Author Archives: geoffcocanower

Feb 3 2012

Been thinking about Hurting.

“In this world, you will have trouble…” – Jesus

Isn’t it fascinating that Jesus comes to this world, spends his life spreading the Good News, performing healings, flipping the occasional table, pressing people to know God as their Lord, tells people of this Kingdom of God that seems to be like the utopian society that their government was telling them they could have, and yet he tells them that they will still have trouble.

Seems a bit off, doesn’t it? I mean come on, “If our God is for us, then who could be against us?” Right? Doesn’t that mean comfort? Doesn’t that mean whatever I want, whatever I think I need, it is taken care of? Jesus comes, dies, rises again, sends the Holy Spirit to live in us, and reminds us that we will have trouble; that things aren’t going to be so “peachy-keen” after all. Continue reading →

Twitter-Facebook
Feb 1 2012

Conflict on Facebook and Twitter is Dumb

It’s funny to me how “drama” seems to follow people like a cloud of gnats on a hot summer day. But, more than that, recently I have been watching as more and more people have been jumping onto Twitter for its streamlined and  seemingly more “private” home. But, there is something that I can’t get over and find it somewhat troublesome when it comes to how people are using it.

The use of Twitter for resolving conflict or sharing a beef with someone is becoming more and more prevalent. And I have one question to ask in response to the idea that Twitter might be a positive way to share your personal issues:

Why give something from your heart to a world that doesn’t care when you could give it to someone who cares the world for you?

I just struggle with it. For a couple reasons:

  1. Who, through Twitter, really cares? Let’s be real honest with ourselves. When I swipe through the posts on Twitter, when I see someone complaining about someone else, I typically keep skimming on by. Maybe that is just me, but it just doesn’t seem profitable for me to get involved with someone else’s “drama.”
  2. Is public profession of frustration the best way to handle the situation? As I look at it, every situation that I have ever had in life where I was frustrated with another person, never (or very rarely) became resolved by telling everybody else about it. Most times, it took me “manning up” and approaching that person or persons about the problem that I had with them. There is just something about talking with a person one-on-one instead of slandering them to the world.
  3. It’s self-promotion and self-pity. If we are honest with ourselves, all we are doing when we post something that is rooted in our frustration with someone else, is fishing for affirmation of our position. And most times, that position is rooted in our own desire to be right or justified in our emotions. That’s not healthy, it’s not beneficial, and does nothing to resolve the situation.

So there are some thoughts. I just don’t see the value in trying to handle conflict through social media. It’s not loving. It’s not fruitful. And frankly, I think it’s just plain dumb. There I said it.

Jan 31 2012

A New Event JAM-PACKED with Fun and Purpose

That’s right- “If and overnighter and a retreat had a baby, this is what it would be.”

We are really excited to be taking 100 Senior High Students and Leaders on what should be one of the coolest, most jam-packed overnight trip to Ft. Wayne… EVER. It all takes place on March 9-10 and you really don’t want to miss it!

During our worship times and group times, we are going to be taking a serious look at Matthew 5:16 and focus in on these words: “Let Your Light Shine.” Come join us!

Here’s how it works:

  • Friday Night: Komets Hockey Game, Food, Worship, Stay in a Hotel
  • Saturday Morning: TAWG, Food, Laser Tag
  • Saturday Afternoon: Food, Worship, Jesus
  • Saturday Night: Jesus, Food, Jesus
  • Home by 8:30pm.

This might be the best event for $42 if you sign up by Sunday. The Final Deadline is February 26 and the cost goes up to $50. We are staying in a hotel and it’s going to be an awesome time to bond together and have a ton of fun. If you have questions, email me or send me a facebook message!

Jan 30 2012

An Experience in Leadership

In my line of work, volunteers and volunteer “care” is something that I interact with on a regular basis. So, when I volunteer, I am doing the job and analytically looking at how things go. Recently, I got a great lesson that every leader that leads any level or amount of volunteers needs to recognize.

The reality is this:

No one cares if they are a volunteer or a staff person, so as a leader, they need to know you are on their side. Continue reading →

Jan 29 2012

At The Center of It All…

It’s 10:15pm and my buddy Joe just called me. That has nothing to do with the rest of this post, except to cite when this took place.

I had a shift in my heart tonight. It goes to the tune of this:

At the center of Freedom, is Joy. A Joy that passes all understanding and completely releases a person from the bondage of what they were, who they were, and ultimately into the character of who God has created them to be. Continue reading →

Jan 25 2012

Helping a Student Know

Last Wednesday, Derry, at the end of the message portion, offered students the opportunity to respond, by standing, to their recognition of what God was doing in their heart. Many stood in response to the two different opportunities, whether that was to accept a relationship with Him for the first time or to reaffirm a relationship and not the standards of religion. Afterward, I had a leader ask me how to revisit the night, and those decisions, in their small group the next week. I gave her three pointers. Continue reading →

Jan 20 2012

My Next Few Months

It’s been a pretty crazy couple of months the last few and the next few are typically some of the craziest months of the school year for us in Student Ministries. But, it looks like I will be making it even more crazy. I’m so pumped because the “crazy” of the next few months is going to be full of ministry opportunities, places I have never been before, doing some things I have never done before. I’m more excited than ever because of the vision that I am beginning to have regarding the next couple of months.

It’s pretty clear some of the things that are next in my life. What about you? What are the things that you are going to be heading into in the next few months?

Leave it in the comments!