Another Good One

Today was yet another amazing day at MC. We officially got into our building this morning for prayer, and man was it an awesome hour of prayer. We really pressed into God with prayers of our situations, for our dreams, for our families, and friends. Music today was phenomenal with Phillip from Frontline for General Music. We stepped out and shared a little bit of our hearts, and this really challenged me to share things that hit deep in me. This evening we had our first service at the building and it was wonderful. Frontline brought some amazing worship, and Pastor Z brought Gods word in a beautiful way. I loved today, one of the best so far, and I really am growing every day here at MC and loving every part of it!

Selling Adam

Well for my Ministry Development Institute today, I have to give a little two minute talk as I am presenting myself to a Church board on why they should hire me as their Youth Pastor. A few things are required including our personal life mission statement, and our life verse. Here is my outline for the talk:

· Introduction: My name is Adam Kolosik. I am from North English, Iowa. I am a hard working kid that will never step down from a challenge.

o I am determined, disciplined, and honestly a little strange. I may not be the exact typical youth pastor, but I do not want to be normal or average.

o I dream big, and know that God will help me achieve these big dreams.

· Personal Mission Statement: To live such a way that I don’t have to tell people about Christ, but they see and feel it from my actions. To live the Extreme life of a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

o I will live the life of love and the passionate lifestyle Christ called us to live. I will lay it all down for him.

o Life Scripture: Colossians 3:23- Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord not for men.

o I want to work harder than anyone else, and to remember that my work and everything I do is an act of worship to the Lord my God.

· Ministry Mission Statement: To raise up a new generation of leaders. To teach teenagers to lay down their lives to Christ, and to teach them to be our world’s leaders of tomorrow.

o To instill a Godly passion in them to strive and achieve excellence in whatever they choose to do.

o In leaders of tomorrow I do not just mean the future politicians, or CEO’s, but the musicians, artists, and the scientists as well.

o To take my life scripture and help teach teens to work as hard as they can in all things. And to not only do this through words of speaking, but to set the example in the way I live.

· Conclusion: Why do I think you should hire me as your Youth Pastor?

o I promise not be just another Youth Pastor.

o I will lay it all down to grow this ministry and not only that, but to grow the Kingdom of Heaven.

o I may not fit your mold or be exactly what you want, but I am willing to give you everything I have to be the best I can be, but not only to be the best I can be, but to be the best that God can help me to be.

What do you think? I think it displays me pretty well, but I need to keep practicing the delivery, as that is the important part now. I hope it communicates my heart and describes me better to others. This was a challenge to write, but I like it.

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

Slacking!

I've been slacking on this blogging thing lately! So busy with MC! but I'm lovin' it! We had our second scripture test the other day and I passed, which was exciting to be able to be handed a paper and write down 60 bible verses. I've also been able to share them a little with people I meet in different conversations, which is not only helping me be a better witness, but building my faith in God and understanding of his word. I love it here, and maybe in a few days or so I'll get some more stuff about what's been going on up here. Relevant Church kickoff Sunday the 19th!!!!

A Learning Experience

MC really challenges me. I love it here as I have learned so much already. I'm loving Restore the best. Restore is our street evangelism program in which we go to neighborhoods and want to restore them from the problems they currently have. Last week at Restore I walked past a pimped out SUV with a 20 something guy in the drivers seat. A teenage boy got out of the backseat of the car with a unique grin on his face. I happened to look through the windshield and see a girl sitting in the back. I may be quick to judge, which I try not to do, but I think the man driving was a Pimp, the girl in the backseat was a hooker, and the boy getting out just made a deal. This situation saddens me. First all the little kids running right next to these cars could see it, sad that this woman has turned to sex for money, sad that the Pimp makes his money off of taking advantage of poor women and horny kids, and sad that this kid in the back has turned to sex for some sort of fulfillment. These situations make me happy to help at restore and to show the little kids that they don't need that junk that is around them. To show love to them, that maybe no one else does and that they can be whatever they want to be. 'cuz what little kid dreams of being a pimp or hooker. I want these kids to achieve these dreams and to teach them to dream even when their situation may not be the best.

Go Big or Go Home

This has been a motto for myself for sometime now, and I'm really just beginning to understand what it means. I have always dreamed big, but mostly I have never thought my dreams are possible. I have had many dreams that have come and gone, but now I will dream and I will achieve, not on my own will, but by the power of God as he says in Philippians 4:13 "For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength."

When I was a sophomore in high school I dreamed of being an Iowa State Basketball player, and well that didn't happen. I focused more on football and the girlfriend, and let the dream fall away.

At the beginning of my freshman year at Iowa State I dreamed of becoming a rich engineer that has everything, monetary wise, and has no worries about finances. That fell away as I realized the focus of my heart at that point did not match up with the rest of the way I want to live my life.

When I was a child I wanted to be a G.I. Joe, but that fell away as I realize how real war is and that not everyone is the hero and how hard it would be. So I gave up on this one, 'cuz I thought it was too hard and the next cool thing came a long.

My senior year in high school I came up with a dream. This dream is absolutely unattainable by man alone. I mainly just want to help people, and help them to know my best friend Jesus. I want to help them walk with him and have the best life they can, not an easy life, but a better life than they have. My dream is to lead or start the Largest Youth Group/Outreach in the World. I don't want the biggest to have glory to Adam, but I want the biggest, because I want to impact that many people's lives. I want to build up my Lord's Kingdom and the next generation of leaders. I know that if through God I can attain this than anyone can attain anything through him. I don't know where or any idea how to get to this dream, but I will not give up. This dream has been dwelling in me for nearly two year now, and I am establishing it now. Tear it down if you want, but it's my dream not yours. You may say it's not possible, but I already know that I personally cannot achieve it.

Go Big or Go Home. Dream big enough that if man alone can obtain it, than it is not nearly big enough of a dream. This is how I will live from now on, by faith in Christ who strengthens me. Be Extreme and step out and dream! What is your dream? You may need to write it down and let a few people know it to really speak it into truth. Email me and I will pray for your dream as I hope people will do for mine!

1 week

I've been here at MC in Dallas for a week now and it is amazing. I've learned a lot about what is about to come this year, and gotten a little taste of what it will all be like. We've gone canvassing, learned about each other, learned the curriculum, and done some kids outreaches already. Today we went and did five outreaches. It was amazing. I met a little boy named Jose and he rocked. He was one big eleven year old! I asked him if he had a lot of friends and he simply said no. This broke my heart to know that this kid, a child of God, doesn't have many friends. I want to go back and love on this kid and really hope I get the opportunity to next weekend. I know we will do more outreaches, but I really want to go back and talk to Jose and just be his friend, to show and share the love God has for me. I am falling in love with these outreaches and this was the first one I've done! They challenge me as we do little skits in front of everyone, and really had to step out of my comfort zone to do them. I'm loving Masters and know that this will help me take my life to the next level to be the Extreme Christian God has called me to be!

New

I arrived here in Dallas last night around 9:30. I’m definitely not in North English anymore, this place is huge! I like it, it’s pretty and there are a lot of people. Much learning and growing is going to be done here for me. I’m excited for what is about to happen in the next 9 months at Masters Commission. I have a few goals, but my biggest goal for my time here is to become a true MAN of God. I want to be the man that God wants me to be, I know I’ll never be perfect, but I want to be more confident and walk with the authority that the Lord gives me. I want to be a man that sets example, and really show what it looks like to be a real man of God. So many times in this modern day guys get caught up in the macho-man mentality, and not being the man our creator made them to be.

Today's the Day!

I keep thinking over in my head of the Blue's Clues song "Today's The Day" that my nephews once loved to sing, as I hit the road for Dallas. Today I begin to take another step in my Wild Goose Chase called life! Thank you to everyone who has helped me to this point, and thank you God for everyone who is about to step in! I hit the road in t-minus 5 minutes from North English and the next post will be sometime in the next week from Big Ole Dallas, Texas!

9-11

September 11, 2001. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. I was sitting in Mr. Evers Pre-Algebra class in 7th grade. Sat in the front desk right next to the door. Ron Van Burkem came rushing into the room and told us to turn on the T.V. as The World Trade Centers had just been hit by an airplane. As we watched the T.V. the second building was hit and then the both fell. I watched this live. Next thing I knew the Pentagon had been hit as well. The whole day we just watched this chaos go on. That afternoon while at football practice we looked up at the sky and saw Air Force One flying over Iowa being escorted by jets. Crazy to think this was already 7 years ago. I pray for all the families that lost people in these crashes.

September 11, 2006. I will never forget this day either. The day the Cancer was removed from my Daddy. That was a crazy day as they took him in and removed his prostate. I am thankful to God that they were able to remove it all and take out the cancer.

9-11 has not been such a great day for me, but not a bad one this year with much anticipation of tomorrow!

Busy

This last week has been busy! I finished up a great summer of work on Friday at Frucon. An awesome place to work and learn. Saturday I went to a wedding which can define small town Iowa as the wedding party road off in Semi's after the ceremony. After the wedding I went to a church picnic at Aron's place. Sunday was an amazing Church service! The Awaken Team performed the Lifehouse Everything Skit and killed it! It was absolutely amazing! Monday I traveled down to North English and started packing, then back to Iowa City Wednesday for Awaken, then back to North English today for some good-byes, the Homecoming Pep-Rally, and headin' out in the morning!

Communication is Clutch

I've learned a lot in life, but one of the most important things I've learned as that communication is clutch. It makes all the difference in everything. It's the difference of making the play or not making the play, getting the job or not getting the job, getting the girl or not getting the girl. Communicating makes the world go around. We all communicate differently and it is sometimes hard to get the different people to match up. Guys don't always communicate the same as girls or necessarily the way girls expect either. I am not a great communicator, but I do a decent job. I don't always let people know what on my mind or my real opinion. I want to start changing that and let people know how I feel at certain things. One of my goals through this next year of growth for myself at Masters Commission is to become a better communicator. Whether that means I will have to step on toes more or put myself on the edge a little bit more, thats okay, I'm going to take the risk and be a better communicator!

Weekend

Today is my first full day of work on a Saturday. Not going to be that exciting, but I'm up and have already run, and am looking forward on the day. Also, it is my last full day of work on a Saturday, as my last day of work in next Friday!

After work today I'm heading straight up to Ames! I'm going to visit some of my friends from last year for the last time before I head to Dallas in two weeks. I'm excited to everyone again and am looking forward to a fun night!

A Growing Hate

I am a Cyclone fan. I have been a Cyclone fan most of my life. This also means I am a fan of the Big 12. Being a Big 12 fan, I do not like the Big 10, as I also am not a big Hawkeye fan. Being an non-Big 10 fan I always cheer against the Big 10 when they're playing Big 12 schools. This is just as any normal rivalry goes. I am starting to hate the Big 10, and more than just sports. This hate for the Big 10 is growing because they are greedy. They had to start their own television network. It pisses me off, and will really piss me off if the Iowa-Iowa State football game isn't on anything but that network. I won't be in Iowa for the game, but if it's only broadcast on the Big 10 network, then I surely will not be able to watch it!

School

Iowa State started the fall semester today. Seems crazy and a little bit weird to me as I'm not there. I miss Ames and Iowa State, but I'm very excited for what God has for me in the next 9 months. After that who knows what will happen with me, but I'm very happy with where I'll be for the time being. I can't wait to finish up with work and head south, as I'm done with work next Friday the 5th and will be headin' south the following Friday.

Big Mac Attack

Last night I enjoyed my first Big Mac. I've always been a chicken or a double cheeseburger kind of guy, but Chris Cary asked if I wanted one for dinner, so I took him up on the offer. I took the pickles off like I normally do with any fast food burger, then I ate and thoroughly enjoyed that Big Mac. It was delicious! I actually was craving one all day today, but fought the temptation off! I now understand why people enjoy them so much, it was awesome. Way unhealthy, but awesome! Thanks for the experience Chris and Ana!

Wild Goose Chase

Wild Goose Chase officially comes out tomorrow. I have been lucky enough to already have read Mark Batterson's latest book. The book is about the adventure of walking in and following the Holy Spirit. I loved the book and highly encourage it to anyone.

The name comes from the Celtic Christian reference to the Holy Spirit which hints at a mystery. This book is written to all Christians from the baby Christian to the mature adult Christian as all can learn from the adventure Batterson challenges and talks about.

This book challenges the relaxed sit back and watch mentality of Christians and gives examples and ideas for people to get on the front lines and battle and risk it all. I loved the book or did I already say that?

You can purchase the book at any of these sites:

Amazon
barnesandnoble
borders
cbd
familychristian
parable

TV

A few things I love are on TV right now. I love the olympics, and I love politics. We keep switching back and forth between Rick Warren's forum with Barack Obama and John McCain, and back to the Olympic Games.

Rick Warren is drilling these guys, and it rocks! It is good to hear what these guys think on some of the things Warren is asking, such as ideas on world views, abortion, marriage, and many other things.

Dreamin'

I've been havin' some crazy dreams lately. If I remember a dream it usually has a significant impact on my life. I would not be where I am right now if it wasn't for some of my dreams. Now this is not to say that every dream I have plays a big role, but many of them do.

A few nights ago I had a dream about a girl, and haven't gotten it off my mind since. It also made me wake up in a good mood for that day. It was strange I invited her back to North English and we spent time with my high school buddies, and she wasn't freaked out by them!

Last night I had a dream about my Sethie. I dreamed he somehow came back. When he came back he was still a 14 year old boy, but I was the way I am and much older and bigger than him. This is weird to me for a couple reasons. 1) I am the little bro, and i like it that way 2) Why didn't I kick the crap out of him since I was actually bigger?! but back to the dream. Seth came over and we chilled at our house, I don't know where we were actually, but it was where I lived in the dream. Anyway, we chilled and caused trouble and shot fireworks at people walking by and threatened the people that shot back at us.

Random dreams I know, but I love them, and I love my brother and miss him very much!

Excited

I love facebook, twitter, and blogging. They are such sweet ways of communication. They help keep in touch and really hear what people have to say. I feel as if I am good friends with people, even if I don't really have a relationship with them, because of blogger. I check many blogs, but two of my favorites to read are Justin Dean and Mark Batterson. They are cool pastors and leaders.

Today I was reading Batterson's blog and he had an awesome post. He just wrote a new book Wild Goose Chase and it is releasing on August 19th. In this post he has a small excerpt from his book. It says:


I wonder if churches do to people what zoos do the animals. We try to tame them in the name of Christ. We remove the risk. We remove the danger. We remove the struggle. And what we end up with is a caged Christian.

Jesus didn't die on the cross to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous. I would like to think that when I pronounce the benediction at th end of our church services, I am sending dangerous people back into their natural habitat to wreak havoc on the Enemy.

This is the Christianity I want to live for. I don't want to sit around and be peaceful all the time. Jesus caused ruckus. He pissed people off, I mean you can picture the nice calm no emotion Jesus if you want, but He did end up getting murdered for speaking the truth and stepping on some feet. What's holding you back from stepping on toes and making a splash in this world? Get out be Extreme and follow after the way Jesus lived! I'm not saying it's easy, but I'm saying we should!