Learning from the Failure of Others

Yesterday at our celebration service we looked at the life of Peter.  The main goal of our service was to obviously connect with God – for him to meet us in a special way and to begin the process of learning from the failure of others.  At one point I shared about the three denials of Peter;

 

·         Peter was overconfident

·         Peter underestimated to power of the crowd

·         Peter forgot that sin gets easier with repetition

 

There came a point that as I was sharing about that final bullet…my mind started to wander.  I was speaking and I could hear myself speaking but my mind was nowhere to be present.  I’ve only experienced this a few times in the past 15 years…totally bizarre!

 

My thoughts went to many of my friends in ministry over the years who have fallen morally primarily due to their secret sexual sins. I distinctly remember sitting across the table from partners in ministry confessing that they were dabbling in internet porn and chat rooms and they appeared to have no issue with it.  Their confession was more of a verbal justification of why they needed intimacy outside of their marriage because their wives couldn’t grasp their physical needs.

 

 No one can deny that we live in a very sensual, sex-saturated world. Our computers and TV bring them right into the privacy of our home, and magazine stands at the grocery checkout make it almost impossible to escape. Just so that we are absolutely clear on this – being in the ministry doesn’t make one immune to sexual temptations – often it’s the exact opposite.  Statistics indicate that one of the greatest temptations for pastors is sexual sin.  It’s one of the enemy’s best tools to destroy those who would serve God.

“70% of Christians admitted to struggling with porn in their daily lives. From a non-scientific poll taken by XXXChurch, as reported by CNN.”

 

For many it has become an escape, a drug of choice, a way of anesthetising ourselves against pain while substituting the hurt with “pleasure.” But it’s like drinking salt water because it doesn’t satisfy and ultimately makes the emptiness worse.

Out of 81 pastors surveyed (74 males 7 female), 98% had been exposed to porn; 43% intentionally accessed a sexually explicit website
National Coalition survey of pastors.

 

Whether you are in full-time ministry or not…the solution starts with a strong, daily, growing relationship with Jesus. Every thought must be brought under control (2 Corinthians 10:5). The temptation of what pops into our mind isn’t sin, but we are responsible for what we do with it.

 

A strong relationship with our spouse/partner is also essential. Having an accountability partner is vital as well. We all need someone who will ask the tough questions in love. Many don’t get serious about this until it is too late.

 

From my own experience anytime the temptation crosses my mind; I ask myself this question, “Is this temporary pleasure worth my marriage, the respect of my wife and children and friendships?  Am I willing to lose everything I have (family, friends and ministry) just to experience a sense of false intimacy?

 

 

 

 

 

Scriptures I have memorized over the years;
2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.”

Job 31:1, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.”

Matthew 5:28, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

2 Corinthians 10:5, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

 

Questions to ask yourself:

·         If your private thoughts were made public for all to see, which would be most embarrassing to you?

·         When is lust the greatest temptation to you? What is your plan to be victorious at those times?

·         Who is your accountability partner, to ask the tough questions in love?

The Life of a Youth Worker!

For all of you out there that have some pre-conceived notion that a youth pastor really only works two day s a week – Friday night and Sunday morning!  I have a little something for you!!

But before we get to that…let me say this;  I LOVE WHAT I DO!  I love nights like last night…there is nothing like 160 junior high kids going crazy with all forms of chocolate!!

There is nothing like sitting down with two sr. high students who are beginning to understand what it takes to love a group of grade 7 guys!

There is nothing like sitting down in our youth min. brainstorming room with a group of like minded passionate youth workers..agonizing over students who are walking away from it all and families who are in crisis.

There in nothing like calling families throughout the week simply to see how they are doing and then getting the chance to pray for them.

There is nothing like getting the chance to meet with other youth workers from all over our city with the primary purpose to care, share and encourage one another.

That just gives you a small glimpse of my past week…now for the fun!!

Lessons from Lent…too many to mention

Today is my 28th day without partaking in “the nectar of the gods”…otherwise known as coffee.  I have to admit it’s been a struggle, but I am learning a ton through the struggle.  Some of you who are reading this may be thinking, “BIG DEAL”…it’s just coffee!  Let me encourage you to deny yourself of that one thing in your life that is a vice…and deny yourself for the next 40 days…come on I double dog dare you!!  Then tell me..”BIG DEAL”.  Not sure what to get rid of…whatever was the first thing that popped into your mind…is the thing you need to deny – have fun with that!

Moving on..on a lighter note I came across this youtube clip of Jesus and his forty day experience in the wilderness.  Very powerful!

Fighting for the KING OF KINGS

Just when I thought television shows were winding down for the season NBC rolls out a somewhat controversial new show entitled “KINGS”.  What makes it so controversial is that it is a modern day adaptation of the story of King David.

I wouldn’t recommend watching the show for a variety of reasons (remember its Hollywood…so they enjoy pushing the envelope!)  But my prayer is that through a show like this perhaps people will be drawn to the original story. 

As I was getting ready for bed last night a thought crossed my mind; “why is it that we so often lose the importance of stories such as David and Goliath…particularly as adults?

Have we lost sight of the fact that David came to Goliath with a little slingshot and five small rocks?

Keep in mind that Goliath came from long line of mammoth men. There is a very good possibility that he stood over 10 feet tall. He’d make Yao Ming and Shaq look like girly men!

Can you even begin to imagine his weapons of choice? Swords the size of telephone poles and a metal shield the size of a small house!  Against these odds how was it even possible, that David was victorious?  Was it his speed and accuracy with his slingshot?  Did he have a serious case of small-man syndrome?

The only thing David had going for him was that he had the God of the Universe on His side.

Here’s an important lesson for us all. David didn’t accept the weapons and armour that Saul offered him. David knew that he couldn’t fight with Saul’s armour. He had to fight with what God had given him.

Now ask yourself; what has God given you? At some point in time we have all desired to be someone else. We have consciously chosen to fight battles in other people’s armour…and then we wonder why we fail? God wants you to be you and me to be me. Be yourself. Pursue the dreams God has given you—not the dreams He has for somebody else.

I wish I had learned this lesson earlier in life. It would have eliminated years of pursuing dreams and talents I had no business pursuing.

So pick up your slingshot find the rocks God has specifically designed for you.  I guarantee you will be amazed at what God can do through you!

 

Culture Update

I came across  this visually-profound little chart on my buddy Mark’s blog. There has been so much bad mouthing Facebook over the past few months.  There are numerous people in my field of work plus a load of parents who feel Facebook is the ultimate tool of the Devil.  I remember people feeling the same way when microwaves came on the scene and when cordless phones were first introduced.

The interesting point I find with this chart is how quickly our culture/society has accepted this form of mediuim.  If you research a little farther into this you will also discover is that the fuel for the fast rise of the most recent technologies has come from youth (whereas the older technologies were forced to go through the slower progress of adult acceptance first), which says something about the leading role of youth culture in the world today.

The millenials of today are leading us in so many ways – through technological advances, social justice and humanitarian causes.  There is something to be said about this generation…more than what is being perceived.  Yes – they may be consumeristic and selfish to the core but they are driven to make a difference…not as individuals but within community.  You don’t believe me?  Just ask Facebook!

Are you DOING Church or BEING the church?

Today I’m sitting here reminiscing about this past weekend.  Taking 130 junior high kids to West Edmonton Mall was intense…but along with a major lack of sleep and the frustrations of finding missing children when we were supposed to leave…I learned a great deal on the weekend.  The lesson was regarding “church”…and the significance of it.

On Saturday afternoon I had the privilege to sit down with a 25 year old former student of mine – I hadn’t seen him in over 10 years!  It didn’t take long before our conversation turned to the spiritual.  My friend had a lot to say – both good and bad about his journey.  The good referred to the relationships he had over the years from people who had invested their lives in his.  The bad (sad to say) centered on the church and the lack of relevance in his life – both as a teenager and now as a young adult.

Not growing up in the church and now being on a church staff often this question has come to mind, “What is the big deal about church?   

Many students I work with (including my own children) often ask this question; Why do my parents feel the need to drag me out to church every time the church doors are open? My response is and always will be this…”church is important and even though sometimes I don’t show it…I LOVE the church! Why?

Because God loves his church… sure, your church doesn’t get you to Heaven and your church doesn’t magically give you a relationship with God.But let’s not forget that it was God who established the church. He refers to the church as his bride, his body, and his family.

It is in the church where we have the privilege and responsibility to use our special gifts God gave us. It is where we find community. Our faith wasn’t intended to be practiced alone, in dark closets. God is a relational God and he created you and me to be relational.

So when you are tempted to go to Bedside Baptist next weekend…let me encourage you to drag your butt out of bed and go live out your faith with other people. That is what God intended us to do.

 

Resolutions Update after Two Months

Pastor G’s Top 10 List of Resolutions for 2009

January 8, 2009 · No Comments

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions…but this year I felt the need to come up with a list of things I will attempt to accomplish over this next year…here they are;

1. Blog at least three X a week.

2. Read and finish at least 2 books a month. My goal will be to read between 24-36 books thoughout this year.  I’ll let you know if any of them are worth the read! 

3. Build a non-churched friendship with at least 4 people. I’m already in process with this one…I can’t even begin to explain how charged up I get when I hang out with my unsaved friends.  They have such a diffferentt perspective on life and they are all on difffernt paths of self-discovery…can’t wait!!

4. Tear myself away from technology…Crackberry and Crackbook – enough said!!

5. Leave stress at work…work in progress

6. Get Fit…gotta stop making lame excuses!

7. Pursue Simplicity…trying to figure out what that means as a individual and family.

8. Sensitivity to divine appointments…need to turn off the noise

9. Go back to school. …Masters of Something?

10. Stay with it….easier said than done

 

So up above are my resolutions….which ones are going well?  Where have I jumped off the wagon?  Let’s take a look!

1. Blog at least three X a week….I’d say fairly consistent

2. Read and finish at least 2 books a month. My goal will be to read between 24-36 books thoughout this year.  I’ll let you know if any of them are worth the read! 

I was able to read 2 books in the month of February – here is what I read:

iT by Craig Groeschel  - 4 out of 5

Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley – 4.5 out of 5

 

I just bought a few new ones today…can’t wait to crack them open!!

3. Build a non-churched friendship with at least 4 people…praying that God will bring one or two new people into my life.

4. Tear myself away from technology…with Lent upon and a spiritual retreat under my belt this one is no longer consuming my life.

5. Leave stress at work…stress!  What stress?

6. Get Fit…not so good…feel pretty good…not looking so good – need to carve out time on a daily basisto get off my butt!!

7. Pursue Simplicity…still trying to figure out what this means for us as a family.

8. Sensitivity to divine appointments…definitely happening these days!

9. Go back to school. …only school I am enrolled in right now is the school of “hard knocks.”

10. Stay with it….the good, the bad and the ugly!

 

Watch out for the Watchmen!

Last night I ended up going to the late showing of the Watchmen

Really wasn’t sure what to expect…I’ll tell you now…what I experienced for almost 3 hours was disturbing.  Whether you are a parent, student…I would strongly caution you to think about whether it’s that imperative for you to see this movie.

As of late I have been attempting to cut back on movies and television.  When the opportunity arises (which it did last night) I now try to go nito that situation prepared to critique what the message truly is.

If not for all the gore, language, violence and gratuitous sex it actually could have been a decent movie.  I have to admit though this is the first time in a long time that I felt the need to leave the theatre during a few scenes that were totally over the top.  You know you’ve been visually and emotionally violated when you feel it’s necessary to have a shower wen you get home!

Checkout these links for a more in-depth review of Watchmen I hope they help you make an informed decision…

http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movieDetail.cfm?i=DC1F1E88-01DE-264A-5B542E9E173E8C60&ia=E1B7CDA1-BCE1-3EED-C229CDD3A6E99540

http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0004523.cfm

Discovering God in Dallas

The past few days I’ve been away from home on a

spiritual retreat in Dallas.  It’s been so refreshing to

reconnect with God in a new and vibrant way. I will

ellaborate more in the week to come but for now…let me leave you with this 

 inspirational video.  I figured since 

I’m giving up coffee for lent I needed to let people know

that coffee has the power to bring people together!

HOW MANY CUPS OF COFFEE WOULD IT ACTUALLY TAKE TO KILL YOU?

This past Sunday I shared that I have chosen to deny myself of all forms of coffee for the next 36 days (Lent).  Its one thing to stop drinking coffee because of its delicious taste but it’s a whole other ball of wax when you stop because of its harmful effects on the body.

I have come across many articles recently that say drinking coffee is a major cause of many ailments and it can possibly lead to death (so can everything else if you take too much of it!)  Anyway…I came across a website “(http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine) that allows you to choose from hundreds of drinks (not just coffee) all you have to do is enter your weight, and click “kill me”. The result shows you how many of that item it would take to bring things to an end for you.

Here were a few of my result (particularly with drinks I like): 

·         It would take 266 shots of espresso to put me down

·         After 455 cans of diet coke I’d be pushing daisies

·         It would take 603 bottles of Nestea Iced tea before I’d croak

·         And finally it would take 91 Grande Americano’s from Starbucks to take me out.

So to all you Starbucks fans out there….FEAR NOT…remember this word as you order your next cup of goodness…”MODERATION”.