My Beat Down (redux)

In this egotistical, pride filled, and self-righteous society of ours it is very rare to find a man that admits his own short comings. I am not one of those men: I am weak. In my defense I have always been muscled-challenge. I knew it all along. In grade school they used to make us do chin ups in front of the whole class. I never did a chin up until my 7th grade year. Every year it was zero chin ups for me. In Jr. High we used to lift weights, I was unable to participate in the bench press because the bar was 45 pounds, which was way too heavy for a boy of my size. I didn't participate in the bench press until my sophomore year of high school. But it was then and there that I found me a sport that does not need any upper body strength at all: long distance running. Here were 100 other guys who could no more fill out their tank tops than I could. Sure enough I never had to lift a heavy object again. One summer I did get to the point where I could bench 120 lbs 10 times in a row, for 3 sets. I almost looked as if I had pecks, but soccer season came and I reverted back into my weakling stage. I was merely an ugly duckling in this mean swan filled world (the swans being muscular and strong).

Why do I bring this up you ask? Well it all hit the fan the other night.

A couple years ago, a couple friends and I were setting at Cheddars restaurant. We noticed this large, behemoth of a man setting at the table next to us. Lucas Littles told me to challenge him to an arm wrestling match. As previously established my upper body strength is not something that anyone would desire. The way I see it, there is just too much time involved to make myself look anywhere near a normal weight for someone my height (plus it is embarrassing when you are straining to bench press 80 lbs down in the gym, when surrounded by guys who have no purpose in life other than to lift heavy things that don’t really need to be lifted). This guy would have killed me. I decided that it would be advantageous for me to back down from the challenge. You can call it cowardice. You can call me a panzee. I don’t care, what am I going to do fight you? I backed down. Then the idea was purposed (I believe by Josh Brown, but can’t be quoted) that I should arm wrestle the waitress.

Any guy who has been in this situation knows that it is a no win situation at this point. There is no way to gracefully beat her; because if you do you will be labeled a jerk. However; if you let her win, the five guys surrounding me will never let it go. As it was, they had all of their cell phones out recording the grudge match. Behind our table there was a table of a couple guys who had been at the restaurant the entire time we had been there. I had lost count of the number of margarita's and beers that their table had consumed, but it was well over the amount that any self respecting adult should partake of in public. One of the guys at my table turned to them and informed them that I would be arm wrestling the waitress. The leader of the group (I deduced that he was the leader by the fact that he was the first to speak, the most drunk, and the most incoherent) began to speak to me in what sounded like a Cajun accent. Sure enough it could have been simply a southwest Missouri accent, but he was so inebriated that your guess is as good as mine. This man began threatening me with embarrassment should I lose. He threatened to hang me upside down from the rafters, like a piñata, if she was to beat me. This in fact would be where my nickname from him would come from. For the rest of the night he would refer to me as piñata.

The waitress made her way over to our table and promptly informed us that she was having a rough night. She was responsible for all of the tables on the patio, which judging from the quality of the people that I had observed there, seems to have been quite the ordeal. Upon setting at our table she let me know that she had a lot of pent up rage from the night. This posed a serious problem for me. (1) She was kind of scary. (2) The rage that she was carrying was apparently at this point allocated in my direction. At this point in time no clear cut solution presented itself, so I proceeded on with the match. We grabbed hands. Just as our hands met, moron #2 from the drunken table walked over and placed his hands on top of ours. He had appointed himself referee. Suddenly this has taken a turn for the serious. We got the paparazzi made up of all of my friend’s video taping with their cell phones. We have the hecklers, meaning the drunk guy that is affectionately calling me “piñata” at the top of his lungs. Servers and bus boys are taking breaks to watch, and I wasn’t sure, but I think I heard it announced over the intercom. Plus there is the referee, who now has my hand and her hand in a death grip. There was no backing out now. Why is it that we feel it necessary to maintain our pride in front of complete strangers?

I really felt good about my odds. That is until I heard the word “go.” At that point, as opposed to letting go of our hands and allowing us to fairly arm wrestle, he slams mine and her hand in the direction that she was aiming for and declared her the winner. It was over in less than a second. Now this story is completely true, but is currently lacking the video evidence. If you look really closely at the video tape, you can see glimpses of him helping her out. But the tape hides it quite well. I am not lying to you here. I was cheated. Now without any pride, and any dignity, I stand before a broken and dejected man. For I know that I was cheated and am unable to prove it. Part of me wants a rematch. Part of me wants to forget being beaten, even if it was cheating.

I guess this does save me the embarrassment of actually losing. But I still think I could have taken her.

Why do I tell the previous story; because the other night at youth group,

I WAS ONCE AGAIN BEATEN UP BY A GIRL!

Where as the waitress was in her twenties, I was dominated at youth group by a 15 year old girl who will never be in the position to have to lie about her weight. She might go 75 pounds on a good day. I was watching the Cowboys game in the fellowship hall when she snuck up on me. She approached me on my six; while I was unaware (I would like to let all people know that this was an unprovoked attack). Her next move was to strike me with a fun noodle in the back of my head. She did this twice. I grabbed the nearest fun noodle and went to pummeling her. During the course of this epic battle (which I was winning), I knocked her weapon out of her hand. It had landed behind her on the tile floor of the fellowship hall. Understanding that upon her retrieval she would once again use the noodle to attack me, I had to win the race for retrieval. Throwing caution to the wind, I threw myself, head first, at the motionless noodle. My hand graced the foam, just as my shoulder hit her calf, throwing her off balance and into a sitting position on my head. Her landing on my head drove my orbital into the tile floor, opening a nice gash above my left eye. Blood poured down both sides of my eye. The bleeding finally stopped. It could probably use a couple stitches, but I don’t really want to deal with the hospital to get them.

Earlier in my ministry one of my sponsors broke his nose on a kids shoulder while playing a game. At the hospital he was more concerned about how Jake felt, the owner of the shoulder that broke his nose. In that same position, I thought Ramsey was going to cry. I felt bad for her because it wasn’t her fault, but she was really concerned.

Here is what my eye looked like, post bloodshed.

I fear that in an effort to be cutting edge,

we have ignored the foundations and subsequent learning’s of others.

In the past week I have read two books. The first was a book about hymns and the stories that surrounded many of the hymns that were sung years ago. The other was a book called the Barbarian Way, by Erwin McManus. I am not new to McManus. I have read Uprising and Seizing Your Divine Moments, which were written by him as well. While reading this, I found his overall distaste for any kind of establishment and tradition to really turn me off of his whole idea. I might be reading to far into it; however, I think you find the same overtones within uprising.

I went to a Bible College where many traditions are age old and conservatism is more prevalent than some others. There were some rules there that I did not understand. We could not have long hair (which I have been told has now changed). We could not smoke or drink. We could not wear shorts to class. We had to be in the dorms by a certain time. Some of my class mates took offense to these rules. Some chose not to follow them, for the simple reason that they were outdated and traditional. The same attitude is given to religion as well. Oh wait, I am not allowed to say that word. "Religion" has become synonymous with traditional and lackluster. What is a religion? A set of beliefs or practices. From the root word "rely."

I can't count the number of facebook pages that say

“Religious Views: Its not a religion, its a relationship.”

So what you have there, trendy and cutting edge individual, is a relationship based upon no belief, no trust, and no practices if it is not a religion. This is not about semantics, nor do I wish to imply that there is no substance to the fact that it is a relationship; however, at least understand the meaning of religion before giving it a bad repoir.

It is called a religion because it is a set of beliefs and practices that have evolved over the years, in a manner that has greatly affected the generation before you. There are a great number of men and women, who are respected that were brought up in this “religion” that many are quick to trash should the word religion take on a negative connotation. Many were raised singing hymns and dressing up for church.

Challenging the status quo is not something that I do well or often. I tend to swim along with the current on most things. One thing I have noticed about may of those who take a stand to be different and cutting edge, who cut down the traditions and beliefs just because they can, do it for that very reason. They can! It really isn't about a rededication to the original gospel, to get to know Jesus, or even to deeper commune with God, it is the understanding that they will get attention. McManus does it to sell books. Some preachers will go up on stage and say something to challenge everyone, not for the purpose of better communication, not the betterment of their congregation, or even that they believe it, but for the purpose of attracting attention to themselves. If you make a statement, that you have to spend the next 40 minutes explaining, then it was probably better served not to make it.

As for the rules and traditions at school, Jesus called you to a life of submission. How can you submit to him, if you are unable to follow completely arbitrary rules that have no bearing on your own devotion to him. You are not growing your hair long to get to know him better, you are not willing to cut your hair because you don't want to. John has some words for that: "he must become greater, I must become less."

Often times our own rebellion to the status quo is just that, it is "our" own wants and desires that are really placed before anything else. I don't condone doing church as it always has been done, just think before changing it: "Is this for me, or is it for the advancement of His kingdom."

My advice to all those who desire to write a cutting edge book that challenges the way everyone thinks and challenges many traditions that church members hold dear: understand them before changing them. If you can't understand why something was done a particular way (for example the reason a set of beliefs is called a religion, or why a church sang hymns), then you have no business changing it. Should you begin to understand why, ask yourself the reason for the change.

This blog’s purpose is simply this: I work with youth. I have been a youth most of my life, and acted like a youth most of college. The negative light upon which tradition and religion, has been shone, is done by people who either do not understand, or do not wish to relinquish their own ego to acknowledge. There are times to be cutting edge. There are times when proper respect needs to be given to how thing have evolved. In our effort to be trendy and current, let us not neglect the foundations upon which the church was built. There is a mid way point I fear some have passed in an effort to be cutting edge. It is a line that is easily bypassed in youthful exuberance and narrow vision.

In every party there is a party pooper!

The shepherds made it. So did the heavenly hosts. Mary and Joseph were there. And of course the guest of honor had arrived. He lay there in his feed box, minding his own business, soiling his own swaddling clothes. We don't know when Herod found out about this potential usurper (could have been 2 years later), but when he did he was distressed (Matt. 2.3). Herod was not a nice guy. When he was getting ready to die, he had many leaders of the people locked up in the hippodrome to be killed upon his death. Why? So that people would mourn his death vicariously through the death of their loved leaders.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, is a tale that has survived through generations.

Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinchy frown
At the warm lighted windows below in their town.
For he knew every Who down in Who-ville beneath
Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.

"And they're hanging their stockings!" he snarled with a sneer.
"Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find a way to keep Christmas from coming!"

I cannot speak to whether Suess had this story in mind when penning his words, but they definitely seem applicable. Herod hated everything about this time. He hated the fact that his kingdom was being challenged by this infant. He hated that he was duped by wise men. And he tried his hardest to keep Christmas from coming.

Without the intervention from God, he would have succeeded. Without the dream to Joseph, to go to Egypt, we would be in a world of hurt. Without the intervention of God, there would be no joy in who-ville.

What did Paul pray for?

What ever he prayed for, I can guarantee you that the prayer life he cultivated was far from the "God bless my family, keep me safe, and be with the starving children of Darfur." that has infiltrated my prayer life. As an American people, our recent prayers have been for the nation, the economy, for peace, and for prosperity. For along time, I have really wanted to study what it was that Paul devoted his prayer life too. If there was ever a guy who seemed to have the attention of God, it would have been Paul (second only to Jesus probably). So what was it that Paul prayed for?

Throughout the letters of Paul, he is constantly praying for the recipients of his letter. As I studied his prayers for the church, I couldn't help but notice that mine seem so shallow in comparison. Something, be it depth or outlook, seems strangely absent from my prayer life.

Two things that Paul prayed for seemed to come to the fore front yesterday. Two items seemed at this time of the year to shine brighter than the others.

1. Paul gave thanks for the people in his life. It is of no coincidence that many of Paul's prayers found themselves in the midst of his thanksgiving. Holidays are a stressful time. Tensions run higher, schedules are more hectic, and we find ourselves in close contact to the people around us. Paul takes his relationships with people to God, and gives thanks for them. A healthy habit for us to partake of near this time of year. That is what this holiday is about, giving thanks for the people around you.

2. Paul prayed for power and love in the recipients of the book. This weekend was Persecuted Church Sunday. Stacy talked about her friend in China and the way that Christians live over there. I talked a bit about my friends in North Africa. We talk constantly about missionaries who go to persecuted countries, but overlook the fact that their children go through the same things. We prayed for them. That their love may increase and that God's power will take them over. On Persecuted Church Sunday, we talked about Paul's continual prayer for the power and love of God to come upon people.

Do you now see how a prayer life like mine can pale in comparison? I offer up egotistical prayers for self preservation and blessings for those who wish to aid and abed me. As for praying for your enemies, not so much. Praying for others to know Christ, falls behind my own prayers for my own comfort and security.

I found myself greatly convicted by this study. As for the high schoolers that studied this as well, I cannot be sure what they were thinking. It is my hope that prayer lives have changed, as I know mine has.

Anatomy of Gray

Last night, I was given the privilege, nay the pleasure of watching the Seaman High School play. I was really there to watch a couple of my kids star in it; but still it was a great way to spend a Thursday night. Becca Sells was one of the lead roles; June Mouldon. If you have seen the play, and know Becca; the acting part could not have been very difficult for her. Her character is really just a portrayal of who she is off of stage. One point during the show, had the doctor limited her character to only one question a day. This is a strategy that has crossed my mind with Becca as well. The day dreaming, the questions, the overall disposition of her character was simply Becca. She did phenomal. Nathan was a townsperson. He was actually the understudy for a character named Homer. If you knew Nathan, his disposition would be better suited for the Doctor; however, he would have made a fine Homer. He did a fine job of entering and exiting on cue.

A couple things I learned about plays:

1. It is common to bring the leads flowers for their performance. I took flowers to Becca for the Nutcraker last year, but was unaware of this tradition in theatre as well.

2. I do not pay good enough attention during key parts of the play. Relying on the rewind button on my DVD player gets me through movies. There is no rewind on theatre.

3. I am not made to understand the end of plays.

SPOILER ALERT (due to the nature of this section the ending will be given away)

When I was in 4th grade, I watched Seaman High School put on DAMN YANKEES. During the final act there was a bomb threat on the school. I have never got to see the end of the play. Does he get his soul back? What happens to Lola? I still live in constant turmoil over the ending.

Anatomy of Gray ended with two healthy people and a baby sailing off down the river. The doctor then finds the problem with the water. End of play. I have never been more angry with an ending in all my life. I have a healthy respect for those who tie up all the loose ends. If I wanted to imagine an ending, I would make up my own story. Leonard (the author) is telling me a story then leaving me hanging, which is rude.

Overall I loved the play, enjoyed hanging out with Clay in the back, and loved getting to see my kids act.

The Capital Journal wrote about it here: http://www.cjonline.com/stories/111308/lei_355452739.shtml

“The last of human freedoms is to choose ones attitude in any given situation.”

Vicktor E. Frankl penned these words in his book, Man's Search For Meaning. He was discussing his own imprisonment at the hands of the Germans. His home had become a concentration camp with thousands of other Jews, who really had no hope. Frankl noticed a difference between those surviving and those who were dying. The one's who were most healthy were the ones that decided that they still had some kind of control over their futures. A simple decision of what to eat first on their meager plate was enough to keep some sane. Those who were dying by the day, were the ones who had given up and conceeded all hope and most of all, all choices. They essentially were the walking dead.

Most of you know that we have been discussing the relationships we have with our parents during Jr. High youth group. You might be asking yourself what Vicktor Frankl has to do with getting along with parents. No, their lives are not like concentration camps. However, the attitude that they chose to address this relationship with, will determine the outcome; just as Frankl noticed a connection to attitude and survival.

In Philippians 2, Paul reminds us that our attitude should be the same as Jesus. He goes on to explain the humble and service oriented attitudes that Jesus displayed. The word translated attitude was used back then to mean the "diaphragm." The muscle that cause the lungs to inhale and exhale. The diaphragm determines the nature and strength of the breath and hence the human spirit and its emotions. Therefore, our very nature, our very essence, should be the servant attitude displayed by Jesus in John 13, when he washed the disciples feet and ultimately his work on the Cross.

I challenged the Jr. High kids to take this servant attitude home to their parents, as an example of who they are following. Easier said than done.

Then we threw Marshmallows in the air and tried to catch them. The guys caught 66 from Ian (who washed his hands first), but the girls didn't do as well.

Spiritual Fatigue

Many years ago, I was blessed to have been able to run with some good guys on the Seaman Cross Country team. I stunk at it. I have since seen video's of myself running then that makes me question their friendship. If they were truly my friends, they would have told me to take up something that would fit my athletic ability a little bit better, like competitive cup stacking or something. To this day they are some of my best friends. On our long runs as a team, I remember getting so tired that throwing myself under an 18-wheeler looked appealing. We used to have discussions about the proper entry angle so as not to kill yourself, but at least limit the use of your legs so you wouldn't have to finish the six mile run.

Last weekend, I was able to go watch the MCC-Ozark Soccer game. Seeing a lot of those guys helped me to remember simpler days, where the theory of theology caused a lot less headaches than the practical theology that I face today. Relationships are difficult, and quite frankly more work than I had ever imagined. A couple of summers ago, I was faced with a difficult relationship as I worked with CIY. Nate Karnes taught me a lot about how to deal with it. That was 3 months of awkwardness and misunderstanding. But it was so much simpler knowing that relationship would come to an end...these now must go on indefinitely.

Relationships are hard work, needing constant maintenance. I am now starting to realize how much of your spiritual health affects the relationships you have and vice versa. When I am tired relationally...I notice that instead of running to scripture, it is easier to run away. When I am tired spiritually...I avoid relationships. Spiritual health is celebrated communally. It is shared communally.

Spagetti Dinner

I serve a church of about 300 people. There are 4 full time staff members and three part time. simply stated, a little over 1 percent of our congregation is full time staff and a little over 2 percent are any kind of staff at all.

Under these circumstances, it is simple to see that a church without the support and input from a volunteer contingent would suffocate itself to death.

Tonight, we celebrated our youth sponsors; the people who do all the little things to make this youth group go. The people who spend countless hours teaching, praying for, and leading our kids.

We cooked them spagetti and had a dinner in their honor. We talked about Acts 6 and the idea of those being set aside to do specific tasks. I find it no coincidence that one of the servants was the first to be killed for his faith. The Romans knew what subsists the church, the servants, the volunteers, is what keeps the Church afloat.

Tonight I hope they were honored.

I am in love...

I went to the Carrie Underwood concert tonight. The emotions that are welling inside of me are hard to explain.

During All American Girl, she brought a little girl on stage and had her sing the last chorus with her. It was a cute picture. I love it when she is compassionate and reaching out to people...that is my favorite quality about her. She is so tender and loving...and I love that about her. Not to mention it was a really cute picture...I didn't get a good look at the little girl, but Carrie was very cute.

Fast forward in the show about 20 minutes when my leg started buzzing. It was Tyler Ward (good kid). He sent me a text message:

"Hey broseph. You still our youth pastor or you run off with Carrie and get married."

At that moment...she came out in a beautiful blue dress. Before All American Girl, she asked the audience if there were any "all American girl's" there tonight. Before the next song, she asked if there was any Prince Charming's in the crowd. I could feel the connection we had at that very moment. She then lamented that she was still looking, but at the age of 25 she was still single. Coincidentally this is my age. At that very moment, I felt like the very Prince Charming she was talking about. According to the song, she is finding her companionship from a puppy that travels around with her. "The more boys I meet the more I love my dog." Apparently, she has been hurt in the past by guys. Carrie, those guys were idiots.

I felt bad for her, mostly because here she was bearing her soul, and me, the very guy who could comfort and assuage her was setting a mere 29 rows from her. Someday, perhaps by happenstance, we shall meet face to face. I am holding on to the fact that in that moment, I will be overcome with my prince-charmingness and my tender heart will show through. And we will think back to this night and reminisce about the time we were so close emotionally yet so far away physically. I will be there to comfort her and we will ride off into the sunset like her song "Ever After" talks about.

Not to take anything away from this youth group, but rest assured Tyler, had I proposed and she said yes, I would guarantee that you would never see me again.

I'm just kidding. Judging by our careers, mine seems to be going places faster than hers, so she could settle down, while I support our kids and her dog (jk).

I also caught some confetti tonight that now graces my desk here at work.

See You At The Pole

This Wednesday night, 20 of our kids went to Topeka Bible Church for the city-wide SEE YOU AT THE POLE RALLY.

Many of them met with their schools that morning before school.
Jardine
Seaman Middle School
Shawnee Heights Middle School
Heritage Christian School
Robinson
Washburn Rural Middle School
These are just the middle schools that Central Park has kids at. We had a pretty good turnout there at TBC. Hannah Johnson was interviewed by the Capitol Journal, so that was pretty cool.

Fantasy Sports at the High School level...

I coach soccer. It is something I love to do...and honestly I think I do a decent job of it.

I am also a youth pastor. I love doing this as well...I might not be real good at it, but I like it.

My dilemma lies in the understanding of how Christianity fits into the sports world.

I had a youth pastor growing up, who did not like the sport of hockey due to its retaliatory nature. I had acquaintances in college who were adamantly pacifistic, but were some of the most aggressive and physically dominating players (of which they were unable to see their own hypocrisy).

The other day during soccer practice, I taught our kids to body up and play aggressive. I showed them how a short tug on a jersey can give you an advantage and how putting your shoulder into a offender can bump him off the ball. Parents have called or emailed me concerning these teachings; upset with my desire for their kids to play aggressively.

Granted there is a major difference between playing aggresively and playing dirty. Swiping the knees, elbows to the head, and chopping ankles is not something I condone; however, aggresively is the only way to play the game.

We play high school soccer (we don't have enough high schoolers to play so we move some Jr. Highers up)! I treat them like high schoolers for this very reason: we play high school teams; at team will not ask you for your birth certificate prior to game and then decide to play easy on you.

Here in lies the fantasy aspect. In a perfect world everyone would get to play equal amounts; everyone would not have to work very hard; and everyone would have a good time. These are called rec leagues. This is high school soccer. The fantasy is over! Kids get run over in games. If you don't believe there is contact in soccer, why put shin guards on.

Society's mantra is this: "Comfort is our aim." Comfortable is believing that soccer is a non contact sport. Comfortable is telling your child that if he gets tired to set out. Comfortable is begging for playing time, when you aren't showing up to practice. Comfortable is telling yourself that you have no chance of winning just because you have Jr. Highers on the team. Comfortable is talking about how we at least did our best, when we weren't even close to trying our hardest.

Comfortable is an excuse to remain the same.

Christianity has missed the boat in the past concerning athletics. Phrases like "turn the other cheek" have become fodder for being a throw rug for opponents. I had a coach in college who wanted us to consider every opponent better than ourselves (even though the only one in our conference better than us was Manhattan) in lieu of Philippians.

It was obvious that Paul did not condemn sports...instead he used them as an example of work ethic and perseverance; aggressiveness and team work. You strive to take the uncomfortable out of sports and you cut the legs off of the very thing Paul was trying to say.

Excuses are like armpits...

Everyone has them and they all stink.

Tonight we talked about excuses. The kids wrote down a couple that they would use if they had not finished a science project:

"my mom forgot to do it." -- Jordan

"My mom said she was going to die yesterday, so I spent the day with her, then she was miraculously healed." -- Jacob

"I was sucked into a space time continuem where my project was destroyed." -- Jason (a sponsor)

"I'm a cripple." -- Austin, who is recovering from a nasty cut on his wrist

"My little brother is teething." -- Hannah

"I got kidnapped, but now I'm back" -- Beetlejuice

The excuses we use can cause us to miss out on the great plan that God has for us. John Ortberg wrote a great book on Peter walking on the water called, If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat, that discussed the great life of adventure that awaits us if we trust in God. Moses, through his many excuses, attempted to miss all the great things that he was to experience.

His excuses:

"I'm a nobody. Who am I to go?" Sounds a lot like Gideon in Judges 6. A question Jr. High Schoolers face on a daily basis.

"What if they don't believe me? What if they don't care?" The message of Jesus often rolls off people's backs.

"I ain't got good speaking abilities. I don't know enough." A hurdle that many of Jesus current disciples let defeat them. David Ring, one of the greatest speakers of this generation, didn't allow earthly speaking abilities stand in the way of a heavenly message.

The excuses come to an end with an outright plea to pick someone else.

Excuses can stand in the way of a great adventure with God. The same excuses Moses used, are the same ones that stand in the way of our Middle School students. Jr. Highers have great power. Texting is a $50 billion dollar industry, because of teenagers. 50% of commercials on Television are specifically geared to this demographic. Excuses stand in the way of them realizing the world altering power they have...No excuses.

ON A SIDE NOTE:

Some of my high schoolers who set in on Jr. High youth group decided the Exodus 4 was cut short, so they adapted it and lengthened it in a manner that makes you really think about the future of this nation as well as humanity. This is exactly as they (Austin and CJ) have it written, blame our public school system for the misspelling.

Following verse 17 insert:

Then Moses said I would rather burn in hell than do this. The Lord said "I am who I am." Then using the powers of the Dragon, he schorced Moses face off. The Lord laughed and then watched the Office on NBC with Jesus. Moses spent the rest of eternity with no face. Until Chuck Norris put him out of his missory. Then the Lord stoped watching the Office and imediatly sent Chuck Norris and Moses to Star Wars times, where Chuck Norris became a master jedi and Moses became the leader of the Sith. Then 3 katillion years later, Moses and Chuch Norris were watching the Office and had a disagreement over who was funniest, Dwight or Micheal. Then they got into a huge light saber battle ending in a atomic force backhand by Chuck Norris ending time. Then the Lord said "I am who I am" again he reserected Moses because the Lord felt bad because he had no face. Then the Lord sent Moses, Chuck Norris (who can't die according to CJ), and Rambo to Lord of the Rings times where Moses was a hobbet and Chuck Norris and Rambo was a Dwarf. Chuck Norris and Rambo found the all powerful ring where they buit a huge continent called ChuckRamboland where everybody hated Moses. When ChuckRamboland had the pwoer to defeat Moses's crappy country of Nofaceland where Moses still didn't have a face. The people of ChuckRamboland invaded Nofaceland blowing it up off the face of the earth. So Chuck Norris and Rambo combined their powers and ended time where they contenued to make great shows and movies and watched the Office.

Sometimes there is no words to express the utter confusion that is found in the human mind.

Jesus saves us from worry...

The brutal end of summer has arrived. Not 20 seconds ago, I said good bye to one of our graduates, who is heading to MCC for the school year. A little over 20 minutes ago I finally got to tell kids to go home because it was a school night. CIY and VBS, composed the last push of the summer and my last a3 weeks of insanity.

Tonight, Aaron Jones taught us about worry. He asked the kids what they worried about. It was interesting to hear their answers. I originally thought worry was an adult problem. It is something that many adults struggle with, but you wouldn't think Jr. High students would have a problem with it. Then I thought back to my own days in Jr. High School. Worrying about: whether anyone would set beside me at lunch; who do I set with on the bus; can I actually fit in my locker; do I have to shower in gym class. These thoughts coursed through my mind as Jr. High school approached. I laugh on them now, but it was a scary ordeal in those days. You might not know it now (and I do a pretty good job of hiding it), I suffered from a crippling shyness during my prepubescent years, an insecurity that followed me around until college. Jr. High is an anxiety attack to many kids. Aaron challenged us from Philippians 4 and Romans 8.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Aaron showed us that through prayer and a relationship with Christ, we can be free of the worry that traps us in our lives. He then took us to Romans 8 and showed us how the very things that we worry about are the things that Paul says that will not separate us from God's love. School, making the team, death, grades, money; all these things Paul has addressed in Romans 8. They are all part of creation; or challenges; or our future.

It makes me think about the things that I worry about, for I am convinced that our lives our filled with much more worry than Jesus ever wanted for us.

Its been a while...

Sorry, I have been having some technical difficulties.

Pictures will come at a later date.

Last weekend, Dan Force led a combined youth group. He talked about how Jesus saves us from sin. The most important thing that Jesus saves us from is our own sin and aberrations. Dan did an excellent job. Essentially, he just shared the gospel; camped out in Romans; and explained our human position throughout the entire biblical narrative. It was really good. After youth group, we went to Trevor Keens house and swam for quite a while. Perhaps the best thing that took place that night was the fact that no one brought a guitar. It was good times.

Apparently, some of our girls attended a sleepover last week, in which they watched a number of Disney movies. It is safe to say that dreams and aspirations were on their minds as they desperately want to become part of their own fairy tale. This can be the only explanation for Ramsey and Rachel kissing a frog (technically it was a toad as I learned from an 8th grade biology project, but frog is what the fable proclaims). We got pictures, but I don't really know why? Apparently, Jr. High boys are not the only ones who occasionally don't think through their actions.





TUESDAY NIGHT
Chris and Aleesha got back, so now you can see pictures of Aleesha's room that the girls flipped while she was gone.

FRIDAY NIGHT
We took a bunch of the Jr. High boys camping. It was a good night. We played glow stick capture the flag in the pasture, which was really just an attempt to sprain every ankle out there. Jacob beat us to the point with his little stunt from the prior week, so he didn't get to play. Late that night, we played a game called: "Eat what Ed eats!" It is really a combination of "Fear Factor" and "Truth or Dare." That afternoon, I picked up a few of Ed's favorites: baby oysters, sardines, Vienna sausages, spam, whipped topping, and macaroni and cheese baby food. The last one was mine to pick up...I figured I liked Kraft mac and cheese, so this stuff couldn't be too bad. It taste like I licked a New York Statue after a pigeon infestation. If a couple kids, didn't want to eat what Ed eats, they had to share something personal. It ended up being an opportunity to eat a lot of nasty things. No one puked. I did, however, come awful close.

We sat around the campfire and drank root beer. You know, guy stuff. Jason H. and Aaron Jones came and helped out a lot. Aaron brought a potato gun. That was a lot of fun. They shot it across the pond to watch the potato skip. Good times. We had a blast hanging out with the guys, just doing life alongside them. They are a good group of kids. The fishing was pretty poor, but we did have guys on the canoe most of the time, making a lot of noise. Poor fishing was really to be expected.

It was a good night.

I'm not saying God made a mistake...

but God might not have thought this element of creation all the way through.

In the beginning, God desired to partner with man in doing his work. Man's first task: name the animals. Simple enough. God brought the animals to him one by one, or two by two if that helps you. Adam started out with a desire to impress. He named the big animals, elephant, hippopotamus...and the little animals, platypus, and armadillo. You can almost imagine the angels rolling their eyes at God as if to say: "You created this thing with the ego, not us." After a long day, remember there are no extinct species at this point, man finds himself very tired.

God says to Adam: "hang with me, I have one more animal to name, only one little small animal, and you can rest." God brings the animal to Adam, and Adam racks his brain trying to come up with a good name for this creature. He finally settles on the name "dog." God is psyched, that's his name spelled backward. He decides that it will be man's best friend and he is glad to be done.

Adam feels around his feet another small, furry creature. He thinks to himself: "I thought God said that last one was it." He thinks about what to name this creature, he wants to go short and sweet. He racks his brain and comes up with "cat."

The commotion caught God's attention, and he says to Adam: "Wait a minute, I didn't create that thing."

It could have happened.

I am still staying at the Maddock's and their cat is still alive (I'll keep you posted on its whereabouts it the unthinkable should happen). I have never been fond of cats. This particular cat, has been one of the worst ones I have met. It definitely has caused me to hat their species even more than ever.

A couple reasons I hate cats:

1. At the risk of sounding anthropomorphistic, this cat is the most emotionally and physically needy individual that I have ever met. It has a constant appetite for attention and adoration. I could be in a room working, and the cat will paw at the door for the next 2 hours attempting to get in (a dog would have figured it out the second the door was closed). When it does enter the room, it will immediately rub up against your leg. There is no such thing as the other side of the room when it comes to cats...it is either on your lap or in the next county. It has no personal space and no ability to occupy and entertain itself. It is like a baby. It needs to get a life, or find some cats from the other side of the tracks and form a hooligan gang, rampaging through the streets; or it could make an attempt to jump off the roof and not land on its feet. Anything would be better than bothering me.

2. Have you ever looked at their eyes. They are the exact same eyes as snakes. And if you study Genesis, snakes are the devil. The narrow, vertical pupils are present in all things not containing souls. Check your mirror, see the rounded pupils, you're safe; cats on the other hand are soul-less creatures, bound to experience all 7 levels of Dante's hell; since they have 9 lives, I think it is 63 levels of hell. Still, I think they are getting better than what they deserve.

3. Cats shed their hair like an Eskimo sheds clothing during a heat wave. How do I know? I don't own anything with out cat hair on it. My new felt cowboy hat, looks like it is graying. My clothes look like their growing a winter coat.

4. The constant need to be heard. They sit right behind you and purr constantly. No other being is praised so highly for being so annoying. It is like that bothersome child that says your name constantly, at a level just loud enough for you to hear it. The constant purring, is like a dripping faucet, once you notice it, you can't ignore it. The only way to fix it is to smack it with a heavy metal wrench at the point of the drip.

5. It does not understand how humans walk. Dogs can "heel"; meaning they walk next to you, right at your knee. I have been kicking this cat as I walk, hoping that it will learn. It has a tendency to walk in between your legs all the time. It also stops randomly, directly in your path. I kick it a lot, not intentionally, but I don't hold back either. It will learn, actually it won't; but that brings us to reason (6) CATS ARE STUPID!

C.J. the Dog, I have had no trouble with. Played fetch, and ate steak...I like dogs.

Jesus saves us from anonymity...

Same premise, different teacher.

Stacy Rexer, super-intern, taught the Jr. High group tonight. She did a great job.

Her lesson was based off of Galatians 3 and 4. Being children of God and how that affects the way that we think, live, act, and the way we view ourselves. It was more Biblical exegesis than they get from me...so it was really good. I think I might have to start doing more of this type of teaching, the kids seemed to like it. She started out by having a quiz. She wanted to know the name of the famous person on the screen, and what makes them famous. Aaron Jones knew a bunch of them. There was a lot of hooting and hollering when the Jonas brothers came up. I figured more people would know Travis Pastrana and Shaun White (both names that I gave her to use). It was a good lesson.

Mrs. Keen has been providing us with some amazing snacks for middle school youth group, it was the same tonight: Nachos and Sunny D.

We played the trashcan game after snack time...no one got hurt, unless you count the massive amount of blood that I lost through my blister that Dan Mitchell opened up. That was very unkind of him. In one of these pictures, near as I can tell, Jason Hildebrandt is meditating...not really sure.

Jesus saves us from anonymity...

Zach Force...when you think the name, you think a lot of things?

He is a T-High grad, a great drummer, a good son, Eagle Scout, intern, friend...he hates musicals, has both ears pierced and desperately wants a Tatoo. I might have made that last one up...not sure.

But where does he find his identity?

Zach taught youth group tonight. It was good to have him back at CPCC for a night. He taught on Matthew 4, and Jesus calling the disciples. He showed how Jesus gives us and identity that saves us from being no one. It was really good. He connected well to the students and challenged them to get involved in ministry now, a point that I haven't impressed on the high schoolers like I have the jr. highers. Identity is the biggest problem that teens face. Who are they...where do they fit in? These are questions that haunt every aspect of their lives. Zach showed them where to look and who to go to in order to receive your identity! He did an excellent job.

A couple things were evident tonight:

1. Zach is a great teacher and a great guy...NCC should feel very lucky.

2. Sometimes the things you most dread turn out to be the best times. Both times I arrived at the church today, I spent 30 minutes working up the courage to come into the building. Part of the difficulty with working in a church, is when you begin to dread your workplace, where do you go. You can't avoid church. Each time that I forced myself in here, I became refreshed. These kids really make it fun to do my job.


The youth band started off the night with their rendition of "Take it all" a song done by Hillsong. It went well...they have really grown together as a group. It is a blessing not to have to lead worship...since I lack the ability and know how. The kids have also expressed the blessing of not having to hear me sing.

Side note:

Played some home run derby on Monday with some high school kids. I pitched a while, now my arm feels like its gonna fall off. Tyler Ward hit 12 out...I think his girlfriend beat him though.

Why can't I grow up? Do I want to?

My 9 months at Central Park, have been hands-off easy. No major problems to speak of.

It is a frightening realization to know that you are in over your head. Situations arise where there is nothing to say. Sitting in a hospital room, around a family that has given you support and care for the last 9 months, watching them suffer and grieve...what can you possibly say?

I have read the books on suffering: The Problem of Pain, Where is God when it hurts?, Disappointment with God. Gotta be honest: the books mean nothing in that room. A couple of the girls were crying...once a girl starts crying, I become worthless. I had nothing to say.

I felt like I froze. I don't know what I would have said. I don't know what I could have said.

One of my goals for this blog was to inform parents about the youth ministry; the other was to allow a place for other youth workers learn, comment, and grow, based on my own downfalls. I wanted a place like this during college, where I could read the exploits of other youth pastors, and see the ins and outs of youth ministry. I found myself in that place where advice would have come in handy.

Its times like these that I envy Jesus. He always seemed to know what to say. When hurting people came to him, he never had to call for a line. Paul advises us in Romans to "mourn with those who mourn." I wonder if he ever froze in his own ministry. Job's friends set with him in an ash heap for a week without saying anything.

Concerning the emotions involved in the last 24 hours, I don't know what the appropriate response was. I think the way of Job's friends is a good way to go...plus it doesn't get you in much trouble.

I walked back to my car with a couple people. My nature came out and stupidity flowed forth. The lack of serious response flowed from within me. At what point in time are emotions easy to show? Sometime I will grow enough to face emotions without sarcasm, a reason that I gave one of my girls as to why a guy she knew wasn't showing much emotion.

HUH?

The Gospel with working gloves

At 7.00 a.m. on Saturday morning, Aaron Jones and his family led some of the guys in the youth group to Chapman, Kansas, site of the Kansas Auto Racing Museum and the path of an F4 tornado. About a week and a half ago, the town of Chapman was hit with a large tornado at around 10.00 at night.

Destruction was everywhere. If you look at this picture of the Chapman Elementary School, the missing wall in the middle top is the two second grade class rooms. From the looks of it, the tornado took a swath down the middle of the north side of the town. A lot of the new construction on the far north side of town was untouched. The older part of the town, north of the main business district (and I use the term "business district" very lightly). In the midst of town, the Salvation Army and the local churches set up feeding stations. The Methodist Church from Chapman fed us cheddar brats, and the Salvation army fed us Chicken ala King.

Our job consisted mostly of sorting through piles of rubble. We seperated construction materials from vegitation, and metal from housing debris. It was a mess. There were a few trees left standing, but they had no branches on them. Throughout the day we spent most of our time on two great big piles of rubble. We also hauled a lot of the piles to the road for FEMA to pick up later.

At one point in time in the morning, the guys found a Bible in one of the piles. It was completely untouched.

I don't think any of us shared the gospel with any one...we didn't preach the word, or hand out pamphlets; however, the gospel did put on working gloves that day. It was hard and tiring work, but the kingdom was furthered.

The guys did a great job.

Thanks Aaron for organizing it, and to the Hildebrandts for allowing us to use their van.