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Invincible Youth Ministry Conference Tour

Random thoughts on a Sunday morning…

Posted on Sunday 16 April 2006 by Greg @ 7:51 am
Filed under: Rants

I’m sitting in Starbucks looking at another beautiful Colorado sunrise, once again amazed at the power, creativity and benevolence of God. He is someting else…literally. He is totally different from anything I have seen on this planet. Just the sight of the sun rising shows his majestic bent toward beautiful things and the warmth of the sun rising shows his love for all humankind, the rays of warmth extend to everyone everywhere.

Speaking of the sun rising on a Sunday morning…it just happens to be Easter as I pound out these words on my overworked, crumb-infested keyboard (so I like pastries and coffee on Easter morning…don’t you?) The sun rising and the Son risen, the warmth of his love extending to all men everywhere, the rays of his outstretched hands offering all men everywhere the warmth and beauty of his divine embrace.

Reach out your hands and receive his love if you haven’t. Lift up your hands and praise him if you have.

Signed, Greg Stier

16 Comments for 'Random thoughts on a Sunday morning…'

  1. On April 17, 2006 @ 12:09 pm Some Body said:
    • That was awesomely written Greg!!!! If you ever retire from Dare2Share and the like, you should be a poet!!!

    • Permalink to Some Body's comment

  2. On April 17, 2006 @ 12:59 pm Nikki said:
    • Hey! I just wanted to wish you a happy Easter!!!! I also wanted to tell tell you a little about my Dare 2 Share experience! I attended the Conference in St.Louis and I was just so amazed and excited about what was going to take place. Going to this event really really stretched me out of my comfort zone. As our youth group was heading out to our can goods collecting spot, I and two other friends (Sabra and Kassie) were SO nervous about what we were about to do. As were driving down the highway, all 3 of us were in in the front seat in prayer. We all were kind of to ourselves praying while everyone else in the van was all yelling and having fun. I was so nervous my stomach hurt and I was about to  cry; I tried hard not too.. and then Walk By Faith started to play on Tim’s Ipod… that was it.. I started to to shed a few tears and I just listened to the song. I realized that I should just stop crying and put all of my faith in God. I can make it!! With God I can do anything! We got the place we were going to do collecting from and me and my two other friends walked to the first house. As we walked we were kind of arguing about who would go first. Our Youth Pastor told us that we should all at least once try to witness without the help of the other people in the group with us. Boy was that hard… lol The first several houses we went to, the people didn’t want to hear when we had to say but the gave us some can goods anyways. Then we came to one house and it was Kassie’s turn to witness. It was so unexpected when the lady say she’d like to hear our opinion and Kassie just froze. So I took over and in the end, we all had something to say to the lady and it turned out she was Christian and believed everything we had to say and that was so encouraging. We weren’t as nervous in going out and talking to others in the area and we all, in the end, witnessed to at least one person. Eventually we had to leave and even though it was freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing cold, I still wanted to stay and witness some more. I had such an awesome time that weekend and I’m so looking forward to next year!! God Bless and see ya next year!!!!! Sister in Christ, Nikki 

    • Permalink to Nikki's comment

  3. On April 17, 2006 @ 3:55 pm Paige Couch said:
    • Hey Greg. I loved your blog! I know that sometimes you just have to sit still for a moment and look at all the amazing things that God does for us. And some of the things we take for granted and we shouldn’t! Um, I have a favor to ask of you, if you don’t mind. Could you pray for my older sister? She’s really struggling in her faith right now. It’s like….she says she believes but she doesn’t know…that doesn’t even make any sense but if you would please pray for her! Her name is Jessica! Thank you! I love you!! Paige Couch. Manchester, Georgia. Paigey_Pooh90@yahoo.com

    • Permalink to Paige Couch's comment

  4. On April 17, 2006 @ 4:45 pm Alex Burt said:
    • Easter,  the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.  What an awsome day.  I am currently going through "The Gospel Journey" with my youth group in Sunday School.  This Sunday as I was getting the DVD ready, it hit me that we were to the ‘P’ episode.  The way you used the lamb to make the reality of a sacrifice come home to us all was awsome.  You could have heard a pin drop as you were talking about what Jesus went through as He was mocked, spit on, beaten, had a crown of thorns driven onto His head, and finally was nailed to the cross where He died for all the sins of everyone.  As we were gathered to celebrate the Resurrection, God used Greg to remind us of what took place before that glorious day!  I don’t think anyone left there thinking about Easter eggs and the Easter bunny, but they did leave with a vivid memory of the price that was paid for our salvation.  Thanks Greg.  I really don’t think you will ever know how you are touching teenagers, and us older kids as well.

    • Permalink to Alex Burt's comment

  5. On April 17, 2006 @ 5:01 pm Littlekbaker said:
    • Colorado is so beautiful, my favorite place in the whole wide world.(accept, i haven’t been many places in the world…) I get to go to Estes park for the 3 or 4th time this summer with church! I have never seen a sunrise in CO, but i have seen many sunsets and they are so pretty. This Easter was kind of hard for me because i have 5 siblings and only 2 of them could be here. Holidays are usually so fun for me because i get to see most of my brothers and sisters, but yesterday kind of taught me its not about who is around, but what Jesus really did. Yesterday wasn’t a very exciting or fun Easter for me and i didn’t really like it, but i always take for granted that Jesus died. Because of him, i can be right here typing. Thanks for your thoughts on Easter and Merry Easter! (i am against saying happy, well not really, but hey, why not?) Katie in St.louis

    • Permalink to Littlekbaker's comment

  6. On April 17, 2006 @ 5:06 pm becky said:
    • very good illerstation

    • Permalink to becky's comment

  7. On April 17, 2006 @ 8:56 pm Ashley Buckner said:
    •  I like the way you think about those things Greg. You know about the sun and the Son. Here in Washington we were having the worst weather last week. Rainy, windy and we even had a couple of small snow storms. Yet on Sunday morning I woke up to hearing siblings screaming at me to get up because the Easter bunny came and to the sun shining through my window. The sky was so blue I wish you could have seen it. So all in all what a great Easter day it was. Well to put this to a close I liked the rant.  Except now I’m craving a donut or some other kind of pastry. (With a Starbucks Mocha on the side.) L8r. Signing Off, Ashley P.S. Praise the Lord.

    • Permalink to Ashley Buckner's comment

  8. On April 18, 2006 @ 8:57 am Brenda Canupp said:
    • Our Youth Pastor preached once about those dreary rainy days you’re talking about Ashley.  He said if you were to hop in a plane and head up, guess what, the sun is still shining on those days, just the clouds block it.  His sermon was that the Son always shines in our lives and in our hearts, so long as we don’t let the clouds block it out.  Cool huh?  Lovingly praying that the Son shines in your heart today.  B.

    • Permalink to Brenda Canupp's comment

  9. On April 18, 2006 @ 12:14 pm KC said:
    • Oh my goodness! You have been given the gift of word realization. What I mean is you have such a way with words and that is why you are such a powerful speaker I loved this blog entry, but you may not be a "blogger" but that’s cool because when I read your entrys it’s as if your right next to me telling me all of this! I can’t wait to see you at GameDay next year. Praise the Lord!! <>< Your sister KC

    • Permalink to KC's comment

  10. On April 18, 2006 @ 3:19 pm JS said:
    • This Easter meant so much more than others.  I’m praying expectantly to say something profound, but I can’t get Jesus off of my mind.  Let the revival begin with me.  Let others see "it" in me. 

    • Permalink to JS's comment

  11. On April 18, 2006 @ 7:07 pm Tara said:
    •  HAH…so yeah here in Texas by the time the sun is fully risen you’re SWEATING! So in order to watch the sun rise it is best to stay inside with the AC at 56 degrees! So anyways, my church always has a sunrise service when everyone gets up at like 5:00 AM and sit and watch the sunrise while reading scripture. I’ll be honest, usually for this service I’m dead-dog tired and the only thing I can really think about it breakfast. Well this time it was cloudy out, and you really couldn’t see the sun at all, but just as the scripture ws being read about the tomb being empty, the sun peeked through a little bit of the clouds and it shown bright! I smiled as the beautiful rays touched my skin and I felt their warmth, and I oddly enough remembered the popular Sheryl Crow song, "I Wanna Soak Up the Sun" except in a new version–"I Wanna Soak Up the SON!" So, next time you hear that song you can smile, look up in the sky and see that beautiful sun, and think of the SON who LOST his life, so we could live. Now thats a true loser. God Bless!                                                                                                                                  -Tara Barker

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  12. On April 19, 2006 @ 3:15 pm John in Texas said:
    • Okay man, I have to ask — Do you live at Starbucks? Have they figured out the money they would pull in if they opened next door to your house? Couple of comments — Easter was special this year. My 4yr old - Josiah - he gets it — it was awesome to share it with him for real this year — not that anyone needed to know that - but that’s my boy // Thanks for St Louie it was great for my kids // we have been through the gospel journey training sessions - will do the outreach in the fall // working on the e-team // if you ever second guess what you do - stop guessing, if you ever doubt the ministry of d2s - quit doubting // good reads — Ruthless Trust - Brennan Manning, Pursuit of God / Pursuit of Man - A.W. Tozer peace and blessings bro oh yeah love the new site

    • Permalink to John in Texas's comment

  13. On April 19, 2006 @ 5:03 pm Adam said:
    • Awesome entry Greg! It’s a real blessing to read everyone else’s entries an see how much christ has impacted their lives through you.  A special note for Paige Couch.  I hope you know that anyone who read your entry will be praying for you and your sister.  Don’t give up and keep encouraging her and the Lord will bless you both.  Thanks again greg and most importantly God for this ministry.

    • Permalink to Adam's comment

  14. On April 21, 2006 @ 12:23 pm comfort said:
    • www.NeedGod.com

    • Permalink to comfort's comment

  15. On April 22, 2006 @ 11:16 am Allysonhymn said:
    • Can I just say that the words penned there are amazing, but that they truly don’t touch the aww of the event.  On Easter morning I was standing in a field teaching my first sunrise service and the sunrise… pardon me Sonrise was over whelming.  You are truly right God is like nothing we have ever seen on this planet, as the sun rose above the hills that mourning and the warmth of it kissed our souls, it was a mere glimpse of something far greater that lies ready for us as we cross into Heaven.  I can’t wait for that day!!!!  I have never been to Dare2Share but can’t wait to take a group for the first time like 3 days after i get back from my honeymoon lol love the thought of it.  Thank you so much for the ministry that you let God have through you.  Justin Banks

    • Permalink to Allysonhymn's comment

  16. On April 29, 2006 @ 9:15 pm Darci said:
    • its nice to know that jesus cared enough to die on the cross for us…isnt it?  not only that but how amazing is it to know that he rose from the dead?  i am so excited to have a savior that did that and a god that loves me as much as he has.  my easter was very interesting.  the friday before we went to my grandmas house to see my grandpa because he had gotten sick.  he had alzheimers for a while and it had worsened but then he just started getting really sick.  it turned out he had a stroke and was also battling pnemonia.  so we were just planning on checking on him and then going out to eat but he just kept getting sicker.  we stayed up the whole night (the house was crowded by then-the whole family was there) and we were up all the next day.  my grandpa died saturday night right after we all prayed in the living room.  it was like he knew it was ok to go then and it was amazing.  to be honest i was relieved that he wasnt hurting anymore and that he was with god but all at the same time i didnt want him to go.  it was one of the weirdest feelings ever because i had never been old enough to remember a grandparent dying.  we went to church the next morning and all my friends were just there for me.  i was also in the easter play…i almost started crying in the middle of it though.   i couldnt believe how i felt.  i knew god was there and he was watching my back but i still wasnt feeling better about the whole death thing.  i didnt cry at the funeral which is weird because i bawled at my grandmas.  we had youth group the night of the funeral and somehow all my tears came out there.  i felt like i could cry and my friends and youth pastor would understand.  i am still having a hard time dealing with it but i am doing better and what made me better about it was my youth pastors message.  he talked about how when you are broke or hurting you need to tell at least one person so they can be there for you.  he also said that you need to watch out for people who look like they are hurting and you need to just wrap your arms around them and let them know that you love them.  that is so helpful because that is without a doubt what jesus would do.  i know i got a little off topic…sorry about that.  i just need one favor, pray for my family.  i will pray for all of you so that you can continue to make your relationship with jesus better and get to know him better.  by the way, greg, you rock.  you always find some odd way to get through to our thick-teenage-stubborn heads that god loves us and that he is always there for us, you are also the only person that can do the napoleon dance without laughing or messing up.  total props to you.  well see you at game day!  laterz darci

    • Permalink to Darci's comment

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