New Youth Site April 17, 2009

http://www.zionbuffalo.org/youth

Blessings October 9, 2008

Genesis 15:5 states – He took them outside and said, “Look up to the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.” Then He said, “So shall your offspring be.”

This is God speaking to Abram (later to be Abraham) in a vision that since he is so blameless, righteous and faithful that God is willing to grant Abram the one thing that he desires most – a child. So, because of Abram being of this nature, God blessed him.

Now you have to understand, Abram was 99 years old, Sarai was 89 at the time. So picture yourself, walking down the road, at well passed middle age and the Lord appears and tells you that you and your wife are going to have a child. What would you do? Be shocked? Faint? Cry? Scream? No – Abram laughs! He laughs at what God has just told him!

Now, I know that I have had some inappropriate laughter at times. Those times people fall on the ice or Tommy slips on toilet paper in the youth room or someone rips their pants or at an unfortunate real name, but even I would think better than to laugh at what God has just told me – or I would at least like to think I would.

Now, I wonder…was he laughing at God, at what God told him or was Abram so filled with joy that this is the way he chooses to express it? I don’t know. I do know that becuase of this moment Abraham winds up naming his son Isaac, which means”he laughs”.

Remember, by the time Abraham and Sarah have this child (I know, Sarah had the baby), Abraham is 100 and Sarah is 90! I’m just picturing Willard Scott on the Today Show sending out 100 warm birthday wishes from Smucker’s new dad Abraham and sending him a year supply of Pampers and maybe Depends.

Now, we’re having fun with this, but remember, why would God do this for Abraham? Because he is faithful, blameless and obedient.

What has God done for Abraham’s diligence? He has blessed him for it. Blessed him? What is that or what might that mean?

A blessing is something that can have so many different meanings. It can be something we take for granted. It can be the gifts that we receive. It can be the struggles that we encounter that help us grow and become stronger. It can be good health or a loved one there for us. A blessing can change and morph with every situation in life. What might be a blessing for one may not be for another.

Whatever your definition is of a blessing, it is always provided from God. All truth and good come from God.

What is a blessing in your life? What/Who do you take for granted everyday? How has God blessed you? Even more importantly, how can you be a blessing to someone else today?

Amen

Mission Trip July 16, 2008

“No one needs help in Buffalo!” has been heard all too often. On July 13 -16, 21Senior High Youth from Zion, Buffalo Assembly of God and Buffalo Ev Free Church got to experience firsthand how many people just need a hand up.

During this time, three teams of youth and leaders served at the Buffalo Food Shelf, Second Harvest Food Shelf, Emergency Food Network, Parkview Care Center and Lake Ridge Care Centers.

While at Parkview and Lake Ridge, students got to take the residents on walks, play Wii & Hangman, do hymnsings, lead worship and do resident interviews.

When serving at the Buffalo Food Shelf, youth were able to stock shelves, sort goods, clean, do some landscaping and prep work for customers in the morning.

In the afternon, teams travelled to the Second Harvest Food Bank to pack 40 lbs containers with food for distribution. Other teams served at the Emergency Food Network and packaged frozen meat to be sold to customers at wholesale costs.

Overall, the week has been great to see youth serve others and be served by others. Once again, we thank you for your continued support, financially and prayerfully!

God’s Peace,

Myron Crawford

Thank You! June 23, 2008

I would like to thank the entire congregation for their continued financial and prayer support for the youth programs here at Zion.

• On June 15-20, Zion was able to send 42 6th-8th grade students to Confirmation Camp at Camp Green Lake in Spicer, MN and 40 2nd-5th grade students to Andy‟s Gang at Shore‟s of St. Andrew‟s in New London, MN for a total of 82 students, many of whom this was there first time.
• On July 13-19, Zion will have 21 senior high students embarking on the 2008 Mission Trip: Destination – Buffalo. These students will have the opportunity to serve at Parkview & Lake Ridge Care Centers and at the Buffalo Food Shelf. The week will be focusing on the needs of those in our own community. The end of the week, the group will travel to Sonshine Music Festival in Willmar, MN to see some of the best Christian bands today.

Myron Crawford

What is going on here, Lord? June 16, 2008

Did you ever have one of those days that you say, “What is going on here, Lord?”

This can be taken good and bad.

Watch the news sometime. I’m not talking just local news. Don’t just watch one channel for news either. There are definitely some political newscasts – extremely liberal and conservative out there. The national newscast aren’t all that great either. When the top story on the NBC Nightly News starts off with a story of how Britney Spears is rushed to the hospital for another breakdown from too much exposure to the media or Tom Cruise jumps on Oprah’s couch again or a pro athlete gets suspended for drugs or is having an affair, it makes me really upset that we as a culture are not focused in on the real needs of our civilization. I think, especially in America, we are really out of touch at what is needed.

Now, I am no globetrekker or world activist, or really sophisticated at all (ask my wife, she’ll tell you)

Grieving change April 7, 2008

If you have not heard yet, Pr John’s grandaughter, Helena, has passed away. She had surgery this past Thursday to help her heart. Everything had gone fine, almost better than expected. On Sunday morn, she had a heart attack. She was about 1 1/2 yrs old. Last November, Pr John’s only grandson was born stillborn.

What do you say to someone who has faced such heartache and turmoil? How can you explain this pain?

Faith and Favre March 4, 2008

Well, today is the day… it is Tues March 4, 2008. This day will go down as one of the saddest in my life as a man. I found out today that…no, I just can’t admit…that something like this would happen in my lifetime…it is truly a beginning of mourning…with sorrow in the deepest halls of my heart… it is finally here…Brett Favre is retiring.

I have been a lifelong Gren Bay Packers fan. I have been there for the Lynn Dickey to James Lofton days, the Magic of Don Majikowski and for the last 16 years, Brett Favre. In fact, it was Brett who filled in for Dan “The Magic Man” Majikowski about 1/2 way through a game, I believe at County Stadium in Milwaukee (where the Brewers used to play). I have personally seen Favre play at Soldier Field against da’ Bears in a freezing cold, rainy October Sunday many years ago, and at Lambeau 2x, I believe. We wont; even count how many times I have seen him play on TV. He is truly a legend.

From all of his great plays and comebacks with the agility of a gymnast at times and the sheer determination of a crossbread of a clydesdayle and silverback gorilla, Favre has been great to watch. He was an “everyman”. He wore Wrangler jeans, drove a Ford pickup and lived in a trailer for may years. Brett did not lead the always glamorous lifestyle that many people would think that a man of his ability would. He could have had the flash and cash, but instead he would restructure his contract to make sure that the team had enough funds to be able to sign the key players that they needed.

Favre also could make you feel on top of the mountain one minute and just about lose your lunch the next with some of his plays. Many refer to him as a “gunslinger”, a man who took too many chances, would rely only on himself and be selfish. Others revered him as a hero, the leader of the Packer Nation. Whatever your thoughts of him are, always remember, Brett was always human.

He is just like you or I. He is a man who has had mistakes and will continue to make them. Not just on the field, but in his life as a dad, son, brother and husband. He will continue to sin, just like the rest of us. But do you know what? As long as he has faith in Christ, he will be forgiven.

Many people have put their faith in Favre. To win the game, to lead their team to the “Promiseland”, if you will. But, Farve has stated many times, he is still human and that he has relied on himself too much.

I know that we have all done that at times, as well. we look to ourselves for the great answer. We must remeber to turn our eyes to heaven and give it all up to God.

Brett, you are a great athlete, father and husband.

My God, you are the great I AM!

Serving Others in Love February 27, 2008

Technically, this is the title of the book that the Sr High group at Zion is working through, right now. But as things have come up and time has moved forward these past few weeks, I think that it is also a chance to remember what to do.

The political scene is heating up, both for the Democrats and Republicans, with accusations coming out of left field for both parties. Fuel prices, personal debts (foreclosures, credit cards, student loans,), unemployment rates, taxes and broken homes, these numbers all continue to rise. Yet, most of us, as Christians, continue to look the other way.

We walk by, ask how everything is, hear the words, “I’m fine” or “OK” and just keep walking. But,do we take the time to actually listen, not just hear, but listen to the voice? Do you take the time to be able to truly listen at what is going on in your child(ren), friend, spouse or neighbors voice?

We preach,in the church,to go out and make disciples of men and to serve one another. What is, in my opinion, the single best way to do this? To listen with love.

Why do most people veer away from Christianity? Not because of the message, but the delivery that Christians use. Many Christians seem to have all the answers to everything and persecute those who do not believe the way they do. It’s ok to say, “I don’t know” every now and then.

When we step out, we need to do everything in love. Serving, listening, feeding, caring, healing, talking, sharing, all need to be done in love.

As we contiune through Lent, this time of reflection, I am reminded of the times I often forget to do this, as well. I fall short of this very duty that I am compelling others to do, all the time. But, because of God’s grace and mercy, I am given a new chance each day to go and do just what He has done for me, serve others in love.

God’s Peace!