Sep 17, 2005
Sep 14, 2005
Sep 12, 2005
SC3 E-Mail Newsletter 9.12.2005
Contents
1. Something for Your Heart
2. Surf Report
3. Forgettable Fact
4. Potent Quotables
5. Parting Shot
===========oursponsor===========
SHE'S HIP. SHE'S NEW. SHE'S TROUBLE.
Trouble comes in small packages. This one is five feet tall and weighs 98 pounds. Her name is Serenity Harper and she's one obnoxious little bundle of attitude, anger, and animosity. Can the care and concern of Derek, Kimberly, and the rest of the Prayer Club break through Serenity's tough shell—and prove to her that true love does exist?
Serenity: The New Bad Girl in Town—a manga series for teens:
http://www.serenitybuzz.com/
=================================
1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
(John 3:1-21)
I can hear crickets jabbering in the shadows among the trees. Nearby in a clearing a campfire flickers. Jesus and his buddies are talking around the fire. I see them seated there in the dance of darkness and light. Someone laughs. Someone in the shadows coughs.
I've chosen to come at night when no one else can see me. No one else will even know I was here.
But I had to come. I had to meet him for myself. You see, I've heard him speak. I've seen his miracles. He's different. I know that much. There's something mysterious about him, yet something familiar, too—something that's both comforting and deeply unsettling.
I step on a twig, and it snaps underfoot. They all look up, silent now. I emerge from the shadows, and I'm sure they recognize by my clothes that I'm someone important, a teacher of the Jews. A couple of them smile and nod, obviously impressed that I would show up here to talk with their friend.
But before any of them can say a word, I clear my throat and address Jesus. "Rabbi," I say, bowing out of respect. "We know you are a teacher sent from God, for no one could possibly do the wonders you do unless God were with him."
I pause and wait for him to acknowledge the compliment.
But he doesn't say anything. He just studies my face. I can see the flicker of shadow and light on his features as the campfire leaps and twists a few feet away.
I expect him to say something like, "Gee, thanks. I appreciate that. So kind of you to mention it. Just trying to be faithful there. Just using the gifts and talents God has given me." But he doesn't, and that surprises me.
Instead he grunts, "So you think God's kingdom is proven by outward signs? Well, no one can even see God's kingdom unless he's born again."
Born again? What?
I try to wrap my mind around his words. Is he trying to tell me I've never even seen God's kingdom? Does he know who he's talking to?!
Everyone knows Jesus likes to use shocking images in his teaching, images of thieves and seeds and pigs and pearls, but . . . being born again? What's that supposed to mean?
My gaze drifts from Jesus to his disciples and then back to him. Finally, I say, "But how can that be, Jesus? How can someone be born again? You can't reenter the womb!" My words are alive with logic. I'm chuckling a little, but he isn't. Crickets chirp in the background.
"No one can enter God's kingdom unless he's born of water and the Spirit," answers Jesus, pushing a stick into the fire to reposition the coals. In the new light of the fire he must notice the bewildered look on my face because he motions for me to have a seat. I scrunch down on one of the logs they've pulled up beside the campfire. I see his wild features in the blazing light.
There's nothing tame about this man.
"We all know that humans have human babies. Well, God's Spirit produces spiritual babies." A cloud of sparks drifts skyward. "Your problem is that you think it's all explainable. But it's not supposed to be reasonable. The process is as mysterious as the wind. You can't even understand the direction of the wind—its origin or its destination. How can you expect to nail down spiritual birth? How are you gonna fit that into your neat little theological box?"
My heart is beating faster now. His words have an edge to them. He seems impatient with me, like he's talking to a child who hasn't been listening in school.
This guy doesn't beat around the bush, does he?
I watch the sparks rise into the darkness. They ride invisible currents of air, curling up into the night. Wind carries them along toward the stars—the wind of the fire, the breath of the flames. I watch them dance upward into the darkness and then disappear into the unknown. I'm trying to understand all that he's telling me. I really am. But I can't seem to make sense of it.
Finally, I shake my head. "I'm . . . I'm sorry. I don't understand."
And then Jesus loses his cool. He rises and steps toward me, filling the space between me and the fire. "You teach others, don't you? You teach the word of God . . . yet you don't understand it yourself?!"
I blink, unsure what to say. He sighs and shakes his head.
Then he speaks of purpose—the purpose of his life, the purpose of our lives, and the importance of faith at the center of it all. Over and over, in half a dozen ways, he tells me my problem isn't in my head, but in my heart. It isn't facts I need, he says, but faith. Not proof, but belief.
And he speaks to me of fear—the fear of being revealed. He tells me most people hide and are afraid to come into the light for fear that their evil deeds will be exposed.
Light and darkness . . . secrets and revelation . . . truth and lies . . . faith and fear . . . all of his words sail through my head.
He's saying I'm in love with the darkness! The words sting me. That's what he's saying. That's what he means!
The other men are silent. And then the truth hits me like a fist in the gut.
He's right, Nicodemus, you are afraid of the truth, you are in love with the darkness . . . Why else would you have come at night?
I swallow hard. How does he know? How can he see so deeply into my soul? How can he know my heart so well when we've only just met?
"But," he says at last, "whoever lives by the truth, Nicodemus, comes into the light."
His words don't sound like doctrine at all—more like an invitation.
Then Jesus is done. The fire crackles. There's nothing more to say. I nod to him. He nods back.
I look at the men sitting there, listening to all of this, studying me. I wonder how many of them have believed . . . have been reborn . . . have seen the kingdom . . . have stepped into the light.
Then I leave the fire and walk into the shadows again. And I wonder if I'm going into the shadows, or through them? Into or through . . .
His words snap at my heels as I stumble back home through the raven-black night.
Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light.
I notice stars flickering high above me like sparks from a thousand fires that finally found their way home through the night.
Am I walking into the night or through it to the other side?
"Through it," I say to myself. "I'm walking through it."
And I take a step forward.
Toward home.
Taken from "Never the Same: Stories of Those Who Encountered Jesus" by Steven James, copyright 2005, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/259517
2. SURF REPORT
~ A Student's Guide to Research with the WWW
A tutorial guide to conducting research on the World Wide Web.
http://www.slu.edu/departments/english/research/
~ ClassBrain.com
Lots of online games in lots of categories
http://www.classbrain.com/artgames/publish/
3. FORGETTABLE FACT
More money is printed for the Monopoly board game every day than for the US treasury!
4. POTENT QUOTABLES
"There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle"
- Robert Alden
"Truly, it is in darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest of all to us"
- Meister Eckhart
5. PARTING SHOT
Looking for a helping hand? There's one on your arm.
copyright 2005 :: Youth Specialties
300 S. Pierce St. // El Cajon, CA 92020
888.346.4179
1. Something for Your Heart
2. Surf Report
3. Forgettable Fact
4. Potent Quotables
5. Parting Shot
===========oursponsor===========
SHE'S HIP. SHE'S NEW. SHE'S TROUBLE.
Trouble comes in small packages. This one is five feet tall and weighs 98 pounds. Her name is Serenity Harper and she's one obnoxious little bundle of attitude, anger, and animosity. Can the care and concern of Derek, Kimberly, and the rest of the Prayer Club break through Serenity's tough shell—and prove to her that true love does exist?
Serenity: The New Bad Girl in Town—a manga series for teens:
http://www.serenitybuzz.com/
=================================
1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
(John 3:1-21)
I can hear crickets jabbering in the shadows among the trees. Nearby in a clearing a campfire flickers. Jesus and his buddies are talking around the fire. I see them seated there in the dance of darkness and light. Someone laughs. Someone in the shadows coughs.
I've chosen to come at night when no one else can see me. No one else will even know I was here.
But I had to come. I had to meet him for myself. You see, I've heard him speak. I've seen his miracles. He's different. I know that much. There's something mysterious about him, yet something familiar, too—something that's both comforting and deeply unsettling.
I step on a twig, and it snaps underfoot. They all look up, silent now. I emerge from the shadows, and I'm sure they recognize by my clothes that I'm someone important, a teacher of the Jews. A couple of them smile and nod, obviously impressed that I would show up here to talk with their friend.
But before any of them can say a word, I clear my throat and address Jesus. "Rabbi," I say, bowing out of respect. "We know you are a teacher sent from God, for no one could possibly do the wonders you do unless God were with him."
I pause and wait for him to acknowledge the compliment.
But he doesn't say anything. He just studies my face. I can see the flicker of shadow and light on his features as the campfire leaps and twists a few feet away.
I expect him to say something like, "Gee, thanks. I appreciate that. So kind of you to mention it. Just trying to be faithful there. Just using the gifts and talents God has given me." But he doesn't, and that surprises me.
Instead he grunts, "So you think God's kingdom is proven by outward signs? Well, no one can even see God's kingdom unless he's born again."
Born again? What?
I try to wrap my mind around his words. Is he trying to tell me I've never even seen God's kingdom? Does he know who he's talking to?!
Everyone knows Jesus likes to use shocking images in his teaching, images of thieves and seeds and pigs and pearls, but . . . being born again? What's that supposed to mean?
My gaze drifts from Jesus to his disciples and then back to him. Finally, I say, "But how can that be, Jesus? How can someone be born again? You can't reenter the womb!" My words are alive with logic. I'm chuckling a little, but he isn't. Crickets chirp in the background.
"No one can enter God's kingdom unless he's born of water and the Spirit," answers Jesus, pushing a stick into the fire to reposition the coals. In the new light of the fire he must notice the bewildered look on my face because he motions for me to have a seat. I scrunch down on one of the logs they've pulled up beside the campfire. I see his wild features in the blazing light.
There's nothing tame about this man.
"We all know that humans have human babies. Well, God's Spirit produces spiritual babies." A cloud of sparks drifts skyward. "Your problem is that you think it's all explainable. But it's not supposed to be reasonable. The process is as mysterious as the wind. You can't even understand the direction of the wind—its origin or its destination. How can you expect to nail down spiritual birth? How are you gonna fit that into your neat little theological box?"
My heart is beating faster now. His words have an edge to them. He seems impatient with me, like he's talking to a child who hasn't been listening in school.
This guy doesn't beat around the bush, does he?
I watch the sparks rise into the darkness. They ride invisible currents of air, curling up into the night. Wind carries them along toward the stars—the wind of the fire, the breath of the flames. I watch them dance upward into the darkness and then disappear into the unknown. I'm trying to understand all that he's telling me. I really am. But I can't seem to make sense of it.
Finally, I shake my head. "I'm . . . I'm sorry. I don't understand."
And then Jesus loses his cool. He rises and steps toward me, filling the space between me and the fire. "You teach others, don't you? You teach the word of God . . . yet you don't understand it yourself?!"
I blink, unsure what to say. He sighs and shakes his head.
Then he speaks of purpose—the purpose of his life, the purpose of our lives, and the importance of faith at the center of it all. Over and over, in half a dozen ways, he tells me my problem isn't in my head, but in my heart. It isn't facts I need, he says, but faith. Not proof, but belief.
And he speaks to me of fear—the fear of being revealed. He tells me most people hide and are afraid to come into the light for fear that their evil deeds will be exposed.
Light and darkness . . . secrets and revelation . . . truth and lies . . . faith and fear . . . all of his words sail through my head.
He's saying I'm in love with the darkness! The words sting me. That's what he's saying. That's what he means!
The other men are silent. And then the truth hits me like a fist in the gut.
He's right, Nicodemus, you are afraid of the truth, you are in love with the darkness . . . Why else would you have come at night?
I swallow hard. How does he know? How can he see so deeply into my soul? How can he know my heart so well when we've only just met?
"But," he says at last, "whoever lives by the truth, Nicodemus, comes into the light."
His words don't sound like doctrine at all—more like an invitation.
Then Jesus is done. The fire crackles. There's nothing more to say. I nod to him. He nods back.
I look at the men sitting there, listening to all of this, studying me. I wonder how many of them have believed . . . have been reborn . . . have seen the kingdom . . . have stepped into the light.
Then I leave the fire and walk into the shadows again. And I wonder if I'm going into the shadows, or through them? Into or through . . .
His words snap at my heels as I stumble back home through the raven-black night.
Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light.
I notice stars flickering high above me like sparks from a thousand fires that finally found their way home through the night.
Am I walking into the night or through it to the other side?
"Through it," I say to myself. "I'm walking through it."
And I take a step forward.
Toward home.
Taken from "Never the Same: Stories of Those Who Encountered Jesus" by Steven James, copyright 2005, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/259517
2. SURF REPORT
~ A Student's Guide to Research with the WWW
A tutorial guide to conducting research on the World Wide Web.
http://www.slu.edu/departments/english/research/
~ ClassBrain.com
Lots of online games in lots of categories
http://www.classbrain.com/artgames/publish/
3. FORGETTABLE FACT
More money is printed for the Monopoly board game every day than for the US treasury!
4. POTENT QUOTABLES
"There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle"
- Robert Alden
"Truly, it is in darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest of all to us"
- Meister Eckhart
5. PARTING SHOT
Looking for a helping hand? There's one on your arm.
copyright 2005 :: Youth Specialties
300 S. Pierce St. // El Cajon, CA 92020
888.346.4179
Sep 1, 2005
New Orleans - Katrina
New Orleans…it is amazing how bad it is down there. Very sad stories. I can’t imagine losing family, friends, home, all possessions, neighborhoods, everything familiar. And "Fats" Domino is missing.
My prayers are that the survivors might find God and a true relationship with Him through Jesus Christ is all this. God is good all the time! Even in tragedy He is working.
However … who’s idea was it to live 5-10’ below sea level? What were they thinking … with a 20 mile long lake lurking over them just beyond a levee? Whose idea was that?
So now we have 1000’s dead and billions and billions of property damage. Who’s going to pay for it? We are. Our government will give billions. Our insurance companies will pay out billions. Therefore, our taxes will go up and insurance rates will go up. So who pays for these people’s lack of judgment, you and me.
We, in the northwest, live in an area of the country that has virtually no natural disasters that cost the rest of the country, but we pay for them to live in hurricane country below sea level. Where is the fairness in that?
Is it a good idea to rebuild these areas of New Orleans that are below sea level? I think not. Move north, man.
I like what JACK CHAMBLESS, ECONOMICS PROFESSOR, VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE said to FOXNEWS in response to the question “You don’t believe one taxpayer dollar should go toward rebuilding the city of New Orleans?”:
“Well, if we look at Article One, Section Eight of the United States Constitution — and I encourage all Americans to look at that before we start opening up our tax coffers to pay for all of this — we have every obligation to provide for New Orleans in terms of charity, private charity from one person to the other.
But the founding fathers never intended, Article One, section Eight of the Constitution, never intended to provide one dollar of taxpayer dollars to pay for any disaster or anything that we might call charity. What we now have is the law of unintended consequences taking place, where FEMA has come into New Orleans, a place where, ecologically, it makes no sense to have levees keeping the Mississippi River from flooding into New Orleans, like it naturally should.
Now with FEMA bailing out Louisiana, bailing out Florida and lowering the overall cost of living in these places, we have people with no incentive to leave. And the law of unintended consequences means that more people are dying with every one of these storms. They're becoming more and more expensive, more and more property loss, just because the federal government has violated the Constitution to provide for these funds.”
My prayers are that the survivors might find God and a true relationship with Him through Jesus Christ is all this. God is good all the time! Even in tragedy He is working.
However … who’s idea was it to live 5-10’ below sea level? What were they thinking … with a 20 mile long lake lurking over them just beyond a levee? Whose idea was that?
So now we have 1000’s dead and billions and billions of property damage. Who’s going to pay for it? We are. Our government will give billions. Our insurance companies will pay out billions. Therefore, our taxes will go up and insurance rates will go up. So who pays for these people’s lack of judgment, you and me.
We, in the northwest, live in an area of the country that has virtually no natural disasters that cost the rest of the country, but we pay for them to live in hurricane country below sea level. Where is the fairness in that?
Is it a good idea to rebuild these areas of New Orleans that are below sea level? I think not. Move north, man.
I like what JACK CHAMBLESS, ECONOMICS PROFESSOR, VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE said to FOXNEWS in response to the question “You don’t believe one taxpayer dollar should go toward rebuilding the city of New Orleans?”:
“Well, if we look at Article One, Section Eight of the United States Constitution — and I encourage all Americans to look at that before we start opening up our tax coffers to pay for all of this — we have every obligation to provide for New Orleans in terms of charity, private charity from one person to the other.
But the founding fathers never intended, Article One, section Eight of the Constitution, never intended to provide one dollar of taxpayer dollars to pay for any disaster or anything that we might call charity. What we now have is the law of unintended consequences taking place, where FEMA has come into New Orleans, a place where, ecologically, it makes no sense to have levees keeping the Mississippi River from flooding into New Orleans, like it naturally should.
Now with FEMA bailing out Louisiana, bailing out Florida and lowering the overall cost of living in these places, we have people with no incentive to leave. And the law of unintended consequences means that more people are dying with every one of these storms. They're becoming more and more expensive, more and more property loss, just because the federal government has violated the Constitution to provide for these funds.”
Aug 31, 2005
SC3 Newsletter Article
We worship in a variety of ways and places. Worship is to give extravagant respect, honor, or devotion.
In using this definition it can be seen that the people around us worship many different gods (boyfriends, girlfriends, bands, singers, athletes, cars, toys,…).
We can worship the true God in many ways as well. One of my favorite ways is to hike in the forest admiring Him for His handiwork.
I have had a few opportunities to do that this summer. This week I went by myself for a prayer and fasting hike. Jesus went up the mountain to pray, I followed His example.
I went to an area I had not been to before (just 30 miles from town) and found two guys on bikes exploring also, but they were from Germany. I am amazed that we live so close to beautiful areas that we rarely explore and other people travel 1/2 way around the world to admire our neighborhood.
Paul the Apostle tells us we can learn about God through His amazing creation (Rom 1.20).
In exploring creation we get bodily exercise which Paul says profits us, however discipline for the purpose of righteousness has eternal profits (1 Timothy 4.8),
This reminds me of the whitewashed tombs the Pharisees were described as by Jesus. By exercising we might be looking good on the outside however if our spirit is not in line with His, what eternal profits are there? None.
Therefore worship God in His creation, get exercise, but most important worship Him by getting spiritual exercise.
In using this definition it can be seen that the people around us worship many different gods (boyfriends, girlfriends, bands, singers, athletes, cars, toys,…).
We can worship the true God in many ways as well. One of my favorite ways is to hike in the forest admiring Him for His handiwork.
I have had a few opportunities to do that this summer. This week I went by myself for a prayer and fasting hike. Jesus went up the mountain to pray, I followed His example.
I went to an area I had not been to before (just 30 miles from town) and found two guys on bikes exploring also, but they were from Germany. I am amazed that we live so close to beautiful areas that we rarely explore and other people travel 1/2 way around the world to admire our neighborhood.
Paul the Apostle tells us we can learn about God through His amazing creation (Rom 1.20).
In exploring creation we get bodily exercise which Paul says profits us, however discipline for the purpose of righteousness has eternal profits (1 Timothy 4.8),
This reminds me of the whitewashed tombs the Pharisees were described as by Jesus. By exercising we might be looking good on the outside however if our spirit is not in line with His, what eternal profits are there? None.
Therefore worship God in His creation, get exercise, but most important worship Him by getting spiritual exercise.
SC3 STUDENT E-MAIL NEWSLETTER 8.29.05
SC3 STUDENT E-MAIL NEWSLETTER 8.29.05
++ Tamolitch Pool Hike – September 17 – 9 AM–5 PM. Bring sack lunch, $2 for ice cream, and wear comfortable clothes. Please sign up with Cory. Everyone welcome. 4.6 miles round trip.
Contents
1. Something for Your Heart
2. Surf Report
3. Forgettable Fact
4. Potent Quotables
5. Parting Shot
===========our|sponsor===========
TOBYMAC-NEW REMIX RECORD DROPS AUGUST 30TH!
Check out the new TOBYMAC record "Renovating Diverse City." It's the new album with remixes of songs from "Welcome to Diverse City." It also features new songs and the radio hit "Burn For You!" The remix drops everywhere August 30th, but check out the ecard now to find out how to pre-buy the album. Plus, the ecard hooks you up with all the new sounds from "Renovating Diverse City!"
http://ecards.forefrontrecords.com/tobymac/remixdc/
=================================
1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
Well, summer is winding down and it's back-to-school time again. As you reflect back over the past three months, do you feel that you got the most out of that time? Before you answer, keep in mind it's not so much what you did during your summer as what you learned from it.
In his book, "The Kingdom of God Is a Party," author Tony Campolo tells of how one college president liked to spend his summers. John Coleman, former president of Haverford College (a rather fancy-schmancy school in Pennsylvania) would spend his summers as a garbage collector. He would go to a nearby community where people didn't know who he was and pick up trash with the regular crew.
But in addition to being just one of the guys, he would also try to add an element of fun to the job. He would tell his fellow workers stories they had never heard. He would encourage them to sing on the job. And whenever someone tried to get rude or demeaning to one of the crew for being "just" a garbage collector, he could use his top-level education to put such people in their place.
"But wait," you say, "I could never be a garbage collector. I have to think about college resumes, the future, and such." Point taken. But that's why you need to remember that what you learn from something is what's most important.
Suppose you did take a job collecting garbage for a summer and someday your college admission official asked you what you learned from the experience. Some people might say, "I learned to pour nasty, repugnant garbage from cans into the back of a truck without getting maggots in my hair." (Not a great answer.) You, on the other hand, might say, "I learned the satisfaction of doing an honest day's work for an honest day's pay." (Better.) Or, "I learned that the world is filled with trash, and I want do to whatever I can during my lifetime to make it a better place." (Excellent response!)
Of course, it will be nine months now before you can consider another summer job. Productive or not, this summer is behind you. Yet here comes fall and winter--and the possibilities they bring.
For example, maybe you can devote an occasional Saturday to serving others for the sheer satisfaction of doing something positive with your life. During a lunchtime at school you might sit with a loner or strike up a conversation with someone who isn't very popular. Such "jobs" will never be listed on your resume, but you will be developing skills that will help you throughout your life. And if you also help make the world a better place as you do, so much the better.
On your own ...
In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he introduced a whole new way of relating to other people--especially unpleasant people. Read Matthew 5:38-42.
http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=NLT&passage=Matthew+5%3A38-42
As you plan to return to school (or otherwise move ahead with your life) this fall, what situations do you anticipate where these verses will be relevant?
2. SURF REPORT
~ DCLA 2006
Attend DCLA in 2006, experience intimate worship, relevant training, and interact with thousands of other students.
http://www.dcla2006.com
~ About Billy the Kid
Ever heard of Billy the Kid, the notorious outlaw of the Old West? Want to find out more about him? Check out this interesting site.
http://www.aboutbillythekid.com
3. FORGETTABLE FACT
The average person almost immediately forgets 56% of all new information he or she learns.
4. POTENT QUOTABLES
When one door closes another opens. But we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we fail to see the one that has opened for us.
- Alexander Graham Bell
They serve God well who serve his creatures.
- Caroline Norton
Those who make the worst use of their time most complain of its shortness.
- Jean de la Bruyére
5. PARTING SHOT
Why is it called "after dark" when it's really "after light"?
copyright 2005 :: Youth Specialties
300 S. Pierce St.
El Cajon, CA 92020
888.346.4179
++ Tamolitch Pool Hike – September 17 – 9 AM–5 PM. Bring sack lunch, $2 for ice cream, and wear comfortable clothes. Please sign up with Cory. Everyone welcome. 4.6 miles round trip.
Contents
1. Something for Your Heart
2. Surf Report
3. Forgettable Fact
4. Potent Quotables
5. Parting Shot
===========our|sponsor===========
TOBYMAC-NEW REMIX RECORD DROPS AUGUST 30TH!
Check out the new TOBYMAC record "Renovating Diverse City." It's the new album with remixes of songs from "Welcome to Diverse City." It also features new songs and the radio hit "Burn For You!" The remix drops everywhere August 30th, but check out the ecard now to find out how to pre-buy the album. Plus, the ecard hooks you up with all the new sounds from "Renovating Diverse City!"
http://ecards.forefrontrecords.com/tobymac/remixdc/
=================================
1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
Well, summer is winding down and it's back-to-school time again. As you reflect back over the past three months, do you feel that you got the most out of that time? Before you answer, keep in mind it's not so much what you did during your summer as what you learned from it.
In his book, "The Kingdom of God Is a Party," author Tony Campolo tells of how one college president liked to spend his summers. John Coleman, former president of Haverford College (a rather fancy-schmancy school in Pennsylvania) would spend his summers as a garbage collector. He would go to a nearby community where people didn't know who he was and pick up trash with the regular crew.
But in addition to being just one of the guys, he would also try to add an element of fun to the job. He would tell his fellow workers stories they had never heard. He would encourage them to sing on the job. And whenever someone tried to get rude or demeaning to one of the crew for being "just" a garbage collector, he could use his top-level education to put such people in their place.
"But wait," you say, "I could never be a garbage collector. I have to think about college resumes, the future, and such." Point taken. But that's why you need to remember that what you learn from something is what's most important.
Suppose you did take a job collecting garbage for a summer and someday your college admission official asked you what you learned from the experience. Some people might say, "I learned to pour nasty, repugnant garbage from cans into the back of a truck without getting maggots in my hair." (Not a great answer.) You, on the other hand, might say, "I learned the satisfaction of doing an honest day's work for an honest day's pay." (Better.) Or, "I learned that the world is filled with trash, and I want do to whatever I can during my lifetime to make it a better place." (Excellent response!)
Of course, it will be nine months now before you can consider another summer job. Productive or not, this summer is behind you. Yet here comes fall and winter--and the possibilities they bring.
For example, maybe you can devote an occasional Saturday to serving others for the sheer satisfaction of doing something positive with your life. During a lunchtime at school you might sit with a loner or strike up a conversation with someone who isn't very popular. Such "jobs" will never be listed on your resume, but you will be developing skills that will help you throughout your life. And if you also help make the world a better place as you do, so much the better.
On your own ...
In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he introduced a whole new way of relating to other people--especially unpleasant people. Read Matthew 5:38-42.
http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=NLT&passage=Matthew+5%3A38-42
As you plan to return to school (or otherwise move ahead with your life) this fall, what situations do you anticipate where these verses will be relevant?
2. SURF REPORT
~ DCLA 2006
Attend DCLA in 2006, experience intimate worship, relevant training, and interact with thousands of other students.
http://www.dcla2006.com
~ About Billy the Kid
Ever heard of Billy the Kid, the notorious outlaw of the Old West? Want to find out more about him? Check out this interesting site.
http://www.aboutbillythekid.com
3. FORGETTABLE FACT
The average person almost immediately forgets 56% of all new information he or she learns.
4. POTENT QUOTABLES
When one door closes another opens. But we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we fail to see the one that has opened for us.
- Alexander Graham Bell
They serve God well who serve his creatures.
- Caroline Norton
Those who make the worst use of their time most complain of its shortness.
- Jean de la Bruyére
5. PARTING SHOT
Why is it called "after dark" when it's really "after light"?
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Aug 23, 2005
Carpenter Mountain Hike
Yesterday a group of 8 of us headed up the Mackenzie for a hike. We decided that climbing up Wolf Rock was to dangerous for the group assembled; therefore we went searching for Carpenter Mountain Lookout.
The ranger station had told us that the trail is marked, but did not say off of which road. The map book we had did not show all the roads so we ended up circumnavigating the mountain without finding the trail. About 2 hours of driving on gravel roads, some quite rough (4X4 off-roading almost), we came to a closed gate on a road that we thought would take us up there we decided to go down to the “Experimental Forrest Office” near Blue River Lake to ask. Once we got near the office we found a road side map/sign that showed us the right roads to take.
Then we were able to go straight to the trail for the one mile hike to the top. It is a cool place. The lookout house sits on the very top of this mountain. The top is a rock about 20X20 and the house is about 15X15 with a railed porch all the way around. So the building sits right on top with cliffs falling away on three sides. Great view. There is a college student that lives up there watching for fires with a 360 view during the fire season.
At the bottom we talked about how Jesus said, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What does he mean? Look it up: Matt 11.28-30; John 14.27; Phil 4.7
The ranger station had told us that the trail is marked, but did not say off of which road. The map book we had did not show all the roads so we ended up circumnavigating the mountain without finding the trail. About 2 hours of driving on gravel roads, some quite rough (4X4 off-roading almost), we came to a closed gate on a road that we thought would take us up there we decided to go down to the “Experimental Forrest Office” near Blue River Lake to ask. Once we got near the office we found a road side map/sign that showed us the right roads to take.
Then we were able to go straight to the trail for the one mile hike to the top. It is a cool place. The lookout house sits on the very top of this mountain. The top is a rock about 20X20 and the house is about 15X15 with a railed porch all the way around. So the building sits right on top with cliffs falling away on three sides. Great view. There is a college student that lives up there watching for fires with a 360 view during the fire season.
At the bottom we talked about how Jesus said, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What does he mean? Look it up: Matt 11.28-30; John 14.27; Phil 4.7
Aug 20, 2005
Monday Hike
You may have noticed in the SC3 Youth Newsletter there is a hike scheduled for this coming Monday (22nd).
The plan is to meet at the church building at 9:00 AM with lunches and comfortable clothing and drive to Wolf Rock, which is up on the McKenzie Pass. We will not return until about 5:30 PM.
Please sign up with me Sunday.
David Macauley and me are leading this hike.
The plan is to meet at the church building at 9:00 AM with lunches and comfortable clothing and drive to Wolf Rock, which is up on the McKenzie Pass. We will not return until about 5:30 PM.
Please sign up with me Sunday.
David Macauley and me are leading this hike.
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