Sunday Photoblog: Batter Up

So Much To Talk About!!!

I have been anxious to get back to this blog but have lacked time and well just been a little lazy trying to cut corners. Well so much has happened since my last post that I don't know how to say it all. I've had good times bad times and everything in between. The most recent thing that has come up in my life is this thing at my church called the lay witness mission. Its this really cool retreat that is at my church all this weekend and it has been such a blast. I won't lie, I thought it was going to be boring, but it hasn't been. I have meet some really cool people and have heard some great testimonies and stories. One girl surprised me with hers.

I had met her just a few hours before and she came across as this hyper girl that had the spirit running up and down her. She was called to the front of the sanctuary and was asked to share her story (I hadn't been paying much attention before this point, I had kind of zoned out just a little) her hyperness faded and this other side came out. She talked about how she was a child of God. She explained about how she had been hurt and mistreated, left behind and picked back up. Then, she found God. She had been sexually harassed and her parents had left her at the age of two. She had a conversation with God and he told her that if she wanted to be with him then she must forgive those who have hurt her. This girl forgave them! Truly a work of God. Her five minutes taught me more today than anything I have heard or read in a while. She has God shining inside and out.

Going from very serious to very fun we went to DCAC and played a little putt-putt and hit a few balls. This was the play time of the day. I lost to Bruce but tied with Kelsey. But its not about winning its about having fun and that we did have. Me and Peyton played a little areo-ball and that I killed him in. Me and Peyton also had a little air hockey challenge and I was victorious there to. Today was my lucky day.

We also had a new addition to our Youth Lounge Kitchen. We got a Cappiccino/Espresso maker, Smoothie Machine, and a Coffee Maker. I spent time figuring that stuff out and made a little mess but none the less made some good stuff. Now it is turning into the Shalom Cafe. I think that it fits our Youth Group Perfectly.

So today I had a really good time. I got closer to God, friends, and even machine.
Peace,
J

Sunday Photoblog: Happy Easter

Hendersonville might not be the best place to chill

So I havent written in a while, i have been really busy. But i went to the bowling alley tonight and it was pretty bad. Underage somking everywhere! Lots of unwanted PDA and much much more. I have never seen the bowling alley that bad before. It kind of makes me think about what are city is turning into. Then the movie theater isn't much better one night as i drove away i saw this guy throwing up in a trash can because he was so drunk. This type of things happen in every city but when you can't go to have a fun time because your choking on smoke its just not fun anymore. I hope that something will come to hendersonville that doesnt attract all the scum of the city.

Sunday PhotoBlog: In Paradise

A Long Day

Today I am getting ready to start my journey back home we around the Dallas area and should return around 10 tonight. I have had a blast and it is really nice to be able to get away from everything and take a break. I got a ton of great pictures and a few souvenirs. San Antonio is a really cool and interesting city, I would like to go back sometime. I even met some new people while there. Today will be a long bus ride and therefore a slow day. Well I hope everyone had a fun time while I was away and hope I get back safe, see you guys soon.

A Ways From Home

Right now I am sitting in a Hampton Inn in Mesquite Tx. I am with a group of kids from school and we are on our way to San Antonio. We left Hendersonville around 7:30am and got here around 9:30pm. The bus ride got a little old and ive got 4 more hours. The Blogger server has been down and I have not been able to write in a while I will try to write when im in San Antonio.

Shouts From the Band Room

Funny Title I know! But a few weeks ago I found out that the band director was goning to split the band im going to be in next year into two groups. a wind ensemble and symphonic band. the Wind ensemble is the better band. So I auditioned and was kind of nervous that i might make second band. well i didnt I made first band and on top of that i was the only one of that intrument that he took. Its wierd cause i have only been playing this one for under a year and now Im the best at Hendersonville High. I can't wait until next year.

Your Not Always Right!

Everyone knows someone that thinks that there way is the best way and that they are always right. When you try to tell them other wise they block you out and it is so frustrating. That hold you back and seems like things will never change. There is this guy in my class and he holds the whole class back, I just wish that he would give other ideas a chance.

Rough Day at Concert Festival

Well I went to Concert Festival with the HHS Concert Band today and we did alright. we got a 2 in our prepared peace and a 1 in sightreading. I was really hoping for 1's across the board because last year hawkins got all ones (my middle school) and its just a dissapointment. I havent really had anything to blog about besides that.

We are finally starting a praise band something that has been talked about for a while now and im really excited. Our first time we meet will be on sunday and I cant wait to start this great thing. It is gonna be so much fun for us all.

Might not be much blogging till then.

Sunday Photoblog: Not Everyone is Welcome

A Wednesday Night Service

So tonight I went to the Wednesday Night service at church. I had never been before and tonight I started to go for not all the right reasons. One of my friends was playing tonight and I was going to see her. When the service began I was asked to read a scripture at the end of the service, even though no one thinks this, reading infront of people is almnost a fear for me. So we sang a few songs and then Mrs. Thomas gave us her testomony, her lifestory. I learned a few things about her. The end of the service came and i read my 2 verse scripture which was actually 3 cause i wasnt paying attenion. Then we had communion and Lynn asked someone if they would serve communion, she looked over at us youth so Matthew E. and I stood up and walked up. I was so surprised at myself, I had never thought that I would serve communion to a congragation at my church. I think that was Gods way of telling me something, I dont really know what, but i know it was something. In a way, I almost felt unworthy. God has mysterious ways!

The undependable myspace

These past few months have been a little funky on myspace. Today, when i tryed to log in i get this stupid "we are working on the system" message and this has happened more than once, it seems that Myspace is going through some server issues.

When something that you are used to having goes away for a while you realize how much you use it or depend on it, in this case Myspace. We all have things that we value. For teenagers these days its myspace. alls i have to say is Tom better get this whole server thing straight, even though I dont think tom owns it anymore.

Sunday Photoblog: Gods Wonderful Creation

Empty Week

This week has been pretty empty and pointless for blogging. I have tried to think of something but nothing really comes to mind. This morining I worked at the Child Care Ministeries Workshop at church to raise money for choir tour. I spent some time talking to a friend about some things and the Lay Witnees Mission came up. We were talking and this sounds like something that will be great for our church and community. We also talked about the soon to be creation of a priase band. Most peoples concern is that people might not take it seriously enough to keep on. I hope that it will all turn out great and everyone will enjoy it. I am hoping that more youth are starting to read gavin and my blogs. Maybe some of you will start your own.
I guess that is all for me today. I hope next week is more eventful.

If we never went over the speed limit

I was surfing the web the other day and I ran over this video that asked what happened if no one ever speed. Some college students answered it by taking five cars and going on the highway. They each got in a lane and went the same speed, 55 miles an hour. pretty soon everyone was following behind like ducks in a pond except for a few that went off the road to pass. so if no one ever sped then would we be safer? what if everyone was christian and followed all the rules, would the world be a better place?

Sunday Photoblog: We're not alone

Just Talk

The other day I was talking to some of my friends and they were talking about this other person and how they made a very bad decision. The whole time I was thinking about how they had done the same thing and they were not getting any grief over it. Which to me is very hypocritical, and also unchristian like. When someone tells me they go to church I will usually ask them when was the last time that went to a service, many say a month or two. Which raises the question are you really an active Christian or do you just say it because it makes you feel better and helps you sleep at night? At my church we have around 50 regular attending members but yet over 100 on the roll. Most of those people consider themselves Christians. I think that practicing what you preach is very important. So is it ok to say your a Christian and not attend church regularly?

Sunday Photo Blog: He Rested On The 7th Day

SleepingYM
Originally uploaded by hfumcyouth.

Fun Times In North Carolina

Im on this amazing trip with my youth group in North Carolina, at Maggie Valley. We got here last night around 12:30am and were on the slopes around 10:30am. We have skied all day. Some of us fell and wiped out more than others. But, I learned something. Being prepared is essential in anything that we do. We as Christians are part of a unique community. If we are not prepared per say to tell someone about how God is something so great, so powerful, so mighty, then are we doing our part? If someone took you up to the top of a mountain, and you had never skied then you wouldn't be prepared and would not make it down the mountain very easily. It comes as our responsibility to be able to tell anyone who is questioning there faith or wanting to know about Christ. So, are you prepared?