SYMC Tidbits: Day 2

• I am a part of a surprising legacy.
• There are several people who to receive a letter of deep gratitude from me.
• When communicating to teens, it's important to remember that confession may be misinterpreted as permission.
• P.F. Changs is some top notch Chinese.
• I gained some great insights as well as was refreshed on how to best communicate to teens.
• DC Curry keeps dropping my name letting everyone know we've got a killer internship program. Really humbling. God has definitely blessed, but I'm also realizing we have much to need.
• That word, networking, keeps messing with me.
• Tim Timmons is a fantastic worship leader/teacher.
• SYM Podcast was fun. Chris's story was highlighted, which was really cool.
• I am very challenged, encouraged, refreshed, but honestly, kind of tired.

SYMC Day 1 Tidbits

• It's more like a Family Reunion.
• Laughter is good for the soul.
• Youthworkers are some of the most creative and witty people out there.
• Passion is Irrational, Excessive, and Costly (Phil. 2) - Duffy Robbins.
• Networking is so valuable to youth leaders. As a guy on a team, I have this in my own church when it comes to youth ministries, but what is my responsiblity to those who don't have this?
• I love the team I work with.
• Conference hotels are always dry and give you chapped lips.
• I think the Skit Guys could be great to bring in as the "speakers" for a conference or event.

Among Family

One thing I'm already loving about SYMC 2010 is the statement that was placed in our booklets we received...
"it's less of a conference and more of a family reunion."

I feel it.

I walked by the To Save a Life Movie table and saw a gal with a nametag I noticed...

"Kaitlyn, I'm Derry from Nappanee Missionary Church."
"Oh, hey Derry. So cool to finally see you face to face. How's everything going with you guys."
"Really great."
Conversation continues... Kaitlyn helped us bring the movie into our church for a screening for leaders.

I walk a little further down the hall and see Walt Mueller, and Walt recognizes me.
"Hey Walt. Derry from NMC."
"Ya, Derry this is my wife and son." (to his wife) "This is Derry from Nappanee where I went last March. Hey any of the other guys here?"
"Ya, Jason, Chris, Geoff..." conversation continues.
Pretty cool that Walt would remember a guy he met for one day one year ago.

At lunch, I met three different guys...
One from Franklin, Indiana who has been in Youth Ministry for 25 years.
One from Western Kentucky who took Amtrak to get here.
One from Rockford who was able to bring 6 of his volunteers with him.
We talked about a lot more than just that, but the cool part was that it didn't take long to feel comfortable just connecting.

It's very cool to be among family.

Simply Youth Ministry Conference

I'm currently in Chicago with several members of the NMC Student Ministries team taking part in the Group/Simply Youth Ministry Conference. Over the next few days, I'll be posting (and tweeting) some of my impressions, insights, and lessons learned while here. I've been able to take a little time this afternoon and simply get alone with God. During this time, I've found myself praying that I would be open to new adventures and insights as well as allow God to re-teach me lessons and insights forgotten. Looking forward to an awesome time with God, my teammates, and 2999 other youthworkers!

Interesting...

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On My Radar

• Skype: I've done stuff with Skype before, but since we have internet at home, we're loving the potential. Katylynn can talk to and see her Nanny and Bubby in Fort Wayne, or her cousins in North Carolina. When I'm out of town but able to find an internet connection, we can see each other as well!
• Fanning the Flame: I met with Karl and Trace last night. It's going to be a great 4 nights for our Senior High Students March 7-10.
• Isaiah 6: I finished week 2 of a 3 week series looking at Isaiah's vision and calling. This study has been so good for me. I love God's Word and what I learn from it.
  
• SYMC: Heading out for Chicago tomorrow to attend the Simply Youth Ministry Conference. Excited to spend some time with my teammates, network, and get some great training.
  

Broken For My Friends In India... Try #2

If you subscribe to this blog through a feeder, this may be the second time you're seeing this post. I had trouble getting the Vimeo version of the video to work.

As you know, India is very near and dear to my heart. I have been encouraged, challenged and inspired by the believers I have gotten to know in my 3 trips there. Today, I ran across this video put out by Francis Chan and Cornerstone Church that shows some of the persecution the believers in the Orissa region are facing. It broke me. I'm ticked at myself for what I see as "trials" and "tribulations" in my life. Father forgive me, and be with my brothers and sisters whose lives are truly on the line simply because of what they believe.

WARNING: These video is violent... very violent and unedited in. I'd encourage you to heed Francis's words at the begining of the first video even if you choose to watch


Thanks to DC Curry for posting this video.

Hide and Seek with Katylynn

Katylynn and I played our first game of Hide and Seek on Sunday Night. From that point, it has pretty much become a nightly tradition. She's kind of getting it.

When I'm it, I'll count to 10, and she'll run off and hide. She actually does find hiding places... the closet, behind the chair, under a blanket, etc. The thing is, the minute I'm done counting and say "Ready or not, here I come" she jumps out of her hiding place, screams "Here I am!" and comes running.

When she's it, she counts to 10 (she says random numbers between 1 and 10). I "hide" in somewhat obvious places. She will walk past and miss me, so I drop a little hint by saying "Pssst!" When she finds me, she let's out a high pitched scream and goes crazy with excitement.

It has been ridiculously enjoyable.

When it comes to my walk with Christ, may we all be like Katylynn. When in hiding and God says, "Ready or not, here I come," may we jump out from our hiding place and shout "Here I am!" When he's hiding ad we're seeking, may we listen for His hints. When we find Him, may we respond as if it's the greatest moment in our life... because it probably is!

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

That's Quotable!

"I will always love you, no matter what you do. In my eyes, you will never fail. I just want to be a part of your life."

-Jack Shephard to his son
-Our Heavenly Father?

Youtubesday: I love Stop Motion

Link love to Neatorama for showing me this one:


Link love to Jeff Myers for showing me this one:


Posted here before, but my personal endeavor into stop motion:

Isaiah 6

In the year King Uzziah died, I SAW THE LORD...

This morning, I'm there God. It's an older song (from the modern worship stuff), but it's resonating in my heart and soul...

Youthministryism Monday: Humor

If you're funny in your own mind, you're golden.

I often tell people there are 3 key qualities to being a good youth pastor.

1. Be able to laugh at yourself.
2. Have a level of a.d.d.
3. It might be good to be in love with Jesus.

I'm not really serious when I say this, but it makes me laugh... so I guess I really do believe point #1 is important.

I often see youth workers fail to connect with students simply because they are afraid to let their guard down. You can't be afraid to look dumb. Swallow the pride. Love Jesus, love kids and laugh... even if nobody else is laughing.

Friday 5: Upcoming Trips

1. Simply Youth Ministry Conference: Chicago, February 26-March 1. I'll be traveling with members of our Student Ministries team to get training, refreshed, and refocused in ministry. I'm most looking forward to the time spent with my teammates.
2. IMPACT Baby Center - Kenya, April 1-11. 10 students and 4 adults will be heading to Africa as a part of a Kids In Need focused team. These students are "the best of the best" when it comes to short term missions experience and spiritual maturity. Janelle and I are looking forward to our first trip to Africa and connecting with a significant NMC partner.
3. Exodus Follow Up - Rwanda April 11-18. While in Kenya, our team will be also traveling out to spend time with the pastors and church planters we partnered with in the Maasai Project. Caleb Bislow will be meeting us there. From there, Janelle and the Lengachers will be taking our IMPACT team home while I head with Caleb to Rwanda. We will be traveling around to check in on the churches and leaders who were a part of the Rwanda Exodus team. I'm very excited to be able to get on African soil with the Bizman and to connect with our Rwandan friends on behalf of NMC Student Ministries!
4. IMPACT/ChicaGO - El Millon Mexico and Chicago, dates still to be set. Our two Summer trips for Senior High will be led by teammates (Geoff leading IMACT and Chris leading GO), but I plan to connect with both trips in some way. It just works out well with the dates of the trips overlapping and Chicago being the airport we will use to get to El Millon. I'm looking forward to playing more of a "sage" role and letting the guys soar in their leadership with students.
5. CDYC - Indiana Wesleyan University June 23-27. I will be speaking at this year's Senior High Central District Youth Conference for the Missionary Chruch. Chris Lehane will be leading worship. Janelle and Katylynn will be going along with me as we focus in how to to PUSH forward in our walk with Christ. I'm looking forward to partnering with Chris and the amazing opportunity to connect a ton of students from Indiana and Ohio to Christ.

That takes us to the end of June. Plenty more to come after that. God is good and I am blessed to serve Him in a variety of locations and among a variety of people!

On My Radar

• KIN Shoe Drive. One of our students was inspired by the story of TOMs shoes. He was looking for a way to do something similar, and our upcoming IMPACT trip to Kenya has provided an opportunity.
  
• LOST. Best TV show out there.
• Spring Training. My Cubs did little to boost my hopes, so maybe this is the year. My Yankees made quite a few moves. Can they repeat?
• Fanning the Flame. NMC's 4 night event set aside for spiritual renewal... March 7-10. This year in High School we have Karl Black speaking and Trace Rorie leading worship.

Next Steps from Tonight

Tonight, I closed out with laying out some potential action steps. Geoff told everyone I was going to put them on my blog, so I am...

The Tension of Teaching Teens

Tonight we start a new Series with the Senior High. An Encounter with God is a three week examination of a powerful account in Isaiah 6 when Isaiah says, "I saw the Lord."

I consistently battle with a tension when preparing messages for teens (really any messages for that matter).

I have a deep burden and desire to help people know how to read and apply scripture to their lives. When communicating, the best way I can do this is to take a passage of scripture and break it down...
What is it's context (historically, geographically, literally)?
What is it saying (theologically)?
What does it mean to us (practically)?
In this approach, the text more determines the topic.


I also have a deep burden when communicating to meet people where they are at and address specific issues in their life. Sometimes the best way to do this is by going more topically focused, and looking to the text of scripture that addresses this topic. Often, in this approach, I will find myself using multiple passages/verses/stories from the Bible that will address this topic.

Both are valuable. In my style of communication, I tend to lean topical. That's why I think this series is healthy for me. We're going to look at what we can learn from Isaiah 6, and there is a lot. Tonight, we learn just how freakishly awesome and amazing God Almighty is.

I'm excited.

Youtubesday: My Crying Wife

So, say you're a husband with a wife who is prone to excessive emotion after watching movies... what do you do? Video tape her and put it up on youtube.

Now, before you get too upset with this husband, check out his disclaimer:

Disclaimer: She knows these are on YouTube. She's secure enough to cry like this after a movie and laugh at herself later. She thinks these videos are funnier than I do. Go to http://cryingwife.com and check the FAQ.

Now, enjoy a few:




No crying, but hilarious:

Youthministryism Monday - Qualified

God isn't looking for the qualified as much as he is looking for the obedient.

Moses was a murderer who grew up among a different people and had trouble speaking, but God used him to be His mouthpiece as they led the people out of Egypt.

David was a shepherd boy who wasn't even a part of an army, but God used him to topple an entire nation when he stepped up and defeated Goliath.

When someone asked Jesus what it looks like to love your neighbor, Jesus told a story where the priest (holy man) and the Levite (from the holy tribe) didn't make the cut, but the Samaritan (the despised half-breed) was the good neighbor.

I have a piece of paper from a college, a card from a denomination, and a title from a church that some may say make me qualified to work with youth. Really, each of those items represent steps where God called me to be obedient in following his lead. Along the way, I have learned and grown in my experience that likely has helped be more effective.

We all have gifts, abilities, and skills that God has placed in us that are meant to advance his kingdom. Until you are obedient to what He is telling you to do with those things, it's all pointless.

Friday 5: Why I Need Vacations

After a nice long break from blogging, I'm going to attempt to revive a few of the weekly features...

Janelle, Katylynn, and I returned last Saturday from a nice, long family vacation in Florida. Janelle and I both agree it was the best to date as far as enjoyment and memories. An easy going but explorative 2 year old will do that to you. While there, I was reminded how important vacation time is for me. Both short overnight or weekend getaways, or long term megacations (as I've began to call them). Here's 5 reasons I need vacations:

1. I can unplug... literally: I've made it a point with vacation time to cut back my interactive electronic in and output. Pretty much every trip includes a break from facebook and blogging. This time, we left the computer at home, I pretty much turned off my phone (except at Disney for taking pictures and communicating with Janelle). It's good to get away from this stuff (I almost typed "junk").
2. I can get away from "work": I love my job. I actually love it because of the people I'm around and the cause we are working toward. At the same time, it can be exhausting and frustrating. I do believe there is deep truth to the statement, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder", but only when it's something or someone you are truly fond of. Vacations remind me that I LOVE what I do.
3. I'm not THAT important: I talk to Youth Pastors often who say, "I can't find the time to get away with all the expectations on me at the church." I find this nearly laughable. I want to say back, "You know, you're not that important. If you are that important, something is wrong." I was frantically working to get everything lined up for while I was gone. We had some pretty significant programming and events (specifically the Hoops of Hope Event) while I was gone. You know what? It all happened while I was gone. In fact, I sat in our staff youth staff meeting and reviewed a ton of details with the team. I came to the conclusion I could probably take the rest of the week off.
   
4. Total Focus on Family: Janelle often tells me, "I love vacations because I get all of you." I 100% agree. For 12 days it was Janelle, Katylynn and Derry. That was pretty much it. In those 12 days, we ran into one person we knew, and it was for 15 minutes. Think about that, when was the last time you and your family were able to spend extended time with each other and not see someone else you knew. There's something really good about that.
5. Creating Memories: On Tuesday, Jan. 25, Janelle and I joined Katylynn as she chased after seagulls along the beach.
   On Wednesday, Jan. 27 7:30 a.m. I sat on a balcony with my daughter in my lap and watched the sunrise (the first time I have ever just sat and watched a sun rise).
   On Thursday, Jan. 28, I sat on a balcony and recounted some of the major milestones and memories with Katylynn thus far.
   On Friday, Jan. 29, I sat at an awesome restaurant looking out at Cinderalla's castle while my wife and daughter sat across from me, and I had one of those, "I am ridiculously blessed" moments.
   On Saturday, Jan. 30, I watched my wife face her fear of heights and water as she went para sailing.
   On Sunday, Jan. 31, I watched my little princess talk with Princess Belle.
   On Thursday, Feb. 4 I watched my daughter play with 2 Japanese gals (could only speak broken English) who were so taken by Katylynn that they decided to give her a little Mickey Doll.
   I love making memories and creating "moments"... vacations are like steroids for this.
   
   

Vacation Katylynisms

Some of the more enjoyable Katylynn quotes from our Vacation:

• "We're going on a Trip!" Stated multiple times on the drive down.
• "Wooking wike a foo wid da pants on da gwound." As you read it out phonetically you will enjoy the new song I taught her.
• "I wanna go swimming. I wanna play on the beach." Katylynn's two big requests while at Daytona Beach
  
• "I throw the cookies." After the 2nd of four times Katylynn threw up in the van. This time she choked on some animal crackers.
• "I see Ninnie! I see Nickey!" Said approximately 4,563 times while at Disney World. Whether it was a sticker, t-shirt, hat, mickey ears, or actual characters, I think she saw them every time... and was really excited.
• "It's Nemo and Turd!" A little explanation. While in Daytona, I was putting a swimmer Diaper on Katylynn. It had the Finding Nemo characters on it. I asked Janelle what the turtle's name was. She told me it was Squirt, and I responded, "For some reason I was thinking it was Turd!" 5 days later, we are at DisneyWorld and she sees the Nemo characters. When she sees the little turtle she says, "It's Turd!" Janelle and I lost it. I looked at Janelle and said, "Should we correct her?" We both decided not to.
• "We're going to Ninnie's house." The name we gave our hotel.
• "I wanna ride the Magic Bus." The name we gave the Disney transportation buses.
• "I want popcorn." Katylynn's snack of choice while in the parks.
• "I want this." Said at about every merchandise kiosk and gift shop we passed. A quick quote in response by us, "No. We look but don't buy. Please put it back Honey." She was fantastic at doing this.

Greiving, 1 year later

1 year ago today, it was a Saturday morning after the toughest night of my life to that point. It was about to be followed by the toughest night of my life ever.

It's been a year, and I miss my dad.
This weekend, I remember the pain of a loss, but also great memories.

Since my daddy hasn't been getting on his phone or the internet for the past 10 days, I decided to hop online and let you know how much fun i am having.

I've met a lot of friends like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald and Daisy. I also met all the princesses.

I love the Dumbo ride and all the animals I've seen (especially the birdies).

Mommy & Daddy say this is the best trip they've ever taken to Disney because they have been able to enjoy it through my eyes.
-Katylynn

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