I play music therefore I am

All They Need Is A Pole

2008-11-26T12:36:00.000-08:00

Our church is slightly a traditional church. Although we are trying to modernize it more and more, it does take a while to change. Being traditional, we still have choir robes, that are used every week, and they are pink, the ugliest pink that I have ever seen... IN MY LIFE!!! (Although they are ugly and the color is pathetic, my wife does look pretty hot in one!)

The way it works: everyone walks on stage together, with robes already in place which were put on in the back room. After: everyone walks off stage together to remove robes in a back room.

How we do it: Some put theirs on in the back room, bring others' robes on stage to them and put them on onstage. After: some walk off, while removing theirs, and others take theirs off ONSTAGE and give them to someone else to take off stage.

Sure, go ahead, take yours off onstage. Its not like were trying to look professional or anything.

Some people just need to get a grip!

Uhhh??? Am I Really???.... Maybe.... I Think... Then again.....

2008-11-26T12:34:00.000-08:00

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20081126/492cd7d0_3ca6_15526200811261663894209

Pretty sure I wouldn't want to be the one to mess up on this one.

because the song says so

2008-09-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

I don't have a problem at all when someone refers to the Bible, you know, God's holy word, and claims that we should act upon the words that are written in scripture. In fact I think that it is great! Especially in a worship setting! For instance, if during a worship service this was read it could only better the worship experience, for me at least. Psalm 30:4 - "Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name."

However, I find it odd that we are charged at times to do things because thats what the song says. The song says "we lift our hands," "I rejoice," or "You deserve the glory," and now you are asking me to do this because the song says to. Hmmm. And yet when asked to apply that to my life I find myself thinking are you and idiot? Even when it does agree with scripture, NEVER NEVER NEVER ask me do something because thats what the song says. Charge me with scripture (in context please) but NEVER because this song says.

I'm bored Again!!!..... are you?

2008-09-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Have you ever known anyone who's been saved like a thousand times? Have you ever known anyone who got saved again everytime they went to church camp or IYC or Convergence or something of the sort? Well, let me tell you, I've seen many and many born again and again and again and again and again Christians. But, I have a theory. They were saying born again, but they were confused. There were actually meaning bored again. They went to camp/convention/or whatever and had a great time, but when they got back to their home church they were bored again.

So, last night in our evening service. My pastor had a feeling that he was losing the congregation. Well, I'm not sure about the rest of them, but he had lost me..... several times. My mind was wondering. And once in his message he used the phrase "born again." And I had to say YES. YES I have been bored again! Have you?

Doubling up

2008-09-10T10:05:00.001-07:00

I am a youth pastor at a church that deals with about 120-130 on a weekly basis. Now, most of those that attend our church are very traditional. So, our services are traditional. Traditional people like traditional worship, preaching, and all those of the sort. However, we do have a group that really enjoys the more contemporary style of worship. Therefore, as of this sunday we are doubling up. We are doing a contemporary service at 8:30. Our sunday school afterwards. And our normal traditional service at 10:45. Looks like my sundays are fixing to get really busy, but praying that it is a success!

Tired???....... of reading my same ol blog?

2008-08-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

Well, here's a new one.

I have 6 weeks and 4 days until the happiest day of my life!!!!!

And Today I love her because of how beautiful she looks... ALL the time!!!

And Then The Fight Started

2008-07-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

I rear-ended a car this morning.
So, there we were alongside the road and slowly the other driver got out of his car.
You know how sometimes you just get soooo stressed and little things just seem funny?
Yeah well, I couldn't believe it... he was a DWARF!!!
He stormed over to my car, looked up at me and shouted, 'I AM NOT HAPPY!!!'

So, I looked down at him and said, 'Well then, which one are you?'

And then the fight started...

Gardening

2008-07-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

I find gardening very entertaining. I enjoy planting a seed and watching it grow. I enjoy watching the blooms turn into small vegetables. I enjoy watching the vegetable grow and grow until I am able to walk out, pick one, and eat it right there in the garden. But I'd have to say that the most enjoyment that I get from growing a garden is being able to pick more than I can eat and sharing the fruits with my friends.

Today, I picked my first fruit. It was a cucumber. I brought it up to the church, gave it to my Pastor (Proverbs 3:9, "Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;") After a few minutes, he came into my office and asked if he could share it with me. We sliced it, salted and peppered it, and ate it. We even added some hot sauce to it. Have the ability to enjoy the result of something you sow is a tremendous feeling.

In the same way that I get joy from planting a seed in the ground, I get joy from planting seeds into God's kingdom. I am pleased to give because I know that I am giving into the greatest program there is. The lives that are changed and grown because of Christian ministry are second to no other program. I believe if everyone knew how much impact the ministries across the world, and moreso in thier local church, had on so many lives, they too would get joy from investing into the greatest kingdom of all, God's Kingdom.

May we see the fruits from the seeds we sow into the Kingdom of God.

Fireworks

2008-07-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know its been a while since I have blogged anything... Yes, life HAS been that busy! Just to name a few things.... VBS, Church Camp, Preaching 3 sermons in 1 week, License to Preach exams.... want more??? Preparation for wedding and honeymoon in Oct, preparation for a friends wedding in TN in August, very sick Granny....

So, here it is, the NEW POST!

I really enjoy fireworks. I remember a time when I was younger. My family and I went out to 21st bridge to enjoy the grand 4th of July fireworks display. More than anything, the cool colors and different shapes, I enjoyed the ground shaking explosions. In the past few years, I have been on a mountain top far off watching, which I really enjoy because you can look over the city and see several firework displays at once. However, the ground shaking and booming is not there, so part of the experience is missing. This year, I wanted to go back to 21st street bridge and I did. Although I didn't show it, I was very excited to be there and was really looking forward to the display, but more so the bangs and booms and rumbling under my feet.

A piece of advise: when going to watch fireworks, never set anywhere near cars.

At about 9:30, the 21st street bridge booming started. These shows last about 30 min. And this year for 30 min I got to watch a great fireworks display and listen, not to the booming, not to the banging, and not to the rumbling under my feet, but I got to listen to the oldest uglist car in the parking lot, a mid 90's toyota 4 runner I believe it was, with the loudest most annoying alarm system you've ever heard. Maybe the owner was from the ghetto, maybe he/she was paranoid. But to the owner of the mid 90s toyota 4 runner: NO ONE, NEVER, EVER WOULD EVER THINK OF TOUCHING YOUR CAR!!!!!!!! Why in the world would you have an alarm system on YOUR CAR???? Thank you for half way ruining my first yearback to the booms of the fireworks display....

Next year, I will stay away from all mid 90s toyota 4 runners!

Praise the Lord; 3 in 1

2008-06-02T14:50:00.001-07:00

The Bible talks about many different ways to 'Praise the LORD.' Some raise their hands. Some bow to their knees. Some jump around. Some praise God through giving to others. Some of the crazies roll around on the floor. None of this is scary or weird to me because I was raised around a bunch of radical worshippers. However, I have found a new way to praise. I call it 3 in 1.

Psalm 47:1 says, "Clap your hands, all you nations;"
Psalm 150:3 states, "Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet."
Because of a gift given to him, Paul calls this, "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18).
All three of these are very important ways of worship. I have just decided to combine the three into one.

The 3 (clapping, trumpet, and fragrant offering) in 1 (worship) comes to us in a very usual form. In fact, I don't know of anyone who can't, or even has never, done this. But using this talent, embarassement, or whatever you want to call it for the Lord is up to you.

So, in a worship service, I PASS GAS. First, my cheeks flap together creating the 'clapping.' Second, the sound of gas released creates the 'trumpet' sound. And finally, I get to share the 'fragrant offering' with anyone who is within 10 feet. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Parents

2008-05-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

Just some thoughts... or maybe frustrations...

I notice that some parents do not discipline their kids but leave it up to the schools and churches to do the teaching and discipline. Yet, when their kids are disciplined they get mad because someone else disciplined their child. Or when the kids are acting out what they have been taught, the parents undermine the teaching undoing everthing that the schools and churches have accomplished.

I do not believe that it is always the kids that are bad. Sometimes the kids are great, they just have idiot parents!

Believe Me: I'm Not Lying!

2008-05-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

Every year around this time turtles come out. Living out in the country I see them everywhere. Almost everyday you can find one squashed on the road. And every year, we see several in our yard just chillin around our house. Well, Tuesday night, I was at home helping my parents do some yard work, and I hear something rustling in the leaves. I walk over, and of course, there is a turtle. I pick him/her up and starting checking him/her out. I then realize that this is the same turtle that I've seen the last two years. I know this because this particular turtle has a cut on his/her shell just to the left of his/her head. I guess we have a friend around the house that only comes out around this time of year. Three years in a row. I wonder if it will be four next year.

Believe me, my fiancee' didn't: I'm NOT Lying!!!

A nail bitter. Yet I still have finger nails.

2008-05-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

For the last 15 years I have daily enjoyed nawing on my nails. However, my wonderful fiancee' hates it! So, I have really been trying to not bite them, even though she may not have noticed it. But it really has been a battle. It sounds easy... just don't bite them... but I'm addicted, and NO its NOT that easy!!! Today is 12 days down and the rest of my life to go. No nail biting for 12 days, let's see if I can last.

Last night was the toughest yet. Lakers vs. Spurs. I'm a Lakers fan, my best friend is a Spurs fan. A close game. There was no better time than last night to once again naw away on my nails while the Lakers cut a 20 point deficit to 12, to 7, to 4, tie, and then take the lead with 23 seconds to go. What a game!!! My Lakers won by 4 and I still have nails!!! My fiancee' will be proud!

It Scares Me!!!

2008-05-20T07:04:00.001-07:00

At the beginning of the playoffs there were two teams that I did NOT want the Lakers to have to play. Yes, I am a Lakers fan. Yes, I am a Kobe fan. Get over it! Anyways, the Lakers slipped past and didn't have to play the Suns. Thank God! Going through the Nuggets and Jazz was easy, and I was hoping that they would face the Hornets next. No thanks to San Antonio, the Lakers are now play the team that scares me the most, the Spurs. Guess we'll see what happens. I predict Lakers in 6, maybe 7.

Movies and Gas #2

2008-05-13T13:50:00.002-07:00

Reading my last post in an email sparked memories of my teen immature years. Every since I can remember I have been facinated with farts and farting noises, especially those that come from my armpit. If you've never heard of this, just raise your left arm, take your right hand and cup it under your left armpit, and bring your left arm down to your side quickly. This will cause the air cupped between your hand and your armpit to escape creating a farting noise! It's quite fun! You should try it... right now in fact... I just did!.....

Anyways, growing up and doing this on a daily basis I became quite good at it, so good in fact that I could make the noises really loud and sound tremendouly REAL! So, when my brother and I would go to the movies together I would wait for that one dark screen and dead silence moment right between the previews and the beginning of the movie. It is then when I would raise my left arm, slide my right hand in a cupping position under my left armpit, and let'er rip! Oh, the laughing and snickering... Too bad I wasn't good at making them smell real too!

Hmmm. Maybe that's why I was never good at picking up the hot girls at the movies!

Movies and Gas

2008-05-13T13:50:00.001-07:00

CNN reports that gas stations will start showing PORN movies on the Screens of the gas pumps So that You can see Someone else get screwed ... The same time you do!!

Unpacking

2008-05-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening after the big graduation, I packed my stuff up from my apartment and headed home. We arrived back at my parents' place about 10pm, so I definitely did not unpack then. Sunday was busy as normal, so I did not unpack then. Therefore the last two days have been spent up packing, going through stuff that I will never need again, then decided whether or not it could be sold in a garage sale in three years. Everything else is going in the trash. When I moved out 4 years ago, my parents made an office out of my room. So I have had the opportunity to rearrange my dad's office back into a half office, half room, half storage... if that is at all possible.

Even through the business of the week I am thoroughly enjoying being home. I'm seeing my fiancee' and future step daughter every day, plus my family and a few friends. It is good to be home again!

Finishing up

2008-05-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

Today, Friday May 10, I am just a few hours away from being done! All the finals are over! I am finishing up my 15 hour Inductive Bible Study of the Book of 1 Timothy, but in all honesty I've spent 19 hours on. I am putting the final touches to my Native American project. And tomorrow at 2:00 at the Gaulke Activity Center, I will walk across the stage, receive a piece of paper that is not my diploma, everyone in the building will cheer of course, and I will be done.... at least for a few weeks. I am walking with 6 hours pending, which Lord willing I will finish this summer with online courses. A bachelors in Bible and Pastoral Ministry. Hmm.. I wonder what I can do with that.... Probably nothing that will make any money, but thats why I'm getting married, so she can support me!!! lol. Almost there.

Thank you commenters!

2008-05-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say thanks to all those how commented on "Suggestions on Native Americans." My project went well. The presentation went well. I appreciate your help!

Aches and Pains

2008-05-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

I have always been a fairly healthy guy. Because I have played basketball for the last 12 years (up until a year ago) I have also been in really good condition. Through high-school the worst thing that happened to me was a rolled ankle or two per season. Nothing severe, just had to miss a few games. However, college ball has been one degree short of hell.

My freshman year was a freak accident. While in practice the day after our 3rd game of the season I took a knee to the thigh. This is normal basketball. But not this time. My leg swelled to its max and I can barely walk or bent it. After being rushed to the sports clinic before it closed they rushed me to the hospital for emergency surgery. I had what they call compartment syndrome. They said if I had waited another 8 hours I would have lost my thigh and calf muscles. But we caught it in time. They opened up my leg to let the swelling expand so that it would not longer be cutting off the circulation. The cut was about 10 inches long and opened up to about 5 inches wide. They left it open for 4 days so the swelling would go down before sewing it back up. Needless to say, I was on crutches for about 6 weeks and had to red shirt that season.

My sophomore year was similar to that of high school. A few rolled ankles, busted lips, scraped knees. But over all that was a good year.

My junior year. I was starting and playing very well, probably the best basketball of my life. I was finally being aggressive and playing with confidence, averaging 12 and 7. On Dec 2 2006 in Manhattan KS, I ruptured two discs in my lower back. This left me out for 5 weeks. I came back to finish the season, but I have never been the same. I finished the season through much much pain. When the season ended it was simply time for me to hang up the shoes.

Today, 1 year and 5 monthes and 1 day later, I stand crooked and walk limply. The pain in my back comes and goes. Some days are great. Somes days are terrible. This morning I played in a volleyball tournament to help with a fundraiser for our volleyball girls. I figure "hey, its just volleyball, how bad could that hurt me?" Boy was I wrong. After two games I went back to the house, popped pain killers and have laid and limped around since. Hopefully it will subside soon!

A bad back at 22 royally sucks!

The One Time

2008-05-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

I don't save my work I lose it all! 4.5 hours of Inductive Bible Study down the drain. No thanks to autosave. No thanks to Microsoft 97.

Suggestions on Native Americans

2008-04-29T16:11:00.000-07:00

In 11 days I will be graduating from Mid-America Christian University in OKC. With this comes finals and projects and all the things of life I hate! Stress, worry, exhaustion, anxiety, anticipation, brain lapses, and many more of the sort.

For a final project in my Ethnic American Literature class I am working on a multi-genre research project (this section of the blog is one of ten genres that I have to do). I have chosen Native Americans.

Here's what I need you to do. I have typed up a few statements of thought. I need you to respond to these... please. Give me your thoughts, your knowledge, your understanding, your bias, whatever you have.

1) Stereotypically, Native Americans have a higher probability of being drunkards. Is this JUST a sterotpye? Or is it True?

2) Unlike African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Americans do not have the support of most to assimilate into the American Culture. Furthermore, outside of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and parts of Arizona, the Indian Heritage seems to have been erased.

3) In the book House Made of Dawn, a NativeAmerican, Abel, among others were forced into the American Culture. According to the text, this created Native American Ghetto and a higher rate of drunkenness among the Native Americans. If you were to take a Native American from the 1950's and force him/her into today's American society what would be the outcome? Would he/she assimilate better or worse than forcing them into the 1950's American Culture?

Thank you all in advance for the responses and for helping me succeed in this final project.

I am new

2008-04-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

My history of blogging consists of about 3. Our youth website at the church has a blog setup and I have blogged I believe a total of 3 times in 5 months. This is primarily due to the lack of response by the youth and an extreme lack of time.

Now, I have a blog set up of for a few reasons. 1) I have a few friends blogs that I read and there are times when I would like to comment. 2) Every great once in a while I have a very intelligent thought and you might want to read it. and 3) I might use this blog next week for a finals project.

I am now born into the blogging world.