Layin Down the Law!

Perhaps I should do this at youth group when students talk during worship or while I'm preaching.

Layin Down the Law!

Lo Mismo

Tonight we recapped our year-long journey of special Focus on Fellowship. Our theme was Connect, and we spent the year looking at the one another's of the New Testament during our mid-week services, and unpacking them during our Sunday night small groups. Tonight I shared a message entitled "Lo Mismo" which in Spanish means "The same thing." I shared from Matthew 22 where Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love God, and the second is like it, to love others. For Jesus loving God and loving others are not separate issues. I John 4 reminds us that if we say we love God but not our brothers, we are frauds. Love God. Love Others. Lo Mismo. May God deepen this truth in our hearts.

Lo Mismo

Small Groups, Big Splash!

I am so pleased with the success of our first year in small groups! We launched 6 small groups last September, and dozens of students had their lives impacted in a special way. We jumped out to a big start - a few weeks topping 80 students in attendance. We then took a dip (which I was fully anticipating) and then we leveled off at a weekly attendance of about 55. This evening we had our Small Group Finale Party, and we had 45 people come out for a pool party and BBQ. We took time to share some of the good things that happened this year, as well as to talk about some ideas for improving the small groups next year. We then circled up and prayed together. It was the highlight of my year! I am passionate about seeing our students connected in life-giving relationships through small groups. What a great year! May fruit remain!

Small Groups, Big Splash!

Winter Retreat Reunion 2008 "RE-CONNECT"

What a hot, muggy, fun day we had Re-Connecting with our friends from some of the churches who were with us at our winter retreat back in January. We had a cookout, games on the field and in the gym, a talent show (featuring the incredibly talented, heart-throbbing, dynamic duo Falsetto Squared (They're more well known as Falsetto Cubed, but the third member of the group is on tour in the Philippines (I mean, on a missions trip!).), and a tremendous time of worship with Mike Kim who came down from Connecticut just to lead us in a time of worshipping Jesus.

Winter Retreat Reunion 2008 "RE-CONNECT"

5 Tacos & 50 Situps

Tonight we had a race between 5 students at youth group called 5 Tacos & 50 Sit Ups. I was inspired to do this by Andy & the boys @ Simply Youth Ministry. Props to them for their creativity! Unfortunately we only captured a few seconds on this video. We'll get more next time.

5 Tacos & 50 Situps

Finish Well!

Hey guys! I just want to encourage you during these final weeks of school. I know this is the time of year when gazing out windows and daydreaming is the funnest thing about being in school. However, I want to challenge you and exhort you to do your best and finish well. Pray before you study for your finals, and ask God to help you concentrate so you can learn what you need to learn to get the best grades you can get. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, do it with all of your heart, as to the Lord and not to men …" Your hand has found school work to do during this season of life. You might not have chosen it, but it has chosen you. For Christ-followers, doing your best in your academics is not just about grades; it is about worship. Have you ever thought of your studies as an at of worship? When you do your best, you honor and bring pleasure to God. Show people that a relationship with Jesus is not just about Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Show them that Jesus saturates every area of your life - including your studies.

Praying for you,
PK

Finish Well!

A Fresh Way to Read God's Story

I just finished reading The Book of God by Walter Wangrin Jr. It is over 600 pages, so I chipped away at it over the last year. It is a wonderful and creative presentation of the Bible as a novel. It really awakens the imagination while staying true to the essential truth of Scripture. It was a lot of fun to inhabit the biblical story. If you're looking for a fresh way to explore God's story, give this book a read. I am looking forward to reading another novel by Wangrin called Paul which is a novel about the life of the Apostle.

A Fresh Way to Read God's Story

"We Need Each Other" by Sanctus Real

This song goes so well with our theme for the year: Connect!

Here's the story behind the song.

"We Need Each Other" by Sanctus Real