It should be thanksgiving!

What a week....sorry we haven't talked much, but I have been pretty busy! I do want to share some of the awesome things that have been going down this past week-two weeks.

* At ILA - we have had record crowds the past two weeks in a row! I am so amazed at our students and thier desire to know about God. The joy they have shown since we have started back up is awesome...I am so please I get to hang with them on Sunday nights!

* LCS Drama- the students I work with have so much to be proud of. They presented a difficult topic, the Holocaust  with integrity, passion, and a level of excellence. I am so proud that I get to serve at LCS in this capacity and am truly blessed by what the students have accomplished  Most importantly they performed for "An audience of ONE" and gave thanks to Him for the talents He has given.

* Hopes and Dreams - I am amazed by this night. We had a record number of people come to hear the story of City Impact...a number of them have decided to partner alongside of us. The ILA students were out using their God-given strengths; speaking team members were greeting all of the guests while philanthropy team students were auctioning off cookies for the next projects. My friends, Alonzo and Tonya did a great job of communicating City Impact's ministry and the affects on their family to all who were there. Just a great night, and God' has provided so much blessing from the night....we are getting ever closer to groundbreaking, keep an eye on CI's website for updates on pledges and cash donations.

* Our friend and missionary Nicole came to Hopes and Dreams, she told us about how awesome Gad has been...and she is ready to go to the field. Language school in France in January and then on to Africa. Our family will miss her but we are excited to see her go, and to see what God will accomplish through her and her fellow co-laborers!  

*Pumpkins - We had a chance to carve pumpkins as a family and with Ethan our exchange student, I am sure Renee will be posting pics soon on Facebook.

Music Monday - Theme Song

As production week is upon us, and Hope and Dreams is right around the corner from that...I feel really busy and stressed! So my theme song for the week is my Music Monday selection!

"Where is my Mind" by The Pixies

Fun - Music Monday!

Okay, let's be honest, I am a kind of indie/alt./emo. kind of music guy. That is my default ..I listen to just about everything and really do enjoy all music. But I like music that has some sort of depth ... some "pathos" for all of my acting/speech students, and that genre does it so well. So when "We are young" started blowing up the radio this past year I took some notice of the band FUN. I enjoyed the song but, I would not say I was an instant fan...although one of my drama students was saying they are awesome...and that their first album may be better. Then "Some Nights" kinda of became the unofficial soundtrack of the summer...I finally went back to do some investigating on their earlier work. I discovered that in fact it is a solid record... with a great groove and mash-up of different genres...that comes out just being FUN.

So for all of you who haven't checked out their first record yet "Aim and ignite", the best track, in my opinion - "At least I'm not as sad (as I used to be)"

Joy!

"We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. The strength produces character. Character produces hope. And hope will never let us down. God has poured His love into our hearts. He did it through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given to us."

This is what I will be talking to ILA students about this week...and it is a hard message, mostly because our human nature works so opposite to the concept in these verses. It's easy to look at the circumstances of our life, especially when we are "suffering" or going through trials...and to have little joy...which leads to a lack of hope! I look back at my own life, when I have been through very hard circumstances (in my mind) and I can see how hopeless I reacted...pity party for 1. Or I look at a someone else who is sick, with a terrible thing like cancer or diabetes....sometimes you can see the joy & strength leave them...they lose hope!

Our students at ILA have their own problems, some are "normal" teenage problems, some are things I wouldn't ever imagine going though...or things I would never want to experience again! How do we keep our joy during these horrible events! During this time in our lives!

Perspective! Jesus said "In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." Christians do a great job of painting a relationship with Christ as cure-all type of elixir.Look at Christian movies like "Facing the Giants," where faith in Christ and a new found devotion leads to everything working out just right...the protagonist of the film riding into the sunset with everything he ever desired from God. Or a name it and claim it mentality  as if God is some sort of supernatural vending machine that we can get to respond to our wishes with the right prayers! God, through His Son, has resolved humankind's  SIN issue, He didn't promise gumdrops and rainbows where everything is right. In fact He said the opposite!

So where is our joy! How do we keep in good cheer? How do awful things build character in our lives! God is sovereign - He works ALL things to good according to His will. He promises He will one day make ALL things new. A world without sin and the suffering that comes because of it! His goodness to us, that He loved us so much that He devised a way to bring our unholy selves into a relationship with Him, Who IS HOLY! I can't imagine why God would allow such horrific things in this world...but I believe that why is the wrong question, in asking why we are in fact going down the road that leads us to losing our joy! Perhaps we should be asking what and how, what do you want me to do in this situation and how can this hurt bring glory and honor to your name?

Bruchetta, because you asked!

Renee posted a picture of my Bruchetta on her blog, and a few have asked me how I make it! Well, because you all asked!

Topping mixture-

3 - Roma Tomatoes
1 - Medium White Onion
1/2 teaspoon of Salt
1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper
3-4 fresh basil leaves finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon of dried)
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
black pepper and garlic powder to taste
1/2 tablespoon of red balsamic vinegar

Dice tomatoes and put into a colander let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes to drain off excess juice. Chop onion and place in a medium mixing bowl. Add spices and toss lightly. Add drained tomatoes and toss again. Add vinegar and mix.


Composing the bruchetta

1 loaf of dense, crusty bread - I usually get an Country Italian Style bread from the bakery. Sliced and toasted or broiled
1 - 5.3 oz. package of Chavrie Goat Cheese
1 package of crumbled Feta cheese.  
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Take a slice of bread. Spread a little olive oil on it. Spread a bit of the Chavrie to make a thin layer. Add the tomato/onion mixture. Top with a dusting of the feta. ENJOY!

Music Monday - M&S

Ladies and Gentlemen .... The first band to  make a repeat performance on Music Monday is Mumford and Sons. I know I just put up one of their songs, however, there were some circumstance to a quick turnaround.

1. They just put out a new record! It is fantastic....I would recommend that you all get a copy, but make sure you get the deluxe edition as the cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer" is worth the extra $3.00!

2. They were just on SNL- I still love that show and have watched it weekly (whenever it is new) for many years! One of the songs the chose to play....just happens to be one of my favorite tracks from the new record.

So for those reasons this weeks Music Monday is "Below my Feet" as performed live on SNL.