Stuff on my mind!
SpringHill Update:
I am doing counseling again, which most of you know. I enjoy it very much and our group is pretty good. They can become distracted and annoying at times, but what can you expect from kids 10-13, eh? I met Nick VanderMolen (I prolly spelled his name wrong) for the first time. He looks alot different than the picture on the wall at his house. He is a great guy and I wouldn't mind getting to hang with him more. I also ran into Nate Nelson. He too looks different because his hair is fairly short. But still a great guy. The only complaint I really have this week is that the kids do not seem to have much enthusiasm at campfire. Last night I stopped in the middle of a song and laid out how they are the ones that will make this week fun and other stuff. I just really tore into them, because its true! We, as counselors and activity staff, feed off the energy of the kids. The bigger they get, the bigger we get. I am looking forward to my break next week, its much needed!
PYM/ Pastor Brad:
Many of you who read this get my email updates and have already read what I am gonna say, but oh well. It was great to see Pastor Brad and Amy! They are terrific people and I look forward to talking with him on July 26th. There are alot of things I want to go over with him and also some things I would like to talk with Pastor Tim on. Mainly youth ministry and things of that nature. I love Jesus and I love kids! And I want to share and teach kids about Jesus. The message that Pastor Brad spoke on was entitled: Would you love me more? And it was great! For me personally, it was an affirmation on things I took a stand on many months ago. I do not ever want to toot my own horn or to ever have anyone thing I am "holier" than anyone else, because I am not. I realized that there is nothing I can do to make God love me more or less. His love is the same for everyone! Unfortunately, sometimes in our Christianity we put on performances to look good in front of others and that is not how it should be. God knows my heart! And because of that, I will not do anything that I do not feel led to do. Sometimes I will not stand during worship. Why? Because maybe God just wants me to sit and listen. That is what He called me to do last Sunday at PYM. I sat there and the music blended into one loud blur. In that blur, called spoke to me and I ran out to my car and grabbed a pen a paper and this is what I wrote. Now its kind of redundant, but while I was writing this, I did not know what I was writing! I just wrote and then closed my notebook when I was done and didn't open until after the service. So here is what was written on that notepad:
Worship:
It is not a Sunday thing! Nor should it be an exercise routine! Worship is everything you do! It is how you treat others, it's how you handle stresses and difficult times. God will not give you anything that you cannot worship Him in!!! Worship can happen without music, without a band, without a song. Worship only takes you and God! it only takes you to honor God in everything you do!!!
I will admit that I can be prideful at times. But if there is one thing I know, that is that you can worship God at all times and with everything you do. It may be your job or how you treat your significant other. Worship is not just a music thing, it's a life thing. I pray that those who read this do not see me as being pompous or self-righteous. Because I am not! I am nothing more than a sinner saved by God's grace trying to be a servant to Him and those around me.
Other Stuff:
I am really looking forward to coming home this weekend and having next week off to relax and get ready for my family reunion. I cannot wait to hang with Jon, Stephanie, Jessica G., and anyone else that wants to get together and have some fun. (Sorry I did not mention specific people, but that doesn't mean that I do not want to hang out.) It's carzy but one month from now I will be done at SpringHill!!! But then 10 days after that I will be in school at Ferris State. Stephanie moves on the 30th to Grand Rapids. Which will be sweet because its only an hour or so from here and not three hours! But it will be hard for me when I move to Ferris (even though I am pretty much gone as of now) because I will miss my close friends and family. But I guess that is life. God will scatter us about, but its up to us to stay in touch. I hope those who read this are doing great! I love you all and take care and God Bless!
Psalm 139:23-24