It's that time again... time for: Nate writes a blog because he can't sleep again.
I am going to camp tomorrow! going to camp brings me joy. I am going to be there until Thursday, which is when I have my dentist appointment in Caddy. Then I will be returning for the zombie walk, which will be a good time. Then back to the apartment, where we are having like 10 people spending the night... I guess we'll have to blow up the air mattress... haha
My good friend Tyler Racey posted a blog on xanga, so I read it, and then I remembered that I used to have a xanga. So I read all my old posts (all like 6 of them). That was pretty interesting. Then I remembered I had an old Livejournal account that I used before that. So I read a bunch of those, and I teared up a little. Just looking at all of those friendships that I have drifted away from; it made me kinda sad. I guess that's how life works though, you move on. At least I have a couple HS friendships that I have held on to, I am thankful for that. There was one point right after I graduated where did one of those survey things. This one in particular had you think of 20 people and write down something you wanted to tell them but couldn't/wouldn't... or just how you felt about them... and the catch was you didn't say who you were talking about/to. Sadly, today, I could only identified half of them. That means I don't even remember how I felt about people. Thats how far behind me my highschool mindset is. I don't know how I feel about that. you move on.
My HS marching band is going to state this weekend! GO RP!
They have been owning the competition this year, but the competition has been edging closer every competition, so we shall see. It should prove to be a close competition.
Why I do youth ministry
I was sittin in my interview a few weeks ago and she asked me why I want to work with youth. Lots of people just give the answer: because it's what I feel passionate about. I am sure, in most cases, that it is a true answer. What I have come to find in life is that God doesn't just randomly give you a passion for something (maybe in rare instances... cuz God does whatever he wants), rather, He allows certain things to take place in your life that cause you to have that passion. There is always a reason, but it may take some digging to find it. When asked, why youth ministry? many people say that it's because of an adult in their life, when they were a student, that cared for them and changed them. Interestingly, my story is quite the opposite. I have seen what such a relationship does for a student, but as a student, I didn't really have that experience. Outside of my home (and I say that because I couldn't ask for better parents, I want to make that clear), I never had that guy who would ask me how my walk with the Lord was going, or take me out for coffee and just talk about life. I think that is why I want to be that guy. That is the reason behind my passion. Have you ever thought about why you're passionate about something?
I'm going to try and sleep again.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Stalkers; the church and Tiger Woods church; and God supplies!
So, I was curious how many people read this thing so I put up a little hit counter -->
Apparently I have quite a few online stalkers. It's okay, don't feel any guilt if you are one, I invite people to read my thoughts. My blog is 2-fold in purpose; I want to let people know what is going on in my life because I am sure there are people that care. Secondly, I have thoughts that run around in my brain and if I don't write them down, I will lose them. These thoughts and ideas are often in their raw form and carry with them the current emotion I am dealing with at the time of the post (that's what makes it a blog, as opposed to a collection of essays). Please take note that because of the emotional aspect to the thoughts, it may be occasionally offensive to certain people. Not specific people mind you, but groups of people (I think you will find the group that most often should be offended by my thoughts is the church as is seen in American culture today).
That's my disclaimer.
If you would like to stay anonymous as a stalker that's cool, but I always am curious who reads these things, so give a shout out if you think of it!
on to today's post: two things
We talked a lot at the family ministries conference today about change and some very interesting things were said. Here is an interesting quote that I like a lot: "the worst enemy of being great is being good" let me explain. When you are good at something you tend to think that there is no reason to change the way you do it; why try to fix something that is good? Because it's not great! Here is an example from the world of sports: Tiger woods was good, he was really good, but he looked ahead and saw that he would not be able to achieve greatness unless he made some risky, revolutionary changes to his game. He decided to redesigned his swing (a decision that has hurt some golfers) and it paid off huge.
Sometimes we continue with status quo with our church programs, but we need to step back and say "this program works, it is good, but is there a revolutionary change we could try that could help us achieve greatness?". That is scary to do, especially for people who don't like change.
second thing
I just figured out my current finances. I worry everyday how I am going to come up with rent/loan-payment/utility-bill money, but at the same time I am so excited to see where God will come up with it! I know that God wants me where I am right now. People criticize me for not having a job or going to school right now, but this is where I am, and it's obvious that God wants me here. I have enough money to last me another week, what more could I ask for at the moment? You know, it's interesting. I asked God to put me in a situation where faith in Him was necessary for existence, well I got it, and I'm not regretting that request. I can't wait for Africa, where I'm confident that God's answer to that request will become even more evident.
Apparently I have quite a few online stalkers. It's okay, don't feel any guilt if you are one, I invite people to read my thoughts. My blog is 2-fold in purpose; I want to let people know what is going on in my life because I am sure there are people that care. Secondly, I have thoughts that run around in my brain and if I don't write them down, I will lose them. These thoughts and ideas are often in their raw form and carry with them the current emotion I am dealing with at the time of the post (that's what makes it a blog, as opposed to a collection of essays). Please take note that because of the emotional aspect to the thoughts, it may be occasionally offensive to certain people. Not specific people mind you, but groups of people (I think you will find the group that most often should be offended by my thoughts is the church as is seen in American culture today).
That's my disclaimer.
If you would like to stay anonymous as a stalker that's cool, but I always am curious who reads these things, so give a shout out if you think of it!
on to today's post: two things
We talked a lot at the family ministries conference today about change and some very interesting things were said. Here is an interesting quote that I like a lot: "the worst enemy of being great is being good" let me explain. When you are good at something you tend to think that there is no reason to change the way you do it; why try to fix something that is good? Because it's not great! Here is an example from the world of sports: Tiger woods was good, he was really good, but he looked ahead and saw that he would not be able to achieve greatness unless he made some risky, revolutionary changes to his game. He decided to redesigned his swing (a decision that has hurt some golfers) and it paid off huge.
Sometimes we continue with status quo with our church programs, but we need to step back and say "this program works, it is good, but is there a revolutionary change we could try that could help us achieve greatness?". That is scary to do, especially for people who don't like change.
second thing
I just figured out my current finances. I worry everyday how I am going to come up with rent/loan-payment/utility-bill money, but at the same time I am so excited to see where God will come up with it! I know that God wants me where I am right now. People criticize me for not having a job or going to school right now, but this is where I am, and it's obvious that God wants me here. I have enough money to last me another week, what more could I ask for at the moment? You know, it's interesting. I asked God to put me in a situation where faith in Him was necessary for existence, well I got it, and I'm not regretting that request. I can't wait for Africa, where I'm confident that God's answer to that request will become even more evident.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Its a mental journey that never ends...
So I was thinking (which I do too much maybe... thinking that is), how weird it would be to go back 4 years and see what I was thinking then. I know one thing, it would look nothing like what it does now. Here is a list of a few of my thoughts of what my future would look like when I was 4 years younger than I am now:
I will be a veterinarian
I will have a large house with a white picket fence and a guest house out back
I will have a nice car
I will have a wife
I will have lots of kids
I would never work in full time ministry
I would never want to work with inner-city kids
homeless people scare me
I love America
I would never want to live outside of America
Yeah, so if you have been keeping up with my life, you can kinda see how much God has changed my views on life. I was pretty narrow minded in those days, and God has molded me his own way, whether its the way I wanted or not (almost in every sense, it was the opposite direction I was trying to go).
All of my life I have been planning my future. Apparently, all my life God has been steering me away from those plans. Right now, I am at a point in life where I am not comfortable. I am content with being uncomfortable though, but that doesn't mean I like it. I know now that nothing I had dreamed my life to be will become reality.
I was talking to a friend today and sharing my journey. She gave me some inspiring encouragement. She said (summarizing): Nate, whatever God has in store for you, you will grab on to it and do great things. Maybe you will never have a wife and kids, but how much more joy will be brought to your life when hundreds of people come to know Jesus because of what you have done!?
A truth that I must never forget...
This verse has been changing my life and will continue to do so forever:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6
I will be a veterinarian
I will have a large house with a white picket fence and a guest house out back
I will have a nice car
I will have a wife
I will have lots of kids
I would never work in full time ministry
I would never want to work with inner-city kids
homeless people scare me
I love America
I would never want to live outside of America
Yeah, so if you have been keeping up with my life, you can kinda see how much God has changed my views on life. I was pretty narrow minded in those days, and God has molded me his own way, whether its the way I wanted or not (almost in every sense, it was the opposite direction I was trying to go).
All of my life I have been planning my future. Apparently, all my life God has been steering me away from those plans. Right now, I am at a point in life where I am not comfortable. I am content with being uncomfortable though, but that doesn't mean I like it. I know now that nothing I had dreamed my life to be will become reality.
I was talking to a friend today and sharing my journey. She gave me some inspiring encouragement. She said (summarizing): Nate, whatever God has in store for you, you will grab on to it and do great things. Maybe you will never have a wife and kids, but how much more joy will be brought to your life when hundreds of people come to know Jesus because of what you have done!?
A truth that I must never forget...
This verse has been changing my life and will continue to do so forever:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Joy of Victory Requires Resistance
Its been a little while since I wrote something.
This weekend was sooo good! It started early, Thursday that is. Mike Carpenter and Casey Butler came to stay over! So the first night we ended up staying up till 4am talking about various things, mostly theological and also telling stories of spiritual warfare.
Side Note:
Lots of people don't believe that angels and demons participate in our everyday lives, but let me tell you this: If there is not serious spiritual warfare going on around you, I am led to question if you are truly following Jesus. If there's not, and you are truly following Him, then you are very blessed. I like to use evident spiritual warfare as a measurement of if I'm doing the right thing. If God is using me to advance His kingdom in huge ways, there will be huge resistance. God moved in HUGE ways this past summer, and let me tell you from personal experience, there was HUGE resistance. I have crazy stories if you ever want to hear them.
Back to the weekend:
It was just great to hang out with those guys. Patrick also stayed here quite a bit over the weekend, and provided much entertainment.
Sat night I went to the Jenison Marching Band Competition and it was sweet. Amy came with me cuz she felt bad that I was going to go alone...haha. We saw Cait there and sat next to her and her shores friends. Reeths-Puffer rocked the house (but what can I say, I'm REALLY biased). I quite enjoyed Jenison's show too, they have some work to do, but I hope they can bring to competition to state finals (what fun is a competition if no one is close to beating you?).
The Future:
My calling in life is becoming clear. Straingly, I think I knew it all along... I just didn't think I did for some reason.
Me and Mike Carpenter are both ticked off at the "church". I should say, what has become known as the "church" in our culture. Coincidentally, our skills and gifts fit together perfectly for Biblical church leadership. It's actually not a coincidence... I don't believe in coincidences. I believe in God's plan.
I know now that someday I will start a Biblical church with Mike Carpenter. For now, I wait patiently, prepare, and pray. I would appreciate your prayers for this. Like I was talking about above, by saying that I believe God is going to do huge things, I am proudly putting a big fat target on my chest. I will embrace my target, because if it wasn't there I must be going the wrong way.
In the meantime, I still lack a job, temporary direction, and a college degree; I would also appreciate your prayers on that.
This weekend was sooo good! It started early, Thursday that is. Mike Carpenter and Casey Butler came to stay over! So the first night we ended up staying up till 4am talking about various things, mostly theological and also telling stories of spiritual warfare.
Side Note:
Lots of people don't believe that angels and demons participate in our everyday lives, but let me tell you this: If there is not serious spiritual warfare going on around you, I am led to question if you are truly following Jesus. If there's not, and you are truly following Him, then you are very blessed. I like to use evident spiritual warfare as a measurement of if I'm doing the right thing. If God is using me to advance His kingdom in huge ways, there will be huge resistance. God moved in HUGE ways this past summer, and let me tell you from personal experience, there was HUGE resistance. I have crazy stories if you ever want to hear them.
Back to the weekend:
It was just great to hang out with those guys. Patrick also stayed here quite a bit over the weekend, and provided much entertainment.
Sat night I went to the Jenison Marching Band Competition and it was sweet. Amy came with me cuz she felt bad that I was going to go alone...haha. We saw Cait there and sat next to her and her shores friends. Reeths-Puffer rocked the house (but what can I say, I'm REALLY biased). I quite enjoyed Jenison's show too, they have some work to do, but I hope they can bring to competition to state finals (what fun is a competition if no one is close to beating you?).
The Future:
My calling in life is becoming clear. Straingly, I think I knew it all along... I just didn't think I did for some reason.
Me and Mike Carpenter are both ticked off at the "church". I should say, what has become known as the "church" in our culture. Coincidentally, our skills and gifts fit together perfectly for Biblical church leadership. It's actually not a coincidence... I don't believe in coincidences. I believe in God's plan.
I know now that someday I will start a Biblical church with Mike Carpenter. For now, I wait patiently, prepare, and pray. I would appreciate your prayers for this. Like I was talking about above, by saying that I believe God is going to do huge things, I am proudly putting a big fat target on my chest. I will embrace my target, because if it wasn't there I must be going the wrong way.
In the meantime, I still lack a job, temporary direction, and a college degree; I would also appreciate your prayers on that.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Its a pretty good day
So, no deep thoughts right now, just news in Nate's life
Casey Butler is coming today!!! oh yeah... life is good.
Mike Carpenter might come today!! its like a party
I'm hungry
I bought a pinch of stock today. I don't really have any money to spend, but stock is SOO cheap right now, I couldn't resist. I just decided on an amount of money that I would be dissapointed, but not crushed, if I lost; then I bought as many shares as I could for that. It's like an experiment for me, I am very intrigued. So I will watch and wait... prolly for a really long time.
My super awesome shirt finally came today! it is my new favorite shirt.
but other things that I wanted in the mail havent come yet :-(
peace out
Casey Butler is coming today!!! oh yeah... life is good.
Mike Carpenter might come today!! its like a party
I'm hungry
I bought a pinch of stock today. I don't really have any money to spend, but stock is SOO cheap right now, I couldn't resist. I just decided on an amount of money that I would be dissapointed, but not crushed, if I lost; then I bought as many shares as I could for that. It's like an experiment for me, I am very intrigued. So I will watch and wait... prolly for a really long time.
My super awesome shirt finally came today! it is my new favorite shirt.
but other things that I wanted in the mail havent come yet :-(
peace out
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sharing, and Trials? bring it on!
I am still intrigued by the first church and their policy of sharing. It seems that, to them, following Jesus meant having no "personal" property, but rather sharing everything they had with the other believers. Homes, food, money, everything!
It seems like such a beautiful picture of what we are to look like as the Body of Christ. It says in Acts that no one in their church had ANY needs because they shared everything they had.
My question is, why don't we, the church, still live like that? It seemed to work well for them... maybe we should be taking notes.
Different train of thought:
Mike's blog got me thinking a little. The Bible is clear that trials bring learning among other good things. Have you ever asked God specifically for trials in your life so that you can learn? It goes against human nature in every way. I submit that this very request is something we should ask God for everyday. Lets face it, the trials are coming whether we want them here or not; so asking for them to come will create much more of a learning environment when they do come.
It seems like such a beautiful picture of what we are to look like as the Body of Christ. It says in Acts that no one in their church had ANY needs because they shared everything they had.
My question is, why don't we, the church, still live like that? It seemed to work well for them... maybe we should be taking notes.
Different train of thought:
Mike's blog got me thinking a little. The Bible is clear that trials bring learning among other good things. Have you ever asked God specifically for trials in your life so that you can learn? It goes against human nature in every way. I submit that this very request is something we should ask God for everyday. Lets face it, the trials are coming whether we want them here or not; so asking for them to come will create much more of a learning environment when they do come.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Confession of a Christian: Christians are dumb
welp, I haven't posted anything today so here we go. I promise it will be short, cuz its late and I'm tired!
It seems everyday I get more and more disturbed by Christians in America. A minister at a McCain rally today gave an invocation and said we should pray for McCain to win because every other major religion is praying for Obama to win. A minister? glad I don't attend that church. How about you don't say anything at all so that you stop making yourself sound dumb.
Again, I have not decided who I am voting for; but how about we stop praying for what WE want and start praying for what GOD wants. When did we start thinking that we got this figured out and we obviously need to inform God on the correct strategy here because He is unaware.
Lets stop proving to the rest of the world that we (Christians) are so wrapped up in ourselves and what we want. It's not about me, its not about you... and it's always about God.
I thought about putting that up on facebook, but I need to start not writing facebook notes when I'm tired... that way, more careful language can be chosen so I don't tick too many people off. not that I'm saying I don't truly believe what I said above even when I'm more awake... there's just a real good possibility I could say it in a more convincing, yet less angry manor. Ok, I'll stop explaining myself, I don't think I really need to here.
Peace out
It seems everyday I get more and more disturbed by Christians in America. A minister at a McCain rally today gave an invocation and said we should pray for McCain to win because every other major religion is praying for Obama to win. A minister? glad I don't attend that church. How about you don't say anything at all so that you stop making yourself sound dumb.
Again, I have not decided who I am voting for; but how about we stop praying for what WE want and start praying for what GOD wants. When did we start thinking that we got this figured out and we obviously need to inform God on the correct strategy here because He is unaware.
Lets stop proving to the rest of the world that we (Christians) are so wrapped up in ourselves and what we want. It's not about me, its not about you... and it's always about God.
I thought about putting that up on facebook, but I need to start not writing facebook notes when I'm tired... that way, more careful language can be chosen so I don't tick too many people off. not that I'm saying I don't truly believe what I said above even when I'm more awake... there's just a real good possibility I could say it in a more convincing, yet less angry manor. Ok, I'll stop explaining myself, I don't think I really need to here.
Peace out
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