I am spending a week up at Camp Cornerstone on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University. I believe (if I remember right) that this is my fourth year to be on staff at this awesome camp. Since I have been in youth ministry I have worked at Zenith and Cornerstone as a teacher and staff member. I have always loved Zenith for the amazing level of fellowship that I get from the other youth ministers and their wives. It is one of the rare camps that uplift both the teenager and the minister. Most camps will focus so much on the kids that the ministry staff who puts it on are dead at the end of the week. I believe that Zenith is so amazing because everyone is lifted up, not just kids.
I laughed so hard at Zenith this year. It was the kind of laughing that is memorable. I spent the week with some of my best friends, Allen Carr, Trevor Cox, Jerred England, and Benny Nowell, along with their lovely wives. I have very few people in this world that I can truly cut loose and cut up with. We all need that in our lives at some point, especially in ministry. Kindred spirit is hard to come by when you are taking a paycheck to do full time ministry. So, I cherish the times I can spend with these great people.
Camp Cornerstone has been awesome like usual. I love this camp for the awesome kids. I have always told people that if Granbury hired another youth minister that I would take the middle school in a heartbeat. They are at such a moldeable age! I was talking to one of the dorm moms today and she was complimenting us (youth ministers) for putting up with these kids like we do. My response was "just laugh and love them!". I believe that is what they need. Of course they are annoying and awkward. They are going through puberty! There is no doubt that I went through the same stages that they are right now. All we can do is love on them and laugh with them. It is so cool.
When Jesus told us to accept him like a little child, I understand that better after being around kids like this. They aren't too cool to love Jesus the best way they know how. It teaches me to love in a more open and honest way. I am not too good at that, but I know that if I follow Christ's command, I will look a little dorky and awkward. But no one will doubt my heart.
Let's be like these middle school kids! But please, use deodorant!
Chris
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Ok, this post verifies that I am the biggest nerd in the world. I just found out that my favorite band of my college and young adult life, Caedmon's Call, has brought back their former guitarist and songwriter, Derek Webb (pictured above on the far left) for their upcoming CD, Overdressed. Derek launched a solo career about 5 years ago and has put out some great music. Yet the band has definitly been different since he left. Andrew Osenga, another great singer-songwriter took his place after he left. He has added his own flavor and style that I think does well for the band. Yet, like all things, it isn't as good as the original.
While I don't know to what extent that he is back, I am pretty excited about the record coming up. Let's just hope that it hearkens back to the original Caedmon's sound. We shall see!
The mayor of nerdville,
Chris
Monday, May 21, 2007
going back
This week is graduation week in most towns across America. Since my move in January I knew that this week would come. One of my biggest goals when I lived in Vernon was to see this year's class graduate. They were the kids that I started with when I began youth ministry in 2004. I had a personal goal to see them through high school and graduate before I ever thought of leaving.
Well, as usual God has different plans. At the end of last year, God dropped an amazing opportunity on my lap with my new job in Granbury, Texas. I had to take it. There was no doubt in my mind that he was leading me here. I couldn't explain it then, and I really can't now. This is where I need to be.
Yet this whole move has messed up my plans. I felt a bit like I abandoned those kids when I left. They were the reason I lived in Vernon. I wasn't a huge fan of the town or the "small town" enviornment. But the kids and familes I fell in love with. So I have struggled a bit since I have been here because I have not been able to keep in touch with my friends up there because of my new life here. That is generally what happens when you move, despite your best intentions.
This week has brought some great opportunities however. Last night I was able to go to Baccalaureate (sp?) in Vernon at my old church. It was the first year that they ever hosted it. It was a great night. The seniors and families had no idea that I was coming so it was a lot of fun to suprise them. I saw tons of folk that I haven't seen in long time. It was a great time to catch up and to gain some closure on my leaving four months ago. It was definitly needed.
I had a friend ask me last night if I regretted leaving Vernon. I was able to tell her "no". That was a good feeling. While I miss those west Texas folks intensly, I know that God has brought me to another chapter in life that will be totally different from the last. I was talking to one of my former elders last night about how much I missed everyone, yet how I knew that God had brought me to the right place and how it was tough to make sense of all of that. My former elder spoke of "treasures in heavan" and how good friendships and rich relationships served that purpose in heavan. These great people that we invest in over the years will be with us someday when we go home. Those treasures are being stored up now. What a great thought, huh?
While God might put us different places and take us farther away from the ones we love, he always blesses deep, meaninful relationships that are based on him. That is good. Very good.
Hope you guys are well.
Well, as usual God has different plans. At the end of last year, God dropped an amazing opportunity on my lap with my new job in Granbury, Texas. I had to take it. There was no doubt in my mind that he was leading me here. I couldn't explain it then, and I really can't now. This is where I need to be.
Yet this whole move has messed up my plans. I felt a bit like I abandoned those kids when I left. They were the reason I lived in Vernon. I wasn't a huge fan of the town or the "small town" enviornment. But the kids and familes I fell in love with. So I have struggled a bit since I have been here because I have not been able to keep in touch with my friends up there because of my new life here. That is generally what happens when you move, despite your best intentions.
This week has brought some great opportunities however. Last night I was able to go to Baccalaureate (sp?) in Vernon at my old church. It was the first year that they ever hosted it. It was a great night. The seniors and families had no idea that I was coming so it was a lot of fun to suprise them. I saw tons of folk that I haven't seen in long time. It was a great time to catch up and to gain some closure on my leaving four months ago. It was definitly needed.
I had a friend ask me last night if I regretted leaving Vernon. I was able to tell her "no". That was a good feeling. While I miss those west Texas folks intensly, I know that God has brought me to another chapter in life that will be totally different from the last. I was talking to one of my former elders last night about how much I missed everyone, yet how I knew that God had brought me to the right place and how it was tough to make sense of all of that. My former elder spoke of "treasures in heavan" and how good friendships and rich relationships served that purpose in heavan. These great people that we invest in over the years will be with us someday when we go home. Those treasures are being stored up now. What a great thought, huh?
While God might put us different places and take us farther away from the ones we love, he always blesses deep, meaninful relationships that are based on him. That is good. Very good.
Hope you guys are well.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
sunny days.....
While my last post found me burning the candle at both ends, this one finds me doing just the opposite. I am presently in Destin, Florida with my family on the beach (well not really at the beach presently, in the condo). Not too sure if the church would be cool with me taking this laptop down to the beach anyways. Sand in the keyboard isn't too good of a thing, you know?
We have had a great time so far. On Monday my dad, my brother in law, Jeremy, and myself went deep sea fishing. I have only been once before and that time wasn't very successful. I have a picture from that first time and it wasn't very spectacular. It was a pic of me and a very small fish. However, this time was different. While we didn't bag any marlins, we did catch quite a few large fish (11 to be exact.....10 red snapper and 1 very unlucky red grouper........dad snagged him on his belly). We spent the day amongst many redneck drunk guys so, on top of having a great day fishing, we had some really good entertainment to our left and right. What kinda stinks is that the most drunk guy caught the biggest fish. Figures.
Last night we drove over to Milton where my grandma lives. She is 76 and lives in a nursing home. We ate with her, 4 of my uncles, a few of my cousins, and their kids. We had three or four generations of Robeys sitting at the same table. My grandma isn't the most talkative of women and her old age isn't helping a lot with her memory either. She just sat there and watched all of us talk and cut up. She really didn't say anything. One of us jokingly said that it was her fault that all of us were here. I guess that is probably true. I can't imagine looking down a table and seeing several generations of my kids, grandkids, and great grandkids looking back at me. Maybe that is why she was speechless. I might have been as well.
We have had a great time so far. On Monday my dad, my brother in law, Jeremy, and myself went deep sea fishing. I have only been once before and that time wasn't very successful. I have a picture from that first time and it wasn't very spectacular. It was a pic of me and a very small fish. However, this time was different. While we didn't bag any marlins, we did catch quite a few large fish (11 to be exact.....10 red snapper and 1 very unlucky red grouper........dad snagged him on his belly). We spent the day amongst many redneck drunk guys so, on top of having a great day fishing, we had some really good entertainment to our left and right. What kinda stinks is that the most drunk guy caught the biggest fish. Figures.
Last night we drove over to Milton where my grandma lives. She is 76 and lives in a nursing home. We ate with her, 4 of my uncles, a few of my cousins, and their kids. We had three or four generations of Robeys sitting at the same table. My grandma isn't the most talkative of women and her old age isn't helping a lot with her memory either. She just sat there and watched all of us talk and cut up. She really didn't say anything. One of us jokingly said that it was her fault that all of us were here. I guess that is probably true. I can't imagine looking down a table and seeing several generations of my kids, grandkids, and great grandkids looking back at me. Maybe that is why she was speechless. I might have been as well.
As I close, to avoid any accusations of telling a "big fish story", here is the proof:
Sunday, April 22, 2007
on the run
When I first moved to Granbury, I got really excited because I thought I would have a lot more opportunity to blog and tell peeps about my "feelings" and "goings on". Yet it seems like same ol'-same ol' when it comes to blogging. I have posted maybe four times since I have moved here. Not that good of a track record, eh? But this will hopefully put things back on track for a while.
The main reason I have been off the radar screen is this last weekend. Granbury has this huge tradition every year called Senior Banquet. This banquet has become quite a huge event over the last decade or so. Every year, this event is the biggest thing on the calander.
Yet, this year we decided to mess with it a bit. In the past, parents would get up in front of the crowd and bless their kids. Pretty cool thing, I think. Yet apparently these blessings can get rather long and drawn out (like 30-45 min I have heard) and the banquet can go on into the wee hours of the morning. Well several parents and other volunteers, including myself, decided to have the parents pre-tape their responses. Most parents were cool with it. Some were not. But they went along with it.
Luckily, I am still employed I guess. The night went really well and I feel like our kids were honored. It was indeed a stressful week building up to it, but I really loved seeing how these families that I am getting to know are knit together. We also did Senior Sunday this morning and Senior Devo tonight. We knocked everything out in one fell swoop.
If I don't say the words "senior" or transition" or "future plans" again for the next year or so I will be great! But in all seriousness, I enjoyed the weekend. I am a little pooped but most of these events will do that to you.
I am off tomorrow for a ministers retreat, followed by another one at the end of the week. Then, to Florida with my fam! It will be fun.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Chris
The main reason I have been off the radar screen is this last weekend. Granbury has this huge tradition every year called Senior Banquet. This banquet has become quite a huge event over the last decade or so. Every year, this event is the biggest thing on the calander.
Yet, this year we decided to mess with it a bit. In the past, parents would get up in front of the crowd and bless their kids. Pretty cool thing, I think. Yet apparently these blessings can get rather long and drawn out (like 30-45 min I have heard) and the banquet can go on into the wee hours of the morning. Well several parents and other volunteers, including myself, decided to have the parents pre-tape their responses. Most parents were cool with it. Some were not. But they went along with it.
Luckily, I am still employed I guess. The night went really well and I feel like our kids were honored. It was indeed a stressful week building up to it, but I really loved seeing how these families that I am getting to know are knit together. We also did Senior Sunday this morning and Senior Devo tonight. We knocked everything out in one fell swoop.
If I don't say the words "senior" or transition" or "future plans" again for the next year or so I will be great! But in all seriousness, I enjoyed the weekend. I am a little pooped but most of these events will do that to you.
I am off tomorrow for a ministers retreat, followed by another one at the end of the week. Then, to Florida with my fam! It will be fun.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Chris
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The Poor Rich Folk
Just a quick post to plug a really good band in the Fort Worth area called Poor Rich Folk. If you were at Zenith last summer you were able to hear this really cool band. Well, last night was their CD release party at the Ridglea Theatre in Fort Worth. I was able to go with one of my youth group guys. It was kind of funny because the Ridgela is kind of a bar too. So on one of my first youth trips, I took my kids to a bar! Apparently I am really trying to get fired from this new job quicker than usual.
But anyways......
Their new stuff and new CD is awesome stuff. The songwriting and music has definitly gone to a new level on this record. I am proud of the guys. Not only are they really great musicians, they are really cool and humble guys. To me, that is a lot more important than being a good musician.
Their new CD features Dan Hasseltine, the lead singer of Jars of Clay as well as Andrew Osenga from Caedmons Call. They are so much cooler than I.
Go to http://www.myspace.com/poorrichfolk and buy their new CD. You will love it.
Chris
But anyways......
Their new stuff and new CD is awesome stuff. The songwriting and music has definitly gone to a new level on this record. I am proud of the guys. Not only are they really great musicians, they are really cool and humble guys. To me, that is a lot more important than being a good musician.
Their new CD features Dan Hasseltine, the lead singer of Jars of Clay as well as Andrew Osenga from Caedmons Call. They are so much cooler than I.
Go to http://www.myspace.com/poorrichfolk and buy their new CD. You will love it.
Chris
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
I have been a typically passive minister during my three years of full time youth ministry. Usually I have depended on youth and families to seek me out or come to church for my ministry influence. Yet, outside of missions, I have not been a very deliberate minister. In other words, I have allowed the by-products of my job, that is class, small group, and worship, to take the place of the calling that Christ gave me: to bring the kingdom of God to those who don't know it.
Most of us (ministers) fall into this trap. We will punch our clocks, go to church, put in our office hours and hope that will sufice to keep our positions of ministry. And, typically it works. When people see me in my office vigorously typing at my keyboard or listning to Christain music, they are assuming that the "Lord's Work" is being done. It is easy on the eyes, you know?
Yet today I got a little cabin fever. I have been in my office way too much lately. I guess I was tired and bored and wanted to try something new. So I packed up my laptop and other various gizmos and went to the "Coffee Grinder" on the square here in Granbury. Actually, I am typing this post from here. I have just swung through here from time to time but never have actually sat down. I noticed something today when I came in. A big group of teenagers drinking coffee and hanging out.
They seem to be your typical coffee house goers. An eclectic (I love using that word.....not sure what it REALLY means) group of kids who seem to not really fit in anywhere else but this place. They are just hanging out, talking about weird stuff and finding community with each other. Pretty typical of teens around here.
Some were smoking, some were tatooed, most dressed a little different than me. I am a lot more white, clean skinned, and preppy. I wonder though what kind of presence I could be in the lives of kids like that. I don't look a lot like them or share their stories. But maybe they could use some love. Maybe they could stand to see Jesus.
I am assuming a lot when I look at them but maybe this is where the mission is. In the coffee shop. On the street. Amongst people who freak me out. I am just musing I guess.
I hope to figure out what can be done here in this little shop. Jesus infiltrated the places that others didn't go with people who looked a little strange. I talk a big talk about these things but am yet to really do a lot about it. Maybe this is a place where God can be real for kids like these.
For those of you guys who read this.............what do you think? How do we approach people who don't look like us or talk like us or share our stories? How you even start? With what kind of spirit and heart do you approach those kids of kids without appearing like you have an adgenda for them?
Anyways, these are some thoughts from the Coffee Grinder on a rainy Tuesday. I am sure there will be more...........
Grace and Peace,
Chris
Most of us (ministers) fall into this trap. We will punch our clocks, go to church, put in our office hours and hope that will sufice to keep our positions of ministry. And, typically it works. When people see me in my office vigorously typing at my keyboard or listning to Christain music, they are assuming that the "Lord's Work" is being done. It is easy on the eyes, you know?
Yet today I got a little cabin fever. I have been in my office way too much lately. I guess I was tired and bored and wanted to try something new. So I packed up my laptop and other various gizmos and went to the "Coffee Grinder" on the square here in Granbury. Actually, I am typing this post from here. I have just swung through here from time to time but never have actually sat down. I noticed something today when I came in. A big group of teenagers drinking coffee and hanging out.
They seem to be your typical coffee house goers. An eclectic (I love using that word.....not sure what it REALLY means) group of kids who seem to not really fit in anywhere else but this place. They are just hanging out, talking about weird stuff and finding community with each other. Pretty typical of teens around here.
Some were smoking, some were tatooed, most dressed a little different than me. I am a lot more white, clean skinned, and preppy. I wonder though what kind of presence I could be in the lives of kids like that. I don't look a lot like them or share their stories. But maybe they could use some love. Maybe they could stand to see Jesus.
I am assuming a lot when I look at them but maybe this is where the mission is. In the coffee shop. On the street. Amongst people who freak me out. I am just musing I guess.
I hope to figure out what can be done here in this little shop. Jesus infiltrated the places that others didn't go with people who looked a little strange. I talk a big talk about these things but am yet to really do a lot about it. Maybe this is a place where God can be real for kids like these.
For those of you guys who read this.............what do you think? How do we approach people who don't look like us or talk like us or share our stories? How you even start? With what kind of spirit and heart do you approach those kids of kids without appearing like you have an adgenda for them?
Anyways, these are some thoughts from the Coffee Grinder on a rainy Tuesday. I am sure there will be more...........
Grace and Peace,
Chris
Thursday, March 08, 2007
opportunity
I feel like I have finally tured a corner here in Granbury. I moved here on January 23rd and started my job on the 24th! Never again! We all should have at least a week between jobs but I was a little freaked out about not having a paycheck for a week. If I was smart I would have taken the risk.
In other words, I made the transition from Vernon to Granbury in about 3 hours.......the time it took to drive here after I said my goodbyes at Wilbarger. I guess only now do I see why the last month has been so up and down: I had no transition! What a goof!
But I feel like things are starting to settle a bit around here. I am starting to see some great opportunity for ministry here. I spent some time at the Behavioral Transition Center (BTC) which is an alternative school for kids with behavioral issues and problems with the law. They asked me to come and be a mentor for a kid who has a horrible home life and is always in trouble. I am really excited about getting to know this kid. The possiblities of effecting a kid like this for Christ is immense. I will get you in on more of this as it develops.
Also I think I am going to be starting to volunteer at the Boys and Girls club a few afternoons a week. I will get to hang out with a bunch of rugrats and dominate them in basketball I guess. WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE! It will be a lot of fun.
I write all of this mainly to tell you that God has been preparing me for a ministry like this for the last three years. I have people here who are actively trying to get me in these kids lives and see the obvious need for the light of Jesus in these places where Satan has so ravaged innocent lives. I am eager to tell stories of how Christ will work in these places where light is needed so badly.
I ask for your prayers because it is somthing I both am excited about but also fearful. My natural inclination is not to be a social animal. I am a quiet dude mainly. So, to meet and get to know kids who are in different situations that I am scares me a bit. Yet, as I have always believed, teenagers are teenagers no matter where they come from. They are all a little goofy and weird, smell funky, and have a lot of hormones raging. It will be intersting.
Not sure where to go from here so I will quit. I hope you guys are doing well.
In other words, I made the transition from Vernon to Granbury in about 3 hours.......the time it took to drive here after I said my goodbyes at Wilbarger. I guess only now do I see why the last month has been so up and down: I had no transition! What a goof!
But I feel like things are starting to settle a bit around here. I am starting to see some great opportunity for ministry here. I spent some time at the Behavioral Transition Center (BTC) which is an alternative school for kids with behavioral issues and problems with the law. They asked me to come and be a mentor for a kid who has a horrible home life and is always in trouble. I am really excited about getting to know this kid. The possiblities of effecting a kid like this for Christ is immense. I will get you in on more of this as it develops.
Also I think I am going to be starting to volunteer at the Boys and Girls club a few afternoons a week. I will get to hang out with a bunch of rugrats and dominate them in basketball I guess. WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE! It will be a lot of fun.
I write all of this mainly to tell you that God has been preparing me for a ministry like this for the last three years. I have people here who are actively trying to get me in these kids lives and see the obvious need for the light of Jesus in these places where Satan has so ravaged innocent lives. I am eager to tell stories of how Christ will work in these places where light is needed so badly.
I ask for your prayers because it is somthing I both am excited about but also fearful. My natural inclination is not to be a social animal. I am a quiet dude mainly. So, to meet and get to know kids who are in different situations that I am scares me a bit. Yet, as I have always believed, teenagers are teenagers no matter where they come from. They are all a little goofy and weird, smell funky, and have a lot of hormones raging. It will be intersting.
Not sure where to go from here so I will quit. I hope you guys are doing well.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
some change
As a bunch of you know, I have moved to a new town, a new church, a new situation. I spent three great years in Vernon, Texas as the youth minister for the Wilbarger Street Church of Christ. This little church in west Texas gave me more opportunitiy than I could have ever asked for with ministry. They let a guy who had no experience and no credentials a chance to work with their kids and families. I will always be grateful to this church for loving me and allowing me to love their kiddos.
I miss them a lot. More than I would have ever thought. Change is something that is anticipated with excitement, but tough to navigate. I am really enjoying my time here in Granbury, but it seems to come with some longing for something familiar. While I know that Granbury will be familiar someday, I still long for something truly familiar and safe.
What is ironic is that Vernon isn't familiar and safe by any means. Only the memory is. I guess I will have a safe and familiar place when I am home with God. He never said it would be safe or easy here. So we do our best to find a place, a home to settle here on this earth, but we should never feel satisified or truly cozy until we find our rest in God.
Will that rest come here on earth? I am not sure. Do we only drudge through life just to eek our way into heaven? Again, not really sure. I do know that my heart longs for home. Maybe that longing is wired into our systems by God to keep our focus on him and our hearts turned towards eternity, not here. Jesus never really felt at home here on earth either. He always talked about God and going back to make a place for us in heavan. Paul had an internal struggle with whether or not to stay on earth or to go home to heaven. He wanted to stay here to change lives for Christ, but he wanted to go home as well. What a paradox!
The point is that we are eternal people living in a temporary world. As a young guy, I struggle to see the marathon of life while I am busy sprinting. My soul was made for things that will last, not temporary things like where I live or things I do.
What do you guys think? These are my thoughts but I want yours as well.
Look for some more changes to the blog in the coming weeks.
Chris
I miss them a lot. More than I would have ever thought. Change is something that is anticipated with excitement, but tough to navigate. I am really enjoying my time here in Granbury, but it seems to come with some longing for something familiar. While I know that Granbury will be familiar someday, I still long for something truly familiar and safe.
What is ironic is that Vernon isn't familiar and safe by any means. Only the memory is. I guess I will have a safe and familiar place when I am home with God. He never said it would be safe or easy here. So we do our best to find a place, a home to settle here on this earth, but we should never feel satisified or truly cozy until we find our rest in God.
Will that rest come here on earth? I am not sure. Do we only drudge through life just to eek our way into heaven? Again, not really sure. I do know that my heart longs for home. Maybe that longing is wired into our systems by God to keep our focus on him and our hearts turned towards eternity, not here. Jesus never really felt at home here on earth either. He always talked about God and going back to make a place for us in heavan. Paul had an internal struggle with whether or not to stay on earth or to go home to heaven. He wanted to stay here to change lives for Christ, but he wanted to go home as well. What a paradox!
The point is that we are eternal people living in a temporary world. As a young guy, I struggle to see the marathon of life while I am busy sprinting. My soul was made for things that will last, not temporary things like where I live or things I do.
What do you guys think? These are my thoughts but I want yours as well.
Look for some more changes to the blog in the coming weeks.
Chris
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
I guess I forgot
The last few months have been hectic for me, even very stressful. If you read my last post you know that I have made a move in my life from Vernon to Granbury. I have been here now less than a week and I am starting to settle in a bit. It is a different world here in Granbury. There is so much more going on and a lot more to fill my time. I think I will like it here.
But that is not why I am writing this morning. For the last few months I have been preoccupied with moving and saying goodbye to people I love. I have not spent much time with teenagers, which is what I have dedicated my life to for the last three years. So, because of the nature of moving, I have not had the opportunity to be around the demographic that I am called to serve.
Last night I hung out with the Granbury kids for the first time. We went and had dinner, then went to a talent show put on by Project Graduation at the school. It was so much fun! They had kids do magic, dance, sing, and play instruments. There were some who were talented, some who were not so talented. There were two performances that stuck out in my mind though. One was two guys who had a "drum battle". They both set up their trap sets and started going nuts! It was amazing. They both took turns with a certain beat and one-uped each other. Too cool.
Then, four guys did the dance on the treadmills from the video from OK GO. If you haven't seen it check it out here. It was so awesome how all of the teens got into it and went crazy. The guys really pulled it off well I thought.
All it did was remind me about why I love teenagers and being a part of their lives while they grow. Teens don't have a lot of inhibition. They are who they are. Those guys playing the drums and the kids doing the treadmill dance were just out there having fun and being themselves. Teens always remind me about how to be open and honest and not to be anyone that I am not.
Sometimes I get insecure about being quiet natured and reserved around other people, especially as a minister. But if anything I have learned that I should be myself in all situations, the man that God made me to be. If I try to work outside of what God gave me, I am just being someone else that I am not.
That is why I love working with teenagers. I can be myself.
Chris
But that is not why I am writing this morning. For the last few months I have been preoccupied with moving and saying goodbye to people I love. I have not spent much time with teenagers, which is what I have dedicated my life to for the last three years. So, because of the nature of moving, I have not had the opportunity to be around the demographic that I am called to serve.
Last night I hung out with the Granbury kids for the first time. We went and had dinner, then went to a talent show put on by Project Graduation at the school. It was so much fun! They had kids do magic, dance, sing, and play instruments. There were some who were talented, some who were not so talented. There were two performances that stuck out in my mind though. One was two guys who had a "drum battle". They both set up their trap sets and started going nuts! It was amazing. They both took turns with a certain beat and one-uped each other. Too cool.
Then, four guys did the dance on the treadmills from the video from OK GO. If you haven't seen it check it out here. It was so awesome how all of the teens got into it and went crazy. The guys really pulled it off well I thought.
All it did was remind me about why I love teenagers and being a part of their lives while they grow. Teens don't have a lot of inhibition. They are who they are. Those guys playing the drums and the kids doing the treadmill dance were just out there having fun and being themselves. Teens always remind me about how to be open and honest and not to be anyone that I am not.
Sometimes I get insecure about being quiet natured and reserved around other people, especially as a minister. But if anything I have learned that I should be myself in all situations, the man that God made me to be. If I try to work outside of what God gave me, I am just being someone else that I am not.
That is why I love working with teenagers. I can be myself.
Chris
Saturday, January 13, 2007
do I have to change the name of the blog now?
Well if you haven't already heard, I am going to be moving away from ol' Vernon in a little more than a week. I have been praying and thinking a lot about it for a few months now and I finally came to the conclusion that God was leading me to another place. I will be moving to Granbury, Texas to work with the youth at the Granbury Church of Christ. I have been talking to them on and off for the last few months and they offered me the job a few weeks ago.
Now, what he is leading me away for I do not know. That remains to be seen. I am leaving a lot to do this job. I have a bunch of kids and families here that I am really going to miss. It is so bitter-sweet to have to leave kids like these. They will be my friends for the rest of my life. Also there are some families that I hate to leave as well. These people in this little town are going to be a part of my life forever. Who knew that God would bring me such blessings in such an unassuming place! So to leave is really hard.
Yet I do feel led. I feel so excited about this new chapter of life. I am a person who is not used to being in one place for a really long time so this change is really welcome for me. I have been quite lonely here in this town for a while. I might be lonely in Granbury, I am not sure. But I do know that I feel led to Granbury. In the same way that God led me to Vernon, he is leading me to Granbury. What happens from there is up to him.
Pray for the youth in Vernon. They have the chance to do some amazing things if they are willing. Pray for the youth minister or youth ministry couple that is on their way. Pray that the kids will accept them with open arms. They deserve it.
Again, I leave with a heavy heart but an expectant future. God is on the move! Let His people recognize His reign in the world and the passion of his relentless love! In these days of war and darkness let us spread the light of Christ wherever we are planted and in whatever we do. Pray that the spirit of fear that resides in our flesh will be overcome by the power of Christ!
Thanks for your prayers. I will write more soon.
Chris
Now, what he is leading me away for I do not know. That remains to be seen. I am leaving a lot to do this job. I have a bunch of kids and families here that I am really going to miss. It is so bitter-sweet to have to leave kids like these. They will be my friends for the rest of my life. Also there are some families that I hate to leave as well. These people in this little town are going to be a part of my life forever. Who knew that God would bring me such blessings in such an unassuming place! So to leave is really hard.
Yet I do feel led. I feel so excited about this new chapter of life. I am a person who is not used to being in one place for a really long time so this change is really welcome for me. I have been quite lonely here in this town for a while. I might be lonely in Granbury, I am not sure. But I do know that I feel led to Granbury. In the same way that God led me to Vernon, he is leading me to Granbury. What happens from there is up to him.
Pray for the youth in Vernon. They have the chance to do some amazing things if they are willing. Pray for the youth minister or youth ministry couple that is on their way. Pray that the kids will accept them with open arms. They deserve it.
Again, I leave with a heavy heart but an expectant future. God is on the move! Let His people recognize His reign in the world and the passion of his relentless love! In these days of war and darkness let us spread the light of Christ wherever we are planted and in whatever we do. Pray that the spirit of fear that resides in our flesh will be overcome by the power of Christ!
Thanks for your prayers. I will write more soon.
Chris
Monday, December 11, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
snow
It dosn't snow here in our part of Texas very often. Most of the time it is a small event and then the next day it's 80 degrees and melted. But, today like the rest of the country, we got a cold blast from our Canadian friends (eh?) and we got some great snow. As I sit here at my church in my youth room I can see out of the windows a beautiful sight. When I slow down enough to consider the beauty of falling snow, I start to realize the startling reality of our creative and passionate God. Sometimes life tends to be more of a "nose to the grindstone" and "just get me to through this" mentality. All to often we forget about the day in front of us. I believe that if life was just something to muddle through then God wouldn't have given us snow. He wouldn't give us an amazing West Texas sunset. The leaves wouldn't turn amazing colors in their fall. God gives gifts to us in so many forms, one being nature. It is a daily occourance that we should be thankful for and slow down enough to consider.
I'm a tree hugger today.......
Chris
I'm a tree hugger today.......
Chris
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Finally catching up with the rest of the world
Ok, we had an awesome weekend with the Nowells at our retreat. I will post more about that later fo sho. But I just wanted to update real quick to let you know about a new link I have on my blog for our youth group website. We have been working on it for a few days and I am pretty happy about it. We have a ton of work to do on it, but it is a start. It only took 2 and a half years to get this thing going! But we have it up. Subscribe to the email list, or just leave a comment to tell us you dropped by. If you can't find the link on the page, click here.
As I said earlier, I plan to post about our great weekend with Benny and Niki. Hope you guys have a good one!
Chris
As I said earlier, I plan to post about our great weekend with Benny and Niki. Hope you guys have a good one!
Chris
Thursday, November 09, 2006
a few things......
Just a quick update on the happenings in ol' V-Town. First of all, everything is going well (I know you are just dying to know) and I am looking forward to something really cool this weekend. The area youth ministries are putting on a retreat titled "Plunder the Darkness" that will be taught by our good friends Benny and Niki Nowell. The Nowells will fly into the area on Saturday and spend some time with our teenagers talking about reaching out and loving those who are tough to love. We have spent the last few months planning, preparing, and praying about this retreat. I would ask that you guys pray for the retreat as well. Pray for the Nowells in their preperation and their travels. Also, be in prayer for our teenagers that they would have soft hearts and be changed by what God has to say to them through the Nowells. I look forward to what God has planned this weekend.
I hope everyone is doing well in the Blogosphere! Talk to ya soon!
Chris
I hope everyone is doing well in the Blogosphere! Talk to ya soon!
Chris
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Change is good!
Ok, as you have noticed there is a "new look" to the ol' Robey Blog. Let me tell you a few reasons why I chose to switch:
1. The original template was getting a little stale. The "Brown on Brown" look wasn't really doing it for me.
2. I saw someone elses blog that had a much more sleek look that I want in my blog! I want people to look at this blog and say: "My, my, what a cool guy!"
3. I am sitting in grad class right now and am completly bored..........I had to find something to do!
If you guys have any suggestions on how this blog could be better, I am open to suggestions. I hope to blog more soon!
1. The original template was getting a little stale. The "Brown on Brown" look wasn't really doing it for me.
2. I saw someone elses blog that had a much more sleek look that I want in my blog! I want people to look at this blog and say: "My, my, what a cool guy!"
3. I am sitting in grad class right now and am completly bored..........I had to find something to do!
If you guys have any suggestions on how this blog could be better, I am open to suggestions. I hope to blog more soon!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
almost a redneck......
I was this close (I am holding my fingers really close together, but you can't see that) to buying an old, peice of crap pickup yesterday to just "putter around in". For a majority of my driving carrer I have owned a pickup in which I could do work around town in. Yet since I have gotten the ol' 4-Runner, I have missed the truck bed. So, I don't want to get rid of the 4-runner because it is such a good car. So, I saw an old, '74 Ford pickup at a junk car lot here in town for $500 bucks. Not bad, eh? I test drove the truck around town a few days ago. Now, mind you, I know NOTHING about cars or how to work on them or if they are lemons. As I test drove this truck it died three or four times as I decelerated. Yet I maintained my optimism. "I am sure it wouldn't be too much to fix that!" I thought. So I took it back to my mechanic to check it out. Thankfully he is a gentle man and didn't tell me what a moron I was for even looking at this truck. He pretty much told me it would take more that I paid for it just to pass inspection. He also pointed out the huge hole in the exaust. That is when I realized that I tasted fumes in my mouth from driving it there. I guess that is why God made mechanics. Too keep Chris from wasting $500!
It would have been cool to have an old pickup to just do stuff around town in. I don't know if that would make me an official red neck, but I am sure it would "fast-track" me. Hey, when in Rome...........whatever that means......
Chris
It would have been cool to have an old pickup to just do stuff around town in. I don't know if that would make me an official red neck, but I am sure it would "fast-track" me. Hey, when in Rome...........whatever that means......
Chris
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
I have a great job
Tonight our youth group began a new series for our Wednesday nights. Our series is called "Mythbusters". Baisically we are busting myths about God and Christianity. While I know this can't be the only religiously slanted Mythbusters knockoff, it seems like it is going to be a lot of fun. I love the show on Discovery channel because I am a bit of a nerd at heart (okay, a lot of a nerd at heart). I love to see people who know what they are doing use their brains to solve problems, then blow stuff up. A recent episode featured the now famous "Mentos and Diet Coke" experiment. If you don't know already, what you do is take a 2 liter bottle of diet coke and stick a bunch of mentos down into it. What will you get? A tall fountain of aspertame filled goodness coming out of the bottle!
But there is a funny thing about Vernon, Texas. Sometimes you can't find things that you would normally find anywhere else.......like MENTOS! I looked everywhere I could in Vernon (thats like four places total) and I couldn't find mentos. So I had to improvise. I had to use this experiement in my lesson tonight! So I bought various candies that I thought would work. You know what worked the best? Crushed up mint lifesavers! They seem to work just as well as the Mentos.
So I bought 25 bottles of 2 liter diet coke. I crushed my lifesavers. Time for the show. I had our kids walk over to my house (I live across the parking lot from the church) and get set up. I had our volunteers wear plastic panchos and eye-goggles. They really didn't have to do that but I thought I thought it looked funny. We had different contests to see how high we could squirt the foam. I think we got to about 15 feet! It was really fun.
We tied the lesson to the myth that we are alone in this world and that by realizing the value of being together with God and his people would make some amazing things happen (hence the fountain of diet coke). You (mentos) and God (diet coke) make something really cool.
It's a weak analogy, but hey, I am a youth minister and I have the best job in the world.
Chris
By the way.........check out this video..........it takes the mentos and diet coke thing to a new level!
But there is a funny thing about Vernon, Texas. Sometimes you can't find things that you would normally find anywhere else.......like MENTOS! I looked everywhere I could in Vernon (thats like four places total) and I couldn't find mentos. So I had to improvise. I had to use this experiement in my lesson tonight! So I bought various candies that I thought would work. You know what worked the best? Crushed up mint lifesavers! They seem to work just as well as the Mentos.
So I bought 25 bottles of 2 liter diet coke. I crushed my lifesavers. Time for the show. I had our kids walk over to my house (I live across the parking lot from the church) and get set up. I had our volunteers wear plastic panchos and eye-goggles. They really didn't have to do that but I thought I thought it looked funny. We had different contests to see how high we could squirt the foam. I think we got to about 15 feet! It was really fun.
We tied the lesson to the myth that we are alone in this world and that by realizing the value of being together with God and his people would make some amazing things happen (hence the fountain of diet coke). You (mentos) and God (diet coke) make something really cool.
It's a weak analogy, but hey, I am a youth minister and I have the best job in the world.
Chris
By the way.........check out this video..........it takes the mentos and diet coke thing to a new level!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
a creek, a crest, a confession
Well it was an awesome ten days in the highlands of Colorado. It was pretty funny because I didn't realize how long I was gone until I was coming home. I started to count the days out of Vernon and it hit me that I was out ten full days. Then I started to wonder if I had told my elders that I would be gone that long. I didn't get any phone calls so I guess that everything is okay.
I was able to camp for five days and that was pretty cool. I camped next to Chalk Creek which was awesome. Life is pretty good when you have a bubbling brook (as I describe it) running in the background. I didn't sleep very well though because the sleeping bag that I brought was too short. My feets were warm but my upper body froze.
I was able to ride the Monarch Crest Trail which is rated as one of the top five mountain bike trails in the state of Colorado. Now I see why. I had to take a shuttle to the top of Monarch pass, then ride up another 1000 feet to make the crest. You wouldn't believe what it is like to mountain bike at 12,000 feet. It was pretty awesome despite having to struggle to keep my breakfast down. I was with six other people from Colorado. They were super cool, but seemed to have lungs of steel compared to me. They shot straight up the mountain while I struggled to maintain eyesight. You really take your lungs for granted when you live at a thousand feet. The people that I was riding with were incredibly patient though. Not that I could have done anything about it if they weren't though! I wouldn't have had the breath to go after them. They should consider themselves lucky! Haha.
I was able to do a lot of cool things while in Colorado like mountain bike, ride four wheelers, golf, and hike, but the coolest thing that I did by far was visit the Dry Bones ministry in Denver with my friends Benny and Niki. If you are part of the Camp OC community then no doubt you have heard about it. But if you are not then you might not know what Dry Bones is. This is a ministry that is dedicated to working with street kids in Denver. These kids have all of the issues that you would excpect for one living on the street, but mainly drug abuse. Benny took me on a "turf tour" of downtown Denver and showed me things that I probably would have never noticed about street life. Also I was able to spend time around street kids that wouldn't have normally had the courage to do in a normal situation.
I was really humbled because I guess that I thought I had ministry figured out before I got there. I figured that you love kids and love Jesus and that was the end of it. I guess to a point I was right. Yet I had reserved my love for those kids who look and act a lot like me. I haven't made it a point in my life to go after the kids who have messed up homes or have made bad decisions. I usually wait for them to come to me. I haven't been the one to pursue those relationships on purpose. I saw the Dry Bones team go after these kids with purpose and intent to love with no agenda. That was startling to me. I have always been taught that you love with the "end-game" in mind. That is, to make them Christians. I guess that is still the overarching goal. Yet when you look at Jesus, he loved fully knowing that he might not get that love back in return. Yet he still loved those around him without abandon or agenda. Why should I be any different?
I confess that I don't really know how to do that. I am still in awe of people who can live their lives in true love to the people around them. I am by nature a pretty selfish guy. I like my house, my dog, and my time. I am praying that God will show me how to really live that way, the way he desires me to.
My experience with Dry Bones was very short and very intense (for me). God is still playing out the implications in my life. I am so thankful to Benny and Niki for spending time with me and showing me what they have dedicated their lives to. They really love those kids out there. I encourage you to go and see what they do. I think that Dry Bones is something that needs to be experienced, not only read or talked about. It is a life changing thing for sure.
Pray for the Dry Bones team. They are on the front lines, I am sure of it. Pray for the church to understand what it means to love like Jesus did. Pray for me. I have a long way to go.
Love you guys.
Chris
I was able to camp for five days and that was pretty cool. I camped next to Chalk Creek which was awesome. Life is pretty good when you have a bubbling brook (as I describe it) running in the background. I didn't sleep very well though because the sleeping bag that I brought was too short. My feets were warm but my upper body froze.
I was able to ride the Monarch Crest Trail which is rated as one of the top five mountain bike trails in the state of Colorado. Now I see why. I had to take a shuttle to the top of Monarch pass, then ride up another 1000 feet to make the crest. You wouldn't believe what it is like to mountain bike at 12,000 feet. It was pretty awesome despite having to struggle to keep my breakfast down. I was with six other people from Colorado. They were super cool, but seemed to have lungs of steel compared to me. They shot straight up the mountain while I struggled to maintain eyesight. You really take your lungs for granted when you live at a thousand feet. The people that I was riding with were incredibly patient though. Not that I could have done anything about it if they weren't though! I wouldn't have had the breath to go after them. They should consider themselves lucky! Haha.
I was able to do a lot of cool things while in Colorado like mountain bike, ride four wheelers, golf, and hike, but the coolest thing that I did by far was visit the Dry Bones ministry in Denver with my friends Benny and Niki. If you are part of the Camp OC community then no doubt you have heard about it. But if you are not then you might not know what Dry Bones is. This is a ministry that is dedicated to working with street kids in Denver. These kids have all of the issues that you would excpect for one living on the street, but mainly drug abuse. Benny took me on a "turf tour" of downtown Denver and showed me things that I probably would have never noticed about street life. Also I was able to spend time around street kids that wouldn't have normally had the courage to do in a normal situation.
I was really humbled because I guess that I thought I had ministry figured out before I got there. I figured that you love kids and love Jesus and that was the end of it. I guess to a point I was right. Yet I had reserved my love for those kids who look and act a lot like me. I haven't made it a point in my life to go after the kids who have messed up homes or have made bad decisions. I usually wait for them to come to me. I haven't been the one to pursue those relationships on purpose. I saw the Dry Bones team go after these kids with purpose and intent to love with no agenda. That was startling to me. I have always been taught that you love with the "end-game" in mind. That is, to make them Christians. I guess that is still the overarching goal. Yet when you look at Jesus, he loved fully knowing that he might not get that love back in return. Yet he still loved those around him without abandon or agenda. Why should I be any different?
I confess that I don't really know how to do that. I am still in awe of people who can live their lives in true love to the people around them. I am by nature a pretty selfish guy. I like my house, my dog, and my time. I am praying that God will show me how to really live that way, the way he desires me to.
My experience with Dry Bones was very short and very intense (for me). God is still playing out the implications in my life. I am so thankful to Benny and Niki for spending time with me and showing me what they have dedicated their lives to. They really love those kids out there. I encourage you to go and see what they do. I think that Dry Bones is something that needs to be experienced, not only read or talked about. It is a life changing thing for sure.
Pray for the Dry Bones team. They are on the front lines, I am sure of it. Pray for the church to understand what it means to love like Jesus did. Pray for me. I have a long way to go.
Love you guys.
Chris
Friday, August 18, 2006
Nothing to say
After a really long summer I am on vacation! It is weird this time around because I am striking out on my own for this week. I am spending a few days just south of Buena Vista, Colorado and then spending the rest of my week with Benny and Niki up in Denver to see what they do with Dry Bones (and just plain hang out of course). I am really thrilled to be able to spend some time outside, out in the wilderness (even though I am staying in a campground with a video arcade). My campsite is right next to a creek and I am in the middle of a bunch of 14,000 foot peaks (which are called the collegiate peaks by the way). I plan to mountain bike, golf, off road, and do some major reading and guitar playing. It makes me excited just to write about it now.
I loaded down my 4-Runner with everything that is valuable to me (except my dog.....he wouldn't fit) and I headed up to Raton, New Mexico today. I am in a Super 8 enjoying their very nice wireless internet. I had a pretty cool experience driving up today. I left Vernon this morning and it was already approaching 95 degrees at noon. It was hot, dry, and barren. We have been hurting so bad with a drought this summer and it is really wearing us out. Yet the farther west I drove, I started to feel the cooler air. I started to see green grass. Then I started to see flowers. I smelled the awesome smell of cut grass along the highway (by the way, if you can name any smell that is better than cut grass, let me know).
Then, as I passed into New Mexico I saw the foothills popping up. Then out in the distance a thunderstorm brewed. As I entered the hills it started raining. Raining so hard. The clouds were hanging low and the lightning was putting on its show. Typically I have a heavy foot but I slowed down a bit. I didn't want to miss this. God was slowing me to experience Him. He was reminding me that he is a powerful God. His mountains and His thunder showed His glory. I had nothing to say. I was quite overwhelmed.
It just stopped raining about thirty minutes ago. My soul was definitly cleansed. It reminded me of the Andrew Peterson song, Nothing to Say:
And the mountains sing Your glory, hallelujah
The canyons echo sweet amazing grace
My spirt sails, the mighty gails are bellowing your name
And I have nothing to say.
I have nothing to say.
I have probably said too much.
Chris
I loaded down my 4-Runner with everything that is valuable to me (except my dog.....he wouldn't fit) and I headed up to Raton, New Mexico today. I am in a Super 8 enjoying their very nice wireless internet. I had a pretty cool experience driving up today. I left Vernon this morning and it was already approaching 95 degrees at noon. It was hot, dry, and barren. We have been hurting so bad with a drought this summer and it is really wearing us out. Yet the farther west I drove, I started to feel the cooler air. I started to see green grass. Then I started to see flowers. I smelled the awesome smell of cut grass along the highway (by the way, if you can name any smell that is better than cut grass, let me know).
Then, as I passed into New Mexico I saw the foothills popping up. Then out in the distance a thunderstorm brewed. As I entered the hills it started raining. Raining so hard. The clouds were hanging low and the lightning was putting on its show. Typically I have a heavy foot but I slowed down a bit. I didn't want to miss this. God was slowing me to experience Him. He was reminding me that he is a powerful God. His mountains and His thunder showed His glory. I had nothing to say. I was quite overwhelmed.
It just stopped raining about thirty minutes ago. My soul was definitly cleansed. It reminded me of the Andrew Peterson song, Nothing to Say:
And the mountains sing Your glory, hallelujah
The canyons echo sweet amazing grace
My spirt sails, the mighty gails are bellowing your name
And I have nothing to say.
I have nothing to say.
I have probably said too much.
Chris
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