Rio Update - July 17

As I write this we are about half way through our time in Brasil. So far we have cleaned up the children’s home, worshipped with the Brazilians twice (once in a bi-lingual service), started construction of a new playset for the children’s home, been in the community, held two VBS’s (one in the children’s home and one at the Ramos Church across town), and connected with the Brazilian culture. On a more fun note, we have been to soccer game at the famous Maracanã stadium, eaten Brazilian pizza, and enjoyed soups, beans, and rice. It has been an incredible experience so far.
I have been reminded on this trip that God is not an American God. God is a God of all creation.
So often we think of God as the God of our nation. While that is true at some level, He is not just “our” God. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe that American has a special place in God’s heart where He loves us more than other nations. Actually, He is probably disappointed with us more than many other nations.
I am not trying to bash our country. I love the United States. I appreciate what we have and what our nation stands for. But at the same time, we are not God’s “special country.” We are one nation among many through which God wants us to bring forth His Kingdom.
I love the Brazilian people. I love that they often have more joy and peace than we do, but they have less than we do in terms of material goods. Many of them do not have the weight of large mortgages, expensive cars, and maintaining a certain lifestyle. They have something more simple, and more satisfying.
Sure, some of them would like more. Yes, there is violence and corruption in Brazil. There are many who go without food or own little or nothing. They are broken people, just like you and me. However, I appreciate the smiles, hugs, and joys they find in the simple things.
They have learned to be content without things you and I take for granted. Things like free refills, plumbing that doesn’t require pumps, and more reliable electricity. But it is in that contentment that many Brazilians have found something that you and I often struggle to find…the joy of a simple, less distracted life that doesn’t require constant entertainment and amassing of material goods.

shine!
Jason

Rio Update - July 15

We have done a lot since Sunday and I have not been able to blog since we have not had internet access. At least I have been able to check my email several times a day with my phone. I have to admit that technology is amazing and so often I take it for granted. This trip has reminded me of how blessed we are materially in the States.
Monday and Tuesday were dedicated primarily to projects around the children’s home. We spent time weeding (light and industrial size weeds). We also cleared out several areas around the grounds. Others installed new handrails and a fence to keep the children safe while they play.
We have enjoyed some delicious homemade Brazilian foods, including traditional breakfasts and soups. The people here have been extremely hospitable and kind to us.
The group was also introduced to one of my personal favorite treats in Brazil, chocolate pizza. Imagine thin crust pizza with chocolate sauce, chocolate sprinkles, and M&M’s. All I can say is, yummy!
I have been highly impressed by our team. We are a diverse group with a variety of different abilities, but we have all come together to accomplish so much. Since our arrival we have transformed the children’s home in a number of ways. In addition to the weeding, handrails, and fence, we have put down concrete where we will be installing a new play structure. (They don't use sand in Rio for playgrounds because it will quickly become a litter box for the animals in the community.)
We have also connected with many of the people here. Marcos and his family have grown close to us. Marcos, a member of the Victory Church, volunteers his time to help fix things around the children’s home. He and his family have spent a lot of time with us. I have gotten to know their fifteen-year-old son, Thauan. We talked throughout the day (using a dictionary and a lot of hand signs) and played foosball. Table soccer is like real soccer…the Brazilians always win.
This morning we experienced a power outage in the favela. While power outages are a struggle for us in the States, they create even larger problems here. Not only do you lose lighting and electrical outlets. You also lose water. Here, the water is pumped up to the top of the house in a large cistern. The plumbing then uses gravity to feed faucets, showers, etc. So when you lose power, you also lose the source for water. For a few hours this morning, that meant most of us couldn’t shower. Fortunately, the power came on in time for most of us to get a shower before heading to the church building.
Today we will be starting our three days of VBS. Today’s VBS will be held at the Ramos Church. Tomorrow we will hold a VBS at the children’s home. On Friday, we will hold our final VBS at the Victory Church. We have many other things on the agenda as well as our English Day on Saturday.
This year has been different than the last two trip to Brazil, but equally as fulfilling and encouraging. I have enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. I am really excited that Thauan gave me an email address so we can keep in touch – which should be interesting with the need for translation. There is so much more I could say, but I will end with one final story…
This morning as some of us were sitting in the kitchen listening to the rain and without power, we began singing “Send Your Rain.” It was a moment of peace as the Spirit of the Lord poured over us. God reminded us of His presence and working among us. It was one of those thin spaces where God speaks in a quiet but powerful way.

shine!
Jason

Rio - July 12 update

We arrived early yesterday morning and spent the day in a semi-awake state getting settled in. We had lunch at the church, shopped at the new WalMart, and spent the evening at the children's home where we are staying during out trip. It is such a beautiful view and I am enjoying the neighborhood. Yesterday afternoon, Rachel, Drew, and I went for a walk in the neighborhood. We grabbed a drink from the local store and watched children play soccer and fly kites.
We slept well last night and had a great breakfast this morning. Worship was incredible. I was amazed at how much Portuguese I remembered after two years. There was a new song we sang this morning (well, new to me) that had a simple but powerful chorus... (Thank you, Kevin, for helping me translate and remember)

Examine me
Break me
Transform me
Fill me
Use me

My prayer is that this song is the anthem of our trip. That God will do what He needs to do in us, around us, and through us, as we seek to grow closer to him and serve the people of Rio and the Victory Church.
So far this has been a great trip and I am excited about the team that God assembled for this trip. It has also been good to see Dan & Kirsty, the other Rio church members, and Becky and Claire. We also making some new friends. I can't wait to see what else God has in store for us.

shine!
Jason

What do you really need?

It can be difficult to live in the world and not be consumed by it. Every day we see hundreds of messages telling us what we need to be happy, popular, or complete. There are so many things telling us that peace is one purchase away. The apostle Paul reminds us of a better way to find peace…
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:6-13)
Paul did not become content without working at it. His “secret” to a life of contentment and purpose comes from living out the following advice:
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)
When we make the effort and work hard at allowing God to transform our minds, we can discover a new purpose for life. As we fix our thoughts on things of God instead of things of the world, we can truly learn to rely on Christ and we will find contentment, where we no longer need the things of the world to be happy. We will be able to do everything through Christ, who gives us strength.

shine!
Jason

I was hungry...

On Thursday afternoon, we returned from Destination Unknown. As we were preparing to leave the cabin we stayed in, I was cleaning out the van and noticed the remnants of a loaf of French bread in between the two front seats of the van. I grabbed the bread and a few other things and walked in to the throw everything out. When I got to the trashcan, I felt compelled to keep the bread. So I threw out everything else I had brought, but took the bread back to the van.
Fast forward about seven hours. We are just south of Detroit on I-75 and we heard that it was finally open again. It was around 4:00pm, and while northbound 75 wasn’t supposed to open until 5:00pm, I felt compelled to drive past the detour at exit 41 and go on.
We found out it was still closed and we were forced to exit. We exited the highway and started on our detour around the construction.
As we pulled up to a red light at the intersection of Clark Street and Fort Street, there was a man standing next to a road construction sign. He was holding his own handwritten sign that communicated that he was a war veteran seeking food.
As I looked at him, I remembered the bread. I reached over and grabbed it and rolled down my window. As my eyes met his eyes, I held out the bread. He walked over to the van and smiled slightly as I handed him the bread. One of the students in the van commented, “Did you see the way his face shined?”
Maybe this is what Jesus had in mind when He said that we are the light of the world. Maybe our task is not just to shine for Jesus, but to help bring the glow of the Kingdom into the lives of others.
It reminds me of something else Jesus said…
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me…I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:35-36,40)

shine!
Jason

Independence?

Today our country is celebrating Independence Day. It has been 233 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress.
Many of us have learned or at least remember the famous words found in the early part of the Declaration...
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
This sentence is the underpinning of much of what we have fought for over the last two centuries. They have served as the battle cry of those who fought for civil rights. They have been stated by those who argue for the Judeo-Christian foundations of our nation. They have fueled a philosophy that has helped the United States become a beacon of freedom for the world.
But at the same time, it has been distorted by those who want to do what they want to do. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness has become a reason to become too individualistic. For many, this idea of the pursuit of happiness means that I can have what I want. It gives me the right to demand my rights. My, how we have so missed the point.
Maybe we should look at the closing sentence of the Declaration of Independence. Here is the last sentence before the signature of John Hancock...
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."
There is a crucial lesson in this important sentence that concludes the Declaration. Freedom does not mean I have the right to demand what I want. Rather, it gives us the freedom to work together as a community to work for the best interests of everyone. It means that I am willing to sacrifice my individual desires so that my passions can become part of a greater effort, something bigger than me.
Imagine if we approached our citizenship as Americans, and our citizenship as citizens of the Kingdom of God, in this way. How much different would the United States look if we would use our talents and abilities to improve our nation before filling our own selfish desires? How much different would many churches look if we would really practiced the words of Jesus from Mark 8:34-35 which say the following:
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
Our nation is built on the idea of freedom. But it is a freedom that comes with responsibility. It calls for sacrifice that allows us to pursue our passions in the context of a community which seeks the greater good.
The church is built on the same premise. We are not saved from our sins primarily for our own personal salvation. Rather, we are set free from the bondage of sin to discover our unique role in the family known as the body of Christ.

shine!
Jason

Billy Mays here!

I always enjoyed Billy Mays and his enthusiasm. This is funny...

Upside Down

All of this past week I was at Elevate, a Christian camp for teenagers held at Rochester College. This is the sixth time I have been a part of this camp and the fourth consecutive year I have been a part of the camp since I moved to Rochester.
This year was an incredible year. For months I have been praying for God to move in some very powerful ways in our youth group, and He answered many of those prayers this past week. I witnessed reconciliation, unification, and spiritual growth. It was incredible to see God at work.
Two of the students from our group were baptized this week. I had the honor of baptizing Addy Laster into Christ and Hannah Harrell was baptized by her dad in the river. I always enjoy seeing someone being baptized into Christ.
The theme for this year was “Upside Down” and there were a lot of people whose lives seemed to be turned upside for the better. I listened to students share their burdens, recommit their lives, and seek God. The times of worship were incredibly powerful.
I spoke about the following passage on Monday morning…
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:13-16)
This week I was able to see students and adults, myself included, respond to God’s call for us to be salt and light to a world in need of the love of God. Whether it was in worship, through meditation on God’s word, in small groups, at our youth group devos, or during times of serving, the Holy Spirit was moving at Elevate this year. Praise God for the ways He shapes us and moves us to bring the Kingdom of God to life around us.

shine!
Jason

Sword of the Spirit

Last night I had a chance to speak in what I call "big church." Patrick was out of town and I offered to teach for Connections in the auditorium.
It worked out well because Patrick has been talking about Spiritual Warfare and I have been teaching a series on the armor of God Paul discusses in Ephesians 6. So last night I presented a lesson on the sixth piece of the armor, the sword of the Spirit.
This was a challenging lesson for me because it forced me to examine my own life, habits, and behaviors. The lesson was as much for me as it was anyone else. As is the case in many of my lessons, I am challenging myself as much as everyone else in the audience.
The word of God, the sword of the Spirit, is living and active. It is a weapon that we must be familiar with and use wisely.
It is our weapon against the forces of darkness. Just as Jesus used God's word to battle temptation in Matthew 4, you and I must embrace it as a weapon in our fight.
We must use the Word to correct, rebuke, and encourage one another as followers of Jesus. We must not be afraid to patiently use it to instruct each other.
When we live out God's word in our lives, it will also introduce people to God. When the Word comes to life in our lives, God becomes visible. It allows us to be salt and light.
We should never shy away from allowing the sword of the Spirit to dissect our own lives. James describes the word of God as a mirror that we should look into and make changes when needed. How often do we ignore what we see when we look into God's word and compare our own life?
It seems as though many Christians either fail to realize or acknowledge that we are in a war. This is a struggle against the powers of darkness in the heavenly realms as well as this world. Our battle is not against flesh and blood.
Why is it that so many appear to take this battle so lightheartedly? Things like Scripture memorization and bringing a Bible to worship or even Bible class have fallen out of vogue. Why is this?
Have we overreacted to a past where we flirted with worshipping the Bible instead of God?
Have we created a culture where we put verse on the screen, so you don't think you need your Bible?
Have we allowed so many other things to consume our time, that God's word has lost its place in our lives?
The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are so intimately entwined in our spiritual life. The sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is such a vital part of that equation. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples shortly before His arrest and trial...
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (John 14:15-21)
If we want to experience God's love and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth, we must also expose ourselves to truth. Yes, we receive the Holy Spirit at baptism. Yes, the Spirit works in our lives. But we must also, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)
The word of Christ will only dwell in us richly when we invest time in drinking it in. If we are serious about discipleship and following Christ, then we must commit time to sharpening ourselves with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God.

shine!
Jason

Reaching out across the street

I am so excited about yesterday! Sunday morning our students and parents partnered to reach out to our community. Instead of sitting in a classroom talking about our faith (which is not a bad thing), we were able to get out of our comfort zone and live out our faith.
Across the street from our church building is an apartment complex with 526 units. For some time, God has placed a burden on my heart (and on the hearts of other members of our staff) to reach out to this community with the love of Jesus. There are literally a few thousand people within shouting distance of our building who may never have experienced the love of God. I am sure there are hundreds who are hurting in a variety of ways.
We did not go to set up Bible studies, preach to them about salvation, or take a survey. We simply went to extend a hand of friendship. On Sunday, July 5, we will be having our Jubilee Sunday. On this special Sunday, there will be one combined service at 10:00am, followed by a BBQ and activities for all ages. It will be a great day!
Our purpose in going across the street is simply to invite the members of that community to get to know us better. My prayer is that through knowing us, they will come to know Jesus.
Above anything else, God is a God of relationship and community. In Genesis 1:27, it says, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
God created us in His image. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in community with one another, we are created and called to live in community. We are designed to know and be known. We find our value in living out our purpose.
Yesterday, just as God reached out to us through Jesus of Nazareth, we reached out. We reached out to those who may very well need a smile, a hug, or just a place to belong. We want to be His hands and feet to bring light to the darkness, hope to the hopeless, and peace to the restless. There is no greater purpose than that.

shine!
Jason

Penguin persecution, even from an elder

Yesterday, I made the decision to wear my Pittsburgh Penguins jersey. I realize this was a brave/foolish decision on my part. However, I wanted to rejoice in the Penguins' victory in game 6 the night before. First of all, it was a well played game and they deserved the win. Second, and more importantly, the Red Wings will more than likely win Friday night and skate around the Joe with Lord Stanley's Cup. Therefore, yesterday was my chance to revel in the moment.
Well, it started and never ended. The looks. The words. The general sense of unhappiness when anyone saw me.
"Why would you wear that?"
"Seriously?"
"What is THAT?"
And to top it all off, last night at the conclusion of our elder/staff meeting we were about to pray. One of our elders looked at me and said, "Say a special prayer for Jason." Wow, even dissed by an elder.
I realize that everyone (well at least the people at church) were saying all of this to me in love. It was kind of fun for the day to be the person almost everyone looked at with disgust. The real fun could be around the corner if the Penguins do find a way to pull off the upset.

shine!
Jason

An anchor in a sea of transition

Transition can be a difficult time. Transition can mean loss, gain, or both. This week I am experiencing both.
I found out earlier this week that a friend from high school took his own life. We were in marching band together and would talk during band and in various other venues. He was a talented, intelligent, and enjoyable person. I don’t know all of the things that caused his life to unfold this way, but I know that he will be missed. My heart first and foremost goes out to his family. It is a time of difficult transition for them and for anyone who knew him at a variety of levels.
I had recently reconnected with him on Facebook and was looking forward to catching up on life. Loss brings about painful transition, especially when it is transition with such finality.
On the other hand, this week we are welcoming the new seventh graders into our ministry. This is an exciting time as they move into the youth group and begin a new chapter of their lives. I know that it is both an exciting and scary time for many parents, especially those who are sending their oldest child into new, uncharted territory.
I am looking forward to getting to know these new members of the ARISE family as they begin this part of their journey of following Jesus. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for them.
Whether it’s loss or gain, transition is all around is. It is inevitable. It is unavoidable. It is a part of life. In the midst of a world engulfed in change, there is only one thing – or rather one person – who never changes. The Hebrew author writes that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
When you find yourself in times of change or transition, look to the One who never changes. In times of good transition, we can tend to forget about God. In times of difficult transition, we tend to blame God. Instead of forgetting or blaming Him, let’s reach out and hold on to the One who is an anchor. Let me close with the words of the author of Hebrews:
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:18-19)

shine!
Jason

Rooms on the move

Today, two dear friends came over and helped us paint two rooms in our house. Well, OK, I didn't do any painting, but that was by request. The last time I tried to help with a painting project at my house with friends, they basically said, "Jason, step away from the paint roller and no one gets hurt." If you have a basement wall or primer work, give me a call. If you want a good paint job, ask me to get you some water and move furniture.
Anyway, we are swapping Matthew's bedroom and our office/guest room. This has been a fun little project. Michelle will now have a room for doing homeschool, instead of having to work at the kitchen table. Let me stop for a minute and tell you how proud I am of my family. Michelle does a great job schooling Matthew. A lot of that is because she looks at life as a classroom. While she and Matthew do sit down to do school work, she also looks for opportunities for learning away from the "classroom." I also love that she integrates faith and Scripture into her teaching. Her hard work is paying off! I have been impressed with the servant heart and character of my son. I know that much of that is due to the hard work of Michelle. She is an incredible woman!
Back to the rooms. Matthew is pretty excited about his new bedroom. The top third of the walls are white and the bottom two-thirds are Steeler gold. Yes, Matthew's new room will be a Steeler room which will include black and gold paint, a Ben Roethlisberger Fat Head, a football with autographs from Super Bowl XL (including Ben's), and a few other Steeler's items grandpa has provided. It will be a fun and colorful room.
It is always refreshing to move things around, sort through stuff, and give rooms a fresh coat of paint. There is a feeling of renewal in the Steckel house this weekend.

shine!
Jason

Pursuing peace

Peace.
People protest for it. It has it’s own symbol. There are songs written about it.
But why is peace so elusive? Why has generation after generation been seeking peace, but war and violence ruled the day?
I believe that peace cannot be forced. It cannot be legislated. There is no treaty that guarantees peace.
I believe that true peace only comes when we are transformed by the world to God’s way of looking at things. Consider what Paul writes…
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)
Real peace comes from an army of Christ-followers seeking to live the kind of lives that live at peace with others. When we show true love, compassion, and kindness to those we encounter, we can change the world. In the words of Jesus, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

shine!
Jason

What's the point?

We pursue so many things to find purpose in life. In the words of Solomon, “Everything is meaningless, completely meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) We chase after so many things that are unimportant in the grand scheme of life. We go after success and satisfaction, money and materials, and popularity and power. We invest so much of our time in gathering things that are only temporary.
No wonder so many people wrestle with the question that has consumed mankind for generations. It may appear in a variety of forms, but the basic question is, “What’s the point of this life?”
Solomon wrestled with this question and wrote his thoughts down to be shared for thousands of years with billions of people. At the end of his thoughts, he states the following…
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
We are created to be God’s children. In the words of the prophet Micah, “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
In a world full of people seeking purpose and wholeness, the answer is simple, although not necessarily easy. God created us in His image and without Him we are incomplete. In order to find true purpose, we must seek to live as people with God-shaped lives.
Fearing God is not cowering in a corner. It is a healthy respect for the One who made us. Obeying God’s commands is not intended to be a burden. Rather, it frees us to live outside the constraints and poison of sin.
So often, people pursue substitutes for the only thing that brings wholeness. Instead of using their abilities and talents to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, they use them to do what is pleasing, love themselves, and walk proudly among men. We will find our true identity when we pursue the purposes God intends.

shine!
Jason

Burger, Dogs, and Sabbath

Yesterday we held our fourth annual Backyard BBQ. (We have hosted 3 of the 4 BBQs. The second year it rained and we were relegated to the youth room.) This has become one of my favorite family events of the year. We invite all of the families in our LifeStage to our house for an afternoon of food and hanging out.
Around 1:30pm, approximately 130 people invaded our backyard with lawn chairs and side dishes in tow. By then the burgers and hot dogs were already on the grills and the aroma was filling the air. (Thanks, Brenden for being the grillmaster.)
It seemed like in a matter of minutes everyone had staked out their spot under the famous shade tree and they were ready for an afternoon of good eating and visiting. The next three hours were filled with laughter, games of volleyball, conversations, and fun. It was a great afternoon!
I wondered why over 100 people would hang out in our backyard for over three hours on a Sunday afternoon, and then it dawned on me...
Most of us are too busy and very seldom do we have three hours to just sit and talk to other people. We run from activity to activity, event to event, with little time to just sit and visit. This event is more than a BBQ. It is almost a mini-Sabbath in the midst of scores of crazy lives. For a few hours on a sunny Sunday afternoon, people can take a break from their hectic lives and build relationships.
Yesterday in the high school class we were talking about our purpose in life. In the midst of a discussion about the 10 Commandments, one of my students asked about Sabbath. We talked about creating space in our lives for God and other people. Sabbath is something we struggle with as extremely busy people. We have a hard time slowing down long enough to rest or reflect.
However, yesterday afternoon, over 100 people had a chance to slow down, sit down, and remember what it means to be human.

shine!
Jason

Amy is here!

Yesterday afternoon, my intern for the summer arrived here. Amy McLaughlin, a student at Lipscomb University, will be working with me this summer in our ministry.
After she arrived, she jumped in the car with our family, we drove around the area a bit, gave her a quick tour of the church building, grabbed a bite to eat, and went shopping for groceries. I thought I would let her rest on her first day here. ;-)
Well, after that all that craziness, we picked up a few students and headed over to Friday Night Live at the home of one of our ministry's families. I was impressed as I watched Amy interact with all of the students. She obviously has a passion for people and a heart for ministry. After last night, I am even more convinced that she will do a great job this summer.
Tomorrow we are hosting the third annual Backyard BBQ at our house for ARISE families. We are expecting over 100 people here for food, fun, and fellowship. (I know, it's a cheesy alliteration.) Anyway, the weather forecast looks great and I am looking forward to an afternoon with over 100 of my good friends from the Rochester Church.

shine!
Jason

Forgiveness sets us free

Why do we often have a hard time accepting forgiveness? Is it because we have a hard time forgiving others? Is it because we can’t imagine that we could be forgiven?
I believe that forgiveness is at the core of faith in Jesus. Unless we can really accept the fact that we are forgiven, we can get trapped in slavery to our sin. Consider what Paul wrote to the church in Rome…
Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:15-23)
Forgiveness sets us free! Free from condemnation. Free from sin. Free from death. This is the secret of following Jesus, that when we make ourselves a slave to God, we are set free from the things that hold us down. It is through this forgiveness – this gift of God – that we can live the joy-filled life that He created us to enjoy.

shine!
Jason

Reflections on (gasp!) 39

Well, I woke up this morning to the fact that I am only one year from 40. Yes, today I turn 39. Well, technically, I am not 39 years old until 5:22pm EST today.
So what does 39 mean? Not much really. I came to the conclusion long ago that I am going to live my life, not my age. There are times I feel like I am in my 40's and times I act like I am in my 20's.
I have to say that one of the things that makes me feel old and young - sometimes simultaneously - is working with teenagers. There are times when I am wrestling with one of the guys, playing basketball, or staying up until two or three in the morning talking that I remember I am not 21 anymore. There are also times when I feel invigorated by being in the presence of students who are energetic and passionate. It is a blessing to do what I do. Sometimes I am amazed that I get paid to do something I love so much. God has been way more faithful to me than I deserve.
The longer I live, the more I realize how insignificant and significant I truly am. While this statement seems like a paradox, don't a lot of things in the Kingdom of God? Jesus is wholly man and God. God is three and one. The first shall be last. Well, you get the idea.
So how can I be both insignificant and significant? I have discovered that in the grand scope of creation, I am but a vapor. I am a speck of dust. I came from dirt and to dirt I will return. I am one of billions of people in the world. I may gain the false illusion that having a lot of friends on Facebook means I am well known, but for every one friend I have on Facebook, there are over 4 million people who don't have a clue who Jason Steckel is. In 100 years, there's a good chance almost no one will know I ever lived. Feeling tiny yet? I do.
On the other hand, I am treasured by the Creator of the universe. The God that spoke "let there be light" and there was, formed me in my mother's womb. The One who placed the stars in the sky, the One who molded the mountains and dug out the seas, the One who designed this intricate, organic machine we call a body, He knows my name. He cherishes me. He knows me inside and out. When I awaken in the morning, He is there. When I lay down at night, I am in His presence. There is nowhere I can go where He is not. I am His son, His prized possession.
This is the mystery of life that I am still amazed by and the puzzle that I can never seem to find every piece for. It is what keeps me humble, but yet lifts me up. It is the wind that knocks me down and carries me forward.
While I am just one person among billions, God is inviting me to be a part of His dream for this world. While I may be just one drop in an ocean of people, I am a part of God's family. I am a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit and an outpost of light. As imperfect and fallen as I am, God has entrusted me to be a husband, a father, a son, and a minister. He has created me with a unique set of abilities, talents, and passions.
As I turn 39, I realize that life is not about how many days I have lived. It's about how I am living my days. My prayer is that in my insignificance, I can bring glory and honor to the One in whose eyes I am significant.

shine!
Jason

(Un)conditional love

For many, the concept of unconditional love is hard to imagine. In a world where many adults place such a high value on grades, athletic feats, and other performance-based measurements, it can be hard for some teens to feel loved without conditions.
For many adults, we allow what we have done to define us, whether it’s good or bad. We let a job title, a talent, or a sin or addiction determine who we are.
God looks at us from a different point of view. God loves us as His creation. We are His children. He loves us unconditionally, even when we might not deserve it. The apostle Paul wrote, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:6-11)
God was willing to love us, even when we were unlovable. Jesus lived that out during his time on the earth. He met a Samaritan woman who had gone from relationship to relationship and showed her truth. He encountered a woman caught in adultery, showed her mercy, and told her to “go and sin no more.” He hung on a cross as people mocked Him and said, “Father, forgive them.”
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. (1 John 4:16-17)
Look to the One who is Love and learn what it means to receive and give unconditional love.

shine!
Jason

30 Hour Famine

The weekend of May 1-2, twenty-six of our students and several adults participated in the 30 Hour Famine. This is an event created by World Vision to raise awareness and funds to battle world hunger.
Starting after lunch on Friday, May 1, these students dedicated themselves to go without food until 6:00pm on Saturday. Around 6:30pm on Friday, we gathered at the home of Dave and Karen Benedict. Friday evening we spent time hanging out, studying God’s word, worshiping, praying, and played a game of hide-n-seek with a unique angle. Students were also divided into “tribes” that represented nations in South America where hunger is a major issue.
Our Bible study that evening focused on Jesus’ preparation for ministry through fasting. We looked at Matthew 4, and discussed how fasting was central to Jesus’ ability to resist Satan’s three temptations as well as prepared Him for the start of His ministry. We also looked at Acts 13 and 14, where we see fasting as a crucial component for selecting leaders or preparing for ministry.
We played a game called “Hide” where most of the students hid in the house while five “guerilla soldier” searched for them. This game brought to life for our students the reality that many in some countries deal with every day where gangs hunt down their rivals.
We woke up the next morning and began a day that was focused on serving others. After our morning juice break, we loaded up and headed out to Michigan Christian Youth Camp, where we spent a few hours helping prepare the camp for the summer. Several of the students commented about the challenge to work while not having eaten for almost twenty-four hours. It gave them a new appreciation for those who often go without food for that period of time.
After returning to our “home base” (the Benedicts), we went out into Clarkston for a canned food drive for God’s Helping Hands. In the course of a little under an hour, our students gathered 345 food items and $39 for GHH. We were all amazed at how much God provided in that short time period. The people in the community were so generous.
After returning to the Benedicts we held a few more competitions between our “tribes” that taught our students more about the plight of those in countries challenged by extreme poverty and starvation. I enjoyed watching students, some of whom barely knew each other at the start of the weekend, working together in teams.
Shortly before 6:00pm, we all gathered in the living room for a time of sharing. Students shared how God had been speaking to them throughout the weekend. It was incredibly encouraging for me to hear how so many of them had been touched in a variety of ways. I can’t begin to express how impressed I was with their insight and how proud I am of the ways they allowed God to work in their lives over the weekend.
We broke our fast together by sharing communion, praying together, and heading out to the kitchen for our first meal in 30 hours. Many students expressed how much they now appreciated the food they usually take for granted and how good it was to eat. Thank you to Bob and Susie Wilson, Dave and Carolyn Palmer, and Barb Huey for preparing our food. They were a huge part of this weekend – just ask the students!
Through 30 Hour Famine, our students raised over $1000 to battle world hunger (and some of them are still collecting funds), collected 345 food items and $39 for God’s Helping Hands, collectively served over 50 hours at MCYC, and were shaped by the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives through fasting, prayer, and service. It was a great weekend where God came to life in a powerful way for many of our students. Thank you to those who donated, those who prayed for us, those who served, and the parents who are the primary ministers for their children. You are all a part of a community that is working together to develop our teenagers into followers of Christ.

shine!
Jason

Michael Frost on Missional Church

I really appreciate what Frost has to say in this video. It is both insightful and challenging. My prayer is that we can be more intentional about engaging our community and seeking ways to be Jesus in the soil we've been planted in.

Renewal

I love springtime. Sun. Warmer temperatures. Lower heating bills. There are so many great things about this time of year.
One of my favorite things about spring is the reminder that God is a God of second chances and renewal. All winter long I have looked out the windows of my home only to see brown grass, trees without leaves, and skies that are often gray.
But the last several weeks I have seen glimmers of hope. The grass is starting to green. There are buds on the trees. The sunshine shines more often and blue skies are becoming more commonplace.
The apostle Paul wrote the following…
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
Let springtime remind you of the unseen renewal God offers daily.

shine!
Jason

More than conquerors

This Sunday our students will be studying Romans 8:18-39. Here are a few reflections on this passage...

This is one of the most powerful passages in all of Scripture. We are a part of God’s work to redeem this world. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, the love of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit, God calls us to join his purpose. We allow so many things to distract us from our purpose and design. Nothing can separate us from God except ourselves. While God is always there and he always loves us, we can choose to construct barriers to put distance between us and God.
We must wrestle with the fact that God is not out to punish us or make us do what he wants. Rather, he views us as his children and wants what is best for us. He gave up his Son to prove his love and he gave us his Spirit to improve our relationship with him. Our God doesn’t sit on the mountaintop sending down laws. He lived them out though Jesus and empowers us with the Holy Spirit to do the same. That is why we are more than conquerors.

shine!
Jason

The good, the bad, and the ugly

This past Wednesday, I was able to share my story in Connections. I have to tell you that I was more nervous than I have been in years. Very seldom do I get nervous about public speaking, but this past Wednesday I was very anxious as the evening approached.
I have to be honest, I wasn’t sure what kind of reaction I would receive. I knew that there were parts of my past that are very dark and other parts that are pretty humorous. I shared most everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Thank you to those of you who came up to me afterwards with words of affirmation. I also want to thank those who sent me an email or a comment on Facebook.
I was reminded of something powerful this week. There is something about sharing your story.
To me, that is one of the most powerful aspects of the Bible. Many people look at the Bible as a list of rules and regulations to please a God who doesn’t really care about what we want. That is so counter to what the Bible really is.
In the Bible, we are introduced to the stories of hundreds of people whose lives, like mine, were full of the good, the bad, and the ugly. And while I shared my life with a few hundred people, billions of people have heard the stories of people like David and Peter. David, the “man after God’s own heart,” also violated half of the Ten Commandments in a matter of months. Peter denied Jesus three times shortly after declaring his allegiance to the Christ.
These two men, and dozens of others in the story of God’s people, accomplished much for the Kingdom of God in spite of their shortcomings.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
When we begin to look at the Bible as a collection of stories of imperfect people striving to grow closer to a perfect and loving God, maybe we can begin to see how God wants to turn our shortcomings into victories rather than telling us how bad we are.

shine!
Jason

Spirit-led living

This Sunday our students will be studying Romans 8:5-17. I just wanted to share a few brief thoughts on this powerful passage...

This passage gets to the heart of what it means to be a Christian. It’s not about rules or regulations. It’s not the law itself that God is concerned with. God is ultimately concerned about the relationship between him and his children. In Spirit-led living, we see God’s real desire. God wants us to be so intimately connected with him that we can’t help but live according to his passions and desires.
He wants to share his treasures with us. And those treasures exist in this world and the New Heaven and New Earth. When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will experience true life and real peace. It is not until we allow the Spirit to be our guide that we can really live into God’s dream for us in this world and into eternity.

shine!
Jason

10 Years Ago...

Ten years ago today was the day I lost my mother in a car accident. I wrote about this experience last year, so I won't revisit the story.
However, I was reminded today of the lonely and confusing world of dealing with death.
We live in a culture that doesn't always know how to deal with death and dying. We spend billions of dollars as a nation to mask our aging. In many ways we have sterilized the dying process. I often see people who are afraid, embarrassed, or unsure of how to deal outwardly with their grief. Sometimes, it seems like it is culturally unacceptable to grieve.
I am so thankful that during my time at Rochester I have interacted with John & Sara Barton, who served as missionaries to Uganda, and several students from Uganda who have attended Rochester College. Through them, and several indirect experiences with deaths in Uganda, I have learned a lot about how at least one other culture deals with death.
Last night I shared my life story with the Rochester Church. Part of that story included the deaths of my mom and Michelle's mom, who died several months apart in 1999. Any time I share my story of grieving, be it in front of a few hundred people or sitting in my office with one student wrestling with grief, there is power in community, sharing sorrow, and helping carry one another's burdens.
I wonder what kind of difference it would make in our churches if we could become more transparent and honest about the times we are hurting. Not only could it help those dealing with the pain, I believe it would draw our churches closer together and move us closer to the koinonia community that God desires.

shine!
Jason

Outside the walls

This week while at one of the Christian colleges, something interesting happened. I was sitting in a contemplative chapel where we were lead in prayers through the Stations of the Cross.
There’s something else that happened during our prayer time that I want to share with you. Overlooking the arena where we were having chapel, there is a room that has floor to ceiling windows.
While we were in the arena with dimmed lights and experiencing prayer, there was a group of people enjoying a luncheon in that room. The bright light and moving bodies was a bit of a distraction since it was clearly visible to all who were a part of the chapel.
It made we wonder how many of us are often like the people at the luncheon, who seemed oblivious to the hundreds of students sitting just outside their window.
How often is God at work in plain view around us and we completely miss it? How many of us get so wrapped up in our days that we don’t see what God is doing right under our noses?
I often hear people ask, “Where is God?” The reality is that often God is already at work, even in the messiest of situations.
The problem is two-fold. First of all, like the people at the luncheon, we can be so consumed by what we want to do, that we miss out on what God is doing all around us.
The other problem is that we want God to work in ways we like or are comfortable with. But that’s often not how God works.
Jesus irritated the religious leaders of his day because he interacted with prostitutes, tax collectors, Samaritans, adulterers, lepers, and a host of other people who were considered “unclean” by those who ascribed to the religious status quo.
Jesus is calling us to a radical way of living. A way of life that calls us to abandon our selfish desires, allow God to transform us from the inside out, and engage a world in need of salvation.
Maybe it’s time to look outside the walls and see what God is doing all around us.

shine!
Jason

Don't wrestle alone

Why does it seem like so many Christians try to fight sin on their own? I think for those of us who are American, it’s because we have “Americanized” our Christianity. We have been shaped by the pioneering spirit and individualistic nature of our nation and our culture. We hear phrases like “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” or look at those who made it “on their own” and we want to bring that to our spiritual life.
Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Yes, there is an aspect of our spiritual life which includes personal responsibility and choices. Yes, ultimately, we must make the decisions and deal with the consequences of our behavior. But God’s dream is not the American dream. God’s dream is echoed again and again throughout Scripture. God’s dream is about relationship.
In Deuteronomy 6, God says that we must love God and love our neighbor. Jesus echoes those very words in Matthew 22. James states that true religion is caring for widows and orphans, keeping yourself pure. God’s dream can only be realized in relationship. Relationship with God and relationship with one another.
This is just as true in our battle with sin. In Romans 7, Paul describes the challenge that even followers of Christ face in their battle with sin. Paul says, “I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” (Romans 7:18-19)
Can you relate to this? I know I can. It’s interesting that I struggle the most with sin when I try so hard to do it on my own.
Do you want to overcome sin? The answer is simple, but not easy. It begins by having a close relationship with God that includes tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit. It is further strengthened by surrounding yourself with Spirit-filled people who can encourage you and help you in your struggle.
Both of these are uncomfortable at times. When I am wrestling with sin is when I am most tempted to back away from God and fellow believers. But if we believe Paul’s words, that is the time it is more important to rely on those relationships.

shine!
Jason

Paralyzed by the past

Why do we so often let the past paralyze us?
Whether I am looking at my own life or the lives of others, so many people are held captive by their past.
I have stood behind the bars of past mistakes. I have felt the imprisonment of regrets. I have experienced the hate, anger, guilt, and shame that result from poor decisions and unpleasant experiences.
My use of the past tense does not mean that I am completely free of those things. If I am completely honest, there are still times that I struggle with my past. I have times when I look back and feel the emotional and spiritual paralysis beginning to seep back into my life.
God never intended for us to look back. I think that is the real lesson in the story of Lot’s wife in Genesis 19. Jesus actually referred to this story when he told his disciples, “Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.” (Luke 17:32-33)
Throughout history, God’s desire has been that we leave our past behind and look ahead to what God has in store. He wants our lives to be more than we can imagine. His dreams are bigger than our dreams. His hopes for us far exceed what we can imagine.
The apostle Paul may have put it best when he wrote, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)
Don’t look back. Don’t be held captive by past mistakes or situations. Whether it’s choices you have made or things that have happened to you that are beyond your control, God is calling you into a better future.
This journey may not be easy and it’s nearly impossible to make the trip alone. We need each other to help us along the way. God called us into community for a purpose, and part of that purpose is to create a place of safety and encouragement where we can be there for one another.
Don’t look back.
Don’t be held captive.
Look forward to the incredible future God has in store for you.
We usually can’t see what the future holds, but when we trust God and lean on one another, we will move closer to the hope and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

shine!
Jason

An alternative community

I am wrestling with something I read last night. For my grad class, I am currently reading The Missional Leader by Roxburgh and Romanuk. I came across some words that have challenged me. Maybe challenge isn't even the right word. What I read connected with my heart and mind. It touched on something I have been bothered by. It resonated with a passion that has been burning inside me for some time. It gave words to the feeling I have had for some time. Here is what they wrote:

Today, in discussion about the nature of church leadership, there is little theological wrestling with the questions of how to form or socialize a people into an alternative community. On the contrary, there is a growing emphasis on how to help seekers feel they belong in a congregation without any expectations or demands on their lives.
It is a strange twist of thinking to watch this kind of conversation. In the time of Tertullianm someone wanting to belong to the church had to go through a rigorous period of training focused on behavior (how daily life was actually lived). In other words, to belong to the new community of Jesus, a person was mentored in practicing change in habits. Today leaders talk about the need to create a safe, non-threatening, low threshold of belonging in order to draw people into the church. Note the two radically different ways in which the same language is being used. These approaches suggest contrasting sources of understanding. In the latter case and in our contemporary context, the source of this thinking in not a theologically, biblically formed imagination but the latest marking strategies that come from polls and studies about what people are looking for when they want to join a group. This is not to suggest that we not seek to welcome people into our churches. It is to point out the distinct sources of our leadership imagination today.

A little later, they wrote:

The Church entered the long period of Christendom and the focus of leadership shifted from formation of a people as a alternative society of God's future to oversight of orthodoxy, proper administration of the sacraments, and regulation of spiritualized and privatized ethical practices increasingly disconnected from any biblical or theological understanding of the ecclesia as the people of God.

I feel that in our efforts to spread the Kingdom we have lost some of the uniqueness of the Kingdom. We are called to be separate from the world. This doesn't mean we hide out and disengage from the world. Rather, it means we engage the world from a different perspective. But it seems that we have focused more on looking like the world and engaging the world on their terms instead.
Just last night I was talking with a teenager about the struggles of being a Christian teen. As I think about our conversation in the context of what I read last night, sometimes I feel like we have missed it. Instead of equipping students (and, just as importantly) their parents to develop spiritual habits and disciplines, we have focused on creating events and ministries that will appeal to today's teenagers.
Don't get me wrong. I love teenagers and spend most everyday thinking about how to reach them with the love of Jesus. But, in the words of one of my favorite college professors at Harding, "What you win them with, you win them to."
It feels like we have turned Christianity more into staying out of hell than living for heaven. For many, the question seems to have become, ""What do I need to do to get to heaven?" instead of "What does it mean to follow Jesus?"
I feel like I am beginning to ramble. There is so much going on right now in my mind as I wrestle with the words I read. God, hear my cry. Give me discernment. Where is it that you are calling God's people today as we face an unknown future? How can we move from being admirers of Jesus to committing our lives to him as his followers?

shine!
Jason

Camp out

Last night I enjoyed another camp out with my son.
You might think I am crazy to have a camp out in March in Michigan, but it's not exactly what you think.
From time to time, we will pull the cushion off the futon in our guest room and put it out in front of the the fireplace in the living room. Then we turn on the fireplace, which serves as our "campfire." Matthew and I lay there and pray together, talk for a bit, and then drift off to dreamland.
These are some of the moments that I will cherish the most as my little boy grows up. There will come a day when this may not be so fun and cool. However, I am hoping that one day they will transform into camp outs where we can sit around a real campfire and talk about more profound aspects of life.
Every moment is precious and I know I don't always make enough time for my family. But I know that little things like these "camp outs" will be more important than any investment I can make in a retirement account.
If you have children, be sure to make time for moments like this. Unlike money in a bank account, they are investments that can never be taken away. They are the down payment on your future relationship with your children. Don't trade them in for the cheap substitutes of money, power, prestige, and possessions. Make time for the most important things and you will be richer than you could ever imagine.

shine!
Jason

Illuminate thank you's

Illuminate 2009 was a great weekend! We had over 250 students and adults registered for the event as well as a number of special guests who were a part of the weekend. Students from here at Rochester and around the region joined together for times of worship and teaching. In addition, there were several breakout sessions that included a variety of topics and learning styles. We had comedy and a very entertaining concert.
Don McLaughlin, from the North Atlanta Church of Christ, was our keynote speaker who brought the word of God to life in a powerful way. He also stayed and spoke on Sunday morning.
Sean Algaier, from the Jenks Church in Oklahoma, lead us in worship on Friday night and taught a parents/teens class on Sunday morning.
Our own Chris Lindsey led worship on Saturday as well as coordinating everything that happened during our worship times.
Ambassadors, from Ohio Valley University, provided dramas that enhanced the message of the weekend. They also led several breakout sessions.
Hoss Ridgeway provided a lot of laughs through his comedy and led two breakout sessions.
Pat Pugh, from Cincinnati Urban Ministry Outreach, led several breakout sessions.
Randy Hendrickson, from Parkersburg, West Virginia, shared his story in a breakout session.
John Reuben performed a great concert on Saturday night.
In addition to all of those guests, there was an army of people from here at the Rochester Church that made Illuminate happen. I want to thank each and every one of them for their time and energy to make this event possible. Without them, Illuminate would not have been possible:

KITCHEN
Scott Vasseur
Sue Vasseur
Gary Osborn
Dawn Osborn
Jim Lytle
Heidi Lytle
Paul Patrico
Michelle Patrico
Rick Hillman
Paul Shinsky
Barb Huey
Tracy DuBaere
Karen Demsich
Nora Muntz
Lisa Patrico
Jeanie King
Patti Jenema
Carolyn Palmer
Amber White
Dave Turner

SECURITY
Kerry DuBaere
Josh DuBaere
Jerry Ward
Reggie Hansen
Dave Palmer
Joey Kesler
Kevin Stewart
Duncan Mead
Gary Turner
Keith Huey
Bob Stewart
Allen Meinhard
Joe Demsich
Jim Lytle
Elijah Blake
Keith Huey

REGISTRATION & HOUSING
Laura Stewart
Barb Huey
Carolyn Palmer
Lisa Patrico
Heidi Lytle
Debi Gibbs

BREAK OUT SESSION REGISTRATION
Michelle Steckel
Betty Turner
Patti Jenema

GUEST HOSPITALITY
Katie Dear
Dana Spivy
Jenny Hoggatt

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Gary Anspach
Jon Knutson
Dave Cassilly
Matt Brown
Woody Woodward

SET-UP/CLEAN-UP
Kevin O'Sullivan
Rick Hillman
Debi Gibbs
Joey Kesler
Trudy Kesler

SICK ROOM
Tammy Ward

VIDEOGRAPHY
Lee Higginbottom

PRAISE TEAM
Chris Lindsey
Vicki Lindsey
Jeremy King
Veronica King
John Knutson
Holly Knutson
Steve Corp
Brenden Davison

PRAISE TEAM BAND
Chris Lindsey
Sean Algaier
Andy Robinson
Neil Graney
Teresa Graney
Ben Ayers
Aaron Mize

BREAK-OUT SESSION TEACHERS
Patrick Mead
Brian Bowers
Robert Martin
Sara Barton
Scott Ockerman
Shaun Hover
Adam Hill
Adam Hacias
Katy Hacias
David Watts
David Rotberg
Krystal Rotberg
Ty Warczinsky
Brandi Warczinsky
Joe Howard
Chris Lindsey

SPONSORS
Rochester College
Ohio Valley University
York College
Harding University
Great Lakes Christian College

STAGE PREPARATION
Jodie Anspach
Vicki Lindsey

BABYSITTERS FOR VOLUNTEERS
Kerri O'Connor
Allyson Huey
Melody Hastings
Sarah Ageno
Meghan Palmer

PEOPLE WHO HOUSED (approx. 100) GUESTS
Russel & Karen Wilkinson
Bob & Sheila Sparks
Jerry & Tammy Ward
Bob & Laura Stewart
Gayle Flanigan
Duane and Pat Harrison
Bill & Paula Flowers
Todd & Patti Jenema
Mark & Linda Dear
Jeff & Mollie Debandt
Tom & Sara Hayman
Dave Cassilly
Jerry & Julie Parks
Scott & Renee Tekely
Dave & Karen Benedict
Gary & Dawn Osborn
Rick & Merry Hastings
Fred & Lisa Hartman
Keith & Barb Huey

EVERYWHERE
Trudy Kesler
Michelle Steckel
Jason Steckel

Once again, I want to thank everyone who was a part of the weekend. I hope I have not forgotten anyone’s name here, because I really appreciate all of you. Let me end this article with a comment from one of the youth ministers who was here for Illuminate:
“Illuminate was AMAZING! It is quickly becoming my favorite event of the year. Everyone involved did a great job. John Reuben was, as expected, excellent. Well, I am running out of synonyms for really good.”

shine!
Jason

Illuminate videos

Here are the Illuminate 2009 highlight video and Illuminate 2010 teaser video...

Illuminate 2009 Closing Highlights from Lee Higginbottom on Vimeo


Illuminate 2010 Promo - DRIVE from Lee Higginbottom on Vimeo

shine!
Jason

The day after

Well, it's the end of amazing weekend. I will have much more to say tomorrow, but I have to take a minute to thank the wonderful people of the Rochester Church. Over 100 people volunteered to make Illuminate happen. When I did the math, I estimated that over 1,500 hours of work went into making Illuminate a success. Wow!
Over the last several months, I have probably put about 75 hours of time into Illuminate 2009. People ask me how I made Illuminate happen. It wasn't me all that much. There were another 1,425 hours of time put in by an army of people. I only contributed 5% of the time put into this event. The other 95% came from others who brought a variety of talents and abilities to the table.
Most of all, I want to thank God for being present in an amazing way! I was reminded once again this weekend of the power of God and the value of community. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully this weekend through the hearts, minds, and bodies of scores of people at the Rochester Church. I am blessed to be part of such an incredible church family.

shine!
Jason

Two more days!

It's hard to believe that we are a little more than 48 hours from the kick-off of Illuminate 2009! The stage is being decorated, final plans are being made, and people are hard at work.
I am asking for everyone's prayers over the next couple of days. Pray specifically for the following people:

Don McLaughlin, who will be our main speaker
Chris Lindsey and Sean Algaier, who will be leading us in worship
Ambassadors as they present messages through drama
Hoss Ridgeway as he makes us laugh through his comedy
Ignite session leaders, including: Patrick Mead, Pat Pugh, Shaun Hover, a mission team, Randy Hendrickson and Scott Ockerman, Sara Barton, Ambassadors, and Hoss
The dozens of volunteers who are giving up hundreds of hours this week (and some for the last several weeks)
The hundreds of students, parents, and youth workers who will be converging on Rochester Church this weekend

Thank you for praying!!! Pray that God moves in very powerful ways this weekend and that people are set free from the things that bind them.

shine!
Jason

Steelers Draft

And now something fun...

The Ides of March

Today is the Ides of March. This day is probably most famous as the day that the Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar, was assassinated.
On this day in 44 BC, the Roman Senate tricked Caesar and killed him. While there is some dispute among historians about Julius Caesar’s last words, many believe that his last words may have been, “Et tu, Brute?” This phrase means, “You too, Brutus?” or “Even you, Brutus?”
Marcus Junius Brutus was a Roman Senator who Caesar had brought into his inner circle of associates. However, he was convinced by other senators to join the assassination plot against Caesar and was there for the killing of the Roman leader.
It was less than a century later that another man was betrayed by someone in his inner circle. We know this man as Judas Iscariot.
Judas was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He was chosen by Jesus as a member of his inner circle, his closest associates. Judas was even made treasurer of the group.
In spite of his close relationship with Jesus and the rest of the Twelve, he chose to betray Jesus. Ironically, it was with a kiss that he completed the betrayal.
I wonder if Jesus knew what would happen a few laters when he spoke these words in the Sermon on the Mount…
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.” (Matthew 5:43-47)
Regardless of whether or not he knew at the time he spoke these words, Jesus lived them. Even as he was hanging on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:24)
Whether it was Jesus befriending Judas even as he prepared to betray him or his prayer for those who had crucified him, Jesus lived what he preached until he breathed his last death.
On the anniversary of the betrayal of an ancient emperor, let’s take a minute to reflect on Jesus’ words and actions. Imagine how different our world would be if we could live like that. How would things be different if we truly loved our enemies and prayed for those who persecute us? Maybe that’s the recipe for true peace.

shine!
Jason

Who do you want to be?

Who do you want to be?
Who do you want us to be?
These are the two questions I posed Wednesday night as we kicked off our small group time.
I am firmly convinced that how we answer these two questions will significantly impact where we go as individuals and a community.
Please slowly read and reflect on the Bible passages below…
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you….For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:9-11,14)
Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? (1 Corinthians 6:15)
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ…All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
(1 Corinthians 12:12,27)
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
If we are truly Christ-followers, we must realize that the world does not revolve around us. Rather, we are called to be a part of a community, a body of believers. That requires us to consider others in all that we do. In addition, we must live a life that seeks to improve the health of the entire body.
For some of us, this means it’s time to stop “playing church.” In other words, church is not an activity in your planner or something you do when you feel like it. Church, the body, is who you are. It is your identity.
For others, it might mean it’s time to remove any spiritual cancer that is hurting you and maybe even those around you. Is there a habit or attitude you need to get rid of?
God has created us and called us to be part of a bigger plan. We are created in the image of God so that we can live out God’s dream in this world. That means we need to seriously consider the questions “who do you want to be?” and “who do you want us to be?” Those are the questions that should shape and direct every aspect of our lives.

shine!
Jason

Youth Dialogue Day - Middle School Edition

Today I was able to make some really cool new friends. I was invited to be a part of a Youth Dialogue Day. Basically, it's a day where students gather to share their opinions and ideas surrounding certain issues today's students face.
I was really impressed by many of the insights students shared. While middle school students have not changed much since I was there 25 years ago (wow, I feel old all of a sudden), some of the issues they are faced with have changed significantly.
There are pressures and choices that very few of my peers had to deal with. The conditions and culture have become more hectic than ever. The stress and anxiety are at levels I can't imagine. But in the midst of all of that, I met some students today who had some great thoughts about what they deal with on a daily basis.
One of the things that I heard a number of students share is that they wish their parents were more involved in their lives. I don't think that necessarily means they want parents who don't give them space and tend to stick their noses in everything. But there definitely seems to be a desire for parents to be more engaged.
Today we live in a culture where times have changed. It seems as though there are more two-income households than ever. I realize that some families need two incomes, but in other families it is more desire than need. A second income to live in a bigger house and drive nicer cars is not a need.
Every family is different and every situation is unique. However, I believe our society has often gotten our priorities out of order and missed the bigger picture. If you could get students to be honest, I believe that many of them would give up some material possessions in order to have parents who had time to listen to them.
One of the things I have become more and more aware of is the feeling of desertion and loneliness that many teenagers feel today. For many of these students that starts at home. They may come home to an empty house where there isn't a adult there until later in the evening. For others, it might result from being at school until five or six in the evening, running to another event, and getting home just in time for homework and bed. For others it might come from everyone in the family having a television in their room, so everyone can watch what they want in solitude. We have allowed our culture and our entertainment-focused society to drive wedges in the middle of our most crucial relationships.
While teenagers want their freedom and want to discover who they are, I am convinced that they will actually feel more free to explore the question of who they are when they know home is a place of safety and community. When they know their parents will actually take time to listen - not just instruct and give orders - teenagers will be more willing to ask questions and share their struggles.
Don't expect teenagers to tell you everything. They are seeking their own life and their own identity. But when we provide an environment where they know we are there, willing to listen and willing to make time for them, the results can be priceless. That's the kind of investment that lasts long after the things we thought were so important are in a landfill or in the rearview mirror of life

shine!
Jason

Role Models

Click on this link to read a great article about athletes and role models. This really touched me, so I wanted to share it with others.

shine!
Jason

Discipline

For many of us, our spiritual life consists of periodic “mountaintop” experiences dropped in the middle of a life of spiritual mediocrity. We might attend a great youth rally, seminar, retreat, or other event and be pumped up and excited. But within a few days – or weeks at best – we return to our routines.
This isn’t just a spiritual phenomenon. Think about the days, weeks, and months following September 11, 2001. While we were focused on what happened that fateful Tuesday morning for some time, eventually, most people’s lives returned to normal and what happened became less and less of a daily reality.
Think about marriage. A young couple looks each other in the eyes and love is in the air. But within a few months the stress of bills, a pregnancy, and life together can make the honeymoon seem like a vague memory.
Whether it’s a need to remain vigilant in a war, maintain romance in a marriage, or stay connected to God, it takes real work to go beyond the rush of the moment.
Spiritual disciplines are a significant way to maintain our connection with God. It isn’t difficult to connect with God during a time when you are away from everyday life at a special event. The real test comes at a time when life returns to “normal.”
Spiritual disciplines provide a method of making space for God, even in the midst of a hectic, busy schedule.
God has emphasized the importance of this space since the beginning of time. When He created the earth, God rested on the seventh day. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Genesis 2:2-3)
I firmly believe that God didn’t rest on that day because He was tired. Rather, He was setting an example for Creation. We need rest. We need space. We are not designed to run 24/7, seven days a week.
Whether it’s fasting, prayer, meditation, silence, confession, or a host of other spiritual disciplines, God created us as beings who need time to recharge. Fasting can cleanse our bodies and our minds. Prayer draws us closer in relationship to God. Meditation provides room for God’s word to speak to us. Silence allows us to hear the quiet, still voice of God. Confession gives us room to admit our shortcomings and deal with them.
Spiritual disciplines practiced on a regular basis are not just something we do because we are “good Christians.” They are exercises that make us better people. They give us the room to develop spiritually and allow God to form us into His image.

shine!
Jason

Can you hear me now?

This past weekend, twenty-three students and a handful of adults went up to Michigan Christian Youth Camp for a retreat. Our theme was “Can You Hear Me Now?” and we focused on hearing God’s voice. Adam Hill presented our lessons and challenged us through his words and a few activities. Chris Lindsey led us in worship. I also want to thank Deanna Butka, Katie Dear, Keith Huey, and Michelle Steckel for spending the weekend with us. I will let some of the students tell you more about the retreat…

When I came to this retreat, I knew that I already believed in Jesus and made the commitment to follow him. But I realized that the way I was living for Him wasn’t exactly the way He wanted me to. I learned that I’d been believing in Him, but not acting on that. I’m going to try to act like I should and follow Jesus instead of just believing in Him.

God has spoken to me in ways I couldn’t even imagine before this weekend. I was lost and now I am found. Before now I never heard His call. I never heard His voice and now I do…I’ve learned no matter how many mistakes I have made I will always be surrounded by His joy, His mercy, grace, and love.

This weekend has changed my whole perspective of God. He’s not just a figure to worship. He’s now…something more tangible and real. This weekend, He showed Himself, a light, a small candle flame in the darkness that grew brighter and brighter…I feel like I can actually hear Him now. Before, He was just a murmur, a small dim light in the darkness. Now…it’s completely opposite. His quiet whisper is now as loud as the booming thunder.

This weekend, I became more spiritually aware. I feel more in tune with God, and more ready to hear His voice and do what He wants me to do.

God has shown me that prayer is not just thinking about stuff, it’s connecting with God. God has taught me that silence is very important.

This weekend the main thing I learned is how many distractions are in my life, and most importantly, how to deal with those distractions, get rid of them, and enter a new stage of my relationship with God.

God showed me that even though it is dark sometimes, there is always hope and light.

This weekend showed me that to follow God’s will you have to hear Him, but to hear Him, you have to listen first.

This was the first time I shared my addictions with a large group and I feel renewed after, because I knew people would be praying for me.

Even though silence is scary, it is needed. I need to stop and listen to what God is telling me instead of going with what I think it best.

This weekend has helped me in sooo many ways. I am so busy and just have a lot going on in my life right now, and a lot of stress. It gave me the break I needed and really helped me. I felt like Adam was talking right to me; it was amazing. I love Chris and his worship; it uplifted me a lot. This weekend was absolutely perfect for me; it touched me in so many ways.

Ironically, it is in the absence of noise that God’ voice is clearest, and it is not meant to be merely an occasional luxury, but an every day practice.

It was a much needed weekend for me to refocus, and more importantly, realize how much God loves me, and knowing that He wants us, and can use us, wherever we are on our journey.

It was a great weekend. I was so impressed by our students and how seriously they answered every challenge placed before them. Thank you to everyone who was a part of the retreat!

shine!
Jason

Don't miss the call

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said the following: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
We have been created in the image of God to reflect the glory and character of God into a world covered by darkness. Christianity is not a private thing to only be practiced at church. This is a lifestyle. It is a way of living. That is why the church was called “The Way” in the first century. It was not something people did. It was who they are.
Consider what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth as well as his “sons in the faith,” Timothy and Titus:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1)
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:6-8)
We are not Christians solely and primarily for our own benefit. We are called to be a part of a larger community where we seek to live as Christ-followers in every aspect of our lives.
One of the most troubling trends I have seen in my decade or so of youth ministry is the way that older Christian teens seem to neglect their call to mature in their faith at a time when they are positioned to have significant impact.
Whether it’s the example they set for their peers or the way that younger teens and children look up to them, older teenagers have power and influence that they often fail to realize. This is a great opportunity not only to grow as individuals; it is a great time to contribute to the larger Christian community.
My prayer is that instead of buying into the lie where culture teaches older teens to become more self-absorbed, Christian teenagers would hear the call and live a life where they are the light that shines in the midst of a dark world.

shine!
Jason

A great diet

I read about this great new diet plan the other day. For breakfast, you could have four pop tarts and a cereal breakfast bar. Chocolate milk is your drink. Lunch consisted of a can of ravioli, some Doritos or potato chips, and a candy bar, with pop for your drink. Dinner is the best. You eat all the pizza you want along with ice cream. The best part is that this diet requires no exercise. You can sit on the couch with a bag of chips all night long. You are guaranteed to lose 2-5 pounds a week.
How many of you really believe me?
If most of us actually ate this way expecting to lose weight, people would think we are crazy.
As crazy as that sounds, many Christians are doing this very thing spiritually and expecting to become a stronger, more dedicated follower of Jesus.
They might start their morning out listening to music that glorifies violence, the objectification of women, greed, or other ungodly desires or actions. Then they go to work or school and engage in conversations that are filled with gossip, hateful words, pride, and more. They jump on the Internet and look at images that make women sexual objects instead of daughters of God. Or they might go to social networking pages where they create profiles that are at best, flirty, often laced with sexual overtones or pictures that do the same.
The day is not done yet. Now it’s time to listen to some more music. This music might reinforce the fact that life is hopeless or that life is not complete without a boyfriend or girlfriend. Then it’s time to sit in front of the television and watch a few shows whose messages say that premarital sex seldom has consequences, treating your parents with disrespect is a funny thing, and morals and integrity are optional.
It’s almost bedtime now, so there is time to chat online or text message. (Which has probably been going on most of the day.) Again we find gossip and slander. But this time it’s even more dangerous because the friend might be texting the very person being gossiped about. There could be a dozen interrelated text conversations going on where no one knows the whole story.
Wait. Forgot about Bible reading. Well, it’s late and time for bed. That can wait for tomorrow. Plus, I’ll hear about God in church on Sunday. (If I’m not too busy talking and texting during worship and class.)
The apostle Paul wrote, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. (1 Timothy 4:8-10)
Unless we’re willing to train for godliness it will never happen. Maybe it’s time to take a long look at what kind of “training” you are doing now and see if it’s time for a new spiritual fitness plan.

shine!
Jason

A new birth

I love days like this one! One of our students was baptized by her dad. What a great moment!

Identity

This week in our small groups we talked about identity.
What defines us?
Who determines our worth?
Where do we find our value?
Identity is such a powerful thing, especially in the life of a teenager. After a dozen years of being defined primarily by their relationship with their family, teenagers begin to seek their own identity.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of voices out there trying to tell us what our identity should be. Listen to this music. Wear these clothes. Talk a certain way. Get drunk. Lie to your parents. Have sex. Be disrespectful. The list goes on and on.
But there is only one place to find our true identity. It’s the one the Creator intended for us. Jesus said the following:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:1-4)
So what kind of fruit is that? What kind of fruit is Jesus wanting us to bear? Maybe it’s the fruit that Paul wrote about in his letter to the Galatian church:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Our true identity is not determined by what we wear or drive. It can’t be measured by where we live or how popular we are.
Our true identity is determined by what kind of person we are. Notice that we are called human beings, not human doings. What are we today and what are we becoming? That is the question that counts.
In a world that so often measures us on the outside, we have a Creator God that uses a different method. When looking for a king to lead Israel, the Lord told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
When we can start worrying more about who we are on the inside instead of the outside, we will begin to make room for God to transform us. Then he can reveal to us our true identity and we can experience the peace that only comes from knowing Him.

shine!
Jason

Who gets the glory?

As I have been following the news over the last couple of weeks, I have been amazed at the way the new President and his administration have been downplaying expectations regarding some of their initiatives. Not that this is new. Every election cycle, politicians make promises that people want to hear. They boldly talk about their plans.
This year’s downshift seems more pronounced than any I remember in my lifetime by a President. Maybe it’s the way the media covered this election. Maybe it’s because of the intricate web of communication used during the campaign that utilized the best marketing plan I have ever witnessed by a Presidential campaign team. I am sure that the financial crisis we are in the midst of caused many to hope for a quick solution.
Regardless of the reasons, many people seemed to expect this President to step into office and almost immediately solve the crises at hand. In the midst of the campaign, the candidate seemed more than happy to use this expectation to bolster his campaign.
Today’s politicians are quite a contrast with our Savior. While politicians seek out attention and trumpet their bold dreams, Jesus was quite the opposite.
Never one to desire the spotlight, Jesus often seemed to go out of His way to avoid attention. Many times in His ministry, we see Jesus healing people and telling them not to tell anyone. He would try to sneak away from the crowds. And when He did get praise, He directed it to the Father. Consider a few of the things Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” (Matthew 6:2)
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” (Matthew 6:5)
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” (Matthew 6:16)
Whether we are running for President or an average citizen, we can learn from the example of Christ. If we want to bring forth the Kingdom of God in this world, it can’t be about us. It’s not about making big promises or taking advantage of people’s fear or anticipation. It’s about seeking what is in the best interest of God and others while sacrificing our own glory.

shine!
Jason