It is common knowledge among the men that I play basketball with in the mornings at the YMCA that I am an associate pastor at a local church. This morning, as I was sitting on the sidelines waiting for the next game, to players came toward the sidelines both of them going for the ball. When the ball went out of bounds several of the players looked at me and asked who the ball went off of. I told them who the ball went off of and then a couple of players on the court began to playful bicker about whether I was right or not. It was at that time that one of the other player loudly said, "Hey! He's a minister. He's not going to lie!"
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Although I am not trying to pat myself on the back, let me ask you, "What is your testimony saying to others?"
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Why?
For those of you who teach Sunday school or Children's Church, let me ask you a question: Why should your class listen to your lesson tomorrow? Do you build your lesson so that it is very clear to your students that they need to listen? Something to think about.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The Wilds - Day 4
It really is hard to believe that the week is almost over. Only 2 more days before we come home. I'm sure that most of the parents are eager to see their children and, although some of the young people are looking forward to going home, they would still love to see this week continue.
Evangelist DeGarde's message in chapel this morning was very good and powerful. The title was, "5 ways the God displays His power." His text was Jonah chapter 3. I don't have my notes right here with me so I can't give you the points. The one point that has stuck is, "God displays His power through preaching!" (1 Corinthians 1:18)
This afternoon we were able to have Family Reunion with the juniors and the teenagers. We took time for the teens to share a spiritual testimony from the week (and a "fun" testimony). From the teen's testimonies I must ask the parents, "Are you being a hinderance or a help in your teenager's spiritual walk?"
Tonight, we went to the junior's service where Jeremy Frazer preached a message entitled, "How to block Satan's attacks!" Several of the young people responded to the message.
Moms and Dads, I must ask a favor of you. On Saturday, when we get home, please let your young people rest for awhile first before you pepper them with a lot of questions about how their week was. They are going to extremely tired and may not be too excited (right after they get home) to answer a lot of questions.
Also, we will give the young people the opportunity to give their testimonies on Sunday night while the experiences are fresh on their minds and hearts.
Evangelist DeGarde's message in chapel this morning was very good and powerful. The title was, "5 ways the God displays His power." His text was Jonah chapter 3. I don't have my notes right here with me so I can't give you the points. The one point that has stuck is, "God displays His power through preaching!" (1 Corinthians 1:18)
This afternoon we were able to have Family Reunion with the juniors and the teenagers. We took time for the teens to share a spiritual testimony from the week (and a "fun" testimony). From the teen's testimonies I must ask the parents, "Are you being a hinderance or a help in your teenager's spiritual walk?"
Tonight, we went to the junior's service where Jeremy Frazer preached a message entitled, "How to block Satan's attacks!" Several of the young people responded to the message.
Moms and Dads, I must ask a favor of you. On Saturday, when we get home, please let your young people rest for awhile first before you pepper them with a lot of questions about how their week was. They are going to extremely tired and may not be too excited (right after they get home) to answer a lot of questions.
Also, we will give the young people the opportunity to give their testimonies on Sunday night while the experiences are fresh on their minds and hearts.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
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The Wilds - Day 3 (Wednesday)
Today started out with a trip into town. We have a "Family Reunion" time with the teens on Thursday and we always like to give them some snacks at that time. So, every year we take a trip into Brevard to visit Wal-Mart.
When we got back to camp, it was time for Water Wars. The Juniors play water games at/in the lake. Immediately after that we ate lunch with the teens and then they had their "Lake Games." The Wilds has not done water games at/in the lake with the teens since 1997 but with since this year's theme has water related, they brought them back. Both the teens and the juniors loved the water games.
I was able to get my laptop working this afternoon on the Wilds' wireless network. After doing a little work, I had to hustle back to my room before the thunderstorms rolled through. It rained heavy for about 30-40 minutes and then cleared up again.
Wednesday night is always "Fun Night" at the Wilds. We went to the junior's fun time, then went to the teen's preaching service, and then the teen's fun time. Willie and Matt Herbster are hillarious together.
Evangelist Ron DeGarde preached a strong message on sin and salvation. Many responded. I am eager to look at the decisions slips that our teens have filled out. I will see them on Saturday morning when we leave.
All the kids are doing great! Not a single problem! Continue to pray that their spirits will be receptive to the Lord speaking to them.
Until tomorrow!
When we got back to camp, it was time for Water Wars. The Juniors play water games at/in the lake. Immediately after that we ate lunch with the teens and then they had their "Lake Games." The Wilds has not done water games at/in the lake with the teens since 1997 but with since this year's theme has water related, they brought them back. Both the teens and the juniors loved the water games.
I was able to get my laptop working this afternoon on the Wilds' wireless network. After doing a little work, I had to hustle back to my room before the thunderstorms rolled through. It rained heavy for about 30-40 minutes and then cleared up again.
Wednesday night is always "Fun Night" at the Wilds. We went to the junior's fun time, then went to the teen's preaching service, and then the teen's fun time. Willie and Matt Herbster are hillarious together.
Evangelist Ron DeGarde preached a strong message on sin and salvation. Many responded. I am eager to look at the decisions slips that our teens have filled out. I will see them on Saturday morning when we leave.
All the kids are doing great! Not a single problem! Continue to pray that their spirits will be receptive to the Lord speaking to them.
Until tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Wilds - Day 2, Part 2
I'm having computer problems here at camp. I have yet to get my laptop to work on the Wilds wireless network. I've got things that I need to get accomplished that I can't do until I can get that working.
Tuesday went by quickly. Everyone was busy. I was "accused" today of being 48 years old! Wow! I wouldn't have seen that coming.
All of the young people are doing great! I'm sure that there are some parents that are having a worse time of it than our young people are doing. Not one of them has complained of being home sick. They are having too much fun!
Stephenie went to the Junior Boot Camp chapel this morning and told me that they're speaker - Mr. Frazier - did an excellent job! Apparently Mr. Frazier holds a black belt in Karate and used it in his chapel message! Needless to say he was able to keep the kids' attention.
Evangelist DeGarde is preaching through the book of Jonah during senior high chapels in the morning. The teens are also studying through the book Jonah during they're "God & I Time" each day.
Evangelist DeGarde preached another powerful message tonight entitled, "The Blueprint for the Battle." His text was Matthew 3:16-4:11. His main points were 1) The warning signs of our enemy 2) The weapons of our enemy 3) The weakness of our enemy. He preached hard on sin and many of our teenagers responded during the invitation.
Stephenie & I have enjoyed watching the teens/juniors have fun. My mind tells me to go on the hikes, ride the giant swing, etc. but I can't just seem to get my body to go along with it. So, we end up sitting in a central location watching all the activity around us.
Have a great night! More tomorrow!
Tuesday went by quickly. Everyone was busy. I was "accused" today of being 48 years old! Wow! I wouldn't have seen that coming.
All of the young people are doing great! I'm sure that there are some parents that are having a worse time of it than our young people are doing. Not one of them has complained of being home sick. They are having too much fun!
Stephenie went to the Junior Boot Camp chapel this morning and told me that they're speaker - Mr. Frazier - did an excellent job! Apparently Mr. Frazier holds a black belt in Karate and used it in his chapel message! Needless to say he was able to keep the kids' attention.
Evangelist DeGarde is preaching through the book of Jonah during senior high chapels in the morning. The teens are also studying through the book Jonah during they're "God & I Time" each day.
Evangelist DeGarde preached another powerful message tonight entitled, "The Blueprint for the Battle." His text was Matthew 3:16-4:11. His main points were 1) The warning signs of our enemy 2) The weapons of our enemy 3) The weakness of our enemy. He preached hard on sin and many of our teenagers responded during the invitation.
Stephenie & I have enjoyed watching the teens/juniors have fun. My mind tells me to go on the hikes, ride the giant swing, etc. but I can't just seem to get my body to go along with it. So, we end up sitting in a central location watching all the activity around us.
Have a great night! More tomorrow!
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Wilds - Day 1
Today has been a day of "forgetting." When we left the church this morning, I left the checks (to be used for paying for camp) sitting on my desk. Fortunately, I realized it before we got too far. Pastor Scott brought them to us at the Wal-Mart parking lot off of Hwy 49. Then, when we got to camp I realized that I forgot to pack the power cable/adapter for my laptop. Contrary to what some may think, I do spend some of my time during camp working. I had to call Bro. Waller and he very graciously volunteered to send it to me.
The trip to camp went very well. We had no problems with the bus. (Praise the Lord!) Would you believe, though, that it was the guys (one in particular) who were more "in need" of stopping to go to the bathroom than the girls were?!?!?
We arrived at camp around 2:30 and began the check in process. Normally it takes Stephenie just a short time to get the juniors checked in. She then meets me as I wait to get the teens checked in. However, today, I got the teens checked in and then got to our room and unpacked before Stephenie even got finished!
We took a short "power nap" after our sponsor meeting tonight. Driving several hours in a bus with that many juniors and teens can wear a person out!?!?!? It's not difficult but there's just only so many times a person can hear, "Are we there yet?" before they begin to lose a little of their sanity!?!?!
We watched the juniors tonight play a game called "Battleship Dodgeball." What happened after the game provided me with 2 - not just 1 - "Video Clips of the Day." Both of these would be on anyone's "Top 10" list! I may post one of them tomorrow.
Tonight, Evangelist Ron DeGarde, preached (to the teens) on "The Power of the Word of God." No pun intended but, it was a powerful message. His main point (and his only point) was, "God's Word has the power to change lives!" His main text was from 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
Well, everyone should be in bed and asleep by now. That's where I'm headed! I will try to give an update each day while here along with posting some pictures. Please spread the word to others about this blog so they can keep up with what the teens are doing.
Pray for the young people! Some mighty great things can be accomplished this week! God's Word is powerful!
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