YAY!!! :]
Friday, April 27, 2007
BadaBing BadaBoom! ^.^
I know our youth group isn't perfect, and change is what we've been talking about for a while... That's all very crucial and important. Buuuut I'm taking a break from being so down about our flaws. So TADA!!!! Check out these goofous pictures from our past few adventures! ;D
YAY!!! :]
YAY!!! :]
Technical Difficulties
Lately, I've been thinking about a problem in our youth group that I believe might, if discussed, help us to better understand what it is that we're missing. That problem is "technical difficulties." No, I'm not talking about the fact that our sound system may very well be that same kind Jesus used when preaching the Sermon on the Mount. I'm talking about how tightly members of our youth group hold to the technicalities of what is okay and what's not. Let me explain...
Is it a sin for Christians to listen to secular music? Well, technically no. But, I'd say there's definitely something wrong with a Christian who has no interest in Christian music at all. But most of you don't even consider why you should listen to Christian music. For most of you, it's enough simply to confirm that you're technically not sinning when you listen to secular music. But guess what: the lack of interest in glorifying God is in fact a sin itself, so you're really not out of the loop after all.
When me, Marissa, Lauren, and Stephen went to the Skillet concert a few weeks ago (yes, that's all that went), all I could think about was the number one question most of you asked me when I announced we would be going: "Who's Skillet?" As I sat there at the concert contemplating how a group of Christian teens doesn't know anything about one of the biggest names in Christian rock, that awesome violin intro to "Rebirthing" came in, and the whole auditorium erupted in cheers and screams of delight. All I could think was: how is it possible that our youth group - a youth group that averages almost 25 kids on Wednesday nights - has almost no student leaders with this kind of enthusiasm? Here was the sanctuary of Trinity Baptist Church packed with kids, all of them excited about a song that praises our God, and only two of them were members of our youth group.
You see, it's technically true that there's nothing wrong with secular music...but why?
But this is only one example. Here are some more...
Technically, we leaders can't "make" you do something you don't "feel" like doing...but do you realize that your involvement in this youth group constitutes a commitment and that God expects you to follow the leaders He's established?
Technically, a big youth group doesn't make a great youth group...but what efforts have you made to invite your friends? 'Cause guess what: technically, it's a sin to not tell people about Jesus.
Technically, it's not a sin to have fun...but when was the last time you had a serious encounter with God? 'Cause guess what: technically, it is a sin to not spend time with Him.
Technically, I don't have to do this. Technically, it's okay for me to do that. Technically, I don't have to be this kind of person. Technically, technically, technically...
Get the picture? Most of our members are so caught up in what it takes to "technically" get by that we're missing our God-given opportunity for something far, far, far better! You know, the Bible has a term for people caught up in these kinds of technicalities: "luke-warm." Need I remind you of that verse?
I say forget all that crap! We are a youth group! We claim to love our Lord, so let's start acting like it! Forget the technicalities - who needs them? We live for our God - not for technicalities. God wants to give us something far better than that, and when you finally embrace what He has for you, I swear you'll look back on the stuff that you almost didn't give up and shake your head in disgust, asking yourself, "What the heck was I thinking? This way is way better!"
By the way, I am going to ask some of you specifically to read this. If that's you, you know who you are. Technically, you don't have to respond...technically.
Is it a sin for Christians to listen to secular music? Well, technically no. But, I'd say there's definitely something wrong with a Christian who has no interest in Christian music at all. But most of you don't even consider why you should listen to Christian music. For most of you, it's enough simply to confirm that you're technically not sinning when you listen to secular music. But guess what: the lack of interest in glorifying God is in fact a sin itself, so you're really not out of the loop after all.
When me, Marissa, Lauren, and Stephen went to the Skillet concert a few weeks ago (yes, that's all that went), all I could think about was the number one question most of you asked me when I announced we would be going: "Who's Skillet?" As I sat there at the concert contemplating how a group of Christian teens doesn't know anything about one of the biggest names in Christian rock, that awesome violin intro to "Rebirthing" came in, and the whole auditorium erupted in cheers and screams of delight. All I could think was: how is it possible that our youth group - a youth group that averages almost 25 kids on Wednesday nights - has almost no student leaders with this kind of enthusiasm? Here was the sanctuary of Trinity Baptist Church packed with kids, all of them excited about a song that praises our God, and only two of them were members of our youth group.
You see, it's technically true that there's nothing wrong with secular music...but why?
But this is only one example. Here are some more...
Technically, we leaders can't "make" you do something you don't "feel" like doing...but do you realize that your involvement in this youth group constitutes a commitment and that God expects you to follow the leaders He's established?
Technically, a big youth group doesn't make a great youth group...but what efforts have you made to invite your friends? 'Cause guess what: technically, it's a sin to not tell people about Jesus.
Technically, it's not a sin to have fun...but when was the last time you had a serious encounter with God? 'Cause guess what: technically, it is a sin to not spend time with Him.
Technically, I don't have to do this. Technically, it's okay for me to do that. Technically, I don't have to be this kind of person. Technically, technically, technically...
Get the picture? Most of our members are so caught up in what it takes to "technically" get by that we're missing our God-given opportunity for something far, far, far better! You know, the Bible has a term for people caught up in these kinds of technicalities: "luke-warm." Need I remind you of that verse?
I say forget all that crap! We are a youth group! We claim to love our Lord, so let's start acting like it! Forget the technicalities - who needs them? We live for our God - not for technicalities. God wants to give us something far better than that, and when you finally embrace what He has for you, I swear you'll look back on the stuff that you almost didn't give up and shake your head in disgust, asking yourself, "What the heck was I thinking? This way is way better!"
By the way, I am going to ask some of you specifically to read this. If that's you, you know who you are. Technically, you don't have to respond...technically.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
I'm gonna make some people really angry.
Hello everybody! I'm gonna be real short sweet and to the point:
Stick with me. This post is going to be controversial, even angering. Don't believe me? Just Scan over the bolds, especially about half way down, and decide for yourself.
People will take two sides to this post: one side will be deeply offended and the other will be deeply relieved (or so I hope.) For the past several weeks there has been a constant theme to the verses I have been bumping into. Among them a specific one stands out, and that's Mathew 11:28-30.
Lol, don't let the fact that I'm starting out with a Bible verse frighten you off! I think you will find what I have to say interesting, and not something you normally hear. Anyway the verse goes about like so (emphasis mine):
" 28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Now, I dunno about you, but to me the Christian life seemes to be anything but easy and light. Running around to all the ministry activities; constantly asking God what He wants me to do and getting little, or confusing replies; making a concerted effort to have a quiet time every day; going to church anytime the doors are open; the list goes on. No one would argue that the Christian life is an easy one. Jesus himself said that if the world persecuted Him it would persecute us. This world is plum messed up so we are gonna get some splinters as we walk through it.
HOWEVER, again I don't know about you but this is true for me, it isn't "the world" that is the toughest thing for me to deal with. The world can buffet me pretty good, and though I stumble and fall a lot because of it, it isn't too hard to get back up because you're grabbing onto God as he grabs onto you. What I find hard is all the skull-crushingly dull duties and rigmarole that is prescribed by some Christians. Now let me explain before I get myself in a royal mess.
When an evangelist comes through what are some of the number one things he presses to get done? First and foremost is: are you saved? We have that one covered, but after that it's: are you having a quiet time? And, are you serving? Here we all squirm because: (I'm being brutally honest and bending some unspoken rules here, but this needs to be said)
1. Reading the Bible is a yawn-fest.
2. Praying is a torturous mental chore.
3. Going to Church is either filled with nothing but silly games, brain-bashing lessons that make us feel like worms, or is plain snore-inducing.
4. "Serving" is uncomfortable and embarrassing.
5. Not to mention all the goody two-shoes Christians who are all excited about heaven and junk. What is so exciting about playing harps FOR ALL ETERNITY!?!?! BORING! I'D RATHER BE DEAD FOR ALL ETERNITY!
The only good thing about heaven it seems is that you aren't in hell. Am I right? You know I am, admit it! It's just an unspoken rule to smile like little pre-programmed robots and say "Oh yes, I love reading my Bible." Or perhaps "Oh boy, I can't wait to play those harps!"
What is up with all this garbage? we frequently think. How in the world is Matthew 11:28 with all it's easy and light stuff supposed to fit in with all this dull, boring, uncomfortable stuff? I sure don't see anything that's easy or light! It's all BORING, DULL, EMBARASSING CRAP!
There is an answer.
And to make sure I calm those really passionate Christians who are probably really angry at my trampling of just about every virtue we hold dear, I'm gonna try and back it all up with scripture. But, because nobody is gonna read a rant any longer than this I have to split it up into a couple of posts over the next few weeks.
Shocked yet?
Stick with me. This post is going to be controversial, even angering. Don't believe me? Just Scan over the bolds, especially about half way down, and decide for yourself.
People will take two sides to this post: one side will be deeply offended and the other will be deeply relieved (or so I hope.) For the past several weeks there has been a constant theme to the verses I have been bumping into. Among them a specific one stands out, and that's Mathew 11:28-30.
Lol, don't let the fact that I'm starting out with a Bible verse frighten you off! I think you will find what I have to say interesting, and not something you normally hear. Anyway the verse goes about like so (emphasis mine):
" 28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Now, I dunno about you, but to me the Christian life seemes to be anything but easy and light. Running around to all the ministry activities; constantly asking God what He wants me to do and getting little, or confusing replies; making a concerted effort to have a quiet time every day; going to church anytime the doors are open; the list goes on. No one would argue that the Christian life is an easy one. Jesus himself said that if the world persecuted Him it would persecute us. This world is plum messed up so we are gonna get some splinters as we walk through it.
HOWEVER, again I don't know about you but this is true for me, it isn't "the world" that is the toughest thing for me to deal with. The world can buffet me pretty good, and though I stumble and fall a lot because of it, it isn't too hard to get back up because you're grabbing onto God as he grabs onto you. What I find hard is all the skull-crushingly dull duties and rigmarole that is prescribed by some Christians. Now let me explain before I get myself in a royal mess.
When an evangelist comes through what are some of the number one things he presses to get done? First and foremost is: are you saved? We have that one covered, but after that it's: are you having a quiet time? And, are you serving? Here we all squirm because: (I'm being brutally honest and bending some unspoken rules here, but this needs to be said)
1. Reading the Bible is a yawn-fest.
2. Praying is a torturous mental chore.
3. Going to Church is either filled with nothing but silly games, brain-bashing lessons that make us feel like worms, or is plain snore-inducing.
4. "Serving" is uncomfortable and embarrassing.
5. Not to mention all the goody two-shoes Christians who are all excited about heaven and junk. What is so exciting about playing harps FOR ALL ETERNITY!?!?! BORING! I'D RATHER BE DEAD FOR ALL ETERNITY!
The only good thing about heaven it seems is that you aren't in hell. Am I right? You know I am, admit it! It's just an unspoken rule to smile like little pre-programmed robots and say "Oh yes, I love reading my Bible." Or perhaps "Oh boy, I can't wait to play those harps!"
What is up with all this garbage? we frequently think. How in the world is Matthew 11:28 with all it's easy and light stuff supposed to fit in with all this dull, boring, uncomfortable stuff? I sure don't see anything that's easy or light! It's all BORING, DULL, EMBARASSING CRAP!
There is an answer.
And to make sure I calm those really passionate Christians who are probably really angry at my trampling of just about every virtue we hold dear, I'm gonna try and back it all up with scripture. But, because nobody is gonna read a rant any longer than this I have to split it up into a couple of posts over the next few weeks.
Shocked yet?
Monday, April 23, 2007
Possible Future Goings-On Depending on Feedback
I've got a couple things I was thinking about. I'm not sure if these are "official" youth activities as they have not been discussed with Aaron and the rest of leadership team. They're mostly just things a few of us have talked about doing, but all are welcome to join us.
1. Liberty-Eylau Baptist Church (my Brazil peoples) have invited us to see their presentation of Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames. It will be presented on April 29, 30, and May 1 (not sure of the exact times yet). They sent us 25 tickets. If you're interested, let me know which date would be best for you (keep in mind that we have a Surge on the 29th).
2. May 4th is the opening day for Spider-Man 3, and I for one will be there! If you want to go see this too, let's figure out the best time. My concern is that we might not all be able to get in on opening night unless we get down there as early as possible. May 5th is the car wash, which ends at 2. We could go after that, but Ryan "Biggest-Spider-Man-Fan-Ever" Klare is busy that day, and I wouldn't want to go without him. If we met as soon as school was out on the 4th, and headed straight for the theater, would that work? Input is valued here.
Of course, I'm always ready for something completely random and crazy. Ryan and I built a "fort" in the youth house yesterday - good, clean fun that was! Let's plan a time to meet after school some day and just hang out.
Thoughts please.
1. Liberty-Eylau Baptist Church (my Brazil peoples) have invited us to see their presentation of Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames. It will be presented on April 29, 30, and May 1 (not sure of the exact times yet). They sent us 25 tickets. If you're interested, let me know which date would be best for you (keep in mind that we have a Surge on the 29th).
2. May 4th is the opening day for Spider-Man 3, and I for one will be there! If you want to go see this too, let's figure out the best time. My concern is that we might not all be able to get in on opening night unless we get down there as early as possible. May 5th is the car wash, which ends at 2. We could go after that, but Ryan "Biggest-Spider-Man-Fan-Ever" Klare is busy that day, and I wouldn't want to go without him. If we met as soon as school was out on the 4th, and headed straight for the theater, would that work? Input is valued here.
Of course, I'm always ready for something completely random and crazy. Ryan and I built a "fort" in the youth house yesterday - good, clean fun that was! Let's plan a time to meet after school some day and just hang out.
Thoughts please.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Clarification
This might not mean much to any of you, but I just wanted to clarify that last night's improv skit was just for a laugh. In truth, I have an enormous respect for Chris Hansen and what he does.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Mission Camp
Who is looking forward to going to Mission Camp? I know I am :) I have already had several people to buy candles for the fundraiser {:)
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Shaun and Friends
Hey stranger who happened to stumble on our blog. I just wanted to explain something to you: please understand that what you see here is not an accurate representation of our youth group. We've got many more members in our real youth group than we do on this blog. And the ones you see on the blog that never make posts or leave comments...well, in real life we usually can't get them to shutup!
Take Lakyn for example. You see her name there on the contributors list, but you never see any posts or comments from her. That's kinda ironic, 'cause the real world Lakyn is a very loud rambuncious girl with a very distint southern accent.
We've also got this dude named Shaun. You don't see him there on the contributors' list but he is a prominent member of our youth group. When Shaun's missing, somebody has to ask, "Hey, where's Shaun?" So why isn't he on this blog? Your guess is as good as mine! I have asked him time after time. I have sent him invite after invite. It's like he's delibertatly trying to defy me, which really throws me for a loop 'cause I was under the impression that me and him were REALLY GOOD FRIENDS!!! At least, I know that I have a lot of respect for him! Hmm, I guess it's not as much the other way around as I thought. My mistake.
The list of misrepesentations goes on and on. JD's on the blog, but you (being a stranger) would never know from his rare posting that he was the number one entertainer of our youth group! Based on this blog, you have no idea that we have this awesome junior high kid named Stephen who is probably one of our most mature members. You also don't know anything about that Dalton kid because, despite his name being on the contributors' list, he's never made a single "contribution".
But don't fret. We are currently working on this problem. The few kids active on here are going to start helping me get the word out. Ryan is going to tell Shaun to get on the blog, and Shaun is going to do it, and you, the world, will come to love him as much as we do. Ryan's also gonna make JD get on here. Ben's going to get more active, and when he does, he's gonna tell Lakyn to do the same, and she'll flood the blog with silly, pointless yet totally lovable questions about obvious things. Ben's also gonna recruit Dalton. And Lauren is gonna get her brother on here too.
So check us out in the future. 'Cause as I said in my last post, this will be the greatest youth group blog ever created by a youth group ever in life!
Take Lakyn for example. You see her name there on the contributors list, but you never see any posts or comments from her. That's kinda ironic, 'cause the real world Lakyn is a very loud rambuncious girl with a very distint southern accent.
We've also got this dude named Shaun. You don't see him there on the contributors' list but he is a prominent member of our youth group. When Shaun's missing, somebody has to ask, "Hey, where's Shaun?" So why isn't he on this blog? Your guess is as good as mine! I have asked him time after time. I have sent him invite after invite. It's like he's delibertatly trying to defy me, which really throws me for a loop 'cause I was under the impression that me and him were REALLY GOOD FRIENDS!!! At least, I know that I have a lot of respect for him! Hmm, I guess it's not as much the other way around as I thought. My mistake.
The list of misrepesentations goes on and on. JD's on the blog, but you (being a stranger) would never know from his rare posting that he was the number one entertainer of our youth group! Based on this blog, you have no idea that we have this awesome junior high kid named Stephen who is probably one of our most mature members. You also don't know anything about that Dalton kid because, despite his name being on the contributors' list, he's never made a single "contribution".
But don't fret. We are currently working on this problem. The few kids active on here are going to start helping me get the word out. Ryan is going to tell Shaun to get on the blog, and Shaun is going to do it, and you, the world, will come to love him as much as we do. Ryan's also gonna make JD get on here. Ben's going to get more active, and when he does, he's gonna tell Lakyn to do the same, and she'll flood the blog with silly, pointless yet totally lovable questions about obvious things. Ben's also gonna recruit Dalton. And Lauren is gonna get her brother on here too.
So check us out in the future. 'Cause as I said in my last post, this will be the greatest youth group blog ever created by a youth group ever in life!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Sunday, April 08, 2007
The Passion in review
Wow, I don't know about you guys but watching The Passion last night was something that I am very glad I did. It is soooo very easy to lose sight of what Christ did when you hear it over and over. To see it the way it actually happened was powerful. I wish that we could really get that in our heads/hearts permanently, but it always seems to fade, and entirely too quickly.
Some of my "mostest favoritest" scenes were:
1. The whipping was... just absolutely... oy. I can't even... Oh man. Whipping doesn't even cover it, scourging just seems to say it so much more like the way it really was.
2. When Christ's mother ran up to him while he was carrying his cross and he said "Look mother, I make all things new" was powerful. I just can't help but think about how the “all things new” will be when we get to heaven. How we will finally return to the way it's supposed to be and get away from all this fallen business.
3. Where Simon of Cyrene slowly changed from regretting the fact he had to carry a criminal's cross, to almost holding up Jesus on the way to "the skull" was another of my favorite scenes. Especially touching was the part where they were getting close and Simon is saying, just a little bit farther.
4. The part where the two criminals were on the crosses beside Jesus and how the criminals who was penitent was humbly asking that he just be remembered, and Jesus told him that “this day you will be with me in paradise.” Again, I'm looking forward to that paradise. I was part of a heaven Bible study recently and it was extremely exciting because of the myths it dispersed and the things it described. I'm in no hurry to leave this earth, there is far too much to do to prepare for heaven yet, but I am excited about what IS on the other side of death. Not fluffy white clouds and disembodied harp-playing (blah) but a perfected existence! FUN! PLAY! Just cool stuff.
5. Where Peter denied Jesus was a rough scene. To feel that horrible gut-deep regret over what seems to be the worst thing you could ever do is familiar to us all hopefully. Not hopefully because I hope we have all done something super bad, but hopefully that we have not become so calloused as to not feel regret. The thing I hate most is when I mess up and DON'T feel like I've been hit in the stomach.
Another reason I like (“like” just doesn't say what I want to say, because how can you “like” such a scene of pain and betrayal?) the part where Peter denies Jesus is because we categorically KNOW that Peter went to heaven. When Jesus was talking with his disciples at the last meal they had together before he said that he had not lost any of those given to him, except Judas because that was to fulfill scripture. By “lost” Jesus meant losing someone eternally, and the fact that Peter DENIED that he even knew Jesus THREE times and yet that didn't somehow void his salvation just pushes the point home that our salvation doesn't depend on how good we are before OR after we are saved. It is by GRACE we have been saved! Absolutely beautiful.
6. My final favorite scene is (of course) the part where Jesus is shown to be alive again and he just has this look about him that says “I'm baaaack!” It's just a devil/death but-kicking scene. Just makes you want to scream YES! YEESSSS! (cain't touch this music plays) I love it. Absolutely love it.
What about you guys? Any scenes you especially love?
Some of my "mostest favoritest" scenes were:
1. The whipping was... just absolutely... oy. I can't even... Oh man. Whipping doesn't even cover it, scourging just seems to say it so much more like the way it really was.
2. When Christ's mother ran up to him while he was carrying his cross and he said "Look mother, I make all things new" was powerful. I just can't help but think about how the “all things new” will be when we get to heaven. How we will finally return to the way it's supposed to be and get away from all this fallen business.
3. Where Simon of Cyrene slowly changed from regretting the fact he had to carry a criminal's cross, to almost holding up Jesus on the way to "the skull" was another of my favorite scenes. Especially touching was the part where they were getting close and Simon is saying, just a little bit farther.
4. The part where the two criminals were on the crosses beside Jesus and how the criminals who was penitent was humbly asking that he just be remembered, and Jesus told him that “this day you will be with me in paradise.” Again, I'm looking forward to that paradise. I was part of a heaven Bible study recently and it was extremely exciting because of the myths it dispersed and the things it described. I'm in no hurry to leave this earth, there is far too much to do to prepare for heaven yet, but I am excited about what IS on the other side of death. Not fluffy white clouds and disembodied harp-playing (blah) but a perfected existence! FUN! PLAY! Just cool stuff.
5. Where Peter denied Jesus was a rough scene. To feel that horrible gut-deep regret over what seems to be the worst thing you could ever do is familiar to us all hopefully. Not hopefully because I hope we have all done something super bad, but hopefully that we have not become so calloused as to not feel regret. The thing I hate most is when I mess up and DON'T feel like I've been hit in the stomach.
Another reason I like (“like” just doesn't say what I want to say, because how can you “like” such a scene of pain and betrayal?) the part where Peter denies Jesus is because we categorically KNOW that Peter went to heaven. When Jesus was talking with his disciples at the last meal they had together before he said that he had not lost any of those given to him, except Judas because that was to fulfill scripture. By “lost” Jesus meant losing someone eternally, and the fact that Peter DENIED that he even knew Jesus THREE times and yet that didn't somehow void his salvation just pushes the point home that our salvation doesn't depend on how good we are before OR after we are saved. It is by GRACE we have been saved! Absolutely beautiful.
6. My final favorite scene is (of course) the part where Jesus is shown to be alive again and he just has this look about him that says “I'm baaaack!” It's just a devil/death but-kicking scene. Just makes you want to scream YES! YEESSSS! (cain't touch this music plays) I love it. Absolutely love it.
What about you guys? Any scenes you especially love?
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Remember last year?
Do you guys remember last year? Last year was the year that J.D and myself started going to Calvary. Last year was one of the greatest years of my life and I met some of the greatest people I think that I will ever meet. For instance, I got friends that will not judge you for the problems you have or ''stereotype.'' Stereotyping is like judging a book by its cover. If one person hangs out with people that smoke pot, then they will think you do too. Anyways....Our Youth Group is not like that...It is starting to change into that though....I don't hardly see ne one talking to Shelby on Wednesdays...and she goes on Sunday too. Are we casting them out or somthing?
Last year seemed like it was perfect...so what happened this year? We are not the youth group that we once were and I want our old one back and I know that you do too..
Last year seemed like it was perfect...so what happened this year? We are not the youth group that we once were and I want our old one back and I know that you do too..
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Heeeess BACK!
That's right every-old-body I'm back.
I know, I know, I've been gone a while. Got bogged down in last semester's mound-o-work and this semester's excitement. That, and just the fact that since I'm technically "too old" for the youth group there wasn't that little bit to hold me there. *shrugs* seems a tad artificial to me but I dunno, I suppose you have to go sometime.
Anyway, that was then, this is now. I might not be comin' to Wednesday night class anymore but I don't remember seeing a "If you are taller than this you can't ride" sign at the door of the blog :-) .
I was hoping to have some spiritually deep comments to throw on here, and I had quite a few ideas earlier, but now I'm drawing a total blank. I suppose if God wants me to post something He'll bring it back to mind. As for an update on just what in the world has been going on with me in the past... Oh... how long has it been? (looks up last post in the archives... Keeps looking... Keeps looking some more...) A YEAR!?!?! IT'S BEEN A YEAR!?!?!?! No, certainly not... Man. Well then I suppose I have some posting to do ;-) .
The Recent and Exciting:
Well let's see here... I'm trying to get a job up at the college as a work study. Looks pretty hopeful if I can just wade through the heaps of paperwork involved. This Friday I'm hoping to head up to Texarkana to get some more of this paperwork I have to fill out. Yes, I am a glutton for punishment. Dave Phillips will be one of my bosses. Just in case any of you don't know who that is (which is probably all of you lol) he mans the soundboard some Sundays. Wears a nice hat and whatnot. He works up at the college and is actually taking some of the classes I am. Thus a workstudy was born :-) .
As a side note, on one of my quests for paperwork in town Sarah actually passed me while I was walking up to the workforce center. Gave me a quizzical look as I sat there dumbfounded at just how small the world really is lol.
Meh, other than that nothing really "exciting" as you would define it. I'm all worked up about the next version of Ubuntu Linux coming out this month but you guys would probably find that a yawnfest.
Greg's weird idea of the month:
Yea that's right. I have weird ideas. They hit me fairly often. I'll just be sitting there filling out paperwork (blah paperwork) and BOOM! out from nowhere this silly idea leaps on my brain because nobody else would take it in. I'm a sucker I know.
Anyhoo it occurred to me the other day that though I'm not particularly good at the normal churchy evangelizationizing (R) things, something I am reasonably good at is fixing computers. Not real spiritual, not something you can take to to some sort of ministering activity, but a talent I have been entrusted with none the less.
So it then occurred to me that there are probably a lot of other members who are just like me; also not very good at the standard goyeeforths and comeyeehithers, but ARE good at practical things. Things like fixing cars, haying a field, digging a ditch, working a camera, etc. I'm not just talking youth here but the whole church.
Now most of the time, in my humble experience, God might direct someone into your path that you can help and you pipe up and say "hey! I'm actually fairly handy with so-and-so, maybe I could help." Well that's all fine and dandy, dandy and fine but you will probably miss a lot of people that you could otherwise help.
So here's my idea in the long and short: those of us who are skillful in some manner or other could put our name, number, ability and availability on a sheet of paper on a bulletin board. Then, if someone in the church needs something done, they can go and look at the board to see if there is someone who can help instead of having to go and pay someone to do it. Call it a "talent bank" from that parable Jesus taught.
You know, that one where a master leaves a few servants at a house and he gives them each a certain amount of money (called talents oddly enough.) When the master comes back the good servants have invested the talents and made the master some money. But, the not so great servant had his little talent and buried it the ground, not making any interest on it. Well the moral of the parable is that God made us all with certain abilities and He expects us to use those gifts, talents and whatnot to help out down here. I dunno about you but I'm ready to dig my little old coin out of the dirt and put it to some use.
Again that's just my li'll ole idea but I just think it would be cool. And again, I'm not so much directing this at the youth as everybody. I don't know about you but when I was, oh, 13-16 my "talent" was a warm body who could do manual labor. Though there probably is a need for some leaf rakers and siding painters most of those areas are covered by youth activities and youth auctions anyway.
I'm trying to target the "talent bank" or whatever you want to call it to those of us who have abilities that could be used on a fairly regular basis in fields that currently kinda get ignored. You catch my drift here? Anyway that's that. Just looking for some sounding boards to bounce that idea off of, maybe polish the rough edges off of it.
The Random and Silly:
Well I... Aww never mind :-) . This post is too long already and I'm sure you want to go back to having fun. Get to it! Stop reading! Go! Lol.
I know, I know, I've been gone a while. Got bogged down in last semester's mound-o-work and this semester's excitement. That, and just the fact that since I'm technically "too old" for the youth group there wasn't that little bit to hold me there. *shrugs* seems a tad artificial to me but I dunno, I suppose you have to go sometime.
Anyway, that was then, this is now. I might not be comin' to Wednesday night class anymore but I don't remember seeing a "If you are taller than this you can't ride" sign at the door of the blog :-) .
I was hoping to have some spiritually deep comments to throw on here, and I had quite a few ideas earlier, but now I'm drawing a total blank. I suppose if God wants me to post something He'll bring it back to mind. As for an update on just what in the world has been going on with me in the past... Oh... how long has it been? (looks up last post in the archives... Keeps looking... Keeps looking some more...) A YEAR!?!?! IT'S BEEN A YEAR!?!?!?! No, certainly not... Man. Well then I suppose I have some posting to do ;-) .
The Recent and Exciting:
Well let's see here... I'm trying to get a job up at the college as a work study. Looks pretty hopeful if I can just wade through the heaps of paperwork involved. This Friday I'm hoping to head up to Texarkana to get some more of this paperwork I have to fill out. Yes, I am a glutton for punishment. Dave Phillips will be one of my bosses. Just in case any of you don't know who that is (which is probably all of you lol) he mans the soundboard some Sundays. Wears a nice hat and whatnot. He works up at the college and is actually taking some of the classes I am. Thus a workstudy was born :-) .
As a side note, on one of my quests for paperwork in town Sarah actually passed me while I was walking up to the workforce center. Gave me a quizzical look as I sat there dumbfounded at just how small the world really is lol.
Meh, other than that nothing really "exciting" as you would define it. I'm all worked up about the next version of Ubuntu Linux coming out this month but you guys would probably find that a yawnfest.
Greg's weird idea of the month:
Yea that's right. I have weird ideas. They hit me fairly often. I'll just be sitting there filling out paperwork (blah paperwork) and BOOM! out from nowhere this silly idea leaps on my brain because nobody else would take it in. I'm a sucker I know.
Anyhoo it occurred to me the other day that though I'm not particularly good at the normal churchy evangelizationizing (R) things, something I am reasonably good at is fixing computers. Not real spiritual, not something you can take to to some sort of ministering activity, but a talent I have been entrusted with none the less.
So it then occurred to me that there are probably a lot of other members who are just like me; also not very good at the standard goyeeforths and comeyeehithers, but ARE good at practical things. Things like fixing cars, haying a field, digging a ditch, working a camera, etc. I'm not just talking youth here but the whole church.
Now most of the time, in my humble experience, God might direct someone into your path that you can help and you pipe up and say "hey! I'm actually fairly handy with so-and-so, maybe I could help." Well that's all fine and dandy, dandy and fine but you will probably miss a lot of people that you could otherwise help.
So here's my idea in the long and short: those of us who are skillful in some manner or other could put our name, number, ability and availability on a sheet of paper on a bulletin board. Then, if someone in the church needs something done, they can go and look at the board to see if there is someone who can help instead of having to go and pay someone to do it. Call it a "talent bank" from that parable Jesus taught.
You know, that one where a master leaves a few servants at a house and he gives them each a certain amount of money (called talents oddly enough.) When the master comes back the good servants have invested the talents and made the master some money. But, the not so great servant had his little talent and buried it the ground, not making any interest on it. Well the moral of the parable is that God made us all with certain abilities and He expects us to use those gifts, talents and whatnot to help out down here. I dunno about you but I'm ready to dig my little old coin out of the dirt and put it to some use.
Again that's just my li'll ole idea but I just think it would be cool. And again, I'm not so much directing this at the youth as everybody. I don't know about you but when I was, oh, 13-16 my "talent" was a warm body who could do manual labor. Though there probably is a need for some leaf rakers and siding painters most of those areas are covered by youth activities and youth auctions anyway.
I'm trying to target the "talent bank" or whatever you want to call it to those of us who have abilities that could be used on a fairly regular basis in fields that currently kinda get ignored. You catch my drift here? Anyway that's that. Just looking for some sounding boards to bounce that idea off of, maybe polish the rough edges off of it.
The Random and Silly:
Well I... Aww never mind :-) . This post is too long already and I'm sure you want to go back to having fun. Get to it! Stop reading! Go! Lol.
Good Friday
Some of you might remember watching The Passion of the Christ last Easter. We had a small group, but I think that overall it was a positive experience. I'm thinking about doing it again this Friday (that's Good Friday). Hopefully we will have a larger group this year. If you've seen the movie already, try to come anyway. The way I see it: this is not a movie you watch once just to know how it ends (hopefully you knew that before watching it) - you watch it to remember what Christ did. In addition to watching the film, we will also discuss it. So please come if you can, in honor of Good Friday.
We will meet at 7:00 pm.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
think about it
well guys i would like to tell you something i would like to share my testimony to you people wednsday or the next but that would be up to yall no me. so think about it and leave a comment.
Possible Discussion
Recently, I was thinking about a Wednesday night devotional/lesson/discussion - whatever you want to call it - in which I share my testimony (that is, all about how my relationship with God has developed over the years). Anyway, in doing this, I began thinking about my high school experience and tried to think of ways to relate it to some of the things teenagers face today (it's not like there's much difference, but still...). When I started thinking about our generation (by "our" I mean me, Aaron, and Joann) and some of the things that really defined it, one thing came to mind: Columbine.
I was in ninth grade when that shooting took place. To be honest, I can't say it really "affected" me, at least not in any way that I could account for at the time. But I'll never forget it. And now that I'm growing up and developing this interest in youth ministry, the tragedy of it means more to me. And I believe that, after nearly 8 years, it still raises a lot of opportunity for discussion about life, God, etc. And I thought it would work well for a discussion in our youth group.
So here's the deal...
Tomorrow night - or I guess that would actually be tonight since it's now past midnight - at 9:00 pm, the National Geographic Channel will air The Final Report: Columbine. I fully intend to catch this documentary. If anyone else happens to watch it as well, I think we could start a very deep discussion about it. Of course, I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know exactly what to expect. In any case, thinking back on this tragedy, learning about how it all came together, and thinking about how some of us might respond were we to face something like it - all this can open up a good discussion.
If you watch the show (or even if you don't), share your thoughts in a comment on this post. What led to it? What was wrong in these boys lives that they would do this? Do they remind you of anyone you know? How well do you remember this event? The list of questions you could ask from this are endless. Like I said, it was an event that would become a lasting memory for my generation. And the evil behind it (as well as the beauty of the love and faith that came from it) is still very relevant today.
You start the discussion after you watch the show (if you watch the show) and I will continue it with some of the thoughts I have about it. Sound good?
I was in ninth grade when that shooting took place. To be honest, I can't say it really "affected" me, at least not in any way that I could account for at the time. But I'll never forget it. And now that I'm growing up and developing this interest in youth ministry, the tragedy of it means more to me. And I believe that, after nearly 8 years, it still raises a lot of opportunity for discussion about life, God, etc. And I thought it would work well for a discussion in our youth group.So here's the deal...
Tomorrow night - or I guess that would actually be tonight since it's now past midnight - at 9:00 pm, the National Geographic Channel will air The Final Report: Columbine. I fully intend to catch this documentary. If anyone else happens to watch it as well, I think we could start a very deep discussion about it. Of course, I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know exactly what to expect. In any case, thinking back on this tragedy, learning about how it all came together, and thinking about how some of us might respond were we to face something like it - all this can open up a good discussion.
If you watch the show (or even if you don't), share your thoughts in a comment on this post. What led to it? What was wrong in these boys lives that they would do this? Do they remind you of anyone you know? How well do you remember this event? The list of questions you could ask from this are endless. Like I said, it was an event that would become a lasting memory for my generation. And the evil behind it (as well as the beauty of the love and faith that came from it) is still very relevant today.
You start the discussion after you watch the show (if you watch the show) and I will continue it with some of the thoughts I have about it. Sound good?
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Fresh Start...Sorta
Okay, if you've paid any attention at all to this blog, you should know that I'm asking each member to make at least one post a month. Well, I just thought I'd point out that it is now April, so we now begin on a clean slate. If you choose to play your part on the blog this month, now is the time to start thinking about it. Forget the "game" - I don't think that made any difference anyway. Just post for the reason you know you should. If you want a good example of what you could post, scroll down and check out some of the posts made by David, Sarah, and Ryan (Ryan's is especially good and still awaiting further discussion).
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