(1) dayspring is about to experience a new season of ministry. God orchestrated a powerful service yesterday with guest worship leader Lisa Ancira & Scott Estep, our pastoral candidate. the youth and young adults did sit together in the center section. some people were launched into panic when they showed up for church and found students in "their" seats. i loved it! scott estep loved it. he said, "get used to it!" maybe we will make i a regular seating arrangement.
(2) i was praying that my friend, Rich, would be able to attend church yesterday in light of his recent hospital stay. well, he was there! God answered our prayer, thanks, God! one phrase that God keeps giving me for Rich is, "you're gonna be okay." when i hear that phrase, a sense of peace comes over me. knowing that God is saying those words to us encourages me to make it through anything i face!
(3) my renewed passion for blogging has led me to some pretty skilled bloggers. why do i spend time reading other people's blogs? why would anyone do that? (lol - i think you are right now!) i do it because i respect some friends and leaders so much that i want to glean something from their lives. i want to hear what God is doing in them. i want to grow intellectually, ministerially, and spiritually . . . EVERY DAY! hopefully, you will grow in some way when you read my blog.
(4) okay, i have spared you a daily sport item in my blog, but i cannot resist any longer! many of you know that i am a die hard Toronto Blue Jays fan. WHY? well, when i was 5-6 yrs. old, i played t-ball for the jays. it stuck with me. last night, we met with our small group leaders and the entire family was dressed in Blue Jays gear. it makes me so proud! by now, you are wondering how the Jays are doing this year, right? well, we are in last place in our division, but we have won 4 in a row! baseball experts are saying that we have the BEST pitching staff in the MLB (all of baseball). WOOHOOO! Here we go blue jays, here we go!
(5) speaking of small groups (SG) . . . last night was everything i hoped and more from our SG leadership training. i want to share 5 items that students need from you if you are leading a small group (or working with students in an y capacity):
(A) students need CHALLENGED
*they need someone to push them out of their comfort zone in areas like: relationships, giving, time spent with God, leadership, and making good decisions
(B) students need you to BELIEVE IN THEM
*tell them this! look them in the eyes & tell them you believe in them. prove this to them by your actions. remember when someone believed in you?
(C) students need to KNOW YOU ARE REAL
*don't be fake and pretend you don't make mistakes or have struggles! allow them to see you are human too. don't take yourself too seriously. laugh at yourself and share embarrassing stories. this will earn you credibility!
(D) students need to hear TRUTH
*don't water it down. shoot straight and give them the truth, it "will set them free!" in a world where truth is relative, we still believe in absolutes. set the bar high and lead them to choose truth. we should show grace at times, but too much grace leads to students who don't set Godly standards.
(E) students need to KNOW YOU ARE IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
*people come and go. you need to persevere! students need you to hang with them even if they reject you are what you have to say. they will not forget the investment you make in their life. don't take things too personally. pray for them when they walk away and love them when they come back. stick it through. my mentor says, "ministry flows out of relationships, and relationships take time!
i hope that gives you some insight as you work with the students God has entrusted you with. if you are a youth worker, what other things would you say students desperately need from us?
Monday, May 5, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
not as easy as it seems
blogging daily is not that easy. sorry i missed a few days. i had the privilege of being in dublin, OH for the Honduras boot camp. i was away from an internet signal, so no chance to share the love.
(1) kids can be pretty amazing. i asked annie to ride with me to pick up some food tonight. she seemed so happy just to be with me. she was laughing and smiling at me. it made me feel like a million bucks! then a song came on the radio and we belted it out. it was one of those memorable moments.
(2) i am going to Honduras this summer and until this weekend, i have not thought much about the trip personally. i know God will do something in my heart on the trip, i just don't know what at this point. please pray along with me that God will show me what my purpose is for Honduras.
(3) tomorrow is a big day for our church. our pastoral candidate, scott estep is speaking and all the youth and young adults are supporting him by sitting in the center section together. i can't wait to see how the older people respond to this! (if you read this and are a part of youth or young adults at Dayspring, join in the fun tomorrow!)
(4) i visited with a man who attends Dayspring on Friday in the hospital. he had just been diagnosed with cancer, and yet his attitude was great. he was totally trusting God and his outlook challenged me. he believed, as he should, that God was in control and that he would gain nothing by worrying. God was truly taking him through a growing moment, a trial . . . and he was passing with flying colors! i was blessed to spend a portion of my day with him. Thanks, Rich!!
(5) yesterday, on the way to the boot camp, i drove the 15 passenger church van through the worst conditions i have driven in a long time. the rain was so loud, i couldn't hear people talking on the van, and the radio wasn't even on. i am just thankful that we made it.
well, off to bed . . . anticipating an amazing day tomorrow.
(1) kids can be pretty amazing. i asked annie to ride with me to pick up some food tonight. she seemed so happy just to be with me. she was laughing and smiling at me. it made me feel like a million bucks! then a song came on the radio and we belted it out. it was one of those memorable moments.
(2) i am going to Honduras this summer and until this weekend, i have not thought much about the trip personally. i know God will do something in my heart on the trip, i just don't know what at this point. please pray along with me that God will show me what my purpose is for Honduras.
(3) tomorrow is a big day for our church. our pastoral candidate, scott estep is speaking and all the youth and young adults are supporting him by sitting in the center section together. i can't wait to see how the older people respond to this! (if you read this and are a part of youth or young adults at Dayspring, join in the fun tomorrow!)
(4) i visited with a man who attends Dayspring on Friday in the hospital. he had just been diagnosed with cancer, and yet his attitude was great. he was totally trusting God and his outlook challenged me. he believed, as he should, that God was in control and that he would gain nothing by worrying. God was truly taking him through a growing moment, a trial . . . and he was passing with flying colors! i was blessed to spend a portion of my day with him. Thanks, Rich!!
(5) yesterday, on the way to the boot camp, i drove the 15 passenger church van through the worst conditions i have driven in a long time. the rain was so loud, i couldn't hear people talking on the van, and the radio wasn't even on. i am just thankful that we made it.
well, off to bed . . . anticipating an amazing day tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
define a long day
(1) i had a friend's mom tell me once that if you don't look at the clock before you go to sleep, you won't be as tired when you wake up, kind of a mental thing i guess. the time seems to be everywhere though . . . on the wall, on my cell, my computer, tv, computer . . . i can't seem to get away from it. days can be pretty long if you get an early start . . . stinkin worms! i really do like getting an early start to the day, but by 10pm, i am beat!
(2) in my reading today (Daniel 2) - i was pretty impressed with two of Daniel's responses when God gave him the interpretation of the King's dream. #1 - he thanked God immediately, #2 - he gave God all the credit when he was talking to the king. what was the king's reaction? he praised the God of Daniel. Yes! A victory for God and Daniel.
(3) my kids have the greatest smiles! i guess amanda and i should get some credit for that, i mean they are a combo of our smiles i guess. each of them can light up my day when they simply smile when i see them. nash has like 3.01 teeth right now and just makes me laugh when he flashes the pearly whites. i thank God for their beautiful smiles!
(4) tonight we had a great time of prayer before xlr8. no music. no big hype. just crying out to God, declaring our desperation on Him. it paid off as several students responded to the altars after the message God put on my heart was delivered. those who responded wanted to be better listeners so they don't miss when God speaks to them! i am so proud of them!
(5) HDTV is amazing (i know that's random, but i'm watching the Celtics & Hawks and the pic is amazing!)
(6) i found out today that Kaitie doesn't do peanuts very well. you may be wondering why i would give her a bowl of peanuts before breakfast. well, someone left them in the living room last night and she spotted them first thing this morning. once she sets her mind on something to eat, it's a done deal. if i would've said no, everyone would've been woken up to screams. regardless, i was picking up peanuts (wet with saliva) all over the house today
(7) tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer. i need to get some sleep because i have a breakfast bright and early
peace
(2) in my reading today (Daniel 2) - i was pretty impressed with two of Daniel's responses when God gave him the interpretation of the King's dream. #1 - he thanked God immediately, #2 - he gave God all the credit when he was talking to the king. what was the king's reaction? he praised the God of Daniel. Yes! A victory for God and Daniel.
(3) my kids have the greatest smiles! i guess amanda and i should get some credit for that, i mean they are a combo of our smiles i guess. each of them can light up my day when they simply smile when i see them. nash has like 3.01 teeth right now and just makes me laugh when he flashes the pearly whites. i thank God for their beautiful smiles!
(4) tonight we had a great time of prayer before xlr8. no music. no big hype. just crying out to God, declaring our desperation on Him. it paid off as several students responded to the altars after the message God put on my heart was delivered. those who responded wanted to be better listeners so they don't miss when God speaks to them! i am so proud of them!
(5) HDTV is amazing (i know that's random, but i'm watching the Celtics & Hawks and the pic is amazing!)
(6) i found out today that Kaitie doesn't do peanuts very well. you may be wondering why i would give her a bowl of peanuts before breakfast. well, someone left them in the living room last night and she spotted them first thing this morning. once she sets her mind on something to eat, it's a done deal. if i would've said no, everyone would've been woken up to screams. regardless, i was picking up peanuts (wet with saliva) all over the house today
(7) tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer. i need to get some sleep because i have a breakfast bright and early
peace
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
fantasy vs. reality
(1) i ran a 7.5 min mile at the gym today. my trainer, Josh, seems to think that i can beat my goal of 2 miles in 12 mins and actually do it in 11.5 mins. i love people who think positively and make you feel like goals are attainable.
(2) ever been to a meeting that didn't go like you thought? today i showed up expecting prayer to be part of the agenda and it WAS the agenda. four of us prayed together for an hour. it was inspiring, passionate, desperate, and rewarding. if the battle is won in prayer, and it is, that is where we should focus our energies.
(3) i love the heart of the Ohio Youth Director, Matt Anderson. some people just get it when it comes to ministry, and he is one of them. he shared something with me on Sunday that i can't get out of my mind & heart. he said he longs for the day when God is the "draw" when it comes to marketing God. i want students to come to XLR8 because God resides there and can offer power, hope, purpose, and life to all!
(4) annie was off the hook tonight, as always. Amanda says that when people are over, she takes all their body energy upon herself and it's like a wind up toy . . . twist, twist, twist . . . WATCH OUT!
(5) i just remembered 2 people i was supposed to return phone calls for today. sometimes life is just busy. ministry is one of those jobs when the work is never really done for the day. there is always another phone call to make, sermon to write, article to read, event to plan, etc. i have to learn when it's time to just rap up and call it a day . . .
(2) ever been to a meeting that didn't go like you thought? today i showed up expecting prayer to be part of the agenda and it WAS the agenda. four of us prayed together for an hour. it was inspiring, passionate, desperate, and rewarding. if the battle is won in prayer, and it is, that is where we should focus our energies.
(3) i love the heart of the Ohio Youth Director, Matt Anderson. some people just get it when it comes to ministry, and he is one of them. he shared something with me on Sunday that i can't get out of my mind & heart. he said he longs for the day when God is the "draw" when it comes to marketing God. i want students to come to XLR8 because God resides there and can offer power, hope, purpose, and life to all!
(4) annie was off the hook tonight, as always. Amanda says that when people are over, she takes all their body energy upon herself and it's like a wind up toy . . . twist, twist, twist . . . WATCH OUT!
(5) i just remembered 2 people i was supposed to return phone calls for today. sometimes life is just busy. ministry is one of those jobs when the work is never really done for the day. there is always another phone call to make, sermon to write, article to read, event to plan, etc. i have to learn when it's time to just rap up and call it a day . . .
Monday, April 28, 2008
Third times a Charm
I am going to give the blogging thing one more try.
i decided instead of typing in paragraphs, that i would list 5 or so important things that happen to me each day or lessons i learn, or just things i want to talk about. one will be about my family, one will be about ministry, one will be about what God is doing in my heart, and the other 2 will be about anything and everything
i will try not to use this as a soapbox and i will certainly not use it to vent.
if you read this consistently, i hope that you would: (1) enjoy it (2) grow spiritually as i share my spiritual growth (3) learn more about me and my life
well, here goes:
(1) our church is basically at the finish line of our search for a new lead pastor. pastor scott estep has been nominated by our board to be a candidate. he will be preaching the next 2 sundays and will be voted on may 11th. FYI - he is not an A/G guy, so you probably don't know him unless you are from NW Ohio.
(2) have you ever challenged someone to something and realized later that you are dumb for doing so. a girl in our youth group runs several miles every day and i was surprised to find out that she had never ran 2 miles in under 12 mins. of course, being the polished runner that i am, i decided to throw out a challenge that by the end of the summer i could do that. well, i have a long way to go! i'm gonna try, but my 2 mile time is around 18 mins right now, so i have a way to go!
(3) nash and kaitie, my youngest kids, are both sleeping right now. it is peaceful in the house. i look forward to my kids being in junior high and high school. so many parents tell me i will understand the woes of parenting teens when i have teens. well, to that i say, bring it on! i can't wait until they are playing sports, serving in ministry, and in my youth group!
(4) i watched some of the NFL draft this past weekend and was thrilled with the Steelers first and second round picks. they snagged a running back to compliment WIllie Parker and got a big wide receiver for Big Ben. 2008 looks promising if the
O-Line can protect Ben and open some holes for "fast" Willie.
(5) I hate to be right, okay, no i don't. From the beginning of American Idol, i said the final 5 would include David A., Siesha, Brooke, and Jason. The only one i was wrong on was David C., and he might win it all, but I am still pulling for David A.!
(6) Today, I read about Daniel in the major prophets and a couple things that stood out to me were the dependence Daniel and the three Hebrew children showed on God when they told the King's official to feed them apples and carrots instead of meat and wine. they believed God would strengthen them more than the others. what seemed even more impressive to me, was the fact that the official gave in to it because Daniel had built a relationship with him and they trusted each other. WOW! in that short amount of time, Daniel had earned the favor of that man. I pray for God's favor on me so i can earn the trust and friendship of those i meet.
i think that's a good start, check back tomorrow for more!
peace
i decided instead of typing in paragraphs, that i would list 5 or so important things that happen to me each day or lessons i learn, or just things i want to talk about. one will be about my family, one will be about ministry, one will be about what God is doing in my heart, and the other 2 will be about anything and everything
i will try not to use this as a soapbox and i will certainly not use it to vent.
if you read this consistently, i hope that you would: (1) enjoy it (2) grow spiritually as i share my spiritual growth (3) learn more about me and my life
well, here goes:
(1) our church is basically at the finish line of our search for a new lead pastor. pastor scott estep has been nominated by our board to be a candidate. he will be preaching the next 2 sundays and will be voted on may 11th. FYI - he is not an A/G guy, so you probably don't know him unless you are from NW Ohio.
(2) have you ever challenged someone to something and realized later that you are dumb for doing so. a girl in our youth group runs several miles every day and i was surprised to find out that she had never ran 2 miles in under 12 mins. of course, being the polished runner that i am, i decided to throw out a challenge that by the end of the summer i could do that. well, i have a long way to go! i'm gonna try, but my 2 mile time is around 18 mins right now, so i have a way to go!
(3) nash and kaitie, my youngest kids, are both sleeping right now. it is peaceful in the house. i look forward to my kids being in junior high and high school. so many parents tell me i will understand the woes of parenting teens when i have teens. well, to that i say, bring it on! i can't wait until they are playing sports, serving in ministry, and in my youth group!
(4) i watched some of the NFL draft this past weekend and was thrilled with the Steelers first and second round picks. they snagged a running back to compliment WIllie Parker and got a big wide receiver for Big Ben. 2008 looks promising if the
O-Line can protect Ben and open some holes for "fast" Willie.
(5) I hate to be right, okay, no i don't. From the beginning of American Idol, i said the final 5 would include David A., Siesha, Brooke, and Jason. The only one i was wrong on was David C., and he might win it all, but I am still pulling for David A.!
(6) Today, I read about Daniel in the major prophets and a couple things that stood out to me were the dependence Daniel and the three Hebrew children showed on God when they told the King's official to feed them apples and carrots instead of meat and wine. they believed God would strengthen them more than the others. what seemed even more impressive to me, was the fact that the official gave in to it because Daniel had built a relationship with him and they trusted each other. WOW! in that short amount of time, Daniel had earned the favor of that man. I pray for God's favor on me so i can earn the trust and friendship of those i meet.
i think that's a good start, check back tomorrow for more!
peace
Monday, February 25, 2008
Fine Arts Recovery
The week after Ohio Fine Arts Festival is so bittersweet. I am tired. I am excited for our kids! I am tired! I am pumped that we had six merit award winners. I am tired. I am thankful for the Ohio Fine Arts Festival Committe that works so hard to help me run the event. And, did I mention I was tired? (Actually I feel pretty good, but saying I am tired so many times sounded good in the blog.)
It was an amazing weekend! I love Fine Arts!
Now I have to change gears. I have a Greek class deadline in 2 weeks. I have to study for my final and write an exegesis paper (12 pages). If you call, and I don't answer, I am knee deep in Greek!
Looking forward to Ohio Youth Convention! If you aren't planning to go, what is wrong with you? You will have an amazing time!!
It was an amazing weekend! I love Fine Arts!
Now I have to change gears. I have a Greek class deadline in 2 weeks. I have to study for my final and write an exegesis paper (12 pages). If you call, and I don't answer, I am knee deep in Greek!
Looking forward to Ohio Youth Convention! If you aren't planning to go, what is wrong with you? You will have an amazing time!!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Fasting
Today marked the start of our 3 Day Annual XLR8 Prayer & Fast.
I am so excited about the students who are participating with Amanda and me.
The following challenge options were issued . . . (1)Give up food and drink except for water and juice starting when you wake up on Monday until after the XLR8 youth service Wed. night. (2)Give up food and drink for one meal a day for 3 days (3) Give up something you love for 3 days (i.e. TV, Video Games, Texting, Facebook, Cell Phone, Music, etc.)
We are praying for (1) God to guide XLR8 in 2008 (2) A specific personal request (i.e. salvation of a friend or loved one, freedom from an addiction, guidance about a decision, the birthing of a new dream from God) (3)God to instill this spiritual discipline in the lives of the students and leaders of XLR8
So many of you are sacrificing this week and I am so proud!
I can't wait to hear the results and to see what God is going to do Wednesday night in XLR8 service!
I am so excited about the students who are participating with Amanda and me.
The following challenge options were issued . . . (1)Give up food and drink except for water and juice starting when you wake up on Monday until after the XLR8 youth service Wed. night. (2)Give up food and drink for one meal a day for 3 days (3) Give up something you love for 3 days (i.e. TV, Video Games, Texting, Facebook, Cell Phone, Music, etc.)
We are praying for (1) God to guide XLR8 in 2008 (2) A specific personal request (i.e. salvation of a friend or loved one, freedom from an addiction, guidance about a decision, the birthing of a new dream from God) (3)God to instill this spiritual discipline in the lives of the students and leaders of XLR8
So many of you are sacrificing this week and I am so proud!
I can't wait to hear the results and to see what God is going to do Wednesday night in XLR8 service!
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