As a fellow youth minister and having served many years on staff I now how hectic and crazy the summer can become. There are the summer camps, mission trips, family vacations, etc and getting a lesson together or finding someone to fill in for you while you are gone can become a challenge. Let me help you out. I would love to discuss the possibility of me helping you out during these times. Feel free to contact me for more references or info. Thank you for any and all consideration.

As I sat down at the desk this morning I reached for my blue notebook, my journal, and I slowly opened it before me. I reached for a pen and with a sincere heart and intent I began to write. It was just me, God, and my journal. My thoughts, my fears, my requests…I began to share them with God through written word. As I wrote I poured out my heart to Him. Our present situation (which is less than ideal), our future, our needs…all being presented to my Daddy God. It’s kind of like a little kid who’s having a hard time and crawls up in the comfort of his daddy’s lap and begins tell him all about it. That’s how I pictured myself this morning. I was asking Him for help and guidance. Then I paused for a second and a thought entered my mind. There are millions of people who have it so much worse than me…what about them. Now I don’t think this nullifies my needs for God to show up in our situation or the requests I spoke to him about, but it definitely puts them into perspective.I began to pray for the all of those who have it worse than me. I prayed for those who were hungry and thirsty. I prayed for those who are dying and full of disease due to unclean drinking water. I prayed for the oppressed and for those sold into bondage as a part of human trafficking. I prayed for those in the brothels and those on the streets. I prayed for those living in captivity to various addictions. I prayed for those who are spiritually lost and in need of the Liberating King. So many people, so many needs. Lord I pray for justice and mercy in their lives.

I think we all could use a little bit of perspective at times. When you talk to God, while you’re driving down the road, while you sit in silence, when you begin to worry about your problems, think of others. Think of the “least of these” who have it far worse. Pray for them. Then ask yourself, “What can I do for them?”

“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.”
Isaiah 1:17

liberating - tending to set freeliberate - To release from restraint or bondage; to set at liberty; to free; to manumit; to disengage; as, to liberate a slave or prisoner

I love Christ being referred to as “The Liberating King”. He came to liberate us; to release us from the restraint and bondage of sin, to set us at liberty, to free us. We were slaves and prisoners and he liberated us and set us free. What a beautiful picture.

A woman came to draw water from Jacob’s well. She was in bondage by her past, her present situation, and by her reputation. She had to go alone to the well and draw because of who she was and what she had done. Along comes Jesus, a Jewish Rabbi, The Liberating King and he set her free.

A woman caught in adultery was humiliated and dragged before this same Jewish Rabbi; Jesus, The Liberating King. “What shall we do with her?” the accusers asked. “Moses’ law says to kill those caught in this act. Should we stone her?” Jesus bends down and draws in the dirt then says, “Let him who is without sin, him who is completely innocent of their own wrong doing, throw the first stone.” He draws a little more then looks up only to find the woman. “Where are your accusers?” he asks. “I don’t guess I have any, they all left.” she replies. “Then neither do I condemn you. Go on your way and sin no more.” He liberated her. Set her free. Gave her new life.

So many people look at following Jesus as being so restrictive when in all reality it is the most liberating thing one can do…become a follower of Jesus, The Liberating King.

“Kingdom people seek first the kingdom of God and its justice; church people often put church work above concerns of justice, mercy, and truth. Church people think about how to get people into the church; kingdom people think about how to get the church into the world. Church people worry that the world might change the church; kingdom people work to see the church change the world.”

-Harold Snyder

“THE NEED IS THE CALL.” -Steven Bush

Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me.
Matthew 25:40

• The GDP (Gross Domestic Product: the value of all final goods and services produced within a year) of the poorest 48 nations is less than the wealth of the world’s three richest people combined.
• 1.3 billion people live on less than 1 dollar a day.
• ½ of the world, nearly 3 billion people, live on less than 2 dollars a day.
• 20% of the developed nations consume 86% of the world’s goods.
• 30,000 children each day; 210,000 each week; just under 11 million each year die due to poverty.
• Over 1.3 billion people in the world today have no access to clean water.
• 3 billion people in the world today have no access to sanitation.
• Over 2 million people, mostly children, die each year from preventable waterborne illnesses.
• 1.8 million children die each year as a result of diarrhea.
• 2 billion people in the world today have no access to electricity.

Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.
Isaiah 1:17

Yesterday we sat amongst a beautiful people worshiping a wonderful God and Savior. During this time of worship we were led in a song that really made me think. I wish I remembered all of the words to share with you but I don’t. I remember singing the words as I really begin to ponder the meaning of them. It spoke of having a heart for others and loving others, and how we all come before God equal. One of the lines went something like, “Our mouths are full but our spirit is empty…”.

As I began to really think about those words and how there are so many people in the world in need while we sit so pretty in the land of plenty. We sit back in the comfort of our “fullness” thinking we’re okay or that we’re pretty good, or worse, we’re better than… The words of Christ spoken through John the Revelator in Revelation 3:14-20 came to mind. Within these words came this message to the church of the Laodiceans…”Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…”

How these words also can be “to the church of the Americans…”

Lord may we fall out of love with ourselves and truly fall in love with You and with people. May we buy from You gold refined in the fire that we may be rich; and white garments that we may be clothed and the shame of our nakedness may not be revealed; and may our eyes be anointed with eye salve, that we may truly see. May our eyes be opened to and may we be moved with compassion by the “least of these” in our world.

I always try to visit the site of people who leave me a comment. After my last post, this person left a comment and as I viewed their site I found an interesting entry. I have read books such as Dave Kimbell’s They Love Jesus but Not The Church which touch on this subject but this comes straight from the heart of a college student who is experiencing, living, and seeing this on a constant basis.

“It seems that a lot of adult ministers are facing a dilemma in the world.  Christianity and church are running becoming increasingly unpopular in my generation.  I can attest to being one of the many who doesn’t go to church very often.  I believe God, however, but the God I see being represented in the media is not the God me and my peers believe in.  In addition, the cult like atmosphere of church makes us uncomfortable.  We are a generation of freedom, not restriction…”

This probably isn’t “earth-shattering” news for some of us but it is definitely important for us to know and understand if we desire to make a difference. This is an entry from a college student about the way their generation views the church and why interest in the church in this age group is waining.

To read the rest of this entry click here.

I love teens, I love students, I love young people…I love building relationships with them, mentoring them, ministering to and with them.

I just have one quick question…Is it possible to be a youth minister and have a “successful” ministry without providing all of the bells and whistles; all of the frills and thrills?

It seems there is always the pressure to produce a bigger and better show than the guy down the street. We have to have this or that or the students may not want to come back. Where does this leave us and what does it do for the students themselves?

Is it possible to have a ministry that would be considered “successful” by just preaching the truth, mentoring students, teaching them God’s word and life principles? By building relationships with them and guiding them in the right direction. By incorporating them into ministry and giving them opportunities to serve others and showing them what it means to love God and love people?

I know the answer lies in balance but what I see more than not is a compromise to the end of the “best show in town”.

Share your thoughts if you are willing?

Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself? Do you want to change the world for the better?

When you close your eyes and allow yourself to dream of “what-ifs” or what could be, do you see yourself doing something different, being something or someone different, living differently, etc.?

If money, failure, the possible rejection of others, and other such things weren’t an issue, what would you want to do?

I think most of us want to be difference makers; I know I do. However, most of us are not doing the things we want or need to do in order to make the difference we desire to make.

I truly believe that God has called all of us to do great things. These things would definitely vary from person to person. For some people it may be more subtle things, for others it may something completely crazy that defies human logic but I believe we are all called and capable to do do great things and make a difference for God.

Then why aren’t more people doing it?

Fear, doubt, insecurity, lack of confidence…all being an antithesis of faith and yet we are called to live by faith and are told that without faith it is impossible to please God. I speak as one who constantly struggles with insecurity and a lack of confidence as well as the other things listed (am we suppose to admit to those type of things publicly???) however, I feel God moving in my spirit and in my life to do more; to make a difference.

I had a friend of mine named Dan DeWitt who when talking about this said, “ALL can, MOST won’t, but SOME will!” Look at the story in 1 Samuel 13:16-14:23 and look at Jonathan’s actions. The Israelites were facing the Philistines. They were not only outnumbered but they only had 2 swords (1 for Saul and 1 for Jonathan) to fight with because all of the blacksmiths were killed by the Philistines. Out of fear, doubt, insecurity and the like all of the Israelites were hiding in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, trees, etc…except for Jonathan. He decides to step out, defy human logic, and make a difference. It was only him, his armor bearer, and 1 sword against a multitude of the enemy but Jonathan said, “Hey, let us go over to the garrison of the uncircumcised and face them; it may be that the Lord will work for us.” Jonathan wasn’t sure he would be successful, he was just tired of sitting around doing nothing when he could be out trying to make a difference…and maybe, just maybe God would show up.

Difference makers are different and being different can be a risky and scary thing…so only one question remains, “Are you willing to be a difference maker?” We all can, most won’t, but some will…join me and let’s be part of the some.

That is what we need sometimes…a little bit of perspective. As I read the paper this morning I read an article about Art Briles. He was the coach of the University of Houston’s football team where he made 900k coaching a mediocre team in a sub-standard conference. He just took a position as the head coach of Baylor’s football team for 1.8 million. Baylor hasn’t had a winning season since 1994. I then began to think about the A-Rods, the Kobe’s, the Tiger’s, and the Brady’s of the sport’s world. Each making ungodly amounts of money to play a sport.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a HUGE sports fan but really…How do we justify paying them these huge salaries when there are people living in poverty all over the place. I couldn’t help but think of the faces we see on Wed. nights in downtown Houston at Montrose Street Reach. Then I thought of our boy we sponsor in Uganda through Compassion International. I thought of those in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Then tonight we were invited to a benefit concert in The Woodlands by our new friends the Marlers. It was a beautiful night. The weather was perfect. The music was great. There was free Starbucks and desserts. But most importantly there was a cause. Clean water. Sounds simple enough. We all have it; they all need it. People all over Africa are dying all the time by diseases and stuff caused by dirty and unclean water. We walked around and looked at the different posters all around. One in particular struck me hard. In this certain part of Africa they don’t give their children names until they are 5 yrs old because of the high mortality rate due to unclean water.

We later found out that $20 could provide clean water for someone for 15 years. $20…what’s up with that? How many times have we seen $20 disappear without even realizing it? Then we turn around and pay some guy 1.8 million to coach a football team. Say he turns the program around and they go undefeated…what does that really accomplish? What difference does that really make?

As Americans we get things screwed up sometimes…a lot of times. Tonight we bought a T-shirt and some raffle tickets but so much more needs to be done.

Things like tonight. Friends like the Marlers, the Iveys, the Bushes, Jimmie, etc. Learning more about those in need (both here and in other countries). They make me think about things. We may not be able to change everyone else but we can change ourselves.  What am I doing to make a difference? What are you doing to make a difference? What CAN we do to make a difference?

“As much as you do to the least of these you do it unto Me” -Jesus

idk…just some thoughts.