Sunday I met with my youth committee, which helps me to successfully define our ministry and who we want to be, what we want to see, and what we can improve on. I enjoy the times we have together discussing the future because I am always looking ahead to what's next. Planning and preparing is something I enjoy doing (even though I fail at times) it is enjoyable and to a degree even relaxing for me. I look forward to the future!
However, sometimes God has different plans in store for us and our ministry. I constantly ask Him to show me the way that He wants us to go, to guide my steps, and to give me wisdom in making decisions when it comes to our ministry. I believe our focus always needs to be God-centered. Sometimes we lose that focus in the planning and executing of the plans even if it does involve something spiritual in nature. Are we doing event because we truly believe in the power it will have to help spiritually develop our students? Sometimes I worry that I lose sight in what God truly wants and that I am just filling the calendar with things just to have events. I pray that God is truly at work and giving me the wisdom to plan what is necessary for our student ministry. I also ask God to bring my ministry to the point where we aren't just focused on the students anymore but it is helping families to keep the conversation going at home and we are several working and moving parts, but together as a unit.
In 2014 I want to be a better minister and husband. I want God to truly direct my steps and to remove any selfish ambition that is in the way of the ministry that God has laid before me. In 2014, I want to be able to touch the heart of each student and their families to supplement their spiritual development. In 2014, I want to see us take a more active approach in the outreach in our communities and make a direct impact on those people. In 2014, I want others to know God by showing them His love through my life. These are things that I desire. However, I want to do what God desires for me, in 2014.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Resurrection
As I sit in the office pondering different ministry ideas, one came back to me like a flood. I love to write. Write stories, Write lessons, Write sermons, etc... One thing I have not been writing was a blog. I enjoy sharing my personal journey through life and ministry, as well as, reading other youth minister's writings. It helps me to know that we share in some of the same struggles, that I am not the only one struggling in ministry with certain aspects.
Today is resurrection day for my blog. I have not used this particular blog since 2007, but as I was going through I felt this was the most appropriate one to resurrect as it deals with my own personal ministry and views. You see over the years I have tried the whole blogging thing and I have many different blogs scattered throughout cyberspace. I had THREE just on blogger. I had two on tumblr and one on weebly. However, this is my Halloween resolution, to resurrect my blog and write in it on a regular basis to share with you my ups and downs, my victories and defeats, as I journey with God through youth ministry.
Have a blessed day!
Today is resurrection day for my blog. I have not used this particular blog since 2007, but as I was going through I felt this was the most appropriate one to resurrect as it deals with my own personal ministry and views. You see over the years I have tried the whole blogging thing and I have many different blogs scattered throughout cyberspace. I had THREE just on blogger. I had two on tumblr and one on weebly. However, this is my Halloween resolution, to resurrect my blog and write in it on a regular basis to share with you my ups and downs, my victories and defeats, as I journey with God through youth ministry.
Have a blessed day!
Friday, October 19, 2007
"He ain't the leaving kind..."
Tonight, I had the privilege of going to the Rascal Flatts concert. I had a good time with some friends of mine, while enjoying a great concert. At the same time, I was able to realize somethings about God. First of all, God was watching over us. Today was a tad bit stormy with a side of tornado. However, it did not rain on our trip there, nor did it rain during the concert or provide any kind of danger to us whatsoever. While realizing that God was truly watching over us, Rascal Flatts sang a song that really hit home and got me to thinking... it was a tear-jerker, if you will. The song was "He ain't the leavin' kind." While thinking about things that I have gone through, and thinking about things people are currently going through, I thought this was a perfect song to share with everyone.
"They tried their best to drag him out
of a courthouse down in Montgomery
And now they wanna kick him out of school
And take him off our money
They can take those words off of
Paper and stone
But he ain't gone, no
He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind
She stayed mad at him for a lot of years
For takin' her husband
Started losin' her faith
And thinkin' that her life meant nothin'
But when she looks at those kids she raised all by herself
She knows she had some help, yeah
She knows
No matter what you do
No matter where you go
He's always right there with you
Even from those you don't belive
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind"
I have had some problems at times with believing in God. I blamed Him for a good friend of mine dieing in a car accident. I have blamed Him so many times, and treated Him worse than He ever has deserved. Yet, He was still right by my side and He was still there waiting for me to turn back to Him. "He ain't the leaving kind." I believe with all my heart that God does not make bad things happen, but takes the bad and turns it into good. Whatever you are struggling with in your life, no matter what it is... Remember, God is still right by your side, use Him for help. Do not be like the world and turn your back on Him. Allow Him to be a part of your life, and allow Him to be your guide.
Romans 8:28- "All things work together for the good of those who Love the Lord"
"They tried their best to drag him out
of a courthouse down in Montgomery
And now they wanna kick him out of school
And take him off our money
They can take those words off of
Paper and stone
But he ain't gone, no
He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind
She stayed mad at him for a lot of years
For takin' her husband
Started losin' her faith
And thinkin' that her life meant nothin'
But when she looks at those kids she raised all by herself
She knows she had some help, yeah
She knows
No matter what you do
No matter where you go
He's always right there with you
Even from those you don't belive
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind"
I have had some problems at times with believing in God. I blamed Him for a good friend of mine dieing in a car accident. I have blamed Him so many times, and treated Him worse than He ever has deserved. Yet, He was still right by my side and He was still there waiting for me to turn back to Him. "He ain't the leaving kind." I believe with all my heart that God does not make bad things happen, but takes the bad and turns it into good. Whatever you are struggling with in your life, no matter what it is... Remember, God is still right by your side, use Him for help. Do not be like the world and turn your back on Him. Allow Him to be a part of your life, and allow Him to be your guide.
Romans 8:28- "All things work together for the good of those who Love the Lord"
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Halfway There
Some of you maybe thinking at this point, "I got to step it up or else I am going to fail my classes." or "Are we really already half way there?" or maybe, "I wish this semester would hurry up and end." No matter what your thoughts are, yes we are almost half-way done with the Fall semester. So many great things have been going on. Our college group has really grown closer to one another, and will continue to grow with our retreat at the end of the month. However, what I want us to focus on is not losing sight of our goals, and not losing focus of what we want to do.
I do not know what your goals maybe for the semester, but I am going to guess that the majority of you are striving to be closer to God. Do not let your school work strangle out God in your life. I know that as we the end nears we all will be striving to meet our expectations grade wise and it can be a very stressful time. However, give all your worries to God... Let Him handle it... Let Go and Let God.
Let's continue to keep growing in the Lord, and with each other as we finish the semester on top!
I do not know what your goals maybe for the semester, but I am going to guess that the majority of you are striving to be closer to God. Do not let your school work strangle out God in your life. I know that as we the end nears we all will be striving to meet our expectations grade wise and it can be a very stressful time. However, give all your worries to God... Let Him handle it... Let Go and Let God.
Let's continue to keep growing in the Lord, and with each other as we finish the semester on top!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
"Love one another..."
Dear friends, since God loved us, we should love one another" I John 4:11
Sounds like such a simple statement, yet it is so hard for us put away grudges, to forgive one another, and to actually love each other as God commanded.
First off, what is love? It is a unselfish and benevolent concern for one another, a brotherly concern for others. I Corithians 13 tells us what love is. Love never gives up, cares more for others that for self, doesn't want what it doesn't have, doesn't boast, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first", doesn't fly off the handle in anger, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, and keeps going to the end. Love never dies. (The Message Bible) Without love we are bankrupt, we do not have a relationship with God or others.
Before we begin to love others, we have to first love God. Matthew 22:36-39 say, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Love God as you worship Him daily in your Christian walk. Are others seeing God in you?
To love others, we have to put aside whatever we have against them. We have to have a genuine concern for each other's needs. If a brother is down, will you be there to help pick him up or will you allow him to fall into the world because of a stupid little grudge? There is a song that I love to sing because it talks about us being united as brothers and sisters in Christ. "You're my brother, You're my sister, so take me by the hand. Together we will work until He comes. There's no foe that can defeat us when we are walking side by side. As long as there is LOVE we will stand." God loved us so much He sent His son to die for us, because He loved us so much do you not think that it is our duty to love one another just as Christ loved us?
Before we can love each other, we have to forgive each other just as Christ has forgiven us. Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." We need to develop a Christ-like love, so that we can forgive others. God continually covers our sins with His grace. I find myself asking all the time, "If God can forgive others, then Why can we not look past their sins?" Is it because we have no love, or because we simply just do not want to look past everyone's sins?
What is your decision? To begin to love one another, or to keep judging other's on their past sins?
Sounds like such a simple statement, yet it is so hard for us put away grudges, to forgive one another, and to actually love each other as God commanded.
First off, what is love? It is a unselfish and benevolent concern for one another, a brotherly concern for others. I Corithians 13 tells us what love is. Love never gives up, cares more for others that for self, doesn't want what it doesn't have, doesn't boast, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first", doesn't fly off the handle in anger, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, and keeps going to the end. Love never dies. (The Message Bible) Without love we are bankrupt, we do not have a relationship with God or others.
Before we begin to love others, we have to first love God. Matthew 22:36-39 say, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Love God as you worship Him daily in your Christian walk. Are others seeing God in you?
To love others, we have to put aside whatever we have against them. We have to have a genuine concern for each other's needs. If a brother is down, will you be there to help pick him up or will you allow him to fall into the world because of a stupid little grudge? There is a song that I love to sing because it talks about us being united as brothers and sisters in Christ. "You're my brother, You're my sister, so take me by the hand. Together we will work until He comes. There's no foe that can defeat us when we are walking side by side. As long as there is LOVE we will stand." God loved us so much He sent His son to die for us, because He loved us so much do you not think that it is our duty to love one another just as Christ loved us?
Before we can love each other, we have to forgive each other just as Christ has forgiven us. Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." We need to develop a Christ-like love, so that we can forgive others. God continually covers our sins with His grace. I find myself asking all the time, "If God can forgive others, then Why can we not look past their sins?" Is it because we have no love, or because we simply just do not want to look past everyone's sins?
What is your decision? To begin to love one another, or to keep judging other's on their past sins?
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