Random thoughts before departure

I am starting to think I might title every entry with "Random thoughts..." and then whatever is about to happen. Here are today's random thoughts, numbered this time to make transitions easier:

1) I went with my friends the Sleights to Riverview this morning. Riverview is huge and high energy. Both times I've attended the preaching minister has mentioned plugging into small groups, something I've learned to like as I'm reading through Simple Church.

It is better to go to a church with someone you know than completely alone. I enjoyed the more this time, though I'm still dissapointed that no one really made an effort to talk to us. I know at a church of thousands there is not going to be one person that knows everyone, but shouldn't people make a conscious effort to meet other people at a larger church?

I don't say this without seeing the plank in my own eye. When I plug into a church and regularly attend again I want to make sure I am meeting someone every week if it is a larger church.

2) I am looking forward to the 2nd-3rd grader week. It's only tonight, tomorrow and Tuesday. We have scheduled naps. I'm in charge of recreation (plan: make them run) and I'm preaching a quickie at Campfire Monday night. I'm pretty excited about this.

3) Jon we do need to hangout, and I also enjoyed our summer on camp teams together. I might have to agree with you that it was the best summer while I was there as well.

4) On this website there are three guys doing a video game marathon to raise money for a children's charity. It's a Mario-thon! They set out Friday with the goal of playing through all the major Super Mario games in a gigantic marathon. Last I checked they were near the end of Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii, meaning their adventure is nearly wrapped up. They've raised nearly $10,000 in donations for Child's Play. They also broadcast their session on UStream, a live-feed program which they set up to broadcast from both their webcam and from the TV.

I would like to organize or participate in something like this. I think it would be fun and challenging. Who would have thought you could take a love for video games and use it to raise money for those in need?

5) It's no secret that I invested in Pokemon Diamond well over a year ago. I did this to connect with junior high students in my former youth group. I'm impressed with this game because its gameplay is simple and fun. It's a lite-RPG that just builds on some basic RPG fundamentals in a way that appeals to all ages. Nearly every kid you'll meet has played one of several versions in this franchise. It teaches strategy, critical thinking, and patience. A great experience for all kids.

Why do I mention this? In this newest version an evil organization named Team Galactic wants to create a better world. A world of peace where they rule. Sounds good right? Well too bad the way they are doing it is wrong. The way they are going to do this is by using a legendary Pokemon who created the known world to turn around, destroy it and create a new one where they will rule.

Oh by the way, once you've stopped them you get a chance to capture and own the ancient and legendary creator of the known Pokeworld. That's right, in your quest to catch them all you will own Pokegod.

That's deep. Small reminder: This game for all ages is primarily marketed to kids. Where are the extremist parents protesting this game because you can capture Pokegod?

6) Final Thought. Finally got to face off against Jonah and Caleb Weller in Halo. Though their trash talk was great, their game wasn't. Good try guys.

Off to camp. See you Tuesday night! The satire expressed does not neccessarily reflect the writer's personal views. I do not believe in Pokegod.

Random thoughts make a lengthy post

So I haven't blogged in awhile, thought I should again. This post will be filled with random thoughts from the last few weeks. Might want to buckle your seatbelt!

I checked the cluster map. Special greetings to readers in California and...Iowa? Don't be afraid to introduce yourselves!

Last week was Deeper Life Camp at Michiana Christian Service Camp. It was a great week and I'm amazed at how quickly it flew by. I had a great small group and grew closer to several good friends.

I came to camp looking for guidance. Guidance to make sure that I was seeking God's will for my life and not my own. That is something I struggle with a lot if we're being honest. I'm a very stubborn person. I do things my way whether they sink or swim. It's who I am. That needs to change when my way doesn't honor God. I did get some perspective on that this past week.

A lot of great things happened for me while at camp. I got inspiration for a lot of ideas that I want to do in my next ministry, wherever that may be. As I adapt my own model of "seek, study, and serve" it will go with me wherever I may be because I believe it is an effective way to vocalize the ministry I feel God calling me to. Now that I have the vision for how to do it I am excited to get it going. Whether that's vocationally or volunteer I do not know.

I found a verse that I very well consider to be my new life verse. Previous to finding this one my life verse was 2nd Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing." (KJV)

During my quiet times last week a verse kept popping into my head, but I couldn't find it. After a few days of general confusion and wondering if I was losing it I finally found it:

John 4:23
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."

I focus in especially on one phrase: A time is coming and has now come. We talk about all the things God is going to do and how the times that he is going to do them are on their way. Guess what. They're here now. The time is coming and has now come. It's going to happen and it is happening now.

We shouldn't talk about how we're going to live, we should live it now. It challenges me. It brings focus to my day. It's a great verse.

Random time. I always make myself chuckle when I say a verse is a great verse. To me it implies that there is a verse in the Bible that isn't so great. Like the one in Ezekiel talking about lusty women. Not so great. But you can't come out and say that can you?

That's long enough I'll stop for now. Pray for me as I continue to prepare for more camps. Next week I'm running recreation and preaching at Campfire for 2nd and 3rd graders at Rock Lake Christian Assembly. Then I'll be back up there a week later for High School Week. It's going to be crazy but God is going to move (and is now moving) and I wouldn't miss it for the world!

An amazing find

I was surfing through some websites that I frequent when I happened upon this great video clip. After watching it I can truly say that I feel safer at night. I hope this video makes you laugh and that you enjoy it too!

Disclaimer: In posting this video I do not claim to believe what it shows, nor am I posting it to insult anyone portrayed in it.