This past weekend, we confirmed 16 of our crazy youth. The service was one of the best confirmation services I have been a part of. Because I think that for the most part, most of the students genuinely were excited that this was finally happening for them, and they worked hard to get to that point. Anyway, a mother of one of the students emailed me some photos of the service. My sermon title was "Faith or Flash?" in which I talked about hope that comes out of my faith, not because I have to get my faith right or have all the correct answers to it, but that I realize faith is simply trust. I began by asking why Jesus didn't have some sort of an advertising schtick to attract followers so that they could have hope. I asked, "Why didn't Jesus have something like say, a pair of these?" And I put those glasses on. They have a button on the earpiece and when you push it, lights come on, and they flash around the frame of the glasses. You can't really see the lights, but I assure you, they were on. This of course got huge laughs and reaction. After this service, I was asked by all sorts of people where I got those. Well, I borrowed them from my three and half year old, but he got them from Grandpa who happens to be a Shriner...he sent a box full of these little light-up gadgets that can make a normal person have seizures if you turn all of them on and stare at all of them at once! Anyway, this was one of the more fun sermons I have shared with not only the students but for all the weekend services as I got to preach this thing three times. By the 3rd time, I nailed it I think.
This picture shows my colleague and I simply laying hands on the students, asking God to guide them and bless them. This is an amazing part which I am always humbled to do each year for each student. It's hard to explain, but this symbol of blessing with the laying on of hands is a powerful symbol. I was ordained using this same method, but that the Bishop and numerous pastors, my parents, my wife...all laid their hands on me at once, and that was just indescribable. Anyway, I always feel privileged in moments like this to be able to participate in life-moments such as confirmation. All the work leading up to it is the kick in the pants for me, and the stressful stuff. It's as if I along with the students, work to get to this point every year. But, it's all worth it. It is moments like these that remind me why I enjoy and love what I do. More later...
This past weekend, we confirmed 16 of our crazy youth. The service was one of the best confirmation services I have been a part of. Because I think that for the most part, most of the students genuinely were excited that this was finally happening for them, and they worked hard to get to that point. Anyway, a mother of one of the students emailed me some photos of the service. My sermon title was "Faith or Flash?" in which I talked about hope that comes out of my faith, not because I have to get my faith right or have all the correct answers to it, but that I realize faith is simply trust. I began by asking why Jesus didn't have some sort of an advertising schtick to attract followers so that they could have hope. I asked, "Why didn't Jesus have something like say, a pair of these?" And I put those glasses on. They have a button on the earpiece and when you push it, lights come on, and they flash around the frame of the glasses. You can't really see the lights, but I assure you, they were on. This of course got huge laughs and reaction. After this service, I was asked by all sorts of people where I got those. Well, I borrowed them from my three and half year old, but he got them from Grandpa who happens to be a Shriner...he sent a box full of these little light-up gadgets that can make a normal person have seizures if you turn all of them on and stare at all of them at once! Anyway, this was one of the more fun sermons I have shared with not only the students but for all the weekend services as I got to preach this thing three times. By the 3rd time, I nailed it I think. 
This picture shows my colleague and I simply laying hands on the students, asking God to guide them and bless them. This is an amazing part which I am always humbled to do each year for each student. It's hard to explain, but this symbol of blessing with the laying on of hands is a powerful symbol. I was ordained using this same method, but that the Bishop and numerous pastors, my parents, my wife...all laid their hands on me at once, and that was just indescribable. Anyway, I always feel privileged in moments like this to be able to participate in life-moments such as confirmation. All the work leading up to it is the kick in the pants for me, and the stressful stuff. It's as if I along with the students, work to get to this point every year. But, it's all worth it. It is moments like these that remind me why I enjoy and love what I do. More later... 
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