Life is full of choices

I don’t pretend to know all the answers. I do know this, life is full of choices. And while it’s true that twenty seven years isn’t all that long, it is long enough to recognize that ability to choose carries with it great responsiblity. I think for me it’s the responsibility of an informed choice that carries with it the greatest struggle. As a married man with a 15 month old, any choices I make pertaining to my professional or academic career effect my whole family. Because of this exponential wave of “effect” I challenge us to all consider choices before we leap into a decision that could be disasterous to our families. “Where is your sense of faith?” you ask. I don’t limit faith’s purpose by proposing that life’s choices demand more than a passing glance and a quick decision. I am writing all of this, just to ask for your prayers concerning the direction of my academic studies, and my ministry to the teens at the church I am serving.

How do you make choices?

Ministry through the tears

I wept today. It was one of those moments when you are faced with a challenge larger than you, and a decision needing to be made was bound to hurt someone. It did, and I was left with a the tears. But tears heal wounds whether the hurt inflicted was intentional or unintentional. Healing is ongoing and tears are no doubt immenient. My prayer is that there can be a co-healing, a co-sharing, and that future tears will be co-joined.

Ministry isn’t always pretty. Then again ministry isn’t supposed to be pretty. May we never forget that life is a journey, lived in the arena of grace. We often fail miserably, and it is only by grace that we can go on.

Live from LCU

Today is the last day of my grad class at LCU. It’s been a rewarding week. I have got to meet some youth ministry giants. The uniting factor is that whether young or old they are here this week to better themselves professionally and to make a bigger impact on the lives of the children we minister to. The class content this week has been Christian counseling. In all the areas of my ministry where I feel least competent it has been in this area. I am not alone in this feeling. Everyone in this class this week has expressed the same feelings of inadequacy. What I have learned in a Christian counseling course primarily this week is that I don’t have to fix everyones problem and it is okay to refer a client to someone more equipped to handle their problem.

I want to dote for a few minutes on the graduate Bible program here at LCU. It is a great program. LCU is paving the way for ministers to take classes and remain in a full time ministry setting. LCU offers on-line classes, and short one week courses that most people can manipulate their schedules to take classes. The classes offered are incredible, and the price, well it is cheaper than some of our other Christian schools. Please don’t misunderstand my words, I think Christian education from any of our Christian schools is of lasting, kingdom impacting value. LCU fits for my context, and I am sure it would for yours. If you are interested contact me and I will give you some contact information to get in touch with the powers that be in the graduate Bible program.

I am out. Class starts in a little bit. Please pray for my wife and I on our return trip today.

Pornography, the silent killer

Starting in October I am going to launch a new Wednesday night class at church utilizing the book Every Yougn Man’s Battle for the boys, and my wife will be conducting the girls’ classes using Every Yougn Woman’s Battle. I think at first when I announced in a parent’s meeting the direction I was taking our classes, some of the parent’s grasped for air. Uncomfortable? You bet they were. Why is dealing with pornography or sexual immorality hard for the church to deal with let alone discuss? I say all that, and realize my own inhibitions I had growing up with sex and the like. This past summer, on a mission trip, the guys would ask some very tough questions, questions which indicates to me that they are searching for answers in a world where anything goes. Their questions focused on sexual temptations and how to overcome it. This is probably one of the biggest factors for our decision to launch this new class. Also, as I was fielding questions from our guys my wife was fielding questions from our girls.

Our kids need the right information and know how to defend themselves from the onslaught of sexually charged issues. As a man, and as a husband I want to be a godly influence in my family and especially on my teens. Our little ones are watching what we do. My 14 month old daughter sits and watches tv with her daddy, I don’t want to her to ever question why her daddy watches bad shows on tv. So, I guess I am challenging us as Christians to be real, and face the challenges that surround us in the church and in society.

A dose of reality…

I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have to evacuate your home, only to recieve word that everything you owned was demolished by fierce winds and monsterous waves. Even living in Oklahoma, unless you go through the storm you’ll never know what it’s like. My prayers are for the hurting and homeless in the southeast who once again have been forced to deal with the unpredictable and the ugly reality of this life, sometimes storms rage unexpectedly in our lives. But there is hope, if the great men and women of the Bible can also experience lifes storms, and write of their hope in One greater than the storm, shouldn’t we be able to experience this same otherworldly confidence in this same God. A God who Himself understands the violent nature of reality. I can see no clearer picture of a storm enduring, storm conquering God than at the cross. The pain and torture that accompanied the cross are enough the send shivers down your spine. The violent practice of crucifixion by the time of Jesus, history records that the Romans had perfected the practice of crucifixion to maxmize the suffering and the shame of the one being crucified. Would we expect that God in human flesh, as foolish as that sounds to the first century listening ear, and even more foolish to the 21st century ear, would we expect this God-man to be immune from the agony of the croos as if he would recieve special treatment for being divine royalty. Some might say, “yes.” But the truth is, the one we call Savior wasn’t spared from the nightmare known as crucifixion. Help the hill of Golgotha he walked, unsteadly as his legs no doubtwere sore, and aching from standing for several hours already. Blood running down his face from previous brutality, and from the thorned crown that pierced his brow. Did the onloookers realize that the death march they witnessed would become one of the greatest sources of joy, hope and renewal the world has or will ever know? Finally, arriving to place of execution, clothes stripped, a bloody and beaten Jesus was forced to His back, arms stretched out wide in both directions, feet steadily placed on the beam, and with the skill of a carpenter and the strength of a linebacker, a Roman soldier drove three large cast iron spikes into the flesh of the Son of God. Each blow of the hammer, ripping through flesh, nerves, muscle. The searing pain of foreign object protruding out of your arms, and feet would numb the mind and force the victim to scream in agony, and as the cross was raised, and set into its place the force of the setting beam would send new nerve shierking pain through one’s body. With each sream can a need for a new breath, and to breath the crucified man would have to push down on his feet where the nail was firmly fixed, and his back scaping the rugged wood of the cross, would have to force himself upward causing more pain as the nails in his hands would take all the weight of the man. Most people just didn’t last long, some in the stubborn rebellious nature could last for days. Jesus only lasted a few hours. With His last breath, and his last words he expressed a sense of finality to a life that mystified many and mobilized others to a life of following God. Thankfully the story of the one we call Savior doesn’t end in the agony of a wooden cross, but in an empty tomb found three days later. 2000 years later this same empty tomb inspires His followers and is an obstacle to his critics.

How rich are you?

How rich are you? >> I’m loaded. It’s official. I’m the 103,478,261 richest person on earth!

According to the above link I am the 103,478,261 out of an approximate 6 Billion people on the planet.

Hmm? I was thinking about asking for a raise! This sure puts things into perspective about how mighty the dollar is.

I am interested in reading your thoughts on what you think about our nation’s and our society’s concepts of wealth compared to the Biblical concept of wealth.

Ramblings and Rantings

Last Sunday, my wife and I hosted a parent/teen meeting for our youth group. We had 10 families show up. We have way more than that on the books, so I was a little disheartened that just a few came. However, the parents that came are the ones who have time and time again been there for me if when I need anything.

One of the side issues we discussed briefly in our meeting revolved around some of our members having informed me that the teens were talking during church. I realize that at times their talking can be, and often is distracting, but is it really the youth minister’s job to keep the teens quiet in church? I think not. One of volunteers did point this out for everyone, and told the other parents, “it’s the parent’s job, not Jason’s”, I couldn’t agree with him more. What some of the parent’s didn’t realize is that on several occassions I have addressed this issue with my teens, and a few weeks one of my seniors talked to the Middle Schoolers and the High Schoolers about this, and they (the youth group at large) has done much better. Score one for student leaders.

The meeting went well. I will say this, there have been times as of late, when I am noticing or at least I think I am noticing that there is a real problem with our youth group. The issue as I see it has to do with the involvement of my high schoolers. There are a couple who are active, but some of the one’s I thought who would be involved aren’t really, and besides coming to church on Sunday and Wednesday aren’t involved in much else. I am concerned because this group of kids has kind of been neglected in the year and half or so before I began and once I started the thrust of my ministry emphasis has been on the middle schoolers. It’s not that I haven’t tried to reach out to the high school kids. Some of them have been really receptive, and have become valuable leaders.

Today is also SYATP (See you at the Pole). Ihad several choices to choose from today as far as where I would go pray with students. I went to Marlow Middle School where there was quite a large turnout. Around 50 plus students, teachers, and parents gathered around the flag pole to pray and read Scripture. I know that this day is an encouragement to Christians teens. To me this day says something about the variety of God’s people. Think it about it, for some of our kids this is the only exposure they get to actually see other kids who are Christian. Also, for some of the kids, it’s their only experience of doing something religious with other kids from other churches. To me this is a good day to shatter partisanship, and sectarianism and look at the bigger picture. Our kids from all denominations got together to talk to God and seek His face for the school year. Could this be a glimpse into the variety of heaven?

Six Down One To Go…

Of the seven book reviews due for one of my graduate courses at LCU, I have six down and Lord willing, should have the last done tomorrow. I wrote two yesterday and one today, and am book reviewed out.
I will be gone next week to LCU, so blogging after Friday will be sparse for a week or so.

I had forgotten something yesterday…

I had forgotten something yesterday. Let me explain, in the last few weeks, I have been so focused on doing, I haven’t allowed myself to be. I have been a whole lot like Martha, busy with all the preparations that need to be made, and running myself weary, when I should have made some time to sit at the feet of my Shepherd and soak in His Words and His presence. I could make excuses, graduate work, youth ministry stuff, talking, visiting, and studying with kids, yard work, house work. I am sure like all of you, you bite off more than you can chew at times. But, I was reminded last night, that I have a choice how I react to stress. I can choose to let stress unnerve me, or I can choose to let God handle the things I can’t change and the unexpected circumtances that come my way.
My view of my ministry with the teens has been out of focus as well. I have been focusing on the little problems that have occurred in recent weeks, and had forgotten all the good that has taken place over the last year. I don’t know if my teens have noticed or not, but I haven’t been myself for a few weeks. I know my wife notices, she is so sweet about asking me what’s going on, and constantly checking on me during the week to make sure I haven’t come unglued. I am one blessed man. By the way, today is our second anniversary. If I had the chance to walk down the isle with her again, I would. I can’t believe that it’s been two years already. God has seen us through many ordeals, and I am confident that the One we call Father will continue to guide, guard, and direct us.
So, if you come this blog post today, pray for me. Pray that I won’t forget that no matter what, we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. By the way, of what I forgot yesterday, one of them was not my anniversary!

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A Revolution of Truth
John 3:1-21

Under the veil of night Nicodemus meets with Jesus. I wonder if his choice for the timing of his visit was due to his own fears of his Jewish brethren? The two dialogue and Jesus says the most beautiful words in all creation, “for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life� (John 3:16).
“For God so loved the world…�If you live on this planet you could substitute your name so it would read something like this, “for God so loved Jason. Now you try, “for God so loved (your name here). The amazing thing about this love is that God loves the Sadaam Husseins’ of the world as much as the murdered unborn child. Is not the gift of God equally available to everyone? Equally available to the Jew, the Muslim, the Hindu as to you and me? The Gospel is for losers, bastards[i], and the forgotten.
“That he gave his one and only son� – What kind of love is this that would willingly give up that which is most precious. Ah, only a love that is life changing, and Divine. Mel Gibson’s portrayal of the last twelve hours of Christ’s life, the Passion of the Christ, retells the greatest story ever told. I am still in awe at the beauty within the film. For in a very real way we are reacquainted with the horrors of Roman brutality, and the agony of crucifixion. I know for me, in the sanitized section of my heart that I have labeled Christianity, seeing the torture endured by our Savior served to awaken new gratitude and awe at the God that took on human flesh and subjected himself to a mockery of a religious judicial proceeding, the misery of flogging, beating after senseless beating, and the mind numbing agony of the cross with it’s nails. One will not walk away from this movie the same. You can’t, for what this movie re-tells is the cause of His journey. The stripes he bore upon his back and the nails that ripped through his flesh was Heaven’s heart aching to give you life through Jesus death. He did this for you!
To be sure, Christ died for the worst of sinners as well as for you, but what separates the lost-sinner from the saved-sinner is what you do with Jesus.
Pilate had Him scourged…
Judas betrayed Him…
Peter denied Him…
Others insulted Him…
Still others ignored Him… But some chose to love Him. And so they stood near the cross transfixed by his torture, and mesmerized by his heart. It is that reciprocal love that frees the prisoner from his dungeon. What will you choose? “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.�
[i] Yancy, Philip. What’s So Amazing About Grace. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 1997. pp. 141-145.