End of 2009... Beginning of 2010...

It's hard to imagine that another year is almost at a conclusion. It seems to be that every year gets a bit faster. As a kid, it always took fffffooorrreevvveeerrr for Christmas and the holidays to get here. Now, it seems like it's here before you know it.

But as 2010 is set to arrive tonight (and for once, we'll be in eastern timezone as we're still in PA... which is odd since usually we're in North Aurora), I'm thinking about how 2010 should be different than 2009.

A couple of my New Years goals are similar to last year...

• Read pages more than I spend watching TV.
• Continue to lose weight... I've already lost 30 pounds and by October 17, I want to lose another 50 pounds.
• Read a portion of the Bible everyday.
• Run a 10K, half-marathon and maybe a full 26.2 mile marathon
  

These are several goals that I'm already in some way working on. As to whether or not I'll add new goals, I haven't decided yet... these are still a pretty hefty load.

But as 2010 arrives, I'm praying that I am open to following God's leading. Who knows, aside from God, what is coming in 2010. But I'm praying that I have the wisdom and faith to follow God in whatever He sets out before me. God is in front of me and behind me... "Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them... Exodus 14:19"

2010... I welcome you. And all that God is going to do through you.

Jim

Daily Read December 31, 2009

Isaiah 43:18-19 (New International Version)

¹⁸ "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Daily Read December 29, 2009

Psalm 140:12-13 (New International Version)

¹² I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.

¹³ Surely the righteous will praise your name
and the upright will live before you.

Daily Read December 28, 2009

Matthew 2:19-23 (New International Version)

¹⁹After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt ²⁰and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

²¹So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. ²²But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, ²³and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

Nativity Dance

This was a pretty fun video that a friend recommended. Enjoy a little different take on the nativity story.

Jim

Check it out HERE

Daily Read December 27, 2009

Matthew 2:13-15 (New International Version)

¹³When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." ¹⁴So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, ¹⁵where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Daily Read December 26, 2009

Matthew 2:1-12 (New International Version)

The Visit of the Magi

¹After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ²and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

³When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
⁶" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

⁷Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

⁹After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. ¹²And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Daily Read December 25, 2009

Luke 2:8-20 (New International Version)

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Daily Read December 24, 2009

Luke 2:6-7 (New International Version)

⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Daily Read December 23, 2009

Luke 2:1-5 (New International Version)

¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to his own town to register. ⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Daily Read December 22, 2009

Luke 1:46-55 (New International Version)

⁴⁶And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
⁵¹He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."

Eric Samuel Timm - What's your Christmas all about?

I love Eric... He rocks!!!

Check out this little video about what your Christmas is about... (HERE)

Jim

Daily Read December 21, 2009

Luke 1:39-45 (New International Version)

³⁹At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴²In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

Daily Read December 20, 2009

Luke 1:35-38 (New International Version)

³⁵The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷For nothing is impossible with God."

³⁸"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

High School Ski and Tubing Trip

The snow is flying and our high school ministry is planning a ski and tubing trip to Cascade Mountain in Portage, WI. This event is for all high school students and their friends. Here are the details:

• When: Saturday, January 16, 2010
• -leaving FVCC at 7 am and returning at 10:30 pm
• Where: Cascade Mountain, Portage WI
• How much: To ski: $50 – To ski and rent skis: $75 – To tube all day: $50

We have expanded the trip this year to include those who might want to tube. The sign up sheet is out in the Warehouse. The last day to sign up will be January 10^th. When you sign up, you need to pay ½ of the trip. If you have questions about the ski/tube trip, email Jim Clark at jim@fvcc.com. If you like to ski and would like to go as a chaperone, email Jim Clark at jim@fvcc.com.

Daily Read December 19, 2009

Luke 1:26-33 (New International Version)

²⁶In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Charlie Brown Christmas

I enjoyed a little bit of this on TV... along with getting the rest of my schoolwork finished up for this semester!!!

Jim

Check it out HERE

Jackie skating backwards

Check out Jackie skating backwards!! She's awesome!!!

Check out her other video of her just skating and spinning HERE.

Check out this video on YouTube HERE.

Jim

Jackie skating

We went into Chicago Saturday night for Jackie's birthday celebration (that was in November). We ate out and Jackie skated in Millennium Park.

Check her skating backwards HERE.

Watch this video on YouTube go HERE.

Jim

Daily Read December 13, 2009

Here is the main text for this morning's message at High Voltage and Live Wire. We're doing a short little two-week series entitled "Amazed! Are you?" It should be fun!

Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)

The Birth of Jesus

¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to his own town to register.

⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Daily Read December 12, 2009

Psalm 130:3-6 (New International Version)

³ If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?

⁴ But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

⁵ I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.

⁶ My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Diet update... week whatever...

I love this photo...

And after last night's Progressive Dinner, that's exactly what I felt like this morning. So I did... And since it was warm, I ran outside! Which is awesome!!

But this week I crossed into new diet territory. When I was dieting seriously a couple of years ago, the lowest weight that I got to was 246.5. This week I crossed beyond that weight. Tuesday morning I weighed in at 246.0. So I'm dieting into new territory. Now this morning's weight wasn't that good. But yesterday morning I weighed in at 247. That's 31 pounds since the beginning of August.

Feels great!!! Just thought I'd share!!!

Jim

2 Kittens on a blanket...

I just thought I'd share a cute picture of our two cats... Zelda (left) and Zoe (right). I was making the bed this morning and they were sleeping on the blanket. So I got their attention to grab this picture. Just thought I'd share.

Jim

Christmas Progressive Dinners

We had a blast last night at the Student Ministry Christmas Progressive Dinners!!!!

Thanks to:

• Steve and Julie Galloway (hosting the middle school stop #1)
• Scott and Karla Findley (hosting the middle school stop #2)
• Gary and Deb Dyrek (hosting the middle school stop #3 and presents)
• Rick and Bonnie Cerezo (hosting the high school stop #1)
• Tracy Paprocki (hosting the high school stop #3 and presents)
• Todd and Paula Alford (for taking the middle school students around on their stops!!! You guys are awesome!!!)

If you've never done a Progressive Dinner, it's pretty simple. You start out in one location and then travel around to various locations, eating a different portion of the meal as you go. For instance, last night stop #1 was an appetizer, stop #2 was the main course and stop #3 was dessert and present opening. Then at the last stop we do a $7-$10 gift exchange.

We had a blast!!! (The picture above is from the high school stop #3 and present opening house!) From the reports that I heard from the middle school crew was that they had a blast as well.

The notable high school gifts (that were fought over... we do a "cut-throat" stealing type Christmas present exchange...) were the Snuggie, a couple of iPod speaker systems, a big bag of Sour Patch Kids/Target gift card, a Starbucks gift card and an iTunes gift card (that I ended up with... although I really wanted the Snuggie!!!).

But bottom line... everyone had fun!!! And shared some Christmas spirit!!!

Thanks to those who helped out!!! Couldn't do it without you!!

Jim

Daily Read December 11, 2009

Psalm 127:1 (New International Version)

¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.

Daily Read December 10, 2009

Jude 1:24-25 (New International Version)

²⁴To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

The Vulture in Spider-Man 4??

So I was reading a little article HERE today about the upcoming Spider-Man 4 (which I hope they lose the singing and dancing of Spider-Man 3 and replace it with more action...).

The article stated that there is serious talk of bring in John Malkovich to play the Vulture. That would be sweet. The Vulture is a pretty major villain in Spider-Man lore and it would be great to see Malkovich play it.

On the other hand the article talks about Anne Hathaway being a part of the movie as well. She's a pretty great actress and that would be kinda fun too. But then I read that they are going to make up a character for her... the Vulturess... (ugh!). My question... Why? There are so many great female villains in the comics that they have to make something up! Why not just choose a character that lines up with the comics and go with it? Or better yet, why can't her character just become the supervillain that she does in the comics... ummm Black Cat maybe?

Craziness. Pure craziness. Just felt like ranting a little bit there.

Jim

Daily Read December 9, 2009

Jude 1:20-23 (New International Version)

²⁰But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. ²¹Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

²²Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Daily Read December 8, 2009

Hosea 14:9 (New International Version)

⁹ Who is wise? He will realize these things.
Who is discerning? He will understand them.
The ways of the LORD are right;
the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.

Hillsong United - Hosanna

I've been on a Hillsong United run today in iTunes. Then I saw this video on Dan's blog. Great, great video!!! I would love to worship live with Hillsong United sometime.

Jim

Check it out HERE.

Daily Read December 7, 2009

Hosea 6:6 (New International Version)

⁶ For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Ode To Joy - Muppets

We used this video this morning... Just fun and festive.

Enjoy!

Jim

Check it out HERE

Daily Read December 6, 2009

1 John 4:7-11 (New International Version)

⁷Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Diet update... and a couple of goals...

Several things have happened lately in my diet world.

First... I jumped in on a 12 week diet contest with Simply Youth Ministry. Doug Fields, Josh Griffin and Matt McGill challenged each other and opened it up to others. So, since I am already dieting, I thought I'd jump in too. There are prizes and sweetness for winning and my thought is that I'm already doing it. So why not be rewarded (possibly) for doing what I'm already doing. (This photo is my official weigh in photo.)

Second, Jackie gave me a challenge on Wednesday. She bought me a sweet Spyder coat and matching ski pants back in August for Christmas (which I am eagerly waiting for!!!). I was joking with her the other day about buying me an Underarmor Coat too. She said... "If you can lose 50 more pounds and get to 199, I'll buy you any coat you want..." I said... "You're on!!!" My goal is to get to 199 anyway. And I'm planning to be there before October 17, 2010 (when I run the Columbus, Ohio 1/2 marathon).

So... there's a couple of diet updates...
And by the way... I weighed in this morning at 247.5!!!!! That's 30.5 pounds since the first of August and 4 pounds down from yesterday. It's also only 1 pound from my lightest weight since college 10 years ago. My lightest college weight was 240 and I'll be there soon!

Jim

Daily Read December 5, 2009

1 John 1:8-10 (New International Version)

⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

The Living Nativity - The Skit Guys

This is awesome!!! Merry Christmas. Don't miss the end... It's great! Thanks Tommy and Eddie!

Jim

Check it out HERE

Daily Read December 4, 2009

1 John 1:5-7 (New International Version)

⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Daily Read December 3, 2009

Psalm 119:127-128 (New International Version)

¹²⁷ Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,

¹²⁸ and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.

Official on facebook... Official in my book...

Daily Read December 2, 2009

Proverbs 28:18 (New International Version)

¹⁸ He whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.

Daily Read December 1, 2009

Psalm 119:105-106 (New International Version)

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.

Daily Read November 30, 2009

Psalm 119:97-98 (New International Version)

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.

⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.

Daily Read November 29, 2009

2 Peter 1:20-21 (New International Version)

²⁰Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. ²¹For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Daily Read November 28, 2009

2 Peter 1:3-9 (New International Version)

³His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

⁵For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Daily Read November 27, 2009

Daniel 4:37 (New International Version)

³⁷ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

It's amazing to me that one of the greatest kings ever... Nebuchadnezzar, who destroyed and exiled the Jews from Jerusalem and destroyed Solomon's temple... eventually acknowledged the power and splendor of God. Nebuchadnezzar should remind us that no one is too great to be humbled by God.

Jim

5k Turkey Trot results

So the Turkey Trot went awesome this morning!!! (Here is Ben, Todd and I after it was done)

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my Nike+ chip was off by about a 1 minute on my pace and 1/4 of a mile on my distance.

I finished 5k in 28m 38s. (HERE are the official results... I'm on page 38.) Usually I'm about 10 1/2 minute miles... but this morning was about 9 1/2 minute miles. Which is great for me. Officially I finished #1889 out of 5054!! Not bad!!! And officially according to their timing, my pace as 9m15s.

Overall it was a great experience. It was a little frustrating to deal with all the walkers... but for my first race, it was pretty good!!

Tomorrow I start working on a 10k and my sister wants me to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) with her in Columbus in the fall... That's a little crazy.

Jim

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

It's hard to imagine that Thanksgiving is here already. But it is.

It's a good day to be thankful! Here are a few things that I'm thankful for right now:

• my wife and family (she's working on some great food and letting me sit here and blog... that's great)
• our house (last year we were just getting ready to move in... now we've been living here for a year)
• our students... who are incredible.
• our volunteers... who are a great team to hang, run and work with.
• our friendships!!!
  
• of course... I'm most thankful for a God who loves me, sent His Son for me and provided me with forgiveness that I couldn't provide for myself otherwise.
  

I hope that today you spend some time doing what is most important... hanging with friends and family!!! And of course, eating a lot!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from me and my family!

Jim

Daily Read November 26, 2009

Psalm 100:4 (New International Version)

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

#1625!!!

There's my official number for tomorrow morning's race. I'm #1625! I don't know exactly what that means... maybe that's where they expect me to finish... but that's my number.

Should be a fun experience. Especially because weather.com is predicting that tomorrow morning at 8 am it is supposed to be 39 degrees with 70% chance of precipitation that is a mixture of rain and snow.

Should be fun. I'm hoping to finish in less than 30 minutes. If so... it will feel like I won the race!!!

Jim

Fall Retreat wrap-up

We had a really great Fall Retreat over the weekend. It was a great time of worship, teaching, relationship building, serving (we helped the camp stack and store firewood for the winter), and having fun together (we played, among other things, capture the flag in the large field at 10:30 pm with only a campfire to guide the play).

I was blessed with an incredible group of weekend warriors (Todd, Justin, Jennifer, and Julie) who hung with the students, had conversations with them and made the weekend possible.

The worship was incredible!!! Justin and "Yet To Be Named" (our student worship band of Justin, Will, Amanda, Alec and Nico) did an incredible job. There was jumping, clapping, singing and wanting more.

Overall the weekend was a huge success. I appreciate all those who made a great weekend a great weekend!!! But I have to admit... it totally wiped me out... It's Wednesday and I'm still recovering. But it was a very fun weekend!

Jim

Daily Read November 18, 2009

Ephesians 5:1-2 (New International Version)

¹Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Turkey Trivia freebie

I thought to myself yesterday, when I saw some twitter traffic about an upcoming SYM newsletter, that I should put together a new freebie powerpoint game for Thanksgiving and share it.

But I realized that I really didn't have time right now. Then I opened the email this morning and saw that my "Turkey Trivia Game" from last year was one of the featured the freebies.

Awesome!!!

Hopefully it helps some folks out there. Check out the freebies HERE.

Thanks Simply Youth Ministry for giving folks like me an opportunity to help others out!

Jim

Daily Read November 16, 2009

Psalm 108:1-5 (New International Version)

¹ My heart is steadfast, O God;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.

² Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

³ I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.

⁴ For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.

Daily Read November 15, 2009

Hebrews 11:5-6 (New International Version)

⁵By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Daily Read November 14, 2009

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Daily Read November 13, 2009

Hebrews 10:19-25 (New International Version)

¹⁹Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. ²⁵Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Daily Read November 12, 2009

Hebrews 10:11-14 (New International Version)

¹¹Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹²But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. ¹³Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, ¹⁴because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Daily Read November 11, 2009

Romans 5:6-8 (New International Version)

⁶You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

With today being Veteran's Day, I thought of this verse. Take a couple of moments today to thank a veteran or a current serviceman or servicewoman for their willingness to go and fight and maybe die for someone else.

Jim

Daily Read November 9, 2009

Hebrews 9:25-28 (New International Version)

²⁵Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Diet update... week 13

The last three days have been great diet days with new low weigh-ins each day. Today I'm officially 13 weeks into my diet and weighed in this morning at 252.0.

That's 26 pounds since August 8th!!!

Overall my runs have been getting faster and better as well. With the Turkey Trot only a couple of weeks away, I need them to keep getting better.

But on the whole, the diet is going well. And I'm only 6 pounds away from my all-time-low-weight of 246.0 pounds!!! Maybe I'll get close next week. Oh wait... my wife is making stroganoff (sp?) for dinner... maybe I won't...

Jim

Daily Read November 6, 2009

Hebrews 7:23-28 (New International Version)

²³Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

²⁶Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. ²⁷Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. ²⁸For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

David Crowder*Band - "How He Loves" OFFICIAL Music Video

Here is Crowder's new video... "How He Loves". It's great... and a great idea for a video!!!

Jim

Check it out HERE

Post 1,500!!!

It's hard to imagine, but it's true. This post is post 1,500 on my little blog. Who knew that I had so much to say... except for my wife.

I don't have too much to say here... just wanted to call attention to the fact that this is post 1,500!!!

Hope your day is memorable!

Jim

Daily Read November 3, 2009

Hebrews 4:14-16 (New International Version)

¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. ¹⁶Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Daily Read November 2, 2009

Hebrews 4:12-13 (New International Version)

¹²For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Daily Read November 1, 2009

Psalm 103:13-18 (New International Version)

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-

¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

Candy!!!

Tonight's been kinda fun around the Clark house. We've been passing out candy for Trick or Treat!

Last year, we had just bought our house. When we lived in the apartment, no one came to our place for Trick or Treat. So when we bought our house, we were looking forward to doing Trick or Treat. But we were at the Fall Retreat over Halloween weekend last year.

But we didn't miss it this year. This is a shot of the candy bowl that we've been working through. We bought 3 or 4 big bags of candy.

It's been fun to see some of the kids from the neighborhood that we see out and about throughout the week. We've got 90 more minutes of Trick or Treat left... and the best costume so far is "Tigger" for sure!!!

Hopefully for my diet's sake... we get rid of this candy. I've eaten too much already!!! But it's been fun!

Jim

Daily Read October 31, 2009

These are some of my favorite verses about forgiveness... amazing simplicity!!!

Psalm 103:8-12 (New International Version)

⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

⁹ He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

¹² as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Diet update... week 12

It's officially week 12 of my current diet. And I'm doing pretty well. This morning I turned in a weight that was only a 1/2 pound from my lowest.

At this point, I'm weighing in at 254.5 pounds... down from 278.0 pounds 12 weeks ago. (If you're not good with math like me... and I had to grab a calculator... that's 23.5 half pounds in 12 weeks.) That's pretty good... about 2 pounds a week.

Overall... I always wish that it would go faster. But I also recognize that if I lose too much too fast, it will just come back. So we'll take what we can get.

Jim

Naperville Turkey Trot

Well...

Today I finally registered for the Naperville Lion's club Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. The Turkey Trot is not a reference to the fat folks running it... I don't think so at least... It's a 5k run on Thanksgiving Day.

I've been meaning to do it since I started running (check out the Fat Guy Running Club post HERE). But I just hadn't done it.

Well this morning as I was running my 2 mile run for the day, I thought "I should just get that done." So I did.

I'm registered to run my first 5k on Thanksgiving Day in 26 days and 22 hours. Should be interesting!

Jiim

Daily Read October 30, 2009

Hebrews 1:1-3 (New International Version)

¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. ³The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Daily Read October 28, 2009

Titus 2:11-14 (New International Version)

¹¹For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. ¹²It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

great PDYM Community lunch

I love connections!!!

And we had some great connections today. Today was the northern Illinois day for the bi-annual PDYM Community lunch. We had a great group and more than that... we had some great discussions. Discussions about the transition from high school to college... discussions about worship... discussions about Simply Youth Ministry's "Live" curriculum.

But the best part: making the connections!!

Sitting around a table... over sandwiches and cookies... eye to eye... knee to knee... talking and working together about youth ministry.

If you aren't connected to a local group of youth workers and you're a youth worker, you need to get connected. ASAP! The benefits are unbelievable!!

Jim

Daily Read October 27, 2009

Romans 6:23 (New International Version)

²³For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Daily Read October 26, 2009

Romans 6:1-2 (New International Version)

¹What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? ²By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

MercyMe live on the Internet!

Love it!!!

Watch their live concert here!!!

Apple's "Get a Mac" ad: "PC News "

I love the new Mac ads!!!

Jim


Check them out HERE