Sometimes I forget I have a blog...
Almost 1 month ago, I ordered Tom Wright's New Testament for Everyone Gospel set to help in the doing of the Matthew book for our Mexico mission this year. I still have not received the book. This is quite disheartening because it was at a great price (maybe explaining the book's disappearance from the face of the universe). Not sure if I should buy a copy to use and return later or just deal for now until the end of April... Probably going with the former!
3.25.2009
3.16.2009
Parent Ministry
One of my big goals is to get parents ministry running for middle and high school teens' parents. I'm not really sure where to start. My guess would be to offer an informational class for parents. I'm thinking of starting with a social networking class like "Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter... OH MY!" Does anyone else have ideas of topics on which parents might like hear the perspective of a 22 (almost 23!) year old guy with crazy hair?
3.10.2009
WHOA!
It's been a couple of busy weeks with the winter retreat and Youth Sunday back to back, but it was fun while it lasted. Now that it's over, I have a little time to focus on cleaning my desk and computer a bit. I've got some old download files that I don't remember...
Both the winter retreat and Youth Sunday went superbly. Thanks for all the prayers!
I attended the IGNITE leader's conference at Blackhawk Saturday (3/7). It was very informative. I took the Discovering Your Leadership Style workshop. It was great to know that I have very little leadership when it comes to detail. I'm more of a visionary/entrepreneurial leader with team-building, shepherding, and bridge-building elements in that. Good to know for future use. Now to brainstorm how I can use that to enact discipline in youth group. It could be interesting.
Both the winter retreat and Youth Sunday went superbly. Thanks for all the prayers!
I attended the IGNITE leader's conference at Blackhawk Saturday (3/7). It was very informative. I took the Discovering Your Leadership Style workshop. It was great to know that I have very little leadership when it comes to detail. I'm more of a visionary/entrepreneurial leader with team-building, shepherding, and bridge-building elements in that. Good to know for future use. Now to brainstorm how I can use that to enact discipline in youth group. It could be interesting.
3.06.2009
RE:formed and RE:ligion
I have to admit that I am becoming more and more in line with reformed theology. Things that once caused me to shudder (God's election and the like) are becoming so much more beautiful and meaningful to my faith. You may accept this or boo me to the grave, but here I will stand. I bought John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion to understand his thinking better.
It's funny how much that one word above (religion) can cause division. Here's something to chew on: I'm not right. I'm never right. In fact, I cannot be right. But Jesus was right, and the Holy Spirit through me is right. Jesus calls us to acts of piety (such as prayer and fasting) to deepen our connection to God and remember our commitment to His kingdom. Jesus also calls us to let the Holy Spirit do acts of good will through us to show God's mercy and grace.
In a totally unrelated thought train, I'm doing our taxes today...
Thomas
It's funny how much that one word above (religion) can cause division. Here's something to chew on: I'm not right. I'm never right. In fact, I cannot be right. But Jesus was right, and the Holy Spirit through me is right. Jesus calls us to acts of piety (such as prayer and fasting) to deepen our connection to God and remember our commitment to His kingdom. Jesus also calls us to let the Holy Spirit do acts of good will through us to show God's mercy and grace.
In a totally unrelated thought train, I'm doing our taxes today...
Thomas
2.18.2009
Green
I'm so green at this "doing youth ministry" thing...
Father,
Give me the patience to be shaped by you, even if it hurts sometimes.
Thomas
Father,
Give me the patience to be shaped by you, even if it hurts sometimes.
Thomas
Lovers Anonymous
I'm gonna have to say that one of my pet peeves are petitions for worthy causes.
Don't get me wrong! I think we should all stand up against evil and injustice in the world. However, it's too easy to sign a petition and think you've "done your part." This is especially difficult for me to grasp since I'm a hands-on kind of guy. Don't just write your name down (or type, which is even easier). Put your name down with sweat and blood. Jesus did it for us on the Cross.
We're finishing a three-week look at Romans 12 tonight in (grace)land. Paul is exhorting the church in Rome. He sums the thought process here with a list of ideas that play into living the life transformed by the Holy Spirit renewing the mind and compelling us to a Jesus-centered lifestyle.
Don't get me wrong! I think we should all stand up against evil and injustice in the world. However, it's too easy to sign a petition and think you've "done your part." This is especially difficult for me to grasp since I'm a hands-on kind of guy. Don't just write your name down (or type, which is even easier). Put your name down with sweat and blood. Jesus did it for us on the Cross.
We're finishing a three-week look at Romans 12 tonight in (grace)land. Paul is exhorting the church in Rome. He sums the thought process here with a list of ideas that play into living the life transformed by the Holy Spirit renewing the mind and compelling us to a Jesus-centered lifestyle.
2.17.2009
Thoughts from 1 Peter
Mars Hill (WA) is on my podcast list right now. They're doing a series through 1&2 Peter. Here's something Mark said in the first sermon:
"If your gaze is only to how the world responds to you, you will live with no joy, or you'll sin and compromise in an effort to pursue joy where there is none to be had in the approval of those who don't love God. If you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, understand His great love for you, the fact that He's chosen you, that He won't leave you, that He won't forsake you, that He loved you before time began, that He loved you before He created the earth for you to walk on, that He loved you knowing you're a sinner, that He pursued you before you pursued Him, that He chose you before you chose Him, you'll have joy and you'll be able to live a life patterned after Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Great stuff.
"If your gaze is only to how the world responds to you, you will live with no joy, or you'll sin and compromise in an effort to pursue joy where there is none to be had in the approval of those who don't love God. If you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, understand His great love for you, the fact that He's chosen you, that He won't leave you, that He won't forsake you, that He loved you before time began, that He loved you before He created the earth for you to walk on, that He loved you knowing you're a sinner, that He pursued you before you pursued Him, that He chose you before you chose Him, you'll have joy and you'll be able to live a life patterned after Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Great stuff.
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