Greetings to quite possibly a dozen people! How has your week been? As you may or may not recall I spent Sunday night, Monday and most of the day Tuesday at Rock Lake for Terry Strickler's 2nd-3rd grade week of camp.
It was a great experience and as I go into this edition of "Random Thoughts" I will be touching on that specifically.
1) Children are awesome. They are so cute and innocent. I am the worst disciplinarian when it comes to dealing with them. I can't punish them. Well eventually my nerves get worked and I can but it takes me a long time to get there. You learn a lot about God working with kids.
Children are an interesting part of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus rebukes his disciples for trying to stop parents from bringing their children to Jesus. He sternly says to them "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." The more I work with them the more I see this. From my year of playing with Hannah Lowman several times a week to the first few days of this week.
Everything a child does, he/she does whole heartedly. They are so passionate about everything they do, whether it's going down a twisty slide or shouting the "We Love Jesus" chant against the other trailer on the chariot. They strive to do everything (good and bad) to the best of their ability. When do we slip up and lose that? I'm not suggesting we are terrible people, but I know there are times in my life when I didn't do something as well as I could. I also know of times when I've done tasks assigned to me without passion.
2) For non-Rock Lake Campers, the chariot is an archaic truck towing two trailers that transports students and staff between the two main areas of camp.
3) An unexpected surprise visit from a friend always brightens any day. This brings about a new saying: A day can always get brighter even when you think it can't!
4) I have gotten more mosquito bites taking my dog outside for five minutes than I did in my combined time at camps this summer. What's up with that?
5) Do you really have to be skilled to do a job well? If I may backtrack for a moment (and I may, it's my blog!) I'm beginning to wonder if the simple truth is if you do anything whole-heartedly you will be good at it. Sure maybe computer networking takes skill, but if you passionately study it and work at it you will get good at it. I wonder if everything in our life, from how we work to how we relate to people could be based on how passionately we choose to live. Hmmmm...
That's all I got for now. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Random thoughts before departure
I am starting to think I might title every entry with "Random thoughts..." and then whatever is about to happen. Here are today's random thoughts, numbered this time to make transitions easier:
1) I went with my friends the Sleights to Riverview this morning. Riverview is huge and high energy. Both times I've attended the preaching minister has mentioned plugging into small groups, something I've learned to like as I'm reading through Simple Church.
It is better to go to a church with someone you know than completely alone. I enjoyed the more this time, though I'm still dissapointed that no one really made an effort to talk to us. I know at a church of thousands there is not going to be one person that knows everyone, but shouldn't people make a conscious effort to meet other people at a larger church?
I don't say this without seeing the plank in my own eye. When I plug into a church and regularly attend again I want to make sure I am meeting someone every week if it is a larger church.
2) I am looking forward to the 2nd-3rd grader week. It's only tonight, tomorrow and Tuesday. We have scheduled naps. I'm in charge of recreation (plan: make them run) and I'm preaching a quickie at Campfire Monday night. I'm pretty excited about this.
3) Jon we do need to hangout, and I also enjoyed our summer on camp teams together. I might have to agree with you that it was the best summer while I was there as well.
4) On this website there are three guys doing a video game marathon to raise money for a children's charity. It's a Mario-thon! They set out Friday with the goal of playing through all the major Super Mario games in a gigantic marathon. Last I checked they were near the end of Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii, meaning their adventure is nearly wrapped up. They've raised nearly $10,000 in donations for Child's Play. They also broadcast their session on UStream, a live-feed program which they set up to broadcast from both their webcam and from the TV.
I would like to organize or participate in something like this. I think it would be fun and challenging. Who would have thought you could take a love for video games and use it to raise money for those in need?
5) It's no secret that I invested in Pokemon Diamond well over a year ago. I did this to connect with junior high students in my former youth group. I'm impressed with this game because its gameplay is simple and fun. It's a lite-RPG that just builds on some basic RPG fundamentals in a way that appeals to all ages. Nearly every kid you'll meet has played one of several versions in this franchise. It teaches strategy, critical thinking, and patience. A great experience for all kids.
Why do I mention this? In this newest version an evil organization named Team Galactic wants to create a better world. A world of peace where they rule. Sounds good right? Well too bad the way they are doing it is wrong. The way they are going to do this is by using a legendary Pokemon who created the known world to turn around, destroy it and create a new one where they will rule.
Oh by the way, once you've stopped them you get a chance to capture and own the ancient and legendary creator of the known Pokeworld. That's right, in your quest to catch them all you will own Pokegod.
That's deep. Small reminder: This game for all ages is primarily marketed to kids. Where are the extremist parents protesting this game because you can capture Pokegod?
6) Final Thought. Finally got to face off against Jonah and Caleb Weller in Halo. Though their trash talk was great, their game wasn't. Good try guys.
Off to camp. See you Tuesday night! The satire expressed does not neccessarily reflect the writer's personal views. I do not believe in Pokegod.
1) I went with my friends the Sleights to Riverview this morning. Riverview is huge and high energy. Both times I've attended the preaching minister has mentioned plugging into small groups, something I've learned to like as I'm reading through Simple Church.
It is better to go to a church with someone you know than completely alone. I enjoyed the more this time, though I'm still dissapointed that no one really made an effort to talk to us. I know at a church of thousands there is not going to be one person that knows everyone, but shouldn't people make a conscious effort to meet other people at a larger church?
I don't say this without seeing the plank in my own eye. When I plug into a church and regularly attend again I want to make sure I am meeting someone every week if it is a larger church.
2) I am looking forward to the 2nd-3rd grader week. It's only tonight, tomorrow and Tuesday. We have scheduled naps. I'm in charge of recreation (plan: make them run) and I'm preaching a quickie at Campfire Monday night. I'm pretty excited about this.
3) Jon we do need to hangout, and I also enjoyed our summer on camp teams together. I might have to agree with you that it was the best summer while I was there as well.
4) On this website there are three guys doing a video game marathon to raise money for a children's charity. It's a Mario-thon! They set out Friday with the goal of playing through all the major Super Mario games in a gigantic marathon. Last I checked they were near the end of Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii, meaning their adventure is nearly wrapped up. They've raised nearly $10,000 in donations for Child's Play. They also broadcast their session on UStream, a live-feed program which they set up to broadcast from both their webcam and from the TV.
I would like to organize or participate in something like this. I think it would be fun and challenging. Who would have thought you could take a love for video games and use it to raise money for those in need?
5) It's no secret that I invested in Pokemon Diamond well over a year ago. I did this to connect with junior high students in my former youth group. I'm impressed with this game because its gameplay is simple and fun. It's a lite-RPG that just builds on some basic RPG fundamentals in a way that appeals to all ages. Nearly every kid you'll meet has played one of several versions in this franchise. It teaches strategy, critical thinking, and patience. A great experience for all kids.
Why do I mention this? In this newest version an evil organization named Team Galactic wants to create a better world. A world of peace where they rule. Sounds good right? Well too bad the way they are doing it is wrong. The way they are going to do this is by using a legendary Pokemon who created the known world to turn around, destroy it and create a new one where they will rule.
Oh by the way, once you've stopped them you get a chance to capture and own the ancient and legendary creator of the known Pokeworld. That's right, in your quest to catch them all you will own Pokegod.
That's deep. Small reminder: This game for all ages is primarily marketed to kids. Where are the extremist parents protesting this game because you can capture Pokegod?
6) Final Thought. Finally got to face off against Jonah and Caleb Weller in Halo. Though their trash talk was great, their game wasn't. Good try guys.
Off to camp. See you Tuesday night! The satire expressed does not neccessarily reflect the writer's personal views. I do not believe in Pokegod.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Random thoughts make a lengthy post
So I haven't blogged in awhile, thought I should again. This post will be filled with random thoughts from the last few weeks. Might want to buckle your seatbelt!
I checked the cluster map. Special greetings to readers in California and...Iowa? Don't be afraid to introduce yourselves!
Last week was Deeper Life Camp at Michiana Christian Service Camp. It was a great week and I'm amazed at how quickly it flew by. I had a great small group and grew closer to several good friends.
I came to camp looking for guidance. Guidance to make sure that I was seeking God's will for my life and not my own. That is something I struggle with a lot if we're being honest. I'm a very stubborn person. I do things my way whether they sink or swim. It's who I am. That needs to change when my way doesn't honor God. I did get some perspective on that this past week.
A lot of great things happened for me while at camp. I got inspiration for a lot of ideas that I want to do in my next ministry, wherever that may be. As I adapt my own model of "seek, study, and serve" it will go with me wherever I may be because I believe it is an effective way to vocalize the ministry I feel God calling me to. Now that I have the vision for how to do it I am excited to get it going. Whether that's vocationally or volunteer I do not know.
I found a verse that I very well consider to be my new life verse. Previous to finding this one my life verse was 2nd Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing." (KJV)
During my quiet times last week a verse kept popping into my head, but I couldn't find it. After a few days of general confusion and wondering if I was losing it I finally found it:
John 4:23
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
I focus in especially on one phrase: A time is coming and has now come. We talk about all the things God is going to do and how the times that he is going to do them are on their way. Guess what. They're here now. The time is coming and has now come. It's going to happen and it is happening now.
We shouldn't talk about how we're going to live, we should live it now. It challenges me. It brings focus to my day. It's a great verse.
Random time. I always make myself chuckle when I say a verse is a great verse. To me it implies that there is a verse in the Bible that isn't so great. Like the one in Ezekiel talking about lusty women. Not so great. But you can't come out and say that can you?
That's long enough I'll stop for now. Pray for me as I continue to prepare for more camps. Next week I'm running recreation and preaching at Campfire for 2nd and 3rd graders at Rock Lake Christian Assembly. Then I'll be back up there a week later for High School Week. It's going to be crazy but God is going to move (and is now moving) and I wouldn't miss it for the world!
I checked the cluster map. Special greetings to readers in California and...Iowa? Don't be afraid to introduce yourselves!
Last week was Deeper Life Camp at Michiana Christian Service Camp. It was a great week and I'm amazed at how quickly it flew by. I had a great small group and grew closer to several good friends.
I came to camp looking for guidance. Guidance to make sure that I was seeking God's will for my life and not my own. That is something I struggle with a lot if we're being honest. I'm a very stubborn person. I do things my way whether they sink or swim. It's who I am. That needs to change when my way doesn't honor God. I did get some perspective on that this past week.
A lot of great things happened for me while at camp. I got inspiration for a lot of ideas that I want to do in my next ministry, wherever that may be. As I adapt my own model of "seek, study, and serve" it will go with me wherever I may be because I believe it is an effective way to vocalize the ministry I feel God calling me to. Now that I have the vision for how to do it I am excited to get it going. Whether that's vocationally or volunteer I do not know.
I found a verse that I very well consider to be my new life verse. Previous to finding this one my life verse was 2nd Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing." (KJV)
During my quiet times last week a verse kept popping into my head, but I couldn't find it. After a few days of general confusion and wondering if I was losing it I finally found it:
John 4:23
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
I focus in especially on one phrase: A time is coming and has now come. We talk about all the things God is going to do and how the times that he is going to do them are on their way. Guess what. They're here now. The time is coming and has now come. It's going to happen and it is happening now.
We shouldn't talk about how we're going to live, we should live it now. It challenges me. It brings focus to my day. It's a great verse.
Random time. I always make myself chuckle when I say a verse is a great verse. To me it implies that there is a verse in the Bible that isn't so great. Like the one in Ezekiel talking about lusty women. Not so great. But you can't come out and say that can you?
That's long enough I'll stop for now. Pray for me as I continue to prepare for more camps. Next week I'm running recreation and preaching at Campfire for 2nd and 3rd graders at Rock Lake Christian Assembly. Then I'll be back up there a week later for High School Week. It's going to be crazy but God is going to move (and is now moving) and I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
An amazing find
I was surfing through some websites that I frequent when I happened upon this great video clip. After watching it I can truly say that I feel safer at night. I hope this video makes you laugh and that you enjoy it too!
Disclaimer: In posting this video I do not claim to believe what it shows, nor am I posting it to insult anyone portrayed in it.
Disclaimer: In posting this video I do not claim to believe what it shows, nor am I posting it to insult anyone portrayed in it.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Secret revolutionary toilet cleaning techniques revealed!
Special kudos to student Melanie Privette who posted this on her myspace blog. It was so good I laughed out loud, which is weird because I'm working in my office alone. May it bring you laughter today as it did for me.
Ingredents needed:
1/8th cup of pet shampoo
1 Cat
Many bandaids ... just in case
1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8th cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate! and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "power-wash" and rinse".
6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.
Hope you enjoyed!
Written by Val Leonard
Monday, May 19, 2008
Mythbusters: Lifelock...Busted!
I am positive you have heard the advertisement. In fact I heard one of them this morning on my way to work. The CEO of Lifelock, Todd Davis, broadcasts his Social Security Number in his radio commercial and says he is not afraid to share it. Why? He speaks for his company with extreme confidence and guarantees that you cannot steal his identity because of the great security system that the company provides.
At least that's what he claims. Yesterday while browsing some news sites I came across this article in the Charleston Gazette. There is a class action lawsuit being filed against Lifelock, claiming that it does not give the protection it promises. In fact, the suit claims that over 20 driver's licenses have been obtained across the country under the name of Todd Davis. According to the article, if you perform a background check on Mr. Davis with his SSN, you will find that it inaccurately depicts him as being 67 years old. Such is the extent that his personal information has been used.
The article goes on to mention several different points that are worth observing:
1. One of the lawyers involved in this class action suit claims that the safeguards Lifelock sets up for $110 a year can be set up for free by yourself.
2. The co-founder of Lifelock has been in trouble for fraud several times during his life, including the identity theft of his own father.
3. A former client of Lifelock claims that once you get past all the fine print, the only promise Lifelock makes is that they will fix their system when it gets bypassed; there is apparently no promise to restore your credit and identity.
What do we take from this? In yesterday's sermon our senior minister Frank Weller reminded us to test everything, holding on to what is good. For starters that probably means I should look into Lifelock myself instead of taking this article for its word, which also ruins the fun of this post.
Second, if you're signing up for something you should always take the time to read the fine print. My father, a licensed IRS attorney cannot agree with this enough. Know everything that you are getting into. Be wary of the fine print. Fine print can help or hurt you depending on what you do with it. (Side note: The fine print you see in your Bible will always help you better understand the context in which the passage you are reading was written.)
Lastly, and I don't mean to intentionally crack the hammer on this again, but Frank couldn't have said it any better yesterday: Test Everything. Whether you are looking for identity theft protection or seeking where God would send you next, seek Him first. Put God first in your life and seek him. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things (the things that you need, not want) shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
At least that's what he claims. Yesterday while browsing some news sites I came across this article in the Charleston Gazette. There is a class action lawsuit being filed against Lifelock, claiming that it does not give the protection it promises. In fact, the suit claims that over 20 driver's licenses have been obtained across the country under the name of Todd Davis. According to the article, if you perform a background check on Mr. Davis with his SSN, you will find that it inaccurately depicts him as being 67 years old. Such is the extent that his personal information has been used.
The article goes on to mention several different points that are worth observing:
1. One of the lawyers involved in this class action suit claims that the safeguards Lifelock sets up for $110 a year can be set up for free by yourself.
2. The co-founder of Lifelock has been in trouble for fraud several times during his life, including the identity theft of his own father.
3. A former client of Lifelock claims that once you get past all the fine print, the only promise Lifelock makes is that they will fix their system when it gets bypassed; there is apparently no promise to restore your credit and identity.
What do we take from this? In yesterday's sermon our senior minister Frank Weller reminded us to test everything, holding on to what is good. For starters that probably means I should look into Lifelock myself instead of taking this article for its word, which also ruins the fun of this post.
Second, if you're signing up for something you should always take the time to read the fine print. My father, a licensed IRS attorney cannot agree with this enough. Know everything that you are getting into. Be wary of the fine print. Fine print can help or hurt you depending on what you do with it. (Side note: The fine print you see in your Bible will always help you better understand the context in which the passage you are reading was written.)
Lastly, and I don't mean to intentionally crack the hammer on this again, but Frank couldn't have said it any better yesterday: Test Everything. Whether you are looking for identity theft protection or seeking where God would send you next, seek Him first. Put God first in your life and seek him. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things (the things that you need, not want) shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The quest for answers...and for love
Recently when I've had spare time I've found myself playing an old game that was ported to my Game Boy Advance SP just last year.
Originally released in America in 1994, Final Fantasy VI was a huge epic game. It was part of a long running successful franchise by a company named Squaresoft. In America it originally debuted as Final Fantasy III, but it was in fact the sixth title of the series.
The story of the game was epic and at the time it was one of the largest games ever made. The story follows 12 characters (unprecedented at the time) and their attempt to fight against a corrupt Empire that is on the verge of repeating a deadly mistake that wiped out the planet 1000 years ago.
As I've played more of this game I've become appreciative of the first character you are introduced to: Terra. Terra has been controlled and enslaved by the Empire most of her life. At the very beginning of the game she is freed, but she remembers nothing about herself. All she knows is that the Empire is after her.
Terra struggles initially with her newfound freedom. As she runs from the Empire, she begins to question who she was and how she should act. She doesn't understand the playful flirtations of Edgar, the King of Figaro castle. She can use magic spells but doesn't understand why she can and others can't. Most importantly, she doesn't understand the concept of love. She desires it but doesn't know what it is.
About halfway through the game all the characters get separated for one year in a dramatic turn of events. When you happen upon Terra again she is changed. In her separate adventure the past year she came to the village of Mobliz. As she got there it was attacked by the antagonist of the game, Kefka. The parents of the village sacrifice themselves to save their children. They were all wiped out but the children survived. Terra decided to stay in the village and raise the children, protecting them from the dangers of the world.
When you find Terra she has been doing this for a year. She understands the concept of love after all the time she has spent defending, protecting and raising the orphans. After you help her drive off the biggest threat (a dangerous monster named Phunbaba) she joins you to help rid the world of Kefka and his evil. She's learned the meaning of love through sacrifice. The sacrifice of the orphan's parents and her sacrifice to protect them.
Sound familiar? While the game isn't really written from a Christian perspective it is still easy to draw a parallel. Terra understands what love is after she learns the meaning of sacrifice. As Christians we live today because of the love of our Father, who gave his son as a sacrifice. His sacrifice is the reason we strive to love others. Christ sacrificed so that we could understand true love. However, Christ's love for us is stronger than any of us (or Terra) can understand.
Still, it's cool to see a popular game wrestling with the concept of sacrifice and love, and it makes for a great opportunity to share the greater love that we have found.
Originally released in America in 1994, Final Fantasy VI was a huge epic game. It was part of a long running successful franchise by a company named Squaresoft. In America it originally debuted as Final Fantasy III, but it was in fact the sixth title of the series.
The story of the game was epic and at the time it was one of the largest games ever made. The story follows 12 characters (unprecedented at the time) and their attempt to fight against a corrupt Empire that is on the verge of repeating a deadly mistake that wiped out the planet 1000 years ago.
As I've played more of this game I've become appreciative of the first character you are introduced to: Terra. Terra has been controlled and enslaved by the Empire most of her life. At the very beginning of the game she is freed, but she remembers nothing about herself. All she knows is that the Empire is after her.
Terra struggles initially with her newfound freedom. As she runs from the Empire, she begins to question who she was and how she should act. She doesn't understand the playful flirtations of Edgar, the King of Figaro castle. She can use magic spells but doesn't understand why she can and others can't. Most importantly, she doesn't understand the concept of love. She desires it but doesn't know what it is.
About halfway through the game all the characters get separated for one year in a dramatic turn of events. When you happen upon Terra again she is changed. In her separate adventure the past year she came to the village of Mobliz. As she got there it was attacked by the antagonist of the game, Kefka. The parents of the village sacrifice themselves to save their children. They were all wiped out but the children survived. Terra decided to stay in the village and raise the children, protecting them from the dangers of the world.
When you find Terra she has been doing this for a year. She understands the concept of love after all the time she has spent defending, protecting and raising the orphans. After you help her drive off the biggest threat (a dangerous monster named Phunbaba) she joins you to help rid the world of Kefka and his evil. She's learned the meaning of love through sacrifice. The sacrifice of the orphan's parents and her sacrifice to protect them.
Sound familiar? While the game isn't really written from a Christian perspective it is still easy to draw a parallel. Terra understands what love is after she learns the meaning of sacrifice. As Christians we live today because of the love of our Father, who gave his son as a sacrifice. His sacrifice is the reason we strive to love others. Christ sacrificed so that we could understand true love. However, Christ's love for us is stronger than any of us (or Terra) can understand.
Still, it's cool to see a popular game wrestling with the concept of sacrifice and love, and it makes for a great opportunity to share the greater love that we have found.
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