Good Morning Everyone,
Well here we are on another Monday morning. I can't say that I have much to report today but I think sometimes I don't tell enough about my life on here so I am going to correct that today.
I had a great weekend. Friday I went to see the Sanger Vs. Bullard game at Sanger. Now as you know I am not much of a football fan so you might wonder why I traveled all the way to Sanger for a game. The reason why is our very own Chelsea Davis sing the National Anthem. Chelsea did a great job and made all of us proud.
Saturday was a very busy day that started very early. Charles and Jenny Moisher invited April and I over to breakfast along with several of the members of the Seekers' class. Breakfast was wonderful but the fellowship between older and younger Christians was even better.
Saturday afternoon April and I went to a Civil War Reenactment. I had never been able to go to one of these and I have to say that I was fascinated by the level of attention paid to the smallest detail. We will definitely go back next year to watch the North and South do battle.
Saturday night the college class had a Halloween party at the Holland's house and it was nice to be able to go and spend some time with people our own age. Everyone dressed up and had a really great time. I want to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to Mike Avedikian for taking the teens to the corn maze at Cobb Ranch so April and I could experience some time with our age group.
I hope you are all blessed today. I know after hearing two great sermons from Jim yesterday and being able to teach the teenagers I have been. Try to make someones day happy today and I hope you are blessed.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
What a difference the mail makes
Good Morning Everyone,
A Happy Wednesday to all who read my blog. Have you ever noticed how a well timed piece of mail can make your day better. When I was in college the ladies at my home congregation used to send me a card every month. The ironic thing about these cards is that they always came right when I needed them.
If you have been keeping up with my blog you know that this past Sunday that the youth made an effort to reach out to a young man named Jerrod Shelton. I am pleased to tell you that our efforts have been well received. You are probably expecting me to tell you how they were received but I am going to disappoint you because I am going to make you work for it.
I am giving you the link to the "News" page on Jerrod's website so you have to go look for yourself. While you are looking at the news don't be afraid to explore and learn about a remarkable young man. I hope you are blessed today, and I know you will be if you follow that link above.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
A Happy Wednesday to all who read my blog. Have you ever noticed how a well timed piece of mail can make your day better. When I was in college the ladies at my home congregation used to send me a card every month. The ironic thing about these cards is that they always came right when I needed them.
If you have been keeping up with my blog you know that this past Sunday that the youth made an effort to reach out to a young man named Jerrod Shelton. I am pleased to tell you that our efforts have been well received. You are probably expecting me to tell you how they were received but I am going to disappoint you because I am going to make you work for it.
I am giving you the link to the "News" page on Jerrod's website so you have to go look for yourself. While you are looking at the news don't be afraid to explore and learn about a remarkable young man. I hope you are blessed today, and I know you will be if you follow that link above.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Monday, October 22, 2007
Never Underestimate a Teenager
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I know I usually try to post first thing on Monday morning but when I tell you why I am a little late today I think you will be very understanding. It all started in the office last week. I was given a website to look at by our minister Jim Gardner. The address took me to the website of a young man that is quickly becoming one of my heroes Jerrod Shelton. Jerrod is a remarkable young man who seems to be the kind of guy you just have to like. Jerrod had a brain tumor removed last week and is awaiting test results to find out if it is cancerous or not.
You are probably asking yourself what all of this web surfing from last week has to do with my late blog entry...well here it is. Yesterday in Bible class I had the teenagers write cards, record personal messages with the help of Steve Knutsen, and I took pictures of all the kids while they were working on their cards. To say that the teenagers liked the idea of reaching out to Jerrod would be the understatement of the century they LOVED IT! They loved the idea of reaching out to Jerrod so much that they are working on a way to fly him out to Fresno once he recovers.
So I say all that to say that I spent my morning writing my own letter to Jerrod, packaging the teens cards and the DVD Steve made for him. I even managed to put together a little presentation of my own for Jerrod which I have put into my blog. Give a lot of credit to our teens and thank them for their hearts. I hope you are blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
I know I usually try to post first thing on Monday morning but when I tell you why I am a little late today I think you will be very understanding. It all started in the office last week. I was given a website to look at by our minister Jim Gardner. The address took me to the website of a young man that is quickly becoming one of my heroes Jerrod Shelton. Jerrod is a remarkable young man who seems to be the kind of guy you just have to like. Jerrod had a brain tumor removed last week and is awaiting test results to find out if it is cancerous or not.
You are probably asking yourself what all of this web surfing from last week has to do with my late blog entry...well here it is. Yesterday in Bible class I had the teenagers write cards, record personal messages with the help of Steve Knutsen, and I took pictures of all the kids while they were working on their cards. To say that the teenagers liked the idea of reaching out to Jerrod would be the understatement of the century they LOVED IT! They loved the idea of reaching out to Jerrod so much that they are working on a way to fly him out to Fresno once he recovers.
So I say all that to say that I spent my morning writing my own letter to Jerrod, packaging the teens cards and the DVD Steve made for him. I even managed to put together a little presentation of my own for Jerrod which I have put into my blog. Give a lot of credit to our teens and thank them for their hearts. I hope you are blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Monday, October 15, 2007
Good Morning Everyone,
The above quote is from singer James Blunt whose song "You're Beautiful" was a hit on the pop music charts last year. I don't know about you but I like to look for God in places that you would not expect him to be. I don't know very much about James Blunt but I can assume from the lyrics and subject matter of his songs that God is not first and foremost on his mind. But I find it interesting that someone who doesn't profess a faith can make a statement with such a profound Christian message.
So often we get caught up in the pursuit of "happiness" or at least what we consider to be happiness. Happiness in our mind usually consists of having great wealth and leaving our mark on the world because of our success in business or some other venture. I am not sure how our priorities got so skewed. It breaks my heart that Christians often times choose work and money over their God. More than all of that it breaks my heart that we are modeling this for our children.
Yesterday in the teen Bible class I gave them permission to dream about some new and improved thing they would like to have. As expected I got the typical new car, new gadgets and new clothes but I was impressed by one young man who told me he wanted a new Bible. I wonder what my life would look like if I put aside my new and improved wants and addressed my need to study the Bible more and try to be a better Christian, husband, brother and son.
As much as I like James Blunt I like the way Jesus said it better
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Christianity is Messy
Good Morning Everyone,
I remember as a college student hearing someone say that Christianity is messy. At the time I thought it was somewhat cliche and I figured this speaker was just trying to say something to get attention. I am now almost done with my third year in full time youth ministry and as I sit here writing this I am convinced that the words spoken by that speaker are very true.
You must be wondering why I am writing on this topic this morning, well I will tell you. Last night I was at the Big Fresno fair with April and our family. As we were walking down the midway I spotted Cedric, Cheryl, Roshell, and LaTatiana Rowe. I went and gave LaTatiana a hug like I always do when I see her only to discover the chili cheese fries she had been enjoying were now on my shirt. I intentionally wore a shirt I didn't mind getting messed up because anytime you go to a fair you never know what may end up on your clothes so I was not upset about my shirt.
My hug from LaTatiana made me begin thinking about what Christianity is all about. If I was not a Christian and a member at Woodward Park I would have never met the Rowes and never gotten that stain on my shirt. I also would have never gotten to experience the love of a family who puts God and the needs of others above their own everyday. I would have never been to Downtown Fresno to feed the homeless or gone to Firebaugh to help renovate their church building.
People tend to shy away from organized religion because they do not want the responsibility of showing up to a worship service or participate in activities. I would submit to you that people shy away from Christianity because they are afraid of getting messy. They are afraid to be involved in the lives of others to the point that they would carry someone when they are hurt or bear the burden of another. Jesus had something to say about this when he stated"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."--Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
Christianity is indeed messy but the rewards from getting messy are immeasurable. As Christians we cannot be afraid to count the cost and risk getting messy in light of what is going on in our world today. I challenge you this morning to get messy. Get into the life of someone who needs you without worrying about being messy. Jesus never had fear of getting messy or ruffling feathers so if we want to look and act like Jesus we are going to have to get a little messy. I hope you are blessed today and that you are messy for the cause of Christ!!!
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
I remember as a college student hearing someone say that Christianity is messy. At the time I thought it was somewhat cliche and I figured this speaker was just trying to say something to get attention. I am now almost done with my third year in full time youth ministry and as I sit here writing this I am convinced that the words spoken by that speaker are very true.
You must be wondering why I am writing on this topic this morning, well I will tell you. Last night I was at the Big Fresno fair with April and our family. As we were walking down the midway I spotted Cedric, Cheryl, Roshell, and LaTatiana Rowe. I went and gave LaTatiana a hug like I always do when I see her only to discover the chili cheese fries she had been enjoying were now on my shirt. I intentionally wore a shirt I didn't mind getting messed up because anytime you go to a fair you never know what may end up on your clothes so I was not upset about my shirt.
My hug from LaTatiana made me begin thinking about what Christianity is all about. If I was not a Christian and a member at Woodward Park I would have never met the Rowes and never gotten that stain on my shirt. I also would have never gotten to experience the love of a family who puts God and the needs of others above their own everyday. I would have never been to Downtown Fresno to feed the homeless or gone to Firebaugh to help renovate their church building.
People tend to shy away from organized religion because they do not want the responsibility of showing up to a worship service or participate in activities. I would submit to you that people shy away from Christianity because they are afraid of getting messy. They are afraid to be involved in the lives of others to the point that they would carry someone when they are hurt or bear the burden of another. Jesus had something to say about this when he stated"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."--Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
Christianity is indeed messy but the rewards from getting messy are immeasurable. As Christians we cannot be afraid to count the cost and risk getting messy in light of what is going on in our world today. I challenge you this morning to get messy. Get into the life of someone who needs you without worrying about being messy. Jesus never had fear of getting messy or ruffling feathers so if we want to look and act like Jesus we are going to have to get a little messy. I hope you are blessed today and that you are messy for the cause of Christ!!!
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Monday, October 8, 2007
Has it been a week already?
Good Morning Everyone,
Well once again it has been almost a week since I last posted. Things are going very well at Woodward Park these days. We had two baptisms yesterday and another soul to cast their lot with us here at Woodward Park.
Saturday night about 20 of our teens met at the building for a night of games and Christian themed skits with "The Foundation" a Christian drama group from Madera. I want to say thank you to all you parents who make sure your teenagers come to activities and are taking an active interest in their spiritual development.
This coming weekend looks to be another busy one for us here at Woodward Park. Saturday the teenagers have been invited to the Holcomb's for a day of Air-Soft and a BBQ. This is an event that the whole family can take part in and the teenagers can bring their friends to.
As you begin your week I hope you remember to be joyful this week. I was impressed by Jim's message from the book of Philippians yesterday and I have recommitted personally to look for Joy in all things and to not ever let circumstances dictate where my joy is. I hope you are all blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Well once again it has been almost a week since I last posted. Things are going very well at Woodward Park these days. We had two baptisms yesterday and another soul to cast their lot with us here at Woodward Park.
Saturday night about 20 of our teens met at the building for a night of games and Christian themed skits with "The Foundation" a Christian drama group from Madera. I want to say thank you to all you parents who make sure your teenagers come to activities and are taking an active interest in their spiritual development.
This coming weekend looks to be another busy one for us here at Woodward Park. Saturday the teenagers have been invited to the Holcomb's for a day of Air-Soft and a BBQ. This is an event that the whole family can take part in and the teenagers can bring their friends to.
As you begin your week I hope you remember to be joyful this week. I was impressed by Jim's message from the book of Philippians yesterday and I have recommitted personally to look for Joy in all things and to not ever let circumstances dictate where my joy is. I hope you are all blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Reflection on a Great Workshop
Good Afternoon Everyone,
Well when I last left you we were in the process of kicking off our workshop. I communicated to you that I was a workshop novice but I was looking forward to being a part of the process and seeing what Woodward Park could really do. I sit here today amazed at the amount of quality work Woodward Park is capable of and I feel proud to say I was some small part of that.
My job during the workshop consisted of putting together and running PowerPoint, counting people in classes and keynotes, leading singing for Eli Hooper and putting the occasional baby to sleep. I loved every minute of my work during the Workshop! Along with hearing all the great speakers, participating in the thunderous praise to the Lord and being fed at the keynotes I was also able to get to work with my brothers and sisters to do something that is for sure the highlight of a lot of people's year.
This morning myself, Jim and the elders sat down and began looking at what Workshop will look like next year and I can assure you it will not disappoint. Today I issue all my loyal readers a challenge. If you participated in workshop this year then come back for next year. If you did not participate then make September 24-27 2008 on your calendar for next year. And for everyone I challenge to invite someone. I hope you are all blessed today!!!
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Well when I last left you we were in the process of kicking off our workshop. I communicated to you that I was a workshop novice but I was looking forward to being a part of the process and seeing what Woodward Park could really do. I sit here today amazed at the amount of quality work Woodward Park is capable of and I feel proud to say I was some small part of that.
My job during the workshop consisted of putting together and running PowerPoint, counting people in classes and keynotes, leading singing for Eli Hooper and putting the occasional baby to sleep. I loved every minute of my work during the Workshop! Along with hearing all the great speakers, participating in the thunderous praise to the Lord and being fed at the keynotes I was also able to get to work with my brothers and sisters to do something that is for sure the highlight of a lot of people's year.
This morning myself, Jim and the elders sat down and began looking at what Workshop will look like next year and I can assure you it will not disappoint. Today I issue all my loyal readers a challenge. If you participated in workshop this year then come back for next year. If you did not participate then make September 24-27 2008 on your calendar for next year. And for everyone I challenge to invite someone. I hope you are all blessed today!!!
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
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