Rick Nier...Woo!

So, for 6 years now, I have hosted a night at youth group that I call Blo Chunx. It was originally based on Revelation 3:16, where Jesus told the Church in Laodicea that because they were neither hot nor cold, He was about to spit them out of His mouth. In other words, Jesus was going to blow chunks. So I basically brought Fear Factor to youth group and then talked to them about why we do what we do. Games included guessing the flavor of jelly bean, bobbing for spam, and removing banana from your mouth through pantyhose. I love youth ministry! This year we focused on Romans 12, where Paul encourages us to transform our minds, so we can discern God's will. I think it went well. People spewed. I laughed. And God's Word was taught. What else can you ask for?

It happens every year around this time. It's almost crazier than Christmas. But I am resolved that my schedule will not get in the way of my relationships. The list is not more important than the love. The to-do list is not as eternal as the people I run into along the way. I want to be careful to not run over people on my way to getting things done. And yet, I know myself. The pressure of a moment can be overwhelming. The needs of the fleeting can cry out very loud in my ears. The grind of the temporary will screech in my head this week. But the eternal cries out. The significant will rule the day. And I will survive these busy days. Even more, I will thrive during these busy days. God is good. He won't put me in deeper than His grace can pull me out. Thank you, Father.

I don't think it's chance when scripture comes to my mind. So I'm going to be listening and watching to see what God begins to do over the next days and weeks. Philippians 3:13-14 came to my mind this morning. " 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Until just recently, I had a great group of students. I still have a great group of students...I just don't know them all as well just yet. Random and various things have kept me from looking forward with optimism. Now I find myself learning all over again how to connect with the group of students before me. So am I going to forget what is behind, the graduated classes that have gone before? Not exactly. In Philippians, Paul was discussing forgetting sin from the past. But I will be focused on what is a...

3 crazy kids means triple the craziness in my life. Here's just a random sampling from each one. Jacie (she's 7) - She decides she wants to stay the night. Her mom and I reluctantly agree. She goes over around 7pm. It's attempt number 1 at some independence, I guess. The attempt lasts until about 9:50pm, when we get a call from a girl 3 blocks away saying she wants to come home. I'd tell her to walk, but her mom is listening to the phone conversation... Luke (he's 5) - Every time we go to McDonald's (which is less than the kids would like but more than I want to go), the boy wants a cheeseburger. He usually scrafs it and a small fry down and then helps his sisters finish their chicken nuggets. So I suggest to Jen that maybe it's time the boy has a double cheeseburger. This last Friday we do just that. He scarfs it down along with a small fry and STILL helps his sisters finish their chicken nuggets. I take note and start thinking about part-time jobs I can ge...

I didn't choose to get older. I know this will sound like an old man rant, but I can remember when I used to get to sleep in until 2pm. Nevermind that those were also the days when I stayed up until 7am. The fact now is that if I get to sleep in until 8am, I feel like I just won a prize. I don't wish to be a bum. Sometimes I just want more sleep. Unfortunately, too many people keep coming into my office to allow that.

I'm procrastinating on reading a little church history. And for some strange reason this old song came into my head. (Disclaimer: I am not advocating finding this song and listening to it.) Before I get to the song, let me give you some history. My mom was born in Denver, Colorado. I don't know much about Denver, but I assume there are two different parts. I also assume that my mom was not born in the cool part. She's got a little cowgirl in her. Again, not the cool kind. She likes country music...the old country. In case you've never heard old country, it's less sad but twice as twangy. So, growing up, I heard a lot of bad country music. Worse yet was Christian Country. There was this artist by the name of Christi Lane. (Disclaimer #2: I'm sure that she was serving God and He would be pleased to be honored by her music.) She had this song titled One Day at a Time . She sang about 'sweet Jesus' helping her take on each day. She concluded that this was al...

God has given me this day. And don't think I don't appreciate it, but.... I could've said the same thing about yesterday, or the day before that. But alas, I did not. I am sitting here updating my blog. (For one, I just connected this blog to my church web-site, and I'm pretty pleased with myself for learning how to do that. For two, I don't think anyone's been to my blog since it's directly connected to Facebook notes. For three, I finished other important work and now I'm trying to appear web-savvy.) As I update, and that includes reading several other blogs, mainly so I could steal some ideas, I am wondering if this is the most connected I am going to feel to everyone who reads this. Is this the extent of my hello to most people. Haven't I preached against this kind of thing? I suppose it can be justified if I reach a large enough web-audience, right? Anyways, back to the point. God gave me this day. I hope I can squeeze enough time in to spend so...