Friday night

I'm trying to think of something funny, quirky, cool, or thought provoking to write...but I can't.

Maybe later.

Did I mention we're watching the Daytime Emmy awards?

A story of a changed life...

Read this post by Jaisen Pester...this is why I do what I do. To see God work in a mans life like this is amazing.

Its bittersweet to see you go Jaisen. We'll miss you.

Its revolutionary!

We arrived home last night and found this package on our kitchen counter...apparently delivered while we where gone. Jody says its going to revolutionize our lives.

We also found a bowl of water balloons on our counter and various notes about our kitchen inluding one on the knives in the drawer that said, "watch out these are sharp!"

Thanks for the notes Autumn and Sarah!

100th post!!!

Can I get a woop-woop for my 100th post!

Also, we had a great time over coffee this morning with Deann who grew up in Prineville, OR with Jody. She is a copy editor at the Oregonion in Portland and she also writes a witty blog about TV for a paper in Anchorage. Check it out for if your making your weekly schedule of tv watching. She admitted to us that her Tivo was so full that she had to delete some stuff before she could record some more.

Now we enjoy some airport food, before heading back to Bozeman. I'm trying not to be fooled by all this nice weather in Portland...I know the truth about the rain and the clouds.

Stint/Intern Kickoff weekend

Well its actually nice weather in Portland...I think it's the first time ever for me.

I've gotten to meet alot of the Stinters and interns from the Greater Northwest and have eaten lunch with Andy and Allison who are headed to Croatia to join returning Stinters John, Alexis and Taylor. What a joy to see 40 students giving a year of their lives to go all over the U.S. and the world to tell others about Jesus Christ.

I've been reminded that I love this lane of Campus Crusade...that is the international side of things.

I've learned that I won't be old enough to run for president in 2012. I will only be 33 and you have to be 35.

I've learned that Matt Mikalatos is even crazier than I suspected.

Trip down the Oregon trail...

...via Seattle and Horizon airlines.

Tomorrow we take a trip down to crazy country - Portland, OR to be exact. We're going to whip next years Stinters and Interns into shape. Mwaaahhahahah (evil laugh).

Portland would be one of my favorite places but it is always clowdy and drizzling rain there. Maybe it'll be nice like this while we're there though....

Its Relational

If Jesus was anything, He was relational. He was the life of the party and He was the one who would leave the party to comfort the hurting one. He was the center of attention, and He was the first to give attention to society's most unlovely. He was magnetic, and in the relationships that ensued with the people who were drawn to Him, He was intentional and directional. He seems seldom to have convened Bible study meetings and discipleship groups, but nearly everyone who was around Him changed. Jesus was the consummate discipler.

In like manner, if we are intentional and directional in our relationships with one another, discipleship will happen. Unfortunately it's often difficult totrack it, plan it, and describe it in measurable terms. It's not so quantifiable, but then, neither was Jesus. It's relational; it's often uncomfortably subjective, but it works.

Taken from Ted Haggard's book: Dog Training, Fly Fishing and Sharing Christ in the 21st Century

Sweet Video

Imagine standing just outside the door, and listening in at our Fall Retreat open sharing time. These are a few snippets of that time along with pictures of our students throughout the year. This is just a glimpse of what God has done this year. Enjoy!

a storm a brewin'

This is my imagined conversation with Greater Northwest regional director Matt Mikalatos this weekend when we meet up at the stint/intern kickoff weekend in Portland.

Mik: I'm your regional director hear me roar!

McC: What...did you say something, sorry I was promoting the McComas/Zagorda presidential ticket on my blog

Mik: Go get me some coffee

McC: Sure anything for you

Mik: mwaahahahaha (evil laugh)

McC: why do you laugh like that?

Mik: Like what?

McC: Like you've just concieved a plan to take over the world.

Mik: Its because my diabolical plan is unfolding and I plan to rule the world with my iron fist. I'm Matt Mikalatos! Hear me roar...you must all report to me!

I'll let you know how this plays out this weekend. I'm sure I'll more juicy news to report about the Mikalatos/Culbertson campaign. I hope Mikalatos doesn't fire me for this post.

The end of the world???

My Mom is always saying its the end times...maybe she's on the right track. The bubonic plague has hit LA.

To & Fro Woman

This is a bio on my wife Jody...she's super cool. She loves cappuccino's, especially european ones that come in cute little cups. She is an incredible cook (she made my favorite tonight...chicken enchiladas), she has the funniest sense of humor, the classiest sense of style and she makes our house into the proverbial home. She's crazy, in a good way...but she only lets her closest friends in on it. She's extremely loyal and loves her family, friends and cat. She has a funny, slightly evil, fake laugh that she busts out every now and then to keep me on my toes. She cusses when she goes bowling (there's more, but I won't go there). She makes a strong Taboo partner and good competition at Rummikube. She likes soap operas, but only the one's on ABC. She loves the tv show Friends and can probably quote all of seasons 4, 6 and 8 (those are the ones we own). She was raised in a small town in central Oregon, thus she can sing along to almost any country music song...her favorite is anything by Reba. Finally...she swears she came up with the super hero name 'To and Fro Man' while playing the roadtrip game, "If I were a super-hero, what would my name and super power be?".

Easter egg hunt

Jody and I along with some of our small group members helped with Journey's easter egg hunt on Saturday. It wasn't so much of a hunt as it was a easter egg gathering. 10,000 eggs laid out across Bogert park, hundreds of kids and lots of picture taking parents. The horn blew and the crowd erupted in a frenzy, and quick kids scrambled and parents jostled for prime picture taking position. Its pure joy I tell you. If you are ever having a downer of a day all you need to do is find yourself an easter egg hunt...I don't think it's physically possible not to smile and perhaps even laugh at one of those things.

Hospitality

I need to boast about our friends Mark and Emily in Helena, MT. On friday Jody and I went up there to visit them and spend the night. I was taken into this whole new realm of hospitality from Emily (Mark too, he just doesn't get the credit). When Mark was showing us our room, he pointed out a gift basket that Emily had prepared for us...it had all kinds of easter goodies, a couple of kitchen things for Jody and a fly-fishing gadget for me. Then next to the bag she had gotten us each a couple of magazines...based on our tastes none-the-less (Fly-fishing the Northwest and Outside for me and some home magazines for Jody), and she had a fancy bottled water for us in our bedroom. The next morning a tray with fresh coffee, cream and sugar appeared at our door magically! Emily apologized for the breakfast because she had to leave to go to work. Breakfast was 'just' a beautifully arrayed assortment of bagels, with two kinds of cream cheese and salmon flakes to add to the bagels! If the Emily bed and breakfast is taking reviews on Orbitz.com it definitely get 5 stars from me. Thanks Mark and Emily!

Happy Easter!

Blake and little Blake

Last night at Real Life, the subject was suffering. Alot of you heard the story of friends of mine who were involved in an avalanche 15 months ago. My friend Blake, who bacame a believer while in college and was involved in Campus Crusade here at MSU, was killed that day. My other friend Sam, who was also involved while in college, broke his leg and eventually had to have it amputated.

Anyway, last night, Sam and Addie, who was married to Blake shared their story in front of 300+ students. It was raw, emotional, and powerful. They got a standing ovation at the end. They both have experienced pain beyond what I can imagine and yet they cling to the Lord, full of hope, and not only that...they want others to hear the story they've been given!

I was moved to tears last night. Probably a lot because I know these people, but still...what an incredible story of how God carries people in their darkest hour. The night was capped of by a cute little visual aid of Addie's son, little Blake, sitting in her lap and clinging to his mom.

Click here for Blake's story as told by backpackinglight.com, where he used to work.

Doctors appointment

So yesterday, Jody and I went to the Doctor. If you didn't know, we are trying to get pregnant and we're fairly far along in the figuring out fertility stuff. Anyway, Jody had to do this test that involved basically looking at her fallopian tubes via some sort of x-ray like machine. I've never been squeamish at the hospital, I had no problem with Jody's recent surgery, I even visited my friend who had his leg amputated. Well this time was different, while watching the monitor and reviewing the pictures I could feel my head getting light. I sat down for a second and then tried to stand up again. At the point the room started to spin and I almost passed out. The nurse made me literally put my head between my knees and then put a cold wash clothe on my neck. My sweet wife...I'm not sure how she puts up with me.

Evildoers

Crazy sorority girls covering our front window over the weekend.

stirring up the campus

This sign is in the middle of campus. Apparently us apologizing for the wrong things that were done in the name of Christianity last week made someone angry.

What should I do with the elephant?

Does anyone have any good ideas about what to do with the 6' tall, 8' long wooden elephant?

Day 4

I woke up this morning to a couple of inches of new snow in our front yard and gray skies that were continueing to dump the wet, sloppy spring snow. Thus day 4 of the misrepresented outreach was a little wet.

Two major articles were in the student newspaper today. I (actually my alter ego Matt McCormas) was quoted throughout the main one. They actually did a fairly good job explaining the heart behind this thing and even advertising for our gathering that took place tonight.

Tonight Steve Mathewson and Brian Hopkins answered questions about Christianity in one of the large lecture halls on campus. Let me just tell you...it was a sweet time. The atmosphere was so cool and comfortable. My only thought is I wish more nonbelievers would have experienced it. There were great answers to hard questions, funny questions and laughter. Those two did an unbelievable job. Tonight I believe the non-believers in the room looked long and hard and Jesus Christ and really had no choice but to consider him in a new light.

My prayer for this week is that ultimately people that are far from Christ got a clear picture of who Jesus Christ is. For those that know Christ my prayer is that they would continue to have humble hearts to those around them (not arrogant about their beliefs) but be willing to pursue these kind of conversations with people in a loving way.

Day 3

Today I was reminded of how crazy a college campus belief. All day it was a eclectic mix of conversations with a wide variety of people and responses. Overall it was really fun to open up healthy dialogue with students in the middle of campus. Not only that hundreds of students got opportunities to have spiritual conversations across campus.

I got interviewed by the Exponent (student newspaper) today too. It makes me nervous to think that my words will be in the paper. I hope she understands our heart behind everything. It was cool though because Stephanie who interviewed me acknowledged that there were things that made her mad about Christianity, and I got a chance to apalogize for those things and by the end of the conversation I really would consider her a friend. She was genuinely interested in what we were doing.



Answer these questions for me, will ya?

Steady flow of conversations and people


This made me sad today. She didn't want to talk and stormed out of the area. I wonder what her experience has been with Christians?

misrepresented.org

look at this website created by our students for this outreach. I don't think its all done yet but you can view the first two videos.

Misreprented day 2

Literally all day in the center of campus 4, 5 or 6 conversations are happening at the same time about what this is all about, who Jesus Christ really is and what people biggest questions about Christianity are. At the same time 250 people are wearing shirts in their classes, at work, in their study groups that say "I've misrepresented Jesus...I'm sorry," These have led to countless spiritual conversations.

As for me...I'm tired. Trying to be outgoing for two days in a row is wearing me out and I still have two left. Pray for strength for all our staff and students!


The Elephant on campus



A few of the comments and questions

That is one good lookin elephant

Sleepy time

I bet you all are waiting in rabid anticipation to see what the elephant looks like. Get ready.... well, actually tomorrow I'll put a picture on here. I'm going to bed. I got sunburnt today and I have to move a wooden elephant at 7 in the morning tomorrow.

Misrepresented Day 1

People were so shocked today to hear that we wanted to confess to them how we've misrepresented Jesus Christ. The buzz is starting. I'll write more shortly.

It starts

Pray for our outreach this week! Alot of what we're doing is outside and the weather forecast is for rain. Here are some pictures to get you started. More are coming as the week progresses.


selling some t-shirts


Praise and prayer kickoff


early Monday morning in the center of campus

Question Christianity

I just got back from the 'misrepresented' kickoff praise and prayer time. It was sweet to see 75-100 people show up and petition the Lord to break through on campus.

I built a 6' tall, 8' wide wooden elephant in my garage this weekend that says "question christianity" on it.

Good times.

Pray for our campus. Tomorrow morning reverse confession boothes appear in the center of campus!