Enter the Golden Monkey

Today we had a HS flag football tournament for StuCo. I was proud of the team representing Romeoville. Made up mostly of highly competitive football players...many of which have no connecting to our student ministry...they did there best to be inclusive and in many ways humble. Despite being a washed up, butter fingers aging youth director they we enthusiastic about making sure I was on the field with them. They also were quick to include a couple of students that they didn't know- but were looking to be a part of the day. Sure there were a couple of rough plays and heated arguments but overall they were just trying to give their best and have fun on a perfect Sunday afternoon in November. Great job bringing home the Golden Monkey.

We had just finished dinner at Bollingbrook Country Club (for a leadership initiative at church) when Ben came over and asked Angela and I to come pray for His friend Joe. Joe had just been diagnosed with a phase 4 cancer in his liver and lungs...but as we approached he surly did not look like a man who had just received such bad news. He had a humbling look on his face but it showed optimism as well. We lade our hands on his shoulders and began to pray...I cant remember how long we prayed for...it was a while but when we were finished there was not a dry eye in the circle of friends now gathered. When Joe looked up he said something to the effect of "they say its medically incurable but I cant wait to see what God does...i know he will use this."

That was a year ago. Most people thought Joe would no longer be with us anymore. But yesterday I watched him stand in front of over a hundred people and tell them how God continues to work miracles in his life. I was at a golf event in tribute to Joe's life...and what an incredible life he has lived. I heard person after person tell stories of how Joe had mentored or coached them. But one thing rang true through all the stories- from his daughter to his former boss to his neighbor...Joe is a man of faith. It is evident in his walk, his talk, and the blessings of his family. Joe has lived a life of eternal significance. What ever measure marks significance in a mans life- it is modeled in Joe's walk with Christ. I have often times wondered what "well done, good and faithful servant" really looked like. It is no longer a mystery...I have an example to follow through the life of Joe.

Student Community- Fall Kickoff in 4 days.

Were are starting a new series. Here is a promo.

http://www.youtube.com/v/YNmPreakfVQ

Whats Going on....

What isn't going on? Summer has raced by at a neck breaking speed. And our fall kickoff is weeks away.

But really here is whats going on. I was hired this month part time in Romeoville as the student director and will start full time this fall.

The summer conferences and camps for students were incredible. Students making first time decisions to follow Christ, some making life changing decisions and others stepping up to be leaders...I would say that the summer has been great.

Jr High camp ended two days ago...I haven't caught up on sleep but I feel great. That's crazy.

Yesterday I went to Venetian Night in Chicago. Fire works were awesome. But it was also cool to sit in the park with so many people of different cultures and here them laugh. We all laugh the same language. Its a wonderful thing

Vacation...

So Angela and I got back from our trip to North Carolina (NC)...and it was great. We ate well relaxed, visited friedns and family, and even went to a wedding. Here are a few things I learned while in Morrisville "Racway USA" NC.

Frisbee Golf is really fun. My brothers and I played a couple of rounds at Davidson University. They have a beautifull campus and it was pretty quite with school out. I think I'm going to find a course near my house. Maybe join the bro circut

NC is growing. Morsville is pretty much over populated. My brother needs to leave an hour early for work in the morning...to travel like 5 miles...redicoulous.

You all and Y'all are two differnt things. Y'all might include you and me- or just them. You all is you guys.

I'm getting old. My brother, Dad and I all have a birthdays in the last two weeks of May. So we celebrated...Not only can I not eat as much...but you can tell I sometimes eat too much. Also its Friday and I'm still sore from trying to wake board on Monday.

Here the last thing I learned. When driving on the highway be prepared to stop. Even if traffic is not bad. Someone you know might be pulled over on the side of the road...they might not even be in an accident. So slow down...check to see if you know them...see if they are driving the same car as you...see if they have a haircut like you...see if they want to get a coffee at the next exit. Whatever you do...don't keep driving...don't just glace and pass by carefully. By all means stop.

Hope your vacations are as relaxing fun and educational as our trip to NC was.

Summer Time

With summer only a few weeks away- I'm not sure what to expect. I do know that past summers go by way to quickly...so we should focus on people as much as we can. Here are a few things I am determined to do this summer.

Journal. My observation over the past year has been that the people who I see as great leaders...or highly influential...or missional....all have one thing in common...they have some sort of journaling life.

Exercise. I turn 29 in a few days. I always wondered if I would still be doing student ministry when am 30...so if I do have more years influencing students...I want to be healthy...that and I don't like to be beaten by Jr High or High School students.

Hang out. Summer is a down time for students...even if they are working full time. I am going to structure my schedule in such a way to be available to students and parents...that might mean a few later nights than usual...but I don't want to miss an opportunity to experience life with a young Christfollower- who in a few years will be off to the unknowns of college life.

So that's what I'm going to do...what are so me of your thoughts. What are you looking forward to this summer...what challenges do you face...how are you going make people a priority?

THE TALK

Its always interesting to talk about sex within a high school and Jr High ministry. There are always little giggles, blushing faces, and the more than occasional comment from the students who are uncomfortable with the conviction they experience. This series was slightly different from the usual- "Don't have pare-marital sex" talk most churches give. Of course that's a part of it...but we wanted to do more than that. So after showing some"Satan Sex Ed" videos (which can be viewed on you tube) we dove into the questions students asked and ended with a talk about how to move forward when surrounded with so much sexual temptation.

I will say it was a tough series because we have students that will say outright that they are going to do what ever they want regardless of what we say. However there was some hope. To end the message students could respond by writing a letter to there future spouse. This is something I did as a sophomore in college before I meet my wife. She still has the letter...and I'm not sure how much she thinks about it...but when I placed it on our bed on our wedding night I knew it was one of the best gifts I could give her....It wasn't just a bunch of nice words...it was a commitment i made to be pure before I even new her...it was a gift of trust that can still be counted on today...it was even a gift to myself because it caused me to stay accountable to my own words- and because i still live up to those words today.

And so today I am still encouraged because there were students taking the time to write out the commitments and goals they have to stay pure and to give that as a gift yo their future husbands and wives.