During my last visit to my parents, I was on my computer and youtubing various videos of different worship songs. At one point in time, I put in “joyful joyful, we adore thee” and I found a version of that song done by a house of prayer in the United States. My mom and sister were in the room and they asked me to turn it up. So I did and just walked off and did some other things for a moment and just let the music fill the house. We all kind of started singing along.
I don’t know about anyone else, but there is just something about the hymns that just hit me every time. There is just soo much meat in them… I listen to some of the modern songs that are sung in a worship service and some of them just seem superficial and lacking any real substance. None the less, I’m sure those songs are ministering to someone somewhere.
But I got to thinking about the various music varieties and even the various sermon varieties out there. I know for myself, I like a healthy mix of both. There are times when in listening to music, I like the softer soaking genre and then there is the time when I’m looking for something more upbeat. Same goes with looking for a message or a sermon. There are times when I’m looking more for like a teaching one and then there’s the time when I’m looking for a really challenging message. One to really get me stirred up and ready to do something.
I find when going to minister somewhere that it’s vitally important to get the Lord’s heart for the people and not just something that YOU think is necessary. The Lord knows what His people need. When we minister out of what WE think is necessary, I can guarantee you it will most likely flop. Sometimes, the Lord puts a burden on your heart and it’s meant to just pray into it. It’s not something that is meant for corporate prayer at the time but it’s just a private thing right now.
Some like to just focus on repentance, which is necessary but that’s all they ever focus on. They never get anywhere else. They never mention about the life and power of the Holy Spirit and the grace that is given to succeed. Others just focus in on worship. Some are very strong in the Word but there is no life in it. Some are all just into the Holy Spirit but there is no grounding in the Word.
All in all, it’s vitally important to see what is on the Lord’s heart and receive from Him to give off to others.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Intimacy Factor
I have been in countless church services throughout my life. I grew up in the church. Mainly, the ‘charismatic/Pentecostal’ circles. So believe me when I say I have experienced many different things. I’ve been on foreign missions trips and ministered in various churches in the region where I currently live (Charlotte, NC) and growing up (Lancaster, PA). During these services, I’ve experienced some really awesome things like prodigals coming ‘back home’, the sick healed, the lost finding Jesus. I’ve experienced a lot of interesting ‘manifestations of the Holy Spirit’. Some quite bazaar to your natural mind. All that to say that I’ve been around the proverbial block.
And can you believe that all that stuff really doesn’t satisfy? I mean, all the above is really neat and interesting and it gives you some awesome stories to tell around the dinner table or some awesome conversation pieces. But I don’t think that when I stand before God on Judgment Day, He’s going to be asking about that. I don’t think that it’s something that is of importance to God. Yeah, He’s proud of me for being a son and pursuing Him. But it’s more about a relationship between me and Him that He’s concerned about.
A number of years ago, I was asked to speak at a youth retreat. So in the time leading up to it, I was praying and asking the Lord what was on HIS heart for this event. I wanted to preach a good “revolution” message, rally the troops, that sort of thing. But during the prep time, it just wasn’t coming together. I had a few notes and some awesome compilations I thought would be neat to share. But it still wasn’t coming together. The morning of, I was sitting in a room with two of my friends who came to help minister and the speaker from the previous night, Steve Hoffman. Steve looked at me at one point in time and said “Shawn, these kids have grown up in church. They know all the right things, they know all the rules. But most of them have never had an encounter with God Himself to make a difference in their life.” Those words went like a dart right into my heart.
That morning, the Lord gave me John 15. I quickly read it and knew somewhat of where I was going. We can have all the services we want; you can do all the conferences you want. But when there is no intimacy with the Lord, I wonder at how much of a difference all that is going to make. People nowadays are crying out to be heard. They’re crying out to feel needed and wanted. They’re crying out for relationships! They’re crying out for a depth of a reality! They’re open to the supernatural and wanting to see if the church has anything to offer more than just meetings and hype and a whole lot of talk. I think that many people want to see if we as the church can put actions to our words.
Let me take a step back here really quickly. There is nothing wrong with church services and meetings and programs necessarily. But when that is replacing a true intimacy with the Lord, it gets scary. Whether you attend a small house church or a community church or a mega church, that isn’t the point here. My question to you is do you know the Lord in a deeply personal way? Do you have a life giving relationship with Him? I know that at times its hard to pray and hard to read the Bible. Sometimes you may have those times where you feel like all the prayers you pray and the Bible reading you’re doing isn’t amounting to anything. But it does make a difference. Remember, a relationship takes work. There really is no cookie cutter way for it. There are emotions and feelings involved.
A number of years ago while in Bible school, the leaders decided to shut the school down for a couple days and just have a time of prayer and fasting. I was noticing a difference in the direction of the school and it was starting to concern me just a bit. This school was known for its revolutionary mentality and it seemed like we were getting soft. And then it dawned on me: maintaining intimacy in the church truly is a revolutionary idea! As I said earlier, being in different churches I have seen a lot. All these programs that were in effect didn’t seem that productive. The church was being more influenced by the world rather than the other way around. The saints weren’t being equipped for the work of the ministry. It seemed like a lot of it was a one man show done by the pastor or leader of the church.
I remember one time, I was having ice cream with an elder in a church. I simply looked this gentleman in the eyes and asked “Can you name me one time when you had a life changing encounter with the presence of God?” He sat there for a bit and eventually just shook his head no. My heart broke for this guy. You can have all the proper theology and it’s important to know the Word of God! But is it coming out of a heart attitude that says “I NEED to do this” rather than “I WANT to do this”? Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is take a theological truth and turn it into an experiential reality.
Take this as an encouragement to develop and maintain true intimacy with the Lord. The Bible says that we’ll be known by our fruits. One of the best ways, if not the best, is to spend that time with Him. Since each person is different, it’s going to look different for each and every person. Dig into the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to cultivate that intimacy with Him.
And can you believe that all that stuff really doesn’t satisfy? I mean, all the above is really neat and interesting and it gives you some awesome stories to tell around the dinner table or some awesome conversation pieces. But I don’t think that when I stand before God on Judgment Day, He’s going to be asking about that. I don’t think that it’s something that is of importance to God. Yeah, He’s proud of me for being a son and pursuing Him. But it’s more about a relationship between me and Him that He’s concerned about.
A number of years ago, I was asked to speak at a youth retreat. So in the time leading up to it, I was praying and asking the Lord what was on HIS heart for this event. I wanted to preach a good “revolution” message, rally the troops, that sort of thing. But during the prep time, it just wasn’t coming together. I had a few notes and some awesome compilations I thought would be neat to share. But it still wasn’t coming together. The morning of, I was sitting in a room with two of my friends who came to help minister and the speaker from the previous night, Steve Hoffman. Steve looked at me at one point in time and said “Shawn, these kids have grown up in church. They know all the right things, they know all the rules. But most of them have never had an encounter with God Himself to make a difference in their life.” Those words went like a dart right into my heart.
That morning, the Lord gave me John 15. I quickly read it and knew somewhat of where I was going. We can have all the services we want; you can do all the conferences you want. But when there is no intimacy with the Lord, I wonder at how much of a difference all that is going to make. People nowadays are crying out to be heard. They’re crying out to feel needed and wanted. They’re crying out for relationships! They’re crying out for a depth of a reality! They’re open to the supernatural and wanting to see if the church has anything to offer more than just meetings and hype and a whole lot of talk. I think that many people want to see if we as the church can put actions to our words.
Let me take a step back here really quickly. There is nothing wrong with church services and meetings and programs necessarily. But when that is replacing a true intimacy with the Lord, it gets scary. Whether you attend a small house church or a community church or a mega church, that isn’t the point here. My question to you is do you know the Lord in a deeply personal way? Do you have a life giving relationship with Him? I know that at times its hard to pray and hard to read the Bible. Sometimes you may have those times where you feel like all the prayers you pray and the Bible reading you’re doing isn’t amounting to anything. But it does make a difference. Remember, a relationship takes work. There really is no cookie cutter way for it. There are emotions and feelings involved.
A number of years ago while in Bible school, the leaders decided to shut the school down for a couple days and just have a time of prayer and fasting. I was noticing a difference in the direction of the school and it was starting to concern me just a bit. This school was known for its revolutionary mentality and it seemed like we were getting soft. And then it dawned on me: maintaining intimacy in the church truly is a revolutionary idea! As I said earlier, being in different churches I have seen a lot. All these programs that were in effect didn’t seem that productive. The church was being more influenced by the world rather than the other way around. The saints weren’t being equipped for the work of the ministry. It seemed like a lot of it was a one man show done by the pastor or leader of the church.
I remember one time, I was having ice cream with an elder in a church. I simply looked this gentleman in the eyes and asked “Can you name me one time when you had a life changing encounter with the presence of God?” He sat there for a bit and eventually just shook his head no. My heart broke for this guy. You can have all the proper theology and it’s important to know the Word of God! But is it coming out of a heart attitude that says “I NEED to do this” rather than “I WANT to do this”? Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is take a theological truth and turn it into an experiential reality.
Take this as an encouragement to develop and maintain true intimacy with the Lord. The Bible says that we’ll be known by our fruits. One of the best ways, if not the best, is to spend that time with Him. Since each person is different, it’s going to look different for each and every person. Dig into the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to cultivate that intimacy with Him.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Remembering The Wonders Of The Lord
For New Year's Eve, my church did a little bit of testimony time. And during that time, the Lord was bringing to my remembrance things that He has done for me over the years and the things I have done.
The Lord has been truly good to me over the years... I'm not surprised on that at all. There have obviously been some awesome points and then some things I wish I could go back and change.
But as my testimony goes, (see "The Hardest 18"' for that) I grew up in the church. I would have to give a VERY big thank you to the Krasley's for their servants hearts to take a bunch of rowdy teens down to a youth conference in Pensacola, Florida. I had heard about the Brownsville Revival and decided to go and check it out. My life has never been the same since. But it was during this time that the Lord really started to change things around for me. It was also during this time that I had to make some decisions about future schooling. What kind of school am I going to go to. I decided in the next coming years to first go to Bible school. I ended up @ FIRE School Of Ministry.
I remember after moving down to Charlotte, NC to attend FIRE that FIRE had just moved everyone up from Pensacola to Charlotte. During our first church service, Dr. Brown asked for everyone who wasn't living in Charlotte a week ago and now is to stand up. Almost the whole church body stood up (about 300 people. I can imagine what Moses must've felt like, only he had to move a few more people than what FIRE did). And then FIRE was getting settled in and starting a new school in a new city. The sacrifices that had to be made, but most folks didn't mind. The Lord was doing stuff in our midst, and that's what we cared about.
We had some explosive/powerful classes and church services. But most importantly, the presence of God was in our midst. Sometimes I feel like I'm ALWAYS in transition. Probably because in certain terms, I am. Always being transformed from glory to glory but the Lord keeps changing things, keeping me on my toes. The relationships I've made over time are priceless... wouldn't change it for the world. Having all sorts of varying opinions around keeps one sane and level headed. If there is one thing I've learned in the past couple years: the more you learn about God, the more you realize you know nothing about Him and have more to learn.
If there is one thing I can say that has drastically changed my life is coming into an understanding of who you are as a son or daughter of the King of Kings. When your secure in your sonship with the Lord, trivial things just don't really affect you like they have before. Because you know who your Daddy is and you know that you have full authority to go into the Throne Room at anytime you want and desire. You don't have to wait for someone else, you have access yourself. You can cease your striving and just relax and contend for rest in His presence. A chapter that I have continually go through my mind is John 15. Now, that's just me perhaps. It's different for each person because each person is different.
I've been in mega churches that just seemed dead and I've been in small groups and we started to pray and worship and His Presence just sweeps in. And I've been in mega churches that the presence of God was very evident and small groups that very dead. It's not the quantity but the quality. And quantity doesn't guarantee quality.
These are just a few of the things I think about when Remembering the Wonders of the Lord.
The Lord has been truly good to me over the years... I'm not surprised on that at all. There have obviously been some awesome points and then some things I wish I could go back and change.
But as my testimony goes, (see "The Hardest 18"' for that) I grew up in the church. I would have to give a VERY big thank you to the Krasley's for their servants hearts to take a bunch of rowdy teens down to a youth conference in Pensacola, Florida. I had heard about the Brownsville Revival and decided to go and check it out. My life has never been the same since. But it was during this time that the Lord really started to change things around for me. It was also during this time that I had to make some decisions about future schooling. What kind of school am I going to go to. I decided in the next coming years to first go to Bible school. I ended up @ FIRE School Of Ministry.
I remember after moving down to Charlotte, NC to attend FIRE that FIRE had just moved everyone up from Pensacola to Charlotte. During our first church service, Dr. Brown asked for everyone who wasn't living in Charlotte a week ago and now is to stand up. Almost the whole church body stood up (about 300 people. I can imagine what Moses must've felt like, only he had to move a few more people than what FIRE did). And then FIRE was getting settled in and starting a new school in a new city. The sacrifices that had to be made, but most folks didn't mind. The Lord was doing stuff in our midst, and that's what we cared about.
We had some explosive/powerful classes and church services. But most importantly, the presence of God was in our midst. Sometimes I feel like I'm ALWAYS in transition. Probably because in certain terms, I am. Always being transformed from glory to glory but the Lord keeps changing things, keeping me on my toes. The relationships I've made over time are priceless... wouldn't change it for the world. Having all sorts of varying opinions around keeps one sane and level headed. If there is one thing I've learned in the past couple years: the more you learn about God, the more you realize you know nothing about Him and have more to learn.
If there is one thing I can say that has drastically changed my life is coming into an understanding of who you are as a son or daughter of the King of Kings. When your secure in your sonship with the Lord, trivial things just don't really affect you like they have before. Because you know who your Daddy is and you know that you have full authority to go into the Throne Room at anytime you want and desire. You don't have to wait for someone else, you have access yourself. You can cease your striving and just relax and contend for rest in His presence. A chapter that I have continually go through my mind is John 15. Now, that's just me perhaps. It's different for each person because each person is different.
I've been in mega churches that just seemed dead and I've been in small groups and we started to pray and worship and His Presence just sweeps in. And I've been in mega churches that the presence of God was very evident and small groups that very dead. It's not the quantity but the quality. And quantity doesn't guarantee quality.
These are just a few of the things I think about when Remembering the Wonders of the Lord.
Ministry: What Is It?
Here are a few links to different pages about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_ministry
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministry
That's just something to get the wheels turning. But what is 'ministry'? I mean, can you be in 'the ministry' and work a job in the market place? Or is it confined to just what preachers do on a typical Sunday morning? I know of folks who are out there on the street corners and they're 'preaching'. They're delivering the Word of the Lord (or so one hopes). I've heard some street preachers and some speakers and they just sound mean. Then I've heard some and what they have to say sounds totally different! But both groups are saying the same thing!
One thing I've come to learn over time is that it's important of HOW something is being presented. When the speakers blood vessels on their neck is bulging out and they're face is bright red, that can be a turn off to some because they sound or come across as mean. I've had people give me messages and it seems like they're yelling right in my face. So I step back and they just follow me. Then I'm like "ok, i'm right in front of you and i can hear you just fine.... you don't have to yell." One of the things that I love to do is listen to a child present the gospel. Usually because they haven't been tainted or hurt by people and their message is just so pure. Speaking out of a wounded heart tends to just hurt others. People can feel the attitude behind what your saying and if its not done in the Holy Spirit, its most likely just going to hurt others.
Now, I personally don't mind open air preaching and speaking in front of others. But some people seriously get sick at the idea of it. And everyone has their method of ministering. Some its out in the public sphere... some its from the pulpit and some its over a cup of coffee/relational evangelism. That's the beauty of the Body; everyone has a different way of going about it. I'd say that as long as your keeping the message right on and your doing what the Lord has called you to do... go for it.
The Great Commission is to go and make disciples. That is ministry as far as I'm concerned. Your making Jesus known. Your going to be dealing with all sorts of issues that come up. Some have been hurt more than others. I'm grateful for different giftings and callings in the church body. You've got the God-given gifts, the Jesus given gifts and the Holy Spirit gifts. And when all work together, it usually gets the job done.
For me personally, my method's have changed over the years. I used to just love to preach a good hard message... and I still do. I like to hear hard messages as well. But as I've noted before, when done in the wrong spirit, it doesn't come off well. Especially when your preaching out of hurt. But more so over time, I've come to value to small group settings. Where you get into the nit and grit with people. And you get into their lives and get deep. I don't mind speaking a hard message, if it's what the Lord wants of me. It's important to always speak on what is on His heart and not just what YOU think is good.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_ministry
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministry
That's just something to get the wheels turning. But what is 'ministry'? I mean, can you be in 'the ministry' and work a job in the market place? Or is it confined to just what preachers do on a typical Sunday morning? I know of folks who are out there on the street corners and they're 'preaching'. They're delivering the Word of the Lord (or so one hopes). I've heard some street preachers and some speakers and they just sound mean. Then I've heard some and what they have to say sounds totally different! But both groups are saying the same thing!
One thing I've come to learn over time is that it's important of HOW something is being presented. When the speakers blood vessels on their neck is bulging out and they're face is bright red, that can be a turn off to some because they sound or come across as mean. I've had people give me messages and it seems like they're yelling right in my face. So I step back and they just follow me. Then I'm like "ok, i'm right in front of you and i can hear you just fine.... you don't have to yell." One of the things that I love to do is listen to a child present the gospel. Usually because they haven't been tainted or hurt by people and their message is just so pure. Speaking out of a wounded heart tends to just hurt others. People can feel the attitude behind what your saying and if its not done in the Holy Spirit, its most likely just going to hurt others.
Now, I personally don't mind open air preaching and speaking in front of others. But some people seriously get sick at the idea of it. And everyone has their method of ministering. Some its out in the public sphere... some its from the pulpit and some its over a cup of coffee/relational evangelism. That's the beauty of the Body; everyone has a different way of going about it. I'd say that as long as your keeping the message right on and your doing what the Lord has called you to do... go for it.
The Great Commission is to go and make disciples. That is ministry as far as I'm concerned. Your making Jesus known. Your going to be dealing with all sorts of issues that come up. Some have been hurt more than others. I'm grateful for different giftings and callings in the church body. You've got the God-given gifts, the Jesus given gifts and the Holy Spirit gifts. And when all work together, it usually gets the job done.
For me personally, my method's have changed over the years. I used to just love to preach a good hard message... and I still do. I like to hear hard messages as well. But as I've noted before, when done in the wrong spirit, it doesn't come off well. Especially when your preaching out of hurt. But more so over time, I've come to value to small group settings. Where you get into the nit and grit with people. And you get into their lives and get deep. I don't mind speaking a hard message, if it's what the Lord wants of me. It's important to always speak on what is on His heart and not just what YOU think is good.
Changing the World, One Person At A Time
(Posted Dec. 16, 2009 on Facebook)
I was just realizing the other day that it's been about a year and a half since my grandpa died. I was thinking about the legacy that he left to me and what kind of an impact he made on my life. One thing for sure that he drilled into me was servitude.
Just to give a little back ground to his death, the very last thing that he said was to his pastor and it was something to the effect of "How can I serve you right now?" Immediately after that, he grabbed his chest, fell forward on his knees and then onto his front and died. That's at least what i'm told.
So it got me to thinking... what kind of an impact am I making on people's lives? When I leave a room, are people glad i'm gone or are they like "man, i wish that guy would come back, he's fun to be with." Not in some superficial way and man pleasing, meaning just saying things that people want to hear... but am I leaving a pleasant feel with the people I come in contact with? How am I impacting their life? For the better or for the worse?
Being that I'm a 20 something single, I frequently get called on to do the jobs that probably not many others want to do. And that's fine. I don't mind helping out in a pinch. That's what I'm there for. I don't have to necessarily 'check in' with anyone and let them know what's going on with me. Which has its advantages. I can fill in the cracks where needed.
I've been helping out with teaching the Royal Rangers at our church this past year. And it has been a blast! I have loved being able to use what the Lord has given me and mentoring/discipling the younger generation. It's funny because i'm not teaching the children of the guys that taught me. So that really keeps me on my toes theologically. lol.
But I've learned that it's fun to serve! When you're secure in who you are as a child of God, you can serve and not get credit for it and still have a blast. You get in, do the job and get out. And as far as many folks know... it just got done and they're none the wiser! I've once heard it said that if someone wants authority, don't give it to them. But when someone wants responsibility, give it to them with authority. So in that aspect, the Lord has been really teaching me stewardship and having a positive impact on someone's life.
I was just realizing the other day that it's been about a year and a half since my grandpa died. I was thinking about the legacy that he left to me and what kind of an impact he made on my life. One thing for sure that he drilled into me was servitude.
Just to give a little back ground to his death, the very last thing that he said was to his pastor and it was something to the effect of "How can I serve you right now?" Immediately after that, he grabbed his chest, fell forward on his knees and then onto his front and died. That's at least what i'm told.
So it got me to thinking... what kind of an impact am I making on people's lives? When I leave a room, are people glad i'm gone or are they like "man, i wish that guy would come back, he's fun to be with." Not in some superficial way and man pleasing, meaning just saying things that people want to hear... but am I leaving a pleasant feel with the people I come in contact with? How am I impacting their life? For the better or for the worse?
Being that I'm a 20 something single, I frequently get called on to do the jobs that probably not many others want to do. And that's fine. I don't mind helping out in a pinch. That's what I'm there for. I don't have to necessarily 'check in' with anyone and let them know what's going on with me. Which has its advantages. I can fill in the cracks where needed.
I've been helping out with teaching the Royal Rangers at our church this past year. And it has been a blast! I have loved being able to use what the Lord has given me and mentoring/discipling the younger generation. It's funny because i'm not teaching the children of the guys that taught me. So that really keeps me on my toes theologically. lol.
But I've learned that it's fun to serve! When you're secure in who you are as a child of God, you can serve and not get credit for it and still have a blast. You get in, do the job and get out. And as far as many folks know... it just got done and they're none the wiser! I've once heard it said that if someone wants authority, don't give it to them. But when someone wants responsibility, give it to them with authority. So in that aspect, the Lord has been really teaching me stewardship and having a positive impact on someone's life.
Just For Fun...
1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:23 am
2. How do you like your steak? Medium well
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? 2012. (In my opinion, don't waste your time and money on it.)
4. What is your favorite TV show? I like 'Lie To Me'
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Somewhere in a suburban area. close to the city and country.
6. What did you have for breakfast? Didn't eat breakfast this morning actually... i usually don't.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? They all have something different to offer... it depends on what I'm in the mood for.
8. What foods do you dislike? Spicy foods
9. Favorite Place to Eat? Usually somewhere reasonably cheap with good food and fellowship.
10. Favorite dressing? Thousand Island i guess...
11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? '94 Geo Prizm. I call it the Teal Tank or Teal Taxi (A story behind both of those...)
12. What are your favorite clothes? Something that covers me... lol
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Sooo many places to choose from... I think its easier to say there are few places i would care NOT to visit...
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? full i guess...
15. Where would you want to retire? Retirement? Who said anything about retiring?
16. Favorite time of day? sleepy sleep...
17. Where were you born? Ephrata, PA
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? American football or Soccer
19. Who do you think will not tag you back? ....
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? .......
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? umm......I don't know!!
22. Bird watcher? what about them?
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Lean more towards night but if i get to bed early enough the night before, i can do morning.
24. Do you have any pets? not that i know of... unless you include those dust bunnies that try to hide from me around the house (they think i don't know they're there... but i see them.. lol)
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? not that i know of... unless you know something i don't... I just got a job @ Radio Shack, does that count?
26. What did you want to be when you were little? I think a politician...
27. What is your best childhood memory? Fourwheeling at the cabin w/ the family or traveling somewhere...
28. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog person all the way.
29. Are you married? No, thanks for rubbing it in... (pours some more salt in...)
30. Always wear your seat belt? if i'm not in the car, i'm probably not wearing it...
31. Been in a car accident? yep
32. Any pet peeves? when someone says they're gonna call and then they don't.
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? mush rooms and extra cheese
34. Favorite Flower? a rose i guess... don't really know flowers all that well
35. Favorite ice cream? Moose tracks
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Five Guys I guess... don't really know.
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? once
38. From whom did you get your last email? Facebook i think...
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Best Buy or Radio Shack or some other electronics store
40. Done anything spontaneous lately? played a game of hacky sack
41. Like your job? i just started it... i guess
42. Broccoli? good stuff
43. What was your favorite vacation? i guess the last time i went to the beach with my family.... there were things about it and i didn't like but oh well.
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? George Burton
45. What are you listening to right now? iTunes library on random. Currently a Third Day song
46. What is your favorite color? Blue
47. How many tattoos do you have? none and i plan on keeping it like that...
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? dunno
49. What time did you finish this quiz? 6:40 pm
50. Coffee Drinker? yep
2. How do you like your steak? Medium well
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? 2012. (In my opinion, don't waste your time and money on it.)
4. What is your favorite TV show? I like 'Lie To Me'
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Somewhere in a suburban area. close to the city and country.
6. What did you have for breakfast? Didn't eat breakfast this morning actually... i usually don't.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? They all have something different to offer... it depends on what I'm in the mood for.
8. What foods do you dislike? Spicy foods
9. Favorite Place to Eat? Usually somewhere reasonably cheap with good food and fellowship.
10. Favorite dressing? Thousand Island i guess...
11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? '94 Geo Prizm. I call it the Teal Tank or Teal Taxi (A story behind both of those...)
12. What are your favorite clothes? Something that covers me... lol
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Sooo many places to choose from... I think its easier to say there are few places i would care NOT to visit...
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? full i guess...
15. Where would you want to retire? Retirement? Who said anything about retiring?
16. Favorite time of day? sleepy sleep...
17. Where were you born? Ephrata, PA
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? American football or Soccer
19. Who do you think will not tag you back? ....
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? .......
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? umm......I don't know!!
22. Bird watcher? what about them?
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Lean more towards night but if i get to bed early enough the night before, i can do morning.
24. Do you have any pets? not that i know of... unless you include those dust bunnies that try to hide from me around the house (they think i don't know they're there... but i see them.. lol)
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? not that i know of... unless you know something i don't... I just got a job @ Radio Shack, does that count?
26. What did you want to be when you were little? I think a politician...
27. What is your best childhood memory? Fourwheeling at the cabin w/ the family or traveling somewhere...
28. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog person all the way.
29. Are you married? No, thanks for rubbing it in... (pours some more salt in...)
30. Always wear your seat belt? if i'm not in the car, i'm probably not wearing it...
31. Been in a car accident? yep
32. Any pet peeves? when someone says they're gonna call and then they don't.
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? mush rooms and extra cheese
34. Favorite Flower? a rose i guess... don't really know flowers all that well
35. Favorite ice cream? Moose tracks
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Five Guys I guess... don't really know.
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? once
38. From whom did you get your last email? Facebook i think...
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Best Buy or Radio Shack or some other electronics store
40. Done anything spontaneous lately? played a game of hacky sack
41. Like your job? i just started it... i guess
42. Broccoli? good stuff
43. What was your favorite vacation? i guess the last time i went to the beach with my family.... there were things about it and i didn't like but oh well.
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? George Burton
45. What are you listening to right now? iTunes library on random. Currently a Third Day song
46. What is your favorite color? Blue
47. How many tattoos do you have? none and i plan on keeping it like that...
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? dunno
49. What time did you finish this quiz? 6:40 pm
50. Coffee Drinker? yep
RIP Grandpa
(Posted Nov. 10, 2009 on my Facebook)
It's hard to imagine that it's almost been a year and a half since my grandpa went home to be in the arms of Jesus. I can actually still remember the night I found out and the week that followed. I remember I was crying buckets pretty much all week. Don't get me wrong... I was and still am extremely happy for Grandpa. As far as I or my family knows, he didn't suffer much at all. Or at least he didn't let the family know. And he died while doing one of the things he knew all too well: serving people. I'm grateful that my grandma wasn't there immediately because of the fact that it probably would've scared her really bad.
It was during this time that I learned a ton of how to really console folks. Everyone handles death differently. For those who know the Lord, it's a very joyous and yet saddening thing. It's joyful because you know that the person is with Jesus, their Lord and Savior. Now, obviously for someone who doesn't know Jesus as that, its a much different end. Some people cry a lot and then some you might have to slam their hand in the car door to get a tear. Since we're all unique beings, we all express ourselves differently. And my grandpa's death taught me a lot in how to minister more effectively to people in these situations and in life in general.
Being a guy, when someone comes to me with a problem, my immediate reaction is to fix the situation. I want to right the wrongs. However, that is sometimes the wrong approach. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just spend time w/ the grieving people. I can tell you this: it helps nothing to put on a false face. It's ok to express emotions. Letting folks deal with the problem at hand is way better than giving them a lecture. Let the grieving one do the talking. That's what i learned. And don't be surprised at what you'll hear. Let the emotions out and let the healing process take place.
Things like this usually aren't a once and done thing. It takes time for healing to take place. I know for myself, i'll be doing fine a lot of the times and then something will happen and a memory comes up. Now for me, I worried more about my family more than anything. It's literally like when you loose someone who used to do everything and suddenly they're not there anymore, others get to step up to the plate. The body gets to be the body and fill in where needed.
I'm soo grateful for my grandparents home church there, New Life Fellowship in Ephrata. They totally stepped up to the plate. For the viewing, they have refreshments for the family and they just opened their hearts to us.
So, I hope this was beneficial to someone out there. That's why I wrote it.
It's hard to imagine that it's almost been a year and a half since my grandpa went home to be in the arms of Jesus. I can actually still remember the night I found out and the week that followed. I remember I was crying buckets pretty much all week. Don't get me wrong... I was and still am extremely happy for Grandpa. As far as I or my family knows, he didn't suffer much at all. Or at least he didn't let the family know. And he died while doing one of the things he knew all too well: serving people. I'm grateful that my grandma wasn't there immediately because of the fact that it probably would've scared her really bad.
It was during this time that I learned a ton of how to really console folks. Everyone handles death differently. For those who know the Lord, it's a very joyous and yet saddening thing. It's joyful because you know that the person is with Jesus, their Lord and Savior. Now, obviously for someone who doesn't know Jesus as that, its a much different end. Some people cry a lot and then some you might have to slam their hand in the car door to get a tear. Since we're all unique beings, we all express ourselves differently. And my grandpa's death taught me a lot in how to minister more effectively to people in these situations and in life in general.
Being a guy, when someone comes to me with a problem, my immediate reaction is to fix the situation. I want to right the wrongs. However, that is sometimes the wrong approach. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just spend time w/ the grieving people. I can tell you this: it helps nothing to put on a false face. It's ok to express emotions. Letting folks deal with the problem at hand is way better than giving them a lecture. Let the grieving one do the talking. That's what i learned. And don't be surprised at what you'll hear. Let the emotions out and let the healing process take place.
Things like this usually aren't a once and done thing. It takes time for healing to take place. I know for myself, i'll be doing fine a lot of the times and then something will happen and a memory comes up. Now for me, I worried more about my family more than anything. It's literally like when you loose someone who used to do everything and suddenly they're not there anymore, others get to step up to the plate. The body gets to be the body and fill in where needed.
I'm soo grateful for my grandparents home church there, New Life Fellowship in Ephrata. They totally stepped up to the plate. For the viewing, they have refreshments for the family and they just opened their hearts to us.
So, I hope this was beneficial to someone out there. That's why I wrote it.
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