God speaks through others to us. Sometimes however we hear what God has said and we don't want to accept it. Naturally we question it. We are clouded by what we had originally thought or what God was been saying to us. We don't take into account that God could in fact be speaking something new and different through someone into your life.
I recently read the story of Jesus walking on the water. Before Jesus identified himself to His disciples things were clouded. His disciples thought that it was a ghost on the water. They didn't understand, they were fearful, the story was unclear. But once His disciples recognized Jesus, things became clear and they could comprehend what was going on. Jesus clears up all.
This is the same when we find out something that just doesn't make sense to us. When God is speaking through someone to us, yet we initially don't want to hear it. We always presume that what we think is the right and what God has told us lately is always the most recent. That isn't always the case. If we just begin to look for Jesus within in the situation then things will become more clear to us. Jesus will clear the confusion and the heartache. He will comfort us especially when we cannot seem to understand it.
These lyrics really helped me in confusion,
"You make, all things work together for my good"
I find comfort in Jesus so once I find Jesus and try to look at where He is working within a situation it will bring peace to the area of uneasiness. There is also an underlying lesson about obedience. When someone shares with you what God has told them, you have to realize the amount that that person has trusted in Christ and being obedient to what they are being told. The ones who trust in the Lord in this way truly are the obedient ones.
"Our limitation is God's opportunity. When you get all the way to the end of your rope and there ain't nothin you can do, that's when God takes over." -Same Kind of Different as Me
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. -1 Thessalonians 2:8
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Busy
I stole this from someone.. I am not sure where they got it but here it is...
STRATEGIC MEETING
SATAN'S MEETING: (Read even if you're busy)
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
"We can't keep Christians from going to church."
"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."
"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour."
"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."
"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."
"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:
"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."
"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children."
"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives..."
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
"Give them headaches too! "
"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."
"That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."
"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. "
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."
"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work!"
"It will work!"
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
STRATEGIC MEETING
SATAN'S MEETING: (Read even if you're busy)
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
"We can't keep Christians from going to church."
"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."
"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour."
"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."
"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."
"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:
"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."
"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children."
"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives..."
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
"Give them headaches too! "
"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."
"That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."
"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. "
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."
"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work!"
"It will work!"
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Home and off again
Well my time at Malibu is over... for now. As my time concluded I got the feeling that it wouldn't be the last summer I would spend there. It was hard for me to find any other way to spend my summer then to be serving the Lord at Malibu. It was just so productive in so many ways. I'll keep you updated but I really feel like God is leading me in that direction and it already has me excited.
I literally got home yesterday and tomorrow I will be moving everything up to college. I feel like I spent maybe a total of 7 days at home for the summer.
Tonight I had the opportunity to chat with Jed and Noah. They wanted to hear about my experience and I wanted to hear about what went on in their lives these past 3 months. One thing we talked about that seems to really be reoccurring with me is the topic of risk taking. By risk I pretty much mean trust and when I mean trust I mean trust in the Lord. Jed shared a time this summer when he felt like God was really calling him to something but it ended up not working out.
Think about how often we are too worried about what God has put on our heart. As if we don't interpret what He said the right way. We are so afraid of failure because we think failure in what God told us to do is a bad thing and that others can look down upon. When in reality it could just be a big lesson that God has put together this whole time, to help you realize something else. Maybe at the time it didn't make sense but in the big picture God has laid out for us it was right on.
We always seem to have a "back up" plan for what God has in store for us. We Trust in that direction but we numerous back up plans just in case God's doesn't work out. Are we saying that God's plans aren't good enough for us? That we have to have God's back just in case He gets messy with us? Noah talked about how one day we will be in Heaven talking to God about it and it might go a little something like this...
You: Hey God. Did you see how I trusted in your plan?
God: Yeah and I appreciate the trust you had but what about the "back up plans" you had just in case I didn't pull through for you? You really didn't fully trust in that I would take care of you. You didn't lay it on the line knowing that if it wasn't exactly the way you had planned that I would somehow still take care of you.
We need to risk sometimes. We have to know that God has our back. He is the God of the Universe. The Beginning and End. It might not make sense or seem right in our eyes but in God's the plan is going exactly the way He wants it to.
In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
I literally got home yesterday and tomorrow I will be moving everything up to college. I feel like I spent maybe a total of 7 days at home for the summer.
Tonight I had the opportunity to chat with Jed and Noah. They wanted to hear about my experience and I wanted to hear about what went on in their lives these past 3 months. One thing we talked about that seems to really be reoccurring with me is the topic of risk taking. By risk I pretty much mean trust and when I mean trust I mean trust in the Lord. Jed shared a time this summer when he felt like God was really calling him to something but it ended up not working out.
Think about how often we are too worried about what God has put on our heart. As if we don't interpret what He said the right way. We are so afraid of failure because we think failure in what God told us to do is a bad thing and that others can look down upon. When in reality it could just be a big lesson that God has put together this whole time, to help you realize something else. Maybe at the time it didn't make sense but in the big picture God has laid out for us it was right on.
We always seem to have a "back up" plan for what God has in store for us. We Trust in that direction but we numerous back up plans just in case God's doesn't work out. Are we saying that God's plans aren't good enough for us? That we have to have God's back just in case He gets messy with us? Noah talked about how one day we will be in Heaven talking to God about it and it might go a little something like this...
You: Hey God. Did you see how I trusted in your plan?
God: Yeah and I appreciate the trust you had but what about the "back up plans" you had just in case I didn't pull through for you? You really didn't fully trust in that I would take care of you. You didn't lay it on the line knowing that if it wasn't exactly the way you had planned that I would somehow still take care of you.
We need to risk sometimes. We have to know that God has our back. He is the God of the Universe. The Beginning and End. It might not make sense or seem right in our eyes but in God's the plan is going exactly the way He wants it to.
In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Monday, August 9, 2010
question answer
It has been a while since I was last on here. I have been busy getting to know a new session as well as trying to spend as much time with the property staff and interns as I can. I am facing a dilemma. I only have 3 days left here. This place has become a second home to me. The people have become my community. My time here has ran by me without looking back. All I can do now is appreciate the last times I will have as well as cherish the memories.
Some of my favorite times for sure have been intern fun nights. Each week on day 3 we get to spend a nigh of fun with the fellow interns. Some of the past fun nights include an iron chef competition, kayak water polo, redneck games and playing hockey with the Beyond Malibu staff. It is in these times that we share smiles with each other. We get to purposely love on one another. Throughout the summer I have also had the great privilege to lead a Bible study day 5. It has definitely been on of my highlights. I love being able to share the gospel and my ideas with friends.
As the summer comes to a close I have to look forward to going to school. Though it seems like a downside there is much positive that is to come. At WSU we are starting our second year of college young life and I am excited to see what God has in store. I am also looking forward to staying with four awesome guys in a house off campus. The house is an amazing deal and I look forward to see how God uses it for His ministry.
For the past 18 mornings the guy interns and I have been getting up before breakfast and chomping on the Word. We generally get up at around 7. We are going through Psalm 119, 8 verses a day, for 22 days. The Psalm focuses on the law and how we need to meditate and delight in them. The point of the bible study isnt so much the scripture itself but rather the point of establishing a habit. Getting up every morning and starting it off with God's word and prayer. It might make me a little more tired but it has been an amazing way to start every day off.
"... who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Galatians 1:4
He has rescued us from our present evil age. As we stand in this age we are a light. Evil cannot touch us because of the will of our Father. I love the word rescued. It just rings so true to me. I look back to this summer and the things that God has blessed me with. I don't know where I would be if God hadn't rescued and taken hold of me and it just blows me away.
At the end of the week of our last camp Colton and I were asked to do a question and answer session for two girl cabins. The girls wrote down questions anonymously for us to look at and give them answers. Questions ranged from "What do you do when a guy doesn't text you back?" to "How important is sex to a guy?". It was a great time though. It gave Colton and I the opportunity to let them know what a Godly guy is like. It gave them the sense that there are guys who really do care for them.
From this session I drew one thing... these girls live in an evil age. The girls asked a lot of questions along the lines of looks and how much that meant to guys. I reassured them that the initial attraction does sometimes have to do with outward looks but a lot of "good" guys are looking far beyond that. I told them that as you get to know the irresistible qualities of a girl she becomes more and more beautiful in your eyes. It might sound cheesy but it is the truth to me. Overall the session was amazing and meant way more to those girls then to me.
Some of my favorite times for sure have been intern fun nights. Each week on day 3 we get to spend a nigh of fun with the fellow interns. Some of the past fun nights include an iron chef competition, kayak water polo, redneck games and playing hockey with the Beyond Malibu staff. It is in these times that we share smiles with each other. We get to purposely love on one another. Throughout the summer I have also had the great privilege to lead a Bible study day 5. It has definitely been on of my highlights. I love being able to share the gospel and my ideas with friends.
As the summer comes to a close I have to look forward to going to school. Though it seems like a downside there is much positive that is to come. At WSU we are starting our second year of college young life and I am excited to see what God has in store. I am also looking forward to staying with four awesome guys in a house off campus. The house is an amazing deal and I look forward to see how God uses it for His ministry.
For the past 18 mornings the guy interns and I have been getting up before breakfast and chomping on the Word. We generally get up at around 7. We are going through Psalm 119, 8 verses a day, for 22 days. The Psalm focuses on the law and how we need to meditate and delight in them. The point of the bible study isnt so much the scripture itself but rather the point of establishing a habit. Getting up every morning and starting it off with God's word and prayer. It might make me a little more tired but it has been an amazing way to start every day off.
"... who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Galatians 1:4
He has rescued us from our present evil age. As we stand in this age we are a light. Evil cannot touch us because of the will of our Father. I love the word rescued. It just rings so true to me. I look back to this summer and the things that God has blessed me with. I don't know where I would be if God hadn't rescued and taken hold of me and it just blows me away.
At the end of the week of our last camp Colton and I were asked to do a question and answer session for two girl cabins. The girls wrote down questions anonymously for us to look at and give them answers. Questions ranged from "What do you do when a guy doesn't text you back?" to "How important is sex to a guy?". It was a great time though. It gave Colton and I the opportunity to let them know what a Godly guy is like. It gave them the sense that there are guys who really do care for them.
From this session I drew one thing... these girls live in an evil age. The girls asked a lot of questions along the lines of looks and how much that meant to guys. I reassured them that the initial attraction does sometimes have to do with outward looks but a lot of "good" guys are looking far beyond that. I told them that as you get to know the irresistible qualities of a girl she becomes more and more beautiful in your eyes. It might sound cheesy but it is the truth to me. Overall the session was amazing and meant way more to those girls then to me.
Monday, July 12, 2010
A cool breeze
The Holy Spirit is something that we all have trouble to grasp. In our last intern/property staff bible study we talked a lot about the Holy Spirit. It got me thinking about what the Holy Spirit really meant in my life. I don't think I realize what an impact it has on me daily. I believe that Holy Spirit convicts me. It is that something deep within me that pushes me to do the "right" thing. I think the Holy Spirit is what has molded and continues to mold me into the person that God intended me to be.
It is hard for me to picture what the Spirit is. I think the best representation of the Spirit is the wind and water. It flows through things, makes things move and if you see it in action it most likely it isn't still.
One thing we have a problem with is the Spirit working inside us. It all comes back to that trust issue we have. We are selfish closed off beings. The Spirit will go into the areas in our lives that need work but we don't want to let it. We think "not that area.. that's that area that no one goes around". It all comes down to the willingness of us. Are we willing? In scripture, Jesus performs miracles on those who are willing..
It is hard for me to picture what the Spirit is. I think the best representation of the Spirit is the wind and water. It flows through things, makes things move and if you see it in action it most likely it isn't still.
One thing we have a problem with is the Spirit working inside us. It all comes back to that trust issue we have. We are selfish closed off beings. The Spirit will go into the areas in our lives that need work but we don't want to let it. We think "not that area.. that's that area that no one goes around". It all comes down to the willingness of us. Are we willing? In scripture, Jesus performs miracles on those who are willing..
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Mark 1:40-42
Let the Spirit inside us work miracles. So that we can we transformed in Christ.
Something that I have really been in awe over for a long time are clouds. They are massive yet light. I just can't get over them. They fascinate me. The beauty in them continues to remind me of the Lord. His creation. There is a quote from one of my favorite movies Forest Gump. It is when Forest is talking about the beauty of the sky.
"You couldn't tell where Earth stopped and Heaven began.." -Forest Gump
This quote is what I feel like when I am at Malibu. Even though I know deep down this doesn't even compare to the Heavens above.
The last couple weeks we have really had fun with our intern fun nights. Last week, we had an Iron Chef competition where we choose from certain food items that we had to use and just had to get creative. I had a stellar group that took on a lot of the cooking responsibility while I just watched and helped where I could.. long story short we didn't win but the food was outstanding. This week for fun night we played Kayak water polo. It was intense and quite the work out for me. After that we went caribing behind the boat. It was such a fun time. I love the times I get to spend with the other interns.
This is a song that I have really enjoyed listening to lately.. just wanted to tell y'all about it.
They say-
it is better to light a candle than to curse the dark
in the eyes of the youth
there are question marks
like freedom
freedom for the mind and soul,
we don't see them
see them for their worth at all,
that’s why we lead em
lead em to these wars
and what is it we feed em
feed em our impurities
and who it is we treat em
treat em like the enemy
humanity will need em
need em like the blood we spill
and we're freedom
freedom for the hearts we fill
we mislead em
they hunger for the love we give
but we cheat em
the guys beat him and all he wants
is his freedom,
so they defeat him,
whatever spirit he’s got
"beat him"
and they teach him
the rest of the world don’t need him
and he believes
in the disease that he’s heathen
Put up your fists if all you want is freedom
Put up your fists if all you want is -
(3rd verse) In the beginning - K'Naan
They say-
it is better to light a candle than to curse the dark
in the eyes of the youth
there are question marks
like freedom
freedom for the mind and soul,
we don't see them
see them for their worth at all,
that’s why we lead em
lead em to these wars
and what is it we feed em
feed em our impurities
and who it is we treat em
treat em like the enemy
humanity will need em
need em like the blood we spill
and we're freedom
freedom for the hearts we fill
we mislead em
they hunger for the love we give
but we cheat em
the guys beat him and all he wants
is his freedom,
so they defeat him,
whatever spirit he’s got
"beat him"
and they teach him
the rest of the world don’t need him
and he believes
in the disease that he’s heathen
Put up your fists if all you want is freedom
Put up your fists if all you want is -
(3rd verse) In the beginning - K'Naan
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Home and back again
So two week have gone by and a lot has went on..
I went home for about 6 days to enjoy a time with family and friends. It was strange leaving Malibu so suddenly. It was great being home though. When I come home from being away for so long my parents basically welcome me back like the protocol son. Feast after feast. While at home I was able to watch my brother play in the Washington State All-star game for football. I love football and enjoy watching my brother play. I also got to go boating, go to a movie, and went golfing. It was a solid time at home.
Once I got to Malibu I tracked the amount of miles a drove within this one week and I had driven over 1000 miles, this is not including the ferry or boat rides.
While away at home the rest of the interns had Christmas in June where they exchanged white elephant gifts and had a fancy dinner. It was a bummer missing it but I did get to leave behind a gift for the exchange, so that I could receive a gift in return. I decided to leave a free 15 minute back massage from yours truly in return I ended up getting the best gift there. I ended up getting a private plane ride with Bob Goff around the inlet. Bob is a neighbor of Malibu's and owns his own plane and multiple lodges. It was a great coming back gift.
When I got back to Malibu it was whole new group of personnel. When I had left Malibu the first session assignment team, summer staff and work crew all left as well. It was just strange coming into camp with things already running with all new people who I didn't know. It made me miss the first session instantly. I think it was because I connected with so many of the summer staffers and assignment team that I just felt really comfortable.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:9-12
These verses have so much to it. My favorite verse of this group is definitely verse 12. It makes so much sense in my mind. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is exactly how I see Christ daily. I see Him in others. While at Malibu everyone is sacrificing themselves for others and you can see Christ through them. But it isn't just through these actions that Christ is evident. It is through their simple smiles and joy. I personally believe that a smile brightens someones face. Just as when Moses' face was glowing when he saw God I also believe that smiles show Christ to me, because like it says in 12, God lives in us.
In verse 12 it also says how God love is made complete in us.. God's love is made complete in us!? How crazy is that?! We have the opportunity to be a part of a perfect love that God provides.. a perfect, complete, and unconditional love. Let God live in you.. be in love with our creator. Show the love that Christ showed you to those around you, to those who don't know Him. This love that you show them is God living in us, and it will shine through you.
I went home for about 6 days to enjoy a time with family and friends. It was strange leaving Malibu so suddenly. It was great being home though. When I come home from being away for so long my parents basically welcome me back like the protocol son. Feast after feast. While at home I was able to watch my brother play in the Washington State All-star game for football. I love football and enjoy watching my brother play. I also got to go boating, go to a movie, and went golfing. It was a solid time at home.
Once I got to Malibu I tracked the amount of miles a drove within this one week and I had driven over 1000 miles, this is not including the ferry or boat rides.
While away at home the rest of the interns had Christmas in June where they exchanged white elephant gifts and had a fancy dinner. It was a bummer missing it but I did get to leave behind a gift for the exchange, so that I could receive a gift in return. I decided to leave a free 15 minute back massage from yours truly in return I ended up getting the best gift there. I ended up getting a private plane ride with Bob Goff around the inlet. Bob is a neighbor of Malibu's and owns his own plane and multiple lodges. It was a great coming back gift.
When I got back to Malibu it was whole new group of personnel. When I had left Malibu the first session assignment team, summer staff and work crew all left as well. It was just strange coming into camp with things already running with all new people who I didn't know. It made me miss the first session instantly. I think it was because I connected with so many of the summer staffers and assignment team that I just felt really comfortable.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:9-12
These verses have so much to it. My favorite verse of this group is definitely verse 12. It makes so much sense in my mind. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is exactly how I see Christ daily. I see Him in others. While at Malibu everyone is sacrificing themselves for others and you can see Christ through them. But it isn't just through these actions that Christ is evident. It is through their simple smiles and joy. I personally believe that a smile brightens someones face. Just as when Moses' face was glowing when he saw God I also believe that smiles show Christ to me, because like it says in 12, God lives in us.
In verse 12 it also says how God love is made complete in us.. God's love is made complete in us!? How crazy is that?! We have the opportunity to be a part of a perfect love that God provides.. a perfect, complete, and unconditional love. Let God live in you.. be in love with our creator. Show the love that Christ showed you to those around you, to those who don't know Him. This love that you show them is God living in us, and it will shine through you.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Come and go
I watched the movie Invictus today. I thought it was a solid movie. It contained so much Truth. The way Nelson Madella acted as president during that movie had so many Biblical truths behind it. All I have to say is that you have to see it to know what I mean. There are too many things on here for me to even get started. It's funny though. God himself is in everything. In a movie such as this that really had nothing to do with Christ in my mind had everything to do with Him. There are plenty of quotes, songs, movies and just people who have nothing to do with Christ but to me the meaning behind what they represent is Christ in my eyes.
It is hard to see people come and go. This last week here with first session really makes me sad. They are a great group of people that I will miss tremendously. It is hard to believe that I will most likely never see a lot of them again. They will be only memories to me. And then before I know it there will be a new group, new faces and all with a unique new story of Jesus impacting their lives.
This week my hometown area was here with kids. There are 350 campers this week which is over capacity for Malibu so you can imagine the controlled chaos here at the BU. Tonight is the dance party and I am excited to see what goes down.
Say-so is time where I remember why I do what I do. When I see that group of kids stand up.. It almost brings me to tears. I see it as that moment they are rescued. That is a very powerful word in my book lately.. Rescued. Those kids were rescued from a life that no one will ever know about.. they are rescued to come and live in eternity. There is a celebration in Heaven for these kids.
It is hard to see people come and go. This last week here with first session really makes me sad. They are a great group of people that I will miss tremendously. It is hard to believe that I will most likely never see a lot of them again. They will be only memories to me. And then before I know it there will be a new group, new faces and all with a unique new story of Jesus impacting their lives.This week my hometown area was here with kids. There are 350 campers this week which is over capacity for Malibu so you can imagine the controlled chaos here at the BU. Tonight is the dance party and I am excited to see what goes down.
Say-so is time where I remember why I do what I do. When I see that group of kids stand up.. It almost brings me to tears. I see it as that moment they are rescued. That is a very powerful word in my book lately.. Rescued. Those kids were rescued from a life that no one will ever know about.. they are rescued to come and live in eternity. There is a celebration in Heaven for these kids.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
You just got served
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death
even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:2-8
If you don't understand what being humble is about after you read this then you probably will never understand. Making yourself less then the person next to you knowing you have power over them. Knowing that you could easily do without them yet you serve them. When do we ever consider ourselves nothing? Jesus made himself nothing when He had all the power in the world. It's something that is hard to grasp. Take on the nature of a servant today.. think of the person next you first not yours.. It is tough but it would be what Christ would do.. How cliche this sounds but "What would Jesus do?"
The goal is to be aware of the unseen things even as you live out your life in the visible world.
The first official week is over here and I love it. I really connect with them summer staff here. It definitely helps having 3 of them from school as well as Gary and Judy as the summer staff coordinators. Earlier this year I heard a sermon on what a blessing meant and what it is. Because of it I asked Gary if he would give me one. It then came to my mind that I hadn't been baptized yet and what a wonderful and unforgettable place it would be if I got to do it at Malibu. So hopefully before the session is over I will be able to get baptized.
It is strange but I already feel the sadness of the summer staff and work crew leaving. It will be a strange deal trying to connect with these groups and then see them basically walk away for who knows how long. But no matter what we are still connected. No matter how long the time in between seeing each other we don't forget one another. We are united in Christ and we can't be divided because of Him. It is that common love. The love that we all get to share for eternity. We are eternity bound.. get excited.
Amazing love,
How can it be
That you my God
Would die for me
Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
I come and lay my burdens down
Amazing Peace
No more to fear
My god my help
is evernear
Amazing grace
How the sweet the sound
I come and lay my burdens down
Amazing sight
No longer blind
You touched my eyes
New hope I find
Amazing grace
how sweet the sound
I come and lay my burdens down
Amazing life
Forget the grave
Jesus had died
My soul to save
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
I come and lay my burdens down
Amazing help
No more alone
New family
New heavenly home
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
I come and lay my burdens down
Amazing love
How can it be
That you my God
Would die for me
Amazing grace
how sweet the sound
I come and lay my burdens down
By Ryan Long
This song has been money for me to listen to with a couple of other songs that have been great to worship the Lord with.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Slower
Well the Summer Staff and Work Crew as well as our first camp and I really feel like I have something going on at all times. I feel like I have no time for the internet except to check it briefly between things. I love it though. Our ODC(outdoor crew) guys are great. I don't get to interact with them as much as I want but the time I have been with them, I love it. There attitudes to serve inspires to want to serve even more. It brings me back to when I was on work crew. Since the campies showed up as well things have become so much slower. Each day seems to be longer which opens up opportunities for more interactions with others.
God is changing me into a man. I strive to be a man after His own heart. This summer so far I feel like He is forming my character as well as my skills to be a man. A man to lead, a man to take care of his family, and a man chasing after Christ. There have been a couple times where I felt like I had crossed the line when poking fun at others and usually I just brush it off thinking that they could handle it because they knew I was joking but something inside me has pushed me into apologizing. Sitting down with the person and saying, "Hey, I know you knew I was joking but I just wanted to let you know I'm sorry and I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." It is like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. It is like I can't go on with my day unless I tell that person how I feel.
So I finished Crazy Love. What a great book. I recommend it to anyone who is looking into a challenging and convicting book. One of my favorite quotes from it is "Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers." I love this. It seems more common here then most places, especially for summer staff and work crew. You tell people that you are going to go and work your butt off for a month for no pay. You think they understand what serving means to you? Sure, I do get an honorarium for serving but does that change why I am here? In my mind it doesn't. I would do this for free in a second.
Crazy Love used this picture that I love to think about. You are swimming in a river against a current... if you don't swim against it you will never gain ground, but flow down the river and fall farther away. This is a picture of our relationship of Christ. WE have to chase after Christ with all of our hearts. If we don't.. if we stay complacent.. we fall slowly away from Him and the relationship He intended for us.
I am thinking of reading another book.. I haven't read any of C.S. Lewis so I might read Mere Christianity, but I am open for suggestions.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
This is a verse that I am trying to live out at the moment. Serving everyone.. that is my goal.
God is changing me into a man. I strive to be a man after His own heart. This summer so far I feel like He is forming my character as well as my skills to be a man. A man to lead, a man to take care of his family, and a man chasing after Christ. There have been a couple times where I felt like I had crossed the line when poking fun at others and usually I just brush it off thinking that they could handle it because they knew I was joking but something inside me has pushed me into apologizing. Sitting down with the person and saying, "Hey, I know you knew I was joking but I just wanted to let you know I'm sorry and I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." It is like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. It is like I can't go on with my day unless I tell that person how I feel.
So I finished Crazy Love. What a great book. I recommend it to anyone who is looking into a challenging and convicting book. One of my favorite quotes from it is "Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers." I love this. It seems more common here then most places, especially for summer staff and work crew. You tell people that you are going to go and work your butt off for a month for no pay. You think they understand what serving means to you? Sure, I do get an honorarium for serving but does that change why I am here? In my mind it doesn't. I would do this for free in a second.
Crazy Love used this picture that I love to think about. You are swimming in a river against a current... if you don't swim against it you will never gain ground, but flow down the river and fall farther away. This is a picture of our relationship of Christ. WE have to chase after Christ with all of our hearts. If we don't.. if we stay complacent.. we fall slowly away from Him and the relationship He intended for us.
I am thinking of reading another book.. I haven't read any of C.S. Lewis so I might read Mere Christianity, but I am open for suggestions.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
This is a verse that I am trying to live out at the moment. Serving everyone.. that is my goal.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Do Something
I love vanilla chi tea.. had it the other night and it looks like I finally found an alternative to hot chocolate when everyone else is having coffee. There is a lot of stuff going down here at camp. We just had discipleship weekend with over 300 campers which is the largest it has ever been. It was a great preview of what camp will be like once the sessions start up. This summer at Malibu we will pushing capacity so everyone here on the property is excited and amped up for what God has in store. The assignment team for first session arrives this week.. CRAZY
Reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan has been great. It is a faith challenging book and already has me wanting to make myself more like Christ. One thing that I really wanted to share with you about Crazy Love was in Chapter 5 called Serving Leftovers to a Holy God. The chapter was essentially about how Christ wants all of you.. He doesn't want only parts. Look at it from His perspective.. He has made everything that you have or will ever want but you will only give part of yourself? It just doesn't make sense. Think of it this way, when you get a token "Thank you" or compliment you but you know the person doesn't truly mean it. I mean wouldn't you rather just have that person not say anything at all? God is that way. He doesn't want a courtesy prayer or for Him to be something on the check list. He wants to be the entire check list, He wants to be everything to you.
One of the things Francis Chan has you do is take the scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which says
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. it does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoings, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all thing, hopes all things, endures all things..."
Now take this passage and replace the word Love with your name because God calls us to represent love to the world.
Brad is patient and kind; Brad does not envy or boast; he is not arrogant or rude. he does not insist on his own way; he is not irritable or resentful; he does not rejoice at wrongdoings, but rejoices with the truth. Brad bears all things, believes all thing, hopes all things, endures all things...
I don't know I thought it was really cool and thought you guys would enjoy doing this exercise as I did. I know I haven't lived up to this yet but I know that I can... Love each other because that's what is all about. Serve one another. Your love for Christ will show.
Twice this week I have heard someone say that the poor are better off with Christ then we are. I was in the doctors office thing here at camp and he told us that Africa will be the center of Christianity by 2020 because they don't have anything so all they can do is focus on God and read his word. By living without the safety net we have to depend on God to get us through those tough times and if we don't suffer those times do we truly know the power or love of Christ?
Here at camp we consider our staff one big team. One team with one goal and that is to serve kids and prepare a camp to help show the love of Christ. We were each chosen because we were the cream of the crop. We were chosen for our abilities. I came across a verse today which I thought represented exactly what us interns are here for.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10
Reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan has been great. It is a faith challenging book and already has me wanting to make myself more like Christ. One thing that I really wanted to share with you about Crazy Love was in Chapter 5 called Serving Leftovers to a Holy God. The chapter was essentially about how Christ wants all of you.. He doesn't want only parts. Look at it from His perspective.. He has made everything that you have or will ever want but you will only give part of yourself? It just doesn't make sense. Think of it this way, when you get a token "Thank you" or compliment you but you know the person doesn't truly mean it. I mean wouldn't you rather just have that person not say anything at all? God is that way. He doesn't want a courtesy prayer or for Him to be something on the check list. He wants to be the entire check list, He wants to be everything to you.
One of the things Francis Chan has you do is take the scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which says
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. it does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoings, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all thing, hopes all things, endures all things..."
Now take this passage and replace the word Love with your name because God calls us to represent love to the world.
Brad is patient and kind; Brad does not envy or boast; he is not arrogant or rude. he does not insist on his own way; he is not irritable or resentful; he does not rejoice at wrongdoings, but rejoices with the truth. Brad bears all things, believes all thing, hopes all things, endures all things...
I don't know I thought it was really cool and thought you guys would enjoy doing this exercise as I did. I know I haven't lived up to this yet but I know that I can... Love each other because that's what is all about. Serve one another. Your love for Christ will show.
Twice this week I have heard someone say that the poor are better off with Christ then we are. I was in the doctors office thing here at camp and he told us that Africa will be the center of Christianity by 2020 because they don't have anything so all they can do is focus on God and read his word. By living without the safety net we have to depend on God to get us through those tough times and if we don't suffer those times do we truly know the power or love of Christ?
Here at camp we consider our staff one big team. One team with one goal and that is to serve kids and prepare a camp to help show the love of Christ. We were each chosen because we were the cream of the crop. We were chosen for our abilities. I came across a verse today which I thought represented exactly what us interns are here for.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Call me wayne
So this last week has been great. A lot of thinking and a lot of alone time with Christ. We didn't have a camp here at all so all of us here on the property just did random tasks and projects to help prepare for first session to arrive. This past week I have basically done everything there is to do at camp as far as jobs. For landscape/maintenance I did the usual fix-it stuff, watered flowers, dug a ditch, and mowed some grass. I helped out in the kitchen with helping with food preparation but also doing the pits every night for cleaning up for the day. In the house keeping department I went through and helped clean up Kenata(brand new assignment team housing) for the Pastor's camp that just arrived yesterday. I would also say I was a little a part of the harbor team as I learned how to drive the lifetimer boats and the HURRICANE! Let's just say I am a natural. Emily one of my fellow interns told me I was the best driver she has ever taught so that was super cool.
These thoughts are gonna be random order and just things that have been going on this week and such...
-bioluminescence in the water here at Malibu is so cool. So when it is night the water literally sparkles from this algae that is somehow reacts creating almost like a lightening bugs in the water.
-Sitting on docks and just sitting there at night is what it is all about.. nuff said
-Started reading Crazy Love(a book).. so far it is really interesting
-Psalm 19:1-4
-So here at Malibu it is tradition that every week the interns/property staff take on the summer staff in hockey. Lately we have been able to play a little. The first week I played goalie and surprised everyone including me, my guess is that is was mostly from being a catcher in baseball. Yesterday when we played i decided that i wanted to run around and play, and apparently I am Wayne Gretzky. I had a hat trick(3 goals) and an assist. Lets just say I am looking forward to hockey this summer.
-Geese are the devil.. they poop on our yards and won't go away.. Campers please come soon so the geese will perish. I was on poop patrol with colton and pip yesterday
-All the guy interns here are great.. we seriously feed off of each others humor and we just laugh and have a good time every night
-Climbed up inspiration point twice this week. It is a view point of the whole camp and it is beautiful.
God has called me to this place. I know that I am supposed to be here rather than anywhere else. It is weird how God works and the way he works through others. The bonds that I have gained already through this experience are ones that will be hard to break. I was sitting on the dock with Colton just having a chat about life when I realized that him and I are so close yet I barely know a thing about his life. It doesn't take much for two people to bond when the only commonality that you know is your love for Christ.
To fear God.. this is something that I don't think I have thought of that seriously. I have always thought of God as a buddy.. something safe when the realization is that He is everything but safe. He is gonna make you risk some things. He is going to challenge you. He might make you go where you would never want to go. What does it mean to fear? God is big.. TOO BIG for us to even think about comprehending. He has created things more massive and beyond us, yet he cares and loves us more than anything else. His POWER is unlimited. Why fear him? Because he is POWER. Let this fear drive you.
Looking at these mountains and the creation that God has blessed me with brings me back to something my friend Zac Slay once said. He said look at those mountains.. wow aren't they beautiful? Whats more beautiful then those mountains? And really at this point you really don't know how to answer it but the answer is you. Jesus didn't come down from heaven to die for those mountains.. He came for you.. because He loves you. You could wake up tomorrow.. lose your belief, curse God, run away and commit unspeakable crimes but guess what God still loves you. You could wake up everyday seeking God's face by prayer and getting into the word and doing "good" things but it doesnt matter because Christ loves you the same. His love is constant.. limitless.. and patient. It is all up to you to realize the love He has for you because whether you believe it or not, it has been there all along, it just took you some time to find it.
Just remember you are LOVED
These thoughts are gonna be random order and just things that have been going on this week and such...
-bioluminescence in the water here at Malibu is so cool. So when it is night the water literally sparkles from this algae that is somehow reacts creating almost like a lightening bugs in the water.
-Sitting on docks and just sitting there at night is what it is all about.. nuff said
-Started reading Crazy Love(a book).. so far it is really interesting
-Psalm 19:1-4
-So here at Malibu it is tradition that every week the interns/property staff take on the summer staff in hockey. Lately we have been able to play a little. The first week I played goalie and surprised everyone including me, my guess is that is was mostly from being a catcher in baseball. Yesterday when we played i decided that i wanted to run around and play, and apparently I am Wayne Gretzky. I had a hat trick(3 goals) and an assist. Lets just say I am looking forward to hockey this summer.
-Geese are the devil.. they poop on our yards and won't go away.. Campers please come soon so the geese will perish. I was on poop patrol with colton and pip yesterday
-All the guy interns here are great.. we seriously feed off of each others humor and we just laugh and have a good time every night
-Climbed up inspiration point twice this week. It is a view point of the whole camp and it is beautiful.
God has called me to this place. I know that I am supposed to be here rather than anywhere else. It is weird how God works and the way he works through others. The bonds that I have gained already through this experience are ones that will be hard to break. I was sitting on the dock with Colton just having a chat about life when I realized that him and I are so close yet I barely know a thing about his life. It doesn't take much for two people to bond when the only commonality that you know is your love for Christ.
To fear God.. this is something that I don't think I have thought of that seriously. I have always thought of God as a buddy.. something safe when the realization is that He is everything but safe. He is gonna make you risk some things. He is going to challenge you. He might make you go where you would never want to go. What does it mean to fear? God is big.. TOO BIG for us to even think about comprehending. He has created things more massive and beyond us, yet he cares and loves us more than anything else. His POWER is unlimited. Why fear him? Because he is POWER. Let this fear drive you.
Looking at these mountains and the creation that God has blessed me with brings me back to something my friend Zac Slay once said. He said look at those mountains.. wow aren't they beautiful? Whats more beautiful then those mountains? And really at this point you really don't know how to answer it but the answer is you. Jesus didn't come down from heaven to die for those mountains.. He came for you.. because He loves you. You could wake up tomorrow.. lose your belief, curse God, run away and commit unspeakable crimes but guess what God still loves you. You could wake up everyday seeking God's face by prayer and getting into the word and doing "good" things but it doesnt matter because Christ loves you the same. His love is constant.. limitless.. and patient. It is all up to you to realize the love He has for you because whether you believe it or not, it has been there all along, it just took you some time to find it.
Just remember you are LOVED
Monday, May 17, 2010
NEWS: From Malibu
Hey guys!
So after all I won't be able to update my blog near as much as I had hoped. It turns out that the Malibu internet isnt near as accessible as I had anticipated. So hopefully I will be able to update y'all weekly on my day off. Another bummer is they won't allow us to upload any pictures or videos so these blogs will seem pretty plain but I hope you all can still enjoy it. So let me catch you up on what is going on in my neck of the woods...
So the travel there was quite the process after all... Addie(another intern) and I traveled from Kennewick to Seattle on Sunday(5/9).. We ended up getting to Seattle much later than I had hoped and by the time I had dropped Addie off at her friends I was looking at arriving at Lauren Lavergne's house at 11 pm.. When arriving Lauren's family welcomed me with open arms.. they are the nicest people. Her father David then tried helping me figure out traveling details for the following day to get to Malibu. He helped tremendously.
The next morning I met up with Addie and we left Seattle around 7 am.. We got stopped at the border and had to get out of the car and get interviewed by the border patrol.. they probably asked us 30 times if we were getting paid this summer which we had to kind of lie and say that we weren't. Realistically we are getting gifted the money for our hard work.. we don't have wages so I would say we were just bending the truth a little.
Once we got across the border we ended up meeting up with some of the fellow interns at the first ferry. That is where I met Pip, Stephfan, and well I already knew Shawn. As we boarded the ferry, we sat around chatting with each other briefly about who we were and where we came from. As we got off the ferry we realized that we were gonna be pressed with time in arriving at Egmont, I instantly turned into a rally car driver. On the way there Addie and I listened to "Outsiders" by Needtobreathe probably around 6 times. We were rocking out! I was so excited.
At the Egmont landing I met other property staff such as Harold the main man in charge and of course another intern who i consider to pretty much to be on staff there and that is David Wood. David turns out to be a guy that both Noah and Kevin got to work with last summer and he is awesome. He is 27 but the age difference really isn't that bad.
When I arrive at Malibu I see my boss.. the man himself Gil! He is a bearded man kind of larger but with a kind of lighter voice that I recognized from my phone interview. I move into my room and Pip and I decided to share a room together. At our first meal I look around and realize that I am 1 of 15 total people at Malibu.. It was crazy.. But I LOVED it.
The first morning I wake up and watch as Pip a larger fellow tries to get off the top bunk.. He explains to me that it has always been tough for him to get off top bunks because he has bad ankles.. at this point we hear wood cracking and with a slight boom the bunk bed collapses.. Thank the Lord I wasn't under there.
I can't really describe my job totally to you yet because I am still trying to figure it out still. The first day I planted a bunch of flowers and watered, but since then I will go ahead and let you know everything I have learned:
After the mens camp left I was able to to just rest up a little bit and bond with the other interns. Last night we had a get together at one of the property staff guys house named Matt Sear. His family is darling and I love hanging with his kids. But anways, all of us interns got together and watched a movie and then had a super sick jam session. Colton the sound tech intern who came in with the the mens camp just jams on the guitar. I watched as he picked up and figured out how to play a bunch of songs including some needtobreathe. Colton and I have really started to bond a bunch already. We get along really well and laugh together.
Today on my day off I had a quiet time at the dock and just sat and took in the beauty that is here. This place never gets old to look at. I really believe that is a taste of heaven. I love it. After my quiet I saw with Colton and we just talked about life.. most specifically marriage and stuff it was cool. I am really excited for that the summer has in store. Praise the Lord for this opportunity. Well until I have time to write again.. Keep me in your prayers!
So after all I won't be able to update my blog near as much as I had hoped. It turns out that the Malibu internet isnt near as accessible as I had anticipated. So hopefully I will be able to update y'all weekly on my day off. Another bummer is they won't allow us to upload any pictures or videos so these blogs will seem pretty plain but I hope you all can still enjoy it. So let me catch you up on what is going on in my neck of the woods...
So the travel there was quite the process after all... Addie(another intern) and I traveled from Kennewick to Seattle on Sunday(5/9).. We ended up getting to Seattle much later than I had hoped and by the time I had dropped Addie off at her friends I was looking at arriving at Lauren Lavergne's house at 11 pm.. When arriving Lauren's family welcomed me with open arms.. they are the nicest people. Her father David then tried helping me figure out traveling details for the following day to get to Malibu. He helped tremendously.
The next morning I met up with Addie and we left Seattle around 7 am.. We got stopped at the border and had to get out of the car and get interviewed by the border patrol.. they probably asked us 30 times if we were getting paid this summer which we had to kind of lie and say that we weren't. Realistically we are getting gifted the money for our hard work.. we don't have wages so I would say we were just bending the truth a little.
Once we got across the border we ended up meeting up with some of the fellow interns at the first ferry. That is where I met Pip, Stephfan, and well I already knew Shawn. As we boarded the ferry, we sat around chatting with each other briefly about who we were and where we came from. As we got off the ferry we realized that we were gonna be pressed with time in arriving at Egmont, I instantly turned into a rally car driver. On the way there Addie and I listened to "Outsiders" by Needtobreathe probably around 6 times. We were rocking out! I was so excited.
At the Egmont landing I met other property staff such as Harold the main man in charge and of course another intern who i consider to pretty much to be on staff there and that is David Wood. David turns out to be a guy that both Noah and Kevin got to work with last summer and he is awesome. He is 27 but the age difference really isn't that bad.
When I arrive at Malibu I see my boss.. the man himself Gil! He is a bearded man kind of larger but with a kind of lighter voice that I recognized from my phone interview. I move into my room and Pip and I decided to share a room together. At our first meal I look around and realize that I am 1 of 15 total people at Malibu.. It was crazy.. But I LOVED it.
The first morning I wake up and watch as Pip a larger fellow tries to get off the top bunk.. He explains to me that it has always been tough for him to get off top bunks because he has bad ankles.. at this point we hear wood cracking and with a slight boom the bunk bed collapses.. Thank the Lord I wasn't under there.
I can't really describe my job totally to you yet because I am still trying to figure it out still. The first day I planted a bunch of flowers and watered, but since then I will go ahead and let you know everything I have learned:
- How to turn on the Hydro(powerhouse which runs camp), and how to turn on the emergency generators
- How to burn garbage with the incinerators
- Replaced a sink tap
- Replaced a bunch of light bulbs
- Worked on some showers
- Replaced a toilet
- And much more...
After the mens camp left I was able to to just rest up a little bit and bond with the other interns. Last night we had a get together at one of the property staff guys house named Matt Sear. His family is darling and I love hanging with his kids. But anways, all of us interns got together and watched a movie and then had a super sick jam session. Colton the sound tech intern who came in with the the mens camp just jams on the guitar. I watched as he picked up and figured out how to play a bunch of songs including some needtobreathe. Colton and I have really started to bond a bunch already. We get along really well and laugh together.
Today on my day off I had a quiet time at the dock and just sat and took in the beauty that is here. This place never gets old to look at. I really believe that is a taste of heaven. I love it. After my quiet I saw with Colton and we just talked about life.. most specifically marriage and stuff it was cool. I am really excited for that the summer has in store. Praise the Lord for this opportunity. Well until I have time to write again.. Keep me in your prayers!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
It has been a long time coming...
Wow.. I have really slacked when it comes to writing these past two weeks. I really have no excuse. Life has been up and then down lately. I got a unpaid internship called "Coug Guys and Gals". It is pretty sweet. I get some free Wazzu gear and a free sports pass. All I really do is on football and basketball game days I talk with boosters for the school, as well as future students about the athletic department. It is really cool and I am excited about it. I als
o interviewed for a job at the student rec center but ended up not getting it. It was a real bummer but the lady said she recommended me for another job position so I get another interview with them tomorrow.
This past weekend I got the chance to go on a camping trip with all the guys in the Nu House. It was a trip that was way over due. It was a great time of guy stuff. We sat around and camped in a Farrugut State park. It was great. Made all of our food on the fire and sat around and smoked some stogies and pipes while talking about Jesus. It was awesome.
Our last Young Life club was great. It ended with a bang! We had about 75 students there. I am really excited for what God has in store for next year. The excitement for next year is gonna make college young life huge! Here is a pic of some of us before club... How many Young Life leaders does it take to figure out a power point?
This last week I had some great times with Jesus. Over the camping trip we had about 30 minutes on our own and it was great. We talked about a trio of verses that I have read a bunch of times but I hadn't looked at them as much as I did that day.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. What good will it be for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul? Or what can you give in exchange for your soul?" Matthew 16:24-26
When it says deny yourself, it really makes me think of the areas in my life that I still hang on to, that I haven't given fully to God still. When God says take up your cross I think he wants us to think about what Jesus did for us and how he carried that cross for us. He wants us to be like Jesus and carry all the brokeness, and heartache and just give it up to him. God wants us to lose our lives for his sake. He wants us to give him love...
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
If we don't fully sacrifice ourselves to God as Jesus did for us, we will never experience what God really intends for us. We will never experience what Love and Life is.
Those three verses in Matthew are just filled with stuff that you can chew on for a while. The word is active and alive that is for sure!
o interviewed for a job at the student rec center but ended up not getting it. It was a real bummer but the lady said she recommended me for another job position so I get another interview with them tomorrow.This past weekend I got the chance to go on a camping trip with all the guys in the Nu House. It was a trip that was way over due. It was a great time of guy stuff. We sat around and camped in a Farrugut State park. It was great. Made all of our food on the fire and sat around and smoked some stogies and pipes while talking about Jesus. It was awesome.
Our last Young Life club was great. It ended with a bang! We had about 75 students there. I am really excited for what God has in store for next year. The excitement for next year is gonna make college young life huge! Here is a pic of some of us before club... How many Young Life leaders does it take to figure out a power point?
This last week I had some great times with Jesus. Over the camping trip we had about 30 minutes on our own and it was great. We talked about a trio of verses that I have read a bunch of times but I hadn't looked at them as much as I did that day.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. What good will it be for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul? Or what can you give in exchange for your soul?" Matthew 16:24-26
When it says deny yourself, it really makes me think of the areas in my life that I still hang on to, that I haven't given fully to God still. When God says take up your cross I think he wants us to think about what Jesus did for us and how he carried that cross for us. He wants us to be like Jesus and carry all the brokeness, and heartache and just give it up to him. God wants us to lose our lives for his sake. He wants us to give him love...
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
If we don't fully sacrifice ourselves to God as Jesus did for us, we will never experience what God really intends for us. We will never experience what Love and Life is.
Those three verses in Matthew are just filled with stuff that you can chew on for a while. The word is active and alive that is for sure!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
He is Risen!!
Easter was something that some people celebrate only once a year. What does Easter generally consist of? Once a year church visit, brunch, Easter egg baskets.. searching for eggs? a bunny? Easter is a celebration of what God did on the cross for us. It is a time for us to realize that Jesus not only died but also rose for us... for us. He died so that we could have eternal life.. not Easter life.. not temporary life.. eternal. Now that is something that deserves more than just a day of recognition, it deserves a lifetime.
This video has been something that I have gone back to a bunch lately. It reminds me of what Jesus was.. and is.. and is to come.
I have been able to read through the book Sex God by Rob Bell. I really like it. It is about the link between sexuality and Christianity. It is very interesting. In one of the chapters it talks about what love is. It says that love is a risk. Love is putting yourself out there not knowing what the response will be. God is risking His love for us everyday because God gave us a choice. He said we can either love Him back or not. Can you believe that heartache that God must feel everyday because of the way we betray and throw away His love. God gave His one and only Perfect son for us, and we just turn away.
In church the pastor mentioned how in the Bible it says that Light was made before the sun. Read it, its in Genesis. It made me think more into what light really is. Light is more than just what the sun gives off.. its something that we need. We literally receive vitamins from being in the light. The suicide rate in Seattle(always overcast, no light) is much higher than other areas because we need light. God made us to need light. But it doesn't stop there... the light is where God is. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. -Matthew 5:13. God wants us to be a light but also wants to be in His light. We can be a light to one another.
Sometimes the simple things make the most sense.
This video has been something that I have gone back to a bunch lately. It reminds me of what Jesus was.. and is.. and is to come.
I have been able to read through the book Sex God by Rob Bell. I really like it. It is about the link between sexuality and Christianity. It is very interesting. In one of the chapters it talks about what love is. It says that love is a risk. Love is putting yourself out there not knowing what the response will be. God is risking His love for us everyday because God gave us a choice. He said we can either love Him back or not. Can you believe that heartache that God must feel everyday because of the way we betray and throw away His love. God gave His one and only Perfect son for us, and we just turn away.
In church the pastor mentioned how in the Bible it says that Light was made before the sun. Read it, its in Genesis. It made me think more into what light really is. Light is more than just what the sun gives off.. its something that we need. We literally receive vitamins from being in the light. The suicide rate in Seattle(always overcast, no light) is much higher than other areas because we need light. God made us to need light. But it doesn't stop there... the light is where God is. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. -Matthew 5:13. God wants us to be a light but also wants to be in His light. We can be a light to one another.
Sometimes the simple things make the most sense.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wiped
So life as I know it has been a roller-coaster this last week. Last weekend was crazy busy but great. On Friday I got together with a bunch of guys and we had a man night. It was great just hanging with some guys and eating great food and playing some midnight frisbee. It was definitely a good night. The next night I actually went on a date dash. I kind of took one for the team because Andrew had a dat
e and needed a wing man. I went into it thinking it was going to be awkward but it ended up being awesome. I really enjoy getting my groove on.This week has been nuts. I had something every night until tonight. I had 3 exams this week and didn't know I was gonna do as bad as I did. I had two job interview type things this week as well. Last night there was club and it was great. We didn't have as many students as we wanted but the night was full of fun. Yesterday I was spending some time with Jesus reading through 1 John chapter 4. It really spoke to me. One of the verses that really stuck out to me was verse 18.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
In verse 16 it says that God is love. It makes me think. We are always afraid of love, and guess what.. most people are afraid of God too. Love comes from God. We are afraid of it all. So as I was thinking about how God is love I decided to take verse 18 and replace God with the word love.
"There is no fear in God. But our perfect God drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in God."
If we don't Trust in God, if we live in constant worry, we will never see what God has for our lives. If we don't live in love for each other and for God then we will never have a FULL life.
So, yesterday was april fools day and this is one of the pranks I pulled...
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Talk
So last night I had the honor to give the message at College Young Life Club. It was awesome. It went really well and I think I really got what God wanted me to say across. It would have been sweet to get more feedback from students in what they thought and I don't know just build conversation. One of things a definitely saw this week while preparing was the way prayer was working. I really don't know if I have prayed that much about something before. Not only was I praying but I was also asking others to pray for me whenever I got the opportunity. I know that because of bathing my talk in prayer it made it easy for me. God helped me come up with a focus that I was excited about and that would flow from me with ease and that is exactly what happened. I think by me lifting my message up it helped me understand that nothing could go wrong, that God was with me up there and I had nothing to worry about.
Tonight in my small group we focused on Matthew 11. I just want to highlight a part and share with you. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matthew 11:28-30. First I just want to explain to those of you who don't know what a yoke is.. that thing on those oxen's necks.
It says in that scripture that we must take up His yoke. Now when I first heard this I knew what yoke meant but I didn't realize totally what He meant by it, until tonight. When you are in a yoke, there are usually two so when I read "take up His yoke," I am on one side and God is on the other. If I take up His yoke I will learn from Him because He is right next to me. It says that His yoke is easy, and I think it is easy because He has control of it. He has control of the weight. It isn't on my shoulders but His. You're problems are no longer yours but His. You can see from the picture that these two oxen are stuck together, they can't go opposite ways. This is what God is representing here. If you take up His yoke you will be going in the direction that the Lord wants you to go. He has the lead and all you have to do is follow.
Tonight in my small group we focused on Matthew 11. I just want to highlight a part and share with you. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matthew 11:28-30. First I just want to explain to those of you who don't know what a yoke is.. that thing on those oxen's necks.
It says in that scripture that we must take up His yoke. Now when I first heard this I knew what yoke meant but I didn't realize totally what He meant by it, until tonight. When you are in a yoke, there are usually two so when I read "take up His yoke," I am on one side and God is on the other. If I take up His yoke I will learn from Him because He is right next to me. It says that His yoke is easy, and I think it is easy because He has control of it. He has control of the weight. It isn't on my shoulders but His. You're problems are no longer yours but His. You can see from the picture that these two oxen are stuck together, they can't go opposite ways. This is what God is representing here. If you take up His yoke you will be going in the direction that the Lord wants you to go. He has the lead and all you have to do is follow.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Holy Land
You know that feeling when you leave someplace you love? The empty stomach feeling, like you know you are missing it as soon as you leave? That's exactly what was happening to me today while I scaled my way out of Wildhorse Canyon(aka The Canyon, WaFaRa). I just spent a good 2 days in a place that I will never forget. The canyon will always have a special place in my heart. The best part of the mere 2 days that I was there was that I got to spend it with good friends that I don't get to see very often. These friendships are so special to me because God is the center of them. God intended us to share in relationships with others, sharing in the Love that He shows us everyday. He wants us to reciprocate that Love. I can't explain how these friendships grow so fast except that God is the reason why they happened.
While at the canyon I was able to share it with Andrew, one of my best friends. He had never been to Young Life camp before so while descending into the canyon I couldn't hold back my excitement for him. The first night the camp manager really said something that made sense. He said, "This is Holy ground. It isn't Holy because of the amount of money w
e have put into it, how cool it is, it's not holy because of the amount of work we do for it. It is Holy because every day during this summer leaders get show Christ's love to high schoolers". When I was leaving, it made me think more of this Holy ground. This ground is what God intended life to be. This is what God wants. There is a reason why I felt so uneasy in leaving. I was leaving a place, a world, in which God intended it to be like. God wanted us to all share our lives together with Him in the middle. That is why it is a Holy ground. You can feel the Love when you are there because it overflows.
This week I get the opportunity to share the message at our College Young Life club. I am so pumped. I am sharing John 8:1-11. My plan is to emphasize the Love that God has for us. I want the students to know that God knows us. He knows everything we do, or don't do and still doesn't condemn us. God's love is always flowing and that it has never stopped for us. God will Love us as much as He did yesterday, and the same as He will tomorrow no matter the circumstances. It is a unconditional love that won't stop. It will always be there. It is just up to us to see it. So hopefully the message and overall club will go well. Pray for me!
While at the canyon I was able to share it with Andrew, one of my best friends. He had never been to Young Life camp before so while descending into the canyon I couldn't hold back my excitement for him. The first night the camp manager really said something that made sense. He said, "This is Holy ground. It isn't Holy because of the amount of money w
e have put into it, how cool it is, it's not holy because of the amount of work we do for it. It is Holy because every day during this summer leaders get show Christ's love to high schoolers". When I was leaving, it made me think more of this Holy ground. This ground is what God intended life to be. This is what God wants. There is a reason why I felt so uneasy in leaving. I was leaving a place, a world, in which God intended it to be like. God wanted us to all share our lives together with Him in the middle. That is why it is a Holy ground. You can feel the Love when you are there because it overflows.This week I get the opportunity to share the message at our College Young Life club. I am so pumped. I am sharing John 8:1-11. My plan is to emphasize the Love that God has for us. I want the students to know that God knows us. He knows everything we do, or don't do and still doesn't condemn us. God's love is always flowing and that it has never stopped for us. God will Love us as much as He did yesterday, and the same as He will tomorrow no matter the circumstances. It is a unconditional love that won't stop. It will always be there. It is just up to us to see it. So hopefully the message and overall club will go well. Pray for me!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Name
So you are all probably wondering why exactly the name of my blog is the desperate flame.. and to be honest it actually sounds a bit flamboyant. Well it comes from the Phil Wickham song "Desire". In the song, one of the lyrics reads "Jesus if your loves the fuel, than I'm the desperate flame". And that is exactly what I want to happen with my walk. I want it to catch fire. Desire.. it's a funny word. We desire so much. We desire people, places and things, but do we ever really desire God. I believe that we will desire Jesus when it is convenient for us. We desire Him when we want something. Sure, God wants us to come to Him in our most troubled times but he also wants us to come to Him in our happiest times, in our "good" times. We keep God from areas in our lives. We lack that complete Trust in Him in everything we do because we think that we can handle it. God wants to be in every aspect of our lives, He doesn't want to be a fraction. "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." John 1:3. If God has created everything that is a part of you then why wouldn't you share it with Him? Why wouldn't you dwell in something that God has made good?
It comes down to the simple fact that we are all selfish beings. It all happened way back when, when Eve decided to be selfish and take a bite of that apple. She had options, she could have had God in every aspect in her life but instead wanted to be selfish and keep something to herself. So naturally we as human beings take on this selfish nature.. it is a nature of sin. The devil wants us to see ourselves as independent. Our society praises and preaches to be independent. But what God really wants is us to be dependent... not in worldly things like Eve once did but on Him. Be dependent on Him, He is the only constant that really exist. This is the desire that I want... I want to desire my God in every aspect of life.
It comes down to the simple fact that we are all selfish beings. It all happened way back when, when Eve decided to be selfish and take a bite of that apple. She had options, she could have had God in every aspect in her life but instead wanted to be selfish and keep something to herself. So naturally we as human beings take on this selfish nature.. it is a nature of sin. The devil wants us to see ourselves as independent. Our society praises and preaches to be independent. But what God really wants is us to be dependent... not in worldly things like Eve once did but on Him. Be dependent on Him, He is the only constant that really exist. This is the desire that I want... I want to desire my God in every aspect of life.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Perfect Family
I spend tonight learning about Kevin and his hidden gifts. Don't you love it when you see someone change overtime for the good? It is a privilege that God has given us fellowship and relationships with others. God has allowed us to bring each other to become "In Christ". Kev and I went ever more deeper tonight. He has been showing me everyday lately how God has been speaking to him. Through hearing Kev, he has given me the insight to realize how much my friends and brothers and sisters in Christ truly mean to me and who I have become.
You have probably heard... It is all about the relationship! Well it is but not only with God our Father but also with those around us. It is said in 1 John 4:12, "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." The perfect relationship is the one shared between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But this is not all God wanted. He wanted to share this perfect relationship with more than just Himself, so He created us. But it couldn't come that easy for God. He wanted His children to want to love Him. He wanted them to have a choice. So He, God, Yahweh, Elohim, Lord, Father, Daddy came to this Earth to reach out His perfect relationship so that we could experience it with Him. Jesus came to intersect His perfect world with our deeply broken one. He wanted us to share in this incomprehensible relationship. We are far from worthy of such a gift but it is given to us under no conditions. Will we take it? have we?
You have probably heard... It is all about the relationship! Well it is but not only with God our Father but also with those around us. It is said in 1 John 4:12, "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." The perfect relationship is the one shared between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But this is not all God wanted. He wanted to share this perfect relationship with more than just Himself, so He created us. But it couldn't come that easy for God. He wanted His children to want to love Him. He wanted them to have a choice. So He, God, Yahweh, Elohim, Lord, Father, Daddy came to this Earth to reach out His perfect relationship so that we could experience it with Him. Jesus came to intersect His perfect world with our deeply broken one. He wanted us to share in this incomprehensible relationship. We are far from worthy of such a gift but it is given to us under no conditions. Will we take it? have we?
God is in us all
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The on going question
I was sitting in a funeral today and all I could think about was my parents. As far as I know my parents don't know their Savior and therefore they will not be able to walk through the gates of heaven with me. How can I deal with this? How is it, that the hardest people for me to share my faith with is the ones closest to me? One of the coolest things to be a part of is to help bring someone to Christ but yet I shy away from talking to my very own family about it. We are selfish with our priceless Gift that Jesus has given us. I wonder why it is so hard. Jesus says in Matthew 10:35, "For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law' a man's enemies will be the members of his own household." Why must it be this way in so many of our lives? I pray everyday that my parents will see the light, yet the best I can do to show them it is through my actions? There has to be more for us to do, there has to be more that I can do.
After the funeral I was able to go out to dinner with just my parents at Anthony's. It was great food and conversation. Here is a view from where we ate.
After the funeral I was able to go out to dinner with just my parents at Anthony's. It was great food and conversation. Here is a view from where we ate.
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