Scattered Thoughts

I am so excited!! One of my 'hip and with it' Elders told me last night about something that I should have known was there a long time ago: iTunes Radio!! I am now a junkie. Have been listening to the all A Capella station all morning. I just can't get enough of it. It is wicked awesome!

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What think ye of yesternight's quote? It really sums up how I have been feeling for a long time now about dealing with life in the Word and Kingdom of God.

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Youth Ministers Everywhere Listen Up!! I want to tell you about a good friend of mine and the ministry in which he is involved in Fresno, California. I have worked with Jim Gardner in 2 states and can tell you that it was an honor and a privilege to sit at his feet and learn the ups and downs of kingdom leadership and hard work.

Any youth minister that is looking for a new, exhilaratingly fresh work in a beautiful environment need look no further. Woodward Park Church of Christ is where it's at. It is the largest congregation on the West Coast, yet it is a mission field in and of itself. WPCOC is a great, diverse congregation consisting of American, Cambodian, Hmong and Spanish Ministries. And think about the location! There are so many souls that need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ in California and it would be a 'roll up the sleeves' ministry.

Take a look at the website for yourself: woodwardparkchurchofchrist.com. If you have any interest in this work, please send Jim Gardner your thoughts, questions and resumes at this email address: jim@wpcoc.com. He has other information posted on his blog at jimgardner.blogspot.com

Quote Of The Day

"Sometimes our penchant to be right and certain in our doctrine has led us to boil down the complex matrix of Scripture to a series of bullet points, propositions for debate, and systems of thought that grind up people. While trying to be correct, we have sometimes been unmerciful. In our sincere efforts to follow the words of God, we may have abandoned the heart of God for his people. God is not a computer, and the Bible is not a collection of formulas by which we will be judged - or by which we are permitted to judge one another. God is the Loving Father of all who come to him through Jesus, and the Bible is an invitation for all of us - including the most broken and ashamed - to know him. It is an offer of undeserved pardon. It is the announcement of a fresh start for our lives. Having died to the past, we have been reborn and can start over in the power of the Holy Spirit." - Rubel Shelly

Tattoo

We had another great night of Eating Meat! This time with the 10-12 graders. And they beat the 7-9 grade number. Last week there were 12 in the study. Tonight there were 16! Getting off to a great start I would say.

I will leave you with this. My friend recently got another tattoo. It is that of a cross inscribed with words that I think are extremely fitting for our theme in 2008 at Northside church (and I can't put it in the full Greek because blogspot doesn't offer this so here is the transliteration): a charis tou Theou - By the Grace of God. How fitting!!

Vision

I am stealing this from a former classmate of mine at Harding School of Biblical Studies. It speaks to me about what our youth need in worship. Like Ely, I want our teens to feel and give and be joyful as we praise our Creator and Father in Heaven. I am saddened when I see young people with boredom or a lack of joy in their countenance. I want energy and awe-filled praise to pour pour forth from every one of them. Let me know through comments on this blog or by email what you think about truly engaging our youth in worship.

"It is ten o’clock on Wednesday night. I should probably be at home, but everyone is asleep. I could be at home playing Halo 2, but instead I am sitting in front of my computer compelled to reflect on the previous Sunday’s Teen Worship Service.

For years, I have dodged the obvious thing most of our teens are pining for on a regular basis. I have looked at the big community church picture of meeting the need of heartfelt worship on a regular basis, and every time I felt as if they were entertaining their churches every Sunday. After attending a conference in Indianapolis, there is no doubt that is not a true statement in general fashion anyway. It was a rote answer embedded into my psyche from school at Harding, elders, and other church experiences. Our teens want to be refreshed and express the adoration of our God. They and I hope for an emotionally engaging time of reflection and praise unto God. Praise truly comes in all forms, and there are many patterns for people to worship God, but our teens in Vision want to sing and praise from the heart with emotion.

So this last Sunday, we made a huge step as a group. We had our first Youth Worship service. We sang songs we loved. We clapped. We celebrated. We truly worshipped God in a meaningful way, that each has talked about since Sunday. It is time to engage our Youth.

My intent in prayer I believe to be pure in motive. I want to experience and I want the teens of Vision to experience a God who is alive, one who wants us to express everything we are. He wants us to cry and weep when necessary. He wants us to celebrate victory and life. He wants our praise and adoration. No Question! Hands down this is our DUTY. In life, in corporate worship, and in ministry God deserves our adoration.

There is no turning back from this point forward. Each week will include relevant Bible Study, consistent heartfelt prayer, and celebratory praise. Let us keep our heads up in the days ahead as we worship God, as we know how, and meet the challenges that are sure to surface. May I be strong and not back down from what is NEEDED! Thank You Lord for the courage to move forward! Let us demonstrate faith by going where he leads even though we do not know the destination.

Let Us Praise Him with all we are!"

Manual Labor

Today was the first day of S3 here in Benton with the Northside youth. We limited it to only the young men of the youth group and we had a show of 10 to do some furniture lifting and wood-splitting/stacking. I am amazed at the willingness of our teens to be servant leaders in the church family and community! We wound up celebrating the day with Weng's Chinese Buffet! I am proud of my youth group and what they mean not only to me but also to the body!!

Great Day

Today has been a wonderful day. A day full of 'kicking it old school' with some dear old preacher friends from back in the day.

First, was a nice time for breakfast and fellowship with a former colleague and partner in crime. What a great time we had discussing ministry and our sweethearts and pretty, little daughters. The time was too short and I can't wait to see him again.

Second, was a good lunch and trip back to my house with former HSBS classmate and quite a mischief maker. We spent time talking about old friends, professors, classmates and our sweet families. Again the time with this friend was sorely short and we promised to do this again soon since he is only in Dover, which is not too far away.

What a great day! A day full of memories and old times.

God's Grace

"For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them." - Saint Augustine of Hippo

And then this (written by my friend, Dusty) that I think deals with what I spoke on earlier this evening to the entire church family here in Benton:

"This week I’ve rediscovered the value of God’s words to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This has got to be one of the most hope-filled passages in the whole bible.

I love Eugene Peterson’s version. “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”

That is really good news for me."

Quote Of The Day

"I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain." - A. W. Tozer

Great Beginnings!

Northside started Life Groups last night and from the count and the leaders' reports this morning, things got off to a great start! I look forward to the outreach and spiritual growth that comes from these small groups.

The Youth Ministry has begun a Monday night Bible study-Meat Eaters. No we don't sample cuts of beef, pork or poultry. We work on graduating from the milk of the Word to something more substantial. Anyway, 7-9 grade met tonight and we had a group of 12! I was really excited. We will wait with baited breath to see how many 10-12 graders show up next Monday. Don't worry, I will let you know.

This Saturday marks the beginning of another venture for the Youth Ministry here. Second Saturday Servants will get us out into the rest of the family and community to serve in many different capacities.

One Year

One year ago today, the sweetest little bundle arrived in Georgetown, TX. Jenniva Elizabeth Mitchell is 1 year old today!! At 3 today we are going to spend some time celebrating with some friends by eating cupcakes, chips and cheese dip; taking lots of pictures; and enjoying our friends and family that were able to share this day with us. I will post some pics of the event later tonight.

The Sweetest Girl

Quote Of The Day

“The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.” - Teddy Roosevelt

How are you going to live your life in the coming years? What are you going to instill in your children and your children's children? Hopefully-Prayerfully-the antithesis of this.

Growing in Grace in 2008

The theme for this new year at my home congregation is "Growing in Grace in 2008." May our lives be evidence of God's lavish grace that is continually poured on us. In everything we do and say! I will leave you with these wonderful lyrics - "Grace, grace, God's grace! Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin." - Julia Johnston

Happy New Year!

I hope that January 1, 2008 has found you in good spiritual, mental and physical health.

I got back yesterday with a group of 30 from Youth In Action in Nashville, TN. It was a great time of being together with my new youth group.

I am excited to tell you that my blogs will be less sporadic since Elizabeth and I decided to go in together for our first ever home desktop computer and high speed internet. I will now be able to blog from the house if I miss it at the office and vice versa!

May we all continue to grow in the love and grace of our Savior in this new year!

In and Out

I have been in and out but mostly out this week and it it taking a toll on me! Poor little Jenniva got sick on Wednesday and I had to leave the office a little early to take her home to rest. I got an appointment with her doctor on Thursday and found that she has a bad sinus infection. I was sad to be away from my office but really glad to spend some QT with my little bundle! GranMary is at home with her today and they are having a good ole time!

Anyway, as for the nonexistent blogging-we have no internet or computer at home yet. That will all change with the sale of our TX home to the new Marble Falls Youth Minister in the New Year! Is that amazing or what?!?

I am astounded at the number of teens that will be taking part in the Progressive Dinner and Christmas Party. There will be 40+ of them tomorrow as we celebrate the reason for the season!

Getting ready to preach this weekend for both Sunday morn and eve since Mike and Joel have left this morning with their better halves to depart on a sea cruise. I am very jealous!

I will be back next week with more blogs and some pics.

Benton Christmas Parade

Well, the Northside Christmas Party was a smashing success! Elvis did indeed enter the building. Mike and Joel were quite possibly the ugliest women I have ever seen as we subjected the unwitting crowd to our rendition of "Mele Kalikimaka" by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. I was surprised by the standing ovation Sarah Jane and I received following our performance of "The Prayer." That was exciting!! And the food was great!

Tonight the teens and I will be singing and bringing holiday cheer in the Benton Christmas Parade. I will be back later with some posted pics!

The Northside Christmas Party

We are busy in the behind the scenes work for the church Christmas Party this evening! Charlie Manning and I are the MC's. I am privileged to sing the Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli or Charlotte Church/Josh Groban (whichever you have heard) smash hit "The Prayer" with Sarah Jane Manning. Joel, Mike and I will be putting on quite a show. Someone special may be 'entering the building.' Lindsey and Randy Mitchell will be singing a song. Stephanie and the ladies will be entertaining us with another song. Ole Santa will even make an appearance. There will be laughs and much festivity. It will be great!

Be back later with pics!

Quote Of The Day

"For the Son of God did not stay in the safe immunity of his heaven, remote from human sin and tragedy. He actually entered our world. He emptied himself of his glory and humbled himself to serve. He took our nature, lived our life, endured our sorrows, felt our hurts, bore our sins and died our death. He penetrated deeply into our humanness. He never stayed aloof from the people he might have been expected to avoid. He made friends with the dropouts of society. He even touched the untouchables. He could not have become more one with us than he did. It was the total identification of love. " - John Stott

So Dizzy!

Things are happening too fast here in Benton, America! It seems like just yesterday I was in Marble Falls, Texas. The days and months are flying by. My nose is down in my work as I prepare a proposal to give to the elders here tonight; get ready for the Holiday Party this Friday (in which I am singing and MC'ing); make sure that there are enough teens to help babysit this Saturday as we give parents a time of shopping and freedom for a day; and prep for the Benton Christmas Parade in which the Northside teens and I will be singing on a float! So much to do and so little time!

Hope this blog finds you in the holiday spirit! I know that I am! My 11 disc changer in the Jeep is loaded with Christmas CD's! El just rolls her eyes.

My sweethearts and I will be traveling to Tyler, TX this week to spend some great quality time with my family. I can't wait to be around the hustle and bustle that will be in my sister's beautiful house. What a great time it will be! Little J-Boo's first Thanksgiving outside the belly!! I will try to blog from TX but cannot promise anything. Here's wishing you and yours a wonderful time of family and counting blessings. I will leave you with this thankful article from youth guru Mark Oestreicher.

"Last thanksgiving I was—I'll admit—struggling to feel thankful. Maybe you're in this space right now. Know what? God is not spooked by that, or disappointed in you, or frustrated that you don't "get it". Clearly, the 12 disciples struggled with this on a regular basis, and Jesus didn't kick them out of the disciple club!

If you're struggling to find thankfulness, please take care of your soul and find some space and time to be quiet this week. Sit with God; and allow God—without a big agenda on your part—to provide you with thankfulness. Let's be honest—we can't always muster it up on our own. God's Spirit would love to cozy up to you in a place of quiet and reveal to you some reasons to be thankful.

This year, I have to say, I'm feeling way-thankful. I feel like my life is so wonderfully full of great stuff right now. My wife and children give me so much joy. My friends are so loving and caring. My spiritual community is so rich. My work is so fulfilling. And you youth workers continue to provide me with reason upon reason for joy and thankfulness. Your stories, your passion, your calling—they all fill me with a great hope. And, really, isn't thankfulness intimately connected to hope?"
Mark Oestreicher