There are numerous times that people have told me that they want to be a spiritual mentor to me… Usually it comes when God is stirring their hearts to do something for a younger generation so they figure they will take a hold of me because I’m a worship leader and they think that would be easier than reaching out to someone else who seriously needs help; however, that is another story altogether.
For now I want to take a look at the approaches that many people take to ministering to this generation. Pastors have become so busy now that they don’t have time to spend and pour into the lives of the ones who desire to learn from them and be discipled; however, that is exactly what needs to be done. I can remember spending time with some pastors and sharing my heart and visions with them only to have them tell me that they think I should go to a master commission or a bible college to get more training if I want to see those vision and dreams come true. They would give me money because that is how they felt that they could help and show their love and support for what God was wanting to do in my life; however, That left me feeling so empty because I didn’t want to go away to be filled, and I didn’t want their money. I wanted THEIR love and I wanted to be discipled by THEM and have THEM pour into me; however, it seemed that they did not have the time.
The youth of this generation are completely different than the one that went before us. A good friend once said that the previous generation are like eagles and those in this generation are doves. Eagles are usually soaring alone and rely on their own learning and their own techniques to survive. They are perfectly fine soaring alone; however, Doves are animals that are not generally found by themselves. Doves are found in groups of two or more. They symbolize love, affection, and bonding.
I believe that describes this generation so much more than we think. The youth of this generation love to spend time together and just be in community with each other. They will drive around for hours just to be with someone they care about. They are so in tune to the need for each other and the need for community that it confuses the leaders and people who want to pour into their lives. To pour into the lives of this generation it doesn’t take money. It doesn’t take lavish gifts. It doesn’t take sending them off to a bible college or bible training program. It takes YOUR time. They want YOUR affection. They want YOUR love. All they want is for you to spend time with them and pour into their lives.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Adversity
Adversity presents itself to us in many different forms. These are often perplexing and confusing situations that show up at the most inconvenient and awkward times in our lives, and the most annoying part is that adversity does not need an invitation to come pay you a visit. It’s like that neighbor kid who just shows up everyday unannounced around time for dinner, or the telemarketer who calls around the same time. Nobody sent them an invitation; however, they are still there
One moment life may appear to be calm, peaceful and quiet; then the very next moment we may find ourselves caught in the middle of a huge storm. For some of us it is just one storm after another.
One of the only constant things about this “season” is that it seems like it is going to last forever. I think there is a purpose for this adversity though because one of the purposes God has for our lives is that we grow to maturity in our faith in Him and not in people or the things of this world. Many times you can tell that your faith is maturing by what you do and how you react during the storms that you are facing and in your problems. Here is a very good example:
"And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." Acts 16:23-28 (NKJV)
Here in the Acts there is a story about Paul and Silas. These two lovable individuals find themselves in what seems to be a pretty big storm, or maybe a monsoon even. Now Paul & Silas were called by God to take the gospel into the region of Macedonia; However, when they got there, instead of wide open doors, like they might have expected, they ran into a season of opposition!
Instead of being welcomed with open arms and taken out to dinner by the locals, they are locked up in chains because they were at the place God wanted them to be, doing the very thing God told them to do. What I love about this is that they still had faith in God. The passage does not say they were crying and angry but that they were praying and singing praises.
Now for my favorite part of the text, it says "but at midnight". You know I’ve have heard people say that midnight is the darkest hour of the night and that it is when you are at your lowest, but what I want to point out here is that midnight is also a transition period. Midnight is the transition from an old day to a new day. It can confuse you because when you think of transition you think of a sudden, rapid change.
The midnight transition is very minute because nothing really changes but the time. I want you today to put all your faith in God no matter how it looks and no matter what they say. Don't allow the tornado siren to detour you because there is a transition about to take place in your life but you have to trust God.
Remember you are where He wants you to be. It's not time to put your faith in the things you see but put to your faith in the God who holds you in His hand.
One moment life may appear to be calm, peaceful and quiet; then the very next moment we may find ourselves caught in the middle of a huge storm. For some of us it is just one storm after another.
One of the only constant things about this “season” is that it seems like it is going to last forever. I think there is a purpose for this adversity though because one of the purposes God has for our lives is that we grow to maturity in our faith in Him and not in people or the things of this world. Many times you can tell that your faith is maturing by what you do and how you react during the storms that you are facing and in your problems. Here is a very good example:
"And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." Acts 16:23-28 (NKJV)
Here in the Acts there is a story about Paul and Silas. These two lovable individuals find themselves in what seems to be a pretty big storm, or maybe a monsoon even. Now Paul & Silas were called by God to take the gospel into the region of Macedonia; However, when they got there, instead of wide open doors, like they might have expected, they ran into a season of opposition!
Instead of being welcomed with open arms and taken out to dinner by the locals, they are locked up in chains because they were at the place God wanted them to be, doing the very thing God told them to do. What I love about this is that they still had faith in God. The passage does not say they were crying and angry but that they were praying and singing praises.
Now for my favorite part of the text, it says "but at midnight". You know I’ve have heard people say that midnight is the darkest hour of the night and that it is when you are at your lowest, but what I want to point out here is that midnight is also a transition period. Midnight is the transition from an old day to a new day. It can confuse you because when you think of transition you think of a sudden, rapid change.
The midnight transition is very minute because nothing really changes but the time. I want you today to put all your faith in God no matter how it looks and no matter what they say. Don't allow the tornado siren to detour you because there is a transition about to take place in your life but you have to trust God.
Remember you are where He wants you to be. It's not time to put your faith in the things you see but put to your faith in the God who holds you in His hand.
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