Life goes on

Have you ever noticed how quickly and torrid a pace that life seems to be taking? Perhaps it is a time where things seem to be calm and serene, and one is able to catch their breath before diving in headfirst again. However, much of this time in my life is spent trying to catch my breath, to take one last glance before everything slips away. Funerals, weddings, graduations, moving; it is a never-ending cycle of a fast track called life. And we are all simply along for the ride. Nevertheless, the good thing I have noticed is that the driver is an incredible friend, one who is willing to die for you at any cost. Because He did. And even though the way He is choosing to drive and the path He is diverging on seems like such absolute insanity, He is always in complete control. And even though the way is narrow, He chooses to swerve left and right, not to take the lead, but to lead you to something greater. And you won't finish first either, oh no, you will finish last. But when you finally cross the finish line and enter the gates, His gates, the reward and crowning prize is eternal victory. Amen.

Presentation Day

Today was an incredible opportunity Shawn and myself had to share the gospel at our college. In our Mass Communications class at San Jacinto College, we had to do a project that somehow related to the subject and what we had learned. We were planning on doing a commercial to promote a product (specifically Reduced Fat Chips Ahoy Cookies) but we began to come to the problem that we couldn't relate to Mass Comm. Well... I began thinking. And praying. And lo and behold, an idea popped into my head. The Bible is the greatest tool of mass communication in the history of the known universe. So that was the name of our project.

We created an awesome PowerPoint (much props to Shawn for making it look legit) and wrote out scripts with our notes. We both were super nervous but felt prepared. It's funny how it never turns out to be worse than we imagine in our heads. So we began confidently and did a great job, throwing jokes here and there and presenting the gospel in a mostly unbiased but with a good hard look at the holy text.

After it was finished, our professor praised us for a good job. A classmate stopped me in the hallway and told me how awesome he thought it was, and a fellow newspaper writer said she also loved it. God is beyond words in how He works through us, whether it be a small change from a simple commercial into something greater for His glory. All glory and honor to Him for sure.

Weddings

It is incredible how much a wedding affects me. The utter significance of the moment and the bringing together of two into one is a beautiful thing. Yesterday I had the privilege to attend the wedding of Chris and Nikki Tripputi. It was a gorgeous church with a sanctuary full of stain glass and sunlight shining through. Weddings simply bring happiness. And people need that. God gave us the gift of laughter and tears of joy, and a heart-warming experience is a necessity.

The union also is a perfect reminder that we are the bride of Christ. The feelings that I held at the ceremony came forth several times when I would look around the room and see everyone's shining faces. I can not wait for the day when I will be standing with my Jesus (hopefully I won't be in a dress, and if I am, I hope it's a cute one) at the heavenly alter to be united with Him forever.

I know for sure at my wedding dancing is going to happen. I'm not a wedding planner or anything so I have no idea what is standard, but I know there will shuffling of feet and awkward movements to some kind of musical sound and we shall call it "dancing". But the awesome thing about that is not how good you look, but how much fun you are having. You can't be having the time of your life and not be willing to look silly. Having said this, let me tell you that Shawn Tripputi can freakin dance! He has been blessed with that type of movement, so for him it is a win-win situation where he can have a blast and showcase his talent.

I know there will be dancing in heaven. I can't wait.

Crunch time

It is almost the end of the semester. Most years, a joyous feeling. However, this year it feels extremely bittersweet. This half of a school year has been by far the most entertaining and enjoyable. I recall last December dreading this time, when I was going to be enrolled in Biology 2 and other such less-than-desirable courses. Instead, I pulled a switcheroo and ended up taking three classes (Mass Communications, Newspaper and Reporting, and BCIS) and have never looked back. Considering my major will be Broadcast Journalism or Communications, these 3 have been critical for me getting into my field of study. Not only that, but I have been learning from one of the best in the Houston area, ESPN radio personality Fred Faour. He worked as a sports editor for the Houston Chronicle and now has a syndicated radio program on FM 97.5 "The Blitz".

I never thought I would get such an inside look into the industry, much less actually be under his tutelage by writing for the San Jacinto Times. I have been able to do features, news stories, sports stories, columns, a back page, a "Pop Culture Bracket", and other varied topics. It has been a blessing beyond my dreams, and I know God gave me this semester for a reason. He introduced me to Jerome Solomon (a sports writer for the Chronicle) and Eric Rowe (from 104.1 KRBE). Even today, I was in the studio with him as he hosted "The Blitz" and continue to learn. Hopefully I will keep in contact with him as I move onto another chapter in my life at Texas State, because our paths may cross again later in life.

Being completely honest, another reason it is bittersweet is because I am nervous to move away. Yes, I have not lived at home in months, but my parents are moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, so it is almost like a complete cut-off. It will be something completely new and exciting, and I look forward to the challenge with Luke Crawford and Shawn Tripputi. These next years are going to be the best years of our lives.... so far.

Praying for friends in Brazil

Last week, a devastating amount of rain hit the Rio de Janeiro area in Brazil. As some of you know, we took a trip down there last summer, so to see the city of Rio and Niteroi in the news immediately drew my attention. The rain has caused massive flooding and mudslides throughout the area, killing over 200 and forcing thousands to move. The good news is that since the tragedy I have spoken with friends down there via Facebook and Skype, and they are doing ok and are involved in some clean-up projects. The church we worked with, Comunidade Batista Oceânica, has been extremely involved in the community.

Please continue to pray for the area and for the families that have been affected. Even though I will not be able to go back this year, God is still doing amazing things there.

Choose you this day

Do not take everything at face value. Question everything. Test it to see if it is good. James 1:2-3 says " 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." We must be very intentional about what enters into our eyes and ears, because "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)

The Bible, specifically Proverbs and James, have a lot to say about the tongue:

• Leviticus 19:16
• Psalms 141:3
• Proverbs 10:19
• Proverbs 29:20
• Ecclesiastes 10:12, 13
• Matthew 12:36, 37
• James 1:26
• James 3:5-8

I do not expect you to look at all of the above links, but I just wanted to give examples of how powerful words and the tongue are, and how devastating the consequences can be. We need to not only watch everything everyone else says, but even more so what we say.

Lord, give me strength

God, thank You for who You have made me. I know I have my weaknesses and difficulties, but in You I am made strong. Give me the strength to be compassionate, patient, diligent, and possess integrity at work. I want to be proactive and productive. It has been a trying semester, but a great one. I desire to continue growth and study. I am so blessed with a heart for people and I want to use it for Your glory. You always blow my mind. I love you.

The Madness of March

Ah, Spring. The time of year when a young man's fancy turns to intense passion and leaving it all on the floor. This time of year is one of my favorites by far, with the NBA heating up and gearing towards the playoffs, MLB right around the corner, the NFL draft is a big topic after the Combine, and even Tiger Woods returning at the Masters can not dampen my spring sports fever. Because besides all of these aforementioned treasures, nothing can shake me from my roost quite like March Madness.

It has become a cultural phenomenon, kinda like mullets. And Pokemon. And celebrity scandals. Except the difference is March Madness is the kind of phenomenon everyone can enjoy, from young toddler to the old retired person who is about to get a fat check from Mr. Obama. (One could make a case for mullets still being popular, but the people who put those things on toddlers are ungodly.) Terms such as "bubble", "bracket-busting", and "Cinderella team" are becoming household.

No other sport can match the intensity in a playoff system quite like NCAA men's basketball. Sure, the NFL has the highest-viewed playoffs and (you get those fans that come shirtless with the painted chest when it's -30 degrees outside and it's snowing. But I hope you're not THAT guy.) And the NBA, MLB, and NHL have their own best-of-seven versions of what it takes to be a champion. But the way the Tournament works is unparalleled: 65 teams. Powerhouse programs to lowly mid-majors duking it out. Upsets galore. I mean come on! How often is an Ivy League school in any kind of final that doesn't involve the debate team? (See 12th-seed "Cornell: Men's BBall, 2010). Saint Mary's, a 10 seed, is doing work, beating No. 2 Villanova. Number 11 Washington destroyed a good No. 3 New Mexico.

It can be argued that the reason for this is no dominant teams this season. Doesn't that make it even more intriguing?

Like my good friend Kevin Garnett once said, (well, screamed) "Anything is possible".

NashVegas

I had never been to Nashville, Tennessee before this past week. Or Alabama. Or Mississippi. And let me tell you, if there is one thing I learned about those places is that it really is true what they say when they are spoken of as "hick" places. The Southern accents are as thick as molasses. But I learned so much more than just geography. I spent a week with an incredible group of people who had gone through so much before the trip even started, and met more incredible people while I was there.

On Monday we worked with Feed the Children, an organization that gives boxes of goods to needy families. We spent hours packing and re-packing palettes and became very proficient. Tuesday we worked with Habitat for Humanity, and helped them set up several trailers for home sites. We had four work-release inmates working alongside us, and had the opportunity to have spiritual conversations with them. Wednesday we organized boxes upon boxes of clothing, food, and miscellaneous items at the Nashville Rescue Mission. It was there we met Thomas, a man with one of the most incredible testimonies I have ever heard, and now has an incredible fire in his heart and in his life. I know those who were there will not be the same.

God did His thing through us, and I know that I am lucky just to be His hands and feet. Our group grew very close and I love each one of them.

Joshua 24:14-15 - 14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Sex should still be taboo

Sex sells. Everyone knows this. Look at Playboy and television and movies (don’t even start on the internet) and it is in plain sight. In our culture’s never-ending quest to find “self discovery” and “free speech” it has found itself at new places: lowly places. Sex is more prevalent in our society than ever before, but how is this a good thing?

When one thinks of a newspaper many things come to mind, be they news (shock!), sports, what is happening in the city, nation, and world, and classifieds, job openings, etc. Perhaps even an advice column from Dear Old Abby herself. But even inside of this column, who really wants to hear about sexually frustrated old people getting sexual advice from a sexually frustrated old lady herself? (Look at her picture and tell me she is not). Yes, Dear Abby gives us lots of good advice other than sex, so I’m not just bashing her, but the point is this: even if the people wanting this column are not old people but young, hot college students in the thralls of love, who is giving the advice? Are there college students who are “experts” on sex? Is that a good thing?

The student publication of the school newspaper is for the students by the students, so students would be the ones writing the column. Or, there would be a creepy old editor supervising the column and generously gracing us with his experiences and giving his take on matters. Either way, the advice one would get is not from an expert, but from people who just want to talk about sex.

This may be exactly what the heart of the matter is: people simply desiring to talk about sex. For so long sex was taboo, and people are hardwired to rebel, so it is no surprise it would lead to sex becoming okay. The problem with that is, there are many consequences when sex is involved:

· Culturally: When sex becomes okay for the culture, it gives people an opportunity to rationalize having affairs. (I wasn’t sexually “compatible” with my spouse…)

· Socially: Children learn more sex education in elementary schools than their parents could ever teach them. Trust me, I went to elementary school.

· Economically: Here is a website with all different kinds of statistics on pornography. I found it interesting that in referring to pornography “Internet misuse at work is costing American corporations more than $85 billion annually in lost productivity”.

· Morally: If you have to ask, you shouldn’t be alive.

Leave the sex out of a student newspaper. If students want to talk about sex, they can go to the Internet. Or the movies. Or television. Or romance novels. Or…

Study of Elijah

I have recently begun a case study on my favorite character in the bible, Elijah. This man was a prophet of God who was so faithful and powerful, and walked so closely with Him, that he didn't even die. There is so much to this that I'm breaking it down bit by bit. Depending on how long the study goes, I may even move into his successor, Elisha, for he has an incredible calling as well.

To read all about it along with me, here is the story.