Limos at McDonalds

The guys stopped at McDonalds while at the SYMC and Justin snapped
this picture? You just don't see this in rural PA.

Noon Nonsense: A 140 Year Old Weiner

Check out the 140 year old (possibly) Coney Island hot dog:

My Prayer for the Conference

I have about 10 minutes before I have to head down to the registration table to wait for my "team" and other youth workers we brought from PA to the SYMC.  I am really praying that they are so encouraged this weekend.  Youth Ministry is my passion, but sometimes I am not sure if I have encouraged the volunteers who help every week enough.  I know a conference won't take the place of the one on one, week in and week out, encouragement/teaching, but I hope they will learn and be built up from others this weekend.  My prayer is that we would all go home excited to impart our lives and faith to kids in Central PA.

Doug Fields & Facebook - My Encouragement

I am sitting in my room on the eve of the Simply Youth Ministry Conference (SYMC) and can’t help but think of what we heard from Doug Fields and others this evening at supper along with a message I received yesterday on Facebook. I’ll start with the Facebook message. A month or so ago we, a group (Highway 35 Student Ministries) of youth ministers and youth minded pastors who have been working together since last May, sponsored a dodge ball tournament. The event attracted a lot of youth and a bunch of spectators. The Facebook message was just letting me know how excited this person was that we were able to get all those kids to mingle together.

The message tonight was how we needed to band together to encourage and “love on” each other this weekend. Many youth ministers come to a conference with a lot of baggage and/or are tired, worn down and maybe even ready to quit. We were asked to find ways to build up those we come in contact with. In fact, the speakers are asked to be available to people during the conference and if they don’t, aren’t asked to return.

As I think about these two messages to me, I really feel the importance of what I do on a regular basis. I really see my role now, more than ever, as an encourager. In 23 years of ministry, I have been to the place where I have wanted to quit. I have written my resignation a number of times. I have received the unsigned note in my church mailbox and been attacked for being a bit too edgy. So, I think I understand those times. I have also seen the good times. Notes from former “youth” have been great and watching adults I have ministered to ministering to kids is very gratifying. What an interesting run it has been for me. So, with the two messages I have heard, I feel like I need to keep spending time working together with other youth workers and do my best to be the encouragement they need to keep imparting their lives to kids.

Noon Nonsense: How to Waste Your Money #2

The other day I posted a Noon Nonsense about a guy who will take care of your pets after the rapture of the church. I didn't label it then, but I should have called it "How to Waste Your Money #1"  Well, here is money wasting #2:  A vacation for your stuffed animals.  Click here to read the story.  

Noon Nonsens: Pot Smugglers Now Legit Buisness Owners

Pot smugglers who, at one time, had to smuggle marajuana into the country are now business owners selling "madicinal" weed.  I am not even sure if I should be posting this.  You decide.  I am certainly not fond of the idea.  Click here for the story by the Sacramento Bee. 

A Man of Integrity!

The other night my wife and I were watching the Olympics.  During one of the competitions, the NBC cameras found Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys and then seconds later they showed Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.  (The colts have been my favorite team since they were in Baltimore.)  I found it interesting that after introducing the audience to coach Dungy, the commentator mentioned that Dungy was a man "with a lot of integrety".  You just don't hear that regularly.  At least I don't hear it much about people in the spotlight. It was one of the first things out of the commentators mouth.  Oh, they also talked little about his super bowl win with the Colts, etc.  But, tell me, what could have been a better testamony of a man than to be a man of integrity?  And Tony Dungy is widely known for it. 

What was really interesting to me as I woke up the next day, Friday, February 19, and began to read from the 19th chapter of Proverbs.  (Our pastor had challeged us to read a chapter of Proverbs per day.  There are 31 chapters of Proverbs and 31 days in the longest month.  Read one chapter a day.)  Verse one says "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool."  I am sure Tony Dungy isn't poor.  But, he is known for his integrity.  God's word says that is a good thing.  I am poor, financially, and I want people to say of me. "He's a man of integrity!"  It isn't easy, but it is the best thing. 

Karl & Spense Groovin

Two YM friends play while we eat breakfast at the Expectaions Women's
Center (formally the Pregnecy Care Center) Ambassador's Breakfast.
Good people playing for a good cause.

Noon Nonsense: Did Movie Predictions About Future Come True?

The movie, "Back to the Future" was not meant to predict the future, but how much of what they portrayed do we have today? Check out this article that examines the "predictions".

Live Feed for Richfield Raceway

I don't know if you are into Remote Controlled cars (RC) racing or not, but, our church has been sponsoring racing in our Family Life Center for a couple of years now.  I have posted about this in the past, and this year has been the best year as far as number of racers, etc. The guys who come to race are excited about being here and a couple of them have really taken an interest in promoting the "track".  Some have wired the facility for internet and a live video feed of the racing.  Here is the link for the feed.  They race almost every Friday night, so if you are home and want to see what is going on at the Richfield Raceway, you can watch it on the computer. 

Noon Nonsense: Making Money on the Rapture

This has got to be the oddest thing I have ever heard. This guy is trying to make money from Christians who are concerned about their pets who may be left behind at the rapture. I kid you not! I know people love their pets, but, if you are in heaven, I am sure you won't care about what happened to the critters. Check out the story here.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_08/b4167070046047.htm?chan=rss_topStories_ssi_5

Noon Nonsense: A Man Cave (Igloo)

For all those who love the snow, you'll enjoy this. If you don't like the snow, think of this as making lemonade out of lemons.

Here is a video tour of the Igloo:

Giant Igloo

You Are Never Too Old to Get Married.

At 42, I got married. Some think I waited a long time and might be a bit old to get married now. I obviously disagreed. I love it! That was over 14 months ago. I can say, you're never too old to get married. Take this couple who both lost their spouses and have found each other. He calls his children, ranging in age from 78 - 69, "youngsters". Of course, he is 105. Check out their story here.

Noon Nonsense: It's a cold day in . . . New York!

You know it has to be cold when a dog gets mugged for his coat. Check out the story here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35331987/ns/us_news/?ocid=twitter

Noon Nonsense: "Your Too Young To Play In The Playground

Some think the elderly are forgotten. Well, not in this park - with a playground for seniors. Click here for the story.

Noon Nonsense: Does the Punishment Fit the Crime?

I don't think you can always go by what is reported, but I am not sure if the handcuff weren't a bit over the top. Tell me what you think about being arrested for writing on your desk at school. Click here for the entire story.

http://www.examiner.com/x-29163-NY-Parenting-Issues-Examiner~y2010m2d6-12yearold-Queens-student-handcuffed-and-arrested-for-doodling-on-desk

New Movie -"Soul Surfer" has A-list Cast!

Breaking news: for Christian moviegoers wanting to see more good faith stories come out of Hollywood, get ready to fill seats. Sony Pictures Entertainment Company and Affirm Films announce the start of filming on “Soul Surfer” – Bethany Hamilton’s story of loss, courage, and faith in God. The A-list cast includes Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood, and AnnaSophia Robb.

Bethany Hamilton is the world-class teen surfer who, at age 13, lost her left arm in a shark attack. If you know her story—and what schoolchild in America doesn’t?—you also know of her family’s faith in God. The stories are inseparable. And you know that within three weeks, Bethany was back on her surfboard.

Bethany’s story exemplifies personal faith, family unity, the guiding influence of a Christian youth-group leader . . . and the trust of a 13-year-old girl who, weeks before the accident, began praying that God would make clear her purpose in life.

Noon Nonsense: He's Doing What?

Check out this article about a 7th grader who committed to play football for USC.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C584967%2C00.html?test=latestnews

The Significance of the Super Bowl

Finishing out the week of football is this little video to hopefully make us think about what is important to us. Enjoy the Super Bowl but remember that in the scope of things, it really doesn't matter who wins. There are so many more things that are much more important.

Short Football Blooper Video

Just a quick blooper video to get you in the mood for the big game!

Noon Nonsense: Inflatable Gorilla Blamed for Fire

I owned inflatable games but I have never heard of one of them catching on fire! http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100129/D9DHL52O0.html

Week of Football - Appetizers

I have collected a list of links to appetizers for you to try during your super bowl party. I would love to know if you are going to try/tried any of these and if you like them or not. My favorite link is listed first . . . how can you NOT like Bacon cookies, fried bacon or bacon wrapped tater tots?

Bacon Appetizers
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2010/02/top_ten_super_bowl_bacon_appet.php

Finger Foods
http://www.cooksrecipes.com/holiday-recipes/super-bowl-party-recipes_fingerfoods.html

Good Housekeeping - Everything d from Chili to Enchaladas to Mac and Cheese appetizers.
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/entertaining/super-bowl-party-menu

Pillsbury - for some sweeter side. I love Pillsbury cresant rolls!
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipelist.aspx/Crescents?tab=All

Noon Nonsense: Supermarket Dress Code

Do you dress up to do your grocery shopping? Well if you are in the United Kingdom, you might not be able to where your PJ's. http://www.stylelist.com/2010/01/28/pajamas-banned-in-uk-supermarket-tesco-angry-shoppers-call-dress-code-snobbish/

Noon Nonsense: Don't Look Too Long

Just for fun . . . Check out these Optical Illusions:
http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/scitech/2010/01/29/mind-bending-optical-illusions?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a4:g4:r5:c0.000000:b0:z5

Commercials - A Football Haters Salvation

I love the Super Bowl for many reasons. This year my Colts are playing, making it more meaninful. But, for many people, the commercials are what they look forward too. Doritos again this year sponsored a contest for the best 30 second commercial. One of the finalists was submitted by a church. See the article here. Here is their video:

I liked that one but this finalist is my favorite:

I just wanted to add to the post by giving you a link to a few of the "best" (not necessarily according to me) commercials over the last 10 years and how they might be made differently today. Click here.

Noon Nonsense: New Orleans Mayor Needs Tickets to the Super Bowl

When I was posting this, the New Orleans Mayor was looking for tickets to the Super Bowl!?! You would think someone would help him out? Here's the link:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/01/new_orleans_mayor_ray_nagin_st.html

Noon Nonsense: Real or Robotic Rodent?

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day and, if PETA gets their way, Punxsutawney Phil will be a Phake. See the story here:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/01/peta-calls-for-robotic-groundhog-to-replace-punxsutawney-phil/1

Also, if you would like to get Phil's prediction via text, check this out.

Drew Brees Talks About His Faith

I am an Indianapolis Colts fan and have been since when they were in Baltimore. I will be rooting for the Colts to win the Super Bowl this Sunday. However, I HAD to share this video with you because now I am a Drew Brees fan as well. I love the fact that whichever team wins this week. We will most likely hear how much they praise and thank God for the accomplishment.