We were having supper with some friends the other night and I happen to make a comment that stuck with me. I said "I'm gonna go sit infront of the ocean and talk to God for a while"

I sat on the bench below.

My question is now this... HOW can someone sit infront of the ocean and not talk to God?

He told this wave below where it had to stop. This wave is big and powerful, trust me, I was under it. But my God, who dwells in me, who intentionally tortured his son on MY behalf... looked at it and said "This far you may come, and no farther" [reference: Job 38]

Holy Holy Holy

Lord, God Almighty

All thy works

Shall claim thy name

In earth and sky and sea

So I'm finally flying over to spend the weekend with my boys Hodge and Jeff... That poor island doesn't know whats about to hit when the 3 of us get togther.... haha, it's gonna be awesome!

You may here stories on the news!

So I rode a motorcycle up the north shore of Hawaii today... it was awesome, pics to come soon!

My brothers and sisters, I ride on your prayers

If you could say one thing to an apathetic christian, what would it be?

As most of you are fast asleep on the east coast of our beloved United States I lay on my twin mattress in the middle of the pacific ocean where it is curently 930 with a burning question on my heart.

We've become good at this whole "church language" thing, you and I. We walk this life in the midst of our Christian culture listening to our "christian music" and what not, often spouting weighty phrases with shallow intent.

So, here is my question. What is your answer?

What does it mean for God to be the "consuming fire" in our lives?

We say this phrase and sing this phrase all the time, but what does it mean?

YOUR TURN...

The gate is wide, the road is paved in moderation. The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in. Welcome to the middle ground. It's safe and sound and until now it's where I've been. Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything. But it's been love, YOUR LOVE that cuts the strings.

 

So long status quo, I think I just let go. You make me want
to be brave. I wanna be brave. The way it always was, is no longer good enough. You make me want to be brave. Brave…

 

I am small, And I speak when I'm spoken to. But I am willing to risk it all. I say Your name, just your name and I'm ready to jump, even ready to fall... Why did I take this vow of compromise? Why did I try to keep it all inside?

So long status quo, I think I just let go. You make me want to be brave. I wanna be brave. The way it always was, is no longer good enough. You make me want to be brave. Brave…

I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame. Every storm will start with just a drop of rain. But, if you believe in me. That changes everything. So long, I'm gone…



So long status quo, I think I just let go. You make me want to be brave. I wanna be brave. The way it always was, is no longer good enough. You make me want to be brave. Brave…

This says absolutely everything... the pictures are random, but they fit perfectly. So long status quo, i think i just let go...

What is your status quo?
What is it that the strings of fear bind you to?
What if someone cut them, and you were free?

I ride on your prayers...
JV

So yesterday I had my first experience in authentic Hawaii food... and it was quite the experience. This wonderful and strange creation consist of two hamburger patties, two over-easy eggs, smothered in brown gravy and over white rice. They call this style of "food" "Loco" which is spanish for "crazy" and i think it might be an adequate description. Oh the irony...

here is a wonderful visual description for you.


this next pic is a cat who lives here at the BSU... i HATE him... i've actually thrown him across the room a few times.



Love never fails! (1 cor 13 8)

well... were up to day 3 here in Hilo... and ill be honest, it's been quite the adventure! I "moved" into a house with 4 other guys today... i'm stayin in the lower level with 2 other guys. i have a twin mattress on the floor... and its awesome, everything i need... and im even thinkin it's gonna work out better than the two foot too short couch i've been on since i got here... haha

but things are going well... God has definitely proven himself faithful!
got a few pics for you to enjoy, feel free to comment and let me know you are still there...

**this is Anavah (john's (my boss who is 25) daughter) playing in my rainbows, more like skiing for her**


**yesterday we got to go "exploring"... it was awesome, here im standing on lava (cooled) in the ocean watching waves crash against it and splash 40 feet in the air, then one splashed against my lava and i got soaked... here i was contimplating the passage in Job 38, read that and it will give you a better perspective on this pic**


** les and i had a short lay-over in maui so jeff and hodge came and saw us for a bit, they were awesome and seem to be really in their "element", and honestly jeff martin is too much for this island! **


**yeah, and the rumors are true... this milk is $8, given it's at our lovely 711 thats right down the road, but still thats almost 3 times the price of a gallon of gas... last night les and i went there and bought a $10 bowl of cereal for this morning... haha, im gonna go broke buying food in this town...**


**this is our lovely BSU (BCM) here in Hilo... it's really cool, a lot of student come and hang out here all day inbetween all their classes...**


** these lovely individuals are amazing! they came to send us off... for that i will be forever greatful! **

and thats all for now, i gotta go find a postoffice to send some papers in so i can get paid... so i can buy more food.... haha

you guys are in my prayers and i hope we're in your's

"Love never fails.." 1cor 13:8

What up guys.. if by chance you decided that you loved me enough to send me something cool and make me feel like im at home here is my address....

just put mine or Les's name on it

1409 Kapiolani St.
Hilo Hi, 96720

Love you guys,
All In

So... Im here... I've been on 4 planes today and 5 different flights, in the air for 14 hours, in 5 different airports and now im finally resting on a couch in the BCM that's about 2 feet too short...

At the moment i can barely concentrate to type these words, so if they are a little nonsensical, nevermind... but i wanted to write and say that i got here.

All is well at the moment. Les and I are both a little overwhelmed by everything. After all, it has been an emotionally traumatic day! But, God is faithful!

It's times like this when I find awesome peace in the fact that this life is not about me. I took a short glance at the sunrise as Tracie was taking me to the airport this morning and He settled my heart with that thought.

I love you guys and i covet your prayers!
All In...

**A seven-year old boy was at the center of a Nashville
courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who
should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by
his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in
keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that family
unity be maintained to the degree possible. The boy surprised the court
when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he
adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge suggested that he
live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him.  After considering the remainder of the immediate family and
learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among
them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to
propose who should have custody of him. After two recesses to check
legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge
granted temporary custody to the Tennessee Vols, whom the boy firmly
believes are not capable of beating anyone. **

found this on someone's facebook and thought it was hillarious...

oh, don't get all bent out of shape... it's only football...

34 more days till we... as a generation will gather for His renown.... His fame... His glory...


Passion 06....


one chance...


one life....


make it count...


make it matter...


live for something eternal...


live for something great....


live for His Renown.....


www.268generation.com
Isaiah 26:8

So, it's 2 days after thanksgiving and you're bored out of your mind. Nobody is left in town and you are out of ideas. What do you do? Humanize your favorite childhood heros... the ninja turtles! (minus donatello)...

It makes for an interesting evening... or atleast it killed about 20 minutes of our time!

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited
broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we
will only tune in." - George Washington Carver ...


This is Hilo, Hawaii

In my confusion and frustration, I look to the ever stable and Lord of all, Father I was put here to serve. On him, I rely, for answers to, season of which to pass, and points at which to meet on this journey He has me on. All dependence on and clinging to, a false sense of security or a useless lifestyle spent fleeting “risk”, is only from the enemy. I will not be swayed by his influence. I will continue to search completely after the heart of God Almighty. This path doesn’t promise anything other than His glory and so, it is my life-blood and purpose. My focus is clear and my heart is set.