By EricBaldwin on 11/19/2008 10:31 AM

Everyone is busy.  Unfortunately, it seems like that has become the default excuse for anyone that doesn’t want to do something or has failed to follow through on a commitment they made.  I’ve used it many times myself.   It’s true that some people aren’t very good at time management and that others have a hard time using the word “No.”  If we are honest with ourselves, we know that a person is only as busy as they let themselves be. 
Jesus teaches us that where our treasure is there our heart is also.  I also think that you can tell where a person’s heart is by looking at where their time is spent.  If you spend a lot of time with your Xbox or PlayStation then it’s obviously important to you.  If you have to talk to a certain guy or girl any chance you get, then I would say that that person means a lot to you.  If you take time to read your Bible or go to church then I can tell that you think those ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 9/17/2008 2:49 PM

The beginning of September doesn’t just mean the end of summer, for most of us it also is the beginning of a new year.  Students are back in school, the weather will start turning cooler soon, and football is back on TV (finally!) For Leah and myself, it’s the beginning of many new things.

In the youth ministry, we have a new name: Exit 22.  Simply put, our goal on the narrow road is to love God and to serve others.  The middle school is also on a new night with a whole new staff.  We will be in The Café from 6:30-8:00 on Thursday nights now.  The high school will be on Sundays from 6:30-8:30. 
Just being a youth pastor is new to me, but I’m definitely excited about what God is going to do in this new year.

By EricBaldwin on 8/18/2008 12:12 PM

I substitute taught for the high school Sunday school class this week and we talked about prayer.  The following is our Sunday school class' prayer based on what Jesus taught his closest followers.  I think it's pretty cool because we wrote this as a group and then read it together before leaving class.

 

Glorious Father who sits on His throne in heaven. Set apart be your precious name.Your amazingness and splendor come here like in heaven.  Give us your physical and spiritual food everyday.  Cleanse us of all our faults just as we forgive the faults of others.  Keep our eyes and our hearts pure and keep us safe and out of danger.

Amen

By EricBaldwin on 8/6/2008 9:15 AM

One week and one day from now the high school youth group will be headed north to go canoeing on the Pere Marquette River.  While looking for a place to camp, I realized that the river runs right by a town called Baldwin.  This has got to be the most beautiful town in Michigan.  I can't wait to see my town and rule over the Baldwinites that live there.  If you are in high school and you want to be a part of our canoe adventure then let me know this week!

PS. Happy Birthday, Leah....I love you.

By EricBaldwin on 7/31/2008 10:23 PM

I am in Peoria, IL tonight for the annual Fellowship of Evangelical Churches conference.  It's being held at Northwoods Community Church.  It's interesting to me because I have never been a part of a conference of churches before so I don't really know what to expect with this conference. The theme this year is Building on a Firm Foundation.  This is challenging in two ways.  First, I've realized that it's good to have a firm foundation of Biblical churches and I'm thankful for that.  Secondly, I've already been encouraged to continue the building and I hope I can do that in Lawton.

By EricBaldwin on 7/17/2008 10:36 PM

It seems like my life has been constantly changing lately and I guess it's not going to stop anytime soon.  When I came to the church, Pastor Roger was the lead pastor and Pastor Mike was the Associate Pastor (formerly Associate Pastor of Youth). Unfortunately for us, Pastor Mike will be packing up on Saturday to move to Idaho.  Things are going to be different now.  It's been great having Pastor Mike around as a resource to ask questions about ministry, kids, the church, this part of Michigan, and Taco Tuesday. 

In the meantime, I have been trying to get to know some of the students of the ministry this summer.  This week, some of the seventh graders from our middle school group came to the church.  It was crazy how much fun we had with my new MacBook, some markers, and paper bags.  For the entire three part series that we performed go to YouTube and search for "Crazy Pizza Pals."  I think it's goin ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 6/9/2008 9:49 AM

The rain had passed.  The grass was damp.  And the sun began to peak through the clouds as the players took to the field with full stomachs of corn chips and grilled hot dogs in a volleyball game for the ages...Experience vs. Youth.  With a non-partial judge on the ladder and a competent back-up score keeper at the helm, the game began with an overhead serve of the Extreme Sports Elmo Ball.  The Teens were caught off guard as the ball fell to the ground giving the Wise Parents a quick one-point advantage.  (Maybe the teens had overlooked the shrewdness of their opponent.)  Play quickly resumed and Adam "The Beast" Winner was given a stern verbal warning about spiking the ball and intimidation.  It was obvious that everyone's competitive spirit was on overdrive this day, but luckily the judge was there to keep order.  Back and forth the game went with only a minor interruption by the occasional rogue leaf.

< ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 6/2/2008 9:45 AM

The weather is finally starting to get nice here in Michigan.  I was beginning to think that it would never happen!  The students aren't out of school yet, but we've kicked off our laid back summer schedule with a cook out at our house.  Our house is next door to the church's large yard which is perfect for playing Ultimate Frisbee.

 

 

 

I accidently created a group on facebook called BBQ @ The Baldwin's.  Check it out to see more pics from Sunday night.

We are doing this again on Sunday, June 8, and this time all of the parents are invited t ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 5/28/2008 9:42 AM

I've always been the type of person that went against stereotypes.  For instance, there aren't too many inner city youth workers that drive pick up trucks and listen to country music.  And most people wouldn't think that a short, not slim, white person would enjoy playing basketball as much as I do.  So when I decided to move to move to Michigan to become a youth pastor most people thought I would pick up the guitar, grow a goatee, wear my cell phone on my belt, and start playing golf.  I had planned to avoid all of these things just to go against stereotypes but something happened last weekend that I can't deny...I played golf and had fun!  I knew I would have fun with the guys that I went with, Caleb, Jake, and Adam, which is why I decided to go but I actually had fun playing the game.  I think it's because I shot a 51 on 9 holes!  That is like 25 under what I normally shoot.  It's amazing how much fun this game can be when the ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 5/20/2008 5:22 PM

A major change in life can make anyone nervous.  Am I making the right decision?  Should I go another route?  Who else will be affected by this?  Is this really what God wants me to do or is it what I want to do?  These are the types of questions that make me nervous when I'm faced with a major decision.  Most of the time we don't get the answers to some of these questions until after we have chosen a direction and looked back at where we have been.

When I felt like God was leading me away from ICI these were some of the questions that I had to wrestle with. I was certain that God was calling me on to something else but determing exactly what that was took a lot of prayer and time.  Leah and I prayed for a sense of peace about where we were supposed to go.  After visiting Lawton EMC we realized that this was where God was leading us so we made the move. 

God's peace was with us as ... Read More »