danmastrapa.com » Family

Merry Christmas!

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:40:24 +0000

Surfing the Edge of Chaos

Dan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:38:49 +0000

Yesterday was one of those bittersweet moments in life as it concluded a chapter for my family and I. It was my last Sunday on staff at The Gathering Place. A place I have worked at and served for the past ten years. A place where my family and I received healing, new life, new relationships, new direction and vision. I don’t think I have fully absorbed the moment but I am sure it will hit me fully in the coming days.

This new chapter of my life following Jesus involves great adventure, risk, danger, chaos, uncertainty — and I am really excited about that! Starting a business in this economy when many established business are failing and a new church when many are shuttering their doors, sounds like lunacy. I would tend to agree if I hadn’t heard clearly from the Lord to move in this direction.

Some of my favorite church bloggers have taken a leap in to the unknown at this time. Ben Arment, Carlos Whittaker and Tony Morgan have all left secure positions with amazing organizations to follow Jesus’ call and their passion. The beat of God’s kingdom doesn’t march to the same beat as the one of this world. Jesus beckons us out of comfort, safety, security and our sanitized environments to follow him.

Alan Hirsch recently unpacked a series of posts dealing with Living Systems Theory, change and chaos theory and its correlations to the church and spiritual movements. He cited this on living systems:

Nature is at its innovative best near the edge of chaos. The edge of chaos is a condition, not a location. It is a permeable, intermediate state through which order and disorder flow, not a finite line of demarcation. Moving to the edge of chaos creates upheaval but not dissolution; that’s why being on the edge is so important. The edge is not the abyss. It’s the sweet spot for productive change. And when productive agitation runs high, innovation often thrives and startling breakthroughs can come about. This elusive, much sought after, sweet spot is sometimes called ‘a burning platform.’ The living sciences call it the edge of chaos.”

Surf the edge of chaos, follow Jesus wherever he leads you — that is the sweet spot! When we stay in our safe zones, we lose that which makes us most like God, our creativity. He is the Creator, and out of chaos he created inexpressible beauty.

I would ask my friends to pray for us for the following:

My wife and daughter who are on this journey as much as I am. Pray for wisdom and guidance during this time of shifting and transitioning.

Our business, SafetyFactorUSA. We deal primarily in the construction safety arena and will be bidding on some upcoming projects in our state. Would love to have a few of those!

The church we will be starting a few months down the road. I’ll be sharing more about that in the coming weeks.

Surfin’ the edge of chaos!

Seasons and Transitions

Dan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:08:27 +0000

Yesterday marked a very important milestone in my life. Pastor Sam announced to our congregation that at the end of the summer, I would be transitioning out from my role as executive pastor at The Gathering Place, to launch out on a business endeavor and to pursue the call of God on my life.

I am overwhelmed by the support of friends, family, the staff at TGP, Pastor Sam and our wonderful church family to the news of this transition. It did not come without much prayer, confirmation, soul-searching and the support of my amazing wife. I’ll be sharing more details about the business as well as a future church plant in the days ahead.

Here is what you need to know:
* Pastor Sam is fully behind this and overwhelmingly supportive. I wouldn’t do this without his blessing, it’s that important to me.
* Nothing is wrong — in fact, I couldn’t be transitioning when things are at a better time here at The Gathering Place. God is working in our church!
* It’s a step of faith and most definitely a risk! — I turned 39 yesterday! Most folks want to be settling in to a stable career by that time.
* I’ll continue in my current role through the transition and working just as hard to make sure everything is taken care.
* We’re not moving — we are called to this region and that is where we will serve God.
* God is faithful! He has demonstrated that to me time and time again.
* Following Jesus is never safe, comfortable or secure, but it is always GOOD! The purpose of life is not to arrive safely at death.

Please be praying for me and my family as we follow Christ.

We are called to be abolitionists

Dan — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:08:58 +0000

Yesterday was Human Trafficking Awareness day. Over the last several months it’s as if the Lord has been placing the travesty of human trafficking and the sex slave trade on my radar. This has got to be one of the main things that the Church of Jesus needs to lead the charge in — ending this horrific modern day slavery.

I have been praying about how I can do my part in raising awareness and getting involved. It is estimated that there are 1.8 million children exploited in the commercial human trafficking industry. Young girls, some as young as 12 years old, are forced to work in brothels, massage parlors, prostitution rings, strip clubs, or used to produce pornographic materials. This breaks my heart and more importantly, grieves the heart of God. We must do something about this. So today, I decided to become part of the global movement to help end this. Be an abolitionist!

From the A21 Campaign:

From Call+Response:

Of Mice and Forgiveness

Dan — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:41:29 +0000

Took the family along with a couple of nieces and a nephew to see The Tale of Desperaux last night. What a powerful story of an unassuming hero, how we are taught to fear things, the impact of wrong decisions, and most importantly, redemption and forgiveness. I love movies that give me opportunities to teach life principles to my little girl.

One of my favorite lines in the movies is “ A hero doesn’t appear until the world really needs one” Powerful! Take the family and go see this one.

Merry Christmas

Dan — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:33:18 +0000

Happy Birthday Arielle

Dan — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:10:54 +0000

My little angel turned four today. She is an absolute joy to Bethza and me. I can’t wait to see how her future unfolds. She came as a miracle to our lives and we know she is destined for greatness. Thank you God for the privilege of helping to shape her life. Arielle, I will live my life showing you how to follow Jesus.

My Little Angel

Dan — Sat, 24 May 2008 18:11:30 +0000

Expo_Conference_RickWarren

Dan — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:42:07 +0000

Came across this picture on the web of the closing session with Rick Warren where he was praying for everyone that responded to the call. I think I have located where I was standing in that catalyzing moment when I accepted and embraced God’s call upon me to create a missional community through church planting.

Exponential Conference – Day 3v.03

Dan — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:58:07 +0000

What a way to close the Exponential Conference with Rick Warren. I have always respected Rick but that has grown over the years. There is such a genuine love and authenticity to his faith and the way he communicates, especially with leaders and pastors. His message could best be titled “Life-lessons for Longevity.”

Some points he shared:
- Never stop growing personally. Growing churches require growing pastors. You can’t delegate your faith and personal growth.
- Pay attention to your family. Obey the sabbath. Build your family before you build the church.
- Develop a Kingdom mindset. Be about God’s agenda not your personal agenda.
- Focus on building people, not the church.

What a great closing blessing and prayer. Rick had us read the Saddleback 25th Anniversary Declaration which you can read here.

I really sensed God confirming my call to church planting. I crossed the line in my heart and in my Spirit. No turning back. I am moving ahead in the purposes and call of God.