New pages added

In an effort to try and communicate better what is happening around InSight, we’ve added a couple other pages to the blog … basic meeting times and contact info!

Our hope is that through the blog and our Facebook Group page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/102778791148/ we will be able to inform you quickly with what is going on!  If you are not currently a part of the InSight Youth Ministry Group on Facebook, you might want to, that is a great way to keep up to date with various announcements and such!

 

Making a difference

At InSight, we’ve been studying through Jesus’ greatest sermon – the Sermon on the Mount.  As we consider the Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-12) we understand how people often misunderstand this portion of Scripture.  It is fairly familiar to many of us who have been around church for a while.  Each verse starts with the same phrase, “Blessed are the…”  Other translations render it, “God blesses those…”  The misunderstanding comes when we look at the various people Jesus lists and assume that he is saying that it is because of their position that they are blessed, but this is far from the truth.

If Jesus was giving us a list of the kind of person we need to be as Christians (or in order to have God’s blessing) we would expect that Christians would be a sad/sorrowful kind of people — far from the kind of life of joy, peace, and abundance Jesus claims comes as a Disciple.  Let me give you an example: “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.  God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:3-4).  If we are to strive to be this kind of person in order to gain God’s blessing, we should seek ways to mourn??  Or are we to stay in a state of poverty (physical, emotional, spiritual)??

I believe we’ve missed the point.  Jesus is beginning his greatest sermon by stating that all kinds of people are blessed NOT because of what they’ve done or who they are (as many religious leaders in his day would have said…and sadly, how many religious leaders today communicate) but simply because in God’s sovereignty he has decided to make life with him available to all who will enter into this kind of life.  He says that these various people are blessed because the Kingdom of God is available to them through faith and trust in Jesus.

What does this mean for us?  How does that impact us as we walk through school, work, family, sports, etc?  I suggest that it means at least two different things:

(1) If Jesus is claiming that we are blessed because of his sovereignty and not because of what we have or haven’t done…it frees us up from the never-ending cycle of trying to earn God’s favor.

(2) If all kinds of people have available to them life in God’s Kingdom, it changes the way we view others.  Rather than looking down at others because of how annoying they are, or the kind of music they listen to, or the clothes they wear, or the family they’re a part of, we begin to see them as blessed because God’s great Kingdom is available to them if they would enter into it.

I believe this simple truth Jesus claimed — the availability of the Kingdom of God — can actually give us fuel to make a difference in our schools, families, neighborhoods, sports teams, and friendships.  I challenge you to read through Matthew 5:3-12 and hear Jesus stating the sacredness/blessedness of those who are gathered to hear his Great Sermon.  Hear him as he scans the crowd and makes a point to explain that true life in his Kingdom is available to all that would trust and believe in him.

How does that shift the way you see Jesus?  How does it shift the way you see others?

Timothy Groups

The Apostle Paul in his second letter to his young friend, Timothy, encouraged him to take what he has learned and to entrust it to others so that they may in turn pass along the truths about Jesus to others (2Timothy 2:2).  This is the heart behind our new structure of small groups that we are calling “Timothy Groups”.  Quite simply, Timothy Groups are an intention approach to mentorship.  It is our goal that as many High School students who would like to be mentored would find a place in a Timothy Group.

So, how does it work?  First, let us know that you want to be in one of these new mentoring groups.  Second, figure out which group will be the best for you (time/location/date) – each group is composed of students of the same gender but not necessarily the same grade or school.  Third, commit to the group.  What this means is that you make attending the group and doing the various exercises a priority in your week.  Fourth, celebrate at the conclusion of the semester with your group and consider when/where you might want to sign up for the next semester’s Timothy Group.

Currently, we have 4-5 girl groups and 3 guy groups.  They meet at various times/places … so check these out:

Daniel Martin/Justin Verseput – Sunday 6pm @ Church
Travis Carr – Sunday 9:30am @ Church
Derek Schmidt (D-Rock) – Thursday 7:30pm @ House
Doreen “Netty” Muscott – Sunday 3:30pm @ Church
Stephenie Carr/Marissa Jestice – Wednesday 4:00pm @ House
Veronica Griffin – Monday 4:00 @ Church
Joelle Collins – Sunday 9am @ Church
Tara “Diggity” Loorz –  TBD

These are great opportunities for you to connect not only with other students, but with also with a mentor.  Each week, the groups will go through the material (all the same) and be able to interact with each other.  I truly hope you take advantage of these new groups and sign up to be a part of a Timothy Group!

“Faith not Fear” ~ Tarrah ‘Dirt’ Mead

On August 12, 2011, Tarrah was involved in a tragic car accident which left her broken and suffered severe brain trauma.  On August 21, 2011, Tarrah passed away.

It is in this kind of loss that we sometimes feel helpless and unsure of things.  But one thing we know for sure…Tarrah lived her life for the Glory of the King.  She lived as an example to us of what it looks like to live selflessly.  We remember many fun times with Tarrah, much laugher, dancing, and enjoying life.  But what makes her life so inspiring is that she served others in the name of Jesus.  As her Youth Pastor, I have had the privilege to watch as she matured into a young woman who loved Jesus and sought to demonstrate her faith in real life.  A favorite phrase of hers has been “faith not fear” and it really depicts the kind of life she lived.

If you’ve spent any amount of time around InSight you know that nicknames are a big deal.  Not just anyone can receive a nickname…though many would love one.    Many nicknames have been given out over the years, but a few rise to the top as some of the more memorable and better names.  Dirt is one of them!  Many have asked where we came up with the name.

Tarrah had such a light hearted and fun personality it was easy to laugh and joke around together.  One of the days we were joking and one of the other leaders (don’t worry, Chuck, I won’t say your name) told her that the name Tarrah reminded him of terra firma (which means dirt).  So I took it and ran with it and we have called her “Dirt” ever since.  And you know that it’s a good nickname when it sticks for so long and the person can’t hear it without turning.  People all over Folsom would call out “Hey Dirt!” and she would turn to see who it was.  She didn’t like it all that much, but it was an endearing nickname for us!

I remember Dirt when she was in Middle School (and yes, I still have that scrapbook that she, Marissa, Bri, and Sarah put together for me…) as a student she was always great to have around because not only was she funny and witty, but she had the ability and desire to follow Jesus.  She began to serve with our ministry as a High School student and loved/mentored a group of girls.  For those of you in that group of girls, you know that she loved you well.  She would talk of you as “her girls” because she felt so deeply for you all and hoped to demonstrate to you a life well lived in God’s good Kingdom.

ARTS Camp at Oak Hills Church is a special week-long day camp for children 1st-6th grade and Dirt has been involved in that for years as a helper/shepherd as well.  Oak Hills Church, and InSight Youth Ministry (and all of us) has been blessed by her presence and hurts deeply because of her absence.

In times such as this it is good for us to remember the Truth that Dirt based her life upon – that eternity is real and that the One who created us all has invited us to live in the reality of heaven and offers us life eternal.  King David said in the famous 23rd Psalm that even when we walk through the darkest valley, God is still with us and his rod and staff comfort us.  So, God, this is a dark valley and though we are confident that Tarrah is enjoying the fullness of your glory and presence…we pray that we would be keenly aware of your presence with us to guide and comfort.  This is a dark valley for us.  You don’t promise to take away the pain or suffering, but you do promise to be WITH us.  This is what we need.  This is what we ask for.

A memorial service will be held at Oak Hills church Friday, August 26th.  You are warmly invited as we once again come together and remember Dirt’s life and honor such an amazing young woman of God.

Quality vs. Quantity

Camps/Retreats are one of my favorite things to do with young people.  I am really passionate about mentoring young people to understand and live in the reality of God’s Kingdom right here and now and one of the best ways I know how to do that is by spending lots of time with students.

There’s a saying that goes something like this: “it’s not the quantity but the quality”.  That can be said of a lot of things but often it is said when it comes to the amount of time we spend with important people in our lives.  Busy parents say it about their children, spouses say it about the time they spend with each other, children say it (or think it) about the time they spend with the rest of the family.  Let me be blunt here — there’s no getting around “quality” time … but relationships need TONS of time.  You cannot foster a good relationship by squeezing time in the midst of busy/hectic schedules.  It simply is impossible.  I’d like to suggest that we see every time spent with someone you have a relationship/friendship with as quality time.  So it’s not a question of time that is quality time vs. not quality time … all of it is quality time the real deal then is quantity!

That’s where these retreats/camps come in.  At InSight, our hope is to be able to mentor Middle School and High School students in Jesus’ way of life.  And it’s going to take quantity time.  So, if you are (or you have) a student at Oak Hills Church, let me offer you some suggestions:

(1) Take every opportunity to stay connected.  I know schedules get busy.  I know you have responsibilities.  I know there are other things in your life.  But prioritize staying connected through the Middle School and High School years.  These can be difficult years for a number of reasons and being connected to a church is important.

(2) Go on the retreats/camps.  Each year, InSight leads at least 6 overnight camps/retreats.  These are great primarily because you have the ability to spend time with others in an unhurried way.  Our philosophy has been and will continue to be that finances not stop anyone from going on one of our camps/retreats.  We strive to make them extremely affordable and also offer partial scholarships to all of them…just let us know!

(3) Plug into a small group.  In High School, our small groups are called TIMOTHY GROUPS (these are new).  Timothy Groups come from 2Timothy 2:2 where the Apostle Paul instructs his young friend Timothy to entrust what he has learned to others.  This is our aspect of mentoring.

As a way to put this into practice…High School Summer Charge camping trip is coming up at the end of the month — July 27-30.  Cost is $145.  We’d love to have as many as can make it!

Happiest place on earth?

So my family and I just returned from a trip to Disneyland.  Self-appointed as the “happiest place on earth”, Disneyland goes to great lengths to make sure that your stay there is extraordinary.  I hadn’t been to Disneyland since I was a kid (probably 7 years old) and it was my kids first time.  It really was an amazing week.  We spent three days in the parks (both Disneyland and California Adventure) and they were amazing days full of smiles, laughter, thrills, and imagination (throw in a tantrum in there once in a while just for a reality check).  It was clear from the moment we walked across the street onto Disney property, everything was centered around us.  Making sure we felt like we were the most important people!  Everywhere we went there were staff members smiling at us and asking us if there was anything we needed.  Each ride we came to someone was there to help us stay together as a group (there were 17 of us).  We actually were chosen to open the park on Wednesday!  It was a truly amazing experience and one that will be a lasting memory!  I loved every moment of it!!

But it got me thinking.  The “happiest place on earth” is really centered on me.  Disneyland promises an awestruck and amazing experience where your dreams come true.  Everything is about you.  It’s not even covert, it’s out there for all to see.  Does being served like that make me happy?  Does simply being there make me happy?  It strikes me that we live in a world that holds out promises of Disneyland … that the happiest you’ll be is when you are being served and where you are the center of attention.  But we know that the lasting happiness isn’t really found in that.  Don’t get me wrong, it was a great feeling and our family loved every moment.  But it wasn’t because we were in Disneyland.  Contrast Disneyland with Jesus’ words in Mark 10 when he says that whoever would be great among us would be the servant — actually he says the slave — of all.

We were celebrating my parent’s 40th wedding anniversary.  So, although we were in the happiest place on earth and people were all trying to serve us, we realized that it really wasn’t about us … it was about my parents and honoring the legacy of a strong marriage.  It was an interesting week because everyone knew that it really wasn’t about them.  So there were times when we submitted our desire to that of the group – or that of my parents.  And there were times when my parents submitted to the desires of us kids and grandkids.  I found myself being extremely happy.  But it wasn’t because I was in the “happiest place on earth” and that I was finally in my right spot as center of the universe.  It was because I was experiencing what the Apostle Paul describes in Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather in humility, value others above yourself, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

So what did I learn from our trip to the happiest place on earth?  Happiness isn’t found in being in the center.  It’s found in learning to celebrate others and willingly/purposefully stepping out of the spotlight.  May you learn to trust Jesus as the Master Teacher and that his way actually is better and leads to the most fulfilling life.  May you trust and believe Jesus is the most brilliant being to ever exist.  And may you come to realize that happiness/fulfillment doesn’t come from the many promises of Disneyland and may you experience true happiness, joy, and fulfillment.

Summer 2011

One of the key aspects of Christianity is the truth that we CANNOT do our life in isolation.  It isn’t that Christian friendship would be nice to have, it is CRUCIAL for our life with God.  In the creation account in Genesis, we are told that God looked at his most prized creation (humans) and said that it was “not good” precisely because we were at first alone.  An all-out search began for a helper that was suitable for Adam (Genesis 2:18-25).  Fast forward a bit to Jesus and we find that the very first thing that he does is choose people to be with him in his ministry.  Then we have the Apostle Paul, though in prison at times, who longs to be with other Christians.  So is our experience…we realize that there is something missing (“not good”) when we are missing Christian friendship.

So … we have a number of opportunities for you to connect with, build and deepen solid Christian friendships over the summer.

MIDDLE SCHOOL:
8th Grade GRAD night: 8th Graders, this is your chance to connect with the High School group and celebrate your graduation!  May 27, 7pm-7am!  We’ll go to Scandia, bowling, and then Laser Tag!!  Cost is $70.

Sunday Morning Classes: “Blend” at both the 9am and 11am services at Oak Hills Church.  Great ways to stay connected to others.

ENDLESS SUMMER camp: June 24-27.  We’ll camp in Morgan Hill!  With day trips to the Mystery Spot; Santa Cruz; Mount Hermon; the Beach; and Great America, ES is an AWESOME trip!  INCOMING 6th-8th graders are all invited and hope all can make it!  Cost is $175 early bird (before May 22) and $195 regular.

HIGH SCHOOL:
8th Grade GRAD night: This is our chance to welcome the incoming freshman!  Cost is $70.

HS BEACH ROAD TRIP: June 14.  Cost is $20 to help pay for gas/parking.  Meet us at the church parking lot and we’ll jump in the church bus and head down to Santa Cruz for the day at the beach!!

KICKBACK POOL PARTIES: Tuesdays through the summer starting June 7.  Simply a laid back pool party!  Stay in touch for details as to where each week will be!

SUMMER CHARGE camp: July 27-30.  We go camping in Nevada City and a few days of wakeboarding, tubing, and tons of fun on the lake!  Cost is $145 or $125 if you register with a guest!

I believe that staying connected through the summer is huge so that we can continue our friendship and hopefully continue to grow in our understanding of Jesus and his way!  It is our desire that finances never stand in the way of a student experiencing any of our events.  We have partial scholarships available … simply let me know!!

You can contact me directly and I’d like to connect you with anyone of these events — brian.robertson@oakhills.org