Working out of Rest

A couple months ago I was completely drained from life, relationships, and ministry. I got to a place where I forgot the heart of why I was in ministry to begin with. At times it can still be difficult not to slip into that same mindset, however, I learned something during that time that keeps me mindful of a healthy rhythm I need in order to keep sane.

WORK OUT OF REST!

Yep. Work out of rest. I need to be filled in order to serve, fill, and minister to others. If not, I'm done.

This is biblical, too. You see, we tend to work in order to rest, sleep, tak vacations, have personal time. God seemed to have set it up I'm a different way. When he created the world, each creation act ends with this phrase: "and there was evening, and there was morning-- the first (or second, third, etc.) day." (Genesis 1: 5,8,13,19,23,31)

Night was the first part of the day, then daylight. We were created to rest in order to work! This should be the way we opperate. I know that if I don't, I run myself to the ground.

God, help me remember that I need to rest in order to work. Keep me filled with your Word, godly relationships, and prayer in order to be an effective worker for your Kingdom!

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I joined the club/cult!

Well it is official: I joined the iPhone club/cult. My wid bought me one for Christmas and today I picked it up from the apple store. I am very excited about the diferenr ways I can stay organized, connected to students, and hopefully not addicted/antisocial! I know this will be a challenge, but I'm up for it! I'll let you know how it goes...


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The Blind Side

It was such a good movie! I could write a deep post about it, but I don't think I would do it justice. It was seriously one of my favorite movies I have seen. Sandra Bullock is amazing in this movie. Plus, it is all based on a true story, which is rad! It made for a wonderful date night with Kaitlin. You should go see it!

Please Allow Me to Verbally Vomit...

I have not blogged in such a long time. I somehow feel more excited to blog when I am excited about the things on my plate. It's not that I wasn't excited recently...well, maybe I wasn't. I don't know. You see, I kind of have an ADD personality when it comes to my life. I am fueled by change and get SOOOOO excited when there are new and exciting things. After our youth group All-Nighter (which was AWESOME....100 kids and 12 crazy hours!), I got into a funk and found it hard to pick up the pieces of my life. It was as if I was living for the All-Nighter, and after it was done, I was left with nothing. In the last week or so, I have started to "heal" from my ultra-low as Kaitlin and I have spent some amazing time together and plans are underway for a Jr. High group launch next year. I am pumped and ready for EVERYTHING! Only a couple more week of Kaitlin's semester, then CHRISTMAS!!! I'm so excited! Also, I love my cat. He's cool. Umm, I think that's it. Bye for now.

Mess

You know your life is a mess when...

• You can't see the floor of your bedroom
• You can't see the floor of your car
• Your eating habits include fast food and diet coke at most meals
• Your wife has been sick for a week
• Your sleeping patterns are still thrown off from an all-nighter a week ago

I'm in the process of cleaning up. the car. the room. the eating habits. the sleep patterns. my lady's health.

I have come to terms...

I have finally come to terms with my BOOK A.D.D. I no longer have to feel guilty for putting down a book to start another book. Instead, I read 5-6 at a time. I have a schedule (based on the things I want to learn about) and a designated day to read the book that falls under that category. Here is my schedule and the books I am currently reading:

• SUNDAY- "Marriage" (Currently reading Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas)
• MONDAY- "Creativity" (Currently reading The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharpe)
• TUESDAY- "Leadership" (Currently reading Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders)
• WEDNESDAY- "Youth Ministry" (Currently reading Speaking to Teenagers by Doug Fields and Duffy Robbins)
• THURSDAY- "Theology" (Currently reading Religion Saves by Mark Driscoll)
• FRIDAY- "Current Events" (Currently reading a variety of online news articles)
• SATURDAY- "Fiction/Poetry" (Currently reading Untune the Sky by Douglas Wilson)

Youth Sunday: LIVE!

Last Sunday, I preached for Youth Sunday.  We wrapped up our summer series: LIVE!  You can listen to the recording here.  The first part is a drama by two of our students (Benny and Alex), playing Nichodemus and the Samaritan Woman.  The sound cuts out in the intro, but none of the important stuff is lost.  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Jeremy!

Today is my brother's BIRTHDAY! Jeremy Saenz is 19 years old and is growing up to be an awesome man of God! Tonight, Kaitlin and I had him over for fondue dessert. It was very yummy!

Religion Saves

I recently picked up Mark Driscoll's new Book, Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions. It is wonderful, full of so much truth and practical theology. I really enjoy Driscoll's teachings and find his prophetic ministry (speaking truth into our cultural situation, not "prophetic" in the sense of telling the future) awesome!

Here are the table of contents:

Introduction

Question 9: Birth Control

Question 8: Humor

Question 7: Predestination

Question 6: Grace

Question 5: Sexual Sin

Question 4: Faith and Works

Question 3: Dating

Question 2: The Emerging Church

Question 1: The Regulative Principal

Thanks, God

So the other day, I was praying and focusing on a heart of thanksgiving (even though it's August... crazy, right!?). A thought came into my mind as I was offering my thanks to the Lord: God, thank you for making me who I am, not who I want to be!

I often find myself praying that I would not struggle with certain sins, that I would have been created another way, or that I could change my flaws. I did have an epiphany in my moment of prayer, though. I really am thankful that God created me just the way I am. If I were created just the way I want to be, I would never have the opportunities to trust God's sovereignty.

God cannot tempt anyone with evil, I know that. However, I believe that it may be a gracious act of God NOT to heal, NOT to restore, NOT to take away our sins, brokenness, and maladies. In our brokenness and weakness, I believe that God spiritually forms us. My inept causes me to trust God, not myself. My inability leads me to the cross. He may never fully restore this side of eternity, but my faith and perseverance may greatly increase because of his gracious no to our prayers.

Will Ferrell Sunscreen... I love this!!!!

Will Ferrell Sunscreen

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My wife stole my post... but I have a VIDEO!!!

I was going to blog on my summer, but she stole the post. Read her post here. However, you can watch our video recap from Centrifuge summer camp! It was such an awesome time. God really moved in some incredible ways!

I just figured out that i can blog from my phone via text message! So excited!

catch up

its been a while. not like the song, but like the time lapse since my last post. here it goes...

well, folks, i spent the entire day (literally, the ENTIRE day) going through receipts and working on our finances. we have kept every receipt since january and we are accounting for every penny spent. my reason in this is to make a budget that is a lot more reasonably based, rather than trying to guess back in january how much everything is going to cost us. these last 6 months we just spent normally and now we are ready to evaluate and see where we can cut back and where we can loosen. i need to finish tomorrow, but i also need to do the rest of the stuff i planned to do while kaitlin is gone. (so much to do, so little time). but, i really miss my wife. ( i may or may not have talked to our kitten a lot, lit candles, and listened to jazz music alone while she was gone. you'll never know.)

Youth Group ULTIMATE Birthday Party: Summer Kick-off!

On Wednesday, Pacific Church of Irvine's Youth Group celebrated EVERYONE'S birthday with ONE HUGE BIRTHDAY BASH! It was so much fun and was an excellent way to kick off the summer.

We had a ton of great birthday things: awesome decor, poker table, face painting, balloon animals, cotton candy, popcorn, party punch, cupcake decorating contest, musical chairs, hot potato style pass the present, limbo, and goodie bags (with summer ad promotions for youth group, of course)! This was the night we unveiled the PIC Youth Yearbook 2008-2009 as well and they were a hit!

Students brought a lot of new friends, which was awesome! The volunteer involvement was off the charts! I felt like I was actually able to mingle with students because each station was manned by an excellent person who had it down!

Funny moment of the night: The face painting station kind of became a "do it yourself" face painting. Students had crazy artistic talent...well, if you consider abstract talent!

Here are some photo highlights:

Our awesome Senior Pastor, Seth!

Some festive volunteers!

Mark dealing poker with the students!

Pass the present!

Can't see real well, but he got his face painted like Phantom of the Opera!

Balloon (art/animals/intestines)!

Kaitlin taught/forced the Jr. High girls to interpretive dance!

I just love our adult leaders!

No words.

Yep.

Forget Blackberries!

Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees takes off his shoes;

The rest sit around it and pluck blackberries.

(Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

God's Chisel

So This One Day, I Ran Into Blythe...

And we took pictures of clothes we liked, but didn't buy.

You should read her blog.

My Senior Pastor/Boss!

Summer 2009 is Approaching...

Volunteer Rally Video

A week or so ago, we showed this video in church to get volunteers for youth and children's ministry.  After a sermon on The Church and The Body of Christ, this is what Pacific Church of Irvine saw.  After service, we had 25 people sign up!  Praise God!

One Year on Staff at PCI

Today--June 1, 1009--marks exactly one year of me being on staff at Pacific Church of Irvine.  It has been a really cool year.  One that has been surprising, exciting, difficult, draining, filling, fun, and well worth it!  I am so blessed to be at our church and I have come to love it and the people there.  Here are some ministry memories in my first year!

• Youth Sundays
• People Hunt
• Ninja Warriors Night
• Beach Days
• You Tube Series
• Vacation Bible School
• Centrifuge Summer Camp
• Youth Room Remodel 
• Bonfires
• Pumpkin Patch
• Glow: All-Nighter
• Lunch with Students
• Pumpkin Patch
• Christmas Party
• Super-Staff Meetings
• Crazy Love
• Student Leadership Retreat
• Rooted, Growing, Serving, Sowing
• Guys Group
• Valentines Spaghetti Dinner
• Beach Cleanup
• 4 Your Friends Outreach
• Church Picnics 
• Old Skool Lego Bible Stories 
• Identity Series 

jumbled thoughts [life update]

• I am not a fan of social networking anymore. Blogs, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter have given everyone their 15 minutes of fame.  Now that EVERYONE is special, NOTHING is special.  People have no attention span and no real community.  We are an "instant coffee" society. There is nothing like smelling the whole beans, grinding them, making the coffee, and enjoying it.  Same with community.  
• I'm excited for our vacation to Chicago in a bit, especially since we'll be there over the 4th of July! A city vacation is unconventional, especially because we're such beach lovers, but I love this city and Kaitlin hasn't been there.  Kaitlin's family is going at the same time and her sister is going to look at some colleges.  Can't wait for Chicago Deep-dish pizza from Giordano's! 
• Kaitlin are professional dog/house sitters I guess.  We have 5+ "jobs" this summer and more still in need. Crazy, but so nice. It's like a mini-vacation. Plus we can earn money to go on an actual vacation! We start our first job on Saturday. We are praying that we get to babysit (okay, DOGsit) Muffin again!!!
• We're celebrating Reenie's birthday on Friday at Mastro's! Best steak EVER..can't wait!
• I am learning the richness of my identity in Christ! It is beautiful.  I'm unpacking a lot of crap but also discovering so much joy in my true identity, not the one I have forced myself into.  God is good!
• I think I like running again.  It's probably because of the sun.
• I freaking LOVE Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport Beach.  I constantly crave them now.
• I haven't bought Starbucks in a couple weeks now. Can you believe it?!?! I have set out to prove Kaitlin wrong.  Though, there is nothing wrong with people buying it for me!!! ...(hint, hint)...
• The youth group summer is completely booked.  I can't wait.  It is the busiest/greatest season of ministry! 
• Kaitlin is almost done with school for the semester...only 1 more week!
• Here is my blog post form one year ago today. I am happy to say that I am not in that place right now. 
• High school guys small group at the pool and jacuzzi is a good idea. We have a lot of fun and good conversations. 

National Day of Prayer

Join us at Pacific Church of Irvine for our experiential prayer room.  Each station acts as a catalyst to help you pray for the World, our country, our community, personal needs, and then take communion.  The prayer room is open today from 8am-8pm.  Join us for a prayer walk at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, or 6pm! 

iTunes Shuffle

I guess this summarizes my musical taste...

1. "Come Around" (Marc Broussard)
2. "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left" (Andrew Bird)
3. "You Can Do Better Than Me" (Death Cab for Cutie)
4. "Stars" (David Crowder Band)
5. "Desire" (Phil Wickham)
6. "Your Body is a Wonderland" (John Mayer)
7. "There is None Like You" (Shane & Shane)
8. "Love is Waiting" (Brooke Fraser)
9. "A Message" (Coldplay)
10. "I Will Not Fear" (Adam Watts)

Ode to Wife

I love my wife

and she loves me!

It's just as it ought be.

She bakes me cakes,

Loves eating steaks,

Makes me feel great,

Stays up talking late. 

I love my wife

and she loves me!

It's just as it ought be.

She has blonde curly hair,

And a big heart to care,

For others with needs,

(She's a rose among weeds!)

I love my wife

and she loves me!

It's just as it ought be.

Monday Update #6

Where am I now?  On the couch watching the Food Network... my new favorite!  

How was last week?  It was a crazy week, but ended with some really good down-time.  Here are some highlights: (1) Youth Group bonfire on Wednesday!  It was a great time.  I still have a bruise from the game, "Savage Women," we played.  (2) I got really organized at work as far as our programming goes and I'm excited to implement our planning and evaluation stuff I made.  (3) Palm Sunday was cool and unconventional!  Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game and fun-noodles instead of palm branches! (4) Kaitlin and I did mostly nothing on Saturday, which is unheard of for us... it was so nice!

What is God teaching me right now?  Connect with Him to receive grace! Also, stop striving to be perfect by my own strength for the wrong reasons!

What am I excited for this week?  (1) House/dog-sitting the in-laws' pets.  (2) Passover experience at Youth Group on Wednesday.  (3) Good Friday. (4) Easter!!!! (5) Oh, ya... it's my birthday tomorrow!

What is something random from the last week?  Bought 14 cents worth of yogurt at Yogurtland ... old news if you read my blog regularly, but still funny and random!

What music have I been enjoying recently?  HSM & Wildside CD still.

What books am I reading?   Finished Refuel by Dough Fields the other day. 

What am I reading in God's Word? John and the other gospels for the passion story and events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

How can I reach others this week? Challenging people to think about Easter, and think HARD!!  

14 Cents of Yogurt

Today I purchased 14 cents worth of frozen yogurt at Yogurtland.  I thought it was hilarious, as did my high school guys who were with me.  The cashier hated me.  Here's the proof of my genius/awesomeness! ... 

Monday Update #5

Kaitlin wanted to be in the picture this week!

Where am I now?  At the dining room table.  Just finished a good run, laundry, and dishes. Kaitlin is doing homework. (Oh, her blog post has a really funny story about our walk tonight... you should read it after this!)

How was last week?  Last week was great! I went to PDYM conference and got to spend a lot of time with Mark.  Met a lot of new people and saw a lot of familiar faces!  It was a great experience.

What is God teaching me right now?  REMAIN IN HIS LOVE.  John 15 has impacted me a lot recently.  I need to remain in Him.  This is how I lead, this is how I live, this is how I love!

What am I excited for this week?  Youth Group Bonfire, baby!  Can't wait!  

What is something random from last week?  I saw a girl at the PDYM conference that I grew up with on my street.  I was no older than 6 or 7 when I moved away.  She is now a youth worker in Seattle.  Crazy! 

What music have I been enjoying recently?  Wildside & HSM CD

What books am I reading?  Refuel by Doug Fields 

What am I reading in God's Word?  John and the Passion narrative, getting ready for Easter!

How can I reach other this week?  LOVE!  Sounds corny, but so real.  

I NEED YOUR HELP!!!  I am looking for one more question to add every Monday!  I want to hear some ideas... Yes, that means you have to comment!

Penn

They showed this video at the PDYM Conference and it was really cool!  This guys is a famous magician from Penn & Teller act in Las Vegas.  He is an atheist, but listen to what he has to say.  Anyone inspired?

PDYM Conference

This week I have been at Purpose Driven Youth Ministry conference at Saddleback Church.  I joke that it doesn't feel like I'm at a conference because (1) It's 5 minutes from my home; and (2) I attended Saddleback High School Ministry myself as a student.  It's strange being thrown into the pool of "Youth Pastors" because when I worked the resource tent in high school for the Purpose Driven conferences, we often joked around about how all (and I mean ALL) of the youth pastor had highlights and goatees. Now I'm one of them (minus the highlights and goatee).  Anyway, it is a really cool conference and have got to meet up with some great people (both new friends and old friends).  I am blessed to be doing what I am doing in life and ministry.  I am excited for what God is doing at Pacific Church of Irvine with the youth.   

Monday Update #4

Where am I now?  In our condo, sitting on the floor while my wife bakes english tea sweets for a school project and my sister-in-law, Reenie, plays bejeweled and listens to her iPhone music.

How was last week? It was an AMAZING week!  (1) We had a great Guys Group last Tuesday...they really opened up and share their lives as we discussed how to lead a godly life as a man. (2) Went up to Biola for some of Missions Conference with Kaitlin and Megan as well as doing some work for the easter production at PCI. (3) Student Leadership Retreat was so absolutely, totally AWESOME!!!  Our team grew together in such great ways (i'll post pics or something soon). God really showed us what he wants us to do in our group.  The students were so open to the Spirit!  (4) Church was great on Sunday morning.  My small group guys (10th-12th graders) really connected with the message and had a ton to say!  (5) Lunch with my grandma and grandpa Bob at Javier's! So delicious.  (6) A very restful nap with my wife! 

What is God teaching me right now?  God is still teaching me a lot in this "Leadership 101" phase.  I am discovering how he has created me to lead, what he has entrusted me with, and how to practice "self-leadership."  I have journal pages filled with things God has taught me on this subject this week alone.  I am very thankful and empowered by what he is teaching me!

What am I excited for this week?  Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Conference starts tomorrow and runs through Friday.  Mark and I are attending... although I'm sure we'll be the youngest attenders there, it will be a blast! I can't wait to just sit back, relax, and learn. 

What is something random from the last week?  Shoot, just one?  Not possible.  (1) Mikey (a youth group student at the retreat) was sleeping and the other guys decided to smack him with pillows in the face.  He wasn't too happy ... (2) I am still sore all over from glow in the dark capture the flag on Saturday night ... (3) Recently I have been using the word "magic" to describe things that are so awesome and amazing that I find myself at a loss for words.  I have even had to stop myself from saying it while preaching (like when something God does is so awesome I just want to say "God is so magic!"). Well, while we were praying with our adult and student leaders before Church on Sunday, I accidentally prayed for something related to "magical places." Everyone laughed ... (4) And Kaitlin cut her hair short! It's so hot!

What music have I been enjoying recently? Remedy by David Crowder Band

What books am I reading? I just finished Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels today.  I also got four C.S. Lewis books at the used bookstore for $1.  Haven't read them yet, though.  

What am I reading is God's Word?  Philippians, still.  Also, 1 Timothy (kind of along the whole leadership theme). 

How can I reach others this week?  I think this week will be a time of reaching others in ministry.  I hope to ENCOURAGE other pastors and youth ministry staff at PDYM conference and spend some good quality time with Mark.  

Monday Update #3

Where am I now?  In our condo, in the dining room table.

How was last week?  Awesome!  God has been so good! Here are some highlights: (1) Had some great one-on-one conversations with people. (2) Megan and Davey got engaged! (3) Youth Group has had a great turn-out recently. (4) Celebrated 2 months of marriage with my beautiful wife! (5) Enjoyed mountain biking with Kaitlin's dad (my father-in-law).  (6) Saw MAJOR progress in a student's spiritual journey! (7) "KINGS" on NBC premiered! 

What is God teaching me right now?  God is teaching me how to be the best leader i can possibly be.  One HUGE realization is that my leadership depends immensely upon the people I surround myself with.  I am so blessed to have awesome people in my life!  

What am I excited for this week?  I am so excited just for possibilities!  There are so many of them...I just want to catch God's dreams!  Also, our Student Leadership Retreat is this weekend and I can't wait! 

What is something random from the last week?  Kailtin and I modeled for our photographer friend Matt Chenot's homework assignment.  He had to photograph a bride and groom outdoors, so we went to a monastery I knew of.  It didn't cross our minds how ironic it was that a wedding photo-shoot would take place at a monastery, until an angry monk made us leave!  Too funny!

What music have I been enjoying recently?  Jon Foreman's "Spring" and RockHarbor's "Sabbath Reflections" ... Kelly Clarkson's new song is pretty awesome too!

What books am I reading?  Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels 

What am I reading in God's Word? Philippians 

How can I reach others this week? (1) Encouragement; (2) Passion; (3) Prayer; (4) Joy; (5) Developing

KINGS

Last night was the two-hour season premier of NBC's new show, Kings.  It is a modern-day story of King David and is reminiscent of Bourne Identity.  I am basically obsessed with this show.  It aires Sunday nights at 8pm, and is absolutely worth watching.  The creative ways they tell the story in a modern context is outstanding.  Bible buffs will enjoy all of the parallels and artistic decisions made in the creation of this show.  Read about Kings on Relevant's website or watch the premier on NBC's site.  

Monday Update #2

Where am I now?  The Block of Orange waiting to meet have a lunch meeting.

How was last week?  Last week was a great week!  There are a couple of awesome things that happened: (1) "4 Your Friends" outreach event for the Youth Group.  We had 38 students show up, which is great!  (2) I had lunch at a couple of high schools and just had a blast! (3) I found the BEST JOURNAL IN THE WORLD (pictured above)!  This is the same journal I had about 4 years ago...it was the best.  However, I haven't been able to find it again until now! I'm so happy! (4) Had a great Saturday: breakfast and coffee with Kaitlin, Dad, and brothers; productive around the house; double date with Megan and Davey at Lucille's BBQ; music night at Peet's Coffee with lots of friends; Wii Fit at home with Meg and Davey...so much fun!

What is God teaching me right now?  I think He is teaching me that I am exactly where I am supposed to be in life. This includes relationships, job, ministry, etc.  This does not mean I am complacent, but I am confident that I am trying to be obedient. God is blessing that obedience and I am able to discern His will because of the place I am in.

What am I excited for this week?  I am excited to plan the Student Leadership retreat, hang out with cool people, and go to Comedy Dinner Theater Night at church on Friday.

What is something random from last week?  Two O.C. mom's stopped me at Cinnamon Productions (O.C. Mom Mecca) to ask me about my hair, my stylist, product, and on and on and on...  It was really funny!  Doesn't really surprise me that hair and hair product was so fascinating to them. I laughed a lot!

What music have I been enjoying recently?  Fleet Foxes!!!

What books am I reading?  A whole lot of a lot of different books... never just one.  I am trying to find "It" by Graig Groeschel.  No one has it.

What am I reading in God's Word?  Philippians, still.  I am loving it, though, and enjoying teaching through the book!

How can I reach others this week?  I think I just need to keep my heart and mind open to the possibilities of every conversation and situation.  I can dream big about what God wants to do in people's lives and how I can be a tool for that.  

Used Bookstore or Cultural Commentary? (Part II)

Used Bookstore or Cultural Commentary?

Monk?

Yesterday I was bored and had a lot of energy (probably because of the Iced Venti Coffee unsweetened with 2 add shots of espresso), so I went up to this random monastery in Trabuco Canyon.  I don't know what kind of monastery it is: Buddhist, Hindu, New Age... however, it was NOT Christian, which made it kind of strange.

To get there, I ascended a windy road. It was beautiful because it reminded me of how much I love being in nature.

It was so quaint and so not-OC!

There was a library you could go to and read. They had all kinds of religious texts, but what made me so happy (and even helps me justify going to a pagan monastery) is the HUGE collection they had of early Christian literature, church fathers, commentaries, and spiritual formation!  I picked up a book I have been wanting to read again for a long time, "Practice the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence. 

All in all, my experience was interesting.  I'm not crazy about the idea of a pagan monastery, but I LOVE the books.  So, I might go back on Friday to finish the second half of my book!

Monday Update

So I have decided to do a monday update every monday. We'll see how long it lasts.  I think it will be good to keep in reflection mode and challenge me to process the things I don't care to blog about.  Here we go...

Where am I now?  I am currently at home sitting on the couch in our front living room.  I took Monday off this week because I worked 6 days last week.  I still haven't got dressed for the day. 

How was last week?  Last week was a roller coaster for me.  Last Sunday was encouraging because of Youth Sunday.  I felt filled and encouraged all the way until Wednesday night, then discouragement came.  Thursday morning I was encouraged and filled again, but the filling and encouraging kept coming and coming all the way through Sunday. (I still feel encouraged and filled for the record).

What is God teaching me right now?  I think God is challenging me with being joyful, since I am preaching through Philippians and the book is about joy.  Also, there has been a common theme of outreach and evangelism that I feel God's Spirit pushing me into. 

What am I excited for this week?  "4 Your Friends"- an outreach event on Wednesday night at our Youth Group. 

What is something random from the last week?  Kaitlin and I went on a walk to the middle school across from our house (where we both attended) and discovered that they have playground workout equipment! It's so funny and awesome!

What music have I been enjoying recently?  A random mix CD I have in my car that I titled, "Awesome LIVING!"

What books am I reading?  What books aren't I reading?!?! I really am bad a finishing books, so I am "skimming" a few: "Speaking to Teenagers," "The Vision and the Vow," "The Epic of Eden," "Sacred Marriage," and "Praying Through the Tabernacle." 

What am I reading in God's Word?  Philippians 

How can I reach others this week?  Joy conversations, lunch at Irvine high school, and pursuing reconciliation and rebuilding with someone. 

Idea Camp

I went to a conference called the Idea Camp last Friday.  It was an awesome conference on creativity, ministry, ideas, and social justice.  The coolest part about it was that is was FREE!!!  The two workshops I attended had to do with the identity of the Church and reaching the :hard to reach." I feel like I grew a lot from it and was really inspired by the speakers in the main sessions.  Adri's blog does a much better job describing the conference. Check it out!

Youth Sunday: "Crazy Love"

Last Sunday I preached on "Crazy Love."  The title and idea was not my own, but came from Francis Chan's book. The Youth Group took over the service and ran everything from sound, offering, greeting, worship, announcements, and artistic scenery.  You can listen to the sermon recording here.  I also showed a video, so you may want to watch it here so you know what's going on.

Productivity!!!

Today I accomplished so much and feel very good about it!

1. Scheduled out the new Phillipians series for Youth Group
2. Sent out my weekly parent letter
3. Contacted our Student Leadership team for our Sunday meeting
4. Prepared "Guy Talk/Girl Talk" small group curriculum
5. Studied, outlined, and prepared Wednesday's message on Phillipians 1:1-11
6. Started planning "4 Your Friends," our friendship outreach for March 4th. 

Woo Hoo for productivity!

My Favorite Facebook Ads...

I honestly don't understand these, especially the preaching one! I have a feeling that they just insert whatever your occupation in this ad.  Does anyone else get this crazy buff-bald preacher on their Facebook ads?  Also, the baby is freaky! I like the Asian lady ad better. She makes me laugh more than the baby.  Anyway, enjoy!

josh, unplugged.

So yesterday was a day off for President's Day, so I thought it would be a fantastic oppurtunity to take a much-needed Sabbath.  My dear wife was sick, so most of the day was spent with her.  It was nice to do very little.  I didn't even go outside all day!  Here was my Sabbath:

1. Woke up at 10:30am, showered, and got dressed in comfy clothes.
2. Read the first chapter of Philippians and journaled.
3. Made oatmeal and fruit.
4. Read some more.
5. Acted british: Made tea in a cup and saucer with cream and sugar, read poetry
6. Made lunch for Kaitlin and I
7. Watched Bringing Up Boys by  Dr. Dobson with Kaitlin for her class
8. Made Spaghetti for dinner
9. Watched some TV and talked with Kaitlin
10. Bedtime

The entire day was computer-less, Facebook-less, and cell phone-less. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next Sabbath I have!

What God Said

God said, "Listen."

Why?

1. To "Be still and know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10).
2. To avoid being "conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of my mind" (Romans 12:2).
3. To discover "the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). 

My ears and heart are attentive...

hello blog that i once loved so much!

so i have not updated for a while.  kaitlin and i are trying to figure out our life schedules.  it is working out pretty, though it seems a lot tougher for her then for me.  she goes to school twice a week and works the other three days. on top of that, she helps me in youth group and leads a girls discipleship groups after a 7 hour school day.  yeah, she's awesome! i love her so much!!!  

what else?... well, we seemed to be settled into our condo quite nicely.  it is the perfect size to feel cozy and have room to stretch.  oh ya!...our bed arrived about a week ago.  we were each used to sleeping in a full before we were married. then the honeymoon tricked us with king size beds the whole time.  i say tricked because when we got home, we had to share a full! CRAZY!!! kaitlin's parents were awesome enough to buy us a bed for our wedding gift.  we ended up with a king size sleep number bed!! *heaven* 

i love cooking! i do it all the time. tonight it homemade enchiladas! mmmmmm!  i like making my own recipes, or variation on ones i read in cookbooks.

so as of right now, my beautiful wife and i are sipping tea while she works on her homework and i catch up on blogging and facebook.  i'm still trying to maintain a loose connectedness to social networking.  i find myself not obsessed, but not completely removed.  it seems appropriate. 

oh ya... GOD IS AWESOME!  more on that later. 

Honeymoon!

Here are some highlights from our honeymoon at Cap Juluca in Anguilla, British West Indies!  We loved the place sooooo much! We were so sad to leave the crystal clear water and white sand beaches.  Everything was perfect!  To see more pictures, check out Kaitlin's Facebook page!

The Pope and Facebook

The Pope warns us about Facebook via his YouTube site... Ironic?  

"The concept of friendship has enjoyed a renewed prominence in the vocabulary of the new digital social networks that have emerged in the last few years. The concept is one of the noblest achievements of human culture. ... We should be careful, therefore, never to trivialise the concept or the experience of friendship. It would be sad if our desire to sustain and develop on-line friendships were to be at the cost of our availability to engage with our families, our neighbours and those we meet in the daily reality of our places of work, education and recreation. If the desire for virtual connectedness becomes obsessive, it may in fact function to isolate individuals from real social interaction while also disrupting the patterns of rest, silence and reflection that are necessary for healthy human development."