Sunday, January 29, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Students at Camp
It's sort of hard to see and the room we are in is really weird, there is about 230 kids packed into this bleacher stlye room and it is hot, no, I mean hot up in there.
The Becoming Famous White Gorilla
My buddy Bob over at Mustard Seed Media (www.mustardseedmedia.com) made this for me this summer. I have told this story a couple of times over the last couple of years about a White Gorilla, not enough space to post the story, but I was in Ft. Worth, TX at a buddy's church (Jeff Buell to be exact) and his students loved the story and it was hilarious that I had a picture of myself with the beast that has become the white gorilla.
Famous, I don't know about that. Funny, well fo sure!
Camp Michindoh
Wireless internet at a camp, what is the world coming to. Here's the problem though, I am not very smrt and it took me forever to figure out how to get on the internet, oh well, I am on now.
The whole Raitz family is here at lovely Camp Michindoh, it has taken me almost the entire weekend to be able to pronounce MICH-IND-OH, like it is right by MIchigan, Indiana, and Ohio. I thought that was pretty clever, I originally thought is was MIK-HIN-DOUH, land of "great water walking" but I was wrong.
I am the guest speaker for 6 Jr. high ministries and the camp is going Awesome. I love the youth pastors and I really love the youth volunteers that are here. The students have been great and I am talking about starting a Project311 in their lives to Love God Passionately and to Love Others Selflessly. We laughed a lot last night and this morning and tonight we took it a little more serious and challenged them to Love like Jesus loved and we presented the gospel.
And just for my friend Dave Kurt (Project311 board member and good friend) I told the now becoming famous White Gorilla story, with the added "Gorillaoligist" segment, nice. The kids loved it and they have been talking about that all day.
Another big highlight was the fact that my good friend Zack Barker and his friend Drew came up to see us. I always love seeing Zack and it was great to meet his friend. I first met Zack in 1999 when he was a high school sophmore in the youth group I was the pastor of. I will also post pictures of the Raitz family in action at camp.
The whole Raitz family is here at lovely Camp Michindoh, it has taken me almost the entire weekend to be able to pronounce MICH-IND-OH, like it is right by MIchigan, Indiana, and Ohio. I thought that was pretty clever, I originally thought is was MIK-HIN-DOUH, land of "great water walking" but I was wrong.
I am the guest speaker for 6 Jr. high ministries and the camp is going Awesome. I love the youth pastors and I really love the youth volunteers that are here. The students have been great and I am talking about starting a Project311 in their lives to Love God Passionately and to Love Others Selflessly. We laughed a lot last night and this morning and tonight we took it a little more serious and challenged them to Love like Jesus loved and we presented the gospel.
And just for my friend Dave Kurt (Project311 board member and good friend) I told the now becoming famous White Gorilla story, with the added "Gorillaoligist" segment, nice. The kids loved it and they have been talking about that all day.
Another big highlight was the fact that my good friend Zack Barker and his friend Drew came up to see us. I always love seeing Zack and it was great to meet his friend. I first met Zack in 1999 when he was a high school sophmore in the youth group I was the pastor of. I will also post pictures of the Raitz family in action at camp.
Friday, January 27, 2006
A Refreshing Visit
So, the last couple of weekends our family has visited a new church in our area. They are a church plant and they opened their doors in Feb. 05. I got to tell you, we love it! As you know, or can tell by my posts, we have a lot of kids. Ok, well, I think 3 kids is a lot. And visiting a new church can be really detrimental to your health, well, maybe not that bad, but it's bad.
To top it off, we have a circus. I Love my kids, but they are full of energy, just like their mom (you know Tracie). Well, the church we used to attend, I will change to name to protect it's identity, but I will tell you it rhymes with ForthRidge, the children's ministry was amazing! Actually I think that was the best part of the church. It was way to boomer for me, now don't be a hater. Don't get me wrong, they do an amazing job with the production end, the 385 intelligent lights and the full choir, orchestra and band, at times it was Sweet Like Butter, but we loved the children's ministry the most.
Side note, on a couple occasions they would actually have members of the DSO play on stage and even once they had a live feed of a cello player playing somewhere and she played live with the band! From a tech person at heart, that was incredible.
Back to churches, so at ForthRidge, it was so easy, and safe, and great to leave our kids in the children's area. In the last 6 months though we have visited a lot of churches and 99 times out of 100 it is impossible to leave our kids. The people are unhelpful, the church is tough to figure out and we don't feel safe leaving them.
So, the last couple of weeks we have visited this church called 242 Community Church in Brighton, MI. Their website is great and they set up in a middle school and the atmosphere is awesome. Not only is the kid's ministry great, people are genuinely friendly and the service is great. Worship, Teaching, all great. REFRESHING is the word that comes to mind the most. I am someone who has grown up in church, always been there, my dad was my youth pastor and I became a youth pastor at 19, so I don't know not being in church.
So, why I am blogging all this, because I bummed we are not going to be able to attend this weekend. Now don't get me wrong, I get to teach on a retreat for 250 Jr. High kids, and that's just about one of the funniest and greatest moments of my year, but we will miss being at 242.
To top it off, we have a circus. I Love my kids, but they are full of energy, just like their mom (you know Tracie). Well, the church we used to attend, I will change to name to protect it's identity, but I will tell you it rhymes with ForthRidge, the children's ministry was amazing! Actually I think that was the best part of the church. It was way to boomer for me, now don't be a hater. Don't get me wrong, they do an amazing job with the production end, the 385 intelligent lights and the full choir, orchestra and band, at times it was Sweet Like Butter, but we loved the children's ministry the most.
Side note, on a couple occasions they would actually have members of the DSO play on stage and even once they had a live feed of a cello player playing somewhere and she played live with the band! From a tech person at heart, that was incredible.
Back to churches, so at ForthRidge, it was so easy, and safe, and great to leave our kids in the children's area. In the last 6 months though we have visited a lot of churches and 99 times out of 100 it is impossible to leave our kids. The people are unhelpful, the church is tough to figure out and we don't feel safe leaving them.
So, the last couple of weeks we have visited this church called 242 Community Church in Brighton, MI. Their website is great and they set up in a middle school and the atmosphere is awesome. Not only is the kid's ministry great, people are genuinely friendly and the service is great. Worship, Teaching, all great. REFRESHING is the word that comes to mind the most. I am someone who has grown up in church, always been there, my dad was my youth pastor and I became a youth pastor at 19, so I don't know not being in church.
So, why I am blogging all this, because I bummed we are not going to be able to attend this weekend. Now don't get me wrong, I get to teach on a retreat for 250 Jr. High kids, and that's just about one of the funniest and greatest moments of my year, but we will miss being at 242.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Pet Peeves: Personal
Here is a short list of some of my personal pet peeves:
1. Rude People. I really dislike them, people that treat others like they don't exist, hate it.
2. Rude Fast Food Cashiers. Oh, I hate this! LOOK AT ME, ASK ME WHAT I WANT. ASK ME!
3. Snow. Now, I live in Michigan, shouldn't I love it? NO. I hate snow, ice, black ice, frost, scraping windows, is Snow a pet peeve, well it's mine.
4. People that don't ever have to pay the dues. Have you noticed how some people get everything handed to them and never have to pay their dues. I hate this. I am all about working hard for what you want and not giving up. Paying the Dues.
5. People that don't return emails or phone calls. Now, as I type this I can think of SEVERAL messages I am late in returning, so that's a darn good reminder.
6. DVD's and all those darn previews and all the other crap they put before the movie. I have 3 little kids and when they want to watch a movie, they want to watch it. And I stand there forever waiting to get past all those dumb previews.
7. End of a flight, we pull up to the gate, and everybody gets up and Waits, Waits, Waits, Waits. People look so silly standing up sideways. I don't get it, stay seated, wait till we can move.
8. Expensive food. Don't get me wrong, I would love to take Tracie to Morton's some time, but I hate how expensive Pop, Hot Dogs and such is at the movies and at sports games. WHY?
9. Making a pet peeve list, that's stupid, stop complaining.
1. Rude People. I really dislike them, people that treat others like they don't exist, hate it.
2. Rude Fast Food Cashiers. Oh, I hate this! LOOK AT ME, ASK ME WHAT I WANT. ASK ME!
3. Snow. Now, I live in Michigan, shouldn't I love it? NO. I hate snow, ice, black ice, frost, scraping windows, is Snow a pet peeve, well it's mine.
4. People that don't ever have to pay the dues. Have you noticed how some people get everything handed to them and never have to pay their dues. I hate this. I am all about working hard for what you want and not giving up. Paying the Dues.
5. People that don't return emails or phone calls. Now, as I type this I can think of SEVERAL messages I am late in returning, so that's a darn good reminder.
6. DVD's and all those darn previews and all the other crap they put before the movie. I have 3 little kids and when they want to watch a movie, they want to watch it. And I stand there forever waiting to get past all those dumb previews.
7. End of a flight, we pull up to the gate, and everybody gets up and Waits, Waits, Waits, Waits. People look so silly standing up sideways. I don't get it, stay seated, wait till we can move.
8. Expensive food. Don't get me wrong, I would love to take Tracie to Morton's some time, but I hate how expensive Pop, Hot Dogs and such is at the movies and at sports games. WHY?
9. Making a pet peeve list, that's stupid, stop complaining.
Failure
-- Failing isn’t fatal. Or in the words of Brad Powell (Pastor of NorthRidge Church) Failure isn't Final.
I have been struggling with Failure a lot lately, well, actually the last 8 months or so. What is failure? How do you handle failure? I found this piece of an article that Rick Warren wrote, helped a little.
"Because we value success so much, we tend to exaggerate the effects of failure. But failure isn’t the end of the world. You won’t die from it. With failure -– you fail, you pick yourself up and you go on.
One of the best ways to bounce back from failure is to redefine it.
Failure is not failing to reach your dreams. Failure is not having a dream.
Failure is not setting a goal and missing it. Failure is not having a goal.
Failure is not falling down. Failure is refusing to get back up.
If at first you don’t succeed, big deal! It’s usually the second, third or fourth time you actually get it right. You are never a failure until you give up. Remember, everybody fails.
-- Failure has benefit.
Did you know that one of God’s primary tools in making you the kind of person he wants you to be is failure?
Huh? Failure is a tool God uses
I have been struggling with Failure a lot lately, well, actually the last 8 months or so. What is failure? How do you handle failure? I found this piece of an article that Rick Warren wrote, helped a little.
"Because we value success so much, we tend to exaggerate the effects of failure. But failure isn’t the end of the world. You won’t die from it. With failure -– you fail, you pick yourself up and you go on.
One of the best ways to bounce back from failure is to redefine it.
Failure is not failing to reach your dreams. Failure is not having a dream.
Failure is not setting a goal and missing it. Failure is not having a goal.
Failure is not falling down. Failure is refusing to get back up.
If at first you don’t succeed, big deal! It’s usually the second, third or fourth time you actually get it right. You are never a failure until you give up. Remember, everybody fails.
-- Failure has benefit.
Did you know that one of God’s primary tools in making you the kind of person he wants you to be is failure?
Huh? Failure is a tool God uses
I am Speechless!!!
Clark Kent's dad is dead!!! I actually am crying, I have tears running down my cheeks as I type. Man, I can't believe it. I mean I knew it was coming, but I am shocked. I am at a lost for words. I am sad, downright majorly sad!
SON OF A GUN!
Jonathan Kent just passed out, after he beat the crap out of Lionel Luther, oh man and Clark just sat there.
Why can't he run him to the hosptial, or shock his heart or something!!!
AAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
PS...Sorr for all the vulgarity, I am feeling a little ticked by Smalleville and Lana, and Lex.
Why can't he run him to the hosptial, or shock his heart or something!!!
AAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
PS...Sorr for all the vulgarity, I am feeling a little ticked by Smalleville and Lana, and Lex.
I am crushed!
Ok, now the pieces have come together. CRAP!!!!! Clark told her the truth and now....UGGGHHH
NO STINKIN WAY
Oh my, I am sitting here in utter shock! Lex just caused Lana to get into a car accident and I think she's dead! No way, this can't be right! If I were Clark I would crush Lex.
Can't be right, can't be.
Can't be right, can't be.
Biggest Regrets: Personal Version pt. 1
Some of biggest personal regrets. Note to self, I realize not to live in the past, but will learn from these regrets.
1. All the way back to 4th grade. I regret telling little Stevie from around the block to stuff all those sticks in that big bee hive. Watching all of my friends get stung, big regret.
2. I regret not trying out for football my freshmen year of high school. I thought I was too small.
3. I regret not trying our for basketball my freshmen year of high school. Again, thought I was too short.
4. I wish I would of practiced my trumpet a whole lot more, could of got a full scholarship to college.
5. Not hugging my Grandma the last time I saw her on Christmas day 1995, before she was killed in a car accident.
6. I wish I would of sat with my Grandfather more the last couple of years of his life.
7. I should of tried harder at Eastern Michigan, could of been 1st trumpet.
8. More college regrets, too many failed classes.
9. Early in my marriage I spent too much time loving youth ministry and not enough time loving my wife.
10. I continually watch way too much TV and don't spend enough time playing with my kids.
1. All the way back to 4th grade. I regret telling little Stevie from around the block to stuff all those sticks in that big bee hive. Watching all of my friends get stung, big regret.
2. I regret not trying out for football my freshmen year of high school. I thought I was too small.
3. I regret not trying our for basketball my freshmen year of high school. Again, thought I was too short.
4. I wish I would of practiced my trumpet a whole lot more, could of got a full scholarship to college.
5. Not hugging my Grandma the last time I saw her on Christmas day 1995, before she was killed in a car accident.
6. I wish I would of sat with my Grandfather more the last couple of years of his life.
7. I should of tried harder at Eastern Michigan, could of been 1st trumpet.
8. More college regrets, too many failed classes.
9. Early in my marriage I spent too much time loving youth ministry and not enough time loving my wife.
10. I continually watch way too much TV and don't spend enough time playing with my kids.
Pet Peeves: Church Version
A couple of my pet peeves: Church Version. Please remember these are just my personal pet peeves.
1. Churches that don't have a website! Believe it or not, there are still churches in 2006 that don't have websites. What the heck?
2. Churches that have a 24/7 automated answering service. I don't mind it after 5pm but during the day, no voice, no person to greet me, what the heck?
3. Churches that have RUDE people that answer their phone. True conversation (I have changed the name of the church to protect it's identity) : First Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, non denom, bible believing church, how may I help you? Hi, I was wondering if your church had a website? ...weird silence. Well, why are you asking? Umm, I was just wondering if you had a website I could check out. Well, I will have to have somebody call you back and let you know if you are allowed to view it. Well, isn't that strange. What the heck?
4. Church websites that don't have all the contact information on every page. Very important, I think.
5. Church's that don't have a high quality program to pass out. Don't get that at all. If you don't have money, you can still put something of quality in people's hands.
6. Rude children ministry workers. I hate that. Having 3 kids, I really need the someone to tell me where to go.
7. A non relational leadership. What the heck, this I don't get for sure. I think the Sr. Leadership should be the most relational, especially with the staff and other leaders.
8. Poor Sound & Video. Don't get me wrong, I know some churches can't afford good tech, but it doesn't take that much anymore. No more feedback!
9. Churches that don't support the children's and youth ministry. Or should I say, Sr. Pastors who don't support their children's and youth programs.
Those are some. More to come.
1. Churches that don't have a website! Believe it or not, there are still churches in 2006 that don't have websites. What the heck?
2. Churches that have a 24/7 automated answering service. I don't mind it after 5pm but during the day, no voice, no person to greet me, what the heck?
3. Churches that have RUDE people that answer their phone. True conversation (I have changed the name of the church to protect it's identity) : First Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, non denom, bible believing church, how may I help you? Hi, I was wondering if your church had a website? ...weird silence. Well, why are you asking? Umm, I was just wondering if you had a website I could check out. Well, I will have to have somebody call you back and let you know if you are allowed to view it. Well, isn't that strange. What the heck?
4. Church websites that don't have all the contact information on every page. Very important, I think.
5. Church's that don't have a high quality program to pass out. Don't get that at all. If you don't have money, you can still put something of quality in people's hands.
6. Rude children ministry workers. I hate that. Having 3 kids, I really need the someone to tell me where to go.
7. A non relational leadership. What the heck, this I don't get for sure. I think the Sr. Leadership should be the most relational, especially with the staff and other leaders.
8. Poor Sound & Video. Don't get me wrong, I know some churches can't afford good tech, but it doesn't take that much anymore. No more feedback!
9. Churches that don't support the children's and youth ministry. Or should I say, Sr. Pastors who don't support their children's and youth programs.
Those are some. More to come.
WHAT THE HAM AND EGGS IN HAPPENING?
Oh my GOODNESS! I am watching Smallville and Clark just proposed to Lana and told her his secrets and she said YES!
I can't believe it! I Love this show, LOVE IT! And I have waited for this, something must be wrong, like it's a dream or something. I sure hope not.
Oh My!
I can't believe it! I Love this show, LOVE IT! And I have waited for this, something must be wrong, like it's a dream or something. I sure hope not.
Oh My!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Bobby and His Brownie
A few years ago I surprised my family with a chocolate lab puppy. I let my kids name her, and they came up with brownie. Actually their first choice was "door" and I was like creative, but let's keep trying. Then...Brownie emerged and it was a done deal. This dog has been a pain to me and she probably will never measure up to my dog growing up, but she's growing on me.
Her saving grace is how she is with our kids. She is TERRIFIC. She has never barked at them, growled at them, nothing. Bobby is especially loved by brownie. They cuddle all the time together and she will purposely lay down next to him and rest her head on him, it's really cute (I still can't believe I use that word...That's what 3 kids will do to you). Anyways, she is a great family dog and this is brownie and her boy.
Bally's Total Fitness
So, my little observations about Bally's Total Fitness. You watch the Bally's commercials and everybody is in their 20's super fit, excercising like crazy. Well, that's not the Bally's reality I live in. My Bally's is a wild and wacky place. The average age is triple my age and I continually worry about people passing out and today it happened twice. An ambulance was even called. I don't know what happened, but I think he was ok.
The other crazy observation is the shower room. Don't mean to get graphic but every time I am in there I try to pick the shower that's got the best chance to have nobody next to it. It's just one big room, just like P.E. class. So, it NEVER fails. When I am in there all alone an older gentlemen always picks the shower RIGHT NEXT to MINE. AAAHHHH. I don't get it.
Well, I will never figure it out.
The other crazy observation is the shower room. Don't mean to get graphic but every time I am in there I try to pick the shower that's got the best chance to have nobody next to it. It's just one big room, just like P.E. class. So, it NEVER fails. When I am in there all alone an older gentlemen always picks the shower RIGHT NEXT to MINE. AAAHHHH. I don't get it.
Well, I will never figure it out.
DETROIT BASKETBALL
Wow, just got back from the new 35-5 Pistons, what a game. We had great seats and my buddy blessed me by paying for parking and dinner. I also ran into one of our board members, Todd, we passed each other really quick.
I know this is going to sound lame as can be, but I love sports. I don't know what it is, but ever since my dad took me to my first Tigers game, I have loved sports. I actually cried tonight. I actually cry pretty easy, especially during Extreme Make Over Home edition. But tonight, the lights dimmed, the music came on, and the annoucer started and I just lost it. It's like everytime I watch the Natual or For the Love of the game or a Nike commercial, I just cry like a baby. That's probably weird, but I love them!
I know this is going to sound lame as can be, but I love sports. I don't know what it is, but ever since my dad took me to my first Tigers game, I have loved sports. I actually cried tonight. I actually cry pretty easy, especially during Extreme Make Over Home edition. But tonight, the lights dimmed, the music came on, and the annoucer started and I just lost it. It's like everytime I watch the Natual or For the Love of the game or a Nike commercial, I just cry like a baby. That's probably weird, but I love them!
What a great gift
I love Sports! I always have and I know I always have. Doesn't matter what sport it is, bowling, baseball, hockey, football, whatever. Well, one of my board members gave me 2 tickets to the 34-5 Pistons game tonight. I am going with one of my best friends, Josh, should be a blast. Actually, he just pulled up to pick me up.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Shh, their sleeping
Well, Tracie and I have been married almost 9 years (May 31) and we have 3 kids. Bekah Sue (5...almost 6), Bobby Jay (3) and Zachary James (18 months). So, having 3 kids teaches you a lot! I mean a lot! And one of the major lessons is to not wake up sleeping kids. Sometimes both boys fall asleep in the car and sometimes if they are still sleeping when we get home, we will just in the car while we can get the rest. You know you have done it too!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Board Meeting
Tonight we have a Project311 board meeting, and I think we will all be there. We have 8 guys who are awesome, I love each of them and I am so thankful for them. We have a lot to cover and go over.
If you are one of my 12 daily readers, please be praying for us.
If you are one of my 12 daily readers, please be praying for us.
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