texting you can count on

I had a friend introduce me to a new FREE text service, that offers you the ability to text information, news and encouragement to your students, leaders, etc...
It is very simple. For example:
Text DBSM to 41411 and you subscribe to the service.
The requested textees have to apply or subscribe to the service and the standard text fees apply
the admin then sends out a text message for the group and they all receive it.

I am getting use to the system but totally feel this is an awesome tool to use to get the word out and encourage students or remind them to show up with their money on time LOL..

Run the race and win. Why settle for a silver?

I have been continually focused on the amazing athletes of the Olympic games.. Yes I support the US women's Beach Volleyball team, the Bolt who has single handedly broke two major records, the platform divers and countless other champions... But I am more focused on the other athletes.
Paul speaks of running the race to win the prize. I see all the athletes training their entire life and about 40 hours a week to fine tune and perfect their certain activity all to make it to the Olympics and possibly lose.
I have watched people win a silver medal, or a bronze and feel upset that they didn't win. One of the sprinters running in the 200 m for the US, last night after his agent said good job you got a silver and he said... but I LOST! I am sitting there thinking you won a silver dude... but then realize he wasn't training or running the race to win a silver. He was running the race to win the prize.. a GOLD.
How often do we train ourselves as children to run the race to win the gold, only to get to the race of our lives and settle for a bronze or silver? Why do we work so hard and settle for second best in our relationships with the opposite sex, with our careers, with our activities, with our academics?
I think we all can learn from the athletes who run the race to win but fall short.. Most of them will continue to practice and learn from the short falls to become more focused and determined to reach their goals.. Never quit the training and remember you do not have to settle for a silver.

Run the race to win the prize

We are in the beginning week of the 2008 Olympic games, and personally one of the favorite seasons of the year for me. I enjoy the Olympics, not just watching the athletes compete to win but also the stories behind the athletes.
I am watching as much of the games as I can and even caught most of the opening ceremony, which was insane but a true display of the quality Chinese culture and fire works display.
I then begin to think of Paul encouraging the believers to run the race to win the prize, but the games only offer one gold and national anthem per event. So, how do the compare?
I feel God has given each of us the ability to train for and win the race set before us, much like the athletes who represent their country to work and work and go for gold.
I would be willing to settle for a bronze or even a silver but Paul is pushing us to raise the bar and go for the GOLD...
I encourage you to train for the gold and seek God in your daily training.

The Middle Road

I have been struggling of late. On one end I am drawn to technology, to the latest and greatest of computers, cell phones etc.. and also to watch and see the latest movies when the come out.
The other end of me is a person seeking to grow as a Christ follower, knowing that God is calling me to a higher standard, a narrower road to travel then most choose.
How can we live in both worlds without a consistant struggle between the desires of the mind and the desires of the heart. You'll have to figure out which is which.

I know the more we fill our minds and lives with stuff, the easier it is to pursue gain and achieve goals and financial things but I also know our focus must first be on the one who created us and ultimately the things we pursue.

Some days I win the battle and others I dont fair so well, but I am always into win. I pray that we can move from the things of our world to the things of our God.

Small Groups matter

We are quickly approaching the 2008-2009 small group season for our junior and senior high students. The excitement is building. Our leaders are gearing up for another ministry season. God is blessing us with students who desire authentic relationships with each other and the leaders. We are seeing success with our sign up process and communications.
August 3rd we will meet with all of the senior high students to inform them and encourage them to sign up and gear up for the small group they will attend.
I know the importance of a small group of peers who love me, communicate me, encourage me and help me with accountability. I have been blessed over the years with a series of very compassionate people. God is so good to me and I pray that He will bless the small groups of Dearborn Hills and within each small group throughout the world.
So, get plugged into a small group today and invest in someones life.

Death of a Princess and the challenge of a champion

Death of a Princess,
On June 5th 2008 at 2PM I had the opportunity to share in the life of a princess. Kristen Marie Forbes went to be with Jesus. This might seem as no big deal but she was 23 and had a fight with cervical cancer that was a true testamony to the Power of God, who works through the challenges of our lives.. You see Kristen was a minster during the past year. She brought her friends to God's word, she made an impact with her Doctors, nurses, and all the hospital staff.
God allowed Kristen the privilege of life to the full. She had been reading her bible prior to her illness and underlined many scriptures that would later give her strength and were read during her funeral service. She was a princess on earth and will continue to be so in heaven.
I will miss her dearly and know she is in a better place, worshipping, running, laughing, farting (she was a cutie but she sure was stinky, a special thing we shared) and is with the Lord for eternity.
The very next day, I had the opportunity to watch the East Central Lady Trojans compete in a run for the state finals. They began to play with great focus but had some mountains to overcome. Kallen Hovland, a graduating senior and member of our student ministries, is the short stop and in my opinion the core and strength of the team. She is a quiet leader, who focuses on the strength of other, the importance of team work, fair play is always on her mind and displayed as she bats, warms up, runs, throws and stands for the national anthem. Kallen is no ordinary student, she is a champion for the Lord.
I had such mixed emotions with saying good bye to our princess and saying Go for it to the champion.
we all wait for the game to complete, since it was postponed due to rain. The Ladt Trojans are in the second inning down by 5. I pray they can play to their abilities and show great sportsmanship along the way, win or lose.
We should all be encouraged by two young women who has set an example for us all.

Good Friday Service

Thank you God.
I am continually blessed by God's grace and purpose for our calling to Bright Indiana. I had the privilege of working with some of the awesome students of Dearborn Hills during our Student Ministries led Good Friday Service. We had the opportunity to verbal walk the attendees through the various stations of the cross and prayer.
The combined efforts of some talented junior and senior high students and a few adult offered an experience for those to reflect on the very experiences of Christ in the closing days of his life and how HE DID IT FOR THEM. We closed the night with a very emotional song performed by a very talented young lady which allowed people to feel Christ in the room and in their hearts and closed out the night with a prayer of rememberance.
God often humbles me and reminds me of His never ending love for people, especially Students.

May you feel the depth of God's love through His one and only son this Easter season and that God has surrounded you with some totally gifted, and loving students.

I sit in a moment of reflection, just thinking how can we be happy knowing Jesus Lives without being sad that Jesus died, on account of me and you.

Don't Compare it is not fare.

I have been to a few youth worker seminars lately and I often come away from those things thinking.... man the main speakers or break out session leaders have a great deal of cool things to say but they've been at their church for ever. They haven't been down my road...
I know it is harsh but I must admit that I haven't had the pleasure or curse (depending on how you look at it) of being at the same church forever. I would like to haev but God had a different plan than I.
I will be the first to admit, I have worked in 6 churches over the last 14 years. Each church I served in was a stepping stone for me personally, not so much as a youth pastor/director but as a person, husband and father. The journey from volunteer to part time paid with full time work, to full time to unemployed to servant support (volunteer) and again to full time minister. I have done it all and that has offered me a unique view point that most people don't have. I know what is it like to spend my free time doing ministry, to have 30 minutes to clean out my desk and find a new church for my family to attend and serve. I think God has given me a gift that should be shared.
I want to encourage others who have journey through the wilderness or desert of job locations. I know it seems like everyone else has it better than you, but I really think those of us who have experienced lay off, firing and the every so dreaded get out or we will throw your stuff out have more to share with the student or parent that is on rock bottom. You have been blessed not cursed.
I have been reading through the New Testament and find God using many people who have been on rock bottom.. The woman at the well, the lady that bleed for many years, the dad who's daughter was dieing, the captain of the gaurd who's servant was ill, and the disciple who's mother-in-law was deathly ill.
God turned those low points around to be big ministry victories and I wanted to encourage you to change your outlook from a negative to a positive and look how God is equipping you for opportunities that await you.
The road is narrow that we must travel even though many travel the wide road... keep the faith

refining the G

Grow- Christ Followers
Give- to God and others
Go - tell by action

We have refined our selves. How can you remember that growth is foundational, giving produces fruit and going puts the Christian life into action.

We are not coach potatoes or guards for our sacred building but we are to be men and women of action.

Confirmation

I am gaining excitement for our confirmation attendees and the series we will dive into.
March 1st we had the pleasure of meeting with the Bishop (called Bishop Mike) of the North and South Indiana Conference.
We had pizza, a cool game, some mountain dew and a huge cookie. We also had some Mc D's and Starbucks on the two hour long ride home.
We will begin to meet and discuss the ideas and concepts of Confirming ones faith in Christ and that of the church.
I am praying for the 5 students who will meet over the next two weeks.

What is a Christ Follower?

How would you answer this question?

I think this is a very important question to consider.
Think about it and let me know.