What A Day

Just wanted to sum up my day before I call it a night.  Chanelle and I had a blast being with Greater Life Ministries this morning.  They have a great work going on and are passionate about reaching their community.  It was a privilage being able to interview for the Youth Pastor position.  The leadership of the council and staff is pretty incredible.  The student ministry seems like a well knitted community of students and really on fire with a passion to reach their peers.  Thanks for your prayers and please keep the council and church lifted in prayer as they make their final decision later this week.

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Greater Life Interview

Today Chanelle and I will be attending Greater Life Ministries in Clover, SC. We will be interviewing for the available Youth Pastor position. If you don’t mind shooting up a prayer for us around 12-1 that would be awesome. Pray number one for the Church during this transition. That they wouldn’t be satisfied with a quick decision but wholeheartedly seek out the best fit for the work there (whether it be me or not). Pray that our decision process would be in the best interest of the youth dept and Church rather than our wants. Also, pray that we would receive clear direction on what decision needs to be made by us if given the opportunity. Thanks for joining with us and the kind words of encouragement so far. There will be a post with the decision and next steps when we get word.

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Weekend Away

So I have been off facebook and twitter most of the week with a couple of random posts here and there, hinting at the idea that Chanelle and I would be heading out-of-town for a pretty exciting, possible, venture. I delayed in giving too much info and will still keep it on the down low until after we hear word on the results of this weekends meeting. But to fill you in a bit, here you go…

If you are an avid reader of my blog or know me personally you know that my passion and heartbeat is full-time ministry.   After submitting a resume, a few phone conversations, and contact via email, I received word that one of the church’s I applied to wants Chanelle and I to interview this Sunday (02/07).  We are totally stoked about hanging out, and talking about the future of the youth ministry, and our role if we are the right fit.  It is really hard to not be excited.  To be honest we are beside ourself and absolutely pumped.  We would appreciate your prayers.

Do you have any suggestions, tips, or wisdom  you could share on the interview process ? I would love to hear your thoughts!

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Reverent Submission

Hebrews 5:7 - During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

The other morning this verse stood out to me in my devotions. Particularly the last two words in the scripture, reverent submission. Not all submission is reverent. There is a difference in submitting to something/someone because you are made to and submitting out of reverence for that thing/someone. Reverent submission shows that you truly believe deep down that the person that you are submitting to has your best interest at heart. Jesus exemplified, through his life, reverent submission. He first of all directed his attention and prayers to the one that could save him from death, however; he submitted to plan that God had for his only Son to be the ultimate sacrifice for our Sins. He didn’t submit because he “had to” or was “made to.” His submission stemmed from the fact he truly believed that God the father had his best intrest, and the intrest of others at heart. I know at times I submit because I feel that I am made to. I really need to work on that!

How do you stack up in practicing Reverent Submission, do you really know God has your best interest at heart?

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Speaking Engagement

Its still a way’s off but wanted to put on the radar that I have a speaking engagement schedualed for April 24-25, 2010.  Not all the plans are in place yet and it still has to be announced to the local church in the area so I will not put too much info within this post.  Just wanted to throw it out there so you can begin to pray for Me, the Church Leadership, and Community.  Pray that God will begin to stir hearts and lives within the area that I will be ministering.

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Today I’m Twenty Eight

 

Found this pic via image seach. Click pic to go to original author.

 Today I turn 28. I like the number twenty-eight. For instance, there are some ages that I didn’t really like, only because of the number part, those ages didn’t sound grown up. Lets see like, 12, 14, 17, 20, 23 and 24, and 27. I don’t know why but those ages just sounded young to me. Twenty-Eight I can live with. To me it just sounds older. I am kind of exited as I hit my 28 year mark. I look forward to a lot of good things in the next year of my life. I hope to tack down some important steps as it relates to career. I normally do my “resolutions” around the time of my birthday. Simply, because I look at that as my new year. So as I continue to look at some things I want to accomplish and “do better” or “put down,” I am stoked.

Thanks for stopping by and celebrating my 28th with me. I have heard that “28″ is one of few perfect numbers.In spite of the grey I  have accumulated on my head and face, I say…Bring It. Lets Party! What ages do you think just sound “Young” and what age have you liked the best so far?

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Fulfilling The Call

Tonight I had the privilage of speaking at my home Church. I love speaking to Churches, or to anyone that will listen for that matter. There is nothing more fulfilling than doing something you know you are called, and have a passion to do. For me that is full time vocational ministry. Even though I am not on staff anywhere yet, nothing gives me greater joy than prepping and presenting a message that sparks change/action into the hearers. In the morning I will get up and make my way to my full time job at the schools. Until the opportunity comes for full-time vocational ministry I will continue to work and walk through every door that God allows me the opportunity to speak.

What is your passion and how is God using that to help others?

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Popularity or Presence

I love 2 Samuel 6.  It is so raw and intense.  It is about one mans journey to bring God’s presence back to a nation.  You see, the Ark of God was a symbol of protection, provision, and the very presence of God throughout  the Old Testament.  The Old Testament teaches that the Ark is the tangible essence of God.  If the Ark was there, God was there.  It was the tangible, raw, unmasked indwelling of God within the Camp.  David who had just been anointed as King over Israel set out to bring God’s presence to the nation.  Throughout this scripture I have a personal feeling that David wanted the presence because of its popularity.

The Presences’ popularity changed when Uzzah took hold of the Ark and was struck down when the oxen stumbled.  The popularity of the presence quickly faded.  David then began to question his ability to even have the tangible essence of God among them.  He doubted and asked the questions, “How can the Ark of the Lord come to me.”  The next part of that verse speaks volumes and verse 10 states, “He was NOT WILLING to take the Ark, and he sent it to the house of Obed-Edom.

When David was fixated on the popularity instead of the prescence it lead to destruction and doubt.  When he made up his mind and solely wanted the presence, regardless of the popularity, things changed.  The Ark was ushered in and the prescence was brought back to Jerusalem.

Don’t settle for Popularity over the Presence.

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Open Discussion :: On Interpreting the Bible

The following question was put out by someone I follow on Twitter, @jackalopekid. I figured that there could possibly be a lot of different viewpoints so I figured that I would open up the discussion on the following question here on my blog.

Do u believe people can interprete the Bible as they see it or is there a correct, exact way to interpret it? – via @jackalopekid

Remember that comments are posted at the discretion of the blog author and can be removed without warning or explanation if deemed inappropriate. So keep in mind, be respectful and post what may be useful in helping someone else in their Pursuit of Godly living. Also, try and state your response in the most simplistic terms in order for others to undertstand.

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Too Scared to Have Church

Wow, this winter storm has brewed some things up hasn’t it? With the weather reports in many areas, I have seen a number of friends and twitter peeps announcing that they are cancelling services. I know, I know, I have ticked someone off with my post title. But seriously, I know your not too scared to have church in this weather. Let’s be  honest, I think it shows that the leadership of a Church cares enough about their members/attenders and instead of  taking the risk of having people on the road, you instruct them stay home. In case you are not having services I wanted to give you a few ideas on how you can still connect with your weekly attenders even though you are not going to have a public worship service inside your facilities.

1. Blog a devotion – seriously, you’re the Pastor, use your blog to still get the word out. If you don’t have a BLOG you should. Go get a free account now.  Use your twitter or facebook account to get the word out to your church peeps to check out your blog at lets say, the time of your normally scheduled service. Then, when you post the blog, let them know via twitter, facebook, etc (also include the link to your post) and pursued them to leave a comment on what they have learned. Create Community even though you are not having a service.

2. Do a video devotional – If you don’t have a YouTube account go get one now. Shoot a devotional with your family, then upload it to YouTube and then embed it in a blog post and have it ready to go at the time of your normally scheduled worship time. Advertise it with the link to the post or advertise the direct link to YouTube and persuade them to leave a comment.

3. UStream or LiveStream a Live Devotional at the normally schedualed worship times. All you need is a webcam and an internet connection, give the direct link where your church peeps can tune in live directly at the Site.

What a great way to create community even though you are not having a public worship service at your normal venue. Seriously, don’t be too scared to have Church even though you aren’t able to physically meet. Use technology, create community when your away. Seriously, do Something.

What are your thoughts, is there anything else you would add? What are ways you are going to connect with your church attenders even though weather has not permitted you to meet?

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