While not a "photo", this is a video I made for an SGS event recently (with a slightly edited intro).

I also played this piece at a recent benefit concert in the Santa Cruz mountains called Rock on the Mount. Here is the audio:

I'm one of those "prayed the sinners prayer as a kid but wasn't really saved" sort-of person. God finally saved me in March of 2006 from my self-misery over my total inability to overcome my sin nature. Since then, God has grounded me in what it means to work out faith in the struggle of life. I've learned that theology matters, and when the 'stuff' hits the fan - as the saying goes - a person will respond according to what they really believe.

Sometimes I'm not as bold as I should be, and at times I still feel like a 5-year-old goofball who doesn't know it's a bad thing to suck on his fingers after touching something nasty. At the end of the day, I'm just a 20-something single son of God trying to do what's right before God and man.

Oh, and one note about my church: I currently attend a Southern Baptist Church, although I do not consider myself a "baptist," strictly speaking (I have paedobaptist sympathies ). My current church isn't reformed, although I enjoy the fellowship and some of the theological discussion that goes on. Frankly, I wouldn't mind moving to a more reformed church; I just haven't had any compelling reason to do so (yet).

EDIT: Yeah, so I had "June" listed above as the month I came to Christ, but it was actually in the first week of March that year. Important things happened in June, 2006, but nothing quite *as* important as being justified before Christ! So anyway, the mistake is now corrected.

In my false-conversion days, the doctrines of grace seemed more of an intellectual exercise than anything else. My Arminian friends would have called me a Calvinism-sympathizer

When God saved me, however, I fully embraced the doctrines of grace. I had full awareness of how rebellious I was, and I knew then that the witness of Scripture was true, that God unilaterally saves the sinner. The Scriptural witness of salvation has caused me to be more bold with the truth, knowing full well that when God is ready to save a person, he will. In the meantime, I just gotta preach the truth.

Knowing that God is in full control keeps me from full-blown depression, as I am quite sensative to the violence this world inflicts on people. The sadness I feel for suffering can run really deep in me, and the only thing that pulls me out of it is God's sovereign control, his designing the ends and the means to those ends. I don't know the "why" a lot of times, but I know that God is just, and he will punish all those who sin again him and those created in his image.

Quiet times are useful for me, but not a regular occurrence. I usually read the Scriptures and pray before going to sleep each night.

Honestly, I am quite restless (or burning, as Paul would put it), and I am hoping to be married in the not-to-distant future.

If I'm to be single my whole life, then I'm trusting God will snuff the 'restlessness' in me, because I'm not sure I can just put it away from my mind.

Above all else: Christ-centered thinking in all things.

Honesty, faithfulness, theology, and music.

And candy. I love candy.

• My best friend Marcos: even though he's not a "thing," I'm thankful for him because he has been there for me in the roughest of times. Even when I was a complete jerk toward him years ago, we reconciled and are closer now than ever.

• My physical disabilities and pains: Thank God, they keep my pride in check in so many ways....

• Knowledge of a sovereign God: I thank God that he saw fit to open my eyes to Christ. No matter what life throws at me, I can ultimately rest in God and not my own scheming (which can be quite pathetic at times!)

• The folks at Alameda Chapel in Alameda, CA first presented the Protestant Gospel to me. I owe them many thanks.

• The Youth Pastor of Mountain Bible Church in Los Gatos, CA has been a mentor-figure for me for many years; his unique, Bonhoeffer-like approach to theology has taught me to be more responsible with my beliefs. I owe him many thanks.

• The pastor of Lakeside Community Church in Hanford, CA is the father I would have liked to have had. Kind, caring, understanding, and above all, humble before the Lord. I would be happy to be even half the man he is before God. I owe him many thanks.

• There are so many pastors, youth pastors, and other elders that have helped me throughout the years, I can't mention them all here. I love them all dearly

I learned two things:

1. A proper vetting process is ALWAYS essential, and
2. Never kiss.

Seriously :-|

I'm convinced this is my life verse:

Ecc 9:12 "For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them."

From my best friend Marcos:

"I want a woman who is both smart and beautiful because, you know, one of us has to have those things."

The main goal is pretty simple, really: I would like to raise a family, to teach them how to serve and worship God.

Currently, I am looking for an undergraduate school to attain a theology/biblical studies degree. Long term, I want to teach Bible and doctrine, in either a church setting or in a Christian school. Honestly, I don't think I'm one whose gifted for the pastorate; but of course, God can do whatever he likes with me and if he calls me there, then I guess I'll have to do that

I would also like to finish my novel. You'll have to ask me about it to get any more info from me

I play my guitar; maintain my online social networks; continue writing/researching my novel; and beat up my little brother.

That last one is especially fun

I also hike the local regional and state parks.

I'm a born and raised Bay Area boy. I've traveled all around the Western US, including Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, with some traveling on the mid-Atlantic Coast.

There are four siblings, all adopted except the oldest:

1. Paul (oldest)
2. Gilbert
3. Me!
4. Serena
5. Joey (youngest)

After my mother passed away in 2006, my dad remarried and now travels consistently between Reno, Sacramento, and the Bay Area.

At the moment, I prefer to stay in the Bay Area. As I am current seeking to attend an undergraduate Bible college (as yet to be determined) within the next few years, relocating will be based on a number of different factors. In short, I am open to relocating in the long term: I'll go wherever God sends me. I am praying that my future wife (whoever she is) will be open to the same.

Links to my Facebook and Youtube pages are available from my website.

Email me or add me to Google Chat: picard2380 (at) gmail.com