Jesus is Building his Army

The only way you wouldn't here that the church as we know it is imploding around us is if you were dead. All I hear everyday from other church leaders and by reading countless books is that in 10 years we won't have a church anymore...... I am actually getting sick of it. Do we really buy into the negative publicity of a fallen church? Do we believe that God lasted this long and is tuckered out and wants to tap? Do we fall into the trap of being depressed and being just one more butt in a seat. Or, do we believe that God is raising up a generation of young people that need to grab hold of the torch and carry into victory. Is God preparing an army to fight this negative controversy. For me, I am a very pessimistic individual. I believe the negative before the good. It is easy for me to jump on the worry band wagon and read all the books of fallen churches, and unchristian generations and believe the statistics about young adults dropping out of the church. But, I do not want to be the type of Pastor that becomes comfortable with mediocrity. I do not want to be the Pastor that gives up and settles for the status quo, and I sure as heck don't want to be the pastor that settles for a dying church that cant get past the culture and tradition that it has been stuck in. I believe we are BORED as Christians because the older generations don't give us any credit. We have been pushed aside as the LOST generation. When the boomer generation was young they were titled the LOST generation. When the Gen Xers were younger they were called the LOST generation. So, I guess we fall into the tradition of being LOST too. The Jesus I serve is on a mission for a movement. A fresh new move of his spirit to spread havoc among young adults today. He is on a mission to challenge our way of thinking and spark a fire inside our hearts to get off of our butts and get involved in His movement. God has not left the church, we have left God. We have dropped the power source and have made ourselves the key. We are not the key, the source, the savior. JESUS IS.......

God is building his army and I want to be one of his soldiers. He is tugging on souls and wants to fight against sin, against boredom, against mediocrity, and hypocrisy. He wants us to lead a generation of young adults to make history for their faith. He is calling us to be History makers. Who wants to run this journey? Who wants to get off their seats and praise? Who wants to be that light in their communities? then lets register and get our dog tags and kick some serious booty...... Hoorah!

Commitment

Why is it so hard to stay committed to something. New Years resolutions are the worst. We have all done it. We have all made promises to commit to the fitness regiment, the eating right. the not smoking weed for a year, the staying abstinent for as long as you can. Sometimes it reminds me of several "Seinfeld" episodes when they make a commitment and see who can stay committed the longest. The reasons why I laugh is because we all have commitment issues. Making promises to our spouses, or making promises to our kids. We all fall short of these things.

But what about our commitments to God. Do we struggle with it? Do we have a hard time keeping our promises to him? I will read my bible everyday, I will make sure I pray for someone this week, I will stay away from sin, etc. I have the hardest time keeping promises sometimes and I want to make sure I learn to keep more then forget. I want to make sure that I hold true to my commitment in Christ so that I do not give the enemy any chance to through me off track.

One Haitian pastor illustrated the need for total commitment to Christ with this parable:

A certain man wanted to sell his house for $2,000.00. Another man wanted very badly to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn't afford the full price. After much bargaining, the owner agreed to sell the house for half the original price with just one stipulation: he would retain ownership of one small nail protruding from just over the door.
After several years. the original owner wanted the house back, but the new owner was unwilling to sell. So first the owner went out, found a carcass of a dead dog, and hung it from the nail he still owned. Soon the house became unlivable, and the family was forced to sell the house to the owner of the nail.

The Haitian pastor's conclusion: "If we leave the Devil with even one small peg in our life, he will return to hang his rotting garbage on it, making it unfit for Christ's habitation."

I want to commit myself to Jesus and do everything in my power to keep that commitment, no matter how hard it gets.

Youth Camp Love

Who can remember their first Summer camp experience? Who remembers the hiking, the biking, the rock climbing, the water sports and then from across the lake you noticed a person that you thought was the most beautiful thing you have ever seen? The next day begins trying to find the same activities that this person is doing so you can get just one glimpse of her as you try to act as if you are not noticing. At night when the service is about to take place you make sure you sit as close as you can without being completely obvious. During the worship set while others around have their eyes closed, you are the one searching to make sure your eyes might possibly connect. Day 3 comes along, and you have just enough courage to go up to her and tell her how much you like her. Day 4 you are holding hands and preparing for the 1st kiss. After the kiss comes, day 5 peeks its unwilling head through the camp just in time to swap numbers and to say goodbye for one last time. "I promise I will call you" " Maine is not that far away"

The final thing you see is the window rolling down and the wave of her hand slowly fading into the distance. As a single tear runs down your face never to see her again. You say to yourself. "I will always love and remember ?" crap what was her name again?

Having my own personal camp experiences with other girls from other churches, I sit back and watch in the last 10 years how many students that I have had to monitor, watch, and protect from these types of situations. The hardest thing for me to grasp is when the camp is all over, how much that student will not make it through another day without seeing the other persons face. "I Love him/her"

It is interesting how many of these relationships end at the last word said. "Goodbye" never to be seen from, or hear from again until the possible next years camp reunion where we have matured oh so much, that we are to cool for the other person.

As Amanda is away on her first summer camp alone with out me, I smile whenever she calls me because she is mentioning all the potential hook ups that are taking place at camp. I cant help but crack up at the fact that some of our students will be at this place by the end of their week. Because camps at times are so emotionally charged a person cant help but like the opposite sex, and be drawn to them in an emotional week long dating scene.

To those of you reading this, parents, young adults, and youth students, just remember what it was like when you went to camp. It is not going to be like the opening scenes of Forrest Gump, where you and the other person are going to be like pees and carrots. That way we can fall under this understanding that life moves on past camp to a wonderful future. So laugh when we need to laugh. These are some funny stories that help us tell our children when they get to be that age.

Imago Dei

Have you ever been I.D. before? Whether at the bars, the clubs or when the shinny lights scream your name cause you were speeding in your car? What was the outcome? Have you had your limit? Where you kicked to the curb? Was your ticket over $500.00? Having a valid I.D. is important in life..........If you are looking for a new I.D. because yours sucks, let me ask you one more question? Do you want an I.D. that will never expire, run out, or be declined? If so, we ask that you come and check out Imago Dei. The name Imago Dei (I.D.) in Latin means "Image of God." Being created in God's image gives us the opportunity to experience the way He relates, communicates, and shares His love with others. We can literally be the hands and feet of Jesus as we live to represent His story through our lives.

What is Imago Dei about?

We are all about Relationships!!!!!
Whether you're a single young adult, married, single again, with or without children - no matter where you have been and what you have done - We invite you to experience Imago Dei .

No Church Experience Required....... Come as you are and leave Connected!

What is the Imago Dei experience like?

Services that last about 90 minutes
The band is Loud
Freindly people will help you find your way around
A message that is relevant to your life
Fun kids programs

Come and Experience the launch of Imago Dei on Sunday, Sept. 13 2009 @ 6:30pm @ the Baxter Campus.

http://www.imagodeimovement.com/
http://twitter.com/Go2ImagoDei.com

15 key points

1. Make the time you have with relationships last in that moment, because you never know when it will be gone.

2. People come and go, so be as influential as you can with everyone you meet.

3. KILL people with KINDNESS.

4. Forgive and forget your past............ Don't let it haunt you, it will rob your future.

5. Be quick to forgive those that screw you over, because you need the same grace on the flip side.

6. Don't let tradition grip you. You miss out on the risk of adventure.

7. Don't stick in your man cave for to long. Nobody will come and visit.

8. Thank God you made it through another day

9. Sometimes you just need a little foghat

10. Never let your mom destroy your Stryper mixed tape

11. Never squish your children's dreams, even if they do not live up to your standards. 

12. Always make love to your wife. Because God told you too.......Thanks man, I will thank you in person with a fist bump and fireworks.

13. Don't forget to pray for those who have influenced your life. 

14. Wake up at 3am in the morning to help someone in need........GET YOUR BUTT OUT OF BED.

15. Always be nice to redheads..........We have an in with the man upstairs. :0)

The Christian Club

The Christian Club. That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? A place where a bunch of Christians can get together and share about their faith in a safe environment. Schools, churches, college campuses and work places, wherever we can get a group of people together we can call it a club. 

Are these clubs open or closed? Is it designed for only Christians or can non believers come too. 

Example: 

I was asked to speak at a christian club at a high school in the desert valley. Before it started I sat outside and greeted people that were walking by and or coming into the club. As I was introducing myself to people I asked several students walking by if they were coming into the club. They went on to say, "I am not a christian" I thought to myself that OK this might be how one person feels but I am sure she doesn't speak for the majority. So, I asked a few more students. They gave me the same response. "I am not a christian"  At his point my heart was saddened. I asked some of the students who were in charge of christian club,  "is there anyone that stands outside and invites people in? They went on to say no, if they are not a christian they cant come in." I thought to myself this cant surely be happening. But, it was a reality for this specific club. 

As I reflected on how backwards from Christianity and may I add the bibles commands. I thought to myself that there are so many other clubs that are exclusive as this particular christian club. The church!

Growing up in the church for me was like being a part of a secluded club. A club that the password to get into this club was "Christian" If you were a christian you were welcomed into the club (the church) If you were not, like a lot of my friends, you just wouldn't show up. Being in a youth group of 30 students in a church the size of 3000 was fun for me, because I called myself a christian, but for those they may want to come check it out and possibly be a part of the group, you would need to use the secret password or else you would be lost and never come back.

Is this what God wanted to happen to his people? pardon my language but this pisses me off. 

As I was speaking to that christian club, I couldn't help but be royally mad and upset at how a group of professed Christians can sit in a disclosed room and swap christian stories about how they witnessed to someone that month and have someone pat them on the back and yet outside those shallow walls was a huge Harvest waiting to be picked for the harvester. Needless to say once I was done sharing about witnessing, I left and turned down all other speaking engagements at the particular club. 

When I look at myself in the mirror I have to tell myself that I am a Pharisee. I was and am at times everything that Jesus could not stand. If the name Christian is to be like Christ then why the heck would I exclude everyone that Christ would try to reach and go after.

I think that if the church in America is not careful we will become such a stuffy room filled with people who play the typical church game of "Who can hide their sin the best" and missed out on what God has asked us to do. "GO" He gave us a command with one word. "GO" 

I do not want to be a part of a christian club, and I am sure I speak for millions of others, I want to be a part of a movement of people who call themselves Christians, to go out and be Christians to ALL we come in contact with.

the 1980's church I grew up with is dying a fast paced death. I do not want to be another deadly statistic. I want to be a new statistic of authentic followers of Jesus striving to become a true meaning of what the word "Christian" started out to be. I want to be like Christ........So father, send me and I will go.........

Happy Mothers Day ( Free babysitting)

Why do we have mothers??? Is it just because they gave us life? Is it just because they are far better at sympathy then dads? Or is it because they can juggle a few different tasks at once? Or is it because they pray for their children??

I have 3 redheaded boys who are a bundle of energy. They love to laugh, play, fart and fight, and sometimes all at the same time.....They can tend to be a little crazy. So when it comes to watching them on a weekend, or even for an evening so that Amanda can go out and have a break. I sometimes get that feeling that starts in the back of your neck and then moves to your ears getting hot and that sudden headache that emerges. I ask myself the question, "Am I going to be ALONE in this endeavor?" 

I am not sure why it is that I feel this way. It may be because I sense that the volume level may increase, that maybe I am out numbered, or just maybe all things that can go wrong will happen  at one time.  

STORY

PART 1

It was a Christmas holiday last year, and Amanda wanted to go out with some of her family for a ladies night. I thought I would do the good husband thing and say "Sure baby, you go on out with the girls. Everything will be ok." She looked at me with the one eyebrow up and the little smirkish grin and said, "Are you sure?" I said go and have fun........Honestly how hard could it be, right?????

I started by feeding the boys my interpretation of spaghetti and then watching a manly movie together as men in the house. I do recall the movie was "Beauty and the Beast" then it was time for baths and story time. I placed my little son Jadon in the bathtub with his 1500 bath toys and then placed the other two boys in bed and began to tell them a story. As I was in the beginning stages of "Goldilocks and the three bears"  I heard a sound similar to a submarine coming up to the surface of the ocean. Or the kind of sound that when you are alone in the hot tub and you have to fart and the bubble reaches the surface.......Immediately after the noise, I hear Jadon yelling "Dad I POOPED". I am not sure if you have seen someone poop in the tub before with water in it, but it has infected all of the tub and toys. Before I got to the bathroom, Jadon tried to do what every man in this predicament would do, he tried to fix the situation. He got out of tub and tried to make that last little Hershey squirt to the toilet......Therefore he had a little watery trail leading from the tub to ALL OVER THE TOILET AND BEYOND......

Several phrases come to mind at this moment in time and it would sound pretty Ironic to state them. But, I had no idea what to do. Do I get newspaper? Do I drain the water and let it sit there till mom gets home? Do I try to do a man way of clean up and smear it around in circles? 

PART 2

As I was still trying to come up with a plan, I hear another noise coming from the room that I had left the cliff hanger of pourage being eaten by 3 bears, a sound that was similar to a fraternity party at around 3am. Lakai felt that the Spaghetti was not to his liking and felt the urge to bring it back up for everyone else to see. ALL OVER THE WHITE SHEETS!!!!

I now officially have to MAJOR issues going on. 

I finally placed two towels on the floor in the family room in front of the TV and told the oldest to watch the younger two while I attempted to resolve some of the problems. I went back to where the "Browns" went to the "Super Bowl" and picked up the 1500 pooped filled toys and threw them all away......I grabbed 3 full rolls of paper towel and gave it my all.  I then proceeded to the bathroom, and I strictly remember the "Comet" song and realized that was my weapon of choice, "Comet, it makes your mouth turn green, Comet it tastes like gasoline, Comet, it makes You Vomit......" So I began to strip the bed and pour the Comet cleaner all over the bed. 

After it was all said and done, I thought, "Why God, Why me" 

Do the woman out there sometimes feel the same way when us husbands are at work and these things happen?

I LOVE MOMS! 

What was Jesus' mom like?

Here is a gentle woman who had all the same issues with children as other moms. This might come as a surprise to you all because the bible doesn't get into much detail on raising kids that vomit and poop........Jesus had all the same things happen to him as it did to us. Jesus had some HOLY poop. I am sure Jesus vommited when it came down to eating certain foods, I am sure Jesus woke up in the middle of the night with a cold and flu and needed his mom their by his side. I am sure that he even left some holy tracks in his underwear too. 

But, one thing is for sure. Jesus LOVED and NEEDED his mom. 

Who  loved Jesus when he was 12 and he didn't come home on time because he was at the temple talking scripture with men 2 to 3 times his age???     HIS MOM

Who loved Jesus so much that when he constructed something out of wood, that maybe wasn't the best, and he needed some encouragement?   HIS MOM

Who was there when Jesus was being rebuked by his own people?   HIS MOM

Who was there when Jesus was being beaten and and crucified?    HIS MOM

Who was at the tomb when Jesus died?  HIS MOM

Who was there for Jesus life?  HIS MOM

Moms, you do so much for your children that we can not even thank you for, we don't even have enough room on a thank you card to write all the wonderful things that you have done......But, you deserve ALL the credit for our lives. 

Amanda, I know that the Lord has blessed you with three wonderful young men, and that even though they may go through life with ups and downs, one thing remains.....YOU LOVE THEM AND THEY WILL ALWAYS KNOW THAT......

I love you baby and all that you do...........................It is an honor to be a part of your life in this next journey of sports, friends, school and possibly girlfriends. May God grant you the power of a praying mother.........