late knight out

so today i got the chance to go to the silver knights award ceremony. its some community service/academic thing put on by the miami herald. anyways, i came home empty handed. the girl that won in my category discovered some peptide in poisonous sea snails that helped people with pain disorders... yeah. i actually didn't pull off a consolation paper because the lady passing them out didn't think i was a nominee based on my casual attire (since when was a dress shirt, jeans, and a pair of nikes not acceptable?) regardless, it was pretty neat seeing all of those overachievers in one place. you can tell those kids are going to go places. it got me thinking about leadership and the importance of drive and passion.

i think that leadership is a gift, but we can also work on it. sometimes it can also feel like a switch that is turned on. i know i am perfectly content to just sit back and watch the action unfold, but if i see a group in need of leadership and realize that i won't be stepping on any toes, i'll come in and "flip the switch" and take control. i think many people assume that they are too shy to be a leader, or that they don't have that gift. i think that enough drive or passion can make you a great leader, even if you are a natural introvert. many times, people just need someone with some direction or goal in mind. i'm sure that sometime in your life, you will have to come out of your comfort zone and lead out on something. i challenge anyone out there who is maybe quiet or shy to find their voice and step in the next time they sense they have an opportunity to lead. remember, moses couldn't even speak in public, he had to go through his brother aaron, but he turned out to be a pretty good leader. one day, you'll have to lead, you might as well start now. the younger the better, especially if you are a student. i know many places in student ministry that need leadership with the exit of the graduating class. that just means more opportunities for you to step up and leave a mark.

Summer Camp

school is almost done and summer is just around the corner. i'm getting pretty stoked about summer camp, as a senior, this will sadly be my last camp, but it looks to be amazing. it's called The Way and is going to be awesome. we're gonna go up to north florida and some big bands and speakers will be there, plus a ton of games and time to hang out with everybody. if you are in student ministry and are debating going to camp, i encourage you to go. it is the best thing we do at FRC, and you will definitely come back changed. it is an amazing spiritual experience, i pray that you just give it a shot if you're doubting it. i will personally take responsibility for your time, if you go and dont have a blast, i will wash your car or something. just give it a chance.

i also am planning to go to middle school camp, which is called Leave Nothing, as a leader. the same goes for this, it is a great way to grow spiritually and make some true friends and accountability partners. so parents, don't be alarmed, you're kids will be well supervised by all of the adult leaders and they'll have a lot of fun. camp is amazing because you get to see kids lives completely changed for Christ. they come back on fire for God and many students turn into leaders right in front of our eyes at camp.

go check out flamingoroadchurch.com for more info. register online, and you can pay there too.

donkey basketball

i came across this clip and thought that it might help Pastor Troy and Pastor Matt feel more at home:

soapbox reminder

hey guys, just one quick thing to help you through your week:

it is in our weakness, that God is strong. Paul begged God to take away this sin that had a grip on his life, that he struggled with daily, and failed constantly at conquering, and God wouldn't take it away. why? so that Paul would depend on God. it forced Paul to come to grips with his own weakness and rely on the Lord. in Romans, Paul says we are a slave to the sin that corrupts us, and the only way to break that bondage is to rely on Jesus.

don't know why, but i felt like i should share that.