1. Friday night my good friend Paul Hinzman came in town. We are going to the Epicenter Conference in Dallas today and he came in a few days earlier to hang out. Paul was my youth pastor in Indianapolis. He had a huge impact on my life and I appreciate his friendship even after his crazy antics at Pappasito's.
2. There has been a lot of blowouts with March Madness but the Pitt vs Nova game was amazing and I'm glad I watched.
3. I only picked one team correct in the final four but they are also the team I picked to win it all, UConn.
4. OU was the other team I picked to go to the final and they were a big disappointment against UNC. Blake's supporting cast did not come through for him.
5. We had great attendance at our Epic House Parties this Sunday! We had 20 students attend our Edmond House Party and 11 students attend our South Side House Party. Next month we are launching a new house party on the Northwest Side of OKC!
6. It snowed on Saturday and was beautiful on Sunday, that's Oklahoma at it's finest.
7. Sunday we had great experiences at People's Church, where many people signed up to serve at the church. Jamie did a great job leading worship, Pastor Herbert's message was awesome and Brian's "MeChurch" video was hilarious. Huge props to Andy and Brian for the video. Look up "Me Worship!" on youtube to watch the video.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Childcare Testimony
When Jamie and I knew we were going to put Jace in a childcare we looked at childcare's all over Edmond and OKC. We walked into one in Edmond and knew instantly this was the one we wanted to put him in, the problem was it had a waiting list, bummer. We put Jace on the waiting list and have been praying for 3 months that he would get into this childcare. Since then we literally put him in one childcare and pulled him out 15 minutes later because his teachers weren't friendly and we didn't feel right at all about it. He is too precious to us to get second best, although this place was like last place with their service. Anyway, thankfully through the three months God has provided us with great friends to watch Jace until we got into a childcare.
Last month our second choice had an opening and we had to make a choice whether to put him in or wait for our first choice. We decided to wait even though it wasn't a gurantee Jace would get into our first choice and their was a risk our friend would not be able to watch him much longer, meaning it could have been months.
Well this month our prayers were answered, Jace made it to the top of the waiting list and he got into our first choice! I thank God for his favor, provision and for hearing our prayer. God is faithful!
Last month our second choice had an opening and we had to make a choice whether to put him in or wait for our first choice. We decided to wait even though it wasn't a gurantee Jace would get into our first choice and their was a risk our friend would not be able to watch him much longer, meaning it could have been months.
Well this month our prayers were answered, Jace made it to the top of the waiting list and he got into our first choice! I thank God for his favor, provision and for hearing our prayer. God is faithful!
John Marshall Testimony
This Friday we had a great turnout at John Marshall. We had over 270 students come to Impact and over 25 students made a decision for Christ in the school. This was our last week to do pizza which was going to make it hard for us to do our club. Since we serve pizza, students don't get held up in the lunch line and they can come right down to impact and here the message. On top of that students aren't allowed to bring their lunch to our area and we can't do club in the lunch room. So after this Friday we had no clue what we were going to do but we had a new couple show up to help us and they offered to pay for pizza for the next two weeks. God is so good!!! He is our provider and I'm so thankful he sent us this couple. God is doing a great work at John Marshall and I'm humbled to be apart of it. I'm amazed and thankful for God's faithfulness!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Qualities I look for in a Youth Leader Pt. 1
Commitment
One of the qualities I look for in a leader is commitment. In youth ministry I'm looking for someone who will be at the youth experience every week. Every Wednesday night we are putting on an experience to reach as many students as possible and we need all hands on deck to make it happen smoothly and with excellence. We also want leaders that our students see every week not once a month. Students may have a lot of inconsistency in their life so we work very hard to make sure Epic is consistent. We want adults that will be there for them at all times not someone who is in and out of their lives. This is important because it may take 6 months to a year before some students will start to trust a leader and if a leader is not committed that trust will never be built. When I meet with a potential leader, one of the first things I ask them is "Can you commit to being here every week?"
One of the qualities I look for in a leader is commitment. In youth ministry I'm looking for someone who will be at the youth experience every week. Every Wednesday night we are putting on an experience to reach as many students as possible and we need all hands on deck to make it happen smoothly and with excellence. We also want leaders that our students see every week not once a month. Students may have a lot of inconsistency in their life so we work very hard to make sure Epic is consistent. We want adults that will be there for them at all times not someone who is in and out of their lives. This is important because it may take 6 months to a year before some students will start to trust a leader and if a leader is not committed that trust will never be built. When I meet with a potential leader, one of the first things I ask them is "Can you commit to being here every week?"
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Randomness from my Childhood Pt. 2
6. My Favorite football team was the New York Giants and my favorite player was Lawrence Taylor.
7. My favorite TV shows were In Living Color, Martin and the Simpsons.
8. My parents got divorced when I was 10 years old.
9. I wanted to play little league football and middle school football but my mom wouldn't let me because she didn't want me to get hurt. I finally got to play organized football my junior year in high school because I was living with my dad. I love my mom but I wish she would have let me play earlier.
10. I was on a swim team in elementary school and dominated in the freestyle. Now I'm a horrible swimmer, ha.
7. My favorite TV shows were In Living Color, Martin and the Simpsons.
8. My parents got divorced when I was 10 years old.
9. I wanted to play little league football and middle school football but my mom wouldn't let me because she didn't want me to get hurt. I finally got to play organized football my junior year in high school because I was living with my dad. I love my mom but I wish she would have let me play earlier.
10. I was on a swim team in elementary school and dominated in the freestyle. Now I'm a horrible swimmer, ha.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Weekend Update
1. My March Madness basket is doing pretty bad. I had Florida State, West Virginia and Marquette going far and they are all out. In my final I have UConn beating Oklahoma.
2. Friday night Jamie and I went to the Thunder game with some friends. The Thunder lost but the seats were good and we had a blast.
3. Saturday I took my first trip to the OKC Zoo with Jamie and Jace. It's a decent zoo and they had a pretty sweet dinosaur display. Jace wasn't interested in the animals at all so we may wait a while before we go back.
4. Saturday afternoon I went to Bdubs with some friends to watch the OU game. I did not eat good but the fellowship was great. OU almost gave the game away but I'm glad they pulled it out.
5. Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at People's Church and loved it. I thought all the experiences went well and many people made decisions for Christ! Thanks you God!
6. Sunday night we had a connect event with our College & Twentysomethings at People's Church and it went well. We played Apples to Apples, UNO, Phase Ten and Salad Bowl.
2. Friday night Jamie and I went to the Thunder game with some friends. The Thunder lost but the seats were good and we had a blast.
3. Saturday I took my first trip to the OKC Zoo with Jamie and Jace. It's a decent zoo and they had a pretty sweet dinosaur display. Jace wasn't interested in the animals at all so we may wait a while before we go back.
4. Saturday afternoon I went to Bdubs with some friends to watch the OU game. I did not eat good but the fellowship was great. OU almost gave the game away but I'm glad they pulled it out.
5. Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at People's Church and loved it. I thought all the experiences went well and many people made decisions for Christ! Thanks you God!
6. Sunday night we had a connect event with our College & Twentysomethings at People's Church and it went well. We played Apples to Apples, UNO, Phase Ten and Salad Bowl.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Randomness from my Childhood Pt. 1
1. I had a bruised front tooth that had to be pulled out. Luckily it was a baby tooth.
2. Hulk Hogan was my hero. I was a hulkamaniac and I loved the WWF. The WWF to my childhood was what 24 is to me now.
3. I was born in Belgium and lived there for 4 and half years before we moved to the states.
4. 3 times I jumped in a pool when I couldn't swim and my family members had to save me.
5. My favorite music group was Boys II Men and Color Me Bad.
2. Hulk Hogan was my hero. I was a hulkamaniac and I loved the WWF. The WWF to my childhood was what 24 is to me now.
3. I was born in Belgium and lived there for 4 and half years before we moved to the states.
4. 3 times I jumped in a pool when I couldn't swim and my family members had to save me.
5. My favorite music group was Boys II Men and Color Me Bad.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Diaper Explosion
This past weekend Jace had a bad case of the runs from his medicine. Literally every time he pooped it instantly ran right out of his diaper. I lost count of how many times we had to change and wash his pants. During this weekend we went to Cracker Barrel and the poop came running. It poured out the back of his diaper up his back and made a little pool on his high chair. It was dark green like old guacamole, yeah pretty nasty. Being the great dad that I am I did not notice it or smell it. Plus Jace was chillin there happy as ever. Anyway Jamie wrapped his jacket around his pants, picked him up and took him to the bathroom. Unfortunately he left a little trail of poop all the way to the bathroom. I think we got most of it cleaned up, hopefully! It was gross and I'm so thankful Jamie was there, I don't know what I would have done if she wasn't there. Also it took 3 ladies to change this diaper. Craziness!!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Springfield, MO Weekend Update
Jamie and I spent the weekend in Springfield and had a blast! Here are some highlights:
1. We stayed with our friends Justin and Rachel Chandler and Rox (their dog). We enjoyed our time with them and really appreciated their hospitality. Justin is the youth pastor at Hope Community Church. I enjoy talking ministry with Justin and appreciate his friendship.
2. When we first got to their house Jace was afraid of Rox but by the time we left they were best friends. She would look for him and he would look for her. He would walk around saying dog and woof woof, it was cute to watch them together.
3. Everytime we go to Springfield we go to Cheddar's. It's our favorite restaurant, we love their spinach dip. We also went to Andy's Frozen Custard.
4. Thursday night we watched CBC play bball and they got crushed. The game wasn't great but we enjoyed hanging out with old friends.
5. I also went to a Chapel and enjoyed myself. Although it was sad to see the Chapel so empty compared to when I went to CBC.
6. We also hung out with Andy Estrella who is the new Chi Alpha Director at Missouri State University. Andy is a good friend and I know God is going to use him to reach many lost students at Missouri State. If you are looking for a missionary to support Andy is a good one. Plus he's hilarious, boom!
7. All in all the trip was very relaxing and enjoyable. We enjoyed hanging with old friends and even had some excitement with an explosive diaper. I'll blog about that tomorrow :). Springfield, MO is a place we would never want to live again but we love to visit. We will probably visit again later in the year.
1. We stayed with our friends Justin and Rachel Chandler and Rox (their dog). We enjoyed our time with them and really appreciated their hospitality. Justin is the youth pastor at Hope Community Church. I enjoy talking ministry with Justin and appreciate his friendship.
2. When we first got to their house Jace was afraid of Rox but by the time we left they were best friends. She would look for him and he would look for her. He would walk around saying dog and woof woof, it was cute to watch them together.
3. Everytime we go to Springfield we go to Cheddar's. It's our favorite restaurant, we love their spinach dip. We also went to Andy's Frozen Custard.
4. Thursday night we watched CBC play bball and they got crushed. The game wasn't great but we enjoyed hanging out with old friends.
5. I also went to a Chapel and enjoyed myself. Although it was sad to see the Chapel so empty compared to when I went to CBC.
6. We also hung out with Andy Estrella who is the new Chi Alpha Director at Missouri State University. Andy is a good friend and I know God is going to use him to reach many lost students at Missouri State. If you are looking for a missionary to support Andy is a good one. Plus he's hilarious, boom!
7. All in all the trip was very relaxing and enjoyable. We enjoyed hanging with old friends and even had some excitement with an explosive diaper. I'll blog about that tomorrow :). Springfield, MO is a place we would never want to live again but we love to visit. We will probably visit again later in the year.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Weekend Update
It's late again but here it is.
1. Friday night I had a burger at Ron's Hamburgers with some new friends. It was pretty good but definitely not the best burger I have ever hard. I still think Five Guys have the best burger.
2. Saturday I went to Men's Breakfast with one of my youth leaders. The breakfast at Golden Corral was awesome and the speaker was even better. The speaker was Bob Barry Jr. who is a sportscaster for channel 4. I loved his stories because when I was in high school my dream was to work for ESPN. If ESPN offered me a job today there is no way I would take it, I love what I do and wouldn't change it for the world.
3. As you can see I didn't eat to good at the beginning of my weekend so I worked out for an hour on Saturday and it felt pretty good. I'm still at 210 and trying to get to 200.
4. Saturday night we had fajitas at our community group. It's nice to have relationships and accountability with other believers. I had no lunch Saturday since I had GC and fajitas.
5. Sunday after church some friends and I replaced the backboard on one of our bball goals. Truth be told there is no way I could have done it without them. I am not a handy man at all.
6. All in all it was a relaxing weekend and I enjoyed my time with Jamie and Jace.
1. Friday night I had a burger at Ron's Hamburgers with some new friends. It was pretty good but definitely not the best burger I have ever hard. I still think Five Guys have the best burger.
2. Saturday I went to Men's Breakfast with one of my youth leaders. The breakfast at Golden Corral was awesome and the speaker was even better. The speaker was Bob Barry Jr. who is a sportscaster for channel 4. I loved his stories because when I was in high school my dream was to work for ESPN. If ESPN offered me a job today there is no way I would take it, I love what I do and wouldn't change it for the world.
3. As you can see I didn't eat to good at the beginning of my weekend so I worked out for an hour on Saturday and it felt pretty good. I'm still at 210 and trying to get to 200.
4. Saturday night we had fajitas at our community group. It's nice to have relationships and accountability with other believers. I had no lunch Saturday since I had GC and fajitas.
5. Sunday after church some friends and I replaced the backboard on one of our bball goals. Truth be told there is no way I could have done it without them. I am not a handy man at all.
6. All in all it was a relaxing weekend and I enjoyed my time with Jamie and Jace.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Highlights of my week
1. 24 this season has been amazing, Jack Bauer is the man and I can't wait to get my DVD's back next week. We are addicted to 24 and have every season on DVD.
2. My Idol favorites are the blind guy, lil rounds and Danny Gockey, I think Danny will win it all.
3. Thursday night I went to the Youth for Christ banquet at the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Yes in Oklahoma they have a hall of fame for cowboys and I'm not talking about the Dallas Cowboys. The banquet was awesome. It had great food and even better stories of student's lives being changed through Youth for Christ.
4. After the banquet for some reason I had a headache and was out of it. I knew I had to get on the Kilpatrick turnpike to get home, so I'm looking for signs that say turnpike. Well the first one I saw said "turnpike 44 east" not Kilpatrick turnpike and like a dummy I took it without thinking. No big deal right just turn around, well if you've never been on the 44 east turnpike the first exit outside of okc is 20 miles away. Yep I drove 20 smiles, hit up a gas station and then turned around. It was unbelievable, I was so ticked off. This has never happened to me before. Oh well, Jamie and I had good conversation on our little trip to Wellston, OK and back to OKC. :)
5. The weather in OKC has been off the hook. Wed was in the 70's and the last two days have been in the 80's. I love the weather here!
6. Epic was awesome this week, we had over 100 students again and 11 students made commitments to Christ. God is doing some amazing stuff in our students lives and expanding the territory of our youth ministry! Thank you Jesus!
7. John Marshall was also great. We had around 270 students and they were very engaged into the talk. I talked about how God is a God of second chances and many students raised their hand showing they had something in their life they wanted God to give them a second chance with. It was awesome! I also had a great conversation with a student about why bad stuff happens to good people and how to witness to his friends. God is working in the lives of the students who attend Impact.
8. I also had a great conversation this week with one of my mentors. I'm thankful for the people God has put in my life to challenge and encourage me.
2. My Idol favorites are the blind guy, lil rounds and Danny Gockey, I think Danny will win it all.
3. Thursday night I went to the Youth for Christ banquet at the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Yes in Oklahoma they have a hall of fame for cowboys and I'm not talking about the Dallas Cowboys. The banquet was awesome. It had great food and even better stories of student's lives being changed through Youth for Christ.
4. After the banquet for some reason I had a headache and was out of it. I knew I had to get on the Kilpatrick turnpike to get home, so I'm looking for signs that say turnpike. Well the first one I saw said "turnpike 44 east" not Kilpatrick turnpike and like a dummy I took it without thinking. No big deal right just turn around, well if you've never been on the 44 east turnpike the first exit outside of okc is 20 miles away. Yep I drove 20 smiles, hit up a gas station and then turned around. It was unbelievable, I was so ticked off. This has never happened to me before. Oh well, Jamie and I had good conversation on our little trip to Wellston, OK and back to OKC. :)
5. The weather in OKC has been off the hook. Wed was in the 70's and the last two days have been in the 80's. I love the weather here!
6. Epic was awesome this week, we had over 100 students again and 11 students made commitments to Christ. God is doing some amazing stuff in our students lives and expanding the territory of our youth ministry! Thank you Jesus!
7. John Marshall was also great. We had around 270 students and they were very engaged into the talk. I talked about how God is a God of second chances and many students raised their hand showing they had something in their life they wanted God to give them a second chance with. It was awesome! I also had a great conversation with a student about why bad stuff happens to good people and how to witness to his friends. God is working in the lives of the students who attend Impact.
8. I also had a great conversation this week with one of my mentors. I'm thankful for the people God has put in my life to challenge and encourage me.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Incredible Pizza
Monday night Jamie and I took Jace to Incredible Pizza for one of Jace's friend's bday party. I may be crazy but I think their pizza is pretty good. It's much better then Cici's and Chucky Cheese. Jace's favorite food was the cupcake he destroyed and smashed all over himself. It was awesome! Jace also ran around and pushed a lot of buttons but he is still leery of the rides. We tried the horse, a mini carousel and a car and he cried on all of them. It's weird Jamie and I love roller coasters and Jace currently seems to be very cautious. I was the kid who ran into the pool and had to be saved three times; currently it seems like Jace will not give us those kind of problems. Only time will tell.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Weekend Update
1. I worked on Thursday so Friday I was off. I hung out with Jace all day and had lots of fun. It was a little chilly so we stayed in the house.
2. Friday night we had crazy prayer and worship at People's Church. It was awesome to pray and worship with our church body. It was a refreshing night!
3. After prayer and worship Jamie and I watched City of Angels and it was boring! So boring I fell asleep watching the movie. Normally Jamie falls asleep while we're watching tv, but this time I was knocked out.
4. Saturday night we watched Good Will Hunting on TNT and I did not fall asleep. The movie started off slow but ended well. We both enjoyed it and we both stayed awake!
5. Sunday we had an awesome experience at People's Church. The worship, message and videos were amazing! Many peoples lives have been changed and many more will be changed in a chair at People's Church. God is moving at People's Church and this is a very exciting season. Come visit us this Sunday for our new series called Imagine at 8:45 am, 10 am, 11:15 am or 12:30 pm.
2. Friday night we had crazy prayer and worship at People's Church. It was awesome to pray and worship with our church body. It was a refreshing night!
3. After prayer and worship Jamie and I watched City of Angels and it was boring! So boring I fell asleep watching the movie. Normally Jamie falls asleep while we're watching tv, but this time I was knocked out.
4. Saturday night we watched Good Will Hunting on TNT and I did not fall asleep. The movie started off slow but ended well. We both enjoyed it and we both stayed awake!
5. Sunday we had an awesome experience at People's Church. The worship, message and videos were amazing! Many peoples lives have been changed and many more will be changed in a chair at People's Church. God is moving at People's Church and this is a very exciting season. Come visit us this Sunday for our new series called Imagine at 8:45 am, 10 am, 11:15 am or 12:30 pm.
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