Relationships are at the core of our identity as human beings. Without relationships, it is hard to imagine what our existence would be like.
Whether it’s family, friends, or those we date and marry, much of what happens in our life is determined by friendships. And the best friendships occur when we live lives that are filled with and controlled by the Spirit. Who wouldn’t want to have relationships filled with the following traits?
Love.
Joy.
Peace.
Patience.
Kindness.
Goodness.
Faithfulness.
Gentleness.
Self-control.
So, ultimately, our relationships are the best when we are in relationship with God. In Romans 8:5-6, Paul writes…
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
We can choose to have relationships full of life and peace, if we live according to the Spirit. What does that mean? It means we submit to God’s will. We allow the Holy Spirit and the word of God to shape who we are. What if we don’t? Then imagine relationships full of the following: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. (Galatians 5:19-21)
We can ultimately decide what our relationships are like by what we allow to shape us. If we want to have relationships that bring wholeness, peace, and fulfillment, let the Spirit fill and lead you.
shine!
Jason
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Have you been with Jesus?
This week our students start a yearlong journey through the Gospel of Luke. I am excited to see what we will experience and learn about Jesus throughout the next year.
My experience has taught me that some Christians know the Bible well and others not as well. But even for those who know the Bible fairly well, there are many who may not know Jesus very well.
One of the main purposes of spending a year in Luke is to get to know Jesus better. In his follow up to his gospel, Luke says the following about Peter and John:
The officials were amazed to see how brave Peter and John were, and they knew that these two apostles were only ordinary men and not well educated. The officials were certain that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
The officials weren’t amazed because of the Peter and John’s education. It wasn’t because there was something special about them. As a matter of fact, it was their ordinary nature that made their bravery so unique.
Imagine how much different we might act if we knew Jesus. Obviously, we can have the same experience as Peter and John, but there are four accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry to help us better understand who this Jesus really was. By spending a year traveling with Jesus from birth through the resurrection, we are hoping to get a better glimpse of the man from Nazareth.
Here is how Luke opens his account of the Life of Jesus Christ:
Many people have tried to tell the story of what God has done among us. They wrote what we had been told by the ones who were there in the beginning and saw what happened. So I made a careful study of everything and then decided to write and tell you exactly what took place. Honorable Theophilus, I have done this to let you know the truth about what you have heard. (Luke 1:1-4)
My prayer is that this year, we can join Jesus through the words of the gospel of Luke. Hopefully we can walk alongside Him and see people the way He does. Then maybe people can say about us that we have been with Jesus.
shine!
Jason
My experience has taught me that some Christians know the Bible well and others not as well. But even for those who know the Bible fairly well, there are many who may not know Jesus very well.
One of the main purposes of spending a year in Luke is to get to know Jesus better. In his follow up to his gospel, Luke says the following about Peter and John:
The officials were amazed to see how brave Peter and John were, and they knew that these two apostles were only ordinary men and not well educated. The officials were certain that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
The officials weren’t amazed because of the Peter and John’s education. It wasn’t because there was something special about them. As a matter of fact, it was their ordinary nature that made their bravery so unique.
Imagine how much different we might act if we knew Jesus. Obviously, we can have the same experience as Peter and John, but there are four accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry to help us better understand who this Jesus really was. By spending a year traveling with Jesus from birth through the resurrection, we are hoping to get a better glimpse of the man from Nazareth.
Here is how Luke opens his account of the Life of Jesus Christ:
Many people have tried to tell the story of what God has done among us. They wrote what we had been told by the ones who were there in the beginning and saw what happened. So I made a careful study of everything and then decided to write and tell you exactly what took place. Honorable Theophilus, I have done this to let you know the truth about what you have heard. (Luke 1:1-4)
My prayer is that this year, we can join Jesus through the words of the gospel of Luke. Hopefully we can walk alongside Him and see people the way He does. Then maybe people can say about us that we have been with Jesus.
shine!
Jason
Friday, September 18, 2009
Lord, save me from myself
There is a sign hanging in my office that I made early in my ministry. It reads as follows...
I have to admit that for the better part of the last ten years, this sign has been more of a decoration than a description of my life. If I were to remake the sign according to the reality of how I have lived, it would read like this...
Yes, I intended to list ministry twice, because that's more like the way it has been. I have allowed ministry to define me, shape me, and give me much of my identity.
I have gotten it all wrong.
Over the last several weeks I have listened to God in my life like I never have before. I have a long way to go, but I believe that God has been trying to speak boldly into my noisy life. Here is what I think he is trying to say:
Repent of your "savior complex" and let me (God) be God. For too long, you have been trying to be the savior. You have tried to do what only I can do.
Repent of your primary identity as a youth minister. Youth ministry is a calling, not an identity. Your identity is as a human being, one created in my image.
Repent of your need for affirmation from people. Affirmation from others is good and necessary, but your first source of love and affirmation should be from me. I created you. I know you. I saved you. I was there when you were created and I will be there when you die. I will never fail you. I will never just tell you what you want to hear.
Repent of your misguided priorities. After your relationship with me is your relationship with your wife. I have made you one flesh. You dedicated your life to this woman. Return to the vows that you made and make her the top human relationship in your life. Stop being distracted at home. Give her your attention. Your second most important relationship is with your son. Molding and shaping his image of me and of the world starts with you. Show him he is more important than everyone else except your wife. Make time for him.
Repent of your busyness. There is nothing wrong with working hard, but make time to be quiet. Make time for rest. I included the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments for reason. You must make time to recharge.
Father, forgive me for neglecting our relationship. I have tried to sit on your throne for too long and it is wearing me out. Save me from my selfishness and desire to seek my ultimate fulfillment from anywhere other than you. I have let important relationships suffer because of my own selfish desires. I have permitted my calling to become my identity, and in the process, I have sometimes forgotten who and what that calling is about.
Father, forgive me for allowing my ministry to distract me from being a better husband and a better father. Save me from my desire to receive the praise of men before your praise. Help me to see that when my relationship with you is stronger and my relationships at home are stronger that I can be a better servant of yours.
Father, forgive me for all of the times in the past I have gotten lost along the way. Thank you for your years of patience as you watched me struggle along. Thank you for speaking to me, even when I wasn't listening. Thank for you giving me a wife with supreme patience and a heart of gold. Thank you for giving me a son who loves me, even when I am not as attentive as I should be. Lord, thank you for loving me, even when I frustrate you and let you down. Save me from myself so that I can be more whole.
My Priorities:
1) My God
2) My Wife
3) My Family
4) My Ministry
I have to admit that for the better part of the last ten years, this sign has been more of a decoration than a description of my life. If I were to remake the sign according to the reality of how I have lived, it would read like this...
My Priorities
1) My Ministry
2) My Ministry
3) My Wife
4) My Family
5) My God
Yes, I intended to list ministry twice, because that's more like the way it has been. I have allowed ministry to define me, shape me, and give me much of my identity.
I have gotten it all wrong.
Over the last several weeks I have listened to God in my life like I never have before. I have a long way to go, but I believe that God has been trying to speak boldly into my noisy life. Here is what I think he is trying to say:
Repent of your "savior complex" and let me (God) be God. For too long, you have been trying to be the savior. You have tried to do what only I can do.
Repent of your primary identity as a youth minister. Youth ministry is a calling, not an identity. Your identity is as a human being, one created in my image.
Repent of your need for affirmation from people. Affirmation from others is good and necessary, but your first source of love and affirmation should be from me. I created you. I know you. I saved you. I was there when you were created and I will be there when you die. I will never fail you. I will never just tell you what you want to hear.
Repent of your misguided priorities. After your relationship with me is your relationship with your wife. I have made you one flesh. You dedicated your life to this woman. Return to the vows that you made and make her the top human relationship in your life. Stop being distracted at home. Give her your attention. Your second most important relationship is with your son. Molding and shaping his image of me and of the world starts with you. Show him he is more important than everyone else except your wife. Make time for him.
Repent of your busyness. There is nothing wrong with working hard, but make time to be quiet. Make time for rest. I included the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments for reason. You must make time to recharge.
Father, forgive me for neglecting our relationship. I have tried to sit on your throne for too long and it is wearing me out. Save me from my selfishness and desire to seek my ultimate fulfillment from anywhere other than you. I have let important relationships suffer because of my own selfish desires. I have permitted my calling to become my identity, and in the process, I have sometimes forgotten who and what that calling is about.
Father, forgive me for allowing my ministry to distract me from being a better husband and a better father. Save me from my desire to receive the praise of men before your praise. Help me to see that when my relationship with you is stronger and my relationships at home are stronger that I can be a better servant of yours.
Father, forgive me for all of the times in the past I have gotten lost along the way. Thank you for your years of patience as you watched me struggle along. Thank you for speaking to me, even when I wasn't listening. Thank for you giving me a wife with supreme patience and a heart of gold. Thank you for giving me a son who loves me, even when I am not as attentive as I should be. Lord, thank you for loving me, even when I frustrate you and let you down. Save me from myself so that I can be more whole.
Monday, September 14, 2009
What's the big deal about Kanye's stunt?
I have to admit, I am pretty culturally clueless much of the time. Well, maybe that is a bit extreme, but I don't spend a lot of time keeping up with celebrities and popular culture. When I am in line at Wal-Mart, I often look at People or Us and wonder who these people are on the cover.
I say that to set the stage for what I am about to talk about. I have been intrigued over the last twelve hours or so to hear about what Kanye West did last night at the MTV Video Music Awards. Honestly, if it wasn't for every third or fourth Facebook status mentioning it, I would have probably never known what happened. But, since everyone seems to be talking about it, I thought maybe I should do a little research. (Side note: I have been trying over the last couple of weeks to be more intentional about having some clue about pop culture without spending too much time in that world.)
Well, first, I watched what happened. I have to admit that I thought it was pretty rude. Here is this young woman who just won an award and some other guy comes up on the stage, interrupts what she is saying, and basically insults her by saying someone else should have won.
After I watched the video, I reflected on what people were saying (primarily via FB statuses). I saw people really getting down on Kanye for his behavior, his attitude, and his apparent intoxication at some level.
Well, in the spirit of research, I invested a little time this afternoon watching all of the videos that won awards - or at least the ones on the MTV website. Before I get to my point, I have to say I was intrigued by the artistry some of the artists displayed in their videos and music (Whether I agree and appreciate the lyrics and messages or not).
As I reflected on the videos I just watched and then thought back to the Kanye incident, what's the big deal about what he did? Seriously.
I watched videos where women paraded themselves around as sex objects, sang about the sexualization of their bodies, and engaged in movements and actions that hinted (sometimes not very subtly) at sexual activity. I watched one video where Britney Spears is in a sauna naked (with carefully concealed breasts) singing a song that includes the following lyrics:
Does anyone else see the irony in her displaying her body in a way that displays her as a sexual object while deriding a man for treating her like one? (To be fair, maybe Britney intended this irony. But it seems to me that she undermines her point even if that is her intent.)
Ok, so back to where we started. When videos are being shown that could be considered soft pornography and men and women sing about women as sexual objects, what's the big deal about what Kanye did? When musicians are using their craft to teach our culture - especially young minds which are still forming their value systems - that women should use their bodies to get what they want and men should use women's bodies to get what they want, what's the big deal about what Kanye did?
Sure, we should be offended that Kanye interrupted Taylor Swift's moment in the spotlight. But shouldn't we be more concerned about the messages that are shaping our culture's approach to the way we view our bodies and how we live as people created in the image of the Creator?
shine!
Jason
I say that to set the stage for what I am about to talk about. I have been intrigued over the last twelve hours or so to hear about what Kanye West did last night at the MTV Video Music Awards. Honestly, if it wasn't for every third or fourth Facebook status mentioning it, I would have probably never known what happened. But, since everyone seems to be talking about it, I thought maybe I should do a little research. (Side note: I have been trying over the last couple of weeks to be more intentional about having some clue about pop culture without spending too much time in that world.)
Well, first, I watched what happened. I have to admit that I thought it was pretty rude. Here is this young woman who just won an award and some other guy comes up on the stage, interrupts what she is saying, and basically insults her by saying someone else should have won.
After I watched the video, I reflected on what people were saying (primarily via FB statuses). I saw people really getting down on Kanye for his behavior, his attitude, and his apparent intoxication at some level.
Well, in the spirit of research, I invested a little time this afternoon watching all of the videos that won awards - or at least the ones on the MTV website. Before I get to my point, I have to say I was intrigued by the artistry some of the artists displayed in their videos and music (Whether I agree and appreciate the lyrics and messages or not).
As I reflected on the videos I just watched and then thought back to the Kanye incident, what's the big deal about what he did? Seriously.
I watched videos where women paraded themselves around as sex objects, sang about the sexualization of their bodies, and engaged in movements and actions that hinted (sometimes not very subtly) at sexual activity. I watched one video where Britney Spears is in a sauna naked (with carefully concealed breasts) singing a song that includes the following lyrics:
Womanizer
Woman-Womanizer
You're a womanizer
Oh Womanizer
Oh You're a Womanizer Baby
You, You You Are
You, You You Are
Womanizer, Womanizer, Womanizer
Does anyone else see the irony in her displaying her body in a way that displays her as a sexual object while deriding a man for treating her like one? (To be fair, maybe Britney intended this irony. But it seems to me that she undermines her point even if that is her intent.)
Ok, so back to where we started. When videos are being shown that could be considered soft pornography and men and women sing about women as sexual objects, what's the big deal about what Kanye did? When musicians are using their craft to teach our culture - especially young minds which are still forming their value systems - that women should use their bodies to get what they want and men should use women's bodies to get what they want, what's the big deal about what Kanye did?
Sure, we should be offended that Kanye interrupted Taylor Swift's moment in the spotlight. But shouldn't we be more concerned about the messages that are shaping our culture's approach to the way we view our bodies and how we live as people created in the image of the Creator?
shine!
Jason
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Community
Why are so many people of all ages getting into Facebook? I am convinced one of the reasons is because they crave community. In a day and age where families (aunts, uncles, grandparents, and even adult children) are spread all over the country, we are starving for a place to belong.
For most of history, families were in the same community and often the same house. Today, that is no longer the case. As we become more and more of a transient society, the hunger for connection becomes even more acute.
So how do we respond to this need as followers of Jesus? In a word… community! Our theme for the 2009-2010 year in the ARISE Ministry is COMMUNITY. The focus of our events, activities, and ministries will be designed around this theme.
Last year’s theme, “Arise,” helped us develop an understanding of a life of service. From the 40 Hours of Service, to the drive for 2009 hours of service, to monthly service time at God’s Helping Hands, to the 30 Hour Famine, we were very intentional in creating venues and motivation to integrate serving into our lives. We even adopted ARISE as the new name of our ministry because it became a focus to get outside of ourselves, let our let shine, and rise to face the challenges God has put before us.
This year, as we strive to create stronger community, we will engage five areas of community: God, youth, families, church, and world. God is community. In the Trinity, we see Father, Son, and Spirit living as three persons in absolutely unity. God said, “Let us make humankind in our image.” (Genesis 1:26, emphasis mine) Our identity and primary community call us into relationship with the Trinity, the perfect community of the Creator. This will occur through a variety of avenues, including, but not limited to, a more intentional interaction with the Scriptures, times of reflection, and a call to prayer.
Beyond that, our students will have ways to experience community with one another in small groups and a variety of events.
While peer interaction for teens is important, there is a crucial need for students to connect with parents and other age groups in the church. We will be seeking ways for families to grow closer together and imagining new ways to bridge the gaps between generations, from children all the way up to senior citizens.
Finally, if we are true to our calling, we must find ways to engage the world. When we are “being rooted and grounded in [God’s] love,” (Ephesians 1:17) we can build community with all who share in the common heritage of being children of Adam and Eve. God made us for community with all who are created in their image.
shine!
Jason
For most of history, families were in the same community and often the same house. Today, that is no longer the case. As we become more and more of a transient society, the hunger for connection becomes even more acute.
So how do we respond to this need as followers of Jesus? In a word… community! Our theme for the 2009-2010 year in the ARISE Ministry is COMMUNITY. The focus of our events, activities, and ministries will be designed around this theme.
Last year’s theme, “Arise,” helped us develop an understanding of a life of service. From the 40 Hours of Service, to the drive for 2009 hours of service, to monthly service time at God’s Helping Hands, to the 30 Hour Famine, we were very intentional in creating venues and motivation to integrate serving into our lives. We even adopted ARISE as the new name of our ministry because it became a focus to get outside of ourselves, let our let shine, and rise to face the challenges God has put before us.
This year, as we strive to create stronger community, we will engage five areas of community: God, youth, families, church, and world. God is community. In the Trinity, we see Father, Son, and Spirit living as three persons in absolutely unity. God said, “Let us make humankind in our image.” (Genesis 1:26, emphasis mine) Our identity and primary community call us into relationship with the Trinity, the perfect community of the Creator. This will occur through a variety of avenues, including, but not limited to, a more intentional interaction with the Scriptures, times of reflection, and a call to prayer.
Beyond that, our students will have ways to experience community with one another in small groups and a variety of events.
While peer interaction for teens is important, there is a crucial need for students to connect with parents and other age groups in the church. We will be seeking ways for families to grow closer together and imagining new ways to bridge the gaps between generations, from children all the way up to senior citizens.
Finally, if we are true to our calling, we must find ways to engage the world. When we are “being rooted and grounded in [God’s] love,” (Ephesians 1:17) we can build community with all who share in the common heritage of being children of Adam and Eve. God made us for community with all who are created in their image.
shine!
Jason
Monday, September 07, 2009
God's ongoing story
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the present that we fail to learn from our past or dream about the future. Others either become trapped by their past or consumed by the future.
I believe God calls us to a healthy combination of past, present, and future. In the community of the Trinity we see how God wants to be involved in every moment of our life.
In the Father, we find that all in the past has brought us to a particular moment. Through His dream we were created. Our past is a place where the Father looks to teach us. It is a place where we can look to find wisdom. We should look at failure not as a place of ending, but rather as a place of beginning. Through our past, especially mistakes, the Father is the anchor that shows us grace and mercy.
The Holy Spirit is always seeking to break the future into the present. It is through the Spirit that God moves and acts towards God’s preferred future. It is through the action of the Spirit that God’s dreams – not ours – take shape.
The Son is where the past and future come together. It is through the incarnation that God’s past and God’s future meet. The Father, who has been our Rock and our Refuge, provides a launching pad of sorts. We are able to look back into our past and ask questions like, “What is God teaching us?” We can ask those questions without fear, but rather with hope, because of the Father.
This frees us to be open to the leading of the Spirit into the future. We are able to ask God what His dreams are. What is it that God is calling us to? It is important to remember that God’s dreams are bigger than any one person’s past or future. We are a community that God is calling together into the unity of the Spirit.
The lessons of the past and the dreams of the future find themselves meeting in the present. While Christ serves as the perfect embodiment of God’s present, each of us is called to continue living as this embodiment. We are not individuals seeking personal salvation. Rather we are part of a living, breathing organism known as the body of Christ. We are each a part of God’s dream for this world. We are invited by God to join in His dreams and to hear His voice.
The abundant life Christ speaks of in John 10 is not something He simply spoke about. He lived it out and was the ultimate illustration of how it looks when God’s past and future come together to live in the present.
shine!
Jason
I believe God calls us to a healthy combination of past, present, and future. In the community of the Trinity we see how God wants to be involved in every moment of our life.
In the Father, we find that all in the past has brought us to a particular moment. Through His dream we were created. Our past is a place where the Father looks to teach us. It is a place where we can look to find wisdom. We should look at failure not as a place of ending, but rather as a place of beginning. Through our past, especially mistakes, the Father is the anchor that shows us grace and mercy.
The Holy Spirit is always seeking to break the future into the present. It is through the Spirit that God moves and acts towards God’s preferred future. It is through the action of the Spirit that God’s dreams – not ours – take shape.
The Son is where the past and future come together. It is through the incarnation that God’s past and God’s future meet. The Father, who has been our Rock and our Refuge, provides a launching pad of sorts. We are able to look back into our past and ask questions like, “What is God teaching us?” We can ask those questions without fear, but rather with hope, because of the Father.
This frees us to be open to the leading of the Spirit into the future. We are able to ask God what His dreams are. What is it that God is calling us to? It is important to remember that God’s dreams are bigger than any one person’s past or future. We are a community that God is calling together into the unity of the Spirit.
The lessons of the past and the dreams of the future find themselves meeting in the present. While Christ serves as the perfect embodiment of God’s present, each of us is called to continue living as this embodiment. We are not individuals seeking personal salvation. Rather we are part of a living, breathing organism known as the body of Christ. We are each a part of God’s dream for this world. We are invited by God to join in His dreams and to hear His voice.
The abundant life Christ speaks of in John 10 is not something He simply spoke about. He lived it out and was the ultimate illustration of how it looks when God’s past and future come together to live in the present.
shine!
Jason
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