#208
I have to say- all this changing of scenery going from place to place is actually pretty draining. Each trip/conference/assignment is so concentrated and intense that the transition from one place to another is never smooth- it's rather jarring. A packed school year of ministry in Hawaii and BAM right into a week in CA to wrap up planning and BAM right into briefing and BAM right into a super intense Summer Project in Tokyo. From that, straight back into life in CA with my family was quite the shock and from that to a packed 4 days in Seattle going directly into the most physically and mentally tiring conference I've ever been to and now directly back into some time with the family. I know the Lord has a purpose for each of these times, and He's been meeting with me in powerful ways... but I'm just hoping and praying that what He's been teaching me and doing in me in each wouldn't get lost in transition, but would all blend together to bring me to a deeper knowledge of/intimacy with Christ. So as I have come back to LA today from a beautiful time at Staff Conference, that is my prayer.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Glory
#207
I just got back to my room after our final day of Conference. Tonight, David Platt taught from Isaiah and gave us some simple yet mind-blowingly powerful truths about God and ourselves. After the year that I've had, hearing from the Word about His incomprehensible greatness, our utter depravity, His scandalous mercy, and our urgent mission, just ROCKED me. How easily we turn God into something so much smaller than what He really is... Thank You, Lord, for a reminder of how far beyond our understanding Your character stretches. "Holy, Holy, Holy!" the seraphim cry out. "DIFFERENT! SEPARATE! ABOVE!"... even in their own sinlessness and "holiness", they see Yahweh and are so overwhelmed by His splendor and His superiority that all they can say is that He is ABOVE them, SET APART, and OTHER.
I just got back to my room after our final day of Conference. Tonight, David Platt taught from Isaiah and gave us some simple yet mind-blowingly powerful truths about God and ourselves. After the year that I've had, hearing from the Word about His incomprehensible greatness, our utter depravity, His scandalous mercy, and our urgent mission, just ROCKED me. How easily we turn God into something so much smaller than what He really is... Thank You, Lord, for a reminder of how far beyond our understanding Your character stretches. "Holy, Holy, Holy!" the seraphim cry out. "DIFFERENT! SEPARATE! ABOVE!"... even in their own sinlessness and "holiness", they see Yahweh and are so overwhelmed by His splendor and His superiority that all they can say is that He is ABOVE them, SET APART, and OTHER.
Great Kid
#206
Jesse Mentz was a freshman at USC my first year interning there. He's a great kid- we've always gotten along great. He also happens to be a staff kid, and so he came out to visit his parents at Conference. So we got to hang out tonight for a good couple of hours. We had a BLAST sharing with each other the joys of triumphant seasons as well as the glorious growth that sprouts from desert seasons that each of us has been experiencing. And, of course, ending by praying for each other is always a win :)
Jesse Mentz was a freshman at USC my first year interning there. He's a great kid- we've always gotten along great. He also happens to be a staff kid, and so he came out to visit his parents at Conference. So we got to hang out tonight for a good couple of hours. We had a BLAST sharing with each other the joys of triumphant seasons as well as the glorious growth that sprouts from desert seasons that each of us has been experiencing. And, of course, ending by praying for each other is always a win :)
Wonderfully Uneventful
#205
Today might've been one of the most chill Sundays I've had in years... and it was soooo needed after an exhausting week of Conference. It was so nice to sleep in, grab lunch at the cafeteria, spend time with Jesus listening to a podcast sermon on Ruth at a coffee shop, then grabbing dinner at an AWESOME pizza place in Fort Collins with some good friends!
Today might've been one of the most chill Sundays I've had in years... and it was soooo needed after an exhausting week of Conference. It was so nice to sleep in, grab lunch at the cafeteria, spend time with Jesus listening to a podcast sermon on Ruth at a coffee shop, then grabbing dinner at an AWESOME pizza place in Fort Collins with some good friends!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Om Nom Nom... PRAYER!
#204
Man, prayer is such food to the soul! This afternoon, I got to together with my buddy Rafal to pray. He had some things on his heart so we decided to meet up, and we both just shared what was going on in life and got to pray with and for each other. It was sweet. Then tonight, I randomly ran into two other friends from New Staff Training, Tim and Mike, whom I hadn't gotten to know too well before, but the Spirit totally took over and we had a powerful chat about how God was pursuing each of us- we got to encourage and exhort each other in mighty ways- and at the end of it Tim said, "Well I gotta get going now but let's pray" so we prayed for a good while before parting ways. Well, because of that conversation, I was like half an hour late to my other NST friend Ian's bachelor dinner, but there we also had another sweet time of encouraging Ian and then all gathering around him to lay hands on him and pray for him. Seriously, this is how fellowship is supposed to look, right? I love it. I just love it.
Man, prayer is such food to the soul! This afternoon, I got to together with my buddy Rafal to pray. He had some things on his heart so we decided to meet up, and we both just shared what was going on in life and got to pray with and for each other. It was sweet. Then tonight, I randomly ran into two other friends from New Staff Training, Tim and Mike, whom I hadn't gotten to know too well before, but the Spirit totally took over and we had a powerful chat about how God was pursuing each of us- we got to encourage and exhort each other in mighty ways- and at the end of it Tim said, "Well I gotta get going now but let's pray" so we prayed for a good while before parting ways. Well, because of that conversation, I was like half an hour late to my other NST friend Ian's bachelor dinner, but there we also had another sweet time of encouraging Ian and then all gathering around him to lay hands on him and pray for him. Seriously, this is how fellowship is supposed to look, right? I love it. I just love it.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Name Change Drama
#203
CCC has been getting a lot of harshly negative reaction from the public about our name change these last couple of days. Some people are being really encouraging too, but a loooot of people are almost attacking our leadership. So tonight, our national leaders took some time to explain the situation to us and let us know how they're responding to it. Honestly, I am so thankful right now to be working for an organization whose leaders are so godly. They are humble people who are completely open about their weaknesses and imperfections, and they are being so gracious and wise in how they're handling the whole situation. And above all, their attitude is one of wanting nothing more than for Christ's Name to be lifted high. In fact, Steve Sellers, the director of CCC in the US, said tonight, "If we get hammered/crushed (by the media/public) in the process, but Jesus is lifted up and the cause of Christ is advanced, I can deal with that!"
CCC has been getting a lot of harshly negative reaction from the public about our name change these last couple of days. Some people are being really encouraging too, but a loooot of people are almost attacking our leadership. So tonight, our national leaders took some time to explain the situation to us and let us know how they're responding to it. Honestly, I am so thankful right now to be working for an organization whose leaders are so godly. They are humble people who are completely open about their weaknesses and imperfections, and they are being so gracious and wise in how they're handling the whole situation. And above all, their attitude is one of wanting nothing more than for Christ's Name to be lifted high. In fact, Steve Sellers, the director of CCC in the US, said tonight, "If we get hammered/crushed (by the media/public) in the process, but Jesus is lifted up and the cause of Christ is advanced, I can deal with that!"
Thursday, July 21, 2011
We Are All Called
#202
Tonight, in our meeting in the big arena, we were challenged to remember again how God called us into the lifestyle we're currently living. SO nice, because when you're going-going-going in ministry, it can be easy to forget why you do what you do... Thank You, Lord, for calling us all as Your believers to live a life that means something, because we all, as Your redeemed children, get to be part of Your story!
Tonight, in our meeting in the big arena, we were challenged to remember again how God called us into the lifestyle we're currently living. SO nice, because when you're going-going-going in ministry, it can be easy to forget why you do what you do... Thank You, Lord, for calling us all as Your believers to live a life that means something, because we all, as Your redeemed children, get to be part of Your story!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Another Full Day
#201
This morning's session with Francis Chan was another powerful time of surrendering ourselves as an organization to the power of the Holy Spirit! Tonight was a night of casting vision for how to truly trust God to do impossible things through us as we seek to unite and mobilize believers all over the place- not just within Cru. And then we ended the night with 10th Avenue North playing a concert for us! It was awesome cuz, not only was their music great and totally Christ-centered, but the lead singer basically preached to us in-between songs and it was so encouraging to hear him challenging us to keep our focus on Christ as we serve in ministry, and to remember who He is and what He has done, because "when you're serving out of gratitude, it's hard to burn out!"
This morning's session with Francis Chan was another powerful time of surrendering ourselves as an organization to the power of the Holy Spirit! Tonight was a night of casting vision for how to truly trust God to do impossible things through us as we seek to unite and mobilize believers all over the place- not just within Cru. And then we ended the night with 10th Avenue North playing a concert for us! It was awesome cuz, not only was their music great and totally Christ-centered, but the lead singer basically preached to us in-between songs and it was so encouraging to hear him challenging us to keep our focus on Christ as we serve in ministry, and to remember who He is and what He has done, because "when you're serving out of gratitude, it's hard to burn out!"
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
What's in a Name?
#200
God used Francis Chan to rock me this morning, I had a sweet time catching up with two of my dearest staff friends who went to SC with me, and ended the night listening to a guy's powerful testimony... but probably the biggest news from today is that Campus Crusade for Christ, Intl's US ministry unveiled its new name: Cru. SO, this means that in the US, Campus Crusade for Christ will no longer be known as Campus Crusade for Christ, but will be called Cru (Cru Global, legally).
Wanna know more about the name change?
Check out
http://www.ccci.org/cru
God used Francis Chan to rock me this morning, I had a sweet time catching up with two of my dearest staff friends who went to SC with me, and ended the night listening to a guy's powerful testimony... but probably the biggest news from today is that Campus Crusade for Christ, Intl's US ministry unveiled its new name: Cru. SO, this means that in the US, Campus Crusade for Christ will no longer be known as Campus Crusade for Christ, but will be called Cru (Cru Global, legally).
Wanna know more about the name change?
Check out
http://www.ccci.org/cru
Madness Begins
#199
First day of Staff Conference is actually not officially until tomorrow, when meetings start in the morning. But today was the beginning of crazy as 5000+ staff from around the country stormed CSU Fort Collins to register, socialize like crazy, and enjoy an evening at the county fair. It's SOOOOO good to see my friends from New Staff Training last year, as well as all my staff friends from our region. I love these times together because we just get to enjoy each other's company, encourage each other in ministry, exhort each other in the Lord, hear from the Lord together through legit speakers (Francis Chan tomorrow tomorrow morning), and worship the Lord together in Moby Arena.
First day of Staff Conference is actually not officially until tomorrow, when meetings start in the morning. But today was the beginning of crazy as 5000+ staff from around the country stormed CSU Fort Collins to register, socialize like crazy, and enjoy an evening at the county fair. It's SOOOOO good to see my friends from New Staff Training last year, as well as all my staff friends from our region. I love these times together because we just get to enjoy each other's company, encourage each other in ministry, exhort each other in the Lord, hear from the Lord together through legit speakers (Francis Chan tomorrow tomorrow morning), and worship the Lord together in Moby Arena.
Famtime
#198
Got back from Seattle at 11AM, and then got to spend the day with my mom, little sister, and one of my mom's best friends who was visiting from Canada. I love spending time with my family, and I'm really glad I got to squeeze this time in before getting on the plane to fly out to Colorado for Staff Conference tonight.
Got back from Seattle at 11AM, and then got to spend the day with my mom, little sister, and one of my mom's best friends who was visiting from Canada. I love spending time with my family, and I'm really glad I got to squeeze this time in before getting on the plane to fly out to Colorado for Staff Conference tonight.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
QUICK
#197
And just like that, it's over. My mini-vacation here in Seattle has been amazing. Each of the two and a half days that I've been here has been jam-packed with activity, fellowship, food... oh man. Such a needed time away. But it flew by. I'm sad to leave in the morning. It was really, really good getting to see and hang out with Ben for a few days.
And just like that, it's over. My mini-vacation here in Seattle has been amazing. Each of the two and a half days that I've been here has been jam-packed with activity, fellowship, food... oh man. Such a needed time away. But it flew by. I'm sad to leave in the morning. It was really, really good getting to see and hang out with Ben for a few days.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Old Friends
#196
I've been hanging out with my old friend Ben Malcolmson for the last two days, and it's been great. We were in AGO together, and because of the fact that I live in Hawaii and he lives on the west coast, it's been hard over the last few years to get any face time. But I'm taking full advantage of the two weeks I have between Project ending and Staff Conference starting!
It's beautiful here- so much nature, beautiful architecture, and his friends up here are great too! It's been a blessing having some relaxing, fun-filled times with brothers in Christ... some brand new to my life, some veterans!
I've been hanging out with my old friend Ben Malcolmson for the last two days, and it's been great. We were in AGO together, and because of the fact that I live in Hawaii and he lives on the west coast, it's been hard over the last few years to get any face time. But I'm taking full advantage of the two weeks I have between Project ending and Staff Conference starting!
It's beautiful here- so much nature, beautiful architecture, and his friends up here are great too! It's been a blessing having some relaxing, fun-filled times with brothers in Christ... some brand new to my life, some veterans!
Bumming Rides
#195
I needed a ride down to Orange County this morning, and Andrew (another guy I used to disciple at USC) works just past where I needed to go, so I stayed over at AGO last night and he drove me down this morning. It was a pretty quick drive but it was nice to have some time to catch up with him!
I needed a ride down to Orange County this morning, and Andrew (another guy I used to disciple at USC) works just past where I needed to go, so I stayed over at AGO last night and he drove me down this morning. It was a pretty quick drive but it was nice to have some time to catch up with him!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Made to Worship
#194
I really haven't been participating in worship through music much lately. I'm usually listening to worship music throughout the day, but over the last few weeks, I really haven't had many chances to listen to worship music or sing out in praise. Part of that was because I forgot to take my iPod to Japan. And part of it is that I haven't been playing much guitar lately. And part of it I think is just that I haven't been making the time for it. So it was really nice today when, as I was doing some chores around the house, I got to blast some of my favorite songs of praise on my laptop. It's just refreshing to the soul to listen to, and to participate in by singing!
Want some recommendations??
"You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham
"Glory" by Jeff Deyo
"I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin
"Until the Whole World Hears" by Casting Crowns
"Filled With Your Glory" by Starfield
I really haven't been participating in worship through music much lately. I'm usually listening to worship music throughout the day, but over the last few weeks, I really haven't had many chances to listen to worship music or sing out in praise. Part of that was because I forgot to take my iPod to Japan. And part of it is that I haven't been playing much guitar lately. And part of it I think is just that I haven't been making the time for it. So it was really nice today when, as I was doing some chores around the house, I got to blast some of my favorite songs of praise on my laptop. It's just refreshing to the soul to listen to, and to participate in by singing!
Want some recommendations??
"You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham
"Glory" by Jeff Deyo
"I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin
"Until the Whole World Hears" by Casting Crowns
"Filled With Your Glory" by Starfield
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Pray for Nick
#193
Nick Rice, whom I had the pleasure of discipling while at SC, just left the country today to begin his tour with World Race. He'll be spending 11 months going through 11 countries doing various forms of missions work- whether that's manual labor stuff, social justice stuff, evangelism stuff... he and his team just get to be Christ's hands and feet and mouthpiece to people all over the world! Please pray for him, and if you wanna read updates from him, you can check out his World Race blog at:
nickrice.theworldrace.org
Nick Rice, whom I had the pleasure of discipling while at SC, just left the country today to begin his tour with World Race. He'll be spending 11 months going through 11 countries doing various forms of missions work- whether that's manual labor stuff, social justice stuff, evangelism stuff... he and his team just get to be Christ's hands and feet and mouthpiece to people all over the world! Please pray for him, and if you wanna read updates from him, you can check out his World Race blog at:
nickrice.theworldrace.org
Can't Wait
#192
One week from today, CCC's national staff conference starts in Ft Collins, Colorado! SO EXCITED.
One week from today, CCC's national staff conference starts in Ft Collins, Colorado! SO EXCITED.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Wanted: A Processing Buddy
#191
I got to spend the day at Disneyland today. I went with my two sisters, the boyfriend of the older one, and a friend from USC. But other friends joined later in the day, and today turned out to be a day full of really encouraging Jesus talks with a few of them. Things haven't been too easy in my relationship with God, but as I processed through it with them, I really got to see how much the Lord is doing right now to draw me nearer to Him in humble worship, and it made me really thankful for who He is! Praise God that He didn't create us to live alone... thank God that He gave us brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we can better walk this life with Jesus!
I got to spend the day at Disneyland today. I went with my two sisters, the boyfriend of the older one, and a friend from USC. But other friends joined later in the day, and today turned out to be a day full of really encouraging Jesus talks with a few of them. Things haven't been too easy in my relationship with God, but as I processed through it with them, I really got to see how much the Lord is doing right now to draw me nearer to Him in humble worship, and it made me really thankful for who He is! Praise God that He didn't create us to live alone... thank God that He gave us brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we can better walk this life with Jesus!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Not Much to Report
#190
Got to see some old church friends today! And other than going out to dinner with my mom, it was a rather uneventful day. Not complaining- I need some uneventful haha.
Got to see some old church friends today! And other than going out to dinner with my mom, it was a rather uneventful day. Not complaining- I need some uneventful haha.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Return to "Paradise"
#189
"And just like that, it was over."
That's what Steven's twitter said today. After a redeye flight into CA, 3.5 days of briefing in Orange County, an 11 hour flight to Japan, 5 weeks of Project, a 9 hour flight back to LA, 3 days of debrief back in Orange County, and a week of fun exploring Socal, the Hawaii kids are back on O'ahu. Praise God for all that He did in and through them this summer, all that they were able to see and experience, and all that He will continue to do in and through them as they continue to follow Him and live for Him wherever they go.
"And just like that, it was over."
That's what Steven's twitter said today. After a redeye flight into CA, 3.5 days of briefing in Orange County, an 11 hour flight to Japan, 5 weeks of Project, a 9 hour flight back to LA, 3 days of debrief back in Orange County, and a week of fun exploring Socal, the Hawaii kids are back on O'ahu. Praise God for all that He did in and through them this summer, all that they were able to see and experience, and all that He will continue to do in and through them as they continue to follow Him and live for Him wherever they go.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Healthier Means...
#188
I woke up feeling a lot better today... which meant that I was doing well enough to start doing admin work again! WOO! haha. No, but really, it was a productive day of catching up on paperwork and finances for work :) It's all part of ministry life, and I love it!
I woke up feeling a lot better today... which meant that I was doing well enough to start doing admin work again! WOO! haha. No, but really, it was a productive day of catching up on paperwork and finances for work :) It's all part of ministry life, and I love it!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sicker
#187
Unfortunately, I woke up feeling worse today. But I got to have another relaxing, restful day, and had a couple of really sweet times in the Word. So even though I'm physically blegh, I'm feeling more and more spiritually refreshed. I won't lie though- I am bummed that I had to miss out on Disneyland with the Project kids... It's ok- I really feel like the Lord was blessing me by not letting me go today. Sometimes you just have to rest!
Unfortunately, I woke up feeling worse today. But I got to have another relaxing, restful day, and had a couple of really sweet times in the Word. So even though I'm physically blegh, I'm feeling more and more spiritually refreshed. I won't lie though- I am bummed that I had to miss out on Disneyland with the Project kids... It's ok- I really feel like the Lord was blessing me by not letting me go today. Sometimes you just have to rest!
Sick
#186
My first day with a cold in a while. Not fun. Had to skip out on an evening in Santa Monica with the Project kids, but I got to enjoy a nice lunch with them at Olive Garden, and then I spent the rest of the day resting as much as I could, hoping to feel better! I really think that, often, my catching a cold is a blessing in disguise as God always uses it slow me down when I need to slow down.
My first day with a cold in a while. Not fun. Had to skip out on an evening in Santa Monica with the Project kids, but I got to enjoy a nice lunch with them at Olive Garden, and then I spent the rest of the day resting as much as I could, hoping to feel better! I really think that, often, my catching a cold is a blessing in disguise as God always uses it slow me down when I need to slow down.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Feliz Cumpleanos, USA!
#185
It was so fun celebrating Independence Day with our whole Tokyo team less Bethany, Kimiyo who just got back from her 1st stint year in Tokyo, and a few other friends and some family! We had a classic Mexican bbq (very new for the Hawaii kids) complete with a pool, and then went to the local park for the huge fireworks extravaganza, which is always a highlight :) great times of fellowship and fun!
It was so fun celebrating Independence Day with our whole Tokyo team less Bethany, Kimiyo who just got back from her 1st stint year in Tokyo, and a few other friends and some family! We had a classic Mexican bbq (very new for the Hawaii kids) complete with a pool, and then went to the local park for the huge fireworks extravaganza, which is always a highlight :) great times of fellowship and fun!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Church Love
#184
It was so refreshing to get to go to Reality LA again for the first time in MONTHS. Plus I got to take Matt Darby from Hawaii, and he loved it too. The message on surprising kindness as seen in Ruth and perfected in Christ was so convicting and challenging... Great way to kick off a new week!
It was so refreshing to get to go to Reality LA again for the first time in MONTHS. Plus I got to take Matt Darby from Hawaii, and he loved it too. The message on surprising kindness as seen in Ruth and perfected in Christ was so convicting and challenging... Great way to kick off a new week!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Need Sleep
#183
Got to hang out with the Hawaii kids tonight at Souplantation. Seems like they've been having a great time hangin around Socal. In other news, I'm still exhausted.
Got to hang out with the Hawaii kids tonight at Souplantation. Seems like they've been having a great time hangin around Socal. In other news, I'm still exhausted.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Underslept
#182
Wow... I'd forgotten how much I sleep right after Project ends. Haha. Definitely a slow/late start to the day, but then it was a nice day of catching up with a guy I discipled at USC, doing last bits of admin work for Project, having dinner with my little sister, and then chatting with my mom. Looking forward to more sleep!
Wow... I'd forgotten how much I sleep right after Project ends. Haha. Definitely a slow/late start to the day, but then it was a nice day of catching up with a guy I discipled at USC, doing last bits of admin work for Project, having dinner with my little sister, and then chatting with my mom. Looking forward to more sleep!
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