Tuesday, March 24, 2009

PDYM Tuesday Night: Session One

Night one is coming to a wrap and I have to say that it was amazing! We started out with some grub outside in beautiful So Cal weather. Then moved into The Refinery to the auditorium; where HS meets. The night was amazing and I have to say that I wish I took better notes. The opening song by the HS team was so sick! They had this 7th grade boy sing some song by "Cold Play" (I am not good at music).
After that about 15 people came up and shared why they are in youth ministry; very refreshing for me to hear (I'll try to find all the list on that).

I thought it would be interesting to post the list I was working on to try to post before the conference:
Here are five things that I am most excited about the conference this year
1) Getting to connect with like-minded youth workers
2) Spending some time away from "the ministry" to get refreshed
3) Having dinner at The Reed's house on Wednesday night (kinda forcing that one on them)
4) Staying at Danny Bower's house and having good friends to decompress with
5) Learning how to better serve students and reach them for Christ

Here are five things that I am not excited about:
1) I packed myself; that means I forgot all the necessary items to live
2) My wife and daughter are at home without me and I miss them (actually cried already)
3) Honestly I hate eating out all the time; it makes me feel sluggish
4) I have to leave early (I am excited that I am doing Greg and Richelle's though)
5) When it ends; I bet this is how our students feel when camp is over

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Chiptole and Ministry

Today I got a rad call from a student who graduated last year (2008) and was back in town for a few days and was getting ready to go to California to see some friends. He called to go grab lunch; and I was very happy!
We ended up grabbing Chiptole and just talking about life; how he was doing, how school is going, how him and his girlfriend are... things like that. I love hanging out with this guy, sometimes it scares me because he is so mature! Let me give you an example; about 2 months ago I was talking with him and was telling him how busy I had been and that school was rough and he asked me if I was talking a Sabbath day! I was so impressed at him and just humbled that he would ask me that; I need it.
Well the day went on and lunch was over, but I took him home to see my daughter real quick and on the drive back he said something I hope I never forget. It went something like this:
"Neal, I want to encourage you. Thanks for saying "no" to me at times. Thanks for putting your family first and making sure that you don't neglect them in ministry"
Needless to say, I was shocked! I felt like I didn't know what to say in response. We went on talking about that and how so many pastors alwasys put their family last and miss the priorites. He was thanking me for saying no!!! I was so excited that he got it and understands the value of family before ministry.
Phillip, you will go far in ministry my friend... I know it!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

My Daughter; The Baby Model

Its official! Sophie did her first baby shoot the other day. It sounds kind of weird to me that she does this, but I am stoked she gets the chance to make it happen.
I am just so stoked for my cute little girl; not that she did this model deal, but I think she is so cute!!!

Friday, March 06, 2009

Bringing Balance Back to My Life

Today, as I left the office late again, I began to ask myself about the pace of life that I am going at right now…
If you are like me you are busy!
• I am 29 years old
• Have a beautiful wife
• An amazing 6 months old baby girl
• I am in full time ministry
• I have to walk my dog
• In seminary full time
• Lead a small group of high school boys
• Run missions at my church
• Have two weddings this month
• Like to snowboard
• Love to eat
• Need a vacation (hopefully to somewhere tropical)
• And need to take my dog for a walk

Now I am sure we can all compile a list like this but today as I was thinking about it and going through all that I need to do spending time with Jesus was last on my list. (pause) That killed me.
These are the next questions that came to mind:
• Am I modeling this to my kids?
• Does my wife read her Bible more than me?
• Why cant I get out of bed in the morning?
• Can I sustain this pace of life?
• When was the last time I went to the gym?

I need balance in my life and I am the only one who is going to do that. My job will get the most they can out of me. My dog will always want to go on a walk, but I need to spend time with Jesus not just because I want my daughter to see and model that but because I need it! I was created to be in an intimate relationship with God and when I neglect that it shows in my daily actions.
Today I am going to make a commitment to spend more time with God and less time on things that don’t matter (really, do I NEED to update twitter again?). I want my life to be connected to God in such a way that all I do is for Him. That means cutting things out and bringing balance back. Our life is like a garden and if it gets neglected weeds are going to grow and choke out the beautiful plants. Today I am going to kill some weeds so I can focus on the good things.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

A great quote

Here is a great quote that my buddy Danny Bowers has at the end of his signature in his email.
"YOUR SOUL LONGS TO FIND ITS ULTIMATE PURPOSE. IT WILL NOT REST UNTIL YOU DO. YOUR SOUL CRAVES ITS DESTINY. YOUR SOUL DESIRES, IT ALWAYS WILL. YOU WERE CREATED AS A CREATIVE BEING. YOU WERE MADE TO GROW, TO DREAM TO ACHIEVE. YOUR SOUL IS LETTING YOU KNOW YOU COME FROM GOD AND YOUR LIFE IS INTENDED TO BE GOD-SIZED AND GOD-INSPIRED. ONLY AN EPIC STORY CAN AWAKEN WHAT IS DEEP WITHIN THE SOUL OF EVERY HUMAN."

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Sophie's First Carousel

This is such a rad little video! The other day Charity came to get me from work a little early because I was going to have a long night. She surprised me and went to The District and rode the carousel! It was so rad to do with Sophie for her first time. When I was a kid my grandma would take me on the carousel and that was one of my favorite things to do with her (I really like the way she pronounced "carousel").

Monday, March 02, 2009

Sophie Likes The Bath

So for the first six months of Sophie's life she HATED the bath. I am serious! (I have video to show). We would get her ready for the bath, walk her to the bath and that is when she knew that it was going to be hell!
Well thank you Jesus for answering our prayers because Sophie is now fine with the bath! It is so rad to watch her like it. How rad is that face???!!!

Seminary Sticking

Right now I am taking a class at Fuller Theological Seminary and a class at Tozer Theological Seminary. The class at Tozer has been somewhat tough for me because I am taking an intro course, but transferring in with half my degree done.
The funny thing about this is that I have learned so much from this class! We are currently on a lesson where we are learning how to read a book; to some of us that sounds lame! The point of learning how to read is something that I think I may have missed in 3rd grade; not that my teacher wasn't good, its just that I am not interested in reading all that much.
I was just reading an article by A.W. Tozer and he talks about the need to think about what we read. He says:
"Apart from technical information which, of course, must be received from others, a man can teach himself much more than he can learn from books. A good book should do no more than prime the pump. After that the water will flow up from within as long as we keep the handle working and long after the original cup of water has been forgotten."
That got me. I think in life, lately, I have been just "going". I go to work, I go to lunch, I go to school, I go to church... and the list goes on. I need to take the time to just think about what God is doing in my life. I want to take the time to think about what God is teaching me and how He wants to work in my life. That excites me!