Monday Night in the Mac with 82 Rents.Yep, meeting with parents of students is always fun—cast vision, talk about the future and talk about…. Parenting. (moving through parenting to coaching)
I believe that parenting is the greatest endeavor that I can do.Helping parents is important to me—because—if I feel and know the value of being a parent… I estimate that “they” the parents of students in the ministry must feel the same way.
I also believe that my experience as the parent of 2 great guys has made me a “better” parent.Not because I am so good—don’t misunderstand—no--- but because God gave me these guys.God put in this place and I embraced parenting and have enjoyed every minute of it—hoping that I can over time help some of parents move forward in enjoying the time of Teenagedom.
After all, I really do believe that God brings situations, people, places and all that for His purposes.So—being a parent has taught me very much about myself, my issues, my abilities and my shortcomings.That is awesome—because—I don’t believe it’s just coincidence—nope—so me raising kids trickles down for those now part of the whole Next Gen Ministry—Parents.
It was fun tonight being with these special people—the Rents.I hope we have a great relationship over the years to come, and I hope that we all can be about "coaching" students to become awesome followers of Christ.
Father,
Give us all the grace to get through the tough and awesome job of parenting.Grant the parents of the Next Gen ministry the grace to go through everyday as mentors, coaches and great parents.
Tonight was the first night of Uprising in the New MAC room.Explain please?
Uprising—High School time for worship, teaching, community—Spiritual grow time.
The MAC?The new million dollar facility for Next Gen Ministry(Middle School, High School, College/Young Adult)of course other ministries of Fairhaven will use the room, mainly for Next Gen.
Tonight—the opening night—115 students present—with some parents checking it out—all told it was a great opening night.
But, but, why have a huge new room?Why all the state of the art multi media?Why have a room that holds capacity over 400?Why not just have a room that 100 students can hang out in?Why not have a room that students can come and hang out?
Because the purpose of the Next Gen Ministry is not inward—period.Students that love God—have a whole world to reach.Students that love God leave “meism” behind as they follow Christ.
So—the large room is a tool for students to bring their friends, call home and enjoy growing together in the greatest endeavor—reaching their campus, reaching their friends, being part of the movement of God through the Dayton area.
So begins a new era at FairhavenChurch! Much more to come! I will try and journal this week everyday. Let me know what you think.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." -- Matt.7.24-27
Interesting—“Anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice…”
I think that statement is life changing.The words of Jesus are life changing when put into practice.Words are words—yes.The words of Jesus—still words unless, unless one puts them into practice.What words?What did He say?What is He talking about?
The context—
17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' --Matt. 7.17-23
Jesus speaks of good trees bearing good fruit.Jesus speaks about the issue of checking ones ‘influence” or what is being produced, or what is coming from a relationship with Christ—if there is one—there is good fruit…. Right?Maybe He is saying—good fruit is impossible outside of a relationship with Christ for—19”Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
I remember when I tried desperately to bear good fruit.Yes, obeying my parents, going to church, doing all the right stuff.In truth—that could only go on for a while—then one day—I came to this conclusion—I didn’t know Him period.I knew all about Him, but it was only He that could create good fruit from a changed heart.
Notice verse 21-23-- 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Hmmm—Think about His words-- "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
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"And you know, Kristi, something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it.
“They were under the heel of the French, uh, you know Napoleon the 3rd and whatever, and they got together and swore a pact to the Devil.
“They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French.'
“True story.
“And so the Devil said, 'Okay, it's a deal.’
“And, uh, they kicked the French out, you know, with Haitians revolted and got themselves free.
“But ever since they have been cursed by, by one thing after another, desperately poor.
“That island of Hispaniola is one island. It’s cut down the middle. On the one side is Haiti on the other side is the Dominican Republican.
“Dominican Republic is, is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, etcetera.
“Haiti is in desperate poverty.
“Same island.
“They need to have and we need to pray for them a great turning to God and out of this tragedy I’m optimistic something good may come. But right now we’re helping the suffering people and the suffering is unimaginable.”
There it is—What Robertson said about the why Haiti has suffered the disastrous earthquake this past week.I heard about this quote, I read about the quote—I had to see it for myself—and there it is.For me personally—I thought it was probably true—but I had to see it for myself—Robertson’s speak never ceases to amaze me.
First thought—what arrogance.Second thought—who gave Robertson the mouth piece of God?Why does Robertson get to tell people what is going on in the spiritual realm?Let alone the purposes of God?
The bottom line for me is this:I know God through a personal relationship with the Savior Christ Jesus.Do I know everything about God?No.I read the scriptures, I enjoy a good polemic. Do I think or believe that I can address a whole nation about the why’s of disaster?No.Do I understand why bad things happen across the world, in history, time all the way to the tragedy’s that take place in all of our lives—a freak accident ultimately took my father’s life… Do I think for a minute I can explain the ways of God?No.
Some of my friends in ministry or from some camps would say and could say that the character of God—His goings and comings, His ways, His means are all in the Scriptures, easy for people to understand.Who He is and all about is all—All in the Scriptures.
All of God is in the Scriptures?I don’t believe that is true.I believe there are volumes about God in the Scripture.I believe that without a doubt.Is everything about God in the Scriptures?That is the question.I don’t believe everything about God is in the Scriptures—therefore I can’t possibly know the reasons, or the answers to the why of everything that happens in the world.Unless, unless I believe that I know everything about God—and I don’t and quite frankly—I don’t believe anybody human does.
I certainly don’t believe that any one person can tell what God is all—all about.Yes, we can understand something’s to a point.We can understand God—deduct from the Scriptures much about God—but all?No—I don’t thinks so.Can we deduct all about God from Scripture with certainty?With certainty?I don’t think so.
Certainty!Yes certainty!I have thought many times I knew what I was talking about.Over the years I have come to this conclusion—I live by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.When I counsel people I try and help them in whatever issue they may...
From afar, being a leader is desirous. From afar, many dream of leading. From afar, some believe they are leading. I have been leading for many years—leading people, leading students, leading a family. Interesting that I have never wrote a book on leadership, nor have I ever been asked to speak about being a leader. My door isn’t being stampeded down by people to find out what my leadership is about nor am I getting calls to pontificate about my leadership. Does that mean I am not a good leader? Does that mean I have nothing to say about it? Does that mean that I am not a leader?
I have read many, many books on leadership. The best book I have ever read is a book called Lead like Jesus by Ken Blanchard. "We believe leadership happens anytime you influence the thinking, the behavior or development of another person. You are a leader...whether at home, at work or at play." —Lead Like Jesus
I am a leader because—I have to be—to my family. I am a leader because I do ministry that demands that I lead a team. I am a leader because—I have to be. Does that mean I know everything about being a leader? No way. I am a leader because I have to be. Does that mean I always do it right? No way. I am a leader because who I am. Does that mean I am above others input into my life? Never.
Leadership is sometimes overwhelming, sometimes beyond my comprehension, sometimes right in my lap. Bottom line—I love it. I enjoy it, I embrace it, I live it. Is that arrogant? No. I know who I am—so a team of people makes me a better leader. I don’t go at it alone—I have many better people around me—I love building teams of people that make what I do—so much better.
I have some big choices, decisions to make everyday, people to lead everyday—and I feel it everyday. So why the blog today on leadership? Just because I can—but so those that read this—can hear a little from me—little ole me, just a person sold out on following Christ what it is like to lead the Next Gen ministry at Fairhaven Church. A new ministry, a new form of Student Ministry, a new model on how it is done. And I know full well that many still see the “youth” ministry in its old form—I lead the H.S., I help out in the college and the middle school guy does his thing. That model is not the model I am leading. There is a new model, and the new model will have my fingerprints all over it. From Middle school through High School, to college/young adults.
My fingerprints on the whole thing? Yes. Am I prepared to lead? Yes. Will I get pushback? Yes. Do I feel and think I know where I am going? Yes Will it make sense to everyone? No. Will I try and make everyone happy? No. I will cast the vision, work out the kinks as I go and dig deep, trust God, learn from great people, build a team around me of solid followers of Christ that have the freedom to disagree with me.
Where is God in all this? Is it just wing it? Never. Is it just make it work? No. You see I believe that God has brought me to this place for the purpose of leading the Next Gen ministry to become all that God wants it to be. I am not a mistake. I was not a whim. I was not the next best person to lead this ministry. No, I believe that God has lead me through my Psalm 40 days. I believe that God has me here for a purpose—to lead the Next Gen ministry into the future. God is sovereign regardless...
Have you ever watched somebody struggle with an issue?You want so badly to help, but it seems that your words just fall on unhearing words.You want so much to fix it.But you know that it is theirs to fix. Yes, that is an awful thing to watch and feel.
Even harder is when it is your own son, your heart is ripped, you feel so bad, you just want to do it for him.Yes, that is me right now.I am watching my son struggle with making friends on his hockey team, while going through a performance drought. (He feels his performance is down)
Now I’m not a hockey pro, I’ve just played and watched for years.I’m not too good anymore (older and my knees are shot) but I understand the game, team, friends and all the stuff that he is struggling with.I want to help so much, I want to get into his head and help him out—almost do it for him.It seems as if he is lost and I want to help him find his way.Know the feeling?
I have so many things running through my mind, so many ways and things to tell him.I have tried.But… I don’t think he wants to hear it.Worse, I don’t think he is ready for my help.What to do?What should I do?
I find myself thinking about my insecurities, the things that hold me back, the times I struggled and struggle.I know there were many that wanted to help.My parents, my coaches, my friends all made an effort to help.In the end—I had to go through the tough times.I have had to find my way.I have had to learn to trust in my relationship with the Lord, I have had to sometimes put one foot in front of the other and just keep pressing onward.
Yes, these times my son are experiencing are not fun.It is not enjoyable.I am praying for the Lord to protect him, to lead him, to give him the grace he needs to make it through another day.These times as a parent are not easy, not fun, not enjoyable.I know the truth though—believing in the answer is not easy—waiting, praying, trusting is not an easy thing to do for myself, let alone for my son.
But I believe God wants to impact him in a real way.So—I will not try and fix, solve or bail him out—I will be there for him—with love, with honesty, care, with prayer.I write this little diddy, not so much about my son—but from a dad, a youth pastor and one who believes that we all struggle with this stuff—life with all of it’s pains and question marks.
Dig!Awesome when the snow comes, homebound and a good book in hand.Oh yea—my all time fav theology book, great reading, great meditation stuff, great thought provoking read—awesome—I suggest all ‘followers’ read this book—
The Shape of Practical Theology by Ray S. AndersonThis book is great for living out Christ in you!
I personally get tired of hearing ‘followers’ talk badly about the local church.Like “the church is not doing enough” or “the church isn’t this or that”. I don’t mind criticism—I can be critical too—but, if the church isn’t doing what is wanted—step in and do it.Like if the church is not taking care of the needy—go and do it and show the way.I know some that are doing that—but I dare say, don’t get to high on oneself for doing something while others are not.In time, with a servants attitude a few may get it and a few more may join in.Even worse—those that call themselves ‘followers’ and think that the church is about escaping the world. Treating the world as the problem is not at all How God views the world, nor how Jesus saw the world.
Anderson writes in the Shape of Practical Theology“It is not only the world that needs the church in order to have Christ.The church also needs to be in relation to the world in order to know Christ and in order to be the Body of Christ.Formation of Christ in the world does not take place apart from the world.This can be seen as the thrust of the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25, where the formation of Christ in the world occurs through ministering to those who are outcasts, visiting the imprisoned, ministering to the poor and clothing the naked.”
“The Christian mission does not bring Christ to the world.That is not power.Rather Christians witness by their own presence in the world that Christ has come to the world and has taken up the cause of the afflicted, the oppressed and the estranged as His own cause.Solidarity between the community of Christian believers and the world has already been established through the incarnation.”
--Ray S. Anderson
On the one hand there are those that find ways to reach out to the lost, the poor, the afflicted—alone, by themselves—while the affect would be much greater together as the local church.Yes, I agree that if the local church isn’t touching the outcasts—I would agree that people should take it upon themselves to go touch the lives of those outcast and afflicted.I would also say that those that are off doing it alone—would do much by continuing to press their local church to come along--- one person at a time—make the effort to bring the church along…. Try try try to get the local church engaged.
But for those that continue the wrong—out right wrong view when they think that the local church is a fortress against the world.It is not.It is a light in the world, it is to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world—I have know idea how it got messed up—but somehow, somewhere the issue of the value of the local church has been lost when the local church goes inward and just placates believers, coddles and treats believers as mere babes—maybe in truth that is where some of the leaders would like them to remain—babies.
I agree totally with Anderson when he says, “It is not only the world that needs the church in order to have Christ.The church also needs to be in relation to the world in order to know Christ and in order to be the Body of Christ.Formation of Christ in the world does not take place...
I’m reading again a terrific book—ReJesus by Frost and Hirsch.Came to a part in the book that has me going absolutely wild with passion, vigor and just plain ole “right on” tude.
I love following Jesus-- I love being a follower of the Christ.A follower of the Son of God, the King of Kings, the only One, Jesus.I so appreciate all that the word “follower” invokes.What I appreciate even more—is that being a follower brings with it a sense of being a “radical”.But the word radical is not what most think—
“While many people use the term radical to mean a departure from the traditional, it refers to a return to the root cause of a thing.Webster defines radical as ‘of pertaining to the root or origin; reaching to the center, to the foundation, the ultimate source, to the principles, or the like; original; fundamental; thorough going; unsparing; extreme; as in, radical evils’: radical reform: a radical party.” --ReJesus
Soak that in—reread it.Chew on it.What is the source, the cause the center of our purpose?
Jesus! Jesus! Jesus-- the foundation, the ultimate source, the center. Right? Think about it!
John 17, John 1, read it-- Then ask the yourself the question again. What is the center of our purpose?
Exactly why I love being a follower-- because it is RADICAL. He is Radical!
An enabler in most definitions is a person who through his or her actions allows someone else to achieve something. Most often the term enabler is associated with people who allow loved ones to behave in ways that are destructive. For example, an enabler wife of an alcoholic might continue to provide the husband with alcohol. A person might be an enabler of a gambler or compulsive spender by lending them money to get out of debt.
In this fashion, though the enabler may be acting out of love and trying to help or protect a person, he or she is actually making a chronic problem like an addiction worse. By continuing to lend money to the gambler, for example, the gambler doesn’t have to face the consequences of his actions. Someone is there to bail him out of trouble and continue to enable his behavior.
The term enabler is also part of the larger definition of codependency. Codependency at first arose as a definition of adaptive behaviors a person might make if he or she lives with someone with substance abuse or severe emotional problems. A codependent tends to remain so, because he or she adapts to or ignores the behaviors of the ill person. In fact, the codependent often becomes an enabler because it allows one to be involved in fewer conflicts. --wisegeeks.com
As an 18 year recovering alcoholic I know full well, the who, and the how and the why of enabling.Really—I do.I know full well of those that enabled me—some had no idea of the how they may have ‘enabled’ me.But they did.I also know that there were those that enabled me because if I got help that would mean that the partying and the days of Solin being fun would be over—so keep the behavior going.After 18 years of sobriety, 18 years of ministry and beyond—I can tell an enabler a mile away.Can you?
Enabling behavior has its roots in fear.Fear that change will take place and that fear drives people to enable people to keep doing destructive behavior.Destructive behavior is not all about the big ticket items—i.e., drinking, using, over eating and the like.No enabling can be part of parenting also.Some parents can be so fearful of what is ‘better’ for the student (but not see past the pain of change) that the parent will enable their student to keep doing the same thing—in order to keep the pain of change (growth) from happening.In their mind they think—its o.k. to postpone the pain—its o.k. to postpone reality—because the change will be difficult.Some parents just don't want their student to grow up becasue they as a parent can't stand the thought of their student facing the cruel world or the pain of cutting the apron strings is to hard for the parent or their student may go through some tough times as their faith is stretched and tested. All the above is not easy for any parent ( I know) but, ultimately they must face the cruel world, they must have their faith tested, they must face life without them-- and that to some is too difficutl-- so keep things the way they are-- that is enabling.
Ultimately—the student and the enabler have to face a greater pain or much more of a disastrous result will probably take place. What is thought to be ‘good’ intentions while all along, deep down inside they (the enabler) at some point knows the truth.Know anybody like that?Anything like that going on in the lives of students?I see it everyday.
Here in lies the real rub.The one that must call out the enabler.The one that must call out the person to face the truth.That is not fun, that is not what people like to hear.But I...
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
Thus the horse—Yes really—the horse, the reason for ministry—the reason why Jesus came—to redeem the lost.That is the horse—that is what drives my ministry.
Look how Jesus prays—His prayer is not for them alone—but for those that will believe in me because of their message—the continuing of telling the message is important to Jesus—therefore it is important for our ministry.Jesus prays that the world will believe also.Yes, He prays for unity—obviously Unity with this very important message—nothing worse than playing on a team that has individuals that play for themselves—the unity that Jesus is praying for them is to be like the Father and the Son—to be like minded about what They (Jesus and the Father) were about.Loving people, redemption, salvation, a life committed to continuing the message for all.That is unity, that is the purpose, that is the reason--The Cart!
The Cart?What is in the cart?What is it that the “Mission”the purpose is pulling?
I believe it is unity—that we, that the Student Ministry would be unified about His purpose.That all would come to know Him.That will happen as the ministry gets unified.Is about His business.Is about it together.That is unity.
11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.
The cart?That we—we may be 1.Together in the endeavor—that is the cart.What makes Youth Ministry—Youth Ministry?When the ministry is working as 1—together.
So, my work is ahead of me—how do I help students to stop thinking about only themselves?How did the disciples move from being the 12 to being the 1?That is what is ahead.I believe that student grow more—have more freedom, experience more of Christ as they move from self to others—that is the cart.All for 1, 1 for all.
The Cart—Unity—that the world would know.
22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
I pray for the student ministry at Fairhaven.
I pray that you God would move in the hearts of the students.
Jesus prayed for His disciples-- He prayed for future disciples, he prayed for us from John 17.13-19
13"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctifythem by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Jesus prays for joy—joy based on His presence. Is that true for us? Do we have joy because of His presence? I say I do—regardless of circumstance—I know more today than when I was in High School—so how, what do I tell students about this joy? How will students learn about the joy of Jesus’ presence? Hmmm well the answer to that question is vital to Student ministry— I believe that it does start with the truth that Paul states – the great mystery, that Christ is in us. Hmmmmm more on this later.
The major issue that Christ prays for His disciples from the above passage is that they would be “sanctified by the truth” the Word—and the Word?
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The Word? The Word is Jesus—the Word is the Christ that is now present—by the Spirit in the lives of those that know Him personally—who? Students that know the Lord by faith—have the Word—the Christ present with them. That is what sanctifies—The Word—Jesus.
See, some think it’s the Scriptures—could be—but Jesus is speaking about himself—the Word—and His presence in the lives of people—sanctifies them- sets them apart for a purpose—
To shine in the darkness—oh yea baby, student ministry built on The Word—the Christ—is light in darkness because He, the Word lives in us and sanctifies us. Dare I say it's more about following His presence than about studying the Scriptures-- well, there may be some "truth" to that statement. Afterall when the book of John was written-- there was no such thing as the Bible-- in truth-- that came centuries later-- so-- is the Word Jesus or the Bible-- interpretation is vital. What will it take for students to follow the Word? Jesus? What will it take to build a ministry that reflects the prayer of Jesus about His disciples? A great endeavor indeed!
Jesus,
Fill our students with you—the Word that they will follow you and be light in darkness. May our ministry be all that you want it to be in 2010. Amen
The value of putting the Horse in front of the Cart.
January 3, 2010
I seriously doubt that many people think about what drives Student Ministry.Take it a step further, I doubt that many people that know me as a pastor up close, from afar as just a person doing ministry have asked— What drives Don?What is it?What does drive student ministry?Is it program?Is it numbers?Is it taking care of students because parents aren’t doing it?Is it the Bible?The Christ?God?Knowledge?Keeping students busy so they don't..., What drives student ministry? Why talk about it on my blog?
Well, the answer to the above-- the what drives, the why talk about it-- the reason for my continued passion and drive to build and develop an effective ministry-- what motivates me as a leader, as a father, as a husband and as just an ordinary follower of The Christ?
The answer is very simple.I believe that everything I do is based on Biblical principles developed from the way I interpret scripture.That is right.My ministry -- what I do, what I am developing, what I do everyday is based on how I interpret-- what is the core of what I believe?– the Scriptures.It is true. The Student Ministry I am developing is not based on somebody else’s views, or desires—it is based on this:That I believe that the Scriptures teach what is important—and God through the Holy Spirit illumines us to interpret correctly and because His Spirit lives in me, I also know that my daily living brings practical application to the what and how of student ministry, most importantly how I live my life.
“Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the Bible. It is part of the more broad field of hermeneutics which involves not just the study of principles for the text, but includes all forms of communication: verbal, nonverbal and written.”-source—typical definition found in many commentaries.
O.k. then.Why do I desire to build a ministry that is reaching students?The answer has nothing to do with numbers.That whole numbers thing is wrong period—it is so short sighted actually-- so not thinking Biblically nor how God and Jesus both think. The answer is that the Bible teaches that ministry flows from the great commission, and discipleship is multiplication.Discipleship was never just about knowledge without caring for people with the Gospel—how absurd.
But, but the major reason why I think a ministy should be always looking outward is simply from interpreting Jesus’ prayer for His disciples--John 17.20-26
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
Day 1 of 2010 is done—gone.24 hours flew bye.Slept in late, watched lots of football and a fun outdoor hockey game—fooled around on Facebook, hung out with family, and had a great lazy day.I think I needed some down time.Seems like Jan. 1-- no matter what year just passed is like a day to just unwind.Maybe its football, maybe it’s the past year final aaaaaahhhhhh, maybe it’s just being tired—I don’t know but it was one lazy day.
I am so looking forward to getting in the new build at Fairhaven.I am so ready to get going with a “new” look, feel, student ministry.I am so ready for this year to get going.I know for that it will take much work.I know that there will be many things to battle, to fuss about, to even fret about—cause I know I will—but… but… how will I respond to all the mix ups, the failures, the human stuff I can’t control, let alone the many variations of weirdness, pain, sorrow that will arise.
Really?Absolutely.I will do some funerals this year.I will face people that don’t like me, I will worry about my 2 boyz and the screwy choices they will make—there will be sorrow, there will be much that I will not appreciate or even enjoy.
Oh sure, there will be much joy, much laughter, much cool things—all the above—I hope will not deter me from honoring, loving God back, following Christ through all of it.I desire to press on toward the everyday life that God has given—so that many will come to know Him as I live this life.
I wonder where that desire comes from.I feel no need to impress people with the above thoughts and desire.I feel no need to “sanctify” myself.I feel no need to try and impress God with God words.I have no need to earn God’s grace or anything close to earning anything from God.
No—I believe it is He that began this work in me—through first accepting Him as my Savior—admitting there was no way back them I could impress Him or earn His love—that hasn’t changed 1 bit.Oh I know first hand of the people (myself included) that call themselves followers and love doing everything they can so that some how their guilt and shame can be swallowed by their good works or terms—I left that stuff long ago—really.
No—this is about a life of faith—regardless of life’s difficulties and joys—I chose to trust Jesus for my salvation back then, I trust Him today in the same way—everything I am rests on this--I believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, that He lived 33 years on this earth so that people could see God in the flesh, that He was murdered on a cross, and that He rose on the third day.
I believe that and that is what makes me who I am.That simple belief made it through some very tough times, some very joyous times, through fun, laughter, and weirdness and yes, even thoughtful sin. Sin I chose to pursue and for that matter will again-- choose. (Lying about it won't help) so I will continue to tell the truth-- no matter what. I follow Him because He is the Christ period.Even if heaven were not promised—I know this—I would still follow Him!
2010—is here—there is much to accomplish—there is much to learn, there is much growth to take place—there is all to trust Him with.Phil. 1.6
kinda sad to see 2009 go-- but looking forward to an awesome 2010
January 1, 2010
Well then, another year gone.Unreal how time really does move on without ever worrying about slowing down.Speaking of time—I was watching an old video of Phil Keaggy singing “Time” – how I still love that song—nevertheless, as he closes the song and walks the stage he says “Thank you and follow the Lord.”What a great statement.I really do believe that the most—the absolute most we that call ourselves “followers” of Christ can do is simply and with a simple faith is Follow Him.Follow Him?Yes—absolutely.Simply follow Him.
That means that I connect with Him—that I learn of Him, that I learn from Him as He lives and leads through me.Is that possible?Absolutely—Yes.It is the great mystery that Paul speaks about—“Christ in you”and I believe His Spirit is right here with me and in me.Circumstances change nothing.Difficulties change nothing.Attitude changes nothing.He is with me, He is in me and that means that—look out here it comes—I do live existentially, experientially as I follow Him.
That being said, there is a total sense that last year for me was an incredible year of following Christ.There were so many things that I had know idea was taking place.Absolutely no idea.But when it came time to follow, I was ready.I followed because over the course of the past few years, my prayer was “show me the way.”The Lord has shown me—as I pursued life—as I pursued inward longings, as I pursued an inner sense that He was leading, I openly followed.And that is a thrill --- so why a little apprehensive about a new year?
At the core—I know how easy it is to coast, to go through the motions and I don’t want to—no, I have had so much fun trusting Him through this past year— so—I never want to get complacent, or lethargic or apathetic—I want to keep following.
Father,
Thank you for the past year.I believe that you have led me along—
I am grateful for all you have done—through the tough and through the
Unknown and through every single day!
I trust you this 2010.
Thank you for Jesus—help me to be a steady follower
