My Prayer

That you have been given:

I. The eyes that God sees with.

II. The hands that Jesus heals with.

III. The heart that moves the love of Jesus.

IV. The obedience to act in love and truth.

Amen.

Close to Home Comic 11/22

What We, as Christians, need to be doing ...

Pray ....


Give ....




Serve .....



Love .....



Go ......




so let's get busy.

Invite someone to Church this week.

A New Instrument.

My daughter had a vision for her school project. They were allowed to use items at home to create a new musical instrument. She had drawn a picture of what she wanted with handles. She wanted to use PVC pipe and rubber bands to make a "Harp-like" musical instrument. And low and behold here is what we came up with. She started with her own architecture drawing and we got the materials together and here is the final result. I'm just in awe she came up with this on her own.

Eric: A Fellow Classmate

Eric's obituary


Turns out last week we had a tragedy in our community. A fellow church leader went to be with the Lord.

I knew Eric. We took several classes through Meritus Medical Center. From Ground Rounds to the Spiritual Cares Conference.

We had moved to the area at the same time, and even had children around the same age.

How I found out about Eric's death was a parent at my kids' school mentioned to me "It was good to see I was alive." (They thought it was me at first who died)

As I've been processing this whole thing ... I went to the Visitation at the Funeral Home a little early. It was odd. I got to met and pay my respects to his widow and two kids (They hadn't even seen their father up to this point and were about to) I knew there was about to be lots of family and friends there for support so didn't stay too long only to say they were in my prayers.

So what does one do in the midst of tragedy?

I. Listen. Just be there. The Ministry of Presence is so important.

II. Pray. Pray for the words to say. Pray in the silence. Pray for those hurting.

III. Follow-up - the next few days, weeks, months, and even years ahead will be tough - don't not forget.

IV. Show love. Sometimes a hug, a card, a little reminder helps to go a long way.

Tragedy isn't easy. This one is not.

As I went to a pastors' meeting just a few days after hearing the news ... I was reminded by each of them that:

1. There is Help.

2. You are not Alone.

3. Seek others to get help.

4. Let us work together for the Kingdom.

Not very easy. Sometimes it seems like ministry can be lonely, hurting, and a Big Task .... But know that God is there and has His Co-workers there to support you.

Pray for us.

My wish List

So Christmas is coming up and my kids have a wish list like a mile long .....

So here is my Wish List:

I. Susan Boyle's The Gift.

II. How Great is Our God collection by Chris Tomlin.

III. Pastor's Handbook - John Bisagno.

IV. Win the Pastor2youth contest.

V. Maple Leafs shirt.

VI. Find out what my wife wants for Christmas.

The Nook Tablet.

I own an ole school Nook. I'm been debating about wanting an i-pad, Kindle Fire, or the new Nook Tablet. I think I'm more envious of the Tablet. So why?

I. Cost

II. Usability.

III. Practical.

IV. My books are already on a Nook.

V. Personal touch - I can go into a BN.com store and get in person service instead of waiting forever either phone or internet.

VI. I already have a BN.com account (sure I have an Amazon and Apple account too but alot of my reviews are on the ole Borders and transferred to Barnes and Noble)


So what say you? Getting a Kindle? Think the Ipad is better or rather the Nook Tablet?

Sneak Peak: Men's Retreat 2012

So ..Lord Willing .... I'm the dean for the Men's Retreat for Tri-State Christian Service Camp. I'm having my friend, Jim Dewar ...speak and Kenny Gillaspy lead Worship. New this year will also be offering a Golf Outing for Saturday Morning. (Thanks to several for suggesting it)

So if you're available April 20-21, 2012 - Why not Mark your Calendar today!!!

Fight over at the "Jesus" Jersey

Story



Thoughts?

More P2Y Photo Entries.

P2Y Contest Entries

Here are some of the Entries I took pics of today. From Church to Pen Mar
to Fort Ritchie
It was a ton of fun! BTW the three signs are actually from the website - some current and past logos that pastor2youth.com had at one time. It is a Free website of resources for youthworkers. I know Ryan who oversees the site. Good man.

Which photos do you like? Comment below. Thanks.

Pastor2Youth Contest

I'm thinking of Entering this Contest? (Thoughts?) (Getting FREE stuff for our Church)

Pastor2youth.com Photo Contest:

Starts on Friday, Oct. 21st and Ends on Sunday, Nov. 20th at Midnight (PST).

Winners will receive all prizes in Downloadable format from Simply Youth Ministry!

Rules:
* Take a picture in the most unique place possible with a sign (readable) that says “Pastor2youth.com”.
* Pictures can NOT be photoshopped. They must be real, genuine pictures you take.
* The pastor2youth signs must be held in someone’s hand, not placed on the ground or hung up on a wall.
* When you have posted your picture, send an email to ryan@pastor2youth.com with the links to where the picture is posted.
* By emailing the links to the photos, you agree to allow those pictures to be used by pastor2youth.com and on the pastor2youth.com website for promotional purposes and for display both during and after the contest. (ownership of those photos remains yours, but you are giving permission for pastor2youth.com to use and display those pictures.)

Bonus Points:
Even “normal” location pictures could win with the following bonus point options:
* Bonus points for having multiple people holding pastor2youth signs
* Bonus points for multiple places where you post your picture (Blog, website, facebook, twitter, etc.) NOTE: The links for each of these locations must remain active until the end of the contest for it to count.
* Bonus points for having someone hold the pastor2youth sign(s) when it isn’t necessarily the most convenient time (i.e. The cashier at a grocery check-out stand when you can see that there is a line of people waiting to be checked out.) However, the lack of convenience must be evident in the picture itself.
* Bonus Points if you get other people to post your picture on their site (Blog, website, facebook, twitter, etc.)

Two Lives - Two Different People but one BIG Difference.

This past week has been a tough week. I've helped with two funerals, assisted with a wedding, and was at a Remembrance (Tree Dedication) for a loved one (22yrs old - biggest funeral I ever done).

Anyways ...

Let me share with you two different people.

Let me introduce to you my friend, Paul. Paul was a follower of Jesus. He loved his family. He loved Jesus. We would talk about shows on the History channel, about hunting, and his family history. He loved his wife, kids, and most importantly Jesus. Paul knew where he was going to go. In the last days leading up to his death ... he was encouraging us. He knew where he was headed. So the former mayor of Jugtown is now in the arms of Jesus. It was an honor to help with his memorial service over a week ago.

Then there is my friend, Judi. Judi has for the last 14yrs been confined to a Nursing home. every week a group of guys would travel almost 30 miles (and fight over) seeing Judi.(Taking her home communion) She was a joy. Didn't have a lot of family. The Nursing Home became part of her family; as well as her church family. She loved her Mom, siblings, and daughter, Rhonda. She would tell stories. Such as being in the home was like being a princess. No cooking, laundry, and was waited on hand and foot. When they had to amputate her leg - her response: "Well, I wasn't using it anyways .." She loved Jesus. She was my prayer warrior. I had the honor of officiating her funeral this past week as well.

Paul and Judi were very different personalities but the ONE Big difference was they loved Jesus. Been a tough week ...but a joyful one as well ...Knowing that both Paul and Judi are now walking in the arms of Jesus. Pray for both these families.

Carol of the Bells

Experience Mobile Mobile from James Théophane Jnr on Vimeo.

HT to Chris M.

What Pastors' Wives Wish you knew.

I Came across This blog post


Wonder if there is a preacher's wife brave enough to write something?

Thoughts?

A Wedding, a Memorial Service and Me!!!

This weekend is pretty busy around here (Including this week). We have a wedding this weekend as well as a memorial service. (Both rehearsal and memorial service are on the same night in our building - so juggling will be FUN) What is excitng is this young couple is just starting out and the memorial is for a young man who has been married to his sweetheart for almost 58 yrs.

I'm just glad I get to be a part of it and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Prayers appreciated!

Visit From MACU

We had a nice visit from President Perkins and his wife of Mid Atlantic Christian University (My alma mater)

There seems to be some exciting things happening there for the Kingdom.

If you get a chance to get a team, or one of the leaders from MACU at your church do so. Well worth it! Well worth the support we are sending them. Wish we could send them more to impact the Kingdom.