On Saturday I attended a seminar at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary called "Growing Souls: A Contemplative Approach to Youth Ministry." It was an excellent conference, and I feel as if I was predestined to be there (Oh...must be the Presbies got to me more than I realized!). Mark Yaconelli led us through several contemplative exercises including lectio divina. Our lectio exercisee was centered around Matthew 14:22-27 where Jesus walks on water in the midst of the storm and the disciples believe him to be a ghost. Part of the lectio exercise asks the participant to pick out a word or phrase that really sticks out. As we went through the exercise, I kept coming back to the word "battered."
Battered. I feel battered. School is kicking up (mid-terms are just around the corner), things at church are painful, although positive, and I feel battered. As I prayed through the word, I ended up saying over and over again "I need to know you're not a ghost. I need to know you're not a ghost." On Saturday and Sunday, that became my prayer. I need to know that you're not a ghost.
Sunday rolled around with all of its' fury. Church, lunch, planning, youth group. Youth group was ending, and in walked an ex-youth member who has been causing us a lot of problems. We had a confrontation with him earlier, asking him to step back from the group or follow our guidelines. It was an extremely painful conversation and I wasn't quite sure how it would end up. The student approached me and the difference from one week to another was overwhelming. With great humility he stated that he had realized that it was time for him to move on and he wanted an opportunity to say good-bye. After the previous meeting, this was nothing other than a movement of the Holy Spirit. Instead of causing a painful rift within the group, he was moving on with grace and maturity and the Holy Spirit was obviously the source of the reconciliation. I need to know you're not a ghost, eh?
Later that evening I spoke to one of our student leaders who has been embroiled in a conflict with another student leader. That evening, he had sought reconciliation and renewal with that student and God had been at work healing the rift that existed between them in miraculous ways. Another sign of the incredible reconciliation available through the Holy Spirit.
I KNOW that you're not a ghost. I still feel battered and tired, but I hear that voice say "Do not fear. It's me. I'm not a ghost." Thanks be to God.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Be Still
This is a short paper I wrote for my Speech class, using the "20 Principles of Good Writing." Although I've blogged about this experience before, I decided to post it again with a postscript. Last week Beth was speaking to a girl in the group who was with us on the trip and she said to Beth "I knew that Jesus died for me, but I think that night in Mississippi was the first time that I've ever given my life to Christ." Thanks be to God for God's work among us!!
This summer I had an experience that altered my understanding of ministry forever. After a hard week of work on the Gulf Coast, I gathered with a group of high school students on the beach for an evening of worship and Communion. In the days leading up to our service, I thought about what I might say to my students to help bring closure to our week, yet as I prayed, I felt led to prepare nothing. As we walked down to the beach, I continued to ask God for words and wisdom, yet I heard God saying “Be still and know that I AM God. I will be exalted.”
As we arrived at the beach I encouraged the students to take a moment and see the stars and dangle their feet into the water. Dusk was fading into darkness and we admired the brilliant colors of the sunset. I listened to the students talk and laugh, continuing to deepen the relationships that they had begun to develop throughout the week.
After a few minutes I brought the students together and asked a “How have you seen God this week?” As we sat on a deserted, devastated beach in Mississippi, students began to name the ways they had seen God move. They spoke of how they had seen God through others, how they had seen God in the middle of utter destruction. They spoke of seeing God in work and play. The more we talked together, the more we realized that God had been changing us and shaping us into people with hearts for others. We had seen Jesus in the faces of those we had served all week long.
Together, we began to sing. As the music faded, I read from I Corinthians 11 and invited the students to meet God in the sacrament. I gave students space to take time with God before coming to receive communion, and I expected that students might wait a minute or two before stepping forward. I stood amazed as I watched all of my students spread out across the beach, falling on their knees before the Almighty King. The Holy Spirit reigned down on my students and they were overwhelmed by the presence of God that was at work in their lives. As they began to come they did so with tears in their eyes. As I offered them the bread and juice, I realized something powerful that has left me changed. The work of God has nothing to do with me. The amount of time I spend in preparation or the words that I so carefully craft cannot even compare with a moment in which God moves. My role as a minister of the Gospel is not to force people to encounter God; rather my role is to create a space in which God is allowed to speak. My life and the lives of my students have not been the same since.
This summer I had an experience that altered my understanding of ministry forever. After a hard week of work on the Gulf Coast, I gathered with a group of high school students on the beach for an evening of worship and Communion. In the days leading up to our service, I thought about what I might say to my students to help bring closure to our week, yet as I prayed, I felt led to prepare nothing. As we walked down to the beach, I continued to ask God for words and wisdom, yet I heard God saying “Be still and know that I AM God. I will be exalted.”
As we arrived at the beach I encouraged the students to take a moment and see the stars and dangle their feet into the water. Dusk was fading into darkness and we admired the brilliant colors of the sunset. I listened to the students talk and laugh, continuing to deepen the relationships that they had begun to develop throughout the week.
After a few minutes I brought the students together and asked a “How have you seen God this week?” As we sat on a deserted, devastated beach in Mississippi, students began to name the ways they had seen God move. They spoke of how they had seen God through others, how they had seen God in the middle of utter destruction. They spoke of seeing God in work and play. The more we talked together, the more we realized that God had been changing us and shaping us into people with hearts for others. We had seen Jesus in the faces of those we had served all week long.
Together, we began to sing. As the music faded, I read from I Corinthians 11 and invited the students to meet God in the sacrament. I gave students space to take time with God before coming to receive communion, and I expected that students might wait a minute or two before stepping forward. I stood amazed as I watched all of my students spread out across the beach, falling on their knees before the Almighty King. The Holy Spirit reigned down on my students and they were overwhelmed by the presence of God that was at work in their lives. As they began to come they did so with tears in their eyes. As I offered them the bread and juice, I realized something powerful that has left me changed. The work of God has nothing to do with me. The amount of time I spend in preparation or the words that I so carefully craft cannot even compare with a moment in which God moves. My role as a minister of the Gospel is not to force people to encounter God; rather my role is to create a space in which God is allowed to speak. My life and the lives of my students have not been the same since.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Asbury Theological Seminary Petition: Petition to the Board of Trustees of Asbury Theological Seminary in support of President Jeff Greenway
Asbury Theological Seminary Petition: Petition to the Board of Trustees of Asbury Theological Seminary in support of President Jeff Greenway
Just a note to those who read my blog and wish to support Dr. Jeff Greenway in his role as President of Asbury Theological Seminary. The situation continues to be tense, but I would encourage you to visit this site and show your support for our friend. If you'd like more info about what I know that's happening, let me know.
Thanks for your continued prayers for Jeff and the entire seminary community as we attempt to make sense of the situation.
Just a note to those who read my blog and wish to support Dr. Jeff Greenway in his role as President of Asbury Theological Seminary. The situation continues to be tense, but I would encourage you to visit this site and show your support for our friend. If you'd like more info about what I know that's happening, let me know.
Thanks for your continued prayers for Jeff and the entire seminary community as we attempt to make sense of the situation.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
A Little Baseball
I am a diehard Western PA sports fan. I love the Pirates and the Steelers, and recently, I've been talking ridiculous amounts of trash to the many students in our youth ministry who are Bengal fans (ouch...it's been a rough week)! But, while football is just getting started, baseball is winding down, and minus the race in the NL Central (Go Astros!), the regular season has just about come to the end. With that in mind, I'd like to offer some deep and meaningful insight about the Swashbucklers of the Allegheny...the Pittsburgh Pirates. A breakdown of position by position...
C-Ronny Paulino...Paulino came on strong and was a thankful addition to the line-up, especially as I'm not terribly crazy about Humberto Cota. I think that Ryan Doumit could be a valuable player off the bench, but I think that Paulino is the catcher of the future. Strong arm, handles the pitchers well, hits for average and has a little pop...Like a Paul LoDuca except better behind the plate with a little more power. I think that we're good.
1B-I'm still not sure that I think that Xavier Nady is the answer...In fact, I think that Brad Eldred could be starting at first next season. Eldred is a horse...although he was hurt most of this season. Last season he hit 12 HR in 190 AB's. I'm just hoping that he not the next Rob Deer!! Anyway, I think that Nady might fit elsewhere...
2B-Jose Castillo showed a little pop early this season (12 HR's by June) but fizzled out pretty quickly (14 HR total!). I think that he's a good player...good glove, excellent at turning the doubleplay and worth keeping. We don't really have anyone in the minor league system who makes sense here, and Jose is just going to get better.
SS-Here's a change that we should make...Although Jack Wilson has an incredible glove, I think that he's at the poin that we're paying him too much! I like Jumpin Jack Flash...but just not that much. Time to trade him for something and then move the suprise of the season (Freddy Sanchez) to Short...Original position time. Sweet.
3B-Freddy Sanchez is maybe one of the better trades that the Pirates have made in recent years. Sanchez for Jeff Suppan from Boston a couple years ago. That's definately worked to our favor. Anyone who wins the batting title can stay in Pittsburgh, but again I think that he should play short. This would leave 3B open for Jose Baustista who has showed that he can hit for some pop, too...He just needs to up that .232 average, but I really think that he's the real deal.
So, with my way, our Infield would be Paulino, Eldred, Castillo, Sanchez and Bautista.
LF-J.Bay... .286 BA, 35 HR, 109 RBI's, 100 R, 11 SB...Cornerstone. Enough said.
CF-Chris Duffy-Seriously, I think that Duffy can hit leadoff. He's come on in the second half and he can run and play a decent CF, but let's face it...He's really just holding the place for Andrew McCutchen, the best overall Pirate player since B. Bonds. I saw McCutchen play for Hickory and the future is really bright in CF in 2008.
RF-Here's Nady's spot. Decent #6 hitter...not a bad return from the Mets for Roberto Hernandez, assuming that Oliver Perez continues to struggle. If Perez somehow harnasses his potential, then we'll look like fools, but I don't think that'll happen. Therefore, getting Nady for a 42 year old RP is a pretty good deal.
Starting Pitchers-Duke, Snell, Maholm, Gorzellanny are steller. Lefties galore, young arms who gained a year of experience and I fully expect Snell and Duke to explode next year. Gorzellany pitched well in the 2nd half and we'll be set. Add a crafty veteran or a young gun from the system (like Bryan Bullington or Sean Burnett) and the staff looks good. Seriously, they're the foundation and they look good. I'm particulary impressed with Snell, who I saw pitch in Altoona. He doesn't have great stuff, but he's a great athlete and he learned how to pitch this year. They look sound.
Relief Pitchers-Some good young pitchers...Gonzalez, Capps, Bayliss, possibly Brian Rogers. I like Mike Gonzalez (Here comes the BOOM!) and I think that he's the next Gagne without the ligament damage. Middle relife pitchers really aren't that big of a deal (see Moneyball).
So, after starting 30-60, Pittsburgh has a winning record in the second half. After investing money is worthless players (Meares, Burnitz, Randa, etc), I think that their on the right track. I was less than impressed with Littlefield's in-season trades (Shawn Chacon...are you kidding me?), but it wasn't too terrible. So, with all that in mind, I'm about to say something crazy.
The Pirates are next year's Tigers. Young pitching, adding a quality veteran, and allowing young bats to mature. I mean you can even see it with the All-Star game (Detroit hosted in 2005 and then won in 2006, Pittsburgh host in 2006, wins in 2007?). The young pitchers took their lumps (remember how Bonderman and Robertson got destroyed a couple years ago?) but they've come back and become dominant...I think that it's possible!
So...next year might be the year!
(that the Pirates finish .500!!). No more losing!!!
C-Ronny Paulino...Paulino came on strong and was a thankful addition to the line-up, especially as I'm not terribly crazy about Humberto Cota. I think that Ryan Doumit could be a valuable player off the bench, but I think that Paulino is the catcher of the future. Strong arm, handles the pitchers well, hits for average and has a little pop...Like a Paul LoDuca except better behind the plate with a little more power. I think that we're good.
1B-I'm still not sure that I think that Xavier Nady is the answer...In fact, I think that Brad Eldred could be starting at first next season. Eldred is a horse...although he was hurt most of this season. Last season he hit 12 HR in 190 AB's. I'm just hoping that he not the next Rob Deer!! Anyway, I think that Nady might fit elsewhere...
2B-Jose Castillo showed a little pop early this season (12 HR's by June) but fizzled out pretty quickly (14 HR total!). I think that he's a good player...good glove, excellent at turning the doubleplay and worth keeping. We don't really have anyone in the minor league system who makes sense here, and Jose is just going to get better.
SS-Here's a change that we should make...Although Jack Wilson has an incredible glove, I think that he's at the poin that we're paying him too much! I like Jumpin Jack Flash...but just not that much. Time to trade him for something and then move the suprise of the season (Freddy Sanchez) to Short...Original position time. Sweet.
3B-Freddy Sanchez is maybe one of the better trades that the Pirates have made in recent years. Sanchez for Jeff Suppan from Boston a couple years ago. That's definately worked to our favor. Anyone who wins the batting title can stay in Pittsburgh, but again I think that he should play short. This would leave 3B open for Jose Baustista who has showed that he can hit for some pop, too...He just needs to up that .232 average, but I really think that he's the real deal.
So, with my way, our Infield would be Paulino, Eldred, Castillo, Sanchez and Bautista.
LF-J.Bay... .286 BA, 35 HR, 109 RBI's, 100 R, 11 SB...Cornerstone. Enough said.
CF-Chris Duffy-Seriously, I think that Duffy can hit leadoff. He's come on in the second half and he can run and play a decent CF, but let's face it...He's really just holding the place for Andrew McCutchen, the best overall Pirate player since B. Bonds. I saw McCutchen play for Hickory and the future is really bright in CF in 2008.
RF-Here's Nady's spot. Decent #6 hitter...not a bad return from the Mets for Roberto Hernandez, assuming that Oliver Perez continues to struggle. If Perez somehow harnasses his potential, then we'll look like fools, but I don't think that'll happen. Therefore, getting Nady for a 42 year old RP is a pretty good deal.
Starting Pitchers-Duke, Snell, Maholm, Gorzellanny are steller. Lefties galore, young arms who gained a year of experience and I fully expect Snell and Duke to explode next year. Gorzellany pitched well in the 2nd half and we'll be set. Add a crafty veteran or a young gun from the system (like Bryan Bullington or Sean Burnett) and the staff looks good. Seriously, they're the foundation and they look good. I'm particulary impressed with Snell, who I saw pitch in Altoona. He doesn't have great stuff, but he's a great athlete and he learned how to pitch this year. They look sound.
Relief Pitchers-Some good young pitchers...Gonzalez, Capps, Bayliss, possibly Brian Rogers. I like Mike Gonzalez (Here comes the BOOM!) and I think that he's the next Gagne without the ligament damage. Middle relife pitchers really aren't that big of a deal (see Moneyball).
So, after starting 30-60, Pittsburgh has a winning record in the second half. After investing money is worthless players (Meares, Burnitz, Randa, etc), I think that their on the right track. I was less than impressed with Littlefield's in-season trades (Shawn Chacon...are you kidding me?), but it wasn't too terrible. So, with all that in mind, I'm about to say something crazy.
The Pirates are next year's Tigers. Young pitching, adding a quality veteran, and allowing young bats to mature. I mean you can even see it with the All-Star game (Detroit hosted in 2005 and then won in 2006, Pittsburgh host in 2006, wins in 2007?). The young pitchers took their lumps (remember how Bonderman and Robertson got destroyed a couple years ago?) but they've come back and become dominant...I think that it's possible!
So...next year might be the year!
(that the Pirates finish .500!!). No more losing!!!
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