Tonight was really an incredible night. We had 15 students decide to follow the most phenomenal leader this world has ever known, and learn to live as He did. I was so excited to see our students really reaching outside of their comfort zones and learning to love everyone in the room. In time, South Hills Youth Ministry will be known as one of the most incredible places to be in this city from week to week.
To those of you who made the exciting journey into following the Christ, the only Son of the only living God, we welcome you into the family. What is next for you? Its not as hard as you might have been told. Just connect to other people on this incredible journey, connect to God through His Word, talking to Him, and talking to others about Him. It grows the excitement in your heart when you ask questions, share your thoughts, and just go through all this with other people who care.
There is a lot more, but that is the basics for now. Keep feeding your heart for healthy, pure, unselfish, noble, and beautiful things and your heart will grow more whole day by day. Of course its my opinion that there is no other way of doing that then to connect to the living Jesus through talking to Him, reading His Word, and talking with his other followers.
So excited about what's next!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
NYLC
This past week I was able to speak at a conference for Youth Leaders in Dallas, TX.A friend of mine named Corey Evan, whose music is amazing, and I did a workshop on Re:defining some things regarding the way people see each other. The conference went really well, and I was really struck by a few major thoughts:
1) I spend more time thinking negatively about a few areas of my life than I do positively. This is something I'm drawn to change about myself.
2) The more God gives you influence, the more people you need daily speaking into your life. I was able to meet a few really great people and spend some time talking some real heart issues. These were leaders who welcomed my desire to not hide behind a pulpit and say all the right answers, which was so good.
The flight home was a reminder that people are really hungry for something real and authentic. I met Lance and we started talking about how people aren't really even happy with life even though they have more than ever. We talked about so many things, but mostly it was about learning how to give of yourself for the benefit of someone else instead of just taking for yourself.
It was amazing to see how our conversation led to some real deep spiritual truths and I was honored to meet him. I told him that Jesus wasn't someone anyone really hated or had a problem with, its his followers that drive people crazy. Who could hate a guy like Jesus? It was fun to describe a church as a people and not a place you go on Sundays. Its a people who love you, celebrate you, serve you, challenge you, loves people different than themselves, are honest with you about things you could improve upon, and just walk through life together.
He said to me: "if there was a church that is everything you are describing, I would go to it. I just have never found one like that."
I am hopeful that Lance will find his way closer & closer to the heart of this great leader I am following. His way is Truth, life, and peace. I gave him the book "They Like Jesus, just not the church" by Dan Kimball, and he was thrilled to reconnect with Christ. I felt excited that our conversation led him closer to Christ. He didn't say a prayer, he didn't need to. He just wanted more of this Jesus who loves, forgives, changes, and leads us out of our way into His Way.
It was the best way I could leave a conference for Youth Pastors & Youth leaders...by actually living out what that was suppose to always be about. Thanks Lance!
1) I spend more time thinking negatively about a few areas of my life than I do positively. This is something I'm drawn to change about myself.
2) The more God gives you influence, the more people you need daily speaking into your life. I was able to meet a few really great people and spend some time talking some real heart issues. These were leaders who welcomed my desire to not hide behind a pulpit and say all the right answers, which was so good.
The flight home was a reminder that people are really hungry for something real and authentic. I met Lance and we started talking about how people aren't really even happy with life even though they have more than ever. We talked about so many things, but mostly it was about learning how to give of yourself for the benefit of someone else instead of just taking for yourself.
It was amazing to see how our conversation led to some real deep spiritual truths and I was honored to meet him. I told him that Jesus wasn't someone anyone really hated or had a problem with, its his followers that drive people crazy. Who could hate a guy like Jesus? It was fun to describe a church as a people and not a place you go on Sundays. Its a people who love you, celebrate you, serve you, challenge you, loves people different than themselves, are honest with you about things you could improve upon, and just walk through life together.
He said to me: "if there was a church that is everything you are describing, I would go to it. I just have never found one like that."
I am hopeful that Lance will find his way closer & closer to the heart of this great leader I am following. His way is Truth, life, and peace. I gave him the book "They Like Jesus, just not the church" by Dan Kimball, and he was thrilled to reconnect with Christ. I felt excited that our conversation led him closer to Christ. He didn't say a prayer, he didn't need to. He just wanted more of this Jesus who loves, forgives, changes, and leads us out of our way into His Way.
It was the best way I could leave a conference for Youth Pastors & Youth leaders...by actually living out what that was suppose to always be about. Thanks Lance!
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