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

Paintball and body aches...

Wow, I had a great time yesterday with the students at Grace. I mean it can't get any better than firing off some paintball rounds at some kids, legally! But it was a great time for some of the guys to get to know each other and for me to hang out and get them as well. But it was a busy day for me with preaching two services and also teaching the middle school class in between then sacrificing my body on the paintball field. So why am I writing this: not for a pity party but if I had to do this every week, I would. I loved it. Even though I didn't want to get out of the bed this morning.

God is doing great things here. I mean out of the 15 guys that went yesterday with us, 3 students were new faces. God is drawing students to His church and it's exciting to see the work that has been put in place turning heads so to speak. There is much rebuilding to do. I love the book of Nehemiah. If the people can rebuild the walls in 52 days then God can rebuild this church and student ministry to gain glory and honor. I just want to be a part of the building process and see students and families re-united in one accord glorifying God. Pray with me that this small part of the body of Christ will rise up and take hold of the task at hand. God has great potential for His people, it's up to us to reach it!

Aaron

Worship please!

in the midst of many churches today the issue of attitude towards worship rears it's ugly head for some churches every Sunday morning. play this song, they don't do it like I used to sing it or maybe that's not the problem. maybe it's my problem and yours. i am reminded of a psalm this morning that brings a hopeful understanding to the nonsense we sometimes make of worship: ourselves. if you were to read psalm 84 with an honest heart and reflected on the true nature of why this man worshipped God, I think quickly we would, well at least I did, see that sometimes our hearts are not even merely close to where they need to be on Sunday mornings or even more importantly 24/7.

read the chapter below and if you heart is not set on truly glorifying God in your day-to-day walk and if your focus is set more on you and your needs on Sunday mornings than the King, then my response is why even come. when we come to worship ourselves, we have no need for God and we better understand that God will not hear our plea unless full attention is given unto him and our hearts are set on his face. with much love i eat these words myself. come on church let's focus our eyes and be excited that we have the chance to proclaim the name of God! that's all.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
      O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
 ² I long, yes, I faint with longing
      to enter the courts of the Lord.
   With my whole being, body and soul,
      I will shout joyfully to the living God.
 ³ Even the sparrow finds a home,
      and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
   at a place near your altar,
      O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
 ⁴ What joy for those who can live in your house,
      always singing your praises.
                         Selah
 ⁵ What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,
      who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
 ⁶ When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
      it will become a place of refreshing springs.
      The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
 ⁷ They will continue to grow stronger,
      and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
 ⁸ O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer.
      Listen, O God of Jacob.
                         Selah
 ⁹ O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield!
      Show favor to the one you have anointed.
 ¹⁰ A single day in your courts
      is better than a thousand anywhere else!
   I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
      than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
 ¹¹ For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
      He gives us grace and glory.
   The Lord will withhold no good thing
      from those who do what is right.
 ¹² O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
      what joy for those who trust in you. (NLT)


Aaron