Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Shack
Ok I know this goes against what I usually do in writing twice in one week but I had to. I just finished reading “The Shack” I really enjoyed it. Without given anything away for those who are going to read it, ¾ of the book deals with a man trying to get over his preconceived ideas of God. It made me stop and think about my life and how I have gotten really hang up on how God works and what he is. If I really believe that God is more powerful then anything I have ever known how in this world can I really understand what he looks like what he talks like or even what he will say in curtain situations. I know we have his words in Scripture that help us understand God, but there is just so much at least for me I try to handle myself, and I wonder if God is telling me no no you have it all wrong just trust. At the risk of getting myself in trouble I needed this book right now. I work at a place right now that has a lot of wonderful people but a small group wants to think they know what’s best for this Church and it really doesn’t include me being the youth minister here! Well I believe it does include me I believe God put me here for a reason! I think everyone of us myself included needs to STOP trying to answer for God and allow him to be in control. Mack (main character in “The Shack”) had to figure that out through a lot more difficult times then what we are going through at Alameda. That’s what’s on my heart today!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Crazy Life
Well it’s been along time since I wrote I really haven’t had a lot to say recently so I haven’t written. Couple of things of interest my oldest is 14 this week. Wow I am old! Also I am reading the “Shack” wow what a great and really deep book. Also I found out last night that God can really work through your own children my son Derek said some things that I only had hoped my child would say someday. Sometimes it’s really good to be a parent. I am also really thinking and praying about getting my PHD. Yes that means I will make all of you call me Dr. Kenney. How sweet would that be! I will conclude with some things that I am really praying about just so you know what is on my heart.
Our youth group that parents and students will see what our group can be
Amanda (my wife) and her decision to go back to school
Our congregation and the budget process
Trying to be a good Dad
Trying to be a good husband
Trusting that God will take care of me
Amen isn’t awesome that God answers our prayers!
Our youth group that parents and students will see what our group can be
Amanda (my wife) and her decision to go back to school
Our congregation and the budget process
Trying to be a good Dad
Trying to be a good husband
Trusting that God will take care of me
Amen isn’t awesome that God answers our prayers!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Survivor
Ok I need all of my loyal readers help. I know that there is only like 3 of you that read this but if you do I need your input. I have been a survivor fan since the show started. My wife has told me for years I should apply. So I finally decided to do it! I feel like if I can get an interview I can get it. I mean if you know me you would know that I would be the best personality they have ever had! Hey don’t laugh the only thing I got is personality I am not going to get it because I am the eye candy! To get an interview I need a good video! So I need ideas fire them out there all 3 of you!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
151
Ok so my good friend Pam wrote 150 things about herself. I like competition so here is 151 things about myself. Take that Pam!
1. I was born in Newton KS.
2. I have one sister
3. We didn’t grow up together
4. I lived with my dad most of my childhood
5. I have had the nick name Vern since 5th grade
6. Most people in my home town still call me Vern
7. My wife calls me Vern
8. The guy who did our wedding married Vern and Amanda
9. I dated some in high school
10. I married the only girl I ever loved
11. I once lost 100lbs
12. Then I gained 65lbs back
13.I don’t like green beans
14. I can only think of about for vegetables I do like
15. Bananas can kill me if I eat to many of them
16. I love politics
18. I love to read
19. But I didn’t do it till 3rd grade
20. I have dyslexia (ha ha I think I spelled that wrong) that’s funny
21. I have been married for almost 14 years
22. I love football
23. I am a huge OU fan
24. Huge Oakland Raiders fan
25. I am a LA Lakers fan
26. Huge KC Royals fan
27. I once had a teacher tell me I could never go to college
28. Now I have two degrees
29. I graduated 156 out 158 of my high school class
30. I am pretty sure 157 and 158 didn’t graduate
31. I feel like I can have a conversation on any topic
32. I love to have popcorn for dinner
33. I think any food that is deep fat fried is worth at least trying
34. I think blue cheese is the sickest think in the world
35. I hate to shave
36. If I could I would grow a ZZ top beard
37. I have always wanted to be a rock star
38. Except I can't play anything
39. I once took guitar lesson for two weeks
40. I am took from a girl that I liked brother
41. When she said she didn’t like me I quite
42. I have live in my mother-in-laws basement twice
43. Nether time worked out so hot
44. I can be a very serious person sometimes
45. Very serious people creep me out
46. So I creep myself out sometimes
47. I used to want to be a cop
48. The problem is I didn’t want to get shot
49. If I was 20 again I think I would be a UFC fighter
50. I am freaked out my head lice
51. and skunks
52. I believe the being cool is a state of mind.
53. I have always thought I was cool there fore I am
54. Anyone no matter how much I love them gets under my skin if I am around them to much
55. I am very comfortable with conflict
56. I am not comfortable if people don’t like me
57. Being lazy is a big fear of mine
58. I hate eggnog
59. I hate anything with eggs in them that I can taste
60,I don’t like hotdogs
61. Or mac and cheese
62. I proposed to Amanda in a car
63. During a fight
64. When I think about it I am lucky Amanda even married me
65. I chew my finger nails
66. I talk to myself a lot
67. I still day dream a lot
68. If I am not organized I feel lost
69. I love pizza
70. but only if its pizza hut
71. I slept with my stuffed dog until I was 13
72. I slept with a night light until 14
73. I can’t sleep unless the TV is on
74. I wake up in the morning and I have sports center memorized
75. I don’t like silence
76. I think I talk way to much
77. I have always wanted to ride a bull
78. and skydive
79. I want a Harley
80. and a hummer
81. I miss my hot tub at my old house
82. I have always wanted to dye my hair black
83. I had my ear pierced for 4 years
84. I took it out when my youth minister said I would never be a youth minister if I left it in
85. I thought I was going to die on the highway today
86. Thank goodness I didn’t
87. I coached Derek’s football team for three years
88. Noah’s for one year
89. I still get lost in Norman
90. I still got lost in Edmond before I moved
91. I learned how to drive at 14
92. My dad let me drive by myself at 15
93. I once had a snake put on me while a slept
94. I used to smoke at least a 1/2 pack a day ( The was a lot of years ago)
95. I went to prom two times with my wife
96. Once when we were married
97. I was married my Sr. year of high school
98. I moved to Oklahoma without a job
99. I had only been on a plane once in my life before I went to college
100. I really want to go to England
101. I want go got to the Olympics someday
102. I was a state qualifier in the Shot Put in High School
103. I used to work at a grocery story
104. I used to be afraid of heights
105. I am not any more
106. I try to be nice to most people
107. I went to high school with a guy who is in the WWE
108. I love history
109. Most of all WWII history
110. I had allergies really bad as a kid
111. I used to take shots for them
112. When I was in the 3rd grade they thought I had a tumor in my leg
113. They thought they were going to have to cut it off
114. Then they found out is was a nerve problem
115. I have a son named Derek
116. Son named Noah
Wife named Amanda
118. I call her Manda
119. My mother-in-law asked me what my “sign” was when I picked up Manda for our first date
120. I like to fish
121. But I never go
122. I like to hunt
123. But I haven’t done it in years
124. My friends and I thought we were going to rob an armored car when we were teens
125. We never did
126. One teacher told me I would be most likely to go to prison
127. I never did
128. I have worked with teens longer then I have done anything else in my life
129. Having a teenage son is tougher then working with teens
130. I love to wrestle with my boys
131. I usually get hurt when I do
132. I think I want to run a marathon
133. But I don’t want to run today
134. I think I have a chest cold
135. I like to pop zits
136. I hate dressing up
137. I like to ware hats
138. but they make my head itch
139. I like to shave my head from time to time
140. I once got infected hair follicles
141. Because I put baby oil on my head
142. I have 8 people in ministry now that used to be my interns
143. My cell phone went off while preaching my wife’s grandpa’s funeral
144. I have only lived in two states
145. I used to have a mustache
146. I had a mustache in the 8th grade
147. I used to love tennis
148. Now I hate it
149. I am really good at ping pong
150. I used to hang from trees as a kid to get taller
151. I had the same best friend from 1st grade till high school graduation
1. I was born in Newton KS.
2. I have one sister
3. We didn’t grow up together
4. I lived with my dad most of my childhood
5. I have had the nick name Vern since 5th grade
6. Most people in my home town still call me Vern
7. My wife calls me Vern
8. The guy who did our wedding married Vern and Amanda
9. I dated some in high school
10. I married the only girl I ever loved
11. I once lost 100lbs
12. Then I gained 65lbs back
13.I don’t like green beans
14. I can only think of about for vegetables I do like
15. Bananas can kill me if I eat to many of them
16. I love politics
18. I love to read
19. But I didn’t do it till 3rd grade
20. I have dyslexia (ha ha I think I spelled that wrong) that’s funny
21. I have been married for almost 14 years
22. I love football
23. I am a huge OU fan
24. Huge Oakland Raiders fan
25. I am a LA Lakers fan
26. Huge KC Royals fan
27. I once had a teacher tell me I could never go to college
28. Now I have two degrees
29. I graduated 156 out 158 of my high school class
30. I am pretty sure 157 and 158 didn’t graduate
31. I feel like I can have a conversation on any topic
32. I love to have popcorn for dinner
33. I think any food that is deep fat fried is worth at least trying
34. I think blue cheese is the sickest think in the world
35. I hate to shave
36. If I could I would grow a ZZ top beard
37. I have always wanted to be a rock star
38. Except I can't play anything
39. I once took guitar lesson for two weeks
40. I am took from a girl that I liked brother
41. When she said she didn’t like me I quite
42. I have live in my mother-in-laws basement twice
43. Nether time worked out so hot
44. I can be a very serious person sometimes
45. Very serious people creep me out
46. So I creep myself out sometimes
47. I used to want to be a cop
48. The problem is I didn’t want to get shot
49. If I was 20 again I think I would be a UFC fighter
50. I am freaked out my head lice
51. and skunks
52. I believe the being cool is a state of mind.
53. I have always thought I was cool there fore I am
54. Anyone no matter how much I love them gets under my skin if I am around them to much
55. I am very comfortable with conflict
56. I am not comfortable if people don’t like me
57. Being lazy is a big fear of mine
58. I hate eggnog
59. I hate anything with eggs in them that I can taste
60,I don’t like hotdogs
61. Or mac and cheese
62. I proposed to Amanda in a car
63. During a fight
64. When I think about it I am lucky Amanda even married me
65. I chew my finger nails
66. I talk to myself a lot
67. I still day dream a lot
68. If I am not organized I feel lost
69. I love pizza
70. but only if its pizza hut
71. I slept with my stuffed dog until I was 13
72. I slept with a night light until 14
73. I can’t sleep unless the TV is on
74. I wake up in the morning and I have sports center memorized
75. I don’t like silence
76. I think I talk way to much
77. I have always wanted to ride a bull
78. and skydive
79. I want a Harley
80. and a hummer
81. I miss my hot tub at my old house
82. I have always wanted to dye my hair black
83. I had my ear pierced for 4 years
84. I took it out when my youth minister said I would never be a youth minister if I left it in
85. I thought I was going to die on the highway today
86. Thank goodness I didn’t
87. I coached Derek’s football team for three years
88. Noah’s for one year
89. I still get lost in Norman
90. I still got lost in Edmond before I moved
91. I learned how to drive at 14
92. My dad let me drive by myself at 15
93. I once had a snake put on me while a slept
94. I used to smoke at least a 1/2 pack a day ( The was a lot of years ago)
95. I went to prom two times with my wife
96. Once when we were married
97. I was married my Sr. year of high school
98. I moved to Oklahoma without a job
99. I had only been on a plane once in my life before I went to college
100. I really want to go to England
101. I want go got to the Olympics someday
102. I was a state qualifier in the Shot Put in High School
103. I used to work at a grocery story
104. I used to be afraid of heights
105. I am not any more
106. I try to be nice to most people
107. I went to high school with a guy who is in the WWE
108. I love history
109. Most of all WWII history
110. I had allergies really bad as a kid
111. I used to take shots for them
112. When I was in the 3rd grade they thought I had a tumor in my leg
113. They thought they were going to have to cut it off
114. Then they found out is was a nerve problem
115. I have a son named Derek
116. Son named Noah
Wife named Amanda
118. I call her Manda
119. My mother-in-law asked me what my “sign” was when I picked up Manda for our first date
120. I like to fish
121. But I never go
122. I like to hunt
123. But I haven’t done it in years
124. My friends and I thought we were going to rob an armored car when we were teens
125. We never did
126. One teacher told me I would be most likely to go to prison
127. I never did
128. I have worked with teens longer then I have done anything else in my life
129. Having a teenage son is tougher then working with teens
130. I love to wrestle with my boys
131. I usually get hurt when I do
132. I think I want to run a marathon
133. But I don’t want to run today
134. I think I have a chest cold
135. I like to pop zits
136. I hate dressing up
137. I like to ware hats
138. but they make my head itch
139. I like to shave my head from time to time
140. I once got infected hair follicles
141. Because I put baby oil on my head
142. I have 8 people in ministry now that used to be my interns
143. My cell phone went off while preaching my wife’s grandpa’s funeral
144. I have only lived in two states
145. I used to have a mustache
146. I had a mustache in the 8th grade
147. I used to love tennis
148. Now I hate it
149. I am really good at ping pong
150. I used to hang from trees as a kid to get taller
151. I had the same best friend from 1st grade till high school graduation
Sunday, April 27, 2008
When God calls
A couple of weeks ago my friend and former professor came to speak at our Church. He talked about getting a call from God. As always he did a wonderful job, but he said something that I can’t get out of my mind. He talked about a calling as something that may not be something that you want to do, but something that God needs you to do! I have got to wonder how many times I have missed the boat on that one! How many times did I not do something because it was too uncomfortable for me? How many times have I found away out of something when it really was what God was calling to do? I don’t know that really rocks my world and makes me wonder when or if I have ever missed God’s call.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A little Definition Time
Ok first let me say I have the best wife ever! If you want to read about how she surprised me for my b-day read her blog. It was the best night I have had in a long time! Now on to what I am writing about. Since I have been working at a new place a lot of people have pointed out that I have some words of phrases I use regularly. I never really thought about it before but I guess that is true. So I thought I would give you definition of “Jeremyism.”
Jacker- This word is used in the same way the phrase “jacking around” would be. Someone who is really goofing off, they are a jacker! (Ex. Any 7th grade boy’s behavior)
Spanker- This is a little stronger then jacker, pretty much anything that a kid does that is still goofing around, but could get spanked for. (Ex. A student in my youth group a few years ago was sleep walking and peed on me in the middle of that night. That kid is a spanker!)
Sweet- A word used by a lot of people just means it cool
Sweet Daddy- My favorite phrase in the world!! It means something really good. (Ex. The burger I had for lunch was sweet daddy.”
Holy Ned- Basically means I can’t believe that just happened! (Ex. Holy Ned did that kid really say that in Bible class!)
Sweet Sassy Melassy- Something that is beyond cool I mean a lot better the sweet daddy. (Ex. The new TV Amanda just purchased is sweet sassy melassy!)
Glorious!- The voice tone is everything with this word it is the best of the best; although there are times where it can be use sarcastically again its all about voice tone. (Ex. The Bon Jovi concert last night was GLORIOUS!!!!!)
Tool Shed- Somebody who is a real big dork! (Ex. Again 7th grade boy behavior)
Door #3- This one is classified if you’re in full-time ministry I will tell you later.
Wow I guess I do have a lot of words. Feel free to use them at your discretion just please use them in the proper settings.
Jacker- This word is used in the same way the phrase “jacking around” would be. Someone who is really goofing off, they are a jacker! (Ex. Any 7th grade boy’s behavior)
Spanker- This is a little stronger then jacker, pretty much anything that a kid does that is still goofing around, but could get spanked for. (Ex. A student in my youth group a few years ago was sleep walking and peed on me in the middle of that night. That kid is a spanker!)
Sweet- A word used by a lot of people just means it cool
Sweet Daddy- My favorite phrase in the world!! It means something really good. (Ex. The burger I had for lunch was sweet daddy.”
Holy Ned- Basically means I can’t believe that just happened! (Ex. Holy Ned did that kid really say that in Bible class!)
Sweet Sassy Melassy- Something that is beyond cool I mean a lot better the sweet daddy. (Ex. The new TV Amanda just purchased is sweet sassy melassy!)
Glorious!- The voice tone is everything with this word it is the best of the best; although there are times where it can be use sarcastically again its all about voice tone. (Ex. The Bon Jovi concert last night was GLORIOUS!!!!!)
Tool Shed- Somebody who is a real big dork! (Ex. Again 7th grade boy behavior)
Door #3- This one is classified if you’re in full-time ministry I will tell you later.
Wow I guess I do have a lot of words. Feel free to use them at your discretion just please use them in the proper settings.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Inside Alameda
I was driving home today thinking about life. I know that most of you who read this are people I am going to talk about in this blog. Others of you will never meet these people. I have worked with some pretty cool staff’s in my time in ministry. To be honest there are days that I really miss the guys and girls that I used to work with, but you know I would not trade the people I work with now for anything. I really wish everyone who doesn’t work in the Alameda office could experience a little of that life. So I am going to give you a little glimpse into the personalities as I see them.
Rusty- He is the leader, and to be honest one of the most talented preachers I have ever worked with (Rusty don’t tell Shon and Kent that there ego’s couldn’t take it)! He is so passionate about his family, ministry and Alameda. Anyone who talks with him can see his passion for God and ministry. He has one of the best laughs I have ever heard. He will tell you that he can be a bit of a nerd, but there is a little bit of a wild side in there and I feel it is my calling to bring it out! As I have told him before the rest of the staff makes him so much cooler then he would be if we were not around. All joking aside I will stand beside him anytime as my leader, brother and friend!
Six (The big Indian)- Darrin and I fight like two brother should, but to be honest I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love joking with him he makes my life fun all the time. Truthfully he has been a great friend for a lot of years, and I have met very few people who have as many talents in ministry as this guy. He can be just as passionate as Rusty and I but he also knows when to play it cool. Just so you know I have to say these nice things about Six because I am pretty sure he could and may kill me someday.
O- She was the X factor when I started working at Alameda. I was pretty sure she didn’t like me at all. She has become the mom figure I wished I would have had growing up. She is so spiritual and when she speaks I listen because she is so wise. I got to be honest because I work with teens people over 55 usually freak me out. Not O like I have told her she is the coolest old lady I have ever met. In my opinion she is one of the best ministers to people in the Church today.
Mike- Is ether the scariest or funniest guy I have ever been around. He is the only person that can tease me and I have absolutely no come back for. At least I think its teasing if its not I will go the scariest guy I know. All kidding aside he may have the toughest job of all of us and handles it so well. I have never met anyone who didn’t respect Mike including myself and he really does make ministry easy for me.
Jenny- Is one of the best assistants I have ever been around. Trust me I have been around some good ones. I just wish she was my assistant!! She understands ministry and she pays attention to what is important. She keeps us all in line and I love her since of humor. Most of all she is a great friend I don’t know where my wife would be without her. Brian and Jenny truly love youth ministry which makes them so important to what I do. There have been a lot of good things and people that have made my first few months at Alameda work but none of been more important them Brian and Jenny, and I will always love them for that.
Pam- In all honesty Pam is talented enough to be making millions, it’s just lucky for all of us she loves ministry more then money! She is the reason why anything we do looks good. She is one of the craziest, funniest people I have ever met and I love her for it! She makes life so much fun. She is also one of the most kind, gentle, loving and spiritual people I know. I sometimes forget how young she is because she puts life into perspective for me in so many ways. She is so many different peoples rock I just hope we as a staff can be a rock for her when she needs it.
Me where do I fit in? Well I am a calming influence that keeps everybody from getting to crazy! Please, if you believe that I got some swamp land to sell you. I am just blessed to work with this crazy group that loves God and people so much. We are all where we are for a reason and that is so cool!
Rusty- He is the leader, and to be honest one of the most talented preachers I have ever worked with (Rusty don’t tell Shon and Kent that there ego’s couldn’t take it)! He is so passionate about his family, ministry and Alameda. Anyone who talks with him can see his passion for God and ministry. He has one of the best laughs I have ever heard. He will tell you that he can be a bit of a nerd, but there is a little bit of a wild side in there and I feel it is my calling to bring it out! As I have told him before the rest of the staff makes him so much cooler then he would be if we were not around. All joking aside I will stand beside him anytime as my leader, brother and friend!
Six (The big Indian)- Darrin and I fight like two brother should, but to be honest I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love joking with him he makes my life fun all the time. Truthfully he has been a great friend for a lot of years, and I have met very few people who have as many talents in ministry as this guy. He can be just as passionate as Rusty and I but he also knows when to play it cool. Just so you know I have to say these nice things about Six because I am pretty sure he could and may kill me someday.
O- She was the X factor when I started working at Alameda. I was pretty sure she didn’t like me at all. She has become the mom figure I wished I would have had growing up. She is so spiritual and when she speaks I listen because she is so wise. I got to be honest because I work with teens people over 55 usually freak me out. Not O like I have told her she is the coolest old lady I have ever met. In my opinion she is one of the best ministers to people in the Church today.
Mike- Is ether the scariest or funniest guy I have ever been around. He is the only person that can tease me and I have absolutely no come back for. At least I think its teasing if its not I will go the scariest guy I know. All kidding aside he may have the toughest job of all of us and handles it so well. I have never met anyone who didn’t respect Mike including myself and he really does make ministry easy for me.
Jenny- Is one of the best assistants I have ever been around. Trust me I have been around some good ones. I just wish she was my assistant!! She understands ministry and she pays attention to what is important. She keeps us all in line and I love her since of humor. Most of all she is a great friend I don’t know where my wife would be without her. Brian and Jenny truly love youth ministry which makes them so important to what I do. There have been a lot of good things and people that have made my first few months at Alameda work but none of been more important them Brian and Jenny, and I will always love them for that.
Pam- In all honesty Pam is talented enough to be making millions, it’s just lucky for all of us she loves ministry more then money! She is the reason why anything we do looks good. She is one of the craziest, funniest people I have ever met and I love her for it! She makes life so much fun. She is also one of the most kind, gentle, loving and spiritual people I know. I sometimes forget how young she is because she puts life into perspective for me in so many ways. She is so many different peoples rock I just hope we as a staff can be a rock for her when she needs it.
Me where do I fit in? Well I am a calming influence that keeps everybody from getting to crazy! Please, if you believe that I got some swamp land to sell you. I am just blessed to work with this crazy group that loves God and people so much. We are all where we are for a reason and that is so cool!
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