Where do I begin?  First, we have a big ole shin-dig planned for Sunday, September 7, 2008.  It doesn’t cost a thing.  Here’s some info:

Next, beginning on Thursday, September 4, 2008, we are starting our small groups back up at 6:30PM.

Then, on Sunday, September 14, 2008 we will begin a 4 week series entitled “Heart of a Champion”.  You don’t want to miss this one.

Doug Fields says this about the series:  “The heart is at the center of our faith.  The Bible says the quality of our heart determines what we say and how we act.  The reflection of our heart shows whether or not we truly have embraced Jesus’ teaching and reveal the presence of the Holy Spirit.”

We are also going to be having “After The Game” this year after all Lincoln home football games.  Come out to the youth center between 10PM-12AM for some free food and drinks.  Play some ping pong or some video games.  Here is Lincoln’s home schedule:

• September 5, 2008
• September 12, 2008
• October 10, 2008
• October 17, 2008
• October 31, 2008

Wow.  Summer is almost gone.  My son wanted to know why all the good things in life (ie. summer breaks and Kit Kat bars) are always gone before we want them to be gone.  We need to savor them.

I just finished reading an incredible book this weekend called “The Shack”.  It’s just a tremendous read.  The story is about a little girl who is abducted and murdered in an old rundown shack during a family vacation.  The father is obviously grieving and distraught.  However, God sends him a note wanting him to come back to the shack so he can spend a weekend with God.  To be honest, I bawled like a baby reading the book after I got home from church last night.  I know my wife thought I was crazy.  But this book just takes you places your fears won’t let you normally go.  However, you feel as if God is with you through it all.  Anyway, highly recommended.

This Sunday evening (August 24) at 4PM we will be meeting in the youth center with anyone who would like to work w/ our skit team.  If you like acting or are looking for a ministry that you can do that is a little different, then this could be for you.  Come out and check it out.

Move up day for the middle school teens going into 9th grade is also on Sunday, August 24.

Also, we are having a youth picnic on Sunday, September 7, 2008 immediately after church at Stonewall Lake.  The cookout does not cost anything.  Bring a lawn chair, swimwear, and an appetite.  You will be getting a flier in the mail.

Keep an eye for the upcoming events.

I am back from camp.  You should go sometime.  It was a lot of fun.  A little hot.  But the pool kept you cool.  There were over 300 people at the camp, and we had over 40 kids saved during the week.  I think a lot of relationships were restored also.

Here are some beach pics I promised you.

Also, David W. has put together a really cool video of our trip on youtube.  You can find it right here:

Jewel City Youth @ The Beach 2008

Lots of things to talk about on the blog today.  The boys are having a camping and fishing trip on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week.  The trip is free.  It’s gonna be a good time.

Here is a top 5 list of things I love about church camp:

1. Afternoon Naps-It’s not that the naps are that great.  It’s just that they are really necessary at this point in my life.  Otherwise, you’ll find me in the fetal position under a porch at 2PM on the third day crying about how I can’t take it anymore.
2. Waterslide-It’s a good time.  There is the possibility that someone could really get hurt on this slide, so it makes that more exciting.  You can’t go wrong when you mix a 45 degree angle 60 ft in the air along w/ tarps, baby oil, vegetable oil, detergent, and water.  When you get up you smell like a tater tot that’s been left in the washer.
3. Vespers-God’s word, fire, and a camp circle.
4. Campers of the Year-Yeah, I never won the award, but I love watching kids who deserve the award win it.  (How did John Paul and Jason win, but I didn’t?)
5. Pepperoni Rolls-I love me some church camp pepperoni rolls.
   

I hope you had a good 4th of July.  I know the weather kinda put a stop to a lot of fireworks displays.  The family and I spent the holiday in da ‘Burgh.  Kennywood was cool as usual.  The Regatta was also going on at the North Shore.  It would have been great if the Buccos would’ve been in town.  I love paying $20 to watch them lose by 1 run in the 9th.  No, I’m not bitter.

I am still trying to get some beach pics to you.  Yell at David W. when you see him.  But I did want to give you our youth schedule over the next few weeks.  We have a lot of church events going on, so we are going to be hit-or-miss a few services.  You gotta role w/ it.

We are not having a mall lunch.  We have to cut peppers and put up the tent for Bike Sunday.  You can come out Thursday and help if the Spirit moves you.

Sunday, July 6, 2008-Bobbi and Tara (I’m on vacation).

Thursday, July 10, 2008-I’m back in the saddle.

Sunday, July 13, 2008-Bike Sunday.  No evening service.

Thursday, July 17, 2008-VBS.  No evening service.

Sunday, July 20, 2008-Janet (I’m teaching at a church camp all week).

Thursday, July 24, 2008-Janet (still @ camp).

Sunday, July 27, 2008-I’m back.

Try to make it to Bike Sunday and get involved in VBS.  VBS is the most effective ministry in the church.  Let’s try to do our part.

We made it.  And I believe that a good time was had by all.  Pics will be forthcoming.  Since I’m not a photographer, I am at the mercy of those of you who are.  So, as soon as I get some pics sent to me, I will start posting them.

In the meantime, I thought I would give you my top 5 fav moments of the trip.

1. David Crowder Band-These guys have been my fav worship group for years, so expectations were high.  And they didn’t disappoint.  PE and I were talking about how David Crowder doesn’t really lead worship.  He just starts worshipping himself, and he pulls you along w/ him.  I love these guys.
2. David Platt’s Thursday Night Message-OK, I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of Platt during the week.  I thought his messages were hard to follow and sometimes outright confusing.  But Thursday night was great.  He did a wonderful job explaining how Christ is truly The Way.  Now, there are still some loose ends for me from the week’s teaching, but I will get over it.
   
3. Norman Eating Tainted Cat Food-As we entered the seaside dive known as Bummz, I was really expecting to be blown away.  Again, PE and the Undertaker were lobbying to have their wedding receptions there, so I figured I was in good hands.  As I walked through the restaurant onto the patio, I noticed a bowl of cat food w/ flies on it by some tables.  I knew we were in trouble.  In short, the food was mediocre to bad, the service was terrible, and my MD was watered-down.  BUT………….Norman saves the day.  He eats the cat food for $15.  $15!  I wouldn’t eat a Bummz burger for $15.  I guess a little hot sauce will make anything taste like chicken.
4. Sea Lice-Yep, you read that correctly.  After spending a few hours in the ocean, PE comes over, and his body is bright red.  He’s glowing from taking a hot shower that evidently removed a layer of skin.  He’s really shook up.  It seems that sea lice was abundant in the ocean that day, and he had it all over him.  The scaulding shower got rid of them, but the damage was done.  PE will never enter the ocean again.  (That’s what he said).  I didn’t go in the ocean that day (nor will I probably ever again @ Myrtle Beach).
5. My room-I had the best group of guys on this trip.  Not one problem.  (The security guard @ our room @ 2AM was a complete misunderstanding).  The guys took care of the room, and they didn’t need me to hold their hands all of the time.  David, Norman, Trent, and Zach……..I salute you.

We will be having youth on Thursday night.  We will also be having youth in Sunday night.  Back to our regular schedules.

With the beach trip only a few days away, I wanted to remind you of a couple of things.  First, you need to be at the church by 2:30AM on Monday, June 9, 2008. The bus is pulling out of the church at 3AM.  Next, don’t bring the kitchen sink.  Third, please be aware of what you pack.  Girls, please do not bring tank tops or short shorts to wear to our services, and guys, please no Speedos.  (Yes, that means you PE).  Finally, bring a good attitude.  You are part of a group of 39 people.  You are not going to like every decision that is made, but it’s not about you.  It’s about the group.  Listen, I hate buses.  I mean, I HATE buses.  When PE first suggested us renting a motor coach, I almost punched him.  But I realize that it is the best thing for the group as a whole.  Keep this in mind:  39 people have to be accommodated next week, and you and I are small part of that.

We are also not going to be having youth on Sunday evening.  Pack and spend time w/ your family before we leave.

I wanted to let you know that I am still alive and employed on the church staff.  However, it was touch-and-go after our recent three month flurry of fundraising.  I didn’t know if I could take it anymore.  But I’m good.  I feel rejuvenated.  And I’m ready to for the beach.

I did want to give you some particulars on the beach trip since we have several parents wanting to know a) how soon they can get rid of their kids, and b) how long they get to enjoy the peace and quiet.  Well, we are leaving at 3AM on Monday, June 9 from the church parking lot.  That means we are leaving at 3AM (I’m talking to you Jenna).  We will be returning to the church on Friday, June 13 between 9PM-12AM.  I know that is a big time span, but I’m at the mercy of our bus driver.  We’ll let parents know the closer we get to the church.

We are having a beach meeting on Sunday, June 1 at 4:30PM in the youth center.

We are getting closer to the beach…………

Check out the links on the website and start getting excited. Did I mention we are taking a motorcoach? Can you say “sleep all the way to the beach”?

I thought I’d throw a top 5 list out to you in honor of our upcoming beach trip.

PR’s top 5 things to do on the beach trip

1. Listen to the teaching-yeah, I know that’s kind of the dork answer, but the teachers our camps are right in my wheel house. And it’s really the only chance all year I get to sit back and get some spiritual nurturing. So cut me some slack.
2. Going the 80’s store @ Broadway-I love me some 80’s. Any store that has a Prince belt buckle along w/ a Lost Boys poster which is beside a Kajagoogoo music box is alright by me.
3. The pool-”hey no one’s in the pool. Let’s go swimming. Wait, why is nobody else swimming? What’s that floating in the pool?” We’re gonna miss you Lana Beth. Gonna miss you indeed.
4. The concerts-Did I mention how excited I am to hear David Crowder? And DECEMBERADIO’s gonna be there. It’s all good.
5. Bumz Burger-Now, I have yet to partake in the delicacy known as the bumz burder, but PE and the Undertaker swear by it. They went up 2 pants sizes the last time they went to the beach, so I’ve got to taste and see what all the hype’s about.
   

Hey, we are starting small groups this week. I know that your leaders are chomping at the bit. Adam P. hasn’t been able to eat, sleep, or play Texas Hold ‘Em for like three weeks b/c he misses you so much. And Bobbi F. and Tara D. have been making gingerbread houses non-stop in anticipation of this glorious day. So, since they are putting so much effort into this, you need to show up.

Please don’t forget about your beach money being due Sunday, May 4.

We also have dates for our last fundraisers. We are going to be working at the Cougar Splash car wash on Saturday, May 10. We are working El Rincon on Tuesday, May 13. And, finally, we are having a McDonald’s fundraiser on Friday, May 16. Stay tuned for details and sign ups.