This weekend I was flipping channels and ended up on Current TV. I was working on the laptop simultaneously, so I didn’t have the volume up too much. But, I stopped on Current TV because they apparently were running a set of skateboard themed pods. One of the coolest things to have on TV in the background, in my opinion, is skateboarding and surfing videos. Something about it that just soothes the soul, even just having it on in the background.

In this reel of endless skateboarding pods, one caught my attention (embedded below). It was a highlight on Christian Hosoi, skateboarding’s first real super star.

This clip got me interested in his documentary, and I found it on Youtube. It’s a great story of redemption. This man was on top of his world, tempted by drugs and women, and eventually fell so low that he was arrested and sent to federal prison for a 10 year sentence.

“I don’t need God, I need a lawyer.”

It’s amazing how God made himself known to Christian Hosoi at the moment he breathed these words. Watch the movie below to see how.

“It’s a movie about second chances. It’s a movie of hope.”

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As I continue to read the passion story of Christ’s crucifixion and death, I’m reminded of a sermon I heard a few months ago, preached by a friend of mine, James Micheal Smith.

In this sermon JM paints the picture of how John 19:28 is actually a “fulfilled Scripture” as the text calls it. It’s a beautiful imagery of Christ’s fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

John 19:28 reads…

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

JM’s sermon takes us through this story and tells us of what this meant to the people who were actually there witnessing the death of Christ. When Christ uttered these words, someone in the area must have known his Scripture and knew what Christ was asking for…

Looking back at Psalm 22, we see David paint a horrific, yet prophetic, story.

14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.

16 Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.

18 They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.

19 But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

20 Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.

When John states that “so that the Scripture would be fulfilled…” John is referencing Psalm 22. This is powerful! This is God fulfilling his promises right in front of peoples eyes. This fulfillment had to be what Christ was talking about when he last uttered “It is finished.”

If you are interested in hearing JM’s full sermon, I have included the sermon below.

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I pray we all remember the signifigance of this day, and how it is rooted in thanks to our Almighty God.

Below is the proclamation from George Washington as printed in The Massachusetts Centinel on October 14, 1789.

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;– for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;– for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;– and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;– to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

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My buddy, Brian, has recently turned me onto these Nooma videos by a pastor named Rob Bell. Rob preaches at a church called Mars Hill up north, and I’m really digging these video shorts he’s created.

The below video is titled “Today”. I love the questions Rob asks, and the pictures he paints.

“If you need to celebrate how good it was, then celebrate. …then do it. But then, move on. There is a certain kind of despair that sets in when we believe that things were better back then, when we’re stuck back there, when we’re not fully present. When we’re still holding on to how things were, our arms aren’t free to embrace today.“

“Is Jesus saying to you right now about anything, about anybody, about anytime, ‘Let go, and receive a new spirit!’? So you may accept the past for what it is. May you celebrate what needs to be celebrated. And grieve what needs to be grieved. And then may you receive from God a new spirit. One for HERE, NOW, TODAY.”

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“Your faith is only as good as the object you place it in.” — Brian Martin.

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OK, i’ve been neglecting this blog recently. There’s actually a lot I’ve wanted to write about which I simply haven’t had the stamina to sit down and write all my thoughts. I’m hoping to get back into that. But, for now, I’m going to post a few tunes.

I’ve been diggin on some David Crowder lately. He’s such a great Christian artist, if you don’t know him already. Here’s a video that hits home

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