A student who used to attend our group wrote this on her online profile the other day...She's broken and hurting and her whole life is in pieces. She's left the church, no longer attends Youth Group, and this is who she wants to meet...
"someone to push me to my limits. someone that will test my abilities. someone that has lived the same life i have. someone who had died for love. someone who has conquered all of their dreams. someone who isnt afraid to be themselves. someone who has pushed beyond all boundaries. someone who has beat a disease. someone who has saved anothers life. someone who would accept me and my flaws. someone who will make me their world, and i can do the same."
I know that someone...I know that someone to be Jesus Christ. Please pray for her, as she is in desperate need of a life-changing encounter that only the scandalous grace of Jesus can provide...Pray for Beth and I that we might get an opportunity to model this to her...
Christ have mercy...
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
5 Core United Methodist beliefs...
What are 5 central United Methodist beliefs that you think that every United Methodist should know about? Just curious...
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Reflections from a Christian Music Festival
After returning from a weekend with 25,000 of my newest and close-est (sometimes too close, if you know what I mean) friends, I feel the need to make a couple statements about the world of a Christian Music Festival...
1. There is a difficult balance when you're trying to drink enough water to remain properly hydrated in the 90+ heat, but when you also don't want to use the porta-potties because they passed the level of disgusting about three hours into the first day.
2. Do atheists go to Christian Music festivals and pass out tracks that say "Are you sure that there REALLY is a place to go when you die?"
3. What makes techno music CHRISTIAN techno music? I heard this weird techno band (I'm not even sure what they were called) and they claimed to play Christian techno, but as with all good techno, there were no words (or even instruments other than computers!). Weird.
4. I met gypsies at the Festival...Real, live gypsies who sing gypsy music and drive around in a van that is fueled by vegetable oil. No joke.
5. Students make me laugh...In the midst of a difficult, stressful week, I was reminded that God has called me to Jessamine County and, more specifically, to Nicholasville UMC even when I don't necessarily feel called to be at Asbury Seminary at this point in my journey.
6. Students make me proud...The kid who "bought a kid!" from the Compassion table with his own $32 per month and couldn't stop talking about Ali the rest of the weekend. He wanted me to wish him happy Father's Day because "I adopted a kid!" The best part is that the guy is a Senior in High School and really was that excited.
7. The Chik-Fil-A cows that wandered through the festival and danced to Toby Mac were scary, although I have a picture of one giving me a hug. Cows were not made to walk on two feet, that's for sure!
8. Toby Mac is old...Looks like an old man. This is, of course, because he was rocking out with DC Talk when I was 13! Still can dance, though I'm not sure his moves warrant as much Jumbotron experience....I am the expert after all!
9. If you've never heard Shane Claiborne or read his book, you should. It really screwed with my students head...In a good way.
10. Should we be discussing solidarity with the poor when we paid a lot of money to get in? Seriously? How many of the bands who pushed for care of the poor do the same? How many just stole it from Bono?
11. With all due respect to Randy, what exactly is Christian metal? Seems like they sing whatever they want ( that I can't understand!) and at the end just say "We want to thank Jesus! Good night!" Does that make them Christian?
12. David Crowder Band puts on a terrific show! They even play a Guitar Hero guitar! They really understood how to maintain a balance between performing and leading worship. If you haven't heard them, you should...Great band!
13. Concerts that start past 11:00 PM are WAY too late at night!
14. It's good to have "Roger moments" with students...Named after my Dad's deep pastoral heart, conflict management, and his ability to express discipline and love at the same time. I'm learning to facilitate "Roger Moments," and I've got a great model! Happy Father's Day, especially to my Dad who is heading to the river for Canoe Camp with his Jr. High students!! May they avoid Roger moments, unless they need 'em!!
1. There is a difficult balance when you're trying to drink enough water to remain properly hydrated in the 90+ heat, but when you also don't want to use the porta-potties because they passed the level of disgusting about three hours into the first day.
2. Do atheists go to Christian Music festivals and pass out tracks that say "Are you sure that there REALLY is a place to go when you die?"
3. What makes techno music CHRISTIAN techno music? I heard this weird techno band (I'm not even sure what they were called) and they claimed to play Christian techno, but as with all good techno, there were no words (or even instruments other than computers!). Weird.
4. I met gypsies at the Festival...Real, live gypsies who sing gypsy music and drive around in a van that is fueled by vegetable oil. No joke.
5. Students make me laugh...In the midst of a difficult, stressful week, I was reminded that God has called me to Jessamine County and, more specifically, to Nicholasville UMC even when I don't necessarily feel called to be at Asbury Seminary at this point in my journey.
6. Students make me proud...The kid who "bought a kid!" from the Compassion table with his own $32 per month and couldn't stop talking about Ali the rest of the weekend. He wanted me to wish him happy Father's Day because "I adopted a kid!" The best part is that the guy is a Senior in High School and really was that excited.
7. The Chik-Fil-A cows that wandered through the festival and danced to Toby Mac were scary, although I have a picture of one giving me a hug. Cows were not made to walk on two feet, that's for sure!
8. Toby Mac is old...Looks like an old man. This is, of course, because he was rocking out with DC Talk when I was 13! Still can dance, though I'm not sure his moves warrant as much Jumbotron experience....I am the expert after all!
9. If you've never heard Shane Claiborne or read his book, you should. It really screwed with my students head...In a good way.
10. Should we be discussing solidarity with the poor when we paid a lot of money to get in? Seriously? How many of the bands who pushed for care of the poor do the same? How many just stole it from Bono?
11. With all due respect to Randy, what exactly is Christian metal? Seems like they sing whatever they want ( that I can't understand!) and at the end just say "We want to thank Jesus! Good night!" Does that make them Christian?
12. David Crowder Band puts on a terrific show! They even play a Guitar Hero guitar! They really understood how to maintain a balance between performing and leading worship. If you haven't heard them, you should...Great band!
13. Concerts that start past 11:00 PM are WAY too late at night!
14. It's good to have "Roger moments" with students...Named after my Dad's deep pastoral heart, conflict management, and his ability to express discipline and love at the same time. I'm learning to facilitate "Roger Moments," and I've got a great model! Happy Father's Day, especially to my Dad who is heading to the river for Canoe Camp with his Jr. High students!! May they avoid Roger moments, unless they need 'em!!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Many Thoughts...
I currently have many thoughts about many things...In the next few days, I intend to blog on three topics...1. My real response to Annual Conference and 2. My fake response to Annual Conference. Tonight, though, only two thoughts...
1. Last week at Conference I consistently got razzed about my Jumbotron appearances. I, like Keith, was suprised at how many people read my blog. So, during one of these interactions, someone is telling Bob Zilhaver about my amazing Jumbotron dancing skills. As the conversation was ending Bob looked at me and said "Keep Dancing" and walked away. Although he didn't realize it, this spoke to me...It reminded me of I Corinthians were Paul speaks of the foolishness of God to the world, but our salvation. When I dance, I look foolish...very, very foolish. It's the reason that they place me on the Jumbotron. I was reminded to keep dancing, and right now, that's a good word for me.
2. Please pray for Beth and I for several reasons. We leave today with 40 students to attend the Ichthus Music Festival, so that will be a lot of fun, but that can also be stressful as we try to keep track of our 40 students around 25,000 of our new close friends. Second, please pray for Beth and I, as we received some terrible news earlier this week. It was one of those things that made me feel like I got kicked in the stomach, and we're not sure how we're going to recover. God's grace is sufficient and abundant and we know that, but right now I'm in shock. I can't say much more than that, but please pray for a way out of a difficult place and for God's provision in our life. As events unfold, I'll write more and I might ask for some assistance...We'll see.
1. Last week at Conference I consistently got razzed about my Jumbotron appearances. I, like Keith, was suprised at how many people read my blog. So, during one of these interactions, someone is telling Bob Zilhaver about my amazing Jumbotron dancing skills. As the conversation was ending Bob looked at me and said "Keep Dancing" and walked away. Although he didn't realize it, this spoke to me...It reminded me of I Corinthians were Paul speaks of the foolishness of God to the world, but our salvation. When I dance, I look foolish...very, very foolish. It's the reason that they place me on the Jumbotron. I was reminded to keep dancing, and right now, that's a good word for me.
2. Please pray for Beth and I for several reasons. We leave today with 40 students to attend the Ichthus Music Festival, so that will be a lot of fun, but that can also be stressful as we try to keep track of our 40 students around 25,000 of our new close friends. Second, please pray for Beth and I, as we received some terrible news earlier this week. It was one of those things that made me feel like I got kicked in the stomach, and we're not sure how we're going to recover. God's grace is sufficient and abundant and we know that, but right now I'm in shock. I can't say much more than that, but please pray for a way out of a difficult place and for God's provision in our life. As events unfold, I'll write more and I might ask for some assistance...We'll see.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Conference Thoughts...
Tomorrow morning I fly out from Louisville to Pittsburgh for Annual Conference. I'm excited and a little bit anxious, oddly enough. I think that my anxiety rises from the 10 hour trip that I have to make on Sunday by myself in the car.
Although I've read some of the laity statements, I still haven't made my mind up on who I'm voting for. Clergy wise, I'd know, but I'm not there yet...I'll just have to subtly nudge my Dad to think the same way that I do...
I'm totally against RS 901...Christian Education Sunday. I mean, seriously...do we really need Christian Education?
Ok...I'm not against it...I always find those resolutions comical because they always pass...sometimes I want to vote against them, just for fun...I normally vote against setting the bar!
Prayers are welcomed on Thursday night as I lead a possibly contentious Section 7. We're the General Conference section, so this will require all of the Parliamentary procedure that I can muster!
I'm excited to see some old friends, especially my good friend Erik Hoeke. We commiserate about seminary, dream big dreams and enjoy Conference throughly. Normally Erik and I get together in the Spring, but that didn't work out this year, so Conference will be a good time for us to connect. I'm excited to meet some of the Youth delegates, see friends from previous appointments, and say hey to the blogging crew. The only downside about conference this year is the the Pirates are in the Big Apple...Not that I'd skip out or anything...
See you soon!
Although I've read some of the laity statements, I still haven't made my mind up on who I'm voting for. Clergy wise, I'd know, but I'm not there yet...I'll just have to subtly nudge my Dad to think the same way that I do...
I'm totally against RS 901...Christian Education Sunday. I mean, seriously...do we really need Christian Education?
Ok...I'm not against it...I always find those resolutions comical because they always pass...sometimes I want to vote against them, just for fun...I normally vote against setting the bar!
Prayers are welcomed on Thursday night as I lead a possibly contentious Section 7. We're the General Conference section, so this will require all of the Parliamentary procedure that I can muster!
I'm excited to see some old friends, especially my good friend Erik Hoeke. We commiserate about seminary, dream big dreams and enjoy Conference throughly. Normally Erik and I get together in the Spring, but that didn't work out this year, so Conference will be a good time for us to connect. I'm excited to meet some of the Youth delegates, see friends from previous appointments, and say hey to the blogging crew. The only downside about conference this year is the the Pirates are in the Big Apple...Not that I'd skip out or anything...
See you soon!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
It happened again!
Tonight, at a Lexington Horsemen (arena football) game I made the Jumbotron again. Seriously, I have wicked dance moves. One of the guys I was with has started calling me JJ for Jumbotron Johnson...I know, everyone is madly impressed and wishes that they could be me (especially since all I've done in the last week and a half is go to sporting events!), but maybe, just maybe, you all will someday get to be on the Jumbotron, too.
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