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 -