Friday, July 31, 2009
Joy and Evangelism
Mike King, the president of Youthfront recently wrote a really interesting blog entry in response to a popular you tube video. I wanted to pass it on to you. It's a video of a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program in which a large group of people performed a music routine from the Sound of Music in the middle of a busy train station. In the words of Mike, "the response of the commuters is extraordinary as they move from surprise, awkwardness and discomfort to finding themselves caught up in the experience. I think this video is a fitting metaphor for the church and our invitation to those outside our communities of faith to enter into the joyful story of God unfolding in the world." Follow this link to read the blog and see the video. king.typepad.com
Friday, July 17, 2009
BROKEN PHONE
The screen on my phone cracked in the midst of our service project. Do you have an extra Sprint phone I can use for a few months? I'm hoping to switch carriers in October, so I would prefer not to buy a new one. If so please call me or email me...
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A Life that Counts
I think we all want a life that matters for something. Yet, there are countless people who come to their end and discover that nothing worthwhile or lasting came from their time on earth. So what happened?
There are many reasons why people end up wasting their lives. Some can’t quite muster up the courage, knowing that living a life that counts requires sacrifice of the things they enjoy. Their comfortable situation is just too valuable to them.
Others are just too busy. They are so focused on climbing the corporate ladder (or some other symbolic ladder), that they forget to check if their ladder is leaning on the right house. Still others, know ing what it takes, just decide that its simply too hard. They would rather cover over the emptiness and lack of meaning with fun and toys which they hope will help them cope.
I think that almost all the roadblocks to meaning can be summed up in one word, “desire.” For most people, the daily desire for comfort, recreation, and accolades outweigh the desire for meaning. Yet we all know, that in reality a meaningful life is tremendously more important than the latter.
One of my favorite authors, CS Lewis wrote, “... it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
One of the best ways we can grow in our desire for Christ and his kingdom, is not to suppress our desires, but to cultivate the right kind of desires in our souls.
For me, mobilizing others to love and serve is one of the best cultivators in my spiritual life. This past week, Amanda and I helped facilitate a service project for a church from Ames, IA.
The youth came down and painted a elderly widow’s house in an urban area of Kansas City, KS. Before they arrived there was a lot of peeling paint and bare wood. Two days later, the entire house was a beautiful new brownish-gray color with white trim. It was hard work, but there is something about hard work and service that is a means of grace to the one who serves, (and to the one facilitating that service).
It is easy to say that this project was just as much about my joy and desire as it was about the joy of Grand Avenue Baptist in Ames and the joy of this elderly widow in Kansas City, KS.
I pray that your joy this month will also be full and meaningful as you support and mobilize these types of ministries through your prayers and giving.
There are many reasons why people end up wasting their lives. Some can’t quite muster up the courage, knowing that living a life that counts requires sacrifice of the things they enjoy. Their comfortable situation is just too valuable to them.
Others are just too busy. They are so focused on climbing the corporate ladder (or some other symbolic ladder), that they forget to check if their ladder is leaning on the right house. Still others, know ing what it takes, just decide that its simply too hard. They would rather cover over the emptiness and lack of meaning with fun and toys which they hope will help them cope.
I think that almost all the roadblocks to meaning can be summed up in one word, “desire.” For most people, the daily desire for comfort, recreation, and accolades outweigh the desire for meaning. Yet we all know, that in reality a meaningful life is tremendously more important than the latter.
One of my favorite authors, CS Lewis wrote, “... it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
One of the best ways we can grow in our desire for Christ and his kingdom, is not to suppress our desires, but to cultivate the right kind of desires in our souls.
For me, mobilizing others to love and serve is one of the best cultivators in my spiritual life. This past week, Amanda and I helped facilitate a service project for a church from Ames, IA.
The youth came down and painted a elderly widow’s house in an urban area of Kansas City, KS. Before they arrived there was a lot of peeling paint and bare wood. Two days later, the entire house was a beautiful new brownish-gray color with white trim. It was hard work, but there is something about hard work and service that is a means of grace to the one who serves, (and to the one facilitating that service).
It is easy to say that this project was just as much about my joy and desire as it was about the joy of Grand Avenue Baptist in Ames and the joy of this elderly widow in Kansas City, KS.
I pray that your joy this month will also be full and meaningful as you support and mobilize these types of ministries through your prayers and giving.
Signage
sign⋅age (sī'nĭj):
noun
signs collectively, esp. commercial or public display signs.
One of the exciting events around Youthfront this month was the Youthfront reunion. Hundreds of people came in, from as far away as France, to re connect with old friends from their days at KCYFC/Youthfront.
Unfortunately, Amanda, Abi, and I could not attend (due to an important wedding the day of the event). However, I was able to help get ready for the event. Topher, my brother, and I worked on new signage for Youthfront camp West. We spent a couple days in the heat digging holes, cutting wood, and pouring concrete, so that the new signs would be ready when our guests arrived.
For me there is something really rewarding about hard manual labor in the sun.
noun
signs collectively, esp. commercial or public display signs.
One of the exciting events around Youthfront this month was the Youthfront reunion. Hundreds of people came in, from as far away as France, to re connect with old friends from their days at KCYFC/Youthfront.
Unfortunately, Amanda, Abi, and I could not attend (due to an important wedding the day of the event). However, I was able to help get ready for the event. Topher, my brother, and I worked on new signage for Youthfront camp West. We spent a couple days in the heat digging holes, cutting wood, and pouring concrete, so that the new signs would be ready when our guests arrived.
For me there is something really rewarding about hard manual labor in the sun.
Abi Update
ABI UPDATE: The last two months have been really fun. I saw fireworks for the first time since China, fed goats at Deanna Rose Farmstead, made some new friends at an urban ministry called Freedom Fire, and visited my friends at camp. (along with some rubber duckies)
YMI UPDATE
Recruiting. This month we’ve spent some time recruiting for YMI at our camps. It’s been so much fun to connect with some of the summer staff who worked there last summer.
In general people have been very interested in coming to Youthfront Mission Institute. Most of them, however, talk about it for future years.
For one reason or another, very few students have been able to commit to this fall semester. We are praying about how this is going to effect our fall.
College Credit. This week Kurt will be having lunch in the Argentine with several key people from William Jewel College. They will be continuing our discussions about gaining college credit through YMI courses.
In general people have been very interested in coming to Youthfront Mission Institute. Most of them, however, talk about it for future years.
For one reason or another, very few students have been able to commit to this fall semester. We are praying about how this is going to effect our fall.
College Credit. This week Kurt will be having lunch in the Argentine with several key people from William Jewel College. They will be continuing our discussions about gaining college credit through YMI courses.
Family Update
It’s been interesting living in the Philgreen household this summer. In all my years as a Kansas Citian, this is the first summer in thirteen years, where I have actually been living in the city (rather than camp, Mexico, or Minneapolis). Though I have missed the places of intensive ministry, the benefits for our family have been huge. In addition to ministry around the KC area, we have enjoyed afternoon walks, meeting with church friends, and experiencing the city.
We’ve also been trying to sell our house. About a month ago, we put our house on the market. Within 2 days, we had accepted an offer, and were making plans for our next steps. Along came the inspection. Next thing we knew, the offer was withdrawn, and we were starting over. Sold, then “un-sold.” Please keep praying for us in this process. If you know anyone who wants to live in the Westwood area, point them our direction.
We’ve also been trying to sell our house. About a month ago, we put our house on the market. Within 2 days, we had accepted an offer, and were making plans for our next steps. Along came the inspection. Next thing we knew, the offer was withdrawn, and we were starting over. Sold, then “un-sold.” Please keep praying for us in this process. If you know anyone who wants to live in the Westwood area, point them our direction.
Feed the Hunger Initiative
According to Bread for the World Institute, six million children under the age of five die every year as a result of hunger.
By comparison, the population of the city of Chicago (which is the third largest in the United States) has a population of almost three million people. So, for the sake of understanding, imagine cities, the size of Chicago, being completely inhabited by kids. Then drop a bomb on the city, and everyone dies.... two cities a year. Perhaps this is a little morbid. Forgive me, if it is overly offensive. But isn’t this similar when we consider that there is ample food to feed these people.
Part of following Jesus, is the choice to live life differently for the sake of those in need. We abandon our own “rights” for the sake of the poor, oppressed, and those with little access to the gospel of Jesus.
At Youthfront camps this summer, students have been packaging meals to send to third-world countries in need. This summer up to 128,000 meals will be packaged at our camps. In addition, groups of students across the city are making plans for packaging food throughout the school year.
More than simply packaging meals, we are hoping to encourage people to not turn a blind eye to someone in need. We want to encourage students to live a life that appropriately reflects Christ in the presence of this extreme reality.
A few weeks ago, FOX 4 came out and took video of some Campers at Youthfront South making the meals. Take a look at the video below.
July Prayer Guide
Youthfront Mission Institute . We have a lot of questions if we do not get any more students. Pray that students will be able to come. Pray also that we would have wisdom regarding the next steps for Youthfront Mission Institute and our family.
Camp. Though we cannot be at camp this summer, what they are doing is very exciting. Pray for the Feed the Hunger initiative, and for the Camp’s mission to bring youth into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Family. We would really like our house to sell. The stress of getting it ready to sell is for the most part over, but the stress of waiting has begun. Please pray that the right buyer will come along and that our house will sell for a good price.
Support. We’ve continued to have a support deficit. Please continue to pray for unexpected gifts or other means of provision.
Camp. Though we cannot be at camp this summer, what they are doing is very exciting. Pray for the Feed the Hunger initiative, and for the Camp’s mission to bring youth into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Family. We would really like our house to sell. The stress of getting it ready to sell is for the most part over, but the stress of waiting has begun. Please pray that the right buyer will come along and that our house will sell for a good price.
Support. We’ve continued to have a support deficit. Please continue to pray for unexpected gifts or other means of provision.
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