No title...

I have been praying about next steps in my calling to become a pastor. I do not think I am anywhere near qualified, in regards to being a pastor. But it doesn't matter what I think, God can use me just the way I am. God can do amazing things with so little.

I think I have been putting God in a box and that isn't right. I have been trying to be the puppet master to God, turning Him into more of a genie than an all knowing, powerful, loving God. I have grown so much in my relationship with God by having more of a 'relationship' with Him. I have been trying to keep the perspective that He is my heavenly father. (Josh Burcham wrote a very good fathers day post. You should definitely check it out)

So I want to "cut the strings" if you will, and give God even more control of my life. I want to abide in Him and I want to do whatever, whenever, however, and I want to give Him glory and praise in my walk and my relationships in life. I want to be a true Christ follower. Someone who gives without asking for anything in return, loves for no other reason than to love, as God loves me. I want to be last, so someone else can be first, I want to see joy and hope in other people's lives and I want to see God change those lives. I want to rely on my heavenly father to provide for me and give me comfort in troubled times. I want to bring the GOOD NEWS to other people. The good news being, that there is a God, who loves us and wants to be with us. He sent His only son to die for us on a cross, and all He asks from us is to believe that Jesus is His son. To believe that someone perfect came and died for an imperfect people. To believe that we cannot do it on our own, but that we need Jesus.

There is so much going on in my head right now. I am definitely going to write more this weekend. As well as change the rotors out in Sarah's car, they are warped and that's why her car vibrates when she puts on the brakes. ANYWAY... I have to go. Later

Near Death Experience

So this is totally a true story... I went to the river with my Wife and some friends (who will remain nameless to protect the innocent ha ha) Anywhoo we were floating along in a group of 7 and we hit a fast current, that's not so bad except that the current was taking us toward a rock wall. Again not so bad except there were people there who had already got stuck. So we collided with them and besides my best efforts to stay a float I well, fell overboard. Of course I corrected my position and start to head up to the surface except I am going nowhere and the dark silhouette of the recently vacated tube started to disappear, I then realized I was being sucked under by the current colliding with the wall.

I was struggling and kicking like crazy, but I wasn't getting anywhere. Well many things ran through my head, one being "do I swim sideways, no that's the ocean... crap what do I do?" then I started thinking "well I guess this is how I go... sucking in salt river pee water!" then it hit me... the rock wall, no literally I hit the rock wall, hard! Then I grabbed a hold of the wall, planted my feet on the side of it and pushed up and to the right. Then I started kicking, and grabbing, and pulling, then I see the dark ring again, and this time it's getting closer and closer. Then I break through the dark, green, hazy water and find myself in the middle of a different group of people. I hear a voice say "did he pop up yet" I look around and see that there were rescue people at the top of the rock wall just looking down in the water, waiting for me to pop up. No problem, it's not like I could have used the help, sheesh! I then swam over to my group and saw my wife crying, it was so sad I felt horrible for scaring her like that.

So there it is, my brush with death, it could have been a lot worse, and it wasn't so thank God for that. I just remember the desperate feeling of "I need air now, and the surface has completely disappeared" like for a second I had accepted the fact that I was going to drown and my limp body would be tossed around the under current, then pinned against the rock wall. But surprisingly, I never panicked, I just kept trying, and if it wasn't for hitting that rock wall, I don't know...

At the end of the day all I know is God is good. I have no doubt He helped me out of that scary situation.

My week in Images

So... here are some images from my week. We have some kinda crazy designs that are completely original artwork (done in Adobe Illustrator) then we have a nice little icon that I'm not 100% about yet. Then a nice photoshoped/vector image of myself (cause I'm cool) then a picture of me today going to Circle K for a snack. Then last but not least my Smokin Hot Wife! We went to her parents house on Tuesday as soon as she got off work. I helped hook up a TV and sound system for them. Anyway I had a Great week so far, Later Gator.

Christian Music (part II)

You know I realized today as I re-read my last post that... I may have come across the wrong way. I am simply saying that I do not like the Contemporary style of Christian music. Much in the same way I do not like the Country style of secular music.


The issue for me is that the Contemporary style is what is being represented AS Christian music. There are other good bands/groups out there, but it seems that we (as Christians) bring forward this very cheesy... almost fake side of Christian music. That style of music conjures up a picture in my head that Christians are hypocritical, or ridiculously out of touch with reality*. It also makes me wonder what non-Christians think of us. I know of a few good bands and I want to know what else is out there. I know I came across harsh, it was the heat of the moment. I hope this explains a bit more of my frustration.

*the reality being, we live in a harsh imperfect world and we have peace and joy through Christ despite our circumstances. It's like they are in a bubble of happy land and are only willing to share that with themselves. I personally believe that a non-Christian would be more willing to listen to someone they can relate to, and I personally want to be all things to all people for the Glory of God. 1 Corinthians 9:22

please note that I realize this is a sweeping generalization and there are of course exceptions.

Christian Music...

I need help. I have an issue I am going to share with you. I mean this is a problem I have and I am admitting this is a problem I need to fix.
Every time I hear the words "Christian rock band" I cringe. Then when I actually hear "Christian Music" I get agitated and pissed. I think Christian music is terrible. There I said it. It sucks (to me). It all sounds the same, it's cheesy over the top "I love Jesus THIS much" music. Even the names of the groups sound the same Chad-W-Micheal-Hall-David-Smith or whatever and it's like they are all covering the same song! Now praise music during worship, that's different. When I sing a song to my Lord it can be whatever (as long as it's not distracting). But "Christian Music" just all sounds like its ripping off secular music. There are bands out there that are outstanding out there that just so happen to be Christian. These band tour with secular bands and get a bad rap from the "Christian Music" world... last time I checked even Marilyn Manson needs Jesus. I remember P.O.D. got crap from everyone when they toured with Manson and Zombie and some of those other guys, even Chevelle (who I love by the way) just happens to be Christian.

I need to get over it. I need help. I'm just irritated. The same way I am irritated that "Christian Movies" usually suck!

I need you (who ever reads this) to recommend some GOOD Christian bands that don't suck. I have been turned off by Christian music for so long I havent even had the patience to search for any. So I am looking for some recomendations of music that's so good, and NOT over the top that I could have it on at a party and say "hey interesting fact, these guys are a Christian Band" and the reponse would be "WOW! But these guys are really good"

Peace out

Denzel Impression

I don't know how I came across this video but it is great. I love Denzel Washington and when I saw this I about died.

Enjoy:

Answering the Call

The following is a modified email I recently sent to my family:

I have had a very interesting past couple of years. I got married and bought a house with my wonderful wife Sarah, I tried planting a church with a good friend of mine, I was promoted at work to the department head of engineering, and I have worried about my company going out of business. But one of the greatest things that has happened is that in the past few months I have been meeting with a couple of guys in accountability and discipleship. I have been challenged, and I have been examining my heart and where God wants me. I have been struggling with wanting to know what I have been called to do on this earth. One thing for sure is that I am called to live a life with Christ in his love, to Love God and to Love others, and to go and make disciples of men.

I think I have always known what it was that God has called me to do, but it's almost as if I kept avoiding the subject. I have never thought I was good enough, talented enough, or anywhere near what I think is the standard by which most people judge this calling. The truth is, I am right, but, God can use the least of us to do amazing things.

I was asked on a Friday night (May 29th) by a good friend of mine if I thought I was called to be a Pastor. My gut reaction to this question (that has never been asked of me FLAT out like that) was yes. So here I am, finally accepting the FACT that God can use me to do amazing things. I told Sarah this when I came home that night at 2 in the morning, and she asked me how I felt about that. I was honest with her and I will be honest with you. I told her I was scared. I am scared because I am trusting God but that is also why I am not hysterical, or quitting, God has given me the strength to face my fears and be a Pastor.

Now you may be asking, "Well if this is new to you then what was the whole church plant thing about?". Well when I had teamed up with my good friend Josh Burcham, I was joining him as the "creative arts pastor", to me that was just a fancy name for the guy that did the graphics and artwork and creative stuff for the Church. My Calling to be a pastor is more than that. I know now that I was no where near where I needed to be to help plant a church. I have learned so much in the past couple of years about me and my relationship with God and where I was and where I needed to be.

I have found that God has been speaking to me through My friends in my Monday night Bible study, the guys I meet with on Tuesdays, Sarah (of course), and my Family. These are people I trust, people I know are rooted in the gospel and have amazing relationships with God. So now I ask God. What do I do now? What is my next step?

I am asking for your prayer. Prayer that I might be patient in waiting for God to tell me what to do, prayer that I might be listening when He speaks to me, and prayer that I will be obedient to what He asks of me.

Try to keep up

The following is a list of stuff that has been on my mind:

1. I have decided to change my path and follow what has God has called me to be.... a Pastor (Believe me I will write more on that later)


2. In the last month I saw X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek, Terminator, 17 Again, and they were all decent movies, I really liked Star Trek it was great.


3. Work has been great, not very satisfying, but it will do for now...


4. I want to do more artwork, I have a canvas sitting on an easel in a room all to myself with no inspiration. I have done some computer artwork in Illustrator and photoshop but no hand illustaration


5. I also want to do some photography, it's been a while.


6. I am loving my Monday night group and my Tuesday afternoon group, this monday we are bringing food and playing games.


7. My little Neice isnt so little anymore! She is so cute, My Sister and Adam have a site up with all kinds of pictures and videos @ http://www.lessland.com/


8. I love my Wife so much!!!