A long time

It's been a while, Blogger.com, but I'm back.

This past weekend I went on a trip to Carmel and Noblesville, IN with some of my skateboarding buddies. I usually end up doing the filming--predominantly because I'm the worst skater there and everyone else is doing way cooler stuff than I could ever do, but also because I always bring my little avi video camera my dad got me (thanks again, dad!).

It's been cool over the past few weeks to assume the role of "filmer" amongst my friends. I enjoy it from occasion to occasion. I don't get to skate as hard as I'd like to most of the time, but I get to serve my brothers in a very substantial way. And I get to edit the videos and help make these guys look great on their boards. It's a subtle way to refocus on others and not be so self-interested with the lens.

I always pray for who I'm filming too. Skateboarding can be very stressful sometimes, and it's easy to slip into a poor attitude when your normal tricks aren't coming easy. The power of prayer was really shown to me this weekend at the Carmel park. I was filming Brad Hill and he was trying this very impressive and large maneuver at the park. After numerous tries he was getting close but wasn't sticking with it. He looked up at me and said those fateful words: "one last try." At this point I had already been praying a little bit, but I turned to God and prayed very fervently that He would help Brad land the trick; not just for Brad, but for God's glory. So I kept praying, and interceding. Brad stepped on his board and swooped towards the obstacle. I waited anxiously to see what would happen all the while trying to keep the shot focused and centered.

What if Brad didn't land it? This wasn't a major faith issue for me, but I strongly wanted all of his hard work to pay off, and I knew that I at least wanted to worship God by seeing such an excellent trick be done in person. But I forget sometimes that worship is also done on our knees, crying out in pain, loss, and despair. Clinging to God for everything He is: true worship of the Almighty Father.

Needless to say, he landed the trick perfectly. It couldn't have been any better. I was amazed, surprisingly, having received exactly what I had asked for and more. He didn't just land it; it was perfect. God is truly good to us and concerned about our daily lives. Now I get to show off Brad's skating on facebook and know that God was wrapped around every ply of that canadian maple.