Glory to God - Fee Band

Sorry for my shakeycam.  This is from Wednesday's concert.

Embedded Video

Technorati tags: fee, band, bakersfield, concert, glory, to, god, new, song, youtube

Into the Throne Room

Last night @ericafoster, @haugenpaul, @haugenjenn and myself went straight from work to Bakersfield, Ca. I know what you're thinking, "Why? Besides the occasional mention of Bakersfield in overly-dramatic TV shows like Brothers and Sisters, why would anyone have any interest in that place?" Before you judge, read ahead.

We went to the Phil Wickham & Fee Tour featuring Merideth Andrews at The Bridge Bible Church. We got to the concert right after Merideth Andrews had finished her set, but judging by her duet of Happy Day (Kim Walker style, minus the signature giggle) with Fee...she's got skills.

Fee's set led me right into the thrown room. His Louie Giglio-esque interjections and prayers were exactly why I needed to hear. I love this line from his song We Shine:

    We're Going into all the world
    Carrying the light of Jesus
    We shine, We shine
    In the Darkest Place We shine

Then he taught the crowd a new song. A song that had come to him in the middle of a concert and he has spontaneously sung. The four of us were the only ones in the place who already knew it, because we had heard Los sing it in a video on his blog. When we asked him about it, he said it was a new song from Fee and that it'd be out on his next CD. The song's lyrics are simple, yet powerful and the melody is catchy (which is a key component of a great worship song). The lyrics are:

    Give Glory to God
    Glory to God
    Glory to God
    Forever
    (Repeat)

    Take my life and let it be
    All for You and for Your glory
    Take my life and let it be
    Yours
    (Repeat)

After the concert I went up to him and asked him when we can get a copy of it, he said he'd put the chord charts up on his website in the next week. I can't wait to do this song in Student Ministries! Fee also said a hello to Turnpike and Catalyst on my flip camera...I'll be showing it on Sunday!

The tickets were only $12/person, but I would have paid $50 or more because you can't put a price on soul-filling worship! Let me put it in perspective. I don't cry much, but I had tears streaming down my face during that set, not because an awesome band was playing...but because an awesome God was filling the room.

I'll be putting up some video highlights later, but for now you'll have to settle with some pictures. (Oh yeah and Phil Wickham was great too.)

Technorati tags: twitter, fee, phil, wickham, merideth, andrews, bridge, bible, church, bakersfield, glory, to, god, new, song, louie, giglio, kim, walker

What a typical Sunday in Student Ministries looks like

Here are some pictures of last Sunday morning (10/26) in our student ministry environment:
Photog credit goes to Kelly Chandler, a Re:actionary.

WINS from 10/26

Here are some WINS we experienced this past week:

• WHAT ARE YOUR WINS? EMAIL THEM TO ME!
• Last Saturday we had our first SG (small group) Challenge. We had 30-something students here playing human foosball, dodgeball, taking a silly cultural quiz and hanging out. It was a lot of fun for those involved. We'll be praying for our next one to be even better! (Feb 21)
• On Sunday we did a combined service for Turnpike and Catalyst. That means after our worship time was over I spoke to both crowds. It was a great and energetic Sunday. Lots of students and a message that asks the question "are you all in for Christ?" Everything just came together to provide a high impact service. It's great to break the pattern every once in a while and just give students something they don't expect. We camped on the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Obnego...they were ALL IN. Then we talked about how Christ went ALL IN for us and how he wants us to be ALL IN for him. During the last song, after I spoke, we had students come up and get a poker chip from me, which represented being ALL IN.
• After service on Sunday afternoon I recieved txt messages and myspace messages saying, "I'm ALL IN" and "I've been falling away a lot, but I want to be ALL IN" and the like.
• I get pumped when people ask me about the worship music. Dawn Moats emailed me this week and asked for the recording artist of one of the songs we did. I love it!
• Kelly Chandler, a freshman at City College, took some really cool pictures of the service on Sunday. I'll attach some of them.
• She is also going to speak to our Jr High students in three weeks! This will be her debut as a speaker and we're so happy to finally have a female voice!
• David and Veronica Mendez, parents of one of our students, were baptized on Sunday! Julian, their son, gave his life to Christ about a month ago!
• I had some students txt me pre-sunday and tell me they weren't going to be there this week, but they'll be here this next week! Do you know why this is cool? They've only come twice so far! This is in large part due to our welcome team, small group leader and Debora Keeney - she calls all of our visitors! Thank you guys!
• We had 4 registered visitors on Sunday! I txted them yesterday to say thanks for coming by and I hope we'll see you again and one of them (Jimmy) said, "Thanks man. It was good to meet you too. I really wish I came way earlier. You taught me a lot with just the short time there. I'll see you Sunday." YES!!!!!!!
• Re:action, our college-age ministry, has now launched 2 different small groups. One meets on Sundays at my home and the other meets at the church building on Monday nights. I visited our Monday night group this past week to see how they were doing and I was greatly encouraged to see their openness and love for each other. They're learning a lot, going through Romans!

Here are some wins in response from Alicia Negri to last weeks' email:

• 10,11,& 12th grade girls I had yesterday are really excited for a community project.  They came up with great ideas!!   My small group girls may end doing a project a month!!!
• I spoke with Melissa Peterson again yesterday, she has attended 2 Sundays in a row. Ya.
• I have to agree it was such a blessing to see Kyle Barker return!! 
• The Marita girls from Clovis west returned yesterday.  They participated in sm group time.  One is a senior and one is a sophomore.  Great Family!!

My Screaming Wife

Last night Erica and I went to dinner with our friends Paul, Jenn, Luke and Sarah. After dinner we decided to head back to Paul and Jenn's apartment to watch a movie. The guys went to blockbuster and came back with The Happening. I like M. Night Shyamalan's movies. They are strangely void of human emotion right up until a really emotional part. He understands the concept of scarcity. Anyways, the movie was creepy and I know if we weren't in a room ful of people, we wouldn't have watched it.

So we get in the car to go home (11:30pm) and my wife starts saying "We have to get Cooper in the house before it blows up!" over and over again. You see in the movie one of the signs of "The Happening" is that people stop making sense when they talk. So I said, "You don't want to start that game with me." You know the game I'm talking about...the kind where you keep trying to freak each other out because you just watched a freaky movie. So I'm being very good until she walks into the hallway by herself...I start to close our bedroom door and she freaks out before I actually close it. I did this a couple of times, it was funny.

We watch TV for a while to get our minds on normal stuff and then fall asleep. Success, we're resting right? Wrong! At 3:46:57am I am sound asleep. I am deep in sleep. I'm probably dreaming. I'm peaceful. At 3:47am I awaken to Erica escalating her voice from a quiet protest of "Oh my Gosh," to yelling the same phrase, to the loudest scream (not exaggerating) I've ever heard from her! I didn't know she had it in her to be that loud. Imagine what I think is happening. (see my tweet about it here)

Here are some thoughts running through my mind: "There's someone in this room." "There's a killer on the loose." "There's a creepy old lady with a doll in here." "There's something HAPPENING!"

So what did I do? I did what any loving and FREAKED out husband with adrenaline pumping their his veins would do. I started yelling "Erica! Erica! Erica! Erica!" at the top of my lungs. (I'm pretty sure our neighbors think we're crazy.) I jump off the bed and for some reason I knew that if I just could hold her, everything would be fine. As I'm yelling, I'm trying to pull her in for a hug and she's flailing her arms and turning around in a circle doing a sort of dance. The only way I know how to describe this dance is to say it was to the sounds of "I'm so excited," yet you should replace the word excited with insanely-scared.

The problem with trying to pull my wife in for a hug while she's in this state is that I have skin and she has fingernails. Not long or big, just normal nails. But my finger gets cut in the process by one her fingernails. But I successfully pull her in for an embrace to calms her and allows her to almost laugh, after a few minutes. To add the scene, imagine having a small dog that sleeps in your bedroom. He barks at anything that moves. Imagine his response.

So what did freak her out so much? What was the big deal? She saw a huge spider on top of our bed. That's very strange because there weren't any spiders in the movie.

So we turned on the TV for like an hour and watched a dog show, CNN and random stuff. We were awake for at least another hour after this episode. What's the lesson here? Don't let Erica watch movies with a hint of horror if you want to sleep at night.

Do you have a post-movie dream/hallucination story? Do share.

Technorati tags: the, happening, movie, scared, erica, paul, jenn, luke, sarah, bad, dreams, cooper

WINS from 10/19

Here are some WINS from 10/19

 

Read 1 Cron. 16:8-12 and you'll know why we put these wins out every week!

• Yesterday we had 44 Jr. High and 38 High School for a total of 82 students in CatlyPike yesterday...hahaha, I think that's a funny name
• Mario Torres might be our new 8th grade boys small group leader. This would be HUGE!
• Anita and Barbara, 8th grade girl leaders, are planning an outing to Sakura Chaya and a service project! This is what I like to see!
• An 8th Grader, Robert Acevedo, gave his life to Christ on 10/12! Thank you Christian Hunt for leading him to Christ and following up with him during the week!!!!!!!
• Students are starting to get the hang of actually moving in closer together away from the entrance and towards the stage. That helps a lot!
• Despite our check-in computer problems yesterday we were able to capture two new students and 6 returning visitors. I believe this is largely due to the follow-up work Deborah Keeney has been providing with visitors! You are so awesome!
• I saw Kyle Barker, a senior that's been gone for a few months, two Sundays in a row! I like these returner stories!
• Rusty Karraker was greeting students and making them feel welcome! With his personality in that kind of position...you can't get much better (though Josh Phanco gives him a run for his money)
• I've had one Turnpike SGL contact me today saying that the discussion in their small group was great! This is a huge deal! The SG discussion is perhaps the most beneficial part of Sunday be
• 10 people are scheduled for baptism this next Sunday! There are several others that are pending (Tanner Melton, 7th grade boy, is one of those pending people). IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BAPTIZED, NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT IT. There is a baptism class on this Wednesday night for adults. Just call the office to set RSVP. (797.7000)
• Kelly Chandler, college student, is going to be taking some photographs for us the next couple of weeks. She's taking a class and we need more pictures! It's a WIN/WIN
• On Saturday night NHC hosted an event called MarriedLife Live. It was AWESOME! If you are married and were unable to attend, the next one is Feb. 14. I know what you're thinking...but it really would be a GREAT valentine's date! There were 300 + people there and at least 80 of them are not Christians. Wow! I've heard several really cool stories of connections and God moving through that event. Can't wait for the next one!
• The new church website is almost online! Want a preview? Click here.
• What are you WINS? Seriously, share.

WINS I got last week via email:

 

From Alicia Negri

• The cousins that came to church yesterday liked it!!! That is a HUGH win. They don't go to church. The twins Alec & Arianna are in 7th gr at computech. Alec told me he really liked it and wants to come back. They all remembered the lesson & understood it! I will share more about this latter.
• A 9th grade girl Melissa showed up again. I called her this weekend and ran in to her in the cafe. I pretty much kidnapped her to get her to come to catalyst. LOL. She seemed to enjoy it.
• Cole hoover came to turnpike. Ya!
• Jaycee is attending and sharing!!

From Barbara Hamel

• I took role when we split the eighth grade girls, I had seven (in Group #2) two were visitors who said they would return next week.  Yeah!  We spoke of our Small Group Challenge and they seemed razzed about it.  Then when we talk about a community project they brainstormed a million ideas but settled on visits to retirement homes with emphasis on those who don't receive company.  Even though I explained the tasked may be pre-assigned, they were incredibly excited!

Technorati tags: wins, new, harvest, church, student, ministries

Connecting: Adventure Christian Church Student Ministry

I love to connect with other people in ministry. I recently blogged about going to Atlanta and making some pretty awesome connections there. Yesterday, Greg Zuffelato and I went up to Sacramento, Ca and spent some time with the Student Ministry staff of Adventure Christian Church. They shared some things they've been learning recently and I really enjoyed exchanging thoughts and ideas with them. Here's what Scott, Brian, Drew, Drue, Mandy and Mar said they'v been learning the past couple of months:

• Leaders lead Leaders
• Replace Yourself - Get people to apprentice you
• Get someone who can do what you do at least 80% as well as you do it and train them to do it better than you
• Neither Quality or Connection bring growth alone
• Apprenticing is all about
• Asking someone to observe what you do
• Asking someoen to help you do what you do
• Asking someone to do what you do
• Asking someone to own what you did
• Pick leaders, don't take volunteers!
• Target the parents of your freshman students
• The time you spend WITH someone is often better than any giftcard you could give them
• Things that are important in relationship to volunteers
• The person
• The job
• The measurement (accountability)
• When you calendar...back date.
  

What are YOU learning?

Technorati tags: adventure, christian, church, greg, zuffelato, new, harvest, sacramento, ca, what, are, you, learning?

WINS from 10/12

• We had 79 students yesterday with 7 registered visitors (and more that didn't fill anything out)
• 45 students in high school! That's some kind of record for NHC.
• I saw some students I hadn't seen in a while (Tyler Thomas, Jessica Twedt, etc)
• More and more students are actually checking in! It's been hard because most students want to be under the radar.
• I met a lot of people yesterday! I was able to talk to some teens hanging out after first service. They were pretty shy, but at least I was able to invite them to our student service.
• I met some parents that want their two high schoolers to get involved. I got to tell them about what we do and give them some tips on how to get their kids here.
• The band was GREAT and they played 2 new songs (Burn for You by Steve Fee and Your Love Never Fails by Chris Quilala) Chris is doing a great job leading them.
• Chris Hudiburgh has offered to give free guitar and/or bass lessons - 12 students signed up yesterday!
• Jonah Ribera is returning from a season off of drums. He's playing this coming week!
• We had a great lunch from Taco Bell yesterday!
• Last week I was able to see some students at the Freshman CW football game against Edison and the BHS vs. CW girls volleyball game. I was encouraged to see Ken Horton, small group leader, at the volleyball game supporting Ashley Ferguson and Hillary Brians! Great job Ken!
• Jessica Steele, buchananeer, brought her two cousins on Sunday morning. Always good to see people bringing others!
• The Negri's brought their cousins too!
• Saturday night, Turnpike went to the Corn Maze. Robbie Schaak, Jacob Blomgren and I made it out in 15 minutes!
• I'm meeting with 3 potential volunteers soon! Hoping to find that 8th grade boys leader!
• Re:action went to the Fresno Fair last night (Sunday) and Chris did some Karaoke. Click to watch.
• What WINS are you experiencing? - I really want to know!

Chris Hudiburgh singing Karaoke

This is Chris "I'm not afraid to make a fool of my self" Hudiburgh doing karaoke at the Fresno Fair with Re:action.

Embedded Video

Technorati tags: big, fresno, fair, re:action, college, ministry, chris, hudiburgh, karaoke

Touring Buckhead Church

This is from a couple of weeks ago when we went to Bobby Norris' wedding in Georgia. We attended Buckhead Church and Los gave us a tour. Thanks Los!

Embedded Video

Technorati tags: buckhead, church, atlanta, georgia, carlos, whittaker, tour, video, upstreet, kidstuf, insideout, los, vacation

WINS from Sunday

• Kent & Kristie Robison started as Freshman Small Groups Leaders on Sunday! They have already proven to be huge assets to Student Ministries. They each called their student lists before Sunday and introduced themselves as the new leaders for our freshman. Our freshman had been combining with other groups all summer long and now they finally have their own groups! Kristie was really excited to see of the names on her list!
• The worship band was awesome! Chris Hudiburgh has been running their rehearsals and he was out of town on Sunday, but they were completely prepared and played great together without him leading on Sunday morning.
• Josh Phanco and the Karrakers will be teaming up to be our Greeter organizers. They will be leading some students in that role in helping people feel welcomed as they enter into our space and helping them to get connected to people. We are so blessed to have these servants stepping up! Josh helped us on Sunday and was able to catch some people that hadn't filled our information sheets.
• Dawn Moats, 7th Grade Girls leader, emailed me Sunday night informing me that her entire family was sick and she wouldn't be able to make it on Sunday morning. I immediately txted one of our College girls that already volunteers during first service and she jumped at the opportunity to help lead our girls during the small group time. Willing hearts are precious gifts.
• Thanks to the Wong's & Schuler's we had a good time with our lunch time fellowship after second service. I was able to connect with several students and adults that I haven't had the pleasure of getting to know yet.
• Two Jr. High brothers approached me yesterday and asked if they could get electric guitar lessons. They are fairly new to NHC and want to get involved in something positive. I'll be speaking with Chris about this opportunity.
• I filled in as the 8th grade small group leader yesterday morning and Robbie Schaak shared that his cousin Chad needs prayer. I love to see honest and real prayer requests and soft hearts for people!
• Barbara Hamel, 8th grade girls leader, said that she loves how Family Ministry (Children's/Students) are run. She said that nobody else is doing what we're attempting and it's so exciting to see people developing their ministry rapidly.
• Last Monday at Re:action we had a new girl, Beth. She's a friend of Jenna Ribera's and she's exploring faith. She came by herself and had the courage to hang out with people she's never met before. I keep praying for more connection opportunities with people like Beth to plug into Re:action.

100 Years Ago

I got this email from my Grandma last week. I thought it was really interesting.

THE YEAR 1908

This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine!
The year is 1908.
One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some statistics for the Year 1908 :

The average life expectancy was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour.

The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .

Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!

Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '

Sugar cost four cents a pound...

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen...

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.

The population of Las Vegas , Nevada, was only 30!!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.

Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.' 

Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A.!

And organized Barbershop didn't exist

Technorati tags: 1908, 100, years, ago, culture, change, united, states, america

Caption Please

I got this in an email from a volunteer. Thanks Ken for the laughs.

I love this.

I stole this from Ryan's blog. Pretty sweet!

Embedded Video