We often make the mistake of saying "he gave his life" or "she gave her life" for a certain cause or person. The thought that when one's death is the most valuable moment in life is contained in this idea. As soon as we think it, we disagree with the thought. It has been ingrained in us that life is made up and valued by the time we spend loving life. The time we spend loving our friends and family and being loved on by them, the time we spend being loved on by moments themselves as we recieve awards we slaved for, drink the sweet, concentrated, and final drops of mountain top experiences... and other stuff. When we die for certain cause or person, we give our death... not our life. How does one give their life? Answer: Define life and then give it.
For me, I define life through the example of my dad. He gave his life for me and my brothers, while we were in elementary and high school. He gave his every waking moment to being with us and taking care of us. (He even gave the moments while he should have been asleep.) He gave us his remaining years of youth and strength, he gave us his dreams, his patience, his intellect, his stories, his peace of mind, his strength, (sometimes) his moments of weakness, he gave all he could and (by the grace of God) more.
For whatever cause or for whatever person, you will rarely be offered the opportunity to give your death. You can only take that opportunity once.
You are offered the opportunity to give your life everyday. You can do it again and again and again.
For all that's worthy take it!
Give your Life.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Young Life
Recently, I got the opportunity to work with Young Life. I was a volunteer leader. The young men and women that I got to meet were amazing. Their sense of humor was sidesplitting. The love Christ showed them was crazy/muy muy loco.
I love Young Life's style of ministry, their mission in reaching the unreached (and otherwise unreachable) youth, and the love they so wisely show. At camp I found that Young Life does not make an issue of secular songs or the way the kids dress. Other than doing their best to prevent detrimental or distracting behavior the staff at Young Life focused on winning the right to be heard (through love) and introducing the teens to the Gospel of Christ. As a staff member, I grew more laid back towards music and jokes. Not to the point where I became inauthentic or compromised but to the point where I could relate with the young men and women I met. Again, I was amazed. Some teens accepted Christ. Some showed more of what it meant to be a Christian. It was a blessing every time a youth chose love over hate, service or self-concern, and courage over pride and fear. God intervened several times to keep the peace, show some love, or break a heart-callus.
I spent one week as a volunteer leader in it, God proved Himself to be truly incredible. I am grateful.
If you've experiences with Young Life or heard of it drop a line.
I love Young Life's style of ministry, their mission in reaching the unreached (and otherwise unreachable) youth, and the love they so wisely show. At camp I found that Young Life does not make an issue of secular songs or the way the kids dress. Other than doing their best to prevent detrimental or distracting behavior the staff at Young Life focused on winning the right to be heard (through love) and introducing the teens to the Gospel of Christ. As a staff member, I grew more laid back towards music and jokes. Not to the point where I became inauthentic or compromised but to the point where I could relate with the young men and women I met. Again, I was amazed. Some teens accepted Christ. Some showed more of what it meant to be a Christian. It was a blessing every time a youth chose love over hate, service or self-concern, and courage over pride and fear. God intervened several times to keep the peace, show some love, or break a heart-callus.
I spent one week as a volunteer leader in it, God proved Himself to be truly incredible. I am grateful.
If you've experiences with Young Life or heard of it drop a line.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, June 20, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, June 16, 2008
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)
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)
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