Graduate Recognition

Wow! This year has gone by so fast. I can hardly believe that everyone who graduated yesterday was going into 8th grade when Sarah and I moved to Springfield. These five years have gone by at light speed. I want to congratulate you all and thought I would post a picture fro before our graduate recognition.

Great Rhyme

I've been down and out the last few weeks recovering from my Tonsil surgery. I thought you guys would enjoy this.

Great blog post

I read this blog post thsi afternoon. This guy is the Executive pastor at my parents church Element Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I thought I would share it with you all.

Last night the kids sat down at the table waiting for dinner, but they had neglected to do their part and set the table. So, the table was completely empty except for the meal that Julie had brought out. One of the kids finally asked Julie, “aren’t you going to feed us?” Julie’s answer was great: ” You are mature enough to feed yourself and to prepare the table for dinner. If you neglect to prepare the table for dinner, you will not be fed. So, get off your butt and set the table so you can eat”
Wow, and she was not even in church on Sunday to hear the message (You can blame Pastor Derek for making her work e:kidz and the Denver museum for having a free admission day).
How often do we come to church expecting to be fed by the pastor, but we have neglected to set the table throughout the week? Pastor Jeff will bring the food to the table, but we must be ready to eat.
How do you set the table for Sunday and prepare for the meal? I am glad you asked. Here are some steps to take so that you can be ready to eat:

• Pray everyday and ask God for His guidance and direction in your life.
• Have a daily devotional time that is spent studying and meditating on God’s Word.
• Make quiet time a priority in your life and use this time to listen to God.
• Meet together with other believers throughout the week and discuss what God is doing in your life.
• Come to church ready to worship the Lord of the universe.
• Bring your Bible and take notes so you can do further in-depth study during the week.
• Participate in the full worship experience on Sunday. Do not wait in the lobby until the music is done, or leave before offering is taken.
  

I believe that taking these steps will prepare you for the meal on Sunday. So, in the words of one of the great thinkers, wife and mom or our generation: “Get off your butt and set the table so you can eat.”

Recap of Sunday

Yesterday was a great day, and I thoroughly enjoy preaching when Kevin is gone. We started a new series called "Family Portraits." We are going to be focusing on the family and their relationship to the church. The sermon yesterday was out of Judges 2:6-12 and was called Shift. We need to Shift our mindset about the younger generations and our responsibility to them. Here are some of the main points and thoughts:

A strategic partnership is needed between parents and the church in order to provide an environment of true Biblical discipleship and spiritual development.

Four Keys to an effective Shift:

1. Obedience leads to experiencing God's blessing.

• Parents are called to live out the Shema (Deut 6:4-9) within their lives and to lead by example.
• Joshua was a great example of obedience. He even drew a line in the sand telling the people of Israel to chose who they were going to serve, but he and his house were going to serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:14-15)
• God desires obedience more than sacrifice. (I Sam 15:22)

2. Godly Influence is vital (v.7)

• The goal is not to be perfect, but faithful.
• While Joshua was leading Israel they followed the Lord, but after Joshua and his elders died the generation after that did forsook the Lord.

3. Past influence and success does not guarantee future obedience and prosperity (v. 10)

• The past is a monument to be remembered not an anchor to weigh you down.
• Families relied upon the priests to teach their children rather than taking responsibility. Sound Familiar? I think so. Huh? Church today?
• Church is a partner, but not primary.

4. Lack of Influence leads to compromise (v.11-13)

• Inconsistent godly instruction leads to ineffective parenting, an increase in doubt, and apathy in your spiritual life.
• You can ride the bench as long as you want.
• Apathy breeds apathy.
• The next generation needs to be challenged to engage in their own mission of pursuing Christ and His Kingdom.

What a great day. I hope and pray for the next generation as they come to understand Christ and the role they play in his Kingdom. I leave you with a scripture from Proverbs "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Easter's right around the Corner

With Easter being right around the orner I thought I would post this funny video done by the skit guys. It carries a great message. Enjoy!

Collegiate week

This is for all you college students out there. I wanted to give you just a glimpse of everything you can expereince at Collegiate week. Hope you enjoy it. If you are interested in going please contact me ASAP so we can get everything lined up.

Collegiate Week from Threads on Vimeo.

Gift of Relationships

Our Current series at The Merge on Sunday nights is "The Proposal." This month we are looking at what scripture tells us about dating and relationships. As I have been studying and preparing for these talks I continue to realize how much God teaches you through your relationships, even after you are married! This week we will be discussing the priorities in the dating relationship, and believe me these carry over into the married life as well.

Our goal in this series is to equip you in setting priorities and boundaries that will deepen the spiritual part of your dating life. Here are a few reasons for having priorities in dating.

First, each individual involved in a relationship should have a growing and thriving relationship with the creator, Jesus (Colossians 1:15-18)! The whole point of dating is to get to know the person and identify qualities and characteristics you desire in a future mate. If God isn't first in your life, and if you aren't in a growing relationship with Him, your other relationships will struggle. That goes beyond dating and into the realm of your home and school life as well. Are you having problems in your relationships? If you answered yes, then I would say you are having problems connecting with God on any sort of normal routine. When God is your priority everything else comes second.

Second, priorities help you realize that the issue isn't how to fit your spiritual life into your dating life; rather, it is how does my dating life fit in with my LIFE (spiritual). Dating should always be interpreted through our relationship with God and through His Word. God doesn't change standards. God has an opinion on how we should date, who we should date and He has a clear guideline in what you are to look for in a mate and what you are to avoid. This is for your protection not for you pain. God tells us not to be "unequally yoked" with non believers. This is not because He hates nonbelievers. On the contrary He loves them just as much as He loves you (John 3:16; I Peter 3:18), but He knows that problems arise in a relationship when there is disagreement, especially in beliefs.

Third, priorities help you appreciate and see the value of the gift God gives you when you marry. Lookat Genesis 2:20-25, God didn't give Eve to Adam till after Adam realized there was no one suitable for him. In other words when man realized that he was alone, he also realized his value in his relationship with God. God's plan wasn't to squander a gift on someone who would be unappreciative; rather, God waits till Adam is prepared to appreciate the gift of Eve. I believe that God will provide the person He has for you when you are prepared to appreciate the gift wholeheartedly.

So are you struggling with dating during your teenage years? Have you tried focusing all your attention and passion towards Christ. Let Him teach you to follow Him daily, longing after His will and desires. I guarantee that God will not disappoint you in who He has specifically for you. It will be beyond your wildest dreams, and you will appreciate it even more because you will realize the value of the gift from God.