Indentured

No More Park Bench

2006-08-21T22:49:00.000-04:00

This won't be long...or so I hope. I need to keep working on the message for sunday, but I had to take a break.

So, Eric and I moved out of the church and into the four-plex. Things are good, but I do miss that park bench. We do have a nice little sun room beside the kitchen with 5 really big windows to let in plenty of light, and that's been my favorite place as of late, but it's just not the same. It's alright though, cause I still get to see some of the downtown folk here and there.

Tonight, being Mon, was our "food pantry" night. We typically have anywhere from 20-35 downtown people come in for a hot meal, and the volunteers from church either serve food and drinks, or simply eat and talk with them. I got to sit next a guy named Anthony tonight. Anthony's probably in his 40's somewhere. I don't know a whole lot about him, except he's lived in Leavenworth his whole life, and his folks still leave here as well. Anthony lives in Cody Plaza, which is kind of a large apartment building for persons with disabilities (mostly). Actually, a large portion of our mon. night crowd comes from there, or are friends with folks there. I don't know all of Anthony's issues, but he shakes a lot. He said it started a while ago, and when I asked if it had been a couple years, all he said was it hadn't been that long. Either way, however long it'd been, he really hates it. It makes it difficult for him to eat, and he can't pour a drink or pick things up without dropping or spilling them. He said he might get to go to the doctor this week and see if they can't help him.
We continued talking, and he asked if I played guitar. I really wasn't sure where this question came from, cause Anthony's never been to our church before. Regardless, I told him I did, almost knowing where this was going to lead. Sure enough, Anthony's next question was if I'd ever taught anyone. I grinned, knowing we'd reached the conclusion I thought we would, and told him I had tried to teach a couple kids. He said he'd like to learn, which I thought interesting, considering he was well aware of the Parkinsons like shaking that was even going on right at that moment. I told Anthony if he promised not to tell anyone else, we'd go downstairs after he was done eating, and I'd try and teach a thing or two on my guitar. He sorta lit up while trying not to show how thrilled he was about this.
Eventually, Anthony finished his food, and a couple of people boxed up some extras for him to take home. I took a fork and carved his name on the top of his styrafoam box so no one would take or throw out his food, while we traversed downstairs. I turned the lights on, and came back and grabbed my guitar. We both sat down on the edge of the stage, and I showed Anthony a "G" chord, and handed him my guitar wondering what he would do. He pressed down a couple random notes with his fingers, and plucked the appropriate strings without looking, indicating he'd at least played a guitar before, and most likely was capable of at least plucking out a melody line. However, with all the shaking, after about two minutes of forcefully attempting to create music, Anthony handed the guitar back to me and said he was shaking to much. He asked if I could play any Christmas songs, cause someone taught him how to play some on the piano a long time ago. I told him I couldn't, but might know something else he knew. He couldn't come up with anything, so I begun to strum and eventually sing "Amazing Grace," hoping he would be familiar with that one. He was, I tried "I Could Only Imagine" next, and he blurted in the middle of it "That's a country song!" I laughed and agreed.
Some time had gone by, and I asked Anthony if he ever went to church. He quickly replied he hadn't, but could, if I wanted. He'd melted my heart long ago, but this one did it for sure! He then added that he'd like to get a lot of prayer for his shaking. I asked him if I could pray for him right then, and he said he' like that. So, I put my hand on his trembling back and began to pray for him. I really didn't know what to expect. I was honestly hoping that God would give him peace, and calm the nerves, and he would take a deep breath, and stop shaking right there. I knew Anthony wanted it to, as I could see him adjust his hands and arms in futile efforts to quell the vibrations. So, that's what I prayed for. However, to be brutally honest, I wasn't really feeling all that full of faith at that particular time. I was hoping God would do it, and knew He's fully capable, but I think I was lacking at the time. Anthony seemed to pause in his shakes for a short second, and I found that to be an appropriate time to stop and talk with him. I got to share with him about my family and what God had done in our lives, and what he's capable of, but sometimes he has his own plan that's different from our own. I shared with him about my brother David, and how it didn't seem fair with what he went through, but how he remained faithful, and is right in line with where God wants him. Anthony just kinda sat there and listened with am intruiged look on his face, and in the end said he would come sunday.
I don't know how it came up, but at some point he told me he wanted to be a bowler, and that he enjoyed bowling. I told Anthony I enjoyed bowling too, but was horrible at it. He just laughed and then I think did all but jump up when I told him we would have to go bowling some time, and that I'd like that. He eagerly nodded, as I looked for the next mon I wasn't working. So, it's set right now that on the sept 5th, after the food pantry, Anthony and I are going to go bowling on fourth street. I told him he'd have to remind me, even though there's a reminder set in my phone, otherwise I'd forget. He assured me he wouldn't, and he'd remind me the sunday before...

I first want to make sure it's known that the story's I write here aren't so that I hope people will read this and think of what a great person I am or anything like that. I read a shirt the other day that should be my motto. "U Suck. That's why you need Jesus." And it's the truth. I myself am weak, sinful, and broken, and anything good that comes from me is only a testimony of God's incredibly kindness and greatness!

2nd, I want to make a point about something else. We had a board meeting after church last sunday, and we discussed all the financial matters and some ministry area's, and plans for this and that, and the food pantry came up. Someone had questioned the effectiveness of the ministry, and wanted to know how much financial resources were going into this. Several people chimed in, and stated their dissagrement, and we all agreed that nothing more than a very small amount of finances actually went into this. Dave made a very good point as well. He said that regardless of what it cost, it was effective, and was showing the love of Jesus to these people... I walked by last sunday after everyone else was gone, and listened to Dave talk to one gentlemen about releasing shame, and accepting the freedom and forgiveness that Christ had for him. These things are priceless! First off to see hungry people get a hot meal, and fellowship, and the feeling that their loved, but secondly to see God move through others volunteering, and watching these people come to church, and get prayer, and be free from addictions, and get in the work field, and to see their lives restored! That's worth it all!!! And all of these things have happened to several people in this group alone!

AMEN, HALLELUJAH!!! AMEN, HALLELUJAH!!! AMEN HALLELUJAH!!!

Encouragement for the day...

2006-07-04T12:52:00.000-04:00

Col. 1:16-23

"Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actinos, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don't drift away from the assurance you recieved when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the wolrd, and I, Paul, have been appointed by God to proclaim it."

AMEN TO THAT!!!

Thank You Lord for your wonderful kindness and faithfulness. Nothing compares to how great You are!

New park benches...

2006-07-04T00:32:00.000-04:00

Well, back here again. It's the same bench for now, but I'll get to that later.
I got to sit here the other day with Douglas for a bit. It seems I've seen him around quite a bit more lately. He seems to welcome my company with little hesitation now, which is a good thing. You see, with Douglas, he's always been open to a hello, good morning type conversation, but he would shortly wander on his way. It was visible with little difficulty to see that he didn't really trust people. That as you sat there and asked how he was, that he could tell that most people really didn't care, and he might be right. So anyway, as I continue to intrude on his bench territory, we get the opportunity to talk more frequently, and every time, the conversation is a little longer. Sometimes, we're even comfortable just sitting on that bench together, not really saying anything, the way two old friends might. That you don't have to have conversation for fear of an awkward silent moment or something.
Some things I've learned about Douglas recently...
He hasn't had a drink in 6 months, and I believe it! He looks so much better than he used too. He also goes to the Salvation Army church services on Sunday mornings! I hope that he is beginning to understand salvation and God's love and mercy. Hopefully, God will open the doors in our conversation to get a little further in depth into these things.
So, I was sitting there with Douglas for probably 45 min's or so, and after a bit of a silent, but not awkward, moment (lol), I decided I would go for a walk. You see it had been a bit of a boring day, and I knew I had far too much energy to get to bed, despite it was beginning to get late. So, regardless of the dangers of walking in leavenworth at night, I went for a stroll. However, I was smart enough to stay south of downtown. To do otherwise is really not that bright (don't be surprised if I do it some day though.) So, I walked east 3 or 4 blocks to the Riverfront Community Center. It's titled this because it's east edge banks the Missouri River. I then walked two blocks south to a small walking track that goes maybe a mile along the rivers edge. I began to walk down the track, but was quickly dissueded as I stared at a roadblock in the path indicating construction ahead. So, I stopped right there, and looked for a comfortable place to sit. To my suprise, not too far away was another park bench. Now I know all of you are gasping and covering your mouths in shock thinking "surely he's not going to cheat on his park bench!", but that's exactly what I did. I sat there at about 11 pm on a Sun night, enjoying the slight breeze, and staring peacefully at ol' muddy mo. Mo's grassy banks sloped slowly down to the waters edge, and from there the rippled currents took control of the scenery. In a steady, never ending flow, the moons rays swirled and faded as the water it was once reflected in passed down the winding channel.
In the background I could here a strong "WHOO WHOO" drawing towards me, as a train approached on the tracks twenty feet behind the path. I sat and visualized myself running along side the train and jumping on and riding it across the country. A scene I have played out many times in my head, but was quickly brought back to reality as the train grew closer and the ground to which my bench was attached began to tremble and shake, and my eyes witnessed the tremendous speed and power of the iron beast as it passed by. I quickly decided if I was to ever embark on this adventure, I'd have to find a parked train.
The whole experience was serene.
So, you might ask why I'm at my regular bench, as opposed to the bench at Mo's edge. Well, contrary to my expectations, the breeze at the rivers edge wasn't nearly as strong as the breeze downtown. Also, the path bench was not very well lit (mind you there was a light directly above the bench, but because it's a park, the lights go off at 10 or so), as my bench downtown is. Which would make reading my bible and blogging a rather difficult task. Another slightly degrading aspect is that because it's so close to the waters edge, that bench gets flooded with bugs.
So, in the end, there's no bench like home.

-----------------

Thank you to those who prayed for my conversation with Mark. It went very well, and he's very excited to see what God will teach him in Texas.

A passage I shared with Mark, and one of my favorites...

Phillipians 3:12-14

"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven."

Great passage. In conjunction with Jeremiah 29:11, be encouraged that God has a wonderful future in store for you.

It's starting to rain, so off I go!

Days of Our Lives on a Park Bench...

2006-06-30T09:15:00.000-04:00

There you go Angie...it does have a nice ring to it though.

So, I haven't been able to come out to the bench all that much recently. Been pretty busy, and also, I was on my 3 day, which means I'm pretty busy at night, and I don't want to get up that early in the mornings. However, I worked yesterday, so after I got off this morning, I got my bible, and came out to read.

I was talking with Kat the other day about how much I love coming out here and reading, and how peaceful it is, and she was totally taken back at the idea of anything in downtown leavenworth being peaceful at all. It is almost unbelievable. When I normally think about downtown leavenworth (and maybe this is only because of my work experiences), I think of drunks, crack ho's, and the occasional shopper. There's really nothing peaceful about that. We're also right on the border of northern Leavenworth, which the definition would include murder, stabbings, shootings, extreme poverty, drug abuse, etc... So, I myself am amazed that there is place of such serenity hiding right in the middle of it all. But it's true. It's almost as if sitting in this one spot, that you're not really in Leavenworth at all, and maybe that's why it's so peacefull...lol. No, really though, there is always a good strong breeze, and it feels more like I'm sitting somewhere in San Diego, California rather than the northeast corner of KS. I think the only thing that's missing is the sound of sea gulls squawking and the dull roar of waves crashing on the beach in the backround. I think I hear it my mind regardless of whether it's really there or not. I can completely visualize this bench in the middle of the pier, and I can gaze off to the left and see the end of it spilling over into the vastness of a deep blue continent stretching farther than the eye can see.
So, that's mentally where I am...

I really didn't run across any of the usual's this morning, however, I did see Quinn at the dinner on Mon. night. He had brought 3 of his neighbors girls with him. They were very nice and well behaved kids, but quite hungry I might say. Turns out, Quinn watches out for something like 8 kids in his neighborhood, and brings food back for several families in his neighborhood. Some of the ladies that work the ministry know him quite well, and are amazed at his compassion to those around him.
These girls actually attend a church not too far down the street from us. I told Quinn he should go to church with them on sunday, or feel free to pop his head in our doors. He shook his head and said "nu uh," with a mouth full of food. He really wanted nothing to do with church, but maybe he will in time. If nothing else, we're follwing God's commands to take care and feed the poor and homeless, and hopefully he'll see the love ofr Christ in that as opposed to condemnation.

So, as I was saying...I didn't run into any regualrs this morning, but there was another odd occurance. As the city garbage truck drove by collecting trash from the bins, two kids (who couldn't be any more than 13 & 9) run by with fists raised in the air hollering something at them. It really spooked the guy riding the tailboard who normally jumps off as the truck stops and grabs the trash. He nearly jumped off as the truck was still moving! I thought to myself "that's odd," as I couldn't help but stare at the mischevious youth as the came running down the street towards me. They ran shouting and hollering utnil they were directly across the street from me, then they stopped, looked at me, whispered something to each other, and then came gallavanting across the street, fists still raised high in the air, jumped the 2' flower garden seperating my bench and the street, and plopped down on either side of me. I could clearly see now that both were wearing masks made of duct tape, and I couldn't help but laugh and play along. The very quickly went about explaining, neither one ever completing a sentence while they took turns berrating my still waking ears, how they were Leavenworth's super hero's and they were out to stop crime. Then they quickly jumped up, pumped their fists in the air one more time, and they were off. I would've explained to them that it's far too early in the morning for crime in leavenworth, and that it's all still passed out drunk on the floor right now, but I don't think they would've heard me anyway. Oh well...still one more question though...what were two kids that young doing up running around downtown this early in the morning anyway!???

---------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a side note away from the daily bench adventures...

If you could seriously pray for my friend Mark, I would greatly appreciate it. All I will say is he's going through a VERY tough time, and could really use God's strength and encouragement to get through this. Please, this isn't one of those yeah, lets do that and then forget about it deals...Please, right where you are, drop to your knees, bow your heads, whatever, but this guy REALLY needs the support in prayer. Pray that God will put his power to work very strongly in Mark's situation. Thanks,

Luke.

--------------------
BTW...I forgot to add that I'm going to meet Mark in KC on Sun (he lives out of town), to talk and pray with him. Please pray that God will speak through me.

Thx,

Body piercing and the occasional beer

2006-06-23T00:34:00.000-04:00

Today's been another grand day. I really am loving living down at the church. Being downtown just gives me so much more exposure to people I never would have had. That park bench is the best!

I didn't have any particularly interesting bench stories today, but I didn't get to spend too much time there today. I woke up, went to lift with a good buddy of mine, and then went to lunch with some friends at applebees. I put on a shirt I "borrowed" from Micah a long time ago, but I guess he's come to notice that I haven't returned it yet. Maybe someday. Anyway, it's the shirt that says "Body piercing saved my life" and then on the back has a picture of two hands with scars in the middle. Yes, before you all get huffety, I realize they most likely put the nails through Jesus' wrists, but you should still get the point. So, I got some interesting looks at the gym, but nothing to bad, and then at Applebees, it seemed like the waitress was being sorta OVERLY kind. Maybe she just wanted a good tip...and she got one...she was very good. Well, I better move on before you all get the wrong impression...

Eventually, I made it back to the church, and started getting ready for tonight. We have "Deeper Life" on Thurs. nights, and I wanted to spend a little extra time praying and reading to prepare, so I did. I didn't go out on the park bench, cause I most likely would've got some VERY strange looks being down on my knees in the middle of downtown leavenworth praying, so I stayed inside and played some worship music through the mains. It was only Kathleen and Sean and I, but just like last week, was most excellent. I got to spend some time talking and praying with my buddy sean, and just like with JC, was very good. I know only a couple kids have been able to make it, but it's been some of the most spiritually progressive times we've had in a while, and "I'm lovin it."

I actually took Sean and Kathleen out to my bench to sit and read and relax a bit, when shortly after I got a call for a fire alarm out in the county. So, I hurried them along to get their stuff so I could lock the church and go. It ended up being a false alarm, but I got on the report which I've been too busy to do recently. Afterwards I went to Applebees again to meet a friend at the bar, and have a beer, some nachos, and some good conversation. We weren't sitting there more than 5 min's when a heard of girls came wandering in and sat at the other side of the bar. Immediately, one of them stared and then pointed at me, and I saw her mouth "he's drinking a beer." I couldn't help but chuckle, and simply continued to smile and talk with my friend. I don't know if she read the shirt, or she knew me from somewhere, but she sure didn't look familiar. Well, she kept staring for quite some time, and I just kept smiling. Her friend came over a couple min's later and talked to my buddy, who she knew, and I said hi and introduced myself, but I still can't figure out why the other girl was staring. Maybe it's cause I hadn't combed my hair all day, and I really don't look like I'm 21, or maybe it was the shirt, or whatever. I was hoping to go over and say hi, but I was somewhat afraid she might think I was hitting on her, and also, they left before I really had the chance. It was interesting though, sitting at the bar that is. I could hear the conversations of all the people around me, I could see their intention at being there, and it felt like I was there, but I wasn't. Like I could almost see the spiritual side of things, and these people had no clue. I just sat there quietly, sipped my beer, ate my nachos, and talked with God while my buddy talked with some other friends. I must've looked quite strange sitting there with my hair hainging down uncombed, my shirt that says body piercing saved my life (when I obviously have no piercings), and my sly grin on my face that says God is good, and all is well...or at least that's what it says to me...

Well, whatever that blurb was all about, it was hopefully a small recap of the day, but also a sign that it's late, I'm tired, and I have to get up in like 5 1/2 hrs. So to all a good night, and God Bless.

LK

What today may bring...

2006-06-21T12:19:00.000-04:00

Well, yesterday, I got to play with our softball team since I was off work. I missed last weeks game, and we lost for the first time this season :( I think missing that week might've had some ill effects on me though, cause I struck out swinging 3 x's in slow pitch softball (that's one strikeout with 3 swings to keep things straight...lol)!!! I couldn't figure it out. I was watching it all the way through, I was just swinging over it. I somewhat guessed that it was a combination of some things, one of which (in a sarcastic macho-manly voice) is cause I've been working out a lot, so I was way ahead of it...so I got a heavier bat and hit well after that... (end macho voice...LOL). Anyway, we ended up losing...even with me there...oh well. Kind of a mid-season slump I think. I'll tell you though, win or lose, I really look forward to our games every week. I've played on different sports teams since I was younger, and I can't say I've ever enjoyed the team aspect of things as much. We are very priveledged to be able to have an all Christian team made up from guys of various churches around the community. It gives us a great chance to have fellowship with other guys outside of our usual circle, and it's been a good witnessing tool to some of the guys around the community as well. It's just simply a good time.

On another note...

Back at my favorite place again...This morning, I was sitting and reading, and an older gentelmen kinda stumbled over and started talking with me. I couldn't really tell if he was drunk right then, or if this was just consequence of years of drinking, but either way, conversation commensed. His name was "Quinn, always a friend, betch ya'll never forget that name again." Quinn announced as I'm sure he had declared a thousand times before. He looked at me reading and underlining in Ephesians, and said that's one thing I'd never find him doing again...studying that is. I think Quinn was oblivious to the fact it was a Bible, which is fine. He asked what I was doing, as I think I've invaded the territory of most of the downtown drunks, and I told him how I liked to come out here and sit and read and meet new people. Quinn questioned if I lived in the run down apartments two doors down from the church, and I told him I actually lived in the Church, and sorta worked there as well as the fire deptarment. He said he was familiar with our church, in fact, he had come last Monday night for the free meal the ladies prepare for the 30-40 people that come every week.
I asked what Quinn did, and he told me he babysits 3 kids, and then begun to pour out his life story of how his mother died when he was 10, and he didn't really say much about his father, except he passed away a long time ago. Quinn is quite proud of his 4 children, one of which notified him at 1 am this morning that he was a grandpa, and another of his girls was pregnant. He was now looking for some work, so he could buy a beer in a celebration. I somewhat assumed he'd be looking for one regardless. Quinn was not shy about the fact that he was an alchoholic, and really wasn't looking to change. He said it was too late for him, and the he enjoyed his beer, and had decided long ago that he wasn't going to change. I told him it was never too late, to which he didn't really acknowledge my words. Quinn said it kept him motivated, and got him through the day. However, he had cut back from how he used to drink. He was looking for a job though, and said if I knew of anything to let him know. He just wants somewhere to sweep and mop, and nothing else
I really didn't know exactly what to say to Quinn. I wanted him to know that he could change, and life could improve, and that there was hope, but didn't want to come across judgemental at all. So, I mostly just listened, and tried to encourage him all the while remaining loving. I told him I'd look out for a job for him where he could sweep and mop, and was within walking distance of his house, but I'm really not sure if something did come up that he'd be able to keep it, but I guess you never really know.
I told Quinn if he wasn't busy Sunday morning, that he's always welcome in church. Once again, it felt like one of those moments where he wasn't even aware I was speaking. He walked off and said he see me again, and I said maybe next monday at the meal, and that was the end of that.

I've had a several of these incidents since I took residence on that park bench, and really am not sure if anything is coming of our conversations, but I guess will just leave it in God's hands, and see what happens. One of the guys (Douglas), has been attending church almost more regularly than half the congregation. He used to come in drunk, but hasn't in quite some time. Actually, he came up to me a couple hours after Quinn did, and said he was on his way to an AA meeting. Douglas is really a nice guy, but I think much like Quinn, the effects of so many years of drinking has left it's mark, even when he's sober. I really like seeing him around though. It seems he's improved a lot over the last 8 months or so.

So, if you think of it, please pray for Quinn and Douglas, and the guy who lives in the run down apt.'s who's name I haven't found out yet. Pray for Quinn that he'll find a job where he can sweep and mop within walking range, and that God will free him from his addiction. Pray for Douglas that God will continue to release him from his past, provide steady work, and that he'll come to an understanding of what Christ did for him (he's been in church, but I don't know if he really understands). And pray for the other guy that God will open up doors for me to talk with him and share the love of Jesus.

Cya,

Luke

My favorite place...

2006-06-19T00:17:00.000-04:00

So here I am again. Sitting out on the park bench on the edge of the street outside the church.
It's a rather funny ordeal, this current living arrangement. I live in the very center of downtown leavenworth, right in the business district, in a church, with a couch (it's actually Eric's couch) and a bag of clothes that goes with me everywhere. I've got a dresser, and a couple boxes of just random things, but I'm finding I don't really need them or use them. Pretty much everything I ever use stays in my car, and some things I don't use as well. It's kinda nice though. Life is much more simple this way, and I think I like it.

So anyway, back to right now. I'm in what seems to be my favorite spot lately. Sitting out on that park bench late at night under the dim street light. It's sunday, so I don't here the normal ruccous of drunks down the street at the bar. Instead it's replaced by the sound of Ten Sheckel Shirt streaming from my Itunes. There is one guy that keeps walking in circles around the block. I've seen him here before. He lives in the small run down apartment building two store fronts down from the church. I've said hi to him a couple times, and got the normal "hey" response as he walks on. He's probably in his late 20's, scraggly beard and slightly dirty clothes, but really doesn't look all that different from me. As I watch him walk, I wonder his name, his job, his background. I wonder why he keeps walking around the block. It doesn't seem to be fitness related really, so I contemplate whether he's looking for something...drugs or a prostitute as is quite common here, or maybe he's looking for something else. Maybe he's gazing at the dark night sky looking for something more, something deeper. Or maybe he's just bored, and it's too hot in his apartment. I really don't know. I do want to know his name though. Maybe the opportunity will open up. Maybe he'll share this park bench with me, and tell me stories of his life, and me of mine. I think it'll happen someday...maybe someday soon.

Well, it's late here (almost 11:30), and I have to be up early for work tomorrow. However, I do want to share a bit from Ephesians with you. Not the whole book...at least not tonight. Instead we'll take a small segment from Ch. 1.

Ephesians 1:15-20
"Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for CHristians everywhere, I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.
I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms."

Well, this morning I taught on debts from a passage in Mathew 18, and one in Luke 7. When looking at the woman in Luke 7, we derived how she was filthy, inside and out, and how Jesus response to her illustrates several things. One of which is how he took her just as she was. He didn't tell her to go clean up and get her act right first, and then she could come to Him. No, he took her sobbing, broken, and humble. We began talking about how too often, ESPECIALLY as Christians, when things aren't right in our lives, it makes it so hard to get back to that intimacy with Christ. How we so often say "I'm sorry God. I promise I'll make it right!" and then go on about trying to correct our actions and repay God with good acts because of our screw ups. When talking with one of the guys, we decided that when trying that way, we often fail again, and that leaves us even more broken than before.

I heard a sermon on tape by a guy named John Lynch recently (no, not the safety for the broncos...this guy is actually an associate pastor in Phoenix somewhere) titled "Room of Grace." (If you can find it, get it, it's a great sermon) Well, he goes on to talk about our Christian walk, and compared it to traveling down a road, and coming to a fork. There are two marked paths. One reads trusting God, and the other pleasing God. He takes a look at trusting God and says "hmm...that's kinda vague..I mean, what does that even mean?" Then he looks at pleasing God. "Yeah, that's it. That's what I want to do! I want to PLEASE God. Now there's something I can do." So long story, very short, he proceeds down this path, and finds that he is utterly incapable of getting it right. And all the people he meets along the way advise him that his brokeness just needs a mask. So, eventually he comes back to the fork, and looks at trusting God, and goes for it...

You see, the hard part about trusting God is that it takes things completely out of our hands. Not that we don't do anything, but that the actions we do will never make up for our deficiencies, and they can definetly never fix our broken spirits. It's only by trusting in God, letting go completely, and realizing that we have to come just as we are. Open and broken, in order to get fixed. All the trying will only lead us back to the same fork in the road. As we look at the woman in Luke 7, she had it right. She came to Jesus as she was, humble and needy, and left forgiven. That's where it comes in. We trust in Jesus to walk with us through it from there. To help us through the hard times, and to pick us up when we fall. Cause on our own, we only stumble further.

As I read this passage in Ephesians, I think "When did we start selling God short?" To think that our efforts could ever do near as much as "the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him." Is it not "the same mighty power that raised Christ from dead..." That LITERALLY raised Christ from the dead! The same mighty power that brought sight to the blind, healing to the sick, and mercy to sinners. Yes, it is the same mighty power, and nothing we ever do can compare...but to trust in Him and His power for those who believe in Him. Stop looking at your faults, and begin trusting in "the WONDERFUL FUTURE He has promised for those He called."

I believe it, do you?

Lord, I trust You. To take this broken mess, I call "my" life, and give it to you to make whole. I trust that You do have a wonderful future for me, far better than I could ever plan out or imagine. I trust in Your love and mighty power, the same that raised Christ from the dead, to take the death that spreads like a plague in me, and bring it to life that's consumed and overwhelmed with you. Father, I ask for your special favor on me at work. Not that I would have favor in their eyes, but that I would be a much better example than I have been. I have such a hard time focussing on you while I'm there, and it can't be like that. I need you always. I love you, goodnight.

Up and Running...

2006-06-16T16:36:00.000-04:00

Ok, it took a bit of messing around, but I got internet fed into my laptop at the church.

So, I know it's been LONG overdue, so I'll try and give an update on some things going on...I'll likely forget some details, but here goes anyway.

Lets see...Ah, the house. I closed on the fourplex, but it was all rented out, they kicked one person out (it's all fine though) so they could sell it to me as a owner-occupier. Chris now lives in that apartment on his own, and mine and eric's mail goes there while we live in the church, and hopefully eventually get some work done on the upstairs. Chris is nice enough to let Eric and I come over and do our laundry and take showers occasionally, since we have neither directly available to us at the church. I collected rent on the first of the month, but have yet to pay the utilities. I think I'll still come out ahead with $ in my pocket, but the idea of the extra $ listed as income makes me nervous about taxes. I do realize that everything that goes towards interest on the house payment is completely deductable, but that only accounts for about half...it's complicated, and I've got a LOT to learn about it all still. Anyway...

Yes, Eric and I are living at the church. Eric's kinda set up a small apt. in what will eventually be the youth room, and he loaned me his couch to sleep on in the basement. We are hoping (if we ever find a method of removing all the garbage upstairs) to clean up the upstairs and finish what will be the internship dorm for the future. Until then, we're almost homeless...it's kinda funny to me. Some people at church didn't really understand, and offered me a place to stay, and I couldn't help but blush and tell them thank you, but no thank you, and then try and go on to explain the situation...so yeah...lol. I generally take showers at work, over at Chris's, or at the community center after I work out, and Eric takes showers at Chris's or at the Gilberts (since he's there every day).

What else? Work is going GREAT!!! I love my job. I caught my first fire the other day...well, it was the first time I'd gone into a smoked up house and done a search at least. My captain and I were the second team in. The first guys in on the attack line put out the relatively small kitchen fire before we even saw it, but we did do an extended search on the main floor looking for someone...or at least that's what I thought. All I knew was my captain went down the hall looking for something, so I imagined it to be an older man by the looks of the home. Well, I'm doing a search of each bedroom, looking in the closets, under the bed everything, not know exactly what I'm looking for, all the while using the thermal imager to see if any sources of heat show up. So, I'm hollaring, "Fire Dept! Anyone here!? Hello? Fire Dept?!" Eagerly listening and anticipating a faint cry for help. After completing the search in a couple of bedrooms, my captain meets me in the hall to check in with me, and let me know that he didn't find anything in the other rooms, so we walk back to the main living room. The smoke had somewhat cleared in this section of the house, and my captain sent me out for a pickheaded axe to check for extension above where the fire was. When I walked outside, I overheard a couple of guys talking, and laughed as I discovered they had found what we were looking for. It was the guys dog. They found him down in the basement, and even if I had found him, I don't think he would've responded to my call...lol. Oh well. We'll save being the hero for another day...lol. It was a lot of fun though. It took everything I had not jump up and down and hoot and hollar when we got done and were outside loading hose. I was ready to do it all over again! LOL...we also caught a call at about 2 am the other day for a car rolled over a steep embankment and in the Missourri river! It wasn't actually in the river, but it was fun still. Three of us went down to the car where the patient was, and since I was the most experienced EMT, I kinda got to run the show down there, which was a blast.

Ok, enough about that stuff. Summer break is here, which always means things slow down for youth. So many of them are working, or gone on vac., or whatever, so we've switched to a deeper bible study on Thurs. which is completely voluntary for those who really want to press in further, and then a hang out activity every friday night. It's turned out pretty well so far. We haven't had great turn out for the bible studies, but it's been good for the people that have come, which is all I can ask for.

Worship has been going well. We've done a great job of incorporating new songs, and keeping some good praise songs in as well as intimate stuff. There have been a couple things that have been somewhat nagging issues, but I guess that just comes with the territory. And it's probably more my inability to handle it than anything.

Micah and Chrissy had a baby girl!!! 9 lbs. 5 oz's! Big baby...oh yeah. She'll end up thin like the both of them though, which is good. GOOD AND HEALTHY BABY!!! I don't know her name yet. All I know is I'm an uncle x2, and I will get to see her in a couple weeks. Yeah, that's right, I'm flying back on July 6th, and staying through the 16th. I'm REALLY looking forward to it...and no, those caps don't emphasize it enough.

Well, I think that's it for now...I've got to post on ephesians here, so I'll go for now..if I left something out, let me know.

sorry this is short...

2006-06-12T15:42:00.000-04:00

We moved the computer at the church, so I don't have ready internet access. I'll have to post more later. But for now, just letting you know it may be slow for a bit. Gotta go.

Luke.

Ok, ok, ok...you win

2006-06-09T13:17:00.000-04:00

Well, here you go. Kat has sent me enough hate mail to help persuade me into posting again...
No, not really. It has been a while though, and it's about time I get back into it.

I was up last night trying to read, but it was too hot in the church, so I went outside and sat on the bench that sits on Delaware at 1:30 reading my Bible. It was probably 70 degrees with a cool breeze, the sound of the bugs hovering by the street light above my head illuminating timeless truths could be softly heard in the background, and then there was the battering of sound from the drunks leaving the bar down the street. All while God revealed his love, truth, and grace to me on that cool night.

I read through Galations, and will give you a short account of the passages that stood out to me.

Galations 1:10 "Obvoiusly, I'm not trying ot be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant."

Galations 1:15 "But then something happened! FOr it pleased God in his kindnes to choose me and call me, even before I was born! WHat undeserved mercy!"

Galations 2:19-21 "For when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God's approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ. I myself no longer live,b ut Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not one of those who treats the grace of God as meaningless."

Galations 3:3 "Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?"

Galations 4:9 "And now that you have found God (or should I say, now that God has found you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless powers of this world?"

Galations 5:6 "For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love."

Galations 5:16-26 "So I advise you to live according to your new life in the HOly Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy SPirit wants. And the SPirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never freee from this conflict. But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outburts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkeness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit hte Kingdom of God.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS HAVE NAILED THE PASSIONS AND DESIRES OF THEIR SINFUL NATURE TO HIS CROSS AND CRUCIFIED THEM THERE. IF WE ARE LIVING NOW BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, LET US FOLLOW THE HOLY SPIRITS LEADING IN EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES. LET US NOT BECOME CONCEITED OR IRRITATE ONE ANOTHER, OR BE JEALOUS OF ONE ANOTHER."

Galations 6:1 "Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path."

Galations 6:6-10 "Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them. Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harves the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harves everlasting life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harves of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ."

Galations 6:14 "As for me, God frobid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. BEcause of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago, and the worlds interest in me is also long dead."

I love that last verse especially! Woot, Woot!

Anyway, maybe tommorrow we'll get ephesians.

Kat!

2006-05-03T19:03:00.000-04:00

Here...I updated...now you can't say never

Not leaving blogger...

2006-04-25T22:34:00.000-04:00

But, I created a musicmyspace in order to upload some stuff I'm writing. There should be two songs currently uploaded right now, and hopefully more if God continues to inspire me.

Thanks Jube for all the help and letting me record at the school. You Rock, and you have to put your stuff up too!

Oh yeah... you need the link don't you?

www.myspace.com/LukeKillough

I think that should do it.

My Glass Box

2006-03-30T14:22:00.000-05:00

My Glass Box

2006-03-30T13:45:00.000-05:00

She sits out on the corner
A blanket for her warmer
As she shivers from the frost
Of their cold stares

So many times she's been branded
Attacked by the bandits of a
Of a pious Christian world

Her rags won't stop the bleedin
For the love that she's been needin
As she cries herself to sleep at night again

Chorus
But I'll stand inside of my glass box
Shake my fist and throw my rocks
And feel proud as I correct you of your sins (x2)

He slinks on by
Just trying to hide
His social leaprosy

His head hung low
If they could only know
His fear reveals his need

Cast down and out
I'm far too proud
To reach that far beneath

Chorus
So I'll stand inside of my glass box
Shake my fist and throw my rocks
And feel proud as I correct you of your sins(x2)

I do it once again

Don't you know
That the first shall be the last
And the last shall be the first
They'll feast at a wedding
As you watch
From your box lookin in

Chorus
So I'll step outside of my glass box
Lend a hand and drop my rocks
And feel proud as we go walkin hand in hand (x2)

I do it once again

Thanks to Ben Cloud for his constant inspiration towards social justice, and how Christians should truly portray the love of Christ

A Better Plan

2006-03-29T22:17:00.000-05:00

So, the 7 project got canceled/postponed until next fall. Basically, the school board has had a lot of pressure on them this year, resulting in two filed lawsuits against the school district, and their school being on CNN one night. So the end result, some people thought that the assembly we were going to bring into the schools had religious content (which it doesn't), and they complained to the board. The board (who we had asked before if they would like a presentation on this, so they would be educated and have answers) got hit by surpise on this, and decided that they would rather just ride this school year out with no more law suits and no more being in the national news...All of which we completely understand, and I can say that in their shoes, I'd probably do the same thing. They didn't tell us no, just not now. We are going to see about doing it next fall in Sept maybe.

...What that means is more time to get more churches in on it, get the assembly in up to 4 more schools, and be even better prepared and more effecient that we would've been tonight.

...What happened instead...

We decided to get the four youth groups together for a night of fun, worship and prayer. I think only 3 showed up, and it was small pieces of them, due to short notice, but it was AWESOME! Two people got saved, we played games and hung out for an hour, had a great time doing worship, and had a rockin prayer time. We also got to fellowship among the groups and get to know eachother all better. Also, we decided we're going to do this once a month, and I think, Lord willing, that it will be great for our groups spiritual growth, and that we will be able to effectively reach out to more kids and bring them along, and ultimately see many salvations come from this.

So, we thought we had it figured out. We were going to do the 7 project, it was gonna be awesome, and lots of kids would get saved.

What God had planned...

We would do the 7 project later and better, more kids would come, more would get saved, and we would form a community wide ministry that has huge capabilities if we keep God as the center, and our youth groups would be encouraged and grow spiritually.

Lord you truly are amazing
Your ways are so confounding
You had a plan from the beggining of time
Thank You for loving me into it
Come open me up
To seeing Your ways
They're so much better than mine
Come flood this heart
And humble my pride
Your ways are better than mine
Let me follow
All my days
Your loving truth
Your perfect ways

Worship Distraction

2006-03-14T11:36:00.000-05:00

Well, I should really be doing laundry, filing my important papers stack that is lying all over the house, and cleaning my room, but I'm listening to Chris Tomlin right now, and am having the hardest time pulling myself away from the computer. I really want to go over to the church and plug in and just worship for a bit, but then I wouldn't get this stuff done. Oh well...maybe I'll do my laundry real quick, then call it good...

God has been doing some cool things with me in worship right now. I've had the opportunity to lead the last 3 sunday mornings, and they've all been great. Not only the sound, but really feeling like as a congregation, we're entering into God's presence, and then getting to look out, and see people who are lost in worship. That's been my goal in worship lately, is helping/allowing people to get to that place in worship, where it's just them and God...to be lost.

Not only has the last 3 weeks been good, but I feel like recently, God's been giving me more gifting in that area. That vocally I've been improving, that I've been improving as a guitar player, as a leader with the team (in getting people on the same page and same vision), and even like he's given me more freedom and creativity in some of my own stuff I've been working on. It's been really cool, cause sometimes I get to that point where as a musician, I feel like I plateau. Like I'm not really improving, but staying the same. And especially with my own stuff...I'm never content with the end result, and I ALWAYS get musicians block. But recently I think God's been giving me more creativity, and improving all those areas. My only hope is that I can continue to give Him every ounce of glory that will come from anything, and that I can use it help people enter into a deeper relationship with the Father.

Well, Chris brought out his cd's, so I started updating my itunes library, and that means no, I still haven't done my laundry, and it's been like an hour! Oh well...I've got a couple more cd's to update, and then I'll do my laundry, and then off to meetings, and then to view that building at 4:30...

Love yall...

Alright OP here goes!

2006-03-14T10:43:00.000-05:00

Four Jobs I've had...(how bout the four I have now!)
Youth Pastor of River City Vineyard (Yes obe...I understand completely!)
Worship Pastor of River City Vineyard (also vol.)
Vol. Firefighter
City of Leavenworth Firefighter (Praise God! I love this job!)

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over...
The Princess Bride (you use that word a lot...I do not think it means what you think it means)
Finding Nemo
Extreme Days
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
(not much of a movie guy)

Four TV Shows I Love to Watch...
CSI
UFC Unleashed
American Idol
NFL/NBA anytime

Four Places I've Been on Vacation...
Hawaii
Alabama
Washington
California

Four Favorite Dishes...
Spaghetti
Lasagna
Steak
Whatever Mike and Kathleen happen to be cooking that night!

Four Websites I Visit (somewhat) daily...
www.biblegateway.com
www.youtube.com
www.blogger.com (all your blogs)
The Vineyard Gilbert Worship Team sunday playlist and practice player (too bad it hasn't been used in a while)

Four Places I'd Rather Be...
Arizona visiting some of my favorite friends and family
Surfing in Hawaii
Leading an extreme youth trip (you know taking a bunch of kids hiking, rafting, mtn climbing...all the while drawing nearer to God!)
Leading Worship for just about anyone, but hopefully someday a larger congregation
Let's see...it's mon...then Col... (???)

Four Blogs I'd Like to See do This Quiz...
ThinkJump...
Mom...
Kat...
Jon...

ONE MORE THING! ALL YOU PEEPS OUT THERE! OBE HAS AN AWESOME FUNDRAISER GOING ON FOR HIS MISSION TRIP TO IRELAND...THE BID RIGHT NOW IS $31...THE WILLING HIGH BID MIGHT BE MORE...YOU BETTER GET ON IT AND WIN THAT RAIN WATER!

IMAGINE...YOU CAN PUT IT IN YOUR LIVING ROOM TILTED ON YOUR END TABLE, OR ON YOUR WALL AT WORK OR CHURCH, OR ANYWHERE, AND WHEN PEOPLE ASK WHAT THAT'S ABOUT, YOU GET TO TELL THEM ABOUT THIS GUY WHO WENT TO IRELAND TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS, AND HOW HE'S SHARED THAT LOVE NOT ONLY THROUGH WORDS, BUT ACTIONS, AND ON AND ON...GREAT WITNESSING OPPORTUNITY. BUT, YOU'LL HAVE TO OUTBID ME! HERE'S THE LINK

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5676698955

Life and all it's wonderful business

2006-03-14T08:40:00.000-05:00

Hey all! Yeah, yeah, yeah...been a while...I know...but other than Ben, the rest of you do this too occasionally! lol...anyway...what's happenin in KS??? Good question...

Well, as most of you know, I've been looking at buying a house recently, and had some frustrations with finding just the right place, and the right price, and all that...well, here's some recent updates on that. I'm actually looking at buying a small apartment building instead...either that or a duplex. I think I'd prefer the apt. building, but I'm looking at a lot of different options. I'm going with the McKinney's to look at a building today with 5 units (2-2bd, 2-1bd, and one eff...I'm not sure what an eff is...) Well, most of these buildings and duplex's are cheaper than a house, and here's how it works out for me. I've spoken with Eric, Chris, and heard that Jason's sister would all like to rent from me if I buy a building. Well, out of 5 units, that's 3 renters that I know and trust, and hopefully we can all help eachother out. From there, it's just filling in the holes. Eric and I will most likely share a place until next Aug, which brings me to my next topic...The Internship! (and when I move out, he can fill that with a wife if he ever gets married! Not that he is...just saying, if he ever did...)

Bob and I had proposed to Dave a while back, that we run an internship at the church, and take one of the top rooms and turn it into a dorm. With this, you can have one or two people living at the church, working the coffeeshop/bookstore, working as youth and worship pastors, doing VLI, and doing whatever else needs to be done. Well, the board agreed on it, and now are slowly taking the steps to put this in place. This will begin in Aug. Well, I wasn't sure for a bit if I was going to do this after all, because I'd just been too busy, and was deathly afraid of throwing VLI on top of all the other responsibilities I already had. Well, I came to a decision on Sun., and let Dave and Bob know that I am going to do the internship and VLI, and I'll just have to count on God's goodness and grace to remain sane, and to also give me favor at work.

I have an incredible opportunity to really learn a lot and progress in the fire service through the Leavenworth Fire Dept. They are willing to send me all over to get training, and promote people who are willing to work hard and get an education. In fact, this Fri, Sat, Sun, I will be in Topeka attending and Intro to Tech Rescue course that entails rope rescue, water rescue, etc...it's only a beginners course, but it's a start, and the more I learn, the farther I can go.

The thing is, for a while, I wasn't sure if I wanted to do the internship and VLI, or take this next year, finish my degree, and take as many fire courses as I could (Fire behavior, Fire ground tactics, arson investigation, etc...) Well, I decided to do VLI and the internship, and at the same time do this next thing...

I spoke with a couple good friends of mine who help teach EMT labs over at KCK community college, and asked about whether they need help or not. Well, they said they believe they do, and they'd talk to the head lady for me, and get me some paperwork. The reason I was interested in this is because if I do this, I get free tuition, and it's only 1-4x's a month, and a couple hrs a day. And there's no preparation involved. It's simply helping students work through their EMT skills, and making sure they're prepared for their boards. Well, I found out that this pays as well! I thought it was vol. with free tuition, well, it pays $9 an hr., which isn't bad considering...and I was kinda looking for a source of some additional income, as small as it may be.

Oh, one other thing is that a buddy of mine was playing down at one of the irish pubs/restaraunt the other day, and I went down to watch...well, about 1 am, he ran out of stuff to play, and the only people left in the bar were friends of ours, so he let me play and sing. It went great! Everybody loved it...it may have been because they were all slammed by then...lol...but really, it went well, and they generally pay about $65 for a couple hrs of music, and that'd just be fun for me...so I'm going to see if I couldn't do that once a month or so as well.

So anyway, those things sorta solve the additional income I was looking for, and I will still be able to take probably 1 class a semester towards my degree and fire stuff, take VLI, and get some additional income here and there.

I know...it sounds like a lot, but the good thing is that all of those things (EXCEPT FOR the internship and VLI) are only once a month or so, which I think I can handle. There will most likely be some other changes as well that might free up some time for me, but those are still in discussion, and I won't know for a little while at least. So, like I said, I will need a heavy dose of God's grace as I try and handle all these things, and also his favor on me at work as I put the internship and ministry above my education and career at this moment. So, that's what's new here...

Things to pray for...
God's grace...
God's favor...
Opportunities to play and sing somewhere once a month...
Wisdom in dealing with people, property, and finances...
And even more of heart to know Him deeper...

Oh BTW...

2006-02-27T13:18:00.000-05:00

This is my day off. So don't bother me with anything. I'm not doing anything today but chillin w/God, eating, checkin blogs, playin some video games, watchin a movie, and RELAXING! OH YEAH!!!

Well

2006-02-27T12:38:00.000-05:00

No house yet. I'm still looking around, but have gotten tired and frustrated with the whole process. Not sure if that's even going to be best. I figure if it doesn't work out, and I don't find anything, than God's got different, better plans, which I'm fine with. That's the one nice thing about knowing God is there and looking out for you, is that you don't really have to stress over stuff like this. If it's His will, and is best for you, than the doors will be open, if not, they won't. Simple as that...even though it doesn't always feel like it.

Well, the youth group just came back from Acquire the Fire. It sounded like they had a good time, and the speakers and drama's were good. Most of them said the worship was alright...I think it was the same guy as last year, who was, like they said, ok. I wish I coulda gone with them though, but it wasn't possible. We had 3 groups staying in the gym together, which woulda been a riot!

Lord, I ask that you make the changes in these youth real and permanent. That it wouldn't be a high, but they would understand what you're doing in their lives, what you're calling them to be, and that they would grow from there into reaching their friends with boldness, mercy, and love. Let them be contagious to all they come in contact with. I thank you Lord for such an awesome group, and for such amazing leaders as well. I love you Father and I know they all do to. Thanks for all you do. For your faithfullness and kindness. You are all we need.

Seriously...all you leaders are way too freaking awesome. You don't even know. God bless you ten times over!

Love yall,

House Update

2006-02-18T16:41:00.000-05:00

Well, I found the perfect house! It fits every need I have. If I bought it to own and stay in, to re-sell later for a big profit (I think this place has a huge resell potential...there's going to be a LOT of new construction and road construction in the area, but not too close), or to sell later to Eric and Kim for a good price for them if it works that way, and that's what we decide to do. The location is great for it. It's right on the most North West corner of leavenworth, on a 1 acre plot all the way on the back of the property away from the street and only has one neighbor close by. Everything about this place is great. They are asking $150,000, but I know they will walk down from that...they said depending on what I offer, the fridge stays or goes, and seemed very open to hearing an offer.

THE PROBLEM! There's a contract on it right now that's expected to close next week. There are still a few unresolved things in the deal that can still fall through, so I'm praying they will.

It's a 2000', four bedroom house with 3 small full bathrooms. The bedrooms aren't huge, and it's really a 3 bedroom with an office, but it's a very nice place. It's been very well taken care of, is only like 20 yrs. old, split level with a great open floor plan...new carpeting, the whole works. Eric and I went and looked at it today, and I'm really hoping it falls through, and he'll give it to me for $140,000. We'll see what happens though.

Please pray that God's will be done in this matter of me finding a house, and that all will work out for me, and the other guys living here right now. It's kinda up in the air what Chris and Jason want to do.

2006-02-18T13:04:00.000-05:00

interesting things...

2006-02-14T19:25:00.000-05:00

Well, I went over to the McKinney's today to talk about buying a house and all that, primarily because I didn't even know where to begin, and got some very good info. We went to lunch, talked about what I had, what I wanted, and what I could afford. They had said that they had a loan officer coming in later, and I should talk to him while he was there.

So, I did. I gave him my info, he pulled my credit, and he basically said he would approve me for basically whatever I wanted. That was kinda cool. He then sat around with the McKinney's and I as we looked at different houses on the web, and he crunched the #'s to tell me what my payment each month would be including ins. and taxes etc...
Basically, I now know exactly what I'm willing to put forth on a place, and that I approved at a really good rate. So, now all I have to do is find a house....Dough.
I'm going to look at a couple places tomorrow with Helen M., and we'll go from there.

I'd really like to find a place slightly in the county where I can still respond with my vol. fire dept., or in the city within the general response area where I am now. Also, it'd be nice if it was big and nice enough and all that jazz, but also be something that I can sell in 2 yrs., if so desired, and make some money off it.

So, if you would, by all means pray that God will lead me to the right place, and all will go well.

Other matters of business.

I'm glad the whole kick off for 7 project is finally over. That was honestly a good bit of work, and a fair amount of stress.

......Thing is, I've been so focused on that and getting things started at the fire dept., and looking at houses and such, that it's been really distracting to my relationship with God. At the same time, life has been great and full of many blessings (like finding out about my credit and the house deal, and breezing through my Fire Instructor 1 test, and youth going very well, and one more thing I'll tell later), all of which I know are from God, but it's been so busy, and exciting at the same time, that while I know every blessing I have is testimony to God's incredible faithfulness and goodness towards me, I've felt distant.

OH! One more blessing! This whole 7 project is quite the task, and also needs considerable financial backing (EVERY BIT I FULLY BELIEVE IS WELL WORTH IT!!!). So, between 4 churches, we needed to come up with $4,000, or appx. $1000 a church. I know our church budget, and we can afford to pitch forward $0 of that, so I resolved to talk to the congregation about it, and see who would be willing to donate what towards the project on top of their regular giving.

Well, I thought we might get a couple hundred, and so I told the guy in charge we could probably get that, but 1k was highly doubtfull. However, I would sincerely pray over it, and ask the congregation. Well, really without anyone knowing what anyone else was giving, some gave $10 dollars, and some gave much more. Sunday afternoon, after church, everyone had donated EXACTLY $1,000 for this project. I was totally blown away.

God had put it on every individuals heart to give what he had asked them to. Whether it be big or small, or proportional to what they were able, he had the perfect plan in mind to cover what we needed for this event. As thankful as I was for the people who gave large amounts, I was just as thankful for the ones who gave smaller amounts, and everyone giving out of obedience and joy to the father. It was also a cool thing for me to see that God is behind this event, and that it's not just our efforts, but something He's working through us, and the rest of the body.

Lord you constantly amaze me. Even when I get tied up in the affairs of this life, you are still here with me. You clear the path ahead of me so I can walk without stumbling, and still I think it's me and not you.
I beg you Father to take away every inch of me that lives for this world. Give me eternal perspectives.
Lord you know I often think about the money I could make doing other things, but I don't want any of that. Show me how much you value obedience, and relationship over "ministry" or my desire for the good life. Open my eyes to how much you've blessed me, and how you are constantly holding my hand guiding me through a maze with my eyes blindfolded. Help me to trust in you.

I love you, My Dad, My Father, My King. I need You even more. Come...

Hey All

2006-02-11T09:43:00.000-05:00

Been a little while huh?

This last week...

Silverline came in and totally rocked the house on Wed. We didn't have quite as many kids show up as I thought, but it didn't matter, we had a total blast! The show was great, and the message was good and real. The band arrived here at 5:30 wed. morning, and then stayed with us at the house here till 2 am on Fri. It's been an exhausting week, but a ton of fun. We played poker with the guys a lot, and I won a lot...(oh yeah!), but eventually I had to catch up on sleep. I won't get into all the details, but I slept from 8 pm last night to 8 am this morning.

Youth has been really good the past 3 weeks. God has really been pushing us to move past a social event, back to a much deeper time of seeking after him. It's been totally awesome. On top of that, I was kinda worried about the financial aspect of the 7 project, but God's totally provided for most of that as well. I still am going to talk about it this sun., and hopefully we'll be able to cover the remainder of what's left. I'm not sure if our youth group will see the direct growth results from this or not, which I'm honestly not that concerned with, but I know for a fact that a LOT of kids will come to know Jesus from this! And I KNOW it, and am totally excited about it. This project aims right at the great commission. Reaching the lost and discipling them. It's gonna be great.

I think that's it for now.

If you think about it, I've got something I've been thinking about for a while, and will probably fast over soon. I'm not gonna go as far as putting it down here, but just a decision I'd like God to provide for. Thanks all, Later,

Luke.

Oh, one more thing. I start my first 24 hour shift with the FD on Mon., and I know my schedule, so I can finally keep planning ahead for youth and worship now!

Yes, down time has been good

2006-01-31T13:44:00.000-05:00

Sorry it's been a while, but I just haven't been that motivated to update. I blame it on the inherent evils of Halo2. Yes that's right...Halo2. You see for a good chunk of time here, I have been video game free. Yes, that means not playing that many video games. For me, that's a good thing. Ask Chris. He's known me my entire life. The problem is that when I really get into a game, I sometimes have trouble setting it down. Then there's things like REAL LIFE, that get pushed to the side. Well, a little while ago, a friend from AZ called and asked me to get online with his son (a good friend of mine) sometime and play Halo2. I thought, well, this is almost ministry related. Then sean getting xbox live got me playing a little more. Well, now over the past couple of days I've had off (which mind you have been most excellent), I have played way too much Halo2. I've gotten REALLY good, but still it has very little value in the end. The other problem is that video games leave me in a fog. Like when I'm done, my brain doesn't quite function properly (like it ever has). So, after talking to Jason today (who has a NFL Madden issue), we will be fasting video games for 3 days if not longer. And fasting meaning not just not playing, but substituting that time with Bible reading and prayer. I think it will be good. For me 3 days isn't that long, cause I can go three days just trying to catch up with life and responsibility, but I think if I go 3 days, then a week won't be that hard either, than from there back to the occasional playing.

So, there you have it. An update and a reason for lack of updates. Halo2.

Seriously though. As far as REAL LIFE goes.

Things are well. I'm enjoying my break, getting a lot of things I need to accomplished, and resting a bit. It's been great. I'm looking forward to my first day with the fire dept. on Thurs. (even though it will be filling out paperwork all day), and finding out what my schedule will be so I can keep putting things on the calendar. God is good as he always is (yeah, being unchanging and all), but His faithfulness and patience are very evident to me.

I hope all is well for everyone else...I haven't really been on the blogging world at all since my last update, so I have some catching up to do.

Love you all.

Yes 10 days of freedom

2006-01-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

I finished my very last day at EMS yesterday. It was a slightly busy day, but still good. We all joked around quite a bit, and one of the women cooked a monster breakfast and dinner. IT WAS SWEET. It's funny, she has this idea that I never get a home cooked meal, cause I'm a single guy living with 3 other guys. I tried telling her a couple times that awesome families I love from the church feed me seemingly at least 2 times a week, if not more, but it's no use. She feels the need to feed me...sigh...what's a guy to do? So, I just keep eating. Oh it's great.

Anyway, I will have 10 days of freedom between jobs...sorta. I don't start work for the Fire Dept. unitl Feb. 2nd, however in that time I have my Fire Instructor 1 class over at the city, for 4 of those days and 8 hrs. a day, youth, tons of stuff to do for youth still. Traveling to OP for a gym permission slip, and trying to catch up on all the things that have slipped. However, I will have a little more free time in the next 10 days than I've had in a long time. It'll be nice.

That's a short update for now. I'll probably post again tonight after I run errands and get a chance to sit down and read.

Love yall.

Luke.

No excuses

2006-01-14T09:21:00.000-05:00

I got a new cell phone, and I have great signal at the house now. It wasn't cheap, but all of you know how tired I was of dropping calls 5-10 x's per conversation. Now, I don't have to do that.

Sorry I haven't been able to really post anything of interest or inspiration lately...Things just been real busy, and I honestly aniticipate them being that way for the next two years (not that I won't post anything good for the next 2 years).

Here's the real quick on some big commitments I have

Still the Youth Pastor
Still vol. Fire Fighting
New - Fire Fighting instead of EMS (I'll actually gain 12 hours a month by switching...you don't know how important that is to me!)
New - Back on the Church board again
New - With our current worship pastor leaving, I will be taking over that as well
New - Resident Pastor Internship Program in conjunction with VLI
---Starts in May (hopefully). Will be a HUGE financial blessing to me, and allow me to be at the church more often, and get more done. Only problem is VLI requires about 20 hours a week! I have no idea where I'm going to get that time???!!!???

Hmmm...I guess it will work out somehow. For now, I'm young and making it (actually, God is giving me the strength miraculously), and doing this for 2 more years won't kill me. I think eventually though, I'll have to slow down.

So, don't get too upset when I don't post quality posts. It's probably because I'm taking the little free time I have and spending it with people I enjoy (like U ya skank! LOL)

Cyall.

Luke

As of Feb. 2nd

2006-01-10T15:40:00.000-05:00

I will be a City of Leavenworth Fire Fighter. I can't tell you how extatic I am about this. Thank you all for your prayers and support, and most of all praise to our wonderful mighty God, who has plans to prosper and not to harm those who seek His will. I can remember almost 2 years ago, still working in the heating factory here in town with the prison inmates being very confused as to why I didn't get a job with a good company that paid well, when my references and interview, and everything went well. I knew then that God had something good for me still, but wasn't sure what. Well, then I got the job with Leavenworth County EMS, and from there, this job with the LVFD. It's my dream job with one of only two Fire Departments I'd really like to work for.

So,

Thank You Father for You sovereign will. I completely put my life into your hands, because you are good, and your plans are better than mine. I love you Lord.

Cyall. Luke

2nd Interview

2006-01-10T14:34:00.000-05:00

I'm heading over to Fire St. 1 again for my 2nd interview. I hope to know by the end of today whether I got it or not. If not, I will continue to be patient.

Thanks for all the prayers. Love You guys,

Luke

Interview

2006-01-06T09:57:00.000-05:00

I think it went pretty good. I felt comfortable talking with the people there, even though they asked a LOT of questions. I'm satisfied in how I relayed my life story and strengths through the answers, and I guess I'll find out next week if I got the job or not. I'm going to call around and try and find out sooner though.
Probably not fair, but I gotta know!

Thanks everyone for your prayers.

Lord, Thank You so much for your wonderful kindness. For your many blessings on your humble servant. To You be all the glory, honor, and praise. I ask if You give me this job, that You will help me to continue to work hard and please my employers as if I were working for You. Allow me to be a light to anyone searching, and to be Jesus through my actions, not just words. You amaze me. All good things come from you. Be exalted in my life. I love You Lord.

A Call To Holy Living

2006-01-05T19:49:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 1 13-20

So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are his children. Don't slip back into you rold ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God-who chose you to be his children-is holy. For he himself said, "You must be holy because I am holy." And remember tha the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites when he judges. he will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as foreigners here on earth. For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless lamb of God. God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but now in these final days, he was sent to the earth for all to see. And he did this for you.

Long Time No Post

2006-01-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

Been a little while. Things here have been busy, but since I've taken so much time off work, it really hasn't been that bad. Honestly the things I've been busy with for the past two weeks have been pure social activities, so you can't beat that. I think I went over to the Gilberts something like 8 times or so for lots of great food and cards. Always a good time! So, thank you Gilberts for your food, your love, and your hospitality. You guys Rock!

Update on recent events...

I WAS WRONG. USC GOT BEAT. R U ALL SATISFIED??? No huh?...
TEXAS WON. THEY'RE THE BOMB. How bou't now...yeah, I figured that would do it.

Other things...

I have my interview with the LV Fire Dept. tomorrow morning at 8:15, so you all can be praying for that to go well. I'm pretty stoked about it. If all goes well, and God is agreeing, I would probably start there in the next 3-4 weeks.

hmmm...other things.

God is amazingly wonderful and kind, but that's nothing new. Been that way forever, and always will be.

We've taken a couple of weeks off our regular youth stuff for holiday breaks, and so the kids could spend some time with their families, but I think we're all ready to get back to our regular youth stuff. I know I am at least. I haven't taught a regular lesson in like a month, and I'm ready to jump back in. Preparing for youth is sometimes one of the most beneficial things for my walk during the week. So taking this break has somewhat taken it's toll on me, unfortunatly, but God is always faithful. He never changes. He's always there waiting for us to get our senses straight and figure out why things get so blah! Oh YEAH! It's cause life without God is EMPTY! DUH!!! That's why it's so important to put 1st things 1st, to have your priorities straight. To put things with eternal value, and your eternal relationship with the father first, and then let everything else come 2nd. Cause otherwise, it just feels like your a chicken running around in circles with your head cut off accomplishing absolutely nothing. So yeah, God deserves to be #1, and life just makes more sense that way.

Well, I need to prep a bit for my interview tomorrow, so that's all for now.

Adios Amigos, and Buenos Nachos!

Christmas Eve and Day

2005-12-25T08:39:00.000-05:00

Well, I was working last night, and man were we working. Busy pretty much the whole day...got probably 2-3 hours of sleep, but for some reason I'm not dead tired right now. I anticipated working today, so one of the guys could go home with his kids, but the supervisor just decided they would run with one less truck today. That's cool, cause that means I get to go to church, sit home watch some football, and later, go over to the Gilberts for Christmas Dinner and fellowship. It'll be great. Anyway, in thinking about Christmas...

The whole reason for Christmas (not the origins and all that crap), but the reason WE celebrate Christmas is the birth of Christ. Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we celebrate birthdays different? First off, there's generally a party, and then we do it in honor of the birthday person, then we give gifts to the person I guess to show them that we love them and are thankful for their existance.
So why with Jesus birthday, do we do things different. Cultural persuasion I guess, but I was only thinking about this for a little yesterday in between running calls, so maybe you guys could help me a little, but wouldn't Christmas be cooler if we did it like this...

First off we get all Jesus friends together (the body)
Then, have a party and a good time fellowshiping and being merry!
Then, we toast to the reason we're all there to party. To JESUS, and we share all the reasons we love him, and some cool stories of times we've had with Him.
Then, we party some more.
Then, we give gifts to Him. (Maybe simply praise and worship, maybe more elaborate...dedications, money, time, other commitments)
Then, we party some more.

That sounds like a much more focused Christmas, and freakin awesome time too!

I'm sure there could be some rockin Jesus B-Day parties!

First things first

2005-12-23T10:24:00.000-05:00

Happy belated birthday to my much beloved friend Ben Cloud, and congratulations to him as well on publishing two books that have been much requested for sometime. Keep it up amigo!

Next thing...

Psalm 39:2-7
But as I stood there in silence-
Not even speaking of good things-
The turmoil inside of me grew to the bursting point.
My thoughts grew hot within me
And began to burn,
Igniting a fire of words:
"Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered,
And that my life is fleeing away.
My life is no longer than the width of my hand.
An entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
Human existance is but a breath."
We are merely moving shadows,
And all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth for someone else to spend.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.

I got to thinking the other day about life and careers and ministry and marraige and all those things. And within that, about all the things I'd like to do, and how doing some things may mean sacrificing others, and how there's only so much time before your suddenly old, and it would be great to retire, and live peacefully in my old age with my grey hair and my beautiful wife (hopefully I will still have hair and a wife, not so sure at this point). I was specifically thinking about full-time ministry, and how unless in a rather large organization or position, you kinda sacrifice that retirement (I think. I'm very much uneducated on the worldly "benefits" of ministry), and would really have to focus on investing while you were younger in order to provide for your family in your old age etc...Well, I guess not, cause God is our provider, but financial wisdom would still be required.

Anyway, from that track, I got to thinking about how short life really is, and what we REALLY need. You younger folk may not understand this, but I know you more seasoned/experienced persons will.

So for now, take in a deep breath,

allow your body to relax,

and let your mind wander back to the days when you were a child.

You can most likely picture yourself there,
playing in your room with your toys, or out in the front yard with your best friend playing basketball for "respect",
Or having rock wars with your brothers at the park,
Or fighting with your brothers or parents, punching a hole in the wall and thinking you broke your hand,
Or a fishing trip with your dad
Or your mom taking you and the youth out teepeeing the pastors house at 1 AM
or simply fishing down at the park, alone, in the majesty of God's handiwork displayed in the Arizona sunset etc...

Or whatever some of your memories might be, I know you can picture them.
And you can picture these things like they were yesterday. Yes, as if you were able to close your eyes and free your mind enough from the troubles of today, you might be swept back to a time long ago, but yet not that long ago, where your worries were not so great, and all you had to do was live.

Then, you Blink...

Suddenly, you are no longer in your blissfull youth.
You are driving to work after school trying to pay bills and make it out on your own, and find out who you are, and what you're made of. You still have time to play and hang, but not as much...

Then, you Blink...

It's your wedding day. The happiest day of your life to this point. It's you and the one you love more than anything making that commitment to stand by one another till the day you die, and you run out of the church with your beloved to the getaway car...

Then, you Blink...

Your in the OB at the hospital, your first child grasping, reaching, for a life full of wonderous mysteries ahead. Now this is the happiest day of your life...

Then, you Blink...

Your first is on his way to college, flying the coop, off to make something of himself, to find out who he is, what he's made of. You're sad, but happy at the same time...

Then, you Blink...

Now, your fourth child is leaving off to the mission field. You've been through this three times before, but this one stings a little worse for some reason. There's no on left, no more crying, crawling, running, screaming, making messes, it's all gone, but your beloved is still there...

Then, you Blink...

Your in your rocking chair holding your spouses hand when the kids come open the door with a suprise visit and the grandkids...

Then, you Blink...
It's almost done and gone, and yet you can still close your eyes and picture each event like it was yesterday.
Where has all the time gone? It really wasn't that long ago, was it? But yet it all still vanished in the blink of an eye.

Then, you Blink...

You see, this is somewhat encouraging to me. As I think about life and all the things I'd like to do (or at least I think I'd like to do), I sometimes think there's not enough time, and what if I choose one thing and that leaves me wanting later. Well more specifically, if I were to, at some point, enter into full time ministry, not be able to retire and live in peace in my old age. But then again, it doesn't matter. Those years will go by so quickly anyway. All we really have to do is live each day as unto the Lord, trust that he'll provide, and then Blink...

Life (or what we thought was life) is gone, and TRUE LIFE has begun. A life where we'll never run out of time to do all the things we like, and we can do nothing more than live IN PEACE because God's peace is eternal. And that other thing...oh yeah, life, we may not even be able to remember, or maybe simply as a Blink in the Eye of Time, cause in relation to eternity, what is a physical life on earth?

BLINK...

Test results

2005-12-21T13:52:00.000-05:00

Well, I went over to city hall earlier to talk with the human resources director to see how I did on the test, and if I made it through to the oral boards. They were all in a meeting, so I decided to walk over to harbor lights and have a cup of coffee and organize my thoughts on upcoming youth stuff. Kim met me over there, and we talked for an hour or so and hung and had coffee. While we were sitting there, Mark Demaranville, one of the assitant chiefs from the LVFD, walked in with his wife and I recognized him said hello and shook his hand, and I think he recognized me and went on with his business. Anyway, when all was said and done, I went back over to city hall, and met with Lana, and she greeted me with a congratulations. I was pretty stoked to hear that, meaning that I made it through, then she told me that I actually received the top score on the test. I missed 2 total, and got a 96.3% or something like that. So, I'm not sure if this was intentional, or slipped or what, but I said praise god and thanks for the congratulations, and she just nodded. I did find out that one of my good buddies from our vol. dept. missed it by one question, which bites majorly, because he's a great guy and a hard worker, and would make a great firefighter. You know, the kind of guy you want to work alongside, but maybe next time.

So anyway, things are looking good for that right now.
I really am thankful to God for this, cause I honestly had no clue how it would turn out, and he's blessed me once again when really I'm quite undeserving.

So, all praise and glory and honor be to You, my God. For You alone are worthy.
Thank you for all the wonderful blessings you give me in life. Please allow me to give back even more to you from these gifts. Amen.

A snowboarding story

2005-12-21T10:25:00.000-05:00

I'll make this short

So, the other day, I went snowboarding with Chip over at snow creek. We're having good times, I'm falling a little entering the drop into the hill, cause it's pure ice, but other than that, no problems. My feet feel comfortable in the bindings, like I was doing this yesterday, so we decided to go do the run with the jump on it. It's not that big, more of a tapered downslope after the little crest, but anyway, we decide to do this a couple times. I'm not doing too bad, I get some air, land, and then tumble and repeat that several times. It was painful, cause I would land, then lose my balance, then fall. Well, one time I decide to get a little more speed, and a little more air, and then I land, and tumble like normal, nothing seems out of the ordinary...you know, "there I was, minding my own business," when all of a sudden in the middle of my roll, I feel my right foot is free from the board. And then it was like slow motion. You know like something out of the movies. I saw the board swing around in a vertical circle, and then whack! The edge of the board slams right into the left side of my groin! I saw it coming the whole time, and there was nothing I could about it. It was like something out of final destination when they see their doom coming right at them, and all they can do is wait. So, I laid there for a minute or two, and then tried to get up. Chip saw the whole thing happen, so he was standing there thinking I was truly hurt. Fortunatly, nothing important got hit, but a quarter of an inch to the right, and I would be having some major problems! So I tried to get up, but the muscle there was way to soar, so I kinda crawled to my knees, handed chip my board, which he skiid to the bottom, and then I finally stood and hobbled my way to the bottom. I showed the rental people my board, and they were sorta puzzled how it happened (it's supposed to be nearly impossible). They asked if I was hurt, and I told them no (but I was thinking, "it didn't feel too good."). They issued me a new board, I sat for a few minutes, then I went back up with my new board and had at it again. My muscle didn't hurt when my feet were locked into the bindings, it was only when I finished a run and had to push with it that it hurt, and hurt real bad.

So, that's that.

My testing yesterday...hmmm...
I didn't have to take the physical cause I already had a CPAT, but I was supposed to take the written, and climb the aerial ladder. Well, the ladder had a hydraulic leak, so that was postponed till later, and then the written. I have never had test anxiety ever in my life, but for some reason I had it big time here. It seemed like my head was in a fog, and I couldn't keep focused on what I was doing. Several times, I had to go back and re-read something, cause it went in and straight out. It was wierd. So, I have no idea of how I did on this. I'm going to finish this post, then go pick up a guitar from the shop, then go over to city hall and ask her. She graded them last night, so I can find out today. We'll see. In order to move on, I had to get into the top 7 of 13. This normally isn't a problem, but like I said, I don't know where my head was at. So, Lord willing, I'll have made into the top 7 and onto an oral board interview. I'll come back on and post later as to the results. I fully trust this into God's hands, and if he doesn't want me in the fire service, fair enough. I told myself a while back that I would try a specific # of times to make in the fire service, and if it didn't work out, I would pursue full time ministry. So, maybe this was a God induced fog, I don't know, but I trust Him and His plan for me.

(not really related, but part of what I'm reading this morning)
Ephesians 1:3-14

How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.
So we praise god for the wonderful kindess he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blodd of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ--everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. God's purpose was that we who were the first to trust in Christ should praise our glorious God. And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The SPirit is God's guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God.

AMEN! I found that passage to be particularly encouraging this morning.

Love you guys and have a wonderful day.

brrrr...

2005-12-20T22:49:00.000-05:00

I just lost a bet with bob over a game on addictinggames.com, and had to run down to the mailbox in my underwear. It was really cold, and the asphalt didn't feel to good on the bare feet...lesson, don't bet on games you've never played that the aussie has spent an entire college semester playing.

Bagels and Coke Zero

2005-12-20T09:27:00.000-05:00

I am having a bagel for breakfast before I go on to do my firefighting test, and it reminded me of our last youth communion with bagel pieces and coke zero, and you know what it works. It reminded me of Jesus, and what he did for me.

"Do this in rememberence of me."

More tumbling down snow covered hills

2005-12-19T11:34:00.000-05:00

Chip and I are going to snow creek today to do some snowboarding...actually, he ski's, but whatever. Chips a little crazy, so please pray that his craziness doesn't get him hurt, or convince me to do something stupid and get me hurt.

Fire Dept. testing tomorrow. Just a written, and then climbing a 102' ladder. Should be fun.

I'll post again on the adventures of snotsnickles and such when I return from snowboarding.

Snow and Job Security

2005-12-18T19:53:00.000-05:00

As long as it snows, I will never have to worry about losing my job. Reason being, some people still don't know how to drive, or even walk, on it.

Our first call of the day was to a heavyset 50+ yr. old woman who went out to check the mail in what looked like a little kids pair of old, plastic, clog/sandal things (you know the kind, 3" of smooth rubber underneath her feet, and strap holding them to her feet), when she slipped on her steps that were covered in 3" of fresh laid snow.

Well, imagine that! Lesson #1. Don't walk out in the snow wearing innapropriate footwear, and then complain when you fall on your butt and hurt yourself! If you can't tell, I wasn't very sympathetic. She just sat there, not moving a thing, crying in the snow. She hurt her hip, not her back or neck or anything like that...oh, I wasn't happy with this woman. So, we had to get the scoop stretcher and get her on it, and she just kept crying...boo hoo (sarcasm and apathy). Then, we got her in the back, and we had to look at her hip for any obvious difformity to see if she broke it or anything, and she's like "Sob sob...I don't have any underwear on...sob sob" OK, first off, it's not like we've never seen any of that before, but that doesn't mean I want to either. Then she was complaining about how she couldn't afford this and all that, and now I'm thinking "Dangit woman! You shoulda thought of all this before you went out parading in the snow with kids sandals, no underwear, and no money!" She'll think about it next time...well, maybe not. Oh well, I guess they keep EMS rolling.

We ended up running all night and day, as it's been for the past 3 weeks, medicals, mva's, whatever, but this next one was cool!

So we get toned out for mutual aid with South Platte County across the bridge (in MO) for a rollover accident. Well, dispatch said the person was out of the car, and generally when that happens, they call back and say they don't need an ambulance, but we were on our way regardless until we hear otherwise. When we finally pull up, I see cars all over the side of the road, but they're all on four wheels, so I'm a little confused, then I look down to the bottom of the 30' embakement sloped at probably 70 Degrees off to the right and see an SUV turned over on it's side. We get out, and people start yelling. So we ask, who's hurt? They say there's a man and a baby that were in the car up in one of the cars on the side of the road, and still one woman trapped in the car. So my partner says, "I'll check Dad and the baby, you climb down the 30' snow covered hill, and crawl in the mangled vehicle trying to help while I stay warm." Well, maybe that's not exactly what she said, but that's what happened.
So, I get down to the bottom with my spinebag, and find a woman in her 30's crawled up in a ball on the driver side window (or where it would've been), complaining of neck pain at 8 of ten, and even the slightest, I mean slightest move, made her scream bloody murder. So I climb in the rear entrance of the car, get a collar on her and check her pulses and motory function (basically all I could do with her in that position), and start looking for a way to get her out of the vehicle. I'm looking at how she is, the seats, everything around us, and taking into consideration the fact I think she has a C7 fracture and don't want to move her at all, and finally decide that we'll have to get the Fire Dept. to cut her out (not cut her, the car around her). One guy tells me the truck is 5 min's out, so I sit there with her finding out what happened, if she lost consciousness, airbags, seatbelts, etc...waiting for them to get here. They finally arrive and tumble down the hill, and ask how I'd like to get her out. I told them about the suspected fracture, and how moving out the back (where I came in) was not an option, and they'd have to cut her out. They kept asking if I was sure and saying they thought they could move her here and there etc...and I'm like "NO. We're not moving her anywhere. She can wiggle fingers and toes right now, and I'd like to keep it that way." So fire tosses a blanket in to me, and I drape it over the patient and myself to cover us from shards of metal, and sparks, etc..., and they begin to cut with the sawzaw. Mind you, at this point, I can't see anything but the patient. My legs are cold and cramping from being in an awkward position, my ears hurt because the vibrations from the saw were hurting her neck, so she's screaming right in my ears, I have no idea where this saw is at in relation to me, and then I feel someone reach their hand in, feel my head, and say "uh, could you move your head back some?" I'm thinking great, they're cutting blind, and all it would take is the blade to jump, and I could be maimed. I really didn't have any room to move back, but you can bet I made some! Well, the sawzaw kept catching and freezing up, so they went and got the big chop saw, which has kind of a circular cutting blade, and they begin to use this. Now the chop saw is MUCH sharper, and MUCH bigger, and makes VERY big sparks, so they get going with this, and all I can hear is ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, and really, really big sparks begin flying everywhere landing on this 100% cotton blanket that was covering us up, and I'm thinking "I really hope this blanket doesn't catch on fire with us in here." Finally, all the noise stops, someone pulls the blanket off our heads, and then I have to hand c-spine over to someone else, gently crawl over her and straddle the steering wheel, so we can maintain neutral inline mobilization, but we still had to free her feet up, so we pick her up from there (oh, we did place a ked board in to help maintain c-spine), free the feet, and get her out. We get her all strapped down, except the head, and their head straps aren't working, so I go to my bag, and grab our headbed tape. It's a big blue piece of something like duct tape that is supposed to go around the collar and to the board, but this dude, before I had a chance to say anything, just takes it and slaps it across her forhead right on top of her eyebrows, and I'm thinking "Dough! I guess she didn't really need her eyebrows anyway huh?" At this time, she can still move her fingers and toes, which is a good thing, and then the bright firefighters all grabbed a corner of the board and pretty much run up the hill with her. The people up top (including my partner who now was just watching the show, I guess she, the medic, didn't feel any need to help) had thrown down 3 ropes. One to tie to the board, and two for each side of people holding the board to hold onto so they didn't slip. Well, I guess they didn't want to use this, so I'm trying to support one of the firefighters running up the hill, so he doesn't fall, and wipe out and slide down the hill, making me look like a large powdered donut.
So, that was that, we transferred care to MAST ambulances, and then booked it back to KS for another call. It was a blast though, and thank God the patient and I didn't get cut up by saws, or burnt alive in the car, and she could still move all extremeties...that was a plus. But that wreck made my day. I love stuff like that! Oh, I can't wait to get into firefighting!

I have my written test on Tues for the Leavenworth Fire Dept. I looked at the study guide, and am confident I'll do well, but without God's blessing and approval, it'll probably be the same thing that happened in Tempe. I do everything I can to put me in the best position possible, but if he says no, it's a no go. Fair enough.

The worship night went pretty well on Fri. We didn't have too many people show up, but it was still an awesome time of worship and felloship regardless. We'll probably do another one in Feb., and then one in April, and then see about doing it once a month after that.

That's all the updates. Love you guys, and keep seeking after God. Don't let your walk get complacent. And please pray for my fire app here.

Luke.

Jesus Take the Wheel

2005-12-16T12:40:00.000-05:00

So lets see...

It was Tuesday. I was at work, and it had been a rather busy day. The snow had melted a couple days prior, so everyone was back to their insane selves driving like 15 over the speed limit, ignoring all warnings on the news etc, that the roads were slick today. So, I spent most of that day (and night!) cautiously extricating retarded people from their crunched up vehicles, and putting them on extremely cold, hard, and uncomfortable long plastic spineboards. So it's getting close to 6:30 am, time for me to rouse my self from a quite unpleasant 90 min's of sleep and get ready for shift change, when there it goes again. Beep beep beep beep beep..."9101...Traffic accident 20th and LeCompton...". Blah blah blah, as I wipe what small crusties that had formed on the bags on my eyes in the hour and a half I had to sleep. I threw on my boots and coat, and stumbled my way down the stairs to our ambulance. "Fire Control, Medic 1 in route." As we rumbled down the road in our 6 ton rig with lights flashing and sirens blaring, dispatch came back over the radio and told us to use caution as the roads were slick. Usually, these reports come from the fire dept. who arrives on scene before we do, and they relay it to dispatch and dispatch to us. I thought to myself. "The roads look fine, I'm in a 12,000 pound vehicle, It'll be fine," not thinking that this came from the Fire crew who drives a 12 ton engine...what can I say, it was early. So anyway, we come over the big hill on 20th, and see fire trucks and cop cars everywhere, and the two vehicles that had collided and skidded their way over onto the sidewalk. I started to put on my breaks to slow down as we came up to the scene, and I looked for the closest place to park without putting us over the leaking fluids from the wreckage (yes, an ambulance flying 30' in the air cause someone threw a cigarette on the ground in gasoline which is under the rig would look cool, but it's not good for me). As I attempted this, I found that yes indeed, the roads were slick, and I should've headed the warning...then BAM!!!

No, not really, I started stopping way before that. I did feel our truck get a little loose footing though, and managed to park it in a safe place. I hopped out of the ambulance, now much more awake than before, and grabbed a spinebag and board and walked over towards the chaos. All was fine. Two patient refusals, and we packaged one lady up and took her to the hospital. Just another car wreck.

Well, I finally make it home. It's now around 8:45 cause we caught the late call, and I have to be at the church at 10 to help with some thing or another, not really sure what, so I go home, grab a guitar I have to take to the shop and some deoderant,and start heading to the church. I wasn't more than two blocks away, over on 15th street "slowly" making my way to the church, when suddenly my front end starts to spin to the left aiming for the ditch (in KS, no roads are flat on the edges, they all lead to ditches or walls...not sure why), and I'm thinking "ah crap...sigh," being I was too tired to really freak, then my rear wheels bight, I gently correct the direction of my spin, and I'm back on the road.

Well, as all that happened, I was reminded of a new country song out by some chick called "Jesus take the wheel." It's about a girl and her baby in the car on the way to her parents when she loses control and spins out, and then the chorus.

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do it on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on

Jesus take the wheel

It was a rather rude awakening to what had been going on with me for the last 4 days. I had been sick for three of them, and tired and busy, and for four days, hadn't spent any time at all reading God's word, or praying, or anything. I kept pushing on to the next thing thinking I'll spend time with God tomorrow. Well, I finally figured out that in 4 days, I had wandered seemingly a long ways from where I wanted to be, and I wanted to get back into that close fellowship, but I was too tired, and didn't feel like doing it.

Then this happens, and at the same time I had been thinking about this analogy of what it meant to give things to God. I had been playing this game called conquest on my computer (it's basically RISK), and you build up armies and try and dominate the world. For some reason this tied into my thinking about giving things up, and I found that sometimes what you have to do is run from whatever battle your fighting and simply focus on the Father, and then he comes in with the big guns and takes care of the battle for you...Let me try to explain this. Some of the strategy in RISK is making sure you don't spread yourself too thin. If you do, your lines will be broken, and there is nothing to protect the inside of your territories. So, you have to focus your troops in one area and let the other players duke it out and thin themselves out, then you go and conquer the world. Well, it's the same here. Your one battlefront, the place where you focus your attention is on your relationship with God, and then he goes and takes care of the other battles for you. Not that it's easy, or it even looks like you'll be victorious all the time, but it's the truth.

So, I learned my lesson, and asked God that the next time he'd like to get my attention, I'd appreciate it if he did it without me having to clean my drawers.

John 18:1-7

2005-12-14T18:18:00.000-05:00

After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had gone there many times with his disciples. The leading priests and pharisees had given Judas a battalion of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. NOw with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove.
Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him. Stepping forwardto meet them, he asked, "Whom are you looking for?"
"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.
"I Am He," Jesus said. Judas was standing there with them when Jesus identified himself. And as he said, "I Am He," they all fell backward to the ground! Once more he asked them, "Whom are you looking for?"
And again they replied "Jesus of Nazareth."
"I told you that I Am He,"...

Who are you looking for?

Feeling a bit under de weather

2005-12-12T16:29:00.000-05:00

My head feels like it's going to pop.

Upcoming stuff

2005-12-09T11:38:00.000-05:00

Well lets see...

First off, if you guys could all keep my Dad and the group of men he's with in Pakistan in prayer, they will need it badly. I copied a small letter from my mom in regards to this below. Also, Micah, Chrissy, Joshua, and baby on the way could use your prayers as well. Long story short, things are going well for them. However, Joshua is getting sick, they don't really have access to hot water, he's cranky all the time, and not adjusting well to all the change. They have a lot more change coming up as well, so your prayers would be much appreciated for them (for those of you who don't know, Micah is my brother who moved to Ecuador to plant a church in Manta, his wife is Chrissy, and their son Joshua, and a baby on the way)

Other things...
I just got my applicant packet in from the City of Leavenworth. It tells me all the things I will need to know in regards to the testing process. I will have a written exam and have to climb a 100-200' ladder or something on the 20th of Dec. They are hiring for 3 spots, and had 13 applicants. Things are looking good for that right now, and I would love to get the job, as I have somewhat committed (in my mind at least) another 2 years or so to the church here, and being a part of what God's doing in it. (all you Tempe people, don't freak. If things go the way I see them now, I could still feasibly be back in Tempe working for the Fire Dept. there in 2-3 yrs. which only makes me 23-24...still plenty of time, and I will be gaining valuable fire experience while I'm here...of course, all of this is simply what I see as of now. I am also very open to the idea of doing full time ministry if God calls me to that. Any which way, this is how I see it now, but we all know that this may change tomorrow, and God always has the final say...yeah, like when I thought I was going to get the job in Tempe last time. Anyway, I'm thankfull that God cares enough to take my desires away from me in order to do his will. I've found that His is much better anyway.)
So, with all of that. Please pray that God's will be done. I'd really like the job here, but am content wherever God has me.

Oh, in regards to the packet, I have to hand write my response to 5 questions and turn them in before the testing date...kinda wierd, but whatever. The sooner I get this in, the more it shows my enthusiasm for the job. So, I will be working on that right after this (actually, I need to spend some time reading my Bible first, then working on it). Then, I'm supposed to go put up lights at the Gilberts, then I have worship practice tonight for the worship gathering, which I need to put together music for, and then we have college group. (Kat, I think I might have to bail today on the lights...I know...I just really have to get this paper thing done...maybe tomorrow after the movie. Yes, tomorrow after the movie.) College group will be nice. We are going to O'Malley's in Weston. I will have a guiness there for the first time.

Cya Guys,

Luke.

Prayer request

2005-12-09T10:09:00.000-05:00

For those of you who don't know, my Dad left with this group on Dec. 5th to help build shelters, and give whatever aid they can to the people in Pakistan before winter comes. Here's a small update. Please pray that their luggage would get their, and they would be able to effectively preach the gospel as they provide whatever assistance they can.

"Some of the men headed for Pakistan have arrived with no luggage...here is a email that was passed to me from Mark S. (Frontiers)

" Ah, the best laid plans.

Nine of us arrived in Islamabad a few hours ago but our luggage is somewhere between Hong Kong and Pakistan. Probably closer to Hong Kong.

If this were a vacation, the most we'd have to wrestle with is having to go buy a new swim suit. But this isn't a vacation, and the luggage holds the cold-weather gear of a group of men who want to get to the mountains as soon as possible to build shelters for villagers who face death by cold with each passing night.

We're hoping it arrives tonight. But one man whose luggage went missing a week ago is still waiting.

We'll go, one way or another. It just might be a lot more uncomfortable than anticipated. And we anticipated a lot of discomfort. "

Also an update from the men hopefully will be on KTAR 620am on the dial this Friday the 9th and the 12th @ 6:50 am AZ time. If you can listen somehow...you can hear what is going on."

2005-12-07T18:15:00.000-05:00

New Video

2005-12-01T22:33:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I love 7th day slumber, but I need something with a little more crunch than "Caroline". I'll probably put a new video up pretty frequently, so get used to it.

The Video

2005-12-01T19:28:00.000-05:00

This is from one of my favorite bands ever. Not only because they have a sweet sound, or because I can immitate him pretty good (yeah, that's right), but because I saw them play up in Pinetop AZ for a crowd no bigger than 100 people, and they actually lost money doing the show, and through it all, the only thing they cared about was sharing the love of God to a small group of youth...and they did it passionately and effectively also...they also did a worship set and some ministry time at the end. They Rock!

One more thing...

2005-12-01T16:54:00.000-05:00

You need to check this post out on http://bjscloud.blogspot.com/

Understanding

2005-12-01T16:17:00.000-05:00

Ok, in line with my message last night, I am "straining" to understand more as I read. I was listening to a Mars Hill sermon on studying the Bible a while ago, and the guy said he got saved, and then asked the pastor what to do then. He said "read the Bible till you understand it, and do that till you die." Pretty powerful. It really revolutionized how I read the Bible.

So, in line with that, I have a folder labeled "bible study" on my desktop, and I open it up when I'm reading, and write down notes as I go through various sections of scripture. (In case you find this inspirational or something I'll explain how it works for me) So, I start off reading the section I'm going to go through...IE 1 John, and I read through and highlite or underline in my bible, verses that stick out to me and have significant meaning, and I do that until I'm finished with the section...IE ch's 1-3 or something...Then, I go back through and re-read slower attempting to disect the verses, while reading the footnotes and study sections below in my bible, and contemplating deeper meaning in the said verses. As I go through this, I write down on my doc. particulary interesting verses, and any deeper meanings I may get from it...

And I do that till I die...

Well, or at least until I forget one day, and then another...but hopefully that won't be the case.

I think it will also help me with my messages and lessons for youth. Although, I'm not sure they really hear anything that comes out of my mouth when it comes to that time...Seriously though. Last night was one of my more passionate, well articulated messages, and I'm not sure anyone got anything from it. That's the funny thing about youth ministry. When it's all said and done, no one will remember anything you said, but they'll remember everything you did. The small things. Investing in their lives, small personal talks, playing four wheeler tag, how you respond to criticism or other bloggers attempting to be obnoxious. I know they do take some things from it, even though they'll never remember that you said, but hopefully it will translate into action in their lives.

I think about it...maybe some of our "lessons" have impacted their lives...let's see...Lessons I hope have impacted them...
hmmmm....well there was...ummm...

Shoot. I can't even remember most of them, and they were my lessons! I guess that means I can't blame them for not remembering.
I guess I remember talking about the power of words for both good and bad, and some other stuff. But hopefully, they will remember some of the things we've stressed.

Those being that it's crucial to your spiritual life to spend time reading God's word and praying. And that worship is a matter of the heart, and a lifestyle, not just songs. And that God listens to us, and also speaks to us! And the importance of a good strong sense of community and relationships with other believers (I know they got that one!), and hopefully they have come to understand in a small way how much God truly loves them, and how nothing we ever do can separate us from that love. And maybe they've learned how to present the gospel to someone, and hopefully in a non-threating way. And I pray that they've learned to love one another, and from that learn to love everyone (definetly still working on that one). And also that if they put God #1 in their lives, everything else will work out. And that God has a plan for them, and good things await them if they seek after Him. And that true faith is evidenced by fruit and actions in our lives. And did I mention that GOD loves THEM and they are so extremely valuable and important to Him. And that sometimes living for God isn't always easy, but it's always worth it. And how to break through the spiritual highs into a spiritual life. And above all of these things. I pray,... that more than anything I've spoken,...that they would come to know God's love, and that my actions here have spoken much louder than any sermon or message or lesson or whatever I may ever speak.

Lord let it be. Pour your love into the lives of these youth. That they would come to know you and love you with a passion they cannot even begin to imagine. And God, from there, I ask that you would take care of the rest. Amen.

The wonders of wireless

2005-11-29T15:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm sitting in the front seat of the ambulance parked in front of our bay door posting. "How is he doing this?" You may ask yourself. Well, I was sitting in my room, and my little wireless signal thingy at the bottom of my screen started flashing a little, so I clicked on it curiously. Turns out, there is a wireless router somewhere within range of our station (station 3 that is), and I can hook up into it. Not sure who's it is, but I appreciate them sharing. Maybe that's bad, but I'm not charging them anything extra, and I'm not looking at anything inappropriate or nothing, just checking email, looking at blogs, updating my fantasy football, and buying a book or two off of Ebay. So, I don't necesarilly feel bad about borrowing their signal. However, it doesn't work in the station, so I have to sit out in the ambulance so I don't freeze my little hiny off. Yes, it's very cold here. For those of you in AZ and FL, it snowed here yesterday. Not the 6 feet that they got in western KS, but about 1/2". Just enough to stick. It was kinda nice, but very cold.

Kathleen. Lets see...out of the last 5 days, that would be (24x5)=120 hours, I have had 35 hours off. That means I've worked (120-35)=85 hours. And you wonder why I haven't updated. My life has consisted of work and nothing more. Unless you want to hear gross stories??? Not really, they were fun to tell at first, but not really anymore. Oh, I guess I could be making my mom a blog now...hmmm....she would probably like that. OK...Oh, one nice thing...It is now 2:30, and we haven't had one emergency call in the entire county! Not even a hospital transfer! Crazy...we'll see how long it lasts.

Thanksgiving

2005-11-24T23:01:00.000-05:00

Psalm 100:4-5

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
and His truth endures to all generations.

*This was copyposted from Angie's blog which was copyposted from Da Book*

But very well put and a great expression of God's goodness written a LONG time ago, and guess what, it's still true today.

JC'sghost

2005-11-23T14:22:00.000-05:00

Leadership is Servanthood

2005-11-23T14:00:00.000-05:00

James 5:1-4

"And now, a word to you who are elders in the curch. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share his glory and his honor when he returns. As a fellow elder, this is my appeal to you: Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly---not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them BY YOUR GOOD EXAMPLE. And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor."

One passage that speaks of my favorite quote ever

Bill Hudson "Leadership is Servanthood"

This is too funny

2005-11-20T00:52:00.000-05:00

You have to check this out.

We had a guy go to our youth blog and start commenting odd things I at first assumed to be him simply having fun, so I just deleted his comments...Well, he kept comming back, so I responded (you can check out the whole, or at least what I didn't delete on our youth blog (XF)). Well, I clicked on his comment to check out his blog, as I have done occasionally, and he copied and pasted my entire repsonse. He did this thinking he would be victorious and get a good laugh, but what he unknowingly did was present the gospel to everyone of his friends unknowingly! It's awesome. I'm not sure if God will do anything with it or not, but that's not my responsibility. One thing I learned from our conference from a passage in Acts was to simply make ourselves available, listen, and then preach Jesus. From there, it's not our responsibility how they will respond. It's between them and God at that point. You'll have to check this out. Here's the link.

HOWEVER, I DO NOT ADVISE EVERYONE TO CHECK INTO THIS AS HE HAS SOME NOT SO WHOLESOME THINGS THERE (as is his right). THAT'S MY DISCLAIMER, CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED.

http://weddingparty05.blogspot.com/

You can also simply check out the youth blog for the conversation, and just know that he copied the whole thing (prior to "he rose again? Holy crap?!?...) to his blog, and unbelievers will inevitably read it.

Lord I know you work in mysterious ways. Things far beyond our comprehension.
I ask that you would use this mans fun to slap the devil in the face, and work in a mighty way. I ask father that you would give me wisdom in the things to say, and open his heart, as well as every other person who reads his post, and convict them of their need for you. Let it be.

Foozball

2005-11-19T19:30:00.000-05:00

We played football with all the boys today. It was fun, but it's been WAY too long, and now that I've stuffed my face with porkchops that I made (yes, I cooked, and it was pretty good too. Ask Chris, he had some...alright, it was alright. I marinaded (sp) them in a zesty herb marinade, then I cooked them in a skillet and covered it so it kept the moisture in, then I added a little country bob's all purpose sauce, and then a added parmesian cheese (that was only on one of them though, and it was the best)(that was a lot of parentheses inside of parentheses, but I'm done with them now) I'm way tired. Thus, the short post. I'm kinda stoked that I get to lead worship again tomorrow, and Jubilee is going to be singing with me...she's got some majorly phat harmonies...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ezekiels Love

2005-11-17T22:12:00.000-05:00

Lie down on your side for 390 days. Then flip to the other side for 40 days. Demonstrate play seiges in the dirt with bricks and your hair, and let everyone see you as a fool. Cook your food using human dung...ok, only animal dung. You may not leave your home unless I say, and you will be unable to speak lest I loose your tongue to speak my words. If you fail to repeat what told, you will be held accountable for the blood of many wicked men. (and that's just the beginning)

You know, that doesn't exactly sound like a great time to me. Especially the part about not talking...I know, you all thought I was going to say the dung...lol. Anyway, that was no party that Ezekiel was going through, but at the same time, look at the benefit he received. He was in direct contact with the Heavenly Father. I think that's the only way he could possibly complete what God required of him. The fact that it wasn't him, but God in Him allowing Him to make it through and maintain sanity and peace through it all.

We all have moments in our lives, where we can feel God's presence and peace in us, and around our circumstances. It's in those times, that it makes no difference what's happening, just to feel God that near means that everything is alright. The world as we know it could come crashing down around us, or even worse girls, you could break a nail, or a boy could ignore you or something ( I know those things are just devastating and it's only by the grace of God that you ever make it through...Oh boy, I'm in deep dung now!), and if we know and feel God right there by our side, it makes no difference. I've been in that place, and it really brings to light what you live for.

Ever been in love? You know what that feels like...you would quit your job and move across the world to be right next to the one you love. You would climb the highest mountain etc...You all know what I'm talking about. Cause when you're right next to that person, holding them tight as the cold winds blow against you, nothing else matters. Nothing could shake you cause you have everything you've ever needed in life. To love and be loved in return.

It's the same with God only a billion times better. It's his love, his presence that allowed Ezekiel to endure physically unbearable things, plus the mocking of foolish, wicked people (talk about adding insult to injury). It's his love that allows us to hold it together when everything seems to be falling apart.

When you're in that place. When for some unthinkable reason, the maker of the universe decides to pour his favor and presence out on a nobody sinner like you and I, that the world is made complete. You see, we only experience a slight sliver of his presence, even in the greatest spiritual high, otherwise we'd surely die. But even that miniscual dose, we realize that His love is all that matters.

It finally puts heaven into perspective. It makes it slightly possible to understand how we can't understand heaven. Because we can't fathom what it would be like to experience God's love and presence in its fullness, so thus we can't fathom how good heaven truly is.

I know when we're in that place, experiencing God's love and presence on us, that it's truly euphoric. And even to lose just a slight feeling of that leaves us desperately reaching, searching, scraping to find anything we can do to feel His presence, His goodness once again. It's like watching your spouse or the love of your life get on an airplane and fly away to a distant land. You would do whatever it takes to keep her with you, to feel her warmth by your side, but there's nothing you can do. In the end it's her decision. We're hopeless. There is nothing we can really do. If God chooses to bless us and draw near, he will. There is no secret spiritual activity, there is no magic prayer. All we can do is obey, do what we always do in drawing as near as we can (prayer, worship, and reading his love letter to us), and then wait for the Father to sneak up behind us and wrap us in his arms. And in his loving embrace, we melt and all the world fades away...
Yeah, it's kinda like that

Last Post

2005-11-17T14:44:00.000-05:00

After re-reading that post, I realize it came across pretty somber. That's not the way I feel about it...In fact, I'm extremely excited to hear what God is going to do, I just worry a little. That's all...

Great, now they're (being my family) going to read this, and think..."oh that Luke. He's just a big softy." Geez...I can hear it now...

Remember mom, "I worked in housewares...the manly section...you know the George Foreman Grills..."

LOL! The rest of you don't know how funny that really is...

Rom. 8:7

2005-11-17T11:07:00.000-05:00

Yeah, so I was talking with my brothers the other day, and got pretty sad. Micah and Chrissy leave for Ecuador on Dec. 1st for 3 months, and then they come back for six months to have the baby and sell everything, and then they go back to Manta to stay and live and to plant a church. Then, I was talking to David, and he was again sharing his desire for missions, and how the only thing really holding him back is insurance so he can get his medication and stuff. And although this may be holding him back for now (which is no doubt God waiting on the perfect timing), I have no doubt that God will grant his wish to preach the gospel in foreign lands. He was saying how he really has a burden for the people in Indonesia, and how needed the Gospel is there, and how Christians are being persecuted there and killed, but he's not worried cause God will take care of him, and how he wants to go there and see the dead brought back to life, and thousands of people saved because this girl they just beheaded for being a christian is walking around again preaching about Jesus and all. I thought it was a great desire and all, but really, I don't want any of my family to go anywhere. I remember when my parents went to Iraq...I was pretty worried about them. Yeah, I trusted God to take care of them, and He did, but it's still kinda freaky. They will continue to do short term missions like Iraq and Afghanistan and other places, and my other brothers will be off doing their things and preaching the Gospel and all. And yes, I'm glad for them and excited to see God use this whole family for his kingdom and his purpose, I just worry something might happen to them.
See, for me, I really wouldn't care if I went off somewhere and got killed for preaching about Jesus, but that's cause I'm not scared to die, and I know exactly what God has waiting for me on the other side, but it's just not that simple when it's your family instead. Well, I guess it is though. They have the same things waiting for them, if not better. I was reading Romans 8, and had been thinking about the snow the other day. You see, the snow is very pretty. Beautiful in fact! It's soft and pure and not one flake is or ever will be just like another. In all that beauty and amazement though, I was reminded of how cold it was too. It's the same thing with God. "And since we are his children, we will share his treasures---for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering."
If my parents and brothers and sisters are to go off and die for the sake of the Cross, that simply means that they will share in an even greater amount of God's glory. But yes, in sharing Christs' glory, we must also share in his suffering.

Take into consideration what that might look like in your life. It doesn't always mean we have to become martyrs. Sometimes it's harder to live for Jesus than it would be to die. Phil. 1:21 "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

X-Night Dreams

2005-11-15T17:50:00.000-05:00

I went to talk with Zach Daddy, the youth pastor of Wallula, today about this vision for X-Night. I wasn't sure if he would be as excited about it as I, but figured I'd talk to him...He was totally stoked! Not only to see it done, but to come along side and be part of the doing. He also understands this as not our thing, but God's thing to reach the youth of this community. Zach also has some connections with other churches that I don't, so he will start working around as well.

I have already checked into the price of the community center. It's very reasonable...we can get the whole thing for probably like $600 or so. I have also sent out an email to Jared Hall, the christian illusionist (www.JaredHall.com), to see if he is available to come in August...His calendar looks clear right now. Zach and I figured this would be an awesome way to kick off the school year, plus we won't be missing kids on vacation as well. So waiting on that response, plus cost.

Things that need to be done...
-Find bands (possibly Die to Self again...as one of the openers...)
I am going to check on Seventh Day Slumber, and some other awesome even bigger name bands...Kutless, TFK, whatever...I'm not sure (IF YOU HAVE IDEAS LET ME KNOW)
-Figure out cost for them
-Start getting the word out to the churches now!

Then---Have a planning meeting with all of the youth pastors saying this is what we want to do, this is the cost, these are how many volunteers we need etc...Get everyone on board, active and involved, and get rolling!

LORD, LET YOUR WILL BE DONE IN THIS. I KNOW THAT I AM NOT CAPABLE OF SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE, NOR ALL THE YOUTH PASTORS OF THIS AREA COMBINED. YOU ARE THE ONLY WHO CAN CHANGE THESE KIDS AND THIS CITY. LET YOUR WILL BE DONE. LAY OUT THE FOUNDATION OF THIS PROJECT, GUIDE THE FOOTWORK, AND EXCITE THE YOUTH.

Please pray that God would totally Rock Leavenworth!

ouhgaa...

2005-11-15T17:42:00.000-05:00

Why me?
What have I done to deserve Your love?
Am I not a sinner? Do I not break Your heart daily?
Yet You reveal Yourself to me. Yet You pour out love on me, You pour out Your favor on me
I am so unworthy, so undeserving. But that's according to Your plan, that You might be glorified.
How great are You Lord? How great are You Lord?
Words are not enough. Not enough to describe Your greatness, Your faithfullness.
We cannot even fathom it. We receive just a glimpse, and rejoice like heaven has come unto us, but it isn't even a speck of Your glory, of Your majesty.
How great are You Lord? How great are You Lord?
Your plan is worked out in our lives, and we strain so hard to understand. We question You. We second guess Your will, Your sovereignity, and then look back and understand Your faithfulness. The awesomeness of Your will, the complexity that we are uncapable of grasping. We look in retrospect and see, yet only in part, the mangificance of Your plans.
Why me? Why me?
I love You Father. All Your ways are perfect and good.
I fully trust in You, and offer my life, all I have into Your hands. To do with as You will, to take me where You will.
Thank You my God!

The first snow of the year

2005-11-15T11:02:00.000-05:00

It's hear...right now...I was just looking out our sliding glass door window, at our deck and over into the backyard, and then all of a sudden, it was there. And it didn't come very slowly either. It was like BAM! Instantly my view is clouded with a parade of large white flakes spinning around in every which direction. Then it hurried, and more and more fell, then it slowed to a soft peacefull downpour, then it rushed again in an effort to dominate all that is known as the ground, to cover, to attack, and then it eased it's rage. It goes on like this back and forth back and forth. And now I have to run the like 20 errands I have to do today.

The bad thing about public forums

2005-11-13T23:38:00.000-05:00

Sometimes there's things you want to vent, things you have questions about, but would not be wise to post. That's one great thing about the Father.

Lord thank you for listening. Give me wisdom and conviction in this.

Ugh...

2005-11-10T14:10:00.000-05:00

I've had the priveledge of having 3 days straight off since I took yesterday off...then, I go back to work Fri...then have 4 more days off! Isn't that sweet. This morning's been great. I've had the priveledge of relaying God's love through his word on some blogs, and getting some awesome stuff out of it myself (IE...Titus 3:4-5 "But then God our Savioor showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit" and 2Cor. 5:16-21 (THIS IS POWERFUL!) "So we have stopped evaluating others by what the world thinks about them. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being. How differently I think about him now! What this means is that those who beomce Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life begins! All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.")
I've also sat around and dreamed of great youth nights in Leavenworth with a thousand kids at the community center! That being all the youth of this whole area, and hundreds getting saved, and this town turning around while the youth revolt against Satan and the spirit of depression he has on this place, and the Spirit enciting revolution. It would be the event of the year...YOU CAN'T MISS IT!!!

Well, now that I'm done with that...Ugh...I've got to clean my room seriously badly (if that's incorrect grammer or english or whatever...Ben, I'm sorry), and do laundry like there's no tomorrow...But serioulsy, if there was no tomorrow, would I really do my laundry???

PipeDreams...

2005-11-10T14:04:00.000-05:00

Next X-Night...

Community Center...
Live Bands...
Movie Room...
Pool...
Jerod Hall magician guy...

Wallulla-ZachDaddy
LV Baptist-KentMeister
Fort LV-KevdaDemonKilla
Easton Methodist-DandaMan
more...

Lord let this vision be more than just pipe dreams. I ask that you would lay the foundation, and work out all the bugs...

R U excited??? I know I am!

Treason

2005-11-09T16:29:00.000-05:00

In regards to the last post...This is Treason by Kutless

It all starts here with my disgrace
I give You my life then I run in haste
In this false life something needs to give

CHORUS:
Tell me a reason why this isn't treason
Tell me, tell me I'm wrong
I swear I'm back but then it turns out it's only a season
So tell me, tell me I’m wrong

With my two lips I will praise You name
Then I turn around and only curse and blame
I give in strength is thin adding to my shame

Your blood it covered all of my sins
You changed a traitor into kin

In this false life something needs to give

Brand New Day

2005-11-09T10:40:00.000-05:00

I guess this will be one of those posts where I'm not sure what to write...I will probably describe some of the things that happened at Oasis over the weekend, but since I've told that story like 20 times already, I'm kinda weary of it...although it's still good. However, I did get some news last night from a friend that completely broke my heart...it involved some of our youth saying some things (jokingly in their mind), but they hurt someone pretty bad anyway...I was told this person would no longer come back because of the things said...

It wasn't even more than a week ago that our verse of the day came from James 1:26
"If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."

And James 3:2-11
"We all make mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enourmous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals and brids and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely my brothers and sisters, this is not right!"

I woke up this morning, and had a strong sense from God saying "My mercies are new every morning" That comes straight out of Lamentations 3:23 "Great is His faithfulness; His mercies are new every morning" I thought this sorta strange cause I guess one would normally get this sense after a seemingly rough day, and that wasn't the case...then I realized this wasn't necessarily for me. I am upset about what happened, and dissapointed, and extremely saddened, so just think about how much more this is heartbreaking to God. Listen to this...YOUR WORDS ARE VERY POWERFUL! I have warned some of you about this before, but now you can see it first hand. I am not sure what will happen in this situation, but there are ETERNAL consequences to our actions...think about that. Your words could have consequences on someone else eternally...they don't just effect you.
So, as disheartening as this news was, to hear God speak "My mercies are new every day"...in essence...You goofed it up yesterday, but that day is gone. Live today right. That doesn't mean you won't see the consequences of yesterdays actions (and yes, we will discuss that once I get ALL the facts), but it means that God is giving you a fresh start. And it's a good thing for all of us that he does, but that is no excuse to just say who cares then...if I'm going to screw it up, and He'll forgive me anyway, why try? Paul says in Romans 6:15-23 "So since God's grace has set us free from the law, does this mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his apporval. Thank God! ONCE YOU WERE SLAVES OF SIN, but now you have obeyed with all your heart the new teaching God has given you. Now you are free from sin, your old master, and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness.
I speak this way, using the illustration of slaves and masters, because it is easy to understand. Before, you let yourselves be lsaves of impurity and lawlesness. NOW YOU MUST CHOOSE TO BE SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS so that you will become holy.
In those days, when you were slaves of sin, you weren't concerned with doing what was right. And what was the result? It was not good, since now you are ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

I hope you guys understand this. I think paul puts it pretty plainly.
Throughout all of this we are told to controll our tongues, and no, it won't be easy. However, the more you focus on God and the spirit (ROM 8:5-7 "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those of you who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controlls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will."), the easier it becomes...and guess what...You have to make the choice to become a slave to righteousness, to the spirit, and to God. You can't be a slave to both. Our words can be used for God's purposes, to build eachother up and encourage one another and preach the good news, or they can be used for the Devils purposes, to steal, kill, and destroy. When you look at it like that, it makes you think much harder about what purpose your words are serving.

Your Grace is Enough

2005-11-04T14:41:00.000-05:00

This has been one of my favorite songs since I first heard it, and it's so true.
As you know, I've been on one of my busy runs, to where I haven't even really been able to update on here. Earlier this morning though, I was able to go to breakfast with Bob, and we had a great time just talking and laying out some pipedreams. It's funny because we're both so incredibly busy, that we get tired and it becomes a struggle just to keep up with all the things that need to be done today, let alone the things you'd like to do today. So, we sat, talked, and ate...we even sat and ate inside, regardless of the countless things we had to still get done before time runs out. And I know for me, somehow, in that time, the things I had to get done could wait, and didn't need to be on my mind. We then went back to his room so I could print something off for youth, and had a very small time of worship and prayer, and then went back to the day.

It was awesome though. It was so refreshing, and provided the clarity in my mind actually needed to accomplish anything. So I had this list of things to do before 3 today, and got a late start because of breakfast, but amazingly, I went home, started working on things immediately (while listening to ten sheckel shirt on my ipod), and am now finished, and have a whole hour and 20 min. before I have to start picking kids up for the conference. So, here I am updating my blog shortly, and then I will have the next hour or more to read God's word, and let him refresh me even more than he already has. He knows I'm going to need it for this weekend! LOL!

Anyway, God's grace really is enough. And once again, I am reminded of the importance of rest and refreshment, especially the kind that only my Father can provide.

I love you Lord, more than I could ever begin to speak. Your truth resounds deep in my soul, and refreshes my spirit. And your spirit leads me throughout this mess called life. Your grace is enough. To overcome my shortcomings, to bring peace to my chaos, and to constantly bring me closer to you. I love you. You are good.
Please show yourself to these kids as we separate ourselves from our familiar surroundings, and committ three days to fun and knowing you. Show yourself so bright, that we become blind to the pressures and attractions of this world, and love nothing but you. By the power of Your son, and the authority you have given us, I ask knowing that you will give anything we desire according to your will, that You come even stronger than we've been seeing you. That you would break through in a mighty way in our lives, revealing and forgiving sin, destroying shame, and burning your mark upon our hearts. That we would burn with passion to live for you, and that nothing else could ever take the place of you in our hearts. I love you Lord. Answer my prayers and change your people. In the name and power of Jesus, we agree.

XF

2005-11-04T09:17:00.000-05:00

Playin 'n the Dirt

2005-11-03T19:20:00.000-05:00

Alright, so a little while ago, I commented back to Kathleen about busy schedules...it hasn't gotten any better since then. The past six days straight have been go, go, go, non-stop. It's been good though, and it makes me realize the importance of that day of rest. Unfortunately with Oasis this weekend, and then right back to work on Mon, I don't see that break coming for quite a while. So I guess by the time I actually get to stop and breathe, it'll be Tues., and that'll be 10 days no stopping. Oh well, God's grace is enough.

So I'm still exhausted, and have to leave soon, but I'll shortly update on what I've been up to.

In referrence to the title, I was able to participate with the Leavenworth City Fire Dept. on my days off on Tues. and Thurs. (today) during their trench rescue training. They invited Leavenworth EMS to come, however I was the only one to go. It was better that way though, cause there honestly isn't much that can be done EMS wise until the patient is fully out of the trench, so I got to learn and train on a firefighting basis. All in all, it was really good. I learned a ton of cool info, and also got to know the guys on the dept. better. The asst. chief (who also vol. at my fire dept.) was out there watching everything, and talked to me a bit and was glad I came out. It turns out they will be re-opening their hiring process very soon, so I will be able to test with them soon, and I know they would really like to see me get hired on. However, that does bring up questions of where I might be in 6 months if Tempe starts their testing over again, and if I would be doing harm to LV's fire dept. by accepting a job and possibly leaving.So I have to figure out really what I'd like to do, and also what I see God doing. So, lots of questions, not many answers...I have some vague ideas of what I would like to do, of which I won't share on here, cause they are just ideas at the moment...

BTW, the trenches were about 12 feet deep, and 3-4 feet wide. It was a blast!

I had a cool experience at work the other day. Jon will be familiar with this cause he was involved. Anyway, I was at work and it was around 6 'o clock, and Jon called me from the church asking about something or other...I can't remember what it was now, and he tells me he's been feeling a little "blah" and has a headache, and got pummeled by a tree earlier in the day and all, and I'm talking with him. And before he hung up, I just got this sense to pray for him over the phone. That's not anything really out of the ordinary for me, except I was sitting up in our day room at work with my partner at the kitchen table not more than 3 feet away! I told Jon I wanted to pray for him and he agreed, and then I thought..."oh, this might be a little awkward." And sure enough, it was. I prayed for him anyway though. I can't say it was my best prayer, and I was absolutely feeling a little wierd, but a couple words managed to stumble out of my mouth in a somewhat prayerful fashion. I kinda hurried through it and then told Jon bye and hung up, and sat there wondering what would happen next.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the public service fields, I will simply tell you that they hold strongly to the separation of church and state. Meaning that the station is not really a "God friendly" place. I guess I usually am able to hold to my own beliefs and standards without really torquing anybody else off, but this was a little out there. I'm not sure how I would've faired if the other crew was in house at the time also...that would've made it even tougher, but I'm sure God woulda carried me through anyway.
So I called Jon back later, and was talking with him, and he also recognized how awkward that must've been, and I told him it was. Listen to this though. When I hung up with Jon the first time, my partner starts to speak...I sat there in our broken down 20 yr old chair wondering what was about to come flying my way, and she says something along the lines of how she admires my faith and so on and so on. Totally not what I was expecting. We ended up having a very good conversation about faith and God, and then it somehow morphed into relationships, and how faith is involved there, but the point is that God used that moment for some good. It was pretty cool.
You have to completely believe me when I say that I'm not sharing this out of pride or boasting or anything, cause if it wasn't for God in that moment, I totally woulda stuttered and mumbled my way through the whole thing, and left totally ashamed. I really am sharing this though because I want it to be an encouragement to you guys. Especially you youth bloggers out there who keep up with me. God is good and faithful. And he took a moment of pure awkwardness, and a little bit of faith, and turned it into something really good. I'm not saying my partner is ready to get saved, that would be far from it (she's very much into wicka and many other crazy new age things...very nice girl though...she cooks for me all the time), but I think God at least gave her something positive to look at in a "religion" she's seen a lot of hypocrisy in.

So, that's that...it's time for me to go again...

OH! Two more things...I have some prayer requests. A friend of mine at work is having a very tough time in his marriage. Please pray for him that God would heal it, and bring them both back to a relationship with Him.

Also, a very good friend of mine has come down with some skin problems, and she could really use some healing from that, and a time of relief from physical ailments.

If you could pray for these two things, it would be very much appreciated. Love you Guys.

Jonah's Prayer

2005-10-28T00:46:00.000-05:00

I cried to you in my distress
I called to you from the world of the dead
And you heard me, Lord you heard me

Cast down in ocean depths
Heart sank beneath the waves
Calling for your presence
You found me, Oh you found me

Beneath the waves, close to death
A noose of seaweed around my neck

Lord hear me, Oh hear me
Come find me, Lord find me
This song of praise, life offered up to you
To fulfill my vows and do your will
Spit me up, Spit me up
To dry ground, Your beach of love
Sands of grace

------------------------------------------

On another note, I just heard over my pager of an 18 yr old girl giving birth to a baby! The baby is breathing and fine, and the chord is still attached! Oh the miracle of life!

I tried to come up with the words to express my thankfullness to God for his goodness, but found myself lacking like never before. And there, in that moment, closing my eyes, I could feel and hear my spirit speaking in tongues the words I could not express.
That is honestly the first time in my life I've ever "heard/spoke" in tongues, and had absolutely no doubt that it was legit! Amazing! Hallelujah!

.............................................................

I couldn't finish this post last night. That was crazy! Lord you are astounding!

Good Times, Community, and Beer

2005-10-27T11:27:00.000-05:00

So, angie was wondering what I was doing up after midnight last night responding to her comment. So here it is. I confess. After youth, I was out with a couple of the other college group persons over at Marfields drinking. There you have it. Oh and I might as well bring yall down with me...Bob, EZ, Justin, Kim (she was drinking Dr. Pepper), and myself. Now you know it, we're all a bunch of alchies, and I better not be the only one at the AA meetings!

No, not really. We've been sorta making this effort to strive for community amongst ourselves. What I mean by that is become actively involved in eachothers lives, more than seeing eachother at church and College Group occasionally during the week.

So, we went over to marfields, which is an irish pub, and were hoping to get a bight to eat, have a beer or two, and just talk about what God's doing in our lives. And that's just what we did...minus the eating, cause their kitchen was closed. So anyway, we let Dave (the owner) pick the beer, and we all sat around having good times. Our conversation ranged from suicide, to living in community, to just what's going on in our lives. I was talking with Dave Griffith the other day, and he mentioned that we don't do enough together as believers just to have fun. Because no matter what we do, we will live as Christians, and be a light to those around us, so it really didn't matter what we did. He's making this push to organize a Texas Hold 'Em night down at the church...I laughed at first and told him it was a good pipe dream, but I think it might actually be a possibility. We'll see. So back to last night, we each had two beers, minus kim, and then we went over to taco bell for some comida (food in spanish, for all you unejimacated people), and continued to talk there. We had a really good time just hanging out and lovin on eachother, and I know some of us just needed to get out of the house.

Well, time to go buy rakes for our servant evangelism project today. You guys can pray that the kids will enjoy serving, and that people will be touched by God's love, and allow us to pray for them, and that God would answer those prayers.

Cya, LK

audioblogging!!!

2005-10-26T18:06:00.000-05:00

Renaissance Man

2005-10-26T11:55:00.000-05:00

That's me...the Renaissance Man. I've always heard this described as a good thing, but I'm not so sure. Pretty much my entire life, I've always been pretty good at well, pretty much everything, however not really good at well, anything. I remember hearing the term "renaissance man" probably my freshman year in highschool in english class, and identifying with the phrase. This coming from a guy who's always been somewhat athletic, somewhat intelligent, and pretty much have this idea that I can do or learn anything as long as I put my mind to it. And that being true, I find myself involved and interested in everything in life. Even at this point, as silly as this will sound, I still have dreams and tell myself that I could feasibly go on to play professional baseball, or be a poker pro, or a firefighter, or a youth pastor, or full time missions, or worship leader, or own my own business, or make a lot of extra cash in the real estate market, or do anything that catches my attention for a little bit. And what I find myself doing is somewhat chasing all of these dreams at the same time. I was talking with my mom on the phone yesterday, and I was telling her how I am always overcommitted, and how I'd like to eventually get free from that. For one thing, committing to everything else leaves little time to develop and maintain relationships, which is a neccessity, and it also leaves little time to actually make any progress on any of these things. I've come to the conclusion that maybe they misnamed the phrase.Instead of renaissance man, it should be the "ADD man" or an indecissive man, or something of the sort. Don't worry, I'm not going back on the ADD kick again. Actually what happened with that is I went to our county psychologist, cause I thought that's what you had to do, and then he said he wasn't sure...I could or couldn't have it, and then he referred me to my doctor. Well, I went to her and she wanted to do all the tests and crap over again, and I said forget it, I didn't have the time or willingness to do it all over again. One of the guys at work laughed when I told him that, and he said "see, you do have ADD" I laughed, but don't really care at this point. I think it's more of an inability to focus on one goal that drives me crazy, not neccessarily ADD. So back to my conversation with my mom. I was telling her that Bob and I were talking the other day about how much we could do for this youth group and this town if we were to both work full time together for the church. The possibilities would be endless. It got me thinking about Jesus sending the disciples out in pairs, and how much more effective they would be that way, than doing it alone, and how that was their sole purpose. To spread the gospel. Well, when you put it like that, it makes life much easier. But here we are with this multi-purpose life. Or at least in our minds. We have to get nice houses, and have a nice family, and drive nice cars, and that's just the material side of our "needs." What if we actually lived with our main priority being to spread the gospel. What would that mean in terms of actions in our lives? We all say that God is our #1 priority, but when it comes down to the priority list, he's generally #3 or #4, in terms of what to get done.
I was looking at a friend of a friends blog, about how his hobby was to create and shape environments and events for students based on missions, culture and service. How focused is that! That's freakin awesome. If I could be focused primarily on one thing. If that could be my hobby, I think I would be a lot more effective. I told my mom this on the phone "Each person has a limited amount of resources to expend. Whether they focus them all on one place, or spread them out over 50 things, there is only so much they can put out. " I find myself in that boat, spreading my finite resources over 50 things, making me effectively ineffective at really anything. Does this make sense to anyone?

I guess this is the question. What's your purpose? And do your actions agree with your words?

Casino!

2005-10-26T10:19:00.000-05:00

Ok, it really wasn't all that great. We got there around 4:00, ate at the buffet (yes, that was an incredible place...so much good food all in one place, and when you take one, another one appears...it's amazing. I was drooling going through the line...there's 5 different ethnic food areas and then 3 different salad bars and one huge dessert bar, and each one of these places is like 1/2 the size of my house!) So anyway, we ate at the buffet, and I ate so much that I got slightly physically ill. Really, I thought at one point I was going to throw up. So, I figured I won't be doing that anytime soon. However, once all of our stomach's settled down, we slowly drudged our drooping eyelids over to the gaming area. It really wasn't all that cool. They had a couple of tables, but mostly everything else was slots and video poker. I'm not really a slot or video poker person, so I went wandering off to find the Hold Em tables. What I found was lots and lots of old people sitting mesmorized in front of thousands of slot machines pressing buttons or pulling levers over and over totally oblivious to the world around them. When I was in the bathroom washing my hands, one man came over and started complaining about how he wasn't making any money. I told him he was in the wrong place to be doing that, and he sorta sneered at me and walked off. I thought everyone knew that all you do in casinos is donate your money to some sort of fund. Oh, I also found out that since this was a riverboat, it wasn't even the native american relief fund I'd be dontating to. It would be the rich white guy getting richer fund. That wasn't nearly as appealing to me. I found all the old people to be really sad though. I mean, how many life savings are thrown away in there every day? Seriously, they could be gambling away their grandkids college tuition or something. Oh well, I guess there wasn't much I could do about it. I also found out that I'm probably not the most fun person to go to a casino with. Mostly because I'm a tightwad, and I just wanted to watch everybody else throw their money away and hold onto my own. I finally found the hold em area and put my name on a list to play in a tournament or something at 7:00. They didn't explain anything about it very well at all. All I knew was that my name was on a list and I should be back there at 7. So I sat next one of my buddies from work, and threw a couple of bucks into a video poker machine. He sat next to me looking like one of the old people pushing buttons as fast as he could like the machine was going to run away if he didn't push them fast enough. I sat next to him deliberately talking to him more than playing the game to try and make my money last longer. When it was all said and done, I had won some money and lost some money, and wasn't sure where I was at. But then it was time to play hold em. The moment I'd been waiting for. I walked up to the hold em area counter and the man told me to go sit at table 9. I had seen $2-$5 no limit up above the tournament title, but wasn't sure what exactly that meant. I figured it was the blinds, but thought I guess that could've been the buy in also. Well, turns out that was the blinds, and the buy in was $100-$300 and it was a rebuy tournament! I sheepishly walked away knowing I only had like $80 or something, and didn't want any piece of that...at least not right now. And besides that, I would've been there for like 4 hours taking everyones money, and then all my coworkers would've had to wait on me, so you know, it was for them that I didn't play. yeah, yeah, yeah, sorta anti-climatic, I know...anyway, we eventually found everyone. One guy lost $40 another $10, my buddy mike actually came out $20 ahead, and I had lost $5. So we all piled back in the van and wandered all the way home. I think sometime I'll have to go on my own, so I can be my tightwad self and take my time, and play some cards or something without letting all my friends know I'm cheap. I really didn't even play much of anything there, and that's alright. I've got other things to throw my money away into. So that's that. Not a very spiritual post today, but you'll live.

Can someone tell my why that was funny?

2005-10-25T08:05:00.000-05:00

So worship on Sunday went really well. I'm really not sure of how it all sounded out there, but I know practice went really well, and I think it went well during the service. I know it went well for me, cause like I said earlier, I really just wanted to share my heart in worship with the Lord, and did I ever have a great time. God is so good and kind...and those words are so inadequate...I really can't express how thankful I am to Him for all He's done. I didn't get a chance to talk to our worship leader, but I will this week. I'm really not worried about it. Like most of you commented, I know God will allow me to use my heart in this matter in His time, and it may not even be as I see it, but that's ok.

Dave was telling me the other day about the VLI Worship leaders school thingy they're going to be doing in Colorado next year. I'm not sure if you have to complete VLI first or not, but I got all excited just listening about it...then I thought "I can't do that and firefighting..." So I agreed that God would just have to open and close doors where He would, and lead me to the place He has for me. I know sometimes it's tough waiting around for God's timing when all you want to do is His will, just ask my bro David about that. He's waited on God's timing for so long to fulfill His desires to do missions, and I know it's been hard on him, but when God's timing comes, it will all be perfect. So, I can trust in that, and trust that He will lead me where I will fit perfectly into His plan and His calling.

So back to sunday. If I haven't told you before, for some reason Dave (our pastor here) gets the biggest kick out of embarrasing me the best he can in front of the whole congregation. It's really not that uncommon for him to crack jokes at me in the middle of his sermons, or to use me as an example in front of everyone, or to make fun of me rolling my car, or whatever, the list goes on and on. Well, sunday somebody from the crowd yelled out "Hey, wasn't it Luke's birthday yesterday?" And I'm thinking "Why me?" (BTW, thank you to the Gilberts for having me over and feeding me, which you do all the time, and the cake and nice gifts. You guys are way too kind...and Thanks Doug for staying up and finishing that game even though I know you just wanted to crash out.) I had done such a good job of not letting anybody know, and keeping things on the down low. The Gilberts invited me over for some cake and food, and we just had a good time playing some cards and all (and yeah "We are the champions..."), and it was nice and small and quiet. Then this. So Dave says yes, and goes on for a little bit, and I'm shaking my head, and shrinking down in my chair, and he asks everyone if they want to see me get dunked in the baptism tank. I laughed thinking he was joking, and then everyone raised their hands and cheered, and I'm thinking "You're all crazy!" Then Dave kept saying come on, take off your shoes, and I'm shaking my head no, and still thinking he's joking, and he kept persisting! I was in shock! I really didn't want to "challenge" his authority in front of everyone, but I was still confused by his madness. Well, he kept on, so I finally agreed in totall confusion, and took off my shoes and started walking towards him. Then Big Ryan came running up like he was going to tackle me, and I had to hurry to get my cell phone and pager and wallet out before taking the plunge, and then they sorta pushed me in. I emerged from the water to hear everyone cheering, and I thought to myself "What's wrong with you people? Don't you know it's 35 degrees outside, and here I am in soaking wet jeans and a polo shirt?" (which is really dressing up for me) It was odd, and I wondered why I went along with Dave's goofy game, and then while I'm still standing there, He decided to say some nice things about us guys coming out here and blah blah blah...I think it was his attempt at redemption...but Dave...I know where you sleep...and someday, it'll come back to get you...Bob was nice enough to run out to my car where I fortunately had some extra clothes (because I'm messy and unorganized), and I got to change and dry off. I guess he does it cause I play along so nice, and really don't have any pride (cause I have no reason to), but this was just wierd. I think what I'll do is the next time Dave lets me preach on sunday, I'll make an example of him in how you reap what you sow, and also a lesson in humility. It'll be great. Anyway, I'm off to gamble away my 94 dollars later today...It's my way of giving back to the native american tribes for the horrible things "Americans" did to them back in the day...or something like that. God Bless "yall"

.......................................................................
I forgot to add this...
Last night at work, I was on the BLS truck. Which means that it's an ambulance with two EMT's rather than one EMT and one Medic. Well, when we have the proper staffing to have a BLS truck, that means that the BLS crew is always the last crew out unless it's transfer that meets basic BLS criteria. So anyway, we took two transfers earlier in the day, and that night I was supposed to have extrication training out our fire dept., but I wasn't going to be able to go cause I was at work. Well, my partner asked our supervisor if we could go, since it's in the county, and we were going to be last out anyway, and suprisingly, he said yes! So, we went out there and I got to use the jaws and cutters and spreaders and chizzles and air bags and cribbage and all that awesome stuff, and play for like two hours while getting paid. It was freakin awesome! ... there now I'm done...you can now return to your regular programming.

Lots and lots O pennies

2005-10-21T16:58:00.000-05:00

Alright, since I will be leagal soon, I started counting out my change bucket (also known as Lukes Hold'em bucket) so I can go to the casino and play some cards. I first had to go to the bank and get some coin rolls, cause I refuse to pay those stupid little machines 11 cents or so on to every dollar. Anyway, I got home, popped on my ipod, and listened to my praise and worship list while I counted quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies until my fingers would seemingly fall off. First let me tell you of the wonders of technology...it is a wonderful thing. As much as I say I would like to go back to the days of hunting and gathering, where there's no such thing as bills and fuel for your ride wasn't $2.89 gallon cause it grew outside your little hut door...as much as that would be nice, I would have to have my ipod with me. Wonderful little gadgets they are. My ipod has 20 gigs, and currently has about 1500 songs (about 500 of which are rap...and that's cool and all, but when I put it on random that's about all that comes up), and could probably hold another 1000 or more. So anyway, I started off with Chris Tomlin (yeah, he rocks), and eventually it got through a couple ATS worship songs, and then to Delirious' live in the can cd. So I'm sitting here,...yes, still counting coins...worshiping as I go along, and I start to get this ancy feeling. And as delirious continued to play, and eventually (cause it's a live concert recording) one of the guys starts to sorta pray over the crowd and that generation, and the further and further he gets, the crowd gets with him more and more, and then slowly he starts to really enunciate the endings of his words. So I'm still listening and counting, and he goes on about how we are the lighT of the worlD, and a city on a hill cannoT be hiddeN, and how we should leT our lighT shiNe before meN, and jusT as someone would noT lighT a LamP and cover it with a bowl..., and about this time I have to pull my headphones out and clean the spit out of my ears, and I was slightly annoyed by the sort show he seemed to be putting on, cause I know there's no way this guy prays like this. However, I eventually got over it and continued to listen to Delirious live in England somewhere from the middle of my bedroom floor, and I could hear the crowd praying in the background, and I started to remember some of the awesome conferences I've been to, where God poured out his spirit, and everyone in the room couldn't help but fall to their knees, and I really began to get tired of regular old life. This urge to do more with my life grew inside of me...this desire to be used by God, and give praise and glory to his name just wouldn't subside. Those of you who know me well, know the passion I have for worship. I would honestly rather be a worship pastor than a youth pastor. I love them both, but my heart is really in worship. And my heart began to cry out to God to be used like that. I've always dreamed big, so this wasn't the first time I've closed my eyes and envisioned myself leading worship at some big concert or conference with thousands of people, and I know it sounds vein, but if I could do it and be invisible or have a mask that would be great. I really don't care. It's worship! It's all for Him! Whether it sounds like a selfish thing or not, God knows my heart, whether or not I can describe it in words. But anyway, so I sat there, still counting and worshiping, and I prayed that God would take my love of music and specifically worship, and use it for him. I really don't have to do it at some conference, or anything like that. Wherever he would have me is fine, but as long as I get to use the gifts he's given me.
I get kinda frustrated here sometimes cause I really don't get the opportunity to lead all that much. I've given up at youth so we can develop an actuall youth band (which is coming along nicely), and I hardly ever get to lead on Sundays because of some reason or another...and yes, I've talked to our worship pastor a little about it, and haven't gotten very far...I'll probably talk to him again, and tell him how much I really want to do this, and hopefully he'll understand. I really haven't made much of a fuss about it cause it's worship, and I can do that whether I lead or not, but it's been almost 2 years now, and I've probably gotten to lead maybe 4 or 5 times, and I feel like I might be letting that gift sorta get rough around the edges. If you don't use it, you lose it. But, I get to lead this sunday which is cool. I sometimes get worried about how it will come through (I never used to worry about that, but it seems the less I do it, the less confident I become), but all I want to do this sunday is to let my heart of worship be expressed to the Father, and I really think everything else will fall in place. And if not, it doesn't matter, it won't change my heart in the matter.

So, I've sorta dragged this out...it was supposed to be about how I want God to allow me to use my heart for worship, and how I have a lot of pennies...1173 to be exact...that's a lot of pennies...took quite a while to count it all, but I have 94 dollars and some add cents in that bucket...Adios.

Memories and Inspiration

2005-10-18T19:29:00.000-05:00

I was reading Ben's blog recently of his memories from a first year teacher and some of the very interesting things that occured in the time (and yes Ben, it's purely miraculous you didn't get fired), and it got me thinking of some of my own. Somehow, Ben has this amazing way of taking words and giving them life so the reader gets lost in mystery and amazement and all things receive new meaning. I guess that's part of the power of being an english major. Anyway, if you haven't checked out his blog, you simply must. What you'll find there is mystical and magical, words float around like clouds and stars in the back of my dad's pickup on a cool Arizona night...and let me tell you, there isn't much that beats that. Some of my favorite memories are sitting back there on the way home from a road trip, just letting the wind whip through my hair as the pale moonlight creates a slight glow on the back of my eyelids. I can recall those moments...often my dad would be flying down a dirt road on the side of a mountain, and at first I would be a little frightened by the several hundred foot drop that sat a mere foot or two away from our tires edge, eventually though it would all fade and I would come to trust that dad knew what he was doing and wouldn't let anything happen to his kids. So I would lie back there and watch the sky and for that hour or two, nothing in the world could be more peaceful, nothing could be more magical. Even jotting down memories from the past takes me back, and I can feel my body relax as all my cares fade away. That's a feeling I miss. It reminds me of home, the family, trusting that all will be fine. There isn't much that can take me back to that magical feeling, but somehow Ben has a way of doing it. I can read his blog and get lost in the magic of words, and suddenly life is no longer busy all the time full of schedules and hardships. Somehow life changes amidst that page, while words dance around and capture you in a spell...I eventually wake up and come back to reality, but there's always a part of me that agrees that life should be mystical, that there's beauty in the mystery, and the only way to experience all the many wonderful hidden things is to let go and let God take the wheel. And much like my dad, trust that He won't let anything bad happen to his kids. So Ben, thanks for being inspirational and putting some of the magic back into life, thanks Dad for being such a great father and friend, and thank you Lord for always being there for me.

Deep theology and deep confusion

2005-10-17T00:44:00.000-05:00

Bob got back tonight, good onya mate, it was good to hang with you for a bit, and once again we were up in his room late just hangin and chattin. We always seem to get to the somewhat less definite areas of the Bible, and how we should live according to God's word, but what wonder what that means in some regards...Anyway, we always ask a question, and that leads to another question, and that to another, and in the end, more questions than we started with, and even less answers...not that it gets me to questioning my faith, or even what I might tend to believe myself in the lesser defined area's (I generally just can't manage to explain why), it only leaves me with this comprehension of how little I actually comprehend, and how that leaves me even more and more dependent upon God's daily revelation of His word in my life, and a sense of desparation whenever I get this faint notion that I can do something on my own and thus without God. He's amazing. That's all there is too it. I don't understand Him, not even in the slightest bit. I know portions of His word and can somewhat experience His love, but that doesn't mean I understand...there might be times when I think I do, but seriously, can we even begin to think on the same level as the Father? Really...there's no way, even as we revel in our proudest moments of human high fallutin wisdom, God must just chuckle and think they're so simple, yet I love them still.
So, it's late, and this was probably more confusing, but it is all out of a yearning in my heart to know the Father more.

Reveal Yourself to me Lord. I need You so very much. I understand nothing, and You have abundant stores of wisdom. Pour that out on me, not so I can gloat in it, but that I can know You more. Come and consume every part of my life. Let my mind dwell and be controlled by the spirit, as Your heart conquers mine. Holy fire burn away. You're the only thing that satisfies, everything else is trivial and meaningless. My heart literally burns for you (unless that's the chili I ate). I have to have more, I want You to take controll, You have to, for the sake of Your kingdom, and the sake of Your people who You have chosen me to lead. Who am I to lead? What have I done to make me deserving of such a task? Only made a mockery of Your name and shown my innadequacy even more. But You are faithful and good. You turn winter into spring, and make this cold heart grow. You take this weak body, this feable mind, and bring glory to Your name, and healing to Your people. It is true. Your power is shown magnificantly through my weakness. Your grace covers my downfalls. It is You, only You. I live for nothing else. There's nothing else that can fill the void, nothing to quench the fire. So have Your way. Let Your desires become my own, Your love overflow through me. Break down any pride and stubborness, any feeling of honor, and let me live to glorify You forevermore.

Tonight and Tomorrow

2005-09-30T23:48:00.000-05:00

College group was great tonight. We went to marfields and ate, and then over to Tara's place and hung out and had some great discussion...and we definetly follow our motto of leaving the mask at the door, and no conversation taboo...it was good though, I think God can really use this in all of our lives to bring about his truth to the things we have questions for in our lives...and that doesn't neccesarily (sp) mean that we will agree on everything, or get definate answers to anything, but we're going to do our best to seek it out in God's word, and build eachother up, and all together, draw closer to God in each of our lives. I think it's also cool, cause we've got some people who haven't been engrained in the "religious culture", and are very good about being real, and it's healthy for our group, and it also brings about very good questions and conversation as well. Anyway, that was tonight. Please pray for our group that God will do whatever He wants with us, and also pray for next Fri. night as we discuss the Bible and history, it's authenticity and translations, and it's relevance today.

Also, tomorrow is our youth group servant evangelism project, "Christ Car Wash". Please pray that God will minister to our youth, and the people we are serving. I've never done this before, or really even seen it done the way we are going to do it, so your prayers would be appreciated. Just to let you know also, we will be asking everyone whos car we wash if they have anything we can pray about for them, and either pray for them there, and/or write it down and pray for them later. So you can pray for effectiveness in that.

Adios, LK

hmmm...

2005-09-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a while, because well, not much has been going on....
Jube is quitting smoking...4 Days without a smoke!!! Yeah!!!
We went out for ice cream last night after youth in celebration.
While we waited though, Bob started playing the piano, and then Jube started playing the elec. guitar, and I couldn't help but pick up an acoustic, and then we had this awesome spontaneous worship/prayer experience where we all just sorta rotated around who was leading, and the others followed, and no on had to say a word. It was really cool. I told Bob and Jube that next time I get the opportunity to lead on a Sun morning, we would have to do that for worship. Just let everybody sorta pray and fellowship and worship all at the same time, I think it would be dope...If God decides to show up, otherwise it would suck. So God, if we get the chance, please show up and soke us with your presence.

Hurricane Rita

2005-09-22T00:21:00.000-05:00

So this is the newest one coming around...supposed to hit galveston TX on Sat...as a level 5!!!! That's really bad! Not sure what's going to come of all this stuff, or if God's up to something...I know I'd be hesitant to let refugees come to my state since hurricanes seem to be following...that's really bad...and not true at all, but somewhat ironic....Not sure what this means for me to go somewhere...Still waiting...I hate waiting...I can be patient with people, very much so, but not with situations at all. Well, that's that.

Luke 6:46-49

2005-09-20T10:03:00.000-05:00

"So why do you call me Lord when you won't obey me? I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then obeys me. It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."

Or someone who builds a city under sea level...

I had a pretty cool dream last night that just confirmed something God spoke to me a while back, that being that he would be with me wherever I go (which I firmly believe is a promise for all of us), and then this is what I read this morning.

Lord help me to listen and obey, that my life would be built upon You. The only thing that doesn't change, that doesn't fade away. My hope is in You. Let all my plans and decisions be guided by Your hand, and that it would all be for Your glory.

Overdue

2005-09-19T13:35:00.000-05:00

I guess it's been a little while since I let ya'll know what's happenin huh. Jason's computer had a bug in it, and we couldn't get on the internet for a bit, but I bought a laptop a couple of days ago, and got it all hooked up for wireless internet, so I have a lot more accessability to the web now. So, the latest news on going down south...
The Red Cross called me on Thur. asking me to go to Montegomery AL for a bit, and then I might be dispatched eslewhere from there, and they wanted me to leave on Fri. Well, the most recent thing that's been going on with this whole deal is really good news. I chose not to go with the Red Cross. I know you're all flabergasted because I talked so much about it, and really wanted to go, but here's why. Leavenworth County finally decided they were going to try and do something to help as well. It took the county a little while to get on the ball, but they finally conceded. What's going on is Leavenworth County joined up with 3 other counties around the area to assemble what we call a unified response and recovery team of KS. There will be several teams of people from all 4 counties that will be sent to the communities directly affected by the disaster, to help rebuild the community. We will be sending everything from logistics and payroll people to EMS, Police, and the people that work at the County Shop doing whatever it is they do...I think they're general maintenance fix everything kinda folk. Anyway, what this means for me is by choosing to go with the county instead of the Red Cross, I won't loose 3 weeks pay, I won't have to cover the costs of my own health ins. for 3 weeks, and I'll be getting paid by the county with an end result of making more than I would in the normal 18 days (that's how long we'll be gone with the county). What this means is my bank won't feel the $2500 loss it would've cost me to go with the Red Cross. That sounds like a lot, and that is a lot to me, but if the county wasn't going, I was going to go one way or another. I think the experience would've been well worth the cost, and the opportunity to speak with, and share God's love with that many people in desperate need of hope is priceless. Now, praise God, I'll be able to do it and get paid at the same time. The only bad part is, it means more waiting. I guess I've been doing that for about 3 weeks now anyway, what's a couple more? So, that's that.

What's up with me...
Believe it or not, my life doesn't actually revolve around this trip right now. I still go to work every day, or not really, but every day I'm supposed to, I still have everything else to keep up with, at church especially, and most importantly, I have my relationship with God to keep growing in...most of the time. I've had to work the past two sundays, and the past 3 wed's also, so I will finally be back at youth this week, and then I have two more sunday's I'll be out from church. (one was because I hit a deer on I-70 with an ambulance at 70 mph, and I had to fill out tons of paperwork, and take a pee test to make sure I wasn't on drugs or alchohol, so I missed church that day). I'm very excited to get back to youth. I really really hate missing both youth and church. It really takes its toll on my spiritual life. I always just feel distant from God during those times, and it's very tough sometimes to push through anyway and keep moving forward. The past couple of weeks have been an example of that. It's sorta good and bad. It's bad because I feel distant from God, and it's good because it makes me so spiritually hungry, I could eat a spiritual cow...whatever that might look like...and it brings me to my knees and a place of dependency on God to work in me, whereas at other points I seem to get comfortable in my walk and things become routine instead of relationship...I think you know what I mean. So when people talk about the Christian life being a rollercoaster, I totally know what they mean. Not that these are huge mountains to climb or anything, just that it's almost cyclistic. So, the past week I've been really hungering for God, but seemingly unable to reach Him. I would sit down and read my Bible, and where I normally eat it all up, instead would feel like I'm getting nothing out of it, and just reading it for the sake of saying to myself that I read my Bible consistently, which unfortunately Isn't always the case. But it's been good. Take for instance a forest. A forest can grow thicker and thicker, until it has no room to grow, and in some ways it becomes unhealthy for it. Then, a massive wildland fire sweeps through and destroys much of the trees. Well, this seems like a very bad thing for the forest, but it actually gives the forest more room to grow, and become healthier than it ever could've before. Romans 8:28 says "for we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." And I guess this is just an illustration of that, that God can even take spiritual dryness, and turn it into good.

So, I will hopefully get my blog fixed up again, that will be good, and then I have to keep updating the youth blog as well...I better, since that's the reason I deleted mine.

Lousianna update

2005-09-06T22:36:00.000-05:00

Still no call from the Red Cross. So, whenever they call and let me know, I'll have flight info and all. I'll make sure to let you all know when I find out. I did find out however, that our county Emergency Operations Control is going to be sending a group of people with Johnson and Wyandott Counties, for a couple of weeks, and in doing so, the people that will go should be reimbursed by the county for lost wages etc... However, I would have to go with my fire dept. because our EMS people are butts, and not willing to send anyway...go figure. I also talked with the director of EMS, and although I thought she would be much wiser as to not give my job away while I'm gone for the sake of how terrible it is, she actually said the same thing...no guarantees. Anyway, it's way past bed time, and I'm not even gonna swet it. I know I'm going to get to go with someone, it's just a matter of who, when, where, and how long. So, good night to all, and to all a good night...one more thing...I don't recommend deleting your blogs.

Oops.

2005-09-06T22:33:00.000-05:00

I accidentally deleted my blog...I'll catch up eventually though...If all of you could put a quick comment so I can connect to your blog, and get my links list up again. Adios, LK