I am the current event.

Hello to you.  If you have been waiting for me to write something (which is highly unlikely) I apologize for keeping you in such suspense.  I’ve been busy planning for Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights over at Lake Chills.  I have experienced a lot in the past week, so let’s get started…

This past week, Debbie was gone in Texas visiting her daughter.  Aaron was out because of elbow surgery.  Tim went back to Fresno.  Needless to say, the week was fairly boring in the office.

Last Tuesday night, I took a trip to L.A. to see a few bands.  Copeland, Lovedrug, Lydia and Lights.  Copeland=awesome.  Lovedrug=unique, but enjoyable.  Lydia=the singer whines to much and the band seemed to care more about their appearance than their music.  All of their sets were the same.  Not my taste I guess.  Lights=there was a reason she was the first to play:)

Wednesday night was a blast.  I’m thinking about setting up a blog just for rooted student ministries for students to check in to see what’s coming up.  Maybe this is a good idea, but only if students check it.

Thursday, I worked on the bulletin.  I put the scream as the bulletin cover.  I thought it was funny.  That night my lovely lady friend, Amanda, and I went out for a date to an Italian place on Balboa Island for our date night.  It could be some of the best Italian food I’ve had in quite some time.  Pas.tu Cafe is the name.  Go check it out.

Listening to a lot of Radiohead and Sufjan Stevens this past week. Delicious.

On Saturday was White Trash Weekend.  I had about 17 people over, all dressed like white trash.  Such a good turnout, I think I’ll have one for our students at lake hills.  Brilliant.

A last bit of info before I get into the heavy stuff.  I turned my parents onto the comedian Jim Gaffigan.  My dad loves his hot pocket bit.

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Youth ministry has been fun recently.  It’s nice to finally have some true support that is more than just encouragement, but a push from behind to tell me to keep going… or else I may be fired.  Just kidding.  Believe me, the pay would not be missed.

Our population in student ministries is not doing so hot, but ministry and relationships are flourishing.  I don’t want to be the one that says it’s alright to have a small group (though there are definitely exceptions).  Population growth insinuates Kingdom growth.  If a church population is dwindling, then the Church (capital C) is not doing it’s job.  I look forward to planning events (bowling, ultimate frisbee, flash-back dances, winter camp, etc.)in the future to encourage our students to bring their friends.  I look forward to seeing how God moves more in Rooted Student Ministries in a mighty way.

I read something by Henri Nouwen today.  If you have never read anything by him, I suggest you do so immediately.  I have two of his books, one of which is just a reading for every morning and his book, “Return of the Prodigal.”  I gave the latter to a window cleaner who is obsessed with Bible codes (DaVinci Code and the likes).  Today, it was about loving our enemies.  The socio/economy of Jesus Christ is totally upside-down.  (Perhaps that’s why he was crucified.  That, and the healing of all man’s sins.)  Who in their right mind would pray for the one that hates them.  I have found myself dealing with the difficulty of loving a certain individual recently.  Because of a few unfortunate circumstances in the past, I have looked down on this person and made them feel unwanted and unloved.  As I was reading over the idea of praying for one’s enemies, it occurred to me that I need not pray for this enemy and their downfalls, but acknowledging that I am no more or less worthy than they to be loved by Christ.  I am the enemy, and yet this individual prays for me.  It’s a frightening thing, this love that Jesus desires for us.

Lord, help me understand better the love you have for me so I can better understand how to love.  Remove my arrogance and replace it with humility.  Obliterate my sense of neediness and desire to be wanted by others, and fill it with the secure sense of being that I need you alone and am desired by you alone.  Help me to not just pray for my enemies, but be aware that I may be the enemy who is being prayed for.  Amen, and come Lord Jesus.

I hope to post again soon, maybe even today.  Look forward to that.