A Fine Day

It has been quite a day...  I've just felt like I've accomplished a lot today... This evening Todd Smith (an elder) and I went to see a young girl about coming to Youth Group.  We ended up talking for an hour with both her and her mom, just telling stories, laughing and joking around.  It was really neat.  She's a very laid back young lady, one of those few people who can literally talk to anyone for hours.  Then I came home, grabbed a bite from McD's and drove to play some Halo 2 with the  guys... And finally arriving home at 10:20pm... Now I'm still up and rambling... haha... I'm excited again about the ministry.  Every once and a while I need a jolt to the head to get my mind in the right place and I think today was one of those times.  Thanks God, In His Service, Isaiah 

Long Time No Post...

Currently Reading: Hunger for God by John Piper

Sorry I haven't updated for quite a while... we've been pretty busy. Last weekend we went to Julesburg, CO to see my brother (who was down from California) and to celebrate some birthdays. We were in Julesburg a grand total of 5 hours, and drove back the 7 hours to Riverton so that we could make Church (and the business meeting) Sunday.

This week has been kind've hectic, but not overly so. I've taught at least one hour every day this week at Lights On, and that's a very good thing as I get $18 an hour when I teach... (wooh). This Friday (tomorrow) Lights On is heading up to Cody, WY to see the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum (3 hours drive up, 1 hour there, 3 hours drive back)... another run-around day... But it'll be fun, b/c the drive will be a good time to just chill and read some books, play NES games, and watch a movie on my Palm Zire 72... hehe.

As for the ministry, tonight is of course Youth Group, and I'm looking forward to it... it should be a blast. We started a new service project for the youth group called "Good for Nothing." The youth are volunteering to do something good for someone for free (for nothing), so they are Good for Nothing! I'm also realizing that we have been focusing on ministering and not so much on outreach to those not in youth group. I'm working on things that will balance that out more. Well, I need to get ready to take Sara to work...

In Christ,

Isaiah

Winter White Wash Day 2

Today was the big skiing day... and boy was it fun. Well, that's what I heard from the kids, as I didn't ski because I'm sick. But I did get to go out and watch the several youth (and sponsors) fall on their bottoms, and even get video of said falling... hehe. It was a lot of fun just watching them ski/board, but I really did wish I could've gone with them... maybe another time. This evening we went ice-skating also... and I forgot how fun that was... and was pleasantly surprised that for only my second time, I skated as well as I do on rollerblades (which, coincidentally isn't that well... hehe). Well, I just worked on the video for Winter White Wash for 3 hours... so I'm ready to bed...

God bless,

Isaiah

Winter White Wash - Day #1

We are now here in Casper, WY (in the Days Inn at this point). We arrived in Casper this morning about 11am. We ate wherever we wanted to (well, between Taco Bell, Arby's and McD's. Then we headed to Paradise Valley Christian School to register and start the whole rally experience. Don't ask about the nice "scenic route" that we took... well, you can ask one of the youth that came... ehe... it was the looooooong scenic route. The Main Session #1 was great, then we took a break and drove over to the Days Inn (with another loong scenic drive). Then we came back for another Main Session. The theme of the Weekend is "Get Focused" and Pat, the main speaker, is focusing (pun not intended) on Philippians. Then we had a youth group time, and talked. Then... the highlight of the day... We played "Who Wants To Be A Millionare" - Bible Version with all of the Youth Groups getting up and answering Bible questions... and... We Won! I'm so proud of the youth for winning tonight. And for the prize, we received Bible Outburst for our youth group and a cd. The weekend has been awesome and I'm looking forward to tomorrow...

Quote of the Day: "You can usually find some sweet stuff in the trash." - Daniel

God Bless,

Isaiah

A Nice Day...

.What a nice day... Even though I didn't sleep in, I still felt really refreshed. Sara and I cleaned a bit today, and went to see "Last Holiday" (which was surprisingly funny and clean!!). Then we headed to Wally for groceries and ended up meeting Dave and Ruth (Senior Minister and his wife) there. We had supper with them at Subway, and it was really nice to sit down with them and talk/laugh... All in all a great day! Thanks God! In Him, Isaiah Written on my Palm Zire 72

Youth Group and such and such

Youth Group was a blast last night... I really enjoyed it. We started off with a game where two youth raced to see who could open up an individually-wrapped piece of gum and blow a bubble the fastest. The trick was that they had to do this while wearing a pair of work gloves (large ones at that). It was pretty funny, but the funniest moment came when one of the youth tried to blow a bubble and accidently shot spit all over and hit me in the eye with some spearmint juice... mmmm... burning... Then we had the lesson that was about being aware of temptation and running from it... told a story about a young man who got carried away while kayaking, thought he could pull out just before he hit the waterfall and ended up going over. The lesson is to avoid those situations where we will be tempted, and to learn to "go ashore" before we are tempted... Other than that I have a day off from Lights On, but am still working on the website and youth ministry things. Someday I won't have to worry about having a second job, and this is what it will be like all the time... but that's for sometime in the future... Well, I better get back to work, In Him, Isaiah

If it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.

Acts 5:43-39 (5:34) But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. (5:35) And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. (5:36) For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. (5:37) After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. (5:38) So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; (5:39) but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God! " So they took his advice (ESV) Gamaliel spoke those words to a council of Pharisees who were deciding what to do with Peter and the other apostles... They had told them not to preach Jesus, and had even placed them in jail to try to stop them. Nothing the Pharisees had done would stop them. Why? Because what they spoke was of God. Is what we focus on in our lives of God or of men? If it is of men, we will fall on our faces... If it is of God, it will suceed... Is your life led by ideas of men or of God? In Him, Isaiah Written on my Palm Zire 72

Got the sickness? Sara and I do... sigh

This week has not been good for our health. Yesterday Sara came home early from work and is still off today because she is sick. Last night, I started showing the first signs of the same sickness... sigh. Hopefully I can knock it out before it causes me as much problems as it has Sara. Lights On is decidedly less crazy. The kids are doing well, and I think it is because they are back in the swing of things, finally used to going to Lights On again. It takes a few weeks for people to adjust to changes (even if off only a week). At least that is what I've noticed in my observations. The youth ministry is going well... and I'm actually ahead a week for lessons (I know, those who knew me in college are saying, "What? Isaiah the master procastinator?")... yes... I am ahead. I'm liking it quite a bit too... hehe. I have the lesson done for next week, and just need to finish the devotions (probably between tomorrow morn and Friday morning) and I'll be all ready for next week. Jade is, as always, growing... she now is quite larger than the largest dog I remember having when I was little (of course I don't remember them all)... but she is only just about 5 months now, so she has quite a bit more growing to do... She keeps getting out of the yard somehow, and I've yet to discover how. I know she was getting out underneath the shed, so I boarded that up, yet she still gets out somehow... I'm hoping she hasn't learned to jump the fence already. She easily clears the couches now... she's going to be a handful... haha. I have to get going. We have a Minister's prayer meeting here at the Church at 12pm. Many of the ministers of Riverton come and we pray together and talk about what is ailing our congregations/ourselves. It is really a great time of fellowship and encouragement. Well, I'm off.... In Him, Isaiah