Yesterday, A Day of Encouragement

Full time ministry is trying, draining, and full of unexpected surprises.  I highly doubt that any person involved in this kind of life does not face the discouragement from self, satan, or others.  Let's face it, we do NOT live in a perfect world.  Discouragement and failure are inevitable. This post is not a downer... it's an upper!  

Since ministry is often a "high-risk" discouragement, it is important to fill yourself with the encouragement of God, His Word, and other people. Yesterday, I was graciously brought to three people I respect and admire, all of whom encouraged me and brought joy to my life.

1. Matt McGill.  Matt was one of my high school youth pastor at Saddleback church.  He is one of those people who have found the carful balance of academic/intelligent Christianity and servant ministry.  I respect him a lot.  I ran into him at Starbucks.  It has been a long time since I talked to him, but hearing his encouragement concerning youth ministry and seeing where God has been leading him was awesome.
2. Dr. Yoshikawa.  My awesome greek professor of 2 years, now currently my New Testament Theology professor.  We met to discuss Schreiner's New Testament Theology and talk about our ministry experiences.  His encouragement came out of his successes and failures.  I value his words and was uplifted by his exhortations.  
3. Katie Powell.  My boss and Resident Director last year.  I served on her RA staff and we had so much fun.  I caught up with her life this summer and talked about mine.  We discussed "Vision."  I love vision.  It gives us purpose and direction.  I am totally excited for Katie's vision for South Horton Dorm next year! 

God is faithful to keep us going!  Yesterday he showed me that he uses others to encourage me  a lot.  I hope to be the same kind of encouragement to others.  

Demolition

Demolition began today for our Youth Room Remodel!  

Try this math equation out:  High School Guys + Furniture + Roof = ?

Watch this for the answer!

2Busy2Blog

Wow. I can't believe it has been so long since I have blogged.  My bloglationship is obviously having some rough spots.  Forgive me!  Well, here is a recap of where I have been and what I am up to:

1. I am currently house/dog-sitting my Kaitlin's place.  She and her family are up in Lake.  Tahoe.  It is totally not fair.  At least I get to catch up on reading for NT Theology.
2. Ninja Warriors was awesome.  On friday night, we had Guy's Night/Girl's Night.  The guys played amazing obstacle courses and had a pool party.  It was so much fun.  I have a sick battle wound.  
3. Youth Room demolition begins tomorrow.  There is nothing like highschool guys destroying loads of furniture and ripping up carpet.  
4. I caught up with an old friend over coffee.  It is great to see how God is shaping other people's lives.  I am always so encouraged to see Divine activity!
5. I may be the last person on earth to hear this album, but I finally am listening to Coldplay's Viva La Vida!  Absolutely amazing!
6. I love grapefruit juice!

Summer Camp 2008

Last week, I ventured up to Centrifuge Camp near Yosemite and Lake Tahoe with 14 highschoolers and 2 other leaders. It was and amazing time of crazy activities, great conversation, and inspiring worship. I feel like our group grew a lot closer, especially the guys.


The Funny Things of the Trip:

• "Holy Grounds" Coffee Shop.  I mean c'mon... really?!  I thought "Common Grounds" at Biola way bad, but Holy Grounds?!?!
• OCYPG.  Also known as "Orange County Youth Pastor Girl."  She was a youth worker who actually looked like a male youth pastor.  Strange...
• "WOW!"  This was the phrase of the week, especially with the guys.  Ever put two "W" signs on either side of your open mouth?  It makes the word "WOW."  If you turn your "W's" upside down, you have the word "MOM."  Twitch back and forth and you have the sentence, "WOW MOM WOW!"  This was our silent volleyball cheer.  Excellent. 
• "Anyone like Jazz?"  During the talent show (for the campers to perform), a middle-aged mom (who was a counselor, I guess) got up and performed a mediocre vocal jazz number.  It was awkward. 
• Pillow Fight.  Think blood.  Lots of it.  And crazy highschool boys.  Some with shoes in their pillow cases.  Other just swinging pillows out of masculine rage, but failing to make and contact whatsoever.  After the fight, there was a gracious and loving "Congratulations!" and "Good fight, man!"  Wow!  Guys are so much different than girls! 

The Spiritual Highlights/Quotes from  Our Students:

• "I finally know exactly where I am with the Lord.  I know I'm not perfect, but I am starting to be secure in my identity as a Christian."  This is such an honest response.  So many of us try to deny where we are in relation to God.  This student understands where he is.  This is the first step to spiritual growth.
• "For the first time, I feel secure in my salvation.  I know exactly where I would go if I died today."  This was such a moment for this student.  I saw how frightened he was when he wasn't secure in his salvation, but Jon (our other counselor) took him through some scripture and prayed with him.  God's Word reassured his salvation.  Praise Him!
• "I feel so comfortable taking off my mask and being real."  This has been my heart for these students: to see them be real with who they are to themselves, others, and God.  This trip was marked by authenticity and "taking off masks."  It was amazing.  
• "We are all so different, but we are like a big family.  I feel like we all have each others' backs!"  This realization came from the guys in our group after the huge pillow fight with other churches.  They guys caught a vision of community, brotherhood, and journeying with each other.  

Praise God for the work that he is doing in and through our group.  The students have come away more missional-minded, community-focused, and self-aware.  I personally have come away from camp with deeper relationships and a more clear vision for leading our group.  Seeing the transformation in the lives of the students is what fuels ministry for me.  I am so blessed with an awesome group and that the Lord has allowed me to take part in and witness the great work of His Kingdom!  

Typical Myspace Pics and Names

XStraightJacketSteveX

SpEaK nO eViL

JADED MELODIES

xoxoBUBBLEGUMxoxo

<3breaker

Twister Extreme!

X and Y Axis, anyone?

Cries for the Kingdom

Today it all came crashing down on me in a moment of Divine revelation.  Well, maybe just a good chunk of the puzzle was just pieced together.  Ya, I like that one more.  Anyway, here is how it went: This morning, after reading a bit of Thomas Schreiner's "New Testament Theology" (concerning the miracles of Jesus as signs of the Kingdom of God being present and that Jesus is King), I decided to open up to Mark 5:1-20 (where Jesus heals the demon-possessed man).  I had a great time of reflection and praise for the fact that Jesus brings the fulfillment of the Old Testament expectations that God would begin to rule on the earth, binding the evil and bringing healing to his people.  I personalized this and meditated on the reign of Christ in my life and the healing that he brings.  However, in concentrating on the presence of the Kingdom in the ministry of Jesus and how that still continues today, I was quickly moved from a time of rejoicing to a time of deep sorrow and lamentation.  I realized how many things surrounding my life are broken and how those are still parts of this world that await the final consummation of the Kingdom of God: broken families, poverty, addiction, death, and sickness (both spiritual and physical).  This created a somber rhythm the rest of the day.  There was goodness in meditating on that which awaits fulfillment, for my prayer became "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  

Super Mario Brothers

We just got Wii and it has Super Mario Brothers.  Needless to say, Kaitlin will no longer be socializing with anyone.  
Some of you may not have known this, but she is an avid gamer, especially when it comes to the old school stuff.  
If anyone wants to hang out in the next couple weeks, let me know.  I have no fiance for a while!

Summer Roadtrip 08

This week we launched our Summer series, Summer Roadtrip 08!  We will be exploring the spiritual journey of life as we all follow Jesus.  Topics include planning for the journey, reading the roadmap, discerning the signs on the road, how to deal with others in the car, and detours.  We have some great events mixed with a new small group structure for our Wednesday nights!  I pray that we would all learn how to stay on the road that leads to life and be authentic, focused, and trust in God the whole way!

No Limits

I was driving around and saw this sign.  I stopped and chuckled to myself because it was posted in a church parking lot.  It seemed ironic to me that the gate to a church would have limits, times, and days that one could enter.  I know that this is for parking purposes only and has nothing to do with salvation, but I can't help but think of that.

In John 10:9, Jesus says, "I am the door [or gate].  If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."  He is always available!  There are no time constraints or "hours of operation" for Jesus.  He is always there, ready for those he loves to enter into eternal life!

Another thought that ran through my head was a point I preached on last Sunday:  "There is no division between the secular and the sacred!"  We have bought into the notion that Church is what we do on Sunday mornings and small groups, and the rest of the week is our "life."  Not at all!!!  It is all sacred!  God is not so small that we limit Him to a building or place or time!  We are called to be followers of Jesus Christ (continuously), not merely spectators a couple hours a week.  

I pray that we will be people who start to see God in the ordinary.  That we would live out of our identity in Jesus Christ all the time.  I pray that we would start seeing life through the eyes of God, and that we may approach Him ANY TIME... for He has NO LIMITS!