FBC Lexington Youth

Centrifuge Day One

2010-06-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

FUGE!

Oh my goodness, camp is amazing! Right now I'm sitting here at the grill (place for students to hang out) and am SURROUNDED by our students and 1111 students (because there are 1166 students here total). Casey Garner had a wonderful decision to rededicate her life today. Other than that, Mike Lowrance shared his testimony with us, our students are finishing up their first full day of camp! It's been wild, but the best way to let you know about our time at camp is to show you! Enjoy these pictures!

Day of Champions

2010-03-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

Every year we have a great event at FBC Lexington called the Day of Champions. We invite a speaker and have them share their story. Sometimes we bring athletes, sometimes we bring in someone who has excelled in some other area. All the time our guest has a great story about how Jesus has changed their life.

Siran Stacy will be our guest speaker this Sunday March 14th.

At 9:00 am in the fellowship hall we'll have breakfast with Siran and he'll challenge our students.

At 10:15 we'll be in the worship service ready to hear Siran share his story with everyone.

I hope you'll come and bring a friend. Not just youth either! Parents and everyone else as well: bring someone with you this Sunday to FBC to hear a great testimony. I can't wait to see you there.

Transition

2010-03-05T07:08:00.001-08:00

One year ago today, my dad went to be with the Lord. Mom says it feels like 500 years ago and 5 minutes ago. I agree. I can remember getting in the car on Thursday morning, thinking I had way too many voice-mails for so early. I was thinking about how fun it would be to have my parents come up for the weekend so we could work on the rail for our porch. I remember thinking about the conversation we had with them last night, the five hour conversation dad and I had as I trudged back to "Day of Champions" in the snow on Interstate 40 (fair enough, I was actually in my car). I can remember hearing mom's voice. The words that would change our family.: "Not granddad, your dad." She said all three of us boys thought she said granddad. Maybe we wanted to hear about his passing instead of our dad. My granddad also went to be with Jesus this last year.

Transition. That's the word that comes to mind this morning as I think about the last year. It has certainly been a year of change. Dad and granddad both leaving this earth. Bekah and I finding out about Sophie's (soon!) arrival. Bekah closing in on her master's degree. Jamie coming closer to his graduation date. Evan finding out where he's going for the peace corp. Mom, just trying to find out what life is like by herself after 37 wonderful years of marriage.

Psalms 4 is one of my favorite Psalms. I run to it, and remember all the things David had to go through in his lifetime: the highs of being Israel's general and king, the lows of being under the condemnation of God, the loss of a newborn baby, the rebellion of his son, wars, the pressures of being a king. When I read the Psalms I don't see a cookie cutter man who had everything under control. Instead I read the real pain and real joy that comes with life. True sorrow, true blessing.

¹ Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

² How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Selah

³ Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.

⁴ In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Selah

⁵ Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD.

⁶ Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.

⁷ You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

⁸ I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

Over the last year I have had the same questions: Where can good be? Why am I having to go through this? I've also been angry, angry that this was our life now.

Praise God for His goodness and graciousness to us. He has heard our prayers and given us comfort. He hasn't made life easy, but He has been close to us. He given Himself, and that is our relief in distress.

There's been a lot on my mind since driving to Madison last night. What I know today holds is this: the start of another year where God is faithful. He doesn't change, and I praise Him for that.

As for Dad and Granddad? They don't want to come back. Why would they? The last year for them has been the most glorious thing they have ever experienced. From Steven Charnock

"When the glory of the Lord shall rise upon you, it shall be so far from ever setting, that after millions of years are expired, as numerous as the sands on the seashore, the sun, in the light of whose countenance you shall live, shall be as bright as at the first appearance; he will be so far from ceasing to flow, that he will flow as strong, as full, as at the first communication of himself in glory to you. Because God is always vigorous and flourishing; a pure act of life, sparkling new and fresh rays of life and light to the creature, flourishing with a perpetual spring, and contenting the most capacious desire; forming your interest, pleasure, and satisfaction; with an infinite variety, without any change or succession; he will have variety to increase delights, and eternity to perpetuate them; this will be the fruit of the enjoyment of an infinite and eternal God"

May all glory and honor and praise be to God almighty, the Lord of Heaven and earth.

Storm of Praise

2009-11-02T15:25:00.000-08:00

All youth in the Beech River Baptist Association are invited to come and be a part of the "Storm of Praise."

This will be a great worship service with music lead by Saul2Paul and a message lead by Mike Driver. There will also be skits by area churches.

Everything takes place on Saturday Nov 7th at the Civic Center @ 5 pm. Food and drinks will be served to all who register at the door. The worship service will take place at 6 pm.

We will meet up at the Civic Center. I can't wait to see you guys there!

I'm pumped, you should be too!

5th Quarter @ FBC Lexington

2009-08-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

This week after the football game we’ll be having a Fifth Quarter here at the FBC Fellowship Hall. Bring your friends to have a good time of hanging out, eating food, and playing games! Stick around until 10:30 pm for some drawings. We’ll open the doors at 9:00 pm and wrap up right at 10:45 pm so everyone can get home in time for curfew.

Invite your friends and I’ll see you there!

Revival in the Time of Nehemiah

2009-08-04T08:47:00.001-07:00

To be a Jew in exile and learn that after roughly 100 years of returning groups that there is still no wall around Jerusalem must have been hard news to hear. Perhaps that's why Nehemiah spent so much time in prayer and fasting when he heard.

Why was having a wall such a big deal? Remember that in ancient times, a wall meant a lot more than privacy: it meant protection. To learn that the place of his fathers was still in disrepair and open to attack had to have been a serious blow.

After a time of reflection (roughly four months), Nehemiah had within his heart the desire to go and oversee the rebuilding of this city. Was it because Nehemiah was a caring person? Was it because he was an expert builder? Was it because Nehemiah wanted to be recognized as a great leader? I think Nehemiah tells us why he had this passion: He knew God was faithful to keep His promises. The promise? "...if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name."

For the month of August we're going to be looking at how Nehemiah's actions reflect our own when it comes to waking up and hearing the voice of God in our lives. I hope you'll join us here at FBC on Wednesday nights @ 6 p.m.! See you here.

Youth VBS

2009-06-04T07:02:00.001-07:00

Imputed

What does it mean?

Why does it matter?

How could understanding one word change everything you know about Christianity?

These are the questions we're going to tackle at this year's youth VBS. I can't wait to see you all there! This next week we'll meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6-8pm. Each night we'll be hanging out at a different house. Below is a list of the houses and directions to each.

Each one has a pool which means everyone can bring a swimsuit and swim (girls need a one peice or a dark t-shirt over a two peice). You don't have to swim though, we'll have plenty of other things to do. We'll have Bible study starting at 7:00 pm.

Bring a Bible, a pen, and a FRIEND! I can't wait to see everyone there.

Monday - The Henderson's

600 Hidden Hills

Lexington, TN 38351

Tuesday - The Hollis'

505 Pine Lake Rd

Lexington, TN 38351

Thursday - The Earl's

65 Oak Crest St

Lexington, TN 38351

Friday - The Ulerick's

76 Farmington Cove

Lexington, TN 38351

But I can speak Spanish!

2009-05-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have really enjoyed getting to know the other youth ministers in this area. Jason and Andy are two really great guys. It's been such a blessing to get to know them and share ministry stories with them.

Jason has the advantage of being a little older than us. He's seen life (even lived overseas and farmed goats!) and had experiences that Andy and I are waiting to have. He's the father of two girls which earns him points in anybody's book. He also wears the double hat of minister or youth and music. He's a great guy who'll tell it like it is to his youth, volunteers, parents, congregation, guy passing by on the street... I've really valued getting to know him and see what his life has taught him.

Andy is the opposite of Jason. He's a little younger than Jason, but has been doing youth minsitry for longer than either of us. He also wears two hats at Sand Ridge: Associate Pastor and Student Pastor. He's been at three different churches which gives him a little more "know how" and experience in dealing with parents and congregations. I've really liked seeing how he's a "get it done" kind of guy when it comes to ministry. He's been chugging along with his students, trying to figure out the best way to minsiter to his group. He, like Jason, has more life experience than me so it's great to hear him talk about where he's been and what he's been up to. He's also well connected when it comes to other youth minsiters and ministers in gerenal.

Me? I get to be in the bottom rung: youngest and least experience. Being on the bottom has it's advantages. You get to learn from the other guys and what they've already been through. It helps to not make their mistakes (or to learn what they did when they made your mistakes) and get through with their advice. Like I said, I've really valued getting to know these two guys and minister with them. I'm really looking forward to getting to know them more!

The Shadowlands

2009-04-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

As C.S. Lewis described in his books "The Chronicles of Narnia," the shadowlands were the partial world we live in before eternity.

Today for some reason I feel the difference more than ever between the world in which we live and the longing for the world that is to come. I so desperately wish to be home. Not my house on Britt Rd, not even the place my parents live in Madison. I want to be in Heaven with my maker. I desire to be in His presence. That would mean no more tears, no more pain, and praise God no more sin.

I wish the youth we minister to here would see the difference between the world in which they and I live and the world of promise. I wish homework, sports, girlfriends, boyfriends, popularity, and everything else would be put into its rightful place: somewhere towards the bottom. How little these things will matter in eternity!

God help me and give me the strength to live here in this land until you call me home. God enable me to communicate my dissatisfaction with this life and help it to be understood by the ears it falls on.

I know God has purpose in keeping me here. I understand quite well that I am to fulfill whatever God has for me on this Earth. I hope that I can humbly meet every challenge He allows to come my way. I pray that those around me would understand that this world is not the best God has to offer us.

This is not our home! Praise God.

Interns

2009-03-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Today I am tired!

Wednesday night came again and just on a normal week it's a tiring business. Youth

running around (some running away), lessons being taught, songs being sung, and everything else that might go into a midweek service. On a normal basis I have two great interns who help out. I say they help out, but after last night of doing it without them I feel like they're the ones who do all the work!

Setting up cones, projectors, chairs, and props is tough work by yourself! Not only that, but answering the normal questions (What group am I in? Where is so and so? Did you hear about so and so?), making sure the youth who are leading worship in Brittany's place are comfortable and ready, leading John's group and being available to manage crisis as they come up.

John's in Romania right now getting an opportunity to minister to the people living in small rural villages. Brittany has the chance to spend some family time down at the beach. I am so thankful for their help every week. I'm glad I'll get to see them soon. But right now, I think I need a nap...

My Dad

2009-03-06T10:05:00.001-08:00

Thank you all for your messages of support. I still can't believe this is all real. I've spent the last 26 hours convincing myself that I am no smarter than God and that He knows what He's doing.
My father passed away yesterday, March 5th at around 6 am. The doctors aren't sure what happened. It may have been a heart attack or a complication with a blood clot, which he was prone to. Mom found him and rushed him to the hospital, but dad had already entered into eternity.

I have been so blessed to share so many wonderful experiences with my dad. We added onto the house, He did Bekah and I's wedding, he preached my ordination, he even helped us put down a tile floor in our house. There was very little dad wouldn't try to build. He even left mom with half a finished bathroom. That was our dad, always working on another project. He loved to work.

The names of all the people my dad had a life changing affect on could never be written down on earthly paper. Through his service to several churches as pastor, the Alabama Baptist Convention as Discipleship Training Director, and two associations as Director of Missions dad touched countless lives, but especially us, his family. We never had to doubt whether our dad loved us. He told us every chance he got.

Heaven has never seemed so real to me. This is what our faith is all about. Dad is done with his earthly life. None of us would have wanted him to begin eternity this soon. I rest in knowing that my dad is more alive right now than he has ever been. My dad, praise our Lord Jesus Christ, can now stand in the presence of his creator. In a way I'm jealous. In a very different way, I miss him so much and would do anything to hear his voice again.

The visitation will be Saturday at Berryhill Funeral Home in Huntsville from 5-8 pm. The funeral will be at FBC Madison in Madison, AL at 2 pm. All who knew him are welcome to come and share your stories of him with us.

Thank you again for your prayers and support. We will need them even more in the upcoming months.

Day of Champions

2009-02-25T11:16:00.000-08:00

So I just got off the phone with James "Mitch" Mitchell. He used to be the chaplain for the Tennessee Volunteer football team. For three years he had that position. Now he calls Raleigh, NC home and is going to do the same job at Duke University.

Some of you may know that he's going to come and talk with us at our Day of Champions this year at FBC. Every year we reach out to the area's athletes and invite them to our church. This is my second year to be a part of this exciting event.

I feel like I've been swamped with March 1st for the last month. I've driven to every Middle School and High School in the county. I've delivered posters and shook hands with secretaries and coaches alike. I even got stuck in the mud trying to find my way back from Bargerton Elementary to Lexington (it's harder than you think!).

At any rate, I can't wait to see God work through this one day. My prayer isn't just that we hear some great stories from Mitch, but also that we'll be changed by them. I pray that some athletes and students come to know the Lord through his example and his walk. I pray that I will be challenged in my own faith.

I also pray that you'll come. I can't wait to see you this Sunday for Day of Champions!

Over the Sun

2009-02-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

It was a quick blip on the screen this Sunday, but I'm so excited about Disciple Now this year! Preparing for last year's "Define" was one of the most rewarding things I've undertaken here at FBC. Most of our Sunday School and River's Edge teachers would agree that you learn so much by getting ready for a lesson. I certainly benefited by preparing for the weekend! So last year we went through the attributes of God with some help from A.W. Tozer's Knowledge of the Holy, an awesome book I recommend.

This year, we'll be taking a journey through Proverbs and exploring how this book affects our daily lives. I've got two books heading my way: Proverbs (The Crossway Classic Commentary Series) by Bridges and How to Read Proverbs by Longman.

The exciting thing is at this point, I'm not sure where our journey will take us, but I look forward to starting out! Be in prayer as we prepare for another great weekend of exploring God's word and fellowshipping together as the youth of FBC Lexington.

Thoughts from my Wife

2009-01-26T14:50:00.001-08:00

I married one brilliant cookie. For everyone who knows her wild side, sit down and chat with her sometime about tough issues and just wait for the wisdom that's inside her mind.

Over this weekend she had two thoughts I’d like to share with you: As ministers, or small group leaders, or even in your own personal Bible study, how many of us have posed the question: “What does this verse mean to me?” If you read a chapter in Proverbs a day you would have come across this verse:

Proverbs 26: 11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

When you ask what this means to you, in the end you are the one who gives this verse meaning. If it doesn't mean anything to you, then the verse isn't useful. That’s not why we read Scripture. We read so that the meaning God has already given to the verse can be applied to our lives. We don’t get to say what a verse means; God through the author of that particular verse has already done that. It is our job to find out what a verse means for us.

Yes, it’s just one word different, but that word makes a huge difference. Practice asking yourself and other what a verse means for you and I believe you will find personal application instead of personal interpretation. Secondly, are there any psychology buffs reading? If so, this chart will look familiar:

This is called Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The basic premise is that a person starts at the bottom, and once those needs are satisfied a person is able to move up the next level. A person who cannot find food and water cannot move up to the next level of safety, and so on. The very top of the pyramid is the chief end of a person, so says Maslow. Not so says the Christian! Once a person self-actualizes (or reaches the top) in reality they should not find comfort, but a haunting dissatisfaction. When we reach the top of the chart, we find how little we actually have, and how great our God is. We should see how desperately we need Him to complete us, and how we can never find wholeness without Him.

I praise God for being such a magnificent God, and for blessing my life with my wonderful bride.

11 "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?

Who is like you—

majestic in holiness,

awesome in glory,

working wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand

and the earth swallowed them.
13 "In your unfailing love you will lead

the people you have redeemed.

In your strength you will guide them

to your holy dwelling.
14 The nations will hear and tremble…

18 The LORD will reign

for ever and ever."

Exodus 15:11-18

Student Life Aftermath

2009-01-26T14:36:00.000-08:00

I've got to be honest: this entire trip to Birmingham, AL with these great students was one of the more tiring things I've done in awhile. The entire weekend had me exhausted. Today has been a day of recuperation and I am thankful for this Sabbath.

I don't really understand why this strong passion in my heart is for teenagers to know and understand God. Sometimes I feel like everything that means youth ministry gets under my skin. The speaker’s jokes, though I know they can be a bridge to some youth in the room, kept me biting my lip over and over again. The band, well I'm beginning to understand an observation from a fellow youth worker: "Have you ever noticed how most of our praise songs are about praising us praising God?"

At any rate, the relationships and ministry our volunteers were able to form with the students on the five hour ride there and the five hour ride back made the whole weekend worth it.

Still, I wonder how beneficial a trip of our own would be for our group. Perhaps since this is the last Student Life tour, we might begin to look into having our own retreat next year. Much prayer is needed on this subject and I would appreciate your prayers for us as we venture forth from here.

Student Life

2009-01-22T07:18:00.001-08:00

It feels so great to be back in the groove of things around here. Missing one week for school can really throw a person for a loop! I love getting to talk with the youth on Wednesday nights, it's a great opportunity to just hang out.

Tomorrow we load up our bus and head down to Birmingham, AL for Student Life. Last year was such a blessing, I'm very excited to be taking another group.

Lives can change in the short span of a weekend. Experience God with sucha large group of people is a different experience than what we have here every week. Sometimes the difference is what causes us to take a closer look at our lives. I pray that this weekend these students will take that second look.

I'm so glad to be a part of this ministry. The students here are the best around.

Planning For War

2009-01-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 20:18
Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance.

When I think about youth ministry, sometimes war is an adequate analogy. Trenches are dug, bomb shells are dropped, and sometimes it feels like the enemy is coming from all sides.

This last week at Southern Seminary was a wonderful experience. I got to sit down with some really awesome guys and just talk youth ministry. We got to plan, to dream, and talk about waging war. We got some good news from others fighting in the trenches too. As it turns out not every youth who ever attended church is dropping as soon as they graduate. In reality, someone who did some really great research found that in the SBC, if a church has a tenured youth minister, conservative beliefs, and a great, age-graded youth program, a youth who is involved in middle and high school will stay involved. That's good news for those of us planning the battles.

Not a chance to celebrate a sound victory yet, however. That means we who minister to youth need to commit to a church, really plan out what we're doing, and constantly check on the youth who are not showing up.

I'm feeling challenged after that class. I feel refreshed. I also feel very fortunate to have such great volunteers and a great church to serve at. Out of the planning room then, and back to the trenches!