Thursday, February 28, 2008

Volunteer Encouragement

A Small Group Leader for freshman girls in our high school ministry, Catalyst, sent me an email today. She also happens to have a son in our jr. high ministry, Turnpike. Basically she remembered a message from a couple months ago where TOMS Shoes were mentioned. She also wanted to send me a little encouragement. So she bought a pair of shoes for me. Which means she automatically bought a pair for someone else too. Watch the video to see what I mean.

That's awesome. I'm so excited. Because now I can wear the shoes and people will ask about them. Then I'll have the opportunity to pass on the idea to other people. More people will buy, more people will receive. It's good stuff!

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Yoda-Speak Post

Been an entire week since I last updated my blog, it is. Be, I just wanted to share what an awesome resource igoogle.com can. For yourself try it. All kinds of good stuff to offer, they have. Using called yoda-speak, such as a feature I am. Very entertaining! To start tomorrow better posts! Hmmmmmm.

Technorati tags: , , ,

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

FEE @ BigStuf

Just came across this video on FEE's blog. This kind of excitement for Jesus makes me want to leap out of my skin. It's so incredible. Talk about a quality summer camp. Wow.

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Can You Believe This Guy?!

Thanks to Ghavinn Crutcher sending me this video.

Sometimes people stand up for things that don't need to be stood up for. I don't agree with this guy...but I thought I'd just pass on his sermon on "pissing" because it's so ridiculous. Someone, please tell me he's joking.

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Guitar Hero

Our first time playing.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Paul Wright & Bob Smiley

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Paul Wright (performing solo artist) and Bob Smiley (Christian Comedian). Youth leaders, pastors, volunteers and ministers were invited to a Spirit West Coast '08 luncheon with these two guys as well as the director of operations over Spirit West Coast. The lunch took place at New Covenant Community Church and the purpose of the lunch was to educate or re-educate us on Spirit West Coast.

We also heard about a fairly new youth camp that takes place right in the middle of the Spirit West Coast experience. How awesome is that? I'm going to check into that a bit deeper. It's called the Ammunition Conference.

Here's the funny thing though. I was just standing there with my wife, Brandon Howland and Melissa Howland when this guy walks up and says hello.

We start talking and I say, "So, what do you do?"

He says, "Well, I'm a solo artist. My name is Paul Wright."

Then I respond, "I'm a moron, I didn't know what you looked like."



Last night we were invited back to their concert for free. Thank you! They are incredibly talented men of God that just want to use their talent for the glory of God.

So, Paul, I told you I was going to provide you with some link love. Here 'tis bro. I hope you spread my custom-made "snap-shake" across the world.

One more note. Bob represented Compassion International. Just wanted to give them a link as well.

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Flipside

I recently wrote about a church giving out free shot glasses. Well, now there's on close to home in Madera Ranchos. Check it out.

abc30.com: A Shot of Spirituality 2/07/08

Technorati tags: , , , , , , ,

Catalyst High School Ministry - The Beginnings

We launched Catalyst in January and it's now February. Here are a few little snippets of what's going on thus far.


Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Long Awaited Yosemite Blog Entry

On Saturday we went to Yosemite National Park with John Grogg and his girlfriend Kala Eubanks. You can check out John's account of the trip on his blog here. Here's what went down.



This is the view when you enter the park.
Half Dome

Yosemite Falls, I love this spot!

While we were entering and leaving the park we saw some wildlife right off the road. Of course I wanted to get as close as possible to take some nice pictures. Erica didn't really like that idea.

I think he's winking. What do you think?

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ragamuffin Soul in Uganda

I routinely read a blog by an employee of Buckhead Church. He was asked, along with several all super-bloggers...bloggers with large readership, to take a trip with Compassion International and do live blogging. Basically the entire trip and all the blogging is to get the word out and get the church to mobilize. Check out his blog here or respond here.

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Yosemite

Pictures to come later.

Friday, February 08, 2008

World Vision Experience

I went to the World Vision Experience this morning at Campus Bible Church. Basically, the point of the whole thing is to educate the church about the AIDS crisis in Africa. It's a walking-exhibit, much like one you might find in the Museum of Tolerance documenting the Holocaust, or the one in Oklahoma City documenting the Oklahoma City bombing.

You're given an iPod shuffle and some headphones. A narrator tells you the name of one of four children. It asks you to leave your present life situation and pretend that you are this child. Then you walk through an exhibit while the narrator tells the story of this child. At the end of the exhibit you walk through a medical clinic where you are tested for AIDS. After that you go into a prayer room and then write your own prayer to pin to a prayer wall. You then have the opportunity to sponsor a child. ($35/month)Here are some pictures from my experience...as Mathabo.

I was HIV negative! Unfortunately my friend Paul, who was Babirye had contracted the disease.

What will you do?

Sponsor a child?
http://worldvision.org

[tags]world vision, aids, experience, Africa, missions, compassion, Jesus, church, mobilize[/tags]

World Vision Breakfast

Why does it have to be so early?

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Fresno State's Campus Pointe

Read about Fresno State's Campus Pointe project here.

This place will provide a central hub of college community. It will be great for ministering to college students!

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Paul Haugen's Africa Highlight Video

Ok, so my friend Paul Haugen, has been sitting on this video footage for a week and he finally stayed up all night to edit it down into 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Embedded Video


[tags]paul,haugen,clovis,hills,community,church,africa,rock,the,horn,mission,trip,video[/tags]

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Volunteer Love

I want to spotlight one of my volunteers. Her name is Angela Whitney. She has been volunteering in New Harvest Church's student ministry department for almost 5 years. She's seen and been through at least three major transitions within the ministry. She has been a small group leader for 7th grade girls, a master at hospitality and has recently taken over our hosting duty for Turnpike, our Jr. High ministry. She is a servant with a huge heart that loves Jesus! What more could you ask for in a volunteer. Thank you Angela!

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Super Tuesday

Did you vote yet? I did. Polls are open until 8pm! Go vote!

Technorati tags: , , ,

Ponderings

What if there were no churches in the world? How would God choose to express Himself? I know He works in many ways, but He has chosen to work specifically through His people, the church, to reveal himself. Hmmmmm.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Questions

I've seen a lot of interaction between bloggers and readers recently. I'd like to see what some of you are thinking. Answer these questions for me...

What is the worste thing about attending your local church?
What is the best thing about attending your local church?

I'm just thinking, help me think.

-Micah

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , ,

Ma.gnolia tags: , , , , , , , ,

Del.icio.us tags: , , , , , , , ,

McChurch - McFranchise - McControversy

I just wanted to comment on something that I've seen all over BLOG world today. I could sit here and debate with you on why or why not it is good or not to franchise a church model...but instead I'll just offer up some information from other people...because I don't have anything original to add to the conversation. Just want to present the facts.

Pro Systematic Ministry:
Video Church Blog - The official Cumberland Church Blog with Pastor Eddie Johnson.
HippoChurch Blog - Commentary on what Eddie Johnson says from an North Point Community Church, the original church of this model of ministry.

Non-Pro Systematic Ministry:
Axis Community Church Blog - A church planter in Fresno, Ca and his opinions.

I respect everyone's individual views.

But I, however, have seen the model up-close-and-personal. And I buy it. I'd buy a franchise. I don't like phrasing it like that...but bottom line. Hook-line-and-sinker, I would buy one. Why? Because I think it's the most effective approach to ministry I have ever seen, have ever read about, have ever dreamed about. You have to experience it to understand my passion.

Technorati tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Superbowl or Rock Band

Some people just aren't into football.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Groundhog Day


I'd rather it be 115 degrees all year long!