it's been too long since I've posted.
i don't have much to say other than the fact that Christmas is nigh (i think that is a fancy way to say near) and this can only make me happy. people usually are in a better mood around this time of year and for good reason. i really want to have all my friends over sometime soon for a big christmas "family" dinner before we all head home to our families for christmas break. that is by far the best part of Christmas; sharing time with the people you love and remembering how good God is for sending us, "sweet 8 pound, 6 ounce baby jesus." (yes i referenced talladega nights).
everyone, i'm sorry i ruined your lives and and i'm sorry that i crammed 11 cookies into the VCR -elf
merry christmas.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
hypocrites, sons of hell, blind guides, brood of vipers, whitewashed tombs...etcetera, etcetera
over the last few weeks i have heard a certain adjective several times, that i haven't heard much before and every time i have heard it i have been stirred but i wasn't really sure why. it's been brought up many times over the last few weeks when talking about approaches and philosophies of ministry, and i was still unsure as to why it was stirring me so much.
the names in the title of this post are all names that Christ used in referring to the pharisees during His ministry. at first i thought maybe the reason i was stirred so much by this word and these names that Christ used, was the fact that what Christ was saying to these people was so bold. my Jesus, my Christ had the stones to call these "religious leaders" hypocrites, vipers, and sons of hell. i thought, 'geez, what a beast."
but i heard this word again today and i realized why this word, 'pharisaic," struck a chord so deep inside of me. i think its because i hear Jesus tell these pharisees why they are hypocrites, vipers, or sons of hell, and i realize that i see a lot of the pharisees actions in myself and in my own life.
i have to apologize. i'm a judger. truth be told, whether i have a close relationship with you or if i barely know you, i've probably judged you unfairly. and when i hear Jesus refer to these men as hypocrites, vipers, or sons of hell, i realize that these names refer just as much to my behavior as they did to the pharisees. i am just as much of a hypocrite, a viper, or a son of hell because i claim to be one who is showing Christ's love to others, when more often than not i judge those different from me.
sorry if this is a downer and depressing, its just what i've been learning, and hopefully growing from.
goal: "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." - 1 Timothy 6:11
the names in the title of this post are all names that Christ used in referring to the pharisees during His ministry. at first i thought maybe the reason i was stirred so much by this word and these names that Christ used, was the fact that what Christ was saying to these people was so bold. my Jesus, my Christ had the stones to call these "religious leaders" hypocrites, vipers, and sons of hell. i thought, 'geez, what a beast."
but i heard this word again today and i realized why this word, 'pharisaic," struck a chord so deep inside of me. i think its because i hear Jesus tell these pharisees why they are hypocrites, vipers, or sons of hell, and i realize that i see a lot of the pharisees actions in myself and in my own life.
i have to apologize. i'm a judger. truth be told, whether i have a close relationship with you or if i barely know you, i've probably judged you unfairly. and when i hear Jesus refer to these men as hypocrites, vipers, or sons of hell, i realize that these names refer just as much to my behavior as they did to the pharisees. i am just as much of a hypocrite, a viper, or a son of hell because i claim to be one who is showing Christ's love to others, when more often than not i judge those different from me.
sorry if this is a downer and depressing, its just what i've been learning, and hopefully growing from.
goal: "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." - 1 Timothy 6:11
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
europa
part of me wishes that every once in a while the world would reward you with some vacation time or some kind of a reward.
for example:
i was thinking last night about how much i would like to go back to europe again. i feel really lucky that i got the opportunity to go when i was younger, but something tells me as a 14 year old kid i didn't totally appreciate everything that europe had to offer.
i went to the netherlands right before my freshman year of high school with a soccer team to play in a really prestigious youth soccer tournament. we played a lot of soccer while i was there, and i did a lot of the typical stuff that you do in the netherlands: went to a big fancy art museum (Rijksmuseum - www.rijksmuseum.nl), went to a really famous historical museum (Anne Frank House - www.annefrank.org), ate a lot of good food, saw some soccer (Ajax is beastly), and saw some windmills and ate some cheese.
this was all great but like i said before, i don't think i really appreciated it as much as i could have. i would love to go back again sometime soon and experience more. more countries, more culture, more fun.
but then i stop daydreaming and get back to reality, and realize that i have a year and a half of school left and no money....and i'm ok with that.
life goal: put as many stamps in my passport as I can.
for example:
i was thinking last night about how much i would like to go back to europe again. i feel really lucky that i got the opportunity to go when i was younger, but something tells me as a 14 year old kid i didn't totally appreciate everything that europe had to offer.
i went to the netherlands right before my freshman year of high school with a soccer team to play in a really prestigious youth soccer tournament. we played a lot of soccer while i was there, and i did a lot of the typical stuff that you do in the netherlands: went to a big fancy art museum (Rijksmuseum - www.rijksmuseum.nl), went to a really famous historical museum (Anne Frank House - www.annefrank.org), ate a lot of good food, saw some soccer (Ajax is beastly), and saw some windmills and ate some cheese.
this was all great but like i said before, i don't think i really appreciated it as much as i could have. i would love to go back again sometime soon and experience more. more countries, more culture, more fun.
but then i stop daydreaming and get back to reality, and realize that i have a year and a half of school left and no money....and i'm ok with that.
life goal: put as many stamps in my passport as I can.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
future
I am bombarded with the future. Day after day I am confronted with it, when to be honest, I would much rather just be living in the now.
E.g. - I just finished an awesome summer with the Dream Team and I already have to try and figure out what I'm doing next summer for my DFE.
E.g. - It's been this way for a while, but I can't seem to go a whole day without being asked when a certain question will be popped.
E.g. - People are already wanting to know what my plans are after graduation, FREAKING 2 YEARS FROM NOW.
I understand that it is foolish to totally ignore the future and be unaware of things that are yet to come, but I am really in love with this right now, "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." - James 4:14-15
I pray that today and tomorrow and the next day that I never for a second forget the fact that this life is nothing compared to the greatness of eternity with my Father in heaven. If the Lord wills, I will live and do this or that, go here or there, and do it all to His glory.
E.g. - I just finished an awesome summer with the Dream Team and I already have to try and figure out what I'm doing next summer for my DFE.
E.g. - It's been this way for a while, but I can't seem to go a whole day without being asked when a certain question will be popped.
E.g. - People are already wanting to know what my plans are after graduation, FREAKING 2 YEARS FROM NOW.
I understand that it is foolish to totally ignore the future and be unaware of things that are yet to come, but I am really in love with this right now, "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." - James 4:14-15
I pray that today and tomorrow and the next day that I never for a second forget the fact that this life is nothing compared to the greatness of eternity with my Father in heaven. If the Lord wills, I will live and do this or that, go here or there, and do it all to His glory.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
cheers
oh manhattan, its been too long...but you are so worth the wait.
so i've been back in the hat for about a week and a half and its been good. i live in a house now and i like it a lot. i miss being around all the guys in the dorms all the time, but i really like the guys i live with too. i even kinda like doing some of the tedious things about living on my own, like making my own meals and doing the dishes and some of that grown up stuff...for now.
class started today and i think its gonna be an interesting year. it will be challenging but it will be good, and 17 hours will keep me plenty busy.
but of course, the thing that makes this place so great has been catching up with everybody. after seeing each other for the first time for the summer and asking, "oh hey, how was your summer?" it seems like these relationships were never really put on pause, which is a good feeling.
i can't wait to get back into the routine of things and continue to allow myself for God to challenge and use me in new ways this year.
so manhattan, here's to you and another great year
so i've been back in the hat for about a week and a half and its been good. i live in a house now and i like it a lot. i miss being around all the guys in the dorms all the time, but i really like the guys i live with too. i even kinda like doing some of the tedious things about living on my own, like making my own meals and doing the dishes and some of that grown up stuff...for now.
class started today and i think its gonna be an interesting year. it will be challenging but it will be good, and 17 hours will keep me plenty busy.
but of course, the thing that makes this place so great has been catching up with everybody. after seeing each other for the first time for the summer and asking, "oh hey, how was your summer?" it seems like these relationships were never really put on pause, which is a good feeling.
i can't wait to get back into the routine of things and continue to allow myself for God to challenge and use me in new ways this year.
so manhattan, here's to you and another great year
Friday, August 14, 2009
the road...8/8
this post has been a long time in the making now...sorry for the delay.
NYR (whip-crack) with the Norton crew and Kev-bot was absolutely awesome. Despite the lack of cold-weather clothing and all the rain and sleeping in my wet clothes every night...it was a fantastic week. We got to do a ton of different stuff, like for example, the first day before the conference really got started we got to go to Elitch Gardens which is like the big amusement park in Denver and we got to ride rollercoasters all day. then everyday after that we would go to the main session of NYR (whip-crack) in the morning and the evening. But instead of going to the classes and doing organized rec and stuff at NYR (whip-crack), the youth group from Norton went into Denver everyday to work at the salvation army with all the little chonchos from inner city Denver. It was so awesome to not only get the opportunity to do ministry with Mike and Cody from Norton, but to step back and watch his kids serve others was really cool. These kids were so great and have such awesome potential to do great things for God's kingdom. They're the best...yeah Norton!
But now my Camp Team summer with the Dream Team is now complete, this is a very bittersweet feeling. I have learned so much this summer, whether it was about God, myself, ministry, or any other thing we came across this summer it was definitely one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. One thing that is totally evident (and totally obvious) is that God was definitely the mastermind and architect behind all of this. Whether its the amazing team that He put together, the path that He laid out for us, the people that we got to meet, or the experiences we got to have...it's so awesome to look back at all the different things that happened this summer and say, "Only a wonderful and mighty God could've done this."
The biggest lesson I learned this summer: you have to be intentional. I have no idea what this life holds for me, I could die 50 or 60 years from now of old age, or I could die tomorrow. We don't know what this life has in store for us and if we sit around and don't take the time to be intentional and real with the people we know and do life with or even with people that we may meet just once, we could be wasting precious opportunities to be building relationships that will glorify God and His kingdom.
Now it's back to living life in Manhattan and so far I've loved all of it. The house = awesome, and catching up with friends I haven't seen all summer = even more awesome. But i do miss the Dream Team and can't wait for us to be reunited so soon!
DreamTeam4L
NYR (whip-crack) with the Norton crew and Kev-bot was absolutely awesome. Despite the lack of cold-weather clothing and all the rain and sleeping in my wet clothes every night...it was a fantastic week. We got to do a ton of different stuff, like for example, the first day before the conference really got started we got to go to Elitch Gardens which is like the big amusement park in Denver and we got to ride rollercoasters all day. then everyday after that we would go to the main session of NYR (whip-crack) in the morning and the evening. But instead of going to the classes and doing organized rec and stuff at NYR (whip-crack), the youth group from Norton went into Denver everyday to work at the salvation army with all the little chonchos from inner city Denver. It was so awesome to not only get the opportunity to do ministry with Mike and Cody from Norton, but to step back and watch his kids serve others was really cool. These kids were so great and have such awesome potential to do great things for God's kingdom. They're the best...yeah Norton!
But now my Camp Team summer with the Dream Team is now complete, this is a very bittersweet feeling. I have learned so much this summer, whether it was about God, myself, ministry, or any other thing we came across this summer it was definitely one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. One thing that is totally evident (and totally obvious) is that God was definitely the mastermind and architect behind all of this. Whether its the amazing team that He put together, the path that He laid out for us, the people that we got to meet, or the experiences we got to have...it's so awesome to look back at all the different things that happened this summer and say, "Only a wonderful and mighty God could've done this."
The biggest lesson I learned this summer: you have to be intentional. I have no idea what this life holds for me, I could die 50 or 60 years from now of old age, or I could die tomorrow. We don't know what this life has in store for us and if we sit around and don't take the time to be intentional and real with the people we know and do life with or even with people that we may meet just once, we could be wasting precious opportunities to be building relationships that will glorify God and His kingdom.
Now it's back to living life in Manhattan and so far I've loved all of it. The house = awesome, and catching up with friends I haven't seen all summer = even more awesome. But i do miss the Dream Team and can't wait for us to be reunited so soon!
DreamTeam4L
Friday, July 31, 2009
the road...7/8 (written 7/25)
Week 7 = By far the hardest and most frustrating week of the entire summer.
On so many different levels, this camp just was so draining emotionally, and it was a huge test of our patience (we failed in that a few times).
I’ve never been around so many kids who have been through so much crap in their lives. It became apparent throughout the week that there are so many reasons why some people should never have children. These kids had been through broken home after broken home, these kids had been beaten, these kids had been molested, and these kids had been through hell and back. No kid should ever have to go through that. The most frustrating thing about this, was that the way the camp was run, these kids didn’t have a whole lot of opportunities to encounter God and experience the love of Christ because the camp was directed more towards kids that have been going to church and have a relationship with Christ, so those kids could grow in their faith instead of being able to show the kids who are hurting, the love of Christ. Every camp we have been at has done a great job of being able to do both…not so much this week.
The cool thing about this week was getting to sit back and watch my team step in and minister to the kids who were hurting, we all had kids in our group that had never been shown love before and to be able to open up the Bible and show them who Christ is and that His love is so amazing and never ending was a pretty awesome experience.
Despite all the frustrations and disappointments of this week, this was probably the best week for our team. Despite the bad things and our horrible attitudes…God still used us in huge ways. Whether it was teaching kids that they can make a difference in this world, leading a group of kids into worship, or showing kids what Godly love looks like…God used us so much. And because of all the frustrating things that happened we were able to grow closer as a team through prayer, venting sessions, mcdonald’s trips after the pool, and the infamous van-times. God put this team together for a reason…and I thank Him so much for allowing me to be surrounded by such awesome people all summer. Dreamteam4L
Next Up: Nationwide Youth Roundup (Whip-Crack) w/ Norton Christian Church – Sedalia/Denver, CO (Final Week of Camp Team Summer 2009)
On so many different levels, this camp just was so draining emotionally, and it was a huge test of our patience (we failed in that a few times).
I’ve never been around so many kids who have been through so much crap in their lives. It became apparent throughout the week that there are so many reasons why some people should never have children. These kids had been through broken home after broken home, these kids had been beaten, these kids had been molested, and these kids had been through hell and back. No kid should ever have to go through that. The most frustrating thing about this, was that the way the camp was run, these kids didn’t have a whole lot of opportunities to encounter God and experience the love of Christ because the camp was directed more towards kids that have been going to church and have a relationship with Christ, so those kids could grow in their faith instead of being able to show the kids who are hurting, the love of Christ. Every camp we have been at has done a great job of being able to do both…not so much this week.
The cool thing about this week was getting to sit back and watch my team step in and minister to the kids who were hurting, we all had kids in our group that had never been shown love before and to be able to open up the Bible and show them who Christ is and that His love is so amazing and never ending was a pretty awesome experience.
Despite all the frustrations and disappointments of this week, this was probably the best week for our team. Despite the bad things and our horrible attitudes…God still used us in huge ways. Whether it was teaching kids that they can make a difference in this world, leading a group of kids into worship, or showing kids what Godly love looks like…God used us so much. And because of all the frustrating things that happened we were able to grow closer as a team through prayer, venting sessions, mcdonald’s trips after the pool, and the infamous van-times. God put this team together for a reason…and I thank Him so much for allowing me to be surrounded by such awesome people all summer. Dreamteam4L
As I write this…Kevbot and I are on our way to Colorado with a youth group from Norton, KS to go to Nationwide Youth Roundup (Whip-Crack). This week should be pretty sweet…actually camping, being in the mountains, hanging with a small group of kids instead of an entire camp full of kids, serving people every day in a huge city (Denver) and being at a huge conference. Sounds like a you-bet situation.
And if you can’t tell from the above picture, I haven’t shaved in about a week and a half….i’m gonna ride this out for the rest of this week and see what happens. I haven’t gone this long for quite a while (that’s what she said).
Next Up: Nationwide Youth Roundup (Whip-Crack) w/ Norton Christian Church – Sedalia/Denver, CO (Final Week of Camp Team Summer 2009)
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