Everything is sacred...

so, here i am blogging, after about 5 months, because i happen to be online (which never happens at all anymore, by the way) at 2 am. i've turned into one of those old married couples who goes to bed around 10:00 because work is early and sleep is important. no, i haven't turned into a couple, JENNY, but i am part of one. anyway, i'm blogging mainly because i have four major things due at 10 in the morning and i've been working on them all day. i'm almost done with one of them. this is my break time...or my procrastination time...however you choose to describe it.

well, i usually like to post something that God is teaching me up here, so here i go...

i realized something very interesting to me today...i like teenagers. i know that sounds silly, but i found that i had almost turned into one of those people who is annoyed by "darn kids and their stupid rock music." there are many things about youth culture that have changed since i was in high school. (that's soon to be 4 years...man, time flies.) most of them disgust me. i watched mean girls not too long ago, and was appauled that a sweet girl like cady would do the things she did...and if you've seen the movie, you know that everything turns out alright once regina gets hit by a bus...if you haven't seen it, then you need to and you'll understand. anyway, all of my things that are due are for a youth ministry class that i'm taking. i've read just about everything i can stand about youth ministry...purpose driven this and the best way to do that...some of it makes me want to scream. however, i've learned something great as i've tried to plan two years of ministry within 3 hours and write out an entire theology and philosophy of youth ministry...with powerpoint...with little to no progress--i love it. i don't love the programs, or the papers, but i love the work. i love the ministry. heck, i even love the conflict. i feel like i have learned more just from planning my first two years of youth ministry than i have from all the nine purposes of doug fields of saddleback church. (the book, your first two years of youth ministry, by the way, is a doug fields book as well...and it's incredible. i'm not slamming on doug; i just didn't really enjoy the book. the great thing about first two years is that it has practical application all throughout life. i recommend it for anyone who wants to work some on their interpersonal skills and stuff.) it is getting me so excited about ministry, about life, and about relationships with people. part of this might be the two cups of coffee and occasional hand slaps to the face, but i know that God has a tendency to speak to me late at night when i'm hyped up on caffeine and self-flagelation. geez, i kinda wanna cry.

i guess remember this: we are creatures made for relationships. we are made to love God and one another. we are made to love ourselves (in a non-arrogant humble kinda way). take some time when you read this to share a little of yourself with someone you don't know well. have some genuine one-on-one conversations. share the love of Christ by treating someone like they should be treated-as a child of God, made in His image...

love you all...gnite and pray for me...thanks so much

bye