Hey guys I am moving my blog to http://thejourneyawaits.wordpress.com so this will be my last time to blog on here. So follow me over there! Peace out!
A
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Increased Enthusiasm
We have all been called to build something with our lives. Some times we think that building our future, our homes, our marriages, our 401k, etc. is the important things in life. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that building these things are bad but I think that if these are our main priorities in life, where does God fit in the equation?
I believe that we are all called to take part in a massive plan that God is doing in this world. I also think that God specifically calls us to do specific things to grow and test our faith and the faith of others. I think that most people want to build a life that has every component exactly where it needs to be so they can say that my life is going great; everything is in order. But is it?
In the area of student ministry I constantly battle with building the student ministry. I struggle with building something through words or videos or games. A piece of me tells me that I have to do this to reach these students and that this is the only way to build your ministry. Then I kick myself in the head and say, "you're building what?"
Exactly. I have a vision. I have a dream. It will take alot of work. But ultimately, God does the building. There is no perfect video or perfect message that I can show or speak on that can do the amazing work of God in the hearts of students. Why do I have this urge to build this own my own? Sometimes this keeps me up at night because I want to see students lives changed and mentally/physically/spiritually I feel as if my enthusiasm is drained. It's hard to spread enthusiasm when physically and spiritually you are doing this by yourself.
I read something in the book of Haggai today that helped me and maybe it can help you as well. The nation of Israel was told to re-build the temple in Ezra and they started out strong but over time their enthusiasm dwindled and their priorities got in the way; what they thought was important. They said, "we can't build the temple unless we have our own houses to live in." Basically, they stopped the work because something else stepped in front of the passion and wonder they had for His temple.
I look at this and say to myself: there have been times where I have started strong but have looked at other things along the way and it has distracted me from the vision that God has birthed in me. I think that doing it this way and doing this that way will produce production in the ministry, but in all honesty I get sidetracked like the people of Israel. I stop the work that God has called me to do.
I am encouraged by the way that God handled the situation in Haggai when God proclaimed to the people that the reason you don't see blessings in your life is because your focus has been on yourself. You don't see me in your life because, you decided to go a different direction. But God chose to help them get back on track. He uses a prophet to spark some enthusiasm back into the heart of the leaders. It's so awesome to see that God is a God of grace but a God of direction and love. God knows what He wants; the problem is that we think we know what God wants.
Many times I feel as if I need a boost of enthusiasm to keep going. We all do at times. We need a re-fill on God's presence in our lives. I am learning that I need more prayer with God, more devotion time with God than the time I put in other small insignificant ideas. I have to always remember that there are small things that I can do to help build the student ministry but in all honesty, if my priorities fall on other things such as videos, music, games, perfect message, then I will lose my passion and wonder for God's people. God will build anything if it involves a passionate heart and a desire to see His glory known. May I never forget this.
I need to pray more, trust God more, ask for the impossible and allow Him to work through me to build His temple(student ministry).
I believe that we are all called to take part in a massive plan that God is doing in this world. I also think that God specifically calls us to do specific things to grow and test our faith and the faith of others. I think that most people want to build a life that has every component exactly where it needs to be so they can say that my life is going great; everything is in order. But is it?
In the area of student ministry I constantly battle with building the student ministry. I struggle with building something through words or videos or games. A piece of me tells me that I have to do this to reach these students and that this is the only way to build your ministry. Then I kick myself in the head and say, "you're building what?"
Exactly. I have a vision. I have a dream. It will take alot of work. But ultimately, God does the building. There is no perfect video or perfect message that I can show or speak on that can do the amazing work of God in the hearts of students. Why do I have this urge to build this own my own? Sometimes this keeps me up at night because I want to see students lives changed and mentally/physically/spiritually I feel as if my enthusiasm is drained. It's hard to spread enthusiasm when physically and spiritually you are doing this by yourself.
I read something in the book of Haggai today that helped me and maybe it can help you as well. The nation of Israel was told to re-build the temple in Ezra and they started out strong but over time their enthusiasm dwindled and their priorities got in the way; what they thought was important. They said, "we can't build the temple unless we have our own houses to live in." Basically, they stopped the work because something else stepped in front of the passion and wonder they had for His temple.
I look at this and say to myself: there have been times where I have started strong but have looked at other things along the way and it has distracted me from the vision that God has birthed in me. I think that doing it this way and doing this that way will produce production in the ministry, but in all honesty I get sidetracked like the people of Israel. I stop the work that God has called me to do.
I am encouraged by the way that God handled the situation in Haggai when God proclaimed to the people that the reason you don't see blessings in your life is because your focus has been on yourself. You don't see me in your life because, you decided to go a different direction. But God chose to help them get back on track. He uses a prophet to spark some enthusiasm back into the heart of the leaders. It's so awesome to see that God is a God of grace but a God of direction and love. God knows what He wants; the problem is that we think we know what God wants.
Many times I feel as if I need a boost of enthusiasm to keep going. We all do at times. We need a re-fill on God's presence in our lives. I am learning that I need more prayer with God, more devotion time with God than the time I put in other small insignificant ideas. I have to always remember that there are small things that I can do to help build the student ministry but in all honesty, if my priorities fall on other things such as videos, music, games, perfect message, then I will lose my passion and wonder for God's people. God will build anything if it involves a passionate heart and a desire to see His glory known. May I never forget this.
I need to pray more, trust God more, ask for the impossible and allow Him to work through me to build His temple(student ministry).
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Character and Reputation
Today was an interesting read in my devotional and I wanted to share it with whomever reads my blog.
The passage of scripture that I was reading from was Ezekiel 36:16-38. You are probably wondering why are you reading Ezekiel? Devotional dude!
So as I was reading this story I couldn't help but see that God's character is beyond reproach. But his reputation was being dragged through the mud. You see the people of Israel were being "cotton-headed-ninny-muggins" and not obeying God's law. So what does God the Father do, he sends them all away to their own corners for time-out.
But just like any child in a corner, they start to act out and get bored. The people of God still acted up. So God said you know what you are taking my name and causing other people to view me, the Creator of the heavens and earth as a weak God.
God said, no sir! not gonna happen as long as I am around, (Which is forever) so he does something that blows my mind. Something that he did not only for the nation of Israel but also for you and me. You know what he did?
He decides to demonstrate his holiness, power and mercy. God does all of this for us today as he did then, not because we deserve it but because God doesn't like it when his reputation is on the line. So how did he do this for us, today?
Well, just like God changed the hearts of Israel through restoration, he then washed the filth from their hearts giving them a new heart with right desires and removed the sin stone heart. But not only that He put His Spirit in them so they would obey the laws and do what is right in God's sight when he commands it.
How crazy is that? That God would care about his people that much. Even in the worse case scenario, God chooses grace. God chooses a better plan for them, even when they don't deserve it. Jesus came for us in the same way God came for the Israelites. Jesus showed us the same attributes of the Father.
So, a final thought: Our character is what we are but our reputation is what people believe we are. Is our character aligning with our reputation as leaders? Are we willing to show mercy, grace and love when situations seem to be dragging down your reputation? I think that then and only then will your true character shine through.
Aaron
Friday, December 3, 2010
Calling all parents
Hey parents how ya doing? Life going well? Job ok? Your kids doing good in school? Activities draining you right now? Holiday stress creeping in? Well, take a deep breath cause it will be ok.
This past week I have been hindered by a nasty flu bug/virus and it wasn't pretty. I had some time to think during that time, yes between the moments where I felt like puking and that my head was going to explode and guess what I was thinking about? Your students. Crazy huh?
This past wednesday night killed me because I couldn't be there to hang out with them. But God has placed some great leaders on Wednesday nights to step in and do the job when I can't be there. If you get a chance, tell Parish Austin, Elisabeth Smith, Kevin and Sheliea Lambing that you appreciate them. They do an amazing job putting up with me and sharing Christ with these students.
So, I know that was thrown in there but it was very much needed to be said. Without them we couldn't do the things we want to do. So back to your students.
I had some questions for you parents about students and their development during their time here at Grace.
My questions are:
1. What is the "end" result that you want to see happen in the lives of your student(s) after they graduate from high school and their time here at GBC Encounter Student Ministry?
2. Going off your answer from question #1, what is the best way for them achieve this result? Is it working? Why or why not? Be honest.
3. Going off your answer from question #2, do you think that the church is the primary place for this to happen or do you have another answer?
I ask these questions because I am curious how parents view the role of the church and the family. In some churches the family and the church are viewed as separate entities. If this is the case, then churches are missing an important piece between partnering with the family in seeing the lives of this generation change.
I say all of this because I think that as parents you ultimately want to see your students accomplish these three things in some shape or fashion:
1. You want your students to know that they are created to pursue a relationship with God
2. You want your students to know they belong to Christ and they are defined by what He says
3. You want your students to know that the reason they exist is to ultimately show and demostrate God's love to a broken world everyday
What if the church and the family combined in their efforts to make these things possible in every student and their families? Flash-forward 15 years from the age of your student, do you want to see them still living these core values as an adult? I think that you do. I know I want my kids to. When I have them.
We are on our way to making this a reality here at Grace Bible Church. We want to see the end result of our students grasp these three things and carry them with them throughout the rest of their lives. In their families, in their communities, in their future church homes.
So to wrap all of this up. As a parent, what can we do as the church to help you be the spiritual leaders of your students? Also, parents what can you do to provide your students opportunities to know that those three qualities are the foundation of your life?
I would love to hear your responses via email or responding to the blog. Take some time and think about this. Please ask questions, share your thoughts and feeling.
I am not going to stop making sure that our students leave knowing that that have a purpose and that there is a God who loves them. This is my passion and I want to see it happen. I believe that it can.
Aaron Smith
asmith180@gmail.com
This past week I have been hindered by a nasty flu bug/virus and it wasn't pretty. I had some time to think during that time, yes between the moments where I felt like puking and that my head was going to explode and guess what I was thinking about? Your students. Crazy huh?
This past wednesday night killed me because I couldn't be there to hang out with them. But God has placed some great leaders on Wednesday nights to step in and do the job when I can't be there. If you get a chance, tell Parish Austin, Elisabeth Smith, Kevin and Sheliea Lambing that you appreciate them. They do an amazing job putting up with me and sharing Christ with these students.
So, I know that was thrown in there but it was very much needed to be said. Without them we couldn't do the things we want to do. So back to your students.
I had some questions for you parents about students and their development during their time here at Grace.
My questions are:
1. What is the "end" result that you want to see happen in the lives of your student(s) after they graduate from high school and their time here at GBC Encounter Student Ministry?
2. Going off your answer from question #1, what is the best way for them achieve this result? Is it working? Why or why not? Be honest.
3. Going off your answer from question #2, do you think that the church is the primary place for this to happen or do you have another answer?
I ask these questions because I am curious how parents view the role of the church and the family. In some churches the family and the church are viewed as separate entities. If this is the case, then churches are missing an important piece between partnering with the family in seeing the lives of this generation change.
I say all of this because I think that as parents you ultimately want to see your students accomplish these three things in some shape or fashion:
1. You want your students to know that they are created to pursue a relationship with God
2. You want your students to know they belong to Christ and they are defined by what He says
3. You want your students to know that the reason they exist is to ultimately show and demostrate God's love to a broken world everyday
What if the church and the family combined in their efforts to make these things possible in every student and their families? Flash-forward 15 years from the age of your student, do you want to see them still living these core values as an adult? I think that you do. I know I want my kids to. When I have them.
We are on our way to making this a reality here at Grace Bible Church. We want to see the end result of our students grasp these three things and carry them with them throughout the rest of their lives. In their families, in their communities, in their future church homes.
So to wrap all of this up. As a parent, what can we do as the church to help you be the spiritual leaders of your students? Also, parents what can you do to provide your students opportunities to know that those three qualities are the foundation of your life?
I would love to hear your responses via email or responding to the blog. Take some time and think about this. Please ask questions, share your thoughts and feeling.
I am not going to stop making sure that our students leave knowing that that have a purpose and that there is a God who loves them. This is my passion and I want to see it happen. I believe that it can.
Aaron Smith
asmith180@gmail.com
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