I have to admit this is not my thing! As you can tell from my last post, blogging is not my priority. However a few things have happened in my life that I would like mention:
1. I am still in love with my wife
2. She is pregnant with my kid
3. It will be difficult life for my child because he will be absolutely perfect. For the rest of the children of the world -that's are hard act to follow.
4. I am living life at it's fullest!
5. I will pray for Obama,Britany,and Olsteen. I will not bash them in my sermons and lessons. God delt with me about this, big time.
Because of the times we are living in, my advise to everyone is, "Trust God, because times are getting freaky."
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
I know what your thinking!
Never met this guy before in my life. He was a volunteer for TN. 
Really nice guy!
This guy could pass as my father, or my stunt double.
Go ahead...laugh it up!
I thought I was one in a million.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Great artical! check it out.
Are you listening?
doug fields
I was recently at Weinersnitzel eating one of America’s finest meals—the tube steak kabob…affectionately known by connoisseurs as a Corn Dog. As I moving to my seat, I see a high school student reading the Di Vinci Code. I asked him, “How do you like that book?” Honestly, I thought that it was a very easy question and I would get a very quick response! That’s not what happened!
I expected this guy to say, “It’s an interesting read… not as a good as my chili cheese dog with onions. Have a nice day. Go about your business. Don’t you know this is Southern California and we don’t really want to talk to strangers here?”
Instead, this 17 year old perks up and says, “I love it. I believe it. The church is corrupt. Priests and pastors are all a bunch of phonies—you know that big church down the street? All they want is your money! You know which one I’m talking about?”
Well, I knew which church he was talking about—the one I where I’m the pastor to students—kids like him. Interesting perception. Our church looks good on the outside and I can see how he connected money with the look. He’s not the first to perceive it that way and he won’t be the last.
I said, “It sounds like you’ve got some pretty strong feelings about the church—where do those feelings come from?” For the first time in a long time, I asked a pretty intelligent question (a lot of times I say, “Uh…what school do you go to?” and think I’m a relational giant). Once again, this intellectual didn’t shrug off my question with a teenage grunt. Rather, he talked about his feelings about the church.
I listened. And listened. And listened. This kid had a story! A wild one. A sad one. One that has not only turned him off from church…but also from God.
One of the areas that I’ve been trying to grow as a youth worker is to be more blunt and upfront with my questions and equally as assertive with my listening. I’ve really been learning that kids want to talk about their spiritual stories and feelings (especially those outside the church) but few people (especially adults) care enough to ask.
I want to challenge you to ask some deeper questions if this doesn’t come naturally to you (it didn’t to me). Ask them this week. Maybe tonight at youth group. Ask a probing question and then listen to their story. As you listen don’t have an agenda. Just listen.
After you listen, you might be able to share some pieces from your own spiritual story and shed light on God’s amazing love story. Probably, somewhere between those three stories is an intersection of faith. As I spoke with this kid I realized that he likes to read (I know, you’re thinking, “It was a teenager?”) so I went out to my car and got him a copy of my pastor’s book, Purpose Driven Life. [If my pastor reads this I want him to know I have one with me at all times ?]
I told his guy, “If you read it, call me…I’d love to talk about it. I work right up the street at that church and I make enough money to buy you lunch--as long as you don’t eat more than 2 corn dogs.” He smiled. We exchanged names and I wrote my cell phone number inside the book.
He hasn’t called yet…but something about our time together makes me think he will. I’m praying he does. I’m also praying that you’ll experience a great spiritual conversation this month with a teenager because you asked a great question and were slow to speak. Kids are waiting for a caring adult to listen…to really listen. I can do that. So can you! Let’s commit to being a part of youth ministries where listening to kids is a high value.
doug fields
I was recently at Weinersnitzel eating one of America’s finest meals—the tube steak kabob…affectionately known by connoisseurs as a Corn Dog. As I moving to my seat, I see a high school student reading the Di Vinci Code. I asked him, “How do you like that book?” Honestly, I thought that it was a very easy question and I would get a very quick response! That’s not what happened!
I expected this guy to say, “It’s an interesting read… not as a good as my chili cheese dog with onions. Have a nice day. Go about your business. Don’t you know this is Southern California and we don’t really want to talk to strangers here?”
Instead, this 17 year old perks up and says, “I love it. I believe it. The church is corrupt. Priests and pastors are all a bunch of phonies—you know that big church down the street? All they want is your money! You know which one I’m talking about?”
Well, I knew which church he was talking about—the one I where I’m the pastor to students—kids like him. Interesting perception. Our church looks good on the outside and I can see how he connected money with the look. He’s not the first to perceive it that way and he won’t be the last.
I said, “It sounds like you’ve got some pretty strong feelings about the church—where do those feelings come from?” For the first time in a long time, I asked a pretty intelligent question (a lot of times I say, “Uh…what school do you go to?” and think I’m a relational giant). Once again, this intellectual didn’t shrug off my question with a teenage grunt. Rather, he talked about his feelings about the church.
I listened. And listened. And listened. This kid had a story! A wild one. A sad one. One that has not only turned him off from church…but also from God.
One of the areas that I’ve been trying to grow as a youth worker is to be more blunt and upfront with my questions and equally as assertive with my listening. I’ve really been learning that kids want to talk about their spiritual stories and feelings (especially those outside the church) but few people (especially adults) care enough to ask.
I want to challenge you to ask some deeper questions if this doesn’t come naturally to you (it didn’t to me). Ask them this week. Maybe tonight at youth group. Ask a probing question and then listen to their story. As you listen don’t have an agenda. Just listen.
After you listen, you might be able to share some pieces from your own spiritual story and shed light on God’s amazing love story. Probably, somewhere between those three stories is an intersection of faith. As I spoke with this kid I realized that he likes to read (I know, you’re thinking, “It was a teenager?”) so I went out to my car and got him a copy of my pastor’s book, Purpose Driven Life. [If my pastor reads this I want him to know I have one with me at all times ?]
I told his guy, “If you read it, call me…I’d love to talk about it. I work right up the street at that church and I make enough money to buy you lunch--as long as you don’t eat more than 2 corn dogs.” He smiled. We exchanged names and I wrote my cell phone number inside the book.
He hasn’t called yet…but something about our time together makes me think he will. I’m praying he does. I’m also praying that you’ll experience a great spiritual conversation this month with a teenager because you asked a great question and were slow to speak. Kids are waiting for a caring adult to listen…to really listen. I can do that. So can you! Let’s commit to being a part of youth ministries where listening to kids is a high value.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Detox? A breath of fresh air.
It has been a while since my last post. And I must say we have been freakishly busy. I have decided to take a few weeks off of evangelism and focus on the youth group a little more. Last Feb, I had the honour to be with one of the greatest churches in Pentecost!
Calvary Tabernacle in Dent, Tx. along with Pastor Philp Husdon. 3 young people decided to give their life to to God, and many more recommiting. The theme was Detox: Starting the Process. Interesting enough, youth pastors where so open to try something new and hopfully inspired. The actual church services gave glory to God and inspired youth leaders to push for exciting things in thier own youth groups. I must say that it was simply an inspirational evening for the heart, the youth group, and my ministry. I challenge every youth group to strive for inspiring others and reaching out to the unfortunate.
www.myspace.com/calvarycrossfire
Good times.....good times....
Calvary Tabernacle in Dent, Tx. along with Pastor Philp Husdon. 3 young people decided to give their life to to God, and many more recommiting. The theme was Detox: Starting the Process. Interesting enough, youth pastors where so open to try something new and hopfully inspired. The actual church services gave glory to God and inspired youth leaders to push for exciting things in thier own youth groups. I must say that it was simply an inspirational evening for the heart, the youth group, and my ministry. I challenge every youth group to strive for inspiring others and reaching out to the unfortunate.
www.myspace.com/calvarycrossfire
Good times.....good times....
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Something To Smile About
Kurt Johnson has some really good insights on youth ministry.
I really enjoy his passon for youth.
something to smile about
Our junior high ministry is getting ready to take a very short break for Christmas. It’s heading into slow seasons that I typically find myself reflecting ...
I really enjoy his passon for youth.
Our junior high ministry is getting ready to take a very short break for Christmas. It’s heading into slow seasons that I typically find myself reflecting ...
Friday, December 21, 2007
The Internal Storm
According to the Omaha World-Herald, 19-year-old Robert Hawkins entered the store a little after 1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and fired several rounds from a firearm into the crowded store before turning the gun on himself. He killed six store employees and two customers.
What contributes to this kind of madness?What drives a young man to do this?Was it devil possession? Was it the "system"? Is it Holley wood, music, media? Imagine the Storm in this young mans head. In retro-spect we all can point the finger of blame, and I am been so guilty of doing so. But if the guy next to me is going through unspeakable things in his life, think of the help it would do if we just simply "got involved".
When you think about we all have been driving alone and wanted some one to talk to. NOTE:
I am not condoning this guys behavior. I, like every one else, mourn with the families for their lost loved ones. I simply don't want to be the hateful, critical, self-righteous christian jerk. My prayer is: Lord I need mercy because I am not the "Christian I need to be". I want to Love like Christ and hate sin like God.
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