Great Pranks...

Check this out. I just ordered this key chain remote that will control 90% of televisions. This is genius. If you are at a sports bar or at a friends house watching the superbowl, you can secretly turn off the television or change the channel. It comes in the mail this week. I cant wait to use it.

Texas through the eyes of a Californian

A friend of mine sent me this blog post and I thought it would be worth sharing with the world. It could not be anymore true.


"I went to Texas last week and for a California boy it was quite a culture shock. Ignoring the fact that if you tossed a banjo in the air, whoever caught it could play it, Texas was a pretty cool country...I mean state. I felt that, outside of the church, it was the best example I have seen of Biblical Community. Sometimes even better than I have seen from within the church. Check it... 1. People say hi to everyone else, no California shoe-gazing. 2. Everyone is referred to as "ma'am" or "sir", the last time I was called sir was when I tipped someone at Starbucks. 3. When our car broke down, we didn't finish the sentence "we are gonna need a jump", and someone had their car parked and the hood open. 4. The BBQ rocked...now that is not directly related to community, but food ALWAYS makes me more willing to share life together. Now hear me loud and clear. I am not selling my flip flops, hair product, and tri-tip to buy a gun rack and move to Texas, but we could learn a thing or two. I don't know what anyone in Texas thought of this Left Coast boy, but they truly seemed to treat me as they would want to be treated. Humm, sounds a little like loving your neighbor as yourself. Maybe the "Bible-Belt" is on to something. Until next time...

...clap, clap, clap, clap. Deep in the heart of Texas."

All I want for Christmas.

Okay, so my family in TX is bugging me to give them a list of gift ideas for Christmas so here is what I came up with. These are in no paticular order.

1. A Bible. - Some how Genesis through Numbers got torn out of mine.
2. Tony Romo Jersey
3. Membership to the gym. - Im getting fatter by the day.
4. Talledega Nights DVD.
5. A Poker table.
6. Bose Sound dock.
7. Camera
8. Membership to E-Harmony. (for a friend.)
9. Golf shoes.
10. Madden 07 for PS3.

I guess thats long enough. Now go buy!

The New Texas Stadium

The Dallas Cowboys just released the plans for the new stadium that will be built by 2009. All for the low price of 1 billion dollars. It will be the largest and most expensive stadium in NFL history. The best part, it will have a hole in the roof to keep the tradition from old Texas stadium alive. (with a retractable roof) The owner Jerry Jones says "We must keep the hole in the roof so God can continue to look down and watch His team play." Amen Jerry! Here is the design.

I HATE DIRTY SANTA.

We had our office christmas gift exchange at lunch today. The limit was $25 but I went out and bought a cool gift that was $30. One of our staff didnt play by the rules and brought a Desk top dolphin mobile worth about 5 bucks. Picture below. I ended up getting my gift stolen and stuck with the dolphins. Its okay. At least Im not bitter.

I got me a ps3.

I got the inside scoop from a best buy employee that a shipment of ps3 consols arrived. When I got to the store, I got the last one thinking I could make some sort of a profit. Turns out that they are going for that much over market value anymore. 2 options, get my money back or tear it open and waste many hours of my life playing it. Tough decision! (that is not sarcasm, it really is a tough decision.)

My way of counseling

Going into youth ministry I was aware that there would be many times where I would have to deal with serious issues. I just didn't know how many. I have come to learn that whenever something is wrong in the youth ministry, the main guy (which is me) is always the person that they go to to tell you how they feel. But here's the deal, I am horrible with confrontation. I get nervous, scared, awkward, and really don't know how to handle the solution in the midst of the moment. But I think I found a way in 2 words, Catch Phrase. Let me explain.

I'm sure you know of the game catchprase. It is a fun board game where the team has to guess the word that you are explaining. For example, if the word is tree I would yell out "tall, green, leafy" and they would guess tree. I think you get it.

Here is how I use it. I have the electronic version in my office. Whenever someone comes into my office and they are either mad or dad, I get out catch phrase.
I tell them right off the bat that this is awkward for me so we are going to take 2 minutes and play a game. We play a couple rounds. It gets them laughing and calmed down. Then I say "lets continue with why you came in here."

I have learned that when people are upset they sometimes say things that they wouldn't normally say. They are just hurt and angry and want to take it out on you. But if you get them in a "lighter" mood, they are more willing to listen and be understanding to what you want to say.

The best example happened a month ago. I had two 8th grade girls come into my office crying because I had to let their small group leader go. They hated me and couldn't understand why I did it. Instead of me trying to explain the situation while they were crying, I got out catch phrase. With in 3 minutes they were laughing and willing to listen to what I had to say.

Yes its weird, but when you hate confrontation as much as I do, its worth a try.
Just don't try it if someone comes in sad because a loved one just died. You kind of have to judge the situation to see if its worth trying.

the kiss test

The World Race

I have a new goal. A friend was telling me about this awesome missions opportunity.
I know I dont talk about it near enough, but besides youth ministry, I have a heart and passion for missions. I have always loved traveling and serving those in need. I think that it is something that every Christian should be a part of. After all, we are all called to go out and make disciples. With that said, there is a missions opportunity called the world race. You spend a year traveling around the world and ministering to the people in each location. Now I have no idea how possible this is now that I have a job but maybe Ill find a way. The only other thing is that its 13,000 dollars. But thats nothing for a life changing experience. Here is the schedule for the entire year.
Leg 1: Matamoros, MX to Palenque, MX
Leg 2: Palenque, MX to Guatemala
Leg 3: Guatemala to Los Angeles
Leg 4: Los Angeles to China/Tibet
Leg 5: China/Tibet to Thailand
Leg 6: Thailand to Delhi, India
Leg 7: Delhi, India to Bosnia
Leg 8: Bosnia to Cairo, Eqypt
Leg 9: Cairo, Eqypt to Nairobi, Kenya
Leg 10: Nairobi, Kenya to Johannesburg, South Africa
Leg 11: Johannesburg, South Africa to Lesotho, Africa
Leg 12: Lesotho, Africa to New York

A new fan of UCLA.

Im not really a fan but I had the chance to go to the huge rivalry game between USC and UCLA yesterday. We headed out early and tailgated from 9am to 1. Then we headed to the rose bowl for the game. Here is what I witnessed.
1. Too many drunk college students to count.
2. Fights breaking out in the crowd.
3. Some pretty hot cheerleaders.
4. And one of the biggest upsets of the year.

Quite the experience.