Election 08

Well, we are 4 days away from a very important election. I think I have just about heard all I can take of the "spin". I hear all these people telling me what I believe. I hear a candidate speak and I understand them clearly and I then hear the spin and I wonder if maybe I am hearing a candidate from another dimension.

I just heard Palin talk about the attacks on her when she talks about Obama’s plans. And the media just attack her more, while Biden gets irritated by a reporter who asks a few hard questions.

Am I in the United States of America? The one founded on individual’s rights, the one that gave freedom to those oppressed by Britain? I do not recognize it anymore. The mentality of “I am owed this” is overwhelming. It is like those first rights have expanded to everything from education to healthcare to a free house.

Our forefathers could not have imagined the country as it is now, but there knowledge of people and their tendencies is very evident. The whole structure of our government and the election process is amazing. If you look at the county map of the election of 2000, it shows that the majority of the counties in the US went to Bush. Now, I am not stupid, I know the number of people in Gore’s counties equaled the number in Bush’s. But think about it, is it fair for a few urban areas to control the country? Of course not! The founders wanted the states to stay in control.

And there is the key. What has happen to our State’s power? It has been slowly eroded away by the federal government. Year by Year, the federal government has gotten bigger and bigger. It now controls more of our everyday life than our founders ever could have imagined.

So, 4 days. What will happen? How will we be affected? I have one suggestion. Pray for our leaders and pray that God’s will be done.

The Coming Change or Not

Well, it is just about over. In six days we will know which direction our country will be heading. It has been an interesting year leading up to this election.

I have a different thought on what is to come. No matter who wins next Tuesday, life will go on. Granted it may not be as easy as it is now or maybe it becomes better. It may become harder to make ends meet or we may be given what we need. No matter what happens though God will take care of us.

I am curious though. Why is it we look at polls the way we do? It is like a football or baseball game. We break down ever conceivable number to ever conceivable category. But we hardly ever look at the breakdown of the states. That is what is very interesting to me. I will explore a few of these things over this next week.

2000 Precedent Map
Our forefathers foreknowledge
What does it all mean for Christians?

Faith in the Real World

As I sat in service this morning(actually as I taught and preached), somethings came out of the scripture we were studying. Things that did not come out in my study last week. We were in 1 Corinth. 15 talking about the Resurrection.

As we read through verses that are often quoted what struck me was all the verses around them that are not. As we walked through them, my members began to put together the disconnect that Paul was talking about in Corinth. How they can believe in the Resurrection of Christ, but not in the Resurrection of the Body.

The same holds true today in some of those that call themselves believers. They say they believe in Christ, but yet they ignore His commands. They say they believe in Christ, but they do not help those around us. They say that they believe in Christ, but they are still out for number one.

We find it very easy to compartmentlize our lives. We can have our church life, our business life, our family life and our secret life. We do not see the problem with this type of lifestyle. BUt are we being a true person.

We believe at our church that worship is not music even though we can worship through music. (see simplystudentschurch.blogspot.com) We teach that worship needs to become a 24/7 lifestyle. By doing that, the disconnect goes away and we can truly become followers of Christ.

God in my everyday life

After spending some time away from my weekly routine, I realize how much I have been blessed in my life. I saw some amazing things in Orange County, including some lifestyles way above my own. At the same time, while I was around town, I saw stress in a lot of peoples faces and I see the same thing here in Columbia.

Even though I may not have a lot of material things, God has blessed me with so much more that money can buy. I have a wonderful wife that I love so much. He has given me three amazing sons that continue to grow in the Lord. He also takes care of all our needs in ways that I cannot describe. Matthew 6:33 says it all for me:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matt 5:33 (NLT)

Be thankful today for what God has done and always seek after Him!

Back to the East Coast

It has been a great few days at the Gathering in CA. I have meet some other youth ministers with the passion I have for reaching teenagers and showing them what it means to be a Christ Follower!

I am taking back some great ideas for Simply Students and hopefully some friendships and realtionships that will help our plant in the future. I still believe God has started something new and my prayer is that my focus and vision will be His.

PDYM Gathering

Ok...so this is my very first blog. I was sitting in a room of youth ministers today and I believe I am the only one that did not have a blog. During the next break, one of the other guys called up blogspot and showed me how to start an account. So I caved to peer pressure and here I am....:o)

I am currently at the Gathering of the PDYM Community in CA. I must say it has been an incredible couple of days. I have never been in a group of youth ministers that was so real and teen minded. It has been an expereince that I will always be thankful.

If any of the guys and gals from the Gathering are reading this, then let me say thank you for a great couple of days!!!!!