“He taught me how to prrraise my God and still play Rock-n-Roll”... I love it.. can’t get it out of my head now. Zap!

Ok, make it stop.

For those of you who weren’t there (and those of you who were, but were just too sleepy), the lock-in last Friday night was a blast! Although I have to say lock-ins were never my favorite part of youth group when I was younger, I find that I’m enjoying them more the older I get.. I mean, when else do you get to stay up for 2 days straight and it’s ok to drink nothing but sodas and coffee and do nothing but play RockBand?? oh yeah, when you were 15.

Tired?

Anyway, now that I’m finally rested up, I’ve posted some pics of the lock-in on the Gallery page, so check them out, and leave comments about how it went for you!

Peace.

No, I didn’t make it up so people would appreciate me. In fact, I didn’t know until recently that yesterday (Saturday, September 6th) was National Youth Worker Appreciation Day - a mouthful to say the least.

So, in recognition of this auspicious occasion, I’d like to recognize and appreciate our wonderful youth workers at Resonate:

Brandon and Amber Bates - you guys have been here the longest, and are always there when called on. Without your help, we wouldn’t have survived the last year. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Derrick and Lindsey Hood - the two of you have recently joined our team and have already made an impact on what we do. I thank you so much for following your heart - it lead you to us. I look forward to much time spent with you guys.

Brittney McCaleb, Andrea Douglas, Allison Pierce (and so many more individuals) - although you’re not here week after week, your efforts have greatly impacted what we do and the lives of our kids. We love you much. I’m sorry if I left out anyone else in particular.

Matt Graves, our newest worker - keep it up man, looking forward to much fun with video, music, and everything else you can do. Rock it.

My wife Allison - although you inherited this job by being married to me, I know you’ve always claimed this group and these kids as your own. You cry with me, laugh with me and prop me up when I need to lean. I love you.

Of course, to our greatest “workers” - the parents of our students - we love you all. Your job is the hardest of all, but with the greatest reward. God bless you all.

All of you make my job the best on earth. Thanks.

Yeah, we’re (the fam and I) are among the large group of people on our area without power. It’s a very humbling experience, actually. You don’t realize just how bored you can get without the Internet, xbox, sattelite, even just being able to play music in the background while you’re doing something else.

It’s strange, but it’s liberating as well. Imagine NOT being tied to a TV shows’ schedule, or having to go to bed on time (because there are only SO many things you can do by candlelight), or just being able to read a book “just because?”

Yeah, I know, I’m getting old, so that last one actually sounds good to me.

How about you? You have power? Leave a comment, tell us how you’re doing with it.

Guys,

Don’t have a lot to say today (throat still hurts, so I couldn’t say it anyway), but I had this idea for a GREAT youth game! It seems, however, that someone had already come up with it. Check it out:

Looks like fun, yeah? Can’t see your parents giving us permission to play that one though.

Oh well, I’ll think of something.

Ah, the end of the first week of school. New teachers, new schedules, new “friends”…. How was it for you? Leave a comment and let me/us know how it went for you, and maybe share 1 good and 1 bad thing about this next year - share the love!

yay. it's friday.

This morning I had a chance to speak with my daughter Nicole and they (she and her sister) were so excited about school today. As I drove on to the office after hanging up, I said a little prayer for them in hopes that they had a wonderful day - meeting or exceeding all of their expectations.

You see, sometimes that’s all it takes. You say a little prayer, you put someone first in your thoughts and you push them a little closer to God. That is where it all starts. In our task of becoming less “I”-focused and more others-focused we find that not only do we push others toward God, our eyes are opened to the fact that He is close to us as well.

We see more of Him around us. Everywhere.

Tomorrow, when you’re in the lunchline or when you’re sitting in class just before the bell rings, say a prayer for the person standing or sitting next to you. Or across the room. It may take a few moments, but I believe you’ll find yourself seeing more clearly than before. This is intercession - an important part of service.

Try it.

Who have you prayed for today? Post a comment and let us know!

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. - 1Timothy 2:1-3

Today is my beautiful wife’s birthday! I won’t tell you how old she is, that would be rude.. but rest assured that she’s still younger than me. :) I’m including a couple of pictures of her, some of my favorites in celebration of this day. Love you, honey!

Shopping Diva!

I love it when she's in the baking aisle...

You can participate too! Go over to her Facebook site and tell her Happy Birthday yourself! Visit her site (add her as a friend if she’s not already!)

Came across this in my pictures folder today, and it reminded me of one more thing that annoys me - bad grammar on public signs (this one was posted in the *gasp* Post Office.)

We ain't got...?