Who are you investing in?  

Someone needs your help.

Who might need the information you know?

You will be surprised what you think is common knowledge some will treat as “informational” gold! 

Who might need financial help from you?

Most people have a hard time managing their money.  Check out www.mint.com and www.daveramsey.com

What can you do to help someone with their failing marriage?

Many today live in failed relationships that seem o.k. on the outside but are dying on the inside. A great marriage counselor is named Charles Coulter,  go to www.thebestmarriage.com, if you live in San Antonio.

How can you help those that are going thru a divorce? 

It is a painful process, but there is life after divorce.  Simply being a friend is huge!

Who are you investing in?

Someone needs your help.

Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

So we pulled off another Sunday without any major problems. At the foundation of what we does is a loving God who makes it all possible. I mean, there’s no way such a small team of people should be able to do what we do every week at Imagine. The leaders God has assembled are truly amazing. From those in charge of hospitality, kids and greeting to the strong guys who unload and load the trailer every week, it’s a team effort. Here are some thoughts from today…

• We were worried about heavy rain during set up, turns out that wasn’t a problem.
• I think I’ve said this before but I really enjoy getting up early to get the trailer.
• There was lots of help this morning to unload. That always makes things go more smoothly.
• Cast Away is on right now. I would have died on that island.
• There was a Ryan Stockton (Did I spell that right?) sighting. So glad he’s back. That guy worked hard today and got a lot done.
• Israel was not there today. He’s in Houston helping get the HEB stores back on their feet. Stay safe buddy. Get back here soon.
• Lots of problems with the lights but it always gets done in the end. We’ve got some good guys working in that area and they know how to get it done.
• I watched very little football today and that is not a good thing. Cowboys v. Eagles tomorrow! It wont be a good week if the boys lose.
• Over the last week, we’ve signed up like 10 people on twitter. Twitter is such a good way to get connected. Latest additions include: mjimison, misterlos11, perezr07.
• I don’t think we’ve figured out how to really show people how fantastic twitter is for hooking up with other folks at Imagine. I need to work on that this week.
• So Kev and I shot some video with Brent. He did his magic and we showed our first series promo video during service. I think it was a big hit. We got some laughs and that’s always good. You can check it out on this blog or here.
• I heard through the grape vine that Jennifer and Heather rode to church together. That’s just cool.
• Oh nothing, just that MY WIFE AND I ARE EXPECTING A BABY!!!
• Scary clouds while we were loading up the trailer. We got the tarp on right before it started raining. Glad we got to use that tarp. One more thing we’re prepared for.
• Ralf almost killed himself on the way to the storage place with the trailer. Trailer got a little squirly in the rain. Glad he’s ok, we need that guy on guitar.
• The band rocked. If you’d like a list of songs the band does on Sundays, email ralf@imaginefellowship.org and he’ll hook you up.
• The folks in kids are amazing. So glad they want to serve and make imaginekids great. After service I went in there to check ‘em out and I heard a kid say to her mom, “I had so much fun!” I love it!
• Some idiot cut me off at 6AM this morning. I’m pulling a trailer and this guy is just blind or something. And right before I tell him that he’s number 1, there’s a moment of pause, self control and… I figured he wouldn’t see the international gesture for “you’re a jerk” because it was too dark. God’s always trying to teach me something, today’s lesson: Grow up Ralpho, don’t throw the finger when someone cuts you off.
• We had one of our biggest Sundays not including the grand opening. Imagine is seeing steady growth which is the best kind. It’s just a matter of time before it blows up!
• My hands are just filthy gross by the time I drive away from the palladium.
• Over the weekend, I was following a bunch of people on twitter who were from Galveston and Houston. Scary stuff!
• I feel good about this coming week. There’s a ton to do and we’ve got so many crazy fun ideas for the next series.
• I’m pooped! Night everyone.

 ~ ralph perez, leader’s pastor

I have often heard pastors use the analogy of “giving birth to a baby each and every week” when refering to putting on a service every Sunday. I sort of understand what they are saying, but having been on both sides of the equation, I have to object slightly.  I have actually given birth to a baby and let me tell you, i would much rather put on  a service! If having babies was left up to men, the human race would have ended long ago.  But in all fairness, putting on a service is a big task to do each and every week. My husband usually takes off Sunday afternoon, but then first thing Monday morning, he is already working for the next weekend. I acually have to tell him to take a break. It is a non stop job, much like parenthood. While the end result of giving birth is a beautiful baby to raise and teach them about God, the end result of a great service is seeing God’s work unfold and hopefully introducing people to a life with Him. You know, maybe they are pretty similar afterall!

Shaina Joyce

Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah 

If you talk too much this is what some people hear.

Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. James 1:19

1 Peter 2:17

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God….

Respect is in high demand and low supply.  People tend to value their experiences, beliefs, and values, and devalue others that don’t hold the same.  God asks us to honor all people….all of them.  No matter their beliefs, values, experiences, actions, or attitude.  We don’t have to agree with them, but we do need to respect them as a person.  How we treat others reflects upon us and upon God.

LGLP

Leaders have a hard time saying three words–”I don’t know.”  

Why?

 Well, there are many reasons, but one of them is not having control over a situation.  Whether it be at work or in family life….But “I don’t know” allows room for endless possibilities.  Many look at the phrase and condemn it, but we need to look at that phrase and see opportunity.

“I don’t know” opens up our mind to look at a different way of doing things.  The things that we “do” know will always stay the same….So when you say “I don’t know”, be encouraged, you might be upon the next new idea! 

Last weekend was absolutely amazing…We had the most people ever to attend Imagine Fellowship and the service was flawless!  Some of the coolest things I saw were:

–The setup before the service (everyone working together)

–The music was amazing, (the band works so hard!) Thank you Ralf, Mike, Daniel, Daniel, and Arms!

–It was a big theater and it was full  

–Everyone talked for a long while after the service (saw people exchanging numbers as well)

–Hospitality was yummy and looked great!

–The new greeter shirts went well with the greeters smiles!

–I didn’t get to see much of children’s, but I heard it went amazing (I thank all of you for your hard work!!!)

–Bay Area helped out huge with people coming up!

–Tons of people joined twitter this weekend and are starting to tweet during the week to other people

–Our church grew in numbers this week, but more importantly we grew as a family

God bless 

 pastor kevin 

1. Hey! Come check out our service this Sunday! 

2. I will come pick you up this Sunday and we will go together.

3. We can go to lunch afterwards.

4. You may like it, may not, but the music is great!

5. It’s only 45-50 minutes long.

6. You don’t like it, I won’t invite you again.

7. If you can’t make it, no worries, we are there every Sunday at 10:00 am.

My prayer is that our church will understand that we are the church.  That we all have the ability to help someone, to encourage, to care for, and to love the others around us.  Not just the people that love us, but those who feel unloved.  My prayer is that we are the example.  That people see us, and may not understand why, but want what we have in our heart.  My prayer is that we ask ourselves not how much we make, but how much we can give.  My prayer is that our church reads their bible and prays every day, not because we have to or we feel guilty, but because we know that God wants to speak to us every day.  My prayer is that our church is less concerned with how many actions they did wrong today, and be more concerned with asking God to change the desires of their heart.  My prayer is that our church would let go with their worries and fears, and let God take over their lives.  That is my prayer….Love you God!

Kevin