Friday, May 26, 2006
Youth Retreat #2!
T-Minus 2 hours to the 2nd youth retreat! We're once again heading out to River's Edge and we're taking 16 youth with us. It's going to be a blast, and I'm looking forward to it! I'll take lots of pictures, see you all when I get back.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Small Joys
It's been a good day. Last night we had our board meeting (DURING THE HOCKEY GAME !?!!), but it was valuable to be there. I got unanimous approval for the idea of a young adults/sr. high worship service (shh... don't call it a service) to be held here at Bethel. Now I just need to get around to organizing, and forming the group of pastors that will give it direction and leadership! It's an exciting time.
Today I met with Derek, as usual. It's fun to have a regular time to get together and talk about where we are both at. I continue to pray for him, and have been enjoying our regular chats.
And this afternoon I taught religious ed at the town school. I've really missed seeing those kids! It's awesome to have the opportunity to share the Bible with kids who may not have heard it before, and who are excited about the story. We talked about Jonah today, and they just constantly make me laugh! Whenever I walk in, there's a few that just come to give me hugs. Speaking of times of refreshing!
God rocks!
Today I met with Derek, as usual. It's fun to have a regular time to get together and talk about where we are both at. I continue to pray for him, and have been enjoying our regular chats.
And this afternoon I taught religious ed at the town school. I've really missed seeing those kids! It's awesome to have the opportunity to share the Bible with kids who may not have heard it before, and who are excited about the story. We talked about Jonah today, and they just constantly make me laugh! Whenever I walk in, there's a few that just come to give me hugs. Speaking of times of refreshing!
God rocks!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Tired
You know, I really enjoy preaching. It's fun to get a chance to just dig into the Word and discover what it is that God wants to say to the people around me, as well as into my own heart. He's always so faithful in challenging me with what is written in His word, and letting it sink into me.
It's even more fun when I see how God takes my words and my work and molds it into something beautiful and effective to the people in front of me. It certainly has nothing to do with my own skill, but the way it morphs and changes when I'm up there is really a unique way to look at it. Then when you can see people mulling over your words, there is just this huge sense of fulfillment.
But there's a flip side to that coin as well. With every minute that I put into a sermon, it takes a little something out of me. I'm pouring my heart and soul into the words and the teaching that God has given me to prepare, and when it's over and finished on Sunday Morning, I feel like I've run a marathon. Rewarding, yes, but very much in need of a rest. That's how I feel right now. I've still got energy, but spiritually, I just feel worn. It's unique, because it's alive, but just needing some water and a bit of rest!
Good thing God provides those times! Bring on the times of refreshing!
It's even more fun when I see how God takes my words and my work and molds it into something beautiful and effective to the people in front of me. It certainly has nothing to do with my own skill, but the way it morphs and changes when I'm up there is really a unique way to look at it. Then when you can see people mulling over your words, there is just this huge sense of fulfillment.
But there's a flip side to that coin as well. With every minute that I put into a sermon, it takes a little something out of me. I'm pouring my heart and soul into the words and the teaching that God has given me to prepare, and when it's over and finished on Sunday Morning, I feel like I've run a marathon. Rewarding, yes, but very much in need of a rest. That's how I feel right now. I've still got energy, but spiritually, I just feel worn. It's unique, because it's alive, but just needing some water and a bit of rest!
Good thing God provides those times! Bring on the times of refreshing!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
How to focus oneself
So I'm learning one thing... in order to really get down and do work, I need to be out of the ordinary. I drove a close friend of mine to a town around Calgary for a meeting he had (he doesn't have a car!), and then went to DQ for the morning to work on my sermon. I turned my iPod on, so I couldn't hear much of what was going on around me, and started to read and research.
3 and a half hours later, I had 11 1/2 pages of notes, for my sermon on Sunday! I think this teaches me a lesson. A) I need to be out of the ordinary. B) I shouldn't have the internet when I want to really do work!
It's going to be a gooder, Matthew 5:23-28!
3 and a half hours later, I had 11 1/2 pages of notes, for my sermon on Sunday! I think this teaches me a lesson. A) I need to be out of the ordinary. B) I shouldn't have the internet when I want to really do work!
It's going to be a gooder, Matthew 5:23-28!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Nearly There...
I'm 3 weeks finished a 4 week stint of preaching. That will be an awesome load off of my shoulders, and I'm looking forward to being able to spend some of my week thinking about something other than Sunday morning's service! It's been fun, but I'm ready for a break too. Between grad, life, and other ministry, it's been a wearing process over the past few weeks, but God is faithful.
I'm going to be staying at Bethel for another 6 months, right up until December, and it's looking like I'll take over Sr. High and Children's ministry, so that should be neat! A challenge for sure.
So here's what my next 2 weeks look like. Preach this coming Sunday, following weekend is the youth retreat. Then I go hardcore on my Distance Education courses, and hopefully take a good chunk out of them.
I leave you with this... God is faithful, no matter the circumstance.
I'm going to be staying at Bethel for another 6 months, right up until December, and it's looking like I'll take over Sr. High and Children's ministry, so that should be neat! A challenge for sure.
So here's what my next 2 weeks look like. Preach this coming Sunday, following weekend is the youth retreat. Then I go hardcore on my Distance Education courses, and hopefully take a good chunk out of them.
I leave you with this... God is faithful, no matter the circumstance.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Oh My Word
I think the title says it all. I'm not really sure how to describe myself right now. I'm a mix of all sorts of things. I can't seem to put a finger on what it is that I'm feeling, but I know that I'm very much in a state of flux. All the students left approximately 2 weeks ago, and most of those that will be staying here for the summer are gone on one tour or another right now, which leaves nearly no one my age in town! Yee haa!
Beyond that, I'm just about half-way through my 4 week sermon series, and I'm suffering from some serious 'writer's block,' and a lack of motivation to actually sit down and write out the thoughts that are floating through my head. I just want to veg, but I can't afford to. Quite the interesting dichotomy that is me!
Lonely, frustrated with myself, and hoping that I get another breath of fresh air! Peace... peace that God overcomes all. That's what I'm preaching on. Appropriate, eh?
Beyond that, I'm just about half-way through my 4 week sermon series, and I'm suffering from some serious 'writer's block,' and a lack of motivation to actually sit down and write out the thoughts that are floating through my head. I just want to veg, but I can't afford to. Quite the interesting dichotomy that is me!
Lonely, frustrated with myself, and hoping that I get another breath of fresh air! Peace... peace that God overcomes all. That's what I'm preaching on. Appropriate, eh?
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