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.

Before the stoics of our day...

Fresh off of our week of Jr. High Camp, our jr. high group got together again...this time under less stressful, and better rested circumstances. The night started out with a video that has become a craze to our youth group. At Jr. High Camp, Cody Waterman sang his praises about this video that has not only changed the spiritual depth of our meetings, but our view of vegetables as well. If you get a chance, click here to see the video. It really gives you the opportunity to think through a lot of different things. It certainly makes you think about proper nutrition, and the way you treat your friends.

The youth band led worship tonight. If you are unfamiliar with CPCC youth group, you should know that our youth services are led in worship by our youth band, that is made up, entirely, of high schoolers and jr. highers. Tonight Dillon sang and was backed up by Elena and Eric. Dillon also played acoustic guitar, along with Jake on electric, Trevor on drums. Cory was forced to play bass, because Aleesha decided not to be a team player and took off to Alaska (tear). They played well tonight. Dillon does a great job leading, for only his third or fourth time.

Tonight's lesson was on influencing your friends. We talked about this the last night of camp, but I wanted to rehash it for all of them. In Acts 17, Paul gives us a glimpse of how to share the gospel with unbelievers. The first thing I wanted them to understand, was Paul going to where the people are. We talked last Thursday about how this society is the most interconnected society in the world, but we are the most isolated. We can find ourselves hiding behind so many things, keeping our self so busy, that we never get out to meet anyone. This is something that I struggle with. I spend 98% of my time around church people. Some of our kids have that same problem. Paul went where people were and shared the gospel there,

The second thing Paul's speech in Athens shows us is an affinity to allow the gospel to spill out of daily life. Paul is walking around Athens only to find statues to unknown gods. He simply shows them this unknown god is the God that he knows. His method seems much like Jesus' in the gospels. His teaching was prompted much by what was going on around him. Paul grabs their attention and then cuts the gospel loose. He doesn't sugar coat it or beat it to death. He says what he has to say and then moves on. One thing that often frightens us is the fear that a question would arise that we do not know the answer too. I told them it was OK not to know all the answers. That really didn't seem to assuage their fears.

Finally, the speech before the Aeropagus in Acts 17 shows us event he best planned testimonies and presentations will have those walk away in anger. Some did come to Christ. Some did not. How we deal with those downfalls is critical. We have to understand that it is not our fault. Some will not understand, some will not listen. I finished with the parable of the Sower. Our attempts will end with the same results. Some will come to fruition, others will not.

After the lesson we played some killer dodge ball. For Beetlejuice's size, she is a heck of a dodge ball player. We also ate some ice cream sandwiches. I love summer time youth groups. Ice cream, hanging out side, trips to the pool, and kids to hang out with during the day.

After a week and a half of not partaking of one of the most glorious things known to man...one of the most painful fasts that I have ever been on was broke. I ate Taco Bell for the first time in almost 2 weeks. There were some mixed emotions and some tears were shed. But it was the best tasting Taco Bell ever.