New Series!

With the new year, brings new opportunities and a new lesson series! I'm really excited about the upcoming series entitled "LIFE". It is based off a book by Erwin McManus a guy I appreciate greatly!

This series will take us the whole way into the spring. We will be talking about things such as choices, initiative, uncertainty, Risk, Influence, and a bunch of other topics as well. You don't want to miss it!

Hope everyone is having a great Christmas break!

What the...?

So, every once in a while I'll try and keep up with the teenage culture because I'm getting older and losing touch with some of it. I read an article by the Barna Group, an organization of researchers who poll people and come up with conclusions on mainly Christian things. The company is run by a guy named George Barna. Today I read an article on 4 crazy findings of people and there faith. Take a look at this excerpt and then hear me out.

"The research discovered that people are reframing not just faith in general, but Christianity in particular. While slightly fewer adults - and many fewer teens - are identifying themselves as Christians these days, the image of the Christian faith has taken a beating. This battered image is the result of a combination of factors: harsh media criticism, "unchristian" behavior by church people, bad personal experiences with churches, ineffective Christian leadership amid social crises, and the like. The result is that those who choose to remain Christian - however they define it - are also reformulating the popular notion of what "Christian" and the Christian life mean. Some of those changes are producing favorable outcomes, while others are less appealing."

Why are people not calling themselves "Christians" or why aren't adults and ESPECIALLY teens not wanting to become Christians? The answer is shown right here. First, we can blame the media.

For example, recently I just watched "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" to see what the whole motive was behind it. I found that while the movie was funny, it portrayed a pastor getting into a fight with Adam Sandler because he was "homosexual". Yes, the media or the producer filmed it that way, but that is the way we as Christians are. DISCLAIMER: I am not in support of homosexuality!!!! But we are portrayed so badly in the world because of some people who take things way too far.

Why don't people want to be Christians? Because the people that are to be imitating Christ are not imitating Christ! Let me challenge you with that today!

Ephesians 5:1-2

WhyI Live

Last night, we started the new series WhyI. Through the various weeks we will check out why we do the things we do. It's a very exciting series that I am totally stoked to start.

Last night's topic was Why I Live. Some may ask the question, what is my purpose? Why am I living? For some, that question was answered last night. For some, well, they may have to look a little deeper.

I want to reinforce something that was taught last night. So many of us want to know what our purpose is, but don't chase after it. What is it going to take for you to go after something.

Last night we talked about existing vs. living. I said that there may be some that are sitting in the chairs that are just existing. They are here to be born, grow up, get through school, college, get a good job, get married, have kids, and die with no purpose except for getting through life. Then we have the opposite side of the spectrum. We have teens that are avid followers of Christ who go and seek out what their purpose may be.

I challenge you to go out, get off your butt and look to see what God has for you. Try things! Read the Bible, pray about it. What does God have in store for you?

Reach for it. Grab it. Run with it.

Exciting Things Happening!!!

Well, it's been a while since I've posted and I'm sorry. Some crazy cool things are happening at Imitate and in case you haven't been with us for a while, let me share with you some of these things.

First, this past Wednesday we formed our small groups. I'm really excited about these groups and I think you all should too. We have four groups led by four excellent leaders and I'm excited to get them off of the ground. I hope you all are excited too and will take full advantage of these times.

Second, we had our barn party this past Friday. It was rockin'! We had a couple people come in and do some break dancing as well as a suprise by Godsent, a Christian rapper, who came and gave us a little taste of Christian hip-hop.

Third, we had a great time at the Family Force 5 Concert on Sunday! It was blast and everyone had a great time jumpin' around and having a great time.

Finally, we are starting a new series this Wednesday called WhyI. This new series will take a look at why we do the things we do. I'm excited for this series. I'm excited to study for this series, and I hope that you are ready to hear what God has to say through this series. So come join us on Wednesday nights as we find out why we do the things we do!

I truly believe God has big plans for the youth group and I cannot wait to see what He is going to do. Keep praying for the Lord to lead this youth group where he would like it to be.

Challenged

Today, I returned to LBC for a chapel. The reason I went to the chapel is because I was asked by an awesome friend, Todd Henley, to be there to support him as he talked about discipleship. The crazy thing is that what challenged me today wasn't the aspect of discipleship to a degree, but being challenged on confessing.

Todd shared that so many of us ask for forgiveness for stuff and say we will never do it again, but end up going back to the same sin and committing the same sin again. I don't know how many times that this has happened to me.

I urge you guys to look at how you are confessing sin. Sin is hard to get rid of, BUT you can get rid of it. So, when I ask for forgiveness from God from here on out, I want to be careful that I do not go back and do it again, because in a sense, this means I didn't really ask for forgiveness for real the first time.

It seems like a simple concept, but really, truly think about it.

Imitate Unleashed

Hello All!

I hope all of you are having a great start to the week. I hope you are also enjoying our kickoff series "Imitate Unleashed".

This series has been started to tell you what the youth group is all about being. Imitate would like to be a place that is loving, respecting, service-oriented, and reaching.

This week we are going to take a look at serving. So, with that being said, what does the word "serve" mean to you? What is "serving" in your eyes?

Remember, you do NOT need a blog to comment.

Tell Me What You Think...

Read these lyrics, come Wednesday, September 5 and see if these lyrics sound familiar. Leave some comments. YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A BLOG TO LEAVE COMMENTS! Please let me know what you think even if it is past Wednesday!

One

By U2

Is it getting better

Or do you feel the same

Will it make it easier on you now

You got someone to blame

You say...

One love

One life

When it's one need

In the night

One love

We get to share it

Leaves you baby if you

Don't care for it

Did I disappoint you

Or leave a bad taste in your mouth

You act like you never had love

And you want me to go without

Well it's...

Too late

Tonight

To drag the past out into the light

We're one, but we're not the same

We get to

Carry each other

Carry each other

One...

Have you come here for forgiveness

Have you come to raise the dead

Have you come here to play Jesus

To the lepers in your head

Did I ask too much

More than a lot

You gave me nothing

Now it's all I got

We're one

But we're not the same

Well we

Hurt each other

Then we do it again

You say

Love is a temple

Love a higher law

Love is a temple

Love the higher law

You ask me to enter

But then you make me crawl

And I can't be holding on

To what you got

When all you got is hurt

One love

One blood

One life

You got to do what you should

One life

With each other

Sisters

Brothers

One life

But we're not the same

We get to

Carry each other

Carry each other

One...life

One

Old School Knockout!

So, I'm checking out this book today and ya know how the author always puts quotes right underneath the chapter number and they are usually insightful? Well, I was reading through this book and came across this quote from Thomas A Kempis:

"Although we cannot always preserve our recollection, yet we must do so from time to time, and at least once a day, either in the morning or in the evening. In the morning form your intention, and at night examine your conduct, what you have done, said, adn though during the day, for in each of these you may have often offended both God and your neighbor."

While I do not agree with all of what A Kempis stood for, this quote knocked me out like Rocky.

We should totally wake up with the intention of doing things, yes, but do we take a look back on our day and realize what actually happened? I know I don't do this, but it is something I'm gonna try. I think if we look back on our day and see that we hurt God or our neighbor, it is kind of like a gut check to see how well we are following God's Word.

With saying that, I urge that of course you cannot be perfect, but maybe you are hurting God or your neighbor a lot more than you know. This would be a perfect way to fix some of those problems.

Just something to think about.

Back From Camp!

Well, as the title states, I am back from Camp and back in the office. Camp was amazing! This was my first year at a church camp EVER! It was a great experience.

I had arrived on Saturday night after a long day and was greeted by many cool people. Sunday morning we got to sleep in a little bit and then figured out our day. The week was absolutely outstanding! The times of worship and sessions challenged me and the campfires were an added bonus!

I could tell you so much about camp, but I'll sum it up with what one teen said that made the whole weekend worth the sleepless nights and busy days.

"I came to camp with evil in my heart, I'm leaving camp with Jesus in my heart". What an amazing statement! Praise God for how he works in our lives as well as other peoples! God Bless!

Favorite Things

Recently, I saw a pastor's blog letting his congregation know of his favorite things, so I thought I'd do the same:

Favorite:

Sport: Football
Football Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Baseball Team: Baltimore Orioles
Basketball Team: Philadelphia 76ers
College Team: Virginia Tech Hokies
State: Maryland
Radio Station: 90.3 WJTL
Current TV Drama: House
Classic Sitcom: Saved By the Bell
Trip: Thailand
Sandwich: Cheese Steak with French Fries in it from Cravings Deli
Spiritual Hero: Billy Graham
Author: Andy Stanley
American President: George W. Bush
Event in American History: Revolutionary War
Bible Character: Nehemiah
Hobby: Sports and playing with my new puppy
Day Off Activity: Hanging out with my fiancee, soon to be wife!
Soda: Barq's Root Beer
Landmark: Any Lighthouse
Cereal: Yogurt Burst Cheerios
Candy Bar: Mr. Goodbar
Holiday: Christmas
Flavor of Ice Cream: Black Raspberry
Salad Dressing: Caesar
Pie: Apple
Hot Drink: Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks
Movie of all Time: Dumb and Dumber
Collection: Lighthouses
Coffee: Coffee Company's Featured Flavor
Bible Verse: Deuteronomy 31:8
Cake: Orange Creamsicle Cake
News Source: ESPN Sportscenter :)
Person: My fiancee

First Post!

Hey Guys! I hope to keep this blog updated a couple times a week, so you can get a glimpse into my life and what I may be studying or thinking. I hope that we can communicate over this blog as well. I have it set up so that you don't have to have your own blog to post a comment! God bless guys and I'll see you Sunday!