Saturn Strikes Again

Today was such a great day... I got to do one of my favorite things in the whole world, and that is hanging with my Junior Highers. I invited all of them over to my house to swim in the lake and for an awesome BBQ, and it was awesome. But today, the Saturn struck again. The Saturn is a giant blow up toy that looks just like Saturn. You stand on the ring of Saturn and try to balance on the ball, eventually tipping the whole toy forcing the person on top to fly head first into the water. Anyway, after launching a few kids... it couldn't get any better.

I am so honored to be able to be in these kids lives. Every day that goes by and every moment I get to spend with them, I realize how privileged I truly am. After hanging with my students I couldn't help but realize how much God's hand is on their life. Each one is so different, yet has so much potential to be great. God knows the plans He has for them, and I am blessed to be able to play a part in helping them encounter Him. If you aren't serving young people, you should be. There is no greater reward than to lay down your life to see another's get closer to the living God. Plus... you might even get to launch a kid off a Saturn and watch them face plant into water.

The only thing better than the Saturn on a lake is getting to blob a kid.
I hope you are as amazed at this video as I was...

Running Tired

This past weekend Shane Rogers gave an incredible story that I wanted to share. He told of a story of when he was hiking with his newly born Caleb. He had Caleb in one of those backpack things... carrying him on his back. As he climbed the mountain, Shane began to get really tired and fatigued from trying to carry Caleb all the way up. Although his wife was trying to help relieve him, he was determined to make it all the way up the mountain. He struggled and struggled just trying to carry his son all the way up. His point of the story pointed towards our relationship with God. Many times we see our relationship with God like this.. we struggle just to keep God on our backs and fight to make it up... For some reason we have begun to believe that this is the way it is suppossed to be. We struggle to stay a child of God... we struggle to make right choices... we struggle to find hope... we struggle just to make it up.

Yet it should be the other way around. Think of the hike from Caleb's perspective. He had no worries. He just rested in knowing who he was. He knew he was Shane's son and knew that his dad was going to take care of him no matter what. This is more of what our relationship with our God should look like. We don't have to work to make it.... we are God's children no matter what. We just need to rest in His presence. I don't know about you, but it is easy for me to lose sight of just resting in God... living joyfully for His name. He gives me the strength to overcome... the joy to live life... the power over my self-control to make right choices. Stop running tired, but rather run resting in knowing who you are.

I love Bear from Man vs. Wild:

Apple vs. PC

To me, there is just no comparison. I have been a PC user my whole life, until the last few years where Apple just has completely blown me out of the water. I started off with a basic powerbook G4. From its super friendly interface, to its astounding dependability; I was sold from the moment I began to use it. Today I own a MacBook along with an iPhone and ipod. It seems as though the more I use mac, the more fluent things flow. Everything from my iphone, to computer and even my ipod... things just work and they work fast. There is probably endless debates on which is better, and I am sure there are reasonable arguments both ways. But at the end of the day, Mac's just work. It is kind of like buying a car. I can find you a cheaper car that can do just about the same thing as a nice Honda... but at the end of the day, the Honda works. Mac's just work... period. I don't know why I shared this with you, other than to convince you to at least give them a try. It is so worth it.

Here is one of my favorite mac vs. pc commercials

Sharks...scared?

I don't know about you, but it seems that most people I talk to are a lot like me... scared of deep ocean water. I remember as a kid even being scared of the deep end of the pool. I wasn't scared that I couldn't swim, but rather that a huge shark of some sorts was going to attack me. Thus, my actions were always quite funny to watch as I would swim abnormally fast to get out of the water. I have been watching Shark Week on Discovery Channel and it has been bringing back the fear of water that I had when I was a child. To see people get attacked is not fun to watch and makes it that much more difficult to enjoy worry free swimming.

Anyway, I couldn't help but think of how much we can think that our relationship with God can look like this. Many times we are worried about what may happen when we jump into the deep water, giving everything to God. We get bit by the world, and tend to back up, having fear to give our all to God. The Bible says that the enemy is like a roaring lion seeking to kill, steal and destroy our lives... but we can tend to stop there and let fear keep us from our calling. See the Word also says that God is our shelter and our strong tower. He says that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He gives us the power over the enemy and His strength overpowers our fears. Knowing this, dive in deep into the calling which you have received, and shove the fear of the enemy back in his face..

Check out the shark and the guy who doesn't fear them:

Mobile blogging

who would have ever thought that technology would take us to a place where you could write what is going on in your life all from a phone. Well today that reality has hit me on my couch. Just yesterday I got my long awaited apple iPhone. It is one of the most incredible pieces of technology that I have had. Anyway to save you from all the boring details.... It is awesome. I thought what better way to share this techNology with you than to blog with my phone. Well I guess I am going to "hang up" this blog... Quite literally.

Sent from my iPhone

All roads lead to H&M

Today was an amazing day due to the fact that I got to spend the day with my good friend Josh Kennedy. But it wasn't any ordinary day... today was the grand opening of one of my favorite stores in the whole world... H&M. If you have never heard of them you should definitely check them out because they have some awesome clothes at really cheap prices. Anyway, the old saying, "All roads lead to Rome" become a huge reality for us as all roads led to H&M as well.... quite literally. Everyone from every which direction had the exact same idea as us... they were following the roads to the grand opening of the new H&M. Josh and I must have waited in line for an hour before we could even get in to just look at the store. Anyway, it was so worth the wait and I even took some footage so that you could see what all the hype was about. All in all, I had a grand time with my broha.

Zero Gravity

One of my good friends Cody Chapman, who is also a fellow blogger, is the head of a neat program at our church called Zero Gravity. His target is the elementary age in low income states. He is such an amazing leader and does an incredible job reaching students for Jesus. Seeing him interact with kids is quite amazing. If you ever have a chance to meet him, you should. Anyway, he is putting on a challenge to raise money called the 3G challenge. His goal is to raise money to help provide gas and food for families in need. What a chance for the church to raise to the occasion. Anyway, I thought I would let you know about this great opportunity. The official date is already past, but it is never too late to give. Watch the video that they made:

Crazy Love

Today I had a relaxing day off and was able to keep finishing a book I started a while ago called Crazy Love by Francis Chan (Check out the book here). Anyway, as I was reading I came to this paragraph:

Has your relationship with God actually changed the way you live? Do you see evidence of God's kingdom in your life? Or are you choking it out slowly by spending too much time, energy, money, and thought on the things of this world?(pg. 65)

It is funny how the Lord drills things into you when He wants you to get it. I was teaching this last week in Outlet to the Junior Highers and this is what the Lord taught us coming out of Colossians 3:1-4:

So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.(The Message)

The thing I wanted us to take away this last weekend was to set our minds on things above. If we are to just look around and even into our own lives we would probably see a world consumed in itself; consumed in material things. I couldn't help but think about my own life. There are so many things I get excited about... like the new iphone, or some other thing. Then there is so many things I worry about.. like what I am going to do later on tonight or what I am going to save my money for next. I get so distracted with what is right in front of me, that I lose perspective of why I am here. All I know is the Lord is challenging me to take a new perspective. He is pushing me to look up from my selfish bubble and see the world like He sees it. I don't want to just be another great guy that loves the Lord, but a man after God's own heart. A man that sees from God's perspective. A man that has the self control to say no in order to set my mind on things above. Set your mind on things above...look up and see what God sees.

If you have never heard of Francis Chan, Watch this video. He is an amazing speaker:

good friends and apples to apples

Well it is getting close to my 22nd birthday. It is so weird when you look back and think how many years have blown by. Just think... I have been out of high school now for 5 years. So crazy!! Anyway, tonight I had good times with some good friends as they threw me a surprise party. After watching Josh Kennedy do some weird clap thing and playing a mad game of apples to apples, it was definitely some good times. While playing apples to apples, I couldn't help but look at all the people around the circle that were there to celebrate my birthday. Good friends are truly hard to come by these days, and I can definitely say that I have some. I think it is so important to hold on to the people that are near and dear to you. I just know, after looking at all my friends tonight, that they are the kind of people you want in your life. I am so blessed to have such great friendships. Well to all of you friends out there....

In the jungle... we all have to be friends. I thought this video would bring back some memories for you readers.

Cold Water

There is nothing like getting sprayed in the face with cold water. Today at VBS, my group the "Neutrons" were completely and utterly soaked with tons of Washington freezing cold water. Man I just love these kids so much. You never know how much just caring for them matters. Some of these kids never get a hug or have people that take interest in them. It is cool to just love on them and show that they matter. This could make their lives change for the better. Anyway, I am having a blast and am looking forward to seeing God move once again. If you have a chance, you should serve this summer and help care for those who need caring the most...kids. Here is when we were wet and cold and when we got in the sun to dry off.

Power Lab

Well I am so privileged to have been a part of the coolest week ever in Olympia. It our community's VBS. Kids come from all over the community to drop their kids off for the week where we have the opportunity to pour our lives and show them God's love. Anyway, every year I love being a part of helping these kids come to know Jesus just a little more. This year's theme is Power Lab and I have the best kids of all time. I love when God takes students that just show up and transforms their lives. Well, here are some pics from the beginning of this epic week. My group is called the "Nuetrons" and we are the best.

Repossess

I don't know if you have ever heard of Repossess, but it is an amazing movement of God in our community here in Olympia Washington. Repossess happens about twice a year. Students from around the area from all kinds of denominations gather to worship the Lord with all they have. But it doesn't stop there. Every year Repossess believes in giving back what the Lord has poured into us. Students come back the next day to serve their community and many times pour their own finances into helping a certain cause. This year's Repossess is meeting on September 24th at Tumwater High School, and is raising money for the Tronie Foundation. The Tronie Foundation is called to help stop human trafficking. We are so excited as the Lord has huge plans for our community at large and even globally. It is amazing to see what God can do in us when we come together in unity to be the church he told us to be.
Click here for The Tronie Foundation website
Check out the teaser for Repossess this year:

This is Our God

Well my broha Josh Kennedy informed me of Hillsong's new album that was coming out. I pre-ordered it about a month ago and it is here!!! The DVD is quite amazing. I am stoked to see the fruit of their ministry flourish in our worship community. After watching the DVD today, I couldn't help but think where God has taken our youth ministry. I am so honored to play any role at all in seeing God's hand move our students. My heart is burdened for this generation and I want them to know that "this is our God". God is so Good!!!
Here is a sample of the DVD! This song is so powerful:

Summer Camp

Well summer camp is finally over. It was one of the most epic camps I have ever been too. To see God move the way he did and see kids changed was priceless. Anyway, thank you for all of you that prayed for camp. We couldn't have done it without your prayers. Right now it is kind of bitter sweet because although great things happened, it was such a great time to all be together. I can't say enough how much God moved this week. I was honored to be a part. Check out the Uprising blog for pictures and a summary.

UFC: Rampage vs. Griffin

I am about to sit down with some friends and watch one of the greatest things on television. There is this little thing called UFC that I have gotten hooked on in the past months. If you don't know what it is.... It is awesome... That is all you need to know. It is like boxing, martial arts, and street fighting skills all in one great night in a ring called the Octagon. Anyway, I am really looking forward to the fight tonight. Rampage Jackson, who is amazingly strong and fast, is fighting Forrest Griffin, who is an animal and a freak of nature. So it is going to be one for the ages. I would like Forrest to win, but my gut tells me that Rampage is just too much for Griffin to handle. Anyway, sorry if I bored all you readers with my UFC madness but you should totally check it out. If any of you readers are interested you should comment me with your thoughts. Well I hope your 4th of July weekend is great.

Check out Rampage Jackson

4th of July Madness

The 4th of July is finally here. It seems like just yesterday that it was Christmas and we are already past half way for the year. So nuts. This year I am working on the 4th but it is all good. Nonetheless, the 4th of July always brings up fun memories for me. Most of those memories consisted of food... food... and more food. Other memories, which are equally as fun, fireworks...fireworks... fireworks. I don't know about your family, but my family has always fired off fireworks and most of the time something bad happens. I remember one year, my brother practically emptied his savings account and bought enough fireworks for the whole state of Texas. I particularly remember a big one that he bought that year called the Giant. I don't know why they sell huge dangerous fireworks to little kids, but they do. Anyway, to make a long story short. We had to rig up a board to screw this contraption down to ensure that it wouldn't move during explosion. Well.... after the long awaited countdown, it exploded off the board, forcing the firework to fall over with one shot still left to fire off. AFter it fell over we all ran not knowing when the other one was going to fire off. Then without warning, it shot off... slamming into the neighbors bright white van. Needless to say.... it was AWESOME! Well I hope you enjoy your holiday. Go celebrate and don't do what I wouldn't do.

Here is what it may have looked like

Wipeout

Well I just want to to say that I have never laughed so hard watching a show besides when the office was on. ABC has started to air a new show called Wipeout. Watching people do just about anything for money can be really funny. Anyway, Levi Parmiter and I just about fell over watching people fall over. I don't know about you, but I love when people are so confident and then are thrown to the floor. I think I could totally hang with these guys. Enjoy in the fun!

Check out the new show Wipeout:

sunburns and tanlines

Well the depths of summer have finally hit the great Northwest. At a place where the sun rarely shows itself, it has been at its brightest. Seeing people coming and going with bright red burn lines from the sun is a funny sight to see. People who haven't seen the sun in months have thrust their selves into its mighty rays, underestimating its power and sting. Anyway, I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to the summer. Not just for the sun and water, but for the great potential it holds. Summer typically is a time where people have tons of time. Some people spend it on traveling while others use it to take advantage of the rest it can bring. But either way it is here and how we use it is up to us. Many people waist the summer and it can pass us by with no warning. I don't know about you, but I don't want to waist my summer. With all the time at our expense, why not use it its potential. Take a trip. Go do something you have always wanted to do. Try something new. Read books....lots of them. Spend time with the creator of the universe... lots of time. Don't let your summer escape your grasp. Grab hold of it...catch some rays...get a tan...live your summer.

catch a giant wave like this guy: