I'm Back

I just finished a two week break from... well, almost everything that didn't have to do with the ministry I am so fortunate to be a part of at www.discoverychurch.org in Orlando, FL.  I am now back and excited to be. 

 

The reason for the short sabbatical was to refuel, refresh and refocus.  The last six months of camps, consulting and joining the staff at Discovery with thElement Student Ministry I have been doing a great deal of "pouring" and not enough "filling" through reading and listening to teachings that continually develop and challenge me to grow in my relationship with Christ.  I began to fell empty and dry.  My hearts desire is that I would allow my heart and life to be filled with the things of God; those things that honor Him, please Him, point to Him... things that make Him famous!  

I love Luke 6:45 where it says that out of the overflow of my heart my mouth speaks.  I want to always "speak" love, truth, mercy, grace and all that God is, because I choose to fill myself with those things that are pleasing to God.

My prayer is that this blog encourages you, gives you a nugget here or there that will redirect you toward the purpose of Christ and not the purpose of people.  I pray that our passion would be deeper than our need for affirmation that we continue to run the race pressing on toward the prize set before us as Hebrews instructs instead of looking for the applause and recognition of men.  

Thank you to those of you who have continued to send me emails and phone messages to encourage me to continue posting.  I am praying for you, your family and ministry today!  

Living for Jesus & loving it!

Basic Student Ministry Tip 33 - Give

Many of us see a need and do nothing about it and when we do give it’s more superficial than sacrificial. Give of your time, energy, and strength. People, who really need you, need YOU, not your money. Financial giving is necessary and I believe in it whole-heartedly, but I don't believe we can measure financially the impact we can make on another person through the personal sacrifice of ourselves.

Something To Think About

"We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves." - Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Are you the same person in private that you are in public or do you wear a disguise?

Just A Volunteer

"The words "Just" and "Volunteer" should NEVER be used in the same sentence. It's because you just volunteer that people get led to Christ every day, and that the people who wonder what God has to offer can find out. So I thank you for "just volunteering" when you don't have to, when an extra hour of sleep is what you really want, yet you drag yourself out of bed to volunteer, Thank you."  Trey, College Student

Basic Student Ministry Tip 32 - Rest

TAKE TIME TO REST: 
Weariness is worn as a badge of honor, busyness is touted as a sign of importance, and "I am needed 24-7" is a defense mechanism that produces pseudo significance. - D. Salter

I am still focusing on REST & REFUEL!  So many of you "preach" this, but few put it into practice. Spend time with family, friends and those people who energize you today.  Believe it or not, life and ministry will continue if you take a break... you're not THAT important, sorry.

Basic Student Ministry Tip 31 - Refuel

For those who care for the souls of others, you need to find time to refuel your soul. Leaders often discover they are running on low and are trying to grow in their relationship with God from the fumes instead of fuel.  If you rely on Sunday to recharge and refuel your spiritual tank, you might want to consider finding another way. Most pastors and church leaders are often pulled in many different directions on Sunday making it a time of intense work rather than refreshing worship. 

 

Take time to talk with your pastor or church leaders to gain wisdom and suggestions on how to make sure you have a time of worship. Daily refueling is necessary, so is having a time each week to worship with a group of people who simply love Jesus and desire to grow.

Top Pick for Music Of The Month

Filled with passionate songs birthed in the furnace of worship, prayer and intercession, Desperation Band's first studio album is a powerful experience calling the body of Christ to mercy and justice. Light Up The World is a fresh new sound of worship from the Desperation Movement through which thousands of students have taken the Desperation Vow to wholeheartedly follow God. In a special partnership with Heartwork Uganda, this album is dedicated to being a source of mission preparation and funding for the building of orphanages in Uganda.