So Andy and his mom came over today a fished a bit in the pond behind my house. This is what his patience got him...Andy the Master Fisherman. He threw it back a vowed to catch it again next year.
6.28.2008
BIG fish...
So Andy and his mom came over today a fished a bit in the pond behind my house. This is what his patience got him...Andy the Master Fisherman. He threw it back a vowed to catch it again next year.
6.23.2008
How far is too far?
We are online! Our 5th week in The Power of Sex series was good one. We tackled the question "How far is too far?" and were challenged to shift our focus from ourselves to God and change the question to "What boundaries can I put in my life to keep me from going to far?" Take a listen. Stay tuned for more messages online.
6.20.2008
Inclusive vs Exclusive
Have you ever been invited by a friend to hang out with a group of people for the night? Have you ever felt like when you got there no one really cared you were there, not even the friend who invited you? That is definitely not a fun place to be. If you have ever been there, you know how awkward that can be hearing everyone talk and laugh as you try to infiltrate their world.
Have you ever been invited to hang out with people and when you got there they acted like you were a rockstar? They wanted to know all about you, wanted to include you in everything they were doing, wanted to know your opinions and stories, seemed like they really cared about you. Its a great feeling!
Now, if you had your choice which would you choose? To be excluded or included? My money is on included. Why? Because we want to feel like we belong, like we are accepted, like we are wanted. Every one of us wants to feel that way! Do you realize that you can impact anyone and everyone you meet by simply being inclusive? By simply trying to get to know people? You can change a life forever by being a friend to someone!
I knew a guy in High School that no one wanted to be around. He was different, he acted strange, sometimes he smelled bad, he had ratty clothes, and he had huge curly hair. You know I never reached out to him or tried to include him in anything I did. To this day I regret that. I regret being that selfish. I was to concerned with fitting in myself that I never reached out.
Its sad, but we all act like that don't we. We all can be pretty self centered at times. We all think about ourselves first. So here is the challenge. Not just for your youth group, or church, but for every aspect of your life. Don't compartmentalize this. Don't apply this half-heartedly, don't blow this off. The challenge is simple. Look for ways to be inclusive! Look for ways to bring people in! Look for ways to make an impact that could last for eternity!
Its your choice. Just remember what its like to be excluded. Be a family, be a friend, be inclusive.
Have you ever been invited to hang out with people and when you got there they acted like you were a rockstar? They wanted to know all about you, wanted to include you in everything they were doing, wanted to know your opinions and stories, seemed like they really cared about you. Its a great feeling!
Now, if you had your choice which would you choose? To be excluded or included? My money is on included. Why? Because we want to feel like we belong, like we are accepted, like we are wanted. Every one of us wants to feel that way! Do you realize that you can impact anyone and everyone you meet by simply being inclusive? By simply trying to get to know people? You can change a life forever by being a friend to someone!
I knew a guy in High School that no one wanted to be around. He was different, he acted strange, sometimes he smelled bad, he had ratty clothes, and he had huge curly hair. You know I never reached out to him or tried to include him in anything I did. To this day I regret that. I regret being that selfish. I was to concerned with fitting in myself that I never reached out.
Its sad, but we all act like that don't we. We all can be pretty self centered at times. We all think about ourselves first. So here is the challenge. Not just for your youth group, or church, but for every aspect of your life. Don't compartmentalize this. Don't apply this half-heartedly, don't blow this off. The challenge is simple. Look for ways to be inclusive! Look for ways to bring people in! Look for ways to make an impact that could last for eternity!
Its your choice. Just remember what its like to be excluded. Be a family, be a friend, be inclusive.
6.16.2008
Elevation
Well its almost here. Elevation, our third worship service in the FLC is right around the corner. I believe that this service will catapult us to a whole new level around here and I know it will be something you guys will want to be a part of! The gym will look completely different with a permanent platform, a really nice sound system, a band, and some sweet lights. I might even through in a fog machine every once in a while. To put it simply, its going to rock! I am sure some faces will be melted! So here is the skinny on this new service. It kicks off Sunday, August 24th at 12:30. There will be free coffee, flat screen tv’s and sweet tables and sofas to relax at before the service. There will be two projectors, subwoofers, line array speakers (line array means crazy awesome), and a live band every week. So, get ready to grab your friends and get them here for a totally unique worship experience. See you at Elevation.
6.10.2008
The deal with family
So the post on family has gotten some pretty interesting responses. Keep em coming. Thats what this is all about. You guys have a voice.
So what is the deal with all this family talk? Well, I have been in Youth Ministry going on 5 years now and I have seen one common thread throughout all the churches I have visited, worked at, studied, and spoken at. The churches that grow, that impact their world, that truly love people, are truly family.
Family is so much more than a word. It is a unity, a closeness, an openness that allows people to talk about how they feel, hold each other up, and hold each other accountable.
I love my wife. She is the most amazing and brilliant woman I have ever known. She is my best friend. We can share deep feelings, we support each other above all else, and we keep each other pointed in the right direction (she is REALLY good at that). Thats really what family is all about.
Another aspect of family is people. Every family has one thing in common. People. That means one thing. Families are never perfect. As much as I love my wife, I still fight selfishness and we still have our bad days. Sometimes we fight, but we always, always, work to heal our relationship.
Our youth group is made up of a lot of people. We will never be perfect, but we should always, always, work to keep our relationships strong. Sometimes that means doing hard things, but it always involves love.
Bottom line, the rest of the world will know we are Christians by our love. Not only for the lost, for those who don't know Christ, but for each other. So family is this. That we do not consider ourselves greater than everyone else, but consider others needs as more important than our own. That is giving, that is selfless, that is love, and that is family.
So what is the deal with all this family talk? Well, I have been in Youth Ministry going on 5 years now and I have seen one common thread throughout all the churches I have visited, worked at, studied, and spoken at. The churches that grow, that impact their world, that truly love people, are truly family.
Family is so much more than a word. It is a unity, a closeness, an openness that allows people to talk about how they feel, hold each other up, and hold each other accountable.
I love my wife. She is the most amazing and brilliant woman I have ever known. She is my best friend. We can share deep feelings, we support each other above all else, and we keep each other pointed in the right direction (she is REALLY good at that). Thats really what family is all about.
Another aspect of family is people. Every family has one thing in common. People. That means one thing. Families are never perfect. As much as I love my wife, I still fight selfishness and we still have our bad days. Sometimes we fight, but we always, always, work to heal our relationship.
Our youth group is made up of a lot of people. We will never be perfect, but we should always, always, work to keep our relationships strong. Sometimes that means doing hard things, but it always involves love.
Bottom line, the rest of the world will know we are Christians by our love. Not only for the lost, for those who don't know Christ, but for each other. So family is this. That we do not consider ourselves greater than everyone else, but consider others needs as more important than our own. That is giving, that is selfless, that is love, and that is family.
6.04.2008
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