thankful- attitude in which one has gratitude
thanksgiving- action in which one shows gratiude
maybe this will be a typical blog for many this week. the showing of thanks that many people really skip over during the year to show their thankfulness during this time of turkey, pie and football. i know their are many who are thankful for the things around them. i get many thank you cards or words of thanks. but it seems that something significant has to happen to require those thank you's.
when one can go quite a while without feeling appreciated. it seems that during this week many people really show what they are thankful for. but why is it that we wait until this week to put our thankfulness into action by showing thanksgiving for lifes pros.
here is just a few things i am thankful for
1. religious freedom ( i do not have to hide what i believe.)
2. jenny (she keeps me somewhat level headed.)
3. family (even though they are a few hundred miles away.)
4. community (friends and a church where i feel at home.)
5. friends (all over the globe doing some amazing things.)
6. communication (internet, cell phone in order to keep in touch with 3-5.)
is there anybody else out there who is thankful? let's put some action to the thankfulness.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Monday, November 14, 2005
wesleyan conventions
in a month and a half i am leading a trip to go to logos5 (wesleyan youth convention) i have only been to one in my lifetime and that was back when i was in 8th grade. what i remember from this trip was skipping half the seminars and making fun of ray boltz. this was exalt 94 and some of you might remember this back in the day. obviously wesleyan conventions have come along way since then. instead of the slim pickings in christian music we have multiple good quality christian bands. the convention that we will be attending will feature pillar. we will also hear from efrem smith. i am looking forward to this convention. but i question to why they are so expensive? it will cost my teens about $300 each and we are only 5 hrs away from Boston. is it possible to throw a quality convention for less?
indiana wesleyan throws a youth convention every year and offers it for about $35.
bethany bible college has their booster for about the same cost.
now i am sure that the university offsets alot of the cost. but would it be possible for the wesleyan church to do the same with the youth convention.
i have mentioned barn bash ( a day long festival that our youth group sponsors.) this event takes alot of the youth budget for the year but we think it is worth it to have 1500 people come to this outreach and hear the gospel.
now what can we do about the cost before the next national convention in 2 years when it is in orlando? i realize these conventions are worthwhile. but is it possible to lower costs? what are your thoughts?
indiana wesleyan throws a youth convention every year and offers it for about $35.
bethany bible college has their booster for about the same cost.
now i am sure that the university offsets alot of the cost. but would it be possible for the wesleyan church to do the same with the youth convention.
i have mentioned barn bash ( a day long festival that our youth group sponsors.) this event takes alot of the youth budget for the year but we think it is worth it to have 1500 people come to this outreach and hear the gospel.
now what can we do about the cost before the next national convention in 2 years when it is in orlando? i realize these conventions are worthwhile. but is it possible to lower costs? what are your thoughts?
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
eternity
What must I do to inherit eternal life?
There are two times this question is asked of Jesus that I would like to specifically address.
The rich young ruler asked this question. Jesus answers this man. “You know the commandments,” and lists off some of the commandments. After this he tells the young man “there is still one thing you lack. Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”
The second is asked by an expert in religious law trying to test Christ. Jesus responds by “what does the law of Moses say?” With this asked the man answers Love you God with all your hear, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind. And, Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus then tells the story of the Good Samaritan.
In another teaching by Christ he separates the people on the right and the left; the righteous from the unrighteous. He the talks to those on the right and says this “come you who are blessed by my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me… These righteous will go into eternal life.”
All these stories revolve around eternal life. They also revolve around helping, goodness and gentleness to your neighbor. I wonder how much of loving your neighbor is important to attaining eternal life. I wonder why there is a lot of emphasis on this concept in the scriptures.
Of course I do not want to take away the factor of belief and John 14:6. That is essential first and foremost. In fact all of these stories address following Christ and loving the Lord. But I do also know that faith without deeds is dead. It is definitely important to help your neighbor. I also want to stress the idea of loving your neighbor. Sometimes we do these things out of duty and the commands put on us by Christ. Is that loving your neighbor or is it just out of obedience.
Thoughts?
There are two times this question is asked of Jesus that I would like to specifically address.
The rich young ruler asked this question. Jesus answers this man. “You know the commandments,” and lists off some of the commandments. After this he tells the young man “there is still one thing you lack. Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”
The second is asked by an expert in religious law trying to test Christ. Jesus responds by “what does the law of Moses say?” With this asked the man answers Love you God with all your hear, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind. And, Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus then tells the story of the Good Samaritan.
In another teaching by Christ he separates the people on the right and the left; the righteous from the unrighteous. He the talks to those on the right and says this “come you who are blessed by my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me… These righteous will go into eternal life.”
All these stories revolve around eternal life. They also revolve around helping, goodness and gentleness to your neighbor. I wonder how much of loving your neighbor is important to attaining eternal life. I wonder why there is a lot of emphasis on this concept in the scriptures.
Of course I do not want to take away the factor of belief and John 14:6. That is essential first and foremost. In fact all of these stories address following Christ and loving the Lord. But I do also know that faith without deeds is dead. It is definitely important to help your neighbor. I also want to stress the idea of loving your neighbor. Sometimes we do these things out of duty and the commands put on us by Christ. Is that loving your neighbor or is it just out of obedience.
Thoughts?
Thursday, November 03, 2005
respect the past
last saturday i went to a syracuse football game. for those of you that do not know about su football this season let me bring you up to date. they are 1-7 with a new coach; george robinson. . this year the 2 quarterbacks alternate drives.
i received these tickets from one of the many people in our church that have season tickets. i guess he didnt want to see another loss. on the way to the game i looked at the tickets and saw in big print "respect the past." i started laughing and andy ( friend who went with me) asked me why. i told him what the tickets had on them. there really isnt much to respect about their present team.
now i do not now a lot about su football. i have only live here for three months. i did find out that jim brown used to play for su and donovan mcnabb played qb for them not to long ago. also back in 1959 they won the national championship. i can definately respect those three things. i wonder though how much "respecting the past" will get them into a future national championship in football.
switching respect over to the church. the universal church has has alot to respect with many people like martin luther, john wesley, john calvin, mother theresa. they have done many things for the church today. but i wonder how far we as the church of today can get just "respecting the past."
the church i used to work at has a storied past. they did great things. a former pastor was a gs in the wesleyan church. they had done many great things in the community. but for the past few years they have disconnected with that community and the former pastor is now dead. but yet the church still lives in the glory days of the past. i wonder where we draw the line of respecting the past but being active in the present to prepare for the future. how much of what we do is just to get by?
at the same time i think it is very important to respect the past. a lot of people have gone before us to get us where we are today. many countries before us were very evangelical at one time but have become very secularized. i heard a stat that only 1% of people in england go to church and the same stat can be said for a majority of european countries. the u.s. is headed in the same direction. how can we respect the past enough to change the decline and have a positive future. how can the local church and the universal church do this as a whole united.
i received these tickets from one of the many people in our church that have season tickets. i guess he didnt want to see another loss. on the way to the game i looked at the tickets and saw in big print "respect the past." i started laughing and andy ( friend who went with me) asked me why. i told him what the tickets had on them. there really isnt much to respect about their present team.
now i do not now a lot about su football. i have only live here for three months. i did find out that jim brown used to play for su and donovan mcnabb played qb for them not to long ago. also back in 1959 they won the national championship. i can definately respect those three things. i wonder though how much "respecting the past" will get them into a future national championship in football.
switching respect over to the church. the universal church has has alot to respect with many people like martin luther, john wesley, john calvin, mother theresa. they have done many things for the church today. but i wonder how far we as the church of today can get just "respecting the past."
the church i used to work at has a storied past. they did great things. a former pastor was a gs in the wesleyan church. they had done many great things in the community. but for the past few years they have disconnected with that community and the former pastor is now dead. but yet the church still lives in the glory days of the past. i wonder where we draw the line of respecting the past but being active in the present to prepare for the future. how much of what we do is just to get by?
at the same time i think it is very important to respect the past. a lot of people have gone before us to get us where we are today. many countries before us were very evangelical at one time but have become very secularized. i heard a stat that only 1% of people in england go to church and the same stat can be said for a majority of european countries. the u.s. is headed in the same direction. how can we respect the past enough to change the decline and have a positive future. how can the local church and the universal church do this as a whole united.
Monday, October 31, 2005
riding a scooter
"Great power leads to an even greater responsibility."
Unfortunately for Scooter Libby this holds very true. Being the right hand man to the VP of the U.S. is indeed a great power and an even greater responsibility. While in the U.S. we are innocent until proven guilty I am predicting a conviction. Special prosecutor Fitzgerald obviously did his homework, and was right on when he said that no one is above the law. While purposely or inadvertently Scooter was in the wrong, there is a responsibility for his actions.
I am getting down off the scooter now. What I really want to discuss is the idea of leadership. Leaders are held to a higher level. Whether you are leader of the free world or a pastor of a Free Methodist church there is a responsibility that comes with the position. And you will have to eventually be held accountable for what you do with that power. Since you are in “X” position you will speak, teach and lead those in your work place or congregation. These people will listen, learn and follow you because you are in this position. It is very possible that you could lead astray if you are not careful with your words, or turn someone away because of your actions.
James 3:1 says “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”
Now obviously we are not perfect. We will mess up. We will say the wrong thing. But with a great power we do have a great responsibility to make things right. We are human but we are also in a position of leadership. And because of this we will be held accountable with what we teach. We do not have to be Scooter Libby but I am sure at times in our lives we all have been. We are just not in the position where it would be a federal case. But we will affect the lives around us.
So what do we do now?
Do we review our lives and see where we are at fault?
Do we act on our responsibility and apologize?
Do we ignore the responsibility?
Will we become accountable now so we are not judged later?
So what do we do now?
Unfortunately for Scooter Libby this holds very true. Being the right hand man to the VP of the U.S. is indeed a great power and an even greater responsibility. While in the U.S. we are innocent until proven guilty I am predicting a conviction. Special prosecutor Fitzgerald obviously did his homework, and was right on when he said that no one is above the law. While purposely or inadvertently Scooter was in the wrong, there is a responsibility for his actions.
I am getting down off the scooter now. What I really want to discuss is the idea of leadership. Leaders are held to a higher level. Whether you are leader of the free world or a pastor of a Free Methodist church there is a responsibility that comes with the position. And you will have to eventually be held accountable for what you do with that power. Since you are in “X” position you will speak, teach and lead those in your work place or congregation. These people will listen, learn and follow you because you are in this position. It is very possible that you could lead astray if you are not careful with your words, or turn someone away because of your actions.
James 3:1 says “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”
Now obviously we are not perfect. We will mess up. We will say the wrong thing. But with a great power we do have a great responsibility to make things right. We are human but we are also in a position of leadership. And because of this we will be held accountable with what we teach. We do not have to be Scooter Libby but I am sure at times in our lives we all have been. We are just not in the position where it would be a federal case. But we will affect the lives around us.
So what do we do now?
Do we review our lives and see where we are at fault?
Do we act on our responsibility and apologize?
Do we ignore the responsibility?
Will we become accountable now so we are not judged later?
So what do we do now?
Thursday, October 20, 2005
a letter to a friend
to the readers. this letter is for a specific friend. i am sure we all have some just like it.
gabe,
it seems so long ago that we were in high school. a lot of things have happened since this time to change us and mold us into who we are now. i am a youth pastor and you are pursuing music.
i always looked up to you back then, becuase you were so talented musically. i remember hanging out and listening to you play your guitar. it has been a couple of years since we last talked and my last memory of you is playing your guitar in church. the song was nothing but the blood of Jesus. i remember your testimony and how you said you were struggling but you were holding your faith together by the blood of Jesus.
i have still followed your music and every now and then listen to stuff on your website. i am saddened though to see where your relationship with Christ has gone. you claim God is distant in your life and doesnt really care. i am sorry you feel this way. i pray that God will draw near to you to make his presence known. but i know in order for that to happen you have to choose to draw near to him. start listening to his voice and to obey him.
i will always look up to you and will always try to follow your music. but my prayer is that you will find faith again and hold onto it. i miss you man.
hope all is well
gabe,
it seems so long ago that we were in high school. a lot of things have happened since this time to change us and mold us into who we are now. i am a youth pastor and you are pursuing music.
i always looked up to you back then, becuase you were so talented musically. i remember hanging out and listening to you play your guitar. it has been a couple of years since we last talked and my last memory of you is playing your guitar in church. the song was nothing but the blood of Jesus. i remember your testimony and how you said you were struggling but you were holding your faith together by the blood of Jesus.
i have still followed your music and every now and then listen to stuff on your website. i am saddened though to see where your relationship with Christ has gone. you claim God is distant in your life and doesnt really care. i am sorry you feel this way. i pray that God will draw near to you to make his presence known. but i know in order for that to happen you have to choose to draw near to him. start listening to his voice and to obey him.
i will always look up to you and will always try to follow your music. but my prayer is that you will find faith again and hold onto it. i miss you man.
hope all is well
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
built a house
Jesus took a while pouring His life into the lives of the disciples so they in turn would have a ministry that would build the church. now two thousand years later i am seeing people wanting to tear it down, to start a reformation, or just to seperate themselves from it. the church has been important for generations and has been used to be a hosptial for sinners and a haven for the saints.
Jesus approached peter after the resurrection and asked him "do you love me?" well of course peter says yes. Jesus asked him the second time, "do you love me?" and again peter says yes. Jesus asks again for an unprecedented third time, "do you love me?" this time peter is a little hurt replies again "of course Jesus you know everything you know i love you."
Jesus replies each time to feed His sheep. but the last time Jesus adds this "others will take you where you do not want to go." peters life was eventually taken as a martyr. he lived a life that was worthy even though at one time he denied the Christ.
where would the church be today if peter was never reinstated by Christ. would he have continued fishing? rather than building the church and feeding the sheep he could have spent the rest of his life catching salmon.
because of this Jesus built a house. a house now that is big, strong and there to protect his sheep. under the care of a shepherd they meet to protect them from the wolves and lions. so many people today are leaving the church. they feel they are better off. they feel that it is easier to be a christian away from the church.
and maybe they can but i know when a sheep stay with the flock and a wolf comes around the other sheep make noise as a warning to protect the other sheep. the sheperd will know whats going on and can do his best to help protect the sheep from the predator. i also know that sheep on there own dont stand a good chance on their own. sure they can find food on their own. the scriptures are just as easy to read as it is for the sheep to eat the grass in front of them but who will protect that lone sheep when they are off on their own trying to live like a sheep without the flock?
Jesus approached peter after the resurrection and asked him "do you love me?" well of course peter says yes. Jesus asked him the second time, "do you love me?" and again peter says yes. Jesus asks again for an unprecedented third time, "do you love me?" this time peter is a little hurt replies again "of course Jesus you know everything you know i love you."
Jesus replies each time to feed His sheep. but the last time Jesus adds this "others will take you where you do not want to go." peters life was eventually taken as a martyr. he lived a life that was worthy even though at one time he denied the Christ.
where would the church be today if peter was never reinstated by Christ. would he have continued fishing? rather than building the church and feeding the sheep he could have spent the rest of his life catching salmon.
because of this Jesus built a house. a house now that is big, strong and there to protect his sheep. under the care of a shepherd they meet to protect them from the wolves and lions. so many people today are leaving the church. they feel they are better off. they feel that it is easier to be a christian away from the church.
and maybe they can but i know when a sheep stay with the flock and a wolf comes around the other sheep make noise as a warning to protect the other sheep. the sheperd will know whats going on and can do his best to help protect the sheep from the predator. i also know that sheep on there own dont stand a good chance on their own. sure they can find food on their own. the scriptures are just as easy to read as it is for the sheep to eat the grass in front of them but who will protect that lone sheep when they are off on their own trying to live like a sheep without the flock?
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
i think i am becoming legalistic
i am not sure why this is but i think i am becoming legalistic. in a way i think all of us are becoming legalistic. we are right... you are wrong. you need to believe this in order to have salvation. i have grown up a christian. i have always gone to church. i am striving to become Christ like. i have been in a constant pursuit of being a deeply devoted follower. and then i realized i have been legalistic.
usually the title legalistic condones we are the one and only way. well i have thought about it and i think i want to be more legalist. except i do not want to be a wesleyan legalist. i want to be a christian legalist. i am tired of being accused by the outside world as illtolerant of others beliefs. i think we as christians are very tolerant and loving. sure there might be some who are not but the majority of christians are. but i have decided for myself that i am done being tolerant of other beliefs. i will still be tolerant of the people. but to tell you the truth on the issue of christianity... i am going to be legalistic.
buddha didnt say i am the way the truth and the life, neither did muhammed, or jon smith. Jesus Christ did and i am going to stick to that idea. as for those people that once accused me of being illtollerant or a legalist, they are not jus accusing me anymore. i am a legalist
usually the title legalistic condones we are the one and only way. well i have thought about it and i think i want to be more legalist. except i do not want to be a wesleyan legalist. i want to be a christian legalist. i am tired of being accused by the outside world as illtolerant of others beliefs. i think we as christians are very tolerant and loving. sure there might be some who are not but the majority of christians are. but i have decided for myself that i am done being tolerant of other beliefs. i will still be tolerant of the people. but to tell you the truth on the issue of christianity... i am going to be legalistic.
buddha didnt say i am the way the truth and the life, neither did muhammed, or jon smith. Jesus Christ did and i am going to stick to that idea. as for those people that once accused me of being illtollerant or a legalist, they are not jus accusing me anymore. i am a legalist
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
situation response 1b
i think one has to be careful in how he views any of these.
"why does the screen have to cover the cross?"
"why does the screen have to cover the cross?"
- well uh... sir, it doesn't. however we decided to leave the cross in the middle and the best place to put a screen for the projector is in that same place. (this answer might not necessarily be the best. or maybe it is.
- oh i never noticed that it did
"why do we need the screen in the first place?"
- i feel so inhibited when i worship with a hymnal in my hand. this free's up my hands to worship as i feel led
- everybody is doing it (peer pressure)
- you can use it for so much more then power point
"the cross is only a symbol of what we believe, do we need it there anyways."
- i prefer it to be there but a choice between the cross and the screen i would have to go with the... (either answer here could come back to haunt you, so be careful.)
- the cross only stands for death, why isnt the tomb stone Chrsitianities symbol?
stand by tomorrow to the conclusion of what actually happened
Monday, October 10, 2005
situation response 1
"why does the screen have to cover the cross?"
"why do we need the screen in the first place?"
"the cross is only a symbol of what we believe, do we need it there anyways."
these are three responses to situation 1. all of them different. why is it that we can have so many responses to one situation. are any of them the right way to think? does it even matter? thoughts... anyone?
"why do we need the screen in the first place?"
"the cross is only a symbol of what we believe, do we need it there anyways."
these are three responses to situation 1. all of them different. why is it that we can have so many responses to one situation. are any of them the right way to think? does it even matter? thoughts... anyone?
Friday, October 07, 2005
situation 1: cross being covered
i am going to be starting a new series having to do with situations within the local church. some of these have happened in churches that i have attended, pastored, or other people i know have happened to. with each of these situation there are different responses that happen by individuals within the church. now i will make up some of the resonses and some will be real. but on your part i am wondering how you would respond in each of these situations.
situation 1 begins with a sanctuary being remodeled. (we know there will be issues with every remodel.) with the remodel happening everyone agreed that the cross would stay on the front wall of the sanctuary. now the problem with this is that during the remodel a screen was put in for the new projector. this screen would now cover up the majority of the cross. how did people react to this? how would you respond to this?
situation 1 begins with a sanctuary being remodeled. (we know there will be issues with every remodel.) with the remodel happening everyone agreed that the cross would stay on the front wall of the sanctuary. now the problem with this is that during the remodel a screen was put in for the new projector. this screen would now cover up the majority of the cross. how did people react to this? how would you respond to this?
Thursday, September 29, 2005
strength
i was looking out my window this morning. what i observerd was cars passing by, people taking there pets to the vet, rain and wind. the wind though is something i started thinking more about. how strong wind can be but yet it is only measured by how you see other things move. in my case, it was two big birch trees. the wind was moving the branches all in one direction like it wanted to tear it out of the ground. the meteorologist this morning said we could have winds of up to 50mph. the strength of this wind was amazing. to see it move this tree like it was nothing. i know i could not be able to move it like the wind could.
then i started thinking about the tree. how strong is the tree if it can put up with 40-50 mph wind. the roots have to be strong, also on top of this the branches have to be pliable and strong enough so the tree would not fly apart. obviously this tree would have a breaking point. i am not sure what it would take, but at one point the wind could get strong enough to tear the tree apart.
a couple days ago i was driving. as i was i noticed there was a tree that had fallen on a car. the windows were smashed and the roof had a big impression where the tree landed. i wondered how hard the wind had to be going to break the tree.
everybody, everything has a breaking point. the point where they cannot hold on any longer. some peoples breaking points will tear people away from their faith, family and friends. everything they once knew could be gone just like that with a decision to turn away.
i guess i have decided that in my own life i would rather be a mending point. i want to be able to help so people never reach that breaking point. or if they have reached that breaking point help them to be able to help mend the brokeness they feel.
as i continue to watch the tree being morphed by the wind i know the wind will eventually die down and the tree branches will go back to there earlier resting spot.
then i started thinking about the tree. how strong is the tree if it can put up with 40-50 mph wind. the roots have to be strong, also on top of this the branches have to be pliable and strong enough so the tree would not fly apart. obviously this tree would have a breaking point. i am not sure what it would take, but at one point the wind could get strong enough to tear the tree apart.
a couple days ago i was driving. as i was i noticed there was a tree that had fallen on a car. the windows were smashed and the roof had a big impression where the tree landed. i wondered how hard the wind had to be going to break the tree.
everybody, everything has a breaking point. the point where they cannot hold on any longer. some peoples breaking points will tear people away from their faith, family and friends. everything they once knew could be gone just like that with a decision to turn away.
i guess i have decided that in my own life i would rather be a mending point. i want to be able to help so people never reach that breaking point. or if they have reached that breaking point help them to be able to help mend the brokeness they feel.
as i continue to watch the tree being morphed by the wind i know the wind will eventually die down and the tree branches will go back to there earlier resting spot.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
communited
i have been thinking a lot about about community. how is it made up? how does a church reach that point? how is one to now when a church reaches a good sense of community? i have thought about family and what it takes to be a family. why is family so committed to each other?the commitment factor plays a lot into this idea of family and community. family will always be there for you. helping you out no matter what. family can be the greatest sense of community that anyone will ever have. however in the world today families are falling apart. or atleast held together by different standard and possibly non existent. a family that receives the greatest sense of community is one that worships and prays together. everyone has heard the quote "a family that prays together stays together."i think this can be the same in the idea of a church. how many times are we apart of corporate prayer that is really united. people will pray seperately and in different groups but the only time everyone is included is during the prayers of the services. so we might here some prayer but can one really base that the whole church is praying together with unity and in agreement.i think a church needs more. to stay united and together, a church needs to pray in agreement. how does a church pray as one. the pastor clearly showing vision helps. communiction is a big sense. if we know where we are going but the laity do not how can we pray together. if we never hear the laity pray then how do we know what they are thinking. we need to come together and pray together.a chuch family that prays together will better benefit God's kingdom together
Thursday, September 22, 2005
real church
the past few days i have really been thinking about church. what is church? what does it take to have church? what are the components of a church? what would Jesus say if he saw the church of today.
the other night at barn bash i heard many people say that "this is what the real church should look like." and "i think this is what Jesus had in mind when he thought about the church.
the barn bash vision is not to push Christ on people but to build inroads or bridges into the community t0 show the love of Christ through serving.
there wasnt a huge push to have commitments made. there wasnt a rule that you had to be at this band or hear the message in the cafe. there were however christians serving free food, there were christians having a bmx demonstration. there was an acoustic set in the cafe where one could rest, have some coffee and listen to christian music.
there wasnt a "sanctuary" that had a "worship band" with a "message." there were however people who loved, sacrificed, served and showed grace and mercy to christians and the non
christians alike. it was amazing to see Christ represented through tangible stuff. i know saturday there were more seeds planted and watered than i have seen in along time. people are talking around town about how great it was to have a safe place to go, to know that they would not get in trouble or harassed for being who they are. people felt loved and appreciated. when people said thank you for putting in on, we responded by thank you for coming.
we might never know the outcome of what happened through this church we happen to call barn bash. it only meets once a year but i bet has a lot more impact then we realize and will be the only church that some of these people will go to this year, maybe even ever. but the community, the love and unity showed that night was amazing. that is without a doubt what Jesus wanted to happen. he wanted us to display love and servanthood in these ways. and this past saturday we built more inroads into the community and had community with them.
the other night at barn bash i heard many people say that "this is what the real church should look like." and "i think this is what Jesus had in mind when he thought about the church.
the barn bash vision is not to push Christ on people but to build inroads or bridges into the community t0 show the love of Christ through serving.
there wasnt a huge push to have commitments made. there wasnt a rule that you had to be at this band or hear the message in the cafe. there were however christians serving free food, there were christians having a bmx demonstration. there was an acoustic set in the cafe where one could rest, have some coffee and listen to christian music.
there wasnt a "sanctuary" that had a "worship band" with a "message." there were however people who loved, sacrificed, served and showed grace and mercy to christians and the non
christians alike. it was amazing to see Christ represented through tangible stuff. i know saturday there were more seeds planted and watered than i have seen in along time. people are talking around town about how great it was to have a safe place to go, to know that they would not get in trouble or harassed for being who they are. people felt loved and appreciated. when people said thank you for putting in on, we responded by thank you for coming.
we might never know the outcome of what happened through this church we happen to call barn bash. it only meets once a year but i bet has a lot more impact then we realize and will be the only church that some of these people will go to this year, maybe even ever. but the community, the love and unity showed that night was amazing. that is without a doubt what Jesus wanted to happen. he wanted us to display love and servanthood in these ways. and this past saturday we built more inroads into the community and had community with them.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
i kissed leadership goodbye
in a world where leaders are king, just ask jon maxwell. i have decided to kiss leadership goodbye. to tell you the truth i am not sure why leadership was ever that big of a deal in the first place. yes we need leaders. yes churches need leaders, and most definately every organization in the world needs a leader. but i am wondering about the focus that has taken place the last 10-15 years on leadership. "everyone is a leader" i have heard this statement many times. but i wonder if everyone is the leader then who is left to follow these leaders? we need more willing followers and workers who do not care about taking the lead.
you might ask, well you are a youth pastor. arent you a leader? and i would have to agree. our world however is to focused on what i can do as a leader rather than what can we do together.
when you get a bunch of leaders in one group. then their is a possibility of too many egos flying around. when i am in a room of people i can pick out the leaders very quickly. they are the ones trying to gather attention on themselves rather than allowing another to talk and share his or her idea.
i do not want more leaders. there are to many leaders or at least someone who wants control. i am tired of everybody trying to have a say in everything. many people are over opinionated just because they have a label of leadership. and of course there is a reason they are in this position in the first place. but my cry is not for another leader but yet for more servants.
Jesus came "not to be serve but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many." in many ways he displayed this and while he was a leader in respect he was much more of a servant than any other title He had.
yes i do understand the importance of leadership. and in a way i see a lack of leadership in homes and that is what i beleive to be a huge reason our society is where we are today. but if there were more servants, we would have more humility and less hostility. there would be less talking and more conversation. there would be cooperation and less individuality.
i dont want leadership to go bye in the concept of it is not good enough. but i want it to go bye for me. true leaders are humble, serving and want what they want but i want to be a leader who is serving others not for his own gain but rather because i have a heart for people and a love for seeing growth in an individual.
so goodbye leadership hello servanthood. i will try to be a servant. one with humility and integrity. one willing to compromise with others and for the good of others.
my hope is that you will will serve as well
you might ask, well you are a youth pastor. arent you a leader? and i would have to agree. our world however is to focused on what i can do as a leader rather than what can we do together.
when you get a bunch of leaders in one group. then their is a possibility of too many egos flying around. when i am in a room of people i can pick out the leaders very quickly. they are the ones trying to gather attention on themselves rather than allowing another to talk and share his or her idea.
i do not want more leaders. there are to many leaders or at least someone who wants control. i am tired of everybody trying to have a say in everything. many people are over opinionated just because they have a label of leadership. and of course there is a reason they are in this position in the first place. but my cry is not for another leader but yet for more servants.
Jesus came "not to be serve but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many." in many ways he displayed this and while he was a leader in respect he was much more of a servant than any other title He had.
yes i do understand the importance of leadership. and in a way i see a lack of leadership in homes and that is what i beleive to be a huge reason our society is where we are today. but if there were more servants, we would have more humility and less hostility. there would be less talking and more conversation. there would be cooperation and less individuality.
i dont want leadership to go bye in the concept of it is not good enough. but i want it to go bye for me. true leaders are humble, serving and want what they want but i want to be a leader who is serving others not for his own gain but rather because i have a heart for people and a love for seeing growth in an individual.
so goodbye leadership hello servanthood. i will try to be a servant. one with humility and integrity. one willing to compromise with others and for the good of others.
my hope is that you will will serve as well
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
update: barn bash
you think preparing so long for this event would ready you for what to expect. i am not sure why i was so overwhelmed with everything that happened but i do know this past weekend was one of the most exciting things that have happened in my two years as a youth pastor. there were over 1500 people. not that numbers mean everything but word is getting out that the church cares for the community. when people start talking about that amazing things will happen.
kids in the way performed an awesome show. during the middle of the set dave (the lead singer) talked and you knew from the first moment that it was annointed. people there maybe heard the gospel for the first time. we are considering about bringing them back for next year already.
enemy opposition is a skate team that will blatantly show God's love through every possible medium clothing, video, performance and mouth. good stuff all around.
i am not sure if we will ever see the "fruit" but i know there was a lot planted on saturday.
kids in the way performed an awesome show. during the middle of the set dave (the lead singer) talked and you knew from the first moment that it was annointed. people there maybe heard the gospel for the first time. we are considering about bringing them back for next year already.
enemy opposition is a skate team that will blatantly show God's love through every possible medium clothing, video, performance and mouth. good stuff all around.
i am not sure if we will ever see the "fruit" but i know there was a lot planted on saturday.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
prayer request
this week is the busiest week in the life of anybody at pulaski wesleyan church. for the last five years they have thrown a festival called barn bash. each year adding to its numbers. the first year they had it consisted of 200 people, building to approximately 1200 last year. this year of course is my first year and literally about 85% of the church is taking part plus other area churches are now helping as it has become something we cannot handle alone.
we will have 8 bands in all including kids in the way, nevertheless and long since forgotten, and other local favorites
we will feature an extreme sports team from buffalo
will have hay rides, cornmaze, blow up games, and food
this is a way for the church to reach out to the community as it is only a donation basis to enter and everything is free including food.
i just ask for prayer and sanity as this thing goes on. we could do a lot for the kingdom on saturday. if you are in the area come on by.
we will have 8 bands in all including kids in the way, nevertheless and long since forgotten, and other local favorites
we will feature an extreme sports team from buffalo
will have hay rides, cornmaze, blow up games, and food
this is a way for the church to reach out to the community as it is only a donation basis to enter and everything is free including food.
i just ask for prayer and sanity as this thing goes on. we could do a lot for the kingdom on saturday. if you are in the area come on by.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
certain of what we do not see
can one be certain of what they cannot see? is it possible to trust that much in something that is never seen to be truth. well obviously this is something that is hard to be able to do. more people than not have followed this concept of 'if i can not see it then it must not be true.' this is the concept most people probably hold as truth. one of the only truths that there is has to be visible. and even in those circumstances can there be absolutes with what can be viewed.
yet children will believe anything you tell them. it is part of their naitivity and innocence. i wonder if that is what Jesus is talking about, "having faith like a child." being naive and innocent enough to believe anything that is told to them. was i like this growing up(with parents)? or even in college(profs)? or now?
having faith is not easy. faith can be best defined as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." that is what makes faith so hard. it doesnt say faith is something that will be revealed tomorrow or that we will be able to touch Jesus' scars like thomas did. we cannot see and might never see the scars of Jesus. so for now we are stuck in a world without physical evidence of our resurrected Savior.
alot of converts today are children under the age of 13. is that because they are so innocent and naive that they will believe eveything told to them so they confess, believe and begin a relationship out of that is all they have ever been told or do they truly believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord. it is a hard concept for anyone to handle.
you might be reading this and wondering if i am possibly having a faith crisis. well i am definately not having a crisis but i now many who are. many who are falling away from what they have grown up believing and what they once proclaimed as truth. they see as a lie or at least that if God is so loving and gracious, why does there have to be so much pain?
what was once enough for them to believe as a child has now become tough. is this a problem within the church or an issue within the people themselves? did we not disciple them enough. and if we did then why are they falling away as i write this blog? is there a way to stop this trend. or is this bound to happen? i dont want to be convinced that this is what i will have to face as time goes on. as more people that have been poured into will eventually just dump everything they have been told and walk away.
going back to the idea of faith is "being sure of what we hope for." just makes us have to hope a llittle more. sometimes their is things that we cannot prove. as much as we read and dig perrper into the apologetics of Christianity. it still goes back to the hope, trust and certainty of what we do not see.
as i sit here and type this i am wearing a blue shirt, shorts and flip flops but I guess that you will just have to believe me.
yet children will believe anything you tell them. it is part of their naitivity and innocence. i wonder if that is what Jesus is talking about, "having faith like a child." being naive and innocent enough to believe anything that is told to them. was i like this growing up(with parents)? or even in college(profs)? or now?
having faith is not easy. faith can be best defined as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." that is what makes faith so hard. it doesnt say faith is something that will be revealed tomorrow or that we will be able to touch Jesus' scars like thomas did. we cannot see and might never see the scars of Jesus. so for now we are stuck in a world without physical evidence of our resurrected Savior.
alot of converts today are children under the age of 13. is that because they are so innocent and naive that they will believe eveything told to them so they confess, believe and begin a relationship out of that is all they have ever been told or do they truly believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord. it is a hard concept for anyone to handle.
you might be reading this and wondering if i am possibly having a faith crisis. well i am definately not having a crisis but i now many who are. many who are falling away from what they have grown up believing and what they once proclaimed as truth. they see as a lie or at least that if God is so loving and gracious, why does there have to be so much pain?
what was once enough for them to believe as a child has now become tough. is this a problem within the church or an issue within the people themselves? did we not disciple them enough. and if we did then why are they falling away as i write this blog? is there a way to stop this trend. or is this bound to happen? i dont want to be convinced that this is what i will have to face as time goes on. as more people that have been poured into will eventually just dump everything they have been told and walk away.
going back to the idea of faith is "being sure of what we hope for." just makes us have to hope a llittle more. sometimes their is things that we cannot prove. as much as we read and dig perrper into the apologetics of Christianity. it still goes back to the hope, trust and certainty of what we do not see.
as i sit here and type this i am wearing a blue shirt, shorts and flip flops but I guess that you will just have to believe me.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
desperation for critical thinking
i went to college as a kid from a small town, knowing little but thinking i knew everything. i had experienced a decent amount for an 18 year old but what was about to experience at iwu was eye opening for me. iwu had more rules then i had at home. but now that i have been a youth pastor for almost 2 years i look at some of the teens who have left and are leaving this weekend to start at colleges all over america. iwu provides a much needed structure for an 18 year old.
some rules i didnt agree with going into college and some new reflection on them for those who are entering as freshmen or are still so opposed to rules.
1. curfew for freshmen- 12 weekdays, 2 friday, 1 saturday--i really did not enjoy this. i would come into the dorm most evenings at 11:59. but obviously this is a standard not to off the streets but to help give you boundaries. who can learn by staying up all hours. by the time you are upperclassmen you will realize how important sleep and opening a book before 12 am is. also this is for the christian. when going to church after sleeping only a couple hours is almost pointless. are we not supposed to give God our best. if we are physically exhausted then can you worship well?
2. no rated r movies- i had issues through all of college with this rule. i thought the university was against us using discernment. but in reality they knew we did not have discernment. i do watch rated r movies now but very few. the value in most of them is low. but this rule really helped show me discernment rather than take it away. just in addition to this i watched "the great raid" this week. about a pow camp in ww2. really is an amazing movie of perserverance and faith shown through a true story of rescue and redemption. check it out. i urge every one. it is a little slow at first but give it a chance.
3. no dancing- actually to tell you the truth. i didnt mind this rule. i never did dance before iwu and still really dont care to learn.
i am sure there were more rules but these are the most talked about on the iwu campus. these help you to critically think about what is important and discern what is not. most rules are put there for protection rather than hindering someone to do something. and how you react to the authority is a clear indication of how one can and does react to God with the rules he has set forth.
some rules i didnt agree with going into college and some new reflection on them for those who are entering as freshmen or are still so opposed to rules.
1. curfew for freshmen- 12 weekdays, 2 friday, 1 saturday--i really did not enjoy this. i would come into the dorm most evenings at 11:59. but obviously this is a standard not to off the streets but to help give you boundaries. who can learn by staying up all hours. by the time you are upperclassmen you will realize how important sleep and opening a book before 12 am is. also this is for the christian. when going to church after sleeping only a couple hours is almost pointless. are we not supposed to give God our best. if we are physically exhausted then can you worship well?
2. no rated r movies- i had issues through all of college with this rule. i thought the university was against us using discernment. but in reality they knew we did not have discernment. i do watch rated r movies now but very few. the value in most of them is low. but this rule really helped show me discernment rather than take it away. just in addition to this i watched "the great raid" this week. about a pow camp in ww2. really is an amazing movie of perserverance and faith shown through a true story of rescue and redemption. check it out. i urge every one. it is a little slow at first but give it a chance.
3. no dancing- actually to tell you the truth. i didnt mind this rule. i never did dance before iwu and still really dont care to learn.
i am sure there were more rules but these are the most talked about on the iwu campus. these help you to critically think about what is important and discern what is not. most rules are put there for protection rather than hindering someone to do something. and how you react to the authority is a clear indication of how one can and does react to God with the rules he has set forth.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
a warning
how many times have you known something was going to happen? you have been warned by politicians, weathermen, pastors, doctors or other experts of a certain field that this will happen. it is inevitable. we hear the warning but do not do a thing about it, or do not think that it will actually happen. so many times we do not think it could happen to us. God will protect us and keep us from anything that we are unable to handle.
smoking is an example. doctors say do not smoke or you will get lung cancer. people dont listen to that so people end up suing tobacco companies because of the addiction that it can become. so yet another warning is put on the box by the surgeon general. warnings were created for protection.
new orleans is also an example of this. people know that there is a category five storm heading their way but for some reason they do not leave the area. maybe they thought the levies would hold up, many thought if they could survive camille then katrina would be okay as well. maybe they didnt have transportation out of town. (with 30-40% under the poverty level there alot of these probably didnt own their own vehicles.) maybe they thought God would protect them. but for one reason or the other they stayed against the advice of everybody. they couldnt leave their homes. it was all they knew and they had to stay.
we have many warnings still that are viable today. we have the book of revelation which says there will be an end of it all. we have paul warning us that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." and later him saying for "the wages of sin is death" and yet still "that if you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved." but yet we stay where we are comfortable. we stay where we think we will be protected.
even the disciples were warned not once but twice that Jesus would die and three days later rise from the dead. of course someone objected (peter) someone betrayed (judas) and when it actually happened (jesus dying and rising again) the disciples were dismayed with unbelief and it took a while to recognize who it was. and then even with the testimony of the other disciple thomas chose doubt over belief.
and yet we have come full cycle. we still have unbelief. we still experience warnings put out there. it is interesting that these warnings are there to protect us. if you follow these warning you can have life and live it to the full. but yet people people choose the way they feel most comfortable usually because that is the direction that their friends or family are going.
smoking is an example. doctors say do not smoke or you will get lung cancer. people dont listen to that so people end up suing tobacco companies because of the addiction that it can become. so yet another warning is put on the box by the surgeon general. warnings were created for protection.
new orleans is also an example of this. people know that there is a category five storm heading their way but for some reason they do not leave the area. maybe they thought the levies would hold up, many thought if they could survive camille then katrina would be okay as well. maybe they didnt have transportation out of town. (with 30-40% under the poverty level there alot of these probably didnt own their own vehicles.) maybe they thought God would protect them. but for one reason or the other they stayed against the advice of everybody. they couldnt leave their homes. it was all they knew and they had to stay.
we have many warnings still that are viable today. we have the book of revelation which says there will be an end of it all. we have paul warning us that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." and later him saying for "the wages of sin is death" and yet still "that if you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved." but yet we stay where we are comfortable. we stay where we think we will be protected.
even the disciples were warned not once but twice that Jesus would die and three days later rise from the dead. of course someone objected (peter) someone betrayed (judas) and when it actually happened (jesus dying and rising again) the disciples were dismayed with unbelief and it took a while to recognize who it was. and then even with the testimony of the other disciple thomas chose doubt over belief.
and yet we have come full cycle. we still have unbelief. we still experience warnings put out there. it is interesting that these warnings are there to protect us. if you follow these warning you can have life and live it to the full. but yet people people choose the way they feel most comfortable usually because that is the direction that their friends or family are going.
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