::New TCS Blog::

My life is slowly becoming consumed with social networking and blogs.  You can now also find me on twitter as @brentdore.

The Student Ministry at TCBC now has a new blog at www.trinitychapelstudents.wordpress.com.  It is going to have lots of articles, media, and resources in the coming months.  Check it out.

That's all for now.  See you soon.

Brent

::Theology and Students::

It blows my mind to think that I have been working with TCS (Trinity Chapel Students) for close to a year now.  I am in the midst of evaluating the past year and there will be a review blog posted in the future but suffice it to say that I have been amazed at what God has done in my life, in this ministry, and in the lives of the students.

Tonight's Life*Group caused me to really reflect on how far this aspect of our ministry has come from where we started.  It was only last semester that the students wanted to get rid of our small groups and just "hang out"... they have really grown.  We have been working through some key doctrine issues with them {Trinity, Sovereignty, Grace, Mercy} and tonight we discussed the Righteousness of God.  Their thoughts, observations from scripture, and questions blew me away...it is truly incredible to see the faithfulness of God at work.

There will be more to come over the next few weeks on lessons learned and mistakes made but I just want to say tonight that we worship a very big God.  We worship an incredibly righteous, holy, and gracious God and it blows my mind.  I constantly underestimate Him...and He constantly reminds me that I am missing it.  That's all for now.  See you out there.

B

::My Journey in Belize::

Belize is a one of a kind place.  Every time that I go there, I learn something new about God and about myself.  I was in Belize from March 14th to the 21st and it was incredible.  This trip was unlike any other trip that I have been on to Belize.

The biggest difference was that I was not planning on going this year.  Julie and I just bought a new house (...updates on this coming soon) and I thought that this was a good time to sit out the trip.  But God had other plans.  Following Ben Connelly's car wreck, there was a spot available and Julie encouraged me to go to Belize.  So, after talking to Julie, Ben and Ted I jumped in on the trip.  I was unsure and had no idea what my purpose was going to be on the trip but I felt like I needed to be on this trip.  

When we landed in Belize, I quickly realized why I was on this trip.  Richard Smith, our host at My Refuge Christian Ministries, told Matt Hudson and me that there were 15 youth workers coming to a youth worker training session that I thought was canceled.  So, I started developing a training session for youth workers in Belize that I was going to present in 48 hours.  

Meeting the youth workers was an incredible experience.  Their passion and desire to see the young people in Belize come to know Christ in powerful ways was incredible.  Their commitment to the country blew me away.  It was an honor and a privilege to hear their stories of God's glory and life-changing power in Belize.  I will never forget about their joy, and excitement about reaching the youth of Belize.

We are developing a partnership for years to come with the youth workers.  There will be future training, and encouragement as we work to equip people to minister to youth.  Honestly, I feel like I learned more from them than they learn from me.  It is a joy to know that the Body of Christ is growing everywhere.

This year's trip to Belize was all about seeing God's sovereignty and plan.  I saw how God has been preparing me for this year on the previous trips.  I saw how God has been slowly developing a passionate heart for Belize that exploded on this trip.   It has been an incredible experience.

Belize has dramatically changed my life and I look forward to future trips to Belize.  I can not wait to go back soon.  And, Julie is going to be joining me next year...very exciting.

That's all I have for now.  Be back soon.

B

::I'm Back - Take 2::

So, I have been inspired.  I have been inspired to get back into this whole blog thing.  What inspired me?  I am not really sure but I feel like this is something that I need to do.

I have no idea how consistent I am going to be about updating this thing, but I am hoping that it will be fairly often.  You can also follow me on twitter (www.twitter.com/brentdore) if you really want to know what is going on with me.

That is all for now, but I am going to post my thoughts on my trip to Belize later this week.  I had the unique privilege of going on my 3rd mission trip to Belize last week and it was incredible.  They even had me teach a youth worker training class...I know, ironic.  Anyways, check back for that soon.

B

...I'm Alive...I Promise

So....I made a comment on my last blog post (...in May...) that I was "back".  Well, I lied. This has been an intense, crazy, stressful, refreshing, and amazing summer and somewhere in that craziness, I forgot to blog.  A good friend once said that blogging was like working out, once you fall out of practice and routine...it gets incredibly difficult to get back into it.  But I am going to try.

First....I GOT MARRIED THIS SUMMER!!!  I have had the priv

elage to be married to my best friend Julie for over 2 weeks.  I can not wait to see what God has in store for us in the future.  I am the luckiest guy in the world to get to walk alongside this amazing woman for the rest of my life.

...I will add some more wedding and honeymoon pictures in the future

P.S  I highly recommend the Hotel Villa Rolandi for a honeymoon...IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!!

Ok, I am going to head to bed.  But I am going to try and get back to this now...hopefully.  

...I have posted a few times this summer as a contributer on the Katy Budget Books Blog....check it out.

...done and done

Well, I have been away from the blog-o-sphere for awhile...my apologies to my vast readership.  

The past few weeks have been crazy.  I got a new job and finished up my first year at seminary...so my blog had to take a back seat.  But, now I am back and can now officially say that I am done with my first year of seminary.  So in honor of this monumental occasion, I am going to give my observations on seminary...

• Seminary is not a requirement for ministry...you can be used immensely without ever going to seminary.  People who say otherwise are arrogant, a seminary recruiter, or just dumb. Seminary is a useful tool for equipping a person for ministry...NOT A REQUIREMENT.
• It is physically impossible to read everything that is assigned....that might be a slight exaggeration
• It pays off to get to know professors...I know I should have learned this in undergrad, oops.  It was amazing to hear some of the professors stories and experiences.  If anyone knows Dr. Horrell, ask him about his time in Brazil...it will blow your mind.
• Have a life outside of seminary.  Don't let seminary become your life...I had to learn this from experience.  I learned more when I enjoyed the other parts of my life.
• Be involved in ministry during seminary.  Studying theology is great.  But understanding how that knowledge of theology actually plays out in life is even better.
• Take Horrell for Trinitarianism
• Ask lots of questions.  It is easy to take everything being taught as "gospel"...ask questions and engage.  

Seminary has been a great experience overall.  I just wanted to give a few of my observations.

Take what you want and leave the rest.

I am back readers...check back often for new stuff.

BD

• 
  

...nerves and excitement

Well, I teach today for the first time at The Gathering which is the sunday morning event for the student ministry that I work with at Trinity Chapel.  I am so excited about this opportunity and what God has in store for Julie and I in the future.  But I am also a little nervous because this is such a huge step and a brand new adventure.  But I know that God is there and I know that this is going to be a wild, fun, and exciting ride.

Pray that I continually seek Christ during this adventure and that I never lose sight of Him amongst the business.  Pray that this ministry can be a place where true community happens and that lives are changed by the Gospel.  Pray that God will do His thing...because thats all I can ever ask for.