Worship!

I have found myself in a state of constant worship lately! While I know this is how I should live my life and through everything I do, I do to glorify my GREAT GOD! However, I am human and sometimes fall short. One of my main concerns is how our youth view worship and how they participate in communal worship! I know that worship is an act of praising God and each person approaches it differently! For most though it takes place in church or with a praise band presence and involves a message given by some who God has called to speak. Worship should ALWAYS involve the Word of God rather it be through reading out of the Bible or through scriptures a person has memorized.

Recently I was participating in a worship service that was advertised as a concert but it was evident to me and the youth present that the band had a message at a certain point. The band had each and every teenagers full attention as the lead singer spoke about the love God has for everyone. However during this time in there where lots of adults in the back of the room who remained in their conversation. I began to observe that they were talking loudly in order to hear over the sound of the band who was playing lightly. While the teens stood there paying attention I observed that as the speaker continued so did the adults with their conversation. I noticed a few of the teens becoming irritated by their facial expressions and body movement. Then I saw that several of the teens who were moments before focused on the words that God was providing them were no longer paying attention but talking and laughing with their friends.

I understand that you may read this and realize you may be or have been one of those adults, but I write this not to offend but to ask a question! If we as youth workers/sponsors or just believers in a great Lord can not give our God attention in these moments then how can we expect those who we have a great influence to understand the importance of worship? This was a moment that God moved in the room and perhaps could have been the moment one of these teens needed to fully understand what Gods love really means to them. Yet they were distracted by some adults who failed, in my opinion, to lead by example and show God the respect He deserves. 

Worship should be never ending just as Gods love and grace is for us, the next time you find yourself distracted by a temptation as simple as continuing the conversation with others around you during a time of communal worship please be considerate of everyone and refrain or if you must leave the room. I am sure God will understand!

Another obstical out of the way!

I started college 12 years ago when I graduated from Fairview High School with the hopes and dreams that every high school graduate does that chooses to attend college. I then found that life was full of so much more that I ever anticipated as I sowed my wild oats and have some nights that I want to forget and some that I am glad I can not remember. I felt my calling to be a youth minister during the Fall of 1997 and while I have done my best there is no denying what God has had planned for me all along.

In the past 12 years I flunked out of college, went back to college, met the girl of my dreams, left college again, entered the work force, started a family, accepted a call to full time ministry (again), moved back to the community that I could not wait to leave out of high school, and now back to college.

I always said that one day I would finish college and go obtain a masters but it all seemed like a far fetched dream. I was too busy working and doing big kid stuff with my family that there wasn't any time. Now here I sit 1/3 of the way done after graduating with my Associates Degree from NOC a couple of weeks ago. Another one of life's obstacles out of the way!

Life is full of obstacles! God has placed on this earth and we have a journey in front of us that we must choose which direction we go. I have come across many Y's in the road that have formed who I am! Sometimes I have chosen the path that was best for me but there have been times that I have taken the wrong path. Now I say wrong path and while I could have taken a different path that would have inflicted less pain on myself and others! Those wrong paths have taught me lessons that have been invaluable in my career as a youth minister. They have formed me into who I am.

As I receive announcement after announcement and attend graduations I think about the students and all their excitement and know that they are ready to move one. Mixed emotions of joy, sadness, happiness, pride and on and on are taking place as they start this next journey in life. Another obstacle out of the way!

Graduation brings back many memories. Not just from my own or of those that are graduating but I get to see many former youth, some who I talk to often or occasionally and some who I don't ever see or talk to any more. These young adults are facing many of those Y's in the roads and hitting speed bumps as they have moved one. Some have completed another year of college, graduating college, or perhaps just completing their first year. Finishing that first is the toughest. I flunked out my first and became a statistic because I made the wrong choice. Some of them are in the same boat. For those that made it through with passing grades and are going back to achieve some more, congrats again! College opens your eyes to lots of new things and everything you once knew has changed. Another obstacle out of the way!

Congrats to all of the graduating seniors this year! Continue on, and be wise in the choices you make, some choices can land you without a degree and a life seemingly with no where to go! Keep your head up, I am making it and so can you it will be tough but it can be done.

For those who will be going back and have the determination to finish! Way to go! You are putting yourselves amongst the educated elite!

Anyone can overcome any obstacle in their way if they put God first and trust that He will guide you! The you can proudly say another obstacle out of the way!

What a run!

Running is not my strong point! Those that know me well know that it does not take much to out run me. I may have a quick burst of speed but if you can match that for more than thirty yards, this fat boy is going to be out of breath and needing a break very quickly. While I know I could be in better shape and my weight is no where near what it should be, I am not talking about that type of run. I'm talking about the run the Fairview Lady Jackets are on this post season as they prepare to play amongst the states elite this Thursday. This group of young women have proven that they are one of the best in the state. Going into the state tournament with only four losses says a lot about their ability to win and overcome adversity. Losing their leading scorer mid-way through the season caused many people to give up and say they can not make it with out her. However, with a determined heart and an attitude to "BELIEVE" they have found a way to win and achieve their goal of making it to state. Now we wait for Thursday as they embark on their next goal, the ultimate prize for every Oklahoma high school basketball play, THE BIG HOUSE and the GOLD BALL. 

As I sit here writing this I am reminded about the run our boys team had a run to the semi-finals and coming up just shy of this goal. It was heart break for such a great group of young men and the fans of Fairview High School. During that run I remember giving up something tough for Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday tomorrow, I gave up yelling at game officials that year. It was tough, but it was a bad classless act that was separating me from God that needed to be corrected. Doing this during a playoff run made it even tougher, but I look back on as we are on another run for the GOLD BALL and I find myself corrected of that problem. While it is still tough at times and there are moments where I find my tongue about to slip,Christ gave up so much for me and it was the least that I could do was to give up something for Him.

So here we are, about to embark on another run through Lent, a season of sacrifice for the gain that our Creator has given us with through Grace. I have yet to decide what it is that I am doing for Lent this year, but that's not what matters. What matters if that we seek God with all our heart and that during the next 40 days we prepare ourselves for the resurrection of the Christ.

As for the Lady J's? You keep playing hard, you have a fan base that is proud of everyone of you and we are looking forward to yelling loud and proud on Thursday afternoon. JUST BELIEVE AND KEEP ACHIEVING!!!