Spritual Warfare...In The Bathroom

Before I even start, I want you to know how much I struggled with this post. I'm not sure why, but anyway, here it goes:

I decided last night that God blessed me with a body, not an extremely sexy one or fit one, but one that works and doesn't hurt too bad too often. And with this revelation came a new desire to exercise. Nothing major, but every morning to get up and run, jog, walk around this little track I made up through the neighborhood. It's not far at all...maybe 2, 2 and a half miles. Just a little exercise everyday and a time where I can be all alone with Jesus. This morning was amazing...God ordained even. I know this because when Megan's dog started to bark and I woke up I wasn't ill. I even smiled a little (mainly thinking about my wife having to get up and deal with the aggravating toe muncher). So I jumped up and out the door I went embracing my morning with my Father. It was SUCH a nice morning with a wonderful breeze blowing. So I started my run thanking God for the ability to be able to run. It was actually one of the most spiritual moments I ever had, and I know many of you are laughing right now because you are thinking about me running but get over it. Well, I was praying that this morning would be just Spirit filled. That the church, the Body, would come in with a new attitude toward worship. God just really spoke and told me before I asked for other's attitude to change mine needed to also. Before I taught on spiritual disciplines, I need to become disciplined. God was just moving and gave me words that I new were just for me. So coming into the house to get a shower I was pumped, excited, knowing God was going to move this morning (if not in anyone else but me). Then it all went downhill. I got sick...bad. I don't remember much, but I do remember trying to put my deodorant on and becoming REALLY hot. I mean it was one of those sick hots...does that make sense?? Then I busted out in this horrible sweat that ticked me off. 1. Because I just got out of the shower and I didn't want to feel nasty. 2. Because I realized that I may not be able to worship with the Body like I was looking forward too. I went and kind of hovered over our bed and started praying..."God I don't believe this sickness is of you. I'm asking you to let me feel better even if after church I start feeling the same way again. I just want to go and teach and worship." All of a sudden the freezing feeling I had caused from the sweat was gone. I felt ok. No more puke feeling...God desired me to be ok to work and worship. Please know I'm not for this whole name it and claim it message, but God worked in my life this morning and it was amazing. I just wanted to share that with you guys.

The Changing Church and It's Success

Ministry is an evolving thing. Look at churches today compared to just 10, 20 years ago. The structure, sound, and look has changed. We are Chris Tomlin instead of John Newton…we are Matt Redman instead of Avalon...we are guitars, small groups, and videos instead of organs, Sunday Schools, and power point. There is nothing wrong with this, but over the years a lot of things have changed. I think about youth ministry back when I was just in 9th grade (which was not too long ago if you are polite). It was filled with lock-ins, corny (but fun) games, and many trips to the bowling alley. It was enough to get us to come and experience fellowship in a Christian setting. The messages were decent enough and full of obvious biblical truths. I guess I’m trying to say I heard the truth (it got me here to this point in my life), but I cannot point to particular life-changing message. Today’s youth ministry is no longer called “youth ministry”. We call it Student Ministry. We have catchy names, themes, and slogans. Our services are video filled and we “student pastors” are always looking for the new “attention grabber” to get this ADD generation to consider us. Please know I’m not downing any of these changes because our services at Southern Heights are also filled with video illustrations, proper mood-setting lighting, and series messages. I have talked to 40 student ministers in the past two years that refuse, and make it known upon hiring, to become an event driven ministry. A ministry that is full of bowling alley trips, laser tag, and putt-putt. The “event” driven ministry looks a lot like our past youth ministries that serve the purpose of getting kids in church just for the sake of getting them to come. I’m not saying that those lives were never changed because it is obvious a lot were, but I am saying we called ourselves a successful youth ministry if we had 50 students go bowling. I think we still today have a horrible success “scale”. We base success on our Sunday School numbers, people who showed up at the last social, and the number of ministries we have. When are we going to start counting success on the number of students who continue to go to church when they enter college. Or how about how many students we have go on mission trips on their own and not because all of their friends are going. Or how about how many students who learn to feed themselves spiritual truths and develop personal biblical disciplines. Or how about how many senior adults continue to serve without excuse to the best of their ability. The church is changing, and I hope the ministry at Southern Heights changes more than just visually. I hope and pray God uses us to change lives. My goal for our Student Ministry is not to have 200 students, but for the students we have that they’ll become godly, spiritual believers that love Jesus and have truly given their LIVES to Him

Saturday's 7...on Monday

I feel pretty bad that I have waited until now to do my regular Saturday post. I like to think you guys are checking this every hour or so just to see if I have updated. I know in all reality you may stumble across these posts when you are completely bored and have NOTHING else to do, but for my own pride...I'm going to keep on believing you guys are hooked on my blog. Today's list is a special one. I got to go to a Gary Chapman marriage conference this weekend with some couples in our church. It was definitely a plus to go. Here are some random thoughts on the day.

• Love is you doing what your spouse wants you to do even when you don't want to do it.
• After the conference it seemed like all of the couples had their arm around each other or they were holding hands. I think all it took was one husband grabbing his wife's hand and all of the other guys were like, "Oh crap! I better do something like that too."
• Heath Worley cannot eat without getting something all over himself, and then proceed to "accidentally" transfer from his shirt to his wife's.
• I told Gary Chapman my wife made me come:)
• I learned not to say everything I think...This is something Marci Rogers has been telling me from day one.
• We all went and ate ice cream after the conference. Me and Megan shared our ice cream cone. Not really, but it would have been extremely sweet if I had thought about that Saturday instead of right now.
• Marriage is a lot of work, but there isn't anyone else I would rather work with than my beautiful, caring, understanding wife.

Saturday's Seven

• I love playoff basketball, Even if it is the NBA. Lebron James is a stinking beast. Don't listen to what Phillip says.
• My wife is enjoying the backyard more than I am, and I love it.
• I ready to play some basketball Sunday...
• Our new house is amazing. Of all the places I've lived, this is the all-time favorite.
• Will summer ever be here? I mean honestly, am I the only one incredibly tired of cold windy days.
• Me and JP have been reading through the bible together everynight. We read this one.
• I get to preach at New Hope Baptist in a couple of Sundays. The title of the message...Spandex and Your Faith. It's going to be interesting.

Church Ain't My Bag

Last night, as most of you know, was basketball night. The night where we old guys try and make ourselves feel young by running around with some high school students. On a quick side note I feel myself starting to play like and old guy. I remember when I was younger playing with Matthew Murphy and his dad Mr. Robert. Me and Matthew would run around like crazy while Mr. Robert was fundamental. Last night I saw myself being...fundamental. That's not me. I was blocking out, playing tough defense, fouling hard and often, moving my feet, and using HEAD FAKES!! I'm past the age where I try to out jump everybody. Anyway, back to the orignal point here. I tried to witness to this guy I have been playing ball with every Tuesday night. A really cool guy who is a heck of a ball player. He said he was 28 just trying to have some fun and meet some guys. So I told him me and my wife teach this really cool Sunday School class that has about 10 or 11 couples our age. I encouraged him and told him we would love to have him and his wife come and visit. OK. Just so you know, with students I'm pretty blunt, adults I'm really gentle. I didn't just start talking to this dude about church. I got to know him a little, and we had some really good conversations. I thought I was really easing into this. Told him the impact Jesus had made on me...His response, "Church ain't my bag." Alright, so I'm witnessing to Austin Powers. Honestly, who says bag??!! Church has gotten a horrible reputation somewhere down the line. People don't want anything to do with it, and I don't understand. Most of my family doesn't go to church. We have gotten this idea that all the people in their suits and ties and dresses are going to judge us the whole time. Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we should not stop gathering with believers...IF YOU ARE A BELIEVER. I believe that's it. We have so many people who believe they truly know Christ because they said a magical formula of words. Salvation is a transformation of the heart not words, baptism, or any other thing you could do. This incredibly cool guy told me he didn't want anything to do with the Body of Christ. What about you?? Are you denying the gathering of believers?? Do you truly know Christ for who He is?? Is Jesus your bag??

Confessions of a Youth Pastor

I watched a sermon series done by Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville, GA, and the Pastor did a series called "Confessions of a Pastor". He seemed to be really relieved to get some things off his chest. In the ministry, people sometimes have unrealistic views of who you are. They forget you are a human that battles the sin nature every day just like the rest. I get so frustrated when a student says, "I wish I could be more like you, just closer to Jesus." The truth is Jesus does NOT want anyone else like me...he wants you to be like Him. I feel the need to just open up about some of my personal struggles. Here are a few confessions:

• I absolutely hate talking on the phone.
• I think the song "Realize" by Colbie Callait could be one of the greatest songs I've ever heard.
• Sometimes me and Megan fight.
• Prayer is seriously a weak point in my walk with Christ.
• I have family that are spiritually lost that I have yet to share Christ directly with.
• I eat WAY TOO much.
• I'm jealous of people who can play guitar.
• David Bradshaw...wait...this ones tough...David Bradshaw is my role model...there I said it.
• I don't wear a seat belt...ok that one is going to get me in some trouble.

I feel a lot better now. You see I'm human, but God has given me this insatiable desire to be close to Him because He chose me. I still do and say some really stupid things, but grace is a beautiful concept. Romans 5:18-21 says:

18Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I love all you guys so much. Please remember...don't strive to be more like me, Bro. Scott, John Piper, or anyone else. Desire to be just like Jesus.

Expectations

I'm dealing a lot with expectations here lately. People have expectations of me and they should. I've been hired to do a job and I appreciate accountability. No one has ever came to me at Southern Heights with an illogical expectation. So, I to have expectations. Here are some:

• I expect my church love Jesus.
• I expect my pastor to preach biblical messages.
• I expect to see my church meet needs.
• I expect to see people serve out of their love for Jesus.
• I expect to shake hands and hug when I see my brothers and sisters in Christ.
• I expect to see evangelism, ministry, worship, discipleship, and fellowship be the core desires of our Church.

I see these things at Southern Heights and I'm excited about that.

God Is Moving

Great Story for my readers out there in Blog World:

Southern Heights Desiring More Student Ministry had there TLW ring ceremony last night. I was a little nervous because we have some students who like to be morons sometimes, and I don't want to get fired because of it. So to say that I was a little uptight is an understatement. 10 minutes before the service starts, a lady comes and asks to have a second alone with me. In my head I was thinking, "Here it is. I'm about to get chewed out about something." You see my time here at Southern Heights has been incredibly peaceful. If there has been a bump in the road, it was a very tiny one. She looks at me and says, "When you first got here I had some real issues with you." I was thinking to myself that I just needed to run. I couldn't take anymore stress at that moment. She continued, "At times, I just didn't like you ." Yep, I was about to get punched in the face. Then it happened. No, I didn't get punched in the face, but that would not have shocked me more than what was said next. "But I was wrong. Can you forgive me?" Jesus is amazing. Not because I felt better about myself, or because I didn't get punched in the face. Because He so convicted a wonderful lady to apologize to a dorky 23 year old youth minister who probably caused many people besides this woman to not like him. Those are spiritual break throughs that the Body of Christ needs to have a successful ministry. That sweet, sweet woman is not only closer to Jesus now, but has proved that she cares about Jesus, her relationship with Him. She didn't want anything to be in the way of that. God help me to mend hardships so I can be closer to You. Thank you for people who love Jesus more than themselves.

That's my story. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed experiencing it.

Loving Berryville Folks

So this morning the family is here in the office with me. My wife is doing the whole VBS thing so JP is here destroying my office...which is ok. I don't mind it too much until he throws a football at pictures lining the wall. Anyway, This morning I was thinking about how awesome it is to live in Berryville. I really don't appreciate it as much as I should...especially the people. Marci and Allen Rogers are two of those people. Their son Benjamin is JP's best friend and if it wasn't for that family it would be extremely hard for us to be here. Pretty much everyone in our Sunday School Class is amazing to us, and those people make living in Berryville (13 hours from home) easy. Then you have to consider how amazing my wife is. She has never known anything but Eufaula, AL and yet she is understanding and excited that we are here. Her heart is to do what God wants no matter how uncomfortable or "logical" it may be. God isn't about our comfort zones or our "good sense". He is about His glory and that's what we should be about too. I just appreciate the people who have made this leap into the unknown for us fantastic.

JP and his best friend Benjamin.