Thursday, November 17, 2011

Things on my Mind Today at Work...


  • 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...


Wednesday, September 29, 2010

[ Thoughts on Mark 6:1-6 ]

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.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

My current reading list




- 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)

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Last Week's Schenanigans

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...

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Christian Saenz


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.

SET APART: Pacific Youth Summer Series


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!