Dusty's Take

Quitting Facebook Saved My Sanity

2010-12-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe I haven't blogged for over 3 months. But honestly I'm glad I haven't. You see, about three months ago I decided to take a two week break from twitter, facebook, and blogging to clear my mind and focus on life. Well, that 2 weeks turned into a month, which turned into a little over 3 months. And trust me, it's been one of the best things I've done in a long time. But let me start from the beginning...
Last April, after a lot of prayer, Chrissy and I felt led to move from my position at a church in Virginia and move to Kansas ,where I grew up. We had everything set. I was going to work for one of my favorite youth ministry organizations, Youthfront, and we were going to spend a lot more time with my family. On our way to Kansas, we decided to take a few weeks and take the family to Florida. (not quite on the way, but well worth the surf time) While this was supposed to be a simple relaxing vacation getaway, I soon realized God didn't want me to relax to much. The whole week, while sitting on the beach, all I could think about was how much I felt like God was telling me my time in local church youth ministry was not done. What the what?! Are you serious God? I mean I just left a ministry where I loved the students and leaders to go into non-church ministry! I've been raising funds for my new ministry for over 2 months! I'm moving my family half way across the country! Seriously?!
After sharing my thoughts with my wife we decided it was something we needed to seriously commit to prayer. But not the kind of prayer where you do all the talking, but where you try and clear your mind and listen to what God wants to tell you. This is where my addiction to social media began to become evident. I noticed that I was twittering a couple times a day, checking other's tweets around 5-6 times a day, checking facebook on my phone around 6-8 times a day, and constanly thinking about what to blog next. So, I decided to quit cold turkey. If I was truly going to hear the direction God wanted me to go in I needed to get rid of all the distractions. The first couple days was tough. I had to delete the facebook app on my iphone, my twitter apps as well. But once I got in the groove of not committing so much thought and time towards all of it, I noticed I felt so much more peaceful. No longer did I wander if people had commented on my status updates, or if someone had tagged me in a new photo, or whether or not I had added more twitter followers. I was free.
The extra clarity helped me see that God was confirming the fact that He wanted me to be serving in a church. So I started interviewing for positions. First in Michigan, then flying to Pennsylvania, but something just wasn't right. Then it hit me! Our move wasn't so much about what I was going to but where we were going to. He wanted me to serve in Kansas City. But where? There weren't any open positions like there were elsewhere. So as I waited for God to tell me where, I actually got a job with 7up delivering soda. Yep, I was the 7up guy. Making little money, working long hard hours and praying for God's direction. Finally in October He showed me why we moved here. My friend at youthfront, where I originally moved to Kansas to work with, texted me to tell me his church was getting ready to start a search for a new youth pastor. So, with no expectations, I said I would meet with the pastor. Well, 2 months later and I am typing this from my new office at Olathe Bible Church as the High School Pastor. Exactly where God had planned for us the whole time.
P.S.- Yes, I'm back to using facebook , twitter, and bloggnig. Just more like every other day, not every other minute.

Ok, You Need To See This!

2010-08-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to an awesome message given by Matt Chandler at the SBC Pastor's Conference. I had to watch it twice just to try and get all of it to sink in and still think I could watch it again to get more. It deals with the Gospel and it's importance. If you're in ministry (or even if your not) you need to click on the link and check it out! ( I would post the video, but due to copyright rules you need to watch it on Matt's blog) Enjoy!

Matt Chandler's Message at the SBC Pastor's Conference

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Please Wait Here...

2010-07-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

If there is anything in the world I hate (besides sad endings to movies and mustard) it would be waiting. I mean whether it is in line at the grocery store to buy my box of corn pops, in the doctor's office to be seen for allergies, or in line at an amusement park to ride the new roller coaster that goes upside down 10 times while going backwards. I hate waiting. I will even go to extreme measures to not wait. I will strategically pick the shortest/fastest check out lane as if it's a game to see if I can get out quicker than someone else walking up to the lines at the same time. Or I will drive 10 miles of side roads to bypass the 1 mile of waiting traffic that is backed up due to road construction. Well, I think God has taken note of the lack of patience in my life. Lately it seems like everything in my life has come to a major slowdown, as if God wants me to get off the fast moving train I've been riding and take a deep look around at what he is planning and ultimately look within myself. It's like God is showing me that within this immediate need to know exactly what is next in my life and exactly what I'm going to be doing, I have been losing the beauty and powerfulness of having a faith in a God that is scripting a great story for me. Waiting, while frustrating to control freaks, has an inherent beauty that forces us to look around at the process. So while I would love to have some answers to some big questions and recent prayer requests, I wait, because God is cooking something up for me and I need to stop to enjoy the smell of it baking. But that doesn't mean I'm not ready at any moment to take a taste of his sweet plan.

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God"

- Corrie Ten Boom

Doing The Impossible

2010-05-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

Saw this over at McNair Wilson's blog. (Highly recommended blog as a great source for creativity!)

"Difficult takes a while. Impossible takes a little longer."
~ Walt Disney

Worship Of The Future?

2010-05-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

There's an app for everything...

Personality Influences On Theology

2010-04-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

I've always found that people that subscribe to certain theological views usually have a similar personality type as others that subscribe to that same theological view (for instance being more confrontational vs. laid back). I've always thought that the personality trait was a result of believing those certain views. However, I was reading Donald Miller's blog today about how your personality may persuade how you believe, and it got me thinking that maybe I had it backwards. Anyway, it's a great blog and thought I would share it with you. Click here to read it.

"Resurrection" By Rob Bell

2010-04-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

My favorite line- "Jesus’ friends arrive at his tomb and they’re told
he isn’t here... you didn’t see that coming, did you?"

Resurrection: Rob Bell from The Work of Rob Bell on Vimeo.

The Missional Church... Simple

2010-03-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Saw this video on Josh Griffin's blog and thought I would share it with you. I like it.

6 Must Haves as a Leader Right Now

2010-03-09T06:31:00.000-08:00

1. Leaders must have courage- the ability to risk and actually make a decision and do something. Quick to action.

2. Leaders must have conviction- a strong and compelling vision, and passion to pursue it.

3. Leaders must have a clear calling- understand how God has wired you.

4. Leaders must have authenticity- honest, humble and sincere. Willing to sacrifice. Willing to protect their teammates and take the fall.

5. Leaders must be willing to learn- leaders are readers. and have an insatiable desire to know more.

6. Leaders must be in touch with reality- ability to understand the context of our day. Plan for the future while leading in the present. Informed enough to make the tough decision.

(ht: catalyst)

Priority Check

2010-03-04T18:50:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like you go through life with your head down in your daily routine, working yourself to death and finding yourself looking around and wandering why time flies so fast? Yep, me too. But last month I got a quick priority check. I received a call from my sister that my dad was on his way to the hospital with a possible heart attack. After a very long hour of waiting to hear what the diagnosis was, I found out it wasn't a heart attack but a serious heart problem that required immediate emergency surgery. Now I had a choice, I could either get on a plane as soon as I could and travel 1200 miles to be with him, or I could say I'm too busy with stuff at work and in my ministry and dealing with problems to afford the time away. I know what your thinking, "How stupid! That's a no-brainer! Go be with your dad!". But honestly alot of us make that wrong choice every day when we get our priorities mixed up and put other things in front of our family. The nights when I decide to work just a little more on my laptop at home instead of asking my daughters to play a game. The times I decide to stay that extra hour or two at work instead of honoring the time I told my wife I would be home to eat dinner with the family. I pray God helps us all realign our priorities so that He is first, our family second, and everything else follows behind. (BTW- I hopped on a plane the next morning, spent a week with my dad and he came through surgery with flying colors. Praise God!)

Dependent? Me?

2010-01-13T17:20:00.000-08:00

Man, recently I've felt really challenged when it comes to being dependent on God. And to be honest, I don't think I've lived up to the challenge. When I think of being dependent on God and I read passages in the Bible about it, I catch myself thinking "man it must have been so much easier in Bible times to be dependent on God". I mean they didn't have iPhones and TV and Facebook and Twitter and movies and all the other stuff that vies for my attention on a daily basis. They didn't have to worry about 401k's or getting the kids to dance practice on time or whether this was the week that their car decides to break down or not. But is this a valid excuse? No. You know why? Because they had a sin nature just as much as I do and when it comes down to it, it's hard for anybody to be 100% dependent on God. So, with some hard decisions I have to make in the near future concerning our ministry as well as trying to get rid of this nasty cold before I leave for Nicaragua 2 weeks, I am laying it all down before God. I pray I stop trying to do everything myself and let God take the driver's seat. Time to buckle up!

Pot Pourri

2009-12-27T13:59:00.000-08:00

-We went and saw the movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" yesterday with our daughters. I will admit that it wasn't as bad as I was expecting, but the chipmunks' voices got old about 5 minutes in.

- I had the opportunity to speak in our main service today. I had a blast, but I didn't realize how much it takes to produce a service for a church of 3000 people before. Our worship department rocks!

-I haven't had the itch to play golf as bad as I have the past month or so. If it doesn't warm up and get rid of the snow, I might just have to buy some orange golf balls and play in my snow boots.

-I've been thinking a lot about the direction for our student ministries department for the new year. I have a feeling God has big things in store for us, because I have been hit with a lot of discouraging things by Satan lately.

- I was talking with a friend of mine the other day and literally forgot how old I am. I guess with my birthday coming a few days, I better figure it out.

- I just started playing "Words with friends" on my iPhone. If you wanna play, my username is pastordust.

- KU Jayhawks still ranked #1 in the nation. How long will this ride go? Hopefully all the way!

The Cookie Monster

2009-12-14T21:28:00.000-08:00

I showed this video in our youth group yesterday, and thought I would share with you. Enjoy.

You Saw That On Facebook?

2009-12-08T06:41:00.000-08:00

WTF?... FML!... LMAO!... Know what these stand for? Your students do and unfortunately I am finding it more and more common to see these abbreviations being used on facebook, twitter, and in texts by those same students.
For some reason with the raise in popularity of social networks like facebook and twitter, so has the use of language that I know a lot of students would never use face to face. I am surprised almost on a daily basis, logging onto facebook and reading through status updates and seeing a student write something like "I can't believe that test was so hard! FML!". And what's even more eye opening for me is that it's not always the students I expect to hear that language from, but more often than not, it is from the student that I would never expect it from!
So this leaves us with the question: why? Is there this false sense of anonymity they feel when it comes to writing their feelings in a status update or through a tweet? Umm.. your name is right next to your status update! Or maybe when they are posting it they are by themselves, unlike speaking face to face, thus making them feel like no one will correct them? Or maybe because status updates are a glimpse into a person's thoughts throughout a day, it shows that these students are commonly thinking these words but have never verbalized them until now? Or maybe these abbreviations have almost become a separate language in and of itself and these students don't remember that the letters in the abbreviations stand for actual words?
Whatever the cause, I think it is something that needs to addressed. So whether you're a parent, youth pastor, small group leader, youth volunteer, or teacher, take the opportunity you have as an influence in a student's life by confronting them with their language online. Remind them their witness stretches online as well as in person.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29

A Rambling About Marko and Youth Specialties

2009-10-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's been a week and a half since Zondervan fired Mark Oestreicher from being the president of Youth Specialties and while I wasn't going to blog about it, I have changed my mind. So here ya go:

I have to admit that when I first heard that Marko was fired I thought to myself "Oh no, what did he do to get fired? Say something that completely goes against mainstream Christian culture (which he's good at and probably why I like him so much), did he do something off the wall at the last YS convention, or did he try and sell the Obama book again that YS got so much flack for a year or so ago. Then I realized it was was none of these. He just didn't fit into their equation anymore. Unfortunately, I don't know if I like that equation.

Youth Specialties has always been the big youth ministry dog. In my 16 or so years of working with teens, YS has always been the king of resources, conferences, and anything youth ministry. Youth pastors dreamed of having books published by them. Tired youth workers looked forward to attending their conferences each year as a time to refresh and re-energize. It was almost like YS was our fraternity more than it was just a resource producer. A lot of this had to do with Mike Yaconelli founding it on the crazy idea that the company was all about the mission of youth ministry not just the bottom dollar. Yac had almost this rebel attitude toward life, Christianity, and youth ministry that I think related to youth workers on a core level. With Yac's passing I think a lot of us were happy to see Marko step right into that "rebel" type leader role that made us all feel we were part of something bigger than us.

Even though Zondervan bought out YS around 4 years ago, it's only been the past few years I have seen a lot of changes that I think have been going in a different direction then what Yac set out for the company. First, I was saddened by Tic Long being let go, then the changes to the conference (that I still feel have to do more with saving the company money than making the conference better), now the firing of Marko. I want to say that I don't hate Zondervan or view them as some evil company like some are saying, but it does sadden me that it feels a lot of these changes are being made just because a profit bottom line needs to be reached within a large corporation. Instead of being the "fraternity" it once was, I guess I will just have to get used to YS being just another resource producer. Sad, yes, but nothing that will stop me from doing God's work.

So, I guess my final take is that even though it stinks and I am a little mad over our "fraternity" president Marko being fired (and how he was fired) and I'm going to miss that "rebel" company that I feel Yac started a long time ago that always made me feel like a member of a large tribe of youth workers, life goes on. Zondervan finds ways to make a bigger profit, Marko will find an outlet for his vast knowledge of youth ministry and "rebel" style, and God's work will be done.

To read a great blog post by Doug Fields in regards to this issue, click here.

A few pet peeves

2009-10-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

I love weekend retreats with students. They are such a great opportunity for students to get away from their normal routines and distractions and focus on growing with God. Every year, I wish every student could attend. So in order to take as many students as possible, we promote these trips like crazy. But with recruiting, comes a few pet peeves:

Pet Peeve #1 - While I know sports teams are important to students, I have always found it to be a huge pet peeve of mine when a student or parent decides it better to not miss a game or match than to attend a retreat. Honestly, this could be a weekend that has an eternal effect on your student's life with Christ. I would think that would be a high priority. This is why I was so happy today when I had a parent sign their daughter up for our trip who has a soccer game on Sunday of the retreat. While this student is so good to even be in an Olympic development program, her dad is willing to drive an hour and a half Sunday morning to pick her up, just to drive her two more hours to her game Sunday afternoon so that she doesn't miss what God has for her at the retreat. Awesome!
I've always said, chances are your student will never remember that one game they will be playing in, but will never forget the experience they had with God at the retreat.

Pet Peeve #2 -Another recruiting hurdle I have faced and wasn't expecting is how many students can't afford the trip cost. Not that their families don't have the money, necessarily, but now that they are in high school their parents require them to pay for their own trips. I really hate seeing students not have the chance to let God impact their life on the retreat due to financial reasons. Unfortunately this is the case for some of our students this fall. So, if you want to help a student experience a weekend that will grow them closer to God by sponsoring their way to our fall retreat, pray about it and contact me at ddecker@cfellowshipc.org

Grocery Store Musical

2009-10-22T17:39:00.001-07:00

There's so much about this video I love. The spontaneity of it, the smiles of the people around them, the reactions and comments by the dude at the end, and how the actors just turn around when they're done like nothing happened. Needless to say, after watching this video, I got inspired to try this at my local grocery store... it wasn't as well received.
Enjoy.

Quick Youth Ministry Thought

2009-09-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

The other day I was talking with a friend about youth ministry when it occurred to me that it has been 17 years since I gave my first message in a youth group. I still remember that night very well, and even the lesson I taught. I remember in those early days of being involved in youth ministry thinking that my messages would change students lives. While I still feel blessed that God gives me 20-30 minutes a week to share His word with students, I learned a long time ago that what I say in a message to students is really a drop in the bucket when compared to what I do with students. I firmly believe that there is nothing more impactful in youth ministry than a caring leader making a personal connection with a student. That is why I am so excited about the leaders we have in our high school Fusion (small) groups this year. Each one shows a strong desire to connect and care for the students they have. I'm excited to see what happens and I feel great things coming!

16 Signs Of A Poor Leader

2009-09-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a good list for any of you leaders to self check on a regular basis. (ht PNoble)

16 Signs A Leader Has Lost His Mind

#1 – He refuses to admit his mistakes.

#2 – He begins to blame the problems on people or circumstances rather than actually seeking out what the problem might be.

#3 – He refuses to listen to the team assembled around him.

#4 – He fights every idea that isn’t his own, thinking his originality is what must keep the church afloat.

#5 – He refuses to face reality.

#6 – He is unwilling to make the necessary changes because it would be highly unpopular.

#7 – He tries to listen to what everyone has to say about every situation.

#8 – He begins to believe that God’s favor on his life is because of how good he is rather than because of how good God is!

#9 – He believes that he can’t learn anything from churches that are smaller than his. (This would be arrogance!)

#10 – He abuses his staff to accomplish his agenda rather than leading them to accomplish God’s.

#11 – He fears asking for commitment because of how people may perceive him.

#12 – He becomes obsessed with the way things are rather than how they should be.

#13 – He views himself as an expert.

#14 – He tries to motivate with fear rather than vision.

#15 – He doesn’t seek fresh revelation from God and often goes back to what has been done instead of seeking direction for what has never been done.

#16 – He stops taking risks and becomes obsessed with playing it safe.

Dear Mr. Treadmill

2009-08-25T21:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Treadmill-
I know it's been a long time since we've talked or seen each other, but lately I have felt like I've needed to contact you. I have such fond memories of us spending many hours together a long time ago, and to tell you the truth, I always felt better after we met. And I know it's a lame excuse, but I've been so busy with everything going on in my life, I haven't made much time for you. Trust me, it's me not you. Anyway, what I am trying to say is that if you would be open to it, I would love to start spending some quality time together again. I just feel in my gut it's the right thing to do. So, if you will have me back, let's stop this whole love/hate relationship and meet in the morning to start all over again.
You're long lost pal-
Dusty

God Hates Teeter Totters

2009-08-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

This summer I took a step of faith. I assumed the position of being a director of an "average" student ministries in an above average church. While the volunteer leaders are unbelievable and there is great support for the ministry from the church, there has been huge turn over in my position and a void of direction. What this meant for me as I entered an empty office and unpacked my boxes, was that I had a choice to make. Either keep things going the way they've been and settle for "average", or do something drastic... change things.

Change. Even the word brings mixed emotions to people. To most companies, businesses, and even some churches, change represents a teeter totter. A teeter totter that can go in either the direction of huge success or in the direction of huge failure. The more change you bring, the more the teeter totter can lean one way or the other. Which means small change will bring small success or small failure. So to these groups, change is a big risk. Here's where I want to present a "Dusty" theological idea. I believe God hates teeter totters. I mean when God gives direction for change, whether it is ministry related or not, I don't believe there should be much question as to what will happen. If we truly give ourselves over to God to direct our path, and that path involves change, can our actions then be deemed "risky". It's really hard for me to picture Moses gathering the slaves and leading them through a parted red sea and half way through the sea stop and say "Guy's I'm really not sure about this, I hope it works. Even though God told me to lead you here, it doesn't mean He's right". God is not a crap shoot.

So, with this new school year, I have committed to giving the direction of the student ministries over to God. With this, God is leading me to change a few things to promote growth and raise our ministries to above average. While it might feel natural to have some doubts or fears that things might go in the wrong direction, I can only have faith and be excited to see what God does. May we remember that with God as our guide, we can't be scared. God has huge plans for us and none of them involve a teeter totter!

Balancing With Francis

2009-08-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

This challenging video of Francis Chan talking about taking risk as a Christian is awesome. What a great visual using the beam in his message! Enjoy!

Pot Pourri

2009-08-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

- Is it just me or does it seem like fall is creeping upon us like a speeding train? With a lot of new ideas and programs planned for the start of the fall, it means there's a lot to do in the next month.

-As much as I feel I should jump on the Redskins fan wagon, I will never replace the Chiefs as my favorite team. But the skins could end up being a good second.

-Parents... The other day someone asked me what the hardest thing about youth ministry is today. Before I could answer, another person said "probably parents". I pray that God lets our ministry change that stereotype. I pray parents know that our student ministries is here to partner with them in guiding their teens.

-The iPhone has got to be the best invention in the past 20 years. Period. (other than the Chipotle burrito)

-As of this post, the Red Sox are a half game back in the AL East behind the Stinkees... err I mean the Yankees. I hope they pull ahead soon and don't look back!

-We've been doing a sreies in the student ministries called "Get to the point- A look at the parables of Jesus". This week I'm teaching on the parable of the two builders. Man, I love this parable. I can't wait!

-There are two new albums coming out in the next month or so that I think I'm going to have to preorder. David Crowder's Church Music & Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane .

- My verse/prayer for August: "My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. - Psalm 145:21"

Ruined By The Call

2009-07-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

You gotta love a quote from "The Yac":

ht:TC

Why not?

2009-07-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

Friday I got the offer to join one of our CFCSM leaders, Jimmy, for a round of golf at a course near our church. From the first tee shot I took (straight into the woods), I knew it was going to be a long day of playing bad golf, but a great day of laughter and bonding. It was great getting to know Jimmy better and getting a feel for where he's going to fit into some of our fall ministry plans. Anyway, everything had been going perfect when all of the sudden on the 15th hole, while standing in one of the many bunkers I had found that day, I started to feel a few rain drops. I barely had time to get out of the bunker before it was like someone had turned open a giant faucet above us and it began to pour. We quickly grabbed our clubs, got in our carts and drove to the next tee. We sat there shivering and soaked waiting for it to pass, when something beautiful happened. We all looked at each other with small grins and must have asked the same question in our heads at the exact same time. "Why not?" So with giant smiles and me giggling like a kid again, we hopped out of our carts grabbed a club and teed it up. For the next three holes, we played completely drenched in this down pour as if nothing was wrong at all. We laughed, hit out of puddles, and felt like kids again. Other players would drive by us on their way to the club house and shake their heads like we were crazy. We just waved and smiled.
Crazy? Maybe. Worth it? Completely! Lately I have been trying to ask myself the question that I all to often forget to ask. "Why not?" I mean sometimes I think I forget to give God credit as a God that is capable of doing anything. Sometimes I am too busy at looking at my limitations and not God's lack of limitations. So, whether it be planning our upcoming year in the student ministries department or just playing golf in the rain, I pray I don't forget to stop and ask "why not?".

Texting Teen Tendonitis. Seriously?

2009-07-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, working with teens I know they text.... alot. But this is wild!

Ready To Stand?

2009-07-15T14:22:00.001-07:00

On Wednesdays, I don't go into the office until 1:00 because we have youth group until 9:00 at night. So today, Chrissy and I decided to take the girls to a local theater that shows free "kid friendly" movies on Wednesday mornings. Today was "Horton Hears a Who". Even though my daughters had seen it a few hundred times, they were as excited as hyper as ever. So, we loaded the van and eventually got to the theater and settled in for the film. It was a delightful story (this was my first time seeing it), with some really funny parts. Just as it got to a very crucial part in the movie, something strange happened. A large black band appeared on the screen that blocked out almost the whole picture. We could still see just a small sliver of Horton on the top and bottom of the screen, but tha was it. Here's where I was surprised. We sat there for a good 3-5 minutes in this sold out theater and not a person did anything. Finally I heard one lady sitting down front with her kids yell out "It's not working!". Like that was actually going to get the attention of some magical theater employee that would hear her over the movie and come to the rescue. So I looked at Chrissy and said "I'll be back." I got up with everyone watching me, made my way to the isle, down the stairs, and left the movie to go get someone to help us. After informing a near-by employee, the movie was quickly fixed.
Later, thinking of the whole experience, I couldn't help but think about how it relates so much to Christian culture. How many times do we as Christians know there is a need in our community, country, or world, and yet feel like "oh it'll get worked out eventually" or "Someone else will do it" or "I don't actually have to get up and do something, but if I make enough noise it will help"? When does it click in our mind that we need to stand up and take charge and say "I'll be the one to tell my coworkers about Christ" or "I will get out of my comfort zone and go to a poverty stricken country to help work in an orphanage for a week or two" or "I'll be the one to invite that student that no one talks to at school from school to youth group".
God's calling us. I'm ready to stand are you?

If Grace Is An Ocean, We'll All Sinking...

2009-07-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

Man, what a great song with a great story. Here's a taste of the lyrics, but I highly encourage you to watch the video.

"We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And the heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…
He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves us. "

- John Mark McMillan

Thoughts on Parking

2009-06-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

The other day I was at Tyson's Corner Mall outside Washington D.C. headed to my beloved Apple store. I went during my lunch hour so I was in a little hurry. Anyway, I pulled in the parking lot and couldn't find any spots. Thats when out of the corner of my eye I see a primo spot right in front of the main doors. As I pulled up, I checked the ground for a painted handicap marking and my heart skipped a beat when I didn't see one. Yes, it must be my lucky day! That's when I saw it. A sign that stated it was a "hybrid only" spot. Doh!
Now, here is my question: What good does it do to have hybrid only spots? I mean I am all for shrinking our "carbon footprints", but what sense is it to have the hybrids park easy and make the gas sucking SUVs and other vehicles spend an extra 10 minutes driving around spewing out exhaust looking for another spot? Wouldn't we want to have "gas guzzler only" spots instead? Hmmmm.

Runnin To Daddy

2009-06-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

In the last 4 weeks since my last post, a lot has happened. I have said goodbye to some great friends, moved across the country, started a new job, and probably the hardest thing- been away from my wife and three daughters for 3 weeks. Fortunately, the torture of being away from my girls ended yesterday. Around 3:30 in the afternoon I got the call I had been waiting for. My wife called me at the office to let me know they were almost to our house and to leave to meet them. I rushed home to pull up to our front door seconds before them. As they pulled up and I stood on the sidewalk looking at their van in front of me, I could hear my daughters yelling "Daddy!" and then I saw something that touched me. They were all climbing over everything in the van and each other to be get out as fast as they could to run to me and give me hugs and kisses. It was awesome! I love my girls! Later last night, as I thought of that scene again in my mind, I wandered to myself if I have that desire to be with my heavenly father as much as my girls wanted to be with me. Do I run to God stepping over whatever obstacles are in my way just to be with Him? I pray I have such a love for God that I don't let anything stand in my way and run to him with a big smile on my face knowing He is waiting for me. Waiting to give me great big hugs and all the love I can handle.

Pot Pourri

2009-05-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

- I am almost done cleaning out my office for our move to Virginia. It's taking longer than I expected, because with each item I find, I find myself sitting and being reminded of a youth group memory associated with it.

- The Nuggets lost the first game, but I have a good feeling about tonight's game in LA. If Nene and The Birdman can play some tight defense and the nuggs cut down their turnovers, I think we are unstoppable.

- So I finally got a Blackberry. I wasn't sure how I would like it, but I am totally loving it.

- Yesterday, I played a final round of golf with a few of my good buddies here in Denver. The whole round we had fun and trash talked each other. I realized that having close guy friendships is a vital need in my life. And having a guy friendship were we can be competitive while having fun is something I deeply desire on the golf course and off. I pray God brings me some close male friends in Virginia.

- Is it possible to love your wife and kids too much? If so, I think I am bordering on it.

- The Red Sox are playing the Nationals in DC in late June. Tickets can be found on Ebay, just in case anybody wants to get me a great father's day gift!

Nooma: Burrito

2009-05-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, since I posted a rob bell video, I feel compelled to post this nooma spoof. I love nooma videos, and that's probably why I thought this video was hilarious! Enjoy!

A quick reminder

2009-04-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

Some days it's good to be reminded of reality...

(ht: Katie W.)

Pot Pourri

2009-04-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

- I started teaching a new series on Sundays in the youth group this week. I'm looking forward to it, but I realized as I was studying that this will be the last series I will do with the group here. Kind of sad.

- I've been coaching my daughter's 2nd and 3rd grade volleyball team for around a month or so. I have to admit, it has been a lot more fun than I imagined.

- There's advantages and disadvantages of a skylight in your bedroom. It's nice for lighting. But yesterday, after it snowed through the night, I woke to my wife saying loudly "You've got to be kidding me!" when she noticed the snow on the skylight. Not a great way to wake up.

- I watched some of the NFL draft over the weekend. I think it is ridiculous that the top draft picks get such huge contracts without even playing a game yet. I mean Mathew Stafford (the #1 pick) will be making twice as much as Tom Brady and will be the highest paid quarterback in the NFL, without having to prove his worth on the field. That's definitely not fair to the veterans.

- I am in full golf fever mode right now. Any warm day, and I'm trying to sneak out to the course.

- Recently God has been teaching me the difference between trust and faith. Trust entails knowing someone is on your side, faith entails depending on someone to be on your side. Through all the things that God has worked out for our upcoming move, it has taken more than trust. It has taken faith that He would provide.

- I haven't yet jumped on the Adam Lambert band wagon. I'm still rooting for Danny!

Another sign I'm getting old

2009-04-25T17:20:00.000-07:00

So I got yet another reality check that my daughters are getting older which means I am too. Yesterday I was driving to a volleyball game with my daughter and her friend Cora in the backseat. They had been playing around copying things I said. So, I waited a few minutes and thought I would be the awesomely funny dad I usually am and begin copying them. I waited until I heard Emma say something and I began my great idea of a comedy routine by copying her every word and expression. Pure comedy genius! But I didn't quite get the response I expected. Instead of spontaneous laughing and things like "Dad, you're the best dad ever!"... I got "Dad, that's annoying! Can you stop? We have some BFF talking to do." I didn't say a word the rest of the ride...

Stuff

2009-04-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

In about a month and a half, Chrissy and I are going to be venturing into the next chapter for our family and heading back to the east coast. In theory, moving seems like such an easy step. Pack-drive-unpack-enjoy. Unfortunately we are finding out once again how much of a process it is. Not only have I been working every day on projects around our current house that I have procrastinated for the past 7 years, but we are also realizing just how much stuff we have accumulated over the years. With the move, it is giving us a prime opportunity to get rid of a bunch of the things we once deemed worthy of keeping. It's is amazing how much stuff we have that we don't need. And it doesn't stop at our house. Today I started cleaning my office as well. I filled two large trash cans with stuff that I had horded, thinking someday it would be useful. It really got me thinking of how God wants me to do a "house cleaning" in myself as well. I mean, how many times do I just add to myself things to do, unneeded emotions, expectations, and other "stuff" that I feel important at the moment. But when I look at it through God's eyes it needs to be thrown out. A life with Christ is a life of simplicity. God doesn't desire for our lives to be cluttered to a point where we need to squeeze Him in somewhere. He desires us to find freedom in Him. In fact I think I remember a story of a guy that "dropped everything and followed Him". When we open ourselves up to God's salvation and this wild life that He offers, we should no longer depend on all the other stuff we felt we needed to live a full life. We are not weighed down by the clutter and expectations, we can now dance in freedom as ourselves! So during this time of change, I will continue to throw out the unneeded. And I pray that with the change God brought me 25 years ago, I will be reminded to throw out the other "stuff" as well.

Tiger The Great

2009-03-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, can I just say Tiger Woods can not be human?
I am a huge fan of everything golf. I like to play it, watch it, discuss it, and even shop for it. In fact, whenever I smell fresh cut grass, the first thing I think of is spending an early morning standing on the first tee of a great golf course. Today I watched an unbelievable performance by possibly the greatest golfer to ever play the game. In this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational Tournament in Orlando, Tiger Woods came back from a 5 stroke deficit to sink a 16 foot putt on the final hole to win. It was crazy! Now if you don't follow golf, the thing that is extraordinary about this is that this is only the second tournament he has played since coming back from serious knee surgery that had him sidelined for almost a year. Considering some guys on tour would die to just win one tournament in their career, Tiger has won 89. All this and only 33 years of age.
Now, while I am a big fan of Tiger and have even been able to see him play in person, I do take issue with one thing that is coming with his return. That one thing is the sports radio hosts and tv commentators saying that the only good thing about the PGA is Tiger. They say that when Tiger wasn't playing do to injury, that no one really wanted to watch golf or even cared who won. I think those commentators are not true golf fans. Sure maybe they like to go out on weekends with their buddies and pop open a six pack and play a round at their local country club, but they aren't true students/fans of the game. The game transends any one player, and I am proud to say I would watch golf with or without Tiger. So, as much as I love seeing Tiger play, my love for the game does not live and die with Mr. Woods.

New Music On My iPod

2009-03-23T19:57:00.001-07:00

I really like finding new music and over the last few weeks I have come to find some new (or new to me) artists that have been in regular play on my iPod.

1. Molly Jenson -
A great singer songwriter that is not 100% acoustic. I can't remember where I found out about her, but her CD has gotten alot of play on my iPod lately.

2. Sam and Ruby -
A wonderful duo that I first saw perform at last years Youth Specialties Conference in Nashville. They have such a unique sound from Ruby's soulful vocals and Sam's acoustic driven voice. I love their EP and can't wait for a full CD. Their song "Heaven's my home" is great and was even in the movie "The secret life of bees".

3. Alisa Turner -
Alisa is a singer songwriter that has a great testimony that includes growing up as a Pastor's Kid and even later in life dealing with mercury poisoning. She is a great songwriter and sings along with playing piano. You can really feel the emotion as she sings her songs that feel more like musical stories. She is in concert here in Denver tomorrow night, but I can't make it. Bummer.

4. The Airborne Toxic Event -
This is a great English type rock band that shows a lot of emotion in their music. I love their song "Sometime around midnight" and even found a video of them on the Dave Letterman show. I hope I can make it to their concert in Denver next month. Enjoy the video:

Puppet Team Dream

2009-03-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

I can't say that my first choice of ministry would be to work with the children's ministries puppet team, but if their puppet shows were like this... Sign me up!

(ht: Ray)

A new chapter...

2009-03-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had to do something that every youth pastor hates. In my "messages" file on my computer, where I keep past messages, I have a lesson document I secretely entitled "the bomb". I've only taught it one other time. In fact, I haven't even opened it since August of 2002. Just clicking on it made me want to cry. "The bomb" is a message I constructed on following God's direction and being obedient. You see, the only time I teach it is when I need to let my youth group know that I am leaving and moving to a new ministry.
After a ton of prayer and searching for God's direction for our family, God has confirmed to us that he has a new chapter for the Deckers. Mid-way through May, I will be stepping down as Student Ministries Director at New Life EFC and June 1st I will be assuming the position of Student Ministries Director at Christian Fellowship Church in Ashburn, Virginia. While I am very excited for the opportunity to serve at CFC and looking forward to being back in Virginia where Chrissy and I lived for many years, I am also very saddened to leave our church family here in Colorado.
So, while turning the page is going to be a step of faith and excitement, the memories God has blessed us with at New Life will stay with us for eternity. Now I just pray I will not need to pull out "the bomb" for a very, very long time.

Pot Pourii

2009-03-05T19:18:00.000-08:00

- I am signed up to coach my 3rd grader's volleyball team this spring. Practices start this Monday night, so I guess I better read up on how to coach volleyball...

- I have had a lingering cold for almost a month now. It started as sinus pressure and congestion and now has mutated into a horrible cough that keeps me up at night. Any ideas about how to get rid of it?

- The Chiefs have been making some really impressive moves this off season with some of their new hires. Let's hope this means they can get back to the top of the AFC West!

- Thursdays are my day off, and the past couple of weeks I have found myself going to movies alone on Thursdays. Does going to a movie alone make me a loser? Anyway, today I saw "Taken". Great action flick!

- I have known that I am pretty ADD my whole life (which is probably why I love youth ministry so much), but I have recently realized that I am ADD when it comes to reading as well. My normal procedure is to start a book, get to about the third chapter, set it down, and a few days later start another book, then come back to the first book periodically. Crazy huh? Right now I'm in the middle of around 4 books.

- I have a new show that I am getting hooked on: Chuck.

- This last week an American radio icon passed away. Paul Harvey. While many younger people probably don't know who he is, for me his voice as familiar growing up as any of my family. I remember riding in my dad's truck down dusty dirt roads in the Kansas countryside listening to Paul Harvey's distinctive voice tell odd news stories in the way only he could. From what I hear he was a great person and a strong Christian. I will truly miss his voice and only have one thing to say to him.... Gooood day!

God Bless America!

2009-03-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

*Small Rant Warning*

Ok, this last week I sat in a meeting with a man that I really have a lot of respect for that did a presentation on abortion and a local pregnancy center that our church supports. While I totally support the ministry they provide and the pro-life position, there was something that was said in the presentation that got me thinking. While talking about our nation's problem with abortion, it was mentioned that God is withholding blessing from our nation because of the sin of abortion. I think it was even mentioned that Abe Lincoln had stated that God had brought the cival war and withheld blessings from our nation because of slavery. This got me thinking of other times lately (especially with the economy decline) where I have heard people say that God is either withholding blessing or is punishing our nation for "moral decay". This also got me thinking of the People that pray the prayer "God Bless America" on a regular basis and even go so far as to put it on their car, etc. I am 110% for patriotism and supporting our troops and love it when our country comes together as a great nation. But I still have one question that reoccurs. Can we really say God is not blessing our country? I mean, come on, we are the most blessed country in the world. You only have to travel to our neighbor, Mexico, to see that we are blessed beyond most people of the world's wildest dreams. Today I used indoor bathrooms, ate 2 full meals (only because I was to lazy to eat breakfast and make it 3 meals), I drove in my own car, I watched TV in my own house, I got to decide what clothes I was going to wear out of a closet full of clothes, I worshiped freely without having to hide my faith in a beautiful church building full of lights, sound equipment and even free coffee, And in a little while I am going to go to bed in a wonderfull bed with clean blankets protected from any cold weather outside. Now, do I still feel the need for God to bless me more? Sure, I love God's blessings and feel that we should seek them daily, but to say that God has been withholding things from America because of our "moral decay" doesn't seem totally accurate. I mean, if God is holding blessings back from our country, heaven forbid what the people in Africa must be doing morally wrong to be in a state of poverty and hunger. So, does that mean I think we should have moral freedom to do what ever we want because we are covered under grace and God has blessed us through some of our marol failures as a nation? um, no. What I am saying is that maybe instead of looking at what is being withheld from us because of our shortfalls, we should look at what God has given us, and let it be a reminder of why we need to praise Him. And if we are going to ask for blessings, let us add the rest of God's creation that has far less than us to that list of those needing blessings. They could use some blessin'.
Thanks for reading as I now step down from my soapbox...

Watch out Beckham!

2009-02-22T20:36:00.000-08:00

I wish this kid played for the Colorado Rapids!

Things that bother me

2009-02-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

OK, I follow a few fellow youth ministry blogs pretty regularly (marko & Kurt Johnston) and have seen this as a common post lately. So, as I am prone to give in to peer pressure, I have decided to follow their lead and voice a few frustrations. Enjoy!

The iPhone only available with AT&T
As a Verizon customer, I just want the opportunity to be the cool kid in class. I'm not saying I could afford it, but at least give me the chance. (although I have heard from an insider (a friend that works at an apple store) that the iPhone is coming to Verizon this summer...)
This whole time travel thing on "Lost"
It was cool the first time it happened but now that it seems the island "moves" in time 50 times an episode, it's getting confusing and old.
Hard-core right wingers and hard-core left wingers
As someone that tries to have an open mind and look at things from a Christian world view, it is hard for me to see how a person can be so hard-core right or left that they leave no room for discussion on anything. Rush Limbaugh isn't God and neither is Al Franken. So let's stop treating their every word like it's Gospel.
Getting old
We have a break dancing club that meets in our youth room at church every day. Yesterday as I went in to say hi to them, I thought to myself "I can do that". Well I can't and am feeling the consequences today...
People who honk their horn behind you as soon as the light turns green
Seriously, you can't wait the half a second that it takes for me to notice that it turned green and for my brain to then relay that to my foot to push the gas pedal?!?
Drive-thru orders that get messed up
Why do I have to pay for the fact that you're intercom stinks and you couldn't hear me say "no onions". Now I have to park and come inside to get it fixed, thus eliminating the convenience of using a drive-thru.
The Yankees
Go Red Sox! Enough said.
Pam and Jim are not married yet
You have a house (Jim's parent's old house) and you're engaged. Get married already! (If you don't watch the office, you won't understand)

whoops

2009-02-02T21:49:00.000-08:00

I never did like hamsters...

Pot Pourri

2009-01-27T17:06:00.000-08:00

- I was a big Steelers fan growing up, but I am really pulling for the Arizona Cardinals to win the Super Bowl this weekend. I guess it goes back to always rooting for the under dog.

- Facebook! is it just me or does it seem everyone in the world has discovered facebook in the last month and sent out friend requests. I have been getting around 2-3 requests a day. And I can never remember just by their name what stage of life I know them from until I either look at their picture or see who our common friends are.

- I am currently going back through some of the chapters in the book Simple Church. Man, what a great book! I think it should be a must read for any church leader.

- Does the downward economy loom in the back of your mind like a dark cloud like it has been in mine? I wonder how much further down it will go.

- My daughter Emma is watching me write this blog post... I still can't believe how much she has grown in the past few years. (She just reminded me that in 3 years she'll be in the middle school youth group!)

- Today, after watching a sermon online, I was reminded how much of a blessing it is to be in God's service. May I never lose sight of what an honor it is.

- I am really craving a double-double cheeseburger from In-N-Out right now!!!

Are you a dreamer?

2009-01-24T20:53:00.001-08:00

I saw this on a friend's blog. May I always be a dangerous man that acts on my dreams...

(ht: Mike)

A couple good documentaries

2009-01-07T22:05:00.000-08:00

Ok, my wife says I'm a geek, but I have a confession to make. I am addicted to documentaries. Yep, some of those same films that may have put you to sleep in your high school history or science classes are what I say is a recipe for a good time. Over the holidays, I was able to watch a few great ones that I'm sure would drive most to a deep sleep, but I loved.

The first doc that I saw was probably one of my favorites of the year. It's titled Helvetica and was great! Being someone who loves doing graphic art, this film really intrigued me. the film covers the dominance of the typeface (or "font" if you will), helvetica, since it's invention in switzerland. It is amazing to see the rise and widespread use of helvitica through the modernist period and the revolt to it in the 60's-70's by non-conforming designers. It will amaze you at how much the typeface is used throughout design and how timeless it really is. Warning: this movie is for true documentary fans...sleep factor for nonfans could be high.

The second doc is one tht has been around for a long time. Hoop Dreams. This film was made in 1994 and followed two inner city Chicago boys through out high school in their journey to the dream of getting out of the ghetto through a career in basketball. While this film is older, it is a great look into different socio-economic communities and the desperation in some areas. It is a film that really evoked some strong emotions and makes you truly want to reach out to the inner city youth. While it is a long film (almost 3 hours) it is very riveting. The sleep factor for non doc fans is not really high excet for the length of the film. BTW- this film can be seen free on Hulu!

Quick Christmas Story

2008-12-25T20:45:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we had a great Christmas today. What we usually do is have our kids open a lot of their presents on Christmas Eve, and then we save a couple big ones for them to open on Christmas morning along with their stocking gifts.
Anyway, our girls were so excited last night that we thought they would never go to sleep. Needless to say, Chrissy and I didn't get to sleep until pretty late. So, when at the crack of dawn our girls ran in our bedroom and started shaking me to wake up, I wasn't real excited. I told Sydney "Give me a few minutes and then I'll get up", hoping that could by me a few extra winks of sleep. Five minutes later Sydney comes in the bedroom with a crisp one dollar bill and says "Daddy, I'll pay you a dollar to get up!" Well, she knew my price and she bought me off. I got up and had a great time watching the kids open gifts. The only bummer about the whole deal was that after opening presents, I found out that Sydney had taken the dollar bill from Daphne's piggy bank, so I had to give it back...

Pot Pourri

2008-12-19T09:33:00.000-08:00

- My family is in town from Kansas for around 3-4 days. I love seeing them, but I have a small feeling like we are being visited by "Cousin Eddy" from the movie Christmas Vacation...

- I currently have around 4 books in the hopper to read over the holidays. The one I am in the middle of right now is Marko's book Youth Ministry 3.0 . I am just getting to the "good" part where he describes where youth ministry is headed, in his opinion, and I will have a review up on the blog soon.

- The Red Sox changed their away uniforms for this next year to resemble more of a nostalgic look. However, they are grey with blue lettering and for some reason remind me of the Yankee's uniforms, which is never good!

- The Christmas break is always bitter sweet for me. I love getting a break from some of the daily grind of ministry, but I miss being with students for a few weeks...

- We are having a really hard time nailing down our mission trip for this summer. We thought we had it set in October, but with some issues like budget, etc., we are having to rethink what we are going to do. So, if you have any good ideas, let me know...

- I wish the show "The Unit" wasn't going off the air. Besides "The Office", I think it is one of my favorite shows.

- I still want Tiger Woods 09 for the Wiii for Christmas, any buyers?

"Christian Culture" product of the month

2008-12-16T15:15:00.000-08:00

OK, so I'm going to start a new thing on the blog where I put on a new item each month that is marketed to the "Christian Culture". I personally feel like most items that people market to Christians are rather ridiculous and I hope you find humor in them as I do.
First up is a Christian Energy Drink. Why drink just an ordinary energy drink or even a heathonistic energy drink like "Rockstar" when you can aspire to a higher drink like 1in3Trinity energy drink . Yep, now you can even show your faith as you're getting hopped up on juice and caffeine! Here's how the website describes it:

"Energize your mind and your body with the new 1in3Trinity Energy Drink.
A special blend handed down from the flourishing vines and trees of the Holy Land, mixed with B-vitamins, Vitamin C, herbs and antioxidants, make for an abundant taste and high-powered energy any time of the day.

1in3Trinity Energy Drink has a lot of taste, but not a lot of calories. Fused with "Fruit of the Spirit," may 1in3Trinity Energy Drink be the flavor of your life!"

Aparently, the drink company has done pretty good and has even gotten some good press. In fact they have just recently signed on with NASCAR driver, Morgan Shephard, as his official energy drink.
So the next time your gettin your caffeine from a starbucks, ask yourself is it "fused with Fuit of the Spirit"?

Surge Starts Now Video

2008-12-09T15:10:00.000-08:00

A couple of our students made this week's "Surge Starts Now" video that we play at the beginning of our middle school service. Pretty funny effects...

Ok, Ok, I'll tell you about Kid Rock...

2008-11-26T21:38:00.000-08:00

After many friends have come up to me since my return from the national youth workers conference in Nashville to tell them my "Kid Rock" story, I figured I would share it here...
So one night during the conference this last weekend I decided to go a couple of blocks from the convention center downtown on Broadway street to get some dinner. The BBQ place I was going to visit is right in the middle of all these "honky tonk" bars that line either side of Broadway Street that offer live country music in each one. Well, while walking toward the restaurant, I saw 5-6 people standing outside one of the bars. I didn't pay much attention to them except to notice a couple of them were pretty big. Anyway, I literally come with in inches of running head into one of them on accident and looked up at him face to face. When I looked up, I immediately recognized him as Kid Rock. So before I could think of what to say I instantly said "What's up Kid?" to which he said "Not much man, how are you?" At this point I backed up so I wouldn't be inches from his face and said I was doing good and asked him what he was up to. He continued by saying "not much man, just hangin! Well I gotto go, I'll talk to you later..." I bid him a farewell and he crossed the street and went in a non-descript door in between two other honky-tonk bars. Totally random, I know.

Anyway, about 30 minutes later I finished dinner and had time to spare so I decided to cross the street to see where Kid went. I went in the non-marked door that was between two country bars and inside was a long, blank, white hallway with a stairwell at the end. So being my curious self, I went up the stairs. This is where it baffled me. At the top of the stairs was a business with glass doors that had all it's lights out and was closed for the day and one other door on my left with a frosted window in it. "Where did Kid go? This was a dead end." As I stood there I began to notice music coming from where the non-marked door with the frosted window was. As I got closer to it, I noticed it was club music. I then looked next to the door and noticed a device that reads fingerprints in order for you to gain entrance. Very scary stuff. But of course that didn't stop my stupidity of putting my finger on the sensor. My heart was racing as I watched it scan my fingerprint and I then saw a red light come on meaning I was denied. However at the split second the red light came on, a guy comes busting out of the door. At this point I thought I messed my pants! I figured he was a bouncer, mafia member, or some killing machine coming for me, but he looks at me and says "Man I need to go smoke a cigerette, here..." and he holds the door open for me. Yes... Of course I went in. Once inside I seee that it's a sweet high dollar club with a bar and plush furniture. There were only around a dozen people in there (non of which were Kid Rock. He must have left). After being in there for no more than a minute, a guy in a suit came up to me (and remember I am standing there with a bag from my convention over my shoulder and a knucklehead look on my face) and he asked me what I was doing. I told him sheepishl that I was looking for a friend and he then told me I needed to leave right then. So fearing the worst I left and made it back to the convention for that nights session with my daily adventure out of the way.

And yes, this is 100% true.

Stupid Television For Guys!

2008-11-13T18:55:00.000-08:00

OK, last night I got home and decided just to veg in front of the TV. I was flipping through the 150 or so channels we have that never seem to have anything good on, when I saw a show entitled "Human Wrecking Balls". Now for a guy, that sounded like something I had to check out. Destruction is always a plus. So I turned it on and low and behold it was exactly like the title. Two guys (I think they are brothers) who remind you of two good ol' boys you would find either at a local pub or coming out of a hooters, take ordinary things and spend a whole show destroying them with their bare hands (and feet, shoulders, etc.). Dawned in t-shirts with the sleeves cut off, they proceeded to take on an 80's Camaro and rip it apart. It was so stupid it was awesome. These guys, that don't have enough sense not to run full force into a car door with their shoulder in an attempt to break it off, are actually entertaining. In that "here's a home video of my cousin jumping off a 10 foot fork lift into the top of a car onto his shoulder and then asking for a beer when he limps away" kind of way, I found a new show to tivo. Next week they destroy a hotel room! Thanks G4 for putting on such mind numbing programming for guys!

Artistic Worship

2008-11-11T21:10:00.000-08:00

I usually don't like posting stuff from other peoples blogs, but I saw this on Josh Griffin's blog and thought it was too cool not to share. I have always been a fan of artistic worship styles and this song by Pace Hartfield and Fellowship Church about being a "new creation" is definitely artistic. Very inspiring!

Pot Pourri

2008-11-03T11:10:00.000-08:00

- Yesterday we took the girls to the dollar movies to see Wall-E. I was a little afraid of seeing a movie with hardly any words, but it turned out to be great!
- Our girls still have enough candy to last them the rest of the year. However, we have caught Sydney sneaking out of her bed and climbing up to the top of the refrigerator to get her candy bag and pound some candy at night, so her's might not last.
- I count it an honor to be able to vote in this country, but I am VERY glad that the political TV ads will be off the air after tuesday!
- I just saw that the Denver Nuggets are trading Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups today! I can't wait! I'm ready for basketball season (NCAA and NBA) since the Chiefs are so horrible in the NFL this year.
- If you are in ministry, you will know what I am talking about. I am totally at the point where I am fed up with all the red tape/ behind the scenes work that goes with ministry. I wish that instead of spending so much time on details and paper work, we could spend that time with students. I know there's a place for administration, but I wish it took less time away from hands on ministry.
- The weather in Denver lately has been awesome! I got to play golf twice last week and hopefully play once this week on my day off. I need to take advantage while I can.
- Current CD I'm listening to: Ancient Skies by The Michael Gungor Band (I Really love the song "White Man"- great message)

Parenting Joys

2008-10-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

So last night I had a great parenting moment. One of those moments that you want to pull your hair out one by one. I took Sydney and Daphne to the store to grab some stuff to make homemade pizza. While in the store Daphne and Sydney kept finding it funny to turn around and act like they were shaking their bottoms at me. I didn't really say a lot about it since they had just got out of dance class and figured it must be part of a routine. Then when we finally got home and pulled in to the drive way, I heard Sydney say "Look the neighbors are out!" We got out of the car and while I pulled the groceries out of the car I noticed our neighbors had a strange look on their face as they gazed toward our house. Then I looked down and saw that Sydney had turned around and was shaking her bottom at them. The only problem, was this time she had pulled down her pants to expose a full moon! What is she doing! Needless to say, my wave to the neighbors was a little awkward while I had groceries in one hand and a half naked girl scooped up in the other trying to rush into the house. What a Joy!

Published!

2008-10-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got published! OK, maybe I didn't get a whole book published, but I was able to contribute a small part for Kurt Johnston's new book Middle School Ministry Made Simple. The book is an updated version of his popular book Controlled Chaos. Kurt (The Student Ministries Director at Saddleback Church) asked some student pastors to write some short "from the trenches" stories for his new book. So, I gave him a story about a time we went on our 8th grade adventure trip. I got a copy of it yesterday and it's a great book, and not just because it has a small story from me in it. I will be having a signing party in my office Friday at noon if anybody wants a copy signed. (OK, maybe I'm going a little too far with this...)

Blast from the past

2008-10-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

So I was checking out Marko's blog the other day and saw a link to a cool online app. where you can put your picture into some old yearbook photos. It's called yearbook yourself and is there to advertise shopping malls. Pretty fun, but the scary thing is that the picture from 1988 looked exactly like one of my 10th grade yearbook picture even though my yearbook picture was in the early nineties. Freaky!

1950 ..............................1966.............................1974

1976...............................1982............................1988

Catch Phrases...

2008-09-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am a big fan of catch phrases. For some reason every once in a while I will find a small two or three word saying and begin to use it until it gets old and I need to find a new one. It could be "Shake n Bake!" or "Rock on!" or Kramer's favorite "Giddy up!". But my question is this... When do catch phrases just seem out of place for who is saying them. I mean today I was playing golf with two white guys that were probably in their late 40's to early 50's and they both would not stop saying "True dat!" (yes they pronounced it with a d and not th). For some reason it just didn't seam right coming from them, but hey what ever works for them. Know what I mean? Fo Shizzle! Got any good catch phrases for me to try out?

Sydney's first lost tooth!

2008-09-24T22:33:00.000-07:00

So my 5 year old finally lost her first wiggly tooth tonight. She was so excited, all night she never stopped smiling to show everyone the void in her mouth. In fact I think she even went to sleep smiling!

I can do that...

2008-09-22T13:52:00.001-07:00

In honor of the U.S. winning the Ryder Cup yesterday, I figured I should post a golf video. Even though Tiger Woods didn't play in the Ryder Cup due to injury, this video of him is awesome. Is it real? Who cares...

Open mouth, Insert foot

2008-09-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday after church, our pastor came to me with a visitor for me to meet. Since she was from Kansas and I grew up there, he thought I should meet her. We began talking and I found out she grew up very near where I did. In fact our schools played each other in high school sports. Anyway, the whole time we were talking I kept thinking she looked familiar but I couldn't place where I knew her from. We got to talking about the KC Chiefs because we are both fans. I made the statement that I hope they do better than the Broncos this year. She went on to say how she heard the Broncos might be the surprise team of the year. To which my response was "No, the Broncos stink! They are horrible!" I then asked her name and she said Danni. We said goodbye and she left. Fifteen minutes later it hit me. Danni... Chiefs Fan... from Kansas... She was Danni Boatwright, the girl who won Survivor: Guatamala a few years back! I watched that season of survivor and remember her! The worst thing is, is her husband was the center for the Chiefs and just got traded to the Broncos. The same Broncos I just told her were horrible and stink. oops.

Thoughts on Chuck E. Cheese...

2008-09-08T20:04:00.000-07:00

OK, I am the first to admit that I am not a big fan of Chuck E. Cheese. So, when I asked my wife Chrissy who turned 35 today where she wanted to go for her birthday, it was not exactly fireworks going off for me when she replied "Chuck E. Cheese". After listening to her explain her reasoning, it was pretty understandable since it's one of the only places she can let our three daughters run crazy while she sits back and chills out. And I have to admit, tonight I had some fun. First off they have made every game in the place cost only one token, and second they have added some old school games like galaga and centipede. But while this makes me happy, there's still stuff that creeps me out about the place. The fact that you see kids pumping coins into machines to get as many tickets as possible, I wonder what they are learning. At one point tonight I looked across the room and saw my oldest daughter pushing tokens into a machine so fast it reminded me of some old wrinkly lady in a casino with a half-lit cigarette hanging off her lip playing the nickel slots all day. Scarry. Then you have the prize counter where kids are hittin up the worker to give them just one more piece of candy or one more cheap rubber frog like they are hittin up a pusher for their next fix but turned away because they don't have enough money. Now I know alot of people enjoy Chuk E. Cheese's, and maybe I am going a little to far, but hey... the place is centered around a rat....

Hall Of Fame Night!

2008-09-02T23:10:00.000-07:00

Tonight my dad is in town for a short visit. So I got us some great front row seats to the Rockies vs. Giants game. We got there early to watch some batting practice. After barely missing some foul balls and getting a few autographs from some of the Giants players (we sat on the visitor side) I was walking to get a drink when I saw him... Cal Ripkin Jr.! I'm still not sure what he was doing at the game, but I ran and bought a ball real quick and made my way down to where he was standing behind home plate to get it signed. He was very gracious and signed it for me. How often do you get to meet a hall of famer? To top the night off, we got on the jumbo screen once and the rockies won the game in the bottom of the 12th inning! Great memories!

Kung Foo Kids

2008-08-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went on a family movie night to the local dollar movie theater. The film of choice was "Kung Foo Panda". While I had already seen it, it was the first time for our two youngest daughters. Before we got to the theater, we stopped by Walgreen's to allow the girls to each pick out their own small box of candy. Needless to say, they had their candy finished off by the time the previews were over. Anyway, after the movie the sugar must have been hitting it's peak in their systems, because walking out of the theater I was dodging kung foo kicks and punches from all three girls who wanted to be pandas. Oh, and it didn't stop once we got home. So, now for halloween Sydney wants to be Kung Fo Panda (or "Con Foon Panda" as she says it) which could be scary for those handing out candy...

Tuesday Pot Pourri

2008-08-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

- Tonight is our first regular Tuesday night service with our middle school group for the year. I'm very excited about the students we have and the leaders that are joining us!

- With the Olympics over, I almost don't know what to do at nights without watching 4 hours of events.

- So far I have lost around 35 pounds on my diet. I went into a store yesterday to buy a golf shirt, and for the first time in a long time a size XL was too big. I had to go with a Large. Weird!

- We have a great group of leaders for our middle school group this year, now my challenge is to not be a bonehead and to really encourage them often so we don't lose any through out the year.

- It looks like the Red Sox are going to get the wild card spot (hopefully) but I am a little distracted from baseball right now with the start of the NFL season.

- The Democratic National Convention is in town and it's like a circus all over the city. Let's just put it this way, I won't be going downtown this week.

- Chuck Norris fact of the day: "Chuck Norris once kicked a horse in the mouth, it's decendents are now known as giraffes."

Sayin Goodbye Is Hard...

2008-08-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day for my intern who's worked with us in some fashion for 4 years. Jonathan joined our ministry while still in high school. He has grown tremendously since he started with us. Jonathan is one of those outgoing people that just seems to be a student magnet. Everyone loves Jonny! From going out at 4:00 am to wake students up for a stupid youth video to laying on our faces in prayer in my office on behalf of the youth group, I have some great memories of my time with him. He has not only been my intern, but has been my best friend as well. I believe God is going to use him greatly in youth ministry in the future. I honestly think he knows more about youth ministry now than most youth pastors. I'll miss him, but am excited for him as well. He will be leaving next week for L.A. to transfer to Biola University. May God bless him in his studies (and help him find a wife as well! LOL!) I'll miss you big guy!

Olympic Madness!

2008-08-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I went into this olympics thinking that I might catch a little bit of the games hear or there and then just catch the results in the news or on sports center. Wow, was I wrong. I am self admittedly addicted to the Olympics! I can't stop watching them. They are so good this year. Between Michael Phelps breaking every world record imaginable to the U.S. men's gymnastics team coming away with a bronze to even the U.S. girls fencing sweeping the medals on the first day, I love it! I have even set up my dish network to where I have a guide that only has the olympic channels so I don't have to skim through other stations. Let's just put it this way, when you find yourself at 1:30am watching Women's handball between two countries you could not spell if you tried, your addicted. I wonder what events are on tonight...

Great Youth Ministry Video

2008-08-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

I saw this video over at Marko's blog. It's a promo for their Canadian Youth Workers Convention, But I think I'll show it at our beginning of the school year leader's gathering. The last part about "who is doing this for you" is really convicting...

Weight Loss Update!

2008-08-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

So I've had numerous people ask how much weight I've lost in the last four months since I started my diet. I am proud to announce that I have passed the 30 pound mark! I have officially lost 31 pounds, but feel like I've lost 100. I never knew how much my extra weight was dragging me down.! The weight loss has affected a lot including needing new clothes, and even changing my golf swing. Crazy!

Thursday Pot Pourri

2008-07-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

- I downloaded the new i-Phone/i-Pod touch software update a week or two ago on my i-Pod touch. I wasn't sure if it would be worth the $10, but just new "app store" feature is worth it to me. It's cool being able to download games from any wi-fi hot spot.

- Today I was in Sam's Club with my wife and decided to look through their book section. I saw one of the more frustrating book titles I've seen in a while. It was entitled "The 150 Most Important Bible Verses". Wow! Who gets to decide that and who's going to tell God that the rest of His Word is not as important than these verses. Crazy!

- My beloved Boston Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez today to the Dodgers. I will miss his hitting, but the drama will definitely not be missed. (Boston's going to acquire Matt Holiday from the Rockies in the off season anyway)

- Ask anyone about Denver and they will tell you it brings thoughts of snow and skiing. But the last week or two has been in the 90's everyday and only getting hotter.

- My two youngest daughters are such divas. This morning we had to search the whole house before they went to school to find their pink umbrellas. They said they needed them to stay cool from the car to their classrooms. (remember, they are 5 y/0 and 4 y/0)

- Plans for the fall in our student ministries are coming together. I pray that God uses us to help Him change lives of middle school and high school students for eternity!

- As I'm writing this, my oldest daughter is reading over my shoulder and singing "Camp Rock" directly in my ear....the joys of having daughters!

New Logo!

2008-07-29T20:43:00.000-07:00

Today I finally finished coming up with a new logo for our New Life Student Ministries department. In an effort to centralize our efforts between the High School and Middle School department, we are applying some new branding strategies. Thus this new logo...

Low score of the season!

2008-07-26T18:04:00.000-07:00

I had a great day playing golf today with some great friends. I shot my best round of the season so far by shooting a 73. I was 1 under par after 16 holes and ended making bogey on the last two holes to shoot 1 over par for the round. Considering it was the first time I had played the course, I was stoked!

Holy Streamline Batman...

2008-07-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why youth ministries have the constant urge to fill a calendar like a competitive eater fills a plate at an all-you-can-eat buffet? I have to admit that amidst some of the areas I have to work at in ministry, God has for some reason blessed me with the ability to program. I love it, but being in ministry for ten years has definitely taught me one big programming lesson... "Don't over program!" Too often in youth ministry we feel like a bare calendar is going to portray to people that we aren't doing our job. I beg to differ. The more we offer, the more our excellence in those programs suffers. Learning from experience in being in the overloaded calendar boat early in my career, I now believe that God doesn't care how much we do as much as He cares about how we do it. Monday we had our all day yearly youth ministries planning meeting. It felt so good to be past the idea that there were blank areas on the calendar to fill and to get to talking about how to make the events already on the calendar excellent.
Why do we feel the need to throw in events just to do events? Streamlining, there's nothing like it!

Lucky Number 13

2008-07-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Today marks 13 years that I have been married to the most awesome woman in the world. I still remember the first day I saw her at summer camp while we were both on staff. It's been a great 13 years and I can't wait for the next 50 or so. We got married young and I've been a bonehead every once in a while (I know, hard to believe), but I am so blessed with a wife that loves me so much. God really let me marry out of my league!

The good news and the bad news...

2008-07-16T20:10:00.001-07:00

The good sports story this week:
So I watched the home run derby the other night and was blown away by Josh Hamilton in the first round. He hit 28 home runs and each swing seamed to produce a 500 foot bomb. IT was awesome. The fact that he has come back from drug and alcohol addiction to a life with Christ and an all-star baseball career is a great witness. Another great thing was that in the all-star game last night at Yankees Stadium, a Red Sox player (J.D. Drew) got MVP. I love it!
The bad sports story this week:
So I have been a Nuggets fan for a while now, and loved it when George Carl came on as coach and they started winning, but I think I'm starting to jump of the Nuggets boat. Today was the angriest I've been at the nuggets. They went and lost Eduardo Najera last week, but today they traded their best defensive player,Marcus Camby, to the L.A. Clippers. For what? Another great player? No, an option for a future second round draft pick. What is that? It's obvious they just wanted to dump payroll space, but Camby? He's awesome! Now the Nuggs are going to be even worse defensively next year. Needless to say, I'm looking for a new NBA team to cheer for. Any ideas of who that should be?

Is It That Obvious?

2008-07-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, I had something really odd happen to me today. I had a little extra time after eating lunch so I decided to go check out the local thrift store down the street from the church. Now this is no ordinary thrift store, it's huge. Rows and rows of clothes. Anyway, while I was walking past an aisle of clothing, a random man started signaling and asking for me to come to him and help him with something. So I walked over to him and he seemed very normal (and straight) but he proceeded to hold up a shirt and ask me if it would look good on him, especially with his skin tone. He said "because if it doesn't look real good, then I'm not going to buy it". He said "because you look like you would know what looks good". Once I gave him my opinion, he went on to have me give my opinion on about 10 more shirts that were in his cart. Now here is where my question comes in, why did he think I had this certain fashion talent? IS IT THAT OBVIOUS that I enjoy watching "Project Runway" with my wife? I thought that was a secret that no one knew, but maybe it's starting to show. Scary! And what is worse is that I actually only approved of 4 out of the 10 shirts because the others just wouldn't work for him...

Pot Pourri

2008-07-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

- This Sunday I get to speak to a congregation of African immigrants that has recently started an new service at our church. They want me to bring a message of "hope" to them. I am looking forward to it even though they speak French and the only thing I know how to say in French is "Where is the bathroom".

- I recently realized a sign of the times when we got back from camp. Instead of writing out thank you notes to all the leaders that went with us, I saved the paper and texted my thanks to them. Felt a little weird but worked good.

- After a year of having a dog, my wife has finally admitted that she is growing fond of it. Wow, that's a big step for her!

- I signed up for Facebook and already have a ton of friends, even though I have no idea what I'm doing. I've been a MySpace guy until now. Who knows, maybe I'll start a twitter page next...

- I thought about getting a Red Sox hat with the all-star patch, but something about it having an outline of Yankee stadium in the logo makes me sick.

- The show "Wipeout" is great! Watch it!

Big Day For Sydney

2008-07-10T19:41:00.000-07:00

So today was a big day for our two youngest daughters. Daphne started preschool and Sydney started kindergarten. They looked beautiful. Watching Sydney get in line and go with her classmates to their classroom made me remember being at the hospital for for her birth. It feels like it was yesterday. I just remember Chrissy not being allowed to have her epidural so she had had to go through it naturally. This gave us a hint of how Sydney was going to be the wild one of the family from the start. I see myself in her so much, which scares me a little. Anyway, it was cool seeing her go to school with her backpack on, which looks as big as she is.

Back From Camp

2008-07-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

So, we had a great time at camp last week! After a 10 hour drive, we finally got back Saturday night. The only problem is that I came down with a cold on the last couple of days and lost my voice. It has gotten worse since then, and I have been in bed all day today with a headache and a horrible dry cough that refuses to let me sleep. Hopefully I can shake it soon and get back to normal. Thanks for your prayers!

Got my $5 wrist watch...

2008-06-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

So, it's that time of year again. Time for our summer youth trip. This year we are going back to a great camp in Kansas called Youth Front South. I have worked with Youth Front for years and I was even on summer staff back in the *cough* early *cough* nineties. In fact it is at this same camp that I met my unbelievably awesome wife Chrissy. (hopefully the students don't take my lead and go to find the love of their life) One of my friends Ray Zuercher is the "big cheese" at the camp and I can't wait to see him again. He has been someone I look up to in ministry for a long time. The week should be great, and I am all packed. In fact, I have kept up my yearly tradition and went to Wal-Mart and bought a $5 wrist watch. Every year I get a $5 watch to wear for our trip because by the end of the trip it's usually destroyed. I got my watch on and ready to go. I can't wait to see what God has in plan for our students.

Great Videos

2008-06-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

I recently came across this group of videos through Josh Griffin's Blog. They are hilarious! Here are a few of my favorites...

Last Comic Standing

2008-06-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

So I've been watching the show "Last Comic Standing" on NBC (I think), and I was surprised to see a comedian on there that I've seen before. He is a Christian comedian/ventriloquist named Taylor Mason. I have always found his act really funny and always clean. He made it past the initial try outs but not to the main show in Vegas. I wish he would have made it, it would have been nice to see some clean comedy get recognized... Here's a clip from his act. Enjoy!

Spencer's

2008-06-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

Today I went with my buddy Jonathan to the mall to look for a few things (and of course to check out the sports memorabilia store). After pounding a great ice cream cone from the food court, I decided to stop in the "Spencer's Gifts" store. Every mall has one and I remember shopping there growing up. Now when I was growing up, I remember all these cool and abstract things sold at Spencer's, but I also remember there was always one rack in the back that would have items that were a little risque. Man was I surprised when I walked into the store today! I have never seen so many perverted items in one store ever. The days of it being one small shelf in the back are over. Everything from sexual items to pot smoking items to straight up profanity, I couldn't believe it. I literally could not stay in the store for more than 5 minutes, I felt dirty just from seeing some of the items for sale. What made me sick the most was that the only shoppers I saw in the store were a few high school students and around a half a dozen middle schoolers. I can't believe they allow this crap to be sold in a family friendly mall....

Pot Pourri

2008-06-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

- My daughters made me cards for Father's Day and they were great. At lunch today, Daphne (our 4 year old) prayed for the meal. She thanked God for the food and for father's day and for the cupcakes she got me to be yummy...

- Today in town I saw a Harley driven by a woman and the man on the back. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Just weird.

- Last night Chrissy and I went to a movie theater we had never been to. So, when we got in the theater, Chrissy had us sit in 6 different spots until she found the seats she liked the best. We were going to see the new Adam Sandler movie "Don't mess with the Zohan", but it was so utterly stupid and nasty, we left 15 minutes into it and slipped into "Kung Fu Panda". It was a great movie!

- I wanted the Celtics to win the championship tonight, but I guess I'll have to wait one more game...

- I'm wanting to bicycle more, but my mountain bike is just so heavy for long rides. So, I'm looking for a cheap road bike, but finding the words "cheap" and "road bike" don't go together.

- Today as a tie breaker for a game in our middle school group, I had students guess how much weight I've lost since I started my diet. One answered 6 pounds and the other 7 pounds. I've actually lost 26 pounds, so I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or not.

Jesus Merch Of The Month

2008-06-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

Deluxe Miracle Jesus - Action Figure Has Glow in the Dark hands - Comes with 5 Loaves of Bread, 2 Fish, 1 Water into Wine Jug

Oh ya boys and girls, the action figure (or if your a girl you can call it a doll) that you have all been waiting for... The Miracle Jesus. I wasn't sure if this was a sarcastic item or a real toy for kids to play with. The more I looked at the description, the more I think it's a real toy. I'm not sure how to react to this thing. I mean sure children need to learn about Jesus' miracles, but to do it in a form where young boys can potentially stick firecrackers to Jesus' back to see "if He can fly" just seems wrong to me. The seller for me though, is the glow in the dark hands. Not sure where that is in the scripture, but much cooler than any of my GI Joes growing up. Be carefull with the "water into wine jug" or the "loaves and fish", they could be a choking hazard.
Click here to get yours today!

What I wouldn't do to play like this.

2008-05-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

Wow! I came across this video on youtube, and had to pick my jaw up off the floor. Two of the greatest drummers of all time goin at it! Awesome! (And if your a drummer, think about how they are using traditional grip. How hard is that?!?)

The Royal Gorge...

2008-05-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

With this time of year being pretty busy ministry wise and only getting busier with summer trips coming up, we decided to take three days and go on a mini vacation. We decided to travel to Canon City, Colorado and visit the Royal Gorge. The bridge at the gorge is the tallest suspension bridge in the world at 1300 feet. The park is great for kids with a petting zoo, donkey rides, an old west town (where we got an old fashion family picture), a carousel, a train ride, a gondola that goes over the gorge and much more. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a really cool candy store and our girls went crazy! It was a blast. I think the indoor pool at our hotel was worth the whole trip for our girls. We are returning home tomorrow, but are stopping at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs for a tour on the way through.
**Funniest thing said since we've been on the trip:
After being caught running through the parking lot with out holding someone's hand, Sydney said "Daddy, I'm holding Jesus' hand." Classic...

Call me Coach Dusty!

2008-05-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day... Sydney started T-ball! Yep, after years of dance, princesses, and pink everything, we've gotten to something familiar to my childhood. Sydney's first practice for her t-ball team was tonight and I have volunteered to be an assistant coach. The team is made up of 5 girls and 4 boys, and I know it's early, but I think they may be the best t-ball team I've ever seen. Now even though they don't count outs or keep score in this league, I still think they could win it all. There's something about seeing one of my daughters playing a sport where she can sweat and get dirty excites me. Yep, a good day...

A princess birthday!

2008-05-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

Four years ago today our youngest daughter was born. It seems like it was yesterday we were driving to the hospital. So,this morning I woke up to Daphne asking if she could open her presents... at 6:00am. For her birthday we had a swimming party at the city's indoor pool and all her fiends came. It was a ton of fun and she loved it. She wore the tiara you see in the picture everywhere and didn't even want to take it off even when she got in the water. God has blessed us with three great girls!

My first round draft pick...

2008-05-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

With yesterday being mother's day, I have to say that I could not have picked a better wife, best friend, and mother to our children. I whole heartedly admit that there is no way I could do her job. Sometimes when I have our girls for a day, by the end I am ready to collapse. I'm not sure where she gets her super powers, but she rocks! (not to mention I think she's pretty hot too!) Anyway, I am so grateful to God for blessing me with my #1 draft pick. I got her a video game for mother's day. MarioCart for the Wii. At first I was afraid that she would be wanting jewelery or something like I get her every year. But when she opened it she exclaimed "I got something fun! I never get fun things!" I guess I chose correctly. We played all last night, it was a blast!

Almost to 20!

2008-05-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Well, since I started my diet, I have lost almost 20 pounds! I'm convinced I could have lost more by now, but I haven't been able to get to the gym as much as I like. Anyway, I would still like to keep dropping the pounds, so I'm going to keep going with it. It just feels so much better with out the extra baggage. I have included a picture of what I now look like for those of you that don't live near us...

Fortune cookies and faith..

2008-05-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Today I went to lunch with the other youth staff guys and enjoyed some great Chinese orange chicken (small bowl due to diet) and decided to finish the meal with one of my favorite foods... a fortune cookie. Where else can you enjoy a tasty cookie and have a vision of your future given to you at the same time? After hoping my fortune cookie went along with what I desire for my future and then checking it, no luck. Something about "You will have a very pleasant experience" isn't so clear. What experience? How pleasant? Looking back at it, I realize how often I actually do this everyday. So often I try and work my "agenda" into figuring out what God has for me next. Unfortunately this usually only leads to confusion and frustration. Tonight I taught the students from I Samuel 16 where God has Samuel go and anoint David as His chosen. Teaching the students, I taught on seeing others through God's eyes not the world's eyes, but He had a different lesson for me while studying this passage. Though Samuel thought Eliab (Jesse's stud son) would surely be God's choice, He learned God had David the youngest in mind. How many times do I have in mind what God must have in store for me only to later realize I have no clue. Man it's hard to trust God fully sometimes, but thank goodness for fortune cookies to remind me how stupid it is for me to try and figure it out on my own.

Cross Cultural Experience...

2008-05-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

Today I am experiencing a new culture that is foreign to me. The world of dance competition. I'm spending all day at a dance competition in Denver where my 3 girls are all performing. Now I have to say, I have a true love-hate relationship with these competitions. First the love part: I love the fact that kids from age 4 to 18 are able to come together and celebrate the wonderful art of dance. Watching some of the routines is inspiring due to the creativity and level of difficulty. I love having our girls do something they love that doesn't include TV or video games. I also feel the performing helps improve their confidence in front of others that will help them later in life. Now for the hate part: There's something about seeing girls from the age of 4 to 12 wearing makeup that just doesn't sit right. I guess they are performing on a stage so it's not a lot different than theater, but it still creeps me out a little. The other thing I don't like about these competitions is how much of a "money maker" they are. I mean it costs a pretty hefty fee to enter, No video taping is allowed (but you can buy a DVD for only $70), the performers only receive one trophy per group (which means if you want one for the other members of the routine you need to shell out $25 for each additional), and then for those they "award" the top prizes, they give them an invitation to travel to New York or San Fransisco or somewhere where the performers have to shell out a large amount to work with their teachers and judges for a couple of days. If I wasn't called to ministry, I know what business I would be in...
All in all, it's a different world than the world of little league football and baseball I grew up with, but still makes for a proud dad.

Movie Review

2008-05-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

Today I went with my intern Jonathan to see the movie Expelled. Being a documentary freak, I have been looking forward to this. I went in knowing a little about the movie but was pleasantly surprised at how much more it turned out to be. The movie, for those who don't don't know, is a documentary about the science community and how those who even mention intelligent design as a valid hypothesis to investigate are being shunned and even fired. I like how the movie shows that the theory of intelligent design is not necessarily a religious idea or propaganda for creationism, but a valid scientific theory to be looked at by the science community and higher education. The only thing in the movie that I might have done without was some of the old film clips that were interjected through out the movie for comic/artistic effect. While I think the ones that had to do with the Berlin wall (which represented how those in the scientific community are being silenced and robbed of the freedom of questioning the theories of Darwin) really made a profound point, the rest of them kind of got annoying by the second half of the movie. All in all, I loved seeing a movie in the theater that is bringing out this very true problem and exposing it to the public. Great information, great production, great movie.

Overall 4.9 buckets of popcorn out of 5

mac problems...

2008-04-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

My computer had to go to the mac doctor and so it's been a week and a half without it. I never realized just how dependent I am on it. Anyway, I haven't been able to post much. Hopefully I'll get it back today or tomorrow. So what am I using for this post? My beloved iPod touch!

I'm humbled...

2008-04-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there's nothing that humbles me more than my daughters. Tonight I am watching my two youngest daughters, like I do every Thursday while Chrissy teaches at the dance studio. When we got home I started to get ready to cook dinner for the girls and I was informed by Sydney that for the rest of the night her and Daphne were "the princesses" and I am "the servant". So, all through my dinner prep, the girls were yelling from the living room things like "When's our dinner going to be ready, servant?" or "I'm thirsty servant!" I was told once, when I brought "the princesses" their food, "I love you servant... but what is for dessert?" I love playing make believe with them, but there is something humbling about a 5 year old calling me servant. :)

OK, call me old...

2008-04-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

I can't say I particularly feel old. I can't say many people call me old. (except for the occasional middle school student, who thinks anyone over 25 is old) I can't even say I act old. But yesterday was the exception. We went to Elitch Gardens (the local amusement park) with our family and one of Emma's friends. Chrissy took the little girls to the kiddie park while I took Emma and her friend to ride the big rides/roller coasters. Now normally I would be all about riding as many rides with them as possible. I love roller coasters. Yesterday, however, I just didn't feel like riding any. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I've been to a thousand amusement parks with youth groups or I was just tired, but I didn't ride a single ride! Isn't that lame? Well not as lame as what I did while the girls were in line and riding the rides... I snuck in a book and read while waiting for them! The definition of old! The book is on volunteer management and is awesome. (I'll have a review post soon) Anyway, I was still a sucker and played a few games and won the girls a stuffed animal (including a massive pink tiger that Emma will stick in the corner of her room and never play with). All in all it was a good day, but today I need to go skateboarding or something to balance it out.

American Idol Worship Version

2008-04-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Not sure if you guys saw this on American Idol last night, but they ended their big "Idol Gives Back" night with a worship song- "Shout to The Lord". I didn't notice it at first, but they replaced the word Jesus at the beginning of the song with the word shepherd, but I still think it was pretty powerful. I know a few of the finalists are believers. How would you like this to be worship at church each Sunday... WOW!
***UPDATE*** They sang it again tonight on idol and included the word Jesus. Still awesome!