Nun Beauty Contest

Recent news has been circulating about a beauty contest featuring nuns.  This is intended to honor and expose the work that nuns are doing.  They will be able to log onto a MySpace-like website and create a profile.  Website visitors are then able to vote for the nun they think is the most like a model.  My favorite part is that the nuns have the option of posing in a veil or the traditional habit!  Some sources say that the contest is off, but I am not sure.

Read the full article here.

People Hunt!

Last week, PCI youth embarked on an intense hunt for "Irvine's Most Wanted" around the Irvine Spectrum.  Their mission was to collect the mysterious puzzle pieces from these leaders who were in disguise.  The hunt lasted approximately 1 hour and ended with ice cream sundaes.  Awesome. 

What I Learned Last Week

1. I really like podcasts.  My favorites are Simply Youth Ministry, Relevant, Desiring God Ministries, and Rockharbor.  For some reason, I really like listening to people talk.  I think I even like it a bit more than music.
2. I am way more Republican than I thought, or at least more pro-McCain than I thought.  I really like his view on education, vouchers, spending, abortion, and energy.  I guess I'm a liberal Republican (for those of you who like labels). 
3. When a coffee-drinker stops drinking coffee, he goes through withdraws.  I am four days coffee-free and the headaches have stopped. The only caffeine I have had is a couple sips of diet coke and a cup of green tea.
4. Carpet laying is difficult.  I have laid almost 800 sq. feet of carpet yet.  I am gaining more skills than expected in this job.  
5. There is a difference between working for the church and working for God.  They overlap, but ultimately, working for God is more important.  I have to remember that!
6. Writing things down is very important.  If I don't, I forget major deadlines.  
7. Fast food makes you feel bad...fast!  I can't even communicate how crappy  I have felt because of the crappy food I have been eating.  I am in detox mode.  

Chocolate Rain

Olympics Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony was incredible.  It was one of the most artistic performances I have seen in a while.  There was a little bit of everything: pop stars, human calligraphy, modern dance, classical chinese costumes, drums, lights, flying people, and fireworks!  With all of this glitz and glam, I was a little troubled.  I got the impression that the whole 16,000-person performance was one big facade attempting to cover up the pain and suffering of so many people in China.  There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the Olympics in China and I believe that there should be concern!  I have heard that the country has spent billions of dollars to "cover up" the parts of the city that are not so great.  I am interested to see what these 17 days of Olympic games holds for the world and what will transpire.  I see this magnificent performance having a ot to do with Christianity.  We too easily put on performances for people and for God.  It's so dumb, but we all fall prey to it.  I pray that we wouldn't try to put up facades in our own lives to cover up the messy parts.  God wants to do amazing things with our weaknesses.  If only we would all let Him. 

Turn It OFF!!!

I have been learning the difficult art of turning off my cell phone or leaving it in the car when spending time with people.  I have noticed (thanks to Kaitlin) that I am always distracted and thinking about work.  So, in order to maintain my sanity and a healthy relationship with those around me, I have committed to leaving it in the car.  And, come on, the world is NOT going to stop revolving if I don't answer a text message immediately!  In fact, this may help me remember the heart of the Sabbath (which I taught on Wednesday night: God is God, I am not, and I have been set free by the Cross of Christ).  It is easy to believe that we are gods when we think that everyone needs us immediately.  So, I'm sorry if my text responses are delayed and I miss your call.  It is important to me, but I don't want a divided heart.  I'm sure you understand.

Quick Update

My recent activities:

1. Youth Room painting
2. Falling off the ladder while painting (!)
3. Making Runs to Lowe's 3 times a day
4. Buying curtains in Santa Ana
5. Celebrating Christi's birthday
6. Reading a great book called Brothers, We Are NOT Professionals by John Piper
7. Date night with Kaitlin!!!
8. Apartment hunting
9. Teaching a mini-sub-series on Sabbath

Still to do this week:

1. Prepare the rest of Sabbath teaching
2. Finish painting Youth Room
3. Lay Epoxy flooring for the coffee shop area
4. Beach Day- Youth Group
5. Social Problems discussion board and vignette assignment 
6. See an apartment
7. NT Theology Precis (x4)
8. Spend QUALITY time with my girl
9. Rest in the Lord!!!

Signology.