So, we're having a baby! The baby is due January 10th, 2012... right before the end of the world. I tried to convince my wife that we should wait to have a kid until after 2012, because, who wants to spend the last year of their life pregnant/nauseous/preparing things? But, obviously, we decided it was worth the risk that 2012 MIGHT not be the end... (I also decided its probably worth it to save money for retirement instead of spend it right now and to not quit my job).
Anyways, I've been wanting to write about having a baby for a few weeks now... but honestly, I can't think of anything "cool" or "deep" to write about. (then again... I guess none of my blogs fit into those categories anyways). I'm kind of at a loss of words.
I'm very excited. and honestly, its weird. there is a little peach sized thing with a heart beat and limbs inside of my wife right now. And we dont know if that person is a boy or a girl. (maybe we should start calling it "Pat"?) And its using Leslianne's body to grow and come into this world... kind of like... Body Snatchers, or an alien of some sort.
And its weird that its a reality. Having a family/children is something everybody kind of just assumes in the back of their mind is going to happen someday. But now, its actually happening to me. And its close. And I'm excited. And a little overwhelmed. But not nervous or afraid.
And I feel really lucky... er... I guess the Christian word is "blessed." I know not everyone gets to have children for whatever reason. I'm glad I do, and I'm glad I have a wonderful wife is who is going to be a great mom.
Anyways... I'm sure I'll be having a lot more thoughts on the subject and a lot more things to write about... but for now, I'm excited for this. It's going to be awesome. Literally. And I'm happy to have so many great people who will be in this baby's life. If you think about it, please start praying for Leslianne and me, and of course, our little baby!
Song of the Day: "My Stupid Mouth" by John Mayer.
Aha Moment: This weekend we had a "Guys Night." Our youth interns insisted this be an all nighter. I tried to talk them out of it, but I supported what they wanted to do. They ended up all sleeping, and I was the only adult to stay up the whole time. It was brutal. But students brought friends. Hopefully it leads to something... but they already started talking about doing another one. As rough as it was (and still is), there were 20-something teenage boys who had an awesome time and will remember it for a long time. You can have innocent fun when you are in high school. I hope they realize that.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
projects.
Projects. They are important... especially to people in ministry.
I feel like I have so many projects going on right now... improvements to the youth room/lobby/stage... projects at my house, in the yard, painting, etc...
They are a little overwhelming. They are time consuming. They are tiring. But they are important.
Projects don't define how well I'm doing my job as a youth pastor. And they aren't something I brag about or show off to people to show that I am actually doing stuff and not being lazy. They don't make my wife love me more, and they don't necessarily bring my students closer to Christ, although they might help the environment be more comfortable. They aren't essential, but projects are important.
Projects are so important because you can measure progress. You can look at a wall you've just painted and think, "this wall looks great," or "yikes, I need to touch up on those edges quite a bit." You can see the result, whether good or bad. You can see a completed work, and that feels good to your soul.
Working in ministry (or even in trying to build a relationship with a spouse or a close friend), its hard to measure progress. I try to speak truth into a student's life. Sometimes, they make a decision and change their life. But a lot of times, results can't be seen immediately. And sometimes, they go unnoticed for years. So, I try to find ways to look for progress... and thats hard.
Projects keep me sane... in a way. And they remind me of what it feels like to complete something. And it reminds me of how great it's going to be when I see my students in the future doing awesome things with their lives for God.
This came to my mind the other day. When I was a freshman in college, I was a youth intern at a church in PHX. one of the high school freshman is now interning at our church up here. That was 6 years ago... and now I get to enjoy his friendship and see the result of work that took place years ago. (not to say it was all me... he had some great mentors in his life). Another example... we got to hang out with a college student who was a senior the year I started here. Again, same thing... solid person. This person also had other great influences and mentors, but its fulfilling to know I had a part in that too and that God is using me to do good things.
Students and relationships are my long term projects... but in the mean time, other projects will do for the short term.
Song of the Day: "Cannons" by Phil Wickham.
Aha Moment: This post kind of say it... again.
I feel like I have so many projects going on right now... improvements to the youth room/lobby/stage... projects at my house, in the yard, painting, etc...
They are a little overwhelming. They are time consuming. They are tiring. But they are important.
Projects don't define how well I'm doing my job as a youth pastor. And they aren't something I brag about or show off to people to show that I am actually doing stuff and not being lazy. They don't make my wife love me more, and they don't necessarily bring my students closer to Christ, although they might help the environment be more comfortable. They aren't essential, but projects are important.
Projects are so important because you can measure progress. You can look at a wall you've just painted and think, "this wall looks great," or "yikes, I need to touch up on those edges quite a bit." You can see the result, whether good or bad. You can see a completed work, and that feels good to your soul.
Working in ministry (or even in trying to build a relationship with a spouse or a close friend), its hard to measure progress. I try to speak truth into a student's life. Sometimes, they make a decision and change their life. But a lot of times, results can't be seen immediately. And sometimes, they go unnoticed for years. So, I try to find ways to look for progress... and thats hard.
Projects keep me sane... in a way. And they remind me of what it feels like to complete something. And it reminds me of how great it's going to be when I see my students in the future doing awesome things with their lives for God.
This came to my mind the other day. When I was a freshman in college, I was a youth intern at a church in PHX. one of the high school freshman is now interning at our church up here. That was 6 years ago... and now I get to enjoy his friendship and see the result of work that took place years ago. (not to say it was all me... he had some great mentors in his life). Another example... we got to hang out with a college student who was a senior the year I started here. Again, same thing... solid person. This person also had other great influences and mentors, but its fulfilling to know I had a part in that too and that God is using me to do good things.
Students and relationships are my long term projects... but in the mean time, other projects will do for the short term.
Song of the Day: "Cannons" by Phil Wickham.
Aha Moment: This post kind of say it... again.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Leadership Celebration
Last night, we had our end of the year Student Life Leadership Celebration Dinner. (long name). It was a time where we could appreciate our adult leadership staff, celebrate the good things of the last year, and vision cast where we are heading. It was a fantastic night. It was a beautiful day with gorgeous sights from the Brandenburg's house. There was delicous food, worship, games, and s'mores. But above all of that, it was a great time of community with some of my closest friends at this church.
We spent some time reflecting on "wins" for the year... the "Aha" moments that left us going, "yes! this is why I'm involved in student ministries!" It was cool to hear what people had to say. I think this is a super important thing to do that sometimes doesn't happen. But without it, we can never appreciate or measure the progress we are making... leaving us burned out and losing passion.
As I was driving home, I was talking with my wife about the event. And it dawned on me... We have around 30 adult leaders actively and consistently involved in the student ministry at our church! HOLY COW! That in itself is pretty cool - but really, its not about the #s. We could get more than that, I'm sure... but what is amazing is that we have such quality people spending time with our students. People who are passionate about making a difference in student's lives. People who are servants. We don't just have a large group of people... we have the right kind of people. I keep thinking about this, and it makes me strangely excited. Like... I can't stop thinking about it. It reminds me of how I felt when the Cardinals were going to the Super Bowl a few years ago (before the game).
What a blessing. God is doing something big here, and I'm glad to be a part of it. As my brother would say when he was a little kid (coming out of time-out), "I just feel like loving everybody right now..."
Song of the Day: "Oh You Bring" - Hillsong United
Aha Moment: Basically this whole post... but today at our youth service was one of those moments too. Had Bennett leading our student band in a great time of worship... Had one of our interns, Reid Kerr, share his story... It was a powerful morning. God did something cool, and thats always fulfilling. But it got me thinking... I love leading students towards Christ, but I also love building teams and getting people in the right places. Shazam.
We spent some time reflecting on "wins" for the year... the "Aha" moments that left us going, "yes! this is why I'm involved in student ministries!" It was cool to hear what people had to say. I think this is a super important thing to do that sometimes doesn't happen. But without it, we can never appreciate or measure the progress we are making... leaving us burned out and losing passion.
As I was driving home, I was talking with my wife about the event. And it dawned on me... We have around 30 adult leaders actively and consistently involved in the student ministry at our church! HOLY COW! That in itself is pretty cool - but really, its not about the #s. We could get more than that, I'm sure... but what is amazing is that we have such quality people spending time with our students. People who are passionate about making a difference in student's lives. People who are servants. We don't just have a large group of people... we have the right kind of people. I keep thinking about this, and it makes me strangely excited. Like... I can't stop thinking about it. It reminds me of how I felt when the Cardinals were going to the Super Bowl a few years ago (before the game).
What a blessing. God is doing something big here, and I'm glad to be a part of it. As my brother would say when he was a little kid (coming out of time-out), "I just feel like loving everybody right now..."
Song of the Day: "Oh You Bring" - Hillsong United
Aha Moment: Basically this whole post... but today at our youth service was one of those moments too. Had Bennett leading our student band in a great time of worship... Had one of our interns, Reid Kerr, share his story... It was a powerful morning. God did something cool, and thats always fulfilling. But it got me thinking... I love leading students towards Christ, but I also love building teams and getting people in the right places. Shazam.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)