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A Sunday Afternoon Post

2010-02-21T14:33:00.001-08:00

Today was my last day teaching 2nd grade. It was a great blessing to see some of the impact the Lord has given me with the children. I've been with my 2nd graders for two years, so Ive seen some of them just grow and mature. I've been blessed to have earned the respect of most of them after many months work. I am going to miss them SO much - I know many of them are not saved and I just feel a burden to see them come to Christ. I hope some day some of them will come to me and tell their testimonies of God's salvation. I do trust that my Father will grant salvation to some of them. What a blessed day it will be to hear the work of my Lord in their lives. Maybe in a year, maybe in five years, maybe when I'm much older. It saddens me so much to not be able to teach them the Word, but I have great hope that the Spirit that causes change and growth is going to work!

My kids are so dear to me, I've been so blessed to have taught them for so long. We often think of serving as doing things for God, as blessing others. But, the Lord has used my service in teaching these kids to bless me so abundantly! In being faithful to serve each Sunday Ive seen the Lord give grace to persevere and provide energy. In being faithful to discipline the children when its hard Ive seen the Lord change hearts through his Word. Life is difficult, life is hard, adults are caught up in the worries of today. The business and academic world are abstact and brutal. But kids are honest, kids are joyful, kids are forgiving. What an amazing joy its been to work with them! I have learned so much through having to teach the Word almost every week. Studying Scripture to teach, meditating and praying for the lessons has taught me so much about the Lord and about his works. I've been challenged, convicted, and encouraged by the lessons I've had to prepare. God has so faithfuly used the Word to work in my own life as I've sought to share it with my kids.

I will now be helping out with leadership in kids ministry. When I announced to my class that I'd be leaving the classroom to help oversee the ministry my little brother Jared stood up and gave me a fist bump and said, 'That's awesome Mr. Matt, be a leader.' I was encouraged by that. I won't get to interact with the kids much, but hopefully what I will be doing will impact many of their lives. And eternal impact is what's important.

Had lunch with my brother. We just spent a good time talking about the future and life. Life is busy, life is now. But, God is with us today and gives so much grace always! It was good to be encouraged by his example of steadfastness, perseverence, prayer, love. I am very, very thankful for my brother. I am truly blessed by the Lord to have a friend who offers encouragement based on the Word, who loves in Christ, and whose main desire is to see the Lord honored with his life.

To finish... work hard for the glory of Christ! What we do today has eternal consequences. May the Lord bring salvation to the kids who are lost, and bring maturity to those who are saved!

In the Beginning of the End

2010-01-31T20:04:00.000-08:00

Well, two weeks down.

Its been quite a while since I've posted here. About 8 months. Wow, no one is probably checking anymore, but I thought I'd write anyway.

I finished my second week of what will, Lord willing, be my last semester in grad school. Its going to crazy. About 75 books, 2 extremely difficult tests, and a multitude of ariticles, papers, and assignments. So far this has been a very awesome semester of homework, though. haha! I'm taking classes on modern German history, Byzantium, nineteenth century world, and taking my tests in modern American and Soviet. In each I get to look at church history! Its so incredible! In what seems like such a field dominated by secular interests I have seen Christ honored in each of my classes in readings. German: God's providence in the translation of the Bible into the vernacular, and the rediscovery of Biblical salvation. Byzantine: despite the hypocracy and blaspheme of the time, the Lord still honored his name in various ways. World: I get to write a paper on English missionaries in South Africa, New Zealand, China, and India. In my research I'm reading 1800s journals of missionaries seeing the mighty hand of God working to bring children to himself. Soviet: the good old Soviets tried to kill god. They failed. God is alive and powerful. Modern US: I get to study church history from 1865-present. Despite the liberal theology that has grasped our faith today and despite the arguement that there are more atheists and less believers - God has preserved his church and true believers through each and every generation.

I think of Eph 3: Now to him who is able to do far more adundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Oh the blessings of studying history! Who can claim that it is dull? It is the workings of our great God who is constantly revealing himself to generation after generation of those saved by grace. History is not fatalistic - it has an ending. Its ending is the complete glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In church I am moving towards ministry towards teachers instead of the children. As of today I will no longer be teaching regularily. Oh, I had a blessed 'last' day of teaching! God is good! My children asked me some amazing questions, and God gave me wisdom and passion to answer their questions. We talked on the giving of the Word, the preservation of the Word, the humility of Christ, and the judgment in the end days and the glory that will given to Christ! Kind of broad, but the Spirit was moving the lessons along so well. I have seldom seen the children ask questions like today, and I have seldom had verses and answers come to powerfully. God was at work today! We made palm branches in class to act out the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. My brothers and sisters reading this - please ponder how utterly amazing it will be to honor Christ in all his majesty when he returns!

There have been trials and hardships this month, the rejection of Christ by several of my friends, sickness, business. But, God is a faithful fortress and shield and a help and a rock to those that run to him! Psalm 18.

Solo deo gloria.

Glorious and Mighty

2009-05-02T20:20:00.001-07:00

There’s a newer song by Sovereign Grace that I have come to love this week. Its called “Glorious and Mighty.” Part of it goes:

Majesty, Your glory is shining
Brighter than the moon and the stars
Marveling, we honor and fear You
Above all gods

Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome in beauty
Joyful songs we raise
Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome in beauty
Greatly to be praised

The song is simple, only three verses. But all point to the glorious God revealed in Scripture. Glorious and mighty He is! This week I’ve been struck by the theme in this song in mainly two ways.

One, He is mighty. I am but weak! Last week I got little sleep (paper time…) and I’ve been extremely tired and weak the last few days. I’ve seen just how little energy I posses when I stand alone, but what strength there is to be found in God. I’ve worked my longest week in several months, given a presentation at school, and God has provided enough strength to get me through both. There’s a verse, in Corinthians I believe, that says to be reminded that the power which raised Christ from the dead is at work in us sanctifying us today! Now, I can’t fathom how much power God possesses to raise Christ (and create the world and sustain it!), but I believe that I can trust my Lord to provide the strength to love Him, obey Him, fear Him. Its sometimes easy to see God provide the power to get us physically through a day – I can say ‘gee, I couldn’t have done that work without God’s help.’ Its harder to remember that it is only by God’s mighty sanctifying hand that I can be made into His Son’s image. Or, possibly to remember that God is mighty and working. Its so sad, but its true. My sinful heart wants to think that I deserve the credit for obedience, or love, or discipline. But, I do all things because of Christ! Do I remember how mighty my God is? Stand before a mountain and be humbled – God spoke it into existence. And that is just but one mountain! I stand amazed at the transforming power of Christ in the lives of the believers around me and in my life. God’s power is incredible.

Two, something I was hit with today is that God is above all gods. I’ve been stressed lately, and I think much of my stress comes from putting my trust in myself or others. All people are sinners, and therefore have the potential of letting me down. I am a sinner, and I let myself down. But God, He is infinitely perfect and glorious! I always laugh at the foolish Israelites, they carved wood figures and then worshipped them. Stupid huh? But, I do the same thing! I create gods and worship them over the true King. Sinful, yes? Disobedience = sin. I don’t think I pause enough to remember that when I don’t seek and love the Lord will all my heart I am being disobedient. How easy it is to throw idols this way and that and arrange them on the table of life. But, they eventually disappoint, they will never please. While I look at my pretty idols my heart is not really content, it wants to worship the Lord. My Sunday School lesson for tomorrow is on King Solomon’s disobedience. Ouch. The Lord has a gracious way of convicting! I praise the Lord that he shows us our sin, because if He didn’t reveal it, I’d never know I am such need of Him! Psalm 103 says, ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity.’ O, may my soul not turn to idols but praise the living God!

Easter Weekend

2009-04-14T22:01:00.001-07:00

So, I had a great weekend.

Thursday I spent about 8 hours at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles. Probably one of my favorite places in LA next to the LACMoA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and Walt Disney Music Hall. Found so many great resources for my papers on Robert Service (a Soviet historian) and the 1916 Kazakh Revolt. Went to a concert of Mozart's Reqium... beautiful. Fun day with my roommate Andre.

Friday I helped out the children's pastor at church. I have come to really respect the man... he's got a huge heart for the children and a passion to see the parents actively involved in their children's relationship with the Lord. Had lunch with he and his wife... so fun. Went to the Good Friday service at PBC. Then, went to Olive Garden with my best friend. Had a blast, then watched 'Blood Diamond.' He's an MK from SA, so he has an interesting insight into things African. Went back to my college days... and stayed up talking with him until 3am! haha. So nice, though! Miss living with some of my bros...

Sunday I went to G-Com with a friend for their sunrise service. Good traditional service. Then 'taught' the 2 year olds... hilarious. They are so different from my 1st and 2nd graders! Went to a pastor's house and got to fellowship with my old discipler and some really amazing people. A real blessing! Great to be at a home since I could not be at mine. Went to another family's home, and had a nice time. Then, had my two Josh's over for dinner. Love those guys. It was so nice to spend the day with my family in Christ! I missed my own, but was thankful that I'm not alone here in SoCal.

Today I had fun at Baja Fresh with Josh and Stephen. Fun to be with them both! Don't get to be with both of them together much any more... it reminded me of old times. One told me that he wished i was still in Hotchkiss... I really do miss living with a few of my brothers. But, I'm thankful for where the Lord is taking me. Maybe i'll get to live with some of them in the future.

Well, I'm stalling from writing my papers... so until later... praise Jesus for the grace He gives abundantly to those who call upon him. He gives much joy and peace when we delight and trust in Him! how amazing is that!

Your Righteousness is like the Mighty Mountains

2009-04-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to spend two days up in Bishop with two of my best friends this weekend. I had never been to the Eastern Sierra's... wow... what a beautiful area! Driving into Owen's Valley and into Bishop was incredible. I saw a peek of Mt. Whitney's peak! After being surrounded by crowded San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys... it was such a blessing to escape and go to the mountains with some dear brothers.

The mountains get above 12,000' ... that's about triple the size of Mt. Diablo! These mountains are magnificent... and its so incredible to think about how the Lord spoke them each into existence! God's power is amazing, yes? I think of the Psalm,
"Your Love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments like the great deep. Man and beast You save, O God."

We bouldered at the base of the mountains, at the Buttermilks. What amazing scenery to climb in front of! I hadn't been bouldering in over a year, but it was so much fun! I got a few boulders and it was quite a blast! Had a great time being with my buddies and talking, chilling and reading. Had a sweet time talking to my good friend on the way back home.

Today had church - main service was on God's omnipotence. Was a beautiful match to this weekend's experience. Pastor Scott talked about God's power in speaking into existence all of creation, and how we should praise Him for that awesome power! In Sunday school I got to teach the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ! Got so pumped up to share the Gospel with my kids! Oh, I love them so much, it is so humbling and exciting to share the power of God to my kids! It is so incredible to share Christ!

Sunday Reflections

2009-03-22T21:20:00.001-07:00

So I haven’t updated here in a very long time. Too long, probably no one reads this anymore. But I just had a day that was a true blessing from the Lord and thought I’d write about it.

Started off with a prayer meeting at church at 7am. Then, a sermon by one of the missionaries my church supports from Uganda. Great! On what God desires in His servants: a humble and contrite spirit, and a trembling at His Word. Oh, how do I need to grow in each of those areas!

Helped with 1st and 2nd grade. Such a blessing to be with my kids. Love them to death. Had to talk to a kid about loving God and obedience. I’m not I ever realized how hard it was to discipline until recently. Growing up you always think teachers and parents are annoyed and even angry sometimes when they have to discipline. I never really realized that discipline stemmed from great love and a desire to see a person honor God. It’s been a cool challenge to learn that.

Did the ‘coordinating’ for 3rd service. Talked to one man. He told me his mom’s testimony: his mom’s sister had picked up some tracks from a church, brought them home and left them at his mom’s place. The man’s aunt was not saved, but had just gotten the tracks for no real reason. The man’s mom read the tracks, read the New Testament, and God called her to Himself! What a glorious testament to the amazing work of God!! Had three of my lil buds help me out. Funny times.

Then, this week it was one of my best friend’s birthday and his sister’s as well. So, an amazing family in the church invited the three of us over to celebrate their birthdays. I teach their youngest son in my Sunday school class and have taught two of their other kids. What a blessing to hang with a family, and their family provides such a godly joyful example as well! So much fun! Seriously, I love them so very much. So great to celebrate the life of my friend. Love him so much – God has blessed me with a great brother.

Heard the testimony of a pillar couple in our church. Found out that she was saved when she was 35 and he at 37. They almost divorced and were having a bad marriage. But, God being rich in his mercy, called them to Himself and restored their relationship with Him and built up an amazing relationship with each other. God is good! At night church got to sing with one of my Sunday school kids. So encouraging. He was so excited to sing ‘Blessed Assurance.’ What blessed assurance do we have that in Christ we are justified and will be glorified with Him one day! Amen.

SoCal Fires

2008-11-15T11:29:00.001-08:00

Well, there is a big fire near where I live. I can see flames reaching over the mountains several miles from where I am. But, compared to last years 'ring of fire' surrounding SCV, this really doesn't hit my hometown as much. This Sylmar Fire is a devasting one, but thankfully, at this time, it does not appear to be heading towards me. The fire is to the south of me, located on either side of the I-5 where the 14, 210, and 118 converge. Pray for those that are being affected by it! This fire is a massive one, and the winds are ridiculous right now.

Snipets of Grace

2008-11-09T21:50:00.001-08:00

So I don't have one 'big' thing to write about. Instead I'll write about little things the Lord encouraged me this week. Some aren't that little actually...

1) Got to serve at the Fall Festival at my church. I worked with my 1st and 2nd graders. It was such a joy to play a bunch of crazy games with them and have them cheer me on during the leader competitions (I won the whipped cream eating contest...)! It was a bit of a shock helping out with the 1st and 2nd graders in August... now those kids have become so dear to me. One drew a picture of me today and gave it me... the picture is complete with thick rimmed glasses! haha.

2) A dear friend of mine had a friend of his saved! Praise the Lord! I got teary hearing him tell of God's amazing grace. My friend not even a year ago was not walking with the Lord. In the Spring he came to me and confessed much sin, and I realized that God had worked mightly in his life that day. I knew that the change that was taking place in his life was only by God's good grace. Now, my friend was telling me about his friend getting saved and how excited he was to see God work in someone who he never expected God to work in! What an amazing thing it is to see the cycle of grace. My friend who normally has little emotion over anything was borderline giddy when he told me about his friend's salvation. A year ago today my friend would have never been excited about the Lord or His work... now thanks to God's work in his life he is rejoicing over our Lord's work! Amen!

3) An older gentleman delievered some paint from another store to my job on Saturday. He was a very joyful fellow. When I signed my name on the delivery ticket he mentioned that my name was a biblical name. I smiled and said 'yes, Matthew was a tax collector but was saved.' He smiled wide and said to have a blessed day. I thought how cool it was to be encouraged by a brother in Christ. He was old, African American, and I had never met him before... but my brother encouraged me that hour. We didn't need anything in common, we have Christ already.

4) I've gotten to enjoy much good fellowship with my roommates, a dear friend, and my brothers and sisters in Christ. My time spent with some of them is short, but what a joy my time is with them!

5) Sunday night dinners continue to be an encouragement to me! Tonight was no exception. It's such an amazing blessing to have fellowship with my dear brothers and sisters.

6) I got to have lunch with a very godly couple, Micah and Molly. What amazing examples of Christ's love, service, and encouragement.

Its 9:42pm

2008-10-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure what I want to say.

I'm in one of those moods where you want to write, but there's not one thing that shouts 'write about me'!

Life is interesting. Nothing 'big' is happening, but the Lord is revealing to me what it means to live a 'normal' life. Gone are the days of college, and now working life becomes more real. I love school so much it seems strange not to have it. Life in college can be so simple... its more a challenge to get involved in others lives, to serve, to stay in and study the Word, to seek fellowship... and yet all those things are possible by God's grace. It's just a different challenge to do those things when you're in the real world.

I miss NorthCreek, but I am beginning to love Placerita more and more. I am torn between two amazing churches where people love God so much. I am blessed to teach the 1st and 2nd graders on Sunday morning (this week's lesson: Joshua and the battle of Jericho!), Awana on Wednesday, and be involved in different bible studies - one on 1 Corinthians and one on 2nd Corinthians!

Well, that's all for trying to blab tonight. Hopefully my thoughts will be more cohesive later!

Fall Thing

2008-09-27T18:55:00.000-07:00

Last night was Fall Thing. A group of 6 of us went out to a Chinese Resturant before and had a blast, and then had the party in Echo Park, and then went to Denny's afterwards. I should write something about life, but I'll wait a couple more days when I'm not exhuasted! haha.

It's Been Awhile...

2008-09-13T21:48:00.001-07:00

So I'm not sure if anyone reads this anymore. Summer rushed by with its typical craziness and somehow I have not signed in here in almost 2 months.

I am now living back down in SoCal, just a few blocks from where I attended college. I am attending and serving at the same church I went to during my time here. This year I will be teaching 1st&2nd grade on Sunday mornings and 4th-6th grades for Awanas. I haven't really worked with either age group exclusively before, so it should be a fun challenge and joy to serve those children!

I learned a lot over the summer... maybe I'll do a fun little history blog about it sometime soon. But for now I had something different in mind.

I have been in SoCal for two weeks as of today and just wanted to reflect on those two weeks a smigen. Working (almost) fulltime has shown me a more complete picture of what the 'real world' is and how desperately it needs Christ. Seeing customers and co-workers so far from Christ is a bit of a jolt to my system. The 'Master's Bubble' does exist, and I don't think its necessarily a bad thing - God taught me so much in that environment, but bursting somewhat out of that bubble I've seen the wretched state of a world opposed to Christ more fully.

Doing delivers for my job all over the LA county I see a lot of sin being proclaimed as a respite from worries and cares. Sex, booze, and wealth are the selling points for businesses. City life is different than old suburbia... the sins of both might be the same but city life proclaims its sins on billboards.

I've been thinking a lot about sin and how we interact with it, comfront it, deal with it. I've haven't come to absolute conclusions on everything just yet, but i think understanding the nature and severity of sin helps us as Christians understand the culture around us that hates the Lord. When people swear, act angrily, act loose, or whatever actions offend us... its good to be reminded that those people are not beyond the reaches of God's glorious gospel. God came to save the sinners not the righteous! Its the sinners who need His message of salvation. When people swear against our Lord we should not be surprised... those whom the Holy Spirit has not regenerated cannot do any good. The people that steal, lie, cheat... we were those people before God opened our hearts to his grace!

People seemed surprised by sin. My coworkers always complain that the world has gone down the tubes since their childhood. Has it? Has the world gotten worse? Why are people surprised that politicians aren't trustworthy, that other nations war against each other, that theives break in and steal, that crime seems rampant? Do we not understand the severity and awful digusting vile sin that has corrupted our very nature! NO we are not a good human race, NO we are not kind, loving, unselfish. Man is wicked. Read the histories of Germany, Russia, Darfur, Serbia, China, Japan... the men who committed countless atrocious acts were no different than the gentleman who lives across the street! Sin is devastating, far more awful than most people realize.

But praise be to God that he sent His only Son to die for our sin! Oh what wretched creatures we are, and yet how powerful is His love and grace!! I want to worship and cry out praises to His name for His love is higher than we can ever understand. Oh that our world would only fall to their knees in repentance and humbless and confess their sins to the One who grants forgiveness. He gives grace beyond measure to those that trust in His holy name.

Wednesday Afternoon

2008-07-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

I just off the phone with one of my good friends. It was great to catch up with him and hear about what is going on in his life. As the conversation closed, we talked a little bit about going through trials.

Earlier today I was reading through MacArthur's commentary on James. James 1.2-10 says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf on the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Blessed is a man who preservers under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

That's kind of a long passage right there, but it's all great truth. MacArthur lists several great things about going through trials; they strengthen our faith, they humble us, wean us from depending on earthly things, call us to a heavenly hope, reveal what we love, teach us to value God's blessings, and they teach us to comfort others in trials. He also talked about how we should respond to trials; with a joyful attitude, an understanding mind, a submissive will, a believing heart, and a humble spirit.

The last response was echoed by my friend when i was talking to him. He asked me how i was doing and wanted to hear how i was growing in the Lord through the trial. My friend is going through a trial, too, and he reminded me of the need to be humble. We are to be humble before the Lord in a trial, and be humble before others as we care for their needs above ours (Philippians 2). While life can seem hard, I have friends who have lost their jobs, friends who can't find jobs, friends who are struggling with disconentment, friends who are having trouble paying for school, friends whose parents are dying. We all don't necessarily understand what it is like to experience those things, but we all have experienced God's abundant grace in our own circumstances. God gives us the strength to endure trials, and He gives us the strength to love and care for others even in our trils. Its so easy to be selfcentered and selfish. Praise the Lord for his grace to perserve and for his grace to make us more like His loving Son.

Reflections on Grace

2008-05-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

I haven’t updated for 3 weeks! Time is flying by so much faster than I realized it would.
I have enjoyed being home: gotten to hang out with some friends, worked on my 30-page senior history paper, read 3 books, gone dancing once, hung out with my family, went on a ridiculous day trip to 10 cities, hiked from peak to peak on Mt. Diablo, … and gotten to keep in touch with my beloved Hotchkissians.

Earlier this week I read one of my favorite passages in the Bible: John 1.

I wish I could write about the entire passage, but I’m just going to talk about a section of it. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. … And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.”

One, one of the phrases that always sticks out to me is that Christ is full of “grace and truth.”

Two, that from Christ’s fullness we have received “grace upon grace.”

I decided to mull around my reference books to get some background on these passages. What I found was encouraging, so I thought I’d share. Truth is what accords with reality. Truth is not abstract, but revealed in the actual person of Christ. He is truth because he is the revelation of God. Boice said truth “did not come to the world through philosophy or through any other form of human speculation. Truth came into the world through Jesus Christ.” That’s just astonishing to me whenever I think about it. Christ, the Logos, is truth. In him there is no falsehood. Christ revealed in the Scriptures is true. Amen! And Christ was full of grace.

Because of man’s sinfulness we do not deserve anything from God. We deserve to have awful, miserable lives. Yet God gives his children grace upon grace. I think even as Christians we forget how much the Lord blesses us with. As Christians we have peace with God. We are no longer enemies and under the wrath of God, we are no longer in bondage to sin, we have hope in Christ! If we lived in awful circumstances, yet knew Christ, could we complain? We’d have enough to forever sing praises. And yet the Lord gives us so much more than even that ultimate gift.

We’ve received grace upon grace.

I love how Verbrugge explains ‘upon’: it denotes a perpetual and rapid succession of blessings, as though there were no interval between the arrival of one blessing and the reception of the next. ‘Grace’: is poured out in overflowing fullness. MacArthur says grace is that ‘abundant supply [that] will never be exhausted or diminished; grace will continually follow grace in a limitless, never-ending flow.’

Ironside applies it: We are not called to live upon past experiences. Many of us remember when were first saved of the grace that was poured into our souls when that took place… but that is not our experience today. That was grace indeed, wondrous grace! What we have now should be grace against grace, grace following upon grace, all down through the years.

How apathetic can we become to grace. May it not be! As James says, every good gift is from above. Everything good is from our Father. How much do we have to be thankful for, how much grace are we showered with daily, hourly. Do we praise Him for his kindness, mercy, faithfulness, justice? Do we praise Him for fellowship with our fellow believers? Do we thank Him for his grace in covering our sins? Do we thank Him for answered prayer? Do we thank Him for his Word?

Psalm 86:8-13.
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord; that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depth of Sheol.

If you know Him, praise Him.
If you don’t know Him, why do you not trust in the One who is full of all truth and grace?

50th Post - and last one from Hotchkiss

2008-05-10T00:57:00.000-07:00

So, it's very late and I'm having trouble staying awake. But...

I just wanted to say what a blessing it has been to live in Hotchkiss and attend Master's. The Lord has taught me so much through my friends here and I leave Master's with a meloncholy heart. I am so excited to see where the Lord will take me soon, but I also am reflective on my time here. I have been shown so much grace while at Master's in so many ways - and to leave this context is a bit hard.

So, congrats to Tanner and Jimmy - my fellow HUB graduates, and all my other friends who have graduated tonight!

Wed-Thur-Fri

2008-05-02T22:42:00.001-07:00

These past few days have been amazing. I've had a lot of fun and been blessed to see the Lord's grace in different areas very clearly.

On Wednesday I had my last lecture of my college career! So strange to be done with "class." I have one book report, a 30 page essay, and two finals, but that's it. That's all that left for me to do before I get my diploma! Crazy. Thankfully, my large paper won't be due for several more weeks. I also hang with my best friend and then chilled at Baskin Robbins with friends. Wednesday night I also got to see a friendship restored. It is so sweet to see a friendship restored by the Lord. I've seen it in five relationships this year at Masters, and everytime I have been so amazed at how the Lord works. He always works in a mighty way that I can't understand. It's been so humbling to see my brothers and sisters walk like Christ.

Yesterday I didn't have class, but kept busy somehow. Had homework, then lunch with Tanner and Beaks, coffee with Telle, took a friend on an errand, and then spent the rest of the day at the Keller's. I absolutely love Joe and his family. I can't begin to say what a blessing it was to spend time with them. Joe is such an example to me. It was so great to spend time cooking with them, hanging, running to the store. The Lord has taught me so much through Joe, and it was a blessing to be able to spend time with him before I leave Masters. I think Hotchkiss/Placerita Baptist/Joe are the three things I'll miss the most about being here.

Today I went to my last chapel. Hung at Starbucks with one of my professors and my class. Wrote a five page paper. Went to McDonalds. And saw Iron Man with Tanner, Matt, and Ryan. Amazing movie, and it was a blast to hang with those three!!

At Baccalauratte Chapel with Jimmy, Tanner, and Ryan.
At 31cent Baskin Robbins night with Beaks and Tanner.
Hanging with friends.
One of my favorite guys: Joe Keller.

Good Friends, Lots of School

2008-04-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

Time has flown by so fast since I last posted. I've written two major research papers, one of the Decembrists (fascinating!) and one on John Quincy Adams's time in Russia as our first minister to Russia. Those two things consumed much of my time last week, but I was still blessed to hang with some friends and enjoy some good times of fellowship, and a trip to Santa Barbara. Oh... and I got history major of the year award!! AND... Tanner and I won for dorm spirit in the school competition! Go Hotchkiss!!

Today is my best friend's birthday. So, Happy Birthday bud! It is cool to look back a year ago when we didn't know each other that well to today where we have a good friendship. I am so blessed to call him friend and brother! I think he's probably taught me the most out of any of my peers. It's been cool to watch his life lately - he's got an amazing relationship with an godly girl and is a great example to many, he passed his ridiculous senior exam, is working towards what he is doing with his life, and is preparing to serve the Lord in New Zealand for several weeks. It's really cool to see the Lord working in his life.

I've been so blessed with great friends here. Some that minister so much to me, and some that I have been privlidged to minister to. It's cool the 'circle' that friendships take.

I have two weeks left at Masters. That is incredibly exciting and makes me a little bit sad, too. It's strange to have opposing feelings. But I don't want to write about that just yet.

Spring Party

2008-04-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

Last night our school hosted their annual "Spring Party" at Union Station in Los Angeles. After a very spirited 'dorm day' at school (where Tanner and I sweeped any competition for most dorm spirited!), Hannah, Stephen, Jenna, and I headed down into Los Angeles to go the party.

The room was amazing! It was built in the 20/30s I imagine, and had a bar (stocked with soda and grendine - served to us by our RD's), a huge bar filled with desserts, and huge posh areas to sit down and talk. The four of us met up with my good friends Tanner, Valinda, Matt, Abi, Amanda, Adam, Jimmy, Sarah, Brian, Stacie, Jody, and Ryan. It was a blast! Hannah and I got to go around and mingle, take ridiculous photos, and have a good time being surrounded by my good friends. After the party, most of us headed down to the pier at Santa Monica to hang for a bit. It was a gorgeous night!

Well, now I need to write a 10-page paper on the 1825 Russian Revolution led by the Decembrists. =)

Sunday Update

2008-04-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

I got a card from someone today that was really encouraging. The last few days have been peaceful as I've seen the Lord's strength in my weaknesses, but they have also been taxing. The Lord really blessed me with the card that quoted:

Psalm 31.1-3
"In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me."

Sometimes you have those moments when you feel the Lord sends you something where you see his grace in such perfect timing that you stand back and praise him. You're encouraged by the actions of others, but the timing is just so perfect that you fall to your knees in praise to the Lord. That's how I felt today when I recieved that card. I read the first half of the card and just stopped and thanked the Lord for being Him being my rock this week. He has just poured grace and peace and mercy upon me abundantly.

The second half was encouraging as well. God has been showing me so much grace through several friends here. From my best friend to a friend I have not seen in weeks, the Lord has just reminded me over and over of his goodness. In hard times its so good to be around those who praise the Lord. What a blessing my brothers and sisters are that I have in Christ! My 'extended' family is such a blessing.

This morning in church we sang Psalm 62. I first learned this song in the back of the CALTC building in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I remember it vividly. "Only in God is my soul at rest in him is my salvation, he only is my rock, my strength, and my salvation. My stronghold, my Savior, I shall not be afraid at all. My stronghold, my Savior, I shall not be moved." It's a simple, melo, understated song, and Psalm 62 has so encouraged me in so many circumstances. When will the peace and strength of my Lord not comfort? I've seen the Lord give me peace in the blood of Christ, in witnessing to Kazakhs, in sitting down with homeless in Skid Row, in leaving friends, in confronting people in sin, in so many circumstances and situations. God alone is my rock and salvation.

Sunday Reflections

2008-03-31T23:31:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to write this yesterday, but I had too much to do until now.

Saturday was a rough day for school, but it ended really well. My best friend and I stayed up late on Saturday and talked about a variety of things. I have been so busy lately, and it was really encouraging to spend time talking with him. I walked away with a deeper love for the grace of God that night. The more I hear about my fellow believers' lives, the more I end up encouraged by the workings of our Lord. Between my best friend, and hearing the testimony of another friend this weekend at a birthday party, I have been moved towards trusting the Lord more in his gracious works. I can think about my own lif and how the Lord has called me and be amazed by God's grace, but the more I learn about my fellow beleivers and the innumerable ways in which the Lord has drawn people to himself the more I just am filled with joy and awe our God! Saturday night (Sunday morning...) I went to bed just filled with a joy, a joy in knowing more about how the Lord has worked. Praise the Lord!

Sunday morning... went to church with my friends and Scott closed his message by quoting two verses:

Psalm 107.28-32
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Isaiah 43.2-3a
When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Now, here's the cool part... After church I went to prepare to teach my Sunday school lessons. I opened up my curriculum and the verse for the week was the quoted Isaiah verse! It was so encouraging to read that and teach to my kids that God is with you in hard times.

And the Lord is. He's always there when you're going through hard times. Praise the Lord and rejoice in his goodness.

2 Timothy

2008-03-25T22:52:00.000-07:00

So in theology class today I decided to read 2 Timothy. The Lord really encouraged me and challenged me.

Here are some quick thoughts and commands from the book:

God gave us a spirit NOT of fear...
... but LOVE, POWER, and SELF-CONTROL

GOD called me because of his own PURPOSE and GRACE

Be STRENGTHENED by the GRACE in CHRIST JESUS

Pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, and PEACE

Be KIND to ALL
Be able to TEACH
PATIENTLY endure evil
CORRECT with GENTLENESS

So that "God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured to do his will."

I had a challenging and encouraging conversation with Siona today. I was definitely encouraged in Christ's grace during our conversation, and it was joyful to rejoice and glory in his grace together. But, I also feel challenged to an even more radical love and more dependent prayer life. The Cross can break the chains of any sin. The grace of our Lord can cover the most vile of all sins. May we be reminded of the grace we've been shown, and may we plead with the world to repent and receive that wonderous grace!

Ona and I talked about the fact that Christ is alive! Amen. We talked about being so amazed at Christ and so joyful in his grace that that knowledge and experience of loving and walking with him causes us to rejoice to in all circumstances. We know Christ and therefore rejoice. I feel like words on this page can't describe what I'm trying to convey.

Praise the Lord for his grace! And plead with the Lord to show that grace to sinners!

Time to Relect on the Cross

2008-03-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

It's Easter, or as some say, Resurrection Day.

It's a day we Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We proclaim that "He is Risen." We dress up in our Sunday best and sign hymns like "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." Many of the millions who attended an Easter service around the world today have heard the gospel message before. They know they are celebrating the day in which Christ rose from the dead.

What an amazing thing it is to look back to the day Christ broke the sting of death and sin and rose to life! This Easter is only my second Easter as a believer, and it has been encouraging to look at that historical event. But, I suppose that as important of an event it is to commemorate, it is also important to look at what Christ's resurrection and life means for us today.

This week has been marked by much grief and a sober mood. When you love someone and their sin is exposed it hurts. Someone very dear to me brought unexpected news this week that I must confess did not completely surprise me, but nevertheless shocked me in a way. A reaction is to be grieved by the sin a loved one is convinced is righteous. Another reaction is to be hurt by the realization that your relationship with that person has been broken for sometime. But, another reaction is to understand that people choose sin. I can not, and I will not, accept the sin that my friend is practicing as righteous, but I also know that Christ has called me to continue to love this dear person. There is supposed paradox in how you can love someone and hate their sin, how you be longsuffering and share the truth.

But these paradoxes aren't what they appear to be. Both sides are true, and with God's wisdom and grace both are achievable. A reaction to someone's sin has to be to share the truth in love and to patiently wait upon the Lord to change someone's heart. You can be grieved by someone's sin, but you can't be controlled by it. You can be saddened by their wavering from the Lord, but you can't control them.

Ultimately, you must trust the saving work of our Savior and the purposes of the Lord. Only Christ's blood and work can change a hardened heart and forgive sin. And, only in God's timing and will will those things come to fruition. That is harder to rest in, but nevertheless, only waiting on the Lord and trusting in him can give peace.

2 Thessalonians says, Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Back to my opening comments. Christ is risen. Amen? Amen!! I feel there is a danger to relegate Christ's work to the resurrection day. We can forget that the gospel and hope of Christ is not confined to the act of salvation. God's grace is poured out to us daily! Grace upon grace. I looked at the oceans this week in Pacific Grove and reminded myself about my thoughts on rain and grace. Imagine looking at the Pacific Ocean and seeing water as far as the eye can see... that is what God's grace is like to us Christians. When I was reflecting on God's grace I didn't expect to face trial later that week, but God knew.

I think the only reason I'm able to stay at peace in this situation is through God's grace. Looking to Christ as my hope is what comforts. Not past experiences, not worldly statistics, or conversations. A song I've sung over and over is "Inside Out." I've quoted this part before: Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades. Never ending your glory goes beyond all fame. And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise.

Christ's light will outshine any darkness that sin and the world produces. In trials, Christ is your light. Look to the Word and see the supremacy of our Savior! The blessed Lord!

In all things God's glory will prevail. We can't always undestand how God will receive glory in circumstances, but all things will be worked out to his glorious name.

In trials may my prayer be to praise the Lord through it.

Therefore, may I glorify and praise Him for his wondrous grace and will.

A busy weekend

2008-03-04T16:00:00.000-08:00

The past few days have been amazing... but it's Tuesday and the weekend's craziness is causing me to be tired! haha. So, here's brief update on what happened...

Friday afternoon Amy, Tanner, Valinda, Abi, Meghan and I headed down to Huntington Beach for a Foosball Tournament at Abi's house. We got there early, so Amy and I took a stroll on the beach and walked around downtown Huntington Beach. So fun to be a on beach again! The party was amazing, even though Amy and I got booted out of the game in our first round. Intense! Saturday, did what's called 'Community Day.' Tanner, Stephen and I went to a house and helped clean up their yard. A lot to get done, but it was encouraging to make a difference at least. Went to the intermural soccer game. Then, Amy, Tanner, Valinda and I went to a pizza place called Numero Uno... amazing pizza! HAd a blast. Came back and saw "The Importance of Being Ernest." Then the four of us went out to Starbucks. A great night. Had a very important conversation with a friend who is going through a hard time. Hard night, but it is so encouraging to see the Lord working in his life! Can't write much about the situation, but praise the Lord for his work and grace. I had a difficult time understanding the situation, but Sunday morning the Lord humbled me and I remembered once again his love, grace, and sufficiency. Taught sunday school with Amy. We took our kids for a walk. Went to the Ghetty with a friend and his brother, then came back and did some homework and watched parts of Indiana Jones with Amy. That's a survey of this weekend... Hope you all have a great week!

Another week gone by

2008-02-24T14:03:00.000-08:00

So, it never ceases to amaze me how fast time goes by. I feel like it's a total lie that time will ever slow. But I'm not complaining! Life is great right now, it's just amazing to me how much there is to do.

Lets see what's happened since Saturday when I last posted...

Had some great conversations with Amy, Tanner, Josh B., Joe, and Siona.

Seen two ridiculous movies.

Read several hundred pages for my history classes, had four exams, and lived through endless pages of science questions for my DS.

Started a new Bible reading plan.

Played a crazy game of ERS.

Visited a potential graduate school I'm thinking of applying to.

... well that's some of what's happened this week. The conversations have been a huge blessing! It's been inredible to talk about so many different things throughout the week. Last night I stayed up until almost 4am talking to my friend Josh about his life. He is an MK from South Africa. We watched Hotel Rowanda, and then he told me about his experiences there in Africa, and then just about life. It was incredibly encouraging to me. I was super tired, but I feel like knowing someone better is always more important that getting rest. If I could have the depth of conversation we had last night with every conversation, I would have no problem staying up late often.

I think it's amazing how often you can hang with people and be around people and still not know them well. There's guys I've known my whole time here at Masters and yet I still do not know them well. It takes time and honesty and trust to get to know a person. There are less than five people on campus that I would say I know well, and yet I still learn more about them everyday. I feel so encouraged when the Lord gives me the opportunity to know some of my brothers better. When you know someone more you can pray for them better, minister better. But it's hard work to know someone. It's scary, too. The closer you get to people the more of them you see - and more frightening is that you become more exposed to them.

And yet, walking with my brothers the more I get to know them the more I hear about the Lord in their lives, and the encouragement that comes from learning about how my God has worked in their lives is just astonishing. Our God is great! Amen! No one has had the same experiences, and yet my brothers have all been saved by the same grace that I am justified by. I think about Galatians 3.28. I am so blessed to have brothers, and sisters, in Christ. What has made my time here at Masters has not really been the school at all, but the people that are here who love the Lord. My time here would not have been the same if I had not known those whom God has placed in my life. So, I am thankful to the Lord for the friendships that he's given me here. And, if you're reading this, you know how thankful I am for you!

To close: Happy Birthday Gramps!!

Valentine's Day

2008-02-16T14:44:00.000-08:00

Well, it's Saturday, and I've been at my homework for the past 3 hours. I decided I could use a break... and what other great thing to do during a quick break than write a blog?

Thursday was Valentine's Day - and what an amazingly fun day it was! Thursday morning Amy and I gave each other 'sweet' cards before walking to class. All I'll say is that they are hysterical and nice. I had lunch with Steve Severance (Kent's dad). It was a really encouraging lunch and he asked some great questions. My best friend and I went out to figure out some things for the night. Came back from that, and Amy had surprised me with a journal with Russian writing (!!) and candy. So sweet! She totally surprised me =) Amy and I had night class together - our favorite class - Dr. Roland's "Early National Period of the United States." We were going out after class, so we went to class all dressed up! Went out to 'our' Starbucks for our thursday night ritual. Met up with my best friend and his girlfriend and...

Went to Hollywood! What a blast and great way to finish the evening! We all went to Grauman's Chinese Theatre (the famous theatre with the handprints in the concrete) and saw Jumper!! We had all been to the theatre on the outside - never on the inside. What a pleasant surprise - the theatre was amazingly beautiful on the inside. An old 1920s movie house restored! The movie wasn't incredible, but our time together was. We got to roam around the Kodak Theatre region and take goofy pictures. Stopped at McDonlands on the way back for sundaes, and then made it back to Hotchkiss about 1.30am.

I had an amazing time throughout the entire day! It was such a blessing to spend so much time with my girlfriend, and then to catch up with my best friend and his girlfriend. For Amy and I, it was great to return back to Hollywood - that's where we had experienced 'russia' last semester. So many great memories in Hollywood. (shout out to my family - Hollywood! in the Taurus). Well, I need to get back to school... but that's a little recap of a great day!

The Weekend

2008-02-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

Saturday: Slept in until about 9:30am. Had brunch with my roommate. Then, studied in the library for over 5 hours. Have to make a 50-piece bibliography for one of my history classes. Not a super hard project, but just annoyingly long. Amy came and visited me, and we decided to go off campus to study. We found this place called "Bridgeport." It's a subdivision in Santa Clarita where all the colonialesque homes are situated around a massive manmade water feature. We found a park bench to do homework on for several hours. Once the sun went down we just hung out and talked - and watched bats fly by. Went to my last basketball home game as a college student. Then, we finished watching Bourne Supremacy.

Sunday: Went to church, taught our 3rd and 4th graders outside because it was a gorgeous day, then had a sunday school meeting. Drove down to Orange. A beautiful city! Walked around downtown and visited antique stores, then my sis Sarah and her friend Rae met us. We had dinner at a bagel shop. Went to a beauitful Lutheran church to hear Azusa Pacific University's choir and orchestra. Amazing! I've heard them numerous times, but I never get tired. This concert was especially Christ-centered, and it was incredibly encouraging. Loved it! It was cool to get to show Amy APU's choir because she'd never heard them before. Amy and I then headed over to Downtown Disney. We got there right before the fireworks went off! Amazing. Hung out there for about an hour. Two great days!!

One Way Out: Prayer

2008-02-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a great day. It was jampacked with things from when I woke up at 7am until I went to bed around 2am. The day started off normal - chapel, class, lunch with friends. Then, Amy, Betsy and I decided to go for an adventure. Now notice I don't say hike... but adventure. We were going to climb to some radio transmitters above the 14, but decided that it was too late in the day to begin such an obstacle as that. So, we found some hills/mountains that are near the school that we've always dreamed of hiking on. These geographic features are not part of a park, or have any trails. We would have to trailblaze up and down these mountains if we wanted to achieve our goal: reaching the top. We made it up the mountain without too much difficulty. A few scrapes here and there, some dirt in our shoes... nothing too eventful. Towards the top of the mountain we got stuck and had to hike down and hike up another ravine before we could reach the crest. We made it to the top of the mountain, and we got to look out all across the Santa Clarita Valley. Beatiful! Squished a bug and claimed the top for BAM and Hotchkiss.

Here's where the fun began...

We headed back down the mountain only to deadend at a cliff with a 30' drop. Now, hiking down to this deadend had been quite eventful in itself. We had slid down a steep hill for about 40', kept outselves from rolling down sandy areas by holding on to bushes. We truly felt like we were on an adventure deep in the brush of some other country. We were a little dissapointed to reach a deadend, but headed back up to the crest again. Headed down another ravine. This was crazy... fought our way through brush and trees. Clung for life to bushes to keep ourselves from sliding down 20'. I slipped over a small hill and fell about 6'... got a nice spanking on a rock. But, our spirits were still high.... until we reached another cliff. Another deadend. This dropoff was even bigger than the first. We had to hike back up to the crest, but we had skidded down such a steep embankment that it would be very difficult to get out. Betsy started to get upset and worried that we'd have to be helicoptered out... but the three of us sat down and prayed for a while. Almost immediately Amy found the trail we had come up on not far from where we were. We headed back down the mountain and made it down safely. We got to the bottom and praised the Lord together.

It was amazing to climb a mountain thinking we could conquer all things, and then come off the mountain praising the Lord and giving him glory for giving us strength and wisdom. Not the lesson we expected to learn yesterday.

After that Amy and I had a nice talk at In N Out (something we were craving on the hike). Went to a Ghetto party and played Old Maid (yea, kind of ironic). And then watched parts of Bourne Supremacy. Such a great day. We got to see the Lord give grace in ways we couldn't expect.

New News

2008-02-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

Well, I suppose most of you who read this already know... but I have a girlfriend now! My good friend Amy and I became 'official' last Thursday. We've been great friends for a long time - we did theatre together 10 years ago, and then became close friends here when I transfered to Master's College last spring. It's been so much fun strengthening the friendship that we already have. There's no girl that I can talk as freely about the Lord or Christ or grace or the Bible with, and there's no girl who I enjoy being around more. We've done so many fun things together: going into San Francisco, visiting a Russian Church in Los Angeles, been on numerous hikes, and the list goes on. So, needless to say, I'm super excited!

These past couple weeks have been pretty ridiculous at times, but I've learned so much through the times the Lord has placed before me. I've been refreshed in seeing the Spirit work in guys lives on my wing - being reminded that my God is alive and active. I have seen Scripture come alive numerous times. Ephesians 3.20-21 "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Praise the Lord! I have seen the love of Christ displayed to me in many of friends, especially Tanner, Josh T., Josh B., Josh T., Siona, Joe K., Amanda, Jody, Caroline, and Valinda. It's been so humbling to see their care and love for not only me but for those I love as well. It's been amazing to get to teach Sunday School (3rd and 4th graders!) with Amy and to teach our children about the truths of God's Word. These last two sundays the Lord has let us teach on subjects that have been on our hearts lately. I have seen the utter grace that God gives in all circumstances. From who the Lord let me be roommates with, to the timing of certain friend's returns to the dorm; from the encouraging converstation, to the challenging prayer. The Lord is ever pushing me on towards knowing him more. To see how previous trials that seemed random teach me so much in some current trials! Praise the Lord! I've been refreshed to hear the gospel preached on sunday night and to be reminded of the implications of Christ's love for me and his forgiveness of my sins and what that means in my relation to my brothers.

So much is going on... and I am so excited to continue to see where the Lord takes me in my walk with him. James 1.2-3 says "Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." What an encouragement it has been to have joy in Christ when all things seem wrong AND when all things seem right.

I'll leave you with a great quote from a song by Hillsong:

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades.
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame.
And the cry of my heart, is to give you praise.
From the inside out, Lord my soul cries out.

Blog Night

2008-01-29T00:49:00.000-08:00

To start this off... tonight I had a conversation about blogging and realized I hadn't blogged in a bit. So, here I go...

Today was a marvelous day. Went to chapel with friends this morning. Had two very nice classes. In one Sam Erikson talked, and the other was sort of like a tv-trivia game. Went out to the store with Tanner and picked up food to cook tonight... Siona turned 30 at 12:15am today (Tuesday... Happy Birthday Dad!!). I cooked him a lamb and pasta dish. It was great. Tanner and Matt H. ate with us. Our dinner conversation turned into a 2 hour talk on everything from blogging, respect, relationships, to sanctification. It made me laugh hard and think hard. A sweet mix. It was encouraging to spend time with those guys. Then, at midnight, a large group came in and sang happy birthday to him. Loads of fun! Laughed hard for the next 30 mins.

This weekend was great. Went to the snow again on Saturday with my friends Amy, Betsy, Sam, Zach, Caroline and others. What a blast! Sunday, had two nice services at church. Between church services Amy, Betsy, Stephen, Jade, Jesse and I went and hiked 3 miles to a waterfall - and Amy and I jumped in it! I'm not sure what is colder - that waterfall or Lake Tahoe. It was pouring down rain the entire time, but we all had a blast.

This week has just been amazing to continue to see the Lord's goodness. I have been blessed to have several good talks with close friends, and I've definitely seen some friendships strengthened this week. Praise the Lord! The more you know people the more you can love them more deeply. It's hard to push people closer to Christ when you just observe them from a distance.

I'd love to keep writing, but it's 1am. Da Svedanya!

CLEP and Rain

2008-01-24T11:26:00.000-08:00

I sit here at my computer while the rain turns to hail outside my window. I can't help but smile. I sat outside under the protection of an overhang and watched the rain pour and puddle on the ground this morning. A professor of mine passed me and asked me why I’d be outside on such a cold day. I just smiled.

I love water. Especially rain. Many people here on campus have been complaining about the rainfall that is pounding our campus hourly this week. Everyone runs to get inside and escape the wet weather. I’d rather be outside in the falling water. Water reminds me of God’s goodness in several ways. Rain is something that God has used to remind me of his goodness so many times.

Today as I watched the rain fall across North Campus, I sat on a bench and thought about God’s grace. I’ve heard a verse several times recently in chapel and at church: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace (John 1.14,16). God pours grace out to us, and water creates a picture in my mind of that grace. As I look out as far as I can see today water continually falls from the sky. How much more does God pour out his grace upon us? I have been overwhelmed by God’s grace this week – and watching the continual rain come out of seemingly inexhaustible clouds reminds me of the limitless grace God gives to us because of His Son’s sacrifice for us.

Can I ever understand God’s grace? Last semester I heard a sermon on Titus 2.11-14 that was amazing. It says “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Back to water… In Matthew 5, Jesus said that God gives rain to the just and the unjust. The Lord gives salvation to His chosen, but he even gives grace to the reprobate. The Lord gives us rain (water) to survive. I think also of my experiences with springs; in Zion, Utah; Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Burney Falls, California. I don’t know how many of you have been next to a spring, but it’s an awesome experience seeing water pour forth from rocks or the ground. Again, springs remind me of the Lord’s supply of grace to us.

Finally, today I took the English Literature CLEP test. By God’s grace I passed it! It was so encouraging this morning to see God’s grace in my test and in the rain. And, yesterday was encouraging as well. Had a nice time of fellowship with my ‘brother’ and had a good conversation with Siona. This is too long… so go out in the rain, and praise the Lord for His grace to us!

God is Good

2008-01-22T12:27:00.000-08:00

I feel like I could write a book right now, but for the sake of those who read this I will try and keep this short. I realized that I haven’t written anything here for about a week… and in that past week so much has happened. Externally, I finished my winterim class, attended the Truth and Life Conference here at Masters, went on two hikes, went to Big Bear for snow, and started school. “Internally” the Lord has taught me so much these past few days, it’s been an incredible blessing.

A quick catch up on what has been going on…
Tuesday: had a difficult day, but it was probably one of the most amazing days I’ve had in sometime. The Lord taught me more than I can write here. I was overwhelmed by the Lord’s goodness and grace to me. The day began incredibly hard, but it ended with me praising God for all his blessings and love to me. I had to learn some things a hard way, but I saw the Lord’s grace in so many ways.

Wednesday: Met with Joe for our ‘one-year anniversary.’ It has been an incredible blessing to have him as a brother in my life. I could write for some time how much the Lord has worked on my life through our friendship. We had lunch and I was greatly encouraged and challenged. Later in the day I was greatly encouraged by one of my friends. We had had a hard time the day before, but I now see our friendship as being far stronger than it ever has been before. I am so amazed at the Lord’s grace to me in my friendships, especially with him.

Thursday: the conference started. And, a large group of us from Hotchkiss and some other peeps went hiking out in Santa Clarita. Lots of fun. Got poison oak though. A real adventure! Played games late into the night. Went to Denny’s with Tanner, Stephen, and Josh.

Friday: the conference continued. Went hiking with my good friend John (who had been in IBEX last semester), Betsy, Jody, and Marie at Vasquez Rocks. We hiking and climbed rocks for most of the afternoon. Loads of fun!

Saturday: had brunch with Stephen, and a nice conversation. Went to Big Bear with Amy, Abi, Betsy and Hannah. It took us four hours to get there, and then Abi hurt her ankle in the first five minutes we were there. But, we had a blast! Ate at this restaurant called the “Teddy Bear Café.” Had Starbucks in Azusa. What a fun road trip!!

Sunday: church was amazing on Sunday morning and Sunday night. Went to Starbucks with John. So good to catch up. Later, went to dinner with Amy, Ally, Stephen, Brandon, Brittany, and Ben. Then, played games with Tanner, Abi, and Valinda later that night. Had a blast playing games.

Monday: had chapel (amazing! Joe talked). Had a really nice and encouraging brunch with Siona. Then, had a nice lunch with the wing and some friends. Studied for my CLEP test coming up. Went out to Starbucks with Tanner and Stephen last night.

To wrap it up…. this week has been tough at times, but through it all the Lord has been continually revealing more of Himself to me. It has been such an amazing time of learning to love the Lord ever more! I’ve had to learn a lot about friendships and how to love others, but the Lord is faithful. I would love to write all about what the Lord has been teaching me, but I have to go to class now. So, I will finish by saying the Lord is ever good and loving and gracious, and I am continually amazed by my Lord. Slava Bogu.

Endurance

2008-01-13T21:26:00.001-08:00

At night church tonight we had a visiting pastor who spoke on endurance. The sermon didn't say too much, but the Lord used the sermon to remind me of some passages and thoughts on the subject. ... kind of.

The pastor emphasized the idea that we are to endure for the sake of the elect (1 Cor 9). He said that we endure so that we might share the hope that we have in Christ and spread the good news. When I was first saved I remember asking Kent Dresdow why I couldn't just go to heaven - life is too hard, and to be with Christ would be so sweet. Kent told me that God doesn't take us immediately into heaven when we're saved because He still has plans for us here on earth. God uses humans to spread His Word so that the elect might have a knowledge of the Lord. How would people hear the good news if there was no one to share it? How would people see examples of Christ? Obviously the Lord could, in His sovereingty and wisdom, choose to save people soley from putting the Word before them, or just saving them by other means, but that's not the Lord's plan. God uses people to shine His light.

This made me think less about endurance (umm...) but more about witnessing and why the Lord has me here, and about the hope that He's given me. So, I remember talking to Kent and thinking about how key people were in the Lord bringing me to Himself. Several believers on my first missions trip to Kazakhstan (Greg, Adam, Kaitlin, Tiffany, Justin, Tyler, Tanya) and people in Kazakhstan (Maxim, Slava, Andre...) showed me so much love in a different context while at the same time the Lord was revealing Himself to me in His Word. While the Word was giving me the Lord's truth, my conversations and interactions with believers were key in moving me towards to the Lord. Their radical love for the Lord spilled out to people was so incredible to me.

I think about trials and how we always say to endure because the Lord is sovereign, He has a plan. Endure because it will be for your good. Endure because when made weak you will see the Lord's strength. I don't deny that these are good reasons to endure... but I think enduring for the sake of sharing the Lord to the elect is forgotten sometimes. At least in my own life it is.

1 Corinthians 9.22-23 'To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.'

I do it all for the sake of the gospel! Is that really what I strive for? Do you remember the first time you received the good news? Can you remember the joy that was sent on fire in your heart? Can you remember giving up your life to gain it? Do you remember the hope that was in the grace of our Lord?

What is it that you love? What is that you desire?

Whatever you live for is obvious I think. You talk about it all the time. Am I so satisfied in the gospel that I want to share it with all men? Do I love the Lord so much that its the first and only thing I want to give to others? I want to love the Lord so much that I want to share Him with all I know. I want to know the Lord more that I am so satisfied in who He is that I can't wait to tell all about Him. I want to worship the Lord so much that I can't ever stop praising Him before the world.

What we love we want our loved ones to share with us. If I love a certain culture, I want to share that culture with those I love. If I love a certain movie, I want my family to know that movie. If I love a certain person, I want my other friends to love that person. May the Lord give me the grace to love Him so much that I want to share Him with the world. What greater thing to share than our Lord?

A Lesson Before School Starts

2008-01-10T19:40:00.000-08:00

Who said learning needs to wait until school actually starts?

This week has been rough, but I needed to learn some things before the school semester began. I went to bed on Monday night a happy man, all was right with the world, and then woke up Tuesday morning with one of the worst attitudes I've had in some time. The Lord had some lessons in store for me, but I couldn't tell what they were when I woke up. I have to admit I was angry because I thought everything was going well and I couldn't understand why so many things had become so exaggerated in my mind.

I began to stress out about school... about the CLEP test I have to pass, about the DS science class I have to finish, about the winterim economics class, about my 18 units... about where I'd be applying for graduate school, about what geographic region I'd be applying to, about where I'd be living this summer, about where I'd be working... about relationships that have faded over the past several months with friends from last Spring, about relationships this semester that I'm not sure about where they are going, about relationship with girls and where those should be... about my family that I was barely home with... and the list of things to worry about jusy compounded and compounded upon itself inside my brain.

I used to stress o so much, and I knew I didn't want this. But my mind was a path to destruction, and all I could do was cry out to the Lord. I prayed and read the Word. Prayed and read the Word some more. And then prayed for some time. I thought I knew how to fix stress... meditate on Philippians where it says "The Lord is hand: Do not be anxious, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord." I've been tempted by anxiety so many times, and that verse was normally so sweet. But I couldn't shake the overwhelming fear that was building up.

I began to get upset as I knew that I was sinning against the Lord by not trusting Him. I cried out to the Lord asking him to change my hard heart. I kept thinking I just needed to not worry, the Lord was trying to teach me to trust Him. But, the Lord had a different lesson in mind. In reading Scripture I eventually was convicted and encouraged reading 2 Peter. 2 Peter 3.13 says "But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." I could not escape my flesh, but I have the hope of Christ today to help me through my trials AND I have a hope in the knowledge that the Lord will one day return to take me to heaven with Him. There righteousness will dwell! What hope! My Savior will come, and I will go with Him BECAUSE of His death for me. What a blessed day it will be when I will praise my Lord without sin!! Oh, Lord, I can't wait! Where is my focus here? Is it on relationships, on school, or on the Lord? Where is my hope? On earth or in heaven? I realized that I had become far too 'earth-looking' in my life. The Lord so encouraged me with reminders of His love for me and how I will be with Him one day! O the grace that one day I will not seek to love and serve the Lord with temptations to sin begging at me.

I read Romans 8 thinking still that the Lord would encourage me in His sovereignty. But that would not be what would encourage me. As I read the 'sovereignty' verse 8.28, I instead was convicted on something else. I kept reading Romans 8 and instead saw again that nothing can separate me from my Lord's love. Why does school and friends and family and my future cause me so much stress? I have all I ever need in Christ. I have His love! He died for me, and he loves me more than I can ever understand.

It came down to this: Do I desire the Lord's love or do I desire xxx? I could put any of the things I was stressing about in the blank. What do I most desire? A good friend, a good graduate school, an easy school semester, a girlfriend, a better relationship with my family? Who is it that I desire? I desire to know, and love, and worship my Lord Jesus!

This is long... but this was an important thing the Lord humbled me on this week. Conclusion... I love the Lord ever more for His grace to me and his sacrifical, amazing, and unconditional love towards me! I will not give up on my life here, I won't give up my friendships and so on, but I will seek to love my Lord even more, ever more. To God be all glory and praise.

A Blessed Week

2008-01-07T01:56:00.000-08:00

These past seven days I have been blessed to spend them with my best friend Tanner. I flew up to his house in Washington on Monday morning, and we drove down yesterday (and today). I have longed to visit Washington for sometime, and Tanner invited me up during finals. The week will go down as one of my fondest memories. I am so thankful that God gave me the opportunity to go and visit my friend. I have so many great memories, I will try and share some:

December 31 - Went to Starbucks, Borders, walked the beach at Mukilteo, played an intense 4+ hour game-a-thon including shuffle board, Sorry, and foozeball, blew off poppers at midnight, and stayed up late watching a movie.

January 1 - Had one of the best conversations I've ever had (the Lord has really given me great conversations at Starbucks...) on a variety of topics. I couldn't help but praise the Lord for his amazing grace in our lives. I am so blessed to call Tanner my good friend. Played Risk, and then Tanner's mom's family came and I played games with the counsins for at least 5 hours. Watched 'Rush Hour' and 'Frequency.'

January 2 - Tanner and I missed the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston by several seconds. Visited Stephen in Kingston and went kayaking in his 'backyard.' Incredibly beautiful area. Went to Outback Steakhouse, watched the 'Fugitive' and played the old Mario Brothers for many hours. Tanner and I made it to the 4th world before we were too tired to continue.

January 3 - Went to McDonalds, went and saw 'I am Legend' at a movie theatre. Went into Seattle and went up the Space Needle. Took some awesome pictures, and then had Starbucks in Seattle. Watched 'Dirty Dozen.'

January 4 - Had pizza at Alfy's, had a nice conversation on Placerita, went to Starbucks again.

January 5 - Left Tanner's house at 5:15am and arrived at mine 18 hours later. Tanner and I braved rain, snow, darkness, sleepiness and other crazy things. I got to be outside in falling snow for the first time. Had several nice conversations along the way. Got lost for an hour near my house.

January 6 - Left my home, ate at Tomitina in Walnut Creek, followed each other down to Masters, where we arrived 5 hours later. Unpacked at ate at Panda Express. Had an amazing conversation with Tanner and Siona until 2am in the morning.

To rap it all up... I feel so blessed on this trip to have gotten to know my friend even better, to rejoice in God's grace, to reflect on the Lord's workings in our lives and in His Word, to strengthen our friendship, AND to have a complete blast. I have so many sweet memories (crossing sign, music...) from this trip.

At the Space Needle!

New Years at midnight-ish.

On the ferry.

In the snow.

At Stephen's House.

A Thought on Texting

2007-12-29T01:20:00.000-08:00

Tonight I had an interesting thought on texting and God. For some reason I felt a little down today, and two people contacted me that really encouraged me. One, my friend Mary called and thanked me for sharing last night in our college group. I had prayed that I could share with my brothers and sisters something that would encourage them and point them to the Lord, and she said that what I had said was encouraging. I was blessed to have the opportunity to speak to 50 or so of my brothers and sisters about what the Lord's been doing in life, and to tell them just how awesome our Lord is in his character. Two, my friend Joe K. texted me that he was thinking about me. His text at about 10pm really encouraged me. Joe is a man I've learned to greatly respect and love. God blessed me with the opportunity to get to know him when I first arrived at Masters in January, and God has challenged and encouraged me through him. He's in the top four people that have challenged me the most. Getting a random text from him just reminded me of the past year that we've known each other, and of the love that he's shown me.
I was doing my devotional and praising the Lord for the encouragement of my brother and sister today, and I stopped and though... 'You know, the Lord is always sending a text of encouragement in his Word.' I'm not sure why, but it really comforted me. I opened up 1 John and read through it. As much as the Lord has blessed me with brothers and sisters here that have encouraged me (Joe, Greg, Tanner, Kent, Dave W., Jody, Amanda, Josh, Siona, and the list could go on forever!), my greatest comfort and encouragement is from the Lord. While the Lord encouraged me today through contact from his children, I never need to wait for a text or phone call from one of my brothers and sisters to be encouraged. I have a Father who gave me one big 'text': His Word.
Encouragements from the Lord from my reading today:
1 John 1.9 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' - what an amazing promise that is! All we must do is confess our sin, our Lord Jesus has already done all the work to save us from damnation. Do I have to wait until my life is perfect to come to the Lord in prayer? No! I humbly come before the Lord and confess my sin to him, and he is faithful to forgive me of my sin.
1 John 4.10 'In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent the Son to be the propitiation for our sins.' - Whose love encourages me? My family's, my friends'. Does that facebook comment from a friend cheer me because of their love? Does that random phonecall bring a sweetness because I know of their love? But, what an amazing Person has loved me! Love hates hypocracy, and His love is perfect. Friends and family's love, while a blessing, is never perfect - but His love is! My Father loved me so much that he sent his Son to die for me. For ME. What an outstanding demonstration of love. Talk about a great text. I needn't wait to have that pop up on my cell phone, that's a truth that can always encourage me. Encourage me to love my Savior ever more, for how can I ever understand that love?
1 John 4.19 'We love because God first loved us.' - This verse never ceases to make me stop and think. I cannot love on my own, I love only because God loved me first. I only love Christ, because God first loved me and sent his Son to die for me. I can only love my brothers and sisters because God has given me the love to do so. Then, I thought, I am only loved by my brothers and sisters because of God's love to them first. Praise to God from whom all blessings flow! God has so greatly blessed me with a family, both biologically and spiritually. I am very much a 'people person' and am very encouraged by those that the Lord has brought into my life. It's astounding for me to remember not only that the Lord brought those relationships into my life - but the very fact that those I call dear can love me is only because of God's love to them.

I think of James 1.17, 'Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of change.'
1 - I praise the Lord for his abundant blessings to me. For those I am so blessed to be loved by.
2 - I praise the Lord for his unfathonable love towards me and my brothers and sisters in his Son.
3 - I praise the Lord for his Word.

Mocktails

2007-12-06T12:21:00.000-08:00

Last night was Jody, Amanda and I's mocktail party! It was an absolute blast... we had shirley temple's, roy rodgers, apple cider, and played christmas movie charades, christmas trivia, and christmas song charades. We had a great time hanging with our borthers and sisters from Hotchkiss and a couple other dorms. The three of us made amazing cookies from cake mixes, especially a peanut butter cookie. The disco ball and christmas lights made it fun. We had an awesome time.

The End is Near

2007-11-29T11:53:00.000-08:00

So today I have been a little meloncholy about school coming to a close soon. I have had quite a rough week due to schoolwork, but I am still quite sad to leave here. Hotchkiss is my home, and I will miss it dearly during the break. As much as I long to be home with my family and grandparents and friends, I am going to miss this place so very much. A semester is always unique... my class schedule has permitted me to have lunch with certain people every day, it has given me the opporunity to be in class with some of my good friends. I know I will still have the same friends, but I know also that the new semester will bring changes as well. Not necessarily bad ones, but it will be different.

This week was my 'heck week' if I can use an illustration from the theatre world. I had a total of about 40 pages of writing due the last three days. Sunday I stayed up until 5:30am to finish my papers for Monday, Monday I stayed up until 7am to finish my homework for Tuesday, and Tuesday I stayed up until 3:30 to finish my homework for Wednesday. It was a long vicious cycle that I brought upon myself for procrastinating.

But I learned a lot. Not merely that I should have done some more homework earlier in the semester, but something more important. This week has been incredibly humbling to me. One of my papers, the one I stayed up until 7am -slept for 2 hours - and wrote until 12:35 that morning, showed me a lot. I have never written so close to a deadline that I couldn't proof read it. There were so many times during the night that my body would start to shut down, and I would have nothing to do but cry out to the Lord for help and grace. I saw again, like I have during ministry many times, that only the Lord gives me the strength to get through the day. I really don't ever have the strength or the ability to do what I do - only by God's grace am I capable of doing anything. But, I got to see that in such a tangible way this week. While writing my large paper, I had to stop and read Isaiah 40 several times and stop to pray. That chapter is amazing... it begins by showing the power and majesty of our Lord. It finishes by reminding us to wait upon the Lord for His strength. My friend Amanda told me the next day that she had been studying this, and that wait means to 'hope' or 'longing for' or 'expect.'

That's amazing. We wait because we know of God's power. We don't throw our faith into an idea, but a personal God who can measure the waters in the palm of his hand! This week has broken me to step back and remember the power and majesty of God.

Thanksgiving and Blind Dates

2007-11-14T00:11:00.000-08:00

So... I am sitting in the Hotchkiss lounge. I tried to think of something to blog about, and one friend said I should write about Thanksgiving, and the other said I should write about Blind Dates.

First... the easy topic: Blind Date.
Tonight I was invited to go on a blind date this Friday. I'm still trying to decide whether or not I want to go. Supposedly I will know some of the guys going, and I know three of the girls. There's a group of 14. I have never gone on a blind date, but the problem is it might not quite be blind... supposedly I might know the girl. It could be more awkward if I actually know her I think. I might go for it if my best friend goes, too. It's a miniture golf/In N Out night. Let me know what you all think about it. I don't really have anything for it, but then I don't really have a good reason not to go either.

Now, onto Thanksgiving.
2 Thessalonians 5.18 - "in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
So I've come to realize how hard it is to complain when you are praising God for everything that He's given. Every good and perfect gift is from above, says James, so everything good we receive is from God. Therefore, why don't I praise God more often for all the good that is going on? Even when my life seems awful, there is always good that I can rejoice in and praise God for.

Who my Family is:
My Mom - for her love, hospitality, great ability to make me feel loved and cared for.
My Dad - for his love, steadfastness, love to listen and care.
My twin Sarah - her kind heart, meekness, creativity, and heart for others
My sis Elizabeth - her joy and smile, her perserverence to do anything, her laugh
My grandmother - her generosity, hospitality, love to talk
My grandfather - his laugh, his thoughts, his hugs

Friends:
Greg - his patience with me, his love to listen, his example as a Christian man, his loyalty in friendship to me. His love for Karen and to see God glorified at all times. His prayers and involvement in my life to push me towards Christ.

Tanner - his patience with me, his love for me to tell me the truth, talking and listening to me for hours, for being a brother, for being a friend, challenging me and being humble while talking to me. For the fun we've had at Starbucks, or Disneyland, in class, or on a walk. For showing me how to be a friend by example. For his desire to see God be the joy and desire of my life.

Josh - his wisdom, his heart for seeing men walk with the Lord, his stories, for talking at anytime of day or night, making me think hard, teaching me to climb. Talking at Outreach week for hours at night, and his heart to know me.

Stephen - his heart for me and others, becoming my brat, living with me despite my faults. Putting up Christmas lights and wrestling at 2 in the morning.

Joe - talking through anything, pushing me towards Christ, sharing the truth. Encouraging me in the Lord and his Word when I have been very low.

Kent - showing me love in the truth, encouraging me in Christ, teaching me about Christ. Pushing me to know Christ all the more, and the serve him.

Amanda - listening to me and convicting me to listen to others, to have a deep love for knowing others and Christ. For talking about hard things and rejoicing in grace and heaven. For Fall Thing or baking cookies, or taking pictures or singin' Wicked.

Abby - talking about Christ's work in our lives and the world at Starbucks. For the best inside jokes.

John Laffs - showing me great love, listening and talking through hard times, showing me a great example of how to use energy for God. For jumping above the city, playing at a zoo, or driving to BestBuy and having a great conversation.

AJ - being a great friend, teaching me about the great outdoors, showing love to me when I needed it. For teaching me how to love the Lord and people more than school. For watching countless movies or creating jokes, or hiking in canyons.

Jody - for her constant joy, her push to make me think biblically, to find joy in the Lord, to love God's grace, to make friends with guys. For acting like crazy people on the lawn, or having a serious talk in the cafe.

God:
Where do I start thanksgiving? There are so many things to praise God for.. his blessings to me, his protection of me in many circumstances, him giving me energy to sustain me, and so on. The list is large. But, what about just who God is and what he's done for his creation? What about Christ? What about grace? What about God's love? What about God's faithfulness? His patience? The Lord's wrath? The Lord's mercy? God's holiness? God's providence? What about God's sovereignty? What about God's incredible power? God pulled me out of my path to hell, and he granted me life in his Son Jesus Christ! Could I ever cease to be thankful for that alone? I do forget to thank God for his work of salvation, and his continued work of sanctification, and I must not. Can I ever forget God's amazing faithfulness to me even when I am unfaithful?

"Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sins."

"Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe, my sin had left a crinsom stain, He washed it white as snow."

Those songs, and verse after verse in the Bible, point us to the goodness of God. If you know God, why don't you thank him more? If you don't know God, why do you not turn to him? He promises love to those who call upon him and trust in him for salvation, why won't you turn to him? Thank God for his blessings, for his character, for his work.

Thanksgiving isn't about turkey really. And thanksgiving shouldn't occur only once a year.

Pictures of this weekend

2007-11-13T11:48:00.000-08:00

This week

2007-11-09T08:39:00.000-08:00

Monday: Woke up and studied with my friend Jody at 6am for a test. Went with my RD Siona to Becca's house and had Pinkberry, a hip yogurt thing in SoCal. Took a walk with Tanner.

Tuesday: Went to Starbucks with Amanda. Then went back with Amanda, Abs, and Kaycie. Had some nice talks. Then, there was a surprise birthday party for the girls' RD Jackie. There was tap dancing, 10 cakes, and karaoeke. Lots of fun.

Wednesday: Went to Trader Joe's and Target for about 3 hours with Tanner, Amanda, and Abs. Lots of fun browsing through the stores and occasionally buying things.

Thursday: Took model pictures on the hill above Hotchkiss. Made Plof for my RD and Tanner, Josh, Hannah and Valinda. The food turned out nicely, and we had a really nice dinner conversation.

Friday-Sunday: Will have men's retreat today and tomorrow, and then homework to do whenever that is finished. And, my mom and dad will come down on Monday!!!

Halloween

2007-11-01T23:46:00.001-07:00

So Halloween in college is definitely different, but still fun! Yesterday I hung with my friends and made cookies and watched Edward Scissorhands. A fun night hanging out with my good friends. This morning went rock climbing at 6am, climbed until we had to come back at 9:30am for class. Fun stuff.

Costume Party

2007-10-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

So yesterday the weekend started! So excited to be done with the week... it was a brutal week in different ways. Headed down to Huntington Beach for a costume party! SO much fun! Had a really good time hanging out with my best friends. Played the most intense game of bobbing-for-apples. Insane. Completely insane. Was soaked completely. Took a lot of fun pictures, I'll post a few here.
Today I went to "Make a Difference Day" with some of my good friends. We helped clean out a hillside to protect from fires. A lot of work, but good to serve the community and also get to talk to friends. Then, went rock climbing for a couple hours. All of us were exhausted, so we didn't last as long as usual. Now, I'm off to do several hours of homework...

The Fire

2007-10-22T22:49:00.001-07:00

Well, I thought I'd post some new photos of the fire. Pray for those effected by it. We have a day of prayer tomorrow, and we will go out into the community and help those who are returning back to their homes.

Disneyland 2

2007-10-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

Disneyland and Fires

2007-10-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well, the past few days have been filled with many things...

Disneyland was on Saturday... we left at 7am, got back about 1am. Were at the park from 8am-11:45pm. SO MUCH FUN! It is definitely one of my favorite days ever, and for sure the highlight of my semester. I got to have an absolute blast with my friends Tanner, Josh B., Matt, Jimmy, Sarah, Amanda, and Abby. Tanner and I rode Space Mountain 3x and yelled 'HOTCHKISS,' drove Indy 2x and had a blast screaming and ducking through the ride, touched stars on Peter Pan with Amanda and Josh, screamed on Haunted Mansion with Amanda and Abby, and talked in British accents with Tanner, Josh, Betsy and Abby for almost an hour. Rode the tea cups with Tanner and Abby and beat the other Masters' students, took jump pictures at the castle, and pretty much just had an amazing day with my best friends!

Yesterday there was a huge fire nearby... only a couple miles away there was a 25,000 acre completely uncontrolled fire. The sky turned red, and the clouds black. Very strange. We had rumors of evacuations for hours, but they never happened. Today the sky is clear above us, but it's smoky far off. Pray for the people around here... we've had several people lose their homes in the church and at school.

It's Friday

2007-10-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

With my friend Caroline.
With Charissa, my friend from Northcreek!
With my friend Tanner and my fellow history bud Jared.

So it's been a week since I've posted. I'm not doing very well at keeping this updated this year. It's been a busy week, and it will continue on this weekend and next week. Thankfully, I'm going to Disneyland for a welcome break tomorrow! I'm super excited for that.
This week's been pretty good. School was pretty brutal this week. I was still blessed to have a few good talks and fun times this week. I think the hard week made me appreciate some things more - conversations with my friends, a comment on my facebook from a friend back home, a call from my mom. Things that normally come and go quickly. Well, it's been a long two days... 7am-2:45am yesterday, and 5:45am-?? today.

OutReach Week

2007-10-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

These past few weeks that I have not posted have been busy.
Last week was a good week. Had some really good talks at the beginning of the week. Visited Sarah for about 1/2 hour. Then, went to San Juan and San Clementine for an Outreach Week. My RA was co-leading the group, and it was really nice to have a week of ministry getting to hang with him, and to get the opportunity to get to know some others better. We helped serve Crossroads church in a couple ways. We helped host an Octoberfest, with pie and chili cookoffs, and a talent show, to reach out to the community. And we helped pass out flyers (about 1,000) for the night, and helped with a bible study for youths. Several of us on the team sang in church on Sunday. It was an encouragement to see the church's hospitality, and I pray we were an encouragement to the church. We had a lot of fun, and it wasn't as grueling as I had expected at all. I shared a room with my RA, and we talked for at least an hour every night. It was really encouraging to get to know him better.
This week has been a little stressful, but not overwhelming. I read a whole book in one sitting yesterday. I have about 20 pages of research papers due, and about another 15 pages of writing due in the next two weeks. About 3 full books to read and 3 midterms. But, I don't feel too crazy yet.

Fall Things #2

2007-09-30T21:49:00.000-07:00

Friday night was Fall Thing - A Masquerade! SOOOO much fun. Went with my friend Amanda, and Stephen and Amy. It was incredibly fun walking around and taking pictures. We had a blast. Went to Mimi's Cafe afterwards. A great, crazy, 'punk' night!

Fall Thing #1

2007-09-30T21:46:00.000-07:00

Amy's B-day

2007-09-30T21:43:00.001-07:00

It was Amy's birthday today. We went to church (Elizabeth, Lauren, Amy, Stephen, Mary and I) and then we joined up with more people for lunch at BJ's. Fun!

Disneyland

2007-09-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

It was Elizabeth's birthday on Saturday, so she, Lauren, and I went to Disneyland. We had an absolutely amazing time riding rides, eating at the Blue Bayou, watching fireworks, and getting to walk through parts of Indiana Jones! Elizabeth is my favorite person to go to Disneyland with - so I had a blast! It was fun to watch her get to celebrate her birthday at the park.

A Russian Day

2007-09-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

So this morning I went with Amy into Los Angeles. We began by taking the train into the city... fun to take the train! A double-decker train. Went to a Russian Orthodox Church. It was unlike anything I expected. It was traditon heavy, but organic and fluid. Beautiful, kracevaya, music! Really eye opening to me. To see the veil that is shrouds the Cross is sad, but some truth is still shared. Seeing people bowing down and kissing icons was strange, but it makes me want to study their beliefs more to understand how they can worship icons when they hear Christ.

Went to a Russian resturant and ordered shashleek. It was amazing! Almost as good as it was in Kazakhstan. Then, went to a Russian bookstore and found a cool old book and postcards. Had a blast speaking in Russian to the owner. Then, found a Russian bakery and bought the same cookies I ate with Pasha in Kazakhstan! I was so excited! Brought back so many memories.

I love the Russian culture and people so very much. It was such a blessing to share their culture with a good friend of mine. I love it so dearly, it was such a joy to show a friend what I love.

Almost a third

2007-09-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been slow on the updates. It's been pretty crazy. Today I had an exam in 'Emergence of Modern America.' Seemed to go well. Lately it's been lots of school... with some minor crazy times. The top picture was from Hotchkiss tie day. We all dress up and wear ties... fun times. The next few are from a trip to the park. We spent about an hour, got icecream, and ended up having an icecream fight. Hilarious, and so much fun. We all can't wait to do it again sometime. Got to get to know people a little bit better, so that was fun.

Have gotten to know some of the guys on my wing better. I got to talk with my ARA for a while the other day. We walked to Jack n the Box, and just had a nice talk about life and school and whatever. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better. Have gotten to know a couple of the new guys a bit better, too. One is from Canada, and is fun to hang out with and study with. Amy and I joined some others friends last night to study for our exam. Good to study with others and talk and stuff.

This blog is rather boring it seems, but I've got to get back to school...

HOTCHKISS

2007-09-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

So this weekend has been a few days of ups and downs. Friday, we had dorm chapel. Really good. Had kind of a bad day though. But God encouraged me through His Word. I was reminded of God's goodness and grace in our times of need. Friday I spent about 6 hours in the library with Amy studying the Sioux Indians. Not my idea of fun. I don't particularily like their history, and I have a research paper on them. Friday night I went to the volleyball game because my brain was fried. Our school has a Sadie Dawkins Masquerade... and I got asked out! I was happy to get asked. The girl and I have two classes together, and have had fun talking this week. She's really fun and sweet, so I'm sure we'll have an awesome time at the Masquerade! After spending 20 mins at the game, had to go back to studying. Spent another 3 hours studying.

This morning I spent another 5 hours in the library with Amy, Stephen, and Sam. Read 1/2 of a book that's due Tuesday. Still have my Indians to do. My dorm had a Hotchkiss day, and it was a blast!! I am wipped out, but it was well worth it. I've now got to study another probably 3-4 hours tonight, but I'm still happy I went. We played Cabbage Football. So much fun. I caught the winning goal. My friend Amanda and I talked quite a bit... and played the game a little. Enough for my team to win! haha. Played the game where you have to join with others to form a number... say 5, 7, chicken (2 on piggy back), pyramid (5 ... no top) and so on. So much fun. Then, went to In 'N Out. A blast! Met some new people, and had fun with oldies.

Now... it's time to get back to school!!

Labor Day

2007-09-04T17:41:00.000-07:00

Well Labor Day weekend was nice. Almost too nice. I feel spoiled to have spent an extra day off, having fun and hanging out with friends. Saturday continued to be a great day after my last post. Amy, Brittney, and Ally and I were playing cards and wanted to do something more random. So we headed to BJ's and got a pizookie, and then proceeded to take a picture for each letter in the alphabet... ASL style. So much fun. Got back sometime around 11pm or something.

Sunday was church. Another amazing sermon by Scott. I am so encouraged by his preaching... God continues to teach me much through him. I feel so many times that I have so many questions, and I am blessed with a solid church that I can grow in. It's easy to overlook all the blessings that we have here at Masters, but I am humbled to remember how blessed I am to have such a surrounding of brothers and sisters and such a strong church to hear the Word preached in. We talked about suffering and its necessity (as pertains to the gospel being spread). And about our need to reach out to the sick and lost not just the nice and self-righteous. I was reminded of Mrs. Bell and other missionaries I've talked to in Kazakhstan, and what truths they have taught me that put these ideas into practical use. Mrs. Bell reaching out to the AIDS-suffering, and offering the hope of Christ. The sick can see the need for a Physician, the lost can see their need for a Savior. Suffering, as I've heard from missionaries in closed countries, is necessary to the growth and spreading of the gospel.

Monday was a day of fun. Amy, Stephen, Brittney, Ally, Caroline, and I headed into Los Angeles to the LA County Museum of Art. What a fun museum! Huge, but had a great diverse range of art. I loved the Egyptian, Islamic, Nepal, and 18th Century European especially. Went to the tar pits and downtown Hollywood as well. Came back and watched 'Emperor's New Groove.' Talked to a couple of my friends for a while as well.

Time Is Going By

2007-09-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

So, I'm exhausted. Not quite sure why.

Lets see...

Monday... started school. Had a nice chapel, nice lunch, and some of my classes were good. Some are going to pretty hard though. Figured out I have 4,500 pages of required reading (not counting research!), and about 80+ pages of research/essays due. Fun. haha.

Thursday... played a fun German game with some friends. Had a good time.

Friday... black day at Hotchkiss! So hot though... so hot that Tatlock let us wear shorts! He became my hero of the day. I told him in person, and he laughed. But I was serious. Watched 'The Pianist' with Sam. Then played Pit with Amy, Caroline, Sam, Stephen, and Josiah. Had a fun time. Helped Stephen fix his popped tire, and then took random pictures above the school on a hill.

Today... went a served at a VBS-like activity at a church in Ventura. The church was so giving and nice! They showed us so much love. It was a joy to serve alongside them. I helped run a sponge-throw booth (fun!!) and then do puppets with Jillian. A big blessing to serve and get to know some more people.

Back at Masters

2007-08-25T22:24:00.000-07:00

Well I'm back at Masters. It's been wild, but good. I'm super tired, so this will be short, hopefully. Tomorrow I will be blessed to return to Placerita Baptist once more.

Yesterday my dad and I got down here in good time. He pretty much did all the work. Thanks Dad! I had to go copy a form before I could move everything in, so he unpacked everything. So good to see some friends. I was blessed to have dinner with my friend John. He will be studying abroad for a semester, so this was my only time to visit. Went down to Skid Row. It was amazing to see God open up different opportunities there. We were encouraged by a fellow Christian where we buy our tacos, and we were also encouraged by several Christians passing out water and tracks downtown. We don't serve from a specific church, or college... we are all servants of God. Brothers and sisters here in the US.

Today I helped my good friend Tyler unpack. We unpacked for maybe 5 hours, but also chatted and caught up. He got married two weeks ago! So excited for him. I love him and his wife so much. They're an amazing example to me. I was so excited to get his call yesterday. We talked almost the whole day. haha. Then, came back to Hotchkiss. Played cards with Stephen and Amy for a bit. Then Amy and I chatted for sometime. Good to bounce ideas back and forth and hear how each others summers went.

Well, I'm exhausted, so good night!

A Blessed Day

2007-08-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted here in a bit. I'm not really sure that anyone's reading it right now, with it being summer and me changing to this site, but I will update anyway.

Today I spent some time with my grandfather and grandmother in Antioch. Had a good time going to the store with my grandfather and then chatting with my Granny and Gramps for a bit.

Headed out to Byron to meet with my former high school science teacher, Mrs. Bell. She is now a missionary in Uganda, in a small village outside Kampala. I had not seen her for about 5-6 years, but we got in contact and decided to meet up today to talk. She is home for several months until she returns back to Uganda. I can't tell you what an amazing blessing it was to meet with her! God encouraged me so much hearing through her what He's doing in Africa.

So much of the news we hear is focused on death, HIV, orphans, widows, homeless, wars, and so on. We hear only the problems, the darkness, the hopelessness of Africa. But while all the death is real, more real than I can fathom, God is working among His children there! I don't know how many times my emotions flipped back and forth on me while I listened to Mrs. Bell speak... there is so much saddness... but there is so much joy as people come to know the hope of Jesus Christ as their Savior! She told me how she prays with multitudes of families who are watching loved ones die from AIDS, and how she offers to pray for peace. Not that they will be healed, for there is no cure now, but that God, the God of the universe, might grant them peace in their situation. Life is hard, life is brutal, but God is in control, and God does have a plan for each person's life. I thought it so interesting that she does not offer a false hope, but proclaims the hope of Christ to the sick.

I asked her if she ever has a hard time trusting God seeing the pain that has enveloped so many peoples there... in Uganda and the Sudan. She told me that she never does... she sees people turn to Christ. In their seemingly hopeless lives they can see Christ as the glorious Rock and Healer, Sustainer... unlike so many who live comfortable, easy lives. Unlike many blinded by hedonism, so many can see their need for salvation in our Lord. I thought of the passages that talk about Christ coming to save the sick... for they know they need to be healed. We all, every man, woman, and child needs the Healer, but only those that know of their need of Him can run to him.

This is too long... but I'll just say it was a huge blessing to hang out with my grandparents and to visit Mrs. Bell and hear all about God's great workings in Uganda and the Sudan.

A Huge Blessing

2007-08-09T21:43:00.001-07:00

It has been over a week since I have returned to the States, and I feel it is time to do some sort of “short” recap of what happened in Kazakhstan.

I left for Almaty, Kazakhstan nearly a month ago. July 12 I left San Francisco for my ‘other’ home. It was so sweet to reunite with my brothers and sisters. I felt home, even though my ‘real’ home was so far away. Our full ministry did not really begin until Monday of that week (we arrived on Saturday morning). The first week we spent our mornings serving alongside Resurrection Church hosting a VBS and spent our afternoons and evenings teaching English. It was not unusual for me to wake up between 4 and 5am and fall to sleep between 12 and 1am.

But this weakness allowed me to see God’s faithfulness and strength! Isaiah 40 was a huge encouragement to me: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” I can’t explain to you how awesome it was to see God’s amazing faithfulness to me in giving me strength, in giving me energy. I so wanted to pass out and collapse so many times, but God provided energy for me to serve. I was pressed for strength at VBS and English Club especially, but when I hit my lowest I could see His power in my weakness.

Another verse that encouraged me was Galatians 6 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” I had to remember never to grow weary in doing in. Sleep can be such a temptation, laziness can be such a temptation, but I must never grow weary in doing good.

VBS was such an amazing experience for me this year. I served as a leader for the 7-9 year old gang. My group had a Kazakh leader (Ura), and then Ashley and I as leaders, and then 10-15 kids. I was blessed to gain three small friends. The first day two little kids, Muslim and Lusht, became my friends. The second day I gained my best little friend, Pasha. He had been pretty silent the first day, but I tried speaking to him in Russian, and he became my little buddy. I was so tired every morning, but God encouraged me to serve through His Word and these three little kids. Pasha had to be the cutest little kid I’d ever seen – one day he came up to me and asked me if I was his friend (eta moi druge?) and when I said ‘da’ he got so happy. I was so blessed. The last day he brought me a present, and Lena (the pastor’s wife) told me he’d been crying all night because he was afraid he wouldn’t see me again. Broke my heart! I was so sad to have to leave Pasha and the rest of the gang. It was so hard sometimes just physically to serve, but it was such a joy!

English Club was a little different this year, but God opened up some new opportunities. I helped teach Beginning English with Ashley and Kristen S. I love teaching beginners. It’s so much fun to act everything out with them. We teach English for about 3 hours, and then have ‘spiritual time’ with them afterwards. This year I got to share my testimony during spiritual time. It was so awesome to share my testimony in the country that God really worked on my heart. I wanted to share the joy that I now have with those who are darkened there. I also had the awesome blessing to share the gospel to my class! I had not expected to share it in class, but on the last day of classes Justin asked me to share. I had a horrible stomach that day, and was very nervous about being able to just stand up and give it. But about 10 mins before I was to share, God completely cleared my stomach, and I was able to share the gospel, the good news, with about 15 non believers! Slava Bogu!

The final days there were spent at the Bible Camp. This year’s camp was frustrating to me because of my lack of being able to communicate well, but it was still amazing to see God working through those from Resurrection Church. I think the partnership we have shone most brightly here. We passed off our work to them, and they have much more work ahead of them.

It’s always so hard coming home, wondering if it all really happened. I am here in my kitchen in Pittsburg, more than 13,000 miles from my home. I must remind myself that God is here and there, and all over the world bringing people to Himself! It was such a blessing and joy to return to Almaty and serve Him again there. It was so much harder physically this year, but I was able to grow in my trust in God by seeing His awesome and unwavering faithfulness daily, hourly. What an amazing God we serve! His love is all too beautiful to understand, is it not? I went to serve, and yet God blessed me more than I can write. Yes I served, oh how much work it was at times, but what joy did I find in Christ and in serving Him! I felt so low several times at Bible Camp, but He reminded me that He’s always in control, always there.

Slava Bogu!

Masters Wedding

2007-07-11T17:43:00.001-07:00

So I got my first wedding announcement today. Not a wedding announcement to my family, but just to me. Fun, but strange. To think that one of my friends is getting married is exciting and kind of shocking at the same time. I'm used to older people getting married... not so much people my age. I find turning 21 to be strange. People getting married that are my age isn't young or anything, but it's just sort of crazy to have someone my age tying the knot!

I'm so excited for my friend and his fiancee! They are one of the nicest couples I've met. I hope to model them someday. They love each other and the Lord so much, it's so encouraging just to see them together. I wish I could attend the wedding, but it's in Texas right after I get back from Kazakhstan. But, thankfully they're moving back to SoCal this fall, so I'll get to hang with them sometimes.

Happy 5th of July

2007-07-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was awesome. Started off with Elizabeth and I taking a drive down to Dublin to get some sparklers. There was a buy-one-get-one sale. Big smiles accompanied our ride home. Stopped at the Hull's house and chatted for a bit. Came back home and read Part One in "Arabian Nights." Talked to my friend. Good to talk before I leave.

Last night I thought it would be fun to go to the marina in Pittsburg. Caroline, Elizabeth and I headed down and sat next to the water. As we waited for it to get dark we noticed a large barge coming towards us... the firework barge! It stopped right in front of us not more than 50 yards from shore! We had the perfect seats. Amazing. We were literaly right on the water, so the reflection of the fireworks was just stunning, and the finale was right over our heads. So beautiful. I was giddy for a good 1/2 hour after we left. Probably the best 4th of July fireworks I'd seen. Came back to my house and played with sparklers for sometime, and then watched the Capital Fourth show. Went to bed around 2:30am.

First Entry

2007-07-04T18:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog. I will now post all my thoughts and happenings on this page instead of my old LiveJournal page. I was going through photos to use as my title banner and chose to use all jumping pictures, so I will call my blog Jump. I suppose I could try and think of some deep meaning to put behind it... you know... something cheesy, but I will refrain. Please enjoy whatever is on here. But, if you don't that's alright, too.

Happy Independence Day!

Yesterday was a fun day in San Francisco. Realized I couldn't go into the City again until August, so I decided to call up some friends to see if they wanted to go. Found out it was free day in San Francisco, so we got into the Legion of Honor AND the Modern Museum of Art for free! Woot woot! I hadn't been to the Legion in a decade, and hadn't visited the MOMA in two years, so both were a pleasure to visit. Got some awesome pictures, some of which I'll post here.

At the MOMA.

At the Legion of Honor.

A cool reflection.