Anvil Weekend

From Meat Fellowship to small groups, Anvil weekend was one of the most unique camps that I have ever been to. Anvil weekend, for those of you who don't know, was a camp for 6th-12th grade guys and the theme was to discuss what it really means to be a man. Not what the world says a man is, but what God says a man is supposed to be. Our sessions included the following; Reinforcing the fact that we are made in the image of God, bearing the image of God, the issues that are distorting the image of God such as abandonment, and abuse, and finally how to handle yourselves in a Godly manner living in a world of tension.

My group was the same group I have for Lifegroups...sixth grade boys. There were about four boys that I didn't know, so hopefully they will consider coming to our class on Wednesdays. The person I was Co-Leading with was the father of one of my boys. He's a very wise man, so I was very glad that we were able to have a strong presence in our group. They kind of looked toward me to help personalize and make the material a little more understandable. I also really tried hard to develop relationships with the boys I didn't know, and also strengthen the relationships with the guys I did know. Even though we were only together for a day and a half, I can honestly say that I was drained in almost every way late Saturday afternoon (We left the church late Friday afternoon...if that tells you anything!)

This weekend really challenged me as well. Since I am the Lifegroup leader and have started developing relationships with these Middle School guys, I am really going to have to walk what I talk! All that being a Godly man and striving to do what he wants, I have to pay attention to that! I remember what Junior High was like for me. It honestly was one of the hardest times in my life so far. I just remember how confused I was, how my perception was so messed up, and all the bad things that I did and was involved in. It's all forgiven and it has helped shape me into who I am today, but you know how much it would have helped if I had a ministry like we have here at church? That's why I want to be there for these guys at this time. If I can help them through or even just let them know that's there's a place they can come where they are loved and told how unique and special they are, then that would be enough for me.

To wrap things up, Anvil weekend was great. Let's just hope we can be a little like Anvils; strong, solid, and used in a way where other instruments will be hammered into the right and appropriate shape.

Kid's Thoughts on Love

With Valentine's Day tomorrow, I went searching the internet for advice on love. I went through Dr. Phil, Joshua Harris, William Shakespeare, but nothing seemed to work. So I thought to myself, "You know what I need? I need the simplicity of a child. They know what Love is." Then I came across some of the greatest quotes EVER.

-When asked why two people fall in love:

"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell...that's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." Mae, Age 9

-On what falling in love is like:

"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." John, Age 9

"If falling in love is anything like learning to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." Glenn, Age 7

-When is it okay to Kiss Someone?

"When they're rich." Pam, Age 7.

"It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you...that's why I stopped doing it." Tammy, Age 7

"If it's your mother, you can kiss her anytime. But if it's a new person, you have to ask permission." Roger, Age 6.

-Finally, advice on how to make Love Endure

"Don't forget your wife's name...that will mess up the love." Erin, Age 9.

"Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the trash." Dave, Age 9.

Just remember all the valuable advice you learned today. If all else fails, remember the words of 9 year old Camille. "Shake your hips, and hope for the best."

Invisible Children

I knew the movie I saw last night would be very intense. I heard my friends talk about how the movie has really opened their eyes, but I wasn't sure what the story was about and why so many students were effected by it. Basically these three guys originally were going to Sudan to do a documentary on the war. They got there, and basically didn't find anything. So this lady in the village took them to this city at night where children would commute to because they didn't want to be abducted where they currently lived. The story behind this is that since 1986 the leader of the LRA, Joseph Kony, has abducted and brainwashed children to fight in his army. He would take them out into the brush, desensitize them by forcing them to watch brutal killings, give them a gun, and say to them that they would be tortured and killed if they did not kill themselves. Since 2002, there have been over 12,000 abductions. There have been even more killings and abductions than that estimate too, as there are not many records kept of their names or even of all the murders. The story about the invisible children is that they flee to this town at night and sleep in the hospitals, in town, etc. When you see pictures of how many kids are there, you notice that they are literally packed in like sardines, no room for all of them, and some of them are so desensitized by the war, that they are unable to cry.

If you want more information on this, go to www.invisiblechildren.com.