Sheduling....sigh!

Well, I planned on bloggin on a consistent basis and....nope didn't happen! Between work, school stuff...and life in general, it has gotten pushed to the back burner. But I hope to move it up front again soon! My grad project will soon be done (really it will) and that means I can have some time to do stuff like.....bloggin!

Sort of Random Thoughts

I was thinkin the other day...(strange event, but it happens) and this was what I was pondering.
In a recent conversation people were talking about our security in Christ. It is interesting that we often think in terms of a contract, we have a 'legal' status with God...and for some this can change and for others, it can't (a deals a deal). Some look at in the context of love. That Jesus loves me, so I have security. The problem is that he loves us BEFORE we are saved, so that doesn't provide security.
So how do I respond, I think of relationship. I really believe that much of what my faith is based on my understanding that what God wants is a relationship with me...salvation is a means to that end...He offers it to have relationship with me. If viewed in that context, security is now placed in relational terms. I have a great deal of security in my relationship with Beth (thank goodness), this means I don't worry if we have a struggle or I hurt her. But I also realize that there are issues and things that can happen that will devastate and even destroy our relationship. In that context there is a incredible desire for God to continue to work and repair our relationship, but we can destroy it...but we walk away and leave the relationship.

God DOESN'T give up one the relationship, but we can. It is amazing to me that God wants me sometimes more than I want Him. I guess my pray should always be..God help me to want you more.

Grad Project

Well, it am working on my grad capstone project and to be honest I have very little motivation and this point...I want to get it done, but I am not getting very far. I think that I need to cocoon myself in my office and get things done..but instead I end up on the internet (doing stuff like posting on my blog....haha). I will get this done though, and it will be done on time!

New Phone!

Well I got a new phone. It is a at&t Tilt. It has been a pain getting to know windows mobile. I do miss my old Palm Treo, but I am learning to like the Tilt. It is very customizable and loaded with features. It have....a slide out keyboard, WiFi, and GPS. So it is very geeky...and maybe that is what I like. In fact I have already moded it big time (custom roms and setups....means nothing to those who are not geeks)
While I miss the Palm's simplicaty...it is fun to make this thing my own and make it work the way I want!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Well, I do have a ton to be thankful for! Wonderful wife and kids..great job...everything that I need...and a lot that I don't need!
Thanksgiving day was good! My sisters and nieces joined us and there was lots of food! It was the only time i get to see the Lions play. I am a Lions fan...although I am beginning to look at other teams (don't know what that makes me). I was an ugly games...I expected a loss, but please! I guess I am glad now that I don't get to see them very often...if they always look like that it would be really depressing....football has been rough this year...Lion and UofM have/setting new records for being bad! I hop that he Red Wings don't catch the losing bug too. I guess I do have it good if the thing that I complain about is sports!

Oh well happy Thanksgiving!

PS - NOW it is OK to play Christmas music...it is AFTER Thanksgiving!

Sad

I came across the story the other day about a young man (19 years old) who committed suicide and did it live online. I wondered if I should comment on it, I don't want to draw attention, even in a small way, to this and in anyway encourage anyone to repeat it to get attention. But I read the note he left behind... I just wanted to share it...

To Whom It May Concern,
I am going to leave this for whoever stumbles across my bookmarks later on.
I hate myself and I hate living. I think that if someone who knows me
reads this they will know who I am. So I will leave this unsigned. I am
an a@#hole. I have let everyone down and I feel as though I will never
change or never improve. I am in love with a girl and I know that I am
not good enough for her. I have come
to believe that my life has all been meaningless. I keep trying and I
keep failing. I have thought about and attempted suicide many times in
the past. I used to think of my failure as some mystical way of telling
me that I was really meant for something meaningful. The only thing I
dread, besides the pain, is the way my family will suffer. I do not want
my mother or father to think that it was anything they did that lead me
to kill myself. I never really had any plans of leaving a note. I
thought that I would not be able to describe why I want to do this and I
am right. There is no way to tell you or anyone else why I dread every
new day. My father had such high expectations for me and tried to give
me every opportunity to improve upon myself. I let him down. I think
that I am a major disappointment to him. I have a job but I?m always broke
and I am in college but barely, I show up to class but that?s about it.
I want my life to end. I am tired of f@#$ing up everything. I
am tired of people always telling me that they do not like me. I am
tired of trying to be decent. I hope that someone finds this post and I
hope that my parents know that I f@#$ed up not them. It is my fault I
screwed up my own life.
The hate that rages within me, rages not for those I love so dearly or
those who have crossed my path.
This hate rages full force towards me and only me.
I have long forgiven those who've hurt me, but I have not and cannot
come to terms to forgive myself for the things I have done to myself, and
the things I've done to hurt those in my life.
You have all touched my life in one way or another,
especially those whom I call family.
I cannot tell you how sorry I am for ending my life the way I did. I
hope that you can all find it in your heart to see it as way for me not
suffering anymore and that I am finally at rest with myself, for being at
rest with the guilt that constantly ate at me for so long.
Please forgive me all for taking my own life so early. I tried so hard
to fight against this strong battle. I have reached out for help so many
times, and yet I believe, I was turned away because of the things I did,
that it is a punishment I am willing to take, for I know that being who I am
has only brought myself and others pain.
I love you all and will forever live within the memories we created.
Forgive me.
Love always and forever,
As for my signature I will leave you with a quote so that if anyone
reads this they will know it's me, "Can?t feel pain if your dead? Just Saying"

As a youth pastor, my heart broke when I read this. I wish I could have talked to the guy and share that life does have meaning, there is freedom from guilt. It makes me more dedicated to what we do, because there are studetns who need to here, know and experience...hope. The reality is that real hope comes only in a relationship with Jesus. That doesn't magically fix everything, but it does give us something to hold on to and HOPE to carry on.

Youthtracker.net Review

I have been using youthtracker.net for a few months to keep track of youth ministry stuff and...I like it. this
Some of things that I like are....

• It web based! I am not tied to one computer and can allow my youth staff access to the information.
  
• The check in feature... we setup a laptop for students to check in and it really helps me keep track of attendance. The Middle Schoolers do great...the Sr. High...well still working on them.
• Reports...especially the contact report. This lets me see in a glance the last time we contacted a student. This is often a good motivator to contact someone! I am still working on recording contacts that I make and encouraging my staff to do the same!
• Being able to see all the students that go to a certain school (easily)
• Price... it is not crazy expensive. For $20 a month, one area works great for us. Someday we might need two (more money), one for high school and one for middle school.
• Sevice...every question I have had, answer quickly and the seem interested in my input about the future...that is nice!
  

Things I don't like....

• I would like to be able to spice up the check in page
• Online event registration is possible (including payments), but not robust enough to make it practical. (yet)
• I would like a sync option to Outlook (which syncs with my phone) I struggle with having the right number (especially cell numbers)
  
• The groups function is weak (although I haven't been using it so I guess it is no big deal)

This that I think I will use...just haven't yet...

• Mentor field...to be able to assign students to adults. I think this is important, we just haven't been able to get it moving YET!

What I am hoping for...

• An option for youth to log in and edit their profiles.. use the picture they want, correct numbers, etc. This may be in the works, I don't really know!

Overall I am glad I have moved the direction of youthtracker.net...there are still some features that I miss, but nothing that is curcial. I would encourage youth pastors to take a look and see at this one.

Sensless Online Fun

Stumbled onto this online flash game site...pretty nice!

Check it out here..http://www.rocksolidarcade.com/

Interesting Interview

I ran across this video at YouthPastorChurch.
It was an interesting interview. I think that first of all, that Obama is not a Muslim. That in fact was less interesting to me than the exchange about the comment that all path lead to the same thing. This is an comment that we hear alot...as a Christian who believes the Bible...I can not be OK with this concept. It is contrary to the Bible. The guy in the interview stated that clearly...I don't care who says different. The idea that all path lead to the same God/place ..doesn't make sense becuase the truth claims of different religions conflit and opposite thing can not both be true. I find it sad that we often place religious leaders words about God's word...about GOD. Seems to be there is a verse about people teaching what others would like to hear. (2 Tim 4:2-4)

The other thing that was interesting is that misquote/misrepesentation of seperation of church and sate. In fact the Thomas Jefferson letter was more about keeping government out of church that keeping church leaders and values out of government. I wonder if we struggle as a nation becuase we have not only keep church out of government, but it seems that we have also keep values.

Interesting things to think about.