I am pleased to report that MSWILLOWGREEN came forward and revealed her secret identity! I would tell you all who she is, but I would have to then kill you. She is actually a great member of my youth group! lol
Who is MSWILLOWGREEN?
Hi there MSWILLOWGREEN. You are so kind for always checking out my blog and leaving comments, but I am wondering who you are. Would you be so kind as to leave your name on a comment. Thanks! lol
St. John of the Cross Quote for Contemplation
My friend Adrian offered this quote on his blog the other day, and it was quite meaningful to me. I pass it along in the hopes that it will be the same for you.
To come to the pleasure you have not
You must go by a way in which you enjoy not.
To come to the knowledge you have not
You must go by a way in which you know not.
To come to the possession you have not
You must go by a way in which you possess not.
To come to be what you are not
You must go by a way in which you are not.
– St. John of the CROSS
Surprised by Hope
Just finished a fantastic book by N.T. Wright. It’s one of those brilliant, scholarly, biblical, feel-like-you-have-to-underline-everything kind of books. I have never read such a thorough and intriguing book on, as the cover states, “Rediscovering Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church.” I was totally wowed by how terribly misguided (though presumably unintentionally) many of our assumptions about “heaven” are. The primary emphasis of the book is clearly to deepen the understanding of the centrality of the resurrection and its implications not just in the future, but in the here and now. There is so much I still need to digest, and I am definitely going to need to go through and re-read my underlines (which, of course, is almost the entire book. lol), but perhaps th statement that has more or less helped me understand more accurately the biblical understanding of the resurrection was Wright’s phrase: “Life after life after death”. If that statement doesn’t pique your interest, nothing will. Get the book. Read it. It’s unbelievable!
Magnificent by U2
Magnificent
Magnificent
I was born
I was born to be with you
In this space and time
After that and ever after I haven’t had a clue
Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
I was born
I was born to sing for you
I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise…
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love unites our hearts
Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent
Great Weekend of Ministry!
I just returned home from a great weekend with my friends from Wantagh Baptist Church. I was privileged to be the speaker at their annual Big Chill Youth Retreat at Camp of the Woods in upstate New York. We had a lot of fun playing games, hanging out, worshiping God, and exploring the Word of God. I enjoyed speaking and know that God really challenged everyone in a number of ways. I was especially blessed to learn that a number of students said “Yes” to Jesus for the first time and have begun their new lives with Jesus as their leader. It was also a great joy for me to watch my friend Gregg Makin, who has been the youth pastor at the church for 27 years, at work. He has a great team, and I really learned a lot about youth ministry as I observed and dialogued with him. He’s a real hero in youth ministry to me! Thank You Lord for a wonderful weekend, and for allowing me to use my gifts to honor You by influencing students! Amen!
I just returned home from a great weekend with my friends from Wantagh Baptist Church. I was privileged to be the speaker at their annual Big Chill Youth Retreat at Camp of the Woods in upstate New York. We had a lot of fun playing games, hanging out, worshiping God, and exploring the Word of God. I enjoyed speaking and know that God really challenged everyone in a number of ways. I was especially blessed to learn that a number of students said “Yes” to Jesus for the first time and have begun their new lives with Jesus as their leader. It was also a great joy for me to watch my friend Gregg Makin, who has been the youth pastor at the church for 27 years, at work. He has a great team, and I really learned a lot about youth ministry as I observed and dialogued with him. He’s a real hero in youth ministry to me! Thank You Lord for a wonderful weekend, and for allowing me to use my gifts to honor You by influencing students! Amen!
Off Again!
Well, after less than a week at home I am off again tomorrow morning. I am heading to the Adirondacks where I will be speaking at a youth retreat for Wantagh Baptist church. I am really stoked about it! Praying that the Lord will use me to speak to the hearts of the students! I would appreciate your prayers as well. Pray also for my family. We’ve enjoyed a great week together, but I’ve been on the road quite a bit lately. Pray that they have a fun weekend together and that the Lord will keep us while we are apart. Thanks!
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