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.