Shopping for BBQ

Elevate BBQ is tonight at 6PM. We moved the time up from 7 because it is getting dark earlier. I am excited for a chance to get away form an hour of sitting and get people together for some great food, and have some great conversation.

Bring some frisbee's, guitars, whatever....
we are gonna have a blast

People in your life

The life we live is made up of experiences, as we experience things we change and grow. One of the most important factors is the people we meet along the way, especially the ones who we allow to have influence on us. One of the greatest gifts God gives us is people who leave a powerful imprint of their character and integrity on us. I am am thankful for the people that I have encountered along the way, a lot of them had an a amazing effect on me and have helped me grow as an individual. There were many I allowed to have influence on me in a negative way, I am thankful for the ones who had a long term positive effect on me.
Through my high school years I had a teacher who was extremely beneficial to my life. The funny thing is that he was kind of a goofball. He was scatterbrained (which is probably why I identified so much with him,) and to be honest pretty nerdy. In the middle of class he would always say "where's my glasses" and everyone would start laughing because they were on top of his head. The thing that really influenced me is that he was always about everyone else, he genuinely seemed to care more about others than himself, and it wasn't an act. I went to a boarding high school 50 miles away from home and he would invite to dinner with his family, and have me over to watch baseball games. He was a huge baseball fan and a the Red Box came right after Jesus and his family. I was in his living room the year Bill Buckner let the ball roll through his legs as they gave the world series to the Mets, I wish I could have been there when they won if for the first time a few years back.
Anyway I am just thankful for him today, and for helping instill some character in my life. This week I want to focus on some of the people who have had an beneficial impact on my life.

Jonah pitching

Got the first hit out, dad about had a heart attack.

Jesus is a Friend of Mine Part 2

David Crowder did a cover of this Amazing Classic at his church a few weeks ago.
check it out here:

I can't stop- here is the heavy metal version:


if you didnt see the next video down it won't make sense

New Elevate Band

We decided we needed to get a little "edgier" at Elevate. These guys really know how to Rock and Roll.
Groovy Dude!


Remember Jesus is like a Mountie, he always gets his man. CLASSIC

Mornings

I hate waking up, but I love mornings. Too bad you can't have it both ways. Around my house its the only time its quiet. I have been trying to make some time for quiet in my life which is tough, when you have little kids. SO occasionally I will get up before they do- which is early! They process from legs under covers to legs on the floor is a tough one. Even tougher when I know I have a good 30 minutes to an hour before the kids are up. But once I get up and get that first cup of Coffee and sit out back in Silence I am so glad I did it. I figure if Jesus needs quiet I need it more. Its not about penitence or duty, I am learning that God desires to make himself known to me. James 2:3 tells us that Abraham was a friend of God. I hope that my life resembles a friendship with God. I don't want to spend time with him out of some religious duty, but rather to spend time with the person that loves me most, and to allow him to pour his life into me. Friendship is about communication, its hard to communicate in today's busy world and I think God prefers that individual time with me, and rumor is he doesn't do the BlackBerry thing.