New York, New York....Day 5

Today was the final day of the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Conference. It started too early for me. Not the conference, but the day. Woke up at 7:00 am (which is 4:00 am PDT) to get ready for a breakfast meeting at 8:30 with Chuck and Doug Slaybaugh.

The conference sessions were excellent. However, the most exciting part of the day for me was lunch, not in the "recess was my favorite part of my day" way. I had the privilege of being involved in an Orientation and Q&A session on a new resource being made available for churches by EHS.

They have put together a "Church-wide Initiative Kit" that will include resources for a church to lead their congregation through an 8-week long series on the EHS principles. The kit includes materials that small groups can use to follow along with what is being taught on the weekends. It's somewhat a similar concept as "40 Days of Purpose", though the EHS material is entirely different from the 40 DOP material.

Doug Slaybaugh and I led the information orientation and Q&A for Pastors and leaders at lunch time. Of the 170+ registrants, there were about 70 who came to hear about the kit and ask questions. It was awesome to get to interface with leaders about this groundbreaking EHS resource.

After the Conference was over today, I got to have dinner with Mark & Pam Taft. They are Marriage Ministry Leaders at New Life Fellowship. Colleen & I met them almost three years ago when we came to New Life for some further EHS Relationship Skills Training. The Taft's hosted us at their home, so we got to know them. It was great to re-connect with them. They also served as the Coordinators of the EHS Conference.

After dinner, they dropped me off at the hotel, where I crashed for about an hour. Now, I'm over at Pop Diner writing this and checking email. In the morning, we'll check out of the hotel, attend the worship celebration at New Life's 11:15 service and then spend the afternoon with Andrew & Laurel Favilla. They'll drop us off at the airport for our flight home, which leaves at 7:00 pm EDT. Looking forward to being with Colleen and the boys, though they'll be asleep when I get home.

New York, New York....Day 4

Great day! Started with breakfast at Pop Diner with Chuck and the EHS Consultant, Doug Slaybaugh. He's the guy who has been talking with me about both current and future involvement as EHS develops organizationally. Good guy. He and Chuck have actually known each other for many years.

After breakfast, today's Conference sessions started at noon. Pete & Geri have added some fresh material to the Conference. Actually, every year has some fresh material to it. There are probably 250+ Pastors and church leaders here from all over the nation. There are even a few folks here from the UK, Germany, Ukraine and the Republic of Georgia.

Pete talked some today about how the body of Christ is so vast, and that even though there is a divide between the Eastern Church and the Western Church, we all come from the same "family of origin" that started way back in Acts 2. What a concept!

They dealt tonight with what I think is one of the most powerful and largest concepts of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality...a concept called "differentiation". It has to do with one being able to stand on your own two feet, confident in who you are, and able to declare that to the people closest to us, regardless of what they think, and then still remain in relationship with them. It is a LARGE and powerful issue that we ALL deal with. It's just that some of us deal with it by NOT dealing with it, thereby continuing to live in patterns of unhealthy relational patterns.

Had the opportunity to talk at length with some leaders from an Evangelical Free Church in Michigan, a Presbyterian Church in Delaware and a Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Manhattan. All of these leaders are trying to figure out how to put feet to the principles of EHS in their own lives, as well as the life of their churches.

What a privilege to be able to share my journey and OUR journey as a church family. Tomorrow, I get to participate in a Q&A session during the lunch hour to share more and answers questions. For those who are a part of NewHeart, I get to talk about YOU! Cool, huh? It's all good, don't worry!

Catch this.....the Pastor from Manhattan lives in an 1,100 square foot apartment (there are no owned homes on Manhattan) and the rent is $3,150 a month! Commonly, rent on Manhattan for similar apartments can cost $4,000-5,000 a month, with the more expensive neighborhoods costing upwards of $10,000-12,000 per month!!! For RENT!!

The final day of this year's Conference is tomorrow. Already have a dinner appointment with some New York friends, then heading down to Time Square (my favorite Manhattan site) for one final look on this trip and souvenirs for the boys. Blog at ya tomorrow!

New York, New York....Day 2 & 3

Last 2 days have been quite a whirlwind. Wednesday, we started the day at the Statue of Liberty. I’ve been once before, but this time, we got to go inside the pedestal. It houses a Statue of Liberty Museum.

You can also get a glimpse from just below the Statue of the inside structure. Since 9/11, nobody is allowed to go up to the crown, but you can see the staircase that was built for it. Another great feature is the pedestal observation deck, which gives an incredible view of Manhattan and Ellis Island.

The history of the Statue is quite impressive. But even more so is the security to get one the ferry and to go inside the pedestal. THAT process is more thorough than the security process at the airport! I’m not kidding!

After spending most of the afternoon at the Statue, we meandered toward Ground Zero. Last year, there was a barrier that had quite a bit of information on it as well as allowing for viewing into the area. Now, that barrier is gone, replaced with construction fencing. From street level, you can’t see into the site anymore. Probably the only view you can get is from above if you’re inside one of the surrounding buildings.

Leaving there, we hit the subway back into Queens. I fell asleep and was jarred awake by my own voice, talking out loud in a dream I don’t even remember. Chuck thought that was pretty funny. He went on and on about how a lady was sitting next to me and looking at me strangely over the “couple of times” I talked in my sleep. He tried to convince me he was telling her not to mind me, that he just sticks me in a corner because I do that all the time! It got us both rolling!

I don’t think I mentioned that when we had dessert at Georgia Diner (remember the Black Forest cake?), that Chuck told me that HIS favorite cake is Black Forest. I was floored!! I had no idea we both had the same favorite cake, and an exquisite one at that! What? Don’t look at me like that…..it IS exquisite!

He had a few bites of mine and said, “next time, I’m getting my own piece.” Well, that we did. Arriving back from Ground Zero, we went back to Georgia Diner for dinner and a piece of Black Forest cake.

I told the waiter that if his hand slipped when he was cutting the cake and ended up cutting a larger piece than normal, I’d be OK with it, really! I didn’t want him to be worried about that. Sure enough, he brought back 2 larger than normal pieces of cake! We tipped him well!

Today, the conference started at noon, so we both got to sleep in a bit. The sessions today were on Emotionally Healthy Skills, which were a refresher of some material Colleen and I were trained in here 3 years ago. I am excited to bring more of this home to integrate into our church family life and growth.

Had dinner with a Foursquare Pastor and his wife from Waynesboro, Virginia. It was great to get to know them and hear their story of how they have been exposed to the EHS material. This particular Pastor has been at the church he leads for seven years and just experienced a sabbatical last Summer.

Sabbaticals in our denomination have always been REACTIVE in nature. That means they’ve always been a reaction to a crisis or oncoming crisis. Unfortunately, that’s given sabbaticals a negative connotation.

Many denominations actually have sabbatical policies in place. Every seven years or so, a Pastor is actually expected to go on Sabbatical for a three month period for an extended time of rest, refreshing, and revitalization. Those are sabbaticals that are PROACTIVE in nature. In other words, they are meant to be part of an overall strategy to help prevent burnout from occurring for Pastors.

Our denomination has been more and more open to this kind of sabbatical. While we don’t have a denominational policy in place, Foursquare is encouraging Pastors and Church Councils to implement their own policies allowing for these kind of proactive sabbaticals.

This Pastor from Virgina is on the forefront of this movement. He offered to send me theirs for our Church Council to evaluate and consider. It’s interesting to get to converse with him because I have been considering bringing this concept to our Council and congregation for consideration.

This year (right now as a matter of fact) marks 7 years since my burnout experience. Looking back, I marvel at what God has done in my life, and the changes He has brought to the life of our church family through my recovery. I am very excited about the future God has before us, and know that He is wanting to use us more and more for the purpose of growing healthy families as well as impacting others for the cause of healthier Pastors and healthier churches.

Well, off to bed for now. When I travel for less than a week, I always try to stay on the same time schedule to reduce jet lag when I come home. However, I feel myself easing, maybe better said….oozing, into Eastern Daylight Time. Good night!

New York, New York....Day 1

After a good night of sleep, Chuck & I had brunch at Pop Diner, just a couple doors down from the hotel. Then, it was on to the subway. This may sound weird, and it may be because I don’t live in it or have to depend on it, but riding the NYC Subway is fun!

Walking toward the subway station, we heard and saw a couple of over us, making a couple of passes. Strange feeling …. New York City…fighter jets. Anyway…

First stop in Manhattan was the Empire State Building. Being 86 floors above NYC is amazing. The skyline just comes alive as you scan the horizon on all four sides. You see literally see for miles. For NYC, to me, the most stunning view is north, where you see all of these crammed skyscrapers with a huge patch of green among them …. Central Park. Seeing CP from there, and close up on the afternoon’s Grayline Uptown Loop brings back memories of one of my favorite TV shows of past, Law & Order.

Next, we headed to Times Square. Can’t say enough about being there. Even pictures don’t do it justice. Being the technology lover that I am, I think I could just stand there for hours and gaze at all the wonders of how they’ve placed different sizes and shapes of video screens!

It was a bit chilly today. We were able to find beanies at a curbside sale shack for $5. Perfect for our double decker bus ride, right? Except that we boarded a bus that had the upper level COVERED with clear plexiglass. It may be chilly, but it’s sunny. Can you say GREENHOUSE?

We both picked up the same color beanie. To keep them separate, I stuck mine in my jacket pocket. So when I needed it? Yeah, it was GONE! Someone got blessed with a brand new, albeit cheap, beanie!

The tour guides with Grayline do a great job of holding your interest and providing great information. Some of the interesting places we saw included the place where John Lennon was killed, the diner used in the movie, “American Gangster”, the museum used in the movie “Night At The Museum”, and the apartment house that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Quite macabre, I know, but interesting stuff nonetheless.

After the tour, we hit the M&M World store at Times Square. They haven’t hit California yet, but M&Ms here have a new limited edition flavor…Wildly Cherry. Some of you know about my love for the Chocolate Cherry flavor (don’t go buying me any Diet Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cherry…it turned out to be GROSS). I’ll be bringing home some of those M&Ms if I can make them last till the end of the week!

Next up, we walked 5th Avenue. I didn’t know it before today, but I guess “walking 5th Avenue” is kind of a big deal here. According to the tour guide, if you’ve “walked 5th Avenue”, it means you walked the row of highly expensive stores between 49th & 59th Streets. Tiffany, Salvatore Ferragamo, Rolex, FAO Schwartz Toy Store, and the biggest Apple Store in the world.

On the way to 5th Avenue, we passed right by Rockefeller Center, where NBC’s Today show is shot every morning. Most exciting thing about going by there was block after block after block of police cars with lights twirling.

After prying with a couple of Rockefeller Center employees, we were told it was an “anti-terrorism roll call” that the NYPD has been doing at high-profile targets on a regular basis. UN HQ, World Trade Center, Wall Street, Empire State Building, etc. They are wanting to make their presence felt on a regular basis. Presence it was! I mean, it was truly impressive. I should’ve counted the cars, but I’m telling you it was in the multiple dozens. Cool! [UPDATE: Click here for a story on this.]

After 5th Avenue, we caught the subway back to Queens, where we had dinner at the Georgia Diner. Best thing there, hands down, was the BEST Black Forest cake I have EVER had! I love Black Forest cake and have it wherever I can, but this was just the BEST!

Well, that was the day. Hope you enjoyed it with me! For those who text message, follow my trip on Twitter. Sign up for a free account, register your phone to accept Twitter, find me at www.twitter.com/Paul_Kuzma, then you’ll get the messages I send as I work through each day’s journey!

Safe in Queens

After a very short night of sleep, woke up about 3:45 am and left for Chuck & Ruby's to catch a ride to LAX. Upon arriving, Chuck delivered the news that Ruby wasn't going to make the trip.

Chuck lives and works bi-coastal. His home is in Northridge, CA and his main office is nearby. However, for the last year and a half, he has been developing The Center for Spiritual Renewal (CSR) that our denomination has created on the old LIFE Bible College East campus in Christiansburg, VA. It’s a Retreat Center for Pastors and their families that Foursquare has really invested in to make it very nice. So, Chuck spends about half his time there, counseling Pastors as needed when they come through.

Ruby is quite involved in developing some of the CSR facilities, so she often travels back there with him, which she will do a couple days after we return from New York. She decided there was just too much to get done to make the trip here to New York with us. She is very disappointed, as are Chuck and I, as this would have been her first trip to NYC.

I’ve learned to cooperate with my body when I travel. It does funny things when I fly. For some reason, when we get in the air, my body just gets lethargic and sleepy. So, I carry my earplugs and eye cover, try to get a window seat and just go to sleep. Once again, it worked. I slept just about the entire flight. Not a deep sleep, but at least the time didn’t drag by.

Our flight left a few minutes after 8:00 am PST and arrived a few minutes early, around 4:10 pm EST. My friend, Laurel Favilla, was so kind to pick us up and bring us to our hotel. We’re at the same place we stay whenever we come here, which is just a short walk down Queens Boulevard from New Life Fellowship.

Kind of a funny place. This is my fourth year here. Every year, they have been “remodeling”. Well, this year, they’re finally finished. No old carpet, no more unfinished holes in hallway walls, and the rooms actually look decent!

After settling in and unpacking, we took a brisk walk down the street for some great Chinese food for dinner. It’s becoming a bit nostalgic for me to come here, walking by New Life’s building, which is the historic landmark Queens Elks Lodge building. Built in the 1920’s, it is a registered historic landmark. That means the church is limited in anything they do to change the look of the exterior. Most interesting part of that is that they can’t remove the HUGE elk statue that sits at the entrance of the building.

After dinner, we walked a little further to the nearest mall. It houses the local Target store, where we pick up our water and snacks for the week. Along the way, it’s kind of a rush to soak in the sights and sounds of New York City. Seems like there’s almost always a siren or two going and a car horn or four blaring.

Good start to the trip, other than missing Colleen and the boys. Tomorrow we’ll head to Manhattan. If the cloud cover is gone, we’ll do the Empire State Building. Other places on our list are Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center Site, Seinfeld’s “Monk’s Café”, Times Square. If you’ve got any suggestions, let me know in the comments!

Where I've Been & Where I'm Going

Hey everyone! For those wondering where I've been ..... well, nowhere really. There was a short trip to Ventura to celebrate our 22nd anniversary, but other than that, life has just been hectic. Too hectic, in my opinion.

Preparations for Easter always take aLOT of time and energy. The aftermath takes some recovery time too. At church, this was the best Easter we've had in years! People REALLY invited people, and our attendance that day was DOUBLE our current average. Quite a number of people gave their heart to Christ and even more re-dedicated their lives to Jesus. It was a GREAT and very encouraging Easter!

Last weekend, we started a new teaching series called, "Shameless". Developing a new series always takes extra time as opposed to putting together each week's message. There is extra time involved in mapping out the series, developing graphics, and more.

Now, this week, I am making final plans to head to New York City on Monday. I am traveling with my Pastor, Chuck Shoemake, and his wife, Ruby. We'll tour NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday, then attend the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Pastors/Leaders Conference on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We'll fly home late Sunday night.

I currently volunteer as a Ministry Representative with EHS, speaking with Pastors and Leaders all over the US and Canada about implementing the EHS principles into the life of a congregation. It's a real privilege to serve this growing ministry. I am looking forward to connecting with some (becoming) old friends in NYC and meeting new ones toward the cause of helping people connect their emotional health with their spiritual maturity.

Chuck and I took this trip together last year. This will be Ruby's first time in NYC, so it will be an extra treat. We have plans to do the red bus double decker tour, Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, among other sites.

All that to say .... that's where I've been and that's where I'm going. If you want to come along, check back daily next week and I'll blog about our trip!

Too Fun!

Watch out!

Long & Rich Couple Days

Wednesday & Thursday ... long days for me, but rich ones:

• Wed. started way too early for me at 6:30 am. Chaplain's Meeting at 7:00, which is always a treat, to be with those guys.
• Ran into a few other folks and spent the morning catching up on a some relationships at the PD.
• Pastor's Prayer yesterday was packed! That's always a good thing. My weekly lunch afterward with a fellow Pastor was deep, and a strong time.
• A nightly ritual, dressing Pete's wound, has become a profound thing.....the healing taking place in his leg is not just graphic, but a visual picture of how God knits us together physically. WOW!
• Today, had lunch with a guy who is becoming a friend. He works with Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, helping to build the organization. We talked about my continued involvement as a Ministry Representative as the ministry grows. Exciting stuff!
• Traffic was nasty on the 405 today, and it took way too long to get to my meeting. Someone's loss of a backyard apparently caused the problem.
• Gave me a chance to catch up with Cathy Haedt by phone today though. That was good!
• Tonight, I'll commend Michael Letinsky at a class he's teaching at NewHeart. He's a good man and a good brother!
• Tomorrow morning, I'll meet with my "Pastor" and his wife. We're traveling together to New York April 7-13 for a couple days of touring, and then the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Pastors & Leaders Conference.

More to say later!

Because It's Leap Day!

I'm writing this post for ONE reason, and ONE reason only .... because it's LEAP Day!! I want my blog to be able to have something dated February 29. It's not gonna happen for another FOUR years .... and FOUR years ago, blogs weren't really even around. They were around, but not really.

Anyway, HAPPY LEAP DAY! Only 299 Days Till Christmas!! We're under 300 babay!!

Ministry Friendships, Part 2

This is the "Part 2" of the post I linked to Thursday.

I again say ...

• If you attend NewHeart and I am your Pastor, understand my heart wants the best for you, always!
• If you are a Pastor, take it to heart, don't throw out the baby with the bath water, don't give up hope, and get what you agree with in front of your congregation.
• If you attend another church, send this to your Pastor.
• If you don't attend church at all, keep this handy for when you do, and then send it to your Pastor ;^)

Read Part 2 here. To go back and read Part 1, go here.

Better Week & Good Friends

Well, this has been a better week. You can read my last post to catch what I mean. Pete & Cathy are both doing better this week. You can go here and click on either of their names to get an update on what they are dealing with.

I have been very involved in both of these circumstances, but especially with Pete. He and I go way back. We have what I consider THE most unique friendship story I've ever heard. I'm not bragging, really, it is just downright a God-thing.

We were good friends for many years. We met when I first started in ministry and then he and his wife eventually were our first real Youth Team Members. He eventually became our Junior High Director.

Four years ago, we had a painful falling out. Six MONTHS ago, after four years of painful separation, we got back together. (I don't mean to make it sound romantic, but it's the best way to say it.)

Now, he is on his back by doctor's orders, recuperating and healing from a SERIOUS complication from knee replacement surgery that has nothing to do with his knee. God divinely gave us our friendship back, stronger and deeper than it ever was.

I've been walking with him through multiple surgeries and, over the last week, intensely painful wound dressing changes. Not to sound morbid, but that's a powerfully bonding experience!

Now .... ministry does weird things to friendships. Sometimes, it doesn't even really allow for them between certain people. Painful, but honest, and true.

Today, I read a post by a fellow Pastor who I highly respect ... Craig Groeschel. Don't know him personally, but I love his thinking and writing.

He is writing a series of posts about Ministry Friendships, and today's is one I want you to read.

• If you attend NewHeart and I am your Pastor, understand my heart wants the best for you, always!
• If you are a Pastor, take it to heart, don't throw out the baby with the bath water, don't give up hope, and get what you agree with in front of your congregation.
• If you attend another church, send this to your Pastor.
• If you don't attend church at all, keep this handy for when you do, and then send it to your Pastor ;^)

Read it here.

Long Week

Haven't posted much lately, just because I haven't had time or energy. I'm doing OK, really. Just had a couple of friend hospital emergencies.

One is a good friend who had complications from a bilateral knee replacement surgery done right after Christmas. Something called "compartment syndrome" has left an open wound on his leg from his knee clear down to his ankle. This week, he lost his shin muscle and several tendons to the damage it has done. It's pretty gnarly and extremely painful for him. We've been on this hard journey together.

Then, another friend who attends our church, who is a 10+ year survivor of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, was diagnosed this week with Small Cell Lung Cancer. This is a shock to all around her. She's the picture of health in diet and exercise.

Doesn't get any more clear than this .... when the nurse walked in with a bag to hang on the IV pole of her 2nd chemotherapy drug, she brought it in wearing THICK latex gloves (not just the thin ones you see in every doctor's office and hospital) and a plastic apron! How's that for making a statements about what they're depositing into your body?

All that and more has made for a long week, and my blogging has taken a hit for it. I'll be back more regularly soon!

Have You Voted Yet?

Just a reminder! Not asking WHO you voted for, just IF you have voted.

Uganda About To Get Some Bloggers Love!!

A blogger friend of mine, Anne Jackson, who writes FlowerDust.net, is headed to Uganda next week. She is doing a very unique trip with 9 other bloggers from arouns the country. As I understand it, some of them have not even met each other personally. One of them asked the question, "What could 10 bloggers do if they put their hearts and hands where their mouth is?". And, this is what they're doing.

I think it's outrageously cool, and I want you to follow Anne and the group on their exploits with me. You can do it by clicking on this picture, or the one on the right column, throughout the length of their trip. It will help make a difference!

Carrie Underwood Gets Some Help

As if Carrie needed any help, she gets some anyway. Watch out world! Enjoy a chuckle!

Kudos to Todd at MMI

Super Bowl Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Along with untold millions of others, I am on my couch this afternoon watching the pre-game festivities for the Super Bowl. Right now, as I type, I am watching the reading of the Declaration of Independence by a number of members, past and present, of the NFL family. It is quite moving!

It has included people like Tony Dungy (Indianapolis Colts' Coach, whose son committed suicide a couple of years ago) and Marie Tillman (wife of Pat Tillman, who gave up his NFL career to serve in Afghanistan and was killed there). It gave me goose bumps! Anyone else?

UPDATE: Here is the video ...

Bummer Weekend

The Kuzma home has been invaded! It's not alien, I don't think anyways. It is strange though!

Colleen was down all week with a nasty sinus infection. Thursday night, both boys complained of flu symptoms. Friday morning, I started the day with laryngitis, hopeful that's all it would be.

Friday afternoon, I took the boys to the doctor, right when my symptoms got worse. They had antibiotics, I didn't. So we've all been fighting fevers, chills, sweats, coughs, phlegm ... you name it.

Thanks to John Cox for preaching for me this weekend at a moment's notice!!! Called him on Friday afternoon and so glad he was available.

Guiliani & McCain Join Forces

They're all right here in Simi Valley! All the Republican candidates for President, right here in our own city!

This is NOT a political post or endorsement of ANY kind, just a quick thought. As Guiliani drops out of the race and endorses John McCain, these guys are sounding like they've been life-long best friends. Noit that there is anything wrong with that.

I'm just wondering .... anyone imagining a "McCain/Guiliani" ticket?

A Little Rain Never Hurt Anyone ... ALOTTA Rain Is Another Story

I'm ready to call it a night, and looking forward to the restful sleep that comes with the sound of rain. Our deluge is happening right now. It has been raining HARD for almost three hours and is supposed to keep going all throughout tonight and tomorrow.

Some blogging friends in the Southeast had it hard for church last week because of snow. Well, this is Southern California, Valley-level snow! We'll see how church attendance is in the morning, but I'll be there, and our team will be there come the proverbial "h*** or high water!"

Beardology, Part 2

A week and a half ago, I finally took the goatee off. I have to admit that the goatee was my favorite version of my facial hair experiment. However, the funniest thing about my experiment was that the one change that people noticed THE LEAST was when I took the beard off all the way!! THAT'S FUNNY!!

I started with the goatee ...

.... then I went to the handlebar and classic look ....

.... then it was the handlebar alone .....

.... then it was what one of my sons called the "French" look ....

.... someone else called the next step the "Italian" look ....

.... then I had to have fun with my German side ....
.... to the final version of the all clean look!