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!