Vertical

2008-02-29T16:37:00.002-06:00

APRIL 29

A day that only comes by every four years. Do something today or make a decision today that will change your life for the next four years. This day will not happen for another 4 years so make it a day to remember.

2008-01-22T16:08:00.000-06:00

INFERNO 2007

2007-10-08T21:12:00.000-05:00

Quote

The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we hit it.

Michelangelo

2007-10-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don't cry

Stop right there because I know what you're thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end
And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Can't you see

Mercy Me
So Long Self

2007-09-05T19:12:00.000-05:00

BE THE CHURCH

2007-08-21T23:43:00.000-05:00

I make mistakes. God forgives. I try to do better. The amazing part is that when I realize my mistake and ask forgiveness, my sin is gone right then. God does not make me go through this big long process he forgives me in that instant. That is love beyond understanding.

2007-08-16T22:47:00.000-05:00

Strangers

Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

2007-08-15T20:36:00.000-05:00

LIFE

Many people focus on the if in lIFe. There will always be if's in life. If she likes me and I know for sure I will ask her out. If I knew for sure people would get saved I would witness. If I could look like that person then people would like me. If I was smart maybe I could go to college. We need to get rid of the if's that run our lives. Live life with courage. Live life with out if's or at the end of life you will have regrets. Just ask her out and if she says no at least you know how she feels. Just witness and live a life that shows the love of God and if they get saved good and if not you did what you were suppose to do. Quit worrying about what you look like if someone does not want to be your friend because of your looks then you do not want to be their friend anyways. You are smarter enough to go to college. Take the chance. Life with out if's is a life that God will make complete.

2007-08-14T22:40:00.000-05:00

Why?

He cares for the broken. He cares for the outcast. He cares for the insecure. He cares but we still turn our backs to him. Why?

2007-08-13T22:58:00.000-05:00

You can run. You can hide. But you can never get away from it. It will call when no one else is around. It will call when you are in a group of people. It will call when you think your having fun. It will call in the good times. It will call in the bad times. It will call when you think you have life figured out. It will call when disaster hits. It will call when you have money. It will call when you are poor. So run if you want. Try and hide if it pleases you. But it will always be there calling.

2007-08-13T19:17:00.000-05:00

Small

If God is so big that he created the universe then, why do we have such small vision? What would happen if we got big vision? Think about the things we could see. Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." I can think big but, God can do bigger. Yet, we still set such small goals. I understand that you have to reach small things before you get to the big things. Vision often is the end result. The journey maybe hard and long but if we truly believe that he can do "exceeding abundantly above all that we as or think" then dream BIG.

2007-05-30T21:36:00.000-05:00

Quote

It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.
-Sir Winston Churchill

2007-05-28T19:34:00.000-05:00

Question

Is this all there is to it?

2007-05-27T23:20:00.000-05:00

Moments

There are moments in our lives that we have the chance to seize the moment and the possibility of greatness lies there in. Many times though we let these moments slip right through our hands like grains of sand. When a moment happens seize it. Carpe Momento!

2006-12-24T23:45:00.000-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas is always so busy. Many times we forget to stop and remember the real reason for Christmas, Jesus' birth. This Christmas spend at least a few minutes and think about the real reason for the season.

2006-12-09T00:25:00.000-06:00

More

It is about being close to Jesus. That is what Christianity is about. So many times we get these ideas that if I know this person or if everyone is looking at me then I have made it. It is fake. It is about being close to Jesus. Nothing else. Who cares what others have to say, as long as I am close to Jesus. What I want is MORE of Jesus. Just more of him.

2006-11-23T21:52:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for us to reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. The following is a list of some of the things I am thankful for:

Relationship with Jesus
Family
Friends
Students of Vertical
Pastors
Health
Job

These are just a few of the things I am thankful for I could go into detail on all them and how much they mean to me but I will refrain. I hope everyone of you have a great Thanksgiving.

2006-11-17T11:02:00.000-06:00

I was in my hotel room in the middle of country in Arkansas and I turned on the TV. On one channel they were talking about the Michigan and Ohio State football game. I continued to flip the channels tell I came across a woman singing. The woman was Cece Winans. She began to sing about praise and all I could think about was that we allow what others think about our praise to effect us. Why? In a hotel room in the middle of nowhere I felt God and it did not have to be some big production but I could simply praise God right there. Never let anyone stop you from giving your ultimate praise. No matter what anyone says give it all.

2006-11-14T22:15:00.000-06:00

Strong
Why do we so often try to act like nothing ever bothers us? I am the worst at this. I have this thing that I do when I am upset or hurt about stuff I try to ignore it. There is this idea somewhere in my subconscious that thinks that if I ignore it that it will go away. IT DOES NOT GO AWAY. It maybe be two weeks, two months or even two years down the road that we are forced to deal with the STUFF. The tough part is figuring out what is the best way to deal with the baggage. Talk with friends, cry, write or eat are some of the things that we do. One thing might work for one person and another thing might work for someone else. The important part is to allow God to help. He cares and he is one that we do not have to act strong around. He knows the real you and he wants to help the real you. When I come to the point where I have to deal with the stuff it is nice to know that God is who I can run to. Try being real around God and let him help you deal with the baggage. He knows the real you and loves the real you.

2006-11-06T20:02:00.000-06:00

QUOTE

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.
-Winston Churchill

What if we redefined history? Who says that we have to fit in the box that society has placed over us and is holding us hostage in? Be innovative. Be yourself. Why do people think that if you are a Christian you are lame or boring? What makes people think that if you are a minister you all of a sudden are this old geezer? Every generation that has refused to conform has caused a revolution. It is revolution time. Live life the way it is suppose to be lived. Refuse to let history write your story. Be the odd one and WRITE HISTORY for yourself.

2006-11-02T18:16:00.000-06:00

YOUTH OUTING

When: Nov. 3 7:30PM
Where: Church
To: Ice Skating and Starbucks
Return: 10:30PM

2006-11-01T18:53:00.000-06:00

Laffy Taffy is not funny

By the name you would think that Laffy Taffy would make you laugh. It does not. I think that it is misleading and we should sue the company. Maybe we could make millions off of them and then we would be laughing.

2006-10-26T01:01:00.000-05:00

Dissapointment

What is dissapointment? I was suppose to go to the world series. Yes, the world series. However, I got sick the other day and could not go. I was upset or should I say disappointed. Many times in life we are dissappointed but it is not the fact that we are dissappointed it is what we do with our dissappointment that matters. I moved on and I am not going to look back and say what could have been. Move on it is the best way.

2006-10-21T11:05:00.000-05:00

WOW

It has been a while since I have written anything. I just want to say that Vertical Youth Group is the best youth group in the world. I feel honored to be able to work with these awesome people. I will try to get better at writing. Just want to remind everyone to BUILD AND BRING.

Get back to root of it all
Jesus is calling us
To love the love of our father

By the Tree
Root of it all

2006-05-18T17:50:00.000-05:00

GROW UP

It seems like everywhere young people go they are told they need to grow up. What does it mean to grow up? I had a roommate in college that was what some might call immature. He would do crazy things and then when you would make a joke he would respond in a joking manner saying "Grow Up." Growing up has nothing to do with age. Many times we have this idea that growing up is based simply on age. This is a big misconception because I have met 13 year olds that were more mature then 20 year olds. Then how do we grow up and why do we need to grow up? A young man held a great treasure in his hand. It had been handed down to him from his father and his father told him to take care of it. The young man was very cautious at first to never let it out of his sight and to keep great care of it. Then one day his buddies were going out to play and he brought the great treasure with him. This was fine because he was keeping watch over it until his buddies decide to play with it. It started off as just playing keep away but then the throws became more dangerous until the priceless treasure was dropped and destroyed. The young man was devastated. What was he going to tell his father. He decided the best course of action was just not to say anything. This is what he did until one day his father asked him where the treasure was. God, the God who spoke the worlds in to existence and said let there be light and there was, has given us his Spirit. It is a treasure but the question is are we grown up enough to handle it? Are we grown up enough to have integrity in the midst of a world that has no integrity? Are we grown up enough to stand against peer pressure? Are we grown up enough to be comfortable with how God has made us? Are we grown up enough to use wisdom in our choices? Are we spiritually mature? So I join with the chorus of others that say we need a generation to GROW UP. I am not saying stop having fun, I am not saying stop doing crazy things. I am saying its time to realize God has given us a special gift and its time for us to GROW UP.

2006-03-23T13:27:00.000-06:00

Words
Words are a powerful expression of our feelings. Many times we say words because of the emotions we are feeling. Later on to regret. What would happen if we let our words not be a reaction to our feelings but a reaction to the desire to see others succeed. Lila, was a young girl about fifteen. Lila like most girls her age wanted to be accepted. She felt that she was not pretty enough and that she was too fat. She wanted to be in the popular group at school. Those girls were so pretty and everyone liked them. She felt like she didn't belong anywhere. It was a rainy Thursday when she entered the lunchroom. She had very carefully chosen her outfit for that day because today was the day she was going to be in the "group." She saw that their was one seat left. She slowly made her way towards their table. She felt as if everyone was watching her. They could all tell she was taking a plunge. Lila takes one step then another finally she is at the table. She sits down and looks at the other girls. They stare and then one girls turns and says...Words accept someone or they turn them away. Lila is coming to your table what are you going to say you make the decision.

2006-01-26T15:51:00.000-06:00

Where to from here?

The young man looked both ways unsure of which way he should go. His car an 87' volvo was shaking a little and the front windshield had a crack in it. He looked to his left and saw that the road led to a little barn that appeared to have been tagged by some youth a while back. To his right the road seemed to be smooth and would lead him to a highway that would make it easy to just flow in to traffic. Behind him was the town he lived in where all of his friends and family lived. He was confused which way should I go? He looked up and saw that the road in front of him was full of curves, hills, and potholes in the gravel. When he was young he had went on hilly roads before and he had gotten sick. This did not seem like a good road to take but it was said that this road lead to a little town called Incredible. Incredible was a town that where people were inventing do technology and where people were growing and striving to become more. But this town lay at the end of a road where he could get sick by taking it. As he sat at this four way stop he asked himself, where to from here? He had left behind everything he had held so dear. If he went to his left it would take him to a dead end where no one ever visited becasue it was nothing. If he went to his right then the distance that he had come was useless since he would just fade in. If he went forward he might not make it becasue of the harshness of the road. The question was where to from here? What would you choose if you were him? Is a place called Incredible worth the trip? In life we come to crossroads, the question is where to from here? Are we satisfied with where we have always been or do we want to go to a place called Incredible.

2005-12-29T13:45:00.000-06:00

To become more than one is. To push beyond the limits. To desire for bigger and better. To decide that mediocre is not sufficient. To run when everyone is walking. To think when everyone is sleeping. To practice when tired. To dare to move when it is not convenient. To no longer look at anything as it is but what it can be. To live life the way it was intended. To make dreams realities. To become more than one is. Vertical Youth.

2005-12-29T12:39:00.000-06:00

Quote of the Day

"When everything’s gone—the cameras, your makeup, this, that—there’s this empty feeling. Did all these people working with me today really care about me? Was that real? What’s real, what’s not real? My music: Am I good enough? Everyone’s looking at me, but I’m looking inward, and it’s so weird."

- Ashlee Simpson -
Blender, December 2005, pg. 117

2005-12-09T09:36:00.000-06:00

You know You're PENTECOSTAL when ..... 1 ) The amount of money you spend on hair spray exceeds your gas bill. 2) Your Pastor announces midweek services EVERY Sunday night. 3) You (or the ladies you know) can swim in a denim skirt and still have fun. 4) It takes longer to TAKE prayer requests than it does to pray for them. 5) Your brother or sister in the Lord hugs you right in the middle of Wal-Mart. 6) The musicians at your church can tear it up, but none of them can read sheet music. 7) You have 50 pairs of church shoes. You're adept at stopping runs in stockings with just about anything. 9) You're considered an old maid if you're not married by age 18. 10) You consider Bible college "higher education." 11) Running the aisles and jumping up and down is your exercise. 12) A birthday party is a night on the town. 13) You could be an Olympic volleyball player with all the practice from church functions. 14) Your white choir moves like Kirk Franklin's group. 15) The pastor says, "With this thought, I close," more than three times each service. 16) You have adequate respect for the power of flying hairpins. 17) Your feet have been stomped on at least 3 times during a service. 18 ) A run in your last pair of stockings is a national disaster. 19) You judge a church service by swollen eyes, rumpled clothes, and disheveled hair. 20) Your kids know how to eat any crunchy thing quietly. 21) When shopping for shirts, you always run it through the "Praise The Lord" test. 22) Sunday and Wednesday mean no cooking or dishes. 23) You can maneuver into a vehicle without messing up your hairdo. 24) Celebrating your 21st birthday doesn't mean much. 25) The employees at Pizza Hut know you by name. 26) You can always find hairpins on the floor after a good service. 27) You can pronounce, "Habakkuk." 28 ) Mondays and Thursdays are the hardest days to wake up in the morning. 29) Your day of rest includes 2 church services, choir practice, and Shoneys. 30) The kids you know think shot glasses are for playing communion. 31) Growing up you baptize your cousins and siblings in "JESUS NAME" several times in the swimming pool

2005-10-27T09:56:00.000-05:00

This is a blog created by and for the Vertical youth group of the United Pentecostal Church located in Harvey, IL. This is a place for us to post our thoughts, writings, drawings, pictures, and whatever other creative craziness we can think of. This is a safe place for discussion and self-revelation. There are only two rules: No bad language and No talking bad about people. Vertical...this blog is in your hands...have at it!