Training video on how to fight a ninja...

Really funny! Check it out..

Craig Groeschel's Leadership Tips

Outreach magazine online (Jan/Feb 2008) published these 40 tips from Craig Groeschel (lifechurch.tv) that are on point for pastors under (and over) 40:

Yesterday I turned 40 years old. This week, I’ll share 40 things I wish someone would have told me when I was 20. (They probably did, but I wasn’t paying attention.)

1. Life is short. Make every day count for God’s glory.
2. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
3. Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.
4. Jesus cares more about the church than you do.
5. You can’t please everyone…so why try?
6. People will criticize you. Quit whining. Get used to it.
7. Three months from now, you won’t even remember most of the things that are bothering you today.
8. You can’t do it all. Stop trying.
9. God called you because He is good, not because you are.
10. If you blame yourself for the bad results in ministry, you’ll likely also take credit for the good results.
11. Become close friends with other pastors in your town (as many as you can).
12. Your kids will be grown before you know it. Don’t sacrifice them on the altar of ministry.
13. Your ministry isn’t your god. God is your God.
14. You know how to give and how to minister to others. If you don’t learn how to receive, you’ll burn out and/or die.
15. Studying for sermons doesn’t replace your personal time with God and in His Word.
16. Err on the side of generosity.
17. Believe in people that others overlook.
18. If you’re going to reach people that others aren’t, you’ll have to do things that others won’t.
19. Your integrity matters more than you can imagine.
20. Hire staff members that you like.
21. When you have a tough decision to make, but you know it’s right, make it immediately. (Like pulling off a Band-Aid: do it fast, and all at once.)
22. Hire slowly. Fire quickly.
23. You can’t change people. Only God can.
24. Don’t criticize others’ ministries. Yours isn’t nearly as perfect as you think it is.
25. Take care of yourself. Eat right. Rest. Exercise. Take time off. No one else can do that for you.
26. If you don’t take much time off, it’s because you’re proud, and you think you’re more necessary than you really are.
27. Don’t just delegate responsibility. Delegate authority.
28. Laugh frequently.
29. People will leave your church. People you love and trust will leave your church. Don’t take it personally.
30. When you suffer and hurt because of ministry, worship Jesus all the more.
31. Talk about Jesus every time you preach.
32. Be careful what you say. You’re being watched (and recorded).
33. Don’t return emails when you’re angry.
34. Check to make sure your microphone is turned off before you use the bathroom. Double-check.
35. Check to make sure your zipper is zipped every time before you preach. Double-check.
36. Love your wife more than you love the church. The church is Jesus’ bride, not yours.
37. Always be caught speaking well of others.
38. Compliment, encourage, and build up your staff and volunteers.
39. Hand write thank you notes.
40. Smile and look people in the eyes when you talk to them.

-Outreach magazine, "Web Exclusives," January/February 2008

Quote from this weekend...

“If Christ is in you, you are doomed for victory.” - Pastor Jackson Senyonga



Got to visit The Oaks Fellowship this past weekend....Had a great time....

Pastor Jackson was really invigorating and quite motivational. Simple truths...eternal consequences...

-Luis

Palomo picnic

Palomo picnic, originally uploaded by luis847.

My kiddos having lunch on a beautiful day.

We are going to be in the Hudson!...

One Trillion!!!! I thought last stimulus package of over 100 billion was risky.....

Wow! lets put this into perspective..... I have serious doubts about this "Stimulus Package" congress is trying to churn out. With the promise of monies going toward infrastructure and jobs, why is only 5 % going towards those means. The amount to be spent on creating jobs is so unbalanced. If taxpayers would just get funds in a tax rebate or credit, it would impact so many more people (in the millions) as opposed to the hundred thousand jobs it would create, again very disproportionately. Great idea spend millions on creating only 380 jobs in one case....as my dad would say "ridiculous!"....

here is a great vid (thanks Jeremy Del Rio)


Wednesday Weekly Webcast a/k/a Stimulus Stinkers

Posted using ShareThis

MLK weekend....

I had a great time this past weekend...got to love those 3-day weekends. Actually this entire month has just been fabulous! I had the kids and a lot of activities planned for the extended weekend. I have really missed my parents who have been on a 3 week hiatus to Mexico, the "mutha land"! I got to help my dad load his truck and trailer for the 19 hour trip. My parents usually load up to the max in order to deliver items for all my peeps in Mexico. And we got peeps...we reproduce like rabbits! What do you expect with a Palomo family whose families average like 10 kids each (All with a Luis in them)!
This weekend included the much anticipated return of mom and dad. They brought goodies to, cheese, chiles, cinnamon, like a years supply of garlic, did i say cheese? mmmmmm....

Ok, let me get back on track. We left Friday immediately after the kids were released from school. It took us a while to get to my parents house on the account of one of my kiddos having to go pee at every time he saw a service station. Saturday we joined my nephew, Josh at my sisters house to celebrate his 29th birthday!! Yes my sister had a 2 year old toddler when my mom had me! That was fun all my family gathered to share in the festivities.

On Sunday we then ALL gathered at my little brothers new house in Cedar Hill for a house warming party. This is he and my niece Sha-Nay-nay, (Aleyah). It is always good to have family around. This weekend was very significant to me. I can share these pics with you to allow a glimpse into my family life. However, the ability for me to reflect on my life is truly the reason for this personal post. As I spend time with my family I start to realize that there is a void in my life. I have been apart from them for too long. Many of you know I have had a really hard few months (years) recently and if you did not know, please continue to pray for me. This time of refection during MLK weekend 2009 has truly allowed me to realize what a gift we have from God as it pertains to our families. My immediate family has gone through so much and has endured intact! My church family is also so important to me. I also reflected on that this weekend. I am making a commitment to abandon my self imposed sabbatical and return to active, visible and tangible ministry. I think I can speak for a lot of us and say that we have all endured so much in this Amazing Race we call...LIFE. I have some massive announcements I will be making in the weeks to come. Although I have been seeking direction from God as to where I go next. I have received confirmation during this significant weekend with regards to my future. Again, I pause to let Him continue to be in the drivers seat of my journey on this earth. We returned on Monday and I loved the time spent with my kids and the ones I love. My parents returned safe and I promptly jumped back into the swing of things at work and in ministry. I truly appreciate my good friend Tony Lara who has been instrumental during these hard times..Love you bro! One thing I have learned these past 2 months is the importance of telling those you love how much you appreciate them and love them. (I intend to finally post something stemming from that statement soon.) Wednesday's youth service was great. those kids at Tab are amazing..so much talent. I pray that I may remain faithful to my family, my calling and my God. I wish to honor those who have finished before me and hope to one day be able to recite these words....I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith.(2 Timothy 4:7)

Reload Houston...Youth Ministry Training

reloadhouston.jpg, originally uploaded by luis847.

i want to invite you to this training...you may register at http://www.uywi.org/372328.ihtml

Soldier boy!

IMG_0456.JPG, originally uploaded by luis847.

Cleaning out my iPhone and ran across this picture of my son Sean. I took this picture over the Christmas break while visiting a wonderful friend in Dallas. It was a great Kodak moment! Snapped pic with just the intention of capturing the moment and hopefully digitizing a family memory. No forethought went into the picture nor did I analyze it in any way.

Recently I have gone through a roller coaster of emotions. I am preparing for a new journey in my life..a new chapter in my book. As I asked God for direction I am constantly reminded to do just that, prepare. The fact is I know it will definitely be a long drawn out battle.

So I stumbled upon this picture of my innocent son...and I am reminded to ask for their protection on a daily basis. I also ask for it for my self and for those who are precious and dear to me.

this passage came to mind...

"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...."

Ephesians 6:10-18

Reload

Houston

Rates $20 Pre-Registration $25 At the Door RELOAD Houston February 28 , 2009 Covenant Glen United Methodist Church 401 Present St. Missouri City, TX 77489 map it Speaker Harvey Carey, Citadel of Faith Covenant Church, Detroit, MI Musical Guests National Recording Artist: SoulFruit Local Artist: Perfect Praise Workshops > 2020 Vision For Schools: Transforming Public Education Within a Single Generation of Students taught by Luis Palomo, Life Strategies, Inc. > Discipleship: An Effective Method of Mentoring Urban Youth taught by Roy White, City on a Hill Bible Church & Alecia Caufield, Mt. Zion MBC > Rev Up Your Bible Teaching: How to Counter a Culture that Would Rather Watch TV than Listen to You taught by Jason Hess, Southway Community Church > Girls & Boys: Adjusting Your Ministry to Be More Gender-Sensitive in an Urban Environment taught by Kim Kossie, Living Well Youth Center & Thomas Walker, St. Mary's UMC > Jump Starting Your Youth Ministry: Planning for Success taught by Johnny Gomez, Templo Aposento Alto > Core Values of a Youth Worker: Laying a Foundation for Ministry taught by Vernon Hubbard, Solid Rock Baptist Church > Teen Leadership Track (for high school students only) Dealing With Life: Let's Get Real taught by Lloyd Anderson, Bible Way Fellowship Schedule 8:30am Registration, Breakfast & Networking 9:15-10:30am General Session - Welcome, Worship & Speaker Challenge 10:45am-12:00pm Elective Workshops 1 12:00-12:45pm Lunch 12:50-2:05pm Elective Workshops 2 2:15-3:00pm Closing Session - Giveaways, Worship, Speaker Challenge, & Corporate Prayer 3:00pm RELOAD Ends Local Sponsors > DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative > SHOUT Houston > Next Level Enterprise

A pic from Christmas 2008. We had a great time making this Gingerbread House...had a great time eating it too!

Stephanie and baby Cali

Stephanie and baby Cali, originally uploaded by luis847.

All smiles...

DSC04755.JPG, originally uploaded by luis847.

My lil bro and my great niece at my sisters wedding. i am glad that God continues to bless and grow our family.

On the 13th day of Christmas!!

On the 13th day of Christmas!!, originally uploaded by luis847.

This is why happens on the day after Christmas!! My boys are tired, 10 am and still out!! Oh yeah he SNORES!!!!! LOL what a great Christmas this year.....

New storm brewing near the Gulf!!!!!!

New storm brewing near the Gulf!!!!!!, originally uploaded by luis847.

Ok. My kiddos have been here for only a few hours and already my clean house has been turned upside down!!! This storm had been officially upgraded into a Cat 5 storm, Hurricane Palomo!!! There is popcorn, toys, books, you name it and it is strewn all over. Hey boys will be boys and they ate awsome!!! K gotta go I think something is on fire!!!!!!!

My New Office......

Well here is a picture of my new office.

Let me give you some history.....

For the past 10 years my work day has included a very long drive to my office at Sam Houston High School in the Northside. I have served that community in several capacities, recently as an assistant administrator. My role was to develop and implement the Leadership and Character component for all 9th grade students. I enjoy, no I LOVE my job wholeheartedly. I could not see myself serving anywhere else.....yeah that totally changed recently! I was very honored to have received a 150,000 grant this past month. Our teams mission and funding purposes are to continue to develop Leadership Programs within our public school systems.

HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM....Although I am very excited about the prospects of this grant that is fundable for up to three years (450,000 dollars in total!!), I would have to leave Sam Houston!! Grant was awarded in September and just three weeks ago I decided to accept grant monies. My new primary office will now be at Fondren Middle School in southwest Houston. Work will continue at Sam Houston, Fonville Middle, Berry Elem. and now Fondren.

I spent almost two months praying and seeking direction as to the timing of my departure from a career long tenure at Sam. Finally with advise and ultimate blessing from my friend and mentor, Max Torres I made the move. I needed that "go ahead" from Max before I entered into this new venture. My first day was Monday November 17, 2008. Tragically my mentor passed way the next day. His untimely death has inspired me to do even more that what we are doing now for students. I am sure this is where I need to be at this time in my life. I'm adjusting at a good pace here in my new office.

About time!!!

Texas Congressman proposes bill to end BCS, force a playoff

02:31 PM CST on Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Taking aim at a BCS system he said "consistently misfires," a member of Congress planned to introduce legislation Wednesday that would force college football to adopt a playoff to determine the national champion.

Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, didn't specify what sort of playoff he wants -- only that the BCS should go.

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"In some years the sport's national championship winner was left unsettled, and at least one school was left out of the many millions of dollars in revenue that accompany the title," Barton said in a statement released ahead of the bill's introduction.

"Despite repeated efforts to improve the system, the controversy rages on."

He said the bill -- being co-sponsored by Reps. Bobby Rush, an Illinois Democrat, and Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican -- "will prohibit the marketing, promotion, and advertising of a postseason game as a 'national championship' football game, unless it is the result of a playoff system. Violations of the prohibition will be treated as violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice."

The BCS was created in 1998 by the six most powerful conferences. Since then, the system has been tweaked to make it easier for teams from smaller conferences to qualify for the top games. The sites for the four BCS bowls -- the Rose, Orange, Sugar and Fiesta -- take turns hosting a championship game between the top two teams in the BCS standings, which are based on two human polls and six computer ratings.

This season, Florida (12-1) and Oklahoma (12-1) will meet in the BCS title game Jan. 8 in Miami.

Barton cited Southern California in 2003 and undefeated Auburn in 2004 as examples of worthy teams left out of the national championship game.

"This year, we again have two teams with one loss each playing for the 'championship,' while two undefeated teams and four additional teams with only one loss will play in bowl games, but none can become 'champion,"' he said.

When an Energy and Commerce subcommittee held a hearing about the BCS in 2005, lawmakers said they weren't going to pursue legislation.

"The BCS method of determining who is No. 1 consistently misfires," Barton said Wednesday. "Simply exposing the flaws and subjecting them to discussion ... hasn't led to improvement by those who run the system."

Home made antenna!

Home make antena!, originally uploaded by luis847.

Eli's ingenious modification to his Lightning McQueen power wheels...an antenna! Oh yeah, a Jack antenna ball too. LOL. Man to be a kid again......

The Overgrown Chicken

The Overgrown Chicken, originally uploaded by luis847.

My sister Esther cooked this delicious turkey. Looked like it came right out of a cook book. Mmmmmm

Sean's wreck....

Sean's wreck...., originally uploaded by luis847.

Car got rear-ended. Need I say more?