trying to say it before they do...

is what i once did. i once hated when someone thought of something brilliant before i did but i've had to learn to embrace it. being in on creative meetings and reading many blogs and listening to varying podcasts has taught me that most brilliant ideas have already been thought of; it is my job to embrace those ideas and not be envious of someone else's creativity or brilliance.

what it's all about

this past week i went to a football game where some of our students were playing and cheering. i've been to their games before and i really love watching any level of football, but i was so into this game. i was talking to a parent and it was his son's first start. i know the student pretty well so i was excited to see him get his first start too (his dad was a little more excited than me). the game got started and he was holding his own out there. then it was a run play to his side and he fought through the block and tackled the running back in the backfield for a loss. i was so excited! the dad and i were going crazy. i was so proud of him. i felt like i was this student's older brother. he played really well the rest of the game.

it was so awesome to see him after the game. he was smiling from ear to ear. that night he found his love for football, and that night this student and his father reminded me what ministry is all about.

groups launch!

we started our new groups strategy on sunday at SHIFT (middle school) and THE AVENUE (high school). it was so exciting and rewarding to see these students and volunteers getting into conversations with each other. i cannot wait to see God move in these relationships and communities. we still need some more qualified volunteers but things are off to a great start.

tropical storm preparation

Hanna is on her way. So, today Allison and I went to Blockbuster and Bruster's to prepare for the tropical storm. We got a pint of MY favorite ice cream (which she also enjoys) Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. If you have never tried it, please do. Your life will be changed. If you're a fud dud and love Butter Pecan then just stick with that. But seriously, give CRT a chance. I typically don't like fruit in my ice cream but this is the perfect combo.

We rented two DVDs at Blockbuster. We rented Disc 1 of Season 1 of Mad Men because we have caught a glimpse of some episodes on TV, and we wanted to do it right and start from the beginning of the series. So here we go.

We also wanted a comedy and I have been getting some flack at work from Phillip and Kevin about how much better Christmas Vacation is than Vegas Vacation (my favorite). I saw Christmas Vacation when I was young so I am going to give a chance to dethrone Vegas Vacation. I'll let you know what happens.

Enjoying Scenery

i drove out to kiawah island this morning for my last day at arborscape tree preservation. on the way i was just admiring God's creation and enjoying the oak canopied roads. once i got on the island i began looking at some of the houses. i saw allison and i's dream house (only like 3x bigger than we would ever need)!!! it was on the marsh and was only like 4 stories. it was quite a spectacle. but my real question is why would a family ever need a house that big?

"one of the greatest places to work in town"

i heard andy stanley during a talk at the drive conference this year talk about making npcc the best place to work in atlanta and i could not understand the comparison to working at a church and working at a "regular" job (sorry for that " ", it seems really vain and its not). its not vain because i work a job at a church and a "regular" job and let me tell you, there is a world of difference.

i have heard that church jobs can be "eeek" but it should be our responsibility as church leaders and co-workers to create a culture that is the best place to work in each of our cities. i also believe my other job has so much potential but they are still trying to iron out many wrinkles.

i have been on staff at this church as an intern and now part time as the student ministry groups director for a total of about a year and it has been great. some keys that i have picked up on that make a work place a great environment to work are: a creative decor, a common vision, similar work ethic, various styles, a true love for the work you are doing and a true love for the people whom you are working with.

thinking groups

all i can think about lately is this idea of community that God has placed on my heart. it is almost as though He is revealing to me my calling for the ministry i was created to do. in groups i feel it is our responsibility to show others God, not just talk about Him.

when doing ministry i feel we put so many things ahead of the main things. (of course, if God and the Gospel aren't the main thing in your ministry, you should just hang it up) but i think another key to ministry is putting people ahead of production/tasks/programs. as a follower of Christ i am called to go and make disciples and sure there are intriguing, creative ways of doing so but i cannot get so focused on the WAYS that i lose connection with the PEOPLE. i have to put the people that i am investing in first because lives are truly changed through meaningful relationships.

that is where our student ministry is headed. i am so excited to be a part of it. that conversation i was having with the small groups/volunteers pastor at our church sparked this post as well because we were talking about how to engage people in a group discussion about their relationship with a God who sometimes seems so far away. he said a simple thing that really got me thinking, "i like to ask them what has God been saying to them lately, and when they look puzzled and finally say, 'nothing', then ask them, 'why nothing?' and when they realize they are the problem in the relationship they will start taking revolutionary steps toward connecting to a God who is closer than they know." <-- longest run-on ever, but really thought provoking

yeah, i know. this post was too long. and now it's even longer because i am typing about how long an already too long post it is. now it is complete.