Book report - Dragons in our Midst (4 book series)

I got a chance to go on a mission trip this last summer with 10 great middle school kids. We went with Groupworkcamps & it was wonderful (you can click here to a blog post of that wonderful trip). One of the “extras” that I got from these kids was a book series almost all of them were reading. Bryan Davis' book series "Dragons in our Midst." It's a four book series that has taken me through a Christian sci/fy experience.

There were two major reasons why I dropped all the book's I have lined up for me to read and started to read this series:
1 - I really enjoy science fiction and these books were in that genre
2 - Many middle school kids reading these books were reading them like there was nothing else to do and that said something to me (I had to scold two of them on the mission trip for reading them when they should have been sleeping).

Here is my short review of this series. To me Bryan Davis’ “Dragons in our Midst” has all the elements of a good sci-fy series: Dragons, swords, young heroes, very evil bad guys, modern day stuff, mid-evil time stuff & much more. I really enjoyed how Mr. Davis created the relationships in the different stories. Bonnie and Billy are two main characters that you can really relate to. Most of these stories made it feel like they were happening in our current world setting and that made it very hard for me to put down.

One key part that really stood out to me was how much Mr. Davis puts out Biblical truths throughout all of the books. In these books Mr. Davis gives voice to God's truth through the main characters. Even the dragons want the readers to know that it isn’t by their strength that different things happen but God working through them. "Dragons in our Midst" is a great series and I would recommend it to anyone to read (my wife and daughter are on book 2 right now and I’ve caught both of them reading later than they should way to often!).

2nd Day Fall Retreat - Second part

Yet another group of pictures from our great Fall Retreat. Click on the picture and enjoy.

2nd Day Fall Retreat - First part

Here are some more great pictures from Day 2 stuff (just click on the picture to see a slide show). We are having such a great time. Thanks to all the parents for letting us spend this time with your wonderful kids - You guys ROCK!

1st Day Fall Retreat - Our First One - Second part

Got some more great pictures from our retreat. These pictures are from the night stuff - The sponsors are incredible - they really really love these kids. Click on the picture to see a slide show of the night.

1st Day Fall Retreat - Our First One - WOW!

Well day 1 of our first middle school Fall Retreat is winding down. This has been a great adventure. The kids great, the band was awesome, the sponsors were connecting like crazy, and my intern was fabulous (click on the picture above to see a short slide show). It was a new adventure for me as well. I've always been the "go to" person for all the retreats and summer trips - I wasn't this time. Lauren (my intern) was totally in charged and what a great job she has done. Some statements I heard today from the kids:

1) I love this retreat
2) I'm so glad I came to this
3) The Nerd Prom dinner was so funny (check out the slide show by clicking on the pic)

4) You guys ROCK - to the band
5) I caught the squirrel (you have to ask the kids about that one)

We seem to be doing what the purpose of this retreat is - Make relationships stronger or start new ones, create "remember when..." moments, and honor God with all we got. Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow!

Fun Night on Wed Night

We just got done with a great Wed night program that was just awesome. A lot of fun (click on the picture to see a short slide show), some great worship, and some clear truths that were shared. We also watched some fun videos that I placed below. Next up the first ever Fall Retreat.

Mag Report - simply jr hi newsletter from Group - Sep08

The first issue of the simply jr hi newsletter from GROUP that was sent paperless arrived in my email box a couple days ago. I wanted to drop everything else I was doing and dive in but I held off and got a chance to really enjoy reading it today.

What I liked: Andy Jack's "The Bead Ceremony" is very cleaver. I'm always looking for ways to help my kids debrief different events they have been a part of and here is another great tool. Thx Andy

???: Scott Rubin's "A different kind of diversity" for some reason didn't click for me. I agree with what Scott said but as I started to read it I was hoping to read some ideas on dealing with the diversity I work with.

Key statement: Kurt Johnston quote from Mark Twain "Sacred cows make the best hamburger." I agree with Kurt that sacred cows can and should be used in ministry within reason.

Something creative: Bob Anderson's "Magnets" game is great and I can see that activity happen at our next Boys Lock-In. Thx Bob

prayers this last month - Aug/Sep 08

I haven't had a chance to do a 1/2 day spiritual retreat in the last couple of months so this is a 2 month prayer list. I found it very interesting as I went through the books of Acts and Romans that the idea that God's grace is so important. That life isn't about me and my “good things” or “bad things” but about God's grace. I'm to love Him and to love others and let that be my main focus of life.

Lord, penetrate my heart and mind with your word & may I be open to what you have planned to teach me through it.
Lord, I'm confused and need your guidance in my life.

Lord, I'm not sure if I'm relying on you enough - I'm not - help me move to a more reliance on you in my life.

Lord, open my mind to do whatever you want me so I might be the Mark Eades you want me to be on this earth.

Lord, be with me as I try my best to honor you with my simple life.

Lord, I want to be a responsible man for You, show me another step I can take to keep doing this.

Lord, I want to have a clear conscience of always serving You but I wonder if my personal evaluation of a clear conscience is wrong.

Lord, I want what you want not what I want - put me where you think is best and I will be content.

Lord, thank for making me - me!

Lord, may I learn even more about You.

Lord, I pray that I'm a useful tool in your hands at all times and places that you have me at.

Lord, I have such a passion for your truth to be know, help me make that passion even strong that it consumes me.

Lord, thank you for being angry about TRUTH not being taken care of may I transfer my thoughts and deeds onto that idea instead of thinking it's all about terrible/sinner me.

Lord, you are my deep desire and I want to praise you always.

God, thank you for reminding me it is all about Jesus and not about me.

Lord, may my life be about my faith in You.

Lord, may hope rain on this journey of life that you have put me on.

Lord, I want to live for you with all that I am but I can only do that because of the sacrifice your son made for me - may I always remember that and focus on that & not myself.

Lord, my I focus all my attention on you so that sin will never take a hold on me.

Lord, I humbly come before you wanting to be all about Spiritual things.

Lord, I want to say "no" to my desires and yes to living all out for you.

Lord, keep me ever mindful of the truth that there is nothing that can separate me from you - nothing!

Lord, help me remember to review Rom 9 again soon.

Lord, open my eyes to your truth and grace and may I start to understand, pls.

Thank you Lord for loving me with an "undeserved kindness."

Lord, take over, direct, and may I follow your ever step - I need you so much LORD.

Thank you Lord for having such mercy for all of us.

Lord, may my flesh be an instrument for good and not evil - help me stay focused on you.

Lord, may I remember you in all that I do - including when I put clothes on for the day.

Lord, may my life be about you and you alone.

Lord, open my eyes to where I need to finish things and where I need to start things - may it all be about you.

Lord, may I greet people warmly and openly for your glory.

first 8th grade night for 2008-09

Lesson Topic: 2 Tim 4:7&8 (the 8th grade verse)
Attendance: Above Average - we had a great turn out of kids tonight
'Fun Factor': Ok - played a great game but did it outside (to cold & too large of an area to play on)
Volunteer Involvement: Above Average - the sponsors are really wanting to be here every wed night
Music: Average - tried a couple new songs and the kids had a hard time following it
Lesson Quality: Excellent - the two girls (see above) were awesome
Length of Lesson: 30 min - it didn't feel this long
Student Response: Great. At the end the 6th & 7th graders prayed over the 8th graders.
Favorite statement of the night: Keep the Faith it's worth it.

Tonight things were clicking along pretty well for a night controlled by the 8th graders. Got some pictures (click on the pic above to see a short slide show) and also showed a couple great promo videos. The promo vidoe are below for your enjoyment: