Right then, education...

So, quick update on life.

It's now month 3 of ministering music at FSB, and I'm enjoying it, it's a lot of fun, and where God wants me to be. So glad I'm learnin hymns finally. AND I have an office! That's been one of the things that make me laugh. I've never had an office, and I don't know, it just seems so odd to me. I personally think it's funny, but that's just me.

Two things are happening next week, on the same day, Monday: I turn 21 and start college. 21 is significant, just because it's my birthday, but besides that, nothing special. Everybody's like, oh 21! You can gamble and drink!...except I don't want to do either, I even signed a contract not to touch alcohal. But, a birthday nonetheless, bring on the cake and doritos. And, on the day I turn 21, I start college, specifically a pyschology class for the summer. My new growing experience, that I feel I'm ready for. Personally, I just want a good job, but not yet I guess. I'll stick with education for now.

It is seriously too hot in the surrounding Sacramento area. It's 105 in the day, and 92 in the dead of night. Haven't been using my AC belt on my car cause it's about to break off, so I get to sweat it out every time I step outside. Jessica starts her new job today, so that's a good answer to prayer. All in all, God is good, gives me blessings and strengths, and leads me on my path. Amen.

Open letter to Timber 2009

To my Timber Mountain brothers and sisters:

Greetings and blessings to you from your brother in Christ, Jesse :). Whether or not you know me, I've been praying for you consistently the last couple of months, for Christ to give you strength and guidance for these summer months at camp. I've been blessed to be there the past three summers, but God has me serving Him in another place now, so I am there with you in spirit and in heart, and I hope that this letter will encourage you in your journey this summer.

I have no clue where you're at right now, but I want to challenge you, consistently, at every moment, to give it your all! There are incredible things that will happen this summer, amazing time spent with your kids, incredible relationships created, ever changing weather, ducking sickness, finding dirt gets everywhere, dodging people with water guns, obnoxious jokes...I don't the list ends. These blessings that you will never want to trade will happen this summer, and that's why I encourage and challenge you to put out all you have, spiritually, emotionally, physically, every week. Nay, every day!
Because you will not regret it. God has called you to serve these kids, and be an example to them, and like anything that we do for God, we should give all that we have to Him, so that His will be done and that we can see the amazing wonders and miracles God does.

Let me share with you my favorite Bible verse, Luke 9:23-25 - "...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" This is what my hope is for you this summer - that you would lay yourself down at Christ's feet, and offer yourself to Him so that these kids could see the love of Christ, could see what a life and dedication to Him truly is. I pray that you would imitate and emulate the image of Christ this summer, and that you would let Christ speak to you, mold you, and change you into an example of someone who truly loves our Savior.

I encourage you and challenge you with these things, because I challenged myself in the same way the three summers I was able to be there, and I would be up there with you if that was in God's plan, but since I'm not I pray that you would. As we serve in different places and ways, I pray that you would lean on and pray for your brothers and sisters that you serve with, that you would daily find strength and power in the Bible, and that you would be a light to these kids that come up the mountain. Be blessed.

Nothing is more powerful

Blogger is telling me that this is my 100th post. WOOO! I've officially blogged WAY too much of my life away to anybody who wants to know. Will this stop me? Nah.

I feel like there's something that's holding me down. I'm not talking about me being young or not having a good enough job here, I mean I feel like spiritually I'm feeling out with my fingers where the edges of this *weight* is that's holding me down. I'd like to ask you to pray for me, as God takes me through this. There's a lot, a LOT of crazy changes going on right now, and just tonight I barely feel like I've taken a breath, and I know when I wake up tomorrow that it's gonna rush back...but God's got me. He always has, and I know all I have to do is hold on, trust Him, let go and let God. It's the best (ONLY) way to live in reality.

Something else that I've been looking forward to getting - the Matt Larson Band CD. Matt was my old worship leader, and the lead guitarist was my old youth pastor, and this music is incredibly good. I would recommend you guys to get this, if you don't then listen to his songs, they're worth your time. It's been encouraging me the last couple days.

p.s. - I'm turning 21 in...21 days...wow that's awesome timing...and I totally don't even feel 21. I feel 16 and 24 at the same time. Sweet.

Chapter 10

I like to chop up my life into chapters, it helps me keep track of the mileage. Currently I'm on Chapter 10, so far it consists of:

-Living back in Roseville again, and being content in that.

-Following my calling and my dream of being a worship pastor for a church here in Roseville.

-Having random jobs since I've been here, such as me selling CutCo knives.

-NOT going to SugarPine for the first time since I've graduated high school.

-Writing a bunch of songs and realizing that I need to make another CD by the end of the year...somehow.

-Letting go, and letting God control my money flow, my sanity, among other things.

-Realizing that everything I think I know, is wrong and is nothing compared to what Christ is and what His plan is for me.

That's the update. Keep me in your prayers. And to think that I thought 2008 was insane...