¡La biblioteca es maravillosa!

I took the opportunity to visit our local library on the way home from school and checked out a bunch of stuff...including:


I just started reading B.O.B. today...I loved the HBO Series (best WWII series/movie). I also picked up another WWII history book just for fun, but I couldn't find a picture of it online.

I'm Clean Again

No I wasn't addicted drugs or alcohol...I mean that I gave up on growing the facial hair...it got to a certain point of length and just stopped...and it didn't really look appealing. So I'm back to square one.

"the office premier was epic"

I agree with Ian.

Re-reading Irresistible Revolution

Yea...uhhh...that's all. I just wanted to read it again. I borrowed it from my pops. Oh and I also picked this up...

The Facial Hair Experiment

Just to give you some background info...I didn't even begin to have facial hair until the very, very, very, very end of high school...and to be honest it mostly a sad excuse for a mustache. Now? I am attempting a sad excuse for a goatee of some sort. I will keep you updated, but I'm afraid there won't be much to update...probably just insights on dealing with facial hair.

My Ultimate Dream: To have one of those full-on thick beards, like this...or
Minus the gray hair and half-baldness.

Read these...

I was on my Google reader this morning reading one of Chuck Bomar's posts on his blog and read this post from Julie Neidlinger. Then, I found a link to this post from her page (by Fearsome Pirate). I really want to know what everyone thinks. If you have a friend, tell them to read the posts and comment here. I don't want to post what I think about these posts yet, so that I can purely hear the opinions of the readers.

Breaking Up.

No, I'm not ending a relationship with someone...I'm talking about breaking up my blog posts for the different topics they pertain to. To my fellow bloggers: Do you ever find yourself spurring with a multitude of blogging material one day and another is just plain insipid? Is their a blogging technique or maybe some kind of blogging theory behind this inconsistency? On the other hand, I do agree that this can make blogging more authentic and real because of its "unrelated blog topics", "inconsistent postings", and of course "random comments". I guess the underlying thought of this post is answering the question: "What is the point of my blog?" I have brought this up before, I know, but it is so intriguing. Since the beginnings of this blog, I have posted on apple products to global issues to bowling with my friends.

Let me be clear in saying that I am not against blogging or frustrated that I have one. But that I just wanted to bring up these insignificant but rooted principals of blogging.

Should my blog just focus on one part of my life or be open, like a holistic diary of my journey in life including events, thoughts/feelings, world issues, et cetera? This is probably just one of those truistic thoughts that has been talked to death about already. Plus, I'm probably taking this way too seriously. If anybody reads this and is genuinely interested, I'll be very surprised, haha.

Miracle at the Step's House

Our high school group had a movie night at the Stepanian's crib tonight and it was a lot of fun. We watched the movie, Miracle with Kurt Russell. It's about the Olympic Hockey Team of 1980 who beat the "Soviets"...and went to win gold. That might be a spoiler, but really it has already happened, you can probably look it up on Wikipedia, I'm sure. It's one of those inspiring sports movies, but what really was interesting to me was when John Paul told me that all of the hockey players were played by actual hockey players, not actors. Anyway, we had some unbelievable cookies and milk along with the pleasure of watching some Looney Tunes afterward. Thanks John Paul and Sarah!

Who has led you?

As I was rolling out of bed this morning, I started to randomly think about some of the people that have made an impact in my life. As I was thinking about these people I began to pray for each of them. This just showed me how God has blessed me in my life with people that led me to Him and challenged me in the way I lived out the Kingdom of God. So I want to say thanks to Travis Osborne, Mike Rodiguez, Stevie Hasemeyer, Sam Boone, Josh Solorio, Sarah Bournes, and my dad, Bill Risinger. You have all made a significant impact in my life that has brought me closer to being the man that God sees in me. I love you all and may God's love, voice, grace, and peace abide your lives!
I encourage all of you who read this blog to take some time thinking about those who have made an impact in your life, pray for them, and thank them.

I caved...

The initial reasoning behind my signing up for a profile on facebook was that I could get more information about invisible children's "schools for schools" campaign. However, I have unintentionally discovered that facebook is so much better than myspace and its crappiness. It's so clean and efficient and it seems a ton of people I know are already on there, so i think I will be leaning more towards facebook now. If you want to become "friends" with me, here is a link to my profile.

Charity: Water

The September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.

Espresso (& Iced Tea) Expedition

Today my parents and I are meeting my brother and sisters in Lompoc (it's about 1/2 way between Riverside and Salinas). We had some time to just chill and we spotted a Starbucks on the way in, so we decided to drop in, grab a cup 'o' joe, and relax.
Above is a pic of us sporting the "Risinger Smile" (whatever that is).

You know it's Autumn when...

...you're sitting in a Starbucks drinking a Pumpkin Spice Latte and reading a book while listening to Norah Jones.
...you're buying school supplies, like books that smell of fresh paper.
...you're more often wearing a light jacket than not.
...the best TV shows come back on the air.

It all just blends into a warm feeling of "Awwww, fall is here."

Sabbath

Slept In
Ate Cereal
Watched Movie, "Rent"
Surfed Web/Checked Blogs
Played Guitar
Had Lunch
Read "Simply Christian" by N.T. Wright
Welcomed parents back home from 29th Anniv. in Las Vegas
Ate at Panda Express
Played some games
Read some more

I'm so glad God knows me better than I do (for instance, he knows I need a break)...I'm really gonna try and make this a habit.

Jesus of Suburbia

I just finished Jesus of Suburbia this morning, and I really liked what Mike Erre had to say about God's radical message and life that he brings. I was really encouraged to not be focused just on answering the questions that only concern those who have faith in God, but rather exploring and living out the way God intended as a way of displaying His Truth and Message. Because one of the issues that the American church faces today is its negative reputation that reflects God and His Kingdom. You see, we are known for our political stances on Abortion & Homosexuality, we are known for our judgemental attitudes, and so on. But we are not as much known for our hearts of compassion, forgiveness, grace, love, truth, beauty, courage, justice, and so much more than a bunch of people focused on just adding a little bit of Jesus into their own life so that they are covered. That is not what being a follower of Christ is about. It's about redeeming this world back to what it should have been and displaying God's Kingdom so that the world can known Jesus' Message of Redemption, Love, Peace, and Grace. I am going to try and not just talk about what's wrong with our world, culture, etc., but rather do something about it to show that God and His people are about humbling ourselves to serve and love people everywhere no matter what. I encourage you to read it and I pray that you too will be encouraged as well.

P.S. I would love to let somebody borrow my copy, just ask!

The Kingdom of God in 2 Weeks

Alright, here's the deal: Our church has finally hired a new high school youth pastor, Steven Paulsen, and he is moving up here in October. Therefore, I will still be leading and teaching for our middle school ministry for 4 more weeks. However, two of those weeks, we will be combining both youth groups (high school and middle school) to do Musical Celebration & Prayer Nights. So, I will really be teaching for just two more weeks.

Now that you're up to speed, I have been thinking of teaching on the Kingdom of God. So here are some goals/objectives I have for the students:

• Students would picture what God's intended plan was and still is to this day for His Kingdom
• Students would understand what the Kingdom of God is like
• Students would understand the role of God's people and the church in the Kingdom of God
• Students would begin to question what it means to live the Kingdom of God
• Students would think about how to respond to our culture today with God's Kingdom
• Students would be aware and cautious of the real enemy of the Kingdom of God
• Students would understand the values and goals of God's Kingdom
• Students would understand what the commitment/sacrifice to the Kingdom of God is, and would be open to its joy

I am so far going to be basing the lesson off of Jesus' Parables in Matthew 13 (i.e. The Parables of the Weeds, Mustard Seed, Yeast, Hidden Treasure, and the Pearl). Some resources that I have been reviewing and utilizing are:

• Deeper Connections: The Parables of Jesus
• Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: The Gospel of Matthew/Mark
• The Jesus of Suburbia by Mike Erre

I also hope to include every part of the night (on each Thursday) to be pointing to God's Kingdom. For instance, the games, activities, music, etc. all would be about the Kingdom of God.
I am really open to suggestions, help, and ideas for this series, so please comment.

GO!

Invisible Children is finally finished with their latest documentary called GO! and it's premiering in 10 cities across North America (including the O.C. at Huntington Beach) this Sunday! I'm bummed out that I can't make it down there because of school and such, but I so want to see it!!! The trailer will have to suffice for right now...


Please let me know if your seeing it or if you know someone who is seeing it!

Here is some info from I.C.'s website about School for Schools and the documentary:

About the Fall 2008 Schools for Schools Tour

Right now, northern Uganda is facing the end of 23 years of war. Reconstruction and rehabilitation are on the tip of everyone’s tongue…but nearly 50% of all peace agreements fail to last a decade before war breaks out again.

This fall, we’re using our Tour to help support lasting peace.

Schools for Schools is the chance to give thousands of students the opportunity of a lifetime – a quality education. Education is one of the most important factors in helping countries move beyond civil strife.

Beginning September 8, we’re hitting up 1,000 high schools and colleges to bring this program to as many people as possible over 10 weeks. The Tour will center around the most exciting piece of media we’ve created since the Rough Cut – GO!, a documentary that captures the adventure of a group of students traveling to northern Uganda during the summer of 2007. From fundraisers in the US to the displacement camps outside Gulu, the documentary asks the simple question of how far you’d be willing to go to make a difference in the world. Followed by a visual update on the progress being made on the ground, the screening will give you the opportunity to become a part of Uganda’s future.

100 days to raise the money.
10 weeks to spread the word.
1 film to tell the story.