A.P.G.

2007-04-18T22:45:00.000-04:00

A man is in a deep depression and has lost all hope. Life has given him many hardships. People reject him and he has nobody to turn to for help. He now feels like the allmighty God has forsaken him because of the horrible things he has done. He decides that suicide is the only option and he is going to walk down town to a rather tall bridge and let fate have its way with him. On his way to the bridge he has one last thought, " If I should meet a person along the way with a friendly disposition and a kind heart, someone who would maybe listen to what I had to say, even if it was for two minutes...I will turn around and go back home." The story ends there.We don't know if he ever came across that person that would turn him back....have you met anyone lately that just wanted you to listen to them but instead of investing two minutes of your time into that person you brused them off and went on your way...?

Diversity = Harmony

2007-04-02T23:48:00.000-04:00

I've decided that in order for my life to be in harmony with others I must allow more diversity into my life. In music, harmony is something that is different or unique from the regular ol' melody. The melody makes things boring and alike. But harmony sets the mood, the personality of the song. The melody is the heart of the song, but the harmony is the mind and soul. The harmony is everything. Without harmony you only have a melody and when everything in life is the same, you aren't living to the max. BE DIFFERENT and be harmonic...don't follow the melody like most folks. Let your life sing a song...a harmonic song that spells out diversity.

MOVE

2007-01-15T11:43:00.000-05:00

MOVE.........thats what God is doing...........so thats what I'm going to do....................MOVE.

God has many great things in store for me this year and the best part is that I have no idea what they are......................amazing huh?.........................all I have to do is keep MOVEing forward..............one step at a time.......................................................MOVE.

STUCK IN GRAND RAPIDS...

2006-09-24T20:56:00.000-04:00

(Well actually a town near Grand Rapids, called Cedar Springs, MI)

9/24/06
8:55pm

This weekend my mom, brother, and I went to Cedar Springs, MI to visit family. We were having a good quality weekend with the family up here. Come Sunday, and we can't leave because we lost the keys to our car. The odd thing is we never even used them, because we rode with my aunt wherever we went. We lost keys we didn't even use.
We literally searched for 5 hours, looking for those keys. It is 8:55pm and we still have not found them. (We had planned to leave at 10 o'clock this morning.) I missed Lifeline, and I'm missing school tomorrow. I will probably make it back for the last part of the day, because we are having a locksmith come out and make us a newset of keys, but at least I wont miss play practice at 3:30.....hopefully not.

August

Retrieving my calling...

2006-08-22T13:49:00.000-04:00

It was two years ago at Camp Adventure when I felt something inside of me stirring up. (You may know this story, but please stay with me). I felt the Holy Spirit move inside of me, like it had never done before. On that Wednesday night I had a revalAtion on what God had planned for me. The stirring inside was a small voice, a small nudge to say "yes". I knew then and there, that I wanted to be a pastor. I said "yes", and I t was a complete revalUtion of my life.
During the past two years, I have changed my mind in what I wanted to do so many times. I sort of put the plan GOD had for me aside; I put it on the shelf. People would ask me this famous question; "What do you want to do, August, when you're older?". I would respond with something new every time. I would say things like, "...oh...I think I want to study Geology, or...I'm going to get my degree in Music and become a music teacher, and sometimes....I want to get my P.h.D. in Philosophy and become a college professor."
My answers were always different and never really related. I kept wondering why God wouldn't help me out and give me a clue on what he wanted me to do. I was getting frustrated.

While in Mexico this past month I realized that my heart was yearning to help the poor of the world. I felt a burning inside me to go to Africa and give any aid that I could. So, with that in mind, I know that I am going to Africa (as it says in the last post), but I still didn't think that That was what I was going to college for,(missions). I thought about it a prayed and this is what I came up with:
I knew that I needed to retrieve something off the shelf. The very plan that GOD had for. I needed to turn to that and put aside the other ideas,(at least for now) , and focus on the path that God has for. I feel called to, want to, and am going to be a pastor. Now, I don't know if it will be in a church (probably not), but wherever God leads, I will follow-willingly.

August Garritano

Culture shock

2006-08-15T21:51:00.000-04:00

Well...I have been home for almost 2 and a half weeks now and it was difficult transitioning back into the flow of life here in michiana. It was easy being on a schedule everyday from 8am-11:30pm in Mexico. Life back in the states is totaly different. I have a new outlook on things. I pray that I dont lose that and fall back to the old way I was living. My time in Mexico was revolutionary...it was a great experience that I hope to carry throughout the rest of my life. Seeing the poverty that I saw wrecked me, and Standing in Cadeyreyta (durinng the last week of July) I knew that I would never forget what I have been living the last four weeks. I made a promise with my creator that I would never stop helping the poor of this world. I will never cease to aid the 'least of my brothers.'
Last week when I went to the Leadership Summit 2006, I was listening to Bono talk about the AIDS crisis around the world and It hit me that I want to put forth whatever I can give for that cause.
AIDS today is like the Leprosy of Jesus' day. Jesus would be at the aid of the AIDS victims, why wouldn't I. I have felt this nudging for a while and I now know that I WILL help victims with AIDS in my lifetime. I dont want to waste a moment in serving God, and I want others to hold me accountable in that. I dont want to be lazy and live life to the minimum.

bring it on...

2006-07-21T18:46:00.000-04:00

I have been here for three weeks now, and only have 1 more week left. This last week will be the best week. Granger (my youth group) is coming down and it is going to be awesome!!!
God has been great. He is teaching me a lot about himself that I never understood. God is revealing himself to me in different ways. Its incredible. Thanks to all my supporters...Your prayers were greatly appreciated. See everyone in one week...

2006-07-15T15:55:00.000-04:00

Two interns having a good time!!!
(Jenny and me)

Little Landon sleeping in my arms(Casa Hoger Del Norte)

La Quinciñera

2006-07-08T18:02:00.000-04:00

Hey guys!
Tonight we are having a special celebration for a Casa Hogar Douglas girl named Jasmine. Today Jasmine turned 15. She will have a ceremony tonight that will make the transition for her from childhood to womanhood. After tonight she is considered a woman. Its a great celebration for everyone. Its also a very special night for her. Later we are having sorta like a reception here at B2B. We will eat, dance, and have a grand ol' time.

Please pray for Jasmine, for this is a big step in her life.

August

2006-07-07T15:55:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! Today the groups left and it was very emotional. Most of the people from St. Marks were crying and hugging all us interns. St Marks was an amazing blessing from God. I feel so very blessed that I was one of the interns for that group. They all were great warriors. Many of them came into the week not really getting the meaning to serve others and especially Jesus. A few of them might not have even known or understood the Gospel completely. But by the end of this week, I was blown away!!! They grew so much in just one week. They all had hearts to serve and willingness to put others first. I was so proud of the accomplishments that I saw from them . Most of them opened up and shared what was on their hearts and others became more humble. A few felt a calling to go into the ministry. God was here this week. He is here now and will always be with St. Marks church. God is ALMIGHTY, MERCIFUL, GRACIOUS, LOVING, COMPASSIONATE, FORGIVING. Thank you St. Marks for everything.
(APEX was great too!!!) I'm truly grateful...
Blessed be the name of the Lord in all the earth!!!!!!!!!!

The end of the week...

2006-07-06T10:09:00.000-04:00

Today is my day off!!! This past week has been great. St. Marks church(non-catholic) was the group that I was assigned to. They made my first week amazing. They raised the bar high for the next group. They all (at least what I can see) have been changed in some way or another being down here and serving their hearts out for Jesus. We went to the RIO yesterday and Yolanda(from St. Marks) translated the prayers into spanish that megan(fellow intern)and I were praying. It was awesome. When my group was walking down and through the RIO. Through all the huts, boards, trash we came to a house where we were going to invite this mother and her child to the baby outreach we were doing that day. Her girls asked us to come into their little home and pray for the mother. We all went in and sat down where we could find a seat. The mother came in and she spoke to Yolanda and Yolanda translated it to us. The woman was 7 months pregnant and she was having contractions. She had no form of transportation to the doctor nor any money to pay for a bus. we prayed for her and it was a divine moment in that little hut. God was there. When we were done and we were walking out we all took turns giving her hugs. I gave her a hug and whispered in her ear: El Senor esta aqui which means God is here. Yolanda gave her some money to take the bus to the hospital.
Yolanda is definatley a warrior for Jesus. I have been watching her all week- God has blessed me through Yolanda this week. Thank you God and thank you Yolanda.

MY INTERNSHIP STARTED YESTERDAY!!!

2006-07-01T21:12:00.000-04:00

WoW! I don't even know where to start. This month is going to be incredible. Mom, I miss you already!!! I will call you when I buy a calling card. The whole Back 2 Back staff is amazing. All the other interns are great too. Today was our first day with the american groups. Three groups flew in today. All the interns where designated a job for the month. Myself along with an intern named Lauren are Marketing Interns. We are incharge of restocking la tienda or store. Also we have the fun privilege of buying all the items from the markets in town, for the market we have for the church groups on our property. I am allowed to blog, check e-mail etc...during the groups debriefing time(after worship at night). My day off this week is thursday and I'll try to come and blog then. I can't wait until all of you (GCC) come down here. Patrick was awesome, according to all of the interns here. They called him fruit salad. i don't know what they called him that, but they did. Well see everyone in about 3 weeks or so. Send me e-mails.
p.s. let my mom know that I am alright - she might not be able to check my blog with her computer at work. Love you guys!!!

Agosto

Mexico Internship cont'd...

2006-03-23T18:52:00.000-05:00

I just received a list of the other interns. Things are starting to happen in preparation for this summer and I am so excited!
I have to raise roughly $800 for this mission trip.
I am not worried at all, because I know that God will provide the means for me to go.

Hola to all my fellow interns!!!

Click here to check out the blog about the Mexico Team 2006 from my home church traveling down to Mexico, the last week in July.

MEXICO 2006 Internship

2006-03-19T14:46:00.000-05:00

This July, I will be spending four weeks in Monterrey, Mexico @ Back2Back Ministry's Mission base as an intern. I am so excited and I know God has great things planned for me down in Mexico.

Lord, USE ME!!!

NARNIA QUIZ

2005-12-22T11:19:00.000-05:00

I scored 102 out of 120
TAke The qUiz ClicK heRe.....
I'm Aslan-what r u?

NARNIA QUIZ

Christmas Break!!!

2005-12-21T15:30:00.000-05:00

My last day of school is tomorrow...boy am I excited!!!!!
SLEEPING IN,STAYING UP LATE,GOING TO SEE MOVIES,HANG OUT WITH COREY(HINT),HAVE LOTS OF FUN!!!!!

These two weeks are going to rock!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

It's been a month...

2005-12-21T15:22:00.000-05:00

WOW!!! It's been a month since I last posted. We got rid of our computer and I have not had the chance to update my blog.

Fool Proofing Your Life

2005-11-13T22:04:00.000-05:00

Last week Corey talked about FOOL PROOFING your life, by asking a simple question.

"WHAT IS THE WISE THING FOR ME TO DO?"

In Light of my past experiences...
In light of my current circumstances and responsibilities...
In light of my future hopes and dreams...

Tonight he talked about the three kinds of people who don't like to ask the question.

There are three chairs these people who don't like to ask the question sit in.

The NAIVE chair
The FOOL'S chair
The MOCKERS chair

I have been in all three chairs at different times in my life already. I ask God to deliver me from these things. I don't want to sit in these chairs anymore!!! Through the Lord I can stand up and be...

KNOWLEDGEABLENESS
WISE
FREE

WHAT CHAIR ARE YOU IN AND ARE YOU GOING TO STAND UP?

ANNIE

2005-11-10T14:09:00.000-05:00

November 17th & 18th-
7:00pm @ Brandywine Elememtary School

Come see me in Annie as Daddy Warbucks!
Reserved Tickets: $5-Adult, $3-Kids & Seniors

Take A Moment...And Think...

2005-11-08T22:33:00.000-05:00

"If you could capture one moment of your life, which one would it be? Some particular moment in the past? A moment of regret? How many of us haven't spent many moments reflecting on moments lost, all the time unaware that moments lost in regret are exactly that-moment lost? If you could take a moment, seize it, and squeeze all the life available in it, shouldn't that moment be in the future rather than in the past? What if you knew somewhere in front of you was a moment that would change your life forever, a moment rich with potential, a moment filled with endless possibilities? What if you knew that there was a moment coming, a divine moment, where God would meet you in such a way that nothing would be the same again?"
-Seizing your Divine Moment, Erwin McManus

2005-11-08T22:09:00.000-05:00

POLITICS...

NOT THE BEST TOPIC AMONG FRIENDS
Tonight at smallgroup, we got on the discussion of politics...we had different opinions of course, but we have decided to never again discuss them at smallgroup. "Courtney, I hope we are still friends."

THE TEN TENORS

2005-11-04T23:53:00.000-05:00

I just got back from the most incredible performance!!! The Ten Tenors were spectacular.
This group is from Australia with much talent. I got their CD, and an autographed program,(yea....I know i'm a geek). If you ever get a chance to see them...DO! And if not, just check out their site. www.thetentenors.com
You really need to check it out.....NOW!

Feeling like Adam and Eve

2005-10-25T08:53:00.000-04:00

I feel a lot like Adam and Eve. I am doubting things God has already revealed to me in my life, and just want to know more. Just like Eve thought God was holding out on her. Some of you know that God had revealed to me something awesome while in Mexico ,(in a previous blog). I now sometimes doubt if I made it up on my own. I say to myself, " If God could just let me know for sure".
Then it can also go the other way. If you were to look at my whole life from beginning to end- it would be like a book with many chapters. God let me in on a future chapter of my life. He let me know what a future chapter will be. The problem is that I want to know what comes before that. Or how many chapters I am away from it. I was talking to Jim Sunday night after LIFELINE and we kind of figured out That it was like what happened in Genesis with Adam And Eve.

AcT on FAith alOne...

2005-10-15T23:55:00.000-04:00

I have noticed a lot in my walk with Christ that I have often doubted his word. I have often doubted his grace. I have often doubted his voice. I have often doubted his miracles. I have often doubted his power. I have often doubted his love. I have often doubted his leaders. I often doubt myself. I feel like a huge fake! I often don't feel God. I often don't listen to God. I often don't read his word. I have a deep wound not yet healed. I have a wound that needs to be treated. I have a wound deep inside my soul, holding me back from engaging fully into the fight. I actual have a few wounds that I have not addressed yet in my life. I have wounds that are weighing my heart down. John Eldridge says the wound(s) I have are caused by my father, but others contributed as well. I need to stop being two different people. I need to be that REVOLUTIONARY I so often claim to be. I need to take ALL my fig-leaves off a be fully exposed with my wounds. Lord, help me into my wounds. Help to find that person or persons that I can resort to in times of pain. I just need to come clean-completely. satan has had grip on me far too long now. Jesus Christ is my king and I need to take his word for it. I need not be isolated anymore. I am becoming free...slowly, but I am becoming free.

Men's Retreat 2005

2005-10-13T23:09:00.000-04:00

2 fast 2 furious...

FAITH (in God), PASSION(to live), AND INTEGRITY(through Christ) are my three rocks. Whats yours? The basic, yet extreme ideas of last weekend were...Perspective,Priorities, and Passion. Passion equals perspective and business equals blurriness..... Dr. Bob knocked it out of the park with a little "righteous anger"..... from God. Then ... Saturday night at the LIFELINE bondfire...was...AWESOME!!! The Holy Spirit was on each and every one of us. WE connected in such a great way. That night helped me tremendously through recent struggles I was having. God is so great ! He opened my eyes, yet a little more to the larger story he has laid out on his canvas of vast array. Sometimes God just blows me away...He will just amaze me.

2 FAST 2 FURIOUS

2005-10-07T00:06:00.000-04:00

I have never gone to a GCC men's retreat yet. I am pumped. I leave tomorrow night and will not return home till Sunday....pray for me.

i am not, but i know I AM

2005-10-06T23:25:00.000-04:00

Recently i have given up the starring role in my life. i have giving it to I AM. He has opened my eyes to the bigger picture, but not all the way. i still need a lot of work. I AM is working pretty deep in me now.

i am not capable of running my own life, but I AM can.
i am not .....that s my name.....and if anyone wants to know who gave me that name...... I AM

2005-09-19T20:48:00.000-04:00

"SEE YOU AT THE POLE" 2005
Wednesday, Sep. 21st

BE THERE...

2005-09-15T20:16:00.000-04:00

Come see me the Broadway Musical "ANNIE" @ my school...
NOV. 17,18, & 19th 2005

2005-09-02T12:32:00.000-04:00

Click here or hear to see the latest in the disaster in New Orleans...

I so wish I could just get down ther right now and help. I want to be down there helping people in our own country. Kids are out of school, families are seperated, people are dead, little girls are being raped and killed.
I know God is there and I want to be there too.

2005-09-01T15:32:00.000-04:00

TO HEAR HOW YOU CAN HELP WITH THE DISASTER IN NEW ORLEANS CHECK THIS OUT.....

Corey's Blog

The post is called ... "IT'S TIME TO HELP!"

Four-Day weekend

2005-09-01T15:18:00.000-04:00

Well, The first couple of days of school are over and we are back into the routine, but not until after this holiday weekend. I'm looking at a four day weekend with nothing to do. I don't have anything planned, so I think I will just relax....but if someone wants to do something I will=).

DAVID CROWDER - COLLISION

2005-08-31T19:10:00.000-04:00

David Crowder-Saturday, Nobember 12-concert starts @ 7:30 p.m. in Grand Rapids, MI

For More Info. or ticket info check these out...

Heck Yea, I'll Be there!!!

First Day of School...

2005-08-29T17:24:00.000-04:00

Well, today was my first day of the 10th grade. It wasn't that bad. First block we got a project that is due next Tuesday.....oh boy, I think I forgot how school went. It was pretty much a boring day, because we just went over the Handbook and just talked about what was expected of us in each individual classroom......blah,blah,blah. Tomorrow will be the same. We won't get into starting back in the routine until Wed.

2005-08-19T13:48:00.000-04:00

The above reads," Religion and Morality are indispensable supports to political prosperity".

WOW!, What a concept! Maybe if our "corrupted world of politics" would use this motto, we might have actual morals to live by.

One crappy day!!!

2005-08-16T19:32:00.000-04:00

This morning I woke up ready for that one call telling me I had been hired for the position I applied for at the theater...but it is now 7:41 and there has been no call. There is still hope for tomorrow though. Because I was anxious and very stressed about the call, I totally forgot about the Switchfoot concert that I was going to go to tonight with Lifeline.I had been waiting to go to this concert for months now. I had paid and everything.I was just lounging all day, except for the walk I took to relieve anxiety, waiting for the call. Just laying on the couch, maybe dozing off a little, the thought just popped into my head about the concert. I jumped up yelled at my mom, " what time is it?", in a frantic voice. She looked at the clock and said it was 4:08. (I was suppose to be at the church at 4:00). I freaked....I ran in my room and through on new clothes, and my mom called Corey. They had already left the church and needed to get going. I talked with him for a minute and I was very bummed, but got over it. I do hope they have a good time!!!!!

every man, God's man

2005-08-15T20:16:00.000-04:00

When God sees a man loving the priorities and practices of a godless world while purporting to love Him, He sees an adulterouse affair and trampling of the love He has given to the relatiohnships. It's a temptation that's tough to resist. Our world constantly invites us to go with our feelings over our faith:

"Get the feeling," encourages Toyota
"Absolute power," trumpets Gillette
"Your moans of pleasure may wake the neighbors," predicts Wendy's
"No rules, just right," proclaims Outback Steakhouse
"It lets me be me," understates one perfume ad.
"I want to get away," exclaims Nissan
"Some choices are no-brainers," says Honda
"Never sounded so good," counters Sprint
"Master the moment," states MasterCard
"No boundries," suggests Ford

*quoted above from the book 'every man, God's man', written by Stephen Arterburn and Kenney Luck with Mike Yorkey. (WaterBrook Press)

All these distractions all around us, no wonder it is so hard to be a Godly man. But, we can't blame the world for us falling. We need to use all our strength to stand, (for what we believe in), and then keep standing,(for Christ).

Leadership Summit 2005: Day 2

2005-08-12T21:14:00.000-04:00

I honestly don't know how it when because I wasn't there today. Even though I was planning on it, last night I recieved a call from the Wonderland Cinema, in Niles for a Job Interview. I went today for the interview at it looked good. I will find out for sure if I got the job next Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm excited and if i don't get the job then I know it wasn't in God's plan for me.

I am attending the Leadership Summit tomorrow for the concluding sessions. I am pumped to hear Bill Hybels again, he is such a man of words.

p.s.
For all you "audio-blog" fans, I will call in a post soon......

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2005: Day 1

2005-08-11T19:59:00.000-04:00

2005-08-08T21:02:00.000-04:00

Which one are YOU are falling for?

The Verdict:

Romans 12:21
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Deuteronomy 4:31
"For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forfathers, which he confirmed by oath."

James 1:27
" Religion that God your Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in thier distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

2005-08-05T22:21:00.000-04:00

You may think I'm weird and you may think this dog is very ugly, but who cares. I have pretty much envied this dog since I saw it in a library book when I was about 4. I will have probably 3 or 4 or even more when I'm older. Our family will consist of My wife, my kids, myself and a couple of Afghan Hounds. To me there flipp'n sweet, but maybe I'm just a "Dog Freak".

2005-08-05T18:53:00.000-04:00

This is me,(LEFT), and Corey,(RIGHT), posing after a feast at Tacos Fede...This Guy is more than a pal, he's more than a friend, he's more than my "Big Brother".....He's more like my dad.

In the dictionary, the word Father means: male parent, a person who creates and or makes something, a priest... a person who cares for and loves his children. To me Corey meets about all of those for me. He is obviously a male,(if not, be scared!!!), he is a person who made me or created the REVOLUTION inside of me, he is my youth leader, and he cares for and loves me like i'm his. I am , I am one of his guys.

(Corey!, I stole your picture!!!!)

2005-08-05T18:46:00.000-04:00

Many of you know the secret behind this picture.....if not, well you will just have to wait and see what God has in store.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

2005-08-02T20:44:00.000-04:00

Why a model ' T '?

The road to success if paved with aspiration and littered with failure.

Thomas Edison failed more than 1,000 different times to light up the world before he got the first light bulb to work.

Henry Ford, the auto entrepreneur, made the Model T, the first mass-produced car, because he failed with Models A through S.

Think about it...

BEING A MISSIONARY FOR A WEEK...

2005-07-30T21:50:00.000-04:00

Mexico was absolutely awesome!!! I can't even begin to explain it all. God was very present in everything and everyone this past week. My most memorable part of the trip was when I got the opportunity to share my testimonies to hundreds of people who didn't understand an ounce of English I was saying, but when Matt Cooper translated it for me, I saw them connecting to me and relating with me. It was awesome!.....Remember the Tower of Babylon in the Bible, where God split up the languages and scattered the people across the face of the earth, well it was almost like a challenge from God us,"Can you still spread the love of Christ, even though there is a language barrier?", and we did. The Mexico team so did! I'm proud of you guys. Great Job!

NUDGE!!!

2005-07-22T01:29:00.000-04:00

I knew last year at Camp Adventure that I was called into the Ministry, but didn't know what I would be doing in spreading the Gospel. All I was aware of, was the fact that the Holy Spirit was NUDGING me.....I would sometimes think about being a missionary, (NUDGE!), I went on my first mission trip last year to Tennessee and then returned back this year. In 36 hours I will be on my way to Monterey, Mexico on my third mission trip, (NUDGE!).....Last week I met a great new friend that is passionate living for Jesus, Kelley. Her passion is India, her hero is Mother Teresa, she knows that she will spend a portion of her life in India on a Mission,(NUDGE!). Last weekend at church Ron the missionary from India spoke about their work their and the work GCC has done, (NUDGE!). Then tonight at New Community Ron was their with his friends from India. Rob Wegner spoke about how the Kingdom of God will not come until all the 12,000 nations all hear about Christ. ALL!!!,(NUDGE!)...I now know I will be a ,(and am already), a missionary for Christ throughout my life here on earth. Granger Community Church will be my home church and I will spread the Gospel throughout the world. Not sure where yet...

Mexico 2005

2005-07-21T02:15:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Emily has made its path to Monterey, Mexico. The damage is nearly finished, if not already. Jesus prepared the way for the 49 Revolutionaries that are coming from Granger, In. We will be the superheroes that come in and witness to many who are in need, physically and spiritually. The witness ability level, (if that makes sense at all), will be very high and open for us to do God's work in those many people.

Oasis Bible Study

2005-07-20T23:41:00.000-04:00

Tonight was another successful Oasis summer Bible Study. We discussed how everyone was made for a purpose, on purpose.
Ephesians 1:11
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ...he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everything." (The Message)

The band tonight was more laid back than usual with two guitars and a bongo drum, but God was as present as ever in the church atrium. I know we got the message across tonight, it was great.

Prayer Requests...

2005-07-18T03:12:00.000-04:00

CAMP ADVENTURE 2005 (1-first time excepted Christ, R-recommitted, M-was called into Ministry)

Zeke R.- R,M
Matt D.- R,M
Allison H.- 1
Morgan S.- R
Chelsea W.- R
Brendan F.- 1,M
Lacey W.- R
Emma C.- R,M
Tarik S.- R,M
Hunter M.- 1,M
Lindsey S.- R

These were mine and Kara's Kids at Camp Adventure 2005

Please Prayer for them...

Camp Adventure 2005

2005-07-17T16:46:00.000-04:00

It was another awesome year in Piercton, In last week. I had FIVE guys and all FIVE guys felt called to go into ministry full-time as a profession. God is so awesome!!!!! It was SO a God thing that all those Five men of Christ were in my group this year. Tarik, Hunter, Brendan, Matt, and Zeke, were all very awesome men of Christ who were so ready to go back home and live a revolutionary life. There were Barbaric. God was so very present this week at Camp Adventure. Can I get an Amen if you were there? You are amazing, all you staff and counselors that I got the pleasure of serving with last week, and look forward to doing life with. Mark, Judy, Rob, Corey, and Johnny were all great! Thank you again for everything.......Now its Mexico in 6 days!!!!!

Friday's and Wonka...

2005-07-17T13:54:00.000-04:00

Last night all the CA counselors went to Friday's for a bite to eat and then went to Charlie and the Chocolate factory...Me a Kelley could not stop laughing about almost everything...Then we heard..."It's not funny'...Oops! It was awesome to go hang out with all those wonderful people. Amen?

4th of July

2005-07-04T21:32:00.000-04:00

Many years ago our country was finally set free from under he rule of the British. We became an Independent country, having our own laws and regulations, having to make our own decisions. Making a new currency, or deciding who will be the leader and for how long. So many decisions to make, but we asked for them, right? Now we take for granted the independence we have as a free nation. We get together and watch explosions that make bright colors and make a big bang. Do we really acknowledge the fact that our forefathers shed blood for our rights. They fought for us to be free. We should really stop and think about why we celebrate the 4th.

Epic, by John Eldredge

2005-07-02T15:55:00.000-04:00

The Story God is Telling
and the
Role That Is Yours To Play

"I had always felt life first as a story-
and if there is a story there is a story teller."
-G. K. Chesterton
I just received this book in the mail, I had ordered it a week ago and am so psyched about diving in and reading it. I know its will be my next good read. My last was THE BARBARIAN WAY.

I AM A BARBARIAN...

2005-07-02T12:07:00.000-04:00

I can hear the inaudible and see the invisible. I am not a Christian, but a PASSIONATE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST!!! Are you?

We were made for God's pleasure and to please him, must be our goal. If you were asked right now, if you were pleasing God, what would the answer be. Would God's answer to that question match yours?

Richard Crisco......

2005-07-02T10:13:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went up to Rochester with Judy, Karen M., Naomi, and Evan to eat lunch wit Judy's Youth Pastor Hero, Richard Crisco. He is the most Passionate person I have ever met. He is SO REAL. He's totally got it. There is such a holy presence about him, its so awesome. If you want to listen to one of his sermons, click here- Richard Crisco.

2005-06-26T19:25:00.000-04:00

This a picture of me when I was a baby....my mom said I was cute, but what do you think?

To the beach with the Mann's...

2005-06-26T19:04:00.000-04:00

Today I went to Silver Beach, up in St. Joseph, MI. I rode up in the van with Corey, Debbie, and Chloe. We got to the beach and we realized on the way down to the water that Debbie packed the whole pantry. She brought all kinds of chips, sandwich stuff, pop, water. Later, we were glad because it got Hot and we were thirsty. I had the pleasure to have an interesting chat with Corey's mother. She's an interesting lady, that's all I will say....I love Corey too much.(she is a nice lady though). I had a sweet time with the Mann family @ the beach.

out

Friday night with the Guys...

2005-06-26T11:06:00.000-04:00

Friday night Myself and eight other guys went to the church to our smallgroup with John keim.
We started out walking and talking about "vision". We walked out the back entrance of the church parking lot, and every few minutes Johnny would stop us and he would read a story from the book JESUS FREAKS.
(We then kept on walking and would randomly stop at places like the bank or the gas station to read another story).
We had stopped at a bank and a car drove in the parking lot with two college guys in it. As they sped by, they through PENNIES at us and yelled, "filthy b**ches". We all were shocked, but we all then knew " God was there". We later looked at the situation as we were being persecuted, because Satan was scared and still is of the awesome REVOLUTIONARIES that we are.

God is amazing...

2005-06-24T12:02:00.000-04:00

God is so awesome!!!
He has provided me with the funds to go to Tennessee and has provided over half the Mexico cost and I know by the grace of God, he will provide the rest. I have a part time job, my mom has a job that she is way too, overly qualified for. She has no choice though. She doesn't have her license, so she had to give up her job at the mortgage Company, and catch a ride with the neighbor who moved here from Texas(originally from Mexico, she can't speak English well). She works at a factory plant, packing Ford products. My mom doesn't get paid much, but again God provides us with enough to live. And still I manage to get to go to Tenn., Mexico, and am planning on volunteering at the ICC conference and am also planning on attending the 2005 Leadership Summit. Blessed be your name, Lord. Thank you for all you do for us. Bless YOU!

Everyone's going to Heaven?

2005-06-23T23:39:00.000-04:00

"Yes, everyone is going to heaven, but not everyone will stay there. On judgment day, everyone wile go to Heaven(or had been to heaven)."
I am listening to the sermon, titled, " God's Presence " , by Richard Crisco. Words cannot explain this man. All I can say is that I want to hear more of his wisdom of God. He has such an awesome presence about him, just in his voice. If you have not heard him you need to.
try this...www.rochesterfirst.org/audio.html

Tuesday with Crisco!!!!

2005-06-23T22:35:00.000-04:00

I am so excited about this coming Tuesday. I am traveling with Judy, Karen, and possibly others up to Rochester, MI to have lunch with Richard Crisco. I am so phyched about just soaking up the wisdom this guy possessess. Thanks Judy for believing in me and giving me every opportunity....

Let your imagination run wild...

2005-06-23T22:31:00.000-04:00

In case you were wondering why there are no pictures, I don't have a camera, and if I did, that would be "civilized" to give you the image instead of letting your mind picture a thought itself. It's simply barbaric...

Camp Adventure......Heck Yea!!!!

2005-06-23T22:14:00.000-04:00

I have been praying for this opportunity to fill students with the love of Christ since last year when I decided to accept my calling and let my fire burn inside for Ministry. Me and my friend Kara Weaver are very pumped for this coming experience that will surely change our lives forever. And hopefully will change a few other as well.

Revolutionary Lifestyle

2005-06-23T21:37:00.000-04:00

The Revolutionary lifestyle is not easy, but let me tell you that it is sure worth it. Jesus started this revolution 2000 years ago and we still continue it today. He died for each and every one of us,( yes, even you), the least we can do is continue what he started. Though we just not need to say we are a Revolutionaries but we need to actually live it out and be BARBARIC. We need to let the world know what we are about and just let our light shine need not to be ashamed of our faith.