The Perfect Universe

Job perks.  About a month ago I had the privilege of meeting and filming Dr. Hugh Ross, astronomer, pastor, and founder of Reasons to Believe.  In his lecture at GCC, Hugh highlights how his research proves that God is a personal God who created the universe exactly the way it needed to be for us to exist and be prepared for heaven.  I have been intrigued by Ross since studying him in my Science, Faith, and Technology class as a GCC student.  Note, that I don't necessarily agree with every theological statement in this video, but don't strongly disagree either- his evidence is compelling.  My point in posting this is simply to show those who have time to watch that God is amazing!!!

Why the Universe is the Way it Is- Dr. Hugh Ross

The Next Step

My life is currently in the midst of many big transitions.  Throughout the process, God has been working to draw me closer to him, help me grow to be a better leader, and to prepare for a life of ministry.

Transition #1: I'm getting married!  A surprise to trip to Praha ended in an engaged Matt and Kate.  We have big plans in the works for many to celebrate with us on July 16th, 2011.

Transition #2: I'm going into full-time ministry!  God has opened the door for me to teach school at the Christian International School of Prague.  I will join their staff as the Information Technology teacher starting this fall.  This process begins now as a move forward to raise an additional $1600 per month in pledged support.  Online donations can be made here.  Inquire for other methods.

I would love to meet with you to share more about the school and my vision for ministry!

Commitment

part 3... the third C of ministry...

Commitment- continually acting on conviction that is greater than circumstances.

Daniel 6:10 ESV
"When Daniel knew that the document had been signed he went up to his house where he had windows in his upper changer open toward Jerusalem.  He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously."

Daniel set a pattern with his life that modeled a committed relationship to God from his youth.  Nothing was going to deter him from acting on this conviction- even the threat of a violent death (see context).  This should be our first priority of commitment- to be a committed follower of Christ.

Other things that a Christian is called to be committed to:

Marriage, family, a church, and community; prayer, worship, and reading God's word; purity, love, a job, and friendships; etc.

Courage

part 2...the second C of ministry...

Courage- experiencing genuine fear and pressing forward anyway.  Godly leadership requires courage.

Most fears are related to a desire to be comfortable, certain, or in control.  We run from physical and emotional pain to try to stay comfortable.  We always want to know everything so that we can be certain about a decision or the world around us.  We are not satisfied with contributing, but desire to control things so that they are just the way we like them.  Objective attention to advertising shows that most ads attempt to increase ones desire for these things so that people buy their product to help satisfy their desire.  This is our world.  To be courageous is not just for warriors on the battlefield.  It is for those who want to live a purposeful everyday life in modern western culture.

To be successful requires having courage in the face of failure, opposition, pain, and criticism.  Becoming a Christian does not alleviate these challenges, but enhances them.  Moreover, being a Christian provides purpose, meaning, and motivation for overcoming.  To top it off, God himself lives inside us to empower us to step forward in faith.  This takes place in everyday interaction and major life decisions. 

"Be on your guard;

stand firm in the faith;

be men of courage;

be strong.

Do everything in love."   (1Cor 16:13-14)

Confidence

This blog is the first of a 3-part series on the 3 C's of my calling in ministry.  Through my various ministry engagements, these things have proven to be the backbone of how I encourage youth.  I've found this simplification to be a helpful way to categorize the vast web of ministry.

Confidence- complete trust in what is true.  I am confident in my identity in Christ Jesus.

My inspiration for this C comes from Daniel 3:16-18.  These men are so confident in God that they trust God with their lives (literally) as they take a stand for truth in face of ultimate opposition.  Mature faith is marked by a confidence in Godly identity. 

My experience has been that most people really don't know who they are.  Thus, their life is devoted to jumping from one idea, philosophy, religion, job, sport, style of clothing, image, etc to another in hopes of discovering meaning.  God is the objective standard of truth.  We cannot hope to alter that with a whim of the moment or our best reasoning.  God's truth is found in the Bible.  It says of God's people,"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2Cor 5:17)  "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil 1:6)  Do you believe this?  If you don't know Christ, who are you?

Generation iY

There are good books, great books, and then there's the best book I've read to date on how to assess, lead, motivate, and minister to today's youth culture: Generation iY by Tim Elmore.  I put this book in the must read category for parents, educators, youth pastors, and employers.

theological confusion gone public- my comments

Key word- public.  As long there are people, there will be confusion.

I have been loosely following the 'Rob Bell debate' since it started.  For awhile it felt like speculative Bell bashing.  While many good points have been made, things have reached a new level of honesty now that his book, Love Wins, has actually been released.  Here is an adequate book review.  Between this review and Bell's statements in this interview it seems to me that Bell is making a lot of assumptions about the character of God that he hopes to be true based on past hurt and a shallow understanding of the Bible.  I do not recommend this book.

I'm thankful that God will always be bigger than whoever happens to be in the spotlight.  I've been blown away recently by reading through the gospels about how Jesus never feels the need to defend himself, even in the face of his biggest critiques.  He was not reactionary, but intentionally answered honest questions.  While He allowed other people to make assumptions, He only spoke the truth.

I'm also thankful that God Wins b/c God Won when Jesus rose from the dead.  Love is one of many attributes of God.  God is Love; he is also Just, Righteous, Holy, True, etc.  These are not in contradiction, but show us an all-powerful God.  He deserves our worship.

If you want to know the truth, READ THE BIBLE first before reading what other people say about it!!!