Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Awesome Video -Boom Goes the Dynamite

This is for everyone having a bad day...because at least your bad day isn't on television.

You feel bad for the guy...but it is incredibly funny.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Spiritual Formation Webcasts

Asbury Seminary is offering monthly webcasts by a variety of professors. Here is some info below or check it out by going to www.asburyseminary.edu/.


Strata Series Register Online (July 2011 through June 2012)

NEW! Strata Series on Spiritual Formation: Twelve webcasts, each speaker discussing Spiritual Formation as it relates to their area of expertise, ultimately revealing a strata of holistic ministry.

 

REGISTER now and add the dates to your calendar. You will receive a reminder email a few days before each event, containing a special code for you to enter the webinar. If you can’t make it that day, that’s okay. You can tune in anytime between 12:00noon (Eastern time) on the day of the broadcast and 12:00noon the next day. Webcast Facilitator: Dr. Tom Tumblin, Dean, Beeson International Center

Broadcast Dates
2011-2012 Strata Series on Spiritual Formation as it relates to…
  • July 30 - Lay Ministry: Dr. Steve Martyn
  • August 25 - Family Spiritual Health: Dr. Anne Gatobu
  • September 29 - Relationships: Dr. Steve Stratton
  • October 28 - The Elderly: Dr. Beverly Johnson-Miller
  • November 18 - Intercultural Relations: Dr. Kima Pachuau
  • December 16 - The Advent Season: Dr. Ellsworth Kalas
  • January 27 - Pastoral Ministry: Dr. Steve Harper
  • February 24 - Sabbath Rest: Dr. Marilyn Elliott
  • March 30 - Worship: Dr. J. D. Walt
  • April 27 - Creation Care: Dr. Matthew Sleeth
  • May 25 - Urban Leadership: Dr. Rick Gray
  • June 29 - Our Daily Lives: Dr. Daryl Smith

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Good News You’ll Never See on TV

It’s always interesting to see what stories the news channels will obsess over. One thing is a guarantee…they will usually focus on negative events. Ratings are the main goal and good news simply does not get enough viewers. This is certainly the case when it comes to news about teenagers. Typically, there are only reports about young people when they have done something terrible (i.e. shootings, theft, bullying). You’ll never hear a story about a group of teenagers who spent a whole week of their summer vacation to work on houses in rural Kentucky. A youth group restoring two houses for two families seems very small and unimportant when compared to the latest political scandal, debt crises, and NFL lockout. Yet, most of these news stories being reported on today will be quickly forgotten. And most of these stories have very little eternal significance and minimal effect on God’s redemptive purposes. But from God’s perspective, one mission trip from one youth group has incredible importance and worth. One soul saved and one person served makes all of heaven rejoice!

It was such a privilege to be a part of this mission trip. It was amazing to see our young people work together, worship together, and play together. On the last night we had Holy Communion and a foot washing service. I cannot describe the emotions I felt seeing our youth wash each other’s feet and express words of kindness to one another. I saw a mom wash her son’s feet…a brother wash his little sister’s feet…a husband wash his wife’s feet…friends wash each other’s feet. Yes, the week was tiring and difficult at times. However, there is no greater joy then witnessing our youth take part in God’s redemptive mission. God is working and active in profound ways around our world...it’s just that most of the time it doesn’t make the headlines.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Mission Trip Update -part 2

Our mission trip is still going great...no one has been hurt, no one has gotten in trouble, and no one has cried! We had a free day yesterday. We had a relaxing time at a mall and watched a movie together. In the evening we had an epic game of kickball. My decision to play basketball and kickball on top of the mission work was not a good one. Most of us are sore, but everyone is still working hard.

Our devotion was on Matthew 25 as we discussed how seeing the face of Christ in each other and in those we serve impacts our mission work. Jesus tells his disciples in verse 40: "I assure you, whatever you do for the least of these my brothers and sisters; you were doing it for me!" Both the motivation and the importance of service is heightened once we realize that it is Jesus himself who experiences the effects of our ministry...or lack of it. We have had some incredible discussions about appreciation, gratitude, love, and worship. I'm tired...but feel blessed to be a part of this group. Two more days to go!

Youth working hard on the roof


Roman driving the bus...just kidding
Cari and Josh looking cool at the mall

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Mission Trip Update -part 1

We are in day 3 of our mission and so far everything has gone very well. Most of day one was spent riding in the church bus. It was a very (very, very) long ride. But we had a lot of fun and Ed (our driver) did a great job navigating us through the mountains.

Day two and three have been work days. Our youth are working extremely hard and have accomplished a lot in a short time. We are repairing two houses for two different families. Below is a photo of some of our youth at their work site. Trust me, they didn't look that pretty at the end of the day. :)

At night we have devotions together. We read scripture, pray, and talk about our day. Last night we look at the fruit of the spirit from Galatians 5 as we talked about what it means to reflect the spirit of Christ in our mission work. Overall, our trip is going great so far and we haven't lost any youth...yet (just kidding parents). I will try to send another update later.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Free Biblical Studies Resource

For all the other nerds out there...I found this free resource from another blog. Tyndale has produced a great/free biblical studies toolbar for web browsers. It has links to Bibles, language tools, and databases of journal articles and books. I've found it very helpful so far...You can download it here and you can check out a brief synopsis of what it can do by watching this short video.