New Crowder Video

The home page of MSN has a Crowder video of the song Foreverandever on it. It is weird but yet entertaining. Check it out.

The gym is my prison.

At the beginning of the year, I signed up for a one year membership to a local gym.
They take the money out of my account every month. I filled out a form to cancel because i don't go anymore. I just received a call from a lady saying that I cant quit. She wasn't trying to be motivational. I literally cant quit. The only way they will stop making me pay is if I move 35 miles away.

Here are my options:
Beg the owner. He goes to my church, maybe he will understand.
Cancel my bank account. Too much headache and probably not that ethical.
Move 35 miles away.
Actually go to the gym.

Looks like Im stuck with my new year resolution.

Dare to be a Daniel

A few months ago a youth pastor told me about this training curriculum from the Bill Graham organization called Dare to be a Daniel.

It is targeted directly to Jr. High students. I just received it in the mail and checked it out. Its very professional and very cool.
What it includes:
Creative Openers
Videos
Leader Manuals
Student Handbooks
Dog tags
Tracts
Brief case to carry everything.

I am thinking of using it for my small groups next year.

I hate my office

I have been working all day in my office and came to the realization that I need help from someone, anyone! After having an office for over a year now, you would think that there would actually be things hanging on the walls. You are wrong. I have done a little to make it look better, but I still have two huge walls that are completely blank. My mind just goes blank when I try to think of what to put up and where it should go. Any suggestions would be wonderful. Maybe I shuld just hire an interior decorator. Would that be too much? Probably, its just an office.

A Cooking genius

My good friend Josh introduced me to Sam. I believe Josh has posted about him before, but it is worth posting again. He goes by "Sam the cooking guy" and his recipes are perfect for single guys. They are simple, delicious, and not healthy at all. If you want a taste of heaven in your mouth go to www.thecookinguy.com.

Disneyland Half Marathon

Thats Right! Labor Day weekend, I am going down to Anaheim to attempt the half marathon. No I am not suicidal, it is just a goal that I have always wanted to acheive. Well actually, the full marathon was my goal but I am trying to be realistic. If anyone would like to join me, let me know. It could be great bonding time.

Training starts tonight as I go for 1 and half miles.

Dont erase me yet!!!

I know it has been a couple of weeks since my last post but I will be back shortly.
I have noticed that I go through blogging phases. Some weeks Ill post about anything and other weeks I have nothing to say. Please stay with me as I struggle through this difficult blogging phase. Thank you!

I'm gone again

I just got back from spending a couple days in Disneyland with my sister and niece.
The time flew by so quick. You don't even realize how much you miss them until you see them again. By the way, Disneyland is 100 times more fun when you go with a 5 year old. It makes you act like a kid again. And I even got to meet all of the princesses. What else could I ask for?

But I'm off tomorrow to Colorado. My two best friends from high school and I are meeting up for a week of skiing. Although I suck at skiing and will be on the bunny hill getting embarrassed by little kids, it will be a great week. I'm glad I can just get away, reunite with two of my favorite people and not worry about anything for 5 days.

If its our desire, why dont we do it?

A friend of mine raised an interesting question that got me thinking.
He asked, "Why do I choose not to do things I desire to do?"
I know, a little confusing but Romans 7 popped in my head. The Verse that says “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15b

So here are my thoughts on this really confusing question.

In life we all do things that might not be the best, and continue to do them. Such things such as Smoking, cursing, drinking, not working out, not eating right, mismanaging finances, slacking off at work, being a bad friend, gossiping, too much television, and so on. There are thousands. Why do we do these things?

Those are examples of things we don't want to do but I have a whole list of things that I want to do. Here are a few:

Wake up earlier and workout before work.

Save money & properly manage finances

Get in a basketball league.

Eat healthier, plus replace all sodas with water

Take guitar lessons

Seminary

Read more books including the bible (I just finished "Blue Like Jazz" in 2 weeks , that's a miracle for me)

All of these things are in my reach. They don't cost more than I can afford. I don't have to travel outside the country to get these things. It's all up to me making the decision to do it or not to.

So why not do it then? Why do we still not do these things? Is it laziness? I'm sure at times it is, although, I don't consider myself lazy. Maybe we're too tired. Well, you might be, but I'm too energetic to use that poor excuse. Maybe you don't have time. Nope, that's not me either. So why is it? My only answer is a lack of discipline. We know these things would be beneficial to us, or helpful, or maybe even fun. But we are not disciplined and organized enough to get it done.

Some people have no problem doing these things and for short periods of time, I as well have no problem, but then we get in what we call "ruts". Discipline is how you get through "ruts".

Discipline- activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training to act in accordance with rules; drill:

Some might say you're expecting too much out of yourself. Well, I hope that I am. I never want to be satisfied with who I am. I have so much respect for those that have this discipline. I wish I was one. Although, since I am not, I try to plan more. I read once in a fitness book, "When you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Cheesy but true.

I think we would have so much more satisfaction in life if we took the time and energy to do the things we desire. I don't want to just go through life but I want to do, and experience. I think if there is one topic that is not discussed enough in the church, it is how to have a disciplined life. The odd thing about discipline is it tests your will. How strong do you consider your will? I used to think mine was strong, now I am trying to solve that problem. Maybe I'm just talking to myself, but if prayer is on my list, I will be sure to pray for stronger discipline.

Happiest Place in California

I can not wait until Monday. My sister and niece, who I see about 2 times a year now are flying in to so cal to spend a week going to pretty much every amusement park and beach in southern ca. I get to go down and spend a couple days with them and I get to go to Disneyland. Can life get any better? It will be a short trip but it will be worth it.