Tag: Investment

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The Chip

Just a few random thoughts from “the Chip”
13131285_10154031704546083_2855780508842323746_o 1. This one year chip falls out of my wallet from time to time, like it did tonight. It was given to me over a year ago by a man who completed the substance abuse program I used to manage. He gave it to me and said, “Every time you see this, I want you to remember the impact you had on people’s lives, like you did mine.” I think about him, each time I see this.
2. This past week, I ran into two men who went through that program. Both looked great & both were working jobs. The guy I saw on Sunday had a smile glued to his face & hugged me three times. It not only inspires me, personally, to see these men living new lives, but it reminds me that HOPE is ALWAYS possible in Jesus. It was possible for them and it’s possible for you!
3. Who are you investing in? Who are you duplicating your life, ministry, or influence in? When you’re no longer around, who will carry on your work? That’s my ever increasing desire: I’m praying for opportunities to give more of myself, not just to people who need hope, but to those who can give that hope. I don’t just want New Passion Church to go deep, I want us to go wide. I don’t want New Passion to die with me, I want it to thrive well beyond my life; we’ll do that by entrusting and sending others out to the people. Who will carry on your legacy and your work? #Reflection

“Every time you see this, I want you to remember the impact you had on people’s lives, like you did mine.”

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The Payback

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?