1.12.2008
2008.
Well, it's been quite a while, and i've gotten some complaints from people saying that i don't blog anymore. Yep, that's pretty much true. Mostly I blame it on the fact that I don't have internet anymore at my place and I only go to the library (maybe) once a week. I check email at work, but i don't think it'd be very professional to blog while working. :) So it's 2008! I'm still working at Niessink and loving the guys more everyday! I do admit mixed feelings when guys move out. I'm sad to see them go, but when they leave under good circumstances (a.k.a. moving back with their families) I know it's a fabulous thing and I'm excited for them. But when they leave under less than ideal circumstances...it makes me sad and wish I could have done more to help them. I would get more specific, but that would violate the mounds of confidentiality things that we have to sign. :) But with old guys moving out, new guys move in. And that brings more challenges and I'm reminded again and again that I have to be a humble leader - and one thing that goes along with that humility is admitting when you're wrong - even to my boys. Especially to my boys. It's easy to think that "I'm in control here" so if I mess up, I don't have to apologize. But when we're trying to teach them the importance of taking responsibility for their actions (among other things), how can I think that I can go around doing exactly the opposite? It's funny how you can be humbled by those younger and much different than you. Not funny...but sometimes unexpected.
Well, in other news, I'm still working with the junior high youth group at Christ Community, which is AWESOME! I love the kids and i'm really excited to get started mentoring one of them in a one-on-one mentoring...thing. i don't know what else to call it. :) But I'm humbled by these kids, too. Like when Tyler (my friend and youth pastor) talks about confession, shows an example of it by admitting some sins that he's committed, and then invites them to confess to each other during snack time or later, and there's 2 or 3 groups of kids that actually DO...yeah, it makes me stop and think. Wow. these kids are willing to do things that I'm often hesitant to do. and during snack time. it blows my mind. God's good at that, I've noticed. Now i just have to work on being receptive to those things that God is saying - whether it's through peers, students, my boys, or some other random source. And not only listen, but doing it.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who hears the word and does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does."
~James 1:22-25
Well, in other news, I'm still working with the junior high youth group at Christ Community, which is AWESOME! I love the kids and i'm really excited to get started mentoring one of them in a one-on-one mentoring...thing. i don't know what else to call it. :) But I'm humbled by these kids, too. Like when Tyler (my friend and youth pastor) talks about confession, shows an example of it by admitting some sins that he's committed, and then invites them to confess to each other during snack time or later, and there's 2 or 3 groups of kids that actually DO...yeah, it makes me stop and think. Wow. these kids are willing to do things that I'm often hesitant to do. and during snack time. it blows my mind. God's good at that, I've noticed. Now i just have to work on being receptive to those things that God is saying - whether it's through peers, students, my boys, or some other random source. And not only listen, but doing it.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who hears the word and does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does."
~James 1:22-25
