Be Proactive

Last night the students discussed spiritual dyslexia. You know, when you hear the voice of God and you know what to do but it somehow does not connect with your brain. We sit idly by and let sin creep up on us. A few years back, I wrote an article about some things we can do to get back on track:

“This is for all of you out there that are in school-junior or high. Be Proactive! Have you heard the old adage “Idle hands are the Devil’s playground/workshop”? As silly as that sounds, it is very dangerously true. There is a higher likelihood for you to get into trouble from the time that school ends and the time that your parents get home from work than any other time. That window is the one we all need to look out for. You’ve got to find something healthy to occupy your time.

A young girl approached me about a struggle she and her boyfriend were having. They just kept moving to the next level. This was during a time when the parents were at work or away from the home. I wish that I had told her what I am writing now: Be Proactive! If you are fully involved with a hobby or game your mind will be less prone to wander to the darker areas.

So what can you do to fill that time? Here is a small list that should help:
1. Exercise/Lift weights (It is great for your body)
2. Develop interests or hobbies (Like collecting, fishing, hunting, sewing, cooking…)
3. Play games (Xbox, PS3, Cards, Cranium, Scene It…)
4. Read (It is great for your mind)
5. Study (Oh I know that this one sounds boring but it is a great way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone: Pass the time and improve your grades.)

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to finding things to occupy body and mind. If you start with this list and build your own then you are on the right track for staying out of trouble and keeping healthy.”

Prayer

My friend, Jeff Bearden, needs your prayers. Doctors have found several masses in his stomach and they are operating on him today. I ask that you pray for him right now. No matter where you are or what you are doing, please stop and lift Jeff and his family up to the throne of God.

James writes in his letter that the ‘prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.’

One of my favorite scholars on prayer, E.M. Bounds, states this about it: “Prayer is no fitful, short-lived thing. It is no voice crying unheard and unheeded in the silence. It is a voice that goes into God’s ear, and it lives as long as God’s ear is open to holy pleas, as long as God’s heart is alive to holy things.”

I believe that God is open to our pleas and alive to our spiritual needs and desires.  I believe that we have such a power in prayer that is unparalleled in this world. Would that we take hold of that power more often!

Well Fed

No one would ever question if I was well fed or not. That just wouldn’t happen. I like desserts. I like meat. I like cheese and bread. I like it all. And lately it’s showing a bit too much.

I am well fed!

But I want to talk about a different kind of food today. I want to talk about spiritual food.

Earlier this week (Monday-Wednesday to be precise) I was able to sit alongside my good buddies Jim Gardner, Jason Reeves, Allan Stanglin and Toney Stowers at the feet of the masters. Masters like Jim Martin, Jim Reynolds, Rubel Shelly and Paul Watson. Men who have great experience in sharpening other men. Ministers who other ministers seek out for advice and counsel.

They shared fresh insight about ministering to those in ministry through II Corinthians, the Old Testament as a story, a new way to approach Jesus’ sermon on the mount, and ministry to those in exile from Ezekiel. What a feast!!

I learned so much this week. Much that I hope to share in the near future with the families and students who surround me in my ministry here in Benton.

Each of my future blogs will be shared on Facebook, as well.

Marriage Quote of the Day

“If a man truly wants his wife to grow and the marriage to be strengthened, he should be the example of what he wants to see in her before saying anything to her.” (Garey and Norma Smalley)

Quote of the Day

“Go the first mile and the world sees you.  Go the extra mile and the world sees Jesus.” – Fernando Toledo

A Passionate Longing

“Some years into our spiritual journey, after the waves of anticipation that mark the beginning of any pilgrimage have begun to ebb into life’s middle years of service and busyness, a voice speaks to us in the midst of all we are doing. There is something missing in all of this, it suggests. There is something more.

The voice often comes in the middle of the night or the early hours of morning, when our hearts are most unedited or vulnerable. At first, we mistake the source of this voice and assume it is just our imagination. We fluff up our pillow, roll over, and go back to sleep. Days, weeks, even months go by and the voice speaks to us again: Aren’t you thirsty? Listen to your heart. There is something missing.”

And with these first 2 paragraphs, Brent Curtis and John Eldredge begin a journey to draw closer to the heart of God in their book, The Sacred Romance. And just these beginning thoughts pricked me to the very core. I don’t know where you are on your spiritual journey today, but this intro caught me off guard. It spoke to what has been happening in me as of late.

I have felt the same tug in the middle of the night.

I have cried at the weakness of my own spirituality.

My relationship with God has been lacking. And God’s not to blame. He is right where He’s always been. I am the one who’s moved. I have grown far too comfortable with my life and my things here on earth.

I want to get back to my ‘first love!’

I want the joy that I first felt.

The passion and the energy to grow within myself and reach out to others in world changing ways.

Where has it all gone?

If you have struggled with this, tell me, what brings you closer to God?  Prayer?  Study?  Fellowship?  Whatever it may be, use it. Run with it.  Take full advantage of it.  Let’s reignite that passionate longing within ourselves!

I’m OK, You’re an Idiot: Working Well with People You Don’t Like

My good buddy Gary Garner sent me this the other day and I thought it only appropriate to share. Not that I work with idiots here at Northside.  More like others have to adapt to work with people like me!!  I truly thought it was something that we could use in any circumstance where we have to be around so many people with different takes on how to get things done.  Looking at it from a perspective of one living among the community of God helps as well.

“People are stressed, and maybe that’s it, but when we’re moving quickly we do not want to be around people who aren’t moving the same way we are. Learn to identify and adapt to not only different behavioral styles but also different workplace motivations. Identify the characteristics you are repelled by and learn how to react more effectively. Based on materials taken from Lou Russell’s book “Leadership Training”, you will learn how to:

-Identify your own strengths and blind spots.

-Prioritize what is important to you in terms of work.

-Identify the strengths, blind spots and motivators of others who are difficult.

-Adapt temporarily to build collaboration with people when you’d rather not.”

Yesterday

I am so excited about yesterday!  With over 470 in attendance, the singing was out of this world.  Having Dale Mannon back for a 25 year reunion was an excellent thing as well!  I just long for the day that we have one service again!!  You can’t beat that experience.  Anyone out there feeling me?

We have so many new young couples and young families joining us that the name tags helped me out.  I do believe that there is some behind the scenes work on putting a new directory together because we are growing so fast.

Nothing about this new year has been a let down for God’s kingdom here in Benton, Arkansas!!

New Blog For A New Year

Welcome to my new blog home.  I have been tweaking this thing  for a little bit every now and then since mid-December. I will attempt to blog every day about something related to youth and family ministry.  This is already a great new year for the ministry at Northside and I can’t wait to see what happens in the days to come.

Jim Gardner, my friend and colleague of many years and 3 congregations, has joined the staff here at Northside and I know that God will do great things through him in the church and community.  He brings us to 5.  That’s 5 great, hardworking men in one place.  The Dream Team!  Just lay your eyes on this amazing ministry medley: Jim Gardner’s silver tongue and vision, Mike Knappier’s passion and tireless energy, Joel Lewis’ grace and peace, Fernando Toledo’s teambuilding prowess and conviction added in with my “je ne sais quoi.” Immovable Objects beware this Unstoppable Force because here we come!

This weekend, all of the minsters, elders and their wives will be getting away for a special retreat to cast a vision for Northside.  I look forward with great anticipation to this time of bonding with our leaders.  Please keep us in your prayers as we study together, discuss goals and pray for the spiritual/physical health of each member.  If you have any special requests for us while we are doing this, please email me or comment here.

Black Friday Girls