It's finally up, folks! Our youth ministry web page has gone live. You can check it out
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/duckchurch/Youth%20Web%20Page.htm.
Let me know what you think (a few things are out of date because I'm not yet able to post the updates myself).
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Harry Potter
I saw Harry Potter 5: The Order of the Phoenix a few days ago. True confessions: I cried several times. It was so good! Why? Not only was it a well made movie with a great story; it made me think of my youth.
If you don't know the story line, let me try to summarize. Harry has just seen a friend of his killed by the dreaded Lord Voldemort. However, most of the adults in the wizarding world don't believe that Voldemort is back. The ones who do, the Order of the Phoenix, discourage Harry's desire to fight back for his safety. Throughout the movie, Harry battles feelings of loneliness. He longs to do something, but even his class on the Defense Against the Dark Arts becomes a centered around book study. How can he fight evil by sitting still? His friends decide to believe him, and they form Dumbledore's Army. Harry trains them to use magical powers to fight against evil.
In some ways, I see my youth as Dumbledore's army. They don't want the book knowledge of the Bible. They want Truth Himself. They want to know how their faith in Christ plays out in the real world. Often, they don't even care about my lesson plans, but they want practical wisdom gained from years of walking with God. They want the tools to battle against evil, sin, and destruction so they can change the world for God's good. But could they band together? Could they choose to be a community that stands together for God's purposes? Could they strengthen and encourage one another instead of dishing out sarcastic cut downs?
I see hope in two things: 1. A quote from Harry Potter himself, "Every great wizard has started off where we are now. If they could do it, then why not us?" My youth are young, but so was I when God started to change me so I could change the world for Him. It's a process of learning to walk with the Lord. God starts teaching us now. 2. Nothing is too big for God. Regardless of age, God can use anyone to fulfill his purposes no matter where they are in their faith development process.
I believe it. God will transform these youth to transform the world, and I pray that God would equip me to help them know how through practical life lessons.
If you don't know the story line, let me try to summarize. Harry has just seen a friend of his killed by the dreaded Lord Voldemort. However, most of the adults in the wizarding world don't believe that Voldemort is back. The ones who do, the Order of the Phoenix, discourage Harry's desire to fight back for his safety. Throughout the movie, Harry battles feelings of loneliness. He longs to do something, but even his class on the Defense Against the Dark Arts becomes a centered around book study. How can he fight evil by sitting still? His friends decide to believe him, and they form Dumbledore's Army. Harry trains them to use magical powers to fight against evil.
In some ways, I see my youth as Dumbledore's army. They don't want the book knowledge of the Bible. They want Truth Himself. They want to know how their faith in Christ plays out in the real world. Often, they don't even care about my lesson plans, but they want practical wisdom gained from years of walking with God. They want the tools to battle against evil, sin, and destruction so they can change the world for God's good. But could they band together? Could they choose to be a community that stands together for God's purposes? Could they strengthen and encourage one another instead of dishing out sarcastic cut downs?
I see hope in two things: 1. A quote from Harry Potter himself, "Every great wizard has started off where we are now. If they could do it, then why not us?" My youth are young, but so was I when God started to change me so I could change the world for Him. It's a process of learning to walk with the Lord. God starts teaching us now. 2. Nothing is too big for God. Regardless of age, God can use anyone to fulfill his purposes no matter where they are in their faith development process.
I believe it. God will transform these youth to transform the world, and I pray that God would equip me to help them know how through practical life lessons.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Lighthouse Tour Part Deux and Relevant
A while back, I said that I'd post a picture of the Currituck Lighthouse to go along with my pictures of the other three OBX lighthouses. Well, here it is, a month later. This one has special significance to me since my aunt and uncle work there. Hooray for free climbing privileges!While I'm giving random endorsements, I'd like to plug Relevant Magazine. It's my new favorite way to stay on top of current issues relating to God, life, and progressive culture. The magazine's web site is also highly informative www.relativemagazine.com. Relevant is my secret weapon against the curse of being in your 20s: reaching the point where your list of pop culture references remains stagnant (I discovered that phenomenon while trading Billy Madison quotes with my brother).
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Update
Wow, I haven't posted in awhile because life has been CRAZY!!
Last Monday night at 9:15, I said goodbye to my pastor, David, and his wife, Libby. The next morning at 10:15, I greeted our new pastor, Ray, and his wife and daughter. Methodists don't leave much time to process through a transition. It's definitely been a wild ride, but I absolutely believe that God is in control and on the move to bring salvation and revival to the Outer Banks!
Part of the excitement about living on the Outer Banks is the variety of people who come here in the summer. For the past month or so, I've had the opportunity to work directly with college students from Russia, Poland, Egypt, Serbia, Croatia, Moldova, Macedonia, and the Ukraine. These students move here in the summer to supplement the work force during the tourist season. Pathways International is a Christian organization that helps these students while they are here. We help them find housing and employment. We provide them with a free Internet computer lab so they can stay in touch with family at home. We offer English classes so they can improve their language skills. And we try to spread the Gospel through special events and personal interactions. It's an awesome ministry that God is using to change the world!
The summer has brought some good changes in the youth and young adult ministries at church. My youth group meets on the beach every Wednesday for fun in the sun and a short devotion. It's been fun to hang out with the youth and to learn, together, how we can change the world in a big way. My young adult small group has exploded! This group that consisted of 6 people when I got here has now grown to 15. God is drawing people within and outside our church to more authentic fellowship with Himself and His people. It's awesome to be a part of God's work!
And the last update . . . my brother got engaged this past weekend! Even though several of my friends are tying the knot this summer, it feels like a whole different experience (in a good way)when it happens in your own family. My big brother is gonna get married! AHH! Congratulations Adam and Kari!
Last Monday night at 9:15, I said goodbye to my pastor, David, and his wife, Libby. The next morning at 10:15, I greeted our new pastor, Ray, and his wife and daughter. Methodists don't leave much time to process through a transition. It's definitely been a wild ride, but I absolutely believe that God is in control and on the move to bring salvation and revival to the Outer Banks!
Part of the excitement about living on the Outer Banks is the variety of people who come here in the summer. For the past month or so, I've had the opportunity to work directly with college students from Russia, Poland, Egypt, Serbia, Croatia, Moldova, Macedonia, and the Ukraine. These students move here in the summer to supplement the work force during the tourist season. Pathways International is a Christian organization that helps these students while they are here. We help them find housing and employment. We provide them with a free Internet computer lab so they can stay in touch with family at home. We offer English classes so they can improve their language skills. And we try to spread the Gospel through special events and personal interactions. It's an awesome ministry that God is using to change the world!
The summer has brought some good changes in the youth and young adult ministries at church. My youth group meets on the beach every Wednesday for fun in the sun and a short devotion. It's been fun to hang out with the youth and to learn, together, how we can change the world in a big way. My young adult small group has exploded! This group that consisted of 6 people when I got here has now grown to 15. God is drawing people within and outside our church to more authentic fellowship with Himself and His people. It's awesome to be a part of God's work!
And the last update . . . my brother got engaged this past weekend! Even though several of my friends are tying the knot this summer, it feels like a whole different experience (in a good way)when it happens in your own family. My big brother is gonna get married! AHH! Congratulations Adam and Kari!
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