A Musical Journey Through My Life

So I wanted to take a quick journey through my life using a few key songs that represent where I was at that time. I'm going to try to be as transparent as I can, so enjoy.

So I wanted to start with: Green Day - When I Come Around.


This song was on the first CD I ever bought called "Dookie." I got it in 1994 from good ol' Blue Tone Records that used to be in the Trappe shopping center. This was the fun loving punk attitude that I had from the age of 8. It's funny teaching kids in foxes and frogs who like green day, and were born 6 years after I bought this cd. Things were good at this time. My aunt referred this CD to me at the weekly family gatherings that we used to have. This song only lasted so long before things got a little more dark.

This leads me to the next song that I played often: Limp Bizkit - Faith


This song came blaring from my speakers though the years of my life I like to call the "dark ages". These are the years that are right in the middle of some really awful fights with my father and when my mother was in the middle of fighting alcoholism and my sister was leaving the house to go to college. I fit in with some friends who were really big into being "Gothic" and into really loud angry music. The influence that these friends had on me at this time was almost embarrassing as I look back.

All of these moments lead me to this song that changed my life: Simple Plan - Perfect


Still before anyone in my family had found God there were a lot of issued between me and my dad. The only time we interacted was at 4 in the morning. He was getting up to go to work, and I was about to go to bed. Things had gotten so bad at this point that one morning I had given him my Walkman (yes, a portable cd player) with a CD in it that I had burnt with one song on it... this one. Some of the words read, "Hey Dad look at me, Think back and talk to me. Did I grow up according To plan? Do you think I'm wasting My time doing things I Wanna do? But it hurts when you Disapprove all along..." I think things between us changed from that day on, things got a little bit easier... or at least I found a new way to deal with it...

This brought me into the party days... The song that goes with this time is Chumbawamba - Tubthumping


I like to call these the "party years". Those years with stupid hook ups, drinking, bad grades, a ton of friends, and no real reason to have any responsibilities. I had a car, a job, some money, and endless possibilities. I thought I was cool during these years. Probably the only years I thought I was cool for that much. I chased Melissa throughout these years and it usually ended up with her saying no, and me going drinking with the boys. It all came to a crashing halt when I got in trouble with the police at a party. I felt like my life had become completely meaningless with no purpose. From that point on I ended up randomly on a Christian retreat in Tennessee where two days later I ended up being what I never thought I would be... A Christian...

This leads me to my next song: Kristian Stanfill - Jesus Paid It All


The next couple years of my life can only be described as a modern day miracle. During these years I grew incredibly in my faith. I asked Melissa to go out with me, and haven't let go since. I decided to go into youth ministry, then later on took control of the very same youth ministry that I found Jesus at. I toured the country with CIY. I made the best friends in the world at Eastern University. I traveled to Fiji and New Zealand chasing God, and I could not have been happier.

This leads me to the last song on my journey... one that I have posted before: I'm Yours - Jason Mraz


I have been chillin and exploring life ever since. I hope to spend the next couple of years on endless adventures that hopeful end up with me relaxing somewhere beautiful with people I enjoy... who knows. My life still has many songs that are yet to be played... until then...

Fit For a Queen.

I never thought when your parents and friends tell you to aim high with girls that I was ever going to aim that high, and that I especially was going to win over the heart of any of those kind of girls. Has anyone ever told you not to go for someone because they are in fact "way out of your league." Well you know what... I went for one way out of my league... and many years, many dollars and lots of hard work later, I get to see just how lucky I really am.

I went to Melissa's homecoming this past weekend, and it was quite the busy day. You know how you think your girlfriend/wife is the greatest thing since sliced bread. And all of you guys think that because to you she is the greatest!

I however managed to grab a girl that really is that special.

NOT to my surprise Melissa had won Homecoming Queen. I couldn't tell you how many times I kept saying to myself, "Adam... she is way out of your league." As the five million guys come up to me telling me how lucky I am, I just kept saying, "Adam... she is way out of your league."

This word goes out to all of you hopeless romantics out there. When you find a girl that is truly worth it, when you find the girl that is truly Godly, when you find the girl that loves people so much, you go get her. You keep loving that girl until eventually she sees the love that is worthy for even a queen...

CORNY ALERT: Right after Melissa won, she left the field and everyone and their sister was coming up to her to congratulate her and take pictures with her. One mother came up to Melissa and said: "mommy, I want to go see the princess...". It was the most adorable thing in the world. The funny thing is, that little girl got just a little glance of how I see her every day!

John Mccain, Barack Obama and Jesus Christ

John Mccain:

His amount of experience is irrefutable. People say that with age comes experience, well then he should have a whole lot of that. Everything from his years of service and being a POW to his years serving in the senate, he has certainly been around the block. He is obviously a worthy person for office. If he can make it through what he has been through in the last couple of months, then I am certain he can make it through a term as president.

Barack Obama:

I obviously support Barack because he brings something completely new to this country. Many people look to him for "hope" and "healing" in a country that has been very hurt. Watching the debates you would never know his lack of experience, and his ability to speak and connect with his audience makes him a great candidate for this years election. Almost every country in the world is rooting for this man to win the election, because they see him as someone who can repair. When you watch movies like Hotel Rowanda, what candidate do you see most likely to get involved and help?

BUT...

Here is the mistake that people are starting to make... YES, a new president can do some really good things for this country, YES it is a really good thing to look forward to that kind of change...

But if you think that is really going to get that much better, you have been severely mistaken.

What you need is not a new President... What you need is a Savior.

Yes, I know that sounds "churchy" as crap, but when you start to hear people saying that they are looking to a human for "healing", then I have to tell it like it is... Ultimately, Jesus is going to be the only thing that flips this hurting world around. So yes, you should get involved with the presidential race and look forward to the change they can bring out. But please do not put too much hope in something or someone who is human enough to let you down...

Remembering To Be Immature...

Sunday night, Melissa is speaking on the stage, so I take my normal position in the "hot spots" of the audience. I normally position myself right behind the group that will most likely be the most disruptive. As predicted they were chatting and giggling throughout the message, perhaps not taking in parts of a sermon that could change their lives! After that I got them all together and looked at all of them and said, "guys... you were so disruptive to the speaker. I don't want to see this again, I think you awe her an apology." That was it... in an instant I made myself 20 years older.

Lets fast forward, Now I sit here... The night before a very large test in "Jesus and the Gospels". I am in my very good friend Josh's dorm room. We have probably messed around 95% of the night, and I have probably studied 5% of the time. We went and played ping pong, talked about life and watched pointless YouTube videos... including this one like 5 times that made us both laugh for the majority of the night, check it out:



Want to know how much of me regrets it? 0%. Ultimately I am not going to remember this test in this class. Perhaps I will remember some of the information. I know I will pass this test, but probably not with flying colors if I don't study more. I will remember spending the whole night messing around with one of my boys. I will remember trying to imitate the guy from the video you just watched, and thinking about buying one of his shirts.

I used to love this movie named "Van Wilder" in my high school days. I would not necessarily recommend this movie to anyone who is a student or over 30. It's a movie you want to watch if you are somewhat amused by crude humor and you don't feel like thinking much. When I was young and dumb I looked up to this Van Wilder character... He wasn't a very hard worker, but I felt like he had life down to a tee. At one point in the movie he is sitting with this very goal oriented girl in a empty hockey rink and he just says, "Gwen, you can never take life too seriously, or you'll never make it out alive."

Well you know what... I think he's got something there. When you start to take life too seriously you sweat the small stuff, you yell when you should laugh, you miss the small moments of life that are hardly ever enjoyed, and you rush a stressful life that will ultimately be your demise.

I think God also wants us at times to spend the night messing around, and spend other times studying for hours. When you find your life becoming too serious, just remember the wise words of Van Wilder, and lighten up.

Holy CRAP I just found the clip... Watch It... NOW:

Holy SH**

TIMEOUT! Before you shut off your computer and deem me a heathen, I wanted to take a chance to talk about another one of those things that don't necessarily get talked about in todays church circles all to often... swearing. (or cussin' if you're from the south.)

I want to talk about a famous sermon from Tony Campolo. Throughout my journey around the country last summer with Christ in Youth, I was around many Bible College students. Many of these students asked me what college I went to, and I proceeded to tell them Eastern University. My school if definately famous for being very liberal, and being the home of Tony Campolo. You can imagine the impact his sermons may have in the conservative Bible Belt of America. His Sermon went as followed:

Walks on stage...

Alright ladies and gentleman, I have three simple points for you all today...

1) The first fact is that 25,000 children will die today from starvation.

2) My second fact is that you people just don't give a shit.

3) And my third fact is that almost all of you in this room care more that I said 'shit' in fact two, than you care about fact one....

Walks off stage...

You have to admit, he had a bit of a point there. I mean, I think we have turned swearing into one of those "super sins." And you know what I'm talking about. Drinking alcohol, dancing, missing a week of church, swearing... I'm talking about those things you can do around your non-christian friends and not think twice. However if you do them in your Christian circle... you have all eyes on you!

I want to turn to the Bible, but then I wan't to really ask ourselves what it is saying.

James 3:7-10 says:

7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

So those are some pretty strong words. The first thing that catches my eye is the power of an "untamed tongue." It is a restless evil full of deadly poison. Hey I want you to think of that next time you french kiss someone.

Hey baby... so... do you wanna run our untamed tongues fill of restless evil and deadly poison.?

Let me know how that one goes for you.

So anyway... It also tells us that we do good with our tongue, and we also do bad. "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing." A lot of times when we read that we're like. OH YEAH. We do worship, and then we go home and say the infamous "F" word (DUN DUN DUN). Well... I don't think that is necessarily what it's saying. Like I said, when you are with your Christian friends, and you drop the F bomb, everyone is just in awe. But answer me this...

Why do we not have the same reaction when we are in that same circle and somone in gossiping about someone else? Why do we not have the same reaction when someone is talking about something that dishonors God. How come when we do these things we don't have the whole group looking at us in disbelief, and there is a whole line of people ready to call you out.

I feel like at times the traditional church can steer us into the wrong direction when picking what battles we pick to fight. Note that I am not saying swearing is okay. How others see you is important when you are a man or woman in faith. They want to see you striving to be holy, and some people who may not understand can quickly write you off if you have a foul mouth. On that same spectrum, I know a good friend of mine who ministers to so many troubled people that I never could. She has a bad mouth, but connects with people in such an incredible way. These people would never think that she is sinful with her words because she is constantly lifting people up.

So I leave you with this... Next time you are about to call someone out for cursing. Think twise about it and ask some of these questions. Are you calling out the other sins in their life that are actually destructive in nature? If two people are having a conversation, and one is gossiping, and the other uses swear words, who is really in the wrong? Is swearing wrong if it is in a positive connotation? There is technically nothing negative about it right? (ex. Hell yeah!)Are you looking for the speck in a friends eye, when you have a plank in your own?

What do you think about swearing?

Wow... These People Are So Rich!

Friday night had to be one of the more uncomfortable evenings that I have had in quite some time. On Friday I was invited by Melissa to join her to the Albright College Trustees Dinner. They were celebrating a successful campaign to raise money for the school... I couldn't help but walk in the door and think... Wow... these people are so rich...

Now don't get me wrong, it was for an amazing cause. These people gave sooo much money so that future students have opportunities that they would have not been able to have any other way. And Albright does a great job to do that exact thing. I just wanted to clarify that I don't know these people, but I DO know that they are huge givers, and I admire them.

Going on, have you ever walked in a door and immediately felt completely out of place. Well then you felt a lot like I did that night, or at least for a little bit.

Let me take you back a little. Growing up, most people are constantly being wired and told that you need to be successful, you need to make a lot of money, and you have to get as comfortable as you possibly can. Well, I was told that. My parents wanted me to be successful so I didn't have to deal with the financial struggles that they deal with. Relatives want you to get rich so you won't have to fight with your spouse about money. People and school want you to get smart so you can go to a good college and then get a high end job where you can make a ton of money, then in turn be happy.

Well when you are wired that way for your whole life, it is a hard thing to unwire.

The second God laid it on me that I was built for something so much bigger, I had to let all of that go. I had to learn that nothing I will ever have is coming with me after it all ends. I had to learn that I can never find hope in any THING. I can never be saved by any thing. They will give you some temporary happiness... but permanent joy you will not find.

I really learned what is was like to truly be happy like when I was in Fiji, and I drank rain water, bathed with well water and ate what we grew. I learned what it means to truly have when I got to go a build a house for a beautiful family in Juarez, Mexico.

It's funny because when I was at the trustees dinner, I would look around at the dozens of people who have given so much money and I would say... Wow... these people are SO RICH... I would miss all of the giving, and huge hearts of these people, and just wonder how they have so much.

It's kind of ironic, because when I was in Mexico, when we were surrounded by all of the local people at the dedication ceremony it was kind of the same thing. Even thought we were doing the same thing that the trustees were doing, building them a place to live and learn, when they walked in, they probably thought the same thing... Wow... These people are so rich.

So here I am... Months later learning that I have this whole wealth thing backwards. This Mexican family, they have each other. They have what they need to survive and they depend on each other for the rest. They were such a happy bunch. I have never seen a kid smile as much as when we gave him a soccer ball...

So I sit here at my desk... and I think about this whole wealth thing, and materialism, and the battle for class and status. But then my mind turns to that family in Mexico and it hits me, Wow... These people are so rich.

Palin vs. Miss North Carolina

Did these two go to the same school?

Miss North Carolina



And of course Mrs. Palin.



Enough Said...

Abortion, Politics, Fame and ALL THINGS FUN!

Tonight was a very interesting and sporatic night. I was outside of the caffeteria tonight when someone handed me a piece of paper saying that Donald Miller was going to be speaking at our school tonight. There were two things that I thought were very cool about that. ONE - Donald Miller is an incredible author who wrote one of my favorites, "Blue Like Jazz." This book is cool because it is the book that I would hand to anyone who is interested in Christianity. He is a real person and he writes it like he feels it. TWO - He was coming to represent Barack Obama and talk politics with a bunch of fired up political college students.

That is a dangerous gig if you ask me.

ESPECIALLY because he decided to talk about the dreaded A word... Oh yeah... Abortion.

He has worked with Barack for quite some time now. He found out how faith is a huge part of life and wanted to get involved with what he was doing. He made note that Barack is the only senator with a Faith Initiative Group inside of his office. I thought that was neat.

Anyway, things got very heated in the auditorum with a woman who wanted to let Mr. Miller know how she felt about abortion. He was explaining in a nut shell that it isn't that Obama likes abortion. He hates it, but is a realitic person. He believes that the way to go would not be to try to attempt the nearly impossible to overturn Roe v Wade. Even in countries where it is illegal the numbers aren't much different. He wants to starts with initiative plans to help teen pregnancies and mentorship with tax initiatives for the men involved. He is starting a program called 95-10. I believe it is to reduce abortions by 95% in 10 years. There is a lot more that I could learn about this, but you should check it out also!

NOW DO NOT SHOOT THE MESSENGER. I just thought it was bold that he travels the country taking on what people are scared to talk about. After things got pretty heated you KNOW that I had to ease the tention. I simply raised my hand and when I got called on said "Umm... I think I'm going to have to go ahead and change the subject." The whole crowed applauded. I was then able to ask questions about how the future president is going to be able to help me pay for college. Interesting stuff! So yes... It was a night full of adventure.

1 - I got a new insight on the one thing I was leaning with in voting for Obama.

2 - I got to talk to Donald Miller (whom I am a big fan of)

3 - And I got to ease the tension in a room of 400 people.

Thats a good night for me!

If you have any more Obama questions or rebukes... check out Obama's plans at BarackObama.com. I do not argue politics on my blog. I don't ask you to agree, just to think and enjoy!

Why Students Think No One Cares...

I couldn't even tell you how many times I have students that hit rock bottom because they just feel like no one cares. It is one of the hardest things to hear as someone who works directly with youth, because no matter what you tell them... they are still going to feel like no one cares about their hearts. I wanted to explore this idea a little more, and perhaps get to the root of the evil so we can fight it together more effectively. So here are a few things that I have come up with on my journey...

Reasons why these teens think that no one cares:

1) Bad Parenting - Oh man... He said it. I know what you are thinking... Adam, how could you possibly say something like that when you have never had kids! Well friends... I have never jumped into liquid hot magma either, but I would still not recommend swimming in it. One of the first things I hear from any student who feels like no one cares about what is going on in their life or the pain that they have is "my dad is always so busy", or "my mom just yells at me all of the time". Well parents... I have two recommendations for you. First, I understand being a parent is tough, and sometimes you have to raise your voice. I may not be a parent, but I have to deal with 150 teens weekly... it's a job. Try LISTENING to your kids. Not just listening, but really LISTENING. You don't need to say anything... just listen, it can change your kids life. My second recommendation, get your ass off the blackberry, and go love on your kid. (if you are a student, I was referring to a donkey...yea...) I am sorry for the strong language, but I can not emphasize this enough. There is no possible way I could get this across in simple text. So many teens feel so lost from their parent not being there to listen and guide when necessary...

So now that anyone over 21 hates me... I want to continue to my second reason why students think that no one cares.

2 ) Few actually do - It is so frustrating living in a world where the number one goal is to usually look out for "number one." The whole Bible is littered with instructions on how to love people: To listen to them, to put others above yourself, to serve people especially when it isn't convenient and to love those that are especially difficult to love. If you think that you have this down... then student ministries at CCV would love to have you! I feel like we all need to go to the roots of loving people and do it abundantly.

We have a leader at our youth group who gets frustrated at times when they feel like they one of the few having the really tough conversations... The ones where students drop a bomb on you. If we had more people who were up to the challenge of CARING, then it wouldn't be as difficult of a task!

3) Self Reliability - For this one I am guilty as charged. If I have a problem, I don't want to lay them on anyone else. I guess you could say that I hold it in. I always have to feel confident and strong and seem like I have it all together. Well many students are the same way. They feel like they have to have it together, they have to have it figured out. Well this may be big news to some and old news to the more wise... but we DEFINITELY DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER. Especially in your teen years, these are the years of messing up and learning from your mistakes. These are the years of questioning things and doubting things in order to grow. As Christians we need to begin to set an example of transparency.

Listen... say it with me... "I do not have my crap together... neither do you... and that is OK with me..." Didn't that feel good?

I am not saying we all have to be pansies. Men... We in no way have to resemble Mr. Rogers because we are showing that we are weak. I REAL MEN can admit his weaknesses and show those around him that he is striving to better that weakness.

So whether you are a teen or a parents perhaps some of this insight was helpful... or perhaps just frustrating. But either way I just wanted to end telling you that I CARE... Do you?

Just how much is 700 Billion Dollars?

If you are like me, then you are very aware of the current economic "distress" that our country is battling with right as we speak. About five minutes ago I just witnessed the House pass the one time rejected 700 billion dollar bailout plan to save the unethical banks. Only this time it passed because it has all of the bells and whistles that it needs. So I thought to myself... Self... Just how much money is 700 Billion dollars. I means... It's just fun to say...

Think Dr. Evil here...

(Pinky finger pointed at your lips) Seven-Hundred-BILLLLLION ZILLION FAFILLION Dollars!

Let me break it down for you, with 700 Billion dollars we can:

~~Have 12 Bill Gateses

~~We could give $2,300 to every man, woman and child in the country.

~~We could buy almost ALL of the circulated coins and bills in the country.

~~We could build a stack of dollar bills that goes 1/5 of the way TO THE MOON.

~~We could take 700 years of all of Mcdonald's hamburgers sold.

~~We could buy 39 million Ford F-150's.

~~We could buy 350 fully functional Space Ships!

AND UNFORTUNATELY

~~We could cover the whole 2007 budget of the U.S. department of health and human services

~~It's NINE times the amount spent on education last year.

~~It's 35 times the amount spent on all foreign aid most years AND LAST OF ALL

~~It's about the same amount of money given to all charitable organizations in any two year span...

~~Last but not least, it is the total yearly income of most youth pastors in America... (go ahead... keep a strait face when you say that one)



Man... that's a lot of dough. CHECK THE VID!

Maintinaing the momentum.. Not Yo Mama's Small Group

It is really easy to gain momentum or have a spiritual "high" when you are put in a position that breeds those feelings. From the very first time the idea came out of taking a group of us that want to Juarez, Mexico and turning it into a small group or HomeTeam I will admit I was a bit skeptical. Let me tell you why:

When people come together and have some type of "high" experience such as missions trips, conferences etc... They try to recreate or find that same feeling that they had in that particular circumstance.

We certainly had an INCREDIBLE time on the trip, but then it was time to come back and then face the real world. I wasn't sure how it was going to pan out. Everyone on the trip stated that they wanted to continue to feel the way they did down there, but year round. That is a hard thing to do...

Nearly impossible.

BUT, something truly incredible has come out of the whole deal. About two months back we thought we would give it a try. We would form a small group. However, there was one decision made that was the difference between failure and success... We did it OUR way.

Now this group is obviously a group of people with a heart for feeling uncomfortable, taking risk, giving to the poor and getting dirty if we had to. So knowing that, why would we take every week and just spend it just talking about those things. We would utilize those things instead! We spent several weeks just getting our roots planted and then from there are looking to do a service bit every other week. I couldn't be happier with this incredibly diverse and talented group of people of all ages, shapes and backgrounds. I look forward to spending lots of time serving with them

If you are looking for a HomeTeam, look on the moviechurch.com website and go to connect, then adults! Or check out OUR Hometeam at ServeHometeam.com

Also, enjoy this little video I just found of right before we left for Mexico.

Jacked Up Priorities... We All Have Em'

From time to time it is important to have a little reminder in your life that you are getting your priorities messed up. I am sitting here in the Biard Library at Eastern studying for my Spanish test that I have at 12. I could pull my hair out right now. Some of this Spanish mine as well be gibberish. I am getting so frustrated because I really want to get a good grade in this class! I want to get a good grade in all my classes. If not to impress my family and friends, but to have more job options. Perhaps it's to prove to people that I am capable of such grades while still working full time. Or last of all it is because in the Bible it says that we should do everything as we would for the Lord.

I think I have it all wrong. I am stressing over quite possibly the dumbest thing ever. Let me throw you my priorities real quick.

1) God... My relationship with him, applying him to every part of my life, acknowledging that He is the only thing that will be consistent throughout eternity.

2) Family... Family is and in most cases should be the most meaningful and worked on relationships in your life. As far as this world goes, this is your support and people that will be there for you when everyone else isn't. Plus, my mom makes SICK grilled cheese.

3) Melissa... This is not just a normal friend. This is who I believe I will be spending a very long time with. She's my best friend and well, an obvious very important relationship. She will possibly be moving up the ranks sooner or later. ; )

4) Friends & Students... Taking care and loving on these people in my life is a very important thing. Jesus spent most of his life taking care of these people.

5) Everyone Else

6) Me... Taking care of myself falls in here.

7) Work... I love my job and I take it very seriously. The well fare of many teens depends on me and Frank and April and whoever doing their jobs well.

8) School... I guess a stupid piece of paper (degree) matters so much to this country that this priority has to fall here.

WHAT ARE YOURS?

So there they are... I am sitting here worrying about, and dumping all of this time into something that isn't even in my top 5 priorities. I'm sorry, I just don't believe that "there is a time for everything, including being a student" is a good excuse to EVER neglect what is truly important in your life...

As for doing everything as I would for God... well this verse makes a little more sense of that... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend upon your own understanding. In everything you do, acknowledge Him and he will direct your path." -Proverbs 3:5

I can say that in any situation God would choose the path that brings love. It is our greatest command and our most ultimate goal. I think that perhaps instead of worrying about a test that I know I will pass, I can spend the time I would have spent worrying doing something productive like chatting with a friend. For chatting with a friend is something that I have neglected big time in the last 6 months. For that I am ashamed, but am starting to lean not on my own understanding.

FILL IN THE BLANK

I spent so much time doing _______ or worrying about ________ that I missed out on some much needed time I could have had _________ .



IF YOUR PRIORITIES ARE DIFFERENT THAN MINE... LEAVE A COMMENT LISTING YOUR PRIORITIES

Already Beatled Out

So if you were lucky enough to be present at CCV on Sunday, you were lucky enough to get to hear me sing! Yes, I said sing. About a week ago, Ben and Frank approached April, Alex and I and said "guys... I need you to learn three Beatles songs by Sunday... and expect to be in all of the services." OH CRAP. That is exactly what I thought. The last time I listened to the Beatles is when I went to a Beatlemania concert at Ursinus when I was like ten. I just want to set it straight... After losing the first round, I wondered why I was beat by the force of Alex Stenman... and I was told that if you want to win... Suck! So I hope you enjoyed that wonderful performance. After this series, "everything I learned, I learned from the Beatles," I hope to maybe like them just a bit more. And if you are just looking for someone to sing every word of Hey Jude, Let It Be, or Yesterday, just let me know!

A Conversation with Satan and God...

(45 minutes prior to speaking the message at CCV this evening)

Adam: I am so sick of these people acting stupid...

Satan: You should be... No one who acts like that deserves to get treated well in return.

God: Adam, you know everyone deserves love... what about that sermon you gave on Love?

Satan: God, are you kidding me... Adam, just because you are a Christian doesn't mean you have to let people walk all over you...

Adam: You're right...

God: Adam, remember what my Son went through to show his love? I think you can take some teens acting their age...

Adam: I feel like I can only take so much before I hit a breaking point...

Satan: (seeing an opportunity) Have you ever thought about not doing ministry? I mean... you would be good at a lot of other things... You shouldn't have to deal with this.

God: Satan, you watch yourself... This is not one of those undecided humans with a house built on sand. Adam... you know you can get through this. Every hard day you have had has always made you stronger.

Adam: Why do I feel so angry today.

Satan: Because you feel like you are responsible for all these people that I already won over.

God: Adam... Look at me... Ignore him... Look at me... I am holding you up as you are falling down... I promise to help you back up... I am here with you for the long haul... I will give you the strength you need to overcome... I have given you specific gifts to do my specific work... All of these things I have promised you, and all of these things I will fulfill. I love you. Lift your head my son. Let's move towards the stage... Hold my hand while you are speaking tonight, and I will give you the words you need.

Satan: Are you going to buy tha....

Adam: (interrupting) ENOUGH... this is one man of God you may not touch... and one battle you will always lose... leave this place now... God I am sorry... I know I fall short, yet you love me anyway. Let's do this...

A Healthy Reminder

One thing in the student ministry world that is always a must, is that you understand the different things that teens are going through. In the wise words of my adviser and famous youth ministry guru Duffy Robbins, "we must find a way to be relevant without being relativistic..."

Going on, I was lucky enough to spend my Friday night with an incredible lifelong friend, my cousin, Brad Poley. Brad is a Junior at Bloomsburg University. Brad can be seen in almost every one of my childhood pictures. He's one of those people that you know will always be there, as family should.

Throughout my evening with him I was able to see a little bit of the past that I was a part of before, the party scene. We played a little jam session in his apartment packing tons of people in to have some drinks and to maybe sing along. I got to witness some all too familiar scenarios. I remember seeing people blacking out, then everyone messing with them while they are knocked out. I remember the huge mess that has to be cleaned up, and I also remembered what teens act like when they have excessive alcohol.

This was important to me because I feel like I had almost forgotten that part of my life. I know it's something I'm not going to be involved in, but it was still a good reminder.

A big part of my ministry has been being able to say, "I know how you feel, I was there!". I was able to say a similar phrase while recently giving a message on dating. Just this week I was asked advice from a student who is being affected by the teen party scene. I was quickly able to say, "hey... this is what could happen if you decide to take this road... I've seen it happen..."

Now by no means am I saying that you need to be in those situations to remember where you have been. But it just so happens that this time I was able to see it first hand. Teens go through a lot. They are constantly being told by "friends" that if they are not at this party or doing this, then they are not cool. Sometimes parents and coaches forget their days when they were the same way or in the same situation. I feel that God allowed me to go down some of those bad roads just so I can say, "you know what... it might not be what you think." I hope to be able to learn more and be able to guide others better and better as I am growing up and making all new mistakes.

My Thoughts Available To You 24/7... scary...

I did it... I finally gave in to the urging deep down in the oraphaces (I have no idea how to spell that word) of my heart to join the Twitter Community. I know, you ask yourself how networked someone can get. You know what though, for those of you that have a hard time keeping up with everyone (points finger at self), twitter is a great way to keep up!

To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure how twitter worked. I now know that I can update my twitter and people who subscribe to my twitter can see that via computer or text message!

I figured what the heck, we'll see how it goes, and if I hate it, I'll get rid of it... Something tells me that was too many commas... anywho.

Be my twitter friend, my name is CallMeFlora, and get all up in my business!

A God Given Gift to Endure... Hold On...

James tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." I don't know about all of you, but when you are having a rough day in Suckville, Pennsylvania, the last word you would most likely equate with your "trial" is joy.

I would agree that through those trials though that you can find joy in knowing that the next time around you will be a stronger, more informed and ready person.

In that you can certainly muster the nerve to find some joy.

I always find that when I speak about this type of subject, how you think about it drastically changes depending on the mood you may find yourself in. Have you ever tried to post about joy through trials when you are just having a really tough time finding the strength to find joy in trials?

I wanted to make note of a few things that I have found joy in over the last couple of weeks that have certainly had their trials that may be difficult to find joy in

I found joy in some certain gifts that God has given me. These gifts are gifts that get me by the really long and hard times. I wanted to share them with you for the sole purpose of knowing that there may be something in your life that God has blessed you with in hard times.

1 ) The gift of "EBS"... that is right, God has blessed me with Energizer Bunny Syndrome. I feel like no matter what gets put in my path I just keep going and going and going... When I tell people things that are on my agenda, or something that required my whole night they wonder how the heck I can still be awake and ready for action. I really do believe God has given me the ability to PHYSICALLY overcome the Dangerous Wonder lifestyle.

2) The ability to laugh... Please don't ever be offended if I am in a really hard spot and I just start to... laugh. There are two key times recently where I think most people would have started crying, but I chose to laugh. The first was when Brendon Foulke and I had to take apart a car in a junk yard with no tools because we got them stolen. (Sorry Mike Carter, we love you man) We were covered in oil, we had dozens of cuts, we were hot as crap and nothing was going our way... we laughed. The second was last week when I spent almost the entire night dealing with a very dark situation with some students. At one point in the night I just remember looking up, and laughing. Someone who isn't all down and beat up can definitely more effectively handle a situation and make those around them feel better. I'm not sure if that is why I do it, or if it is my defense from crying, but either way, these are two things that God has given me to start to see a little joy through trials.

What every great pastor needs.

Throughout my journey in ministry ranging from my Christ's Church of the Valley experience, to the traveling super conferences of C.I.Y., I have been able to witness pastors of all shapes and sizes. Even this summer through throwing stretch and escape, we have been able to book some high end speakers for our own youth groups...

There is one thing that I have found in common between all of these pastors. Without this you will not be able to have a successful ministry, or a shot at being a renown speaker. People may possibly never take you seriously. This is a true fact, and it is almost scientific, so you can't argue with it at all...

If you want to be a successful pastor... you must have... really-nice-jeans.

That's right ladies and gentleman. Throughout my journey I have seen the best of the best perform. Besides their Bible, one of their most effective tools was a fly pair of jeans and a button-up collar shirt. Why is it that some of the best speakers I have ever seen all wear very nice jeans on stage? Does it give them some type of special power? Or maybe it is just the extra boost of confidence they need to be up there and speak with authority.

I do want to ask a question though. This is something that Brian Jones brought up in his pastors gone wild series a couple months back. Are middle and high school students more receptive to someone who dresses very nice? Should what they wear matter or be a factor? That is for you to decide.

Until then, I will continue to bring my nice "preachin' outfit"... and rock out on stage, see you there!

Youth Ministry on Steroids

So perhaps you were expecting this scandalous article on a bunch of youth group children going crazy using steroids... that is NOT what you will be getting.

Sometimes you don't get a great look at your ministry until you take a small step to the outside and look in from that angle. I have been lucky enough to have the ability to see what our OWN youth ministry looks like by putting it back to back with the hundreds of youth ministries I have been able to encounter through various conversations, through working at C.I.Y. and most recently from being able to have a field placement class. This class consists of several youth ministry students who are interning at various local youth ministries. We get to dive deep into the workings, pros and cons of these ministries, including our own.

So far throughout this journey there is one thing I have come to realize... Our youth ministry is a youth ministry on steroids.

NOW this is the only time I am going to tell you that it is okay to be on steroids!

Youth ministry is a very new concept in comparison to the idea of the church. The majority of the youth groups that I encounter seem to be stuck in the zone where our church was before we got our new building. Many churches simply to now have my kids that are of that demographic. Many churches from what I hear have a lot of "old people." Unfortunately we are quite the opposite. We seem to be lacking a large group of, we'll call them "more wise people." Which gives us the PERFECT demographic for having an explosion of teens!

Another thing we have working for us is a lot of attention. Many youth ministries must be stuffed in some church basement for Sunday morning and not given much to make it work. Christ Church of the Valley has done an EXCELLENT job of thinking of our teens when doing budgeting and what not, it has made it possible for us to be more state of the art than almost 99% of student ministries.

As the years go on, youth ministry must compete with all of the crap in students lives to get the message across. We're fighting culture, this mass pandemic of A.D.D., crappy relationships, and every bad influence you can imagine. I am very proud to say that I am part of a church that is trying very hard to make change happen...

All of that said... we had a massive night last week at youth group. If you are interested in getting involved in any way, PLEASE hit me up with an e-mail adamf@moviechurch.com. Stuff you can do can range anywhere from security/registration/hospitality or even a relational leader! We will continue to change hundreds of kids lives, and be among the most healthy and fasting growing youth groups in the country! I hope you might be interested in getting involved with such an awesome journey!

Do something you love, before you go crazy...

Tonight I was lucky enough to escape from the "real world", even if just for a little while... Things have obviously been quite insane over the last couple of weeks, so I can't even describe what it is like to be able to enjoy an ancient vice of mine... Hockey...

That's right, few people actually know that I almost learned how to in-line skate before I learned to walk. Some of my best memories of my childhood are late night hockey games at the Collegeville Park with my best friends and some insane 2v2 action in my cousins basement back in the day.

It's something I love, it's something I enjoy, it's something that can help me just... get away.

I've learned that when you don't have something like that, you can end up taking life way too seriously. I believe God truly wants us to just have some... fun!

Even Ecclesiastes says in chapter 8, "15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun."

It wasn't easy to open up my schedule so that I could hit games every Tuesday night and practice in between, but you will find the inconvenience is worth far less than doing something fun! I recommend everyone does something that they just really enjoy doing... you never know just how "alive" you may end up feeling!

So if you ever want to come out and watch a little hockey or you just maybe want to see a guy who loves what he is doing, then feel free to catch a game!

ps. We're 2-0 so far... nice.