One of Those Deep Notes

So I'm listening to the radio today at work, first song I hear when I turn it on is Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" followed immediately by Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink", that was followed by AC/DC's "Back in Black" but that doesn't really have anything to do with the rest of this.

And those songs got me to thinking, which I'm sure was their original point, so congratulations to the writers of those songs. Throughout my life, and I'm sure this applies to many others out there too, I have always tended to focus on temporary stuff, stuff that really doesn't matter in the long run and stuff that I'm not super proud of.

Then I was thinking about why I did these things or focus on these things, the answer, I thought it would bring me happiness. I was under the impression that whatever it was, was going to make my life better, only to be left with regrets and guilt afterward. None of these things bring that everlasting happiness that so many of us are searching for. They only give us that temporary pleasure, with a feeling of depression afterward, which causes many of us to go back to that temporary pleasure, only for that depression to return, creating this vicious cycle that so many in this world get themselves trapped in.

Life is so much more than these things and we are letting those things that truly matter just pass us by. We need to be going after that everlasting happiness, that true happiness, something that offers true life fulfillment. You maybe thinking, "Adam, where can I find this true happiness?" and the others are thinking, "Adam, I know where you're going with this."

Psalms 146:5 Happy is he who's hope is in the Lord his God
Job 8:21 He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with joyful shouting.

I could probably go on and on with more verses, but I won't. God gives and everlasting happiness, not something temporary or that will leave you feeling regretful or empty inside afterward. So just remember, put your hope and happiness in the Lord.

Sticking to the Liberals

I was reading through foxnews.com today. (yes I read the news) And I came about this awesome article.

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — An Ohio middle school teacher says he won't obey an order to remove a Bible from view of students.

John Freshwater said Wednesday he agreed to remove a collage from his classroom that included the Ten Commandments, but that asking him to remove the Bible on his desk goes too far.

Officials with the Mount Vernon School District say they don't oppose religion but are required by the U.S. Constitution not to promote or favor any set of religious beliefs.

Freshwater says being forced to keep the Bible out of sight would infringe on his rights.

Mount Vernon is about 40 miles northeast of Columbus.

*This guy is one of my hero's now. I'm sick of every freedom of expression in the world being allowed except the Bible and Christianity. Students can put demonic crap on their clothes and their binders, people can preach evolution (people who believe this are some of the dumbest on earth), and so on.

-side note: This is why kids are so messed up and lacking morals today. It's not the kids faults, it's all the adults out there who have shut the door to God in our society today.

*While on the other hand the one's getting harassed are the ones with the Bibles, the ones teaching Creationism, the ones who put Christian symbols in their artwork. This freedom of expression is a two way street.

Way To Long

Ok, it's been way to long since I've posted on here. I don't really know how many people actually read this but just in case, I apologize.

Right now things are really busy. I'm prepping for the summer calendar and I have a lot of good ideas. I can't wait for this summer, I'm really excited about getting it going and I'm hoping the kids like what I have planned. I'm not going to post yet what I have planned, I'm saving that for the summer kickoff on May 18th.

With things really picking up I'll have some interesting stuff to post, so I should be able to keep up with it.

I Hope My House Doesn't Blow Up and more

The following comment is pretty much an exact quote to something I heard on the news this morning. It's concerning the U.S. spy satellite that is currently falling at 18,000 MPH toward the earth.

"The US spy satellite is currently projected to land on earth in late Feb. or early March. There isn't much to be worried about though. The earth is 75% water so you only have a 1 in 4 shot of it hitting where you live."

Wow! Obviously it's a lot more than 1 in 4 of it hitting your home, but still, if it was 1 in 4 I still wouldn't feel safe.

This was a fun weekend, got to hang out, made a trip to Stillwater and did some Cosmic Bowling on Saturday night.

Sunday was a bit sad, I didn't know exactly what to do with no football on.

A Little of This and A Little of That

Here are some high-lights from Winterfest from the rest of the group

Abbey Lyle
"you go back to your room."
"you don't even KNOW about trains!"
"you know what? that hurts"
"don't come back til you have juice AND towels"
"you got on my nerves 4 hours ago."

Morgan Warlick
Winterfest was so much fun! I'm just sad it was my last one!...ok um. jellybellies are NOT awesome."your a dirty trashcan full of poop"and ditto what abbitha said.
Matt Thomas
does he got juice?! Actually this is a stairwell

Jake Casteel
lol, i loved it allget back to your room tim!surfs up

Tim Hall
What a great event! My first Winterfest...man where we challenged!!! Be, See, and SHare Jesus...what novel ideas. We must become more missional in our approach to others. My challenge is the same...be Jesus to everyone around you. Seek to make him the number one thing in your life over sports, PS2, TV, your PHONE. Remember, where your treasure is there will your heart be also (Matt. 6:21). It was a great weekend. Adam and I get to hang out with some totally awesome teens! Thanks for making it a great weekend.Love ya'll,

So there are thoughts from those who went on Winterfest who sent them to me.

Away from the subject of Winterfest, things are busy here and I'm really tired of the cold. Cold makes people grumpy, well, at least it makes me grumpy. I need some 80 or 90 degree weather. I wanna go swimming, running, just to spend more than 10 minutes outside w/o my nose going numb.

I'm really looking forward to the Senior Trip. It looks like the cruise fell through, but I found some really good deals on some condos in Florida. I can't wait, it's gonna rock!

Cops and Winterfest

Winterfest 2008 "The Mission"

The trip started out unlike any other trip I've ever gone on. On our way to Stillwater to meet up w/ the other youth group going....I kinda....well.....got pulled over by the HW Patrol. Yes, not my finest moment, but it happened. Freaked some of the kids out a bit too b/c he made me go sit in his car. Part of me was thinking "Great, I can see the headlines now, 'Youth Minister Arrested'." I disagreed w/ why he pulled me over, but he said it was just a warning so I figured, why argue? Let it be known, the elder who was helping me transport kids also got a warning so I'm not alone on this.

From there we made it fine to Stillwater and it was off to Dallas for Winterfest. It was an amazing youth rally. Jeff Walling was the speaker and he did an amazing job sharing God's Word with us. Each of the 4 lessons had a great theme; Know Jesus, Be Jesus, See Jesus, and Share Jesus. We got there too late on Friday to hear Know Jesus, but the three I heard were amazing, so I can only assume the first was amazing as well. Be Jesus went to the point that we should "Be Jesus" to everyone we meet. See Jesus went to the point that we should see Jesus in all that we meet and love them. Share Jesus, well that's pretty obvious, we should share Jesus with all that we meet.

And here after such a great youth rally as always, we have new fire in our hearts, new determination, and increased passion to spread God's Word with our friends. To do all that we can to serve God. I love this feeling, the problem is that it dies way to soon. We go back to school or work and fall back into the same ol' patterns of life. Stick with it!

Top Winterfest Memories
10. "Kyle was mean in bed" Tyler Ford
9. Getting pulled over by the cops
8. The OC Drama Group
7. Surf's Up (it figures Jake would like the hippie chicken)
6. Set your phone's alarm to 3:16
5. Is Tim gonna be 40 or 50?
4. Nicknames in the van
3. Jellybellies are awesome!
2. Getting to know everyone a little better, both Stillwater and Agape Y/G's are awesome
1. Know, Be, See, and Share Jesus!

Long Time No Write

Sorry it's been so long since I wrote y'all. It has been busy, busy, busy. Christmas break was awesome, I got to see a lotta people that I haven't seen in about a year. It was also nice to get some relax time in. I got to see all of my family which was great too. Went to J.R.'s wedding, it was great and I wish him and jenny all the best.

Tomorrow I leave for Dallas for Winterfest, thats going to be a lot of fun. Last year we didn't get to go b/c of ice, but this year God has set good weather before us.

I'm not really gonna go over everything else thats been going on, b/c well, that's more typing than I really wanna do. But I am gonna start keeping up w/ writing on this thing more often.

Take care, say a prayer, and praise God.

peace
adam