Painting Galaxies

Things on my Mind Today at Work...

2011-11-17T15:15:00.001-08:00

Studying/thinking through the life of David after out Philippians series ends late spring...
Mapped out Philippians 2...this could take like 12+ weeks to preach through if I wanted...maybe more...i'll do 4ish i guess...
SMALL GROUPS! I can't wait for our revamp in January...Good small group leaders are SOOOO important! SO is putting the right students with the right leader.
My senior pastor told me I looked like Justin Bieber/Beaver today...so did 3 others
Left over Youth Thanksgiving for lunch is great!
Date night tonight with Kaitlin (!!!)
So many kids going to winter camp
I love my job...i'm so thankful

Excited for this...

2011-11-17T15:11:00.001-08:00

[ Thoughts on Mark 6:1-6 ]

2010-09-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

Oh Jesus! You came to your own town and they were blown away. They couldn’t understand where you got your wisdom. You wisdom is from of old. From before the foundations of the earth were laid, you comprehended all. Your wisdom is perfect, flawless. You are the only wise God!

How are such mighty works done by his hand? How are they not?! We see healings and forgiveness and miracles and wonder how is that possible? Oh, foolish people we are, do we not realize that you, oh Lord, are the creator of all things? The earth was made by you and for you and through you! Every little detail, from a microorganism to the Grand Canyon was dreamt up by you—and carried out to existence by te speaking of your word. Jesus, you hold all things together, and still…still we ask How are such mighty works done by his hand?

They thought you were a mere carpenter. How often have I reduced you, Jesus, to something lower than the Most Holy God! The King of Kings. Lord of Lords. The high and exalted Holy One! Forgive me, Lord Jesus.

“A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household,” you said.

You were true to God’s call for your life to prophetic ministry. You did not care about being accepted more than obedience to the Father. He was of utmost importance. Please help me to do the same, not looking to the approval of the world, or friends, or my boss, or my students, or my wife, or my parents. Only the Father.

You marveled at their unbelief.

My current reading list

2010-09-15T10:23:00.001-07:00

- ESV Study Bible (currently reading Daniel and Mark)
- "Hipster Christianity" by Brett McCraken
- "Black" by Ted Dekker
- "Closer" by Jim and Cathy Burns (marriage devo with Kaitlin)
- "Love Focused" by Bob and Judy Hughes
- "Renewed Day by Day" by AW Tozer (Daily devo)
- "One Minute Student Bible" by Doug Fields (daily devo)

how true this is...

2010-09-12T20:57:00.001-07:00

Image credit: http://www.theresurgence.com/

Summer Camp Videos

2010-09-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

...Beautiful...

2010-08-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Last Week's Schenanigans

2010-07-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Last week, we had a jam-packed week! Not only were we crankin out office work, camp forms, sermon prep, and advertising, we also were VERY social. Kailtin (who is on staff with the youth group with me for the summer) and I spent a lot of time one-on-one with students, which was a blast. In addition, we had three big events...

First was the WACKY TACKY PROGRESSIVE DINNER! So much fun! We had a 3-course meal backwards (since it was wacky tacky) and required costumes and face paint (always a great idea for youth ministry)!

Second was beach day. It was such a great time to connect with students in the ordinary. We got to talk about personal devotional times and what God was teaching them. Kaitlin and I stayed a little longer at the back (which was a bad idea because we got burned BAD!).

Finally, we attended a benefit dinner for a club that one of our students started at her school called Cooking Cause we Care. She was looking for a way to combine her passion for cooking and baking with something meaningful. Last summer, she had the opportunity to visit South Africa (where her mom was born), and was cut to the heart when she saw so many living below the level of poverty and with very little food. She started the club and they cater events, sell christmas cookies, and have baking parties. All of the money they raise goes to South African Food Bank.

They put on a beautiful event in Newport Beach with home-made gourmet 4-course meal! Some of our other youth group students we serving food, cooking, and playing some swanky jazz music! It was awesome to see teens rally around something that mattered to them!

Just a typical week...

Christian Saenz

2010-07-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Christian Saenz, is a rad dude. Right now he is a Jr. Pro surfer and rides for Hurley, among other brands. He recently graduated high school and is probably one of the most down-to-earth guys I know. He takes his faith seriously and seeks to honor God in all he does. He is known for his hard work and training both in surfing and his life in general. Even with all of the temptations that the surf industry brings (drugs, sex, partying), he has managed to, by God's grace, abstain from them. He often talks about how he wants to be a good example as a Christian to others and to his younger siblings. He spoke to our youth group on being SET APART in the world. Currently, Christian is up for the OC Male Rising Star Surfer and you can vote for him HERE! Check out his video below and an awesome article the OC Register did on him.

oc register video from chrisiansaenz on Vimeo.

SET APART: Pacific Youth Summer Series

2010-07-13T17:48:00.000-07:00

This summer at Pacific Youth, we are studying 1 Peter. Our theme is SET APART and we are seeking to learn and live out what it means to be set apart from the world as Christians. Our theme verse is 1 Peter 2:9:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

It has been a blast learning for myself what being set apart looks like in all areas of my life...and a challenge as well. A couple of things that have stood out are:

I am set apart (this is part of the new identity God has given me), so I need to start acting like that in my day to day life.
Owning the idea of being an alien or stranger in this world...and loving it because it means my true home is in heaven
My life in Christ is imperishable, unfading, everlasting.

May the Lord bless our ministry this summer, change hearts and lives, and further his Kingdom with the Gospel!

22

2010-06-18T06:40:00.001-07:00

My wife's 22nd Birthday is today! What a blessing she is in my life! Oh how I adore her! Let the celebrations begin!

Thoughts after midnight

2010-05-03T01:21:00.001-07:00

There are too many good theological blogs I subscribe to.

The aftertaste of my homemade hummas is still lingering in my mouth after 2 hrs, brushing my teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash...next time, less garlic!

I am really exited that I figured out how to send invitations on iCal.

Tonight is the first night in years that I have used an alarm clock and not my phone for my alarm.

This week is going to be crazy for both Kaitlin and me. (and our house is a mess)

It's seriously May already?!?! Cinco de Mayo is so awesome.

I helped Kaitlin make a mexican poncho out of a paper bag for one of her kindergarden art lessons.

I'm thankful for my relationship with Jesus! This weekend was great to spend intentional time in prayer, listening, and praying God's word!

Goodnight.

Video Blog: Intro to Acts, Missio Dei

2010-04-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

Acts Sermonette: Intro, "Missio Dei" from Josh Saenz on Vimeo.

How Does God Inspire Us Through the Cross?

2010-04-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt from Mask Driscoll's new book, Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe. I have read the chapter on the Resurrection, and it is good stuff!

I love this excerpt because it explains how practical and necessary the cross is for our Christian life. Discoll shows us how the Cross teaches us how to be like Jesus in suffering: not running to it, not running from it. I'll let his words speak for themselves.

Jesus died for our sins, thereby enabling us to experience new life. Jesus lived as our example showing us what it means to live a truly holy human life.
Throughout Jesus' life he repeatedly stated that the purpose of his life on earth was to glorify God the Father, or to make the Father's character visible. Jesus' glorifying God the Father included dying on the cross. Practically, this means that there is joy not only in our comfort and success, but also in our suffering and hardship, just as there was for Jesus.
At the cross of Jesus, we learn that to be like Jesus means that we pick up our cross and follow him as he commanded. Practically, this means that we glorify God by allowing hardship, pain, and loss to make us more and more like Jesus and give us a more credible witness for Jesus. As Christians we should neither run to suffering as the early Christian ascetics did, nor run from it as some modern Christians do. Instead, we receive suffering when it comes as an opportunity for God to do something good in us and through us. We rejoice not in the pain but rather in what it can accomplish for the gospel so that something as costly as suffering is not wasted but used for God's glory, our joy, and others' good. . . .
At the cross we see that the love of God is not merely sentimental but also efficacious. When people speak of love, they usually mean an emotional love that feels affectionate but may not do anything to help the beloved. Thankfully, God does not merely feel loving toward us; his love actually compels him to act on our behalf so that we can be changed by his love.
From Doctrine, Chapter 8. Cross: God Dies (pgs. 274–276).
Order Doctrine now.

Marriage as a Gospel Magnifying Glass

2010-03-16T01:09:00.000-07:00

Beyond the books and conferences on theology and relationships is a seldom visited world called Reality. Unlike the television "genre" that hijacked the name, this place is real.

With marriage as my passport, I have traveled to this land many times and found my home there. This passport has forced me out of my neat theological ideas and cute, fantastical thoughts (the kinds where I picture myself as the greatest guy in the world, waxing eloquent and romantic words while I lovingly serve my wife as Christ did the Church).

Marriage magnifies the Gospel: I am a sinner. I need Jesus.

Marriage is like the red ink on a D+ paper. You are able to see your mistakes...a lot. Marriage shatters my rose-colored glass view of myself and I see my errors and inadequacies, which are usually fueled by my selfish motives/idolatry (Read Romans 1).

In this way, marriage is similar to the Gospel: our sin is exposed for what it is and we realize that there is absolutely no way that we can do this on our own. We cannot live righteously apart from Jesus Christ. His sacrifice and atonement on the cross is the only way possible for us to be forgiven, justified, and cleansed of all unrighteousness. In addition, we receive the righteousness of Christ instead!

Grace is poured out to the saints in the Lord Jesus Christ who cling to the cross as their only true means of life and right standing with God. In marriage, we can model the Gospel to the world and to one another. My wife is a gracious woman, especially when it comes to dealing with me. She forgives me and reminds me of the forgiveness I have received from God. She is hopeful for my life as a new man, rather than the old man (2 Corinthians 5:17). She even loves me enough to say the difficult truths so I can pursue holiness, rather than mere happiness. Together we can show the world that the cross of Jesus Christ is the only REAL way that messed up people can love each other for a lifetime! All of this grace poured out is the fuel for godly living. This grace-fuel precedes any hope of "[Loving my wife] as Christ loves the Church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25).

Reality is taking the theological ideas and living them out. You'll know it's happening when there is an appropriate and simultaneous amount of pain and joy!

Shattering

2010-03-02T17:10:00.000-08:00

I find it so stupid that my tendency is to resist God shattering the old man as he forms me into the image of his Son. Whenever my ugliness is revealed and a redemptive path is paved by God's grace, I try to hold onto the ugly me. I think I'm scared because I feel like I'm losing myself.

But that's the while point: lose myself to find Christ.

Boy is God patient with me!

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Back-Dated

2010-02-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, so a couple days ago I posted a blog on "the Gospel and Discipleship." Strange thing: it back-dated my post to a month ago and now it doesn't show up in the right time.

Here is the post:

http://paintinggalaxies.blogspot.com/2010/01/discipleship-and-gospel.html

It's worth checking out!

Painting Galaxies: Redeeming Culture with the Gospel

2010-01-25T14:56:00.001-08:00

So for about two years, my blog has been named Painting Galaxies. I had no good reason for the title other than I thought it sounded cool and captured a creativity that I possess but have difficulty harnessing.

God, in his grace, has recently shown me a new aspect of the title, Painting Galaxies, which has set me a new direction for this blog*. It has to do with what the body of Christ should do to culture: Redeem it. This shows up in a powerful way in Acts 19 when the idol-makers of Ephesus are outraged that the truth of Jesus has shut down their business. CRAZY! Christians changed the economy!!!

This radical, Gospel-centered, Christ-exalting purpose for the Church has not changed. We need to be doing this in our jobs, with our marriages, with our investments, friendships, free time, Facebook accounts, and care for the poor.

Like the Church in Acts 19, saying "no" is only half the witness. In fact, the more powerful witness is what we say "yes" to.

Turn from the idols of culture and run to Jesus. He is the only King.

* Lord willing, I plan to blog a series on different ways we can redeem culture called, "REDEEM IT"

Jesus Wants the Rose

2010-01-21T11:25:00.000-08:00

It's All About Jesus!

2010-01-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

I borrowed this image and the series title from Mars Hill Church, but found it an appropriate truth to proclaim and prayer to renew my mind. In addition, I am preaching through the book of John on Sundays in our youth group. The truth is, in Orange County, we make it ALL ABOUT US! It is clearly NOT, for one day "Every knee will bow on heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tounge will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!" (Philippians 2:10-11).

Tomorrow, I will preach on John 1:6-9:

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

A couple of things stand out to me:

John the Baptist had a specific MISSION and MESSAGE: He was sent by God to testify concerning the light (Jesus) so that all men might be saved.
John understands that he was NOT the light...it was not about him!
He is pointing people to the light, because it's ALL ABOUT JESUS!

We should take a lesson from John and carry out the same MISSION and MESSAGE. It's clearly not about us, but ALL ABOUT JESUS! Pray that the true light that gives light to every man would shine brightly in Orange County so that God may receive all the glory!

For more on the Gospel and Orange County, visit The Gospel for OC and follow them on Twitter!

Discipleship and the Gospel

2010-01-03T14:26:00.000-08:00

I lay on a mattress on the floor in Texas. I have just spent an incredible night of food, sharing, jokes, stories of mission trips to Thailand, and church life with our host family.

Our pastoral staff is attending a conference called "How Church Works" by Harold Bullock. Harold intentionally sought out my senior pastor, Seth, about 29 years ago while he was in seminary. Harold discipled him and a couple others and started Hope Church. Hope Church is now around 1000 people and has planted more than 70 churches around the world and sent out over 50 missionaries-- all from their own congregation.

Before Seth left Texas for California, he got his hands dirty and poured into peoples lives with the same intentional discipleship that Harold taught him. He taught the Gospel and spiritual disciplines. He then felt called to plant a church in Orange County, so 24 years ago he did.

We came to Texas this week to hear Harold teach on how church works. I have learned so much about how to shepherd people from the consumer mindset in Christianity to the comando soldier mindset.

Not only that, I have seen the power if the Gospel through generational discipleship and how the efforts of other men have impacted me personally.

First, I have gained so much knowledge and wisdom on pastoral care, godly life, and church leadership directly from Seth, but indirectly from Harold. Seth says to me always daily, "Harold always said.." or "From Harold I learned that..." and continue on explaining some biblical truth of Christ's character that must be lived out in my life. Meeting Harold was like meeting a spiritual grandfather that I never knew but one who played a huge part in the life of a man now disciples me.

Secondly, I have met so many people in the kast day who have also been touched by Seth's life (usually over 25 years ago) and are now serving in radical ministry. We are staying with a man who is one of those people. He and his wife are wonderfully hospitable. What is crazy is that I now get to reap some of the reward of the hard labor and obedience of godly men before me. I am thankful for them. I got to see this further while hanging out with our host's teenaged boys and watching a DVD of one of their mission trips to Thailand.

The Gospel is making it's way around the world and we get to celebrate that with beleivers. I am convinced that discipleship plays a HUGE role in that now. I always knew the great commission was true and that we should do it (...make disciples...) but now I have seen that it is real.

Please take the great commission seriously and make disciples. It is a long and difficult process, but through it the Gospel is preached, learned, and passes on...and God is glorified!!!

Working out of Rest

2009-12-28T09:44:00.001-08:00

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!

2009-12-26T21:59:00.001-08:00

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...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Blind Side

2009-12-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-12-03T17:41:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-10-15T00:11:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-09-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-31T23:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

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!!!!

2009-08-22T21:46:00.001-07:00

Will Ferrell Sunscreen

Shared via AddThis

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

2009-08-22T00:02:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-21T23:45:00.001-07:00

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

catch up

2009-08-01T01:19:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-15T23:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-15T23:37:00.000-07:00

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

You should read her blog.

My Senior Pastor/Boss!

2009-06-15T23:35:00.000-07:00

Summer 2009 is Approaching...

2009-06-09T11:23:00.001-07:00

Volunteer Rally Video

2009-06-02T21:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

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]

2009-05-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-07T11:16:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-30T19:29:00.000-07:00

I guess this summarizes my musical taste...

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

Ode to Wife

2009-04-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-31T21:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-25T22:51:00.001-07:00

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

2009-03-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-16T14:02:00.001-07:00

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

2009-03-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-03-04T17:09:00.000-08:00

Used Bookstore or Cultural Commentary?

2009-03-03T21:59:00.000-08:00

Monk?

2009-03-03T07:47:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

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"

2009-02-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2009-02-23T17:06:00.000-08:00

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

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

Woo Hoo for productivity!

My Favorite Facebook Ads...

2009-02-22T14:32:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-02-17T16:38:00.000-08:00

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:

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

2009-02-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

God said, "Listen."

Why?

To "Be still and know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10).
To avoid being "conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of my mind" (Romans 12:2).
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!

2009-02-08T21:45:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-26T17:02:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-26T16:53:00.001-08:00

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."

Hitched!

2009-01-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

Kaitlin and I are now married (and have been since January 10th)! It was such an amazing day! Everything felt perfect and we can't think of anything that went wrong. We were so pleased to share the day with all of our friends and family. I love my wife!!!

2009, Our Year

2009-01-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

So the New Year has begun. It was a really mellow New Year's Eve, as usual. Mark came over to Kaitlin's house with us and we played a cool game called Liar's Dice and watched Elf and Swingers. Last night was not too eventful, unlike the rest of the year ahead of us. This year of 2009 will be the year of the following:

The year I get married
The year I move into my own place
The year I financially support myself and my wife
The year Kaitlin and I travel on our own
The year I try to figure out the balancing act of marriage and full-time ministry
The year of being able to invite friends and family over to our condo
The year I become amazing at my new Wii and Rockband
The year I look back on 20, 30, 40... years down the road to remember how long ago we were married
The year of God's blessing!

I'm sure there are more and some of them relate to each other, but I am certain this is going to be an amazing time! I'm just sitting in our half-decorated and furnished condo, resting after my pre-wedding-workout and getting ready to see my beautiful wife-to-be and run errands for our condo today.

Happy 2009!

(9 days and counting...)

Going Green

2008-12-31T14:57:00.000-08:00

Today my brother, Jeremy, took me to the cafeteria in the business building that he works in. It is a completely organic cafe and I felt like a total yuppie eating there. My organic salad was served in a biodegradable and recyclable bowl.

The best thing, though, was this...

Merry Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T13:02:00.000-08:00

Joyce

2008-12-22T15:14:00.000-08:00

Today I received a phone call from a woman who lived alone and had no food in her house. She was unable to get any herself because of her medication and the fact that she was in a wheelchair. The person who was supposed to be coming to bring her food never showed and she was without a meal for a while. She asked us if we could help. I was the only one in the office, so I was unsure of what we usually did for a case like this. I remembered the money that kids raised for VBS that was in my drawer for this exact purpose! I picked up a couple students, Josh and Mikey, and brought some groceries over to here. She was such a wonderful woman, and we were so blessed by her joy and thankfulness. The Lord provides the needs of all of us. Joyce was my reminder of that today!

WARNING!

2008-12-22T15:12:00.000-08:00

I was out with a couple of students today and we saw this sign. Either Easter is being celebrated really early, or the city of Irvine has too much time on their hands.

Done and done!

2008-12-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

I graduated on Friday from Biola University! 3 1/2 years of great professors, passionate preaching, close community, crazy adventures, 1,000's of pages read, hundreds of papers typed, and lots of money spent! I could not have had a better college experience. I am especially thankful for the friends and family that supported me financially, emotionally, and with many prayers! All I got to say is "BYE-ola!!!"

Orange County?

2008-12-19T09:33:00.001-08:00

Update From Me

2008-12-18T13:21:00.001-08:00

Okay, it has been so long since I have blogged (I feel like I have been saying that all semester!) so I guess I'll just do an update with all of the things I wanted to blog about in one post. Let's start from the most recent and move backwards....

Youth Group Christmas Party!!! We decorated gingerbread houses, made ornaments, had a white elephant gift exchange, and wore ugly sweaters! My sweater was homemade and absolutely scrumptious!

Earaches and Doctors... So my earaches came back really strong this week. I went to my regular doctor (now for the 2nd or 3rd time for the same thing) and he still didn't know what was going on, so he recommended me to an ENT specialist. They determined that I probably have TMJ (a jaw disorder) and it's pushing up against my ear, and if there is wax in it, I experience a lot of pain and itching. So I need to clean out my ears about once a week and rest me jaw (ear soft foods, massage it daily, and try not to yawn...is that possible?). The craziest thing was the table with morbid instruments in the ENT office. Take a look!

LivingSpaces!!! This is my new favorite place. Kaitlin and I frequent it about once a week or so. We have already bought a loveseat for the condo and we are still looking for a couch. However, what keeps us coming back is the free Starbucks coffee and homemade chocolate chip cookies! Seriously!!!! It's the best date ever!!!

Joy Joy Joy!!! Last Saturday was Pacific Church's annual Christmas Choir Dessert Theater. It was such a nice evening, and I decorated a table that Kaitlin and I hosted. Watch out Marth Stewart! (I must watch too much HGTV!)

Well, that's about it. I can't wait for a delicious meal tonight at Mastro's with Kaitlin's family and grandparents!!! And, oh ya... I GRADUATE TOMORROW!!!!

Desiring Silence

2008-12-11T11:08:00.001-08:00

I read Mark Driscoll's blog today about silence and was really convicted. I want silence so badly right now, especially after doing a paper until 3am and waking up late for a 8am meeting and rushing from there to class. The semester is officially over for me (except a few papers I need to turn in via email) and I graduate next Friday. I hope that I am able to enter marriage at peace and rest (I'm sure the Caribbean shores of Anguilla will help with that...YAY HONEYMOON!). Until then...

Hang in There...

2008-12-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

9 days until Graduation.

One month until our wedding!!!

Tree Shananagins

2008-12-05T10:02:00.001-08:00

TOO MUCH FUN:

AS CLOSE AS WE WILL GET TO A CHRISTMAS CARD:

CREEPY/CUTE?:

I FELT BAD FOR THE SHORT ONES:

SISTERS:

JAMIE STUCK BEHIND THE TREE:

THE FINAL TOUCH:

Reenie, The Christmas Elf

2008-12-05T09:54:00.001-08:00

While looking for Christmas trees, Reenie really got into the jolly spirit and danced. She also warned me not to back up into "Doug" (a douglas fur tree) while I was filming her. Let her know what you want Santa to get you...she'll put in a good word for you.

Tantrum

2008-12-03T23:17:00.000-08:00

I really just want to blog right now (or go to bed), but I have to write a 5-7 page paper and 4 sermon outlines. Then class at 9:30am before 3 meetings.

Yes, I am complaining.

On the list for this week...

2008-12-01T13:32:00.000-08:00

Finish January curriculum
Super-staff meeting
Guy's Group
Kick off Christmas Revolution series at Youth Group
Write 2 papers
Read Speaking to Teenagers by Doug Fields
Obtain Marriage license
3 Meetings on Thursday
Pre-marital session
Ministry weekend in LA with Joni and Friends (Disability ministry weekend)

6 Months

2008-12-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

Today marks the 6 months that I have been working at Pacific Church of Irvine! I have loved every minute of it. The community is very tight-knit (something that other churches I have been to do not have), the people are fun, and the body of believers seem open to learning and trying new things. There are so many people I appreciate and Kaitlin and I could not ask for a better place to be in this point of our lives! So, with 6 months down and many more to go, God bless PCI!

Yester-thanks!

2008-11-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

Some highlights from yesterday's Thanksgiving festivities:

My grandma informed me that she read my blog! haha
Had a wonderful dinner (of course!)
Played the alphabet thankful game.
Reenie dropped pumpkin pie... she made up a funny word out of her anger! haha
Watched THE GODFATHER!!!
Ate a lot!

Just Some Thankful Thoughts

2008-11-26T00:58:00.000-08:00

Right now I am really thankful for...

Kaitlin and our relationship
The sound of rain outside
The ways God provides and directs my life
The cool conversation I had earlier this evening with the high school guys discipleship group
Henri Nouwen's book, In the Name of Jesus
That I'm almost done with school
The fact that God loves me unconditionally, even though I don't think he should or that I should have to earn love that great

In the Name of Jesus

2008-11-24T16:20:00.001-08:00

Currently reading this book (for the second time...I read it about 4 years ago). It is an amazing read and really quick. Nouwen has so much wisdom to share on Christian leadership based on his experiences working with the disability community. I highly recommend it!

Wordle...My New Favorite Thing!

2008-11-21T14:42:00.001-08:00

So I discovered the most amazing thing online today... Wordle! You can inset texts or a website and you can create sweet word designs.

Here is a Wordle based on a devotional I wrote on Exodus 34:

This is one based on my interests on Facebook and blogger:

This is what I got when I entered my blog website:

Light Safety (Part 2)

2008-11-21T12:11:00.000-08:00

You may remember my post not to long ago on the terrible mall sign on Light Safety. Well, I just so happened to exit the mall a different way last night, and as I turned around, I discovered A NEW LIGHT SAFETY SIGN FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!! I think these are so lame! Anyway, here is Light Safety Sign #2:

Micro-Gospels

2008-11-21T12:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I started discipling a student through the book of Matthew. He wanted to learn what this whole "Christianity thing" really was rather than buy into his parents faith. I was so excited to see his maturity in the situation. He really has a hunger for truth. So as I we went through the first couple chapters of Matthew, I was so encouraged by the micro-gospels I saw within the larger context of the Gospel of Matthew. In almost every other verse I saw whispers of redemption, salvation, hope, and Jesus! It focused our time to talk about salvation and the Messiah! Praise God for his meticulousness in speaking to us and revealing the truth of Jesus Christ!

FIT

2008-11-19T15:11:00.001-08:00

So today I began my healthy kick! I am shaping up for marriage... which is in like 50-something days! Not only do I want to be in fit physically (nice abs, decent guns, defined pecs... you know...the things ladies like), I also want to be spiritually fit and well equipt to lead and serve Kaitlin as my beautiful and glodly wife! So here is my plan/the things I am focusing on:

Run or exercise once a day (I started with a mile today--which was difficult since I haven't been exercising in a while-- but hopefully I'll get up to 2 or 3 a day).
Stay in the Word daily.
Pray for our marriage and relationship.
I've been watching The Peasant Princess sermon series from Mars Hill Church by Mark Driscoll. It is an amazing series on the Song of Solomon. It makes me so excited to be married, have a wife, and be a man who will lead her.
Healthy eating. Here are my favorite healthy foods: grapefruit, quinoa, protein bars, red peppers, celery, yerba mate green tea, lean turkey, egg whites, and lots and LOTS of water!!!

I love getting into shape both physically and spiritually. When I do it combined, I feel good! So, ya...that's what I'm up to. (P.S.-Kaitlin told me I have been slacking in blogging, especially about myself, so there ya go!)

GLOW: The All-Nighter (Part 1)

2008-11-17T10:56:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday/Sunday, PCI Youth Group had an awesome all-nighter! We had bounce houses, In-n-Out, games, food, broomball, glow dodge ball, video games, and music. It was a night to remember, but I can't seem to catch up with enough sleep. I worked 20 hours straight!!! But it was totally worth it! I don't have pictures yet, but will post them in the next couple days. Here is a play-by-play of the night:

8:00pm-9:00pm Set up

9:00pm-10:15pm Check-in and Bounce Houses in Sanctuary

10:15pm-11:00pm Game Competitions (Human Pyramid, Spaghetti Game, Energy Drink Toast, Baby Food Thanksgiving, Chubby Bunny, Diaper Eating)

11:00pm-11:45pm Glow Dodgeball

11:45pm-12:00am Board Bus

12:00am-12:30am Drive to In-n-Out

12:30am-1:30am Eat at In-n-Out

1:30am-1:45am Board Bus

1:45am-2:00am Drive to Aliso Viejo Ice Palace

2:00am-3:30am Broomball

3:30am-3:45am Board Bus

3:45am-4:15am Drive to Church

4:15am-4:30am Group Rally and Sermon

4:30am-7:00am Free Time (Leaders: Set up your Rooms!)

Youth Room- Music, Coffee, Food

Sanctuary- Bounce Houses

Room 101- Movie and Popcorn- Napoleon Dynamite

Castle Room- Profile Pics

Room 103 - X-Box, Wii, Boardgames

7:00am Parent Pick-up

4am Diagnosis

2008-11-12T12:04:00.000-08:00

So I woke up at 3:55am this morning and could not go back to be for the life of me!!! I tried and tried, but my ear was hurting so badly. I have yet to see the antibiotics kick in. Since I couldn't catch any z's I decided to research my symptoms. My findings were as follows:

My Parotid gland is swollen
My ear hurts and itches
Other glands surrounding my ear are inflamed

What does this all equal? Otitis externa? Check wikipedia...

Otitis externa ("swimmer's ear") is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. Along with otitis media, external otitis is one of the two human conditions commonly called "earache". It also occurs in many other species. Inflammation of the skin of the ear canal is the essence of this disorder. The inflammation can be secondary to dermatitis (eczema) only, with no microbial infection, or it can be caused by active bacterial or fungal infection. In either case, but more often with infection, the ear canal skin swells and may become painful and/or tender to touch.

Let The Countdown Begin...

2008-11-10T19:07:00.000-08:00

2 months (exactly) until our wedding!

January 10, 2009

Here I go...

2008-11-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

This week was a long and crazy week, filled with discouragement and amazing encouragement. It was as if God was challenging me and testing me, but he always blessed me with great things. Anyway, I am leaving right now for San Diego with my dad and brothers. We're just staying one night. Hopefully I can get some work done too. I am writing student leader retreat curriculum for spring, working on Sunday's sermon, and trying to figure out stuff for our All-Nighter Nov. 15. (P.S.- Let me know if you want to help out! We need as many volunteers as we can get!!!)

Light Safety

2008-10-31T00:08:00.000-07:00

This sign was outside the mall. It bothers me for a couple of reasons...

Those are NOT the correct lyrics!
Halloween is tomorrow... why don't they tell us to be safe when crazy people can disguise themselves and commit crimes more easily!?
It's not even Thanksgiving! Shouldn't someone be warned not to choke on the wishbone of the turkey before light accidents?
We're not in kindergarden!
Decoration accidents aren't that common. At least I hope so. If they are, you don't deserve to put them up.

I feel better. Glad I got that out.

Playing with Light

2008-10-31T00:02:00.001-07:00

This is what we set up for youth group last night. It was a great night of conversation and wrapping up our series on vision: Rooted, Growing, Serving, Sowing. The environment was warm and inviting. More and more I am finding that the tone we set before youth group, whether with music, candles, prayer, smiles, and encouragements sets the tone for how the night runs. I don't attribute it all to the "stuff" we do because God can do anything through anything! However, I still stand by the fact that environment is important. If anything, we can create space to allow God to move, not our expectations.

Questions for Action

2008-10-29T10:44:00.001-07:00

My old boss and mentor, Katie Powell, is famous for starting sentences with "What does it look like for/to..." I used to think it was really funny, and it is kind of fun to impersonate her. However, I find myself asking other people questions with her famous preface. I have also been thinking of some of these questions for myself. Here they are...

What does it look like for me to begin preparing my heart and soul for marriage?
What does it look like to be productive in all areas of my life (relationships, work, spiritual, school)?
What does it look like to internalize disability in regards to spiritual formation?
What does it look like to finish strong this last semester?
What does it look like to be others focused?

Yeah... I need to ask myself these questions. They are very abstract, but they force me to think practically. I love seeing what things can become. I think that's why my advisor, Lance, calls me a dynamic learner. I just pray that I can start to use these questions as a springboard to action.

Thank God, God Suffers!

2008-10-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

"Without Christ, suffering is utterly pointless...it is pure evil." (Doug Mazza)

I am glad to serve a God who is well acquainted with suffering and pain and death. It gives me hope for all the crap in the world and in my life. He knows the pain we feel. I think we all forget that we serve a God who suffers.