Bagel and Hot Tea Update! (a few days late)
Sorry this is late, but since I am having a bagel and hot tea at Panera right now, I figured it was a great time to update you all.
Highlight since last Thursday: I am at the National Youth Worker’s Convention in Nashville. On Friday afternoon, I got to hear one of my favorite communicators, Francis Chan. If you don’t get his podcast, you should!
Book(s) I’m reading: I am still reading Intuitive Leadership by Tim Keel. I am a little confused, so to make sure I understand it, I am re-reading what I have read.
Music I’m digging: I have been listening to Starfield a lot. I just need some time of worship.
Something(s) that blew my mind: Last week I read a blog entry from my friend Amy. I cried, I prayed, and I was blown away by her strength and faith. I am praying for you Amy!
Ministry update: I can honestly say that while I am glad that I have had a chance to see friends and hear great speakers and worship leaders, all I want to do is go home to be with my wife and to spend tonight (Sunday) with my youth group. I miss them all!
Something Random: I get home LATE on Monday night, and then Jill and I will leave for Chicago on Tuesday morning. It should make for a fun trip.
Looking forward to: GOING HOME! Oh, and for the return of Jack Bauer!
Final Thoughts: I have been thinking a lot about what has been said here at the convention. I don’t agree with everything, but I appreciate the provoking of my thoughts. Yesterday I was a ball of emotions. I miss my wife, my teenagers, Mark Yaconelli said something that has been in my heart for a long time and just didn’t know how to verbalize it, and I just cried. I used to be a tough guy, and life was a lot easier when I was a jerk to everyone. I am really glad I’m not that guy anymore!
Bagel and Hot Tea Update!
Highlight since last Thursday: BLITZ on Friday was good. I have decided that I am getting old. It takes me a lot longer to recover from all-nighters now. Getting to see Starfield again was the highlight for me.
Book(s) I’m reading: I finished reading My Beautiful Idol by Pete Gall in two days. I really liked it. I have just started reading Intuitive Leadership by Tim Keel. Someone (I can’t remember who) recommended the book to me. I let you know my thoughts when I get a little further into the book.
Music I’m digging: At BLITZ (the all night event for jr. high students) I got to hear a band call Above the Golden State. I have enjoyed listening to them.
Something(s) that blew my mind: I saw this video on Marko’s blog. I don’t know if it’s real or not, but it’s awesome!
Ministry update: I am in the middle of working on a bunch of different things. I am trying to plan a couple of missions trips for the summer, which is a lot of fun. I am helping with the weekend winter conference that our district puts on, and I am trying to get things in place for when I am gone next week. Also, I have a student who is planning for our group to participate in the 30 hour famine. I am excited.
Something Random: I love my iPhone. I love my mac. And now I love MobileMe. I am still learning all the different things I can do with it. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the past couple of months in youth group.
Looking forward to: On Wednesday morning, I will be heading to Mackinaw, IL to meet up with my friends Phil Shields and Joshua Gates. We will be leaving Thursday morning to go to the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention. I am really excited about spending time with these guys, meeting new people and taking time to let God speak to me.
Final Thoughts: I believe that a Kyle Orton on a bad ankle is better than a completely healthy Rex Grossman. At least we’re not as bad as the Seahawks. I also believe that the Iowa Hawkeyes’ win over Penn State was not a fluke. They are a decent team. At least we’re not as bad as Michigan.
Bagel and Hot Tea Update!
First let me say that I am sorry I haven’t updated this in a very long time. I know I am a jerk to my loyal readers. I have decided that I will give you a little update every Thursday while I enjoy my bagel and hot tea at Panera. I have seen a couple of other bloggers do this (on Mondays), so here goes.
Highlight since last Thursday: Being sick on Sunday. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it was really great to see God come through even though I thought I was going to pass out. I was able to get through my sermon, and we had an awesome time at youth groups! Plus it was awesome to see high school students plan the entire youth group night. They are really starting to get it!
Book(s) I’m reading: I started reading My Beautiful Idol by Pete Gall yesterday, and I am already 150 pages in. I am really liking it. I can connect with his story on a lot of different levels.
Music I’m digging: I can’t seem to get enough of Brooke Fraser right now. I especially like her song “Hymn”.
Something(s) that blew my mind: Did you see this play yet? Holy smokes!
Ministry update: I can’t explain to you how awesome ministry has been the past 6 months. I have seen so many great things. I know that God has chosen to do something amazing in the lives of the students here, and I am just along for the ride.
Something Random: I got to preach this past Sunday. I was sick and unsure if I would be able to go, but I made it through. If you want to hear it, you can click here.
Looking forward to: This weekend. Friday night is BLITZ, a multi-church, all-night event for which Starfield is playing. I am also looking forward to youth group on Sunday night. It seems like every Sunday I am excited about youth group and seeing my awesome students.
Final Thoughts: I’m not a very political person. I think the process is messed up. I know people that come down on both sides of the decision on Tuesday, but here’s my thoughts. First, we don’t know if we will be here by the time January comes around, so our excitement or dissappointment may mean nothing in the end. Secondly, we should be praying for our leaders no matter who they are, and respecting them. I may not agree with them, but I do respect them. Finally, my hope is in Christ, not whoever is President.
Superhero Powers
I love superheroes. Sometimes I wish I had a super power. Here’s a list of super powers I wish I had and why.
1. Mind reading – This would not only “help” me in my marriage, but I might be able to know when there was something “wrong” with people, because they don’t tell me.
2. Invisibility – Then I could disappear when an angry parent comes storming into my office.
3. I wish I was a Jedi – Then I could use the Jedi mind-trick on students and “make” them give their whole hearts to Jesus.
4. Stretchability – This way I can break up two jr. high make out couples at a lock-in at the same time.
5. Teleportation – Then I could go and see friends and family that I haven’t seen in a long time and still get back in time for dinner.
6. Super Speed – Oh wait, I already have that!
7. Climb walls like Spiderman – This way I could get the dodgeballs down from up above without getting the ladder out.
8. Finally, I wish I could heal like Wolverine – Because I am a klutz and now it would save me a couple of trips to the ER. Plus it would be nice to heal quickly when my heart gets broken by students and families.
Play Me!
