Reading is something that I've had to learn to love. I have to admit that reading to me at times is my "thorn in my side" as Paul would say. I say that because it does not come naturally to me, in fact it is very hard at times, but I love it when I do pick up a good read because I am usually so incredibly challenged that if pushes me to want to read more. Right now I'm reading probably the most personally challenging book that I've ever read, apart from God's Word. The book was recommended to me by a good friend who was mentored by Rob Bell. That alone intrigued me, but was even more my buddy talked about how much this book impacted him and his walk with Christ, so as soon as our meeting was over, I went back to my office and ordered it. The book is called, "the emotionally healthy church", by Pete Scazzero. And I can't recommend it to you more highly. Pick it up and watch your socks get rocked!
Books I'm reading and ones that are on deck...
1. "The Emotionally Healthy Church" by Pete Scazzero
2. "Crazy Love', by Francis Chan
3. "Vintage Jesus", by Mark Discoll
4. "Talent is Never Enough" by John Maxwell
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
She's here!
It has been a few weeks since my last post, but good reason...I now have a beautiful baby daughter in my life. I can't explain how amazing it is to be a parent! Riley was born July 1, 2008 at 9:52pm at Scottsdale Shea Hospital, weighing in at 5 lbs 8oz, and 19 inches long. She was given the nickname, "peanut" by all the nurses because of how small she was, and is. But to Vi and I she is the most beautiful, precious, sweet, and amazing little girl in the world. God has blessed us with the opportunity to have her in our lives, and we couldn't be happier!
Violet and I want to thank so many people that prayed for both Violet and Riley during the delivery process, and for all the support, encouragement, gifts, and meals that so many have given. Thank you just doesn't seem like enough, but thank you.
There are several things that I've learned as a new Dad the top 5 right now are....
5. Laughing has kept Violet and I sane for the last 2 weeks while being sleep deprived
4. Poop can be projectile(didn't know that!)
3. Riley gets her beautiful looks from her Mom(I'm thankful for that!)
2. I can't give Riley enough love, or kisses!
1. God is so amazing! The entire birthing process was the most amazing experiences for Violet to have together, and also in our walk with Christ.
Here are some more pictures for now. Enjoy!
Friday, June 27, 2008
My world is about to be ROCKED!
On Monday of this last week, Violet and I had a routine baby doctor's appointment. Violet is now in her 36th week of being pregnant, and so we are thinking about 4 more weeks of preparation will be great, we can enjoy our time together and get a few things done around the house. Well, after that doctor's appointment, we found out that she will not be coming in 4 weeks. Instead she will be coming on Tuesday, July 1, 2008.
As we left the doctor's office, we where both in shock. Not really knowing what to say or how to feel, but left with a ton of questions that will probably get no answers, and in some ways I'm fine with that. I have to say that we are so excited about her coming! I can't explain how happy our hearts are. But at the same time, jumping from 4 weeks out to 4 days out, was something that I know we where not really prepared for, but we keep telling each other that the Lord wants her here early so that He can start to use her even sooner!
Please keep Violet in your prayers as we move closer to Tuesday, and please pray for Riley as well in the days ahead.
Can't wait to show off pictures of my daughter, and our new family!
As we left the doctor's office, we where both in shock. Not really knowing what to say or how to feel, but left with a ton of questions that will probably get no answers, and in some ways I'm fine with that. I have to say that we are so excited about her coming! I can't explain how happy our hearts are. But at the same time, jumping from 4 weeks out to 4 days out, was something that I know we where not really prepared for, but we keep telling each other that the Lord wants her here early so that He can start to use her even sooner!
Please keep Violet in your prayers as we move closer to Tuesday, and please pray for Riley as well in the days ahead.
Can't wait to show off pictures of my daughter, and our new family!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Still a fan...
Everyone who knows me, knows that I'm a die hard Suns fan. When the season is here, I go a little crazy...okay, I'll be honest, I turn into a Suns Freak. It can be so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game, and the craziness of the season, and then the playoffs! Wow man! I get excited just thinking about it! A several months back I began to do some real self evaluating. Now please hear me out...there is nothing wrong with being a sports fan. However, for me, I became more excited about following the Suns, (and I have followed them since I was in 3rd grade), than I was excited about spending time with God. That was hard to come to grips with, and even harder to do something about it.
I realized several months back that I wanted to do something about this...and just so everyone knows, this was BEFORE the Suns lost in the playoffs, so let's get that off the table now. This wasn't about the Suns, but what God was doing in my heart. I have a room in our house that Violet so graciously let me decorate, actually decorate is an understatement. This room became a god to me. I know it sounds really exagerated, but it's not. I spent so much money decorating this room with Suns autographs, retro pictures, jerseys, posters, even had a fathead(basically a big sticker) of the suns gorilla on the wall, even painted the room a awesome burnt orange color, purchased some awesome manly furniture for the room, and it looked just about completed...until something else came along that I needed for it. It became my god. It was taking my time, my treasure, and talent as well.
My Time-I spent time constantly trying to make it better...and better...and better.
My Treasure-I was spending so much money on a room that wasn't leading anyone closer to Christ, and it's not my treasure any ways, it's all the Lords, and I had become a poor steward.
My Talents- my creativity was high in developing that room. All for what....
So what am I getting at? That room was about ME, and only ME.
A few months back I told Violet that I wanted to change that room. I wanted to get rid of everything, and make it into a room for her and I to retreat to, spend time together, and challenge each other as we read God's word together. So that's what we are doing. There won't be any TVs in that room, no pictures of my favorite basketball team hanging on the wall, just pictures of my beautiful wife, and our awesome family, 2 couches that will be a place that we can spend time together talking, and praying together, and yes I am painting the room.
I found something interesting as I have been going through this process, I can talk basketball, enjoy going to a game, and even watch it, but I want to live a life that is pleasing to Christ, one that loves his wife unconditionally, one that is more passionate about his relationship with Christ, than he is about his favorite sports team.
The title of this post was "Still a fan" and I believe I am, that will not change. However, what will change is my passion.
I realized several months back that I wanted to do something about this...and just so everyone knows, this was BEFORE the Suns lost in the playoffs, so let's get that off the table now. This wasn't about the Suns, but what God was doing in my heart. I have a room in our house that Violet so graciously let me decorate, actually decorate is an understatement. This room became a god to me. I know it sounds really exagerated, but it's not. I spent so much money decorating this room with Suns autographs, retro pictures, jerseys, posters, even had a fathead(basically a big sticker) of the suns gorilla on the wall, even painted the room a awesome burnt orange color, purchased some awesome manly furniture for the room, and it looked just about completed...until something else came along that I needed for it. It became my god. It was taking my time, my treasure, and talent as well.
My Time-I spent time constantly trying to make it better...and better...and better.
My Treasure-I was spending so much money on a room that wasn't leading anyone closer to Christ, and it's not my treasure any ways, it's all the Lords, and I had become a poor steward.
My Talents- my creativity was high in developing that room. All for what....
So what am I getting at? That room was about ME, and only ME.
A few months back I told Violet that I wanted to change that room. I wanted to get rid of everything, and make it into a room for her and I to retreat to, spend time together, and challenge each other as we read God's word together. So that's what we are doing. There won't be any TVs in that room, no pictures of my favorite basketball team hanging on the wall, just pictures of my beautiful wife, and our awesome family, 2 couches that will be a place that we can spend time together talking, and praying together, and yes I am painting the room.
I found something interesting as I have been going through this process, I can talk basketball, enjoy going to a game, and even watch it, but I want to live a life that is pleasing to Christ, one that loves his wife unconditionally, one that is more passionate about his relationship with Christ, than he is about his favorite sports team.
The title of this post was "Still a fan" and I believe I am, that will not change. However, what will change is my passion.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Haiti Day 4....
That's a joke for all of you who know that I have not been the most faithful in keeping up with writing my blog! Thanks for pushing me to write another post, I'll try not to make it another 3 months before the next one!
Update on the Conner family:
1. My wife looks so beautiful being 7 1/2 months pregnant!
2. We are so excited about the arrival of our little girl, Riley Sophia Conner!
3. Only 62 more days till Riley is here!
4. My heart is still aching from my Suns early exit in the first round against the evil "San Antonio Sterns"
5. My heart began to then break when our coach Mike D'Antoni left to coach NY, I think Coach D'Antoni rocked it! He is a great Coach! Not sure who we can get to take his spot. I really don't like the potential candidates, but do love the idea of having Dan Majerle, and Eddie Johnson for an assistant coaches! My first suggestion would be to bring back Cotton! But that's impossible, so how about good old Paul Westphal! I'm for that!
6. I'm a life long Suns fan, will always support them, but seriously...I miss Jerry Colangelo.
7. I love my job. I love being apart of the awesome Staff of Palm Valley Church! I have never seen a staff that is so committed to growing closer to the Lord, growing the people of the church closer to the Lord, and growing in their leadership. I can't explain how awesome it is to love to come to the office each morning knowing that each person around you is committed to greatness.
8. Awesome to see our friends Derrick and Kim with their new son, Jude! What a cute kid! And he does have a head of hair like Dad!
9. Has been awesome to see the Lord challenge and grow my good friend and mentor Mark Gumm. The last 6 months for him and his family have been such a challenge to Violet and I in our faith, they have had a huge effect on us in a way that they will never know.
10. I'm excited to hear more about Mark's trip to Africa!
11. God has been growing me and stretching me, and sometimes those growing pains don't feel good, but they are necessary for my development.
12. I love doing my daily Bible reading with Violet and then talking about what God has been teaching us daily, awesome!
13. Currently reading, "the seven rules of success" by Wayne Cordeiro. Back in January, as a staff, we went to a conference at Waynes church. I was so challenged and encouraged by his leadership. Another awesome read by Wayne is "the Devine Mentor", if you haven't read it, pick it up ASAP! It will rock your world!
14. So happy for my buddy Micheal and his wife Heidi! They have a new son coming to their family this week!
15. Read a blog by Craig Groeschel, a pastor that has influenced me from afar. He wrote about people that had influenced his life, both from afar, but also from up close. I started to make my list. I'll write another post on this later.
Update on the Conner family:
1. My wife looks so beautiful being 7 1/2 months pregnant!
2. We are so excited about the arrival of our little girl, Riley Sophia Conner!
3. Only 62 more days till Riley is here!
4. My heart is still aching from my Suns early exit in the first round against the evil "San Antonio Sterns"
5. My heart began to then break when our coach Mike D'Antoni left to coach NY, I think Coach D'Antoni rocked it! He is a great Coach! Not sure who we can get to take his spot. I really don't like the potential candidates, but do love the idea of having Dan Majerle, and Eddie Johnson for an assistant coaches! My first suggestion would be to bring back Cotton! But that's impossible, so how about good old Paul Westphal! I'm for that!
6. I'm a life long Suns fan, will always support them, but seriously...I miss Jerry Colangelo.
7. I love my job. I love being apart of the awesome Staff of Palm Valley Church! I have never seen a staff that is so committed to growing closer to the Lord, growing the people of the church closer to the Lord, and growing in their leadership. I can't explain how awesome it is to love to come to the office each morning knowing that each person around you is committed to greatness.
8. Awesome to see our friends Derrick and Kim with their new son, Jude! What a cute kid! And he does have a head of hair like Dad!
9. Has been awesome to see the Lord challenge and grow my good friend and mentor Mark Gumm. The last 6 months for him and his family have been such a challenge to Violet and I in our faith, they have had a huge effect on us in a way that they will never know.
10. I'm excited to hear more about Mark's trip to Africa!
11. God has been growing me and stretching me, and sometimes those growing pains don't feel good, but they are necessary for my development.
12. I love doing my daily Bible reading with Violet and then talking about what God has been teaching us daily, awesome!
13. Currently reading, "the seven rules of success" by Wayne Cordeiro. Back in January, as a staff, we went to a conference at Waynes church. I was so challenged and encouraged by his leadership. Another awesome read by Wayne is "the Devine Mentor", if you haven't read it, pick it up ASAP! It will rock your world!
14. So happy for my buddy Micheal and his wife Heidi! They have a new son coming to their family this week!
15. Read a blog by Craig Groeschel, a pastor that has influenced me from afar. He wrote about people that had influenced his life, both from afar, but also from up close. I started to make my list. I'll write another post on this later.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Trip To Haiti Day 3
Woke up this morning at 5:00am, after finally falling asleep at about 2:45am! Nothing like a little nap to get you through the day. Mark and I headed down to meet Joaquin for breakfast, we had some great Haitian coffee, and some scrambled eggs. Then we headed out on our journey to Value, which is only about 50 miles away however because of the traffic, bad roads and I mean bad roads, and the very steep mountain where Value is located, it takes about 2.5 hours to drive there.
After another nap, a quick stop to water the vegitation, we wher back on the road and actually made a quick stop at the church that helped launch Value Baptist Church. We stopped in too see how they are and was a nice quick visit.
As we headed up the mountain to Value, I was reminded about the how much these people want to be at church, they have such a hunger for the Lord and for His word that they will literally travel for miles on FOOT, just to be there. Today there was a young couple that came from an area near Port Au Prince, they walked over 40 miles! Now that is huger!
As we climbed the mountain, we could see the church on the mountain side, and immediatly to my mind came "like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden" we are to shine our light for all to see! As we pulled up to the church, my heart was filled with joy, and as we headed into the church , I was in awe of what the Lord was doing. There in one room there was 3 sunday school classes going, adults, youth, and children. There was about 80 adults and youth, and 50 children! My heart was so over whelmed. As the service started(service was over 3 hours long) we sang songs, and more songs, and more songs.
I can't tell you enough how my heart was challenged. I can't express you enough how my life will never be the same. I can't thank you enough for the countless lives that will be forever impacted in Value, Haiti because YOU Palm Valley Church, chose to answer the call that the Lord had laid before you. So thank you!
After another nap, a quick stop to water the vegitation, we wher back on the road and actually made a quick stop at the church that helped launch Value Baptist Church. We stopped in too see how they are and was a nice quick visit.
As we headed up the mountain to Value, I was reminded about the how much these people want to be at church, they have such a hunger for the Lord and for His word that they will literally travel for miles on FOOT, just to be there. Today there was a young couple that came from an area near Port Au Prince, they walked over 40 miles! Now that is huger!
As we climbed the mountain, we could see the church on the mountain side, and immediatly to my mind came "like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden" we are to shine our light for all to see! As we pulled up to the church, my heart was filled with joy, and as we headed into the church , I was in awe of what the Lord was doing. There in one room there was 3 sunday school classes going, adults, youth, and children. There was about 80 adults and youth, and 50 children! My heart was so over whelmed. As the service started(service was over 3 hours long) we sang songs, and more songs, and more songs.
I can't tell you enough how my heart was challenged. I can't express you enough how my life will never be the same. I can't thank you enough for the countless lives that will be forever impacted in Value, Haiti because YOU Palm Valley Church, chose to answer the call that the Lord had laid before you. So thank you!
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