Passionately Following Jesus
When I saw this image on the front page of foxnews.com today, my jaw just dropped in shock. All we can do is pray for those who are injured and for the family of the one who has died, here is the story…
A car driven by an alleged drunken driver plowed into a bicycle race along a highway near the U.S.-Mexico border Sunday, killing one cyclist and injuring 10 others. More
Frank Caliendo from Frank TV does some great impersonations in these two videos. The first one is of Charles Barkley and the second is of Jim Rome…its worth about 5 minutes of your day to watch these!
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=akB8gfCMTDg]
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=3s8BZjcP3qU&feature=related]
If you could impersonate anyone, who would it be?
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — It seemed like an almost literal answer to their prayers. When two New Zealand pilots ran out of fuel in a microlight airplane they offered prayers and were able to make an emergency landing in a field — coming to rest right next to a sign reading, “Jesus is Lord.” [Read Entire Article]
When is the last time God answered a prayer for you, and it was as obvious as Him putting a sign right in front of your face? Share…
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?
I was listening to game 1 of the Atlanta Braves‘ double header against the New York Mets today on my way back to the office from lunch. The commentator was talking about some troubles that are taking place on the Mets’ squad, here is the philosophy of the commentator:
“It doesn’t matter whether you like or love each other on the team. All that matters is that you go out and play hard, and then go your separate ways after the game.”
I don’t believe I fully agree with this philosophy. Maybe on a sports team if you have a lot of individual talent, but then that talent can only take you so far. As well, when a team is built around hard work and talent, individuals have the tendency to do their own thing and go their own way. I believe it is important to have good re pore and unity amongst team members, a single focus and a single goal. This happens through strong relationships.
So, what’s your thoughts? Can a team (whether a sports team, a business team, a leadership team, a ministry team, etc.) win if everyone comes to their “job” works and plays hard, but never does anything to build relationships outside the job or even on the job?