Tuesday, January 27, 2009

I'm Proud of Our Teens!

I'm really pleased with our various youth activities these days. Just look at these pictures.  The first shows Alanna Giraldi teaching the Sunday School lesson.  She was one of four that day. What great preparation!

In the second picture, Jordan Belisle is proudly displaying his trophy as the winner of this year's Cosmic Spoons Contest. What fun!

And, if you'd like to see some great pictures from this year's Boys-to-Men Retreat, go to this link: picasaweb.google.com/FBCBeaverton/Boys2MenRetreat2008.  Or to learn more about our church's ministry to teens, check out their blog:  www.fbcbeavertonyouth.blogspot.com.

What a great group of students!  What a great student ministry!   

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Lifehouse's "Everything" Drama



I love this video. Our Romania team did this drama for the kids at the Camp of the Good Shepherd. Of course, we didn't have the same equipment, costumes, etc., but the message was the same.

Friday, January 16, 2009

HUNG UP ON CHRISTMAS!

I admit it.  Even though we're halfway through January, I'm still hankering for Christmas.  During the month prior to Christmas, many--maybe most--people spend time and energy thinking about others...their families and friends but also folk that are less fortunate or who are going through a hard time.  

And that's good--for the most part.  It's bad when we think of giving as an obligation rather than an opportunity. December becomes unpleasantly hectic when we focus on what we "have" to do--get the cards out, reluctantly attend Christmas parties, and buy presents for every significant person in our lives.

How different are our modern-day Christmases!  Traditionally, the month of December was the month of Advent, and it was a time of repentance and preparation, a time of darkness and reflection, rather than a time of lights and celebration.  Advent ended with Christmas, and Christmas commenced the Christmas season, "Christmastide."  Christmastide lasted for 12 days -- haven't you always wondered what was meant by "the twelve days of Christmas"?

So, I don't mind having Advent as an exciting and anticipatory time as we look forward to Christmas.  I just don't want us to lose the "Christmas spirit" too quickly.  Shouldn't we carry this "heart for giving" into January?  Really, when the  Christ of Christmas is in the center of our lives, giving to others takes place all year.     

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The Land Of Beginning Again

My New Year message focused on making a new start as we leave behind old mistakes and failures. I used the following quote from Louise Fletcher Tarkington's poem:
I wish there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches
And all of our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door,
And never put on again.
The Apostle Paul said: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13b-14, NIV).