"I am joy impaired." John Ortberg first said it, I live it. Sure enough my joy level is not what it should be. Augustine said the "Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot." I have a little celebration in my right pinkie but thats about it. As I have been preparing for our youth group lesson tonight, I found something interesting.
Any contact that you have with the trinity has as a byproduct: joy.
Luke 15 tells the story of the wayward son. When he reunites with his Father, joy leaps off the page.
John 15 has Jesus explaining the purpose of his statements. He told the disciples this so that his joy in them might be complete.
Galatians 5 lists the fruits of the Spirit. Joy is the second one mentioned.
This finding raises some questions in my own life?
Is my lack of joy due to the limited contact I experience with God? If joy is really a byproduct of that realtionship, what's wrong with my relationship?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
BELIEVE CONFERENCE
Last weekend, 19 of our kids and 4 of my sponsors took the long trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma for Believe Conference.
It was a great weekend. Our kids love going on trips like that. Believe is a 24 hour event that is solely devoted to teaching to Jr. High Students. Everything from programing to material is centered around short attention spans. I love it because I think like a Jr. High student, and learn like a Jr. High Student. This year they studied through Jeremiah 1, and the call on his life. The theme was "Speak." Following Jesus was easier for me in Jr. High than really doing anything with it, so I thought it was an awesome theme.
What the kids got out of it, I cant be sure. Call me pessimistic, but I think most of my kids have heard most of it before. A majority of my kids had grown up in church and Christian school, so this was nothing new to them. I was really challenged by it, but many of them seemed almost immune to the fact that anything was going on. The worship was really good and they liked that. I don't really know a good way to prep for a conference like this, so Im not sure how this stuff really effected them.
Honestly, I felt my high schoolers who went to help got more out of it than anyone. They seemed to have grown closer and talk about this experience constantly. I have one who wants to be Brent the Stunt guy, and another who is a little "Eric the Painter."
Between Jared Hall the illusionist (who was awesome), the Rubyz (good stuff too); and the aforementioned it was a great weekend. I thoroughly recommend it for everyone.
It was a great week, and our kids came back fired up to worship, but I am not sure how fired up they were to "Speak."
It was a great weekend. Our kids love going on trips like that. Believe is a 24 hour event that is solely devoted to teaching to Jr. High Students. Everything from programing to material is centered around short attention spans. I love it because I think like a Jr. High student, and learn like a Jr. High Student. This year they studied through Jeremiah 1, and the call on his life. The theme was "Speak." Following Jesus was easier for me in Jr. High than really doing anything with it, so I thought it was an awesome theme.
What the kids got out of it, I cant be sure. Call me pessimistic, but I think most of my kids have heard most of it before. A majority of my kids had grown up in church and Christian school, so this was nothing new to them. I was really challenged by it, but many of them seemed almost immune to the fact that anything was going on. The worship was really good and they liked that. I don't really know a good way to prep for a conference like this, so Im not sure how this stuff really effected them.
Honestly, I felt my high schoolers who went to help got more out of it than anyone. They seemed to have grown closer and talk about this experience constantly. I have one who wants to be Brent the Stunt guy, and another who is a little "Eric the Painter."
Between Jared Hall the illusionist (who was awesome), the Rubyz (good stuff too); and the aforementioned it was a great weekend. I thoroughly recommend it for everyone.
It was a great week, and our kids came back fired up to worship, but I am not sure how fired up they were to "Speak."
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Political effect on Jr. High Ministry
I knew it was coming; however, this soon was a surprise. Party affiliations are just one thing that has now crept into Middle School ministry. Didn't see that coming. I thought we were going to have a fight tonight about it.
Every now and then you have one of those, What-on-earth-am-I-doing-with-my-life-moments, in youth ministry...just another one happened tonight. They arn't as often now as in the beginning, but still so hilarious.
Here at Central Park, we are somewhat diversified congregation on Wednesday nights. Every other day of the week we are a middle class white congregation. Wednesday nights bring in families with money, without money, or somewhere in between. We have hispanic kids, white kids, and black kids under this roof every Wednesday night. For a brief glimpse, the Church looks like the ethically-barrier free, non-culture-bound entity that it was made to be. It is awesome.
Tonight we discussed obedience, out of Daniel 1. The purpose was to show them how obedience in small things allows us to become more obedient in larger things. Daniel 1 practices Daniel for the Lions den in Daniel 6. Daniel 1 sets the stage for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3.
The question was simple: What is obedience? They answered swiftly and correctly.
Is there anyone who is difficult for you to obey? Suddenly a more conservate student raised his hand.
"Caleb, lets hear it." I said.
His response was fitting considering his infatuation with war and history. "Obama!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.
I began to laugh. "Why, Obama?"
"Because he wants to take our guns and distribute wealth."
I composed myself briefly, in order to move on. Question time at jr. high youth group, is always and adventure, that I try to move through as quickly as possible. But in less time than it took you to read the last statement, one of our more "fiery" (for lack of a better term) neighborhood girls named Mykayla shot a glance his direction that slightly resembled the way Frodo looked when possessed by the ring, shot her arm over the back of the pew and yelled, "Don't you be talking about my Obama." I thought she was coming over the pew at him. In rage and in muscle, I think she had the upper hand.
I would have been worthless protecting him, because the second the words came out of her mouth, tears came out of my eyes. I fell onto the floor, writhing in my own laughter. For the life of me, I don't remember what I said in response, but whatever it was, it came in the spurts of breathing. I don't know where the lesson went from there, I honestly cant remember, but I am sure it wasn't good.
Afterward we had cinnamon rolls and shot army men with rubber bands. Fitting.
Post Script:
Watched all 3 Lord of the Rings films this last week on the advice of a couple of my high schoolers. I have one question: the stares between Frodo and Sam seemed awful seductive? It seemed like every time they looked at each other, it was awful long and awkward.
Started reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. It is a phenomenal book. Great story and great apologetical study. I love it and can't wait to finish it tonight.
Every now and then you have one of those, What-on-earth-am-I-doing-with-my-life-moments, in youth ministry...just another one happened tonight. They arn't as often now as in the beginning, but still so hilarious.
Here at Central Park, we are somewhat diversified congregation on Wednesday nights. Every other day of the week we are a middle class white congregation. Wednesday nights bring in families with money, without money, or somewhere in between. We have hispanic kids, white kids, and black kids under this roof every Wednesday night. For a brief glimpse, the Church looks like the ethically-barrier free, non-culture-bound entity that it was made to be. It is awesome.
Tonight we discussed obedience, out of Daniel 1. The purpose was to show them how obedience in small things allows us to become more obedient in larger things. Daniel 1 practices Daniel for the Lions den in Daniel 6. Daniel 1 sets the stage for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3.
The question was simple: What is obedience? They answered swiftly and correctly.
Is there anyone who is difficult for you to obey? Suddenly a more conservate student raised his hand.
"Caleb, lets hear it." I said.
His response was fitting considering his infatuation with war and history. "Obama!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.
I began to laugh. "Why, Obama?"
"Because he wants to take our guns and distribute wealth."
I composed myself briefly, in order to move on. Question time at jr. high youth group, is always and adventure, that I try to move through as quickly as possible. But in less time than it took you to read the last statement, one of our more "fiery" (for lack of a better term) neighborhood girls named Mykayla shot a glance his direction that slightly resembled the way Frodo looked when possessed by the ring, shot her arm over the back of the pew and yelled, "Don't you be talking about my Obama." I thought she was coming over the pew at him. In rage and in muscle, I think she had the upper hand.
I would have been worthless protecting him, because the second the words came out of her mouth, tears came out of my eyes. I fell onto the floor, writhing in my own laughter. For the life of me, I don't remember what I said in response, but whatever it was, it came in the spurts of breathing. I don't know where the lesson went from there, I honestly cant remember, but I am sure it wasn't good.
Afterward we had cinnamon rolls and shot army men with rubber bands. Fitting.
Post Script:
Watched all 3 Lord of the Rings films this last week on the advice of a couple of my high schoolers. I have one question: the stares between Frodo and Sam seemed awful seductive? It seemed like every time they looked at each other, it was awful long and awkward.
Started reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. It is a phenomenal book. Great story and great apologetical study. I love it and can't wait to finish it tonight.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Super Bowl Party!
The day of the Superbowl was only more busy for the men who suited up tonight. It is fitting that my last blog was on hurrying, because that is what I felt like I was doing all day. Did Kurt Warner have to build sub sandwhiches before church? Did Troy Palumalu pull his groin playing flag football?
This morning we as a youth group made 144 sub sandwiches in order to raise money for CIY and Jr. High Camp. I showed up later than I wanted, and did not have enough tomatoes. Stress level 8.5
I was counting money right after church, waiting for the last person to leave, so I could deliver the only 2 subs I sold. Stress level 6
I drove home (15 minutes) and dropped off two sandwiches (taking 3 minutes) and then drove back into town (15 minutes). Stress level 7
I stopped at Walmart to get a couple things for the party and to grab a football for our youth group superbowl football game. Stress level 3 (the people at Walmart get me)
Football went well; however, trying to spread the ball around to 12 people on your team is difficult. Stress level 2
The party was ok; we moved a couch into the balcony, since our seating is gone. We kicked empty two liter bottles at a make shift field goal assmbled on the stage. We tailgated in the balcony...it was awesome. There are times when I don't connect well with some of our kids. I don't know what to do about that. I want to do my job well, which stresses me out. Stress level 9
After most of the kids left, I was able to hang out with someone I have grown fond of. After talking to her, I felt alot better, plus it was much anticipated on my part. I needed that. Stress level 1
All in all it was a good day.
This morning we as a youth group made 144 sub sandwiches in order to raise money for CIY and Jr. High Camp. I showed up later than I wanted, and did not have enough tomatoes. Stress level 8.5
I was counting money right after church, waiting for the last person to leave, so I could deliver the only 2 subs I sold. Stress level 6
I drove home (15 minutes) and dropped off two sandwiches (taking 3 minutes) and then drove back into town (15 minutes). Stress level 7
I stopped at Walmart to get a couple things for the party and to grab a football for our youth group superbowl football game. Stress level 3 (the people at Walmart get me)
Football went well; however, trying to spread the ball around to 12 people on your team is difficult. Stress level 2
The party was ok; we moved a couch into the balcony, since our seating is gone. We kicked empty two liter bottles at a make shift field goal assmbled on the stage. We tailgated in the balcony...it was awesome. There are times when I don't connect well with some of our kids. I don't know what to do about that. I want to do my job well, which stresses me out. Stress level 9
After most of the kids left, I was able to hang out with someone I have grown fond of. After talking to her, I felt alot better, plus it was much anticipated on my part. I needed that. Stress level 1
All in all it was a good day.
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