God is Here

I just want to remind and encourage everyone to take a few moments to reflect, recognize, and remember the presence of God in your life. In a world that teaches us to focus all of our energy on ourselves, it is growing more and more important that believers take time to focus on Christ. Remember that God is here. He's present in your life at this very moment with His arms open. Take a few minutes to rest in Him and be comforted by the peace and joy of your salvation.

Stealing Home

This was probably the coolest play I have seen in a long time. This took place during yesterday's Red Sox game when they beat the Yankees 4-1.

Ellsbury Steals Home

50 Books

About a month ago I started getting into reading again. There has been times in my life where I have absolutely loved reading and other times where I've hated it. I am entering a season in my life where I really want to fall in love with reading, education, and learning. I have decided to try to read 50 books this year, which is roughly one book a week. So far I have read four and a half books since March 25. Every time I finish a book I will try to at least share with you a few thoughts I have about it if not provide a full review. I guess it just depends on how much I like the book I'm reading.

Here's what I've read so far: The Twilight Series (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn)

Overall, I thought the books were a very interesting read even for being a guy. I could have done without a lot of the "romance" and the overly emotional teenage reactions by the main character Bella, but the story was written very well and much of it was very creative. For those of you who might feel that the choice I made to read these books as a Christian might be poor, I would like to ask you to reconsider that thought. Although the books were not written by a Christian author and have a bit of questionable material, I do believe that these books were really helpful to me as a Youth Pastor. Here is what I found helpful:

1.) The books is written from a teenage girls prospective. I am not a teenage girl so I don't understand the thoughts, emotions, and desires of the opposite sex. I felt that I have a better understanding of how a teenage girl thinks and the things that they finds most important. If you are having a hard time understanding your teenage daughter or those in your youth ministry, I would suggest picking up the first book. Even though you might have a number of "eye rolling" moments, it's worth it.

2.) There are a number of instances in the book where the main character Bella, her dad Charley, or her "love" Edward do things that could be great conversation starters about some serious topics. If your daughter or the girls in your youth ministry read the books I would suggest picking up a copy. You might find some situations in these books that you could discuss with these girls and find an opportunity to share some Biblical wisdom.

3.) The books are a good representation of teenage culture. If you find teenagers scary, pick up a copy.

Rivarly

Yesterday was the first game of the season between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. These teams have one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in all of sports so this was a big game. Every time they play, it is a big deal and yesterday was no a disappointment. I am a huge Red Sox fan and have been since I was about 9 years old when I moved to Massachusetts. I wasn't a big fan of televised sports up to that point, but fell in love with the Red Sox immediately. I felt like that 9 year old boy again last night as I watched this game by myself late into the night.

It was a great game. There's is a lot that I could talk about but I'll skip right to the good parts. At the bottom of the ninth the Red Sox were down 4-2 with two outs. There was a man on second base and Jason Bay was up. It wasn't a great offensive night for the Red Sox, so I thought it was going to be over, but then Bay hit a bomb that just made it over the centerfield wall. That tied the game 4-4. I must have looked like the biggest idiot as I was jumping up and down trying not to make too much noise so I didn't wake up my wife who was sleeping in the next room. The game ended up going into extra innings but two innings later Kevin Youkilis walked to the plate and hit a walk off homerun. Lets just say that I was very pleased with the outcome of the game and I slept very well that evening.

Welcome to My Life

Ever since I was young I have always loved to write down my thoughts, record my daily adventures, and share what God has been doing in my life. Although I hate to admit it, at one point in time I had a diary where I would actually start every entry with the words, "Dear Diary" and end with a variation of the words, "Goodnight, I'll talk to you tomorrow." I know what you're thinking and no my "diary" was not a pink notebook bordered with jewels and pink feathers. I was a kid with limited knowledge who liked to write out my thoughts and didn't know there were such things as gender specific journaling techniques.

Anyway, it is my desire to share my life through this blog for three main reasons:

1.) I want to be an open book so that people can know me on a more personal level. I believe that is the only true way that one can minister to others. To many Christian leaders guard themselves and keep people at arms length because they feel that it is the only way to protect themselves. In my opinion, that can hinder and limit one's ability to minister to others. I understand that it is a risk to show others who you really are, but Christ already knows who I am and what I struggle with, why should I hide it from anyone else?

2.) Putting my thoughts, daily activities, and struggles into writing has always helped me to connect with God. This blog will help me to focus my desires and evaluate my heart on a regular basis. The more I spend in communion with my Savior, the easier I will find it to be salt and light to my generation.

3.) That brings me to my third reason: my generation stinks! More Christians at my age and younger are becoming more and more consumed by worldly desires. Everything in our faith has become "grey areas" that can be debated and given away to personal choice. Like many others at my age I have been programed by this world to pursue success and money, take care of "numero uno" (a.k.a. myself) at all costs, and "live life to the fullest." I don't want to be brainwashed anymore. I want to view sin as sin, love others like Christ, and live the purpose that God has given me. It is my hope that through this blog my generation will see that a very average 24 year old doesn't have to be bound by the burdens this world dumps on him and they themselves can be free to live through Christ each and every day.

DISCLAIMER - I am nothing special and am far from perfect. The last thing that I want to do is pretend that I have it all together and give the impression that I feel I can change anything. God has laid it on my heart to start this blog and it is in his hands to do what He wants with it. Whatever that means, I am on board with His plan.