In this particular blog I want to share 3 stories, enjoy!
This last Sunday night during our youth group I unveiled something that we (or maybe just I) have taught Anderson. Everyone was sitting around our youth room talking, eating and then I say "touchdown" loud enough for Anderson to hear. When he hears this he throws his hands above his head to give the touchdown sign, laughter was echoed throughout the room. I said it a couple more times and then the show was on.
Last Wednesday our youth group went to Incredible Pizza Company in Greenwood. For those unfamiliar with IPC it is a pizza buffet, with games, much like a Chuck E Cheese for older kids. While we were there playing games, most kids won hundreds and one in particular thousands of tickets. With the tickets you can purchase all sorts of prizes from their store of toys, stuffed animals, gadgets etc...as we were leaving I heard kids saying they bought toys or won things they were giving their siblings, friends, babysitters etc.
One of my favorite things to do as a youth minister is being able to talk with a student one on one about baptism. These last 10 months seems like I have been able to do more than normal (which is amazing to see God work this way). Watching these students grasp and understand is incredible to witness.
These 3 stories all give us illustrations on when kids get "it". During the last 17 months it has been awesome to watch Anderson grow and learn how to sit up, crawl, walk and learn to do things like "touchdown". While at ICP hearing students talk about winning prizes to give to others was humbling. Being able to sit with a student as they are giving their life to Christ is surreal.
Sometimes they might not be fully listening, sometimes we feel like we are just talking to the wall or sometimes we feel like they will never understand or grasp the concept. Then all the sudden the "it" moment happens, then everything all together great. Next time you experience an "it" moment enjoy it, cherish it, more importantly thank God for that moment and the opportunity to be in it.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Initiative
Starting this Sunday and throughout the month of October we will be talking about the word "initiative" during children's church. As we look at this word and how important it is that is one virtue we live by, we will learn it means seeing things that need to be done and doing it.
From time to time each one of us (I know myself especially) needs to be reminded about this idea of initiative. Whether it is around our house, in our communities and even in our church's. Philippians 2:4 says, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." I think we should take this as a challenge to make sure we do all we can do to the things we see need to be done.
Let us look around, how can we make a difference in our homes? How can we make a difference in our communities? How can we make a difference in our church? How can we make a difference in our relationship with God? Imagine the movement, imagine the noise we can make for God if we all took the initiative.
From time to time each one of us (I know myself especially) needs to be reminded about this idea of initiative. Whether it is around our house, in our communities and even in our church's. Philippians 2:4 says, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." I think we should take this as a challenge to make sure we do all we can do to the things we see need to be done.
Let us look around, how can we make a difference in our homes? How can we make a difference in our communities? How can we make a difference in our church? How can we make a difference in our relationship with God? Imagine the movement, imagine the noise we can make for God if we all took the initiative.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Preferences or Passions?
All of us prefer things. I prefer a big glass of milk when I am eating something sweet. I prefer my burgers and pizza to have no vegetables on them. I prefer listening to sports talk on the radio. I prefer showing up too early, rather than too late. There are a lot of preferences I have, which I will not bore you with right now. I am sure each of you have some preferences, maybe a lot of them. Some of the preferences maybe a little stronger than others. No matter what those are, they are our preferences and they make us who we are.
I am passionate about somethings. Some of the passions are serious and deep, while others are not so serious. I am passionate about the sports teams I root for. I am passionate about being the man God has called me to be as a husband, father and minister. Those two passions are no where close to each other on my radar of passions, but both are passions. I am also passionate about making sure people who do not have a real relationship with Jesus, find one. If you are a believer, this should be one of your passions too, one that is also the top of your list or close to!
The definition of preferences and passions in the dictionary are completely different. One means a choice or a right to claim. The other means powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. In a book these maybe different, but are they different in our lives and even churches? We often confuse the two, because one makes us feel more comfortable, more like us. It makes us feel like we are in control. I believe that is not how we are to live. Our relationship with Christ should not be a preferred one, when we feel like it, what we like, always about us. Instead have a passion and want in that relationship. God is so passionate about you and I, He gave us the greatest gift possible. His love is unfailing, His grace is never ending and His want to be in our life is a unmistakable. Too great and too much for us to prefer God, instead of being passionate about Him.
Each day I am trying to let God be my passion and keep my preferences to the way I eat my snacks, after I have my burgers and pizza, while listening to sports talk radio!
I am passionate about somethings. Some of the passions are serious and deep, while others are not so serious. I am passionate about the sports teams I root for. I am passionate about being the man God has called me to be as a husband, father and minister. Those two passions are no where close to each other on my radar of passions, but both are passions. I am also passionate about making sure people who do not have a real relationship with Jesus, find one. If you are a believer, this should be one of your passions too, one that is also the top of your list or close to!
The definition of preferences and passions in the dictionary are completely different. One means a choice or a right to claim. The other means powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. In a book these maybe different, but are they different in our lives and even churches? We often confuse the two, because one makes us feel more comfortable, more like us. It makes us feel like we are in control. I believe that is not how we are to live. Our relationship with Christ should not be a preferred one, when we feel like it, what we like, always about us. Instead have a passion and want in that relationship. God is so passionate about you and I, He gave us the greatest gift possible. His love is unfailing, His grace is never ending and His want to be in our life is a unmistakable. Too great and too much for us to prefer God, instead of being passionate about Him.
Each day I am trying to let God be my passion and keep my preferences to the way I eat my snacks, after I have my burgers and pizza, while listening to sports talk radio!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Good Things End...Better Things Coming
A few post back I mentioned what an incredible summer I experienced. That summer is coming to an end, tomorrow is the first day of September. By now school is well in swing, schedules are becoming routine, we are just waiting for temperatures to start dropping. With all the change it is a reminder of things that are upcoming. I am sure there are events, gatherings and parties people are looking forward to this fall. I personally am looking forward to fall.
I love the fall season. It is the start of football season, playoff baseball is around the corner. The entire atmosphere of fall in my opinion is truly incredible. This fall I am looking forward to Anderson enjoying his newly installed bike seat, maybe even enjoying whatever face I carve in a pumpkin or even sitting still long enough to watch some Buckeye football with me!
One more reason I am anxious for fall is for the activities at church. The movie night, Fall Family Fest and our new programming. Starting September 8th we will kick off Family Ties our new middle and high school Wednesday night program. September 12 is when we start Undignified at 5PM for our elementary students and at 6PM we have Unplugged for middle and high school students. I am thankful for the support of our staff, elders and parents as we are trying new things. I am also thankful for my wife Abby who came up with a lot of great ideas for our programming for 2010-2011 school year.
Make sure your students check out are new stuff, keep it in your prayers and look for some amazing stories that will come from these upcoming events, which will show us better things are coming.
I love the fall season. It is the start of football season, playoff baseball is around the corner. The entire atmosphere of fall in my opinion is truly incredible. This fall I am looking forward to Anderson enjoying his newly installed bike seat, maybe even enjoying whatever face I carve in a pumpkin or even sitting still long enough to watch some Buckeye football with me!
One more reason I am anxious for fall is for the activities at church. The movie night, Fall Family Fest and our new programming. Starting September 8th we will kick off Family Ties our new middle and high school Wednesday night program. September 12 is when we start Undignified at 5PM for our elementary students and at 6PM we have Unplugged for middle and high school students. I am thankful for the support of our staff, elders and parents as we are trying new things. I am also thankful for my wife Abby who came up with a lot of great ideas for our programming for 2010-2011 school year.
Make sure your students check out are new stuff, keep it in your prayers and look for some amazing stories that will come from these upcoming events, which will show us better things are coming.
Monday, August 23, 2010
How Far Much Have You Grown?
The last few weeks I have been looking through all the old sermons and lessons I have written. This is nothing big, I have only been out of college since 2004. Been blessed with a great internship in the summer of 2003 and have been serving at the same church (ECCC) since February 2004. All the experiences, opportunities have been awesome, but one thing I noticed is how God has allowed me to grow through Him.
The reason for all this reflection is when I was scheduled to plan the service this coming Sunday (August 29th), last month I started thinking. What should I do? The one constant that was coming back to me is look at the first sermon I preached in a church and preach that sermon. I did find that sermon, I read that sermon...I will be preaching the same outline, not the same sermon. It was humorous and embarrassing at the same time. I also realize how raw I was and the sermon was. In no way possible do I think I write excellent sermons/lessons, but I try and write what I feel God would want me to teach and share. I kept noticing that God has stretched me in the last 10 years. When I left for college for the first time 10 years ago, I had no idea that God would take me on the experiences that He has. Since those times I have seen so much change and growth. Being able to minister, become a husband and just a year ago become a dad, all of these have helped me grow up in the last 10 years, also recently.
How much growth is there in your life? How much have you changed in the recent years? Have you allowed yourself to grow and change? Has the change been for the better, have you been able to draw yourself into a closer relationship with God? Has your faith been able to grow? If so I am sure it has not always been easy, but it has definitely been worth the journey. The real growth will come when we allow God to be a part of and also lead our lives. Once we allow this to happen, we can see how much and how far we can grow.
The reason for all this reflection is when I was scheduled to plan the service this coming Sunday (August 29th), last month I started thinking. What should I do? The one constant that was coming back to me is look at the first sermon I preached in a church and preach that sermon. I did find that sermon, I read that sermon...I will be preaching the same outline, not the same sermon. It was humorous and embarrassing at the same time. I also realize how raw I was and the sermon was. In no way possible do I think I write excellent sermons/lessons, but I try and write what I feel God would want me to teach and share. I kept noticing that God has stretched me in the last 10 years. When I left for college for the first time 10 years ago, I had no idea that God would take me on the experiences that He has. Since those times I have seen so much change and growth. Being able to minister, become a husband and just a year ago become a dad, all of these have helped me grow up in the last 10 years, also recently.
How much growth is there in your life? How much have you changed in the recent years? Have you allowed yourself to grow and change? Has the change been for the better, have you been able to draw yourself into a closer relationship with God? Has your faith been able to grow? If so I am sure it has not always been easy, but it has definitely been worth the journey. The real growth will come when we allow God to be a part of and also lead our lives. Once we allow this to happen, we can see how much and how far we can grow.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Not Over Yet...
Seriously, this is the last week of July? This summer has flown by, it has been very exciting and a lot has gone on. I wish that was my reason for not writing in such a long time, but it is not. This summer has been filled with so much, that it got me to start thinking...I need to blog more.
The summer started out by honoring our graduates of the class from 2010. This was special, the high school grads were 7th graders when we started working with the youth here. That Sunday was bittersweet, as I was excited for their accomplishments and what God has in store for them, but I will miss them greatly when they leave for school. Second was our mission trip to Mexico...what an incredible trip. It was amazing to watch God take 16 teens, college students, adults and mold them into a family for that week. Our team was able to accomplish things we never thought possible. Currently we are in our VBS week, the first night was great. Looking forward to the next 4 nights. I have been blessed with an incredible support of volunteers here at ECCC!
With so much that has happened, which I don't want to forget the visits to camp, swim n study's, Rascal's trip...there is still more to look forward to. More swim n study's, a Cedar Point trip, concert, campout etc...this next month is looking to be as exciting as the rest of the summer. The greatest thing I have enjoyed this summer is the relationships that have been formed through these activities, the relationships that have grown during the above mentioned as well.
The summer schedule will soon come to a close, school will start. We will get back in a routine, but before all of that...there is still one great month of summer left, it is not over yet!
The summer started out by honoring our graduates of the class from 2010. This was special, the high school grads were 7th graders when we started working with the youth here. That Sunday was bittersweet, as I was excited for their accomplishments and what God has in store for them, but I will miss them greatly when they leave for school. Second was our mission trip to Mexico...what an incredible trip. It was amazing to watch God take 16 teens, college students, adults and mold them into a family for that week. Our team was able to accomplish things we never thought possible. Currently we are in our VBS week, the first night was great. Looking forward to the next 4 nights. I have been blessed with an incredible support of volunteers here at ECCC!
With so much that has happened, which I don't want to forget the visits to camp, swim n study's, Rascal's trip...there is still more to look forward to. More swim n study's, a Cedar Point trip, concert, campout etc...this next month is looking to be as exciting as the rest of the summer. The greatest thing I have enjoyed this summer is the relationships that have been formed through these activities, the relationships that have grown during the above mentioned as well.
The summer schedule will soon come to a close, school will start. We will get back in a routine, but before all of that...there is still one great month of summer left, it is not over yet!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
What An Incredible Feeling
Amazing what happens to us as people when the start of spring kicks in. Daylight is longer, weather is nicer, I know personally I love this time of year. I love the weather, NCAA Tournament, Opening Day, Reese Peanut Butter Eggs, The Masters next weekend. All these things are great, the real reason for loving this time of year is what I will be celebrating and hopefully you will be celebrating Sunday. Our Savior LIVES!
Year after year, I am amazed how God and Jesus went through this week in scripture. When I read about the entry, the Last Supper, the betrayal, the pain and agony on the cross...it's amazing! The story does not end with the death, God is much too powerful for that. The stone is gone, the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive! All this was done so that we can spend eternity with Our Maker, who wants nothing else than to be with us and love us. He was willing to go incredible lengths so that we would have an opportunity to spend eternity with Him. What an incredible feeling that is for us, that someone loves us so much.
As you gather with your church Sunday that incredible feeling you feel is your Savior is alive...so celebrate, rejoice, share that feeling with those who do not know!
Year after year, I am amazed how God and Jesus went through this week in scripture. When I read about the entry, the Last Supper, the betrayal, the pain and agony on the cross...it's amazing! The story does not end with the death, God is much too powerful for that. The stone is gone, the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive! All this was done so that we can spend eternity with Our Maker, who wants nothing else than to be with us and love us. He was willing to go incredible lengths so that we would have an opportunity to spend eternity with Him. What an incredible feeling that is for us, that someone loves us so much.
As you gather with your church Sunday that incredible feeling you feel is your Savior is alive...so celebrate, rejoice, share that feeling with those who do not know!
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