Rock River Retreat!!! (recap)

The Rock River Retreat was a success.

Today we spent the entire day working, cleaning, painting (as you'll see from these pictures of Bekah and Elisabeth painting), sweeping, mopping, spraying and of course picking up sticks. It was a good day of service in helping the camp get up and running.


Here is Bekah and Sarah Ray working on the shutters of one of the dorms...





Here is Bekah and Elisabeth working on painting one side of the door white...

















Here is Elisabeth working on painting the other side white.









It was a good day!!!


Jim

Tonight... Rock River Christian Camp...

Tonight I'm actually posting this message from one of the dorm rooms at Rock River Christian Camp, our Christian camp near Polo, IL. Our students (mostly high school) are spending the night out here in preparation for helping the camp with some work projects around the facility tomorrow.

For me, this is two weekends back to back on the road. Last weekend, Believe in Anderson, IN. Tonight, Rock River in Polo, IL. Those guys who do this week in and week out... I have no idea how they do it.

For me, the students are in bed and I thought I would hang out a bit and get a little school-work done as I am working on a Hebrew assignment and a video for Restoration History (which I will post here when I am finished). That was, until I heard the familiar (ding) sound of my email notifier... I guess the camp has moved into the WiFi era... and I'm actually getting a decent signal.

Oh well... Back to work and tomorrow... Back home!!!

Jim

Dinner for Five!!

Tonight we had a great Dinner for Five. Dinner for Five is when we invite in five students for pizza and board games. Tonight, Sarah Ray took home the prize for winning at the game of life. I lost miserably...

Oh well... Maybe next time.


Jim

BASICS Week 2 Outline - High Voltage April 22, 2007

I realized last night that I haven't posted this weekend's outline. So, here it is. This past weekend we talked about the need to put God first in our finances. Here is the rundown and the outline follows.

------------------------
Lesson Topic: BASICS Week 2 - Giving to God First
'Fun Factor': Average
Volunteer Involvement: Average
Music: N/A
Student Involvement in Music: N/A
Lesson Quality: Below Average
Length of Lesson: 40 minutes (with 1 student testimony)
Student Response: Above Average
Overall Night Rating (scale of 1(not good) to 10(awesome)): 6
------------------------
BASICS – Spring Training
Week 2 – Giving to God First
High Voltage – April 22, 2007 – Jim Clark
Tithe vs. Firstfruits Giving:
Definition of Tithe: Giving to God a strict 10%
Definition of Firstfruits Giving: Honoring God with your first and best.
Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. Exodus 23:19

Why is it hard to talk about money?
The World Says: God says:
1. Money is important. Loving God is most important.

2. Money gives me power. Loving money makes me powerless.

3. Money gives me happiness. Loving money leaves me empty.

4. Money gives me security. Loving money makes me insecure.

You Can Make a Difference!
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6

Truths about Giving:
It’s not about amount. It’s about heart.
As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:3-4
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10

Giving to God first says that your heart is right.
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
2 Corinthians 8:12
Two things are missing:
-Pride
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9
No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Luke 16:13

-Selfishness
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

Action Steps:
1. Evaluate your heart and your priorities.

2. Evaluate your income and your decisions.

3. Determine to honor God and reject the recognition.

The Bottom Line: Giving consistently to God shows that your heart is in the right place.
--------------------------
Questions for Discussion:
1. Discuss how much income you have on a regular basis.
2. What might it look like it if you regularly gave to God first out of your best rather than from what is left over?
3. How do you think God is honored through regular giving?
-------------------------

Overall it was a good night. I was pretty worn out from the weekend. But it is always great to hang out and talk about God's word!!

Jim

2 More Tuesdays left!!!

Another Tuesday and another morning spent in the Library at LCC/S. I like it in the library, especially on those Tuesdays when I can get my favorite table near the window. There is a plug for my laptop and a big window to look out of.

But I have to admit that I stare out the window too much when I am supposed to be working... especially if people are walking by or there is a squirrel outside.

This morning I finished my Take-Home-Final for Hebrew. We were asked to respond to an article written by a prophecy group from Texas in which they have a very poor understanding of prophecy and an irresponsible way of handling Scripture. It wasn't too hard... but it took some time in Wheaton's library (my other favorite place to work) to finish it up.

Only 2 more Tuesday mornings before summer break!!! Then I can finally sleep in on Tuesday mornings... a little...

Jim

Believe was awesome this weekend...

Believe was an incredible weekend this weekend.

I'm sorry that I didn't get any photos to post. But for whatever reason, the camera never left my backpack. Instead, we spent some great time connecting, building relationships and hanging out. In fact, right now the whole middle school crew is all the floor of my hotel room playing cards and hanging out. We are watching, kinda "Over the Hedge." But the best part of the whole deal is that they are hanging out and spending time together... not just with their friends... but girls hanging with guys... and some students talking and hanging with others... there's some real connection going on here.

And it's great!!!

It was a great weekend!!!

Jim

Blog post 250!!!

This is just a simple blog post...

My blog just turned 250 posts!!!! That's pretty incredible for me. I'm excited and want to thank those who have helped me along the way... YouTube... I couldn't have done it without you. And I've got some great motivation in Josh Griffin, my buddy from California who blogs more than he breathes... Thanks Josh. And who could forget your great friends around the country who continuously stop by and check out the blog... like Nate Gilmour... my best friend from college. Friends truly are friends forever. And of course, our student ministry. Thanks guys!!! There are a lot more that I could thank... but I just don't have the time. If I forgot to mention you, please don't take it personally... Thanks!!!

It's quite an achievement to make it to 250. I'm already looking forward to 500!!!


Jim

Middle School Believe this weekend!!!

I'm off, with 3 great leaders and 11 middle schoolers, to an incredible weekend of Believe. Believe is CIY's weekend middle school program. It's awesome. It's high energy. It's fun. And it's just for Middle School students, which is always a blast. We're heading down to Anderson, IN and it's supposed to be awesomely sunshiny and 75 this weekend. I'm really looking forward to it!


I hope to post some pictures of the weekend here on my blog tomorrow and Sunday. So, check back!

Jim

New Small Group Study: Restoration Ideals!!

Tonight in our student small groups that meet on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, we started a new study. We just wrapped up our study on the book of Mark leading up to Easter weekend... which was great! The study concluded the week after Easter by studying the resurrection.

But we started a new 3 week series tonight on Restoration Movement Ideals... the Stone-Campbell movement out of which Fox Valley Christian Church has come. And this series is unique in at least one way: My wife wrote it. And did a great job too!!!

Tonight we studied: Unity (John 17, 1 Corinthians 1, Acts 15)
Next week we study: Restoration to New Testament Pattern (Acts 2)
The last week we study: Spending time in Scripture (Acts 17, etc)

It's already a great series. My wife did such an incredible job writing it. We've also included some pictures from our recent trip which you can see on my blog by searching for "Church History Trip."

Jim

Amazing... More VA Tech news

I almost couldn't believe my ears and eyes tonight as I watched the news only to hear the story that the VA Tech student who was responsible for the mass murders on the campus, video taped and took pictures of his first murders. Then took the time to mail the package to NBC News.

Here is a snip of the story on FoxNews.com:
"Mass murderer Cho Seung-Hui coldly reached out from the grave Wednesday night in a rambling video rant broadcast by NBC News in which the Virginia Tech gunman blames everyone — including Jesus — for "forcing" him to carry out the bloody slaughter that left 32 students and faculty dead."

That's amazing to me. And extremely sad.

Jim

It's always amazing what people post on the internet..."

I'm working tonight on my final for Hebrew Exegesis. The final is due on Tuesday afternoon. But as I'm working on this final, which is basically a reaction to an article written about the "eternal nature of the earth." Which may or may not be a Biblical idea as I will be working on for my final.

But as I'm working on this, it reminds me about the crazy nature of the internet. Which I understand is somewhat ironic, as you read this on the internet. But any one with a computer and an internet connection and little bit of time can begin a blog. And anyone with a little know-how can create a website and put any thing at all on it.

I guess I write this to remind you to be careful of what you read and write on the internet. And a simple reminder that whatever is posted on the internet, doesn't always make it true.

Just a few thoughts...
On my blog... (ironic, I know)...

Jim

Think before you post 2

This is the sequel to the one I just posted... I think I will use these the next time that I talk about the dangers of the Internet...

JIm

Think before you post

This is a pretty incredible video about something we often don't think about...

Jim

My thoughts and prayers are with those at Virginia Tech tonight...

My thoughts and prayers are with those at Virginia Tech tonight.

If you haven't heard, there was a major shooting today on the campus of Virginia Tech. Click HERE to go to Fox News for more on the story.

I don't know anyone there... but it's sad and troubling anytime this happens. I pray that God's peace and comfort would surround those there who need his compassion and presence.

Jim

Amazing Line Grinder (Cave)

Someone has way... too... much... time... on their hands...

But still pretty cool.

Jim

BASICS Week 1 Outline

Here is the outline and breakdown from last night's High Voltage. We started a new series called "BASICS Spring Training." We're talking through this idea of personal discipleship and what that means on a practical-give-me-something-to-do-kinda-way.
------------------
Lesson Topic: BASICS Week 1 - Getting in the Gym (Beginning Personal Discipleship)
'Fun Factor': Average
Volunteer Involvement: Above Average
Music: N/A
Student Involvement in Music: N/A
Lesson Quality: Above Average
Length of Lesson: 40 minutes (with 1 5 minute video clip)
Student Response: Above Average
Overall Night Rating (scale of 1(not good) to 10(awesome)): 7

------------------------
BASICS Spring Training
Week 1 – Getting In the Gym
High Voltage – April 15, 2007 – Jim Clark
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Intellectual Social Emotional Physical Spiritual

Truths about Spiritual Growth: It’s going to be hard.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Cor. 9:25-27

You will have to be intentional.
Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight. 1 Timothy 1:18

There will be times when you will fail.
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4

You can make it.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

Exercises to building that perfect body.
B Bible Study

A Accountability

S Spending Time with God

I Involvement In Big Church

C Commitment to Give

S Scripture Memorization
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God. Hebrews 6:1

Action Steps:
Commit to being here through out the series.

Consider practical steps to go deeper in your faith.

Carry out plans to deepen your relationship with God.

The Bottom Line: Living a life that looks like Jesus is hard, but it can be done with discipline and hard work… if you’re willing.


----------------------
Discussion Questions:
1. Which of the five areas are you currently growing the most in? the least?
2. Is spiritual growth something that sounds interesting? Why or why not?
3. Which of the 6 exercises sounds like it will be the easiest? hardest? Why?
4. Where do you find yourself in the action steps... Needing to commit? Needing to consider? Needing to carry out? Why?

---------------------
Overall the night was great as we launched this new series.


Jim

Matt McGill Sports Instructional: Swimming

I posted this video here before, but since we showed it last night at student ministry, and i told students about it, i thought i would post it again so it wouldn't be so hard to find.

it's incredible!!

Jim

Reporter Gets Attacked With Snowballs...By Kids

This is awesome. They just don't quit. They keep throwing it and pounding him with snowballs.

Jim

Crazy Website

Visit THIS website...

It's crazy. There is color everywhere. It's just kind of a fun little site to play around with.


Jim

Apple Get a Mac Ad: Stuffed

This ad is awesome... check it out!!!


Jim

PDYM Community Lunch HERE!!!

Fox Valley Christian Church will be hosting, on May 3rd, a local gathering of youth workers who are implimenting the principles of a Purpose Driven Youth Ministry.

The lunch is scheduled for 12:30 pm. We'd ask that you would bring $5 to help cover the cost of the lunch. There will be an exclusive teaching by Doug Fields found only at this day of training. It will be an awesome time.

If you are local to Batavia, IL and would like to join us for this great connection event, please email me at jim@fvcc.com so that I can get you hooked up. And check out PDYM's Community page for more information.

Jim

Simply youth podcast: Josh hits Matt with paper

I love this podcast. If you don't know what it is, it's a youth ministry podcast with Doug Fields and some of his friends. But this was an incredible moment from Episode 48. Way to go Josh!!!
If you're in youth ministry, you should be listening to THIS podcast!!

Jim

What I've been playing: Burnout: Dominator on Playstation 2

For my birthday last weekend, my parents bought me the new Burnout PS2 game called "Dominator." That's what I've been playing lately.

I loved Burnout 3: Takedown and so I thought this might be a good choice.

At this point, I would say that assertion was correct. It's pretty awesome. With some new features that Burnout 3 didn't have. And the graphics are way better.

Gamespot.com gave it a 8.1. Click HERE to check out their review. It's a pretty good but at this point, I haven't played enough of it to give it a rating. But it's pretty good. It's definately worth picking up!


Jim

Apple Inc. iPhone teaser ad - Hello

So I've decided that I'm going to save up my money to buy an iPhone. I've had the new cell phone itch, but none of them are really what I want. The iPhone is really what I want so I'm going to save up for it. I'm already about half way!!!

June will be here soon.

Jim

Apple Mac Ad:

Here's the other of the new Mac ads!!! This one isn't as great as the other, but still pretty awesome none the less.

Jim

HUGE Crash - one of the biggest you will ever see

Here's a pretty incredible crash.

Jim

New Series - BASICS Spring Training

Sunday night Frontline Student Ministry will begin a new 7 week series. For 7 weeks, we'll be talking about Discipleship and how it happens practically in life.

We'll be talking about Bible Study, Accountability, Spending time with God, Involvement with BIG church, Committment to Give and Scripture Memorization.

It will be a great series and I'm really looking forward to it. Each night after High Voltage, we'll post the outlines here for discussion between parents and students.


Jim

P.S.: If you are a youth minister reading this and this series would be helpful to you and your ministry, feel free to email me at jim@fvcc.com and I'd be happy to share it with you and your ministry to students.

New Get A Mac Add

Here's one of the new ads... This one is my favorite of the new ads!!

Jim

2 New Mac Commericals...

Apple just released a couple of new Mac commercials. I haven't seen them yet on TV, but I saw them today on the internet.

Here is a LINK to watch them yourself.

The computer cart one is great... As soon as I see them on YouTube, I'll post them here for my Mac watching enjoyment.

Jim

Apple announces Leopard delays due to the iPhone

As a Mac user, this is really a sad announcement... but I guess good things come to those who wait... Apple is delayed in the release of the new operating system for Mac computers... Leopard. Here is a statement they released today...

"The iPhone has already passed several of its required certification tests and is on schedule to ship in late June as planned. We can’t wait until customers get their hands (and fingers) on it and experience what a revolutionary and magical product it is. However, iPhone contains the most sophisticated software ever shipped on a mobile device, and finishing it on time has not come without a price — we had to borrow some key software engineering and QA resources from our Mac OS X team, and as a result we will not be able to release Leopard at our Worldwide Developers Conference in early June as planned. While...

To read the rest of the story, click HERE.

It looks like we'll have to wait until October to get our hands, fingers and computers on it.

Jim

Dreamed up phone number leads man to a bride

I saw this story this morning on Yahoo! News...
It's always interesting what happens because of technology and cell phones...

LONDON (Reuters) - A British man has met and married a 22-year-old woman after, by his own account, dreaming of her phone number and then sending her a text message.

David Brown, 24, says he woke up one morning after a night out with friends with a telephone number constantly running through his head. He decided to contact it, sending a message saying "Did I meet you last night?."

Random recipient Michelle Kitson was confused and wary at first but decided to reply and the two began exchanging messages. Eventually they met and fell in love.

"It was really weird but I was absolutely hooked," Kitson told the Daily Mail newspaper. "My mum and dad kept saying 'But he could be an axe murderer', but I knew there was something special about it."

After a long courtship, the oddly matched couple -- he's six foot seven inches tall and she's five foot four -- have just returned from their honeymoon in the Indian resort of Goa.

A love-struck Brown said: "I've no idea how I ended up with her number in my head -- it's only a few digits different from mine."

Click HERE to visit the website.

Jim

100 Million iPods Sold

Here's a pretty sweet story!!!

CUPERTINO, California—April 9, 2007—Apple® today announced that the 100 millionth iPod® has been sold, making the iPod the fastest selling music player in history. The first iPod was sold five and a half years ago, in November 2001, and since then Apple has introduced more than 10 new iPod models, including five generations of iPod, two generations of iPod mini, two generations of iPod nano and two generations of iPod shuffle. Along with iTunes® and the iTunes online music store, the iPod has transformed how tens of millions of music lovers acquire, manage and listen to their music.

Read the rest of the story by clicking HERE.

Jim

That's My King

I saw this and I just had to post it... Enjoy!!!


Jim

"How Many Are Here?"

I saw this on a buddy's blog... If you will look to the left, below the total site counter is a new little widget that shows how many people are currently viewing this blog.

Most of the time, it will probably be "1"... you!!! But I'm glad you're here.

Hopefully as this blog continues to grow, the number will grow as well!!!

Jim

Parents up this weekend

This weekend will be a slow blog weekend.

My parents and sister from Ohio are coming up this weekend. They are flying in tomorrow to Midway and then back out on Monday evening. So, it will be a nice, long visit. My Dad's birthday is today, so I'm sure there will be cake. But we are planning to head into the city and check out the Hancock Building Observation Deck and do a little shopping on the Magnificent Mile (my sister is a shop-a-holic). We'll enjoy some great food downtown somewhere.

Besides that, it's Easter this weekend. So... Have a great Easter weekend. Find yourself in God's house on Sunday morning to celebrate His Son's awesome power over the grave. And we'll catch up after the busy weekend on Monday or Tuesday.

Jim

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter..

I can't believe it, can you?

I saw this video on another blog and it cracked me up. So, I thought I'd share.

Jim

Transformers Trailer (New One)

This looks awesome!!!
It's going to be hard for me to decide between watching this (I played with Transformers when I was a little kid) and Spiderman 3... Maybe I'll just see them both on the same night!!!

Jim

Shuffle Up and Deal

As ITunes popped open this morning... I thought I would post a new "Shuffle Up and Deal." If you've missed Shuffle Up and Deal... the idea is bring up your MP3 player (in my case... ITunes) and set it to random (in my case... shuffle) and hit play. Then post the first five songs (without skipping because you don't like that song) to the list.

Here are mine:
-This Song Was Meant For You by Third Day off the Conspiracy #5 album
-1979 by the Smashing Pumpkins off the Mellon Collie album disk 2
-Electric Avenue by Tait off the Lose This Life album
-All I Need by Shawn McDonald off the Live In Seattle album
-This World by Caedmon's Call off the Caedmon's Call album

There they are... Today's "Shuffle Up and Deal."

Jim

"Honk for Jesus"

I heard about this story this morning on the radio... Interesting...

(Naugatuck-WTNH) _ Noise complaints have been brewing in Naugatuck since two local business owners have asked drivers to voice their opinions by honking their horns.

You could call it a battle of biblical terms. Along one of Naugatuck's busiest streets, a sign of faith is generating more than prayers. In a plaza on Rubber Avenue, business owner Claudette Soden placed a sign in the parking lot that said, "Easter: Beep for Christ."

An owner of a shop that puts photos onto DVDs placed a sign in front of a parking lot, which is used by both businesses, that says, "Easter: Beep for Christ.

"People are beeping. It seems like they are for it, that's why they are beeping," said Soden.

After the horns started honking outside her neighbor, the No Regrets Tattoo Shop posted their own sign, "Honk Twice for the Devil." The two opposing views made headlines this holy week.

Click HERE to read the rest of the story or watch the video. I wonder how they tell whether it was two honks or just two people honking...

Jim

"Foreverandever Etc.," David Crowder Band (Music Video)

This video I referenced earlier on my blog!!! It's awesome!!! Check it out.

Jim

David Crowder Band music video...

I just got an email very shortly ago debuting the brand New David Crowder Band music video... and it's not a recording of a concert... it's actually a music video.

You can check it out by going HERE.

It's pretty awesome. And a sweet Voltron reference for those of us over the age of 30!!!

Plus, you can still check out their live webcams covering the recording of their new album "Remedy." Visit them HERE. I do almost everyday...

Jim

Princess Bride - Game of Wits

Classic... simply a classic...

Jim

Cinicinnati Mayor Bad Pitch

I saw this last night on Leno... Amazing. My guess is this guy didn't grow up playing baseball...

Jim

Early U.S. Daylight Savings a bust in power savings

Somehow... this doesn't surprise me... crazy people...

"NEW YORK (Reuters) - The early onset of Daylight Savings Time in the United States this year may have been for naught.

The move to turn the clocks forward by an hour on March 11 rather than the usual early April date was mandated by the U.S. government as an energy-saving effort.

But other than forcing millions of drowsy American workers and school children into the dark, wintry weather three weeks early, the move appears to have had little impact on power usage.

"We haven't seen any measurable impact," said Jason Cuevas, spokesman for Southern Co., one of the nation's largest power companies, echoing comments from several large utilities.

That may come as no surprise to the Energy Department, which last year predicted only modest energy savings because the benefits of the later daylight hour would be offset."

Click HERE to read the rest of the story...

Jim

Pastor's 24/7 - Lark News

I saw this article recently on Lark News...


LEWISTON, Maine — Recently, several hundred members of Holy Trinity Church watched pastor Jeremy Woods eat breakfast, work on his sermon and make a Starbucks run. Woods had just joined a growing group of pastors who are broadcasting their lives 24/7 on the Internet.
"When I first heard of going live I thought, 'This is the future of pastoring but I'm not sure I like it,'" Woods says. But after a month he says he "totally digs it."
"It's the next step beyond blogging or even live blogging," he says. "It's about sharing life."
The trend is believed to have started in 2004 when Rick Givens of New York's West Side Church decided to make himself "more accountable and accessible" by webcasting every waking moment live. But his pioneering effort has forced other pastors into awkward decisions. Donald Taylor, 37, of Nebraska didn't want to go live, but relented because of pressure from his board. He hated his first week.
"It was like being in prison. You never have a moment to yourself," he says.
But soon he began to enjoy having a constant audience. His wife particularly likes it because "he behaves more," she says. "It's like having God looking over your shoulder. You never know who's watching."

There's more to that story on their website...
Hopefully nobody gets any real ideas about that...


Jim

Joakim Noah is the ugliest man alive...

I'm sitting here in my living room watching the big game (GO Bucks!!!!) and I just needed to share...

Joakim Noah (Florida) is a super-ugly guy. In fact, he looks like a girl most of the time. I just needed to share...

I think this picture is from Florida's home program...




Jim

Google Searches leading here

I saw this on a friend's blog...
It always amazes me what leads people to my blog. Here are five recent searches that lead people to my blog:

-Matt Mcgill Sports instructional video
-sexual sin going too far restoration
-core youth specialties
-fvcc.com
-Ministry Mutiny Stier reviews

Google always amazes me!!!

Jim

Last Night's World On Fire Concert!!!

Last night was a great night!!!!


We had a great 2 and half hours of music. We had three incredible bands that were both great to listen to and great to hang out with.

First up was "Rush of Fools." They are currently up there on the charts with their song "Undo." They came out and rocked us with four songs. In fact, they are going to be visiting some friends of mine out at Saddleback soon!!!




Next, "The Turning" came out and rocked out the place. (They were my favorite from the night!!!) They rocked about 6 or 7 songs. And they will be forever remembered as the band that brought in the fire department.










During the next to last song by the Turning, they were running a haser... which we had tested earlier and didn't have any problems with... but during the song, it got a little thicker than before... and the smoke alarms went off!!!!

Up rolled the Batavia and Elburn firefighters. They didn't make us evacuate... which was nice... In fact, the Elburn guys hung around for about 30 minutes after they turned off the alarm.






Finally, By the Tree came out and rocked the house.





Following the show all three bands hung around and signed autographs... some of which will be hanging on the walls of the Warehouse soon...


Overall, it was a great concert and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Several commented on looking forward to when we do it again. Which we will. But it will be a few months...


Great night though...

Jim

Coming to a school near you? Indoctrination!!!

This article is a reprint of an article found in the April 2007 issue of Nehemiah Ministries newsletter.

It is by Steve Jordahl and Wendy Cloyd and it was copied from THIS link.

Parents of freshmen at Chicago's Deerfield High School say students are required to attend lectures on gay sexuality, and then sign a contract forbidding them to talk about it afterward.

Ellen Waltz's son and his friends told her about the lectures -- delivered by other students -- and the contract.

"[They said,] 'We had to sit there and listen to them tell us about their feelings and what it's like to be gay,' " Waltz said. "They make them sign a contract stating that they won't say anything that's in the room."

Lora Sue Hauser, a school-issues adviser for North Shore Student Advocacy, said a group of boys told her school officials threatened those who were reluctant to sign the contract.

"[They were told] 'You will sign this or you will go to the dean,' " Hauser said.

Dr. Sue Hebson, vice-superintendent of the school district, told Family News in Focus that there is no contract. She also denied that the classroom discussions involve sexuality.

"That's not part of the conversation," Hebson said.

But Hauser said that's just not so.

"During the semester they have a panel of gay, transgender (and) bisexual students who speak to these freshmen," she said. "Sometimes they talk about statistics and causality."

Parents complained last year when the school asked students to match sexually deviant terms with their definitions. The school responded by posting the curriculum information behind a password-protected page on the school's Web site.

Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues at Concerned Women for America, said this year’s freshmen orientation is part of an aggressive plan to corrupt American sexual practices.

"If you can maintain control of undeveloped and impressionable youth and spoon-feed them misinformation -- lies and half-truths about dangerous, disordered and extremely risky behaviors -- then you can control the future and ensure that those behaviors are not only fully accepted, but celebrated," Barber told World Net Daily.

Candi Cushman, education analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said it is important for parents across the nation to realize that this is not an isolated incident.

"Schools in many states are opening their doors to outside gay-rights groups who conduct so-called gay-awareness events or diversity days," Cushman said. "And there are now more than 3,000 pro-gay clubs in high schools nationwide."

Parents in Deerfield must take a stand, she added.

"These public school officials are blatantly disrespecting local parents and students who hold different viewpoints," Cushman said. "But the good news is that parents and students can fight back by standing up for their equal access rights."

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Parents, students and the church needs to stand up for what is right and for protecting our children and spreading the truth about God's love and his grace and mercy and forgiveness. We've all messed up and we all need his love and forgiveness.


Jim