For my two followers, I'm sorry; I'm a terrible blogger. Here are some of my highlights from our recent vacation:
• The Amazing Spiderman- pretty good, liked how it dealt more with Peter Parker trying to find out what happened to his parents. Andrew Garfield was good, just reminded me of Hayden Christensen (Anakin from Star Wars Episodes II and III) too much. Got to go see this with my brother-in-law Joel in an old non-stadium seating theater, pretty cool.
• Great Weather- It hasn't rained at all; that's nice for a beach trip. We've been able to swim in the pool or hang at the beach every day. Going out on the boat today was nice, and I didn't vomit from motion sickness!
• Bible Reading- I've stayed more consistent in my personal Bible reading, even on vacation. I can't get enough of it. What has helped me make this a more regular thing, was that I started using the Bible app (YouVersion) on the iPad. I read (or listened to) the entire Bible in 90 days (okay, it really was more like 125 days; but 25 chapters a day can be a beast if you miss a day).
• Regular reading- I started and finished "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan on this trip. I've never done that before. It's a little under 200 pages, but it was written basically in King James English; so it was a little tough to keep up with sometimes.
• Connecting with my family- I've actually been able to disconnect mentally from ministry stuff and really connect with my family. It's really difficult to disconnect for me; I'm constantly thinking of whatever the last conversation I had with a student, or remembering their difficult circumstances, or thinking of and praying for our students who haven't accepted the Lord yet. To be honest, it really weighs me down. And living on church property makes it that much harder to unplug. Being able to get out of town like this with my family is a gift.
That's enough for now. Long drive home tomorrow.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
ADOPTion +
Just realized that I haven't blogged in almost a year. Certainly thought I had...anyway. Have thought about it several times, had a lot of good ideas, but just haven't.
Kristy, the kids and I are in the middle of adopting two sisters from Ethiopia. Never thought we would, but we really feel like that is what God is leading us to do. Through the generosity of friends, family and complete strangers, we seem to have what we need to complete the process. Which is exciting, except for the waiting. Seeing pictures of them, praying for them, kinda feels like they're already part of the family. Maybe that's how it should be. Kristy and I have a blog about that whole process over on 2lessorphans.wordpress.com.
I also wanted to type out the three things I tell my kids every night before they go to bed:
1- I'm proud to be your dad.
2- I believe you have it in you to do great things, that's why God made you!
3- I will always love you very much, no matter matter what; and so does God.
I don't remember what show I heard that from, and I tweaked it a little to my own liking, but it's become a nightly tradition for us. Sometimes if I forget, Emily will say, "Dad! Aren't you forgetting something? You know, the saying...?" I love that. I hope that hearing that will not only build into her a sense of knowing that I love her, but that God loves her as well.
Ok that's it for now. Excited about the days ahead!
Kristy, the kids and I are in the middle of adopting two sisters from Ethiopia. Never thought we would, but we really feel like that is what God is leading us to do. Through the generosity of friends, family and complete strangers, we seem to have what we need to complete the process. Which is exciting, except for the waiting. Seeing pictures of them, praying for them, kinda feels like they're already part of the family. Maybe that's how it should be. Kristy and I have a blog about that whole process over on 2lessorphans.wordpress.com.
I also wanted to type out the three things I tell my kids every night before they go to bed:
1- I'm proud to be your dad.
2- I believe you have it in you to do great things, that's why God made you!
3- I will always love you very much, no matter matter what; and so does God.
I don't remember what show I heard that from, and I tweaked it a little to my own liking, but it's become a nightly tradition for us. Sometimes if I forget, Emily will say, "Dad! Aren't you forgetting something? You know, the saying...?" I love that. I hope that hearing that will not only build into her a sense of knowing that I love her, but that God loves her as well.
Ok that's it for now. Excited about the days ahead!
Monday, February 7, 2011
5 THINGS I WISH I'D DONE FROM THE BEGINNING
Just reflecting on the almost ten years in full-time ministry (ok, I think my internship could actually count as two years!), I was thinking of what I wish I could go back and convince myself to do from the beginning. So here are my top 5 things I'd recommend to April 2000 me(in no particular order), and what I'm working on now.
1. Get out of your stinking office! Seriously, you can have the baddest calendar on the planet complete with the most popular fonts, but if you're not spending a SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME with the people you're actually ministering to and with, what ARE you doing? --What I've done recently is to make a rotation of schools to visit. It's much easier to keep a time set aside when it's on the calendar. It's not a perfect system, but it's working WAY better than before.
2. Accountability, accountability, accountability. You're in a job where not many bother to ask you how YOU'RE doing spiritually; just face it and get used to it. For real, get somebody whom you can trust in and count on to check in with you, making sure you're spending time with Jesus, growing in your faith, and taking your days off. This will make or break you; so let it make you.--I do not know where I'd be without my accountability partners, but I bet I wouldn't be in ministry and I'd probably be miserable.
3. Build relationships with parents as well as students. This is one you're going to be tempted to gloss over for a while; but you're an idiot if you do. YOU ARE NOT THE MAIN SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE IN A STUDENT'S LIFE. And that's OK. Start meeting parents, get to know them, befriend them, be there for them. This pays big dividends down the line.Do not skip this.--This is something I've known for a while, but am trying to do a much better job of recently. The longer I do this, the more I see the benefits, whether it's bragging on a kid's progress, or the ability to ask what's really going on at home: THIS IS INVALUABLE.
4. Let other people help you. Ok, you do this full-time and there are times you're going to think "I can't believe this is part of my job! It's more fun than work!" That's fine. But the old adage "many hands makes light work" is just as true today as it ever was. There are some things you're not good at- swallow your pride and let somebody who is talented in an area do what you will most definitely screw up- EVEN IF THEY DON'T GET IT DONE THE WAY YOU'D DO IT. Prayerfully surround yourself with solid people that love God and like teens. Take them to conferences, other churches, whatever. Dream together. Whatever you do, stop trying to do it all yourself. Give people SPECIFIC descriptions of what the ministry needs.--I probably struggle with this the most, because I can always think of one more thing I wish we could do in our ministry. Thankfully, we're about to undergo an evaluation in our ministry (from Youth Ministry Architects) and after that process, we're going to have a good framework within which we'll be able to invite people into our student ministry, making it better for our students, for our youth staff, and for me.
5. Keep it simple. Look at that calendar you just created, you know, the one you worked on the details for five minutes and the graphic look for six hours. If I showed you your calendar in the future, you'd say I was crazy. But here's what will save you from killing your family: keep it simple! You actually don't have to have a huge event every weekend. As a matter of fact, do your absolute best to not ever (that means never) have back to back weekend events. You should have a certain day off. Your family should be able to expect you home at least some nights of the week. Do your big events maybe every other month, and do them on a night when you have youth group (that's when they're used to coming anyway).--Reading "Simple Church", "Sustainable Youth Ministry" and paying attention to those times when I scheduled myself ragged have absolutely changed how I think about how ministry is supposed to be done. Main thing here is to prayerfully consider what needs to be done, what can wait, and what can land on the cutting room floor. Really. I'd be embarrassed to show you the amount of activity in our early years versus the (hopefully) more productive and focused things that we're doing currently.
Ok, that's it. I am grateful for people's patience with me way back when and of course these days.
1. Get out of your stinking office! Seriously, you can have the baddest calendar on the planet complete with the most popular fonts, but if you're not spending a SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME with the people you're actually ministering to and with, what ARE you doing? --What I've done recently is to make a rotation of schools to visit. It's much easier to keep a time set aside when it's on the calendar. It's not a perfect system, but it's working WAY better than before.
2. Accountability, accountability, accountability. You're in a job where not many bother to ask you how YOU'RE doing spiritually; just face it and get used to it. For real, get somebody whom you can trust in and count on to check in with you, making sure you're spending time with Jesus, growing in your faith, and taking your days off. This will make or break you; so let it make you.--I do not know where I'd be without my accountability partners, but I bet I wouldn't be in ministry and I'd probably be miserable.
3. Build relationships with parents as well as students. This is one you're going to be tempted to gloss over for a while; but you're an idiot if you do. YOU ARE NOT THE MAIN SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE IN A STUDENT'S LIFE. And that's OK. Start meeting parents, get to know them, befriend them, be there for them. This pays big dividends down the line.Do not skip this.--This is something I've known for a while, but am trying to do a much better job of recently. The longer I do this, the more I see the benefits, whether it's bragging on a kid's progress, or the ability to ask what's really going on at home: THIS IS INVALUABLE.
4. Let other people help you. Ok, you do this full-time and there are times you're going to think "I can't believe this is part of my job! It's more fun than work!" That's fine. But the old adage "many hands makes light work" is just as true today as it ever was. There are some things you're not good at- swallow your pride and let somebody who is talented in an area do what you will most definitely screw up- EVEN IF THEY DON'T GET IT DONE THE WAY YOU'D DO IT. Prayerfully surround yourself with solid people that love God and like teens. Take them to conferences, other churches, whatever. Dream together. Whatever you do, stop trying to do it all yourself. Give people SPECIFIC descriptions of what the ministry needs.--I probably struggle with this the most, because I can always think of one more thing I wish we could do in our ministry. Thankfully, we're about to undergo an evaluation in our ministry (from Youth Ministry Architects) and after that process, we're going to have a good framework within which we'll be able to invite people into our student ministry, making it better for our students, for our youth staff, and for me.
5. Keep it simple. Look at that calendar you just created, you know, the one you worked on the details for five minutes and the graphic look for six hours. If I showed you your calendar in the future, you'd say I was crazy. But here's what will save you from killing your family: keep it simple! You actually don't have to have a huge event every weekend. As a matter of fact, do your absolute best to not ever (that means never) have back to back weekend events. You should have a certain day off. Your family should be able to expect you home at least some nights of the week. Do your big events maybe every other month, and do them on a night when you have youth group (that's when they're used to coming anyway).--Reading "Simple Church", "Sustainable Youth Ministry" and paying attention to those times when I scheduled myself ragged have absolutely changed how I think about how ministry is supposed to be done. Main thing here is to prayerfully consider what needs to be done, what can wait, and what can land on the cutting room floor. Really. I'd be embarrassed to show you the amount of activity in our early years versus the (hopefully) more productive and focused things that we're doing currently.
Ok, that's it. I am grateful for people's patience with me way back when and of course these days.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
APPARENTLY WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE
After what was undoubtedly one of my most productive days of work in a while, I am angry at myself for my shortcomings. I say productive, because I recorded a training video for our youth staff, had a good staff meeting with our pastor, met with Mule Day people about a possible fundraiser, met with two potential youth staffers, and got to catch up with one of our youth staffers with a short visit. So I was feeling pretty good about today. Then I get the text. "Can you please go lock up the church?" Sure. No problem. I live here on campus; it's no sweat. I go over, lock up and notice some lights left on. This always bothers me, but what can you do? I'm glad that ministry was happening all over our church with Upward! But I digress...
I'm going around turning out lights and I spot them. The one thing I had printed up especially to be passed out THIS week at school. There they were, stacks of our video game tournament handouts. I feel like I failed at explaining the objective for these: to bring friends that do not go to church to our video game tournament. Some people were just getting one for them. They're not to just remind you we're having it. It's for OTHERS. Well, tonight was just a big fat reminder of my need for clarification in my communication. Good gravy. God please help me to do better. And please stop all this ridiculous snow.
I'm going around turning out lights and I spot them. The one thing I had printed up especially to be passed out THIS week at school. There they were, stacks of our video game tournament handouts. I feel like I failed at explaining the objective for these: to bring friends that do not go to church to our video game tournament. Some people were just getting one for them. They're not to just remind you we're having it. It's for OTHERS. Well, tonight was just a big fat reminder of my need for clarification in my communication. Good gravy. God please help me to do better. And please stop all this ridiculous snow.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
We're not going to talk about anyone, good or bad, unless they're here.
Last night we looked at Matthew 18:15-17, where Jesus is giving his followers some simple instructions on how to correct another believer.
I began laying out a new guideline for Grace Student Ministries, a simple idea that can have profound effects if we'll stick to it (I'm pretty sure I borrowed the idea from someone else...can't remember who though); here it is: "We're not going to talk about anybody else, good or bad, unless they're here."
The reason is this, we want to kill as much he said/she said/they said as we possibly can. Out of love for one another, we want to build people up and not tear each other down. I'm really hoping and will be praying that this will be a year of healthy growth in our group. Our group is not unique in facing issues like this; this has been a common theme in every group I've been a part of over the years.
I know that it will be easier to not speak ill of someone than it is to speak well of someone. I get that. But the whole point is to keep triggering us to much more carefully think of how and when we talk about others. I know it will not be easy, I know that for me this will be a change; and I'll need God's help to do it.
I had one of our students (Kenan) record it on our camera. I wanted to test the new memory card we got and there were people unable to be with us due to the snowy/icy road conditions. If I put it up, it'll be on vimeo.com/derekwhitten.
I began laying out a new guideline for Grace Student Ministries, a simple idea that can have profound effects if we'll stick to it (I'm pretty sure I borrowed the idea from someone else...can't remember who though); here it is: "We're not going to talk about anybody else, good or bad, unless they're here."
The reason is this, we want to kill as much he said/she said/they said as we possibly can. Out of love for one another, we want to build people up and not tear each other down. I'm really hoping and will be praying that this will be a year of healthy growth in our group. Our group is not unique in facing issues like this; this has been a common theme in every group I've been a part of over the years.
I know that it will be easier to not speak ill of someone than it is to speak well of someone. I get that. But the whole point is to keep triggering us to much more carefully think of how and when we talk about others. I know it will not be easy, I know that for me this will be a change; and I'll need God's help to do it.
I had one of our students (Kenan) record it on our camera. I wanted to test the new memory card we got and there were people unable to be with us due to the snowy/icy road conditions. If I put it up, it'll be on vimeo.com/derekwhitten.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Top 10 things I'm thankful for today
10. Coke, popcorn and movies. I love going to a movie and just getting lost in the story. Somehow, it seems a little magical (cheesy, I know) the way a story can transport us to fictional worlds (or non-fictional I guess). Wondering where the story is going, how it'll end; I just love the whole process. I love a good book too, but I typically don't enjoy popcorn and a coke when I read. Maybe a coke.
9. Music. All kinds. I love that it can inspire us, make us want to move, bring back memories and change our focus. Music is the color to my audio world. Thanks God for music.
8. Our awesome youth staff. I'm so thankful that people who love God and like students are working with our fantastic group. We're beginning some good new things, and I know that we're going to make a huge difference for Christ here in Columbia. I'm proud to minister with you.
7. Getting to be on staff at a great church. We have been here two and a half years now and love Grace and Columbia more and more all the time. I love our staff! We have so much fun and work together so well. I am proud to minister alongside you.
6. A calling on my life that I actually get to do for a living. I love trying to help our students learn to love God and love others. We have the coolest young men and women on the planet at Grace, hands down. With all their quirks, they are each so unique and amazing. I'm proud to be a part of a team of adults who love God and like students.
5. My family. I wouldn't be who I am without them. My mom, dad and sister have always been there for me with words of wisdom, encouragement, and guidance. They have shown me what it means to follow Jesus. I'm so happy God put us all together. I love you. I'm thankful for my in-laws as well. I know that many people are not too crazy about their in-laws, but I love mine. We always have a fun time together and I love to see how God is moving in your lives.
4. For the many great friends that I've had throughout my life. No matter what, God has given me people to laugh with, cry with and minister with. I am grateful to you and hope that I've been as much a friend to you as you all have been to me.
3. For Hayden and Emily, our awesome kids. You bring so much joy to my life that it's hard to describe. Watching you as you grow older and wiser, constantly learning...there's just nothing like it. May you love God, and love others. I am proud to be your father.
2. For my loving and faithful wife and friend. Can't believe we'll hit the double digits this year for our anniversary! I love that we still laugh and have fun today more than ever. I love to watch you as you raise our kids, and minister to our students. You are such a blessing. I love you so much Kristy! I am proud to be your husband.
1. That God loved me first, before I was worth anything to Him. (Romans 5:8) You are my everything, nothing has meaning outside of that. I am humbled to be called yours.
9. Music. All kinds. I love that it can inspire us, make us want to move, bring back memories and change our focus. Music is the color to my audio world. Thanks God for music.
8. Our awesome youth staff. I'm so thankful that people who love God and like students are working with our fantastic group. We're beginning some good new things, and I know that we're going to make a huge difference for Christ here in Columbia. I'm proud to minister with you.
7. Getting to be on staff at a great church. We have been here two and a half years now and love Grace and Columbia more and more all the time. I love our staff! We have so much fun and work together so well. I am proud to minister alongside you.
6. A calling on my life that I actually get to do for a living. I love trying to help our students learn to love God and love others. We have the coolest young men and women on the planet at Grace, hands down. With all their quirks, they are each so unique and amazing. I'm proud to be a part of a team of adults who love God and like students.
5. My family. I wouldn't be who I am without them. My mom, dad and sister have always been there for me with words of wisdom, encouragement, and guidance. They have shown me what it means to follow Jesus. I'm so happy God put us all together. I love you. I'm thankful for my in-laws as well. I know that many people are not too crazy about their in-laws, but I love mine. We always have a fun time together and I love to see how God is moving in your lives.
4. For the many great friends that I've had throughout my life. No matter what, God has given me people to laugh with, cry with and minister with. I am grateful to you and hope that I've been as much a friend to you as you all have been to me.
3. For Hayden and Emily, our awesome kids. You bring so much joy to my life that it's hard to describe. Watching you as you grow older and wiser, constantly learning...there's just nothing like it. May you love God, and love others. I am proud to be your father.
2. For my loving and faithful wife and friend. Can't believe we'll hit the double digits this year for our anniversary! I love that we still laugh and have fun today more than ever. I love to watch you as you raise our kids, and minister to our students. You are such a blessing. I love you so much Kristy! I am proud to be your husband.
1. That God loved me first, before I was worth anything to Him. (Romans 5:8) You are my everything, nothing has meaning outside of that. I am humbled to be called yours.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Mark 10:17-21 "It's Not About the Money"
I was reading in Mark chapter 10 today and came across the familiar passage where the rich young guy asked Jesus (whom he called "Good Teacher") what he must do to inherit eternal life. I've read it many times. What struck me this time was that when Jesus answers his question, he lists a few of the ten commandments; but no mention of "having no other gods before [him]". I don't know why that stuck out to me. Part of me thinks he should have said "love God and love others" (Matthew 22:37-39). Jesus tells him there's one thing has yet to do: sell all his possessions, give his money to the poor; and then follow him.
Many times in reading this, the part about giving the proceeds from the sale of his possessions to the poor has seemed to be a major focus; I'm not quite sure why. Maybe it's the thought of giving away everything. I'm pretty sure though that if that's what we focus on- we're really missing it. The main idea here is that the young man put his whole trust in Jesus, not in his own accomplishments.
Later on in verse 24 Jesus is telling his followers that it's "very hard for those who trust in riches" to enter the Kingdom of God. I'm thinking/wondering that he meant not only monetary riches, but perhaps those of us who actually are trying to follow Christ in our everyday lives are tempted to (at times) trust in our own efforts towards salvation or being good enough. Which of course brings us back to grace.
I'm pretty sure that this passage is all about our absolute and total reliance on the work of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection; and not on our tries to measure up.
Many times in reading this, the part about giving the proceeds from the sale of his possessions to the poor has seemed to be a major focus; I'm not quite sure why. Maybe it's the thought of giving away everything. I'm pretty sure though that if that's what we focus on- we're really missing it. The main idea here is that the young man put his whole trust in Jesus, not in his own accomplishments.
Later on in verse 24 Jesus is telling his followers that it's "very hard for those who trust in riches" to enter the Kingdom of God. I'm thinking/wondering that he meant not only monetary riches, but perhaps those of us who actually are trying to follow Christ in our everyday lives are tempted to (at times) trust in our own efforts towards salvation or being good enough. Which of course brings us back to grace.
I'm pretty sure that this passage is all about our absolute and total reliance on the work of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection; and not on our tries to measure up.
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