Only In My Dreams...

If you're like me, you have something that you'd love to do, even if it's a dream. One of my dreams is to fly in either an F-15 or F-16 fighter jet. Now I realize that it will probably never happen, but it doesn't diminish my love for thinking about it. One of the things I love about our valley is the road that winds its way around the end of the Boise airport runway. Why is that so cool you may ask? I love it because it allows you to pull over and park and watch planes take off or land, at very close proximity. To me it's the closest thing I'll get to ever being in one of these amazing fighter jets. This week in Boise we have some F-15s that are doing training missions in and out of the Boise airport. There's nothing quite like watching them come in to land or take off, especially at very close proximity, with the roar of their engines and their intimidating looks. Most of you don't know this, but before I came to the US on a tennis scholarship, I was considering joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force and seeing whether I had what it took to become a pilot. Two of my close high school friends both became pilots, one flying F-16s and the other C-130s. So I've always had a fascination with flying and going fast (in planes). I encourage you, even with your busy life and schedule, every now and then, take time to do things that you love and don't get to do very often. Who knows, maybe I'll see you at the end of the Boise airport runway watching jets take off and land :)

Fun is Essential in Life

So we're right in the middle of our HITC winter retreat. We get to have a couple of fun days together and then head up to an awesome young adult retreat in the mountains for 3 days. One of my favorite things to do with our extremely hard working and stretched to the limit HITC students is provide opportunities for them to unwind and have fun. Well yesterday we did just that. We invaded JumpTime Idaho, and being the only people there, we had a blast and took over the place! We bounced and played, and I even had an opportunity to do some Tebowing. So many people have this wrong picture that being a Christian limits you from having fun. Well are they ever wrong. Anyone who truly serves God will tell you that being a Christian brings freedom and joy. That was so obvious to me yesterdat with our students. After being on a pretty challenging schedule, a little bit of unwind and play is just what the doctor ordered. I love watching 18-30 year olds have so much on trampolines and other things. Seeing their smiles, hearing their laughs and just watching them is so rewarding. If life was only all about hard work without any times of fun, it would be pretty mundane. I'm so thankful that in Christ we have life, joy and freedom. We can never forget Jesus' promise to us from John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." I'm so looking forward to some great activities today and then a powerful young adult retreat to round out the week. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming, because of how I love life and everything that's going on in it :)

The Love Filter

As most of you are aware, or at least I hope so, today is Valentine's Day. A day where cards, chocolates, flowers and a host of other things are given to loved ones. The main emphasis of today is love. If you asked culture to describe love, I think you'd get some pretty interesting ideas. Actually I don't know if interesting is the right word to describe the answers you'd get. It's only in the context of understanding God's love that we can truly understand what love is really about. The Message lays it out well in 1 Corinthians 13:7, "Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first," doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end." Most people who read this verse would probably think it's crazy! But crazy it is, because it describes love through the eyes of a God who's crazy about us. As Christians it's so easy to say we love others, but how does your love hold up through the love filter of 1 Corinthians 13? Love is the most powerful and amazing thing the world has ever known and it's author is God. Enjoy your Valentines Day today, and never forget what true love looks like :) 

The Music of Opportunity and the Sound of Potential

(Please view the link I've posted below as it may be one of the best clips you ever watch). I'd never heard of Patrick Hughes till just recently, and you probably haven't heard of him either. However, this young man is one in a million. Although he's a man with incredible physical limitations, he certainly doesn't see it that way. He sees the blessings in life instead of the problems. He sees the abilities God gave him and not the disabilities. It's not about what he can't do, but what he can do. Even with his physical limitations he's a musical genius. If anyone in this world has the opportunity to question or have a wrong attitude, it would be Patrick Hughes. Amazingly, he never goes there. In a culture where being a victim is commonplace, that's the farthest thing from Patrick Hughes' mind. His view is that life is way too short to live it as a victim or without being thankful for all he has. This young man is a reminder to us about what life is all about. I encourage you to watch his story at http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg. As you go through your day, don't focus on your limitations, but on your possibilities. Don't let problems hold you down or define who you are or what you can do. Don't look at problems, but at your blessings. And in everything, never forget God's promise to you found in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."

Want or Need?

I was in a conversation this week where on several occasions the person said, "I need..." As our conversation continued it became very evident this person was very confused when it came to needs versus wants. A lot of people seem to get confused on this topic, especially young people. A "need" is simply something that you really can't do without. I picture someone having a serious asthma attack, and their need for an inhaler. A "want" however, is something you wish for or desire, but it's not essential. I'd love a new cell phone, however, the older cell phone I have seems to do the job right now. To me, wants and needs are pretty obvious, but this area can become gray very quickly. It's interesting how many people have allowed things that are really only wants, to actually become needs. You hear things like, "I can't live without it", or "I'll die if I don't get one". Let's look at some things and decide whether they're really a need or a want. How about some Starbucks coffee? A new car? A new computer? A new gun? A bigger house? Are these really needs and essential? Is a Starbucks essential to your survival? You drive a car that works OK now and so does your one year old computer. Another gun to go with the one you already have and a house that gives you a little more room than the house you're already in. Don't be fooled! Our culture is never satisfied with what it has. It's always looking for something bigger or better. This fact can easily sway how we view what is really a want or a need. We can't forget Paul's words in Philippians 4:11, "for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have." For fun check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq6xk9ahMnI

Wah!

Have you ever noticed how much people whine, not referring to babies, but adults? At times I'm amazed at how many adults whine, moan, complain or grumble. I've been there just like everyone else. In the past I've whined and complained, but I recognize it was wrong. Nowadays, those who know me best would agree that they seldom hear me whine or complain. I thought babies whined and yet people who whine often want to be treated as adults. Go figure? Whining is defined as, "to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way." So what makes us whine? Perhaps we didn't get what we wanted? Or we didn't like what someone said or did? Maybe we feel it's our right? Or perhaps we really have no reason and it's just who we are? Whatever the reason, it's not a very good one. I love today's picture of a grown man with a pacifier in his mouth. As ridiculous as it looks, this is exactly how we look when we whine. A great picture of how God views whining is found in Numbers 11. In verse 11 we read, "Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the LORD became extremely angry." Whining didn't sit so well with Him. If whining isn't what should come out of our mouths what should? I love what the Message says should come from our mouths in Ephesians 4:29, "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift." Can you imagine if the only things that came out of our mouths were helpful and that we viewed our every word as a gift? Today I challenge you to let your words help and view them as gifts. If you don't, you risk looking like the guy above :)

Loser?

One of the most commonly found things among people in our culture is insecurity. And unfortunately this frequently shows up in the way people view themselves. So many people battle low self-esteem on a daily basis and this is usually very evident. I know from time to time we can all face a little discouragement or battle low self-esteem, but one of the things we must never forget is who made us and how He feels about us. Look at how Psalm 139 describes the way God feels about us. Verses 13 and 14 say, "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it." Then verses 17 and 18 say, "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!" Do you begin to see how God feels about you? You're no loser! Through Him you're a winner! Don't label or view yourself as someone you're not. God cannot and does not lie, and so what He says about you is the truth. You belong to Him and are His masterpiece. Today, remove the L sign you're making from your forehead. Let your actions, attitudes, words and thoughts reflect who you really are. In Jesus you are a champion! You are valuable, precious and the apple of His eye. Yes your life is meaningful and He has called you to great things :)