moving on out...

Today I officially am blogging from my new home. I just moved out of my apartment, and moved into my new abode with the Parmiter family. This has been a much anticipated move and I am so glad that I am finally here. Some people don't like moving, but I enjoy it. I love being able to bless people with the stuff you don't need and to organize your stuff for the next place. It is so amazing what you find when you actually open drawers and clean out closets. You should try it sometime.
Here are some of the things I found:
* an old combat knife
* a case of incense
* a small swiss army knife
* old pictures that I would never want any one to see
* an autographed baseball
* a pack of gum(orange citrus orbit...so good)d


Anyway, all that to say... Today is a new day!!! I feel like jumping over a car or something...



Here are some pictures of my new pad!!

painting and discipleship... ISSUES!

Today was my day off and I spent it painting away at the Wimberly abode. I love painting especially when you get to do it with someone. When you are alone it isn't as fun... But when you have someone, you get to talk about all kinds of ISSUES!! Anyway, I had a great day talking about life and issues with Pastor Tim Wimberly. I love the payoff that you can get by just simply spending time with or serving people. One of the things I took from this valuable time is to always bring someone with you. To truly disciple someone in your life, you just have to bring them with you. Take them to run errands with you. Invite them over to eat. Or better yet, have them come paint your house. Simply bringing someone with you, not only lets them see how you live, but it opens the door for you to be able to speak into their life. Bring someone with you today, wherever you go, or better yet go paint someone's house today and watch discipleship happen.

Watch the Flight of the Conchords talk about issues:

nachos, halo, and Jesus

Well tonight was our 4th monthly REACH. This is our once a month youth gathering dedicated to "reaching" friends. We have everything from Halo 3 and the Wii, to nachos, lattes and crazy music. I was thinking about tonight and thought it was funny how nachos, video games, lattes, music, and friends can lead people into the presence of Jesus. I was so taken by the worship. Josh Kennedy led the band and we saw as 25 kids gave their hearts to Jesus and over 50 kids stepped up to kick Satan in the face to finally get free. I love when all of the hard work and goofy stuff we put together turns into a "God" moment for people. Well anyway, if you didn't get to go, you missed a great night. It all started with free nachos and lattes. Then, Logan Strong's band played an epic tune... which you can hear (here). Next, the worship team led us into the presence of God. And lastly, Jeremy started with magic tricks and then told about his victory over cancer and speaking of God changing his heart. His testimony was so powerful.

If you haven't noticed, God is up to something huge. When young people are freed from the weight of the world and begin to live with joy... schools get turned upside down; families are changed, and revival begins to break out. He is doing something so deep and so fresh in our students and I am glad I get to play a part in seeing revival start with this generation. If you haven't already, you need to begin to contend for this generation and let the Lord use you to "REACH" a world that needs to know Jesus.

one of those days

Today was one of those days... now not the day when everything goes wrong, but one of those days that is just so out of control awesome that you don't know what to do with it. First of all, Olympia was given it first bit of hope with sunshine today. Now it wasn't just any sunshine, but the kind when your car is hot when you get into it, but when you roll down the windows, the temperature was perfect. Days are always better with sunshine. Then, I did one of my most favorite things to do in the world and that is paint. It was a trade that I learned with my dad as I grew up, but I have grown to really enjoy it. And sometimes I actually make good money doing it too. I painted for the first half of my day. Then, I got to do another thing I love to do with all my heart, and that is hanging out with young people. I took my whole small group bowling this evening, and was reminded how I need to stick with my day job... It was an overall great day and to top it all off I got to be with some of my favorite people in the whole world. It is days like these that you are so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness and goodness in our lives. And it is days like these that we should never forget... one of those days...

check out this funny video that shows my experience as a bowler.

the daily grind

Today I was eating my lunch... the same lunch I bring to work everyday; 2 burritos, a bag of Tim's Cascades Jalepeno chips, and a Dr. Pepper. It is delicious, but then it hit me. Today I am officially in the daily grind. When I say the daily grind, I am not talking about the daily dose of coffee, but rather in the middle of the day in and day out routines. I hear people all the time talk about this "daily grind", but in my youth world it is usually in the context of school, and is followed by the words, "I'm Bored." You know I feel like the majority of our lives are spent in this so called daily grind, yet most of the time, our discontent with where we are or what we don't have puts us in a place of feeling like we aren't "there yet." We see where we could be and it usually isn't anywhere close to where we are, but nonetheless, we are here. I think there is something to be said about the daily grind. I think of guys in the Bible or even people like Tiger Woods, or someone else who has what we want, yet all of them spend their lives in the daily grind. Jesus talks about "daily" taking up our cross and following him. It doesn't say when we get to where we want to be, but daily. It also says later in the Bible to run this race(life) with endurance. Our life is composed of the day in, day out disciplines that make our lives ours. It is easy though to look at the daily grind, and wish you could have something else, or even think that you are in a boring place. But what would happen if we not only became content in the daily grind, but succeeded to live expecting your life to thrive in the daily grind? I think our daily grind would begin to effect our futures. I think that the choices we make daily will effect our tomorrows. I think if we took our daily grind and lived to our potential, we would see God move in our lives like he never has before. Make some changes in your life to take on the daily grind with contentment and live your life day in and day out with passion and love for Jesus.

a little TLC

Well for those of you that don't know I am in the process of moving out of my apartment and into an apartment in someone's house. I am super excited. I don't know about you, but I love when things change and are new. So seeing that I am moving out in a week, I looked into my closet and realized that it definitely needed some TLC...ok a lot of TLC(Not the band...for those who were singing, "don't go chasing waterfalls"). Anyway, so off I went to Target to find some sweet organizers. All I have to say is that 3 hours later, my closet looked like one of those closets on a TV remodel show or something.

I love the feeling of getting organized. Besides the fact that I am naturally a neat freak, the feeling of organization goes way beyond my personal feeling. Organization feeds into every area of your life. When you continue to let things stack up and not really care, it feeds into your thoughts, and your work and every other area of your life. I heard it said that you can tell a lot about someone's life by the way their car looks. How does your car look inside? This is so true, when my life is disorganized and crazy, my whole day feels like that.Anyway, I thought about why I never cleaned my closet before last night, and honestly it all came down to excuses. You ever throw a pair of clothes on the floor with no intention to pick it up anytime soon? Excuses hold us back from our potential. And all I know is that I am glad my closet is cleaned, and I already feel the refreshment of knowing that that part of my life is organized. What can you organize today? Your Car? Your room? Your desk? Your parents car? Your house? Give a little TLC to something today and watch how it brightens up your day!!

Check out my closet...

are you moved?

I have started to really notice that the longer that I am in ministry, the more I find out what people are really going through. You find usually that the ones that seem to have it all together, usually are hurting the most. I was reading my Bible this morning and was taken by Jesus and His reaction to the crowd. It starts in Matthew 9:36-38. It says in verse 36, "When He saw the crowd, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no Shepard." I think it is so easy for us now days to blow past people due to what we see on the outside. There are so many people out there that are going through so much. Some need a miracle while others just need a friend. But the bottom line is that Jesus took the time to look deep into their hearts, and it moved Him. Jesus always acts out of this attitude doesn't He? He always has this deep burden and compassion for the people around Him. Are we this burdened by our generation, one that is dying more and more each day? I am not a statistics kind of person, but if we did our research, we would find that, unlike any other generation, ours is more polluted, sexual, and more broken than this world has ever seen. I don't know about you, but my heart is burdened for the crowd. Jesus goes on to say later that the laborers are few but the harvest is plentiful. What does that mean? Well there is a world that needs compassion, that needs someone to stand up for them, that needs someone to be their friend, that needs someone to tell them the truth. But not very many are moved to do anything. Open your eyes and see the crowd, see your school, see your generation and be filled with compassion. Are you moved?

Fighting for a Heart

I read a story this week about King Robert of Scotland. When King Robert died of an illness Sir James Douglass removed the late king's heart, according to his wishes, and encased it in silver, to be transported to the Holy Land to be buried there. When in transit to the Holy Land Sir Douglass became surrounded by the Moors in Spain during a skirmish. He is said to have thrown Bruce's heart ahead of him, crying: "Forward, brave heart, and fight for your king's heart."

What an awesome picture of how we are to fight for God's heart. When you think about finding God's heart for us, it isn't as easy as church makes it seem is it? We come to church and get all "fired up" or excited, but then Monday morning rolls around and we come to a rude awakening. Chasing after God's heart is more like fighting a battle of choices to get their. It is all about choices. Choices are never as left and right as people make them seem. It is more like the bad choice is right in front of you and you have to kick it in the face to see the good one behind it. When we think about guys like David or Moses, we find that chasing after God's heart was hard. But these guys fought with everything they had and in the end found their king's heart. I believe God is calling us to fight for His heart and to fight to make the right choices. Will you let the enemy win or will you choose to fight for your king's heart?

the missing lid

So I was meeting with my good friend Cody again at Olympia's infamous Dancing Goats Coffee. I like meeting there, because it gives me a change from Starbucks. Now hear me out, I love Starbucks, but this place is off the hook. The moment you walk in, you are greeted by the employees, sometimes even by name. Now it is not one of those fabricated, "Welcome to blah blah blah." but it is an authentic greeting. Anyway, I was standing in line to order my ristretto white mocha, when the lady in front of me began to order. After she ordered, she looked at the employee and said that she had lost the lid to her mug. Now if I were that employee, I probably would have been thinking, "ok lady, what do you want me to do about that?" But out of amazement, the checker replied kindly and took a lid off one of their brand new mugs and gave it to her. I was kind of taken back, amazed that she was willing to take a small hit to appease this customer. It is this kind of service that keeps people coming back forever. That little 2 dollar lid kept that customer for many years to come.

I was thinking about our lives and the people we talk to all the time. Are we willing to personally take a hit to serve the people around us? I don't know about you, but I like serving people around me. But many times I find myself only serving when it fits me. I am only nice when others are nice to me, or I only give away something when I feel like it is best for me. This lady knew that her company was going to take a hit and have to pay for the lid, but she knew that the customer was way more important than the company losing a few dollars to policy. She was way less concerned about the money and more concerned with the "missing lid." Do we have this kind of awareness for the people around us and the heart to serve them no matter the cost? All I know is I don't care how nasty their coffee is, I would go back just for the experience... ok if their coffee was really bad I might not go back...lol

tithing... test this!!

I was reading a article about tithing and how our generation has lost this discipline in their daily lives. I was shocked to see that our generation under 25 yrs old, only 1% of them tithe. It is so sad to see the only place where God says to test him, people aren't taking Him up on His offer. God says test me in this! See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:10) Anyway, I don't know about you, but giving your money is hard, especially when you don't have much. But Jesus says Himself that He will bless you far more than you can fathom. I think it is hard for people to give their money sometimes because they just see the "church" as just wanting people's money. I can't tell you how many people have said that... "The church is always asking for money." This whole concept of tithing isn't about the church or God, it is about obedience. I mean what is the one thing that can keep us from following whole-heartedly after God...MONEY! God says that you can't serve both God and money. I think back when Jesus was choosing His disciples. Many couldn't follow Jesus because they couldn't separate from their money. It isn't about the church or God needing your money, it is about you being obedient to not serve it. I dare you... to test the Lord in this. Tithe consistently and out of obedience and see if the Lord won't fill your life with unexplainable blessing. One church is telling their church to try tithing for 3 months and if they don't see God's blessing on their lives, the church will personally refund your tithe to you 100%

Check out what Life Church is doing (here)

Fighting from victory

I was reading my devotions this morning and was reading the infamous story of David and Goliath(I Samuel 17). I love this story, because it is so applicable to the things we have to face every day. In verse 33, David is put down by Saul. He is told that he doesn't have what it takes to face the giant; that he is too young. Then after David persisting, Saul puts heavy armor on David, ones that don't fit him. Isn't that what it feels like when we are told we can't face it, when we let our fears overcome us? It feels like putting on heavy armor that doesn't fit us. We get weighed down by a bunch of lies. It doesn't fit does it? Anyway, I love what he does next... "He takes off the armor and draws near to Goliath." Man, sometimes we have to rip off those lies off our shoulders and draw near to the very thing that scares us. I love what my pastor said. He said we always have to fight from victory not for it. We already won. The Lord says that victory is His. That is exactly what David did. He knew the battle was already won, so he ripped off the lies, rose up, and fought from victory. I think many of us face giants everyday that seem just too impossible. Yet we make them even harder by allowing people or the enemy to place lies on your shoulders that truly don't fit you. If we could only learn to rip off the armor that holds us back and face those seemingly impossible battles, we would begin to experience the Victory that is already ours. Face your battles today, free from the weights of the enemy, and equipped with your own armor, full of confidence and victory.

Home Makeover: Uturn Style

It seems like every day I see something on the news or a commercial or "American Idol" about social justice in Africa or other poor countries. Each time I watch one of those videos, my heart goes out, but helping always seem to go on the back burner. It's so funny isn't it? Are eyes are opened to this world we are called to help, yet actually doing something seems to never happen. I don't know about you, but I just feel like besides just giving money, it is hard to just go somewhere and help. You know? To just drop everything and go help. But does it always have to be that complicated?

Anyway, my youth group is in the middle of a student leadership conference called Spring Impact and yesterday was one of the coolest days I have seen in a long time. We pulled up to this little small home that definitely needed some help. And our only goal was to give it a makeover. I felt a little convicted when I first started, because my mind instantly was negative. Comments like, "I can't believe people can live like this. How can people neglect what they have so much!" Anyway, come to find out, this lady was battling cancer and other crazy family issues, yet we were able to help. At the end of the day, her house looked completely made over. It was so neat to think we played a part in helping her get back on her feet.

I thought about this a little. We tend to do this sometimes don't we? We want to serve our world that is hurting but many times we put on a negative mind. I mean Jesus says, run the race for the least of these. It doesn't say to pass them by. Anyway, running this race for the least of these doesn't always mean going over sees. It may just be next door. It may be the guy on that street corner. It may be that "weird" person in school that no one really cares about. Look around today and see how you can make a difference, how you can "makeover" someone's life. Way to go Uturn!!

Pictures are to come....

You've Stolen My Heart

So this morning I was on my way to meet my friend Cody for our regular meeting at Dancing Goats coffee house, and I was driving in my car when a song from the band Leeland began to play. As this song was playing lightly in the background, I heard the words from the song echo in my heart; "You've stolen my heart, Yes You have, You've stolen my heart, yes you have..." I was so taken by these words as I sang them to the Lord. Jesus has definitely stolen my heart, and in freedom, I live by these words. Just singing these words over and over again ignited a deep love for my God. I don't know where you are right now, or what you are going through, but I urge you today to declare that to God. Proclaim that He has stolen your heart and watch as His love covers every part of you!!

Check out the song from Leeland as they sing at New Songs Cafe'. For all you musicians, they teach you the song at the end too!!

Starbucks | Something Big

Well here again I sit in the infamous Starbucks enjoying my Grande Ristretto White Chocolate Mocha. I come quite regularly to read my Word or work on my messages, and I have been doing so for a few years now. I have become an addict; not necessarily of coffee, but of the atmosphere that is offered here. Anyway, over the course of the last few months, Starbucks has been trying to get back to their once amazing coffee. About a month ago they shut down every Starbucks in the nation to retrain their employees the "art" of making a great espresso and a better experience for the customer. The article is here.
Anyway, they have been getting a lot of flack from smaller coffee businesses lately, saying that they are just too big, and they don't care. It is funny to me to see others so critical of "big" companies that genuinely are trying to master the art once again. All that to say that Starbucks is at it again. I got an email the other day saying that Starbucks is getting ready to do something big... "Venti" Big. I came in this morning with much anticipation to see what this "big" was going to be. Well this may not be that big to normal coffee drinkers, but Starbucks has brought back their infamous Pike Place Roast, one of the original roasts from Seattle Central. To support their new campaign, they have given two cards to every customer that walks in today. One for you and a friend, that is good for a free Pike Place Coffee every Wednesday from now until May 28. I thought this was pretty cool. A big company that really has nothing to lose, decides to not settle like other big companies(McDonalds, etc.) They realized that the art of coffee and customer buy-in was way more important than just continuing with the norm, only to end up mediocre. It is companies like Starbucks, Apple and others like them that are choosing the art over the big name. So cool... Well you better go to your local Starbucks today and get you some free coffee for you and a friend.

My secret hobby

I wanted to let you know about this secret hobby that I love but rarely get to share with people. Shane called me up today and asked if I wanted to go out and hit some golf balls. I quickly said yes and ran out to my garage to my set of clubs. As I wiped off the dust and cob webs, my hobby was reignited. I love golf. Now I am not very good at it unlike my unbelievably crazy good brother. But nontheless it grows on you quite quickly. One of my favorite things to do is to come home after church, kick my feet up, and watch golf. There has to be something special in it or something, because it is just one of the most peaceful and yet exciting things to watch. Although I love golf, I have to mention my man, Tiger Woods. There is something about people like this, who not just are good at there sport, but literally change the sport entirely. It is one thing to mention someone's name and think of the sport they are good at. It is entirely different to name a sport and the first name that comes up no matter what setting or country you are in is the same. Tiger Woods is one of those guys; a legend in the making. Anyway, I am captivated every time I watch him and I am reminded that I have a long way to go to play golf like him as well. Props to Tiger Woods and the legacy his is still paving today.

Check out this article of the records he has accomplished already:
http://www.thegolfexpert.com/tiger-woods_records.php

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS INCREDIBLE SHOT BY TIGER!! IT WILL CHANGE THE GAME FOR YOU!

Believe....Speak

I was reading my Word this morning and was hit by this very simple but powerful word. In 2 Corinthians 4: 13 Paul writes, "And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak." I was thinking about the power and simplicity of this word. When we believe in our hearts, we can't contain it inside... we speak it out. I mean Matthew 12:34 says that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. When something happens in our hearts we speak about it. I can't help but think of when I get something new, like an ipod, or a new car, or shirt... I tell everyone; it is exciting. Why is it any different for God? I was thinking about that phrase from Francis of Assisi, "Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words." That is such a powerful and true saying. Our actions should show a world Jesus. But I think many times I have been guilty of using that as an excuse. We should always be living above reproach and with utmost character, but what are we speaking to the people around us. Do we say anything? Or are we just a great person with good character. I believe that Jesus wants a world to know the gift that He wants each to receive. What are you speaking into the lives of the people you see everyday? What do you believe, and are you speaking out? My heart is abundantly full and I believe, therefore I speak.

Haircut for Jesus

This past weekend, our youth ministry held its monthly service called REACH dedicated to reaching your friends. It was a great night with over 200 kids and 25 1st time visitors. It is a unique service due to the fact that we give away free meals, set-up video games, have a super-sized worship atmosphere, and even let kids cut our hair. Daniel brought a great message about how much our God loves us and how He has a future for us and a plan for our lives. Towards the end of his sermon, he asked some students to come up and cut his hair. The students couldn't communicate to each other, they just had to go for it. After they were done, it was a sight to see. He told them that they didn't even care to ask what Daniel wanted they just did it. He challenged each of us to consider the people in our lives that our shaping us, the ones that really don't care about your future. We have people in our lives all the time that don't care much about your future, they just shape you the way they want. See our Jesus has a future for us and has a plan, and all we have to do is receive it. Anyway, I thought I would share a bit about the crazy things we do in our ministry. It was so good. We had 10 salvations that night. Thank you Jesus!!

By the way, Daniel is probably one of the most dedicated people I know. Seeing what he is willing to do to see people come to know Christ is so awesome. I love you Daniel!!