Perseverance

Up seventeen yet unable to finish. The youth of the Lakers proved too much for the aging Spurs to contend with. Once again proving that youth is not always a bad thing. Of course with age comes experience and you would hope wisdom, but with youth there comes this mystical naiveness and this passion that is hard to explain. So many times teenagers are looked at as people who are immature and just don’t care. We have a group of teenagers who at times can be immature but they care and want to make a difference and be a part of something bigger. David was seventeen years old when he beat down Goliath and cut his head off. Seventeen years old. In today’s culture he is just able to drive and there is no chance of him leading an army. The Bible tells us, “don’t let anyone look down on your youth…”

But it does go on to say that, “you are to be an example to others in speech, purity, etc…” The key is no matter how slow you start, you must finish strong. Maybe that means you finish the day strong. Maybe that means that you finish the year strong. It could mean that you finish your life strong. Whether you are a teenager or an adult we are to be an example. No matter who you are, you are a youth to someone. Champions are made in the “molding moments”. Down seventeen Phil Jackson stayed with his bench once again to give his starters rest and to allow his young bench players to play through. God may not have you as a “starter” but it is so important for you to play through and enjoy the molding moments of life. To finish strong and to use your “youth” as an advantage just may mean you will be holding the Western Conference Championship trophy at the end of the day or the very least have the sense of pride that you gave it your all.

When Texting Becomes “Sexting”

Parents of teenagers who have cell phones NEED TO READ THIS…It’s long but worth it.

8…ASL…BRB…C/S…DBABAI…MILF…FILF…GYPO…ILY…ILU…IPN…J/O…kitty…KWSTA…LF…LKITR…

LTTIC…MFWIC…MOS…MPFB…NNWW…NYCFS…P&C…P911…PA…PAL…PIN…PAR…QYB…RU/18…

SorG…SSC…SUAKM…TAS…TOY…

If that just looks like a bunch of letters and you don’t understand what it is, then you obviously need to read this and check out this site: http://www.netlingo.com/emailsh.cfm.

Read this last night…

The latest use of cell phones by their teenage owners just might eclipse those monthly overage fees in the minds of parents. It’s called “sexting,” and the sexy text messages teens are sending to each other can have unintended consequences.

16 year old Rochellie has no problem telling it like it is. “Teenagers are having sex by the phone, sending flirty messages, meeting up to have sex.” This reality seems fine to another 16 year old, Mackenzie, who says, “It’s your phone, it’s your own private business. So if you want to do that stuff go ahead.” These girls are referring to sexting. Sexting ranges from sending flirtatious messages to describing a sex act, or even sharing a racy pic.

Understanding “IMEZRU”
Texting has been a preferred system of communication between teens for a while, largely because of the stealth it offers them when parents are around. The “grammar” that’s used in a typical text message is a cross between “hooked on phonics” and “I’m too lazy to type out the whole word.” This new hybrid language has left many parents so puzzled by its meaning, that the Center for Parent Youth Understanding was prompted to publish a great dictionary of text acronyms teens regularly use today. Many are understandable by just reading the letters out loud. “IMEZRU” simply means what it sounds: “I’m easy, are you?”

The topic of teens and sex has always raised more questions than answers; this one’s no exception. Are these sexting messages truly harmless? Can they be kept private? What emotional effect do they have on teens? Do the “virtual” messages lead to “actual” sex? What can be done to prevent adults like American Idol hopeful Colin Leahy from sexting teens? Surely teens use their cell phones for more than booty calls, right?

Typical Teen Cell Phone Use
Gen Y has always had a fascination with, and a dependency upon, technology. A national study by OTX and eCRUSH found that 51% of teens said they “absolutely could not live without” their cell phones. That sounds pretty dire.

So, what makes cell phones so important to this generation?

Convenience and security, according to teens. The top two reasons were the ability to “communicate from anywhere” and having the assurance of “being able to reach family.” Nobody wants to be denied those two practicalities. But it may surprise you to discover that a majority of teens use their cell phones as glorified typewriters. When asked what cell phone feature they used most…Favorite cell phone features:

• text messaging (72%)
• Other favorites included:
• taking digital pictures (63%)
• playing games (56%)
• downloading music (36)
• downloading videos (22%)

Should We Just Hang Up?
45% of 12-17 year olds, about 11 million teens, own cell phones. According to Pew Internet research, a third of those teens use their phones to text others. That’s a frenzy of fast flying thumbs! When it comes to text messaging, is there anything we can harness for the good, or should we just confiscate our students’ cell phones at the door? (For some great thoughts about that line of thinking, check out Jonathan’s Blog on the subject and the plethora of comments/responses he received.) Since the students we minister to will never be without the “anywhere, anytime” communication cell phones offer, here are some ways we can roll with the punches when it comes to helping teens make responsible decisions about their cell phone use.

1. Understand the importance teens place on their cell phones. If you have any level of doubt about the proliferation of cell phone use amongst teens, perform this simple experiment. Send 10 kids a short text message from your cell phone asking them a question about the upcoming weekend. Send the same kids the same message via email, and see which message they respond to (and how quickly). If you even get responses from the emails, they will probably be later than the text message replies. Email just can’t compare to the “instant messaging” of the cell phone, plus, only 14% of teens regularly use email today.
2. Make sure parents stay aware of how their kids are using their phones. Sure, they pay the bill, which might leave them a little jaded each month, but they probably don’t know that kids really do lean on their cell phones for ease of communication and security of family contact. Couple that with the confusion over what all those text messages actually mean, and who they are sending them to, and it’s the parents who are left saying, “idk.”
3. Offer a genuine relationship to teens. Texting might be a cool way of communication, but it doesn’t beat face to face relationships. Make use of texting to communicate with kids, but don’t let it replace face to face contact. Remember the value that kids place on “hanging out” with family and friends. Spending time with family is what teens desire to do the most, and 31% of teens report talking to their friends “in person” each day, which is their second most favorite way to spend time. If you want some excellent coaching on the importance of relationships and how to build them, check out the latest seminar from TheSource4YM.com called Connect. This seminar is based on Jonathan’s new book he’s writing about developing one-on-one relationships in a world of isolation.
4. Create fun and healthy ways for teens to use their cell phones. Most teens catch a lot of flack over their cell phone use at home, at school, and at youth group. Provide a way to use cell phones for fun. TheSource4YM.com provides some fun events, games and sermon ideas that let teens use their phones in exciting, but safe, ways.

Written By David R. Smith

Discover Your Shape

One of the many privileges of being a pastor, one of the most fulfilling is the opportunity I have to explain to people the mystery of how God uses His people to carry out His will on earth. It is probably one of the most difficult things that I have to do but it can be powerful to help a somebody understand that after we become a Christ-follower we don’t just go to heaven but stay here to do amazing things for Him. We need to unlock their perspective and transform it, so they will see life with an eternal view. We must help them understand how they can get the most out of the few years they have to serve Christ. The best way to connect them to a life of service for God is to show them how they are uniquely made for an important role in God’s Kingdom. Here are a few ideas on helping students and others understand the importance of serving in their giftedness.

First, we need to challenge students’ world view. Typically students see the world as revolving around them. (By the way, so do most of us as adults.) They become self-reliant and prideful. When students are exposed to realities of this world – injustice, poverty, AIDS, slavery, lack of clean drinking water and the misfortunes of so many that we will see when we go to Russia and countries abroad – they have a greater desire to serve and take risks for God. When the reality of this world collides with the fake financial security of their lives, they stand at a crossroads and ask themselves: “What is God doing in this world and what part do I play in it?” This question, “What part do I play?” is what we as youth pastors need to hear. Once students ask this question we have an open door to teach them about how God has made them for a unique mission.

Second, we must help students understand that God’s plan for them can be known. The statement “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” begs the question, “so what’s the plan?” The plan is revealed through the way God has wired us. God not only gave us a mission but a SHAPE to accomplish that mission. By learning about our SHAPE and giftedness we begin to understand how God has made us.

S…sprititual gift-“How has God gifted you?”

H…heart-“What do you love to do? What are you passionate about?”

A…abilities-“What natural abilities or talents were you born with or did you develop before your relationship with Christ?”

P…personality-“How will your unique personality impact your ministry?”

E…experience-“How can your experiences, both good and bad, be used to help others?”

These five areas are crucial for students to understand that they are a huge part of God’s plan today.

Thank you to Doug Franklin & Doug Fields for their input on this.

Faith, Love and Pixie Dust

Apparently this is what my son thinks will make everything better. Faith, Love and Pixie Dust. Well, you know two out of three is not really that bad. Faith and love obviously make a difference in almost every aspect of our lives. Pixie dust on the other hand probably won’t change the world, lower gas prices or cause the cost of living to go down.

Even when my boys are fighting and at the end they go bff’s which is best friends forever. On the surface it seems like that would be a quick pixie dust fix when in reality it is just surface relationship fixing. Don’t you wish it would be that easy some times? Relationships take time. They take faith in each other and they take the ability to show each other love. Putting the other person first is hard.  How great would it be that if everyone we came in contact with we would have faith in them and show them love? It would elevate the way we do relationships and that would be living differently.

Awesome!

Think with me for just a second…

God created the heavens and the Earth. This playground that we work, play, sleep, live and raise our families on. God created all the animals. The ones that float in our fish tanks because we forgot to feed them or the ones who pee on the carpet because you didn’t take them out, and yes even the little hairballs called cats. God gave us these animals to entertain us to intrigue us (zebra, giraffe, hippo, rhino, elephant, gerbal). There are birds who serve more than a simple purpose of pooping on our cars but are there to show the wonder of God and who have no limitations, except for when a hunter caps a goose in the head for pleasure. God created the seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer. With new seasons comes new hope and emotions that this season will be better than the last. God gives us each other. Other humans that have the power to shape the very fabric of our thoughts, feelings and emotions. We laugh together and play together. We also cry together and hurt each other. Through all of this that goes on around us we can still at times feel lonely and isolated.

Yet, there is a God who sticks closer than a brother. (That’s good, because sometimes I’m not a very good brother) There is a God who knows the number of hairs on my head. (Which is getting easier to count) There is a God who loves me so much that He cares about the inner feelings and emotions of my heart and mind. There is a God who is so big and has done so much but yet He cares about me. Have you talked to Him today? We get to talk to the creator of the universe who created it for us. Awesome!

Sabbatical

I have done something today that I don’t think I have ever done in ministry.  I took an office sabbatical.  Basically what I have done today is read blogs, listen to podcasts, read books, read God’s Word, listen, pray, wait and just get filled.  I am not one to sit around very much, I like to move and keep busy.  However with nothing on my agenda this weekend it allowed me time to slow down and listen to God.  Hear what he is saying to me and what He saying to other pastors.  I need to set aside more time like this to just pause.

On A Side Note:

• Glad David Cooke won American Idol.
• Felt bad for Carrie Underwood forgetting to wear any pants on stage last night.
• Lakers came back from 20 down in the middle of the third quarter to win by 4.
• Phil Jackson is 40-0 in a series when winning the first game.
• No soccer practice for the boys tonight.
• I have a lot of friends struggling in ministry right now and I am so thankful God has me where he does.

Past Success

“Every time you try new things, you fight your past success.” – Doug Fields

I’ve heard and read this quote for years.  Today I was reading quotes from guys who are at a conference at Saddleback.  I think this was on Perry Noble’s list of quotes.  “Every time you try new things, you fight your past success.”  That quote is so true because who really likes change?  Every once in a while it is good and it stirs things up.  But wouldn’t you rather just stay comfortable and do things because “it already works” or “because that is the way it is has been done”.  Maybe it’s because, “that doesn’t fit in our schedule” or “it’s not enough”.  At the root of it, there is comfort in knowing something works and is comfortable.

However there is the other side.  The side that requires faith.  The side that requires boldness.  The side that says no matter what I will trust God even when it feels crazy.  That is exactly where I have been for the last six months as God has worked and re-worked His vision in my heart.  I don’t like to change, I am a creature of habit.  I like when things are going well but I find I am less dependent on Him when they are.  Maybe that is why God likes to change things up on us, to take us out of our comfort zone and force us to depend on Him.  Maybe John was right about the whole living dangerously and living differently concept.

This next year in September we will be launching separate middle school and high school life groups.  On Sunday nights at 6:00pm we will have the middle school on the 1st and 3rd Sundays and high school on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.  Our leaders are pumped about this because they will have a true time for discipleship of our teenagers.  On the first Saturday’s of every month we will have what is called United.  Middle school and High school students coming together United on one night.  I am very excited about this and will be sharing more information about all of this over the next couple weeks.

Renewal

“How to do personal renewal – learn to enjoy the grace of God. (II Corinthians 4:1) Paul knew his ministry was all because of God’s grace and mercy. Satan is often whispering in the ears of a pastor, “you are not good enough.” But we need to understand that God knew every stupid mistake we were going to make in ministry and still chose us!”

Read this quote and thanked God that He allows me to do what I do. I was with Jeff Sareyka yesterday as we headed down to Washington D.C. to watch the Phillies lose to the Nationals. While we were there I heard more cheers and saw more Phillies clothing than ever before at a “rival” stadium. As a player when you go into a stadium to compete, you can almost hear it in the voices of the crowd that you are not good enough. And yet there is something that causes an athlete to compete and push through the doubt and hostility.

When you are in life and you are competing. When you are trying to do your best to honor God and you keep failing and falling, just remember that God already knows the issues, obstacles and trials that will come along your path and he knows that there will be moments that we will slip and fall and yet he still chooses us.

The key is to remember that it is through God’s mercy and grace that we can get back up. We can ignore the “your not good enough” comment because you know what…were not, but He is. In those moments we are renewed to push through and push on.

Choices

“So others may live” That is the motto of the U.S. Coast Guard. The fact that they will unashamedly lay down their life so others may live is a perfect example of what our Saviour did for us. Dying so we may have life.

Each of us have a choice. A choice to lay down our pride. A choice to lay down our reputation. A choice to lay down our own agendas. And when we do that…just maybe, we make the choice to share what we have, so others may live.

Too many times in life I think about myself. I want the last piece of chocolate cake. I want the remote. I want to live a life that is not dangerous. I want to be in a comfort zone. BUT, each of us has a choice to step outside the comfort zone and to live a life that stares down the dangerous. For some it is sharing their faith. For some it is praying for someone. For some it is simply knowing when not to get involved in a situation.

I love what I do. I still have no clue why God allows me the privilege to do it. I still don’t know why others have taken a chance on me. But what I do know is that I don’t take it for granted. What I do know is that I will make that choice. What I do know is I will live dangerously. What I do know is that I will dream big dreams. What I do know is that I will lay down my pride, my reputation and my agendas so that others may live.

VIP

Tonight we get a chance to thank our VIP’s.  The people who are the backbone of Fellowship and who are the ones that make ministry happen.  We are so blessed to have so many people serve.  Even last night I was talking with someone who had a hard time getting people to their church for set-up and take-down.  (Would love your help for take-down on Sunday…shameless plug)

I have said this before I work with the greatest staff in the world.  They are incredible.  If you only knew their heart and the sacrifices that they make.  God has assembled a great team who is led by a great pastor.

On another note…my youth staff is phenomenal.  Our youth ministry would not be where it is if it wasn’t for the sacrifice of our youth staff…thank you guys!

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