Every four years the United Methodist Church holds a massive youth rally over the summer to reach thousands of students. There are two this year projected to reach over 10,000. Check it out at www.youth2011.org

One of our rezlife praise bands will be part of the line-up, as well as our Resurrection's own Gracie Schram. Gracie has been raising monies for missions in Africa (over 19,000 so far) through her song writing and performing. She sings in one of our rezlife bands and is in the 7th grade! You can check out here story and videos of her songs at her web-site http://site.showersfromgod.com/

I will be teaching workshops for students and adult leaders in both gatherings (Purdue University and Sacramento, CA). I'm praying now that the Holy Spirit will transform lives through this event this summer!

Vacation this summer in breathtaking Estes Park, Colorado! Each day in the Rocky Mountains gather for engaging worship and fellowship in Christian community. I hope you'll join me, my wife, and our two daughters this summer for a fun-filled family adventure.

With activities available such as; hiking, mountain biking, white-water rafting, horseback riding, etc. your family will be able to design each day to fit your vacation style. I'm most excited about waking up Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning to worship together beginning the day of adventure! Each participant will receive a t-shirt and a family devotional packet to take with you as you set out on your adventure. Thursday and Monday are considered travel days. Register now at

www.cor.org/vacation

Below is a detailed PDF flyer to download. Please call if you have any questions. My office number is 913-544-0718 or email me at tami.casey@cor.org (Tami Casey is my awesome and amazing Coordinating Assistant)

I rediscovered my love of baseball this past season. Here is a pic of me dragging my parents to a Royals game on their last visit only to discover I'd bought the wrong day of tickets earlier online. Thankfully we got in-that doesn't seem to be a big problem here in KC. The Royals don't necessarily "bring em in by the thousands"!

So pitchers and catchers report on Feb 14th and word on the street from my fellow Royals fans are we have some great prospects this year-Let's Go Royals, clap clap clap clap clap!

I have been teaching for the past four weeks on Jesus' be-Attitudes. It's been very renewing spiritually to study these simple to remember, yet sometimes seemingly impossible to live into. We also developed a video small group curriculum to go alongside this series for our rezlife high school students.

Here are the 8 be-attitudes...
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be fulfilled
Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God
Blessed are the peacemakers for they will called the children of God
Blessed are those who are persecuted

It seems to me that one of the most important notations to the be-attitudes are that they were, in fact, Jesus' opening illustration to the Sermon on the Mount! His opening words! That speaks to me and now I feel convicted after this teaching series to immerse myself into these 8 be-attitudes for the rest of 2011! Join me will you?