Slow Motion Potion

Ever get that feeling that you're just in slow motion? That's where I am right now. I can't seem to get things rolling, no matter how much I try. I'm trying to stay positive though, knowing that seasons come and go.

I don't know, perhaps the reality of summer schedule in youth ministry is coming crashing down on me so quickly that I feel like I need to hold on the very lost drop of spring before it all goes...

I'm getting ready for youth group tonight. Looks like all the Middle School and High School kids will be together tonight. That kind of changes what we do and how we do it. But it's always kind of cool to see everybody together.

Easter weekend was pretty good. The Maundy Thursday and Tenebrae services were good and powerful. God's story really is the best one. How great to encourage people to enjoy it, live it and love others! Easter services were full and pretty good here too. Because of my ankle I couldn't do as much "mingling" as I would have liked, but God used the conversations I did have.

Must... Focus...

I'm struggling to find focus and stay focused. I don't know if it's lack of strength, stamina or just a longer recovery time than I ever imagined, but my butt gets tired fast and I have trouble staying focused for long. So if the blogs reflect this... well now you know.

I'm looking forward to our Maundy Thursday service (celebrates the Last Supper) and Tenebrae (service of shadows) coming up tomorrow and Friday. I've been making preparations and feel like it should all come together, although there are never guarantees. In my restlessness I've been trying to focus on what God is wanting me to hear in this... but I just feel drowsy a lot.

Rick and Janene brought dinner tonight - stuffed peppers - and it was great. Dayne and Whitney came over and helped with the kids. I didn't talk to them much, I was hiding in my slow motion and rather smelly state. I think they understand (they're probably glad I wasn't around much)!

Patience is hard

I'm starting to come out of my "funk" a bit and so I'm growing wrestless and therefore impatient and therefore annoying. My poor family. They have been so good through this whole thing. I just hope that it all is worth it in the end. The worst thing would be to go through surgery part 2 and find out it didn't really make a difference. Well, too late for that worrying at this point I suppose.

I'm looking forward to our services this week and am praying that God will use them to connect with people in incredible ways. If I can in any way bring someone to the realization that God wants the best life for them, and that he's willing to help them live it, then God's used me more than I could dream.

I totally don't get the oxicoten thing... Rush... celebrities... addicted to this drug? I hate it and can't wait for it to be gone. I can't really function that way. I guess they couldn't either, that's why they got in trouble, but I'm ready to think clearly and trust myself.

ZZZZZZZ

Sleepy, sleepy. Didn't sleep much last night... so I made up for it this morning, sleeping through Bud and George working on our basement, the kids "suprising" me with get-well cards and the general pain. Seem to be getting better though, although with these big boys of drugs it's hard to have much perspective.

Trying to regain strength for Thursday and Friday services, then another restful weekend. Hopefully James will have my laptop and docking station hooked up by this week so that I can truly be mobile in working from home and wherever!!

Ouch!

I'm sitting on my couch right now recovering from surgery on Friday. It went well from what they tell me. They removed a nice sized bone chip from the back of my ankle. I am in much more pain than I anticipated. Way more than when i had the scope last year. They've got me loaded on drugs and so I'm about as worthless as can be. Can't do much, can't be trusted to have conversations or remember much, fade in and out of consciousness constantly...

I think I'm already driving my family crazy and so I am trying to be helpful and not a nuisance. Pray for my family during this time. Hope you all are having a good palm Sunday, remember the choice Christ made again and again to be obedient and live a better life! We can too with his help!

Getting Ready

Yesterday was a great day. Spent the morning with Russ, Judy and Noah talking together about what's happening and where we're headed.

The Crossing went well. I started the whole thing by making salsa!! It was pretty funny and the salsa was actually pretty good. But the truth is I just love being with that group of people. We just have a great time!

Today I'm preparing for surgery tomorrow and the massive period of time coming up where I'll have to be a home. I won't be able to drive for about 4 weeks and so I'll be driving my family nuts. Thankfully I have a new laptop to work from home with so I'll be able to get things done.

Friends

Yesterday had a great time with the kids in the morning. Their friend Michael Frontera came over and we all headed up for the Herr's Potato Chip factory tour. It was fun. The kids kept calling Chipper, Cheddar. Quite entertaining. Then we all headed back home to picnic, but it was too chilly so we picniced at home.

For the afternoon I went and watched Scott and Tyler play tennis. They didn't face each other though. Bummer. They both played well and I was joined by Kevin, Tony, Mike, Julie and Jordan. Quite the showing! That's so great to see people investing in people!!!

Jim and Sue Dougherty came over for dinner and we had a great time together. They are some great friends!

Friends

Yesterday had a great time with the kids in the morning. Their friend Michael Frontera came over and we all headed up for the Herr's Potato Chip factory tour. It was fun. The kids kept calling Chipper, Cheddar. Quite entertaining. Then we all headed back home to picnic, but it was too chilly so we picniced at home.

For the afternoon I went and watched Scott and Tyler play tennis. They didn't face each other though. Bummer. They both played well and I was joined by Kevin, Tony, Mike, Julie and Jordan. Quite the showing! That's so great to see people investing in people!!!

Jim and Sue Dougherty came over for dinner and we had a great time together. They are some great friends!

Building together

Yesterday had a great time with the kids in the morning. Their friend Michael Frontera came over and we all headed up for the Herr's Potato Chip factory tour. It was fun. The kids kept calling Chipper, Cheddar. Quite entertaining. Then we all headed back home to picnic, but it was too chilly so we picniced at home.

For the afternoon I went and watched Scott and Tyler play tennis. They didn't face each other though. Bummer. They both played well and I was joined by Kevin, Tony, Mike, Julie and Jordan. Quite the showing! That's so great to see people investing in people!!!

Jim and Sue Dougherty came over for dinner and we had a great time together. They are some great friends!

Preparations...

A beautiful day yesterday! Sun shining, me in shorts, and actually some time out of the office and meetings!

I had lunch with my friend Jordan Corbin at Madonna House. The food was good the service... not so good.

Our good friends Kevin and Joy Snow (and Katelynn and Kristen) came over! Kevin is in town because of the Youth Convention on Saturday at our church and so we combined it to have some time together laughing, playing, talking and eating! It's good to have friends!

Later we met up with some of the people from his church and Freddy to do sound check and set-up for Saturday. Kevin Berry comes and helps out with setup which I am very thankful for!

Bad blogging. I have been less than faithful, but I've been on the road.
A couple key things happening that you'll no doubt be hearing follow up on in the next few days and weeks. Dave Curtiss came out to visit. He's a great friend and mentor and he and I talked LOTS about ministry, life and next steps for both of us (mostly me though). He also shared with the youth workers here and with some youth pastors on our district. He's great. He communicates his heart so well. We're already seeing changes and a difference in the peoples were with!

Also we went and visited Doug and Shelly Pagitt and their family in Minnesota. Carol and I (and Isaiah) had a great time and were so impressed and overwhelmed with Doug and Shelley and Matt Henry's hospitality. They were just great. The visit went well too. Just being around them teaches us much. More to come on all that.

Today Kevin and Joy Snow are coming to visit and set up for the convention at our church this weekend. They are great friends and we are much looking forward to it.

Sunday went well....

It has probably taken me the two days up till now to recover fully. I've heard a lot of encouraging things about the teaching/preaching. Best of all a friend who has been doubting a lot has been spurned on to ask more and more questions.

We're preparing for our good friend Dave to come and visit all the way from California. He's so california too. It's quite funny. We'll spend some time together with him kicking my butt on how to do ministry right (he's one of my ministry mentors) and then I'll turn him loose on our youth workers. Then he'll get to go play for a few days with his daughter in Philly. Then right before he jets out of town into the sunset (quite literally I suppose), I'll give him a whack at our district youth pastors. It's called maximizing your time. Actually it's his time. At any rate we're really looking forward to it.

Some of our college kids are home on spring break and many will wind up at my house tonight laughing and talking and catching up. This is all good, but it also begs the question, what are we going to do for these kids this summer? It's true my mind and its questions continue to torment me, allowing little rest and less peace.

A bit of a rough week...

It's been a tough few days. My uncle had a heart attack, today is to have 5 bypasses and they found a tumor in his ear (to be operated on later). One of the kids in my youth group, (a senior leader), just found out he has a malignant tumor on his thyroid and will be having surgery soon to remove both... and it's his birthday. Major bummer.

I guess what makes it all so hard at times is entering into the situation (in this case the sorrow) with them. It certainly makes me realize what a loving Father we have in God and what a Savior we have in Christ. Thanks God for entering into all of my life and sharing it with me, for helping me through the tough times, for laughing with me in the joyous times, and for giving me a touch of your love to share with others.

May we never take for granted your presence or your love!

Initial Posting

Well I am now officially entering the world of the blog. Kinda scary for those of you who actually might read this no doubt.

Today I'm preparing for tonights group stuff, pulling together curriculum for Lent for small groups and beginning to gather thougths for Sunday sermon. As I do all this I am continually brought back to the images from "the Passion of Christ" and my thoughts of "how can you possibly try to put words to this story?"

It's foolishness I know...