritated that the boy continued to play his

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-63827137876435051312010-08-10T17:22:00.000-07:002010-08-10T17:30:14.758-07:00

How do you sleep at night? In the Bible, David reveals his secret:I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.Psalm 3:5David wrote this at a troubling time in his life. And like us, it would have been easy for anxiety to rob his sleep. How easily we obsess over our concerns, playing out all the “what ifs” of life. But real rest only happens as we recognize God’s sustaining

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-60153562933687484862010-05-27T17:11:00.000-07:002010-05-27T17:12:49.161-07:00

Doing what you're designed to do. from Green Valley Church on Vimeo.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-54328246953874156722010-03-03T08:46:00.000-08:002010-03-03T08:55:08.732-08:00

God’s definition of love in 1 Cor. 13 seems so beyond me that I sometimes don’t know where to begin. Part of the reason is because, as I study it, I am trying to balance two opposing realities.1) Love’s description is so ideal. It portrays a quality of love that has never been fully achieved, except once. Only God truly loves like this. (Go ahead, look it up if you don’t believe me).2) On the

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-80163853438668682422010-01-15T22:03:00.000-08:002010-01-15T22:04:18.146-08:00

I believe that all of life should be lived the way we say grace at the dinner table: giving thanks ahead of time for what we are about to receive.In John 11:41 we find an amazing prayer. Jesus prays, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me." A closer look reveals that this prayer came right before God did one of the most spectacular miracles in the Bible. God brought Jesus' friend, Lazarus,

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-61118183379803468212010-01-12T10:39:00.000-08:002010-01-12T10:41:15.781-08:00

Worry can be an extremely heavy burden. Like an overloaded backpack, it can weigh us down. I know this. I also know I am supposed to release my worries to the Lord. But I have a problem; I usually take them back shortly after I release them.Before a recent flight, I had to pass through one of those security check points. Stripped of all the metal I could think of, I laid my backpack on the

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-69571369435725836232009-12-29T19:51:00.000-08:002009-12-29T19:54:27.806-08:00

I want to tell you about something I'm very excited about. In 2010 I am helping lead a movement called 30 Days of Praise. It is a movement of people who are beginning the new decade committing to do two things during the month of January: 1) To begin each day by praising God for who He is, and 2) To end each day by praising God for what He has done. I think this has huge potential for spiritual

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-56006567836056624032009-11-23T14:53:00.000-08:002009-11-23T14:57:23.425-08:00

We grossly underestimate how much God longs for us to know and experience His presence daily. The reason I say this is because recently I decided to look at the final verse of each book in the New Testament. An overwhelming number of them are reminders that Jesus (or the grace of Jesus) is with you!So, if you ever feel all alone, or doubt that God is intimately involved in your life, you might

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-63794912518338656842009-10-27T16:44:00.000-07:002009-10-27T17:13:51.726-07:00

How often do we let unresolved conflict with another person keep us from doing things, going places, or being ourselves? Instead of dealing with things quickly, we let them simmer. Or talk to everyone else except the individual involves?In Matthew 18, Jesus enumerates 4 steps to dealing with strained relationships.1) If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-77196030288633317472009-10-16T22:23:00.000-07:002009-10-16T22:28:57.049-07:00

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-14777156157844048722009-10-13T14:01:00.000-07:002009-10-13T14:17:07.809-07:00

Jesus offers to make our spiritual journey easy and light. Sounds pretty unrealistic, huh? To be honest, I’m usually skeptical whenever someone tells me that the Christian life is easy. I usually write that off as novice arrogance. How could the Christian life be light and easy? That sounds more like an oldies radio station than the spiritual journey I know. But that is, in fact, what Jesus said:

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-71574433512147936852009-09-29T12:27:00.000-07:002009-09-29T12:31:35.924-07:00

I love this simple request of Jesus:A man with leprosy came and knelt before Jesus and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Matt 8:2Having heard of Jesus’ wonder working power, the man basically said, “Jesus, I know you can heal me, but will you?”Now, in some ways, this is the most honest prayer we will ever pray. Isn't that all we can ever say in our suffering? When we come

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-46049813754243121352009-09-22T11:18:00.000-07:002009-09-22T11:21:19.843-07:00

It seems to me that there are a lot of endeavors that people pour their energy into, work on, and get consumed by, that won’t really matter a whole lot from Heaven’s hindsight. It is as if we are cramming for the wrong question on life’s final exam. For example, none of these questions will be on it:· How hard did you work?· How much money did you make?· What was your GPA?·

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-52517782734326674942009-09-15T11:06:00.000-07:002009-09-15T11:08:35.414-07:00

The Bible clearly says that God works through His people, but how? How exactly does He do that? Do I just “Let go, and let God”? Or do I sweat it out hoping the Lord is somehow going to bless my efforts?I had a catamaran for a few years during college. I worked hard on that boat, painting it, varnishing the wooden mast, getting it ready to sail. Here is something that all sailors know. They

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-88384349375342189622009-08-02T20:28:00.000-07:002009-08-02T20:54:33.258-07:00

This afternoon, I was reflecting on the great message that Geoff Horn gave at our church today. It spurred these further thoughts:The passage was Jesus' words in Matt 11:28-30.Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-86679427870482096112009-07-21T14:40:00.000-07:002009-07-21T14:44:16.353-07:00

My daughter must have been about three when we visited a zoo and there was this mountain lion in a cage. Of course, there was a fence between us and the lion. A double fence actually. But they had done a great job making it almost transparent. And as we walked by this lion locked eyes on our daughter and started to stalk in her direction. It was creepy.Of course, I knew the lion couldn’t get her

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-79394237819306213682009-06-16T16:10:00.000-07:002009-06-16T16:12:56.303-07:00

At least that’s what Peter says: Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect… so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7Many husbands have dreams and plans, yet wonder why achieving them is so frustrating. One of the reasons may be that they have neglected the most important relationship in their lives. God says that only as a

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-30643026419985682652009-06-11T22:00:00.000-07:002009-06-11T22:02:37.488-07:00

I love the healthy example Peter gives us for marriage. Speaking of wives (next week I’ll cover husbands) Peter says they are to be like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master… (1 Peter 3:6).Now let me just state for the record, that Cindy has never called me Master in all the years we've been married. So I’m wondering what is behind this allusion to Sarah calling Abraham her

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-20129289246088844862009-05-12T20:12:00.001-07:002009-05-12T20:12:40.581-07:00

There is an old Hasidic tradition. The first time a Jewish child opens the scripture to read and study it, his parents or the Rabbi will place a large drop of honey on the first page. The child is instructed to lick the honey from the page, forever imprinting the mind of the child that God and His Word are sweet. The Bible says, Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-18908153263759886642009-05-05T12:17:00.000-07:002009-05-05T12:22:27.337-07:00

Most of the time when we think of grace, if we think of it at all, we think of past grace. But the Bible also speaks of future grace.1 Peter 1:13 says, …set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. We forget that grace not only initiates our relationship with God, but carries it every step of the way.A lot of people live with the idea that they probably needed a

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-7022406463542621062009-04-28T11:35:00.000-07:002009-04-28T11:43:14.442-07:00

I admit the Trinity is a difficult concept to grasp. I don’t expect, in this life, to fully understand it. But one of the things that helps me is to think of each member of the Triune God in relation to their role in my life. Peter hinted at this when he said that we, as follower of Jesus Christ, have been …… “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-53537496649590592392009-04-07T23:47:00.000-07:002009-04-07T23:49:51.705-07:00

Check out our new website www.greenvalleychurch.com with some great new videos and features. Just launched today.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-57282969666577319002009-04-02T09:17:00.000-07:002009-04-02T09:20:23.783-07:00

I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on the Beatitudes lately and this morning it struck me that they also work backwards. This has been a transforming discovery for me. Here’s what I mean:If we really appreciate how amazing it is that we have been welcomed into the kingdom of heaven, it makes us poor in spirit (humble and empty of ourselves).If we know that God’s redeeming comfort is

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-63380234261136308552009-03-24T12:03:00.000-07:002009-03-24T12:19:58.309-07:00

Three times Jesus invited Peter to be spiritually alert in the Garden of Gethsemane, and three times Peter fell asleep. A lot of ink is spent, and a lot of sermons preached, on how Peter denied knowing Jesus; but before Peter ever denied Jesus in big ways, he denied Him in small ways. (See Matt 26:36-46).It seems to me there are three phases to God's involvment in our lives:1) Invitation. God

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-3514754982733766522009-03-20T11:39:00.000-07:002009-03-20T11:52:40.079-07:00

Last Sunday, I'm sure, will stand as one of the most remarkable days of my life. I was invited to preach at my mentor pastor, Don Smith's, retirement celebration. He has served at Christ Community Church in Laguna Hills for 25 years. I am so grateful to have been able play a role in celebrating the faithfulness of God through the tenure of an amazing pastor. (It was also one of the rare occasions

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-80678820467436650622009-03-10T11:27:00.000-07:002009-03-10T11:29:31.620-07:00

What do we do when we disappoint ourselves? Simon Peter learned the hard way just how far he could fall below his own standards. Confident he would never waver in his allegiance to Jesus, Simon Peter experienced a night of denials.What do we do when we disappoint ourselves? It is then we must remember what Jesus told Simon Peter right before his denials:But I have prayed for you, Simon, that

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-89003057004921498302009-03-03T11:16:00.000-08:002009-03-03T11:28:45.934-08:00

Peter didn’t get it. Why Jesus would stoop to wash Peter’s feet. Why the Messiah would mimic a slave. Peter didn’t get it. It strikes me that we often don’t recognize what Jesus is up to in our lives. That’s why what Jesus told Peter is so applicable to me.Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7 This is the real-life truth for those who

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-68136297385067672642009-02-28T09:10:00.000-08:002009-03-03T11:28:14.716-08:00

The Watoto kid's choir was at our church last Sunday. I don't stand out at all, do I?

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-57816466568656921362009-02-25T09:35:00.000-08:002009-02-25T09:37:54.696-08:00

GVC families sponsored 26 new Watoto children (which brings our total to 80 for our church). We have sponsored the most children so far on their tour. They are blown away. Here's a photo of me with their leader.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-69615497032513049292009-02-19T11:59:00.000-08:002009-02-19T12:10:24.304-08:00

Yesterday I wrote a verse by hand that will be used in a completely handwritten copy of the Bible (see www.bibleacrossamerica.com). It will be the first completely handwritten Bible in over 250 years. Displayed at the Smithsonian Institute, copies of it will be published at the end of this year. As I stood in line, I wondered what my random verse would be. It was Mark 15:21 which says...A certain

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-82432786599124635912009-02-16T22:32:00.000-08:002009-02-16T23:01:55.021-08:00

Last summer I had a rare opportunity. For several weeks in a row, I was able to visit other churches on a Sunday morning. As a fulltime preacher, it was an unusual and cool experience. But there was a part I didn’t like. I didn't like simply being an observer. I didn't like going in unknown and disconnected. And what bothered me the most was, because I was just visiting for that one Sunday, my

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-22653647564278773602009-02-10T10:03:00.000-08:002009-02-10T10:29:22.751-08:00

You are meant to be God’s signature.In the ancient book of Haggai, God told a man named Zerubbabel how He intended to use him. The Lord said, “and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you.” (Haggai 2.23)A signet ring was a piece of metal jewelry with an etching of a seal on it. It was worn by royalty and when pressed into wax it would seal official pronouncements. You can

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-1993888628388356182009-02-08T20:00:00.000-08:002009-02-08T20:15:50.428-08:00

Imagine a hundred people arriving at church like any other Sunday completely unaware of the significant impact they would have on their community before lunch. That’s exactly what happened at this morning’s service. By the end of the morning, dozens of people had rolled up their sleeves to scrub windows, pick up trash, weed planters, and spread mulch at a local elementary school. (Photos below).

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-16321410676416072192009-02-05T22:44:00.000-08:002009-02-05T22:51:57.651-08:00

One of the things I think is curious about the GPS unit in my car is that it zooms in closer and closer right before it is time to turn. For long periods of time she is silent (yes, our GPS is a “she,” we call her Emily), but then when it is time to turn she starts to speak; “Turn right in 1 mile.” As I get closer, she is more adamant, and a giant arrow appears on the screen. Suddenly, this is my

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-1675797036107701942009-01-28T21:08:00.000-08:002009-01-28T21:13:51.159-08:00

I thought I'd let my faithful blog readers and tweeps in on this early. Here's the letter our church family will get in the mail tomorrow or Friday:Dear Green Valley Church Family,I’m thrilled to announce that, on March 1st, we will be adding a new worship service option for you, and for the people of our community. Specifically, we will be adding an 8am worship service and adjusting our other

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-7446538973217706922009-01-20T17:16:00.000-08:002009-01-20T17:29:06.450-08:00

Occasionally I get to change roles and join Cindy on her photo shoots. I'm basically her equipment bag boy :) Last weekend I was with Cindy at the beach as she was photographing an engaged couple. I was trying to get creative and carve the couple's wedding date in the sand for a photo. As I did a wave came in and drenched my tennis shoes, socks and jeans bottoms. Afterwards she took me to dinner.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-52237275484853999152009-01-20T17:15:00.000-08:002009-01-20T17:32:43.741-08:00

"Stop asking God to bless what you're doing. Get involved in what God is doing – because it's already blessed." - Rock legend Bono God will not bless a self-absorbed life style. More than that, He has set up this world so that a self-focused lifestyle never satisfies. It's not that God doesn't care about our temporary and worldly projects. He absolutely does. It's simply that He loves us too

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-57441144451815506822009-01-06T16:38:00.001-08:002009-01-06T16:53:37.168-08:00

Many people begin the New Year by making new plans. But they never seem to last. And I think I know why. The problem is that plans aren't as strong as patterns. Last weekend we went to the local mountains and found the perfect hill for sledding. It was pretty steep but safe with no real obstacles. Well, there was one obstacle. Some kids had built a four foot mogul for the thrill seeking sledder

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-1266498371468420242009-01-01T19:33:00.001-08:002009-01-01T19:35:13.595-08:00

Just finished reading all my blog posts for 2008. One of the reasons I love blogging is the chance to capture what God has been doing in my life. What a difficult, incredible, and amazing year.The tough things: Lost my father; sent my oldest son off to college; fire at my son's college (his dorm burnt done).The amazing things: Europe with my family (the trip of a lifetime); my oldest son going

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-38136635844914982952008-12-30T23:45:00.000-08:002008-12-31T00:25:14.467-08:00

Tonight I watched my 200th sunset of 2008. Each one was different. Here's some samples of the photos I took. Below the photos I'll tell you why I did it and what I discovered. December 30, 2008 At the beginning of 2008 I made several commitments. One was to watch 200 sunsets. My criteria for it to count was I had to be outside around dusk, either during, right before, or right after the sun went

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-7245469336549120922008-12-17T23:38:00.001-08:002008-12-17T23:43:33.822-08:00

My "virtual friend" Ed Stetzer recommended this Christmas video on his blog. It moved me to tears. Sit back and enjoy:Casting Crowns I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-4952462940087538602008-12-15T17:00:00.001-08:002008-12-16T12:59:06.724-08:00

"He who has God and many other things has no more than he who has God alone." ~ C. S. Lewis At Christmastime it is easy to focus on what we are missing. Whether it is family members to surround us, friends to celebrate with, money to spend, or simply time to get everything done . . . this season can accentuate our lack. Perhaps we have forgotten our best resource. We know Him as Jesus, but in

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-4635801619033363142008-12-13T17:17:00.001-08:002008-12-13T17:19:13.159-08:00

Our tree and son playing piano

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-25203356568830618802008-12-11T22:01:00.000-08:002008-12-11T22:26:41.845-08:00

Last Sunday, we had a surprise guest in the service -- a writer for the San Diego Reader who visits churches unannounced and writes reviews. He introduced himself after the service. As you can imagine, I was eager (and nervous) to see what he would write. You can view his article by clicking here.Or watch the YouTube video he put together here. (The name of his column is Sheeps & Goats)..

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-77083681113066438562008-12-09T16:44:00.001-08:002008-12-09T16:53:52.036-08:00

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1John 4:7 John, who penned the words above, is sometimes called the Apostle of Love; so prominent is love in his writing.What is amazing though is that John wouldn't have always been characterized that way. If you read about him when he was a young disciple of Jesus, he was hot-tempered and fiery. On one occasion, John suggested that

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-35948047613709242822008-11-24T13:18:00.001-08:002008-11-24T23:38:51.844-08:00

If we walk in the light, as [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).Some people falsely think that those who claim to walk in the light, are always perfect. But according to the context of the above passage (1 John 1:5-10), that is actually the definition of walking in darkness. Only those who walk in

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-55100354189636500262008-11-20T09:49:00.001-08:002008-11-20T19:01:20.340-08:00

I've been running a survey for the past several weeks (the survey is located on the right side of my blog) to see what "God is…" statements of the New Testament are most meaningful for people. If you look at the results of the survey you'll notice that only one choice has received no votes (that is, until just now when someone voted for it). It comes from Hebrews 12:29, "for our 'God is a

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-15455067011127506312008-11-18T09:54:00.000-08:002008-11-18T10:05:06.130-08:00

We got a call Sunday night that Chris was invited to be at Westmont for a gathering specifically for the handful of students whose dorms were lost. We spent all day yesterday travelling and removing all the stuff from his room as he will be relocated to a new dorm when he returns after Thanksgiving. The good news, there was only smoke and water damage to his stuff, and most of his stuff will be

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-17861236236278998432008-11-15T10:20:00.000-08:002008-11-15T10:21:11.148-08:00

We just got some good news last night. Chris' RA called him, had seen his room, and said, while the upstairs was destroyed by the fire, that where he lived, downstairs, was relatively unscathed. Just some water damage, but it looks like a lot of his belongings may be redeemable. We'll see when we are allowed back on campus.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-12354784850697409692008-11-14T21:20:00.000-08:002008-11-14T21:21:31.599-08:00

Chris is home with us. We are unsure if anything remains of his school possessions but we are glad to have him home!

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-89550238082766253292008-11-14T10:12:00.000-08:002008-11-14T10:16:26.742-08:00

We were up a lot of the night following the fires at Westmont college where our son is a freshman. There was significant damage to the campus and its buildings but Chris and all the students are OK. They spent the night in the gym. It looks like his dorm was lost so he is coming home today with the clothes on his back. Thanks for your prayers for us and for the whole Westmont community..

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-47365155351758975042008-11-04T13:16:00.001-08:002008-11-04T13:28:00.958-08:00

Imagine that the script of your life was turned into a hit theatrical play. The drama of your life goes public. And on opening night, the theatre is filled with both raving fans as well as the ever-present critics.Who matters most to you to you? Your critics? They can be brutal. It doesn't take much. Just a few words. Do your critics matter most to you? Or would you say your fans matter the most?

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-83200415520724884132008-11-01T12:28:00.001-07:002008-11-01T12:30:13.386-07:00

Here is a recent family outing to Chipotle for free burritos (as long as we dressed like a chipotle burrito; i.e. in aluminum foil).

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-30757327618780531792008-10-30T16:34:00.001-07:002008-10-30T17:18:39.893-07:00

"The repentance that really changes your heart and your relationship with God begins when you recognize that your main sin -- the sin under the rest of your sins -- is your self-salvation project."Timothy Keller, The Reason for God

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-51494093159261304502008-10-27T15:30:00.001-07:002008-10-27T15:48:36.864-07:00

I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the Bible. Their words inspire me. You may remember that they were about to be martyred because of their unwillingness to worship anything other than the True God of Heaven. At the last minute, the reigning monarch gives them an opportunity to change their strategy. Instead this is their conviction …If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-20375048185689840492008-10-23T14:27:00.001-07:002008-10-23T14:27:52.554-07:00

People often make decisions based on whether or not they have a "peace about it." But is that the best gauge? I'm not sure it is. Because sometimes when people say, "I have a peace about it," what they mean is that they are choosing the easier, safer route. Or simply avoiding the right thing to do.     So instead of "having a peace about it," I would recommend that your decision be grounded

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-27622174981309522092008-10-07T13:33:00.000-07:002008-10-07T19:50:05.863-07:00

Many people think that a pastor spends most of his time talking and meeting with people. You'd be surprised how much time is actually spent in administration, message preparation and study, research, planning, and just doing the business of the church.Still, I love those times when I can spend some unhurried time, talking with people about what matters most - God.Like with Ben. I met with Ben for

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-42975167564031208792008-10-07T13:13:00.001-07:002008-10-07T13:27:03.803-07:00

1CO 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.The cross is so counter-intuitive. That which seems like defeat is actually victory. That which seems like weakness is actually strength. That which seems like tragedy is actually is triumph. With the cross, God turned the worst into the best. To many, in biblical

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-79715480089707044072008-09-29T16:07:00.000-07:002008-09-30T21:09:26.864-07:00

This video was fun to make. It was single take with a borrowed camera, and I recruited a stranger who was just reading on the beach to help me shoot it. I didn't catch his name, but if he's watching, THANKS!

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-19054430534574874142008-09-27T09:55:00.000-07:002008-09-27T10:07:06.053-07:00

I'm soaking in this beautiful Saturday morning and thinking about the amazing weekend ahead. Baptism is one of my very favorite events in the life of our church. It reminds me how much I love being a pastor. I never get tired of hearing the stories of transformed and committed lives. Over the years, we’ve baptized well over 200 people at the beach. And tomorrow I’m hoping we’ll baptize another 20

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-72851832626416974222008-09-23T16:45:00.000-07:002008-09-23T16:51:41.552-07:00

One day Jesus had a conversation with a woman. And the conversation got pretty personal. Especially as Jesus dealt with some of the poor moral choices that she has made in her life (in this case, her failure in six different relationships). Jesus looked deep into her heart and revealed her pain and emptiness.That’s why I’m so surprised by her response: "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-58930031656830353322008-09-21T22:35:00.000-07:002008-09-21T23:05:36.872-07:00

I LOVE Fall. Since today, Sept 22, is the first official day of it (actually in an hour or so from now), here are the results of my recent poll. Almost half of those polled said they were ready. Now vote on my new survey.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-16982868580172901792008-09-16T14:49:00.001-07:002008-09-16T15:01:49.769-07:00

My mom lives in a quaint townhouse with a sunny back patio. We often eat out there on warm evenings, celebrate birthdays and such. It is very pleasant. But, this summer, I received a panicked call from her. She had discovered a snake in her courtyard. Now she hates snakes. And I inherited that from her. And as it turns out, this was not just any snake, it was a huge rattlesnake. In fact, when

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-6950073000127717582008-09-12T14:35:00.001-07:002008-09-12T14:39:44.475-07:00

Just finished a staff meeting discussing Will Mancini's book, Church Unique. This is what the conference table looked like after we were done. Loose leaf tea, water, note pads, markers, Bibles. Great meeting.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-54282263447646144632008-09-11T19:00:00.000-07:002008-09-11T19:04:22.675-07:00

The cross has always been a non-negotiable to God’s people. In the Bible, Paul says, May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ... Gal 6.14.But, these days, many people would prefer a God without a cross. Here is the contemporary thinking. Why couldn’t God just forgive and forget? Why can’t God just accept everyone who says they’re sorry and move on? Why not just say we

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-37283143491819925162008-09-07T17:27:00.000-07:002008-09-07T17:30:54.671-07:00

OK, I found the coolest site online. It takes the text of a message and turns it into a word picture. The more you used the word, the bigger it is. Here's this morning's message as a Wordle.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-59422185523408139122008-08-31T23:04:00.000-07:002008-08-31T23:15:29.114-07:00

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-45387330864550827442008-08-26T23:08:00.001-07:002008-08-26T23:15:16.026-07:00

Perhaps what's weirdest about sending our oldest son off to college is that we will be living, travelling, and eating out as a party of four. We've been the five of us for so long! Appreciate your prayers. We are so excited for Chris. He is definitely ready and we are so proud of him. But it's still really tough.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-62655522571442134362008-08-21T10:08:00.001-07:002008-08-21T10:16:24.873-07:00

Also see Some random things I did over Sabbatical. This summer has been a great break from day-to-day ministry. Although it was busy, I was truly able to disengage from the daily load of ministry and think big thoughts about God, His church, our church, and my calling. As I reflect on my summer experience, I relate to the words of John Steinbeck. As Steinbeck prepared to journey across the

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-70785930977347741502008-08-21T09:56:00.001-07:002008-08-27T12:24:01.589-07:00

Read an entire book in one sitting beside a High Sierra riverTook my daughter on a date to a Broadway production of PhantomGot my motorcycle licenseSputtered around Poway on a borrowed VespaBegan doing our own yard workAte outside a lotDrove historic Highway 395 with the top off our 1973 PorscheDrove historic Highway 101 with the top off our 1973 PorscheWent to a charming Bed and Breakfast in La

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-7913485735652613362008-07-27T21:46:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:11:17.928-08:00

I'm about ¾ of my way through my sabbatical, so I thought I'd give you a progress report.What has the Lord done with me over this sabbatical? God has confirmed the key passage: PS 90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.PS 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdomPS 90:17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-31935374357805691492008-07-23T22:50:00.001-07:002008-07-27T21:55:28.190-07:00

One of the things prescribed for me in the Pastor on Point experience I am going through this summer is a SOLO DAY. This is a day alone with God where I allow the insights He's been teaching me during this sabbatical to trickle down from my head into me heart. My solo day will be tomorrow, July 24. It is very loosely organized but ends with a nice dinner with Cindy. Pray with me that God will use

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-67950204990094751812008-07-23T22:39:00.001-07:002008-07-23T22:39:48.820-07:00

With the passing of my father, I've been reflecting on his life a lot. In many ways his testimony has been as strong a part of my testimony as my own. When I became a Christian at age 14, I began praying for my dad's salvation. It was mustard seed faith at best (i.e. tiny) because I couldn't imagine, in my wildest dreams, my dad becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. He was an atheist, and a

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-5069676987076209922008-07-21T23:04:00.001-07:002008-07-21T23:04:14.672-07:00

I am awed by the truth of Will Mancini in his book, Church Unique. Rather than giving you a thorough overview (I can't since I'm still reading it), let me give you some of the "I get it" insights for me. Mancini shows how the strategic planning revolution of the 60's and 70's is coming to an end. Life just happens too quickly for a ten-year plan. He says, "Leaders must focus more on

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-37626583260306157912008-07-17T21:28:00.000-07:002008-07-17T21:38:26.939-07:00

Dad was amazing. I had the privilege to lead the graveside service. For those who couldn't be there, but wanted to, here's what I said:WelcomeLet me begin, on behalf of our family by saying, “Thank You” for being here today. Your love and support mean a lot.And I am most grateful that God is here.In the Bible we read these words: God is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort…. And

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-83088548033277089062008-07-16T22:33:00.000-07:002008-07-16T22:38:17.124-07:00

Just finished reading Abraham Joshua Heschel classic book on The Sabbath. I think what I appreciate the most is the idea that, while many religions think of God in Space (and thus set up shrines, cathedrals, and altars); the God of the Bible also occupies Time. He is the God of seasons and rhythm. Good stuff.Also, for Heschel, the Sabbath is a time to let go of both work AND worry and trust

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-91740571143805991092008-07-14T15:01:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:11:20.531-08:00

We had the time of our lives! Here are some photos:

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-8357448126638341422008-07-10T13:44:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:11:20.758-08:00

The day before we returned from Europe I received news that my dad died. He was 85 years old and a latecomer to the Christian family. Nonetheless he cramed a lifetime of Christian experience into his last 20 years and now he is with the Lord. I loved him. He loved me. He will be missed.

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-91799890692600999442008-06-22T15:59:00.000-07:002008-06-22T18:57:00.642-07:00

Today my Sabbatical Pastor's on Point plan led me to reflect on EPH 2.10. It is a very familiar passage to me because it is the theme of the SHAPE Seminar. But I love the freshness of the Amplified Bible which I haven’t looked at before. Here it is:For we are God's [own]handiwork (his workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus[born anew] that we may do those good works that God predestined (

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-90940954890701038542008-06-22T15:39:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:11:21.033-08:00

Earlier I blogged about how you're likely to see me at Peet's Coffee and Tea (directions here). I went the other day and ran into the Hulme's from church. Today when I went, I was asked to be the customer of the week. Which means starting tomorrow my photo will be displayed and I get a free tea everyday. Nice!!!!! I said you’d bump into me at Peet’s and yep you will!What's also cool is someone

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-41209904287957535492008-06-18T22:59:00.000-07:002008-06-19T12:16:38.086-07:00

One of the latest buzz words coming into American lingo is "staycation" -- a vacation spent close to home. With the ridiculous price of gas, many people are staying home. Of the eight weeks I'll be away from professional ministry (six sabbatical weeks and two vacation weeks), five of them will be spent at home.So new strategies need to be in place to still get the rest benefit. Here's a few I

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-45628156300830592962008-06-17T22:07:00.000-07:002008-06-17T22:11:07.964-07:00

Here's some connection points for me from Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life; Chaps 1-3.· God is writing the story of my life in spite of my attempts to write my own.· Don’t worry about skills you don’t have, “Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you …” 2 Tim. 1.6· Heaven’s calendar has seven Sundays a week. God sanctifies each day.· I was born pre-packed. Don’t live out of someone else’

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-14276625013687758582008-06-17T21:56:00.000-07:002008-06-17T22:06:06.370-07:00

I’m sort of feeling ready for this – sort of not. Here goes.Scripture:PS 90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling placethroughout all generations.PS 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright,that we may gain a heart of wisdomPS 90:17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands.Observations:Psalm 90.1 - God has always been

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-60715001805386074822008-06-15T22:05:00.000-07:002008-06-17T22:05:49.471-07:00

Journey along with me this summer:After 14+ years serving at Green Valley Church, I have the opportunity to enjoy a second sabbatical (my first one was about 7 years ago). I will be gone for six weeks of sabbatical and two weeks of vacation starting June 18.I'm really excited about participatng in Pastors on Point which is a story-based discovery process that unpacks a person’s satisfying

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-26451175440321896802008-06-10T21:24:00.001-07:002008-06-10T21:24:43.789-07:00

This is the story of Nick that I featured last Snday morning:

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-67298305745115810632008-06-10T14:06:00.000-07:002008-06-10T18:15:28.863-07:00

Throughout Romans 8 Paul uses phrases like, I consider, we know, and I am convinced. Each is an act of the mind to convince the heart of the truth God has revealed to us. God longs for us to think about our lives the way He does.I am currently reading a book by Mark Buchanan in which he reminds us of the movie, A Beautiful Mind. It is the true story a brilliant mathematician, John Nash, who,

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081510065818275658.post-32498685151634068032008-06-03T15:18:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:11:21.287-08:00

It was ABC Wide World of Sports that coined the memorable phrase: The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. I guess life is filled with both. But in one of the most profound verses in the Bible, God promises that, even in the most defeating times, followers of Jesus Christ can still experience the thrill of victory.Consider this: "… we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

Doug Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006081786308434419noreply@blogger.com0