By Marta, Kelsey, Eleanor, Alex, Paul, Ben, Sarah and Kayley
The man felt the smooth stone underneath his fingertips. The slick, cool marble caused his hand to slowly glide down the surface. Within the courtyard, the crowds gathered, whispering and snickering; their stares sent shivers down his spine as did the beautiful coolness of the colored marble laying before him. Their worst fears came true as he slowly pulled a chisel out of his pocket, effectively silencing the crowd. The bystanders felt their own hearts being chiseled as well. The perfect rectangle block of marble was ruined - shards of shining rock fell to the ground. It would never be the same. As the days went on, he continued to chip away at their prized marble, and the tensions continued to rise. But perhaps a great beauty was held in this block; only the sculptor could envision the final figure held here in this courtyard.
Finally the day came and the people could see that their beloved marble had become a statue of surpassing beauty - such that could never be achieved by a slab of marble alone.
Just as you view the lives, including your own, of the world and don not believe that there is a plan, or that God believes in your life, yet He truly does. So the crowds did not believe.
Yet through the trials, miracles became visible... and that is the ultimate plan of God for our lives.
5/18/11
Parable #4
By: Kirsti, G.E.P., Karissa, Madison, Alexandra, Hannah and Skyler
One student has nowhere to go after school because the funding for the after school program is gone. But his/her mom is a single parent working several jobs to make ends meet. When his/her friend found out that he/she was going home all alone after school, the friend asked him/her to come hang out after school. The single mom was so grateful that her child didn't have to go home alone in a not-so-great neighborhood. Later that school year the single mom became very ill and unable to work. Her child's friend found out and told his/her parents. They weren't rich or anything, but they always had food on the table and a roof over their head. So they invited the single mom and her child to come live with them. The single mom was so happy that this family had so much love for her and she hardly knew them. When she passed away she knew them. When she passed away she knew her child would be alright, because the family her child was now with had so much love in their hearts.
One student has nowhere to go after school because the funding for the after school program is gone. But his/her mom is a single parent working several jobs to make ends meet. When his/her friend found out that he/she was going home all alone after school, the friend asked him/her to come hang out after school. The single mom was so grateful that her child didn't have to go home alone in a not-so-great neighborhood. Later that school year the single mom became very ill and unable to work. Her child's friend found out and told his/her parents. They weren't rich or anything, but they always had food on the table and a roof over their head. So they invited the single mom and her child to come live with them. The single mom was so happy that this family had so much love for her and she hardly knew them. When she passed away she knew them. When she passed away she knew her child would be alright, because the family her child was now with had so much love in their hearts.
Parable #3
By: Clara, Megan, Natalie, Anna, Elise, Jianna, Meghan and Marta
One day a woman was walking her dog in a city community garden. She was enjoying the smell of the spring flowers and the sun shining on her face, while her dog ran free in the wild flowers. As she was walking she started thinking, "Why is the sky getting darker?" She then realized she had exited the garden and now the sun was being blocked by the skyscrapers. She began noticing the lack of color and even saw a flower drooping as it attempted to survive growing in a crack in the cement. She looked up to the small piece of sky she could see and asked God, "What happened to all the flowers and colors of nature?"
*POOF* Jesus appeared to her and she realized she was the only one who could see Him. "I feel your pain," said Jesus as He pet her dog. "But look what you have done to Our creation. I wish you hadn't torn down the forests to build cities and highways, but I know that if you recycle and live with what you have, your living differently will make a big difference for the earth."
One day a woman was walking her dog in a city community garden. She was enjoying the smell of the spring flowers and the sun shining on her face, while her dog ran free in the wild flowers. As she was walking she started thinking, "Why is the sky getting darker?" She then realized she had exited the garden and now the sun was being blocked by the skyscrapers. She began noticing the lack of color and even saw a flower drooping as it attempted to survive growing in a crack in the cement. She looked up to the small piece of sky she could see and asked God, "What happened to all the flowers and colors of nature?"
*POOF* Jesus appeared to her and she realized she was the only one who could see Him. "I feel your pain," said Jesus as He pet her dog. "But look what you have done to Our creation. I wish you hadn't torn down the forests to build cities and highways, but I know that if you recycle and live with what you have, your living differently will make a big difference for the earth."
Parable #2
High School Group:
Forgiveness
Brandon was pumped, he just got his license and his parents gave him the keys to their brand new Chevy Equinox to go and meet his friends at McDonalds. He knew it was wrong for him to be texting and driving, but this was a big day! And he only needed to send a few texts.
As he was replying to his friend Micahel's text he looked up and barely had enough reaction time to see a little girl run out in front of his vehicle. Brandon slammed on the brakes but heard and felt the thud. This stomach turned and he felt sick.
It turns out that the girl didn't survive and Brandon was arrested and taken to trial. After a guilty plea, Brandon fell into a heap with his hands holding his face. He didn't mean to hit her, but it still happened. What is his life now going to look like?
Then he felt it, a hand was on his sobbing back. As he turned to see who was touching him, he saw her. The little girl's mother was touching him. In her face, covered with tears, she showed compassion. She walked across the aisle to reach out. And as Brandon looked back he could barely make out what her lips were saying over and over again.
"I forgive you."
Forgiveness
Brandon was pumped, he just got his license and his parents gave him the keys to their brand new Chevy Equinox to go and meet his friends at McDonalds. He knew it was wrong for him to be texting and driving, but this was a big day! And he only needed to send a few texts.
As he was replying to his friend Micahel's text he looked up and barely had enough reaction time to see a little girl run out in front of his vehicle. Brandon slammed on the brakes but heard and felt the thud. This stomach turned and he felt sick.
It turns out that the girl didn't survive and Brandon was arrested and taken to trial. After a guilty plea, Brandon fell into a heap with his hands holding his face. He didn't mean to hit her, but it still happened. What is his life now going to look like?
Then he felt it, a hand was on his sobbing back. As he turned to see who was touching him, he saw her. The little girl's mother was touching him. In her face, covered with tears, she showed compassion. She walked across the aisle to reach out. And as Brandon looked back he could barely make out what her lips were saying over and over again.
"I forgive you."
Parables
We talked about Parables at Youth Group a month or so ago and did an exercise of writing a "Modern Parable" that tells a truth about God. SO... I am going to post these parables here the next couple of weeks...
Parable 1 by Middle School Boys:
Journal Entry of a Middle School Student
I woke up this morning , 7 am is just too early, and got up to take a shower but the water wasn't hot enough because Mom was running the dishwasher. On my way to school I found a quarter in the street. I decided to pick it up, but it's just a quarter, I'll probably lose it anyway.
School was normal today, but lunch was horrible! Hamburgers again! I think I saw dust in mine! I did manage to get Gatorade, but I didn't finish it because I like orange, not purple.
On my way home I found a bunch of trash on the street. A random blanket, who loses a blanket? And a bunch of newspapers, which I had fun kicking around. They really need to clean up a bit around here!
I tried to do my homework tonight so I could watch Big Bang Theory, but a stupid storm came in and knocked out all of the power. Man my life stinks!
Journal Entry of a Homeless Man:
I woke up today feeling stuck to the bench I slept on last night. My stomach was growling and I found 1/2 a granola bar in my bag. This will have to do for now. Another guy told me about a place giving out free showers. I heard they are cold, but better than nothing! So I headed over to the showers.
On my way I saw a quarter on the street. This is awesome! I am 25 cents closer to food in my stomach! It must be my lucky day because I found a 1/2 bottle of Gatorade on the street! I drank it all and kept the bottle for water later.
My day turned a little when I realized I left my blanket at the bench that I had slept at. I guess I will be cold tonight. I did find some newspapers with some good coupons in it. And this will help for covering tonight too!
It's getting dark, so I better go. It sure seems like it is going to rain tonight. I hope it doesn't because I am outside, unprepared, without a blanket, all night. Now I'm going to be really cold, but at least I am alive!
Which one of these two is truly grateful for what they have?
Which one of these two do you relate to?
Parable 1 by Middle School Boys:
Journal Entry of a Middle School Student
I woke up this morning , 7 am is just too early, and got up to take a shower but the water wasn't hot enough because Mom was running the dishwasher. On my way to school I found a quarter in the street. I decided to pick it up, but it's just a quarter, I'll probably lose it anyway.
School was normal today, but lunch was horrible! Hamburgers again! I think I saw dust in mine! I did manage to get Gatorade, but I didn't finish it because I like orange, not purple.
On my way home I found a bunch of trash on the street. A random blanket, who loses a blanket? And a bunch of newspapers, which I had fun kicking around. They really need to clean up a bit around here!
I tried to do my homework tonight so I could watch Big Bang Theory, but a stupid storm came in and knocked out all of the power. Man my life stinks!
Journal Entry of a Homeless Man:
I woke up today feeling stuck to the bench I slept on last night. My stomach was growling and I found 1/2 a granola bar in my bag. This will have to do for now. Another guy told me about a place giving out free showers. I heard they are cold, but better than nothing! So I headed over to the showers.
On my way I saw a quarter on the street. This is awesome! I am 25 cents closer to food in my stomach! It must be my lucky day because I found a 1/2 bottle of Gatorade on the street! I drank it all and kept the bottle for water later.
My day turned a little when I realized I left my blanket at the bench that I had slept at. I guess I will be cold tonight. I did find some newspapers with some good coupons in it. And this will help for covering tonight too!
It's getting dark, so I better go. It sure seems like it is going to rain tonight. I hope it doesn't because I am outside, unprepared, without a blanket, all night. Now I'm going to be really cold, but at least I am alive!
Which one of these two is truly grateful for what they have?
Which one of these two do you relate to?
3/25/10
Global Hope
One of the great things in youth ministry here at Broomfield Untied Methodist Church is it’s location next to Broomfield High School. Due to this convenient location and “open” lunches for all of the students we have a great opportunity for ministry. One thing that we do, and have done for years now, is that of Jesus Pizza. But with the revamping of the Youth Room we have been able to expand the ministry at BUMC to be more than just on Wednesdays for lunch. So, we have started a new program that sells a la carte lunch items to the BHS high school students. We offer burritos from Burritos to Go (a local establishment), chips, candy and pop.
This has been a great way for me to meet the students of BHS. On a daily basis we see around 120 kids coming through the Youth Room doors, most of which stay to talk and socialize. This allows me to get to know so many new faces and to try and get them plugged into the youth group at church. Another great benefit is that we are able to use the profits made from the youth room sales of food to support a Global Hope teen from Romania named Ioana. Most weeks we are able to donate $200 to Ioana in Romania. In the last quarter we have raised $1,400 that will be going to help Ioana in support of food, housing, education and basic needs. I just see it as such a great way to have a global impact through a local ministry. And the teens are getting onboard too. Offering their change to help with Ioana’s support, hopefully teaching that they can make a difference in someone’s life who lives ½ way around the world.
This has been a great way for me to meet the students of BHS. On a daily basis we see around 120 kids coming through the Youth Room doors, most of which stay to talk and socialize. This allows me to get to know so many new faces and to try and get them plugged into the youth group at church. Another great benefit is that we are able to use the profits made from the youth room sales of food to support a Global Hope teen from Romania named Ioana. Most weeks we are able to donate $200 to Ioana in Romania. In the last quarter we have raised $1,400 that will be going to help Ioana in support of food, housing, education and basic needs. I just see it as such a great way to have a global impact through a local ministry. And the teens are getting onboard too. Offering their change to help with Ioana’s support, hopefully teaching that they can make a difference in someone’s life who lives ½ way around the world.
Rock and Roll Worship Roadshow
This past Sunday night we loaded up almost 40 people to head down to Colorado Springs for a crazy night of concerts. The Rock and Worship Roadshow was coming through Colorado and we wanted to be a part of it! For just $10 the Roadshow was offering 7 bands performing in one night. When we got down there, we discovered a line that was at least 300 yards long of people waiting to get into the concert. When we got in we were wowed by the music and atmosphere of people wanting to know God and live a life that was honoring to Him. There were many bands playing, such as Family Force 5, Francesca Batistelli, Fee, Mercy Me and my favorite; David Crowder Band.
It was a great night of music and worship, crammed into 3 hours time! David Crowder Band was great, as usual! Another band that I enjoyed was the band named Fee. They write some great worship songs with great music and meaning. Check out Fee and David Crowder Band sometime. We are already looking forward to next year’s Roadshow Tour!
It was a great night of music and worship, crammed into 3 hours time! David Crowder Band was great, as usual! Another band that I enjoyed was the band named Fee. They write some great worship songs with great music and meaning. Check out Fee and David Crowder Band sometime. We are already looking forward to next year’s Roadshow Tour!
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