End it

I put a red X on my hand today.  You should too.  Below will explain why.  If you decide to place a red X on your hand after reading this or watching the video please just leave a comment on here saying end it, or leave the same comment on my Facebook page.

From enditmovement.com:

Slavery still exists. 

We want every man, woman and child to know that there are 27 million men, women and children, just like them, living in the shadows. Working as slaves. In 161 countries. Including our own. Let's shine a light on slavery and END IT. 

Visit enditmovement.com, to watch the video, take the pledge and then pass it on. Let's make FREEDOM go viral!

Secret Desire

My secret desire...to record a album with some of my best friends.

What's stopping me?  Really nothing.  I have two friends with recording studios.

So maybe it's not so secret anymore.  And maybe...

A Few Good Men

In light of some of the stuff that I've been thinking about recently, and the way God has been growing me, I thought I'd share with you some of the best men I have in my life.  These are men I admire.  I will try to keep it brief so you don't get bored.

From Haviland, Kansas
Ryan Kendall--This guy is a jack of all trades.  He loves Jesus, his family, photography, running, Jesus, music, basketball, and Jesus.  All of this and he's my fishing buddy.

From Indianapolis, Indiana
Bryan Vickery--He is so humble yet so amazing.  He's kind of like the quiet thunder in my life.  Even from 2150 miles away.  I don't think he knows how important his opinion is to me.  Because he loves Jesus so much.

From Escondido, Californa
Matthew Thompson--We've known each other forever!  He is so talented, as a musician, singer, father, husband, he is creative, and he loves Jesus!  It's like the complete package.

From Dundrum, Northern Ireland
Richie Shilliday--We only spent nine days together all the way back in 2009 but I admire him for his confidence.  I don't know if I know of another man with more God confidence, which is really the only kind of confidence to have!  Oh, and by the way, you guessed it, he loves Jesus too!

From Kigali, Rwanda, Africa
Matthew Nash--A lifelong friend.  A friend that sticks closer than a brother.  He loves Jesus.  Anything more need to be said?  And yes Matt, I am now feeling like I will be out in Africa in the future to do some God stuff.

From Escondido, California
Nathan Harris--I would trust this guy with my life.  He is maybe one of the most loving people I know. And he loves Jesus, kind of a natural fit!

From Muskegon, Michigan
Dave Eikenberry--My lifelong Pastor.  I think most people who will be reading this will know how much I love this man.  He loves Jesus!  The most important thing to him!

From Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, and California
Kristen Sorensen--Yes, that is a man.  Mentor and encourager.  He has been instrumental in helping me understand that I can lead.  He is also my golf spouse.

From Yorba Linda, California
Jason "Chief" Morones--Man-Crush Alert!  I love this man.  He is the man I love to hug the most.  He loves Jesus!  He loves students!  He is amazing!

From Ladera Ranch, California
Brandon Cuevas--My singing partner, my dance partner, my theology partner, Brandon is one of the most unique people I know.  I have not laughed harder or cried more with anyone, than I have with him.  And he loves Jesus!

From Escondido, California
Nate Canady--Dude is solid!  I think he can to all the things I want to do but don't get off my lazy butt to do.  Plays guitar, piano, reads, learns languages, is a chemist!  Loves Jesus with his whole heart!

None of these guys are perfect.  We all have our things that God is working on in us.  But I am one blessed man to have all of them in my life!

If you didn't make the list, know that I love you.  It has to stop somewhere.  There are many other men I admire and trust.  You guys rock also.  I did this today because I need to learn to encourage more.  Something God has been teaching me.

I've noticed something Nasty.

Just something I've noticed.  I think it's how God is growing me in this area.  If you take it personally know that I took it personally first.  Don't think I'm picking on you, I'm picking on myself.

Christians are mean to each other.

Example:  The Bible docudrama

I've heard a lot of Christians talk about it in the negative.  I don't know why?  I watched the whole thing and thought it was great!  Of course there was some "creative license" taken, we weren't there to actually see what happened.  We don't know what all of the emotions looked like.  

But we do this.  We have to make drama.  We think we have to have something to say.  I have to feed the forces of nastiness.  

We should love more.  We should enjoy each other more.  We should look past minor disagreements and leave them there.  In the past.  Actually, we should stop disagreeing over minor things.  

I don't think loving each other looks like correcting each other all the time, in minor things that don't matter.

What really matters is Jesus.  If we agree on Him other things should just be "creative license".

(Please don't prove my point and suggest in your mind that we can all think anything we want about important theological things.  I'm talking about minor things that don't make a difference in our faith walk with Jesus.  ;)

A Lost Art: Special Effects vs. Straight Story Telling

Has our society lost the art of story telling without the use of special effects? Don't get me wrong, I like CGI, but there have been things made, albeit most many years ago, I can watch because the story telling is just so good.

For example, recently Andy Griffith died, I can still sit down and watch the Andy Griffith Show and be completely entertained. Another example would be The Cosby Show. How good was the clean humor and story telling in that show?!?

We have lost something by improving ourselves, if you want to call it improving.

What are some of the best non-special effects stories you have ever seen, either on the silver screen or on the tele?

Dear God,

So I always tell my kids when they pray that they aren't writing a letter, so instead of starting their prayers with Dear God, they usually start with something like, thank you God for today, or something like that.  Today I thought I'd actually write a letter to God here on my blog.  Seeing as God is omnipresent and omniscient I think He will get it.

Dear God,

I love you.  I feel like I always have, although I haven't always shown it.  I'm having a hard time down here.  I'm guessing that has to do with me not with You.  But it doesn't change the fact that I'm a mess.  I'm getting old, feeling old, I'm poor, weak, I have anxiety, and I'm trying to walk in faith when sometimes that feels like I'm walking in the dark.

Where are you?  Are you with me?  Maybe the better question is, "Am I with you?".

I'm tired.  I need your strength.  I need your help.  I need to feel you show up.  I need to know you're there.  Is that my lack of faith showing.  Well I am pathetic.  You know that.  So would you help my faith be more faithful?

You are the God of the Universe.  If that's not true, none of this matters.  But I believe You.  I believe You are Holy, Awesome, Majestic, and Powerful.  I believe You are able to do anything You have set your mind to do.  Please Do Your work in me.  Please let that work be so evident that people will have to say, "Only God could do that!".  Please.  And when You do, I will point to You.  I will make sure people know it's You, and definitely not me.  Please.

This is my cry, literally me crying out to You.

I love you,

Pink

Ten Things I Like

Here is the contrasting top ten, Ten Things I Like!

1. Drumsticks
2. Rocks
3. Getting in the car and seeing over a half a tank of gas.
4. Naps
5. Apple
6. A Change Jar
7. Making someone smile or laugh.
8. The Holidays
9. Fresh hair cuts, especially by my stylist Kimberly Harris!  She's awesome, you should go see her.
10. The word Bombastic.

What do you Like?