Will's Mind Jargon

Hearing God

2011-11-28T15:01:00.004-06:00

First things first. I want to share with you something cool that I realized today. I've been listening to Christmas music for a few weeks now. (Yes, I started before Thanksgiving) I really love Christmas and have enjoyed Michael Bublé's Christmas album as well as Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Even with the joy's of Christmas music, I did not experience as much joy as I did this morning. I decided to read the first few chapters of Luke in preparation for Christmas and also for a sermon series I am working on for CentrePointe Youth Ministries. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the coming of Jesus, starting with the coming of the one who comes before; which would be John.

As I was reading I picked up on something in Luke 1:5-13. It talked about Zechariah going to do his priestly duties to go burn incense in the Temple of the Lord. It says that as he did this others were worshiping and praying outside of the temple and I imagine that Zechariah was worshiping inside as well. While he was worshiping God, and angel of the Lord (Gabriel) appeared to Zechariah and told him that he and his wife, Elizabeth, were going to have a son. He was told that the Lord had heard his prayer and was going to answer it. The son turned out to be John the Baptist who would later on lead the way for Jesus!

Something that stuck out to me while reading this was that God spoke to Zechariah while he was worshiping God. Zechariah got an answer to his prayers in a time when he wasn't focused on them. It is easy for me to get wrapped up in my prayers and how God is going to answer them and then forget to just worship God sometimes. I know that in my life I have experienced God leading/guiding/speaking to me more when I am not so focused on getting an answer to prayer than when I am stressing about how God is going to do it.

I believe that prayer is a powerful thing and necessary BUT sometimes we lose sight of everything God is when we are focused on how God is going to respond to us. Perhaps we should focus on responding to God in worship after we pray. We just may hear him speak to us more often.

Will

Live&Lead.4.Eternity

Basketball Hoops and Bibles

2011-10-20T11:29:00.002-05:00

Basketball Hoops and Bibles. What do these two things have in common with each other? Drive around town and you will see many driveways with hoops set up. Visit almost any home (at least in Central Minnesota) and you could find a Bible somewhere on a bookshelf. When you are driving by these houses, how many times do you see them being used, even on a beautiful day? When you go to these homes, how many of these Bibles look like they have been opened in the last week or two? Is dust collecting on them? Is the Bible positioned neatly on the shelf near the entryway so others can see it or is it on the table next to the chair and the reading lamp?

You see, here is the problem I see with both Basketball Hoops and Bibles in America. They seem to be a status sign in the homes of Americans. A hoop communicates that they have kids and that they want them to be athletes. A Bible communicates that, we have Christian values or have "religion". What good is a hoop if nobody is shooting on it and what good is a Bible if nobody is reading it?

If you know a kid who is good at basketball, I bet you can find them shooting on their hoop or a hoop most days. You will be able to see the wear on the net (hopefully not the rim!) You see, in order to be good at basketball, one must practice.

The same applies to the Bibles. If you know someone who is a strong Christian, I bet their Bible looks used or worn. It probably is underlined or highlighted. In order to have a close relationship with God you must get into the Word! A Bible unused is a Bible wasted.

I have one question for you. How does your Bible look?

Get into the Word so that the Word gets into you.

Restoration

2011-10-14T12:11:00.007-05:00

About a year ago I took a test called Strengthsfinders. This is an assessment of your top strengths. After the test you receive your score which is your top 5 strengths out of a list of 34 different possibilities. Mine are (in no particular order) Futuristic, Adaptability, Woo, Belief, and Restorative. The one I want to focus on today is restorative!

About a month ago I moved to Sauk Centre, MN to start my career as a youth pastor. Being new to town and not having many friends to hang out with yet I decided to take on a project. This project would have to take up some time and I wanted it to be productive and allow me to reflect on my day. After thinking long and hard about what I wanted to do I decided to refinish or restore an old dresser that I have.

Part of the reason I chose to take on this project is that I knew one of my strengths was restorative. Another reason was that this dresser was so scratched up and I hated the stickers that were on it. Something about me is that I love to bring old things to life! I love seeing things that are worn out become something better, something that they used to be.

I believe that this fits in well with being a youth pastor. I love being able to help youth find life in Jesus Christ! It is energizing for me to see life be brought to something or someone. Some might say it is life-giving! (Double-meaning)

So as I move forward in my life. I look forward to opportunities to work through my restorative strength with people and perhaps another piece of furniture.

Here is what the dresser looks like now!

Lead.4.Eternity

2011-08-31T22:19:00.002-05:00

Recently I was very convicted. As I looked at a sticky note on my computer which says "Live.4.Eternity" I had a feeling that it was incomplete. This is a phrase in which I have sort of adopted as a motto of mine. It reminds me to live with an eternal perspective and to remember that everything I do is reflected throughout eternity. The reason I felt convicted is that I realized that the way I was looking and thinking about it was self-centered. The eternity I was thinking about was my own. This perspective is good to have but I believe that it is incomplete. As I pondered this another "L" word came to mind which seemed complement "Live.4.Eternity" that phrase is:

"Lead.4.Eternity"

The first motto does not accomplish the command God has for us as believers and more importantly disciples. By adding Lead.4.Eternity the focus turns to others and their eternity. Jesus tells us that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbors as yourself. Also, the great commission tells us to "Go and make disciples of all nations". I have not been the best at this and I want to make a change. I want to lead others to a life-giving relationship with Christ. What that means is that I need to look outside of myself and beyond those I am closest with who are Christians. I need to make an effort to reach those I know who don't know Christ and to look for other opportunities with anyone who crosses paths with me.

I have already compiled a list of a few people I will be pursuing this fall and I'm praying that God will open opportunities for me to share with them and lead them but also for more to be added to my "Lead List".

On a somewhat related but not really related note: I have accepted a job as youth/associate pastor/water boy/light changer/ lawn mower at River of Life Church in Sauk Centre!!! My first Sunday is this next weekend! I am pumped to be there and to see how God leads us.

Live&Lead.4.Eternity

Costa Rica Round 2!

2011-06-11T10:53:00.004-05:00

As I sit here writing this I am roughly 45 hours from boarding a plane to go to Costa Rica for an ES Sports Mission trip. I am so excited to have the opportunity to go on this trip for a second trip! I have a few things I want to put here in writing about this trip to give you a better understanding of what we are doing and why we are doing it.

The first thing I want to explain is the name of our organization, ES Sports. The ES stands for Every Student. It is our goal to reach every student in the schools we go to in the small picture, and in the big picture we want to be a part of reaching every student in the world with a message of hope and the Gospel. The Sports part of our name is our hook. We use sport to get into schools and to created excitement for people to listen to what God has to say. This trip and last years trip have been basketball but we have a dream to involve other sports as well.

The next thing I want to address is the type of mission trip we are going on. Most of the trips people have told me about going on involve doing some sort of service. I have been on two that involve this by going to New Orleans after the hurricanes and the Los Angeles DreamCenter. I have sometimes felt that our ES trip is not even a mission trip because we are not serving in a way that most people think of. We aren't building homes or schools and we aren't digging wells. What we are doing though is reaching students with a message of hope! I do absolutely believe that this is a mission trip that has allowed me to mix two of my passions in basketball and reaching students with a message of hope and the gospel!

What do we actually do on this trip? It may seem like we just go down and play some basketball with some students to give them a smile, but it is much more than that. When we are down there we will travel to different schools and put on school assemblies similar to some you probably attended while in school. We use basketball as a hook and depending on the school we will either play their team or run a clinic for some of the students in the crowd. Then at halftime or a midpoint in our clinic one of us will get up and speak. Last year our theme was "dreams" and how you should follow them. We used that as a gateway into how God is speaking to you and how God gives us dreams and goals to follow. This year's theme is "direction". We will be speaking on following God's leading and not our own. We will also be playing some night games this year which will be more evangelistic. We are scheduled to play one of the junior national teams and at halftime we will have an opportunity to speak to the crowd and the other team!

A very important side note. We are not going down there without connections to already established ministries. We will be working with a couple of different youth pastors who are already in some of the schools giving "values presentations" reaching every student in the schools. We don't go down there with the idea that we will change the students lives in the short amount of time with them. We go down there and do what we do to act as an excuse or vehicle to get the youth pastors and leaders into the school where they can have a real influence.

The last thing is that I am asking you to partner along with us in prayer and to follow our trip. Each team member will be blogging daily about what God is doing through and and in us during the trip and leading up to it. You can read each player's blog at essports.org by clicking on the roster button and then on the player you would like to read about. I encourage you to read these and post comments as well. Thank you for your prayer and support. We leave June 13th and get back on the 22nd.

Will

Live.4.Eternity

Who has made you able?

2011-05-17T19:24:00.005-05:00

Wow, it has taken me three weeks to write this blog that I've had in my head. I guess that's better than the multiple I was going to write since my last one but I haven't. Anyways, this is something that I've learned in the last few weeks specifically.

This experience, like many others, happened at Praise Gathering at North Central 3 weeks ago. I was there with one of my friends and it was definitely needed. I needed a place to just let go of my busyness for a couple hours. A little ways into the worship service, a young woman got up and led us into a time of praying for needs and asked those who had specific needs to raise their hands so others could gather around them. She then went on to encourage people to, if they felt the Lord leading, prophesy over the people they were praying for.

In my head I knew that I didn't really have a specific need pertaining to what was being prayed for, but I wanted to have the opportunity to have people speak into my life. I debated with raising my hand so that others would pray over me and then just maybe someone would prophesy over me. I wanted this because in the past that is a clear way God has spoken to me. I wrestled with this for a while and ultimately didn't put my hand up because I didn't want to feel like I was directing God or begging for God to speak to me the way I wanted Him to.

Once I decided not to raise my hand for prayer, I was hit with an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy and inability. Thoughts saying that I am not ready for ministry and I fail in my walk with the Lord so I can't possibly lead youth on that same walk. I should not have listened to these at all but they kept on coming. I should not have listened because earlier that night I ran the whole service at my youth group because the Youth Pastor was out of town. Then God spoke to me.

This is what He said, or prompted. "Read Exodus 4." I had no idea why I thought I should read that passage. I had no clue what Exodus 4 said specifically. So in obedience and just because I was curious, I looked it up. Exodus 4 starts of with God showing Moses some of the wonders He could do through Moses. This included turning his staff into a serpent and making his hand have leprosy and the making it well again. Even after these wonders, Moses said

"Please Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue" Exodus 4:10

Did you hear that? Even after the wonders God showed Moses to use to persuade Pharaoh he said that he is not right for the job, that he is not adequate or able. I had been looking for God to do "wonders" and speak to me through prophesy and then I felt all of these inadequacies. God's reply to Moses was this,

"Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say" Exodus 4:11-12

God replied to Moses and said that he is the one who will make him able. Moses now should have all his confidence in the Lord and who God can make him, even when he doesn't have confidence in himself.

God didn't speak to me that night in the way I anticipated or necessarily wanted but He did speak to me in a new way. God reminded me that I am only able to do His work because He has commissioned me to do so. It is nothing I can do on my own. I need to have full confidence in God and who God made me, not confidence in myself.

This is a challenging idea for me. I generally think of confidence as a good think and think of myself as a confident person. I think that part of that comes off because one of my love languages is words of affirmation, when I don't get that from other people I tend to give it to myself. That is being confident in myself then. I am striving now to not be confident in myself but rather having confidence in the Lord.

By the way, the rest of the story with Moses is that he asks God to use somebody else so God chooses Aaron to be a speaker for Moses. Moses was not confident in God, at that point. I want to be confident in God, do you?

Live.4.Eternity

Vision Casting

2011-01-12T12:42:00.002-06:00

Generally the titles to my blog refer to the topic I write about but today is a different kind of day. Today, my title is literal, I will be casting a vision. I hope someone catches the line and gets hooked!

Last summer God placed in me an idea, which at the time gave me much excitement but from then until now it has come and gone at different times. Anyway, my idea is to go on a missions trip to Kansas City. Why did I choose Kansas City? There are a few reasons: 1. The International House of Prayer (IHOP) is there and I've never been but have wanted to. 2. There is a good possibility that I could stay with relative while there, keeping the costs down. and 3. It is a straight shot down I35 from Minneapolis. The third reason plays in bigtime to the logistics of this trip.

So what is my idea? I want to get 3 or 5 or however many people are willing to go and hitchhike down to KC, spend a few days there going to IHOP and doing whatever else we feel God leading us to do, then hitchhike back up to Minneapolis. I would do this over spring break. This may sound dangerous to some of you but I don't believe that we as Christians are called to set up and live safe koosh ball lives. We shouldn't be afraid of allowing God to move through us.

The Logistics

We would start out at some big pit stop (Travel America) along I35 in the Twin Cities and watch cars come off the interstate. We would then target cars heading towards KC and then observe if they have any extra room in their vehicles. Next, in groups of 2 we would approach people who are headed our direction and have room and describe that we are trying to get to KC. Then we let God do the work. The idea being that we would be in a car for a good period of time with nothing to do but talk. So in that time we would share our life, experiences, and faith! We would stay traveling as far as they can and will take us up to Kansas City. Then spend a few days at IHOP and around KC. Then we would reverse the trip up to Minneapolis!

I realize that these details seem thrown together and not worked out but that will come with time and prayer. If you are at all interested, please get in contact with me. And also, I would ask that you might join me in prayer as I seek wisdom and guidance for this radical, unconventional, uncomfortable trip.

My Purpose is to Seek God...

2010-11-22T00:44:00.002-06:00

The rest is just details.

One question every person asks in his or her lifetime is, "What am I here on earth to do?" Or in others words, "What is my purpose?" I have searched for the answer to this question for many years. I looked high and low and I got caught up on details most of the time. I would ask God, "What have you created me to be?" or "What is my calling?" In these questions I looked for specifics like, one day you will be a great leader in this certain location doing exactly this thing. The problem with trying to find my "specific" purpose was that I was so caught up in my future that I would not see what God was doing in my life at the moment.

Often times this search for purpose would come up in conversations. I love talking about passions and what God is doing in our lives and the question, "What do you feel God calling you to?" would often come up. I ask this because I believe that God calls everyone to specific things but this belief overshadows what I have found God has called us to first and foremost.

"And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment -- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." Ephesians 1:9-10

The mystery of His will is that we would be united together under Christ. It is that there would be no more division and everyone would become united with Christ. This starts with us being united with Christ first. God's will for us it to be with Him!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Along with being united with God we are called to be joyful ALWAYS; pray CONTINUALLY; and to give thanks in ALL circumstances. Joy here is not just happiness but it is a state of the soul which is given from God. Praying continually means that we are constantly in conversation with God. And giving thanks in all circumstances calls us to always acknowledge the Truth of Jesus Christ. I don't know about you but to me that sounds like a life which is led by the Spirit.

Our purpose here on earth and our calling from God is to be in relationship with Him first and foremost. God will make the specifics like; what we should do for a living, where we should live, and directions we should move toward, known to us as we are obedient to Him and surrender our will over to take on His will for our lives.

I used to think that God would reveal what his plans for my future were years in advance. Now, I am realizing that I need to be obedient and daily surrender my plans for His and he will direct my path. I may not know the specifics of what God has called me to but I do know that if I seek God first, those plans will be revealed!

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5

Die.4.Truth

Live.4.Eternity

Surrender

2010-10-07T22:45:00.004-05:00

The theme of my last few weeks has been "surrender". I have been thinking a lot about being wholly/totally surrendered to God and His will for my life and what that looks like in my life. I have not only asked that about myself but also what being surrendered looks like to other people.

When asking this question, I kept searching for a specific answer, something along the lines of God saying, "this is what I want you to do." Then I would emphatically be obedient to that call. Because of this, I was thinking that being totally surrendered looks different to each person.

I do believe that there is an element of uniqueness in being wholly surrendered to God I think that I was thinking too much about what God specifically wants from me. Tonight God was speaking to me and saying that being surrendered isn't primarily about what we can do to be obedient to God. It is about being present with God and putting Him first in everything we do. It is about having God on our mind and then looking at our thoughts and actions through His perspective. It is about placing our plans and our will second to that which God already has planned for us.

So for now, I'm going to seek to be in His presence and consciously put Him first in all I do and place myself as second or less. I trust that as I do that, God will reveal what he has specifically called on me to do by opening doors/opportunities for me. I won't be passive though in stepping moving forward though but I will seek out these opportunities.

"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." ~ Jeremiah 10:23

Die.4.Truth
Live.4.Eternity

Take off Your Shoes

2010-09-09T01:02:00.005-05:00

And Stay A While!

So far this school year has started off incredibly! The Holy Spirit is alive here on Bethel's campus and in many of the conversations I have had with people. God is definitely working on this campus and people are responding! Recently I have been used in ways I have never been used before! I would love to tell you about them in person so I will let you find me to ask about them!

Coming into this year I was anticipating something big was going to happen. Last spring God showed me glimpses but I wasn't sold on it. It was like seeing a preview of a movie that looks pretty good but you think that they showed only the good parts in the preview. Then this summer, God kept working on me and speaking to me saying, "Really, I'm going to work in big ways at Bethel and there is nothing that can stop Me from doing it." So I started believing him. Because I started believing it I got really excited and wanted to be a part of the experience and put on my shoes of readiness. In our Koinania service at the beginning of the year, a student spoke on having our belt of Truth and shoes of Readiness on. I was already ahead of him on that.

I had my Nikes laced up tight and was ready for lift off!

These last two weeks have been incredible, the presence of God has definitely been felt here at Bethel (House of God). In all of this excitement and readiness I have tied my shoes so tight that my feet are blue (figuratively speaking).

Tonight I decided to go to Praise Gathering at North Central University. I've become extremely hungry to see what God is going to do next. I was worshiping by singing and dancing and jumping and crying out.

Then, probably a little over an hour into it a friend put his hand on my back and handed me a note. At first I was like "Yes! God is speaking to me!" Which he definitely did...just not what I thought He would say. The note said, "I think I'm supposed to tell you that taking off your shoes will help?" At first I didn't really know what it meant except that I should take my shoes off. Would it make me lighter on my feet so I could be more graceful as I danced? Nope. I started praying about it and God revealed that I have been living these last few weeks anticipating and seeking out physical acts that God can do. I wasn't taking the time to sit in His presence. So basically, God challenged me to "Take off my shoes and stay a while."

I was very anxious but God gave me peace in that moment.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:4-7

Once I took my shoes off I felt a peace and it was so much easier to Praise our Wonderful, Beautiful, Glorious, Matchless King! I have been so anxious to see how God is going to work all around me that when I have felt a special presence of God I have kept my shoes on, ready to be used by God. Sometimes we need to just take our shoes off and stay awhile. I want to run into God's arms and feel His warm embrace, then let him tell me things I cannot anticipate happening!

"Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." ~Jeremiah 33:3

Live.4.Eternity

Painted or Tainted?

2010-08-28T01:48:00.007-05:00

Tonight I was sitting listening to a friend play me a song he wrote called "So In Love". To be honest I couldn't really hear the words he was saying but I could hear the sound of the guitar and the voice of God. A phrase came into my head during that song that for some reason packed so much punch that I felt the need to tell this friend then come up to my room and start writing about it. The phrase was just two words, "Eternally Tainted". As I've been thinking and analyzing this phrase I've come up with a few things that at least I am going to think about.

At first I was thinking that the term tainted in my head was affecting the nature of something so that the perspective of the object is altered, good or bad. But now I'm thinking that it means that the perspective is obscured or distorted so that it is seen as incomplete or possibly imperfect. So, that phrase adds a little bit more impact than when I had first thought of it.

After thinking about how my eternity could be tainted I thought about the other end of the spectrum. How can our perspective be altered so that what we see is more complete and has more detail than before, moving toward perfection. This is what I decided I would coin the phrase, "Eternally Painted".

I'm the kind of person who thinks about the actions I do affecting eternity somehow, no matter how big or small those actions are. I think this may be why my biggest fear is missing opportunities. I truly believe that by missing an opportunity, whether conscious or unconsciously, it will have an affect on my eternity. I don't dwell on that as to where I will spend eternity but rather how I will spend eternity in Heaven.

I guess what I've gotten so far out of these thoughts is this question concerning whatever I do but more specifically the choices in the situations of life that seem to hold more weight; "Will this Paint or Taint my Eternity?" I want to take full advantages of the opportunities in front of me, the doors that God has opened for me and is simply inviting me in through a step of faith! By stepping through the door I am choosing to continue painting the beautiful picture of what Eternity will be like for me. If I don't step through because I was fearful I am putting a layer over my lens so that the picture of Eternity will not look the same as it could have. If I choose to do something that is glorifying to God the eternal masterpiece will be more beautiful. If I happen to do things that are not glorying to God then the portrait will not be as much a masterpiece.

I hope I can continue to ask myself this question and hope that you can ask yourself this same question. Are you going to Paint or Taint your Eternity?

Live.4.Eternity

Stepping Out

2010-07-26T22:05:00.003-05:00

I have decided that there are certain ways I want to live my life. One key thing I always want is to live a life that takes faith. A life that is uncertain. I'm not big on plans, whether it be tomorrow's or a 5-year one, so I'm okay when different obstacles are thrown my way. I actually enjoy the challenge of those obstacles. Even if I'm not certain of what comes next, I'm sure where I go is where God has planned for me, as long as I'm obedient.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 NASB

For the longest time I struggled with this. I had a fear of stepping out and being wrong. I was scared that my plans were not God's plans for me. So instead of really pursuing anything, I did as little as possible to move towards my future. I wasn't sure of what God had for me so I stood in place. I like to think I was like the disciples in the boat as Jesus walked on water towards them. They were so surprised by what they were seeing they didn't know what to do.

"But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind stopped." Matthew 14:24-32 NASB

I am striving to be like Peter in this story. During stormy weather Peter got over his fear and stepped out in faith to do as Jesus was doing. Even though he started sinking, Jesus was there to catch him. If we step out in faith, Jesus will be there to catch us when we sink. I would rather step out in faith than miss the opportunity to "walk on water!" like the rest of the disciples did.

Since I have worked through the fear of stepping out in the wrong direction many doors have opened for me. These doors include being able to attend Bethel University, being chosen to be a Resident Assistant this year, and serving as a missions intern at City on a Hill in Milwaukee! These doors have opened, I believe, because my decisions were being made in faith, not fear.

"The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places" Habukkuk 3:19 NASB

What things in your life are the water you need to walk on? Life goes on whether we are walking or not. Trust and let God open the doors and then boldly and faithfully step through them.

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who Him." Hebrews 11:6

"I'd rather be a wet water walker than a dry boat talker!" ~Pastor Andres Arellano

Servanthood

2010-07-13T21:27:00.002-05:00

I often ask myself about my character and what I want to represent. Something that has really become apparent this summer is that I want to Serve the Lord...no matter what and no matter where it takes me. What does it mean to serve the Lord? I think that being a Christian and living out that faith is good, but I want to be and do more than that. I want to Serve the Lord. I want to be the Lord's servant. Like a master calling upon his servant to do anything, I want to do anything and everything the Lord calls upon me to do.

Where do I start to Serve the Lord. In order to serve the Lord I believe we must first be willing to serve others! It's all about the heart, is your heart willing to serve no matter what that looks like? You may have to lower yourself and humble yourself to serve others. When we serve others, we are serving the Lord.

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name" ~Philppians 2:5-9

In order to Serve the Lord, we must be completely obedient to what He has called us to do. An obedient heart is a serving heart. Serving requires us to give all we have. It is a wholehearted effort. We must give God all of ourselves. If we are obedient to Serving the Lord we will be blessed!

"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater that his master, nor is a messenger greater that the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." ~ John 13:12-17

If I am not obedient to God and chose not to have a servant's mind, I will miss out on great opportunities which God wants to use me for. God WANTS to use me!!! I must always be ready for God to use I, I can't be too busy and have God pass me by to get something done. What about you? Are you ready for God to use you?

My Life is not my own, to You I belong. I give myself to You.

Impact

2010-06-23T23:07:00.003-05:00

I was thinking the other day about what my internship at City on a Hill is all about. We have a vision for ourselves that we want to Lead, Inspire, Empower, and help Define the people we come in contact with here including the participants of our missions trips or the families of the communities. The Define part of our vision is also for ourselves in that we want to define our purpose and calling in life. The first thing I want to recognize is that we would not be able to do any of this without the help of God. Without Christ I am nothing, But I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13).

Thinking about how God has used me to lead, inspire, empower, and define the lives of people throughout my life I asked myself the question, "What kind of impact am I making in their lives?" Am I impacting it for the good or am I being a hindrance for how they will spend eternity? We should always be in the position to impact someone so they see the life of Jesus Christ. Nothing we do should hinder somebody's walk with Christ. How am I impacting somebody's life, whether I know it or not?

Am I impacting it like when you throw a rock into the depths of a lake? Depending on the size of the rock, a certain size of splash will occur then a ripple effect will take place. I see this as something that has immediate impact but after a while it will fade away and not much has changed.

Does how I impact others look more like a crater created by a meteorite? When a meteorite collides with the planet it can create a crater. The immediate impact is so large that it moves earth! And everything that moves will be there permanently until some other force acts upon it. This type of impact has the possibility to really shape and define someone's life.

This idea of impact can be both positive and negative but as long as I am obedient to the Lord I have faith that the impact I have on others will be positive. I hope I am able to have a big and lasting impact and not just a small splash that will wash away eventually. I encourage you to think about the impact you have and are making on others. Some of you have had a big impact on me and who knows, maybe I have impacted your life somehow.

Live.4.Eternity

A Taste of The Least of These

2010-06-21T10:11:00.004-05:00

Here at City on a Hill, one of the activities we do with the short term missions teams (STM) is a poverty simulation. This simulation takes 40 hours and goes over 2 nights. The goal of this activity is to help the participants gain an understanding of what it's like to live in poverty/ be homeless. This will hopefully lead to empathy which will hopefully move them to do something about that feeling. And empathy with action is compassion. Because last week was our first STM team, I had the privilege/challenge of doing the pov sim with them. I was kinda nervous about it because I had no idea what we would be doing. I cannot go into detail as to what we did because I don't want anyone who could possibly do a pov sim to have an advantage. It's not that I don't want anyone to have an advantage but I would want this to impact everyone as much as possible. If you know what is coming you may not get the same experience. The best way to prepare for this is not to try and learn how to take shortcuts but rather go in with the willingness to learn as much as you can. With that said, I want to share some moments where I learned a ton.

People will treat you different based on how you look. For the simulation we were not able to keep the clothes we had on but instead were given some. Even though I felt the same in these clothes, when we were on the streets of Milwaukee we were not treated the same. Walking down the street numerous times people walking towards us would cross to the other side. In one instance, I was sitting on the corner trying to fix my shoes because I was getting blisters. A man in a utility van rolled down the window and yelled at me, "You gotta work before you get a break!" I didn't think anything of it at first but looking back on it what he said really hit me. He took one of the most common ideas people have of homeless people and threw it in my face. There is a vicious cycle that many homeless people go through. You can't get a job without an address, but you can't get an address without money/job. So saying a homeless person should just get a job is being very ignorant. (I used to think this way)

Another thing I learned is that although some homeless people are lazy, many aren't. When I was on the streets, I walked 6.3 miles in 3 hours trying to get enough cans to turn in for some money just so I could eat. In about 2 hours I gathered enough cans to get $1.95. I don't know about you but that is hardly enough for a meal for me. Imagine doing that every day just to get a meal!

Another thing I learned is that socks are very valuable. I did not have any socks on while walking the 6.3 miles and now I have blisters on my heels and ankles. Now, when I donate to a shelter I will make sure to put in a new bag of socks too.

Overall, I think the most valuable thing I learned is that everybody needs and deserves to be acknowledged. Being in public, looking like a homeless man, so many people did not acknowledge my existence or would just stop and stare. This made me feel less than human even though I was only in a simulation and would look how I normally do after the activity was over. I felt the same as I always have but I was not looked at or treated the same. Beneath every piece of dirty clothing and scraggly beard, and beneath the bad smells, everybody is somebody. God created us all in His image and we should all be treated as such. Now, I will be sure to acknowledge everybody I come across. Those seem like some weighty words but I hope that I can follow through with that, and if I don't, I hope I will feel convicted.

Before doing the simulation I was the person who would look the other way of someone who was less fortunate or homeless. Maybe, I would feel sympathy. Now, I hope, I will feel empathy and be moved to action. I hope I will have compassion for every need I see.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3: 12-14

In the parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25 we are told that "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me" The least of these is everybody we encounter. So we should look at and treat everybody as we would Jesus.

Milwaukee

2010-06-13T23:00:00.002-05:00

Hello all,

I don't normally like to write directly about my life on here but I think it is necessary to let you have a glimpse of what is happening in Milwaukee! I have been here for almost two weeks now. The first week and a half has been all about meetings, paperwork, and getting things ready for missions teams to get here. This is not my favorite thing in the world. I would rather spend 12 hours a day working with people and loving on them than 8 hours sitting at a desk.

This weekend we had our first missions team come in! This is where I love my position here. They were actually two teams, both from Wisconsin doing what we call a plunge trip. A plunge trip is one where the team is only here for one or two nights. It is a glimpse, or a plunge, into urban ministry. I am super excited for this next week though! We have a big team coming from Minnesota!!! I believe we will have 33 people total. This weekend we had 17 I think.

Something else I am stoked for is this thing we do called Poverty Simulation. I don't know any details other than it lasts 40 hours and is a life/perspective changing experience! I have heard that it's tough but I can't wait to do it and learn all about it. The sad part is that I won't be able to write about it as we are not supposed to tell anyone what happens in it in case they do it sometime.

I am super excited for what this summer holds and how God is going to shape and mold me and also how God will move in the city!

Interesting pieces of info about where I'm at. We are sitting in about a two block buffer between Marquette University (Rich) and the Ghetto. In fact, four streets away had the nickname "Crack Alley". Now, it is called "SoHi". Apparently some people wanted to give it a better name, I don't think they had experience in marketing or public relations though. I don't see much difference between the names of "Crack Alley" and "SoHi"! Also, from my window, I can see the plot of land the Jeffrey Dahmer lived and kept his...clients?

Anyway, that's all for now. I hope to write some more experiences during the summer and also some more of my other thoughts as well.

Will

Potential

2010-06-07T17:51:00.002-05:00

Potential~ What someone or something can become.

To me, potential is a very interesting idea. I see it as a type of Ideal Form or an object or person becoming a perfect form of itself. I see potential as a source of expectations, or the highest something can become. Like a ceiling. The problem is, at least for the potential of people is that we can never become perfect. It's a sad reality that we will never be able to reach our full potential, that does not mean we shouldn't try to better ourselves though. Also, we may exceed the potential seen in the eyes of man but our potential in the eyes of God will never be reached. Nonetheless, God still offers us grace and does not hold the expectation that we will be perfect.

The thing about reaching one's potential is that action is needed to achieve it. You will not reach your potential by sitting around. Also, based on what you have been given by God different levels of potential will be expected. What are you making out of what you have been given? Are you reaching for your potential? A man who jumps is closer to the stars than a man who just stands there because he doesn't believe he can reach them. Chasing your potential takes an amount of faith!

Without sugar and water, lemonade would just be lemons.

An Unexplainable Life

2010-05-30T23:41:00.005-05:00

This summer I will be in Milwaukee as a missions intern at City on a Hill! This internship will give me experience leading short term missions teams with the focus of servanthood, evangelism, compassion, and racial reconciliation. I am so excited to gain experience in urban ministry and to see how I grow in my own faith while I am there! I'm not sure exactly what I will be doing there but I'm ready to take on anything that gets thrown at me.

I am praying, hoping, and expecting some great things will happen while I am there. I don't mean to say this so that I can tell people about what I did this summer but I truly want to be able to tell people about what I witnessed God doing, whether I am the vessel God chooses to use or not. I have a strong yearning right now to see God move in ways I have never seen firsthand but only heard of. I want to witness something that I will have a difficult time explaining it to somebody else who wasn't there. I want to see and be a part of miracles that sound like something that would be found in the Bible!

With all that said, that is not only a dream of mine for the summer but for the rest of my life! I want to live a life that is unexplainable to people who were not apart of it. I don't want it to be a life that people don't understand but more of are skeptical that the things that happen are real. I want to live an unbelievable life, but one that is not embellished or exaggerated. I pray that I can live a life full of the Spirit and can be empowered to be used by God for wonderful things, not in the eyes of the earth but wonderful things in by God's perception. I want to see things and do things that people won't believe unless they witness it themselves. With all these things I want to see, I don't want it to be of my will or my power but rather what God wills and empowers me to do!

I want to live and UNEXPLAINABLE LIFE!!!

A Punctuated Life

2010-05-11T23:42:00.005-05:00

Something I heard recently at a sermon given by Chilly Chilton really stood out to me. It has to do with the story of Stephen and how the Bible tells it. Acts chapters 6 & 7 speaks of Stephen, who was chosen as one of seven by the 12 disciples to distribute food daily to the widows of the church. These men were chosen so the disciples could continue giving their attention to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:3-4) The requirement of the seven men chosen was that they must be known as being full of the Spirit and wisdom. It lists the seven men chosen but Stephen gets a little more written about him. Specifically it says, "They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism." (Acts 6:5)

What I want to point out here is that two of the seven men were described a little, beyond their names. We know from the scripture that Nicolas is from Antioch and a convert to Judaism, giving us a bit of history about him. Stephen though is listed then we are told that he is a man Full of Faith and the Holy Spirit. This gives us terms of his spiritual life and character.

Another instance in Stephen's story is when he is before the Sanhedrin, it says, "All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel." (Acts 6:15)

The third place I want to point out is right before Stephen is dragged to the edge of the city to be stoned and right after he called out the Sanhedrin. It says, " When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of god. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man Standing at the right hand of God. " (Acts 7: 54-56)

Stephen gets three commas after his name to describe his faith and character! He is not simply listed, does not get just a period or maybe even worse a question mark. He gets a comma! When a comma is used after someone's name I see it as taking a moment to pause and speak highly of them. Another thing I want to point out is that Stephen describes Jesus as standing at the right hand of God. This is the only time in the Bible where Jesus is standing. I like to imagine that He is standing, possibly starting a slow clap, because he is proud of Stephen. Jesus gets up for the people with comma's in their life!

That is something I want to strive for in life. I hope that I can be a man of great character who receives a comma after my name. I want to live a life that God deems deserving of a comma. I believe a comma represents obedience to the God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I hope that when my time is up I will deserve a comma. I hope that is your goal too!

Live a life worthy of a comma!

Costa Rica Day 2

2010-04-06T18:57:00.002-05:00

Today was so sick!!! At the very first school we went to on this mission trip in Costa Rica I was able to give my testimony in front of the whole school. I used to think I didn't have a great testimony but it turns out that that belief ties into what my testimony is. I spoke of having little direction in my life up to about a year ago, not knowing what I wanted to do but also what God wanted me to do. I had some dreams and goals but they were either short term, or fleeting. They didn't have any foundation or depth to them. I really didn't believe in myself as capable. I didn't think anything I did or would do was significant. God totally changed that perspective of mine and I now have dreams and goals that have a foundation in God, they will not vanish. I know that I am capable of doing anything God has called me to do. God doesn't call the incapable, he calls those he has equipped! So I was able to give a testimony like that and it really is the start of a dream of mine, speaking a message of hope to students!

We were at two schools today and saw a couple hundred students, we were able to connect with them through basketball and then presented a short message telling them to follow their dreams and believe in themselves. The second school we were at we put on a clinic for a team of about 15 young men. It was really cool being able to be with them giving them more personal instruction and connecting with them. We also met a youth pastor that the school allows to come in and have two hours with every class each month, reaching every student in the school. He speaks of values and cues his teaching to whatever the principle says the felt needs are for the students at the time. What we are doing in these schools is giving him an opportunity to connect even more with these students, kind of like giving him more street cred.

I am having a blast down here and am so excited to see what God is going to do in the next week!

Costa Rica Day 1!

2010-04-05T23:50:00.002-05:00

Right now I am sitting in a hostel in San Jose, Costa Rica! The reason I am here is that I'm on a mission trip with the organization ES Sports. We are here to play basketball and do school assemblies! Talking with Jon Dahlager tonight, the missionary we are working with, he told us that we are being used as a tool to help the pastors around here have a worthy excuse to get in the schools and have a positive image! I am so excited to be doing the Lord's work down here! When we got here tonight we were able to run for about an hour and get a good sweat going, I already had one though due to the humidity and heat. For the next four days we will be going to two schools each day, either playing a team or running a clinic. Then on Saturday we will be playing a higher class team which will be better competition. I can't wait to see how God will use us this week! Each player will also be blogging on our site each day, I encourage you to follow us and see the insights of each of our guys.

Fervency in Prayer

2010-03-15T20:03:00.004-05:00

Fervency- Warmth or INTENSITY of feeling

Fervent- Hot, Burning, Glowing

I had a thought the other day and also heard a leader in my life speak the same thing. What if we prayed every prayer like it would be answered? We know that God answers prayers but when it happens we are amazed or even astounded that God would in fact answer our prayers. I know that in my life I often pray not expecting them to be answered but rather hoping they will be. Are we that disconnected with our heavenly father that we don't have faith that he will answer our call unto him? James 4:16 says this, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is POWERFUL and effective."

I make a connection here with the prayer of a righteous man being powerful as also being fervent. When we pray, we should do it with an expectancy and faith that he will answer us. The answer may not be what we are looking or hoping for but God nonetheless will answer our call. I am going to take on a challenge that whenever I pray I will pray a burning passionate prayer filled with intensity and expectation that it will be answered. I will not pray a weak, disconnected prayer, hoping that there is a chance God may stumble upon it. I want to pray with my heart and not with my head. I would challenge you to do the same. What if everyone of us had a renewed perspective and took on this challenge, how much more would we see God working in our lives and the lives around us? James 4:8 says it perfectly, "Come to God and he will come near to you!" God hears our prayers, let us cast them unto him and trust that he will take care of us. Prayer is not a passive act but we should make it active, in our hearts and our lives!

Influence

2010-03-08T17:21:00.003-06:00

Something that has been on my mind for quite a while that keeps coming up in class or conversations is the idea of influence. One example is from my Adolescent Development in the Context of Family class. We were going through case studies and the situation was presented that parents were taking their kids out of the youth group because of a group of kids who started coming. The kids who started coming are the kids that parents see as lost or dysfunctional sometimes referred to as "those" kids. "Those" kids are typically represented by the ones who are in the "dark" or goth group, or the "potheads."

I have many problems with this. The first is that parents are judging the kids without actually knowing who they are or what they do. Just because a young man or woman looks like they may use drugs doesn't mean they do. The second problem I have with the parents is why wouldn't they want "those" kids in the youth group. Surely the parents in Christian homes would want everybody to come to know Christ. This second aspect leads me to the real issue I have. Parents, I believe, pull students out of the youth group because they are scared that "those" kids will have an impact on their own children. The parents then feel like they lose control and influence in their child's life.

The problem here is that the parents are sending the message that "those" kids are bad, and that their own kids don't have what it takes to be influencers rather than the influenced.

I don't know when or how this thought process came about. Since when has darkness over come light. As far as I know, light is more powerful than the dark. We should not see the youth of today as incapable of influencing others but rather empower them to be leaders. We are called to be the light on the stand, I see a trend that we are covering it up because we think our flame might be blown out by darkness. DARKNESS has NO authority over light! Let us not be ashamed of the gospel but instead love everyone, especially the "others". If we love everyone in faith we will not be influenced negatively but will influence positively for the Kingdom of God.

"He who influences the thoughts of his times, influences all the times that follow. He has made his impress on eternity."

Radical

2010-01-27T01:03:00.002-06:00

I want to be radical.

What does it mean to be radical? In this case I'm thinking of it as being extreme or souled out. I want everything I do to give Glory to God. So I'm going to let this prayer be a mantra to me now.

Lord,
Guide me,
when I call on you
Call on me,
when I don't call on you
Give me strength,
when I am weak
Humble me,
when I am prideful
Tell me to stop,
when I am going too fast
Point out the sad and the lonely,
so I can bring them your love
Give me discernment and wisdom,
so I know what is right
Send me anywhere,
Only go with me

Amen

I pray that I can live a life that is Radical, one that isn't defined by what the world wants of me but rather what God wants of me.

Relationship

2009-12-13T23:57:00.002-06:00

I recently wrote my Philosophy of Ministry as a paper for a class called Foundations of Ministry. In doing this, I had to figure out what my philosophy of ministry actually was. I took a lot of things from the class this semester, some books I have read, Scripture, and life experiences themselves and compiled them into about ten pages on what I believe ministry encompasses. One of the main things which penetrated each of my beliefs is the thought of Relationship.

Being a Christian is all about being in RELATIONSHIP! Our Telos*/purpose is to be in relationship with God and with others. We grow in our faith not by being alone but with others by our side. Relationship is for encouragement of others, Accountability with others, fellowship, and growth. Our relationship with our friends and family defines us socially.

*Telos is the purpose a creation has been given by its Creator

What kind of relationship do you have right now in your life? Are they helping you grow spiritually or socially? Are your relationships with other building you up or tearing you down?

On the other side of that; Are you building others up or are you the ball and chain tied around their ankle keeping someone from being free. What can you do to strengthen the relationship you have.

I like what an old Swedish proverb says in this:

"Shared joy is double joy, shared sorrow is half a sorrow."

When we accomplish something together we find more joy in it than if we do it alone. Also, if we are grieving we can lean on each other to lighten the burden. All these things can be applied to our relationship with God or others.

Looking into the Future

2009-12-04T00:57:00.003-06:00

The other night at Paradigm, the youth group I'm a leader at, we did a pretty sweet thing. We were able to take a look at the brand new theater in the brand new edition to the church. That is the place where youth group will take place when it is finished. It is exciting to see the progression of the building and to get a glimpse of the future, or at least something that will be of use in the future.

This all got me thinking about my life and how I can see growth in it. Whether it is Physically, Mentally, Spiritually, Emotionally, or Socially I can see many periods of growth in my history. Perhaps when we look at this growth we can see a foreshadow of what our life might be like later on. Maybe it some habits we have, the relationships we are in with various people, things we are involved in, or the things we give value and priority to. One thing I heard growing us was, "Show me your friends and I'll show you your future." That is an incredible statement which I believe is true.

Are we actually capable of stepping outside of ourselves to see this growth as it is happening or is it something we can only see in hindsight. Maybe we can see our growth but don't know the significance of it at the moment or it could be hazy. I believe our friends and family actually have a clearer picture.

Most people are curious about their future, whether it be every they will become like how they will measure up in society or just if they will be happy. I personally would fall in between the two. I'd like to know more about my future than if I will be happy but I would like to have some mystery to it.

I'm guessing that if we look intently enough we can see where our lives are leading and a glimpse of our future. Where are your habits, relationships, priorities leading your life?

A Life Reflective

2009-11-12T11:01:00.002-06:00

Sometimes when I encounter people I don't know I wonder if they are Christians or not. I'm not sure if this would be judging them but I just speculate as to what they believe. We should want to live our lives so people don't even have to wonder.

If we aren't willing to make a change or a difference, why do we call ourselves Christians?

Think about it, we have the greatest gift one could ever receive in Jesus Christ. Why don't we share that gift with everybody. It's not like we can run out of his love! This gift is abundant and endless!

Since we live in a materialistic culture I'll give you this scenario. What if you had an endless amount of money. So much that you could not possibly spend it all. I would be willing to bet that you would give money to those who need it. Most people, if able, give to charity even in today's world where people are very tight-fisted. Why then are we often reluctant to give something that is of more worth than any money. We should make it a priority, along with food and shelter, to give the needy the gift of Jesus!

We, as Christians are called to do mission. To go into all the world and preach the good news.

Where do we start with this idea?

In our lives, we should strive to live a life reflecting God's love.
Go and serve, mission doesn't have to be far away from where you are. Serve in the soup kitchen, tutor a student, or volunteer as a coach.
If we actually want to make a difference we must be consistent! Offering hope in short stints is like putting a band-aid on a wound when it really needs surgery. Be there, consistently!

Let us live a life that glorifies our God, in everything we do. I want people to KNOW what I believe just by how I act and treat others, I hope you want that too.

Eternity

2009-09-21T00:23:00.002-05:00

"Men are haunted by the vastness of eternity."

What is eternity? I have been thinking about this a lot lately. Why is it that the concept of eternity causes many moments lost? What is the concept of eternity anyway.

Here is what I think of eternity. Probably not exactly what you think, or maybe you've never thought about it deeply before. Eternity is normally thought of as endless time, or forever, everlasting. It is so much more than that though. Eternity transcends time. It also transcends space. Eternity is boundless. If it helps, think about Eternity as infinity; Maybe that's an even more complicated proposition to you. When scholars came up with a definition it came from the context of God. Why, because God's realm is Eternity.

One thing I do know is that once we are done here on earth, we will not be bound by time anymore, we will be experiencing eternity. This is a scary thought because where will we spend it. I know I will be spending it in Heaven. I also know people who will not be there if they were taken right now. That thought scares me. Even though I have a peace about where I will be, I have those around me that I'm not sure where they will be. I could go into what Hell will be like but that is a whole different topic. I will just say that in any and all contexts, Hell is bad.

If we know that Hell is bad. Why then don't we do more for the good of the Kingdom and speak of Truth every chance we get? Why don't we use every breath to proclaim God's Good News?

"What you do in life echoes through eternity."

Think about what you do every day. How does what you do each day affect eternity? It can affect it for the good or bad. Think about the influence you have. Now multiply it ten fold. I believe that we have no idea how much we actually impact people lives. Everybody is constantly watched, analyzed, and judged by others. It's in human nature. When we stand up and proclaim something as profound as the Gospel we will be watched more closely. I know that I am constantly being watched. I take that on as a challenge and a privilege. God has placed each one of us in the position we are in with the faith we can impact the kingdom for good. I challenge you to look at your actions and know in confidence that it is affecting people in a good way. If it is not, I challenge you to step back and see how you can change that.

Henry David Thoreau is quoted as saying, "As if you could kill time without injuring eternity." I think he hits it right on there. Be prepared to take the responsibility or reward for your actions in eternity.

*It's been awhile since my last blog, sorry if my thoughts are kind of jumbled

Jr. Teen II

2009-07-18T23:50:00.003-05:00

God is Sweet!!!

Last week I was counselor to 7 guys from Living Hope Church of Little Falls at Lake Geneva Christian Camp in Alexandria, Minnesota. God used me in incredible ways to speak life and wisdom? into my campers lives. Not sure if the wisdom came from me or from God but it doesn't matter because it got through to my guys.

I am so impressed with my guys! I had gone to Lake Geneva every summer from sixth grade through my senior year. My senior year I also counseled at Jr Teen. My guys pressed in and went after God more than I could have ever asked for. They gave it there best and did not waste any opportunities to connect with God. It was awesome to see some young men with some much passion. For those of you around the Little Falls area, look out, because these guys are going to do some great things and not just after they move onto College and careers. In the next four or five years these kids are going to do some amazing things in the schools and with there friends. God is going to use them in ways they cannot even comprehend right now.

Allen Griffin was our speaker for the week and did a fantastic job captivating the minds of the students and following where the Holy Spirit lead him. It was sweet.

Monday night was focused on surrendering everything for God. This night is typically devoted for a salvation call for those who have never known God or have fallen away but Allen did a great job incorporating everyone. I believe it helped each and every kid dive right in instead of waiting for Tuesday night.

Tuesday night the message was on Forgiveness. It really focused on us forgiving others for ways they have wronged us. If we don't forgive someone we are imprisoning ourselves from getting closer to God. When we place it in His hands we are set free to Love everybody, that means those who have wronged us.

"Our job in life is not to protect ourselves, it's to Love EVERYONE" ~Allen Griffin

"Be a welcome mat, not a not trespassing sign" ~ Allen Griffin

Wednesday night was focused on the Holy Spirit. Most kids were filled or refilled with the Holy Spirit and from what I observed, most were filled with the gift of speaking in Tongues. Six out the seven of my guys are now filled and have the gift of speaking in tongues. It was sweet talking to them after the service separately and hearing there story and how God had used me just by saying something while praying for them. The cool thing is that I really didn't say anything amazing but let God and the Holy Spirit speak through me.

Thursday night was talking about being a Hero and what a Hero is. It was a great way to end the week. Allen said some great things that really stuck with me. Heroes don't just save people from trouble, they stop trouble from ever happening. He challenged us to be Heroes and not Almost Heroes.

The week was sweet. I'd love to talk to you one on one about the week and tell you about what God is doing in my life and the lives of my campers. I will be going back to LGCC Monday, July 26 to counsel the Sr. Teen Boys of Living Hope Little Falls. I pray that they will pursue God with as much passion as the Jr. Teeners. It will be tough to live up that but I know it can be done. Please pray for me and my guys in the next weeks.

Celebrity Deaths

2009-06-28T21:49:00.002-05:00

A few days ago, Michael Jackson died. Today, Billy Mays died.

Here are my thoughts regarding both.

This is sad, but this is reality. Everybody dies, we are not immortal. I just want to kind of gripe and say that I'm tired of hearing everything about their deaths. I don't care how much debt MJ has or how many autopsies are ordered. The fact of the matter is that they are gone and not coming back, let's let their family and friends mourn and move on. I've heard some comments on Michael Jackson dying and they are calling it a tragedy. Are you kidding me! After how much he has put his body through. The only tragedy is that he is getting all this attention when many people die each day who have done great things that matter. I'm sorry if I'm venting but I'm just tired of all the useless information that dominates the news.

If there is one thing that I don't mind about hearing this it's that it gives me enjoyment watching inmates do a tribute dance for Michael.

Here's another by the inmates.

Update

2009-06-18T19:00:00.002-05:00

Hello everybody,

It has been awhile since my last post. Part of it was I didn't feel inspired to write, or when I did I was to lazy to do it and then forgot what it was I was going to write about. I'll try not to have such a big dry spell any more. Not that anybody hangs on my every word. I could probably stop and nobody would miss a heartbeat. Anyway, I am going to tell you all about my future. It goes something like this.

Future: Unwritten

Well since I don't know where God's going to lead my life, I will tell you where he's leading it. I don't know if you follow that but it's like I know the direction I'm going but not the destination. Next year, I am going to be attending Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. I am EXCITED!!! I'm majoring in Youth Ministry and also playing basketball for the Royals. A passion of mine is connecting with God, though I go through spiritual droughts which I am constantly trying to get better at. I also have a passion to help others connect with God, especially high school and college aged youth/adults. It is this passion that God has placed in me that has lead me to Youth Ministry. I'm very excited to go into a community where I am connected with more people who share a Passion for connecting with Christ.

Another sweet thing is that my brother Ron is going to be a freshman at Bethel this year too! He will also be playing ball. He is the second Kornbaum out of five.

Thanks for checking back in and being patient while I was not blogging.

Will

Running on Empty

2009-05-20T02:20:00.003-05:00

Anecdote: On Monday I was driving up to Brainerd so I could finish cleaning the townhome with my roommates. I left my house with right about a quarter tank, thinking this will get me to Brainerd easily. About two miles before Eagle's Landing Golf Course my empty light goes on. This is a problem for a couple reasons. There is only one gas station in between there and Brainerd, I was already running late. The other problem is that when my empty light goes on I have no idea how long I actually have. Sometimes I'm able to go only a few miles and others I can go up to thirty. I have run out of gas twice in my life, both with this car. Once I was in the country a couple miles south of my house and the other was right across from a Casey's gas station. Anyway, I wasn't too worried but was kinda worried at the same time. I kept driving and ended up going right passed the gas station in Fort Ripley. I don't know if this is because I just didn't want to take up more time or just to see if I would run out of gas on Hwy. 371. I got to the bypass of Old 371 and filled up with gas. Ended up being safe.

Why did I tell you this seeming meaningless story? Because it got me thinking; Why do we as humans tend to push passed our boundaries? Or why do we fall as far as we can without calling for help before we either have a close call or actually "Run out of Gas?"

I can think of many times in my life where I have pushed the limits of despair only to finally notice my empty light was on and then I come crawling back. For me, it usually happens in my relationship with God. I'll be growing daily and making real strides forward with what He wants in my life then just lose Him around the corner. Instead of looking for Him, I just wait until He lights up the direction I need to go. It's like he flips a switch saying I'm over here.

This is precisely what happened Monday morning. I was driving, just in cruise mode, and all of a sudden the empty light goes on. It made me think and my thoughts just carried me to running on empty and I was like, "Hey, I could write a blog on that!". It's strange how we get called back to the path we are running sometimes but how we get there isn't the point. The point is that we are on the path moving forward.

This doesn't always have to deal with yours/my spiritual lives/life. It can be with other relationships, your career, and countless other situations. Instead of waiting till the last minute to "Fill Up", why don't we pay attention and recognize earlier that we could "Top off our Tanks." Life would be alot smoother if we did.

Be You

2009-04-29T23:41:00.003-05:00

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and tonight at Evergreen Pastor Jarvis said something that hit me.

Personally I don't think I have ever had a problem with this but it bugs me to see people who can't be themselves. Either they don't know who they really are or are scared to let it out because they are self-conscious. I think it's a shame because I find that I am drawn to people who can be themselves. It brings out a certain confidence, like "This is me and I'm proud of who I am." That attitude also helps the person not care about what people think of them. You either like me or you don't kinda attitude.

This brings me to a great point. I think everybody should just be who they truly are. After all, God created you to be who you are, not somebody else. How do you find out who this person is if you don't know? The answer lies within God. The closer you get to Him the more you will learn about yourself. Instead of the question of "Who am I?" it becomes "Who am I in Christ?"

When you are having trouble being yourself for whatever reason think of Psalm 139:13,14

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

It just reminds you that you are God's creation and were made perfectly. When you know that you know that who you are is perfect.

Jarvis posed this statement to us tonight when pondering ourselves and our future.

"Instead of asking God, "What do you want me to do?" ask Him, "Who do you want me to be?"" ~Jarvis Glanzer

That sums it up. I'm listening to Scatteredtrees right now. Check 'em out if you haven't heard of them.

Miss California

2009-04-21T21:46:00.002-05:00

First of all, I want to commend Miss California for standing up for her beliefs. If you don't know what happened to Carrie Prejean then you should find out here. She was asked a very controversial question in the speaking category of Miss USA 2009. It had to do with same sex marriage and was asked by openly gay Hollywood commentater, Perez Hilton. She gave a very honest, personal answer and was torn apart for it even though it's what the majority of America feels. She may not have given the most politically correct answer but as most of you know, I'm not a big fan of political correctness.

It's horrible that such a beautiful, talented, and inteligent woman get's torn apart for being genuine. I do not think that what Perez Hilton said about her was justified at all and shows that he is a character who has none.

Anyway, Carrie Prejean is an incredible woman and I would love to have the chance to meet her someday and talk with her. She has an incridible amount of integrity and character.

If anyone who reads this knows her, feel free to help me get in touch with her ;)

Forced Volunteering On Its Way

2009-04-21T10:42:00.003-05:00

As I am writing this, President Obama may have already signed the National Service Bill. This is a $5.7 billion bill that calls for $1.1 billion next year alone. The reason for this bill, "to foster and fulfill peoples desire to make a difference." Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't we already do this without the aid of the government. I mean, I don't need the government's money to pick up a piece of trash in the park, or to help an elderly person with their yard work, or to mentor a child. I can do all of this without the government paying for anything.

This bill will increase the size of the AmeriCorps from 75,000 to 250,000 people. People who join can choose to go in five general areas of service; helping the poor, improving education, encouraging energy efficiency, strengthening access to health care, and assisting veterans. Now don't get me wrong, I believe in helping those in need and in volunteering but do we really need people to encourage energy efficiency and strengthen access to health care? I think we should leave those two up to people who are say... qualified. How is an average Joe Schmoe who joins the AmeriCorps supposed to encourage energy efficiency? Maybe he'll be given a Prius to drive around with a speaker on the roof playing a recording that says, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, be more energy efficient." I hope that is not the way they will encourage it but seriously.

The American people already make a great effort to serve those around them. I don't see any reason to spend money that our country desperately needs to use wisely on something that doesn't need it. This is not a wise bill being put in place by the Mr. Obama. Maybe when our economy is thriving and we have no deficit. But not now.

I sure hope this doesn't lead to forced volunteerism in the future. If its forced is it really volunteering?

ROBBED!

2009-04-14T12:24:00.002-05:00

Get this. While I was enjoying my weekend at home for Easter with friends and family. Some not cool people broke into my townhome and stole a ton of stuff.

Fast Forward to Sunday at 7 pm. Trace, my roommate is the first to return to the house and finds that the deadbolt was busted in. Things aren't looking good. He finds that place torn apart, his laptop, xbox, and all his games and movies were stolen. Along with a bunch of clothes. Jeans, shirts, jerseys etc.

I got a call from him and didn't know if he was serious or not. I ended up getting up to Brainerd a little before 11. We talked to the police and they took an inventory of everything that was taken. Trace ended up having over 2 grand worth of stuff stolen. I was lucky and only a little over 300 dollars worth was taken from me. Thankfully I had my broken computer at home. Dusty also had his xbox stolen.

I would like to thank the Brainerd Police as they have been more help than I could've imagined. They have kept us in the loop and up to date on what they've found out. Nobody has been caught but we do have some leads.

Please pray for us and that the police are able to bring these thieves to justice.

If you are wondering how I'm doing with all this I will say that I am doing good. After all, these worldly possessions mean nothing for our eternal future. Everything can be replaced even though we wish they wouldn't have to be.

I'll keep you up to date on what comes of this.

20

2009-03-05T23:12:00.002-06:00

SICK!!!

Today I turned twenty. Can you believe it? I made it to twenty. I have to answer the question that undoubtedly is asked on everyone's birthday. So no, I don't feel any different now that I'm technically a year older. But I still feel pretty dang good. Probably because I have been so blessed.

Honestly, twenty years. And an easy twenty at that. I have truly been blessed with my family, friends, and opportunities I've had. I'm guessing that the next twenty will be much more difficult. I look forward to the challenge and I know that I have been equipped with everything I need to conquer the next twenty, forty, sixty, who knows, maybe even eighty years.

Today I didn't really have anything planned. I was just gonna go to class then practice then home to play some Call of Duty and watch "The Office." Some people asked me and I told them what I was gonna do. They thought it was lame or sad but I was totally okay with it. I was also thinking about going to St Cloud to the LF section Championship Hockey game cause some friends from the cities would be there but decided against it, mainly because I didn't want to drive an hour each way. By the way, I heard they won in OT. Congrats boys.

Anyway, I was going through with my plan and watched the office, when all of a sudden I heard the doorbell. I was kinda pissed because the office was just about done. Then I opened the door and it was my roommates and some other friends with cake and stuff to make spaghetti :D I was kinda shocked. But it was SICK!!!

All this made me realize that no material gift could top that of having great friends who genuinely care about you. Seriously, I thank God in this moment for all my friends and Family. I love you all so much. Sometimes I take the fact that I have as good of people around me that I do for granted. So I thank all of you for being so fricken sweet!

At least I'm not a teenager anymore :)

Death and Taxes

2009-02-26T22:18:00.003-06:00

So I'm sitting in my hotel room in Minneapolis and on the news is a story about taxes and Obama's tax plan. They were asking people on the street various questions about it.

One Question was, "Do you think the rich pay enough taxes?"

First of all, What constitutes a rich person? and Secondly, what is enough?

Most of the people considered anything above a couple hundred thousand a year being rich. Also, they believed that the "rich" did not pay enough.

Here is my thought on taxes.

Those who are rich have worked hard for their money and deserve to keep as much as possible. They already pay a higher percentage of their income than anyone else. People who have inherited their wealth are the exception and not the rule.

The rich are not the enemy. Think of the types of people who you consider rich. They are the doctors and CEO's of this country. These people create jobs for thousands of people and keep them at their jobs.

One of the things Obama has proposed is to create a higher tax burden on the wealthy, those with a household income of more than $250,000. Also, there will be more limits on tax deductions. Charities depend on the wealthy to contribute because they get tax deductions for doing so. If someone isn't able to get a tax-deduction for their generosity then our charities will eventually fold. I think that this will prolong our current tough economy.

Another thing I have a problem with is the proposal to take away the ceiling on how much is paid for Social Security Tax. Meaning, you pay social security tax on every penny made. If they don't recieve more benefits because you paid more why should you have to pay more.

My thought on taxes trickles down into this basic thought.

"You should reap what you sow, and not what others have"

Jell-O Question

2009-02-17T16:40:00.003-06:00

Here is a question that has been bothering me for some time now. I don't know how I came up with this Idea but it has yet to be solved.

Imagine this: You are falling at terminal velocity, in the position with your head down and like a pencil. This speed can reach near 200 mph.

Eventually, you come to a bottomless pit of Jell-O. The question is, will you continually slide down the pit of Jell-O? Or will you stop at some point? If you stop, how far down in feet do you think you will go?

Also, another related question to Jell-O. If in a pool filled with Jell-O, will you sink or will you float?

Now, for the real question. What color was the Jell-O in your head as you imagined it?

Please answer all three questions as comments.

How safe is safe enough?

2009-02-01T23:12:00.003-06:00

Recently in MN a bill has been proposed making it illegal for someone to smoke in a vehicle while children are present. It is considered to be a very controversial bill but I think it will pass relatively smoothly. After all, MN already has a ban on smoking in restaurants and most other public places. California, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Maine already have versions of this bill in place. This leads me to the question, How much safer can the children of America get?

When I was growing up I think I stopped sitting in a car seat at age 2 or 3. I turned out fine. Most kids did, and they didn't have the regulations back then. Currently, MN is one of the most lax states only requiring children 3 and younger to be in a child seat. Wyoming had the highest age requirement at 8 years. Many states have it at 6 or 7 years with more regulations if the child is less than a certain height. Not abiding by these laws is a fine, in Nevada sometimes as high as $500. Child restraint laws

We have set up bureaucracies to find new ways to make everyone safer. I think in these hard times we need to rid ourselves of these bureaucracies and become more fiscally responsible.

Also, back to the smoking issue, I am not a fan of smoking but I think that people should be able to smoke if they want to in their cars and at restaurants for that matter. A few years ago Minnesota passed a law banning smoking in restaurants and bars, I think this was a bad thing. I think it should be up to the owner of the facility to allow or ban smoking. I don't like being in the presence of it so I would go to an establishment where they don't allow it.

We have turned Smoking into an ethical issue when it is in fact only a health issue.

So in closing, Let's leave the safety of children up to the parents, and not let legislation raise them. Child protective services can step in the way they already do in extreme cases.

Season Update

2009-01-31T20:43:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow starts February. That usually means the dog days of the season are upon us. That is not the case this year for me. Looking back, we started practice the first week of October and it has flown by so fast this year. It helps that we are winning most of our games and that coach keeps practices competitive and relatively short. But there is something else in the air this year. It's the feeling of our team. I love my team and teammates, we are constantly thirsty for winning more. Everybody wants to win but our team puts in the hard work to actually do it. I look forward to the rest of our season, 6 regular season games left then off to state, and hopefully regions, and nationals in New York. We have two home games left this upcoming weekend, it would be great if you are in the area and could make it. Then we finish our final four on the road at cloquet, grand rapids, thief river falls, and international falls.

Here are some stats for our season.

Record: 16-4
Our losses came at the hands of Fergus Falls, Ridgewater, Minneapolis, and Vermillion

80.7 points per game average, currently 18th in the nation

56.9 points per game defensive average, currently 2nd in the nation

+23.75 average point differential

We have a very balanced team where many players could lead us in scoring. We do a good job of picking up the slack for one another and playing our respective roles. I really do see us as a family and we have grown together throughout the season.

All these stats are through 20 games.

25 random things for my 25th post

2009-01-30T23:56:00.002-06:00

I have seen multiple friends post this 25 things recently so decided to jump on it. Seriously this is spreading faster than a rumor in the women's bathroom, not that I've ever been there, just assuming.

1. My second toe on each foot is as long or longer than my big toes
2. I have 4 younger brothers and though I sometimes think they are girls, I don't ever wish they were.
3. Never had alcohol
4. I don't like spaghettios
5. Road signs make good wall decor.
6. I have a tendency to get places faster than I should when I drive. I also have an uncanny ability to say when I will get someplace almost to the minute if I am in the car when I predict it.
7. I enjoy being fashionably late when acceptable
8. I am somewhat of a compulsive spender, but I'm getting better.
9. I think my name is bomb. Pun intended
10. I plan on living in MN for the rest of my life, or at least moving back asap if I leave.
11. Seriously, my brothers are sweet, you should get to know them.
12. 25 is a lot of random things
13. Honestly, you can create so many stupid nicknames with my name. Whilikers anyone? Are you hungry for some kornbread, how about popkorn?
14. My favorite band is Dave Matthews Band
15. My favorite movie is Gladiator.
16. I love the feeling of new socks and sleeping in a bed with fresh, clean sheets.
17. I hate the feeling of wet socks
18. Basketball always has been and always will be a part of my life.
19. I've learned to like reading, it took some time though.
20. I really think college ball is more exciting than the NBA.
21. I'm not a big fan of smores but I love roasting marshmallows.
22. I don't like the new design of Mountain Dew cans. Really? Mtn Dew? C'mon.
23. Wendy's is so good late night.
24. 24 is a good number. Might be my favorite.
25. I love the feeling of Icy Hot.

I struggled to get through this. Hopefully you know a little more about me now.

Political Correctness

2009-01-29T18:23:00.002-06:00

I've got a bone to pick. I just have to say that I am not a fan of being politically correct. Some who know me might say that I am a politically incorrect person.

Dictionary.com has this term being defined as follows.

politically correct

Also, PC or p.c. Showing an effort to make broad social and political changes to redress injustices caused by prejudice. It often involves changing or avoiding language that might offend anyone, especially with respect to gender, race, or ethnic background. For example, Editors of major papers have sent out numerous directives concerning politically correct language. This expression was born in the late 1900s, and excesses in trying to conform to its philosophy gave rise to humorous parodies.

The term for "politically correct" in my words are saying things so as not to offend anybody, or as few people as possible. I've got news for you. Anything and everything you say could potentially offend anybody.

I've got a proposition for this politically correct world. Let's all just be honest and say what is on our mind. If we constantly try to be PC than I think the message we are putting across loses context. I guess what I'm trying to say is that when we are supposed to be PC we aren't putting out our true feelings and ideas out there.

How to be PC

One of my favorites from the link is how to be PC using the words lazy and homeless.
Lazy~ motivationally dispossessed
Homeless~ Outdoor urban dweller or residentially flexible.

Character

2009-01-20T00:46:00.002-06:00

I was talking with my mom this past weekend and she told me a few stories of things she has overheard or talked about with teachers during lunch. My mom is a substitute teacher whose views don't usually flow with the so called edu-crats.

One story that really stuck out was when she was doing some work at an elementary school in Little Falls. She did not get involved in this conversation because she doesn't usually do work at the school and I think wasn't comfortable putting in her two cents there, but would have at the high school she said. Anyway, they were discussing the differences between George W. Bush and Barack Obama. They apparently didn't discuss any policies though and were focused on the physical qualities. One teacher said the George Bush was ugly and couldn't talk and that Barack Obama was a good looking man and a great speaker. That is all my mom told me specifically but she said there were other things too.

Is this what teachers are teaching the next generation. To judge a president or just people in general based on his or her appearance and other physical attributes? This is not a healthy idea to ponder. Will the future leaders in this nation be based on beauty pageants. Lets hope not. Do you remember Miss Teen South Carolina in 2007. She would probably never get elected but some circumstance not quite as absurd might.

We need to start looking at the character of a person to see who they really are and not judge a book by it's cover to be cliche.

“Some day, in years to come, you will be wrestling with the great temptation, or trembling under the great sorrow of your life. But the real struggle is here, now, in these quiet weeks. Now it is being decided whether, in the day of your supreme sorrow or temptation, you shall miserably fail or gloriously conquer. Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued process.” ~ Phillips Brooks

Future?

2009-01-13T21:52:00.003-06:00

Right now I am in a state of confusion which leads me to wondering about my future.

I have known for a good portion of my life that I have a calling from God but have never had any clear definition on it. I have been content in the recent years just being patient and letting God direct my life but now it seems like I am driving it without His direction. Not that I'm away from Him right now but I'm not making a real good effort to get closer to Him. It's almost if I've moved Him to the backseat instead of riding shotgun or even driving. I know that He should be up front but lately I don't know what it is. Actually I do, I'm not in a good routine of meeting with God daily and spending time with Him.

Anyway, back to what I was starting to say. I have a calling on my life, and don't know what. Looking back I have noticed times where God may have been speaking to me and I didn't hear or notice. Once upon a time a few years ago I was at a speaker which I believe Youth Alive put on. I remember thinking to myself that I could see myself do something like a Reggie Dabbs, going around the state, country, or world sharing a message of Hope. Then I would think, what kind of testimony do I have to relate. I didn't. So that put that thought away.

Two summers ago, at Lake Geneva Senior Teen Camp there was a night where the speaker gave us a brown bag and told us to write whatever God was speaking to us on it. I clearly remember hearing, "To lead a Generation" over and over and that was it. I felt weird because looking around at some peoples bags afterwards they were full of writing and I had "To lead a Generation" and the word "Patience" written on mine. Trying to understand this kinda ties into the time above.

Recently, I was talking to someone I really look up to and respect and he told me I should look into going to Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri next year and try to play ball there. It is an NAIA school so they can give scholarships. This person also recently took a pretty sweet position with Youth Alive and I know that God will use him incredibly and without bounds. That just got me thinking about what God could use me for. I really have no idea.

One other time I just remembered I don't know if it fits but it could. I was at Evergreen, a youth group I am a leader at, and I wasn't having a good day and I just sought after God and there was a missionary there who came and spoke into my life. He just pictured something with being an artist for me. For those of you who know me, I don't have a creative bone in my body. I thought it was a little strange hearing that but if God can move mountains and heal people with incurable disease, he could help me become an artist, maybe.

So here I am looking ahead at many roads that I could take. I am going to make a real effort to spend time with God every day now. If anybody reads this, I am asking that you could just help me keep my word to do this. Thanks.

Lastly, I'm listening to Brady Toops. If you've never heard him, look him up. He is great and incredibly uplifting. Always makes me feel good.

Be Genuine

2009-01-06T02:32:00.002-06:00

"Be Yourself"

A phrase that everyone in their lifetime hears. Many times this is advice one gets when nervous for a first date or meeting someone new. Or perhaps for an interview. This is something that although sounds simple, can be quite complicated. Many people want to be themselves but run into trouble when they realize they don't know who they truly are.

Luckily for me, I have known who I am and what I believe in for quite sometime. I have never been ashamed of who I am and what I believed. I'm sure I've created some enemies because I tend to speak my mind. This sometimes is looked at as a downfall but I am satisfied with it because then there is no doubt in my mind or in other peoples who I am.

The reason I am writing on genuineness is because I believe this quite possibly could be the most important personality trait one can possess. After all, If someone isn't genuine, are any of the other traits you see in them real?

In my short lived life, so far, I have come to a realization. I enjoy people who are themselves and know who they are more than the people who try to fit into the system. And even if someone doesn't like who you are, they will at least have respect for you being yourself.

I have a good friend who recently got "Be True to Yourself" tattooed on her side. It is a very pretty tattoo and really fits into what I'm saying. Being Genuine and Authentic is all about being true to yourself.

This all reminds me of the plot behind many teenage movies/stories. One person changes who they are to becomes friends or lovers of someone who never noticed them before. That person is then liked for being someone they are not and they aren't happy because they aren't themselves. So if you take anything from this make it that "You will be happier with yourself if you are yourself"

Floating Thoughts #2

2008-12-29T16:28:00.002-06:00

Here are some more random thoughts I've had over the past few weeks.

1. Wendy's Fries don't mix well with chapped lips but do go good with frosty's.

2. Why is it okay when someone tells a tall person they are tall but not to point out that a short person is short, this usually happens when you meet someone new. I feel for the tall people, like my brother Dan. I notice this when I hang out with him.

3. Going with the tall thing, we get JC Penny Big and Tall Catalogs at our house and I noticed that the models for Big and Tall are definitely not big and Dan and I didn't think they were very tall either.

4. One thing I really don't like is the backpack on wheels. It's called a backpack for a reason. I'm so proud of Americans coming up with ways we can be more lazy adding to our nations belt size.

5. There is one lazy invention that I can't complain about, the remote control. I need it to browse through the hundreds of channels available. I believe that this is an acceptable lazy item because I am choosing to be lazy by watching tv on a couch, just adding gasoline to the fire.

Browsing Youtube a while back I found some things that could serve as punishments for my children when I'm a parent. They include eating a spoonful of cinnamon and eating a spoonful of horseradish.

That's all for now. I saw Yes Man starring Jim Carrey yesterday. It was worth a matinee priced ticket but probably not a primetime one, still it was funny. Also, I finished reading State of Fear by Michael Chricton a few weeks ago, I recommend this to everybody. Currently I am reading "The Shack" by William Young, I haven't gotten too far into it though and couldn't tell you what it's about yet. Have a wonderful day.

What's in a smile?

2008-12-15T21:07:00.002-06:00

:)

What is it that makes a smile?

First of all lets go over some of the things a smile says. It can be an invitation for one to approach, a sign of approval, sign of arousal, it can show contentment, it can show empathy, and just plain old happiness or joy.

Also there are many types of smiles. One with just the lips showing and a slight upward angle at the edges. The classic one with teeth showing, usually the top row only. The full out unabashed smile with the mouth wide open, very candid.

I find it funny that some people, when asked, just can't smile. Like when taking a picture, they try as hard as they can but it doesn't work. Usually when this happens you see both rows of that persons teeth. Watch for it next time someone is taking a picture, quite funny.

I believe though that what truly makes a smile is the genuineness behind it. When you just look around and see someone smiling during the day it can be the most beautiful thing in the world.

Smiles are also an antidote for someone who is having a bad day. The next time you are having a gloom and doom day, simply SMILE. I assure you it will make you feel at least a little better.

Last thing, If you see someone who seems to be having a tough day simply smile at them. Smiles are contagious and good for the soul. What if one person smiled at another who smiled at another and so on and so forth. Could we get the whole world to share a smile? :)

Oh Holy Night!

2008-12-11T23:15:00.002-06:00

Today was a good day.

Tonight I went out caroling with some peeps from youth group. We went to the elderly people's homes who can't make it to church regularly because they are "too old?" We brought them cookies and sang about half of a christmas carol for them. One lady we stopped by to sing to had a crazy story. She let us inside and told us about a squirrel who had gotten into her house through the chimney. This was no ordinary chimney either, she told us how her husband built it for her to please her, how romantic. Then she said that one night she had a girlfriend over and started the fire and a little while later a flaming squirrel came out of the chimney and ran around her living room. Then the little old lady stomped the thing out. Haha. This lady is ninety-two now and this happened like ten years ago. So it was an eighty-two year old lady who is probably 4'8" and 80 pounds who has a bit of a hunch due to many years of gravity affecting her. Just picture it. Also, the song we sang for her was Oh Holy Night. Jarvis, the youth pastor didn't remember the incredibly high pitched part towards the end of each verse and we tried to wing it. Imagine 5 guys trying to sing that high while caroling in 0 degree weather.

After caroling, which just so happened to get done at 8:05 which meant I missed the office, I went to Wal-Mart to by dew. I finished my last one before caroling. While I was there I overheard a mother, probably later twenties, telling her one son strolling behind her that he was the slowest little boy she had ever met. Wow, way to boost his confidence and make him want to go obey her. That would have caused me to hide in the clothes racks.

I am going to wait up tonight til I can catch up on the office. We leave tomorrow at 10 a.m. for Worthington for a game. Then Saturday we play in Willmar.

That's all for now, I am currently listening to T-bone. Don't ask me why.

Transiberian Orchestra

2008-12-07T23:35:00.002-06:00

This year for Christmas my parents took my family to the Transiberian Orchestra concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. This was the coolest concert I have ever been too. We had a wonderful day just being with each other. Ron's girlfriend was able to come with us too and that was sweet. Let me tell you more about the concert though.

When we got there we had to stand in the entrance to the xcel with the doors open behind us. There were people waiting inside too but they made us shut the door in front of us so they wouldn't feel the cold. It was funny because a guy yelled at me to close it and I wanted to give him a piece of my mind but thought better of it, and my dad was right next to me. This guy was old and senile too. But then people snuck in behind him and were leaning against the handicap button and opening the door and the guy thought it was us holding it open but it wasn't. Dan, Joe, TJ, and I had a blast with this because we stood there with our arms up like it was magic or to show it wasn't us although we knew what was causing it. That guy shouldn't have yelled at me I guess. Anyway, the concert was amazing overall. It started off slow and I said to myself after the first two songs that this was going to suck if it didn't get any better. From then on though, all it did was get better. The special affects make the show for sure. With the whole light show syncronized to the music and sparks and fire and fog and snow. It was sick. You could actually feel the heat of the fire on your face. Maybe that's because my dad got amazing tickets on the floor, 17th row. Even without the effects though, the music is really good too. If you ever have the chance to go to a TSO concert make sure you do.

After the concert we went to a family favorite place to eat called Fuddruckers. Both Dan and I decided we were hungary and ordered one pound burgers. I got the southwest burger which has pepperjack cheese, hickory smoked bacon, and guacomole. It was delicious, then I ordered a shake. It was funny because Rochelle, Ron's girlfriend, hadn't seen anyone eat like that. It's just common in our family I guess.

Pretty much that was the coolest thing we've done for Christmas that I can remember.

Check out this vid. It uses the music of TSO and gives you an idea, very small version, of what the show was like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4FW4pukdFI&feature=related

In Your Presence

2008-12-03T21:24:00.002-06:00

Okay, so it's almost been a week since I have written. And for me that is quite a while. If you read the rest of this, which I hope you do, you may understand why.

Lately I haven't had the motivation or desire to seek God. I don't know what caused this but I had no drive. This is ironic because a few blogs ago I said that if we are willing to meet with God he will meet us. Today was Wednesday, and like most Wednesdays there is Evergreen, an awesome youth group in Brainerd which I am one of many leaders at. When it came time to go I really didn't want to but I forced myself to. When I got there I forced myself to not waste the time and I went after God in worship. After worship Jarvis, the youth pastor, said that God told him that someone or some people were ignoring God. This spoke directly to me. Then there was a missionary from Guatemala who spoke about risks. I'll save that for another time though.

That part of the service was absolutely sick but also I heard a song I hadn't heard ever. It is called In Your Presence by Jason Upton. The words are especially extraordinary.

Father I am waiting; I need to hear from you
To know that You're approving of what I say and do

Nothing really satisfies like when You speak my name
So tell me that You'll never leave and everything will be okay

In Your presence
All fear is gone
In Your presence

In Your presence
Is where I belong
In Your presence

Father, I'm returning to the things I used to do
'Cause somewhere on the journey, I think I lost hold of the truth

I don't know, those lyrics just jumped out at me. I am going to go back to how it used to be like when I had a child's faith as some might say.

Listen to the song, It's great.

Thanksgiving!!!

2008-11-27T11:13:00.002-06:00

First off, let me tell you the I LOVE Thanksgiving. I love all the food it brings and the family that attends. With that said, I am thankful for all the the Lord has blessed me with. I couldn't ask for a better immediate and extended family. They are all a joy to me. I am thankful for the talents God has given me and the opportunities I have had because of them. Also, I am very thankful for my friends. I just heard my grandma telling my aunt about how she loved hearing my friends who were here last night. I didn't realize it at the time but they were here till a little after one in the morning and she could probably hear us, but she loved it nonetheless. Any of my friends reading this. You have to meet my grandma if you haven't already, she loves to hear about your life and just chit chat as she would say.

Now that I have that out of the way here are some things I know will be happening today.
1. My Grandma has been here since Monday and my Aunt and Uncle and their youngest got here about half hour ago. The rest will be arriving around noon I'm guessing. I think there will be 3 other families coming, those being the grown children of the aunt and uncle who are here. Also another Aunt and her children, so I guess that's 4 more families.
2. Football will be watched and will be played.
3. The turkey will be delicious and there will be plenty of food, at least before I go through the line.
4. After we eat, we will be playing Hand and Foot, a card tradition. and possibly some Settlers of Catan
5. Politics will most likely be held out of conversations although we all pretty much agree.
6. Nobody will be found not having fun. It is kinda a rule, everybody has to have fun here on thanksgiving.

I guess that is all I have, now back to my book until the rest of the family gets here. I am reading, State of Fear by Michael Crichton, very good so far.

Expect Something

2008-11-23T23:54:00.002-06:00

Tonight I was at Vespers and the Leader posed a question. She asked us why we go to Vespers? I thought about it and came up with a few answers. One reason is because I was one of a few of us who started it in LF. I'm so glad to go because I have a sense of entitlement. Another is because I almost feel obliged to go, I don't have anything else better to do unless I have small groups for Evergreen in Brainerd or basketball practice. The third reason is to get closer with God.

Thinking about that last one I came to a realization. Even though I say I want to get closer to God doesn't mean I am, even if I'm there. I know all He can do for me but that doesn't always mean I come yearning and wanting to connect with Him. It's true, I do always want to get closer to Him but I'm not always putting in the effort. It is a two-way street, and God is always willing. I have to be willing to consciously build the relationship with God. As long as I am searching, God will be there. If I'm not actively seeking God then I must be distancing myself from Him. That is not a good thing. I don't like being stagnant with Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart"

So no matter what, if I truly seek God, He will be found. So when you search for God, expect to find Him.

God is ready to rock your life, Are you ready to let Him?

Hanging Chad Deja Vu

2008-11-20T22:18:00.005-06:00

Here is what is going on today, November 20, 2008.

Currently Minnesota is in the middle of a recount for one of their U.S. Senate seats between Al Franken and Norm Coleman. On November 5th Norm Coleman won by 541 votes out of 2.9 million. Then the recount came. I am not against a recount by any means, especially in a race as close as this one but, there has seemed to be quite a bit of fishy business going on from Al Franken's side.

Exhibit A: 32 absentee ballots accidentally left in the trunk of a district officials trunk. All of these votes conveniently going to Al Franken. Do not worry though, these were ruled no good recently and will not be counted. Does something smell fishy?

Exhibit B: Coleman's lead the day after the election was 541, currently the Star Trib has it at 136 in favor of Coleman. The fact that the lead has decreased is not suspicious in and of itself but the margin and the way it has decreased is. You would think that in a recount both candidates would gain and lose votes but Franken has been the only one who has gained. Also, in two different cases 100 votes were added to Franken due to human error. Both had accidentally given Franken 100 less because they were tired from counting all night when they entered the final count.

Exhibit C: Please refer to the pictures.

This ballot, I think, clearly shows a vote for Coleman. Franken is asking that this one not be counted because you cannot tell the voters intent.

This one is a vote that I believe should go to Franken although it is more unclear about the voters intent than the one above. Coleman is asking for a judgment on this one.

All in all, this recount is a big mess but at least it's not dealing with hanging chads. Maybe we should just throw out all questionable ballots? If we are able to vote shouldn't we be able to read and follow directions? I voted and it said clearly to fill in the oval. We are taught to do this in school on tests, why can't we do it while voting too?

I believe that there are some strange things being done in this particular race and that someone should investigate.

Bias

2008-11-18T00:44:00.003-06:00

Warning: If you really don't care about politics right now, wait a few weeks and then come back to read it when you aren't so burnt out.

Paying attention to the elections this year I noticed a major trend. The media as a whole is incredibly biased. Yes, I know that this has been an argument for the Republicans for probably as long as the media had influence but hear me out. Before President-elect Obama was elected, during his campaign, he was tagged as being the "messiah." This is of course by the left-leaning media. Now I know that there are outlets in America that preach the right agenda too, but as a whole the media is left of center.

Something I heard today really stuck with me. I was listening to Garage Logic with Joe Soucheray. He said that he finds it hard to believe that a nation was Divided when they elected George Bush in 2000 carrying 51% of the popular vote but the Nation was United when Obama carried 53% of the popular vote.

This year between 126.5 Million and 128.5 million people voted for president. I took the median of that, 127.5 Million and then took 2% of 127.5 Million. (2% being the difference between the popular votes) That is 2,550,000 voters. I really find it hard to believe that 2.5 Million people can turn a nation from being divided to being United. The reason for the feeling of the nation is that the media was pushing for "Change" and that is what America bought.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm1KOBMg1Y8

On another note, we had our first game of the season tonight. We beat St. Johns JV team 84-46.

El Chupacabra

2008-11-14T23:04:00.003-06:00

Due to a lack of inspiration these last few days I am bringing to you a report on a vicious creature called the Chupacabra.

The name Chupacabra comes from the two Spanish words Chupar, the verb meaning to suck, and cabra, a goat. The word then literally means "goatsucker".

Although not scientifically documented there have been many sightings and reports of Chupacabras. They were originally seen in Central and South America as well as in the southern United States. They have been sighted as far north as Maine and also in Russia. Scientists seem to believe this is an urban legend, but I am a believer. In all cases of the Chupacabra, those who have had experiences have had their animals killed and their blood has been drained. Usually there is three slash marks or punctures and the dead animals blood has been drained. Mostly seen in goats and sheep, they have been known to occasionally attack turkeys. When they attack they take a large number of victims, coincidentally most stories have around thirty animals being killed.

What does the Chupacabra look like you may ask? Traditionally it is the size of a small bear and is reptillion with spines on its back and giant fang teeth which are similar to a saber tooth tigers. "El Chupacabra" has a long snout similar to a coyotes. Also, its front legs are a bit shorter than the hind legs. It is an incredibly fast animal and tends to stay away from humans. A very vicious beast though.

Do you believe in "El Chupacabra"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_OqZyDppUE&feature=related

Check out the video linked and do some research of your own on..."El Chupacabra"

The report of "El Chupacabra" has been brought to you by Will and also many wikipedia references.

Failure

2008-11-11T15:18:00.003-06:00

Failure, what is behind this word. The simple definition is the lack of success.

A trend I have noticed is that when someone comes to a crossroads, they tend to ask others to tell them what to do, instead of making a decision for themselves. Why do we do this, are we not competent enough to make our own choices. No, I believe the reason this happens is because we are afraid of failure. We don't want to make mistakes so we ask others to make them for us. If they tell us what to do and then we fail, it won't hurt as bad because we can now blame them for the decision. Even though we were the ones controlling our success or failure.

John F. Kennedy once said, "Only those who dare to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly." or something like that.

I believe that it is in our best interests to make our own mistakes and triumphs. That way we learn and grow. And if we are not growing what are we doing? Make your own decisions and stick to them. Ask for advice, but don't necessarily use it, think about it and make your best judgment.

"My will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny." ~ Elaine Maxwell

I am currently listening to Sigur Ros

Caribou

2008-11-08T15:38:00.002-06:00

It is a cold November Saturday. Right now I am sitting at a Caribou Coffee in Arden Hills right near Bethel University. Last night I saw my best friend play hockey for Bethel against Marian. They tied 3-3. Today they played again at 2 and another one of my good friends had a football game for Macalester at 1. I skipped both games because I had homework due by midnight tonight. Because I would have to set up a some stuff on my computer at Bethel to access the internet I decided to go to Caribou knowing they had free wi-fi. Now I am done with my homework 2 hours later.

I just want to reflect on what a great atmosphere it is to study at caribou. I had only been in a few before and only to meet with friends. I had only gotten coolers when I came. Today was to cold for a cooler so I dove off into the deep end and got a Mocha something or other. It was delish. I might have to come back more often. I think I will be spending more time at Caribou in Brainerd now. That may not be good for my bank account but will be good for my GPA. I think it's a good tradeoff.

That's all I have right now, kinda lame.

I am currently listening to a Passion cd. More specifically Glorious by Chris Tomlin. Amazing song!

Authority

2008-11-06T11:40:00.002-06:00

In the wake of the election, what happened is what many people knew would happen in the weeks beforehand. Barack Obama is our next president. Yes, he is black, but shouldn't we be passed this. His skin is black, so what. I believe that should have nothing to do with who is president. What should matter is their credentials and beliefs. I believed that someone else had better credentials but that is not what the country as a whole decided. So now I will have to live with Obama as my next president. I would like to congratulate him on running a very good campaign, he provided Hope and a record amount of young voters turned out. Those who know me may think that I will bash Obama. I will not do that now, he was elected fair and square.

After hearing that Barack Obama had locked it up I reflected and remembered this passage in the Bible. Romans 13:1-12 Here are the first few verses.

"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. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you"

Those were verses 1-4. I also found verses 6,7 almost ironic of what is to come.

"This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

Though I may not agree with just about everything Obama believes, I will not undermine him and I will respect and honor him. And I will pay my taxes, however high they may become.

Floating Thoughts

2008-11-02T22:09:00.003-06:00

I had no idea that it was daylight savings last night until my roommate told me about 20 minutes before it happened.

Pineapple ~ Why is it called this? It doesn't taste like an apple, doesn't come from a pine tree, it's not even relatively the same size as an apple.

I don't like it when my jeans feel baggy on me. It makes me feel small. Especially in the thigh area. I can definitely tell when I've not been working out lately. I know how my jeans should fit and if they don't I am not satisfied. That's when I take a trip to the weight room for some extra squats.

Hot Chocolate is definitely better with milk instead of water.

Hot milk helps me fall asleep.

When milk is not an option, Oreos go surprisingly well with Mountain Dew. Though do not dip the Oreos in the Dew. Just have them together.

I don't know why the last 3 had to do with milk. But definitely 2% is what I prefer. Also, the gallon challenge is way harder than expected.

I check my phone way too much sometimes, but then somedays I just leave it at home because it's not like I really need it all the time.

I filleted my finger on the rim yesterday during warmups before a scrimmage. Honestly, on probably one of my best dunks ever. The dunk was sick and my finger looks gross, but I was still able to play in the scrimmage and did well.

I would like to vote for Bob Barr this election for President but believe it is a wasted vote so I am voting for McCain.

Hate = Multivariable Calculus

Breathe

2008-10-29T00:27:00.003-05:00

Did you know that on average, we take about 26,000 breaths a day, a total of about 14,000 liters.

When man was created, God took dirt and Breathed life into it. And the very thing that keeps us alive is Breathing. We die when we stop Breathing. Why then, If God breathed man into life, do we not use all of our breaths to glorify Him. Even if we used a fraction of our breath for the glory of God. I always love hearing of people who have achieved great things thanking God or glorifying him. I'm not talking about the singers and actors just saying thanks to God after they have one a grammy or an oscar. I'm talking about the people like Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers who in the All-Star game this summer took advantage of the opportunity to share his testimony with thousands of people during an interview. The ones who you can really tell have a Relationship with God are really inspirational to me, because they are using their Breathe for God.

Something that is incredible or beautiful is sometimes called Breathtaking. Where did this word come from? When God created Adam, he took dust and breathed life into it. Psalm 8:4-5 says

"What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor"

God crowned US with glory and honor! So when we say something is breathtaking, I believe we are saying that it is was created like us by God.

The next time you consciously Breathe, think about where it comes from?

I was inspired to write this entry after watching the nooma video called Breathe.
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=nooma+breathe&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#

I am currently listening to The Glorious Unseen and their album Tonight the Stars Speak

The Endless Road

2008-10-23T23:39:00.002-05:00

Here's a little thing I wrote in class today.

We walk down the endless road
With many turns, which no one knows
We try to look ahead, it's not clear
We overcome an obstacle, it makes us stronger
We've come so far, accomplished so much
We look ahead, it can't be touched
We do not know what is to come
What we've seen and what we've done
Helps us along the Endless Road

Just a little piece I put together
Currently I'm listening to Jason Mraz's Album, "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things"

Be Patient My Young One

2008-10-22T21:27:00.003-05:00

I'll start off with how I'm feeling at the moment, which is how I've felt for the last week now. I'm at a point in my life, wow that is cliche, where I am really anxious for what the future has for me, specifically in about a year from now. At the same time I am perfectly at ease where I am right now.

I know that I am in the place God wants me and I can see the work he is doing in me. That is why I am at peace about the present. The reason I am anxious is because I want to see what God has in store for me! Next year I will be somewhere other than Brainerd, at a new college with many new opportunities to challenge me. I do have one place in mind where I would really like to be next year but I'm going to wait and see what other opportunities arise.

I was talking to a good friend the other night and he told me to be patient and focus on the present for right now. That is exactly what I needed to hear and I am going to do that. I know that everything will fall in line if I focus on what God wants from me right now. This friend led me to a passage in the Bible that pertains to this:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

That really spoke to me when I read it. Isn't it awesome when someone talks to you and it really speaks to your situation. That is a God thing for sure. It's awesome how that works.

Attitude

2008-10-16T17:35:00.003-05:00

So lately I've been thinking a lot about daily life in general. Why are we sometimes in a great mood and sometimes in a bad one. There are certain things that can put us in bad moods for good reason. Maybe you get screwed over by a friend or there is a family tragedy. But in general most times we are in a bad mood is for silly reasons. I believe that everyday when we wake up we make a choice of how our day will go. You can get up and say to yourself this is going to be a good day and it most likely will be. To help me with this I have set my alarm to be The Good Life by Kanye West. It starts off with these lyrics:

Welcome to the good life uh,
Welcome to the good life the wait is over,
Welcome to the good li-i-i-i-ife
and after all the talk, all i gotta say is
Welcome to the good life.

Now these words don't particularly mean anything but I like the tune and it reminds me that I'm living a good life. That songs helps me decide everyday that it will be a good day.

This choice carries over to anything we do though. For instance, I'm in basketball and everyday we have practice. To be honest, it's not uncommon for me to not want to go to it, but I don't have a choice. So when I'm there I decide to have a good attitude and give it my all. I could give just enough effort to get me through it but I decide that if I'm going to be there I should go all out.

I have recently realized that I haven't always done that so now I'm going to consciously make that choice to have a good attitude.

Robin Shyamalan

2008-10-09T22:44:00.003-05:00

Today is Thursday, and like most Thursdays, I sit and watch The Office. Almost religiously but not quite, more like I'm a borderline obsessive fan. I mean I was all for PB&J from the beginning. Tonight on the show, Business Ethics, Michael interrupted Holly during an Ethics talk. This talk was mandatory from corporate because of what Ryan had done. Ryan is now back with Dunder Mifflin. The reason Michael interrupted Holly is because she was not exciting enough and needed to be funny like Robin Williams and suspensful like M. Night Shyamalan. The he said, "Be Robin Shyamalan!"

This got me thinking, what if Robin Williams movies were mashed with M. Night Shyamalan. So here is my list.

1: Patch Adam's Sixth Sense- Patch Adams a successful doctor has a sixth sense that allows him to see dead people. He then brings back to life the deceased. Unknowingly he brings back a serial killer who then proceeds to kill everyone Patch has brough back to life.

2: Jack, the Unbreakable Man- Jack is a child with a rare disease that causes him to grow at the speed of light. He also has a disorder which makes him virtually unbreakable. This story follows the life of Jack as he struggles with being outcast from society because he looks so old yet can't die.

3. Mrs. Doubtfire Goes to Jumanji Village- Some people come across a village in the mountains where everyone seems to be crossdressing nannies who are all somehow related. The village people protect the visitors from the monsters that come about at night from the woods. The visitors then discover the reason the monsters, which are actually all wild animals from Africa, are brought about because some children were playing a board game every night and never finished it.

4. The Flubbering- All across America there is a strange phenomena. People are strangely commiting suicides for now known reason. We are talking mass suicides not associated with grape kool-aid. A courageous science teacher is on the hunt to find what is cause this before it finds him. He figures out that it is caused by this strange green goo that is super bouncy. Anything this goo bounces off is affected and will soon take the plunge into the grave by a number of creative ways.

5. Hook Smees Signs- A father's son is kidnapped by aliens and is brought to a strange planet where nobody grows up but is run by big aliens. The father, a former priest, chases after the boy but the boy does not want to come back because the father was never there for him but was for numerous other boys his age. Eventually the father wins back the love of his son by pouring water on these aliens and rescuing him.

These are some of the potential mash ups of the movies of M Night Shyamalan and Robin Williams.

The First

2008-10-07T23:51:00.002-05:00

So this is my first ever blog post. Exciting huh?

Some random thoughts I've had lately that I wanna get out there.

I don't really believe in wishing all that much but...
If you see a shooting star at 11:11 and make a wish, Is it more likely to come true?

This past summer a law was passed in MN making it illegal to text and drive at the same time. I believe you recieve a fine for this act. I would have to say I am a pretty good texter while driving. I feel that I am safe when I do it. I still have my eyes on the road and one hand on the wheel, no different that if I weren't texting. That got me thinking, what else could be seen as dangerous while texting. Perhaps swimming, or rock climbing? Some more practicle ones I thought of are these. Riding a bike, riding a horse, and walking. I literally saw a girl texting while riding a horse on one of my many trips from Brainerd to Little Falls. I thought it was funny. I once texted someone while riding by bike at night under the moon. I only did this to say I did it and it took a while and I thought was pretty dangerous. I have seen many people texting while walking, this is actually pretty funny. I suggest sometime sitting down and people watch at a mall or somewhere on campus. You will no doubt see people texting while walking. If you sit for at least ten minutes you will see someone run into something and get all redfaced. Pretty fun stuff.