A couple new videos

Readings from the OT

Katie and I started a project soon after we got married. We decided that we were going to read scripture each morning in an effort to read all the way through the Bible. We did not limit ourselves to doing it in a year, we just wanted to be in the Word.

So, we have been in the project for pretty much 4 years, and are now half way into Ezekiel. I know... we aren't going at lightning speed, but we are at least going.

Today's reading was from Ezekiel 23. It was about 2 adulterous sisters named Oholah and Oholibah (Katie told me no to naming our next girls this...). The beginning of the chapter explains all their adulterous ways. How they gave themselves to prostitution and the like. Parts of the chapter get pretty graphic, so I would rate the reading close to a PG-13 (so moms with little ones take note). 

Near the end of the chapter the LORD gives his judgment on both sisters. In essence... it says their enemies will stone them and kill them with swords... butcher their sons and daughters... and burn their homes.

I found myself mixed with emotions about this chapter. Part of me was cheering them on, knowing the wrong these sisters had done. The punishment seems only appropriate to the offense. But there was another part of me that had an ear to modern life and current situations, and I couldn't help but thank God that he does not necessarily work in the same way today. 

Forgiveness seems to be a little stronger under the NT that under the OT. It seems people are given more chance to repent and be forgiven (obviously this is a blanket idea that does not cover some specifics in both the OT and NT that counter the thought). 

I believe one of the reasons for this change is the pressure it puts on us. You see, when someone committed adultery in the OT, they were stoned... No questions... no ifs ands or buts... dead. Sure there was probably still pain for the friends and family, but it was solved and over.

Now, when someone commits adultery we don't go and gather stones. As Christians we are put in a tough place. God calls for forgiveness. I say it is tough because be able to forgive though pain is not easy. I would like to say it is impossible... but only without God. 

See, God makes it possible to forgive even when you have been hurt, even severely. I don't know how he does it, but I'm glad he does. I'm glad we don't live under the old law. And I'm glad we get the chance to grow in Christ as we learn to forgive through pain.

A couple videos of the little girl growing up...

Start of School...

Well, it's that time of year again when teachers and kids unite with a solid "groan" of going back to school and parents (and youth ministers) give a quick "yippee" (whether the kids know we do or not). 

Now don't get me wrong... I enjoy the summer. Whether it be random games of ultimate frisbee, Tuesday power-studies, camps, HALO 3, Rockband, or all the other random activities, I have enjoyed every bit of it. But with all the activities that went on, I got a little more tired. So, when I gasp out my "yippee" it is in the form of exhaustion after after a great summer. 

You know those days that you go to your favorite theme park, or do you favorite activity... You play hard all day, have a blast, BUT there is nothing like slinking into your bed, body tired and a smile on your face. That is how I feel. (or soon to feel)

Although school has started, I have a few busy days/weeks left to get everything ready for the start of school. (i.e. huddles, retreats, FNLs, MNDs, newsletters, etc.) I just have to say that a vacation is in order, thus I am excited about heading to Nashville. 

It seems that we have lost a practice that for much of history was a commandment of God. Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. Whatever happened to that. Now, I know that when Christ came... he brought with him a new law. BUT I'm not sure that the sabbath was thrown out with the annual sacrifice. I believe God intended us to continue with the idea of a sabbath. 

You see, he knew something about his creation. We will work for things we like. AND we will work ourselves to death to get our desires. We all need to be reminded who we "really" serve and take some time off (a sabbatical) to focus on God. 

I wish my job allowed more time for more sabbaticals. I take them when I can. I am just glad I have the opportunities to break and relax. So, here's to a semi-sabbatical to come. May God bless it.

Camp Blue Haven (before the trip)

One of the jobs of a youth minister is to have a summer so busy, it makes it okay to slack off the rest of the year. The only work we really do is in the summer. (disclaimer - I do not believe this for one minute, but in some ways it would be nice.)
When I meet with other youth ministers, one question that usually gets asked is "What camps do you do?" To this question I dutifully reply "Camp Blue Haven". You see, unlike the camp that I grew up at (which I absolutely loved and would give my right pinkie to go back - Black Mesa Bible Camp), Camp Blue Haven runs for 10 weeks and pulls from a large area for attendees. Thus my chances that someone has heard of this camp are greater. (I guess I like this fact because I like making connections with people.)
Of course, I would not venture to say this (or any other camp for that matter) is the perfect camp. My teens absolutely love it, they promote Christian standards, and it is in the mountains... that is enough for me. One aspect that makes this camp very easy to go to each year is that my parents are the care takers. What that means is that I get to stay (with my wife and kid) in a house rather than a small cabin sharing a bathroom. It is rather nice and tends not to feel like camp very much, but I'm willing to sacrifice.
During this 5th session of CBH, I will serve as the Music teacher. This will be my third year in this position and I have enjoyed every bit of it. I love to sing, but more so, I love connecting teens to God through song. This is where I get my kicks. I teach new songs, bring back old ones, but mainly encourage everyone to sing from the heart.
The past two years, I have also had the opportunity to give an evening devotional for the camp. 1st year I did the closing camp fire; 2nd year I did the opening camp fire. This year, I have been asked to do "Early Christian Worship". I am a little nervous about this one, because it is a pretty serious lesson. I'm not saying that the camp fires are not serious, it's just that their setting is fairly easy to just talk in "devotional style". Early Christian Worship is much more somber, and much more like a sermon. There also seems to be a lot of hype for this night. I just pray that it goes according to God's plan.
If you are happening to venture to CBH this week, I'll look forward to seeing you.

May God bless.

Way too long...

So, some of you might be thinking that I had given up on my blog. Well, not really. It just became less of a priority when I looked at all the things I had to do. Then, you get in the habit of not posting... and thus three months later, you look at the stats on your blog and wonder why you still have visitors.

Life is what happens to you when you busy making other plans.

I guess that quote has hit home recently. I have been planning/participating/killing myself in youth activities this summer. We have trying to find that line that is a healthy medium of how many activities parents want and actually getting to see my family during the summer. (I do believe that we have found things pretty good, but it is still tiring.)

Here are a few things to chatch you up on my life:

1. VBS is always fun (no matter your age or role)
2. Studying scripture with teens always is an adventure
3. The book of James is a great book to study with teens
4. Teens never cease to amaze me with their willingness to serve, work, and be together
5. My wife is very understanding of a Youth Minister's life
6. Changing the rules to volleyball it more fun that originally thought
7. Jacey is almost a year old and is really fun to be around now
8. She is finally cutting her first tooth
9. I am afraid I met my match on who can talk more (Jacey just doesn't have all the words I have)
10. A blog that I enjoy reading has decided to go private - I hope I can understand the election process without Mark...
11. The Bible Chair has hired a new Director, which will be an interesting transition for this congregation
12. Camp Blue Haven (5th session) starts Sunday
13. I am learning new songs to teach for CBHs music class
14. One of my best friends for Canyon took a job as a Worship minister
15. We just moved this friend to the Fort Worth area this past weekend
16. I wish we could have taken more time off to help my brother pack up his house
17. 2-way radios never cease to be fun to play with on trips
18. Katie should have a new computer tomorrow.

This is about all I can think of for now... Until the next post... who knows when.

An Uncommon "F" Word

I hate it when someone wrongs me. It really bothers me when someone does not show respect to others. I consider it a Christian trait—to respect.

I guess lack of respect for anyone gets under my skin. It becomes hard for me to like a person who lacks respect for others. I want to force them into respect and I tend to shun them. But what is really hard is to forgive them.

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things God asks us to do. Colossians 3:13 tells us that we should forgive others because God has forgiven us. This seems like a understandable deal. It makes sense logically, but in practice it becomes much different.

It is not easy to forgive. We justify reasons not to forgive, and even plan opportunities to teach “that person” a lesson. But what greater lesson to teach someone than to forgive.

2 Corinthians 2:10 tells us that anyone we forgive, Christ will also forgive. And the reverse is assumed. This passage, along with others, puts a huge burden on the Christian.
We hold the power of forgiveness and God tells us it is our choice to forgive.

Peter understood this concept of forgiveness, but thought it must have it’s limits. He asks Christ in Matthew 18:21 how many times he should forgive “his brother”? He asks if 7 times is enough.
To take this back to normal human thought, we are usually willing to forgive once. We can find it within ourselves to forgive twice. If we are really good we will forgive three times. But seven is a stretch for most of us. Seven offenses is too much for the normal human to take.

It seems like Christ asks us to not be normal humans. He tells Peter to forgive 7 times 70. I do not believe that he means a literal number, but more-so as much as it takes.

How much can you forgive? I hope as much as Christ asks.