1 Timothy 4:12

His name is David Budd, and he was one of the most influential people in my life. When I was in Jr. High, David Budd was my youth leader and he invested his time in me so that I could have a better relationship with God. To taking me to Sampo concerts or simply taking me with him when he had errands to run really meant a lot to me. The most impact he had on me is when he would take me out almost every Friday to Dell Taco for some lunch and we would go over a study that he made for me (I still have it!). Even though I was a thirteen year old boy he was disciplining me. David saw me as a young boy but that didn't keep him from letting God use him to transform my life. What David did was help equip me to be a warrior for Christ!

The best verse in my mind that describes this is 1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity." This is a verse I lived by when I was young because God used David to teach me how to be a disciple. I was blessed at the age to have such a friend when looking back with all the time he put into my life.

Today, I am a youth leader at my church working with teenagers. I take take them to concerts, to events and I disciple them in order that they too may have a strong relationship with God like I did at that age. This is such important part of the Christian walk to do with young believers. Teenagers are constantly bombarded with the temptations of this world and unfortunately they fail when it comes to the way the they live, love, their faith and purity. They need Christ love now not just when they grow up.

Summer memories of 09

My Summer was nothing significant to most people but most people don't love fishing as much as my dad and I. The fishing trips that I've had this summer have been one of the best that I have ever experienced. When on the Colorado river I am always surrounded by beauty, my dad and friends. On one fishing trip in June the moon was full and the weather was great and on that weekend we caught over hundred catfish!

When fishing or should I catching, it is aways fun to catch a hundred fish. Though that is not the only reason why I fish. It's the memories that I gain with my father and friends. My dad and I are very close and it's because of him taking the time to share something we both love to do so much. So the June fishing trip is one for the memory books for sure.

As I gain a closer relationship with my dad, fishing also helps bring my friends and I closer as well. There is nothing like helping a friend netting a big cat or sitting on the boat for six hours at a time sharing jokes and memories from past fishing trips together.

So yes fishing might not be significant to you but I have caught many fish this summer, gained a better relationship with my Dad, spent some awesome time with friends and what that all gave me in return is memories that will last me a life time.

I was encouraged

So today I had a meeting with the pastor of my church and I was encouraged a lot by him. I am surprised of how well I am doing with leaving my old church but I know its because God wanted me there and he is really using me and challenging me . Its seems strange that I knew God was calling me to Youth Ministry at 11 but I have never looked back and I am sure going to keep my eyes on the prize and also leave as much finger prints on this earth while I am still here.