High School Grad Night

Last night was our High School Grad Night and that was tough! Three of the boys in this picture have been in my small group for three years and one of them I have had for five years! If you didn't know, the National average for a youth pastor right now is 9-18 months at their church. Charity and I are going on 5 years here at South Hills.
These guys are so amazing! I feel truly blessed to work here with the students that God has placed us around. I love seeing their lives change and have had some amazing talks with them. I will miss all our students who are graduating.
I had a girl, who is very special to my wife and I, ask me last night "Why didn't you cry?" I thought about that question and realized that I am so confident that this class will do well and I know that we have done all we can to set them up for success that I am just excited to see what God is going to do in their lives. I will probably cry when they leave, but right now and I am just so proud of them!

How to Read The Psalms

Here is a great line in the book I am reading, How to Read The Psalms, by Tremper Longman III

"In the Psalms, however, the negative always leads to the positive. Doubt leads to trust; anger toward God turns to love; sadness to joy"

Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I took the time to spend with Charity. I didn't really know what to get her. About three weeks ago at church, when I was doing the welcome, I asked people to come and give me ideas. Their ideas were good, but it wasn't my idea. I wanted to get Charity something that I had thought about, not just something that I jacked from someone else.

It took some time to think and some time to make. Charity kept asking that Sophie and I make her something. I thought about that, but that would mean that the corners would be crumpled from Sophie pulling on the them and a possible rip.

I ended up staying late on Friday night and instead of doing all my homework I chose to take some time to make something for my wife that I knew she would love. Charity is very crafty, I am not, but I know how to use Photoshop and here is what I gave my lovely wife.

Battle of the Sexes

Our Middle School Ministry, Ignite, started a new series about 10 days ago called Battle of the Sexes. Chase Fiendel did amazing at getting this event going and the passion to teach kids the truth about sex and sexuality. Here is a video of night one where I spoke (for some reason I always do the sex talk).

LIFE

Last night we started a new series called LIFE.
This will be a six week teaching series on life and the pains that students have to deal with. Last night I opened the series with the reason behind the series and why we are doing this.

Here is the six week plan:
Week 1: Intro
Week 2: The Sanctity of Life
Week 3: Life in Transition (Senior Night)
Week 4: Gossip
Week 5: Anger
Week 6: Lying
Week 7: Materialism

Some Learnings Lately

Lately I have been in a season of personal growth and that is not always "easy" but I learn that when God brings me out of these seasons I tend to look back and see how much I have learned. This time I thought I would get a head start and start laying some of them out:

1) I need a Sabbath!
This is the one command that I feel like we break all the time and no one really seems to care. I want to write a separate blog on just this and hopefully will one day. Josh Griffin just wrote a quick ditty on this from Pastor Rick's talk and I totally needed it!

2) I need to spend more time with Jesus
Not like in a weird way, but since Sophie was born my time with Jesus has been reduced. I think its because I don't sleep as well as I once did and because Seminary is pretty tough right now. I have noticed, and Charity reminds me, that I am a much person when I spend time with Jesus.

3) I need accountability
I have a finish line group (FLG); which means I meet with a friend weekly out here. We confess our sins, pray for each other and drink coffee. I really like the drinking coffee but sometimes its hard to confess my sins, but I need to and when I have my FLG I just feel like I am living how God has called me to.

4) I need a date night
This is another thing that has changed since having Sophie. Our date night, or day, needs to be more flexible. Charity and I try to have some alone time out of the house without Sophie weekly. That is hard! We have to get a sitter and be intentional about spending time our marriage. We need to have a healhty marriage.

This is what I am thinking about in my spare time lately...

Ways to Get Refreshed

Today I had a buddy stop in my office and he is in a time of seeking God in a big way. I wanted to give him some scripture that refresh me and some things I do to get refreshed. Here is that list:

Some Good Scripture that I recommend:
1 Samuel 3
Ester 4:12-16
Matt. 9:35-38
Psalm 15 (I like to pray this one about myself)
1 Kings 19:21
2 Samuel 23:8-39 (I love this stuff)
Matt 11:12
James 1 (entire chapter)
Philippians 2:1-18

Some things I recommend:
1) Get some rest
2) Eat healthy
3) Take a hike: spend some time in prayer up there (like on a mountain)
4) Watch Braveheart or Patriot or Gladiator
5) Sleep in

Hope that this helps, or maybe you can add some things that help refresh you

School: Plan to Graduate

So as part of my class at Tozer Seminary I needed to write out my plan to graduate. I appreciate the leadership at the school getting me to think through what I need to take to graduate. Here is what I think I will be taking (I changed this up a little from what I submitted in my final paper):

Summer 2009:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Life and Thought & Global Issues in Evangelism

Fall 2009:
Christian Spiritual Formation & Elective: Congregational Care

Spring 2010:
Contemporary Culture & Elective: Marriage and Family Counseling

Summer 2010:
Small Groups and Discipleship & Equipping People for Ministry

Fall 2010:
Personal Health and Growth in Ministry

Spring 2011:
Christian Communication & Elective: World Religions

Summer 2011:
Principles of Counseling & Theology of Missions

I'm posting this because I'm asking you all to pray for me to have the wisdom to take the right classes. Thank you very much for helping me through this process of education!

Final Paper

Today I turned in my final paper for "Life Long Learning" at Tozer Theological Seminary. I have been taking classes here in in town at Fuller Theological Seminary for the last three years and just have made the switch to Tozer (actually I have one more class that I am finishing at Fuller right now).
Today is freeing; having turned in that paper and been able to get that done was freeing. I only have one class that I'm working on right now (Psalms) and its pretty gnarly. Seminary has been a good learning experience but right now it has been tough. I miss the time that Charity and I used to laugh and now having Sophie it had set in that I need to finish. I think that having Sophie has light a fuse on some internal clock that makes me want to complete my education so I can spend more time with my family.
This change for me means something big. After I finish Psalms I will be over half way done with my degree! I have thirteen more classes left and it seems surreal... This summer we will be traveling to Redding for two weeks to do classes.
Please pray for me as I figure out summer classes and finish up Psalms.

Making the Most of Your Mission Trip

As I sit shotgun in the van on the way home from our Spring Break mission trip to Mexico I just started reflecting on what made this trip so amazing. Yes, the sixteen minute border wait on the way home will make you smile, but did we do right that made our team smile the entire trip? Having been able to do multiple mission trips since being a Christian here are some things that our team has implemented into the trip to make it more successful (maybe one day I will write something on “How not to lead a mission trip” but not this year).

1) Give your team plenty of team before the trip to connect and get prepared
This year we started plenty ahead of time. This allows the students, adult leaders and families in your church who want to come the ability to come. Most people want/need ample lead-time before the trip to get prepared; respect that and plan ahead so that you are prepared. When you are prepared then everyone on the team can be prepared. This will allow you the time to think when the plans need to change and trust me they will.

2) Have clearly defined limitations on your trip
When you know who this trip is aimed to, what people can expect, what kind of work you will be doing and things of that nature it helps you know who this trip is designed for. If you are going to be building a building then you may not want younger kids on the team. Know your sleeping arrangements so that people can know what to expect and what they need to bring. Also if you have a dad who wants to bring his eight-year-old daughter on trip are you prepared for that with the sleeping? These are great things to think through ahead of time.

3) Be clear and intentional at your team meetings
This is where you need to be prepared so that you can communicate what is necessary for the people on your team to know. If the meeting is going to be an hour long be prepared for that, if the meeting is going to be three hours long let your team know that ahead of time.

4) Utilize your leader on the team
This is a great time to read Exodus 18 again. Look at what Jethro says to Moses about the way he is leading. Appoint leaders on your team and let them lead. Teach your leaders to lead, help them lead and let the team know that they are going to lead. This has been one the greatest learning experiences for me. When you can focus your time on helping your leaders and taking care of them, then your leaders can lead; us the resources in them that God has given you.

5) Pray hard
This could probably be the first point but we’re talking about it last. Pray throughout this entire process; pray for God to put the right people on the team. Pray for God to lead your team, stretch them, keep them safe and unite them for a common purpose. When you take the time to seek God in this entire process of following the great commission God will speak to you and lead you in the right path.

The day after it snowed in Vegas

So the long awaited footage is here! This is what my small group did the day after it snowed in Vegas! I am so stoked I got some guys who are down to do this!

Blowdarts in the leg

Yep, that is right! So do you ever have those nights that small group is just not going that well and things keep getting in the way? This was one of those nights. It could have been me, or maybe my boys, but none of us were focused and then Bobby found the blowdart gun. He kept asking to shoot me and finally I gave in... but then I shot him; once when he was ready and once when he wasn't for good measure!

Greg and Richelle's Wedding

So this post is long overdue but I have been slammed in life lately. About 2 weeks ago I had the rad opportunity to do the wedding of two of our really good friends here in Las Vegas; Greg and Richelle.
Greg and Richelle got married up at Mount Charleston and it was the most beautiful day that I have ever been up there. Here is Greg and I waiting for Richelle to come down the isle.

Greg is one of the first people that I met out here in Vegas and I have to say that he has been a great friend to me. The first time I met Greg he was driving his sick Chevy Nova and the plate read "SXI MXI" short for sexi mexi; and that is what Greg is.

Then Richelle and Greg both started working with students out here with us at South Hills Church. Now I have to put up this picture of Dana Bicker with Sophie. Ryan and Dana used to work out here at South Hills and now they are living back in the Bay Area. We totally miss them! Ryan actually sent me these pics (love them Rhino!).

Here is Ryan and I chilling at the reception waiting to get in. I had to put this one up there because you will rarely see me in a suit! I love rocking the suit, but I cant do it all day.

This post can sum up as being about friends. Charity and I have been blessed with having some great friends in our lives; thank you to all who we call friend.

Hello Mexicali

Yesterday we drove into Mexicali Mexico. I am apart of a team that will be here for 8 days working with Rick and Tammie Romano. Our goal is to work as a team to unite people to find Jesus while we are here. During that process we hope to build a church!
I am in Mexico right now so this is going to be short. Please take the time to pray for our team and that God will lead all we do!
Matt Hall is our building team leader and Whitney Rossvanes in leading VBS. They are amazing!
I'll try to update this... key word in there is try!

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

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!

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!!!

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.

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."

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").