May 2008 Archives
Black & White
Amidst all the small choices that people like you and I make all the time, there are bound to be a few (or even more than a few) choices that need to be made which will be monumental for our lives. There have been more than a few times in my life when I’ve had to make a decision to do the right thing…or the “other” thing – whatever it might have been. Back in high school I had to make decisions about whether or not I should go out and party with my friends. “Should I smoke pot with them?” “Should I have sex with my girlfriend?” My friend’s got all the answers…”should I cheat on this test?”
Heavy questions. Heavy decisions.
I’m so thankful that to each of the questions above, I chose to take the “high road”. I gladly hung out with my friends, and if they started drinking, I’d just split. Most of the skaters and surfers I ran with back then smoked pot. Again, they were good friends, but if they went there, I’d just disappear, not wanting anything to do with it. There was a lot of pressure to sleep around just like some of my friends, but I decided to save myself for my wife, Kristin. I’ve always been thankful that she chose to do the same for me. I took an “F” in a math class that landed me in that class again the next year. My friend thought I was CRAZY for not doing what he did – but I’ve never regretted it.
I was fortunate to have great parents that spoke into my life about high moral character. I was fortunate to attend a youth ministry where I learned the importance of walking with God. I was fortunate to have an early awareness of the life that God wanted for me. One where He was “The Boss” and I was His for the leading.
Now, before you bronze me for all of my high marks, let me tell you that I’ve made my fair share of poor choices too. So many times that I wish I could have back. You know – “do overs”. Friendships I ruined. Pride that kept me from learning more from my mentors. Impatience that got the best of me and caused me to freak on my friends or parents or whoever. Sometimes you don’t know how bad of a choice you’ve made until you can get away from the situation and really think about it. I’ve had lots of those.
You may be interested to find out that opportunities to make bad choices don’t get any smaller as you get older. No, those poor choices are still just around the corner. In fact, I still have to make choices everyday that are either going to please God or displease Him. I can’t think of any moral decision, which I am responsible for making, that is in that “gray area” – where the choice will “kind of” please God, or it might “sort of” bring Him glory.
Character decisions – the ones that mark me as a person at the core of who I am, are always black and white. Each of us makes these types of decisions, and each of us must learn that we will live with consequences of the choices we make. It’s just like Galatians 6 tells us. If we “sow to the Spirit”, we reap all the best things in life. If we “sow to the flesh” we reap all that we deserve. Sometimes it’s a complicated life. Sometimes it’s a broken relationship. Sometimes it is a very painful feeling or remorse for doing something stupid, or careless, or wrong. Every time we make one of those types of decisions it chips away at our hearts. When we are faced with a “black and white” decision as to whether or not we will honor God or forget about Him, and we choose to “forget about Him”, something happens to us. Have you ever felt it? It’s a painful, shameful feeling of disgust aimed at ourselves. It’s no fun – and it’s about the last thing in the world God wants for us.
On the other hand, when we do the right thing, or “sow to the Spirit” as Paul says in that passage above, we get an entirely different feeling on the inside. You see, every opportunity to sin is also an opportunity to build character. And, when we choose to build character, it builds a stronger heart…a stronger conscience. It brings honor to God, and He honors us in return.
Those black and white character decisions that we all make, all the time, are so vital for our spiritual growth. When we bend our consciences and make choices that clearly defy scripture and the God who has given it to us, we become spiritually unhealthy. Too many of those decisions render us seemingly ineffective as Christ-followers. But, when we go with God on those choices – when we honor His word and thus honor its divine Author, we get more and more healthy.
I HATE being sick. Nothing bugs me more than having to sit on the sideline of any day and watch it go by because of the flu or an injury or whatever. On the other hand, I love being healthy. I enjoy working out and running in the hills near my house. I love playing sports and just taking a day head-on! The same rules apply for my spiritual health. On those black and white choices, I’d like to be 100%. I know the benefits of choosing to honor God, and I pray that I will make more and more of them as my life goes on. It’s not natural for our sinful humanity to choose the better of those black and white decisions (see if you, like me, can identify with Romans 7:15-20). But it always is best!
I guess when it all comes down to the wire, God is very interested in the decisions we make. He is always aware of whether we are honoring Him or ignoring Him. When it comes to those black and white decisions that ultimately build up or destroy our character, the choices we make matter to Him. Maybe you’re in a spot in your life where you are being forced to choose which way to go on a black and white issue, (that is, to honor God or not). Can I send a vote your way that would simply convey – do the right thing. Turn over a new leaf. Try it God’s way – the best way. Watch Him honor your life. Watch as your spiritual health gets stronger and your heart gets more courageous to be His man or His woman.
Everyday, decisions are always before us. And the only thing they need is a choice.
What will you do?
The Art of Worship
The dictionary defines worship as: adoring reverence or regard. We define worship every day through our reverent adoration and regard. And hopefully our worship is directed toward our God.
There is, of course, the practical application of worship. Every day life being played out: giving back to God what He has given to us, serving Him, loving Him, serving others, being a light, pointing hearts back to Him. Practical, every day worship is often over looked or underestimated. It is important, but also often over-shadowed by the more commonly known intangible worship through the arts. Being an artistic person, I am fascinated by this side of worship. Only God is worthy of such intangible, passionate expression. And I think when we truly understand worship, is when we truly understand why He alone is worthy to receive it.
Being raised in a non-denominational church, I was familiar with all of the church hymns, praise band songs, the choir in robes, the worship team standing in perfect symmetry in the front, the orchestra pit, the hymnals in the pew backs. As I grew up, I learned much about the significance of corporate worship. I discovered, through my high school pastor, what it meant to sing those words to God. It was prayer put to music! Being a musical person, I loved the thought of it!
But it’s more than that. I mean, music is a language of it’s own. Even when words aren’t present, music can and should be worshipful. The same goes for dance, and painting, and so many other forms of art.
Art is an expression of the soul. Singing aside, it really is another language…one that few people feel free to speak. And yet, I feel like it is so much more adequate than simple words. Doesn’t the Bible say that the Spirit hears our hearts when we can not find the words for what we’re feeling? Have you ever just sat in the presence of God, not saying a word, but feeling like He heard you more clearly than ever before? I have.
Last year, I attended a conference at Willow Creek Church. One night a worship dancer came onto the stage. It was in that moment that I truly felt my heart connecting with God. I was absolutely speechless. There were no words coming from my mouth, no words coming from hers, and yet so much was being communicated.
The dance was a language of its own, and I know He heard every word.
Sometimes I get discouraged when we sing a song at church like, “we stand and lift up our hands, for the joy of the Lord is our strength,” and I look around and not a single hand is raised…including mine! Wait a minute! Something isn’t right here. There is a missing connection point between what we’re saying and what we’re doing.
If you think about it, though, what ARE we doing when we lift our hands? I don’t actually know! Trying to touch God? Trying to get His attention? No, of course not. But there’s just something worshipful about taking that posture. And so we do it. Why? Because it’s another language!
What about painting? Photography? Sculpting? For many people that’s an expression of worship too! I’m just super excited at the though that there is so much more to worship than just standing there, singing a song. Worship literally consumes us! There are so many ways to live it out, and experience it day to day.
I think as a culture, our eyes are slowly being opened to true worship, the way it was done way back when. Think of David dancing before the Lord. Think of the instruments that were played for Him and the songs sung to Him. We are rediscovering the freedom we have in Christ to worship Him. We can do what ever we want to do to adore Him. We can dance in the aisles, we can stand in silence, we can rejoice, we can serve, we can give, we can express our reverence for him without worrying about anyone else or anything else.
And what could ever, EVER be more fulfilling, more exhilarating, more awe-inspiring than to speak to Him with adoring reverence in words that only our heart and His can understand?
Longing to be Led
I’ve been rolling through the Gospels lately and I’m really noticing all the times Jesus tucked away to be with His Father, or got away by Himself to think and pray, or tried to get to a quiet place with His close friends, seeking out some “quiet time” to get perspective. Jesus saw the tremendous value of finding strength in and through our Heavenly Father. I’ve been praying for that same strength to make good decisions as I lead my part of the staff at NCCV, my family, and anyone else who looks to me for leadership.
It’s never easy to follow the Lord. There certainly are times in life where things seem more calm and simple. But, I’m sure you have found that when we look to God to lead us through His Word, we find him pulling us along, stretching us out, encouraging us to do things that may cause us to move outside our comfort zones.
No one wants to be left alone to make tough decisions or do hard work, or whatever! God never expects us to tackle our issues as though they were solo missions. No, instead, He desires to be a part of everything we do. He wants, not only to be part of the equation, but, to LEAD the adventure. As I contemplate my own life, it’s very easy for me to see that without the leadership and guidance of my Heavenly Father, I would be so confused about which way to go, how to lead, how to respond, etc., etc., etc.
Jesus gives us such a great perspective on being quiet and “away” so that we can listen to our Father speak to us and minister to us as we seek His will for our lives.
I hope that you will also see the importance of relying on the Lord for all of your needs, big or small. He knows everything about us – so He certainly knows how to meet every need we have, building us up into exactly the type of people He wants us to be. Giving us direction and a vision for the future. God bless you as you seek that out too!
My Mission
My boyfriend and I have often talked about it and it is something both of us are interested in, but he doesn’t have the same inhibitions as I do. His boldness in serving has in turn made me want to be more bold. I now also have the opportunity to attend a weekly bible study about mission work that is really opening my eyes to what it means to reach out and what other churches look like around the world. It provides practical information about how to be a missionary and the issues we should be thinking about. It has been really challenging. I heard the leader of our study give a talk about Jonah and how God wanted to use him in a city where he didn’t want to go because he thought the city would never repent or that it wouldn’t be worth his time. He ran away and tried to hide from God, but we all know that after an awful boat ride followed by three days in the belly of a fish, Jonah changed his mind and went to Nineveh. The part I think we often forget is that Nineveh accepted Jonah. They didn’t try to kill him or run him out of town, they were ready to hear about God and just needed someone to come tell them.
It was then that I realized I could be that ‘someone’. It doesn’t matter that it scares me or I don’t think people will listen to me because God has a plan that is much bigger than all of my trepidations.
So, I have been thinking about how I can become more involved in preparation for wherever God takes me and I realized that I have an opportunity to serve right here at Neighborhood Church. I fill out the announcements for the 6:13 bulletin every week and every week I put one in about the International Student Fellowship. When I looked at it the other day it was like seeing it for the first time. I found myself asking why I don’t already go to that and help out. I am so glad that God has been showing me that it is all right to be nervous about what He has planned for me, that I just need to trust Him and see where He takes me. Realizing this has not taken all my fears away, but rather has shown me that they shouldn’t be a handicap for what God has planned for my life.
Non-Stop Prayer
The latest benchmark of spiritual growth in my life revolves around our “Year of Prayer.” After preaching on prayer, launching various prayer groups in Omega, and enjoying Continuum, our department-wide night of prayer, I find that my life is beginning to revolve more and more around this crucial discipline. As we approach the halfway mark of this theme, I am excited to see how this priority has changed my life.
Every day as I put on my Year of Prayer bracelet, I make a decision as to what that colored bead will represent. Some days the bead stands for my family, and I hold up my wife and son in prayer every time I see the band on my wrist. Some days the bead represents a student in Omega who is struggling with illness or sin, and I pray for that student every time I feel the plastic bead against my wrist. Other days the bead reminds me to pray for a specific country in the world, or for a people group who is hurting, or for the fruitfulness of ministry. The only facet that remains the same each day is that the bead reminds me to pray.
Year of Prayer has changed my life. It has helped me to realize for the first time in my decade of Christian living what it truly means to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:12). I would encourage anyone who reads this testimony to commit to walking down this path with me. Grab a bracelet and let the constant prayers begin!
Watchful Eye
As we are half way through the conversation he says, “I have known you over half my life. I have known you since long before you started working at a church. I like to think that I know all the good the bad and the ugly, and I have to say that you are the only Christian I have met that is real and not putting on an act.” This was when my heart, racing at the excitement of sharing Christ turned heavy with sadness. I asked him to expand on what he meant. He said that he has been purposefully trying to talk more to a few people in his life that he knows are Christians and he is trying to figure out how they live their lives and how it is different than what he does. He said that he often feels an intense judgment, a sense that “we are better than you” in his conversations with other Christians, as well as, witnessing some saying one thing, then living another. He finished by saying, “I don’t want to be a part of that.”
Conversations like that remind me of just how much we as believers in Christ are being watched. People are wanting to see how we are different than the world. They are longing to see a love and grace radiate from us in all we do that surpasses all human understanding, NOT judgment and NOT hypocrisy. They are longing to see Christ. I do not believe that this means we try to hide our faults or the areas that God is working in us. Rather, we let them see because it is in those weak areas in ourselves that people are able to see how we ALL need Christ to transform us to be more like him. “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
The Joe Shuts his Pie-Hole
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
It seems like it may be too much, but it’s what God asks of us. Pretty hard-core, huh? Can you imagine never saying anything unwholesome ever? And, I’m not just talking about gossip here (though that is obviously a huge part of it), I’m talking off color jokes, cranky observations, teasing people just to get a laugh, etc. etc. etc.
God has really laid this verse on my heart as of late. As much as I hate to admit it, I can’t help but think that maybe I’ve let my tongue be on way too long of a leash and given it way to much room to roam (James 3:3-12). It’s a little convicting, to say the least.
So, what to do? Well, what I really like about this verse is that it does not just address the problem, it tells us what we ought to do. Namely, we ought to only say the kind of stuff that is “…helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”.
So, instead of this being a blog about all the negatives that come with “unwholesome talk”, let’s just go ahead and start with the positive stuff starting…now!
I am excited to see what is going to happen when I try to be as encouraging as possible. Or what happens when I don’t point out something that annoys me to others. Or when I do my best to point out everything awesome to people. Or when I brag on other people. I think that would be the kind of talk that pleases God, and I think it would be the kind of talk that would be a blessing to those around me. Furthermore, I think it will even benefit me, personally, to not let garbage in my life like that.
Overall, people, I think it would be cool if everyone, especially us Christians, jumped on board with this. I really think other people would notice. So, if you’re up for it, join me in just saying only nice, pleasant, good, kind, polite, gracious, well-mannered, courteous, fine, clean, friendly, encouraging, awesome, splendid, tremendous, fantastic, remarkable, amazing, astounding, humbling, sweet, cool, rad, wholesome stuff. I think it’s going to be a challenge, but I think it is going to be worth it.
The Joe
You Don't Measure Up
There is a pastor I know whom the world might consider a failure. He is by no means rich and he has been kicked out of a church or had a church split because he stood up for what is right and people were unwilling to follow. This guy might never have success in the world’s way of seeing it, but I do know that he has success in God’s eyes. Or how about another guy I know, Jesus. Seriously, throughout His life people didn’t listen to Him, others outright rejecting Him, He was forsaken by His best friends, and finally He was put to death. And while we know that Jesus will have complete victory and success in the end, I think we could argue that His time on earth wasn’t necessarily “successful.”
And this brings us to what God has been teaching me on this particular subject and let me just say that this is a life long and incredibly difficult lesson to learn. The example of my pastor friend and Jesus shows me that I have to take a more eternal perspective on my success. I might not always have an awesome ministry like 20/20 or a great church like Neighborhood and he world might look at me and say that I’m a failure. However, I know that I am doing what God has called me to and that should make all the difference. Maybe you don’t feel like you measure up or that you’re not as successful as you think you should be. Take a moment and try to look through the glasses of eternity and ask yourself, “Is what I am doing pleasing to God?” If the answer is yes, then take heart and press on toward true success. Since when is the world ever right anyway?
Abiding: the Main Thing
The main thing Christ tells us to do is the one thing that will cause all the good to flow out of us: abiding in Him. So often God has given me a passion for something good, but I have taken off with it, leaving God in the dust. I’ve tried to do things on my own strength, and felt like I needed to do more and more to be a better Christian. But at the same time I could not find consistency in praying about the passion God had given me, or the time to open His word and remind myself what an awesome plan He has, and what He has saved me from. I was trying to do all these “good” things, without relying on the Giver of good things.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He prepared in advance for us to do.” As we abide in Him, he gives us opportunities to share, to love, to care. However our goal is to abide. It’s not trying to do as many good things as possible, it’s not always defending your faith against Atheists or other religions, and it’s not to always make every conversation about God. It’s abiding in Christ and allowing Him to do the work through you.
If you remember the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians, “If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” Although abiding in Christ may cause you to give all you posses to the poor, and one day have to make a life or death decision concerning our relationship with Jesus, those are not the ultimate goals of our faith. The ultimate goal of our faith is to worship God. And how do we do that? Abiding in Him, telling Him that He is most important to us, worthy of our best, our time, our praise, our service. The more we abide, the more the Holy Spirit develops us to be people of good character, and the more opportunities He gives us to share the Gospel and bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ.
God continually teaches me that being in Him, living with Him, is the most important thing we can be doing in our lives.
Ichthus Student Highlights
It is an important question to ask ourselves, not just out of concern for how people view us personally, but because if you call yourself a Christian, your character also represents Christ.
If this question is painful, be encouraged! The best stories are the ones where the main character does not stay the same throughout, but develops. Changes. Grows. So, if you were thinking, “of course, I’m a Damsel in Distress!” then after reflection suddenly realize that you are actually a “Wicked Witch”, don’t despair! The best part about being a Christian is that Jesus can change you!
Take Zacchaeus, a tax collector and a cheat who, upon meeting Jesus, changed his ways. What about Saul? He persecuted Christians until he met Christ personally.
What does God want to do with you? What will your story be when you let Him lead the way? Let’s not just ask ourselves, “What kind of character am I?” Let’s ask ourselves, “What kind of character can God make me?” Let’s be as David was in Psalm 139:12-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
One person who consistently models faithfulness to follow the Lord with his life is James Wadsworth. Currently attending a motorcycle technician training school called Wyotech, James will be graduating with training on Harley Davidson. James plans to graduate in April when he hopes to land a job at a Harley dealership. While it is clear that James is passionate about bikes, he has continually struck me as someone who is passionate about serving the Lord. Not only is he strong in his quiet times, James was a 20/20 counselor for years. Once classes got in the way of working with Jr. High students, he immediately volunteered to help with The Adventure children’s ministry! As for right now, James says, “Right now God is teaching me patience. I have to wait and see what the Lord has planned for me for a job. I’ve been at that school for eighteen months non-stop and now it looks like there aren’t many technician jobs. But God has a plan and right now, all I can do is wait and keep my eyes on the Lord!”
Anna Jose: Student at Western Seminary
Anna Jose is someone who is looking to serve God with every aspect of her life. Already having volunteered for several years in our youth ministries, and working at several occupations that serve at risk youth, Anna is currently attending Western Seminary in Los Gatos, where she is planning to master in Marriage and Family Therapy. While she plans to continue work with at risk youth, Anna also concedes, “Only God really knows what I will be doing when I am all done.” As for what God has been teaching her lately: “I think the thing God and I have been working on most are my relationships. I recently read the books ‘Wild at Heart’ and ‘Captivating’, and through reading those I have learned that God has made me with a role that is uniquely mine to play as a woman. I need to be doing my best to fill it and uplift my brothers in Christ so that they can play the role that God has designed for them.”
Sean Legge: Student at Cal State East Bay
Sean Legge is one of our students with a heart for others. He is constantly helping behind the scenes at Ichthus and hopes to use his heart for others in his future career. “One thing that God has shown me for a long time, is that He’s given me the gift of being in tune with how other people feel/think. Because of this, I think I’m going to try to either become a High School counselor or a teacher.” He is presently a sophomore at Cal State East Bay with hopes of studying abroad in England or Scotland. What has God been teaching him lately? “Keeping myself open for opportunities, keeping my heart and mind open to His commands. One thing that God’s been teaching me through the works of C.S. Lewis is sometimes that which I desire or am envious of, may actually be something that God never intended me to have...like the ability to paint, or some item that someone has, etc.”
In the Spotlight: An Interview with the Senior Girls
All: Core Group.
Taylor: Power Pack.
Erin: My Girls.
Kimberly: It’s whatever we decide to call it.
You all seem to love this thing. What’s so good about your small group?
Sylvia: We all know each other.
Alison: It’s easier to talk about things with people you know. In a major group, it doesn’t work quite as well. They all know me, and I know them, so it makes a lot more sense. You don’t have to explain things.
How can other small groups be like you?
Caitlin K. Talk openly to each other. We share pretty much everything and trust each other. There’s a lot that goes on, but we’re so unified because we care for each other.
Kimberly: A big thing is hanging out outside. We find ways to connect on a personal level.
Erin: We grew up together and we respect each other.
How do you get to the place where you’re respecting each other and not hating and gossiping?
Sylvia: We have these rules...
All: THE RULES!
Erin: They were put on a bookmark. They include confidentiality. Everything that happens outside doesn’t come inside. Leave the conflicts at the door.
Caitlin K. Taylor summed it up perfectly when she said that she doesn’t want to have to wash blood out of her clothes.
That’s quite a stain...I got some wax on my jeans. Do you guys have any tips?
Taylor: Try toothpaste.
Erin: Club soda?
Sylvia: Hairspray. Apparently hairspray works on everything.
All: Windex!
All right, back to the interview: What has been beneficial in growing this group together?
Christina: I like how we hang out outside of small groups. It’s not just a Sunday thing.
Erin: It takes a level of community to set your own pride aside and be there for people who need you the most. We keep a prayer journal and take requests every week and Sarah emails it to us.
Kimberly: Every now and then, we’ll look back at prayer requests. It is huge to see what God is doing in all of our lives.
Taylor, you as a question. The first thing that comes to mind.
Taylor: I don’t have a question. There’s not much going on up there, Danny.
Alison, pick one of the five W’s (Who, What, Where, When, Why)
Alison: Wait, why am I doing this?
So, it’s “Why.” Taylor, ask a question with “Why.”
Taylor: Umm...Why is Kimberly’s hair growing so fast?
Kim: (pause) My family is just really hairy.
Erin: Please put that in Grounded Magazine!!
All: Yeah!!
Kim: No. I say, no.
Very good. Let’s close with this: Describe your group in one word.
Joanna: Beautiful
Sara: Energetic
Taylor: Funny
Alison: Big
Kristen: Loving
Sylvia: Awesome
Christina: Amazing
Sophia: Fantastic
Caitlin K.: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Christina: I don’t know
Kim: Tender
Emily: Consistency
Erin: Loyal
Kensey: Unsurpass-able
Ladies and gentlemen, the Senior Girls.
All You Need is Love
All you need is water? That makes more sense.
All you need is air?
All you need is your recommended daily serving of leafy green vegetables? Ok, not nearly as poetic.
But all you need is...love? Come on. At times I think we’d all be better off without it. Love is so often found at the core of heartache and depression. It is the underlying theme of every tragic love song and epic motion picture. Is this burdensome, life-altering sentiment really necessary to our well-being? If you ask me, I think love just makes us crazy.
Think of Romeo and Juliet. Their love drove them both to a self-induced death...well before their time. In China, a couple named Liu and Xu had to spend their entire married life in seclusion due to a community un-accepting of their love. Liu spent fifty of those married years carving a 6,000-stair pathway down the mountainside for his wife to have access to town. My friend Cathy gave up life as she knew it. She found herself leaving behind family, friends, and familiarity...even risking deportation...to follow her true love across the span of an entire ocean. We drain our life savings for engagement rings; risk our dignity in bold confessions of undying love. We sacrifice food, sleep, even sanity to be with the one we love. Love makes us crazy.
And what about all the negative connotations associated with love? Think of the popular catch-phrase: “We fell in love.” To me, falling is not synonymous with happiness. Last time I fell, I was climbing up the concrete steps to my office. I landed hard on my knees and the result was a lot of blood (which, by the way, stained my trendy, white Hollister capri sweats) and a very permanent scar. My recent encounter with an iron rod falling on top of my head, left me with a nice little concussion. Falling is not a good thing for me. I guess the only kind of falling I like, is the kind at the amusement park when you find yourself teetering at the brink of a 200 foot free-fall every sense heightened, every nerve trembling. You’re terrified out of your mind, clinging to the lap bar...but there’s no turning back. And as you plunge into the depths, this overwhelming surge of joy explodes from somewhere inside of your stomach and leaves you crying out with uncontrollable happiness! Ok, that sounds a little nicer than the first two examples. So, love is terrifying and yet, somehow exhilarating? That makes a little more sense.
But if love is all you need, what about the vast majority of our population surviving each day without it? Love, for many people, seems to duck just out of reach. It shrouds itself in secrecy. It is illusive and selective. It finds you...not the other way around. Love is a mystery. And even once we obtain it, and think we have things figured out, it isn’t long before disillusionment sets in, or the clouds hover into place casting their damp shadows across our theories and expectations.
So, maybe there is something wrong with love. Or maybe there is something wrong with our perception of it. Then what exactly is love? God tells me that love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
That doesn’t sound like love to me. Or at least the kind of “love” society is obsessed with. This kind of love sounds a little less romantic. A little more like work. Yet, a little more obtainable. It is not a matter of chance. It’s more like a choice. We choose to be vulnerable. We choose to make love more than just a feeling. We choose to know someone specifically, so that we can love them intimately.
The more I think about it, love sounds like a nice hot latte. At the top is a thick layer of frothy deliciousness. Sometimes I think that’s the best part of the drink. But would I ever order a cup of foam? Probably not. It’s delicious but it lacks true substance. It is the essence of a fairy tale. Touch it with your fingertip and it disappears. It would never satisfy. But sip it and enjoy it we must, to arrive at the rich brew beneath. Here is where the stuff of illustrious lovers lives. It is rich with commitment and intimacy. It is deep and vibrant, bursting with flavor. But you can’t fully enjoy one without the other. They’re both vital to love.
Now, this kind of love sounds worth it. Maybe John Lennon was right. It just might be all I need.
20/20 Student Highlights
I know I’ve been pounding this into your head all year, but I’m going to talk about it again: integrity. We talked about it on Sunday mornings, Thursday nights, and at Winter Camp. I want to encourage you to take the next step to becoming a person of strong character and personal integrity. “But Ryan,” you might be saying, “you’re so totally boring us with this same talk again.” Well, I’m sorry if you’re bored but I believe that whether or not you decide to live a life of integrity is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
When someone comes up to you this week at school and asks, “what is that bead thing on your wrist?” are you going to tell them it reminds you to pray every day? Or how about this summer at camp, when you make commitments to follow God or to change something about your life. Are you going to follow through, or let it fall by the wayside? These are the types of decisions that you have to make every day.
The Bible has so many examples of people who faced these situations. Peter denied Christ three times, Stephen stood up for Him and was killed, and Daniel refused to bend to popular culture and was rewarded. Which one of these people do you resemble most? I know we will all have moments like Peter where we fail to have integrity. Hopefully we will have more times like Daniel. Some of us might even share in the experiences of Stephen. What I do know is that God has put the choice before us. Are we going to follow Him in belief and in action, or will we try to hide the faith that is in us?
Let me close by saying that I am so proud of each and every one of you and I know that you can make an incredible impact for God’s kingdom by living out the faith that is within you.
Eric Parker: 7th Grade Redwood Christian
Eric is another one of our weekly attendees who we absolutely love to see walk through the door. He likes to play video games (like his pastor), make moves, and even act...which he showed us with his hilarious Darth Vader performance at Fall Explosion. Eric wants to take a page from Psalm 23:4 and stand up for God without fear. He plans to do this through turning the other cheek when others insult him or his faith. Aso, he wants to dedicate himself to consistently reading his Bible so he can grow closer in his relationship with the God he desires to serve.
Jenna Blevins: 8th Grade Redwood Christian
Jenna is one of those people that can light up a room and make everything seem a little brighter. Every week, she comes to 20/20 with enthusiasm and is ready for whatever we have planned. She is also an amazing soccer player (trust me, I’ve been to her games) and simply a passionate person who gives everything she does her all. This year, Jenna wants to show integrity and stand up for her faith by standing up for those who are put down and being a friend to those who may not have many. She sites 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 as her motivation, saying that she wants to care and comfort others as God does for her.
Celeste Paz: 6th grade Creekside
Every time I see Celeste, I can be sure that I will get a very loud, “HI!” in my ear, and that is the reason we love her. At her school, she is on the wrestling team (so cool) and is coached by our very own Rachael Wright. Celeste wants to demonstrate her love for God by sharing the Gospel with her lost friends. I think this desire shows us who she is: someone who is excited about her faith and always wanting others to experience it. She is also dedicated to not being two-faced. Rather, she wants to be bold in showing everyone and anyone the faith that is within her.
Omega Student Highlights
What would Omega look like if we refused to live in the gray and committed to being people of ? What if we were a group of young men and women who were known for being honest, rock-solid, loving, Christ-followers? What if the whole world knew us as being people who are the same whether at home, at church, at school, at work, or with friends? What if we committed together to drop the shady grayness and live in the black and white?
A ministry known for its integrity has the power to change the world. If we lived consistent lives 24/7, people would see the power of the Gospel in us. Heads would be turned as the world began to realize that there is something different about our students. People on your campuses would see that Christ is real, and that he has changed your lives.
As we move forward in our Year of Prayer, let’s remember that character is the backbone of an effective prayer ministry. The book of James tells us that, “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” As we make ground in our prayer lives, let’s also move forward in righteousness, understanding that the two concepts go hand in hand. This summer, refuse to live gray lives. Instead, as Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Chris Kerner: Freshman, Castro Valley High
Chris Kerner has been an integral part of Omega since the first week he became a Freshman at Castro Valley High School. Every week, Chris walks through the doors of our youth ministry excited to meet new people, participate in exciting events, and learn more about God and His plan for his life. As a regular attendee of both our Sunday morning small groups and our Wednesday night outreach, Chris encourages his fellow Omegans to follow his example in diving into every aspect of our program. As this young man moves into Sophomore status, he is excited to enjoy another great year and to bring more of his non-Christian friends to Christ.
Taylor Wittman: Freshman, Independent Studies
Taylor’s excitement for Omega shines through in everything she says and does. According to this young lady, she has been a regular Omega attendee for ten months, fourteen days, and ten seconds. Taylor is currently the youngest member of our Worship Team, and loves to serve God in Omega through our music ministry. While Taylor’s Freshman year has taught her many valuable lessons in trusting God and praying without ceasing, she is excited to become a sophomore and not be the youngest anymore. Taylor’s advice for her fellow Omegans? “Just be who God made you to be and don’t try to change who you are just to please other people!
Matt Roberts: Junior, Redwood Christian School
Matt remembers his first day of Omega three years ago, which began when he was kidnapped from his bed and swept away to our Freshman Kidnap Breakfast. Since then, Matt has been a regular part of our High School Ministry, excited to come each week and learn about God, whether through a message from a speaker or a serious talk in small groups. As Matt completes his Junior year at Redwood, he is thankful for all he has learned about God and His faithfulness. He looks forward to seeing what God does as his class “steps it up” next year as upperclassmen. Matt would advise his fellow students to seek God’s advice, realize they don’t have all the answers, and to find accountability through other believers.
What Prayer Means to Me
Clearly, my view of prayer was not accurate when I was younger. I thought it was only for adults and always boring. I didn’t understand that prayer could be powerful, meaningful and life changing. There are three things I have learned about prayer since then that I want to share with you.
Being Bold
Prayer is scary, especially if you pray out loud. There have been many opportunities to pray that I have passed up simply because I was too afraid to pray out loud. The simple fact is, you just have to do it. Praying in a group is an incredible way to talk to and experience the presence of God - and you should never shy away from it simply because you are afraid. 2 Corinthians 3:12 says, “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we should be bold.” We should all strive to pray together, for each other, with each other. We should want to share our requests and our praises with each other because it is such a great way to stay connected, challenge each other and grow together. Be bold for God. Be bold in talking to Him through prayer.
Being Sincere
I will be the first to say that this is not easy for me. When I pray out loud, sometimes I feel like I am just talking to the people around me, not to the God of the Universe. Or I might be more concerned with sounding eloquent or clever than with laying my heart out before the Lord. The book of Matthew provides a great example of what we shouldn’t do in prayer: “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...And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” So be mindful while you pray; remember to whom you are speaking. The next time you pray (in a group, or on your own) make an effort to be totally sincere in your requests to God.
Being Consistent
A youth pastor once challenged me to spend an entire day in prayer. He didn’t mean down on my knees with my eyes closed, but rather to praise God throughout the day when something good happened or ask for wisdom when making choices. I took him up on his challenge and it was one of the best days of my life. I have never felt closer to the Lord then when I brought my entire day before Him. Not only did I feel close to God, but I also felt more comfortable in suggesting to pray in situations with others when we needed guidance. It wasn’t easy to remember at first, but just like most other things in life, practice makes perfect. It isn’t always easy to get into a routine of prayer, so you just have to commit. Acts talks about how the early church was consistent in meeting together often, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
I am still not perfect in all of these areas, but I know they are things that I should always be working on. I’ll be praying that God will help all of us to be bold, sincere, and consistent during our Year of Prayer.
Exit Interview: Rachael Wright
Where do you go to school and what is your major?
Right now I’m at Las Positas College in Livermore and my major is Liberal Studies.
What are a couple of your hobbies?
Wrestling, rock climbing, camping, wake boarding, and hanging out with my friends and family.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Well, when I grow up I’d like to be a stay at home mom, but until then I want to be a kindergarten teacher.
What are you reading in your Bible, and what have you been learning?
I am reading in 2 Samuel right now and I’ve been learning how much David trusted God for everything and I’m trying to do the same in my life.
What’s the most rewarding part of serving in ministry?
For me, the most rewarding part of ministry is the relationships God creates between myself and the other counselors and especially the girls. The connection that I feel with my girls is so strong; I’d do anything for them. The way He uses that connection to help me teach them and grow myself in my walk with Him really is so special.
What is your favorite ministry memory?
My favorite ministry memory is an all girls sleep over and we broke off into small groups to have discussions. I had about fifteen girls join Kelly Kaufman’s and my group.. We were supposed to have a Bible study. Kelly and I decided to have the girls ask us anything they wanted. Needless to say, it turned into questions about boys. We decided to keep things without names. We created “hypothetical”, fake situations with fake names. The names for all the boys were “George” and the girls were all “Sally”. To this day, girls come up to me and say, “I have a George and Sally question.” I smile and know that the question is about some boy and how he did this or that.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you in ministry?
The most embarrassing thing, I’d have to say, was at summer camp this past year. It was the last full day of camp and we were having our dye war. My girls and I were all dressed up and ready to win. The games start, and off I run to the red team to try to get them covered in my blue dye. While I’m over there, I see a red counselor coming at me and I turn to run away. I ran though a sprinkler head. I didn’t hit the sprinkler head, I ran through it. I stopped and looked down at my leg. It had a large gash in it. I looked at the other counselor and started to run again. I played the whole game with the gash in my leg. After, I went to the nurse. She bandaged me up and said to come back to have her look at it more. When I came back, she said she probably should have sent me to get stitches, but she didn’t. I had to tell that story over and over again because I had a large blue bandage on my leg for weeks. Every time I said, “I ran into a sprinkler head”, I felt so stupid.
What words of wisdom do you have for our students transitioning into a new ministry?
My advice to all you students who are leaving Jr. High for High School, or High School for college, is don’t stop going to youth group. High School is hard, and Omega helped me stay focused on God and helped me through a lot of difficult times. When I graduated I didn’t really know if I wanted to go to college group and I stopped going for a while. I was afraid that I wouldn’t know anyone. But I started going and made some really amazing friends. You never really know what God has in store for you, but staying rooted in church helped me to understand His plans for me.
What tips would you offer future counselors?
I would tell new counselors that at first it’s hard and you might feel like you’re not getting close or connecting to your group, but you are. And God will use you in amazing ways.
What do you want to do before you die?
Before I die, I want to love life, and try as many new things as I can.
What do you want other people to remember about you?
I’m just another person who loves God, and that’s all that really matters.
Grounded Magazine
Check out our Grounded Articles, written by members of our Youth Staff and found in issues of Grounded Magazine!