1 Crazy Youth Guy

Early!!

2010-08-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

I got up early one morning,
And rushed through the day;
I had so much to accomplish,
That I didn't have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me,
And heavier came each task;
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered,
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me,
He said, "But you didn't seek."
I tried to come into God's presence,
I tried every key in the lock;
God gently and lovingly chided,
"My child, you didn't knock."
I woke up early this morning,
And paused before starting the day;
I had so much to accomplish,
That I had to take time to pray.

-Anonymous-

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So you think your just to busy for God

2010-08-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

Home > Teens > Faith & Life > My Story

No Time For God
Laura wondered if fitting in had become more important than her faith.
Laura Capp, as told to Karen Langley

Sweaty and exhausted after hockey practice, I dropped onto a bench in the locker room. As I yanked off my skates, I listened to a teammate spread the latest gossip.

"Can you believe she hooked up with him? What does he see in her, anyway?"

"Who knows?" I replied. I felt a familiar twinge of guilt and ignored it.

Another teammate interrupted our conversation. "Laura, you're gonna play in Sunday's game, right?"

"For sure!" I answered. I didn't feel as sure as I sounded. My stomach had flip-flopped when Coach announced the schedule. I'd have to miss church … again.

It was my sophomore year, and I'd played for the Komets seven months of every year since fifth grade. I'd made the hockey-over-church choice a thousand times. But it never got any easier.

My youth pastor often encouraged me to come to church and youth group more often. He said God should always come before sports. He just doesn't understand what it's like to be on a team, I thought to myself. But I knew he was at least partly right. I played volleyball for my high school, but that never conflicted with church the way hockey did. Because I was on a club hockey team, we often had Sunday games—which meant I missed a lot of Sunday school and church. Practice on Wednesday nights meant I rarely went to Bible study.

It went beyond just missing church activities, though. My relationship with Christ was starting to slip. It's not like I was totally walking away from God. My teammates did a lot of stuff I never got into, like swearing and drinking.

They also gossiped a lot, which I did get into. Our conversations revolved around hook-ups and break-ups, who got pregnant and what our ex-teammates were up to. Gossiping made me feel uncomfortable, but I knew it was just part of locker room talk. More than that, I stuck out enough by not drinking and partying. Joining in the gossip helped me to feel like I fit in.

During the summer after my sophomore year, I worked at my church camp as an assistant cabin leader for younger girls. Being tucked away in the woods for a week made it easier to think and pray over what had been going on in my life. I started feeling pretty guilty about all the gossiping I'd done. I also felt bad that I'd been giving so much time to the team and so little time to God and my faith. I wondered: Had fitting in with my hockey friends become more important than God?

As I walked through the woods on quiet afternoons, I realized I had a choice to make: I could devote myself to hockey, or I could devote myself to God. I'd tried juggling both, and it just wasn't working. As much as I loved the game, I knew the hockey environment was really hurting my walk with Christ. I made a decision right then and there. I'd choose God.

Quitting hockey was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But I know I made the right choice. Being involved at church and hanging out more with my Christian friends has really helped strengthen my relationship with Christ. It's such a relief to have friends who encourage me and build me up instead of tempting me to fall into bad habits.

I'd be the first to admit that living my faith isn't always easy, and I'm still tempted to gossip. But I have true friends who support me and hold me accountable. And I have Christ walking beside me, guiding my thoughts and how I talk. I guess what I gave up is no big deal compared to what I gained.

Copyright © 2004 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.

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2010-08-21T17:10:00.001-07:00

6 Reasons Why Sunday School is Important

Sunday school is important

It's amazing that we should ever find ourselves having to defend the importance of Sunday school. After all we can thank Sunday school for giving us pastors, missionaries and evangelists. Our churches are full of Christians strong in their faith, and established in the scriptures.

The real importance of Sunday school is one that has a dynamic ministry to every member of the family. It is a unique program that meets the needs of its participants as no other program of the church can.

6 reasons why I believe Sunday school is important

Sunday school provides a basic systematic study of the scriptures at a level of understanding for that age group.

Sunday school allows an opportunity for its members to talk and share about their needs with others in similar life situations.

Sunday school provides an opportunity for personal application of the scriptures based on the age level of the class.

Sunday school provides for fellowship and a sense of belonging for each member of the class.

Sunday school provides a platform for people to serve the Lord through teaching and administration.

Sunday school is a training ground for young Christians to be more productive in their church and gives them the opportunity to develop their skills and talents for the Lord.

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Living in community Part 1

2010-08-19T05:05:00.000-07:00

LIVING IN COMMUNITY PART 1

Christian community starts with each individual persons relationship with Christ. This is the foundation. With it we join hands and live our lives together, in community. So why do we feel so disconnected. Usually it's one of two things. Either our relationship with Jesus is suffering, which makes us feel alone even when with other Christians, or we are not connecting with other Christians outside the few opportunities provided for us by places like our church. So should we blame others, parents, pastors, teachers etc., or should we look to ourselves and do a serious self evaluation? Ask God to show you from your life what is causing the block for you and then seek ways, if not obvious, to remove the block. Talk to your Pastor or a trusted adult. They are there for just these kind of things.

Some great versus on resolving conflict

2010-08-08T13:19:00.001-07:00

Bible Verses about
Resolving Conflict

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 43 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 24 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Luke 17:3 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,

James 4:1-6 ESV / 16 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? ...

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Matthew 7:5 ESV / 16 helpful votes

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Luke 6:27 ESV / 13 helpful votes

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Matthew 5:24 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 13 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Colossians 3:13 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Matthew 5:9 ESV / 10 helpful votes

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

James 5:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Matthew 5:23 ESV / 8 helpful votes

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

1 John 4:7-8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Ephesians 1:1-23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ...

John 7:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Romans 12:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Matthew 18:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Exodus 18:13-27 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. ...

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 3 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Peter 1:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...

Romans 12:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Acts 26:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 8:32 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Matthew 18:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote

But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

Matthew 4:4 ESV / 1 helpful vote

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Isaiah 57:15 ESV / 1 helpful vote

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Psalm 1:2 ESV / 1 helpful vote

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Joshua 1:8 ESV / 1 helpful vote

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Genesis 9:6 ESV / 1 helpful vote

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.

Genesis 6:1 ESV / 1 helpful vote

When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them,

Suggest a Verse

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How Truthful are You? Take the quiz and find out

2010-08-08T13:13:00.001-07:00

How Truthful are You?
How honest are you? Most people think they are pretty honest people, but about 83 percent of Christian teens also believe that moral truth depends on a particular situation. Take this short quiz to see if you are as truthful as you think you are:

1. Your best friend asks you if she looks good in her new prom dress. You:
A. Tell her she looks good, even though the dress washes her out.
B. Advise her to get a tan. That will help with the coloring. However, don't tell her why. It will just hurt her feelings.
C. Tell her to return the awful dress. She can look better, and you'll help her.

2. A friend tells you he's been using steroids, and he wants you to promise not to tell anyone. You:
A. Promise, then tell your parents.
B. Promise and don't tell anyone.
C. Don't promise. You know he's in trouble and he really needs help.

3. You get out of the store and realize the cashier gave you an extra $5 in change. You:
A. Go home. Hooray! An extra $5. It's the cashier's fault, after all.
B. Slip the $5 back on the counter by the cashier.
C. Give the money back to the cashier so she can put it back into the till.

4. When the teacher left the classroom someone wrote a nasty work on the board. The teacher asks you after class if you know who did it. You:
A. Say you weren't paying attention. You don't want people to hate you.
B. Tell her you think it was a certain person, but you just aren't sure.
C. Sure you tell her. It was really nasty and that person should be held accountable.

5. You overhear some people talking and whispering about a friend of yours. You don't say anything, but later your friends asks you if people are taking about her. You:
A. Tell her you haven't heard anything. Why hurt her feelings?
B. Tell her you heard something, but sugar-coat it.
C. Tell her what you heard and help her solve the problem.
Scoring Key:

Give yourself the following points for each answer:

A=1

B=2

C=3

5-7: You are a moral liar, meaning you often lie to protect the feelings of others or protect your standing among friends. While you don't lie for the sake of lying, you can find ways of telling the truth that will increase your honesty quotient and keep others from feeling crushed.

10-12: You usually only lie when it depends on someone's feelings. While you may think you are protecting the person, it really isn't. Try to work on being more forthcoming and honest in the way you deal with situations. If you are tactful, you will find that the truth comes out much easier.

15-13: You are a truth-monger. Just be sure that you are not being too brutal in your honesty. Otherwise, keep up the good work.

Psalm 37:37 - "Look at those who are honest and good. For a wonderful future lies before those who love peace." (NLT)

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So you took the test and your guilty of gossip. Now what?

2010-08-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

What the Bible Says About... Gossip

Are you a gossip? Did you take the Gossip Quiz to find yourself surprised at the answer? We live in a social society where we share in each other’s lives. We are also curious people, always desiring to be “in the know.”

Yet, gossip is not helpful. Gossip actually serves to break the trust of those the people around you. The Bible has a lot of important statements regarding gossip.

Answer:
What’s Wrong with Gossip?

Everyone likes a good story, right? Well, not necessarily. What about the person the story is about? Does that person like the story? Probably not. Spreading rumors only hurts others and destroys our credibility. Who is going to trust us with anything when they think we’ll tell everyone else?

Gossip is also a way we judge others, which really isn’t our job. God is in charge of judging people, not us. Gossip really only ends up creating greed, hate, envy, murder.

Gossip is also a sign that we are not really active in our faith and in our lives. If you think about it, the busier we are, the less time we have to gossip. We no longer have the time to get wrapped up in someone else’s life. Gossip is bred out of boredom. It may start as a simple conversation about people, and then escalates quickly. The Bible clearly tells us to do more than discuss other people’s lives.

Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” (NIV)

Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” (NIV)

Romans 1:29 – “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips.” (NIV)

1 Timothy 5:13 – “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.” (NIV)

Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (NIV)

Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” (NIV)

So What Do I Do About Gossip?

First, if you catch yourself falling into gossip – stop. If you don’t passon the gossip there is nowhere for it to go. This includes gossip magazines and television. While it may not seem as “sinful” to read those magazines, you are contributing to gossip.

Also, when you are faced with a statement that may or may not be gossip, check out the facts. For instance, if you hear someone has an eating disorder, go to the person. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to the person yourself, and the rumor is something serious, you may want to go to a parent, pastor, or youth leader. Getting someone to help in a serious situation is not gossip as long as the information stays with you and the person you go to for help.

If you want to avoid gossip, focus on creating helpful and encouraging statements. Let the gossip and end with you and remember the Golden Rule – if you don’t want people to gossip about you, then don’t participate in gossip.

Proverbs 26:20 – “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 13:14 – “Then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly.” (NIV)

Matthew 7:12 – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (NIV)

Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV)

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Are you a gossip? Take the quiz and find out

2010-08-08T13:07:00.001-07:00

What's Your Gossip Quotient?
Take This Quiz and Find Out!

Think you don’t gossip? Take this quiz to find out…

1. You and your friends are at a party. You see one of your friends smoking marijuana. You:

A. Pray for him.
B. Add him to your youth group prayer list.
C. Tell everyone at school.
D. Tell a parent and pray for your friend.
2. You walk by the magazine counter and see a headline about your favorite actress cheating on her boyfriend. You:

A. Check your wallet. You must know the details!
B. You’re tempted, but you walk away.
C. Leave the magazine, but check out the story online. You won’t financially support those types of magazines.
D. You walk away. Those magazines are junk.
3. You overhear your friend’s boyfriend telling everyone lies about their date on Saturday. You:

A. Confront him right there and tell him to take back the lies.
B. Run and tell your friend.
C. Post the story on MySpace.
D. Spread lies about him. Let’s see how he feels!
4. Your friends are sitting around when one starts telling you what she heard one girl did at the party last weekend. You:

A. Listen intently. Then call everyone you know. You can’t keep a story that good quiet!
B. Listen and analyze her actions with your friends.
C. Go get another drink while they finish talking about it.
D. Tell them you don’t feel comfortable talking about it and change the subject.
5. You and your friends usually talk about:

A. Dating, friends, people at school
B. What’s going on in your lives
C. Sports, school, movies, music
D. Celebrities
6. Your friend confides in you that she’s pregnant. You:

A. Tell everyone.
B. Tell your parents, because you need to know how to deal with it.
C. Write about it in your LiveJournal.
D. Tell no one. Just pray to God what to do.
7. How many times a week do you hear yourself saying, “Did you hear about….?”

A. At least once a day.
B. 2 to 5
C. 1 to 2
D. Never.
Scoring Key

1. A = 4, B = 2, C = 1, D = 3

2. A = 1, B = 3, C = 2, D = 4

3. A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1

4. A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4

5. A = 1, B = 3, C = 4, D = 2

6. A = 1, B = 3, C = 2, D = 4

7. A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4

Your Scores:

7 to 14 – The Gossip. You are a gossip. You thrive on gossip and spreading news about others. Yet watch out, because people are probably gossiping about you, too. If you are trying to be a good Christian, you may want to look closer at what the Bible is telling you about your gossip behavior and learn to stop our gossiping in its tracks.

15 to 21 – Wishy-Washy. You don’t gossip all the time, but it may be something you want to work on. You may like to hear gossip more than you spread it. Maybe you like to read gossip magazines. Still, you may want to work on walking away from gossip as it starts so that you can be a better witness to those around you.

22 to 28 – The Anti-Gossip You are the anti-gossip. You tend to see gossip for what it is and confront it. You know that what you say reflects on the Lord, and you try to be more encouraging. You have a good understanding of what the Bible tells you about gossip, and you try to live the Word in your life.

Were you surprised by your results? If so, you may want to read more about gossip’s effects and what the Bible has to say about gossip so that you can start being a better witness to those around you.

Suggested Reading

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Honesty

2010-08-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

What is honesty and why is it so important? What's wrong with a little white lie? The Bible actually has a lot to say about honesty, as God has called Christian teens to be honest people. Even little white lies to protect someone's feelings can compromise your faith. Remember that speaking and living the truth help those around us come to the Truth.
Answer:
God, Honesty, and Truth

Christ said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If Christ is Truth, then it follows that lying is moving away from Christ. Being honest is about following in God's footsteps, for He cannot lie. If the Christian teen's goal is to become more God-like and God-centered, then honesty needs to be a focus.

Hebrews 6:18 - "So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie." (NLT)

Reveals Our Character

Honesty is a direct reflection of your inner character. Your actions are a reflection on your faith, and reflecting the truth in your actions is a part of being a good witness. Learning how to be more honest will also help you keep a clear conscious.

Character plays a big role in where you go in your life. Honesty is considered a characteristic employers and college interviewers look for in candidates. When you are faithful and honest, it shows.

Luke 16:10 - "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." (NIV)

1 Timothy 1:19 - "Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked." (NLT)

Proverbs 12:5 - "The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful." (NIV)

God's Desire

While your honesty level is a reflection of your character, it is also a way to show your faith. In the Bible, God made honesty one of his commandments. Since God cannot lie, He sets the example for all of His people. It is God's desire that we follow that example in all that we do.

Exodus 20:16 - "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." (NIV)

Proverbs 16:11 - "The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness." (NLT)

Psalm 119:160 - "The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever." (NLT)

Keeping Your Faith Strong

Being honest is not always easy. As Christians we know how easy it is to fall into sin. Therefore, you need to work at being truthful, and it is work. The world does not give us easy situations, and sometimes we need to really work to keep our eyes on God in order to find the answers. Being honest can sometimes hurt, but knowing that you are following what God wants for you will make you more faithful in the end.

Honesty is also not just how you speak to others, but also how you speak to yourself. While humility and modesty is a good thing, being too harsh on yourself is not being truthful. Also, thinking too highly of yourself is a sin. Thus, it is important for you to find a balance of knowing your blessings and shortcomings so you can continue to grow.

Proverbs 11:3 - "Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people." (NLT)

Romans 12:3 - "Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us." (NLT)

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Morning personal devo's

2010-07-14T05:55:00.001-07:00

Each morning we spend about 45 minutes in the chapel doing our individual devo's and spending time with God in prayer and conversation. Good stuff

Location:Dewey St SW,Atlanta,United States

A video of the kids racing at the Atlanta kids club

2010-07-13T11:50:00.001-07:00

YouTube Video

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Location:Catherine St SW,Atlanta,United States

Day two kids club in Atlanta

2010-07-13T11:33:00.001-07:00

So here we are at the second day of Kids Camp. It was much better weather today and we had 10 kids. Grant was the teacher today and he did a good job. The kids ate working hard and definitely representing Christ to others. I'm so proud of them.

Location:Lexington Ave SW,Atlanta,United States

Ritzy Rags ... How it's done

2010-07-13T08:10:00.001-07:00

First stop is the receiving room where all the donated clothes are brought and sorted in to like colors.

Next there washed in the laundry room to make sure they are clean.

Next the clothes are shredded to make it possible to use in the giant looms.

There are several looms able to make several items per day.

The clothing stryps are woven on the looms in various patterns to eventually make what you see below.

All of these are samples. Some will be rugs, some will be hand bags. They will sell these online through their website (soon to be launched) which in turn will allow wages to be paid to the homeless ( actually formerly homeless since they are living in apartments) to receive a steady pay check and to learn various job skills.

Location:N Decatur Rd,Atlanta-Decatur,United States

Day two in Atlanta

2010-07-13T07:52:00.001-07:00

So this morning were scraping and painting a place called " Ritzy Rags". They employ the homeless who live in the apartments we were working at yesterday. They take old clothes and turn them into rugs and hand bags using giant looms. It's really neat stuff.

Location:N Decatur Rd,Atlanta-Decatur,United States

A little R&R

2010-07-12T13:11:00.001-07:00

So after a long day of dirt, sweat, kids, candy, and work, were just chillin' before dinner. Whew! What a day. (-:

Location:Atlanta,United States

Our first kids club

2010-07-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

Well we arrived at the park for our first kids club and it started to storm. Lightning, driving rain and lots of wind. So were waiting to see if it will stop. It's not looking so good.

Location:Hess Dr,Avondale Estates,United States

Day one in Atlanta

2010-07-12T07:49:00.001-07:00

•

Well were on the first project of the day. Were working at an apartment complex on a walking trail. The apartment complex is reserved for the homeless as housing paired with Christian social workers to help provide housing and job training. Were helping to make the grounds just a little more esthetically pleasing so that those who live here might be able to be proud if where they live, to be able to give them a little dignity back if we can.

Location:Hess Dr,Avondale Estates,United States

Another God Thoughts Wired Article.

2010-04-30T03:36:00.001-07:00

THE AGE OF TOLERANCE

Check out the new video version of GodThoughts called, GodThoughtsLive! on www.youtube.com; www.godtube.com; www.godthoughtslive.com.
simply click on: The Power of Encouragement, and The Spectacular Reality of God's Amazing Grace.

Today, as I write this, the United States of America has entered into what I call, an "Age of Tolerance."* Practically, this "tolerance" reflects a rejection of any absolute moral authority.

Proponents of "tolerance" suggest that there are no moral absolutes and therefore, encourage us to accept all forms of moral devotion, no matter how perverse. The mantra of tolerance is, "to each his own."

What do I think about the, "Age of Tolerance?" Well, I do know that we are not the first country to try it.

"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
Judges 17:6; 21:25

And God warns, "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing what ever is right in his own eyes" (Deuteronomy 12:8).

And God predicts, "There is a way which seems right to man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:2;16:25).

And God declares, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 12:15).

Who does God think He is anyway?!

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God Thoughts Article Part 3

2010-04-29T04:56:00.001-07:00

This is the third part of an article publihed in an ezine called "God Thoughts Wired". If you want to read more of their stuff you can go to www.godthoughtswired.com.

Speaking the Truth in Love

PART 3

Does belief in ultimate truth, imply “intolerance?” I would suggest no. For example, it has been scientifically demonstrated that human beings cannot live without breathing in oxygen. Frankly, I believe it. Does that make me intolerant? Is it rational to deem people intolerant because they affirm certain truths? Of course not! Human beings need oxygen to live. It is a fact, an absolute truth. Accepting such a reality doesn’t make one tolerant or intolerant. It simple makes them…CORRECT!
An objective look at “relativism” (the belief that there is no absolute truth) reveals, “The relativist stands on the pinnacle of an absolute truth and wants to relativize everything else.”

Indeed, an unbiased glance shows the world to be absolutely full of absolute truths. However, for relativism to be true, it would require a world full of contradictions. I say, “That’s a candy bar.” You say, “No, that’s a goat.” If we’re both right, then the candy bar is the goat at the same time, but, of course, that’s impossible (yet, today’s tolerance suggests, “That’s ok, as long as it’s true for you”). So, for truth to be relative ,the impossible…must not be.

Again, the Christian says, “There is a God,” and the atheist proclaims, “There is no God.” Relativism and today’s “tolerance” suggests that both are true. Indeed, it is as Geisler suggests,

If truth is relative, then no one is ever wrong –
even when they are.

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A great article written for "God Thoughts Wired"

2010-04-28T05:00:00.001-07:00

I could not say it better my self, so I have pasted this here for others to read. If you want to read more you can go to www.godthoughtswired.com.

SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE

"Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him whi is the head, even Christ."
Ephesians 4:15
What Does the Bible Say About "Tolerance?"*

This has become an extremely important and controversial topic today. Indeed, it has become a point of divisiveness and conflict for many. Webster's New World Dictionary defines the word "tolerate" as follows:

"To respect others beliefs, practices, etc.
without sharing them."

Ok. so far, so good. Biblically, we are called to love all people without condition. Indeed, this is the way God loves us. We can't do anything so good as to make Him love us any more than He already does, nor can we do something so bad as to cause Him to love us any less.

His love for people is unconditional and unchanging, and we are called to love one another in precisely the same way. Indeed, this concept is affirmed in the great love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) where the apostle Paul declared, "Love...endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7).

However, twenty-first century America is redefining "tolerance" in radically different ways than previously described. Consider the following definition from Thomas A. Helmbock, the executive vice-president of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity,

"The definition of new...tolerance is that
every individual's beliefs, lifestyle, and perception
of truth claims are equal...
Your beliefs and my beliefs are equal,
and all truth is relative."

Such perspectives are gaining popularity rapidly despite their incredible nature. It's highly probable that you've heard the phrase, "all truth is relative" (or something like it) before. You may well have also heard something along the lines of "there is no such thing as absolute truth." Yet, logic dictates that for such statement a statement to be true...it must be false. That is to say that the statement itself assumes at least one "absolute truth" (the statement itself), therby invalidating its original premise.

Christians are increasingly accused of "intolerance" because of their biblically based beliefs in ultimate truth (see exibit A, below), right and wrong.

Is this assertion reasonable? Does belief in ultimate truth imply "intolerance?"

Stay tuned.

EXIBIT A. The model of Jesus.

"Jesus showed the tax gatherers and prostitutes
‘unconditional’ LOVE, not tolerance."
-Linda York, Moraga, CA

According to the Bible, Mrs. York is absolutely right. A classic example is found in John, chapter 8 and the story of the woman caught in adultery. The text reads as follows:

"The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery...they said to Him (Jesus), 'What, then, do You say?'...'He who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her...'When they heard it, they began to go out one by one...Jesus said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?...Neither do I condemn you. From now on sin no more.'" -John 8:3-11

What a marvelous example of unconditional love...and uncompromising truth. The love? "Neither do I condemn you." "There is therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (see Romans 8:1). The truth? "From now on sin no more." "He who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the only begotten Son of God" (see John 3:17). As Mrs. York so eloquently intimates, the truth about the love of God is this:

Jesus ALWAYS loves sinners unconditionally,
and He NEVER tolerates sin irregardlessly.

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Location:N 50 W,West Lafayette,United States

God Thoughts Wired Article

2010-04-26T04:50:00.001-07:00

AN ETERNAL TRAGEDY

"Not everyone who says to Me 'Lord, Lord,'
will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord,'
did we not prophesy in Your name,
and in Your name cast out demons,
and in Your name perform many miracles?
And then I will declare to them,
'I never knew you; depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness."
Matthew 7:21-23 (BOLD MINE)

Have you ever really studied this passage of scripture? Do you understand its implications? This isn't a warning to the world...it is a rebuke to the church!

-Where do you find people who have no problem calling Jesus "Lord"? That's right, in the church!

-And where do you find people involved in prophecy, deliverance, and miracles? That's right, in the church!

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus is talking to the "many" people in the church who think they are saved...but are not!

And HOW IN THE WORLD IS THIS POSSIBLE? How could this happen? How could such sincere individuals be so deceived?

"For false Christs and false prophets will arise
and will show great signs and wonders,
so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."
Matthew 24:24

Do you know what "false Christs" and "false prophets" produce?

False gospels (see 2 Timothy 4:3-4). By the way, "many" of today's most popular preachers are classic examples!

And do you know what "false gospels" produce?

That's right, people in the church who think they are saved...but are not.

It's An Eternal Tragedy.

*Remember to check out pastor Brad on YouTube.com. Simply go to www.youtube.com and type in "GodThoughtslive!" in the search box. We'd love to hear your feedback.

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Location:N 50 W,West Lafayette,United States

Sick so no exercise likely

2010-04-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well I got the spring cold that's traveling around. So I'm not sure I'll be exercising this week. I need to get better for this weekend. All the kids are home and Beckys at the ladies retreat, so I hbe to be on my A game.

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FAT update

2010-04-06T15:13:00.001-07:00

Well it's week one and I'm at 267.3 pounds. That's cool. I lost this week. Yesssss

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Oh yeah. One more thing

2010-03-31T10:29:00.001-07:00

I joined the Y in Lafayette. If anyone wants to exercise with me I would live the company and the encouragement and challenge of kicking your butt ( ok you will probably kick mine).

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I'm FAT

2010-03-31T10:25:00.001-07:00

I could tell you that FAT means Flexible, Available, Teachable. While I pray I am those things, in this case it means I'm packing a little (70 pounds) extra bagage. So in light of that fact and the family history of heart problems I have decided to start a lifestyle adjustment. I'm not calling it a diet because that means it's temporary. This will need to be permanent. I need to get down to 200 pounds and I'm 270 now. So my goal is to loose 1.5 pounds a week for the next 52 weeks for a total weight loss of about 70 pounds. I will workout 3 times a week as well as change my diet. No more coffee is a necessary sacrifice as well since caffeine has a negative effect on my weight. So each week I will post my success or failure. At the beginning of the week I will post my current weight and my weight as of a week ago plus my net weight loss or gain. Pray for me keep with it so that I can live a long life with my wife and kids.

Oh yeah, sorry but no pictures. I am just not comfortable with that much of in public.

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10 in 10 Haiti Team Video

2010-03-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the video of the week. This video was shown in the Sunday morning service.

The last entry of the Haiti team

2010-03-24T02:40:00.000-07:00

Well this is the last blog entry for team Haiti. It has been a great week. Thank you for your prayers and support. And thank you all for following our trip.

Serving HIM

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Location:James L Turnage Blvd,West Palm Beach,United States

Our stuardess on the MFI flight

2010-03-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

Our stuardess , tomestina, was a great help on the flight. She showed us superior customer service. Althought she was a little rough on the eyes.

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We have landed in Florida

2010-03-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

Well we have arrived in Florida. It feels great to be home. Most of me is thinking about the many Haitians who are left behind in a situation they likely will never get away from. How blessed I am to enjoy a life that is simple and comfortable.

Now we are off to the hotel for check-in and dinner then a little rest before we have to be at air port at 4:30 am. Were all anqious to see our families.

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Heading out today

2010-03-23T10:08:00.001-07:00

Well were boarding the plane looking back on Haiti for the last time on this trip. God has given us all a love for the Haitian people. We all will return in God's good and perfect time. Our piece of our hearts are going to remain here in prayer for this nation. Be assured that Gods work is continuing here in a great and mighty way. Thank you all for your prayers, and support of our families while we were gone.

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Location:Cap-Haïtien,Haiti

Allyce has a blister

2010-03-22T14:23:00.001-07:00

Allyce had a blister so Tom decided to handle it. In Haiti you use what you can find.

She's just a big baby. The knife isn't that big.

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Went to visit an orphanage under construction

2010-03-22T14:18:00.001-07:00

We went to visit idedee orphanage this afternoon. What a great place this will be for kids. It's going to truly be a refuge for parentless children. With just another $240,000 they can finish the orphanage in 6 months and start caring for kids.

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Passing out hats, crocs and food bags

2010-03-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

We passed out about 325 crocs and all the hats that the Chaffee family donated as well as 240 bags of food.

-A line out the door waiting for food and shoes and hats

A woman holding a bag of food and trying on crocs to find her size.

Unloading the truck at the dispensing site.

The food that we collected is used to make food bags similar to our Haiti Christmas bags. We unload the food from the containers and seperate all the items. We use a bag and place several items like peanut butter, spaghetti, dried milk, beans, rice and a creole languge bible. This is what we did. So our food was getting directly into the hands of the Haitian people. Very cool!!!

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Getting ready to hand out crocks

2010-03-22T06:40:00.001-07:00

Were counting crocks to see how many of what sizes we have. Were also handing out food and the hats that Rick And Dara Chaffee supplied.

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Earthquake in Haiti

2010-03-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

By now you all may have heard that there was an earthquake here in Cap Haitian last night. While non of us felt it, it did cause some damage. A home near saint ange's church collapsed killing two and leaving others trapped. We have not heard about anything else. We are fine and there was no damage to the facilities where we are staying. Keep us in prayer. Tomorrow we are going to pass out 240 food relief bags which should feed at least 1000 people. It's been quite a priveledge to be here this week.

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Surgery for little Rose

2010-03-20T14:38:00.001-07:00

Rose has two hernias. One includes her belly button. They are extremely painful and are life threatening. She has to have surgery here in Haiti, which is VERY risky to say the least. We visited the hospital and I would take my chances without treatment in that place. Her mother, Martinique, has no support from the father and is one her own. The surgery is $2000 Haitian dollars which is about $267 American dollars. We are leaving enough money behind to cover the surgery and after care for little Rose. If the hospital and doctors findout that there is American money backing this little girl the price will skyrocket, so our financial support is in secret through some back channels. It is possible that there could be additional costs. I will stay in contact with Don and Karen on her progress and needs and pass on not only updates but financial needs as well. So far the Haiti team has covered her expenses as far as we can predict. Pray for Rose, it is so heart wrenching to see this little girl in soooo much pain. I held her in my arms as she slept and we prayed. There is no pain medicine here for Rose.

Rose-Maychda Christma (Rose).

You can see her belly button sticking up a little. When she is awake and crying it is massive. She has two of these. The other is near her groin area.

Location:Haiti

Tom hard at work

2010-03-20T12:30:00.001-07:00

Here is Tom serving Haiti for Jesus.

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Videos not working

2010-03-20T11:56:00.001-07:00

Well it's official. The videos will nit upload from Haiti. The satelite Internet just isn't capable of doing it. So we will continue to make the videos each day and we will upload them all on Tuesday afternoon when we arrive back in Florida. Thank you for your prayers. Here in Haiti we are learning to rely on them more than anything.

Today was a day to relax. We went to the Haitian market and bought souveniers and then to this resort for a nice lunch and an afternoon of swimming.

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Update for Team Hait 3-19-2010

2010-03-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today was an extraordinay day to say the least. We went and delivered food to 275 families. Thats probably inpacting the life of over 1000 people. his country is a tropical paradise full of beauty. No wonder Christopher Columbus said it was so beautiful. Enjoy the video.

We made it with Gods help

2010-03-19T09:48:00.001-07:00

We left this morning on our task of feeding 200 families in an area that just yesterday was the sight of a spiritual battle. Our hosts were nervous taking us here today. The Lord brought driving rain which was his way of protecting us. The rain tends to calm the people and many won't come out in the rain. This kept people fairly calm. We still had almost 1000 people lined up for only 200 bags of food. At one point I had to ask one of the missionaries to help me with three girls who were begging for food. They clung to me as if it was their last link to life. I could not get them off of me so I had to ask for help. We are now back at the dorm and planning our next move. Many of us on the team feel that God was testing our faithfulness last night and today. In our faithfulness to his command today we were protected and delivered home safely. Thank you all for your prayers.

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PLEASE PRAY

2010-03-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

Everyone. We learned today that the school and orphanage we are going to tomorrow had a severe incident today. 200 students arrived at school this morning and started thrashing around. This is going to sound outrageous to everyone at home but to us here it's believable and true. Theses children were demon possessed. This area specifically has been a stronghold of Satan for many many years. Our missionary hosts are apprehensive to take us there tomorrow. But we have decided that god wants us to go tomorrow and feed the people. We are placing our trust in His protection and believe that this is what we are to do. Please pray as we all believe that God has a plan and Satan is desperate to stop it. That places a HUGE target on our back tomorrow. Pray pray pray!!!

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Hait Team Update for Thursday 3/18/2010

2010-03-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

We are going to try the video again. I think we found a way to get it uploaded in a reasonable time frame. I hope you all enjoy the video. It is about 6 minutes long. We love you all and miss our families. Brad has announced that he is extending his trip here by 6 weeks. Hah Tammy. Just kidding. Although I believe he would if he could. Enjoy the video.

We are working on the video malfunction. Please be patient as we try to fix issues here in Haiti. Thanks. Dave

Haiti team update for 3-17-2010

2010-03-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. Today we split into two teams. One team went to the ebac orphanage and school and ghelped tutor children who were in need of some help. The other half went on an outing that left them in a "MOOD" that is hard to explaine. Lets just say it was quite an adventure. Hope you all enjoy the photos.

This is the market that the guys went to for the food we purchased today. We purchased $2100 in food. Praise God!!!

Unloading the food from the truck. We still need to seperate it all out and prepare it for delivery.

Look at all this food. It's going to feed hundred's of people.

Update for 3/16/2010

2010-03-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Well we tried to upload a video but it timed out after 2 hours. It seems that we are not going to be able to do videos. We will try pictures tomorrow.

We went to visit the ebac orphanage today and played with the kids. They swarmed every one of the team members and wanted to hold our hands and asked if we could be friends. There is already so much we want to share with you when we get home and we havent even been here a full day.

We will keep updating and hopefully we will have photos for tomorrow.

We have arrived

2010-03-16T11:43:00.001-07:00

Hey everybody,

We have arrived at the dorms where we will be staying for the week. We unloaded and are settling in. The things that we have seen driving through town is just ...... I just don't have any word to accuratley describe it. Watch for the video later tonight and you will see for yourself.

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Location:Haiti

Arrived in Haiti

2010-03-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

Were here and all went well. Now we have a long drive to the compound where we will be staying. Looks like rain too so I think were going to get wet.

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Location:Haiti

Making a pit stop

2010-03-16T01:11:00.000-07:00

Landed in the Bahamas to refuel the plane. Then another 2 hours to Haiti.

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Here is our video diary for 3-15-2010

2010-03-15T20:36:00.000-07:00

So here is our vidoe update for today. Thank you for praying. Keep those prayers coming. Tomorrow we fly into Haiti. Did you see that plane? This is most definitley going to be an adventure. Well we will se you back here tomorrow night. There should be some amazing footage, Tyler is going to sit in the cockpit of the plane and video our approach and landing into Haiti. Don't miss it.

10in10 Haiti Team

Here us a photo of the plane were taking into Haiti

2010-03-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

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Holding My Breath

2010-03-15T09:02:00.001-07:00

It's funny or weird or something. I'm on the plane to Florida and I'm squished in my seat listening to my ipod with my eyes closed. I keep finding myself out of breath. This is weird because I'm just sitting here. So I started to pay attention. I'm holding my breath. And no I'm not affraid of flying. I don't know what it is but my body is obviously reacting as we grow closer to Haiti. I feel like I'm about to see my bride on our wedding day as she walks down the isle. No honey, you are still far more to me. But it's amazing to find myself holding my breath. God shurly is going to do some things in Haiti that will only be labled as a mirracle. WOW! Am I really here?

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5 ways to make your teenager indifferent to God

2010-03-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

In youth ministry, one of the hardest things I’ve had to experience is leading students into a growing relationship with Jesus, while their parents are doing the opposite. In a lot of cases, the parent wants the best for his/her teenager. It’s just that their definition of “best” might not match up with mine. There are some hard-and-fast rules to engage if you don’t want your teenager to care about God.

The following are just a few.

1. Make sure their extra-curricular activities are priority over church. You should always make sure that their scholarships are intact, and that they don’t get kicked off the team. That’s definitely more important than their relationship with Christ and eternity, for that matter.

2. When your teenager screws up, ground them from church. Of course! If they don’t care that you take away their TV, cell phone, or friend time, hit them where it hurts. Take away church. Yeah – that oughta do it.

3. Don’t call them out when they need guidance. Always let them make their own mistakes. And if they’re about to do something super-destructive, it’s probably best that they learn on their own. Because learning it the hard way is always the necessary path, right?

4. Talk negatively about your church staff around your teenager. If your pastor messes up, make sure that you call a family meeting to roast him. You should definitely let your teenager know that people can’t be trusted, especially incompetent church leaders. Your teenager needs to know that trusting church leaders isn’t smart! If they don’t trust church leaders, there’s a small chance they’ll ever accept God’s direction in their life. And that’s the safer way to live.

5. Don’t model real faith. At the end of the day, the last thing you want to do, if you want your teenager to ignore God’s voice, is to follow it yourself.

Please know my heart on this issue. We parents need to be leading our families to Jesus every chance we get. Maybe it’s time to take inventory of who or what we’re actually leading our families to.

After all, actions speak louder than words.

Borrowed from the National Youth Ministry blog network and Mark Cox. A fellow youth ministry worker and kingdom warrior.

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2:45am on my way to meet the team

2010-03-14T23:54:00.001-07:00

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Micah performs a concert

2010-03-12T06:55:00.000-08:00

Oh he is so cute. Micah sings for us with the motions.

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The ride to the top

2010-03-11T12:29:00.001-08:00

I'm getting ready to leave with our team to Haiti in a few days. Were all packing, praying and fumbling everything we do because our minds are already in Haiti. I have been spending alot of time trying to prepare myself mentally for this trip. I was told last night by one of our team members that this is in vain. He told me that there is no way to prepare myself for what I am going to see. I guess mabye it's like riding a roller coaster, even though I have a pretty good idea what it's going to be like when I reach the top, there is nothing that can be done to truly prepare for the feeling of falling 15 stories at an incredible rate. I am anticipating being in the midst of something great. I am just beside myself because I don't know what to do to get ready. So I pray and pray and pray. Please pray for me and the rest of the team. We will need his guidance and his
wisdom and his compassion.

Oh Lord. I want to be broken for you. I want to be a man that is full of compassion for others and I want a heart that beats for the lost. Lord increase my faith and my reliance on you.

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Religion V/S Regeneration

2010-03-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

What's the difference between being religious and being born again? If we are to be born again than is religion something that we invented? Are they the same thing or are they different? Just wondering how much of what we do day in and day out is "religious" and how much is because of a relationship. What is genuine love for the Lord and what is "religious" repetition or obligation or expectation? Whew! Lots to ponder. Let me know what you think.

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Location:Indiana 25,Lafayette,United States

Toby Mac and 2800

2010-02-28T18:59:00.001-08:00

Toby Mac and 2800 youth pastors and leaders. Need I say more.

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B.U.S.Y

2010-02-27T18:06:00.001-08:00

Im too busy

BUSY = Being Under Satans Yoke

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To Young Not To

2010-02-27T13:42:00.001-08:00

So I'm here at the symc 2010 conference. For many reading this blog you have no idea what that is. Simply put, it's a conference designed to encourage and equips youth pastors and leaders to do life and ministry better. We hear from some of the best minds in youth ministry and we get to rub shoulders with others from around the world who live daily the same challenges and struggles we do and who enjoy triumphs just like ours.

One of the things that has caused me much internal turmoil was my age. 33 years old may not seem old, but then try staying up for 24 hours at a youth lock-in after working 45 hours at church that week as well as a second job to make ends meet so that the necessary provisions can be made for your wife and three children. Oh yeah, there was the school play, the two soccer practices for my sons soccer team (that I coach) and his game. Just for good measure let's throw in there a seminary class or two. Mabye now you understand a little of my life. So I have been tired and feeling old and wondering if this is life at this age then mabye it's time to step out of youth ministry. I could be a senior pastor, they only work on sundays ( ha). Then I arrived at this conference and started watching people. I started having conversations and ( as weird as this might be) listening in on others conversations. I realized just by looking at who was here that I am the average age of the youth guy here. If I had to guess I would say that about 70% of the men here are in their mid to late 30's. WOW!! And throught conversations, both mine and "others" I realized that many are wrestling with the same juggeling as me.

So, for me this issue has been laid to rest. I'm not to ripe for youth ministry, I'm just coming I to season.

On a side note, it's neat to see that youth ministry is no longer a bunch of 20 year old kids acting as fun directors, but is now a maturing group of christian men leading generations of teens into the life long presence of Jesus.

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Location:Bryn Mawr Ave,Des Plaines,United States

A Pizza Hangover

2010-02-26T10:28:00.001-08:00

So were here for the SYMC in Chicago. Were having lunch at Giordanos and we got their "famous" deep dish double decker massive pizza. Now I'm in a joyous kind of pain after eating just two pieces. But it's oh so good.
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Location:Glenlake Ave,Leyden,United States

Simply Youth Ministry Conference

2010-02-26T05:07:00.001-08:00

Well were getting ready to leave in about and hour for chicago. Becky and I are looking forward to a great weekend of rest and encouragement. Were also hoping that we can leave others encouraged. 10 years in youth ministry has given us some perspective that we did not have when we were starting out. Hoping to meet some new youth guys near us. It's good to have friends who understand your life and motivations. So you may hear me asking " will you be my friend". Just say YES. See you all tonight.

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Mounting Anticipation

2010-02-24T12:28:00.001-08:00

So the Haiti team is just about two weeks from departure. All of us are feeling a heightened sense of excitement and for me at least an increased sense of wonder at the unknown. I am truly excited and at the same time somewhat aprehensive about leaving Becky for a week right now. But you know, god is faithful. I am sure that I am supposed to be on this trip and as I have seen in my life so far, when I comply in simple obediance God fixes all those little details, even ones we never think of. Our God is awesome and today he brought me to a place that I needed to be. A place I have struggled to be in recent weeks and have finally found. This place is one of comfort where I can truly say it is well with my soul.

"I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me". - Philipians 4:12-13

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Quick to forgive and slow to anger

2010-02-23T14:46:00.001-08:00

I want to mention something that isn't new but bears repeating. When someone does something wrong we need to be slow to judge their motives. We need to allow them time to come clean and then we need to forgive them. Often we look at another and we react by throwing "stones". Boy how fast we forget thy we are surrounded by the glass walls of our own life. Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. It's what Jesus did and it's what we are supposed to do. It's the Christian way.

"A person's wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense."
- Proverbs 19:11

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Location:S 18th St,Lafayette,United States

Yummy!!

2010-02-20T17:02:00.001-08:00

So after 25 minutes this is how far Josiah has gotten on his dinner.
He has not taken a single bit. He has however successfully spread
around the whipped cream. Uugh. At this rate well get home intime for
Sunday school tomorrow. Why do kids half to be so slow?

Flat thumb syndrome

2010-02-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

I am wondering if her thumb is coated in chocolate the way she goes to town on that thing. Of course it keeps her happy so I guess no harm done right?

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Location:W Divina Dr,Grant,United States

Micah is a sledding pro

2010-02-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

So it looks as though Micah is a speed freak. He loves to go fast and furious. This might be a problem someday but for now it's awesome.

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Just like dad

2010-02-20T09:32:00.000-08:00

So Josiah has decided to start his CDL training early. He says he wants to be just like dad and drive a bus, be a Pastor and a Veteran. Yes that's right, a veteran as in a war veteran. It was veterans day recently and he decided at school that he wanted to be a veteran.

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Location:S Maple St,Grant,United States

Where the fern was

2010-02-20T09:27:00.001-08:00

So this fern is over 70 years old. No pressure to keep it alive though. I am nervouse just being by it. I don't wat to be the one to kill it.

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Location:W Divina Dr,Grant,United States

2010-02-20T09:21:00.001-08:00

Next weekend Becky and I along with the Boughton's are heading to the National Youth Ministry conference in chicago. Click the video link to see were we are going

http://blip.tv/play/g4dT94R3isIT

Pastor Dave Furst

Student Ministries Pastor

Cornerstone Baptist Church

www.cbcministry.org

Pastordave@cbcministry.org

Church: 765-471-1555

Cell: 765-586-8890

E-fax: 1-860-540-8890

www.1crazyyouthguy.blogspot.com

www.thefurstfamily.net

twitter.com/davefurst

Sent from my iPhone

NOT TO OFFEND

2010-02-19T09:14:00.000-08:00

I just want to give a quick disclaimer. While I live by my convictions and I often share them here on my blog, my intent is never to offend. But as is with any situation where you share your feelings, opinions and convictions it's likely that someone will be offended. It's never about the other person, it's always about what God wants to teach you. Pray about it.

IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST FOR BIBLICAL SUPPORT ON THE DRINKING ISSUE

2010-02-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

Should Christians Drink Alcohol?

Are alcoholic beverages permissible for Christians? What about moderate social drinking? We will see that there is a position which is merely "permissible" and an entirely different, superior one that the Bible calls "beneficial" and "constructive".

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

I. Wine had various levels of fermentation or alcohol content.

A. New wine, in many instances fresh grape juice.

Deuteronomy 11:14; 12:17; 14:23

B. Fermented grape juice.

C. A hard liquor.

Numbers 28:7

•• My intention in this lesson is to deal with intoxicating wine. There is no confusion about fresh grape juice.

II. There are many positive references to wine in the Bible, including:

A. Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.

B. Psalm 104:15 ...wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.

C. Proverbs 31:6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish. (Offered to Jesus at Calvary)

D. Luke 10:34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.

E. I Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

III. There are many negative references to wine in the Bible, including:

A. Genesis 9:21 When [Noah] drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.

B. Genesis 19:32 [Lot’s two daughters said,] “Let's get our father to drink wine and then lie with him and preserve our family line through our father." The resulting offspring of this incest began the Moabite and Ammonite nations, traditional enemies of Israel.

C. Leviticus 10:9 [Instructions to Aaron and his sons the priests] You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.

D. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

E. Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel — not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer.

IV. Jesus turned water into wine.

John 2:1-10

•• The account does not show either Jesus or His disciples drinking the wine.

V. Intoxicating wine may not have been used at the Last Supper.

Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18

•• All three accounts use the expression “fruit of the vine”. Nothing can be conclusively proven here as to the alcoholic content of the beverage used.

VI. Requirements are established for elders and deacons.

A. Concerning elders — I Timothy 3:3

KJV: “not given to wine”

NASB: “not addicted to wine”

RSV: “no drunkard”

NIV: “not given to much wine”

B. Concerning deacons — I Timothy 3:8

KJV: “not given to much wine”

NASB: “not addicted to much wine”

RSV: “not addicted to much wine”

NIV: “not indulging in much wine”

VII. Choose the “beneficial” and the "constructive" over the “permissible”.

A. The biblical premise:

1. 1 Corinthians 6:12 "Everything is permissible for me" — but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" — but I will not be mastered by anything.

2. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 "Everything is permissible" — but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" — but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

B. “Permissible” in the realm of food.

I Timothy 4:4-5 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

C. “Beneficial” and “constructive” in the realm of food.

Romans 14:20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

D. “Permissible” concerning the drinking of wine.

I Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

E. “Beneficial” and “constructive” concerning the drinking of wine.

Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

VIII. Statistics condemn alcohol abuse.

A. In 1987, one of every four Americans said that drinking had been a problem in their homes. Four of every ten Americans (41%) report having suffered physical, psychological, or social pain as a result of someone else’s drinking (Prevention Express magazine, September 1991).

B. In ten years, 59,000 Americans died in Vietnam. In ten years, 235,000 Americans died on U.S. roads from accidents involving drunk drivers (Dave Roever video).

C. There are 25,000 murders and suicides a year in the U.S. that are influenced by alcohol. One half of all people arrested have a drinking problem (Encyclopedia Americana).

D. Among native Americans, most tribes consider alcohol and other drug problems to be their most important health issue.

E. State trooper George Dahl in Bethel, Alaska, says, “There is no serious crime without alcohol.”

F. In Alaska in 1987, 58% of all traffic fatalities were alcohol related.

G. Alaska’s child sexual abuse rate is six times the national average. 78.9% of perpetrators of sexual abuse and 63.3% of the perpetrators of incest were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the offense.

H. Among the health problems increased by alcoholism are liver damage, some heart diseases, stomach ulcers and gastritis, malnutrition, cancer of the mouth, esophagus or stomach, brain damage, and damage to a developing child in the womb. The lives of alcoholics are typically shortened by 10 to 12 years.

SUMMARY:

1. There are positive references to wine in the Scriptures.

2. There are negative references to wine in the Scriptures.

3. We must discern between that which is merely permissible and that which is beneficial and constructive.

4. Let us not selfishly seek our own good, but the good of the many.

WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS NOT DRINK ALCOHOL?

1. Say “NO” because you may justify social drinking as permissible, but it is most assuredly not beneficial, not constructive — not to ourselves, not to our families, not to society.

2. Say “NO” to avoid the ever-present potential of offending or stumbling others. That would be a sin. If I were to choose to be a social drinker and my example led others to do the same, with harmful consequences, then my drinking would have become an occasion of offense and stumbling to them. That alone is reason enough for me to choose continual abstinence from intoxicating drinks.

3. Say “NO” because alcohol is a serious social and public health problem. As the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:13f), Christians should determine not to be part of the problem, but rather part of the solution by choosing the safe path of abstinence from alcohol.

2010-02-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

So here is a test video. If you are able to watch this than you will
be able to see our daily video update from Haiti. Hope it's working
for you.

2010-02-18T14:07:00.000-08:00

If this isn't team spirit I don't know what is. Ok the real reason I
have placed this pic on my blog is to test my ability to post pics
when I am in Haiti in a few weeks.

Should Church Leaders Consume Alcohol?

2010-02-17T06:10:00.000-08:00

So I recently found myself engaged in a pretty strong debat about church leaders and the use of alcohol. We debated both Deacons and Pastors and their use of alcohol. There was a passionate response on both sides of this debat. I was on the side that feels it is wrong for a Pastor to drink any alcohol for a few reasons. The number one reason is that I believe the word of God teaches us that Pastors or overseers are to abstain from alcohol. I also believe that for a Pastor to drink, there exists the possibility of giving the wrong impression of him, his church and of Christianity in general. I believe that a Pastor should never do anything that would cause others to fall and drinking would be one of those things. But just for arguments sake let's say that the bible did not speak against alcohol use. Just because we can does not mean we should. The bible warns us to avoid walking past the temptress door. It's not a sin to do this but a warning to avoid getting trapped or drawn into a sin. Alcohol use, even in moderation is akin, in my opinion, to loitering outside the temptress door and arrogantley saying it's not an issue. The word of god has much to say on the issue of alcohol. To say the least it is a source of strife, if it was not there would be no need to talk about it so much in scripture. The fact is that it is damaging to our cause for the kingdom. It makes it difficult for us to stand out with a beer in our hand. Some would say that if it's in the privacy of our own home and in moderation it's ok. Let's ask a few questions. Where did you purchase the alcohol? Who saw you buy it? What would you tell that person if they saw you at church and asked about Christians who drink? If you are married are you doing all you can to protect your wife from things that could hurt her spiritually? If you have kids could the message you are sending be a confusing one? Are you allowing something into your home that could cause your children to be tempted? I struggle to understand why we would engage in things that put us and our testimonies and our families at risk. We place filters on our computers to block bad websites, we lock doors, we screen our childrens friends and families to ensure a positive environment, we carefully look into schools our children attend and we watch what they are tought in school. But when it comes to these "social" expressions of our liberties we are less willing to give them up. So maybe the real question is one that was posed in the form of a statement by one person involved in this discussion. If asked to give up alcohol to take a position of leadership there are two possible responses. One is to give it up without thought because it is of no real importance or value to the person. The other is to refuse to give it up which may indicate a much stronger attachment to the alcohol than is healthy. I would love to hear your thoughts on this as it is quite a controversial issue.

The Year in Review

2010-02-16T14:31:00.001-08:00

R.I.O.T. Youth Ministry

As it is and what’s to come

This year has been eventful to say the least. While all of the normal things you might find in ministry have been going on there has been a significant amount of the extraordinary happening this year as well. The hardest part of writing a Ministry report is where to start. There is so much I want to share with you and just quite simply not enough time or space on this paper, so I will summarize as best I can and hope nothing too important has been left out.

This last year I sat down with my youth leaders and asked them if there was one thing we were going to focus on over the next year what did they think it should be. God is good because e we all came up with the same answer pretty quickly. We saw a real need for true discipleship in the lives of the teens. Less “fluff” and more serious and purposeful focus in the lives of our teens.

The next question was how we should do this. While wrestling with this question the leadership started talking about our purpose as a church, talk of adding a pastor to the staff to help facilitate this new focus and direction for our ministry, as well as looking toward how we as a church help truly disciple our people. Funny how these things all come about at the same time isn’t it? Well as we talked over several months the leadership came up with what you are now familiar with, “KNOW GOD, GROW TOGETHER, SERVE OTHERS”. We wanted this to be a part of EVERYTHING we do here at Cornerstone. So we needed to make sure this was the purpose and goal of the youth as well.

We had already started “LIFE GROUPS” for the teens as one way of focusing efforts on discipleship as well we created a schedule for the teens that was much less about fluff and much more about growing in Christ.

I decided that there needed to be a serious effort made to take the teens through the entire New Testament in 6 years. I realize that not every teen will benefit from a 6 year plan since some will graduate before then but as future students come into the youth ministry they will have the great benefit of taking a journey through the entire New Testament.

Our midweek youth meeting, traditional held on Wednesday night’s, has changed in some significant ways as well. While Wednesday night was the traditional midweek gathering for the teens many had recurring scheduling conflicts as well as the leaders were struggling to get to church on time after a long day at work. We moved this to Sunday nights to help alleviate the conflicts and for the most part it has worked. We renovated the youth room at a cost of appx. $2000 last summer and launched the opening of “sTiR-iT-uP” Coffee Shop. The goal for this was really a three prong thing. First and foremost it was a way to give the room a much needed makeover and give it that modern fun feeling. It was also to help with a budget issue of snack and food expenses for Sunday nights. The third reason was our support as a youth group of two children through compassion international was way behind and we needed to find an easier way to support these two children. By opening the coffee shop we solved all three goals. All the profit goes to support the kids through Compassion International and it is working.

So you might ask, what are planning for next year Pastor Dave. What big thing or next great idea are you working on? The answer is not a single thing. In our effort to become simple churches we are trying not create more “Stuff” to keep students busy. Instead our focus is on empowering our students to live a life outside the church walls that will be a light and a testimony to those in their sphere of influence. Yeah we will do fun stuff (we have an overnight canoe trip planned for this summer and yeah guys and girls will be on the opposite side of the river while sleeping), we will go to a concert, attend Dare-2-Share, go to snow camp, and a few other things. But this is not where the real ministry happens. These things are the frosting on the cake. The real meat of this ministry is happening one on one with students, after their games, during phone calls and visits, in their small groups with other leaders that love them, and in their homes. It is my job to help this happen and to facilitate an atmosphere where this is possible.

I have just one more thing to mention, and that is the immense awe and humility I have experienced this year at the amount of adults who have continued to invest in the lives of students or who have, for the first time, taken a step of faith and put themselves out there to love teenagers as Christ loves them. We currently have 14 adults who are committed to some area of the youth ministry. Not only is this an answer to my prayers but I believe it is the best thing about our youth ministry.

Pray that God continues to draw students to us, that they would find love and acceptance here and that they could walk away saying “Things are different now, I am loved”.

Thank you for your prayers and unwavering support of my ministry and my family. You will never truly understand what you all mean to us.

2009-11-28T18:33:00.001-08:00

So now I can blog right from my iPhone. How cool is that. So now I will b adding much more often. Of course they will probably shorter since I will give myself carpel tunnel in my thumbs if I write too long. Isn't technology great.

2009-11-28T18:23:00.001-08:00

Ok. So now I can blog from my iPhone. They will be shorter but more often. Technology is amazing.

create or edit ring

2009-10-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

create or edit ring: "

Youth Ministry Blogs

Insecurity might be my "Achilles Heel"

2009-10-16T21:22:00.001-07:00

Have you ever tried to do your best. I mean really tried with all your might just to wonder what effect it is having? There seems to be very little difference, little visible change. After years of working this hard you start to wonder if you still have a gift from God or if you are just tredding water because you used to be a world class swimmer. Lately I have struggled with many decissions in my ministry. I have to constantly remibd myslef that I work for the father, for His pleasure and His will. BUT, this fact gets lost in the midst of what appears on the surface to be dismal failures. Failures that are small but loom big in my mind. Of course, one question does arrise, how do I know they are failures? What am I using as a measurement of success? I think it comes down to numbers. I know that the number of teens that choose to participate in the offerings of our ministry is not important. We are supposed to be mostly concerned with the depth of their spiritual connection to God. BUt how can we hel them along this path if they are not here. And how can I express the lasting eternal implications of a strong and growing relstionship with Chrost to the parents. It seems that parents want their children to have this life long spiritual connection yet they are willing to model personally and sometimes force their children to place these in last place. I feel as though I am failing at reaching this generation of teens and parents. I struggle to get teens to come on a regular basis which makes accounatbility and biblical instruction virutally impossible.

And then there is another issue that weighs heavy on my mind. It's my family's needs. I have found that as my children get older they need me to be home more. I just can't be gone 70+ hours a week anymore. I belive that scripture tells me that my family is to come first before my ministry to the church. How it would kill me if I was to ever fail at that. So how do I balance the needs of a ministry that has me feeling like I am failing, and the increasing needs of my family?

Is god calling me to change the way I minister to teens? Is he calling me to a different type of ministry all together? Is he calling me to increase my efforts with the church? Is he calling me to increase the efforts with my family? I just don't know and Ifind myself in this thought often lately. I trust my God to show me what to do next, but there is a fear in me about the next step.

If you find that you battle with many of these interanl struggles you can take comfort in what God says. "Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

So how do I know what the next step is? I do as Job 33:33 says, "But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."

My next step is to be silent and wait to hear my next set of orders what ever they may be. (Most of me wants the orders to be "STAND YOUR GROUND")

A common Lie

2009-02-09T07:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a great day. Not only because it was a day that I set aside for God but because I was able to see God working in the life of a young man. It is always a privilege to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of others. To see a change start to happen, to see a person start to ask questions is the most exciting thing. In the midst of this excitement I was hit with something that I found to be a lie that many of us find ourselves believing. Many people feel that it is better to protect others by perpetuating a lie or by not sharing relevant information than to share the truth. We want to protect others from getting hurt. Guys are especially bad at this because we are fixers by nature. We don't want others to be hurt by our actions. When someone feels hurt we always ask, what can I do? So lying sometimes seems like the best way not to hurt someone. But we have to remember that it is not our job to protect others from the truth. It is required of us to be truthful. Their is a right and a wrong way to share the truth. But when done with love and humility it is the right thing to do. The lie we get sucked into is simple. "If I tell them it's going to cause them pain, or let them down, or hurt their feelings." The reality is that a lie, no matter how good our intentions are, not only hurts our relationship with the person but it also strains our relationship with God. Putting a strain on our relationship with God gives Satan a foothold in our life. Where God is not, Satan is staking a claim. Don't make the truth a thing to hide out of a concern for others. If we value our relationships with others and with God, we will always speak truth in Love and humility because we know it is the right thing to do.

THE DEATH OF A LANGUAGE

2009-02-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

I remember when i was growing up my mom would make my sister melissa and I attend what she called "Family Meetings". My sister and I would have described it as torture in disguise. But the reasoning for it was based on something that seems to be a fading part of our american culture. My mom wanted us to communicate what we were going through in life and she wanted us to share our feeling on things that were going on in the family. I hated this process almost as much as my sister did, probably more now that Ithink about it. My mom grew to hate these family meetings, mostly because of our obvious distaste for them. I know this because they got called less and less. So in my family and the many familys I get to work with I often wonder why we don't communicate better. What is it about talking with those that are the closest to us that keeps us distant emmotionally? Why do we tend to make close ties with people we have never met before like in chat rooms and social connectors like facebook, but fail to do this with the ones we sit next to every day? I think it is really very simple. Every person wants to feel loved and accepted by someone. A face to face encounter puts us at a high risk of rejection. It's like fishing. If were to go out and bait a hook and cast it into the water the amount of time it would take me to catch something might be 45 minutes. And at the end of 45 minutes I would have one fish. Impressive right? Well lets say I took a bigger boat out and fished using a drag net. After 45 minutes I pull up the net and find that I have caught not just one fish but 385. What sounds more impressive, 1 or 385. Duh!!! So we network looking for the status that likely would elude us if we made friends the old school way. But what is lost? What are we giving up by saying it's ok to exist on the computer but not in the world? Is a sense of committment to friends a sacrifice? Is a loss of accountability diminishing? I watch kids text faster of their little flip phones than I can type on a keyboard the size of a countertop. But these same kids struggle to write a paper using correct english. No wonder people don't know how to act and behave in so many situations. No wonder it seems that there is a growing number of people who crave personal attention to the degree that they will committ crimes to get it. Lets get in their face and make it personal.

Conformity is the root of all progress

2009-02-03T07:29:00.000-08:00

Ok. I have never really got into blogging. Mabye it's because it takes time, a commodity I seem to have less and less of these days. Mabye it's because I wasn't sure about the idea of splashing my inner thoughts on the web for the world to see. But as is now obvious, I have decided to conform. So what am I going to be talking about? Excellent question. I don't have an answer for that but I can assure you it will be weird, crazy and often times just plain stupid. So if you want to read the meanderings of a 30 something guy with three kids I invite you back to join in my embarasement. Talk at ya soon.