Thursday, April 26, 2012

One, among many, of the things that I love about youth ministry...

There are a variety of things to love about youth ministry.  I get to work with teenagers... I get to see teenagers make decisions that impact their eternity and their present as they give their lives to Christ... I get to see students grow and mature over time and develop their leadership abilities... I love being able to challenge them and speak truth into their lives...

There is a lot to love about youth ministry. 

Today, I got to thinking about one thing that I love about youth ministry:
  • Variety

I have the opportunity wear a variety of different hats.  When I was a thinking about a career as an adult, I couldn't imagine doing the same thing every day, every day, every day, every day.  That sounded boring to me.  But working with students, I have a lot of variety in my week. 

I'm a (in no particular order):
  • Leader
  • Teacher
  • Preacher
  • Shepherd (reconnecting disconnected students... not literally working with sheep)
  • Video editor
  • Graphic designer 
  • Social media expert
  • Administrator
  • Treasurer
  • Coach (right now: Track... but also working with the football team and hopefully cross country)
  • Mentor
  • Van driver (and sometimes mechanic)
  • Athlete (playing dodgeball, basketball, volleyball, or whatever we're playing)
  • Game Director/Creator
  • Event planner
  • Worship planner
  • Lesson material creator
  • Counselor
  • Hospital chaplain 
  • Pop culture expert
  • (and more that I can't think of right now)
Sometimes it's nice to be known for that one thing that you do and do well (like a baseball team's "closer").  There are times when I think it would be nice to only work within my wheelhouse in my giftedness (leadership, teaching and administration).  But then, I'd miss the variety. 

So far today... and it's only 11:15 am.  I've driven a van... processed attendance from small groups last night... challenged my volunteer team (leadership)... edited some event invitations (graphic designer)... edited some videos (for this weekend)... And I haven't even had lunch yet. 

One of the things that I love about youth ministry is the variety! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this... feel free to comment below!

JC



Saturday, April 21, 2012

The Same Love - Paul Baloche




Pretty cool song and video... Thanks Steve for pointing me to it!

Check it out HERE.

JC


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Find Your Strong Project - Dream Big Run Long




I love this video from one of my twitter-running-friends (running friends that I am friends with because of Twitter) Dorothy Beal.  She is a great runner... an encouraging runner... and a passionate follower of Christ.  Great video!

JC


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Daily Read - April 11, 2012

 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”



Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Quick Running Tip Tuesday - Runner's World Magazine (4.10.12)

Everyone needs encouragement from time to time. 

Especially runners!

One of the great things that I have noticed about the running community is the amount of support that runners provide for each other.  A couple of examples will suffice.  First, I participate regularly in an informal online chat called Runchat (and if you watch the scrolling picture thing, I'm on the 6th page... ha!).  If you have a twitter account and like to run, you can search Twitter for #runchat and join in the conversation.  Runners talk about running... how they are doing... how they are struggling... and encourage each other.  Secondly, Daily Mile (which I have blogged about before) is a great place to connect with others, see other's progress as they train and provide encouragement. 

Another place to find some great encouragement, tips, tricks and other running information is a monthly magazine called "Runner's World."  If you are into running... then you need to be into Runner's World. 

Each edition is packed with lots of great information about training... diet... stretching... and encouraging stories about running.  I'm usually behind a month or two in reading mine... because there is so much good stuff.  There are tips on dieting... upcoming races/marathons... and more.

Seriously! If you are running... you NEED a subscription to this magazine. 
Additionally, their online information is great as well (which you have access to if you are a subscriber). 

For $20 a year (usually they throw in a couple of freebies... i.e.: running log, e-books, etc), it's well worth the investment.  If you don't believe me, head over to your local library and read the latest edition.  I think you'll see what I mean!

Keep running friends!
JC

Disclaimer (if you're into that sort of thing): Jim is not a professional runner nor is this blog endorsed by any company.  These thoughts are merely the thoughts and experiences on one runner.  What works and what doesn't work from a practical level.  Jim hasn't set any records, but he's run a few races (Marathon: 4h 22m / Half-Marathon: 2h 3m / 5k: 22m 57s) and he's been around the block!



Daily Read - April 10, 2012

 22 But Samuel replied:
   “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
   as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
   and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
   and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.


Monday, April 09, 2012

Daily Read - April 9, 2012

3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”



Sunday, April 08, 2012

Daily Read - April 8, 2012 - Easter morning!!!

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”



Saturday, April 07, 2012

Daily Read - April 7, 2012

The Guard at the Tomb
 62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”  65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.



Friday, April 06, 2012

Daily Read - April 6, 2012 (bonus post)

The Burial of Jesus
 57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.


Good Stuff from the Skit Guys about Good Friday!






Daily Read - April 6, 2012


The Soldiers Mock Jesus
 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
 32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.  38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).  47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.



Thursday, April 05, 2012

Daily Read - April 5, 2012

Gethsemane
 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”  39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Jesus Arrested
 47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.  50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
   Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
   52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
 55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.



Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Daily Read - April 4, 2012

1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”  3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”