In Support of Cauliflower

My sweet wife recently listed cauliflower among the things she "cannot abide". Said it tastes like cardboard. Well, I feel like I should stand up for cauliflower. I used to think it was a somewhat tasteless waste of food space, but I actually like it now. Here are my favorite ways to eat it.

1) Fried. I know, just about every vegetable tastes better fried. But one day at the cafeteria at the Memorial Student Center at TAMU back about 23 years ago, I ate some fried cauliflower covered in melted cheese. And I never looked back.

2) Steamed. Especially when mixed with brocolli with a hint of butter and garlic. And topped with some grated parmesian cheese.

3) Chopped. With chopped brocolli and other fresh ingredients that I can't think of now along with some kind of dressing that ties it all together that I also can't think of now.

One Last Time

This is it...my last Trumpeter article. Today starts a new, exciting era in the life of our congregation with Brandon beginning his work with us as youth minister. He and Whitney will be an important part of your lives as we all grow closer to the Lord and each other over the coming years.

What final words should I say? I would be amiss not to thank the congregation for their support, both with their words of encouragement and their financial sacrifices. I am also very thankful to follow the leadership of such a supportive body of elders who genuinely care about this youth group and take its future seriously. And you have great parents (whether you realize it or not) who have been wonderful in helping with all of our activities.

It's comforting to me to know that I'm not actually leaving, just stepping aside. It's exciting to be able to watch you grow and mature in your faith. You are really an exceptional group of young people, and I'm honored to have been able to work with you this last year.

But think about it...if this were my last time to really talk to you, what would I want to say? How would I want to be remembered? What final things would I feel that I need to tell you? In reality, each time we talk to someone may actually be our last because of the uncertainties of this life. Let's take advantage of the opportunities we have each day. Tell your friends the Good News of Jesus. Let your parents know you love them. Tell the important people in your life how much they mean to you. And say thanks to those who help you along the way.

Have a great week, and keep your light shining. I love you all.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 7/13/08)

Your Story

Most people like to see something about themselves in the newspaper. Every year, I see pictures of people from our congregation in the local paper for one reason or another. Sometimes they are just snapshots taken at some community event. Sometimes they are for some activity that they are involved in. Sometimes they are for receiving an award. When Krista and I first moved to Greenville, a large picture of us buying snowcones was on the front page. (Maybe we were being honored for Excellence in Snowcone Purchasing.) I've seen several of you in the newspaper in recent weeks. Many of you have earned special honors at school, either in sports or academics (or both). It makes me proud of you every time I see it.

In the Bible, we don't see pictures of people, but God did record their actions. He included the good and the bad actions, sometimes from the same people. We read about the faithfulness of Abraham and the courage of Daniel. There's Samson, who was physically strong but had a weakness for women. The stories of David's heart and Joseph's righteousness, of Ruth's love and Peter's boldness--they're all there for us to read.

What if your story was being recorded for future generations? Would it show acts of your faithfulness, how you withstood temptation, how you proclaimed God's message? Would the pages show that you sometimes stumbled but still remained steady in your commitment to serve Him? What would people read about you a thousand years from now?

The truth is, you are creating your life's story. It's not being recorded for millions to read, but you're leaving a legacy nonetheless. What you do today affects your tomorrow. Other people see your actions and can be influenced for good or bad. And you get to choose the ultimate ending--here you will spend eternity. What will it be in your story?

Have a great week, and keep your light shining.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 7/6/08)

The Real World

We had a great time at NETSYS Camp last week. It was full of fun, encouragement, and spiritual growth. Near the end of the week, I was talking to one of the junior counselors, and she asked me, "Why can't it just stay this way? Why can't our day-to-day lives be like camp?" After the "spiritual high" of camp, she wasn't looking forward to going back to the "real world".

We all know about the real world. The one with homework. The one with chores. The one where we have to feed the dog and sit through traffic lights. Where there's no pre-paid canteen twice a day, where it takes several minutes to get from one place to another. Where people aren't always kind, and where rude talk is common. Where it's easy to get caught up in what the world thinks is important and lose track of what's eternally important.

So she had a good question. Why can't we just live in a church camp world? A world where people love God and love each other. A world where people write you encouraging notes every day. A world where people love to sing praises and stay up late talking about spiritual matters. A world where you start your day singing "This Is the Day that the Lord Has Made" and end it holding hands in prayer with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

The answer? I'll tell you what I told her. It's because Jesus didn't call us to live permanently in a "Christian cocoon" where we're isolated from the world and never have to face it. Instead, He calls us to be salt to influence the world for righteousness and to be a light in the darkness. If we never faced the world, we could never share with it the love of Christ and the good news of salvation.

But that doesn't mean that you can't take a little camp with you. Sing a song of praise to God in the morning and end your day in prayer. Write a note of encouragement to someone who needs it. And share that joy with the world.

Have a great week, and let your light shine.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 6/29/08)

Dads

Dad. What do you think of when you hear that name? For most, it conjures up several images. Someone who plays catch with you. The "handyman" who fixes what's broken. The math expert who helps you with your homework. The one who carries out the trash. The breadwinner who works to pay the bills. The instructor who taught you how to ride a bike. The coach who worked with your soccer team. The cash dispenser who gives you spending money. The photographer who takes pictures of the rest of the family. The one who takes naps on Sunday afternoons. The groundskeeper who makes sure the grass stays mowed. The spiritual leader who takes you to church and talks to you about what's important in life.

We each have our own perception of what a dad is. I was blessed to have a great dad growing up. He was my hero (and still is). I pray every day that I can be a good father for my own kids. I know that most of you have wonderful dads who work hard to make sure that you have what you need and try to be a spiritual role model for you. But dads are human and make mistakes like everyone else. We are not perfect. And you may not even have had the benefit of a loving dad. But we have a heavenly Father who is perfect. He's always there for us, He never gives up on us, and He never fails. He gives us strength when we're weak and He has spared nothing, not even His own Son, to save us in the end. John said, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)

Thank your dad on this Father's Day, and remember the perfect Father who gives us all good things.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 6/15/08)

Tools

I love tools. I love all different kinds of tools, those for the office and those for the house. I could spend hours just looking in office supply stores and hardware stores. I was in Lowes today to get some tile, but I couldn't help but stop by the tools and look around. They were calling to me to come look. Hammers, saws, wrenches, tool bags, drill bits...you name it, I love looking at them. And of course the bigger excitement comes when it's time to actually use them. Getting out the saw horses, revving up the circular saw, putting the screwdriver bit in the drill, hearing the satisfying "thunk" when you shoot a nail from the nail gun into a piece of wood...words can hardly describe. It's cool to use tools. Tools are cool. (I think I've made my point.)

Did you ever think of yourself as a tool? The Bible uses the term "vessel" to refer to us sometimes. This is a type of tool that carries water. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul said, "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work." If we have willing hearts and ready lives, we can be used by God to do His work. In the next verse, he says how to make yourself ready: "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Are you keeping your life right with God? Do you flee lust and pursue righteousness? Do you have a pure and willing heart? If so, you can have the honor of being one of God's tools.

Have a great week, and be a useful vessel for Him.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 6/8/08)

Graduation

This is the time of year when many of you graduate. Several of you graduated from high school. Some of you attended a ceremony for eighth grade graduation. A few years ago, some of you may have even attended a kindergarten graduation. A few years from now, some of you may graduate from college. While it's on our minds, let me share some thoughts on graduation.

(1) Graduation reflects an accomplishment. Life is filled with milestones that show that you have reached a goal that you have worked for. You should be proud of the hard work that you have done in order to get where you are. In all of the activities that surround graduation time, take a minute to reflect on what you have accomplished.

(2) Don't forget those who helped you. Remember that you didn't get here by yourself. Be thankful to those who helped you along the way. Write a note of appreciation to those special teachers who gave of themselves to help you succeed. Send some flowers to your mother.

(3) Each graduation marks not just an end, but also a beginning. Enjoy the moment, and then get ready to move on. There are more hills to climb and more things to accomplish. Be sure to include God in your plans. As you start down another road, make sure that it will help you grow spiritually and not pull you away from God.

(4) With each level of achievement comes more responsibility. Jesus said, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." Remember that the older and more accomplished you become, the more is expected of you. Be a strong man or woman of God, and be an effective worker in His kingdom using the gifts that He has given you.

Have a great week, and keep heading for the goal.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 6/1/08)

Life Happens in the Car

We spend a lot of time in our cars. My family especially seems to. Will has always been a good traveler, and Savannah became one after the age of 2. They're usually content looking out the windows at the scenery, listening to music, or playing a video game. Krista remarked the other day on how much she enjoys our car rides because we get a chance to talk. That's one of the few times when there are very few distractions and we can spend some time just talking. We talk about things that have happened recently and how we feel about them, and we make plans for the future. Those car trips, whether short or long, aren't just what we do between the events of our life--they ARE life. They are opportunities for us to connect and grow closer.

It often seems like people are just waiting for the next big thing to happen. Sometimes it comes in the form of "I'm bored. When are we going to do something?" Sometimes it's just in the mindset of our coming and going. We think of life as the exciting times, with school and the trips to the store just being "filler" time until we get to the fun stuff. But think about it. Most of the minutes of your day are spent doing the more mundane things. It's only a very small percentage that are the "big events" we keep looking forward to.

So take a different perspective on those "little" things. Treat them as opportunities to do good for people, to grow closer to those you love, to make a big difference in small steps. One of my favorite quotes is by Robert Brault, who wrote: "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

God gives each of us the same 24 hours. Let's use them wisely, use them for His glory, and take advantage of each hour as it comes along.

Have a great week, and enjoy the moment.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 5/25/08)

Growing Up

It's official. As of Saturday, May 17, I no longer have any pre-teens in my family. Will turned 13. It's a milestone for anyone to become a teenager, especially for Will, given the circumstances surrounding his birth. It's also a milestone for our family, marking the time when we officially don't have "young children" in the house (at least not in the way that the term is commonly used). And Savannah's almost 15. I wish I had a dime for every time that she's mentioned driving…

But that's the way that life is. Even though parents may become sentimental about the years passing too quickly (which they do), we still want our children to grow and mature and not stay the way that they are. It is a cause for concern when a child doesn't develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially as they should.

But an even greater concern should be the person that does not grow spiritually. I've seen men in their 50's that are still at the same stage of spiritual growth as they were when they were in their teens. God expects us to continually grow and mature. The writer of Hebrews said, "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food." The people that he was referring to had not progressed beyond the infancy of their spiritual life.

Don't stay a spiritual toddler. Pray often. Read the Bible daily. Meditate on what it says. Put it into practice. Become a mature, spiritually strong man or woman for God.

Have a great week, and keep growing.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 5/18/08)

Wake-Up Calls

Wake-up call. It's one of those moments when something happens that makes you realize that you need to change. In its most common use, a wake-up call is just that--when someone calls you to wake you up, like the service that they offer at most hotels. But the term can also be used to refer to times when we "wake up" to certain realities and change our thinking or our actions. Sometimes it takes the form of a tragedy that happens to someone we hear about or know and makes us realize that life is fragile and often short. Sometimes it's a serious illness that strikes someone we love and makes us realize how much we appreciate them and causes us to commit to spend more time with them.

In comic books and the movies, "Iron Man" Tony Stark received a wake-up call when he realized that his company's products were being used for evil purposes. In 1941, the United States got a wake-up call that being an isolationist country won't product us from aggressors. In 2001, we received another one regarding the evils of terrorism. In the Bible, Saul received an "enlightening" wake-up call on the road to Damascus. He realized that he had devoted his life to harming the very cause that he should have been promoting. He would later speak in Ephesians 5 about those who are living sinful lives needing to "awake" and turn from darkness to light.

What about you? Do you need a wake-up call? Don't wait for some tragedy to strike to get your life right with God. Don't wait for some loved one to die before you tell them how much you love them.

Have a great week, wake up, and live your life to its fullest for God.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 5/11/08)

Clutter

I am on a never-ending quest to de-clutter my personal world. As an example, I bought a book a few years ago called the "The Office Clutter Cure" that gives ideas and encouragement on getting rid of things in the office environment that just take up space and provide barriers from being as productive as we can be. I was amazed at the kinds of things I had accumulated that I didn't really think about getting rid of until I read that book. It inspired me to throw away old name tags, a mound of papers, and even some of my old college textbooks. (I have to admit--those were the hardest to let go of. I love books, and my argument for keeping them was "What if I ever need to look at those again?" even though I haven't opened their pages in 20 years.) There are things at home that I also need to periodically purge from the house so that they don't keep getting in my way. I have to keep telling myself, "They exist to serve me, not the other way around."

We often need to de-clutter our lives as well. There are so many things that can distract us and keep us from doing the important things. Often, they are not bad in and of themselves, but they distract our attention and keep our focus on things of this world instead of those things that will matter eternally. Other times, they are actually bad for us, sinful activities that take us farther away from God. The writer of Hebrews said, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Are there things in your life that distract your attention from where it needs to be? Are they obstacles to serving the Lord? Do they keep you from focusing on the things and the people that are most important? If so, maybe it's time to de-clutter.

Have a great week, and keep your eyes on things that matter.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 5/4/08)

Good Help Is Hard to Find

One of my employees has left for another position in the company, so now I have to find someone else to replace him. That's not always an easy task. In fact, it's usually hard. There are several things you have to look for in a candidate: their technical ability, how well they will work with others, and their work ethic, among others. When we were looking to find our next youth minister, we had to do the same thing. In fact, dozens of men applied for the job and only a handful were seriously considered, based on how well they met the qualifications of the job and the qualities that we were looking for.

In contrast, to be a worker in God's kingdom, you don't have to pass a competency test or be subjected to a rigorous interview process. You don't have to have special training or have an impressive resume. What you do need is a willing heart. One that wants to serve Him more than anything else. Jesus said, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few." Good help really is hard to find. Not because the technical qualifications are so tough, but because there are so few that are willing to do it.

Are you a willing worker?

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 4/27/08)

The Gift of Life

When the terrorist attacks happened on September 11, 2001, millions of Americans wanted to do something tangible to help our country in its time of need. Besides money to help relief efforts, the one act that people could do that was communicated most often was to give blood. People lined up by the thousands to donate this most precious commodity. The slogan often heard was and still is: "Give blood. Give life."

I gave blood yesterday. It took about half an hour from the time I started filling out the questionnaire to the time I left the "Bloodmobile." It involved very little discomfort. (The worst pain was when I bruised my shin going back into the vehicle, but that's another story for another time. I'll tell that one Sunday night.) By the time I left, I had provided someone the chance to live through my donation. Not bad for 15 minutes on a comfortable reclining bed.

Jesus gave us the gift of life through His blood. But his gift was different from mine. The most obvious difference is that he suffered extreme pain and sorrow when He shed His blood on the cross. No relaxing time donating while listening to music in a climate controlled bus. But the bigger difference is what it meant. His blood didn't provide a few more years of life on this earth for one person. His gift of blood paid for our sins for eternity. His gift is eternal life. And that gift is being offered still today for all of us that are willing to receive it.

The next time you see a sign for a blood drive, think of the ultimate gift of life. And say a prayer of thanks.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 4/20/08)

Final Exam

I mentioned last week that I have a final exam coming up, as do many of you (some more than others). Final exams are the events at which teachers can see how much you learned during the semester or year. Some professions have exams that decide whether or not you get to be certified to practice in that profession, such as the bar exams for lawyers or CPA exams for accountants.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us about a kind of final exam. The things that He mentions are not the only things that God expects of us, but the fact that He highlights these as part of His description of Judgment Day tells us how important He thinks they are. At the final judgment, He describes a scene in which we're all gathered before Him and He separates those who will enter Heaven from those who won't. The "final exam" question? How well did we treat others. Listen to His words: "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'" The righteous in the description are confused by this, so Jesus clarifies: "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."

How well do you treat others? Your brothers and sisters...those that aren't popular...those at school that everyone makes fun of...those that don't look like us...those that don't agree with us. Think about it. Like our teachers say, "It will be on the test."

Have a great week, and be kind.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 4/13/08)

Finishing Strong

I took a test this morning (Thursday) for a class that I'm taking. Now that that's behind me, I have exactly one project to complete and one final exam to take before I receive my master's degree (assuming that I make good grades on those). I've been working on this degree for five years now. My prayer nearly every day this semester has been for God to help me finish strong in my pursuit of this degree. Now that I'm near the finish line, it's not the time to get lazy. I need to make sure I complete the work I set out to do.

We need to be even more determined in our Christian walk. Paul said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He made sure he kept on the course towards the finish line. Peter said that the "end of your faith" is the "salvation of your souls." That is the goal we are heading towards. When the race gets tough, don't give up. Keep walking. Keep enduring. Finish strong.

Have a great week, and keep your light shining.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 4/6/08)

MySpace Is Your Space

There are a few popular on-line websites like MySpace and Facebook that were created as "social utilities" to provide people the opportunity to keep up with friends, tell people about themselves, and express themselves in different ways. This includes pictures, information about likes and dislikes, random thoughts, and anything else that someone might want to say. Most people consider this harmless fun that gives them a chance to be creative and connect with their friends. But there are a lot of things that people put on their pages that is, to put it bluntly, rude and vulgar. Certainly not anything that someone who claims to be a Christian would want to be identified with.

What's on your space (if you have one)? Is it something that you would mind your parents seeing? Would you be embarrassed if I saw it? For some of you, I have seen it. I did some surfing in the last week and saw pages for several of you. Based on what I saw, let me offer some thoughts.

(1) People are reading what you are writing. Often, it's not the people that you intended to read it (like me). If you knew that your parents or I were going to see what's on your page, would you still put it there? If you had to read it aloud to Jesus, would it still be the same? (Just as a reminder, He does know what's there.) And, like gossip, once it's out there, you can't take it back. Even if you remove it from the site, there's the possibility that it has been copied and forwarded for others to read.

(2) Words have meaning. When you put something on a website or in an e-mail or text it to someone, it's just as if you had spoken it. When we say things, people interpret what we say and assume that it represents what we think. If you put the lyrics to a song on your site, people will associate those lyrics with you personally. Make sure it's something that you really want to reflect your values.

(3) Words have consequences. When you say something (spoken or written), you may regret it later. Those words may make people think more highly of you, or they may make them think less of you. Words can inspire us, but they can also hurt people. Paul tells us in Philippians to think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy. James says our speech should be consistent, not praising God one minute then saying hurtful things to our friends the next. Choose your words carefully.

Take a look at what you say online with fresh eyes. Does it reflect
well on you as a Christian? Does it build people up instead of hurting them? Would God be pleased?

Have a great week, and keep your light shining.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 3/16/08)

Ever Changing

Last weekend, the temperature warmed up to 70 degrees. It felt like spring outside. Today (Thursday), it's 32 degrees and raining. It's supposed to snow tonight. In a few days, it's supposed to be back to 70 degrees. This time of year in Texas, the weather can do crazy things, changing from one extreme to another in a matter of hours. Snow, rain, tornadoes, hail, sleet, and warm, sunny breezes can all be in the forecast in the span of a week or two.

Our society changes like the weather. What's popular one week is out of style the next. ("That's so yesterday.") When it comes to fashions or music or actors, it doesn't really matter very much. But our society would also like to change values like we change our clothes. What's considered right and wrong one year may be considered completely acceptable the next. But God is not that way. His standard for our lives has not changed. He made us and knows what's best for us, and He will continue to want us to follow His timeless guidance. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Heb 13:8)

Have a great week, and keep following our never-changing Lord.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 3/9/08)

Following the Plan

At work, I am responsible for creating various plans for people to follow. Most of these are based on past experience of what it takes to be successful. I tell the teams that if they will follow the plan and don't allow anyone to sidetrack them, they'll be successful in their project. Those that do follow the plan usually are successful, unless some outside force changes things. Those that don't follow the plan often have trouble.

But I'm only human. Sometimes I put things in plans that really aren't the best thing for the project due to oversight or a lack of knowledge on my part. There is a plan, however, that's perfect. God has a plan for our lives that will result in what is best for us all of the time. He has the best plan for our families, with a husband and wife who are committed to each other for life, raising their children in a loving environment. He has the best plan for supporting His people, with a group of local believers organized into congregations under the oversight of Christ-committed elders, with each of us looking out for and taking care of each other. He has the best plan for dealing with conflict, which starts with the individuals involved working it out with each other before bringing other people into it. And He has a plan for saving our souls, sending His own Son to die for our sins and giving us a home in heaven if we will only give our lives to Him in humble obedience.

In so many areas of our lives, God has a plan. And it's perfect. It's up to us to follow it.

Have a great week, and keep following the plan.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 2/17/08)

Learning to Walk

As you know, Will had surgery this week. Everything went well and he was able to come home the next day. He'll be in casts on both legs for 6 weeks or so, and he has to wear splints on his legs at night for a month to keep his legs straight. One thing that will come out of this is that he'll essentially have to learn how to walk again twice. First, by learning how to get around with the casts. Then when the casts come off, he'll have to learn how to get his feet and ankles and the rest of his legs to function together since the muscles won't be as "tight" as they were before. He'll have some exciting successes and other times he'll stumble a little while he gains his balance and learns to walk on his "new" legs. But in the end, he'll be able to walk better than ever before.

Our spiritual life is like that. When we become Christians, we have to learn how to walk spiritually. John tells in 1 John that we need to "walk in the light" and "walk like He [Jesus] walked". In 2 John he tells us to "walk in the truth" and "walk according to His commandments". Paul tells us in Ephesians to "walk worthy of the calling in which you were called." Just like walking physically, we learn how to walk spiritually by standing up and just doing it. Do those things that God wants you to do, like being kind and standing up for your beliefs, and see how much progress you'll make in your spiritual walk. And just like Will's going to have to do, lean on your friends for support when you need it.

Have a great week, and keep on walking.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 2/10/08)

Pristine Books

When you get to college, you'll encounter a new phenomenon: you have to buy the books you use. That was a big surprise for me when I first started at Texas A&M. I was used to my high school teachers passing out books at the beginning of the year and then taking them back up at the end of the year. At college, you're on your own. You may be able to borrow one from someone who took the same course last semester, or you may be able to buy a used book. College bookstores will usually buy back your used books at the end of the semester (at a tremendous discount, of course) if they can re-sell them. But publishers put out new additions of textbooks, which professors then require, which often make your old textbooks unresaleable (if that's a word).

I love books. I love to read them, I love to browse through them, and I love to have them on my bookshelf at home as kind of "trophies". And I've always wanted them to be in perfect shape. I was on a plane once reading a book, and the guy next to me (that I had just met) asked if he could take a look at it. Once he had it in his hands, he cracked the spine of it, which put a big crease down the middle. I was horrified. How could he do that to a perfectly good book?

Because of my love for "pristine" books, I usually bought brand new books, and because I love "trophy" books, I rarely sold them back. And in those brand new books, I would hardly ever use a highlighter when reading and studying because that would just make them less than pristine. That is, until I became a senior. Something happened, and I don't remember what, that made me realize that those books were made for MY benefit--I wasn't made to serve them. After that, I marked them when it was useful, and it really helped me study. It took a little longer, but eventually I got to where I could mark notes in my Bible, and underline certain verses that I wanted to remember. God's word is to be treasured and honored, but the book that it's written in was printed so that I could hear what it has to say, and sometimes that means making a mark or two in it.

Don't let "things" be too important in your life. I'm not advocating being abusive or careless with them or not being a good steward of your money, but remember what's most important. Your little brother is more important than your cell phone (I know that's a hard one to swallow). What you learn from your books is more important than the paper they're printed on. Use the things that God has given you for His glory and to build up others.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 1/27/08)

Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches this week, here are some of the things on my mind lately that I'm thankful for:

• I'm thankful for my wonderful wife, Krista. As a "behind the scenes" person, she does so many things that most of you never know about.
• I'm thankful for the best son and daughter I could hope for. They fill my life with joy.
• I'm thankful for my parents and the encouragement they have always been to me.
• I'm thankful to be associated with such an outstanding youth group. Your enthusiasm is a never-ending source of encouragement to me. You serve, you sing, you encourage, you draw others in.
• I'm thankful for your parents that continually support our activities.
• I'm thankful for this congregation and eldership that provide such great support, both financially and spiritually, for the youth program here.
• I'm thankful that I live in a country where we can do all of this without government persecution.
• I'm thankful for those who protect this country so that we can have those freedoms. (Thanks, Josh!)

Most of all, I'm thankful to God for the gift of His Son and the promise of eternal life.

May you and your families have a truly thankful day.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 11/18/07)

Be Where You Are

This may sound like useless advice. Of course you are going to be where you are. That's the way physics works, right? But I'm not talking about your body--I'm referring to your mind. I've seen many groups of teenagers that were physically together but miles apart in where their heads were. Symptoms include: standing next to someone that you could have a conversation with, but carrying on a text message conversation with someone else instead; going as a group to an event, but spending your time talking on the cell phone to the person that did not go; having the opportunity to visit with and become closer to your friends, but choosing to be hooked up to an iPod instead.

Now before you think I'm living in the past, let me put in a disclaimer or two. I'm not saying that you shouldn't send text messages back and forth. I'm not saying that you shouldn't talk on your cell phone. I'm not saying that you shouldn't enjoy listening to your music. What I am saying is that we are becoming a society where we are becoming more connected to the "network" and less connected with the people right in front of us. In a few years, your best youth group memories will be the conversations you had and the activities you did with your friends, not the latest songs you heard. Be sure to enjoy the moment with those you love.

Speaking of being places: Super Bowl party at my house. Be there or be square.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 2/3/08)

Trumpeter Postings

During the time I was helping with our youth group in between youth ministers, I wrote a weekly column for the youth group bulletin, the Trumpeter. Since I haven't been posting much to this blog, I thought I'd post my bulletin articles over time. The first one should be coming right up. I hope that both of you who read this blog enjoy the postings...

Gary's Christmas Music Awards

Here are the favorite versions of my favorite Christmas songs (in no particular order). I include the version because sometimes that makes all the difference.

Stille Nacht (Manheim Steamroller)
For Unto Us (Glad)
Christmas Bride (The Ray Conniff Singers)
Do You Hear What I Hear (Martina McBride)
Away in a Manager (Acappella)
The Night Before Christmas (Amy Grant)
O Holy Night (Collin Raye)
Jingle Bells (The Ray Conniff Singers)

Best Christmas album ever: the original Ray Conniff Singers Christmas album

Current favorite Christmas album to listen to: Mercy Me's "The Christmas Sessions"

Most underrated Christmas carol: The First Noel

Favorite instrumental that's really not about Christmas but is on a Christmas album: Highland Cathedral (on Amy Grant's "A Christmas to Remember" album)

Favorite Christmas song that nobody knows that was written for a movie: "Somewhere in My Memory" from Home Alone (written by John Williams)

Favorite Christmas song that few know because only one group (that I'm aware of) ever recorded it: Christmas Bride from the Ray Conniff Singers (in the right hands this could be a number one hit for someone today)

Coolest Christmas album: Chicago XXV

Most moving instrumental version of a Christmas song ever: Stille Nacht by Manheim Steamroller

Neat songs about Mary and Joseph: "One Quiet Moment" (Glad), "Joseph's Lullaby" (Mercy Me)

Underrated carols that few people sing: "Bring Me a Torch, Jeannette Isabella", "Still, Still, Still", "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", and "The Holly and the Ivy"

Best duet of a Christmas song that I heard on a TV special but have never found on an album: "The First Noel" (Boyz II Men and Kenny Rogers)

Tonight at the House

Tonight was a no-external-commitment-stay-at-home night. Those are usually the best kind.

Krista made meatloaf (new recipe) and "Texas mashed potatoes", both of which were good. Will said the prayer, thanking God for his Aunt Lynn's good news (medically related) and adding on his own thoughts to remember Josh Bonney, who's going off to war.

Krista and Savannah went bike-riding. Will and I watched part of the "Best of American Idol" DVD which he gave me for a Father's Day gift this year.

When the girls came back, we played the game "Whonuu?". This is a game where you try to guess what someone else in the game likes best from a choice of 4 cards. We have fun with this one. I won both games. I consider this validation that I have extraordinary insight into what makes people tick. Or that I had the luck-of-the-draw best cards. Either way, I won.

We'll end the day with a tuck-in of the kids. I've driven Savannah to school since kindergarten. In those early days, she wanted me to hold her hand and walk her to class every day. This went on through second grade, and she was never embarrassed to be seen with me this way. Now, I drop her off at the gym with a quick kiss on the cheek. I say all this to relate it to our bedtime ritual. Every night, she still wants me to get her some ice water when I come to her room. She can easily get this herself, of course, but she always wants me to do it. Just like walking her to class, hand-in-hand, I'll bring her water every night as long as she wants me to. One day, she'll probably outgrow that, and I'll be a little sad. Until that day comes, we'll still end each day with me getting her water, spreading her blanket over her, kissing her on the cheek, and telling her that I love her.

Life is good.