Passionately Following Jesus
I got out of the shower and walked into the living room and this is what Gavin had on, he made his own costume with one of those sleeping bags that fold up into a pillow. My childhood costumes were a little less creative, I would make my own Superman outfit or dress up like Rambo. I guess Gavin has a few extra creative genes in him.
Join the Conversation, what was your favorite person/thing to dress up as when you were younger or now?
…Control Freak!”
It really sounds bad, but its true. I would much rather put God on a leash and be in full control of everything, rather than to be submissive to him and wait on his timing, to play by his rules, and to follow his path. Unfortunately, I have seen enough and I have learned enough in my ancient 27 years of living to know that I am out of luck, because God is in control and no matter how much I would rather him be on a leash, he will never assume that position. However, my knowledge of this does not make it easier for me, sure I have gotten better at giving up control, but I still struggle with it.
I believe God is huge on Integrity (John 1:45-48). I have been given an opportunity to speak at my church on July 6th. Now you may be reading this and think, “What’s the big deal? I speak at my church all the time!” Well, it is a big deal. I was a part of the teaching team at my former church and have been at my current church as a volunteer leader for less than two years, so #1 They don’t lay hands on any man suddenly (which is cool by me) and #2 Its been about two years since I did a message in “BIG” church, I speak with teens all the time. But, for two years God has put a passion in my heart for a particular subject a main theme for Christians and the church…its nothing new, but its what the Lord’s given to me, so in a way it is new. It focuses on the total abandonment of the people who say they are followers of the Christ. So, as I have been struggling to put all of the pieces to this message together, God has been building the message out of me. I have been living it for the past couple of weeks, and I just realized what was going on, and in the meantime learning that I have a serious problem if I am going to live out this message that is on my heart!
So there it is. Seriously ashamed. I am a control freak and it must stop! My wife would probably have a heart attack just for me admitting it. I never let her drive the family around with me in the car. I’ve always seen my dad drive and I always thought it was the gentlemen thing to do. I’ve let my wife drive me when I was very sick, but it was at those times that I could care less if I was in control. Nicki drives our boys (and Hailey) everywhere, so why is it any different when I am in the car? Because I must control. Though it is a small start, tonight when we go get dinner, I am having Nicki drive us everywhere! And when it comes to spiritual things, I realize I must give up my selfish ambitions, my understanding, my timing, and my plans to live totally abandoned to Jesus.
Join the Conversation…is there anything God is revealing to you lately?
After 2 months of hitting a wall…I finally lost a pound.
I was sitting at 159 for a long time, but now I weighed in at 158!
I kind of feel like the person who is standing in front of the Amway seminar talking about all of my success, where as I used to be the one in the audience saying, “Yeah, well that’s you…I could never do that!” Trust me, I am not bragging, but it finally feels good to see results after many years of talking.
People tell me all the time that I need to stop losing weight, but I love fitting into the clothes that I like, even though I have to get new clothes now because about 8 years worth look like tents on me. I would love to not lose weight after about 155 lbs, but how do you stop eating healthy and keeping in shape by playing basketball or working out? (The health book says someone with my build and height should range from 151 to 163) Do I become a couch potato and become lazy? So know this, you may feel you can’t do something, but chances are, you can…this is 33 lbs now that I have lost…
Do you feel like you are sitting in the Amway seminar saying,
“I can’t to something?” What is it?
P.S. I kind of feel like Joel Osteen 🙂
Well, today I found out that one of Nicki’s aunts and uncles thinks that I am evil because I am associated with the Purpose Driven Youth Ministry (Purpose Driven in general) and because I freely and willingly will give the PD Life book to someone who is searching for “purpose” to their life or a PDYM Book for any youth pastor who is looking to bring balance to his or her ministry.
Hmmm…I guess there is nothing to worry about since this is the same couple who will place their hands on you as if they are giving you a friendly gesture, but what they are really doing is “silently casting evil spirits out of you.” I wondered why they always laid their hands on my shoulders!? Their friend has admittedly said that she has tried on several occasions to cast an evil spirit out of my wife’s step dad who is a devoted follower of Christ. I wonder if I can get them to help me fund my trip to the Gathering in September? Probably not.
So do you have any weird family members? What makes them weird or different?
For approximately 7 years I served both as a volunteer lead youth worker and as a full time youth pastor at a former church in our local area. I’ve seen hundreds of students come through the doors of our student ministry, some stuck with us, while others moved on. Many received Christ and others chose their own paths. I’ve sat and listened and shared with those who were broken and in need, while others felt they had their life in the palm of their hand with no worries in the world. I prayed and cried and sacrificed for student after student.
There were many days (usually Mondays and Thursdays) that I questioned whether it was all worth it. There were many days I wanted to throw in the towel and give up. There were many occasions where my heart was ripped in two because of the lack of vision for students by people who just didn’t get it, but then there was today…
The Payback. It was a long day and a very sobering one at that. Nicki and I attended two graduations that contained many students who I had the privilege of loving and investing my life in from our former church and in the community, but there were two who held special places in Nicki’s and my heart, because of their investment into our lives and into our family. We consider both Diana and Sequoia a part of our family; our adopted children. As I sat in my chair at each graduation, I could not help but to ask myself the question, “Did I do all that I could to help prepare these students for what’s going to hit them next?” “Did I help strengthen their faith to help them stand strong and hold to their beliefs?” – I guess over time I will receive my answer, but I believe because of the foundation the parents of these students helped lay for them, these students will continue to shine for Jesus throughout their life. My job was always to come along side the parents and support them and reinforce them in the life of their children as I pointed them to Jesus. These students made it. They have made me proud. And now as I look back, every Sunday was worth it, every mid-week student service was worth it, every small group lesson was worth it, every prayer…every tear…every frustration, because these students have the potential to change the world!
Who are you investing in?