In times of Heartache

Thursday night shortly before GAPP I recieved a message letting me know that a precious child, 14 years old, from a youth group in our district had died. Furthermore, she had committed suicide. My heart immediately felt broken. I had met her at Family camp last summer and again at NEXT (the Wesleyan Youth Leadership weekend). She was a delightful young lady, and as I reflect upon her my heart is filled with sadness that many of our teens may be struggling with these feeling too.
As I spoke to GAPP it became all too apparent that there are so many things in this world that try to overwelm us. We spent quite a bit of time at the altar looking for understanding, for clarity and for something to ease the breaking of hearts. Over 90% of those teens had been touched in some way by suicide. As I write this, some statistics say that somewhere, somewhen a teen will kill themselves. Again, my heart fills with sadness.
As I stood at her funeral and talked with God, my prayer was this, that God would strengthen us all to be ambassador's of his word. To take the living Jesus to the decaying world that is out there. As I minister with teens I continually realize one thing, many that I come into contact with would never say they need Jesus, but deep down they know they do.
So as you continue on this journey this week, be mindful of those around you who need a touch from Jesus. Are you willing to be that vessel?
I am reminded of the scripture that accompanied the services for this young lady. I pray that you are blessed by this:
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and recieve you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also" John 14: 1-3

May God Bless you and Heaven smile on you!
Pastor Jason

The Right Direction

Well this last week has been an interesting one. I spent a few days at the Willow Creek Youth Leadership Conference. What an awesome time! Just understanding the workings of the generation I minister too (that is funny in and of itself, because do we ever fully understand?). Hearing many youth pastors and teens speak of how God has been ministering to them was way cool. How we are all on a road and want to make sure we are going in the right direction.

As I think back on this week I remember a little box of Christian sayings that Shelly gave me when we dated. One that comes to mind is this, " Father, help me not to give up to quickly on those that I seek to influence toward your way"

What an awesome and profound prayer that is for each and every one of us. that is, the people we come into contact with every day are positively influence for Christ. I have kept that little card close to my heart for quite some time now and reflect back on it every now and again.

I think that in many of our undertakings we desire to do the right thing. We also desire to know that we are headed in the right direction. Children, want that assurance, teens want it, and adults want it too. that assurance is found in the salvation offered by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (I am hearing the song Blessed Assurance in my mind right now). That is what the world needs and that is what we need to "shine" for all those around us to see. Will the road be hard, yep, will people betray/hate us, yep, but the eternal reward and love that Jesus has for us should give us hope. And that Hope is what drives us into the arms of Jesus, the right direction revealed!

May God Bless you and Heaven Smile on ya!

Pastor Jason

This is why we Praise Him!

God's word! I believe that it provides us the comfort and the safety that this world will never give us. Ephesians 5: 18-19 says it so eloquently as we are instructed to worship, " speaking to yourselves in Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord"
As I have said many times I am so stoked that each week I get to see teens lay all their cares down before God. Living out the words of Psalms 34:1. That is truly something beautiful. I had a teen come up to me last night at GAPP (Sr. High) and reveal to me how awesome it is that for at least 2 hours a week a youth group they can come and be themselves, not worry what people thought of them, etc.... I shared with her and I share with you, "YOU CAN HAVE THIS PEACE ALL THE TIME". I think we put God in a box in thinking that our weekly meeting, or Sunday morning is the only time to meet with God. In truth we have ALL ACCESS, ALL THE TIME!
In that same way it is time we mobilize and start talking to our friends and family about Our Great God. We come up with so many excuses. so many days are spent chasing obligations in nothing special seems to stand out as worth remembering. But think of the challenge of sharing the Hope of our Great God with everyone we come in contact with! That has ever been my challenge to the teens and to everyone I come in contact with.
One prayer that has been on my heart is this:
"Lord, it's so hard to pray for this world, this era, my family, my friends, the mistakes I make
They seem so big and so overwelming and complicated. Help us to know what and how to pray through your spirit"!
And that is where God will begin a work that you could never imagine!
May God bless you and Heaven smile on you all!!!
Pastor Jason