I'm going back to Cali

In the past 7 years, I have been to the LA area 4 times.
Love it, would NEVER want to live there.

Tomorrow at 11, I head out for #5 to go to the National Youth Workers Convention
7 Days with Terry Bley, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Doug Fields, Dan Webster, Skit Guys, Jesus Painter, Dave the Horn Guy, and a few thousand others that love working with youth.

I'll be posting throughout on our experiences.

We've been on the run.
Driving in the sun.
Looking out for #1.
California here we come.

They're in

Corey Mann is going to be at NMC Wednesday Night. It is going to be great. I respect and love this guy. He's become a great friend, and a ministry encouragement.
He posted some thoughts on what happened at NMC last Wednesday.
Check it out here.




Ted Gerring came over to my house last night. We were going to watch MNF and talk. We mainly talked. Ted Graduated from IWU in May. He's been on quite a journey over the past months. He's been wrestling through what it means to live as Christ Folower in his life. He's decided that Jesus has ruined his life. I love it! Today he moves to Chicago. It's a long read, but well worth it. Check it out here.

These guys have said and are saying "I'm in."

Thoughts from Bono

This morning I was doing some last-minute reading on Faith Development in prep for a my "guest lecturing" Foundations of Youth Ministries at Bethel College this afternoon.

I decided to put on a little U2 while I read. As I'm getting ready to take off, I hear these lyrics from "Crumbs from your Table":

Where you live should not decide
Whether you live or whether you die
Three to a bed
Sister Ann, she said
Dignity passes by

And you speak of signs and wonders
But I need something other
I would believe if I was able
I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table

Maybe there's much less of a need for people to HEAR about Christ, as there is a need to SEE Christ in action through his followers.

They got me thinking, so I thought I'd let you join me in enjoy these thoughts as we consider what it means to live as a Christ Follower in the midst of the needs and poverty that is across the street and aroun the world.

I don't get myspace

I don't quite get the phenomena that is myspace. I've had an account for a while. To be honest, the main reason I had it was to check on the students in our ministry. I wanted to see that the life they are presenting in our ministry was matching their online life. There have been very few surprises.
Last Monday, I decided to go public with my myspace. Begin inviting friends.

Why?
I don't really care much for the whole thing, but I do care for the many NMC students who are using it. Today I hit friend number 70 , and it's still climbing. There are a few bands and a couple youth pastor, but mostly students.

I've had about 4 significant conversations that were spurred on by a message sent to me.
I put pictures up from Wednesday Night, and I'm seeing those pictures pop up on other's pages.
I'm going to keep students posted on what's happening in Student Ministries through regular bulletin posts.

Am I concerned about the predators out there on myspace? Yes. Parents, watch where your kids are going. Watch who their talking with. Dialogue.
Am I endorsing myspace? Not really. They're already using it.
Am I going to seek to use Myspace in a redemptive manner? Absolutely. I'm going to use myspace as a Christ Follower, and because I'm a Christ Follower.
When it loses it's "coolness" (see IM, e-mail, xanga, Vanilla Ice), I'll stop. For now, it's there, and those that are on it are worth the time.

Comitted to the cause

I've got to brag on my church a little bit.

This morning I showed up at the church around 9:30. I was coming in to prepare for Chris and Jen's wedding. They asked me to be sure to present a message that explained the value and need for a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The cleaning crew was putting the finishing touches on the Worship Center and Grand Hall from the previous night's Rob Biagi concert. Rob is a children's worship leader. There were around 500 there last night. A great night for families to come together and honor Christ in song.

There was a group of men leaving the Fieldhouse. There was a Breakfast this morning where a Christ Following Business man from Warsaw came in to share with the men of the church. The men were pulling together to learn, eat, and pray together.

I walked over into the gym, and there were about 50 kids in there learning basketball skills. This is a part of Cross Training for life. It was started by Kim Zurcher, who died from cancer nearly 3 years ago. The goal of this is to bring young people in to learn about basketball, but more imortantly Jesus Christ.

Next Saturday, there will be tons of people showing up at the church at 8:00 am to serve. Go out into the community and serve.

I love my church. I love that we are committed to make fully committed disciples; and we are doing something about that.

Friday Morning

The links are back up. A little different. Some additions; lots of subtractions.

Was my last post a little contraversial?

The reports from Wednesday Night are coming in...
"I'm in, are you?"
"I'm ready to do what needs to be done BECAUSE I'M A CHRIST FOLLOWER..."
"Today I took some time to dream with God. I've got my own What if? list now..."
"Thanks for kicking my butt..."
"Thanks for the last few weeks. I'm in. I'll be back..."

Got an E-mail from India Today...
Thank you for your love and concern for the ministry in India. Youth leaders from six districts groups are to meet in Calcutta on 20th November 2006. They are to prepare a strategy for the next five years. A good number of young people have shown good interest in the ministry among the young people.

Want a good laugh... or better said a "painful moment" laugh? Check out this video.

"If it touched just one life, it was worth it"!?

Jeni is a Junior from Wawasee High School. A true sweetheart with a smile that will make your day brighter. Last night she shared her story to the Senior High at NMC. It involved her going back to some dark places. Most people would be shocked to know of some of the life choices she made early in High School. I asked her to step out on an edge and risk some judgment and humiliation. She did as she shared how Christ has transformed her life. Today she received an e-mail from a gal in our Youth Group letting her know that what Jeni shared absolutely broke her. The gal told Jeni it was like she was listening to her own story. This gal decided last night was the night to step back into God's Story. Incredible! I have found myself letting out a little victory "woohoo!" on more than one occasion today.
In talking with Jeni about this, she made the statement... "I was really nervous and unsure, but my mom and I were both praying that what I shared could touch just one life. If it could touch just one life, it would be totally worth it!" ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!
I couldn't agree more!


This morning I woke up early, especially for a Thursday (I think I was just so juiced about last night). So I turned on Pulse to listen to my pal Corey Mann (who coincidentally will be joining us next Wednesday Night at NMC). He was asking for listeners call and weigh in on church signs... are the little sayings a good thing... or a damaging thing? I've given my thoughts on these types of signs in a previous blog post (actually Corey read a little of it this morning)... not a big fan.
As I listened to caller after caller, I realized I was in the minority among Pulse listeners. Thought provoking. Funny. Challenging. The #1 reason people said they were good was summed up in this statement... "If it touches just one life, it is worth it!"
I couldn't disagree more!

What's the difference? I'm not sure, but I think it might be this...
One person who is saying it's "worth it" is at the cost of his/ her own pride, image, comfort; the other's is at the cost of others being spoken down to, taught bad theology, demeaned, and possibly turned off to the message of Christ.

If my killing someone else or several other people is what it takes to see "just one person" have life (especially when there's other options), is it worth it?
I know of only one person who can make that call, and I'm pretty sure HE made it about 2000 years ago.
A bit extreme as compared to how people respond to church signs, right?
But is it?

wow!

Tonight was significant. Very significant.
God is moving. Things are going to be different.

What if?

What if the NMC Student Ministries Senior High...

... led the charge when it comes to 1st Serve Saturdays?
... took part in an effort to share God's story to a tribe halfway around the world?
... decided to start living every moment of life as a Christ Follower?
... made life decisions "because I'm a Christ Follower"?

It's time to find out!

I'm a little bothered

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Have you ever had that feeling like nobody notices you?

Lost

Last night I tried to change around my Links, and internet browser froze in the middle of saving. I lost it all. Now I have to start over on my links. This means there will be all new fun links, some old ones, and a partridge in a pear tree.

This Wednesday Night

I have a feeling this Wednesday Night could be a very significant Wednesday Night in the history of NMC Student Ministries.
OUR STORY... "What if...?"

Some more youtube videos to check out

Stupid Human tricks here.
A little longer, but pretty funny stuff here.
Much more serious, clips from The Passion here.

Dewless

I'm not a coffee drinker. Don't like the taste.
I am, however, a Mountain Dew drinker. My caffeine is found through the Dew. This means it is not uncommon to see me walking around with a can, bottle, or 2-Liter (depending on the previous day's activity) early in the morning.
This morning I needed a Dew. I go out to the pop machine near our office and insert my dollar. I hit the Dew button, the 50 cents in change pops out, and a red light appears. You know that evil red light? Gone. No Dew at the inn.
No worries, I'll go over to our gym kitchen where we keep the 24 oz. bottles. Maybe I need a bottle anyway. I walk in to the gym kitchen only to see massive amounts of Pepsi, water and orange gatorade (who drinks orange gatorade anyway?)
The Dew shelf is Dewless. A slight moan comes from my mouth.

Why me?
Why now?
Why?

another blogcation

This time, Janelle and I are headed to Luddington to my parents place.
We are taking a little "comp time" from the India trip.
No worldwideweb up there. No cable. But there is a movie theater. We'll probably visit there.

We'll actually sneak out tonight before all is said and done. Probably a good thing as I'll be sharing some fairly personal stuff.
Sometimes when you do that, the focus becomes on you rather than the Almighty. Maybe by not being around, the focus can go directly between student or leader and God.

Youtube time

It's official... Derry Prenkert is posting some of his videos on Youtube.

Here's the first one to check out.

You can find others under the the name nmcyouthguy

India Journal Entry; Saturday, 10/7

5:45 am India
7:15 pm 10/6 Indiana

LAST JOURNAL ENTRY
Waiting for the 6:20 am train to Calcutta at the Adra station

Today we begin our journey home. We will land in Chicago 48 hours from now.

I believe this week has been a big one in our lives. First, a look back at yesterday. I spoke three times; 8:00 am (hold the rope); 11:00 am (How Peter kept the Fire Hot); and 6:00 pm (You have no Idea what Jesus wants to do).
Yesterday was also goodbye. Most of the youth left right as teh session ended. The Northeasst crew loaded their buses for their 30 hour ride home. Others took the night train to Calcutta. Those from the Southeast boarded their train for their 36 hour ride. There were some very tough goodbyes to be said.
For most anyboey, when camp comes to an end it can be said. You do want to say goodbye. Yet, in this case as we say goodbye, I recognize that many go back to a dark place where they are very alone. 1.8% Christian conservatively; 5% liberally. Either way, to be a Christ follower is to stand alone. Where will they go from here? What will God do in the life of:

• Pinkie - The young Hindu girl from the Northeast who was Jesus in a vision on the last night, and she gave Christ the key to the door of her heart.
• Ravi - The horse jockey in training from Hindi Fellowship. He's the only Christ-Follower in his family, the rest Hindu, and he's "holding the rope" for them.
• Joash - The ADD guitar player training to be a flight attendant. Sooo much potential
• Pinkie and Priyanka - The two gals from the Missions girls sschoool. Priyanca put her trust in Christ for the first time. Pinkie is in training to be a school teacher (English) and wants to use her abilities for the Lord.
• Anshuman - He's 6 months from graduating from Bible College and heading for a year to Bihar, a state in India that is very dark, needy, and hostile to the Gospel.

So much potential.
So much more I wish I could do.
So blessed to see true repentance and abandonment of all for the cause.

As we go; I somehow know there will be a return. When? It may be a little longer this time around. Where? I'm not sure. Northeast? Calcutta? Raghunathpur? Youth-o-Ramah? Janelle and I? A team of Youth?

Why did we come?
I think it was a "for such a time as this" moment. It seemed like we were the right individuals at the right time for the right event.
Also, as I started this journey, I recognized that this was my last week of my 20s. That week has now become days. As I enter my 30s, I'm thinkking this week has been a reminder that this life is not mine. It's the reality of the keys. Will I give him access to every part of me? In this past week, I feel I have been able to live and minister as one. Not a split life. I feel as though I shared from a pure heart and mind. I fell in love with people halfway around the world.

May my 30s be marked by a life of complete and utter abandonment of all things for the sake of Christ.... Philippians 3:7-10

Dominoes and pool

Turn off your brain and enjoy!

India Journal; Friday 10/6

10:00 pm India
11:30 am Indiana

A loooong day. We got to bed late last night, and then got up early.

- The electricity just went out. I can't see what I'm writing.

10:30 pm
It's back up.
For the morning Session I did "Hold the Rope." Who are the friends and family members God is calling you to "hold the ropes" so they can get to Jesus. Looking at the story of the Paralytic in Mark, when the four friends lowered the him through the roof to get to Jesus.

I really believe God used this message. We had 1/4" rope that we cut into 4" pieces (about 600). The youth could take a rope for each individual they would be faithful to show Christ, tell about Christ, and pray for. It was cool to see people lifting their ropes up and praying for the individuals as we closed the service.

I'm exhausted. I'l journal more tomorow on the triain. I've got to wake up in 5 1/2 hours.

Background Music

When I was getting ready this morning, I was moving slow. I started thinking about my thoughts. You know how you can have several layers of thoughts going on at the same time?
I realized that I often have one layer of thought that is a song.
It's almost like a background track to my thoughts.
For instance, this morning it was "Shine" by Collective Soul.
It's usually a song that I've been listening to a lot, or one of those annoying songs that somehow got stuck in your head (recently the "Dial for men, for manly, manly men...")

I wish I could line it up more with what I'm doing, then it would be really cool.
I'm in a hurry to get somewhere...The Lone Ranger Theme.
I'm kicking out a project of some kind... The Eye of the Tiger.
I'm eating... Be Our Guest
I'm on a peaceful drive... anything by Enya.
I'm trying to go to sleep... Adding to the Noise by Switchfoot

So is how my morning has begun.

A Classic

Have you ever taken the online insanity test?

THE INSANITYTEST:
[1] Turn on the Speakers and allow the page to load fully
[2] Stare at the Picture without laughing for 60 seconds
[3] If you start laughing consider yourself legally insane

Check it out here.

Top 5 Podcasts

Have you enjoyed the power of the Podcast? If you have I-tunes and/or an I-pod, you need to. Subscribe and enjoy various casts of pod. Here's my top 5 podcasts:
(note: Not all the links can get you to the podcast. You will have to go to I-tunes to find all them.

5. Simply Strategic: With the Tims from GCC. My buddy Dustin does the editing of this podcast. Plus, it's guys who are in my backyard. They basically walk through various topics of ministry.

4. Blue Man Group: These guys are creative, artistic, and very entertaining. It's a video podcast, so you can enjoy so much more

3. Mosaic: Erwin McManus shakes things up. He loves Jesus, but isn't so excited about Christianity. He will inspire you and make you think.

2. Mars Hill Bible Church: Rob Bell is the man behind the messages here. Almost every week he helps me read the Bible in a new light.

1. Simply Youth Ministry: These guys are too funny. Their show's subline is "Just enough Youth Ministry so you don't feel guilty listening during work." It's a youth pastor's must listen/watch, but anybody will enjoy them.

India Journal Entry; Thursday, 10/5

11:45 pm India
1:15 am Indiana

A loooooon day. Biz finished his time with us this morning. They honored us and gave us a gift. He and I got a bath robe; and Janelle got a prayer shawl. I had my session with the guys after that. I kind of came up with a new message while doing it.
We looked at Peter's denial of Christ. While talking, I was thinking of II Corinthians 7:10... "Godly sorrow leads to repentance; worldly sorrow leads to death." This was the difference between Judas and Peter's response to their betrayal of Christ.

After the session (word had it that Janelle was awesome in hers) it was picture time. We got about 50-60 pictures taken with people.

Biz took off at 3:30, so tonight I took over on the main sessions. I did "The Keys." It really seemed to connect. We talked about three types of keys we could be giving over to Jesus tonight:

1. The key to our heart (salvation) 5 responded, including Pinkie, the Hindi girl from the Northeast.
2. The key to the closet (repentance)
3. The Master key (total surrender) Many responded for the last one. I tried to have the students respond by laying flat on their face, with the keys before them as a symbol of giving God the keys to their life, but there was confusion in the translation. Yet, I'm convinced they connected with the heart of the message, which is much more important than an alter call.

We just got back from a campfire. There was dancing sharing, and a lot of humor. A definite cultural experience.

Huge speaking day tomorrow. Last day, and I'm up 3x, and they are 3 messages I've never done before. God, grant me wisdom and strength!

India Journal Entry; Wednesday, 10/4

8:30 am India
10:00 pm Indiana 10/3

I'm in the morning session praise and worship hearing testimonies:

Shanbhunath, from the Hindi fellowship in Calcutta; the church where God is doing the miraculous. This guy was a devout Hindu. He spent substantial amounts of money on building alters and idols to Hindu Gods.
He was very sick and couldn't eat; in need of a pacemaker. Went to the Hindi Fellowship prayer meeting, where the pastor prayed over him. He was healed instantly. Within weeks, he had accepted Christ, been baptized, and threw out his idols!


Another gal shared from the Northeast (I don't know her name). She has a Hindu background as well. God healed her as well. When she left the Hindu faith to become a Christian and be baptized, her father disowned her. He told her that if she ever returned home, he would kill her.
It was a beautiful moment, though when she had her husband stand in the crowd. This man is a strong believer. God has her back!



4:00 pm India
5:30 am Indiana

After lunch, Biz and I spent some time with Joshua and Apurba. Joshua is a pastor and evangelist in the Northeast. Apurba is the Youth secretary. They are planting churches all over the area. They have just finished research and preperation to take the message into two areas that are extremely closed and even hostile to the Gospel. They are also doing work in Bangeladesh and have had various evangelistic efforts there. The guys are the real deal. The Lord is truly adding to their number daily. Joshua made two statements that really jumped out at me:

1. "We say that Nappanee Missionary Church is with us. Nappanee Missionary Church can rejoice because the Lord is adding to their number daily as well."
2. I asked them if they were facing any opposition or persecution. His response, "No real persecution. Just some believer have been kicked out of their homes and cut off from their families." NO REAL PERSECUTION??? How's that for perspective.

6:00 pm India
7:30 am Indiana

THINGS I MISS RIGHT NOW:

• Barnabas
• NFL (I'm pathetic) and Fantasy Football
• Skim Milk
• Air Conditioning
• The comfort of my home
• Small Groups (we were just getting started).
• A Full Night's sleep.

THINGS I DON'T MISS:

• My office.
• E-mails and Voice mails.
• Over-processed food.
• TV (I'm addicted... cold turkey is feeling good)
• Spending Money (ouside paying $3 for 100 copies and 3 cokes, I've not paid for anything)
• Being comfortable in my faith.
• Being concerned with who I must impress.
• Feeling insignificant in my cause.

India Journal Entry; Tuesday, 10/3

10:40 pm India
12:10 pm Indiana

THE SCHEDULE:

• 6:30 am - Up to get ready
• 7:30 am - Breakfast (supposed to be at 7:00)
• 8:00 am - Morning Praise and Worship (Led by Indians; Sonideep shared devotional)
• 9:00 am - Morning Bible Study (Biz... "God Uses Ordinary People" - Gideon)
• 10:00 am - Tea Time
• 11:00 am - Character Study (Janelle with Gals, Me with Guys)
• 1:00 pm - Lunch
• 2:00 pm - We Nap while Youth are in Open Forum on marriage
• 3:30 pm - Talent Show (churches perform one song)
• 4:30 pm - Coffee Break
• 6:00 pm - Evening Service (Biz.. "The Substitute")
• 8:35 pm - Supper
• 9:10 pm - Power goes out
• 9:15 pm - Hang out w/ various Youth
• 10:00 pm - To the bungalow
• 10:15 pm - Shower
• 10:45 pm - Here I am

SIGNIFICANT SNAPSHOTS FROM TODAY

• Meeting with the guys in the cafeteria. It was packed full of men.
• Hearing the young men 13-35 taking time to talk about what the "nets" are in their lives that they may need to leave in order to follow Jesus.
• Hearing same young men taking time to pray to together.
• Spending time with Pronoy. What a hero of the faith? 77 years old. Married 56 years. Widowed in 1995. Comes from a long line of ministers. Grandfather was a Hindu ;priest who came to know Christ. Now there are many ministers of the Gospel in his family.
• The response at tonight's service. As Biz gave the invitation, there was an immediate response by a young gal named Prianca. I remember her from family camp. She is a gorgeous young lady. After she came forward; the floodgates were open. There were at least 50 who came forward to receive Christ.
• Spending time with the leadership of the Hindi Fellowship. Hindi is not a religion (that's Hindu); Hindi is one of the many languages in India. These people are on fire. God is doing the miraculous. Healings. People leaving the Hindu religion and throwing their Idols out... many being baptized. Their pastor, Logan, has the gift of healing. He's is one of the most humble men I have EVER met.
• I sense this is a significant moment for the church in India.
• Is there more for Janelle and I here? Will there be a return trip? Could we bring an IMPACT team here? I remember I left with an "unfinished " feeling in my spirit last January. It is already there again.

Done Being a Christian...

It was last January when I stood before about 300 students and leaders and told them, "I think I'm done being a Christian."

The name Christian first shows up in Acts 11:26 when the disciples are in Antioch. We don't really get clear explaination of how it was started. Some say it was intended to be an insulting term. Others say it was just a label.

Either way the term "Christian" was significant and rare at the time... literally meaning "Little Christ" or "belonging to Christ". It meant something. I'm more convinced than ever that in our world today the tag means very little in conjuction with who and what Jesus Christ is about.

Christian is a church attender
Chritian is a moral person
Christian is a political stance
Christian is a social club
Christian is an irrelavent member of society
Christian is a pro-life homo hater
Christian is a music label
Chistian is a believer, but not always a follower.

Some of those things have some relevance to what Jesus Christ is about, and some are a direct slap in the face of it all. The ones that are relevant seem to be more like the "gnats" that Jesus refers to in Matthew 23 compared to the "camels" that we need to make sure we're focusing in on.

So, back to January... the full quote. After saying what I said, I repeated myself. "I think I'm done being a Christian... I'm ready to be a Christ Follower."

I'm to the point that I try not to use the term "Christian." I still do, because the "little Christ" is a beautiful picture to me. Yet I'm recognizing that this world doesn't see a Christian the way I might.

May the church be more marked by "Christ Followers" than they are "Christians"

This little rant was brought to you by Christianity Today.

India Journal Entry; Monday, 10/2

10::02 pm India
11:35 am Indiana

It's officially underway. We woke up at 6:45 am; ate breakfast at 7:45 am; then went back to our room and slept until 12:45 pm. We are jacked up on our sleep cycle, because this would've been like sleeping from 7-10 pm back home.
I woke up from that nap pretty freaked out, nervous that we weren't going to turn the corner on this jet lag. We had no energy; neither did Biz.
The youth arrived all throughout the afternoon and evening. There were over 300 there! And still another 80 to show possibly. BLOWN AWAY!
We started our session at 6:00 pm. Many were very tired. WE talked to one group from the Northeast who drove 30 hours on a bus... 50-60 on a bus (that sits 30); unable to sleep the entire time. They were exhausted. Why would someone do that?
When you are in a country that is 1.8% Christian, you will do anything for significant fellowship & discipleship.
Anyway, I did the second half of "Stepping In to God's Story" walking through the "bowtie" and using members of the audience to represent Adam and Eve, Abraham, Aaron and Sons, Jesus, Disciples. The thrust of the message is understanding God's unfolding story and the opportunity we have to be a part of it.
It goes from everybody in communion with God down to one, Jesus... but Jesus took 12, and from those 12 the Church formed. We are a part of this now.
When getting to this part, I asked everyone to stand to understand this is where we have entered the story. The goal is to see every knee bow and tongue confess.

As they stood, I had a "moment".

At the close, I invited those who would say "I'm willing" to step into the story and play a role, I knelt at the side of the stage. My moment was a "Who am I?" moment. Who am I to be here sharing with these youth. How did I get here?
I remember thinking, when I was kid, that being a Christian was boring, dull, and uninteresting. How many of my peers have had the opportunities I've had? What other life allows you the experiences I've had; witnessing the miraculous, traveling around the world and meeting some of the most fascinating people; being able to make worthwhile investments with great payback; being a part of something so much bigger than myself.
That is the second part of my "moment." Looking out at 300+ individual who live in a persecuted nation, halfway around the world. THE POTENTIAL!!

This is so much bigger than us. I'm so grateful to God for the opportunity.

India Journal Entry; Sunday 10/1

6:00 pm India
4:30 am Indiana

On the train to Ragunathpur

We're officially with the people we are supposd to be with. Got in at 9:00 pm last night. At first, we couldn't find Pronoy (our contact) anywhere. He was there, it just said on the sign that our plane wasn't in yet.
It took a while to get a cab; then even longer to get to our Hotel. India is currently having their big Hindu festival where they worship the ten armed goddess Durga. The set up tons of shrines all over time. The come in and bow and pray to the idol, moving from shrine to shrine. After 5 days they go to the river (Ganges??) and dump the idol into the river. I'm not really sure why they do this, but it is a sad sight to see the amount of people seeking to find fulfillment in empty (or maybe more likely demonic) rituals.
I couldn't sleep. Jet lag and nerves. I had to preach at Hastings Chapel today. The English service. I didn't realize it was the English service until on the way. IT WAS HOT. I had to speak with my jacket on, and a flower necklace (much like a leigh) around my neck. Did an abbreviate version of "Stepping Into God's Story". Talked about the "false gospels" that we in the Church are in danger of falling into.
It was an honor to share, and if anything got me more excited to get to Youth-o-Rama.
Then we went back to the hotel and I was able to get some sleep.
At the train station, we had a random run-in with Satendyra (from the Northeast). Has has nearly 180 students coming. He will not be there. The leaders up there are the real deal. They are doing ministry into Nepal and some of the toughest areas toward the Gospel. Ar real blessing to connect with him.

Random tidbit... Biz was up on a pole taking pictures at the train station, when a police officer came up to him and was pretty upset. I guess with all the tension between India & Pakistan right now they are especially nervous.

We'll probable get into Adra around 10:00 pm, then a 20 minute ride to the Missions Girls School compound in Raghunathpur.

India Journal Entry; Saturday, 9/30

6:15 pm India
7:45 am Indiana

On the plane taking off from Bombay to Calcutta.

We laded in Bombay at 10:30 am; and transferred airports. I got my bags checked in customs. They were especially interested in the keys that I brought. Outside of that, it was pretty uneventful.
When we changed airports, the guy who put my bag under the bus tried to get a tip from me. Nobody else... just the three Americans. I gave them a buck, simply because my bags ere going to be under the bus, and I didn't want to risk it.
We had 7 hours between flights. The airport had a decent area in the basement that was a restaurant with a table/ chair area. We lounged down there for a few hours. I fell asleep watching movies.
I think I snored. Just as we were getting ready to go up to wait for our flight to be called, we noticed a guy that had tons of people around him. He was clearly an Indian celeb (guessing an athlete). Biz got is autograph and we took a couple of pics. We have no idea who the dude was... we'll ask some of the kids when we get to camp.

-- we found out he is Chacin Tandulkai... India's #1 Cricket player

How am I doing? Mixed emotions. Tired. Long travel. I'm preaching tomorrow morning... not sure what. I think we'll walk through the sifnificance of Jesus call to come follow Him. The youth side of it, the age of the disciples, the status, the dad... "May you be covered in the Dust of your Rabbi."
Who am I? Really, who am I to do this? Feeling very weird at this point. Part of me is counting down the time till I get home, caught up in something as insignificant as how well I'm going to sleep. Yet, I know there's a reason to us being here. I know there's something more God has for us. I know that this is a significant moment in the Missionary Church in India's history.

India Journal Entry; Friday, 9/29

9:50 pm London
2:20 am India
4:50 pm Indiana

Taking off for Mumbai (Bombay).

Fell asleep last night around 9:30 pm. Woke up at 5:30 am convinced I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep; next thing I knew I was looking at the clock on the TV that said 8:30 am. We really didnt' get rolling until 11:00 am. We needed the sleep.

Went to...

Buckingham Palace

St. Paul's Cathedral

Crossed the Millenium Bridge

Saw the Globe Theatre (remake of the Shakespeare theater)

Ate some Fish n' Chips at a Greek Restaurant.

Tower Of London


We ran into a lot of fun on out wa to the airport. It was crazy-busy on the subway, w/ 7 bags this can be a bit tricky. The line to get our airline tickets was hideous. The security check was painless.


My big takeway from today - What do I have in my life that is reminding me to look up?

While in St Paul's... you couldn't help but be drawn upward in your vision to the dome. The intricacy, beauty, and majesty of the building was awe-inspiring. Giglio talks about this in his book "I am not But I Know I am!" He talks about how the intent of this structure was to loft people heavenward, Godward. To remind them of the hugeness (word?) of God.
I was there.
It made me look up.
What am I doing? Who am I around? What reminders do I have that make me look up?
He is. I am not.

"I" is an ugly disease.

Have you checked out NMC Student Ministries new Blogspot?

Right now, we're letting you get to know our Small Group Leaders a little bit. What were they like when they were in High School?

Check it out here. Add it to your bloglines. Put it on your favorites. Get more addicted to it than Youtube!

I can't believe I did it

This morning, I actually turned off Sportscenter to listen to Pulse FM.
On the way to the church, I turned from ESPN Radio to Pulse FM.
I'm currently listening to streaming audio of Pulse FM.

Maybe it's because Corey is a friend.
But then again, my friend Dan does the layout for the Sports page of South Bend Tribune, and I don't have a subscription.
My friend Marty works at Newmar, and I have no aspirations of buying a Mobile Home.

Maybe I am looking for a little encouragement and uplift in the morning, and Corey Mann is doing a great job at it!

Check it out 6-9 am every Monday-Friday here, and click on the "Listen Live" icon.

India Journal Entry; Thursday, 9/28

9:00 pm - London
4:00 pm - Indiana
2:30 am - India Sept. 29

the flight went great. We got in an 1 1/2 hours early, which was a bit of a bummer. Cut down on our sleep time (I'm on about 2 1/2 hours since Wednesday morning), and we couldn't get in our room. We did some sight seeing:

1.) Big Ben and parliament (brought back memories of Chevy Chase in Europaen Vacation)

2.) Wetmister Abbey

3.) LondonEye (Huge Ferris Wheel that overlooks all of London)

4.) Sleep break in our room.

5.) Piccadilly Circus... a lot like Times Square in New York.


My big takeaway from today....
Don't let the monuments built above your dead body overshadow the monument your life was to God.
It was odd. Westmister was awe-inspiring. A series of chapels meant to point us heavenward... they remind me of the awe-inspiring nature of God. Yet, as years have gone on, the Abbey has become a mausoleum... a memorial to the dead.
When I am dead, my they (those left behind) spend much more time on discovering, knowing, and Worshipping the Living God, and very little time memorializing the dead!

India Journal Entry; WEDNESDAY, 9/27

5:45 pm Chicago
6:45 pm Indiana
11:45 pm London
5:15 am Sept. 28 India

We are in the air. The past 24 hours have been extremely hectic. EXTREMELY. Didn't leave the church until 8:00 pm last night. Working on last minute stuff. It's interesting...

ADD Moment -- Just got the coolest little can of coke. It's like a shot glass-sized can.

Anyway, It's interesting. When we went to India last time (in January 2006) it was at a very inopportune time. I left eraly from 3DYC exhausted, wondering if I made a wise decision, yet knowing it was one God was "calling" me toward.
Here I sit again, leaving right in the thick of the most intense programmatic ministry time (New style Outreaches on Wednesday Nights, Chick Nite, etc.), short notice in preperation, way over our heads, basically thinking this makes no logistical sense, but makes every bit of sense in our spirits.
GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING.
Here's the one I can't kick. I'm going to be living my last week of my 20s involved in something so much bigger than me, so outside of my comfort zone, and halfway around the world to boot.

Is God wanting to show me, us, a new chapter?

He must increase, I must decrease!

India - Reader's Digest Version

Event: Youth-o-Ramah
Location: Raghunathpur, India
Dates: Left Chicago September 27; returned Oct. 8; actual event ran Oct. 2-6.
Who I went with: Janelle and Caleb Bislow.
Purpose: A gathering of 13-35 year olds of the Missionary Church in India.

Some Highlights:

• Two days spent in London seeing buildings older than when Columbus landed in the New World (my most favorite were Westmister Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral).
• Our entire travel time, in a car, flying, or on a train was over 35 hours one way.
• India is a beautiful place with beautiful people. At first sight, it looks and smells so different that you aren't sure. The more time you spend there, the more you see it.
• 400 youth show up, some traveling as long as 30 hours on a bus or train to get there. We were expecting 200-250.
• The youth sat in 7-8 hours of worship and teaching every day and ATE IT UP! I guess when you live in a country where there isn't a church on every corner (anywhere from 1.8-5% Christian) you take advantage of diving into the word when you're with other believers.
• I love working with Caleb Bislow. He's an evangelist. I'm a discipler. He's a preacher. I'm a teacher. We both have a passion for students. He's the real deal. Janelle and I loved our time together.
• Over 70 students chose to become Christ-followers for the first time.
• One gal, Pinkie, came from the Northeast. She belongs to a Hindu family, and she herself is a Hindu. Her friend brought her. During the week, I experienced a transformation in her which climaxed on Friday morning as she stood before the group in utter brokenness explaining that Jesus had come to her in a dream and told her that He was the answer. She couldn't believe she had waited so long to ask Christ to enter her life.
• Logan is the pastor of the Hastings Chapel Hindi Fellowship in Calcutta. God has given him a gift of Healing. We saw it in action. This guy isn't Benny Hinn. He's one of the most humble, kind-hearted, and normal men I've met. The members of his youth group remind me of my group back home.
• Ravi is training to be a jockey in Calcutta. It's a five year process, and horse racing is a big deal. This 16 year old came out of a Hindu background. He returns home committed to "hold the ropes" for his Hindu family, showing and telling them about Jesus Christ, and praying for them to see the light of Christ.
• God has strategically placed Joshua in the Northeast. He travels from village to village, tribe to tribe, sharing the Gospel. He and the others of the Missionary Church have planted over 40 churches and started many more home fellowships. They are now preparing to take the message in to two different bordering countries that are very closed to the Gospel.
• When asking Joshua and Apurba if they face much opposition, they responded, "no perseccution. Just individuals being kicked out their homes and shunned by their families." We have nooo idea as "American Christians".
• Pinkie (different fromt the one above) and Prianca (20 and 18 years old) live at the school where the event took place. Janelle and I fell in love with these gals. Prianca said that her time in Janelle's sessions and spending time together helped her see that she was valued and special to God and His plans. Before we left these gals, who didn't have much, gave us several gifts, including a picture of two cats that was hanging in their house. It will now hang in ours, even though I hate cats.
• Sonmoth is a 40 year old doctor. When he became a Christ follower and "took baptism", he got various tattoos. His mom tied him down and poured acid on his tattoos.
• Pronoy Sarkar, our host, was good friends with Mother Teresa. He once received a special award from the pope himself. This 70 year old has served God faithfully in India. You've heard of Billy Graham? Yoda? Gandalf? Blah.

An incredible time. I kept a journal throughout, and will be posting it in the days to come.
For those who were faithful in prayer, I can tell you that it was an incredible experience. God moved, and the fruit from this event could potentially be far reaching and significant for the Kingdom of God!

10 years ago today

If you would have told me ten years ago today that I would be a 30 year old who:

• Still lives in the Wa-Nee School District.
• Works at Nappanee Missionary Church.
• Has no kids.
• Has had various opportunities to travel throughout the world.
• Has had opportunities to share the love of Christ with thousands in one sitting.

I would have told you that you were crazy... all except the 30 year-old thing.

No regrets here. Looking forward to more life...

Home sweet home...

You ever thought to yourself, "Man, I wish I could have a few more hours in my day?"
I just had a day that lasted 34 1/2 hours.
It was a little ironic in that it was my last day of my 20s.

Trust me, you don't wish you had more hours in your days.
We're exhausted.
Life-defining experience.
More to come...