Drowning

Do you ever feel like you are drowning? Not literal drowning, but as a metaphor.



Now that summer is here, I am getting swamped with jr. high events and all the issues that go with them. Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who feels the weight of the issues that go on within the ministry. Parents complaining, students getting into trouble, problems with logistics and administration stuff, and the list goes on. The best way to illustrate the way I feel is the image above.

I am not depressed or anything, but a bit overwhelmed.

Potential Birthday Party Themes...

Ok...I know my birthday is not till November 18th, which is like 5 months away, but I am starting to think of themes for my next birthday bash. (I will be turning 28 by the way...Ahhh!)
Last year my party theme was "A Tacky Birthday." It was really fun, especially since everyone dressed up. We played pin the tail on the donkey, we decorated with toilet paper, and we served Twinkies as the cake...It was awesome!

This year I am considering a few birthday party themes...

Option #1: "A Preppy Birthday"


Option #2: "A Gangsta Birthday"


What's your vote? Do you have another suggestion for me?

I love this video...

I love this video...because I happen to be a white gangsta myself. Enjoy!

Massage for the Mind

I love being relaxed.
Last week Dan Coombs was giving a knife sales presentation to Kate Yates in the Student Ministries office. As he was giving his shpeal and demonstrating the effectiveness of the knives, I became very relaxed. I couldn't see what they were doing because I was sitting in the office next door, but just hearing his presentation I felt so peaceful.

This week I hung out with Alex Armstrong (former Jr. Higher) and he showed me some of his new magic tricks. As I was watching him demonstrate his card and coin tricks, I became very relaxed. I think it must have something to do with the tone of his voice or something.

So for whatever reason, magic tricks and knife presentations are like massages for my mind. I love them!

What relaxes you?

Get Dressed

The summer theme for the Calvary Jr. High Ministry is Get Dressed.
The theme comes from Colossians 3:12-14, So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

We are focusing on the attributes that God wants us to "put on." Obviously goldy virtues are more important that clothes, but I am curious...What is your favorite clothing item? Maybe it is a pair of jeans, or a cool hat, or a spiffy T-shirt, etc.

My favorite thing to "put on" are my Rockford sunglasses...technically sunglasses are an accessory, but I don't care. I feel so cool when I wear them...They are my stunna shades!


What is your favorite clothing item?

I'm A Gangsta!

Yo Yo Yo! Waz up my peeps? Some of you may not know about my secret identity as a gangsta. Today I am publicly announcing that I am thug. Holla Back!

I am a pretty big fan of rap and hip-hop. I have Power 106 set as one of my radio stations in my car. My secret ambition is to work for the station and meet Big Boy. I love to dance and "walk it out."
Are there any other gangtas out there?

The Perfect Girl...

What does it take to find the perfect girl? Who is the perfect girl? What is she like?

Is she like Reese Witherspoon from Walk The Line?


Is she like Donna Reed from It's A Wonderful Life?


Is she like Cinderella from Cinderella?


I would appreciate any wisdom or advice on the topic.

Your Single Friend- Josh

I am getting old!

Ok...I have deciding that I am getting old and it is starting to show. My age never bothered me much, until I turned 27.

This is a picture taken last Thursday. Please notice...

#1 My belly. I never had to worry about my diet, but now I am getting "soft" or "flabby." Some of my pants don't fit anymore and I definitely don't look as good in a bathing suit.

#2 My receding hairline. I now have what my Jr. Highers like to call "cul-de-sacs" My forehead seems to be growing on a daily basis.

#3 My wrinkles. Every time I smile, squint, or raise an eyebrow I add to my canvas of wrinkles. I have what is known as "crows feet."

In case I every forget about my bodily misfortunes, my Jr. High students are constantly reminding me. You gotta love their brutal honesty. If anyone finds the fountain of youth...give me a call. Haha.

My Roommates...

Well...The time has come for me to introduce you to my roommates...David and Luke.

DAVID is a unique guy. I have known this kid for about a year and a half. We met through Wyldlife at Santiago Middle School. David is a good roommate...he is clean, organized, and curtious. He has a shrine to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in his closet (I don't get it). He sometimes thinks he is "all that" and a Brad Pitt look-alike. He is currently single, but has a crush on Amanda Bynes (Good Luck with that buddy). David and I are both youth pastors...It is nice to live with someone who understands me. For the most part David and I get along, although we have our occassional tiffs.
Fun Fact: Did you know that if you take the vowels out of DAVID's name it becomes DVD.


LUKE is not only my roommate, but also my younger brother. Luke is one of the funniest and coolest guys I know. He is one of those guys who listens to underground music and goes to shows (I am lucky he even aknowledges me). His buddies call him Rolland (I have no idea why). Luke and I have had our ups and downs as kids, but now we are mature adults and work out our issues with guns and knives. Luke is single, but is looking for a rich and beautiful girl who knows her place. Luke works for KFI radio and takes the train to Burbank several times a week. Keep your eyes on Luke, because one day his name will be in lights.
Fun Fact: My family and I used to pretend that Luke was a dog named Rover...ruff ruff.


Those are the boys. Come by and hang out sometime!

They call me JCORNDAWG

They call me JCORNDAWG. I know you are all dying to know, "What does Jcorndawg mean and why does Josh go by that?" Allow me to shed some light on the matter.

It all started back in high school...late 90's. I was searching for for the perfect screenname and email. I sought out the counsel of some of my close friends. They said that I am a "dawg" (in a cool gansta way), and since I am blond they added in the "corn." I liked the name, so I tried to plug it in as my new AOL name. But sadly, no luck, it was already taken. So...I tried a "J" in front of it (because my name is Josh). And that is how the all magic happened...I became "Jcorndawg." Now many years later, I am still the JCORNDAWG.
The End

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream!

On Thursday night we had our annual Ice Cream Club for WyldLife. This is the craziest club of the year. We meet up at Lemon Heights Park in Tustin/Santa Ana and play a ton of games involving ice cream. Kids are told to dress in grubby clothes, because by the end of the night they will be smothered in ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and bananas. It is a fun night and the kids love it!

Me and my boys!


WyldLife Leaders!


As I was looking back at pictures from last night, I started thinking "Wow! WyldLife has the coolest ideas. I wish the Jr. High group at Calvary would do exciting stuff like that." Then I realized "Wait a minute...I am the Jr. High Pastor and I should be planning cool things like that!" I have decided that I can learn a lot from my relationship with WyldLife. Never stop learning.