Mammoth Mountain, Ca 
I Quit Tonight
Tonight was a powerful night in our High School Group.
We are in our "Reveal: Where are you at?" series right now
and tonight the topic was based on worry from Matthew 6:25-33.
At the end of the message we had a response time
where we challenged students to give up a worry
and let God be God and take control.
During this time, we had several response stations
(worship thru music, bible reading area, mirrors with Matthew 6:25-33
on them, video station, journal area)
where students could respond to the message
and give over worries to God.
During this time, I was writing out some of my worries and
asking God to allow me to let go of them,
when all of the sudden a worry I have had for a long time
came to mind. This worry is something many of us young Pastor's
deal with, but for me it has been something that creeps up in me from
time to time. What is my worry?
It may sound dumb, but my worry is that I will never
be a famous pastor.
I will never write books or be asked
to speak at Youth Specialties or have a podcast anyone
besides my Mom downloads.
It sounds dumb, but I seriously spend time worrying about this.
Tonight, as students were meeting with God all around me
I finally dealt with this worry and surrendered it to God.
So tonight, January 30, 2008...I quit worrying about
ever being popular or famous as a Pastor.
What a relief.
200 bills and change
Okay folks here is the deal.I am pushing 200 pounds (208 pounds to be exact)
and it is down right time to come down
from the glorious mountain
of super size sodas and tri-weekly Del Taco runs:
Here are my options:
1. Eat right and exercise daily
2. Go on a "fast" for spiritual reasons
3. Southbeach, Atkins, low carb, phen-phen heartattack diet
4. Watch the documentary Super Size Me every night for a month
Yesterday afternoon I was considering option 3
so I cruised through Barnes and Noble
and read through some diet fad books.
Do you know that the diet book section at the Noble
takes up 2 entire rows?
Nothing caught my attention so
then I began to think through option 2.
I would like to practice option 2 on a more consistent basis,
but at this point it doesn't seem totally legit
to pursue this option until I can do it solely for spiritual discipline reasons.
Option 4 is interesting, but with a newborn in the house
still adjusting to night time hours,
I tend to fall asleep watching any movie that we put in past 6:45pm.
So sadly, I have arrived at option 1.
It is the most work, the slowest and by far the most time consuming.
But people, it is time to do it.
Who is with me?
Does this mean I can come over for a BBQ sometime?
One of my heroes as a Pastor is Mark Driscoll,
the founding Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA.
He isn't the perfect leader and I don't agree with everything
he says but he loves Jesus and is a gifted Bible teacher.
I podcast and listen to his sermons every week.
I am so inspired to follow Jesus after I listen to him preach.
So it was with much excitement that I opened my Facebook account yesterday
and saw this:
Mark Driscoll has accepted your friend request.8:10am
So cool!
the founding Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA.
He isn't the perfect leader and I don't agree with everythinghe says but he loves Jesus and is a gifted Bible teacher.
I podcast and listen to his sermons every week.
I am so inspired to follow Jesus after I listen to him preach.
So it was with much excitement that I opened my Facebook account yesterday
and saw this:
Mark Driscoll has accepted your friend request.8:10am
So cool!
I'm still wrestling
Last Fall we took the High School students at
Calvary through the Old Testament book of Ezekiel on Sunday mornings.
I loved it. The book of Ezekiel absolutely rocked me
as I saw God's grace revealed like never before.
This semester me and the high school staff wanted
to take the students through a completely different style
of book than Ezekiel, so we selected the New Testament book
of James.
3 Weeks ago I taught on James Chapter 1, verses 2-4.
The big idea of the passage seems to be,
Trials in Life + Perservering in your Faith in Jesus = Spiritual Growth
This passage was a diffucult one to give to high school students
and I really wrestled with the verses the week I taught on it.
But here is the weird/interesting thing,
3 weeks later the passage keeps coming to my mind.
I must have thought about it a dozen times over the last 2 days.
I wonder what God is preparing me for?
I'm nervous.
Here is the passage for you to read for yourself:
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Calvary through the Old Testament book of Ezekiel on Sunday mornings.
I loved it. The book of Ezekiel absolutely rocked me
as I saw God's grace revealed like never before.
This semester me and the high school staff wanted
to take the students through a completely different style
of book than Ezekiel, so we selected the New Testament book
of James.
3 Weeks ago I taught on James Chapter 1, verses 2-4.
The big idea of the passage seems to be,
Trials in Life + Perservering in your Faith in Jesus = Spiritual Growth
This passage was a diffucult one to give to high school students
and I really wrestled with the verses the week I taught on it.
But here is the weird/interesting thing,
3 weeks later the passage keeps coming to my mind.
I must have thought about it a dozen times over the last 2 days.
I wonder what God is preparing me for?
I'm nervous.
Here is the passage for you to read for yourself:
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
(this box found a few years ago is thought by some to have contained the bones of James, the author of the New Testament book, James)
Call it a comeback...(sorta of)
You may remember what 
transpired a few weeks ago
in what I refer to as the "Christmas Accident"
Here is the update as of January 23rd:
Everything is back to normal
but is it just me or has that bald spot on top begin to enlarge ?
An Ordinary Tuesday
Today was an average Tuesday for me.
But for my friends Randy and Susan, today was huge as they found
out this morning if the courts in Ethiopia would approve their international
adoption.
Today may be just an regular day for you
but for my friend Joan, this is one of the first Tuesdays alone
since her husband passed away of cancer.
Today is just a normal day for many
but for my friends Kevin and Rachel
today was huge as they prayed that the
invitro fertilization procedure from yesterday
would be sucessful.
It is interesting to think
that on the most significant days
of our lives,
others around us live in the ordinary.
I pray that as a follower of Jesus,
I will be compassionate and sensitive
to those around me who are living significant
moments in the midst of my ordinary day.
But for my friends Randy and Susan, today was huge as they found
out this morning if the courts in Ethiopia would approve their international
adoption.
Today may be just an regular day for you
but for my friend Joan, this is one of the first Tuesdays alone
since her husband passed away of cancer.
Today is just a normal day for many
but for my friends Kevin and Rachel
today was huge as they prayed that the
invitro fertilization procedure from yesterday
would be sucessful.
It is interesting to think
that on the most significant days
of our lives,
others around us live in the ordinary.
I pray that as a follower of Jesus,
I will be compassionate and sensitive
to those around me who are living significant
moments in the midst of my ordinary day.
How Starbucks Saved my Life
I know it has been said before
but it is so true,
the North American church
could learn alot from Starbucks
about how to treat people.
Michael's Gates Gill's story of life transformation is
th subject of a new Tom Hanks movie coming out soon.
but it is so true,
the North American church
could learn alot from Starbucks
about how to treat people.
Michael's Gates Gill's story of life transformation is
th subject of a new Tom Hanks movie coming out soon.
Be Careful
Last night at our Wednesday night
As the Dad was telling me this,
high school gathering, I ran into a Dad
of one of our High School students
who told me his son (who is a sophomore)
is interested in being a part of our
Summer overseas missions trip this coming August.
As the Dad was telling me this,I was thinking to myself,
'there is no way his son is spiritually mature enough
to go on an overseas Missions trip.
I would never take him.'
I was just about to honestly tell this Dad
this, when something inside me (the Holy Spirit!)
kept me quiet.
Our youth group is big enough
that I don't get the chance to talk to every student
at our mid-week gathering,
and it had been some time since I had
talked with or seen this particular student.
Here is the point:
Last night, I looked over at this
'immature student'
during the message and
to my shock he was following the sermon with his Bible open
and was get this...taking notes!
It turns out, God is doing some cool
things in his life.
I felt convicted for judging him earlier.
My Current Prayer as a Youth Pastor
"Thank you for the amazing things
you are doing in our group right now.
Thank you that you never give up on any of us.
Thank you that through your power
students do grow in their desire and thirst for you.
Forgive me for writing off students who disappoint me.
God, give me the ability
to never assign students to unchangeable categories.
Help me to see students through eyes
of compassion, not judgement.
Amen."
Culture Watch:Orange County
The Huntington Beach school districtis in the news for taking a stand
on allowing Rated R movies
to be seen in school classrooms.
Interesting culture/moral battle going on
with this decision.
I am shocked at some of the movies
students tell me they are allowed to watch when they have a sub
or it is the end of the semester.
It sounds like the school board is going to allow
movies like "Saving Private Ryan" and
"Schindler's List" to still be shown because
of historical/educational reasons.
(sorry Tim, you will have to leave your Hairspray DVD at home)
Inspiration
My right ankle has been so sore this week.
I broke it last summer attempting
to "drop in" on a skateboard ramp.
It's been 7 months and it is frustrating
to still be dealing with it.
I feel old.
But this guy gives me hope...
Have you heard of this guy?
No, this is not that weird doctor who is always on Oprah. This is NT (Tom) Wright.
His name keeps coming up in so many
of the theological nerd conversations
I have with friends.
His name keeps coming up in so many
of the theological nerd conversations
I have with friends.
Have you heard of him?
He taught at Oxford and Cambridge
much like CS Lewis did.
In fact many people compare
him to Lewis because of the English connection
and Wright's outstanding writing abilities.
NT Wright is currently the Bishop of Durham
and one of the most respected New Testament scholars around.
My goal for 2008 is to read as many NT Wright
books as I can get my hands on. (He has written 30 books).
Here is a website where you can download
tons of NT Wright articles for free.
Theological Nerd Disclaimer: One of my heroes John Piper says Wright is shaky on his theology of justification by faith alone. Read Piper's comments here
He taught at Oxford and Cambridge
much like CS Lewis did.
In fact many people compare
him to Lewis because of the English connection
and Wright's outstanding writing abilities.
NT Wright is currently the Bishop of Durham
and one of the most respected New Testament scholars around.
My goal for 2008 is to read as many NT Wright
books as I can get my hands on. (He has written 30 books).
Here is a website where you can download
tons of NT Wright articles for free.
Theological Nerd Disclaimer: One of my heroes John Piper says Wright is shaky on his theology of justification by faith alone. Read Piper's comments here
I have a brief panic attack every night at 9:40pm
It happened again tonight.
It happens most nights.
At 9:40pm, I am usually minding my
own business...
when out of no where
I here explosions going off somewhere
in the distance.
Each night, for a brief moment, for just a second
my heart skips as I think to myself, "Is this it?
Is Orange County getting bombed?
Then I come to my senses
and realize the time...9:40pm.
Disneyland Fireworks.
Living 3 miles from Disneyland honestly
doesn't come with many advantages...
except for knowing that each night
I will know when the clock hits 9:40pm.
Thanks Disney.
So odd yet so interesting
Carlos Whittaker, one of the creative geniuses at Andy Stanley's
church in Atlanta suggested a great/weird/funny/strange website to check out:
It is called FOUND....click here to go there.
It is a site where people send it photos of other people's stuff
they find in their daily lives.
Here is the site's tagline:
We collect FOUND stuff: love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, telephone bills, doodles - anything that gives a glimpse into someone else's life.
Our culture is living in such an interesting era, where looking into someone else's life, even if they are a stranger, is far more interesting than looking into our own. I wonder what future sociologist's will say about our current culture of Facebook, reality TV and celebrity public meltdowns.
church in Atlanta suggested a great/weird/funny/strange website to check out:
It is called FOUND....click here to go there.
It is a site where people send it photos of other people's stuff
they find in their daily lives.
Here is the site's tagline:
We collect FOUND stuff: love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, telephone bills, doodles - anything that gives a glimpse into someone else's life.
Our culture is living in such an interesting era, where looking into someone else's life, even if they are a stranger, is far more interesting than looking into our own. I wonder what future sociologist's will say about our current culture of Facebook, reality TV and celebrity public meltdowns.
Walk the Line
The church I serve at, is located in such an interesting area.
We are next to the Interstate 5 freeway
which basically divides our suburbs from our inner city.
So to use a metaphor to describe another metaphor,
we "walk the line" dividing our city.
Here is a photo of the area.
I love our location.
We have the strategic opportunity
to attract a very diverse group of people.
We are just minutes
from the suburbs and the middle class population,
a short drive from the multi-million dollar estates of the hills
and only blocks away from the poorest neighborhoods in all
of California.
We as a church have such a rare opportunity
to be a "city on a hill" that shines the light of Jesus Christ
into all types of neighborhoods and peoples.
This unique opportunity does have its challenges however,
Tonight, after our high school gathering,
I had an intense conversation with an inner city high school student,
who is struggling with wanting to take revenge against a gang member
who killed his friend over Christmas break.
While we were talking, another high school student (a kid from the suburbs)
oblivious to our conversation, walked up and interupted
us to ask me if I knew the "cheat codes" to the
PS3 video game, Halo 3.
Such different worlds these 2 students live in!
Both 16 years old,
both followers of Jesus,
both members of our high school group,
one contemplating gang warfare,
the other comtemplating video game strategies.
I love being a Pastor.
We are next to the Interstate 5 freeway
which basically divides our suburbs from our inner city.
So to use a metaphor to describe another metaphor,
we "walk the line" dividing our city.
Here is a photo of the area.
I love our location.
We have the strategic opportunity
to attract a very diverse group of people.
We are just minutes
from the suburbs and the middle class population,
a short drive from the multi-million dollar estates of the hills
and only blocks away from the poorest neighborhoods in all
of California.
We as a church have such a rare opportunity
to be a "city on a hill" that shines the light of Jesus Christ
into all types of neighborhoods and peoples.
This unique opportunity does have its challenges however,
Tonight, after our high school gathering,
I had an intense conversation with an inner city high school student,
who is struggling with wanting to take revenge against a gang member
who killed his friend over Christmas break.
While we were talking, another high school student (a kid from the suburbs)
oblivious to our conversation, walked up and interupted
us to ask me if I knew the "cheat codes" to the
PS3 video game, Halo 3.
Such different worlds these 2 students live in!Both 16 years old,
both followers of Jesus,
both members of our high school group,
one contemplating gang warfare,
the other comtemplating video game strategies.
I love being a Pastor.
Wonderful Words
"From what are people being saved?That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The Bible, Romans 10:9
Not from visible warfare or barbarians but something
far greater: from their own sins, a work that had never
been possible to anyone before."
-John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, 4.7
The Annoucement (warning: This post has no pictures)
Yesterday was a bittersweet Sunday for me.
I told the Students of our High School Ministry
that I would be taking a new position in our church
at the end of this school year (June '08).
I was really nervous to make the announcement.
I feel so close to the students of our group
and I love being their Pastor.
I have been working in the high school ministry
at Calvary Church for nine years now and
do you know what?
I have loved youth ministry more than
ever this past year.
So that was the bitter part about my annoucement.
The sweet part is this:
I am so excited for the challenge of what the church leadership
and ultimately the Lord is calling me to do.
I have been given the task of starting a community outreach ministry
for Calvary Church and will have the title of Community Outreach Pastor.
I am so pumped to launch this new ministry and new season of our church.
Along with my role as the Community Outreach Pastor, I will shepherd
the weekly Young Adults gathering of our church.
I feel like God has uniquely wired me to thrive in these new roles,
but I must admit, I feel "rookie butterflies" about starting all over again.
Please pray for me Blog-friends,
as I prepare for new roles of ministry and finish well
in youth ministry.
I told the Students of our High School Ministry
that I would be taking a new position in our church
at the end of this school year (June '08).
I was really nervous to make the announcement.
I feel so close to the students of our group
and I love being their Pastor.
I have been working in the high school ministry
at Calvary Church for nine years now and
do you know what?
I have loved youth ministry more than
ever this past year.
So that was the bitter part about my annoucement.
The sweet part is this:
I am so excited for the challenge of what the church leadership
and ultimately the Lord is calling me to do.
I have been given the task of starting a community outreach ministry
for Calvary Church and will have the title of Community Outreach Pastor.
I am so pumped to launch this new ministry and new season of our church.
Along with my role as the Community Outreach Pastor, I will shepherd
the weekly Young Adults gathering of our church.
I feel like God has uniquely wired me to thrive in these new roles,
but I must admit, I feel "rookie butterflies" about starting all over again.
Please pray for me Blog-friends,
as I prepare for new roles of ministry and finish well
in youth ministry.
The War in Iraq became more real to me today...
I had the priviledge of praying with another local Orange County Pastor today.
Nothing immediately interesting about this until
I tell you why I met and prayed with my Pastor friend today.
He leaves for Kuwait and Iraq next week.
His name is Frank Riley, he is the pastor at
the chuch, River 47, and is a reserve chaplain for
the Marines.
In October, he was called into active duty
to serve in combat zones for the next year.
He is leaving his wife, 2 kids, friends, family and church
in order to serve our country and provide spiritual encouragement
to the young men and women of the Marine corps.
Today, a few of us meet in Frank's office to pray for him,
his family and his church as he prepares for deployment.
Could you imagine being in Frank's shoes?
What would you be feeling?
Would you be scared?
Excited?
How would you feel about being gone for the next year?
From your Wife? Your kids? Your friends? Your church?
For an entire year.
My Prayer for my friend
"Lord, bring comfort to Frank, his wife and the kids.
When their hearts ache, bring encouragement.
When their minds worry, bring a calming peace.
When danger nears, provide protection.
Lord, protect the church as they continue on without their Pastor.
Rise up Godly leaders to lead.
Grow the church in their dependence on you.
Use Frank in the lives of the Marines he serves.
When spiritual hunger awakens, use Frank mightily.
When discouragement hits, use Frank to bring your joy.
When tradegy strikes, use Frank as your hands of comfort
In Jesus name, Amen."
Help me, my Blogger Friends
I have a number of questions I need answers to...
1. How long can I keep my outdoor Christmas lights on, before it is considered white trash?
2. We received a letter today from a prison inmate, which was mistakenly delivered to our address. Should I take the prison address on the outside of the envelope and write this inmate and tell him about who Jesus is to me, or should I simply return it to sender and not take any risks?
3. Should I put down a $100 non-refundable deposit to reserve spot for the September Disneyland half-marathon now as motivation to start running again or should I just start to run and wait to pay the non-refundable fee until I am in shape?
4. I have an arranged 1 unit course next semester at Talbot Seminary where I need to write 2 theology papers on any topic I select. What topics in theology should I pick?
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