Enjoy the ride!

This week was our annual “Destination Unknown” trip. For this year’s adventure, we traveled to Muskegon, Michigan, and Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park.

This is the first time Matthew has been to an amusement park since he has been tall enough to ride the big rides.

As soon as we got to the park, Matthew saw Shivering Timbers and wanted to ride. This is the tallest roller coaster in the park and is also a wooden coaster.

I wanted to warm up a bit and enjoy some other parts of the park, so we went to the Corkscrew and some other smaller rides. We also spent some time in the water park where Matthew was able to splash around.

In the water park, Matthew decided he wanted to go on a slide. I am not talking about the little ones either. This was a long, enclosed tunnel. After Matthew and I discussed the slide so I knew he knew what he was getting into, he was off. He grabbed a tube and headed up the stairs to the top.

So here I am, a fairly typical parent of a 7-year-old, waiting at the bottom for him to emerge. It seemed like it took forever, but finally he came flying out of a tunnel. He loved it and wanted to go again. But we decided to take a pass on the return trip up the slide and ventured off to other areas of the park.

A little later we found ourselves in line for Shivering Timbers. Matthew was so excited, but I wondered if he had any idea what he was really about to experience. As the line in front of us continued to shrink, Matthew became more and more excited.

Finally, it was our turn. Michelle, riding behind us, was the nervous mom. I was the excited dad. As we headed up the first hill, Matthew’s anticipation kept increasing.

Then we went over the first hill and Matthew was grinning ear to ear. He enjoyed the whole ride. It was a combination of fear and excitement. But when it was all over, all Matthew could say is “again!”

When we wholeheartedly follow Jesus, it can be like a roller coaster ride. There are times that are scary and exhilarating. It has it’s up and downs.

I find it ironic that in a youth culture where so many teens want to be risky and daring, they shy away from the adventure of following Jesus. Maybe it’s because we have turned discipleship into attending church and being “good people.” Following Jesus is not a stroll in the park or a kiddie ride. It is the hardcore adventure of following Jesus wherever He leads. Jump in, strap in, and enjoy the ride!

shine!
Jason

Where is God?

I'm not going to share all the details, but I received a lengthy email from a student last week. After sharing some struggles and frustrations, this was the end of the email:

but jason... does prayer really work? is god really there? does he care that i am hurting?

After reflecting on the questions, I tried to answer the questions as well as I could. I am sure my answers are not complete, but I wanted to share what I said, because I have received similar questions from other students as well. (NOTE: I have permission from the student to post the questions and my response.) Here is what I said...

You asked some really challenging and important questions in your email the other day. I don't have all of the answers, but I will do my best to help you with them.

God absolutely cares that you are hurting. I believe it hurts him to see you in pain. He created you. He knows you. He loves you.

One of the biggest struggles in life to try to understand how God can love us, yet all of these bad things happen to us. As I work with so many teenagers (and adults) who struggle with addictions, pain, anger, and many other emotions and challenges, I ask the same questions you do sometimes.

One of the things I have come to realize is that God's primary objective is not to take everyone's pain away. Now that may seem weird to think that He loves us and doesn't want to make the world perfect for us. But here is what I believe is one of the core issues at hand.

God created each of us, all humans, with the ability to make choices. God wanted people to love Him not because they were forced or programmed to, but because they honestly wanted to. So you, me, and everyone else has the freedom to choose to love God or not. That also means we have the freedom to choose how we treat other human beings as well.

Let me change directions for a minute and talk about sin. (This is related to what I said above, but goes in a little different direction.) I think a lot of people have a misconception of sin. They think it's some list of fun things that God doesn't want us to do. I think that is far from the truth. Sure, a lot of times sin is fun. But it's often fun because it is the shortcut to something even better - true joy.

Sin is when we function in a way that is different than the way God intended for us to function. I'll give an example that is very practical.

A lot of people ask me what's so bad about premarital sex. They love each other and they want to express it that way. They wonder why God wants to deprive them of that. Fair question.

The more that people study the physical side of sex, I believe that God's answer makes more and more sense. When you have sex with someone it releases a chemical that creates a strong emotional bond with that person in your brain. So when God talks about two becoming one, it's not just a physical thing; it's so much more.

God designed sex to be more than just something that feels good. It is a vital part of our design that emotionally connects us to the one person we are married to. It it intended to strengthen the bonds of marriage.

But when people have sexual partners before marriage, it actually weakens the bond. Something that God created to keep families together, when used improperly, actually creates a scenario where families are even less likely to stay together. It is meant to be something we share with one person we have already committed to in marriage.

I hope that makes sense and gives you an idea of what I mean.

So back to your questions about your hurt, prayer, and God's presence. Yes, God desperately wants you to not hurt. But you are in a world where people around you have the freedom to choose. That means they can choose to hurt you. They can hurt you physically and emotionally. And I sense that is exactly what has happened to you. I know you likely feel alone. You feel like no one cares. You even wonder where God is. You are not alone. Read the words of David, a man who was called "a man after God's own heart."

Psalm 13
For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have
defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.

David was hurting. He felt deserted by God. But he also realized that God's presence did not change because of His feelings. His feelings were real and significant, but God was still present.

Yes, prayer really works. But, prayer is not just asking God for what we want. Because of the freedom He has given us, He can't just control every person and situation around us. But I do believe He is at work among us. (Maybe this email is an answer to your prayer.)

God is not just a genie and prayer is not just a wish list. Yes, God wants us to ask Him and seek Him, but He will not always answer the way we want Him to. He works in strange and mysterious ways at times.

And here is the really hard thing I have come to learn over time. Prayer is not primarily about us changing God's mind. It's about God changing us. When we approach prayer not as a Christmas list of what we want, but as an honest dialogue with God, we will often be changed.

Prayer can be a time to cry out to God. To tell him our hurts. To share our shame. To scream out in pain. We can even share our doubts and our fears. Think about the Psalm you just read. Here is David, a "hero" of the Old Testament, asking God, "How long will you forget me?"

God is big enough to handle our doubts, anger, and fears. He wants us to be honest with Him. He wants us to reveal our true emotions and pour out our heart to Him.

I don't know if this helps or answers any of your questions, but it is some of what I have learned on my journey so far.

I know you are hurting and feel alone in this. You aren't. God is with you, even when it feels like He's not. Embrace Him. Continue talking to Him. And know that He is seeking ways to help you.

shine!
Jason

Skin

Skin.

Why is our culture fascinated with showing so much of it?

I was reminded of this today when I went to sign in to my MySpace account and had to deal with a picture of the Pussycat Dolls. The image that appeared on my computer screen looked more like something I would see in a Victoria Secret’s catalogue or an adult magazine.

Unfortunately, we have become somewhat numb to the sexualization of our culture. We often think nothing of seeing a young girl dressed in so little clothes that the slightest wrong move could reveal the color of her undergarments.

When I go to the mall, I realize that this is a real struggle. Clothing stores don’t help us in our battle. Sex sells. Girls want attention. Boys give attention to girls who dress “sexy.”

But we are called to be different. We are called to be pure. And that means more than avoiding sexual intercourse. Jesus said, “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) It’s not just about our physical purity; it’s also about emotional and spiritual purity.

And even if you are not tempted in that way, you have a responsibility to others to consider how you appear. Jesus also said, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves!” (Luke 17:1-3)

Let’s agree as a community of believers to do everything in our power to avoid temptation. Maybe that’s the way you look at members of the opposite sex. Maybe it’s the way you appear to members of the opposite sex.

You may need to change your wardrobe. It may require you to change your entertainment choices. Regardless of what it takes, let’s make a serious effort to live out the words that Paul wrote to Timothy: “Treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.” (1 Timothy 5:2)

Girls, don’t make it harder for guys to treat you with purity.

Guys, don’t engage in conversations that treat women more as objects than human beings.

Let’s all work together to treat one another as the sons and daughters of the King that we are.

shine!
Jason

Tony Snow and facing death

Tony Snow, former White House Press Secretary, conservative columnist, FoxNews host, and man of many other roles and talents, died last weekend after a battle with cancer. Christianity Today had recently interviewed Tony about his experiences dealing with cancer and facing death. I encourage you to read this profound interview.

CLICK HERE to read the article.

shine!
Jason

commUNITY: Worship

Last night in our youth gathering, we had the first lesson in a six-week series titled "commUNITY." Each week we will consider an aspect of our Christian identity and how it shapes us as individuals and a community. Last night's lesson was about worship.

I am teaming up with six different students to co-teach each lesson. In addition, one of our teens is leading worship.

Anthony did a great job last night. He recently returned from Camp Electric, a music camp featuring some well-known Christian musicians. This camp was a blessing for Anthony, and what he has learned and continues to learn is a blessing for our ministry. It has been incredibly cool to watch him develop his gifts and grow as a Christian and a musician.

I was impressed with how Ari did in her co-teaching role. We worked together to develop a lesson on worship and how it affects us as a community and individuals. The lesson preparation started when Ari wrote down some points she wanted to discuss and then we built a lesson around that.

The main focus of the lesson was the paradox of worship. This idea that worship is an individual expression of our praise in the midst of community. We talked about the fact that worship is more than some songs we sing on a Sunday morning; it's a life dedicated to God.

However, there is something special that happens when God's people gather for worship. When we lift our voices to God as a community, God is a present in a unique and special way.

We also need to remember that it's not about us. Worship is vital to the Christian community where we find ourselves.

Imagine how much different churches could be if teenagers would sing the "old songs" without complaining because they are a blessing to other members. How much different would things be if older members would sing the "new songs" without grumbling because they are a blessing to the younger generation?

We have to acknowledge that we come together with a variety of preferences. When we as a community can develop humble attitudes that embrace a multitude of styles and songs, we will be blessed. I will end with the words from a song we sang last night in the middle of the lesson - Heart of Worship by Matt Redman.

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worhip
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is yours
Every single breath

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worhip
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

shine!
Jason

Garage sale

As I write this article, I am sitting in my garage in the middle of a garage sale. I don’t really like having a garage sale, but I like having had a garage sale. Let me explain.

Sorting stuff, setting up tables, and pricing stuff is not fun at all. I really don’t enjoy waking up at 5:30am to go out and finish getting ready.

However, there is a freeing feeling to watch stuff leave my yard. Things that have filled boxes in the basement. Items that have not seen the light of day for years. Slowly, over the period of a day or two, you get to see unnecessary junk disappear.

Maybe for some of us, it’s time for a spiritual “garage sale.” There might be something in your “basement” that needs to go.

Are you carrying unnecessary guilt?

Do you need to unload some unconfessed sin?

Is there a source of pain in your life that you need to expose?

Are there negative feelings you need to unload?

Jesus offers us a “garage sale” for our sin.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Don’t let things weigh you down any longer. You don’t need to carry that burden. Open up the doors and let God in so He can take it away.

shine!
Jason

Spiritual warfare in full swing

I feel as though I am seeing a full-blown spiritual war going on right now.

I have never in my entire decade of ministry, witnessed so much spiritual warfare going on around me. Suffice it to say that Satan is hard at work. The areas of warfare include possible divorce, significant conflict between family members, various addictions (alcohol, drugs, pornography, and more), various forms of abuse (physical, verbal, and sexual), depression, cutting, and a variety of other stressful situations.

Over the years, I have wondered about how active Satan is in the world. After my experiences over the last several weeks, I am more and more faced with the stark reality of Paul's words to the churches around Ephesus:

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we
are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil
rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in
this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to
resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will
still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and
be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Our battle is not with people. It's not with the culture. Sure, they can and are used by the forces of evil to bring pain into the world. However, our battle is against evil
rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in
this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

We can no longer take Satan lightly. He is not a guy in a red suit with horns. He is not someone we can simply tell to "sit on a tack." He is real. He is powerful. He is evil.

I know that for whatever reason, he has his target set on us. Maybe he is aware of the healing that is taking place in some people's lives. Maybe he realizes that we are reclaiming some of his territory. Whatever it is, we have sure garnered his attention.

This is not a battle to be taken lightly. Lives are at stake. Souls are up for grabs. It seems like every day there are people around me crying out for help. They know they are in the middle of a war zone, but they aren't always sure where to turn.

Here is my simple request. PRAY! Unleash the powers of heaven in this situation. Bathe our church, our families, and our community in prayer. In the words of Paul again, "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion."

I know I am not in this alone, but I also realize that I am on the front lines. I am so thankful every day for the people in the trenches with me. My wife. The staff here at Rochester. The shepherds who lead our flock. The volunteers who serve in our ministry.

We may grow weary. We may feel overwhelmed. But I also know that the battle belongs to the Lord. This battle is not mine to win. But, God calls me to fight. God is the one who will bring the victory. We are the servants who He is calling into service. Let's be faithful so that He can work through us.

shine!
Jason

Freedom?

Last weekend our nation celebrated its independence. Over 200 years ago, a group of men were willing to stand up and declare their independence from the nation of Britain.

Since our nation was founded, it seems as though many people have lost the point of our freedom. While freedom does enable each person to strive to be the best they can be, there is also a responsibility with freedom to consider what is in the best interests of the community.

For many in our nation today, it appears as though individual liberty has become a reason to do whatever is best for the individual. This misses the point as far as I am concerned.

I feel like sometimes the church has suffered the same misconception. We have been convinced that our freedom in Christ is something that sets us free to do as we please. But I don’t think that is exactly what Jesus had in mind. Our freedom is not freedom to do as we please. Paul himself wrote, You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)

As a community of believers, God calls us to put the needs of others first. Our freedom is not a license to live as we please. It is permission to be all we can be, free from the bondage of sin. We no longer need to focus on our mistakes. Rather, we can focus on serving others.

God never intended for His Law to be a burden. Starting with the story of creation in Genesis 1, and throughout the rest of the Bible, God desires for us to live life abundantly.

As we reflect on our independence as a nation, let’s remember two things:

As a citizen of the United States, our freedom does not exist exclusively for our own benefit. We are also required to care and show concern for our fellow citizens. We should also use our freedom – and the other blessings we enjoy as Americans – to bless those around the world. Our freedom shouldn’t be so self-centered that we look down at the rest of the world.

As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are called to use our freedom as an opportunity to sacrifice our lives for others. Jesus was God in the flesh, but He never used that as a way out of His responsibilities. He willingly went to the cross, even though he could have called down an army of angels at any time. Jesus showed us through His actions what true freedom looks like.

shine!
Jason

Class reunion follow-up

I am back from my 20-year class reunion. What an interesting weekend.

On Saturday we drove down to Ohio. We had to stop at my dad's house to drop off Matthew because Saturday evening's event was just for the grown-ups. I am not sure who was more excited, Matthew or my dad. It's been a few months since we saw my dad (a little longer than usual). Matthew had been pretty much constantly excited about seeing his grandpa for a few days.

We visited with dad for a bit and then headed downtown.

When we first got there, we parked and started walking towards the Huron Yacht Club (location of the reunion event). On the way, I saw these three girls at a bit of a distance who looked vaguely familiar. I didn't want to look stupid - although I do it often enough - so I didn't walk over to them. However, I overheard them talking and realized it was who I thought it was.

They started walking towards us and we started talking. Once we were all standing there, I had this thought run through my mind, do I look that much older, too? It wasn't that they looked old, but they looked older. If you have ever had one of these moments you know what I mean. I had seen myself grow older one day at a time over the last 20 years. I hadn't seen many of these people in 10 or 20 years. And so here they are, all grown up, not far from the big 40. I think it was one of the first times I really thought about how old I am.

So after a few minutes of talking we walked into a bar nearby where everyone is waiting for things to start. We had about 30 minutes until the yacht club would be ready for us. It was a surreal experience. Suddenly I was standing in the midst of a few dozen friends, many of whom I had not seen in a long time. My first considerable conversation was with Greg. Greg was one of my better friends, especially in my younger years. Greg was on my bus route and we had played together often. Greg was now married with two young children. The most compelling part of Greg's story was the heart attack he had suffered last year. He talked about that whole experience and how it impacted his life. He had to change his diet, stop smoking, and just live a little smarter.

After we got to the yacht club, I connected with a bunch of people. The two couples we spent the most time with were Dan and his wife and Steve and his wife. Dan and Steve were two of the guys I spent a lot of time with in high school. Dan grew up a few houses down the street from me and Steve played tuba with me in marching band. Neither of them had really changed that much. Dan was still the gregarious guy who always had a funny comment to make. Steve was the more reserved type. The six of us spent quite a bit of time sitting at a table and catching up.

Among others, I was also able to talk with Shane, who is now a lawyer, and Kim, who is an executive with a non-profit organization that helps parents of young children. Kristin, whose brother now works with my sister-in-law, was there as well. There were a lot of people who I was able to interact with and connect with as well throughout the evening.

I was also able to connect with Mari for part of the evening. Mari was the main organizer of the event. She did a great job, especially considering how she did it at the last minute. No one else had stepped up, so she grabbed the reins and put something good together.

Mari is a Christian and we have had good conversations via email about our faith. It was really cool on Saturday night to sit down with Mari for a little while and talk about faith and the like. It was weird though. Here I am, the guy who was the atheist/agnostic in high school, and now I am a youth minister talking about God.

Saturday night ended with a nice surprise. There was a great fireworks show down in the boat basin that we were able to watch. The fireworks were almost literally right above us. We had great seats, and of the three fireworks shows I saw this past week, this one had the best grand finale.

On Sunday the fun continued. Sunday morning we attended worship in Amherst, Ohio. This is the first church where I served in full-time ministry. From 1999 until 2002, I was the Youth & Family Minister there. It was so good to see some people I had not seen in years. Their pulpit minister recently announced he was leaving and several of the people there wanted to know if I was coming back. While I love the people in Amherst and really miss them, I know that God has me where He needs me in Rochester.

Sunday afternoon we headed off to the family picnic portion of the reunion weekend. There were not a lot of people there, but in some ways that was really nice. I was able to have some good conversations with a few people. Chris, who still lives in the area, filled me in on his life. I was able to hear some really entertaining construction stories from Chuck, who works with his family business and brought his two sons with him. Ingrid, who is also friends with Michelle, was there as well with her family. She and Michelle talked for a long time. And Mari and her husband were there with their two children. Matthew made some new friends and had a blast. He was pretty excited that he has friends from the Seattle area now.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this reunion. It brings back memories and feelings from long ago. It is an odd experience to talk with people who were so important in your life 20 years ago. So much has changed in twenty years. Some of them have been married and divorced. Many have children. There were some people who have come to faith. Others have left their faith. At least one flirted with death. Some have changed a lot and others very little.

I was reminded this weekend to make the most of every minute, but never take life too seriously. There were girls there this weekend who I was nervous every time I was around them in school because I liked them. I look back and wonder why I was so silly. Why did I let that affect me so much?

At the same time, I heard positive comments about how people viewed me back then. Things like a smile and a kind word are the things that stick. No one told me they remembered my fine tuba-playing skills or that I was president of the photography club. No one brought up who I dated or how I dressed. But several people commented that they thought I was one of the nicest people they remembered from high school and that I always seemed to have a smile on my face.

If that is what people remember twenty years later, maybe those are the kinds of things we should all focus on in our lives.

shine!
Jason

I am getting old

Ok, so today I am heading home for my 20-year class reunion. I think that officially makes me old.

There is one really cool thing about this trip. I have been having an email dialogue with one of my classmates who I have not talked to since graduation. We have been having a really interesting conversation via email about faith and the like. Apparently, God has been working in the lives of several of my classmates. :-)

I am really looking forward to seeing what God will do in the midst of thinning hair, stories about old times, and the drinking - and likely drunkeness - that will ensue.

Watch for more early next week...

shine!
Jason

I don't want to step down into the pulpit

Every once in a while I am asked a certain question. Here are a few versions of it...

When do you think you will look for your own church?

How long until you will be a pulpit minister somewhere?

When will you move up into the pulpit?

My answer, depending on who I am talking to, goes something like this...

I really don't feel called to move into that role. In all honestly, I would consider pulpit ministry a step down. This is no offense to pulpit ministers. I work alongside one of the best preachers I have ever known. But for me personally, any other ministry would require me to step out of my calling.

I believe that the ministry I am engaged in is the most important one there is. (Ok, maybe Dana's ministry to families with children is a really, really close second.) ;-)  But, I believe that God has positioned me to have an impact at a crucial time in the lives of these teenagers. In a world where brokenness surrounds us and pain has become commonplace for many students, God has uniquely allowed me to help families who are hurting.

Parents are hurting. Teens are hurting. Families are often struggling, and often hiding it too.

I don't have all the answers, but I am blessed by the fact that God uses this imperfect pilgrim to speak into the lives of families with youth. I am blessed that God has equipped me for this ministry. I am blessed that God makes it possible for me to do this as a full-time profession. I get paid to do what I love to do. How many people can say that?

Sure, there are plenty of people around me who live in bigger houses, drive nicer cars, and have more than I do, but I can do without all of that as long as I have a relationship with God, my wonderful partner, Michelle, my incredible son, Matthew, and the knowledge that what I am doing makes a difference in the Kingdom of God. You can never put that in a 401(k), but a 401(k) doesn't give you peace and purpose anyway.

And that is why I do what I do...

shine!
Jason

Make a wish

I came across this video. The fact that Ben Roethlisberger is my favorite football player on my favorite team makes it even better, but it is an amazing story regardless of what team or athlete you cheer for.

Elevate Wrap-up

Well, I had intended to post a few other updates during the week, but didn't really have a chance. Whenever I was back in my room I was exhausted. But don't feel bad for me. This isn't a bad exhaustion; it's the really good kind.

If I am going to be honest, I feel completely spent by God. But it feels really good!

If you have ever been there, you know what I mean.

This week I was able to hear the stories of teens who were able to share their struggles - some of them for the first time.

I was also able to witness the spiritual rebirth of some teenagers.

Elevate 2008 was a week I will remember for a long time.

I was reminded once again that today's teens don't want a simple, shallow answer. They don't want to be simply told what to do. My experience has been that they want the journey to be meaningful and real.

This week I was able to have some deep - and often challenging - conversations. Did I offer my thoughts and advice? Sometimes. But usually it was after a lot of listening. That can be hard for me.

One of the biggest lessons God has taught me over the last decade of working with teenagers, is that they often learn more when you say nothing than when you try to tell them everything. Often they just need an ear to hear them out and help them work through things.

The theme for this year was "Unashamed." If we really want this generation of students to be unashamed, we need to be willing to hear them out. Listen to their fears. Feel their pain. Be a safe place. And offer advice, but only after we have really listened to them and tried to understand their situation as much as possible.

As I have said before (and I am sure will say again), teenagers today live in a world that is vastly different than the one I grew up in twenty years ago.

We cannot just tell them, "I was a teen once, and..."

Yes, all adults have been a teenager. Yes, we understand some of the basic emotions they share with our experience. But, we are not in their schools. We didn't live in a culture exactly like the one they know today.

I know there are still things about their world I will never completely understand. But every day I strive to listen a little better, learn a little more, and love with reckless abandon.

I was reminded again this week that those three things are crucial in our calling to help teenagers grow in their relationship with God and bring the Kingdom of God to life in this world.

shine!
Jason

Elevate update #1

Well, the second full day of Elevate has come to a close. I am sitting in my room and about ready to call it a night. It has been a great couple of days!

Sunday evening was basically a time to meet new people and say hi to old friends. I spent most of the evening assigning 102 campers to their Choose Your Own Adventure selections. Yeah for Excel!

Monday we hit the ground running. It was a great day where we focused on going into the deep end. Keith Huey had a great lesson Monday evening. (For the record, I miss being a small group leader like I was back in the early 2000's. And that just made me sound old. LOL)

Anyway, one of the highlights of each day for me is the devo time for our youth group. We meet around 10:30pm each night and everyone has an opportunity to share what God is doing in and around them. Last night I heard some great things that God is doing. We ended our time together by pairing everyone up. We stayed in our circle, but each pair prayed out loud for their partner. It was really cool to hear everyone praying for someone else in the youth group.

Today we focused on our gifts. We have all been blessed with abilities and talents and were challenged tonight by Randy Speck to put those to use for God.

In addition to that, there was a cool concert featuring Riley Armstrong. As usual, Riley was both entertaining and thought-provoking. He has a way of shifting from comedy to a serious moment flawlessly.

Minor Measure, our own youth band, opened for Riley and rocked the house as usual. There should be a video from that soon on Facebook.

Tonight in our youth group devo time, we shared how God is amazing. I was really moved by some of the things our teens shared. We ended our time together by laying on our backs facing up to the sky. With our eyes open, we went around the circle and prayed. It was a great ending to a great day.

On a personal note, please be in prayer for the teens who are here this week. I have had a chance to talk to several teens (who are not all from our youth group) who are wrestling with some heavy stuff this week. Please pray for God to break down walls and pour His Spirit into their lives. I know that He can do more than we can ever ask or imagine, but let's ask anyway.

shine!
Jason

A reminder of why I love the Rochester Church

This past weekend, a girl that I have known for about a decade visited Michelle and me. Jamie was a teenager when I first met her and is now a young adult who is married with two children. She has a very painful past and is still in the midst of healing from that. In addition, her current life situation is in significant turmoil. I wanted to share with you a portion of a blog she wrote after her visit. It reminded why I love the Rochester Church so much and why - in spite of all of our failings and imperfections - I believe that God is at work in the lives of the people here.

On Sunday morning, I went to their Mosaic church service at Rochester
Church of Christ.  All I can really say is WOW! I’ve never been a part
of something that powerful. Jason gave a beautiful lesson on the three
attitudes of people, Condemning, Conforming, and Accepting. It was
wonderful!!! He used a powerpoint, and one of the pictures was of a
soldier with a little girl in his arms. It made me think of my husband,
and I started to cry. Michelle, who sat beside me the entire service
immediately put her arm around me and asked if I wanted her to pray
with me for him. She is such an strong person, and the type of woman I
can only hope to become one day. Then one of the elders, whom I hardly
knew and only met right before the service began - saw that I was a bit
down. He came and sat with me, with his arm around me, when he finished
with his communion. At the end of the service, Jason asked me to come
up front. With Michelle and this elder by my side, I did as he asked.
He proceeded to tell the church a tidbit about my past and present…
just enough for them to know that my soul was in desperate need of
repair. I will say this much, I couldn’t look at the congregation. I
know I shouldn’t be, but I am still very ashamed of a lot in my past.
He then asked if anyone would be willing to come up front and surround
me as he prayed for me. What happened next was such a blessing it
nearly brought me to my knees. So many members of the congregation came
forward immediately. “But these people don’t know me! I’m not a good
person!” is all I continued to tell myself. Their faith was unshaken as
they stood there, many of them with arms around me or hands upon me,
and prayed right along with Jason. I never imagined in my wildest
dreams I could feel such understanding and compassion from people I
didn’t know, nor did they know much about me! Many stayed after the
prayer was finished, to hug and console me. To show me love in a way I
never knew possible. To give kind words, open minds, and open hearts.
Amazing…

To the members at Rochester CoC. I want you to know how much this
weekend has meant to me. To speak with many of you was one of the
richest experiences I think I’ve encountered. God had to be smiling
when I came to Rochester, knowing that you all would take care of me.

There’s still a lot in my life I need to work through. A lot of
heartache that needs let go, and a lot of faith that needs rebuilt. It
will be a slow, and albeit painful, process. But with God and my new
family in Christ - I’ll make it through.

Thanks for being there for me this weekend all you folks up in
Rochester, and thank you to those who are reading this who were not
there.

Thank you, Jamie, for the words of encouragement! And thank you for the reminder than when we feel insufficient for the task, God will use us anyway to accomplish great things for His purpose.

shine!
Jason

The mission

Is being a Christian about standing up for what we believe in or being relevant to the culture we live in? Yes. We are called to be faithful and fruitful. Holy and helpful.

Unfortunately, many Christians tend to move to the extremes. Some will circle the wagons while others sacrifice their morals. It can be extremely challenging to live in the balance between the two.

The same God that says, “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 6:14), also says, “Go into all the world.” (Mark 16:15)

Our mission is not to condemn the world or conform to it. We are called to be people of purpose and principle who are shaped by the Spirit of God. As we allow God to transform us into His image, we must strive to join God in His dream of restoring this world to what He intended it to be in the first place. Heaven is not just a future promise to wait for; it’s also a goal to work towards in the place we find ourselves now.

Let’s work together to become people who aren’t just waiting for Heaven; let’s make it our mission to bring the Kingdom of God to life here and now.

shine!
Jason

TPT

Last night after God's Big Backyard wrapped up, I had a chance to listen to the Teen Praise Team practicing for Sunday. Since this Sunday is Senior Ordination - the Sunday when we honor and commission our graduating seniors - Chris is using a praise team of teenagers.

They sounded good last night. It was really cool seeing all of these teens up on stage singing. I know that they will do a great job on Sunday!

I am really looking forward to this Sunday. From the TPT, to the seniors, to those students who will be sharing prayers and Scripture readings, it looks to be a great day. May God be glorified in all that we do.

shine!
Jason

Change of heart

Earlier today I received an email from a young adult who was a teenager at a previous church where I served as youth minister. (I have changed a few minor details to make it anonymous, but this person did give me permission to post it here.) I will let the email speak for itself, but I did want to mention that notes like this remind me of the power of God and encourage me to never give up in ministry.

Hey Jason! I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry for bad feelings I had about you and the church I used to attend and that whole culture for a really long time. Until recently, I was extremely judgmental and so zealous for tradition - I held bitter feelings for a long time.
But I want to ask you forgiveness, because you should know that I have a huge change of heart. Actually, my views about God are far more radical than I ever would have imagined - but the love of God and an understanding of grace and relationship and joy and freedom has changed me. I read stuff about your congregation that you attend, not wanting the denominational name of "church of Christ" and women in leadership roles and just embracing the freedom of a new covenant, stepping away from the spirit of the law, I am SO EXCITED to see you all following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
So I don't know if you ever even knew I had judgmental and negative feelings toward you all, but I did. And God has changed me and convicted me to ask forgiveness. I love you guys and continue to pray for breakthrough, joy, freedom, and UNITY in the ENTIRE body of Christ :)

Thank you to this person for their encouraging words and thank you to the God who never gives up on us.

shine!
Jason

Parents sitting on the floor

Last night I felt the ground shifting below me.

No, we did not have an earthquake in Rochester Hills. It was something more substantial than that.

Maybe no one else noticed, but there was change in the landscape at the Rochester Church. No, it may not have been visible to many. It may not have been obvious to most. But there was a shift.

Last night was the first night of a three-night event called "God's Big Backyard." Part of me wants to call it a VBS, but part of me fears the baggage that may accompany that title.

This was something more.

It was a shift from babysitting with the Bible to families engaging in spiritual conversations.

It was a shift from dropping off the kids to sitting down with them.

It was a shift from children's ministry to ministry for families with children.

What does all that mean?

If you have read any of my past entries about LifeStages at the Rochester Church, you might remember that this is a fundamental shift in some of the ways we do ministry. We are moving away from ministry that separates and divides families, to ministry that brings families together. Yes, we still have "traditional" youth ministry and children's ministry events. We still offer age-specific classes and the like. But we are also challenging parents to more fully engage their role as the primary spiritual guide for their children.

I am so blessed to work down the hall from Dana Spivy. Dana is our Minister for Families with Children, and she is doing an awesome job! She is coming up on a year here at Rochester and, I believe, some of her dreams are beginning to take root. I know that this family-based event occurring this week is one of them.

So what's so different about this event as opposed to other VBS's?

Well, it may not seem earth-shattering to you, but instead of being grouped by ages, children are grouped by families. For example, Matthew, Michelle, and I were in a group together with parents and children of all ages. There were children in our group from Kindergarten through fifth grade. There were other parents sitting with their children as well. There were siblings of different ages sitting and learning together.

For way too long, the church has bought into the public education model that divides children up into age groups and teaches them separately. Is it any wonder that many teens look down on younger children as annoying? At the same time, I know many children who look up to teenagers as examples and role models. They need that and haven't gotten it enough. We have segregated groups that should be together.

In addition to that, we have robbed parents of many opportunities to sit down with all of their children at once and experience spiritual formation together. It was so cool last night seeing the Ockermans and all five of their children traveling together from class to class. I would guess the conversations about the Bible lesson were much easier to start since all seven of them listened to the same teachers at the same time.

Again, props to Dana. She is challenging us to go places we have not been before. And in the process, I believe a new era is dawning for our families with children at Rochester.

shine!
Jason

Matthew is Boomin!

Here is my little man getting down with Toby Mac! He loves the "Dance Praise 2: The Remix" game that we got at Seeds, the Willow Creek Bookstore. We found this game there when we worshiped at Willow Creek in Chicago on the college trip.

 

Look at me! NOT!

This past Wednesday in 180 Connections Unplugged, students were challenged to think of ways they could be more like Jesus.

We started the conversation by considering Jesus’ example. Here was a man who had every right to be the center of attention. He was God, in the flesh. If that doesn’t deserve headlines, what does?

But, instead, He often told people to tell no one else about what He had done. Jesus retreated to quiet places and didn’t seek out the crowds.

We live in a culture where we cry out for attention. People commit horrible crimes to get attention. People record themselves doing foolish and dangerous things to post on YouTube to get attention. People act out in public to get attention.

But not Jesus.

Sure, what He did attracted attention; but ultimately He pointed that attention back to His Father.

In a world that is so self-centered, God calls us to be people who are different. We are challenged to have different motives and different priorities.

Here is a question we all need to consider. How much different would the world around you become if you were less concerned about bringing yourself attention and more concerned about bringing attention to God and His dreams for this world?

shine!
Jason

Baptism as commission

This is the final lesson in a seven-week series that explores the
significance of baptism as a part of our spiritual journey. This lesson
was presented on Wednesday June 4, 2008. Click on the image below to
hear the lesson.

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Style over substance

Without taking sides or staking a position, I want to comment on this year's race for the Presidency. Is it just me, or is this race a matter of style over substance?

Now I realize that every race has a sense of this. Each candidate has to stake his claim on some issues and positions. Each candidate develops an identity and message. But it seems like this year boils down to two extremes.

On the one hand, you have Barack Obama, who says "change" more often than a cashier at McDonalds. He is the poster child of hope and change. The frustrating thing is that the vast majority of people can't tell you much about what he is going to change. This is even true of many of his supporters. Barack has only been a Senator for a short period of time and has not authored any significant legislation. He seems to have avoided almost anything that would provide a history of his position.

Then we come to John McCain. If there is anyone who embodies change, it is McCain. But this is a different kind of change. He seems to change his mind on issues all the time. He has so many positions, it's hard to tell which one he supports at the moment. If Barack is giving us no target to aim at, McCain is a moving target that never seems to stand still.

Now, I am going to say that I believe both men have some things they feel strongly about. McCain has been around long enough that I have been able to witness some of his interesting alliances and deals. I also read Obama's "Audacity of Hope." I am not an expert on either man, but I know that Obama does believe some things strongly and McCain is willing to take a stand.

So my issue is not with the men as much as it is the political system we have today. On some levels, things haven't changed all that much. But on the other hand, the lack of people willing to listen very long seems to have changed the way politicians communicate. I remember when I was growing up in the 1980's there seemed to be more substantive debate. It seems as though much of this has turned into sound bites.

While that is bad for politics, it is even worse for spiritual formation.

As I work with teenagers and adults, it doesn't seem like many people want to engage in the serious dialogue and study required for significant spiritual formation. Instead, people often seek out a short, quick-fix passage of Scripture or an easy answer to a challenging question.

Whether it's political dialogue or spiritual formation, we need to strive for more than a sound bite or a Bible verse taken out of context. If we want to be serious about following Jesus, we need to be serious about the way we engage in spiritual disciplines and discernment. Then we can move from religious style to spiritual substance.

shine!
Jason

The voice of youth

I often hear that teenagers are ignored and not included in big discussions and decisions in many aspects of society today. I am excited that this is not true at the Rochester Church!

Next Sunday, June 15, our entire church body will be having a special meeting at 10:00am. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the future of our Sunday morning schedule. We will be discussing worship times, Bible classes, and the future of spiritual formation for the Rochester Church.

Following the meeting on Sunday, the entire church body will be invited into a period of fasting and prayer as we seek to discern the best course of action as a church body.

The really cool thing for me is that our teenagers are being invited to join in this family dialogue. They are being invited to join the meeting, fast and pray, and engage in the process as we seek the input of the entire congregation.

My prayer is that our students will rise to the challenge and get involved in this process. This is an exciting time for the church at Rochester, and our teenagers can have a voice as we make decisions that will impact the future of our church family.

I have seen our students step up before and show their developing spiritual maturity and voice. I expect nothing less in the days and weeks ahead.

shine!
Jason

Satan in the circuits

Tonight, almost every piece of technology in the teen room was demon-possessed. When Chris got up to lead worship, the screen looked like an Atari 2600 game system. (If you were born after the early 80's, this probably doesn't mean much to you.) When we played the video of Nate's baptism, the sound was fading in and out. We had to restart the computer. Then the computer rejected my PowerPoint presentation when I tried to open it. As I started speaking, the volume was fading in and out again. Well, maybe it wasn't an evil spirit, but just the high humidity.

The only saving grace is that the recording kept going - I think. I haven't checked it yet to listen, but it looks like it kept going. I guess I'll find out soon. I hope that in spite of all of my frustration, God was still able to speak through me.

shine!
Jason

Baptism as Confidence

This is the sixth lesson in a seven-week series that explores the
significance of baptism as a part of our spiritual journey. This lesson
was presented on Wednesday May 28, 2008. Click on the image below to
hear the lesson.

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Servin' it up this summer

Summer is almost here! As we move into June, it is only a few weeks until school is out, families are on the move, and teenagers can enjoy the freedom of summer.

But the question is, what are you doing with your summer?

It is important to enjoy family vacations, time with friends, and other summer traditions. But will you look for opportunities to serve as well?

I am excited about how many of our teenagers will be a part of the Mission: Cincinnati effort this summer, but it’s more than just one trip. We must make serving others a regular part of our lives.

I want to challenge students and parents to seek out ways to help this summer. Offer to mow a neighbor’s lawn. If a senior citizen lives near you, watch for a chance to help her carry in the groceries. Hold the door open for others. When you go to a water park or amusement park, let those with small children go ahead of you in line.

Part of the ongoing effort of joining God in restoring Creation is seeking small ways to touch the lives of others. Serving is not just something we experience on a mission trip or some other major event. It is a lifestyle that challenges us to put the needs of others before our own.

shine!
Jason

Baptism as Confession

This is the fifth lesson in a seven-week series that explores the significance of baptism as a part of our spiritual journey. This lesson was presented on Wednesday May 21, 2008. Click on the image below to hear the lesson.

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Students of the Word

I was really challenged and convicted last week at the Resource! Seminar at Rochester College. It was an incredible three days of worship, teaching, and encouragement.

One of the things I was really convicted about is that we as a community are not as serious about studying the Bible as we should be. This is not to say that we don’t study the Bible, but I think we can raise the bar.

If we are going to be serious about spiritual formation and the quest to be Christ-shaped people, we must dedicate time and energy to engaging the Word of God. It must be one of the core aspects of who we are as a family of believers.

This is not to say that Bible classes need to be boring or just filling out paperwork, but we need to be about the task of digging into the Bible for the valuable messages it contains. There is so much wisdom that goes unrealized because we so often just skim the surface.

I wonder if one of the reasons we struggle living out the message of Jesus is because we don’t really know it all that well. I wonder if we would reflect the nature of God more if we committed serious time to learning about His character as reflected in Scripture.

This is a call. It is a call to me. It is a call to parents. It is a call to students. This is a call from God for us to make time for spiritual disciplines. It is a call to be serious about following Jesus. It is a call to become who God created us to be in the first place.

shine!
Jason

Backyard BBQ

Yesterday, over 150 people gathered at our house for our 3rd annual Backyard BBQ. There were hamburgers and hot dogs. Chips and casseroles. Pies and cupcakes. It was quite the feast. But in spite of the vast array of food options, the meal was not the best part.

There were current friendships being strengthened and new ones being formed. People gathered in circles large and small under the shade tree to talk about family, faith, and life. Others played volleyball, football, and several other games. Everywhere you looked there were people enjoying community.

One of the highlights for me was towards the end of the afternoon. A handful of teenagers had started a game of Duck-Duck-Goose. Then a few more joined in the game. Then some of the younger children joined in as well. Eventually there was a game with more than 40 people playing from ages 4 to 18. It was truly a God moment for me to see our teenagers involving our younger children and playing right along side them. These are moments that a child cherishes – times when the teens they often look up to allow them to join in. This is a testimony to the hearts of our teens and the Spirit that is at work among our families.

 

shine!
Jason

The Last Christian Generation

I just finished reading The Last Christian Generation by Josh McDowell. First, I need to confess that it took me a few weeks to read it. Not because it's wordy or hard-to-read, I just had a couple of things consume my time that caused me to take a week off from reading.

This book is challenging, scary, and encouraging. It outlines the struggles the church faces today as we seek to raise up a generation that will continue to follow Jesus. While I don't agree with everything McDowell has to say, he does hit hard on some convictions that I share with him.

One of those convictions is that a good portion of the blame belongs not to the teenagers, but to us. We have allowed too many other things to become more important than spiritual formation and following Jesus.

On the other hand, we must be willing to meet teenagers where they are. This can be a somewhat difficult balance to maintain. I have seen some who want to force their version of Christianity on the next generation. By "version," I don't mean the fundamental core beliefs. There are some things - such as the deity of Christ and the resurrection - that are non-negotiables. But there are too many opinions and forms that some would want to make requirements for every generation.

What is amazing to me is that some of the things we fight for the most weren't even around in the 1st century - or in some cases, even a few hundred years ago. Why do some fight about projectors and video when song books as we know them didn't exist until Gutenberg came on the scene? Why do we argue about what we can do in a "sanctuary" when most early church gatherings were in people's homes? Why do we get into conflicts over what songs we sing when most of them were written less than a few hundred years ago?

I guess my point is this: While we are busy beating each other up about things that are not all that important in the grand scheme, the majority of the next generation is moving on from the church - and in many cases, Jesus. They are walking away from, or never experiencing, a relationship with a body of believers. We have become a museum, something from the past. From their vantage point, we are nothing but a reminder of the history of our country.

If we are going to be honest, often the way we live doesn't help either. We "go to church" (a phrase that Gorden Fee really challenged me on last week) and listen to sermons and sing. But then we go home and live like what we just did isn't all that important. For many of us, that doesn't mean we live immoral lives, but we can tend to live spiritually irrelevant lives.

What message does it send when we sing, "All to Jesus I Surrender," and we put the change from our pocket in the contribution plate? What does it say when we sing, "In Christ alone," and then we proceed to use our credit card so we can buy something we can't afford to give us a feeling of "security"?

If we want the next generation to take Jesus seriously, we need to start by modeling it. Sometimes that means we need to have the courage to make the right decision instead of the one that is easy or popular. Maybe we need to turn down the job that pays more but takes us away from home more. It might be that we need to pass on the brand new car so we can help someone else in the church who can't pay their utility bill. Maybe it will even call us to use some of our vacation to serve others instead of using it all to entertain ourselves.

I don't have all the answers. I don't know how to do it all the best way. But I know that Jesus calls us on this exciting journey to live out life in a way that reflects His character. If we can do that with authenticity and courage, this won't have to be the last Christian generation.

shine!
Jason
 

The winner is...David

Well, last night was the Season 7 Finale for American Idol. My favorite, David Archuleta, didn't win. But I am still happy. The two guys that Chris Lindsey and I expected since the Top 12, made it to the finale.

I did find it interesting that Simon tripped over himself in apologizing to Cook. Did he know the outcome? Did he know the results from the previous week? It almost seemed like he was trying to protect his reputation to pick a winner.

Anyway, my DVR can rest for a little while. It will be nice to get to bed a little earlier on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Great job to both guys! I look forward to seeing what they will do from here.

One more thing. The Idol summer tour comes to Detroit on July 24.

shine!
Jason

SPLASH: Baptism as Creation

I am finally caught up! This is the fourth lesson in a seven-week series that explores the
significance of baptism as a part of our spiritual journey. This lesson
was presented on Wednesday May 14, 2008. Click on the image below to
hear the lesson.

[display_podcast]

 

What an amazing weekend!

I am not sure where to start talking about this weekend.

It began with an absolutely fabulous Friday with my family. We had our home school outing Friday morning and early afternoon. Then my family and I spent the day together. The evening was an incredible date night with Michelle. We enjoyed a meal at Applebees and went to see Prince Caspian. It was a great night!

Saturday during the day was mostly spent at home working in the yard, playing with my son, and enjoying family time. The only bad part of Saturday was when I washed my cell phone in the laundry, but that's what insurance is for, right? That evening we went to the Rochester College Partnership dinner with Robin Roberts from Good Morning America. She came with no prepared notes and spoke from the heart.

She was amazing! She spoke about her life, her experiences, and her battle with breast cancer over the last year. Her faith was evident, her strength was incredible, and her humor was really funny. She spoke a phrase that is one of those that will stick with me for years to come: "Make your mess your message." Isn't that what following Jesus is all about? Robin's words echo the apostle Paul, who said, "Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults,
hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For
when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Sunday was great from beginning to end. In the morning I taught my Parents of Teens class. I love the parents here at Rochester. They engage in class, ask good questions, and are serious about wanting to disciple their children. This was our second of three classes in a series titled, "I'm a Youth Minister?" Each of the three weeks we discuss how parents can be the youth ministers God made them to be. This week we discussed helping our teens to grow. The parents asked some good questions and made some great comments.

After class, I went upstairs for Mosaic service. Bob Russell, the recently retired pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, was the guest speaker. He delivered an excellent sermon on "The Grace of Gratitude." As usual, the worship was great and family communion was a time of hugs, greetings, and encouragement. Patrick did manage to get a jab in on me and Chris Lindsey, our worship minister. Patrick began by saying he could spike his hair and be the worship minister. Then he said he could untuck his shirt and be the youth minister. It made me chuckle that the senior minister could make a joke about that from the pulpit, because at a previous church where I served, the elders scolded me for not dressing up enough at church. Life is funny if you just live it and enjoy it!

After lunch we went to the funeral home to visit a family who had lost a relative. While this was not necessarily fun, it was encouraging to minister to a family in need. After visiting with the family for a little while, their teenage daughter joined us and rode back to the church building with us for small groups.

Our small group time was a great ending to a great weekend. It was our last student small group gathering before the summer. Each group's leaders and members came up on stage and shared how small groups this year had impacted them. It was a testimony to the power of our small groups. It is obvious that God is at work in the lives of our leaders and students. A huge thank you to the adults who give up hours upon hours to minister to teenagers. They are making an eternal impact!

Well, that was my weekend in a nutshell. God is good!

shine!
Jason

Getting over ourselves

Why is it that we Americans are often so ego-centric and self-absorbed? I find it amazing that while nearly a hundred thousand people have been killed by natural disasters in the last week, we are often more concerned with who was voted off of American Idol, who won a basketball game, or what celebrity is dating who.

I wonder if God ever looks at us and wonders when we’ll get the point.

The Kingdom of God is about restoring creation. It’s about making things right in the world. About every human being—created in the image of God—receiving the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace. Patience, kindness, goodness. Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

The Kingdom of God doesn’t recognize borders. The love of God should not be reserved for a “Christian” nation.

If I am really honest, I confess that I struggle with all of the material blessings I have while people on the other side of the world are dying by the thousands simply for a lack of adequate shelter, food, and water. While I can open my refrigerator and grab a cold drink or go to the sink and get clean water, some people walk miles just to get a drink.

This is not to heap guilt on us. It is a challenge to us!

We should be thankful for the blessings we have. But it can’t stop there. The Kingdom of God compels us to step outside of our comfort and strive not only to share the words of Jesus; we must share the life of Jesus and the way He reached out to every human being, regardless of their nationality, religious affiliation, or social status.

shine!
Jason

Prince Caspian

Last night, Michelle and I went to see the new Narnia movie, Prince Caspian. It was part of an incredible date night that was refreshing and enjoyable. (Thanks, Speedway, for my free dinner at Applebees!)

I really enjoyed the movie. To be honest, I have not read the book, so I can't make a comparison. But I feel like it was an entertaining movie.

One word of advice to parents. You may want to leave the younger children home. The violence is not graphic, but it is pretty intense during the fighting scenes. It is somewhat reminiscent of some of the battle scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies.

I recommend going to see the movie. It is entertaining and action-packed. There were very few scenes that drag on, even the non-action ones. If you see the movie, let me know what you think.

shine!
Jason

SPLASH: Baptism as Cleansing

I am almost caught up! This is the third lesson in a seven-week series that explores the
significance of baptism as a part of our spiritual journey. This lesson
was presented on Wednesday May 7, 2008. Click on the image below to
hear the lesson. (Please excuse the occasional buzzing. We were having some minor tech issues that night.) ;-)

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38 years

Today I celebrated my 38th birthday. The really cool thing is that it's been more like a birthday week. On Monday, the Rochester Church staff took me to Kublai Khan - a Japanese restaurant where they cook in front of you. On Tuesday, I used my birthday coupon from Qdoba for a free burrito. Today was a yummy breakfast omelet cooked by my beautiful wife and dinner at Famous Dave's. My teenagers sang to me before 180 Connections tonight. One of the children from church (a younger brother of one of the teens) made me a birthday card with a Hershey's Kiss attached. A group of preteen girls (who will be joining the youth group very soon) serenaded me as well. Who knows what tomorrow might hold.

Anyway, I am thankful to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. Between being sung to, Facebook wall posts, emails, text messages, voice mails, and hugs, I felt pretty loved. Other than a lengthy staff and elders meeting after church, this has been a great birthday. (For the record, the meeting wasn't bad, it just wasn't a fun way to end a birthday.)

shine!
Jason

A winning attitude

This morning I was catching up on the news and saw this headline: "Girl wins team title alone." Intrigued, I clicked on the link.

I read on to discover that Bonnie Richardson had won the Texas girls' high school state track title...by herself!

Bonnie was the only girl from her high school to qualify for the state meet, and she made it count. She scored 42 points and beat the second place team (which actually had more than one student) by six points. What is even more amazing is that her school doesn't even have a real track. (At this point, I am thinking we will see a Disney movie about this in the near future.)

I wonder what kind of drive and determination this young lady must have.

We aren't all built to be state track stars. I know I'm not. But we are each created and designed to be something great. A great learner. A great leader. A great speaker. A great servant. A great encourager. Each of us is created in the image of God to be a part of God's dream for this world.

Imagine if all of us who make a claim to be followers of Jesus would follow Him with the same determination that Bonnie displayed. We might not win medals or receive a lot of acclaim. But I believe we would receive a reward far better...the knowledge that we loved God and loved our neighbor. Then we will hear the words we all long to hear. "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

shine!
Jason

SPLASH: Baptism as Commitment

This is the second lesson in a seven-week series that explores the significance of baptism as a part of our spiritual journey. This lesson was presented on Wednesday April 30, 2008. Click on the image below to hear the lesson.

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A Mother's Day gift

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today is a special day when we celebrate our moms. Take time today to thank your mom for all she does for you. If your mom is no longer alive, thank God for your memories and the way your mom blessed you.

I realize that for many teens, their relationship with their mom is not the greatest at the moment. This may even be true for some adults. Like all human beings, moms are not perfect. They make mistakes. They say things they shouldn’t say. They do things they shouldn’t do. But don’t we all.

I believe that almost all moms have the best intentions in mind, even when they don’t get it right.

So let me challenge you. Don’t just thank your mom for what she has done. Forgive your mom for the times that she didn’t get it right.

Sometimes Mother’s Day is treated like a Hallmark card. It’s a nice little poem with flowers and cute words. Sure, we need to share kind words with our moms. Yes, we need to give our moms gifts and thank them for all they have done.

But we also need to be realistic. Maybe the best thing for your relationship with your mom isn’t just flowers. Maybe those flowers need to be delivered with words of forgiveness. Maybe you need to forgive your mom for her imperfections. And just as importantly, maybe you need to ask for forgiveness for the times you have fallen short. That would be a real Mother’s Day gift.

shine!
Jason

All the difference

Today is a special day in my life. Twelve years ago, on May 10, 1996, I was baptized into Christ.

When I look back, it is amazing to consider the journey I have been on since that day. From my marriage to Michelle to the loss of our moms. From moving to Arkansas to go to school to moving to Amherst, Ohio to start full-time ministry. From the birth of Matthew to homeschool. From my first ministry in Amherst, then to Belpre, and finally to Rochester.

Following Jesus is quite the adventure. It has its ups and downs. There are unexpected turns. Sometimes what you least expect is what awaits you around the corner.

As I reflect back on the twelve years since committing my life to God, I realize that God does not determine your path, but He follows you along the way. In moments of victory, God rejoices with us. In moments of sorrow, God sheds a tear. Even in moments of disappointment and failure, God is the Father who is waiting to embrace us.

God never promised that following Him would be easy or without pain. But He did promise a crown of life to those who endure. In spite of all the bumps and bruises, I have discovered that a life of pursuing God is the life abundant that Jesus talks about. It may not look like success according to the world's definition, but it's something far better. This is the life I have chosen, and in the words of Robert Frost...

Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.

shine!
Jason

Cover up

We are always looking for new ways to define ourselves on the outside.

Women (and some men) wear make-up.

We shop for clothing with certain labels and fashions.

We go to the gym to build muscles and look more toned.

We go to the salon to get our hair done.

We go to the tanning booth.

None of the above are intrinsically bad. But they can all be used to define us on the exterior to avoid dealing with the blemishes inside. And sometimes the focus on the outside can be taken to the extreme.

Celebrities and everyday people struggle with eating disorders; some do so to achieve the "right" thinness.

Some people take excessive medications to achieve the "perfect" figure.

Others will spend thousands on cosmetic surgery in an attempt to defy the laws of nature and aging.

Why are we so fixated on external appearances?

I would argue that for many it is an excuse from the pain, scars, and various other internal imperfections we all wrestle with.

I find it interesting that those who the world often considers "the most beautiful," are the ones who end up in rehab, prison, broken relationships, and sometimes even death.

In spite of all the evidence around us, so many still try to reach for the artificial satisfaction of external perfection. And how has this impacted our youth? This is where I am really concerned.

I talk with teenagers almost every week who struggle with eating disorders, cutting, depression, low self-esteem, and so much more. They feel inferior and worthless. They feel judged and rated by everyone around them. Unless their peers call them beautiful and sexy, they feel they are not good enough.

This is madness. I don't say that to say that the teenagers are to blame. What about the parents and other adults that feed this monster? How often do we fall prey to the message of external appearances? When do we place more value on our teenagers' looks, clothes, athletic abilities, intellect, and more?

Sure, we need to encourage our youth to be the best they can be, but why do we so often resort to defining who they are by what they do? I would argue there are at least two main reasons:

First of all, we have bought into the lie. We watch TV just like they do. We read magazines that propogate the same messages. We play the same games in our lives that they do. We worry about the car we drive, the clothes we wear, and what neighborhood we live in. We compare ourselves to those around us to see who appears - and I emphasize the word appears - to have the best life and lifestyle. We are bringing the lie into our homes, and the in process poisoning our children.

Second of all, too many adults - I believe - try to make their children an extension of themselves in an unhealthy way. For example, I watch parents who appear to base their value on the athletic ability of their child. There is nothing wrong with being proud of your child. I smile with pride when Matthew has an accomplishment. But Matthew's abilities do not define who I am. My self-worth does not hinge on my son's performance. But for some parents, this appears to be the case. Not only does this reveal the adult's lack of self-confidence (likely fueled by a life-long pursuit of performance and appearance based value), it also places an unfair burden on the child.

Maybe it's time for a reality check. Maybe Jesus was dealing with more than the pride of the religious leaders of His day when He said, "You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matthew 23:27-28)

Maybe when Jesus spoke those words He was touching on a weakness of all human beings. Our sense of pride and focus on our outward appearance. Our struggles are not new and the challenge has existed for thousands of years. When we can look like we have it together on the outside, we can try to ignore the inside.

One of the biggest complaints I often hear is that Christians don't look much different than the world. Maybe we need to challenge the church to look inside of ourselves and stop trying to cover up like the world. I wonder how much differently our message would be received if we were willing to stop the cover up.

shine!
Jason

Journey with Jesus update

This past Sunday I presented my "Journey with Jesus" challenge to our students. Right now there are at least ten students who are participating. I think there are one or two more who do not have a good internet connection at home and they are going to write out their answers and bring them on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Anyway, I am excited with the participation. If you want to know more about "Journey with Jesus" visit www.180ministry.org.

Here are a few comments from students so far...

From Matthew 1: I think I can learn something from the way Jesus was put on this earth. If God humbled himself so much that he put his son in such an uncomfortable genealogy, I should be even more humble.

From Matthew 2: One thing I can improve in my life from what I learned is again to have faith that God has a plan for my life and he will always take care of me and will never leave me like he took care of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus and provided for them while they were hiding in Egypt.

From Matthew 3: I need to start producing "better fruit!"

From Matthew 4: One thing that can improve my life is to not give in to temptation.

From Matthew 5: One thing I can improve in my life that you have to be a light to the world, I know when you're a little kid in Sunday school you sing this little light of mine you're more interested in the catchy tune but you really do have to be a light and you can show people Jesus.

I love teenagers. They make me smile.  :-)

shine!
Jason

Finally

What a relief to hear the words, "Jason Castro is going home." This will be really brief, but since I have not had an American Idol entry in a while, I guess I am due.

Last night was a weird night on AI. However, my personal favorite, David Archuleta - in the words of Simon - "crushed the competition." Other than David, everyone seemed to be a little off their game.

Jason should have probably been gone a few weeks ago, but his staying power is a testimony to the voting power of the tweens. It is amazing what can happen when a bunch of eleven and twelve-year-olds have cell phones.

Anyway, Jason is gone, and there are three great performers left to fight it out next week.

shine!
Jason

Going pastoral

This morning at 6:45am, I met with four men whom I greatly respect. These four men serve as shepherds here at the Rochester Church. Our conversation this morning centered on shepherding the families with youth.

I don't think I have ever been more excited about the future of the ministry I am a part of, or the future of the Rochester Church. One of the areas where Rochester has not always been strong - and for that matter, most churches have not - is in the area of shepherding families. Especially for larger churches, this can be a real struggle. However, I feel as though we are making changes and moving in the right direction to correct this situation.

This morning we discussed how we can effectively connect with every family and help them in their spiritual journey. While we are in the early stages of this process, I feel like we are moving in the right direction. I am sure there are bumps and potholes in the road ahead, but I am thrilled that we are moving down the road.

In most churches, there are a significant number of people who come to the building for worship and that is the majority of their connectedness to their church family. This can create a huge vacuum in terms of support, encouragement, and rebuke (when needed) for people in their spiritual formation. Without that network of people around you, the journey of following Jesus can become overwhelming and people often give up or settle.

We as a family of God must do all we can to prevent that from happening in people's lives. We must get outside of our comfort zone, reach out to those around us, and create an enviroment of community and caring.

In this busy and complex world we find ourselves in today, people have connections all over the place - cell phones, email, children's sports teams, etc - but many people are not truly connected anywhere. We run from place to place and activity to activity, but we struggle with putting down roots that run deep.

The result?

Marriages fall apart. Families are crumbling. Lives are shattered. And much of this happens right under our noses because people do not have a safe place with significant relationships to share their burdens.

My dream is that Rochester Church becomes a place where families and individuals can feel safe to share those burdens and struggles - as well as their victories - so we can get away from being a religious country club and become the hospital for those who are hurting. And if we are honest, the vast majority of us are hurting in some way.

There is a song by Casting Crowns called "Stained Glass Masquerade" that summarizes what I am trying to say. I will end with the words to that song:

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

shine!
Jason

SPLASH: Baptism as change

This is the first part of a seven-week series that will explore the significance of baptism as a part of our spiritual journey. This lesson was presented on April 16, 2008. Click on the image below to hear the lesson.

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Journey with Jesus

I wonder how many people know who Jesus is but don’t really know Jesus.

In the month of May, our teenagers are being challenged to take a Journey with Jesus. Maybe you have never taken the time to read through an entire Gospel before. This could be your chance.

There is information about Journey with Jesus available at our ministry’s website, www.180ministry.org.

In the book of Acts, Luke writes the following: The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

I wonder how often people look at us and recognize us as people who have been with Jesus. I wonder if we are followers of Jesus or simply admirers of Him.

I am convinced that way too many people who claim to be followers of Jesus are just that, admirers.

I challenge anyone to spend a month with Jesus and see what happens. Maybe we should be a little more like Peter and John. Maybe we should be a little more bold about our faith. Maybe we should be people who are willing to do more than talk about Jesus.

Maybe we should spend more time with Him so we can learn to live more like Him.

shine!
Jason

Pizza from heaven

Tonight we had a meeting for our ministry leadership team. As we often do, we had dinner before our meeting.

Tonight's meal was pizza from Kruse & Muer, a Rochester restaurant with great food. One of the pizzas (which was requested by me) was Rocky's Creation. Here is the list of ingredients: Cajun Gulf shrimp, diced tomatoes, garlic butter, artichoke hearts, fresh herbs & cheese.

OK. At this point some of you are thinking, "That sounds disgusting."

Whatever you might think, I believe that this is the pizza that will be served in heaven. Only God could have created such an incredible combination of flavors.

You may not agree with my taste in gourmet pizza, but I am sure you have some weird food likes that I could do without. It reminds me of the fact that we have a God who loves variety. We are each created uniquely by God. In the words of the Psalmist, "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it." (Psalm 139:13-14)

If everyone were like me, the world would be a boring place. (And Rocky's Creation would cost more because of the demand.) So I am glad that we are all unique in our own special way. It makes the world more interesting and displays the wonder and creativity of our God.

shine!
Jason