Mexico....

Not that I post everyday anyways but I am going to Mexico saturday and will not have a computer... I cannot wait to go serve the people in mexico. The team I am going with is fourty strong and we are ready. We are building a house for a family and doing some VBS stuff. I even get to lead the team in a devotion during the week. I am looking forward to seeing what Jesus is going to do through our team in mexico as well as the people in mexico. Please pray for this team as we go into mexico, pray for strength, wisdom, an outpour of the Holy Spirit and much much more. Ill post again when I get back and tell about the awesome trip.

holidays...

first off let me say Merry Christmas to all...

I don't know how to say it but I don't like watching certain TV shows or movies that show happy families. I do have a happy family but I miss being in a relationship. I don't know how to express it but I see all the happy people in the stores and the mall and even on TV shows and it makes me sad. I trust God in all that I do and in all aspects of my life I really do. I just don't understand why he has continued to make me wait for this. I'm just tired of waiting...

anyone... someone

I need a place to live for 2-3 weeks in Santa Cruz or the area.  My job will not give me the time off so I either have to quit or find a place to live.  If you have an extra room or know someone please call me or message me back on this.  I am willing to pay, I don't have much but I can offer about a hundred a week.  Thanks and please keep me in your prayers.

Youth Convention...

is this weekend!!!! If your going, its gonna be awesome, if your not be praying for the kids that are going.

The theme this year is uncharted, when I think of that I think of people who were visionaries to see things other people don't. Alot like Christopher Columbus, he went into uncharted territory and had a vision that he could see what was beyond what everyone else though. I also think if the founding fathers of the US. They all saw something here and went into uncharted territory fighting the british in what has to be a major upset. They then went on to even more uncharted territory and made what is now our Government. To use someone from current day I think of Michael Phelps, he won 8 gold medals at the olympics this year, which is a record that I think will probably never be broken. Michael Phelps went into uncharted waters, so to say, and even when people doubted him, he will won.

I pray that God takes us through uncharted territories this weekend and we get a clearer glimps of who God really is.

Cry Out to Jesus

As I was driving home from work today I was listening to my iPod and the song Cry Out to Jesus came on. Already tired and being stressed and having noone to talk to about it I was wanting something, anything, this song came on, particulary this part

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

Its funny how God works when you least expect it. I was looking for a friend to talk to and maybe give me advice and feeling down about not having one and God was saying to me "Hey im right here". As the tears began to flow I started thinking how far away from you am I that I would not think of you when I need help. I pulled over and started praying, this is what I prayed.

"Lord as I cry out to you im sorry, sorry for putting me before you. Im sorry for thinking you werent there for me. Im sorry for not listening to you. I am listening now. Your the reason I live and breath, the reason I wake up in the morning and the reason I do everything I do. I want you and nothing else. You are my all in all, I love you so much. I need you, I want you, come fill me anew everyday. Lord let your glory fall on me, on everything Lord. I pray for a refreshing of you everyday I wake up. most of all Lord be my best friend and thank you for this calling you have given to me, thank you for this life. amen"

My Prayer for America

Lord this election has tried to tear us apart. Father, I have thought, said, seen, heard and felt some ugly things directed towards each other. Father, these words have not reflected You and Your character. Lord I pray… Father, forgive me! Lord, restore me and restore my nation!Father, restore our unity. Many times Lord we have had to fight for our unity. Our unity in the concept of freedom. We believe that every human has the right to liberty, life and the pursuit of happiness. We believe you have called us to be fighters of freedom. But Lord, we have demonized each other in attempt to win people to our side. Father, forgive us!I pray that Lord You would be our source of unity! Lord, be the connection that protects us from the evil one and even the more, from living out the nature of the evil one.Finally, I am convinced that neither death nor life nor principalities will seprate us from te love of Christ!

Am I afraid? Yes I am afraid that we Your people don’t trust You.

Am I worried? Yes Worried that we Your people have taken our eyes off of You.Lord on Nov. 5th and 6th and 7th… let there be a unity, A unity that shouts ONE NATION UNDER GOD, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

Lord we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You!Lord my prayer for America is that we together, come together in faith and hope not in a politician but Lord may we all declare. IN GOD WE TRULY TRUST

My view on the Trinity

everyone has heard the Trinity example of an egg or water but I propose this as a new example, the coffee trinity example

The whole bean state is God, everything comes out of the whole bean,
The ground up coffee is jesus, not a whole bean but still as effective,
The liquid form is the Holy Spirit, goes in your body and fills you up.

church and state

if you would answer this question. all of it some of it or just a part of it, I would really like to know.

Evaluate the role of religion in American history. what have been its strengths, shortcoming? do you think the concept of the separation of church and state is presently working in the manner our founding fathers intended?

obama= scandal

http://www.spectator.org/archives/2008/10/14/anatomy-of-a-scandal

read this, wow, umm, how can people vote for obama?

Political debates

here are my thoughts on the political debates that happened tonight... this was written as I was watching the debate.

- 6:32 Obama’s history is scandalous He is an outright liar and never has a thought of his own. Every time McCain has an idea, two days later Obama states it as his own. Obama thinks people are stupid. He thinks no one listens enough to realize any of this. Obama’s health care is very, very bad. McCain’s is much better. Read the small print!

- 7:27 McCain answered the questions, Obama often gave snippets of his speech. Obama was predictable using phrases like “the last eight years” in hopes to link McCain and Bush indelibly together in the minds of the American Public. I think the American public is smarter than that. Obama should have gotten a few more terms as Senator under his belt before running for the highest office in the land and the most powerful man in the world. Either candidate will bring some kind of change…. I support McCain as the man of experience and the man to bring the kind of change I can live with. Bottom line? Obama scares me.

- 8:05 Obama should scare us, he has voted 94 times to raise taxes while as a Illinois senator. He talked tonight about lowering taxes and doing the right thing for Americans, his track record does not prove that. He also talked about health care and refused to answer the question of how much a fine would be if we didnt have health care. Obama also didnt answer the last question presented to him. I guess he knows everything.

bottom line is that McCain won the debate tonight in my opinion.

my story

when will you write my story Lord when? have I not waiting long enough? please Lord just finish it.

community

Last night I had a Bible study in my room we read acts 2:37-47. this passage is about fellowship with others. we were talking about fellowship and what it looks like and how we do it. I noticed as we were talking that we all talked about fellowship in the Bethany bubble. This is not a bad thing by no means but what are we training ourselves for when we get out of here? To be only in community with those friends around you or to venture out and get to know the community which surrounds you? I made a challenge to the people in that group to sit at a different cafe table and talk with someone they didnt already know.

I think I feel we need to connect with the Bethany community before we can connect with the outside community. Because how good are we gonna be at reaching out community if we dont even know each other. everyone brings something new and great to the table with them. Imagine if we were to get fifteen to twenty people together, each with there gifts and talents, and unite to reach Santa Cruz or Scotts Valley. We as Christians need to broaden our horizons and think about the unsaved more often. I do it too, I get in my routine and forget about everyone else. I do think that community with believers is important, but I also believe that if Christians arent out in the community it shows the community that we may not care about them.

I was also praying this morning during my devotion and God reminded me a question on this topic, If you were to not be here would the community even know it?

random throwup on a page

I want to blog and I want to write something meaningful and thoughtful but I have nothing. so I'm thinking if I just sit here and think and type something will come to me.,. its 11:18.



Its 11:22 and I still have nothing...



11:17 still nothing



I just found the paper so I can apply for a chapel waiver because I work... 11:30



OK I might have something, I just watched the hero's season three premiere and I think it would be awesome to have powers like that. for those who watch the show or would just like to answer if you could have a superpower what would it be? why and would you use it for good or for evil?



as for me I would be like hiro, how awesome would it be to be able to time travel and to stop time?

ok so that wasn't anything... its 1145

I'm going to bed... please pray for me, I'm going tomorrow to start my application to get credentialed... I'm scared and excited.

Service and God

I sit here at this computer, broken, not because of something that has happened to me but because I want more of God. I figure if I break myself I can let more of him in my body(don't know if that's actual fact but ill roll with it). My only request in life is that God uses me in a huge way, a way that I never imagined, even in my dreams. I pray that God will take me to new heights, new boundaries, new everything. I know God has special things in store for me but I want him to use me. To help the helpless, which is why I want to feed the homeless breakfast some Sunday mornings or Saturday mornings.

In the story of zacchaeus, we find Jesus walking through Jericho, as he is walking through Zacchaeus sees him and wants to get close to him. He climbs up a sycamore-fig tree and Jesus sees him and says "come down now, I'm going to stay at your house tonight." so Jesus does and Zacchaeus is broken and gives back to the people four times what he has taken from them. I look at this and I think if I could be in this story what would my place be? Jesus, yeah right, Zacchaeus? maybe, but if I were in this story I would want to be the tree. yes the tree. The tree is what hold zacchaeus up and brings him to Jesus. I want to be someone or something that brings people to Jesus.

I have all of these thoughts and ideas running through my head and I need to channel them. I want to serve the community of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley but I don't know how or where to start. Will someone help me? Work with me and lets be the gap that brings people to Christ!!!!

What the heck am I doing?

have you ever looked at life and said "what the heck am I doing?" I know what im doing with my life but sometimes I have to check myself. last night I was at the beach watching the waves crash against the rocks and as I was praying I asked God, "what am I doing?" God said simply to me, "I know what I am doing do not worry about what you are doing." He is revealing things to me that I never thought about.

I want to start a ministry that cooks breakfast for homeless in santa cruz. how awesome would that be? I do not know how I am going to do this but hey with God does it really matter? I think by starting a ministry to feed breakfast to the homeless it could be an effective witnessing tool. If anyone that reads this wants to help me or knows of a place that already does this please let me know.

I also want to start a bible study here on Bethany where a group of us can come together and read the word and talk about it. We can bring our own ideas and just share what we have read during the week. I dont even know where to start but I want to.

God is faithful, I didnt know why God wanted me to come back to BU but im glad he did. Bethany is a place I am proud to attend. God is stirring something in me, I dont know what it is yet but these coming weeks are gonna be amazing and full of Gods grace.

God is in control

I know that God is in control, I know he is but sometimes life is unfair. I know its not just me but come on, when do I get a break? Is God preparing me for something amazing and beautiful? I just have to remember that God is in control. so I say to myself God is in control, he is, I know he is, of course he is. I just have to keep my trust in him, and I do have trust in him. He makes me new every day, I cant wait to see what is next for my life...

Love

Ive been wanting to blog about this for a while now but never thought I could express myself clearly. Im going to give it a try now.

Love to me is more than a feeling, it surrounds me. God's love makes me wonder how he loves? I have seen love die, I have seen love survive through anything, I have seen love slowly fade away. I have felt love and lost love. Love hurts, it is awesome, exciting, scary... there are many feeling for love.

I must admit I am scared to truely love somebody, not because of a past experience, but because I have seen what love that is lost does to people. When my parents divorced I got a skewed look at love. I thought love was something that is there one minute and gone the next. Now I look at my brothers marriage, it may not last through the end of the year(prayer would be appreciated), and I wonder is this what love is? but on the other spectrum I look at my grandparents, they have been together over fifty years, this gives me hope.

but in processing my feelings I want to love like God loves us but as humans I dont think that is possible. I think the conclusion I am coming to is God's love is the one and only love that can stand the test of time. If I were to get mad at God and ignore him for months or even years, he would still love me. If I were to do that to someone I loved, that person might move on.

I hope this all makes sense to you, it does to me. I think its just something I needed to write out. I guess the saying is true, "it is better to have love and lost, than to have never loved at all."

politics

As I was watching the democratic national convention I noticed something. Why do we need to change America? Am I the only one that cringes when I hear people say that Barack Obama is the man to change America? Over and over and over again they chant "its time for change" "we need change in America" or "Barack will change America."

My question is this, who said America needs to be changed? From our founding we have been innovative, independent, self-reliant, brave, charitable, and the country where people would kill to live.

Obama always talks about hope, well, we have forever been the hope of the world. All those people living under tyrannical governments have always looked to us to be helped or rescued or to be inspired.

I totally would understand if Obama and the democrats wanted to change this policy or that policy but they don't say that at all. They always chant "change America." Well, America isn't our policies. America is you and me and the people living in it. America is the spirit with which they live. And in my opinion that does not need to be changed ever.

I love life...

God is amazing right now... well he always is but you know, right now im really feeling it. God is teaching me to let go of things I havent been able too. I have alot more to work on but im getting there. God is really, really showing me I need to move past stuff in my life I have been holding onto. stuff that has been keeping me from experiencing his true grace for my life. so im letting go, im giving it to God right now and starting new as of now. God wants to use me and I need to give him my all.

camp is amazing so far, there is nothing like working up in a tree half of the day and being able to show people God's love. we have a serious job and alot of responsibility but being able to let people know God wants us to live our life and have fun is amazing. we like to challenge people to reach goals here. like taking the leap of faith. the rungs going up the ladder and the tree are the small things that get us to our ultimate goal, and actually leaping is the goal. Its alot of great stuff, and I hope everyones summer is amazing. let me know how yours is going if you want to, I would love to hear about them...

amazed

God is the best ever... he is amazing... Im falling in love with him more and more every day. he has blessed me with everything I could ever ask for. Im learning how to be content with life. I cant wait to see what God has next for me. I am so amazing and in love with him.

PC vs Mac commercials

I know we have all seen those stinking annoying commercials where the mac guy is always saying hes better than the PC guy. How annoying are those commercials! Is the mac company that hard up to sell there computers that they have to put down other companies to sell there computer? those commercials, not funny, are stupid. why would a "great" (I hope you heard my sarcasm) company need to put down other companies? for those of you who have macs, I hope you like them. I will never buy that product, I love my Dell, its a great computer and has never had a problem at all.

the latest in the lame attempts to put down the PC brand shows all the other PC's in a group therapy session. one saying I havent had a virus in a week over and over... do they have a 6 year old making these? come on Mac, get a clue, don't put down other companies to sell your product.

the skies and stars

I went outside tonight and looked up at the stars and sky. the sky was clear and the moon was an orange color. looking at all the small stars realizing how big they really are made me think. how small am I in this world? if God knows all the stars up there why does he take time to care for us? its amazing, God amazes me. he knows the hairs on my head and the next step I will take.

why do I feel so insignificant? God loves me when I dont deserve it, when I fail him time and time again. He tells me to do something or not do something and yet I do the opposite. why? I dont know why, Im learning to change but change takes time. how long will it take for me to learn God has something way more for me? Its time I step up and be the man God created me to be.

My time in minnesota changed me, when I left I was scared and excited, when I came back to california I was changed. I matured with God during my time there. God showed himself to me in the chapel services and the time spent in classes. Im still learning about myself and what I want out of life but I know im getting closer.

God, continue to mold me and form me. I am yours. my life is not mine it is all for you. It is you I want to live for, and you alone. Please keep revealing yourself to me, show me your will. I pray for everyone I know, show them your love and keep them safe. keep them in your arms and never let them go. amen

Barnes and Noble

so I go to barnes and noble yesterday trying to return two books that have never been read. I was told no because I did not have my reciept, I told her I didnt want my money back I just wanted different books. The person working in the store then printed out a paper with the policy on it and stuck it in my face. I sent this email to the company...

I was at the merced, CA store today and attempted to return two books.
I was told my the lady working in the store that I cannot return them
because without a recipt they will not take it. I did not want my money
back I wanted to exchange for something different. this was a gift I
did not want or need. this is a ridiculous policy. Being a college
student I shop at Barnes and Noble often but with this policy I will no
longer shop there. My family will no longer shop at Barnes and Noble
either. again I would like to know why this policy is put into place.
I believe that if a company sells a product, it should be backed up
whether it is defected or the person is not satisfied, I guess Barnes
and Noble does not believe in honest business.

this was there reply to me

Thank you for your email regarding our returns guidelines. At Barnes &
Noble, we are strongly committed to making every aspect of our business
customer-friendly, and I can assure you that this commitment extends to
our returns guidelines.

On par with other retailers, we regularly review and update our existing
policies. This return policy is not new to us, but simply an expansion
of a program we have had in place in many areas of the country. While it
is consistent with the type of product that we sell, we will continue
monitoring customer feedback and keep your comments in mind as we
periodically review these and other operating guidelines.

If I can be of any assistance in the future or you would like to discuss
this further, please contact me directly at 800-422-7717.

what a bunch of crap... do they even care? I do not believe so. please do yourself a favor and do not shop at barnes and noble, shop online or in a local, independently owned book store. Being a college student I will never shop at barnes and noble ever again. Has anyone else had this problem or anything like it?

2008 song of the dodgers

frank mccourt is the driver of the little yellow bus, ned is his right hand man


The wheels on the bus spin round and round
round and round
round and round
the wheels on the bus spin round and round
right into the ground


The pitchers in the pen get up and down
up and down
up and down
the pitchers in the pen get up and down
the managers a clown


Andruws on the bus going swing swing swing
swing swing swing
swing swing swing
Andruws on the bus going swing swing swing
then he go sits down


Triggers on the bus going whah whah whah
whah whah whah
whah whah whah
Trigers on the bus going whah whah whah
and wears a pouty frown

Nomar's on the bus going ouch ouch ouch
ouch ouch ouch
ouch ouch ouch
Nomar's on the bus going ouch ouch ouch
with injury he's down

so much to do so little time

can I get a time machine or something to stop the time for a while?

biblical principles of evangelism
- 3-4 page report about divine appiontments
- final

New Testament history and literature
- facts sheets 2-7,9-10
- final

The life and Ministry of Jesus
- read book, Jesus I never knew
- 5 page report on it
- 5 one page summaries
- final

Sociology of american youth
- quiz
- 10 youth ministy observation summaries
- final

Lord help me... I have 10 days to get this all done

my 50th post

and this has nothing to do with my 50th post, but yes, this has been a crazy couple weeks. I have 4 weeks of work to finish in 12 days now. plus on top of that I have four finals to take my last two days here. so in reality I have 10 days to do all of my work. I dont know how I am going to get this done. but I will, no dodger games for a while I guess.

I finially decided I am not coming back here to Northcentral next semester. I will probably be back at bethany. I loved it for a while but seriously got over quickly. and also if I had stayed here I would have lost 25 units. so I guess in august ill be back at BU. one more year and ill be done with college.

anyways thats my update, I probably wont update on this untill im back in california. so until whenever, im out.

should I fight?

when I follow my heart,
I get heart ache
when I follow my head,
I bet a head ache

should I fight or let it go
I should fight but what good would it do
the prize is no longer available to me
it is gone, out of my reach

this will pass, I know it will
just another stress I put on myself
I cant wait to get out of here
nearer to what I want, and need

I still believe in it,
Ive never given up
Ill never give up
till the prize is totally gone

what is a cleveland brown?

A Bengal is a tiger
And a fast plane is a Jet.
A Cowboy comes from Texas
And a Raider's tough I'll bet.

A Viking's from the frigid north.
Seahawks live near the sea.
All are names of football teams,
Just like they ought to be.

But there's one name that makes no sense
It causes me to frown
Can anyone enlighten me?
Just what's a Cleveland Brown?!

I don't know if it is true,
But I think I've heard a theory;
That Cleveland named its team
After the color of Lake Erie.

Brown does not describe
A big and strong athletic man.
It's what's inside the diaper
Of a baby Steeler's fan.

The guy who named this football team
Must be the Cleveland clown
Who else would think to call
A football warrior a Brown!!

If I'd been born in Cleveland
And there my life was spent,
I'd find another team to cheer
From pure embarrassment.

I myself, have always loved
The Steelers Black and Gold.
I did when I was very young,
And I will when I am old.

But why's this name an adjective
When it should be a noun?
Can anybody tell me
What the heck is a Cleveland Brown?!

confusion

Im confused as to what I want from life. I know I want to be a youth pastor and to serve God but is that my real calling? I see so many people around me more passionate than me about it. why am I not as passionate as them?

I miss CLC, I miss santa cruz, I miss california, I miss my freinds, I miss the ocean, I miss sunshine, I miss in-n-out burger. I want to come home, I want to come home, santa cruz is my home.

I dont know what I want to do next semester. I dont think I want it to be in minnesota. I love North Central, but I dont think im coming back. I dont regret coming here for a second, but my life is in california. God has given me the best church ever, the best freinds and the best set of pastor ever. I have a summer to pray about it. please pray with me for God to show me his will for my life.

I got nothing but a thank you

I want to blog, I want to write something thoughtful, meaningful, yet I have nothing. Its Easter in two days, I'm taking this time to reflect on what Jesus did for me, for us. So I encourage everyone to think about what Jesus did for us. he paid the ultimate price so that we can gain the ultimate gift. I thank Jesus for what he did, his pain, suffering, embarrassment, and ultimately his death. I challenge everyone to think about that this sunday, I know I will.

It all starts in 16 days

so with baseball season just over two weeks away I wanted to post what I think the standing will look like to me. I will start with the weaker league known as the american league.

al east
Red Sox 94-68
Blue Jays 91-71
Yankees 85-77
Rays 71-91
Orioles 65-97

al central
Tigers 101-61
Indians 95-67
White Sox 81-81
Twins 78-84
Royals 72-90

al west
Mariners 92-70
Angels 90-72
Athletics 79-83
Rangers 77-85

nl east
Mets 91-71
Phillies 88-74
Braves 87-75
Nationals 72-90
Marlins 69-93

nl central
Cubbies 88-74
Brewers 85-77
Reds 82-80
Astros 80-82
Pirates 70-92

nl west
Dodgers 93-69
Rockies 87-73
Diamondbacks 81-81
Padres 76-86
Giants 55-108

I know what your all thinking of course he puts the dodgers in first... and yes your right but they have the most balanced team in the west. but we will see how it all happens. and I do pick the dodgers every year as a fan I have too.

sacred pathways

Intellectual 17
Contemplative 26
Enthusiast 26
Caregiver 22
Activist 15
Ascetic 18
Traditionalist 20
Sensate 12
Naturalist 19


Summary of spiritual temperaments:
Intellectual - Loving God with the Mind:
These Christians live in the world of concepts. They may feel closest to God when they first understand something new about Him.

Contemplative - Loving God through Adoration:
These Christians seek to love God with the purest, deepest, and brightest love imaginable. They want nothing more than some privacy and quiet to gaze upon the face of their heavenly Lover and give all of themselves to God.

Enthusiast - Loving God with Mystery & Celebration:
Excitement and mystery in worship is the spiritual lifeblood of enthusiasts. They are inspired by joyful celebration; cheerleaders for God and the Christian life. They don't want to just know concepts, but to experience them, to feel them, and to be moved by them. They like to let go and experience God on the precipice of excitement and awe.

Caregiver - Loving God by Loving Others:
Caregivers serve God by serving others. They often claim to see Christ in the poor and needy, and their faith is built up by interacting with other people. Caring for others recharges a caregiver's batteries.

Activist - Loving God Through Confrontation:
These Christians define worship as standing against evil and calling sinners to repentance. They are energized more by interaction with others, even in conflict, than by being alone or in small groups. Activists are spiritually nourished through the battle.

Ascetic - Loving God in Solitude and Simplicity:
Ascetics want nothing more than to be left alone in prayer. Let there be nothing to distract them--no pictures, no loud music--and leave them alone to pray in silence and simplicity.

Traditionalist - Loving God Through Ritual and Symbol:
Traditionalists are fed by what are often termed the historic dimensions of faith: rituals, symbols, sacraments, and sacrifice. They tend to have a disciplined life of faith and have a need for ritual and structure.

Sensate - Loving God with the Senses:
Sensate Christians want to be lost in the awe, beauty, and splendor of God. They are drawn particularly to the liturgical, the majestic, the grand. They want to be filled with sights, sounds, and smells that overwhelm them. The five senses are God's most effective inroad to their hearts.

Naturalist - Loving God Out of Doors:
The naturalist seeks to leave the formal architecture and the padded pews to enter an entirely new "cathedral", a place that God himself has built: the out-of-doors.

twitter

so im officially on twitter now... dont know how to use it so if you know how to find me. cause I dont know how to use it. my user name on it is dodge16_12 so if you know how to use it tell me or something...

im mad

mad that this happens in this world... http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,334790,00.html

here is a kid with everything in the world to live for and because he is black and not in a gang gets killed. why? his father made him a deal, if he makes it out of high school he can do anything he wants. he wanted to be a sports agent. even worse him mother was in Iraq fighting for our safety from terrorist. gosh..... this is the whole reason I want to be in ministry. I want to reach these kids... I want to show them God's love. I cant even type the words of what I am feeling right now. im frustrated. this should have never happened. I pray for his family and friends. and I also pray for the people that did this to jamiel, they need to be cought and send to prison for a long long time.

gossip

when will we ever learn?

why do we as christians hurt each other with gossiping?

can we not learn that we are on the same side with the same goals?

I hate gossiping, its ridiculous and immature. it has no place in church at all. we should be building each other up not tearing each other down. were called to raise above the world, not be part of it.

tonight some gossip was told to me, my first reaction was to ask the person who was being gossiped about if it was true... of course it was not. my next action was to let the gossiper know that it wasnt ok to talk about that person behind there back and instead should have talked to that person instead of me about it. Im not trying to be high and mighty a great christian here but seriously this is not what God wants for us as christians.

remember this romans 14:4

Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

update

hey giants fans here is a reason to like the dodgers... peter O'malley saved your pathetic excuss for a team in 1992... dont beleve me look here is the story...

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE1D6153DF93BA3575BC0A964958260

and your welcome...

anyways live here is good... just really busy with homework and stuff like that. I really love minnesota and rejoice that I get to stay here. things are stirring within me and I cant wait for it to explode. how is everyone doing?

oh and Bobby M. ive been playing guitar hero like crazy when I get back to cali im taking you down. yeah Im good at it now so booya.

God is faithfull

Tonight it happened! I got my loan, I can stay at school. Praise God, he is faithfull. I am so blessed, I love God so much... more on this later.

desperation time

I am so desperate for a move of God to happen with me. I have no way to pay for college now. no loan company will give me a loan and there is no way I can stay here if I dont have a loan or the money in place. I have untill monday to get this straightened out. Guys once again I need your prayers, even more though this time. I dont know what God is doing here but I know he is doing something. ive been praying non stop for him to somehow provide for me. Im believing for a miracle and pray that it come in the next four days. so please join in with me to pray. im desperate for this to happen.

I need help

hey all even if you dont know me or you know me quite well I need help. something went bad with my loan for NCU and now I dont know if I am going to be able to stay here. please I ask of you to just pray for this situation and for God to provide somehow... all I am asking for is your prayer. please. I am doing some hard core praying right now that somehow, somewhere God will provide for me... I need about 8700 dollars or Im out of here. please just say a quick prayer thats all I need.

"God I know you will provide for me, I know that I am called to NCU and I know you have exciting things for me over here. Lord I know that that no amount is to much for you and I ask that somehow someway the money is provided. If not I know you have something else way better in store for me. amen"

thanks in advance for your prayers.

offense or defense

how awesome is this scripture... 2 Samuel 23:20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He also chased a lion down into a pit on a snowy day and killed it.

what did it just say? he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it... wow talk about having courage or just being really stupid. Earl Creps was in our chapel today and he talked about this passage, it was amazing just like he is. he talked about your defining day, about how when it comes to life sometimes we all have a day where we can run away from the lion or chase it. it was inspiring.

he also talked about us as christians are playing defense against each other while were on offense. and we need to play offense all the time against the enemy. I am really encouraged with todays message, I need to have the courage to chase my lion and kill it. just a thought

update on life

have you ever had an empty feeling and you feel like nothing can help you? Ive been feeling that way for a while now... pretty much since I got here. I have no friends, and more importantly no mentor. I lost all of that when I came here. I have noone I can sit down to a great cup of coffee with and talk to face to face and spill my guts. so much is happening inside of me and I have noone to talk to about it.

was this a mistake?

Is all this making me a stronger person?

God is changing me. I just wish I had a spiritual friend to go to.

the chapel service today was about freedom yet I dont feel free. I feel im in bondage. I miss california, my freinds, my church, my car and so on... I just dont know what to do... I cant wait till summer when im back home and I can think everything through and get positive feedback. oh what I wouldnt give for a coffee cat meeting with one of my pastors.

I guess I may just be homesick... I dont know what I am anymore.

wow! what a week

God is amazing!!! I cant say it enough.

ever since I took moved here purely by faith God has been changing and forming me.

all I want to do these days with my spare time is read the bible, pray and meditate.

I have amazing friends here that understand im crazy, odd and a little on the wierd side.

im really being set on fire here, this is something ive never experienced before in my life. ive been giving God one straight un-interrupted hour a day and it has really been paying off. God and me is tight now. tighter than ever before.

he asked me to give him every area of my life and I didnt want to. I told him I have been hurt to many times to give him my love life area. but he said untill I give that to him I will never see his true glory for my life. so after a week or so of fighting him and praying about it, its his now.

Im really glda I made this step of faith and came here. it was the hardest thing ive ever done. I left all that I knew, everyone i loved, my church, freinds, and youth group. but God has provided so much for me here and I praise him for that.

He has given me a renewed passion for youth again. every single youth kid I love, whether I know them or not.

how is everyone else doing? I want to know. I miss all my cali peeps. oh and I have a new cell phone number since I moved to minneapolis so if you dont have it email me and ill give it to you. dodge16_12@yahoo.com

I was thinking about the superbowl the other day and that the patriots went from an ok team to a superior team pretty much over night and I came to this conclusion.

"The suggestions that the Pats are "so superior" to the rest of the league warrants the cheating to be swept under the rug are forgetting the point. Superior? How does a team of nobodies get to be "superior"? By signing Moss and Welker? Thomas? Or...by using video, espionage, and wire-tapping in ways unheard of in the league? When the "spygatye" episode occurred, several columnists from around the country began describing a whole list of "naughty" things the Pats do on a regular basis. They finally had reason to discuss them. From bugging opposing locker rooms to intercepting the radio signals. Kinda funny that the NFL found it necessary to "monitor" the radio frequencies in the AFC Title game. Kinda funny that at the same time the "superior" Patriots struggled against a hobbled Chargers team. Coincidence?

Add to that the Harrison HGH bust (and how their grandpa LBs manage to play like 24-year-olds) and their "creative" salary cap circumvention...well , then, you have a team that simply doesn't play by the rules all the way around. But when faced with these issues Pats fans resort to: "Everyone does it."

NO...they don't. That's why more talented teams (like Indy) aren't going 18-0"

GOD IS NOWHERE

There was once a town that was the envy of all who lived outside it. The people in the town were happy, their businesses did well, and everyone was in good health. New residents arrived constantly, knowing they would be building their lives in a wonderful place. God was watching over the town.
One summer, however, things changed. Monsoons drenched the area, and most of the crops were washed away. Animals couldn't find shelter from the continual rain, and they were dying along with the crops. The people became depressed as they lost their sources of food and income--and watched their family members fall ill. The times were so bad that an atheist in the town went out one night and painted his credo on the side of a prominent building:


GOD IS NOWHERE

When the townspeople saw this, they wanted more than anything for the man to be proven wrong. But they struggled to mount a convincing counter-argument. They had no reason to think God was still with them. If He were, wouldn't the rain let up? They went on with their business, wading always through inches of water, thinking no one could help them.
One day a wise monk visited the despondent community. He knew how beautiful the town had been, and he wondered what could have happened to destroy everyone's faith. He wanted to do something to restore the people's hopeful outlook on life.
As the monk walked through the town, observing the devastation, he realized the difficulty of his task. He stopped townspeople and asked what they were thinking. They told him God had left their village, and there was no one who could help them. They had no choice but to succumb to the misery. The monk assured them their lives would get better, but his words were easy to dismiss.
Then the monk rounded a corner and saw the atheist's message painted on the side of the building. Suddenly, he saw what had to be done.
The next day, as the townspeople passed the building, they saw a slightly altered message. Only one diagonal line had been added, and yet it changed everything. The message now read:

GOD IS NOW/HERE

The change in the town was dramatic and immediate. When the people realized God was still with them, they became optimistic again. Maybe God had just been testing them, and for a while they may have failed the test. But now they knew they could withstand anything with God's help. The people realized their future was being looked after and their prayers would be answered. In no time at all, the town became prosperous again and the residents spread the word of God to every newcomer.

keep your coins, I want change

I saw this on a friends myspace, and was taken back by it. "keep your coins, I want change"? wow, those words are powerful. I've been praying for a lot of things in my life to change lately and these may be the words I needed to see for that to happen. I made a huge life change last week when I moved to Minneapolis, God is calling me to something out here, I just don't know what it is yet. I want to focus on God more than ever right now, get him number one and keep him there. I don't want anything to do with relationships with the opposite sex right now, I just want God. I want to make friends here and be a friend here. what is God calling me to do here and what is his purpose for bringing me from beautiful santa cruz to cold, cold Minneapolis. I just want his will for my life nothing less. Im praying for God to pour gas all over me and light me on fire for him. that I would blaze in this big city for him. Oh God light me on fire, I want to blaze for you. I want more of you, more of you in my life and in my soul. let me crave you in every aspect of my life. that I would have a smile on my face just because I know you love me. oh God just fill me with your love and compassion. help me reach the hurting and lost for you.

birthday

you know what I want for my birthday? ill tell ya what I want... I want to see this on sunday night on espn.

San Diego chargers 49
New England Patriots 14

now wouldnt that make for a good birthday, no more cheatriots and no more having to hear about how great everyone thinks they are. Bobby I know your with me on this one. so how about it chargers? end the Patriots season sunday afternoon.

NCU update

take my heart and make it clean
open up my eyes to the things unseen
show me how to love like you
have loved me
break my heart for what breaks yours
everything i am for your kingdom's cause
as i walk from earth into eternity

the past couple days here at NCU have been amazing! God is stretching me in ways I never thought. the snow is cold, today was -11. I hurt myself jumping on the snow thinking it was nice and powdery(it wasnt) now my arm is all bruised up. my whole body time clock is messed up, I eat at 5 here but its like 3 to my body, so I get hungry late at night. I have yet to eat and therefor am starving at lunch time. the chapel service was amazing yesterday. they had Jeff Deyo here and he rocked the place. I guess hes pretty popular over here, ive really never heard of him other than yesterday. has anyone else heard of him? seems my peeps from back home havent. anyways my blogger wont let me upload pics anymore, I dont know why so youll have to look at the ones on my myspace. www.myspace.com/dodgersdog. thats all for now.

Brrrrr....

its so cold in Minnesota. It was 4 when I got into town, for this California boy, that's stinkin cold. it did hit zero here for about an hour(zero is not a fun temperature at all). but Minneapolis is pretty cool, there are alot of fun and interesting people here. the flight was ok, I met a pastor and we got a chance to talk before the flight so that was nice. when we got to the Vegas, I walked into the terminal and there before my eyes were slot machines. I just started laughing at the sight of slot machines in a terminal. also in Vegas I almost missed my flight, they should really tell people what gate to be at on the tickets. the flight was nothing worth talking about other than turbulence and annoying females that sat behind me. the school is nice, covered in snow but nice.

(pictures will be up soon?

ok thats all I got for now its food time.

a special thanks

so I leave for minnesota soon, im so excited and so scared. its going to be an adventure. I already miss all of my freinds from BU and CLC.

I wanted to give a special thanks to Bobby Marchessault, hes an amazing guy and was there for me through a very hard time in my life. Its hard to find a Christian man who is real and is easy to talk to, he is both of those things. also wanted to say thanks alot to Pastor Ed, hes been my pastor for over two years and I have enjoyed him. his messages were great and challenging. Im going to miss both of you guys, I already miss both of you alot. my time in santa cruz was great, clc was is the greatest church I have ever attended. I grew and was molded in that church. Ed and Bobby you two are amazing and I will never forget you. thanks for everything.

goodbye Santa Cruz...