To Be or Not To Be... Who?

I heard a song the other day that was about someone trying so hard to be just like someone else and it got me thinking. . . Aren't most of us guilty of that even a little? We find someone who is wealthy, good looking, fashionable, popular, or gifted in some way and deep in our heart we want to be like them. In some ways this is not a bad thing simply because we can be inspired, but it is easy to "cross the line" so to speak and it can be much to our detriment. I believe that God wants us to be successful and gifted but, more importantly, He wants us to be identified with Him. He said "I am come that you might have life. . ." so yes its cool to be cool, but let's keep our focus on this: to be identified with Christ is the only identity that brings life!

My cousin Anthony and I went on a fishing trip to Eagle Lake this last week and had a great time. What normally is a 4 hour drive turned into a 7 hour drive because we hit a snow storm on the way up. I was very thankful for a 4 wheel drive vehicle, but this "wonderful" truck also has no heater, so basically I was a human snowcone. We got out on the lake on Thursday and had an excellent day of fishing, landing 11 fish and hooking up about 15. Well, I should say THEY landed the fish. I only caught one 10 inch fish that we threw back (check out the picture)... lame... Anthony and his dad (my uncle Frank) caught most of the fish and there some great catches. All in all it was a freezing, great time.

FINALLY A NEW POST!!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone! Can you believe I'm finally posting something?!?! I'm so excited about doing a new post that I don't even know what to post about! Hmm.......... School. I am only taking 6 units this semester but it seems like more simply because it has been so long since I've been in school. So far I have gotten excellent grades and I am glad I'm only taking 2 classes because it has been quite an adjustment with work and all. I plan on taking at least 12 units next semester so I'm sure this semester will seem like cheesecake. Do any of you guys have tips on effective note taking and study methods?

I like pictures so I will include one of me and my good buddy Chris. Enjoy!

My Oregon Trip

On the 4th of July weekend I went on a mini vacation to Oregon... Here are a few pics from the trip.


Me and my sis...Me and my mom...
This was the roadside advertisement for Theatre 101. Me, my mom, and my sis went and saw Steel Magnolias... It was very good. (how is that for a typical guy description? LOL)
Espresso and burritos?????? Thats like... eggnog and pickles... Gross...
One of the many beautiful views of the Oregon coast...

Me, Dakota, and Sarah out for Yog Yog... At first Sarah was a little shy but eventually Dakota and I rubbed off on her LOL

Fayruz Is 20!!!!!!

Some pics of Fayrizzle in honor of her 20th...

PLEASE READ!!!!

Before I post the pics from Niemann Avenue's first concert, I have some things I want to say to myself, to the band, and to all of you who have been so supportive of what we are doing. Pride is an ugly thing... It distorts, it confuses, it is demeaning to others, it inflates self, and ultimately it pushes God away. Fellow band members, God has gifted us with talent(s) and abilities and I believe that He brought us all together via The Rock Church (hence the name Niemann Avenue for those of you who didn't know), but with those talents and abilities comes a great responsibility to use them for HIS purpose. Of course we will have fun, jam out, and hopefully make some money, but when the lights are turned out, the seats are empty, and the studio is closed... What message have we left? Did people see/hear HIM in Niemann Avenue? More than a guitar lick, a drum fill, a bass run, a keys riff, or a vocal trick, I hope people remember the anointing and power in what we sing and play. When we stand before God in eternity, He wont ask us why we didn't practice more... He'll ask if we used our borrowed talent for HIS glory, for HIS honor, for the good of HIS Kingdom. Will our answer be sure and confident because we kept the faith??? ............ It is my prayer that we never compromise, we never get proud, and we ALWAYS keep HIM first...

These Guys Have "Talent"

On the way to Minden................. It was a long drive what can I say............

Niemann Excitement!!!

The more we told Ben about the band, the more excited he got!!!

I Love Playing Guitar!!!

The guitar is one my favorite instruments (I just wish I could play like Nate LOL). Here is a short clip of me playing while we were in Minden this last weekend...

Niemann Avenue's first concert!!!!!! As many of you know, Niemann Avenue is having our first concert this weekend in Minden, Nevada. We will be performing as part of an outreach concert put on by Pastor George Whorley of the Minden church. Tyler Sullivan and Larry Carter will also be playing/singing so it should be a great time. Yes we will be having fun and all but the main purpose of this concert is outreach so please say a prayer that we can reach people with our music... As soon as I get back I'll be posting pictures/clips of the trip and concert so be sure to watch my blog!

This is one of my favorite songs... It is truly the story of my life because Jesus really is my rescue, my help, my strength, my source of life... How many times have I fallen short? How many times have I taken things in my own hands only to mess it all up? Countless times... And yet God in His infinite mercy is always there... My Rescue... Humbling isn't it?

My first posting... Since I like a good laugh, I'll tell about something i saw a couple of days ago. I was driving to my office and pulled up to an intersection and saw a woman standing on the side of the road holding a sign. I didn't think too much about it until I actually read the sign, and here is what it said: I KNOW I AM BUTT UGLY BUT EVERYONE GETS HUNGRY!!! ... Maybe that should be a quote from Ronald McDonald in a McDonalds commercial...