So we have been on the discussion of faith at our church for a while. I have been watching Andy Stanley's new series called 'Faith, Hope and Luck' and it is amazing. Andy does a great job on explaining what faith is and how it is accomplished in our lives. So many times, we connect our faith with our circumstances. If we do the right things, say the magical words, click our heals or give the right amount of money, our faith would be amazing. On the other hand, if times get tough or things don't work out the way we want them to, our faith can be crushed.
Our faith is based on circumstances. That is the problem. Our faith comes from one source alone. God grace given to us through the power of Jesus. The foundation of our faith is Jesus. What he did 2000 years ago is the only foundation for what we believe. If nothing else good ever happens in our lives, we know that God loves us and He sent his Son to die for us. That's it. Not an experience. Not a circumstance. Not a magic formula. The person of Jesus is all we need.
So how does God show this in my life? Let's just say that circumstances are frustrating and life doesn't always seem easy. Just another way for God to remind me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Just a reminder that when I am weak, He is strong.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Relationships
So I just got back from Norman Park, GA. There is a Georgia Baptist Center down there and I was there to meet with other youth pastors from Georgia. Now if you have never heard of Norman Park, don't worry, neither did I. The Baptist Center is really the only thing in the city. The city is about 30 minutes outside of Tifton, GA.
I knew about 8 of the 30 guys down there. These guys I know are from my neck of the woods and work with me at Impact (the greatest camp on the earth). A lot of these guys were from down south closer to Norman Park. They were very rural and country. I know that I am in the south but most of the guys I know are from the city.
The interesting thing to me is that student ministry is done the same way everywhere. One of our talks was about reaching out to different stereotypes. The main conclusion was relationships. Whether you were like or even liked the stereotype you were reaching out to, the main ingredient is relationship. Understand that you may not ever be like the student you are reaching out to, but realize that they are looking for real relationships. They want to see the real you and you need to show them the real Jesus through you.
I knew about 8 of the 30 guys down there. These guys I know are from my neck of the woods and work with me at Impact (the greatest camp on the earth). A lot of these guys were from down south closer to Norman Park. They were very rural and country. I know that I am in the south but most of the guys I know are from the city.
The interesting thing to me is that student ministry is done the same way everywhere. One of our talks was about reaching out to different stereotypes. The main conclusion was relationships. Whether you were like or even liked the stereotype you were reaching out to, the main ingredient is relationship. Understand that you may not ever be like the student you are reaching out to, but realize that they are looking for real relationships. They want to see the real you and you need to show them the real Jesus through you.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Who will confess?
This past week has been exhausting. Here in Augusta, it has been Masters week. One of the greatest golf tournaments in the world is held here. Smart people in Augusta do one of two things. They either leave or work the Masters. For the past 3 years, I have worked the Masters. This year, it was with a group called Velocity Sports who contracts the event for IBM. I worked almost 100 hours in 1 week.
Even if you are not into golf, you have probably heard of the person who finished in 2nd place this year. His name is Tiger Woods and he will probably go down as the greatest golfer when his career is over. He has won the tournament 4 times and has finished 2nd the last 2 years. People (including other golfers) have confessed that he is the greatest golfer of our time.
This past Sunday, our Sunday School class was reading in Philippians 2. It talks about how Christ humbled himself and became obedient to death. He didn't consider his equality with God something to be grasped. When all was said and done, every person will confess that He is Lord. We may be confessing right now that Tiger is the greatest golfer. No one said that 30 years ago and they might be speaking of another golfer in 30 years from now. However, the name of Jesus is timeless. EVERYONE will confess that he is Lord.
Even if you are not into golf, you have probably heard of the person who finished in 2nd place this year. His name is Tiger Woods and he will probably go down as the greatest golfer when his career is over. He has won the tournament 4 times and has finished 2nd the last 2 years. People (including other golfers) have confessed that he is the greatest golfer of our time.
This past Sunday, our Sunday School class was reading in Philippians 2. It talks about how Christ humbled himself and became obedient to death. He didn't consider his equality with God something to be grasped. When all was said and done, every person will confess that He is Lord. We may be confessing right now that Tiger is the greatest golfer. No one said that 30 years ago and they might be speaking of another golfer in 30 years from now. However, the name of Jesus is timeless. EVERYONE will confess that he is Lord.
Monday, March 24, 2008
March Madness
To me, this is the greatest time of year. The weather is getting warmer, my truck turns a shade of yellow, and the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament is going on. Being a huge basketball fan, I am a little bias as to why this is the greatest time of year, but there is something about watching this tournament and trying to pick the winner that fascinates me and millions of others.
Last week, I turned in my brackets and I am watching closely to see if my picks hold up. There's nothing like cheering for the #1 team in the tournament. (North Carolina Tarheels) But there is one thing that I have noticed, like the millions of people who guess or "predict" who is going to win the tournament, many people do the same with their lives. Instead of making wise decisions, people make choices based on emotion and circumstance. Just like the people who pick a winner based on colors or mascots, many people make horrible decisions.
The truth for us as Christians is that God has mandated a wise choice. It is found in Ephesians 5. Paul tells us that we are to walk wisely. He commands us to make the most of every opportunity.
So enjoy the games, as I will, and remember to walk wisely.
Last week, I turned in my brackets and I am watching closely to see if my picks hold up. There's nothing like cheering for the #1 team in the tournament. (North Carolina Tarheels) But there is one thing that I have noticed, like the millions of people who guess or "predict" who is going to win the tournament, many people do the same with their lives. Instead of making wise decisions, people make choices based on emotion and circumstance. Just like the people who pick a winner based on colors or mascots, many people make horrible decisions.
The truth for us as Christians is that God has mandated a wise choice. It is found in Ephesians 5. Paul tells us that we are to walk wisely. He commands us to make the most of every opportunity.
So enjoy the games, as I will, and remember to walk wisely.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
It's Not What You Do, But Who You Are
So I am reading a book called The Radical Reformission. It is a book by Mark Driscoll. He is the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. He is the kind of guy who probably wouldn't expect to have a large church. He is known for his brash attitude and harsh words. However, he should be known for his heart for Jesus and desire to bring him into a real world.
With Easter just around the corner, his thoughts about reaching out to the lost world is amazing. He writes in his book that reformission happens when we stop thinking that missions is something we do and missions is something we are. All the time, we are missionaries for Jesus, either we are good missionaries or bad.
So for me, I have to realize that every day and every moment is a reflection for Jesus. Whether I want it to be or not, it is.
So I have to realize that it is not about what I do but who I am.
With Easter just around the corner, his thoughts about reaching out to the lost world is amazing. He writes in his book that reformission happens when we stop thinking that missions is something we do and missions is something we are. All the time, we are missionaries for Jesus, either we are good missionaries or bad.
So for me, I have to realize that every day and every moment is a reflection for Jesus. Whether I want it to be or not, it is.
So I have to realize that it is not about what I do but who I am.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Leap Year
So today is a day that only happens once every four years. It probably stinks for those who have birthdays on this day. "Hey, happy birthday, can't wait for it to come again!" So I am glad that my birthday is not on this day.
For some of us, it seems like we take our relationship with God and others they same way. "Hey God, good to see you. See you again in 4 years." "Hey Church, good to see you this week. I will be back in four years."
Many times, we see our relationship with God and our relationships with others on different levels. But if we look close enough in Scripture, God puts to the two relationships close together. There are in need of each other.
So take a look at your life. How is your relationship with God? How are your relationships with others?
Or do you just think about this every four years...
For some of us, it seems like we take our relationship with God and others they same way. "Hey God, good to see you. See you again in 4 years." "Hey Church, good to see you this week. I will be back in four years."
Many times, we see our relationship with God and our relationships with others on different levels. But if we look close enough in Scripture, God puts to the two relationships close together. There are in need of each other.
So take a look at your life. How is your relationship with God? How are your relationships with others?
Or do you just think about this every four years...
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Real Me
Baldy, Mr. Clean, Member of the KKK, Captain Chemo and all kinds of other names have been put on my label. Thanks, Mom and Dad for the genetic predisposition to male pattern baldness. I have heard them all of the last 9 years as I have shaved my balding head. In the beginning, they hurt a lot. I was so terrified of going bald. I never thought I would get married and that I would be a loser the rest of my life. All because I was losing my hair.
We all live by labels. Most of the time, they are labels that other people put on us. Many times, we allow those labels to dictate choices and actions in our lives. Then, we allow ourselves to become whatever that label was. But is it really you? Who is the real you?
For our students, we have been trying to breakthrough those labels and find out who the real person is deep down inside. Sometimes that means exposing ourselves and being a little vulnerable. The cool thing about that is many of the things we try to hide are the same things other people are going through and need just as much help dealing with. My suggestion would be to try and find someone close to you who you can open up to. For us guys, this can be difficult, but it can also be on of the most freeing experiences in your life.
We all live by labels. Most of the time, they are labels that other people put on us. Many times, we allow those labels to dictate choices and actions in our lives. Then, we allow ourselves to become whatever that label was. But is it really you? Who is the real you?
For our students, we have been trying to breakthrough those labels and find out who the real person is deep down inside. Sometimes that means exposing ourselves and being a little vulnerable. The cool thing about that is many of the things we try to hide are the same things other people are going through and need just as much help dealing with. My suggestion would be to try and find someone close to you who you can open up to. For us guys, this can be difficult, but it can also be on of the most freeing experiences in your life.
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