Me in 1960

My top 5 fair foods.

October could possibly be the most exciting time of the year for me. The weather is cooling down, the leaves are changing, football is on anytime between Thursday and Monday, and last but not least, the fair comes to town. Im not sure why I am so intriged by this annual event, but it is something I have looked forward to ever year, since I was a kid.
Back in Texas, the fair is a big deal. It is one of the biggest fairs in the world and schools even let us out for a fair day. It is a magical day of thrilling rides that could literally kill you, fun houses and freak shows, (my favorite is still the worlds fattest man back when I was 8 years old.) the worlds biggest ferris wheel, the annual O.U. Texas Red River shootout at the Cotton Bowl, and the pig races.
But nothing could top the delicious food that you stuff in your face from the time you get there to the time you leave.
I unfortunately dont get to attend the Texas State fair this year, but luckily there is good food here as well.
So with that said, these are the 5 foods that I am looking forward to having when the fair opens in 8 days.


5. A Bacon Maple Donut. It will make you sick, but its worth it.


4. Corn Dog. It is just tradition. Going to the fair without getting a corndog is like going to a baseball game and not getting a hot dog. Its just not the same.


3. Deep Fried Coke. Whats not to love?


2. Funnel Cake. This almost made #1. It was a toss up.


1. And the number one food I am looking forward to is........Wait for it......









GIANT TURKEY LEG. It is like a taste of Heaven in your mouth. My mouth is watering just thinking about the deliciousness that comes with this bird.

This will make you laugh

A New Goal

2 weeks ago, I accomplished something that I never thought I was going to do. I completed my 2nd half marathon. I completed the 1st one last September and was very proud of myself for taking on a difficult task and going through with it. For someone that is not a runner, a pretty good goal. I also remember saying to myself as I crossed the finish line, "As long as I live, I will never run again." A little dramatic, but at the time I thought it was a very truthful statement. As I was telling some friends about it, they decided to run it this year. I just said to them "good luck, I will cheer for you". Little did I know, I would be pressured into running along side them in this 2nd half marathon. Yes, I said pressured.
We trained, and we accomplished what we set out to do. (I would show a picture to prove it, but Disney wanted $19.95 for a small pic. Please take my word on it.)
The way I see things, Half Marathon + Half Marathon = Full Marathon. Simple math really. So what now.
Now, a new goal. It is something that is doable and definitely beneficial, but is it something that I can commit to? I think Im going to give it a shot.
An old high school friend just told me that her pastor challenged her to read the Bible in 90 days. I wished her good luck and told her to let me know how that goes.
After a few minutes of chatting, I realized this would be something I could accomplish. So starting tomorrow, I am going to read the Bible 12 pages a day for 3 months.
I thought running the half marathon was tough, but I already am wondering what I got myself into. This will truly be a test of dedication and perseverance.
Wish me luck!

Healer (Cancer Faked) Mike Guglielmucci

This story is unbelievable. I just recently posted aobut how I was inspired and encouraged by the lyrics in the new Hillsong song healer. I did not realize it was written by someone who was faking a terminal illness. To be quite honest, I was pretty disturbed with the whole story.
But it is great to see this pastor admit that he has another kind of illness and he is seaking help.
Search it on youtube to see the entire story.

The Sports Illustrated Jinx

I have never really believed in the curses that go along with professional sports.
From the Cubs, to the Red Sox, to Madden, to SI, it seems like there are many. I always just viewed these so called curses as a coincidence or an excuse for choking late in the year.
So why am I worried? Look at the cover.
If you know me, you know I am a huge Dallas fan. Fanatic might be an understatement. I grew up watching America's team and remember 3 Superbowl's in the 90's.
The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since the year I was getting my drivers license and yet I will continue to watch every single game. I have even attended 3 out of the last 4 training camps. I have been faithful. It is now time to return the favor. So, from a fan to the team, I have a few requests.
Romo, if you are reading, please don't get hurt!!! Forget about the curse.
Pacman, don't make it rain.
T.O, Keep your mouth shut.
Crayton, catch the dang ball.

Superbowl prediction: Dallas Cowboys-31, New England Patriots-28

Encouraging song

I was just browsing through itunes and came across the song Healer by Hillsong.
What a simple but yet powerful worship song.
I was reading through the book 'Man in Black' by Johnny Cash. He has a line in his book that says whenever he sang the song "Walk the Line" he meant it, or at least wanted to.
This song made me think of that quote. Whenever I sing words to God such as "I believe you are all I need" I mean it, or at least I want to mean it.

Pay the dollar and get this song on itunes. Be encouraged.

Lyrics:
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

To run or not to run? That is the question

This weekend will be my second year to run the half marathon down at Disneyland. Last year, I just set out a goal to accomplish and was proud of the fact that I did it. I remember as I crossed the finish line saying to myself, I will never do this again. As the year went on I had friends who made the same goal for this year. So I thought, what the heck I will do it again. Im not great at math but the way I see it, Half marathon (last year) + Half marathon (this year) = One full Marathon.
But as I have been training, I am having problems that I dont really remember from lat year. If you are a doctor (Chad) or a running expert, please let me know whether I should run or not. Here are the concerns.

Knee Pain- After some internet research, I have diagnosed myself with an abnormally tight iliotibial band. Not sure what that means but I definitely need to loosen this band before this weekend.

Ankle Pain- Couldn't find a medical term but it sure does hurt when I run. Weak ankles I guess. Maybe bad running shoes.

Black Toenails - My middle toes on both feet are black from banging up against the shoe while running.

As long as I do not hurt anything worse, I don't mind suffering through the pain. But my fear is that I will need something amputated by the time this run comes to a stop on Sunday.

Allnighter Outreach

It is once again time for our Jr. high outreach where we have to stay up all night long. Thank God this is only once a year.
I am really looking forward to this years event. I think that what we have in store for these students is something that they will really enjoy but be challenged as well. Every year many students make decisions.
We always start out with a rally at the church with a band, speaker, games, giveaways, and food. As you can see on the poster that we have an illusionists to give the message. From what I hear, Danny Ray is amazing.

After that we go to this massive building that has everything from laser tag to surf rider, to arcade, to skate park.

I cant wait!

Getting away

I just got back the other day from a 5 day cruise to the Bahamas.\I know, life can be tough sometimes. There was something about this trip that made it one of the most fun and beneficial trips I have ever been on. Of course it was fun. Jet skiing in the ocean, snorkeling, eating until you want to throw up, all good things. But there was just something about spending time with friends and not having a care in the world that made it memorable. Try it sometime. Get away. Anywhere. You will be glad you did.

Third Day going mainstream?

Third Day just released their new album Revelation today.
Never been a huge fan. I always thought they were just "okay".
I remember going to a Michael W. Smith (remember that guy) and Third Day concert back in college. Smith made them look like an amateur garage band.
But I have to admit this album is pretty amazing. There are also a couple songs with Daughtry and Lacey Mosley from Flyleaf.
While recording this album in LA with a mainstream producer, it seems like they are trying to step out of contemporary Christian music confines. Hopefully their message will be heard by many for the first time. They will be on the tonight show tonight. Check em out.

Youth Assistant

I just found out about this software called Youth Assistant.
Here is what it claims to do:
Automated check in/check out
Event budgeting and expenses
Visitor tracking
Text messaging
Mentor Link program
Small group tracker with pictures
Email blasts
Prayer requests
Postcards

And about 20 other things.

It seems like an amazing tool. If there is a youth pastor out there that has tried it or heard about it, it would be great to hear what you think of it.

Google saving gas

I just saw that you can not only get driving directions on google maps but you can get walking directions as well.
For me to drive to work - 17 minutes.
For me to walk to work - 3 hours and 8 minutes.

I think Ill drive.

Texas State Board approves Bible courses in public schools.

I never thought I would see they day, but starting this fall certain Texas schools will add Bible courses to their schedule. Here is the article. God bless Texas!

Just when you think tv couldnt get any lower.

There is a new reality show on the G4 station called "Hurl"
Here is a short description of the show.

Just relax, let go, and hurl!

This new reality show that has five contestants attempting to prove their iron stomach prowess by eating food in a short period of time. This is immediately followed by nausea-enducing acts. Those who managed to complete each feat without "hurling" will be crowned winner.

Although this show is wrong on so many levels, I find myself intrigued and will probably watch at least one episode.

Cow Appreciation Day

I just saw this picture on my sister in laws blog. Chick-fil-A gave away free food if you dressed up like a cow. My niece and nephews couldn't pass up on such a great deal. Smart family.

A picture says a thousand words

This is the look you will find on the face of your leaders at some point during a week of summer camp. Okay, actually camp was a lot of fun. It could quite possibly be the best camp experience I have ever had personally.
I will take a note from Kurt Johnstons blog and do a little section called "the good, the bad, the ugly."

The Good
I have never spent so much time just hanging out with students. From running with one of my students at night to taking 15 of them on a bike ride around the lake, to playing mafia in our cabin every night, it was a week of being relational. There would be times that I would want to sneak off and take a nap, but it was just too much fun hanging out with them.
A few of my students really felt Gods presence at camp. It wasn't really the typical emotional re dedication week like every other year, but God really gave some students a reality check and challenged them in different ways.
I also look forward to connecting with different youth pastors across California every year. All the same churches go the same week every year, so the youth pastors had a chance to connect and just talk about ministry. Thursday night, the camp had us over for a BBQ and a chance to connect. Good times.

The Bad
DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA!
It never seems to fail. There is always going to be drama between students at some point during camp. Usually it is the girls, and this year was no exception. I really saw first hand how much gossiping, negativity, talking down to others, and complaining can come out of Jr. highers. This is something that I saw that I really need to teach on in the near future.
Homesickness - One thing that frustrates me the most about Jr. High ministry is that every now and then I feel that I am working with children, not teenagers. Two of my students called their parents and had them come get them because they were homesick. I tried to be as sensitive as I could but after a few days of hearing it, I pretty much thought "SUCK IT UP!!!!"

The Ugly
This was a first for me. And our camp hadn't dealt with this kind of situation in a long time. Our guest speaker had been going through a lot lately plus trying to launch a new ministry. With that said, he was pretty much all over the place and impossible to follow. He went over an hour each time he taught and for the majority of it, he wasn't making any sense. Halfway through the week, all the youth pastors were called outside and asked by the camp the best way to handle the situation.
We all decided to let the camp director speak the rest of the week. It ended up being great. The way the camp handled the situation was very impressive and I respect them that much more because of it.

I give this years camp an A+++. But thank goodness its only one week a year.

For the love of God, STAY RETIRED!!!!!!!!

Hey Brett,
I have news for you
1. You are old
2. You throw a lot of interceptions
3. Your backup is most likely better than you
4. Last years record was a fluke
5. You are overrated
6. You already said bye

Sorry man, but you have to go. Invent a grill or some sort of salsa to sell. Every athlete does it. Dont be like the annoying dude at a party where everyone is happy to see them walk out the door, only to see him return 5 minutes later.

Gullible is not in the dictionary

If I have one weakness (which we know there is more) it would be that I am very gullible. I believe just about anything anyone tells me if they are being serious. Why wouldn't I? Excuse me for giving you the benefit of the doubt only to find out you are lying to my face. Anyways, one thing that I am always a sucker for are infomercials. It is amazing what they sell on those paid programming shows at 3 in the morning. Whether it be a knife that cuts through a shoe, an infrared oven that cooks your food evenly or a steamer that can get out all wrinkles in less than 30 seconds, I believe that it works.
My latest moment of weakness were these green tea packets that help you lose weight and get into shape. Doesn't that sound amazing? They even guarantee the money back if you don't like it. How can this go wrong?
Well, after a week of trying the tea, I find myself not feeling well and in the bathroom a lot more. I'm not sure if that is the strategy they had in mind to help lose weight, but it is not one my body cares for too much.
Lesson Learned: Don't believe everything you hear...
As sad as it is, there are people out there to get you and don't care how it effects you. You can learn a lot through bad green tea. Now I just have to figure out a way to get my money back.

My Trip to Texas

I just flew back from Gods country into the 100 + degree weather with a sky full of smoke of central California. Time to get back to ministry.
It was a very busy but very fun week. I got a chance to basically see everyone I know or knew at one point. I also got to gain about 10 pounds by eating some great TX food.
Here is a glimpse of the trip.
The first week, High School Reunion.
This night was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Seeing old faces, reminiscing on old stories, and even watching old videos made the night memorable.
I learned that people don't really change after 10 years. Yes, they are older, have kids, have jobs, but personality wise, people usually don't change.
This is me and my 4 best friends in high school. (missing one other)


After the reunion I rented a car and drove up to Arkansas to see my brother and his family. It was a short trip but worth while. They have some of the cutest kids ever. Thanks for the good food!


After Arkansas, I woke up early and drove to Oklahoma City. But before I got there ( I know, this is pathetic) I had to stop in Checotah, OK. which happens to be the home town of Carrie Underwood. Don't worry, I didn't go out of my way. I just saw the sign and had to take a quick pic.


I finally ended up in OKC. Spent the day with my cousin, checking out his new church and just hanging out. It was also a short trip but a lot of fun.


I finally ended up back in Dallas, and after 14 hours of driving, I got to see my sister and niece. We went to the movies, pet shop, out to eat, and just spent the day together. Her alone would tempt me to move back to Tx.
.

All in all, a great trip. I rarely get to go back there, but I am sure glad I did. It was kind of weird. The traveling to different states to see family and friends made it seem like I was dying and had to say my last good byes. I really hope thats not the case. But now it is time for summer camp and a mission trip in July. The fun never ends.