Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Appreciation

God has given us, for some reason, life.

Our appreciation of this gift is the appropriate form of worship.

For example, you receive a gift from your father. A very nice gift. Let's say, you wake up on Christmas morning, and you go outside to grab the newspaper (I have no idea if they even deliver the paper on Christmas - do they?), and as you bend down to get the paper, you notice that parked in your driveway is a brand new BMW convertible. Your dad stands behind you, and he says that the car is yours.

I think there is a key questions to ask in this situation, and the questions may get at some of the angst we feel... How do you respond to your dad in an appropriate way?

We all want to live the "Good Life." But the "Good Life" has at least two tenants: to be thankful, and drive the car. Yes, you could ding the BMW, or get a ticket, or any number of less than ideal outcomes might happen. But relax! It's Christmas! Enjoy the gift, and use it well!

Perhaps this is as close to praise as a lost humanity can get.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Shake The Dust

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Diversity

At first glance, I don't find myself too diverse.

I'm a 6'0", 180 pound white dude with blonde hair that lives in Springfield, MO. One of the least diverse areas I've ever lived in.

So, to say the least, I do not find myself very diverse. And there is nothing wrong with that... because I am blessed to be where I am at in life.

As I grew up learning leadership skills though, I've always valued diversity immensely! Specifically in this area, I not only value diversity, but I've always tried to see it out.

One of the ways I've tried to seek out diversity is through reading... except I hate to read. But I love learning, so because of that I find myself being forced to read. And what I read usually has some diversity to it.

This book above, Miles To Cross: A Spiritual Journey on the Open Road, has a very diverse agenda to it, and I appreciate it.

Mike Howerton discovers diversity in an unusual journey. The book follows him as a college student through Europe by train, America by motorcycle, Britain by hitchhiking, and Central America by any means possible. This is a book with an authentic narrative that reveals a stepping-stone journey to faith. A raw experience which today's generation can identify with.

As a Director of Youth at Schweitzer, if all I read was student ministry books, I feel like i'd become a one-track leader. I believe we become better leaders by engaging a more diverse learning/education process, like Mike Howerton did in his book.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Practice Makes Perfect

This is a DCI Snare solo from the Independent category at the 2004 championships. This solo got Ivan Pacheco 1st place.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Whose Energy?

In Colossians 1:29, Paul calls out the energy of his ministry:
"To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me."

It's one thing to do youth ministry will all my energy.
It's another thing to do youth ministry with all his energy.

If I get to do ministry and live life with complete access to the energy of God, it should be fun. It's like going on a spending spree with Warren Buffet's credit card.

If i'm doing youth ministry out of my own energy, it's just a matter of time before the whole thing breaks down and I give up, exhausted and depleted.

Godly living kicks in when my energy ends and the energy of Christ begins.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Colt McCoy & Sam Bradford

I Am Second.

Colt McCoy & Sam Bradford.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Confirmand's Faith

At Schweitzer, we recently confirmed 34 Confirmand's this last Sunday. Here is what our Confirmand's had to say about faith and trusting in God.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

I am second.

A new High School message series is about to take off. This Sunday, at 7pm, come out to hear more about what it means to say, "I am second."

Yike Bike

Call me nerdy, but seeing this today made me want one. Kind of. But not really. But if someone gave me one, I'd take it.

It's called a "Yikebike." It's a bizarre looking, foldable electric bicycle.