21 from the youth group are getting set to leave tomorrow afternoon for a week-long spiritual party at Camp Barton. Party in the sense of laughter, fun, games and fellowship. Spiritual because every element will be building toward our focus on the goal: Jesus Christ!
This year's theme is centered on the fruits of the Spirit. I ask that you keep us in your prayers. Prayers for safety, fun, focus and spiritual growth. Prayers for strong leadership and mentoring. Prayers for guidance from the Holy Spirit.
I will not be able to blog for a whole week. Don't worry though, there will be posted details, thoughts and pics when I return.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Thoughts on Jesus
My buddy, Scott P. sent me this through email and I thought it was pretty neat. Max Lucado is a very insightful author and his viewpoint on Jesus is intriguing. Here it is...
"Why would Jesus, on his first journey, take his followers to a party?
Didn't they have work to do? Didn't he have principles to teach?Wasn't his time limited? How could a wedding fit with his purpose on earth?
Why did Jesus go to the wedding?
The answer? It's found in the second verse of John 2. “Jesus and his followers were also invited to the wedding.”
Why did they invite him?
I suppose they liked him.
Big deal? I think so. I think it's significant that common folk in a little town enjoyed being with Jesus. I think it's noteworthy that the Almighty didn't act high and mighty. The Holy One wasn't holier-than-thou.
You just don't get the impression that his neighbors grew sick of his haughtiness and asked, “Well, who do you think made you God?”
His faith made him likable, not detestable. Would that ours would do the same!
May I state an opinion that may raise an eyebrow? May I tell you why I think Jesus went to the wedding? I think he went to the wedding to - now hold on, hear me out, let me say it before you heat the tar and pluck the feathers-I think Jesus went to the wedding to have fun.
Maybe these thoughts catch you by surprise. They do me. It's been awhile since I pegged Jesus as a party-lover. But he was. His foes accused him of eating too much, drinking too much, and hanging out with the wrong people! (See Matt. 11:19.) I must confess: It's been awhile since I've been accused of having too much fun. How about you?
We used to be good at it. What has happened to us? What happened to clean joy and loud laughter? Is it our neckties that choke us?
Is it our diplomas that dignify us? Is it the pew that stiffens us? Jesus took time for a party...shouldn't we?"
"Why would Jesus, on his first journey, take his followers to a party?
Didn't they have work to do? Didn't he have principles to teach?Wasn't his time limited? How could a wedding fit with his purpose on earth?
Why did Jesus go to the wedding?
The answer? It's found in the second verse of John 2. “Jesus and his followers were also invited to the wedding.”
Why did they invite him?
I suppose they liked him.
Big deal? I think so. I think it's significant that common folk in a little town enjoyed being with Jesus. I think it's noteworthy that the Almighty didn't act high and mighty. The Holy One wasn't holier-than-thou.
You just don't get the impression that his neighbors grew sick of his haughtiness and asked, “Well, who do you think made you God?”
His faith made him likable, not detestable. Would that ours would do the same!
May I state an opinion that may raise an eyebrow? May I tell you why I think Jesus went to the wedding? I think he went to the wedding to - now hold on, hear me out, let me say it before you heat the tar and pluck the feathers-I think Jesus went to the wedding to have fun.
Maybe these thoughts catch you by surprise. They do me. It's been awhile since I pegged Jesus as a party-lover. But he was. His foes accused him of eating too much, drinking too much, and hanging out with the wrong people! (See Matt. 11:19.) I must confess: It's been awhile since I've been accused of having too much fun. How about you?
We used to be good at it. What has happened to us? What happened to clean joy and loud laughter? Is it our neckties that choke us?
Is it our diplomas that dignify us? Is it the pew that stiffens us? Jesus took time for a party...shouldn't we?"
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Quote Of The Day
"Worshiping together is a more personal thing than riding trains or attending movies together. Tolerance is not enough; it must be real brotherhood or nothing." - Frank T. Wilson
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Arlington Trip
Here are some neat pix of the group in Texas. These were taken before the AC went out in the van, thus all of the cheery faces. Trust me, you would not want to see them afterward. lol
Monday, July 25, 2005
Interesting News
Here's a piece of news that you might find interesting:
Babies Take Viagra
Babies who suffer from pulmonary hypertension have a 12-month mortality rate of 37%. But 14 children who used Viagra therapy (yes, it improves blood flow to the heart and lungs, too) were all alive at the end of a preliminary trial. Pfizer, Viagra's maker, is planning a large-scale trial toward marketing the drug for infant use. ("Newsweek," July 25)
Babies Take Viagra
Babies who suffer from pulmonary hypertension have a 12-month mortality rate of 37%. But 14 children who used Viagra therapy (yes, it improves blood flow to the heart and lungs, too) were all alive at the end of a preliminary trial. Pfizer, Viagra's maker, is planning a large-scale trial toward marketing the drug for infant use. ("Newsweek," July 25)
Back In Town
Well, we're back! 23 from the youth group traveled down to Arlington to catch the Rangers play the A's and to spend a day at Six Flags. The kids survived, or should I say that the chaperones survived.
We had only one bad thing happen to us on the trip, though. On the drive home, the air conditioning in the van went out on us. For a few hours, 12 of us sat in a rolling sauna. A neat way to lose weight, huh?!? We lived.
I am glad to be back home to blog some more. I will be posting pics of our journey soon.
We had only one bad thing happen to us on the trip, though. On the drive home, the air conditioning in the van went out on us. For a few hours, 12 of us sat in a rolling sauna. A neat way to lose weight, huh?!? We lived.
I am glad to be back home to blog some more. I will be posting pics of our journey soon.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Our Lovely Youth Group
Just thought I would post some of the latest pics from some of our youth and family activities. There are some pictures of Steph H's going away party. (We miss you!) Some pictures of our VBS and some pics of our First Principles Day Camp.
It won't let me put all of the pictures on this one, so I will continue on into the next one...
Monday, July 18, 2005
Quote Of The Day
"The greatest hermeneutic of the gospel is a community that seeks to live by it." - Lesslie Newbigin
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Getting Older
What a blessing it was to have 19 youth on our first day, 20 on the second and 23 on the third and final day of First Principles Day Camp! The cool thing is that there were other kids out there that wanted to be here but could not because of summer jobs.
As excited as I am, though, I feel that I am getting older.
On Tuesday, I took the kids to the community pool and wrestled with all of them. Some kids at the pool that I have never seen before decided to join in the fun and try to take me down. While I believe I held up pretty well at the pool; I went home with a bruised side, a jammed finger and an aching, wrenched back. I think have started to feel some of my youthful invincibility begin to wear off.
What a bummer.
As excited as I am, though, I feel that I am getting older.
On Tuesday, I took the kids to the community pool and wrestled with all of them. Some kids at the pool that I have never seen before decided to join in the fun and try to take me down. While I believe I held up pretty well at the pool; I went home with a bruised side, a jammed finger and an aching, wrenched back. I think have started to feel some of my youthful invincibility begin to wear off.
What a bummer.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Beginnings and Endings
Today was the beginning of our annual First Principles Day Camp for students ages 9 and up. The camp lasts three days and serves as a crash course in our belief system as disciples of Christ. We were blessed this year to have the largest crowd in attendance. 19 students were here, eager to learn more about the basic, foundational principles of Christianity. There are whispers that there will be a few more tomorrow. That excites me. Young hearts ready to study the will of God for their lives.
On a sad note, there also comes an end to things. Several of our youth are leaving us this week. The Tates are moving to Florida and Stephanie H is moving to Albuquerque. They will be sorely missed. Compound that with the near departure of our preaching minister and his family and you have a few wet eyes in the house.
God has big plans for them. Plans that maybe you and I don't see with our miniscule grasp of the 'Big Picture.' But since the 'Big Guy in the Sky' knows all and sees all, I trust that they will be great blessings to the new communities in which they live and serve.
A word to the movers: We love you and pray for your spiritual safety as you leave us and embark on a new leg in your journey. God bless you.
So, there are beginnings and endings. Transitions that shape and change each one of us.
On a sad note, there also comes an end to things. Several of our youth are leaving us this week. The Tates are moving to Florida and Stephanie H is moving to Albuquerque. They will be sorely missed. Compound that with the near departure of our preaching minister and his family and you have a few wet eyes in the house.
God has big plans for them. Plans that maybe you and I don't see with our miniscule grasp of the 'Big Picture.' But since the 'Big Guy in the Sky' knows all and sees all, I trust that they will be great blessings to the new communities in which they live and serve.
A word to the movers: We love you and pray for your spiritual safety as you leave us and embark on a new leg in your journey. God bless you.
So, there are beginnings and endings. Transitions that shape and change each one of us.
Quote Of The Day
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Pics of my family
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Here are a few pics of my sister, Misti, her sons Kameron and Brenden, and my Mom. WHen Elizabeth and I traveled down to Florida, we stayed with them for a few days.
Quote Of The Day
"I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business." - Michael J. Fox
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
How To Deal
Apologies to all of you for the lack of blogs over the past few days. I spent some time with members of my spiritual family at the lake from Friday to Monday. Getting on the SeaDoo and lettin' her rip on Lake DeGray was therapeutic. Swimming, grilling, singing, praying and spending time in fellowship with 24 people with loving hearts was, indeed, 'chicken soup for the soul.'
We didn't get much rest, though. 1st was the bus full of wild partyers right next to us whooping it up into all hours of the night and keeping me and my sweetie up 'til around 3 in the morning. Next came the realization that our aerobed had a hole in it and that we were left to sleep on the rocks. Mix all of that in with no cool night air and you are in for a nice, sleepless night. But the next night was spent in the cool camper with Jim, Mandy, Trae, Tori, John, Allessandra, Cassie and my sweetie, Elizabeth. That was fun!
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I am in a funk. That's about all I can think of to describe my state. My colleague, good friend and mentor is leaving to work with a congregation in Texas. And he will be leaving too soon. Read Jim Gardner's blog for more info. While I know that this is the work of God, I am still left in a funk.
The title of this blog is a phrase the keeps running through my mind: How to deal. How do we deal with loss? How do we cope with change?
I don't know how. I don't have the neat, cookie-cutter answer, so I give it over to God and let Him take care of it. Yes, I am in a funk, but I know that God sees the Big Picture and He has the answers for these bumps in the journey.
In the middle of this blog, my friend and shepherd, Rick Northen, came into my office and changed my perspective on this matter with stories and advice. My funk is not quite so deep now that I have been slapped back into the reality of things. He gave me some nuggets of wisdom to tuck away and use on a rainy day.
It all comes down to this: The only constant in life is change.
A true disciple of Christ knows that provisions and providence are God-given. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Be willing to release any fears and let the Spirit guide you through all uncharted territory.
We didn't get much rest, though. 1st was the bus full of wild partyers right next to us whooping it up into all hours of the night and keeping me and my sweetie up 'til around 3 in the morning. Next came the realization that our aerobed had a hole in it and that we were left to sleep on the rocks. Mix all of that in with no cool night air and you are in for a nice, sleepless night. But the next night was spent in the cool camper with Jim, Mandy, Trae, Tori, John, Allessandra, Cassie and my sweetie, Elizabeth. That was fun!
----------------------------
I am in a funk. That's about all I can think of to describe my state. My colleague, good friend and mentor is leaving to work with a congregation in Texas. And he will be leaving too soon. Read Jim Gardner's blog for more info. While I know that this is the work of God, I am still left in a funk.
The title of this blog is a phrase the keeps running through my mind: How to deal. How do we deal with loss? How do we cope with change?
I don't know how. I don't have the neat, cookie-cutter answer, so I give it over to God and let Him take care of it. Yes, I am in a funk, but I know that God sees the Big Picture and He has the answers for these bumps in the journey.
In the middle of this blog, my friend and shepherd, Rick Northen, came into my office and changed my perspective on this matter with stories and advice. My funk is not quite so deep now that I have been slapped back into the reality of things. He gave me some nuggets of wisdom to tuck away and use on a rainy day.
It all comes down to this: The only constant in life is change.
A true disciple of Christ knows that provisions and providence are God-given. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Be willing to release any fears and let the Spirit guide you through all uncharted territory.
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