Diary of a Youth Pastor

Crowder does "Jesus Is My Friend"

2008-09-26T06:17:00.001-07:00

haha :). I knew this would pick up soon!

iPray Commercial 1

2008-09-25T15:48:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

Jesus is my friend

2008-09-18T13:01:00.001-07:00

Before you think I'm getting spiritual here, well...there's no introduction that will suffice, so just watch this video.

I guess we've come a long way :)

Proverbs 16

2008-09-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

I sat down today to read Proverbs 16, and wasn't quite ready for what happened. I've read this chapter many times, but today I've seen it in a special light (and THAT is why I know that God's Word is living and active). I won't break all of it down, but I want to share with you one short contrast that changed my perspective a little today.

v. 7 - When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

I've read Daniel, and know the story of every time God delivered him. I read the Gospels, and have discovered that God will even break you out of jail if that's what He wants.

But this was new.

I love a lot swirling around my head about what this means to me, but am anxious to hear your thoughts. Or, if you have something else to share - go for it!

it's just fun to re-discover Scripture again...

new.

2008-09-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

So, it's pretty hard for me to slow down. When I don't slow down, I start to morph into someone I shouldn't be. Not only that, I begin to put God on the backburner, and schedule Him in when the time allows.

Why can't I just follow God?

I've been teaching on fresh starts, and I've been feeling quite convicted. So much so, that immediately after the first talk on leaving the past behind, and saying "yes" to what God has for me, I walked straight to the back of the room and buried my face in my hands, knowing that I was most guilty in the room. I'm not sure if you know the pain that guilt brings like I experienced, but I felt it, as if it were a physical weight on my shoulders.

I spent some time in prayer and reading this afternoon, and God brought me to a few thoughts out of 2 Corinthians 5 - being made new. Out of my reading and prayer time, though, I was refreshed by one, singular principle:

God's mercies are made new each day. Every single day, He is anxious to walk with me.

Screw up as I may, He is always, unthinkably ready to embrace me.

And that, my friends, is the truth that lifts the weight every time.

Wherever you are, whatever struggles you're mucking through, remember that God, in His never-ending (think about that)...never...ending...love, is so ready to give you strength.

May you seek Him today.

classic movies

2008-09-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

So, I've been on this life-trek to watch most to all of the movies that one needs to watch in a given lifetime. So here's the deal: I'm looking for any or all movies that are must-sees; whether they are merely funny, influential, or just flat-out perspective-changers. So comment. No minimum. No maximum. Gimme all ya got.

New Ten10 T-Shirts

2008-08-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hey guys...don't forget the t-shirt sale ends tonight!

1 for $15
2 for $25
3 for $35
4 for $45

That's a freakin' deal!

Pick one up at the ten10.cafe.

A 9-yr old boy was told to quit because he is too good.

2008-08-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

No seriously, that's actually a true story. Before I gunk it up with unnecessary words, go check it out for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/6cdnyn

Wow. What are we thinking sometimes?

Read this right stinking now.

2008-08-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

So, I'm curious. I engaged in a conversation with a friend of mine about blogging. It was as simple as this: blogging is stupid - so why do you do it. I told him why, and he said, ok, that makes sense (it's irrelevant why I blog).

Here's the point...I am curious to know who reads this sorry excuse for authorship.

So comment...I'm curious. I'm assuming the number of comments will equal the number of readers. If it goes over three, I'll be ecstatic. If not, I'm still blogging, Daniel.

fear

2008-08-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, God gave me a vision for something. Something different. Something challenging. I ignored it up to this point, knowing the work it would take to make this thing work.

I went to God this past week asking for direction, guidance, and vision.

I wonder if He laughed :).

Whether He laughed or not, I'm sure I'll find out later, but I know He gave me another glimpse of what my future could look like.

I'm not ignoring it this time. I'm not going to fear. I'm definitely not backing down.

In the face of problems and challenges, do we back down? Is our God that small?

Mine's not, and I'm not backing down. Are you?

Airport Observations pt. 2

2008-06-07T18:37:00.001-07:00

I realized that I left you in my last post somewhat unprepared. This is mostly due to the fact that things happen in airports that might be worth paying some attention to. So without further ado, here's part two (totally didn't plan to rhyme that...)

6. A man with a severely unkempt goatee will smile at you. Because this smile accompanied a wink, you guess he's saying something in his mind, like, "He's got a pretty mouth."
Wherever you are, this is what you should do...in order.
a. Look somewhere else
b. Create a diversion (pull a fire alarm, yell "fight!", or hijack one of those "beepie-take-you-where-you-need-to-get-faster-than-everyone-else-go-cart-jobbie-thingies." Some of you are thinking these are extreme measures, but would you rather be cornered by this slobbering fool?
c. Avoid bathrooms
d. Run away until you are out of eyeshot.
e. Keep an eye out for this dude. He may be just crazy enough to follow.

7. If you happen to find a Burger King, you'll stop and order some food (because the "Indy Double Whopper" is not good for you, but it's too good to pass up). When you finally get to order, you'll rattle off "Indy Double Whopper Meal Please" as fast as you can. Go ahead, say it to yourself. It's not easy. It doesn't roll off of the proverbial tongue. The cashier will ask you to say it again. You sigh out of fatigue, and make another attempt - this time successful. You pay for your food. They then hand you a receipt and a cup. Upon handing you your cup, you learn that there is no ice in the machine, but the drinks are still cold. You reply, "It's cool." Because you are NOT about to jeopardize your "Indy Whopper" future (yeah I shortened that crap). You prance over to the drink station, and to your astonishment, the person in front of you has a bountiful supply of ice spilling out of the machine - cubes falling to the ground, as they laugh it up, that they're taking the last bit of ice. Even though you want to stab this person in the jaw, you move on to fill your cup. You are able to get the last few cubes of ice out of the machine. And then, without warning, you realize that NONE of the carbonated beverages in this fountain machine work. Why wasn't this a warning??? Am I supposed to go without an iced, cold Dr. Pepper with my "IDW" (shortened it again...what's up)??? Again, you are NOT about to get in the way of your "Indy", so you go with the flow - fruit punch it is.

8. You'll need to use the restroom at some point. Now, this is tricky, because most people have carry-on luggage like backpacks, laptop cases, purses, small suitcases, etc. Whatever the case, none of these items must hit the floor.
DISCLAIMER: I realize that this publication is written from a male point-of-view. I apologize to those who are of the female persuasion reading this. The following may or may not apply to you, but if it does, please don't tell me. That would make for one, awkward conversation.
As you enter the bathroom, utilize any handles/straps on your carry-on luggage, so that your hands are free to navigate the terrain (if you're like me, you have a backpack laptop case. This is the way to go). As you walk in the doors, you'll see a group of urinals. They are not all options. You MUST pick the one farthest away from the next human being. If there are even options on either side of an individual, then I would suggest the cleanest. All bets are off, though, when an individual walks in and picks the urinal next to you (reminder: If it's the unkempt-beard-pretty-mouth guy, stop peeing and run. I know it will burn, but the consequences of finishing the race aren't worth it). This individual will probably "pull up" to the urinal, grunt (remember, you're in the men's bathroom), and unzip and start peeing. Sometimes, whistling will ensue.
WARNING: The following may not be suitable for children.
And then he takes a peak. And by peak, I don't mean, "I'd like to see what the sun looks like, so I'll glance and then look away as to not burn my retinas." It's more like "I like what I'm seeing so I'm going to take a gander." In this situation, some react peacefully, as if to let him finish his man-spotting and go on with their life. If you're like me, you'll get very uncomfortable, turn the opposite direction (not too far, the others might see you), and increase the flow, so as to finish quickly. As you walk out, you ponder the possibility of washing the hands. Skip it. There are other restrooms with less creepy people inside.

9. If you're flying by yourself, you'll no doubt sit next to a stranger. In my case, you'll sit next to a strange stranger. In this case, I was the last person on the plane, and had only one choice of seat (my seat was taken because of some pre-flight seat-jumping activity). Lucky for me, I get the seat next to the one grown adult holding a teddy bear. The most probable case is that this person has just escaped "the looney bin" and you should, under no circumstance, talk to this person. In the case that this person talks to you first, you still must offer no response. This is only for your health. I've seen Halloween. I know what escapees do.

10. There is a man at Starbucks, pounding at the keys, blogging about his experiences at the airport. His name is Mark, and is dashing. He sports a tie, in the hopes that he might be bumped up to first class. Walk up to him, and hand him some money out of your wallet. It will make his day :).

Safe travels ladies and gentlemen.

Airport Observations

2008-06-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

When flying anywhere, there are a few phenomena that take place in most any airport. I'd like to take the next few minutes to list them in no discernable order or category.

1. There will be a man walking in your "personal space." This man will whistle in the general direction of your ears. Slow down and let him pass. If he's whistling, there's a good chance he's a brisk walker.

2. In order for people to get places faster, the larger airports have installed what are called, "Moving Sidewalks." I prefer the term, "horizontal escalator" or even the ever-popular, "slidie-thingie-that-gets-you-there-quicker-jobbie." They made this for people trying to get somewhere fast, such as people catching a connecting flight. These were not made for fat, lazy old men to stand and talk on the telephone while leaning on the handrail. If such a thing should occur, jab him with the sharpest object readily available. And remember, he won't chase you, because he's fat and lazy.

3. There will be a man with a beard that would make ZZ Top stare. He's walking with a backpack that looks like it was on a Forrest Gump-like journey. Hanging from this satchel are a cross and a rabbits foot on the same keychain. The untrained eye may infer that this is a man of faith. Rather, he is a man hanging on for every last bit of luck, religion, and/or superstition. This is a man who's been through the crapper and back, and has most likely had numerous struggles in his life. If he looks like he's boarding your plane, change your flight. No questions...just do it.

4. As you're waiting to board your plane, you sit and type on your laptop (if you're like me), but you hear a faint rhythmic beeping down the hall. It gets closer...and still yet closer. It is a the golf-cart-thingie that is used to take people from place to place. There's a woman on the back who has an inordinant amount of hair. Don't tell her the tire might run over it. Rather, watch intently, because if her hair catches in that tire, you're going to want to be present.

5. If you're in the southern states, you may smell the heavenly smell of barbecue from the local restaurants in the terminal. You'll stop, ponder, and eventually succomb to the slithery goodness of North Carolina style barbecue. You stand in line, awaiting your cullinary pleasure which sits in front of you. And then, without notice, the man in front of you orders the last bit of macaroni and cheese. THE LAST BIT...OF MACARONI...AND CHEESE! This means they're out, and you're left with only two choices for sides. Walk away. WALK AWAY I TELL YOU! The green beans are awful, and are not worth your $10. I speak from experience.

These axioms of aviary travel may help you in your journeys to come. I bid you bon voyage!

Pray.

2008-06-02T21:46:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday morning, our lead pastor asked for prayer. When anyone asks for prayer, it's appropriate to pray (obviously). But when one of our leaders struggles and needs help and support, I think it's crucial that we support him with our prayers.

So pray. Pray for his family's health. Pray for his family's peace. Pray for his leadership. Pray for our church.

Let's bathe him so much in prayer that he feels such an over-whelming peace that he knows it's heavenly, and not just a passing moment.

I think it's all we can do for the man who followed his vision for Indian Springs Baptist Church.

Pray.

Baptism Service Tonight!!!

2008-04-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

Don't forget tonight is only one service from 6:30-7:30, and that it is going to be awesome! Come support the students that are making this awesome decision!

www.ten10remix.com

Twitter

2008-04-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

I am twittering.

Nope, not what you're thinking. If you don't know what twitter is, you should check it out (twitter.com). It's kind of like a combo of texting and blogging. It basically answers the question...

"what are you doing?"

So you should twitter. It's free. And I'm doing it. Follow my twitter. I'll follow your's.

Life will be good :).

Super Summer JV

2008-04-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

Middle schoolers, don't wait any longer! Camp is coming up, and registration is online this year. Log onto www.supersummerarkansas.com to register!

Super Summer JV

2008-04-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

Middle Schoolers, camp is coming up soon. Don't forget to sign up at ten10 this week!

Super Summer

2008-04-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hey high schoolers, don't forget camp this summer. Sign up at ten10.

When it all comes crashing down...

2008-04-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, it's much easier to pass spiritual counsel along than to listen to it yourself.

I was showing a student the ever-popular, and typically-misused verse in Romans 8:28, where it says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

What a promise?! I don't have much else to say, but that I know that when the walls come crashing down, that I know God is using me and the circumstances around me for good.

And I can live with that :).

Ready for Battle

2008-03-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, March 19, in the ten10 service, I saw God move...and He moved big.

Thoughts flood to mind, but they all filter into one...

God is empowering it. He loves it. It's spreading His love, and therefore, He anoints it.

Broken souls. Unabashed worship. Hands high as if reaching for a tangible Father.

Wow...what an experience.

And if I'm honest with myself, I hope it doesn't happen again, because we want it to happen, and because we can manufacture it. But God, may you break our souls every week, so that we can remember what we live for. So that we can remember why we were

born
created
sacrificed for
given abundant life
prayed for
loved.

In moments like this, I remember why I live. I remember why the bad times are worth it. I remember the passion of my youth. I can remember what it feels like to just run to you.

This can't be created. You moved, and you moved big. I'm in awe.

I've been taught that we exist in a continuous cycle of 3 stages:
In the good time before struggles :: In a struggle :: Just outside of a struggle gone by

As much as I just want to sit in awe of the love you have for us, I have to be ready, prepared for battle - knowing that around the bend, a force much stronger than I is lurking, waiting for my moment of weakness, so that he can capitalize on it, and steal my joy.

So I'm ready. I'm ready for battle. Satan is real. God is too. Bring it on :).

Speaking of Birthdays

2008-02-25T06:05:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics from my birthday dinner with the youth workers...

Day of Birth

2008-02-25T05:58:00.000-08:00

So, I just realized I posted two blogs in a row dealing with days of birth...wait...actually, this is being posted as #3. I'm confused.

Note to self: Restrict Same-subject blogs.

Berfday

2008-02-09T16:12:00.001-08:00

So, this week, my wife told me that our Friday night was going to be kind of lame because we had to pick someone up from the airport. She told me his name was, "Nelson Foot." I thought that sounded nerdy, but I went on about my business.
Come Friday afternoon, I had forgotten all about this and asked what we were going to be doing that night. She reminded me of our duty to Mr. Foot, and so I figured we'd just hang out after we dropped him off at his hotel.
We make it to the airport JUST on time. I'm nervous for Christi, because I don't want this guy to be mad or anything that we were late. I then asked her, "Do you know what he looks like? How are you going to pick him out?" to which she replied, "I was going to have a sign ready, but I ran out of time."
Laughing inside, I asked her, "soooo....?"
She said, "He's wearing a suit. We live in Arkansas. It should be easy."
I said, "okay." Then, in an effort to make the situation better, I asked, "Why don't we make a sign?" So we did. We made the crappiest sign in airport history. My 2 yr-old nephew could make a better sign. No really...he could.
So we're watching the monitor that shows who's walking through the gates (pretty cool airport gadget), and I look down to glance at my phone for a second, just missing the man we were to be picking up. Christi didn't, though.
I pick my head up to see my friend Juan riding down the escalator.
"Whaaaaa?"
My first response was followed by the thought, "What's Juan doing here? Random business trip?" Yeah, Mark. Juan showed up on a business trip...to Little Rock, Arkansas, and he decided not to tell you.
YOU MORON, THIS IS YOUR SURPRISE!!! There was no Nelson Foot after all. After I picked my jaw off the floor, we got his stuff, left, went to eat, and here I am, with my best friend at my side again. Pretty cool birthday present. Thanks, Juan :).

Birthday

2007-12-10T05:48:00.001-08:00

A few years ago, I had one of the most awkward birthdays I've ever had.

One of my closest friends and I were, at that time, not very close. Whatever the cause, our relationship was not good. I lived in Lynchburg, and was doing school, and this friend had moved back home. At this point, said friend probably knows who he is. In the case that he is not reading this, or that the rest of you (who don't read this either) don't know who I'm referring to, his name is Clint. But I digress.

Upon my birthday, I had everything planned out. I wanted a specific dinner with specific friends, and that's all I wanted it to consist of. If you've known me for very long, you know I don't look for big events around my birthday. I just like to be around the one's I love...and...well, good food should be involved, too.

I heard through the grapevine that my not-so-close friend was coming in to surprise me for my birthday, most likely in an attempt to make things right and restore our friendship. He had the best of intentions, but I honestly wanted nothing to do with him at the time.

He called me, on multiple occasions, and I ignored him, on the same amount of occasions. To be honest, I don't remember if I met up with him, or if I gave him the ultimate birthday-style shaft, but that's not the point of the story.

In our increasingly busy lives, it's easy to welcome selfishness, and throw love away.

The illustration is backwards, and may be faulty, but I can sum up most of my life in this simple phrase: running away from the Friend who wants to restore our relationship.

I hope this Christmas isn't spent running, at least not from the One who saved my life.

Catalyst Wrapped Up

2007-10-09T15:24:00.000-07:00

If you're paying attention, you may've noticed that Catalyst Day 1 was published the night of Catalyst Day 1 - makes sense, doesn't it? Catalyst Day 2 didn't follow the same routine, and you're soon to find out why.

Leaving Catalyst, I had heard from a lot of guys that are definitely anointed for God's work. In fact, the guys (Daren, Josh, and Tom) and I came to the conclusion (If there's a conclusion, there must have been an initial question, and for your sake, I'll fill you in. We all asked the question, "Why is Andy Stanley, Erwin McManus, Craig Groeschel, etc. on the stage, and I'm in my seat?") that God is doing the work in all of His children, and that work is not rated on earthly scales or given different grades of eternal greatness. Rather, it is God using His children for His purpose and glory, in every setting across the planet, and that no purpose is greater than any other.

...but that was just the start.

In fact, it was a small piece of a few dozen lessons I learned over the past few days. So, for all of our sanity, I'll try to keep it brief and organized.

1. I'm way too consumed with myself.
When given an opportunity to be a part of giving a Nigerian child a pair of shoes, I was confronted with the choice of paying $38 to do so (If you're wondering why they cost so much, check out tomsshoes.com - you can buy a pair a shoes, and for every pair sold, they give a child one, and you're testifying to that as you wear them - pretty cool, eh?). So as I was looking at different sizes and styles, I asked one of the associates, "how much do they cost?" to which he replied, "$38 here, $40 on the site, BUT you give a kid a pair of shoes for free...can't beat that can ya?"

I laughed to myself, thinking, I just sat in the session where they described the business plan - you don't need to sell me...I'm obviously interested.

However, when I heard $38, I honestly thought to myself, "Do I really want to spend $38?"

It hit me (forgive my cliche, but it's necessary, and an understatement) like a ton of bricks. I was not quite willing to spend that money for a child, A CHILD to have a pair of shoes. What would that money be spent on? The new Steve Fee CD I've been eyeing? A dinner at Applebee's when I could really just eat at home for free? WHAT?

WHAT IS MORE WORTH IT THAN GIVING A DISEASED, HURTING, BROKEN CHILD A PAIR OF SHOES?!

I've been changed, and I'm thankful. I'm committing my life to helping the broken.

James 1:27 - Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

2. I'm a copycat.
I love to listen to what the other guys (the aforementioned guys that have the privilege of teaching us from the Catalyst stage, as well as other platforms), and plug it in to what I'm doing. Apparently, God didn't create me to do that...in fact, I'm sort of the only one of me around, and I have an individual purpose for my life that's different than anyone else...in history.

I realized this in a real way when Francis Chan got up to speak (please check him out sometime and listen to what he has to say - I'd sit under his teaching any day). He told us that he was laying in bed one night when it hit him - "if Jesus had a church in Simi Valley, Francis's church would be bigger. In fact, people would leave Jesus's church to go to Cornerstone, because they don't call for as great a commitment." He turned to his wife, horrified, and realized that he'd cultivated a lukewarm community.

In an effort to change this, and make his life count, he decided that he wouldn't build a new building (something they'd been contemplating in months prior). Actually, he would just plot a bunch of grass where they could meet.

Stay with me...I know...it's crazy :).

He talked about those going to Lambeau Field to watch the Green Bay Packers through the Winter, where they brave the weather for 4 hours because they believe in this team. What would it hurt to brave the "dangerous" weather of Southern California? And if we follow through with this plan, think how much money we could use to reach this community!

wow - I love it. Why is it that we suddenly embrace "truths" such as necessity for a big, nice building?

(I have to take a moment to apologize. I told you I'd try to make this short and organized, and I'm not sure it's either, but hey...I'm on a roll :)).

3. God is the one changing your flock - not you!
Craig Groeschel, the pastor of Life Church, made a statement that sent a chill down my bones. "If you don't think God is blessing your ministry as you think He should, your immediate reaction may be to think that God has let you down, or that you suck. However, if you look at it this way, you'll just as easily take credit for the increase."

I guess I know (head-know) that God is the one doing the work, but most times, I feel like if I boost my strengths, things will get better (more increase), when in reality, my strengths don't have much to do with it. I'm not saying that my work doesn't matter. I'm saying that when I devote my life to student ministry, God will use my work for His purpose. In no way is my work making God's power greater.

That's not even close to all that God hit me with, but I can say this, I'll never be the same.

May you meet Jesus in such a way that He changes your direction forever.

Catalyst Day 1

2007-10-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

After listening to the podcast of the aforementioned organization in the title for around a year, I've finally been able to experience the conference, and it's been nothing short of earth-shattering, at least metaphorically in my own self.

Tonight was one of those nights that makes you question your recent existence; not so much the existence itself, but what on earth have I been doing with it?!

Mainly through the words of Francis Chan and Rick Warren, I was blindsided (yes, as I was hit by a Mack Truck in the middle of an intersection), upon the realization that I've been ignoring those most important to Jesus - the poor, broken, disenfranchised, etc. I guess I just thought it was the thing most of the pastors were ripping off each other's sermons for this moment in time, that we'd all start talking about "the oppressed."

Tonight I was hit with the one thing I can't argue with - Scripture. Apparently, James talked about something along the lines of caring for orphans and widows, not to mention the countless times in Jesus' ministry He told them to either give someone a cold cup of water or to heal people.

I could go into the details of what went down, but I'll end it with this...

my life is about to change in a drastic way, and that means the ministry I'm apart of is also about to change in a drastic way. I'm privileged to have experienced one of those revolutionary moments in your life where you know you've just received direction, or at least a small glimmer of what your future in God's plan is going to look like, except it's all too crazy to digest at the moment.

I'm pretty pumped to say the least - and that's all I have to say about that.

Leaving Ephesus

2007-08-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

I suck.

I could leave the blog at that, but people would think it's a cry for help, and that I'm selfishly fishing for affirmation. That's not the case - let me explain.

I decided to follow Christ when I was 16, and my life has never been the same since. As you grow, your life morphs, in every area. Specifically, your Christian life changes drastically. You could relate this type of change to a baby growing into a child, and a child into a teenager, and so on.

I guess you could call my current situation, "growing pains."

I've been a youth pastor for 2 years, and have been following Christ for 8. God has rocked my world in the last year through revelation and change of life plans; it's been a whirlwind. Beginning the process, knowing I needed God's guidance, I sought Him with a passion through prayer, reading, and contemplation. I was really able to connect, and as a result, I was able to understand what the will of God is (Romans 12:2).

When God reveals His plans, though, I have a tendency to get busy bringing the plans to fruition, while God is left wondering where His child ran off to. I began to get so busy that I forgot to be in fellowship of my Creator and God.

My life started showing signs of malcontent and selfishness, which manifested itself in my personal life, my marriage, and my ministry. It all came to a screeching halt on our 1-year anniversary, where I realized that the genesis of all the muck came from the fact that I left God behind a long time ago. I left Him standing at the place where He so graciously revealed His plans to me, where He equipped me for the future.

It became clear that the selfishness leaking into my marriage and all other areas was a direct result of my leaving Him behind.

Fortunately, that's not the end of the story.

Sitting in church this Sunday, in the middle of the music portion, God brought a passage to mind.

"I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first' or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place - unless you repent.

Revelation 2:2-5

If you follow Christ, ask yourself, "Am I in love with Jesus?"

Renewed Mind

2007-06-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

I'm at camp this week. And every time I'm privileged to go to camp, there are always a few things that I excitedly prepare for: getting to know teenagers, sweating a lot, and getting some time alone with God. The latter is my favorite.

It seems that I get more excited about spending some good QT with God when I'm getting ready for camp. I'm not sure why I don't have that passion on any normal work day, but that's not really the purpose of this blog. I digress.

At this particular camp, the band, "Pocket Full of Rocks" is doing the music portion of the worship service, and it's been amazing. They lead authentic worship, and are really cool people to be around. They're straight-up anointed.

In the middle of one of the services, I sat down to contemplate what God was doing in my heart at that moment. I began to think about the big job God has set before me, and the shoes that I have to fill. I started to think about programs, and talks, retreats and camps. I know where my focus is "supposed" to be, but to be honest, it can be shifted.

God, though, in the middle of a worship service, began to work on my heart and remind me to simplify it all to prayer. I was able to breathe easier knowing that I was not the one doing the work, and that the job didn't fall on my shoulders. In fact, the job NEVER fell on my shoulders. God ALWAYS had it. If I'm going to do anything, it's through the power of God working IN me. May we never forget where the power for catalyzing a generation comes from.

"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." - James 5:16

Cell Phone Contact List

2007-06-04T06:01:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday night, as I was packing some things up in preparation to move, I took a break to sit out on my deck for a while. I pulled out my cell phone and started to do something I've been meaning to do for a while - I cleaned out my contact list.

Every once in a while, I look through my contact list to find phone number I saved in well-meaning to call and also those that I'd just felt bad about deleting in the past. It's almost like cleaning out your closet. If you're anything like me (pack rat), there are some things that almost seem too sacred to throw away. What that usually means is that they will be thrown out the next time I clean my closet, and I come to the same conclusion as the last 18 times.

As I began to clean some numbers out of my phone to prepare for new ones, though, something popped out to me. I had phone numbers of students all over Columbus, Ohio in my phone. It's funny how on a weekly basis, I was always yearning for more students to love on and to point to Jesus.

As I cleaned out number after number, I realized God had given me more opportunities than I had realized, or thanked Him for. I began to see that I was able to be a looking glass to Jesus to more students than I had previously realized.

May we never forget to stop and realize all that God is doing in the day-to-day, and even the minute-to-minute.

If God exists in the margins, why am I so attracted to the bright and beautiful? I pray my focus is always on the here-and-now, and on those God has entrusted to me.

Arkansas

2007-05-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

A new chapter is unfolding. Christi and I have been expecting a change for several months now, and God has finally revealed His next step for us.

We're moving to Arkansas.

The journey that we've been on to make this transition has been a long one, and it's not over, but allow me to unpack a the blessings in God's sovereignty and providence that we've been fortunate to experience.

To start from the beginning, we knew God was making a change in our lives together. God was preparing us for something else; not necessarily better, but our next step. We went through countless steps to be able to make it to this point, and looking back, it's almost humorous to see the points where faith and morale were low. Plan B's and C's were starting to pop up. Contingencies for the "just in case" times where we thought God might not come through. And looking back, His timing was perfect, as it always has been, and as we believe it to always be.

We were able to visit Indian Springs Baptist Church, and Christi and I began to understand exactly what it means for something to be "too good to be true." From the beginning of the visit, when we realized that we loved the people we'd be working with, to the end, when we had no conceivable reason not to accept the offer, our hearts were filled with the assurance that God, all of Him, is perfect. Timing, provision, and love. All perfect.

And if that weren't all, there were numerous other options, which I had already dubbed, "our main options." All of which had many flaws and drawbacks.

God has shown Himself Faithful and True, as He always has. Funny how doubt can creep in so smoothly.

So we're moving to Arkansas in less than a month. Updates will come as they happen, and our hearts are with you all.

My season ends at Genoa...

2007-04-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

“Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.”
All At Once
The Fray

If you’re reading this, it means you’ve been close to Christi or myself on some level in my past. I’ve come to a fork in the road, and the sign pointing to Genoa is not the road God is pointing toward.

God has been orchestrating this for a short while now, and we have felt the calling elsewhere. God’s plan is always better, but no doubt, sometimes it comes with pain: especially, the pain of leaving friends behind.

This weekend, the weekend of April 20-22, 2007, has been one of the hardest few days of my life. I’m reminded of the feeling welling up in me months prior to the date of Christi’s and my engagement, and how every time I thought about it, the feeling of butterflies would come over me. This is what it feels like; except, this time, it’s bittersweet.

The lyric mentioned above rang true the very first time I heard it. The song was playing as background music, but my attention was focused as I heard that line.

“Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.”

I think the song is in the context of a relationship. In this case, it’s a bit different, but much the same. Christi and I know with full assurance that God has been moving in our hearts the past few months, and we’re thankful for His direction and guidance. However, the melancholy feeling that comes over me when I think of leaving my friends behind is almost too much to bear. (I’m thankful that God is carrying me through).

I want to make it known that I am not bailing, nor am I fed up, or bored with the students of Genoa. I have more love for them every day that I live. I can’t explain in words, how much it hurts to leave, but please know that it is due to a moving of God. I promised the students at Genoa one Sunday morning that if I didn’t feel that God was behind my being at Genoa, then I’d step down. That day has come.

To all who read this, I hope this serves as a reminder that we crave your prayers. Christi and I began our relationship around Christ. It has been our mission to continue on with Christ as the center of our ministry. We don’t know what’s next, but we know that God is in the middle of our decision. For this, we need your prayer.

We are leaving, but this isn’t goodbye. The relationships we’ve made are matchless, to say the least, and we will always love to hear from you.

Most of all, we want to see the students of Genoa grow up to be the leaders of tomorrow. The fact that Christi and I are not around does not change the fact that God is going to do amazing things through those we’ve been with for the last 2 years. Continue in the faith. Grow. Learn. Love. Enjoy the life God has given you to the full!

We will pray for you. We miss you. We love you. May God do great things through you!

2 Samuel

2007-04-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

The horrors of the world sometimes overpower our view of God's providence.

When life gets hard, and answers aren't reachable, or even in plain view, we begin to panic frantically, as if the One who watches us is sleeping. "He doesn't slumber, nor does He sleep (Psalm 121).

In the context of David's era, times were crazy. Like a mob flick, in which the characters stab each other in the back (sometimes literally), all of David's contemporaries were competing for honor, revenge, or blatant personal gain. We learn to love David as we walk through the book of 1 Samuel. His love, his patience, loyalty, and most of all, faith in God is inspiring. Continuing on in 2 Samuel, we see his story play out.

Having been in dire circumstances, running from Saul, and becoming friends with Saul's son, Jonathon, the table turns. Saul and his sons have died in battle. The one who killed Saul (upon Saul's own request) brought news to David, as if if were good news.

The power struggle begins.

David is made king over Judah, and Ish-bosheth, son of Saul is made king over Israel. However, his formal kingship stopped at the loyalty of the people towards David. A civil war breaks out. Abner, Saul's army commander, brings his best men, as David does the same. Without going into detail, many fall on both sides, though Abner lost a significant amount more than David.

The feud ensues.

Many are murdered in the interplay that follows. David, mourning the loss of many, follows God through the storm. What happens next is worth waiting for.

Upon being made king (after those in such a place had died), David calls upon God for every need. Then, in 2 Samuel, there is one, striking sentence that frames David's life.

"Go, do all that is in your mind [David], for the LORD is with you." 2 Samuel 7:3.

His friend, Nathan, a prophet reminded David that he could do most anything, because his heart was aligned with God. God promises that if our hearts are aligned with His, that we could ask for anything, because it would be on His heart, too.

May you be used by God in such a way as David. But may you desire God as David did.

1 Samuel

2007-02-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

I'm studying in 1 Samuel right now. I've been especially changed in learning about Israel's demand for a king. It's been talked about many many times...God wants to be our King, but sometimes we want to make something else our king. But when you read the first 10 chapters of 1 Samuel, you start to notice that they demanded a new King...to, and in front of God. It breaks my heart to think that a group of people would break the heart of God in such a way that they would look at their Creator and demand a different calling. It's almost as if a wife looked at her husband and demanded a different man; a different leader, lover, and friend. Not only that, though, but that she would interview different men in her home, while her husband sat by, watching her wife fall in love with another man.
In this, love is defined. Love is hard to be found in such a true form, but it rests in God. Peter talks about keeping fervent in your love (1 Peter 4). Paul talks in Philippians about the sacrifice that Christ made, not even trying to be God, but the perfect sacrifice for humanity.
I will follow this God. I will follow the One who loves me more than I can comprehend (pardon the cliche - it's the truth down to the core).

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

1st Blog

2007-01-26T19:45:00.000-08:00

This is really just a lame test blog to see how all this is going to turn out, because I'm late on the blog game. But better late than never. WOO HOO! Yay for blogging!