Now that's powerful!

I have a saying that I tell the students all the time - in fact it is part of my signature on all my emails - and it is "Students are the most powerful force on the planet". I don't remember when or where it started. It was a phrase that I think came from Nick my predecessor but I might have come up with it. Or Nick just did such a could job of instilling it in me that I just think it's my own. Anyway for me it is based on the passage from Acts that says you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. It's a link to my charismatic past I suppose.

I like the phrase because I truly believe that when students allow Jesus to be Lord of their lives and follow the Holy Spirit than they are unstoppable. It seems so little is expected of students at least from a positive stand point. I remember back to my "youth group" days and something happened and suddenly out of a small group of students an entire church was changed. This school year it sure seems that the Holy Spirit is at work in so many ways through our little group of students. It is exciting to be apart of and I think I am starting to get through to them that something special is happening. They are embracing that powerful force.

Last week we did a food drive. For all of our student locations we had brainstormed a campus specific service project. I confess I went through several ideas before landing on copying our Naperville location and doing a door to door food drive. I was anxious about how many students would participate and how much food we would get. On a snowy Sunday we went out to hang the door hangers announcing that we would be back the following Wednesday to collect the food. Several students showed up to help so my spirits were on the rise. The night came to collect the food and again my anxiety was escalating. Much to my delight a larger group of students and leaders came to collect our somewhat anticipated bounty. As the night progressed it became obvious that the collections were few and far between. I got a phone call from Naperville that it was bleak there as well. I was disappointed for the families that needed the food, I was disappointed for the food bank we were supporting and disappointed for the students that walked in the cold & dark for so little. I was considering the night a bust until the many of the students embraced their powerful status and went to the grocery store on the way back and with their own money made up the difference. It was completely unsolicited by me. Most had not even seen or heard from me and had no idea that no one was getting a lot. They just did it. I was stunned. I could not have been more proud of a group of students. Of course I did what any proud leader would do - I bragged. I shared my bragimony with the entire church staff and it was cool to hear from several people how inspiring it was to them. Then the icing on my cake was when I sat in the adult service this weekend and heard our lead pastor use those students story as an illustration to the entire church on generosity & right attitude on giving. Honestly I am not sure if the students believe me when I tell them our little corner of the empire - 70 some odd students strong can influence a church of 5000 but this weekend they did. Go God!

No Sign of Life

Obviously I love my church quite a bit because I quit a lucrative career to work there but lately I have been thinking about 1 of the things I love about it. We don't have those changeable church signs. Everyday on my way into the office I pass the same church sign. Recently a few have pushed my buttons so to speak. One week it said "Looking for a sign from God? Well this is it." And than proceeded to list their service times. I thought that especially arrogant that God had chosen their service times over any other. Plus it perpetuates one of my favorite myths that we should spend our lives waiting for some clearly visible sign from God over the more quiet relational ways He usually communicates.

The sign message a couple of weeks ago was especially timely as we were talking about Church at church. We were focusing on not being a building but being a group of people that go out and care about and for people. The adult message called it being rivers of life into the dead places. My insightful sign friends chose to post "Sign broken. Come in for message." And of course had the same helpful service times listed. I don't mean to pick on their sign, well actually I do because that is exactly the opposite of being a river of life. A building tells you where and when to come in. It's either open or it's closed. Rivers tend to run more on the 24/7 principle.

I just appreciate that for all our bumps and warts I do love the somewhat counter-church culture that we have. I am sure we can do more of that but as far as I know we don't have any tacky signs. With my flair for 1 liners I would love to have a crack at keeping a sign up to date but I don't think anyone would appreciate what I would have to say. I will have to think of some good ones and maybe drop off some suggestions for my sign friends.

Happy Birthday Dylan!

The boy is 9 today. I always considered Brandie the one that babies him but I have to admit its weird thinking of my youngest being 9 and not just because of the implication on my age. The little guy has had a rough go lately with the new neighborhood and school but he is being very courageous and seems to be enjoying the fan fare over his birthday. I am glad he gets that recognition. Being the younger and more quiet sibling he often languishes in the shadows. We got to go laser tagging last week with a couple of his buddies as they had Friday off of school. It was fun especially since my vest was broken and did not register kills very easily so I smoked everyone. Consider this my confession since I haven't revealed that to the kids yet. As I reflect on Dylan and what he means to me, Matthew 3:17 comes to mind. "And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased." I not prescribing deity to my son, I just know I love the little bugger and I am proud to call him my son. He has a heart for God that I admire and challenges me. He is funny and smart. I am blessed to have him in my life. Even though the picture is quite old - it is one of my favorites because at an old car club I used to be in I would take the kids for rides around the track after the event was over. It was always a thrill for both of us and so it is one of my favorite memories with him. So Dylan on this your ninth of birthdays - Happy Birthday and I love you!