so its the last few hours of this year. in fact, in some places it is already not this year. some people get a jump start on it i guess. and before i get caught up in the chaos of a sweet party i get to partake in, i wanted to make sure i spent ample time of reflection while it is relatively calm.
goodbye 2010
31 12 2010Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: life, new year
Categories : ponderings from the deep
national youth workers convention 2010
25 11 2010we made it there and back again. i think this is my fifth convention. nashville is still sweet. i cant believe how many seminars i have heard, how many free shirts i have acquired, and the quantity of coke that can be consumed in five short days. it was a great [and hard] time of growth, forgiveness, and challenges.
below are my thoughts and ponderings from NYWC so i can attempt to remember and process what i gathered from it all. these are mostly incomplete thoughts, but they make sense to me so thats what counts. i tried to give credit to the guys that i stole these thoughts and notes from. i apologize for the randomness of it.
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Tags: convention, youth ministry
Categories : adventures abroad, ponderings from the deep
hebrews one
26 10 2010i am so grateful that God speaks. not that i can see Him in the trees and not that i ‘feel’ Him when a certain Christian song plays or when i find my lost wallet. but when God speaks to me. for real. i am so grateful that God spoke to my ancestors [i think they're your people too] through prophets. i am grateful for their example and wisdom that God imparted to them for me [and you].
but God didnt stop there.
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Tags: word
Categories : sweetness from the Word
why i am excited about the next 54 hours
8 10 2010i have attended many retreats in the past few years. i have been to camps and conferences; visited rivers and colleges with students. most months of the past five years has included at least one weekend adventure of worship and prayer and conversation and food. most of the time these weekends are super fun and super fast. most of these weekends include chaos and hundreds of faces and logistics and great memories. i have loved everyone of those weekends. each one has been different and challenging and beautiful in all kinds of ways. i am very grateful for those weekends. i am a different man because of what God has done in me and in those around during those weekends.
the next 54 hours hold the opportunity for a select 30 teenagers and adults to enter into a unique learning experience. i am not sure what Jesus has in store for us. i know what we have planned, but i still dont know what Jesus has in store for us. i am very looking forward to getting to be a group leader for 6 guys for a weekend and have no other responbilities. i am smiling right now typing this because i know this isnt going to be normal.
i am glad we get to slow down. together.
i am still praying that God would catch a bush on fire.
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Tags: youth ministry
Categories : ponderings from the deep
so i was laying outside in my hammock
13 09 2010this afternoon. it was an interesting day at work to say the least and so i wanted a bit of quiet. so i went home and it was gorgeous outside so i hung up my hammock and swung for awhile. it was so peaceful and cozy. the sun hitting me just enough to remind me it was still daylight. the light breeze. i fell asleep and it was the awesome kind of falling asleep that you dont know you fell asleep until you wake back up however long later and you’re like – wow – that was a sweet nap.
ballin.
then i just went back out there. like the afternoon stuff was four hours ago now. and i just went outback again. i was going to call a friend who needed a call. and i did call him. but he didnt answer. so i just laid there looking up at the stars. and i was so struck at how good and loving God still is. and it wasnt the normal ohh look at the stars therefore God rocks. it was like an awakening of how good and loving God still is all over again for me. i mean we all know He is good and loving. and huge and beautiful and all. but i was laying in my hammock and the coolness of the night was hitting me and it was amazing. so then i was like – i should go blog about this. and i did.
so thanks God for still being big. and for still being loving. and for having really big arms that are big enough for me and my whiny self. thanks that You are in control and You got it (and me) covered.
amen and amen.
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Categories : ponderings from the deep
B2SR-10 debrief :: imperfect perfection
22 08 2010i just got home from Back-to-School Retreat 2010. i have been in this place many times before. this was my 8th or 9th B2SR. i have been in this state of tension after the storm many times before. i have been in silence after being around hundreds of people for 50 hours straight many times before. i have been here before.
but this time its different.
no really.
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Tags: B2SR, youth ministry
Categories : youth reflections
just beat it
27 07 2010so its been an unusually chaotic summer. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: life, word
Categories : sweetness from the Word
