Global Soles

So I am working on the strategy of distributing shoes when our Global Soles campaign is over. I am contacting every rescue mission and shelter within Southern California area. Any other ideas of what we can do with our shoes?

What Not to Do

A guy in my small group showed me a video of his older brother running through a fountain in a bikini at a big mall. Some how he managed to escape without getting in trouble...

Happy Birthday Randi

Today is my sisters birthday

I want to take some time to say why she is great

1. Her love for Jesus is an example to all
2. She is scholastically smart but too humble to admit it
3. she has one of the biggest hearts for people that I have ever seen
4. she is one of my best friends
5. her humor is weird and hysterical


Happy Birthday Randi I love you very much!

Update

Back from Rwanda! I loved it and have many updates about it coming. Right now trying to get over a little sickness I picked up...

How I spent my Easter

Legoland...Model of San Fransisco

My favorite the model of New York City. They are building the Freedom Tower which is probably about 20 feet high in that picture.

This is my host family! John works at Volvo, and Volvo happens to have advertisements at Legoland, including this Volvo XC90 full scale model. I think it is unbelievably cool and would love to have one!

NYC Day 3

Danny and I were going to try and see some of the city before our flight. We both woke up late and then went to an Italian place for lunch. I guess it was authentic and very well known around the city. I loved it.

Then we went to Ground Zero. I have not been around there since my freshman year of high school when I saw the Twin Towers. It was very surreal being there especially the major damage to the surrounding buildings that was still evident. This is a picture from the memorial at Ground Zero.

NYC Day 2

It was a phenomenal day, here is what we did:

• Visited 5 HIV/AIDS testing sites in South Bronx, 2 in Harlem, St. Lukes Hospital, and Lower Manhattan.
• Learned that NYC tests 300 people a year spending close to $500,000. CityUprising Conference helped get 1,000 people tested in one day for a total of $4,000
• Met with pastors who were attending the conference. Kay Warren and David Miller shared their goal of the church putting aside all the petty differences, finding commonality in Jesus and moving forward showing people His love and care
  
• Went to the conference heard David and Kay speak
• Went to Times Square at midnight

I am still processing all my experiences and the information I heard. God is doing something big...

New York Day 1

I love New York City. I love walking around. I love public transit. I love big buildings. I love architecture. I love the sounds. I love the Noise. I love it all. I feel at home here...

I love Students

This blog entry is from Ryan one of our student leaders. Last night at student leadership we challenged our student leaders to start getting more involved. With the new student zone we are going to need around 50 student volunteers for each service just for HSM! The response was overwhelming, and people like Ryan were so excited just to get to be part of something huge that God is doing here. Ryan you are the man!

PEACE Meeting

Today I had a PEACE trip meeting about going to Rwanda. It was interesting to hear what everyone will be doing. Something that really intrigues me is that we are not going to just give money, or build something; our goal is to partner with churches be self sufficient. The worst thing we can do is create a culture where we just give and forget to teach how because then we have created a culture where people are dependent on us. It would be a disservice to everyone if we are not helping churches to make their own culture better.

Global Soles

We kicked off Global Soles this weekend. Our goal is to collect 50,000 pairs of shoes over the next 15 weeks (1,000 students x 50 pairs of shoes each = 50,000 shoes)! Then after 15 weeks we will be sending our shoes on all our PEACE trips all over the world.

If you want to help send any shoes new or old to:
High School Ministry
1 Saddleback Pwky

Lake Forest, CA 92630

Kind of Creepy

This is Danny something or other the weird guy from American Idol



This is Bo one of the guys in my small group.



Could they be long lost brothers? I would say its coincidence because Bo is not only a way better looking guy he is also a lot nicer, kinder, less creepy, and loves God with all his heart. I am so glad Bo is in my small group and not Danny!

The Marvelous Wonderettes

I would not consider myself the kind of guy who would go see plays and stage performances but last night I went with some friends to Hollywood to the show "The Marvelous Wonderettes." It has received amazing reviews for the past year and a half. I was a little nervous but it sounded fun so I joined in.

Our group started off at a cool restaurant called 25 degrees located in the Roosevelt Hotel. We hung and had a great time. The food there is amazing! Then we took the subway to North Hollywood to El Portal Theatre to see the show. I have to admit that I was blown away by how fun it was. It is a musical comedy that takes place at the 1958 Springfield High Senior Prom. I laughed hard the entire time. I recommend this show for everyone. The only bummer is they are receiving so much notoriety that they will be moving to New York City at the end of the month. Glad I got to enjoy one of their last performances!

Interesting Article

I read an interesting article by Glenn Beck today that I thought was hilarious, but at the same time very insightful and disturbing. Here is a short part:

"What do these stories all have in common?

• A woman who says she lost more $1 million gambling in Atlantic City sues some casinos for $20 million, claiming they should've stopped her compulsive gambling.
• People who bought houses they couldn't afford with loans they didn't understand want their lenders to change the terms.
• Congress authorizes a war and then tries everything it can think of to get out of it.
• Our country gets addicted to oil and then blames OPEC when it doesn't like the price.

These stories prove how personal responsibility has all but vanished in America, and our government is leading the way."

Reading Upate

Currently I am reading these 4 books I am enjoying all of them and God is using each one to stretch me in some way.

I will give a review after I finish each one. Hopefully these will all be done with in the next month.

In-N-Out Challenge

Last night I was out with a few guys from my HSM small group and one of my guys, Stavi, asked me if I thought he could finish an entire order of In-N-Out's menu.

Before I finish my story let me take minute to explain the significance of In-N-Out to those who have not been out to California. In-N-Out is a fast food burger restaurant that is hailed by most Californians as the greatest burger joint of all time. I have NEVER seen a place so busy from open to close. While I find their product slightly above average, there is an experience I enjoy every time I go. If you ever come to the West Coast you need to at least come once and try it for yourself.

Anyway, I told Stavi I thought it would be hard for him to do. Adam chimed in saying he thought he could finish it easy. So tonight I have challenged my small group to our first In-N-Out Challenge. Every guy is going to have to order the entire menu and then try and finish it. There is a prize for the winner, and maybe a little something for second place. What is on the menu you might ask, below is a picture of what they will order...

Good luck to all those who dare to be great!

No Cold

My host family has been sick this past week and I think I have caught it. I am at church right now and all my senses are on overload. This needs to go away soon...

My Sister's Blog

Check out this article from Randi's blog. I think it might be the funniest blog post I have read this year. Here is my favorite part...

"Story number two starts like this. I decided to shower immediately after my workout yesterday and go to work. I stepped into the shower (praise the Lord for sandals, which I was wearing) and I smelled something really rotten. I looked down and almost threw up. Somebody had pooped all over the shower! Now I just want to take a minute and say how absolutely filthy! It is one thing to poop in the shower (which I think is down right gross) it is a whole nother game to poop in a public shower and leave it there! After showering, in a different shower I decided I had better tell the workers about this calamity. But here I hit a crossroads. 1. If i tell them there is a poopy shower they might think I did it. 2. If I leave without telling them they might see me leave and then find out there is a poopy shower and then really think I did it..."

More from Uprising

Intense...

City Uprising

I will be going to City Uprising in March. I am really excited to be part of it. I can't wait to see what God is doing in NYC.

Quick Update

March is going to be a month of travel. I will expand on that a little more in the weeks to come. I am so excited for what is going to happen. It is going to take a lot to pull it off but God is still providing.

Running

I have been running about 4 miles a day around the RSM lake. The past 3 weeks or so the inside of my calf has been hurting. I thought I strained a muscle or did not stretch enough so I was more diligent in stretching before and after. After doing some research and reading about running, I found out concrete (sidewalk) is the worst possible surface to on. The pain I have is most likely shin splints. Here I thought I was being a wimp but I guess maybe I just need to be smarter about where I am running.

My Funny Video

We made an intern adventure video for HSM today. I had no clue what I was getting into, and this is what came out.



I was actually hit hard enough by the SUV hard to knock me into the bushes, and thats when it turned painful. Not just a bush...a thorn bush. Up and down my body I have scratches and cuts. I had to dig thorns out of my pockets, shirt, and skin. The entire sequence is 100% real pain

All in a days work...no big deal

First Time Snowboarding

Went snowboarding for my first time today. I have never gone skiing or snowboarding before in my life. I was nervous but it was a lot of fun. Took my beatings learned some stuff. And no broken bones or injuries...prolly the best new since people were taking bets on whether I would get hurt or not.

Can't wait to go again!

Think you can afford a house?

Ok its been too long. Sorry got lost in the busyness of life. But I saw something today that kind of made me sick and I had to post about it.

These are Orange County housing statistics that I found today on Habitat for Humanity's website

$629,000 Median OC home price (March 2007)

$1,531 Average OC rent for a 2-bedroom apartment

$171,447 Income needed to afford median priced home in OC

Crazy...

Why I Like Starbucks

I was bummin today over some small things. I decided I needed to get out of the house and do something productive. I went to Starbucks to continue my reading of PDYM. I ended up talking to my good friend George who lives in Virgina while serving in the Navy. Right as I hung up, my friends Emily and Andrew showed up. I have not had a chance to catch up with them since I have been home. They both work at my home church and have been people I have always looked up to. It ended up being a really good night to share and hear about whats been going on in their lives and what God is doing with them at CrossRoads.

God always shows up in the weirdest ways to show me His presence. Its was the right encouragement at the exact moment in time. Thanks God for using Starbucks as a tool to show your love.

New Blog Title

OK I realize the title of this blog is lame. It was way more applicable about a year and a half ago when I started it. I have no ideas, but I want something that sticks.

Any ideas?

My First Year

I finished my final intern letter of my first year at Saddleback. I wrote about the top 5 things I have learned since I have been here. Here is what I wrote to all the people from home who love and support me...

5. Always work to build relationships and make friends with everyone. This is especially important to me because moving to a new place where I knew no one, it helped me transition better. The more I allowed others to get to know me the more they poured into me and brought me along side of them in ministry and in life.

4. Ministry is not about proving myself. I felt when I came out here I had to prove why I was “good enough” or “smart enough” to do ministry with the others here. This is the worst possible assumption. The reason that I was brought out here was because they thought that God wanted me, and my heart was going in the direction God was moving the church. God does not need personal ego in His ministry, and when we lose ourselves in Him is when He gets the honor and glory.

3. The more I learn about God the more I realize I do not know. I am continually learning about God from people, situations, books that influence many different areas of my life. When I stop and reflect on how big God is, how much He is doing and what He has done, I realize how small I am and there is no way I can ever stop learning about His greatness.

2. I must always have a mentor in my life. I am a better person when I have an older, wiser, more mature person walking beside me.

1. I’ve learned that God provides. There were many things throughout the year that God used to stretch me. He taught me to always trust Him. One of the biggest ways He did this was by using people like you to support me. As this year comes to a close I want to say a huge THANK YOU. God has blessed me with your prayers, emails, encouragement, and financial support—many lives have been impacted for God and it is because of you!

This has been a hard year but also a great year of learning, growing, and maturing. I would trade it for nothing. I can't wait to see how much more I learn and grow with God.

My Moleskin

Was given a present today by Josh today. My first moleskin. If you are in the dark world of untrendy, it is a notebook to use as a journal, write down thoughts, ideas from meetings, daily agenda, and anything else you can fill the pages with. They have resurfaced as a replacement for the more common computer. I have been wanting to get one for a while and Josh beat me to it. He wants us to use these everywhere we go. I know that mine is going to be filled quickly.

I Am Legend

Watched I Am Legend this weekend twice. I had very little understanding of the plot beforehand. Will Smith far exceeded my expectations throughout the entire movie. It was not as scary as I thought it would be, but it was very intense. I enjoyed it so much Friday night that I saw it again Sunday night with our HSM volunteers. I give this movie an A-

Go-Karts and Knee Injury

Went to Moran Racway and had a great day racing Go-Karts with the Student Ministry team. The majority of the day we did laps practicing, and learning the track. Our last event was a relay race with team "Cole Trickle" (Zack Barker and I) vs. 7 other teams. There were few competitors in my mind, and this proved to be a true statement Cole Trickle and the semi-weaker team of Jason Petty and Jaime Bertran passed through a mass carnage pile up. Jaime thinking he would take the lead hit the gas behind me going into turn 2. This proved to be fatal when his car not only made contact with me but ended up on top of me. Needless to say the race was called off but a few people thinking they could still win continued to race (I will spare the biggest loser, in my book, from embarrassment).

I hobbled off the track in pain but thinking I escaped injury free. Jason Petty quickly pointed out that I was bleeding. I lifted my pant leg only to see a hole of black and dark red. Almost passing out I made it to a chair. Bethany quickly went into mom mode and made sure that I was OK and had enough water to drink. She reassured me that I would be fine and not to panic. Thanks so much B.

Josh and Zack took me to the hospital. The only person there that told me they would be with me shortly was a man pushing a mop...hmmm double duty for that doctor I guess. Awkward experience but with Josh and Zack it was a lot of fun. Did I mention the doctor showed them my knee cap before patching me up? X-rays of my left foot and 10 stitches on my right knee later I was out of there better than when I came in. Thanks guys for all the laughs.

Here are some pictures. I don't know if it fully encompasses what happened but its the best I have.

Trying to Learn

This time in life is a learning experience. Good, bad, and the indifferent. I really wish I could explain everything that I feel and experience, but this process is just beginning. I find myself in the same position I was in about 2 years ago, its really too bad.

Moving to less abstract thoughts...I am also trying to progress in my life. I have been trying to work on some goals. In ministry, life, relationships and personal habits. I have one goal in particular that I am thinking of but I really don't know if it is God moving my heart or if it is just me changing my way of thinking.

I guess the drugs are talking. My knee hurts. I have a gash that you could see my knee cap.

Lovely

Night all

JB

AIDS Summit

This week Saddleback hosted its 3rd global AIDS summit. Lots of people have been here speaking or learning. Hilary Clinton spoke yesterday which was very interesting. Even though I do not agree with everything she supports it was a great time so see someone who is very influential in the world.


Tonight we kick off out student HIV/AIDS summit with a band, information booths, free AIDS testing...ya different. But it is going to be awesome.

Fuel

Fuel is a worship night for our students once a month. It is planned by Taffy who is the student worship pastor. I got to show up and worship with all the students. It was awesome

Thanksgiving with friends

Oh Thanksgiving!

First Thanksgiving without my family and it was great! Love you all

Rethink Conference

Interns get to go to the Rethink conference. I was looking at who is speaking lot of good speakers and some random ones too...Ben Stein, George Foreman and...Kathy Ireland? This will be some funny stuff

Beowulf Tonight!

Josh got tickets for the IMax media screening tonight!

10 x 10

Got to listen to Rick talk about the 10x10 vision for the church. Pretty cool stuff and its great to see how he is never satisfied with where we are. God is doing big things!

My Small Group

This was a video feature from this past weekend in HSM starring my students. So cool!

Exploring an idea

Just added a Paypal as a way for people to donate towards my internship. I have debated doing this for sometime but my heart behind it is that it is way easier for someone who is online and wants to save time. The only downfall is that it is not tax deductible. I am excited to see how this works!

Any ideas or suggestions?

I'M BACK!

Well I took some time off from blogging but I'M BACK!

Sept. 11

Today being what it is I hurt for those who were hurting and prayed for those in pain. Here is what God impressed on me; "Why do you pray for those who are hurting and feeling pain for those who do not have peace. Why do you only make peace with your friends and do little to bridge the gaps with your enemies. How can there be peace when you have done little to encourage it. Being a typical American living a sheltered life has not done a single thing to promote peace in any aspect. What are you going to do?"

I dunno....kind of makes me wonder what I need to be doing

SO PROUD!!!

Kris started college today. He called and talked to me for a bit about it. For some reason I am really proud of him. It is so cool to say my brother is doing some big with his life. I know God is going to do big things with him!

I love you Kris!

Mmmmm

Today I was reading an article about how so many pastors today are not teaching the true Bible and need to repent. It gave a link for any person who has a friend who is a pastor to visit so they will repent.

Not that I am against holding pastors accountable for their theology, but I think its needs to be done like Jesus commanded. Go to them talk to them, bring other respected believers. Also I think blatant comments, and defamation of others’ character on the internet is sad.

Whatever happened to being united in Christ? This causes desire to fight even harder for unification of churches.

Moved In!!!

I have finally moved into my new host home! They are awesome people and I think we are a really great fit for each other. John and Dana are the parents and David and Taylor are their 2 boys. David is 11 and Taylor is 8. Oh, to top it off John and I like almost all the same sports teams. God used these tough past weeks as a blessing!

I hopefully will have some pictures soon!

Blessings

Sore Throat

Does any one have any remedies? Allison told me that drinking a grande in a venti calm tea with 2 bags and 4 honeys would work. Let's try it out...

They Are Real

I just want to inform everyone that bed bugs are real. This past week I have been battling bed bugs. It is not a communicable disease or anything...some people treat me like it is. But here is the thing. When it comes to staying at hotels you can never be too careful. These things hide in/under your sheets, mattress, box spring, or even your suitcase and clothes. Adults are about the size of ticks,

Here is a link to learn more about bed bugs

As for me I have been washing and drying all my clothes on hottest possible cycles. Yes I know that is the not best thing for clothing but it has to be done to make sure everything is clean. Also I have thrown away other possessions that might have been carrying bugs. I threw away all my suitcases, my computer bag, my backpack, my golf bag, and my gym bag (which really needed to go anyway it smelled terrible). It has been hard trying to make sure that everything is clean and that I am not being eaten alive, but God has been gracious. He has taught me some lessons on taking responsibility even when things are not my fault.

Also Jana and Leigh Sarti have allowed me to stay at their home while all this mess gets sorted out. They are helping me in so many different ways. I can't even begin to explain how amazing and hospitable they are. Their kindness and love has/is the perfect example of God's love. Thanks you both so much!

If I spot any more bugs I will post more, hopefully my posts from here on out are bug free

Little Update

Student Leadership Conference was amazing. It is overwhelming to see students who want to sacrifice everything to serve. I am humbled how much leaders want to help their students become better leaders. It was also a little awkward for me when leaders from other churches were coming and asking questions or advice. I am so young in ministry, and especially in life, but yet God has somehow called me to help others...very interesting times.

Overall I am humbled by God's course for my life. Never would I have thought: I would be working at a church, helping to plan a conference, doing whatever it takes to glorify the name of my God. He is good!

I have to write about one of the most humbling experiences I had today. It has been a long time since God has really put me in my place like this but it is times like these that I learn to serve Him more than I knew possible.

Here is that happened: I was complaining to myself and getting frustrated with all that I needed to get done today because of the Student Leadership Conference. One of the things students will be doing involves stories from people who are in prison in other countries because their loyalty to God. These people have literally put themselves in danger to help spread the good news of Jesus. They are now suffering in prison not knowing if their next few hours will be their last. As I stood there reading these with tears in my eyes, I realized that I have no place to complain. I have no place to grumble or argue. I have no leg to stand on when it comes to giving my all to God. Trying to smuggle Bibles into China or North Korea is the least I could do. Why is it that I find myself so spoiled and yet I can't find it in my heart to serve with a cheerful heart? How can I use what I have here to help others in need? I need to help people more, I need to heal those who are sick, and love those who are outcasts. I need my life to be a living reflection of Jesus.

Learning to Photoshop