Hot-Lanta

Many of you know that this is probably my favorite week in all of youth ministry. Yeah...right. This is our time to visit the "Great American Theme Park," known as Six Flags over Georgia. I can not tell you how excited I am to visit this park 3 years in row. I bet there is not a lot of people who have been able to do that feat, except in if you are a part of the Vaughn Park youth ministry, or any other youth ministry, for that matter. This brings up an interresting point...I can not stand people who like to brag on how many times they have been to Six Flags. Who cares if you stood in the heat, sweating, with your beer gut hanging out. I sure don't! I hate this trip because I am literally scared of the rides, but I love hanging out with the teens.

Let me tell you the reason why I am scared of riding the rides. Many of you do not know this story, and you can still ridicule me for not riding the rides, but I could care less. I use to like to visit this park, that will remain nameless because it is a cuss word in my vocabulary. When I was 10, I would ride those rides, and do all the dumb things that involve risk, but that would soon change. About 4 years ago, I was visiting this park with one of my friends who was an intern in Atlanta. The only reason I went was to hangout with him, and some of his friends. There was a girl in the college group, at the church where he worked, so I hung out with her for the most of the day, which was great. When we got there, Brent said, "you need to ride the ride that shoots straight-up, and drops you down." So, I did, but it was the worst mistake I made. After I got off that ride, I really thought I was going to have a heart attack. I asked Brent to feel my chest, and he told me to take it easy. So, I did, and I hung out with my new friend that I met. Ever since then, I just do not like to ride roller coasters, but I love watching idoits who do. I am going to have fun in at Six Flags over Georgia, talking to Bugs Bunny!

So, youth ministries, beer-gutted men and women, can have their fun at Six Flags...just not me. Guess what? This is some exciting news. I am going to another wedding in Tennessee, this weekend, and we know what that means...guarders and dancing. This is an experience that we all do not get to have. I will let you know how it goes, in a couple of weeks. I will let the excitment build, just like waiting in line to a ride roller coaster.

Under Par

This Fourth of July was celebrated a little different, than the ones from the past. For the past three years, I have not gone home to celebrate Independence Day. Usually, I am stuck in Montgomery, without a grill. It makes for a sad occassion because this is one day that I can gain weight. So, for this July 4th, I got to go home, and spend time with my family. This was not in the plans, till late, last Thursday. I received a text message from Jamin, asking if I wanted to go home. Usually, I would have said no because I think that I might be needed to do something with the church. Thanks, Jamin for allowing me to go home. I felt that I needed to go home, and spend time with my family, and that is exactly what I did. My dad tried to talk me out of it, but I felt that I needed to get away. Also, none of my college friends knew that I was in town, and I wanted to keep it that way because they would be calling and asking if I wanted to hangout, but this was family time. Also, Jackson tried to call, but he should have known that I was on vacation.

So, I pack my bags, and head off to Tennessee, on Friday. I was wanting to get together with a someone that I met from Impact, but that did not workout because she had prior engagements with the youth group she works with, which was a good thing. I wanted to see her, but I also knew that it was more important to spend time with family. I did not get to see my sister, as much as I wanted to because she spent most of the time working at a fireworks stand with my soon-to-be brother-in-law. I did get to see her when my dad, mom, and I drove to up to Columbia, TN, to see her at the fireworks stand. I like the fact that my sister is motivated to work hard, but there comes a time when family is more important than money. I think she has this understanding that she has to take care of everything, herself, but if she would rely on God, everything will be taken care of. So, I spent most of the time with my mom and dad. I haven't got to do that in a long time. So, last Saturday, I went to my favorite steakhouse, Longhorn, in Huntsville. My favorite steak is the New York Strip. I also went shopping for some new shoes, and I got some. It is amazing how I can still talk my parents in buying my shoes. Some may call this childish, but I call it being smart. My dad also got me some new golf balls, and I bought a new golf bag. I ready to hit the links.

There are many people who like to give me a hard time because I golf, but it is one of my favorite things to do, and to be honest, they do not understand the point of the game. It is more than just hitting the ball...it is taking out frustrations. I love getting out, and being surrounded in God's creation. I have peace of mind, and I am able to think and reflect on things that I want to do. I was able to golf twice during my break. The first time I went was with a family friend from my home congregation, and I good friend of my dads. This brings up an interesting point. I love my home church that I grew up in, and it is great to see people that I have not see in such a long time, and people like to know what I am doing. Also, it gives me the chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of church that I am a part of. This is the reason why I am wanting to pursue a secular job because I want to serve and help Vaughn Park by being a regular member, here. I feel sometimes that I have turned church into a job, and it should not be that way. I am glad I can go home, and not have to feel like ministry is an ordinary job...it is something we do everyday. The second time I went golfing was with my dad, and my mom rode in the cart. What a great way to close out the weekend with my family. It was us on the course, and no one was there to bother us.

During this weekend, I got to go to Murfreesboro for a devo, and visit some friends. I did not mention that to my friends that I was coming, and it blew some of them away that I was there. There are times I miss attending these because I forget how it is to worship with other people close to my age. I remember when I would attend these three years ago, and they would be packed, but when I went to this one, there were about 10 college students, and about 20 adults. I do not know why there were so few students, and it use to not be like that. When I attended this one, the students were afraid to share their story. From what I noticed, this group needs to grow-up, and not be so afraid of each other. I am not for forcing someone to share, but it would be great if barriers would start to break within that group. That is another thing that has changed, since I have left the group. What I enjoyed, during this visit, was talking to one of the college interns, and catch up on what is going on in her life. This intern was one of the first people I met at MTSU, and we both attended RFC. What is amazing is that we were both Marketing majors, and now we are in ministry. I have always told her that we were going to do the same thing, throughout college, and after we graduate, and it has worked out that way, so far. I got to talk to my campus minister about things that I was going on in my life, as well. I hope to continue our conversation when I go up there to speak in the fall.

I was thinking this weekend about my life, and feel that there are times that I get taken advantage of. Does it have to do with me being kind-hearted guy, I guess you could say? I love doing good things for others, but sometimes I think people expect me to do more, and whatever they want. I know that the "nice way" is the way to go, but I feel that I am too nice, sometimes, and that gives people the chance to run all over me. I am not going to change who I am, but I get so tried of people taking advantage of me. I guess people think that I can take whatever is dished out to me, but I have got feelings, as well. I have dealt with this ever since I was in high school. Also, before I can do an idea, I get some negative reaction out of it, before even trying to do it, but if what I want to do goes wrong, it gives them the chance tear my idea apart. Where is the encouragement in that? At Impact I knew people were thinking that I could not lead the last devo, since Jamin could not. Some thought that I could not handle it, but Jamin did, and that gave me the confidence to do it. I know I am not Jamin, but I have been in this youth group for a while, and I knew I could do it, but because some did not have confidence in me, I sort of lost confidence in myself. After the devo was over with, I knew I did a great job, and so did others. I did not need others to tell me that I did a good job, but I had a great feeling after the devo was over with. That is what I mean by people do not think that I have feelings, and just in general, people think that they can say anything, and it will not affect others, but it does. I have had to learn to be careful what I say, and how I say it. There is a difference between being honest, and telling people what you think because what you say and how you say something to someone, may hurt feeelings, and destory their confidence.