Fan The Flame

This past weekend I've been asking God about what I should do for this Wednesday at FSM. I had ideas,but they just didn't feel right. One thing I did know was that it had to do something with camp. I just didn't know exactly what. Well, Sunday night I did some fishing out in the river and that's when God hooked me with it. After catching a 5 pounder! Just kidding! It was last night that I felt I needed to talk about our students commitments, experiences, emotions and just get in deep with everything about camp this year. That's when everything made sense, I started remembering articles and books I've read on helping students reignite their experiences at camp. There was one particular article in Group magazine that I remembered that talked about this. It mentioned something that I believe is very heart-wrenching for any youth worker. That is watching students who've had a "life changing experience"at summer camp slip-slide back into their old habit patterns. Nothing changed. The camp high wears off, and those powerful moments with Jesus faded into a hazy memory. You see at camp for most students everything is different. Jesus seems so real, so close and following Him makes total sense. But by the time they pack their stuff in the car and drive home, and take the first decent shower of the week, reality sets in. For some nothing has changed. Everything goes back to normal. I believe that any summer camp, missions trip, retreat needs to have a lasting impact. If not it morphs into little more than a feel good vacation. Why can't camp life be the standered for everyday life? So this Wednesday students will be challenged and taught on how to "Fan The Flame". When we came up with Firehouse for our name I thought of one verse. Jeremiah 20:9. Despite facing troubles, persecution and being overpowered Jeremiah still had to speak of His name! How awesome is that! There is a fire in all of us that God gives and yes alot of times that fire seems to go out. But God is an eternal fire! The fire that never goes out! Our students need to know that everyday of their lives. That yes they will stray off, but it doesn't have to be that way. We can learn from our mistakes and rely fully on our Creator and not ourselves. God sent Jesus to pay the ultimate price, death. He died so we all could live. So let's ignite that fire! Let's fan that flame! Wednesday it's getting HOT, thank you Lord! Peace Out!

Taking over!

The latest craze! The Jonas Brothers!!! Yep, My daugther is just one of the many huge fans that are out there. Take her room for example Jonas everywhere! 18 posters total to be exact. I think that's just the beginning. What ever happened to Hanna Montana? Well, move aside for now Miley. The Jonas have taken over the walls and the ears of many. I've been joking with my daughter that I'm going to dress up as Nick...wait a minute did I just know the name of one of them. Noooooooo!! It's the price you pay for having a teenage daughter. Anyway, I told her for Halloween that's who I'd dress up as. Just joking though wink, wink. It's crazy. So what will be next for our youth? There can be some bad things out there, but then again there are some good too. Be aware! Peace Out.

Blank Window

Have you ever just looked outside your home window and just stare? I caught myself doing that for a little while today after coming home from work. It happened to be raining and that was even better. The funny thing was, I really wasn't thinking about anything in particular I was just staring outside. One thing I felt though was a little sense of comfort. I felt like everything had gone away for a little while all worries, thoughts, concerns. All this just by staring outside my window. It's probably a freaky thing, but it was just one of those moments everyone has probably had and I wanted to share mine. Windows are cool, anyway that's all for today. Peace Out!

It's time son!

This morning I woke up with alot of ideas and thoughts on my mind. I starting reading I new book by Doug Fields and Duffy Robbins called Speaking to Teenagers. It teaches youth workers on how to create and prepare effective messages for our students. Now for me I know one thing is absolutely important in youth ministry or any kind of leadership position. It's to be a life long learner. I know there is so much more to be discovered out there and I want to be able to get a hold of as much as I can. All for the sake of bringing God the glory He deserves and in doing so teaching student's about the Jesus of the scriptures. Lord knows I'm not the smartest person at times,but for God to use me is just a total blessing. So there's so much to be done for this upcoming school year and to be really honest I'm super pumped about it! I believe that God is going to do some radical stuff with our student's. I can say this, I'm going above and beyond on what I thought I could do in the past and moving forward with Christ leading. It's become very important to me to help our students realize the importance of not just knowing about God, but to know God. To be able to experience Him in a real personal way. This past week we had many discussions about God. One of them was on how we tend to put God on a shelf and forget about Him while collecting dust and stuff. I used the illustration of "weezy" from Toy Story 2. He was the little penguin that was on the very top of a book shelf just sitting there forgotten and collecting dust. It's true for some of our student's and even as adults we do that. Whether it's intentionally or not it happens. The challenge for our student's not just at FSM, but for all is to have a connection that is real and true. To help them keep God "off the shelf"and to stay with Him for everything. Easier said than done right? Nope! God didn't promise no easy road,but He did promise us His ways are good! So I look forward to what God has for our ministry. I will do all that God puts within me to help student's find the path that leads to righteousness. And you what, righteouness ROCKS!! Thank you Lord! Peace Out.

Back from camp!

Well, camp has come and camp has gone. It's another experience to remember as a youth leader. I'm really pumped to have witnessed what Jesus Christ did to many students this week! Lives were changed and decisions were made. Three of our own made first time decisions to trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! That's simply awesome! I can't help but to feel blessed to have even witness that. It's simply a miracle by God that many students made this week. It was great to see our students get to know more about each other and just experience camp together. This week students were challenged, encouraged, inspired by many opportunities given to them through camp. Rescue was the theme of this year (Colossians 1:13-14) and it was a realization for many to not just settle for less or stay comfortable, but to build a solid foundation that is built upon Christ alone. The challenge to repent, to be real with God, confess, pursue God and get up and go! The thing that really got my attention was the fact that we have to be real with God. There were alot of masks being worn going into camp and alot were removed praise the Lord! Our camp pastor did an awesome job on presenting the Gospel. There was definitely life change being made right before my eyes! I'm super happy for my students. They just had fun together and were goof balls, but at the end of the week it was time to go. The fact that camp was done and we were headed home was a challenge in it self. You see everyone is back, and the enemy is ready to take everything they received from camp. I think of 1 Peter 5:8 when I say because it's true. The enemy knows how lives were changed and that decisions were made for Christ. So he will do what ever he can to destroy that, but we take refuge in the fact that Christ is our protector and oh, does He fight back! At the same time I'm challenged as well because I want to help my students to the best of my ability's grow and establish a firm foundation in Christ for them. And in doing so help them trust and rely fully on the Lord. I reassured my students that I was committed in doing that. God put me here for a purpose and I truly believe that. Thank you Lord for this opportunity! Peace Out ya'll

Engage

Wow, the message went really great! I love it when God gives you just what you need to say. For the past 2 weeks or so I've been studying and reading scripture over and over asking God to let only what needs to be said. I had so many things in my mind that God put, and not even half of it was said. It goes to show that the Good and Mighty Lord will give you just what you need. It was so fun being able to preach and see God move. The challenge to engage pop culture is so important to the church and to be able to seek Him in our culture is simply awesome! He is the Creator of all mind kind and those who are in the arts, music, fashion, movies, just to name a few are all His creation. Whether they choose to honor God with their gifts and talents still points to their Creator Jesus Christ. How awesome is that! Tim Stevens in his book Pop Goes The Church really inspired me to really seek God in everything. I pray that others seek also. Thank You Lord for today! May the Glory and Honor be given only to you! By the way Firehouse is on the way to camp for the week yahoo!!!! Please pray for our students. Peace Out!

Pumped!

Tomorrow I will be giving a message at our church. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I've been preparing all week in prayer and studying and now it's time! I have faith that God will touch lives and that steps towards him will be taken by many. I thank God for this awesome privilege to be able to take part in this. It seems at times for me that its a small part in building His kingdom, but God reminds me that I am making a big difference for Him. Thank you Lord! I hope to hear back from those who were their. Peace Out!!

Night Fishing

Night fishing is the best! That their is what it's all about. I would guess, and I'm no expert that my catch was about 3 pounds or so. I tell you it was a beautiful night to fish. All in all I caught a total of 3 fish. It's very tricky fishing at night, and you know what I mean if you've ever done it. Casting among other things can be difficult. You just have to listen to the flop of the lure hitting the water, that's when you know your good. But on the other hand the sound of a slap...well let's just say catching trees isn't any fun. It still was awesome. I'm ready for some more! Long live the FLUKE!! Peace out.

The 4th

Friday the 4th of July along with several friends from fosm met up at the Stahan parking lot to hang and check out the fireworks. It was lot's of fun hanging out with everybody. The Guerrero's brought some cool flags that had lights on them, and then proudly displayed our patriotism while enjoying the boom, bang, pow of the fireworks. If you went out, you might of noticed how loud they were. We had a freaked out dog and a scared 2 year old that also couldn't help the noise. But everything turned out just fine for them and at the end of the show. We all left happy when it was all said and done. We'll though there was that traffic, but it was all good right! Fun times with FOSM. Next time I'm bringing my football! I forgot it at home. Anyway.. peace out ya'll!

Capture The Flag

This past Friday FSM had a very competitive game of capture the flag. WoW! We had about 16 students make it out on Friday and they all had fun and are ready for another game. So we are, this time with a different kind of twist. I won't say just yet, but trust me it's going to be awesome! Anyway, I too had lot's of fun and look forward to the next game. This time we're shooting for more students to come out. It's awesome to be in youth ministry. It surely has it's lesson's that I gladly take on because it helps me grow and learn. I don't know anywhere else that I would rather be. Youth ministry is about helping students take steps toward Christ and I'm grateful for the opportunity that God gives me everyday to be able to play a part as a kingdom builder. Pray for our students as they continue to seek out our Savior. Give God the glory! Peace out