Everything that is hard to say

Stumbling around the dark
Looking for the switch on the wall
The door behind me
Presents a tempting option.

The very moment I’m sure
Is the exact moment that everything changes
Is this confusion tormenting me,
Or just nerves

I have pictured it in my mind
But translating into reality is where I fall
I want to say it
I want to say it out loud

I try to speak,
I try to say all on my heart
But my mouth remains silent
Lips disobedient to thy commands

Should I give up,
And throw my words to swift ocean?
Frustration grows
Where is my confidence?

These words are tough
But I’m sure they need to go forth
Owning them with my heart
I speak those words that are so hard to say


Josh Kienzle
Phoenix, Arizona

a promotion for the east valley bible church

If you live in phoenix, arizona and are between 20-30 years of age, you should really considering checking out 7ten (www.7ten.org)

It is a powerful and engaging night of fellowship, worship, encouragement and teaching. It is a great place to meet as we strive to continue to follow Jesus in this ever changing life.

Tuesday night, 7:10 PM (19:10) at the East Valley Bible Church on Elliott.

Contact me for more information.

Josh

capture a moment

I think we all realize that life is fast.

You blink and you jump from thursday to Monday.

In the american setting, we're all about speed and connectivity. We wake up at the crack of dawn or earlier, hit the motorway and fight brutal traffic to reach work in time. Once at our desks, we work at a furious pace, eating a microwavable burrito for lunch. Finally, when we have reach our exhaustive point, we depart our office feeling like we accomplished all that we should have, and we head for home (in rush hour traffic).

We are always in a hurry, trying to get to the next place.

So, I implore you to stop. Stop rushing.

Stop and capture a moment. Instead of rushing around doing errands on Saturday, go to the park, lay in the grass and watch kids play in the sun.

Find a beautiful garden and admire the wonder of flowers and their unique colors.

Buy a brush and paint a picture.

Run a mile (or walk)

Call an old friend who doesn't expect who hear from you

Soak it in. The moment will be gone soon. Life is not measured in quantity, but quality.

Do you have 1000 relationships that mean next to nothing or 10 friends that you would risk next to everything for?

Stop, capture a moment.

Josh Kienzle
Willowhouse, 4th Ave and McDowell
DT Phoenix

holy plans

I was reading this passage the other day and I wanted to share this with my readers.

In my attempt to follow Jesus, I find a lot of needed inspiration, encouragement, and direction from the text that God gave us through the bible.

The passage comes from Jeremiah chapter 1, starting at verse 5 (message translation):

Before I shaped you in the womb,

I knew all about you.

Before you saw the light of day,

I had holy plans for you:

A prophet to the nations -

that's what I had in mind for you."

But I said, 'Hold it, Master God! Look at me.

I don't know anything. I'm only a boy!'

God told me, "Don't say, 'I'm only a boy.'

I'll tell you where to go and you'll go there.

I'll tell you what to say and you'll say it.

Don't be afraid of a soul.

I'll be there looking after you."

There are several things that just jump out me in this passage.

1. God knows me. He knows everything about me. Knowing my strengths and weaknesses, He created with a holy purpose. And let's clear up what holy means. It doesn't mean super spirtual. Holy means "specific, purposeful, and separate. The plans that God has for you are different that anyone else. God isn't making things up as He goes along.

God doesn't need me, but wants to involve me in His holy work.

Let me make sure you are getting this: The King of Majesty has invited us to help him out and know Him better. That is better than being invited to the white house or any A list hollywood party!

2. For some crazy reason, I reject the invitation!!! It's like having a bad nightmare. The president is one the phone and I've put him on hold to talk with a telemarketer. AHHHHH!!!

We question God, "Do you know what You are doing?". Clearly, God must have gotta us confused with someone else more worthy and special. We try and explain to God why this is a bad decision.

We don't have any experience, we are educated, we don't have the right connections, we have no money, we don't have the talent, we are too busy . . . . the list goes on. Find the one that fits you.

3. God responds. He challenges our excuses with His grace and ability. He has all the strength, energy, courage, talent, money, and resources that we need. He will make a way both the rough path. We should not be afraid, but know that He is with us.

Wow, what a challenging passage. I encourage you to ponder this scripture in your heart and determine how it could apply to your life and your pursuit of Christ.

Thanks for reading.

Josh
16th and Camelback
Einstein Bros

the band that never happened

Although many people might not know this, it has always been one of my ambitions to be a in a really cool band and play before thousands.

I frequently practice at my house, in the shower, in my car, during my morning hike, and a number of other places. Belting out my favorite songs, I bless those around me with my vocal abilities.

I have my air guitar down to an exact science and my cell phone quickly becomes a wireless microphone. I get inspired in my car and start grooving! The people on the freeway become my fans. In the rush hour traffic, they slow to a stand still so they can hear the thoughtful lyrics.

If I were going to start a band, I would call it, "The Odessa Effect". The name stems from the origins of my ancestors. My relatives were from Odessa, Russia, but they were living in a German community in that region. I love it.

I have no idea if my ancestors were musically talented, but I assume they were. I mean, I had to obtain this musical ability from somewhere. I can imagine that they performed in large stadiums all across Southern Russia and maybe in the Balkans as well. They must have been good.

If possible, I would love to follow in their footsteps!

My first tour would be called, the sugahbuzz tour, after my favorite word!

Thanks for dreaming with me folks.

Josh Kienzle
Downtown Phoenix

my love of chipotle

Folks . . . there is one thing that I would love to declare to the world.

I love Chipotle.

I make no reservations in this statement. I stand behind this blend of fresh, mexican, quick, stylish, hip, friendly, bold, customized cuisine.

I first tried Chipotle in Sacramento, California. As an impoverished college student, Chipotle quickly became my good friend. Their quick and fresh meal options fit my style and budget. They honored college students by giving us free beverages (sodas only) and actually, I got many free meals because of my consistent visits (I was on a first name basis with the employees!)

What do I get at Chipotle?

Steak Tacos with medium salsa, cheese, and lettuce. But I am flexible and change things up sometimes.

Whenever I travel, I always look for Chipotle! I've eaten at Chipotles in the following cities:

-Sacramento, CA (Loeheman's Plaza - the best Chipotle yet)
-Roseville, CA
-Folsom, CA
-Los Angeles, CA
-Marina Del Rey, CA
-Portland, OR
-Beaverton, OR
-Bellevue, WA
-Phoenix, AZ
-Scottsdale, AZ
-Washington, DC
-Madison, WI
-Boca Raton, FL

If you haven't had the opportunity to partake of this quality food, I encourage you to give it a try.

Thanks for listening . . . I'm headed to Chipotle!

Josh
Desert Ridge, AZ

Just do it

I only have one pair of nike sneakers, so this is definitely not a commercial for the Oregon based multinational company.

However, I do love the company motto.

"Just do it"

This motto should not be considered with implusive overtones, but with a sense of conviction.

As I've reviewed my life, I've noticed some interesting trends. There is no shortage of information in my life. This is not to say that I know it all, but I have access to it all. With books, schools, and the internet, I have access to a great deal of information. Books on Russian gulags, prayer, international politics, Germany poetry, spiritual warfare, globalization, etc line the shelves at my home. Most people living in developed nations have access to a great deal of information via libraries, conferences, television, radio, internet, newspapers, etc.

The hard part is not usually finding the information, but applying what we already know.

Application is essential.

We can have all the knowledge in the world, but if we don't implement the prinicples we've learned about, we have nothing but useless books and trivia.

Literally, we have to "just do it".

You've learned something and you believe it to be true. But wow, the difficult part of life is breaking our old habits and implementing the new knowledge into our daily life.

Sometimes we feel that if we just read one more book on the subject or talk to another expert or attend one more conference, then it will just automatically happen. That is not the case.

Change only comes through deliberate action. We have to act on what we know to be true.

So, I encourage and implore you to implement and incorporate the priniciples you know to be true. There is nothing wrong with reading books and everything, but remember, when all is said and done, it is you that has to make the step. Books and cds only give inspiration to take the step.

Thanks for reading

Josh
Phoenix, AZ
Camelback and 16th

love of God

it is a nice evening. I'm sitting outside at a coffe shop in Phoenix, just enjoying the breeze. The warm summer is around the corner and it's essential to enjoy the pleasant valley weather before it gives way to 115 degree temperatures.

And I'm just amazed by the love of God. It is such a foreign concept. When I think about it, I can get a little confused. Me, as a human, give love for concrete reasons. I see a movie and afterwards I decide whether I like it or not. Love is based on performance. When my favorite tennis player plays a great match, I love him. However, when they play a lousy match, my thoughts change.

God's love is unlike this version that we use on earth. God loved me first. He loved me, not for doing anything special or hooking Him up with a good cell phone deal.

God's love for me is not based on anything I've done. In fact, I can't earn it anymore than He already gives. He made me and loves me, plain and simple.

God's love requires commitment. God is committed to me. Through my deepest moments, God continues with me. He doesn't bail. He doesn't run away. Although I reject Him sometimes, He sticks with me. He seeks me out when I don't seek him.

God calls first, always.

God always responds to my e-mails, and not just some one word response.

God's love has the boldness to be frank with me. He values my growth and wants me to walk in that direction.

God's loves listens to my hurts and rejoices when I delight.

His love contains forgiveness, grace, mercy, encouragement, correction, persistence, abundance, hope, intrigue, and laughter.

I want my love to be like that. That I would love others in the way that God loves me. I want my friendships, work relationships, and eventually my marriage to look like this.

I'm not there yet, but I'm moving there. Day by day.

Look around you and see God's love. It's there, in the small things.

Josh Kienzle
Phoenix, Arizona
February 2, 2006