Behind the scenes with the Bensonator

The revenge of the meter man...

2008-07-25T14:21:00.004-05:00

In the midst of a super busy end to the week, a funny story must be shared. Im thankful to have gotten some exercise out of the whole thing too. So, Im sitting in Cambridge Coffee on South College and my phone alarm goes off to tell me my meter is up. I nonchalantly rise from my little table and speak to a friend or two, only to see the meter man walk by the door... dum dum dum. (might i add, he was wearing a white headband and he had the cutest little mid life crisis belly hanging over his blank pants).
I end my conversation and jet out the door (quarter in hand), as the meter man gets closer and closer to my expired meter. I race past him (and hear JP from his car on College street yell "run boy, run!"). I beat captain headband just in time, and drop my quarter in. He doesn't even crack a smile or say anything as i smirk at him out of breath (lame-o).

There it is, saved myself $5, today is neat.

Update?

2008-07-16T21:19:00.003-05:00

So Im sitting here at band practice waiting to record my part and im bored so i decided to write a post. I know, im overdue.

My summer has been uneventful to say the least. I just feel like im going through the motions in this whole school thing and Im looking forward to being done in December.

I made an A in my Intro to PR course so that's just neat, and my news writing class is a just a few columns here and there.

The Plainsman practicum has turned out to be stressful. Only having two business days to contact appropriate sources and then making the Monday deadline can be rough during a crazy week. So that's my school life in a nutshell.

I've had some great design opportunities come up recently that Im excited about. Ill be working Stacy Wood in the Ag Communications and Marketing department in AU COA. She is basically tutoring me in design theory, layout and whatever else is involved with the field. It's fantastic, its neat. Under Stacy, Ill be designing the new Ag Comm info brochure and the cleaning up the monthly Ag Combine student newsletter. I can't wait to see the final product.

Boring i know, im looking forward to the fall. War Eagle.

Passion Regional Conference ATL

2008-04-13T21:06:00.004-05:00

The Lord is so faithful. I wasn't even planning on going to this conference, but last Tuesday a ticket became available. I am really glad i got to go. I'll say this until the day I die - there is something to be said about our generation- when we come together in a corporate setting like this conference- watch out! The Lord moves in hearts and His kingdom is advancing in a overwhelming capacity. We are not settling for complacent faith, a complacent God or a quiet heart. Love wins and this generation is taking the love story of the cross to the ends of the earth. The gospel is living and and active, wow, was this apparent! In a world that has so many distractions, the gospel still shines brighter and the message will never get old.

I've been challenged to dig into my faith and begin to address the questions I've wrestled with for far too long. You can talk the talk very easily and most of the time, fake the walking, but truly passionate Christ followers have this authenticity that is unbelievable. It's a Holy Spirit thing undeniably.

Freedom is the song of my heart at the moment. Do i really understand it? I strive to, Holy Spirit willing. i know i want it.... need it daily. In boldness i walk towards the cross and its message.

D-Now Crestview, Fla

2008-01-21T14:33:00.000-06:00

Man, i love this church. I've had the blessing to share life with these youth for the past three years now. Wow. They have grown so much...it's beautiful. The weekend was about our identity in Christ. We looked at Saul's conversion to Paul. Saul led a life full of persecution and hatred yet, still considered himself a devote religious Jew. Jesus intervened and well, you know the rest of the story- he became a world changer, a history maker. He advanced the Kingdom. At all costs Paul knew the message of the gospel had to be preached. Even in prison chains and under house arrest awaiting trial, he still persevered for the Kingdom. His life was not his own. "To die is gain and to live is Christ!" Oh man, the conviction this brings! How many times do we read this verse and simply continue reading? Do you hear and understand what Pauls is saying!? TO DIE IS GAIN AND TO LIVE IS CHRIST! Oh, how i long to live that out in my daily life! How different my days would look, how transformed my mindset would be! Paul simply chose to see and believe his identity in Christ on the Damascus road that day. He didn't understand it fully but he was obedient.

My 8th grade guys were blown away by this story. They have heard it countless times in Sunday school im sure but im confident that it really took root in their hearts and minds this weekend. The beautiful truth remains. The transforming God of Saul to Paul is the same God today, he IS UNCHANGING! He removed the scales from those 8th graders' eyes. With the scales removed, they can see who they are in Christ! They can find eternal identity and begin to wrap their minds around what die to Christ to gain everything really looks like. Praise the Lord for refreshing me with this truth. Praise the Lord for freedom in himself.

Love dat Peter...(the second)

2007-04-24T12:23:00.000-05:00

Not wanting to start studying for finals i decided i needed some perspective...and boy did i get it. Just want to write a quick note proving his faithfulness to me. Once again as crazy as my life is right now he remains bigger and better. :: 2nd Peter 1.3-4 (soak this in) ::

As we know Christ better, his divine power gives us EVERYTHING we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all his rich and wonderful promises... make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence which leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.

Pretty much sums up our purpose and how to get there... study time now.

Light of Gracious Love

2007-04-17T09:45:00.000-05:00

Sittin in cambridge coffee, my home away from home and the Lord is faithful... i sit back and think how crazy this is... (his faithfulness in and to His word) the creator of the universe chose to speak life right into my life in a way only he can do in Auburn Alabama while drinking coffee on a regular old Tuesday morning. And, he is the same faithful father to all creation everyday, at all times, always, never changing ... for all eternity. He chooses to love us faithfully and he is so much more commited to my heart then i ever could be to him. So, i am loved by the Father and therefore because of Christ's compassion for me i am charged to shed the light of love and walk as a child of light. |Eph. 4.29 - 5.21| i read over those verses and was convicted and floored by the perspective my heart gained.

We are to be imitators of God... and live a life of love. We are challenged to hold our tongues, remove ourselves from bitterness and cast hatred far from our hearts. So many times because i think im a "nice person" and rarely have beef with anyone that my heart doesn't harbor these things towards people. Man was i wrong, i sat back and really dug into my heart and discovered some things that Christ has already set me free from yet i was still holding onto. "Walk as children of light because everything exposed in the light becomes visible... so therefore, wake up sleeper rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you."

Walking in grace and love (children of light) assumes something. That anger, bitteress, greed, jealousy, pride or sexual immorality are not the dominant feeling of our hearts.

We are beloved children of the King, walk in it.

Honduras SB2K7

2007-04-05T10:11:00.000-05:00

So much is going thru my head and heart since i've returned, man. It's even hard to put into words when folks ask... pictures hardly do a justice. Its just hard to articulate how the spirit of God moved in my heart while in Honduras. The bottom line (and this is gonna be a short post cause im sleepy but i didn't want to forget what needs to be expressed right now) and the song of our team's heart while in Hondo was this truth which holds so much hope for all creation, "Life flows from God" don't miss it, its not super deep, but it is the basis for each breath we take as Christians. As much as we were going to "save" and be Christ to a poor people, i was saved. I saw how beautiful His life flowed out of every dirty face, every little smile, every grubby outstretched hand and every conversation i attempted to have in my broken spanish. For now, ill just say Hondo was a celebration of life and how he is the perfector of it. He holds it all together. And whether we live in a a huge air conditioned home or a shack on a side of a mountain, Christ promises to be ENOUGH in every circumstance. He is good and life is made complete thru his suffering. He poured himself out for all... LIFE FLOWS FROM GOD

Passion 07 (a few months late)

2007-03-05T12:22:00.000-06:00

1.2.07

So many people... good Lord! 24,000+ in ATL, its crazy, great, frustrating, Awesome, powerful, and exhausting. There is just something to be said about our generation coming together to be apart of the grand story of Him while recognizing the smallness of us seeking to do God size things. We are a radical generation, stubborn at times, seeking only what’s the best and biggest, while passionate to spread the name and love of Christ. Its humbling to be apart of... really, it is.

Louie simply reminded us last nite whose we are, and what was done on that cross so long ago for claim to be made on our behalf. His wounds TRULY paid our ransom...brought us from death to life, from utter despair to eternity with the glorious creator of the universe. Such an amazing rescue our Jesus undertook. He does the qualifying work to make us worthy to be put into the Kingdom of God. He chose us.

Beth Moore spoke truth into our hearts as she discussed the effects of a prideful lifestyle. “Humble yourself while young” she said. There is none other adjective that is translated from the ancient text that means “hyper exalted” then the one used when describing the name of God. Its only when we truly lower ourselves and our agendas that we see the powerful evidence of the cross in others.

Francis chan dang brought it tonight as the day came to a close in our final session. He was so passionate, so full of Christ and his words pierced and shed truth that only the Father inspired. He posed the question... Do we truly love Jesus. Is he our everything? Do we truly believe that he has our best interest in mind and that he wants to give us the desires of our hearts? He challenged us to be Hot in the mouth of Christ... really hit home in my heart for sure. I love retreats like this... so much chipping away, so much molding and his beautiful constant pursuit was so evident once again... He became tangible. As we were finishing up in worship, I couldn’t help but glory and simply pause in the moment. I looked around and saw close to 22,000 people seeking the heart of their creator... it was such a perfect picture of what heaven will be like... unending, authentic worship... participating in the very thing i was solely created for. Im so thankful and humbled as I further discover his pursuit on my heart.

Nite.

Faithful

2007-02-11T22:49:00.000-06:00

Before i start another week and forget the small ways he's faithful ill share before i start studying for the nite (boo!) So, im going to Honduras for SB2K7 right? $700 is needed by tomorrow to secure the plan tickets for each team member right? this whole weekend, i was freaking out cause im a little short of the above figure but i just trusted...coming home from encounter leaders meeting at Cornerstone i decided to check the mailbox one last time before the weekend was out. Sure enough, the exact amount came in that i needed to meet tomorrow's deadline. i know its not a huge deal, but to me it was! it just made me appreciate and love Jesus even more... he is such a God of detail and intimacy. Now, talkin bout intimacy leads me to share about leader's meeting tonite. "WOW" is all i got! Matt briefly spoke on the freedom we have in Christ and how we so often walk around still carrying our junk, still trying to carry the cross and bare the burden he did so many years ago. it makes no sense why he went to the cross, not in the world's eyes atleast - but he did... tonite i was reminded of how ACCESSIBLE he is, how he knows where i need to be met day in and day out, if i simply ask and acknowledge. He knew my heart needed to hear "zach its not about YOU" stop trying to make life work...

you can only deny the nudges of your creator for so long.... (love it)

~ZeB

Thanksgiving & Crash

2006-11-20T22:57:00.000-06:00

i have no idea why i waited so long to see one of the most impactful movies.... "Crash" its amazing, rent it, watch it, think on it if you haven't. Here i am being lazy on the first real day of my holiday so i rent a movie right? ha! little did i know how much perspective i would tap into just thru viewing a movie about racial discrimination. how many times do we overlook or pass judgement on those that don't look like us, darker skin, different language whatever? After finishing the movie im reminded that the Lord's heart beat is for ALL people groups not just the comfortable middle-class white, financially stable college student that i am. i mean, im typing this on my macbook pro in my warm living room in a leather chair that is beyond comfortable! how many times do i over look hurt, over look neediness or subconsciously discriminate those of different ethnic backgrouds or simply the less fortunate?

our mission is clear and Jesus didn't studder when he commanded for us to go and be fishers of men so that when the time of his returning comes, EVERY nation will call upon his name and worship for eternity. Yes, so blessed we are to be the spoiled brat of america! Father, daily i pray for a global perspective to reach those in need and to walk in humility so that my pride doesn't block my eternal perspective and goal. thankful for always knowing where my next meal comes from, thankful for being so blessed in so many ways... but, if i don't use these received blessings to be a blessing to others, what good are they? Open eyes to the bigness of you and the smallness of us so we can see hurt, so we can see pain, so we can see thru eyes that see no color, no race no ethnicity.

::love people::

thinking...
zb

Much needed post....

2006-09-10T12:21:00.000-05:00

Wow.... its been far too long. School has started, work continues, games begin... ah, the fall at AU is overwhelming. The Lord has really been teaching me about rest, more specifically, in him of course. We don't know how much we "busy" ourselves as students gaah. So many times i simply miss the Father because im just putting him off... stress and frustration comes because of our business, we then try to fix it ourselves and this obviously ends in failure or even more frustration. Endless cyle. What does it take to allow Father to be the good shepard at all times? Ha, very little to him but in our fleshly hearts and minds he seems to always be the last resort. These next two weeks are gonna be full of absolute craziness between school, football, band stuff etc. My prayer is that i allow Him to COMPLETELY cover me in all i do, so that nothing but Jesus is working for me, in me and through me. Its a daily dying to self as Paul says continually in Romans.

Chasing victory, i call this abandoment.

"A + + + + +"

2006-06-26T22:32:00.000-05:00

Yup, spending a week off from school (a much needed break from O-Chem) was great. Leading in Covington, Ga for my church's Youth Camp soo much perspective the Lord blessed me with... in the midst of worship each night. Seeing the kids seek, learn, soak and find freedom in Christ was tremendously encouraging for my heart. Im soo glad i was given the opp. Ill admit, i was a little hesitant, nervous, frustrated going into the week knowing that upon my return to AU that following Sun i would have to make up my first OChem test of the summer term today. THe Lord totally focused me and it was a great week of "retreat from the world" . Feeling so many emotions yesterday while preparing for my test today.... trying to process all the Lord did in me and in the youth while trying to figure out Alkene reactions? Not a good combo huh? Strangely, i had a peace the entire time i was studying for the test...(total opposite of the normal preparation feeling for me). I walked into the test today and finished it feeling really good about it! The Lord is soo good, even in the most bizarre cases, he proves faithful in the simplicity of helping me make an "A" on my test. That's all, just wanted to share my good past week and a half. Going to bed joyful...ha! Find Christ in the smallest aspects of your life and he will prove that he is bigger than it all...

ZeB

A Faithful Father...Tangible Promise & Voodie Baucham

2006-05-14T00:40:00.000-05:00

"The B -I -B -L- E, yes that's the book for me... i stand upon on the Word of God the B -I -B -L- E" Im sure you remember this cheesy children's worship song growing up? If you don't, shame on ya! haha... with that said (and without making this a never ending post) the Lord decided to slap me around a bit and show His humorous side tonite all by watching 722 online. Apologetics was something i have never been too familiar with until tonite... or at least it found a new importance in my heart. Guest speaker Voodie Baucham (cool name i know) laid the truth on heavy in his talk titled "DaVinci Code Decoded." I never really knew the hype was sooo big about this upcoming movie about the DaVinci Code and now im just excited about it... not because of the premise it is based on and certainly not because of the bad theology it suggests but because its gonna get people talking just as Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" did. Baucham challenged me to really seek out why i believe what i believe and no, "Because its what i was raised on" or "because it works for me" are not adequate answers when someone asks us why we are Christians or why we believe in the Bible. This caught my attention because sometimes, one if not both of those responses are my answers (sadly) to random people who ask me about my faith. Little did i know what i was in for as i watched/listened to the sermon (as the Lord im sure, began to chuckle).

"A reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses that report supernatural events which took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and claim to be divine rather than human in origin"

So, that was his response, good huh? He continued to preach out of 2nd Peter 1 as my heart began to latch onto what the Lord wanted to teach me in the midst of my confusing start to the summer of 2006. Needing direction, wanting something tangible just for a bit, some "sign" that I was doing the right thing, had been my fleshly heart's cry as you know when, it all clicked and I began to laugh. He softly said, "Zach, its right there in those pages! Listen to what Voodie is saying! Just dig into it and you will find direction, peace, a deeper love for others, YOU WILL FIND LIFE IN ME THROUGH IT! After all, it is my breath that spoke it into the minds and hearts of those prophets that faithfully recorded it as it was divinely place upon them. It's unfailing and something you can hold onto! How many times do we... I, need something to touch and feel that is of God? God IS tangible... but in a way our hearts (worldly sometimes) refuse to latch onto. I was floored at the thought of such an easy concept that became sooo real! I mean, I try to get in the word everyday but wow, what an encouraging freshness or perspective I guess my heart needed to revisit?

I'm reminded that God is not a God of confusion! Hmm, so good cause I sure am blinded and feel stupid sometimes because of my actions! Simple concept we all know but I needed to rethink or reattach my heart to
Find life in the word when life around you is dark and full of lies!

This world would have me believe

It knows what I need to see

But there's no hope to be found

In a world where I see only darkness around me

Your word will be a light to my path

To guide my way through this world

Your word will be a lamp to my feet

To guide my way through this world

This flame that lights up my way

Is strong enough to remain

When all around me is lost

I will trust in the truth that is sure and never changes

Your word will shine a light on my path

Your word will be a lamp to my feet

Amazed,
zb

Ahh... the Summer begins!

2006-05-12T18:05:00.000-05:00

Finals finished for me on Saturday... yes, the Finite Math final was a good end to the semester (obviously my easiest). Since i decided to give Vet School one more shot, i hesitantly enrolled in the horrible class that is Organic Chem. for the summer term ah! So, this week and half of next, i will spend very intentionally... lots of rest, hangout time, snowbiz and such (the usual you know). I keep thinking, "Zach, you are crazy for trying this whole vet school thing/dream again." But it is just that... a dream, passion, my heart's desire, whatever you want to call it. I feel like i would be selling myself short if i didn't give it 110% just one more time. With this in mind, i know i have to continue to remember that He gives good gifts to His children. He wants us to chase our desires and dreams! He wants to see us succeed! Our minds, bodies, hearts, sooo complex... our wonderful maker has given us every tool we need to achieve our goals and desires. Its a neat little picture (or whatever you want to call it), He has given us this "earth suit" to use as we see fit... so, the equation is simple: If we are to be a reflection of our maker.. we are to GLORIFY Him in our goals, dreams, ambitions. This is such a simple concept but soo many times i let the lies of inadequacy, the fear of failure creep in and defeat me... cloud up the path He has set before me... including those dreams and passions. So, lately i've just been thinking about all this and trying to have a healthy mindset about this summer and Organic Chem. i love what Matt said one encounter late in the semester..."Think hard on the tuff things of the Lord." Its ok to do this.. or to have doubts! How many times do we just not understand Him or not have the eyes to see what He is doing in our lives? I have no idea how or why i even decided to retake this Chem class this summer and its a struggle to not already expect failure. But, i do know He is faithful and has a perfect reason and plan... its just a refining time... i just pray to be open to it! Thats all we can do... wake up everyday and claim that we are nothing without Him... we are a mess without His grace and love...in that, our faith builds and we surprisingly find ourselves at the center of His will!

So, this is the start of summer, spent all day yesterday throwing up and now, feeling better (thankfully) im enjoying some hangout time with the fam in B-Ham for my sister's Grad. School graduation.

Im just glad i can't confuse the Lord with all my questions and crazy ideas you know?

covered in mercy,
Zb

My first post in a million years !

2006-04-22T23:52:00.000-05:00

My apologies for not posting more often... just haven't been feeling it lately you know? Don't really know what the Lord is teaching me in this time of "funk" ill call it. So much has happened since our fun time in Clearwater! The Lord is just reminding me that my relationship with Him is totally NOT based on my feelings. So many times, i let my feelings dictate my view of Father or my actions for that matter. At any rate, its so encouraging to know that even when my feelings tell me otherwise or Satan's lies bury me too deep to think i can get out, He endures. His love is eternal. He is unchanging and is not swayed by my "feelings." Just so many decisions that are "soo important" seem to be weighing on me. Summer plans, school plans etc. You know the drill and the drag that life can cause. Its hard to tell myself that He is so much bigger than it all, including my little "life crisis"(meant for that to be plural... don't know if i spelled that right, you get the point?), but PRAISE JESUS cause He is! Even when i don't feel like getting in the Word, praying for certain things or people, even personally, or simply if im in a bad mood, Jesus never gets tired of waiting on me to choose Him, so patient in His Love and mercy. So i boast in my condition Lord. A condition i will, for a short time, be a part of simply because we are of Adam, a fallen people in need of a Savior. I love that line in the Jason Upton song. I can boast in my condition because its right where He has me... seasons are for a reason, change brings about newness and fresh prospective, lessons learned. Trying to find Joy in attempting to apply what we've been learning at Encounter right? Lord help my unbelief and teach me to COMPLETELY see you as the only solution to the problem and the reason for breathing in everyday you give me.

This was me babbling, sorry! Just what's on my heart

Searching with determination and Joy,
ZEB

SB2K6 Day Four - More burnage and Putt Putt Golf-

2006-03-27T21:11:00.000-06:00

First off, i have been informed by Ms. Ericka Bennett that i should pay more attention to my grammatical errors and she finds my mistakes quite humorous. To that, i say its late when i post these things, the sun drains you, but i shall try.
We got to the beach early today and Zach somehow, made it to the wonderful continental breakfast of the Roadside Inn just before. (wasn't too bad i say, but im not too picky). The whole time we were driving to the beach i was thinking, "now why am i going back out there to bake my poor sun tanned (burned is a better word probably) body?" Nonetheless, Zach actually put sun tan lotion on and had an enjoyable day at the beach. Chris and i grabbed some lunch at Britt's, a fun little beachside stop for some good eats. By this time it was like 1.30ish and we headed back to see what the rest of the crew was doing. Much to our excitement, we found the gang building a "sand person" in the image of Zach Yelton? What? Ha, yeah too funny i know, that's the group i've been with the whole trip and its been great fun.
The fun only continued as we left the beach around 4.30 to come back to the Roadside for showers. Following, a neat pizza place for dinner then.... PUTT PUTT Golf at Congo River Links! (yeah, amazing i know... and we got a group discounted rate!) OMG, soooo much craziness occured at the Congo. Some of which included:

Court refering to the putter as a "putt" HA! Yeah, and i quote "dangit biscuet, move your putt away from the hole!" (maybe you had to be there?)
Out of frustration (and hit number....um i dunno 10?), sweet Christi let a wordy dirty fly in front of all the kids playing in front and behind us! (she would probably kill me for tellin this story! But, it was sooo worth it, wish all could have been there)
Me telling the girls (not even thinking, honestly) as they were trying to figure out a "cute Putt Putt golf" pose, to put the golf balls in their mouth and hold their sticks (refering to the putters of course). Once Court, busted out laughing, the "o crap, what did i just say?" moment, occured. Too funny. Good move ZEB, really i know. I was just trying to suggest a good picture that's all!

And those were just highlights, wow. We then (of course) went to Starbucks, fun convo and great joe, no doubt. Sadly, we are now in the hotel room. Brett was joking about how we have gone to bed before 1.30am this trip every nite we have been here yet, in AU we don't even come close to that bed time. Haha, o well, i guess the sun just takes it out of you, i don't know.

No matter, we still had great fun every nite and im soo glad to have such great community and friends. Such a blessing to know that your friends also decide not to conform to the ways of this world, in any case... whether it be on spring break in Clearwater or hanging out in AU. My heart just broke today while i was at the beach as i saw so many folks chosing death. Not judging them by any means, but i just know that deep down, they are not wanting to continue to find a false fullfillment thru the lies this world offers. I've stayed sober, away from whatever else Spring Break at the beach can bring, and still had one of the best spring breaks ever. Im just so encouraged by the lives my friends live. Chosing to live for something bigger then themeselves, loving life and finding joy in every circumstance. Love you guys!

Now, just the drive home.... looking forward to 8hrs in a car yaaya! SB2k6 over and out.
~ZEB

SB2K6 Day Three - Sun Burnt but happy -

2006-03-26T21:29:00.000-06:00

Our crew number will decrease by four today. Todd and Leah, Yetty and Becca had to go back to the AU bubble after lunch time. With a little more room in the cars but sad they had to leave soon, we headed to the beach once again. Brett, Zachary, Locks, Leah and i played three games of volleyball with two Asian guys who were hysterical! Then, we all went and crashed on the beach for a few hours (thus resulting in a sun burn/tan). With sand all over and the weather getting colder for some reason, we headed to Ybor City for some fun shopping and hang out time away from the sun. Ybor was such a fun shopping area filled with little eateries, vendors, and the best...URBAN OUTFITTERS! Yeah, we all had way too much fun in this cool store. After spending lots, we headed back to our neck of the beach to get a little hot tub time and showers before dinner. The past two times the gang has made the trek to the hottub, we encountered sketch persons. Haahaha, the guy in the hottub when we got there today, was a sound and lighting tech for some band who enjoyed "the plant" just a bit too much, so you can put the rest of the happenings together. Nonetheless, interesting convo occurred and then, we were off to get showers. We ate at Moe's cause we wanted tonite's meal to be a little cheaper then the past nites, we then discovered that nothing was open to take part in because it was Sunday. Then just drove around to find some funness. Ended up back here at the Roadside Inn just hanging.

SB2K6 Day 2 - Beachin it up & Going Out-

2006-03-25T23:58:00.000-06:00

Today was great, my white bod saw the sun for the first time in way too long so Zach is now tan, (yay!)
Much fun was had today... the entire group went shopping for snacks, lunch stuff, etc. at the wonderful Super Target center. Next, we met up with Andy and headed to the beach were it was waaaay to cold to enjoy the sun but the attempt was made and we played beach volleyball so all was well. With sun tans received, the crew headed back to hotel to enjoy the hot tub with some "plus size", awkward/sketchy rednecks from Orlando Fla. Honestly, im not sure why we even got in the hot tub at Roadside Inn in Clearwater Fla.... but its Spring break so why not live on the edge... needless to say, i took a long shower to de-germ! Got cleaned up and we headed to a restaurant called The Dish, basically we all ate waaaay too much and feel really bad about getting in a swim suit tomorrow (ha! not really but i do feeel as if i gained atleast 10 lbs) so worth it though. Zach then proceeded to get my car lost after dinner upon our ride back to the Roadside (surprised are you?) and cause us to see atleast 30 additional, unnecessary miles of the outskirts of Clearwater. 45 mins later, the pewter scooter arrived back at the Roadside, we hung out for a bit and then off to bed! In the mean time, i some how managed to throw my phone over my shoulder in my clumsy attempt to answer a call, so im going to bed phoneless yet thinking "i wouldn't want to be anywhere else, with anyother group of people!" SB2K6 day two over and out...

What am i gonna do without a cell phone!

SB2K6 Day 1 - The Arrival -

2006-03-24T21:18:00.000-06:00

Encounter, packing, getting ready for bed, asleep by 12.30 a.m. only to get up at the early hour of 4.15am! Yup, with a little less than 4hrs of sleep this is how the great SB2K6 began.. heading to Clearwater, Fla with some great folks until Tues. I really needed this break! Trip was long but fun, me, Brett, and Clocks were in the "pewter scooter" yup, thats right, we had walkie talkies and code car names. Delirium and tiredness set in and after about 8hrs in the car, Clearwater came into the radar.
First pothole was hit: We got kicked out of our original reserved hotel room because they discovered a bunch of college kids were cramming into rooms in attempts to save money and avoid the "extra capacity fees". No worries right? We are in college and born for stuff like this? We piled back into the cars soon to find the "upscale" "resort" of the Roadside Inn, yeah thats right... people pay the big bucks to stay here (hardly)! Nonetheless, its a place to crash and its all we needed! We unloaded all our junk, showered and went on the hunt for some food in downtown Clearwater/Tampa area. A beachside hotspot, called "Frenchies" was discovered.. much fun was had, good food, good times!

Some things to mention without providing an explanation (just to keep you guessing) :

We think we saw a prostitution "invite" into the room below us after we were asked first, simply because we were all chillin in the parking lot as the "lady of the nite" was headed to her room

The Diamond Dolls "gentleman's Club?" is right next to our hotel...
(fun to joke about but, i think we should stay away from this attraction)

So far, i love Clearwater!

Workin Man

2006-03-03T15:38:00.000-06:00

So i started working at Davis & McLaughlin (thank you KA) and its pretty much a great "low key" job.... i mean im making this post at "work" what? And i get to drive around on beautiful days, what could be better? I haven't had a job since highshcool so its a bit hard to get use to again but no worries, i just glad im gonna have a little extra spending money you know. Ok, back to "work"gots to bring home the bacon according to christian..!

Weekend of Worship in TN & Beth Moore

2006-02-27T13:48:00.000-06:00

This weekend, I had the opportunity to lead in Oconee TN with some of my Macon friends. I couldn’t get anyone to ride with me so It was just me and Jesus and it was quite a ride let me tell ya! I listened to Beth Moore’s talk from the Passion 05 conference. She is so anointed wow… so passionate to know Jesus more, never settling, never ceasing to find joy and amazement in Father. A few things pierced my heart and will remain with me forever; it pierced the first time I heard it last January during the actual talk and it was so good to find encouragement in her words the Lord was speaking thru her yesterday in my car ride again.

“May my “public” zeal for Christ never exceed my zeal for Christ in private, in my closet, in the darkness, closed up in my room….private. Another way she put it, “My fake, Jesus Bravo”. So easy to come to encounter and get caught up in the “flow/sway” of worship, find your self hidden in the midst of the 800+ students? Then you have this “public zeal” of Christ but your left empty in private a fruitless life. Wow, such a perspective giving concept.

So, that was my car ride (with no wrong turns, no getting lost! yay) just Jesus, heavy in the car… Spurred me on in never settling for less then the power of the cross… its promise and its atoning magnificence…renewed my mind to the things of Heaven and its holy dweller, always guarding my thoughts with the shield of faith and the sword of truth, as to extinguish the devil’s fiery darts. That I might be empowered, upon the day my life here is over standing before my Lord, laying the extinguished darts at his feet, and proclaim… “There is my God for whom I trusted and loved!”

Burdened for these kids to experience the living God in the midst of worship in spirit and truth, the Lord was so faithful to answer our prayerful cries before we began the worship set each nite. Comfort zones were broken and stepped out of, freedom, love and joy was experienced. I pray that they continue to press into Jesus for in Him is unfailing love and empowerment that will cause this broken world to kneel to one Holy Creator God.

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

“I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death.”

C.S Lewis

Amazed,
ZEB

Smart people needed...

2006-02-15T10:34:00.000-06:00

For one reason or another, im trying to attain a deeper understanding of "santification" your thoughts...?

The Son Superior To the Angels

2006-02-14T09:46:00.000-06:00

In small groups last nite we discussed our purpose in life... ultimately we came to the conclusion that we are to live daily for the Glory of Father and then reflect it the best we humanly can in our lives. Hebrews 1. 2-4 describes what glory is defined as.. it basically states its Jesus, its His radiant face and presence seated at the right hand of the Father!

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs"
"... therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

Awake each morning claiming, yearning to find ultimate Joy in Him... for if this fails... you will seek fulfillment from the world, from friend's acceptance, that boyfriend or girlfriend's love, self seeking love... this fails everytime because its something that only an eternal something can fulfill. Find joy in the face of Christ, the source of Glory so that you can reflect in its totality and in humbleness!

Amazed,
ZEB

Luv Dat Community and Feb 6!

2006-02-08T14:06:00.000-06:00

Thank you so much to all who thought of me on the b-day! I love the fact that as i was logging into my email i got a warning msg. saying i must delete some of my facebook notifications because my MB limit was reached and the mailbox was full! Yes, i know its sad we (i) get so much joy out of the addicting website that is facebook especially on birthdays... practically consumes my life (and just now, after typing that crazy little story i've be convicted to cut my number of "facebook logins" to 5 per day!) haha...

Seriously, i love you all and i wouldn't be able to get through the stress and hardtimes that college brings if it weren't for you guys! The Lord has truly blessed me with amazing community here at AU and i am so thankful...wow. The Lord is so good.

So community groups happened Monday nite and i love my group o guys. Really looking forward to journeying with them towards Jesus this semester as we discover the depths of Him
(if thats even possible! haha). i love His vastness and the simple fact that we have the opp. to learn new aspects of Father each day only to realize there's still more!

Community is vital... period.
Growth, encouragement, accountability, joy, knowledge, and love. These are all necessary to us as humans and the Lord creates community for this very reason. He's all about his children and all He asks is for us to be all about Him...His glory, fame, and renown.

-Amazed-

ZEB

"You're in for a Change"

2006-01-25T22:45:00.000-06:00

Tonite, i had the blessing of playing with my boy Chase at his home church in the Gump. Apparently, they have been in need of a bass player so i told him id help out all i could. The pastor apparently really likes the bass (i think he's plays too) and therefore, he likes anyone who is willing to come play bass for his church. After the last song, he introduced me and announced to the entire congregation how happy he was to finally have a bass player! "Praise Jesus!" Followed shortly after (they are very much a talkative/responsive bunch of folk). I was a bit surprised he did the unnecessary announcement/introduction...this was a little awkward for me for two reasons... #1 i don't like the spotlite to be on me at anytime while in a worship setting for any reason, #2 It really caught me off guard! Anyway, he carried on for a few more minutes and i kinda tuned him out (i know, im a horrible person) then, he got serious and i recovered my lost of attention. He said prophetically, "Zach, you are in for a change, the Lord is gonna move inside you and change you!"Now, i know its nothing huge or life altering, but there was a lot of truth in those pastor's words to me. That pretty much sums up the past few weeks of my life since i decided to change my major. Total prospective from the Lord has come upon me in many areas of my life. He's so faithful to reveal Himself in the midst of change or to me, in this case. Just hearing this pastor say those simple words meant soo much to me, filled with encouragement, it was all i could do to thank Father. Thank Him for reminding me that i don't have to have it all together for Him to work in and through me for His good purpose! He's so quick to show himself when we least expect it or deserve it. Revealing that He is the author and giver of my life... of our lives and He will see to it that His good and perfect plan is carried out until completion in each of our lives. Father, i love that You are bigger than a time span, bigger than our hopes and dreams, bigger than our futures, bigger than our sin that so easily entangles us, thankful that You hold the scissors to cut us out of the mess we make in the entanglement (ha!). May You only continue to fascinate us. Will you keep in us a fearful reverence of our salvation... may we never get "tired" or comfortable with this person called Jesus. Risk and faith & love be the words in our hearts.

-Amazed-
ZEB