SCY Youth Minister’s Weblog

Since mid Jan. we have completed 8 chapters from the Gospel of John.  Those that know me best would say, “how deligent”,” nice goal setting”,”uncanny speed”,”strong discipline” or maybe “so what”.  But it did take 7 months to cover 16 chs. of Mark so this is a step up.  We are on pace to finish John’s 21 chapters in 28 weeks, or 75% a chapter a week and completion on the last Sunday of July.  Mark’s gospel clip was 50% a chapter per week.  I pray that, even though we could spend a year on each chapter and not be able to apply Christ’s teaching fully, we will be more like Christ for having spent time with the Glory of our Savior.

Christ is the center of our Christian faith and the Gospel of John is another powerful witness we need to absorb.  In Chapters 5 through 8 Jesus is challenging the people.  He challenges the religious rulers to stop studying and notice what God is doing.  He challenges his followers to trust then ask and receive.  He challenges the people to believe difficult teaching and not walk away.  He challenges the Jews to forget what they thought was right about Yahwehism and believe that He and the Father are one. 

In the chapters we also see the power of Jesus to control the world in a supernatural way.  He took important Jewish festivals and gave them new meaning.  He drew the line in the sand and said, “If you follow me you will never die.”  Not following Jesus meant death.  His teachings were too hard yet too easy, they were too forgiving yet too specific.  They expected a total commitment, but not to streneous rules.  And His words made people more equal than than the special people would ever feel comfortable admitting. 

Jesus was bold, harsh, loving, and giving.  Let’s listen to Him and believe what He says.  Guess what?  His words aren’t going to be easier to swallow as the book progresses.  But as a whole the story is better (more complete) when you’ve heard it all.  See you Sunday.

Remember we have started dividing up into three groups Sunday for a discussion time.  Have a great rest of the week.  Walk in confidence with the Leader today!  

Napoleon Dynamite.

What a great movie.  He’s a hero.  He’s what no kid wants to be.  The life of Napoleon is complicated, yet simple.  He must navigate through some tough years without a strong support base; his aunty, brother, and uncle have unique priorities (none of which is Napoleon).  He doesn’t have friends at the beginning of the movie.  Yet the only thing he must do is be himself as the rest of the world is theirself.  Some in the world do good, some do bad, and most could care less what Napoleon does or doesn’t do.  In this void is lanky, slow to speak, young man that must make the little choices to either do good or bad.  And in the end Napoleon thinks about life and chooses to do good for others.  I love it.  It is inspiring.  He reacts normally (an eye for an eye) but ultimately gives graciously (with thoughtfulness and self sacrifice).  Napoleon is a model for living the difficult adolescent years out right.

Ok, so model may be too strong of a word, but you tell me if you would risk everything for a new friend or work endless hours on the perfect gift.  Yes, he is no saint.  True, he fights with those who hurt him most.  But, most of the time Napoleon turns the other cheek when people cause him pain.  Not many stories out of Hollywood can say they set that type of example. 

Napoleon would tell you to dream big and go out and conquer that dream, fulfill it and help others along the way.  Helping others fulfill their dreams is part of living a life that deserves to have its dreams fulfilled.  He’d say take care not to let people knock you down to long.  Spend time with those who are helpful, who care, and that actually like you for who you really are- not for who you try so hard to be. 

I hope you enjoyed covering this movie these past four weeks.  I actually used over twenty verses (we could have used the material for a year).  Write back with your thoughts.