Month: August 2008

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The Top Secret Photos

Today is the day that I reaveal those pictures I have kept hidden and in secret my whole life…the yearbook photos. Today, you will see that I am older than I appear. Thanks to the Waxy One for stepping out there first and sharing his yearbook photos from yearbookyourself.com – Now you have the opportunity to see all of those wacky hair do’s the weight gains and the weight losses…its all here for your to indulge! Be sure to tell me which one you like the best 🙂

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Perseverance, Character, and Hope

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)

I was reading in Romans 5 this morning, and this portion of Chapter 3 stood out to me…”we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Over the last three to four years it seems that I have faced more individual sufferings, trials, and tests than I ever have in my life. The question that popped into my head as I read this was, “Have those issues I have dealt with produced perserverance, character, and hope?” – “Four years and now on the other side of some of these things, have I increased in these areas?”

In my eyes I may say no! Because I live with my imperfections everyday, but my hope is that in the eyes of Christ I have and in the eyes of others, they will see that the Lord has grown me, stretched me, and matured me in perserverance, character, and hope!

Join the Conversation: Are you seeing perserverance, character, and hope being formed in your life? Care to share how God is doing that?

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Family Pictures 2008

These are our first professional family pictures…ever! I think its the perfect timing now that we are complete with the 5 of us! The truth is, I refused to have my picture taken because I was self concious when I was 40 pounds over weight. If you saw most of our personal pictures, you would know why, but I also look angry in them because Nicki would catch me off guard and I would not be smiling. Click on the thumbnails below to see the full size picture, then click on that picture to see the whole thing (its complicated 🙂 ). We took several poses, but these are the one’s we puchased.

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Student Leadership Video

I ran across this video on Josh Griffin’s Blog. Our student ministry at Greenbrier is having a lead team weekend for student leaders, adult volunteers, and members of our parent team, so in keeping with our student ministries theme this weekend, I thought it would be appropriate for a blog post here on Nickcarnes.com! By the way, this is a small look at some of the great training videos that we get (along with free resources from Simply Youth Ministry) at our PDYM Community Lunches, so I encourage you to join the network on our next announced lunch. I believe some of the leadership principles can be used with adults too:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiIgO6ZApeo]

As I watch this video, I cannot help but to think about:
Kenny – Who does a great job shooting videos for the student ministry. His work gets better every week!
Ivy – Who led our students (a group of her peers) in worship for the first time Wednesday night (Join her Facebook Fan Club HERE)
And all of the students who serve in Brierpatch, 3-D Kids, as well, those who sacrificed time and energy with our “hands and feet projects” this summer, or whenever a need arises.

Join the Conversation: What student or adult is a shining example of being an effective leader to you?