So I'm finally back to normal operating status! I had the opportunity to go with the staff to the regional convention in Boise last Friday and Saturday. We got to go to a real mall and ate some seafood at this place owned by Joe. Saturday was jam packed with a bomb speaker and some interesting workshops. The highlight of the weekend was the wave of encouragement that hit me and the rest of the staff about what God has been up to around First Baptist recently. For me, this only added to the encouragement and clarity of His vision for Student Ministry at F.B.C.
Ministry is an ever-changing business which requires us to try different thing from time to time. Along with our Core Groups on Wednesday nights , the staff and I have some ideas brewing that are going to shake things up around here. Change is never easy and most times hard. I'm going to throw this out there, I hate change! It is a constant struggle in my life to actually ask God to shake things up. When I finally get over myself and get out of the way, God shows me that His provision and blessing awaits me on the other side. On the flip side, I don't believe in the "this is how we have always done it" approach to ministry. I want to follow the lead of the Father and go where He is going. We live in a turbulent time right now. Don't forget who is doing the shaking.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Slow Down and Listen
So I have been sick for most of the week. It totally sucks!!! I hate being sick, I hate the feeling that my head is about to explode and that I can't do anything about it. With the failure of over the counter medication and just overall discomfort I dragged myself to my laptop to hash some thoughts out. Having been in Ezekiel 1-2 this week for the I Saw the Lord study, it came to me that God uses strange circumstances in our lives to draw us closer to Himself. If it is getting an unexpected cold or a sudden life change God uses all things to speak to us and reveal His glory. We may not acknowledge it or like it very much but God works through all things.
Sometimes I think He just wants us to listen. Just to be still and stop the noise of the world and tune into His channel. Though He does use the chaos of our lives to speak to us, He will speak in the stillness of our hearts. It is up to us to slow down and take a moment to encounter the Creator. We need to long for these quiet time as He longs for us to meet Him. As I go to get some more chicken soup take a second and be still. Ask God to speak to you in the quietness of your heart and be willing to wait for it.
Sometimes I think He just wants us to listen. Just to be still and stop the noise of the world and tune into His channel. Though He does use the chaos of our lives to speak to us, He will speak in the stillness of our hearts. It is up to us to slow down and take a moment to encounter the Creator. We need to long for these quiet time as He longs for us to meet Him. As I go to get some more chicken soup take a second and be still. Ask God to speak to you in the quietness of your heart and be willing to wait for it.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Trouble will come
"Dear Brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."
James 1:2-4
So if anyone hasn't noticed there will be trouble in our lives. If you say that there is not trouble and trials in your life then you are lying (sorry it's true). Right now, I personally feel that life is throwing one trouble after another my way. And to be really honest, I don't consider it joy a majority of the time. My Dad reminded me of this passage recently and in so many words said to me said "Suck it up! This stuff is all part of life." After hearing the cold hard truth of the matter I had to kick my self in the butt and remember that our joy must rise above our current circumstances. We must consider our times of trouble an opportunity to trust God more than we know how to.
I had the opportunity to help coach a Jr High football team this fall. Not knowing what to expect I found that some of these guys could really hit. Everyday at practice we would run plays and work on our tacking skills. Even though they were becoming better football players their bodies were getting beaten up. I think we can take this into our own lives as we go through these times of trouble. We will get beaten up but through these pains we have the opportunity to rely even more on God. And as we press into God we discover His joy and that every trial is an opportunity to grow in faith.
James 1:2-4
So if anyone hasn't noticed there will be trouble in our lives. If you say that there is not trouble and trials in your life then you are lying (sorry it's true). Right now, I personally feel that life is throwing one trouble after another my way. And to be really honest, I don't consider it joy a majority of the time. My Dad reminded me of this passage recently and in so many words said to me said "Suck it up! This stuff is all part of life." After hearing the cold hard truth of the matter I had to kick my self in the butt and remember that our joy must rise above our current circumstances. We must consider our times of trouble an opportunity to trust God more than we know how to.
I had the opportunity to help coach a Jr High football team this fall. Not knowing what to expect I found that some of these guys could really hit. Everyday at practice we would run plays and work on our tacking skills. Even though they were becoming better football players their bodies were getting beaten up. I think we can take this into our own lives as we go through these times of trouble. We will get beaten up but through these pains we have the opportunity to rely even more on God. And as we press into God we discover His joy and that every trial is an opportunity to grow in faith.
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