within.the.story

I have been “injured” with a strained calf muscle (gastrocnemius). I had some issues at mile 5.5 and didn’t want to get too injured to run. So, finally saw the doctor to get diagnosed and was released to run last week. Today I ran 9 miles (!) and felt great!

Kelly (a cedarcreeker) honked and waved this morning when I was running, too.

It has been a good day!

…we are watching us women’s beach volleyball in the gold medal match, pouring rain, going nuts.

GO USA!

How is the One Thing in your life this week?

If you were not at the weekend services at CedarCreek, this post will not mean much for you at this time. Feel free to check out the message online at www.cedarcreek.tv called the One Thing.

Any beeping watch stories?

Another year of the Summit began this morning. We have a large crowd here. It is fun to see these leaders and pastors connecting and learning together.

It is amazing how much I long for rhythm in my life. That weekly cadence of when to wake, when to sleep, when to work, when to chill. One of the unique things about this job, or perhaps being young, is finding a rhythm where you can engage in healthy balance. One of my problems is shutting down from “work” - you see, being home doesn’t mean not working. Even though I am not “on the clock” or putting hours in or even accomplishing anything, my mind is racing with the stuff of the week. So much that it distracts me when I am sitting over dinner with my wife or daughter.

I am not sure that is what God had in mind when He said - be fruitful, work. Even in creation there was a balance…not because God needed it, but because He knew one day Ben would be here and his desire to accomplish tasks and be successful may become too strong over shadowing other important things.

Balance.

Rhythm.

What helps you stay in rhythm? What practices do you use to transition from job to family, work to play, busy to still, my time to God time?

Well, believe it or not, I am riding in the bus right now with a few students. We have experienced an incredible week. We have all laughed, many cried a few times, some have been challenged in difficult but important ways, others have reuinited with God from running away. It has been another amazing trip.  I look forward to all the conversations, the implementation of some new choices and directions, and the continued journey with these students as we learn how to broadcast back to God all the love that He has so diligently broadcast to us.

I don’t want to give you too much now, as some of you will be waiting to hear it first hand from your loved one. Speaking of which - Lydia, we are on our way…and we miss you so much!

Here is a photo to enjoy.

Students, download, save, and print.

For just $1 you can download a similar talk to what Andy Stanley gave last night.

[click here]

Title: Principle of the Path

Well, BigStuf is nearly half over. Hard to believe. Here is a brief summary of the talks:

Monday Night: Andy Stanley - If you would Listen and Learn…you will go further, faster. Too many times we confuse the role of friend for advisor. God made friends to be friends. Advisers are people who are further down the road…where we might want to be some day who if we learn to how to seek wisdom from them, can speak truth into our lives to help us get further down the road we want to be.

Tuesday Morning - Fracis Chan - How do we see God? Too many people have a random picture of Him and instead of seeking to understand who He is from the Bible…they just make up what they think He should be like…or don’t even picture Him at all. Visit Revelation 4. Picture that God…and it will change the way you pray, respond, and live around Him.

Tuesday Night - Jarred Herd - What is your life broadcasting? We spend so much of our time trying to “broadcast” so many things that we see as important - then when we take time to step back and look at it - we realize how little we are broadcasting Jesus. James 2:14-24.

Wednesday Morning - Andy Stanley - Principle of the Path = that it is the path/direction that we choose that determines our destination. It is not our intentions that get us there…but the path we choose.  Read Proverbs 7. So often we see these events in our lives (our weekends) as isolated incidents…but, they are all part of the path that we are choosing…and ultimately lead to a destination. Where are you headed?

So far, between these four talks - one of them has connected with each student as they wrestle with God, their life, and their relationship with Him. Last night, many were up until 2:00am talking. Okay, so one girls room in particular found cockroaches.  The singing is awesome. The beach has been fun. I am looking forward to what is next.

And we are here!

Jealous? Now that the bus ride is over, I can finally relax a bit. =)

[view from our room]

mmm hmmmm gooood

We have arrived in Florida. We are about three hours away from our destination. No one has been left behind. But, here are some interesting facts I have discovered.

Out of the 45 on the bus - 29 have iPod brand mp3 player.

Out of the 45 on the bus - 13 hav had a Monster…7/13 had more than one.

So, check back - as we will continue to keep you informed to the best of our ability.

Just a reminder - each student received a copy of the book Crazy Love written by one of the BigStuf speakers. You can also view some of his videos that go with the book at www.crazylovebook.com.

Well, gotta find a place to have some breakfast…and be amazed that these students will drink more monster.