Servolution / Rockwall Missions

This past week (June 22-29) we took a group of amazing selfless hardworking teenagers on a missions trip to our home town. We want to revolutionize the way we see missions. When most people here the term “Missions trip” we usually think of going to Africa or India or Asia. I think going to all those places to serve people and spread the love of Christ is amazing but God really put in on our heart to meet the needs right here in our own city, and that is exactly what we did ……

Here is an overview of what we did and the ministries we worked with

Monday – Worked with Helping Hands of Rockwall
Our team was split into groups. Some worked in the food pantry, Some worked in the thrifts store sorting clothes, Cleaning donations and some were in the back taking the donations as they came in

Tuesday – We worked with Care Center Ministries in Dallas
This first day with Care center we worked with an outreach they have called “The Basket” They feed over 100 families 2x per week and for some of the families this it he only food they get. We prepared for the basket which takes place on Wednesdays We organized food and prepared the boxes to be giving out the next day

In the Evening we wen to a nursing home in Garland and brought dessert to the Senior Citizens. We also hung out and played bingo with them

Wednesday – We continued to work with Care Center Ministries. On this day the families came to get the food from the basket. Half our group mingled with the people while the others walked to the food to the cars and prayed for the people

Wednesday night we had our summer kickoff party at Paradigm

Thursday – This was our final day working with Care Center Ministries. We went to local apartment compelxes that they have built relationships with and went door to door telling the people about the church and praying for any needs they had

Thursday night we worked with the Pregnancy Resource Center in Rockwall – We helped build binders (over 1000 sheet) and part of our group went and cleaned their offices.

Friday – Fun Day at Six Flags and then Debriefing back at the church

When Something is Nothing

For the past month God has had me meditating on a scripture that has really made me think and has really challenged me. The scripture is John 15:5 ….  ”Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing”    At first glance it seems like a basic scripture that is common sense, but the more you think about it the more challenging it gets.  I began to think “What about the guy who is the CEO of a company, and is making millions but isn’t a follower of Christ”   he is doing something isn’t he?  This is where it gets more challenging.  If we interpret this situation through he word then biblically speaking all of this persons accomplishments or well doings ar still considered nothing.  it makes me think…. how may people are doing something but because it wasn’t God inspired but rather man inspired, God still sees it as nothing.. I want my life to be something, to count for something to make a difference for someone and to have substance.  it doesn’t have to be a life of fame or a life that is in the limelight.  I just want to live a life is substance, i want to make a difference, I want to serve my saviour.  so the challenge of the scripture summed up is this.   Just become you are doing something doesn’t mean you are doing SOMETHING!.

3 Resons Why I love Which Which

I went to which which yesterday to meet with one of the interns for lunch. I love eating at which which for many reasons but here are my top 3

1. Lemon Juice Packets  (I put it in my DrPepper.. It’s soooo good)

2. Mrs Vickies Chips  (I wish I could find these in big bags)

3. I like writing my order on the bag  (they always get my order right this way)

My only complaint about which which is even thought they have deliscious sandwhiches I always seem to leave still hungry

My Son Is A Rockstar

My son loves music… its seems like he always has.  He constantly plays the air guitar.  Andrew Nemeth (projectnemeth.com) gave him a little toy guitar (which he calls his “Guit”) and he is always wanting to play with our Guitar Hero guitar regardless of weather the game is on or not. Definetly a rock star in the making!  On a more serious note, 2 summers ago at YFN liz was pregnant with Gavin and one of  the interns prophesied over Gavin while he was still in the Womb and said that he was going to be a worshiper and a muscian.  I know it is still too soon to tell but it sure seems like it’s heading that direction.  Regardless I love my son more than I ever thought was imagineable and he is a Definate Rockstar in my books!

Elevate

Tonight at LakeShore we started something new!! It’s called elevate, not Elevate service, just Elevate. What it is, is a time of corporate prayer and worship. It was a great time. I honestly didn’t know how many people would show up because our early morning prayer gatherings we used to have weren’t greatly attended, but then again they were at 6:30am. My guess is that there were around 300 people that showed up to pray, seek the face of the Lord and to worship their creator. I was very pleased with the turnout and also the participation. Prayer is a powerful thing! I think sometimes we get so used to doing things on our own and we leave prayer and ultimately God out of our lives. We need to be people of Prayer. When we pray, God moves on our behalf! All in all a great night. Afterwards about 20 of went and raided Braums for some good food and ice cream!

I will leave you with the prayer focus for the Night. Our Senior Pastor challenged us to take the same prayer focus from tonight and pray one focus each day. The focus came from the acrostic WATCH. I am not a big fan of acrostics but he is… so here it is

1. World – Prayer for missionaries, Peace of Jerusalem and World Issues

2. America – Prayer for Our Goverment and Country

3. The Lost – Prayer for our lost friends, family members and coworkers

4. Church – Prayer for Church leadership and unity in the body

5. Home – Prayer for marriages, children and unity in the home

One Person Can Make a Difference

The Video speaks for itself….

People may look at your weird at first for doing something out of the ordinary…..but it may not be too long after that they are joining you…. It only takes one person to step out and initiate change

Core Issues

I believe that our Character reveals the Core issues of our heart. Character is something I have always been passionate about while at the same time something I am constantly working on in my own life.  I want to be sure that I am the same person at home as I am at church. I want to be a man who models a genuine God Loving/ God fearing relationship. I don’t ever want to teach one thing and deliberately do another.  A quote that has always stuck with me that has challenged me to pursue good character is this. ” You teach what you know but you reproduce who you are”

AW Tozer says that character is revealed by these seven things:

1.     What we want most

2.     What we think about most

3.     How we use our money

4.     What we do with our leisure time

5.     The company we enjoy

6.     Whom and what we admire

7.     What we laugh at

You think that you are doing pretty good until you read a list like this!  I have to admit, after answering these question for my own life, I am convicted and have some work to do! Thank goodness for the Grace of God that allows us to deal with the Core issues!!

The Bubble

Today I was doing some thinking about my life. I love it. I think the thing that makes life so great regardless of where you are living is the people in it!! I have some great people that God has surrounded me with and allowed me to do life with. First and foremost my family… I have an amazing wife and the best son a father could ask for… secondly an incredible church family with some really genuine people who really love God in a real way…  I am the youth pastor at our great church and I work with a great group of people, it is so encouraging and healthy to work with such a great group of people… Looking at all the relationships in my life and looking at my schedule as a youth pastor, I am around christian people most of the time.  I am not complaining at all but it does bring one challenge into my life…. “The Great Commission”  I want to reach the lost with the incredible message of Jesus but the challenge for my life is honestly finding time to establish relationships with people outside of my “bubble”  I don’t want to get so consumed with my world that i forget about the people in the dying world, the peole that Jesus went to the cross for.  I recnetly read a blog by Jonathan Dobson called “Simplified Missional Living” I found his ideas very insightful and practical for people who are in the same boat as me.  Here are a few ideas on how to stay in touch with non chrstians in a very practical relational way! I am going to start icorporating these in my life

Eat with Non-Christians

We all eat three meals a day. Why not make a habit of sharing one of those meals with a non-Christian or with a family of non-Christians? Go to lunch with a co-worker, not by yourself. Invite the neighbors over for family dinner. If it’s too much work to cook a big dinner, just order pizza and put the focus on conversation. When you go out for a meal, invite a non-Christian friend. Or take your family to family-style restaurants where you can sit at the table with strangers and strike up conversations. Have cookouts and invite Christians and non-Christians. Flee the Christian subculture.

Walk, Don’t Drive

If you live in a walkable area, make a practice of getting out and walking around your neighborhood, apartment complex, or campus. Instead of driving to the mailbox or convenience store, walk to get mail or groceries. Be deliberate in your walk. Say hello to people you don’t know. Strike up conversations. Attract attention by walking the dog, carrying along a 6-pack to share, bringing the kids. Make friends. Get out of your house! Last night I spent an hour outside gardening with my family. We had good conversations with about four of our neighbors. Take interest in your neighbors. Ask questions. Engage. Pray as you go. Save some gas, the planet, and some people.

Be a Regular

Instead of hopping all over the city for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places at the same times. Get to know the staff. Smile. Ask questions. Be a regular. I have friends at coffee shops all over the city. My friends at Starbucks donate a ton of leftover pastries to our church 2-3 times a week. We use them for church gatherings and occasionally give them to the homeless. Build relationships. Be a regular.

Hobby with Non-Christians

Pick a hobby that you can share. Get out and do something you enjoy with others. Try city league sports or local rowing and cycling teams. Share your hobby by teaching lessons, such as sewing, piano, knitting, or tennis lessons. Be prayerful. Be intentional. Be winsome. Have fun. Be yourself.

It’s time to pop the bubble.  Anyone else have any ideas? Please comment and let me know