Month: March 2012

This past week we got to see the domino effect of generosity. Here are 2 things that happened:

First, our church kicked off a new series On Sunday and gave over 100 people money to go out and do something great for God’s kingdom in the next 3 weeks. Adults received $100 and students received $20. The ground rules were: (1) Recognize this is God’s money, not yours; (2) Pray and ask God how he wants you to leverage the money for kingdom impact; (3) Come back in 3 weeks and give a report of what you did. One of the recipients of some of the money is in our small group. As she began to share what she felt God had put on her heart to do, she invited us to join her project. She also mentioned another idea she had. This is the cool part: We’re going with one project, but as she mentioned the other need, someone in our group started brainstorming various ways she could help the other person and is, in fact, working on it. Just having the conversation has led to meeting additional needs. Domino effect.

Second, each week in our middle school ministry we collect non-perishable food items to give to local food pantries. We call it “Fill the Tub.” Last week, while my wife was at work, she was having a conversation with one of her clients and the talk turned from the vanity of the retail/makeup world to talk about how to reach out and selflessly help others. Adriana began to tell the woman about how we are teaching our own children and our students generosity. The woman said she was having a 70th birthday party for her husband and had asked the guests not to bring gifts, but to bring bags of groceries to help those in need. She then told Adriana that she was looking for a place to donate to, and said she wanted to give them to us. The other night we went over to their home and this beautiful couple filled our trunk with groceries. Domino effect.

7 Reasons I think games should be a valuable part of your youth group ministry …

1. Games are universal. I’ve traveled a bit, and I can tell you this: Games are a universal language. I’ve yet to see a country where kids don’t want to play games of some sort.
2. Games are ideal come-and-see, entry-level activities. Games pull new students into your youth group and provide opportunities for a deeper message. Games help tear down emotional walls and get kids mingling and interacting.
3. Games stretch your students, encouraging them to take risks. Games can help teenagers develop tolerance, persistence, and patience. Games provide a structure within which those virtues can be practiced.
4. Games improve problem-solving skills and help kids deal with life’s stresses. The life of a typical teenager is plenty crowded and complicated. A game provides an oasis of laughter and fun. And depending on the game, there’s a chance to do strategic thinking and problem solving.
5. Games build community, acceptance, and a sense of belonging. Games provide shared experiences that become shared memories. They’re inclusive. And if well led, they foster acceptance.
6. Games are relevant. Games are all over television and the Internet these days, and teenagers account for much of the popularity of media and video games. Games are relevant to your students because games of all kinds are such a familiar part of teenagers’ landscape.
7. Games provide good, clean, trouble-free fun. Teens are hungry for wholesome activities in a positive environment. Life is tough enough; kids need to have fun, play, and laugh together. Games provide all that and more. 

We are always reminding students that they have been given a S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences) by God so that they can serve others. Here’s a little video compilation “Stupid Human Tricks”from The Late Show with David Letterman we use to talk about talents. What are the unique abilities God has given you and how can you use those to bless others? Not exactly sure how these fit in, but they sure are funny, and we have churches filled with people with all kinds of talents!

We’ll be having a Father-Kids Campout on the SCC Lawn. Arrival is between 3-6pm on Friday. Cost is $10/person or $25/Family Max. Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, etc. can come with their middle school student and can bring other family children as well if so desired. Friday Dinner and Saturday Breakfast are included. We will also be making and launching rockets!!!

Last week I read page 650 – the final page of The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway – a book I was chipping away at for 3 years. A number of years ago I decided to try and stretch myself by reading different authors with different writing styles. I was intrigued by Hemingway’s stories which demonstrated his “Iceberg Theory” (sometimes referred to as the “Theory of Omission”): The idea that the facts float above water; the supporting structure and symbolism operate out of sight.” He said, “A few things I have found to be true. If you leave out important things or events that you know about, the story is strengthened. If you leave or skip something because you do not know it, the story will be worthless. The test of any story is how very good the stuff that you, not your editors, omit.” It was so interesting how his stories started the reader out in the middle of something. I found my imagination engaged and my mind wandering as I tried to piece together the back story. The other thing that struck me was the seeming hopelessness and underlying existentialism in his stories – the idea that life has no meaning except what the individual attributes to it.