A Modern Day Parable!

A Modern Day Parable! OK, wait for it, wait for it, here we go. Parable an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. A parable is a story that makes you think. There may be different areas that you personally will pick up or out of the story that others will not see and yet the meanings are so much deeper.

Last night I was involved in a Bible Study with several of our students at a local Coffee shop that will go nameless, unless it's name is Purdy's Coffee Shop, but that is a story for another day. However, we were discussing scriptures and we end up talking about random things such as "what new flavor of coffee would you create?" Our next question was historical in nature, "What additional President would you add to Mount Rushmore if you could?" The answers were various from random choices to more thought provoking reasons. This was fun to hear their young minds move through history to make a choice.

So that made me think about history and scripture; how we see  scriptures as a finished story on this end of history BUT we are making history right now. How we are making choices everyday affects history. Take this story for instance as it is unfolding.

"There is a country where the people rule. The rulers make laws, rules and try to interpret what the winds of popularity are of the people. There are understandings, hot buttons, hot topics and topics that once they are invoked it gets emotional responses but not necessarily thought provoking conversation.

The culture had set up this idol if you will about how sexuality should be viewed and anyone that dare oppose that idea or idol, would be dealt with in the most ugly fashion. Those that refused to bow to this idol whenever it was brought forth on the stage of conversation would suffer the consequences.

In this story there are 3 men, let's name them Dan, Tim, and Jeremy and they are all in different fields of vocation, stages in life, and all have similar beliefs; contrary to the cultural idol. One of these men is in the area of business, a very successful business, grossing sales over 4 Billion dollars a year with a very simple concept. One of the men is young and was successful when going to college winning many awards and accolades for his abilities. He was sometimes over the top with emotion even wearing his faith as it were, under his eyes of all places. The final young man played sports and did not get all the rewards and was considered by many a failure even sleeping on some one's sofa as he was down and out. However, he never denied or walked away from his faith or his beliefs, no matter what those around him would say.

Dan, Tim and Jeremy all stood strong for what they believed. Even when the culture traded them to other teams, ridiculed their abilities, and boycotted their businesses, they stood firm in what they believed.

One day because of the stance of Dan in answering a question about his beliefs that did not go well with those of the culture trouble began. The people were outraged and got politicians, leaders, and others involved and heated up the stage of debate 7 times hotter than it had ever been before. They called for picketing, boycotting and even demanding his business be closed in various places. They would show this man that you can't have your opinion, thought or belief system, after all that is intolerance of the culture.

(Side note, Tolerance is defined as: noun

1. a. fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices,race, religion,  nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.

2. a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own.

3. interest in and concern for ideas, opinions, practices, etc., foreign to one's own; a liberal, undogmatic viewpoint.

4. the act or capacity of enduring; endurance: My tolerance of noise is limited.)

 

If Dan did not retract his words or his beliefs he would burn in the furnace of popular thought and culture. If Tim and Jeremy want to be successful they have to compromise their ideas, beliefs, and thought processes because that is not tolerance to believe differently from the 'norm'.

 

The day came for the boycott, the taking a stance against this belief system and something happened. It started small and then it grew and then it swelled. Support for this belief system, faith, and freedom of speech. It came from all areas of the culture and country. Many who had been silent for so long arose to support truth and even showing love for those that didn't believe the same way that they do. They attempted to show tolerance for all people. Sure not everyone will agree but civility must prevail. Sure there are pockets of bigotry, and intolerance, but that happens on all sides and not not acceptable on either front."

 

In this story the days are being played out before us and how will it end? Well that is up to you the reader because you are in the story, a player, and participant of the final outcome. However, I know that NOT participating in the story is not an option because silence, failure to stand, and not participating IS participating.

 

So this is a story being played out before us and in history when our children and grand-children ask about this kind of thing in the culture, I hope you can tell them about truth and life and faith. That you can use this story A Modern Day Parable to help them understand.

 

 

So Now What?

"So Now What?" is heard by so many when they are doing so many things and finally those things are about to come to an end. Take Camp for instance. This summer I have had the joy of being at more than one camp environment. I have been with hundreds, maybe thousands of teens, hard to count accurately in my sleep depravation, and I have seen and heard many things from our teens. So the question remains, "So Now What?". I have learned things about our teens this summer. Many things that are new, some are reinforcements, and some I have seen for years. New: Our students are more fascinated with sex than ever before. Well at least in my 50+ years of life. Boys still talk with great knowledge of the opposite sex, what the girls like and don't like; and like always, they are wrong. New pranks involving Icey Hot, and other over the counter medications, some that you have to wonder out loud' "How did they think of that?" or "Why would you try something like that?" Reinforcements: Students are more tethered to their phones and music than EVER before. It is unhealthy for a teen to isolate himself, or herself, from others by escaping into their headphones and music. These are not bad things but our student culture is the most "disconnected" connected generation we have ever had. Students are insecure even when it comes to worshipping the Lord God in a worship service where the lights are low, people don't know each other and can't see you. Still they are afraid to let go and let God! So afraid of what others will think about them. What I have known for years: Kids are kids even when they are teens. They are insecure and want someone to love them. They will do dumb stuff to impress the opposite sex and give up on values taught to them that make parents cringe. Students have more, or put more, pressure on themselves and worry like crazy. Students going into High School will never say it but they are worried. They are the youngest in a place where the guys are men and the girls are women. Middle School students are worried about grades and getting placed correctly when they go to HS. Students are low in Self Esteem no matter how many participation ribbons and medals that they have amassed! Kids can't be kids because parents want them to perform at levels above them so the parents will look good, no matter that the kids just want to have some fun. Kids are filled with anxiety because they can't go to the movies without fear of someone shooting, fighting, or picking on them. Predators are around every corner. Going on line can be dangerous. Going outside can be dangerous. When it comes to relationships they are estranged from parents who are struggling with their own relationships. They see parents that struggle with many of the same issues that they do. Spirituality is hard on our students. They are confronted about their faith from other religions, culture, paganism, and due to lack of learning, knowledge or even family experience, they will not stand firm on truth but pressure. Students still want to know if SOMEONE will love them even though they see themselves as inferior products. Will they get dates, boyfriends, girlfriends, will pimples go away? What will the future bring to their lives? What vocation? Will I make money? Will I be happy? "So Now What?" To parents, love your kids, teach them by modeling biblical truths. Teach them God's Word so they can better know what they believe and why they believe it. To ministers, love the kids, teach them by modeling biblical truths. Teach them God's Word so they can better know what they believe and why they believe it. To Youth Ministers, love the kids, teach them by modeling biblical truths. Teach them God's Word so they can better know what they believe and why they believe it. The challenge is for parents and leaders because we have been where they are in ages and needs and the students this is their first rodeo. We know where to find answers, how to listen and how to lead them. That being said here's my question for us. "So Now What?"

I Dare You To Step Over This Line!

"I dare you to step over this line!" is usually what someone hears between a couple of guys right before a fight breaks out. However, I think that the same words may be spoken by adolescents to their parents, when it comes to being a teen. Teens are different in case you haven't noticed. It's amazing what they think, or not, say or shouldn't say, or do, and you guessed it they shouldn't have done it. Raising a teen into adulthood can be a crazy ride! BUT we can't avoid it so let's learn about our kids before they get into this crazy time called adolescence!

The term adolescence is a relative new term being coined about 100 years ago in our culture. Back in the day a person went from being a kid into adulthood situations and grew up fast and were men and women. Why else do you hear stories from grand parents of them leaving home at 13 or 14 and striking out on their own? But now we have to look at what we are dealing with today.

Adolescence is about a time of transitions and changes. It is that transitional phase of life that connects childhood to adulthood. It is during this time frame that the students are going through the fastest time of change in their lives. They will be changing all kinds of ways, and all at the same time. There are the hormonal issues, neurological, emotional, social, and prayerfully spiritual. These all come at the same time and are like getting a drink not from a water fountain but from a fire hydrant!

So that being said, what are you to expect? There are several things that Dr. John Townsend has listed in his book, "Boundaries with Teens".

• Adolescence is normal and it is helpful to your child.
• Preparation for adulthood. Teens need a time to process in which to let go of parental dependence and move into adult independence; and it can't be done overnight or wait until they are 18 and moving away to college. Teens are under the control of authority until they are ready to take ownership of their lives. Eccl. 4:9-10.
• Dependence versus independence; students want independence but need parental input, even when the think they don't
• Badness versus Goodness; sometimes they will vacillate between doing bad and doing good. Star Wars reference, "follow the force!" the good side of the force, let go!
• Emotional versus Reason; do they know right from wrong? Probably so as you have taught them and then they feel they should do something diametrically opposite of what you have taught them.
• Internal barometer versus External Social Realities, self explanatory.
• Family values versus friends; "us versus them" mentality to a teen.

So what should the healthy adolescence look like?

• Make connection with your teen. Them may seem withdrawn from you, and they might be, but YOU maintain that connection; you're the parent.
• Responsibility. I am a firm believer that you allow them less supervision in areas that you can so they can be successful. Celebrate those things with more responsibility in steps.
• Accepting reality, that is your student is not living in the video land, TV land, or other things such as perfectionism; remember this is real life and we have issues and skinned knees.
• Messing up is normal and not everything is a crises!
• Healthy is looking to the outside to their friends, and the outside world than being home with mom and dad all the time. Stay connected with them though.
• They make friends with other GOOD kids. Parents you may not approve 100% of their friends, but as long as they are NOT dragging your kids into crises, pick and choose here.
• Developing good values is important to them in morals, ethics, and spiritual beliefs. You may not agree with all the parameters they have but you can agree with the foundation.
• Challenging parents is normal and it is healthy. They are speaking their minds, maturing, exercising their own thought processes.

What are we trying to say? Well being a teen is not without issues, it wasn't without issues when you were a teen. Parent so you will not go crazy let me say this, let go of your need to have the perfect teen. Do this for your sanity and for the fact there are NO perfect teens. They are human beings, little models of you, and they will have to learn their own way and you can help them do that.

I know that during these crazy times your teen will drive you crazy to a degree, you will not understand them but remember it is necessary for them to exercise who they are, within your parameters, so they will be solid adults. So here's the fight for the next few years of parenting your teen, "I Dare You To Step Over This Line!"

BWT 69-73

But I Am Alone!

But I Am Alone! is what one parent said to me when it came to parenting their teen. As a single parent, regardless of why you are a single parent, you have the hardest job in the world, maybe in the universe! You have to meet needs of your teen that you are not equipped for and you need someone to help you during these days.

So what is a single parent to do when they struggle with all the things that two parent families struggle with when there are two of them? Let's face it your teen will push your button and you have no one to bail you out, to give you relief, nor to give you the back up you need when you make a hard call. 

"You will need to get from the outside what you don't possess on the inside." You may have to take a break from a face to face with your teen and tell them you will get back to them on this but not right now. Take an adult break. Find yourself an adult and spend some time with them to refresh your batteries. Now that you are refreshed go back into the 'discussion'. What you cannot do is to feel you are too tired to deal with it and let it go. You can't let it go and think they'll be an adult soon and they won't need you. WRONG! Your child needs you to help set the boundaries and guidelines in their lives.

By the way, because I am older now and have married adult children, they still need some quality parent time. It's important that you are still a part of their lives.

It's been said that one of the biggest mistakes that single parents make is that they do not let their teens fail. They need to learn from their failures and mistakes. If your teen never has faced this in their young lives how will they ever function in the real world of 'dog eat dog, survival of the fittest, competition of winners and losers?" 

 Don't make your child grow up too soon either. That is they are not to be the other parent and they are not your best friend either. You are the parent. The last thing that a teen needs is another friend, they need a parent.

As a single parent if you start dating again and have another person in your life be careful in introducing your new person to your teen too early. Let's face it if this relationship is broken and your heart is broken because of it, what do you think happens to your teens emotions?

I know that there are parenting differences in the lives of individuals when it comes to parenting with your ex, if that is the case. You struggle because of different values, pains from a divorce, suffering because of the new economic woe you are in. Talk with your ex, if possible, and try to agree that you have to put your differences aside for the sake of your child. It is so important that they come first! This may be hard but remember "start with the end in mind."

Finally find yourself a small group at church, a Sunday School Class of like minded singles for support. You will find there are others that have been there and done that and will be able to give help, advice, and support. Maybe there is a man or woman there, a minister, youth pastor or Sunday School teacher that can help with your child as well. IF you can work through these you will maybe just maybe not have to say, But I Am Alone!

BWT 55-59

Stay In The Word

"Stay In The Word!" has been my mantra for a long, long time now. In fact, I have said it for so long that one of the schools that I used to hang out at and do chapel from time to time gave the saying to me on a plaque which hangs in my office today. My current assignment from God at my current church I have the same phrase and say it every week and ask our students if they have read their Bibles everyday for the last 7 days. We do a kind of count down to about 4 days a week.

This 4 days a week means that the students that have raised their hands, Sunday School Teachers too, have read their Bible over 50% of the days in any given week. I wish I could tell you that this about 100% of our folks in our Sunday School and Youth Ministry on any given Sunday, but it is not. However, I can tell you that it runs 50% or more of those present almost every week. So why do I tell you this? Because I am upset about churches that meet, greet, do church and then go home and never stress the Word of God or teach it.

I read this just the other day and I quote it for you now:
"IN my good friend Joe Ball’s article in the Western Recorder he stated that several surveys indicated the following:
          “Only 16 out of 100 of those who regularly attend our churches read their Bibles everyday;     
          another 32% read the Bible at least once a week. This mans that more than 50% of people who  
          come through our doors on a regular basis only read their Bible occasionally, perhaps one or two
          times a month, if at all!”

As church leaders, concerned citizens, and Christian parents or guardians, we should be appalled at this number. The only way for our country to become better is to be in God's word and apply it. Even secular colleges and universities state that incoming Freshman should have read several 'classics' and one of those books it the Bible! Come on, we gotta do better!

So what are we to do? Well several things. We should be an example for our students and kids, read it for yourself in front of them, with them, challenge them to do it; question them when they say they have read it. Just do it!

I guess what I am saying is that as Christians we should want to read the Bible, to spend time with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; the one who died for us. For me I just don't understand a Christian that doesn't want to read God's Word, I don't! I understand you not liking asparagus or carrots but the Bible? Come on, belly up the the Bible and Stay In The Word!

Owning My Faith

Owning My Faith is not a youth only issue. How many times have we seen adults that live in the blessing of their parents and even grand-parents and their faith. You know, "Well my daddy was a deacon at the church, we were up at the church every time the door was open. Why, if the preacher was up there scrubbing the windows on Saturday we took a picnic lunch and yard chairs just to sit and watch him!" Really? Never thought about helping him or even doing the windows as a ministry to him, the church or the Lord? I digress, that is the subject of another blog later.

How about the person that talks about the greatness of their grand-parents as they walked with the Lord all their days, took them to church, taught them what prayer, scriptures, and faith fullness was all about but yet this person has walked away from that kind of faith.

Most of our Youth's Parents want their children, their teens, to own their own faith and will say so. However, their is a major disconnect here. If the parent's faith is weak, non-existent, or living on the blessings of the days gone by, do the parents really own their own faith? They are demonstrating to their kids what it means to be a Christian everyday and if they follow mom and dad who are not living on their own faith, well the student will be left with little to nothing.

I received this devotional from Tyndale House Publishers and wanted to post it so others could see it. Owning My Faith is critical in my own relationship with Jesus Christ. Enjoy.

I just realized that I’ve been living off of the faith of my parents.
How do I own my faith?

Living off of someone else's faith is like borrowing something from a friend. No matter what you borrow--a car, cell phone, clothes, CDs, or faith--it isnt yours and must be returned.
Solomon was challenged to 'learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately' (1 Chron 28:9). In other words, he wasn't to settle for hearing how someone else trusted God. He needed to find out for himself.

During these years, your faith will be tested. Friends who do not believe in Christ may see nothing wrong with doing things that would cause your conscience to start screaming in protest. That's when you will have to make a choice: Will you go along with your friends or will you stand on what you believe? If your faith is strong (if it is yours and not your parents or your youth leaders), no amount of pressure from friends will be able to blow you away. (See Matt 7:24-27.)
Consider taking these steps to help develop your faith.

• First, make sure you have asked Jesus Christ to forgive your sin and come into your life.
• Second, begin to ask questions about the Bible. God wants you to understand it as well as believe and obey it.
• Third, look for other Christians who are excited about developing their faith in God--people who do not want to settle for second best.

What you learn from them can convince you that being a Christian is worth the work and is 100 percent right for you!

So this is a start into "Owning My Faith"

127 Hours

127 Hours the movie is the true story of Aron Ralston and his ordeal of being trapped in the desert and having to take unusual measures to survive.

Here's what the reviews say about the movie:
"127 Hours" is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolate canyon in Utah. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he is finally rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the last two people he ever had the chance to meet? A visceral thrilling story that will take an audience on a never before experienced journey and prove what we can do when we choose life.

In the movie Aron goes into his memory and tries to remember his life, family and his friends. The one thing that he remembers is his son and how much he loves him and wants to hold him. Here's the rub, he has no son; yet. You see his will to live is that he wants to have children, a son specifically. it is this love of the son that saves his life. It is the need to have this relationship with the son that keeps him alive.

It is just me or does this story kind of sound familiar to you? The relationship with the son is what saves people today. The Son is Jesus Christ and the relationship is with him in life change. It is that life change that causes us to live a life of meaning and fulfillment.

My friend Jeff and I were having lunch and talking about how difficult this movie is to watch, the blood, pain, and the ways that everything just came together in a coincidental fashion. When I think of Jesus Christ coming to mankind, I believe the scriptures talk about the fullness of time.

Oh well, once again the movies show us truth in Christ and this movie does the same; "127 Hours."

What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?

"What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?" used to be a commercial on television for the Tombstone Pizza brand. I remember it well from many years ago, check it out on Youtube etc. for the commercials as they are rather cheesy and funny. (Yes I just used the word cheesy while talking about pizza and yes it was a pun and it was intended!)

The premise of the question is true for all of us. "What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?" The movie "The Bucket List" is the story of 2 guys, both dying from cancer that strike up a friendship and decided to do things that they always wanted to do but couldn't due to everyday life getting in the way. So they decide to spend their final days doing the things on their list, the list of things they want to do before they kick the bucket. It is a bitter sweet movie.

In the movie one person who is cynical is turned into a better person because of his contact with the one that has his own list of things to do. At the eulogy, he says that this man, Carter, had saved him. He wept because of what Carter had done in his life. Isn't that the thing for all of us? We end up running into someone that impacts our lives and we will never be the same again?

I met someone like that when I was about 15 hears of age in Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, TN. It was on March the 17th and I have never been the same since that date. I guess you could say he 'saved me' that day. His name? Jesus Christ.

So what does the bucket list, being saved, and your tombstone all have in common? Many might think it's about death and dying. That is not true. It is fully about living. You see everyone dies but not everyone truly lives.

Me? I want to live life to the fullest; shoot, I want to live it to overflowing. I want to charge Hell with a water pistol for the kingdom of God. I want all of Hell to celebrate my passing someday because I will be out of the battle for the Lord Christ and the demons can feel it just got easier. What am I saying? I am saying for you to live your life FULLY for him. Life is precious and how we live that life here will determine what is on our tombstone someday.

So live your life by "What You Want On Your Tombstone!"

Family Ties

"Family Ties" was a television show from several decades ago for those that may not remember or know. However, we all have family ties in the body of Christ. As a child of God that allows me to be the brother to other believers. I am proud to be a part of the family of God.

Now I know that there are times when the family acts like a dysfunctional family but that is still family. I have been thinking about family over the last few months due to the fact my father-in-law was diagnosed with lymphoma, my baby brother has 'poly-myoscitis" and my older sister has terminal liver and lung cancer. In fact I am awaiting a call on her home going almost every day now. So family means a lot to me. You see I have been twice chosen so I love the fact that I can be part of the family of God; even if it's going to be a hard visit! : )

I came across this Parent Devo from Tyndale House Publishers, the owners of the New Living Translation, and it spoke to me today. Maybe because I am reflecting on life more, my age, grand-children; or the love of my life Sula. Anyway, take a look and let me know what you think about "Family Ties".

Loving Others like Family

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”Romans 12:10 NLT

The December 31, 1989 issue of the Chicago Tribune featured a series of photographs considered the best photos of the decade. Michael Fryer’s image of a rescue attempt was a dramatic fire photo. It captured a fireman and a paramedic carrying a fire victim away from the scene. The blaze Fryer covered occurred in December 1984 at Irving Park and Kenmore Avenues in Chicago. It seemed routine until firefighters discovered a mother and five children huddled in one apartment’s kitchen. Fryer said firefighters surmised: “She could have escaped with two or three but could not decide who to pick and chose to wait for firefighters to arrive. All of them died of smoke inhalation.”

The apostle Paul wrote, “Love each other with genuine love” (Romans 12:10). The terms he used convey a love that is “full of tenderness” or “affectionate.” Actually, his first term “love” translates a compound Greek word that literally means, “love of the family.” The word translated genuine affection is a familiar Greek word, philadelphia. It means literally “love of the brethren.” I find it quite intriguing that Paul employs two words--love of family and love of brothers--to communicate the need for commitment in loving.

The deep affection and abiding commitment made between natural family members, like the Chicago mother toward her children, should be expressed in the spiritual family as well. We are to love our brothers and sisters of faith, as we love our brothers and sisters of blood. Brotherly kindness is an affection that family members have for one another.
Jesus has given authority to the entire world to judge whether or not we are genuine believers on the basis of our love for fellow believers. Love is the badge that identifies us as followers of Jesus Christ. Any time we do not show love toward fellow believers, we forfeit our right to proudly represent Jesus Christ in the world.

People around us who are bored by doctrine and can’t fathom theology instinctively understand love. People look at Christians before they look at our creed. They form their opinions about our religion when they see how we behave. If they like the melody, they will listen to our words. If what they hear is discord, then the lyrics of our faith seldom register in their lives.
As believers in Jesus Christ we need to make a clear, unequivocal commitment to loving each other as a family, for our own sake and for our witness to a watching world.

Oprah Proves Jesus Is The Way!

Oprah Proves Jesus Is The Way! That's right Oprah has done it and she didn't even know she was doing it. You may be asking yourself, "How?" That is a great question to ask and if you are not looking for it you will miss it. You see there are spiritual lessons all around us and we miss them. We have our attention in other places, our ears listening to other things, and our eyes are looking the wrong way.

Imagine one day you realize that you are not who you think you have been all your life. Let's say one day you find out that you are really the child of someone else and all your life you have been raised as someone else. Suddenly you are given a wonderful gift and you are the child of someone famous, "royalty" if you will and you are part of the family.

Many of you know my testimony of being raise by a family that I had been given to as a baby. I was given to my 'mother' in a bar by my birth mother and raised by another. Imagine one day that you find out you are not who you think you are. You find out like one lady did just a month or so ago that your sister is Oprah Winfry who is extremely wealthy, royalty to many in our world today.

So when I look at this I see Jesus. Jesus you see said to you and me that to all that received him he gives us the right, privilege, the opportunity to be called 'sons' (and daughters) children of God. IF you are a believer and you have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord then you are a child of God. If you are child of God then you have a brother that is truly Royal, you see he is a prince, a Lord, King of Kings, and he loves us. When I see what has happened with Oprah over the last few weeks it is easy for me to see Jesus as the older, bigger brother, who gives us opportunity like we have never seen. We will never be able to repay him for what he has done for us.

This means that we can hold our heads high. We are the ones that have received an inheritance that will rival anything that Oprah or any king or queen could ever give us; eternal life!

So this week when Oprah found out she had a half sister that she was never aware of her sister can benefit from it because of who her big sister is. As I see spiritual examples in the world I like to call them out, talk about them and look at them closely. It makes sense to me.

So to Oprah thanks, and 'ain't it great' that Oprah Proves Jesus Is The Way?

The BIONIC Man Lives!

I know you are thinking, "The bionic man?" is that a remake of an old television show? Maybe a new movie that is coming out and I have missed the trailers? Nope, none of these. BIONIC is one of the many acronyms that I have used over the years. In fact, this one goes way back to the 70's, late 70's when being involved in youth ministry was mostly pizza blasts and big events with tons of prizes each week. We could bring in a crowd and then lose a crowd because someone else had a better dog and pony show down the street or a bigger "boom box" to give away or the new thing called a Sony Walkman CD/AM/FM combination to give away.

In the youth ministry that I was a part of we started doing things differently. We wanted to do things such as building relationships with the students. Not to build the relationship around the Youth Pastor/Minister only because he, yes I said he because this was long, long ago in a generation far, far away, and then to see the students implode when the he left for a bigger or another church. (Long sentence there and choppy, but you get the idea!) Anyway we decided to build relationships with the students with as many adults in their lives as we could get. So we came up with the acronym called B.I.O.N.I.C. which stood for "Believe It Or Not I Care!"

This phrase was one we said often to one another and we trained on it:

• Be available for your youth
• Initiate conversations with youth
• Operate Covertly with students but publicly. Conversations go well this way
• Never break confidences. (Unless immoral, illegal, or dangerous)
• Interest yourself into their lives, likes, dislikes, life and yes drama
• Care, really care about their spiritual growth

Now I know looking over this list you can say these are cheesy and you would probably be right. However, think about youth ministry in light of these. Isn't Youth Ministry about being their for the students, talking with them, being open and really caring about their life? Things they are doing and not doing? Above all isn't Youth Ministry about their salvation and their spiritual growth?

So after finding this old piece of paper in one of my files recently I am thinking back to all the students that I have had the joy of hearing back from over the years that I have been able to impact for the kingdom. The joy of a little girl in the 7th grade that was tall, lanky, awkward and loved basketball more than boys write me years later to tell me she was now teaching a 7th grade girls Sunday School Class. How that she remembered the things I had taught her. Wow, I did make a difference after all.

So now after all these years, in the good times and the bad times, the fun and the sad, I can proudly say, "The BIONIC Man lives!"

Like Father Like Son

Yep, Like Father Like Son, is the phrase that you hear people say about someones child when they see the child, hear them, or watch them in an environment of their own.

Recently I saw a posting or blog of my son's posted on his church's website/blog. It had a lot to do about coffee cups that he owns (I can relate!). The two that mean the most to him are from Bybee Pottery in Waco/Bybee area of Kentucky, same location now 200 years! The other is from Tate Knob Pottery outside Berea, same location now about 30 years. He has other cups but these two mean the most to him, you can read below why in just a minute.

I want to take a moment to say that the phrase "Like Father Like Son" could have been said about Jesus from the New Testament. Jesus said that he and the father are one; if you have seen me you have seen the father. It is my prayer that for you as a believer that you too might have that said of you too. "Like Father Like Son Like You!" We are to become in the image of Christ so that others may see Christ in us and when they see Christ in us they may see the Father as well. SOOOOO....as you read the blog post of my son, enjoy, reflect and understand that my son walks with the Lord Jesus Christ, just like his dad does so I guess you can say, "Like Father Like Son!"

"I just counted, and my wife and I own somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 coffee mugs. They range from travel mugs from Starbucks, to a plastic mug my dad got before I was born. We have the 10 that came with our dinner set someone got us for our wedding. I guess we have 20 cups if you count the two 24 oz latte cups that I just use for cereal and soup. The point is, I love coffee and have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to drinking my favorite morning drink.

Nine times out of ten, I choose one of two cups. In fact, I’m drinking out of one as I write this right now. My two favorite mugs were made near where my parents live in eastern Kentucky. They live in Berea, which is the Artisan capital of the world. I love going there. In the same afternoon, you can visit a weaver’s shop, woodworkers’ shops, local craft shops, a chocolate-maker’s store (who was trained at Hershey as a kid), and multiple pottery studios. The mug I’m drinking from as I write this was created at Tater Knob, a pottery studio that is nestled among the tall hills of the region. You have to step over this huge dog to get into the shop, and see all these creations everywhere you look. The potters invite you back and allow you to watch them turn bowls, cups, and just about anything you can think of on their wheels. You feel like part of the family. Their hands made the cup I drink out of at home, and it is unique and beautiful to me.

The other mug I drink from came from Bybee pottery, which is also near my parents’ home. What amazes me about this company is that they have been owned by the same family and made pottery in the same building for 200 years. The floor in the “throwing room,” where the pottery is actually turned, is 18 inches higher than the rest of the building, because of the generations of clay dust that has settled there. I love the history, and the rugged craftsmanship of their art.

Why do I tell you about these cups? I have almost two-dozen cups at my disposal, yet I consistently drink out of only two because they are unique, individual, and special to me. I’ve met their creators, looked them in the eye, and seen how much they love creating their craft. They don’t’ do it for the money; they do it for the sheer love of creation. They do the exact same job as a factory produced mug, but their beauty is in their hand-made imperfections. They have character.

God is building you and building me. What makes us beautiful is not our perfect edges that we present to everyone. When we come to church or walk out our doors, we present this perfectly finished, polished life, but that’s not who we are. So, there are chinks in our armor. So, we’re missing a few polished places.

Perfection doesn’t make us beautiful in God’s eyes; allowing his handiwork to shine through does. You are unique, individual and loved by God. Not because of your perfect records you may cling to so dearly, but because you have been in the hands of the Maker. Let his fingerprints shine in your encounters and interactions today."

So there you have it, the words of my son, in whom I am well pleased!

WWJD? Oh yeah!

You remember the craze a few years ago, unless you are currently in the youth ministry and you probably have heard about it, WWJD, What Would Jesus Do? It was a time about 10 years ago, or so, when there were tee-shirts, bracelets, bumper stickers, book marks, hats, Bible covers, posters, etc. that had the letters WWJD plastered across them.

Really WWJD is not something that was new but a resurgence of a book that was written so long ago where the small community started basing all their decisions by asking that question first, "What would Jesus Do?" in this situation? The book is a great read and I recommend it to all students in any youth ministry. There are twists and turns and you have to do some soul searching to see exactly what Jesus would do in any given situation.

I was thinking about this today as I read a story where a group of "church ladies" in Lexington, Kentucky have been going to the strip bars in that fair city. The story says that when they get out of the van they are there with food home cooked meals for the dancers and the staff, that the bouncers announce here comes the Church Ladies! They listen to the people that they talk to and show them kindness as fellow human beings. Why do this and become exposed, not pun intended, to all the ridicule from others for being there?

"We go because Jesus went.
Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?” Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders” (Matthew 9:10-13, The Message).

We are continually amazed by the openness of the women and men we serve, and have seen many lives changed through the unconditional love and grace the team shows each week."
(link to the article is http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1564 )

To think of a way to have a place in your life where you "Passion and your burden" collide to make a difference in the lives of others has to be awesome.

What is your passion? What are you consumed with in ministering to others over? Is there a place in your life where you can turn your burden into something beyond yourself and affect others? It is your opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Not everyone is gifted, called, or burdened to do what these "church ladies" are doing but Jesus has given you a gift to impact someone for the kingdom.

Thinking about this ministry one last time about the "church ladies" do you think Jesus would really minister to these people? I mean do you think Christ would touch those that many church folks run away from? For me when I think about this in this scenario; WWJD? Oh yeah!

Law Breaker and Grace

OK so here we go again with a new insight into my so called life. I was recently working on several things at home that involved moving paper from one stack to another stack and then back again to the first stack. I came across a folder that I carry from time to time and opened it to see what tid bit of information that I might have had in it or some long lost and forgotten thought. When I opened the folder I saw a receipt which meant I had spent some money on something important.

Upon closer look at the receipt I saw that it was attached to something that looked official and important. It was important! It was my registration and license renewal for my truck. The date was from APRIL! Now today as I compose these lines, it is much later than April; in fact, I have just completed my Summer activities with our Youth Ministry. We have had VBS, fellowships, I did a missions camp, we had two youth camps, and I have driven thousands of miles! I even drove to the seminary multiple times with my license/tags technically expired. I have been a law breaker and didn't even know it!

Of course you know me, that causes me to think about a spiritual analogy. How many people do we know that are law breakers and they don't even know it? Now I know we are not under the law but you get my point. How many are not in relationship with Christ but they don't know that they need to be? How about the idea that they are against God and are not aware of their need to not be a law breaker? How can they know if we don't tell them? The Bible tells me that we have to be the ones telling others about Christ. We have to be the ones that are no longer afraid of what others might say to us or think about us; more than we care that our friends being lost and without Jesus.

So today I am putting my sticker onto my truck to make sure that I am not breaking the law. I mean it's really simple when you think about it, you peel the backing off and place it onto the tag.

If I had been pulled over prior to today I would have pleaded ignorance or argued that I had purchased the sticker. I could have said I used to have the sticker but I don't have it anymore or I have no idea what happened. One day I just decided to not use the stickers anymore. Let's face it, I can still drive. It's not like I forgot how! You know I could argue, discuss, and plead all I want and still be a Law Breaker and Grace would not be given. Why? I am guilty. Sure there are excuses and reasons that I had not fully gone through all I was supposed to do but bottom line, guilty.

This is exactly the same with us before Christ. I used to go to church. I was a good person and never mistreated anyone. What do you mean that I am guilty like those people?! God I didn't like some of those people at the church because they were such hypocrites! I thought because my daddy and mommy went to church and were 'saved' that I was good too, kind of like a family thing.

You mean to tell me that all I have to do is to pull back the hardness of my heart and say yes to Christ, asking for forgiveness of my sins, repenting of them, and walk in obedience to him?

It sounds so simple to move from being a Law Breaker to Grace, and it is!

Are You Talking To Me?

Have you ever had those conversations in a crowded room or in an area where there are tons of people all talking at the same time and you realize that someone is trying to get your attention? You think you hear them saying something to you but you are not sure. You may even hear your name or you may even pick up parts of a conversation that has something to do with you but you are still not sure. You peruse the room and you now know that someone has been talking to you but you didn't know it. You make a concerted effort to hear more fully and then you ask the question, "Are You Talking To Me?"

It is only now that with all the noise going on around you that you finally can concentrate on the communication coming your way. You focus on what is being said. You disregard all the other things going on around you. Now you can better understand what is being told to you.

I have seen this happen 2 times this summer in 2 different summer camps for our students. The first week we were in a camp in North Carolina, one of the best camps around when it comes to teaching, preaching, and telling deep spiritual truths. The speaker was bringing it, if you know what I mean, and he stopped and mentioned something about authority in the lives of our students. He said something like this, "Students you will NEVER grow as a Christian if you do not respect and be obedient to the authority that has been placed over you in your life." Wow, that got every one's attention. We talked about it in our church group time and they acknowledged that this is an area that all of them needed to work on .

The 2nd time that I heard this was in a different camp in the entirely different direction from the first camp, in Western Kentucky and a whole different group of students, and speaker. The speaker was preaching, bringing it in love and he said this, "Students the way that you as Christian students talk to your parents is UNGODLY with no respect, no obedience, and you are not respecting the authority that has been placed over you in your life. You have to respect those that are over you, including parents and youth leaders, if you ever expect to grow as a child of God."

The same thing in 2 different camps, from 2 different speakers/preachers, and 2 different sets of students. Now I know that our students needed to hear this but then it dawned on me too. "Are You Talking To Me?"

God is not only talking to students at these camps but also to us adults. I am on the same journey as many of our students and I need to get it as well. So today, as I am recuperating from the weeks away from camp I am asking the same question that all of us need to ask, "Are You Talking To Me?"

And She Didn't Know It!

Recently I was driving on one of my many trips across our state or maybe it was out of state, or even the state of confusion; never mind, I was driving. Coming up to a traffic light I noticed that this lady had driven her car up to the light and had passed the sensor strips in the roadway. In fact, she was a couple of feet in front of where she needed to be and the sensors did not know that her car was there.

She sat there for sometime as other cars would come to their part of the street, trip the sensors, make their turn and the light would stay red. She was angry and agitated as she looked first left and then right and then back again. She looked at the lights, she looked at others that were able to go while she just sat there. I was behind her in traffic and I had no idea how long she had been there at the light. She has caused her own problem And She Didn't Know It! Her anger was at the manufacturer, the designers of the system, the roads department; everyone she could think of but in reality, it was her own fault And She Didn't Even Know It!

Isn't that the way we all are in our lives? We make bad choices, decisions, and do things on the impulse only to have them blow up in our faces and it's our own fault And We Didn't Know It!? The Christian walk is a journey of many steps, stairs, highways, hills and valleys but it is a journey. Many of the turns that we make that are wrong are of our own problem And We Don't Know It. Sure some of the dark clouds, the rain, the storms and the things of life that come our way that are not our fault. Jesus said something about it raining on the just and the unjust, or believers and non-believers, sceptics and saints, me and you, or something like that.

Here's my question, wonder if the things you are going through right now, are they from God, life, Satan or are they are own doing? Could it be her problem due to the wrong decisions, consequences for her actions, And She Didn't Know It?

To help the lady out that was stuck at this one red light, I eased my car up to the sensors and tripped the light timer so she, and I, could now go on our way. There was no thank you wave, no honking of the horn, or rolling down the window to show appreciation. In fact, I am not sure she was even aware that it was me at all. I helped her, somewhat the way Jesus helps us albeit not nearly the same, "And She Didn't Know It!"

What will they say?

George Steinbrenner died the other day at the ripe old age of 80 from a massive heart attack. IF you are one of the few in America that doesn't know who that is let me just say that he has been the controversial owner of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. He bought the team for about $1 million dollars some 30 years ago and has turned the franchise into a 1.3 BILLION dollar company, not to mention that his team has won the World Series several times and the American League Championship even more times that the Series Champions.
So now that you know who he was, so what? I have lived long enough to know that this owner has been one hard owner on the players, management, and coaches of his team. He hired and fired the same Coach Billy Martin 5 different times! He was fined by the Commissioner of Baseball on multiple times thousands and thousands of dollars. He was difficult to work for and those close to him knew that he was highly demanding of all his employees.
The news anchors, and sports analyst are now saying what a great guy he was to the sport of baseball. Stories are coming to light such as one young man that was caught spraying graffiti on the Yankee Stadium when he was 16 years of age. He was caught by George himself and was taken to a holding pen until that evening. He was then hired to be a bat boy for the evenings game. He then worked for the organization for over 30 years! The owner lifted him up from what he was to what he could become.
So here's the thing, we are now looking back at George's life and seeing how he lived his life and how he impacted people over his life. He is not here to hear what they are saying about him or to misunderstand any judgments they may have about him. He is gone BUT YOU ARE HERE~! So think about this, "What will they say about you and your life?" You see you have the rare opportunity to mark others so they will say the right things about you. How you impacted others with your life and influence.
"What will they say?" It is really up to you! You have the chance to impact others for the good, for God, for eternity! It's your call, "What Will They Say?"

In Case of Fire!

Recently I was in my favorite Chicken Restaurant eating a new spicy sandwich. I know you are thinking, of course you were. If you know me, you know that I love to go there to eat, listen to Christian music, and to see quality customer service in action, but I digress.

The new sandwich that is there is really, really, really good, maybe fantastic. I even put extra hot sauce on it because I love to have "A Kickin Chikn Sandwich!". On the tables at this place there is a card stock box that resembles a fire alarm station where you pull down the alarm in case of fire. The logo on the box says "In Case of Mouth Fire, Pull Down!". I love the play on words and then I start thinking about the spiritual aspects of it all.

What happens when our mouths get the best of us? What happens when we speak things in private or with friends that we would never say in front of our pastor, preacher, teacher or parents? What happens when our mouths get us into trouble because they are too "spicy"?

I think of James 3:1-12 and how that we get into so much trouble with our tongues. Yep all of us, especially me. I think right after I say something and realize only then that I shouldn't have said that. Praise God for his grace!

How about you? You been in trouble lately because you didn't think before you spoke? Did you say something that you regret, will regret, or think that you shouldn't have done that?

Aren't you glad that God (Jehovah, YHWH) is a God that forgives and is full of grace? I know I am and I know what to do "In Case Of Fire!"

True Life Adventure!

True Life Adventure! It was one of those stories that we used to read in various magazines that made you think, Wow! wonder what that would be like to have that happen to me? There were stories such as bear attacks in the back woods and having nothing but a stick to beat the attacker off with....

So today, I had a True Life Adventure that happened to me. NO, there wasn't a bear, lion, or tigers, that were in my path. NO, I didn't stop a robber in the middle of a bank robbery. NO I didn't do a stop a bomb at the last second but I did do a good deed!

Today while driving to grab a cup of coffee and sandwich I saw smoke coming from the mulch! I slowed down and realized that the mulch was on fire! Quickly I stopped my truck, turned on the flashers, opened the door to do something. The fire didn't appear too big so I started to stomp the fire out. PROBLEM! I was wearing sandals! It looked like I was dancing, not very good dancing mind you, but dancing nonetheless. My feet were hot so I took off a sandal and tried to beat the flames out, to no avail.

Finally a person that I worship with on Sundays stopped to help and along with his wife we put water on it and yet the fire wouldn't stop! Others tossed bottled water to us and we poured it on the mulch as well. Then we realized that 911 was probably in order. The fire department came and put out the fire with lots of water.

The fireman said that once the mulch gets fire in it that it breaks out from underneath it and it's hard to put out.

Spiritually speaking that is the way it should be for all of us. We should have the fire deep inside us and it should be hard to put out! You see, Jesus is the fire that burns deep inside me and he is NOT going to be put out. That is the real, "True Life Adventure!"

In It To Win It!

In It To Win It! Is a phrase that we hear during the various seasons of sports. Now it happens to be tournament time and everyone is thinking this same phrase. We are playing this year to not to come in 2nd place, we are In It To Win It! This means there is no satisfaction for coming in less than number one. To be the very best, the best of the best and forget the rest.

I was reading a book on leadership and came across these sentences about leading and supervising others. "Being a life-impacting leader of staff (others) requires a long-term perspective. Try to see each opportunity as one that can pay dividends not only today but year from now." In short this really means to be In It To Win It! I also look at this statement and think about being Pastor or more specifically a Youth Pastor or Minister. Why?

The reason that I see these sentences in the light of Youth Ministry is that you, as a minister, or lay person working with kids, must be thinking long term when it comes to students. Think of the end goal, the long term, the prize, that what you are aiming for that the students need to accomplish. How will you get there? Will you have to make unpopular stances or positions to get to the end goal? Will you have to change how you communicate with others? Do you communicate at all? Are you willing to do the hard work that may not show results for YEARS?

So here's the thing when it comes to Youth Ministry, there are no quick fixes when it comes to our teens. They didn't start being this way over night and they will not fix it over night. IF you are a dieter, you didn't get over weight over night and you don't get back to that weight over night! The issue is this, you have to commit and be ready! So here is my challenge for you plan now, pray hard and plan to be In It To Win It!