Carey Robinson

Suck at praying? You don’t have to suck at praying....

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:52:14 -0700

Suck at praying?
You don’t have to suck at praying. We’re following the teaching of Jesus to learn how!

Suck at Praying? Part IV.

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:04:31 -0700

Suck at Praying? Part IV.

Suck at Praying? Part II

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:49:03 -0700

Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude

If you suck at praying, chances are, you just don’t know HOW to pray. In the following scripture Christ lines out a perfect path to take while praying. I plan on breaking it down into 5 parts, beginning now with the first and most important component.

Jesus instructed his disciples to pray like this…

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)

The first step to developing a prayer life that is active & powerful, (that doesn’t suck) is to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude!

While teaching his crew to pray, Jesus began by putting all attention back on God.

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Hallowed simply means, “Holy” or “Most Holy.”

Jesus is instructing us to begin our prayers with recognition for who God is and how Holy he is. One of the best ways to show recognition is to communicate gratitude. In other words, a great way to begin any prayer is to start by Thanking God for all the blessings in your life. So often the only reason we pray is because we are walking through a tough season and we need God to DO something. Rarely to we pray just to THANK HIM.

Try it, pray for 5min but make it only about how grateful you are for the blessings you have now. If you don’t know where to start, try thanking him that you are physically able to read this right now. Then let your imagination run wild.

Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude and watch, prayer will become something you love to do.

Suck at Praying?

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:43:25 -0700

Have you ever felt like you suck at Praying? I have and unfortunately most people feel the same.

However, an awesome truth is, you don’t have to.

Your prayers don’t have to suck!

Is it possible that your prayers suck because you DON’T know how to pray?

Christ lined out a beautiful path for us to follow when we pray.

Prayer is, after all, the number one way to communicate with God, and he wants open, fluid, and constant communication.

Over the next few days, we’ll walk through the path laid out in Matthew 6:9-13. A path that has been taught for years, and that I still follow to this day!

But first, tell me about you?

What have you found successful in your prayer life, juxtaposed what has been detrimental?
When you pray, do you feel like God is listening?
What has been the most powerful time in your life with regards to prayer?

I want to know your thoughts. Click the Pencil icon above to reply.

or

Email carey@theocmovement.com

Some may call it an obsession, I call it a healthy appreciation...

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:28:40 -0800

Some may call it an obsession, I call it a healthy appreciation for culinary genius! (Taken with instagram)

My Top Five (OC Churches)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:38:44 -0800

Meghan and I have had a blast visiting churches as we prep to launch The Movement Church. We have encountered a wide variety churches in the process and surprisingly enough a few that have been less then amazing. (No, I will not post my five least favorite churches) The following are churches in Orange County that made an impact on us and why. (Not in order)

Crossline Community Church. (Laguna Hills, CA) This is a 6 year old church that exploded and is making great impact in the south county area. While Meghan and I have not actually, as of yet, attend on a Sunday, we are grateful for the heart behind their ministry. They allowed us to host our first launch team meeting on their campus, completely free of charge and covered the cost of two employees to assist us. That is the epitome of being Kingdom minded.

The Moment Church (Tustin, CA) The epitome of an organic move of God, where hundreds of young people congregate to express their faith and devotion to Christ. They have the best Volunteer crew in orange county, and it is evident from the nano second that you step on campus. The Moment Church still tops my daughters charts as her favorite Childrens ministry experience yet.

Kingsfield Church (Aliso Viejo CA) This church tops the charts of stellar facilities and is poised to explode. Of all the churches I have visited, none have compared to the level of excellence, design and creative use of space. From the hallways to children’s rooms to the sanctuary…fantastic. All that said, the attribute that stands above the rest are Sr. Pastors, Chris & Tatum Norman. Stellar individuals who still pastor for the right reason, because they truly care about people.

Mariners Church (Mission Viejo) This is one campus at a large multi site church. It actually has become an anchor for us as we are currently without a home church. Mariners is a simple church that packs a punch and the right hook is their teaching pastor, Mike Erie. He did a 10 week series on one verse which was deep, poetic, and thought provoking all at once, and that was on just one verse. One of the best teachers of the word i’ve heard.

Newport Church (Newport Beach CA) First, the Sr. Pastors are Australian so the accent is a winner chicken dinner. Second, they have managed to create a worship culture that we haven’t experienced in Orange County. It is a breath of fresh air, there is nothing like a church worship experience where ALL are fully engaged.

What do you like about your church? Do you attend a church? If not, what are you looking for in a faith community?

I want to know your thoughts.

Double Rainbow!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:09:50 -0800

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

Double Rainbow!

LOVE, NOT LACK

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:33:00 -0800

Tasia is one of the most creative individuals I’ve met, with the ability to turn nothing into something. We are so honored to have her on The Movement Church Launch team! Check out her perspective on Love and Lack.

You could say that I am an expert at being single, haha. Got it mastered! So it wasn’t the biggest surprise when Pastor Carey asked me to write on this wonderful topic of being single during Valentine’s Day.

I remember my early high school days where some juniors and seniors created Anti-Valentine’s Day shirts. It became the cool thing to be anti a ‘commercialized holiday fabricated by card companies’ – or something like that. Thinking about it now, I have to ask… what were they really SO bothered by? Yes, Valentine’s Day can feel like a relentless fly that keeps bothering you, but why this holiday in particular? We aren’t mad during Christmas when we are given presents by friends and family. And yet Christmas still is a very depressing holiday for many, many people for layers of reasons, whether it be that they are single or they may have lost someone special to them and they feel that loss in an extra way during that time. [This is very real and my heart goes out to people in these situations]. I suppose Valentine’s Day can be tough because it either highlights & magnifies existing feelings of lack [of love] in our lives, or if we weren’t thinking about it before – we definitely have the opportunity to think about it now! The key to staying sane when this happens is regulating & focusing our thoughts.

During the 2011 holidays, Holly Furtick quoted part of her husband’s sermon in her blog and it really changed my perspective on how to approach holidays. It said, “I will not dwell on what is lost, I will build on what remains.” Selah. That one feels really good going down, yeah?

I am a single girl and today is Valentine’s Day. I know it is a hard day for a lot of people [most of whom have trouble admitting it] & it is easy to see why it would be tough – I fault no one who barely survives this day every year. But I do think that for anyone who is single, when it comes to any holiday, we can learn to focus on all the awesome things we do have & not give into notions that everyone else has some great something that we are missing out on. We can also realize the very real fact that there are both pros and cons to every stage of life [marriage, parenthood, etc]. I love the statement “The grass is greener where it is watered.” It speaks of taking responsibility for our own contentment, peace & fruitfulness regardless of what our Facebook relationship status says. How do we actually do that?

The Bible says to do to others as you would have them do to you [Matthew 7:12 if we all lived this fully, it would literally change the world]. This is probably not a verse you expected me to pull out in the middle of a Valentine’s Day post, but I find it fascinating that this can actually work for us during hard/awkward times in our lives. For instance, if you find yourself lonely one night, wishing someone would just text you and encourage you… think about someone who might be feeling just like you are in that moment and send them that encouraging text. You will feel like a million bucks. This can go for all kinds of things. You wish someone would bake you cookies, get to the store and bake someone else cookies. You wish someone would invite you to a movie. Ask a couple friends if they are free to see one. Take the initiative! Turn a self-focused thought into something that helps others. It feels awesome, can turn into the best habit & God sees & appreciates these things.

If we will focus on loving others and not on what we lack, I truly believe Valentine’s Day can be less of a nag and more of a non-threatening time where happiness, pink and red rainbows, chocolates, sappy cards and xoxo’s can have their day! Maybe not. It will always be annoying for some people- but we can at least try it, right? Or you can stick with your yearly routine of wearing baggy pj’s while eating a gallon of ice cream and listening to Celine Dion’s greatest hits followed by The Notebook with a giant box of tissues wondering why your parents EVER let you watch a fairytale as a young child. Your choice!

Tasia

Valentines day...Love it or hate it?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:51:49 -0800

Valentines day is tomorrow, and this evokes a myriad of emotions for many people. Some love it, others hate it, where do you stand on the holiday? Tomorrow I have a friend of mine (a Single Female) will share her thoughts on Valentines day, love, and the like.

But first, what are your thoughts? Email me, tweet at me, or send me a Facebook message. If it’s good, i’ll post it to here on Wednesday.

carey@theocmovement.org

@pcareyr

Facebook

Do you need friends? Let me know your thoughts, even if you...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:46:26 -0800

Do you need friends? Let me know your thoughts, even if you think I’m wrong.

"My Top Five" (OC Restaurants)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:26:55 -0800

For those of you who care, and those of you who don’t. I thought I would start a portion of my blog dedicated to “My Top Five.” I’ll choose a category each week and let you know my top five within that Category. This week it’s my top five Restaurants in Orange County. These range in price and atmosphere, nevertheless when I think about going out to eat as a family…these top the charts.

Mama D’s (Newport Beach)

Hands down the best Family style Italian around. Great service, a home made pink sauce that makes anything taste ridiculous, over the top friendly service, and bread that Jesus himself would be proud of.

Pizza Port (San Clemente)

I haven’t had a pizza that wasn’t unbelievably good, nor have I taken a first timer there that didn’t fall in love. If you go, order the Carlsbad…you’re welcome!

Baja Fish (Laguna Niguel)

Local dive that doesn’t look like much but it packs a punch. Truth be told, their fish is a no go, but the shrimp tacos and rice will make you cry tears of joy!

Surf Donuts (San Clemente)

When I moved to south county I was looking for a great donut place and happened upon this joint. Now I drive 15 minutes past four donut shops just to eat here. My third visit I tried the massive chorizo burrito and now I eat both. Don’t judge me.

Fajita Nacho’s at My House. (Laguna Niguel)

I know it’s lame, but they are good and it is all due to a Mexican meat market in Dana Point. Their carne asada marinade is so on point that you won’t forget the taste. I guess you’ll just have to come over for some nachos!

As you can tell, I love great food, better yet I love to eat great food! What are some local hot spots you dig? Whether it’s local for me or not!

Where do I start?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:16:46 -0800

Any level of peace or fulfillment that I have in life is due to a real relationship with Christ. That relationship is cultivated through consistent time spent reading the Bible. The Bible is more then a list of rules, and more then a genealogy, it is a conduit through which God communicates to us. People from all faith backgrounds and all walks of life would give anything to hear from God, and the irony is that he is speaking through the scripture even now. Similarly to how the history books communicate what pit falls to avoid yet on an even deeper spiritual level.

Before you get creeped out, give it a shot. Chances are it’ll change your life.

The fact is most people grow as an individual from reading the bible but don’t know how or where to start. I want to give you a few resources that are simple and easy. I heard one of the best standards in regards to bible reading from Philip Wagner, Pastor at Oasis Church in LA. He recommends that every one have a plan to follow and read inspirationally. Lets break this down.

1. Follow a clearly designed plan that maps out specific scriptures for each day. This helps us stay on track while when we reach the point of not knowing what to read.

2. In addition to following a plan, be open to reading other verses or chapters, or books that may seem right in the moment. This helps when we grow tired of, or dare I say bored of the “Reading Plan” that we are following.

One of the best resources is YouVersion. It’s free, has apps for every mobile devise imaginable, and offers extensive reading plans for people from all walks and seasons of life. Right now I am following a chronological reading plan offered by Mariners Church and I love it. (Check it out Here) If you are new to bible reading, check This out.

Regardless of where you are in your faith journey, you can experience Christ in a way that may not even seem possible, but you’ll have to work at it.

Allow me to Introduce myself!

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:57:32 -0800

Over the next few days I plan on unpacking the heart and strategy behind The Movement Church. We know that God wants to do amazing things in and through the people of Southern Orange County and it will take more then just passion to accomplish it. Our hope is that with the grace of God, passionate people, and an effective strategy, we can make a difference with the good new of Jesus Christ.

The Movement Church is a Collaboration of Passionate People, building Authentic Relationships, with Limitless Potential!

We will be a church full of Passionate People. Passionate about life, about the future, and their faith in Christ! (Mark 12:30)

We will be a church where people build Authentic Relationships. When we focus on what Christ said is the second greatest commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) we can’t help but be authentic. If our greatest concern is for those around us, we’ll build the strongest relationships we’ve ever had.

When these passionate Passionate People build Authentic Relationships, the only result is Limitless Potential. Imagine being a part of something where anything is possible.

Where people find God in a way they never imagined. Where people from all walks of life accomplish the dreams in their heart. Where strategic, seemingly unattainable goals are set and surpassed. Where the hopeless find hope and the lost are found.

That’s a church I’ve dreamt about my whole life. It’s a church you want to belong to.

In fact. ..it’s more than a church, it’s a Movement.

Just a glimpse of the region The Movement Church is called to...

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:24:00 -0800

Just a glimpse of the region The Movement Church is called to reach!

The other side of "What If"

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:07:03 -0800

I was reading timely post by my wife Meghan on “The paralyzing fear of What If” and I immediately thought of the of the other side of that poisonous question. Instead of operating from a posture of Fear, What if we operated life from a position of Faith? Expecting God to be who he says he is, almost to a point of respectfully demanding it?.

It would sound something like this;

What if I went after the dream in my heart?
What if I pursued that business I’ve been kicking around for the last few years?
What if I went all in?
It seems scary, but What If it became the greatest decision I’ve ever made?
It could fail, but What If it surpasses my expectation?
People may hate it, but What If they loved it?

What if today you made this your anthem? What if today you accomplished things you never have before? what if you fail as a result of it? What if you learned from that failure? What if you tried again tomorrow?

What if there was a cornerstone to stand on, like a foundation that was immovable? What if you had something or someone you could believe in so strongly that if they said it…you could take it to the bank.

What if this Someone was able to do things so big, so crazy, over and above anything we could ever possibly imagine? What if you are designed, to accomplish whatever it is on the other side of that “What If?”

What if today you made this your anthem?

What if?

"Knowledge and faith cannot be severed from one another, like bulkheads in a ship, the first of which..."

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:35:28 -0800

“Knowledge and faith cannot be severed from one another, like bulkheads in a ship, the first of which may be crushed in, while the second still keeps the vessel afloat. The mind is one,—“it cannot be cut in two with a hatchet.” Faith is not antithetical to knowledge,—it is rather a larger and more fundamental sort of knowledge. It is never opposed to reason, but only to sight.”

- E. G. Robinson

The Change Agent!

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:39:41 -0800

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. (Acts 9:13 ESV)

THE PROBLEM
To be transparent for a moment, it is only by God’s sovereign grace that I am able to pastor people. Often I feel like Ananias, seeing only a persons short comings, issues, sin areas, or just plain stupidity. I quickly forget about the endless abyss of grace that God repeatedly hurls me into.
Two verses later, we read…
“GO, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

THE FACTS
1. God has a redemptive plan for EVERYONE.

2. He wants us to GO and reach the beautiful, the stupid, the murderer, the annoying, the rich, the poor, and everything in between.

3. No one is beyond hope. (I am living proof of that)

“Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; (Acts 9:17-18)

THE TRUTH
Ananias went to Saul, and the results are immeasurable.
When we meet people where they are, speak the truth, and call forth purpose…the scales fall off, & the blind will see!

THE GOAL
Don’t merely read this, and think,what a sweet sentiment, or look for my many grammatical errors, or comment on/like the post because its social media etiquette!

Here is the goal…
1. IDENTIFY people in your life who are lovely, ugly, rich, poor or stupid, but blind to the truth.
2. GO to them with the truth of the LOVE of Christ.

YOU ARE THE CHANGE AGENT…and there are blind Saul’s near you. They are waiting for someone to see beyond their past, beyond their issues, and beyond their stupidity.
Waiting for someone to see the inner Paul!

"“We are the Writers of music and the dreamer of dreams!” Crazy words from a crazy man..."

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:57:35 -0800

“

“We are the Writers of music and the dreamer of dreams!”

Crazy words from a crazy man that pack a crazy punch!

”

- Willy Wonka

"With the sacred words we nourish our faith, we animate our hope, we make our confidence more..."

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:37:59 -0800

““With the sacred words we nourish our faith, we animate our hope, we make our confidence more stedfast; and no less by inculcations of God’s precepts we confirm good habits.””

- Tertullian

A simple thought for today.

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:00:01 -0700

Three times in three verses God commanded Joshua, “Be strong and Courageous.”

Why?

God knew the challenge confronting Joshua was larger than life. If Josh had begun to analyze it, he’d give up, throw in the towel, or convince himself that perhaps this wasn’t God’s calling on his life.

However, the opposite was true. Joshua’s task was God’s solution for His people.

(More often then not, God chooses to work THROUGH us)

In order for the children of Israel and Joshua to reach the Promise Land, he MUST be strong and courageous. When God commanded this of Josh, he was saying…CHOOSE strength, and CHOOSE courage! Your destiney lies before you, your task is clear, I will never leave you…but you have to choose.

What is the task that stands looming before you?

Is it so huge that success or victory is impossible with out God?

If so, consider yourself in the company of great men and women. Consider the fact that throughout history God has worked through people just like you.

Your purpose lies before you and your task is clear, God will never leave you…so choose!

Today, choose to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS!