What an AMAZING weekend for many of our teens from CWC, as well as many others from our district. For a weekend all were recharged using the words of scripture, that is, I Timothy 4:12. These weekends can be such and awesome emotional high. My prayer as their youth pastor is that it would not just be about emotions, but about them realizing that they are not all alone. As I said last week, there are many more teens out there than even we realize that are desiring to take a stand for Christ.
My challenge to them was that they get into God's word, embrace the responsibility of not being afraid of what God has to offer, but prayerfully seeking it.
Over the weekend, something awesome happened, and it was humbling for me to watch God move through a group of teen. As I sat and listened (away from sight) a group of teens shared their faith with two teens staying at the hotel who were not apart of the conference. It was not done in a threatening way (ie.. You are going to go to Hell if you don't believe.) but they shared the love that Jesus has for them and how he wants to have a relationship with them. They also shared how their lives had been changed as a result of having Jesus the Christ as the head of their lives. It was an awesome moment to see God working though these teens and practicing what has been preached to them.
All in all, my prayer has been that the momentum gained will spill over into Crossroads/GAPP and ultimately Community Wesleyan Church, as well as churches around the world. I truly believe that there are world-changers just waiting for the opportunity to share their faith. That opportunity is NOW and people are ready. May God give us all the courage to be world-changers!
PJ
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
"Masks"
Perhaps you have never thought about this but....
Unfortunately in our society, whether teen or adult we are encouraged to wear masks. This will be our topic this week at CXR/GAPP. As Pastor Mick talked aboout the Blessings of God on Sunday, I began to think of all the blessings that God has for us. Even through the tough times he is there with us, that is an awesome blessing that we sometimes glance over. He wants us to be authentic Christians, yet we continue to shortchange ourselves by trying to be too much like the world. Similar to wearing a physical mask, we put on a spiritual mask.
It is a hard thing to try to be consistant in an inconsistant world. A world that tells you that your value is not from God, but from wealth, status, how you look among others. Moreover, it is amazing that we underexpect God, and the gifts that he has given each one of us. i am really excited to see the direction of Pastor Mick's series on Blessings. Taking some time to read over the scripture from Sunday will be an awesome way of letting the words of scripture be our guide and not the culture around us. That same culture that encourages you and I to put on a mask, (you might call it a spiritual mask) and be someone that you are truly not. One excellent book that I have read (and re-read on occasion) is Josh McDowell's book, The New Tolerance. One of the focus scriptures in this book is Ephesians 5:1-2. The scripture talks of being imitators of God, who created us, not of the world.
Sobering words in a world that teaches us to terate everything, and as I see in ministry it is occuring younger and younger.
Know that God has some awesome things planned for you and I. This week as you pray, focus on God's grace for us, and if the masks that this world has encouraged you to wear is a burden for you, give it over to God!
PJ
Unfortunately in our society, whether teen or adult we are encouraged to wear masks. This will be our topic this week at CXR/GAPP. As Pastor Mick talked aboout the Blessings of God on Sunday, I began to think of all the blessings that God has for us. Even through the tough times he is there with us, that is an awesome blessing that we sometimes glance over. He wants us to be authentic Christians, yet we continue to shortchange ourselves by trying to be too much like the world. Similar to wearing a physical mask, we put on a spiritual mask.
It is a hard thing to try to be consistant in an inconsistant world. A world that tells you that your value is not from God, but from wealth, status, how you look among others. Moreover, it is amazing that we underexpect God, and the gifts that he has given each one of us. i am really excited to see the direction of Pastor Mick's series on Blessings. Taking some time to read over the scripture from Sunday will be an awesome way of letting the words of scripture be our guide and not the culture around us. That same culture that encourages you and I to put on a mask, (you might call it a spiritual mask) and be someone that you are truly not. One excellent book that I have read (and re-read on occasion) is Josh McDowell's book, The New Tolerance. One of the focus scriptures in this book is Ephesians 5:1-2. The scripture talks of being imitators of God, who created us, not of the world.
Sobering words in a world that teaches us to terate everything, and as I see in ministry it is occuring younger and younger.
Know that God has some awesome things planned for you and I. This week as you pray, focus on God's grace for us, and if the masks that this world has encouraged you to wear is a burden for you, give it over to God!
PJ
Monday, October 8, 2007
Disciples
One of the most important marks of a disciple of Jesus Christ is Godly character. We should never minimize the importance of the, "Gifts of the Holy Spirit", yet is is the "Fruit of the Spirit" which identifies the true follower's of Jesus. As Pastor Mick spoke last Sunday, Christians around the world are in danger of becoming complacent. That is, I have my ticket to eternity, you better get yours. When instructing his disciples Jesus said, By their fruits you will recognize them(Matthew 7: 19-20) Many are gifted, yet the real test is the character, habits and lifestyle of the individual.
I have met many people who have charisma, but it is their character that is essential. That yet in trials we can have pure joy (James 1:2,3). So as it may seem the world around us is crumbling we do not suffer in fear, but stand tall and strong in the fact that we will persevere (whoa. I just noticed that this rhymes). With God as our foundation we shall not fall, though storms may come, we will stand tall.
My prayer is for that person who is struggling with how to share Christ. Know that you have that ultimate strength in Christ Jesus. He will be there with you on the mountain and in the valley.
May heaven smile on you,
PJ
I have met many people who have charisma, but it is their character that is essential. That yet in trials we can have pure joy (James 1:2,3). So as it may seem the world around us is crumbling we do not suffer in fear, but stand tall and strong in the fact that we will persevere (whoa. I just noticed that this rhymes). With God as our foundation we shall not fall, though storms may come, we will stand tall.
My prayer is for that person who is struggling with how to share Christ. Know that you have that ultimate strength in Christ Jesus. He will be there with you on the mountain and in the valley.
May heaven smile on you,
PJ
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
HE REIGNS!
Isn't it awesome how God moves? Even when we least expect it God is still evident in our world. I am encouraged that tomorrow (Thursday), I will have the opportunity to speak at Eisenhower High School to the Stand-UP group (this is a Christian Teen group that meets every Thursday for prayer, bible study and support). One of the teens in GAPP was able to make this happen by wanting to stand up for her faith daily.
As I think about the recent weeks it is awesome to me how God is moving in so many different lives, especially the lives of our teens. In addition to the above event, I am looking to help start a after-school bible study at Richmond high School. As one teen confessed to me, "my school really needs it!". If you are a teen reading this, pray and think of ways that God can use you to spread his word! And for both adults and teens alike, Believe in the Impossible!! If you are thinking about starting a bible study at your school, or just want to pray for your school daily, I would love to talk to you about it. This is such a testimony to this generation that is crying out for more than the temporary things that this world has to offer.
To illustrate this, during youth this week I used the example of 3 items. (1)a padlock. (2) moth balls, (3) can of spray paint. I asked the teens what do these items have in common. By the end of the message I told them they all preserve/protect something. That protection is only temporary, but the protection that God offers us is eternal, and will never fade away or get broken into.
Be in prayer for our future. That future is our youth! that God will continue to bring forth doers of his word. those that are not ashamed to raise the banner high and let the world know that HE REIGNS!!!!
PJ
As I think about the recent weeks it is awesome to me how God is moving in so many different lives, especially the lives of our teens. In addition to the above event, I am looking to help start a after-school bible study at Richmond high School. As one teen confessed to me, "my school really needs it!". If you are a teen reading this, pray and think of ways that God can use you to spread his word! And for both adults and teens alike, Believe in the Impossible!! If you are thinking about starting a bible study at your school, or just want to pray for your school daily, I would love to talk to you about it. This is such a testimony to this generation that is crying out for more than the temporary things that this world has to offer.
To illustrate this, during youth this week I used the example of 3 items. (1)a padlock. (2) moth balls, (3) can of spray paint. I asked the teens what do these items have in common. By the end of the message I told them they all preserve/protect something. That protection is only temporary, but the protection that God offers us is eternal, and will never fade away or get broken into.
Be in prayer for our future. That future is our youth! that God will continue to bring forth doers of his word. those that are not ashamed to raise the banner high and let the world know that HE REIGNS!!!!
PJ
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