tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472690742567139372024-02-07T18:40:01.894-08:00Monuments & Melodies...stories from young peoples livesDerianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-307816275740892552011-01-27T14:56:00.000-08:002011-01-27T14:56:25.535-08:00Lunch With Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tipdeck.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/How-to-Make-Pho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://tipdeck.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/How-to-Make-Pho.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have been going for lunch weekly with a number of young men for almost 2 years. We started this tradition in their grade 12 year and have continued to eat lunch together regularly after they graduated. Our favorite spot is a place called Pho Tau Bay--a traditional Vietnamese restaurant. We’ve been there so often the waitress doesn’t bring us menus. I’ve even learned some Vietnamese.<br />
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Other than that I haven’t had a lot to report--we just ate lunch together. Conversation, if there was any, revolved around video games and mutual mockery. To be honest I found myself frustrated, feeling like I was wasting my time and money. It began to wear on my self-esteem, like I wasn’t a good youthworker because I wasn’t having deep spiritual conversations.<br />
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It wasn’t until the second week of January this year that something changed. That week each young man separately approached me to talk about something important that was going on in their life. I was able to share about grace with one young man, another needed someone to talk to after a fight with his girlfriend, another shared about his new job and his feelings of self-esteem in it, a fourth asked me if I thought he would be a good youthworker.<br />
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That week God reminded me of 2 truths:<br />
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First, that we are not asked to be successful only to be faithful. It’s nearly impossible to measure success or even growth as a youthworker. The indicators are usually intangible, unmeasurable and eternal (or at least long-term.) Even victories like a baptism or conversion 6 months later can look like a failure when there’s no change or things are even worse (not uncommon.)<br />
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Secondly, that when we are faithful in the little things, he is faithful in the big ones. I realized I had been minimizing God’s work. Who am I the clay to tell the potter how I should be shaped or what I should be used for. My job is just to be good clay, respond to the hand of the Master and let him create the masterpiece--both in my life and the youth I work with.<br />
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I don’t know what next week’s conversations over Pho will be but I do know that at our table there is a seat set for Jesus. I look forward to watching him work.Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-9704015373055001882011-01-24T15:10:00.000-08:002011-01-24T15:13:21.055-08:00Crisis Intervention PlanMost youthworkers and youth pastors are quite familiar with the crisis phone calls/text messages. Frequently these do not occur during our "working" hours whatever that looks like. I'd like to share some ideas our team has developed for these situations. We have created a set of questions we use to evaluate a crisis before we step into action.<br />
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</div><div><b><u>Is Your God Big Enough?</u></b></div><div><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div>First off, in dealing with a crisis, you need to deal with yourself. Consider for a moment, that your apparent selfless act of leaving your sleep and your family behind, maybe more about your need for validation than helping the person in crisis--in reality your selfless act is quite selfish. </div><div><br />
</div><div>You have to ask yourself if you believe in the Sovereignty of God. Is your God big enough to deal with a crisis without you? If you can't answer yes to this question or you answer it with a "Ya, but..." you are likely setting yourself up to burn out. You may have the subtley put on the superman underwear thinking that you can save these kids. If that's the case, pride is now creeping into you life. Only Jesus can save these kids. He may choose you to be his vessel but it's always his work not yours. </div><div><br />
</div><div><div><b><u>Is this a REAL Crisis?</u></b></div><div><br />
</div><div>A counselor once told me there is no such thing as a crisis that cannot be dealt with tomorrow. There is actually a lot of truth in that statement. In cases where a person's life is in danger your first action should be to call 911. Pretty much any other crisis can (and maybe should) wait for tomorrow.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Is God directing me to go?</u></b></div><div><br />
</div><div>There maybe times when it's not a life & death crisis but the Holy Spirit is impressing on us the need to go. Who am I to argue with the God of the Universe? Outside of the direct leading of God here are some concrete questions we ask ourselves before we act on a crisis:</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Am I healthy enough to go?</u> (Physical, Emotional, Spiritual)</b></div><div><ol><li>Have I had enough sleep this week?</li>
<li>Have I had enough exercise this week?</li>
<li>Am I sick?</li>
<li>Do I have the emotional, physical and spiritual energy to give?</li>
<li>Did my stress levels spike when I the phone rang?</li>
<li>Have I spent meaningful time in prayer/scripture today/this week?</li>
</ol><div><b><u>Have I taken care of my family?</u></b></div><div><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div>If you can't take care of your family why do feel like you can take care of someone else's. This is one area I encourage you to ask your family for feedback on.</div><div><ol><li>Have I spent meaningful time with my spouse? (Ask your spouse)</li>
<li>Have I spent meaningful time with my kids? (Ask your kids)</li>
</ol><div><b><u>Can someone else go?</u></b></div></div><div><br />
</div><div>One thing our team has learned is that often (not always) a person reaches out to multiple people when in crisis. Our team has often realized <u>after the fact</u> that a teen in crisis was texting all of us at the same time. A few questions in the heat of the moment might have cleared that up. Instead of 4 of us having a sleepless night 1 person could have been sufficient.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Perhaps you have deemed this an important crisis but based on your self evaluation feel you cannot or should not go. This is where you need to refer/employ/empower your teammates, volunteers and other community services. Just because it's a crisis doesn't mean you have to be the one to respond.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Do you have a similar protocol? Did I miss any important questions? Feedback or Thoughts?</div><div><br />
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</div></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-49775559526188749042010-10-05T11:56:00.000-07:002010-10-05T12:13:51.711-07:00Win an iPod Nano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.apple.com/ca/ipodnano/images/overview_gallery_3_20100930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://images.apple.com/ca/ipodnano/images/overview_gallery_3_20100930.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Langley Youth Unlimited is looking to expand our work. If you are a Youth in the Langley Area we would appreciate your input. If you fill out our survey you will be entered to win an iPod Nano.<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HPM9SMS">Youth</a></li>
</ul>If you are a Parent, a Faith Leader or a Community Leader in the Langley area your input is also greatly appreciated. Please fill out the appropriate survey below. Pass this survey on--A second iPod Nano will be given to the person who helps us the most! If you would prefer to arrange for an interview with one of our staff please <a href="mailto:danny@youthunlimited.com">email us</a> directly.<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5Y3B3JV">Parents</a></li>
</ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/57KNFS5">Faith Leaders</a></li>
</ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PJZ3KZS">Community Leaders</a></li>
</ul>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-67869704951825537862010-09-29T10:12:00.000-07:002010-09-29T16:42:23.108-07:00Youthworkers Should Watch Modern Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvUlk5BwLgMHj5zTlFh3Dip_DGrKuLlqZcjT1COsFKXYPJtwgugTx4hcwEK4V2cZMJ9RhSxklISqe_iyGP_g1I9qCyKMp7Off6Mcmrsx97sucL5EWgkhBXY38TRwCnzWBh_qSEc5kpIvi/s1600/Modern-Family-modern-family-7554980-2560-1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvUlk5BwLgMHj5zTlFh3Dip_DGrKuLlqZcjT1COsFKXYPJtwgugTx4hcwEK4V2cZMJ9RhSxklISqe_iyGP_g1I9qCyKMp7Off6Mcmrsx97sucL5EWgkhBXY38TRwCnzWBh_qSEc5kpIvi/s400/Modern-Family-modern-family-7554980-2560-1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I am about to make a blanket statement… If you are a youthworker or youth pastor and are not watching ABC’s Modern Family you probably should clear your schedule for Wednesday nights at 8 pm. If that’s not an option you need to set your pvr or watch it online. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Here’s a link if you wanna watch the pilot episode<br />
<a href="http://www.watch-modern-family-online.net/seasons/season1/episode01.php">http://www.watch-modern-family-online.net/seasons/season1/episode01.php</a><br />
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What It’s All About: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7VYRuxVQg5b_6hFvZ4QjvCAOZlKCZ0XnGKDJOUEK7DE-5L9fnDZ4CSr5AjuG066shpRJHPd4APsxf5R4OnOR2UeJBNKD0tsMhG1_5InhJiV8fH7OnqziazvYl9Um0xF6b0taNAW0DzG9/s1600/MODFAM_2000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7VYRuxVQg5b_6hFvZ4QjvCAOZlKCZ0XnGKDJOUEK7DE-5L9fnDZ4CSr5AjuG066shpRJHPd4APsxf5R4OnOR2UeJBNKD0tsMhG1_5InhJiV8fH7OnqziazvYl9Um0xF6b0taNAW0DzG9/s400/MODFAM_2000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>“When the Pritchett-Delgado-Dunphy family agrees to be interviewed by a documentary crew, they have no idea just how much they're about to reveal about themselves. Family patriarch Jay Pritchett met the stunning Columbian Gloria Delgado when she bartended in a bikini at the pool party he threw for himself the day his wife left him. Now Jay and Gloria are married and Jay tries hard to keep up with his much younger and hotter wife and her passionate teenage son, Manny. Jay's daughter, Claire, is having a hard time raising her own family. Her husband Phil is great, except for the fact that he thinks he's "down" with their teenage kids, much to their embarrassment. Claire's brother Mitchell and his enthusiastic partner Cameron have just adopted Lily, a precious little baby girl from Vietnam. But when everyone gets together, things are bound to get awkward… But that's the thing about family: no matter how badly you behave, hopefully they'll forgive... or maybe even forget. In the tradition of The Office, this engaging new comedy offers a 'mockumentary' view into the complicated, messy, loving life of a modern day super-extended family.” </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-(quoted from <a href="http://www.aceshowbiz.com/tv/modern_family/summary.html">http://www.aceshowbiz.com/tv/modern_family/summary.html</a>)<br />
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<object height="300" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D8gDbtbZ1tw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D8gDbtbZ1tw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>So why do I think you should watch this show? </b></div><ol><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Laughter: </b>This show absolutely hilarious. If for no other reason than a good hearty laugh you will find yourself rewarded for watching an episode of Modern Family.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Family Friendly:</b> It can be hard to find shows on tv that aren’t violent, crude or sexual. While not necessarily traditional it is actually quite family friendly.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Popular Culture: </b>Your youth are watching it and so should you even if it’s just as a popular culture lesson. It’s so popular, in fact, that in it’s first season it was nominated for 14 Emmys—winning 6 of them (including best comedy, best supporting actor, and writing.)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>A New Traditional Family:</b> Your youth can relate because their families and/or their friend’s families look a lot more like the “Modern Family” than the “Traditional Family.” In fact, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that many of your youth are growing up in a family even less traditional than the “Modern Family.”</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Our Family Mandate:</b> Closely related to the last point is this: most youthworkers and youth pastors know that their job is as much working with a youths family (parents and siblings) as the youth themselves.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Lessons in Conflict:</b> Every episode is a great lesson in conflict and conflict resolution. It’s amazing and hilarious to watch how an expectation, an assumption, a lie, or a miscommunication leads to such conflict (not all together unlike real life.)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Learning to Love:</b> You might see love in places you’ve never really understood before. Despite all the conflict and neurotic mess of this non-traditional family you’ll see how much they love each other. They might not understand each other or their choices but they are willing to fight for each other. Perhaps you too will begin to fall in love with them—foibles and all. Perhaps it might take you to a place of tolerance (I can disagree with you and love you without having to change you) you’ve never been before.</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;">That’s my pitch. I hope you enjoy Modern Family as much as I have. If you do find it worth your while may I also recommend you stick around and check out The Middle which follows Modern Family. Perhaps I’ll write a follow-up blog on why youthworkers should watch it but that’s for another day.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-79479083048227415352010-08-03T13:13:00.000-07:002010-08-03T13:13:27.224-07:00My Summer In Pictures<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j9KLho-QXXKoprr282LliByj1YEu9phGWlL6aBRpK38abHHgWbwhqwOJmDyT367mz4Uo4TWJwivn0V7DRQtPWQfV11A_PgGF-geMNy-hc8QXLqjMjIFcpMK9AlXx2A87Y1H4HtjAbFkq/s320/Derian+Car.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B3wFPrHKDPnNMTlmNGZlMWMtOGMzZC00NGVhLTliMDctNDdhY2Q3NTg3ZjE2&hl=en&authkey=CLnh-cgO">Click Here To Download My Latest Prayer Letter</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-24144667347833323152010-07-28T10:49:00.000-07:002010-07-29T10:03:47.727-07:00All Apologies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcJwmxTDSma4yTB-kPOTo5ZTKvTlh01T87qjoRgtXuPYDupkUuABbgeCoBuUjHwSTZU5lWsO2KJVmWVhQAfjbb7ZknE-GBYWVlEQrEOpCgHtaENPHPKsIdrdZ3lLsWyDXxnSEAXKo0RHY/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcJwmxTDSma4yTB-kPOTo5ZTKvTlh01T87qjoRgtXuPYDupkUuABbgeCoBuUjHwSTZU5lWsO2KJVmWVhQAfjbb7ZknE-GBYWVlEQrEOpCgHtaENPHPKsIdrdZ3lLsWyDXxnSEAXKo0RHY/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1992171,00.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #669922; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1992171,00.html</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555544; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: auto;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was the June 2010 cover of TIME magazine. I happened upon it while rushing to an ATM in a convenience store. The restaurant I had just eaten at took cash only and I only had plastic. To make matters worse I had brought a number of youth along with the promise that I would pay for the meal. So while my young friends awkwardly hung-out at our table, I rushed to my car and drove like a madman trying to find an ATM. It's funny how easily distracted I can be. This magazine caught my eye and I forgot about what I was supposed to be doing. I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture. Eventually I did remember and got the cash, returned to the restaurant and paid the bill.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So what was it about this cover that stopped me in my tracks? It wasn't the catholic church's sexual abuse scandal that I resinated with. It wasn't the the Pope's unwillingness to apologize. I saw a much deeper, more universal issue. It was the church's (Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Liberal, Anabaptist, Independent, Parachurch...) unwillingness to confess their sins and ask for forgiveness.</span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I will admit that perhaps my view of church has been skewed or rather scarred by a few people who hurt me deeply. It is something I have wrestled with for many years now. There was a time, because of my wounds, when I wanted nothing to do with God and especially not his church. Over the years God has healed my wounds and brought me to a great church, not a perfect one, but a good one. I still walk with limp, but I see much clearer. I believe God has used my wounds to teach me much about myself and his church. I might even go so far to say that I am glad for the wounds but it has been a long and dark road to be able to speak those words. </span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I empathize deeply with those who are frustrated with the church, who've been hurt by the church, who've become disappointed with God because of the church. One thing I've learned is that hate toward one church quickly spreads like a cancer toward the whole church and eventually toward God. Most atheist's I've talked to have stopped believing in God rather than never believed in God--often because of very negative experiences with religious people. I believe this is one reason why humility and confession are such an important practice for the church. At times we've done good things (like Evangelism) in bad ways and hurt people. At times we've done bad things (like Legalism) with good of intentions and hurt people. James 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." We need to wake up to the fact that there are a lot of walking wounded both inside and outside the church. Maybe you weren't the one who hurt them but perhaps you can be the Good Samaritan in their life.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Donald Miller in his book, Blue Like Jazz, tells a story of how confession began to change the university he attended. Every year his school celebrated a week of debauchery--anything went. He and his friends decided to set-up a confessional booth in the middle of campus with a sign outside that said "confess your sins." They dressed as priests, pastors and monks and waited for people to come. Inside the confessional booth the priest would then confess the church's sin--the inquisition, the holocaust, racism, witch hunts, homosexual hatred etc. With tears in their eyes people would leave the both and run to get their friends. It was a transformative moment.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I have experienced the power of confession first hand. It was the day I went back to my doctor to refill my anti-depressant prescription--I had sunk into depression shortly after resigning as youth pastor. After a year symptom free I stopped treatment but soon the darkness returned. On my way home from the doctor's office I had to drive past my old church. I decided to see how the church secretary was doing. As we were chatting, the new pastor popped in and asked if he could talk with me. He talked for a long time about what he was doing with the church. I was wondering why he was telling me this, when he stopped and said, "So the question I have for you is... What if anything does this church need to do to be in right relationship with you?" I broke down in tears in this strangers office. He was the first person to acknowledge my hurt and he had nothing to do with my wounds. I don't know what happened that day but I walked out of that room a changed man. That night I went to take my pills but something inside of me was different. That was years ago and I still haven't touched those pills. I was healed by stranger who humbled himself on behalf of others and sought to make amends.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555544;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I guess what I've been trying to say is perhaps what the world needs from us Christians is less Apologetics and more Apologies.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-21329362794220999742010-07-26T09:28:00.000-07:002010-07-26T09:34:41.282-07:00An Honest Response<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After my previous post, </span><a href="http://julihn.blogspot.com/2010/07/secret-of-easy-yoke.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Secret of an Easy Yoke</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, I received the following email:</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><br />
</div></span></span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">I just read your blog and I really connected with it. I wrote the email below to my pastor today - I'm sharing it with you because I feel like you may understand. I don't ever want to talk about it - just be understood from afar. In psychology they say that if you keep on smiling when you are not happy eventually the emotions of happiness will follow. I guess I am hoping the same is true for faith - even when there is none, if I keep on pretending that eventually it will come..... I know it's not true but I don't know what else to hope for.<br />
<br />
-A Friend<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Pastor,<br />
<br />
I've done a lot of thinking since we talked and have come up with some answers. You asked why we kept on going to church after our previous one had wounded us and I didn't have an answer but I do now. There are 2 reasons - because my spouse still believes in God and because if we continued on with church like nothing happened the people at previous church would think that they didn't hurt us and we had the upper hand. I really have no other reasons for showing up and quickly realized after our conversation that I had put my feelings where they were not going to disturb me and began to 'fake happy' at church again. I have realized that I really don't have a problem with _______, but rather with the fact that he is the only one that has really asked me how I am doing and I have to be fake with him to protect myself and I hate it - but I hate it because of me not because of him. I have left the church just like so many people have, I just happen to still be showing up physically. I can convince myself that I want to believe when I am at church but I leave and I'm empty and my faith is gone. I know everything in my head but all of that can be easily explained away and I just don't have it in me to care. I can talk the talk, fake it to lead small group & to sing in the worship team but there's nothing beyond that for me and I just don't care anymore.<br />
<br />
-A Friend</span></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-51755545702317724502010-07-12T20:09:00.000-07:002010-07-12T20:14:22.844-07:00The Secret of an Easy Yoke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://uncertaindogma.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/pedro-the-lion460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://uncertaindogma.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/pedro-the-lion460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I think a lot of Christians (at some point in their lives) can relate to the lyrics of this song. There are so many parts and aspects I find myself relating to I don't know where to start. It has a very melancholy tone but look deeper...<br />
<br />
"The Secret of an Easy Yoke" by David Bazan (Pedro the Lion)<br />
<br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><object height="385" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AgMtg3ccZhQ&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AgMtg3ccZhQ&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="385"></embed></object></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">i could hear the church bells ringing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">they pealed aloud your praise</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">the member's faces were smiling</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">with their hands outstretched to shake</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">it's true they did not move me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">my heart was hard and tired</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">their perfect fire annoyed me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">i could not find you anywhere</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">could someone please tell me the story</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">of sinners ransomed from the fall</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">i still have never seen you, and somedays</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">i don't love you at all</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">the devoted were wearing bracelets</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">to remind them why they came</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">some concrete motivation</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">when the abstract could not do the same</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">but if all that's left is duty, i'm falling on my sword</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">at least then, i would not serve an unseen distant lord</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">could someone please tell me the story</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">of sinners ransomed from the fall</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">i still have never seen you, and somedays</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">i don't love you at all</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">if this only a test</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">i hope that i'm passing, cuz i'm losing steam</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">but i still want to trust you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;">peace be still (x3)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 11px;"> </span></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-71920114773913405412010-06-18T12:48:00.001-07:002010-06-18T12:48:01.091-07:00Father's Day<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF4SpzxPB6QeFk4qAmNzgpSe3gJLVQvaz4Cfb9ARjKtVw3xfuOWg5uxfW2N_x5XWktxFD1p7agxghhMvwxtmy-SkBc8uWKk-TIoAli220EsXb2CxyCzrKV8xmN1zXp4EWkWVqJMM3kdl-/s1600/Sawyer+Awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF4SpzxPB6QeFk4qAmNzgpSe3gJLVQvaz4Cfb9ARjKtVw3xfuOWg5uxfW2N_x5XWktxFD1p7agxghhMvwxtmy-SkBc8uWKk-TIoAli220EsXb2CxyCzrKV8xmN1zXp4EWkWVqJMM3kdl-/s320/Sawyer+Awesome.jpg" /></a></div><object height="340" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DeN5TCDbL4E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DeN5TCDbL4E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="340"></embed></object></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-683703682360440782010-06-18T12:40:00.000-07:002010-06-18T12:40:42.115-07:00Father's Day<div><object height="340" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DeN5TCDbL4E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DeN5TCDbL4E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="340"></embed></object></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-69612589737769259372010-06-16T18:08:00.000-07:002010-06-16T18:14:12.824-07:00SacrilegiousA young friend of mine put me on to this song "Sacrilegious" by Never Shout Never.<br />
<br />
Does it describe how you feel?<br />
Does it make you sad?<br />
Does it offend you?<br />
Does it make you defensive? <br />
Maybe all of the above?<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Christofer Drew wrote this song about being kicked out of a church. On his myspace page he writes </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"I am not the standard sunday morning christian. I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. I believe he is the only way to truth. I do believe that modern christianity is too moral based, and not enough about the spiritual side. I do not go to church. I haven't been since I got kicked out when I was 16. I do love my Jesus though :)"</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> He also says, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. Saying that; don't think I am a christian with a foot up his a**! I love everyone and respect their beliefs. Don't let anyone tell you what to believe. Take everything in, and make your own decision. So, if you'd like to talk about faith; let me know. I'd be honored."</span></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></i></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-30809550430358768742010-06-09T17:06:00.000-07:002010-06-09T17:06:38.961-07:00Thank You<div style="text-align: justify;">The following was posted on my young friends blog. It was so encouraging to me to read I wanted you all to enjoy it with me.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iWrurNUZlk-KJ6eVuf89rX5-IwTGfEJTJTlKcpx1K4ZvpYAEp1U2tqMrFQhl9E3ch4g2ZXhB__64zCD_JwnT-9Uru2tf79lxXzBNwLvbEJleiymqAPPi4d7mvirJLRnbAuRqv-ltWeM/s1600/thank_you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iWrurNUZlk-KJ6eVuf89rX5-IwTGfEJTJTlKcpx1K4ZvpYAEp1U2tqMrFQhl9E3ch4g2ZXhB__64zCD_JwnT-9Uru2tf79lxXzBNwLvbEJleiymqAPPi4d7mvirJLRnbAuRqv-ltWeM/s320/thank_you.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">k so we had the banquet tonight. it was amazing. i worked pretty close with not only a mentor but youth worker helping her out alot. shes absolutely amazing she as well as the other youth workers have seen me grow a person. and have seen me at my worst with out these people i dont know what i would have become. they truely do help teens. i have seen them around me and my friends. but never like this. we had the same thing last year, but it on more of a social note for me just another thing to do with my friends. but this time was different. i felt part of a family as i watched my best friends step out of their comfort zone and did amazing. and i am so proud of them. i look forward to this event every year just because its so much fun and just so amazing.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">ive heard what this organization has done, and ive witnessed it personally and through people time in and time again. but when you put it all in one place one power point one speech it surprises you as to how hard they work. i sat there tonight listening to what they had to say i found myself smiling a genuinely happy smile something i havent felt in a long time. they talked about miracles and god. ive never been entirely sure where i stand with god and they know that. they dont push, theyve asked my opinion and left it at that. im not sure what i believe in exactly but i do know that this hurt and sadness, anger that surrounds me not only personally but the people around me has to end and that it has to get better. i mean how much crap can one person go through and not be happy?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">its because of these amazing people that im choosing to do what i want to do. i see what teens go through constantly and yet have no one to talk to. and i want to help its why i still hang around and help out as much as i can cause i know that every bit helps. and these people dont get enugh credit for what they do. they mean alot to me and what they have done for me and my friends is simply just out of heart. i saw my friends get up and surprise me tonight in so many ways. i stopped and thought where would i be without them. i know i would never be a part of soemthing so great. and i hope to work with them for a very long time and continue to grow as not only a person but as friends and a career.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">so to you langley youth workers i thank you endlessly for everything you do. cause i dont think you get a thank you as often as you should.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">http://adylivelaughlove.blogspot.com/2010/05/thank-you.html</span></div></span></span></span>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-10028771447775836782010-05-12T21:26:00.000-07:002010-05-12T21:30:56.903-07:00One Big Happy Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://yfrog.us/4zqswz">Sawyer's Jolly Jumper Video</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0rUMTpeMHR0I4m4vF78nhSCX57R-VR8P2ciCAOSzClD8x5JNcocEjvqey9NVmyOOW2KJOuOkeCsEi2iV2eTWAdHdIlSJQYcv12w4ia334fCPgRBy2zx0my2XZkoNREB7PtXsG6qJq4PL/s1600/Family2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0rUMTpeMHR0I4m4vF78nhSCX57R-VR8P2ciCAOSzClD8x5JNcocEjvqey9NVmyOOW2KJOuOkeCsEi2iV2eTWAdHdIlSJQYcv12w4ia334fCPgRBy2zx0my2XZkoNREB7PtXsG6qJq4PL/s320/Family2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovziX8xTZQAFwML5eh58ksSgjh_-SthnxOZc591J-sbdlX69I_XUyxQ2yop9Akar7GNBWZhoxxT5Y_KJZRMD5ijqr7dVJe6bPXdnGHQ59fLCUsH6GlY7XikGm_BzB107B00ITrhFc-jGF/s1600/Family1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovziX8xTZQAFwML5eh58ksSgjh_-SthnxOZc591J-sbdlX69I_XUyxQ2yop9Akar7GNBWZhoxxT5Y_KJZRMD5ijqr7dVJe6bPXdnGHQ59fLCUsH6GlY7XikGm_BzB107B00ITrhFc-jGF/s320/Family1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsv5OTKpaV-MlVylD20gTEx0038uCvD7Yc-TWde1M749hYqac_UxtEdXOeq7LsBdtxonDmkRAuB1EQZWttLWLpbwulnASEg5M9DU2OvC-AM89tM8KOZ7hXjEYBhWB1v_qPqRDdod_2_ict/s1600/Sawyer+Awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsv5OTKpaV-MlVylD20gTEx0038uCvD7Yc-TWde1M749hYqac_UxtEdXOeq7LsBdtxonDmkRAuB1EQZWttLWLpbwulnASEg5M9DU2OvC-AM89tM8KOZ7hXjEYBhWB1v_qPqRDdod_2_ict/s320/Sawyer+Awesome.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VIxfKkG8Temlf2kdfiEPQ-KB7Pz8TlYNNGotIEekCpUy4txr_yydf7odzyuo96aphk_Z6Ax0n5bJEQVJeJxQS3MZ5FWZg0CBVzxxrxZKmD0lU87a6BwDWJuLwcmsPZZTqYXh-_8cBDKH/s1600/Sawyer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VIxfKkG8Temlf2kdfiEPQ-KB7Pz8TlYNNGotIEekCpUy4txr_yydf7odzyuo96aphk_Z6Ax0n5bJEQVJeJxQS3MZ5FWZg0CBVzxxrxZKmD0lU87a6BwDWJuLwcmsPZZTqYXh-_8cBDKH/s320/Sawyer1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5OdFGgAlPFHppJ_0Tu6cX68oMXOS8bElAe9DWx4n3D4_O5xClgU3lriASOK0BD7ZRgVBMHOC_YdHnxI1_a4tt-HacbIK6j6dqLTdSzszKvPpZRPdoEWJzMRq66bOR7hKDL0Qm0qgVQ-J/s1600/Sawyer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5OdFGgAlPFHppJ_0Tu6cX68oMXOS8bElAe9DWx4n3D4_O5xClgU3lriASOK0BD7ZRgVBMHOC_YdHnxI1_a4tt-HacbIK6j6dqLTdSzszKvPpZRPdoEWJzMRq66bOR7hKDL0Qm0qgVQ-J/s320/Sawyer2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5OdFGgAlPFHppJ_0Tu6cX68oMXOS8bElAe9DWx4n3D4_O5xClgU3lriASOK0BD7ZRgVBMHOC_YdHnxI1_a4tt-HacbIK6j6dqLTdSzszKvPpZRPdoEWJzMRq66bOR7hKDL0Qm0qgVQ-J/s1600/Sawyer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9HbMV_NBTHqdUuYbp-FvACFJhAQTK5UPPF_T66E5xaQ_-X6J0_ItSjqEZtyjcAqIHuYRzeVZaNmu5q883qCooY-YiQoSXz5kdVfWTMpSyTLVkyxKh_EGx235_r7QSSuJF7pYXv3S9_q-/s1600/Sawyer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9HbMV_NBTHqdUuYbp-FvACFJhAQTK5UPPF_T66E5xaQ_-X6J0_ItSjqEZtyjcAqIHuYRzeVZaNmu5q883qCooY-YiQoSXz5kdVfWTMpSyTLVkyxKh_EGx235_r7QSSuJF7pYXv3S9_q-/s320/Sawyer3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9HbMV_NBTHqdUuYbp-FvACFJhAQTK5UPPF_T66E5xaQ_-X6J0_ItSjqEZtyjcAqIHuYRzeVZaNmu5q883qCooY-YiQoSXz5kdVfWTMpSyTLVkyxKh_EGx235_r7QSSuJF7pYXv3S9_q-/s1600/Sawyer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkWVdamxYQyfIiWH2iZa3tp35EQN28r6aAbvBZM0mQ12dQ7o5DOepIt9F9XXJ4vYF4fLmdwql68xuDgO2ozdKa9VpEN4i9bq9mb06ZwNN6GiDvvFkdYoIdZHMPNgq6DNPeZ-rkU5BYJIj/s320/Sawyer4.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Pictures are by my friend Jennifer Davies<br />
Captured Heart Photography<br />
www.capturedheartphotography.blogspot.comDerianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-64690624128283037562010-04-27T12:45:00.000-07:002010-04-27T12:46:25.202-07:00Richard TwissQuite an interesting story and journey this man has. Here's what was written about him on Wikipedia:<br />
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Richard Twiss is a Native American educator and author. He is a member of the Rosebud Lakota Sioux Tribe from South Dakota. He is the Co-Founder and President of Wiconi International (Wee-choe'-nee is Lakota/Sioux for "life") .<br />
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In 1972, Twiss was a participant in the forced occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Building in Washington, D.C., with the radical political group, the American Indian Movement or "AIM." Twiss later became a Christian minister, author, and public speaker.<br />
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His vision is, "To serve the Church as a bridge builder and consulting resource to see Native people come to faith and life in Jesus Christ and fulfill their God-given place in the Body of Christ."<br />
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</span></span>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-35345463921436276042010-03-17T20:01:00.000-07:002010-03-17T20:03:59.874-07:00Jesus Fish<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">My friends and I have an enjoy taking pictures of weird and wacky things and sending them to each other on our cellphones. As I was looking through the pictures on my phone yesterday I realized there was jaded theme to many of the pictures.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The person who created this must have felt hurt and judged by someone's sincere, if not loving attempts, to "save" them.</div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBIQjxsjIlsspWdHj-nezA2Rzruf0r_8DWOWsijHWBUx2cOpxUBB3Sjjce47TZmC4-_Bre_DXN4LUHv8EqumjvlyOFIgbhKnDbvAPNkk3iHCi0YnXoEvALzwvUDjIoMycEq66RDsacu5f/s1600-h/Does+evangelism+work_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBIQjxsjIlsspWdHj-nezA2Rzruf0r_8DWOWsijHWBUx2cOpxUBB3Sjjce47TZmC4-_Bre_DXN4LUHv8EqumjvlyOFIgbhKnDbvAPNkk3iHCi0YnXoEvALzwvUDjIoMycEq66RDsacu5f/s400/Does+evangelism+work_.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Are Christ followers known for their love or their morality?</div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_zoXiTW-FZUAli1BbQBbUxkSBagBioHbGa_aEiiXK-qEs2bMZQkHbhse3Gl0M0J8XxEzY41JduzuMCytm8gjtvnKXdUrfctfz1Q0rRLkiwXSu473CnilRqpd2g-uhXHrgXPheA3PAfJt/s1600-h/Dedicated+to+B-rad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_zoXiTW-FZUAli1BbQBbUxkSBagBioHbGa_aEiiXK-qEs2bMZQkHbhse3Gl0M0J8XxEzY41JduzuMCytm8gjtvnKXdUrfctfz1Q0rRLkiwXSu473CnilRqpd2g-uhXHrgXPheA3PAfJt/s400/Dedicated+to+B-rad.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Irreverent? <i>Yes.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Funny? <i>Yes!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">True? <i>Yes!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Meaningful? <i>Not sure???</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU67BO6NdxXrNiGuJiv-rU4rtfWgrCAm6EOCWeWmZIXDH4ck4KCnnI1B0502KskxR57DBVWkxQRu0quDIxKjGpBJ9Fni4nKTrPJA9NNq1t6ojAlVXOcBvJDFDBW1RiPAvVpP96zZimDRg/s1600-h/IMG00019-20100209-1616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU67BO6NdxXrNiGuJiv-rU4rtfWgrCAm6EOCWeWmZIXDH4ck4KCnnI1B0502KskxR57DBVWkxQRu0quDIxKjGpBJ9Fni4nKTrPJA9NNq1t6ojAlVXOcBvJDFDBW1RiPAvVpP96zZimDRg/s320/IMG00019-20100209-1616.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Well Jesus was a pretty cool guy...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cD9anNRWPxftzWvKmjnAipVTB0DggWNrPPG-SuYTEKk7HRfZ8q9nxGypvm6nA0dOvmNWpCfmuHFhe0_a_ZZMXly5fpGfJMUDqPfJO80UowAHGcgXU1y7WZqcQO8qVI1mN0FhS2RShdXN/s1600-h/IMG00021-20100209-1627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cD9anNRWPxftzWvKmjnAipVTB0DggWNrPPG-SuYTEKk7HRfZ8q9nxGypvm6nA0dOvmNWpCfmuHFhe0_a_ZZMXly5fpGfJMUDqPfJO80UowAHGcgXU1y7WZqcQO8qVI1mN0FhS2RShdXN/s320/IMG00021-20100209-1627.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">"What Would Jesus Do?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxx2C2bqO12-B6Oik-cBs1Tu0gChaNOr6l8cBbdms7qHfnXXziKmE-XsitoOBL-c2apaeDCJpXVUUTrR1bpD5Pd9tyvQMyGUQ697T7JFeFH2Fv4K6Qt0xi67DkNRZ3dgvkRFlexGpkXDO/s1600-h/wwjd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxx2C2bqO12-B6Oik-cBs1Tu0gChaNOr6l8cBbdms7qHfnXXziKmE-XsitoOBL-c2apaeDCJpXVUUTrR1bpD5Pd9tyvQMyGUQ697T7JFeFH2Fv4K6Qt0xi67DkNRZ3dgvkRFlexGpkXDO/s320/wwjd.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">This one is a joke US Military Patch. Mocking joke or subtle protest?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZP6VaiMOmesp1iODtVqR8caiqgRZL05xrLcYwOlh6yO9tijP0Wh_gB3cMdj45mKgzzzo9teGATmlnNLCVZprRxB4ObwzCRrFhABUaULSBOpumVfi4zfeoxBTOIYPZ9pwyxMyzTlcDh8T/s1600-h/wwjs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZP6VaiMOmesp1iODtVqR8caiqgRZL05xrLcYwOlh6yO9tijP0Wh_gB3cMdj45mKgzzzo9teGATmlnNLCVZprRxB4ObwzCRrFhABUaULSBOpumVfi4zfeoxBTOIYPZ9pwyxMyzTlcDh8T/s320/wwjs.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZP6VaiMOmesp1iODtVqR8caiqgRZL05xrLcYwOlh6yO9tijP0Wh_gB3cMdj45mKgzzzo9teGATmlnNLCVZprRxB4ObwzCRrFhABUaULSBOpumVfi4zfeoxBTOIYPZ9pwyxMyzTlcDh8T/s1600-h/wwjs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Who Would Jesus Shoot? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've all seen the Jesus Fish on the backs of people's cars. Perhaps you've even been cut-off (or worse) by a car with a Jesus Fish on it. Perhaps you have one on your car. For me, personally, the true beauty of the Jesus Fish is all but lost in this sincere attempt for people to identify themselves as Christ followers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg233-9u2sKhu2wwQakaZOadz-P5pHGsshiWNMX5hzMEaMSZUWB201QB6Rzq1rDYvl7_8U5ml7Tijno16hVmtwWj_4U1Ibi5ZvnqAnKR5b23Lsa65lcoM53zl0aMjIKX1IPw9Sd8SJFrW9L/s1600-h/fish_black.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg233-9u2sKhu2wwQakaZOadz-P5pHGsshiWNMX5hzMEaMSZUWB201QB6Rzq1rDYvl7_8U5ml7Tijno16hVmtwWj_4U1Ibi5ZvnqAnKR5b23Lsa65lcoM53zl0aMjIKX1IPw9Sd8SJFrW9L/s320/fish_black.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Historically, the fish symbol was used by the early Christ followers during the Roman persecution. Many died as human torches or were feed to the lions merely for identifying themselves as Christ followers. They met secretly in crypts under the city. One of the ways they would identify each other was to casually draw a "C" in the dirt with their foot. If the person they we talking to drew a "C" in the opposite direction creating a fish they knew they were both Christ followers. If the person didn't, they could rub it out or walk away without fear of being found out.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Then Constantine had his vision of the cross in the sky and made Christianity the state religion of Rome. Suddenly, Christ followers were thrust from the underground crypts, risking death, and into Roman stadiums not to be fed to lions but to the celebrity and power of Caeser. Now the fish was not a risk. It didn't cost anything. It was still powerful; though, now not in it's meaning but in it's political power. The institution of the church was created, not in name, but in the man-made, corporate, and political organism. </div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"With great power comes great responsibility."</i> - Spiderman</div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Few Christ followers will deny many of the horrible and and un-Jesus-like things we (the church) have done historically. The crusades, the inquisition, and racism to name a few examples. Some may argue with me on a few modern examples: the war on terror, homosexual hatred, and sexual & spiritual abuse. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">Let’s not forget our own individual and personal warts—nobody’s perfect. The truth is the Jesus Fish, for many, represents the church's sin and baggage. You might see forgiveness in the fish but the person behind you may see another judgmental, hypocrite, like the church elder who gossiped about your family because your dad was an alcoholic.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RtdBaa7NsZbbJkhIDANc_rtWYIbrOzQjcj2UcEFX0mFE20AGe5B_dTqM8FlgPdI3B6D_QYTqZpc5IQZFdKnal2jGvX4Zhvz01KM4XOiRsxRcNT9PuHoZjOpcNZPdCubEoDLre_Lv3QOA/s1600-h/Jesus-Fish-Bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RtdBaa7NsZbbJkhIDANc_rtWYIbrOzQjcj2UcEFX0mFE20AGe5B_dTqM8FlgPdI3B6D_QYTqZpc5IQZFdKnal2jGvX4Zhvz01KM4XOiRsxRcNT9PuHoZjOpcNZPdCubEoDLre_Lv3QOA/s320/Jesus-Fish-Bg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Sure we've dressed the fish up adding Jesus or the Greek anocronym "IXYOE" which means "Jesus, God's Son, Savior"</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RtdBaa7NsZbbJkhIDANc_rtWYIbrOzQjcj2UcEFX0mFE20AGe5B_dTqM8FlgPdI3B6D_QYTqZpc5IQZFdKnal2jGvX4Zhvz01KM4XOiRsxRcNT9PuHoZjOpcNZPdCubEoDLre_Lv3QOA/s1600-h/Jesus-Fish-Bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-G_B3Evysqrf_d3uN9dAq99Jctj21coMu8STIyjaRUColdlh9jxGcFKTYAq5VHAOA28wCl9QqWrKuvZ7eqrl6Sjz0K2tKjD2NnYQ5qq6lbrQhTxm2ByF7A_B8Q9l9Z35h_qKaWv-KGVz1/s1600-h/ixoye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-G_B3Evysqrf_d3uN9dAq99Jctj21coMu8STIyjaRUColdlh9jxGcFKTYAq5VHAOA28wCl9QqWrKuvZ7eqrl6Sjz0K2tKjD2NnYQ5qq6lbrQhTxm2ByF7A_B8Q9l9Z35h_qKaWv-KGVz1/s320/ixoye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Then along comes Charles Darwin and his theory of EVILution--the Jesus fish evolves.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghChi00a8QxXtj-WowBxvJQlmQqy4bgWzTdV0Lr-x7WmrRvVaHE3kfb8DsTdxZwVYrSHXMp8h7fp0CBsagSBWuTEjoufDxrP6Flm1qTXZaAeEecqUXMS2wdbizReHdDiQPfHzdtkYa3HOe/s1600-h/smallMain_5_317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghChi00a8QxXtj-WowBxvJQlmQqy4bgWzTdV0Lr-x7WmrRvVaHE3kfb8DsTdxZwVYrSHXMp8h7fp0CBsagSBWuTEjoufDxrP6Flm1qTXZaAeEecqUXMS2wdbizReHdDiQPfHzdtkYa3HOe/s320/smallMain_5_317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Our answer to the Darwin Fish and the survival of the fittest...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghChi00a8QxXtj-WowBxvJQlmQqy4bgWzTdV0Lr-x7WmrRvVaHE3kfb8DsTdxZwVYrSHXMp8h7fp0CBsagSBWuTEjoufDxrP6Flm1qTXZaAeEecqUXMS2wdbizReHdDiQPfHzdtkYa3HOe/s1600-h/smallMain_5_317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aXnqqTTfH1sgbIKb-HO9w6ivTJaG7uI7zHybgWn2xDhczedBCnGewJkVj3dUIA00bt3_AevA9zuvf8DaS5dvcq4kvg6yyeOoKqzVxL1U10P5hoStj86P98q_ZYjNU0ky2re0SVFAUls5/s1600-h/truth-jesus-fish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aXnqqTTfH1sgbIKb-HO9w6ivTJaG7uI7zHybgWn2xDhczedBCnGewJkVj3dUIA00bt3_AevA9zuvf8DaS5dvcq4kvg6yyeOoKqzVxL1U10P5hoStj86P98q_ZYjNU0ky2re0SVFAUls5/s320/truth-jesus-fish.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems like a meaningless game of Rock, Paper, Scissors (Truth Fish eats Darwin Fish)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one seems to really reflect current culture... Does anyone care?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVy-nwkwZB4TX26Vb-tz2CsF0r0bf28kFJTQNKwX44GQz4_E48CZGphJHdix7p_9DPk0QGmsIB4FLNSSqtHhjdgvHR9uwJoN0zXw8AQSHVMi6gdKXjN2VwZRXlXk4VJxWmZBgxZxX7Kv_/s1600-h/Had+to+share+this.+Just+saw+it+on+a+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVy-nwkwZB4TX26Vb-tz2CsF0r0bf28kFJTQNKwX44GQz4_E48CZGphJHdix7p_9DPk0QGmsIB4FLNSSqtHhjdgvHR9uwJoN0zXw8AQSHVMi6gdKXjN2VwZRXlXk4VJxWmZBgxZxX7Kv_/s400/Had+to+share+this.+Just+saw+it+on+a+car.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We live in a world of irreverence and mockery. Nothing is sacred and everything is fair game but perhaps we've earned a little mockery. Perhaps no one cares because it no longer costs us anything.</div></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-30757119696714568722010-03-15T22:06:00.000-07:002010-03-15T22:06:55.578-07:00Sawyer's First Laugh<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Sawyer turns 2 months old on Thursday. We are beginning to wonder if his dark brown hair is growing in blonde. Thought you might enjoy this little clip of his first laugh. I know we do cause he hasn't done it since. I've offered him anything he wants in the world in exchange for another giggle with no luck thus far. boo!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EllKwQIJens&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EllKwQIJens&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span><br />
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</span></span>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-39648017769111007652010-03-12T17:02:00.000-08:002010-03-14T09:55:25.940-07:00love and loss<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 22px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.6em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">An amazing poem written by my friend Kayte:</span></span><a href="http://lostlove-kayte.blogspot.com/2010/03/love-and-loss.html" style="color: #555555; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 22px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</a><a href="http://lostlove-kayte.blogspot.com/2010/03/love-and-loss.html" style="color: #555555; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 22px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">love and loss</a></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: -10px;"><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';">Loss now seems inevitable.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';">It is a common thing now for people to feel a loss of everyone or everything.</span></div><span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><div style="text-align: justify;">Love has become a word thrown around as if without meaning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yet it is a word that holds more meaning then any other,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And it alone can bring someone to their knees.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Why has life become such a complicated thing?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Why has love lost all meaning?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Love never lasts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With every loss of love its meaning fades.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">People now have lost how to make sense of the lives they live.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only way to escape this fate if to find a love that is never lost.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A love that will lead us from the Pain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lead us through out Own lives.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Away to a place of understanding.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A way to live a life all ours and in doing so honor Him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our one savior.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The one love that will out shine the ages.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Through him we will find Understanding,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Find Light,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And Love,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And Hope.</div></span></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-2523409675353186872010-03-11T21:09:00.000-08:002010-03-11T21:09:54.567-08:00Status Updates<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SUFaoqBaYVMoaTenVzIwKchrqdDCYwNFFYDpf3TLZZlw0CfLy4xEr41LSTp3RUS-T4tibUnNNq6dhcJwz_6xxc7WC7AMNu6yM_OXiT9mUIIUh6nE8cyGQeJUGrweT4h-1mJVYR4XxOIg/s1600-h/facebook_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SUFaoqBaYVMoaTenVzIwKchrqdDCYwNFFYDpf3TLZZlw0CfLy4xEr41LSTp3RUS-T4tibUnNNq6dhcJwz_6xxc7WC7AMNu6yM_OXiT9mUIIUh6nE8cyGQeJUGrweT4h-1mJVYR4XxOIg/s1600-h/facebook_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a name='more'></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SUFaoqBaYVMoaTenVzIwKchrqdDCYwNFFYDpf3TLZZlw0CfLy4xEr41LSTp3RUS-T4tibUnNNq6dhcJwz_6xxc7WC7AMNu6yM_OXiT9mUIIUh6nE8cyGQeJUGrweT4h-1mJVYR4XxOIg/s320/facebook_logo.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Another window into young people's lives via Facebook Statuses... </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">John:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">To be understood to the very core is the aim of the human population</span><br />
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</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jane:</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I find it sad that how I can fit a year into a box. Fill its spaces with memories turned tragedies.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jill:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Life is pretty good right now, its a nice change :)<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jessie:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Wishes the darn zombie apocalypse would come already!!!<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jake:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Really hates this feeling right now, why must I have this feeling of hopelessness I hate it, why must I not be able to rid myself of this feeling.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jeri:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Jesus take the wheel.Take it from my hands cuz I cant do this on my own.Im letting go, give me one more chance.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jack:</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> You know you belong together when she takes the pickle of you mcd cheese burger before she gives you it, cause thats how you like it ♥<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jess:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> They say home is where the heart is and when it breaks its just growing pains.</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">James: </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm just such a complete failure at every aspect of life.....<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jonas:</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> You're my world The shelter from the rain You're the pills That take away my pain You're the light That helps me find my way You're the words When I have nothing to say = GOD</span></div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-22042982045641983262010-03-07T16:26:00.000-08:002010-03-07T16:26:29.426-08:00Writers BlockI've found it difficult to write lately. There are many reason's for that:<br />
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1.) Having a 6 week old son <i>(I love coming home. Best distraction ever!)</i><br />
2.) Having to protect young people's privacy <i>(A complicated and important aspect of youthwork.)</i><br />
3.) Olympic Addiction <i>(I watched a lot of Olympics in my time off. I'm not gonna lie.)</i><br />
4.) Having writer's block <i>(I get two sentences in and don't know how to finish.)</i><br />
5.) General Busyness <i>(I think that's how you spell it?)</i><br />
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A few quick hits:<br />
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1.) Nightmares: <i>Way too many young people struggling with nightmares of late. They could use your bedtime prayers.</i><br />
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2.) Cards: <i>M</i><i>y latest connection point with young people: playing cards in the cafeteria. It's amazing how many new people I've met and what you'll learn about someone over a game of cards.</i><br />
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3.) Outta Practice: <i>I have been asked to share as a guest speaker for a number of new groups. I am both excited and nervous: unlike many youthworkers, I don't do regular youth talks.</i><br />
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4.) Alcoholism & Anger: <i>It's seems way too often that young people share with me how their dad's alcoholism and anger have destroyed their families and their young hearts. Father's your sin, it's not anonymous, the scars are permanent and ugly, and your children will bear them.</i>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-68074818443676721442010-02-26T18:01:00.000-08:002010-02-26T18:02:45.483-08:00True Colors UpdateTo update you on our prayer night. It was awesome!!! My co-worker Danny said it best in his blog:<br />
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<a href="http://proyouthworker.blogspot.com/2010/02/does-this-look-like-prayer.html">http://proyouthworker.blogspot.com/2010/02/does-this-look-like-prayer.html</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq95xjrx75ARpolZ2P675zJNVtgppvX5DahQXOG6kWza9SXU6tnsG2HAoPsMpI9zgikWHmSkcEtz4D8N3d-E0jc07YH4NMUZzQwaZGdCsPSjfW_XF4LTgG9NCavfqoX8gVqdqH7NU90ZSN/s1600-h/DSC_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #223344; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq95xjrx75ARpolZ2P675zJNVtgppvX5DahQXOG6kWza9SXU6tnsG2HAoPsMpI9zgikWHmSkcEtz4D8N3d-E0jc07YH4NMUZzQwaZGdCsPSjfW_XF4LTgG9NCavfqoX8gVqdqH7NU90ZSN/s320/DSC_0366.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Does this look like prayer?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It actually didn't feel much like a prayer night. There was mingling. Laughing. Interacting and fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of the time when we picture a prayer meeting it seems like something that may be stuff and boring. Although ultimately important - still a bit uncomfortable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We started off the night with some music. Singing. But not your typical songs. We sang songs that were out of the culture that we could see God's hands in. Bands like Collective Soul and Snow Patrol. When it came to the song "Lean on me" the sound level in the room was deafening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We moved into a time of confession. Taking the things we wanted to say to God and nailing it to a cross. We also had a whiteboard in the room that was God's facebook on which people could write anything they wanted. It turned into the most noisy prayer meeting ever. It was more like a party as people interacted about life and the cross was the center of the interaction. Every once and while your heard the nails being pounded in and that meant another amen. During this all we had DJ Chris Harrington mixing some great tunes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The night took a different spin as we took some time to tell God about our passions. We passed around a globe and people could write their prayers out for the world on it. We also made a poster of the things that we are the most passionate about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-bwb68rDACs4QRDlogCWCih0vgTfMVA8XZ5yEnFyw8SEMS-8JBfc0kpE6sasVraVyCr9ds7STG85u1broM-2XEdqZQBk_ryUDi2Ovi49icAAxSdrqdNl9AHYKywdGfE0mSuwWZ0gvNPP/s1600-h/DSC_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #445566; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-bwb68rDACs4QRDlogCWCih0vgTfMVA8XZ5yEnFyw8SEMS-8JBfc0kpE6sasVraVyCr9ds7STG85u1broM-2XEdqZQBk_ryUDi2Ovi49icAAxSdrqdNl9AHYKywdGfE0mSuwWZ0gvNPP/s320/DSC_0380.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The night ended as we lit candles to represent our prayers to God. It started off dark with only a few candles burning but by the end of the night the room was glowing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved seeing prayer. I loved being able to grasp it and conceive it. And to take a bunch of people who only a couple years ago wanted nothing to do with God to spending an entire evening in prayer with them really was a miracle.</div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-72230382001354141022010-02-25T11:22:00.000-08:002010-02-25T11:22:44.689-08:00True ColorsTonight we are going to make some space explore the creativity of prayer. It might not sound too scary a thought but to be honest I'm a little terrified. The vast majority of young people we work with have no church background, they don't sing outloud, and they certainly don't pray in front of people. Thursday night dinners, may be one of the few times they are exposed to prayer.<br />
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This isn't the first time we've had a prayer as a part of our group. There have been moments of spontaneous prayer--we even saw a young lady's fractured vertebrae healed when we prayed for her. We've planned nights of prayer before so I shouldn't be nervous and yet I am.<br />
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It's not that I'm ashamed of showing my true colors. It's that we are very much in the business of crossing cultures. As we introduce these young people to new things or chose to take them a little deeper, there is always the lingering questions: Will God show up tonight? Will anybody come? Is it too much or too fast? Will they understand it? Will they appreciate it?<br />
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On the other hand there is an anticipation factor. What's God gonna do tonight? I guess we will see : )Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-58665961849446687012010-02-09T09:13:00.000-08:002010-02-09T09:13:44.632-08:00Langley YFC/Youth Unlimited<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; white-space: normal;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YcYndeiOE18&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YcYndeiOE18&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-4167164015218933822010-01-25T13:55:00.000-08:002010-01-25T13:56:11.861-08:00One Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGEGYUzP4db9pgzSRu6UGzZfX_7-q5ARsaJBBledoFwuN0y15fT6K-UH8Mb4f5TzLzTVhZzZwMBwWY1kOAjfOBppAODG6UdJuwe-tyIGlydbefoKCf3RvaNqO8PNJ0Q8I119L49LpYr03/s1600-h/2010-054+Sawyer+Arrives+Home+small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGEGYUzP4db9pgzSRu6UGzZfX_7-q5ARsaJBBledoFwuN0y15fT6K-UH8Mb4f5TzLzTVhZzZwMBwWY1kOAjfOBppAODG6UdJuwe-tyIGlydbefoKCf3RvaNqO8PNJ0Q8I119L49LpYr03/s320/2010-054+Sawyer+Arrives+Home+small.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Today, our son, Sawyer is one week old.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyhCxQdVnqlp592v7qK0zWljN4xOTN_T2orKvTmBmp-dbzGE_q-K4dP6HoG62UOtzKx3Nn-Ot9PCCCItw0wTvmZDxI2qYkRd7C0W1Y65JHawwi5UlqvjtzVIAeaz2aNBsX0PQfsZS2PV9/s1600-h/2010-052+Sawyer+Arrives+Home+small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyhCxQdVnqlp592v7qK0zWljN4xOTN_T2orKvTmBmp-dbzGE_q-K4dP6HoG62UOtzKx3Nn-Ot9PCCCItw0wTvmZDxI2qYkRd7C0W1Y65JHawwi5UlqvjtzVIAeaz2aNBsX0PQfsZS2PV9/s320/2010-052+Sawyer+Arrives+Home+small.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">He is a content and happy little guy.<br />
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</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp9Y8FiuVxEW5iVkTx8dqJMGWTxoMSmB3ZJdJxb-G_qfq43sqlUhwOfet0ZCOhebZEvHu8QgCS9SXyEhknjLD7Qn5RAmGVOsM1KKrJB88_MbD9YXeQnH9c6b-8nND7qQPfbJA12qbaNVJ/s1600-h/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp9Y8FiuVxEW5iVkTx8dqJMGWTxoMSmB3ZJdJxb-G_qfq43sqlUhwOfet0ZCOhebZEvHu8QgCS9SXyEhknjLD7Qn5RAmGVOsM1KKrJB88_MbD9YXeQnH9c6b-8nND7qQPfbJA12qbaNVJ/s320/IMG_0036.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">He has a head full of dark hair and dark blue eyes.<br />
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</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjXDI4qQBoo6UjH4Zce_HJewtMhBxLmrMSX8Sl48NF07_v95LQfe-MFVou7-E-z5m11KMKCEHeaN0Xfedz_SjRAqkWWXZKjEocx4udNAULXtgZBtVySN45s3A4dtfb0AwUhdjZtp0mJya/s1600-h/2010-0095+Sawyer+1st+Sunday+D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjXDI4qQBoo6UjH4Zce_HJewtMhBxLmrMSX8Sl48NF07_v95LQfe-MFVou7-E-z5m11KMKCEHeaN0Xfedz_SjRAqkWWXZKjEocx4udNAULXtgZBtVySN45s3A4dtfb0AwUhdjZtp0mJya/s320/2010-0095+Sawyer+1st+Sunday+D.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Needless to say he's stolen our hearts.<br />
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</div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-45997609619409624912010-01-17T22:01:00.000-08:002010-01-17T22:01:49.694-08:0041 Weeks and Counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKfvKl3xlAjo1oTsNvGsQ-Tv6LvToLuS5kHJI-0C2w810plesLO91TMf0hwARQW8wPRzb6q4xemFaXV-lhMgJuuzKuiW5AhdjpPF_E6OmPaN64gQVv47dF4sFlHftg22oWqRpt0VGeYUn/s1600-h/DSC_0118_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKfvKl3xlAjo1oTsNvGsQ-Tv6LvToLuS5kHJI-0C2w810plesLO91TMf0hwARQW8wPRzb6q4xemFaXV-lhMgJuuzKuiW5AhdjpPF_E6OmPaN64gQVv47dF4sFlHftg22oWqRpt0VGeYUn/s320/DSC_0118_2.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Contraction yes, Baby no!<br />
</div>Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347269074256713937.post-2850069231393518712010-01-11T17:34:00.000-08:002010-01-11T17:34:41.464-08:00Thank You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaWzdBIbovHNO2SFPuWr71rnKybbAnf9GHdIbpUxigZ13i3NUWYYVoAeIvsbx-1PDUpGiAcTsQ11QsS7XKOJzdhgUhR3g0GRFoOMZrn_UrWTg4-gVHJWjHldErTX-Nq25Iwj6xq91LzRH/s1600-h/Mountain+Student.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaWzdBIbovHNO2SFPuWr71rnKybbAnf9GHdIbpUxigZ13i3NUWYYVoAeIvsbx-1PDUpGiAcTsQ11QsS7XKOJzdhgUhR3g0GRFoOMZrn_UrWTg4-gVHJWjHldErTX-Nq25Iwj6xq91LzRH/s320/Mountain+Student.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Allison and I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has supported us this past year. Whether you were praying for us, financially supporting us or encouraging us with your kind words we sincerely appreciate everything you've done. We cannot do this without you. Each story we post is a story that wouldn't exist without you.Derianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08784261450524105877noreply@blogger.com0