momma always said it was good to have good intentions

But sometimes, as good as the intention is, its still a bad idea!

Exodus: Crazy

Just started doing a study of Exodus. Doesn't sound like the most intersting thing to do in the world, but to be honest, I have been pleased! Nothing like a date with the Bible, a notebook and a few good commentaries! I am looking forward to getting started in this study!
Here are just a few things that I have discovered during the study.
1. Exodus 3:2 is the first use of "Holy" in the Scriptures
2. Moses is a lot like me: (5 Excuses why he maybe isn't the best person for God to use)
3. Other stuff I can't really put in a list form right now. Its late.


If you would like to enter into a conversation about this Book, let me know. Otherwise, I will just keep my blogging to my notebook.

More to come... Maybe...

Posers = Fakers =Wannabes

Just started re-reading this book! Found it on my shelf and thought I would give it another try. GREAT BOOK. This is a book that speaks honestly about what it means to live a life of Christ. Authenticity is huge to me. Sometimes it is hard to be authentic and a youth pastor - heck a Christian - at the same time. I am excited to spend some more time in this book.

This book is filled with possible quotes to put on your bathroom mirror, but one that stuck out to me is when he Quotes Anne Lomott.

"The secret is that God loves us exactly the way we are and that he loves us too much to let us stay like this, and I'm just trying to trust that." She makes two things plain here: God won't stop working on us until the job is complete AND God doesn't hold back his love because there is evil in us. Got now, not ever."

I would encourage you to get a copy of this book and read it up. But when you are done, don't just set it back on your shelf and forget about it. Put it into practice in your life. Either give away the book to someone else, or find someone to discuss the content with. Its too good to keep to yourself.

The Morning hours

Last night was the first of our "24" a day with God nights at Plunge. We talked about the morning hours. We discussed the differences in how Guys and Girls get ready in the morning. Then... We had Shad get ready like a girl. Shad... You looked great! Thanks for being a good sport!

and now for something different...

So I am preparing for a youth group lesson, one where I will challenge students to place a Bible by their toilet. I have challenged students to this a hand full of times in my 3 years of youth ministry. I just love to see their faces! This time, I wanted to take it a step further. I decided I would see how long the average person is on the toilet. I couldn't find it in my quick search, but I did find this site! Check it out. I'd love to see what the average is for youth workers!
Just think about how much more time you could be spending in the word!

Its cold outside...

So cold that my dog decided that she would poop in the basement! I let her out, she just ran back in. A assumed, that was her way of saying "I don't have to go." I was wrong. I went downstairs to get some clothes, came out of the laundry room and almost stepped in poo! Sometimes I wonder about that dog!

24 - Review #2

The first four hours have proved to be intense! No character is safe! Jack escaping, saw it coming, head of terrorism group wanting peace, I can believe that, Using a son as leverage to get a package delivered, saw it, jack busting in the door just before the "innocent" gets shot, yep... saw it coming, Jack killing Curtis, Unbelievable! The nuclear bomb going off in the 4th hour.... WOW! Did not see that coming!

24 is a great show that just got upgraded to an A rating in my book! You just don't blow up LA in the 4th hour! NICE! I am hooked!

I question the amount of gore they use. It seems to be a bit over the top. Maybe that is just because I was watching it with my youth group, but it seemed to be alot.

Great show though! Sometime I will blog about the racial topics this show brings up. It has provided some good discussion for me so for.

Good show!

24 - Review #1

Tonight was the MUCH awaited 24 premiere. 2 hours of goodness (which will be followed by 2 more hours tomorrow!) I will admit it was a slow start, with Jack being returned and all. But a half hour into it, it was on! Who really thought Jack would be killed at the beginning? Nobody... He signed a contract through next season. But that doesn't take away from the intense.

The writers never cease to amaze me. It might be the most predicable tv show on earth, but it is also the most adicting. Even though you have a good idea of what is going to happen, you don't want to look away. That is good writing! Lets be honest, it isn't the acting that keeps us watching!

So far I give the new season a A-. Can't wait for tomorrow!

Change is almost always needed...

But almost always difficult. Our student ministry has come to a cross roads. We are currently too large for our meeting area. This is a great thing! A wonderful thing! A God thing! .... So why is it so hard to make a change that will more effectively minister to this large group of students? I believe it is because we are afraid of change, intimacy and accountability.
In a large group, it is easy to hide in the corner. You can walk in a room with 50 other students and nobody will seek you out, or at least for long. You can sit back and watch the night unfold. I am not saying that this is a bad thing, but I do believe it keeps many people, including myself, from growing.
To address this problem, we are splitting our group and meeting on different nights. We are also adding Small groups to allow students a chance to have a more personal experience as well as connect them with a loving adult. Our new Schedule will be as follows.

Jr High:
Jr. High Large Group - 7:00pm Wednesday
Small Groups - Sunday's - meeting in homes

Sr. High:
Sr. High Large Group - 5:00pm - Sunday
Small Groups - Wednesday - 7:00pm - meeting in homes

Our exception will be the first Week of each month when both jr and sr high will meet together for a large group night. During this first week, no small groups will meet.

Does this sound crazy? Does this sound undoable? I realize that it is different. But I see it as exciting as well. It allows us to better disciple our believes while still attracting seekers and friends to our ministry.

I firmly believe that God is leading in this change. That means that it is the right thing, and that Satan doesn't want it to happen. it is my prayer that our students and families would jump on board with this change. It is also my prayer that we would continue to make an impact on our communities for Christ through our young people!

My wife is having an alien!

So, I just returned from the doctor's office. Katie had her ultrasound today. If you ask me, we're having an alien, but they tell me its a boy. All I can say is I hope that it does some major morphing, cause right now, he looks like an alien! Crazy but exciting stuff! Thats all I got for now. I will try and post the pic up here soon.

Closer the Heaven in 2007?

Pat Robertson recently declared that the US would be attacked in late 2007. Several cities and possibly millions of people would be affected by this attack. He said that God didn't specify if it would be nuclear or not, but he believed that it might have been. This isn't the first time that Robertson has made predictions that "God gave him."
What do you think? Did God speak to Robertson? Should Robertson tell the world that God told him this? How should we react to this?

I have a hard time believing Mr. Robertson. I believe that God speaks to his Children, sometimes through dreams. However, I just have a hard time believing much that comes out of his mouth. Maybe it is a personal thing, but I just have a hard time with him.

I could go on, but I guess I will just wait to see what others think about it.

24 - You gotta be kidding me!

"24" is almost here! To say that I am excited is an understatement. To say, I have the projector, sound system and love sac already set up in the basement is NOT exaggerating! And it doesn't even start until next Sunday Night. Jack Bauer has to be the greatest TV character of all times!

I am so excited for the upcoming Day 6 of "24" that we are doing a "24" series at Plunge. Good stuff! Can't wait. might even need to break out the fog machine for some fun FXs!

Got any ideas? Let me hear them!

Sometimes I wish I could scream!

Do you ever wish you could beat the gospel into someone? Ever wish that you could scream the love of Jesus into someone's life? I wonder if Jesus ever felt that way when he lived here? Did he ever get so frustrated with someone he just screamed, "YOU DON"T GET IT!?" Did He ever just want to punch someone so that they would listen to Him?
Does he ever do that with me now? Does he ever get frustrated with me not doing what I should be? Does he just wanna punch me to get my attention?
The Sunday School version of Jesus I once knew would never have feelings or thoughts like that. But the Jesus I have been reading about and talking with lately has those feelings I think. He sometimes just wants me to get it even though I don't. I think that sometimes I am to him, what some of my students are to me. Bull headed and ignorant of what is best for me.
Today, I am thankful for passion; a passion worth living out! What are you thankful for today?

The new Switchfoot CD

Just recieved the new switchfoot cd! its great! If you haven't heard it yet, go to itunes and download it! Good stuff!

A New Year's Resolution?

I am not into the new year's resolution. I am not into making promises to myself that I know that I will not keep. Are you making resolutions? If so let me know. Just wondering.
Chris

Its good being a pastor

There are two things I always dreamed of saying. The first I have been able to say often, the second is something I will say for the first time on Saturday. Exciting stuff! So... what am I talking about you ask? Here they are!:
1. "You May Be Seated"
2. "through the authority I have been given by the church of Jesus Christ ad the State of Minnesota, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Should be a good time. I hope I don't ruin the best day of their life!

SCORE!

Just scored free tickets to the vikings game through Tixfortots. A great organization who gives free tickets to events for organizations who work with teens and children. Great opportunity! It will be the first time any of the 4 guys I am bringing have ever been to a Vikings game! Exciting stuff! Pictures and stories to come after the game!
(UPDATE: The tickets just happen to be in the 8th row!)

Happy New Year everyone!
Chris
ps, if you actually read this, pleae comment. I have a bet that NOBODY reads this thing! Oh well, its still fun to post...to myself I think.

2006 in the rear view mirror

(the following is my newsletter article for our church)

What a year 2006 turned out to be! For some it was filled with good memories, for others, it was a year they would rather forget. Personally, it was an exciting year, both personally as well as with the ministry. I was able to visit two different countries which included traveling overseas for the first time. Kate and I also received the news that we will soon be parents. 2006 was a year to remember.

Plunge Ministries seems to be running at full strength. We are seeing more teens on Wednesday nights than we have ever had, between 40-50 on many nights! We are also seeing students who are making lasting and impactful, positive decisions that will not only affect them for the years to come, but that will also have eternal impact on them! Please that God for what He is doing in the lives of the students in our congregation and our communities! 2006 will be seen by several of our students as the year they received Jesus Christ as their savior!

2006 is also the year that as a ministry, we said goodbye to one of our friends. Matt Roth went to be with the Lord in June. This proved to be a trying as well as growing time for our ministry. Matt brought a smile and laugh every time he walked into the youth room. That smile will never be replaced. Matt will continue to be a part of our ministry and our lives. Please continue to pray for Matt’s family as they experiencing their first year without him. For them, 2006 has been a tough year.

This week I was reading a newsletter from Big Sandy Camp. Scott Stinson, the interim Executive Director, reminded the readers that looking back is important, but what’s most important is to continue to look forward. I like that! It’s so easy to keep our eyes on the rear view mirror and not on the road in front of us. Plunge Student Ministries, our church, and us personally all have things to be looking forward to in 2007. We don’t know what the New Year will hold, but we need to continue to move forward, seeking God for direction. I have a quote I often refer to that says, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” Isn’t it comforting to know that God, the creator of the universe, holds our future? Take courage in that today!

It is my prayer that 2007 would be a fruitful and encouraging year for you. May you take a look back at 2006 and remember the good things, see how God helped you through the tough times and being to look forward to 2007. We have done so much to build up great ministries of our church. Let’s work together to further those ministries and reach as many of our friends, family and community members as possible. 2007 has the potential to be foundational and unprecedented, but it starts with each individual. Are you willing to seek God first this New Year? To put aside personal desires or wants and follow the will of God? If so, welcome to the team! Let’s go make a difference. Not so that we can say we did it, but so that we can say, to God be the glory!

Will you pray with me, this first week of the New Year? Pray that God would lead the different ministries of our church, that the leaders of those ministries would be submissive to His leading. Pray for our congregation to be a welcoming and encouraging group of people in our communities. Pray for our communities, that many would receive Christ. Pray that we would be willing to get into our communities and share with them about Christ. This is a small list, please continue to pray for our ministries and communities throughout this new year! With prayer, we can turn these requests into praises.

This is for Jenny

Hey Jenny, this is just an idea. You can change thing however you would like. Or you can re-word it if needed. Call me if you have any questions.

Order of Service
Prelude
Welcome
Prayer
Special Music
Scripture Reading
Wedding Challenge (Message)
Exchange of vows
Exchanging of rings
Unity Candle lighting/special music
Pronouncement of Couple
The KISS
Benediction

(again anything can be changed if you want)

Here are a couple suggestions for the readings. Please let me know which one(s) you choose. Thanks!
I Corinthians 13
Ephesians 3:14-19
Philippians 4:8-9
Colossians 3:12-17

Christmas came early!

Christmas came early for Kate and I! We are now the proud owners of this new camera! We are super excited about the addition, and cannot wait to start taking pictures of the NEW addition to our family in May!
We figure we might have the camera figured out by May.
Sorry to all of the people that will have their picture taken by me. I am really excited about the camera. Kate has reminded me that not everyone is as excited as I am and that I need to stop taking so many pictures, or at least look before I take the picture. Sorry to all of you. I am having fun though!
It will be a fun Christmas taking pictures of all the little ones at my parents place! Gotta love little kids!
whatever...
Chris