Archive - April, 2008

1 Samuel

April 23, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

Just reading in my b-i-b-l-e this morning about Samuel and just seeing how the people of Israel had asked for a king selfishly even though God had appointed Samuel and that God was their king. Even though Israel had done so many crazy things Samuel had this word from God:

22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. (1 Samuel 12:22)

 

I am so glad that God will not reject his people. But we also learn in that chapter that God will raise his hand up against His people if they disobey. But again I am thankful that our God will not deny us. He claims us as His own and will not reject us for the sake of His name. How awesome is that?

Theological thoughts

April 23, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

I found myself thinking last night about the ramifications of certain ways of thinking theologically yesterday. I visited a sight that I do not go to very often. I won’t tell you the name because that is not what my blog is about. But all I found was a discussion on who was right or wrong and then it ended in a political discussion on who should be leading the SBC. 

I was thinking to myself, “Self, why if theology is their main point of discussion must they rip and tear other people to shreds talking about their personal lives and their ministries as if they alone are judge?”

I admit to not being very knowledgeable about many theological issues. But I can’t help but think about the Sanhedrin. (This is funny because they talked about on their website how someone they were bashing was so much like the Sanhedrin. :) )   Why are they bashing so many people on such a public stage? Why is their job to determine who is right and wrong?

 

I just have a problem with people like this. Our job is to build others and in order to do that you do need to tell them the direction they are following is wrong sometimes. But you need to push them closer to Christ in the process not just away from people. I don’t see how this particular part is edifying the body of Christ. But I might be missing the boat, it wouldn’t be the first time.

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Free Night!

April 22, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead, Life 0

After the past few weeks, it was nice to get a night to just relax. Basketball, Call of Duty 4, and my brain were the only things going on tonight in my lil world. My brain gets so much room to roam on nights like this. 

 

To illustrate I will give you just a couple of things running through my mind:

  • wondering how fun it would be to coach a kid’s basketball team.
  • trying to figure out finances with actually being on my own for the first time.
  • wondering why we don’t take production as seriously as nickolodeon and mtv does?
  • wanting to understand just how God is working through my life right now.
  • ideas for adventure week (aka VBS).
  • Not enjoying Stax’s restaurant that we had tonight.
  • trying to figure out is there a way to be productive while sleeping.
  • The Memphis Tigers are gonna be great again next year and I’m very excited.
  • NFL draft this weekend.
  • how awkward but wonderful my honeymoon is going to be.
Needless to say my brain has no limits on days like these. I am so grateful for time to unwind and relax for about 3 hours. It was so incredibly refreshing.
Take some time to unwind and relax your brain it makes a difference to everyone in your life.

Preparation is most of the battle

April 22, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

As most of you children’s workers out there know, summer time is a big time for children’s ministry. From camp, to VBS (or whatever you call it), and ending with another big recruiting pitch to volunteers. For the first time I get to be in on the ground floor. 

Before I go any further, I have said for the first time about 50 times now in this blog over the past two weeks so I will try to pull back a bit. Anyway

 

I, being mostly involved with the tech side of the programming in the Children’s ministry, get to be in on the creative meetings, the ideas and brainstorming that makes everything move forward. From graphics to materials and most importantly people, there is alot of work that goes into our programming. I wanted to know from you guys: What is your creative process? Does it come from a meeting or random emailing, teleconferences or what? Do you free write or discuss potential ideas? I want to know what gets your creative juices flowing.

Thought I would tell you this…

April 21, 2008 in Life 0

My wedding is coming up very soon… We are registered at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond. This is not a pitiful pitch to get some gifts but more a chance to encourage someone very special in my life.

 

My fiance Kristen Barfield is growing on me more and more each day. She has been going through some things lately but her love for me is stronger than I have ever seen. I am so amazed by her sense of humility and love that she has for people. She struggles to find her mission in this world but I think her D-team experiences over the last couple of weeks are letting her know that she is way more capable than she lets herself be. I am incredibly gifted to have a fiance that loves Jesus and others as much as she does. 

 

I am astounded that God has given me the gift that Kristen Barfield truly is. I wish I could explain everything that she is to me but the page would get too long and people would quit reading and tell me I’m sappy. So before you stop reading just know that if you ever get a chance to meet her, you’ll never be the same.

 

I love you dear.

Orange Conference

April 21, 2008 in Family Ministry 1

I am really excited about going to the Orange Conference next week. This is my first official conference as someone in the ministry. I am excited about the insight and the opportunity to learn from great people like Jim Wideman, Louie Giglio, Donald Miller, and Reggie Joiner among others.

I am so excited to hear ideas, inspiration, and challenge. I’m sure I am going to learn and I’m sure I’m going to disagree with some things. I also believe that God is going to shape me in a special way through this trip. So needless to say I’m excited.

 

I leave Sunday so pray that God would teach me thru this conference.
 

Lunchtime

April 21, 2008 in Random thoughts 0

Today most of the Children’s ministry staff ate at Silver Bay. It’s a seafood restaurant in Mauldin, SC.
The food is usually very good and its always a fun time. Well today we went and the food was taking a bit longer than usual to come out. So our server, she was very good by the way, decided she would give us some complimentary things.

I say things only because I do not know what they were. The best way to describe this dish is to take a potato, slice it in four equal wedge pieces, and then sprinkle on some salt and pepper to decorate. They cooked them and put them on my plate. I love meat and grilling so food is kinda a big deal. This dish, thoroughly confused me. I am completely confused by this interesting dish. Add a sauce or a story or a reason why this was made and I will understand but I was completely befuddled as to what in the heck was going on in the cook’s mind.

Check this out

April 20, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

I wanted you guys to check out this video on Children’s ministry. I thought it was put together very well and talked about some interesting things. I don’t agree with everything said I do think that it should either alter the way you look at student and children’s ministry or it should at least motivate you to reach people around you with the gospel and partner with those around you to figure out how to do it better.
Video about the work we must do

 

I got this from Just Thinking Children’s Ministry
 

 

Ministry and Marriage

April 20, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

I love the time I have alone to spend with God in the morning. I don’t want you to think I spend like 3 hours in a secluded closet, because I don’t. But I try to devote about 20 minutes in the morning completely isolated (which is easy when you live in a basement, hahaha) alone with God. 

Today I just reflected on everything that is going to happen in the next few weeks. A new place to live, new furniture, new bathroom, and a new wife. Today is (our:) ) Kristen’s first shower. It is still amazing to see everything that is going on. I am amazed by what God is doing in our lives. 

Not only that but in 1 Samuel today, the people complained about the leadership and demanded a king. Instead of waiting for God to call a leader to reign over them they wanted to do it their own way and choose one themselves. I am so glad for where I am at in my life right now. God Himself placed me in the position that I am in. He took my plans and erased them and told me: “J.C. those are ok but how bout these, I like these better.” He was so right. One day I will write a post explaining how all of this happened but as for right now I am just going to reflect in God’s call.

Tell me about some time where God allowed you to reflect on something that happened in your life.

Super cool dinner

April 19, 2008 in Family Ministry, Life 0

Last night Kristen and I went to eat at Don and Lisa Campbell’s house. Jacob and Elicia, two of my friends were there as well. The girls did hair after an amazing dinner and the guys talked about ministry. It was so cool to get and give ideas about ministry from a volunteer that has been a teacher for elementary kids, middle school kids, and a volunteer in the high school ministry. 

 

We talked about the incredible opportunity that is before us. That children’s ministry is not done really well very many places and we have the resources and God’s backing to do some very awesome things at Brookwood. I got to see some issues that need to be dealt with and also some things that work very well. It amazes me still that as a teenager I would talk about so many things that needed to be fixed and changed and now God has put me in a place to actually do that. I am so thankful, energized and awed by everything that is going on. God has truly initiating something great. Pray that I will continue to seek and obey.

 

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