NEGLECT
It’s been over two months since I blogged. I must admit, I am ashamed of that. This is an endeavor that I set out to do. I enjoy writing. I can be opinionated. And more than anything, I wish to share the greatness of who God is with everyone and anyone. And this has been an avenue for me to do that. So why haven’t I blogged? Was there a tragedy that took place in my life? Did I get into a horrible accident and was forced to be out of commission for a while? The answer is “NO”. The reason why I haven’t written, shared, or even just come to visit the site is because of sheer NEGLECT! I just flat out neglected it.
When I was actively blogging and being consistent with it, I had a decent following of people that would stop by and read what I had to say. It was nice to see my stats and to know that people were receiving the messages that I was putting out through this blog. But I neglected it. I lost an audience. I lost the interest of people. And maybe I lost the opportunity of having someone come across this blog to read about what God is doing in my life. All because of neglect.
I wonder what things others have neglected in their lives. What relationships have been severed because of neglect? What opportunities have been lost because of neglect? Neglect is something that damages and destroys. God wants for us to “work” what we’ve been given. If we work it, he’ll bless it. I want to encourage you today. If you’ve been neglecting something or someone that is important to you, make the decision to quit neglecting. Pay attention. Work it. Do your part. When you do, God will bless it and good things happen when God’s blessings are around.
If anyone would like to share something that you’ve been neglecting lately, I’d love to hear about it and about what you intend to do from this point on.
A Night With The Stars!
Last night we had a special gathering for all of the leaders and workers of the various ministries of our church. There are times where we come together to train, learn, work, study, etc… But last night we came together with one main purpose in mind. All these different people came together to “Have Fun”! The night was filled with good food, good company, games, contests, prizes and time to just sit and talk.
Too many times, we underestimate the importance of having fun together. Sure there are other things that are super important. Praying together, training and planning are all things that contribute to a successful ministry team. Each of these ingredients are vital. But let’s never neglect the fact that if a team can genuinely enjoy eachother’s company and has built strong bonds and relationships through fellowship, that is a team that is not easily divided.
Napolean Dynamite
The night was fun. I dressed up and looked like a big dork! But it was fun to hang out with all those great people who love God like I do; who are working for Him like I am; and to just enjoy each other’s company.
How important do you think it is to just hang out and have fun with other believers? What types of things do you like doing with other Christians or with your ministry team?
Voices in the Wind!!!!
This week, I have had conversations with various people. These are people dealing with various issues and dilemas in life. But in each of these conversations, I have noticed one thing that they have in common. I have noticed that these individuals have begun to listen to different voices. No, they are not scitsophrenic and hearing voices in their heads, but they are listening to different people’s ideas, thoughts, interpretations and doctrines.
Becuase these individuals have given ear to all these different voices in the wind, they have become confused and have even made decisions that have taken them off course. The moment they began to listen to these voices, some of people who were well intentioned but still wrong, confusion set it, doubt crept in and decisions were made based on what these voices said. Some of the voices were friends, co-workers and in some cases even other “Christians”, but the voices were wrong.
As I spoke with these people and heard their stories, I realized just how important it is that as true believers, we recognize and know the voice of God. We need to be convinced that what God says in His word is absolute truth; it is truth no matter what! We need to learn to recognize the voice of God’s Spirit when He speaks to us. If we do not learn to discern His voice, we will pay attention to all the voices in the wind. We may believe lies and fall for things that sound right but lead to destruction. There are many voices in the wind, but the one voice that I am to recognize, hear and obey is the voice of God.
What are your thoughts?
Day of Rest
WOW! The past few weeks have been intense. I have had a stretch of being so busy that I have had little time for myself. I’ve been pulled and stretched in what feels llike a thousand different directions with little to no break. But today, that all changed. As I speak, it is 12 noon and I am still in bed. No, I haven’t been sleeping all morning, but I have been resting and relaxing. I spent my morning reading, watching news television, and I even had breakfast in bed! It was great (even if it was breakfast from Jack In The Box).
This past weekend, I finished some obligations that I had and finally today felt as if I could take a breather. So that is exactly what I am doing. Tonight, I teach a class and tomorrow is a loooong day preparing for RAW. But today, it’s break time.
Because of the past hectic weeks, I have not had the chance to write many posts on this blog but I am hoping that I can begin to share thoughts and experiences again with whomever wishes to take the time to read. Anyway, just wanted to say that I’m back and to encourage all those that have been busy and have experienced a hectic week or a hectic few weeks as I have to take a breather and enjoy a day of rest as soon as you possibly can.
Is Christianity Really Narrow Mindedness?
Just yesterday I was speaking to an individual who had basically questioned me about Christianity. This was a person that I had just met, knew that I was a minister and took that opportunity to “grill” me on what I believe. As he questioned my stance on various issues such as abortion, homosexuality and pre-marital sex, I openly and honestly expressed that abortion is murder in the eyes of God. I explained that homosexuality according to the Bible is an abomination (detestable sin) and how pre-marital sex is wrong in God’s eyes because it goes outside of the boundaries that He has set for us to live and enjoy the fullness of all He has for us.
As I spoke to this individual in response to his questions, I saw “the look” in his eyes. It’s not the first time that I’ve seen that look. It was if he wanted to say, “You are such a narrow minded fool”. And for a moment, I felt very uncomfortable. I thought about retracting what I had just said. I thought about putting a little sugar over the words that I had just spoken and smoothing them over. And then I thought to myself, “NO!” I must declare what the Word of God says and not what our culture and our society wants to hear.
I then began to explain to this individual that my beliefs and my convictions on these issues were taken from God’s word. As Christians, we can not and should not formulate our morality and ethics according to what the majority of our society thinks but according to what God thinks. We may be viewed as narrow minded, intolerant or out dated but on the day of judgment I will not stand before society or before our culture. On that day, I will stand before Almighty God and I will give an account to him for everything I’ve said and everything I’ve done.
So to every Christian, speak the truth. As hard and as difficult as it may be, speak the truth. Do not allow culture and society to shape your opinions and beliefs but submit your thoughts and your opinions to God’s Word and allow the Bible to shape your beliefs. And when you feel as if the world looks at you and sees a narrow minded fool, remember that Christ died with a great majority of the population of his day thinking the same thing about him.
Have you had any experiences where as a Christian you’ve struggled between our Culture’s views and God’s views?
Obama or McCain? Palin or Biden?
I, as many in our nation, have been glued to the t.v. screen during the Democratic and now Republican conventions. I find it extremely fascinating to hear each candidate and those that have been chosen to speak on their behalf. Both sides are making some BIG promises and the rhetoric with which they speak sounds very appealing. But my question is this: How much of what they are promising will actually get accomplished? There is no doubt that I believe both men are sincere and have certain passionate beliefs concerning how our nation should be dealt with, but how much of what they are saying and describing and promising in their campaign speeches will actually turn into legislation and how much will be turned into policy?
I guess only time will tell, but if you ask me I don’t place my trust in either one of these candidates. I certainly have my preference in who I would like to see come out on top in the November election. But my hopes for my future and for the future of my children does not rest on whether my preferred candidate wins or looses. My hope for the future rests solely in my God. It is my firm belief that God holds all things in His hands and whether the McCain/Palin ticket or the Obama/Biden ticket ends up being the winning ticket, God is ultimately still in control. As Christians, it is our duty to pray that God’s will be done and when our next president is elected, it is our duty to uphold him and sustain him in prayer.
I hope as Christians we vote and allow our voice to be heard. But even more than that, I pray that as Christians we are in prayer and seeking the face of God for the direction of our nation.
Let me know your thoughts on the candidates and on our Christian duty as citizens!
A Word To RAW
Well tonight I had the priviledge of preaching at a youth rally. We had a great service and God really moved in the lives of young people. But after a night of ministering to people, I was ministered to. After the service my wife and I went out to eat with a few of the students in our youth ministry. As we ate, we just began to share thoughts, ideas, experiences and ambitions. I took the time to really listen to what these students were saying and discovered that they are incredible young people. I discovered that they are very observant and have great insight and wisdom to offer. These are young people who are entering young adulthood and who we’ve had the opportunity to minister to for a number of years. But as we spoke and as we shared, I heard passion, knowledge and love in their words. Love for God and love for people. I could sense that they truly love God and are in a quest to allow Him to reign and to rule in their lives. Oh, they may not always get it right, just as I don’t always get it right, but they truly love God and are striving to live for Him.
You know, many times in youth ministry it’s hard to see the fruit of your labor. You wonder if they’re listening when you preach. You wonder if they take you seriously or not. You even wonder sometimes if all your time, energy and efforts are even worth it. To those of you that joined us for dinner and conversation tonight, thank you for showing me that it is all worth it. As you spoke and as you shared, I was proud to be your youth pastor. My prayers for you did not go unheard. My preachings and teachings and moments of counsel did sink in. As you spoke, I heard your love for God and if I even had the smallest bit of influence in your life, I thank God for that opportunity. To all of RAW Student Ministries, I vow to always teach you and to always love you and to always let God’s light shine through me so that I may be a vessel that God uses to impact your life. I don’t know it all and I’ll make my share of mistakes, but one thing I know is that no other youth pastor loves his flock more than I love you.
Yasmin’s Song
My precious daughter just came up to me and asked if I’d like to hear the song she wrote earlier today. Of course I couldn’t resist hearing it so she gave me a sheet of paper that she had written on and this is what it said:
“Sometimes I am scared. You help me through that. Sometimes I lie. You forgive me. I will lie and I will be scared sometimes even though you are with me. So now I tell you thank you. So now I shout thank you. I know I should not lie. I know I should not be scared. I know. I know I should not lie. I know I should not be scared. Sometimes I am scared. You help me through that. Sometimes I lie. You forgive me. I will lie and I will be scared sometimes even though you are with me. So now I tell you thank you. So now I shout thank you. I know I should not lie. I know I should not be scared. Sometimes I am scared. You help me through that. Sometimes I hurt people and I am sorry. You do forgive me. I know.”
I am amazed that these words, this prayer, this song came from my daughter’s heart. I am so proud of her, but I am so pleased that she knows and understands that God loves her and that he forgives her. What an amazing thing to know.
