It’s new music Tuesday!
One of my favorite bands from way back, P.O.D. has a new album out called Murdered Love
Also, Hillsong has a new “Live” album out called Cornerstone
What new albums did you buy this week?
Writing “Thank You” cards seems to be a thing of the past. I’ve been trying to write them more often, even for little things. (not that I’ve done a good job) But I think a little “thank you” can make a big difference.
Erika had sent a card and gift a while back to a kid that she used to babysit in Fresno. The other day she got a thank you card in the mail. I thought it was pretty awesome so I decided to share it below.
Dear Erika,
Thank you very much for my First Holy Communion gift. I love the visa card because I can buy stuff.
Love, Finnley
I agree! I love gift cards cause I can buy stuff with them too!
When was the last time you hand wrote a thank you card?
Enjoy this interview with Metta World Peace, formally known as Ron Artest.
“That has nothing to do with your question, but that was definitely on my mind.”
Do you ever have someone answer a question you ask with something totally different? Like they weren’t even listening to you in the first place? Working with the public this happens often to me.
It’s just over two weeks till I get married to the woman of my dreams so I decided to write a few posts on the joys (or pains) of wedding planning. I must first state that I have not done a lot of the wedding planning. That award goes to my beautiful bride to be and my wonderful almost mother-in-law. <– she hates that term. What I am saying is, Erika and mom have done an amazing job planning and here’s my thoughts. Enjoy!
My first bit of wedding planning advice for anyone planning a wedding or just complaining about a wedding. When you plan YOUR wedding, DO WHATEVER THE HECK YOU WANT! <– read this statement over and over and over…now once more.
If you want to do something traditional or nothing even close to traditional, DO IT! If you want to wear a white dress or a black dress, DO IT! If you want a fire eating clown for entertainment, DO IT! Hire one ASAP! Do it and don’t care what ANYONE has to say…expect the person you are going to marry of course, and maybe if someone else is paying for it. You two should agree on things.
If you aren’t the one planning your wedding. Keep your wonderful opinions to yourself. You are probably just jealous someone else is planning a wedding and you are not. That’s fine…just don’t vocalize your own frustrations to anyone (especially the bride), except maybe your counselor. You should probably talk to them.
Let the bride and groom enjoy THEIR day. Let them enjoy THEIR planning. Let them do what THEY want to. Let your opinions and traditions sit in YOUR stomach and be happy for your friends! Hopefully they will be happy for your big day as well.
Thanks for reading! Part two coming next week!
It’s Wednesday. It’s half way through the week. And you are already dreading going to church on Sunday. Why? Cause your church is really boring! But who says church has to be so boring?
This is what an “offering song” looks like to me at my church. No offense to all the vocal solos, interpretive dances, and bell choirs I heard growing up…I just like this better.
What is boring about your church? More important question…what are you doing to help change it?
I am pumped for my buddy Micah Bentley’s new album that comes out today. I highly suggest heading over to Amazon
Also if you live in Arizona, you should check out his upcoming album release show.
What new music have you been listening to?
Last week I decided to do a series of posts on the different personality profiles I’ve taken. I started with Strengths Finder. Today is the Myers-Briggs test. I took this a while ago. Here’s the results.
ENFJ
Extraverted – slightly expressed extravert
Intuitive – distinctively expressed intuitive personality
Feeling – moderately expressed feeling personality
Judging – moderately expressed judging personality
Suggested Careers
Counseling
Psychology
Education
Management
Politics
Science
Computer Programing
Physician
Famous People
Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, Tony Blair
What is your Myers Briggs?
Yesterday morning I posted about Jade’s Baptism. Then last night at youth group, Jade brought me a copy of an English paper she wrote and read out loud to over 200 of her fellow classmates…at her public high school. The assignment was to describe a moment that has changed you in some way. Below is her response.
As I was dunked under the freezing cold water, the last thing I thought about was breathing. I didn’t thrash, or try to find the surface; I just laid there depending on my friend to pull me up and out. I had never thought something like this could be so peaceful; not a sound or a sight. Not a worry or care. Peace. I was finally at peace.
Everyone says the initial change occurs when you accept Jesus into your heart, but I feel like the bigger change occurred in my when I was baptized. I accepted Christ into my heart a mere three years ago, and I have been growing in my faith and relationship with the Lord ever since. But when my youth leader dunked me under water, I feel like my entire mindset and perspective on the world changed. For those few seconds that I was under water, I was entirely at peace with myself and the world around me. I had completely forgotten about everything; I had not a worry or care. I was extremely nervous walking up on stage in front of hundreds or people. When I gave my testimony I was scared to death, but I had faith, and I was doing it to declare my love for the Lord. I went in thinking that I would try to look good and happy when I came up and out of the water; that I would smile and maybe tell a joke, but it all slipped my mind when I was underwater. I felt completely still, and I am convinced that God is and has always been with me. I realized that He’s always been there with me, from the time that I was little, and knew nothing of Him, to now when I was declaring my faith in front of hundreds. After I was baptized I believe my faith grew even stronger. I began to see his hand in all of creation. Now every time I look out the window or around a room I am astounded at all the glory in his work. Every time a Christian song comes on the radio I catch myself singing to it; I just want to belt it out! As much of a believer as I was before, I feel like I understand more now that I’m safe with God and that He has a plan for me. I still have stress, and worry, and all the daily challenges of life, but I think that I look at them differently now; not as something to break me, but something to build and strengthen me. I aspire to be not perfect, or even close for that matter, but to live my life to the fullest for and with Jesus Christ.
Jade Wilson
April 17, 2012
That last sentence really gets me. “I aspire to be not perfect, but to live my life to the fullest for and with Jesus Christ.”
Our mission at New Vintage is to “lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ” and in our youth ministry it is to “lead students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.” This is an example of that happening at our church and in our youth ministry.
This is an example of when people give money to the church, it helps create environments like InsideOut where students can come and learn about Jesus, start a relationship with Him, and grow in that relationship.
This is an example of when our youth leaders volunteer their time and energy, they are building relationships with students and helping lead them in growing relationships with Jesus.
This is an example of why I get out of bed everyday, to see the life change that is happening in front of me, in my church, and in the lives of students that I love.
This is a win!
Last month I got to baptize 4 people. This is Jade. She is one of my students. This is her story and baptism. Our mission in youth ministry is “to lead students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.” This is what it’s all about!
