Sunday, June 29, 2008 @ 9:55 pm by Josh Burcham

Nothing Better. Family, Cigars, Shrimp, Steak and Captain. It was a fun night after a day of golfing. Which by the way was probably the best game I’ve ever played. I have a long ways to go still, but I’m improving.
Did you know that golf stands for Gentlemen Only, Females Forbidden?

Saturday, June 28, 2008 @ 10:09 pm by Josh Burcham

It was a long day! Here is the play by play:

• Picked up Steve and Gabby from the Airport. They only packed two carry ons. I was impressed.
• Headed over to Hodad’s Restaurant. Dad saw them featured on the Food Network and wanted to try them out. I would love to tell you they were amazing, but we never had a chance to test them out. It was packed down there.
• Ate at Red Rock. Much better then I expected. I had a chicken pizza that was finger linking good.
• Spent five hours at the zoo. Looked the same from when I was in second grade. They should have animals fight or something, so it’s more entertaining.
• Swam and had dinner.

Friday, June 27, 2008 @ 9:35 pm by Josh Burcham

I’ve been looking forward to Cali for a couple of weeks now and it’s finally here. One of the best parts of being on vacation at my dad’s house is we eat like kings! I’m hurting right now, though. I ate way TOO MUCH food today! I’ll post some pictures of my sister’s boys tomorrow when I get a better internet connection.

Highlights:

• Seeing the family. I haven’t seen them since February!
• Islands Burgers
• Playing some Battlefield: Bad Company with Jeff. It’s a pretty crazy game
• Swimming

Tomorrow:

Picking up Steve and Gabby from the airport and heading over to the San Diego Zoo. I haven’t been there since second grade. Probably another big dinner and for sure some more swimming. Should be a fun day for all.

Monday, June 23, 2008 @ 10:11 am by Josh Burcham

It’s interesting to me to see where people are from as I look over my stats. The only reason I ever really look at my stats is to see if my mom is reading my blog. Most blogger out there only have their mom and stalkers reading their blogs, but I don’t even have my mom. I guess I’m not interesting enough for her. Just kidding. Well, I’m not really kidding, she doesn’t read my blog. But I’m not bitter. Pray for her and Nathan this week. They are in Mexico on a missions trip. Pray that their lives will be forever transformed.

Here is a list of (fixed my grammar, thanks to Chels) where people are visiting my blog from over the past two weeks: (notice Colorado isn’t on the list. seriously, I’m not bitter)

1. Arizona
2. California
3. Indiana
4. North Dakota
5. Tennessee
6. Maryland
7. Pennsylvania
8. Washington
9. Virgina
10. South Carolina
11. Illinois
12. Arkansas

If you’re not on the list, it’s because their was less then 4 visits from that state. Visit more.

My mom might not read my blog (not bitter), but I swear my sister gets on 5-6 times a day. It makes up for my mom (still not bitter). Check my sister’s blog out Keepin’ in Touch.

Monday, June 23, 2008 @ 9:53 am by Josh Burcham

Andrew and I were watching old SNL skits and remembered this one. One of the best skits SNL ever did. “MOO……”

Monday, June 23, 2008 @ 9:20 am by Josh Burcham

As we’ve been going through the process of finding the right people God has called to plant Ridgepoint. It’s been a struggle. One of my personal struggles is the senior pastor team. I’ve been asking God for months now, “who?!?!” I’m not a very patient person; I guess God is teaching me what it means to wait patiently. It’s an Abba moment. When my Father, Creator and my God loves me so much that He takes the time to make us more like Him. Abba moment.

Craig posted a great blog post over on swerve about finding the right people. Helped me in processing through senior pastor team members.

Today I’ll list ten of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on selecting great people:

1. Character is more important than giftedness.
2. God often uses those others overlook.
3. My wife is almost always a better judge about people than I am.
4. Past success is a good indicator of future success.
5. There is often a reason someone is looking for a job.
6. Teach-ability is non-negotiable.
7. When I’m trying to talk myself into liking someone, it’s best to move on.
8. People from within the organization typically have a huge advantage over those who are from without.
9. One of the best ways to attract better leaders is to become a better leader.
10. We’re all better off when we pray, listen, and obey.

As a church plant a lot of these don’t apply to us, yet. Also helps that we can’t pay our senior pastor team either. Totally tracking with 1, 2, 6, 9, 10.

7 is a great one as well. They could be a perfect fit with the skills they posses, but if you don’t connect with them personally they probably aren’t the right fit for your church. Or maybe you aren’t the right fit.

Friday, June 20, 2008 @ 6:36 pm by Josh Burcham

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 @ 8:11 am by Josh Burcham

Money is never our focus, but giving gauges the heart.
1 Timothy 6:3-10

Last Core Value, but certainly not least. Usually when the subject of money comes up in the church the people go up in arms. Why do you think that is? Why do you think Jesus spoke so much about money? Because it is a cornerstone to our faith. Not the money itself, but the giving of it.

Jesus talked so much about money, because He knew what His people were capable of if they stop letting money run their lives. When you give your finances to God and trust Him; you’re Free. Free from worry, Free from not having any, Free from Bills and hopefully eventually Free from Debt. Jesus doesn’t care about your money. He cares about your heart. “You can’t serve two masters.” “You can’t serve both God and money.” It’s one or the other. But, Josh. I don’t serve money, I just need it to live. Actually, you don’t. You don’t need money, you just think you do.

Our God is way too big to be limited by money. If you are worrying about how you are going to pay your car insurance or how you are going to afford clothes; you’re limiting God’s power. When you’ve been freed from money and most of us are a prisoner to it, you recieve God’s blessing. Blessings don’t equal money, for the record.

At Ridgepoint. We don’t want your money, but I do want you giving. I don’t really care which church you’re giving too, as long as you are giving! Because giving gauges the heart and Jesus wants your heart.

If we had a church of givers, of people that don’t worry about money and have said “God this is all your” we would be an unstoppable force in our community. We would change the world.

Ridgepoint Posts: Ridgepoint, Core Values, Vision