on things above...

                                      
I've known for a long time that it's supposed to be all about Him. I think this last 6 months I've just been finally grasping that more and more. That He is so worth it. Just speaking from experience it can be so easy to put circumstances before Him. Sickness, tiredness, someone saying something that irks you and suddenly you're not in a good mood. I heard a great sermon once where the preacher asked "are you going to rely on circumstances, or are you going to rely on Him and His promises?" I thought that was an excellent question. Sometimes I don't feel like doing things. It's not about me. Sometimes I'm tired. It's not about me. Sometimes I'm hungry and I don't want to do this or that, I just want to eat. It's not about me. Sometimes I'm sick. It's still not about me. It's incredible how as much as we grow we still have to fight this and lay ourselves down. Like even now though I'm in a great place spiritually, I still don't always feel like worshipping Monday mornings. But I just have to place myself on the altar and say "Jesus, You are so worth it." And it ends up being an amazing time. During a recent worship time with the snowboarders we were talking about laying ourselves on the altar, and the school leader actually put 2 chairs together and laid himself down on them. And many of us followed suit. It was so cool because sometimes we simply talk alot about it - and there's definitely power in speaking things out. But for me doing something physical like that really helps in the spiritual as well. I'll just leave you with one of my favorite scriptures...

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. - Hebrews 12:1-2

Freedom

I just wanted to share one mind-blowing nugget that one of our recent speakers talked about. He was talking about FREEDOM and defined it as this: Freedom is the ability to do, without limitation, that which our heart desires.  He explained that we don't just have freedom "from" _____, but we also have freedom "to" ____. I hadn't really though about it like that. He gave alot of sweet stories from people he knows, but also used scripture. He went on to explain that Christ can walk on water not because He has access to incredible power, but because He is free. Gnarly-as! Can you imagine the things we could do if we walked in full freedom?!!!!

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.
-1 Corinthians 2:9

Have a lovely day!

a brief update/prayer requests

Hey all, just a brief update of what's going on here. God is at work healing people - yesterday the school had a few hours of simply praying for healing, and a back was completely healed, and healing is in progress on many of us. Personally, my neck is about 90% better in case you're wondering.

The base is abuzz as tonight the students from the Crossroads DTS graduate. I'm excited to celebrate this with them. Please pray God continues to guide them in the direction they are to go from here.

And tomorrow morning the snowboard school heads down to Queenstown for 2 weeks. It's a huge touristy town so we're going down there for a change from base, to enjoy some sweet snowboarding, and to hopefully have many divine encounters while we're there, both on and off the slopes. Pray for safety during the 6-7 hr drive there. Pray for spiritual and physical protection.

Also, I've just found out what the next season will hold for me - I will be staffing the Justice DTS in September, led by my amazing friends Sara and Kent. Please pray for wisdom for them as they are in process of planning the school. Pray God provides staff and students - esp guys as there seems to be a shortage of that in this school, and the world needs men of God to rise up. Pray for those that are already accepted to come, that the details would come together smoothly for them to come.

Grace, peace, and love.

wise words

My Dear

An amazing song I 'm currently hooked on, by Bethel. Sit back and enjoy.  listen HERE

to my prayer warriors:

Hey all! This is just a quick post, just figured it'd be good to send out a prayer request for some healing. We've got a few injuries here at the moment:

-I've sprained my neck
-my friend Matt has a broken nose
-my friend Steve is nursing a possibly sprained wrist and a near broken nose

We really appreciate your prayers for speedy recovery, so that we can get back to rocking the slopes and in my case, the office, for Jesus. Thanks and good day!

undignified

"...David danced before the Lord with all his might....when Michal saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for Him....she said in disgust "How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself toe the servant girls like any vulgar person"...David replied "I was dancing before the Lord...I celebrate before the Lord. I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes." -2 Samuel 14-22 (NLT)

Absolutely love this passage. Think about it. Here we have this high up king of Israel all dolled up in his priestly garments. Getting his groove on. Like those people who always seem to be dancing even when there's no music. And He's going for it, so much so that parts of Him that should not be seen end up visible due to the extreme grooving action going on. Probably more than a bit inappropriate. But David doesn't care. Why? Because God is so worth it.

I so admire people that go for it in worship. You've probably seen them, the crazy ones that are always singing their own tune and jumping so high they almost hit the ceiling. Even though the song is less-than-upbeat. Before I understood, I would look at them as if they were absolutely nuts. Now those people inspire me as I worship.

Enough reading my blog. Go be undignified. He is so worth it.

Just a funny article I read this morning.

Jesus Napped. You Should Nap.

by: Pastor Mark Driscoll on May 12, 2012 in Making, Theology, Worship

"Jesus settled down for a nap." Luke 8:23 (NLT)
The Protestant work ethic is fine, but it should be balanced with the Protestant nap ethic.
While on the earth, Jesus got tired. While on the earth, you will get tired.
Jesus napped. You should nap.
I really don't want to complicate this blog post with an argument about the Greek word for "nap," though that probably would help you fall asleep. I do want to keep this blog post short as the longer you read it, the more nap time you are wasting. And, since people really like three-point sermons, here it goes:
1. Lie down or sit down.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Sleep.