i’ve been home in atlanta for a little over 3 weeks now, and it’s been great… very full and packed but great seeing everyone and catching up as much as you possibly can.  i even had the wonderful chance to go to miami/ft lauderdale for a few days for a worship event, where i got to lead and speak to a wonderful group of people.  and this weekend, i get to join with my other church family in orlando, FL, for their annual winter youth retreat, and i’m highly looking forward to that.

although i’m not technically working a “regular” job while i’m here, i am thankfully able to make some money during my stay.  i’m looking forward to spending christmas with my family, and i pray you are as well.  if you’re unable to be with your family for whatever reason, i pray that the God who sent Jesus to us will fill your hearts with the kind of peace and security that only He can offer.   you are all precious and treasured in His sight.

things i’m thankful for -

my parents, their business, their warm home where i am staying.  thank You, Jesus, for their hospitality and graciousness.  also, protect and comfort those who don’t have homes during this cold time of year.

my mom’s flexibility with the sharing of my car while i’m here. thank You, Lord, for her generosity and kindness and for this car that You have allowed me to take full advantage of.

a brother who pretty much rocks.  thank You, God, for his constant loyalty to our family and for his willingness to just do anything that is required of him… for his great heart.

friends who i get to see and the conversations we get to have face to face.  i’m also thankful for those who have graciously shouted me meals or coffee (in australia, they say ’shout’ for when you cover/spot someone).  thank You, Lord, for their generosity.  i know You will bless those who bless me.

and of course, i’m thankful for …

the OK cafe.
chick-fil-a.
taqueria del sol.
fat matt’s.
chosunok.
five guys.
pinkberry.
hurry curry of tokyo.
you get my drift…  ;P

and most of all, i’m thankful for my Savior who came so that i might have life and have it abundantly.  bless you all.  have a very merry christmas and the best new year!

Jesus. Hope for Humanity.

p.s. i just saw this on my friend ryan’s blogsite. you may need to check his site out for the bigger photo. haha.

spent the last few days in beautiful California. 

and now, i’m back in chilly Atlanta, GA.  shoot me a message, y’all.  let’s meet up!!!

Here are some more photos for you to enjoy.

Photos of some people and places

Photos of the Penultimate Espresso

Photos of some extremely Beautiful People

Thanks and keep checking back!!!

h & t (hi & thanks)

Here are some photos to warm your heart as well…

Pics from Port Macquarie (State AOG Conference)

Passion Sydney

A friend’s Bday Dinner

My Birthday Party Album 1

Birthday Party Album 2

Day of my actual birthday, Australian time zone

1. Going out of business sale

this is a wonderful website that after 10 years is shutting down.  here is a little snippit into why -

Last month, the founder and owner of IndependentBands.com, Chip Carruth, suddenly passed away of a heart attack. He was the guts, the brains, and the mind behind IndependentBands.com. He was the “man behind the curtain” that operated almost every facet of IndependentBands.com. And while we have been able to run the business since his passing, we have come to realize that we must close the business for various reasons.

all of the cd’s and such will be marked down, including mine.  so if you have never bought one before, this is the best time to get one.

2. check out my latest photos!

city time!!!

3.

1.what’s your favorite game to play (non-sport, i.e., taboo, hold em, monopoly…)?
2.what is the current black for 2008 (as in the fashion sense)?
3.what book are you reading at the moment?
4.when is the last time you cut your hair or got it done (coloured, highlighted…)?
5.summer, fall, winter or spring?
6.what are your top 3 songs at the moment?
7.how often do you wash your sheets?
8.mac or pc?
9.sour or sweet?
10.bbq or honey mustard (or some other fabulous sauce)?

–
ha. just wanted to make this fun and interactive.
hope you are all well. i’m doing so well right now, and i’m super pumped about what God is doing here. i’m so blessed to be here and really glad i stayed to do a 2nd year. the friendships are closer, the classes are smaller and better, and i’m more involved in things in general, which is always fun.

we have our school break coming at the of the week, ENCOUNTERFEST and next week KIDSFEST,

the new UNITED album will be recorded at Encounterfest, and the new Kids album and DVD will be recorded at Kidsfest, and the new songs are incredible, as always.

ok with that, i’ll leave you with some links to some of my most recent photo albums:

album 1.

album 2.

album 3.

album 4.

We had College Open Day, where any potential student or persons interested in Hillsong College came and checked things out. And I had the privilege of being a part of the worship team for the Chapel. And I just thought it was phenomenal. As I’ve mentioned and as you can easily imagine, it really IS always good, but there are always even those above and beyond special moments, and I would say that today was one of them… for me… personally.

See… just prior to this gathering, I listened to a voicemail from back home that was very difficult to process, and I quickly became heavy hearted and distracted. And over the course of the next half hour, I was a bit “distracted” and just contemplative. I had thoughts going left and right about “what if this… or what if that… or what about this… and what about that…” but I knew we were about to enter into a time of praise and worship.

In this environment, it is virtually impossible to stay discouraged for too long, because the very CULTURE of the house, and the language of the people is encouragement, faith, and truth. At the end of the day, it’s about getting the focus off yourself, “your” circumstances, “your” troubles, “your” whatever… That’s why it’s so important to stay 1st close to God, 2nd and so importantly, immersed in the kind of house of God that facilitates the language of encouragement. Interesting, b/c Pastor Brian actually spoke on this last night, and I wonder if that is why I’m thinking along these lines at the moment. I bet it is, and that just only reinforces the power of staying in that kind of environment.

Anyway, I believe that there is so much power in the very ACT of praise. If you’re in a good place, it comes easy. But when you decide to praise when things aren’t so good, God’s grace is so evident, sufficient, more than enough, and just made manifest. And I stood literally IN grace. And worship was just gooder than good.

Praise belongs to God. And it is my only reasonable response for this glorious life I have in Christ. And without making light of my troubles, it is still a light and momentary one. And if my thoughts are on His, and if my eyes are on Christ, it just doesn’t leave much room for the kind of dwelling on the “my” stuff.

And sure, today, had its speedbumps, but had I dwelt on it, I would’ve missed out on SO much goodness that was ALL around me. I have some of the most amazing people in my life here (and everywhere), and tonight, we had a group of about 12 of THE best people you could go to war with over at our house. Eating, laughing, and having just some of the sweetest times. Of course, we did a few rounds of Taboo later, and we laughed til we cried and until our stomachs hurt. And I just had to remember to give thanks for these wonderful moments.

And a night like tonight was only made possible because of my generous friends and family back home who are praying for me and supporting me during this time here, which was my initial purpose of writing this one.

Your blessing on me always overflows into the blessing of others.

I love and miss you all so much!!!

—-
New Prayer Points:
Leading worship this coming Monday (your Sunday night at 10:30PM, EST. ha.). DONE.
Speaking at an Espresso (mini-chapel) on Fri 26 Sep (your Th 25 Sep, 9PM, EST).* date has been changed but don’t know when yet.
Kids Album Translations team and overall project - the process has begun again.
Searching for a job.
Situation back home.

Brian Houston’s Blog re: Michael G. (referring to my 24 Aug 2008 post) An excellent and honest read.

Meet some of my friends - Abigail, Nathalie, Dorien, Mandy and Dorien.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT re: Michael Guglielmucci.

Last Wed., I too, was completely stunned when I heard the news.
There was hurt and confusion and most of all just a massive magnitude of utter shock among us all.

I didn’t want to really write anything about it or send out an update, bc this is such a tender matter. However, I felt it was necessary, since many of you have heard SOMETHING or have asked me personally. I would like you all to read this very honest but beautiful post that my friend Casey Darnell wrote:

CLICK HERE.

I tell you, I’m so proud to call Hillsong Church my home. And I am so blessed to have leaders like Pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston. They have been on holiday for the last several weeks, and he sent a little video message to us as a church in regards to this, and it was just so wise and gracious. I cannot imagine the kind of things that come across his path and the things he has to wrestle with in terms of decisions, media, etc., The video was played across the weekend services, and the leaders didn’t smash on the news or dance around the concerns but were just straightforward about it and just moved right along.

If you are struggling with things yourself in light of all of this, I would recommend 3 main pieces of advice -

1. be wise in reading up on the opinions expressed (as this is just splashed all over the internet), as most opinion is just that - opinion and can lead to gossip or judgment. just don’t even bother going down that path…

2. pray for the church at large, your church leaders/pastors and for the Guglielmucci family.

3. just keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith.

At the end of the day… like my friend Casey wrote - this is just another story of grace. And God was not at all surprised. And as Donna Crouch spoke on this weekend - He works ALL things together for the good of those who are in Christ Jesus.

Our battle is definitely not against flesh and blood, my friends.

But we know what happens in the final chapter and who has the final victory.
God is still God. He is NO DOUBT always in control. And over everything, He reigns.

————-

Brian Houston’s Blog re: Michael G. A very GOOD read.