Merry Christmas

Well, It is officially here. It is Christmas time. the time where we trade gifts with each other, and pray that they gave us what we wanted. After all, that is what society today tells us.

But we as Christians celebrate it differently. we celebrate it as a time that Jesus was born. But in today's context wouldn't we say that this is the ultimate gift. So lets celebrate that gift. The gift of Jesus, but ultimately the gift of Salvation.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thanksgiving

Well, it is that tome of the year. The time where you go to malls, and stores and see the Christmas decorations up. Then it hits you, IT'S ONLY NOVEMBER!!! In this busy year, there comes a time to just sit back relax and reflect on everything in your life. That is this time. We go around and say things we are thankful for. Some meaningless some meaningful. Some that your happy about some your not. This thanksgiving I am thankful for alot. I am thankful that despite being in school I am spending thanksgiving with a friend's family. I am thankful for what God is doing in me as I near the end of this road called school. I am thankful for friends and family who love me. I am thankful for my life, and thankful for the fact I am saved from sin. I am thankful for a lot this year, are you?

Credentialing

Well, it is that time for me. A time to decide if I should get credentialed in a fellowship that I have grown up in, and come to love. Currently I am deciding to go and get credentialed in the Assemblies of God, back home in Illinois. Not because I want to, but Valley Forge, and so do I now, see it necessary to get credentialed in my home district. I am taking a big step here, by turning in the application and getting the process underway. I am excited and scared at the same time. I am asking those who read this to keep me in your prayers during this time. Pray that God opens doors for me, and shows me where to go upon graduation in May. I am hoping for words of advice and encouragement from those who have already gone through this process. This is a BIG step I know. I am looking forward to it as well.

Here it is again my 5-5-5 Deal.

Top 5 DC Comic Heroes
(continued form Marvels list last time)
1. Batman
2. Green Lantern
3. Superman
4. The Question
5. Rorschach

5 Ways to say "HELLO"
1. Hola
2. Hi
3. Ohayo-sama
4. Puang Toi
5. Zdravo

Top 5 Trilogies
1. Lord of the Rings
2. Back to the Future
3. Star Wars (4-6)
4. Robocop
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Until next time....Keep Living in the Grey

Welcome back to a new and exciting edition of 5-5-5. This week not only do I have a new title banner for this segment, but I also have three new topics to talk about this week.

Top 5 All-Time Graphic Novels (Comics)
1. Watchmen
2. Superman: Red Son
3. Batman: Hush Returns
4. Kingdom Come
5. 52

Top 5 Heroes Characters(From the NBC TV show)
1. Claire/Sylar
2. Mr. Bennett
3. Hiro
4. Peter
5. Linderman

Top 5 Marvel Heroes
1. Hulk
2. Iron Man
3. Blade
4. Wolverine
5. The Punisher

As I stated last week, this is totally my opinions and may not be the opinions of others. Please takes these as such.

As Always, Living in the Grey

Ministering to Kids

Well as I stated on my last blog this past weekend I was involved with a grand reopening of a church. the church originally, was left for dead basically. The pastor and congregation left the church kept it unlocked in downtown Philadelphia. The homeless started to sleep there, and the place was partly burned down.

That is until a church, saw the property, and decided to make it a project. They gutted it out, and redid the furnishings inside. The out believe it or not wasn't destroyed. So they decided it should be open for people to come and worship God. This is where me and some of my friends come into the picture.

To kick it off they decided to have a gospel night on Saturday. Which me and about five of my friends were asked to do the kids service. It was amazing, to have a wide age range of kids. We put together a service for the kids for that Saturday Night. Also on Sunday afternoon we were back, and did another program for the same kids. It was an awesome weekend. I am glad God called to minister to children.

Until next time,
Keep Living in the Grey

Convoy of Hope Outreach--RADICAL

Today in Philadelphia, I was a part of one of the most exciting ministries happening in the Assemblies of God, no I don't mean Children's Ministry. Although that is pretty exciting, I am talking about Convoy of Hope.

Today a humid day in good old Pennsylvania, sat the big black stage/truck of VFCC. Getting ready for a day of fun and games for the kids, haircuts, grocery give away, as well as performances, on that truck. Settled in North Philly, we began at 10:00am. For the first 1/2 an hour, no one showed up, but then they started coming. Yours truly and his friends in RADICAL, did a performance that signified not only the start of the new year for RADICAL and VFCC Outreaches, but sparked a fun afternoon. After doing a 30 minute consecutive song set (without having a breather or break) we were done. We could have left but did we? Nope! We stayed and helped with games, groceries and other smaller odds and ends. It was great seeing the faces of people there getting blessed. It is amazing what God can do through those who follow him.

Next week is the re-opening of the church...and I am going back to help them kick off the re-opening. I am doing a children's service on Saturday and Sunday. I am going to have a busy week getting prepared for this awesome ministry opportunity.

As Always, Living In The Grey.

5-5-5

It might sound like a pizza deal, but it isn't. What is 5-5-5? It is a look at categories top five...my top 5.

This editions categories are: Books I have read, Movies I have seen, and Top athletic listings

Books I have read
1. UnChristian
2. Before You Leap
3. Sex God
4. Simple church
5. Next Generation Leader

Movies I have seen
1. The Dark Knight
2. Iron Man
3.Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
4. Spaceballs
5. Psycho (Hitchcock's version)

Top athletic listings
1. Brett Favre retirement drama is over
2. Cubs Postseason
3. Bears are a solid unit
4. Tom Brady injured
5. Michael Phelps Olympic record

As a reminder these are not top five lists. They are five of my favorite things. The orders do not reflect any particular grouping, but rather a grouping of what is or should be in the top 5.

As Always, I am living in the Grey.

Favor?

Seems like everywhere I turn right now it seems people are talking about is the favor of God. How funny is it that when I turn around, I see it for myself.

This past week at school, was our ministry fair. This is a big time for me being a ministry team leader, as well as a senior. This is my last one, also it is a time for me to look for work. But without looking for a church to work at I got two offers. It seemed to me that when your doing what God wants from you, he opens doors that you think will never open. God is so great. I now have hope for the future. I was at a point where I was wondering if I was doing the right thing right now.

It says in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." During this time this has been my devotionals/reflection verse. Crazy isn't it? God knows what is in store for me, and I should just rely on him for everything. I have given him everything in my life, it is all in his hands. I am glad that it is because I wouldn't be going anywhere if it where solely in my hands.

Just remember God knows the plans he has for everyone. Me and you, he knows what we are going to do before we do it. Shouldn't we be living like we should be? ***Hint the answer is YES!***

Until next time, Live life like you are in the grey, because I know I am.

Last Day of My Internship-7/31/08

Today, was my last day of my internship at 1agbn in Bloomington-Normal, IL. What did I do? I went to Magic Waters!!! Yeah you heard me, Magic Waters in Rockford, IL. But you may be asking yourself isn't an internship suppose to be hard work? Yes it is but as I learned this summer is that it can also be fun. that is exactly what I did.

Magic Waters was a fun trip. Haven't been there in years. So I was happy to go with the youth group (BURN) here at the church. We had about 20 all together going. 4 Adults, and 16 students. I came into this internship being afraid that when I went to a church, I would be a youth and children's Pastor. After my weeks of helping out Pasotr Kermit Barker (Yes that is his real name), I feel prepared if God gave me a job like that.

This internship was AWESOME!!! I wouldn't want another one at all! My memories of this place are good, and I will keep in touch. Either on here, or via email.

Until Next Time.

As Always,
Greydon Cochrane

Blogo Numero Uno

I don't know if that is how you would say it in Spanish,but anyways this is my blog.

But before can blog i guess one has to know what a blog is.

Is it a log in a bog? Nope. Well whatever it is this is my first one.

My Top 5 List of Everything.

1. The Dark Knight, lived up to Batman Begins, and was better than it in my opinion.
2. The Brett Favre situation, needs to end before anyone gets hurt.
3. The Cubs are on a roll, not buttermilk, or cinnamon but it still is good!
4. The way John Madden makes the obvious statements in every Madden Game.
5. I am now on a list of bloggers in this world, GREAT!!!