Monthly Archive for May, 2007

Golfing With Discs In Hillsboro

Today I accompanied Brian Taylor and his girlfriend Andrea for a wonderful day at the Orchard Park Disc Golf Course. I lost a disc but still threw my best game in quite some time, 61 shots to Brian’s 71. After beating him by one stroke at Grand Lodge in Forest Grove the other day, I mauled him by 10. Nothing was really different in either one of our games, except for the fact that I actually sank all my putts today save for the 18th hole.

Here’s a massively epic photo of me after a throw on the 5th, in which I subsequently lost my $8 driver:

Me doing the tango after my horrible shot on 5.

So as you can very well see, the goatee is alive and Brian and I had some great fun on the course today. Might have to go back to Grand Lodge soon.

Because I went out and played disc golf today, I missed church tonight. Something I was all too willing to do, given that we had a young adult small group meeting last week and all we did was plan for upcoming events. Figured I wouldn’t waste gas on such a trip this week, even though New Horizons did start a young adult group, thank God. I’ll be back at NH on Sunday.

How Could God Bless My Big Mistake?

So I made a mistake seven months ago.

I made a mistake of moving down here to Oregon for one sole reason: to be with a girl I loved at the time. I’ll admit that I was stupid in that decision. I thought it was God’s will for me to be with her and, as I found out a month ago, that obviously wasn’t the case.

Now I work two jobs but I barely make rent each month, can barely afford to drive up to Vancouver to visit friends and go to church…overall, my financial situation is bad. My recent financial troubles had me wondering the other day if I am really where God wants me to be. Does He even want me in Oregon? What is my purpose here? What happens next?

Ever since Black Thursday, my life had been pretty aimless. I’m single and in no mad rush to date anybody anytime soon, I have no desire to serve in any leadership capacity at my church, and pretty much all I want to do is go to work, come home, read the Bible, maybe another book and sleep. I felt like I just existed and didn’t know what to do from here.

Enter Joel Senior, a good friend of mine from the Tri-Cities area of Washington state.

Joel and I had a great phone conversation a few days ago, and in it we shared how we were doing personally (yes, I had to tell the story about the breakup AGAIN), our excitement for working church camp in June, and we prayed with each other. It was a great conversation and it was good to hear from him again, and I was about to hang up when he told me something that really blessed me.

He shared how glad he was that I moved back to the Northwest and that he didn’t speak alone in that regard. He told me how he remembered us being good friends for what has been ten years now, and we shared our appreciation for each other’s friendship and spiritual support.

After I hung up I really started thinking. God has blessed me even through the big mistake I made, He is somehow still blessing me through helping others. If I can be a help to just one person and be a strong spiritual support for them, then I really know my moving back here to the Northwest isn’t in vain.

Sure, the pain of the breakup is still real. I’m still very angry at my ex-girlfriend for what she did and how she went about the breakup (and the few days afterward). So angry, in fact, that I can’t bring myself to wish her well in life, school, future relationships, etc. at this point in time. I don’t say that to be mean, and I definitely don’t want to wish bad thoughts for her, but I’m not full of wonderful feelings for her either. Still can’t fathom the fact that she had three terrible boyfriends before me who broke up with her, and then even after she describes me as the best boyfriend she ever had, she left me.

Even though I miss her and the times we had, they are beginning to pale in comparison to how fragile the relationship was. I can honestly say that if I were given a second chance for the relationship, I’d turn it down in an instant. Couldn’t do it.

Too much pain and anger from the breakup and some of the fallout afterward still, but God has proven Himself faithful even though I don’t deserve it. Faithful in the fact that He hasn’t given up on me and will help me change the way I feel toward the situation and her. He’ll continue to bless me in His time by allowing me to move on, and through friends of mine like Joel, redefine my purpose for being here in the Northwest.

I’m here for a reason and I’m setting out to discover why. If anyone out there can help me, I’d appreciate it.

Memorial Day Thoughts

Memorial Day is almost over, and I certainly don’t want to let midnight strike without giving pause to remember those who have gone before us and given their lives so we might have the freedoms we have today. I could type any given number of cliches and it still wouldn’t express the gratitude I have toward our nation’s veterans, but I just want to say may God truly bless them all for their service.

Veterans, such as the World War II vets who are becoming fewer and fewer in number by the day. If you have a chance to talk with a WW2 vet, seize the opportunity and listen to the wealth of information they have to share. Take the time and learn firsthand from someone who experienced one of the greatest victories in the history of our nation, and the world.

The Vietnam veterans who returned to their homeland after serving in what can be described as a controversial war at best, and were treated horribly by this nation and its citizens. We still owe them all a debt of gratitude for being willing to serve for the cause of their country despite their personal feelings on the matter.

Same goes for our Iraq vets…a group I am a part of. I deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2005 to May 2006, and told the stories of those who are serving in one of the world’s great conflicts of this generation. As with Vietnam, my hats are off to all the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who serve their country despite whatever sentiment people carry toward the war, on the homefront.

God bless everyone who served, as we remember them all this Memorial Day!

Money Crunch

I’m a few fries short of a happy meal and need to do everything I can to conserve what money I have until rent comes due. Thus I can’t attend church tomorrow because it’s absolutely asinine to drive to Washougal twice a week with gas prices the way they are.

However, my finances should improve soon. I’m working at KPTV tomorrow then I start at the Apple Store on Monday.

I just need to keep praying and trusting God he’ll get me through to my next rent payment. Pray for me, I’m a bit worried…

The 54321: May 25, 2007

Ladies and gentlemen, now re-introducing a fan favorite of former features from my old blog, the 54321…where I count down my top tracks of the week and link to either a preview or full song.

Here goes for May 25.

5. “Glamorous,” Fergie. From the album The Dutchess.

I might get made fun of hardcore but I actually like the synths and the beat in this song. What I don’t like is Fergie’s voice and the fact she has to spell all her words out. A fun song though, and simply because of the melody and beat it’s my #5 for the week.

4. “Signatune (Thomas Bangalter Edit),” DJ Mehdi. From the album Lucky Boy.

Breaks are what this track’s about…it sounds like a CD skipping. Once again the melody of this one and Thomas Bangalter’s creativity in adding a bit of a groove to this track make it worthy for the Four spot this week.

3. “Gravity’s Rainbow (Van She Remix),” The Klaxons. From the Xan Valleys EP.

This song sounds nothing like the original, and I like that when remixes do that but still contain elements of the song being reworked. Van She Technologic’s touch of robot rock on this mix makes it a candidate to be played over and over on my iMac. Which it has.

2. “What Goes Around Comes Around (Junkie XL Big Room Remix),” Justin Timberlake. From the single What Goes Around, Pt. 2.

Good post-breakup song, and this mix gets you moving. As good as it is, it doesn’t get my top spot though…

1. “Emotion 98.6″ by Mylo, from the album Destroy Rock & Roll.

I originally thought this track wasn’t a bright point on Mylo’s “Destroy Rock and Roll” and I ended up skipping it…but once I played it through all the way once, it grew on me. So much that it takes the #1 spot today. More of a relaxing dance tune. Enjoy.

Let’s All Start Counting Down Again

It’s that time of year again, where we all count down to the biggest event in the Washington State COGOP — Senior Camp.

On Sunday, June 24, 2007, teens from all over Washington state will converge on Millersylvania State Park near Olympia for what promises to be a great Senior Camp 2007. Shelly Symonds, in her 8th year of directing the camp, has themed this year “Passion Isn’t Pretty,” keeping in line with the youth ministry theme of the year, “Passion Lives Here.”

Of course with the theme, “Passion Isn’t Pretty,” you can imagine the week is going to be pretty intense spiritually. By just looking at the theme, I personally think of how God instructs us to get a bit dirty with our faith, and by dirty I mean getting outside our comfort zones and really showing a desperate world the love of Jesus. It is going to be a great camp, so get ready.

31 days until Senior Camp 2007 starts!!!

External links:
Washington State COGOP Homepage
Summer Camp Application (you need this if you’re going to Junior, Senior or Young Adult camp)

Thought For Tonight

I now know the reason God brought me to Oregon.

It certainly wasn’t for the-girl-who-shall-remain-nameless.

It was so I could be here when the Blazers finally exorcised their demons that have plagued them since the drafting of Sam Bowie back in the very year I was born. I was at the draft lottery party yesterday, the very place Blazermania started sweeping Portland from again last night.

God definitely has a plan for my life.

Bless God.

Bless the Blazers.

:)

Jesus Christ Is A Trail Blazers Fan

Today my friends Michael Perozzo and Daniel Cooper joined me at Venue in NE Portland, and we stood in a packed room full of more than 100 people to rejoice in the Portland Trail Blazers’ fortunes in winning the #1 draft pick in today’s NBA Draft Lottery.

In attendance were the Blazers radio and TV broadcasting team, including Bill Schonely.

The atmosphere went from one of casual to complete and utter excitement as everyone watched ESPN on a TV near them…we all couldn’t believe our eyes and ears when they announced that Seattle would pick #2, thus handing the #1 pick to Portland. Everyone hugged people they didn’t know, high-fives were had all across the room, Bill Schonely jumped up and down and Mike Rice looked like he was about to go crowd surfing. I don’t think I’ve ever been in such an atmosphere in my life.

Picking first in the draft on June 28 means huge things for the Blazers. After a decent rebuilding year with a wonderful rookie class that included Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, we’re poised to take it to the next level if the team selects Greg Oden, a phenom from Ohio State who absolutely dominates down in the paint and is a great team player.

What I would like to see Portland do is to ship Zach Randolph, Darius Miles and Jamaal Magloire to New Jersey for Jason Kidd. I don’t think Jarrett Jack is the point guard of today, much less the future…and it would be great for Jason Kidd to lead this team and teach Sergio Rodriguez, who is the point guard of the future, and to mentor him. Darius is a cancer, Z-Bo has his problems, and Jamaal doesn’t cut it…but NJ could use another big man. I’d like to see such a trade be pulled off.

Now for the links and media clips regarding today’s huge news that has changed the face of the Blazers franchise. See if you can find me in the videos from KOIN and KPTV. Enjoy!

Blazers Evangelist: Hey Blazers Fan, Do You Believe In Miracles?
Casey Holdahl: Loving Life and the Lottery
John Canzano: Blazers Can Build For Their Future
OregonLive.com’s Photo Gallery: 2007 Draft Lottery Reaction

And the videos I’ve uploaded to my Brightcove account…

Continue reading ‘Jesus Christ Is A Trail Blazers Fan’

It’s Official: I’m Not A Pentecostal

I have to apologize in advance for those I may offend by posting the following. This is just my point of view on my faith…take it or leave it. But definitely, please read it.

I am a Christian. I attend the Church of God of Prophecy, which is a decidedly Pentecostal church throughout the world, and my Christian beliefs tend to border on the Pentecostal/Baptist side of things.

However, as of today I’m going to stop calling myself a Pentecostal. This is for two main reasons.

1. I am a Christian, as stated above. In the Bible, you didn’t have Baptists, Presbyterians, Mennonites, Pentecostals, etc. Anyone who believed and called on the name of the Lord was saved and I believe the same applies today. I am a Christian along with anyone else who decides to follow and seek after God with all their heart. No further label needs to be applied.

2. I disagree with a major tenet of Pentecostalism as it exists today: the phenomenon known as “being slain in the Spirit.” The next few paragraphs will expound on this, based on what I’ve read in the Bible.

Continue reading ‘It’s Official: I’m Not A Pentecostal’

More Site Updates

My site overhaul is nearly complete. I’ve added two new sections, and if you look on the top right-hand corner you can plainly see I’ve reorganized it. Check out my Professional Resume and Video Reel when you get a chance…I’ll add more videos as I get the time.

Off to bed now…got church tomorrow then I work at Fox 12 for the sports folks!!!

God bless!