He’s liked her for a while, but it went to a whole new level this summer when he got a kiss from her. In case you missed the video I’ll repost it below.

So here’s the special weekend “all skate” question: Who was your first celebrity crush?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32rjJ-jbsJ0]

He also sang Taylor Swift karaoke as well.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEVcmg85wqU&hl=en&fs=1]

I’ve heard rumors for years that cell phones could possible be linked to cancer. According to this TIME ARTICLE I read yesterday, at least one doctor actually thinks they do!

The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer.

The warning from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is contrary to numerous studies that don’t find a link between cancer and cell phone use, and a public lack of worry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Sounds like a bunch of hogwash to me. But just in case, I might start using my hands free device.

I’m not too worried about getting cancer from my phone, but I am focused on reducing the “noise” it creates in my life.

I’m very excited to announce that starting this weekend I will not be getting work emails on my phone for the first time in years! Planning on making this a habit from here on out. Just one more step toward reducing the noise so I can become the person I feel God is calling me to be.

While we are talking about cell phones, I’ve got a couple of questions.

1) What kind of cell do you have? (I have an iphone)

2) How many minutes a day (on average) do you spend on your cell? (I talk about 90 minutes a day, usually in the car)

I know this poverty is hard to see. Imagine how I must feel not only seeing it in that one location but seeing it across the world at all times. Imagine how I feel as I look down not on strangers but individuals I have created to reflect my glory that are living in such conditions. It’s heart breaking.

You ask why. I think you know why. If you dig deeper you will find that what you’re really asking is why aren’t you doing more. Why aren’t you using the influence I’ve given you to more effectively stomp out such poverty? Why aren’t you using your resources more generously to put a dent in this epidemic problem?

Pete, just be my hands and feet. Love as I have loved. Give as I have given. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ (Duet 15:11)

In Kindness,

God

Gage is our middle son, but there is nothing average about him. He is our sweetheart. He’s the one who will be taking care of me one day when I’m old and in a nursing home. He never meets a stranger and those of you who know Gage know just how loving he is.

Lately, Gage has been walking around, randomly doing this dance he saw on the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. We call it the “Bow Chica Wow Wow” dance. One morning this week he decided he wanted to teach me how to do the dance.

So here you go….

Have a great weekend guys,

Pete

I desperately want to learn how to know God in a more intimate way. My personal life with Christ is not where it needs to be and I have allowed the noise of this world to distract and dissuade me from that pursuit.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/1086055]

How about you? I would love for you to help me with this series by telling me what things in your life are distracting you from pursuing a more intimate relationship with God.

without wax,

Pete

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvS8ZPvOB_0&hl=en]

They will be moving in a few months to St. Louis so Nate can complete his orthopedic fellowship as a hand surgeon. While we will miss them, we have so many incredible memories from the past 5 years. Here are a few of my favorites…

-Fly fishing trips on the Caney

-”God inspired” trips to Lowe’s

-Spontaneous cookouts in the backyard

-Vacation to Destin

-Baptizing Nate 3 years ago

-Climbing Mt. Leconte

Here are a few more pictures from the hike. You can click on each picture for a description.

Hi everyone! It’s an honor to be a guest on Pete’s blog. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jenni Catron, and I work alongside Pete at Cross Point.

There is a question that we get a lot at Cross Point that I thought I would open up for discussion. The question is, “Where do you allow women to serve in leadership at Cross Point?” Frankly, I hate this question. While I am the first to support and encourage women, I’m also slow to demand equal representation of the sexes, especially in the church. For the most part, I haven’t worried much about this question. I have never really felt like my gender has held me back from serving as I feel like God has gifted me to serve. I realize, however, that I may be the exception rather than the norm. I’m blessed to work and serve at a church that understands and values women operating in their God-given gifts. For me that plays out in my role as Executive Director. My top gifts of Administration and Leadership serve me well in this capacity. (Note that I am usually the lone female among a sea of males in the leadership circles that I run in, even at Cross Point.)

I think the challenge here is to quit seeing gender and to begin seeing giftedness. As I have studied women throughout scripture, I’ve discovered some amazing chicks operating in their gifts. There are the obvious ones like Esther, Ruth and Mary, but then there are some even more obscure women in the New Testament like Tabitha – called a helper and leader, Priscilla – a teacher in the New Testament church, and Phoebe of Cenchreae – an administrative leader that I hope to meet in heaven one day because I’m sure we’ll be in charge of something together! The scripture is clear that God used women in powerful ways and I believe He still intends to do so today.

Unfortunately I feel like culturally women have been raising a battle cry for equality with men that can be boiled down to simply a cry for equal representation rather than a desire to see women allowed to operate in their areas of giftedness. In a desire to find our voice, rules and restrictions have been created such as requiring equal representation of males and females on committees, worship teams, etc. It’s become about being equal in number rather than about being valued for what we uniquely bring to the table.

I don’t believe that God is as concerned about gender as He is about our hearts and attitude for service. If I’m truly seeking to serve Him by using the gifts He has given me, I have to trust that He will put me in the circles where He can best use me.

Is there any role in the church where you believe that women should not serve? Go ahead, let’s open it up!