I want to be... MEGA

Through this post you will meet one of my friends and you will be introduced to a blog which i discovered through her, but it seems like an unreal and amazing blog.

I was reading my friend Shannon's blog titled "So you want to be mega?" and it directed to read this other blogers post (click on post, it will take you to what inspired me to write this blog).  Oh, and by the way i would highly recommend reading Shannon's blog, it is amazing and encouraging to see how God is working and doing amazing things in her life.  The insight that God has given her is amazing.

So as i was reading this blog this individual comments about how some churches have this thing called mission drift which is becoming something that they were not originally designed to be and are going away from there there set practices.  He mentions these small churches wanting to be mega.  In fact he also talks about how 50 churches a week close there doors forever.  In reading his blog one statement that he said really stuck out to me, and here is what he said, "But chances are, wen you and a handful of people originally got together in your living room to start a church you didn't say, 'We want to be the next Willow Creek.' More than likely you said, 'God, the people in this community need to be reached by you.  Please let us be your hands.' Mega wasn't a part of that.  Mega wasn't the point. So Don't let it sneak in and run the show when you grow a little."

I thought about this and all of my plans and goals.  I thought about a list of 30 goals that i had to make in my summer maymester class for Kennesaw.  In my leadership class we had to think up of 30 goals we wanted to accomplish because it was found in a study that was done of people who attended a 20 year reunion at harvard that 90% of the wealth of the people in the room was held by only 5% of the people.  The deciding factor to who succeeded and who didn't do as well was that these 5% wrote there goals down and stuck to them.  So i wrote down these goals,  and some of them are huge like travel around the world speaking at events by the age of 25, own my own missions organization by 26, write a book by 25, or my personal favorite... go to every single Waffle House in Georgia by the time i die. (LOVE IT!!!)  But then i also have small goals such as base jump in a wingsuit by summer 2010, go snowboarding in Chile for my 22nd birthday, or be a part time butcher or baker for next school year.  I look at the 30 goals that i have typed out and some of them are small but others are mega huge.

I remember when i started out thinking i just wanted to be a youth pastor, and then a youth pastor with a part time job on food network.  I mean then God really started growing my goals and that is when i desired to travel around speaking, bringing a foundational truth to the people that are around my age.  My goals may have started out small but as God has grown me i feel he has grown me to be mega.  

Is this ok?  I mean i know i should have God sized goals, but all of these things it seems like i want to travel around and speak, i want to write a book, i want to go to Chile for my 22nd birthday, i want four or more kids, i want... i want, i want, I WANT.

It seems it is time for me to ask what God wants, but... are these goals his goals.  If i test all these things they are inherently good and i should trust that God can and will accomplish mighty things within me... right?  I want to be mega, i want to do huge things.  I want to stop slacking off, i want God to kill this spirit of procrastination and laziness in me.  I want to be who he created me to be, and could that be someone who is Mega?  I mean i want to give my entire body, my entire life, my entire worth to others for His kingdom glory.  I want to build community and unite different denominations and break down there useless barriers.  I have written a blog on this confusion and i don't have an answer i only have more questions as to the impossibility of uniting others within a community based on God.

One thing i know is that I desire to follow God and be who he wants me to be... is that someone who is Mega, or is that someone who is small.  They both will have infinite worth, both will be for his glory and purpose alone, only one will have a seemingly greater impact.

I know all of this is jumbled, but these are my thoughts.  I want to be mega, is that wrong or is that right?  And does being wrong or right really matter in this situation?

Kings and Riches

1 Samuel 8- Read that, then read on.

Who is your king, what are you serving?

What is taking over your life.

It seems quite harmless at first only consuming your time here and there but eventually it starts ruling you and all you can do is cry out for help.

Is It girls or boys, sexual temptation, money, music, work or maybe even yourself... what is taking the throne of God.

The funny thing is we choose are rulers, we pick our poisons, we pick the people with power. Ex. Judges are appointed, President are elected and even Kings and Queens were put into power at one point in time.  Why do we choose the perfectly corrupted, why do we settle for the cheap imitation, why don't we ever choose the real God and King of Kings?

We settle for less because at the time of election or appointment, those gods, those kings seem perfect, they seem like the best deal.  They are $5.00 cheaper then the real thing, and i mean really... in todays economy with all these prices constantly rising, who doesn't want to save that $5.00.  Why would we want to be servants of another, why would we want to sacrifice more.  Why would we want to love someone else other than ourselves?

Because in choosing the right choice, in choosing God, there is a moment of absolute desperation, of a crying out to a real king and saying "I can't do this, please fill me.  Hear me oh God, I... Will... Do... Anything!"  The funny thing is when we finally reach that point and choose God, he listens, and he takes what we say seriously.  He literally believes and expects us to do anything to follow him and serve him... all so HE, not WE can be blessed.

Are you willing to give up an extra $5.00, are you willing to give up some of your time (Asking to help a lady at Kroger with her groceries, asking to help a man with his car broken down on the side of a road) because in sacrificing for this king, he actually notices what you do and say.  He knows when you have helped one of his children and he loves you for it and blesses you, maybe not in the ways you may want like getting that extra $5.00 back, but he gives you joy, satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment.  He allows you to laugh and truly love.  He allows you the best of the best, the things that are everlasting.

1 Corinthians 13: 8 "Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear." (NLT)

FINALLY THE ONLY FACEBOOKER!!!

I have captured the best facebook moment of my life.  It may have taken a lifetime, but it was well worth it.  Look at these pictures and tell me the beauty that you see. Thanks Alaska for allowing me the honor of this.

If you don't see what amazingness i am talking about, here is a closer look

Shot of Jesus

Earlier this week i was thinking of how much time i spend with God.  I realize this phrase i just used seems very egotistical but in fact, it is just the opposite.  I realize that i try and wake up at 4:00 in the morning to experience God in get with him before the world around me wakes up.  That isn't something new that i have been doing actually, I have been waking up on and off at early times because i feel that time alone with God in the morning is the most affective.  I feel that breaking away with my Lord and Savior in the morning sets me up for the rest of the day.  Some times i wake up and think of the best excuses to fall back to sleep.  A prayer and desire of mine is to wake up, no matter the lack of sleep, no matter the excuse, no matter the whatever the Devil and myself can come up with to fall back into a glorious slumber of nothing.

So i have been thinking, i need my morning alone with God or i feel like a can't function.  I feel that something about my day is missing.  What a wonderful feeling you may say... i sometimes enjoy the fact that i feel i can't function unless i have my daily shot of God in the morning.  It makes me excited that i NEED God in the morning or i feel something is missing.  But is that really a fact or a feeling that i should enjoy?  I think all together i hate the way i feel on mornings where i wake up and i feel i have to have some God in my life.  I hate when i wake up and rush the time i am spending with God all because i have run out of my morning.  I hate taking shots of Jesus.

As i quickly spend time with God in the morning, as i read some chapters in the Bible and get in a few seconds of prayer i figure "well that is all i need for today, glad i got that in. Now i can function."  That is pretty much the thought in my head and I HATE IT!  I want to drink deeply of my savior and spend hours with him, and not just in the morning, but throughout the entire day.   In fact this morning was a day off so i was able to sleep in.  I had one of the two Bibles i use in the morning so i wasn't able to read all that i want to yet, but i was able to spend some good time in prayer.  Only a few minutes but it was a time God was changing my heart and understanding for him and his will.  I want all my mornings to be like this.  I know they won't all be morning's where i feel amazing things happening, but i want real time alone with God.

I don't just want a shot of God or a double of Jesus in the morning.  I want the 64 fl. oz. big gulp of them.  I want to read and comprehend and live in the word and prayers that God is giving me.  I want my heart to long after them.  I want this feeling of being incomplete gone on the mornings where i fail to wake up, because I know that God will be with me the entire day, he isn't just going to take a vocation if i miss spending hours with him in the morning... he isn't saying "only five minutes Paul? I mean really, you can do more then that." or "You didn't spend time with me this morning... looks like you are on your own today."

As we believe and accept Christ, we have the power and authority that he gave to his disciples thousands of years ago, and even better then that we have the assurance that he is always with us.

Matthew 28: 18-20 " And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE END OF THE AGE.'" (Caps added - hehe) 

So on these morning's that i sleep in, i can realize and know that God is still with me, with the same power and authority as the day before.  This isn't an excuse to sleep in because i know God is with me, it is an assurance that this weird feeling i get is useless and not something to worry about.  But with everything in me i desire to drink deeply of him and wake up no matter what, so that i can be silent in his presence, so that he can fill more of the day, so that he can give me rest and peace  and understanding.  I want my 64 fl. oz. big gulp of God that is going to transform my mind to his will every day.  I want to be his and give up everything to him.

So, understand that in the morning your Lord and savior desires to get to know you more and more, he longs for you and to be with you.  God wants you to grow in a relationship with him.  As i understand this more and more each day, he turns my heart to hate the shots of him that i used to take, but to instead go for the big gulp every time.

How do you get your fill of God, is it in small shots or in the big gulp container.  I would encourage you to wake up and drink deeply of all that he has to offer you, not so you feel good the rest of the day, but so that he can transform you in ways that you can't get with little shots.  So that he can change your mind to his will and so that you follow him no matter what.

So all that remains of this post is... how do you get your fill of God?

What? Another late night pick up?

Well i have the joy of being so young, considering i was born in 1987.  What does this have to do with anything you say... well the ability to function coherently at late hours of the night.   I was taking care of and in charge of a group from Teyhas from a church called Olny Baptist Church.  But that group was taken from me and was handed to some other team mates Bud and Trula.  The reason behind it was because Scott wanted them to have a break when it comes to doing late night things.  So of course I gladly switched, i have no problem doing this late night deal.

Well the group that came in actually came from the same part of Texas that the other group did.  They came from Bifork Baptist.  Any who, the group's flight showed up about a little after one in the morning and the fun thing is there next flight left at 6:06 a.m. You may be saying to yourself right now, oh hey Paul, they couldn't check there bags in right away could they, i mean the airport doesn't want you to check bags in more then four hours in advance right?  And i say to you fine individuals, Yes.  So after i brought in four boxes of perishable items i remembered that little rule.  I should also mention that i gave them the option to get food on us... GPM, we try and treat the groups well, especially if they have a lay over.  They had decided to stay and get some airport food but because of the whole four hour check in rule we went out into anchorage to the beautiful night, well dusk and the sun still setting in the west.  

So as we went from the airport i was going to bring them to McDonalds and deal with the whole ordering everything through the window which would have been horrible, but as we drove to the airport i turned on arctic boulevard and saw that the rout to get there was blocked because of the marathon that was going to be happening later that morning.  (one of the people we have from North Carolina actually ran in that marathon today.  How cool is that, going to Alaska to run in a marathon and do ministry.  Pretty Amazing! )  But the whole streets being closed made me seem like a crazy driver that was half asleep and had no idea where he was going.  But the team laughed and we all had a good time as we got to McDonalds.  As we got in the parking lot the leader of the group mentioned that he saw a diner open when we first turned and got turned around and so i decided to check it out.  I want to say the name of it was the American Diner, open 24 hours only on Friday and Saturday, THANK YOU JESUS!  Great food, except for the gravy, must be an Alaskan thing, no offense.  But again, great food for a great price.  I will add a picture of it later, but that was the late night extravaganza. 

Plus getting to talk to the team and just laugh with them was fun.  They asked a lot of questions for us, so Tony and i talked mostly but i know it is going to be different for when they come back.  God is amazing... isn't he.

And to honor the last line of the paragraph before last... here are the pictures, different group in the picture then the one talked about though. Confusing Yes, fun always.

(He was enjoying his invisible plate of the two by two - Two eggs, two pieces of bacon or sausage, and two pancakes... all for $6.95.  And yes i only mean $6.95 because there is no tax in Anchorage.)

Gumbo Party

Today there was an amazing gumbo party at 6:00 at the Alaska Baptist Convention Center.  It was great.  It was put on by the a team that had come up from Louisiana, (Boo LSU) and they were great people with some good conversations, they just have bad choices in sports teams.

Aside from all that, they cooked some amazing gumbo and jambalaya and had this amazing apple salad with raisins, marshmallows, walnuts and this amazing sauce kinda stuff all over them, and then they also had this amazing banana, pudding. Man i love me some banana pudding.  This team that made all of this food has been in Alaska the past week doing projects here and there.  Doing a VBS in Nome Alaska, but only after they finally arrived after a 3 day delay because of severe fog.  And the other service project they had been working on was doing a little touch up work on the Alaska Baptist Convention Center.

To culminate all their work and to celebrate, they had a gumbo party, which again, was amazing.  It was great to just break away from work and hang out with others.  I had some good conversation's with a guy named Bob, with a wife named Barbara ( I am pretty sure that was her name). They RV and so they travel all over and they know of some people in our area so it was cool just to talk to them.

One side story to share before i show some pictures of this little happening.  There was this hot sauce there, it was horrible.  It tasted like chile powder, and conveniently that taste makes me want to puke.  But aside from the nasty taste it was just way to hot to where it wasn't even enjoyable.  I added some to my jambalaya and the lady watched me and said "you are going to die." In fact, i almost did, thanks to the hot sauce which i later realized was named death.  (again, another pretty sure on the name)  But it was a blast.  

Here are some pictures.

Nathan... My partner in horseshoes.

That is actually Bob standing up and his wife sitting 

down in the yellow shirt next to him.

Yay for good food!!!

Ahhh The Brewhouse

The Glacier Brewhouse in down town Anchorage rocked my face off.

So there was a team a couple of weeks ago from the great old state of Teyhas and the leader of the group blessed us with some cash flow.  She said that we, meaning Lily, Jared, Tony, and i did a great job on the sight seeing day and with everything else and that she knew we had to raise support, so she gave us some money to go out.

BOO YAH BABY!!! It stinkin rocked my face off.

So Jared had the amazing idea of going to the Brewhouse wear they... you guessed it... brew there own cream soda's and beer.  So we didn't actually try either one when we were there... We will on another visit, but the food and everything was amazing.  I had this fettuccini with fresh shrimp, chicken and amazing sausage.  Lily had some chicken, haha, good times. And Jared had some tantalizing brown sugar glazed pork chops, yes TWO pork chops and some taters. 

But here are some pictures of the event.  Love it.

Here we are, waiting for our reservation all dressed up for the "date night"

Here is a nice little plate.

Ewww the aftermath, i mean plus a plate or two.

And here is Jared 

And here is Lily.

Sorry G Baby :(

Well... this is Duke, my BFFL i mentioned in my last blog

Wait, not such a good picture... well how about this

Almost there...

And perfect, this is just a little taste of the coolest dog in Alaska!

Didn't I all ready see that?

So yesterday i decided to go on a little run / jog / walk with my BFFL Duke.  You will see pictures of this handsome little guy later.  (He is a dog)  But yah we went to this place called the bicentennial park.  It has quite a lot of trails, such as the Coyote trail, or Moose Head trail, even a black bear trail.  But so we started are little adventure and just went.

As we were running on these trails i noticed a big pile of poo and i became slightly nervous because Duke and I were in Bear Country. YAY!!! But as we ran on i saw hoof prints from horses so phew... that was close.  But i did see little Moose poop. 

Whenever i arrived at little signs to mark are position and to tell us where trails were I would stop and look and make sure we were going in the direction of our trail.  Well apparently i am not so good at that.  Because what i thought was going to be an hour adventure turned into a three hour journey through bear country.  Yes... i Became lost for two whole hours as i tried to find our way back to the beginning of the park where we started.  Well as i looked at signs and followed what i thought was the correct path i saw an airfield that was actually used in World War 2 and and i saw a green bag full of a surprise left by some dog that had been on the trail before.  (Sorry for the description, i just feel it is needed)  Well as i kept on running i noticed the same green bag, even though i had seen it probably thirty minutes before.  and then after about another hour of crossing the gravel runway of the air strip i saw it again. Real life deja vu is no fun, and being lost in bear country, kinda stinks.  And i even made it to the same end twice but at two different places.  So i eventually hit a main road and found my way home, but not before my body was pretty much completely shutting down.  My legs and feet were hurting oh so bad and a little surgery i had before was acting up . 

Towards the last leg of the trip i was saying words of acclimation towards Duke telling him that he could do it and to keep on pressing on.  He was struggling towards the end as well.  But we made it back to the car and got home, only to find out that i had 1000 missed calls and that i had just missed dinner.  But hey it is all good, i still got my steak and i am alive to tell you all about it. 

FATHERS DAY!!!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD!!! :) 

...2... 3... 4

Hope as defined by the Merriam-Webster's dictionary as

1: to desire with expectation of obtainment

2: to expect with confidence

After discovering what the dictionary said about hope i decided to go to Bible Gateway and look up versus on hope and of course hundreds of versus showed up (174 versus with the word hope to be more exact)  I was reading through a few and i stopped on a reference in Psalm 147: 11 "but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love."  I wanted more, so i read the chapters before and after Psalm 147.  After reading all three chapters, there was no answer for this question that has now plagued my heart.

Lets rewind.

Saturday Scott Kirby came down stairs to tell me a story, one that broke my heart, one that showed me pain in the world, one that showed me the need for this thing called hope.

Now lets put it all together, all my thoughts and ideas.

Based on the Alaska Health & Social Services, The state of Alaska has twice the national average of suicides then the rest of the nation. 2...

I knew this fact coming into serving here in Alaska this Summer but it really didn't hit home until Scott came down stairs to share me an email from a friend in Alaska.  He walked downstairs and i put up my computer for a second to listen to what he was about to read me.  He started off by telling me about this individual and how he was serving in serving in Alaska.  He then started reading this email.  The email stated that there had been another suicide within this small bush village of only 350 individuals.  THREE Suicides within the past few months.  The email went into detail about the scene, not to be overly graphic but to bring the realness of the fact into grasp.  That fact was that suicide is a very real thing in these villages.  That it is affecting the community in which these things happen in.  3...

And as i was doing some research online about suicide rates in Alaska, i found that in the bush villages it is actually double the rate of suicides in the state of Alaska, making bush villages having a rate of four times the national average in suicides. 4

I read these verses in Psalm, and to be honest... i don't know how they could bring these kids and individuals in the villages hope.  When i read them i smiled because i knew that my hope came from the Lord, but in looking at it from an outsiders perspective, it seems that God only wants to bless those who fear and love him.  It seems that God is blessing and bringing peace and joy all over the world except to small communities.  It seems that God is taking care of a people who constantly turn from him yet leaving to rot people who desperately need him.  

I love God, he is becoming more and more my everything.  But these villages and teenagers of Alaska have no hope for the future, they see themselves quite literally having no future and having nothing to live for.  As Scott left my room i just laid there in silence thinking of how to bring hope to these individuals.  How could i build a caring community.  What could i do and how could i make these people see there is something to live for.

My heart aches for these individuals who wake up and think to themselves that there is nothing to live for.  They seem to miss the fact that God longs for them and cares about them, but... how can i share that?  Pray for Alaska, and those that are in these villages.  Pray that community is built and that hope is found.

... 2... 3... 4

YAY!!!!!

I LOVE YOU MOO MOO!!!

I GOT THE PACKAGE OF GOODIES AND CAMERA AND AWESOMENESS YESTERDAY!!!

(Nope not everything)

(Two more things)

(Yay... this is all: candies, cookies, glasses, contacts... which are a must in Alaska, a camera and some gum :) Yes)

GREAT WAY TO END THE DAY.

:)

Just Walkin

Well yesterday i took one of the groups up here on a little hike... ok so it was really a walk on the coastal trail, but it was a long walk my friends.  The trail itself was 3.4 miles long but it is absolutely beautiful because at times you are surrounded by woods and amazing foresty looking scenery and then you have the beautiful inlet on your left and a far off picture of down town Anchorage.  

I mean it was a pleasant walk and we ate at the people mover depot, basically the CCT (Cobb Community Transit) It had some amazing pizza.  After all of that jazz we went and walked around down town Anchorage and just shopped till we dropped. haha, right... 

But it was a great group to take, a lot of fun and some good conversations finding out some of the peoples past.  I just honestly wish i could be more outgoing and sociable with the group members. I mean we talked, but i want more.

I mean in all honesty i know i am pretty outgoing but i would love to be more outgoing and sociable, especially with new people and those i don't know.  I would love the prayers on that.

90's Babies

I feel so old.  haha.  But really, we just did a sight seeing day for a group that was all born in 91 or later.  It was crazy to think about that.  This group was a lot of fun and once we got up to the glacier we had a great snowball fight.  Yes, on June 12, in the middle of the summer i had a snowball fight.

I mean i am actually doing work up here in Alaska, the night before it was preparing all of the sleeping stuff for the teams, cooking for them, going shopping, and buying and shipping a whole lot of supplies to ship to a bush village.

I will say God is amazing and has been showing me some cool cool stuff.

One thing that i would ask for is continued prayer to live to the hilt.  That i would be where I am and that God would continue to refine me and stretch me to do tasks that i may not necessarily enjoy.  I pray that i would not complain or make excuses but just live, love, and serve selflessly.  I am here for no other purpose but for him.  Pray that God would rock my world.

But it has been cool to hear teams stories and to see the people serve others selflessly. I love this work and could see myself doing it for life.

Also it was encouraging for Scott Kirby to... well encourage me.  And i would just like to make a final shout out to Jon Messarra who made my afternoon by calling.  Hmmmm, i feel soooo loved. :)  Thanks for all the prayers and i will blog to y'all later

I climbed a mountain

Flattop Mountain, described to me as a hard climb... no it was so much more.  Jared said it was a hard climb and that the hike up was crazy but the end was worth all of the effort.  My friends, he was right, and i totally wish there was a picture, but my friend Lilly's camera doesn't like the cold.  But the one thing Jared didn't describe to its full potential is the climb.  it is 1280 vertical feet in a mile in a half.  "Oh Paul that doesn't seem so bad" is what you may be saying and let me tell you, the trail zigs and zags and is crazy, but absolutely worth it.

I mean i made the hike a little harder as i climbed up the side of a part of the mountain covered in snow, I thought it was going to be a good idea and lets just say i was wrong.  I thought i was going to quite literally die.  I mean really, i climbed it like a bear using my hands to claw in the snow, if i didn't do that i would have never moved that far.  I stopped time and time again because i felt my phalanges were going to fall off.  (my poor little fingers)  As i looked down i could see my ankles turning purple and certain parts of my body hitting neon orange.  I eventually got past the now and curled up on the ground trying to regain warmth to my extremities and to not puke.

As i sat at the top of the snowy climb i noticed blood on a blade of grass near me and i looked at my nuckle and eventually realized that blood was there.  So as i continued to climb the mountain and catch up with Lily and Jared who took the expected rout of people i noticed more patches of blood on my knees and hands.  So as i was scraped bloodied and bruised from a stressful climb i looked slightly up and right before i reached the top i decided to fully look at the hill i climbed and i noticed a flat topped mountain to my left.  I was slightly crushed.  Thanks blueberry hill for being in my way.  hmmmm.  I realized though as i walked though some amazing things... God was refining me through this literal struggle, He was building up his temple to be physically stronger.

I long to get in better shape and God is giving me ways to start.  This trip i have made some mistakes and said some stupid things.  Had to humble myself here and there but over all God is growing me in leadership and He is growing me in character.  He alone, the Creator of the mountains I summited, puts together my life in such an amazing and unforgettable way.  I will not comprehend but i know that i want to get to know him more as i pursue him.  I want to live where he has me.  But as i caught up to Lily and Jared i realized that this adventure was just beginning and God really does know what he is doing.  through my toil and almost death experience, haha :), and as a cloud passed around me, i was re-reminded of his beauty, of his creation, of my commitment to him to be a mighty warrior poet pursuing him with everything i have.  Giving him my life and following wherever he will lead.  I WANT YOU GOD!  Even though at times i my feel i can't make it, i know God will help me get through.

So i caught up to my friends and Lily showed me another place that i was bleeding, Jared was amazed at this and i said that "I bleed like Jesus did"  you know like in the Garden.  I wasn't being funny, i mean really i was stressed out and in some agony for that little climb, haven't done that craziness in a while.  Then i stood up and walked in front of her and a few seconds later she busted out laughing because she realized that this "blood" was really blueberry's.  As i was rolling around after my crazy hike, i was just crushing blueberry's all over me. Good Times.

Well we reached the top after an amazing climb which i loved, and the end.  Worth it.  To be refined and learn from God, always worth it.

Plane Party!!!

Yes, that is right a plane party.  I wish i had pictures to show you but lo and behold my camera that i forgot is still on its way. Can't wait to get it.  Well Today after church we had a day of rest, i know... how ironic, actually resting on a Sunday.  Well we went to the air strip and got on some pretty small planes.  Mine was i think made in 1969, but i completely forget so don't hold me to it.  Umm but the person who flew me to the plot of land 10 minutes away was Austen, he is 19 and has over 150 hours logged as commanding pilot.  I think that is pretty stinkin cool.

But it was so cool and such a surreal experience.  I mean i just couldn't believe it.  So besides talking to Austen we flew over to this place that would have taken an hour and a half to get to by car.  We landed on their self made run way between the trees. Got out, had some amazing lunch, or supper as some would call it, that was made on the griddle and over the fire.  We had some fun conversations and just an amazing time.

I LOVE ALASKA!!! :)

Well we eventually did some worship, haha, funny story.  This one older lady had brought her bongos, which could have been out of tune (they were a little) and was playing slightly off beat with Brenda Crim ( The BCM director for the University of Alaska, Anchorage - UAA).  Brenda was playing guitar and after the first song she got me to play the bongos but she did it in the most secretive way possible.  She mentioned that i was one of the college students up here helping out this summer and said i played the drums and so got me to take her place.  Smooth Brenda, just smooth.  But it was cool because an older gentleman came over at the beginning of the third song and rocked it out with his harmonica.  He asked which key, which was G, and we just played. Worship my friends, is beautiful and indescribable... funny how that works.

After worship Scott Kirby spoke and after that we made some S'mores.  (sadly with no chocolate, but as Austen said, two out of three isn't bad.)

But now the reason for the Title.  There were no cars there at all, i don't even think the guy that owns the property got there by driving, if he did i sure didn't see his car.  Again, no cars, Everyone there, about 20 plus people, got their by flying.  HOW STINKIN COOL! I love it, i mean usually it is like hey guys lets hang out at this place or their house or my house and we all would drive there.  Well... that aint how they roll in Alaska, they fly.  I mean so crazy.  It felt pretty cool going to that sorta seclusive little get together.  What a great flying community.  LOVE IT!

Yay for da group of 22's

Well last night was pretty crazy for us over here at Global Partnership Ministries, GPM if you will.  There is now in Anchorage Alaska a team of 22.  They are a fun group of people, and even though some of them would be considered seniors, not the hike school kind, it is a lively and exciting bunch.

Well we picked up two people yesterday from the afternoon and then saw that a little flight holding 18 people was delayed until 12:00 a.m. Ewww how exciting was that news my friends, some would say very but i dont know if i am one of those people.  But hey, what happens in Alaska... well happens in Alaska.  Ehhh, you thought i was going to use the Vegas line didn't you about what happens in this place stays in this place.  :)  But we picked them up from the airport brought them back "home" and fed them a little snack, gave them a little tour of the building and then put them to bed.

I am sooooo stinkin excited for how God is going to use this group.  They have some amazing challenges ahead of them, but they got some rockin group members to complete the task.

Slightly Difficult

Well we got our first two groups back in the nest my friends.  I know I know it is quite exciting.  We went to the Alaskan Wild Berry Products store which has the most amazing chocolates and jams, and no, i have not got the picture of the largest chocolate waterfall in the world.  Sorry. 

But on to the more interesting? One of the groups we are working with just has some difficult group members.  They are a little hard to work with, but God has blessed me with the ability to work with people, THANK YOU GOD!  Don't get me wrong, i am not about to complain or anything... lets just say people are interesting.

I must say though, i am thrilled to be doing the sight seeing tour tomorrow, especially with one of the groups that we have.  I mean i am thrilled, and one of the guys there has an awesome story of how he was used in the villages.   He originally didn't want to go on the trip but God used him to reach people in some amazing ways.  I mean it was unreal to hear how impacted the community.  Because of his habits and personality he was able to greatly influence the community for God, getting the game warden to open up, getting a fishing pole from a native and getting people to come to church even though they never said they would.  That is the brief version of it, but God is SOOOO Amazing!

I feel there is something else. ahhh yes, community.  Here is a question.  How can you have a true thriving community away from hierarchy and reason, but based on truth.  How can you get to be a church, one person, one flesh.  Better yet how can we be one country under God yet be so divided?  How?

Glorified Sawdust With A Candy Coating

Well... can you all guess what this is...

I mean send in comments on what you would guess, and you know, in a future post you will receive the answer.

P.S. Thanks Jared Bennett for the amazing description, which is actually the title of the blog.  So proud my friend.  So very proud and excited.

Thanks Mom

This is a little shout out to my Momma, or Moo Moo as she is affectionately known as by her two younger sons.  

I Love You!!!

Yes i said it and all the blogging world can know and see.  She is sending me my camera tomorrow, Wednesday, and so i will be getting a package any time between Sunday and Tuesday i think.  I little sad it is not before a sight seeing trip, but i will be doing those as i lead groups this Summer.  Not a sight seeing trip for me really, but for them, i mean i get to enjoy it, but you know.  Any who this is a little shout out to my Moo Moo.

Once i have my camera you will see this beautiful land i call Alaska.  Also, it makes my stories so much more interesting.  And yes as i promised before there are some to come.  Also, i realized on our little biking trip today, that you can not possibly fit all you could want to of Alaska in, in just one week.  I mean there is so much to see and experience.  I love it here.  But the bike ride and some great views and talks with God were pretty nice for today.  And to top it off i saw two baby moose, and a big old momma moose, which i will show you all later.  And the literal ice cream on the cake... Applebees.  I had the blondie there, or the white brownie... whatever it is called. Heavenly. Those are the words to describe it, i would venture to say it could be better then the Molten Cake at Chile's. Haha :)  oh yes i went there.  Ummm but yes good news, with the Applebees adventure, MY FRIEND LILY LEARNED HOW TO WINK! YAY FOR HER.

Well off to meet with David George tomorrow about some stuff with NAMB... Don't know what will come of it but could be life altering. :)

Sandwich of disappointment

Well although my day started out with some amazing God time and a little bit of sleeping in it kinda had a little sandwich of disappointment.  There was some sadness, some amazingness and then a little thing called some heart breaking disappointment.

Lets just be honest, i am pretty sad and fusterfated (frustrated) that i forgot my camera because today was another perfect picture day but low and behold no camera.  First disappointment, and it wasn't really realized until the end of the day.

The joy that actually ended my day will go right here in the middle.  Me and my friends Lily and Jared rocked it out at the Red Robin.  (Insert Picture)  It is a pretty amazing restaurant that i guess is famous for some burgers, especially the Royal Red Robin Burger - "This is the aristocrat of all burgers because we crown it with a fresh AAA jumbo fried egg.  In addition, three strips of hickory-smoked bacon, American cheese, crispy lettuce, tomato & mayo. "

That not only sounds heavenly my friends, it is. :)

But after eating there and partaking in our bottomless steak fries, we realized that we are gong to celebrate some Birthdays there and have a going away party and get FREE SUNDAES!  This is the joy of the night, the day if you will.

And then another disappointment as i get home tonight. I was talking to the old Scott Kirby who had mentioned that the Alyeska Ski slopes are open on the weekends and so i planned on going snowboarding with his son-in-law Michael.  So as we are checking the info on some of the most amazing slopes in the country, we find out that yesterday (this past Sunday) was the last day that the runs would be open.  I was crushed.

But hey, there is always next year... IN CHILE BABY!

Well there is my little tasty sandwich.  And P.S. i have some amazing Willy Wonka like stories to tell of later.  But with pictures my friends.  YES!!!

Lost... Not the show

Well there are tons of stories,  some involving pictures, getting lost on the way to a church, helping to lead worship for First Baptist for the BCM, taking a group to the airport at 4:00 a.m. this morning and seeing some Moose to and fro, spiritual stuff, hopes and dreams.  I mean ton's of tall tails and no pictures to go with them, all because i forgot to pack my camera. Shocking i know. :)  Not to worry, i am going to be getting a package from my moo moo soon, i just texted her the address to send it to. 

All of that intro to say i am lost in what i should write, but this blog will be a great way to remind myself of all the stories to type out.  That will be tomorrow, yes tomorrow will be the start of some stories for all to read.

Plus i have been having some great conversations with some of my team mates, Lily and and even Jared, that stud among studs.

But i am lost... I have this great desire to write these deep and intricate blogs, but i want them to be Gods words.  I have this urge to grow in God more, but as i read the Bible i seem to get these amazing insights, i think about them and how cool they could be to write down and talk about, even make lessons for future talks but then i "forget" about them, lost to the recesses of my mind and only half thoughts.  So i guess i really just have a request for all you blog readers, Pray that i will be focused, pray that i will listen, pray that i will grow, pray... for whatever God leads you to pray.  Even though i am in a great place, physically and spiritually, i am lost in the fog of sleep and the unknown.

"Open my eyes Lord for what you have to show me, take away my laziness and let me rest in you. Living where you have me.  Focusing on the ministry that i am running towards.   Not worrying about relationships that could be or the potential future date.  Let me focus on where you have me, growing in love, humility, patience, listening.  God Help me to focus on you, not another, focus on your ministry and not myself or my talents.  Help me to rest, to listen, to love and laugh."

1 Corinthians 7:17  (The Message)

"And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else.  Where you are right now is God's place for you.  Live and obey and love and believe right there.  God, not your marital status, defines your life.  Don't think I'm being harder on you than on the others.  I give this same counsel in all the churches."

As i was listening to 88.5 K-Love, a pretty good Christian radio station in Alaska, this verse and topic came up. It made me think, and that is what the prayer above is based on.  Honestly i would love to write more on this, something deep and spiritual, but all i get is "wait, listen, i will write it for you in time, humble yourself in me."  And i say "God, I am tired of waiting, but your will be done."