What do you want from Wildfire?

Going in to the last Wildfire for 2011 I have have already started to think about 2012. We've got high-lows, our questions about the message, team prayers, and a lot of joking around and generally having a good time.

Of course, our main goal is to be closer to God and get to know one another, but what else do we want to do? For 2012, I want to kick it up a notch.

I'm thinking we need to mix it up a little. Maybe some games, more longer term projects, and most importantly listening to you guys and what you want to do.

So what do you want to do? Are things cool as they are? Should we be more serious or more hilarious? What's working and what isn't?

If you have a second, make a comment or send me an email and we can talk about it. Next year we can hit the ground running and get 2012 off to a good start.

Also, one of the goals I have for 2012 is to get to know you guys better. If you have a soccer, basketball, hockey, chess, play, performance, under-water basket weaving, or some other kind of event coming up. Let me know. I'd love to come see you.

See you tomorrow night!

David

Calling All Skylarks!

Hey Skylarks!

We need numbers! Pablo, Eric, Arris, Braden... I'm talking to you. It's been a lot of fun getting to know you the last few weeks and you're definitely missed.

We've wrapped up the series on Jonah and have started the Messy Faith series about rebellion and our relationship with God.

Last weeks message was from Jeremiah 45:1-5. Jeremiah tells the story of Baruch who complains to God about what he asks of him. It's interesting to think of people talking to God. They complain and God is merciful.

This week we hear about Jacob and his relationship with God. It should be a good one.

My friend Ben Purdy put this Minecraft experiment together. Kind of crazy to think of digital things being made real:

http://vimeo.com/28124800

Great talking with you all tonight about Jonah. Our first world problems seem like nothing when we care about the world like God does.

My daughter, Jessica, shared this video with me tonight. Totally random:

Don't be a hater

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. (Matthew 7:1 NLT) 

 Have you listened to Hannah Montana's latest album? I know, me neither. Miley Cyrus is is way better. What about Justin Beiber? No? K$sha (or key dollar sign ha, as it is pronounced).

Sometimes it feels like no matter what band or singer you like or how talented someone is, there is always someone who will say they are lame or make up some story about how they failed. And people will criticize anything. Xbox vs. Playstation, iPhone vs. Android, Mac vs. PC, and what always amazes me is how much people hate the opposing point of view. I mean, I understand if you're a Playstation guy but does that mean Xbox has to suck?

One of my favorite bands is Band of Horses. The first time I heard them was on a long car ride home with my friend Troy. We were returning from a two day hike to Duffy Butte. Every time I hear a Band of Horses song I am reminded of how wonderfully tired I was after that day. I saw amazing things and had great discussions with friends. Maybe you will listen to Band of Horses and find them boring and lame.

Just because you don't like them doesn't mean you have to hate on them or criticize the person who likes them. That person might have a special memory that they think about when they hear a song or see a movie. Maybe the band or book or movie isn't the best in the world but it is special to them. When you hate on that thing you are making that person feel like their feelings don't matter.

When you like something and somebody else doesn't the conversation can be fun. Some of the best music, food, ideas, etc have been brought to me by friends. If I had criticized them I would have never been exposed to them. We can challenge each other's ideas and joke a little, but when it turns to hating on something it's not fun for anyone.

So before you hate on a band or on anything else, remember that somebody might have a story like mine. That song might mean something more. It's fine if you don't like it, just respect the other person and don't be a hater.

Schucks & Pucks - Register NOW!

Schucks & Pucks is this Friday IF we can get enough people to sign up. Sign up by this Thursday if you want to go. It will be a lot of fun!

Welcome to Team Skylark, an elite group of 6th graders chosen for their physical prowess, keen intellect, and unparalleled tenacity.

Team Skylark's mission is to have fun and be crazy awesome. Not awesome like, "Duuuude! That was awesome!" No, awesome as in, the mighty power of God awesome. Angels just came down from the heavens and lit up the sky, kind of awesome.

We are in awe of the power of our Lord and Savior and want to live like Him.

Can I get an Amen?