By EricBaldwin on 12/17/2008 12:42 PM

I love this time of the year.  Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday of the year (followed by Thanksgiving and 4th of July).  I’m not just talking about the presents either.  In addition to being with friends and family, we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.   It’s almost too much for me to comprehend that God; God Almighty, God of the universe, King of kings and Lord or lords; would allow Himself to be born as a human being on this planet.  That He would become a baby that had to rely on two other imperfect human beings for life is just crazy.  To be born in an overlooked part of the Roman Empire to a people group that never seemed like they could get their act together is almost laughable.  The big question is WHY?  Why would God do that?  Because He loved us so much that he wanted to save us and have a relationship with us.  Why?  I don’t really have an answer.  I gue ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 12/10/2008 2:03 PM

Do you ever have one those times where the same random piece of trivia or information or topic of conversation comes up in two totally unrelated environments?  Like how you are talking with your co-workers about what year Gutenberg invented the printing press and then it shows up as a question on Jeopardy that night.  (It was 1439, by the way.)  Usually I would say that something like that is just a weird coincidence, but has it ever happened in your spiritual life?  Like how you could be looking at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where he says to leave your gift at the altar and settle matters with your brother first and then you hear the same piece of scripture on Sunday at church.  Maybe when that happens it’s not coincidence.  Maybe God is trying to get your attention but you aren’t listening so He has to say it twice. 
Has that ever happened to you?  It’s happened to me this last week.  In two different set ... Read More »

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 »