I am NOT a Christian

Yes, you read the title correctly. I am not a christian.

The word "christian" means "Christ-like." It's easy for each of us to call ourselves christians. But who amoung us are Christ-like? None of us.

Instead, I will call myself a disciple. A follower of Christ.

Don't get me wrong. I strive to become more like Christ, but I will always fall short. But, as a disciple, I will always follow. I never know where I am going, but I don't care... I know WHO I'm following.

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

Relationships: The core of what my life should revolve.

With me going to Falls Creek last week in addition to my laziness, I haven't updated in a while. So, to peak your curiosity, here's a quick rundown of what you'll be reading (or skipping):

Falls Creek was amazing. I have to admit that I was wanting to go for selfish reasons. One of the last thoughts in my mind were about the students who were going. How much fun can I have? I thought I would get a nice little vacation time out of it and then move on. But that didn't happen. What did happen was that God got my attention.

The speaker of that week was John Randall. He brought the message that challenged those who listened. He emphasized developing a RELATIONSHIP with Christ. No other "religion" teaches that. It's all about, and the difference is, relationships. Without a personal relationship with Christ, then life is pretty much meaningless.

I can't keep being a casual Christian. No more of this Sunday-Christian stuff. Who am I trying to impress? Other people can't save me. So why am I putting on a play in front of them? God can see right through us.

Relationships.

I got to meet the students that went and the experiences I had with them that week left me amazed at times. A friend and I had the junior high boys for small group discussion at night. I was a little nervous about our first meeting, but the nervousness quickly faded. I was worried that they would be silent and not give any kind of input into the discussions. Instead, we got questions like "Why does God allow suffering" and "If God knew we would sin, then why did He make us." Yeah! Some pretty serious questions, especially for junior high boys. I'm just glad I didn't get the Where-Do-Babies-Come-From question... but, in this world, I'm pretty sure they know all about that. In fact, they could probably fill me in on a couple of questions I have.

Relationships.

Not only were those experiences great, I also got to strengthen friendships already made. If life were like Myspace (and thank God that it's not), a couple of these people would move up on my Top Friends list. And actually, they are on my Top Friends list, but that's neither here nor there. I also got to make some new friends that I may not have had the chance to otherwise.

Relationships.

My God is bigger than the air I breathe.

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

I'm not a geek... but almost

Traveler is one of the best new shows on TV. I've already mentioned this in an earlier post, but I can't get enough of it. And oddly enough, it took the same time slot as my favorite show of all, Lost. But, a very under-rated show that I can't get enough of is Battlestar Galactica. Yes,... make fun all you want. But this isn't some geeky sci-fi show. It has an awesome story with very good graphics, for a TV show.

My church goes to Falls Creek next week. I have been looking forward to this for months. I have grown to love Falls Creek. I've been going there since 5th grade... either as a camper or a worker or a visitor. The last two years I only visited once or twice but this year is the first year I can go as a sponsor. I'm really looking forward to it.

Other than that... nothing.

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

And I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I haven't updated in a while, so this is my attempt to entertain you... if anybody is out there.

I always have to mention something related to my career, because that's really the only thing I have going for me. We had two weeks of summer league basketball that went pretty well. Half of the team were incoming freshmen. I wish more of the upper-classmen could have come. But it was a good experience for me. I hope it was a good experience for them as well.

There were many times I didn't know how to handle certain things. Nothing the high school runs was anything I had to do with. So, running another person's offense is a little strange, especially when that coach isn't there. It was a little different dealing with high schoolers rather than junior high. Whereas the junior high'ers are, in my opinion, more attentive, the high school'ers are more capable of running complex plays.

Maybe when I have my own high school team I can be more assertive. I will have my own way of doing things and the students will know me and what to expect. It's just different running a team that doesn't seem to be your own.

July 4 was somewhat uneventful. It was almost a depressing time for me. I know this will sound sappy, but I am eagerly anticipating the day when I can watch a fireworks show with my future wife. There is just something "magical" about spending time with a loved one during a July 4 fireworks show. Sounds stupid, I know.

I am also searching for an apartment, or possibly a house. I'm almost soured on getting a house because of the last house fiasco. I've been looking and it looks like if I want an apartment, I may have to wait a while. I'm not in a huge hurry to move out, but I feel like I really need a place of my own. It will suck moving away from work, but I believe that the trade-off will be worth it.

.................

How is it so difficult to find what everybody is looking for?

I feel like a movie that is ALWAYS being replayed on the same cable station.... eventually people get sick of it.

Until next time, vaya con Dios.