Ramblings

Caleb!!!!

Yes Caleb is six years old today. Crazy. To think that it has been six years since God gave us Caleb. Once again I must say that I feel overly blessed to have been given the kids I have. Of course I am biased, but my kids are way cooler then everyone else's kids. Caleb is perhaps one of the cutest, smart, loving, wackiest, creative, and funny little boys I've ever met. What is so great is that God gave him to us. To celebrate we will be going to dinner. Caleb's choice of course. Then on Monday we will be going to Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney studios. I am excited because I love watching our kids have fun and I have never been to these three parks. It should be a memorable birthday. So Happy Birthday big Moose!!!!

Earth Day

The other day a student in my Youth Group asked me if I believed in "Global Warming".  My answer was maybe not what he would expect.  I think he assumed I would say yes, because everyone believes in "Global Warming".  I mean I'm pretty sure that everything bad that happens from now until the end of the world is caused by it, so shouldn't I believe in it?  Well, maybe I'm an idiot or maybe I'm blind to the reality of things, but in regards to the subject, I informed him that I wasn't really sure.  You see the jury is still out in my opinion.  Now my opinion doesn't matter a whole lot, but for the scientific community the jury is out as well.  Regardless of what Al Gore would have us all believe the entire scientific world isn't sold on the issue and neither am I. 

So how do I feel about the environment?  Well I feel strongly about it.  I feel that as Christians we should be not just good stewards, but great stewards of God's creation.  God's creation reveals his glory and when we jack it up we are tarnishing that glory.  So for me environmental stewardship is about my faith.  It's about my relationship with God and the creation that he has provided.  As a family we have taken this call strongly over the last year and we are doing some of what we can to be better stewards of God's creation.  We recycle almost as much as we throw out.  Samantha noticed today that we have been throwing away a whole lot less trash lately.  We compost most of our green waste.  Yes, in a subdivision this is possible.  Let me know if you want the instructions on making your very own ghetto compost bin.  We buy local as much as possible.  By local I mean the guy down the street who grows a ton of Vegetables in his Garden.  By local, I mean my very own Garden in my back yard.  I would challenge all of you who read this to plant a garden.  It is truly a fulfilling experience.  Let me know if you need any advice.  I don't know much, but what I do know is working.  Finally it's about choices in the grocery store.  Milk, eggs, meat, and produce are simple things that we all buy that can make a difference.  Just purchase the good stuff, the organic, the local, the hormone free.  If you can afford it Grass Fed beef.  In all those other isles read the labels.  If at all possible say no things containing corn syrup.  Let's just say it is a bad thing for you and the environment.  These are simple things, but profound things when millions do them. 

The next stage for me is our Youth Room.  We throw away way to many things that can be recycled and so I'm working with some students to figure out a clean and easy way to make it work.  It's not as simple as putting out a can that says recycle only.  I wish it was.  That container ends up being a toxic nightmare created by mindless teens who don't read signs or who are to lazy to actually empty their soda before tossing it in. 

Finally in all of this I don't want to be about the environment because it's cool or trendy or because Al Gore made me feel guilty about it. I don't want to be an Eco snob who looks down on those people who aren't doing what they can. Eco snobs always seem to miss the environmental distaste in their own eye while pointing out speck of in their neighbors eye.  I certainly don't want to be about it to make money.  (I love the new walmart commercials.  Walmart and Green shouldn't be used in the same sentence) I want to be about the environment, because being about the environment is being about God.  It's about His creation.  So here's to earth day and here's to caring for God's creation.

Last Minute Add:  I just read my wifes blog for today and it sounds a lot like mine.  I promise we didn't copy each other.  We just think the same.   

Youth Force Wrap Up

I think I'm almost completely rested from Youth Force Clermont.  I think a lack of sleep and an abundance of good stress has brought my motivation to a standstill, but nonetheless I do believe I am almost recovered.  This year was quite possibly the best Youth Force since I've been at FUMC.  I think there were a number of factors that contributed to the week being a huge success.  First of all the leadership.  When you bring together the Youth Pastor Mafia aka Tom, Seth, BJ, and Brad, success is bound to happen.  Along with the four of us comes the support and love of our churches.  This year students form FUMC, the Church at South Lake, and First Baptist Clermont participated.  In years past about 85 - 100 students participated in Youth Force Clermont.  This year we had about 55.  Some have commented on the low attendance numbers in the negative, but I believe them to be a blessing.  Over the last few years we have raised the bar on Youth Force, consequently only the students who really want to serve have signed up.  Youth Force is not the type of event in which you desire every student to participate.  The wrong attitude can destroy the week.  55 students who really want to be there are better then 1000 who are there to "have fun".

Along with the students who participated, we had a number of great adult volunteers who worked above and beyond to make this week a success.  From contractors, parents, and college students, we had the best volunteers we could ever hope for.  By the end of the week our 7 Crews built two porches, painted one house, replaced a ton of siding, linoleum, put a new laminate floor in, painted two metal roofs, prayer walked in three communities, ripped out what seemed like a million invasive Lantana plants out of Lake Louisa State park, and they brought joy to the lives of local seniors.

Finally all of this work  was accompanied by some amazing worship and speaking.  This year we stepped out of the box and we didn't bring in a "worship band" in the traditional sense.  We contacted our good friend Jason Harwell and he brought a number of the artists on his record label, Rebuilt Records.  All of these are typically solo artists,  but for this week they came together and produced an amazingly eclectic ever changing worship band.  Each night Micah Dalton, John Rich, Paul Reeves, Natalie Moon, and Jason Harwell would lead in a slightly different arrangement and then each late night we had them perform their own solo music for us.  It was truly powerful.  To add to this, we brought in David Herndon, who also happens to be on the rebuilt label, to share with us.  His messages were simple, deep, and challenging all at the same time.  I would challenge any one who reads this blog to buy an album or two from Rebuilt.  You won't regret it and you will truly be supporting an amazing mission. 

Finally I must mention our good friend Parks, whom we hired to do all the sound and video production.  Parks runs Rec Tec Live and our meeting a fews years back at a house show was arranged by God.  He has been a huge blessing to our ministry and I can't thank him enough.  Youth Pastors sometimes are forced to be sound and video guys, but we do it half way and with much distraction.  To have Parks jump in and fill this need is a gift from God.

So in a nut shell that was Youth Force 08.  Now it's time to regroup and prepare for Youth Force 09.  If you read this blog and you are part of a church, I would challenge you to start your own Youth Force.   I would love to walk you through the process and give you all the support I can.      

Earth Hour

About 22 minutes ago we ended our Earth Hour in the Widlund home.  What is Earth Hour?  Well it is one hour from 8 - 9 pm local time on March 29, where people and cities all over the world turn off lights and non essential electricity for one hour.  Turning the power off is more of statement then anything, being that even the Earth Hour website acknowledges that the actual environmental impact is not significant.  For our family (me anyway) it seemed that it was as much about doing something for the earth as much as it was about doing something for our family.  I would liken the experience to an energy, technology, noise, and input fast.  There is just someting healthy about shutting out the light and sitting in relative quite while candle light flickers on the walls.  In our home we shutt off the lights, computers, AC, fans, TV, and music devices.  For the kids it was a bit boring at first, but by the end they were asking if we could do it again.  I am certainly up for the idea of taking one hour a month (for starters) and fasting from electricity, noise, and technology.  Essentially just taking a breather from life.  I must confess that the idea sounds good until I consider summer in Florida with the AC off for an hour.  Oh well, fasts aren't supposed to be easy.

In the spirit of solidarity, I would like to invite others to join the Widlund's in a commitment to a monthly one hour energy/tech/noise fast.  We have not picked the day in April yet, so when we do I will let you all know.  For now, just let me know if you are with us.

OUCH!

At the end of each day, John Wesley would ask himself a series of accountability questions.  The following one dug deep.

"Have I mentioned any failing or fault of any man, when it was not necessary for the good of another?"  John Wesley (Under the heading "General questions which a serious Christian may propose to himself before he begins his evening devotions")

Ouch! Can we say convicting.

Good Stuff

Yesterday I had the opportunity have lunch with my Pastor and our churches District Superintendent.  I basically was able to get the scoop on how the ordination process works in the United Methodist church.  One of my biggest fears prior to yesterday was the Methodist itinerant system..  Essentially, once ordained, you have a job for life, but you also are committed to the Bishop and his placing you in a church.  On the surface this sounds like the Bishop sits in a room rubbing his hands together while moving pastors around the board at any whim.  Picture Zeus in Clash of the Titans.  This is so not the case.  The DS and Pastor Doug shared that it is far from this. Add to their encouragement a rather coincidental casual dinner meeting with my Prof at Asbury, in which another student brought up this very topic.  Dang, more encouragement.  Essentially, instead of me job hunting, you have the Bishop, the DS, and other praying and seeking where God would have you fit the best.  Most Pastor's don't get this kind of support when seeking where God would have them in ministry.  In reality their is less chance of being moved from church to church, then there would be of being moved from job to job in the secular business world.  So anyway, I am beginning the process of becoming a candidate for ordination.  This is not a short or easy process, but it is a good one. 

On a side note, tomorrow night I am preaching at our Maundy Thursday service and I keep coming back to the idea of Jesus calling us to His table.  What does this mean in the now and in our lives?  What do you all think when you consider the sacrament of communion?

The Greatest Generation?

Who ever coined this term has never sat at the eyeglass place waiting for his wife to get an eye exam while listening to a bunch of retired people complain about every freakin thing possible.  Was there something in the water in the 40's  and 50 's that caused these people to become angry at everything?  The one man was angry that they wanted him to sign paperwork to get an eye exam.  "I'm not signing this"  (Insert angry huff).  Do you really call blue cross on your cell phone and shove it in the receptionists face insitsing that they talk to the insurance company?  Yes, apparently you do, even after the receptionist already told you that they don't accept blue cross. 

Oh yes, and a few minutes later at the bakery. 

Retired person - "Do you have pumpernickel bread?"

Worker - "No we don't have anything with pumpernickel"

Retired person - "What about pumpernickel rye?"

I won't even start in on the people who won't serve at church because "I'm retired, I did my time".  Oh, I didn't know your time was up as a Christian.  So that's linked to your job?  Huh, who knew.  I can't wait untill I retire so I can stop all of this following Jesus stuff.

Now mind you, I am not an anti retired person or an ageaphobiac (is that a real word?).  Many of the retired people at church are amazing and they serve God wholeheartedly.  Heck, my mom is one of the best I know.  It is just that when you live in Florida and you are surrounded by an uber large concentration of retired people, you can get a bit annoyed at times.  I should be a little more simpathetic towards these people.  I mean, it is tough owning a house in Florida on a golf course and one in Michigan.   

Only Slightly Guilt Ridden

I was on a role for like three days with blog posts, then I just fell off the planet.  After a slight round of guilt I am here to update.  First it's ben a wacky couple of weeks.  School has been interesting, but it has entered into that mid semester lull.  Bascially the excitement has worn off.  I did end up sick this last weekend leaving me a bit achy, feverish, and miserable.  As of today I am feeling much better.  Now if I could just unlcog my skull completely life would be good. 

At church we are gearing up for Youth Force Clermont.  This is our huge yearly local mission.  It is being proceeded this year by our first ever Bowling Tournament this Sunday.  Along with all this I am preaching on Maundy Thursday and somehow I volunteered to be on the team prepping for Easter Sunday.  As I write this, I know I should be reading for class, but for some reason I just can't bring myself to it.  So tomorrow I will read until I can't stand the idea of reading. 

Why Won't They Listen?

Sometimes as a Youth pastor you have the moments of frustration with the students that God has called you to minister to. It at times seems as if you are just beating your head against the wall. Week after week after week you pour out your heart and soul for these kids and it seems that a large number of these kids just don't ever get it. This is especially the case with the "difficult kids". If you are in Youth Ministry you know what I mean by "difficult kids". These are those kids that just make you nuts. To be honest, ministry would be easier if they just didn't come. Of course, in God's eyes, if they didn't come you wouldn't have real ministry going on.

For whatever reason there have been a lot of these kids coming to my youth group as of late. These kids are difficult to say the least. Some nights I just want to encourage them to go home. But during the last few weeks God has been reminding me of some major things in regards to these students.

1. First of all these students all have a story. Of course, we all have a story, but the stories that these students share are heartbreaking. Very often they have been through some pretty major challenges. The road that they have traveled speaks volumes to who they are and why they act the way they act.

2. Second, these students are broken. This is seen in their story. Generally something has occurred that has broken their spirit. They generally look at life differently as a result. They see things a bit more negatively then most students and they are a whole lot more cynical then most. As a result of brokenness they have built walls to protect themselves against future brokenness.

When I am reminded of this it certainly makes ministering to them a whole lot easier. Lately God has has pushed me to spend time learning to understand these students. I have spent many hours with them listening and talking to them with a spirit of love and acceptance. You have to set aside the judgemental spirit when you spend time with these kids, because they can smell it a mile away. As a matter of fact, they will actually act in ways to draw judgements upon themselves. Our response to these "tests" are huge. If we respond with love and care and with a heart that says "you and your story matter to me", then the walls will come down and they will be open to hearing about Christ.

Finally, in regards to these students I want to share a verse from Exodus that speaks to the struggle of ministering to these people.

"Moses reported to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage." Exodus 6:9

Even Moses faced a brick wall when he tried to minister to a people whose story is embedded in hurt and brokenness. Moses fought hard for these people. Every time they failed he stood up and called on God to have mercy.

Why Won't They Listen

Sometimes as a Youth pastor you have the moments of frustration with the students that God has called you to minister to. It at times seems as if you are just beating your head against the wall. Week after week after week you pour out your heart and soul for these kids and it seems that a large number of these kids just don't ever get it. This is especially the case with the "difficult kids". If you are in Youth Ministry you know what I mean by "difficult kids". These are those kids that just make you nuts. To be honest, ministry would be easier if they just didn't come. Of course, in God's eyes, if they didn't come you wouldn't have real ministry going on.

For whatever reason there have been a lot of these kids coming to my youth group as of late. These kids are difficult to say the least. Some nights I just want to encourage them to go home. But during the last few weeks God has been reminding me of some major things in regards to these students.

1. First of all these students all have a story. Of course, we all have a story, but the stories that these students share are heartbreaking. Very often they have been through some pretty major challenges. The road that they have traveled speaks volumes to who they are and why they act the way they act.

2. Second, these students are broken. This is seen in their story. Generally something has occurred that has broken their spirit. They generally look at life differently as a result. They see things a bit more negatively then most students and they are a whole lot more cynical then most. As a result of brokenness they have built walls to protect themselves against future brokenness.

When I am reminded of this it certainly makes ministering to them a whole lot easier. Lately God has has pushed me to spend time learning to understand these students. I have spent many hours with them listening and talking to them with a spirit of love and acceptance. You have to set aside the judgemental spirit when you spend time with these kids, because they can smell it a mile away. As a matter of fact, they will actually act in ways to draw judgements upon themselves. Our response to these "tests" are huge. If we respond with love and care and with a heart that says "you and your story matter to me", then the walls will come down and they will be open to hearing about Christ.

Finally, in regards to these students I want to share a verse from Exodus that speaks to the struggle of ministering to these people.

"Moses reported to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage." Exodus 6:9

Even Moses faced a brick wall when he tried to minister to a people whose story is embedded in hurt and brokenness. Moses fought hard for these people. Every time they failed he stood up and called on God to have mercy.