Carl Sandburg was a right...
Carl Sandburg said, "….It is necessary now and then for a man to go away by himself and experience loneliness; to sit on a rock in the forest and to ask of himself, ‘Who am I, and where have I been, and where am I going?’"

What do you say to this? Have you found this to be true? How does this apply to you? How many of us are too busy to experience loneliness? What difference would it make in your life/health/spritual vitality if you took the time to get away?

I constantly find myself in the place of wanting more of God--to know him more, to love him more, to be more passionate, radical, faithful...but I so often choose the noise of a tv or cd player over the quiet, the pace of the internet (broadband, no less) over the stillness of waiting, the rush of the phone call that must be returned, the score that must be checked...I too often choose the thing over the THING.

This must change. If I am to be wholly His, then my life must reflect a wholehearted devotion to him. There is a difference between being about the father's BUSYNESS and being about the father's BUSINESS.

Does this resonate with you? What should I/we/you do about it? Email me with your thoughts, or post them to the message board.

Oh yeah, Carl Sandburg, an American poet (1878-1967), lived in a home in Flat Rock, NC, which my family and I pass every time we go to my parents' house. I've never stopped. I think I will next time...

Plans for Sunday School on the way
This has been a little slower in the development that I would have liked, but here it is--the plan for Sunday School. We'll start things off Sunday, September 28th.

1. The Children's Ministry has presented us with a great option for plugging in some of our students as helpers in the 9:00 Sunday School slot. We believe that each one of us is gifted by God to serve. Further, we believe it is VITAL for your personal spiritual growth and development that you find a ministry within the body of Christ that will enable you to give back to the body. Our Childern's Ministry team is looking for reliable students who would like to serve a classroom as assistants to the teachers. Responsibilities would include general callsroom management, crafts, singing, help with the Bible story, and LOVING younger children. A special need: Childrens' Ministry Worship team. That's right--we'd like to put together a team that would help lead children in worship every Sunday morning. Are you interested? If you would like to help in some area with Children's Ministry, we want to connect you with Kim D. Email her to let her know you want to plug in and be a blessing.

2. Mike Grissom will be leading a class from 9:00-10:30 at the High School North (room #44) that will explore The Case for Christ by Lee Stroebel. There will be a student book available (it may cost a few dollars) for you if you are interested in the class. This class will cover the entire first semester.

We may be adding a third option, also in the 9:00 time slot at the HS North. Stay tuned to the website for further development!

Remember, we believe that God wants you to grow in your knowledge and love for him. These are two great opportunities--study and service--to do just that. Plug in. Take advantage of every opportunity to stretch your mind, and sharpen your skills.

Stac

See You at the Pole
That's right, campers! It's time to get out of bed and drag yourself to your school flagpole for a little community prayer. Remember to be on the lookout for God to move tomorrow. Ask him to give you opportunities to love others and share about the hope you have in Jesus.

If you need a t-shirt, I have several mediums and larges. Let me know. Thanks, Dave Durkin, for providing us with the shirts.

Hey Mike Kajak--why didn't you tell me you were a hotdog paintballer? You rock!

Reminder: The After the Pole rally is at the CMA church tomorrow night, not at Calvary. Sorry for the late notice, but that's the way this ball has bounced.

God is love, and he invites you to love alongside him. Are you in?

Ryan has posted some pics from the Welcome Weekend
I am not responsible for these pics. If you want to see more, talk to Ryan...I wish I could get my hair to do those things!

Check out my boy Gabe!
#18 in your program, #1 in your hearts...

I hope that I can get Gabe to come speak to XStream this year. He is a God-story in the making. He's been faithful to serve God at 'Bama, and God is honoring him this year! He is a leader, and I would love to have him here at XStream. If you think about him, pray for him!

I'm watching him on ESPN right now...

Paintball Action and See You At The Pole preparation
Tomorrow afternoon we will be gathering with many other student ministries from the Centre Region to gear up for See You At The Pole. The whole deal kicks off with an All-Star Paintball Challenge, pitting a team of adult leaders against some key students. 2 students from each group will join forces to battle the nefarious and clearly overpowering leader team, featureing Ryan "Rambo" Ohlson, and myself, Sniper Stac Sublett. Jarrod Sechler (Christ Chommunity) will be providing paintball guns for our games, so you don't need to bring your own.

After the paint dries on you, we're going to give students time to meet with schoolmates to plan, prep, and pray for See You At The Pole.

See you at Harvest Fields by the Barn from 4-6:30 for a great afternoon. Call me if you have any questions. 571-6039

Did you see them Bulldogs beat up on South Carolina? Oh yeah...

Welcome back Bonfire heats up
Last Wednesday was totally fun! Thanks to all of you who came out to eat a 'dog and a smore, sing around the the fire, and hang out with us. Here are a few pics from the evening.



We are so looking forward to this year at XStream. We believe that God is going to do some life-changing things this school year. We want to see you and your friends starting and growing deep relationships with Jesus Christ.

Email Stac if you have questions, comments, or thoughts about the coming year.

Look who's going to Hershey!
We had a drawing Wednesday night to give away 6 tickets to Hersheypark. Congrats to the following winners:
Abby Hershey
Hillary Ward
Chelsea Mehalick
Greg Bodwell
Julia Musumeci
Chole Koubek

We're going to hit the road the 20th, if you're interested. I believe that we still have a few tickets left. $25 gets you into the park and a ride there. You're on your own for food and other spendy stuff. Let us know SOON, because we want you to get in on the chocolate-covered fun! Email Kim today.

It's Chirstian Music day at the park. I've been listening to the Paul Colman Trio (PC3) today. I'm digging them...


Meet at Clavary at 9am. We'll be back at 11pm. $25 covers the ticket and transportation. You'll want to bring spending money for food and fun.

Welcome Weekend was remarkable!
Wow! Look at all those new students! We had a great weekend, in spite of bees and the coldest night of the summer. Micah went to the hospital to get some relief from the beestings, but several other new students made commitments to follow Christ for the first time! How cool is that? We had a time of worship and teaching Friday night, then lit the fire for 'dogs and smores. Saturday was a great day, although a little chilly in the early part of the morning. We played water games in the morning, ate a quick lunch, then pulled out all the stops with our signature event: the SUPER SLOPPY MESSY GAMES! I'll try to get the pics up to the site, but here's just a taste--um, maybe that's a poor choice of words!







I have no idea how to make these crazy pictures line up correctly. Sorry. I am in need of some assistance here...

There's No Place Like Home
Kim and I took the kiddos down to Myrtle Beach for a few nice, hot, days of summer fun. Erin and Wesley went with us, and Joe even got a few days off to come play in the water with us. We missed you, though, and we're glad to be home.

XStream starts this week, with our Annual Parents Get XStream meeting from 7-8:30. Don't be dismayed--there will be plenty for you to do tomorrow night. Come ready to worship and make a ton of invitations to send to your friends for the 10th. That's when we'll be out at Harvest Fields for a bonfire/weenie roast from 6-8. Check back here for more details, but I think we're going to be giving away some tickets to HersheyPark. See the link below for more info.

I am so excited about the new school year. We have been praying for you, believing that God is going to do some new, incredible, mind-blowing things this year. Check this out:

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit--not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength-- that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Paul, to the folks in the church at Ephesus)

Ain't that cool?