My first post

Welcome to Brian's first post!! First I need to thank Matthew Smith for getting this all set up for us, It looks awesome!
So last night we had a Guys night at our house with the Jr. High youth group. (all the same guys that are in the Sunday School class I teach) Mary went over to where the girls were having a similar night, so it was just the men. We had a home run derby in the backyard, chucked some horseshoes, threw footballs and enjoyed the beautiful weather. After it got dark we came inside and everyone made their own pizza.



So they made a little bit of a mess.....It's guys night, who cares, we don't need napkins or silverware, we got sleeves and hands.(he he) It's guys night do what ever you want I kept telling them. I think it was great for them to have a night to just let loose, hang out and enjoy male fellowship. Don't get me wrong it wasn't just a night filled with belching, scratching and sports. The real reason we had the night was to take time out, look to God's word and see what does God say makes a Real man. While the world tries to tell these guys they are a man if they are physically strong, good at sports, have sexual conquest, and are financially successful, God has a totally different idea and so should we. God's word tells us that a man loves God's word, prays, has a cause bigger than himself, loves others, serves, leads others, and does all things for God's glory. We talked about how you need to be discipled, and looked at how great men don't just burst onto the scene, they aren't born that way, you need to be discipled and trained. Joshua had Moses, Samuel lived with Eli, Elisha had Elijah. Even Christ, While his life was more than 30 years only about 2 years was spent in his ministry and Luke tells us that he grew in wisdom, stature, and favor of God and men. Then just before his ministry begins, he is tempted by Satan, his "training was now complete, he was able to identify us and begin his ministry as the Messiah. We then looked at Joshua and his training under Moses, lessons he learned and was able to put into action later, and his training is completed as Moses gives some of his authority to Joshua before all the people.
Then came the big topic.....girls and dating. We had a great time talking about all sorts of things and how to date in a God glorifying way. The boys didn't have much to share in this area, I think that for some of them girls just aren't on the radar yet, but the were listening and that is what is important. All in all it was just a great night of guy fellowship we stayed up real late, had a camp fire ate till we were stuffed, drank tons of soda, and there was nobody to tell us we couldn't. It was just an awesome chance for me to really bond with the boys I lead each Sunday in Sunday School and I hope it will help foster relationships that are solid, with open communication that lasts far beyond the time they spend in my class.
Stay tuned for information on the softball league I am in this Summer, we will post the schedule and we hope that anyone who is local can come see us play. Have a great weekend!!
Brian