These past 2 weeks, I've been slaving away at work trying to put together this insane Road Rally for my high school youth. If you don't know what a Road Rally is, it's basically a scavenger hunt on wheels. Each car is a team & the first team to go through all the clues & get to church the fastest wins! Yay!
As I watched my youth run around the greater Roseville/Rocklin area, I realize how much our fun youth event correlated with sometimes not-so-fun life. This might be a stretch, but bear with me.
For my Road Rally, my youth had various tasks to complete & different "road blocks" to endure that eventually led them to our church. The first team to make it the Cross at church was the winner! The Road Rally's goal was to get to the Cross.
In our lives, we are also working towards a goal. Some of us think that this goal is to be successful or wealthy. The person with the most toys wins! Some may see life's goal as being the most happy or the best person they can be. Good people always go to Heaven, right?
But, as Christians, we see this world through the eyes of Christ. Paul said it best in Philippians.
"...But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:12b-14)
We are straining toward the ultimate goal ahead: Heaven. Life for us isn't about making the most money or being the best person to those around us. We understand that our goal is a response to what has already been achieved.
Confused?
Let me break it down. God humbled Himself 2,000 years ago & became a human child, 100% man (equally 100% God). He endured the hardships of human life, including a painful death on a barbaric torture device, the Cross. But, here's the kicker. Our story of Christ doesn't end there. It continues 3 days later when Jesus triumphantly rose from the tomb, declaring our sins forgiven & salvation won! Because of the miraculous grace of God, we are able to have the hope in which Paul calls "the prize" of Heaven. Our goal is Heaven, which is attainable because of Christ's life, death & resurrection.
Road Rally tie-in? The goal is the Cross.
Life is going to have road-blocks. Each task that God either throws in our direction or simply allows to happen is all part of His plan. As Paul says, though, we strain towards what is ahead, leaving road-blocks behind. Once a road-block is complete, we move on. We don't dwell on it or mope around because we really liked that particular road-block. If we do, we're not going to get ahead. Instead, we press on. We persevere. We run the race. We focus on the prize in which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.
This crazy Life Road Rally is a blast! God definitely makes it interesting & pulls out all the stops in His creativity. It's quite the adventure. But, our hope isn't in what we do or don't do here. Our hope is in Christ. In Heaven. In the Cross. As we go about our day, may we continue to focus on His calling to bring us Home.
P.S. My youth absolutely LOVED the Road Rally & we're going to make it a regular event. Next time, I'm going to have someone else pull together all the clues. It's a lot of work!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Face-to-Face with God
A lot of people ask me why I'm in youth ministry. . . Well, this is my answer.
My friend, Cassie, is a fellow DCE Intern (Director of Christian Education) / Youth Leader & friend. She gave her Jr. Highers this question to answer & this is what happened.
Hey guys. . .
I had an assignment for some of the kids in Confirmation to fill out and turn in to me. I had asked the kids to be “brutally honest” in their answers about the subjects, because they would get nothing out of it if they weren’t honest. One of the questions on the worksheet talked about what your reaction would be if you were to see God face-to-face. One of the most sincere boys in the group, Jeremy, turned in his paper with the answer, “I would totally poop my pants if I saw God!”
Oh, to be a kid again…
<><
My friend, Cassie, is a fellow DCE Intern (Director of Christian Education) / Youth Leader & friend. She gave her Jr. Highers this question to answer & this is what happened.
Hey guys. . .
I had an assignment for some of the kids in Confirmation to fill out and turn in to me. I had asked the kids to be “brutally honest” in their answers about the subjects, because they would get nothing out of it if they weren’t honest. One of the questions on the worksheet talked about what your reaction would be if you were to see God face-to-face. One of the most sincere boys in the group, Jeremy, turned in his paper with the answer, “I would totally poop my pants if I saw God!”
Oh, to be a kid again…
<><
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Enjoying the Silence
I wrote this article for next month's Youth Newsletter & had to share it with everyone.
Enjoy!
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Recently, I went to visit Mt. Cross Lutheran Camp outside of Santa Cruz. I had never had the experience of seeing this place before, but as I drove over the small, rickety bridge that separates civilization from the wonderful world of nature, I was brought to tears at the amazing beauty of God’s creation.
As I walked through the camp, I saw huge Redwood trees towering overhead, appearing to be the guardians of this sacred place. Green leaves were the canopy over the forest floor and birds sang from a distance.
Basking in the glory of God’s masterpiece, I noticed how silent it was. Quiet. Almost eerie. No busy cars or screaming high school students. Nobody yelling their drink orders to their favorite Starbucks Barista or noisy commercials selling useless products on the TV.
Just quiet.
It seems like people are busier than ever. There’s always something that we need to check off the never-ending “To Do List”. Always something else to accomplish in our already hectic day. But, where does that leave us? Successful or just busy, stressed out and noisy?
In the Psalms, God reminds us of the stillness that we crave. “Be still…”
We are constantly trying to find the quiet in our lives, but fail at every earthy attempt. The only satisfaction that we can get is from our Creator.
The same God who created the beauty of nature created you to be still. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow in Matthew and even shows us His love through the stillness of Christ’s death. Silent. Quiet. On the cross.
In the Old Testament, Isaiah goes to the mountains to look for God. There was a fire, a flood and an earthquake. And, where was God? In the quiet presence of a gentle whisper in the cool breeze.
As you go about your day, remember the silence that God blesses us with. The silence that God is present in. Close your bedroom door, turn off the TV and iPod, and just be still. Know that He is God. You have a Creator just waiting to speak to you, to spend time with you. He’s not going to be in a piercing fire or thunderous earthquake. He’ll come in the quiet.
Take a breather. Relax. Enjoy the silence.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Never Seem to Measure Up?
There are so many times when I feel like I'm not good enough. I'm sure you can relate to this.
I'm not smart enough, not pretty enough, not strong enough, not rich enough, patient enough, faithful enough, faith-filled enough, tall enough, skinny enough, etc. Nothing I seem to do or be or say or think measures up.
It seems to me like we're never going to measure up! There's always something that's not going to look good on our "resume for life". And, I'm quickly realizing that I think God likes it that way.
We are weak. We are never going to be good enough for anyone, especially for Jesus. Unfortunately, the sin that comes with the package of being human taints us & separates us from God. So, we are born weak. We can't do everything on our own. We will never be perfect. That's what Jesus was for. He was perfect for us. He died on the cross to bridge our separation with God & give us eternal life with Him. Quite the swap, isn't it? Our sin for His salvation? What a bargain!
Paul reminds us in 2nd Corinthians about our weakness. But, weakness isn't something that we should see with a negative perspective. We get to rejoice in our weaknesses! I know, totally foreign idea, isn't it? In a world that measures success by what kind of car you drive, what your job title is, what your spouse or family looks like, the concept of rejoicing in weakness isn't easy to wrap your brain around.
But, Paul boldly tells us that he delights in his weakness & so should we. "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses...For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:10)
Why delight in weakness? How is it that Paul can be weak & strong at the same time?
Well, whose weaknesses & strengths are we examining here? Paul's weaknesses, Christ's strengths?
God has given us His Son for our salvation. Eternally, we're set. Good to go. However, Christ gives us more than that. He gives us everything we need now, on earth. He gives us wisdom, beauty, strength, wealth, patience, faith, trust, perseverance & motivation, to name a few things. Yes, our humanness is weak. Our sin is still there. Until we walk through the pearly gates of Heaven, we'll be stuck in the muck of sin. However, we also have Christ living & breathing inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit lives in us & blesses us with all the things we need to be strong.
When we are weak, Christ is strong.
When you look at it, it's almost better to be weak. Because the weaker we are, the stronger Christ is. If it was up to me, I would rather have the strength of Christ than any other artificial muscle out there.
So, own your weakness! Because in it, Christ is making you strong.
I'm not smart enough, not pretty enough, not strong enough, not rich enough, patient enough, faithful enough, faith-filled enough, tall enough, skinny enough, etc. Nothing I seem to do or be or say or think measures up.
It seems to me like we're never going to measure up! There's always something that's not going to look good on our "resume for life". And, I'm quickly realizing that I think God likes it that way.
We are weak. We are never going to be good enough for anyone, especially for Jesus. Unfortunately, the sin that comes with the package of being human taints us & separates us from God. So, we are born weak. We can't do everything on our own. We will never be perfect. That's what Jesus was for. He was perfect for us. He died on the cross to bridge our separation with God & give us eternal life with Him. Quite the swap, isn't it? Our sin for His salvation? What a bargain!
Paul reminds us in 2nd Corinthians about our weakness. But, weakness isn't something that we should see with a negative perspective. We get to rejoice in our weaknesses! I know, totally foreign idea, isn't it? In a world that measures success by what kind of car you drive, what your job title is, what your spouse or family looks like, the concept of rejoicing in weakness isn't easy to wrap your brain around.
But, Paul boldly tells us that he delights in his weakness & so should we. "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses...For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:10)
Why delight in weakness? How is it that Paul can be weak & strong at the same time?
Well, whose weaknesses & strengths are we examining here? Paul's weaknesses, Christ's strengths?
God has given us His Son for our salvation. Eternally, we're set. Good to go. However, Christ gives us more than that. He gives us everything we need now, on earth. He gives us wisdom, beauty, strength, wealth, patience, faith, trust, perseverance & motivation, to name a few things. Yes, our humanness is weak. Our sin is still there. Until we walk through the pearly gates of Heaven, we'll be stuck in the muck of sin. However, we also have Christ living & breathing inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit lives in us & blesses us with all the things we need to be strong.
When we are weak, Christ is strong.
When you look at it, it's almost better to be weak. Because the weaker we are, the stronger Christ is. If it was up to me, I would rather have the strength of Christ than any other artificial muscle out there.
So, own your weakness! Because in it, Christ is making you strong.
Oh, How I Love the Office!
"Learn your rules,
Learn your rules
If you don't,
You'll be eaten in your sleep"
*Argh!*
By Dwight Schrute
Learn your rules
If you don't,
You'll be eaten in your sleep"
*Argh!*
By Dwight Schrute
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Reason Why We Celebrate Epiphany
Have you ever wondered why "Epiphany" is a holiday on your Grace for the Moment, Anne Geddes, or Calvin & Hobbs Calendar? Well, here is the reason...
Many people don't really understand that Christmas isn't just December 25th. It's actually a little longer than that when you celebrate Epiphany! This slightly under-celebrated holiday is the day we get to celebrate the Magi coming to see Baby Jesus!
**Disclaimer: Magi (or "wise men") are not Kings. So, the song "We Three Kings" is actually Biblically incorrect. And, there weren't necessarily three of them, there were "many" of them, according to Luke. But, there were three gifts, so it makes it nice to think that everyone brought a gift, right? Finally, Jesus wasn't necessarily a baby anymore since the Magi went to a house. So, Jesus could have been a toddler or even a child by then. Interesting stuff, huh?**
The point of the Magi visiting isn't necessarily because they brought gifts or that those gifts foreshadowed Jesus' life and death (frankincense & myrrh). It's who the Magi were.
Those wise men, drawn to Jesus by a star (original GPS by the way), were Gentiles. Back in the day, the Jewish community believed that their Messiah would only come for them & nobody else. Gentiles were considered unclean & untouchable. There's no way their Messiah would be accepting of those Gentiles (which means "dog" in Hebrew, by the way). The fact that not only did Jesus welcome the Magi to come to Him, but that God even led them is amazing! God wanted the Savior to be accessible to ALL people, not just the Jews. And, He's still there for ALL of His people.
Christmas is about the Savior who came to live with us, but Epiphany makes it darn certain that our Savior came for everyone.
Even though Epiphany has come & gone, we can still rejoice in knowing that Jesus came to save you & me, no matter who you are or where you've been. He still came to live here, die here, & rise again for us all!
Happy Epiphany Everyone!
Many people don't really understand that Christmas isn't just December 25th. It's actually a little longer than that when you celebrate Epiphany! This slightly under-celebrated holiday is the day we get to celebrate the Magi coming to see Baby Jesus!
**Disclaimer: Magi (or "wise men") are not Kings. So, the song "We Three Kings" is actually Biblically incorrect. And, there weren't necessarily three of them, there were "many" of them, according to Luke. But, there were three gifts, so it makes it nice to think that everyone brought a gift, right? Finally, Jesus wasn't necessarily a baby anymore since the Magi went to a house. So, Jesus could have been a toddler or even a child by then. Interesting stuff, huh?**
The point of the Magi visiting isn't necessarily because they brought gifts or that those gifts foreshadowed Jesus' life and death (frankincense & myrrh). It's who the Magi were.
Those wise men, drawn to Jesus by a star (original GPS by the way), were Gentiles. Back in the day, the Jewish community believed that their Messiah would only come for them & nobody else. Gentiles were considered unclean & untouchable. There's no way their Messiah would be accepting of those Gentiles (which means "dog" in Hebrew, by the way). The fact that not only did Jesus welcome the Magi to come to Him, but that God even led them is amazing! God wanted the Savior to be accessible to ALL people, not just the Jews. And, He's still there for ALL of His people.
Christmas is about the Savior who came to live with us, but Epiphany makes it darn certain that our Savior came for everyone.
Even though Epiphany has come & gone, we can still rejoice in knowing that Jesus came to save you & me, no matter who you are or where you've been. He still came to live here, die here, & rise again for us all!
Happy Epiphany Everyone!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Today is the Day You Have Made
I want to talk about today.
Now that I have about 26 minutes left in this day, January 2nd, 2009, I realize that there is no other day like today. I can’t go back with my magic life eraser & rub out the dumb or stupid things I said or did. I can’t go back & relive this day. No do-overs. No magic erasers. So, when January 3rd comes around in 24 minutes, I need to live it to its full. Take risks. Challenge myself. Make it a worthy day.
Having this great epiphany of living my days to the fullest, I now realize that sometimes I wish I knew what was going to happen. Sometimes, I wish there was a magic mirror or crystal ball telling me what will happen tomorrow. I wish that God still spoke through burning bushes & talking donkeys to give me tidbits of my future. What does He have planned? What is going to happen? What does He want me to do with my life?
Unfortunately, God doesn’t necessarily speak through arson or animals anymore. I’m also sure that the art of fortune telling through mirrors or crystal isn’t what God meant when He said “Trust in the Lord” in Psalm 3. However, as I watch late night TV & live out the last 16 minutes of January 2nd, I wonder what God really has planned for me. But, how can I figure it out for myself?
What about the life of Jesus? Well, lets take a look at what His life looked like. Came down to Earth as a little baby. Check. Live a life full of perfection, miraculous-ness, & Godliness, 100% Man, 100% God. Check. Die on the cross for humanity’s sin. Check. Rise from the dead. Check.
Looks like a perfect life, full of salvation of the world as well as risk-taking. Okay, so, if Jesus did it without knowing what His days looked like, why can’t I?
Because I’m not God! Duh!
Okay, lets look at some scripture. We already know Psalm 3:5-6, “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 path straight.” Okay, trust in God.
Trust in God. Hmmm, easier said than done, eh?
But, isn’t it? As Christians, we have this amazing freedom that nobody else has. Freedom from control. Believe it or not, we are free from control. Of course, in our true sinful nature, we are in this constant, eternal, sinful battle with God to gain back that control. But, when we realize that we don’t actually have any of it, & we trust in God, we are free. Christ frees us from having to worry about life. We don’t have to worry about tomorrow because, according to Matthew, tomorrow will take care of itself. Trust in God.
Sometimes I think the reason why God doesn’t give us the blueprints to our life at birth is because He wants us to have a great adventure. God is all about adventure! Adam & Eve had an adventure in the beginning, getting kicked out of the Garden of Eden & everything. The Israelites had a 40 year adventure for crying out loud! Ruth & Boaz, David & Goliath, Queen Esther, the lives of Jesus, Paul, & the 12 disciples. All of these people lived truly adventurous lives and I’m sure that God wants the same for us. We are, after all, His children. Besides, how boring would life be if we knew what was going to happen!
I have 1 more minute left in January 2nd, 2009. Looking back on the last 24 hours, I can honestly say it was a pretty good day. Tomorrow’s going to be even better! I get to trust in God & humble myself to lose all the control I so painstakingly crave. After all, today is the day God has made, let us rejoice & be glad in it!
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