Sunday, September 30, 2007
Weekend Outline - Sept 30 - Get Connected, Week 1
This weekend we launched the series with a general teaser about having healthy relationships. Check out the outline:
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Get Connected
40 Days of Community
Live Wire/High Voltage – Jim Clark – September 30, 2007
Week 1 – Get Connected
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12
Things work better when connected.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
God created you to connect.
The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ Genesis 2:18
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8
These are called relationships.
Key Areas: 1. Father
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Future
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:18-20
Connections require work.
Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24
Connections require time.
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Exodus 33:11
God’s plan for the church is to be a place for disconnected people to reconnect.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. Ephesians 2:19
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Eccl 4:10
Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Proverbs 27:10
Action Steps (Easy as ABCD…)
1. Be Here.
2. Connect with your small group.
3. Discover daily devotions.
The Bottom Line: God wants you to build healthy relationships in your life.
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Questions for Discussion with your student:
1. How many 'healthy' relationships do you have with friends, family?
2. Would you say your relationship with your 'Father' is healthy? Why or why not?
3. Why do you think the church is a good place for the disconnected to find a connection?
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Jim
Saturday, September 29, 2007
I just posted on the new PDYM Community blog...
I love this... Great idea Josh!!!
It's official!!! Rock Band for $160 on PS2!!!
I saw this post today HERE:
Rock Band on PS2!!! Awesome... I'll only have to wait a couple of weeks after it's released on XBox and PS3. But that will just give me a few weeks to practice on a buddy's system before getting my own...
Check out the snipet:
"t's official folks, Rock Band will be $170 for Xbox 360 and PS3 and release Nov. 23. A Friday ... wait, Black Friday? Yes, more on that in a second. The PS2 version will release Dec. 10 for $160. Our spidey sense started tingling that something was up when we received info that Amazon was listing Rock Band for $169 -- a $30 reduction from the $199 they've had listed for months. Turns out that they received the official price today. The bundle includes the game (reg. $60, $50 on PS2), the guitar (reg. $60, but wired on Xbox 360, wireless is separate and $80), the wired drums (reg. $80), and wired microphone (reg. $30)."
Looks awesome!!! Can't wait!!!
Jim
Markus Stoeckl Speedbike - World Record for Fastest on a Bike... WOW!!!
130.5 miles per hour on a bike...
Wow!!! That's fast.
Jim
Cubs win the division!!!
This is my first season as a Cubs fan...
Maybe I'm their lucky charm. Last night, the Cubs clinches their division!!! Man... what awesomeness.
This picture was a live shot outside of Wrigley last night.
This next one is of the growing crowd outside of the stadium after last night's announcement...
Now, to find someone who has a playoff ticket that they don't want... anyone? anyone?
Jim
Free Starbucks Music... on iTunes!!!
Last week, I posted a blog HERE about a free iTunes music offer from Starbucks.
Well... I have the inside scoop... from a Store Manager...
All that you will have to do is walk into Starbucks and order a drink. If they are still available, you will receive a "Song of the Day" coupon for a free music download from iTunes. That's it. Go to redeem in iTunes and redeem them.
This thing at Starbucks begins on Tuesday!!! Enjoy some Starbucks and get some FREE music!!!
Jim
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Finally... It's official...
And it's official...
Rex is out (for now... and hopefully for a while)...
Check it out:
"The Chicago Bears have seen enough of Rex Grossman. Now it's Brian Griese's turn.
The much anticipated quarterback change became official Wednesday when the defending NFC champions announced Griese would start this week at Detroit."
HERE'S the rest of the article!!
Now, if I could just win a fantasy game... I'm 0 and 3 and I don't even have Rex...
Jim
David Crowder Band's Remedy is AWESOME!!
I picked up a copy of David Crowder Band's new CD "Remedy." It's incredible!!!
If you are a DCB fan, you've got to pick up a copy. If you aren't or would like a free listen, click HERE and visit iTunes' DCB listing.
It's great... a little low on tracks (only 10)... but high on quality!!!!
Jim
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
It's about time... Rex might be out...
If this is true... this will be incredible. At least we might have a chance to win...
"Brian Griese will start at quarterback this weekend for the Bears, according to NFL.com.
Griese will replace Rex Grossman, who has thrown one touchdown and six interceptions in six games.
After giving Grossman a vote of confidence after last week's 34-10 loss to Dallas, Bears coach Lovie Smith was a little vague when the topic came up on Monday."
Hopefully...
Jim
Monday, September 24, 2007
Starbucks to give away free music...
And I've got my wife on the lookout for the lowdown... As soon as I've got it, I'll post the lowdown here!!
Check it out:
"In order to promote its new partnership with Apple and the Wi-Fi Music Store, Starbucks plans to give away 50 million iTunes songs to US customers. Between October 2—the launch date of the Wi-Fi Music Store capabilities at select Starbucks locations, according to a separate announcement of the company's today—and November 7, the coffee kings at about 10,000 stores will hand out roughly 1.5 million free song downloads per day. That's a lot of songs... and coffee."
HERE's the rest of the article.
If it's a free download with a coffee purchase, I'll be a regular Starbucks junkie every morning!!!
Jim
First shot at a podcast!!! Live on iTunes right now!!!
Basically if you don't know, it's basically a radio show that is recorded, placed online where you can subscribe (and iTunes downloads automatically) or you can choose which ones to download.
While I was out in California, I got to do my first podcast with a buddy of mine... Tony Steward... It was great fun. If you would like to listen... Click HERE and download away! We talked about 2 tips of being a mentor and 2 tips for those being mentored. It really was a lot of fun.
Tony has promised that if I download Skype (and exercise more regularly), he'll have me on as a guest again. I'm looking forward to it... and listening to me on a podcast for the first time!!!
Jim
Transformers on DVD!!!
Very rarely do I buy videos that come out on DVD the week, or even the month that they come out.
But I think I will have to make an exception come mid-October. That's the scheduled release date of Transformers on DVD... October 16th!!!
I'll have to pick that up... I'm a huge fan. But about a month late for our series...
Oh well!
Jim
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Grossman's Got to GO!!!
As a Bears' fan... I'm tired of Rex.
-He can't throw with any accuracy.
-He's got receivers... Moose... Berrian... good targets!
-He can't scramble... any time he tries, he trips over his own feet.
-He makes bad decisions... consistently.
-He's got an incredible defense... Brian Urlacher and Briggs... but they can't hold an offense to 7 or 10 points when they are on the field 75% of the time.
It's time for the Bears' organization to cut him loose... I can't stand Griese... It's a Michigan/Ohio State thing... but I would take Brian over Rex any day. Cut Rex loose!!! Please Lovie!!! Wasn't the Super Bowl enough???
Jim
Maybe the Gathering highlight...
I grabbed a copy of this picture off of Josh Griffin's blog. Shortly before Josh left for Australia, Doug gathered us all around Josh to pray for him. Tom, one of the guys from the week, snapped this picture.
It was a great moment!!!
Jim
Back home...
I am wiped out. It's now about 9 pm on Sunday night... and we're finally back home. We left Aunt Barbara and Uncle Charles' in Alamo at 5:35 am (PST) and after connecting through San Diego, arrived at Chicago Midway at 4:30 pm (CST). After some dinner, a shower, and a walk... I'm finally relaxing on the couch watching the Bears (lose at this point... 3Q... 10 minutes to go...)
But I'm home.
It was a great trip... It really was... and I will have more on this tomorrow. But right now, I'm just wiped out.
I'm home.
Jim
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Alamo... a beautiful place to relax
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
PDYM Community... brain full!!!
I love my time out here... I really do... but about 2 o'clock on the first day, my brain is a little full. So, I'm back here in the hotel... we're going to Dave n Buster's tonight for some hang out time, games, food and more conversation. But right now, I'm looking forward to laying on my bed... watching a few innings of the Cubs game... and maybe taking a cat-nap.
Brain is full!!!
Jim
PDYM Community Gathering Day 1
We working through our afternoon session on Day 1. Right now, we're talking about posting on the new PDYM Community page... Check it out... it rocks. One of my articles is on there. Surf over and check it out.
More later...
PDYM books!!!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Leavin' on a jet plane!!!
I'm looking forward most to just spending some time with my wife... driving... hanging out... not worrying about work or school or anything else... just hanging out.
Plus, it will be great to see some great friends that I only see a couple times a year... Doug... Josh... Neely... Jana... Chris... Joby... Neal... It will be a great time.
So............
If you stop by regularly and it seems that posts have slowed down, it's because I'm out of town. I will try to blog some from California... maybe post some pics... but no promises. It will be a great trip and I will give my faithful blog readers a full update when I get back.
Jim
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Article posted on PDYM's Community Blog!!!
I also emailed a copy of that article to my friends at Saddleback and the PDYM Community thinking... "My learning is someone else's learning."
My good buddy Josh Griffin posted it on the new PDYM Community blog. Feel free to check it out HERE.
I'm so humbled that anything I would write would be published. Thanks Josh.
Jim
zunePhone ad
This is hilarious...
I love my iPhone... but it's only a matter of time before Microstinky tries to imitate it. But this is pretty funny!!!
Jim
Friday, September 14, 2007
6 inches and 52 pounds!!!
This morning Jackie and I went out and did our little "day-off-walk-in-the-morning-thing" that we usually do on my days off.
I love it.
When we got back, we did our little work out and then before breakfast, I grabbed the measuring tape to check out my diet progress.
At this point...
I've lost 52 pounds...
And 6 inches!!!!
That's awesome...
Just 11 more inches to go!!! (ugh!)
Jim
$100 back from Apple!!!
It seems that the cut-off for the whole $200 refund was August 22nd. I bought mine on Aug 16th. But I did get my $100 back. It should be nice for landing a little Apple toy in the next couple of weeks. Now... Airport Express... Charger... something totally different... We'll see!!!
Click HERE to check it out and get your $100 back... if you are eligible. I just got mine!!!!!
Jim
Stinkin' cold...
It's funny. Since we moved out to the Chicagoland area a couple of years ago, I seem to notice that fall arrives here earlier than it did in PA. That's okay. I like fall... trees changing colors... brisk temps...
But it's supposed to be stinkin' cold overnight...
37!!!!
I'll have to turn the furnace on to keep warm.
But fall is nice!
Jim
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Post 500 baby!!!
Wow... It's been a great run... I wonder what blogging wonders the next 500 will hold on the way to 1000.
But I just thought I would take a moment and officially declare that this is post 500!!!
Jim
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Guitar Hero 3 on MAC!!!???
Rock on!!!
Check out the story HERE:
"Rocking out with a big plastic guitar will soon no longer be purely the privilege of the console owning masses, as Aspyr announces an exclusive deal with Activision to develop and publish Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for the PC and Mac platforms this fall. Not only does this open up the game to a whole new segment of players, but if you've got a nice gaming laptop it essentially makes this the first portable version of Guitar Hero. On top of all of the regular features of the game, Aspyr's version will allow PC and Mac users to battle against each other in online multiplayer, perhaps allowing us to settle the Mac versus PC debate once and for all in glorious rock combat! Bring it on!"
Looks sweet!!!
Jim
Oreo Pizza Moustache
This commercial is pretty darn funny. This guy posted it about a year ago... I only started seeing it last week in our area. This pretty funny.
Jim
44 degrees!!!
Fall is in the air!!!
Jim
A little bit of me died...
At 7:25 pm, I walked out of Jeff and Megan O’Neal’s house. Jeff is one of our middle school leaders. He and his family are hosting our middle school small groups this school year. Tonight was the first night of this school year’s small groups. Our middle schoolers met at the O’Neals’ while our high schoolers met about 4 miles away at another house.
But tonight… I’m not leading a group.
Instead, I am leaving our Tuesday night small group program (5 groups in all) in the very capable hands of two high school leaders and three middle school leaders. I have all the confidence in the world in Mike, Becky, Candy, Mark and Kathy. They are incredible leaders. They have an incredible heart for students. I could see it in their eyes tonight as they gathered.
But I “died” a little bit tonight as I walked out that door. You see; I want to be there with those students. I want to hang with them… I want to laugh with them… I want to lead them… all of them. And that’s not healthy.
Even though, it was painful to turn those groups loose without “my presence,” it is healthy. It’s healthy for the ministry to be bigger than me. It’s healthy for these small groups to grow bigger than what I can handle personally. It’s healthy for me to turn loose five groups of students with five leaders who love them and have committed to take care of them and pastor them for this school year. “Why is it healthy?” you ask.
It’s healthy because our student ministry needs to be bigger and broader than I am and what I can handle. I’m all for health. Health is… healthy. It’s healthy for me to get out of the bottle neck and allow our groups to do something awesome without my hand in it, on it or holding it back. It will be healthy for Mike, Becky, Candy, Mark and Kathy to lead their group as the Holy Spirit leads. It will be incredible to see what God does through these groups as these awesome, incredible youth workers begin to care for their students.
That doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard for me. I’m an in-the-trenches-kinda-guy… I want to be in there with the students. This is the first time since I’ve been here in three years that I haven’t been in there with the students… especially in small groups.
This isn’t a whining session. I’m not asking you to feel sorry for me. I’m sharing part of my struggle. Healthy youth ministry can’t be dependent on one person. Healthy youth ministry is dependent on a lot of people using their gifts to God’s glory.
Health is good… hard... but healthy… and necessary.
Jim
Monday, September 10, 2007
Fall...!!!???
It was a little crisp... It's raining outside... it's about 59 degrees here in St. Charles. Feels like fall.
Jackie made some pocket things tonight for dinner that she baked some fresh bread dough for. As the oven was finishing up the baking, we were in the kitchen getting ready for dinner and there was some heat coming out of the oven. It just kinda struck me as fallish.
Maybe I'm crazy... But it just seems that way to me.
Jim
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Weekend Wrap - Transformers Week 1 - Sept 9, 2007
This weekend we also launched a new 3-week series called "Transformers." We're using some of the old school cartoon clips... It should be a great series.
Tonight we talked about how God wants to change us to be more like him. Here's tonight's outline....
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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
4 Truths about Change:
1. No one likes change.
2. Change is hard.
3. Change is uncomfortable.
4. Change is necessary.
God designed you to change.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
The change that God planned is both physical and spiritual.
-We’ve all messed up.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
-The fix is free.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
The eternal change that God has for you is available.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37
Unless you change, you can’t become the person that God designed you to be.
I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. John 3:3
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Galatians 6:15
Action Steps:
1. Realize the need to be new.
2. Surrender yourself to God’s changing power.
3. Take steps to grow more and more like Him.
The Bottom Line: God wants to transform you into something new… will you allow him?
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It was a good night.
Here are a couple of discussion questions for furthering this conversation with your student(s):
1. What is the scariest thing about change for you?
2. If you could change anything about your physical appearance, what would it be and why? If you could change anything about yourself spiritually, would you change and why?
3. Are you allowing God to change/transform you into the person that He designed you to be? Why or why not?
4. What is standing in the way of #3 happening?
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Jim
Saturday, September 08, 2007
New David Crowder Band CD... Remedy...
I almost can't wait until the end of the month...
There is a new DCB CD on the way out. It's supposed to hit stores on Sept 25th. (It would be great if I could get a copy before I head to Cali on Sept 17th so I could enjoy it on the plane.) HERE's a link to Crowder's Xanga site... and a LINK to DCB's official site...
But everyone that has heard it is saying that it's great.
Can't wait. Looks great!!
Jim
Underground launches!!! Frontline returns!!!
This weekend is a big weekend in the student ministry of Fox Valley Christian Church.
This is the weekend that we are launching our new middle school ministry called "Underground." We're kicking it off with their very own worship time called "Live Wire" on Sunday mornings. This is a huge change that's been needing to happen for a while and it's very exciting!!!
Sunday also marks the return on Frontline, which is the new name of our high school ministry. In the past, Frontline was the name of the entire student ministry, but we've shifted the name to just the high school ministry. Frontline has it's worship time on Sunday nights from 6 - 7:30 pm.
So... It will be a very busy... But very awesome weekend for both Underground and Frontline.
Jim
Home Shopping Blooper
Horse...??? Butterfly...??? Moth...???
This guy doesn't know what to think...
Jim
diet update!!!!
Weird Al Yankovic -Another One Rides the Bus
Some good ole' craziness from Weird Al... This is a classic!!!
Jim
Friday, September 07, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Lower iPhone prices... No problem... but awesome!!!
I've said... "No biggie."
That's what happens when you buy something like that. It could happen with anything... computers... cars... houses... and especially phones. I bought what I bought and I wasn't worried or upset.
But they are saying they are going to offer a refund!!!
Take a look:
"Therefore, we have decided to offer every iPhone customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T, and who is not receiving a rebate or any other consideration, a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on Apple's website next week. Stay tuned."
Click HERE to read the rest...
I'm not disappointed in Apple... I'm not selling all my Apple stuff...
But I will TOTALLY take $100 of free Apple stuff.
I say... AWESOME!!!
JIM
New Apple iPods and Starbucks... AWESOME!!!
iPod/iPhone users will be able to access songs at Starbucks!!!!
Check out a bit of the story HERE.
Here is a small snipet:
iPhone users will also be able to access the wireless iTunes store. And, as part of a new deal between Apple and Starbucks, Starbucks customers will be able to log on to iTunes for free wirelessly to buy songs and find out which songs the Starbucks store has recently played."
I must say... that's stinkin' awesome!!! I can't wait to walk into Starbucks and have my iPhone recognize the song, tell me what it is and where I can buy it on iTunes. Sometimes Starbucks has some pretty great music. (Now if Starbucks would only allow iPhone/iPod users to turn down the volume and change the track... but that might get out of hand!!!)
"Walk into a participating Starbucks with your laptop, iPhone, or iPod touch and buy whatever’s playing — along with millions of songs on iTunes — while your latte cools."
The only downside to this is that it won't be here in the Chicagoland area until March 2008. It will begin in Seattle (of course) and New York in October and San Fran in November (about 10 weeks too late for me). But it will still be pretty awesome when it gets here.
Jim
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
new iPods!!!!
In case you were under a rock all day...
I thought I would announce it here (with trumpets)!!!!
Apple released new iPod designs today!!! Click HERE to feast your eyes.
But they are incredible. A new iPod Touch (left) with some of the same technology as the iPhone with Wifi access. An iPod classic with up to a 160 GB memory!!! And a revamped Nano!!!
They look awesome!!!
Way to go Steve and crew!!!
Incredible.
Jim
Monday, September 03, 2007
Rock Band looks awesome!!!
9 am and Labor Day...
Man...
This weekend has been awesome. The weather has been incredible. Yesterday it was in the low 80's without a cloud in the sky... Just incredible holiday weekend weather.
But one of the best things for me, is that 3 out of the last four mornings I've slept in past 9 am. This morning I got up about 9:20 am (don't pay any attention to the time stamp on this message... It seems to be locked on mountain time and I can't seem to get it to change to central time permanently). Both Friday and Saturday mornings I slept in past 9 am!!!
Awesome!!!
Tomorrow will be a different story as I'll have to be up at 4 am to go to class. I guess it can't last forever. But the last couple of days have been nice.
Jim
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Saturday, September 01, 2007
College Football!! Michigan stinks!!!!
I spent most of my day today watching college football, with the Cubs mixed in...
I didn't get to watch my beloved Buckeyes... although they did win 38-6. But thanks to the blasted "Big Ten Network..." the first couple of games aren't televised.
But I do have to say that hearing that Michigan lost to Appalachian State was awesome!!! If you didn't know that, surf on over HERE and check it out... 34-32...
HAHA!!!
That's awesome... #5 Michigan falls to a Division I-AA team that they didn't have any reason to be playing. In fact, I'm betting you couldn't even find Appalachian State on a map... Take guess... where do you think the Mountaineers are from???
Click HERE to see if you're right.
Way to go Appy State... Beatin' those Wolverines.
Jim