Quotes Of The Day

“Thomas Aquinas, who knew a great deal about education and a bit about motivation, once said that when you want to convert a person to your view, you go over to where he is standing, take him by the hand, and guide him. You don’t stand across the room and shout at him. You don’t order him to come over where you are. You start where he is and work from that position. He said that’s the only way to get people to budge.” – Alan Loy McGinnis

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"But if we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way!" - Casting Crowns

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"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”
- Jesus

Quote Of The Day

"The word philadelphia means 'human affection, brotherly love.' It means being an affectionate friend. Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote a poem titled 'Youth and Age' with the line, 'Friendship is a sheltering tree.' That is a wonderful word picture. Friends are those whose lives are like branches. They provide shade, they provide refuge from the demanding, irritating, and searing rays of the hot sun. You can find comfort by them. you can find strength near them. They are tree-like in that they bear fruit that provides nourishment and encouragement. Isn't it interesting that when something occurs in your life and you are alone, you pick up the phone and call a friend? You want to connect with someone else. Few things are more lonely than going through a sudden test or joy and having no friend to call." - Charles Swindoll

Courage

One of my friends and former elders in the church, Rick Northen, recently traveled to Vietnam and took part in an illegal worship service. He and his wife, Gail, have decided to spread the word to those in Cambodia and surrounding areas that need to hear the message of Christ. I cannot even fathom not having the freedom to assemble and praise our God. Join me in prayer for these servants of God as they carry out the Great Commission.

Bereshith

Alright, so I was a bit audacious. I somehow thought that we could zip through Genesis chapters 1-11 in two hours at our Meat Eaters study last night. I prepared 7 pages of material to get us from Creation to the Tower of Babel in record time. I was pumped!

Needless to say, this did not happen. As we proceeded, I realized that there is just too much good, juicy stuff to pass by at a clip.

We got through chapter 3. That is as far as we could go in the alotted time. I guess you can say I learned my lesson.

I am still pumped, though! The excitement will not wear off. A great core group from the student ministry is eating this up every Monday night. There are 10-12 students that long to be deeper in the Word. I love it! Someone pinch me-I think I'm dreaming. I couldn't ask for more than this.

How are you when it comes to cracking open the Good Book? Are you what one might call a student? Or are you merely a casual observer? Know this-God wants you to want to know Him. He desires that you learn and grow from constant Scripture searching. He wants the intimate relationship that it inevitably brings.

The Nelson Family

Elizabeth and I were invited over this past Friday evening to the home of Guy and Ruth Ann Nelson to eat dinner and get to know the family. It was great! Not only were there beef ribs and sausages (my favorite!) hot off the grill for our dining pleasure, but we had a great time of getting acquainted with each other around the dinner table.

I wish that I had brought a camera, though. After we ate, we walked out in the back yard (about 4 acres), looked in at Jordan's living quarters, flew through the air on the swing and, best of all, wrestled with Gizmo the Goat. It was a little scary at first-watching this goat, horns and all, rear up, grunt and then come after you with head lowered. Elizabeth never quite mustered up the courage to wrestle with Gizmo. Matter of fact, she did not want to be anywhere near Gizmo. It was pretty funny!

At the end of the evening, we sat out on the back porch talking about everything. When darkness came, we went into the kitchen for some yummy Banana Pudding and more conversation. Nelson family, I want you to know that we had a great time!

I promise to post a pic of Gizmo in action soon.

Bitter Scroll

This blog is in correlation with the quote from yesterday and Wednesday the 5th. Reading the Bible is so important in the life of the Christian. And I don't mean only turning to the passages that are near and dear to us. I mean going there and beyond. Looking also at the passages that stretch us. The passages that maybe we don't yet comprehend. The good, the bad and the ugly must be given equal amounts of air time. We must allow ourselves to eat the full text without fear of the sour stomach to come. This is something that we don't do quite often enough. In his book, Velvet Elvis, Rob Bell sums it up:

"The ultimate display of our respect for the sacred words of God is that we are willing to wade in and struggle with the text-the good parts, the hard-to-understand parts, the parts we wish weren't there.

The rabbis even say a specific blessing when they don't understand a portion of the text. When it eludes them, when it makes no sense, they say a word of thanks to God because of the blessing that will be theirs someday. "Thank you, God, that at some point in the future, the lights are going to come on for me."

The rabbis have a metaphor for this wrestling with the text: The story of Jacob wrestling the angel in Genesis 32. He struggles, and it is exhausting and tiring, and in the end his hip is injured. It hurts. And he walks away limping.

Because when you wrestle with the text, you walk away limping.

And some people have no limp, because they haven't wrestled. But the ones limping have had an experience with the living God.

I think God knows what he's doing with the Bible. But the better question is, do we know what we're doing with the Bible?"

Quote Of The Day

"Reading, as it were, puts the solid food into our mouths, meditation chews it and breaks it down, prayer obtains the flavour of it and contemplation is the very sweetness that makes us glad and refreshes us." - Guigo the Second

Friends

My colleague, Jim Gardner, has returned from a nice visit in our old stomping grounds-the Village. He was able to spend some time with our friend, Jeff B, who is going through radiation and chemotherapy for cancer. Jim had a surprise ready for his visit with Jeff. Take a look at Jim's blog and see a pic of the two men together.

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Tonight is Pringle Party Night. Since there is no school tomorrow for the students of MFS, we will have a devotional followed by games and a movie. Everyone is asked to bring their own Pringles cans for munchies and, most especially, to help VBS. Don't worry, though. If you have not read this before tonight, there will be time for grabbing some Pringles cans and other food for chowing down.

Digging Deeper

Last night several eager students joined together with Elizabeth and me to dive deeper into God's Word. It was the beginning of a Monday night group of Bible students appropriately entitled Meat Eaters. Each night we will study a portion of the Bible more in-depth than a usual Sunday morning or Wednesday evening Bible class. There will be a time for study, devotion, contemplation, meditation and prayer. A small gathering of spongelike hearts and minds ready to soak up the precepts and promises of a loving Creator. Needless to say, this is a minister's dream!

What I thought would liberally be a small group of 6-7 turned out to be 12. We ate some pizza, sat in a huddle on the floor of the youth house and opened the Book for study! We began with a surface level overview of the entire Bible-it's authors, languages, dating, writing styles and overarching theme. It was successful in my eyes and I was glad to hear the positive feedback from the students.

I look forward to seeing these young disciples grow in the faith and mature spiritually as they continue, like Ezra, to devote themselves in study to the God's Word.

Quote Of The Day

"Those who believe they believe in God, but without passion in the heart, without anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, and even at times without despair, believe only in the idea of God, and not in God himself." - Madeleine L'Engle

Sunday In The Park With...

Last night, those in the student ministry had a nice time of devotion to our God. We read from Psalm 19 and spent time in our Father's beautiful creation. We packed up some meals, loaded the cooler down with drinks and headed over to Johnson Park to truly enjoy the handiwork of our Creator.

The weather could not have been more perfect. While some played touch and tackle football, others threw the frisbee. Still others decided it would be refreshing to smash cans on their heads. Crazy people!

We made friends with a young girl named McKayla who was out with her grandmother, Joyce, to spend some time on the monkeybars, playground and swings. We hope to see them again real soon.

The evening reminded me of how glad I am to be in this profession. I love to see and share in the unbridled energy and passion of youth.

Too Tired

Yesterday, I was in a bad mood for the better part of the day and I think I know why now. My sleeping cycle has been off for quite a while. I just can't go to sleep at night! No matter how I try, that 'reconciling peace that rest begets' will not wash over me. It leaves me in a funk for a long time.

Because I was so sleep deprived, I droned on and on in class last night and the students could feel that I just did not have it in me. Just one of those days, I guess. Sorry to put you through that.

Well, that was remedied today because I rested more today than I have since I have moved to the great state of Texas. I feel like a million bucks and I am ready to take on the world!! I am no longer too tired. How great that feels.

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Jim, I hope that you are having a blast back in our old stomping grounds. Say Hi to everyone for me and tell them that I miss them so much!

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Village youth, it is so great to hear from you through emails! Keep them coming. I miss you and pray to God for you to get a great new youth guy. How are thing in J'Ville, Fountain Lake and the Village? Also, if you start a new blog, let me know by commenting here or emailing me so that I can post you on this site.

Quote Of The Day (and then some)

"But caveat lector: we do not read the Bible in order to reduce our lives to what is convenient to us or manageable by us-we want to get in on the great invisibles of the Trinity, the soaring adorations of the angels, the quirky cragginess of the prophets, and...Jesus." - Eugene Peterson

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I can't wait for the benevolence pantry workers to get a great surprise this evening, thanks to the youth group!

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Yesterday was a big day for me. I started out by subbing for the Middle School (I had a really wild, unruly class and came really close to losing it, by the way). I then drove to the office and held a counseling session with a young student. Afterwards, I emptied out all of the pantry items that the youth had collected the Sunday night before. When I was ready to go home and veg in front of the tube, I went with my sweetie pie to the gym to lift and do cardio. I was worn out emotionally and physically by the time I got home. On top of all of that, I could not get any sleep last night. Maybe that is why I am in such a grumpy mood today. Seems like everything someone says to me is twisted up and taken the wrong way. Have you ever had a day like this?

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Some friends of mine (former and present students) are starting up their own blogs. When I have their addresses, I will post and link them.

Scavenging

Last night, we had a great time in devotion to God at the home of Chris and Julie Bridges. Thank you both for opening up your home and feeding us some of the best Sloppy Joes that I have ever tasted. In the words of Chris, it had a certain 'more-ish' taste!

After a great time of singing, David Griffin spoke to us from his heart about how we invest too much time in the things of this world and too little time working and reaching out in our true calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. He sharedwith us the lyrics of a song that spoke to this and pricked his heart to action. The question was raised "why not start now?' and that is just what we did! We split up into groups and went on a door to door scavenger hunt asking for unopened jars of peanut butter, cans of tuna, canned vegetables, etc. to provide for families in need. It was a blessing to see the arms of Christ's body reaching out through these young hearts! Thank you, David, for your timely message.

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My compadres are out of the office today catching the Texas Rangers season opener. I am here holding down the fort with our secretary, Ann.

The Griffin

One of the young men in my student ministry has started a blog. Check out the new blog from the sensational David Griffin. I will also add him to my links.

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Today was the first day that my wife and I subbed on the same campus. Ithought it was pretty cool to know that just down the hall a ways my wife was teaching Music Theory and Music History while I was teaching French I and II! I know, I know-little things make me happy. I just think it's cool. We do it again tomorrow, but this time we get to wear jeans!

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I gotta run. We are having an Elders/Ministers meeting in a few. I will be back soon.

You Might Be A Member Of The Church Of Christ IF...

This is just too humorous to pass up. Those of you that have been in the Church of Christ for a while will have quite a chuckle when you read this.

You Might Be A Member Of The Church Of Christ IF...

you know exactly what song I'm talking about when I ask you to turn to number 728b.

you could recite all the books of the Bible before you could even read them.

you know the first and third verse of nearly every song.

you actually know what a "ready recollection" is and have been thoroughly "guide-guard-and-directed" all your life. (If you're really a member, you know that "guide-guard-and-directed" must be followed by "and-bring-us-back-at-the-next-appointed-time.")

you can actually read shape notes.

you recognize any of these ministers by first name alone: Landon,Reuel, Prentice, Rubel, Norvel, Flavil, Furman or Batsell.

you think your chosen pew is "sacred" and no one else should sit in your spot.

you think the Bible questions on Jeopardy are way too easy.

you decide which Bible translation to use based on how Acts 2:38 reads.

you immediately reach for your wallet when you hear the phrase, "Now, separate and apart from the Lord's Supper"

you know all the words to all the verses of Trust and Obey.

you've ever ridden a JOY bus. (And, of course, you know that JOY stands for "Jesus" first, "Others" second and "Yourself" last.)

when you're happy and you know it, you clap your hands, stomp your feet and shout "Amen!"

you've ever wondered who Ebon Pinion was.

you've been to a wedding or a funeral where "the invitation" was offered.

you've stood for 13 verses of Just As I Am with the last stanza sung softly.

Brownie Points

Keep those emails coming. Boy, there are many highly literate people out there reading this blog. I had better step things up a notch! Arika, you are the winner with the first correct definition. I give to thee these much coveted brownie points.

Fun Bumper Sticker

Brownie Points to the first person that gives me the definition of this one. Ready? Here it is:

"Eschew Obfuscation."

What do you think?

Strawberry Fields Forever

I had a wonderful time at the youth ministry seminar this past Saturday morning. The topic was on point. I believe the speaker hit the nail on the head in that we need to reignite the passion in our ministry to youth. Even though they may not seem to care about anything, every teen and tween that we, as youth leaders, work with have a great passion for something. The key is for youth ministers and youth helpers to take that passion and direct it toward a deeper, fuller, more meaningful life in Jesus Christ.

It can happen! Here are some important things that I gleaned from The Core Seminar to remember when in the process of rekindling powerful passion in youth:

1) Anchor your ministry in the truth of scripture.
This is the most important. God'd Word is the only life manual we have. It cannot be
changed to fit our wants. We must never water down the Word while changing
methodologies of teaching it.

2) Be there in the community.
We must be willing to go to the schools, support the group in their various extracurricular
activities, be in their homes and truly be a part of their community.

3) Be willing to be uncomfortable.
Change is never easy for anybody. Neither is living a life of daily sacrifice. God never
intended for our walk in this life to be a rosy cakewalk full of health and wealth. He also
does not want us to get stuck in a rut doing things the way we like to do them. Being a
disciple of Christ is so much more than that. It is a daily death to ourselves and our
desires. Being uncomfortable stretches us and breaks us out of status-quo thinking.

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Saturday evening I went out to the Sweetberry Farm where a couple of the teens in my youth group work. I had a neat time watching them in action as they cut and reattached busted water lines. David and Josh were really cool for taking time out to show me around and help me pick some strawberries for my wife. I also was able to test the strawberry-pecan ice cream that they make on site. Thank you guys for everything. I will be back soon to pick, sing and shoot the breeze with my sweetie in tow.

Weekend

This weekend Elizabeth is away for a Spiritual Spa in Kerrville with other ladies from the congregation. I pray that it serves as a time for renewal and growth for all of them.

Tomorrow I leave for the fair city of Austin for a Youth Ministry Seminar/Workshop. It will help me further my education in working with teens and tweens. I look forward to my time tomorrow. I will tell you more when I return. I may even have my sweetie post a blog about her time.