Scum of the Earth

So last night we went to this awesome church...Scum of the Earth. Pretty much just your average church. Except way different. Amid the atmosphere of worship and humility, I forgot that I didn't know anybody, and it really didn't matter that the place smelled ripe from homeless people and smokers. And I love that they serve a meal before the service! It's so perfect for fellowship and drawing people in from the streets! Not that I have anything against our suburban church; it's just that Scum was really spiritually refreshing.

Also, God touched and encouraged me last night with a couple living reminders of what pure, selfless devotion looks like. It's so beautiful. And it's only possible when I see Jesus for who He really is.

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13)

http://www.scumoftheearth.net/index.htm

New Bike!

Maybe I don't really need a motorcycle anymore; I just bought a "new" used bicycle this week!
Speaking of which, did I ever tell you guys my old bike was stolen a month ago? I probably didn't, because I was sick of everybody making such a big deal of it. Seriously people! There are more important things in life than stuff!

But anyways, I have a bike again!

(And how about that babe modeling it!?)

Wasn't she beautiful?

With gas selling for over $3 a gallon, do you think I should buy a new bike?
Perhaps......a Harley? (I sold this one to my brother Teddy. I miss it.)

Thank You God!

This is Ian and Sue Prichard, the senior pastors at our new church. They're really cool. It's obvious that they are sold out for Christ, and they have an awesome vision for the church. We've really been wanting to get to know them and to talk about how Leah and I can get involved with the ministry.

Well, today after the service we were talking to Ian, and he just said "Would you two like to come to our home this afternoon?" (we said yes, of course)

We followed them home after church and had an amazing lunch(Boston Market). The youth pastor and his wife were there, too. There was no shortage of fun and excitement--the Prichard boys were playing with airsoft guns, and one of them sat on a cactus! But to get to the point, we talked for quite a while, and they thought we should start and lead a new home group and maybe help with the youth group or other various things around the church.

So I'm just excited to have some direction in serving God again. That's been my biggest request to God for the last couple weeks, so... Thank you.


Oh, and by the way, I should have a job by the end of the week when all the paperwork goes through at a day program for developmentally disabled adults. I'm gonna have to say yay God for that, too. On Thursday, I was about to accept a different job when I found this one. It's about 10-15 minutes closer with better benefits. With gas selling at $3.09, the distance makes a big difference.

Mature Youth Pastor???

Here's a crazy shot for all you C.O.G. kiddos.

What do YOU think: "Hot" or "Not?"

I found this on the church site and HAD to do something with it!