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.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
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
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
Thursday, March 6, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
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.
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.
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