Show em....How to Read the Bible

At The Bridge, we started a new series called Show Em/Grow Em. The series is going to focus on basic spiritual principles. By showing those in the congregation certain spiritual principals, they will be able to grow in their walk with the Lord. This past Sunday at The Bridge, Scott Hansen preached/taught on how to read the Bible. Now, for those of you who have attended church for a long time are thinking, "I know how to read the bible". And I have no doubt that you do. But, he gave some practical advice that even the most seasoned Christian is most likely not doing. The sermon was good because it gave practical advice to new believers, someone who may feel overwhelmed when walking into a christian book store to buy a Bible, and practical advice to go deeper into studying the Bible for the more mature believer.

I sat down at Starbucks tonight, and opened up to the book of 1 Thessalonians, and read chpt 2 vs 13 "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe"

In 2 Tim 3:16, 17 it says "All scripture is God breathed (in the greek this actually means the breath of God) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in rifhteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

This is God's Holy word put on paper...for me. It is his love letter to me, how He wishes that I would choose to live my life.



He said in scripture there are commands, facts, and promises... If it is a fact, believe it... If it is a command, obey it...and if it is a promise, make it your own.

Back to reality...

On July 26th I headed back down to LA for a little vacation. On the 27th, I went to Catalina for three days to hang out with the Phillips family. Although I had never been there when Mike and the boys were there, I had an absolute blast with them. I got to lay out on the beach, eat great food, see Ratatouille, do a little mini golfin (hole in one on the fifth hole!), and go out dancing! Oh, I also watched all of season 2 of the office...i love that show.
On the 29th, i headed back to la for vacay with my family. No, I love my family, but what I think i realized is that I can not be around my family in such close quarters (all of us stayed in my sisters one bedroom apartment, and Ash was around for a few days). I had a good time...saw the Simpsons, did A LOT of shopping, went to the beach, went to a Dodgers/Giants game...but I don't think I want to go on another family vacation that does not include some personal space unless I am going to a different continent or to some tropical location.
Needless to say, I went back to work on Sunday the 5th, and have been going non-stop ever since. I have a conference in town that i am suppose to attend thursday-saturday, all while preparing for my next missions committee meeting and planning/preparing for an event that The Bridge is participating in on the 18th at the Pomona Migrant Center in Madera. Let's just say if it could go wrong at this point, it has.
So, if you wouldn't mind remembering me in your prayers over this next week and a half, I would appreciate it. I know this is a time where God is teaching me patience and to trust in Him, that it is all going to get accomplished and he doesn't even need me, but choosing to use me....yeah, prayer would be great.

How true is this of me?

St Francis of Assisi is credited with the statement "Preach Christ at all times and when necessary, use words."

Am I preaching Christ at all times by the way in which I am living my life? Are you?

Huntington Beach

I love the beach. I was able to spend some time there today after my conference. I am about a shade and a half darker by being out in the sun for an hour and a half. I took a little nap and then read out of The Externally Focused Church, a book that I am reading for work.

Anyways, I was thinking I was going to go into detail on how the vastness of the ocean makes me think of the vastness of God's love, which it does, and then go into more detail about being in God's creation, but I am really tired. So, I'll have to leave that blog for a later time.

Just remember that God's love is as vast as the ocean! (even more vast, but our puny minds can't even comprehend the previous statement to its fullest) :)

Medieval Times

So my hotel room is right across from Medieval Times. Although I have never been, all that i can think of when that name is mentioned is the movie Cable Guy... "Since there was no silverware in medieval times there is no silverware at medieval times." "But there is Pepsi?"

Anyways, there is also a restaurant called Pirate's Adventure...but who would go to that when they could go to Medieval Times!

I am not going to either ($40 is kinda steep for a place that doesn't have silverware) but I would choose Medieval Times over Pirate's Adventure any day.

Doin life full speed ahead

These past few months have been quite the whirlwind. Along with my job, I have kept up quite the social life. Due to a few people making comments that I am no longer blogging, here ya go...
Recap of the funness had by me....

Memorial day I soaked up the sun and danced the night away in Catalina.
Lots of work...which has been good but kind of tiring. In fact, I am going on vacation for a week in two weeks!
Hanging out with my awesome friends...grizzlies games, bbq, swimming, mini golfin', ice cream runs, chilin at Vinnie's, Starbucks...
Donut run at midnight with Gia and Ashley
Missions committee meetings, meeting with different ministry directors in the Fresno area
In two weddings, attended another
Catching up with friends
Visiting my sister in good ol' socal
Burned my finger lighting fire works on the fourth of July (which I wasn't surprised, what i am surprised about is that it has taken 23 years for this to happen)
Put together my dad's new bbq for fathers day
Convinced my parents to buy a firepit (who cares if it is 108 outside, it will be fall before we know it)

And now, I am at Talbot Theologicl Seminary for a conference. The good thing about the conference being in LA, is that my sister and her friends are about 20 minutes away. So I am not stuck eating dinner by myself and posting up in my hotel room every night. Last night we went to Bodega. It is a wine bar that has really good food and a very cool atmosphere. Sunday night I went to Mosaic and got to hear Erwin McManus speak...he brings it everytime. Tonight Stacey and her friend Jen came to me and we ate at Fuddruckers and got ice cream at Baskin Robbins. For those who do not know, Tuesdays are $1 scoop Tuesdays, so hit it up! (we just happened to come across it ;) ) Tomorrow night, I am going to Huntington Beach. So not only is the conference awesome (for the most part), I am having a great time at night in socal. Friday night we are going out dancing...which I am extremely excited for!

Then I go back to work for four days (and hang out with a bunch of people) and I am going back to socal and Catalina for a 8 days!

Life is good, God is good.

Giving up on blogging....

I have decided to give up on blogging...at least for now. I may be back sooner than ya'll expect, but there is life to be had right now.