Moving? Again?

Well, to whoever has actually been following this blog I want to sincerely thank you! You're gonna hate me. I'm moving. Again! This is the last post on here. I've been playing around with this host for a few years and as I've been looking at a few others I think I finally found a real home for my blogging over at Tumblr. My style is pretty minimalistic and I think I prefer the "feel" there and actually love the fact that Tumblr already has its own blogging "community" of sorts and it's also like Twitter in many ways, where I can easily post and re-share things I like, as well as post the usual vids, music and content I've been posting.
So I apologize again for the craziness, I'm no Tim Challies or Donald Miller. I'm Ruben Cardenas, and I'm learning things and trying things out as I go. As I've said before, I love blogging and I have no inkling of any desire to stop. I think its good for me and maybe even good for some of you (whether just for killing time, for entertainment or for resources). To whoever reads this, thank you again. And hopefully you will follow me at my new home here.
Blogger, it's been sweet, and I thank you for providing me with a platform since 2009. You're great, and I'm still an avid user of your other Google services and I love them! So long!

Some Snapshots from the Men's Retreat

I just got home from my church's men's retreat which was held at a cabin ran by the gracious folks from the Calvary Chapel Conference Center in Twin Peaks. And it was refreshing to say the least! I'll be posting my thoughts on it later this week. In the meanwhile here are some snapshots from the weekend.

Blogging Break and Men's Retreat

So I can focus on what I'm teaching about this weekend at my church's men's retreat I'm gonna take a break this week from blogging and cut back on social media a bit (something that's good to do anyway!) The theme for our retreat is The Art of Gospel Manliness and my talk is on identity (from the Gospel). This is admittedly the hardest thing I've had to teach anybody since I myself have had to wrestle with this doctrine in my personal life a lot in the last two years, it seems. Prayers would be much appreciated! See ya next week and thank you!

Go. Eat. Drink. Do.: Slater's 50/50

Me and my sister Monica like to throw down (eat) at unusually good and local restaurants every month. The last place we went to easily made my favorites list, Slater's 50/50. If you're in Orange County and haven't been here yet, shame on you! This place will change your life.

You can also find it on Yelp.

Bearing and Leaving Loads

“We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday's burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.” - John Newton

Baptisms and Spaghetti

Alex came to know Jesus through one of our community groups and today we baptized him and his girlfriend Marcy who also knows and loves Jesus. Sheer awesomeness. This is a real encouragement for not only those of us who were fortunate to see God at work in Alex's life over these last few years, but also an encouragement to all community groups and missional communities everywhere. Our God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save indeed.

And our God is mighty to grace us in the middle of our suffering. I say this because last week we had 3 deaths in our church. And we've been going through a series on Heaven and Hell at the same time! It's been sobering for our little church, but it's also been a time for us to reflect on the good news of the triumph of Jesus over sin, death, our idols, condemnation, and hell in a way that hits home. These baptisms were a sweet thing for us at New Hope today. And we are grateful for it. Oh, and we had some epic homemade spaghetti afterward too!

Thank you, Lord.

Do It Now!

Here's a good kick in the pants for some of us from The Art of Manliness.



If this is the kick in the pants you needed today and you know you could use a little help in this area check out the excellent series they just finished, Heading Out on Your Own: 31 Life Skills in 31 Days

Art and Good News

I was thinking about this a few weeks ago. It was originally posted at David Murray's blog sometime last year but I think we can always benefit from it down the road as we go. Take up and watch, and take notes.

The "Gospel" of Art from HeadHeartHand Media on Vimeo.

Insta-Joy

Okay. The only thing better than getting the latest Modern Ref in my mailbox today is seeing this little man on Friday. My godson, Coen.

Enjoy the Little Things

Had a lousy day of sorts today. At least my favorite publication on the planet came in the mail. And as Woody Harrelson wisely said in Zombieland, "Gotta enjoy the little things."

Need a Creativity Boost?

This might help. Or at least dazzle you a little because it's just cool.

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

Winterproof

"Dear happy young people, prepare for deep loss and long sadness by feeding a kind of joy that thrives in winter." - John Piper

What is the "Main Thing"?

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

But what is the main thing?

Some smart dudes from the 16th century ransacked the good Book; found the answer to that age old question, and penned it down for us to remember in every generation right here...

Random, But Forever Noteworthy

On a wall outside of The Crab Cooker in Newport Beach, California.