Don't Waste Your Life: Back to the Basics

"Whatever you do, find your God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated passion of your life, and find your way to say it and live for it and die for it. And you will make a difference that lasts. You will not waste your life." - John Piper

Wake Me Up When September Ends

I find it ironic that today is "Green Day" & "It's not easy being green."

God is Love

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His Life." Romans 5:8-11

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My God ...

I just heard tonight that yesterday in New Delhi India M-Block Market was bombed. There have been reports of up to 30 Dead and 100 Injured.

"Today I went to M-Block Market." 05/08/2008 (India Journal)

Please take a moment to pray ... pray for the people of India. I know the first thought is, "How do I pray for these people I haven't met." Pray like this ... Pray like it was me who died in the bombing. Pray for the Muslim Extremists that The Lord would reveal himself to them like he revealed himself to Paul on the Damascus Road. That they would preach the gospel ... Please ... Pray for India ...

Shalom & Good Evening

Honestly I just really liked this picture ... I think Zack Pianko or Tyler Hoehne had a picture similar to this a long time ago - Hence the Inspiration:

I would write about myself right now ... but frankly I'm more interested in you. How are you Doing? ANd it's okay to be honest ... How are you Really doing?

I wish I had something profound and deep to say to match the picture: but I don't.

Fireman

Today I got the privilege to work at Walt Disney's Personal Ranch pretending to be a Fireman (Smoke Jumper). A smoke jumper is someone who apparently jumps into the middle of a forrest to fight forrest fires in more remote area's where there are no roads. I enjoyed hanging out with real firemen as well, asking them how they like their jobs among other things as well. Tomorrow, Lord Willing, I will be working, pretending to be a firemen again, but tomorrow there really are going to be fires ... "Controlled Fires" that is. I am extremely grateful to have worked today as it was the first time in about a month that I got the opportunity to do so, and Lord Willing am fortunate to be working tomorrow as well.

P.S. I'm the one all the way on the left.

Pray for Chris Martin

I just had one of the most interesting experiences. We camped out last night for tickets to Coldplay and watched them on the Jay Leno Show. We were about, what could be considered third row. Basically, I'm never going to see them that close in person ever again, The concert was free, awesome, exciting, enjoyadble, and I deeply enjoyed the fellowship with people from church and the interesting people we met in line last night and who stood next to us.

However in the midst of this ... something deeper was going on inside. Something not provoked by the music, or coldplay. As I sat there something grevious came over me.

Why don't I get that excited about JESUS! Why don't we camp out all night in eager expectation to see Jesus, to worship Jesus. How come I can sing loud and wholehearted at a Coldplay concert but when I go to church I'm often reserved ... almost ashamed.

In watching the concert, and Chris Martin was probably no more than 10 feet away from me if that, something inside of me almost wanted to cry out ... "Chris ... Jesus loves you ... and he will never stop loving you."

Chris, I enjoyed the concert. Thank you for the evening of camping out and spending it with friends. And if you get the chance simply pray that Jesus would reveal himself to Him & save Him to make disciples of all nations. It seems like an impossible prayer, but he's human and he needs Jesus like the rest of us. So even if it's a prayer as simple as, "Jesus, Save Chris." With man it's impossible, but with God all things are possible. So brothers and sisters if you read this tonight, pray that Jesus would transform Chris's life much like he appeared to the apostle Paul. Please - Pray - Geniunely pray for him and have your friends pray for him.

Death and all his friends.' - Follow Jesus & you will live. You also said, "I don't want to be a soldier
With the captain of some sinking ship." and Jesus said, "If you're not for me, you're against me." and as long as you're not for Him, unfortunately, whether you want to or not, you're only going to be the captain of some sinking ship.

The truth is, without Jesus we Waist our lives, "Without you It's a waste of time."

I feel like I have so much more to say, but I'll leave with this. I enjoyed the show. Chris I feel like I could hang out and talk to you all day, but ultimately you have to live your life based on truth ...

When Jesus was reinstating Peter after Peter had denied Jesus Christ 3 Times. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" - "Yes Lord you know I love you." & Jesus says, "Feed my Lambs, my sheep ... I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. Jesus said this to indicate the Kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then Jesus said to him, "Follow Me."

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them ... When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" - Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return (from Heaven), what is that to you? You must follow me."

-"I know Saint Peter will call my name." -
Will you answer the Call ...

Chris,
Jesus Loves You.

Warm Night ...

Last night, myself and many friends from church spent the night sleeping on the concrete city sidewalk. We're stayed up & camped out all night for free tickets to a cold play concert on the Tonight Show, with Jay Leno. Honestly, more so than seeing Coldplay, I was up last night, simply thankful for the friends I have. Because, show or no show, I enjoyed sleeping out on the sidewalk, looking up at the stars, listening to the quiet of the usually bustling and busy city. Listening to the silence of the trees, walking a couple blocks to pay a quarter to use a restroom, embararssing pictures that we took at 2:oo, reading under the city lights, being able to pray, and simply listening to the surroundings and soaking it in. Not a typical night that I get sleep on the city streets of L.A. Simple nights that remind you the beauty of shower, and the thankfulness of clean clothes. The subltety's of life that I often overlook.

Today, we're all paying the consequences of the late night - feeling sluggish, groggy, not carrying the same zeal as we did at midnight when we decided it was good idea, and yet we are still pushing on. It's funny because we're supposed to be super excited about seeing this band, however, if we're honest, I believe we're much more excited about sleeping on nice mattress - and sharing the experience with.

Listen to the silence of the night
Listen to the stars way up high
Listen Listen to the bright city lights
Litsten to your body begging to sleep

Listen - No Cars on the Street
Listen - As the Big city sleeps
Listen - as the trees wait for breeze
Listen ...

The Night That Was

Well, apparently someone pointed out to me that I had not updated my blog since June; so I thought I would take a brief moment to talk about my day. Brandon & Jordan came by and picked me up to go to Phillipe's in downtown to snag some amazing 9 cent coffee. That's Right NINE CENTS. We indulged and had three cups; of which is still keeping me going strong into the night and allowing me to write this letter. I also got the chance to enjoy the cool night by throwing the football with my roomate Parker and just talking about our weekends and things God is doing in our lives. It was a good night and it's nights like this that refresh and revive and renew you.

I also started a new book tonight called Organic Church by Neil Cole ... It's very good and is really forcing me to think a lot.

Lastly I just heard that my friend returned from India and was very inspired by Dr. Thom's words, "Don't live for too small of thing." Jordan pointed out that since I've been home I've been, "like a deer caught in the headlights." Needless to say I've had a hard time adjusting to being back in the states ... however Tyler's inspiration has left me with two very important questions I must ask myself and live by ... "What are you going to do now that you've returned from India." And will you undergo Thom's Challenge ... "Don't live for too small of thing." I haven't really made time to actively think on these things ... and now more than ever seems like the appropriate time to do so.

So Phillipe ... Thank you for nine cent coffee. You know how to make a poor man feel rich. But even then ... I say I'm poor and get into a very woe is me mentality - but even in my "poorness" by American Standards ... I still live like a king in comparison to the rest of the world ... So I am truly blessed. Until we meet again -

One Journey Ends; Another Begins

I made it one of my goals to write a little more. In India Zack Ewing wrote consistently on his blog and it really opened my eyes to the value of consistent writing, so here goes.

Today, I don't think I could've read more timely words from the Lord in Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." At this crazy transition time from graduating college, returning from India, moving to L.A. I don't think these words could be more alive. Couple that with the opening preface of John Piper's Don't Waist Your Life. It's a book I've turned to time and time again, and as I witnessed my roomate re-read this on the trip it struck me that I need to make time to visit one of the most impacting books I've ever read. The opening paragraph is all I could handle tonight.

"You would not have picked up this book if God were not at work in your life. If you are a Christian, you are not your own. Christ has bought you at the price of his own death. You now belong doubly to God: He made you, and he bought you. That means your life is not your own. It is Gods. Therefore, the Bible say, "Glorify God in your body." God made you for this. He bought you for this. This is the meaning of your life." - John Piper

So at a time when life is and has been very confusing reading words like, "This is the meaning of your life." and "You would not have picked up this book if God were not doing something in your life." and God's words, ""I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." - Simply Stated, Thank You, God continue to watch over me although I don't deserve it, I ask for your grace and mercy to be faithful and for you to be faithful to finish the good work you started in me

Thankful

Today I was sitting down in Wanda's at CBU getting ready to work on my final paper for I.S.P. when I heard a soft voice that sounded moderatly familiar. As I slowly looked up I noticed a recently familiar face and a sigh of relief as Malvicka sat down to talk to me about my trip to India.

Right before I left for India I met Malvicka during R.A. duties as she was locked out of her room. In the short time I talked to her she mentioned she was from India and she's here studying at CBU under the MFT program. I had nearly forget that I met her until she we started talking again. In all honesty I had forgotten her name but had not forgotten her face. I can not tell you how refreshing it was to be able to talk to someone who understands the insanity of the trip too India. She's the first person outside of our team that I've been able to sit down and have a conversation with and can laugh at Indian culture in a good and healthy way.

Simply laughing at rickshaw rides, and the countless times were I found myself saying, "I'm going to die." I don't think I said that more in my life than in rickshaws, taxi's, bus rides, crossing the street, being inside a hindu temple at the premier time of worship for them, you name it. Continuously God brought us through any and every worry in faithful fashion.

I can't tell you how much I've been waiting for a conversation of this nature since I've gotten home. I have been able to adequately put it into words or show people or tell people. It was just nice that she had been there, that she get's it and not much else needed to be said. Thank you, You Made My Day.

Panera Bread No Longer Serves Tomato Soup!

I want to meet the guy who takes tomato soup off the menu at panera bread.

It's been around since the begininng of time, and suddenly it's not good enough for you? What did he have a tramatizing experience eating spaghetti o's as a kid and suddenly the rest of the world has to pay because grandma wasn't paying attention and zapped the tomato soup for too long. Honestly how hard is it to make tomato soup? ANd don't try to butter me up with, "Do you want to try our new corn dog soup." No I don't, I don't want your corn nasty soup and try to make it all appealing by throwing the word "NEW" in front of it, New doesn't mean better - and marketing people need to find some other word to sell the products, because if that's the best they got, I ain't buying ever. So you need to go back to you're little round table of marketing and try something new.

But in all fairness, it made me be adventurous and try the baked potato soup: and that was good.

Oh - As you can probably tell, I'm back from India and will hopefully be writing more about it this week. Computer access there was a hot commodity so it was tough to write but I hope to write more about it now.

Finals - Finally Over

Light at the End of the Tunnel.


MMmmm ... Yess

The Board Walk ...

And here's the Board

My College Experience in a nutshell.

Bubble for your thoughts.

The Wheel's a Turnin

Daily Double

I know you need to be doing homework, me too, but I needed to breathe and be reminded of the beauty of God's Creation & how peaceful it is. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do, as much as God enjoys to bring beautiful sunsets and fill us with awe and wonder.

Take Me Away

Lets be honest. Your on my page right now to avoid homework, why do you think I got on? Anyway a close friend of mine told me to consider the Lilly's (Luke 12) so I did & I think you should too, then finish your homework.

Happy Birthday SiS

Alyssa - All I have to say is Happy Birthday. I didn't really have time to write a card or send you money, but I wanted to dedicate this post too you. I love you and I'm really proud of you. I"m glad your one of my sisters - Here's to you.

Picture

Favorite

Here are two of my favorite people ... I'll let the video speak for it's self.
The First one is called the figure 8 - the second is called the Siren. Enjoy.

ReCharged

I was fortunate enough to spend my spring break with my mom & my sister.  We did a lot in a short amount of time; we went to Huntington, Newport, Laguna, Santa Monica, FIDM, & the Griffith Observatory.  I will be posting pictures soon, but my batteries just died so I can't transfer the pictures at the moment.  Boo you Energizer ... I feel Deceived.

 

A Breather

I'm not going to lie, I wish I didn't have to do homework right now.  I needed a little break and these pictures were very refreshing to me, hopefully they will be to you as well.  I just wanted to let you know I will be working on trying to take more pictures of people around me that I love.  This is a new step for me because I typically take pictures of signs, and things I find symbolic.  I hope it will come together soon. 

 -Enjoy-  

P.S. Carson Thanks for the compliment 

Home Sweet Home

Here's a random snip-it of pictures that remind me of home. I hope you enjoy them as much as do.



My Nephew Brynton