Nollie Flip
I was filming this skateboard trick today, which sounds like messing around right? However, this is a serious endeavor when it comes to being a professional skater. (I am going to try and bring some relevance to this point so please bear with me.)
The trick combo I filmed by its technical name is: Nollie flip & 1\4 to rail, drop back to manual, 360 flip to nose manual then shuvit out. Only a very small fraction of skaters can appreciate the technical difficulty and make sense of the above equation. Most skaters could care less and the people who don’t skateboard (most likely you who are reading this) usually cannot understand any part of what is being described in written form.
What if instead of describing the trick to you, I simply demonstrate the actual trick combo in a quick video clip? Now the image of something that sounds so confusing when being described in written form would become clear and obvious, and maybe less impressive or underwhelming. Some would conclude that this is simply another way to ride a skateboard. Others will take it very seriously, while most will consider it absolute foolishness.
So, the point…
If we only describe to others why we believe in Jesus and the power of God, it can easily sound ridiculous, complicated, and confusing just as in the above attempt to describe one of my skateboarding tricks. However, when demonstrated, it shows a clearer picture of the power and love God has for His creation.
Just something to think about….
“All for Jesus”
Tim B.
Onnuri
My good friend Kei invited Liz and I to come share at a small youth group gathering at a local Korean church on Friday. I was able to skate and share the Gospel and encourage them to continue to live for Jesus. This was so different from a lot of other outreaches or groups we had served with before. The kids and young adults were so respectful and kind to us. This one guy I was praying & talking with for about 10 minutes was so polite that he didn’t want to “offend” me by just getting up and talking to some friends. I had to tell him that I would literally talk to him all night if he didn’t get up and go quickly!
We had so much fun and everyone loved the skating too! This really gave us a new passion & desire to serve and minister in the local youth gatherings who never have events or guest speakers or even a full time youth Pastor. Liz and I are thankful for the leadership at Onnuri & for the open door to come and minister, and to be ministered too as well. Kei sent me this pic yesterday. He is an awesome man of God. Thanks, Kei.
All for Jesus.
Tim B.
10 years
In the mid 90’s I was in Jr. High School and all out for skateboarding and absolutely nothing else. My skateboarding idol of those days was Rodney Mullen, the most innovative and progressive skateboarder of our time. Rodney Mullen still has, to this day, the best professional contest record in all of skateboarding. Rodney won almost every contest, placing 2nd only one time in his professional career as a freestyle skater in the 1980s. A world champion for an entire decade! Today he is seen by many as the genius innovator behind street skateboarding. Anyone who knows their skate history could go on and on about Mr. Mullen and his contributions to the sport. I am however honing in to make a particular point that has had an impression on me personally for over 15 years.
I remember reading an anniversary edition of Thrasher mag in the mid 90s that featured legends of the sport such as Rodney Mullen. Context: I was reading about my hero as a small town kid with big hopes and dreams to become a pro skater, make money, and travel the world. The words that impacted me the most, and still to this day, was when Rodney talked about how futile his achievements felt to him. He described his past skating career as having a castle that he could never go inside and enjoy, but instead spent all of his time guarding it on the outside. Even now, all these years later, I can appreciate more than ever the honesty of Rodney Mullen back then and now. The crazy thing is he wrote those words when he was my age now back then. I don’t know where Rodney is in his walk with the Lord Jesus or how he is doing. I’ve met him just a few times in passing and we really never connected. I am however still a fan.
As I now move into my 10th year as a professional skater and minister and take an honest look back over the years, I can say it has never been about winning contests or how many sponsors I have or making money. There has been a battle here and there for those things… BUT, My focus has always been about seeing people come to know the Lord Jesus and have a relationship with God.
You see 10 years ago I died to all those things the moment I gave my life to Jesus Christ and from that moment on all the things of this world and this life are seen as passing away and futile. My heart goes out to those who still feel that they have to stand guard outside their castles. I know, for me, Jesus Christ lives in me (my castle) and He can rearrange and decorate whatever He wants at anytime. After all, it’s all His to begin with. As my focus continues to be on the eternal things of God and not living for the approval of others or material stuff, I must say I have really enjoyed all the years I have been able to shine the light of Christ through this silly toy called a skateboard.
This photo is of Rodney Mullen and me back in 2002.
God bless.
Tim B.
Ignite
My trip to Minnesota went well but really short. I flew out at 6am and arrived in the afternoon for a 6 to 6:30pm slot on stage. I skated and shared the love of Jesus and the response was good. This was a pretty good size building we were in and about 400 students showed up. I am now at home and working on filming for my latest project. God bless and thanks for your prayers.
All for Jesus
Tim B.
Cannon Beach
We decided to stay at the beach this weekend on the Oregon coast in Cannon Beach. This photo is of the famous Haystack Rocks that were featured in the 80’s classic The Goonies. Sometimes it is good to just get away from things and retreat, pray and spend time with my beautiful wife.
God bless.
Tim B.
Wealth
Proverbs 18:11
The rich man thinks of his wealth as an impregnable defense, a high wall of safety. What a dreamer!
Money cannot provide safety- there are too many ways for it to lose its power. The government may cease to back it; thieves may steal it; inflation may rob it of all value. BUT God never loses his power. He is always dependable. Where do you place your hope for safety- on uncertain wealth or upon God who is always faithful?
All for Jesus.
Tim B.
In Houston
This past week, I was in Houston, TX for a one day trip. It went well and I was able to share Jesus with kids and their parents. I would say close to 1000 people were there and when it came time to pray and receive Jesus, young and old alike raised their hands. It was a good weekend and I am glad God used us once again.
God bless
Tim B.
The Words of Christ
I’ve been reading the words of Jesus and taking a closer look at how He challenged and loved those around Him. It is interesting how Jesus would preach in either a direct or sometimes mysterious way to a crowd or individuals. It seems to me that Jesus was often times probing with His words for those who would follow Him with all their hearts and receive Him as the Christ. The point I am making is Jesus was never out to sell people on His deity and He never said following Him would be easy. I have been challenged as a follower of Christ to present the good news of our Lord Jesus in a truthful & clear way. I pray that I never try and manipulate an audience or shape a message to be appealing to a particular group or an individuals lifestyle.
All for Jesus!
Tim B.
Fuel For The Fire
This a quote is from the founder of The Salvation Army. This was written sometime in the late 19th century.
“The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration and Heaven without Hell.” —-William Booth—-
New Jersey
I flew into Philly for an outreach in New Jersey on Thursday night. When the plane landed, I heard a few people say how thankful they were to be home in time to beat the storm. I got off the plane and met the host for the event and noticed that he was nervous about the inbound weather too. The storm was called a Noreastern, or as President Obama called it, “snowmageddon”.
Apart from the storm, I had to get focused on what God would have me to say to His people on Friday night. I must say it was hard to focus with heavy snow beginning to come down and knowing I would be stuck due to the storm. The cool thing was we had around a 100 people show up and I shared the good news of Jesus and skated to the best of my ability. When it came time for people to respond to receive Jesus, many hands went up. This night was amazing and I had one of the best hosts to take care of all my needs. To say the least I was blessed to stay @ the Airport Marriott for a couple nights with plenty of food and a nice bed.
So many people were left sleeping @ the airport or wherever they could find a room. Travelers including myself faced many cancelled flights and horrible road conditions. Thousands of people were without power as well and store shelves were empty. The blizzard dropped 28 inches of snow, making it the 2nd worst storm on record since 1928. I’m glad I could be there for the record snowfall. I’m home now and thankful for the rain instead of that beautiful white mess. Kids came to Jesus and the whole trip was a huge success glory to God.
All for Jesus!
Tim B.
