What is Christmas?

Merry Christmas friends!

Sam's Thanks

Sam did a project recently for school where he was asked to talk about things he was thankful for. What follows is his completed project...written on a turkey I might also add...

I'm thankful for so many things. I'm most thankful for my family, my country and my religion.

I am thankful for my family because they have never done me any wrong. My parents are really nice. My sisters are too. My big sister plays the guitar and is pretty good. The only problem is that she plays it at ten o clock and night!

I am thankful for my country because of the freedom we have. Our government does so many great things for us! They give us jobs and protection. The also help other countries by providing medical care and food. My cousins' husband works in Korea and teaches people how to drive tanks.

The last thing I'm thankful for is my religion. My family goes to a Methodist church. My dad works as a youth group minister. He teaches 6th graders to 12th graders. I enjoy going to Sunday school with best friend Jared. Every Sunday night I go to youth group with my dad. Afterwards we play dodgeball. Surprisingly, I'm always the last one standing! Instead of going to the traditional service we go to CnC. It's a service where our church band plays 6 or 7 songs.

In conclusion, the 3 things I'm most thankful for are my family, my country and my religion.

I am perfectly happy with my life.

Wasted Eligibility

OK, I have two years of eligibility left for my basketball career. (First two years used up at Union College) I am thinking about getting another Masters degree and making a comeback. Skeptical? Proof that it can happen.

Twilight

As a youth pastor I have always tried to read what the kids in my ministry were reading. I got hooked on the Harry Potter series when a mother asked me if she should allow her son to read it. After I devoured the first book in the series I responded with a resounding "yes". So when the girls in my group began reading the Twilight series I took notice. Actually I thought to myself that perhaps this was one I could pass on. However, after more than a year or so of missing inside jokes related to the series I couldn't take it any more. Amanda (my youth ministry associate) brought me Twilight. I read it. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but there were definitely some goofy parts (as in the Potter series). The book details the blooming love of Isabella for a young man named Edward, who just happens to be a vampire forever stuck in a 17 year old body. Bella has moved to the pacific northwest to live with her father (parents divorced). Isabella feels alone, confused and is working out roles in her own home which is new to her since she hasn't lived with her father before. She is new to her school and she is stunningly awkward. The details Bella settling in at Forks (her town) and beginning her relationship with Edward.

So, why do girls like this? I am probably wrong here, but I will take a shot. My readers can set me straight or perhaps add more.

*Bella feel awkward and painfully normal but Edward finds her irresistible.
*Bella believes Edward is way out of her league...little did she know that he was out of her race.. ha ha.
*Bella and Edward spend entire days together asking each other questions
*Edward protects Bella
*Edward is strong (physically) and beautiful (Bella's words).
*Edward reveals his secrets only to Bella
*Edward takes Bella on adventures she cannot possibly imagine.
*They are chaste. A great line if the book was during a conversation they were having about love and lust. Edward suggested they were not always the same and perhaps that Bella had been involved physically before without really loving someone. Bella sets they record straight by telling him for her the two were not exclusive from one another.
*Edward can read others thoughts, but not Bellas, he has to ask her what she is thinking.
*Edward has the wisdom of a hundred year old man in the body of a 17 year old.
*Edward desires to drink Bellas blood but resists because of his love for her.
*They set boundaries for their relationship. Bella would fully give herself to Edward (and become a vampire) but he will not allow her to.
*They laugh a lot together
*Edward makes her go to the prom.

Implications?

I think that Twilight speaks to the often unspoken desires of everyone...We want to feel special. We want to feel secure. We long for relational intimacy. We want boundaries. We need unconditional love to thrive and be truly human.

Parents, I approve this message and the message of Twilight. I haven't read the entire series, but I have heard that the themes listed continue throughout the series.

Now, back to my Robert Ludlum and Jason Bourne...