Student Discipleship Structure

This three-week experiment targeting small groups for all students will begin Sunday, April 22. The groups will be open to new students at any time. We will meet at Northwest Chapel at 6:30pm until 7:45pm. At then end of this experiment, we will evaluate the program and consider if this is how we want small groups at all in Northwest Chapel Student Ministries.

Each small group has anywhere from 4-10 students in the group with an adult discipleship facilitator and co-facilitator (if available). We will group students according to the following criteria:

1. Grade: Middle school will meet separate from High School.
2. Middle School: If enough facilitators are available, we will gather sixth graders in one group from the seventh & eighth graders.
3. High School: If enough faciliators are available, we will gather upperclassmen in one group and underclassmen in another group.

I understand that these groupings may not be an easy transition. Egos, insecurities, poor communication skills, and personality conflicts abound to plague our efforts to connect students into the beginnings of meaningful relationships. So I discerned these objective groupings for this three-week experiment.

To facilitate relationships I propose small groups (2-4 students per adult). It will be my job to monitor this RUTHLESSLY because students and maybe some facilitators will not want to gather into two new groups when the group grows to 8 students. When one group reaches 8 students, then we will spawn a new group with another adult facilitator. If we can have a co-facilitators who will be ready to start a new group, the students and the adult facilitator can already have some relational connection.

I will add to this blog what I think about what you as a faciliator should eventually know, do, and become during this experimental session. Thanks.

Pastor D

New Discipleship Format

For the Bread Series the basic small group structure will be one where we have a large group time of singing and teaching followed by small groups according to grade levels (middle school & high school).

Basic outline for Sunday evening discipleship:

1. Gather all students together (Middle School & High School) for welcome & worship
2. Teaching Time in large group (Opening activity, set-up, teaching & response)
3. Small Group Time (dig in & making it real)
4. Spend time in prayer for the students. Ask for and record prayer requests to keep track of over the course of this 3-week session.

Return to my blog to discover more helpful items and tips for small group time and this discipleship segment.

Contact me to send you via e-mail the series outline, it's about 12 pages total in Word-format.

Thanks.

Pastor D

Sunday Evening Discipleship

Schedule

April 22, Bread Series #1
April 29, Bread Series #2
May 6, Bread Series #3
May 13, No Discipleship Mother’s Day
May 20 AWANA Jamboree Service Project
May 29 Memorial Day

Walk in the Word with Dr. James MacDonald: Igniting Passion in the People of God through the Proclamation of Truth.

Walk in the Word with Dr. James MacDonald: Igniting Passion in the People of God through the Proclamation of Truth.

Here's a website to scan and to mine for your own spiritual growth. I am also going through the book of Proverbs. Check out a different perspective than mine. Pursue truth!
Pastor d

Easter Reflections

I am recovering from a busy weekend. I am thankful for new insights in ministry. Kurt Johnston from Saddleback posts a review of the weekend services that I 'd like to emulate. I discover that taking a weekly assessment would provide feedback and direction for what God is prompting in me and where God is moving in student ministries. So here's the first attempt: the scale goes from below average-average-above average.

Attendance: Below Average
Lesson Topic: Celebrate Resurrection!
Fun Factor: Above Average
Volunteer Involvement: Above Average
Music: Above Average
Lesson Quality: Above average
Length of Lesson: 5:00
Student Response: Above Average

I'll post more specifics and music links for the songs we used for celebrating Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Pastor d

Wisdom from Proverbs

Today is Good Friday. I read chapter six this morning in Proverbs. I was drawn to the example of the ant in regards to laziness. I find that when I am overwhelmed, or at least feel overwhelmed, I can get lazy. I can become a poor performer and can scarcely get anything done. For some of you its the same feeling. I can't get my homework done. I can't make time for God. I can't keep up with all the demands of my life. But as I look into the wisdom of God's word, I find hope.

Verses 9-11 say,

"How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hand to rest--
and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man."

When there's things

When there's things to be done, get things done. I find that most of the time I need motviation. Rather than just sleeping in, or letting it go, I need to make things happen. You need to take control of your life. Grab the rudder of your ship and steer it towards a destination rather than merely letting go and sailing wherever the winds may blow. Refuse poor performand! Resist poor grades! Get some things done. I will do so today.

If I get a chance before tonight's Good Friday Service, I will post how my day went. The service starts @ 7:30pm here at Northwest Chapel, 6700 Rings Road, Dublin, Ohio. Consider yourself and your family invited.

Pastor d

Invite a friend to church

Came across this funny clip from YouTube entitled "Baptism by the Water Cooler." After viewing it, consider what it would take to invite your friend(s) to church. It may not be as dramatic. But people matter to God. Take a step of courage and ask.

pastor d

Note: Use of a YouTube clip does not endorse everything on YouTube.

Wisdom from Proverbs

Today's chapter in Proverbs counteracts the challenge facing everyone in our sex-saturated culture. God's Word warns against adultery. The story in chapter five is an earnest plea from a father to a married son regarding the pressures of seeking a wayward women to commit adultery. Walt Mueller, President of CPYU (Center for Parent and Youth Understanding) shares how this present culture has shifted away from the sanctity of marriage. The culture portrays in the media that casual sex is normative, that "cheating" on someone is okay as long as you are not caught, that hooking up is normal.

I concur with Walt Mueller's comments about giving deep thought to the Christian response to this shift. He wrote on his blog concerning the prominence of casual sex as normative,

“Saddened, but not surprised.” Most of the time, people look at me like I’m nuts. I hope I’m not. Instead, I’ve tried to be informed by the truth of the Scriptures in a way that I hope has caused me to avoid the extremes of blind optimism and extreme pessimism in order to embrace a third option – biblical realism. Illness, destruction, death, violence, rebellion, idolatry, sin, the things kids do. . . . none of it should be surprising. A posture of biblical realism serves to give us perspective, and always should shape our response – emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Read more of Walt's full comments from his archived pages here by scrolling down to his houghts dated 03.07.2007.

In his blog he links to an interview on NBC by Meredith Vieira, "Is hooking up unhealthy for teens?" She interviews Laura Sessions Stepp author of "UnHooked," and Amber Madison author of "Hooking Up." This interview highlights the new culture of casual sex and its effect on young women. After viewing this interview you may be shocked or unaffected. But I trust you would feel both some discouragement while at the same time feel tempered by biblical realism. Anchored to a biblical worldview where sin and its manifestation in our culture is not surprising because it is not God -centered.

But victoriously, sin is remedied in Jesus. What better season to reconsider the awesome truth of Christ's death and resurrection! So proclaim with me that this world needs Jesus in spite of cultural trends to the contrary.

All disturbing cultural trends will continue to emerge on the radar screens of Christian minds who foster a biblical worldview. I wonder how you will respond. Unless a person seeks to follow God's truth, then he or she may cave-in and follow the pressure of the dominant culture. How will you shape your response? Something to seriously think about.

Pastor D

Resurrection Sunday

As I prepare for Easter Sunday I got to focus on 52 minutes cylce for each service. So I will have to adjust what I prepare. I will include worship songs for reflection and insight so that students can engage. I wonder who is in town to help with the readings. I hope to discover help today and tomorrow.

Pastor D

Easter Service for Students

For a lot of students in our church, the story of Jesus' resurrection is very familiar. A student could become jaded, or dull to its impact and importance. Students may encounter those who object to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead by offering theories to try to explain away the resurrection. I intend to renew each student's appreciation for the miraculous nature of Christ's resurrection this Sunday morning. I will need several students or adults to help me do some readings this Sunday morning. So come ready to engage and to respond to the reality of Christ's resurrection. Invite a friend.

NOTE: Middle school students gather at 9:45am this Sunday. High School students will gather at 11am.

Pastor d

Proud of the Buckeyes

Even the day after the loss, I am proud of the team. They left it "all out on the floor." One viewpoint is more matter of fact than my opinion. Check out "Florida was way, way, way, better than OSU." If Florida shoots poorly from three, then we make it closer. Whether or not we win is still up in the air. But our poor shooting from three did not help us. Regardless I am a proud fan!

Pastor D

Incubation

As I read more blogs and I engage in conversations with others, I marvel at the incredible abilities of others to make new associations and new connections for me.

Mark Cuban shared his thoughts on the music business which mind-mapped for me some thoughts about ministry to students. He offered the possibility of creating a new financial model that excites music consumers into spending more money on music, or innovating a new technological advance that creates a new experience with music. He concludes his ramblings in this manner, "Maybe the way to change music isn't by changing the music formats, but by enabling new ways for us to say new things about ourselves using music as the foundation or catalyst ?" He is thinking about new ideas and new connections.

I pondered how such thoughts could impact ministry. To recast his words as a question into the ministry realm rather than a statement of the music realm, what if the way to change ministry isn't by changing the ministry format, but by enabling students to discover new ways for them to experience new things about his or her experience with God by using ministry events as the foundation or catalyst? Maybe that's a stretch. I wonder if spending more money on ministry tools and gadgets is not the answer, but maybe innovating new advances in ministry through technology in order to create new experiences for students so that God helps him or her to grow. I wonder what things could be created to impact ministry. Just new thoughts on a journey that I am on.

Pastor D

Insight from Cuban

I was just reading Dallas Maverick's owner Mark Cuban's blog regarding "Why the NBC/Newsco Video Venture is a Great Idea." In it he ends his thoughts regarding the positioning of Newsco in juxtaposition with YouTube and Google, by saying , "But as always, concept is one thing, execution is the bottom line." I agree with his statement that concept is one thing, but execution is the bottom line.

In ministry to students I need to execute tasks, to conduct events. It's a whole lot easier thinking of the concepts rather than executing the tasks or plan. So I choose to begin to execute ministry plans rather than merely thinking about it. May God help me engage in doing His work for students.

Pastor D

Wisdom from Proverbs

Proverbs 2:1-5 helps me see things from God's perspective. I observe that the author writes from a father-like perspective, as a mentor would to a mentee. I interpret the verses as Solomon offering instruction to one of his sons. I view it as God offering insight to me.

God wants me to receive and to remember His truth. He invites me to plead for insight as I pursue His way. Then i will discover a deeper respect for God Himself--gain knowledge of Him. He empowers me to revere Him and to know Him better. The Apostle Paul say something similar to the believers at the church in Ephesus. He wrote,

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may
give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better
(Ephesians 1:17)."

God wants me to advance in my spiritual growth by getting to know him better. I can get to know Him better. I will listen for His still small voice. I will ask, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." Then I will wait in silence for Him to speak. May God give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better also. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Go buckeyes!

Pastor D

Communion Celebration

Wow! God visited me with a renewed focus of my need to apply daily cleansing of sin into my routine for each day. I have freely received forgiveness, I can freely grant forgiveness. In fact, I can forgive even when no one asks for forgiveness. God is a great God! He forgives, renews, and emboldens. He empowers His followers to go and sin no more. What a great cleansing feeling! Maybe you can join us next time when we celebrate three-fold communion. Thanks!

Pastor d

April Fools Day

This morning it crossed my mind to play and April fool's joke on the students, but I reflected on the day itself. Today commemorates Jesus coming into Jerusalem riding a donkey, triumphant, heralded as king. Palm Sunday exalts Jesus as King.

This morning I chose to engage students by bringing them to stand at the foot of the cross. God prompted me to use a great session from Worship Session for Youth Groups by Jim Marian, a Youth Specialties resource. I discovered it while browsing at Half-Priced Books on Bethel Road in Columbus, Ohio. I've found a few items there. This one was so helpful.

This session directed students to reflect on Good Friday and the crucifixion. My hope was to get students to worship Christ because he died for us. I intended to bring students to the foot of the Cross so they can come away having seen and understood Christ's unparalled, sacrifice and unconditional love from them. The session called for use of video, music, mediatation, confession, and the physical act of affixing your sins to a cross.

I wanted students to revisit this great place--at the foot of the cross. I prayed for God to have students open their minds to the personal impact of the Cross. Students prayed that each one of them would have open minds stirred afresh to open minds and hearts to focus on Christ asking that God would give a fresh, real, and personal understanding of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross.

Symbols used were hard cut masonry nails. The nail is a powerful symbol that helps to keep students focused on the Cross. We pondered the painful details to help direct students to make this event real to them. The truth is that you deserve death for your sins. We should have been up there, not Christ (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Christ loves you so much that he chose to take the punishment for our sins so we could have life forever, not eternal death in hell (Romans 5:8).

A personal reflection time ensued where students wrote down a sin or sins that they are currently struggling with. You could write down as much as you wanted: the paper had "SIN" on one side, the other side was space for you to list your sins as God prompted. No names were printed--you had total anonymity. It was between you and God. Students sought honest and serious reflection directing students that it was your sins that took Christ to the Cross.

Jesus' death also provides cleansing for sin. God's Holy Spirit prompts us to respond with thanks and gratitude. He prompts us to worship God for His provision.

So students entered into a time of praise and worship where personal reflection by affixing your sins to the cross engaged you in realizing what Jesus had done. He took your sins. He died for you. You sang an i-mix of tunes from the following artists: Michael W Smith; Jeremy Camp; Petra; the Katinas. Students sang three choruses: The Wonderful Cross, Here I am to worship, Lord I lift your name on high. As students sang, room was created at the foot of the cross to affix your sin to the cross. Students got up individually as each one felt led anytime during the singing. You could affix your sin to the cross imagining Jesus paying the price for your sins. You could have left celebrating Christ's sacrifice for you.

I trust you thank God for Christ's sacrifice this week and celebrate God's love and forgiveness. May He speak to you and may you hear,

Pastor D

Communion (parts two and three)

I celebrate communion in two more ways: the Love Feast and the Eucharist (Bread and Cup). The Love Feast is a meal which pictures what will happen when all believers in Jesus get to heaven and celebrate in a big feast. Read Luke 22:14-18 to discover where Jesus sits with his disciples to enjoy the Love Feast. Revelation 19:7-9 describes how some day in the future the Church will be united with Jesus and there will be a celebration party for this event. The Love Feast during our celebration of communion is a reminder of what will happen someday in heaven. This future picture reminds us that Jesus will return one day to call home his believers so each of his believer needs to live for Him.

The third part of Communion is the Eucharist, or Bread and the Cup. The Bread symbolizes Jesus' body which was sacrificed for you and i on the cross. I Corinthians 12:23-24 says,

"The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given
thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in
remembrance of me.'"

The Cup symbolizes Jesus' blood which was shed on the cross to pay the price for our sins. I Corinthians 11:25-26 says,

"In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,'this cup is the new
covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." The Bread and the Cup reminds you of Christ's death on the cross and challenges you to live a life which would please Him (Luke 22:19).

My challenge to you is this: if you are a believer in Jesus, then you need to take part in communion. Talk to your parents to allow you to come join in this celebration. It starts at 5:30pm tonight. Come engage or just come and observe. You'll learn something new and may just experience God in a new way. Pastor D

TMNT Review - PlanetWisdom.com

TMNT Review - PlanetWisdom.com

Here's a good summary of the new movie. A few of the guys at Hangtime said it was a good movie. If you go, make sure you answer the questions with some friends and take a conversational "fork" in the road towards bringing God up in the conversation.

Pastor D

Three-part Communion (part 1)

Students who have trusted Christ need to take part in communion. Jesus commands that we commemorate what He did for each believer by dying on the cross for their sins; "do this in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19)." Later as the church kept growing the Apostle Paul passed on this ordinance for the church at Corinth to practice when he wrote, "For I received from the Lord, what I also passed on to you...(I Corinthians 11:23)." Paul outlined the ordinance of the Bread and the Cup.

Northwest Chapel practices three-fold, three-part communion. We engage in three symbols that picture a believer's relationship with Christ. The three parts of the Communion Service are the feet washing, the love feast, and the Bread and the Cup. Each part symbolizes biblical truth.

The first part is feet-washing. It was typical for Jewish people at the time of Jesus to wash their feet upon entering someone's house. Yet Jesus rose from the meal as it was in progres and washed the disciples' feet (see John 13:2-5). Northwest Chapel believes that the feet-washing Jesus performs with the disciples is a special feet washing. Jesus gave special meaning to this feet-washing.

The feet washing is a symbol of cleansing from sin. Once a person has trusted Jesus to take over his or her life, a Christ-follower still commits sins from time to time. He or she needs to be forgiven. Peter objects to getting his feet washed but Jesus informs him that if Peter did not have his feet washed he would have no part with Jesus. So Peter asks Jesus to wash his entire ody; however Jesus points out that he does not need to have his whole body cleaned since he already knows Jesus. Only his feet needs to be cleansed.

Feet-washing is a symbol or picture of what has happened spiritually in the life of a believer in Christ. Because I have trusted Jesus, I can experience this daily cleansing of sin and receive Christ's forgiveness. I can symbolically picture this truth by washing someone else's feet (read John 13:12-17). I will get to the second part later this week. I wonder if you would like to come and observe how we conduct communion. You are invited to join us this Sunday, April 1 @ 5:30pm in our Multi-purpose Room @ 6700 Rings Road in Dublin, Ohio--no fooling :).

Pastor D

.:: CPYU | The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding -Walt Mueller's Blog::.

.:: CPYU The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding -Walt Mueller's Blog::.

Here's a great blog to add to your newsreader. It'll make you think. Way to go Walt!

Free Hugs

I visited YouTube to see who won the First Annual Awards. I was most moved by the award to Juan Mann for freehugs video. Click on this link here to YouTube to watch this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4 I watched it and I will share with you the link above. Watch it and consider these lyrics from Casting Crowns (note bolded chorus, my emphasis),

"If We Are The Body, "Lyrics by Mark Hall Music by Casting CrownsSong based on James 2:1-9© 2003 Club Zoo Music

It's crowded in worship todayAs she slips in trying to fade into the facesThe girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they knowFarther than they know

Chorus: But if we are the body Why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way

A traveler is far away from home He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back rowThe weight of their judgmental glancesTells him that his chances are better out on the roadJesus paid much too high a priceFor us to pick and choose who should comeAnd we are the body of ChristJesus is the way

I wonder what if we as Christians reached out our arms to hug those who need God's love in a real way. I wonder what God could do through us. Where are the free hugs from God's people to a lost and lonely world?

Time alone with God

Silence is loud.

This morning I led students to take a few moments before God to experience quiet time with Him. I discovered that for me its a learned habit. I wonder if students know what to do. So I will include what I outlined for them. If you have any links or insights about your time with God, then please post a comment.

First, wait on the Lord. Realize God's presence with you by taking 2 minutes of quiet. The Bible says that God the Holy Spirit indwells each believer. The God who created all that there is abides in you. He tabernacles in you. So get quiet and listen for his still, small voice. Invite God to speak to you. Ask Him to tell you what he thinks of your life. Say this short prayer, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." The young man Samuel heard God speak. You can read his experience in I Samuel. So wait on God's presence and His whispering voice in the silence.

Next, Pray for yourself. Ask God what He wants you to do. Say, "God, what do you want me to do?" You will get leadings, promptings, impressions within your mind. Jot them down. Then reflect on them. Is that leading truly from God?

Pastor Bill Hybels shares a warning that Satan, the evil one, is capable of both issuing his own leadings for destructive purposes and undermining God's leadings in your life (II Timothy 4:1). These lying spirits may appear to be channels of God's power. Jesus predicted that false Christs and false prophets would perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that we possible (Matthew 24:24); to deceive those who follow God. False impressions or misguided leadings are hard to distinguish for "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14)." It is very important to know the origin of the leadings coming into your mind.

For example, Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 followed a leading to increase their knowledge by eating an attractive fruit and they plunged the human race into darkness and separation from God! So know the origin of your leadings before following them.

A leading that is probably from God must remain consistent with God's truth found in the Bible, must remain consistent with who God made you to be, and require some act of service for others or sacrifice of yourself made in faith. If a leading violates what the Bible says, then question it. If a leading contradicts who God made you to be, then question it. If you have certain gifts and abilities and you feel you need to go outside of your gifts and abilities in a totally unrelated field, then question it. If a leading is self-promoting or self-serving, then question it as a counterfeit leading. Use discernment in understanding what the Lord's will is "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is (Ephesians 5:17)."

As you pray for yourself and what God wants you to do, things will pop into your mind. Jot each one down. Collect them for future reference, pray about them, and plan how you can take care of them and when.

My summary of my time with God this morning with students. I heard God say that I need to spend more consistent time with Him. He wants me to meditate, to marinate my mind in His truth. He promises success and wisdom. He truly loves me and wants me to succeed. But that means I need to turn off the noise of my busy life and get quiet to hear from Him. That's what God said to me. I wonder what He says to you. Take the challenge and spend quiet time with God.

Pastor D

An hour of prayer

This morning I will take time to talk to God, listen to God, and to ask God to do things on behalf of people who have made requests to bring before God. I want to structure my time to invite God's presence to permeate my mind & thoughts. Next, I will focus on who God is--I will reflect on what I know about God from the Bible. Subsequently, I will tell God how I experience those qualities in my life. Moreover, I will then pray for myself and the needs that I have pressing on my mind and life. Lastly, I will make time to intercede, to pray on behalf of the other requests that have been shared. I can't wait to engage in prayer. May God visit me this morning.

Pastor D

Day of Prayer

Join me tomorrow at 9am at Northwest Chapel 6700 Rings Road for an hour of prayer. Prayer is talking with God. Our church has designated tomorrow as the day of prayer. We set aside the chapel for quiet prayer and reflection. I will be there from 8-9am. You are invited to join me afterward for a Starbuck's debrief about your experience. I love a tall, decaf, no room. :)

Pastor D

Day with God

In my walk with God, I have been busy. But taking a day to commune with God is incredible. The focus and the direction I feel is amazing. If you haven't read, I spent a day with God yesterday. I want undisturbed, undistracted time to hear God speak to me. It was a spiritual experience.

In our busy lives, everyone is busy. Each one of us could use our own administrative assistants. Well, almost. I juggle responsibilities, tasks, appointments, etc. Sometimes it all drives me crazy. I find that being too busy deteriorates my health and damages my relationships. So where does God fit in when I am so busy with life and ministry--even busy with good things. I challenged our students to take five minutes to be silent and to listen to God. I decided to take more than that.

God did not design you and I to be pushed to the limit! It's a challenge everyone faces for their whole life. The great thing is to experience taking control of your schedule and reset positive patterns for your life that can tremendously impact your everyday life. I wanted to give some time over to God. As busy as anyone of us can be, it only feels like life gets busier, so I wanted to take time to be with God.

Links:
I used the following helps to direct my day. Clink on the link http://ctlibrary.com/2900 from the Christianity Today Library online. I was also glad to discover the detailed article on how to spend a day for prayer by Lorne C. Sanny: http://www.cmfhq.org/Training/Prayer/Day%20Alone%20with%20God.pdf This article is on the Christian Military Fellowship website.

I did hear from God. I'll share more about my experience later. I wonder if you've taken the five minute challenge to hear from God. Tell me your experience.

Links updated

Thom asked about updating the links because they were not working. I trust the links do work. Let me know if they do not. Thanks.

Pastor D

goodreads | see what your friends are reading

goodreads see what your friends are reading

Check out this site for those wh0 like to read rather than who like to play. I wonder if there are any students who still read. Goodreads is a place i discovered as a growing trend among friends. I think I'll give it a try. You should check it out too.

Pastor D

Quiet Time with God

I am in need of practicing quiet time with God. I often can quiet my body and mouth. But its my mind and speeding thoughts that scream loudly inside my head. God's truth and His voice is so dear to me. I want to hear God speak. I want to do what He prompts. I just need to stop and to listen. One of the practices that I need to implement is unloading.

Unloading is a process where you unload your mental pending files. So as you isolate yourself for quiet time with God take a note pad or piece of paper to list everything that comes to your mind. Simply unload and get it all on paper. This list becomes your memory bank. You may think that you will forget what comes into your mind. But this list acts as a prompter so you can remember the things that pop into your mind. You want to focus on hearing God's voice. You need to mentally focus on hearing God's voice. You want to be free of distractions and interruptions. Unloading things on paper is one good way to focus on hearing God's voice.

You will struggle to do this. But as I experience listening for God's voice. I find great comfort. And I discover how real God is--because He longs to speak to me. Throughout the Bible the word, "listen," permeates God's communication to humankind. He breathed forth His words for everyone to consider His truth,

"All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be
perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)."

So, hear God's voice right now. Take the FIVE minute challenge to be silent and to listen to God's voice.

Pastor D

Sunday Morning Lesson: Slow Down

The next two weeks we will target trying to slow down. Everyone is busy. Even elementary kids have Palm Pilots and personal administrative assistants, and students live with cell phones attached to themselves (at least its a dream for middle school students).

Juggling responsibilities with school, academics, sports, extracurricular activities, youth group, clubs, and homework can not only drive you crazy, but can deteriorate your health and damage your relationships.

So where does God fit in? Do you have time to explore and experience God in a world so amok with the business of life? Did God design you to be pushed to the limit? I don't think so, yet it's a challenge that everyone faces throughout one's lifetime. The cool thing is, though, that you can take control of your schedule and set positive patterns for your life will continue until you're old and gray, watching Wheel of Fortune reruns in your RV.

You viewed a film capturing what life may be like for an average overworked student. This may have served as a wake-up call--to remind you to give some time over to God. As busy as you are as a student, it only gets busier, so take time to be young, and to be young with God.

If you took the challenge or want to take the challenge this week to spend five minutes of silence to listen to God, then you can do the following and post your comment.

First, take a few deep breaths. Second, look up in the Bible the book of Proverbs and turn to chapter five. Read the whole chapter in one reading, silently whispering the words. Third, say a prayer like a young person in the Bible, Samuel who said in I Samuel 3:8, "Speak, God . I'm your servant, ready to listen." So whisper this prayer, "Speak, God. I'm your servant, i'm ready to listen" Fourth, set a timer and quiet your mouth, body, and thoughts. Block out the things that pop-up on your mind's desktop. When you are distracted, repeat the prayer in a soft whisper, "Speak, God. I'm your servant, I'm ready to listen." Then quiet yourself again.

God wants to speak to you. Tune into His still, quiet voice. Invite God to speak to you.

I wonder what your experience was. Share your comment.

Purpose

In my challenge to oversee the areas of middle school, high school, and college-aged ministries. I discover a lot about who I am. I am a people person. But I need to get things done--many tasks get undone. I need to meet new people; to put myself out there. But I'm an introvert by nature. I re-energize by spending time alone not spending time with people. I need to communicate with lots of people. But I only have so many hours in the day. Yet this problem to communicate with people can be solved with a blog. That's why I've begun this blog. It's sort of a way to connect with people when face-to-face is not a convenient option for me or for others. I want to converse with others as best as I can. So here is my attempt to start communicating in a differnt way. I find it so hard to try to talk to people on Sundays. I am responsible for both hours of each service. When there are between service activities or events, I often miss them or I am late. I need a way to communicate with others beyond weekend service times. I've battled with email and still get spammed. But I am exploring new ways to filter unwanted messages while accepting needed messages. I guess it's everyone's challenge, but I am choosing to begin communicating in a blog. It's the best way I can get information out and get information in.
Here's to sharing the story of Student Ministries through a blog,
Pastor D

New additions
I just recently added a few links to my blog to other blogs I created. In the links field, there are blogs of activities (middle school & high school), and one called--3rd Night.

3rd Night is a new blog started to discuss and to comment on what high school students are studying on Wednesday Nights (three nights after sunday). Check it out and make a comment.

The activity blogs are a place to get news about what's being planned for students. I will ask if Chris Jordan can send me his picture so I can introduce him to the youth group again. He is willing to plan some activities for the summer and beyond.

Our activities focus either on contacting students or connecting students. Contacting means fun activities to invite friends to so that they check out what our church does and who comes to our church youth group. These events are just fun things to do with friends, or a place to possibly make new friends. There is an intention to bring students to church events and invite them to come to our church on Sunday mornings. For example, June 9th is PaintBall for Middle School students. Connecting means fellowship activities where students who want to get encouragement in their journey with God gather together. There is an intentional focus to direct students to talk about how to relate God's Word to your life. For example, Palm Sunday Communion is coming on April 1st.

The why.god link is a place for students to share their pain and get prayer for the toils of this journey with God. Everybody gets discouraged. Students can share loss or pain or grief. Occasional insights are posted and replies to comments will be made. So take advantage of this space whether school and homework are your frustration, fear over choices you've got to make, need for prayer about a relationship, hurt over a friend or relative who needs help, whatever it is--you have a place to post your comments.

Pastor D

Adjustments

The ear that hears the reproof of life shall remain among the wise.
(Proverbs 15:31)

God speaks to me when I reflect on my life and see the gap between where I'd like to be and where I am. I'd like to be so much more. Yet I am so much less.

The hard knocks of life are not pleasant. Yet in my short lifespan, I discover that I can learn from my missteps. I thought that when I made mistakes, I was dumb. But here God's Word distinguishes between truth and lie. I can correct my way and see it as a smart move. I don't have to see it as a dumb thing. What is dumb, is to not make any adjustments. Wow! God's truth informs me that I can be smart/wise by adjusting my life and not feel that such miss-steps confirm my ignorance. Whoa! God is helping me see things in a new way. I can be wise, even after making a mistake. The mistake is to make no adjustments.

As you travel along in this life, I wonder if you feel the same or how you deal with setbacks. I wonder if you beat yourself up or if you even give it any other thought and move on. I wonder what you think.

Pastor D

Give thought to your steps
I discovered something new in my walk with God. I talk too much. I'm trying to practice hearing God. I ask God to speak into my life--so I sit quietly and remain silent. However, I still talk in my mind. God tells me to be still and know that He is God.

"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be praised among the nations, I will
be praised in the earth. (Psalms 46:10)"

Stillness means quieting my body, my mouth, and my thoughts. Silence. To quiet my heart and mind to hear God's voice takes practice. I am learning how to do that better amid many tasks and new interruptions. In fact, today's chapter in Proverbs challenges me to consider what I am doing.

"The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps
(Proverbs 14:15)."

Do I truly think about what I am doing? Or am I just a robot droning along in life without regard for my steps?
God's truth challenges me to stop and think about what I am doing. Sometimes I don't like what I'm doing. Other times I am encouraged. Still, that moment when I ponder my path is what God wants from me. I wonder how often I've questioned why I do what I do. Have I given any time for reflection? Maybe I'm afraid of what I'll discover. Am I prudent? Or am I a simpleton?

Prudent: wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober (Random House Unabridged Dictionary).
Simpleton: an ignorant, foolish, or silly person (Random House Unabridged Dictionary).

I wonder if you've stopped to consider your own steps. In fact, what is your opinion of students? Are students simpletons or prudent? Do students view themselves as wise or foolish? How often do students consider their ways? What stops students from doing this? I wonder what you think. Join the conversation.
Pastor D

ABC News: An Annual Rite: Brace Yourself for the Tourney

ABC News: An Annual Rite: Brace Yourself for the Tourney
Are you immune to the madness?

March Madness
For all who love sports, especially basketball, this is our favorite time of year. I enjoy watching the games when I can. Back in college I would do extra studying and save up my excused absences and watch every game televised. I was a sports addict. Was? I still am, but anyways...

If you'd like me to join your group or you'd like to sound off regarding whether or not this is all a waste of time, then drop me an invite or your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you.

Pastor D

International Justice Mission

International Justice Mission
Check out the site, visit briefly, and post your comments.

Amazing Grace
Last week at the Gathering, Amy Price suggested we watch the movie, Amazing Grace. Afterwards a few of us gathered to share our reflections on the movie. One of the resources cited by Luke Benedict was a World Magazine article on modern-day slavery in our world today. A group doing something about child slavery is the International Justice Mission. I heard the president speak at a missions conference over Christmas break. Her mission, her cause is compelling. Please visit the website on the link above. I'll post the questions and some of the answers from our group discussion later.

Pastor D

Right Living
God is reiterating one truth in my life. Integrity. God tells me in Proverbs 13:6; "Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner." In order for me to nurture integrity in my life, I must live right. The standard of right-ness is God's truth. It is not what is best for me with no regard for others. It is right living according to the principles and precepts of God's truth in the Bible. So, as I live right my integrity is guarded. As I treat others right, my integrity is guarded. As I think right (of others, of myself), my integrity is guarded. The contrast is a life thrown over with wrongness.

God wants me to live a great life for Him. It will take principled discipline. Right living is not easy. Right living is for the strong, not the weak. I wonder if your experience is like mine. Do you struggle with living right? Do you seek to live out God's truth? Or are you feeling overthrown with wrong ways?

But there is hope. Every believer can confess sin and renew his or her walk in Christ. You are on the journey. You can reaffirm your commitment everyday. You can live for Christ. You can gain victory! Keep trusting God and living out His truth in your life. I wonder if you are encouraged or discouraged from these reflections. Drop me a comment.

Pastor d

Family: Entrusted treasures

I spent the day yesterday with my family. I have so many things to do and to think about. Like many of you I am at the crossroads of decisions for my life and ministry. I made a commitment to take my days off and invest them in my family.

I find it encouraging when your child tells you that one of your strengths is that you spend time with us. May God keep molding my life to value my family. I praise God that I can shepherd their lives. I love them so much! I enjoyed my time with them yesterday. From cleaning up the garage to doing errands late in the evening to folding clothes, I thank God that I can make time to be with them. I am a privileged man to have a wonderful wife and four growing children. I pray that you can experience a great family life. I ask God to keep you from a poor to mediocre family life. You can experience one each day by trusting in God like I do. I praise God for His help in my life.

I've added my family picture for you to see from Christmas where we posed in our Buckeye gear with Jesus. I praise God that He gave them all to me. I pray that I can do my best to shepherd them, treasures entrusted to me.

Pastor D

Integrity
God is challenging me to work out my life with integrity. According to the dictionary, integrity means:
"adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty." To be honest with my life is challenging. I'd rather stretch the truth than deal with things honestly. I've heard people say that you need to be brutally honest, but I don't believe that to be true. God wants me to be candid; "characterized by openness and sincerity of expression; unreservedly straightforward (American Heritage Dictionary s.v. 'candid')."

To be unreservedly straighforward means honestly determining where I am with God, with family, with others. A person of integrity takes a sincere and open look at one's life. That scares you and I because we want to look good. Yet I need to balance that with what God's Word, the Bible says about all people. Rather than remaining in pride and seeking to look good, everyone can embrace humility. For Proverbs 11:2 says,
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." I can embody humility by taking an honest look at myself and know that God still loves me--warts, zits, acne and all! I can face myself with integrity. You can see yourself honestly and be free.

Moreover, I can live in the truth that God's love for me can impact my relationships. I wonder how many times I've said half-truths to cover my pride in order for others to receive the blame. I wonder how many times I've hurt others with my unfaithfulness. Proverbs 11:3 offers me a greater challenge,
"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."
If I am honest with myself before God, then I can be honest with everyone else in my life. This does not give me license to blast everyone brutally. But I gives me the foundation for deeper friendships. I want to build relationships rather than destroy them. I can build relationships on upright and honest values--values of intergrity. Living in this life is not easy, but with God's help anyone can thrive.

I wonder what you think about this issue of integrity. I wonder if relationships with others is only two-faced masks rather than real and honesty unmasked. Does how you view yourself truly impact relationships negatively? What has been your experience? your observation?

Peace out,
Pastor D

St. Patrick
In one week a special day arrives. Everyone wears green. People pinch each other. Some drink green beverages. Yet what do you know about St. Patrick. Well, here's a brief overview I found. Let me know what you think.
urbana.org - Great Cloud of Witnesses

Choices
Proverbs takes me to the crossroads everyday. I can choose one way or another. Sometimes my journey comes to a fork in the road. I am at wits end often. I have mounting things to do. I am unsetttled as to which course to take. So what do I do?

I worry. I fret. I seek escape. I procrastinate.

Yet I forget that I have a great God who wants me to share my burden. He tells me,

"Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you (I Peter 5:7)."

God is there waiting for me. I can picture in my mind an older man waiting in the bend on the road with a wheelbarrow. I am carrying a heavy sack of stuff; worries, fears, challenges. Yet I often walk right by. He can carry my load--some or all of it. I just need to stop and ask Him to carry it. So what do you do?

Do you worry? Say it's all right, "I'm okay." "I'm good." "I can handle it. "

Don't forget that God is waiting to help carry your load. It doesn't matter what it is. He's there to carry it. For me its tasks--lots of things to do. Yet want to be wise not foolish. In Chapter Nine of Proverbs the contrast is between a simple person deciding who he or she will follow. Will you follow Wisdom? Will you follow Folly? What are the burdens you carry? Make a comment or share your struggles. Share anonymously, cryptically, or unfettered. I wonder what burdens you carry and need God to carry for you.

Using media to share God's Word

One of the best things I am learning is trying to engage students with media. I am learning a lot from Josh Fronduti. Today we taught eighth grade students about the spiritual gift of mercy. We used three movie clips and added hands-on teaching elements. We challenged them to go out into their school and offer mercy to others. God is so good to allow us the ability at this time in history to use resources to teach His truth. I wonder how God is teaching you through the use of media. Please share.

May God help us use technology wisely to teach His truth,

Pastor D

Do what I say and you will live

In my readings this morning, Proverbs chpater seven addresses sexual temptation. From the persepctive of a young man, the seduction of this young simpleton is described in vivid detail. The temptress seduces him. Serving as bookends to this drama, warnings blare. Young people (both men and women) can fend off the Temptress--yes, you can fend off the Seductress. The end of the chapters says,

"So, friends, listen to me, take these words of mine most seriously. Don't fool around with a woman like that; don't even stroll through her neighborhood. Countless victims come under her spell, she's the death of many a poor man. She runs a halfway house to hell, (she) fits you out with a shroud and a coffin."

Sexual temptation seems overpowering. Our culture sells it. Our culture feeds it. Our culture minimizes it. Our culture is saturated with sex. Our culture gives into it. Nevertheless God's truth declares that you can avoid fooling around in that neighborhood.

So how do you fight and win over temptation? I wonder how you wisely live a life that engages and triumphs over sexual temptation. It's not as easy as you may think. Let me know how you try to overcome sexual temptation. Til' next time,

Pastor D

Protect your heart
Proverbs 4:23 says,
"Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. "
One thing I am learning to do is to guard what comes from my heart. The heart is innermost place inside where I truly live. God's wisdom says to guard it like a prison-guard, to protect it as my most precious possession like gold at Fort Knox. I can choose to keep my heart on guard.
Matthew Henry, a man long ago who commented on this verse shares this, "Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all diseases of the soul. Keep thy heart with all diligence. We must set a strict guard upon our souls; keep our hearts from doing hurt, and getting hurt. A good reason is given; because out of it are the issues of life. "
His words--"keep your heart from doing hurt, and getting hurt"--is a difficult task to complete. Too often I cannot keep myself from getting hurt and seeking to returning hurt for hurt. I praise God that I am learning how to keep a strict guard on my inner self. I want God's heart where I can love and receive love as God intended. It is possible. Seek God to find deep love. May God help you find deep love in Him.
Pastor D

In the sight of God and humankind
God challenged me to reconsider how I interact with Him and with others. I reflect on my habit to read the Bible everyday and to guide my life according to what I discover. The verses that confronted me are:
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck. write them onthe tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and humankind (Proverbs 3:3-4)."
Love and kindness in my relationships brings favor and friends. I wonder how many times my words or actions or attitudes have not been grounded in love. I wonder how many people have experienced unkindness from me. Such incorrect habits do not reflect God and His truth. I want more than just guilt. I want God. I want more than just failure. I want God. I want more than just comfort. I want God. May God's love and kindness fill me to show others God's truth. I praise God for His discipline and His redirection in my life. May you respond to God's truth and walk close with Him.
Pastor D

Friday Funk
My son Jeremiah is eight years old today. Even though I called to sing him Happy Birthday, I missed being with him. I love that boy!

God spoke to me as i read from Proverbs 2,

"[God] is a shield to those who walk in integrity guading the paths of justice
(verses 7b-8a)."

I praise God that as long as i walk in integrity, He is my shield. In layman's terms, intergity is "doing what you say you would." I told God at age 12 that I would follow Him all of my days. My life is His. I want to show Jesus to the world. May God empower me to show Jesus through me.

Pastor D

New Month
I am attending a youth workers' conference in Chicago this week. I am being challenged to shift--to change how I do things in light of the student culture. I need to keep God's Word, the Bible as my compass for my life.

In my readings in Proverbs this morning, God showed me again how I need to listen to God's Truth. In verse seven of PRoverbs 1, God says;

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."

I do not want to be a fool. I want to learn more about reaching students for Christ. I want to respect God in my life and to allow students to come in and join me on my journey. That's why I blog. I want to follow Christ better and to have others observe my journey. May God inspire you to join me on my life journey with God. peace out,
Pastor d

Application

"Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge (Proverbs 23:12)"

Do what God is telling you to do. I find myself often gathering more and more information about a decision, rather than making a choice and doing something about it. In essence, I procrastinate. Although I know my tendency, I still hem and haw about what I need to do. I discover that God wants me to do what I know. I know a lot of things about God and about following Him. Consequently, I just need to engage what I know. There are some things that are no brain-ers. Just do what God says. Here in this chapter of Proverbs I discover the challenges of a gluttonous lifestyle, one where food is the drug, one where riches is the buzz, one where substances are abused to "cope" wiith your life. I would rather seek God and be glad. Sure I may envy those who don't follow God. But in my heart of hearts, I want to serve God forever. It's application. It's putting into practice what I already know or what I only know about God. There is a right path (see verse 19). It's following God's Words found in the Bible. Read it and Live It!
Just living what I know,
Pastor D

Teenagers don't understand credit cards

Teenagers don't understand credit cards

Time to grow
In Proverbs 22:27 God challenged me to think about my life on a whole different level. I struggle with providing for my family. Or should I say, it concerns me that I am responsible to provide for my family. Monetary margin is critical. You need money to care for your loved ones; i.e. pay bills, pay mortgage, pay utilities, tithe (give money to support the church and its ministries), buy groceries, buy clothes, etc. Yet as I considered how I do that, I wonder what I am modeling to my children regarding the dangers of debt. I read that students do not know how credit cards work. I read that students in Australia are in debt by age 17. I wonder if I address the dangers of debt and if I teach how to remain with little or no debt as God intended (see link posted above).

"if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you."

God is in control

"There is NO wisdom, NO insight, NO plan that can succeed against the Lord (Proverbs 21:30 emphasis mine)."

From our Equip session on Sunday night, I am reminded that God is in control of all things. He is the King of this Universe. He created it all. The awesome thing is that He wants a relationship with me. If I am on His side, then nothing can defeat Him or me. As long as I stay with the Lord! I find it so encouraging that nothing can succeed against the Lord. God is in control and I want to be on His side, the winning side.

You can remember this when the challenges of life rise up against you. If you're dealing with difficult relationships, stay close to the Lord--do what is right in His eyes and reassure yourself despite the hard choices that doing things God's way will succeed. If you're dealing with temptations and fail, return to the King of Kings who will pardon and forgive you. He wants you to do what right in His eyes. If you're dealing with boredom and don't know what to do, seek God's ways--ask Him to show you the path, He will lead you (see Proverbs 3:5-7). If you're apprehensive about the future and feel the pressure of other people's expectations, then seek God and ask Him to help you sort things out. He will guide you. Ask Him.

May God walk with you this day and build confidence in trusting more in Him,
Pastor D

Sluggard

In my readings in Proverbs I read these words;

"Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they
look but find nothing (Proverbs 20:4)."

I want to glean at harvest time in my ministry life. So I must plow now. This means hitching up the team to plow or picking up the hoe to cultivate the field. I must engage what God is calling me to do. I do not want to discover nothing at harvest time. No longer slack, but stronger back; this is what I sense God prompting me to do. By putting me back into what God wants me to do, I will glean at harvest time. For me its ministry tasks and opportunities to encourage followers of Christ on their journey. For you? I wonder what God would say to you about the field that He wants you to plow. Now is not the time to be lazy. Engage. Embrace. Take hold of what God wants you to do. Find something at harvest time when the easy thing to do is to do nothing. Take heart and be encouraged. Later, Pastor D

A mindset to pray

God challenged me this weekend to pray everyday by name for a friend who needs Jesus in his life. Rich needs Jesus. I will pray everyday that I can bring God up in a conversation over the next few weeks. I sense that God wants me to pursue my friend and offer him the opportunity to follow Christ for the rest of his life. May God prompt you to pray for at least one friend who needs to trust in Jesus. Ask God to help you bring God up in your conversation. I wonder how its going for you. Please comment. Seeking God everyday, Pastor D.



P.S. Reflect on the lyrics from Casting Crowns, "What if His People Prayed" or download this tune as a constant reminder to pray for your friends by name everyday

What if the armies of the Lord / Picked up and dusted off their swords / Vowed to
set the captives freeAnd not let satan have one more / What if the church, for
heaven's sake / Finally stepped up to the plate / Took a stand upon God's promise / And
stormed hell's rusty gates
Chorus: What if His people prayed / And all who bare His name / Would humbly seek His face /And Turn from their own way

WHat if His People Prayed? Link to ITunes in sidebar

The Power Source for Meaningful Relationships
Tonight at EQUIP we learned that experiencing a fulfilled and meaningful relationship with others is only possible when we recognize our true power source, God's Holy Spirit, and allow the Holy Spirit to live through us. Each person is created with a need to connect relationally to others, but not without our connection with God and direction from Him. In John 15:4-5, the Bible says,

[Jesus said] "Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay atached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can't produce anything without me."

It's not that people don't produce anything. We can still live and relate to others, but God wants you to produce His fruit. Jesus wants you to produce fruit as we are connected to Him. He wants us not only to live in Him, but to live through us to positively impact our relationships. God is passionate about His relationship with you, read what the Bible says in Exodus 34:14;

I demand your complete loyalty--you must not worship any other god!

God longs to get intimately close to you. I challenge you to discover the life God has meant for you to live. Ask God to help you live out the secret to meaningful and lasting relationships with others--stay connected to God. He will help you make right decisions in life. It's what everyone is looking for their entire life--filling the God-shaped void with God Himself and not anything else. Something to pray about. Peace-out, Pastor D

In this mornings reading of Proverbs chapter18 I discover the art of listening. I find it repeated twice in this chapter,

"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight
in airing their own opinions, verse 2;" "To answer before listening--that is
folly and shame, verse 13;"

The challenge for me is to listen to others, especially to those closest to me. I find that I often hear words but do not comprehend the hearts. I want to improve my listening abilities. I don't want to be arrogant and voice my own thoughts but I want to understand what others say and engage them where they are at. I need God's help to do that. May God help you and I listen better. On the journey with you, Pastor D

I discovered an interesting video clip Shark vs. Octopus that is helping me in my spiritual walk with God. Every Christian battles temptations. We can use the Holy Spirit, the Holy Bible, and our choices to overcome temptation. For as the Good Books says,

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 We live in this world, but we don't act
like its people (4) or fight our battles with the weapons of this world.
Instead, we use God's power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments
(5) and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture
people's thoughts and make them obey Christ.

We can take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Every Christian can overpower temtpation. May this footage help you see things as they really are, rather than as we think they are.

I added a links area in order to provide some resources for you to engage God in a better way. The first link is Blue Letter Bible. It is a site where you can get information about the Bible. You can explore the features yourself. I found the audio feature to help me better hear and see the chapter for the day. Check it out!

This morning as I read Proverbs chapter 15, God took my attention to verse 16,

"Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth
with turmoil."

I can't help but feel sad for the baby of Anna Nicole Smith. Here a little baby has no mom, no brother, and many fathers. After years of court hearings and rulings, she may inherit millions. However, I'd rather embrace a little with a reverence for God than battle a lifetime for great wealth and inherit turmoil. God's word is truth. Rather than pursue more money, pursue more of God. May God challenge you as He challenges me each day. Peace Out.

It's early afternoon. I just canceled Hangtime & Gathering. The roads were horrible this morning. I want students to be safe. So i consulted the staff who arrived and I decided to cancel Student Ministries evening activities. A wind chill advisory was also posted for this evening.
Proverbs 11:14 "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

As I drove through the falling snow to work this morning, I praised God that I could see another day of life. I arrived at my office and took a few moments to reorient my life around the Bible. On Sunday night I found God challenging my life. When you boil it all down, the Christian life really means understanding why God sent Jesus to earth, why God gave us His Word, the Bible, and why God sent the Holy Spirit into a Christian's life. In sum, my Christlike life is loving God with all I am and loving others from the reservoir of love that God has flooded into my life. I want to experience fantastic relationships with others and live a much ore fulfilled and joyful life. I don't just want the status quo. I want a great life! Only God can help me discover that, as it is recorded in the Bible in 2 Peter 1:3-11;

"Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to
us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God.
The best invitation we ever received! (4) We were also given absolutely terrific
promises to pass on to you--your tickets to participation in the life of God
after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. (5) So don't lose a
minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith
with good character, spiritual understanding, (6) alert discipline, passionate
patience, reverent wonder, (7) warm friendliness, and generous love, each
dimension fitting into and developing the others. (8) With these qualities
active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day
will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master
Jesus. (9) Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you,
oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. (10) So,
friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off;
do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, (11) the
streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and
Savior, Jesus Christ."

I choose not to put if off. I will engage it now. My prayer is that students would experience the qualities of a close walk with God, one that is active and growing in each one's life, where no grass will grow under his or her feet, where no day will pass without its reward as each student matures in their experience of our Master Jesus. May God strengthen you to know Him better (Ephesians 3:17);

"I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his
Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to
know God."

Christ Up Close & Personal
Tonight I lead our small groups in learning how to make Jesus more close and personal in your life. I wonder if students have really fantastic relationships with others that bring fulfillment and true happiness in life. I am experiencing that more and more in my life as I seek to follow Christ. He is changing me each day. I just need to make practical what He is prompting me to do. Tonight I was challenged to Live a Life of Love (Ephesians 5:1-2). I can't wait to discover more together in this session of discipleship. You are invited to join us. I wonder what I can do to encourage you in your walk with God.

What Jesus did for me Funny how things go!? I wonder how often I forget things. lately i forgot to journal my spiritual journey. Last night I watched the first half of the Passion of the Christ movie. I have read and imagined those scenes in my mind before. I did not have the same images. But I do like the emotive elements constructed in this movie. Emotionally I felt like Jesus agonized over what He was about to do for me and for the whole world. I John 2:2 says in the Message paraphrase
"When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good--not only ours, but the whole world's." What did Jesus do? Jesus put himself on the cross. He did voluntarily. He did it for you and me.
Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom to many (Matthew 20:28). Jesus also said, No on can kill me without my consent--I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right and power to lay it down when I want to and also the right and power to take it again. For the Father has given me this right (John 10:18). Not only did Jesus put himself on the cross, but he also did it to pay for my sins--for your sins. The Bible says,
We--everyone of us--have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God's path to follow our own. Yet God on him the guilt and sins of every one of us! (Isaiah 53:6)Each of us chooses to follow our own path. Yet God's path can be taken only when we choose to believe that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Jesus paid the penalty for sins. He chose to die on the cross for you and me. Jesus' death on the cross proves His power over death. That may sound weird. How can someone who dies have power over death. The Bible says,
...and by being raised from the dead he was proved to be the mighty Son of God, with the holy nature of God himself (Romans 1:4). Jesus was raised from the dead by God Himself. The Bible bears testimonies of His resurrection. Thus he overcame death. Not only did Jesus put himself on the cross, paid the penalty for my sins, and proved His power over death, he prepares a place for me in heaven. The Bible records what Jesus said to his followers, There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so taht you can always be with me where I am. If this weren't so, I would tell you plainly (John 14:2-3). Jesus prepares a place for His followers. I am a follower of Christ. He means so much to me. In fact He means everything to me. Now you may not be as convinced as I am. That's okay. Just consider this; Jesus did all these things for you...that's right, for you. He want you to join him in heaven. So what does Jesus mean to you? He could mean nothing, and that's fine. You may need to keep thinking about His claims because this is the first time you've considered what Jesus did for you. Or Jesus could mean something to you. You may have heard some things about Jesus and you need more information. I suggest you read the book of John in the Bible to discover more about who Jesus claimed to be and what He does. Read his story. Think about it. Then decide what he means to you. For me, Jesus is everything. He put himself on the cross paying my penalty for sins and proved His power over death and prepared a place for me in heaven to be with Him. I am so grateful. Let me know what you think. Post your comments. 'Til next time. What Jesus did for me

The Cross of Christ
In discipleship I led students to take time to reflect on the cross. As we sang songs about our devotion to God, we ended with "How Great is Our God." God is so great that he gave his one and only son to die on the cross so that I could have a forever relationship with God. So the cross is a big deal to me. Together we carried a wooden cross outside the church grounds listing sins on index cards with the purpose of burning them as a visual of our sins being removed. Then we took the cool ashes and marked our cheeks with a cross. Both the smell of ash and the mark on one another's cheeks reinforced the fact of the cross of Christ.
Often I come to the Passion Week and the Easter Week with a mindset of just getting through it. I needed to come up with something different to help me refocus. I trust the students saw the cross in a unique light. My hope is that each Easter season becomes more meaningful for students as they grow in their discipleship and life experience in Christ. I know that each Easter becomes more meaningful to me. I pray that God continues to move me as I make time to reflect on what Jesus has done for me.
Have you taken a few moments in quiet silence to ask yourself what Jesus has done for you? You need to thank Him. Go ahead. Just do it.

Sharing Christ with others
As the Easter season approaches, I want to discover students who want to share with their friends where each one is at on the spiritual journey to be more like Christ. Some may discover that they are just spectators, watching and observing those on the journey. Others may discern that they are just starting out. Few may feel they are moving quite well on the pathway. Still I feel sometimes that I struggle on this journey in Christ. Especially as I consider my desire to share Christ with students. My greater joy would be to equip students to share Christ with their friends. I often feel that students "expect" me to share Christ. I do share Christ. But I pray that each student would feel compelled to share Christ with their friends. They know their friends best. Each student can tailor their sharing to speak to their friends in a much better way than I could. I don't have the magic words because I am a pastor. I do have the message of the Master of the Universe--He wants to have a close relationship with everyone. I have that message to share. You get to share that message as well. So please share. Until later, peace--out.

Baptism
Before Jesus departed to go to heaven, He left behind physical acts which are symbols or pictures of important teachings that He wanted us to practice. These practical truths were and are so important that He commanded us to repeat these acts over and over until He returns.
I believe Christ instituted and commanded His followers to continue to practice two symbolic acts which remind us of great spiritual truths. Our church celebrates the baptism of believers and the communion service. We practice the baptism of believers by immersing the person three times and we practice the threefold communion service, which includes the washing of another Christ followers feet, the Lord's Supper (or Love Feast), and the Eucharist (the bread and the cup).
This past Sunday night I read the testimonies of students who wanted to show others in a public manner that they love Christ by getting baptized. There is no greater pleasure than witnessing Christ followers taking the next step of making their faith their own by obeying the Bible's teaching (read Matthew 28:19-20). I want to list the names of these believers who wanted to make public their love for Christ:

Ashley Marie Conley; Elijah Geist; Clara Gingrich; Kristen Gunter; Katyauna Morrow; Kendra Morrow; Sean Morrow; Robert Ng; Sadie Wiegert.

The Empty Tomb
As I complete the life of Christ readings, I am amazed at what I did not notice before in previous readings. I forget that those who went to take care of Jesus' body upon burial were worried about not finding his body. They were looking for his body when the angel told them that Jesus rose from the dead. Even when the disciples, Peter and John, went to the tomb, they looked for the body of Jesus. They wondered where someone placed Jesus' body--they did not yet know that Jesus had risen again (read John 20:9). The followers of Jesus may have felt more than grief that Jesus had died. They may have experienced greater loss and intense grief because now his body was gone. Their emotions set the stage for Jesus to appear to them--alive from the dead! How cool! I can allow my emotions to linger and to engage my feelings in this life because they set the stage for Jesus to appear in my life--how cool! May God help you draw closer to Him by waiting for Jesus to come to you in the midst of your feelings whether high or low, happy or sad, mad or glad. God will come to you in your pain and happiness--wait for Him to come.

Buried, But Rising Again
As I reviewed Jesus' burial, I noticed how two "secret" disciples emerge to publicly make preparations for Jesus' burial. Both Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea step forward to take care of Jesus' body. In contrast, the eleven most public and closest disciples ran away. God uses even the "secret" disciple to advance His Kingdom. So don't think you have to always speak up. Maybe God wants you to remain a "secret" disciple so that you can step up later in a public way to advance His Kingdom.
God, may I seek to do your will and advance Your Kingdom. Help me to grow as a disciple of Christ. In Jesus' name, amen.

Know the truth
I realize more and more that I need to keep reading the Bible to retain truth. During Jesus' trial before his crucifixion, Pilate asked Jesus this question; "What is truth?" Truth is revealed to you and I from God in the Bible. II Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed," i.e. God shared what He wanted us to know and spoke His words for us to read, to hear, and to obey. In I Peter 1:21, "The prophets did not think these things up on their own, but they were guided by the Spirit of God." God's Spirit guided men to write down His words in the Bible. Jesus even says God's word is truth (John 17:17). To know the truth is to read the truth found in the Bible. So pick up the Bible and start reading a chapter in Proverbs (read the chapter corresponding to the date of the month; e.g. if it is the third of the month, then read chapter 3; if it is the ninth, read chapter 9; etc.)
May your Word light our way O God. Help me to hide your Word in my heart that I may not sin against you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Doing God's will
I find that my spiritual journey with God is active and moving. Sometimes I make time for God and other times I leave out God. If my blog history reflects my spiritual journey then one could surmise that I am leaving God out of my life. But God doesn't see my spiritual journey that way. He sees me as a work in progress. Philippians 1:6 says, "God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns (Message)." He is always working on me whether I realize it or not. It is always for my good. So as I journey along with God. He is directing my steps as I make my plans. I praise God for His on-going work in my life.

Life is short
I received news that my aunt Mary-Louise went to be with Jesus at 3am Sunday morning. I know that being sad is alright. But as I get older I am getting more sad as I get the news of people dying. I know God rules over death. In fact the Bible says in Romans 6:9-10, "knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all, but the life that He lives, He lives to God." Jesus rules over death. He conquered death once for all. So even though I may get sad it's okay. Jesus got sad. He even cried at the news of the death of his friend Lazarus (John 11:35). So when you receive news of someone's death, take courage that Jesus knows about it and He even conquered it for you. Life is short but Jesus rules over death.

Two Houses
Jesus tells the parable of two homebuilders. One builds on the foundation of rock. The other on a foundation of sand. Torrential rain, rising floodwaters, and strong winds buffet each house. The house on the rock stands firm. The house on the sand collapses.

The main point here is what distinguishes the consequences. Jesus says in Matthew 7:24, "Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock." Those who hear and obey Jesus' teachings is wise. Those who refuse to hear and refuse to obey are foolish. The end is determined by the means. You listen and follow God's words then your house or life will stand the thunderstorms, the flashfloods, and the strong winds of life. I trust you will decide to obey what you know about God. I know that I will try harder.

Betrayed and Alone
Do you ever wonder how Jesus proceeded to the cross knowing full well that he would do so without His Disciples' personal presence? Yes, Peter tried his best to stand up for Christ--even cutting a person's ear off to defend Jesus (Luke 22:50). But all left him and ran away (Matthew 26:56). Still, Jesus went forward betrayed and all alone...just for you. I marvel at the sacrifice of Jesus. He not only acted this way for me, but also for you. He chose to go ahead and suffer to die for your sins and to offer you forgiveness and grace. Jesus wanted you to be with Him forever. I trust you can rejoice with me for Jesus' lonely walk to the cross for you and for me.

Jesus never gives up on you

I discovered something new in my time with God today (er, yesterday). I read how Jesus told His followers that they would desert Him--leave him all alone (Mark 14: 26-31). Still they denied that they would (see Matthew 26:35b). In fact they made death-vows to stand with Jesus no matter what (verse 29-31). However, Jesus predicted their failure and He did not hurt them more by bringing it up again. Jesus merely stated the facts, then shared with them their rendevous point (to Galilee)! I have read this account a bunch of times but skimmed over verse 28 in Mark chapter 14; "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." He still believed in them no matter if they failed and left him. Jesus said in a matter of words, "You will be scattered and leave me all alone, but I will see you in Galilee. I haven't given up on you. I will see you later--to Galilee we will meet again." I find that so encouraging.

Despite your profound shortcomings, Jesus still wants to meet up with you later. In spite of my great shortcomings, Jesus still wants to meet up with me later. He never gives up on you. He never gave up on the Disciples. He wants you to remain on the journey--TO GALILEE!

Jesus demonstrates His love

In my readings of the life of Jesus in the Gospel books of the Bible, I just read that Jesus knows who is going to betray Him. Despite this knowledge, Jesus continues to treat Judas with respect and includes Him in the beginning of the Last Supper. Jesus tells His Disciples that He loves them and that they in turn can love one another. I believe He had Judas in mind. Even though the emotion of the betray is real for Jesus, Jesus demonstrates His love by washing the Disciples feet and challenging them to love Him. It is at this time also that Jesus tells Judas to go do what he needs to do and where Jesus informs Peter that Peter will betray Him three times despite Peter's fervent response to the contrary. At the end of the meal Jesus institutes the Bread and the Cup as a memorial ceremony to remember what Jesus would do on the cross in a few days. Jesus tells them that He loves them and wants them to demonstrate that love to one another. Jesus challenges them to serve one another in love. Wow! Jesus had to work through his emotions to do the right thing. You can do the right things just like Jesus.

Standing up for God
You can stand up for God, even when it's tough. This morning's challenge to every student. You can't stand up for God all on your own. You need extra help and support from time to time. We can depend on God and on God's people in the church to give us assistance as we need it. We can seek God and His help, we will find it. We can follow God even when it feels like we just can't. We can have the aid of fellow believers in Christ if we just ask. No matter the challenge, you can stand up for God, even when it's tough.

Philippians 4:12-14 I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. (13) Christ gives me the strength to face anything. (14) It was good of you to help me when I was having such a hard time [CEV].

God provides
Melissa and I are praising God for answering our prayers. We are proceeding with orthodontia for our son Micah. The initial payment requires $395. God provided $400. He is GREAT!
The bible says in Philippians 4:19, "God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory." He provided what we needed.

In the Old Testament, God's name is "Jehovah-Jireh," the-God-Who-Sees-To-It; i.e. the God who sees to it that we are provided with what we need at the right time. In Genesis 22 the story of God providing a sacrifice for Abraham is recounted. No matter how crazy life may get, God provides His followers with what they need.

God provides what you need. Just trust Him. He can provide in tangible ways. Remember He gives us what we NEED, not always what we WANT.

Making time for Jesus
As I look over my day I find great things to be excited about. I completed many things. I did a lot of work. But as I take inventory I sense God whispering--"Hey pastor, did you make time for me?"
I made time to be with Jesus while I drove to work today, rehearsing the tasks for the day and the people I scheduled to meet. I made time to be with Jesus by keeping the radio off and sharing with Him how I hoped the day would go.
I thank Jesus for His help today. As I review my day I am glad I made time to talk with Jesus in prayer. He is always with me, even when I can't see Him.

At church on my day off
I am helping to facilitate a Students Opposed to Drugs & Alcohol Seminar (SODA) for the Hilliard Middle Schools. It is our strategy to host community events at our church to increase the visibility of our ministry to students.
I trust you can pray that those students who visit our church facility will one day get invited to come to one of our activities. Ask God to help us be friendly and welcoming to all new student visitors.

Retreat Weekend
I spent the weekend at the Eastside Grace Brethren Church as their retreat speaker. I taught about how to win student life battles. The Bible teaches that we have an enemy, Satan, our Adversary (Job 1:6). He seeks to mess up our lives. In fact, the Bible teaches that Satan is like a roaring lion seeking those that he may devour (I Peter 5:8). Every Christian has armor to fight or to resist Satan's attacks and schemes (Ephesians 6:10-20). I shared how students can be armed and dangerous with the spiritual weapons that God provides for every Christian.

I need to armor-up. It does not matter if I am a pastor or not. Satan attacks. I can resist him and his schemes. I can fight back in God's power and in the Lord's armor. So each morning picture in your mind, getting God's armor on for the spiritual warfare that awaits you each day. With God's help you can win life's battles.