DAA # 3

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APeXMinistries.com

Number 3
March 29th, 2000

Greetings from the headquarters of the international conglomeration known as APeX Ministries. We pray that this Lenten season is providing you the opportunity to reflect on your life and how your faith fits into that.

A few weekends ago we had the good fortune of being in Carmel, IN for their Destination Jesus Retreat. Two very wonderful things came out of this weekend.

First of all, we met Jason Evert. Jason is a 24 year old Catholic apologist who works for Catholic Answers. (No ,an apologist is not someone who apologizes for things that were done wrong… If you are not sure what an apologist is, please visit the Catholic Answers web page at Catholic.com) Jason is a gifted (and very funny) speaker and it was a real joy to work with him. If you have any questions about the Catholic faith (why Catholics believe what they believe) please visit the Catholic Answers web site.

The second wonder we encountered in Indiana was the people running the event. They understood that APeX is more than Gene and Brad. They understood that APeX includes our families. At this point in our lives, that means the lovely Joia Farmer. Now in no way are we going to claim that we work hard (our grandparents worked hard), but being on the road 120 days a year takes a real toll on one's personal life (especially when most of those days are weekends, the time that one's friends and family have off work). The folks in Carmel spoke of Joia as part of the ministry and were grateful for the sacrifice she was making for their young people. The sacrifice of not spending time with her husband so that they could. That sort of support for the ministry we are blessed to be a part of is so appreciated. I know many of you are praying for this ministry and we are very thankful for those prayers. We ask that when you pray for the ministry and those we are blessed to serve that you pray for Joia as well, as she is a part of this ministry.

There is still time to get in artwork for the next paper version of APeX Attacks. It will be out in mid to late April. Send all contributions to PO Box 50395 Washington, DC 20091. If you are not on our mailing list send us your address and we will make sure that you get a copy.

Your brothers in Christ
Gene and Brad

PS: Don't forget to forward this on to your friends who would appreciate this.

Letters, E-mails, and other comments
A Question For You
Ask APeX
Just a thought
Web Page updates
Up coming shows

Letters, E-mails, and Other Comments

"When a woman dresses immodestly and looks for love, she shoots herself in the foot. How so? Women sometimes say, 'It's not my fault if he has a hormone problem if I dress a certain way. That's his problem.' But, it is the woman's problem as well, and this is why: The ladies do not realize how visually oriented men are, and how easily they fall into lustful sins of the mind. But, when a man sins, he becomes separated from Christ, who is the source of unconditional love. Does a woman really want to separate men from the source of the unconditional love that she seeks?" -Jason Evert

Brad was asked, "Why does Gene only have the fingernails on his left hand painted?" He responded, "I think a better question is, 'Why does he have any of his fingernails painted?'"

Other bits and pieces from e-mail…That is very neato how you get to click on your head-not that i would want to injure you in any way to e mail you!!!… I have only been privileged to witness the madness once in my entire life!!! I feel deprived!!! (I think she is talking about us. Now Gene experiences the "madness" all the time and wishes it would go away)…Boys, I hope you are well and witnessing God's unfathomable grace in every moment. (we are trying)… Seeing a new Apex newsletter in my inbox I gasped for joy! Not really, but I thought it might make y'all feel better (Yes, lying to us always makes us feel better)… Hey, keep up the Digital Attacks thing...liking that. Even read the last one. (Wow you even read it. We feel blessed.)...in responce to our question from last time I don't know what book, chapter or verse it is, (this'll give Gene something to do on those lonely nights when he faces the grim reality that he isn't as cool as Brad.)

A Question For You

One of the reasons we participate in APeX is because it is a tool we use to grow in our own faith life. One of the greatest sources of our own growth is from YOU! As one of our readers (Belinda Lanyk) said "To share is illuminate ourselves for ourselves." As always we will give free stuff to those who respond. (A special gift is being created just for APeX, which will not be for sale. Look in future issues for more information on this hand-crafted piece of art.)

Why is the 'e' lowercase in the name APeX? (We are looking for creativity here. The greater the creativity the greater the riches!)

Some of the responses from last time can be found here (as well as Gene and Brad's responses to the question). Do not feel that if we did not put yours here that we did not read it or learn form it. There is limited space and so we had to make some choices.

Send all responses to Question@APeXMinistries.com

Ask APeX

In each Digital APeX Attacks, you, our fine reader, will have the opportunity to get those burning questions that keep you up at night answered. Here are a few questions that have been posed recently.

What are you doing for Lent and why?

Gene: I have cut off most of my lovely blue locks (and much of the rest of my hair). I have shaved my goatee and most of my side burns. I would like to pretend that I am above being concerned about what I look like, but it is not true. I am very particular about the way I look. (Even though I look like a clown most of the time, it is a conscious choice to look that ridiculous). By cutting most of my hair off (which I have done now for three Lents) I am attempting to remind myself that it is not import what I look like but how I live. I am reminded of this every time I look in the mirror. This Lent I am really trying to work on my vanity.

Brad: In my own life, it often gets too easy just to say I'm praying in little bits throughout the day, and not setting aside a specific time to spend with my Best Friend (my God). It is a great thing to say short little prayers throughout the day and just be mindful that you are in His Presence, but I think it's also important to take a chunk of time each day to spend focused on your relationship with God. (Or maybe a better way to say that is not spending time focused on the relationship, but spending time in that relationship.) So, this Lent I am trying to spend more time in prayer, setting aside that chunk of time and doing nothing else. I find a wonderful way to do this is in praying a daily rosary (or two, or three…), and in setting aside time to read Scripture. I don't just say the prayers or read the words… I sit with them for a while. You could call it meditating on it. I think about how things apply in my world, in my life, and in my other relationships… And then, the hard part, I try to live these insights. So I guess the short answer would be, one of the things I'm doing for Lent is trying to say a daily rosary.

Where is the Holy Grail?

Brad: It doesn't matter. Honoring things left behind by notable people isn't uncommon, even outside the Catholic Church. Here in DC, people can see several things at the Smithsonian museums like gowns worn by first ladies, or even Fonzie's jacket from Happy Days and Mr. Roger's sweater. There's nothing wrong with people valuing mementos from a rich historical past. There's nothing wrong with honoring people who live extraordinary, faith-filled lives. There's definitely nothing wrong with worshiping Jesus Christ and wanting to know more about His life…but we don't need things that Christ touched to be in touch with Christ.

Gene: I would check eBay.

Who do you have a secret crush on?

Gene: Bubbles from the Power Puff Girls

Brad: It is no secret… I'm head over heels in love with Joia Farmer!

Please send all Question to AskAPeX@APeXMinistries.com

Just a thought
by gene

We are very blessed in the ministry in which we participate. We do very little marketing to find work. Most of the time people find us either from seeing us at one of the national conferences or from a recommendation from a professional peer. Many times when we get a call for a show it goes something like this. "We run this really great rally. Last year we had Steve Angrisano, the year before, Doug Brummel. The kids we have here are the best and the weekend really touches their lives. We think you would really fit in this year." To say the least we are flattered by invitations like these. Recently we received a little different type of invitation. It was an e-mail that went like this:

"We are a town of about 2,0000 people and we have our problems with youth. I am an 8th grade CCD Religion teacher at [the parish] and I enjoy working with youth …I came across your website while searching on youth websites. I help out a friend of mine who teaches at our local Catholic school and we are in need of people like you that could come in and make a difference in a kid's life, even if you know we are touching only one life … I have read all of your website and it's the pictures of you guys that caught my eye because I am involved with youth everyday and I know the things they like and you guys look cool. I see you are gonna be about 4 hours away from us [later this year] and wish we could take our kids to see you but the funds to get there are hard to find. A lot of these children are from one parent families and are financially unable. Our high school religion classes are 7th through confirmation. I pray that if it is God's will that some arrangements could be made that you could come to our town and just reach out to these kids. There is a high risk of teenage pregnancy, suicide with teens and adults, and also drugs. Just last year a young boy in our town committed suicide in a business parking lot and did it in front of his friends. This has affected so many lives in this town, and again this week a young man took his life and was buried yesterday. We have also had those lose their lives to AIDS. It is a town where everyone knows each other so it in turn effects everyone. Also the rate of pre-marital sex and pregnancy is so high and alcohol. But how can parents tell their children not to have sex when they are having affairs… I am sending in this letter and praying that you might be able to come to our town. I would like to know what you charge, though. We do have other surrounding towns in our Parish, if we advertise I know they would come…If at all possible, if you think you might be of help to us, please email me. I want to make a difference in a kid's life. I have 2 children of my own, a daughter, 12, and son, 3, and I have been married for 16 years. Soon my children will be faced with peer pressures. I want to help these children because if we don't who will? These are good kids who need God in their lives and people like you and I to lead and guide them. Thank you for taking this time and reading my email."

The message basically said, "Help us." It didn't say "We do the best ministry in the world, come be a part of it." It didn't say, "Our ministry changes lives." It said, "Our kids are dying. Help us!" The most touching line is, " would come…If at all possible, if you think you might be of help to us, please email me. I want to make a difference in a kid's life.." Not come and change the world so everything is rosy and great. Instead, if you come you might help one kid and it would be worth it for just that. We fall victim to being prideful of our ministry. I know when I am talking about our ministry, I talk about the wonderful things that we do. How we have this great formula of using play to bring the Gospel message to all ages. Sometimes to sound as if our Super Powers are so great that nothing could stop us. This note has made me pause and think again about how I felt called to this ministry. It has made me think once again of all of the wonderful moments of actual grace we have been blessed with have help the ministry we participate in to grow and flourish. But mostly it caused me to rethink my sometime prideful approach to this ministry. I pray every night that it is a tool to do the Lord's will. I have to remember that I am doing this because I hope I am doing the Lords will and that I am a vessel of God's message and it is possible because of the many blessings God has given us.

Web Page Updates

Our link page has been added to again (one link was recommended by a reader of DAA). If you know of any links we should add, let us know.

http://APeXMinistries.com/links.html

Up coming shows

Please pray for us and for those we are blessed to serve on these date

April 7th - 9th Diocese of Burlington High School Congress
April 15th St. Mathew's, Windom, NH
April 29th Diocese of Syracuse High School Rally
April 30st Diocese of Camden Youth Rally

For a complete list of APeX's Schedule please visit:

http://apexministries.com/FutureShows.html

For booking information you can contact APeX at 888/522-2739

Important note: If you received this e-mail as a forward from someone else and would like to receive Digital APeX Attacks every time it is published, or if for some reason you have received this e-mail in error from APeX please follow this link to add or remove (though we couldn't imagine why you'd want to remove) yourself from the mailing list:

http://apexministries.com/MailingList.html

© 2000 APeX Youth Ministries, Inc.

--"Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."

St. Francis of Assisi

http://APeXMinistries.com

APeXMinistries.com	Number 3 March 29th, 2000
Greetings from the headquarters of the international conglomeration known as APeX Ministries. We pray that this Lenten season is providing you the opportunity to reflect on your life and how your faith fits into that. A few weekends ago we had the good fortune of being in Carmel, IN for their Destination Jesus Retreat. Two very wonderful things came out of this weekend. First of all, we met Jason Evert. Jason is a 24 year old Catholic apologist who works for Catholic Answers. (No ,an apologist is not someone who apologizes for things that were done wrong… If you are not sure what an apologist is, please visit the Catholic Answers web page at Catholic.com) Jason is a gifted (and very funny) speaker and it was a real joy to work with him. If you have any questions about the Catholic faith (why Catholics believe what they believe) please visit the Catholic Answers web site. The second wonder we encountered in Indiana was the people running the event. They understood that APeX is more than Gene and Brad. They understood that APeX includes our families. At this point in our lives, that means the lovely Joia Farmer. Now in no way are we going to claim that we work hard (our grandparents worked hard), but being on the road 120 days a year takes a real toll on one's personal life (especially when most of those days are weekends, the time that one's friends and family have off work). The folks in Carmel spoke of Joia as part of the ministry and were grateful for the sacrifice she was making for their young people. The sacrifice of not spending time with her husband so that they could. That sort of support for the ministry we are blessed to be a part of is so appreciated. I know many of you are praying for this ministry and we are very thankful for those prayers. We ask that when you pray for the ministry and those we are blessed to serve that you pray for Joia as well, as she is a part of this ministry. There is still time to get in artwork for the next paper version of APeX Attacks. It will be out in mid to late April. Send all contributions to PO Box 50395 Washington, DC 20091. If you are not on our mailing list send us your address and we will make sure that you get a copy. Your brothers in Christ Gene and Brad PS: Don't forget to forward this on to your friends who would appreciate this.
Letters, E-mails, and other comments A Question For You Ask APeX Just a thought Web Page updates Up coming shows
Letters, E-mails, and Other Comments "When a woman dresses immodestly and looks for love, she shoots herself in the foot. How so? Women sometimes say, 'It's not my fault if he has a hormone problem if I dress a certain way. That's his problem.' But, it is the woman's problem as well, and this is why: The ladies do not realize how visually oriented men are, and how easily they fall into lustful sins of the mind. But, when a man sins, he becomes separated from Christ, who is the source of unconditional love. Does a woman really want to separate men from the source of the unconditional love that she seeks?" -Jason Evert Brad was asked, "Why does Gene only have the fingernails on his left hand painted?" He responded, "I think a better question is, 'Why does he have any of his fingernails painted?'" Other bits and pieces from e-mail…That is very neato how you get to click on your head-not that i would want to injure you in any way to e mail you!!!… I have only been privileged to witness the madness once in my entire life!!! I feel deprived!!! (I think she is talking about us. Now Gene experiences the "madness" all the time and wishes it would go away)…Boys, I hope you are well and witnessing God's unfathomable grace in every moment. (we are trying)… Seeing a new Apex newsletter in my inbox I gasped for joy! Not really, but I thought it might make y'all feel better (Yes, lying to us always makes us feel better)… Hey, keep up the Digital Attacks thing...liking that. Even read the last one. (Wow you even read it. We feel blessed.)...in responce to our question from last time I don't know what book, chapter or verse it is, (this'll give Gene something to do on those lonely nights when he faces the grim reality that he isn't as cool as Brad.)
A Question For You One of the reasons we participate in APeX is because it is a tool we use to grow in our own faith life. One of the greatest sources of our own growth is from YOU! As one of our readers (Belinda Lanyk) said "To share is illuminate ourselves for ourselves." As always we will give free stuff to those who respond. (A special gift is being created just for APeX, which will not be for sale. Look in future issues for more information on this hand-crafted piece of art.) Why is the 'e' lowercase in the name APeX? (We are looking for creativity here. The greater the creativity the greater the riches!) Some of the responses from last time can be found here (as well as Gene and Brad's responses to the question). Do not feel that if we did not put yours here that we did not read it or learn form it. There is limited space and so we had to make some choices. Send all responses to Question@APeXMinistries.com
Ask APeX In each Digital APeX Attacks, you, our fine reader, will have the opportunity to get those burning questions that keep you up at night answered. Here are a few questions that have been posed recently. What are you doing for Lent and why? Gene: I have cut off most of my lovely blue locks (and much of the rest of my hair). I have shaved my goatee and most of my side burns. I would like to pretend that I am above being concerned about what I look like, but it is not true. I am very particular about the way I look. (Even though I look like a clown most of the time, it is a conscious choice to look that ridiculous). By cutting most of my hair off (which I have done now for three Lents) I am attempting to remind myself that it is not import what I look like but how I live. I am reminded of this every time I look in the mirror. This Lent I am really trying to work on my vanity. Brad: In my own life, it often gets too easy just to say I'm praying in little bits throughout the day, and not setting aside a specific time to spend with my Best Friend (my God). It is a great thing to say short little prayers throughout the day and just be mindful that you are in His Presence, but I think it's also important to take a chunk of time each day to spend focused on your relationship with God. (Or maybe a better way to say that is not spending time focused on the relationship, but spending time in that relationship.) So, this Lent I am trying to spend more time in prayer, setting aside that chunk of time and doing nothing else. I find a wonderful way to do this is in praying a daily rosary (or two, or three…), and in setting aside time to read Scripture. I don't just say the prayers or read the words… I sit with them for a while. You could call it meditating on it. I think about how things apply in my world, in my life, and in my other relationships… And then, the hard part, I try to live these insights. So I guess the short answer would be, one of the things I'm doing for Lent is trying to say a daily rosary. Where is the Holy Grail? Brad: It doesn't matter. Honoring things left behind by notable people isn't uncommon, even outside the Catholic Church. Here in DC, people can see several things at the Smithsonian museums like gowns worn by first ladies, or even Fonzie's jacket from Happy Days and Mr. Roger's sweater. There's nothing wrong with people valuing mementos from a rich historical past. There's nothing wrong with honoring people who live extraordinary, faith-filled lives. There's definitely nothing wrong with worshiping Jesus Christ and wanting to know more about His life…but we don't need things that Christ touched to be in touch with Christ. Gene: I would check eBay. Who do you have a secret crush on? Gene: Bubbles from the Power Puff Girls Brad: It is no secret… I'm head over heels in love with Joia Farmer! Please send all Question to AskAPeX@APeXMinistries.com
Just a thought by gene We are very blessed in the ministry in which we participate. We do very little marketing to find work. Most of the time people find us either from seeing us at one of the national conferences or from a recommendation from a professional peer. Many times when we get a call for a show it goes something like this. "We run this really great rally. Last year we had Steve Angrisano, the year before, Doug Brummel. The kids we have here are the best and the weekend really touches their lives. We think you would really fit in this year." To say the least we are flattered by invitations like these. Recently we received a little different type of invitation. It was an e-mail that went like this: "We are a town of about 2,0000 people and we have our problems with youth. I am an 8th grade CCD Religion teacher at [the parish] and I enjoy working with youth …I came across your website while searching on youth websites. I help out a friend of mine who teaches at our local Catholic school and we are in need of people like you that could come in and make a difference in a kid's life, even if you know we are touching only one life … I have read all of your website and it's the pictures of you guys that caught my eye because I am involved with youth everyday and I know the things they like and you guys look cool. I see you are gonna be about 4 hours away from us [later this year] and wish we could take our kids to see you but the funds to get there are hard to find. A lot of these children are from one parent families and are financially unable. Our high school religion classes are 7th through confirmation. I pray that if it is God's will that some arrangements could be made that you could come to our town and just reach out to these kids. There is a high risk of teenage pregnancy, suicide with teens and adults, and also drugs. Just last year a young boy in our town committed suicide in a business parking lot and did it in front of his friends. This has affected so many lives in this town, and again this week a young man took his life and was buried yesterday. We have also had those lose their lives to AIDS. It is a town where everyone knows each other so it in turn effects everyone. Also the rate of pre-marital sex and pregnancy is so high and alcohol. But how can parents tell their children not to have sex when they are having affairs… I am sending in this letter and praying that you might be able to come to our town. I would like to know what you charge, though. We do have other surrounding towns in our Parish, if we advertise I know they would come…If at all possible, if you think you might be of help to us, please email me. I want to make a difference in a kid's life. I have 2 children of my own, a daughter, 12, and son, 3, and I have been married for 16 years. Soon my children will be faced with peer pressures. I want to help these children because if we don't who will? These are good kids who need God in their lives and people like you and I to lead and guide them. Thank you for taking this time and reading my email." The message basically said, "Help us." It didn't say "We do the best ministry in the world, come be a part of it." It didn't say, "Our ministry changes lives." It said, "Our kids are dying. Help us!" The most touching line is, " would come…If at all possible, if you think you might be of help to us, please email me. I want to make a difference in a kid's life.." Not come and change the world so everything is rosy and great. Instead, if you come you might help one kid and it would be worth it for just that. We fall victim to being prideful of our ministry. I know when I am talking about our ministry, I talk about the wonderful things that we do. How we have this great formula of using play to bring the Gospel message to all ages. Sometimes to sound as if our Super Powers are so great that nothing could stop us. This note has made me pause and think again about how I felt called to this ministry. It has made me think once again of all of the wonderful moments of actual grace we have been blessed with have help the ministry we participate in to grow and flourish. But mostly it caused me to rethink my sometime prideful approach to this ministry. I pray every night that it is a tool to do the Lord's will. I have to remember that I am doing this because I hope I am doing the Lords will and that I am a vessel of God's message and it is possible because of the many blessings God has given us.
Web Page Updates Our link page has been added to again (one link was recommended by a reader of DAA). If you know of any links we should add, let us know. http://APeXMinistries.com/links.html
Up coming shows Please pray for us and for those we are blessed to serve on these date April 7th - 9th Diocese of Burlington High School Congress April 15th St. Mathew's, Windom, NH April 29th Diocese of Syracuse High School Rally April 30st Diocese of Camden Youth Rally For a complete list of APeX's Schedule please visit: http://apexministries.com/FutureShows.html For booking information you can contact APeX at 888/522-2739
Important note: If you received this e-mail as a forward from someone else and would like to receive Digital APeX Attacks every time it is published, or if for some reason you have received this e-mail in error from APeX please follow this link to add or remove (though we couldn't imagine why you'd want to remove) yourself from the mailing list: http://apexministries.com/MailingList.html © 2000 APeX Youth Ministries, Inc. --"Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words." St. Francis of Assisi http://APeXMinistries.com