72 posts tagged “jesus”
Tonight was awesome, there was just something special happening tonight. I was standing in this room full of teenagers and we were singing songs of praise to God. When all of a sudden i stopped singing and just sat down and listened. I lost my breath, because as i just sat and listened I could hear ALL and i really mean all of the teens singing. It wasn't a group of teens mouthing the words, it was a group of believes pouring their hearts out to their Savior. I was in awe! Truly in awe of the Lord and what He was doing in this place. I have been in large groups of teens singing praises, but i had never seen so many hearts open to the Lord singing with every fiber of their being. It was truly an amazing moment. I only wish you could have been there to see and feel it. Almost indescribable.
After our Christ centered worship time we continued in our study on doubt. Here is what Dan taught on:
Bottom Line: Faith grows when you learn how to view doubt through both what you know and what you’ve been through.
So what do you do when a doubt is too big? How do you handle a doubt that you just can’t seem to move past? You look back. You draw on the things you do know, the things that God has shown you. The things you have learned about Him in the past, both through information and experience. And you hang on to those things you do know, even when you’re left with questions about the things you don’t. Once we are able to see what God has done and is doing through both our experience and our knowledge, we are better equipped to manage the doubt.
Scripture:
Psalms 13:1-2 & 5-6
Psalms 71:16-17
It was an amazing night and I had a great time with my small group we went about a half an hour of time while discussing this topic. It really hit home to my girls and they had a lot to say and ask. They are awesome. Each and every week I have just grown deeper and deeper in love with these teens and this awesome ministry!
Raise your hand if you’ve ever doubted God. Everyone got their hands up? That’s because it’s human nature to doubt. It’s just in us to ask questions and to reevaluate. A lot of times doubt gets a bad wrap because of its ability to make us negative, and because we think once we start to entertain it our entire system of belief will collapse. But doubt, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. When used in the proper way, doubt helps us formulate an authentic and personal faith. That’s why it’s important to learn to express our doubts to others and to deal with them in the context of Christian community, so that God can work with our doubts to help strengthen our faith.
Tonight we started a new series on Doubt. Who among us don't have doubt? And i know that it's something most teenagers deal with. I am super excited to see what Pastor Dan will be teaching and how this will effect the teens. We started out the night with a fun game of "Human Knots" The kids loved it and all the teams except for one was able to undo their knot. In the end everyone had a great time, even if it was hard.
Our church has been going through the book of Ephesians each Sunday and the series has been called "Life Rocks". Learning how to take a life that is on the rocks and turning it into a life that ROCKS! Pastor Todd Clark has been doing an amazing job over the past few weeks, but this morning Pastor Scot Irwin preached and man was it powerful and convicting! We went verse by verse through Ephesians 4, learning about having friendships/relationships that Rock!
Scot gave us five "rocks" to build on:
1. Live Authentically (Eph. 4:25)
2. Respond Patiently (Eph. 4:26-27)
3. Act Selflessly (Eph. 4:28)
4. Speak Positively (Eph. 4:29-31)
5. Live Graciously (Eph. 4:31-32)
I need a lot of work in each of these areas!
He stressed living a life of GIVING not TAKING from others. And one big thing that hit home to me was that we need to build a new strong foundation on Christ to be able to put these "rocks" to good use. Because if you put these "rocks" on a weak and weathered foundation, it will only crumble. But if these "rocks" are put on the firm foundation of Christ you will be living the life God meant for you to live. A life that truly ROCKS! Thanks Scot for letting the Lord speak through you in such a powerful way. I needed to hear this sermon!
Love Jesus and worship Him with your Life!
From the days of John the
Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing,
and forceful men lay hold of it.
Matthew 11:12
It’s easy for all of us to unconsciously slip into
the mentality that our words, thoughts and actions only affect us.
That it is only our
world and our kingdom
that is affected. But there is a much bigger picture! Whenever we
make decisions in our lives to live in the kingdom of God, we are
participating in God’s ultimate plan to bring the kingdom of God
permanently to this world. Every time we make “upside down”
decisions, we are demonstrating to a watching world what it will be
like one day when God makes everything right once again. Every
decision matters and affects a much larger picture.
That is what we talked about tonight at youth group. It was our last night in the "Upside Down" series. This series has been eye opening and challenging for the students as well as for myself. Truly making me think about how i live my life and what changes i need to make. We didn't have very much small group time tonight, but that was ok, because Pastor Dan had a great message and even an awesome video for us to watch. The night was powerful.
We started out with a giant game of "Guess Who?" and then had a special guest lead us in worship. Ben Kolarcik, our worship pastor lead us in worship tonight. It was awesome, I love to hear him on Sunday mornings, and it was a treat to have him at Canvas tonight. The kids really enjoyed it as well, it was most defiantly a blessing! Thanks Ben for taking time out to be at Canvas tonight!
Tonight was another powerful night at Discovery Church. It is amazing to see God moving in teenagers lives.
Tonight was Sienna's first night at AWANA. If you don't know what AWANA is here is a brief description:
Equipping Churches and Parents to Raise Christ-Following Kids for Life
Awana helps churches and parents worldwide raise children and youth to know, love and serve Christ! We do this through:
- Fully integrated programs for ages 2 to 18
- The best evangelism tools to reach unsaved children, youth and families
- Teaching that builds an enduring biblical faith
- Resources bringing churches and parents together to disciple the next generation
- Initial and ongoing volunteer training
- Healthy mentor and peer relationships
- Dynamic fun for children, teens and adults alike!
Daniel took her tonight and stayed to see how she would do. While I got to stay home and rest. Which was a blessing because i needed the rest, however i missed being able to be a part of this very big first in Sienna's life. However when Sienna got home tonight, she came running to me, wanting to tell me all about her night. I am looking forward to seeing what God does with Sienna in AWANA. I am super excited about her memorizing scripture and and digging deeper into knowing Christ as her personal Savior.
If you have a small child you need to check out if there is a AWANA club near you. You and your child will be blessed through it.
Meet my small group, photographed to the left. They are a mix of ages and personalities, however they all get a long and seem to really connect with each other. They go to differnt schools, have different hobbies and would other wise never really associate with each other. This is such a great way to broaden their friend base and learn that God created everyone to be different. I can't wait to get to know them more and build relationships with them.
Tonight I lead games again, i think i might be the official games person! Super excited about that! We played "Musical Chairs" my way! hehe! Which meant that each person wasn't trying to get a chair, but instead trying to get as many people in one chair as possible. This way they work together, instead of against each other. We started out with 30 chairs and 50 kids. We ended with six kids on just one chair. However I'm pretty sure if they did it again they could have gotten 10 kids on one chair. Most defiantly a game we need to play again!
Tonight was Discovery Church's High School Ministries (Canvas) Open House. We had youth group as usual, however the parents got to be included and see how we run our Wednesday Nights. It was beyond awesome to meet the parents and make connections. To both Daniel and I all these kids are new and so are their parents, so i loved the opportunity to meet their parents now and start building relationships not only with the teens but their parents as well. The best surprise of the night was Russell Wood a teen from our old youth group came with his mom and sister to check out our youth group. He wants and needs a place to fellowship with teens and learn more about Jesus. I was so excited to see him there and I am hoping that he will call Canvas home!
Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Titus 2:3-5
I have so loved being a part of our new church, Discovery Church. and am so pleased to be used by God in their Student Ministries. Daniel and I have dived in and are really loving these kids and the ministry of this church. Well this group is much bigger then our old group. I was used to having about 10 to 15 kids to get to know, care about and disciple. Well now there are about 50. I am excited that we will be starting small groups this week and i will be getting my own little group of high school girls. Instead of trying to connect with each and every kid. So with such a large group and being a new leader it's been a little hard to get to know people. So i decided to invite a few girls to have ice cream and hang out. Well I had hoped and prayed that God would bring at least five girls to Cold Stones tonight. Well God being God he answered my prayer and took my small request and went above and beyond. To my shock and surprise 13 girls showed up just to hang out! I didn't even think that many girls even knew who i was.
Do everything without complaining or arguing,so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:14-18
Canvas was AWESOME tonight! This group of teens are on fire and ready to learn more, be more and shine like stars for Christ. I am in awe of what God is doing at this youth group. Six months ago there were about 15 to 20 teens now we are averaging 40 to 50 on Wednesday nights! God is bringing teens to Discovery church and they are coming back to hear the word of God. That just takes my breath away! Also there are a handful of kids who meet before youth group just to pray for what will happen that night. No one told them to do it, leaders aren't even invited. They came up with it on their own and spend 30 minutes in prayer before we meet. I just can't get over these kids and how much they want to honor God. And i am so excited to be a part of all of it. Praise God for this group and the honor of getting to know these amazing kids.
Tonight i lead games again, I really hope i get to keep doing this. The kids have so much fun and I love getting to do it! We played "I've Never" with a new twist. We set up chairs in a huge circle, however there was one less chair then there were people. The person in the center would say something they had never done. And then anyone who had done that thing had to get up and find a new chair. The person left with out a chair had to pop a balloon with a task inside and then complete it. The best one was "Sing I'm a Little Tea Pot, with all the motions". The entire room sang with the kid and it made for a hilarious and great moment. At the end of the game the kids wanted to keep playing. This one is so a keeper for another time.
After games we enjoy worship and then a message from Pastor Dan on Philippians 2:15. He challenged all of us to shine for Christ in this dark world. And talked about how it's hard sometimes when you feel like no one can see, but Christ will use you no matter what the situation. The messages that Dan has been preaching seem to be really sinking in with the kids, not to mention how i feel like they are all speaking to me. I left Canvas tonight thinking about how i just can't wait until next week. It is so awesome to be excited and on fire about Student Ministries again. Satan you did not win, God is using me in this place and His kingdom is growing! AMEN!
If you want encouragement, study and time well spent? Then get on http://thenines.leadnet.org/ they are putting on "Conference" like event today on their website. There are hundreds of pastors and leaders who will be speaking for nine minutes each. They are equipping leaders with real and tangible ideas and encouragement. Being a new leader in a new church, this has been beyond helpful and insightful. I have spent most of my morning listening to great speakers and pastors. I have been extraordinarily blessed in just a few hours. So get out your bible and note book and start taking down notes. Check it out today, even if you only can sit and watch one. But i would challenge you to cut out some time to learn more about what God has planned for you as a leader in HIS church.
Thanks Pastor Todd Clark for getting the word out about this event. I know this is how i will be spending most of my day, well at least until i go to Youth Group tonight :).
