Factoid FRIDAY!

Yes blogging amigos, this is what you've all been waiting for I'm sure. Amazing and weird (useless really) facts, figures and just dumb things you might not even want to know about. Are they true? Heck I don't know, but they're funny. It's Factoid Friday every Friday on Sold Out. So sit back, get comfortable and learn. People might even think you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

1. "Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand and "lollipop" with your right.

2. The words 'racecar,' 'kayak' and 'level' are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left (palindromes).

3. No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.

4. February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon.

5. A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.

6. There's no Betty Rubble in the Flintstones Chewables Vitamins.

7. It takes 3,000 cows to supply the NFL with enough leather for a year's supply of footballs.

8. Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a "Friday the 13th."

9. 75 people die each year playing Twister.

10. Americans on the average eat 18 acres of pizza every day.

Prayer Warrior?

I love to read, and last night I finished a book, and today I started reading another one. Fresh Wind Fresh Fire by Jim Cymballa. I was turned on to it by Kara Kirkpatrick, our beloved Sunday night pastor's wife. I sat down and read the first 70 pages today and was blown away. He talked about prayer. What an absolutely powerful tool we have been given by God. Some of the stories are amazing to say the least. It just goes to show what sincere, heart felt, down on your knees, begging and weeping and crying out for God's help type of prayer can accomplish. It made me realize that prayer is my weakest link in my spiritual chain. By far. I'd like to consider myself a prayer warrior, but after reading what "sold out" prayer can do, I realize I'm not even close. I'm just a PWIT! A prayer warrior in training. I'm so glad God is patient. I am excited to ratchet up my prayer life and watch the Holy Spirit show me some amazing things! There are so many uncertanties in my life right now that I can't wait to see what fruit bears from some serious "on my knees"prayer in the coming months. I realized today how much I try to control things on my own, and only get into "serious" prayer when I need to. And usually that "serious" prayer is only for me. Lord show me your awesome and mighty power. He says when you seek me you will find me, and when you pray to me I will listen. Man, have I ever limited God's unlimited potential by not praying. D'oh!

Living In Borderland

Years ago I read an incredible book by Mark Buchanan called Your God Is Too Safe. The premise of the book is about living in a land called Borderland. It's right "on" the border, not in, yet not out. Non committal if you will. Safe and comfortable. A place where many of us reside daily. Do you only call on God when things are desperate, or you just need a favor. Stay out of my life Jesus, things are going just great right now. Don't make me go on that mission trip, or give up my 6 figure income, or new car or house. But hey, thanks for getting me that raise. My Jesus is safe at a distance, but if I bring Him too close, He might make me do something "umcomfortable." Is that you? Then you live there too. I can't imagine my kids only calling out to me in times of want or need, never stopping to say thank you, or I love you, or I'm sorry. But that is what we do. We get complacent when things are status quo, and forget about God. Before you realize it, you haven't read your bible in a week, maybe two or three. You haven't prayed either. You really haven't "needed" God. So we put him on a shelf like a bottle of aspirin and only bring him down when we have some tough times to get through, or we have a favor that maybe, just maybe if I pray "now" he just might answer me. I know he's still there...somewhere. That's really about how most of us live our lives if we want to admit it. I know I'm as guilty as anyone. I have my highs and lows, and still struggle to find that even flow. The world is full of distractions, suttle, and in your face. Sex is everywhere, anything is acceptable anymore (except the name of Jesus) and we live in a society where you can have whatever you want whenever you want. My prayer today is that we (I) will seek out Jesus and thank Him for the unseen things He does for us everyday. That we take Him off the shelf and put Him on our dashboards and present Him to the entire world as the living testament of our faith! He deserves so much better than what we give Him. I'm sorry Jesus for putting you on my shelf. Today you're riding shotgun!

YAC ATTACK

Usually on Tuesday nights my beautiful wife and I host a small group that spawned from Journey (our Sunday night service) But last night the bulk of our small group was in a softball game. So small group went mobile. There were some great hits and plays in the field. Probably no calls this morning from the majors, but they played an awesome game. Brought back many memories. Here are some pictures from last nights game. When I told them I brought bibles for after the game, I got that "yeah right" and deer in the headlight look. I didn't bring any, we just enjoyed the game. By the way, they kicked some tail. 20 something to 2. Way to go YACS!

SOFTBALL PICS! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2000903&l=46f4e&id=1285987983

Jesus Was In The House

I know I just posted about how Journey (at New Hope Church) rocks, but last night takes the cake. It was unbelieveably intense. The worship was spirit led, the message was flat out awesome, and we wrote over 200 names on the prayer "board" last night. It was a total high for me, like I just downed a 32 oz red bull! It really was an electric atmosphere. Journey is such a blessing, and it was just so cool to see the Lord continue to work. Jesus, I pray that you will plant a fire in the hearts of Journey-nation and explode it for your glory!

So be it.

Peter Gets It!

Simon Peter, one of Christs original 12 is one inspirational dude! He totally belongs in Jesus's inner circle. I was reading in Acts this morning, and side tracked to Luke and here is what I found. Luke 5: 1-11 to be specific. It's the story of when Jesus preaches to the crowd on the shore, while standing in Peter's boat. Peter is cool. He fishes. Nuff said. So Jesus, when he is done preaching, decides he'd like to do a little fishing, so directs Peter to head out to deeper water. Peter says they have fished all night with no success, but acknowledges and acts upon Jesus's request. Well, they catch fish, so many that their boat starts to sink. It's here that Peter should have asked Jesus if they wanted to partner and start a guide service! Could be a lucrative little business here! Seriously though, this is where Peter actually falls to his knees and realizes who he is the presence of. Falling to his knees he says "depart me from me, for I am a sinful man O'Lord" He gets it! We are totally unworthy here. Here he realizes he is in the presence of God, and gets it! He is blown away! Then...the real kicker is in verse 11 where it says "so when they had brought their boats to land (get this) they forsook all (not some but all) and followed Him. Holy Schnikeys!! Do you see what just happened here? Complete acknowledgement, and sold out reverence. He saw, he understood, and he acted. I hope that we

"get it"!

Journey Stinkin' Rocks!

If you haven't been to Journey on Sunday nights, you are missing out. It is totally diverse, totally authentic, and just a killer place to hang out on Sunday night and learn about Jesus. Keith brings it in a style that's raw, passionate, and sincere. His heart is for Jesus, and it shows each week by the Holy Spirit leaking out of him. Our worship is stinkin' awesome. We make mistakes, we botch it every once in awhile, and that's what's so cool about it. It's not polished churchy type worship. It's real. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will explode Journey. I believe Journey is on the cusp of exploding, and it's cool to watch and anticipate His next move. Let's take it to the street! Acts 5:42 says it best...And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ!!

Keeping My Ears Wide Open

This past week me, my wife, and two of our close friends attended a church planting conference in Orlando Florida. When me and my wife signed up for this a couple of months ago, I was really asking myself why? We spent two "long" days of travel, and two days of non stop sessions listening to some great pastors, and one "not so exciting" Just being honest! It confirmed my passion to take Jesus to the streets and to our culture in a way that they understand. But most assuredly without, I repeat without compromising the gospel. I look forward to what God has planned for our future. Only he knows, but I have a feeling he's up to something, but won't tell. He's God, he can do that. So for know I will just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride with my ears wide open. It's a jumbled up foreign language right now, but as I sit intently listening closely, the words will become clearer. Crystal clear if I know Him. It will be interesting to look back at this blog in 6 months to a year. Stay tuned!

Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate

This blog is a total outlet for me. I don't even know if anyone reads it, but it sure is a great place to put my thoughts on screen. Right now I am in a place where God is doing some amazing things in my life. My ears are wide open and I hear him speaking loud and clear for the first time in a long time. The hardest thing for me to remember right now is that many people are not in the same place as me right now with their relationships with God. So I really have to watch myself so that I don't come across as some scary religous pit bull ready to bite your head off and change the world. I would compare it to frozen orange juice concentrate. Huh? Yeah. You know when you pour (or squeeze) that frozen OJ out of the can into the pitcher? It's undiluted, raw, full strength. You know when you lick it and it tastes too strong in its concentrate form. That's where I am right now! And I want to stay there! I don't want to be diluted with 3 cans of water. Then I become palpable and easy to swallow, a place where most Christians are. I want to stay in the raw undiluted form and make people say...Whoa! that's different, that's not at all what "I'm used to" that's too strong for me, let's water it down so it's easier to swallow. My prayer is that God will use me and my influencial sphere of friends to do great things in our community. He is alive and well and moving freely in Bend Oregon.

King Jesus

Warrior - King - Savior - Protector

King Jesus. He comes to rescue our mess we call life. He never sleeps. He fights for us without ceasing. He desires to have a relationship with us so much that He willingly laid down His life on the cross. He was humiliated, disgraced, bloodied, and butchered. How much does He love us? He was nailed, stabbed, spit on, struck, and ripped open. How much does He love us? He willingly did this not for the rich or famous or elite, but for the shameful sinner who is worthy of nothing! Especially from the King. Thee King! How much does He love us? Enough to fight for us everyday. This is evident when I see things happen in my life that I can attest to nothing more than the glory of Jesus. He is a warrior, and ultimate fighter that craves a real relationship with his people and will come to their rescue. He is the rock, the steadfast protector! I need to throw aside the world and dance a sweet dance with Him. Come rescue me Jesus.

Watch this, watch all of this and praise Him!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEUVSbD9NF8