January 29, 2010

"Dawn Rising"

It's been a while since I have taken a crack at a poem, but here it goes....

Dawn rising,
The day stretches out
its arms of sunlight
Breaking into
a new day.
Scattering darkness
Clearing vision
It's easy to see when the sun is shining through.

Hope awakens
Dawn grows taller and wider
The sun burns warmly
Creatures stir
Birds sing
Their creator has given them a
new song
for this day.

Fresh.
Calm.
New.
Peace.

Dawn rising.


January 26, 2010

I'll have some links on the side...

Just thought I'd throw up a quick post about the "Friends and Such" menu on the right hand side of this website. I mean I know it's pretty self explanatory but you might wanna know why stuff is there. So quick an easy, here's the skinny.

Brad Cooper-- This guy is a stud student director @ New Spring church in South Carolina. I love what he says and what they are all about at *Fuse

Church Cruch-- Anything tech-geek and church related can be found here. Whether you are a social medialite or just trying to use technology for the glory of God, this site has lots of good news, info and tips.

Grace Fellowship Orlando/Grace Student Ministry: Doy. It's us ;)

Pastor Steven Furtick-- Seriously, this pastor is wise beyond his years, but has a fresh and insightful way of bringing the gospel to life, lot's of good wisdom, teaching, leadership insights on his blog.

Reach Records-- one of Hip Hop's best up-and-coming record companies. Has (in my opinion) some of the best artists in the rap game.

Restored Students-- nothing like good friends right? This is one of my best friends student ministry page. They are doing great things in West Orange County and I wanted to help him get Jesus' shine on out there.

Viva Pancho Villa-- This is my dog. He has a blog. I know it's sick, but he's a pretty talented writer, when he's not chewing my slippers.

Where it's not-- Trent and Kay Jones, who are good college buddies of mine, are serving as missionaries out in rural Bolivia. They are such awesome and selfless people. Their blog inspires me to be more passionate about Jesus in my neck of the woods and keeps my eyes on international missions. Good Read.

World Vision International-- Kim and I have sponsored children thru this organization and it really is one of the best out there. Take a look at the website and consider it yourself, it is really a great ministry and you can make a huge difference for dollars a day.

Toms Shoes-- I'm just a big fan of this organization and how they have really met a need that sometimes we just forget about. They are solidly committed to their mission and plus they are some pretty cool kicks too.

January 25, 2010

Identity: Lecrae

We got alot of requests on the video/song we played last week in GraceSTUDENTS. It is by an artist by the name of Lecrae. He is connected with a talented bunch of holy hip-hoppers who run with Reach Records. And for any pople out there who hate the idea of Christian rap, you need to repent because these guys are bringing the gospel in each song in a powerful way!!!

January 21, 2010

Still #1 on my playlist: POTG Remix

Now if you missed all the buzz about General Larry Platt, then you have been living under a rock. He is this old dude that tried to get on American Idol (see it here) with his great song "Pants on the Ground".

Someone on YouTube picked it up and created this dirty south remix of the song and I like it!!! Teach them youngins right! Get your pants up off the ground, lookin like a fool!

January 20, 2010

GraceSTUDENTS website

Hey my folks!!! If you don't know about the GraceSTUDENTS website, then you need to take some time to hop on over to www.gogracestudents.com and see what Grace Fellowship student ministries are all about.

We have a pretty cool website that we host through Clover and it has frequent updates about what teaching series we are in and all kinds of updates on key events that are happening in our student ministry.

I am pretty happy with the way it looks now, but we are working on even more features that will help you and your parents learn more about what makes us at GraceSTUDENTS tick! So check it out and browse around. Tell me what you think!

January 16, 2010

The wall: How to beat the odds

Did you make any new year's resolutions this year? How are they working out for you? Have you made it so far. I would have to imagine that it is getting pretty hard right now. What do you think?

Most studies show it takes anywhere from 20-30 days to begin a new habit. I have another theory. I don't think there are really a magic number of days, as much as there are a number of walls that we hit.

1. Wall #1. The easy route.
This is when you get your first opportunity to not follow through on your new habit. So you started jogging and now you have a rainy day. Or you have been eating right and now is the day you see that caramel chocolate cream cheesecake on the desert special. I would say people fall 50/50 on this one. It's not a deal breaker if you don't make it past this wall to a new habit, but if you did not succeed this time you will have to jump it soon.

2. Wall#2. Terra Nova Scotia.
This is the wall that you hit right after you have crossed the border into new territory. Let me explain a little further. So you actually went further than you ever have before at achieving your goal. You make it 20+ days on your new workout routine. Or you actually read the first 15 books of the bible on your "read through the bible in a year" plan. You think to yourself, "Wow. I have never been this far before, Maybe I deserve a break?" Au Contraire mon fraire! Don't be fooled! Just because you have been further than you ever have before, doesn't mean you have yet established the habit, . This is the place where you must reaffirm your goals and push through.

3. Wall #3. Exiting the Atmosphere.
This is the wall of walls. This is where you are almost to the point of making a habit with your one final test ahead of you. (This sometimes gets split up into phase 1 and phase 2 but for brevity's sake we'll stay at one wall) This is the wall that rattles you to the core and ends up either in a disaster;reset or a phoenix uprising;rebirth. This is the one that keeps you up at night. You are not sure if you can make this a real habit or just a "phase" in your life. Many people never get over this wall until someone close to them dies, or unless they suffer a life threatening illness (sorry to get all morbid for a second) this is where all hell breaks loose to try to shake you off of your path. But if you hold on with all you got and weather the storm like Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, you will find yourself on the other side with a newly formed habit and a story to tell about.

I just wanted to write this as an encouragement, because I know there are some of you out there that are on the right path and are one wall away from getting the next great thing started in your life. You can do this, trust God, work hard, and move one step at a time!

January 6, 2010

Summer in January!?!


I know its crazy, but it is time to start thinking about summer camp. This year (July 18-22) we have the privilege of heading down (or should I say up) to Panama City for BigStuf 2010. This camp is gonna be luda and we want your student to go!!! More info s soon to come. RSVP and deposit will be due Feb 5 and space is limited!!!

January 5, 2010

New Series: Rise up and go

I cant tell you how excited I am about this new series in GraceSTUDENTS. I am just beside myself with anticipation. I really think that this will be a great way for us to kick off the year in student ministries and I hope for the year to come.

January 4, 2010

300... posts that is.

This post marks number 300 for me. It sure has been a long time coming! I just have to say that this past year has been a wild ride, but I have a feeling that this next one is going to be the best (but perhaps the hardest fought) yet. It is at this time I would ask you to continue the adventure with me as we go through this gift of life that God has given us.

I guarantee this year will have many unexpected turns, but we will go through them together. You have a purpose and a place in this world, that is why you are here. So may 2010 be the year that you GO FOR IT! Whatever your hands do, do it with purpose and passion. This is your moment. Right here, Right now. Rise up and go!!!