Jim's Burn

Search for Significance

2011-10-03T22:42:00.000-07:00

If there is one thing that I have learned from working with youth, it is that everyone is trying to find something. It may be simple like finding a new hobby, or looking for something new to add to their life. But I know that many of our youth today are looking for something more.
They are looking for significance.

A place where they belong...
A place where they are accepted...
A place where they are loved...
A place to call home...
A place where they mean something...

Adolescents today are searching for significance because there is an empty void that they feel deep inside their souls. It is not simple. It is not easy. Something has to be better doesn't it? Something HAS to be missing? But what is it? I have tried to think critically about my own life and things that I have used to fulfill this need to matter. This need to BE SOMEONE. I have tried so many different places that I cannot even remember where I have looked. This search is more than looking under a couple rocks and moving along. It is a frantic search for a treasure that is of utmost importance. Ever wonder why guys try hard to be seen tough, masculine, and important? Or why girls care so much about their appearance, their dress, and their relationships ? I think it all boils down to this idea of being significant. I am reminded of two stories from teenagers that help with this idea:

I met "Mike" when I was on camp teams. He was from inner city Cincinnati and just by looking at him you can tell that he was having a tough time being at church camp. We struck up a relationship through basketball. Every time he had the chance, he would challenge me to a game of 1 on 1. I got the chance to sit down with him one evening and talk about his life. He had no problem telling me that he was in a gang and that he "rides and dies with his boys". When he heard about Jesus, he often looked into the distance as if to wonder what he could possible offer Mike. Mike was almost ashamed to tell me that he had a decent home life, because he thought he would ruin h is street cred. Mike was looking for something. He was searching for a place where he belonged and he found it--in his gang. He told me that he didn't really like violence or drugs, but that is what he had to do in order to fit in. I often wonder what Mike is doing today. I was honored to baptize him at camp, but I wonder how he is finding his significants today. Is it in the church?

Then there is "Ali". I have known Ali for a long time, but never really thought much about her lifestyle. We had been semi-friends for awhile and when she found out I was going to Ozark, she jumped at the opportunity to talk with me. I remember tears rolling down her face and smearing her over applied make up. I had trouble understanding what she was saying, but she was telling me how empty she felt. That she wore the things she did, and acted the way she did because it was the only way that people noticed her. It was the only way she could get guys to realize she is a person. She admitted to jumping into any guy's arms that showed her attention, and although she felt like she was wrong, she could justify it by how it made her feel. I remember praying with her and telling her to get involved somewhere--a church that I knew could accept her and help transform her. I saw her a little while later, and she acted as if nothing had ever happened. As if she never told me how empty she felt and how her void was being filled with things that wouldn't last and didn't matter.

Both of these stories happen all across the world. Different situations, different names, different cultures, and different people--but it happens all across the world. I think the time that significance plays its biggest toll is when you are laying in bed. In between that state of being wide awake and starting to get tired. In those moments, our minds race about all kinds of things. Responsibilities for the next day, our futures, current problems, reflections, and this idea of significance. We think half critically and half hypothetically about situations that we place ourselves in. Do we matter? The thought about our funeral often brings a wondering of, "who would be there?" "Who would miss me". I don't work with youth just because they are fun, enthusiastic, and mold able. I work with youth because there is such a need that only God can fill.

If you a.....

Teenager--Please believe that you mean something. That you are worth the world to the most important person that ever lived. You are worth dying for. Your significance cannot be measured by what you do, who you date, or what you are good at. You significance was so important that Jesus was willing to die to spend eternity with you. You mean more to people than you will ever know. Get connected to someone who can tell you about Jesus on a deep level. It is the most important thing you can do.

Parent--Please believe me when I say that all kids go through this tough struggle about significance. If you have an amazing child that loves you and loved Jesus, then I am thankful for that. But please know that this struggle effects everyone. Whether you know about it or not. Be active in your kid's lives and although they shrug off the I love you's and push you away when you give them hugs--it means the world to them to know that they have people who care about them. It plays a vital role in a development process that never stops.

Youth worker--Keep doing what you are doing. Critically think of ways to keep kids involved and always always connect them with Jesus. Put yourself in a situation where students want to talk to you about their lives on a deep level. Make yourself available and let them know that they mean something to you.

Camp Season

2011-07-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

In youth ministry, you are guaranteed at least three things during the summer: ridiculously crazy schedules, lots of fun, and some sort of camp/CIY. It's only half way through the summer, and I have experienced all three already....with more still to come!

We leave for CIY in a few weeks, but I was able to take some of the junior highers to camp in June. We had a great time, and it was really great to spend extra time with some students that I only see a couple hours a week. I dominated about 10 jr highers in swimming pool wrestling, and convinced a scared girl to jump off the doc. All in all, it was a great week. Yet, I had two major things that stuck out to me during camp....

First off, I was reunited with my old youth minister, David Logsdon, and his family. Bettina spent the whole week at camp (what a trooper) and David popped in every once in awhile. Their two oldest kids, Jalen and Brenna, were campers that week. I stayed in the same dorm has Jalen and witnessed the sneaky instigator work his magic. I was a Action life group leader (fancy name for family group leader) for group 12, properly named the Gladiators...maybe not the best name, but it beat out the purple flying unicorns. And sure enough, the dean yelled out, "BRENNA LOGSDON" to be apart of my group. Brenna is the sweetest child known to man. Brenna has a smile that makes ironmen melt. But what makes Brenna so powerful is not that she has a great smile, but that she is a fighter.

Brenna was 5 years old when her family left my home church and took on a new ministry in Oklahoma. The first time I saw Brenna all grown up, I wouldn't have blamed her not remembering me...but sure enough..she ran at me full speed and jumped to give me a huge hug. But by looking at this sweet girl, you would never guess that she has gone through more than almost anyone I know. Soon after her family left for Oklahoma, the doctors found out that she had a tumor in her brain. Her family was loved so much by my home church...it was hard to see them go, but even harder to face the fact that this little girl was about to go through a fight for her life.

When we found out that Brenna was getting her head shaved, we all wanted some way to help...but being high school students, there wasn't much we could do. So one Sunday at youth group, we all shaved our heads and took a picture so Brenna would know that we are all thinking about her and that she is not alone....Little did I know that shaving my head for the rest of my life! Through the support of her family, church, and God, Brenna made a recovery after long stints in hospitals. AND she was actually in my family group at camp 5-7 years later in life.

It all hit me one day while we were hanging out with our group--We were drawling pictures from different times in our lives...the highs, the lows, the future, all of that jazz. And I caught myself just watching Brenna draw her pictures. And it all kind of flashed before my eyes....isn't it crazy how God works? Her parents made Jesus real to me when I was in middle school......then they moved away...then I decided to do youth ministry....then the church I work for in Muskogee and the church they work for in Cleveland both go to the same church camp....Then Brenna is in my group! Now the child of my spiritual leaders is in my group where for a week I can be a spiritual leader to her. Crazy to wrap my mind around and it was an awesome week catching up with them. (David, YES we are doing lunch soon!)

The 2nd thing that sticks out to me doesn't have quiet the back story--in fact, it has none. There was this student in my group and he was......well, that kid. If you have worked with students before, you know exactly what I am talking about. He was super awesome, BUT he was THAT KID that was kinda awkward, he didn't really talk to anybody, wanted to sit out of everything that we did, got into a little bit of trouble during group...you know, that kid. Not that he was a bad kid at all, just needs extra attention. We were on our 3rd day at camp and he started to say he was sick (a common excuse he used to try to get out of things). I told him that he can go see the nurse AFTER we got done with our activity....he put his head down...defeated, but willing to participate.

We were carrying these burlap sacks filled with rocks...some were heavy, some weren't so heavy...but this poor kid must have picked up the heaviest one. We were carrying them up this super rocky steep hill...and as an overweight, out of shape, 22 year old man, it was tough for me! I was last in our line, just making sure that noone was left behind. When I offered to help this kid with his sack...and he looked up at me and said "No Jim, this is mine...I have to carry it"... I was shocked, surprised that he was really wanting to do it. Later on our walk, he came back to me and said, "Jim, I know what this sack is." I knew what he was going to say...he was going to say, there is a rock in here and its heavy! But instead, he looked up towards a tree that was above my head and he said:

"This is my burden that I carry....This burden stands for all the kids at school that say that I am weird and that I am not worth anything...thats what I am carrying around."

And he turned around....and kept walking.

I refer to this as the "AHA" moment...where a student finally GETS IT...and boy did he get it.

Hope you all have a blessed rest of the summer! And follow me on Twitter @Jim_Landis (that is an unashamed plug)

This Is Me

2011-04-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

Identity is such a huge issue. This whole idea of "Who am I?" runs crazy through each of our minds. We battle back and forth with ourselves. We see this deep, sometimes dark, thoughts of self worth and self image. Most developmental psychologist believe this conflict of "Who am I?" plays a major role in the life of adolescents. And I agree, but it doesn't this question ring in all our minds? Teens to senior citizens go through this. Christians, Muslims, and Atheists go through this. I go through this, and so do you.

Working with junior high and high school students, it is inevitable that this issue about identity and self worth will come up. I have heard story after story of young girls being destructive to their bodies because they don't like the way that they look. Or stories about guys who never lift their heads while walking through the hall way because they know someone will say something about them. It breaks my heart to hear about young girls starving themselves in order to look a certain way. Or seeing scars where they have cut.

Who am I?

Well, I was made in the image of God. I know that I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), but when Christ came to earth, he took that sin for me. He was beaten, tortured, and killed for my sin. I was made holy and pure, not because of what I have done, but because of what Jesus has already done for me on the cross. Am I perfect? FAR from it. I was once dead to sin, but I have been made alive in Christ. All my worth is in him. All my image is in him. All of me is in him. I hope you can say the same, but I know that everyone who reads this can't. Next time someone asks you, WHO ARE YOU?? I hope you can stand up proudly and say:

This is Me

Come Lord Jesus, Come

2011-04-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

I've grown tired of it. I am tired of people who I went to high school with dying....I am tired of hearing story after story of people either taking their own life or people throwing their life away and going to prison forever at the age of 21. I've grown tired of it. I can't keep it in anymore. I want hope, I want that feeling in my stomach knowing that everyone is happy and glad to be alive, but I would by lying to you if I said that was true.

I have been away from Topeka for about 4 years now. I keep in contact with a select few and others seem to slip through the cracks. I don't blame them, and I don't blame myself. It's growing up, right? But after hearing more news tonight about someone I went to high school with, I hit that familiar drop. I want to help. I want to be there for the families that feel that aftershock days, weeks, and years after. I wish I could be there for the person in their most desperate hour...or the day leading up to their life ending/altering choice.

But truth be told.....I can't do anything about it.

I do know of someone who can help. Someone who beat sin. Someone who beat death. It's almost Easter, so you don't have to read a sermon on here. Just please know that.....please know...that God is bigger.

Come Lord Jesus. Please Come.

2011-04-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

This past week at church, we finished a series with our junior highers called "Face to Face" (Good help D-Heff). It was a great series where we looked at stories in the gospels where people came face to face with Jesus. We read the stories, talked about observations from the text, and ended up answering 2 main questions--1)What does this tell us about God/Jesus? and 2)What does this say about us as Christians?

Those two questions have everything to do with Bible study. Don't worry, I know there is more to it. Believe me, I am a senior at Ozark Christian College. But how much different would Christians be if they lived by those two questions? If they studies the Bible, knowing that there is something in the text that reveals the Almighty...that there is something in the text that speaks to us living in 2011? Look through the Bible and you will see story after story that speaks to the heart, speaks to our mind, and demands action on our part.

We studied 5 main stories--The prostitute who washed Jesus' feet, The Rich young ruler, The woman at the well, the blind man that Jesus healed, and finally the story of Zacchaeus. In all of these stories we find Jesus meeting people, and they walk away different. The rich young ruler had a tough time handling what Jesus put before him, but if we really come face to face with God there has to be some kind of change. My junior highers are bright--they smell bad, tell bad jokes, and fart in the middle of my lessons for laughs--but they are bright none the less. They came up with the following conclusions over the series:

1)God loves us no matter where we are or what we have done.
2)People almost always change after they met Christ.
3)People recognized that Jesus was who he said he was.
4)God cares more about the changed person than the past person.
5)Jesus came to seek and save the lost

Now for a bunch of farting smelly junior highers--that is pretty amazing!

Coming face to face with God was something that was impossible in the Old Testament. God was to perfect to actually come face to face with man--for man would certainly die! But...that all changed. When Christ lived out Philippians 2. Now we have the privilege of coming face to face with Jesus. I'll end with a question one of my 8th graders asked, "We have come face to face with God--what are we going to do about it?"

Through the Storms

2010-10-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight in Joplin we had a decent little storm brewing.....some thunder...lightening...and lots of rain.

Not to get to poetic and mushy...but man, doesn't life seem like storms sometimes?

Life get hard...life gets rough....life doesn't seem fair...and life is soooooo tough sometimes. I know we have all been there. I know I have. Zustiak told our Crisis counseling class that atleast 80% of Americans experience depression some point in their life. I remember 2 times in life when I had no idea what to do next--one serious, and one absolutely ridiculous.

My very first girlfriend was a girl that we will call.....Leigh ann(okay thats her real name). We dated my freshman year of highschool, and I knew from the moment I met her that WE WERE DESTINED TO GET MARRIED! Ever felt that way? First "love" in middle school or high school? Sure we fought more than we seemed to get along, but that just "shows our love!" And then it all came crashing down...My world was ruined! This girl I hadn't even known a year broke my heart. I laugh when I think about how sad I was after we broke up. ok...she broke up with me. I remember not being able to sleep or eat--the woman I was supposed to have kids with was out of my life--atleast until l 3rd hour anatomy class.

And then another time in high school, I experienced the biggest storm in my life. My grandpa was the best man, other than me dad, I have ever known. If you have known me for very long, you know most of my stories start with.."One time, my grandpa.." or "Do you remember when Grandpa..." I still remember the date--January 3rd--I was sleeping out in the living room when my older brother, Charlie, woke me up with some news...."Grandpa is dead."
I remember sitting up, and just starting at nothing--no questions, no emotion, just shock. My grandpa took his own life and my family seemed to be brought to shambles. A hole would be the correct way to put it--The funeral came and was gone--my grandpa was gone.
Complete apathy would be the best way to describe how I felt. I never asked God, "why"....I never blamed him...I never talked to him about it--in fact, I quit praying altogether. It wasn't that I was mad at God--I just didn't care. Why should I? I hear that when most people go through times similar to mine, they question God or give up on their faith all together...but for me....I just put it on the back shelf of my mind. My life took a downward spiral..my morals took a downward spiral...why? cuz i just didn't care anymore.

I snapped out of my funk eventually--which is a story all itself--and now when I think about my grandpa, very seldom does tough emotions come up...I always think about the times that he took my brothers and I out to eat--or would jokingly threaten an old lady who cut him off--Or about the time he was having a heart attack and still tried hitting on the good looking nurse on the way to the hospital. I spent hours doing yard/house work for him--and the whole time he would just watch. Not so much that he cared about what kind of work I was doing, but he wanted to spend time with me. He was in terrible healthy most of my life, but he still found a way to make it to most of football or baseball games. And although he never really played sports--he would always try to give me pointers on how to hit more home runs or how do score more touchdowns.

I get caught up telling these stories (hence the rambling), but the point is that we All go through these storms--we all feel the rain. We all fight the tears, and experience the pain.

BUT

Through the storms...and through the pain...through the tears...and through the pain...we need to know the fact remains--that we will see the light of day.

If there is one thing I see in Gospel of Jesus Christ--it is hope. Not for an easy life. God never promised an easy life--in fact, looking through ALL bible characters, I see great amounts of pain. Moses--questioned and depressed, David--betrayed and devastated, Peter--rebuked and ridiculed, Paul--beaten and killed. All these men experienced great storms--great pains. But if there is one thing I see in all their lives--it is Hope. Hope for the light of day. Not because they could create a better situation for themselves, but because they depended on someone who promised and always brought better days.

I don't know how many times I have laid down in my bed, unable to sleep, and thought--I am tired of it all--I don't want to do this anymore--I can't really do what I am training to do. But there is something that keeps me going--someone that keeps me going. I guess that is what moves Christians when they sing--the hope and promise of Jesus. I assume that is what keeps Christians moving--The fulfillment of Christ. And I suppose that is what brings joy--the life, death, and resurrection, the Gospel--of the Lord and Savior.

One thing I have noticed about storms--is that no matter how terrible, horrific, and paralyzing the storm--the sun always comes back. And at the end of time, there is no storms--because Jesus already won.

Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

The Gee

2010-09-20T22:50:00.001-07:00

School and life has been crazy of late. It is my senior year and the time I have spent at Ozark has went by like a blur. I have met some great people and have had some memories that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Some serious, like the time spent with guys in the dorm talking about issues. And some....not so serious, like thinking of new ways to beat 3rd floor in a game of halo. Either way, I love all you guys who have been a part of my life. And I am excited to see what is to come in the future.

But this blog goes out to my homies from Muskogee. I spent the summer as a intern at Boulevard Christian Church in the "gee". I was blessed to be under such a great staff. Mike Havens might just be the best youth minister I have ever worked with. He is kind, caring, and loves youth ministry. He gave me freedom and also taught me so much in the process, and for that, I am thankful. Some of my summer was spent with the high schoolers-- loved staying up late talking and making videos. I also see some of those "high schoolers" prowling around Ozark's campus now. Jessica and Courtney, I am very proud of you for all that you have done and wanting to do with your life. The Blumenberg sisters kept showing me what faithful Christianity looks like...thanks for that.
Summer would not have been the same with out my boys. WAY to many of you to name here, but please know that you guys have a special place in my heart (IN A MANLY WAY!). You guys are leaders and I am very honored to have been apart of you guys lives in some way.

Most of my summer was spent working with the Junior Highers. WOW, is the first word that comes to mind. When I tell people I love working with that age group, they give me a funny look and normally say something like "You are very special and crazy for working with those kids"....and i have no idea why! I mean, if you have ever worked with a junior higher than you know how much fun it really is! They always keep you on your toes, and love being crazy...what is there not to like?!
I had fun with you guys just playing four square before "Chaos" started. You guys are the first thing I talked about when I mention my summer in Muskogee. Having Alex help me plan for Wednesday Nights, or taking a trip to Tulsa for Lazer Tag were the best parts of my summer...you guys rock.

I guess I am randomly writing this blog about Muskogee, because....well...I miss it!! Doesn't get much better than getting up every morning and going to an office that is full of amazing people. Than either going home to great host family like the Roberts (Which ALWAYS came with a home cooked meal ready and waiting for me), or spending the evening hanging out with people who love Jesus. This is a short blog, and nothing really much to say except, "I miss you, and hope to see you soon!"

Much love to all my homies in the GEE

WORSHIP > me

2010-07-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight was a fun night....Some of the guys from Boulevard held a worship service at one of the churches in town. They held this for a couple reasons--to raise money for active water....to bring some youth groups together... and to worship!

It was crazy timing, because I was thinking about writing a blog about worship and the whole night's theme was surrounded with the idea of worship. Worship is a funny word. It's also a scary word...and an awesome word...and a tough word..Worship brings so much to the table, but I wonder if sometimes we don't truly understand what it means to worship.

Ever since I started going to church, worship was always a word described for the singing in church. Being a guy that was never gifted (actually cursed) with singing ability, I never was that into "worship" time. But good thing worship is so much more than singing. It's bigger. and stronger. and more powerful. Worship is a lifestyle-not a specific time at church. I would be willing to bet that if we told God we worshiped before the lesson/sermon, and than maybe a little bit before we left church, he would be upset. Upset might be the wrong word, how about...depressingly nauseous to think that his bride, the church, only "worshiped" on sundays. But thankfuly, my ignorance of what worship really meant cleared up.

God calls all creation to give him glory, to praise him, to...worship him. I wrote my massive exegetical over a passage in Romans 12. The first verse really captures for me what it means to worship... "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of WORSHIP."

(insert punch to the gut here)....ouch. I can still feel that one. According to Paul, and to the Holy Spirit, worship is not just limited to singing, or what we do while at church, but we actualy worship with out entire lives. I remember meeting with Zus, a proffesor at OCC, and we were talking about my passage and he said, "you know what the problem is with a living sacrifice? It's always trying to crawl off the altar." (insert another punch to Jim's gut)....of course we can honor God with our lips, but are our actions so far from him that he cannot even recognize who we are? (thank you Isaiah). And final thought on worship, is...what are we worshiping? Are we worshipping ourselves? (oh man, I hope not). Are we worshiping a God who is so far away that when we udder his name we don't even feel any emotion? (scary thought) OR are we worshiping the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the goodness brought into live? The same God who created the world, who was with Moses, Gideon, Elijah, and Jeremiah lives in us. The same God who brought Christ back from the grave..That same God is exactly who we are worshipping everyday with every action that we decide to do. That means who we are when we are with beleivers, or non beleivers, but also what we do when we are all alone. The decesions we make, actions we carry out, and thoughts that we ponder, all show our lives as worshippers of God.

My guess is that if you are not to good at this "worship" thing, maybe its beacuse, you really don't know who God is. Because if we grow to know God, experience God, and pursue God, then worship will automatically happen. He is good, and that is a great reason for us as the church to worship.

Thanks Dad

2010-06-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

It is Father's Day....and I love my dad. I know that a lot of people grow up with either no dad, or a terrible excuse for a fatherly figure...My heart goes out to these kids and even adults who are still effected by the empty hole of not having a good father. Dad, I hope you are reading this, because I love you to death.

A lot of people think I look and act just like my dad. We are both big guys, with quite study facial hair. We are not the best lookings guys, but people say "your eyes light up just like your dad's when you smile." And that is one of the greatest compliments I have ever gotten.

My dad, Tim Landis, didn't only give me life, but he taught me life. I know that my dad cares for people, you can see it in his life and his actions. He started teaching Sunday School for the 5th and 6th graders when I was in the 6th grade. Dad believed he would only partake in this ministry until my younger brother Sam promoted to the junior high. However, he is now the "head honcho" still today. This will be his 10th year as a Sunday School teacher for the little guys. While I know they may fear his disciplinary style, I know from experience and others that it taught them well. My dad loves teaching about apologetics (defending the faith) against evolution. He has been doing a series on, "someone is making a monkey out of you," for quite some time. One of my best memories of my dad teaching is when we helped make a life sized Goliath. The students would then put a tennis ball in some sort of sling and try to defeat the nine foot giant. Kids ate it up. He brings snacks for the kids, takes them to breakfast, and gets to know about their families. Again, my dad, whether he admits it or not, loves those kids.

The greatest thing my Dad as done for me is how he taught me how to love your wife. My parents have been happily married for years and I know his love for her won't stop until one of them takes their last breath. He taught me how to throw a football, hit a baseball, and shoot a basketball, how to try hard and never give up, how to attempt to change a tire, how to ride my bike, how to rep Jayhawk pride above personal pride, how to handle my life when things get tough, how to make fun of Kstate and Missouri fans, and to keep my family above all other relationships I make. Some people say that when you are younger you dad is your superhero, but when you get older you realize he is not perfect. Although my dad is far from perfect, he is still my superhero.

Dad, I love you to death. Thanks for teaching me how to be a man. and a Jayhawk fan.

Muskogee or Bust

2010-06-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever guessed that I would be spending a summer doing in internship in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

At the beginning of last semester, I started calling around to different churches looking for an internship. I have a deep passion for inner city youth, so I started calling churches in the LA area, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta. I distinctly remember being in between calls with Downing Christian Church and Real Life Church (both in LA area), when a man by the name of Mike Havens called and asked if I would be interested in applying for an internship at his church in Muskogee. I explained him that I was looking into doing an internship in a city, but told him I would give him an application and resume anyway.

The more churches I called, the more "sorry, we just don't have enough money for an intern"s I got. What was crazy is that every other day, I seemed to be hearing about how good of a church Boulevard Christian Church (the church in Muskogee)was. I prayed and prayed that God would put me in an internship that he wants me at. And He answered.

I have been in Muskogee for close to two weeks now, and it has been a trip. I am staying with a very sweet older couple, Dave and Pat Roberts. Pat and my first conversation went something like this, "Well, I love to cook," and I replied, "Well, I love to eat" and it has been a perfect match ever since! I could, and probably will, write a blog just about Dave and Pat and all the adventures and ministries they have been apart of. They are very God honoring people that show his love with everyday that comes. The Church staff is amazing. Mike Havens and company made me feel welcomed from the first time i set foot in the office. The church runs about 800, and that staff works very hard to bring God's will, love and truth to the city of Muskogee.

I wrote down a list of things that happened to me the first week while I was here. and here is that list:

-partook in a 4 church program called "Paint the Town". 8 houses were painted by 100 teens for people in the community. I ruined 2 pairs of shoes...real smart Jim
-cleaned over 100 paint brushes with Harrison, an intern from another church in town. This took us close to 3 hours.
-People in Muskogee love alarms--and I have set 3 of them off in the first week alone. Even after putting my code into the alarm at church, 4 cops showed up questioning this "intern from Topeka, Kansas."
-I was asked "who are you" by Eve atleast 20 times in one night. Eve is a 2, almost 3, year old great granddaughter of Dave and Pat.
-The youth group does this thing called wake up calls. It is actually very terrifying. They go to kids who are "new" to CIY and wake them up in the middle of the night. However, they don't do the Momma Landis rub your back and sing you a song to wake you up...They put on terrifying gorilla masks and try to fit 5-10 people in your room and wake up by screaming at the top of their lungs. To add to the humiliation, they bring a video camera and record your reaction. I decided to participate in this event, and I can still see the terror on these poor kid's face.

It was a very fun first week, and the fun has continued.

However, I know that Mike did not want me on staff for the summer to just participate in wake up calls or to set off church alarms. And I know that God put me here for the summer for more than that.
I am working a lot with junior highers this summer, and still spending time with high schoolers. If I could bring one thing to the teens at Boulevard this summer, it would be the fact of Jesus is real. Not just that he was a real person, but he is real today. He desires a real relationship with his people, he wants us to live a real life with him. The fact is that Jesus' life and death on the cross demands a real relationship with him today.

I recently got a tattoo on my arm (irrelevant, but informational) and I got the scripture Galatians 2:20 above a cross on my arm. Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no long live, but Christ lives in me. . ." That is why I am in Muskogee. Muskogee or Bust? MUSKOGEE IT IS!

Life is a Story

2010-04-12T19:13:00.000-07:00

Tell me your story.

What is it about stories that generate so much power, emotion, and truth that we cannot help but turn an ear to someone who is telling one? Stories are powerful, because we all have one. Real stories. Fiction stories. Personal stories. Dynamic stories. Funny stories. Short stories. Long stories. They all carry something special. Something real.

Everyone has a story. Every story has a plot, setting and characters. Events in our lives stack on top of each other; and every story has this effect on the next thing that happens in our lives. Maybe something or someone has effected your story in such a big way, that you cannot help but let it show throughout the rest of your life. Some of these are sad stories--lives ruined by divorce, changed by abuse, filled with sin, taken away by cancer, or pulled away by death. Or perhaps they are happy stories-- new lives created through marriage, changed by children, crowded with successes, filled with purpose, and lives lived by fulfilling faith. Everyone has characters in their lives that have brought joy or depression: a father, a girlfriend, a neighbor, a preacher, a friend, a stranger, or even the mail lady. If you cannot tell by now, I am a big believer that this life that we live is filled with and continues to be a story.

But there is a story that effected us all before the world began...

Whether we recognize it or not, God is the creator of the story. He created this story called life. The beauty of God is found in the fact that although he created this story in us, he loves us enough to not write it. He brought story to life--so that that story can bring real love and glorification to him. God also owns an eraser. When our stories go so wrong, and mess up so much--he doesn't count that against us. Instead, he wrote an addition to the story and called it salvation. And the main character was Jesus. (follow the cheesy analogy for now)

The main point of this blog is to get across the idea of seeing life as a story. We all have one don't we? And they all mean something. The great thing about stories is that they never end. Some may seem stagnant, but they never end because our stories carry on through out history. Every story has an effect on another story that carries on after we breathe our last gulp of air.

I have heard people say, "I hate when people ask 'what is your story'". But i cannot help but wonder why. Stories are beautiful and real. The thing about stories is they are always changing. What you decide to do today and tomorrow can and will effect other stories until Jesus returns. Your story may feel like a dead end or a wrong turn, but it only takes a decision to turn it all around. And Vice Versa, life is going so great and ONE change in the story and take a turn for the worst. Life is a story--

tell it, change it, and live it

Back 2 Bloggin

2009-12-13T00:30:00.000-08:00

That is right bloggers....Jim Landis is back in the game. I realize that my last blog post was almost a year ago, but no worries, I'M BACK! A LOT has happened to me since my last post. I cannot even begin to tell you about it, but I can try to give you a quick run down....
I finished my second year of college and am now half way done with my third. I played baseball last year and am still debating on if I want to do it again. I love the sport and everything, but it gets pretty tough taking 20 hours at school and playing 40 games across the mid-west....We'll see.

I suppose I'll spend the rest of this blog telling you about last summer, because to be honest, it blew my mind! I was on a camp team for the school in which I went around to junior high and high school camps promoting the school. My team (SHOUT OUT to Dexter, Tiphani and Erin...I LOVE YOU GUYS!)toured around Oklahoma and Texas for the first four weeks of the summer, then went to Indiana and Illinois for the last 4 weeks. To put it simply: LIFE CHANGING! I cannot even think about listing all the people I met this summer that just encouraged me to meet them and to hear their story. (I'll tell a few so that when I tell them I wrote about them in my blog they may start reading it....suckers!) Jake Raits, Emily Ritchie, Rebecca Peddicord, Beka Hull, Matt Alt, Rachel Posey and MUCH MORE. These people are college age Christians that are determined to do amazing things for the Kingdom. Some from other Christian colleges that are studying to do ministry in the church or the missions field and others doing ministry in their own secular colleges. I cannot tell you how blessed I felt to have the opportunity to meet such people and I couldn't help but think......"man, the great commission is going to be fulfilled before we know it." So for all those who I had the privilege of meeting this summer...thank you and PLEASE keep doing what you are doing.

I would have to say that the highlight of my summer would be meeting close to 1000 students at the church camps. I WISH I could name off each camp and just tell you some names and stories. Some will make you smile...some will make you laugh...and some will make you cry. Over the summer I realized that I love speaking a lot more then I thought. I was able to speak at 4 or 5 camp fires this summer and it truly was an amazing experience. I guess that will come in handy for my career....being a minister and all.

I want to tell you just one story about this freshman named Tez who I met this summer. I'll tell you right now, this dude is straight baller. Tez crossed me on the court more times then I can remember and never hesitated to hit a jumped in my face. Tez lived in the cabin that I was the "dorm daddy" in and that gave us a lot of time for 1 on 1 talking. Tez had questions about Christianity and who Jesus really is. He had questions about life and family. He had questions about girls, and his boys, and situations he runs into everyday. See, Tez isn't the average church camp going kid. He is from inner city Cincinnati.

He told me about struggles
with drugs,
with theft
with fighting
and with gangs.

He told me his family went to church every once in awhile, but he wouldn't really know what it took to be a real Christian. He has been interested in getting baptized so we talked about that a little. And on the fourth night of camp, I was able to baptize Tez in the pond at camp Whitewater in southeast Indiana. That night was all about God--

and the grace
and the love
and the passion

that he continually offers to all his children. Tez was born again that warm summer night in Indiana. He has broken the chains that help him down and I remember talking to him later that night, and behind all his smiles he used words like

freedom
over and over again.

Tez and I parted ways the next day. And to be honest, I haven't heard from him since. Growing up in the inner city, he didn't have a cell phone, or Internet access or a facebook. I have no idea where Tez is now. I don't know if he is a street evangelist somewhere in Cinci, or if maybe he went back to his old lifestyle, running around with the same guys he did before. I don't know if he is still living out his newly found faith, or if he got shot and died on a street corner.
That is the hard thing about camp team ministries, you have to let go and trust that they are in God's hands. And I trust God's hands a lot more then I trust my own. Tez, if you out there somewhere, much love brother, and I'll see you in heaven.

Being a Road Sign

2009-01-26T11:06:00.001-08:00

soooo its been about two months since I have written in this beast...and for my 3 dedicated readers I apologize. Second semester is up and running and so is baseball. My classes are awesome. Baseball is going pretty good except I already hurt my arm....but im just a wimp.

Last semester I read this book called Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind by Tremper Longman. It is an amazing book and I recommend it to anyone who wants a better idea of how to read the Bible the correct way.

Has I was reading I came to a section in the book where Longman breaks into how to read the Gospels. In this chapter, he breaks down each gospel and how they are presented. He calls Matthew the gospel of the Ox...Mark the Lion....Luke the man...and John the Eagle. When I was reading through this I kept thinking to myself....Which one am I? Will I be a preacher the best represents an Ox? being firm and strong for my faith....or would I be like a Lion? "Yeaaa a Lion would be tough and aggressive."I thought to myself. I decided that I wanted to be a minister that best represents a lion. People would look up to me and want to follow be because of how I was in my faith.

I kept on reading Longman's book until I got a slap in the face.

He wasn't referring to the Gospel writers as he was labeling them as these tough animals. He was referring to how they portrayed JESUS! This completely took me by surprise. I shrunk down in my seat embarrassed even thought I was in my room all by myself. The whole time I was reading, I thought that it was talking about what kind of minister I was going to be...but the whole time it was all pointing straight towards JESUS. How often do I do this? How often do we do this? I couldn't think of a better opportunity for God to humble me then this time. Everything points to Him. In our ministries, everything points to Him. In our lives, everything points to Him.

Last week at Carterville we talked about worship. How our whole lives are about worship. I thought back to the time when I read this book and thought that it was pointing to me, when in reality it was pointing to Jesus. Same goes for worship. Everything in our lives should be considered an act of worship not to ourselves but towards the only one worthy of it. I remember sitting down and praying during the singing and asking God to humble me. I asked that He would make me like a road sign that pointed others in the direction of the true destination. Imagine what would happen in the Church is everything we did pointed to Jesus. What if all we did was minimize ourselves so that others can see the true meaning of our worship and true meaning of our lives? It is not about YOU, it is about HIM.

JIM'S BURN
Facebook is the best and worst invention of all time. I say this because it is quite handy with keeping in touch with people and see what has been going on in others lives. But I also call it the worst because I have wasted so much time on it. I waist time looking at people's recently added pictures or thinking of a catchy status. This burn is specifically going out to "those girls" who make whole albums of themselves making different faces. It isn't cool. It isn't fun. It isn't entertaining. It is just you making new faces every 60 pictures and then tagging yourself in facebook for the whole world to see how "fun" you are. I mean at least get a different background! Take some pictures with your friends...or family....Heck take a picture of the carpet!

F-A-N-A-T-I-C

2008-11-18T12:53:00.000-08:00

I like rap music. Yes i said it, a 19 year old white guy from Topeka Kansas likes rap music. However I am not a big fan of just playing old school rap beats from old rap songs with no lyrics(volleyball/basketball games)!!!!

I get like listening to secular rap music, but their message is usually about having sex, drinking, getting high, or killing someone. It gets kinda old, but i still like them for some reason. Sometimes it gets hard to find good Christian rap music, but My good friend Tom Tatterfield pointed me to a good Christian rapper named Trip Lee. I started looking his songs up and it brought me to a group of christian rappers that like to mix their songs together. They are called 116 clique. One of my favorite songs of theirs is called Cash or Christ/Fanatic. It is a good song and the lyrics are amazing.

The song talks a lot about materilism. The lyrics are powerful and full of meaning that needs to be heard. "Intead of Ice, it be nice if we would try to invest in life"......"Got money, got quicks, got ice, still broke homeboy! No Christ!"......."The Dollar bill says in God we trust, its funny cuz money is the only god he trust"...."And when they die, not a dimes (is) gonna go. Now they phyiscally rich, but they spiritual poo(r)"..... "And they probably never heard of 1st corinthains chapta fou(r), cuz he said they can't imagine God's people being poo(r)."

The song goes on to say "I'm a F-A-N-A-T-I-C (fanatic) I rep Christ till I D-I-E (fanatic)" What does that really mean anyway? Fanatic for Christ? I rep Christ till I die? Do we treat God like God, or money like a god? What would happen if God's people truly did live a life that He calls us to live. Money may not be the wordly god in your life. There are plenty of other substitutes to fill in the blank. What are you a Fanatic for? Boyfriend/girlfriend? Money? Success? Sin? Or are you a F-A-N-A-T-I-C for the living God that was willing to die to give you eternal life? Will you rep Christ untill you are 50? Or will you start repping God when you are 30 and have a family and kids? Or are you Willing you rep Christ now and until till you D-I-E?

JIM'S BURN
I play a lot of ping pong during my free time. I'll get cocky on your for a second and tell you that im pretty good. I handle some of the best ping pong players (Charlie Landis, David Heffren, Ryan Hicks, Tyler Green and Monica Lanzone) on a daily basis. But there is this guy....His name is Chase Hill....Now Chase is a good ping pong player, but I don't think he has anything on me or any of the other people that I listed above. BUT for some odd reason that not even God can answer, I CAN NEVER BEAT THIS KID. He constantly makes me look like a 8 year old girl on the ping pong table. He does nothing special. He hits the ball back at me, and I just mess it up. What makes matters worse is that he is one of those trash talkers. I am constinly hearing, "Good try Jim....Maybe next time....or Hey do you think you will get double digits this game"? I know I am better than Chase, I just can't beat him! And I can never beat his ping pong disciple, Jackie Schargenaekgljaetkj either. And yes, I am better than you too Jackie.

The verbal abuse of 95 lb 4th graders

2008-10-06T18:49:00.000-07:00

Well when I first started this blog, i thought I would write in it at least once every other week.....maybe even weekly. But it has been a month since my last post, so why not just commit to writing in it at least monthly?

Some things i have been up to:
I got back into playing a little bit of Halo every once awhile with Chuck and Jake...brings back good times, but a little rusty.....I am on the 6th season of Smallville, and I seem to be watching close to 4 episodes a day (yeaaaa Jim = loser).....School has been going pretty good, except the whole school part, but i guess thats normal for any college kid to say. I went to a Chinese restaurant after church last week and it rekindled my love for the Chinese. AND my fantasy football teams kicked butt this past week..YES GO SWEATHOGZ! (name of my teams)

So now that i got that off my chest....

I have been reading the book of Exodus. It is interesting to read and study how God worked 4000+ years ago. How awesome his presence was in Moses and the Israelite nation. God did some amazing things back then, and he continues to work in our lives today.
Moses was a stud, but kind of a wimp when you think about it. After he killed that Egyptian he took off and left the country. You all know the story, how God called to him to save his people. One thing that I guess I never really noticed was how many times Moses really did question his ability to save the whole nation of Israel. I remember learning about how he couldn't talk very well, and how he didn't think he could do it. But while I was reading it just kept coming up and coming up...Moses complaining to God and saying "I CANT DO THIS!!! GET SOMEONE ELSE!" Did I already say how amazing God was/is? God used Moses to save Israel while at the same time showing his power throughout the whole country.

I am a stud, but when i think about it, man I am a wimp. I don't know how many times i have thought about how I couldn't handle being a minister. When i see the "spiritual powerhouses" that surround me in the dorms and class room I can't help but think I am unqualified . I am not that smart, not the best speaker, and everyone knows I don't have the best blog posts. How is a person like me going to win students to Christ?

When I was reading how Moses kept complaining and doubting himself even with God at his side, i couldn't help but see myself in him (and not for the good). I am encouraged to become a youth minister. And if i don't live a life in ministry, I feel like I would be failing to answer the call that God has placed on my heart. I know that I am surrounded by amazing people and professors that daily help shape my live and spirituality. And God is with me just like he was with Moses..
Now if only he can teach me all those tricks with the staff. My prayer would be that we can be pushed aside and let God work through us. God will overpower any doubt that we have because it is his spirit working through us. He did it yesterday. Today. And Gosh darn it he will still be there tomorrow....

JIM'S BURN
I had so many burns lined up two weeks ago that I didn't know what would I would do with all of them...But they all seemed to have left me lately......BUT remember when I said that I was playing Halo a lot lately? It turns out that those annoying 4th graders that talk trash still play.......One of the most frustrating things in the world is when this 95 lbs 4th grader that has yet to hit puberty is calling out your manhood over a video game. Although I bet i could dominate these kids in all aspects in life, he absolutely punishes me in Halo. Its terribly frustrating, but if any of you 4th graders that smash me in halo are reading this..IM COMING AFTER YOU

Cheese Fryer

2008-09-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

Random beginning comments:--I accidentally slept through church today.....woops--Kansas Jayhawks football are 2-0 (But i do have concerns w the running game and our alumni players who smoke weed).--My roommate (Brant Smith) always falls asleep with a book in his face--I twist my ankle just about everytime I play basketball--And my brother Sam got 25+ tackles his first game last Friday--My other brother Charlie hogs video games--I started reading the book of Genesis and am going straight though to Revelation so keep me accountable........

Whew, so now that thats over here we go....

Small groups are grand.......I have always loved the idea of small groups in the youth/church setting. I can't think of a better way to grow closer in community and closer to Christ. I had a small group seminar this past weekend with Jim Johnson and that heightened my excitement for small/D-Groups. Although the seminar took out a chunk of my weekend, it was a good time and really got me thinking about it. I loved it. What made the seminar more enjoyable was that Jim (a Canuck) made fun of David every 5 minutes about girls.....or lack there of....He also pointed out that I was the only one in the class that didn't have my books for class...that wasn't has funny.

We have our own D/small groups here at school. I am in one with Dr. Gary Zustiak and 5 other men from Ozark. We meet and talk about whats going on in our lives along with other important topics...like the emerging church.......postmoderism......and favorite college teams. Zus asked us a question and it really took some thought. He asked what scripture verse has impacked our lives the most. Seems simple enough right? Tons and tons of Bible verse flew through my head until I landed on my exagetical passage from Romans 12. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship....." This stuck out to me because of the importance of living your life as a living sacrifice or God. Gary hit me hard when he said " You know whats wrong with a living sacrfice? It always tries to crawl off the altar."

Needless to say, that hit me pretty hard. Jesus was more than willing to be that sacrifice for all of humankind.....and i just struggle on being a living sacrifice for God and to die to myself. I get in the way of what God wants to do through my life and thats going to be a lifelong struggle.....Enough talking about my myself....its time for Jim's burn...

JIM'S BURN
Camp teams sound like a lot of fun. You get a good sum of money straight to your schooling while you go around during the summer to Christian camps promoting Ozark Christian College. A lot of my friends participated in this past summer and i found out that relationships are effected in a major way. When people come back from camp teams are just the ABSOLUTE BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD...hear me out..its not like i dont expect people to become better friends through out the summer...but when they come back to school its like seeing 2nd grade girls meet up for the first time after a long summer on the playground.... cool, you guys are good friends. But you already told me about the time Phil fell off the roof, or the time you camp counselers clogged all the toliets. (although getting sent to a Pentecostal camp is pretty funny). Every story starts with..."This one time on camp teams..." or someone is always claiming that you wouldnt understand because you wernt on camp teams....or you can't hang with us, because you wern't on our camp team..... I love you guys....but sometimes you can really fry my cheese.

FREE SOAP!

2008-08-27T21:48:00.000-07:00

Blogging is for nerds.......but here I find myself starting one up. So I guess you can add nerdy to the list discriptions for Jim Landis.--along with studly, handsome, and looks older than Charlie.

I am back at school for my sophomore year at Ozark Christian College and things have been going great. I am enoying my classes(until the homework starts) and love catching up with friends. My favorite class has been Youth Ministry at 8:00 with Kevin Greer--just the way the class is taught is encouraging and makes you want to get out of your chair and start a ministry with today's youth. My other classes have been awesome as well. Pastoral counseling with Peter Buckland--Foundations for Missons with Christ Dewelt-- and Principals of Interpretation with Doug Aldridge.

I also have World Geography with Dad Bear......which is NOT in my list of favorite class for two reasons ----1) It is my 7:00 AM class and 2) I have to sit by Jake Wiemelt.

I love fellowship with my brothers and sisters here at school. Doesn't matter if I am sitting in the dorms talking with my boys or driving to Mountain Grove to listen to my good friend Jeremy Hyde throw down. I love everyone here and hope I can have lifelong relationships with each and everyone of them.

One of the funnest things that has happened so far was that KG(Kevin Greer often confused with Kevin Garnett) asked me to play in a scrimage against the girls soccer team. If anyone knows me at all, they know I don't know a lick about soccer. I can eat more than just about anyone i know(irrelevant ), but I can't play soccer. Turns out I can't run ten yards without putting my hands over my head and asking for a timeout, but regardless it was a blast. Somehow I managed to get on a break away and score a goal--I think the defender broke her leg or something on the play because there was no way I could have gotten on a break away by myself. You know your a bad soccer player when the dead crowd comes to life after you score a goal when your already up 5-0(sorry girls)

This year promises to be busy and exciting. My mornings are jammed full with classes while afternoons are spent doing homework, getting the high score on Ground Defense, or catching up on Smallville. I help out with Carterville youth on Wednesdays and go to Missouri Southern's christian group, Koinonia, on Tuesdays. Thursday nights might be my favorite night because we have floor/dorm devos, which are awesome (shout out to my Willy Boys)! I am also going to try and go home more often on the weekends this year to see family and a good looking girl named Meghann Greene (and no I didn't spell her name wrong).

I hope to stick with this blogging thing and hopefully write something more spiritual/exciting in near the future. Love you all.

JIM'S BURN(For those who don't know this segment is where I kinda get to rant a little bit on things that get on my nerves. NOTICE that it is all fun and games and not meant to offend anyone.)
--Living in the dorms is great. I love it. But there is always those people on the floor that feel like the rest of floor is there personal closet space. This burn notice is going out to those people who leave their underwear in the bathrooms or leave there skinky sweaty clothes outside in the hallway for everyone else to smell. It also used to get on my nerves when people would leave their shampoo and/or liquid soap in the shower stalls until i realize...HEY FREE SOAP! Thanks guys