Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

This book is freaking amazing! Mark Batterson explores the Lost Soul of Christianity, and breaks it down to it's core. The book gives a refreshing look at the Great Commandment and Commission. I really enjoyed this book, and have been quoting it in conversation since I started reading it. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to look into their relationship with Christ, and looking to be a part of the next Reformation.
Amo Dei.


This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah. Click the WaterBrook Link to purchase this book online now!

Visiting.

This past weekend I visited Dallas. It was a great time to visit my friends down there. I love those people so much. I went to Relevant Church and it was really great to be with Frontline Worship again for the weekend, and heard John Alcala speak. He is the Invictus USA, college ministry, pastor at Relevant. Saturday I went to my kids' house. When I say kids I mean the kids I picked up every Sunday and took to church, which they are still going to church Praise Jesus. While I was at their apartment, which is 7 people in a two bedroom, the one boy, Giovanni, took me into their bedroom and showed me inside his wardrobe. In the wardrobe was a picture of me with Giovanni and his brother Alex. It was the only picture glued in the wardrobe. On the other door was my cross necklace that I gave to Giovanni for his birthday. I thought he lost it, because he never wore it, but he really just didn't want to lose it. I love these kids so much. It was such a blessing to me to see them again this weekend. It was a great trip and I'm so glad I got to see my friends, but I'm happy here in Iowa for the time being.

Parts to the Plan

Well I'm back in Iowa for now. I'm am going to be helping out at Life Church in Iowa City as much as possible. I am also enrolling Kirkwood Community College as well do their Pre-Business Transfer program with a plan of transferring to the University of Iowa next fall to study Marketing. Not sure how I'm going to, but I want to move to Iowa City soon, I'm currently living back home with my parents for now in North English.

Currently I am working with my Grandpa doing random odd jobs and I love it. The work is fun, and pays well, but it's not consistent which makes things hard. I may work one day, then not the next. I have a lot of time, and am finding it a constant struggle to keep on task and keep my eyes on my dreams. Not a lot of people dream in North English, and it's kind of hard to not get pulled down by that lack. I'm just trying to keep my head up and eyes ahead, and not get pulled away from what I know is right.

Mass Chaos!

Right now I feel like mass chaos in my mind. We're starting finals, so that means Ministry Development final (40 minute service including 4 speakers, human video, promo video, and more), Dance final (10-15 minute presentation, 2 speakers, full choreographed dance and step, props, costumes, theme), Scripture final (Test over 350 scriptures), Drama final (Full stage production called Ambiguity), and we are having an outreach on Saturday without our outreach director! Plus other dramatic stuff in life going on, but seems insane right now. Can't wait to tell stories of how great God is through the middle of all of it!

WOW!

So much stuff has been happening lately. I feel like I've fallen off the blogosphere for a little while, but I'm working on getting back again. Since my last post I went to Puerto Rico and got back. It was a life changing experience, and I loved it! God showed up in so many ways, and rocked my world. I made some lasting relationships, and miss the people greatly! I'm still in the process of figuring out my plans for next year, but it's coming along. Not sure where I'll be yet, but I know that no matter where I am, it will be amazing!

Unsure.

Well my plans were to go back to Iowa State University this fall, but I'm unsure now. Masters Commission is changing a lot in the next year, and I want to be a part, but I'm not exactly sure that this is what God wants me to do. I have a dream of being a Lead Pastor and to plant a church someday. Where or when this will take place? I have no idea. I want to work toward that goal, but not exactly sure where God wants me to go with my next step. I will continue to pray about it and keep my options open. With time I'll know, and I'll keep everyone that reads this posted.

Cafe Brazil

So over the past two days I've spent over 12 hours at Cafe Brazil. I love it! I've gotten a lot of work done as we finished our play, "Ambiguity", and I've gotten a few places booked to speak at this summer. I'm really excited about where God is taking me lately, and how much I've grown closer to him. Next Monday I get to head to Puerto Rico for my official first Missions Trip! I'm really excited and expecting a lot. I'm looking forward to the experience and just life in general.

Nuevo Mexico!

Had an amazing trip to New Mexico last week. This was our team. We did three services and had a wonderful time. I got to help lead one service and speak at the end of it. I am very thankful for the opportunity to speak and just be on the trip altogether. I made some awesome friends out in New Mexico and am really looking forward to seeing them again! So much stuff happened on the trip I can't begin to write about it all!

WOVEN

This years Masters Conference was titled Woven. It was based off of the scripture that a three fold cord is not easily broken. It was my first Masters Conference and it was amazing. I have a new appreciation for my staff at MCUSA. I know that I am only here for a limited time now, and need to take advantage of the opportunities around me now. I love these people so much, and hope to continue to grow closer to them during the next weeks. We did a part in the conference in which was a banner presentation, and it was amazing!

Deep Ellum

Went downtown yesterday with a couple friends and enjoyed a little of the city life. We got to see many things. We enjoyed Cafe Brazil, walked around in Deep Ellum, went to Catholic Mass at the Cathedral, and just talked to people. It was a fun time. Here are a few photos of the city, and the art of the buildings in Deep Ellum. I thought the Hub City sign was pretty sweet, considering our youth group at Relevant is called The Hub.

Christian vs. Secular

I heard someone say the other day "The Christian world not the Secular world." I am taken a little back by this comment, as many Christians carry it. They view the Christian world and Secular world as two different things. I honestly think that idea only exists to Christians, and I think it sucks. Why must we live in a Christian world, and not a human world?

Jesus himself lived as a human. He lived among the people. He didn't stay with the holy, in fact he primarily spent his time with the unholy. Why then do we only hold ourselves to Christian life? Why do "Christian" things primarily suck. Most events, shows, and music by Christians suck. (I understand not all of it sucks, but generally as a rule of thumb if it's a "Christian [fill in the blank] then it sucks) Does God not call us to be excellent? To me I think we need to stop viewing the world as two different things and intertwine ourselves into it more. I'm not saying to compromise our character, but to live among non-Christian people, to create excellent art, to be the most creative and innovative people we can be.

I don't like to call myself a Christian, but rather a Follower of Christ, for the fact connotations that come with the word Christian. I personally have a hard time with Christians sometimes. Maybe I'm too critical, but then again maybe my ideas will change others, who knows!? Caleb and Joshua had their opinions that no one else agreed with, maybe I'm like them, or maybe I'm way off. You decide.

A New Year A New Decade!

Well last Saturday I turned 20! No longer a teen, I'm unsure if this is good or bad?! but nonetheless it has happened. I'm ready and looking forward to the decade of the 20's!

Last night or this morning rather we rang in the New Year! Bring it on 2009!

Before I look on to my resolutions or personal goals rather for 2009 I'd like to reflect a little on 2008, as it was quite a year for me.

I started 2008 saying it was going to be the biggest year of my life, and it certainly held up to the hype I gave it. I had a few resolutions last year, but for positive thinking sake I will stick to the ones I accomplished. 1) No soda for the entire year! I'm gladly drinking Wild Cherry Pepsi while I type this as my first can of soda since 11:57 pm on Dec. 31 2007, when midnight struck however I did drink the majority of a two liter of Mountain Dew! 2) Run at least 20 minutes in every day between midnight and midnight. Today is the first day that I have not run since Dec. 31 2007! I turned into a runner and loved it! Another one of my goals of 2008 was that it was going to be a year of big steps for me, and I took a huge step leaving ISU and following after the dream and headed down to MCUSA. Not only did I sign up and look forward to go to Phoenix, but then ended up in Dallas instead. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else though! I love Dallas and I love Relevant Church! Other things that happened in 2008. I was still a drinker at the begginning of the year and drank on Jan 3, and a few other times, but haven't drank since VEISHA 2008 which was in April and I wrote about it in a past post. I was a hidden chewer which many people didn't know about or don't until right now, but I quit that on May 8th as I moved from Ames to Iowa City. Other things, in political aspect I stepped up and lead 3 caucus meetings in January. This summer I made some of the greatest friends ever in Iowa City, it was the first time I was really close with other Christians. I have had a few other Christian friends, but this was the first time I had real fellowship and it was amazing. I love them so much! At MC I could put down a million things, so really I'll leave that post for the end of MC reflection and my journal.

Okay well here are some of my goals for 2009. Not all of my goals are listed, as they are personal and putting it out here, might cause me to lose it.

1) MMTR- Mountain Masochist Trail Race- a 52 mile ultra marathon in Virgina, my brothers and I will join up with my cousins to run this in November. Not only does this mean doing the race, but I must commit to the training to do it in under the twelve hour time limit.
2) Bible Every Day- I failed this in 2008, but will accomplish it this year!
3) Blogging at least once every week for 2009.
4) Eating Healthier- I eat pretty junky, but want to get better at it this year.
5) Read at least three books every month.
6) Spend more time in prayer and fasting. I plan to kick of 2009 with a 21 day Daniel fast from January 11-31. For info. on why those days, check this site: http://www.awake21.org/
7) Work out more. Lately I justify not working out, because I run a lot, but my muscles have gotten a lot smaller, and I just feel "soft". Time to change that wether that work out consists of just push ups and pull ups that is fine, but lately it has been nothing at all!
8) I have a lot of ideas for books and want to finish one by the end of the year.
9) Finish up Berean classes to apply for Assembly of God pastoral credentials, I started the classes a while ago, but need to finish!
10) Become a better speaker. In summer 2009 I plan on going on a speaking tour with a friend of mine at MC and we have a cause we want to help, and well there will be more to come on that in the coming weeks and months.

Well these are some of my goals, this year is going to be huge! I thought 2008 was big, but I know 2009 will be bigger, and great things will come!

What are your goals? I encourage you to write 'em down, and let people know them, because if you don't you'll hide and well, failing is a lot easier when nobody sees it, and you know nobody will see it!

Live Rich For Less

I'm currently reading this book, haven't read the whole thing yet, but it's pretty good so far. Here is the review for it, not my review, but one off of the net.

You really can be rich in every way, every day.

So you want to own the home you love, make memories on wonderful vacations with family or friends, finance college educations, and help others too?

You can—starting here and now.

With lively humor, proven know-how, and practical principles for financial health, Living Rich for Less helps you stretch your dollars to realize the lifestyle of your dreams. Ellie Kay’s entertaining and enlightening examples show you simple steps to save, spend, and give smart, and her three main principles are undergirded by dozens of effective rules and hundreds of Cha-Ching Factor™ tips that keep or put money in your pocket.

Ellie knows what it’s like to be financially-strapped or struggling, wanting to be the Joneses but feeling as poor in spirit as in pocketbook. She went, within two and a half years, from being a new wife and mom with $40,000 in consumer debt and seven children (and college educations) to support, to being completely debt-free and within fifteen years able to pay cash for eleven different cars, give away three of those cars, buy two five-bedroom houses (moving from one to the other) and nicely furnish each, take wonderful vacations, dress her family in fine fashion; and support more than thirty non-profit organizations in more than a dozen different countries, giving away more than $100,000.

Isn’t that the kind of transformation to a rich life that you want?

Living Rich for Less helps anyone get there in our taxed-out, maxed-out times. Because financial security doesn’t mean just genuine prosperity, but being able to live luxuriously, give generously, and care for yourself as well as the others around you.

If you want to purchase it you can buy it at:

Amazon

ChristianBook.com

Family Christian

Chasing Daylight

I just read this book Chasing Daylight which is written by Erwin McManus. McManus is an amazing man of God. I want to work with him someday in some sort of arena. This book is awesome! It talks about seizing the power of every moment of our life, as stated on the cover. It talks about "The Jonathan Factor" which is a character trait in which entails many things to live a fuller life and take better advantage of divine opportunites in our lives. The Jonathan Factor is taken from the story in 1 Samuel 14 when Jonathan takes his armorbear and attacks the Philistines. Amazing story of faith and obedience to God. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who is seeking a more Extreme life for Christ, and just a more exciting life in general!

The Day That Started Normal

Today will never be forgotten. It was ridiculous! I woke up this morning, didn't run, because I knew I'd have time this evening to do it, so I took the extra sleep. At 7:37am I posted on my Twitter I love my coffee in the morning! Excited for the unknown day ahead! Keyword here is unknown! Unknown is such an understatment. I pulled out of my parking space at 7:51 on my Jeep clock, I was pulling out a little late, but new I'd still make it on time to 8 am prayer at the MC building. I pulled out onto the street to leave our apartment complex, when the traffic was way backed up, I saw a couple guys walk up to their cars which were parked in front of me and get in them to leave. At this point I knew there had been a wreck. I knew that God wanted me to get out and go see if there was anything I could do. I got out walked over to the car and saw it was two of my friends who were in the car wreck. I stayed there for a while and just waited for them to make sure if there was anything I could do or just to see what was gonna' happen to them. Thankfully they are both fine, but they were in the car for a while and it seemed to take forever before the ambulances and firetrucks got there.

After this I went to prayer at 8:45, listened to sermons, found out about our talent show we had tonight which was a lot of fun, then I went to lunch got back for drama and was at drama for about an hour before the next surprise came.

At about 3 pm one of the guys got me and said hey I need you and a couple others to go do some stuff. I didn't know what we were doing, but the five of us went to Shane and Angel's house to move some boxes for them. They are moving in the next few days and the hot water heater in their current home started shooting water all over the garage where they had a bunch of boxes. We took the boxes and moved them to their storage. Shane and Angel are awesome they bought us an amazing dinner! I am very thankful for that!

While we were finishing up moving the stuff into storage for them we met Pennie. Pennie came over to us and asked us if we could help her pull out the ramp on here U-Haul. CJ and Tyler went over and helped her. I then went over to see what was up. We saw what Pennie was trying to do and she was trying to move a bunch of stuff by herself. Now mind you Pennie is about 45 years old, not a big woman by anymeans and definitely not able to handle all that she had. We then made her allow us to help her and then went on to take all of her stuff to her house and helped her move it in. Through the conversations we had with Pennie we found out a lot about her, about her Ex-Husband, her children, and life in general. It was an awesome feeling to be a blessing to her tonight. She needed it, and I'm glad God put us in place and used us to help her out! On a funny note, while we were helping Pennie I went and used her bathroom. As I was buckling up my pants my belt buckle fell off into the toilet. I had to roll back the sleeves and reach in to the water after it! What a joy!

Tonight was a lot of fun. When we got done we went straight to the building to be a part of our talent show. It was a total joke. In that I mean it was hilarious. My team was assigned to do a uman video to the song Sadie Hawkins Dance by Relient K, and in the video we had to include some sort of dance. So much fun!

As I was driving back home tonight I got a text from a friend here at Masters saying to keep her family in my prayers as her house burned down. Thankfully they are all safe, but what a scare.

So much happened today. I can't believe I made it through. I thank God for this day and all the blessings poured out in it! I hope tomorrow is a little bit more "normal"! I love it when we allow God to interrupt our day and take us places we never could have guessed!


Oh Yes I must give a shout out in this post to my awesome friend Leah!

Sinless

So as I gave my sermon this morning and listened to Ben McLennan, our MC USA director, speak before we started something came to me. Once we come to know Christ and follow after God it is possibly to not mess up and live Sinless. If we can go a moment sinless, can't we go another? If we live moment by moment and not worry so much about what's coming, but where we're at, then we can accomplish this. In Genesis 4:6-7 The Bible Says: 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
We CAN master it! Go after it! Follow hard after God to get closer to him, and this will force the sins out. As in the Love chapter it says "when perfection comes the imperfect disappears". We can achieve this! God said it from the beginning! Thank God we can get closer to him and get rid of the sin in our lives! I challenge you to try and live by the moment and live the sinless life!

Sermon Time

My first sermon here at Masters is set for tomorrow! I'm planning on talking about Sin. Not necessarily a fun topic to talk about, but I like to talk about things that a lot of people won't. Here is the outline for my sermon. A lot of stuff may not seem clear as it is my speaking outline, but if you're curious about something on it just email me or post a comment. I'm excited to deliver it! The Title is Sin: What the Heck is that? My primary objective is to take sin, and help change our motives for not sinning, and of course to bring a little conviction to what sins people are committing! Here's my outline, take it, crucify it, tell me what ya think!

Sin: What the heck is it that?

Intro:

o Sin is something we often do, it is a word we hear and think about things we are told not to do. We think about punishments, rules, and regulations.

o We think of the things God is “holding” back from us

o but really the reason we aren’t supposed to Sin isn’t that God doesn’t want us to do these things or that they aren’t enjoyable, because it will hurt our very relationship with God in the same way as if we sin against our friends.

o Three points:

§ What sin is:

§ Forgiveness:

§ Sins Holding us back:

1. Definition and a few scriptures.

· Sin Definition: estrangement from god

· Estrangement Definition: to turn away in feeling or affection; make unfriendly or hostile; alienate the affections of:

o Their quarrel estranged the two friends.

o Breaks them apart!

· First appearance: Genesis 4:6-7 (New International Version)

o 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

o Something that can be mastered

· After the 10 Commandments: Exodus 20:18-20 (New International Version)

o 18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." 20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

· All are equal: James 2:10 (New International Version)

o 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

2. Forgiveness: new covenant

· 1 John 3:4-6 (New International Version)

o 4Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

· Acts 10:43 (NIV) “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

3. Sins holding you back?

• Romans 13:1

o “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

1. Speeding- breaking the laws of the land

2. Is marijuana bad? – laws of land and abusing the body

3. Stealing music- law of land and stealing (exodus 20:15)

4. Sins of Ommission: James 4:17 “anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”

• Proverbs 16:2- “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord”

o I can justify anything to anyone, or especially to myself, but does that make it not a sin?

· Rock in shoe build up a callus. If we continue to sin it will build up a callus on our spirit and we won’t feel the conviction of our spirit telling us not to do things. It will build up that skin and separate us from the feeling. As it builds up it causes more movement of our foot from the shoe and leads to us losing all feeling.

Closing:

o Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

o We all do it! God sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit to get closer to us.

o Step into God and follow the life of Christ closer and the sins will fall away, as we really seek who Jesus is.

o What is holding you back, from having a more intimate relationship with God?

o I ask you what do you need to set a side to build up that relationship?

o Do not look at it as what am I really enjoying that I have to quit ‘cuz the bible, God, or adam is saying to give up, look at it as what is holding you from getting closer to him.

o What small thing am I doing unconsciously that could hinder me from getting closer to Him?

o Prayer to bring forward the sins we don’t see, and the sins we know about and don’t put down.

Current Struggles

I always try to be as transparent as possible and let people know how I feel about something, or what I think about situations, so here is me being me! Currently I'm a little stressed! Not that I can't handle what's on my plate, but just feels like a lot right now. I know I'll make it and do great, 'cuz God won't put me in a situation he won't take me through!

My biggest struggle currently is figuring out who I really am, which I'm finding more and more about the real me everyday. I don't know if it all makes sense, but I don't always feel like I know me, and it's quite frustrating. I want to be consistent and be the person God wants me to be. I don't want to be the things that frustrate me in others, but don't want that to define me either.

This is a really random and bad post. I don't really understand all of this right now either, but this is what is on my mind.

Thankful for the Rain

Today was a storm! It rained for the most of the day, and I ran in it tonight. During the run I was thinking about the past week or so, and how rough it has been. It has been the hardest week of Masters so far. A lot has been going on, and it has hit me hard. I have complained, and struggled, and well not given my best through it all. During the run I remembered the song Frontline sings about being thankful for the rain, and struggles we go through. I realize that this rough patch is only going to build me up bigger than ever before. I realize that I am only going through this because something big is coming, and I need to be prepared for it. I realize that the storm will keep coming, but my perspective needs to be fixed, and I will succeed and thrive bigger than before. Are you going through a tough time? Are you feeling sorry for yourself like me? I challenge you to lift it up to God, and choose to have a better attitude about what is going on!

Time Flies

I cannot believe I have been here in Dallas a month already, but at the same time I cannot believe it's only been a month. I have known these awesome men and women of God for only a little over a month, but yesterday when we sent Devante home I got a little teary eyed. Devante had to go home to take care of some things back there, and I pray that it all goes smoothly whatever it be. But it hurt, bad, having to see him leave. It's so ridiculous how close I've come to these awesome people in such a little time, but they are all pretty amazing. Isn't it awesome how God puts the perfect people into your life at the perfect time. I love it.

Every night when I shut my eyes and try to go to sleep, but I think of the amazing things that I have done throughout that day. A lot of the things I can hardly believe I have done, but I know that I have not done these things by my own strength, but through the power Christ gives me. I give everything I am to him, and he creates some masterpieces out of it. I may not have done the best of things so far, but I am getting there, and constantly growing closer to Him. What has God done through you today? Are you giving it all to him? We may be able to do great things in life on our own, but how much greater are these things when you give them to the Lord.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and you will succeed." -Proverbs 16:3