Chocolate fondue....sort of!

If you are running short on time but want to have a chocolate fondue experience (you know, melted chocolate that you can dip various fruits in!) try mixing Cocoa Puffs and Fruit Loops for breakfast! It's not nearly as bad as it sounds......

+ = yummy


You gotta love breakfast with 7 y.o.'s!

Tired of sickness and death

Recently, I have been struck by how so many of my friends are dealing with serious illnesses, cancer, or the loss of loved ones.

I am tired.

And I'm not even the one dealing directly with these situations.

I can hardly wait for heaven.

"He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good--tears gone, crying gone, pain gone--all the first order of things gone." Rev 21:4 (Msg)

How do people without faith persevere through.....where is their hope?

Should I Join 'The Stuffed Animal Club'?

So my 7 y.o. tells me he is part of the stuffed animal club in his first grade class and we have the following conversation.

Me: "What does it mean to be part of the stuffed animal club?"

A: "We all bring our stuffed animals and play with them at recess. Mostly we push them on the swings or throw them in the air or they play tag."

Me: "What do you have to do to be a member of the club?"

A: "Just bring a stuffed animal."

Me: "Are there any rules?"

A: "You have to bring a stuffed animal, hello! And if you don't bring a stuffed animal for two weeks you are out of the club. If you bring a stuffed animal next time you come to lunch you can join the club, papa!"

Me: "Ummm, I'll think about it....."

You gotta love first grade.......

Compilation Creed

This past few months our youth group has been going thru "confirmation". I have some personal biases with that word but regardless of that - it was an awesome experience! We did Youth Alpha and then a New Members Class thing and it was pretty sweet. In the process our youth wrote out their own personal creeds........below is a compilation of what they wrote. Very cool.......

I believe in God….creator of heaven and earth. I believe that God’s being, his nature, is too great for human comprehension. I believe God knows and understands me better than I will ever know and understand myself. I believe God has a plan for my life. I believe that even though I know I am not far in my journey of faith and even though I have doubts I know that God is real. In God – all things are possible!

I believe that Jesus is God’s only son. He is a passionate leader, courageous, and brave. I believe that Jesus has been on the earth because of his teachings in the church and the everyday miracles to his people. He proclaimed God’s gospel….and died completely without sin. I believe that Jesus died for our sins. He was sent to die on the cross for me and rose again so that I can be forgiven. Since He died for my sins, my slate can be wiped clean. I believe that Jesus is my friend and he never leaves you like an orphan but comes to you like a parent. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the bible tells me so.

The Holy Spirit is sent by Christ to help guide us through everyday life. I believe that the Holy Spirit entered my body the day that I gave my heart to Jesus. The Holy Spirit works through me and in me. He is the voice in my head and the song in my heart revealing the truth in all tough situations. He helps me open my eyes each day to see something new or God’s work in my life. When I pray, the Holy Spirit seems to put the right words in my mouth and gives me strength when I am weak. He is a protector, comforter, and a connection between me and God.

The Bible is inspired by God and God is infallible – so the Bible is perfect just like Him…. Though God is extremely complex, we can also learn even more of his nature through reading his word, the Bible. The Bible is true.

I believe the church is a gathering of community. The church is a place where one can explore their faith. It is a place where brothers and sisters in Christ can come and learn, share, and develop their faith in God. It is a fellowship of believers, a place for prayers and praise. It is a place to talk to God when you need Him most. I believe that the church is here to help us serve others, to get guidance and support, to go and teach others about God. The church is a celebration place!

Seeing Jesus in a food court

I admit it. I'm a Pot Belly Sandwich addict. I think the secret is in the bread, combined with the perfect combination of hot peppers they put on their sandwiches. At least once a week I find myself at the EP Mall food court eating "The Wreck" with a bowl of chili and an Arizona Ice Tea. Yummm.

Usually during this time, I'll have a book to read or the newspaper. Just sort of disengage from everything and focus on......nothing. Yesterday was different though. Yesterday, as I sat down, I had this tremendous burden of what it would be like if Jesus was sitting in the food court. How he would be viewing and engaging the people. The people in the food court suddenly weren't a distraction but rather an attraction. Knowing that under all of the hurry and busyness - there is so much hurt, so much sin, so much aching for purpose and meaning and.....God.

I wish I could say that these thoughts lead me to have a great interaction with someone and share the story of Jesus with them....but it didn't. But it did move me closer to being more like Jesus - even in the food court. A very small step - but I don't think an insignificant one.

Where have you seen Jesus that surprised you?

Meeting God in a bathroom

Okay, so I don't usually look for God analogies in the bathroom. Anyway - as I was, let's say, finishing up the other day in a local eatery's facility - I noticed how it is all set up to "limit" what I can use.

The toilet paper dispenser is one of those annoying ones that tears off after you pull with the force of a gnat - leaving you with 4 completely useless pieces of see thru paper. Of course, this forces you to repeat this procedure numerous times - adding to the joy of the experience.

The water faucet is one of those types that automatically shuts off just after you get soap on your hands (hey, at least I washed...right, guys!) forcing you to push the button, move your hands quickly to the water, and repeat - adding to the joy of course.

And speaking of the soap dispenser - I really hate those foam jobs - the foam tends to cling to the dispenser and just at the last minute (usually when you briefly move your hands from under the dispenser to push that stupid water faucet button) it releases and lands in the growing pile of greenish, white goop growing on the floor. Again...adding to the joy.

Finally, you come to the wonderful paper towel dispenser. This one happened to be one of those that distributes one towel at a time - about the size of an envelope. Again, forcing you to repeat the process over and over and over - adding to the joy.

I'm so glad God hasn't given me his "least"....

"I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." John 10:10 (Msg)

And He wants to grow my joy.....

"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature." John 15:11 (Msg)

Confirmation Class *shudder*

Confirmation - that word still sends shudders thru me (in a bad way!). I'm not even sure why. I didn't go thru "confirmation" class as a kid. (My only childhood memory of church is making a turkey out of indian corn for Thanksgiving.) So I don't know why I have this bias toward the word as it relates to attending a class to confirm one's faith. All that being said.....

We just finished our first "confirmation" class at our church - and it was very cool. We combined Youth Alpha (YA) with our New Members (NM) class. Did Youth Alpha last fall and just finished the New Members piece last night. Here is what I loved about it.....

* Relationships, relationships, relationships - so many of the messages and discussion focused around our relationship with God and then with each other.
* Surrounding the students with adults of all ages from 22-70+! Adults serving youth by cooking dinners, small group leaders, giving talks, helping with faith statements, playing spider ball, worshipping together, eating together. "Church family" indeed!
* This process served as a great opportunity to talk with PARENTS! I haven't talked with so many parents ever until we did this. Their concerns about what the expectations are for their child's faith statements, about attendance, about expectations, etc. Wow - I learned so much about the hopes that parents have and the struggles and insecurities they have in talking about their faith with their kids. What a great time to come along side and encourage them.
* A different crowd - many of the youth came because their parents heard this was out "confirmation" class and they really encouraged their kids to be there. Opened some doors to engaging students we hadn't seen before and showing them Christ's love.
* Faith Statements - some of the stuff they wrote down blows me away.....maybe for another post I'll share some it.

Good stuff. God stuff. Who knew? (God did....)

Kid quote

"Mainly grandparents should play Monopoly 'cause they don't have anything to do all day anyway.....except sleep."

Lenten ponderings....

Lent - such a season of "in-betweens" for me. More often than not, Lent feels like I'm swimming around without direction more so than the typical increased focused time on Jesus. Maybe it's because I feel like I don't spend enough quiet and reflective time with God anyway...then Lent comes around....and I increase my guilt quotia rather than my hope/joy thoughts.

Our family has given up TV for the past couple of years. This year we all seem to be doing our own thing - for some it's TV, others a "limit" on TV, others certain food. I was asking our youth group the other day if they chose to give up things for Lent - about half of them were. I still hadn't decided if I was going to or not and since we were already 3 days in my choices were becoming limited to that which I hadn't already taken part of or in.....rule based guy that I am. *YIKES*

Well - after pondering a little today I have decided the following:

I am choosing to give up not eating together as a family. I am going to try to gather us more often during this season to sit down and eat together. Of course without the buy in of everyone else this may be a problem but it is where my heart is.

I am also choosing to give up TV and look for opportunities to play more family games with my kids/wife/neighbors - whomever.

I am also going to try to read thru the Gospels - already behind on that plan but I did start today.

So - there you have it. I really feel like I need to focus on relationships - family/friends and thru these will be more connected to God....because God is ALL about relationships, and going deeper with us. So in the midst of all the people He has surrounded me with...I am going to try to search for Him there - in the people - and see what happens.

Lent......it's not about rules.....start something today.....don't beat yourself up....just start.

30 Hour Famine Poem

One of our leaders wrote the following poem as he reflected on our 30 hour famine experience.......it's very cool! (Thanks for sharing Mitch!)

30 Hour Famine

Students checking in tonight
The mood is fun and spirits light
Excitement fills this sacred space
While tummies rumble on.

Leaders working at their post
“I haven’t eaten” students boast
Drew looks grumpy, he’d like to eat
While tummies rumble on.

Laughing, singing, making folders
While feeding the hungry rests on their shoulders
Just being together is part of the fun
While tummies rumble on.

Large group activity, no one can hear
The kids are obnoxious, but I have no fear
Time for a juice break, more hugging and laughing
While tummies rumble on.

Spider Ball, Spider Ball, that great active game
While the older girls choose something quiet and tame
Spirits are good, surprisingly high
While tummies rumble on.

Jacob sits out, he’s not feeling well
Is it hunger or illness, it’s too hard to tell
Drew is now happy, he so loves to play
While tummies rumble on.

They’d play all night, if we would allow
But tomorrow they’ll work, so it’s time for bed now
They need to rest and save their strength
While tummies rumble on.

An early start with blankets to make
They’ve sprung into work, make no mistake
They have joy in their hearts and wear headbands of scraps
While tummies rumble on.

“David’s amazing; he can tie, like so fast”
I wonder though, will the energy last?
Count ‘em up Dave, forty-nine…and fifty
While tummies rumble on.

“You guys are awesome,” our goals are a blur.
Four grand and fifty blankets we’ve past them for sure.
Gather ‘round to bless the blankets
While tummies rumble on.

These kids just keep going; I’m amazed with their drive
Earning money, making blankets, to help others survive
It’s time to deliver and spend time with the homeless
While tummies rumble on.

Back from our visits, the kids just don’t look their best
Twenty-six hours of fasting puts a kid to the test
Sharing experiences with love and compassion
While tummies rumble on.

“I’m not even hungry.” It seems, nor am I.
“I guess I’m just tired,” one says with a sigh
“I’m so sick of juice.” “How long ‘til we eat?”
While tummies rumble on.

It’s time to work and they make the transition
Twenty-eight hours of famine, yet so much ambition
I’m feeling mellow, and the kids so impress me
While tummies rumble on.

We’re on the home stretch just a little ahead
Some prayer and worship, and “Yeah, we get bread!”
Such a great weekend, I’m so proud of these kids
While tummies rumble on.

You must hear the benediction before you can run
And a big “Amen” Yeah, they really had fun.
Get out of the way, “It’s time to eat!”
While tummies rumble on.
~Mitch

Kid quotes....

"This magazine smells like grandma!"

(In grandma's defense....it was a scratch and sniff ad for perfume in a magazine.)

Sunday download

We had a new teacher this Sunday for SMYG. Mitch did an amazing job. The lesson was on how God provides for all of our needs and the scripture passage was the account of the feeding of the 5000. He brought in some pita bread and a smoked whitefish (loaves and fishes) and during the telling / reading of the stories we all sampled some....as least those that had courage! (When he ripped the skin off of the fish, we were all a little take aback!)

Then we discussed how God can use that which we have to bless others and provide for our needs and the needs of others....just like the boy who shared his loaves and fishes and Jesus expanded it to feed all and still have left-overs.

Mitch's teaching skill was obvious (should not have surprised me, he teaches 6th graders all day long for a living) but how he took to heart the passage, made it come to life, and made it real/experiential was awesome. That and his obvious love for the kids and Jesus!

I'm sure some of the kids will only remember seeing "a really gross fish".....but some will walk away with the truth that God provides for our needs......and we are called to be those hands and feet that reach out to start that in motion sometimes.....

Weekend quotes

Names have been omitted to protect the innocent.....and to try to keep Dad out of trouble!


"Diet Coke with Lime is a gateway drug......to Diet Coke!"



"I've tried thinking already.....it didn't help!"


It was a good weekend.....KT was home, broomball on the tennis courts, family meals....good times!

I get it....but what do I do with it?

Over the course of three days - in different settings - I have run into this verse.

First in a book I'm reading, then as worship assistant it was part of my reading, then a friend of mine e-mailed it to me as part of her "verse of the day" she gets at work.

Okay, God, I get it.....now what am I supposed to do with it?

(I think I know.......)

Retreat

I was able to spend yesterday at the Arboretum as a mini retreat. This past couple of weeks has been crazy busy and I have been immersed in details and minutia - important stuff - but stuff that has kept me from looking at the big picture and visioning for the youth ministry and myself.

Yesterday, God breathed some new life into my thoughts and ideas for direction - it was a wonderful day.

A 3 mile walk in the woods conversing with God - praying and focusing on his abundance in my personal life and in our church. Time spent reflecting on being a leader and how to lead "from the inside out".....first thru being in tune with God and letting things flow out of that. And then finally, time spent in how to share what seems to be laid before me.

Praise God for beckoning me.....and for people praying me thru these days.....

In an ideal world, I would get out there once a week.......we'll see.....

Sunday download....

Okay, I admit it. I absolutely love teaching kids, hanging out, nurturing, challenging, and in the process....they do the same for me. A few highlights of our morning and evening gatherings....

SMYG - Last week was "feet"...this week we focused on "hands". We put up pictures of all kinds of hands in the room and on the cross. Some young, old, different races, open, closed, hurt.... Then we talked about how we use our hands and how they can reflect Jesus and engage or push others (and ourselves) away. Then we USED them at "service stations" - made blankets, wrote letters to our Compassion child, and named a specific person and act of service we could perform for them after which we place our handprint on a banner with Gal 5:13 as our "covenant" to follow thru. Seemed to flow well.....and our hands were busy......

Crossroads - Finished our series on Creed Construction. Focused on the Holy Spirit and the church. Then had everyone read a phrase, sentence, paragraph from what they had written - it was so cool. These young people impressed me with their depth of thought and expression of what they believe - it has been a good starting point for them I hope. I bet they can hardly wait to not sit at tables next week and listen to me tho.....

God is good.....

Friends

Kimpa and I had dinner with some great friends last night.....sharing laughter, hopes, concerns, encouragement, and pizza......

It just doesn't get much better than that (and they picked up the check, too!)

Good times.......

A full Sunday - part 3

Creed Construction - my fancy way of saying "faith statements" so that we don't scare kids away!

We started a two week focus on writing our creeds during Crossroads. My hope is that this isn't an assignment but a place to begin - a point of reference on their journey - that they can use to see how their beliefs evolve, change, and differ from each other.....but that we can all remain in community. Tried to make the process as interactive as possible - some highlights:

Steal the bacon - have to start with a game right? And as I don't usually hang with Crossroads crowd this was my first time playing.....all I can say is.....I ROCK!

Brief intro and then we listened to "Creed" by Third Day. Quick look at Apostle's and Nicene Creeds. I asked if anyone had any questions about them and didn't really expect much of a response but.....wow....had some great questions about "descended into hell", "We look for the resurrection of the dead", and others....it was great.

Then did some small groups - what might be hard about writing your creed and why might it be a good thing? More great discussion.....

Then....the moment we had all been dreading....actually writing what you believe. We focused on what they believe about God and Jesus. Brainstormed some words and phrases about each and then had them write.....and they did......humbling. I hope I can get them to share what they are writing.....

Then we tried a new thing....worship at the end of the evening. I had my reservations at first. I mean, in my three years of doing various forms of youth group (such extensive experience...I am an expert, right?) the standard formula is game, worship, message, small groups, hang out time. But the worship at the end was good - especially after spending time discussing what we believe....and it's sort of cool thinking that the kids may take one of the songs into the night with them and carry it thru the week.....intentionally or accidently noticing God/praying to Jesus thru humming, etc. Nice picture....my prayer is that it is happening and that we all are growing.....

That's the end.....a full sunday. It has been a good day. Jesus rocks!

A full Sunday - part 2

After SMYG I went to our farewell worship service for Pastor J. She has been a great interim - what an example of having a servant heart and speaking truth into hard situations. She has such a strong faith. One of those people whom I don't always agree, but have a great relationship with. Today was her last day at EPPC. 20 months together (and in that time 27 baptisms!) and quite the journey. The service was a wonderful celebration of our time together and she left us with challenging and encouraging words (and of course one more shot at doing a Lectio Divina with the congregation couldn't be passed up!)

Before the service she had come down to the youth room and saw what we were setting up. (See Part 1!) I asked if she could take off her shoes and put paint on her foot and walk on the cross. I think I might have even said something to the effect of "Because you have left such an impression here" Anyway....she graciously agreed....but for the first time was a little flustered.

Then after she had walked the cross.....I knelt and got in position with soap and water....and she said "You're going to wash my feet aren't you?" Yeah....and pray for her....granted it was sort of an ambush of her on an emotional day but it was something I felt i was to do. It was a privilege walking with her these past 20 months....I have grown in my respect for "order" (even if it drives me crazy sometimes!) and have seen some great modeling of service and loving people. It was cool to wash the feet that have journeyed so faithfully and for so long, to pray a blessing upon them and her, and to share my love of her as a sister in Christ this way.

Pastor J - Blessings to you on your continued journey. You have left quite an impression on this heart. You will be missed.....but we will gather together again when the "way has been made clear"....praise God.

The day continues in part 3!

A full Sunday - part 1

Teaching SMYG (our name for Jr./Sr. high Sunday School....Sunday Morning Youth Gathering) and Crossroads (our Sunday evening Sr. High youth gathering) and in between attending our farewell worship service for our interim pastor. Quite a day....here's the highlights....

Part 1 - SMYG - Hands and Feet

We've been doing lessons on being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Today we focused on "feet" and dug into the passage from John where Jesus washes the disciples feet. After reading the text I washed the other leader's feet (no advance notice for them!) as we all discussed the text. Then we brainstormed on how we use our feet to serve - "walk", "take a stand", "dig in", "leave an impression", etc. Cool discussion. .

Next we dimmed the lights, played "If we are the body" by Casting Crowns and had the kids dip one of their feet into some paint, walk on a huge white wallpaper cross on the floor, and had a leader wash the paint off as he prayed for them (thanks to YS Creative ideas for the idea!). Then the leaders all walked the cross and three students washed their feet....very cool.

We now have a really cool looking cross hanging on the wall - white with yellow, blue, and red footprints. We're going to leave it up until the famine in about 6 weeks.....

I'm sure some of the kids thought it was just fun or even goofy. But others....I think really started to have a feeling for what that Last Supper might have been like.....and their hearts for serving grew just a little bit....at least that is my prayer (for myself and the kids).

The day continues in part 2!