The Krochet Kids are a non-profit that make hats to benefit the people of Uganda, and are also helping to provide some economic development to a group of women in Uganda.
They have responded to the Haitian earthquake in an awesome way -- they made 7 hats and have put them up for sale on eBay. 100% of the money will go to Haiti, and the Krochet Kidswill match whatever the hats sell for. There is just over a day left on the bidding. The hats are sweet.
'How do we get our people/church/youth/adults to "get" discipleship?'
How do we show people it's important, how do we make people passionate, how do we encourage them to do it?
In talking with Randy Smith of Grace Church of Sebring yesterday, we heard a great answer:
'Just find one person, and do it.'
If you are the only person in your whole church that wants to be involved in discipleship, find someone younger who wants investment, and do it. Just do it. Be the example. Live it. Let the passion spread, grassroots. It will. Then when people ask why disciple, or how to disciple, you will have answers. You'll have answers because you'll be living it.
I'm not trying to oversimply the fact that you may be struggling to find other who want to be involved in discipleship. But if you aren't doing it, how can anyone else follow?
'...which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!'
Matthew 7.9-11
Last night we were in Alabama, and Leah and I talked for a while about what we were learning about prayer. The idea that the Lord wants to give us good gifts is so hard for us to grasp. I know it's true. But I am so arrogant that I want to feel like I have earned the things I'm given--that I'm good enough to receive good things. (That is obviously not the case: Psalm 14.3, Ephesians 1.3-14) Every good gift comes from above (James 1.17). It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God (Ezekiel 36.22, 32).
Today the Lord overwhelmed me with this truth in so many ways:
Morgan and I have been praying that God would give her real, deep spiritual relationships since September. Today Morgan told about a number of incredible conversations and friends that the Lord has brought into her life this week. What a gift.
While gassing up the car (on our 700 mile drive from Alabama to Florida), I noticed that one of our tires was leaking air. A guy at the gas station said there was a repair shop down the road. We went there, a man immediately checked the both front tires, found some wear, and replaced them both within 10 minutes. The way the Lord orchestrated us stopping and hearing the leak at the very place where someone could fix it so quickly... What a gift.
Andrew wasn't going to be able to go on Barnabas this summer. Yet instead of being frustrated or blaming people (or the Lord), he's continued to pursue the Lord - serving, learning, growing. Just today he found out that he is able to go. I can't even tell you how excited he is. (and me too--I'm so pumped this kid is going) And he acknowledged this for what it is ... A gift.
Oh gosh I could go on and on. The Lord is blowing me away with how he answers prayer. And every time, it's a gift.
Today we met with a couple of pastors at a large (non Grace Brethren) church. It was so fun to talk with them, to hear about their vision for their youth ministry and their church at large, to talk about their creative ideas, to gain some new perspective.
But let me tell you what was really solidified for me today:
churches are facing the same issue across the nation.
I know, it's not all the same. Struggles vary based on culture and context and demographics and staff and... whatever.
But we meet with pastors and church staff all.the.time. The thing we hear over and over?
how do we better cultivate real, deep, life changing, spiritually based relationships.
I certainly don't have all the answers. I know some things that are working in a variety of places. I'll work on posting some of those. But I write this really just to encourage you -- if your church is struggling to really cultivate good community, you are not alone.
Let's fight this good fight of faith together.
(day 3 of the 30 day adventure. finishing up in tennessee, and on to alabama for the night. florida tomorrow!)
There are lots of reasons I love my job. Just this week I experienced one of them...
A student who has the opportunity to go on Operation Barnabas this summer was feeling anxious about it. The realization that a summer on Barnabas means six weeks away from home was just starting to settle in, and that, understandably led to some fear.
So we talked. And lots of people were praying. And the Lord very evidently directed...
And this student plans to go on Barnabas this summer.
The fear isn't all gone.
But this student is choosing to operate out of faith instead of fear.
To respond to the Lord's prompting and to go.
I cannot tell you how proud this make me. How excited. What an incredible example.
And it makes me think:
how is the Lord asking me to step out in faith, even amidst my fear?
What is he asking of you?
2 Timothy 1.7:
'God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control.'
Last weekend, Stacie, Matt Wheeland and I had the chance to speak at the First Christian Church of Kendallville's winter retreat.
It. Was. A. Blast.
Here are the reasons why (in no particular order):
The Kendallville youth group is super friendly. We felt totally at home with them.
We got to teach. Boldly.
Stacie shared the gospel, and students responded. Praise God!
Beatboxing harmonica
Dan Cosentino. He's funny.
Hanging out with 2009 Barnabas alumni.
Hanging out with 2010 Barnabas students.
Actually being warm at night (remember last year? we forgot everything...)
Getting to talk about God's justice - from Isaiah 58, Isaiah 61, Luke 4.
The three of us taught 4 sessions. The topic? Identity in Christ. I don't want to give too much detail on what we taught (as we may or may not be using some of the same material in future retreats... :) But I will say that this topic is absolutely one of my favorites. Ephesians 1 and 2 Peter 1 talk so much about what God has done for us through Christ, and the inheritance that we have in Him. I have victory because of what Christ has done. I am not slave to my sin or my past or ... anything. I am slave to Christ. And co-heir with Him. And the more I talk about it, write about it, read about it, teach about it... the more I am overwhelmed by this incredible promise.
Getting to focus on that for a whole weekend with a group of students was incredible. And to see what the Lord did in the lives of students and adults was awesome. Because the truth of God transforms lives. Period.
Kendallville: we love you. Thanks for having us, and we can't wait to do it again.
Matt Chandler is a pastor at the Village Church in Texas. I think I've mentioned him before -- this Thanksgiving started a long process of discovering that he has brain cancer. His testimony through this has been in.cred.i.ble. The Lord has taught me so much about perseverance, contentment, and giving glory to the HIM alone through Chandler's example. He posted an update this weekend. Here's his first video update in case you missed it (from when he first shared with people what's happening-couldn't figure out how to embed it, so it's the link), and then his update from this weekend.
Like I mentioned earlier, Stacie and I had the opportunity to teach a small group elective at Wooster Grace on discipleship this past Sunday and Wednesday. (We had a blast, by the way.)
Wednesday evening we had a high school student, Dakota, stick around to talk with us. She told us that she is in a small group, that she meets regularly with her small group leader, and that this woman clearly holds the role of discipler in her life. And then she asked us, quite simply and straightforwardly, who she should be imitating ... Jesus or her discipler?
(Now let me tell you right now: this girl is sharp. You can tell when you talk to her that she loves Jesus and she loves people. You can sense her hunger to grow. She's just one of those people that you know is so sincere. She genuinely wanted to understand the disconnect.)
We clarified the idea -- that her discipler is merely to point her to Jesus. To help her better understand what it is to imitate Jesus. That to imitate one is to imitate the other. It was a great conversation.
And in that moment, I was reminded of a truth that we can so easily lose sight of:
it's not about us.
We are a picture, 'Jesus in skin' if you will, for younger people to imitate. We help them bring the truth of Scripture into today. Absolutely.
But if we ever, EVER cause people to chose between imitating Jesus OR imitating us, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.
Discipleship (investment, imitation, whatever) is a high calling. Let's not forget Titus 2 -we are called to live holy lives, and then to have others follow that example.
It should never be imitate Jesus or imitate my discipler... they should always go hand in hand.
Because you get phonecalls that go something like this,
'Ever since I've been back at school, I have had so many good spiritual conversations with my friends. It's amazing! Thanks for praying with me... God is totally answering.
Hey can we talk about what the Bible says about...'
What could be sweeter to hear from a 19 year old college freshman?
Stacie and I are sitting here prepping for a 'hot topic small group' teaching time. We're teaching on, surprise surprise, discipleship. We have taught this lesson dozens and dozens of times, yet, somehow, it never gets old.
When you teach on something you're passionate about, it always feels like the first time.
All Christians are called to develop God-given talents, to make the most of their lives, and to develop to the fullest their God-given gifts and capabilities.
Desiring to excel is not sin. It is motivation that determines ambition's character... Ambition which centers on the glory of God...is a mighty force for good.
These sentences in this first chapter reminded me of the BCS championship game yesterday. (oh my gosh I love college football. So much. Especially THE Ohio State Buckeyes. Rose Bowl champs this year, in case you missed it.) Anyway. If you missed the game, Alabama (#1) played Texas (#2). Colt McCoy, Texas star quarterback, was injured in the first drive of the game and was out for the whole game. And while Texas gave a great effort, they ended up losing the game.
In his interview after the game, McCoy spoke clearly of his faith:
I'd say his ambition is pretty well centered on the glory of God. And is certainly a mighty force for good.
Thanks for exemplifying great leadership for us, Colt McCoy.
(for another great video of his testimony check this out. Or here. Or Sam Bradford)
In August I read Battling Unbelief by John Piper. I was challenged in a number of ways, but the overarching theme of the book is that we fall into sin when we cease believing the promises of God. Piper cites dozens of promises throughout the book as he discusses various common sins.
And I started to wonder... how many promises did God make in Scripture? I bet there are all kinds of promises-not just promises that are specific to us, but also promises to individuals throughout Scripture that teach us more about the Lord's character.
So in August I started in Genesis. I'm just working my way through. And I'm writing down every promise that I find. I've almost filled a whole journal.
It's now January and I'm in Jeremiah. And I continue to be astonished at all the God has promised. Our God is so amazing.
This is one that I read this morning. It's a promise that was specifically made to Jeremiah, but 'this great promise also has wider application to all the people of God, particularly as they call out for understanding and he gives them understanding of his word and his purpose in their lives.' (ESV study Bible):
'Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things you have not known.' Jeremiah 33.3
It’s said that giftedness is what gets you places, but character is what keeps you there. We need to focus on the character of people and intentionally think through whether or not giving them a leadership position (in any capacity) is best for their long term character development. We don’t usually think about it this way. We see the gifts someone has and then typically release them in ministry. But often times this can lead to a damaged heart and potentially one filled with so much pride that it causes their ministry to come to an end.
Chuck Bomar said this on his blog this week. I've been reading and rereading it.
Thinking about thestudents that I know. Literally students all over the country, in various stages of high school and college, with more opportunities to lead and serve than I could even tell you about.
Thinking about students that I personally have pushed or placed in leadership.
Thinking about students that have succeeded tremendously.
Thinking about students that havefallen apart.
Thinking aboutmy own successes.... my own failures.
I can identify a kid with 'leadership potential'. Potential that is wrapped up in their gifts. And, to be honest, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. The Lord gifts us in different ways, and leadership is certainly a gift. (Not that you can't lead at all without the gift of leadership... but that's another conversation entirely.)
But how do I develop leaders? Do I spend so much time and effort on their skills as a leader that I miss their character?
And, more personally, do I do that with myself?
...Sometimes, yeah. I totally do. With myself, and with others.
There are huge implications here. This is something that deserves some attention.
