Good Church

In the July 20, 2008, Washington Post, there was an article about how churches were getting involved in bringing debt relief. Pastors are having an affect not by lobbying Congress or marching the streets but by encouraging their members to practice good stewardship over their money (a biblical principle). Some have even gone as for as asking their parishoners to cut up their credits and leave them at the altar! I think this is good-God-honoring church. It makes me proud to be of this great body. I remember the media attention that was brought to America's weight crisis. Many pastors responded by focusing their ministry on corporate weight-loss programs, healthy-eating advice, and sermons that addressed the psychological issues by exposing maladaptive strategies for dealing with stress and pain, encouraging positive body-image, and challenges to face and deal with low-self esteem and hopelessness.

Their are many leaders in the church, both clergy and lay, who have endeavored to be God's voice to the current issues of his people. Some answer with fads, some with tried-and-true wrong answers (donate more money), some with eternally true answers (that are based on the character of God). Because of God first, and those who seek apply eternal truths to day's questions (second), I am proud to be apart of the Church. Such people honor God.

The Voice of the Bridegroom

From John 3

27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ[j] but am sent ahead of him.' 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.

This is one is for my youth workers (and pastors).

Your heart aches. You've watched him grow and change before your very eyes. When she experienced the Spirit for the first time, you were there. The joy of that first love, you were listening. During his first (adult) baptism, you were smiling. She told you the fear she felt to ask her friend if she knew Christ and you were sympathetic. His shoulders were heaving at his first breakup and you held him. And in your heart, you're still holding him. As she strolls from your church, into her parents car and off to college. Not out of your life... just farther away. It hurts to watch them go. How can you watch them go with so much of you... and go on?

Let me introduce you to voice of the Bridegroom. The voice of the Bridegroom is calling your teen. You can see the effects of his call not just in their desire to leave home, but in their desire to change, to grow, to be different. Jesus is calling them to Himself. As he called Peter, James and John from the safety of their parents and their homes. To the places that most parents would never wish on their kids. Places that will refine them, focus them, stretch and deepen them, and yes, make them suffer.

John had a much clearer picture. He watched as the men that he had poured his life, his time, his patience, his compassion, his genius, his discipline, and yes, his life into... leave. More than that, the crowds were growing less and less. Day by day John faced being phased from his life's work, what he knew to be his mission: calling Israel to repentance. So they told him Rabbi the one you testified about, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him." (Paraphrase of John 3:24).

Interestingly enough, John replies in a parable-like statement (quoted above). He remembers that the people were not meant for him. He remembers that they are meant for God and that he, John must fade out as God gets greater. It gives him joy.

May the voice of the Bridegroom in your teens life do the same for you.

It is hard pouring into teens (takes courage!). It is even harder seeing them go. As they mentally, spiritually, and physically leave your side- be comforted! You given your teenager the most firm and life-giving thing: God (or the way to Him). Your adolescent heads on to a greater knowledge and relationship with God.

For When You Just Want to Help...

You walk into a room and there is a shouting match going on....
As you sit by your friend in front of the TV he or she begins to share just what happened and how his/her relationship with_________ went sour...
Your brother/sister tells just how much this recent failure hurt...

And all you want to do is say a few words... you know... help.
Stop.
Wait a second...
Think about it...
You're about to speak to someone who is probably A) emotional B) impressionable/influencable C) listening to you and D) trusting you.

So stop.
Wait a second...
Think about it...
There is power in words (James 3:6). More than that, in such situations the listener empowers your words with their trust that.... it'll help.

Take note of at least three things
1) Let the words you speak be spoken out of love.

Focus on the fact that you love the person you're trying to help, you'll avoid the pitfalls that come from pride and fear when communicating.

2) You're not-all knowing and neither are they.

Be prepared to not have the answer.
You were told their side of the story or at best as much of the story as they know. (Snap-judgements are rarely true.)

3)The most powerful thing you can do is listen.

Most of the time those who seem to seek your guidance really just need your support. Not necessarily of what they've done, but of who they are and the good in them. Be ready to just listen. Let them sound out their ideas. Be as honest as you can (in love).

You might not have the answer others need (and they might not have what you need), but you can always avoid talking them into a worse situation and offer a listening ear.

So for all the times you hear the story of a family breaking-up, two friends seperating, a failure, or a dissappointment and you're tempted to speak...

Stop.
Wait a second...
Think about it...

It'll...you know.... help.

Proverbs 15:23.

Sometimes "waiting" means keep going...

Consider Chris Aberg, he recently completed the largest painting in the world. He spent more than a thousand hours; he drew for miles; he worked nights and weekends to finish his work of art. He kept going yet, in a sense he had to wait. He had to wait for his hand to do what he had done in his head thousands of times. The vision he saw in his head instanteneous but the finished work of art was not. Aberg would still have painted something huge if stopped halfway to his goal. He still would have achieved something amazing. Just as much as you will, if you stop practicing to be great writer, a great singer, a great ball player and start performing; you just might a end up a very good at what you chose to do. Consider the-all-time great Moses. Moses wanted to free his people his way. If he had succeeded Moses would have been simply a political revolutionary, who suceeded through much bloodshed and loss. Instead, God put him to work at herding sheep, starting a family and learning about him for 40 years.
Waiting.
For 40 years.
Moses changed the face of the Middle East. The spiritual revolution that came through him still reverberates throughout our world today. It took awhile; God made it worth his while.
I encourage you...
Make God's goals your goals; His way your way. He'll do the amazing with what you give Him. Also, wait for the larger stage, wait for the larger project, wait for what your goals are, by staying at work on what in front of you... schoolwork, that summer job, the endless hours invested practicing, volunteering, or just talking with God. Keep waiting it'll pay-off and pay-off huge!

(Exodus 2; Acts 7)

It's been awhile.

Ok so its been awhile since i posted anything. I don't have much to post so I'll say a little about myself. I have lived in DC for most of my life. While there I went to African Christian Fellowship. I enjoyed going the children's group. Joining the youth (which was quite active) was a dream. After i joined, around the age of 12, I continued to be inspired and excited by the possibilities of what we could do as youth. As a youngster, I went to youth meetings, Acquire the Fire, Youth conferences, and of course... high school. The experience was amazing. I got to meet so much of Jesus as a teenager. I met someone who was not just an object of worship but an exciting doorway into the most challenging and rewarding side of life. Jesus changed my life as a teenager. I told strangers about the gospel, I told friends and family that they were off when it came to Scripture (I was a little intense). On the street, it was incredible. I was going and going scared, but still going, still approaching, still talking, and listening (boy! the things troubled souls will tell a complete stranger!). More than giving me incredible things to do and say Jesus he completed my soul. He gave a mission, healing from hurt, freedom from fear, courage to love, and the daring to hope. He was a listening ear to the deep things of my heart and cheered me up in ways no one else could. Oh and the little miracles on tests, with friends, with transportation, money, and the oppurtunities to minister were amazing.

Recently, Over the past few years I got to work with teenagers for various reasons. I have worked as a camp counselor, a mentor (for one day), a tutor, and a church youth leader. I am still excited about with the possibilities of what God can do amongst a group of teens who open up to Him and what he can do WITH teens who give themselves to Him.

I have short glimmerings of what youth workers mean when they talk about pouring their lives into a adolescents just to watch them go. I still don't have an understanding yet.

Working with teens is great, satisfying, amazing. Seeing Jesus work in them (and people of all ages) tops all of that. It's been awhile but it sure has been fun.

Enjoy yer summer.

People do it. (Why the religiousness...?)

People do it.
People keep the hungry, hungry and poor, poor.
People do it.
People put clothes on the naked.
People give family love to those without biological fathers.
People give family love to those in prison.
People do it.
People created the atmosphere in Abu Gharib.
People did the atrocities during the Munich world cup.
People answered the call of crisis and created Doctors without Borders.
People do it.
The Bible is powerful because it is an avenue to and a way of seeing God.
God moves people do things. God is the inspiration for a lot of people to do what needs doing. God is the conviction that keeps people doing what needs doing.
So you ask me, what is the place of religion in the modern world? What is the place of God?
The place of religion is to provide people with structure therefore unity in action in worshipping. God belongs at the top, center, bottom of this modern world. He gives people life, purpose, and destiny.
We as people need to accept our purpose, our destiny from God.
We’ve already accepted His life.
Without him we are just taking up air.

Talk! It helps.

There is a lot going on during this period of your life. You are changing and your relationships with nearly everyone you know is changing. As you work through these changes things can become overwhelming. When they do, remember to talk about them. It'll help to clear your mind, remind you that someone cares about you, and keep your focus on what is important.

Talk

Before you do open your mouth on what is bothering you...

1. It helps to have a good listener.

2. Recognize your need to be listened to as valid.

3. Be upfront about your needs: if you just an ear say so and if you NEED advice... be clear about it.
4. If you feel to confused to talk, write out as much as you can. There is no need to write a complete account, this is just for you, to help you clear your head.
5. Pay good attention to who you ask to listen to you or for advice,
(there are great people out there just not cut out for those roles).
Whether you spoke to Mom, Dad, your best friend, a teacher, guidance counselor, coach, and/or family friend... show you appreciate their care, say thank you.