Learning to Follow the Instructions
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The problem was, I didn't have time for the instructions. I wanted to play. So I assembled the playset as quickly as I could. A couple stickers here, a little knot there, and well, it's looks the picture on the box, so it must be right. Well, that what I thought.
Turns out, I wasn't so right. While most of the Ewok village "looked" like the picture on the box, it wasn't right. I had put some of the stickers in the wrongs spots. I couldn't get the net to work properly. And I actually broke one of the pieces trying to assemble it incorrectly. For as much as I was excited to have the Ewok playset, every time I played with it I was reminded of how I didn't take the time to follow the instructions. |
Have you ever felt that way?
If only I had followed the instruction,
maybe some of this could have been avoided.
You see, in Genesis 2, God gives the man, Adam, the instructions. Having placed Adam inthe Garden, God says, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." ( Genesis 2:16&17 NIV) Adam was given the opportunity to eat freely from all that the Garden had to offer. Every plant, bush and tree, if it was edible or grew something edible, he could eat it. All of it was his. All of it, except for this one unique tree; the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This tree was off limits.
Unfortunately it was simply a matter of time. The evil one came along and tricked the man and he ate the fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And from that moment on, we have been living in regret because we have chosen to not follow the instructions.
Our hope is found in Jesus!
We celebrate Christmas because of what Christmas means for us; HOPE! Our hope is found in Jesus! Why? Because he does for us what we can't do for ourselves! He follows the instructions, that we can't follow on our own. Jesus was perfectly obedient to his Father, right up to the end. And because he did, our mistakes that come because we have failed to follow the instruction are set right.
The Apostle Paul said it this way, "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19 NIV)
So now when we say, I believe that Jesus died for our my sins, and I accept him into my life as my Lord and Savior, his perfect obedience makes us right in the sight of God and brings us into eternal life.
On that first Christmas morn, God gave us a gift. That gift grew up to died to give us life. Not just life for the here and now, but life that goes on for ever and ever and ever. And now, when we find ourselves rushing into circumstances without slowing down to follow the instructions, it's not death, but forgiveness and grace we meet on the other side.
As you prepare your heart this Christmas, slow down and remember. Look for times when following the instructions seemed like a waste of time and you ventured out on your own only to find that you put the stickers in the wrong spot. Remind yourself, God's grace is big enough for even that! Because that kind of grace leaves me in awe and wonder. How about you?
Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 25 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Student Ministry Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, a YouTuber/vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence.
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In this first post, Youth Specialties published this video a couple of weeks ago, sharing a few fun things you can do or check out while in Cincinnati, OH! Check it out!
Cincinnati a great place to visit.
Click on the ARISE graphic below to visit the official National Youth Workers Convention website for all the details, lists of speakers, seminars and exhibitors, registration, hotel, and other news! And we'll see you in Cincinnati!
- jay
Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 25 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Student Ministry Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, an avid YouTuber/vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training with youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence.
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Jay Higham is a 25 year veteran of student ministry; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Youth Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 little girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, and speaker. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and sharing with other youth workers. Visit the family blog at, www.TheHighamFamily.com!
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Yes, I design and print t-shirts. I've been doing it for years. And I am hoping to print some t-shirts for you!
When I started out in student ministry, I wanted to make sure my students had great t-shirts. Whether it was a retreat, or an activity, or just something happening that we wanted to give out t-shirts for, I ordered t-shirts for everything. Because I dabbled with graphic art, I would often design my own graphics. I would then find someone who could take my design and apply it to a t-shirt. I've used both silk screener and heat transfer.
During those early years a built a relationship with a local printer who used heat transfer. The transfer process provided our group with great looking, long lasting t-shirts at a fraction of the price of silk screening. But I quick came to the realization that I could do what he was doing and cut out the middle man. So I did.
For the next couple of years I worked to acquire my own press, while developing a new relationship with a thermal printer. It didn't take long to to get started. By designing and printing my own t-shirts, I was able to provide our student ministry with shirts at cost, saving money a long the way.
I shared what I was doing with some other youth workers. Wanting to save some money, they asked if I could do a few shirts for them. With that came the idea, help youth workers save money while providing great look shirts at great prices! So that's what I started doing. The heat transfer process has greatly improved over the years. Today's technology allows for vibrant, multi-colored prints that wear better and longer then some silk screened products. AND, it's cheaper! |
We are open for business!
Starting this spring/summer, my son and I are teaming up to launch a new t-shirt printing business! We're now taking orders from youth workers, sports teams, churches, small businesses, and community groups! Whether you need 15 or 150, or even 1500, we can handle just about any t-shirt order. Our goal is to provide groups with quality t-shirts that look great and wear well. We can help with design and creativity, or we can use your drawings and graphics. And the pricing? That's easy we charge only $1.00 over cost per t-shirt. No art fees. No screen fees. That's $1 over cost per t-shirt. That keeps your t-shirt pricing low and budget friendly. |
Basketball, Baseball, Bowling, Cheerleaders, Football, Gymnastics, Intramural Teams,
Little League, School Sports, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
CLUBS
Youth Groups, Boys and Girls Clubs, Car Clubs, Churches, Country Clubs, Kawanis Clubs,
Lions Clubs, Marching Band, Motorcycle clubs, School Clubs, Scouts, Ski Clubs
BUSINESSES
Car Dealers, Cycling Shops, Fire Depts., Freight, Gift Shops, Hotels/Motels, Lawn Maintenance,
Military, Musical Groups, Restaurants, Retailers, Home Improvement, Unions, Utilities
- jay
Jay Higham is a 25 year veteran of student ministry; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Youth Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 little girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, and speaker. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and sharing with other youth workers. Visit the family blog at, www.TheHighamFamily.com! |
The game is simple.
Pair your students up and give each pair a cup. With the students facing each other, place the cup on the floor between them.
To keep the students playing, we had the losing students play other losing students.
If you us plastic cups like Solo or Dixie, be sure to keep a few on hand. After a few rounds, the cups will be destroyed and needing replacement.
This is a great game for small or larger groups and can be played just about anywhere.
Enjoy!
- jay
*Photo credit to Dave N.
Jay Higham is a 25 year veteran of student ministry; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Youth Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 little girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, and speaker. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and sharing with other youth workers. Visit the family blog at, www.TheHighamFamily.com! |
Author
Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 30 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently serving as the director of family ministry at a church, located in West Virginia. Jay has been married to Amy for over 25 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence.
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