Youth Afterglow

Last night we hosted a Youth Afterglow at our home following the evening worship service. Pastor Brian, Katherine and Nathan came over along with two of the youth from our church. We had little smokies, pizza rolls, chips and dip, a veggie tray with ranch dressing and drinks. After eating we all enjoyed a game of Balderdash before everyone went home.

Nathan loves our cats and had a good time loving on them. He has also fell in love with David and Angela. Here are some photos from the night.

Church Youth Groups and Entertainment

Why is it that most youth groups have bought the lie that, to be an effective youth group, you must put on a night of entertainment so that the local young people will come, have a truckload of fun, hear a short message from the Bible, and then maybe come back next week for more. For many people, the local youth group is nothing more than a place to hang around, have a fun time, come back next week, and start all over. That is, until you move on to better, more fulfilling entertainment.

Sadly this is what our teenagers want to find when they come to youth night at church (and it's what many of the adults view as the youth minister's job). What do you think of when you think about what a successful youth group looks like? Do you picture it's a crowd of sweaty, smiling young people running around the church hall, playing a rowdy, mindless game, and trying to have fun or is it place for discipling our youth, building strong Christians and then using what's built to reach out to the non-Christian.

There are times that we should have games, go on youth outings that are entertaining. However, the focus should not be on entertaining them in order to keep them coming. Our focus is to grow these young people in grace and knowledge. So that they can give a "defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you…" (1 Peter 3:15).

It is an unhelpful pattern to only provide entertainment because it teaches young people that church is either entertainment or boredom.

Show me in Scripture where we are commanded to entertain. I could be wrong but I don't think God intended us to merely entertain . We're to be a place of love, salt, and light. Our attraction lies in this, not in activities or entertainment. It's the changed life and the loving Christian community that must attract the outsider. We are to live "honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they may malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge." (1 Peter 2:12). Reflect on Acts 2:42-47. Here we see how the early church lived, which reflected Jesus and was deeply attractive. Note the end of the chapter, "And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."

And parents. . . it's not up to your pastor, youth pastor, or youth leaders to get your children interested in spiritual matters. That is your job. They are placed in your children's lives to assist and encourage. Speaking as a mother of two teenagers. . .I praise God that he has placed the desire in my heart to teach my children the things of God and I also praise God that since they have been old enough to be a part of a youth group our Senior Pastors (past and present) and our Youth Pastor desire has been to focus on discipleship and not entertainment.

Changes

I've made some changes to the blog today. There will be other changes coming once I figure out Html codes and stuff. One of things I would like to learn to do is find out how to add music to it, but so far no luck. I have added a sidebar item "Current Listening". If you click on the link it will take you to Amazon.com, just scroll down until you see "Listen to Samples", look for the name of the song and click on it. It should play a sample of the song at that point. Hope you like the changes and will come back to see what else I have up my sleeve.

Fearless Parenting

I came across this blog post yesterday and thought it was worth sharing. I could totally relate to what she had to say regarding parenting. In fact I think I may have written a post regarding Fearless Parenting, but she does a much better job.

Yesterday was the Brooks' last day in Clewiston (except when they come back to visit). Although we knew this time was coming and were delighted to see them follow God's call, at the same time we knew their last day would be hard. I have never been one to say goodbye and actually last night I still did not say goodbye. We said "see you later".

We (I even checked Angela out of school for lunch) had lunch with the Brooks family, Katherine and Nathan Hamrick. Pastor Brian could not be there due to a prior engagement that had him out of town. We chose to eat at the Clewiston Inn for their farewell staff dinner. Normally the Inn is quiet and peaceful. Yesterday that was not the case. There was a tour bus with tons of people there at lunch time. It was extremely noisy, but in spite of that we enjoyed being together and the meal.

David laughed that it has become custom around the church office to take our ministers to the Inn for lunch. When we bring them in for the initial interview the staff search committee usually has dinner with them at the Inn and as they move on to another minister and move away the staff takes them to dinner there. Guess the Inn could be nicknamed "Hello & Goodbye Inn".

Please continue to pray for Jonathan and Lori as the settle into their new home. Pray for Jonathan as he starts his new job (in the secular world) and his job at the church. Pray for Lori that she will get some rest before giving birth to their new daughter. Pray for Hannah that she will adjust to the new home, new friends, and new church family. We miss them already but rejoice that they are obedient to God and his call upon their life.

Congratulations Michelle on the Birth of your beautiful daughter Presley!

Born Monday, January 15 at 1:45 p.m.

6 lbs. 10 oz.

We can't wait to meet you and hold you.

Honoring an Elder

Last night, following our evening service we had dinner in honor of Jonathan & Lori. It doesn't seem like only 3 years ago we issuing a call to Jonathan to serve as our Youth Pastor. During the evening service, Pastor Brian had a special time of prayer for this family and many asked that God would bless their new ministry and them. It is a joy to hear brothers and sisters lifting one another up in prayer.

Pastor Brian asked Bob & Barbara Buker to say a few words regarding the Brooks' ministry here. I was determined not to cry, however, Barbara broke that determination when she teared as she was sharing her thanks to this beautiful family. Bob summed up the Brooks' ministry here when he read from 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 11.

Throughout their ministry we have become dear friends. I will miss working alongside of Jonathan each day and sitting under his teaching on Wednesday nights. I have been greatly blessed by Lori. Don't let anyone tell that a younger woman cannot teach a older woman. I have learned so much just from watching this godly woman. David and Angela have been mentored by them as well. Wilson, North Carolina is gaining a wonderful family and a family that lives their life to the glory of God.

As the days grow closer to them leaving the harder it is to not tear up thinking of it, yet at the same time I am anxious to see how God is going to use them in Wilson. Wednesday is their last day with us (until we visit or they visit us - this side of eternity). All tears and hugs are reserved for then.

Friday Ponderings

I have recently began reading A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. So far I have enjoyed what I've read and look forward to finishing this book. Her words of welcome are encouraging and I wanted to share a quote she used. Let me preface this quote by saying in her welcoming remarks, George starts out by saying that it's God's work in us that transforms us into being a woman after God's own heart but also discipline on our part. She quotes Richard Foster whom says that this path is "the path of disciplined Grace." Think on this quote and let it be an encouragement to you.

"It is discipline, because there is work for us to do. It is Grace, because the life of God which we enter into is a gift which we can never earn. . . Discipline in and of itself does not make us righteous; it merely places us before God. . . The transformation. . . is God's work." (Richard Foster, "And We Can Live By It: Discipline," Decision Magazine, September 1982, p.11)

Quinceañera

Angela went to her first boy/girl dance on Saturday night. She was invited to a Quinceañera for a friend of hers at school. We tried to borrow a dress from some of the other girls, but didn't have any luck. So we went to Palm Beach on Saturday morning to buy one. She did very well in keeping the cost of the dress down (we only paid $25). Later in the afternoon she went over to Jena's to get dressed for the dance and I went by to take pictures of them all dolled up. She had a great time at the Quinceañera. Unfortunately, she didn't take many pictures at the Quinceañera and the ones I took didn't turn out well. The only one that turned out is of her and her friend, Bryan.

Bittersweet News

On Friday night our family and the Brooks family got together at our house for dinner and a game of Balderdash. I had talked to Lori earlier in the day and she told me that Hannah was excited about coming to our house. Hannah loves our two cats, Whiskers and Vanilla, and it's always fun watching her play with them. Upon their arrival she immediately searched them out. Vanilla tends to hide from everyone that comes to the house, Whiskers on the other hand welcomes everyone and enjoys the attention. At one point Whiskers was perched on Jonathan's leg purring and Hannah told him, "Daddy he's saying purr, purr" (she was actually making a purring sound). It was so cute and of course we all erupted in laughter.

It was a good thing that Hannah kept us laughing, as Jonathan and Lori had some news to share with us that is bittersweet. Jonathan has been asked to be the Associate Pastor of a church plant in Wilson, North Carolina. After prayerful consideration they have made the decision to follow God's call. Although we are excited for them and anticipating how God is going to use them in Wilson, we are sad to see them leave First Baptist Church and Clewiston. Words cannot express how they have touched our lives and what they mean to our family.

Jonathan & Lori began their ministry here in December 2003. Hannah was born in October of 2004. Through their ministry, David and Angela have grown in grace and knowledge. They have not only been teachers of God's Word to us, but friends as well. We will be forever thankful for their friendship, ministry, and leadership, and we look forward to praying for them and seeing the Lord work in and through their family in the years to come. Be praying for their family as they not only will be moving to a new home and community, but they are expecting a baby at the end of February. Jonathan will also be working in a secular job and as an Associate Pastor. Balancing his time between a job, a ministry position, and his family is going to be a big responsibility (one which he will do well).

Our family will miss them greatly, but we rejoice that we have had three wonderful years together and rest in the knowledge that we will have an eternity to spend with them in the future.

Happy New Year

The New Year is here! I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions. Mainly, because I never stick to them. With that said, there is one thing that I want to strive for this year and I pray that I stick to it. . . .

I know this year I want to be satisfied in Him, and Him alone. I do not want to be waiting on "this or that" to happen to be satisfied, or to be doing "this or that" to bring satisfaction. It's all for Him, anyway, and without Him it's meaningless.

"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." ~I Corinthians 3:11

Elizabeth Prentiss: 'More Love to Thee.' by Sharon James

I just finished reading a new biography of Elizabeth Prentiss: 'More Love to Thee.' by Sharon James. In case you are not familiar with who Elizabeth Prentiss was, she wrote the hymn "More Love to Thee" in 1856:

More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee!

Hear Thou the prayer, I make on bended knee.

This is my earnest plea: More love O Christ to Thee;

More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest.

Now thee alone I seek; Give what is best.

This all my prayer shall be: More love O Christ to Thee;

More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise.

This be the parting cry my heart shall raise;

This still my prayer shall be: More love O Christ to Thee;

More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Let sorrow do its work, send grief and pain;

Sweet are Thy messengers, sweet their refrain,

When they can sing with me: More love O Christ to Thee;

More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

This is one of my favorite hymns and it was interesting to read about the woman that wrote it and to learn more about her life. Elizabeth Prentiss was a frail woman who suffered intensely from chronic insomnia all her life. She was the daughter of a pastor and in 1845 married a pastor. Elizabeth was a mother to 6 children,within a period of three months she lost her second and third child--one as a newborn, one at age four. In spite of the trials in her life, she was dedicated to Christ and sought to live a life of joy serving her husband, children and others.

Elizabeth had this to say of the lessons God taught her:

-The most difficult circumstances are ‘God’s school’ to teach us more about
his grace.
-The very busy times are precisely those times when we need—and can
find—God’s strength.
-The worst of tragedies can draw us closer to God.”

One of my favorite quotes was this one: "Much of my experience of life has cost me a great price and I wish to use it for strengthening and comforting other souls."

Christmas 2006

We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Lord. This is the second year that we have celebrated just the three of us and it's a joy to be setting traditions of our own, although we miss being with all our family.

We celebrated Christmas Eve with our church family at the Christmas Eve Service. Everyone that sang did a beautiful job. We celebrate Jesus' birth by partaking of the Lord's Supper. Following the Lord's Supper, Pastor Brian preached from Luke 2:8 - 14. His message was beautiful reminding us that our goal each day should be to be glorify God.

After the service, we visited with friends and their families. We then headed home for soup and time just the three of us. David brought a new game (iMAgiNiff) earlier in the week for us to play on Christmas Eve. Surprisingly, I won!

David and Angela enjoyed opening their gifts before the sun came up. Both being pleased and thankful for their gifts, as was mom. The rest of the day was spent eating lunch prepared my mom and relaxing.

Mary Did You Know is a popular contemporary Christmas song that Mark Lowry wrote 18 years ago as a meditation for a Christmas program at his church. The lyrics ask a series of heartfelt questions, wondering if Mary knew just who this little boy of hers was.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know. . .

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb. . .

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM

As I've listened to this song I got to thinking about the lyrics. . . Did Mary know? And the answer I have come up with is simply yes, yes Mary knew and we know that from Scripture.

When Gabriel came to Mary to tell her that she would give birth to a son by the power of the Holy Spirit, he also told her that this son would be the Son of the Most High, would sit on the throne of his father David, that his kingdom would never end, that he would be a holy one and the Son of God (see Luke 1:26-38).

Mary's betrothed Joseph was told by an angel to take Mary as his wife because the son she would bear was from the Holy Spirit and was to be named Jesus since he would save his people from their sins (see Matt. 2:20-21). Joseph must surely have told Mary about this.

When Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth wondered why she was so favored to receive a visit from the mother of her Lord (see Luke 1:43), language reserved for God.Mary's response was to praise God, glorifying the Lord and rejoicing in God her Savior (see Luke 1:46-55 for Mary's wonderful song of praise).

The shepherds who came to visit the newborn Jesus had been told by the angel who visited them that this child was their savior, Christ the Lord (see Luke 2:5-12). I'm sure they told Mary and Joseph about this.

When Jesus was taken to the Temple for the proper rites, the man Simeon took the boy in his arms and filled with the Holy Spirit thanked God for allowing him to see God's promised salvation (see Luke 2:25-32).

It is true that Mary and Joseph marveled at the things said about their son (Luke 2:33). But I think it is also true that because of the things said to them they knew who he was.

The kids had a half day of school today and are out for Christmas break until January 8. This is how they spent their afternoon. Cheyenne is the other girl in the pictures. She is like a daughter to me and a very frequent guest in our home.

Friday Food for Thought

I have found myself complaining lately about constantly being busy and doing for others. This morning as I was reading different blogs I came across this one and this one. I loved this quote from Charles Dickens: A day wasted on others is not wasted on one's self. This quote rings so true and was a reminder for me to take joy in serving others!

Visitors in My Office

This morning our Preschool students came to sing Christmas Carols to our church staff. They were adorable dressed in their little hats and singing their little hearts out. Our favorite song was "Happy Birthday Jesus". After singing to us they got on the church van to go on a field trip to the local coffee shop for hot chocolate and cookies.

Hayride

When you live in South Florida, you never know what the weather is going to be like in December. Yesterday we had a high of 79 degrees and a low of 66 degrees. But even with the weather a bit warm last night (we are usually wearing coats and hats to stay warm) our church went for their annual Christmas hayride. All different age groups load up onto a flat bed trailer pulled by a dually pick up truck to sing Christmas carols to the elderly members of our church that are homebound. I love watching the faces of our seniors light up when we pull into their yard to sing to them. The younger children are always precious as they yell "Merry Chwimas" or as Hannah yelled out last night "Hey Grandma". After the hayride we always have hot chocolate and cookies.

Laura & Brittany

Cheyenne & Jena

Sylvia, Angela & Dusty

Kayla & Alex

Hannah & I

Pictured above from left to right: , Samuel, Kenleigh, Hannah, Nicholas, and Lori

The Christmas Season

I love the weeks leading up to Christmas. Each year I anxiously await Christmas cards in the mail from friends, Christmas goodies that people bring into the office and seeing the excitement in children's eyes, driving around town enjoying the Christmas lights, our annual Church hayride, the unexpected gifts from friends and the parties we attend. But what I love the most about those weeks is reflecting on the birth of my Savior. As I think of the birth of Christ I can't help but think what if Christ had not been born over 2000 years ago. . . for without his birth there would not be everlasting life.

Nativity Story

Earlier this week David asked to borrow the van to go to the movies with Chris and Abby. I must admit I was apprehensive and scared to allow him to travel to West Palm Beach alone. I struggled with this all week and finally on Thursday told him I would allow him to take the van. I ultimately realized this was a trust issue and that I lacked the faith to trust God to protect him. I wish I could say that I surrendered this to God and ended up letting David drive to Palm Beach alone. I didn't. As it turned out Abby's parents would not allow her to go to the movies out of town so I asked David if he would let me tag along with him and Chris to the movies. I did let him drive over and he did fine.

So off the three of us went to the movies. Since I was already infringing on their night out, I decided early on to see a different movie than they wanted to see. I choose the Nativity Story . I had read a couple of reviews but was still unsure of how close to the biblical account the director would come. However, I am happy to say the director did an awesome job. If you are looking for a movie to enjoy as a family this holiday season, this is the one. Although I've heard the story over and over, I had tears in my eyes as Jesus was born. But something that struck me even more was the submissive way Mary followed Joseph into Bethlehem.

Earlier this week, Jonathan taught from 1 Peter 3:1-6. He pointed out that Peter speaks in this verse of woman from the Old Testament as examples of how wives are to submit to their husbands. Not once while naming some of the woman in the Old Testament that displayed these qualities did I think of Mary. Not only did she submit to her husband, but to her Lord as well.