March 30, 2009

been working on a few things


It's been a minute since I last blogged, but do not worry I will be back in full force after I get the last few things moved into the new casa. I just wanted to take this blog to thank my readers for being there for me and giving feedback and comments. You guys are the coooooolest. Yeah!


March 24, 2009

Lovesick Teaser

Our April Series is going to be one of great interest to many of you. We are going to be talking about.... well I guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out!

lovesick trailer-lo/fi from Norman Tumlinson on Vimeo.

March 23, 2009

loved this post!

Perry Noble is lead pastor at NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC. He has a blog that I like to check each week but I especially liked this one. check it out.  http://tinyurl.com/c4pttn

forgiven...

This past weekend was great! Thanks so much, students and small group leaders, for being open and willing to try new things. I hope that it was a great experience for all involved. It is hard to remember that in order to be in rhythm with God we have to be in rhythm with others. But, it is a very important spiritual truth we need to take to heart. I hope you are doing well today! Make it a great week!!!

March 19, 2009

If it's broke then...

I recently ran across an old commercial. You might remember it, or you might have never seen it.  Watch the clip up to 1:43 first, then read below. 



The first time I watched this clip I thought, "These people are dumb, it's obvious that they can just walk up the escalator. Lame...." But then the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Is it really lame?? 

That made me think about assumptions in my life. And as I started to think about it more I thought, "Isn't this how many Christ-followers and churches operate?" 

We know exactly what to do, but we refuse to change. Just like the people stuck on the escalator we may think, "This thing will fix itself, we'll just wait here until it does." 

But it won't just fix itself... God is calling us to change. He is calling us to be constantly shedding our old selves and not allowing ourselves to be stuck in 1995. I have to admit, I love the church of 1995. It's where I first encountered Christ. But this is 2009. If our heart is to reach Orlando it will take change, so please be ready!

"A church that pitches its tents without constantly looking out for new horizons, which does not continually strike camp, is being untrue to its calling... We must play down our longing for certainty, accept what is risky, live by improvisation and experiment"
- Hans Kung

March 18, 2009

God change our hearts!

Pray this prayer with me. 

My God. You are a holy God. You give me breath and life. Thank You!

Teach me today how to live as Christ lived in this world. Draw my heart closer to you and teach me your ways. Please compel my heart to read the scriptures, which tell the story of your mighty works throughout history. 

Open my eyes to see the opportunities to be hope and love to the places I walk everyday. Give me an opportunity today to tell someone of the hope I have in You.

Thank you Jesus, our chainbreaker!!! AMEN

March 17, 2009

what does success look like?

I've been thinking alot about what it means to be successful in student ministry. I have ridden a roller-coaster of emotion as I have scoured the Scriptures, websites, books, e-zines, maga-zines, etc...

But here's what my heart keeps telling me what a successful student ministry looks like. --Students knowing Jesus Christ personally.

Success is not irrelevant events that keep students busy. Success is not behavior modification. Success is not puffing up students with bible knowledge. Success is not good programming.

In John 4:13 Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well and says, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life!"

See, when a kid really knows Christ, it shapes their whole life story. All of the sudden Christ convicts their hearts of sin and they begin to burn with passion for friends who do not yet know Christ. Every time they bump into a new spiritual truth from the Scriptures they devour it and it becomes part of who they are. 

Share this challenge with me. Pray for us in the student ministries. Pray for our teenagers to personally know Christ. Pray for our students to share Jesus with their friends. Pray for our volunteer staff and student leaders to take the call of Christ to Orlando and beyond. Amen.

March 14, 2009

bro-mance

so i got to meet one of my ministry homeboys up close and personal. His name is Brad Cooper a.k.a. BCoop from NewSpring church. This guy is a great student pastor and a great man of God. Check out his website... www. bradcooper.us


YS one day

Today is going to be a great day! The small group leaders and I are going to an all day workshop put together by Youth Specialties. It is called One Day and we are going to learn about communicating the scriptures and unleashing the power of God's word! I am really excited about this. If you could pray for our small group leader staff and I today we would really appreciate it! I can't wait to see you tomorrow. PEACE!

March 11, 2009

Unleash

Dear blog readers,

please be in prayer for staff and volunteers as we head up to Unleash in South Carolina. We will be out today and tomorrow. Pray that God will instill within us greater passion to serve others, that our hearts would be refreshed and God would use this time to inspire us to help @gracefellowship take it's next steps in Christ.

If you would like to know more about the conference or check it out on the web 4 free check this----http://www.newspring.cc/unleash/2009/ 
Until then I'll see you on SUNDAY!!!!

peace!

March 9, 2009

Rhythm: the recap!

A big thank you to the students that braved the daylight savings change to come to our 10:30 student service! We had a sweet time learning about how God created us with an innate sense of wonder and how many times the things of this world drowns that out. But, God has given us the ability to recapture that wonder through Christ.

I hope that the people who got rug burns from our games are okay today (Dudley, send me any medical bills you might have incurred ;) ) I still think that the girls would have won three out of four if the guys were willing. If you didn't get a chance to be there this Sunday you missed out on one of the craziest game we've had in a while, but I still have a few things up my sleeve for next week.

At the end of our time together we had a chance to go outside for some of our small group breakout time and spend some quality alone time reading scripture and reflecting on some of the attributes of our Creator! I think some of the students really enjoyed the opportunity to pause and reflect on the greatness of our God.

I think it is very vital to spend time outside with the scriptures and to meditate on the character of God. Some of my best times of worship have been outside in the still quiet of nature. Well, thanks for reading and if you are a student I look forward to seeing you next week!!!

March 6, 2009

DAYLIGHT... how i love theeeee!!!

Okay stare into the sun for 30 seconds and then close your eyes.... wait not yet! Okay after you stare at the sun for 30 seconds then close your eyes, I want you to repeat this phrase ten times to yourself, "I need to remember to set my clock forward one hour so I can get to Grace Students on time... and so I can get a chance at the free give-away drawing thingie"

Nice. Don't forget!

creepy... maybe... cool... definitely!!


have you ever heard of Google latitude?? It is kinda like a live GPS/tracker so your peeps can see where you are ALL the time. At first I was like, "that is SO cool". Then I was like,  "wow, this is a little weird?!?!" I mean I like the idea of twitter, but this may be a little creepy for people. 

I remember back in the day I used to throw smoke screens at people i didnt wanna hang out with, like "oh i gotta go return my library books" or some other lame excuse to get out of doing something... Some of you are like, "I was wondering why he had to go to the library so much?!" Just joking, now that I am a Christ-follower I don't lie*. 

Anyways, it does seem cool but then it seems weird. What is your take on it??? comment below

March 5, 2009

explosions!

So today I am having quite a great day and then... gurgle... burble.. ugg. why is my tummy sounding so weird? It's like I have cumulus clouds are forming in my intestinal areas. I don't know what it is I ate, but man I feel bad. 

Oh well, I'll get over it, but since I have you here make sure that you check out our "Rhythm" series in room 205(if you are a 6th-12th grader) Sunday! I promise I will not be gaseous then. 

I promise...

March 4, 2009

summer retreat 09: dates and cost

Okay, I know some of you are already interested in the skinny on summer retreat!!! I am so glad you are getting pumped about it. I have a few more things to finalize, so this update is only so you can know the dates and the cost.

What I can tell you now is the date will be June 15-19th and we will be going up to Auburn, AL. I will have an early registration as well as regular registration. Registration costs $199 now, but will go up to $249 after April 8th. The last day to register will be April 26th. (we are currently working out a system if you have more than one child that would like to attend)

Now I know you will have all kinds of other questions, but like I said let me get a few more things battened down and Ill let you and your parents know ASAP!!! Thanks for your patience and prayers!

March 2, 2009

Rhythm: the recap!

                        
Rhythm Series Kickoff! from Norman Tumlinson on Vimeo.        

We had a great Sunday in the student ministries. Chad led us in a great time of worship and our guest speaker Dave Diaz brought a compelling message of keeping ourselves in rhythm with God through Christ. We are going to have another giveaway next week so make sure and be there before 10:30 to sign up!!!