tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133071792024-03-12T22:25:34.736-05:00Just a Middle School GuyThis is my simple blog about what is happening in my life and ministry. It's purpose is for anyone to read and comment about anything that I say and to allow me to say what is on my heart and mind.Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.comBlogger552125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-33183516318800747552020-07-01T12:50:00.000-05:002020-07-01T12:50:03.588-05:00Just a Middle School Guy has moved - if you are here to see what Mark Eugene Eades is up to head over to pakmail215.blogspot.com and get the latest. If you are anything else - thx for checking my blog and hope you have an awesome day.Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-1916539505619251122013-03-06T21:02:00.001-06:002013-03-06T21:02:51.712-06:00Quick update on my weight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A while ago I put some pics of me for a weight competion I was in. I'm just putting another quick pic of showing where I'm currently at. FYI - I started at 250.Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-75665119398909753982013-02-17T11:10:00.000-06:002013-02-17T11:10:25.826-06:00Simple Thought - from a former student<br />
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<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">"Our first church experience down here was pretty good it's just really hard to not compare it to Harvest. I feel like I'm having an affair or something..." This was shared on a facebook post today from a former student of mine. She is married now and they have moved to another part of the country and experiencing church in a different location. The thought of "having an affair" really hit me. I'm not sure what to think of it but it is saying something that we need to be thinking about. How can we help them now so they don't feel like they are having an affair when they leave?</span></h5>
Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-26438300964722045062013-02-05T07:06:00.000-06:002013-02-05T07:06:29.536-06:00middle school winter retreat 2013 - cut shortI'm a little late get this out but here are the pictures from our Winter Retreat - enjoy. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrhiguy/show/">MS Winter Retreat 2013 slideshow</a>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-78038208550875595102013-02-03T14:46:00.001-06:002013-02-04T22:08:16.152-06:00When messy doesn't always mean badToday in youth group we tried something and it worked - kinda. We use tables in our group - it works great for the kids to stay a little more focused and gives a leader (we call a sponsor) a group of middle school kids to interact with. The problem with tables is the middle schoolers love to make a miss. We use handouts, flyers, pens, pencils, candy, etc and at the end of the time most of the tables have many of these items left behind but torn up, chewed up, or just destroyed in some way. So today we asked them to clean up after themself and they did - kinda. Most of the tables had a few things left on them but nothing like they did before and what was left was interesting. There were peaces of candy wrappers or 1/2 a pencil but there was also notes with a Bible vrs on it or 1/2 a thought of a teacher shared. So it was a good time to catch that some of the middle schoolers are getting something and it was the "messy" they left behind that helped us see that.Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-67632228649979484662013-01-30T15:37:00.001-06:002013-01-30T15:37:33.235-06:00Sad times - when youth group is closed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night a snow storm came through eastern Iowa and dumped about 5" of snow. Now wind is blowing the snow all over the place and making snow drifts that are almost a foot high. Needless to say we had to close youth group tonight - sad times. <br />
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When these times happen I start to wonder what I should do about it. Just enjoy staying at home with the family, go out and shovel snow for all my neighbors down the street, or set up a phone or online conference with any kid that would like to connect with me during this snowy time? I've done all of these and find that all of them are the right choice. <br />
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When these times hit I try to find the best thing to do and I find out that most anything is a good thing to do.Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-7262199401440159882013-01-07T11:12:00.001-06:002013-01-07T11:12:49.162-06:00Simple Thoughts - Remember When moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A long time ago I tried to post some simple thoughts that I had/have. I've
been thinking about starting those up again as I've been finding myself with
simple thoughts again. So here is the start of something old - again.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
"Remember when" moments - this is something I've talked about ever
since I've been here at New Covenant Bible Church. It's the idea that every
time I spend time with middle school students (or anyone for that matter) there
is a chance to create "Remember when" moments. Weather I'm doing
something silly like having a snow ball fight or teaching a group of 6th grade
guys how to stand on chairs or coaching a 7&8 grade girls’ basketball team
there will always be a chance to create "Remember when" moments.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
To me there are three main reasons to create these moments:<o:p></o:p><br />
1) To give middle school students an "in" for a future conversation.
How many times when I was a middle school student did I want to say something
to a friend or an adult but was too scared to because I didn't want to start it
acquired. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did have some great talks
with some people because I was able to use a "Remember when" moment
from our past to start talking with them - "Hey Jim you remember when we
played that game on the Atari...” (yea I know that was a long time ago)<o:p></o:p><br />
2) To give an adult a way to start a talk with a middle school student. Not
only do middle school students not want to seem acquire the adults who want to
care and love on them don't want them to feel acquired (or for them to feel acquire).
"Hey Johnny do you remember when you hit me in the face with a snow
ball..."<o:p></o:p><br />
3) It also can give the Holy Spirit mental "fodder" to help a
student or adult remember when he moved in their lives through others. "My
son do you remember when I shared through the pastor about your choice to
follow me..."<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
Just some simple thoughts I was thinking.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-39337120282506397532013-01-02T10:09:00.000-06:002013-01-02T10:09:13.212-06:00The start of a new year - should it be a start?I've been losing weight for a while now and it has been wonderful and hard.
It made me wonder about New Year resolutions. I'm not really that excited about
each year having a resolution for that New Year. I think if I'm going to want
to start something - there isn't any better time than at that moment. So I've
already been losing weight and will continue to lose weight through the New
Year and beyond because there is value to me to do so. I think that is what
helps me stay motivated - to do it at that time and to make sure it has value.
Just a thought.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-46377683706688465232012-12-04T08:36:00.002-06:002012-12-04T08:36:58.643-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just started a new competition to lose weight in 90 days with some youth pastor friends. I needed a place to post my starting pics so you guys who look at my blog (thx mom) get to see these - sorry for this :) My starting weight is 238 lbsMark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-2272927091786419642012-10-15T16:28:00.000-05:002012-10-15T16:31:54.378-05:00Middle school fall retreat slide showHey all - here is a slide show of our recent fall retreat - fun stuff:
<object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fjrhiguy%2Fsets%2F72157631778609995%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fjrhiguy%2Fsets%2F72157631778609995%2F&set_id=72157631778609995&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=121572"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=121572" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fjrhiguy%2Fsets%2F72157631778609995%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fjrhiguy%2Fsets%2F72157631778609995%2F&set_id=72157631778609995&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-77182237436775001652012-10-12T15:28:00.001-05:002012-10-12T15:28:42.744-05:00<object width="480" height="640"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><param name="movie" value="https://www.facebook.com/v/10151065629417077"></param><embed src="https://www.facebook.com/v/10151065629417077" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="1" width="480" height="640"></embed></object>
A little video our intern and I made for our up & coming fall retreat.Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-39455838761898163652011-06-06T08:55:00.002-05:002011-06-06T08:58:08.484-05:00May 2011 prayer<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B8yQILn45TA/Tezc4QwgbJI/AAAAAAAAAvE/Tz7NYaSwAfM/s1600/prayer%2Bhands.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615105694553369746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B8yQILn45TA/Tezc4QwgbJI/AAAAAAAAAvE/Tz7NYaSwAfM/s200/prayer%2Bhands.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>This last months time in the Lord's Word has been very interesting to me. These prayers reflect some of my thoughts that I brought and still bringing to the Lord:</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Lord, there are days that I really don't understand my fellow man - open my eyes to what I need to see.<br /><br />Lord, I want to know your word so that my insides will be clean as snow.<br /><br />Lord, I beg you change me from the inside out. And if it is only the inside that changes and no one sees that - may that be my prayer!<br /><br />Lord, may your kingdom be in me always.<br /><br />Lord, I want to be a little child in your kingdom - pls open my eyes to see you as a child sees you.<br /><br />Lord, may I be a delight to you as my children are to me.<br /><br />I pray that I open my heart to fully hear You.<br /><br />Lord, open my eyes to those I should see and not just pass them by<br /><br />Lord, may I honor you with all that I have.<br /><br />Lord, may I not miss the different miracles you have done - even today.<br /><br />Lord, there are times where I need a firm look from you to hear you - open my eyes to read that in your word and respond.<br /><br />Lord, may you find me with fruit in my hands rdy to give you at all times.<br /><br />Lord, I'm scared that I'm going to misrepresent you.<br /><br />Lord, open my eyes to your word each day so that I might grow in it for your glory.<br /><br />Lord, keep my eye on what is forever and not on what is temporary.<br /><br />Praise be to you Lord for giving me the Words I need to say when they need to be said.<br /><br />Lord, what I'm to learn help me learn - the rest I can do without.<br /><br />Lord, your words will last forever - may I share them that way.<br /><br />Lord, open my eyes to the truth and may I not run from it but turn it over to you.<br /><br />Lord, may people know your truth from the young. </div>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-10966044893147186422011-05-02T13:25:00.002-05:002011-05-02T13:27:49.182-05:00April 2011 prayer<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxNvHNgYoFU/Tb73kLlFq5I/AAAAAAAAAu4/0_mFFXD8ats/s1600/prayer%2Bhands.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602187187451177874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxNvHNgYoFU/Tb73kLlFq5I/AAAAAAAAAu4/0_mFFXD8ats/s200/prayer%2Bhands.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>These are my simple prayers to the Lord after each of my devotional times this past month. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Lord, open my eyes to see how to pray to you.<br />Lord, May I listen to your words and obey them – bless me Lord to do that.<br />Lord, you light in me - make it ever brighter.<br />Lord, I need your wisdom to take the next step.<br />Lord, open my eyes to why you have given to me what I have & what you want me to do with it - I want to be a good steward of all that you have given me.<br />Lord, help me to balance prayer, care, & share so that care doesn't overcome the other 2.<br />Lord, use me.<br />Lord, may I be fruit producing.<br />Lord, thank you for playing by your rules, help me to understand what I need to so I might be a player for you.<br />Lord, I hear your word but I don't always obey it - I'm sorry lord forgive me please.<br />Lord, may you help me understand your blessings.<br />Lord, may I evaluate all that you have given to me & may I put it out your feet.<br />Lord, change me.<br />Lord, there are days that I really don't understand my fellow man - open my eyes to what I need to see. </div>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-43922094203795833632011-03-03T09:51:00.000-06:002011-03-03T09:52:13.263-06:00SYMC 2011 pre-thoughtsHere are some of my thoughts before the conference.<br /><br /><br /><object id="utv818892" name="utv_n_933943" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="480" height="296"><param name="_cx" value="12700"><param name="_cy" value="7831"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf"><param name="Src" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="-1"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value=""><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="Scale" value="ShowAll"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="true"><embed flashvars="loc=%2F&autoplay=false&vid=13062249&locale=en_US&hasticket=false&id=13062249&v3=1" width="480" height="296" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="utv818892" name="utv_n_933943" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-66468306810464507262011-02-13T16:25:00.003-06:002011-02-13T16:29:20.922-06:008th grade night on Sunday videoWe did something different for our worship time. Check it out here:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DagWxZHmUYw?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DagWxZHmUYw?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Here is a picture of the complete mural they made:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq3d7Dz_E9Y/TVha_rCWhEI/AAAAAAAAAuw/xE25Jxlks0U/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq3d7Dz_E9Y/TVha_rCWhEI/AAAAAAAAAuw/xE25Jxlks0U/s320/IMG_0488.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573304588801836098" border="0" /></a>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-23583615050627639992011-02-07T11:49:00.005-06:002011-02-07T11:57:48.911-06:00New Prayer update for 2011<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TVAyG_NJqWI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Yx6y5XD0hmY/s1600/prayer_hands.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571007834684500322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TVAyG_NJqWI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Yx6y5XD0hmY/s200/prayer_hands.jpg" /></a><br /><div>After talking with a number of my middle schoolers the idea of praying has come up. I shared with them that I enjoyed sharing the prayers I did from my devo time and they wanted to see them. So I'm back on here to share those prayers. This might be all that I put here for now. </div><div> </div><div>Here are some prayers from my devo time from the beginning of 2011:<br /><br />Lord, may I be an instrument in your hands to share the gospel to all those in my influence area.<br /><br />Lord open my eyes to what I must seek - glory, honor, & Immortality and what I must avoid rejection of truth & following evil.<br /><br />Lord, open your word to me more than ever so that I might be useful for you in all that I say and do.<br /><br />Lord, may I be worthy of being credit righteousness.<br /><br />Lord, may I be seen as a righteous man - not because of anything I have or will do but because of what you have done already.<br /><br />Lord, open your word to understand what your righteousness means. May Your truths start to impact me more and more.<br /><br />Lord, I'm a wretched man (Rom 7:24) & I need you to take care of me and my sin - walk with me and guide me to your truth in all that I do.<br /><br />Lord, help me remember todays truth from your word today and always - so that when suffering and pain come I can glorify you in it.<br /><br />Lord, I'm hoping for many things right now and I wait patiently for your answers - your will be done.<br /><br />Lord, sometimes I really don't understand what you have for me - open my eyes to see what you want me to see and help me be comfortable with that.<br /><br />Lord, may your righteousness be seen in me.<br /><br />Lord, introduce me to those who feel alone so that I might be your instrument to let them know they are not.<br /><br />Lord, I'm so unworthy of you - I so need you to constantly love on me & forgive me - thank you for your grace that so overwhelms me - always.<br /><br />Lord, open my eyes to see you in your Word and may it penetrate my soul more than ever before.<br />Lord, may your righteousness shine out from me so your Kingdom might be seen.<br /><br />Father, open my ears to hear what I need to hear.<br /><br />Lord, may the light of your goodness shine so bright that the darkness that evil brings cannot exist.<br /><br />Lord, there have been many signs that you have interacted with people on the earth since the birth of John, but I have to say there are times in my simple life that I wonder if you are wanting to reveal yourself again. I know your spirit lives in us but there are times that the mystery of all that feels like nothing. You are God and you are real and you love us help me with my weakness of feeling like nothing.<br /><br />Lord, open my ears to listen carefully to everything I hear from my middle school kids & from my family.<br /><br />Lord, I am so blessed to be your son – thx<br /><br />Thank you Lord for creating me and allowing me to share your love and truth to your creation.<br /><br />Lord, may I open my eyes to see what is happening around me - help me not miss what you are trying to share with me.<br /><br />Lord, help me to know my next step to grow for you and then may I do so.<br /><br />Lord, may your good news spread through me in to every part of my being.<br /><br />Lord, I don't want to miss “it” and I want to “get it” - all about you.<br /><br />Lord, I'm here and I want to be doing what you called me to do - open my eyes, ears, & heart to that calling more. </div>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-58187353847908713452010-10-29T22:02:00.002-05:002010-10-29T22:06:25.324-05:00The end of this blog - for nowI've moved my blogging to help w/a blog for middle school/jr hi guys/gals. Click <a href="http://www.juniorhighministry.com/">HERE </a>to go to the Junior High Ministry Blog - from now on all my blog posts will be on there. Thanks for reading my blogMark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-48981911773346952922010-08-27T16:16:00.002-05:002010-08-27T16:19:21.010-05:00MESSFEST2010I know there isn't many of you who check this blog but for those who do here is a slide show from this years <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49354353@N05/sets/72157624820499752/show/">MESSFEST2010</a>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-51961678888390878612010-07-12T11:27:00.004-05:002010-07-12T11:35:14.366-05:00Prayers and Review of June 2010<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TDtEJpAgz0I/AAAAAAAAAt8/C9x0nhXdJpA/s1600/prayer+hands.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493059102925967170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TDtEJpAgz0I/AAAAAAAAAt8/C9x0nhXdJpA/s200/prayer+hands.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>As I started this month’s prayers I had the difficult privilege of officiating a funeral and at the end this month’s prayers I had the difficult privilege of officiating a funeral. It has been an interesting time of praying to my Lord - He has allowed me to learn & grow & I’m thankful.<br /><br />Lord, my I look at your Word and learn all that I can about you.<br /><br />Lord, I need my mind open each day to your Words of truth and love - help me PLS<br /><br />Lord, may I search out and find wise council as I think about what my next big steps in life will be.<br /><br />Lord, may I listen to your wisdom & then follow her with all that I have.<br /><br />Lord, I need your discernment concerning wisdom - may I long for it because of You.<br /><br />Lord, open my eyes to see how it is best to honor you and give to who needs to be given to.<br /><br />Lord, I long for your wisdom to be placed in my heart even more - show me how to do that.<br /><br />Lord, as the sun raises today I want to thank you - may your wisdom rise in my as well.<br /><br />Lord, open my eyes to see your ways and be guided by your wisdom.<br /><br />Lord, I'm sorry that I so often sin against you – thx for forgive me.<br /><br />Lord, thank you for parents and their dedication to raise their kids right.<br /><br />Lord, you are the wonderful Father.<br /><br />Lord, help me to turn my heart away from those things that you hate & toward things you love.<br /><br />Lord, I need you to keep from being simple and foolish - open my heart to understanding of you better.<br /><br />Lord, I need you more than ever - help me to listen and wait on you.<br /><br />Lord, make I never be a scoffer but a wise man ready to receive rebuke so that I might be better at being Mark Eades for God.<br /><br />Lord, Your wisdom is so much greater than mine - may my lips be used by you today.<br /><br />Lord, may my words share your love & truth to all I'm around.<br /><br />Lord, may I help Your body work together to move your love and truth forward. </div></div>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-84783467183512659522010-06-23T12:36:00.001-05:002010-06-23T12:57:21.010-05:00I just sent this out on the facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/search/?post_form_id=1d7e4f778fbff6d735d97412a019171a&q=&init=quick&ref=search_loaded<br /><br /><br />I’m the middle school youth pastor here at New Covenant Bible Church & good friend of the Karamitors family. There are some great joys of being a youth pastor. To see a young person come to know the Lord in a personal way is one of those joys. There are times also that are hard – I’m in one of those times. I made a phone call at 11:45am central standard time to Mike Karamitros (Patrick’s dad) and he said, “Patrick has passed on.” When I was visiting the family I shared with Mike that when Patrick closed his eyes for the last time he was looking into is earthly father’s eyes. When he opened his eyes in his new heavenly body he was looking into his Heavenly father’s eyes. When the family will return to Cedar Rapids and funeral arrangements are yet to be determined. The family requested that Patrick’s organs be donated and a match has already been found for Patrick’s eyes. Patrick’s deeds on this earth in serving His heavenly farther have been many & as time goes by I know all of you will have a chance to reflect and think about these things. I leave you with this thought from Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-6577421801150704202010-06-18T15:50:00.001-05:002010-06-18T15:55:19.859-05:00Mark Tip #2<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TBvc_bw7mwI/AAAAAAAAAts/v43oSMBYQTg/s1600/Mark+E+at+apt+211.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484219953596570370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TBvc_bw7mwI/AAAAAAAAAts/v43oSMBYQTg/s200/Mark+E+at+apt+211.jpg" /></a>For Mark’s tip this week I went back into the archives of Pastor Mark’s past & pulled up a wonderfully old book. “Too Youth to Drive, Too Old to Ride” by Gary & Angela Hunt is a must read book for anyone who have, works with, or interacts with middle school youth.<br /><br />The Hunt’s put together I think one of the best ways for us as adults to help middle schoolers discover their identity and I wanted to list it here: <div><br />1) Prevent premature closure. Avoid using labels such as “You’re no good at math.” We have to keep reminding our children that they are worth infinitely more to God than any evaluation parents or friends pin on them.<br />2) Expose tweens to various constructive and healthy adult role models.<br />3) Remember to show joy and pleasure in your life and work and in your adult sexuality.<br />4) Help kids arrange priorities for their capabilities.<br />5) Grant recognition by giving honest approval for the things they do well.<br />6) Screen your own expectations of them. Make sure you are not prompting them toward something that is out of their depth.<br />7) Reassure them and yourself that adolescence does involve some suffering.<br />8) Talk about your Christianity. Describe your own life experiences that have brought you to your conclusions.<br />9) Above all, make sure that during this time period you build up their identity in Christ rather than their identity based on how well they perform. </div>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-67462152073833896252010-06-11T15:31:00.002-05:002010-06-11T15:40:17.373-05:00Mark's tip #1<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TBKfIkUCuYI/AAAAAAAAAtk/e7L-2OQP_uU/s1600/Mark+E+at+apt+211.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481618665998825858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TBKfIkUCuYI/AAAAAAAAAtk/e7L-2OQP_uU/s200/Mark+E+at+apt+211.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We have made some communication changes here at <a href="http://www.newcovenantbible.org/">NCBC</a>. Because of those changes I'm going to be placing my weekly "Mark's tips" that are usually emailed out to parents here on my blog. Then we will point parent's to this blog to get their weekly tips. I can't promise that each week I will have a tip but I will try very hard to do so.<br /><br />This week’s tip is a web site that I’m learning how to use. It is a great place to get ideas of how to talk with your kids about online safety, to get suggestions on how to set up filters to protect your kids, and much more. I found its suggestion on how to make a <a href="http://www.getgamesmart.com/tools/pact/start/">PACT</a> in your family very helpful with my children. Check it all out at <a href="http://www.getgamesmart.com/">http://www.getgamesmart.com/</a>. While you are checking it out let me know what you think in the comments below and if you have any other helpful web sites that has impacted your family please share. </div>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-24633720404536225162010-06-07T15:18:00.002-05:002010-06-07T15:20:29.015-05:00Prayers and Review of May 2010<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TA1UenzQ2oI/AAAAAAAAAtc/Cbdc6mLFbIg/s1600/prayer+hands.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480129206636567170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/TA1UenzQ2oI/AAAAAAAAAtc/Cbdc6mLFbIg/s200/prayer+hands.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Another month of reading and praying through the Bible has happened. I'm close to being finished with the book of Luke and it has been a wonderful journey. Here are the prayers I came up with:<br /><br /><br />Lord, your Word has so much in it - help me to keep digging for more of you there.<br /><br />Lord, may I proclaim you to all that you allow me to interact with.<br /><br />Lord, may you be seen through the everyday stuff I do for you as well as the above and beyond stuff I do.<br /><br />Lord, you play by your own rules - help me to be a good player for you.<br /><br />Lord, thank you for having other people go before me who read your word and worked hard to understand it so that I might grow from what you taught them.<br /><br />Lord, I need my heart changed - help me find my more about what I'm here for.<br /><br />Lord, you are always good & I always need you - open my eyes to daily seeing you.<br /><br />Lord, open my mind to your truth and please pour in your truth.<br /><br />Lord, I need your peace, patience, strength, and wisdom to keep walking this journey you have placed me on.<br /><br />Lord, I want what you want me to have and that should be enough for me - help me to stay balanced.<br /><br />Lord, may I be out spoken for you and you alone.<br /><br />Lord, there are times where I need a firm look from you to hear you - open my eyes to read that in your word and respond.<br /><br />Lord, I want to share your word with passion but in humility - open my eyes to see that daily.<br /><br />Lord, open my eyes and train me to be the best I can be to teach your love and truth to all MS kids that I'm around.<br /><br />Lord, I focus on myself so often & what I need to do is focus on you - I need your help Lord<br /><br />Lord, may I be one who people hear your truth from - no matter what.<br /><br />Lord, I'm a saint that sins - forgive me and strengthen me for the journey ahead - may I finish well.<br /><br />Lord, may I stand at all times for you, but there is no way I can on my own - help me pls.<br /><br />Lord, may I be a faithful follower of yours - always.<br /><br />Lord, may I become friends with every person you want me to become friends with.<br /><br />Lord, help me block out the worlds loud voice so that I might hear your quite truth.<br /><br />Lord, may I be witness to all that you are doing around me and for me so that I might give you all the praise & point out You to all.<br /><br />Lord, may I see you in everything that I say and do. </div>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-89032050642122226992010-05-19T14:13:00.002-05:002010-05-19T14:38:54.012-05:00Mag report - GROUP (May-Jun 2010)Another <a href="http://www.group.com/">GROUP</a> magazine has graced my desk and here are some thoughts I had:<br /><br />Something I liked: I really didn’t like this but I really needed to hear Steve Argue’s “Un/Orthodox” article about David Duncan’s book, “The Brothers K.” This is what I really needed to hear, “The mistake Mama (and I’ll add Mark Eades) – often make is not letting teenagers finish their prayers, their sentences, or their journeys.” Steve goes on to say, “Althought parents and youth ministers fear that teenagers are 'losing their faith, never to return (fear-based language), what they ought to fear is short-cicuiting kids' faith journeys.” Ouch! Thx Steve for kicking me where I needed it.<br /><br />???: I like stats and the annual massive survey that group does is a great resource. But I really liked what Andrea Vincent said about some of the survey results. He said, “I think teenagers are simply comfortable thinking that others could help them with their faith issues.” This statement made me think that thou we have all this great information from so many kids we still need to remember they are all kids and that the survey needs to be looked at by us (adults) as just one peace of many to understanding our kids.<br /><br />Key Statement: Steve Merritt said, “Consequences are the blue-light specials of adolescent development.”<br /><br />Creative idea: Kurt Johnston introduced this great web site for cool stuff – <a href="http://www.accoutrements.com/">www.accoutrements.com</a>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-62169465490992648162010-05-17T14:03:00.003-05:002010-05-17T14:25:25.104-05:00Book Report on Communicating for a Change, by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Communicating-Change-Seven-Irresistible-Communication/dp/1590525140/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274123366&sr=1-2"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472321087576144002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xrj2LZmnvxA/S_GXCRna-II/AAAAAAAAAtU/gsCDzhe7208/s200/communicatingforchange.jpg" /></a><br /><div>As a middle school pastor, the task of putting God’s truths into digestible pieces for 11-14 year olds to understand and apply to their lives can be a little challenging. I’ve read and used both Ken Davis’ book "How to Speak Youth" and Doug Fields & Duffy Robbin's book "Speaking to Teenagers" (Click <a href="http://jrhiguy.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-report-speaking-to-teenagers.html">here</a> to read my review of Doug & Duffy's book). I have recently found another awesome resource called, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Communicating-Change-Seven-Irresistible-Communication/dp/1590525140/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274123366&sr=1-2">Communicating for a Change</a>" by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones. I’m not sure where I heard about the book, but it has been on my “books to read” list for a number of months. I wish I would have read it much earlier. I have two big “takeaways” from the book and one quick thought that I hope to reflect on further at another time.<br /><br />First, the thought: the opening of this book was more of a “turn off” than a “draw me in” idea. I like that there was an attempt to do something different to make it interesting, as the idea of a preacher learning how to preach from a truck driver was definitely different. But, for me, it just wasn’t a draw. I have to admit that if I hadn’t had some of my local friends recommending the book, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. However, I am very glad that I did. The two things I took away have been huge for me and I started using them immediately when sharing with the middle schoolers.<br /><br />The first one is the whole idea of “Internalizing the message”- learning my message to the point where I don’t need a lot of notes. Andy stated, “You should be able to sit down at a table and communicate your message to an audience of two in a way that is both conversational and authentic.” I’m a huge note guy – I’ve always had a piece of paper in my hands as I share my thoughts. I have now been challenged by this and hope to be able to put my notes on the music stand and leave them there.<br /><br />The second thing I took away was from the chapter, “Engage Your Audience”, where Andy and Lane talked about “slowing down around the curbs – the transitions are important”. They shared an important and simple concept for building a message: “ME-WE-GOD-YOU-WE”. Interestingly enough, that is how I’ve put together a number of my messages without realizing I was doing it. The one thing I haven’t done a very good job at is helping my audience go from Me to We, We to GOD, etc. I need to “slow down around the curbs” so I don’t lose my audience.<br /><br />Overall, this book has reinforced what I have been doing right, challenged me to adjust and not get into a rut when putting together a message. I would recommend this book to anyone who teaches. </div>Mark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.com0