Well, I am off to Ecuador. Our team will be leaving on March 2. Which happens to be my oldest sons birthday. We are going to celebrate it on the 1st instead.
I am excited and nervous. It is also always hard to be away from Chris and the boys for that long as well. It is difficult for Chris as well. So I will be praying for Chris and the boys the whole time. I am gonna miss them.
So, I will update about Ecuador as soon as we get back.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
Kenny Wade
I got to hang out with my friend Kenny Wade today and am staying with his family tonight. It has been pretty sweet I must say. He is like wearing an old pair of well broken in shoes, comfortable. It was good to be with him.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Today
Today has been a difficult day. Our community has lost a student. It has hit very hard and has and will continue to be painful for some time. I have been able to spend quite a bit of time with students today and I must say that I am physically and emotionally drained.
I have asked and have been asked some very difficult questions by teens. My prayer is that I won't give all the trite little answers that so many give, but instead I will journey with them through their pain and be honest in the fact that I simply cannot answer all the questions.
I have asked and have been asked some very difficult questions by teens. My prayer is that I won't give all the trite little answers that so many give, but instead I will journey with them through their pain and be honest in the fact that I simply cannot answer all the questions.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
What about you?
I am currently reading Adventures in Missing the Point. This is my extra-circular reading since I am taking classes right now, which explains why I am not making much progress.
Also, was recently given, SiMPLE CHURCH. Have read the first chapter, will update later.
What about you, reading anything good lately?
Also, was recently given, SiMPLE CHURCH. Have read the first chapter, will update later.
What about you, reading anything good lately?
Friday, February 02, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
Emerging Chruch
Here is an article that you might like to read about the emerging church by Scot McNight.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Honeymoon
Well, it is official. The ministry honeymoon is now over. After the last month or so I am walking around feeling a bit punch drunk. Won't go into all of it, I have just come to realize that the honeymoon is over. Sometimes ministry can be hard I am learning. Sometimes people can be hard. Guess I always knew this, just never thought I would see it in the church as much.
There really is so much that I want to say, but most of it stems from hurt and I would end up saying stuff that I shouldn't. Anyway, I still love ministry, I still love people. I have just learned a little more about both.
There really is so much that I want to say, but most of it stems from hurt and I would end up saying stuff that I shouldn't. Anyway, I still love ministry, I still love people. I have just learned a little more about both.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Quote for the day
So our youth group took on a local mission project in the last couple of months. There is a family in our church that needed some help taking about a foot of dirt out of their basement and we deciced to take it on as a service project. We finished it up today. The dirt was really hard so we had to get a jack hammer to do the work.
Today one of the students was getting ready to use the jack hammer and one of the guys said that he should be careful so he does not break it because they are expensive.
His reply, "I don't have the money to buy a new one.... but my dad does."
I could not help but think, I bet your dad would not be jazzed to hear that.
The next awesome quote for the day from one of the students as she was digging dirt with a shovel.
"This is just like jumping on a tramp, only with no bounce."
Yep she is right, jumping on a shovel to dig dirt is just like jumping on a tramp.... only with no bounce."
Today one of the students was getting ready to use the jack hammer and one of the guys said that he should be careful so he does not break it because they are expensive.
His reply, "I don't have the money to buy a new one.... but my dad does."
I could not help but think, I bet your dad would not be jazzed to hear that.
The next awesome quote for the day from one of the students as she was digging dirt with a shovel.
"This is just like jumping on a tramp, only with no bounce."
Yep she is right, jumping on a shovel to dig dirt is just like jumping on a tramp.... only with no bounce."
Monday, January 01, 2007
Change the World?
Have you ever felt like you were exactly where you were supposed to be, but that you were not living up to your full potential?
May seem like an odd question, but that seems to be where I am at recently. Not sure that I can put any more meat on that right now. Just feeling like there is so much more.
Was talking to my senior high sunday school class yesterday. We were just chatting and when we closed in prayer I asked that each of us be changed by Christ and that we live as Christ desires for us. It got me to thinking and talking with the students.
What does that changed life look like? I asked myself and the students, What does being a follower of Christ look like? Sadly, I believe that more often then not it simply means to be a "good boy or girl." I mean think about it, most of us believe that following Christ means that we won't smoke, drink, cuss or chew or go with girls (or guys) that do. We try and live this moral life. We essentially try and be boy (or girl) scouts.
My thought is, there has to be so much more. I mean Christ did not live that way. He did not just try and live a moral life. He really shook things up. He effected change. Sure, we can reply to that with "but we are not Christ." But doesn't He call us to be like Him.
I wonder if we really sit down and think about this whole idea of being a follower of Christ and what that looks like if it won't start to look really scary and maybe even dangerous.
I suspect that we get stuck in this idea that we or I am just one person, and one person can't really change anything. Then I run across this picture. Did this guy effect change? Is he all alone? http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif Sure, we don't know the entire story, but I am willing to bet that this one picture gave a ton of people the courage to simply stand up.
Just the other day I watched Schindler's List. What a powerful movie. I had never seen it before. Schindler save the lives of 1,100 Jews. I found out later that there are alive today 6,000 Jews who are descendants of the Schindler Jews. 6,000!! That is 7,100 people who would not be alive or have survived had it not been for one man!
Who says that one person can't change things. Look, my thought is this. I really believe that Christ is calling us to more than being a good boy or girl. I believe that He is calling us to change our world.
So, let's do just that.
May seem like an odd question, but that seems to be where I am at recently. Not sure that I can put any more meat on that right now. Just feeling like there is so much more.
Was talking to my senior high sunday school class yesterday. We were just chatting and when we closed in prayer I asked that each of us be changed by Christ and that we live as Christ desires for us. It got me to thinking and talking with the students.
What does that changed life look like? I asked myself and the students, What does being a follower of Christ look like? Sadly, I believe that more often then not it simply means to be a "good boy or girl." I mean think about it, most of us believe that following Christ means that we won't smoke, drink, cuss or chew or go with girls (or guys) that do. We try and live this moral life. We essentially try and be boy (or girl) scouts.
My thought is, there has to be so much more. I mean Christ did not live that way. He did not just try and live a moral life. He really shook things up. He effected change. Sure, we can reply to that with "but we are not Christ." But doesn't He call us to be like Him.
I wonder if we really sit down and think about this whole idea of being a follower of Christ and what that looks like if it won't start to look really scary and maybe even dangerous.
I suspect that we get stuck in this idea that we or I am just one person, and one person can't really change anything. Then I run across this picture. Did this guy effect change? Is he all alone? http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif Sure, we don't know the entire story, but I am willing to bet that this one picture gave a ton of people the courage to simply stand up.
Just the other day I watched Schindler's List. What a powerful movie. I had never seen it before. Schindler save the lives of 1,100 Jews. I found out later that there are alive today 6,000 Jews who are descendants of the Schindler Jews. 6,000!! That is 7,100 people who would not be alive or have survived had it not been for one man!
Who says that one person can't change things. Look, my thought is this. I really believe that Christ is calling us to more than being a good boy or girl. I believe that He is calling us to change our world.
So, let's do just that.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Merry Christmas to me
So I gave myself an awesome Chirstmas present this year.
Six, yes six, stiches. I know, it is pretty exciting. And many of you are wishing that Santa had brought you the exact same thing. Well, next year just wash some glasses and hope that one of them breaks while your hand is inside it.
You will be happy to know that I am not the only one that was gifted with this awesome blessing. When I was leaving the emergency room, my neighbor was in the waiting room. Guess what she was there for, you got it!! She cut her left little finger, same one I cut, while she was washing glasses. See, that is all it takes.
Hope you had an awesome and blessed Christmas and I am praying for the same for your New Year.
Six, yes six, stiches. I know, it is pretty exciting. And many of you are wishing that Santa had brought you the exact same thing. Well, next year just wash some glasses and hope that one of them breaks while your hand is inside it.
You will be happy to know that I am not the only one that was gifted with this awesome blessing. When I was leaving the emergency room, my neighbor was in the waiting room. Guess what she was there for, you got it!! She cut her left little finger, same one I cut, while she was washing glasses. See, that is all it takes.
Hope you had an awesome and blessed Christmas and I am praying for the same for your New Year.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
I have an idea
The problem with ideas usually comes when we share them with others. Well, I decided to share mine. I am toying with the idea of running a marathon. Now, that may cause most people who know me to laugh, and for good reason. But I am really toying with this idea. I have begun to look at some training programs for those of us who don't run. I ran (get it "ran") across one titled, "From coach potatoe to 5k". I certainly fit the coach/chair/floor potatoe catagory. Anyway, there is my idea.
Now I actually have to begin working on it.
Now I actually have to begin working on it.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
sphere of influence
so i got to meet with some of my friends this morning to begin having a conversation. i have to say that it was pretty stinkn' sweet. even in our first meeting there are things for me that are beginning to be deconstructed and i think that is a really good thing.
one of the things that really stood out to me was our conversation about our sphere of influence. the fact that we have an obligation to share the love of Christ with everybody in our sphere of influence. when we stop and think about it, we have a global sphere of influence. there is really no place on the earth that we are not able to get to. we have no less of an obligation to people in another country than we do here.
this came out of a conversation regarding serving people in other countries. someone said to me once that we should take care of our own country first. i disagree with that. i believe that we have an obligatioin to serve not just our brothers and sisters in Christ, but every person.
so our sphere of influence is global.
one of the things that really stood out to me was our conversation about our sphere of influence. the fact that we have an obligation to share the love of Christ with everybody in our sphere of influence. when we stop and think about it, we have a global sphere of influence. there is really no place on the earth that we are not able to get to. we have no less of an obligation to people in another country than we do here.
this came out of a conversation regarding serving people in other countries. someone said to me once that we should take care of our own country first. i disagree with that. i believe that we have an obligatioin to serve not just our brothers and sisters in Christ, but every person.
so our sphere of influence is global.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Something to chew on.
This is a quote from Tony Campolo.
"I am as conservative as the Word of God and I am as liberal as the Love of God."
"I am as conservative as the Word of God and I am as liberal as the Love of God."
Monday, December 04, 2006
last day
well, i am ready to go home.
today was pretty low key for me. i slept in packed and then walked over to meet with my spiritual director. this time was entirely different than my last spirtual director meeting, but just as profound.
i am so thankful that ys provides this for us each year. i was reminded that the best thing i can do is to begin again simply. having felt empty and distant from Christ of late, i was reminded that no matter how far i feel he is right there.
tie that in with what i heard from rvl and the proverb i heard from marko and this was a pretty full cycle for me.
i am so glad that i will get to see my wife and boys soon. my wife has never gotten to go to an event like this. i talked with her about this last night. it will take some saving, but i really want my wife to be here with me next time. i have grown tired of going to stuff without my wife. i have this spritual high and try and explain it and she is like, great... the boys are driving me nuts. I would react the same in her place. want her with me from now on. will have to work that one out a bit.
all in.... nywc was well worth it.
today was pretty low key for me. i slept in packed and then walked over to meet with my spiritual director. this time was entirely different than my last spirtual director meeting, but just as profound.
i am so thankful that ys provides this for us each year. i was reminded that the best thing i can do is to begin again simply. having felt empty and distant from Christ of late, i was reminded that no matter how far i feel he is right there.
tie that in with what i heard from rvl and the proverb i heard from marko and this was a pretty full cycle for me.
i am so glad that i will get to see my wife and boys soon. my wife has never gotten to go to an event like this. i talked with her about this last night. it will take some saving, but i really want my wife to be here with me next time. i have grown tired of going to stuff without my wife. i have this spritual high and try and explain it and she is like, great... the boys are driving me nuts. I would react the same in her place. want her with me from now on. will have to work that one out a bit.
all in.... nywc was well worth it.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Sunday at NYWC
WOW!!! What a day. So the reason that I came to Charlotte instead of going closer to home was because of Ray Vander Laan (RVL). That was really the deciding factor for me. And I am glad to say that I was not disappointed. RVL challenged me in ways that I have never been challenged. He talked about what a real disciple is and what a real disciple looks like. And let me tell you, I do not measure up by any means. The passion that he talked about a real disciple having, I don't have. But it was not one of those moments that I walked out feeling guilty or down or worthless or whatever. I listened and longed for what RVL was talking about. At the same time I would be the one saying that I didn't want it so bad that I want all the work involved. To which RVL said "Then get another Rabbi!!!! To which I respond, I don't want another Rabbi, I want Jesus. So I realize that I must work. And I will... but where to begin. I walked out and was paralyzed. Not sure how to begin, because it seems so huge.
Later, I was processing this with a friend. It was during that conversation that I was reminded of a quote I heard yesterday. "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time to plant a tree is today." So, I begin today.
This has been an awesome day. I have been challenged, stretched, encouraged, confused, enlightened, amused, and all the others that I could possibly think of.
I am planting my tree today.
Later, I was processing this with a friend. It was during that conversation that I was reminded of a quote I heard yesterday. "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time to plant a tree is today." So, I begin today.
This has been an awesome day. I have been challenged, stretched, encouraged, confused, enlightened, amused, and all the others that I could possibly think of.
I am planting my tree today.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
More from Sat.
Lots of Tony Jones today. Listened to him this morning and then again in the afternoon. I have to say that I rather enjoy seeing and hearing him get rowdy. It is fun, at least for me. I am sure that he gets quite tired of it. Here is the thing about Tony for me. The guy really challenges me. He really forces me to think. Which is a really good thing, but sometimes I get scared, sometimes I get frustrated, sometimes I get angry. Angry because I begin to realize that I don’t have a freakin’ clue. I am so far out of my league when I am around these discussions. But I love it!!
Something that he said that stands out to me. I am going to try and get this as close as I can to what Tony Jones said.
-that the Holy Spirit guarded the canonization of the scripture by guiding it through the ages.
I am pretty sure that I got that right or at least the basic premise of what he was trying to say.
Absolutely loved the late night discussion. Really enjoyed the fact that Tony would not let anyone get sloppy with their comments or quotes.
Again, I just sat back and soaked all the discussion regarding prayer and what is the purpose of prayer. And again, I really felt out of my league. But, I am learning that I need to be a part of these conversations. At least a part in that I have a hearts desire to hear them and maybe someday verbally contribute to them.
Tony, keep going. I for one am loving it.
Marko and leadership. It was good. I liked this idea of level 5 leadership. I too strive for that, not there yet but working towards it I hope.
I can’t find my notes from this class so I will have to finish this one tomorrow. My mind is mush right now.
All in, I am loving the convention. Sure there are things that bite a bit, but I love being here. Marko, not sure if you are reading this or not, you guys are doing an awesome job and I thank you.
Something that he said that stands out to me. I am going to try and get this as close as I can to what Tony Jones said.
-that the Holy Spirit guarded the canonization of the scripture by guiding it through the ages.
I am pretty sure that I got that right or at least the basic premise of what he was trying to say.
Absolutely loved the late night discussion. Really enjoyed the fact that Tony would not let anyone get sloppy with their comments or quotes.
Again, I just sat back and soaked all the discussion regarding prayer and what is the purpose of prayer. And again, I really felt out of my league. But, I am learning that I need to be a part of these conversations. At least a part in that I have a hearts desire to hear them and maybe someday verbally contribute to them.
Tony, keep going. I for one am loving it.
Marko and leadership. It was good. I liked this idea of level 5 leadership. I too strive for that, not there yet but working towards it I hope.
I can’t find my notes from this class so I will have to finish this one tomorrow. My mind is mush right now.
All in, I am loving the convention. Sure there are things that bite a bit, but I love being here. Marko, not sure if you are reading this or not, you guys are doing an awesome job and I thank you.
Jedidiah
i am feeling much better about my jedidiah experience today. it actually started off worse after another incident but by the end of the day and some clarification, i like em'.
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