We had a great night last night. (God works in spite of us sometimes...last night was one of those nights.) We did a toast for change, an idea from the movie, "Freedom Writers." I wish I could share everything that was shared (confidentially) but what I walked away with was this...students are hurting, just like adults. Students want to experience the power of God and a changed life. I walked away so thankful that I was there. So thankful that I gave them an opportunity to toast (share). It was a good reminder that everyone has a story they want to share. Life change doesn't necessarily happen when I talk but rather when I allow others to speak about their walk with God. Humbling but true.
HCLM BLOG
A blog dedicated to starting conversations.
Toast for Change
Jon Thomas - Tuesday, March 02, 2010
I'll start with a confession...it is good for the soul after all. I didn't want to come to the Student Ministry L-team last night. It's not that I don't love the students, I do...or that I don't enjoy our series, based on the movie, To Save a Life, I do. It was just that I had about 3 hours of sleep on Sunday night. Not sure why...just couldn't get my mind to slow down enough to sleep. So I was up at 1:30a. And I was cranky. Enough for the confession.
Do Over
Jon Thomas - Friday, February 19, 2010
I can remember this same refrain shouted by various friends throughout my childhood..."DO OVER!" Usually, it was a ball that hit a tree limb, a wire or something that, in their estimation, should constitute starting over from scratch. There are many times I wish life were that easy. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a reset button like the old Atari game system in which we could begin again without any consequences, other than a few lost minutes?
I was working out with a friend at the gym and we began talking about some people that we know that have left church for various reasons. As I thought about people who have left here and those that left other churches to come here, sometimes I hear something along the lines of "I just wanted a fresh start." I can appreciate that. But I also know that in the age of church shopping or church jumping, we miss out on the goal of long-term relationships...dealing with issues. Sure, we can pretend to "do it over" but the same issues are still inside of us needing resolution. Which is why I have used this refrain, "don't leave (come) with unresolved issues. Settle things in person first."
I pray a lot for our L-teams. That people would find the kind of deep relationships where they can be open, honest and challenged to be all that God created you to be.
Why is it?
Jon Thomas - Friday, December 11, 2009
I had the opportunity this week to meet with several people in various difficult life situations. There seems to be two types of people. Some have a wonderful support network of friends and family to support and encourage them and they turn to them in their time of need. Then there is another type that seems to isolate themselves from everyone and everything. You don't have to be a therapist to realize that the latter have a tendency not to fair well. Which leads to my question, why is it that some people, in their time of need, keep to themselves? Is it embarrassment? Is it a fear of being vulnerable? Is it not wanting to be considered a burden? Whatever the reason, one of my prayers is that people would start opening up to each other EARLY. It seems that by the time they have followed a path that finally broke them to the point that they come to me, they are completely lost. Wouldn't it be wiser to stop and ask for directions before you arrive at desperation? I would love to hear your insights.
True Joy
Jon Thomas - Friday, November 13, 2009
I came across this quote: “Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.” – Mother Theresa. Lauren, one of our confirmation mentors I believes embodies this idea. Following confirmation this past Wednesday she hung around and waited for me to finish conversations with students and parents. She opened with this phrase, "what a great night!" I know the thought of spending the night with middle school students would scare some. But she is not just doing a ministry but rather investing in the lives of four young girls and it is already starting to pay off. As she described the authentic level of personal sharing of their lives and the faith discussions and their spiritual growth, I could literally see the joy in her eyes. I can't help but think this comes from her being a joyful person. Now she has caught souls. If only I could travel down the corridors of time to see how the investment she spends with her team makes a difference for eternity. For all the Lauren's out there, keep up the good work.
whew!
Ben Hoyer - Monday, October 05, 2009
Whew! I don't know about you, but I had a busy weekend. Definitely over-booked the two days. Golf, Octoberfest, Preach the Word of God, Wings and College football, preach the Word of God some more, nap, celebrate nuptuals, and fall asleep in front of NFL. If you add in a couple bottle feedings a date with my wife on Friday Night and a couple book readings with an almost 2 year old, then you're starting to get a picture of what I'm talking about. I was sitting here, running through it in my head and thinking, "Was that too much?" Ok. it probably was, but I'd rather have that than the opposite. Not that I don't like alone time, I just really value having friends to enjoy life with. I like having casual friends, and ones that really know me and feel like family.
It made me remember a conversation that Chris and I recorded several months ago. We called it King of Queens, because we realized that although it feels easier, sitting at home and watching reruns doesn't make us happy.
the only living boy in lake mary
Ben Hoyer - Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I drove by the house of a friend of mine the other day who's having trouble with life right now. I looked at his house; it looked like most of the others around it. You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at it that life was hard inside there. That people were hurting and looking for answers. The yard was in order, the house panted, the roof looked good. It looked like every other house on the street. Then I realized that the same was true of all those houses. I was driving through a neighborhood and could probably see a fifty or a hundred houses as I moved down the road. All of them have families with people and issues. That's a lot of people and a lot of broken lives. As I drove I started to wonder about what each of those houses represented. Did they have families that ate dinner together, kids that were busy with life? Were marriages happy, were kids in trouble? What would evening bring as people came home looking for food? I guess it's good to remember I'm not the only person in the world.
music
Ben Hoyer - Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A friend of mind recently posted this "I'm adding music back to my life." It reminded me just how much I like music. Sometimes it takes a little effort, but when there's music, even in the background, it can significantly add to your day. Here's some music I added to my yesterday:
Modest Mouse (wesley was requesting "float on")
Ben Folds
Indelible Grace
Avett Brothers
Simon and Garfunkel
What are you listening to?
just for fun
Ben Hoyer - Monday, July 27, 2009
I just watched that you tube video that everyone has been talking about. You know the one of the funky and fun wedding processional? Here (just in case you've had your head in the sand). I suppose I don't really have anything profound to say about it. Just that it kind of makes you happy just to watch it. I think it's because is looks like such true happiness. Almost like if you could draw a picture of Joy it would look like those crazy people dancing down the aisle.
Dad and I were talking just this morning about how we know people who forget to do things just for fun. Like they get started on life and the first thing to drop out is stuff for fun. People's lives degenerate into work and reruns of King of Queens. Look that's not what it's supposed to be. Or, better yet, it doesn't have to be that. It may feel like a lot of work at first, but trust me dancing down the aisle, or going next door for dinner, or joining some folks at the beach is a lot more fun than being by yourself. That little you tube video is a good reminder Life is a free gift meant to be relished and enjoyed.
Anniversary
Paul Hoyer - Tuesday, July 14, 2009
On July 10th Betty and I had officially been married for 33 years. On November 27th of this year my oldest will turn 30years old. On November 8th I will turn 55 years old. Each of these items causes me a certain amount of pain, since I am not very happy about the aging process. For instance I am incensed that I will not be able to teach my grandson to slide into second the way I was able to teach my sons, doing it myself!!! Those days are gone. All that aside, my am very happy to have been with Betty Jean Hoyer for all of these 33 years!
She and I met in College and i was fortunate enough to convince her to marry me and I have never been sorry (I can't speak for her on this). As I look back on the years I realize that I would never be the person that I am today if I did not have her in my life, I could never have accheived what I have been able to accheive or accomplish what I have accomplished. In our family I shudder to think what our kids would have turned out like if I had not had Betty to raise them into adults. We were with some of her friends from the Orlando Science Center last week and I realized again just what she has given up to be a part of what we have as a couple! If left on her own she would have gone on to accheive even more, than she has today.
Perhaps more important that how I feel about the years that we have spent together, I am tremendously excited for the years that lie ahead. I am looking forward to growing old with her, she is the one i want to look at from my rocking chair. What a gift God has given me to have her in my life. I do not thank Him or her nearly enough for all the joy that she brings to me. I love you Betty and can't wait for what the years will bring.
Reunion or Reunited?
Ben Hoyer - Monday, July 06, 2009
Soo what do you think? I recently made it back to my High School Reunion. That's 10 year for those that are keeping track. It was an interesting experience; but not overwhelming in either a good or bad way. I have not really kept in touch with anyone from my class (over 500 from Lake Mary my year); though I suppose in the age of online social networks that means something different than it used to. Nevertheless it was fun to see those old friends; but also a little weird. People clumping as they did in high school. I found myself giving the same sort of awkward smile and head nod I gave to the same people I used to pass in the hall 10 years ago .
Once we left Megan mentioned: isn't it sort of weird. Talking with these people as if you know each other: when a lot about you has changed in 10 years.
I thought about that for awhile and wanted to agree 100% Because I know I've changed. But even so there was something comfortable about it. I can remember telling my parents that relationships were more important that grades in high school (ahh the melo-dramitic trials of a high-school student). I guess some things don't change. I may even manage to be friends again with some of those old high school folk. Maybe they've changed too.
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