I hope everyone had a chance to see Pastor Jim, our Oro Valley Campus Pastor, make the big change from being a ASU fan to becoming a University of Arizona fan, from a Sun Devil to a Wildcat.  If you missed it I would encourage you to take a few moments and watch last weekend’s teaching: “You In Christ”. http://bit.ly/4oCanU

Other great news, there were a couple of people who made commitments to either follow Jesus for the first time this last weekend, or rededicate their lives to Jesus. I always love hearing your stories and what God is doing in your lives.

Did you get to meet Hubble last week? My dog, pictured in this blog when he was about 10 weeks old.  His story has been a powerful illustration for all of us as we look at allowing the Lord to renew our minds. More than anything, my prayer for this series is that God would lead us all through an internal transformation by renewing our minds throughout The Secret. That we would see and become all that God has for us to be.

There are some more service/missions projects going on this week and next that I look forward to blogging on and encourage anyone to be a part of. You can find out more at:  http://bit.ly/1ZmzJd   Several of our students will be participating with the “chip a brick” outreach at the Gospel Rescue Missions – way cool – go Alive students!

This coming weekend I will continue teaching from Colossians, talking about Jesus clothes. I look forward to seeing you all this weekend in one of our weekend services: http://bit.ly/DpbtO

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 18 Nov 2009 12:51:42 am     | no comments

What an awesome weekend around here at Alive. We began a new series called "The Secret" based on Col. 1:27, I am praying that we will all be transformed as we go through this series. The big volleyball event happened as the CR campus challenged the OV campus. I love it, as the pastor I can honestly say that my team won every round and every game - way to go Team Alive!  Kathy and I had a great time meeting so many new folks and connecting with you all at the park while the volleyball tourny was going on. Good food, great fun, and fellowship - does it get any better than that? 

Rock-N-Java hosted a couple of concerts over the weekend at our CR campus. Our family got to go and hang out at one of the concerts on Sat. evening after the services. Good music and again it was a great time to connect with some old friends and some new folks here at Alive.

One of the things we ask our Life Groups to do each semester is a service project, just to remind us and keep us in the habit of serving. Serveral groups are in the middle of these "Random Acts of Kindness". I am posting an email report and a picture from a group of people this last weekend:

Hello Everyone,

We had a wonderful day today with the Random Acts of Kindness project.  We enjoyed coming together with 11 other people and serving those who were in need.  Jose and I truly feel that we were the ones that truly received the blessing today.  We started out this morning in the Highlands 55+ community off of Lambert.   We knocked on a few doors before a sweet lady, Patricia, was open to the idea of help.  When we asked if she needed anything, she replied, "I need a hug!" Laurie Stockton spent some time with her vacuuming and as Laurie was getting ready to leave, Patricia asks "Aren't you going to witness to me?" Laurie was given the opportunity to pray and share with her.  We met another lady Joni.  When we asked if we could help her in any way, she began to get teary-eyed and explained that both she and her mother could use some help.  Her mother is battling cancer and they have been struggling, she expressed what a huge blessing it was to have the help.  Judith shared that one couple they met expressed that she felt a heavy burden lifted because her dirty windows had been weighing on her.

We were able to serve about 14 different homes by cleaning windows, vacuuming, yard work, plumbing, ect. and certainly felt blessed that we were able to help others who truly were in need of help.  We are planning to put a group together to return to this community in January.  We will keep you all posted.  We certainly made an impact in the lives of those we met today, imagine the impact 50 of us could make in 3 hours!

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Mon 9 Nov 2009 1:24:53 pm     | no comments

Here is a part of an update from Ken Ballenger to all of our Life Group leaders, if you are not conneceted with a Life Group yet you can still be a part of "Random Acts Of Kindness":

Hi Folks,

            This past weekend, Jeff concluded his series, “Don’t Go To Church – Be the Church” by challenging us to put our faith into action.  Jesus said, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord Who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.” (Lk 10:2)  I’ve gotten  many encouraging reports from those of you who went out “into His fields” by serving at Hope Fest, the Newsboys “Reach” concert, chipping bricks at the Gospel Rescue Mission, helping Gap Ministries with their Splash houses, and helping with the Mexico Mission Outreach.  This coming weekend (Nov 7^th) provides yet another service opportunity with “Random Acts of Kindness”, and if your LG would like to be involved, contact Jose and Selah Delgado at selahandjose@gmail.com.  We would like for each LG to be involved in at least one service project every session, so if your group hasn’t yet been involved, try to help out on the 7^th.

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 4 Nov 2009 3:25:10 pm     | no comments

A busy but productive weekend at Alive Church:

First and always uppermost on our list for living out our vision, we had several people make decisions to begin their relationship with Jesus as His followers, and a couple of folks who recommitted their  lives as Jesus followers – Yeah God!!!

Several of you joined in the city wide service projects over the last two weekends, you all are awesome and are making a difference. The Reach event with the Newsboys was a good outreach and last weekend there was a tremendous turnout from the community and from those of you serving at the Hope Feast.  We have two on-going service projects that many of you are serving in, Gospel Rescue mission and the mission in Aqua Prieta.  Again, not only have these projects been on the forefront because of the “Don’t Go To Church, Be The Church” series, but they are ongoing and great opportunities to reach out and serve and make a difference for the Kingdom of God. You can always get information about these areas of ministry by calling our office at (520) 544-7638 and ask for contact information for the leaders of these areas.

Several of our Life groups did a service project over the weekend and a few more are planning on doing so over the next couple of weeks. We encourage all of our Life Groups to do one service project as a group each semester; this is just a part of the DNA of Life Groups at Alive – a catalyst for us living the lifestyle of serving.

Our Continental Ranch campus had a Boo Bash Saturday evening after the service. Great outreach for the community! Typically we Rock-N-Java host concerts Saturday evening after our services, always a great part of the weekend. Great job gang!

I finished the teaching series, “Don’t Go To Church” – sub title – “Be The Church” and “Putting Our Faith Into Action”.  I am prayerful that God will continue to challenge us that as His followers we ARE the church. While the weekend gatherings are critical to celebrate the Christian life together, all that God is doing and has done in our lives, we have to remember that we ARE the church every day of the week.

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Tue 3 Nov 2009 6:04:21 pm     | no comments

My wife, Kathy, handles my art work for me. A few months ago she got me juried into the Tucson Plein Air Painters Society, then she submitted a couple of pieces to a juried show for TPAPS at the Desert Muesem. Both pieces that she submitted were chosen for the show. Today the show opened and  I am very happy to announce that I won an award for "Marana Cow Field", (shown here) a plein air piece that was submitted to "Fresh Visions" -  The Tucson Plein Air Painters Society Juried Art Show. The show is at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum in the Baldwin Education Building and will be open for viewing from October 31, 2009 - January 4, 2010. If visiting the Museum, please stop in and view the show.

Thank you Kathy, you are a great manager and wife!

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Sun 1 Nov 2009 1:21:02 am     | 1 comments

I am definitely a person who likes to plan. In fact, now days because of our use of technology and doing more than one campus, I have some hard deadlines I have to meet way in advance in order for our incredible team to be able to do what they need to do. Because of that I often plan teaching series out 6 months to a year in advance. The next weekend series has been planned for a long time, “The Good, The Bad, The Manly”. I’m almost done with the notes! Our crack video team has the message intro and has been working on some video illustrations, but…

Maybe you’ve heard us say it around here at Alive Church, “The truth comes after the but.” But, the Lord has really put something on my heart and has been leading me in a different direction for our next weekend series. I tried to ignore it. I tried to tell God that a lot of great staff, paid and volunteer, have already put a lot of work into this series so I should just follow through. But, God keeps telling me to go a different direction.  

I should have kept my big mouth shut! I told a couple of the staff how I have been feeling and what God has put on my heart thinking that they would talk me out of it. But nooooo, they agreed with God and said I should change the weekend teaching series.

So, here we go: our next weekend series is going to be out of the book of Colossians entitled “The Secret”.  We are going to wrestle with how we change and how we are to live up to all the stuff in the Bible. How do we pull off this holy and righteous life? Because the truth is, the Christian life is not just difficult; it’s impossible, so impossible that there has been only one person in all of history to pull it off, Jesus.

In the book of Colossians we see that God is not asking us to “do the Christian life” in the power of our own strength. He already knows we don’t have that kind of strength. The hope of our lives is not in us trying to live the Christian life and do the Christian thing. Our hope is in embracing the reality of Christ living His life in and through each of us, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

I invite you to join me and take the journey of “The Secret” over the next four weeks. Begin to really see who you are in Jesus and who He is in you. Tap into His power and walk in His truth.

The good news is, I am very prepared for a series that I will probably do next year sometime. “The Good, The Bad, The Manly”, maybe a father’s day series, I need to pray on that one! I love it when God messes with my plans!!!

In Christ, Pastor Jeff

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 28 Oct 2009 7:56:47 pm     | no comments

It is so awesome to see so many from Alive church being a part of the different service projects we have going on during this series, it is all about "Being The Church". We don't want to be a church that just talks about being the church or just goes to church, we are the church. This series is a reminder, a launching point. The Bible does not teach us to do a service project now and then and call it good. Instead, it is a lifestyle to serve one another in love and to be Jesus hands and feet every day and every moment of our lives.

One of the service projects that many of you participated in this last weekend was "Gospel Rescue Mission Project Womens' Shelter." The Lord has really put this on the heart of Deb Tobias here at Alive, I wanted to share her email report with you: (you all rock!)

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to send pictures of today's "construction" site.  Elaine, Debbie and Gina, you are awesome.  Heather, Beverly and Dan, thank you so much.  I had so much fun with all of you.  I feel so fortunate that God has led us all in helping with this project.  Without this building, over 5000 women would be turned away at any given time this year alone.  For those of you who could not attend, I will fill you in on what we did today.  We will be continuing to do this ongoing, so there are plenty more Saturdays!  Dan, Heather, Beverly and I started with a prayer and went right to work on a huge pile of bricks that Gospel is reusing for the ramada and various other buildings.  Being a person in sustainability groups, I have to tell you I loved that idea.  Well, the job was not easy.  We had hammers and chisels.  It wasn't until Elaine, Debbie and Ginger came that Dean brought out the "big gun" (power chisel).  Boy did Debbie and Gina know how to handle that.  They took so much martyr (not sure on the spelling) off so many bricks! Thanks Dean, where were you when we needed it? lol
If you all look at the photos, you will see just how big this pile is. Heather is brilliant and came up with operation "chip a brick".  If we can get more saw horses, plywood and power chisels, we could set up stations and have chiselers, brick stackers, people to shovel and chipping dumpers to get this job done for them.  They are filling in the pool with all of the chippings.  For right now on this site, it is a priority to get the bricks done.  I met men from 2 other churches there.  Jack was from the Northminister Presbyterian Church.  They adopted 5 of the rooms and were cleaning them out.  Two other men were from the Northwest Bible Church.  They said that they just purchased land near Alive.  They adopted a big room and their church is making it into a fitness room.  Very cool. Heather so eloquently spoke of each brick representing every women and their hardships and every chip we took off as  a step towards a new life.  Heather, thank you for that.  It has stuck with me all day. I hope I quoted you correctly.  I look forward to hearing more and having your input in our "chip a brick" mission. Please forward this to Dan. I couldn't read his writing for email address. lol I too, was reminded of Jim and Lynda's story of the starfish and kept remembering as I looked dauntingly at the pile of bricks, that everyone mattered. I hope all of you can come sometime to help on the site.  Let me know what Saturdays you can come or you can always go on your own as well.  If you are unable to do construction type work, please call me and I can give you other ideas of other volunteer services they need like plumber,electrician,landscaper, serving food during Thanksgiving and Christmas and much more.  Thank you all for joining in with us as we head in this direction of hope and love for these women and children. I had a beautiful afternoon with all of you and Jesus.
 
Blessings and much love,
Deb

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Mon 26 Oct 2009 8:13:35 pm     | no comments

A little Albert Einstein to encourage you today:

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 21 Oct 2009 6:58:58 pm     | 1 comments

Today a long time friend died from Alzheimers. Gene Sides was a man who spoke into my life as a teenager. He was a wonderful man who served faithfully in ministry in my home church in Colorado Springs. I remember many times when he would sit me down and give me much needed guidance. His kids were teenagers in my youth group when I began the ministry as a youth pastor.  Gene was a great teacher. I send my love and care to his incredible family: I love you guys, Sharon, Mona and Troy.

 Our family got together with the Sides family a few years ago in Colorado Springs, it was the last time I saw Gene. I was warned that he probably would not recognize me; he didn’t, although he pretended to. The thing that mattered most to Gene was something he still had not forgotten, his love for Jesus. That evening he kept talking to me about how good Jesus was to him and how much he love Him.

 I love humor, the world could use more of it, Gene was a character – a very funny man. That was something else he still remembered when last I saw him – to laugh! I can almost see Genes face and smile as he celebrates new life in heaven with Jesus! Good bye dear friend, you made a difference in me. I look forward to hearing you tell stories when I see you again in heaven.

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Tue 20 Oct 2009 8:43:31 pm     | no comments

Great to be back from vacation this last weekend and back teaching: “Don’t Go To Church”. By now you probably have come to understand we are talking about being the church. A few awesome highlights from the weekend remind me of how much you all are “Being” the church.

We had baptisms this last weekend, what an awesome time for the Alive Church family. There were 7 people baptized on the Oro Valley campus and 1 on the Continental Ranch campus. Give it up!!!

Have you heard? On the Oro Valley campus one of our faithful children’s pastors and her husband have taken on a new ministry to foster children therefore she has resigned her staff position at Alive. Let me first say a BIG “thank you” to Tammy, you have done an awesome job and I have enjoyed having you on staff.  Tammy and her husband Reese are still a part of our church family and we look forward to serving together for many days ahead, let’s all pray for them as they launch into this new ministry.

Welcome Tom Ulrich: God always makes a way!!! Only a few hours after Tammy announced that she and Reese felt the Lord leading them into another ministry a long time friend whom I served with on staff when I served as a worship leader (18 years ago and about 35 pounds ago for me) called me. He has served for more than 20 years as a full time children’s pastor. After having dinner together with our wives and a lot of prayer, I have invited him to join our staff at Alive and he has accepted. He will begin next week officially. If you are a parent, grandparent or you just care about our kids, take a few moments to meet and welcome Tom Ulrich as our new children’s pastor. Tom brings a wealth of experience and passion to us and I am looking forward to working with this great man once again.  

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Tue 20 Oct 2009 7:57:22 pm     | no comments

I had to post this from You Tube. To begin with I like Steve Harvey, I love humor and he is a funny guy. Second this is over the top powerful! If I were going to introduce Jesus to the stage, I'm not sure you could find a better introduction:

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 7 Oct 2009 7:07:39 pm     | 4 comments

Every one of us has a desire to be known and loved. That is what “He Knows My Name” has been all about. God knows us completely and yet still loves us unconditionally. I love teaching on this stuff so much that I almost hate to move on. It has been a great series! I have heard from many of you as to how the Lord has been speaking to you throughout this series and how He has been drawing you closer to Himself.

During this series, over the last four weekends, there have been 18 people here at Alive who have decided to follow Jesus. Yeah God!!! I want to welcome you all to God’s family and to the Alive family as well. Let me encourage you as you begin this exciting journey. God truly does have a purpose and plan for your life. I pray that God will give you a sense of His presence drawing near to you every day! Remember, you are not alone in this. We are all in this together.

The most important thing that any of us can do after making a decision to follow Jesus is to get connected with others in a small group environment. I couldn’t begin to tell you story after story of lives that have been changed because of the relationships that are created in a small group, Life Group.

So, “He Knows My Name” is finished, (and by the way if you missed any of the weeks, you can catch them online at www.alivechurch.com) now we begin a new series; “Don’t Go To Church”.

I believe this will be a life changing series for us at Alive Church. We are going to take the next four weeks and talk about how we are the church. It is not someplace or building we go to, the church gathers in different locations to grow and worship together. It is not about a building or organization, we are the church. You will hear us say this a lot over the next four weeks; don’t go to church, be the church!

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Tue 6 Oct 2009 4:43:44 pm     | no comments

September 18 - A Friday Morning: I am not a morning lover... In fact, I could skip mornings... every morning! But, I have tried to paint en plein air in the afternoons when the shadows are short and the sun high in the sky... "Surely it won't make too much of a difference ... besides, I will be more rested later - I don't think God is even up at 5:30 am!", I try to convince myself. Friday morning I roll out of bed, pack the jeep, pick up a "morning kind of artist friend" who inspires me to greet the dawn (a Love-Hate thing going on here), and we we are off to paint. With the intensity of the desert morning sun now shifting to softer light, the crisp in the air just days away, I discover something. Yes, indeed, God is awake at 5:30 am. Not only awake, but His glory stirs in my heart and I paint... And it does make a difference. "September Morning" was painted in oil from a private ranch at the base of the Catalina Mountains, Tucson, Arizona, on Septenber 18th, 2009.

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Mon 21 Sep 2009 1:06:18 pm     | 3 comments

      We began the sequel to “He Knows My Name” this last weekend. Because of the incredible impact this series had last year, we are using the same motif and concept this year with all new messages and illustrations.  There were several people who made commitments to Jesus over the weekend at the launch of this new series and we can only give all the praise to God!!!

     Sunday evening I taught our Cross Training Belong course on the Oro Valley campus. Cross training is all about the “next steps” in your spiritual journey. I love these courses, it gives me a chance to get to know you all on a first name basis and it is a wonderful time to connect with others. I want to welcome all of our new Partners, I look forward to having you on the team hear at Alive as we work together to “lead people who are far from God to be followers of Jesus.”     

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Mon 14 Sep 2009 6:16:47 pm     | no comments

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Fri 11 Sep 2009 1:39:41 pm     | no comments

I love a well-written phrase or a well-written line in a song.  When a writer captures our hearts with what he or she has written it jumps out at us and we think and feel, “that is exactly how I feel, I wish I could have said it like that.” I have had that experience for the last couple of months with one particular phrase from a song written by Tommy Walker. It has become my heart cry to the Father for myself and for us as a church.

“All that I long for and all that I hope for is just that sense of You coming near.” To live life every day with a “sense of the Lord coming near” – it does not get any better than that. To have church services and gatherings where we can leave and declare that we had a “sense of the Lord coming near” – that’s as good as it gets! 

To be able to look past all the details and necessities that it takes to make a service happen or the hustle and bustle of our busy lives and “sense the Lord coming near” is awesome.  During crises, a time of loneliness, during a defeat, the most encouraging, uplifting thing you could experience is a “sense of the Lord coming near”. Nothing will give you more hope.  Nothing will change your outlook more. Nothing will give you an eternal perspective more than “just that sense of Him coming near.”

During victories and celebration, nothing will keep us on the right path more than that “sense of the Lord coming near.” There is nothing in life that could be more fulfilling, nothing in life that could bring more pleasure, nothing in this world that could gives us more life than a “sense of the Lord coming near”.

There is no magic to having the sense of God coming near to you.  It is possible to live with this sense every day – all day.  In fact God give us a promise about His presence in James 4:8 “Draw close to God and God will draw close to you.” Here it is…”just that sense of You coming near…”

We have never done this song in church. Maybe we will someday soon. Weather we do or don’t, I want to encourage you begin to draw close to God with a new passion and vigor. The more you have a “sense of Him coming near”, the more you will experience the abundant life that Jesus came to give.

 “All that I long for, all that I hope for, is just that sense of You coming near.

All that my heart is hungry to have is just one more touch from Your loving hand.

When all is said and done, and everyone is gone, Lord You’re all I want.”

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Thu 10 Sep 2009 12:36:25 am     | no comments

Anything that is a classic is so because it reminds us of something very special in our lives, it points toward a time that was important for us. Classic muscle cars are a reminder of an era when America fell in love with the automobile. I will never forget my first exposure to muscle cars. My dad bought a brand new 1964 GTO. I was only 4 years old at the time, but I was hooked. It was a special time in life and over the next several years the American love affair with muscles cars grew as did mine.

For many of us, there are classic Bible stories that we all know. You may not have grown up in the church but somehow many of these stories have made their way into the fabric of our society. The last several weeks we have been looking at each of several of these stories in our weekend series called “The Classics”. Each of these special classic Biblical stories points toward something very special in our lives in Jesus Christ and for us in 2009. This coming weekend we will end this series with a special teaching entitled “Foreskin and Father-in-laws”. I have heard from many of you that this series has had a great impact on your life, as it did with mine as I prepared for it and taught it. I believe this weekend will be a very powerful weekend as we conclude this series. I am excited to share with you all that God has been showing me as I have studied and prepared.

One of the things that we have done to help promote the concept of “The Classics” series is to have classic cars hear on the weekend, as well as a 1968 Camero on stage. I want to encourage you, since this is the last weekend of this series, if you have a classic car of any era or know of someone who has one, bring it and show it off. I personally love checking them out!  On the Oro Valley campus, bring them a half hour early and park on the sidewalk for all to see. At our Continental Ranch campus, get there a half hour early and park on the front row next to the building – you can park in two spaces cattycorner – so everyone can check out your baby!

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 2 Sep 2009 8:04:50 pm     | no comments

Wow! Just came back from our Continental Ranch campus where I met with all our campus pastors. I love those guys – they are awesome and doing a great job living out our vision of “Leading people who are far from God to be followers of Jesus.”!  Each and every week we are seeing people make decisions to follow Jesus, this week is no exception. Not only did we have 7 people make decision over the weekend but there were 6 teenagers who made decisions to follow Jesus in our student ministry last Wednesday at the Oro Valley campus. I love partnering with not only our campus pastors but with each and every one of you at Alive Church to do the work of the ministry. We are one church, one vision, one purpose with multiple locations.

Vivo: Our Spanish speaking campus is going well. The most exciting thing to me as I talk with our campus pastor for Vivo, Ruben Ruiz, is that many people who are not Spanish speaking volunteered to help get this campus up and going. Now he tells me that there are many new people working in those areas of ministry that have come through the Vivo campus. Remember, if you speak Spanish or have Spanish speaking friends, this campus meets every Sunday at 1pm at our Oro Valley location. The worship band is awesome! Rueben teaches the same message that all of our campuses are getting except he teaches in Spanish. This campus has ministry for all of your younger kids as well.  Keep praying for Ruben and the Vivo team, God is using us to reach the Spanish speaking community in the Tucson valley.

Continental Ranch: We are two weeks into our “soft” opening and already there has been a tremendous response at this location.  After a couple of weeks under our belt we have discovered a few tech bugs that the guys are working out before our grand opening – CR team you all are awesome! Toby Newnum is our campus pastor at Alive Church Continental Ranch. The band is live – full band – great sound and worship. The message is broadcast via the big screen (and getting bigger from what I hear) from our Oro Valley campus. There is ministry for every age group at this campus with student ministry getting ready to begin on Tuesday evenings. There are many homes and families in CR area, let’s all join in prayer that God will give us favor to lead them to follow Jesus!

Our Online campus is a very vital campus with people joining us weekly from the Tucson area as well as all over the world. For many of you who attend one of our physical locations, you first attended our online campus first. This is a great way for folks to experience attending and Alive Church service for the first time. We have also discovered it is a great way for you to connect friends and family from around the world, not only in weekend services but to join in baptisms, baby dedications, weddings and even memorial services. Our Online campus pastor is Mike Gray. Mike is live, online at each service. Those who attend this campus can join in conversation with Mike and others during the service or can be as autonomous as they want.  We have developed this campus in such a way that you can experience as much as possible online as you do attending a physical location. There is more to come in the future to help those in other locations connect via our online campus. Many lives have been touched and changed by folks attending this campus, pray for Mike and his team as they go forward – big behind the scenes tech team!

Jim Phillips is our campus pastor at the Oro Valley campus. Jim and I have been working together for seven years now – I love having Jim on the team – he is a great guy. Jim is most known now days for his announcements. We have actually had people who attend our online campus from other states visit the Oro Valley campus wanting to meet Jim because of his announcements. I can only say if you don’t know what I mean you will have to attend an Oro Valley service to understand!  The Oro Valley campus has ministry for all ages with student ministry on Wednesday evenings. All of our teaching services are broadcast live from OV campus – so Jim and his team have a lot on them during our weekend experiences. Props to all the OV team – you all totally rock!  Over the last several months we have not had any seats or parking spaces for folks at OV. Now that Alive Church Continental Ranch is open we have opened up some seats and parking for you, your friends and family. Each week our Rock-N-Java coffee house is open and serving great coffee (so I hear, not a coffee drinker myself) we are a few weeks away from serving coffee etc. at the Rock-N-Java at Alive Church Continental Ranch. So for now, there is free coffee!

Sunday evening we had 26 Life Group leaders at the Oro Valley campus for training – this is a great group of folks committed to leading our groups. Life Groups and other small groups is where real life happens. A few weeks ago I mentioned in a service that if you can only do one thing a week – weekend services or life group – go to life group! I’ve had people ask me if I really mean that – the answer is yes – you need to be where real life happens. All of us need the kind of relationships that we can only develop in a small group environment. Should you ever face a crises (pretty much we all will) we need to have healthy relationships with others who are followers of Jesus, who love us, know us and care about us. Don’t wait for the crises to happen – it is to late at that point!  New groups are forming over the next few weeks and other Life groups are opening up for new folks over the next few weeks – contact ken@alivechurch.com

This coming week is the last message in the series “The Classics”, the title of this week’s message is “Foreskin and Father-in-laws”. I have to tell you, if I were not the pastor, I would have to attend just this weekend just because I am curious about the title! This is a life changing teaching – I look forward to seeing you and to this message!

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Tue 1 Sep 2009 8:04:15 pm     | 1 comments

I Am Determined

It became my personal theme a few years ago after studying and doing a teaching series on 1 Cor 2:2-3 “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (NASU) Though often far from living this out, I keep it before me as a constant desire and determination. I was reminded this week again of how important this is when a man I do not know walked into the offices and asked to speak with me for a few moments. His desire to know Jesus was very sincere. He knew the history of Christianity and the Bible very well. But he was very confused by the fact that so many Christian churches had their favorite theologies and things that were most important for them. He was trying to understand “who” was right and how to make sure he was “right” with God if he wasn’t doing everything that all of the different denominations and churches was telling him to do.

After a few moments of discussion, about Jesus and the cross, it almost seemed too simple for him. But it is! It is not about rules, regulations or doing and not doing all the right things. It is about Jesus. It is all about a relationship with Him, putting our faith, our trust in Him. With every complex question this man had, with all of his historical and biblical knowledge, my answer to him over and over throughout our conversation was simply: “it is about Jesus and the cross!”

There is a lot I don’t know in this life and never will, nor do I care to waste my time trying!  But for me, I keep coming back to this one thing every day of my life, it is my prayer, it is my hope and my only desire every week as I teach: “to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Pray for me that God would help me in that – I am praying it for all of you.

Pastor Jeff

This week’s update:

My schedule has been a little crazy this week so I did not get a chance to give a weekend update on my blog – thought I would tag it onto this one – some exciting things happening around Alive:

Always the most exciting part to me is to report those who made decisions to follow Jesus over the weekend: there were 8 people that made decisions this last weekend. Pray for them as they begin this exciting journey.

Alive Church Continental Ranch had our “soft” opening this last weekend. We didn’t promote it because we wanted to give the staff and team a chance to work out all the bugs – good thing – there were nearly 250 people at the un-promoted soft opening!  Let’s all continue to pray that God would give us favor as we reach into a new community. I want to give Pastor Toby and his team props: Great job getting this all together gang – God is going to use you all in a great way as we go forward with this campus. (I have to admit I snuck in the back during one of the services Sat. evening – pretty weird to walk in and see myself teaching)

So – the word is out: if you have friends or family in the Continental Ranch area, we are having services Saturday at 6:30 pm and Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00 am. The worship band is live, there is a live campus pastor and the teaching is me being broadcast from the Oro Valley campus - with the new campus we have opened up some seats and parking spaces for you and your friends and neighbors at Oro Valley!

We still have two weeks left of the Classic series, where we are exploring classic Old Testament stories to discover the promises of God and how they touch our lives in 2009. We have used Classic cars as décor to promote the idea, if you have a classic car or know of anyone who does, bring them and show them off by parking on the sidewalk in front of Oro Valley campus or in the front row of the Continental Ranch campus.  (half an hour before service) I have to admit I’m getting use to the 68 Camero on the stage next to me! Love it!!!

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 26 Aug 2009 1:17:37 pm     | no comments

In my post last Tuesday, entitled “Three Leadership Imperatives”, I said that “leadership is not about doing, it is about becoming.”  However, there are things that great leaders do and it is important to look at those things as well. Even more important we must look to Jesus, the greatest leader of all time, to see the things we should “do” as leaders.

“And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord's strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.” (Micah 5:4) This prophecy that points toward Jesus, also quoted in Matt. 2:6, shows us a few of the things that Jesus does in leadership and we should try to implement as well in our leadership.

First, the nature of our leadership must be practical. Jesus leadership is characterized as shepherding. A Shepherd leader is one who knows his sheep, and they know Him, his voice. We live out this practical leadership through relationship, not lording it over people simply because we have position or authority, rather serving those we lead with love and goodness.  

Second, we must be engaged in leadership. Jesus is not just sitting and dictating, He is standing and feeding. He is guiding, watching over, caring for and feeding those He leads. As a leader, in any business or ministry, one of the things we “do” to be a great leader is to engage in the lives of those we lead. This will help us to make right decisions not only for those we have been given responsibility to lead, but for our organization as well. There are times when a leader will have to make a hard decision regarding someone working for them or with them; it will always be best made for both the individual and the organization when we are engaged as leaders. It’s not that everyone will like the decision made, but like a parent making a decision for a young child because they believe to know what is best, the results will be healthier.

Third, we must be consistent and endure as leaders. Notice that Jesus is not feeding the sheep now and then, whenever He has the time, or is in the mood. He is not leaving His post because of a whim. He is vigilant. No one wants to follow a leader who is inconsistent, or one whom they are not sure will finish the race well. Jesus never wearies of His followers, His heart never ceases to beat with love for them, and He never stops caring for them as a Shepherd leader.

Fourth, in our leadership decision should be effective and powerful. Notice that Jesus leads in the “majesty of the name of the Lord His God.” His actions always represent the name of God the Father and in all His leadership His decisions are based on the will of God.  In this dependant humility, our decision will be effective and powerful, knowing that we are leading according to God’s plans rather than our own.

We see the results of this type of leadership as the writer Micah continues: “Then his people will live there undisturbed…” (Micah 4:4b) In our organizations, businesses or homes, those under our leadership will have a sense of peace and confidence; they will live more secure as we “do” – live out these things we see Jesus doing as a Shepherd Leader.

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 19 Aug 2009 1:32:00 pm     | no comments

Wow – it is hard to put into words the weekend around here at Alive Church.

·         Don’t let the enemy steal your Identity! As a follower of Jesus you have a new ID, missed the message: http://myflock2.com/cgi-bin/streaming.pl?churchid=church1&notes_id=5089

·        Having Baptisms never gets old – 23 this last weekend after all 3 services. (Saturday evening, our youth pastor nearly knocked one student unconcious during baptism. If we are scoring on style, we have to deduct a few points Chris for hitting the students head on the side of the baptismal.)

·        A few moments were especially moving – after 1^st service Sunday, Jeremy, a father of many, was helping baptize his boys. Jeremy is a big intimidating looking man, (if you know him, he is a big teddy bear!) as he shared the story of his boys and getting to this point there were tears trailing down his face and most of those participating – very moving!

·        Saturday evening a man walked in for the first time, dedicated his life to following Jesus and was baptized after the service! How cool is that!!!!

·        Sunday after 3^rd service, after baptizing all of those who had signed up on the list, Pastor Jim asked if there was anyone else who had never been baptized that wanted to be. It was awesome; a young teenage girl raised her hand and started walking forward. No clothes to change into or anything like that – she just wanted to publicly confess her walk with Jesus. It is so cool to watch God’s spirit dance among people!

·        4 people made decisions to follow Jesus for the first time this week! That Never gets old – and they have already met with one of our pastors and on their way to growing as a disciple. Several were baptized over the weekend.

·        Another person made a decision to rededicate their life to Jesus and 2 more have made decisions to get baptized!

·        Conoses a alguien Que Sabe Espanol? Interpretation: Do you know somebody who speaks Spanish? Why? Because our Spanish Speaking campus meets Sundays here on the Oro Valley campus at 1:00 pm. Iglesia Vivo en Cristo.  Full band, great worship leader and music. Full children’s ministry and a live campus Pastor, Ruben Ruiz.

·        During our Vivo service this weekend 4 people recommitted their lives to Jesus!!!

·        Awesome team that is leading the Vivo campus – you guys rock! I love seeing the transformation of the auditorium right after the second service.

·        Did you hear the BIG NEWS about our Oro Valley campus pastor Jim – he is trying to set the record for receiving communications card – He did this week – with 104!!! Congrats Jim – you are the best at announcements. Although this week during announcements he did say “I get hammered each week around here!” I will have to follow up with him on that one!?

·        Here is my deal – the weekend that Jim gets 200 communication cards in – I will take him and his wife out to a nice dinner!  Go Jim!!!

·        EVEN BIGGER NEWS: we are going to hold services at our Alive Continental Ranch campus this coming weekend – Aug. 22^nd and 23^rd. Pray for Pastor Toby and team, they are going to be very busy this week getting things finalized.

·        Alive Continental Ranch will have a live band, campus pastor, full ministry service for youth and children’s ministry. It is Alive Church in a casual coffee house atmosphere, great Rock-N-Java coffee and pastries, with the weekend teaching via big screen video. I will give out more info as we get into the week on my blog.

·        How about those classic cars to help illustrate our weekend series?  I love the muscle cars. If you know of anyone who has a classic or if you do, we still have 3 weeks left for you to bring them and show them off. One half hour before service begins, park them on the sidewalks – I am still looking for my favorite – a 64 GTO – rag top!

·        So this weekend I didn’t pick on cats – but I made all the Wrangler people mad! Which are you? Levis or Wranglers. I gotta tell ya – I am a Levis guy all the way.

·        Parking space and seat – I know that many of you have had a hard time finding a parking space and a seat for a weekend service – this weekend with the opening of Alive Continental Ranch we will have more room at the Oro Valley campus for you and your friends – so I look forward to seeing you as we continue in our series “The Classics”. I am so excited this week about the teaching as we look at the life of Moses in “Are We There Yet?”

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Mon 17 Aug 2009 1:24:38 pm     | no comments

Leadership is not about doing, it is about becoming. Let me challenge you with a few leadership imperatives that will help you become a great leader.

First, it is imperative that I learn how great leaders think. The truth is, regardless of my area of leadership, 95% of the decisions could be made by a 6^th grader. It’s the other 5% that are critical. The 5% are the ones that make or break me as a leader; they are the ones that reveal my leadership skill.

In order to think like a great leader, I must discipline my thought process. This discipline requires me to think outside of the box, perhaps even, not have a box. If my thinking is similar to those I am leading, then I must discipline myself to think beyond as their leader.

It is a well known fact that Walt Disney would not consider incorporating an idea if his board members thought that it was doable and good. His thinking was that it must not be extraordinary enough, that it was to mundane if they could wrap their minds around it. It was only when they thought his ideas a little crazy and impossible that he would pursue them. Is your thought process like everyone around you? Are you’re your conclusions the same as those who follow you? If so, you need to learn this imperative and think like a great leader.

The second imperative is that I must see like a great leader. I love the story of David and Goliath. While the entire army of Israel is being held at bay by one man, a shepherd boy named David ask; “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?”  Kind of a weird time to talk about a man’s foreskin, but it gives me insight into how David saw things. He is asking, who is this man and why are you afraid of him? He is not in covenant with God! We are!

To see like a great leader, I must discipline my emotions. I can’t let my “giants” hold me at bay. I have to see beyond them to the vision I have.

Third, it is imperative that I learn how great leaders work. I am a NASCAR fan. This year, a new team, Steward Haas racing, is leading the points and winning a few races. No one has ever done that before. Plenty of people have begun teams, gotten the most talented drivers, thrown all kinds of money at it and still it takes years to get a winning team! I look at Steward Haas racing and I want to know the discipline of their leadership’s daily habits? How do they work? What are they doing different that everyone who has tried this before them?

As I learn how great leaders work, I want to know how they spend their time. I want to know how they delegate and follow up with those who work for and with them. I want to know how they stay focused on priorities instead of living in the tyranny of the urgent. I must to learn the discipline of daily habits.

Don’t be a mediocre leader. You will be miserable and so will those who follow you. Take these three imperatives and learn from those who have gone before you or are ahead of you. Become a great leader, the world needs you!

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Tue 11 Aug 2009 1:46:10 pm     | 2 comments

OK - so I had this blog ready to go this morning minus the video link. I've been a little frustrated all day because we could not get the video to upload - but now I am so glad that it woldn't upload until now because I can give you an updated report: we just prayed with two people, a mother and teenage son, who had asked to know more about giving their lives to Jesus, they are now followers of Jesus. We have given them both a "hand" painting and our excited about their new journey. Pray for them as they begin!

This past weekend we began our new weekend series entitled “The Classics”. We started with a look at Noah, “The First Survivors” and how his story pointed to baptism in Jesus. Next weekend will be “Jailhouse Blues”, looking at Joseph and how his life is a picture of Jesus. (And yes, we want Classic cars, motorcycles, every week during this series - If you have one - or know of someone who has one, have them bring it and show it off! We are parking them on the sidewalk a half hour before each service! I'm looking for a 64 GTO - my favorite!)

 We began Ed’s story this weekend, awesome stuff – check it out:

This weekend we had 8 people indicate that they were making a decision for Jesus!!! Party time!!!!!!!

Transforming Offering: we had a little over $40k committed to get the Alive Continental Ranch open. $15k was cash and $25K committed over 3 years. So, everyone ask me what about the difference in what we need? Simple: we are all going to unite in prayer for God’s provision, we are going to continue to press on and we are not going to get discouraged! 

84 students did an overnighter here at Alive on Friday evening, 7pm – 7am. Kudos to our youth Pastor Chris and his incredible staff. My daughter was still sore this morning when I dropped her off at school from playing so much Kajabi Can Can. If you haven’t heard, lives are being changed in our student ministry – we have had many of them make commitments to follow Jesus for the first time in the last few weeks!  http://alivestudentministry.blogspot.com/2009/08/overnighter-rewind.html

Did you get a chance to see the classic cars? Besides the 68 Camero we have on stage, there were many that showed up out front on the sidewalk. Some nice cars!  We are inviting all you car buffs or if you know someone who has one to bring them throughout this series and show them off! I am looking for someone to bring a 64 GTO – that is my favorite!

A little weekend Trivia, things after the flood: For the first time human government was established. After the flood God changed our diet and allow meat to become a part of it. Our ecology changed – it had never rained prior to the flood, afterwards it became a part of our normal ecology. The down side, the heart of man didn’t change.

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Mon 10 Aug 2009 9:03:47 pm     | no comments

I am honored today to have received an invitation to paint for “Fresh Paint”, at the University of Arizona Museum of Art in November. I’m I am looking for 20 friends who are interested in art to use my guest passes – check out the The University of Arizona Museum of Art Fresh Paint,  invitational exhibition and art sale:

http://artmuseum.arizona.edu/support/fresh_paint.shtml

I love getting emails like this:

Dear Jeff,    

     On behalf of The University of Arizona Museum of Art and the UAMA Partners Board we would like to thank you for applying to participate in "Fresh Paint", to be held at the UA Museum of Art on Saturday, November 14, 2009.  

     Your art is well known to us and as an established artist, UAMA and the UAMA Partners "Fresh Paint" Committee would like to notify you of your acceptance to be included in "Fresh Paint".  Your contact information will be listed as you indicated in the event Program and your name will be listed on the Museum "Fresh Paint" webpage.

       We look forward to your participation in this new and exciting event showcasing both established and fresh artistic talent.   Thank you for your support of the UA Museum of Art.

Eugenia Pell   "Fresh Paint", Chair

Charles Guerin, UAMA Executive Director

Jan Johns, Partners Board Chair

Fresh Paint
UA Museum of Art and Archive of Visual Arts
PO Box 210002
1031 N. Olive Rd
Tucson, AZ 85721-0002
520-621-7567
artmuseum.arizona.edu

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Fri 7 Aug 2009 12:52:54 am     | 1 comments

It’s been an awesome, crazy week – I am a little behind on keeping the communication out there. So, it’s Tuesday afternoon and I am just now getting my weekend update posted.

We wrapped up the “Written In Red” series last weekend with “But I’m Not Hurting Anyone.” I don’t know about you, but the Lord really challenged me and spoke to me through this series. Interesting, I did a comparison of Jeffrey Dahmer to Jeffrey Love (me) this last weekend and I have heard several people quoting that part of my message.  If you missed the message – check it out: www.alivechurch.com, click on watch recorded services.

As always the most exciting part of the weekend is people who make decisions for Christ. This past weekend there were 8 people who made decisions. The cool thing is there were several others who asked for more information on how to commit their life to Christ. Pray for those who follow up with these folks! Exciting stuff!!!

If you missed this story – it is a must see – life changing and powerful:

Iglesia Vivo en Cristo, our Spanish Speaking campus is in full swing. The last few weeks we have had several new families and one new commitment to Christ. And the worship band – out of this world – as with all of our worship teams – you guys rock!!!

Update from Alive Continental Ranch Campus, Pastor Toby thinks he has a mascot:

Big Kudos to all of our team at Alive church. You guys are awesome – I love working with you as a co-laborer with Jesus.

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Tue 4 Aug 2009 7:56:26 pm     | no comments

Great start to the day today (Thursday, July 30th) – I had the privilege of baptizing a man named David in our backyard pool. Pray for David as He gets going on his journey with Jesus. Check it out – I live for this stuff:

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Thu 30 Jul 2009 3:51:20 pm     | 1 comments

Speaking of projects, I have been working on some contest entry paintings and smaller pieces, but my wife, Kathy, has been encouraging me to paint some large, decorative paintings.  With the economy slow and fewer people buying big pieces of furnature, Kathy says that with a new throw blanket, a few new pillows and a BIG painting, you can transform a room!   Well, here is the BIG painting, you just have to add the throw and pillows!  This piece is titled "Drink in the Day" featuring sheep near a stream. 

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 29 Jul 2009 6:46:41 pm     | no comments

Cruising through Oro Valley a few moments ago and I passed the Transforming bug on the road. I could see it coming from a long way off and knew it was the bug! I have to admit it brought a smile to my face. Man that thing looks good!!! Kudos to the bug team.

It reminded me of all that we are doing at Alive church, especially as we get ready to open Alive Continental Ranch and Rock-N-Java Continental Ranch. Transforming; communities, lives and beyond.  Seeing the bug made me think back to some of the stories of transformed lives during the Transforming series, and it made me very excited about the stories of transformed lives that we are sharing now and over the next few weeks in our services.

I think we need another big project like that to go along with a message series - let's give another car away - or why not a house?

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 29 Jul 2009 4:38:44 pm     | 2 comments

This past weekend during our Written In Red series we had 8 people make decisions to follow Jesus! Way cool! So one of the questions that I get asked is what is the next step? As a church are we just getting people to make decision to follow Jesus or are we making disciples?

We are very committed to doing what the Bible teaches us to do and make disciples. In fact that is a big part of our mission statement: Leading people who are far from God to be followers of Jesus. The “leading people who are far from God”, part points toward our commitment to reach people who are not followers of Jesus. The “to be followers of Jesus”, points toward our commitment to disciple people.

We consider a follower of Jesus as someone who has a growing relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ and with others. So, the “Next Steps” is all about helping facilitate that in someone’s life.  Our primary strategy for doing this is through small groups. We have several kinds of groups to help people begin this new life and to continue growing as followers, disciples.

               First, we have “New Believers” groups. These are short term, typically 4 or 5 weeks, that will help someone who is a brand new follower of Jesus to get the basics and begin to connect relationally with others in the church.

               Second, we offer the “Purpose Driven Life” group. This group last a little longer than the “new Believers” group but will begin to help people connect with more people who are also on the journey of following Jesus and get a big picture perspective of what it means to live your entire life the way God wants us to.  

               Third, Cross Training. Cross training is composed of 4 short term groups, typically on a Sunday afternoon, they each last about 3 hours. You can take them at your own pace and they are offered monthly. Cross Training is a systmatic approach to spiritual health and to partnering with Alive Church.

               Fourth, we have our life groups. Life groups are groups of people who meet on a weekly basis in someone’s home, the studies are primarily follow up from the weekend message, and they last for 10 to 12 weeks at a time. This allows those in life groups to take what God is speaking to them about in the weekend services and make it real in their life and take it deeper. It also is the place to develop growing relationships with others who are following Jesus.

It is important as we continue to “Lead people who are far from…” that we continue to help them become “followers of Jesus” through our groups. If you are a person who would like to lead a group then we need you. Email Ken, ken @alivechurch.com and express your interest. If you would like to get connected with a group in order to ensure you have a growing relationship with God and others, then we have a group for you. Contact Ken at the above email or any of our pastors.

Let’s continue to partner together by “leading people who are far from God to be followers of Jesus.”

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Mon 27 Jul 2009 5:42:07 pm     | no comments

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 22 Jul 2009 8:42:52 pm     | 1 comments

A few days ago, I was pleasantly surprised by the following email:

Dear Mr. Love, The Mountain Oyster Club cordially invites you to participate in the Mountain Oyster Club’s Fortieth Annual Contemporary Western Art Show November 22, 2009– January 2, 2010. Enclosed you will find instructions and the documentation requirements for submission of your works of original art for consideration by the Art Committee.  Please note that all art submitted for consideration should be works exhibited for the first time anywhere.  As a consequence, the show has now grown to be one of the largest and most respected western art shows in the United States.  We sincerely hope that you will accept our invitation to participate in this year’s program. 

Wow – Even if I don’t get juried into the show, I am honored to even be considered!!!

 Check out their 2008 show at http://www.mountainoysterclub.com/index.php?page=gallery

Posted by JeffreyAllen_Lov on Wed 22 Jul 2009 2:52:29 pm     | 2 comments