Broken heart

So today I went by the Dinuba Youth Center and walked in on Al Serna (a man I consider a spiritual mentor) as he was having a conversation with a couple of teenage girls (15 and 16 to be exact) about homosexuality and whether it is sin or not. These are kids who think that love is love and you can not control who you fall in love with...He sat there trying to explain how God sees homosexuality. He also talked to them about spiritual and emotional baggage you collect when involved in relationships.

As I sat there it really broke my heart listening to kids this age justifying there beliefs based on what the world we live in has convinced them is alright and normal....trying to figure out where I am going 'cause I am not sure. All I can say is this - Pray for the youth of the country...pray for revival and that hearts will be changed.

Weekend is over....

So it has been an interesting weekend. As I posted the other day Beth and I went through what is known as "Encounter" at our church. Started Friday and came to an end this morning. So here is a breakdown of the weekend:
Friday: "The Importance of an Encounter" and "The Encounter-A Fresh Start"
Here we studied the encounter the Isrealites had and the encounter the Apostle Paul had
Jesus.

These were both major instances of God wanting to have a relationship with his people...Two points were made: 1) God never intended for us to live in bondage and 2)God looks at the present state of our hearts.

Saturday: Was a total of 6 sessions not including times of praise and worship and then a break for lunch and a break for dinner. The first two sessions of the day was about revealing the Cross and then turning a Curse into a blessing.

During this part of the day we had done what they called a "sin list" and nailed it to this cross and then after watching portion of "Passion of the Christ" (which I had never seen) nailed a spike into a cross. These were both done in referance to potting our sins and old life at the cross. Then came the session about "Turning your curse into a blessing". During this time it was really about leaving it all there.All the crap and stuff is on the front-side of the cross and when you get pass that you are in a position of receiving blessings from God. Two sides of the cross: Front side of the cross is our curse and sin Back Side of the Cross: God's grace and Blessings.

It was during this session that kind of messed me up because it changed the way I view the crucifixion of Christ and what He did for us.

The second half of the day really dealt with Forgiveness, healing and Freedom. And it was really cool can cause there were people healed and delivered from all kinds of stuff....generational sins, families restored and so forth.

The Last session of the night was all about the Holy Spirit....and this was a time of celebration. The Holy Spirit just moving in the place. Just an amazing time!!!

Today was the final session and it was about the armor of God and the vision of the Church.

I know I wrote alot but man there was a lot to take in, and as always I always go back and compare what I learned to what scripture says. This was an amazing weekend of just getting to know God again and a real blessing for Beth and I.

Oh yeah Daisy got baptized today, which was kind of cool.

Cheers,
Frankie.

Encounter Weekend....

So this has been an interesting week...starting with a problems on the homefront - opportunity to go to the Bay area and cut and then my buddy from Spokane called to let me know that he was going to be in Ventura this weekend.....All of this happened leading into Encounter Weekend at the church.

In short here is a brief idea of what Encounter is....
"Then comes the Encounter, which usually takes place over a weekend at a residential conference centre. Before every Encounter, the new believer's cell group is encouraged to prepare itself with much prayer, fasting and spiritual warfare, for those participating. Before the Encounter starts, the battle should have been won in the spiritual realm through spiritual warfare. This way, the cell member will surely have a remarkable encounter with God.

The Encounter is much more than just a three-day retreat, in a setting away from the normal distractions of life. It should be a time in the life of the believer when he or she will look back to many times and remember their encounter with Jesus!
Meeting with God"

It is something new Christians and well...guys like me who just need more of GOD get involved in. And this week getting ready for it so much has happend to cause me to want to not go....I really believe it things being thrown in my way to keep me from this event...this time or renewal with GOD.

I have had to try and adjust my attitude and thought process because going in with a messed up attitude will keep me from receiving from what God has for me..

So if you are out there and read this I ask that you pray for me over this weekend....pray for my heart and mind...I be open to whatever God my have for me.
Blessings
Frankie

Just another year....

Well here I am sitting in front of a screen listening to old Mike KNott music and going through my pre-encounter hand book for church.

Beth and I are going to Long Beach and then the following weekend we have Encounter Weekend with our church. Kind of stoked hope to learn a few things about God that I did not know and maybe even a little something about myself.

I have no resolutions this year....just like every year. But I do have a few things I really want to do. As stable as this job is at Starbucks the truth is it is not where I want to be. I want to find a barbershop and cut hair full time-I will be happy if I can find a place to work part time and then sbux part time!

Kind of glad 2009 is over and I am really trying to be optimistic for 2010!!

I love the Scatered Few...

I can honestly say I have never had a dream that featured Allen and Omar but last night I did....

In this dream for some reason Allen and Omar were at my house, but it looked more like our place in Spokane,Wa then were we are living now. We sat around on the floor talking about Scatered Few..Allen's friend Micheal Chang (Who happens to be Beth's cousin...at least I think his name is Micheal only met him once maybe twice).

As we are talking I am cleaning out all of daisy's old little kid stuff...shoes clothes etc. I am not sure what to do with them and Allen and Omar are like "We can use these thing for our kids!". Mind you there kids are all grown up now. So they take all these little kid shoes and stuff.

Then in the dream Beth, my kids and a few people I recognize but am unsure of who they are at this moment were walking through a shopping area almost like Pike's Market in Seattle.....then I am awake.

I get up..check my e-mail and my twitter and in my twitter I see a post by Allen regarding their fundraiser for there bus "Judah" that is up in Medford Oregon....

Kind of odd....sort of!

Last night was a blast!

So just walked in the door...got Silence O' Israel tucked into their hotel room and AllorNothing seen off back to Hollister.

The turn out was awesome tonight...the amount of toys donated was rad and I look forward to being able to drop them off on Monday.....We were able to bless ANthony from Sounds&Sciences who is leaving tomorrow for a missions trip to South Korea...

As I sat and watched each band play and saw the kids hanging out I remembered why I love this stuff....God has really blessed us to be in a position that we can do things like this every now and again.

All I have to say right now is thank you...so here it goes:
God for grace and mercy even when I sin!
My family for years of support...
All the bands...made some new friends tonight, got to fellowship with others-just a blessing all around
Brandy....Thanks for the article in the Dinuba paper this week!!
The kids.....It's all for you guys!!
Every kid that handed out flyers!
Pastor Al Serna
God for grace and mercy even when I sin ( I know I already said that....but it's true)

God want's to meet each and everyone of us where we are....

Thanks for a great night!! If you have pics send em to me!
Cheers
Frankie

Youth Sunday at Living Word..

So today was youth Sunday at the church and the way did was actually alot like there youth group...He did an interesting thing with his sermon that he called Organic Christianity.

Matt set up the sermon and then three kids from the youth group spoke and it all tied together. Lindsee's best friend Cristal was the first kid and then this kid named Greg. Lindsee spoke last about revolution. It was funny cause I warned her about rambling on and well...that went out the window!

As I sat there and watched these kids especially Lindsee (my 16 year old) I could only think that you can see these kids love God. When Lindsee was speaking within the chaos of rambling and wierd random noises of nervousness you could see passion she has for Christ!

Lately I turn around and there is a random kid I have never met with hunger for God...It is time for us to take a hint from the hungry youth.

Just Sayin'!
Acts 17:6