Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-31

Posted on May 31st, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

• Just got home from the CG party and have gone back to cleaning and scrubbing and making things nice and organized… only 9D8H48M left… #
• Eating @MogolianBBQ with my sister! I love this place! #
• Back home after a great day of Brother/Sister time! Time to finish the cleaning and scrubbing! #
• Whoops… just woke up… dang I wanted to go for a drive! #
• Grateful for gainful employment and long days at work this week… I still might get 40 hours at this rate! #
• Power outage ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! #
• SCE said power would be back on around 9am… So I got up at 5:30am, forced open the garage door and headed to to Bbank SBUX 4 java and #
• internet so that I wouldn’t be late to work in the morning. Even at 5:30am SoCal is alive and kicking in high gear… #
• Power is back, so I am back online… could have Twittered from the Phone but I was way too stinking busy! #
• http://twitter.com/ssyndrome/status/1964627820 #
• Making my way to Hollywierd to get a Stockholm Stndrome artifact… Good thing I dragged Amos along! #
• Bummed that Susan Boyle only got second… stupid press and media! http://bit.ly/Opamf #
• Hello Ojai! What a sleepy little village/town/settlement! #
• Glad I went for a little drive so I could clear my head! Now ready for the crazy stuff God is going to say through Francis Chan tomorrow! #

Tags: Twitter

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-24

Posted on May 24th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

• NERD: Did a massive cable cleanup after the ATT installation. Got all the cables for electronic items on and in the desk neatly organized! #
• Just had lunch with my sister @Chili’s. The waitress wasn’t that great but I was a good Xtian and left a good tip! #
• Got detoured off the freeway so I didn’t make it to CStone… instead I took a scenic drive through the mountains to get back home. #
• Well I didn’t feel the earthquake but my poor sister was rattled pretty good… she was only a few miles from the Epicenter http://earthquak #
• Had a good day at work, now relaxing and getting ready to clean up the house a bit before I head to bed! #
• After a hectic busy morning, which included reactivating my iPhone, I’m finally enjoying a lunch break. #
• Just felt a little earthquake! #Burbank #
• What a weird, crazy, hectic, overhyped and exhausting day… I need a New Castle! #
• I am constantly amazed at the power of the Gospel! Praise the Lord for the ministry of reconciliation. #
• I love the smell of new Bible! http://twitpic.com/5pww0 #
• Going to movie night @profforehands house! #
• Scrubbing day
  Is a holiday
  And on scrubbing day
  We make everything get wet! #
• Hanging with my Burbank CG. Guys are inside playing Wii… http://yfrog.com/11tzgj #
• Girls are outside doing… Girl talk… http://yfrog.com/10urvj #

Tags: Twitter

I Think Jesus Would Zap The Polar Bear Too…

Posted on May 21st, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

Just for the record I think Jesus would zap the Polar Bear too…

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-17

Posted on May 17th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

• Thankful for the 28 years of Mother’s Days I got to spend with my Mom here on earth until Jesus swept her into His loving arms… #
• Picking up some lunch, then heading to a CBTL to refine my thoughts on some things, then some minor grocery shopping… if I have time… #
• Getting Black Stallion a much needed oil change @VW #
• Looks like the rear brakes needed to be done too… Oh well! It’s worth it! #
• Going to the bank, making lunch, reading something useful, making dinner, going to CG and then going to work… it’s just another day! #
• Why is it when I have a SBUX gift certificate I crave CBTL? And why is it when I have a CBTL gift certificate I crave SBUX? #
• “Faith in the Gospel is just as important for your sanctification as it is for your justification.” #
• I think that supervisors who threaten to write you up over opening the air conditioner are… #
• Now I’m home where I can change the temperature on the air conditioner to WHATEVER I WANT!!!! #
• Back to working offsite for a while! #
• Eating some home made dinner, enjoying a book on tape and preparing for another day offsite tomorrow! #
• Down in the Yahoo! courtyard with the offsite team enjoying some smoothies and relaxing music! #
• Going to see “Angels And Demons” the prequal to my favorite romantic comedy “The Da Vinci Code”! http://twitpic.com/59od7 #
• Wow! There’s a line to get in!!! Could this be the Star Trek killer? #
• What the…? A representative from the theater just asked us to donate to some person or charity! Umm… Start the movie please! #
• Back online after waiting 40 grueling hours for AT&T to get their act together. The Result: THE FASTEST INTERNET CONNECTION I’VE EVER HAD! #

Tags: Twitter

Mother’s Day 2009

Posted on May 10th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

Today my Dad, Sister and Granny (my Mom’s Mom) went out to Riverside National Cemetary for Mother’s Day. In the process of preparing for today, I was trying to think of what would benifit me as I work through the grieving process, but also what would benefit my family as well. As a result, I decided to prepare a short sermon to remind us of some things that would be encouraging and comforting on a tough day like today.

The Lord led me to John 11:1-45, the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Of course it’s a passage that many of you are familiar with, but I can honestly say this passage is much more powerful, in light of loosing a loved one that is a Follower of Christ.

I think that the words the Lord gave me were not just for us and so I’d like to share the sermon with you in written format. I hope it comforts those of you who have lost a loved one and I hope it encourages the rest of you to watch out for your brothers and sisters in Christ that are suffering. One final note, please excuse the simple “3 Point Outline” approach. After all I am a recovering Baptist…

—————————————————————-

Read John 11:1-45

Intro
Over the past 11 months we have been learning to live our lives here on earth without Mom. Some days, like today, have been tough then others and I think that it’s important for us, as we are moving through this greiving process to remember a few things.

1. God Is Still With Us
   a. Especially during the last few weeks of Mom’s life, it was really tough to remember that God was still with us. It was easy for us to say what Martha and Mary said:
   b. John 11:32 “Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.””
   c. Even Jesus on the cross felt forsaken and alone.
   d. He quoted from Psalms 22:1-2 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.”
   e. It’s so easy to feel alone when we are suffering… but we can’t forget the end of the story and that next part of the Psalm.
   f. Psalms 22:3-5 “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”
   g. The reason we know God is with us is because He has continued to be faithful to us even today. God has been watching over us from before He was born and will continue to watch over us for all of eternity.
2. We Still Need To Trust God
   a. This is also another reason why we know God is with us… is because because we have trusted Him before and he has been faithful to us in many ways that we can’t even see.
   b. We can trust that God has rescued us from the power of sin and we can see that in the fact that we have been changed from the inside out.
   c. We don’t have to be a slave to the things of this world, instead we are free to worship and to love God.
   d. I know that we’ve dealt with so many set backs that it’s hard to trust God. But I think that’s because it’s not God that has failed us but the other things that we have put our trust in.
   e. We put our trust in Doctors, or medicine, our own resolve, our friends, our church. But in the end all of those failed in one way or another because they are all imperfect.
   f. And even though we may not understand it right now, we can trust God’s perfect plan to take Mom from this miserable earth, and bring her to a place of eternal worship and satisfaction in Christ.
   g. We know that Mom trusted God and her trust in Him has more than paid off because her faith has become sight. She knows now that she didn’t trust in vain and she was not put to shame.
3. We Still Need To Be Devoted To Proclaiming The Gospel
   a. I know that it’s hard to proclaim the truth of the Gospel when we are hurting.
   b. But when I think about what has comforted me the most, I think of the Gospel.
   c. It’s because I have been reminded that one day, because God has rescued us, we will be reunited with Mom in a perfect, healed body and will spend eternity together worshiping Jesus.
   d. We need to remind each other of that truth, but we also need to proclaim that same hope to our friends and family that don’t know the Lord.
   e. So that they too can spend eternity worshiping Jesus with us and with Mom.
   f. The reason Mom spent her last hours on earth proclaiming Jesus, instead of complaining to Jesus, was because she knew the Lord had called her to do so, no matter what the circumstances.
   g. And she also knew that the strength to do such a difficult thing didn’t come from her… it came from Jesus
   h. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him [Christ] who strengthens me.”

Tags: deborahames.org, Riverside National Cemetary

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-10

Posted on May 10th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

• Heading to CStone for service and then down to see “Jesus Christ Superstar”… Talk about juxtaposition! #
• “Jesus Christ! Superstar! Do you think you’re who they say you are?!” Oh Andrew Lloyd Webber you prankster! http://twitpic.com/4i4i0 #
• My sister and I just finished our customary “Intermission Sierra Myst” #
• Playing “Antiques Road Show Roulette”! #
• Gearing up for a rough couple of weeks… Probably the roughest since June… #
• Doing some had core searching for the proper biblical view on Church Discipline… Anyone got any resources or suggestions? #
• Had a good lunch with Tosh and a great dinner with Tim! Thanks guys! #
• I will be glad when this lady gets what’s coming to her: http://bit.ly/gog8E #
• Off to Spring Concert @TMC #
• Once again blown away by the talented Music at TMC! Congrats Dr. Plew on 30 amazing years! #
• Mmmmmm! Clam Chowdah! #
• Trying to catch up on Hulu so I can finally write that TV show… gotta see what the young kids are watching these days! #
• I can’t believe I’m up before a double digit on the clock… oh well I guess that’s what happens when you have a lot of crap to do… #
• I think I just realized too late that there really is too much to do today a NOT enough time… I wonder what’s going to fall through the— #
• Off to Edgewise Media to pick up some MiniDV stock for the big project that starts tomorrow! #
• After an unsuccesful attempt to save my roomates printing project and a quick stop @Starbucks I’m FINNALY on my way to Edgewise!:-) #
• Back from Edgewise and working away at all that needs to be done for tomorrow… I hope this all comes together by then! #
• Got a surprise visit from my Grandma and my Sister! Glad Granny is in town for Mother’s Day… She will definitely make things easier… #
• Going to COC for TMC graduation! #
• Alright the robed ones have entered the field and are making their way to their seats! #
• And now the students! http://twitpic.com/4tg2u #
• The 82 graduation ceremony has begun! #
• Tatlock has prayed and Majesty is kicking it off with “Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone” #
• JMac has taken the pulpit to award the President’s Award for the first time! Congrats Rick Dempsey! #
• Giving the Commencement Address: Steve Viars Director of the National Association Of Nouthetic Couselors #
• Dr. Plew up next with “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” #
• JMac is recognizing Dr. Plew for 30 years of faithful service! #
• And now the reading of the names of the graduates! #
• Congrats Philip Neal Anderson, John Baker, Ben Blakey, Hannah Braun, Nate Brooks, Michael Brusuelas, Peter Bugbee! #
• Congrats Jeremy Cooper! Way to go buddy! #
• Congrats Kevin Darby, Jennifer DelVecchio, Aaron Dickson, Brett Eggerth, Rebecca Friesen, David Gutfield, Katlyn Haney! #
• Congrats Jason Hanson! #
• Congrats Emilie Hendryx, Seth Horner, Joseph Hurton, Paul Kennedy, Cameron Knox, John Lafferty, Dayson Marar, Emily Markley! #
• Congrats Christy Mawhorter, Paul Mikhaylenko, AJ Morris, Michelle Mullin, Heather Olewiler, Andrew Parker, Sam Pecsek, Ben Potter! #
• Congrats Andy Moore!!! Way to go buddy! #
• Congrats Dereck Ricketts, Keith Robinson, Kyle Ruggles, Wendy Sackor, Paul Sexton, Steve Shaver, Ryan Sisneros, Austin Smidt! #
• Congrats Jenny and Jordan Standrige! #
• Congrats Kyle Swanson, Lindsey Talbot, Josh Telle, Sam Ticas,! #
• Congrats to anyone I forgot! http://twitpic.com/4tn3a #
• Tatlock is presenting the class, they are standing and moving their tassels! #
• JMac is giving the Presidential Charge and closing prayer! #
• The recessional begins! http://twitpic.com/4toa4 #
• Time to go meet and greet! http://twitpic.com/4tof0 #
• I amazed and overwhelmed by God’s abundant Grace and Provision for the students @TMC! #
• Just went on a fun night drive through windy deserted roads with a good friend and had a great conversation. What a perfect ending to today! #
• And so the adventure begins!!!! http://landofhillsandvalleys.wordpress.com/ #
• Having dinner with Granny at Mimi’s Cafe! #
• Preparing a Sermon to preach at my Mom’s grave tomorrow… #

Tags: Twitter

Alese Coco – 731 Days And Counting

Posted on May 7th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

Often times, it’s hard to imaging life without someone that is right next to you. But almost 3 years ago I did, and the emptiness that I felt was crushing. I was with my dear friend, Alese Coco. We had been talking about the latest challenges she faced with her treatment for Hodgkin’s Disease. Alese had already endured so much but was still as feisty and as funny as ever. “If you see a nurse walking by with a needle that has something in it, chances are it’s for me!” she said jokingly about her recent stay in a hospital. I laughed with her and was instantly hit by just how much Alese had changed my life.

When my Mom had fist been diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer I hated hospitals and had not desire to joke about them, or their doctors or their nurses or their needles. And yet Alese, who had seen more doctor’s, nurses and needles than most of us would see in two lifetimes, still could joke about them. Alese had a strange and puzzling peace about them all… it certainly exceeded my understanding… even when she died 2 years ago today.

There was no fight that Alese did not think she could win, there was no obstacle that she did not think she could overcome, there was no “setback” that could set her back and it was all because there was no one she trusted more that Jesus Christ. I miss her a lot, and I’m glad that she and my Mom get to spend time with Jesus and with each other. In fact, I’m envious… that during the 731 days we’ve spent without Alese, she has been spending time with Jesus.

Pray for the Coco family and when you get a chance check out Fight2Win.org and learn how Alese’s story and faith is the driving force behind an organization that is committed to achieve a 100% cure rate for all patients diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Tags: Alese Coco, Fight2Win

Jonny Diaz – “More Beautiful You”

Posted on May 5th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

My good friend Jonny Diaz just released an album on iTunes today. He has several others there already, but this is his latest offering and you can’t imagine how good this guy is. So follow this link to the iTunes store and buy it… it’ll be a worth while $6.99 to spend!

“More Beautiful You” – iTunes Store Link

Tags: Jonny Diaz, More Beautiful You

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-03

Posted on May 3rd, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

• Book shopping and Bible shopping with the Sister! #
• Headed to Claim Jumper with my sister and my roomate… Good thing the roomate is paying! #
• Having a piece of Cheesecake in honor of Bea Arthur who Dorothy Zbornack on the Golden Girls… RIP and “Thank you for being a friend…” #
• Staying busy at work… Mostly good stuff today… #
• Making breakfast for dinner in the morning… #
• Testing out a new Twitter App… Testing 1… 2… 3…@ckliffames1 http://twitpic.com/45npw #
• Usualy when I get up before my alarm I haven’t gotten enough sleep… Not the case today! Look out SoCal! Here I come! #
• Taking some time to slow down and dive in the powerful, living, active and satisfying Word of God… #
• SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW night at work tonight! #
• Still another SLOOOOW day at work but not as bad as yesterday! #
• Once again, rethinking my cooperation with certain parties that just don’t seem to have my best interests at heart, nor the Gospel’s… #
• Just got to catch up with an old friend… Thanks Facebook! #
• Oreo McFlurries are sinful satisfying! #
• After a week like this I’m totally thinking, “There better be a heaven…” #
• I hope it wasn’t my most recent tweet that just caused that EARTHQUAKE! #
• Sweet the info is already up on USGS http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Quakes/ci10403777.php #
• Enjoying the talents of The Master’s Chorale @TheMastersCollege #
• Just got punched in the face with God’s awesomeness after hearing The Master’s Chorale sing “You Are The Light” #
• Going to try and find my CG somewhere in Burbank to help Nick & Jen move: “Oh where oh where has my CG gone, Oh where where could they be?” #
• Hanging out with Dr. Simons who says, “I’ll never have a Facebook or a Twitter!” #
• At home instead of at BJ’s… Darn you A*** M****! #

Tags: Twitter

“You Are The Light”

Posted on May 1st, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

I heard The Master’s Chorale from TMC sing this tonight. They do it every year at the end of their on-campus concert and even invite the alumni to sing with them. Even though I’ve heard them sing it before it was like I heard it for the first time tonight. It bourght a lump to my throat, and I had to leave before I made a ninny of myself. Here are the simple lyrics as well as a link to a recording of the arrangement.

You Are The Light
Tom Fettke

You are the Light we see.
You are the Truth we know.
You are the Life we live.
You are the Hope,
You are the Joy,
You are the Song we sing.

Living God
Loving God we glorify your name
High and Holy One come down
We lift our hearts in praise
Prince of Peace, Emmanuel
Jesus Lord of love

Within our hearts Your light.
Within our minds Your truth.
Within our lives Your love.
Living Your hope,
Spreading Your joy,
Singing Your beautiful song.

———————————–

You Are The Light – MP3 Recording

Tags: The Master's Chorale, The Master's College, Tom Fettke, You Are The Light