liv today

Safe and Sound!

2009-07-26T22:08:00.002-05:00

We arrived safely and ahead of schedule in New Orleans on Sunday evening. We made good time driving on both Saturday and Sunday, and we arrived at the church where we're staying for the week at around 4:00 p.m. We got all settled and had time to relax and hang out before the other youth group arrived.

The church is nice and air conditioned. We divided into our work teams tonight, and we'll head out tomorrow morning to serve New Orleans. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers!

HS New Orleans Mission Trip REMINDER!

2009-07-22T14:55:00.006-05:00

If you're a student or parent, please REMEMBER this stuff!

1. We board the church vans THIS Saturday at 5am from Sunnybrook.

2. Bring Chuck Starbucks coffee. :)

3. You can bring cellphones and ipods at your own risk. I will collect them when we get to New Orleans, and give them back to you when we leave New Orleans.

4. Our youth group is teaming up with a youth group from Chicago Heights, Ill. I talked to their youth pastor today, and they sound like an amazing group! They are bringing 18 students. Go to their WEBSITE

5. Bring $90-100 for your travel food.

6. Remember your packing list! See below!

PACKING LIST!
• Reusable water bottle (extremely important
• Sun block, lip balm, hat (to protect you from the sun), sunglasses
• Long pants (for cool nights and/or work projects)*
• Long sleeved shirts and sweatshirts (for cool nights and/or work projects)*
• Short sleeved shirts (no sleeveless shirts or tank tops)
• Appropriate length shorts (see clothing policy)
• Nice, clean clothes for a possible worship service*
• Light jacket (for cool nights)*
• Tennis shoes (must be closed-foot)
• Underwear and socks
• Bath towel, wash cloth, & one-piece swimsuit for showering & possible evening activities(We ask that you bring swimsuits for showering because not all of our communities offer private showers. If a swimsuit is not needed for an activity, it is OK to wear a two-piece swimsuit for showering.)
The girls swim suits that are brought for the waterpark (after New Orleans) needs to be a one piece or a tank-kini.
• Shower shoes
• Small shower bag or backpack
• Soap, shampoo, deodorant, other toiletries
• Extra contact lenses, backup pair of glasses)
• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Air mattress or foam camping pad ( must be twin size or smaller)
• Bible and pen
• Spending money for snacks and t-shirt purchases
• Insect repellant
• Flashlight
• Battery powered alarm clock
• Reusable lunch bags/boxes for lunches

Notes on Packing
Because space is limited in the sleeping rooms, everything but the sleeping bag and camping pador air mattress must fit in one duffel bag or suitcase.Please check the local weather forecast for your site to make sure that you pack accordingly.

DO NOT BRING:
• Blow dryers, curling or straightening irons because the shower time is short and because many housing sites do not have the power to run all of these small electronics at one time.

Clothing Policy
YouthWorks loves the community where you are serving this summer! Because of this, we
ask that you recognize that your words, actions and appearance during your week contribute to the way we present ourselves to a community. Choosing modest clothing helps to avoid distractions in our representation of Christ. We ask that you choose apparel consistent with the following guidelines. We appreciate your help in creating a safe, respectful, distraction-free environment for your mission experience.

Please Bring
Loose-Fitting Clothing. During the week your clothes may endure paint,sweat, mud and lots of love from children! Bring clothes that you can work and play hard in.

Closed–Foot Shoes. To prevent injury, you need to bring a pair of
shoes that completely cover your foot. Bring shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty or wet at work sites and that you can wear in the kitchen.No plastic shoes (e.g. crocs).

One-Piece Swimsuits. Although we won’t swim at every YouthWorks site, swimsuits are a good idea for additional privacy in the showers (not all of our communities offer private showers. If a swimsuit is not needed for an activity, it is OK to wear a two-piece swimsuit for showering.) Please choose modest swimsuits for swimming activities.If you do not bring a one-piece for swimming, you’ll be asked to wear a t-shirt over it.

Mid-Thigh or Longer Shorts (or pants) You will bend, twist, sit, climb and crawl as youlove and serve communities. Short shorts will only get shorter with these activities. A good measure is to let your arms fall to your side – if your fingers touch skin, bring a longer pair of shorts.

Please Don’t Bring

Apparel that Distracts Including . . .
• Tank tops or sleeveless shirts
• Short shorts
• Clothing that reveals undergarments
• Clothing that reveals midriffs or chests

Apparel that . . .• Includes obscene, vulgar, abusive or
discriminatory language or images
• Advertises or promotes alcohol, chemical,tobacco or any other product illegal for use by minors
• Represents hate groups, is gang-related, or contains threatening language

Why Not?
We represent Christ in the communities that we serve. These “prohibited” clothing items often work against, not for, our efforts to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. This distracting apparel can be disrespectful and damaging to our long-term relationship building within a community.

99 balloons...

2009-07-13T16:02:00.001-05:00

New GAMER techology that blows my mind...

2009-06-10T12:00:00.002-05:00

I totally ripped this blog off of Joshua Griffin's (High School Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA) blog MORE THAN DODGEBALL.

I wanted to post it on my blog, because this is some of the coolest technology I've ever seen. Where are we going with all this?

To all my HS friends running in the state track meet this week...

2009-05-20T11:41:00.003-05:00

Dear high school state track athletes,

You may be too young to know who John Belushi is, but KNOW this: you're NEVER too young for little chocolate donuts to fuel your way to victory. Eat them before every race and be victorious for your high school and your hometown.

And whatever event you're this week, strive for God's glory and not your own. Colossians 3:23

"God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure."
- Famous Olympian Eric Liddell.

country music imitates life...

2009-05-05T22:03:00.008-05:00

I can't say I've ever listened to a whole George Strait song, but I found "I Saw God Today" on Itunes and bought it right away. Those lyrics came true in my life (especially the last verse) last Wednesday, April 29 when my second daughter was born.

I Found God Today by George Strait
I just walked down the street to the coffee shop
had to take a break
I'd been by her side for eighteen hours straight
I saw a flower growing in the middle of the sidewalk
pushing up through the concrete
like it was planted right there for me to see
the flashin' lights, the honkin' horns all seemed to fade away
in the shadow of that hospital at 5:08
I saw God today

I've been to church
I've read the book
I know He's here, but I don't look
near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I'd just slow down to stop and stare
opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

I saw a couple walking by they were holding hands
Man, she had that glow
yeah I couldn't help but notice she was starting to show
I stood there for a minute takin' in the sky
lost in that sunset
a splash of amber melted in the shades of red

I've been to church
I've read the book
I know He's here, but I don't look
near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I'd just slow down to stop and stare
opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

I got my face pressed up against the nursery glass
She's sleeping like a rock
My name on her wrist wearing tiny pink socks
She's got my nose, she's got her mama's eyes
My brand new baby girl
She's a miracle
I saw God today

The 6th "S".

2009-05-04T10:03:00.006-05:00

We have a new baby in our household. We also have a 20-month-old, so my wife and I are getting the hang of mornings - taking care of two children in two different phases of life.

My wife was reading our 20-month-old a book while I was shaving after a shower. Our new baby girl started to cry, so (with a towel wrapped around my waist), I proceeded to implement the "Five S technique" in our living room.

We learned this technique in a parenting class, and it's been working like a charm for our new born.

1st "S" = "Swaddling" -Wrap the crying baby tightly in their blanket.
2nd "S" = "Side" -Hold the baby on their side and support their head.
3rd "S" = "Shushing" -Make white noise by shushing in the baby's ear.
4th "S" = "Swinging" -Slightly and gently jiggle the baby.
5th "S" = "Sucking" -Give the baby a pacifier.

So there I jiggle, holding and shushing a cyring baby - with only a towel wrapped around my waist, in the living room with all our window shades up.

The towel falls off. The 6th "S" occurs.

Naked dad "streaking".

he burned his porn...

2009-03-30T14:50:00.006-05:00

Last night at HS LIV we talked about sexuality & being a guy.
Hopefully some guys were challenged. Hopefully some girls were enlightened. We talked about how guys (typically) have strong sex drives, are easily turned on, and are visually stimulated. We talked about how God wants guys to understand this about themselves so they can learn to control the drive - and not let it control them.

One of the things we talked about was the trap of porn.
I've been doing youth ministry for over 10 years, and I've learned that pornography traps high school students.

But, God wants you free from the trap because he loves you.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

If you're stuck in the trap, here are resources to help you...
1. For a quick tip sheet on how teens can get out of the trap of porn click HERE.
2. For a great Christian website to get help if you're stuck in the porn trap, click HERE.

little feet...

2009-03-18T11:31:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I was heading to lunch, and I put my hands in my coat pockets. I discovered one of my little girl's itty-bitty socks. I picked them up on our porch the night before. It melted my heart right there.

I love my little girl's feet, her socks, and everything about her. Seeing here little sock made me miss her. I'm so thankful for my little girl.

To all my high school friends who work at Chick-fil-A...

2009-03-17T09:23:00.005-05:00

I have a lot of high school friends who work at Chick-fil-A and serve up that yummy chicken goodness. This song is dedicated to you (and to any of my fellow waffle fry lovers!). Long live Chick-fil-A!!!

Art imitates our reality...

2009-03-10T09:15:00.003-05:00

I love my daughter. She'll turn out to be nothing like Stewie. But right now she's been doing this...

Our HS students give $ to care for AIDS victims and their children.

2009-02-09T15:32:00.007-06:00

I'm so proud of our high school students!
Since November we've been taking a weekly offering to purchase Caregiver Kits through World Vision to care for people dying of AIDS globally. To check out a quick video of how this works click HERE

We challenge each student to bring $3 a week in offerings.
Some students bring a little less, some bring more. Their personal amount isn't important. I just want them to learn to honor God with the money He's loaning them.

Each kit costs about $30. Our goal is 200 kits.
So far, they've given $2250.33 in just 8 weeks! That buys close to 75 kits!

In late April, we'll put the kits together
We'll then send the kits to neighbors of they dying in Afica, Asia, and South America. They'll care for dying parents - so their children aren't orphaned to live on their own.

Below a list of how each small group (by grade and leader) are stepping up the plate. They are all stepping up to the plate!

Here's a glossary as you move across each row of this spreadsheet...
"Grd" = Grade
"Leader" = name of their small group leader
"YTD $ Total" = How much money each small group has given so far
"YTD # of Kits" = How many kits each small group has purchased so far

Our 8th grade summer mission trip promo video!

2008-12-18T17:00:00.001-06:00

Remedy Drive is coming to LIV on Jan. 11.

2008-12-03T17:25:00.002-06:00

Remedy Drive is coming back to the LOFT on Jan. 11 from 6-8:30 pm for a concert for LIV and all area high school students. Please invite your friends! It's and $8 free will offering to get in.

I so wish we could bring David Crowder Band to Sioux City.

2008-11-18T15:37:00.004-06:00

I last saw these guys in St. Louis - where they re-engineered a Guitar Hero guitar to play in concert. If you ever get a chance to see them live - DO IT!

.

Our summer mission trip!

2008-11-12T11:23:00.003-06:00

Hey, on Sunday night I'll announce our Summer mission trip. It was a hard choice, but I think you're going to like it.

It's going to be July 25-August 1st.

We have 30 spots open. More details coming up.

Our HS Girls' Conference is coming! Sunday, Nov. 9th!

2008-10-17T17:23:00.003-05:00

Our HS Girls' Conference is coming!
Sunday, Nov. 9th! 1:00-5:30pm. Check out our promo video. Click HERE to download a registration form.

It's called "Pure". Pure beauty. Pure passion. Pure friendships. Pure truth. Does it exist? Is it worth looking for? Is it worth keeping? You deserve to know. As a girl, you face intense pressure. Pressure to look and act a certain way. Pressure from guys and other girls. Pressure to give yourself away. Get away from the pressure for a day! We want you to sit back, relax, have fun, be a girl, and discover God’s pure love for you. WHO? This conference is for Sunnybrook girls in 9th-12th grade and their friends. No guys are allowed.

WHEN? WHERE? Sunday, November 9 from 1:00—5:30 p.m. in the Loft. Snacks will be provided. Please eat lunch before the conference.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS JUST FOR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS. Each girl gets to choose two breakout sessions to attend. Topics are boys (with a live panel of college guys),and relationships, fashion, and friendships.

OUR FEATURED SPEAKER IS KACEY MCGUINTY. Kacey is a professional photographer, Christian speaker, and musician. She’ll lead large group sessions in which she’ll share from her own life and encourage girls to be who God has called them to be. Kacey grew up in Sioux City, graduated from Azusa Pacific University and is a photographer and makeup artist in Phoenix, Arizona.

Should we bring Remedy Drive back to Sunnybrook?

2008-09-09T11:58:00.005-05:00

Remedy Drive's manager called me and want to know if they can come back to Sunnybrook and put on a concert on Sunday, Jan. 11.

What do you think? Do you want them back?

Let me know what you think by filling out this ONLINE SURVEY.

"Cops" TV show comes to Sunnybrook.

2008-08-21T21:47:00.011-05:00

We need students who can sing!

2008-08-21T16:18:00.009-05:00

We're tyring to put together a Sunnybrook High School Student Choir! We need your help if you can sing, if you're in show choir, or you're in vocal choir. It's for a one-time performance. Practice will take place before youth group. And you'll practice for only about 4 weeks this fall. Dates to be determined.

If you have mad choir skills and want to honor the Lord with them, please contact me by FACEBOOK or by me email: www.charliej@sunnybrookchurch.org.

My baby can beat up your baby.

2008-08-18T21:51:00.002-05:00

Tons of Rocky Pics!

2008-08-07T22:34:00.003-05:00

Well, don't get mad at me, but I "borrowed" a ton of everyone's Rocky pics from their FACEBOOK photo albums, and (with the help of Jim Ellis's camera) made a HUGE collection of Rocky photos.

You can go two places to look at them:

1. You can go to ur FLICKR account HERE

or...

2. You can go to our high school LIV website HERE. Click on "For Students", then "Multimedia", then "Photo Viewer".

Rocky T-shirts that girls give to guys...

2008-07-08T11:44:00.004-05:00

Every time we go to Rocky Mt. High, I create about 10 t-shirts for a the guys that go on our trips.

Each night, two t-shirts are awarded to two guys (voted on by the girls) based on which guy is the most chivalrous.

Chivalry is the art of treating women with respect and honor.

Guys who carry girls' luggage, hold doors for girls, take their food trays back, pull out chairs, and do whatever honors girls are usually awarded the shirts each day.

The fun part, is that guys typically compete against each other to become the most chivalrous. That's fun to watch, and the girls love it.

Our Heavenly Father wants young men to treat women with honor and respect. "...treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters."
- 1 Timothy 5:1-2

Treating young women with respect and honor is a lost art in today's world.

Here are some examples...
1. Porn totally depicts women as disposable and as objects.
2. Popular clothing tells girls that only their bodies give them worth.
3. Pop music, rap, and hip hop says the same thing.
4. Guys are fed lies by our culture to try get all they can from girls and their bodies.

A UFO sighting I had to post...

2008-07-05T09:49:00.002-05:00

I laughed 'till I peed my pants while reading this. This is an actual news article from the LONDON TELEGRAPH NEWS newspaper from the July 5, '08 edition. You can link to the actual story by clicking HERE.

Moon mistaken for UFO
By Urmee Khan

Police in Wales were called to investigate a mysterious flying saucer, only to discover it was the moon.

The moon was mistaken for a "bright, stationary" UFO which had been loitering for at least half an hour, by a confused local in South Wales who made a 999 call to the police.

Today officers released a transcript in order to highlight the time wasted by unnecessary 999 calls.

The bizzare conversation ran as follows:

Control: "South Wales Police, what's your emergency?"

Caller: "It's not really. I just need to inform you that across the mountain there's a bright stationary object."

Control: "Right."

Caller: "If you've got a couple of minutes perhaps you could find out what it is? It's been there at least half an hour and it's still there."

Control: "It's been there for half an hour. Right. Is it actually on the mountain or in the sky?"

Caller: "It's in the air."

Control: "I will send someone up there now to check it out."

Caller: "OK."

After the police patrol car arrives, the script reveals the exchange between the control room and the police officer sent to the scene.

Control: "Alpha Zulu 20, this object in the sky, did anyone have a look at it?"

Officer: "Yes, it's the moon. Over."

A police spokeswoman said: "This was a recent example of an inappropriate 999 call to South Wales Police.

"Yes, we can all see the comical side but calling 999 with an unnecessary non-emergency call could block a genuine call for vital seconds and put lives at risk."

Other bizarre calls cited by the police force included someone asking for help voting for Rhydian on The X-Factor and another requesting a pound coin for their supermarket trolley.

Story from Telegraph News:

Best 2 free computer games on the web!

2008-07-03T09:26:00.007-05:00

CLICK HERE TO PLAY "Attack of the Sprouts"

CLICK HERE TO PLAY "Cubicle Freakout!"

it would be hard to be the lil bro of Jesus...

2008-07-02T13:10:00.003-05:00

Rocky Moutain High's Website!

2008-06-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

In less than one month, we'll have 55 high school students and 9 adults ready to go to our summer trip called "Rocky Mountain High" in Estes Park, Co!

Click right here on their official website to check out all the details!

Our new church signs. (Or are they?)

2008-06-24T13:48:00.003-05:00

Two years ago today...

2008-06-24T10:14:00.003-05:00

Two years ago today I married my wife. I'm glad she said "I do".

a soccer player + abortion issues = amazing movie called "Bella".

2008-06-23T10:00:00.009-05:00

It's about a pro soccer player (named Jose) with a friend (named Nina) who is planning to abort her baby.

It's sort of like JUNO, but it will take your mind in a different direction. I can't recommend the movie BELLA enough!

Rent it and watch it with your friends. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Here's the trailer.

Baby Daddy...

2008-06-16T15:56:00.006-05:00

This was actually my 2nd Father's Day. My first one was a year ago when my daughter was still in the womb - but she was still my child. So this Father's Day is actually my second one. The only difference is that I got to hold my baby and celebrate the day.

Here are some highlights I've discovered about being a dad...
1. I get to come home from work, and my baby girl squeals when she sees me.
2. I get to go get her in her crib each morning.
3. Even though I'm a father, I don't stop being a son. I love my dad and mom.
4. I feel that I'm pretty good at diaper changing. (Who would have thought?)
5. I'm way more protective than I have ever been of anyone before.
6. Being able to try to be a good father means I already have a good wife.

Finally, I can't stress to my young high school friends that, despite what TV and movies say, the goals of being a loving dad and husband are honorable goals.

TV and movie dads are portrayed as goofs and idiots. Our culture gives permission to young men leave women if they have a baby. Fatherhood and marriage are seen as obstacles to a happy life.

But don't believe the lies. Being a husband and a father is good stuff.

Tornado Hits Boy Scouts in Siouxland

2008-06-12T09:33:00.005-05:00

A tornado struck a western Iowa Boy Scout camp Wednesday night right down the interstate from Sioux City, killing at least four people and injuring 40. (The actual tornado is pictured above.)

It hit a huge group of boyscouts camping in tents. The four kids who died were ages 12-14. Please pray for the many who are severely injured.

Chuck of Green Gables...

2008-06-02T09:11:00.003-05:00

My wife and I watched the 2nd part of the famous "Anne of Green Gables" mini-series on public TV on Sunday night. You can see what it's all about HERE.

Just so you know, it's filled with the MAXIMUM LEVEL of "chick-flickiness"! My wife fell in love with the series as a little girl (as have many little girls in the last 24 years). When I was a little boy, I was watching JAWS and STARWARS.

I'm not a little girl (don't say it!), so I tried really hard to appreciate the show that's so endearing to my wife. This was a challenge because the WHOLE SHOW is about being a girl. There are no light sabers, ninjas, explosions, man-eating sharks, or F-16's.

Here's what I've noticed...
1. It's a show that's very, very innocent. There are no light sabers, ninjas, explosions, man-eating sharks, or F-16's. There's also no sexuality, cursing, or mature content. It was pretty refresing.

2. It's a show about strong friendships and trust between girls. My wife tells me that all girls want friends they can trust and who love them.

3. It's a show that seems to celebrate what's good and decent - not what's rude, cruel, or profane (ie: "The Family Guy").

In conclusion...I think I'm going to let my young daugther watch the series (although I might have to offset it by watching "Raiders of the Lost Arc").

Our youth group is going to fight AIDS.

2008-05-23T09:57:00.002-05:00

Next year we are going to fight AIDS in our youth group.

AIDS Facts...
40 million people worldwide are living with HIV.
25 million people have died since AIDS was first identified in the 1980s.
15 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents as a result of AIDS.
More than 3 million people die as a result of AIDS each year.

It's killing millions on the continent of Africa. For more info on the AIDS pandemic click HERE.

Next year our high school youth group is going to buy and assemble over 150 AIDS medical kits (or Caregiver kits). Caregiver kits are for people taking care of AIDS patients in 3rd world countries through WORLD VISION - a Christ-centered organization that fights poverty globally.

To pay for this, we'll have weekly offerings in our small groups. Each small group will make their own goal of how much money their going to give and how many AIDS Caregiver kits their LUG will buy. We'll then assemble the kits at LIV in March.

Think about this...if each student brings $5 a week as an offering to God in their small group, then most small groups can purchase one Caregiver kit each week. For the cost of one drink at STARBUCKS each week, we can help fight the AIDS crisis and be the hands of Jesus to the world!

I love her.

2008-05-20T10:25:00.002-05:00

I love my wife.

"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies." - Proverbs 31:10

I'm not a WUSS!

2008-05-19T09:13:00.004-05:00

There are two times that I'm guaranteed to cry when watching TV/movies.

(1.) At the end of my favorite movie of all time, "It's a Wonderful Life", when George Bailey's friends and family come to his rescue. Tears literally shoot from my eyes.

(2.) At the end of every "Extreme Makeover - Home Edition" when Ty Pennington (who is the MAN), yells, "Move that bus!!!", and then we see a shot of the family's reaction at seeing their new home.

"Extreme Makeover", for all of its sappiness, its drama-queened decorators, and unaplogetic product placement is a sweet show. They do good stuff for others and that's what God calls us to do as Christ-followers.

Cloverfield monster attacks Jim Ellis's Toyota Yaris!

2008-05-15T09:28:00.005-05:00

Jim Ellis drives a Toyota Yaris, (see the pic above). The video (below) is proof that it is the safest car on the road today.

Join the "REBELution"

2008-05-13T14:56:00.007-05:00

I found an amazing website for high schoolers by Alex and Brett Harris called "The REBELution". They've started a challenge to teenaged Jesus-followers to be all they can be for God - and to REBEL against the stereotype that teens are supposed to be lazy, dishonest, all about themselves, and slackers.

I love their website! Click HERE to look at it.

I love their blog! Click HERE to go to their daily blog.

They describe the "REBELution" like this:
The official definition of the 'rebelution' is "a teenage rebellion against the low expectations of an ungodly culture." When you look around today, in terms of godly character and practical competence, our culture does not expect much of us young people. We are not only expected to do very little that is wise or good, but we're expected to do the opposite...

In 1 Timothy 4:12, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." In other words, as young people we are called to be exemplary in all areas of life. Our generation is falling incredibly short of that calling. Instead of serving as the launching pad of life, the teen years are seen as a vacation from responsibility. We call it the "myth of adolescence." And the Rebelution is all about busting that myth.

The word 'rebelution' is a combination of the words "rebellion" and "revolution." So it carries a sense of an uprising against social norms. But in this case, it's not a rebellion against God-established authority, but against the low expectations of our society. It's a refusal to be defined by our ungodly, rebellious culture. Actually, we like to think of it as rebelling against rebellion.

Zach Rever is moving...

2008-05-08T09:37:00.006-05:00

I hate it when students move, and my friend, Zach Rever, just told me that he's moving to St. Joseph, MO at the end of May.

That sucks!

Zach is one of the most servant-minded students I know. He always comes and asks how he can help out and get involved. I believe that his servant's heart is a gazillion times bigger than most adults' in our church. I've totally seen him grow in his faith in Christ the last year.

Zach's small group leader, Todd, told me that Zach's leaving was horrible news because Todd sees so much in Zach and wants him around for a long time. I agree.

I know that the LORD has something in store for Z.R. in St. Joseph. We're already trying to find him youth groups to jump into.

Love ya, buddy! We'll miss you!

Fall Recharge planning has begun!

2008-05-07T14:07:00.004-05:00

Today Jim Ellis and I went and scouted out a different place to do Fall Recharge next year in late September or early October (we're trying to avoid Homecoming weekends).

We went to look at the Inspiration Hill camping center near Inwood, Iowa. We loved it. No more bunk houses that smell like pee. It's sweet dorms and tons of showers and real toilets!

They have a pretty cool ropes course and awesome trails to play night games.

The question is: are you planning on going to Fall Recharge? Click HERE and take our survey if you're considering it!

Daddy.

2008-05-06T10:03:00.002-05:00

I know she doesn't really understand what she's saying at 8 months, but my baby keeps saying "Da-da" with a smile while looking at me. She did it this morning. I love it. Her little mouth, tongue and brain are quickly developing and she's practicing vocalizations. "Da-da" just happens to be the most recent one.

But, it melts me.

I want to be a good dad to my little girl. It's hard to imagine me being a good dad. I've got a past full of mistakes and character flaws and insecurities, but never-the-less, I'm going to try hard to be a good dad.

Little girls deserve good dads.

Cheap movie rentals...

2008-05-05T13:32:00.003-05:00

This isn't a mind-blowing blog, but I'm super excited about Redbox finally coming to Sioux City (we always seem to be 5 years behind the world). With Redbox, all you do is pay $1 for a video rental each day (new releases).

Also, you don't have to go to a video store. The movies are vended out of a machine at a supermarket. You can also go online and reserve movies. My wife and I rented "The Bourne (whatever)", and now I want to be a spy.

Britton Conover drums it up!

2008-05-02T13:59:00.002-05:00

Britton Conover and his band got to play infront of all the kids at South Sioux City High School! I went! They rocked! I got to stand next to Luke Jensen (man, he's tall). Here's a pic from my lame camera phone. Go Britt!

My baby's got teeth!

2008-05-02T13:51:00.004-05:00

My baby girl is getting a ton of teeth in (six to be exact). With those new teeth arriving, she's eating solid foods. (That's a pic of her trying to eat babyfood carrots. The carrots won!)

With all those teeth coming in (top and bottom), her smile is starting to resemble "Towmater" from Pixar's "Cars".

My favorite show comes back tonight...

2008-04-24T09:25:00.003-05:00

My favorite show LOST is coming back tonight with six new expisodes! If you don't watch LOST, here's my advice. Go rent Season One and see if you can't stop watching it. It's the kind of show that you have to watch from the beginning, but it's worth it. My wife and I were challenged to rent the first season. We did. And, we got hooked. It's funny that we like this kind of "soap opera", because we're not big TV watchers.

Here are three things that I appreciate about LOST.
#1. There's so much mystery and

#2. There's a cliff-hanger every week. I find myself screaming at the TV, "NO!!!" when the credits come up at the end of the show because they left me hanging (and wanting more).

#3. The characters all have very imperfect and painful pasts that they are all desperately trying to find redemption from (much like me).

I know this sounds wacky, but sometimes I wish there was a authentic Christian on the island who could tell the Losties about how God intentionally forgets our past mistakes and sins because of what Jesus did on the cross. That because of Christ, we are new creations.

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18

I'm all "flued-out".

2008-04-14T12:20:00.004-05:00

My wife had the flu for 4 days, so I stayed home and took care of the bambino while she recovered.
On the day she finally feels better, I'm brushing my teeth and suddenly I get the chills (like I've never gotten the chills before!). I wondered to myself, "Is it this new Aquafresh toothpaste that's giving me these chills?"

Nope. It's the flu. So guess what, for the next 3 days, I have the flu!

I hate you, Mr. Flu!

It was a pretty sweet Girls Conference (and I'm not even a girl).

2008-04-11T13:40:00.005-05:00

The Girls conference was pretty cool! Our planning team learned a ton on how to do a conference for HS girls, and it'll be even more amazing next year.

Close to 70 girls from Sunnybrook and the community showed up. Our speaker, Kacey McGuinty, challenged girls on a ton of subjects including: sex, boys, girls' worth, friendships, purity and growing closer to God.

The breakout sessions were fun too! (Lots of nail polish, hair spray and craft supplies!)

To go to Kacey's Blog and see Kacey's pics of the event, click HERE!

Big Announcement!

2008-04-01T10:06:00.006-05:00

Amazing News!

Ellen (my wife) is pregnant...and it's TWINS!

We were shocked when the doctor told us, but we're excited. Please pray for us as we learn to adjust to all of this change!

Also! Scrowl down for another important detail!

April Fools.

Our first-ever Sunnybrook HS Girls Conference...

2008-03-25T16:16:00.007-05:00

Our first-ever HS Girls Conference is coming up on Sunday, April 6th from 12:30-6:00pm at Sunnybrook! You need to register by this Sunday, March 30th. Go HERE if you need to download a registration form.

Kacey Mcginty is our speaker and musician. She's from Pheonix and she's a speaker, photographer, and musician.

Check out her BLOG.
Check out her WEBSITE.
Check out her BIO PAGE

Madison Moss showed me some funny baby videos...

2008-03-24T14:12:00.003-05:00

Madison and I agree that babies are indeed funny. Here is living proof...

"Charlie bit my finger again!"

"Ninja baby!"

"The Evil Eye."

Everyone needs to be sung to by the kitties...

2008-03-24T09:54:00.003-05:00

Click on this link HERE, type in your first name, and let the kitties sing to you.

Jim Ellis might go to the ER...

2008-03-19T22:49:00.002-05:00

Jim and I (along with Tim Anderson and Timmy Rever) filmed a video promo for this summer's "In Siouxland For Good" middle school mission camp. It's quite possibly the funniest video I've ever seen. Jim took four shots to "the unmentionables". Jim took it like a man.

Do you have any funny or meaningful memories from when you were in middle school and at "In Siouxland For Good"? Tell us about them by going here and hitting "reply".

Super Smash Bro's BRAWL!

2008-03-19T22:22:00.004-05:00

We just got Super Smash Bro's BRAWL for our two LOFT wii's! I'm horrible, but I love this game! A big thanks to Zac Rever who loaned us his old GAME CUBE controlers so we didn't have to put down big bucks for four more wiimotes!

Take the survey. Tell us about your gaming by voting HERE.

totally random but EXTREMELY funny video!...Creepy Gnome!

2008-03-13T09:34:00.006-05:00

Okay...totally random - but REALLY funny!

It seems that there's some sort of gnome-like person or creature that's "terrorizing" a small town in Argentina. Some teenagers caught it on cell phone video. Here's a clip from the actual news story from the UK Sun.

A TOWN in South America is living in fear after several sightings of a 'creepy gnome' that locals claim stalks the streets at night.

The midget - which wears a pointy hat and has a distinctive sideways walk - was caught on video last week by a terrified group of youngsters.

Teenager Jose Alvarez - who filmed the gnome - yesterday told national newspaper El Tribuno that they caught the creature while larking about in their hometown of General Guemes, in the province of Salta, Argentina.

He said: “We were chatting about our last fishing trip. It was one in the morning.

“I began to film a bit with my mobile phone while the others were chatting and joking.

"Suddenly we heard something - a weird noise as if someone was throwing stones.

"We looked to one side and saw that the grass was moving. To begin with we thought it was a dog but when we saw this gnome-like figure begin to emerge we were really afraid."

Here are my theories...

1. It's a "little person" wearing a road construction cone while sleepwalking.
2. It's someone's little brother wearing a snow suit who has to go to the bathroom.
3. It's a space alien with mad, breakdancing skills.

What do you think it is? Type your thoughts in our chatroom by going HERE.

why do girls give into guys?

2008-03-11T10:41:00.003-05:00

My buddy Dawson McCallister has an awesome blog series called "Why do girls give into Guys?".

It's super interesting. Check it out HERE.

the truth about facebook bumper stickers...

2008-03-11T09:48:00.010-05:00

I think Facebook is pretty amazing. It allows someone to show who they are (or want to be). You can re-create yourself on Facebook (and smooth out your image if you want to).

Lately I've noticed a ton of people (in their "about me" section) posting that they are "Christian" and "love Jesus". People will post that "Jesus is cool" and "Jesus is my Savior" and "I live for God".

But here's the interesting part...

They have bumber stickers posted on their Facebook frontpage that suggest otherwise. Some bumper stickers are pretty racy or pornographic. Many bumper stickers have cursing in them. Some degrade women or sex.

Don't get me wrong, some are funny - but at what expense? Even though something's funny, should we celebrate it? Will someone believe I'm a Jesus-follower when they look at my Facebook page?

Tell us what you think about Facebook bumper stickers by going to our message board HERE.

Here's the exciting part about our Facebook pages...

1. We can use them to nudge people to the Savior. We can use them to point to Christ.

2. What we put on them can show others (and God) that we want to be refreshingly different than everyone out there.

3. We can honor our Savior with them.

"Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God."
- Ephesians 5:3-4

Great interview with 19-year old lead singer of "Leeland".

2008-03-05T11:59:00.004-06:00

I'm growing to love the band Leeland. Here's a great interview with him. Check it out HERE.

This is why we don't do overnighters at Sunnybrook!

2008-02-26T16:45:00.001-06:00

I've only planned one lock-in (or over-nighter) in my youth ministry career. The current Sophomores were 7th graders. Worst (but funniest) night of my life.

Favorite lyrics...
"It should be legal for me to punch you."
"I think they peed on pastor's van."

Nooma Videos...

2008-02-25T11:58:00.002-06:00

Last night at LIV we watched a powerful video on grief and loss called "Matthew" on from Rob Bell's NOOMA video series. The video is about how Jesus will be there for us when we suffer heartache and loss.

If you go to the NOOMA website here you can view all his videos. I love them.

What did you think about the video? Tell us about your thoughts in our chatroom, by clicking here.

Amazing...

2008-02-25T11:50:00.002-06:00

Me as a Simpson's character...

2008-02-11T00:43:00.000-06:00

Check out what I'd look like as a Simpson's character! (I'm actually better looking in the Simpson's world). If you want to be see what you'd look like as a resident of Springfield, go design your own Simpson's avatar here.

Unplugged...

2008-02-11T00:04:00.000-06:00

Tonight we had acoustic worship at LIV. Chad Jordan led singing and Danny Bligh played acoustic guitar. That was the first time we've ever done anything like that in our worship time and I noticed a few things...

1. We were all really singing. Peoples' voices had to be the "instruments" or else there would be silence.
2. People were really singing.
3. People were singing.
4. God was being praised.

Oddly enough, I prayed that worship would be authentic tonight. I prayed it about 2 hours before youth group.

I think God answered our prayer.

Remedy took video of us...

2008-02-07T14:20:00.000-06:00

Remedy Drive took some funny video clips of a few Sunnybrook students after their concert. Enjoy!

"Mean Girls" are among us.

2008-02-04T11:03:00.000-06:00

Lately I've noticed some "mean girl outbreaks". These are situations where girls are pretty cruel to everyone in their path.

Here are a few of "mean girl outbreaks" that I've been noticing...

1. Recently I saw a high school girl verbally assault her small group "LUG" leader. This girl was basically screaming at and disrespecting her adult leader. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I almost stepped in and threw the girl out right there, but her small group leader was handling it. It made that girl's character look pretty ugly.

2. A couple of weeks ago I saw one girl make fun of a group of other girls. Her words and actions made her character look pretty ugly.

3. I know of one small group where a couple of girls have decided not to let anyone else participate in discussion. Again...ugly.

4. I've had parents call me and tell me about how their daugters are pretty self-absorbed at home.

I know that "mean girls" are a part of high school culture (it's been that way since the beginning of time), but it seems like it's been more-out-in-the-open lately - and in our youth ministry.

That's sad, because that's not the way the Lord accepts us. He put us before himself. He is patient with us. He's gentle and kind to us. He loves us selflessly. He's forgiving and giving. He's more interested in our hearts than our looks.

I wish girls treated each other that way. I wish girls could see the potential for "sisterhood" and life-long friendships right in their grasp at youth group - if they'd just accept each other. But it rarely happens.

It's no secret that girls are fighting hard to look good physically and to out-do each other. Every year I see girls dress up for each other and for boys. Countless hours and dollars are spent on clothes, fitness, tans, makeup and jewerly.

But here's what typically happens. Each year I see girls become very pretty on the outside - but become very ugly on the inside. On the inside they become selfish, prideful, self-obsorbed, jealous, angry, and insecure.

And in the process, I see girls get tired and empty.

Our Creator promises that if we make Him our daily goal (not popularity, dating, or our appearance) that we'd become more attractive on the inside. We become peaceful, patient, kind, loving, gentle and joyful. Beauty that lasts.

My hope is for our girls to grasp that.

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1st Samuel 16:7

Me as an M&M...

2008-01-30T11:40:00.000-06:00

On the official M&M website you can make a candy-covered version of yourself. This is me. (I'm surprisingly better looking as an M&M than I am in real life.)

Sons follow their daddies...

2008-01-28T07:19:00.001-06:00

The band Remedy Drive graced us with their presence on Sunday night. We had a great turn out of about 140 students (and some non-Sioux City kids snuck in).

Remedy Drive just officially signed with Warner Brothers Christian label "WORD", which is exciting, and they're recording their new, national album as we speak. You can check out Remedy Drive's website here.

I was talking to Dave (lead singer) after the concert. He said that he was thankful for the wonderful student volunteers who helped set up and take down after the concert. So if you helped out...a big thanks to you.

The concert rocked!

I "borrowed" the pics above from Haley Breon's Facebook pics (thanks Haley). That's the lead singer Dave. His two-year-old son, Jack, is playing drums in the corner. I love the fact that a little boy is mimicking his father and uncles.

I was thinking about my own relationship with my Heavenly Father. Does my life mimic His, or am I trying to be like the crowd - living my own way? Am I the little boy staying close to my Dad, watching and trying to be like my Heavenly Father? Or am I off doing my own thing?

"'Come, follow me,' Jesus said" - Matthew 4:19

Okay, I admit it. I enjoyed a movie where a huge crab attacks New York City.

2008-01-27T07:38:00.000-06:00

I don't like movies that show blood and guts and people being tortured. Movies like "Saw" and "Hostel" are evil and wrong. Zombie movies fit in that category for me as well. Our forms of entertainment shouldn't be watching people be graphically tortured.

But I like movies where people face danger to rescue each other. That's why I'm a big fan of World War 2 flicks.

So...I kind of liked "Cloverfield." My buddy Jim Ellis and I went to a matinee. It was an amazing premise of watching a whole movie through the perspective of a home video camera - while friends face danger to save each others' lives. it's also amplifies the realism that there's no soundtrack or background music.

I also enjoyed it because it left a ton to the imagination. Very low on the blood and guts. (I was dissappointed by how they cheapened sex - and by some of the uses of God's name.)

I loved that fact that friends did what they could to protect and rescue one another.

Someone did a horrible thing at youth group...

2008-01-26T08:14:00.000-06:00

I found out a while back that a high school student did a pretty horrible, cruel thing to another student at LIV a month or so ago. I won't go into details, but it really ticked me off and hurt me that this kind of stuff happened.

I was pretty angry, and my wife had to talk me into being calm. (You gotta love reasonable wives!)

Anyway, my anger stemmed from the fact that I want LIV and Sunnybrook to be a safe, welcoming place to all students...but that was all destroyed by a someone's selfish and stupid actions.

(Jesus said,) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

It's wicked cold!

2008-01-24T09:59:00.000-06:00

It's freeeeezing! But, it's crazy to think that in 6 months it could be a whole 100 degrees hotter!

Our climate isn't boring. Iowa has variety - unlike boring California, Hawaii, and Florida. With exciting Iowa weather we get to experience summer, autumn, winter, spring. Each season gets us excited for the next season. And in every season we can choose to view God's beauty and design.

Below are the lyrics to a song called "Every Season" by Nicole Nordeman where she sees our Lord in every weather season - and every season of our lives. I dig this song. You can sample the song here.

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

This reporter deserves a metal of honor...

2008-01-18T09:53:00.000-06:00

Question of the week...

2008-01-02T15:14:00.000-06:00

Britney Spears' video "Piece Of Me" was launched (I think) on MTV in mid-December.

Currently "Piece Of Me" is number 16 on the Top 40 charts. Her album has been out since October (again, I think). I'm an old dude, and I was well out of college when Spears came on the scene, so I've never been a big fan.

I also realize that a ton of high school students just laugh at her music and her crazy life, so I was suprised that "Piece Of Me" landed at number 16 on the charts. I listened to the song recently - while reading the lyrics (linked here)

Her song could mean many things. There are many possible meanings...
1. "I'm defending all of my bad choices. I can act this way because I'm famous."
2. "I've been used by everyone else. Feel free to use me."
3. "I've been used by everybody. I'm tired. I realize my life is a wreck."
4. "This song explains why my life is so crazy. Please feel bad for me."

I actually think that Britney has been used by so many people that she doesn't know how much she's worth to God. I wonder if she really understood how much Christ wants to be part of her life - if she'd let all these people use her (boyfriends, agents, her parents, the media). If she really understood that Christ wants a relationship with her, would she'd be self-destructing like this?

What do you think her song means? Click over to our chat room and voice-in using this chatroom link.

Girls, do you think this is true?

2007-12-20T15:10:00.000-06:00

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If you agree with this video - that from an early age, girls are taught that how they look is most important - log onto our message board and sound off. I want to hear your thoughts. You can get to our chatroom by clicking here.

Why the drama?!

2007-12-18T09:59:00.000-06:00

Post a comment below about what you think this prairie dog is thinking.

What I love about Jesus

2007-12-11T13:17:00.001-06:00

I love the fact that Jesus created everything. I never really understood that until I read John 1. Check it out here

If Jesus is fully God and fully man (which makes my brain hurt), then it's amazing to think that the same Jesus who walked in sandals, ate food, drank water, was bitten by mosquitos, and breathed oxygen is the same Jesus who created it all. There's no way you could read scripture and say that he was just a man or a good teacher or a prophet.

Scripture paints Jesus as God. When you read about Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as "God in a bod", then you see that miracles were just part of his nature.

Why do I love this baby?

2007-12-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

Honestly? My wife and I were discussing why we love our baby so much.

There's nothing she really "does for us" that makes us appreciate her. She doesn't help pay the rent. She doesn't bring in a paycheck. She cries at us contstantly and never utters a "Thanks, Mom and Dad, for all you do for me". She can't "flush her own toilet", leaving us to clean up her messes. (You should have seen the diaper she presented me with this morning!) She can't scoop the walk or mow the lawn. She lays around all day while we do all the work.

My wife and I determined that we love her simply because she's a little one, not for anything she can do for us. She can't earn our love. We just give it to her not expecting anything back.

That must be how God loves us. We can't do anything to earn his love. We probably disappoint him all the time with all of our self-centeredness. Yet, He loves us.

"Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son." Ephesians 1:4-6

What injustice gets you really mad?

2007-12-05T10:03:00.000-06:00

The question of the week is, "What injustice gets you really mad?"

I know it's not politically correct to say, but it's abortion.

It's been estimated that every day in the U.S. close to 3,700 babies lose their lives to abortion.

It's also been estimated that since 1973 there have been close to 49,000,000 (that's million) babies in America who have died due to abortion. It's gross to think of this way, but that's 49 million babies who have been cut up and sucked down sinks. Many of those little humans could feel the procedure.

I'm not a woman, but I've been a baby who was born in 1973. My mom had a very difficult birth where she almost died. I'm glad that she didn't believe in abortion. I'm glad she sacrificed to give me life.

My wife and I have been praying about the possibility of adopting babies. We don't know when or how, but we want to fight abortion in this way. We also want to support political candidates who believe in babies (even the unwanted ones).

What do you think? You can discuss the question of the week and abortion in our message forum.

Here's a link to a great website: What's really going on with abortion...

Rockin' it at Sunnybrook...

2007-12-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

I just got off the phone with Remedy Drive. They're a band that's coming to perform at LIV in the LOFT on January 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Make sure to tell all your friends. Invite them to come.

Here's their website to listen to their sweet sounds...http://www.remedydrive.com/

What I Like About Jesus...

2007-11-27T09:58:00.000-06:00

He went to the "unlovable".

Christ didn't care about what the crowd thought about who he mingled with, touched, talked to, or ate with.

Jesus...
1. touched lepers Matthew 8:1-3
2. ate with tax collectors and prostitutes Matthew 9:10-12
3. chose disciples who were "drop outs" Matthew 4:18-20
4. sat with people who were his sworn enemies John 3:1-21
5. sat with the social outcasts John 4:1-29

If Jesus is God, what does that say about God's heart?

I love "Man Vs. Wild"

2007-11-26T11:51:00.000-06:00

I don't have cable (or satellite) TV. So my wife and I watch our four channels courtesy of the "bunny ears" on top of our TV.

Whenever I go to my parents house, I'm mesmerized by my dad's 40-inch flat panel and his 150 channels. I really love the Discovery Channel, and I just discovered a show called Man vs. Wild. I watched it all Thanksgiving weekend.

The host is a former British special forces guy who drops by parachute each week into different extreme nature settings (ie: the Sahara Desert, a jungle in Peru, Yosemite National Forrest). You can check out the website here.

Discovery Channel's description of the show goes like this: In each episode of Man vs. Wild, adventurer Bear Grylls strands himself in popular wilderness destinations where tourists often find themselves lost or in danger. Once there he finds his way back to civilization, demonstrating local survival techniques — and biting into gut-wrenching eats — along the way.

The crazy part of this show is that Bear has to eat anything he can in order to have enough energy to survive... including snakes.

What I like about Jesus...

2007-11-20T11:17:00.000-06:00

Everybody portrays Jesus as wimp. Actually when I read about Jesus in his biographies (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), I begin to see him as a "man's man". He was authoritative and a leader. He controlled the weather and got in the faces of the Pharisees (modern day Osama Bin Ladins). He took iniative and action when it was needed. He even went nose-to-nose with Satan himself.

Once Jesus was asking his followers about what the word on the street was who He was...

Matthew 16:13-15 (my highlighting added): When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?"

John the Baptist, Elijah, and John the Baptist were no sissies. And people were comparing Jesus to those guys.

Here's a little info about Elijah. He was on the earth hundreds of years before Jesus, and he was a MAN. You can check out Elijah's full story in 1 Kings 18:16-45.

Elijah took on an evil king (like Hitler) and his false god named "Baal". The evil king's name was "Ahab".

Elijah battled all the evil king's 450 fake priests and won. He ended up slaughtering all 450 of the evil priests.

Elijah lifted 12 huge stones and dug a huge trench to prove a point to the crowd watching.

Elijah slaughtered a bull by himself in front of the crowd.

With God's power, Elijah beat a horse and chariot while on foot!

That's the guy people were comparing Jesus to! What does that say about Jesus?

Also, the Bible gives a picture of what Jesus is going to look like when he returns. Check out the description in Revelation 19:11-16.

Turkeys on the move...

2007-11-19T11:00:00.000-06:00

On Sunday night, each high school small group bought and delivered a Thanksgiving meal to a family in need. I love it when we do that.

Later in the evening, my high school friends participated in our first ever "Sunnybrook Turkey Shoot".

Check out the pix at: www.flickr.com/photos/sunnybrookhigh/
Equipped with large, cardboard turkeys and their camera phones, they set out on a race to take pix of themselves (and their birds) in interesting situations. Here is a good one of Dan, Gabe, Rich, and Zach "in a booth at a fast food restaurant".

Gobble.

I bought a dead guy groceries...

2007-11-15T09:55:00.000-06:00

I met a guy Sunday night who claimed to be a traveling evangelist -- a guy who tells others about how Jesus can save them. I took him to McDonald's and had a bite to eat with him. He was broke (he claimed he gave all his money away), and he didn't ask me for anything (which impressed me). Later, we went to WalMart to get some basic groceries.

His name is Donnie, and he claimed that he was (get this) killed by a grenade in Iraq in 2006. He showed me pictures of his head and body (it was him) as the doctors tried to do an autopsy. It was pretty gory. He showed me the scars all over his body from the shrapnel. He claims that as the doctors were cutting into his chest for the post-mortem exam, he screamed "What are you doing?!" The doctors almost fainted.

After many operations, many organ transplants, and fighting off infections, he is totally recovered. Everyone else in his HUMVEE died.

Here's the weird part. He said he had died and that he was in HELL. (He even admitted that it sounded loony). He said it was horrible, but he wasn't there for long because he was "shot" back into his body. He said he heard God tell him to go find out about Jesus. He was a non-practicing Jew at the time and didn't know a thing about Jesus. An army medical staff person who was a Christian shared the Gospel with him, and Donnie gave his life to Christ.

Now he travels around and tells his story to anyone who will listen.

Even if he was wacko or if he was an incredible liar, I was compelled by his story. He quoted all the right scripture and was very likable. He never once asked me for money or food, just a chance to share his testimony at our church. He said that he knows he sounds crazy urging people to accept Christ, but he doesn't care, because he shouldn't be alive.

What movie or TV show...?

2007-11-14T11:24:00.000-06:00

Here's the question of the week. Feel free to answer it in the "Comments" section below...

"What movie or TV show have you seen in the last year that you wish all of your friends or family could see? Why?"

Here's my answer...
I wish everyone that I knew would load up a large movie theater, and we'd watch the "Band of Brothers" miniseries on HBO produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. It's the true story of men of the 501st Airborn who fought for freedom accross Europe in WW2. Loved it. It's about brotherhood and bravery and sacrifice.

If you haven't watched "Band of Brothers", here's what you're missing...

What I like about Jesus...

2007-11-13T09:00:00.000-06:00

The more I read about Jesus in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the more I see that his "personality" could be described as "approachable". He appears to be like that teacher who always took time to answer my questions (and appreciated my questions). He seems like that coach who always saw the pontential in me and wanted to make me better.

The picture above is an artist's idea of what it looked like when a guy named Nicodemus approached Jesus to ask him tough questions about eternity (from John 3). I love how Jesus' face and posture is painted as he listens.

There's a statement about how we can approach Jesus like a caring coach or teacher: "Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." - Hebrews 4:15-16

I'm glad Jesus is approachable like that.

Monday is "Funny Picture Day"

2007-11-12T14:59:00.000-06:00

I know Christmas seems like light years away (actually only 6 weeks), but I thought this was a very fitting picture.

Why do we convince our children that a large, bearded guy invades our homes through our chimneys in the middle of the night? And how do we explain to them that he still has time to sit in our malls and get paid to let kids to sit on his lap?

This kid is thinking, "Who the heck IS this bearded elf monster?! What's he doing with my binkey?! Why are they photographing this?! I just peed my pants!! I hate Christmas! I hate Christmas!"