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.

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.

“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 am a very lucky guy. I have the privilege of not only knowing the most beautiful, inspiring, loving, God-fearing woman on earth but also being married to her. The love for my bride is far beyond measure, far beyond explanation, far beyond human comprehension. We have been through so much together. We have experienced the highs, experienced the lows, been through some deep valleys, and have rejoiced on some glorious mountaintops. I can honestly say that there is no idea where my life would be right now if it hadn’t been for her; I can also say I wouldn’t want to know. I am a better person because of her. Today she turns 31.

Debra, if your reading this, I love you more than I could ever express, more than words could ever say, more than you will ever know. I am so madly, deeply in love and in awe of you! Happy Birthday my beautiful bride!