Aaron C. Broadus

South Korea: Here We Come

2009-02-13T01:03:00.000-08:00

For those of you who do not know, On February 19th, 2009 I will be leaving to go to South Korea for 1 Year. I will be going with YBM Education, which is considered one of the top and most respected teaching english programs. It's been nearly a year long process as I started looking into organizations last March/April to teach english and am really Excited and Thankful to have a job and start working. The last six months sense graduating have been very humbling and confusing in many regards and am thankful to travel, experience a new culture and invite you guys on the journey. - acb

Don't Waste Your Life: Back to the Basics

2008-11-28T18:07:00.000-08:00

"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

2008-09-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

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

God is Love

2008-09-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

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

"

My God ...

2008-09-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-29T00:41:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-17T18:28:00.000-07:00

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 ...

2008-07-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-13T00:33:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-02T00:12:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-05-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-23T01:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-23T00:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

Favorite

2008-03-31T17:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-28T00:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

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

2008-03-01T13:47:00.000-08:00

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

Stepping Down

2008-02-29T15:40:00.000-08:00

I love you

2008-02-29T15:32:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about my dad today, and when I think about him I almost automatically think about horses. I heard recently that horses are often used in the rehibilitation of young kids who are hurting & that they are very theraputic. Dad, I love you - here's too you.

Simplicity

2008-02-27T23:53:00.002-08:00

Sometimes it's nice to be reminded of simplicity

2008-02-22T16:06:00.001-08:00

I found these in a group of my old photo's and wanted to publish something new. They are trees from my trip to Hawaii last summer, and I like them.

Psalm

2008-02-12T16:03:00.001-08:00

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet & a light unto my path

The Way I See It

2008-02-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

John Piper recently spoke on abortion. Some of the things he had to say hit me really hard, I've written a response to his letter that I will be posting soon. It's impacted me & humbled me as well. See for yourself. So this picture is a simple reminder of those who are forgetten about & never given the right to live.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2008/2582_Abortion_The_Innocent_Blood_of_Our_Sons_and_Daughters/
www.abort73.com

New Photo's

2008-02-01T20:51:00.000-08:00

Z BOT ... PUT THE CUBE IN MY CHEST

Not the gumdrop buttons ... (Shrek)

Really?

2008-02-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

I'm just trying to get back in the habit of writing & posting, that's all

Do Not Love the World

2007-09-11T23:25:00.000-07:00

(The word of God cuts to the heart)

I John 2:15

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and it's desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

I John 2:15

A Simple Verse; With Not So Simple Implications

2007-09-08T20:49:00.001-07:00

(Photo provided by a friend)

I John 2:6

"Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked"

- I John 2:6

WORDS of a Friend

2007-08-30T22:28:00.001-07:00

IN GOD, WHOSE WORD I PRAISE, IN THE LORD, WHOSE
WORD I PRAISE--IN GOD I TRUST; I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.
( PSALM 56:10-11 *NIV )

Dear you,
Even in today's World, there is no reason to be fearful of the
future with God by your side! For, GOD HAS SAID, "NEVER
WILL I LEAVE YOU; NEVER WILL I FORSAKE YOU."
SO WE SAY WITH CONFIDENCE, "THE LORD IS MY
HELPER; I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT CAN MAN DO
TO ME?" ( HEBREWS 13:5-6 )

After all what is fear but the opposite of faith! Therefore
fear is a tool which satan uses to undermine our faith in
God. For, WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO
PLEASE GOD, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO COMES TO
HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE
REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM.
( HEBREWS 11:6 ) Therefore God has said, MY
RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.
( HEBREWS 10:38 )

So you, do not be fearful of the future, or terrorists,
or anything else. Instead keep your faith strong for: THEN
NO HARM WILL BEFALL YOU, NO DISASTER WILL COME
NEAR YOUR TENT. FOR HE WILL COMMAND HIS
ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU IN ALL
YOUR WAYS. Amen ( PSALM 91:10-11 )
p.s. this was given to me.

Only His ACB psalms 37:4-5

School

2007-08-29T17:46:00.001-07:00

With school starting up I will be writing more ... so if you check this, it's just a heads up to let you know.

JAMES 2:22

You see that his faith and his (Abrahams) actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

Thoughts on the Future ... Imput wanted

2007-07-20T00:10:00.000-07:00

So I've been thinking a lot about the future and I just wanted to let people in on it. So I only have one more year of school (providing I graduate and such) but should I graduate this is what I'm thinking about:

Teaching History for Los Angeles School District: I like the idea of this for a few reasons: one the have a program that pays back a majority of your student loans, they give you 20% finances towards a masters, I could possibly start working right after school, summers off, and work with high schoolers. Cons - I think I have to sign a 4 year contract, and that's a lot of committment to me at the moment.

Teaching English Overseas - This is another option I've heavily considered. I figure I'll be done with school, I want to travel, this seems like it would be the time. I would have to take a course to get my certification - but once you're finished they help you find a job pretty much in any country. Pro's - International experience, they need english teachers, working with children, or high school, only a one year contract. Con's away from family, friends, and church - I don't really feel equiped to present the gospel overseas - not that I don't want to I just feel completely incapable of it at this time.

Staying on Campus - I could work as a graduate assistant and stay on campus. I could continue taking courses at CBU and likewise continue to pursue acting on the side. Pro's - Working and Investing in a group of guys trying to encourage them to become leaders and men of God. Con - Low salary? But it would be enough to help start putting a dent in student loans. I think, but I'm not sure, but I think they help you out with your masters

Getting a masters - I've thought about getting a masters in theology or philoshpy of religion at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (Biola) ... where I could do Grad assistant stuff there. I've thought about working campus crusade for christ at USC or another public university.

Acting - I could, over the course of the next year, push hard to get an agent and try to pursue acting. Honestly ... I don't know what God has for my life ... sometimes I think I'm called to be salt and light in the film industry ... other times I feel i'm just supposed to let that go and focus souly on His work of raising up disciples. Sometimes I think I really need to be more firm in the word before I come back to Hollywood and try to make an impact ... (which would be a long process) ... Somehow I feel like both of these fit together, but I just don't know how. Sometimes I feel like the Lord is calling me away from acting, other times I feel like it's exactly where I'm supposed to be. I don't know if it's just me trying to hang onto idol dreams, or it's what I'm "called" to do. I've been challenged a lot more recently to not seek my own glory, but to truly invest my life into drawing out the best in others and seek nothing but the Glory of God, but I find that hard to do by staying inside a christian bubble. I don't know what to think anymore. I felt like i've been following God's leading in my life at great cost, personal sacrifice, great risk ... all that's seemed to happen is coming up empty handed

The Aftermath

2007-07-16T22:18:00.000-07:00

It's been over a month since the wedding but I wanted to put a few pictures up anyways. Kevin, I miss you man, and I pray for you and Hailey and your marriage often. I hope you continue to follow God and be a man after his own heart and follow Him. Be the man that God want's you to be, which I think is exactly the man that you are becoming.

From the Front Lines

2007-07-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been posting more often. The place I'm living for the summer doesnt' have internet access so it has been difficult to do even little things and keep in contact with people. I wanted to take a moment to let everyone know what's going on. This summer I decided to live in L.A. - often times I wonder why I am even here, but I'm here none the less and will stick it out for another month and a half. My experience so far has been rewarding and very challenging. After i came back here in early june after Kevin's wedding I had the option of working a summer camp or living in L.A. - I thought L.A. would be more challening so that's what I went with. One of the things that really sealed it for me is the Church I've been apart of here called Reality L.A. (you can check it out online at realityla.com). I'm blessed to have roomates who attend USC and are solid followers of Christ. I have no doubt that God is going to use them in amazing ways on that campus during school time. When I moved in I had no job, and no way to pay for rent. Within three days I not only had job but was able to start working that week doing valet parking with one of my good buddy's from school. I can pretty much make my own schedule, and work has been really consistent. A week later I was able to get a lot of work as an extra or background actor. I've worked the t.v. Las Vegas for two - now going on three weeks. I've been working on it with a few people from church. It's been challening and good. We've been able to invite a few people to come check out the church. One guy, Christian, came and loved that it was solid bible preaching, loved the people, and said he is coming back for sure after he get's back from his mission trip from Ukraine with his church from back home. On set I've been doing a lot of reading, most of the time reading some sort of book about God or Jesus or Christian living, and people have just walked up and asked what I'm reading, and often times have opened up conversations about what people believe about God, and I've been able to share with them who Christ is (often times very inadequately, more like completely inadequately). A gay man, mark, who believes more in eastern practices of Budda and Hinduism ... He's extremely bright, but comes from a very broken background. I just pray that God would bring healing and that he would know it came from no one else except Jesus Christ. Continue to pray for the church here in L.A. as God is moving in awesome ways ... pray for unity among the body ... protection from the strong attacks of the enemy (something this good in L.A. won't slip by the enemy's attacks) ... maturity among believers ... annointing of the leadership and the use of the body to be blazing lights in the city of L.A. .... most of all I pray the chuch body will continue to be captured by our first love Jesus Christ ... to value Him above everything in our lives. Pray that the men of the church will be men of God, Bold, Courageous, standing up for what they believe in even at great costs. Pray that the church will be waken from any slumber to make the most of our time, money, resources, and talents, to be found good and faithful stewards of what God has given us. Pray for mending for a lot of people who come from broken backgrounds and all walks of life, knowing and believing that Jesus was sent to save the brokenhearted. God has been good, and continues to be good. Living here is opening me and my heart to a whole new kind of daily dependence on Him and I thank God for Jordan and his family, they've been such a blessing to me, I pray that God would bless them abundantly, because I cannot repay them for how good they've been. Another highlight was a girl by the name of Kelly, she works the valet service with us. One night Jordan was talking about how he's in school and going to graduate and get his teaching credential ... and she was really inspired to do that. You have to take a test before you can start substituting and then pass another test to be able to teach. I pray she will be continually inspired to press forward in this, as it seemed to strike a chord in her heart. Although I am currently poor and have almost nothing, God has been good, and I am abundantly rich and blessed by all he's doing. For me, pray for Courage to stand up for what I believe and a more solid foundation to stand on Christ - for spiritual maturity, and full assurance in Christ - That Christ be my satifaction. Pray that God would mold me into a man of God, courageous to stand up for what I believe in, Pray for work - I've been auditioning places with little success, pray for more opportunities, and God to continue to be faithful in blessing the work we've been doing ... more specifically I would love for some acting roles to open up, even if they're small or just auditions ... something continue to move forward and patients, lot's of patients, nothing ever happens quick enough for me. Honestly I think this is the closest thing to being a missionary in a foreign country ... just remember, wherever you are, you are a missionary there as well. Who is going to reach the people for Christ in your work place? If you are reading this and have grown lazy or stagnant just remember, Jesus is coming again, coming soon, I think it's time we wake from our slumbers and live to make Him known as the supreme satisfaction of our lives, it is a battle, but "The kingdom of heaven is taken by violent men" - Last thing I promise, That I would be joyful in all I do, and that God would give me a new heart to intimatley walk with Him, and to be a good steward of all the things he's placed in my life (something I feel I've done a terrible job of in the past). God Bless ... I love you and wish I could be with you, continue to perservere

More photo's of me in Hawaii

2007-05-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

A few more images from Hawaii

A Very Brief Taste

2007-05-13T00:09:00.000-07:00

This is a very brief look into a few sights of Hawaii, I have a lot more, but I'm on someone's computer and they only have a few of my pictures on here

I'm Off

2007-05-07T01:27:00.000-07:00

Well I guess it's time you guys should know ... I'm going overseas for a week ... but not out of the country. This morning at 5:15 A.M. I will be heading out for Hawaii. Why you ask? Good question. I am apart of a traveling drama group, we go out pretty much every weekend and perform a skit, we've been doing this all school year, and honestly it's been exhausting and rewarding all at the same time. I feel like the trip is long overdue, and we've definenatly been through our fair share of trials to get there. One thing that is nice about it is that we only had to purchase the plane ticket, everything else will be accounted for. So, I'm off ... and I just bought a few more memory cards for my camera, so hopefully I'll get a good shot or two. But it's not all fun and games ... Please continue to keep me in your prayers, especially with summer plans, but more importantly that I would trust God in a new and amazing way. I miss everyone so much, especially the niece and nephews ... Lord willing, I'll be home for a little bit towards the end of may.

Cobbwebbs

2007-04-07T16:10:00.002-07:00

A few sights

of me this past week:

The not so brief update on this week: So this week has been crazy !!! I've been involved in one acts for the past month and a half or so, and been involved in the process of directing one since the beginning of the semester. Two nights ago I was able to be apart of a play called "Bang Bang You're Dead." It was a story written in response to Columbine High School (as best I understand it). It is a story that explores the mind of a high school aged school shooter, and in light of recent events at Virginia Tech, it was very powerful and emotional, as well as the day before the 8 year anniversary of Columbine. After the show some guy was geniunely impressed with the script and the performance. After speaking with him briefly I found out that he is an accomplished actor of 35 years. His first film role he worked with Alfred Hitchcock and other people like Sidney Poitier. If there was anybody who would give an honest response to the show it would have been this guy, if he thought it was bad acting I'm sure he would have been very studious to critique us, however this guy was very geniune and honest and was very encouraging. He said sometimes performers try to do just that, perform or be something, tonight was real theater, you guys were up on stage reacting. He encouraged me to keep pursuing it, but only if I loved it. So it made me ask the question, do I love this? Well the next day the show that Katie and I directed was performing. There were a lot of technical difficulties, but we couldn't have asked for our actors to have done any better, they were great! I wish the show would have run a little smoother, but the script, my partner, and the actors were all a huge blessing from the Lord, and answers to prayer - I couldn't have asked for a better directing experience. Later that night I ran into one of our actors and we were just talking and in the middle of our conversation out of my mouth; in mid conversation, with out thinking came the words, "I love this" In light of that it further led me to examine some cobb webbs that have been in the back of my mind, and it's time to do some cleaning.

This will probably be the hardest letter that I can post. It's an open and honest look at my heart and mind ... it's not going to be easy for me, but please bare with me, for I am going to be more vulnerable than I usually am ... . So for a long time i've wrestled with for a long time. For a long time i've wrestled with the question of what is the best way to spend my time? I've thought about once I've graduated about going over seas and teaching english, staying on campus and discipling peers younger than myself. Both of these would be absolutely amazing, but I think I would be running to something good and safe. Don't get me wrong, we need people to do this, but something has been on my heart for a while, and I almost feel embarrassed to even admit and talk about it. I guess I just get frustrated with Christians (myself included) when we feel like we have to do our little christian things and that missions is only what we've labled it or has to be done through a mission board. All these people are going on ISP but have they ever spent a weekend doing stuff in in Los Angeles ... L.A. represents one of the biggest most diverse places in the world, the nations are 45 min. away, heck the nations are on our campus. Anyway I mean to say L.A., hollywood in particular are extremely empty. Our culture is thirsting for so much more. Hollywood is the heart of our culture, and we as Christians have run from it and have the audacity to complain about what is shown on t.v. or in the movies. We teach our kids to avoid certain movies instead of teaching them how to observe movies with wisdom and discrection and see past Hollywoods extremely propagandic lies about how we should live for ourselves. Living for ourselves is dead, freedom from self is life. But somewhere along the lines we lost what it means to be salt and light, to be in the world (actively engaged ) and not of it (completely soaked in it, Holy (not pure or more holier than thou) but set apart. I'm convinced if you let Christ's light shine in the dark, people will see it and follow, but I can't do it alone that's for sure, I can't be the only one. To many times i've wrestled with maybe I should do the "Christian thing" and go over seas or teach english or be a humanitarian (which these are not bad if your heart is in the right place, and there is nothing wrong with giving love, the world needs it), but I cannot help to think that America is the biggest mission field, where people are starving for truth, and if we continue to run, which of Christ's disciples will give it to them? I desire to stand where many flee, I desire to enter into the darkness, because our Savior has already won the victory, crushed the head of the serpant under his heal. I expect to go through the darkness, enter into the fire and be delievered. This is something I've painstakingly thought through, one in which I know what to do, but I can't do it alone, and if Christ is not apart of this it is all for nothing.

I've desired for a long time to be involved in the film industry in some way, shape, or form. Trust me I've tried to let this desire die, time and time and time again. I realize that pursuing this might be the most foolish thing ever. I am not naive enough to think that it won't be the most challenging and difficult thing to do, and probably take more than I can give, so I don't consider pursuing this lightly, I know the costs better than most, I've seen the emptyness and I know if I do it alone I'd probably be swallowed up by it, I don't want to do it alone. I hope you were able to follow this letter, hopefully it makes since?

Chained Down

2007-04-07T16:10:00.001-07:00

So, I can't sleep ... and it's just been one of those weeks ... It's times like these that make me seriously question the importance of school. I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off, and for what, a peice of paper at the end of it that is supposed to say to society that I'm important now. There's not enough time in the day, and there is no eye to this storm. I hate the feeling of just trying to keep from drowning. I hate that I've accepted mediocrity, and that just getting things done is an accomplishment. I hate my lack luster, half-ass lifestyle. I hate not being focused, and useless. I'm spread so thin that I don't even know who I am anymore ... what i've become is society's monster and pawn, and for what? Don't get me wrong, I love school, I love the people and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've learned a lot about time management, and priorities ... I'm just sick of this fast paced, uselessness. I need to slow down (not yet because obviously i have to finish), but slow down and produce higher quality efforts, more faithfullness, reliable, consistant. Slowing down doesn't mean becoming more lazy, it means becoming more dilligent, a better steward, more prudent. Sometimes it's okay to say no. I feel like as a christian I'm supposed to be, "open to whatever God has for me." which in a since is true, but it seems like more of a huge trap than anything, which i've fallen headfirst, and blindly into. When God's hand is in something you'll know it, it will be unmistakable ... and more overwhelming than anything I (we) alone could ever work out by ourselves. I guess I just have trouble discerning what my part is in pursuing the things in front of me, and God's faithfulness to provide. I'm so eager to see God move that I follow every red herring and miss Him completely ... To often I buy the lies, follow the status quo, and am too easily decieved ... Luke 17:32 REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE ... There's no in between, it's all or nothing ... being caught in between is a choice by it'self ... I'm sure I could babble on like a little school girl, but I'll refrain

It's Finally Here!

2007-04-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
It's finally here. I've been wanting to make a website for sometime, to give you some sights and images of what is happening here at school. I'll be putting up stuff weekly to keep you guys up to date. This is my effort to keep everyone in tune with what's going on with me, so you and I don't feel so dis-connected.

(Batman at downtown disney, Newport Beach Sailboat, A hallway at beach houses, part of my apartment, A Los Angeles Parking Job, My buddy Zack at the beach, The Metro Subway in downtown L.A., The Cross at the top of a small mountain close by school, and ME).