Love One Another

Tonight Christians celebrate Maundy Thursday. This phrase comes from the Latin language and is a reference to the new commandment Jesus gave his disciples. Jesus is sharing his final meal with the 12 men who have been following him for three years. He gives them his final sermon. In John chapter 13 he gives them these words:

“Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me but where I am going, you cannot come. So now I am giving you a new commandment: love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35).

Jesus gave us a new commandment: love one another as he has loved us...to extend the same grace and kindness he has given to us. And by our love, we show the world we are different. We show the world we are followers of Christ.

On the same night Jesus gave this commandment, he also instituted the Lord’s Supper. Jesus told his disciples to eat the bread and drink the cup as a way of remembering him. We come to communion remembering who Christ is and what he has done for us. In addition, Christ meets us at the altar and fills us with his love. John Wesley called communion a means of grace. Meaning that the Lord’s Supper is not just something we do; it is also an act where God works in us! It is a moment where we encounter God’s unmerited grace and blessing. His grace transforms us into new creations…into a new people who carry out the new commandment.

I love our Communion liturgy where we ask God to make the gifts of bread and wine into the body of Christ so that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. In communion we are reminded that we are the body of Christ.

30 Hour Famine

On April 20-21, our youth group will participate in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. We’re fasting for 30 hours to get a taste of hunger—and to raise money to help feed and care for hungry kids and their families around the world.

You can help by (a) praying for our students and by (b) sponsoring our students through a donation. We will have youth out and about on Sunday if you would like to make a donation.

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. Motivated by our faith in Jesus, we serve the poor as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We serve the world’s poor – regardless of a person’s religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine started in the U.S. 18 years ago as a way for junior high, high school and college-age students to help save – and change – children’s lives. By going without food for 30 hours and raising money to help needy children, young people experience true hunger and learn powerful lessons of compassion for those who live with hunger daily. By gaining a deeper awareness of the needs in our world, your teen will realize that they can play a vital role in making a difference.

Teenagers: THEN VS. NOW

Here's an interesting pic that shows the drastic changes we have seen over the past 30 years in our teenagers. I'm only 28, but I can remember a time before cds, cell phones, and high speed internet. The amount of change in my short lifetime has been incredible. Just think...what will happen in the next 30 years?

TED Talk

An incredible message by Bryan Stevenson...perhaps one of the best TED talks I've heard. One of my favorite quotes by him:

“The opposite of poverty is not wealth, but justice. We will not be judged by our technology, intellect, or reason. Ultimately, the character of a society will be judged not by how they treat the powerful, but by how they treat the poor.”

Ultimate Training Event

A great/affordable youth worker event is coming up soon. I will be attending and will be leading one of the seminars.

March 31-- Christ UMC in Mobile, AL

$20 Per Person (Groups of Four get a Fifth Free)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Keynote Speaker: Charles Harrison

Charles is a gifted communicator educated in youth ministry, theology, and adolescence. With experience leading groups large and small, Charles is perfect for this diverse training event.

Charles is particularly passionate about a Wesleyan Model for ministry, and leads the center for Wesleyan renewal that focuses on applying Wesleyan theology to practical ministry. He is currently the CEO and Executive Director of the Youthworker Movement/CMYX which seeks to be an association of youth workers who connect for mutual support and the sharing of resources.

And Trey Hill Band will be leading worship during the main sessions.

We have updated the schedule as well, and are looking forward to seeing you here:

8-9 Registration

9-10 General Session with Headline

10:10 - 11 Mini-Seminars

11:10 - 12:30Seminars (Headline and whoever)

12:30 - 1:50 Lunch & Headline Q & A (Optional)

2:00 - 3:20 Seminars:

3:30 - 4:30 Closing Session with Headline

See the website for more info: Ultimate Training Event

MARCH MADNESS IS HERE!

As a college basketball nut...my favorite time of the year is here! My bracket is filled out and I have challenged my youth to a friendly competition over at ESPN.

My final four--Kentucky, UNC, Ohio State, and Michigan St.
I have Kentucky winning it all. What do you think?

Some highlights from last year...

What Kind of Adoption?

Once you make the decision to adopt, the next question is who and where? Infant or older child? Domestic or international? What about race or gender?

Often these discussions about where and who can get heated and judgmental? Some people think domestic adoption is the only route? “We should take care of our own first!” Others think that the need overseas is greater because most countries do not have the foster care system our country can provide. Therefore, children from other countries are the most in need. Honestly, I think whoever and wherever you adopt is incredible! I think each family needs to prayerfully discern their own adoption journey. The need is great here and abroad. Every orphan needs a home and every child needs a family.

With that said, our family is currently involved with a domestic adoption agency. This agency typically finds matches with mothers before they have the child and the mother is able to pick a family she feels comfortable with. Also, after much prayer and conversation, we have put in for a minority child. There is a great need in our country for those willing to adopt children who are minorities. There are numerous parents lined up for Caucasian infants, but not near as many for biracial or African American children. Most people living in the Southern States are aware of foster care systems overloaded with minority children.

Again, this is our calling as a family and others may be called differently. A child in need is a child in need. The important thing is for us as Christians to be open to God’s leading. Will we go where he tells us to go? Will we do what he tells us to do? I know one thing…there is nothing better than following Christ and being in the center of his will.

Domestic Adoption Resources:

Father's Heart Adoptions
Christian Adoption Consultants
The Adoption Center
Adopt Florida
National Adoption Foundation

What Youth Workers are Doing?

Often people are not sure what youth ministers do...I think each pic has an element of truth in it.