Monday, June 29, 2009

I am convicted today

This week we have had John and Jenny Van't Land in town. John and Jenny are missionaries in Dakar, Sengal in West Africa.
I woke up today and have been convicted and I can't get over it (I haven't spent time with Jesus yet) but I am not sure what it is. Well I am kinda sure what it is. I just took a class on Global Issues in Evangelism and I am rocked! For the class I did a presentation on the 10/40 Window; the most unreached area in the world. 3 billion of the worlds people live there and we only send 3% of the worlds mission force there.
God is rocking me right now, not just because of that but because of this too:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in​ the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
I am convicted by this. I am convicted that I don't go. I am convicted that I have so much and there are people that have so little.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Quote for Sunday June 28th

Here is a quote that I am using in my message tomorrow:
"If Christians around the world were to suddenly renounce their personal agendas, their life goals and their aspirations, and begin responding in radical obedience to everything God showed them, the world would be turned upside down. How do we know? Because that's what first century Christian's did, and the world is still talking about it." –Henry Blackaby

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

What is Kajabi Kan Kan?

I have often told people about this game called Kajabi Kan Kan and they ask about it. I think the best way to explain it is to watch this video:

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Swim Time

Today I was able to run home from work (a little late) and go swimming with the girls! It was so fun! Charity takes Sophie to the pool like every day; look how tan she is! She loves the water. After we got out I messed up her hair and gave her a mini-mohawk. I like to think in my head that she likes it! I am so blessed to have such a rad family!

You also gotta love Sophie rocking her tongue out! She is so rad

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Solitude Highlights

Today, for class, we did a Spiritual Retreat. The retreat was on the property of Risen King Church in Redding, CA. We meet at Risen King and did some class time together. The rules for the time were:
1) No Talking for 2 hours
2) No phone
3) The first hour we just spend silent with God
4) The second hour we could read our Bible or journal

Here is an excerpt from my overview of the time:
I was able to sit on a rock and think about my word for the first half of our time today. I wasn’t distracted in the first half of my time. I was able to focus on God and think about His creation. I had a chance to just be; and I needed that. I was able to look at the fish (minnows), the reeds, the flowers, the birds, the trees, the grass, the water and the ducks. This time was so sweet just being with my word and realizing that God is the one who created all of those things.
The second half was equally as encouraging. I spent time reading the Psalms and just trying to focus on God. I took time praying and looking at creation again. Towards the end I was distracted some and began to think of time.
When I return to Vegas I want to figure out a way to do this more. I see a huge value in just relaxing with God, turning off the phone, and just being in the presence of God. We miss our on so much because we are so "busy"... I hope this post encourages you to think about the need of silence in your life.

Our dorm in Redding!

Here is a little video, I made for our students, of our room in Redding. We are totally staying in a dorm room!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

What my day looks like

This summer I transferred colleges, to Tozer Seminary, and had to come to Redding, CA for two weeks. Charity and Sophie are here with me and wanted to give you a glimpse of what my days have looked like so far:

6:30am- Sophie wakes up (this is an estimate)
7:00am- I need to be out of bed and in the shower
7:25am- Leave for breakfast
8:00am- Christian Spiritual Formations
12:00pm- Go back to dorm to get Charity & Sophie for lunch
12:10pm- Leave for lunch
12:15pm- Arrive at lunch
1:00pm- Global Issues in Evangelism
5:00pm- Go get Charity & Sophie for Dinner
5:25pm- Eat dinner
6:00pm- Family time
7:30pm- Sophie goes to bed/I start homework
11:30pm- Finish homework
12:00am- Go to bed

I am pretty sure that every night, so far, Sophie has woken up at about 3:00am crying. She goes back to bed, but this is our schedule so far. I am kind of venting, but what I can't express, in words, right now is what I am learning. The classes are amazing, the guys are super rad, and being away with Charity is just down right amazing!
Thank you for all of you who are praying for us right now.

Monday, June 08, 2009

C.S. Lewis Quote

The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says, "Give me All. I dont want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it.

Sunday, June 07, 2009

Cornerstone Christian Church

Today Charity, Sophie and I went to Cornerstone Fellowship where our friend Ryan Bicker works. Cornerstone is in Livermore, CA up in the East Bay Area. I could go into a "pastor's review" of the church but that is not what I have planned for this.
It was so nice to arrive at church with Dana, Ryan's wife, and drop off Sophie. Ryan introduced us to her teacher and then showed us around the Children's Area. The Children's Staff was well prepared and very orderly. We loved how organized the place was and just feeling comfortable leaving our daughter in a new environment.
After we checked out the building we did something that I love; we went to church. We were able to go to church and attend. We sat together and I didn't have to worry about getting up to do announcements or to check on anything. I was able to spend time worshiping Jesus with my wife and then listening to the pastor.
The pastor killed it! I loved his message on Acts 2:37-42 (I think). He spoke from the heart and was very biblical! If you live in this area you gotta check out Cornerstone.
Finally after Church we went to get lunch! The pastor encouraged everyone to meet new people and spend time with them over a meal! We decided to take him up, but just to do with Ryan and Dana. We had a great lunch chatting with them and just getting to catch up on their lives. We are very thankful for them in our lives.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

I LOVE THIS

Here is a pic a student drew for me during finals...
(you gotta click on it and read it)

Monday, June 01, 2009

Laggin on putting up some new pics

Here is what Sophie and I have been doing lately; sometimes we bring mommy to take our picture!
Hanging out at Town Square; just walking around













Sometimes I make it home from work to go swimming













We went to Seal Beach














I took Sophie on the swing too

"The Way of the Heart"

I just read The Way of the Heart by Henri J.M. Nouwen. I wrote a book report on this for Seminary and here is an excerpt of what is going on in my heart right now:

“The very thing we need to do is set apart a time and a place to be with God and him alone.” - Henri J.M. Nouwen
This is something that my pastor, Miles McPherson, in San Diego taught very well. When I was a younger Christian I was able to practice this spiritual disciple in a daily basis and I think that is why I chose this quote. I remember waking up, struggling to wake up may be more truthful, at 5:00am to spend time with Jesus before heading off to Bible College. I remember getting on my knees and seeking Jesus. I remember reading the word and falling in love with it. I remember journaling out my prayers so I wouldn’t fall asleep; my heart longs for this special time with Jesus, again, on a daily basis.

I was doing well with this time with Jesus; I was able to wake up early and spend time with Jesus. I had my days where I had long nights out with students and times on missions trips that I wasn’t able to get this special alone time with God but I never really felt as empty as I do right now. I am not sure if it is because of being a new dad or seminary or work. I would love to have something to place the blame on; but the only blame can lie with my choices and me.

I need to make the time again to spend with Christ. I need to make a bedtime and stick to it. I need to take the time to focus on my savior. I want the energy and rejuvenation that Christ brings to my soul and I long for that. My soul thrives when I spend, at least, a dedicated hour of prayer and reading in the morning. I get convicted when I read the Bible for the first time, on some days, to study a message for the church. I think there is more and I want that daily time with God again; I need that.