To Blog or not to blog...

I love to write, that is one of the reason I started this blog. Hopefully those who read it find it insightful and interesting. I am actually working out some thoughts for writing a book. I have sent some ideas in for articles to magazines and hopefully we start working more on that. So anyways, the last couple days I just haven't felt like blogging. Not sure why, just haven't.

My life is going great right now and maybe I am waiting for the bottom to drop out. I seem to be pessimistic like that sometimes. Past experiences cause me to hold back and wait for things to be absolute before I really believe in them.

I love watching Craig Ferguson on CBS. View Here
And I was listening to him the other day and he started talking about faith. I am not sure of his religious background but he was talking about if you are expecting certainty, then you don't need faith. If you have faith, then not knowing what is going is expected. I think we as Christians (I know I do) tend to have faith when it makes sense and life is easy, but as soon as something test us and we aren't sure what is going to happen, we freak and lose all faith.

I know I have and am experiencing that. I KNOW that God is working in my life, but I get worried because I am not sure what is going to happen. God is working in me, helping me to understand and work on my faith.

How is your faith? Are there things in your life that you aren't sure of, and want to rely on yourself to work things through?

Youth Service 01/28/2006

Last night we had our Youth Service last night. I always love doing these because the teens put a ton of hard work into them and while they don't always run flawlessly, they are very good. This was one of our best services because everything was done by the teen group. The music, the sound, the camera and everything was done by teens or adult leaders. I am thankful for the help of Kyle and Beth, they keep me looking good.

I am glad that our kids have the chance to use the gifts that God has given them, beyond just in the youth room.

Lifelong Learner

I love learning. I love to read. I love to listen to people who are better than I am. I love talking to people who have done what I want to do. In sports they tell you that you can only get better by playing those who are better than you, and in ministry I think it is the same way. I have one pastor that I listen to weekly. His name is Mark Driscoll and he is the pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. Mark is an incredible speaker. He doesn't sugar coat the gospel or play into any politics. He speaks from his hard and from the word. I believe his is one of the top preachers I have ever heard. Check out their website @ http://marshillchurch.org/ and listen to some of his messages, you will be hooked.

Are You a Risk Taker?

We continue our look at the book, "Cure for the Common Life" by Max Lucado. We look at how we need to be risk takers for God and use the gifts He has given us rather than what we think is best for us.

Hitting your Sweet Spot!!!

Man, God is good. I mean, I can't express all the things that I am thankful for right now. God is truly giving me the desires of my heart and I am extremely excited. There are lots of things going on in my life and almost all of them are good. Over the next few weeks and months I will share more with my readers. Just know that right now, God is moving. I have found my SWEET SPOT as Max Lucado calls it.

Tomorrow I will post the video from last nights service. We talked about taking risks for God and how when we are looking at our STORY and our gifts, that we need to make sure we are focused on what God wants rather than us or our parents or friends or the other influences in our lives.

God has given us a purpose and given us the tools we need to fulfill that purpose. Each of us has a role to play, and we think selfishly we move away from what God is wanting us to do. I have found my sweet spot in that I know I am supposed to be a youth pastor. I have been at my current church for 3 years and have built a program that is finally seeing some fruit. Kids are being saved, our praise band is kicking (thx Kyle), students are wanting to get more involved and they are growing spiritually. So many things to thank God for I would be here forever.

If you are not in your sweet spot, if you are doing things that don't make you happy, that are just to earn a paycheck, then I will tell you to start looking elsewhere. Find what you are good at, what comes natural to you, and ask God to show you what He wants you to do. It might mean quitting your job and doing something you never thought you would, but isn't God worth the risk. We talk about sacrifice all the time in church but how often do we actually do it.

Read Ephesian 4:11-16 and know that God is going to take care of you, if you are looking to Him and not you.