Month: November 2010

A "Thankful" Reminder

The other day I found myself “cleaning up” my inbox to my email and I found some old messages from friends and family regarding their concern for Gracie while she was in the hospital. Instead of deleting them, I found myself going back through and rereading them once again. As I read through them I began to think about Psalm 105 which says, “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done.”
David was writing this Psalm to tell about the Lord’s wonderful works that he had done. And I can’t help but be thankful for the wondrous work HE did in healing Gracie’s little body. We serve such an amazing, wonderful and beautiful God! And so this Thanksgiving season I just wanted to let everyone know how “thankful” I am for you and your prayers for Gracie. I was overwhelmed as I sat their and read each email or facebook message!
So this Thanksgiving as you are preparing to make plans to be with friends and family, please do not forget to take a moment and reflect on all the great things that God has graciously given you. As much as I love turkey, this shouldn’t be a holiday that is revolved around turkey, pumpkin pie and Black Friday; but yet it should be a holiday that is revolved around God and his son Jesus Christ!
Take a moment before all the rush begins and write down just a few things that you are thankful for and the people you are thankful for. I know that I am thankful to all of you who prayed for our family during that time!  And you are all a part of Gracie’s life forever more, because your prayers saved her life and that alone is worth remembering the wondrous works that the LORD has done!

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless!

Sorry Mark, but you’re wrong on this one!

Recently, Pastor Mark Driscoll wrote a note entitled “Is Your Youth Group Accomplishing Anything?”For once, I have to disagree with Pastor Mark for a number of reasons.
First, I’m sick and tired of hearing the statistics about how 60-80% of teens leave church when they turn eighteen. I mean seriously, did they go around and pole every single church in America? No, they have this “theory” and it does not apply to every church.
Secondly, is it the “youth group” or youth pastors fault if they do decide to leave? What ever happened to teenagers being a part of the church? And in some ways who could blame them for leaving when their own church doesn’t show care, compassion or love towards them? Even if that number is true, bogus, but true; what percentage of those who leave are influenced positively or negatively by their parents who are either halfway involved with church or not involved at all!
Thirdly, I still cling to the “youth ministry model” that was created decades ago. I am a firm believer in Student Ministries and will argue that they still have their place in the church. I do not believe they should be a separate identity of the church, but a part of the church. And just like the church, there is no perfect playbook for getting it all to work!
The only perfect model is to follow the leading of The Holy Spirit and walking daily with Him, wrestling through the Scriptures and seeking after God on my knees!