Do yourself a favor!

Hey music fans! Do yourself a favor and listen to the following cds immediately: Gungor's "A Creation Liturgy live", All sons & Daughters "Brokenness aside ep, The Vespers "The fourth wall", and House of Heroes "Cold hard want" Go ahead, you deserve a good music break... Oh, and your welcome!

But you...?

I don't have to think twice to think of myself It's the only thing I cannot quit Forgive me Jesus for I forget You chose to set aside heaven. Take your crown and lay it down. To take on the form of a man, like me. So I could be free Tempted in every way but without sin... You did this for me? Me. Self. Sin. Again and again. I could never win... Or be good enough to get in. But you...what did you do? You died for this selfish enemy? For me? How could that be?! To think of me even when all I could think of was me?! But it's true, because your blood was spilled Now when you look at me? What do you see? Forgiven! Pure! Free! Thank you Jesus, you're all I need!

The Upside of Down-Chris August (Lyrics)

Song of the Day! Enjoy!

Guy On A Buffalo - Episode 1 (Bears, Indians & Such)

The Classic Crime "Glass Houses" w/ Lyrics

I can relate. Definitely convicting for me!

How's your health?

So last week just for fun and right after my family vacation ended I decided it might be interesting to try pneumonia and see how much fun that was. Answer: Not at all. Not something you should try if you can help it. This week as I'm feeling better I began to think about physical sickness and spiritual sickness and some of the similarities between the two. I got to thinking about Jesus and what he came to earth to do…the Bible says he came for those who were sick not the healthy. So what does that mean? Hmmm…Jesus what do you mean? In Mark 2:13-17 we find that quote from Jesus and an interesting story about a Bible character known as Levi... I'll sum up the story for you quickly...Jesus was teaching to a large group of people when he saw Levi sitting at his tax booth minding his own business, Jesus called out to him and said "follow me" and so Levi did. Next we find Jesus sharing a meal in Levi's house with other tax collectors and "sinners". Jesus' response to question from the religious leaders as to why he ate with "sinners" was that it wasn't the healthy that needed a doctor but the sick. So what can we take away from this? I see at least two important things: First, Jesus came to heal the sick. Both physical and spiritual sickness. Jesus’ main mission in coming to earth was to restore spiritual health to a really sick world. A world so sick that the only cure was Him. Romans 3:23, Jer. 17:9, Romans 6:23 But just because that was his main purpose it doesn’t mean he ignored physical healing. All throughout the NT Jesus healed physical illness as a way for the one healed to realize the need for spiritual healing. Jesus calls unbelievers to wellness while they are still sick Jesus was teaching and sought out Levi who was minding his own business. Jesus calls. That’s comforting because we don’t do the work either way but we play a great part in leading others to Jesus. Eph. 2:8-9 Ultimately we share Jesus for those who need his healing powers but He does the work in his way and in his timing. We are only called to faithfulness, not the results. So what’s our personal application or takeaway from these two points? Are you sick right now? Check your symptoms! Some symtoms of spiritual sickness are: weariness, hatred, fits of rage, jealousy, talking behind peoples back, lust, anger, a lying tongue, selfishness, idolatry, and the list goes on… Your response is to get to a doctor who can diagnose you properly and get you the right medicine. I would have never know how to get well into I went to a doctor who told me what was infected or sick in my body and then prescribed the proper medicine. Same for you… Do you know anyone who is sick? (lost, in need of Jesus) When you know the cure, you need to point people to the right place. Your job when you see symptoms of sickness is not to point out how wrong it is, or try and diagnose, but to take them to the healer who can do both; His name is Jesus. Don’t be afraid to reach out when you see a need. Remember, God points you to who and He gives you the words to say, and he does the work. You are only called to obedience not the results, it rests in his hands and thank God that it does! Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons" cd was listened to during this blog

David Crowder Band - Oh Great God, Give Us Rest

"I've done my part too well I guess..."

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

I've been reading and re-reading 2 Corinthians the last few weeks and it's been hammering home to me the "why" of why we suffer pain. It's to create a sensitivity to others pain and suffering. Our pain come to the benefit of someone else's gain. Jesus suffered pain and loss on the cross and we can expect the same. It's crazy for us to think otherwise! "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we were comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 After all, how can I expect to lead others to places I've never been? Only the God of the universe could so orchestrate things like our suffering to be worked out for good. He knows the plans He has, and they are good!(Jeremiah 29:11) And only the creator and sustain-er of life could work at everything for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) To the only God who is able to keep us, able to keep us from falling, be all glory and honor, majesty and power, for all ages and forevermore. "Here for you" by Matt Redman helped inspire this blog

No pain, no gain

“It is doubtful that God can use a man greatly until he has wounded him deeply.” –Tozer Isaiah 53 tells us that "he was wounded for our transgressions..." and "by His stripes we are healed." According to 2 Corinthians 1:3 Paul tells us that we are shown comfort so that we can in turn show that same comfort to others. This brings me to a different perspective on pain and suffering... “God lets us be wounded because in the end it will yield a more wonderful greatness in our lives than if we’d never be wounded at all.” – Pastor Joel Hunter Is it possible then that our wounds, sorrows, and pain can produce healing in others? A resounding yes! I experience pain to the benefit of others. This puts a new spin on the adage "no pain, no gain." Shane & Shane's "Everything is different now" was listened to during this blog.

Going the Distance

"You cannot lead someone farther than you've gone." This stirs me to go the distance in the Christian walk...so I can truly and honestly lead others to a Savior who's worthy or the praise we bring Him and so much more.

Listened to "The Great Awakening" by Leeland

Somebody That I Used to Know - Walk off the Earth (Gotye - Cover)

From Me To You - Walk off the Earth (The Beatles)

Diggin' in the dirt

"Diggin' in the dirt is where the treasure is found." This quote from a favorite musician Joel Hanson of PFR has really been impacting me lately. As a youth pastor I've got to keep in mind that for true treasure to be found it's gonna take some work...dirty work a lot of the time. I've got to be able (and willing) to wade through both my own messy issues as well as others to get to the treasure of restoration. It's not easy, and many times not pleasant but we get more of God when we are willing to get dirty...and He is the truest possible treasure available.


I listened Larry Norman's Anthology for this blog.

To You Be The Glory - Matt Maher, Kari Jobe Song Lyrics | Glory Revealed Lyrics | Christian Music Song Lyrics, Christian Music | NewReleaseTuesday.com

To You Be The Glory - Matt Maher, Kari Jobe Song Lyrics | Glory Revealed Lyrics | Christian Music Song Lyrics, Christian Music | NewReleaseTuesday.com

Desert Song - Hillsong w/ lyrics

A forever favorite that I wanna be able to sing in any circumstance! God be praised in both good and bad times!

Gungor "Please Be My Strength"

Hallelujah!

It's a great time to alive right now! Thank you Lord for what you've done and what you've yet to do! Hallelujah!

"Who am I to you?"

"Who am I to you Lord?" This question has been haunting me the past few days as I prepare a message for the students tonight...We've all been given labels...been called names. Stupid. Worthless. Fat. Dumb. Whore. Liar. Ugly. Nerd. Weak. Unworthy. The list goes on...

More important than what people think of us is what God thinks of us..."Who am I to you Lord?" The Bible is full of stories, parables, and passages that give us a great idea of who we are to him. He responds with "You are my"...

New Creation. (2 Cor. 5:17) Uniquely made one. (Psalms 139:13-16) Treasured possession. (Deut. 14:2) Greatly loved one (Rom. 5:8) Created for purpose one. (Eph. 2:10) Adopted child. (Eph. 1:5) Highly Valuable one. (1 Cor. 7:23) Chosen one. (Eph. 1:4) Salt & Light. (Matt. 5:13-14) Mine. (Psalms 100:1-5)

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

You are forgiven! You are loved! You are treasured! You are unique! Created on purpose, for a purpose! Valuable! Strong! Chosen. Adopted by the King of Kings! It's time to reject the lies and labels we've lived with too long. Chose today to believe what the Creator of the universe has said of you...

Don't believe the lies. You were purchased with His life. The sacrifice is made. Your debt has been paid. Adopted by the King!

Listened to: We cry out by Jeremy Camp

Silence

I'm losing my voice, due to a head cold...ironically tonight's youth sermon is on silence. Man, when I commit to something I go all in huh? Ha. I'm super excited about Collide tonight because in my experience when I'm sick and weak, and can barely talk, God shows up and takes over. Christ's strength is made perfect in my weakness every single time and I expect nothing different from tonight. God be glorified!

Fittingly, I wrote this blog in silence instead of listening to music as is the norm...

1000 miles to go

So I just noticed that the odometer on my Ford Taurus shows 1000 miles to go before I hit the big 100,00 thousand mark...it makes me reflect on my life lately; where I've come from, where I'm going. I've got some miles on me and at 30, and I'm starting to feel some where and tear, beginning to feel like a full blown adult; all the while still chugging faithfully forward toward milestones that God has set before me.

Things in my life are simultaneously the best and most difficult at the same time. I'm being stretched to my limit (in a good way) in all ways possible. I'm trying to treasure this season of my life, it's been a blessing to move from my desert season to what I'm deeming my oasis/prosperity season. I'm growing, and the growing pains are stretching and hurting some, but it's a fruitful pain, tolerable because I know it's bringing my God glory and honor.

God has been His usual loving, strong handed, disciplinarian, provider and the stories of his faithfulness are becoming too numerous to tell; but I won't stop trying! May the rest of my existence on this earth be a testimony to the one who holds all things (and all people) together for the glory of His great name!

Listened to "Church Music" by David Crowder Band while blogging

Josh Garrels - Farther Along

Favorite music and Movies of 2011

Favorite cds from 2011

1. Needtobreathe – The reckoning
2. Switchfoot – Vice Verses
3. Adele – 21
4. Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto
5. Burlap to Cashmere – Self Titled
6. The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow
7. Gungor – Ghosts upon the earth
8. Shane & Shane – The one you need
9. Phil Wickham – Response
10. Josh Garrels – Love & war, & the sea in-between

Honorable mentions:

1. The Hawk in Paris – His + Hers
2. The City Harmonic
3. Peter Furler – On fire

Favorite songs:

1. Ohhs ahhs – Needtobreathe
2. Afterlife – Switchfoot
3. The violet hour – The Civil Wars
4. Paradise – Coldplay
5. Someone like you – Adele
6. Love reclaims the atmosphere – Burlap to Cashmere
7. Liberty – Shane & Shane
8. A place only love can go – Needtobreathe
9. The new hello (hers) – The Hawk in Paris
10. Dark horses – Switchfoot
11. Closer – Shawn Mcdonald
12. This is the stuff – Francesca Battistelli
13. Blessings – Laura Story
14. Vice Verses – Switchfoot
15. Maybe they’re onto us – Needtobreathe
16. Let there be – Gungor
17. Poison & wine – The Civil Wars
18. The one you need – Shane & Shane
19. All I am – Phil Wickham
20. Sun & moon – Phil Wickham
21. Reach – Peter Furler
22. It was a dark and stormy night – Five Iron Frenzy
23. Farther along – Josh Garrels
24. Keep you eyes open – Needtobreathe
25. Up where I belong – Switchfoot

Favorite Movies:

1. The Muppets
2. Moneyball
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On stranger tides

Music listened to while blogging: Josh Garrels "Love & war, & the see in-between"

Faithfulness

A new year is here! Had a great holiday season with family and friends and I’m looking forward to what this year has in store for me, my family, and church family. Growth and maturity Lord I pray!

Read today that Doug Fields the youth pastor at Saddleback church resigned today to pursue writing and speaking. Lord thank you for such a godly example of a youth leader that although I’ve never met, admire his faithfulness in ministry for over 18 years. Let it be said of me that I was as faithful!

Thank you Lord as you keep teaching me about Up, In, and Out. Help me pass along what I’m learning to the youth volunteers and teenagers so that they also may increase in love for you and the world! Today I praise you for your faithfulness to me and to all generations.

Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” So true...

Listened to while blogging: Simon & Garfunkel