Thursday, April 30, 2009

Swine Flu

Isn't it crazy how a virus strikes fear in people all over the world? Texas has canceled all sporting events until May 11. Egypt slaughtered 300,000 pigs eventhough they didn't have one single case of swine flu in there country. Britian, which has had 5 cases of swine flu has ordered 32 million doctor's masks. President Obama has said over 132,000 schools have been closed for some period of time due to the virus.

The steps people and governments have taken out of their fear of Swine Flu are crazy. They have done radical things because this virus has the power to take their life. This begs the question, why don't they fear and respect the Author and Perfector of Life?

"The fear of the Lord is the beggining of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
-Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is a good thing. It is an understanding that God can give life and take it away. It is knowing that you are not in control, the one who is seated on the Heavenly Throne runs the show. Isn't it refreshing to know that our Father in Heaven is in total control and one day we will be in his presence. The Swine Flu has really got me thinking. If the fear of a Flu Virus (understanding its power to take life) causes people to do crazy radical things, why doesn't the fear of the Lord cause Christians to do crazy radical things for Jesus? Why do we worry about everything instead of being confident in our Creator? I challenge to trust in the Lord today, ask God to increase your faith so you may move on toward perfection.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Busyness of Life

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10

Do you ever take time to be still and just know that our God is seated on the throne? Many times in my life I get caught up in the busyness of life and ministry. This morning I woke up with my schedule, meetings, and tasks for the day running through my head. I didn't even take time to thank the Lord for waking me up and giving me another day to do the work of Christ. Everyday we have a chance to change the landscape of eternity and we need to be prepared for it. I was really convicted about not giving God the first 10-15 minutes of my day like I normally do. For me, I need to ask God to open my eyes to the people I need to encourage, love, serve, and minister to each day. You never know what a kind word of encouragement might do for someone. My prayer for you today is that you will take a few minutes to do just as Psalm 46 says, "Be still, and know that I am God". When we take a moment to slow down and focus on our Saviour we start to hear what he has for us today.

I want to leave you with a quote from a movie I watched last night and remember to LOVE JESUS TODAY!

"When you light a lamp for someone else you brighten your own path too."

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Flashbacks

I had a great evening with a close college friend of mine. We spent the evening reminiscing about our college days but more importantly how God has worked in both of our lives. We talked about the really tough and painful times we went through and how the weren't fun at the time but God really taught us and grew us through those times. We shared funny stories and embarrasing stories. There are many things I am not proud of that happened in college but there are also many things that shaped and molded me into the Man of God that I am today. I have found it very encouraging to "flashback" into the past. I would encourage you to consistantly sit with friends and reminisce. When you realize how much Jesus has transformed your life all you can do is praise him. Sometimes all we need to do is just praise Jesus!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Chocolate Milk

This week my dad called me and wondered if I could teach Sunday School becuase he was going to be out of town. I said, "Sure thing, who am I teaching?" He replied with, "the seniors." It was then when I got excited! I realized I was probably going to be the student and they would be teaching me. I had a great time this morning with them going through the last part of Luke. This evening I also had the chance to speak to a local youth group. We went through the same passage of scripture and really talked about the Holy Spirit and the role it plays in our lives. I was trying to think of a great word picture for the youth group and thought back to something my pastor in Chicago shared. He said that the Holy Spirit is like chocolate milk. Which is pretty cool becuase I love chocolate milk! We are the milk and the hershey's syrup is the Holy Spirit. When the hershey's syrup is stirred the milk looks like chocolate milk. However, when the syrup is not stirred up it sinks to the bottom and the milk retains it's white color. There is still chocolate in the milk but you cannot see it.

In Luke 24:49 Jesus says "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." If you are a follower of Jesus Christ you have been clothed with power from on high, the Holy Spirit. There are many times we get caught up in the world and the busyness of life in which we leave the Holy Spirit at the bottom of our cup and our appearance starts to change. We start to forget we are God's children, that we have a responsibility to represent Christ in our home, work, school, and community. The milk doesn't drastically change color but it is a slow process. Satan's best attack is a "Slow Fade" to take our eyes off Jesus. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to be alive and active in your life? Keep your chocolate milk stirred so that others will see the Christ in you!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Are You Ready?

I have been reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It has been challenging me to a radical love relationship with Jesus. Here is a power excerpt from the book that I wanted to share with you...

ARE YOU READY?

As a pastor, I'm often called upon when life "vanishes like a mist." One of the most powerful examples I've seen of this was Stan Gerlach, a successful businessman who was well know in the community. Stan was giving a eulogy at a memorial service when he decided to share the gospel. At the end of his message, Stan told the mourners, "You never know when God is going to take your life. At that moment, there's nothing you can do about it. Are you ready?" Then Stan sat down, fell over, and died. His wife and sons tried to resuscitate him, but there was nothing they could do - just as Stan had said a few minutes earlier.

I'll never forget receiving that phone call and heading over to the Gerlach house. Stan's wife, Suzy, was just arriving home. She hugged me and cried. One of her sons, John, stepped out of the car weeping. He asked me, "Did you hear the story? Did you hear? I'm so proud of him. My dad died doing what he loved doing the most. He was telling people about Jesus."

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Journey Continues

DAY 6:

We had an amazing time in New Hampshire. The students at Portsmouth Christian Academy were an encouragement to us and I hope we were an encouragement to them. We were also able to spend time with some of our ministry supporters in the New Hampshire area.

We left at 4:45 this morning to head to the Manchester airport and finally made it to Philadelphia by mid morning. We will be celebrating Easter with friends and ministry partners in the greater Philadelphia area over the next few days before we make it back to Ohio.

A student from PCA shared this passage of scripture with me so I wanted to share it with you:

"Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?

The servant grew up before God - a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried-
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him - our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.
We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.

He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn't say a word.Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,Even though he'd never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn't true.

Still, it's what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.

Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many "righteous ones,"
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep."
- Isaiah 53:1-12 (The Message)

Celebrate Easter, Celebrate the Cross, Remember what our Savior did for us!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Food for Thought

This is about life and in life your either at the beginning of a storm, in the middle of the storm, or at the end of a storm, but you’re always in a storm. So you might as well grab yourself a strong umbrella, walk with your head up, and let it rain. – D. Washington (Minnesota Vikings)

Become in practicality what you already are in reality – Don Stubbs

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny." - Unknown

Crazy Love

"Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?

It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe - the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor - loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.

Whether you've verbalized it yet or not...we all know something's wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts - it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, you will never be the same.

Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything."

- Francis Chan from the book Crazy Love

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Contend

"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." - Jude 3

After speaking at the school today we met with some seniors for about 3 hours to talk. Don asked them what they thought the spiritual temperature of the school was. The students felt like many students had faith, passion, and love Jesus but seem to supress it or keep it inside. The passion is caged by their own fear and no one knows their story. The fear and worry of what others will think builds and supresses the most amazing thing in us.

How many times are we worried what other people think? Why are we so afraid to let Christ shine in our lives? Are we able to stand in a crowd of people and say "I Love Jesus Christ?" or are we ok with just keeping the most important part of our lives to ourselves? How does God want you to outwardly express your love for him to those around you?

Are you a product of your enviroment or is your enviroment a product of you? Does Jesus come up in everyday conversations? Should he? I honestly believe if you love something deeply you cannot help but think about it and talk about it. Do you have in mind the things of Jesus? Do you meditate on his word and think about ways to bring him glory in life? Do you get intentional about bringing Jesus up in conversation? Are you active in sharing your faith? (Philemon 1:6).

For those who have received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior I challenge you not to supress it. Stop worry about what other people think and start worry about what your father in heaven thinks. Stop being obedient to sinners and start being obedient to the one without sin. God calls us to a radical love relationship with him and we need to embrace that if we truly want to change the world for Jesus.

Monday, April 6, 2009

The Journey Begins

Just like starting a business, starting a ministry takes a lot of hard work. Don and I would not be able to do this ministry if it wasn't for many of you giving of your time, money, and resources. We thank God for you!

Over the next 35 days we will be traveling across the U.S. speaking, meeting with donors, and building awareness of the ministry. We would love your prayers as our schedule is pretty crazy. I will keep you updated on where we are and what we are doing through this blog.

DAY 1:

It was a blessing to watch the marriage of Frankie Rodriguez and Janelle Ortiz yesterday in Chicago. Frankie is a good friend and co-laborer in Christ. We spent the last year doing ministry together at GRIP Outreach For Youth in Chicago. The ceremony was pretty awesome, full of worship and the gospel, it was definately all about Jesus! I am excited to see what God is going to do through this couple.

Don, Kellie, Laura, and I left the wedding in Chicago around 8:00pm central time and headed for Ohio. We battled blizzard like conditions for about 2 hours till we got far enough south in Indiana. I had my first experience with 5-hr energy when Don and I were put on driving duty around midnight. I will endorse 5-hr energy, the stuff definately works. We finally arrived back home around 5:00am eastern time. I just woke up from about 4 hours of sleep. We are about to head to the Pittsburgh airport to catch a flight to Manchester, NH. From Manchester we will be driving to Portsmouth, Maine. In addition to speaking we will be meeting with supporters of Off The Wall in Manchester as well as Portsmouth to hopefully grow our support in the area.

Don and I are going through the book of Luke in our daily Bible Study, I will try to leave you with a little something each day...

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
- Luke 6:38

Thursday, April 2, 2009

What does Jesus look like?

Welcome to my first blog!

Do you know what the hardest part of creating a blog is? It is coming up with a name for the blog.

My best friend and ministry partner Don Stubbs once asked me "What does Jesus look like?" I said, "Don, I don't have a Polaroid of Jesus so I am not really sure." He wasn't asking what Jesus physically looks like but he wanted me to describe Jesus in one word. I decided I needed to put a lot of thought into this. After a few days I came up with the word "Captivating."

I decided to look up Captivating in the dictionary and here is my favorite definition I found...

-the state of being intensely interested

What are you intensely interested in?
I am intensely interested in the Cleveland Browns. I can sit here and tell you all about them. I can complain about the Kellen Winslow trade or how I think Brady Quinn should definately be the starter. I can tell you that they will play the Packers, Bears, Lions, and Titans in the preseason. I have been to Cleveland Browns Stadium, tasted the nachos, sat front row in the Dawg Pound, and touched the players. I have Cleveland Browns merchandise and memorabilia. I put a lot of time, money, and energy into the Cleveland Browns because I am intensely interested in them. When you watch the games on TV you can see about 70,000 people who battle the snow and cold who are intensely interested in the Cleveland Browns.

This leads me to the question, "What happens when God's people become captivated by their God? What happens when God's people become intensely interested in their creator. The Cleveland Browns had their team taken away. They had enough intensely interested people who stood up and demanded their team be brought back and it was. What happens if God's people ask for God to be brought back; in schools, in government, and even in our own lives.

I want to encourage you to a passionate pursuit of Jesus Christ. Will you allow the God of Creation to captivate your heart? He is calling, will you answer?