Jason and I at the digital lounge

NYWC Day 1&2

Well, it's been a busy last 3 days. This is the first real chance I have had to update the blog ;)

After driving 15 hours, we arrived here in Pittsburgh, PA Thursday night. Not much to say other than "really tired."

Friday was the first full day of the convention. Some of the alliance pastors attending got together with Kent Julian for lunch at a really fancy California-style restaurant. I couldn't pronounce half the stuff, but it was great.

The main sessions were amazing and the speakers were very challenging. Doug Fields spoke in the evening and challenged us to practice the "art" of saying "no." After the session, I got to pre-screen the new Nooma video entitled: Rythm - it rocked as (no big surprise there). After the evening session, we all went to see KJ-52 and his "DJ iPod."

Today has been the best day yet. We had a great time relaxing this morning and after lunch we returned to the convention center for a great seminar on "community building" (that would be leading games). Only at an Youth Specialties Convention can you have a seminar where you spend 3/4 of the time playing games!

Other than the business, I have had a blast with Marko and some of my friends from college. Other than those staying at Jason's with us, we saw (by surprise) some other people we knew from college. Lots of fun :)

If I can get my laptop online, I'll post some photos to the blog. Check back for more updates.

Look at this guy

blessings

I love middle school students. I love high school students too, but there is something about middle school students that excites me. I think it might be the fact that they are so receptive to God's love and love from others. Middle school is a critical time in our lives. We are beginning to find out who we are and some of us are pretty scared by what they find. Around the time of middle school, we begin to realize that the world is horribly broken, and things are not the way that they should be.

God has given me a heart to love teens, even the awkward, weird, energetic people we call middle school students. I love 'em. Today I had an opportunity to attend a First Priority meeting at one of the local middle schools. Not only did I get to see my students, but I got to meet some of their friends. It was way cool. I got several remarks that I look like "another kid." I guess I still fit in well with that crowd (can't say I'm much more mature ;)

I'm looking forward to getting more involved at the middle school and getting into the lives of these teens. I have heard my fair share of stories of brokenness and hurt that these students go through at home, in school, and with their friends. Pray that God will give me an opportunity to share His love with these students.

need new skin

I'm bored of this blog skin, so I'm looking for something new. If you have any favorite skins or ideas let me know. I'm going to try to make my own custom header image...we will see.

I'm heading out on the road Thursday morning to Pittsburgh for the National Youth Workers Convention. I'll be taking my lappy with me so I'll post updates and pictures from my trip when I get a chance.

funny pic

This picture comes courtesy of my good friend Troy. First person to tell me what TV show this is gets a cookie. The person who tells me what character I am gets 10 cookies ;)

currently listening/watching

Out last week is the new album from David Crowder: Collision. I knew it was coming out and I wanted to purchase it, but I didn't have that happy excitement I had about the new Switchfoot album.

I got the album Wednesday and it has been stuck in my CD player ever since. What I really enjoy about the DCB (David Crowder Band) is their commitment to good music. All of what DCB does is worship music, but I have never had the sense that any of their songs are just thrown together.

Collision is a fusion of modern rock, folk, alternative, and electronica. The CD is packed with 21 tracks and while some of them are "filler" tracks, you really get a sense that you get much more than you paid for. I highly suggest this album; once again the DCB raises the bar for modern worship music making beautiful music along with beautiful worship.

Also, this weekend I got to see the new movie: Serenity

At first I thought this was going to be another cheesy sci-fi movie: boy was I wrong.

Other than the fact that many parts of the movie reminded me of the old Star Wars movies, I thought that the plot was wonderfully compelling and the social (and religious) commentary embedded in the film was thought-provoking.

Add some wonderful action sequences and some genuinely funny dialogue (Captain Mal: "Do you want to run this ship?" Discontented crew member: "Yes." Mal: "Well, you can't") and we have a great movie. If you enjoy sci-fi movies and don't mind some similarities to the old Star Wars films, I say check this one out.