Typical Myspace Pics and Names

XStraightJacketSteveX

SpEaK nO eViL

JADED MELODIES

xoxoBUBBLEGUMxoxo

<3breaker

Twister Extreme!

X and Y Axis, anyone?

Cries for the Kingdom

Today it all came crashing down on me in a moment of Divine revelation.  Well, maybe just a good chunk of the puzzle was just pieced together.  Ya, I like that one more.  Anyway, here is how it went: This morning, after reading a bit of Thomas Schreiner's "New Testament Theology" (concerning the miracles of Jesus as signs of the Kingdom of God being present and that Jesus is King), I decided to open up to Mark 5:1-20 (where Jesus heals the demon-possessed man).  I had a great time of reflection and praise for the fact that Jesus brings the fulfillment of the Old Testament expectations that God would begin to rule on the earth, binding the evil and bringing healing to his people.  I personalized this and meditated on the reign of Christ in my life and the healing that he brings.  However, in concentrating on the presence of the Kingdom in the ministry of Jesus and how that still continues today, I was quickly moved from a time of rejoicing to a time of deep sorrow and lamentation.  I realized how many things surrounding my life are broken and how those are still parts of this world that await the final consummation of the Kingdom of God: broken families, poverty, addiction, death, and sickness (both spiritual and physical).  This created a somber rhythm the rest of the day.  There was goodness in meditating on that which awaits fulfillment, for my prayer became "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  

Super Mario Brothers

We just got Wii and it has Super Mario Brothers.  Needless to say, Kaitlin will no longer be socializing with anyone.  
Some of you may not have known this, but she is an avid gamer, especially when it comes to the old school stuff.  
If anyone wants to hang out in the next couple weeks, let me know.  I have no fiance for a while!

Summer Roadtrip 08

This week we launched our Summer series, Summer Roadtrip 08!  We will be exploring the spiritual journey of life as we all follow Jesus.  Topics include planning for the journey, reading the roadmap, discerning the signs on the road, how to deal with others in the car, and detours.  We have some great events mixed with a new small group structure for our Wednesday nights!  I pray that we would all learn how to stay on the road that leads to life and be authentic, focused, and trust in God the whole way!

No Limits

I was driving around and saw this sign.  I stopped and chuckled to myself because it was posted in a church parking lot.  It seemed ironic to me that the gate to a church would have limits, times, and days that one could enter.  I know that this is for parking purposes only and has nothing to do with salvation, but I can't help but think of that.

In John 10:9, Jesus says, "I am the door [or gate].  If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."  He is always available!  There are no time constraints or "hours of operation" for Jesus.  He is always there, ready for those he loves to enter into eternal life!

Another thought that ran through my head was a point I preached on last Sunday:  "There is no division between the secular and the sacred!"  We have bought into the notion that Church is what we do on Sunday mornings and small groups, and the rest of the week is our "life."  Not at all!!!  It is all sacred!  God is not so small that we limit Him to a building or place or time!  We are called to be followers of Jesus Christ (continuously), not merely spectators a couple hours a week.  

I pray that we will be people who start to see God in the ordinary.  That we would live out of our identity in Jesus Christ all the time.  I pray that we would start seeing life through the eyes of God, and that we may approach Him ANY TIME... for He has NO LIMITS!

Week of Crazy/Awesomeness!

(Seth, our Senior Pastor, and Me)

This week was amazing! Vacation Bible School was such a success.  Of my 30 7th and 8th graders this week, 3 of them made the decision to follow Jesus and 9 of them were baptized yesterday!!!

Kaitlin came and helped me most of the week... I think the Jr. High boys are afraid of her because they soaked her with water and she is committed to retaliation. 

Here are some highlights of this week:

• Fear Factor Challenges.  Jr. High students LOVE this!!! Just mix ingredients together and make them eat it! Have a trash can nearby so they can throw up, because they will!  Oh, and by the way... I own at "Chubby Bunny!" 

• Newspaper Ninjas.  This is an awesome game we played on Wednesday night at Youth Group!  I found it on an awesome Youth Ministry site.  You have two teams and give them each a newspaper and duct tape.  They must cover one person in each group with newspaper from head to toe, leaving only the eyes so they can see.  Then the two ninjas fight by pulling the newspaper off each other.  Whoever pulls the most paper off in 30 seconds wins!  
• Lagoon BBQ.  This was a church BBQ on Saturday.  I was so tired by this time, so I wasn't sure how it was going to be.  To my surprise, I had a blast!  It was so nice getting to know people more and hang out with some of our youth leaders.  
• Youth Sunday.  Yep, yesterday was Youth Sunday!  The morning where church is run completely by the Youth Group.  Music was earthy and raw, creating an amazing worship experience.  They VBS kids performed and showed off their fantastic dance moves (seriously... these kids have skills).  I preached on our series we have been in for the past month, YouTube: Broadcast Yourself.  Then we had baptisms... AMAZING!  Such a powerful way to broadcast the life-transformation of the Gospel of Grace!!! Feedback for the service was very positive for everything.  

It was a week full of blessings, but I am exhausted. Now I rest.  

Jr. High Guys and Girls

Somehow I forgot how crazy Jr. High boys are!  They are insane!!!  The girls are perfect little angels.  However this doesn't seem to last for long... it is only a matter of time before the guys become too cool to talk and the girls are caught up in the latest "drama" of life and love and everything in between. 

VBS had a great start.  I originally had 15 Jr. High students signed up, but we had 27 today and more on the way later in the week!  All I have to say is that the grace of God (and the coffee... which is a grace in and of itself, right?!) is what brought me through it all.

Tomorrow I need a microphone... my voice hurts...

Venti Iced Coffee + 102 Degrees in the Car

Vision

God has been teaching me what it means to be a visionary.

Let me explain.

In my first three weeks of full-time Youth Ministry, I have been bombarded with phone calls, emails, calendars, sermons, and event planning.  I love it!  I get stressed at times, but I love the planning and always having to be on my feet.  However, I have recently been longing for a little more.  A little more Jesus.

No, a lot more Jesus.

Part of the way I have been trying to lead the Youth Group is with casting a vision and leading everyone in it.  This is good.  It has been working.  People are enjoying it.  

Today I realized something, though: It's not enough to just cast a vision and lead others in it.  I must LIVE it!  This is such a simple truth, but if the gravity of its simplicity is grasped and put into practice, there is flourishing!  

Live the vision you are leading others in.

Everyone has some sort of vision.  For Christians, the following is true for us all:

The Vision is Jesus.

Obsessively.

Dangerously.

Undeniably.

Jesus.

Christians ought to live Jesus in every moment.  Live his love.  Live his forgiveness.  His grace.  His truth.  His death to self.  LIVE THE VISION OF JESUS. 

I pray that God teaches me how to lead well by living well.  I pray the same for all followers of Jesus Christ.