young life leadership

 

this is a post from Olivia’s Blog – I thought I’d steal it and share it w/you…

 

 

We had leadership at our house on Friday night. Leadership is a time to get together with our YL leaders and committee to worship, play some fun crazy games, pray, hear what the Lord is up to, and just be together. We had a great time.

 

The first of three games: pulling kleenex out of the box {one by one}, in a minute or less, only using one hand, as fast as you can. Go Brent! {Look at Boone just chillin’}

Here’s Pam. She had awesome technique. Go Pam!

Next was the oreo cookie game. An oreo is placed on your forehead and using only the muscles in your face…you wiggle it down to try and catch it in your mouth…using no hands. Go Suzanne!

Daniel was next…he did it! Go Daniel!

Then there was this game. I’m not even sure what you call it. But here are the bags from tallest to shortest and I do mean short. Using your mouth you pick up the bag and run it over to a chair, drop it off, then repeat. You can not use hands and your knees, legs, arms, hands can not touch the ground. Go Lynsi!

Here I am. Haha. I was called up front to participate. It was fun!

And then Cupp had to go doing this… Go Cupp!

The last game was stick your nose in vaseline and place it in a bowl of cotton balls.

You then go across the room and try to get as many cotton balls in a bowl without….using your hands. Go Elaine!

Then Stephe was up. Yay for Committee Participation!

These games were from the TV show Minute to Win It. Yay Carol Lee and Carly for showing up with fun games to make us laugh!

This picture is just hilarious.

Boone and Wyatt loved the attention. Loved having people over. Loved getting to stay up late. And after two attempts to keep Wyatt from changing in to his “Super Hero Pajamas” aka: blue thermal underwear that is way too big, I just gave up and let him do it.

We prayed for leaders. They prayed for our home. Thank you dear friends for all you do to help reach the gospel to our high school friends. For showing them Christ not only through your words but your actions too. Thank you for giving your time to serve in Loudon County. For loving on our boys. For loving high school kids.

Is it a feeling...

(This is a re-post of an old post from June 2009 – it’s good for me to read…again.  Maybe the same is true for you?)

What is it about Jesus?  Who is this man...that's what so many people wondered about Him when he walked on the Earth.  The truth is, so many are wondering the same about Christ today - they may or may not truly know it.  I believe that many people wonder about God....about Jesus Christ and the things He said and did.  I believe they wonder about miracles, about poverty, the ancient tribes in Africa, the homeless people, the rich, the famous, the murderers, the lonely ones, the ones without hope, the hookers, the officers.....the moms and dads...the husband who left for another, the mom who walked away....there are so many things to consider. There are so many scenarios to conquer or to doubt...which way to go - shall it be left or right, right or wrong, happy or sad!  Decisions, thoughts, and doubts - a labyrinth of mind games and pockets of hope and fears. It seems there are fingers pointing in all directions.

So, which direction is the right one?  Which is, as they say, True North ? 

What happens when the feelings over come everything else?  What happens when life gets in the way....and the "Dark night of the soul" shows up in our lives??  How do we get past a feeling of depression?  What do we do with our anxieties and our anger?  What do we do with this slave that lingers in a place where no one can go nor has ever seen - this true self?  Are we supposed to "get over it"?  Are we to simply move on and be better? Is better even relative?  You see, this is the stuff that crap is made of....from the pits..the pits of hell - rather, it (all the mess of lies that infiltrate our minds and attempt to penetrate our hearts) is not from the Lord.  Hear that again: It is not from the Lord!  It isn't. No, those do not belong in the same sentence; they are not a part of the breath of God.  When Jesus Christ walked in the upper room and breathed on His disciples, He was breathing the breath of life (the light and life of God) and the Holy Spirit upon them.  It was really Him.  Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man - the "visible expression of the invisible God" (-Colossians 1:15)

May we, somehow, never forget to remember that Jesus' love for us stretches as far as the East is from the West; His love and payment for us separates those that believe in Him from our sin as far as the East is from the West = forever...and ever!  Any time a feeling that is other steps or creeps in...it just is not from Him.  True North?  Happiness?  Hope and Peace?  Freedom?  Well, it exists.  They exist.....only in Him.  Those things not of Him or from Him are of no value.  The arguments at home, the thing you may be about to say in the midst of anger or in the midst of  frustration....or in a conflict that has not even happened....well, is it of any value??  The truth is that He is the value in our lives.  Jesus IS the ONLY true VALUE.  Everything else will fail....He is.  He was.  He will be forever.  Nothing can separate us from the love made known in Christ Jesus.  Forever and ever.

Is it just a feeling? perhaps the feeling is temporary. Jesus is not.  My faith in Him is not.  His being in me and me in Him:  not temporary.  The hope we have in Christ; the promise He gives...the infinite love and mercy and call:  Forever with the Father.  Pure in the eyes of the Lord.  To Hell with that which is not from Him.

All I need is in Christ...in Christ alone.

His Peace.

-ao

A “nest of worms” is a treasure in life

 

Worms.  Wyatt.  A dog-chewed mini shovel and a great spring day!  That was today – the Lord’s day…..we went to church and had a great day.  I played some ultimate frisbee with some friends and then came home to hang out with my family. This evening was awesome. A great meal….the boys playing outside, chicken on the grill and my neighbors outside in their yards and walking down the street. I guess we could make a movie about today and tonight.

 

This is a shot of Wyatt digging in the dirt to find worms – he found probably thirty of them and took them “to new homes” (probably their new route to a dry death!) instead of saving them to go fishing which was my suggestion. 

 

We got ready for bed and then sat on our front porch sitting in a rocking chair together.  I used to sit on our front porch at an old farm house growing up. We stared off into the sunset and pastures…and a huge old Magnolia tree that is still standing today. Our house was built in 1865.  We lived on borrowed land with about 465 acres to roam; three springs, two ponds and a lot of woods, two barns, a few horses and bunches of fun.  I remember sitting on the old wooden porch with my dad and talking about life before retiring for the night. Those were good times. Old house. Old times. Old memories.  Somehow, I wonder if my son’s memories will add up to mine – but maybe they don’t compare….maybe it’s not fair for me to think his memories could or should compare to mine – because I AM his daddy and no matter where we are – that’s the cool thing…that we are spending time together rocking on a rocking chair and telling stories. 

I have been told I have what we now affectionately refer to as “Ogleisms” as a general lingo in life. For so much of my life people would laugh or have odd gazes at my sayings and wonder where did he come up with that!  I would always in a proud manner confess it was my dad that I got that ridiculous statement from. It was always good, always fresh and random.  It was like word gifts to a dead language – it would just bring life in a unique way.  One time my mom told me how she missed my dad – they split when I was little – how she missed going out with him and if there were one thing that she wished she could still have it would be his dance moves, his social and intentional personality with people around him.  Mainly, she wanted to dance….and her husband, my Step-dad was and is not a dancer.  My mom is now with Jesus.  A few years before her death she had her lower right leg amputated.  I remember dancing with my mom at my wedding….it was something I’ll never forget and would never trade for anything.  It was sweet and powerful. My hope is that my sons carry a legacy that my parents have given me.  I love talking about my dad. Love it!  I love talking to high school guys I hang out with as their YL leader about their dads and how my dad and I were and are…and how God loves them as Heavenly Father infinitely greater than they can fathom. 

So, here’s to digging worms, a ratty back yard in progress to special, an old sand turtle box, a front porch rocking chair, a bed time story about Abraham and Isaac and the Father’s love, my dad, my mom, my wife and my family.  It is good and sweet. 

Let’s go enjoy it. 

Blessings,

-ao

Where the Fern Grows

There’s a new addition here at the house.  We have a baby Sycamore tree sitting in the back…it’s in the think of it with the other trees that are about 100 times its size. We are wondering where to plant this new tree that our neighbor gave to us!  We also had some guys show up just before Easter and till up our back yard to “rock hound” our yard. For you non-construction and old-timer gurus out there – that means “to smooth out the rough spots in the dirt”, AKA “Rock Hound”.  So, now we at least have some straw on top of our compacted red clay and seed that is dried up and exhausted in its efforts to actually grow a blade of grass!
Our yard?  It has potential. Our vision?  Yes, we do have one…but it comes in little slices and glimpses of greatness.  Currently we have not patio set as we are figuring out best prices and style….and trying to be “Thrifty” as Olivia says.  I agree.  I also cannot wait to have that sucker up and running. 
My latest hope and vision?  Here it is:

These are drafts of a vision that popped in my head of what could happen in our back yard. Notice the fence that is not there…the trees next to the storage shed turned building with cool country metal roof and back porch vibes!!  My friend Budd has a storage shed similar to this…..I thought of a hybrid to his.  Dang, I can’t wait. I think I can build it on my own…..won’t it be fun to watch??

In the mean time….what we have currently, in addition to our sapling bagged up in the back….are two new ferns on our front porch. I hung them up tonight.  God the yard mowed…..2nd time ever at this house. Got things looking better…inch by inch around here! One day….we are going to have a sweet little cottage right here in our neck of the woods….and we are great with it taking some time to get fully where we want to be in this house.  What if I viewed the rest of my life in that manner? What if I saw what God is doing in me as something that is taking time and refinement?
That’s how I view sanctification – there’s a biggie! A big word that, to me, anymore – means the refinement of myself that is being done by God and His Holy Spirit alive in me. He refines me…over and over again! He draws me nearer to Him.  I hope that as we hang ferns and go get another and consider planting a garden and building a storage barn / back porch and several other things  that are on our hearts….that we do more than trust God. I hope we watch what He’s up to in our lives and as we learn patience that he is working things out in my life from the inside out  - Jesus said that “out of the overflow of (my) heart, (my) your mouth will speak”.  So, may my life live as my heart is and may my heart be filled with Christ – and, to get technical on you – it is!!

I belong to Him.  I’m so glad that two ferns on our front porch bring me not only to Jesus but hopeful patience and trust in my life.

Blessings,
-ao

its like love you know

What if my story was a story? What if my story were something that wanted to be read? What if my thoughts kept popping out and landed on paper somewhere and people really wanted to inquire and wondered about my life in ways that made them pay for the paper they read about my life?

Well, for some people – that’s their life. But I bet if we looked into their minds…if their minds were like a movie playing in front of all of us, they might confess or we’d see their thoughts of wondering why people read their thoughts and why do people buy their stories and wonder how interesting they really are when, perhaps, in fact they are concerned with how cool their life REALLY is. It could get old. Couldn’t it?  Sometimes I wonder if my stories are worth telling and if they are worth telling would they be worth reading?  Paying for? Looking at?  Re-telling to other parties? For some reason, I think there are ideas that show up in my mind about ten times a day that would be worth writing about and yet I never take the time to write them down.

You got a story? I bet you do.  I have a story.  I have something to say – so my mind says. My story is random. My wife says my Facebook status updates make zero sense – that they are random and just don’t add up, so to speak.  I say that I am the one who makes zero sense…it’s why I have  my story and why I think my stories just might fly! So, what am I planning on doing about this story….and the ones that come and go?  I think I want to start logging these ideas somewhere. I have a friend who talks about life being lots of great book titles…not so much the material for great books and all that jazz but just good book titles. That’s his life. I think I agree with him. I have found some good titles. My hope is to fill in the gaps with my stories and my ideas.  I am going to begin unpacking some of my stories…and eventually they’ll get out of my head and onto something somewhere else…and we’ll see then. 

My friend once told me how he’d been working on a book for about seven years (this was four years ago) and it was still not in draft form ready for final edits. Then it finally came to the edit stage! We celebrated. I don’t honestly know if he is published now or not – but what I now understand is how it took seven years.  Life gets in they way.  So, here’s my challenge to myself to write my thoughts down.

 

Life is a story.  Write yours down.  I’m headed that way.  I think I like it.  It keeps lingering…you know.

 

Blessings.

-ao

man, a story belongs

So, I’ve been thinking how there are lots of stories that float through my mind on any given day. I mean….lots of stories. Fun ones. Bad ones. Children’s stories and manly stories alike – they just float in and float away……landing somewhere down stream.
My problem is that I don’t seem to find the floaters. I read today about how Don Miller uses a Kitchen Timer when he writes. He says as long as the timer is tickin’ he’s writing on that project / topic and not answering his phone or checking email, etc. – just ticking away on the story he’s writing. I could adopt a similar philosophy. There are times that is what I shoot for – but this season of life…it’s just so dang challenging. I am spinning a lot of plates and in the midst of that it gets tough to slow down long enough to let out of the bag what lurks within. I feel like perhaps I have something to say. I day dream of just uninterrupted time while sitting in the mountains, my front porch, a deck overlooking the beach and listening to the waves….as I just let it out. Writing whatever comes up in my mind and letting the stories take a route of their own and seeing where it all lands when the buzzer goes off.
I think one day I will get this chance but until then I suppose it’s good to have a vision and hope – just think…if I had time to really think about what I write….as you read this…it could be something you might really like! Until then….here’s to stories, creativity, timing and seasons of life.
A story lurks within….no, really, it does.

We finally got our yard worked on – it isn’t what we’d hoped for but there’s some fun in sitting on the back patio with these two little dudes watching the guys run the skid steer and letting boys be boys. We are lining up for more memories and more stories at our home. Thanks be to God.

Blessings,
-ao

Agnus Dei

Lamb of God
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world
Who takes away the sin of the world,
Have mercy, have mercy on us
Have mercy, have mercy on us
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world
Who takes away the sin of the world,
Grant us, grant us peace

 

These are the words to my friend Lee Younger’s song in preparation for Good Friday – Today.

Today.  Changed everything. Today.  A new life is offered.  Life for all life…..all life forever – life forever received because of the life given on this day – the life of Christ. For me.  For you.  In order that, because of the great love story of Jesus Christ – I could no longer have to look upon my sin; my sin condition. God, now seeing Christ in my stead, because “God made Him who knew no sin to become sin” – on my behalf. He did it for me.  He did it for you.  He did it!

Wyatt my 4 year old son (today): “Daddy, were you sad when Jesus died on the cross?”

Where you sad?  How did you feel….when you first heard?  When you began to wonder about what it really meant that Jesus had almighty character and presence and piercing eyes while on the cross and gave up his life to become our sin condition and then…..then….3 Jewish days later….His tomb was empty. God had fully communicated His infinite love in His humility and ultimate love sacrifice for us. All of the mess forever and ever was placed upon Jesus in order that we….that you and I might consider this miracle of miracles and this awesome ridiculous feat of conquering death! Jesus beat death….

Well, that’s this Sunday…..let’s still soak in Good Friday.  Let’s soak in the death of Christ. Soak in His passion. Soak in His love.  Soak in His struggles and His decision to give up His life for you and me! He volunteered Himself to die in my place. That I would not have to – Christ did. Christ died. This day. 

Jesus, I am yours.  I needed Good Friday – I may have never known.  I may have never began the process of wonder and understanding. Give me deeper intimacy w/you, Lord. I need you.  I need Good Friday. I need your cleansing.

Thanks be to Him.  This day changed the trajectory of the world forever. This day – Good Friday.

The Lamb of God.  My Passover Lamb.

Blessings.

-ao

Slowness – reminder of Holiness?

So, it’s been slow lately. I’ve been sick. My wife has been sick. Both of our little boys have been sick.  You….you been sick?  Probably…uughh!  We have seen it everywhere we turn. Can’t shake it.  There is no fun in being sick….I used to say if sickness was a person I’d like to mess ‘em up a bit and spit on their face. It’s true. I don’t like to be sick.  So, now…..what do I do in its midst?

In reading a friend of mine’s Lenten devotional I have been reminded of when he was very ill and still wrote in his book to finish the “book” that I now get to read! He didn’t feel well. He wanted to mess up the sickness that entered his body…yet he remained true to his focus.  So, I question things….I question what the Lord is up to in my life..in my heart…in my sickness – Jesus, Holy Spirit…Father God – what are you up to?  What are you doing IN me? 

I’m sick.  I have been forced “down” to be not well and slow down! Slow down? yes…slow down and just “be”.  Somehow, as I am coming out of this mess of not feeling well and wondering why we are the way we are right now – it has occurred..that the Lord just might be up to something.  Something within me…something inside my heart..something in my marriage and in my home – slowness.  A renewed rhythm in my midst….something my heart has truly desired all along. In speaking with a friend today he said, “you know….to be honest I just don’t know how you do it all – you are meeting yourself coming and going…all of the time!!”

I looked at him and said, “thank you”.  As I was inferring to him a bit of a “thanks” for calling my bluff and calling me out –I cannot continue the facade of “making it” when I am feeling as though I am failing so often at home.  It is this realization that I must move slower.  What I’m saying is…my pace. My rhythm. My daily walk with the Lord. My stance with those around me. It all must move at a rhyme that makes sense and stands the tests that I need to endure…tests of sickness and the likes. You see, as I have been miserable and wondering about my family’s health lately – I have been able to step back a bit…to see that I have been home. I have been playing w/our boys. I have laughed at TV shows with Olivia. I have been with Jesus. I have eaten meals at home.  What’s the norm – this temptation to do all of those….yet be present elsewhere! It is a shame…..but this week – my illness….my reminders of Jesus making his way to the Cross…Good Friday nearing….finishing Buddy’s book, praying to God, getting well after being ill, playing with my family, seeing the sunshine outside – it’s all a reminder of God’s love . It is a reminder that His spirit is revealing more and more of himself within me and to me.

Holiness.  This week, for me, is about my self examination coming to the surface and recognizing the Holiness of Christ and his Holy sacrifice out of love and his Godness in all He did, does, and IS.  He is Holy.  I am Holy because of Him.  I believe. I belong. I am moving slower – and I like it.

Rhythm. 

Jesus.

Roman guard-in-me.

Holy Spirit.

Holiness from His death and His resurrection.

I belong, dear Lord. Thank you.

Blessings.

-ao

My friends – A prayer softball

I have been a Young Life leader since 1997.  I have met quite a few high schoolers from LCHS.  I have had the privilege of being a lot of guys’ leader. It has simply been a fun gig…a bit of life on life….life coaching, and talking about things that matter the most. It has been a lot of tackling issues in their lives and listening to them pour out their hearts as I do my best to point them to the source of life, hope and love – Jesus Christ.

Sometimes it sinks in.  Christ. A relationship with Him….and a life-long relationship with them (and myself). It sinks in that we are connected….connected in Christ and / or connected in our friendship. I tell my high school friends that I am like a coach to them….that once someone is your “Coach” they will, more than likely, always be “Coach” to them. So, like a coach…I am always going to be (your) YL Leader I say.

There are two kids in particular (not really “kids” anymore) that I have felt like the Lord has given me long term access and accessibility to and from them.  Aaron and John.  Their lives are wild. Their lives have had incredible twists and turns. Somehow, I keep running into them. They keep calling. I keep thinking of them. They keep showing up. Life keeps getting in the way and messes happen.  Just last week my phone read in a text message, “I’m in trouble…I need help!” and then tonight….I see my other friend.  Wyatt asked me, “Daddy, is he your friend?” –“yes, son, he sure is Daddy’s friend…I have been able to be his Young Life leader and we have talked about Jesus…”

These two guys….more than any other two I have spent time with have remained on my heart. More than just remaining on my heart as so many do – I have lost touch with them. I can’t find them. I have no way of reaching them. But, if I’m lying I’m dying!! I just being to pray for them and pray specifically that God would allow us another encounter soon.  It happens over and over again – I run into them or they find me.  One of them calls me.  The other one, I always see “out and about” in our town. We joke about it, now.  Tonight when I saw him for the first time in 5 months…he and I hugged and I smiled saying to him, “I knew I’d run into you soon!”.  He smiled back and said he’d been wanting to ask me to go to lunch and had been asking around about me.  These guys are special.  All of them are special. That’s the thing…doing what I do – it is special. I get to step into the lives of trouble, of crap, of messes, of family breakup, fights, drugs, sexual issues, disbelief, poverty, bad grades, divorce, anger, loss of hope, threats, and the list goes on.  But for a few of them…and for a few pieces of my heart and me – the memories continue and we carry on the flame of “Coach”  - Young Life leader; minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; friend for life.

I am so glad I get to pray for John and Aaron. I am so glad my sons know I hang out with guys like them.  I am so thankful to come home and tell Olivia who I’ve just seen and hear her sweet responses. Thank you, Jesus.  I pray I get to have lunch soon with my buddies….and many more like them.  I pray you would pursue the mess out of them…that they would walk with you. 

To God be the Glory.

Blessings,

-ao