Hey, look at my car. Also, I park like a douche

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Current status

Rosmarie and black peppercorn encrusted tri-tip


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Still Alive

It's been a while since my last post. Obviously I haven't died, although at times it felt like I was going to, just been so busy with things such as life. What's gone on in the nearly two years other than the random Formspring.me post? Well, let's see. I am working more hours at the same sports clinic (nearly triple the hours). I've added a second medical office, this one is a 24 hour urgent care, and yes I'm on call for that one as well. I am also in the process of starting my own business. One client is already humming along with a complete overhaul, and now both of my clinics are wanting to do the same thing. That's fun and all except for one minor issue, they're doing it at the exact same time and going in two separate directions. No stress there, trying to keep track of all three things, but that that's when my fiance steps in.

What? Oh ya, I'm getting married. For so long I had been searching for who I thought God wanted me to marry, but found nothing. Figured I'd just shave my head, wear a Jedi robe (I prefer the Sith styling, but that's a later discussion), and live in a monastery. But God had other plans, and he put the most beautiful, perfect, caring, loving person right in my path. I love her so much and can't wait until our wedding day. Just seeing her makes me jump for joy, her smile warms my heart, and I feel loved for the first time ever. No one can take this from me and I'm going to tell the world how much I love her.

Not sure when I'll be posting again, hopefully on a more dedicated schedule, roughly at least. In the mean time, I have a lot to do. Between more schooling, work, and getting hitched, I'm going to be a little occupied.

formspring.me

Ask me anything and everything, I shall give an honest and/or sarcastic answer http://formspring.me/masgreko

Ever Write Something That Took Forever Because You Kept Getting Angry About The Subject? [Updated]

Haven't been on here as much as I've wanted these last few months, not because of holidays and schedule or whatnot, but because what I was going to say required me to cool off for a bit before attempting the following story. For those that didn't know, my dad used to be a pastor at a church in Hemet. For those that did know, the phrase "used to be" may have caught you off guard.

We've been in Hemet for three years now, as of the first of this month actually. Dad had been an associate pastor at this church before, but then we were called to go to Riverside where we stayed for 12 years, then were called back to Hemet. We ended up at the same place along with a new youth pastor and, at the time, his fiance (now wife). After a year we got really involved in the different ministries and so forth, but come the end of our first year the church was having some financial difficulties and wages needed to be cut temporarily. Dad's was cut 20%, I was never paid for anything so made no difference to me other than I took up more responsibilities with my job outside the church. No biggie, we took the cut to help the church through a rough spot.

About six or eight months pass and rumors start circulating that the board was wanting to release a few staff members. My dad, being the man he is, went to the source - the board. The board members at that time informed him that there were only a couple that wanted to release the youth pastor and my dad along with the worship leader. A few weeks past and the board had their meetings and deliberations, or whatever it is they do, and the youth pastor and my dad got to stay but the worship leader "stepped down to pursue her master's degree". Yes she is getting her master's in music but I have my own assumptions as to what happened considering that a month later we have a new worship leader, but that's besides the point.

December comes around again and apparently it's salary hacking time because they wanted to cut wages 15%, or around there, I don't remember the exact number for this go 'round. A lot of the maintenance staff and others her were being compensated were either laid off or changed their status to volunteer. Only problem with my dad was that his original 20% cut from the year prior had yet to be reinstated. Again, everyone was told that the wages would be reinstated when things got better. Ya, ok.

February rolls around and my dad is asked to come to a meeting with the board and the senior pastor. We're thinking, "cool, wages are going to be reinstated, or at least some." Wrong, the senior pastor had the audacity to question my dad on why no tithe check had come through the offering. Well duh, God only asks for 10% and we gave 20%, you want us to make it 30% of the tuppences you pay us? Keep in mind that, by now, I'm an IT manager working only 15 hours a week and I'm making the same amount of money as my dad was, who was pulling 60 hour weeks easily. Naturally we were upset but we decided that if we couldn't pay actual cash we'd go ahead and do extra stuff around the church and with other ministries. We did this for the rest of the year. Then the pastor comes to us in October with the guy HIRED to be part of the financial committee and says that what we are doing is an offering and we have to write an actual check to the church. Dad was ticked with this but figured he'd do it. Wasn't sure why but he did, and it turns out it's a good thing he did.

Thanksgiving is coming up and, yet again, rumors are circling that people are going to get laid off. We have new board members at this time so once again dad asks them what's up. They said that it's possible he could be getting cut along with the youth pastor and his wife, who is now pregnant with their first child. Sounds familiar. We continue with our work and the Sunday of Thanksgiving week, mom and dad are pulled into a board meeting after the morning service and were informed that the Friday before was our last week on staff. Cowards didn't even try to negotiate a part time salary deal or anything, they should've asked because dad was willing to do part time work at the church for just our medical insurance (my brother has cerebral palsy, so naturally we want that first) which wasn't much, and get another job elsewhere to pay for everyday living. Happy Thanksgiving to us, we may not even be able to afford to go see my dying uncle like we planned months ago, mainly because WE STILL HADN'T BEEN REINSTATED TO FULL WAGES. Whatever, we figured we'd go anyway, family is very important.

Get back from our trip, good times and uplifted spirits, I go to church to and continue with my stuff. Dad didn't because, well, kinda hard to show up to a church that you were pastoring and all of the sudden have to tell people you're not a pastor anymore. Apparently during Thanksgiving week, unknown to us, the membership got wind of what happened and started making calls. The Sunday I came back, I had found out that one of the other associates, Pastor Dave White, had resigned because of how things are being handled administratively. Services continued as if nothing happened, those who weren't called must've assumed dad and Pastor Dave were out of town for the holiday. 

Wednesday comes and everyone was asked to come to an emergency meeting and "prayer night". I show up ticked off for obvious reasons but I was wanting to hear what was going to be said. Dad showed up to give his piece when the time came, along with the youth pastor. They went over the financial information for the year and said that cuts had to be made, so "Pastor Mike has been let go and Pastor Chris (youth pastor) has had his wages cut by 71%, and Nancy (senior pastor's wife) has been released also." First thing I thought was, "71% sure is an exact percentage, weird" and then I remembered something. Pastor Chris and his wife were renting a room from the senior pastor while they were finalizing things on a house they just bought, she's a teacher so the cut wasn't as bad for them since they had a dual income whereas our family didn't. Mom stays with my brother and I pay for my stuff. I did some quick number crunching and wouldn't you know it, the remaining salary of Pastor Chris is darn near to the amount for rent and some food and that's it. Interesting yes? After people heard that dad was released they got quite upset and they aren't dumb either. One lady towards the end of the meeting, I don't know her name, got up and asked the senior pastor what he took as far as a cut in pay. His first response was "Nancy has been released.." which would bring their household income down, followed by his wingman stating "Pastor didn't take a cut in salary because, with Pastor Mike being released he must take on twice the responsibilities." Are you kidding me?! We've been cut 20% for over two years and he has yet to take a cut?! The number show that anyone related to him hasn't been cut either, as a matter of fact, the person who brought it up in the office was fired.

Needless to say the service following the meeting wasn't exactly what it normally was for an evening service, but I played and went about my evening. The following Sunday morning, the senior pastor gets up in front of everyone before he started teaching and apologized for the poor decisions being made and said that God told him that he needed to"offer Pastor Mike and Pastor Chris 50% of my salary, with 40% going to Pastor Mike and 10% going to Pastor Chris." He meant an 80/20 split of the 50 but he's not good with numbers, go figure considering he's the executive. Anyway, the entire congregation gives a standing ovation and old people all over the church hugged and kissed me. I thank them for not pinching me, that's at least one thing they stopped doing.

I go home and tell mom and dad what happened and their jaws literally dropped, the senior pastor doesn't do things like this. So Monday dad was called back in and he picked up right where he left off. The following Sunday rolls around and people are excited he's back and all that jazz, then dad was asked to come in to a meeting after service. Once again we're thinking they'll be discussing the actual numbers and hours and everything that goes along with the new wages. I wait around till after the meeting because of a few things I had to take care of. I wait in my car and see mom and dad come out of the meeting, then I get really concerned because dad's face is about as red as Rudolph's nose. He informs me that the "board" took back the salary offer. So basically the "board" vetoed what God wanted? Really? The vote wasn't even close to unanimous. Four board members were against holding back the wages, 6 were for it, and 2 abstained. To me, if God says something, we don't need to take it to a vote, you just do it. They said that pastor would be put into financial hardship if he took that big of a cut. Lies, he was making over three times what my dad did and we were able to make it just fine, even with all the added medical expenses of my brother. I honestly think he was intimidated or jealous or something of my dad and wanted him out of there. Kind of like a Saul and David thing when people were singing about David and whatnot. Good job Saul.

After I found out about that I was slightly pissed off. After praying and thinking and talking with a few close people who's opinions I hold close, I decided I'd be leaving the church. I wouldn't be playing the drums, I would be taking the drums with me since the church had been using my personal kit for the last three years, I'd give the website code over to someone else, no more running sound as a backup nor the powerpoint stuff, and no more FREE IT work. I informed the leaders in the departments of my decision and exactly why and that Sunday would be my last service.

Tuesday, the senior pastor comes to our house with some paperwork and begins accusing my dad of stealing from God by not tithing. He said that HE couldn't give up 50% of his salary (didn't he say that God told him to do it? Oh ya, he did) to someone who doesn't tithe. I heard this with my own ears because where they were talking was on the other side of my bedroom wall and I was getting ready to go to work. I couldn't believe it. Dad asked him to show something proving that after all we've been through and even the little meeting they had about writing a check, that he wasn't tithing. Mom handed dad the checkbook ledger and the senior pastor gave him the giving report. Wouldn't you know it, both matched up exactly. So where's the problem? He wouldn't give a clear answer, kinda like a politician. I didn't get a chance to hear the rest because I had to get to work but I know he didn't stay much longer after I left.

That Sunday comes and the "pastor" gets up in front of everyone and says that "Pastor Mike will not be allowed back until he reconciles himself with the leadership of this church and with God" because he "is not a team player and doesn't believe in what we're teaching." Are you freaking kidding me?! You actually stood in front of the people, behind the pulpit, and flat out lie to everyone?! You dare come against my dad, when he's not even there, and start slamming him after everything he did for you?! Not a team player? When you were gone for a total of two months, who stepped in and took your responsibilities? Who was the one that brought up the Wednesday morning service for the seniors and actually got it to grow in no time flat? Who was the one making all the phone calls and house visits to all the sick and dying people? Not a team player? He did your job! Don't even start with the doesn't believe in the teachings crap. You were taking notes in his class, I saw it with my own eyes! 

After the morning service was over I took my drums down and went home. Not my fault you have no other drummer to rotate in, you can figure out your computer nonsense yourself now. All I care about is leaving the lies and pride and watching where I step on that platform. I like my shoes to stay clean and not smell like, well, the nursery's trash after feeding time. Merry Christmas to me.

I've only been on that property once since then, last week, and that was to help dad clean out his office. I couldn't help but laugh when we opened a box that came in the mail and it was a new financial road map series he had ordered for the church. The person the pastor got rid of was the one who was trying to get the church financially upright again. Have fun with your interest only payments morons, it increases next year too. Enjoy paying your back bills as well, and you'll need to find people to replace the ones who are leaving, I've been directly contacted by some of those who are leaving and you need them.

Apparently today or sometime recent, the senior pastor announced that he'd be giving half of his salary (sound familiar?) to the general fund. Odd, I thought he couldn't afford to do that? God must have told him the wrong thing to do the first time. As far as Pastor Dave, no announcement that I'm aware of has been made about his resignation either. People might put stuff together if they see the two strongest associates were let go/left at the same time. The Bible may refer to us as sheep, but we aren't that stupid.

So to you, Randy Jones, I have lost all respect for you. I don't believe anything you say, you have lost my trust and you will not be gaining it back. I will not be speaking with you, anywhere. You will have to answer to God for your actions but don't come to me with your "kind words". It's all fake and I do not care for facades in the slightest. You have hurt me, my family, and most importantly the church itself. All I can figure out in this whole thing is that this had nothing to do with money. I believe it is like Saul and David, people chanting "Saul has killed his thousands and David his tens of thousands". It's a pride thing and going by Proverbs 16:18, watch yourself. I've heard rumblings of people saying that my dad was going to take your spot and the church would flourish. As flattering as that may be, that was never why we came here. God called us to this valley, He has not told us to go anywhere else, and we will do as God commands. God didn't release us from Valle Vista, man did. Do not contact me at all, I'll still be in contact with your children, my friends, and your family, but you personally, I will not speak with you.




[Update]

Here's the audio clip of the first announcement. The only thing I did to the clip is take out the sermon, but left a little lead in to it. Otherwise I'd have to upload a file that's over an hour long and I don't want to do that.
(If you're using Internet Explorer and the audio player isn't showing, leave a comment)