Thoughts from a Youth Pastor

Code Orange Revival

2012-01-24T10:30:00.001-06:00

For 12 days Elevation Church (led by Steven Furtick) did something called Code Orange Revival.
I had the chance to watch some of it online ...
Absolutely amazing

Check out the recap

Code Orange Revival from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

Today

2012-01-23T08:51:00.002-06:00

This morning I intentionally slowed down
Instead of just reading my Bible ...
I opened it
Read it
And waited

As I sat I began to consider the bigness of God
His majesty
His renown
His greatness
His power

I sat and reflected on who He is
The eternal
The all-everything
The creator of all
The sustainer of all

And then the thought creeps in
And HE ...
HE loves me
HE has given Himself for me
HE is for me

That is, perhaps, the most ludicrous, ridiculous, insane, most wonderfully amazing news that I have ever heard

And as the truth of that overwhelms me
I realize that today there can be only one proper response
That today
That in this moment
I would fully abandon myself in worship and submission to Him

May you live knowing that reality today as well
And may you abandon yourself before Him

Meet ICC Student Ministry's New Intern

2012-01-17T21:37:00.002-06:00

He has many names ...
Jerome
Jerry
Juicy J
Nelson, the Pretty One
Jeremy
Jeremiah
White Lightning

And for the next semester has has a new job
He is the new intern for ICC Student Ministries

Jeremy is a 21 year old college student attending Trinity International University majoring in Biblical Studies and studying to be a youth pastor. (He also spent a few years in my youth group back in Kenosha, WI).

For the next 5 months you are going to see a lot of him, as he helps me lead both 180 and The ROCK. Jeremy is tremendously gifted, a servant at heart and a lot of fun to be around.

So, drop him a text, stop by the office or look for him on a ministry night.

Welcome to Indianola, Jeremy!

You lift up my head

2012-01-12T08:57:00.002-06:00

In Psalm 3 we see that David is on the run from his son Absalom
Everything is crashing down around him
Enemies are pursuing him
And he has seemingly lost the kingdom

In the midst of this David writes this Psalm
A Psalm of the greatness of God
A Psalm of God's ability and capability

And in verse 3 he writes ...
You (God) lift up my head

Does anybody else find this curious?
If God is all-everything, is that the best He can do?

Have you ever been there?
Where it feels like you are being pressed on every side
Where critics and detractors are just lining up
When you are faced with hardship and opposition
When the hurts and struggles are just piled up

God, you lift up my head?
How about
God, you defeated my enemies
Or ... God, you saved me
Or ... God, you took away my pain
Or ... God, you gave me my health back
Or ... God, you fixed the problem

You lift up my head

Yet, as I really slow down and work through this
I am beginning to realize what a huge deal this is

When we are in the middle of that thing (whatever that thing is)
All we can see is what is right in front of us
All we can focus on is that hardship, that hurt, that trial, that struggle
And the more we look at it
The more we focus on it
The bigger it becomes
And we can't see past it
We can't see around it

And so God lifts our head

He lifts our head so that we might gaze at Him
Because no matter how big that thing is
No matter how bad that thing is
No matter how devastating that thing is
It is nothing compared to God
He is bigger
He is greater
He is able
He is
And when I rightly see Him, while my situation might not change
I change

You lift up my head

Today, no matter where you find yourself
However hard or hurtful your situation is
No matter how impossible the obstacles appear
May God lift your head

Stop and Drink Deeply

2012-01-10T11:21:00.003-06:00

He is like a tree planted by streams of water;

Which yields its fruit in season
Psalm 1:3

Far too often I know where the stream of living water is
But I rush by it
Thinking that I don't have time to stop
Thinking that I have something more important to do
Far too often I pause just long enough to take a sip before I move on

There are lessons to write
Students to invest in
Leaders to lead
Parents to help
Ministries to run
Systems to build
Issues that need to be dealt with

And yet
When I am done running
When I stop at night
I'm empty
I'm dry
I'm weary
I'm discouraged

It's simple
I need to stop
I need to drink deeply
I need to linger in this holy space

And as I do so?

I become aware of God's presence
I become aware of God's strength
I become aware of God's peace
I become aware of my desperate need for Him

Today, slow down
Stop running
Sit and listen
And drink deeply from the streams of living water

My goals for 2012

2012-01-09T08:48:00.000-06:00

For your viewing pleasure

2012-01-04T16:50:00.003-06:00

If you need to kill a few minutes today (and even if you don't) here are a few videos that are worth stopping to watch.

It doesn't feel like Christmas

2011-12-22T09:39:00.003-06:00

It doesn't feel like Christmas

How many times have you heard that?
How many times have you said that?

There are lots of reasons why that sentiment is communicated ...
It's because old traditions aren't being kept
It's because new traditions haven't been formed
It's because this year you won't be home
It's because there isn't any snow on the ground
It's because this is the first year after that person has died
It's because this is the first year after the divorce
It's because it's December and it's warm outside

It doesn't feel like Christmas

I get that statement
I think I understand what people mean when they say that
But I think that it also reveals something about us that we aren't aware of
Or, as followers of Jesus, it reveals something about us that we don't want to admit

We know and believe the Christmas story
But we don't actively experience the power and presence of Jesus

See, Christmas doesn't FEEL ... Christmas IS
We know this, yet we still miss this
We agree to this, yet we don't live it

Christmas is not about the weather
Christmas is not about who we are with
Christmas is not about who we are not with
Christmas is not about our situation or our station in life
Christmas is not about what we feel

Christmas IS about what IS
And what IS?
Jesus
Jesus, the God of all
Jesus, the Creator and the Sustainer of all thing
Jesus, the God who ripped apart the fabric of the universe to enter into our world
Jesus, who willingly walked to the cross
Jesus, who took my sin so we could know salvation
Jesus, who holds out to us full life and real life
Jesus, who IS

Christmas doesn't feel ...
Christmas IS ...
It is here
It is real
It is full of hope
It is the message of salvation
It is

This year, may Christmas not be for you or I something that we judge based on how we feel
Rather, may we experience the Christmas that IS
May we know and experience the reality of Jesus

Merry Christmas

All is Grace

2011-12-20T08:36:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I wrote how I've been reading Brennan Manning's new book 'All is Grace'
To say that I'm reading it is probably an understatement ... I'm devouring it.
There are few men who have had such a deep impact on my spiritual life as Brennan Manning
I remember when I was at Judson college he came and spoke these words

God loves you just as you are, and not as you should be, because nobody is as they should be ...

Those words were some of the most liberating words I had ever heard
I had spent my whole life striving to be 'who I should be'
Only to end up frustrated and feeling worthless because I could not be that person; no matter how hard I worked, it was never enough

And then I hear this about God
He loves me
He likes me
He calls me His own
Right now
As I am

As I read Brennan's new book, about who he was & who he is that phrase rings all the more true
His love
His grace
It is scandalous
It is ridiculous
And it is enough

What I'm reading ... and you should be!

2011-12-19T14:47:00.003-06:00

It's been awhile, but if you are looking for some great books to give or to read over the holidays, here are a few that I am reading right now that are excellent!

Wake. Rise. Shine

2011-12-13T07:15:00.003-06:00

I'm working my way through the book of Ephesians right now, and this morning was one of those mornings ... ever have one?
Had to be up early for a meeting
Was tired
Kind of stressed out
Definitely frustrated
Just not feeling it

Then as I begin to read Ephesians 5, I discover just how thirsty I am
As I slow down and meditate on the words, my soul begins to cry out
And then I got to Ephesians 5:14 ... and I was reminded
Reminded of how good God is
Reminded of my desperate need for Him
Reminded of how much I love what I do

Ephesians 5:14 is the theme verse for ICC Student Ministries this year
Wake up, sleeper Rise from the dead And Christ will shine on you ...

See, we have lots of students who seemingly know everything about Jesus; and they are becoming numb to Him
We have lots of students who don't know the first thing about Him

And the reality?
Both are in danger ...

In danger of knowing Him but not loving Him
In danger of talking about Him but not experiencing Him
In danger of missing the incredible work He wants to do in us

It's time to WAKE UP to the reality of who Jesus is
It's time to RISE above the death that sin brings; so we are ready for the new thing that Jesus wants to do
It's time to SHINE. To allow the light of Jesus to shine in us and through us

Wake. Rise. Shine.

Top 10 Christmas Albums

2011-12-05T21:42:00.006-06:00

It's during this time of the year that many of you come to your senses and realize that you should be listening to Christmas music.

Lucky for you, I spend the whole year listening to and analyzing Christmas music all so that I can be of service to you. (You are welcome, your thanks can be made known in the form of Christmas tree cakes).

Here are the top 10 Christmas albums you should be listening to.

#10. Straight No Chaser
There is something about this group that is just fun. Great vocals and a really catchy sound.

#9. Chris Rice - The Living Room Sessions
One of the things I love about Christmas is the sense of peace it gives me. This is a perfect album to put on, sit back and just be still with.

#8. Roger Whittaker - The Christmas Album
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that you've never heard of this one ... your loss. I can remember listening to this ever since I was a kid. Old school, but completely awesome.

#7. Michael Buble - Christmas
No doubt some of you are going to call for my man card. First of all, I had to turn that in a long time ago (yup, I own two mini-vans). Second, don't knock it until you try it.

#6. Mars Hill - Christmas
Mars Hill Church in Seattle put this Christmas album out last year, and it is absolutely incredible. A great blend of Christmas songs and worship.

#5. David Crowder Band - Oh for Joy
This is a brand new cd, and it is one of the final recordings from the Crowder band. It definitely does not disappoint. Awesome songs, great energy and classic Crowder.

#4. Captain Kangaroo - Merry Merry Christmas
I was tempted to make this the #1 album on my list ...
However, after careful deliberation it lands at #4. You will be hard pressed to beat Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Green Jeans extolling the virtues of having the holiday spirit.

#3. Mars Hill - ... to the world
Mars Hill in Grand Rapids, MI put this out a few years ago. It is a live recording from one of their Christmas Eve services and you can feel the power and presence of Jesus even through it. Plus, putting some beat-box behind Angels We Have Heard on High is just epic. Unfortunately, this cd isn't for sale anymore.

#2. Chris Tomlin - Glory in the Highest
This is just a straight up Christmas worship album. Simply amazing.

#1. Trans-Siberian Orchestra
There are actually 3 Trans-Siberian Orchestra cd's and they are all amazing. Orchestra meets classical music meets rock anthem. Amazing to listen to ... and they are absolutely crazy good in concert! Stop now, jump on i-tunes, go to Spotify, use Pandora, just start listening to them!

Ok, those are my 10.
What would you change?
What would you add?

Called & Equipped

2011-11-30T15:04:00.002-06:00

I'm reading through the book of Ephesians right now
And as I was reading today, I was stopped by this thought and idea

You are not where you are by accident or happenstance
You are not who you are by some struck of luck ... or because of some sort of misfortune
No ...
God has called you to WHERE you are today
God has called you to WHO you are today

And because He has called you to it
He will also equip you for it
He will give you what you need
Strength, patience, hope, love, perseverance, wisdom, creativity, sensitivity
Today He holds it out to you
Right now He holds it out to you

So, it's up to you
It's up to me
To simply take the time ...
Time to be with Him
Time to receive that which He is giving you
Time to live like it is true

Wherever you are today
Whoever you are today
Don't be worried
Don't be shaken
Don't put off the hard tasks
Don't bemoan your circumstance or situation

God has called you to today
God will equip you for today
Go be you ... and live in response to Him today

Monday Mind Dump

2011-11-28T12:58:00.002-06:00

Nice and simple ...
I wish it was Christmas today

The Key to Boldness

2011-11-23T16:44:00.004-06:00

This past weekend on our 180 High School Retreat our theme was BOLD.
Our theme verse was Acts 4:13 and we talked about what it means to live boldly for Jesus and how we can do that.
Without a doubt, it was an amazing and powerful weekend.

During the weekend, and then since then, there was one concept that we talked about the very first night that just keeps coming up. It answers the question of how. How do I live for Jesus? How do I live boldly for Him?TIME - It all starts with time. In fact, it could be that every single spiritual issue you have could be traced back to the time you spend (or don't spend) with Jesus. The key is TIME. We need to spend significant time (in both quantity and quality) with Jesus.

FAITH - As we spend time with Jesus, we begin to see Him for who He is and our heart begins to match His. As that happens, our faith increases.

BOLDNESS - We spend time with Jesus and time with Jesus leads to an increased faith. As our faith increases we begin to live lives of boldness. That is, that when opportunities are presented to us, we choose obedience to God over everything else.

RESULTS - When we live in boldness, when we live in obedience, we see results. That is when we see God fully at work, that is when we see the impossible happen ... both in us & through us

This pattern works both ways
When you experience this pattern in its fullness, it motivates and drives you to spend more time with Jesus. It perpetuates itself.
However, when you don't experience this, when you choose to NOT spend time with Jesus ... that is perpetuated as well.

What are you doing with your time?
Start today
And experience Jesus like you never have before

Monday Mind Dump

2011-11-21T08:30:00.000-06:00

Absolutely crazy couple of weeks (can you tell by the lack of blog posts?)
Crazy busy ... but also very fulfilling

Jesus Is ...
Two Sundays ago I kicked off a series at ICC called 'Jesus Is ... So I ...'
I had the chance to preach out of 1 John 1:1-4 that reminds us that Jesus Is ...
Not going to lie, it was an extremely convicting message to preach!
If you want to check it out, you can listen to it on ICC's website

180 Retreat - BOLD
This past weekend we took 65 of our high school students and leaders to Hidden Acres for our fall retreat. It was seriously one of the greatest retreats I have ever experienced.
Our theme for the weekend was BOLD
We spent the entire weekend in Acts 4 & 5 looking at what it means to live a BOLD life.
Definitely praying for our students this week as they start to live boldly for Jesus.

We are ICC
A few weeks ago my buddy Craig was out here making a video for ICC.
He does an amazing job and I love what he came up with!

We are ICC from Jon Duey on Vimeo.

My verse
The last few weeks I've been meditating on and claiming 2 Chronicles 15:7.
Today, take some time to read it
No matter what you are experiencing this week, He is enough ... don't quit.

Picture of the week
Not going to lie ... this guy may be the coolest guy ever.

Too early for Christmas music? Never!

2011-11-09T15:48:00.002-06:00

If you know me, my personal philosophy is that it is never too early to listen to Christmas music.
Literally, never too early.
Turning it on in May? What took you so long?
Needless to say, Christmas music has begun in my office;
And just in case you are like me, you need to check out Hillsong's new Christmas album
(Listen to it for free on Spotify)
Check out one of the songs!

I am His

2011-11-03T09:19:00.002-06:00

Want some insight into my mind (scary thing, I know).
Here's a journal entry of mine from a few weeks ago.
I had gotten out of the office to sit outside and just think & pray for a little bit when I was just overwhelmed by the presence of God.

I get away and I'm overwhelmed by the quiet
It's so peaceful
In an odd sense ... it's hopeful
I look out and I can see and feel the cool breeze on a brisk fall day
And my soul just relaxes
And in this moment of quiet
This moment of peace
This moment of hope
I am reminded ...
My value is not found in how many students come to our group
My value is not found in how well I teach or lead
My value is not found in how creative I can be
In fact, my value is not found in anything that I DO
No, my value is found is who I am
Maybe more specifically, my value is found in WHOSE I am
And as I sit here
Alone
Quiet
With no interruption?
I am reminded that I belong to Jesus
I am His ... & He is mine
That is who I am
That is why I am valuable
That is where my worth comes from

How come I so easily forget this

Monday Mind Dump

2011-10-31T21:34:00.004-06:00

The ROCK Lock-In
Friday night we had a lock-in with 116 middle school students and leaders
What did we do?
Incredible Pizza, The Snickerdew challenge, Dodgeball, Musical Chairs of Death, Ga-Ga ball and no sleep.
You no, just normal middle school stuff
Completely crazy
Completely awesome

New Rules of Sex & Dating
Sunday night we finished up our series at 180
We taught some pretty hard stuff during this series, and we didn't hold back.
Not going to lie, I was surprised at just how positively our students responded!
This week we had Chad & Amy (two leaders who are newly married to one another) share their story and expose our final myth; The 'Everything Will Be OK' Myth
Awesome to be able to give our students some take home stuff to remind them of the commitments they made.

Halloween
Because trick-or-treating was on Sunday night during 180, I didn't get a chance to go with the kids. I did, however, eat all of their candy.

What I'm thinking through
About a month ago I was at the National Youth Workers Convention in San Diego where Francis Chan talked about making disciples.
This idea has not let me go.
Are we creating ...
Students who love youth group?
Students who like Jesus?
Students who love Jesus?
Students who are disciples of Jesus?

Video of the week
Sunday night at 180 we showed the final episode of The Guy on a Buffalo.
Enjoy the epicness ...

Worship song of the week
Sunday I had the chance to lead worship at our church.
We introduced Matt Redman's song 'Never Once' to the church
What an absolutely powerful song!

Perhaps the most Epic Videos Ever

2011-10-26T07:53:00.002-06:00

During our current series at 180 we have been showing one of the most epic films of our generation. It is simply known as ... The Guy On a Buffalo.

We are showing the fourth and final episode on Sunday night, but if you've missed any of the first three, here you go.

New Rules of Sex & Dating - Recap

2011-10-26T06:51:00.004-06:00

At 180 (our high school ministry) we have been going through a series called The New Rules for Sex and Dating. This Sunday is week #4 and we are finishing the series up. Here is the recap of our first 3 weeks.

Myth #1 - The 'Right Person' Myth
New Rule #1 -Don't look for the right person; Become the right person

This week we exposed the myth of the 'right person.'
You know, that person.
When you see them, the world goes into slow motion and theme music starts playing?
Yeah, the 'right person' who will make 'everything all right' just doesn't exist!
Instead of looking for the right person BECOME the right person.
We asked the question 'Are you who you are looking for is looking for?'
The challenge was to BECOME 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Myth #2 - The 'Object' Myth
New Rule #2 - Real men Honor and Respect women

Tonight was based out of 1 Corinthians 13:11 and was our man talk.
This week we exposed the myth of 'the object'.
That is that our culture has taught us that women are objects. They are commodities.
They are things that you take, use and then trade in for the next one.
We walked through 1 Peter 3:7 about how to value, view and treat women
(because though are guys aren't husbands, they will be someday; and while the girls around them aren't their wives ... they are somebody's wife)
We finished by giving our students The 6 Month Challenge
Take 6 months and don't date, but instead renew your mind.

Myth #3 - The 'Sex is Only Physical' Myth
New Rule #3 - Sex is more than physical; it's Spiritual

Last week we exposed the myth that sex is just a physical act.
Intuitively, we know that isn't true.
The reality is that when we sin sexually we hurt ourselves at the deepest level imaginable.
So what do we do?
According to 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 we run from sexual sin & sexual temptation and we live with an awareness that we are to honor God with our bodies.
This week we challenged our students with two things:
1. Decide the story you want to tell (your future spouse and kids)
2. Pre-Decide what your boundaries and guidelines are going to be

Reminders to myself ...

2011-10-17T13:04:00.002-06:00

Long week last week. Here are a few things that I was reminded of ...

There is nothing more invigorating or tiring than the energy of a middle school students. Multiply that by 102 of them and you get last Wednesday. Awesome and exhausting all in the same breath.

Our students are hurting. They don't need somebody to point them in the direction they are supposed to go ... they need someone to walk there with them.

My kids are growing up too fast, and I need to purposefully slow down and enjoy them more

Hard work and persistence is usually more important than talent and skill

Creativity is a choice. Today choose to be creative (got that reminder HERE ... go check it out)

All readers are not leaders ... but all leaders are readers.

Jesus loves me; and I don't deserve it

Dude Perfect (aka - the trick shots I wish I could do)

2011-10-13T09:21:00.001-06:00

I love Dude Perfect and their new video is absolutely amazing!

Week #1 - The New Rules of Sex and Dating

2011-10-12T13:08:00.003-06:00

This past Sunday we kicked of our new series at 180 called 'The New Rules of Sex and Dating'
There was a lot of response to it, and so each week we will be posting those things that we talked about during the past week.
Each week we want to expose a myth that the world teaches us and propose a new rule / a new guideline to live by in this area

Week #1 - The Right Person Myth

Key phrase

Your present will become your past, which will be present in your future

Simply put, the things that you do now matter!
The way you treat this issue of love, sex and dating;
What you do with your emotions, your heart and your body don't just become a part of your past
No, it follows you and will be present in your future (and in your future relationships)

Myth - The Right Person Myth
Our world teaches you that there is 'the right person out there'
All you need to do is meet your 'right person' and then everything will be all right.
The problem with this is that it just isn't true!
YOU are messed up and the person you are looking for is messed up
Put two messed up people together and what do you get?
A messed up relationship
There is no person that can fulfill, satisfy or save you
Only Jesus can

New Rule - Don't LOOK for the right person ... BECOME the right person
The key question we asked was this:
Are you who the person you are looking for is looking for?
The reality is that the Bible doesn't give us that much help in who we should be looking for,
BUT, it gives us TONS of help in helping us BECOME who we should be.
We looked at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and talked about how we are to be becoming each of those descriptions

Make it your own
We gave each student a card with that verse on it and gave them the challenge of memorizing the verse, meditating on the verse and praying over becoming that type of person.

Monday Mind Dump

2011-10-10T09:31:00.004-06:00

Wake Rise Shine
This is our theme for the year and it comes from Ephesians 5:14. I was reminded again this morning of just how pertinent this verse is.
Very convicting.

Survive
Wednesday we kicked off our new series at The ROCK called Survive!
The first night was - Survive! The Parents Edition
We gave out cards to the students with the week's memory verse.

The New Rules of Sex & Dating
Last night at 180 we started this series.
I'm always so burdened and brokenhearted for our students and this issue
So many of them are struggling, and so many of them have already created so much baggage that they will carry with them in their future
Last night, the main point was this:

Don't LOOK for the right person; BECOME the right person

Parenting Resource
At ICC we are going through a series called Help! I'm a Parent!
If you are a parent of a teenager, here's a book that is must-read
The Space Between - by Walt Mueller

Video of the Week
Last night we started showing a series of epic short films at 180.
Here was the first one.
Sit back and be amazed

Picture of the Week
Have I mentioned lately how much I love the website Awkward Family Photos?