Here comes the bride.

Hilton Head Island is a great backdrop I have decided for a marital ceremony... a wedding to be specific. One of my best friends Meghan Barnes (Sanders) got hitched. It was a glorious time with friends and family on the coast. Now... the food. Prime Rib was a great idea... so was the potatoes. Rachel Olshine actually got my non-dancing butt on the dance floor and for her I am grateful. Nick and I drove all the way back to Columbia tonight after the festivities and I am hitting the bed a tired boy. Congratulations Meghan and Josh... I love you both!

Soften Green

My walls in my living room have changed drastically. From an ugly pinkish-tan to a softened green color. I have spent the past two days painting and causing my living room to look like a million bucks (never really understood that saying but it works). When I sit in my house now I feel much better knowing I have a new couch, two chairs, coffee table and softened green walls. So why the rush you might ask?? OR maybe you didn't, but I'll tell you anyway. Friday at 5-7pm a number of 7-8th graders and their parents will desend upon 282 Roberts street for a drop in style Christmas party. So... deck the halls... bruise you hand.

Trevor

Hot-lanta

So let me tell you about my recent trip to a little place called Atlanta, GA. This trip was put together for many reasons and each one turned out to be a great reason to make the trek! First... as many who have ever entered the doors of 282 Roberts St. know, my old furniture left something to be desired... well a lot actually. So, I decided it was time for some new things to sit on and such. My original thought was I'll wait till I get a wife and then I will make the move to new furniture.... after much consideration and a bit of reality, I decided I may never get married UNLESS I make this move to buy new things. So... I did. Second and third tie. I have one new friend who resides in the Alpharetta area named Leah and a previous friend named Will who lives there as well. I was blessed to be able to spend some quality time with each. I must say saturday in Atlanta was the most fun I had had in months. Leah and I spent nearly 3 hours at IKEA. We ran around like fools and first timers trying to find the perfect couch, 2 chairs and coffee table we could find... and... we did. After a few hours at Champs sports bar and grill and Starbucks for some coffee to wash down the day I left to return to Lexington. I was reminded how blessed I am to have good friends... thanks guys and of course blessed to have furniture that does smell or have hair from Tozer on it... yet. If you are reading this... know I miss you. That's right... you too.

adios

Trevor

this thing isn't working

I can't see my site... sad.

NYWC 2006

Wow... where do I begin? I don't believe I have ever sat in one space and been so convinced that God is a real, living, compassionate, loving, HUGE, extra-ordinary, "hound of heaven", global and sovereign. This weekend has been an incredible experience. It was so refreshing to see sooo many youth workers with the goal of sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ with students. Wade, Nick, Rachel, the Rabbi, Meghan, Ferris, Lance and myself all ventured to YS (Youth Specialties) in Charlotte, NC. There were a number of amazing speakers, but the creator of Veggie Tales spoke about what happens when your dreams or ambitions (no matter how righteous) become more important than God himself. It completely impacted my heart. I have received a new desire to want to be in connection with Jesus Christ so closely that all my desires and dreams are His desires and dreams alone. I want to be active in serving the poor. I want to be serious about helping the broken. We as the church have done a great job of teaching students and adults alike about how Jesus served those in need, but we ourselves have done little about it. My good friend Nick said it right when he said... "I want to actually do something here... now". This weekend has done many things for me, but one of the biggest is just making me care about the lost and broken of our world.

We also stayed at the freakin BOMB hotel called the Westin in downtown. It was amazing. Like seriously, I should not have even been able to walk inside... let alone sleep inside. We also hooked up with a friend from BigStuf camp this summer named Leah. How great it is to see the heart of other young people in ministry. She was a real blessing to us this weekend. We also got to spend time with some current CIU students running the booth. Bottom line.... Heath, Billie and Hope are the BOMB!

I love God... that is about it. night.

Trevor

Exciting weekend

November is always a great time here at the HOREB. Not because of Thanksgiving or youth ministry winding down, but because of Youth Specialties conference. Literally thousands of youth workers from all over the US come to 4 different locations for a kind of pep rally. Ours happens to be in Charlotte this year and promises to be a very exciting time. Who all is attending from the HOREB you might ask... Well I'll tell you. In attendance will be, Wade Joye, Trevor Miller, Nick Cunningham, Meghan Barnes, Rachel Olshine and Ferris Joye. The Rabbi will be there as well, but he will have his hands full due to the fact that he is speaking at the conference as well. So the weekend ahead is full of bands like Leeland and speakers like Mark Oestricher. So onward to Thursday morning and we will be see Lexington again on Sunday night.

Nick and I have decided to memorize the book of 1 John. It has gone very well and I have noticed such a difference just putting scripture inside of me and always having it available. A lot of me is like... Why didn't I think of this earlier!

ciao
Trevor

Taking my spiritual pulse

A few events in my recent past (ie- Adrian Despres, Confirmation sunday... etc.) have caused me to put my fingers to my wrists and find my pulse again. It seems it has been too long since I last evaluated where I was in my spiritual walk. I believe this is a healthy activity to take part in every once in a while and I needed it.

I discovered I am not where I want to be. I really do want to do and go wherever God would lead. I have no problem desiring that end, but when it comes down to it I do a pretty poor job of living my life in a way that would give itself to that kind of devotion. I am sick of being mediocre at so many important areas of my walk. I am tired of being able to quote 2 or 3 Bible verses... petty? I don't think so... I want to value His word so highly it is ingrained into my heart and life. I am tired of praying whenever it is convenient for me... I forget that it should be like breathing. I am tired of compromise... which I do so often because my let my guard down. My only hope is that I still, even today, want Jesus more than I want anything else in my life. I want to make that longing translate from just a thought to a way of life.

If this sounds familiar... GOOD. I want this to be a constant evaluation. If this sounds cheesy... SORRY. This is where I am... this is what I want. So as I sit in this Columbia, SC airport to fly to Indiana for the Thanksgiving holiday... I feel a bit of hope of where I might be next time I decide to take my spiritual pulse.

DEAL!

So tonight was deal or no deal at the Fuse (middle school ministry). It went just like we wanted. Between the student involvement and adult leadership it was just a really fun night. We had 92 students and 16 leaders. God is continuing to bless the things that are going on at the Horeb. Tonight was a night where I was just so excited to be a part of the things that were going on and the students that were there. Next week we have no fuse because of Thanksgiving and that will be a welcomed break as I fly home to spend the holiday with family.

We focused on the passage from Luke 18 where Jesus speaks to the rich young ruler and asks him to give up his wealth to follow Him. It is such a sad passage because the man walks away sad... unwilling to give this one thing up for Christ. I so do not want to live this way. I really don't want to allow anything to become more valuable to me than Jesus. It's a day to day struggle, but tonight I value Jesus highly! God continue to keep us chasing after you and reevaluating our dedication to you. AMEN.

night
T

Things I've learned today.

1.) Gyros at Main Street deli might be the first world currency.
2.) Setting up can lights on the youth room lighting rack was not as hard as first anticipated.
3.) I don't pray enough.
4.) Living in South Carolina during the month of November is way better than living in Indiana in the month of November.
5.) After you don't run for a long time and suddenly you run a lot... it hurts.
6.) A best friend is worth their weight in Gold. Sometimes that is a lot of Gold.
7.) I don't pray enough.
8.) I wear sandals 98.7% of the time.
9.) God is very very real. (I learn this over and over again)
10.) Today does not have to be like yesterday.

Thanks for reading. Like they say... you learn something everyday.

(hand waving goodbye)
T

Nov. 6th

The November 6th of this year is far different than the Nov. 6th of 2004. I am a much different person today than I was 2 years ago. Perfect?? HA! Perfection is far from a reality on this November day... but I am a bit closer than I was. I live with me everyday of my life, actually I AM me everday of my life so it is hard to see any kind of progress at all. But when I sit back and zoom out a bit I actually see a glimmer, a hint, a speck of progress. To me it seems progress should be quicker and look like something else, but no... it is this 3 steps forward 2 steps back. I hate some of the places I have been and some of the people I have been... it sickens me, but I would not be the person I am today. I desperately want to continue this progress... maybe even speed it up a bit and start taking 3 steps toward Jesus and 0 steps back. Pure progress... no ice... not watered down... straight up. So thank you Jesus for being patient with me... would you help put one foot in front of the other on this journey... this goal that is Glory.

Tonight we filmed a video for this Wednesday night's Fuse. It was a spin off of the Messin with Sasquatch commercial for Jack Links. We had 9 middle school guys sneak into my house and duck tape me to a chair and pour water on my head. May not sound funny to you, but middle schoolers will love it!

GOOD NIGHT!
Trevor

Cadbury 2.0

So I was thinking last night while working at my second job (Stornghold climbing gym), Halloween candy really pales in comparison to Easter candy really for one reason and one reason alone... Cadbury creme eggs. I mean you could throw all the candy corn and gummi brains and worms you want in and they still would be burnt toast when held up to the prowess of the Cadbury creme egg. Now I want to be VERY clear here. I DO NOT consider the cadbury carmel egg or chocolate egg to be in the same category as their predecessor. So nice try Halloween, but you have not won me over.

So my thought was that if Cadbury wanted to take my advice and truly become a world (holiday) dominating power they would come up with some kind of cadbury creme bug or pumpkin. I'm telling you it's money in the bank.

On a more serious note I had an amazing conversation with a guy at the gym last night about hiw experience in high school in YL (young life). He spoke so highly of his experiences at YL camp and of his leader Paul Rhiner (The Don). It made me smile. This 19 year old student at USC who saw a glimpse of Jesus through his YL leader... I am so greatful for guys like Paul who keep loving Jesus and being patient with high schoolers and middle schoolers who seem to be unwilling to get their heads out of their pockets and get their lves straight. So thank you Paul and those like you!

Winston-Salem, NC

So tonight I'm in Winston-Salem, Nc with Olshine (aka my Rabbi). I traveled with him tonight in a pimpin' Jeep Laredo rental car for an Understanding Your Teenager Seminar. It actually was a very eventful evening, including... lasagna, as many cookies as I can eat, did I say pimpin' jeep?... Courtyard Marriott... near Gamecock win... great people and church... and of course... pastacsio nuts. This seminar is a good thing, a very good thing. It is so great to help these parents learn how to better raise and encourage their students. I believe this aids in youth ministry in the local church. After all, the goal of youth ministry is not to take place of parents... but instead to partner with the parents to raise the child. Olshine did an awesome job communicating new ideas and new goals for these parents to try. It truly was an honor to be a part of. It made me thank God tonight for the great parents I have. I couldn't have asked for better.

Peace out.

Trevor

E.T.revor phone home.

So I actually had contact with L-town tonight. Lafayette, IN that is. A friend of mine from the corn covered state named Brittany called me tonight and it was a very welcomed surprise. The skinny is that in a mere 2 weeks she and I... along with a few other people will be leading worship at my home church for a mission conference. This is the background of her call. It was nice to hear a familiar voice when it seems I go days and days without much contact with the place I used to call home. It was fun to laugh and joke for a bit and kinda forget about the many responsibilities and things I have to do here. I believe you would be hard pressed to find a family like the Davis'... in fact I would say you would be "pressed to a pulp!"... go ahead quote me. Well my bed is calling me after an hour and a half of gruelling North/South game practice... I never got to touch the ball tonight... I really was an athlete though... I swear.

Adios... Buenos Noches!

Trev... or

I once was an athlete... I swear

You ever just get to that point when you wake up and you're like... whoa... How did I get here? You maybe thought you had a certain identity and all at once you no can be identified by that. Kinda like milk that has been in the fridge too long... It's no longer milk... more cottage cheese. Or how 'bout cottage cheese that has been in the fridge too long? IT becomes... you know I don't really know what that becomes... I'll think I'll remove it from my cooler (you think I'm joking).

But anyway, back to me having a different identity... like cheese and milk... I'm sick.

I once was an athlete. I really was. I played sports for a few years before I went into youth ministry and then graduated and got a job. Even while at CIU I played intramural sports and the occasional North vs. South game. So it really was no surprise when I got a call to come and play for the North team again this year... my initial reaction... ANYTHING I CAN DO TO STAY ON THE FIELD. My second reaction... I don't even have cleats. My I have fallen from my athleticism.

So today with much sorrow I scour the countryside for a pair of cheap cleats. Growing old is a bummer...

Catch ya later (unless your too fast).
Trevor

Look out greasers here we come...

Tonight at small group we had another man event. Each time we meet we do something out of the ordinary and refer to it as a man event. Tonight was an old school rumble in the yard... straight out of "The Outsiders". So picture this... 6 middle school boys (Zach, Mack, Addison, Conner, Colin and Emory) plus Nick and myself in the front yard of 282 Roberts street wrestling one another outside of a circle in the grass. It was at night so it was completely dark besides the lights of our two trucks shinning to illuminate the battle. this only backed our greaser image.

I think tonight was a very positive small group night. Being able to just be boys and wrestle around without being yelled at for being crazy allows guys to be guys. We talked afterward about the event being part of our fellowship... guys connecting with other guys just by doing things together... experiencing life together. I so want these guys to grow not only in their relationship with God, but also in their relationship with each other.

In Matt. 22 Jesus tells us it is the most important thing in life... might even say it as our purpose to love God with ALL we have "our heart, soul and mind" and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The goal of small group is this... to connect with God and make Him priority to where EVERYTHING else lines itself to this fact and to love others just like that. I pray for these guys that God would make them change not because they are weird, out of control, ADD, wrong or annoying... but instead change because God wants us each to look like Jesus. And I can garauntee not one of us is there yet.

So let us strive to look more like the savior. Sometimes it is 5 steps forward, 3 steps back... but that is a 2 step progress.

TTYL

T

"How about a bumper sandwich booger lips"

Oh, Ernest P. Whorel (sp) how I appreciate all of your many movies. Each one a classic in my eyes. But, my friends there is one that stands out head and shoulders above the rest. "Ernest Scared Stupid"... it changed my life. Each year I watch it with friends and each year I laugh my butt off. Well not off... but you get the idea. Oh and tonight I carved a pumpkin.


Over and Out... (kkkkuuuhhh)
T

Fatigue is more than just physical

My best friend Nick and I went to the gym here in Lexington tonight. Due to many different circumstances... not because I don't want to... I haven't stepped foot into the Golds gym that we are members at for weeks. Let me first say gyms are so funny to. Everyone is trying so hard to look huge, cut, ripped, fit or massive. You can just sit and watch guys looking out of the side of their eyes to make sure "she" is looking while they try their "NEW MAX... RAH!" Whatever... I just think it's funny because I do the same thing when I go in... try to be cool. Anyway, Because of my 3 week hiatus my muslces have decreased considerable and as I noticed tonight... are not used to pushing weight yet. Each time I pushed they would scream at me and tell me... "I'm not ready!". But how am I ever going to get back into shape if I listen to those pesky muscle fibers? So, NO... I put my head down and push on. The harder I pushed the harder it was to focus my eyes and keep my food down (sorry, gross I know). What happened to me? Why am I so weak?

I got out of rhythm. I fell off the bandwagon. I quite my routine. I got out of step with my previous way of living. But today my thoughts were not confined to physical fatigue from my whimpy muscles. Tonight I was consumed thinking about how often I let my spiritual life become fatigued and out of shape. I can got for weeks spending time with Jesus and focusing on Him and then ONE week will effectively take away precious momentum. It's true that this life we live as Christians... as Jesus followers... is a journey. Journeys aren't easy. Some days you can travels miles and miles and never feel the strain. Others you can actually go backward or get lost or simply refuse to leave from your present location. Staying in Rhythm with Jesus is THE hardest endeavor I have ever undertaken. Because He demands so much you may ask? Because Jesus isn't fair? Because He never really talks back when I pray? No... No... and a hearty No. It's hard because I am inconsistent. If I don't stay in the gym I get weak and pathetic and it is near impossible to get back into the routine. If I don't stay connect with my Savior I do the same. I get weak and suddenly make decisions and do thing I immediately regret. It become snear impossible to sit down and start a daily practice of connect with God. Is it important?

Like BREATHING.

I want to train my muscles to be huge, fit, ripped, massive because my body will be healthy... and not to mention maybe a female might notice. I want to train my soul to be healthy, alive, connected, right, good because my very being will be healthy. So God would you give me the desire to connect with you daily and to be spiritually pumping iron!

Stay Classy San Diego!

Cookies in the sanctuary...

So this sunday I get to do something I love to do. I get to play guitar! It's true... occasionally I have the oportunity to help lead worship at the 9:00 contemporary service and I'm stoked. We practiced last night at 9:0opm... it was a bit of a late start and Tim provided some killer cookies. I think that guy could make a living bringing around the the sweet morsels he offers. STINKIN' YUM! There is a new addition to our sanctuary as well that ups my intrest in this venture... real drums. Even as I say it my legs grow weak and mouth begins to water. We have had one service with the new toys and I really believe it has and will enrich our worship services. Do I think worship is about real drums?? NO! I think worship is about a REAL Jesus, but there is something to be said about music being louder than I can sing... As David Crowder reminds us in his song "Sing Like the Saved", the King James Version calls us to make a "loud noise". Even last night playing guitar with the band I felt refreshed and alive again. When I truly enter into worship... which doesn't always happen... and often I have to work for, God does great things inside me. I miss passionate worship. I miss experiencing Jesus' presence during the week. So if I want passionate worship it has to start with me. So this sunday I am praying for God to touch our hearts and allow us to experience a healthy dose of the Almighty! May the force be with you...

In the Beginning...

So I have decided after seeing one of my colleagues and heroes (Wade Joye) begin to blog (wadejoye.typepad.com) I will take on the same task. For me this venture will be to allow students in the Fuse ministry and folks at Mt. Horeb to get glimpse into my life. I hope to share where God is taking me and growing me to encourage anyone that may choose to read. I believe we are all on this journey with Jesus as He makes and molds us and I simply want to put part of my story on display to give glory to Jesus and His work. My hope is that as people look at my life... Dirt and all they see a signature of Jesus. So some of these postings may be random... some may be mountain tops... some may be valleys, but all will be a twist or turn in the journey. Today has been another day where despite where I have been the past few months... I give my life to Jesus again.

Trevor