Ok, so my last mind dump is going to be a memorable one if only because Silas Joyce was born today! So happy for Kevin and Shaina. Let’s just go ahead and get right to it…

• Text received at 7:31A: “Hey guys! Shaina is in labor…going to take her to hospital, check her in, and then come speak” WHAT?!?!?
• Phone call at 7:36A, it’s Kevin, “Hey man, can you preach this morning so I can stay with Shaina?” Me, “Uh, yeah!”
• So I get up, walk to the office and start to go through some notes on a passage I had been reading for the last two weeks or so. I knew exactly what I wanted to speak on.
• So I read the passage four or five times, wrote down some notes and more notes and more notes, and then we’re off to Imagine.
• I didn’t set up with the guys this morning and I sort of regret it. Setting up with all the guys at Imagine is one of the best things about being part of this church. There’s nothing like making fun of them and getting made fun of. 
• I wasn’t worried about set up because my guys are good! I got to the Palladium at about 9:35 and it was all good! Band warming up, media is done, everything was perfect.
• I should probably point out that today is our last Sunday at Imagine. We attended the second service Imagine ever had back in November of 2007 and we’ve been hooked ever since. We went on staff a few months later and my life changed more than I ever thought possible.
• One of the things I’m going to miss most about Imagine is the band! They rocked the house like usual. I always love it when first time visitors walk out with that “wow” look on their faces.
• The relationships we’ve made over the last two years are what make Imagine special. When I was getting ready to speak in the first service, a number of people shared that they were happy I was getting to speak and I felt honored to be able to address such an amazing group of people.
• Even with only a few hours to prepare, I feel like I preached really good. Thank God for his grace and mercy. We (preachers) just get up there and try teach what we’ve studied and hope we don’t screw it up too bad.
• I spoke about how we respond when crisis comes. Here’s the amazing way God works and how this message came to be…
• About three months ago, the Jims’ Bible study guys and I started studying about the friction between Saul and David.
• We’ve studied 1 Samuel all summer long and this week we wrapped it up with 1 Samuel 31, a passage I’ve been reading over and over for the last few weeks.
• Shaina goes into labor this morning and I’m called on to teach, and so naturally I wanted to speak on the passage that hasn’t let me go for a while.
• God worked all of those circumstances out so that I could talk on a subject that really resonated with a number of people in both the first and second services. It’s always nice when people let you know that what you spoke about affected them.
• There are few things I enjoy more then realizing that God used me as part of His bigger plan.
• I love Kevin like a brother. I enjoyed so much the fighting, debating, praying, and learning. He’s been an incredible influence on my life. They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. Last week I noticed that Kevin had cleaned the inside and outside of his car. His car’s usually a wreck so the change was obvious. What did I do? I washed and cleaned my car the very next day.
• I’ve never met anyone that wants to see people introduced to Jesus more than Kev.
• Today was the first time I’ve ever preached back to back services and it was a little weird to do it all over again in the second service. Hats off to Kev for doing it every weekend.
• I started this post in San Antonio. I finished it in Las Angeles. I’m in Denver now finally uploading it. I miss home.
• It’s 3am in San Antonio and 2am here in Denver so please excuse the typos. 
• We are moving because my oldest daughter Kaitlyn lives in Corpus with her mom. Now that I’m done with law school, it’s time for me to be as close to her as possible.
• Not sure when we’ll be back but I can’t wait to be visitors at Imagine.
• I expect great things from Imagine Fellowship. You’re job is to fearlessly trust God and follow Kevin where he leads you.
• A few good friends got baptized today. So proud of them. I wish I could have been there but just know that I’m amazed at what God is doing in your lives.
• Kev would never say this but the most frustrating thing about leading a church is people who “love the church” but are unwilling to do the simple things that are asked of them.
• Three things, pray, read your Bible and show others Jesus in the way you live.
• If you haven’t gotten into a mentor relationship, you absolutely need to! The biggest catalyst to the change I experienced in my life over the last two years was having someone to personally challenge me. Having a person who would be brutally honest with me and who invited that same kind of honest was the difference.
• I’m gonna miss you guys. Farewell for now. 

Great Sunday…

• Feels like I haven’t been up early enough to not be rushing out of my mind and flying down the freeway. Today was the first time I’ve been up on time in a while. Thanks @saraperez.
• Got to the Palladium on time along with most of our volunteer staff and band….no trailer!
• We’re hanging out inside the theater because it’s freakin’ cold outside. Waiting…waiting…waiting…
• The trailer is usually at the theater by 8:30ish. We’ve talked about purposely showing up late with the trailer so that our setup team and volunteers are forced to really pull together and work hard and fast. I wish I had planned this but I can’t really take any credit for what happened next.
• Trailer gets to the Palladium at 9:10 or so. That’s almost 45 minutes after we usually set up. Didn’t matter!!!!
• Our team was sick today! We did new stuff with lights and the stage and they still got set up with plenty of time for the band to warm up, for some worship and prayer time and to go through the lineup several times. Freakin’ awesome.
• Everyone seemed to be really calm setting up in a hurry. I didn’t even seem like we were in a rush. 
• We had some hiccups with video setup. They still got everything done on time. Way to go @txroadshow & @lindasolis.
• Today was @ralfula1’s birthday. He’s oooooold!!!!
• I’ve learned so much from Ralf. I’m super uptight when it comes to setup on Sundays. He teaches me to chill out. He’s patient and smart. Great work with the band Ralf, it’s an honor to work by your side and I’m better for it.
• Band was awesome as usual with the exception of  a little stumble on some words. @mike127 is still the best ever. That guy pumps me up.
• Mike and Megan picked up a pair of Blackberry Curves. They just got on the cool kids list.
• Raised two thirds of our stage up from 18” to three feet! The band was shakin’ in their boots! Can you say “afraid of heights??”
• Started a series called “Addict” today. We have a number of recovering addicts who blew us away with their stories. @kevj got real authentic with his own addictions to pornography. He makes it easier for all of us who struggle in that area to man up and kick that addiction. What’s your addiction? Sex? Alcohol? Porn? Gambling? Attention? Drama? Food?
• We used a lot of video this week and it went great. Good transitions. I always think I need to micromanage the video and lights but I just need to let go. Sorry guys. I wont do that anymore. You guys do great every week.
• Lots of new people at Imagine. Biggest weekend attendance! Woohooo!
• I was on the live tweet this weekend and it was cool. Had a chance to interact with some new twitter followers who are diggin’ twurch.
• Breakdown is fun. We have a ton of people stick around and help. It would take forever to thank them all but they’re awesome.
• So the guys are loading stuff up in the trailer and there are about seven Imagine females huddled up talking…Matt and I know this can’t be going good. Are they complaining about us? Is one of those girls braggin’ on her perfect man…which will just get us in trouble for all the bad husbands we are?? Turned out ok, whew!!
• I love Imagine Fellowship.
• After service, a woman said to me, “This church is great, I loved it!” Welcome to the club. Imagine is a place where people can be themselves. We’ll take you just where you are introduce you to a God that can turn your life upside down, shake loose everything that you’ve been trying to fix for years and put everything back together again.
• Momentum, that’s all I have to say.

• Imagine rocks! There are so many people willing to get their hands dirty to get this thing done. Thanks to all of them.
• It was a pretty morning when I left the house. Lots of stars out and the temperature was sooooo good. It was like 70ish when I left the house and I loved it.
• Did some different stuff with lights today. Gave the theater a different look. That was fun.
• Philip Reeves sighting at set up! Phil is super cool and I’m glad he showed up! We needed help. 
• No Viking laugh after we loaded up the trailer, a little disappointed.
• Lots of new people today! Loved it.
• My buddy Jonathan was there today. Glad he and his wife had a chance to come to service. Miss that guy.
• Good message today from Kev. I love when he preaches from the heart like that.
• Poor Asher. AJ had a tough couple of days. He’s my buddy and I’m gonna keep praying for him till he’s 100%.
• My little truck is tough! Pulls that trailer every week.
• The fellas are meeting. 7AM Tuesday at the Jims on Blanco and 410 for some Bible and breakfast. See ya there. Yeah I know it’s early but it’s only one day a week! Get your butt out of bed.
• Man that tall truss was a tall truss. Did anybody notice?
• Band rocks my face off every week!
• Is my 90 lb wifey starting to look pregnant or is it just me?
• Movie day in imaginekids. Movie day for big church is coming soon!
• Spouse Store this coming Sunday. You don’t want to miss it. We’re gonna hit some fun relationship stuff.
• Kev wears cool shirts.
• Lots of people out and we still had a full house.
• My new favorite phrase to hear post-service, “Can you help me get set up on Twitter?”
• I want to weigh the trailer.
• Met with my buddy Mike Fernandez this week and he was the inspiration that led to the new light set up. More new things to come.
• Cowboys v. Packers tonight!!! Yeah!
• Brother-in-law (who is also an associate pastor and gets how much work it is) called after to service to check on me. Conversation: “Hey brother, how you feeling?” “What’s up Rich, TIRED!” I’m hurting on Sunday afternoons.
• Family coming to chill with us this week! Yeah!
• They get here in an hour, time to clean the whole house. I love the pressure. 

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