Quote of the Day

"We get so preoccupied with ourselves, the words we speak, the plans and projects we conceive, that we become immune to the glory of creation. We barely notice the cloud passing over the moon or the dewdrops clinging to the rose petals. The ice on the pond comes and goes. The wild blackberries ripen and wither. The blackbird nests outside our bedroom window, but we don't see her. We avoid the cold and heat. We refrigerate ourselves in summer and entomb ourselves in plastic in winter. We rake up every leaf as fast as it falls. We are so accustomed to buying prepackaged meats and fish and fowl in supermarkets, we never think and blink about the bounty of God's creation. We grow complacent and lead practical lives. We miss the experience of awe, reverence and wonder.

"Our world is saturated with grace and the lurking presence of God is revealed not only in spirit but in matter - in a deer leaping across a meadow, in the flight of an eagle, in fire and water, in a rainbow after a summer storm, in a gentle doe streaking through a forest, in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, in a child licking a chocolate ice cream cone, in a woman with windblown hair. God intended for us to discover His loving presence in the world around us."
- Brennan Manning

The Turning Point

Back in town and trying to catch up on some rest from the long, wonderful week at ACU Leadership Camp Kadesh. I have to say that I fully admire and respect Jan Meyer and Bob Strader for their awe-inspiring leadership and tireless energy. I can think of no greater camp directors than these 2 people. Kyle Wade has also shown me that there is power and wisdom in youth leadership and ministry. What a powerful speaker and loving leader!! Both uears that I have been involved in this camp I have walked away a spiritually changed and charged man and the camp is not even for me!! It is designed for the teens and I feel like I get so much out of it. It is that amazing. I say this and I mean it with all my heart: I can't wait to take a group next year!! It's that powerful. A turning point in the lives of many.

Anyway, today El, J-Boo and I are traveling to Georgetown to have a day of shopping and fun! I will be back tomorrow with more news.

Stuffed Silly

I am full to the point of popping. Elizabeth, Jenniva and I just got back from having a great time over at the home of Aubrey and Betty Jo Dunn. What great people. We met up with the likes of Ann G, Madeline F, Bob and Pat W, Bob and Elaine S, Al and Trudy S, AL and Imogene H, the whole Neill Clan and many others, to eat some great crab cakes aand brisket with tomato, onion, pickles-oh just everything. We then mad our way out to the Ping Pong table to get promptly schooled by Betty Jo. Everyone there decided that she is a Ping Pong Shark!!

Well, we had to leave early because my baby and sweetie pie were both ready for a nice nap.

So, I am here at the office going over last minute details before taking a group of teens up to the spiritual life/leadership camp at Abilene Christian University. I will blog as much as I am able in the week ahead.

Through All The Ups And Downs...Life Is Good!

My friend, Allan Stanglin, who preaches at the Legacy Church of Christ in North Richland Hills has been robbed. His laptop, along with the laptop of the youth minister there and some money from youth missions, has been stolen. He blogged about it yesterday afternoon. Go check it out. Talking to Allan last night, even through all of this, his spirits were good and he knows that God will take care of them. Please keep them in your prayers as they try to get back on track.

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In unrelated news, my wife is being taught something great this morning! Trudy Stucky, one of our members, has graciously offered to teach my sweet wife how to bake pies!!! I am so excited about this! They are making 3 items this morning-a Chocolate Pie, a Cherry Pie and a Quiche. I can't wait to dig into it with extreme fervor! So...Life Is Good!!

Ahh ...the sweet (lack of ) smell of success!

Well! Today was a complete success. And I am not just speaking about the morning study that continued today in our First Principles Day Camp. We covered repentance and baptism today! It was great. But more than that, the day was a success because of what did not occur this year. I refer you now to read this blog posted approximately one year ago. Tell me what you think about that!

First Principles Day Camp

Today was the 1st day of our First Principles Day Camp. We had 18 4-8 graders who came ready to learn about sin, accountability and the focal point of our faith-the Cross! The camp goes through Wed and we will cover other great foundational principles of our faith in Christ-repentance, baptism and living in Christ. I am looking forward to the days to come!

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I am just chillin' like a villain with my good pal and former student, Jasmine Nelson!

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Tonight, we will try to resume the book of Hebrews in our Meat Eaters study.

Traveling Man

The whole family has traveled to AR this week for a speaking engagement I have at an Area Wide Youth Function at the Northside Church of Christ in Benton. We are here in Conway staying with Elizabeth's mother for a while. I will try to blog a few times while here. It just won't be the same because Internet access is not as great as it is at home.We won't be getting back 'til later in the week. I will keep you up-to-date as the time goes by.

Bust A Gut!

I busted a gut laughing at this and I think we all need a laugh right about now! Go check it out!!

Aftermath

I am busting at the seams over the handful of teens that are willing to be on call for this week and the weeks that follow to help with the cleanup in the aftermath of the flooding.

Yesterday, we drove to Spicewood to help the Montgomery's clean up. I believe their home, of all our members, was hit the hardest with over 5 feet of water coming in and destroying the lower half of everything. We had a full day of tearing out drywall, fiberglass and shoveling detritus and fecal matter. Yep, water and mud were not the only Montgomery home invaders. Feces made a grand appearance. I am gonna have to go update my shots (Hep A and Tetanus) after hearing Connor tell me about his cut on the 1st day of cleanup. His foot and leg swelled up and turned purple due to a staph infection. I need some shots and soon!

Today, most of the same group moved furniture at the home of Clint and Tiffany Young. It was not as grueling as the first day, but we helped get their house back in order. They just have no carpet now.

I want to thank the teens and people like Jim Moore and Don Graves for all of their hard work and service after this disaster.

Please continue to pray for all who were affected by what meteorologists are calling a 'rain bomb.'

'Water, Water Everywhere But Not A Drop To Drink!'

I no longer reek of 2 days worth of shower-less body odor! As of 6:45 last night the water came back on. Everyone in the Mitchell house and in the city of Marble Falls were singing praises!! After the rushing water settled down and it was safe enough, a diver was sent down to repair the damage to a water pipe running into the city's water plant. It worked! We are still warned to conserve water, boil the water we do have and throw out all ice from ice makers. I can handle that.

Devastation, pt. 2

There's more.

2nd day without water! That means no dishwashing, showers, restroom using, clothes washing etc. How we realize the great need for something when it is not available. Keep us in your thoughts.

On Wednesday evening, Dolly Montgomery, one of our members here, had a premonition of sorts. She felt that the weather was going to turn bad and that she needed to get herself and her granddaughter out of the house. This was before the rain came! Well, she followed her gut and is sure glad that she did. Her house wound up receiving extensive damage with well over 5 feet of water flooding the place. Please keep her and the others hurt by this flood in your prayers.

I will be back later with more.

Devastation

We have been given a blow here in Marble Falls. Some of us are in the middle of dealing with the fallout from a devastating amount of rain and heavy flooding. I stayed up in the wee hours of the night (around 2:30 a.m.) catching rain with 2 Igloo coolers and our garbage dumpster from our gutterless roofs before it rose up to our front door. I filled the dumpster 3 times before the rain slowed down a bit. Turned into a long night of worry.

But the night was even longer for some of my dear friends. Cindy and Jerry Jamar had to leave their flooding house at 4:00 in the morning. Clint and Tiffany Young have a flooded house. Bill Fortner has water damage. 4 of Dan Burdett's rental buildings have been demolished by floating vehicles. Residents of Meadowlakes gated community are unable to leave. Elizabeth and I are keeping one student at our house until his living quarters are livable. We don't know when that will be. Rain is in the forecast for the next 7 days! People that were planning to travel back into town by bus or plane today are unable to come.

The total is 19 and a half inches. Almost all of that came in 5 hours time. Roads have been closed. Some have been moved to another place entirely. Huge chunks of road are missing. Johnson Park is no more. The National Guard and Red Cross have been called in. Some say Black Hawk Choppers are on the way to help with search and rescue. Vehicles are in trees and have smashed into buildings. Restaurants and other businesses are either closed due to flood damage or lack of water. The water plant has shut off water to over half of the city and the mayor has put a boil warning on the water when it comes back on.

We have to go out and do more patrolling, helping and assessment. I will try to get some pics while out.

Quote Of The Day

I found this quote on a blog the other day and could not pass up the chance to share it with you. It really hits home!

“Reality came starkly home to me nine weeks ago today when I was driving on a winding road in Colorado. Suddenly, I missed a curve and my Ford Explorer slipped off the pavement and started tumbling side to side at 60 miles per hour. An ambulance appeared, and I spent the next seven hours strapped to a body board, with duct tape across my head to keep it from moving. A CAT scan showed that a vertebra high on my neck had been shattered, and sharp bone fragments were poking out next to a major artery. The hospital had a jet to fly me to Denver for emergency surgery.

“I had one arm free, with a cell phone and little battery time left. I spent those tense hours calling people close to me, knowing it might be the last time I would ever hear their voices. It was an odd sensation to lie there helpless, aware that though I was fully conscious, at any moment I could die.

“Samuel Johnson said when a man is about to be hanged, ‘it concentrates his mind wonderfully.’ When you’re strapped to a body board after a serious accident, it concentrates the mind. . . . I realized how much my life focused on trivial things. During those seven hours, I didn’t think about how many books I had sold or what kind of car I drove (it was being towed to a junkyard anyway). All that mattered boiled down to four questions: Whom do I love? Whom will I miss? What have I done with my life? And am I ready for what’s next?”

- Philip Yancey (from a sermon given at Virginia Tech two weeks after the shootings . . . from Christianity Today)

My Brushes With Celebrity

I told you, dear reader, that I would be back with a note about 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon or something like it and here it is:

While running into HEB last night to get some last minute things, I bumped, once again, into the former host of the Love Connection, the inimitable Chuck Woolery. And it got me thinking about my chance encounters/former relationships with celebrities on their way up-in their prime-or heading into retirement.

'Why does he care about this?', you may ask. Well, one thing you may not know about me is that I received my undergraduate degree in acting/performance and was in the middle of Repertory Theatre work and Cruise Ship performance when I decided that I would rather not live like a gypsy (running from contract to contract until finally making enough money to be able to scrape by in a studio apartment in L.A. or NY.) I wanted a home with a family before I got too old. So, I abandoned my original plans and went back to the drawing board.

But, every once in a while, especially when I meet a star (like talking to Tony Shalhoub from Wings and Monk fame at LAX Airport or pumping gas with Luke Wilson at the EXXON in Marble Falls) or when I see a friend on a television commercial or in a movie (like my friend Adam Langley who was recently 'Out-Whataburgered' in a t.v. commercial or Dorothy Miles who had a small speaking role with Naomi Watts and Sean Penn in 21 Grams or Shelley Dowdy who I saw in Slackers, a KIA commercial and who has a role in the upcoming Evan Almighty or my friend Mark Johnson who has performed in several John Grisham movies including The Firm and A Time To Kill or Jeff Bailey who was the taxi driver in Walk the Line or Michael Davis who sang in The Producers. All of these friends have shared the stage with me at one time or another. And now, last but not least, my colleague and friend, Jim Dobbs, who, I found out the other day, was a contract actor back in the day and has worked with Cary Grant, Ida Lupino and Robert Alda in The Man I Love and Night and Day) I get to thinking about my old profession. Every once in a while I get this twinge in my stomach and I start to think about where I could be right now in my acting career. 'Oh the places we could have gone!' that inner voice says.

But I know and have experienced the unsure world of the actor and if I had not left the field and gone back to get my grad degree I would not have met and fell in love with my beautiful wife and we would not have this sweet little baby to care for and love so my thoughts only go so far before another, stronger voice steps in and tells me to cool it.

So there you have it. My 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon!

Headed To Court!

I'm headed to court and I will be back later with some 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon or something to that effect!

Check It Out!

I was very glad to see that David Griffin, one of the promising graduates of the student ministry here, has begun to blog once again! He is getting ready to study youth ministry in the hallowed halls of Abilene Christian University. We all wish him luck in his future endeavors. Anyway, now that he has his own personal lap-top, he will be able to blog on a more regular basis! Check it out!

Larrys and Lamperts!

OK, here I am once again. I will apologize in advance for what will most likely continue to be sporadic blogging. I will not be able to access the internet several weeks throughout the Summer, so there will be spurts here and there.

Last week and yesterday were full of roller-coaster emotions.

VBS wrapped up last Friday afternoon and I believe that everyone involved did a superb job. One elder proclaimed that of all the VBS programs that he has seen or been a part of, this one was the best! It's so good to hear that from a shepherd.

Sunday marked the last time in 9 weeks that Brian Jamar, one of our teens, was able to worship with us before heading off to Fort Knox, KY for some rigorous Boot Camp training. We (Marble Falls Youth Group) spent the evening at my house sharing our words of love, wisdom and encouragement. There were tears through the laughter as we recounted good times and sang a hearty rendition of John Denver's 'Thank God I'm A Country Boy'. We'll miss him greatly!

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We have begun a new study in Meat Eaters on Monday nights. After delving into Genesis, John, James and Revelation, we are now looking at the Hebrew epistle. Last night we tried to figure out who wrote it. After looking at the whys/why nots for Paul, Apollos, Aquila/Priscilla, Barnabas, Clement of Rome and others we came to the same conclusion as Origen, one of the early church scholars - "Who wrote the epistle, God knows the truth."

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If you have never met a true Larry, here he is! A little inside joke between me and anyone who knows Allan Stanglin. But seriously, you will find the insights of one of my dearest friends, the new preaching minister at the Legacy Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, TX, to be pretty inspiring. I have him as one of my permanent links on the side as well.

VBS

Listen here, now, boys and girls! Today began the week long joy of Bible School on the Avalanche Ranch! I am Rowdy! Can you say 'Howdy Rowdy'?!? God Is Real...WAHOO!!! Oh, sorry, I am still stuck in VBS mode. I will post some pics as the days progress.

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Tonight we finish our study of the Revelation of John in Meat Eaters at the Mitchell Mansion. I look forward to learning more!

4 Years Together

Yesterday was a special time for my wife and me! We hit the 4 year mark of marital bliss. May 31st was a great day for us. We lay there in bed recounting some of the highlights that have brightened our time together over the years. Here are some of them:

• We have lived in 5 homes! The 1st was a townhouse on 14 Orantes in Hot Springs Village. The 2nd was a townhouse on 4 Perralena in HSV (only a minute away from the church building). The 3rd was a real house on 121 Arias near the middle of HSV (had a 2 car carport and everything!) The 4th was a small house owned by the church here in Marble Falls that seemed like it had been built in the 40's - we lived there for 8 months and at about the time that a pregnant Elizabeth was about to kick me out the double bed because her belly was hanging over the edge we moved into the 5th and final house - a nice, brand spanking house on Northwood right across from the Middle School. A place that will fit our California King and the only home that little Jenniva has ever known.

• I have had 2 jobs. Youth Minister for the Village Church (a little over 3 years) and now for the Marble Falls Church (1 year, 4 months).

• She has filled many roles. Waitress at the Pantry in HSV - Banker at USBank in HSV - Band Director at Oaklawn Elementary Arts Magnet in Hot Springs - Nursing Student.

• We have gone from just the 2 of us to just the 5 of us. 1 cat (Gabbi), 1 dog (Peanut) and the newest and sweetest addition - 1 baby girl that likes to eat and show her dimples when she smiles (Jenniva)!

We have had our ups and downs and have loved every minute of it! I wouldn't change one thing for the world. I love my family dearly and pray all the time that God continues to bless us as we make the journey together.

I would like to end this blog with the words of a song that greatly expresses my sentiments to my lovely wife and baby.

"Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there’ve been stars up in the heavens
I’ve been in love with you.

Stronger than any mountain cathedral
Truer than any tree ever grew
Deeper than any forest primeval
I am in love with you.

I’ll bring fires in the winters
You’ll send showers in the springs
We’ll fly through the falls and summers
With love on our wings.

Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
Burning lines in the book of our lives
Though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow
I’ll be in love with you.

Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there’ve been stars up in the heavens
I’ve been in love with you
I am in love with you."

Dan Fogelberg

5 Best Pop/Rock Songs Out There Right Now

5. "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" by Fallout Boy
4. "Apologize" by OneRepublic
3. "New Shoes" by Paolo Nutini
2. "Boston" by Augustana
1. "Stolen" by Dashboard Confessional

I listen to these each morning as I, or try to, run 4 miles before heading to the office.

Pics

Big Day

Yesterday was a big day!
1 - Court
2 - Housing and Laundry Transfer (Inside Story)
3 - 'Packing Up The Dreams God's Planted' with Allan and seeing him off
4 - Trying to get a hold of Bryce to no avail!
5 - Talking with my buddy, Jim Gardner

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I am back and I will now post some more pics of little Jenniva. I kept promising you a treat, but I can't figure out how to post a video from my video files onto the blogsite. If any of you friends and readers out there know how to do this please comment or shoot me a quick email. I need help!

Be Back Later

I'm going to spend some of the day in court with one of my students and solicit your prayers as we go through this as a family. The situation looks promising. I'll blog again later today.

Sweet Moments In My Recent History

Spending a day in North Richland Hills with my good friend Allan and 'praying it up' one last time with him on the Lord's Day.

Getting to know Greg and realizing that he has a great, sincere heart.

Living in a new house! The new, improved Mitchell Mansion!

Singing with Bryce and Dan! Learning new songs and hearing our group get better and better.

Working closely with the HS Choir Program and watching it grow like gangbusters.

Sneaking around the office and scaring Ann, Greg, Allan and anyone else that happens to be around.

Listening to the profound wisdom of this church family's own personal Yoda - Jim Dobbs!!

Looking at the seniors this year and thinking about how close we have gotten and how much I am going to cry like a baby when they are gone.

Loving my wife and the ever deepening relationship we have.

And certainly not least - watching with tear filled eyes as my baby Jenniva grows and makes her daddy and mommy so happy!!!

Back In Pocket

If 'out of pocket' means being unavailable then wouldn't it stand to reason that 'in pocket' would mean being available? Just don't know! Anyway, I am back once again and ready to attack the world of blogdom. I have so much to say that I don't really know where to start. Here's how the last few days played out:

Thursday-I spent most of the day helping my good friend, Allan, move his office from here in Marble Falls to Legacy church in North Richland Hills. While there, I was able to meet one of his secretaries, both youth ministers, and some of the families that are involved with the youth program. I also got to see his beautiful house on Ember Oaks. It just sounds fancy, doesn't it? I am really happy for him. I'm gonna miss him a lot.

Later that afternoon-My two precious girls met me at Allan's house and we said our goodbyes to him. We headed over to Lindale where we sneaked up on my sister and brother-in-law. We were all so excited that we stayed the night to spend more time together. We went over to meet the youth minister in Van-Marty Baker. Got to know him and hear stories about a younger Greg Neill back in his YM days. We ate some Milano's Pizza and went to bed. The next day we (Misti, Kameron and Brenden) went over to Tyler, ate Bodacious BBQ and met with Big Ole Bear(my Dad). That was some great quality time!

Friday Evening-We came back and collapsed in the bed.

Saturday-We got up late, came to the church building and EL helped with VBS work day for a little bit while I set up Sunday morning's PowerPoint for worship and worked on my a.m. class and p.m. sermon. I know that some people hate my guts because I was not able to help at all with the VBS Work Day and I am truly sorry!! My girls left me at the building. When I was done with my stuff, I borrowed the church van and went to the Nelson house to celebrate the impending graduation of David Griffin, Brian Jamar and Jasmine Nelson. Boy was that BBQ good. After 2 consecutive days of it I was feeling like a walking, talking Brisket and Sausage Plate!

Sunday-I lead worship in the morning (Allan preached) and brought the Word in the evening. We then walked over to the Large Fellowship Hall where all 8 of our graduating seniors had their pictures, awards and tables set up for viewing. I gave them Bibles with Elders and Minsters autographs and Jan Graves gave them quilts that the ladies had made. A lot of gifts and money were given that night. Must be nice!

Yesterday-Allan's last official staff meeting with us. Bittersweet Day.

Today-Later I will have a treat for you readers.

Back For A Short Time

I am only here for a little while. I have been and will be out of pocket for a really long time now and it is getting old.

Monday-We had our staff meeting-then took Allan to Opie's U.S. renowned BBQ for one last time. He sure is gonna miss that. Then the rest of the day was prepping for the Senior Banquet. Congrats to David G, Shana G, Brian J, Kurt M, Jasmine N, Laura P, Ryan S and Kellie U! You guys are awesome and will be sorely missed!

Tuesday-I got into the office at about 11:00 because I had not been able to go to sleep 'til 2:30 in the morning-too wired!! I let Allan borrow my lawn mower to 'nub the yard.' Then I went to the Senior Band Concert!

Today-I mowed my lawn then went to give moral support for one my teens and his family who are going through a rough patch right now. I spent the better part of the afternoon in the Burnet County Courthouse. I got to the office in time to look over my plans for tonight and get the Youth House set up.

Tomorrow-I am getting up early to travel over to Richland Hills with my buddy, Allan, to move boxes into his new Fancy Preacher-Man office at the Legacy Church building. Then we are off to his new 10,000 square foot house to get some rooms furnished and something about a messed up shower that needs fixing.

Well, I best be off!! The morning is going to come earlier than I want tomorrow! (Blair, I will call you whilst on the road!)

I'll have a neat little surprise for you all when I return to the blogging!

Plane Ride Home

Back from my travels! The past few days have been wild, to say the least.

Though I hated to do it, I left my sweetheart and little girl on Mother's Day of all days to come back here for the special Going Away Party for my friend and colleague, Allan Stanglin who will be leaving us this month to start a new work as preacher man in Richland Hills, TX at the Legacy Church of Christ. I really don't want him to go. I'm gonna miss him a lot!

Anyway, I got to the airport in LR ready, or so I thought, for the plane ride to Dallas then to Austin. I got to the checkpoint with my toothpaste, floss, hair stuff and aftershave in baggies for inspection. Well, I had not read that it had to be 3 oz or less and had to surrender the items to the airport inspectors because my sweetie had already left me. What fun, huh? Wait-it gets better! I got to the gate and was told that my carry-on would have to be checked because the plane was too full of carry-ons. Great!! So I could have kept all of the aforementioned items and left them in the carry-on that was to be checked as luggage anyway. Wish I had known! So I got on and sat next to a pregnant lady on the 3rd leg of her flight. She looked a little nauseous and told me that she did not feel right. Right before we landed in the Big D we hit some turbulence and she proceeded to fill not only her bag but mine also! I patted her on the shoulder and offered what little help I could during the process. On top of all of that I had to wait forever for my luggage to slide out onto the conveyor belt. Long Day!

I will be back tomorrow to tell you the rest of the story...

From Arp To Conway

Well, here I am in Conway, AR (home of my In-Laws) by way of Arp, Lindale and Van, TX (home of my family-El's In-Laws). It sure is nice to be able to stay with and visit my whole family only 5 hours away and then travel a few days later to see El's whole family only 4 hours away. It makes for shorter travels each way! That's good for all involved!!

I will be here for a few days and then head over to see some of the core students from my former youth group graduate from Jessieville High School over by Hot Springs Village. It will be cool to see them again.

I hope to see as many of my old friends while I am back in AR-the first time in almost a year and a half!!

I will blog as much as I can. There are so many stories to tell.

Bueno Buddy!

This weekend was a blur as several things happened in the church family here.

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First off, Joshua Gorenflo, a former intern with the youth group here, spent the weekend at our house. He came primarily to catch up with us and the teens that he worked with while here. It was a fun time- a little too fast-but fun nonetheless. Joshua is the titular role of Bueno Buddy for me (we spent a lot of time at Taco Bueno together while being camp counselors at Abilene Christian University Kadesh Life Camp 4 this past Summer).

While here, Bueno Buddy and the Mitchell family ate dinner with Jammer on Friday night, opened up the house for about 20 people (youth and family that came to catch up with Josh) on Saturday night and held a combined MS and HS class on Sunday morning. He even stayed for lunch (the ever exquisite China Kitchen) and dinner (Lakeside Pavilion fellowship with Smithwick).

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Secondly, Greg Neill and I were put in charge of opening up the Pavilion and setting up chairs, tables and songbooks. Fortunately, the Wenmohs family, the Stanglin clan and some others were able to help us get it together for the night of prayer and praise. It was a smashing success with a little over 200 people there to worship God and encourage one another.

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Thirdly, the 3CT (the Tenor trio that I blogged about the other day) performed for the whole group last night. We sang 3 songs and were quite flawless, if I do say so myself! lol Anyway, it was a nice performance that was well received by our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Tonight, we cover chapters 8-11 of Revelation in Meat Eaters at the Mitchell Mansion. If it's anything like last Monday night, everyone will be on the edge of their seats.

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I will be back in the future with more pics of sweet little girl.

Word Of The Day

Mulligatawny

Very Interesting! What do you think it is?!?

Update

If You look at the right hand side of the page, you will see that I have added a few lists just to let you in on what I am learning as I try to grow up. It's kinda hard to do, if you ask me. The first list is books I am reading now, the next list is books I have read this year and the last list is a compilation of songs that I have learned in the exciting new tenor trio composed of Dan Burdett (a major home builder here in town who sings Tenor II), Bryce Gage (the successful Marble Falls High School Choir Director who sings Tenor I) and me (youth guy who sings Alto).

Quote Of The Day

"Paul writes, "The Lord said, 'My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.' So I shall be very happy to make my weakness my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Whatever our failings may be, we need not lower our eyes in the presence of Jesus. Unlike Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame, we need not hide all that is ugly and repulsive in us. Jesus comes not for the super-spiritual but for the wobbly and the weak-kneed who know they don't have it all together, and who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace. As we glance up, we are astonished to find the eyes of Jesus open with wonder, deep with understanding, and gentle with compassion." - Brennan Manning

Arson in Fresno

I solicit your prayers. I just received an alarming Instant Message from one of my closest friends, Jim Gardner, Preaching Minister at the Woodward Park Church of Christ in Fresno, CA. Apparently someone set fire to their building and they are currently suffering from smoke inhalation. Luckily it was caught in time. The arsonist had set fire to the College Church of Christ building in Fresno last night causing $50,000 worth of damage. Jim told me that the damage to the Woodward Park building was minimal but that CSI are investigating the crime scene as I type this blog. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Miscellany

The Word of the Day is:

Scalawag

I have to ask...How many of you out there have been called by this name?

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Well, my mom and dad finally made it to the burgeoning community of Arp, TX. They have moved half of their stuff into the new house and mom has already started to work at the hospital there. I can't wait to see them! I really like the idea of them being only 4 hours away. That way Jenniva will know her Nanagram and Bobba!

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This weekend I will be accompanying the Marble Falls High School Choir on their trip to San Antonio for competition and fun! We depart from the High School parking lot at 5:30 in the morning. El and little Jenniva are going to meet us there at the hotel tomorrow evening. We will be yucking it up at Sea World and Fiesta Texas.

Quote Of The Day

"The institutional church has become a wounder of the healers rather than a healer of the wounded.
Put bluntly, the American church today accepts grace in theory but denies it in practice. We say we believe that the fundamental structure of reality is grace, not works-but our lives refute our faith. By and large, the gospel of grace is neither proclaimed, understood, nor lived. Too many Christians are living in the house of fear and not in the house of love." - Brennan Manning

I Concur

I found this on the Net this afternoon and I have to say that I agree wholeheartedly!

"Firefighters, the clergy and others with professional jobs that involve helping or serving people are more satisfied with their work and overall are happier than those in other professions, according to results from a national survey.

The most satisfying jobs are mostly professions, especially those involving caring for, teaching and protecting others and creative pursuits,” said Tom Smith, director of the General Social Survey (GSS) at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago."
- Jeanna Bryner
LiveScience Staff Writer
SPACE.com

Rip Roaring Ready

Well, I am now back and rip roaring ready to go. The past 2 weeks have been a doozy as we had Spring Break and LTC to do. I have been busy as a little bee.

Being a newbie to LTC, I was not quite prepared for the sense of being overwhelmed by not only the size of the Hilton Anatole in Dallas (1606 rooms in all) but also the number of student and adult participants that filled the hotel with hustle and bustle. Now, normally this is my kind of scene, being a people person, but I had stuff to do. Stuff I had never done before. And I was extremely nervous. Thanks to the chaperoning parents that had been there, done that I was taken care of and after about 2-3 hours my anxiety dissipated. The following day was a day of fun and I got to sing with our song leaders and judge in the small drama event. Our students did well and no one took home anything under a Silver Award! I am very proud of my teens and tweens here in Marble Falls.

Last night, the evening service was lead by our young men that participated in LTC and our small drama group performed followed by the awards presentation for all involved. The congregation is very pleased with our students! They were a smashing success!!

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For a few days this past week, I subbed for the Choir, Music History and Music Theory classes at the Marble Falls High School. That is always a great time for me.

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Tonight, the Meat Eaters group begins our study of the Revelation of John with Greg Neill at the Mitchell Mansion. We'll be grilling out burgers and dogs in the newly fenced (6 foot cedar privacy) back yard of our home. I can't wait!

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I will post some pics of our little girl soon. She has been pretty fussy lately because she just won't stay asleep and she is tired all the time. The only 2 reasons she ever cries is from hunger or being tired. I know, it is wild that dirty diapers don't bother her. I don't know what to do about this sleep deprivation, though.

I Just Can't Help It

I am so happy as I watch my little girl grow that I just can't help showing these pics of her to you! Some of you may get tired of it but I am unstoppable!! Here are some of her crawling, smiling and sitting, rather wild-eyed I might add, in her new Bumbo! I love the Bumbo. She only stays in it for a little while before her neck gets tired, but I think she's doing pretty well for only 3 months old. She can also stand up a little. What a strong little girl, huh?

By the way, I am sorry for not blogging in a while. It has been getting busier every day here with LTC and Graduation approaching plus the 24 hours of Prayer (what a great time of bonding with the other men in this family!), the men's breakfast and the huge kickoff of the Capital Campaign for our new building project. All of which I haven taken part. A whole bunch of great stuff going on!!!

Great, New Quote

"Prayer is not a fitful, shortlived thing. It is no voice crying unheard and unheeded in the silence. It is a voice which goes into God’s ear, and it lives as long as God’s ear is open to holy pleas, as long as God’s heart is alive to holy things.” - E.M Bounds

Quote Of The Day

"God is waiting to be put to the test by His people in prayer. He delights in being put to the test on His promises. It is His highest pleasure to answer prayer, to prove the reliability of His promises." - E.M Bounds

The Pics I Promised

What A Day

This is the normal day that the Elders and Ministers meet for prayer and church business and I am pooped. We started at 9 and got out around noon. I have also chosen to mow and weedeat my yard this afternoon before singing with my good buds, Bryce and Dan, in our newly formed trio. What A Full Day!!

Be back later with some new pics of my daughter.

Bryce Gage

One of my close friends, Bryce Gage, has begun a blog! He is a worship leader here in our church family and he is one of the best Choir Directors that I have come in contact with. He has turned the Music Department upside down!! Here is the link to his site.

Who Is That?

Little baby girl loves to look at and talk to the sweet girl in the mirror. We don't think that she knows quite who that is yet. She just loves to be visited by the little cutie. I get misty eyed just thinking about my sweet girl. Isn't she adorable? (BTW Elizabeth took this picture-great shot.)

Off To Tyler!

Elizabeth, Jenniva and I are headed to Tyler this afternoon to spend some quality time with my bro-in-law, Jeff. He has recently moved there to work at a thriving nursery (for plants-not babies). He is without children and wife until the house is sold in Tallahassee so we are going to give him a warm Texas welcome!

My blogging will resume when I return. Til then, have a great time living to the fullest!

Bottom 3-Top 3

I really believe that the bottom 3 from American Idol last night was Stephanie, Phil and Sanjaya. I know that Sanjaya should go home. But will he?!?! He should have gone home ages ago, but somehow (possibly with the help of the Vote For The Worst website) he hangs in there. And the crying girl and the hug was all a bit staged for my taste.

The top 3 honors have got to go to Blake, Jordin and Chris R! They rocked the house!!!

What do you think?

Thoughts

Well, I am so excited for my mom!!! She has sold her house in Tallahassee and has found-put a contract on-and bought a house in the burgeoning town of Arp, Texas. That's right folks!! My mom and dad will be moving to Arp in April!! What a name for a town, huh?

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The time spent with our good friends, Jeremy and Aubri, was a little too fleeting if you ask me. We were able to catch up a little bit at the end of each day, but I look forward to another date when we can spend quality time together. Ahh... such is the stuff of youth ministry, though.

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Last night in Meat Eaters, we discussed the heavy import of Christian teaching, taming the tongue and discerning Godly Wisdom from that of the World.

The group is growing and getting quite mature in the Word.

I am proud of this intimate group that gathers every Monday night to dig into God's Message. They certainly know what is important in this world.

I hope and pray that soon others will grow up to this kind of passion and maturity.

Champions

My old friends, Jeremy and Aubri Geurin, are arriving this evening with 21 in tow from the Champions Church of Christ in Houston. They are here to trek and see the Longhorn Caverns. We are providing housing for them and the teens here in Marble Falls. I am so excited to see them and play some catch up. We will be spending some time with their group tomorrow night at the Bridges house with a bonfire, hot dogs, chili and S'mores! I can't wait!!!

Just want you all to know that I have a new account on Facebook. It is under Jimmy Mitchell-Austin, TX Area. Come see me over on that account if you like.

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Last Friday I wrote of places I have seen around the world. Today I would like to share with you the places that I would like to visit in the future:

1. Germany
2. Israel
3. Switzerland
4. Austria
5. Italy
6. Greece
7. Norway
8. Sweden
9. Denmark
10. Finland

I have been given the chance to live in some of these places in the past (namely 6-10), but due to my spiritual walk with God at the time (faltering), I respectfully declined. Now, I would like to take my sweet wife. If any of you readers out there have cool stories about any of these places, please send me some juicy stories.

Quote Of The Day

"Do you think Jesus ever got bored? If he did, it's not mentioned in Scripture. I tend to think that he was so engaged in life that he never had a chance to taste boredom. In fact, a case could be made that the ultimate spiritual taboo for a disciple of Jesus is boredom, especially boredom brought on by a didactic approach to faith. Jesus practiced a way of living that was visceral, vibrant and vigilant with meaning. His way of truth was a way of living. And his way of living is one that you or I would stand in line for, and ultimately give our lives for." - Leonard Sweet

Been There

I don't remember if I have done this or not, so here goes. This afternoon I want to list all the great places that I have visited and at which I have been privileged to stay awhile. Tomorrow, I will list some places that I long to see in the not-too-distant future.

1. Tahiti (7 months)
2. Brazil
3. Cancun
4. France
5. Canada
6. Hawaii

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Tomorrow afternoon, 12+ teens (from a group called Second Saturday Servants) and I will be going over to some low income housing and apartments here in Marble Falls. We will be giving out light bulbs that have been donated by many families in the congregation to any that need them. On each box of bulbs is a sticker that says:

From the Youth at Marble Falls Church of Christ

"In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:16

What's The Deal?

So, tell me what happened on American Idol! How on earth are Sanjaya Malakar and Haley Scarnato in the top 12?!?! I will admit that I have not been the biggest fan of Sundance but I am shocked and astounded that Sabrina went home and I think that Sanjaya should have packed his bags tonight. I am interested to see if those two leave in the next two weeks.

Subbing

Just a short note to tell you that I will be substituting for the Marble Falls High School Choir, Music History and Music Theory classes over the next few days and my blogging may be minimal through Thursday. I will be back on Friday. Til then here's a wild eyed baby shot:

The Temptation Equation

While I was talking to my new colleague, Greg Neill, about prepping for my devotional this evening on the first chapter of James, he shared with me an easy way to remember 1:15. Before I share it with the teens tonight, I thought I would pass it by my blog readers out there.

The Temptation Equation

Desire + Opportunity = Temptation

Desire + Opportunity + Action = Sin

Desire + Opportunity + Action - Jesus = Death

Thoughts

Happy March, everybody! Quick trivia question: This month was named after what mythological god?

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I now have a Facebook account. It is under Jimmy M-Austin, TX network. So go over and add me to your friends if you have an account.

Now it's time to look into MySpace.

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I spent the better part of today with one of my teens. Sean Luke and I had a great time of fellowship and freedom. Motto for today-You don't know what you got 'til it's gone.

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My sweetheart, little pea and I are heading to the Frank Erwin Center in Austin tonight to catch the Lady Mustangs duke it out with the Fort Worth Dunbar Lady Wildcats in the basketball State Tournament. Wow! What excitement!! Go Karla and Natalie! We're going all the way, baby!

Youth Ministry

"Youth ministry takes people who dare to be available for God and
allows them to rise to greatness for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Youth Ministry is grueling hours, continual heartbreak, a wretched
stomach, verbal abuse, money, time-time-time, loving the seemingly
unlovable, listening, caring, reaching out and praising God for
kids.

People in youth ministry as well as any other aspect of Christian
service must be searching for ways to be used by God to effect the
present and future. They are people who are dreaming dreams as they
reach for the stars and grasp the hand of there Creator while
walking with the Son.

Youth ministry is scrubbing floors, setting up tables, staying up
half the night struggling with a Biblical principle and coming to
grips with how to communicate this principle to the kids.

Youth ministry is whatever we allow God to do through us, the kids,
and those around us. It's helping a family through the tragic death
of a teenage son, the rape of a daughter, or the death of a mother.
It's struggling with someone as they wrestle with whether life is
worth living.

Youth ministry can feel like Heaven or Hell on earth. It is
watching kids grow in the Lord and giving in to temptation--it's
laughing with them and crying with them. Youth ministry is living
in the midst of their heartaches, failures, victories and struggles
during which you're praying God will give them the strength and
stamina to stand before the world and claim Jesus Christ as their
Lord.

Youth ministry is a way of living not a job, party, program or
Sunday School class. It's allowing God to have and use our total
being to touch the lives of hurting, crying, love- starved teens as
they grow into adulthood."

- Mike Lewis

Jenniva's Smile

I told you a few blogs ago that I would post a picture of little sweet girl's new smile. I am so excited to see her grow and learn from day to day. How did you feel when you saw the 1sts in the lives of your babies?

The Enemy?

I was reading the blog of an old friend from Harding School of Biblical Studies and was happy to see something written that has been on my mind quite a bit lately. Non-Christians. How to deal with them once we realize that they are not the enemy. They, like us, are in desperate need of God's love and grace. So, if we know that, why do we bash them? Because we've got it all wrong. Look at the words of my friend, Brian Tipton:

Entanglement

I hate Christian radio. At least I did yesterday. I was listening to the radio yesterday while driving home, scanning for something interesting, and found something I did not expect. Each station, that wasn’t playing music, had someone on their giving the world around us a tongue lashing. One person said,

“These people are evil.”

Another sound byte was,

“They are the problem with America.”

And I could multiply the quotes on and on and on. I don’t think this is how Paul engaged the world. I know it is now how Jesus engaged the world. It is true that Jesus and Paul and Peter and every other prophet in the Bible did engage the world and call them back to God. It is interesting to note, however, that the only vitriolic attacks in the Bible initiated by a prophet of God, to my knowledge, were directed at the religious leadership of God’s community and not the people in the world.

There is a mistaken notion in some Christian circles that our mission is to evangelize the world’s systems, i.e., political, social, etc., so that those systems become subservient to the sovereign reign of God. People, in the name of Christ, support other countries political activities or fight against them, endorse political candidates, invade school boards so that Christian ideals can be taught, and work feverishly to change the world in which they live through the systems in place in the world. But that is not our mission.

Our mission is not to change the world. Our mission is to change the people in the world. We are to lead people in the world to know Jesus. As people change, the world changes, but only when people in the world come to know God and live their lives accordingly.

John wrote,

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever. (1 John 2:15-17 - emphasis mine)

The way the world will be conquered is by God and only by God (try reading Revelation some time). The only thing that will transcend this world is “…the person who does the will of God…” (1 John 2:17) Perhaps the church would be better served by people who are concentrating their efforts on transforming their lives and leading others to Christ than those who have focussed their efforts on single handedly saving the world. The allure of political power is deceptive and leads to entanglement. The wise will resist the urge and follow our exemplar, Jesus.

What do you think?

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

New Link

One of my favorite people, Mike Knappier-he married Elizabeth and me-he is also a mentor of mine-has begun a blog! Take a look at it here or on my links list.

Where In The World Is Jimmy Mitchell?

Some readers of my blog have probably given up on me.

And with very good reason-I just have not been around much lately.

Many of you out there can attest to the fact that parenthood is taxing and time consuming. Still others of you can agree that parenting coupled with ministry is more than a 24-7 gig. Even fewer of you can concur that throwing ministering to youth into the mix is an ever formidable task! That is where I am, my friends. And these times, they are a-busy!!

Well, now that that's off my chest, I would like you to pray for a few things:

Kellie U, one of our teens, is recovering in the hospital from surgery. Monday afternoon, doctors went in to remove a cyst from one of her ovaries. While in there, they found 2 more. She is in good spirits but we are all anxiously anticipating the test results. Please keep her in your prayers.

My Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother-In-Law and 2 Nephews are moving to Tyler, TX in the next few months!! They will be only about 4 and a half hours away. A lot better than 14 hours! Both houses have been sold and now we're just waiting for the buyers to move in. Please pray for safe moving and that my mom can get a nice nursing job in the Tyler area.

That is about it for now. I'll be back with more pics of our sweet girl.

Idol

I have 2 names for those of you out there that are watching American Idol this year: Chris Richardson and Blake Lewis. I like both of them and I believe that they have what it takes to go on. In a group of bland male singers (what a bad group this year, huh?) I have a feeling that they are the standouts for this season. Chris Sligh is funny and thinks a little out of the box. Sanjaya Malakar has a nice voice and good stage appeal, but I think he needs to overcome those nerves to really win us over. What think you?

Firsts!

Our little Jenniva has had several firsts recently and I thought that I would share them with you, dear blogreader! She has given us her first smile! It melted our hearts when she looked up at her Mommy and Daddy and gave us that toothless grin. She has also found her thumb. When you see the pic, you might think it strange but it is how she sucks her thumb. While I am typing my wife is getting a pic of the NEW way she sucks her thumb. I will include that pic as well.

More of Jenniva Elizabeth

Here are some more pictures of our little baby girl! She is so sweet and peaceful. Here is the big question, though: Who do you think she looks like? Email me or post a comment with your answer. I would be interested to know what you think.

Still Alive!

Just thought that I would let you know that I am still alive and kickin'! Elizabeth and I have had our world rocked by the new addition. Up is down and down is up; day is night and night is day-and so on...

Don't get me wrong. Jenniva is the light of our lives and we couldn't be more excited about everything right now. But any of you that are parents know what it's like to not sleep throught the night and try to soothe a crying baby when you don't know the reason that they are crying. It's wild and tends to make one weary. We love every minute of it, though!

Now that there is more of a daily schedule in effect I will be blogging every week day. You can't get rid of me that easy!

Quote Of The Day

"The biggest difference between you and God is that God doesn't think he's you." - Anne Lamott

A blog for Aunt Ruth Ann

This is for you, Aunt Ruth Ann! Here are some more pictures of our sweet girl. I do not have your email address and I want to send you more. Please send me your email address. There are plenty more where these came from. We miss you and wish we could just hop in the car and drive over. I hope that we can get together soon and show off our little bundle to her great-aunt Ruth Ann! In the meantime, enjoy these pics.

She Has Arrived!

Our little baby bundle of joy has arrived!
Elizabeth, her mom, and I were traveling to our regularly scheduled Dr. appointment this past Friday morning when Elizabeth started feeling some pretty sharp contractions. We all decided it would be good to pack some hospital overnight stuff just in case and boy did we make the right decision because Friday was the day!!!

Our Dr. called the hospital and told them we were headed over with a baby on the way. We got there and about 5 hours later a little Mitchell was in the world! We are so excited, exhausted, overjoyed and overwhelmed! The mixture of emotions make for a giddy daddy and mommy!! Here are some pictures of the sweet little girl.

Jenniva Elizabeth Mitchell
Born: January 5, 2007
Weight: 8 lb 5.5 ounces
Length: 20.5 inches
Hair: Full and Dark

Perpetual Resolution

"Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time.

Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Share a funny story with someone whose sprits are dragging. A good laugh can be very good medicine.

Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Pay a debt. Give a soft answer. Free yourself of envy and malice. Encourage some youth to do his or her best. Share your experience, and offer support. Young people need role models.

Make a genuine effort to stay in closer touch with family and good friends. Resolve to stop magnifying small problems and shooting from the hip. Words that you have to eat can be hard to digest.

Find the time to be kind and thoughtful. All of us have the same allotment:24 hours a day. Give a compliment. It might give someone a badly needed lift.

Think things though. Forgive an injustice. Listen more. Be kind.

Apologize when you realize you are wrong. An apology never diminishes a person. It elevates him. Don't blow your own horn. If you've done something praiseworthy, someone will notice eventually.

Try to understand a point of view that is different from your own. Few things are 100 percent one way or another. Examine the demands you make on others.

Lighten up. When you feel like blowing your top, ask yourself, "Will it matter in a week from today?". Laugh the loudest when the joke is on you.

The sure way to have a friend is to be one. We are all connected by our humanity, and we need each other. Avoid malcontents and pessimists. They drag you down and contribute nothing.

Don't discourage a beginner from trying something risky. Nothing ventured means nothing gained. Be optimistic. The can-do spirit is the fuel that makes things go.

Read something uplifting. Deep-six the trash. You won't eat garbage – why put it in your head? Don't abandon your old-fashioned principles. They never go out of style. When courage is needed, ask yourself, "If not me, who? If not now, when?"

Look at the person you have blamed for your unhappiness, and ask yourself was the criticism legitimate? Did I do anything to help them or did I just decide I am better than he or she and walk away?

Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look 10 years younger. Don't be afraid to say, "I love you". Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world."
Ann Landers

Quote For The Coming Year

“I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."
Anonymous

Getting Ready

This morning, my sweetheart woke at 6:45 to babysit a real baby. She is taking care of Lela, a 7 and a half month old today with her mom. They are both getting ready for the real thing that is due on January 9th (or if El had her way...today). It was sweet to see the little girl look at me and smile that cute and innocent smile. It melted my heart. I am so excited to be a Daddy!

In related news-Well, I guess I have to share this with you and maybe get a little feedback from parents out there. I have been waking up in the middle of the night for the past few nights with knots of worry in my stomach, questions racing through my mind-"Will I be a good Christian father?" "Will I be there for her and her needs?" Will I teach my little girl that God is love and that her life is His?" "Will I help her to truly know Jesus?" All of this has been coming to me at around 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning. I am nervous and a bit scared. If you have any thoughts on this as mothers and fathers out there, please help me out by comment or email.

Happiness

I'm happy because...

Our new preacher-man has moved in and begun his ministry with us here in Marble Falls. I am ready to go to work with him.

Last Sunday evening 22 of us traveled to Gateway Villa to carol, hand out homemade Christmas cards and spread cheer with the elderly folk there. It brings tears to my eyes to see their joy from song and visitation from our teens and tweens.

Last night new people came to study from God's Word at our house. Greg Neill was also there to impart his wisdom on John 17: "The Real Lord's Prayer!"

My baby is going to come quickly!

My Mother-In-Law is flying in tomorrow. My wife is jumping up and down about seeing her mom again. It makes me feel good when El feels good.

Christmas is around the corner. I love this time of year!!

Truth Is Truth

"Whatever you do, don't limit your reading to religious books. Read recent novels, old classics, biographies, short stories, essays, articles. Christians aren't the only ones speaking truth. Truth is truth, regardless of who says it." - Mike Yaconelli

For Future Youth Leaders

"If I can get the kids to see me as their buddy, then they'll open up their lives to me, I thought. Well, it worked-unfortunately. That summer, as an intern I had a bunch of spiritually marginal kids treat me like a buddy. But there was a wee problem: It put me in a position of impotence. I had earned their confidence, but I hadn't earned a place of authority in their lives, the right to speak to issues from a godly perspective. I was just one of them-no more. Ministry-wise it was a total dead-end.

I remember John; he was just a sophomore, but he acted much older. He had a quiet confidence that made him way cool. I admired his self-assurance and hung out with him, hoping to gain his favor, to get an in with him. It wasn't all about my wanting to be accepted-I wanted to have a spiritual impact on him, though I had absolutely no idea how I would do this or what it would look like. I listened to-and laughed at-John's off-color jokes, maybe making an "oh, behave" face occasionally. I compromised to win his trust, and I got it. He trusted me enough to let me into his life. But I had absolutely no spiritual impact on his life. None. Zip. Maybe even a negative impact.

The role of youth worker is not to be a buddy or pal. If you hang out with teenagers all the time and see them as peers and best friends, something is wrong with you and you shouldn't be in youth ministry. Sure, you'll befriend kids. But you're their leader, and that defines you as a different kind of friend. Yes, you'll hang out and talk about things other than Jesus. But your relationship with students, as chummy as it may seem at times, needs to maintain the foundational understanding that your reason for hanging is not to be a pal-it's to have a spiritual impact on their lives." - Mark Oestreicher

The Most Wonderful TIme Of The Year

The last few days have been a blur! If you will indulge me; I would like to recount them here for you, dear reader:

Saturday - The teens got together for the Progressive Dinner/Christmas Party.
First, we traveled to the home of Chris and Julie Bridges for appetizers (spiral sandwiches, chipotle cream cheese, chips and salsa). There we played Christmas Song trivia and tried to guess how many M&Ms were in the Christmas jar (1924, to be precise).

Then we headed over to Bryce Gage's house for caesar salad and cheese soup. The teens made christmas cards for the elderly at Gateway Villa (we will be caroling for them this coming Sunday evening).

The 3rd stop brought us to the Futrell's Christmas Extravaganza Abode (I have never seen a house so chock full of Christmas ornaments and decorations. It is quite a sight to see!) where we stuffed ourselves silly with brisket, corn pudding, coleslaw, beans and rolls, but not before we sang carols for our supper.

We finally wound down to the Jamar's residence where we drank hot cocoa, wassail and munched on roasted marshmallows and all sorts of cookies. There we gave away prizes to the winners of the trivia and M&M guessing game. We also held the Dirty Santa gift exchange. What a great night we had!

Sunday - The teens got together in the evening and went to see the Nativity Story at the Driftwood 8. Great movie!

Monday - Marble Falls Middle School/High School held their Christmas Choir Concert. The house was packed and there were 2 standing ovations. Several of our teens and tweens participated and many from the church family were there in the audience. Our own Bryce Gage has turned the music department around so quickly and so well that parents and teens are flocking in droves to support and join what they are doing. I am so happy to see a growing arts department! It takes me back to the good old days at BAHS where the Choir and Drama Departments held full sway over the community.

Tuesday - I caroled the Marble Falls High School hallways with the combined choirs in the morning and subbed for the rest of the day.

Today - Getting ready for the arrival of a new colleague this week. Greg Neill will be coming into town on Friday and officially begin his ministry here with us. I am looking forward to it! A little nervous+a lot eager=very excited!!

Jessieville Lions Beat Junction City Dragons 20-19!

And it's official! Jessieville (my old stomping grounds near the Village) took home their first ever state championship in football. The Jessieville Lions roared into War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock and ripped into the Junction City Dragons, beating them 20-19 in the chilly 20 degree weather. I am very proud of the team-including some of my former youth group, and coaches Don Phillips and Jamie Saveall. I know they are relishing the sweet taste of victory tonight! My buddy, Jim Gardner, called me to leave me some exciting news of the win. We are proud of their awesome achievement! If only we could have been there to share in the excitement!

Baby Update

Here is a quick baby update on little "Pepo" as El and I have taken to calling her. Yesterday, El and I traveled to Georgetown to meet the delivering doctor for the 1st time. He is a great guy and put El's fears of possible preeclampsia to rest with a thorough battery of tests and a great bedside manner. He did a songogram on El and made a dvd of pictures and several 3 second videos of the little one. She has El's nose and lips! She is already a cutie! We are both very impressed with Dr. Matt Romberg. We will be seeing him every week until the baby comes. These are exciting times!

Little Bethlehem

This past Sunday evening 35 of us took both vans and traveled to see Little Bethlehem in Burnet. This was my first time to experience this great wonder.

Little Bethlehem, located in the heart of Burnet, is a small representative of what the town must have been like. It is complete with actors and actresses portraying towsnpeople, bakers, jewelers, candle makers, shepherds, criminals and Roman soldiers.

One can travel through the shops-watch as candles are made-peek into the tavern-find there is no room at the inn-pet the sheep, donkeys, and camels-watch the baker in action and taste the fresh Bethlehem Bread-and follow the star to see Mary and Joseph holding baby Jesus in their arms.

The members of the Baptist church in Burnet have truly outdone themselves in recreating Bethelehem. This was a great experience for EL, the Youth and me. I will post pictures of it in my next blog.

Merry December!

Happy first day of December! Elizabeth rolls her eyes at me because I usually get the Christmas spirit a little earlier every year. This year I started listening to a few select Christmas tunes before Halloween and she got on to me. OK, so I admit I am a bit overzealous this year, but I just can't help it. Don't be surprised, dear reader, if the December blogs are filled to the brim with hints of egg nog and figgy pudding!

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"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time" - Laura Ingalls Wilder

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The weather is cold here today. I am surprised that it can get down to the 20's and 30's here in the south central hill country of Texas. I like it! With the weather like this, I like to cook my favorite-Mom's Beef and Vegetable Soup and curl up with some good reading. In addition to my book, I have some extra reading today: "West Nile Vaccine Journal Review" by Elizabeth Mitchell (17 pages), "Abram's Animal Ceremony in Genesis 15: An Exegesis of Genesis 15:7-21" (9 pages) and "Preaching the Lord's Supper" (24 pages) both by my buddy Allan Stanglin. I look forward to soaking up some knowledge.

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Michael Bishop has been a strong and faithful member of our family here in Marble Falls. Recently, he has been afflicted with the West Nile Virus. Rarely does this virus bring great harm, but in Michael's case it has. Michael's immune system was too low and unable to fight the virus and he is struggling with the effects. His family is in need of fervent and faithful prayer. Please take some time out of your day and pray for the Bishop family.