Proverbs 9:7-9

I want to be wise. I spent most of my life being a mocker. If I was ever corrected I responded poorly and if no one was correcting me for something I felt like I was doing great. I've learned something today... real wisdom comes from knowing you are a fool. It really is only then that I am willing to listen to someone who is smarter than me. It is only then that I realize that in a lot of was I am still very naive because I lack experience. It is only then that I am concerned about what a poor choice might mean for me in the future. I spent some time with some of my old middle school guys this week and was blown away by their willingness to be open to wisdom. I was shocked that they did not blow me off because "I'm old" or because "They don't care" or because "I don't know what I'm talking about". I love these guys because they are open... they, like me, realize they are fools in the end and they need wisdom from others and God's Word to make the right decisions. So may we all recognize our foolishness and search for wisdom where wisdom can be found.

Red Bull gives you... a bad after taste

I recently have gotten addicted to Red Bull. I usually drink one on the way to work. This morning I dropped off my beautiful wife at her place of employment and promptly drove to Food Lion and picked up a 12 oz. can for about a million dollars. Is Gold in the ingredients to Red Bull or what?? Geez. Anyway, I'm not convinced it really does anything in terms of energy. I usually feel the same but feel some kind of obligation to act like "I have wings". I think it is more of a placebo effect... I feel like I should have energy and so I do have energy. Now being a middle school youth pastor I am used to the normal middle school trip where 13 year old BO stricken boys buy 5 Red Bulls each and down them in mere seconds. They go crazy and run around for 5 minutes before finally forgetting they drank a can of "energy drink". That being said, I do like the initial flavor. I think this is the redeeming quality... the after-taste leaves something to be desired. Sort of like I just sucked on a penny from 1975. A bit coppery. I think I will continue my Red Bull fetish for a while longer... makes me feel cool... and middle schoolers love it!

Believe Conference

I am so excited about this friday. This friday I get to do something that may seem close to torture to many people... but I love it. This friday I get to drive to Atlanta, Ga with a van full of 13 middle school students to go to a middle school conference full of 1500+ middle schoolers and stay in a hotel with them and go to lunch and dinner at a restaurant with people who don't know us and turn around and drive all the way back the very next day! It is gonna be great........... I hope. I supposed the previous mentioned event could be quite chaotic and maybe even a little stressful. Nah... it is gonna be so fun! It seems every time we venture to this conference students come back a little different. They come back a little less like who they were. They come back a little more like Jesus. So come on Friday... what are you waiting for???

Sushi me

Yesterday Jenna and I undertook a high calling. One that I had dreamed about often. We had a blast going to an Asian grocery next to Irmo High School to buy bamboo sushi mat, wasabi, soy sauce and chopsticks. We also bought crab meat, smoked salmon, cucumber, avacado and other things. We made sushi. It took forever to make the sticky rice... it was difficult... a little sticky. Once we got that right we were on our way to quality sushi. Now... it was no Sushi House or Tsunamis, but it did rival Publix sushi. Tasted great! Another great memory in our marriage. Quick... sushi me.


Not the sushi we made above. Ours wasn't that pretty.

Jenna Miller

So.... I am a married man. I always thought to be married would be so awesome. I always thought it would feel a certain way. But, it is better than awesome. It feels nothing like I thought it would. It is much more comfortable than I thought. I love it! Jenna Miller and I have completely enjoyed the past few weeks as married people. Our honeymoon was to Acapulco, Mexico. It was a blast. Some of our activities included a city tour, massage, FOOD, beautiful pool and ocean view, honeymoon suite I would love to live in, Roberto and watching crazy American movies with one famous person and a bunch of no-names. It was so cool to be with Jenna only for a whole week and have adventures each day. Our wedding was beautiful and everything I wanted it to be. We had a blast and danced our butts off... and I don't dance. We had so much fun having so many friends and family there. Many we had not seen in a long time. Only regret was we could not invite everyone we wanted to. We have even taken my old bachelor pad of a house that I have had for 4 years and really dressed it up a bit. We re-did the kitchen, bathroom, front porches, hardwood floors, laundry room floor and decorated everything. It actually looks AWESOME. I am proud of my house. We have caught up with a lot of friends here in the columbia area since we got back. It has been nice to see Andy and Kaisi, Matt and Amanda tonight and Elizabeth and Jeff on Tuesday. I love being married. It is such a blast. I am so happy I waited 25 years for Jenna. I would do it all over again. We have been so blessed by Jesus already and it is truly amazing the more I have seen of God since Jenna came into my life.

http://swparkerphotography.com/blog/

I want to give some blog shout outs before I go.

Nick Cunningham- Thanks for being such an awesome Best-man. I want you to know I appreciated you being by my side the whole way. The hardest thing was having such a blast for 2 days and then you headin' back to Ohio. Ginghamsburg is blessed. We have done very good for ourselves my friend!

Zach- I want you to know that it was such a blessing to have you a part of my wedding. I would not have it any other way... since we were in pampers we have been buddies. Thank you.

Casey- I was most overjoyed to have you part of the ceremonies Casey. I miss spending time with you and the 2 days here were so fun. Thanks for the challenge you wrote down at the Bachelor party.

Johnny- MAN! Having you in the wedding was so great. Since 4th grade buddy I wanted to to be with me when I tied the knot. I have said and will always say... you are one of the most talented guys I know. I'm proud to call you my friend.

Seth- You are not only my cousin... but really one of my best friends. It was great to have you as a groomsmen since you are my own flesh and blood. I love you brother.

Patrick- I had to have my token black man. You fit the bill perfect. I want to thank you for being so much fun over the weekend. Thanks for being in the limo, taking pictures, laughing and dancing. You are a very good friend to me and to Jenna.

Brad- It was so awesome to have Jenna's brother a part of the wedding. Brad, thanks for really making Jenna feel so loved and for helping me feel a part of the family. You are such a good guy.

Joe- I was glad to have you and your wife in the wedding. You have quickly become a good friend to me. Looks like we are family now... Better you and Brad, I couldn't ask for a better brothers-in-law.

Andy- Thank you for being one of my newest close buddies. I appreciate your support and encouragement. Thank you for teaching me to fly fish and for encouraging me to ask Jenna to marry me :)

Heath- You were there from the start buddy. Thanks for always thinking the most of Jenna and encouraging me to pursue her. Thanks for being a great friend to both of us.

Barry- We just added a new side to our friendship. Thank you for being willing to be a part of our wedding. You and Nikki both have been so great in helping Jenna and I feel at home at East Lake. I look up to you so much and I appreciate your support.

Hule and Olshine- My mentors, teachers, friends, pastors and rabbis :) Thank you both for making our day so special.

Bill- Thank you for making such a long trip to support me. I love you buddy! You are a wonderful friend to me.

Multi-site

So, I have been in Charleston this weekend with the church staff from East Lake. We are focusing on restructuring our ministry plan and looking ahead to the next step for us as a church. One of the things we are discussing is wether or not to build up our existingt campus or start a new site that is video driven. After yesterdays discussion it seems we all believe there needs to be a bit of both. I think we have agreed that we will do a bit of work on improving our Irmo campus and at the same time we will take our first infant steps at being a "Columbia Church"... starting a video driven site. This morning we are starting our second session looking at becoming a simple church. I feel very good about what we have decided thus far and believe there will continue to be agreement as we go.

Barq's Root Beer

I love Barq's. I love it. Something about the spicy sweetness is so refreshing. I mean this company has been around since 1898. You know they are good if they have been around that long. The only drink I can think that I prefer is Ale 8 One. Thought... have you ever just let a mouth full of Barq's sit in your mouth. IT BURNS. It feels painful like I should not swallow whatever the chemical is into my insides. But I do. And I love it. The 45g of sugar in the drink is a bit concerning though. Oh well... at least it tastes good. This was a totally pointless blog. But thanks for reading.

Do You Love Me?

Last night at youth group we had a never before seen event. Our very own Barry Russell wrote and preformed a birthday song for his wonderful wife, Nikki. It was a classic moment full of mood lighting and talk/singing like Barry White. It was the most fun I have had on a wednesday night thus far here at East Lake. We started our new series called Do you Love me last night and it started off great. I pray students really hear the message that the way they do relationships can be governed by selfishness or selflessness. I pray for the second.

New Read.

So I picked up a new book recently and I have not been able to put it down. The book is called "The Forgotten Ways" by Alan Hirsch. It is absolutely fascinating. I can't put it down. I was recommended it by my mentor Hule. I am shocked at how much the words in the book are questions I have been asking about how we do youth ministry... really church period. Ministry has changed. In fact, the way change in ministry happens has changed. In the past you could predict ministry trends and tailor your ministry to fit the new, coolest, hippest and most relevant cultural trend. This is no longer the case. Now.... once you have predicted the trend the trend has changed. So what do you do??? I have been wrestling with this questions for a couple of years now. I believe the church is facing a massive movement.... one that if not seen and met could spell the end of much of what we know as church... period. I desperately don't want to miss the boat for fundamental change in my ministry. I think the places we are to venture in ministry are primal... deep... old... tribal. I believe right we are "rethinking" youth ministry and church-dom by putting catchy bandages on (you know the ones... testamints and doughnuts on sundays). This book is beginning to allow me to put some words and thoughts to my convictions and concerns. I am not writing and pretending that I have stumbled upon the age old ways of the church... but I am asking more questions than trusting answers.

My best-friend's wedding

I have found myself saying this phrase a few times lately as my friend Nick Cunningham's wedding quickly approaches. I feel weird each time I say it... like I'm Julia Roberts or something. But the fact remains... my buddy will be wed next weekend. It really is unbelievable. I would like to share some of my favorite memories with Nick and his special woman Lindsey.

1. Picking apples in NC at Sky Top orchard (Jenna, Me, Nick and Lindsey)
2. New Years '08 lake house... ROCK BAND
3. Little mexican restaurant in Abbeville, SC
4. Jenna and Trevor shower
5. CALZONES
6. Ginghamsburg and sushi

Anway... I am so excited for my best friend to be married. Here is to you Nick and Lindsey!

1 Corinthians 13

Update

This is a year '09 update. I would like to start by number 5 things that maked me happy this week.
1.) Left over muffins from the ski trip. These made their way into our office this week. Yum.
2.) New tools for a wedding present. Hitachi 4 pack... circular saw, Sawsall, light and drill.
3.) I wonderful fiance. 6 weeks until we are wed.
4.) The office season 2. Shelby and I have been addicted.
5.) My grandparents being here for a few months.

My sister, Shelby, lives at my house with me now. It has been so awesome. I love having her around and spending time chillin' each night. She has grown up so much since we last lived near each other. My little sister is truly great! To be honest I have prayed for the day she might move here and be near us. God has been good to us. He has been good to Shelby... and for that I am thankful. I continue to pray she stays. I spent all day today doing one of my favorite things in the world. I love to do construction. From around 11:30am to 4:30pm I worked my with grandfather on the lake house. We are adding a new bedroom to the house for guests and family. It looks great. Afterwards, Shelby and I went to Lowes to get wood for my front porch and flooring for the kitchen and back porch, which were recently damaged by a burst pipe. What first looked like a bummer actually turned out to be a blessing from Jesus. The money I received from the insurance has paid to finish all my housing renovations to soon sell my 282 Roberts street abode. By the way... if you know anyone looking for a 1500 sq. ft. home in Lexington, SC let me know. Almost an acre and detached garage. I know you are excited. Anyway... thanks for reading!

Trevor Miller

Silver Locket Productions

Jenna's video production business. If you know anyone getting married, have a party, having a reunion or music videos... let her know via this website... check it out! Silverlocketproductions

WEDDING CAKE

Today at 1:00pm I had a very exciting experience.... yet another new one. Jenna and I traveled to downtown columbia to Parkland Cakes to pick out our wedding cake. It was so cool. They had little styrofoam layers to create whatever cake you would like.... so we did. I will not disclose here what our cake will look like in detail because some things just need to be experienced. Don't worry I'll add pictures later. But how cool is it that I picked out my wedding cake today. It is going to truly taste yum-E.

Bye

Poor in Spirit...

I read a passage the other day that I have read a million times in Matthew chapter 5 where Jesus is speaking to a large crowd of people while sitting on a mountain (I love scripture whenever it talks about Jesus and mountains). While he sits on this mountainside He begins to teach the people what it is like to live life as a Radical christian. It really is, in the first 12 verses, Radical 101. When I think of the word radical, I think counter-culture. The image that comes to mind is one of salmon swimming upstream.... against the current. The struggle to live contradictory to the culture. While everyone goes one way... to be radical is to "swim" the other way... a positive way. This is the way I have always wanted to live, but have struggle to at times. It is a whole lot easier just to let the current take you. So anyway, Jesus is giving this Radical 101 class and the first instruction He gives is for us to live "poor in spirit" because we will be blessed. I have read those words a million times in my 25 years of life and I have always agreed, but unsure of what that actually meant. After reading a few commentaries on this passage the meaning became very evident and I can't get it out of my mind. All around the world there are christians who are strong believers and trust God as if He is all they have... because He is all they have. They may live in Africa, Asia, Russia or Irmo... but the truth is they have nothing. As Americans we live such extravagant lives... we spend money like it is water and yet others struggle to survive... BUT they do have Jesus. They live physically poor, but their souls are rich. The instruction Jesus gives is to live "poor in spirit". He is promising blessing for those who live as if God is all they have.... even if they have much. I want to live poor in spirit. I want to live my life as if I have nothing else. What a great challenge for every person who has a checking account or food in the kitchen or gas in the car. Live poor in spirit... as if all you have is God. In the end that is all we have. He is faithful in a fickle world. So swim strong... counter-culture and I will strive to do the same. Cheers.

Trevor Miller

A little Holiday cheer... on my face.

Those razor maker people have done it again! Marketing genius. I did not know that anything could top Gillette's commercials with Tiger Woods and friends (actually extremely weird). I found a place on the internet where you can actually make a mustache on your face via high tech photo editing. So look... it's a picture of me with a foo man choo.Thanks Schick.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! FOOS!

The challenge of trust

Today is a special day at East Lake. We as a staff are fasting (going without to plead for God to move on our behalf) today in prayer for God to provide for our church's financial need. It is obvious today that every single person in the world around us is financially struggle to make ends meet. It is plain to see that with this struggle being present that our church would struggle as well. To be honest... this is the best place East Lake could be right now. I believe the financial hardship we have come up against has forced us into a place of complete dependence on God... which should be our constant position anyway. I don't pretend to be a professional truster of God... or a "PRUSTER"- if you will. I have often been terrible at it, but a particular verse I discovered this week has caused me to become a bit more of a "pruster".

Psalm 62:5-11

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

9 Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.

10 Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong



I am praying that God will provide for our church in every way. I believe that either way God will either provide what we think we need or show us what He believes we need. If you would like a way to help... please pray that God will move this week in a might way as we pray and fast. I look forward to a further post as I tell of God's faithfulness.

A side note: God has been showing both Jenna and I what it is like to be a generous tithing person. After starting to learn this discipline, I was given a note of thanks for past service along with a $1,000 check addressed to "Trevor Miller's youth group". INCREDIBLE. God will provide in whatever way He wants. I want to trust.

From one improving "PRUSTER" to another.

Smart inventions Part 1

What you are viewing is a very smart invention that I am sure someone made lots of money off of. I mean look at the intricate chin strap insuring that the device does not fall and break a nose or retreat as to choke someone. I am sure the initial cost might be a little more than one can afford, but the rolls of toilet... excuse me... tissue are extremely inexpensive.

I mean look at her, she is enjoying it.

Ha. Here's to modern ingenuity.

LONGGGGG DAYYYYY

Wow. Today started at 7:30am at East Lake Community Church and ended at 4:30pm at East Lake Community church. Yes... I realize this is only 9 hours, BUT... it was full of all kinds of teaching, worship, waiting on Jenna, sitting in a chair, cleaning and blah blah blah. Long. I loved my pastor's sermon today though. Kevin Pike is the man. It was such a fresh look at the christmas season. It was very exciting.

Friday... Jenna, myself and Lauren Moody filmed our very first paid wedding. It was a truly fun time. I think we got tons of good footage prime for editing. This will be a wonderful start for Jenna's business... www.silverlocketproductions.com

. I look forward to more experiences in both shooting and editing video... especially with her.

Barbeque X 2

It is truly amazing what a good night of rest can do for person. I have been exhausted for days on end this past week. It seems I have been waking up more tired than when I went to bed. Last night was a must... I had to sleep. After an awesome conversation with my beautiful fiance I was able to finally grab some snoozes! The world always looks a little better, a little brighter, a tad merrier and the like.

I have contemplating this verse I read a few days ago in Romans. Romans 5:5 "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." I love this verse. Hope is a luxury these days. It seems hardly anyone carries it anymore. It's like trying to buy a nerf gun or super soaker. You just can't find them anymore. This verse speaks to me in a real way. It is too often I believe that the word hope is followed closely by dissappointment. I've heard people say, "Don't get your hopes up" or "Careful what you hope in"... but why?? I think Romans says it is because we put our hope in the wrong things. Disappointment comes when you put your hope in money, people, government, bonuses or Santa Claus. What if we put our hope in God by His Holy Spirit which He has given us? Accourding to the Bible... that is the only thing that won't fail or dissappoint. I'd like some more hope please. A double portion. God knows my hope thread wears thin at times and it could use a boost. I'm thankful for Gods love.

I am so blessed to work at East Lake. Right next door we have a church member who owns a catering business and we often get to sample... what you might call... leftovers. BUT... I couldn't call these leftovers! They are amazing! It isn't your mom's turkey 5 days after Thanksgiving. This is like savory yummyness! (And I have never in 25 years written yummy... this is serious!) Today we sampled pulled pork that would make you spin, go cross eyed and crumble to the ground a smiling, weeping wreck. This must have been day 8 when God created pork and said, "It was good". Mostly divine. Amen.