Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Fundamentals


The other day I dropped my wife off at a friend Bridal Shower so she could exchange gifts, talk about married life, eat cake, and do the things that girls do when they get together at those things. Bridal Showers are like secrete clubs where all the members have shirts that read "NO BOYS ALLOWED." So, being a boy, and not being allowed I had plenty of time to kill until I picked Darcy up from the party. I chose to spend it the way most 20 somethings would spend it, at my local friendly neighborhood Starbucks.
I got my usual drink, grande iced vanilla latte, and was lucky enough to have the last comfy sofa seat as my own. I sat down with book in hand and began reading. I started reading and before I know it I'm three and a half pages into the chapter and I have no clue what I've just been reading. Has this ever happened to you? It did to me, and it continued to for the next fifteen minutes. So I simply stopped...
About this time I looked up at the counter to do some people watching and I saw a man with his bible ordering the his usual, grande iced vanilla latte, and he sat down at one of the hard wooden chairs, interlocked his fingers, dropped his head and closed his eyes. About two minutes later he raised his head, took a sip of his and my favorite coffee drink, and began reading his bible. I decided to do the same. I spent the next 45 minutes in prayer as I read through the gospel of John.
I have recently been feeling down about life in general; I tend to get frustrated by how slowly I see results. I'm one of those people that wants to see them right away, NOW! But as I sat alone in a crowded Starbucks I simply felt the goodness of Jesus. It was refreshing to read about His love for us and how He came so that we would have an abundant life. In that crowded Starbucks I simply relaxed and put my burdens on Jesus. And it was a wonderful feeling.
I've decided that I need more times throughout the week where I escape reality, just for a bit, and do some praying and bible reading. I've committed to Christ to write our my prayers for the rest of this month. My goal in all of this is to stay more connected to Christ. I'll let you know how its been going at the end of the month.
Question, when was the last time you got back to the basics of bible reading and prayer? How can you change it up in order to make the basics, so exciting again?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Camp Updates

This years summer camp was amazingly powerful. Aside from having the most fun I've had in months God was moving in the students of PULSE. Because so much goes on in a week at camp it is impossible to share with you all that took place. So below are simply a few highlights of what I saw taking place during our week at Lake View.

We had a couple students who have been addicted cigarettes go the whole week of camp without smoking and even feeling like they needed to. As they week went on they got stronger and stronger and by the end of camp they committed to no longer smoking and quit cold turkey.

We also had two people put their faith in Jesus Christ this week. They had been struggling with God and Christianity, they weren't sure if it was real or if it was simple a crutch for others to lean on. Throughout the week they encountered God is a way that they have never done before and are convinced that Jesus is real because they personally "experienced God's love."

Those are just two big highlights that stuck out from our week up at camp. I also saw our students open up with each other, sharing their stories, struggles and victories with each other and encouraging each other to move closer to God. This past week at camp was an answer to the many many prayers of the high school staff. It was a blessing for everyone.

*There are more pictures on our facebook page. Click the link to check them out!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Palm-Desert-CA/PULSE-STUDENT-MINISTRIES/128640680508138?ref=ts