Man's blog. God's glory.

1- It is not just a public pulpit, but dealing with real people and real problem on a personal level.

There are never a shortage of volunteers to preach, and I am quick to include myself in that category. I’m always ready to preach, and love to do it. I enjoy it greatly. But to think that the ministry was nothing more than wonderfully alliterated outlines with 3 points, a catchy introduction and a powerful conclusion all leading up to a emotion jerking invitation is a little misrepresented.  While I’m not saying preaching isn’t important, because God has, in due times manifested his word through preaching (Titus 1:3). So I’m for solid, expositional, Bible preaching. But the ministry doesn’t end at the pulpit, rather it really begins there. And that is usually where the volunteers end. They stop at preaching, and we often lack volunteers to do service and servant work.

Jesus spent some time preaching, yes, no doubt, but the majority of His time was spent with a few men, teaching them, and dealing with their real life flaws and failures. From the pulpit, we can boldly proclaim the Word without having to get into the real mess of people’s lives. But true ministry is much more than that. Much like Jesus spent real time, dealing with real people, true ministry involves the exact same thing for us today. Call it discipleship, call it life on life, call it whatever you want to, but real ministry involves investing and spending your life into someone else. And that means when they don’t always do the right thing, say the right thing to you, or generally act difficult. (As I sit typing this, I hear a teen yell, “Can I play with your razor?!” Point and case. Nothing serious happened by the way.)

If our “ministry” stops at the pulpit, and never extends beyond there, we are like lifeguards who stand on the shore and shout, “Swim! Swim! Don’t you know you’re drowning?! Swim!” But to truly preform ministry the way Jesus did, we’re not only going to have to say, “swim, swim,” but we’ll also have to jump into the water, and show them how to swim and teach them as well.

Jesus illustrates this perfectly for us in His ministry. While He could have just stayed in Heaven, he came to this earth, in the same way we are, born of a woman, and lived just like we did. He could have just shouted at us from heaven what we should and shouldn’t do, but He didn’t. He, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Phil 2:6-8)

While Jesus could have just stayed completely in heaven, and given orders from there, He came to earth and gave a full example of how to live and die as we ought to do. Jesus really did the ministry by not only preaching, but by discipling and building real men with real problems into real leaders.

Preaching is great, but if our ministry never extends past that, it falls incomplete.

Monday Funday!

Okay, so, today is May 21st, which is exactly 2 months until my wedding! In two months at this time, I’ll be a married man, and I cannot wait for that day! I love Hannah very much, and am grateful, humbled, blessed, excited, happy, and many other adjectives that all describe being in love with a very godly girl like her.

Wednesday from the Word

13 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. ² And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; ³ Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God…

As I read this passage last night, I was more aware than ever that Jesus knew He was going to die the entire time He was on earth. I knew this for a while before today, but what really amazed me as I thought about it, was how much He didn’t really let it affect Him. He lived a pretty normal, happy life (normal for a God man, anyway) and didn’t mope about it.

Pretty amazing that He came and had joy, despite knowing all that He would face. Seems we should do the same and, inspite of knowing probles await us, live a joyful, happy life, loving God.

 ^{John 8:7-11} So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

What a great thought. That Jesus didn’t condemn and abuse this lady, much like everyone else was doing. Now, when we get over to Romans 8, we’re going to find out that only Christ can judge us, but rather than do that, He died for us.

And while it has been said that “God does not condemn humanity because of the cross…” that is only partially true. It would be false to think that this woman, should she not ever have repented from her sins and accepted Christ as her Savior,  would be judged and spend eternity in Hell. I don’t doubt that one bit.

But here’s what amazes me, is that Jesus doesn’t judge her right away. Yes, He will if nothing changes, but He gives her time to be saved. I mean, this lady was guilty! They caught her in the act of adultery! This had some serious punishment associated with it, as the scribes and pharisees had pointed out.

But Jesus doesn’t throw stones, or any of that. He simply tells them, “Hey. If you’re sinless, go ahead and judge her. Throw the stones.” But of course, none of them were; they were all just a sinful, even if it showed itself differently.

So the point I’m trying to make is that its probably best to leave the judging up to those without sin (which of course is only Jesus. Everyone else on this earth has sinned).  It can be very easy to get a bad attitude towards sinners (and even other Christians when they mess up).

I’m not saying we should accept sin, but I’m saying maybe we should offer a helping hand (in sharing Christ with sinners) rather then a condemning word. Besides, if you’re a Christian, you used to be the same way too. Don’t forget that.

I originally wrote a post last night, but it failed to post. Sorry about that. Anyway. Here’s my Monday Funday post….on Tuesday.

I was watching the NBA playoffs last night on TV, I think it was the Lakers vs the Nuggets, and during a time out, they put the camera into the huddle around the coach, and I thought what he said was interesting.

Rather then encourage his team to try for fancy dunks, and over the top trick plays, he stressed the importance of playing as a team, and having very solid fundamentals. I recently heard the same thing discussed while listening to the Braves’ game on the radio.

The announcers were talking about a 22 year old player for the Braves, and how they still stressed the basics and fundamentals even at such a high level. One of the announcers even made the comment, “you would think that once you became a pro, you’d be able to move past the fundamentals, but that’s actually when you most need to learn them!”

Which maybe I’m going to write one of those “feel good posts” with a witty idea and little Bible, but I think there’s a very clear Bible principal shown in this though of “never leave the fundamentals,” and you can find it in Phil 3:10: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death..

And you ask how in the world loving Jesus more than anything relates to good fundamentals in baseball? Simply this: the whole fundamental of Christianity is loving Jesus. The whole Bible is about Him, and how much He loves us, how good He is to us, and how we need to love Him above all!

So as we move into the deeper facets of Christianity (discipling, teaching, church planting, etc..) we need to remember to never leave the basics of loving Jesus. The church at Ephesus got fussed at for this very reason in the Book of Revelation: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love… (Revelation 2:4).

Even though this was a very busy, and doctrinally correct church, they still got reprimanded for leaving their first love, who is Jesus Christ, of course. When pro athletes leave the basics, nothing goes right, and when Christians leave the fundamental part of our Christian life, we struggle even worse.

This quote is from the book “For Men Only: a straightforward guide to the inner lives of women,” by Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn. It was a great help to me, even though I am not yet married.

“I made a rule when I got married…I decided that if anyone’s feelings are going to get hurt, they’re not going to be my wife’s. If I think (a woman) is acting inappropriately, I say so. It may sound harsh, but that’s the way it is. My wife is not going to be the one to suffer.” -David Robinson

If you didn’t know who David Robinson is before you read that quote, you might think he’s a preacher, or a missionary. However, what may surprise you is that he was a very famous basketball player, nicknamed the admiral.

You can find the quote in the book, or in the Sports Illustrated interview where the quote was taken from the April 1996 issue. The book is well worth the read! Hope you enjoy!

Sorry for another delay in yesterday’s post. After leaving work, heading to Trinity Hill, I began to smell oil and my oil pressure light came on in my car. I stopped at the bank (I was heading there anyway) an decided to take a peek under the car, and found a huge surprise.

All of my engine oil was leaking, not just dripping, but leaking, quickly, out of my car. Well, there was nothing I could do at that point. Driving the car without oil would blow the engine, and I don’t want that. So, I called a few people to figure out what to do, and had to end up calling a tow truck.

Fortunately, I know a man who owns a tow truck, Tim Phillips, and he came and picked me up, towed my car to the church for free, and even helped figure out what was wrong: a malfunctioning oil sending unit.

Now, for those of us who aren’t knowledgable of cars, an oil sending unit is a small unit that send oil. Pretty simple, right? Anyway, Tim pretty much saved the day, and really helped me when I was in a tight spot.

Thanks, Tim, for helping me yesterday. I really appreciate it and am very grateful for your help.

And since Wednesday is my day to share something out of my devotions, I think it is appropriate to share this verse:

Luke 12:25-26  “And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?“

When you get out of your car, and see oil pouring out from under it, it can be a little bit worrisome. And when your tow truck man pulls up and says “You got more than a little problem, buddy.” That also isn’t very reassuring. Especially after a mechanic says you may have blown your motor. Yeah, it can be a little stressful.

You’re trying to come up with close to 1,000 dollars  to take your youth group to camp, and trying to have the money to help pay for your wedding (which is just over 2 months) away, you don’t like the idea of your car breaking down.

But worrying about your problems won’t do anything. If you can’t worry about it and make yourself grow, why would worrying about a big problem do anything.

Jesus asked who could worry themselves into growing taller, and that if we can’t do that, then why could we do the big things? Obviously no one.

Now, it would be a nice lesson to say not to worry, but that isn’t the complete part of this text.

 ³¹ But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

So when everything seems to be lacking, and you have all kinds of needs, and nothing is going right, not only are we not supposed to worry, but we’re supposed to seek God, and let Him take care of the rest!

Get your eyes off your problems, and on the Lord!

VBM Orientation

Sorry for the delay in yesterday’s update! Monday is usually my day to do a personal update, but I’m still getting back into the swing of things after a week at VBM Orientation.

I had a great time at Orientation, and learned a ton. I love to spend time with older, wiser and more experienced men of God. There is nothing like  a spiritual mentor to help teach a young man aspiring to be in the ministry. Orientation was a great time to learn and grow spiritually, and to spend some time with my family.

I really enjoy being a part of the family that VBM is and has become. Even though I may be one of the least experienced and youngest people there, I feel right at home with the other missionaries.

Trinity Hill, Norcross, GA

In the work at Trinity Hill things are going great! My sunday school class has 5 teenagers who are planning to go to youth  camp this summer! Praise the Lord! We are currently in the process of raising the money to help them all go, and we will need about 1000 dollars Would you pray and ask the Lord to provide the need for these teens to go to camp? Maybe you would even consider donating to our cause? (For donation info, please contact me. My contact info can be found here)

I am a strong believer in youth camp. When I was 14 years old, I decided, at a youth camp, I wanted to be a missionary. I strongly believe God works and moves during camp week, especially when there is such a great staff as we will have at the 2012 Our Generation camp. Check out this link for more info!

Also, please be praying for a few teens in the class who are struggling with salvation. I’d rather not put anyone’s name on here, but there are a few unsaved members of the class who are grappling with the truth of the Bible, and are showing progress toward accepting Christ! This is exciting!

Please keep Trinity in Hill  in your prayers in three areas:

1-The development of my Sunday school class/church. I am looking for some to step up, and take the next step in discipleship.

2-The provision of the funds for the youth to be able to attend summer camp.

3-The success of our outreach ministry. I have a few contacts for both the teen sunday school class as well as adults who I will be in contact with this week.

That;s about it for now; things should be a little bit more nor,al for the next few weeks! Thanks!

Today I will be leaving the friendly confies of the Alpharetta/Cumming area, and heading to Trenton, GA for VBM’s Orientation. This will be a great learning experience for me, and I am privileged to be able to attend and learn at this event.

While this will be a great time of growth for me, I also will be away from Hannah until we return, which will be the longest we’ve been apart since getting engaged. I wil surely be missing her while I am gone.

Orientation is a great learning experience and a great chance to spend time with some great missionaries and my great pastoral staff.

I think that’s about it for my update today.

This week, I enjoyed reading the book On Being a Servant of God, by Warren Wiersbe.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a Christian, and interested in serving the Lord Jesus.

Here is a small excerpt from a section written to younger Christians that was very helpful to me.

I hope that it is helpful to you!

1. Never take down a fence until you know why it was put up.

2. If you get too far ahead of the army, your soldiers may mistake you for the enemy.

3. Don’t complain about the bottom rungs of the ladder; they helped to get you higher.

4. If you want to enjoy the rainbow, be prepared to endure the storm.

In an order to keep myself more disciplined in posting on a regular basis, here is a schedule I plan to stick to in my blogging.

Here’s hoping it works!

Monday- my normal thoughts on what’s going on in my life.

Wednesday- something I’ve read in my devotions lately.

Friday-Something I’ve read outside of the Bible I thought was good.

Saturday/Sunday-A ministry update, or whatever I feel like, really.