Our Theme: Scarred
I heard someone call a guy she knew "damaged goods because of the life he had been handed. It had been a rough one and, because of this, she saw him as broken and scarred. I wonder if, because of the perception of people like my friend, he saw himself the same way. So often we look at scars as a bad thing. But why? Aren’t the scars we wear filled with story? Aren’t they just another way we are made unique? "What, this scar? Well, you see, I was riding my motorcycle when… A scar can either embarrass us or be worn as a badge of honor. A scar can speak volumes about our lives without a word being said, either by where/how we got it or by what we have done in spite of it. The most beautiful scars are ones that speak of real love and honest sacrifice. Jesus was scarred for our sake, and because of his scars, we are healed. As far as God is concerned, it seems being scarred isn’t so bad.
Our Speaker: Deaconess Kristen Baltrum
Kristen is a pretty darn cool chick. She’s from Chicago and is now living and serving in Colorado, which she got to via Kentucky, where she went right before she lived in Virginia, but after she had spent a year in the Virgin Islands… and she really digs SoCal. Did we mention that she loves Jesus? Her personal motto is "Fun is Awesome! and her life proves that we should have fun as claimed, called, and redeemed children of God. Kristen is a deaconess with the Lutheran Deaconess Association (which we’re sure you can tell by looking at her picture on the right), and she believes that our scars tell a story, and that those stories need to be told. She lives with a rocket scientist (for real!) who calls her "Wife and two very short people who follow her around calling her "Mommy". Kristen is currently attending Luther Seminary, working on a Master’s Degree in Youth and Family Ministry.
Saturday Night Concert: DSM
DSM hails from Orange County in Southern California, and brings an aggressive edge to the music culture. They seek to inspire young people to do the most meaningful thing they can with their life: Worship God. From edgy rock to bright poppy choruses, DSM brings a unique blend of influence to the worship experience. Go to www.myspace.com/dsmband and check them out online download some music, and get to know these rockstars before you actually get to meet them!
