Acts and Gifts

I have been doing some re-reading of Acts lately. For the one of the weeks of camp, we are studying the book of Acts. Our theme is “Gifts in Acts,” and the following 12 items are some things that jumped out at me on my initial journey through the book:

1. The continuing presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit (1:5)

2. The continuing of the redemptive narrative seen in the preaching of the book of Acts — they often begin with the OT and how Jesus fulfills OT hopes.

3. A brand new start — Acts 2:14-41 (Belief, repentance, baptism, reception of the Holy Spirit). This will model will be demonstrated over and over again through the narrative of Acts is replayed daily in the Church today.

4. Fellowship (aTS 2:42-46). The earliest belivers were together not just physically, but spiritually, emotionally and shared not only their lives but their possessions.

5. Suffering and boldness (Acts 4:29). Peter and John marveled that were considered worthy to receive a beating because of their association and preaching of Jesus. After the early persecution begins, the church prays for boldness to fearlessly preach Jesus.

6. The spread of the Gospel — We know the story already, how the gospel begins in Jerusalem, and then on to Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

7. Paul — He is just one example of the many lives we read about that were drastically made over because of Jesus. Paul, especially demonstrates the effect that Christ has on even the hardest of hearts.

8. The mystery revealed (cf. Ephesians) — that is the acceptance of the Gentiles into the fold. They are the sheep of the other pen.

9. The travels of Paul and his companions and his letters — we see the diffusion of the Gospel, and the creation of many new churches and learn a great deal about Paul.

10. Christ-centered preaching urging Christ-centered living.

11. The unchanging gospel in changing culture (Acts 17). Paul doesn’t change the gospel when dealing with a different culture, and neither should we. I believe that Acts 17 provides a great model in how to contextualize the gospel for a different culture.

12. The abrupt ending of the book of Acts — the point being the work of Christ is not finished. We are to live the mission began by the aposltes, we are a part of the continuing story of Christ. Because we are a part of this redemptive narrative, we are the 29th chapter of the book of Acts.

Acts and Gifts

I have been doing some re-reading of Acts lately. For the one of the weeks of camp, we are studying the book of Acts. Our theme is “Gifts in Acts,” and the following 12 items are some things that jumped out at me on my initial journey through the book:

1. The continuing presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit (1:5)

2. The continuing of the redemptive narrative seen in the preaching of the book of Acts — they often begin with the OT and how Jesus fulfills OT hopes.

3. A brand new start — Acts 2:14-41 (Belief, repentance, baptism, reception of the Holy Spirit). This will model will be demonstrated over and over again through the narrative of Acts is replayed daily in the Church today.

4. Fellowship (aTS 2:42-46). The earliest belivers were together not just physically, but spiritually, emotionally and shared not only their lives but their possessions.

5. Suffering and boldness (Acts 4:29). Peter and John marveled that were considered worthy to receive a beating because of their association and preaching of Jesus. After the early persecution begins, the church prays for boldness to fearlessly preach Jesus.

6. The spread of the Gospel — We know the story already, how the gospel begins in Jerusalem, and then on to Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

7. Paul — He is just one example of the many lives we read about that were drastically made over because of Jesus. Paul, especially demonstrates the effect that Christ has on even the hardest of hearts.

8. The mystery revealed (cf. Ephesians) — that is the acceptance of the Gentiles into the fold. They are the sheep of the other pen.

9. The travels of Paul and his companions and his letters — we see the diffusion of the Gospel, and the creation of many new churches and learn a great deal about Paul.

10. Christ-centered preaching urging Christ-centered living.

11. The unchanging gospel in changing culture (Acts 17). Paul doesn’t change the gospel when dealing with a different culture, and neither should we. I believe that Acts 17 provides a great model in how to contextualize the gospel for a different culture.

12. The abrupt ending of the book of Acts — the point being the work of Christ is not finished. We are to live the mission began by the aposltes, we are a part of the continuing story of Christ. Because we are a part of this redemptive narrative, we are the 29th chapter of the book of Acts.

busy

I have been enjoying a great visit with my parents. They flew in last Wednesday. They will be heading back to Ohio on Wednesday. The next couple of months will be undoubtedly busy with Senior Reception, Camp prep (2 weeks), VBS prep, and getting ready for a flood of new students to enter the youth group.

busy

I have been enjoying a great visit with my parents. They flew in last Wednesday. They will be heading back to Ohio on Wednesday. The next couple of months will be undoubtedly busy with Senior Reception, Camp prep (2 weeks), VBS prep, and getting ready for a flood of new students to enter the youth group.

the blues

LTC was this past weekend. We had about 75 people from our church in Tulsa this past weekend. Overall, this trip was one of the smoothest I have experienced so far. Of course, there were a few minor gliches, but can you travel with that many and really not expect something somewhere to go wrong?

 

One of the big let downs of the weekend was Sunday morning. The convention is over, worship that morning is a celebration. All those many months of hard work and worry are now over. I don’t even know if this is real ailment, but I had a bad case of after event blues. I think I have finally turned the corner on my blue-ness, but it has been a rough couple of days.

 

Do any of you experience the same thing? A big event just sucking the life right of you? I know what I needed to do after the convention was over. I should have immersed myself in prayer, Scripture and meditation, but I didn’t and for that I suffered a few days of being off kilt.

 

"Father of mercy and grace, I need your healing and redemptive touch to break through my heart of stone. Forgive me for my bitterness and dryness. I am sorry. Please help me to do better."

musings on the family

So, I have been making my way through the Harry Potter books. I am enjoying the series. My wife and I are sort of racing, if you will through the books. She is a whole book a head of me. I just began book three this afternoon and she is in the beginning of book four. I will graciously admit defeat.

 

I am continually amazed how much I learn from my oldest daughter. I am worried sometimes about what is she is learning from me. One of things that I feel like I learn daily from havving a two year old running wild through our house is "don’t sweat the small stuff." Sometimes this is easier said than done, but still no doubt it is a much needed reminder. So, what do you call the "small stuff?" I am sure it is different for each person, but here is brief sample of things I’ve encountered that I would call "small stuff:"

 

-food on the floor

-spilled milk or juice

-stains on the carpet

-stains on clothes

-crayon on the television (don’t ask)

-irritability due to a missed nap

 

I do not claim that this list is a definitive list. I know it’s different for each kid and for each family. I must confess, these items are what I would now call small stuff, but at the time I didn’t see it as small stuff.

 

I am learning, that Rachel is reponsive to my body language. She can sense when I am upset, and she is quick with her hugs and her tears. The Scripture that is always on my mind when I am encountered with the small stuff, is "fathers, do not exasperate your children." I know that as parents that we will fail, we’ll have ups and downs, triumphs and let downs, sleepless nights and tears. One thing I know for sure that trancends family history, or economic level is the need for prayer. Parents must be about the business of praying for their children. Pray with them at meals, before bed, and when they experience an obstacle, at school or somewhere else. Our kids need to see us as praying people.

 

The New Year’s resolution that began in April

In high school and all through college I was meticulous about what I ate and worked out six days a week. Graduation in 2001 came, followed by my first real teaching job and so did the weight. I am embarassed but from the May of 2001, I let my self go. So, now 55 pounds later, here I am beginning anew my committment to a better me. Over the last four years I have tried fad diets and was unable to make any headway. But the last two weeks, I am working out again and watching what I eat. I have returned to what I know works. So pray for my discipline.

The Gospel of Judas?

Recently, a 1700 year old manuscript called the Gospel of Judas has been discovered. What is offered in this supposed gospel is a divergent narrative of Judas and his relationship to Jesus. Following is the news link to the article:

 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/04/07/MNGH6I59QF1.DTL

 

Go ahead and check it out.

 

What we read in the Gospel of Judas is an attempt to portray Judas, not as a betrayer but as a secret compatriot, a conspirator with Jesus to bring about his death. There is a statement in the text where Jesus addresses his clothes (physical body) and how Judas’ work will serve to remove the physical to bring about the spiritual. Sounds Gnostic to me.

 

Christians shouldn’t be alarmed at the finding, we should remember from church history that even from the first century there were those that tried to add things to the narrative of Jesus’ life and add practices they deemed necessary to accompany faith in Christ (things such as circumcision, dietary regulations, rules about clergy marrying, etc.).

 

So, what do we do? I think Christians must be about the business of reading Scripture and studying Scripture, culture, and be aware of meshes with the truth and what doesn’t.

warning: dangerous road ahead

Ever had one of those nights, maybe even a year or so in ministry when you new there was a danger lurking out there, somewhere beyond sight, but nevertheless out there somewhere. And when you hit it, you knew it. Driving home tonight from our devotional, I hit a pot-hole in the road. I didn’t really see it. But when we hit, we sure felt it. This is a great descriptor for what happened in our student ministry. I will call these moments or seasons "pot-holes." We all have "pot-hole" ministry moments. I had one this evening.

 

I need not go into specific detail. But, the signs for trouble have been there for awhile. I have seen it brewing. I think in hindsight I could have been more proactive.

 

Despite the hole in the road, and the jarring that accompanies such a surprise. After some cooling down, I left the kids alone for a short time on their own. When I got back to their group, they were singing. Even though there are some issues we will be addressing in our youth ministry,  I was encouraged to hear them singing, and praying without my direction. I think they knew they had pushed me over the edge and the older students were standing up to take the lead. Even though our group isn’t perfect, I wouldn’t trade them for another group.

 

So, what I am asking from ya’ll is how do you handle the "pot-holes" in your ministry? I would like to offer some suggestions and then hear from you:

 

1. prayer has to be essential — I think in moments like these, we have to go to the Father with our hurts and frustrations. If we don’t immerse ourselves in prayer we run the risk of becoming bitter and disenchanted with ministry and with adolescents.

 

2. recognize the source — As soon as I stepped out of the church van, I was bombarded with several issues from some students. Issues I wasn’t aware of or apart of. I was cornered and dumped on. When I confronted the selfish attitudes that permeated the moment, it feel on deaf ears. I noted to recognize the source. I don’t think all issues that arise are just due to the teen years. We musn’t forget we are in engaged in a spiritual battle (Gal. 5:17; cf. Gal. 6).

 

3. don’t give up on the rough ones — We don’t fully recognize the impact we have on young people’s lives. Most days I wonder what in the world I am doing. I ask the question often, "why am I doing this?" I am sure most of us have asked the same question. We must remember youth ministry is a calling, and our competence comes from God  not in our Bible college degrees, or our years in ministry (2 Cor. 3:5). We won’t see immediate results in the lives of our kids. We will see some results, sometimes. Each student is different.

 

4. youth ministry is tough — Many of us our underpaid, work long hours, and go underappreciated. To this I would say "welcome to the crazy, upside down world of youth ministry." When we recognize how ill equipped we are to minister in our own strength we have arrived in a welcome place. A place where we are able to focus, not on ourselves, but on Christ. I am convinced that it is the norm to be beaten up emotionally, to carry the burdens of our teens and families, and to question our calling and our impact. Don’t misunderstand, I am not advocating self-depreciation here. I think to many youth ministers fall into the trap of thinking that they are God’s gift to youth ministry. If we think we are the gift, we will totally miss the greatest gift: a relationship with Christ and sharing that with students.

 

5. don’t forget to take time for you and your family — In this crazy world of youth ministry we need to spend quality time with our wives and children. They need to interact with us in a lot of settings outside of church related events. We need our family. Also, in taking time for ourselves, don’t forget to exercise and eat well. We tell our youth group all the time not to fill their minds with the junk food of our culture. Why should we fill our bodies with junk too?

this is my daddy

I had a moment the other day as a parent where your heart leaps for joy. My oldest was playing with some other kids at the church and I walked down the hallway to see what they were up to. When I got to where they were playing, Rachel ran to me and when I stooped down, flung her arms around my neck and hugged me. This would have been enough to have made my day, but then she turned towards her new little friends and introduced them to her daddy.

 

For a moment  I was a celebrity in her eyes. I wasn’t just the youth minister or Jennifer’s husband. I was her "daddy." None of the other children could claim the same for me.

 

There is a moment in our walk with Christ, a moment we all long for when instead of us introducing our Father, He introduces us. I am reminded of the prodigal son returning home. The son knew the father as his last chance. The father knew the son as a son, a beloved lost son. The father waits his son return and when that day comes when the form a man can be seen in the distance, the father runs to meet his wayward son. There is no condemnation that day. The son doesn’t demand to accepted back into the family. In his thinking he had lost his son-status. Maybe, his father would allow him to come back home and be like on of the hired hands. But to the father, the son’s status never changes. He is first and foremost his son. And when he tells the servants to bring the new robe, the ring and a fattened calf he tells the servant that these things were for his son.

 

There is sort of an introduction here, a reintroduction that takes place. Later on in the text, the father notes that this son of mine was dead, but is alive again; he was lost and is now found (Lk. 15:32).

 

Have you been introduced by the Father? What do you need today to hear the Father’s voice say, "this is my son, whom I love. With him I am well pleased?"