Pics from Mon and Tues

A post that is way overdue.

This is something that I should've posted a long time ago. I want to give a quick thanks to a warrior for the kingdom. I met this guy six or seven years ago, but that isn't that important. Frankly, it took me a while to appreciate this guy in the beginning, I was immature and didn't handle things well in several situations.

But here is where the story gets better. I was in over my head at 3DYC one year. I was in charge of a youth group and it was rough. I had to deal with some rough kids, and I had no idea what to do. I needed prayer. God had to humble me and told me that I needed to apologize to this guy and asked him to pray for me. I think through that God restored something in me.

I had the opportunity to go to Semp three summers ago. (Nygo this year, merge last year, then Semp) I had a great time with him. I was impressed with his wisdom, his leadership and his insights into ministry. I also loved the time when we crushed a couple of students in euchre

The last two summers, I have been given the opportunity to participate in Jr high summer camp at NMC. I loved the chances to see him in action, in his element.

Its been said by Derry Prenkert that this guy is one of, if not THE reason that Senior High Student Ministries is where it is today. I would agree wholeheartedly.

Thank You for putting up with me way back when.
Thank You for your countless hours of planning and spending time with the students.
Thank You for for your love of God, and through that God's love moves through you.
Thank You for your example of a Christ Follower.

Thank you Jason Thompson.

This is a test.

Blueberry Campfires

One of the highlights so far this summer involves slowing down, being open and real amongst friends. It also involves sitting on the porch around the "Blueberry Campfire" which consists of my two blueberry scented candles.

I've enjoyed it for several reasons. This my seem contradictory, but I am an introvert by nature. I draw energy from being alone rather than spending time with people. However, lately I've had this increasing desire to connect with people. Its almost like this hermit is feeling human again.

So, if you got nothing going on at say 10:45 pm, give me a call. Chances are you'll find me relaxing with some amazing people as the smell of blueberries in the air

Yes, I'm back.

Its been a crazy past three weeks. 1. New York for NYGO. 2. The work week on steroids, and purchasing this... My new baby, a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport. She needs a name, so come take a ride with me to help me name her.

3. Senior/Junior High Summer Camps. with all of that done now, I have the opportunity to actually slow back down to normal summer pace.

Summer Camps were great. My favorite non-spiritual highlights were:

• Driving a jet ski for the first time in my life
• paint balling with the students
• Seeing my creation in all its glory:

492 20oz Gatorade bottles and 28-30 rolls of duct tape in the raft, 15 bottles for each of the four oars. It was an awesome view to watch the cardboard boat races.

• Finally getting to ride Maverick on my third trip to Cedar Point for the summer

Its taking me a while to process the Spiritual highlights. Some of them are:

• Be careful when praying prayers... God may just answer them (like help in not being selfish)
• Praying in the prayer room at 3 a.m. after Cedar Point.
• Remembering to play like a child every once and a while

I was reminded once again how fun it is to work with Jr Highers. I love that you can earn their respect and get into their lives through being silly and they think you are the coolest. Something as simple as a pig hat can do wonders. So can catching a bird bare-handed.

I think God is on the move in my life. I feel like a brand new person as a result NYGO and camps. I've been making some mall adjustments here and there in my life, and it feels good. I'm excited to see what God is going to do next.

random text message

I've gotten random texts messages before, but sometimes you get cool ones. Apparently to no fault of the texter, I have no concrete idea as to who it was, but they asked for a scripture verse reference. So, maybe texting isn't completely of the devil

Investigate

Investigate my life and make me clean

Shine upon the darkest place in me

To you my life's an open book

So turn the page and take a look

Upon the life you've made

Always, my days, I'll praise

Verse of the day

Today's verse comes out of Psalms with the designation 42:11... Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Encouraged

Tonight, I went to a prayer meeting for the Senior High student ministries. It was encouraging. Very encouraging. I was encouraged to see students taking time out of their Sunday night to come together as one and lift up their youth group, their friends, their families and everything else. I was encouraged by the leaders that I got to pray with. I'm encouraged to see what God is going to do at summer camp. I'm encouraged to see what God is going to do in the upcoming year in the lives of students. I'm encouraged to see what God is going to do in my life in the coming months.

An update, A soapbox, and A couple bottles of Gatorade.

Well, I'm back from New York City. Nie Go (New York Go) was an incredible trip. (Insert sentence here...)

I'm sitting here with a little Fierce Grape and Berry as i am recouping from another run/bike excursion. Hopefully I didn't try to overdo it this time. It was just me and my friend Jennifer this time around. And now I'm listening to Andrew. That should tell you I'm in a somewhat quieter mood.

I learned a few things as a result of my trip. I still don't like talking to complete strangers. I felt like I was a complete failure at times as a leader. Sometimes for good reason. I allowed myself to not stay connected to God like I should have. I don't like the fact that I think about being lonely. I feel like I am perpetually never going to figure out this Christ follower thing.

On the other hand I learned that there is nothing I can ever do on my own power to "arrive." I learned that when I am connected to God pretty cool things happen through me.

Now, all two of you that read this are probably thinking, "That's some pretty elementary stuff to be learning there, Jeff." Well... it probably is. I learn something, and then for some reason, I end up forgetting it. It seems to me that the people had that problem in the Old Testament as well. Could it be that i am normal? Hmm... The verdict is still out on that.

Anyways, my main take away from my trip is that in order to be an authentic Christ-follower and an authentic witness, I need to continually spend time connecting with God through time with Him. The best way for me to do this would be to do so in the morning. To accomplish this, I need to work on (gulp) Discipline. Along with TawG time and a habit of continually prayer, I need to work on listening better, encouraging, to name a few.

Now I feel like I want to complain or something but I can't do it. I guess I could simply use perpetual prayer. I don't know how to deal with loneliness. I could go into more detail, but I'll let you ask me. I'm going to go pray about it, since i just reminded myself to do so.