Love Never Fails.

Don't be a spectator.

2009-11-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

As I was watching one of the leadership summits in my Church Growth class I was really impacted at somethings that Rick Warren said...

I don't know they exact quote, but It was along the lines of talking about how these years are pivotal years and we can either sit back and be spectators or we can be a part of the divine plan that God has. He began to talk about the way we look back on History, and used this as an example saying "I don't want to look back on these years as years I could have been Jesus' hands and feet" "I don't want to look back on these years and see that Christians around the world didn't do their job".

It helped me out a lot...To be honest this country can really take a lot out on me in the significance end of it. What are we living to do or be? What are we going to school to become? To make money? or to impact the world we live in for God?

I don't know about you but I want to be committed and follow Jesus Christ and to look at him as my representation as I should live. I want to be me because If I'm not being myself then who is? God purposely created me to be me. The same for everyone else. Use me Lord, show me the significance of your divine plan in all our lives. Thank You.

VFCC Homeless Ministry...Check it out...

2009-09-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

Made a new Blog for our schools Homeless Ministry...

http://www.vfhomelessMinistry.Blogspot.com

~ Can't wait to meet amazing individuals on the streets.

~ Can't wait to treat each individual with equality, not ever thinking we are better in any way.

~ Can't wait to show good rather then the evils people see every day on the streets.

[Ready to inform other students and people about what happens each week, God Bless humanity. Humanity give back to God.]

Love this song & band.

2009-07-23T22:11:00.001-07:00

All Things Bright & Beautiful from Sleeping At Last on Vimeo.

Overwhelming yet fulfilling morning...

2009-07-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

Although I missed out on an amazing service at TheElementChurch.com I had the opportunity to preach at my home and childhood church "Shady Avenue Christian Assembly". I appreciate all of those who prayed that I would do well and most important the man Pastor Rich Jones. He is truly an awesome man, and I've never seen someone fit in so perfectly as a pastor of a Church then when I look at him and look at all the great things he's done already in Millvale. Truly a perfect fit for him, and him and his church are going to do incredible things for that community.

This morning was a great experience for me personally, although my amazing girlfriend was not there I knew she would be with me through the whole thing helping with the amazing encouragement she gives. Just being able to preach in front of all my family members and friends was a very intimidating experience but also, very awesome.

I preached about "Imago dei" which in hebrew is the word for "Image of God". I've never really poured my heart out as much as I did this morning especially in front of that many people, there was only like (40) but still. The objective of my message was to express that God through the creation process really had a lot of hope for humanity, by creating them and letting them occupy the beautiful world he made for us. Therefore if we are to accept all of these blessings God has already given us then we should value creation for example, being good stewards of the earth and most importantly loving our neighbor as thyself. This world is full of to much injustice and anguish for us to sit around and not do anything about it. Sure we can say "This world is just to mest up" but if we're going to live according to Jesus, then we should re-evaluate what the Gospel is telling humanity.

Jesus says, "When I was thirsty you didn't give me anything to drink".

When God says that we were made in his image it means that when we help or do wrong against another human like ourself we are denying God in a way.

Jesus is calling his followers and humanity in general to recognize that his image is in everything that has been created, therefore why do wrong if you don't like when another human does wrong against you...Why do wrong against God's beautifully handcrafted creation?

"God said let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.

So God created man in his own image in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

"They Done Wrong, We Done Wrong"

2009-07-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

I like this song...hear it quite frequently while I'm at work... not really a deep profound message But The main words of the song is the title of the song itself "They done wrong, we done wrong". Good message for a song, What makes us feel like the finger pointing justifies something? Should we really live on through life thinking we are the right ones and you are the wrong ones?

In a Christians perspective, What if God looked at you in that way? Holding each wrong of yours over your head? Not giving you a chance to progress into something better.

Weren't we all made in the image of God?

If we are all a bit of creation and a product of the God we love and serve it would sure be logical to not hold something against God's creation...after all...

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me"....The words from Jesus himself...Jesus says whatever you have done...Good things and even bad things...Don't listen to my thoughts and opinions listen to His.

I Love Logic

2009-07-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

When I think of Logic...I think of "things" in life that have meaning...

For instance, when we decide whether or not we believe that doing good for others is not only beneficial for the health of our own lives...but also leaves a redeeming mark on another persons life. If we use logic for a decision like this we could ask ourselves this...

"Well clearly i have been created to live with millions and millions of other people like myself, and for some reason it could probably be fitting for people to help people"

or

"If I was in a really awful time of my life and I had absolutely no one to go to for help, instead of counting on God to give a miraculous hand into my dreadful life maybe It would make more sense for another person to help me?..."

That's why Logic is so amazing...You can weigh all of the odds before you actually make a decision. And the thought of analyzing things through life is such a blessing, to ponder each major decision you make in life...to look at things in a "logical" perspective. It puts hard ideas and decisions into an "equation" of some sort, giving you the opportunity to solve it...either by yourself or with others.

Once you solve a decision or idea logically it gives it meaning...it gives it purpose...a reason to actually follow it and look at it as being Truth in your life...don't ever say truth is just relative...study logic...try helping someone who's in a desperate time of their life and tell me that doesn't seem fitting and real.

What does Jesus say? "I am the way, the truth, and the life"...

When Jesus says "the way" I look at following Jesus as "the way" the way that absolutely matters in the life we live...It brings us into the ultimate reality of life...believing that Jesus' way is truth and when we live in the way of Jesus...we live in truth...the absolute way that any human would ever strive to want or understand...

1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

- Life is Beautiful -

Interesting...give it a chance...

2009-07-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

right now...favorite band favorite song...check it out.

2009-06-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

Just an observation...possibly i'm wrong?

2009-06-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

You ever come in contact with people who strongly disagree with something that you absolutely agree with? When you yourself have studied up on this topic so much to the point that it's become an absolute truth to you, something that you would never disregard or have disbelief in. To me, this is one of the crappiest feelings a person could get. Am I wrong in my own opinions or has the other person made wrong assumptions without doing the actual research to even come to a valid opinion on something...

What is it then? Should I end up confused about life thinking, "Maybe my thoughts and ideas are wrong?".

And then when we actually share our opinions, people just don't want to listen? Why is this? Can we really not engage in the issue by looking at both sides?

When we study things I believe we should look at both sides of the arguement...the more you look at both sides the better it is to come to the realization of Truth. You look at one side of the arguement and think "Wow this seems really whack"...Ok Why do you think it is whack? Tell me why, Let me know why you think this is whack?

From my observation I just feel like we as people really struggle with finding a knowledgeable observation on a subject...religion, politics, and even a observation of another person they've heard about...not even really knowing the person "personally" but just making a observation from a far...How can you make an observation of a person you've heard stories about? What an awful thing to do...make a generalization that could completely be wrong...and then you live outside of the truth...we do this to everything...people, religion, politics, other countries.

Maybe I'm wrong about everything...or...?

Anyways, let me know what you guys think about this? Has something like this ever happened to you?

Desiring to be simplistic in chaotic culture...

2009-05-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

Lately, especially considering the economic state America is in I see myself desiring more and more of a simplistic way of living. Each day we are all a part of culture and all a part in stimulating the economy one way or the other, for instance buying or selling things helps businesses progress into being more established throughout the markets. But what if we went back to the more simplistic ways that our founding fathers lived by? Hunting, planting, giving sufficient shelter for there family and even friends. This idea of changing where america is at is absolutely irrelevant and could never really happen within a year or two or even twenty. But the recent "trend" of caring more for the environment and planting throughout large cities has made me think a lot about this type of stuff. Maybe we're finally realizing all of this stuff we've done is so far away from living in an organic type of way. To me Life is organic not because its cool or the expensive thing to buy in stores, its just sensible, and logical that life should be stripped down to the original roots it was created by.

The thought of struggling with money all of my life and paying bill after bill after bill makes me convinced that life is made to be organic. If I struggle with financial debt all of my life and work hours upon hours and hours what are the chances I would fail in raising a healthy family? What are the chances my life would become so busy that I would totally forget the true and meaningful essentials that all humans should live by? What if I take my problems out on the people who mean the most in my life?

Anyways, I write this blog post not to be hopeless and depressing, but to be more careful in how I live throughout my life. I have to understand that this world in so many areas has become so un-organic and when I use the word organic I'm not just using it in the way people talk about organic foods, I'm using it to talk about anything and everything in life that has been altered from the beginning of creation.

Furthermore, to me...Life was created to be a natural development and made to evolve in the most organic way. But, Man likes to prosper into producing bigger and better things, and when life becomes over populated and busy we invent ways of making things work faster and in more quantities. Go hunting, Plant some flowers, Work out problems within your family, Take your kids fishing, Go plant some vegetables this summer, eat good food I know I struggle at that...live in a more simplistic way and enjoy doing it.

Taking time to...articulate and understand things.

2009-01-05T17:31:00.000-08:00

It's been so long since I've posted on here. I have been extremely smothered with life and how fast it is.

The last post I did was basically the ending of a long learned summer. Although I've learned so much throughout that summer the one thing that I've learned the most is that...when I'm going through life at school it becomes so mundane for me. Just the fact that I'm at school makes me have this feeling of inferiority and emptiness. It's almost as if I can't really even blame the school for this feeling I get while there. I've found that I am prone to just live life very carelessly while going through each semester. It's almost as if I feel like I learn more while I'm living life with others but, being at school doesn't really feel like life. School feels like a temporary hold from actual life. And I understand that It's our job as students to be involved in the community or find a job that will keep you in reality with others. But the time we put into "campus life" or "school work" always overpowers interaction with real life...especially if you live far from home.

I mean...obviously life doesn't stop when your away at college and obviously our purpose isn't to be caught up in our early teen years but to merge on into adulthood ...but it's such a change from the 18 years of living "life" with family, with childhood friends and with your hometown. Also, this all coming from a perspective of someone living away from there actual "home" and I'm not sure what It would be like If you were to experience commuting to college each day. And I'm not saying that my perspective is everyones perspective, but I do believe that some share the same thoughts as mine.

So basically what I'm saying is that...these are some difficult years...and many parents question why their child could be going through such a difficult time that often cannot be "articulated" by them.

It's hard to not have a voice in something your going through because it's so difficult to articulate and express...but then it's even harder when your going through something and no one lets you have a voice.

Summer is coming to a close...

2008-08-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

Without a doubt I think I've learned a lot more this summer than any other summer in my lifetime. I've gained confidence in myself, and I've learned how to do things I've always wanted to do. The big thing for me this summer was investing a lot of time into things I love the most. I've found out how much I love to edit my own videos, creating and editing pictures in photoshop and working on my sermons the way I feel is most comfortable to me. I just really enjoy creativity, and I love finding the areas of it I enjoy the most. Thats really been my main focus these days, to do things with a creative mindset, it helps me so much. It's like therapy for me, because one of my main struggles is self-image and what people think of me. So when I can develop or create something I enjoy so much, it builds up my self-esteem each time.

I can't thank the people here at First Assembly of God enough. Before I came here I really had negative views towards the "church" and how effective it really is for people. But I've really met some amazing people, and I really believe they trully grasp what it means to love others and to do things the way Jesus did. They really do bring the Kingdom of God here and throughout the church. It's not the most cutting edge church you can find...but who cares. These people love one another and they really care for their community.

Anyways, I've really enjoyed myself here and I've loved working under all of the Pastors and leaders throughout the Church. And most importantly...big props goes out to my boy Pastor Rich, he's motivated me so much, and he's never cut me any slack when it came to running things by myself. He gave me deadlines and he made me do things on my own, sometimes without any of his help, and thats one of the things I've appreciated the most. He's had a lot of faith in handing me things to do and he hasn't treated me like I couldn't do something on my own. A lot of people throughout my life have never really had that faith in me, and now that I've seen people do that to me, I don't let it happen anymore. If I can tell someone is frustrated with me or thinks I can't do something on my own, I will tell them and I will not take that crap. It's been something I've felt comfortable with saying to people who I felt hasn't had respect towards me, so thats what I'm going to continue to do. I don't appreciate when people don't have respect for others for no reason, it just doesn't make sense to me....

Anyways, haha. I thank all of you for reading this, and If you trully have read through this whole thing than you really must be a great person so Thanks. Appreciate all of you.

Well...I did it...I handled my own Youth Group service last night...

2008-07-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

For once in my life, I feel accomplished and proud. It's an extremely weird feeling to me, I mean previously I've gone throughout life always messing up and not doing well at anything. I've never trully felt accomplished at anything i've done. I would cheat on other peoples work and never take the time to accomplish something on my own. But yesterday, yesterday felt so different and good.

Throughout the week I was preparing for the Wednesday night Re:volution service. I did all the things that Pastor Rich told me I should do...edited videos...made my own game show...did my sermon...the whole production. I really took this assignment serious, I've never done that before. It made me feel so good about myself, and it made me feel like I really could do Youth Ministry some day if I really feel led there.

I'm all about believing in the students...and I wanted to get that across to them last night. I talked about how much potential they had and how they could do the things that Christ did and tells us to do. I even used the word beautiful at least 5 times, I love that word.

I felt accomplished when Pastor Rich told me i did a great job and that the service was "Beautiful" lol. Yes, good ol Pastor Rich...I've had a great time this summer working with him and the other pastors in the church. It's not the most progressively relevant church out there, but the people live up to who they say they are...and thats what its all about. I won't forget this summer...this could have been the beginning of something I'll be doing for the rest of my life, but who knows. Thanks a lot for reading my Blog, Love you guys.

P.S I Love You Megan.

In the office...thinking...reflecting...stressing...the usual...

2008-07-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

Why do Christians constantly have to look at the "Secular" world as being completely evil and sinful?

If we are Christians shouldn't we be joyful and hopeful even about the things that are not yet reached?

Why do we treat them as if they live on a different planet and speak a different language? It's stupid.

Where is Hope in all of this? These people are your brothers and sisters in Christ whether they believe it or not...We talk about being positive Christians in a negative world yet we as Christians pick apart what celebrities, politicians, and athletes do wrong every day. Who cares what they have done, If your a Christian then your the light of the world.

"Why blame the dark for being dark? It's far more helpful to ask why the light isn't as bright as it should be." -Rob Bell

Sometimes we just need to sit and reflect about these type of things. Or how about this, give people a chance. Here there side of the arguement, listen to them, find the good in them, give them the humanity they deserve. They live and breathe the same way you do, and get this...just because they may not be a Christian God still might be blessing them...ever think of that? Maybe they are thankful? Maybe there not? But If they are thankful wouldn't that be a good way to let people know that a God is already in their lives helping and carrying them through each step of the way?

Just another issue that stresses me out.

Thrice "Moving Mountains"...

2008-07-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

I speak in many tongues to many men;
Argue with angels and I always win,
But I don't know the first thing about love.

I prophesy and know all mysteries;
All hidden things are opened up to me
But I don't know the first thing about love

I have the keys to open any door;
I give all of my possessions to the poor,
But I don't know the first thing about love

And moving mountains ain't nothing to me;
I've faith enough to cast them to the sea,
But I don't know the first thing about love

But all other things shall fade away;
While love stands alone and still holds sway
All other things shall fade away;
Into the ground into the grey.

I give my body up unto the flames;
And never once have I denied your name
But I don't know the first thing about love.

What a great song...

Such truth to these words..."I gave all my possessions to the poor, but I don't know the first thing about love". Thats one of my favorite lyrics in that song. If you don't do these "good" things with love then what is the motive and whats the point of doing them, we shouldn't have to feel obligated to do something unless we feel in our hearts that we want to do these things with love, kindness, and joy.

People don't care about what good you do for others unless you truly live and breathe it throughout your life. Caring and doing good for others should never be a notch on your belt...

There has been times when I've struggled with this idea. I mean, I know doing things that are good for others is the way to go. But if I don't feel motivated with love then what am I doing? It really is hard to always do things out of love, especially when it becomes a routine. Love is so natural and when you put an agenda on it, it becomes so processed like a hungry man TV dinner. I just see it a lot in culture today, processed love. I never see a continuous love that people share. It seems like it always comes in seasons but never year round. I don't know, I know I struggle with it...and that makes me imperfect...but God is Love and he is what perfection is, and his love always stays the same.

Peace.

SHOUT week "08 recap...

2008-07-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Well I think I'd have to say that things went really well Monday and Tuesday. This is the first time I've ever really been in charge of any type of project like this. I really enjoyed working with the students and I was really impressed at how they wanted to learn and serve the surrounding communities. Me and Nate Rosswog really understood that we had to make clear to them how much we are thankful for them and how much potential they have to able to do this. Nate Rosswog was our speaker and he did absolutely amazing. He talked about things such as Why we are Christians, Why when we love God we love others, and the Kingdom of God being here and now. It was really great and I was so impressed with him. And I'd take him to be our speaker over anyone really. He was definitely effective in the way he explained these tough topics and the only thing I regretted at the end of those 2 days was that we didn't have nearly as many kids as I wish we had.

The point of this outreach was to really show the communities that we want to serve and to not always expect something in return. On Monday there must have been at least 15 people who tried to give us donations even after we explained what we were there for. Some people were very acceptive and we were able to talk with them and to let them know what we were all about. I really believe a lot of people throughout Sharon were effected by the good things that we did, and i'm pretty pumped about that. Didn't do a grocery giveaway like I really wanted to, but we did give away a bunch of Pop and Cd's with a short message on it and that was just as sweet. But yeah, i'm definitely happy about how things went Monday and Tuesday and if I ever do something like this again, I would definitely try to promote this more than we did. Promoting events ahead of time is what its all about, and I didn't do that very well. So thats something I learned for next time. I'm really thankful for how things went, and I feel a lot better about myself when it comes to leading others.

Hmmm...

2008-07-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

I love ease dropping on peoples conversations at Panera Bread...It trully is a fine establishment, for chilling and ease dropping. God Bless America...and free wifi.

Sitting here in Panera and reflecting about all of the weirdest things you could think of...

2008-07-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

So randomly while I was driving to get gas today I was looking in my rear view mirror at a guy who looked like he was drinking an energy drink of some sort. Possibly a red bull, yeah lets go with a red bull. I'm not sure why I think about these random things sometimes but...well...I do. Did he know I was looking at him and analyzing the way he drank his energy drink, of course not. Why am I so weird about this type of stuff? I don't really feel that "normal" and sometimes its hard for me to even function in a regular conversation. But Hope...Hope that God will bring me out of this thought process i've been in. Its hard for me to just do something without constantly reflecting about it and trying to analyze everything. I just want to be able to do things without people thinking i'm inadequate of doing it.

So that is why I am here today sitting in Panera ready to roll with the "S.H.O.U.T Week" agenda. I think God believes in me to achieve what I have to do for next week, although i'm skeptical. As long as I prepare myself I feel that I will have faith in what I do because God brought me this far and he's given me an opportunity to lead Homeless Ministry this coming Fall at school. So with that as long as I am prepared this coming Monday and Tuesday I feel like I can do it and I can lead these guys in the best way possible.

Thanks for reading...Peace.

Recap of Tuesday Church Softball...

2008-07-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

Like any A/G church in america...Hermitage has softball teams that play other churches around the area. Softball is perfect for middle aged men that attend church every week, its team oriented, you get closer with the guys, and you feel young again when you catch a fly ball in right field. The last comment was me haha. I was so pumped last night, I felt like I was back in pony league when I caught that fly ball and it was incredible. When I was in my teen years I remember I would always get so nervous and have the biggest adrenaline rush you could think of. I'm a really nervous type of a person. Its like hit or miss with me, I can blow people away with what I say or do, and then the next moment I'll completely redeem myself. I guess this is the way God made me, I just hope I don't make other people uncomfortable with how weird I am. I'm glad I'm reading that book "Messy Spirituality" because its all about being "Inconsistent". And no matter how much I try to be consistent constantly, it just doesn't work for me. I don't know if this is a learning experience that i've been going through for the past couple years but I feel like a rookie at everything I do, and I never feel like I'm achieving anything higher.

Anyways, I'm not a depressed person...But I do understand how a person could be "depressed". I mean life is hard and sometimes the ugly parts of life are consistent rather than the "Good". If we didn't have people around us to help counsel us through things, what would be the purpose of our existence as humans? People have experience and they understand things better than us sometimes, and thats the beauty of life, to not have everything put together in our own minds but to talk to others and see what they've been through on their journeys, and maybe what they've encountered could help our own journeys. I constantly try to apply others wisdom and advice into my own life to see what happens and if it helps, thank God for that person He put in my life.

Well...Here I am...again.

2008-07-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone who reads this...or lack thereof. So I was reading through all of my posts and I realize that I have yet to get one comment on my Blog...starting to think no one is actually reading this, but what is the point of having your own journal? I guess just to get your thoughts out on paper i'm assuming.

Recently I started reading this book called "Messy Spirituality". It talks about this guy who's about 60 years old and he talks about what he's been through spiritually throughout the years of his life as a pastor. He talks about how going through his journey as a Christian was many times very mundane. He thought as a teenager things would be much better with his walk once he was older and more "wise". But he realized that this was only wishful thinking. He embraces the messyness of his Christianity and I feel as if thats a really big step to understanding it someday. He talks about how he's never really done anything that would make him fall away and continue on doing things besides "Good" things. It's really true, if we don't constantly feel some type of a "presence" from a "God" then as Christians we feel very distant from the faith. In churches we put out this spiritual sense that everyone has everything together and everyone is extremely spiritual and its as if God is directing them in every single thing they do. How realistic is that?

I'm not sure about all of this sometimes...I know as a Christian life can be very stale and mundane at times, but I feel like God is giving us the chance to do good for him. It's almost like he gives us this defining moment and encounter to understand and to follow him, but then he tells us to "go". "Do Good...do the things that I would do, occupy your life with the example I left." I feel like thats what he tells us...maybe thats just me?

Take care.

What a week its been...

2008-07-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

I just got done with an amazing prayer meeting...Pastor Rick never lets you down without saying something incredibly amazing. This guy is probably one of the funniest human beings i've come in contact with. I almost feel like I'm watching a comedy movie and he's playing the main role of it.

Nothing like me and Pastor Rich teasing him daily, thats always promising for an amazingly epic time. But honestly no matter how much he talks and how easy it can be to tease him he really is a nice guy. So, here at First Assembly its really easy to get carried away and find yourself in a constant state of "teasery" towards Pastor Rich Barnes.

So lately i've been helping out the church and Pastor Rich for the "4th of July" service which is on the "6th of July"...hmm. Yesterday was a really long day, so long that it really felt like 2 work days into 1. We were setting up the stage and practicing the human video were doing for the service on Sunday. So yes, me Nathan Rancatore has found myself in character as a Roman soldier. Never thought I would ever have to be in one of these but, I was kind of "placed" into it. I have my opinions of human videos but for now I will set them aside and beat up Jesus as best as possible...yikes...it's not really Jesus by the way...it's a fictional character.

Anywho, Sunday "In memory of freedom"...I will be there and I may even be able to bring my girlfriend up after all the 4th of July festivities in my home town. Hope that all works out...Peace.

Upward Soccer awards night!

2008-06-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Well the focus this week for me has been the "Upward Soccer" awards night, which is tonight! This is the night that concludes the season for the youngsters. I had the pleasure to be a "line judge" (which didn't mean much) for a soccer game a couple weeks ago and let me tell you, these kids are serious about their playing, and their parents are even more serious haha. Its gonna be really awesome to make these kids feel like a million bucks.

Me and Kathy Sabella who is in charge of all the youngsters here have been decorating the sanctuary for the past couple days and boy those kids are gonna love it...there all gonna be running up on stage with their names read out loud and then they'll be receiving their awards. All the kids get awards, because their that awesome. They are all winners.

This week has been a pretty good week, sometimes I feel like I'm not doing much for all of the pastors here but I'm stating to get more comfortable with asking them if they have things they'd like me to do. There all really great and treat me with alot of respect and thats one of the best parts of my internship. People who can really make me feel special and thankful for the things I can get done for them. I can tell this stuff is also helping me with my self-confidence, just being able to give ideas and get things done for them makes me feel really good about myself. And I'm really happy Pastor Rich asked me to come aboard here. Its been a great week and I hope yours has also been...Take care & Peace.

Back to PA...

2008-06-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

My trip to Maine was really awesome...Me and my girlfriend Megan went by plane last week on Thursday morning. We left in the morning at about 6 am to get to the airport and to go through all of the security check in procedures. Of course me and Megan were walking around like we had no idea what we were doing...because well, we didn't. Because of this, we had a security guard get smart and sarcastic with us, good times. Its always quite an interesting trip when your traveling by plane, especially when your with your girlfriend. There were many many hilarious things that have happened throughout this trip and will always be quite memorable to me. I love making funny jokes about random stuff and then having my girlfriend laugh at me. Theres nothing like that feeling and I really enjoy having her presence with me. Oh yea! we even slow danced at her brothers wedding! haha...it only took about 15 minutes for her to get the courage to dance with me...Tell me how that works? But thats Megan for ya....

Now that my little vacation is over I am back to Hermitage. Unfortunately yesterday I clogged the toilet in my apartment...so yeah, I really gotta get on that and find a plunger haha. Anyone have one by any chance? But yes, I am back to Hermitage First Assembly of God and I preached last night. Preaching is always a really tough thing for me, and one of the biggest fears I encounter each time. I'm not sure why I cant just feel comfortable, but I usually don't. So with that, I preached last night about "Addictions" and "Obsessions". I thought my message was really hard to understand considering all the pauses and looks of confusion I saw from the teens. But I did get a few thumbs up from the teens so I was happy about that. Wow Pastor Rick totally just side tracked me...thats basically what this week has consisted of haha. He is a crazy crazy man, great guy but...insane.

Well, things have been well, still working on my self esteem and being able to be relational with people and to get myself out of my comfort zone. Have a great week guys, Leave some comments maybe? Anywho, peace be with you all.

Well...Kind of a boring day here at the church...

2008-06-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

Lets see what I've done today...basically watched everyone do their own work...exciting right? Not really, I don't really like being that person that hovers over everyone while their working but...thats whats been happening all day. So anyways, yesterday I went over this ladies house to do yard work. Her name was Pat and I'm pretty sure shes like 70 or something like that. I've never seen a 70 year old do that much yard work in my life. I was so exhausted by the time I was done and it seemed like she wasn't even phased. So yea, that was pretty crazy but good at the same time, shes an awesome person and has a lot of good stories to tell. But wow, she worked me.

So tomorrow I'm gonna take time off of the internship and fly to Maine! Why you ask? Because Megan (my girlfriend) lives there and her brother is having his wedding on either Saturday or Sunday, so its gonna be real cool hanging out with her and her family for a few days and I know shes really excited to see them. So it will definitely be a fun trip...and i'm taking a plane! so thats pretty sweet. The tickets came out to be $477 between the both of us, so thats not so bad considering we could be taking the bus and we all know how horrible Greyhound can be. Can't wait for tomorrow and hope you guys have an amazing week, I know I will. Now enjoy this pretty picture of mine. Peace.

So it is Tuesday of my second week here at Hermi...tage...

2008-06-10T11:56:00.000-07:00

Things have been going pretty well on my end...Yesterday me, Pastor Rich and some of the peeps from Revolution went to Kennywood for the national Kennywood day or something awesome like that. It was so hot through the entire day, I may or may not have had at least 2 heat strokes. Basically, we were in the sun from like 11 to 6 oclock and it was 95 degrees. So this means I felt pretty miserable throughout the entire day. But, what was amazing was when we went to Monroeville Mall after the day at Kennywood. I got to suprise my girlfriend and bring the attractive church van to pick her up at my house haha. So yea, that really topped off the day for me so, it was good. I love her.

Now onto Tuesday, This week I'll be working with Pastor Mike Sabella...really cool guy and I think we both have that introverted side to us, so thats pretty cool to see a Pastor be successful in what he does yet be slightly introverted at the same time. So today we went to visit a couple patients at nursing home and hospital. I actually live like 3 minutes from the hospital which is pretty interesting, so if i ever get sick I can walk there. But anywho, visiting the patients was really sad but to see how happy they were to meet and see me was something like ive never really felt before. Now wonder it feels so good when you help people or care for people. Because you really start to feel your self-worth and the beauty of existing as a human. Thats why we feel so good when we help people, its because it feels so natural...the saying "alive in Christ" really does make a lot of sense. When you do the things that Christ did you really do feel "alive". Thanks to whoever is reading this and have a great day, Peace.

Well...a recap of my first week at Hermitage First Assembly of God...

2008-06-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

Well there it went...the first week of my internship with Hermitage First Assembly of God. I must say I never thought of what Pastors did throughout the week during work hours. But this week I have really have come to realize that there is a lot to plan and organize within the church and it takes much time and preparation throughout the week. Even though it is a church it has to be ran almost like a business. I'd hate to say that a Church is like a Business but a Church has a lot of organization that has business tendencies. Throughout the week I've done a lot, I've done a hospital visitation, went out with the pastor and his wife, and prepared an upcoming Youth outreach. One of the things Pastor Rich said to me at the beginning of the week was this, "I don't know what I do during office hours but I do it all day". Thats basically what church office hours are like...You do tons of different things that need done at a certain deadline, they might not be all extremely important but they need to be done. So its been very interesting, I went home Wednesday night and got to hang out with my parents and my girlfriend so that was exciting, its pretty sweet to be able to have off Thursday's and to hopefully go home each week and keep in touch with all my friends and family at home. Thats just a little recap of how things are going on my end, hopefully I'll start doing posts, kinda like devotional type things....anyways, take care and have a great...Peace.

So...here it is!...my internship finally started on Sunday morning!

2008-06-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

Wow...What a morning that was, let me tell you. I was pretty nervous considering that was probably the biggest crowd of people i've talked in front of before. But as I thought through multiple different things while sitting in the chairs on top of the stage I realized that it doesn't really matter, ya know? I'm one of those people when put in a new spot I tend to become extremely nervous and prone to say things or do things I probably shouldn't. And of course my awkwardness always tends to come out when i least expect it to. But anyways, Sunday morning was awesome and I really appreciated how nice everyone was at the church and it helped make me feel very comfortable throughout it all. So thanks to everyone at Hermitage First AG!

This is gonna be a great 10 weeks and although I'm going to miss a lot of people back home I know there going to be proud of what I'm doing, especially my awesome girlfriend. But yes! The internship is really going to stretch me and if I do become a Pastor someday I'm really going to learn a lot while i'm here. So yes...here it goes...