TEXT idea

I tried something new this past week in Revolution our student worship service...We are going through the book of James and one thing about James is it's very much like a Text message or like Twitter. He hits a topic then, BAM.! He hits another topic, very short and concise.

We used a FREE text message device http://www.txtdrop.com/ and sent the 4 verses for the sermon to students and when they recieved it they stood up and read it...My guy Ben sent the message from our tech computer so we could just copy and paste the scripture in. It was a great idea but cell reception is kinda bad there sometime. 3 out of the 4 went through. It's was a good idea and we may do it again but maybe send them the morning of instead of direct during the service. Maybe something to try for you youth/student ministers out there. Any other ideas?

Three reasons you’ll love the next series ROOTED: The book of James.

1. It’s intensely practical. The book of James is super clear and super direct.

2.. It’s like a text message or twitter tweet. James talks briefly about something then bam, he’s hitting something else. It’s short and sweet wisdom then James moves on to the next thing.

3. It’s full of metaphors, illustrations, and word pictures. He uses them to help us understand and remember. The waves in the sea, a withered flower, your face in the mirror, the bit in a horse’s mouth, the rudder of a ship, a destructiveness of a forest fire, pure spring water, arrogant business men, rusted metal, and moth eaten clothes. Everyday items that helps us remember everyday truths.

Beginning this week in Revolution 10:30 am in the Chapel.

2191 Galilee Chrsitian Church Jefferson, GA. 30549.

Summer 09 Student Ministry Calendar

Our Summer Calendar...Check it...

http://www.scribd.com/full/15855733?access_key=key-t2muf957l2ogoc3v5jv

The Original Social Network...

I saw a Coleman camping gear commercial this past weekend that claims they "gave birth to social networking" and it got me thinking. You know sitting around a campfire or camping was social networking. Social networking is a big deal from the old Myspace days, to Facebook and Twitter and who knows what is next. Millions of people connected everywhere they go by phone or computer.

But I believe Jesus gave birth to the greatest social networking tool, it's called the church. It was way before Coleman and Twitter. We connect today through status updates, texting, posts, blogs, and #(something-creative-here). Here is a few ways they networked and stayed connected.

• They meet together Acts 1:6


• Prayed together Acts 1:14
  
• Sold things to help the ones in need Acts 2:45


• Served together Acts 2:45


• Ate together Acts 2:46


• Hung out in each other homes Acts 2:46


• Praised together Acts 2:47


• One heart and mind Acts 4:36


• Shared everything they had Acts 4:33

Are you connected?

Book Review: Understanding God's Will by Kyle Lake

Understanding God's Will

This is the second book I have read by the late Kyle Lake, the first being Understanding Prayer which I loved. I feel much the same with this book, loved it. I picked it up for a few reasons, one as I said I loved the last book I read by him, two as research and study for a upcoming Revolution message, and finally understanding God's will is something I'm always trying to get my mind around. Students, friends, and probably the person reading this are always wondering and asking about His will. Kyle has a great way of making difficult theological truths seem like a conversation over a cup of coffee.

The main theme of the book is God's will is not some recipe, blueprint, formula,mantra, there's no 7 steps to knowing God's will for you life. So many pastors like myself give the recipe or blueprint; such as pray, seek wise counsel, listen, etc. etc. Lake states understanding God's will doesn't fit the recipe,blueprint, or formula.

He uses three illustrations to describe God's will...a disciple...a father...and a kingdom. They all expand to really explain God's will for our life through those lenses.

Random and final thoughts...

• The first part of the book is the strongest, great hooks.


• Quick read, easy read.


• Many great "That'll preach" illustrations that I'll preach someday.


• If your looking to crack the blueprint or find the recipe to understanding God's will grab this book.

Grade: A-

Leadership Retreat Mind Dump

I really love listening to leaders that are passionate, I got to sit with about 25 other NE GA ministers last week and here Cam HuxFord share with us. I love confrences and training because they alwasy spark new ideas, but the the down side is I forget them. I'm trying now to look back a week later and see what I'm still chewing on from the training or sharing time. Here is what stuck with me till now.

• Good chess players think multiple moves ahead. Cam said 8 steps ahead. Good churches and ministers should do the same. What are you next steps in your ministry?
• Visit churches double your size or the size you would like to be, then twice as large then, 5 times as large. See what they are doing, ask questions, watch learn. Take elders with you and women with you.
• Sometime you must re-invent yourself. Illustratoin: Tiger Woods has tweaked his swing every couple years to stay on top. Is your church? Are you?

Good questions and thoughts that I'm thinking through at the moment.

TXT more than Talk

This caught my eye this morning.

  For the second quarter of 2008, U.S. mobile subscribers sent and received on average 357 text messages per month, compared with making and receiving 204 phone calls a month, according to Nielsen. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10048257-94.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0

What do you think this says about our culture? Sure we like to stay connected, but how connected do we really want to be. Don't get me wrong I'll text till my fingers turn blue. But I thought it was an interesting item.

Olympic Youth Ministry Event

Every time the Olympics come around I get more and more sucked in, it's like a tractor beam, that pulls me to my couch and TV. I began to last night think what makes the Olympics so special, engaging, powerful, and exciting? I believe because it's not so mundane, it does not happen every summer, or every year. It's something you look forward to, something you wait for four years.

I then thought what if we did something in ministry that evokes that type of mountain top event. Not a sporting event. Something that is not CIY Move, CIY Believe, Summer Camp, VBS, Winter Retreat, Mission Trips, an every year type of thing. Don't get me wrong these are awesome events that I promote and love and I think a super important. But what if we did something that students would look forward to and prepare for every four years.

What could this event be? I have some ideas but I'll keep them to myself right now.

Question to comment on or ponder? What could this "Olympic" youth ministry event be?

Couch Wars

Our first Momentum last week we did Couch Wars! One of my all time favorite scavenger hunt events. We had 43 that night, which blew my mind. I had tons of sponsor help also, it was a fun night. Here are some of the pic's.

Tebow again...

I think this week should be Tim Tebow week on my blog. Tebow in this article http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-07-30-tebow-playboy_N.htm says no to being on an All American College Football team. He says no to Playboy's annual All American team because it conflicts with his christian beliefs.

I may have to buy his jersey now, but I really can't wear a gator emblem, that would conflict with my Flordia State beliefs. All jokes aside Tebow is a great witness, I hope he has a good, injury free season.

Question to comment on or ponder: What do you need to say no to because it conflicts with your beliefs

Not a Gators fan, but Tebow is my favorite college player

I have loved the Florida State Seminoles for years since they were dominating collegiate football. Now they aren't but, it's all good and I believe they'll turn things around. So being a Noles fan means the Gators are not liked well, or at all. I can't stand the gators..at all.

But I really have watched the gators QB Tim Tebow the past few years and how he is not shy about his faith and what he stands for. I also like that he plays QB like a fullback and punishes the other team. But back to my first reason I read this in the Athens Banner Herald this past week....

Tebow's hectic off season schedule included three overseas missionary trips to Thailand, Croatia and the Philippines. Those came on his breaks from school and between-season conditioning for one of the challengers for the SEC East title.

"Doing those things is more important that football to me," Tebow said. "I can take what I do and take football as a game and change people's lives, that's what's important. Doing things like that are much more important than beating Georgia or Florida State. It doesn't come close to having the ability to put a smile on a kid's face or to go to a high school and see a girl who's about to die and see her smile because you're there to see her. You can't put a price on what that does for me. It does more for me than what I did for that person."

Here is a guy who knows whats important. I don't think I'll get his jersey(it has a gator on it) but I will be pulling for him.

If you want to read the rest of this article http://onlineathens.com/stories/072408/football_2008072400347.shtml

T-Shirt Design

Every year for the past few years I have let the seniors design the shirt we all wear one night @ CIY. Mostly it's pretty normal, a little catchy, and nothing to amazing. This year will be different. It is the craziest, random, and creative I had to design. Here are the word and images they wanted.

Triceratops, an Island on and island, taco .89 double cheesy beef burrito, ping pong table, rock band, Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, a rock band, acoustic guitar, and on the back Don't Stop Believin'.

Here is what we will have....

3G iphone

The new iPhone comes out July 11 should I get it here are some thoughts some positive some negative.. comment if you like...

• iPhone only $200 with 2 year contract, last iPhone was $400.


• I need new service t-mobile is bad around the new homestead. Everyone here says go At&t or Verizon.


• At&T is cheaper than Verizon.


• I always feel I need something I don't. I confess to the sin of gadgets and gizmo's.


• I have to get a new phone sometime soon.


• My ipod doesn't work properly. This would give me a new ipod and new phone.


• Built in GPS, Sarah could keep the one we have in her car.

Am I making up excuses? Let me know....

61* blog is live...

The 61* Blog is live, well is will be much more alive June 1...go check it out...


http://61asterik.blogspot.com/


61* kicks into gear June 1. This website will let a few things happen.
If you loose your 61* information you can come here and keep up to date. Each day the daily reading will be posted.
You can share your comments, thoughts or how the days scripture hit you.
You can read others thoughts and comments as we journey through the bible together.


Spread the word about 61*

61*

Finishing up 61* project and will have it on here soon for any that want to use it. I already know a church/youth ministry in VA who is going to partner up. I'm going to create a 61* blog site also that has the days reading and then peeps can comment and share about what they have read that day.

61* Random fact: Los Angeles Lakers' Elgin Baylor set a record for 61* points in a NBA finals game against the Boston Celtics (April 14, 1962)

Question to comment on or ponder: Who's going to the NBA Finals this year?

61*

Just had a crazy idea I'm going to mess with...

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/chronological.php

You read read through the key stories of the Bible in chronological order, tracing the development of God's plan from Adam and Eve to the church of the New Testament. This reading plan introduces you to the major people and events of the Bible in chronological order, beginning with Creation, moving through the birth and history of the Israel nation, and ending with Revelation's prophetic words. It's all broken down into 61 easily-readable segments.

There are 61* days in June and July, what if we challenged our youth ministries and church to this 61* days...to reading through major events from Genesis to Revelation.

You'll here and see more about this hopefully if I have the time to pull it off...You wanna help let me know...Maybe a baseball theme or feel...

Do you know who is in this photo and why the number 61* is there?

Enstien's Theory of Religion

In the link below I just read an article about a letter Albert Einstein wrote to a gentleman who sent him a Christian book. The letter is going on to be auction for big bucks this week. Many Christians claim Einstein on their side, while many atheists claim him just the same. What do you think?

In the letter, he states: "The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/12/peopleinscience.religion/print

Einstein's theory of Religion might be something like this.

Human Weakness + Honorable Writings + Childish Legends = God's Word.

Question to ponder or comment on: What's your theory?

Summer Calendar Launch

We had 40 people Wednesday night @ Impact. I gave out the 2008 summer calendars and there seemed to be a good buzz about them. I gave them out yesterday after service and had several people stop by and pick one up. I will posts some pic's of it sometime this week. The plan is done, now it's time to work the plan.

Thinking about SITS instead of CIY

There are three different schools on different schedules we must contend with here @ Galilee...and the fun part is none of their calendars sink up...so I'm thinking about bringing up the idea of Summer in the Son. It is a CIY type week long event, I went when I was student.

Pro's

• Cheaper than CIY...$230
• Gets kids on a bible college campus instead of a liberal arts school
• I love the schedule perfect for high school kids breakfast @ 9 and stuff till Midnight...
• It would be a new thing for Galilee and myself
• Works with the summer schedule
• Some people there...Robbie Seay Band, Jeremy Camp, Jared Hall, The Turning
• Lots of free stuff in the area to do...Carter Caves and Cliff Jumping.
• I know the area went so college for 4 years there.
• 8 hours away compared to 4 hours TN..Roadtrip!!!

Con's

• It's not CIY
• It's a new thing
• 8 hours away

If you want to check it out www.kcuspecialevents.com/sits... I'm gonna run it by sponsor and pray about it and then make the decision soon.

2008 Summer Theme

From time to time in the past I have done a summer theme and given them summer calendar that corresponds. Just to get some hype for summer..For example....

Take the Plunge: Summer calendar attached to a mini plunger.

When Stars Wars Phantom Menace came out we did a light saber type thing and attached and talk about the devil our phantom menace.

One summer the calendar was on old parchment looking paper and I burnt the edges and it looked like a treasure map lead to each event that summer...

I just got a crazy one for this summer from a teaching series I did last fall @ Central.

Urban Legends...Have the calendar on old looking paper and give it out attached to a diet coke and menthos (an urban legends that is true and you need to try if you never have). Then teach on Spiritual Urban Legends through out the summer.

I'm looking for feedback on this summer theme if you read this hit the comment button and let me know what you think or let me know your idea.