More on Advent Conspiracy

I feel like I can't stop talking about the Advent Conspiracy. It has changed my entire outlook on Christmas. You see, for years I have felt like Christmas was something that caused stress. People are sad because they can't afford to buy something big and spectacular for their kids. Stores have sale after sale. Employees are upset because they have to work their second job at the mall to pay for the gifts they won't watch their loved one open. It's a bit ridiculous if you ask me.

Not this year.

This year, I'm learning for the first time that Christmas is about bringing hope, peace, and life. This year, I get to taste what it was like for Christ to come and give and teach. This year, I'm telling the real story of change. Think about joining. Watch this video and think about how you might be able to reclaim the message of Christ this season.

Trinity's 2008 Advent Conspiracy Project

Love well. Give wells.

People are dying from the lack of clean water. In fact, it's the leading cause of death in under resourced countries. 1.8 million people die every year from water born illnesses. That includes 3,900 children a day. The solution to this problem is directly beneath our feet. Drilling a fresh water well is a relatively inexpensive, yet permanent solution to this epidemic. $10 will give a child clean water for life. That's not an estimate. It's a fact. And here's another fact: Solving this water problem once and for all will cost about $10 billion. Not bad considering Americans spent $450 billion on Christmas last year. Our hope is that, by celebrating Christ in a new way at Christmas, the church can serve as the leading movement behind ending the water crisis once and for all.

As a part of the Advent Conspiracy, Trinity is supporting Living Water International (www.water.cc) to provide clean water to all God's people on Earth.

Our Goal

We will collect an offering the week after Christmas to donate to LWI for 125 well repairs in Liberia. Our goal is to donate $250,000.

Help me reach that goal. Help LWI reach that goal. Every dollar is a kid who lives. Every dollar.

Christmas can [still] change the world.

Stand By Me

For some reason, I'm incredibly emotional today. I didn't wake up thinking I was going to be rather emo. It started because I got pulled over by a cop on the way to work. Apparently going 15 miles over the speed limit is frowned upon. He then in a matter of moments instructed me how to remove the tint from my front window (illegal in Illinois, thank you Saturn of Naperville!). He walked back to his car to ensure that I'm not somc crazy on the run and returned to sob fest 2008. Poor guy, just trying to do his job and he encounters, "can I have your hankie" lady.
Once I finally made it to work (thanks to a lovely stress induced Whopper Value Meal) I began writing a series of devotionals on stewardship. Bam, there I am at my desk crying because I could never get an Elderberry plant to grow in my garden. What is that all about? I'm reminded of the time one of my girlfriends in college shouted, "get off your emotional roller coaster and get on a train!"
It's easy in the moments of stress to forget that God looks, not at the circumstances around us, but at the big picture. And, God has designed us to be in community in this way. Next time you start to think you are all alone, take a look at this video. And if you are in the youth min program at Trinity, don't tell Gary I stole his lesson before he even taught it!!!

CURF Confirmation Presentation

I taught at Concordia, River Forest on Tuesday, December 2nd. I put a link to the power point I used for my presentation. Large group confirmation examples can be found at Trinity's website: www.trinitylisle.org

To the students I had the pleasure of teaching this week and to other students pursuing ministry: I pray that God harvests the leadership qualities needed for ministry growth. May you always strive to worship God through the gifts and talents he has given you. I pray that you ignite the fire of service in volunteers. And that you find peace, hope, and love in your future ministry.

Power Point:
Confirmation CurfConfirmation

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Principles for Ministry to Children, Youth, and Family:
Children,Youth, and Family Principles

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Parent Profile:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/8639987/Parent-Profile