a small snippet

This is just a glimpse of what I took away from Worldview Academy....

• Engaging the culture is more than just having intellectual conversations, it's about loving others.
• I often assume that people aren't interested in spiritual things. But they are; and if Christians don't engage them, they will be taken captive by the world's spiritual ideas.
• What you fear is what you will worship.
• Courage is fear in it's proper perspective: fearing God more than men.
• I should never accept the label "rebel," because I am always under the authority of God.
• Truth is Truth, regardless of how one perceives it.
• The five pillars of leadership are meekness, integrity, vision, attitude, and empowerment.
• We do not argue anyone into the kingdom, but we are called to give a defense of our faith.
• The gospel is a conversation, not a presentation. 
• Jesus wasn't "nice," but He was truthful and loving.
• I have more influence on people than I ever imagined.
• I can turn what is common in culture into pulpits to proclaim Truth.
• Movies are the teaching tools of our culture.
• God did not invent relationships; He IS relationships. So when we cultivate a relationship with God, we are joining Him in who He is.
• I do not think critically enough.

currently

You know those moments when your heart is so full that you don't have the capacity to express it in writing (much less the time to do so)? Well, I'm having one of those moments. Of course, it's wonderful to have God doing so much in my life! But I shall spare you the plethora of deep, lengthy posts, and give you a few snippets into the life of yours truly. =) And as always, I'd love to hear about all the goings-on in your lives as well!

So then, I am....

...constantly being amazed by an amazing God...

...processing all that I learned at TeenPact National Convention 2012...

...learning more of what it means to treasure Christ...

...freaking out/getting excited that I will be in college in, like, 11 weeks! Cra-zy...

...loving all the travelling I've been doing...

...writing lots of graduation thank you notes...

...trying to find time to read the mountain of books I optimistically started...

...preparing for an INCREDIBLE week at Worldview Academy (coming up SOON)....

So, what's up with you?

3 easy steps to getting free awesomeness on your iPod

My iTunes just became unfathomably this much more awesome because I followed these simple steps:

{1} Go to iTunes and find the "Radio Worldview" podcast (with Jeff Baldwin).

{2} Click "subscribe."

{3} Listen every week for engaging and hilarious conversations about the culture, current events and media, critical thinking skills and apologetics -- all from a Christian worldview!

I LOVE Worldview Academy and am fully convinced that every Christian young person should attend a camp. However, I realize that it is not reasonable to expect everyone to be able to go to Worldview. In that case, this Worldview Academy podcast is the next best thing! I am not even kidding when I say that this is my favorite thing on my iPod!!!

(You can also listen on the website at http://www.worldview.org/podcast/)

As believers who are called to live in the world and not of it, we need to be able evaluate everything that comes at us and articulate what we stand for. I know that I can always turn on Radio Worldview for challenging discussions and thought-provoking questions that will drive me deeper into my faith.

Go get it. Go listen. Go be challenged.

(And, goodness, it's free!)
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We're Like Eggs

"Welcome to the best week of your life."

These were the assertive, opening words of my Worldview Academy student notebook.

The best week of your life. That's quite an assuming statement to make. A very weighty welcome indeed.

But, my friends, they weren't kidding. Worldview Academy stands out as one of the most impactful weeks of my life. By far. This is an impact that lasts long after camp is over. An impact that exceeds far beyond the "spiritual high" after camp.

Worldview Academy is more than a camp. It's more than an experience. It's a launching pad for life.

As Christians we have the responsibility to engage the world and proclaim Truth to a dark culture. Are you equipped? Worldview Academy will supply you with the tools you need to defend your faith and think critically like a Christian, as you learn what it really means to "take every thought captive to obey Christ."

We are the generation of future leaders in our culture. What active steps are you taking to equip yourself with the tools you need to defend Truth? Will you consider attending Worldview Academy this year?

If you are even remotely interested in this camp, you need to act now! Find a camp near you, and get signed up!!! Trust me, it's worth the money. I'm going back this year because it was that incredible. If you're interested or have any questions or just want more information, please contact me! Yes, I am waiting expectantly to hear from one of you! (As an alumnus of WA, I can even get you a special discount on the camp.) I LOVE talking about WA, so don't hesitate to email.

Do it. You won't regret it.

"We're like eggs at present," says C.S. Lewis, "and you can't go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad." At Worldview Academy, you will begin breaking out of that shell.


You too can make Worldview Academy the best week of your life.

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The Two Best Ways to Start Your Summer

Imagine the entire ocean. It's vast. It's huge. It's got a lot of water. Now imagine that the entire ocean represents all the attainable, knowable knowledge there is. How much of that knowledge do you know? After considering all the history, statistics, facts, equations, trivia, lives, names, laws and other knowledge that's available, I've come to the conclusion that my knowledge would amount to about a drop.

These past few weeks I've learned a lot. A ton. But the more I learn, the more I realize exactly how little I know. Still, these past weeks have been life-changing for me. I can't even begin to describe how incredible this past month has been... but I'm gonna try.

Three words: TeenPact National Convention 2011. (Or is that four words?) First of all, let me just say that if you've never been to a TeenPact state class, you are missing out on one of the greatest experiences of your life. Check it out. National Convention is a whole week spent on focusing on God with teens from around the nation. Imagine worshipping God with 500 other people, having a quiet time in the middle of His creation, participating in a national ultimate Frisbee tournament, watching TeenPact's election campaigns... not to mention hearing amazing speakers like John Stonestreet and Brett Harris!!!  At National Convention, I was encouraged, strengthened, and challenged in the Lord. I'm already looking forward to next year! 

Next on my life-altering list is Worldview Academy. Again, if you haven't been to or heard of Worldview, you must check it out! I can sincerely say that it was one of the best weeks of my life. Worldview Academy is not your average camp. For most of each day there I was being lectured on subjects concerning worldview, apologetics, evangelism, and leadership. Of course there was still ultimate Frisbee, small group games, team competitions and worship. And it all adds up to equal the ultimate camp experience. But it was more than an experience; Worldview Academy was a launching pad.

So you see, I've learned a lot, but this new knowledge has given me the desire to continue to learn and to press on in my search for Truth.

God is so good. There is no better way to start summer. I can't wait to learn.

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