I recently decided that I was going to completely re-do a project for my Media Arts class, it is a silent film that can be no more than 3 minutes long with no sound and your own music, or it can be a Public Service Announcement that can be no longer than a minute long. My first idea I thought was actually pretty good and different, but it's insanely hard to make it look good without any dialogue. So I am making a commercial for BigStuf, hopefully it comes it out good and funny like I'm hoping... I mean I even drove all the way to Charleston today to shoot about 20 seconds of video.
I've passed out several brochures and commitment cards to people to help out with my Journey to Kenya, and got more chances to tell people about it today, I'm really hoping God does some amazing things that I wouldn't even believe with all of this. When I got home I got a very pleasant surprise in the mail. I get excited when I get mail because no one ever sends me anything. Today I got my journal that has pretty much information on anything that I would want to know about the trip. There was a really cool part on common phrases that we can use when we are there, and sure enough Hakuna Matata was on there, and I was all happy that I already knew one phrase thanks to the Lion King.
It's been a little tough though lately with the trip and I've been praying, and need to pray even more that God would just take this, but my mom hasn't really been very supportive so far, in a way I can understand that she is worried and doesn't want anything to happen to me, but also it's hard to not have her being happy and thankful for the opportunity that God is giving me. I know she wants me to do awesome things but it can be tough at times when she doesn't show it.
I'm really excited though about all of the cool things going on right now. Chi Alpha is coming up which last year was just amazing, and I know this year will not dissapoint. Also tomorrow with the student leadership team and video team we will be making a video that will go along with Nick's next talk on Elijah and it will also be great. If you want to know how to survive in Lexington then you will want to see this video.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Unleash 2
Vision
what is it?
well i'm gonna borrow from some people, namely Steven Furtick.
When I went to check out Elevation he used this verse that can be applied to so many areas of life.
Proverbs 29:18 [niv]
"Where there is no REVELATION [vision], people cast off restraint, but BLESSED is he who keeps the law."
Maybe this is one of the most important factors in a successful church. There are plenty of churches in America where the Pastor is not the one with the vision. Maybe the Pastor started off with a vision and then once things got rolling they let things creep in. Maybe its committee's that take that vision away from the Pastor, or just one powerful person with a lot of money. Or maybe the Pastor never had that great vision to begin with.
No matter the case people in the church when they don't catch the vision that God has for them, then restraint comes off. You may have tons of awesome people in love with God who want to see people come to Christ but if they don't have a vision from God or don't follow His vision then they are more likely to just be following their ambitions. Then everyone has their own agenda and things get away from what God wants for the community and for the church.
Perry said at Unleash, "God doesn't give committees a vision". Ouch, but true. I haven't read a single story where God told a board of directors what the church should do.
To be honest it was something I had never really given much thought to. I mean I've felt like I've been called to do ministry, and actually do it in a church plant, but I've never thought of submitting to that church's vision. To being more of a servant than I ever thought. I'm studying Media Arts and want to do creative things to engage people and turn their focus to Jesus, but if what I'm doing overall isn't in line with the vision then I'm just making things difficult. It's a challenge to set aside some of what I was thinking and just be willing to follow what God is calling me to do and who he is calling me to serve, because to be honest he hasn't planted a vision of leading a church so I need to be ready to listen to whoever God appoints as my leader.
When that happens awesome things happen. They are bound to. That's why Newspring has 1800 volunteers ready to do whatever. The people have Jesus and they have caught the vision for Anderson, South Carolina via Perry Noble. They literally have THOUSANDS of names written on the walls of people who don't know Jesus, because the congregation has the vision and they are seeing it work week in and week it.
Vison is pretty important. If you have it lead with it, and make sure that you surround yourself with people that trust that and that will serve that vision with you.
That was what God said to me during the Second main session at Unleash, and I believe I just may write one more blog about Unleash cuz it was that good.
what is it?
well i'm gonna borrow from some people, namely Steven Furtick.
When I went to check out Elevation he used this verse that can be applied to so many areas of life.
Proverbs 29:18 [niv]
"Where there is no REVELATION [vision], people cast off restraint, but BLESSED is he who keeps the law."
Maybe this is one of the most important factors in a successful church. There are plenty of churches in America where the Pastor is not the one with the vision. Maybe the Pastor started off with a vision and then once things got rolling they let things creep in. Maybe its committee's that take that vision away from the Pastor, or just one powerful person with a lot of money. Or maybe the Pastor never had that great vision to begin with.
No matter the case people in the church when they don't catch the vision that God has for them, then restraint comes off. You may have tons of awesome people in love with God who want to see people come to Christ but if they don't have a vision from God or don't follow His vision then they are more likely to just be following their ambitions. Then everyone has their own agenda and things get away from what God wants for the community and for the church.
Perry said at Unleash, "God doesn't give committees a vision". Ouch, but true. I haven't read a single story where God told a board of directors what the church should do.
To be honest it was something I had never really given much thought to. I mean I've felt like I've been called to do ministry, and actually do it in a church plant, but I've never thought of submitting to that church's vision. To being more of a servant than I ever thought. I'm studying Media Arts and want to do creative things to engage people and turn their focus to Jesus, but if what I'm doing overall isn't in line with the vision then I'm just making things difficult. It's a challenge to set aside some of what I was thinking and just be willing to follow what God is calling me to do and who he is calling me to serve, because to be honest he hasn't planted a vision of leading a church so I need to be ready to listen to whoever God appoints as my leader.
When that happens awesome things happen. They are bound to. That's why Newspring has 1800 volunteers ready to do whatever. The people have Jesus and they have caught the vision for Anderson, South Carolina via Perry Noble. They literally have THOUSANDS of names written on the walls of people who don't know Jesus, because the congregation has the vision and they are seeing it work week in and week it.
Vison is pretty important. If you have it lead with it, and make sure that you surround yourself with people that trust that and that will serve that vision with you.
That was what God said to me during the Second main session at Unleash, and I believe I just may write one more blog about Unleash cuz it was that good.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Unleash Part 1
In regards to Newspring's conference on church leadership today I would first of all like to say, "Wow!".
$45 for a day of learing about how an effective church works, incredible worship, Perry Noble, and God speaking to me in a huge way. I think they got ripped off. Not really though cause the way they do things is cool.
Newspring's volunteers are what make that place run. They average about 8000 people every sunday with 3600 people who are official members. 1800 of those people volunteer in some way to completely enhance and make their church something to look forward to, something that brings people to Jesus in a loving way.
We showed up at 9:30 AM and got parked by people with smiles on their faces. As soon as we got out of the car another friendly man greeted us and gave us a brief rundown of registration. At registration we got a warm loud "whoo" for Lexington, South Carolina. Volunteers were everywhere serving in every way, and always with a smile on their faces. I was amazed.
Newsprings volunteers get the vision that God has given to Perry Noble. They are in love with Jesus, and want to serve in any way to reflect his love. I went to a "breakout session" on Staffing for Success and learned that the average church in America staffs one person for every 50 members/attendees in church. Newspring however only staffs 1 person per 100 attendees, and it's because they have volunteers who step it up every week and do ministry.
The focus is so outward that you can't help but be blown away. God moves those people, and they aren't afraid to take roles. I mean they had a service where Perry challenged them to write the names of those people who they would like to see come to Jesus on their walls. The names are still up there. The other challenge was to get those people to Newspring, and the next week 250 people gave their lives to Jesus.
Incredible.
It's the kind of passion that I want to be a part of so badly in church. A church that is driven by a radical vision that makes me uncomfortable, and feels like it's something I could never do. A church that is made specifically for the people who don't come to church. A church that as Wade Joye put it "you wouldn't have to apologize to your friend who visits".
I'm not sure how many parts this blog will be made into but I feel like I've rambled on a good bit for now. The next one will be on Vision and what Perry had to say about it. I'm so pumped right now, it's awesome.
$45 for a day of learing about how an effective church works, incredible worship, Perry Noble, and God speaking to me in a huge way. I think they got ripped off. Not really though cause the way they do things is cool.
Newspring's volunteers are what make that place run. They average about 8000 people every sunday with 3600 people who are official members. 1800 of those people volunteer in some way to completely enhance and make their church something to look forward to, something that brings people to Jesus in a loving way.
We showed up at 9:30 AM and got parked by people with smiles on their faces. As soon as we got out of the car another friendly man greeted us and gave us a brief rundown of registration. At registration we got a warm loud "whoo" for Lexington, South Carolina. Volunteers were everywhere serving in every way, and always with a smile on their faces. I was amazed.
Newsprings volunteers get the vision that God has given to Perry Noble. They are in love with Jesus, and want to serve in any way to reflect his love. I went to a "breakout session" on Staffing for Success and learned that the average church in America staffs one person for every 50 members/attendees in church. Newspring however only staffs 1 person per 100 attendees, and it's because they have volunteers who step it up every week and do ministry.
The focus is so outward that you can't help but be blown away. God moves those people, and they aren't afraid to take roles. I mean they had a service where Perry challenged them to write the names of those people who they would like to see come to Jesus on their walls. The names are still up there. The other challenge was to get those people to Newspring, and the next week 250 people gave their lives to Jesus.
Incredible.
It's the kind of passion that I want to be a part of so badly in church. A church that is driven by a radical vision that makes me uncomfortable, and feels like it's something I could never do. A church that is made specifically for the people who don't come to church. A church that as Wade Joye put it "you wouldn't have to apologize to your friend who visits".
I'm not sure how many parts this blog will be made into but I feel like I've rambled on a good bit for now. The next one will be on Vision and what Perry had to say about it. I'm so pumped right now, it's awesome.
Insomnia
I went to bed early tonight, at like 10:15 after hanging out with rachel, callie, and nick at the wired bean for a while. I was so proud of myself cuz I have to be awake at like 6:00AM to make it out to Unleash, the conference up at Newspring tomorrow. I'm so excited. The excitement however isn't what has me awake again here at 12:30AM.
Earlier today on my "Atomic" clock, I hit a few buttons becasue the time was off, and apparently one of those buttons was to make an alarm come on at 12:00. Not fun, it really freaked me out becasue I've never used that thing as an alarm and it beeps really loud and really fast.
A couple things that I'm going to get off my mind though.
1) I'm still very excited about Africa, I'm kinda scared too but i've been having some really awesome encouragement in quiet times and from the awesome people I know. My mom isn't really for the trip though, which is tough because I REALLY need her to support me. I'm gonna have a good long talk with her soon, and try and give her the whole rundown though so pray for that.
2) I've really been looking forward to Unleash. There seems to be a diverse mix of different topics and areas of church growth that are going to be discussed. I love listening to Perry Noble and I'm very curious to find out how Newspring has gotten to where it is now. Church planting is something that I feel God has wanted me to be a part of so I'm ready to learn how to do it.
3) Spring Break couldn't have come at a better time. I was so stinking busy before that I couldn't take another week of a full schedule. God's been giving me some much need rest and relaxation. It will be over soon, so in the meantime I'm just enjoying it and getting ready for the last month and a half of freshman year.
Earlier today on my "Atomic" clock, I hit a few buttons becasue the time was off, and apparently one of those buttons was to make an alarm come on at 12:00. Not fun, it really freaked me out becasue I've never used that thing as an alarm and it beeps really loud and really fast.
A couple things that I'm going to get off my mind though.
1) I'm still very excited about Africa, I'm kinda scared too but i've been having some really awesome encouragement in quiet times and from the awesome people I know. My mom isn't really for the trip though, which is tough because I REALLY need her to support me. I'm gonna have a good long talk with her soon, and try and give her the whole rundown though so pray for that.
2) I've really been looking forward to Unleash. There seems to be a diverse mix of different topics and areas of church growth that are going to be discussed. I love listening to Perry Noble and I'm very curious to find out how Newspring has gotten to where it is now. Church planting is something that I feel God has wanted me to be a part of so I'm ready to learn how to do it.
3) Spring Break couldn't have come at a better time. I was so stinking busy before that I couldn't take another week of a full schedule. God's been giving me some much need rest and relaxation. It will be over soon, so in the meantime I'm just enjoying it and getting ready for the last month and a half of freshman year.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
oh, crap
During my 2nd study session tonight for my big midterm at 9:30 tomorrow, I started to play with my ear which as of about 3 days ago started getting a bump that grew. I had gotten bumps like these before that come and go and they are weird, you normally wouldn't even notice. But it kinda hurt so I pressed it just to see what happened... and sure enough puss and blood and all of that goodness came out. So I'm pretty sure my earring hole is infected, and it took me like a half hour to try and get it to stop bleeding. I had to call my mom and I'm sure it made her happy because it meant that I had to take out my earring which she has hated from day one. Hopefully it doesn't get worse or else I'll be starting my spring break with a visit to the doctor.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
study
The art of studying is one that I am still yet to master. I can't do it well at all. I can give at most maybe a full hour of concentration and then my mind moves on to other things. Today me and Josh went to go study for a huge midterm that we have Thursday. We went to the Horseshoe which is just amazing. We studied for an hour as the sun was about to go down and then it started to get cold so we headed back to our room. From then it was all downhill. We got caught up for an hour playing Halo 2, and then ate dinner and tried to find a quiet place in the Library to study. We found one but there were too many people around and we couldn't talk so we left and came back to try our study room.
We gave it a good 20 minutes before we started drifting, and then it was back to more video games. It was fun. I did at least give it a try too. Normally I don't study for long at all so I think I did well and if I can give it another solid hour tomorrow maybe I'll be fine. I've realized that college is so much about socializing and getting to meet people and just hang out. It's fun, but can be a huge distraction whenever you actually have to do school work.
We gave it a good 20 minutes before we started drifting, and then it was back to more video games. It was fun. I did at least give it a try too. Normally I don't study for long at all so I think I did well and if I can give it another solid hour tomorrow maybe I'll be fine. I've realized that college is so much about socializing and getting to meet people and just hang out. It's fun, but can be a huge distraction whenever you actually have to do school work.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Burn for You
"there's fire in my bones
uncontainable
and it's causing me to burn
it's causing me to burn
it's causing me to burn for you...
i'll go anywhere
i'll do anything
at any cost for you my king"
Steve Fee has written the anthem for a crazy decision that I just made. I have decided that coming up with $3600 to go work with 20 strangers for people who I've never seen in a country that is overrun with disease and can be very dangerous is absolutely crazy talk. It's also what I feel God has called me to do from July 9th-August 6th of this year. That's right I'm going to be a Journey intern. All the time we hear of the atrocities that are taking place in Africa, and it even gets people to thinking, "Why can't God fix this?" Well I think God can fix it and I think he is calling all of us Journey interns to go out there and build loving relationships with people in a hurting world, and to serve them in any way that HE has equipped us to.
To the average person I hope it does seem crazy that I am actually VERY excited to be able to have the opportunity to raise the money and then go for a month of my summer vacation to serve my God and my King. I so badly have wanted the mentally of I'll go anywhere and do anything and God is giving that to me right now. There is definitely a fire raging inside of me right now because of the bad stuff going on, but the potential that this trip has.
With this decision comes a lot of commitment and A LOT of trust in God that he will provide, cuz I certainly don't have $3600. So there is really one thing that I am going to need from those closest to me and those who want to help.
1) The first and absolute most important thing is PRAYER- pray for the people of Kenya. Praise God for the awesome stuff that he has already done there through BigStuf, but also Praise God that he isn't stopping yet. Pray for my group Journey, and for me, for our safety and that I will become a more discipled follower of Christ leading up to this trip and during this trip. And pray for the director of Journey Suzanne Barber, becuase she will be doing not 1 trip but 2 this summer. Just pray for her safety and leadership and all that good stuff.
So yeah that's about it, there are a few ways that the general public can help fund this trip if you led to do so. Most of you who read this blog I'm sure I'll be asking, but I'll also post later when I have all the details. Thanks for your support!
uncontainable
and it's causing me to burn
it's causing me to burn
it's causing me to burn for you...
i'll go anywhere
i'll do anything
at any cost for you my king"
Steve Fee has written the anthem for a crazy decision that I just made. I have decided that coming up with $3600 to go work with 20 strangers for people who I've never seen in a country that is overrun with disease and can be very dangerous is absolutely crazy talk. It's also what I feel God has called me to do from July 9th-August 6th of this year. That's right I'm going to be a Journey intern. All the time we hear of the atrocities that are taking place in Africa, and it even gets people to thinking, "Why can't God fix this?" Well I think God can fix it and I think he is calling all of us Journey interns to go out there and build loving relationships with people in a hurting world, and to serve them in any way that HE has equipped us to.
To the average person I hope it does seem crazy that I am actually VERY excited to be able to have the opportunity to raise the money and then go for a month of my summer vacation to serve my God and my King. I so badly have wanted the mentally of I'll go anywhere and do anything and God is giving that to me right now. There is definitely a fire raging inside of me right now because of the bad stuff going on, but the potential that this trip has.
With this decision comes a lot of commitment and A LOT of trust in God that he will provide, cuz I certainly don't have $3600. So there is really one thing that I am going to need from those closest to me and those who want to help.
1) The first and absolute most important thing is PRAYER- pray for the people of Kenya. Praise God for the awesome stuff that he has already done there through BigStuf, but also Praise God that he isn't stopping yet. Pray for my group Journey, and for me, for our safety and that I will become a more discipled follower of Christ leading up to this trip and during this trip. And pray for the director of Journey Suzanne Barber, becuase she will be doing not 1 trip but 2 this summer. Just pray for her safety and leadership and all that good stuff.
So yeah that's about it, there are a few ways that the general public can help fund this trip if you led to do so. Most of you who read this blog I'm sure I'll be asking, but I'll also post later when I have all the details. Thanks for your support!
Saturday, March 03, 2007
The Verdict
Today, (actually yesterday since it is now 2AM) was decision time for Bigstuf. The assembled a 16 member team to intern their camp this summer. Sorry to have dragged out the suspense this long as to whether I'm in or out. The final decision is that I will not be one of the interns this summer. When I first read the e-mail I have to be honest, I was pretty upset. My roommate could tell and he was kind of quiet and tried to cheer me up by offering a Halo session to me. I think I took it well though, I understand that it's tough for them to make a decision like that because they haven't physically met anyone who applied, but I know that they definitely were very careful as to pick who they thought God wanted to be there this summer. God's got things in store for me this summer that will hopefully include a trip to BigStuf but not as an intern.
Moving on from the bad news. BigStuf actually gave my application stuff to Journey. Journey is a missions part of BigStuf that focuses solely on serving in Kenya, Africa. I spoke with Suzanne who was pretty awesome in explaining what Journey does. Building relationships with the Kenyans is key to what they do. She said that she would really like for me to join their team which is leaving on July 9th and returning August 6th of this summer. It really does sound like an incredible opportunity, it will be a big decision to make because I will be away in a foreign country for a month, completely out of my normal life. I asked her to give me this weekend to think and pray about it.
I have done a lot of thinking and praying already and the next step is to see what my mom thinks, and get the opinions of those closest to me, to weigh in. I think I have a pretty good idea already of whether or not I'm going but I don't want to rush it without weighing it all out.
So with that said I will let everyone know by Monday.
Moving on from the bad news. BigStuf actually gave my application stuff to Journey. Journey is a missions part of BigStuf that focuses solely on serving in Kenya, Africa. I spoke with Suzanne who was pretty awesome in explaining what Journey does. Building relationships with the Kenyans is key to what they do. She said that she would really like for me to join their team which is leaving on July 9th and returning August 6th of this summer. It really does sound like an incredible opportunity, it will be a big decision to make because I will be away in a foreign country for a month, completely out of my normal life. I asked her to give me this weekend to think and pray about it.
I have done a lot of thinking and praying already and the next step is to see what my mom thinks, and get the opinions of those closest to me, to weigh in. I think I have a pretty good idea already of whether or not I'm going but I don't want to rush it without weighing it all out.
So with that said I will let everyone know by Monday.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Hambone
About one year ago, the craze that caught the nation by storm was a dance called the Hambone. Some of you may remember the hambone and all of its splendor, but what some of you may not remember is how I defeated the likes of Michael Heaton in a hambone competition, but there is video proof courtesy of Taylor Johnson. Enjoy!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
I'm dumb
Today was a day where I realized how idiotic I truly can be. I had my blog yesterday saying how I was nervous about hearing from BigStuf today March 1st. So I wake up late today because my 9:30 class was cancelled. I immediately got up and checked my e-mail to see if they had sent anything. Nothing at all. It was about 10AM and I figured that it might still be too early to hear anything from them. So I check again, and again, and waited for a phone call, or text message or something, until it got to be about 5 o'clock and I thought "wow, I totally just got sweated."
I then proceeded to bigstuf.org and realized that Tomorrow March 2nd, 2007 is actually the day that everyone will know. I felt stupid. I laughed. But that just means that the tension is on all day tomorrow until I hear from them.
Sorry to have lied to you on my previous blog, but it was unintentional. I promise. It's time to spend some quality time with God though, so tomorrow I should have yet another blog that will hopefully tell whether or not I'm in this summer with Bigstuf.
I then proceeded to bigstuf.org and realized that Tomorrow March 2nd, 2007 is actually the day that everyone will know. I felt stupid. I laughed. But that just means that the tension is on all day tomorrow until I hear from them.
Sorry to have lied to you on my previous blog, but it was unintentional. I promise. It's time to spend some quality time with God though, so tomorrow I should have yet another blog that will hopefully tell whether or not I'm in this summer with Bigstuf.
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