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!