Youth Worker Essentials Audio

Let me give you links to audio from our retreat...

Youth Worker Essentials by Bob MacRae
Profile of a Beloit Student by John Kaminski
Serving in the Strength God Supplies by Cory Williams

Youth Worker Essentials

The day went well! It was a busy day but I believe we all learned a little and were encouraged in our ministry roles today. I am working on getting the audio online so it can be downloaded and listened to. Check back soon.

Days Off

If you have faithfully kept with the DJ reading plan you should be experiencing some free days... I would recommend that you use this time to either read a shorter book of the bible (Amos, Philemon, Philippians, Ruth, etc...) or to go on in the reading to February... Don't lose momentum if you have developed a strategy I would hate to see you lose it one month in.

Just wanted to offer you that piece of advise.

Also if you have yet to start the reading plan it is never too late. It has been such a blessing to those that are reading and I encourage you highly to join us in reading through the bible in a year.

Acts 5- Getting Whooped On

The apostles had already been arrested and divinely busted out of prison. Now the religious officials decided to flog them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then this happened, "the apostles went away rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41).

What is with that? The closest thing that I can think of to an experience that I have had like that is fighting my brothers when I was younger. We would hit each other and if you wanted to make the other one mad you would giggle when they hit you and tell them that it tickled... We were faking it. But, something about this biblical account tells me that these guys weren't faking it. 

So how did they rejoice when they suffered? I will offer a couple suggestions that I draw from scripture.

First, I think they looked forward to the reward. Their king Jesus who they were suffering for taught them that they would be seen and rewarded. Matthew 6 says your Father in heaven sees and rewards. So, they had to believe that their whooping was being looked down on and even commended by their Father. These guys wanted nothing more than to make their heavenly father pleased. So, they gladly accepted getting beat up to stand up for his glory. 

Secondly, I think they thought about the effect that their beating had on people. When a christian suffers for the sake of their faith it has a transforming effect on onlookers. Imagine the effect that this would have on you? If someone got beat up because they wouldn't stop preaching in the name of Jesus then you would realize that Jesus must be worth it and there must be a reward that you can't see. I think Paul puts it best, "now I rejoice in what was suffered for you. I fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions, for the sake of the body, which is the church" (Colossians 1:24). What he is saying is that people that didn't witness Jesus on the cross and see how he was willing to suffer for people, can now see that physically manifest in the life of Christ's followers. Meaning, that when Christ followers suffer for Christ it shows the world the willingness of Christ to suffer for them. 

So my question to you this morning is are you willing to suffer for Christ? If your answer is no, is it because you don' t love Christ enough to suffer or is it because you don't think you will be repaid? An African missionary who suffered immensely on the mission field famously said, "I never sacrificed anything." What he meant is that being sick, and losing friends, and not having his comforts isn't a sacrifice when compared to the sacrifice of Christ and the reward that we get. You cannot out give God. He gives you Himself and even if following Him costs you everything your reward far outweighs your earthly discomforts. 

My challenge for all of us is to pray that we would treasure Christ. We should love Him so much that momentary discomforts get swallowed up into the thoughts of our eternal rewards. Then we will be freed to live courageously. We will become passionate evangelists and we will become courageous missionaries and the Gospel will spread and our faith will grow. Suffering is the mark of passionate Christ followers. 

Acts 5- Be Bold

In Acts the 5 the apostles are arrested and placed in prison... then in the middle of the night an angel broke them out of jail and gave them this bizarre command to go back to where they were arrested and "tell the people the full message of this new life." (Acts 5:17-21)

First off, I just have to note that they were so bold... the result of preaching in the public square was a whooping. They got beat on and flogged and they went away rejoicing that they were counted worthy of suffering for The Name. My question for us is... are we that bold? Would we speak up even if we knew it might cost us? If you can easily answer yes, or even maybe, then ask yourself, 'have you spoken up lately?' Having a treasure like eternal life with God is something that is meant to be shared. If you had the cure to cancer and kept it for yourself I would say you are an evil and selfish person. The same is true for Christianity. You have a cure for eternity. All sickness and decease and sin cured. No more tears. No more separation from God. How can we possibly keep that to ourselves? We should boldly proclaim that everyday in everyplace no matter the cost. So be bold!

But I see a second element that concerns me about this verse... 'tell the people the full message of this new life.' What is the full message? Can you outline the full message? Do you have a working definition of saving faith? If God put you in a situation to share would you have words to articulate the Gospel? We often talk about sharing our testimony and being ready. If you do not have your testimony figured out then I think that is a good place to start. 1) explain your  pre conversion life 2) Explain your conversion experience 3) Finally, tell others what life has been like since you joined Jesus' team. Sharing your testimony is as easy as 1-2-3. But, is that enough? Acts 5 doesn't say, 'share your story.' It says share God's story. So, we need to start figuring out what God's story is. Every christian should be ready to give the Gospel. I would say memorize Romans 3:23-25 and be ready to explain it. More Christians need to think through this. The reason why sharing is so scary is because so few know what to say. Search the scriptures to find the full message and write it down so you can share it when God puts you in the town square or the temple courts or in your school or at your job or with your friends. Be ready. Be bold.

Arrogance of Youth, Folly of the Old, Hatred of Prophets

I recently read some of my older articles and I just want you to know that I am treading as lightly as I possibly can... I realize that some of the things that I say can be controversial and offensive.

As I read them I want you to know that I am aware of the arrogance of youth. I am a young man and young men have a problem with recognizing that the world is big and they are small. That they don't know everything. Let me just say that I know that I know very little. I mean who would presume to 'rightly divide the word of truth' without having at least some hesitance. And I definitely feel the weight of 2 Cor 2:16 where Paul says, "who is sufficient for this!?" I am not the brightest star nor the most educated nor the most godly. So, read my articles carefully and with thought. Be a Berean that tests everything that I say against the bedrock of scripture. If you can't see how scripture warrants or backs up what I say then throw it out. Or even call me on it. I don't want to wander from the truth.

I also know the folly of the old. What I mean by that is not age but length. As Christians we can get into routine. We can become comfortable. Sin seems less threatening. God seems less glorious. Church is our social gathering and religious duty. Bible reading is flat and lacking vitality or even non existent. Our faith is not an active relationship with Almighty but a dead faith (James 2:17). So, sometimes I will say things to try to shake you to life. If you are playing in traffic I won't always gently say, "hey please don't play in traffic. It isn't best for you. If you don't want to get out of the traffic I understand and I will be your friend even if you stay in the street. But, please come over here on the sidewalk where it is safe so we can talk." That is a careless and wussy way to handle an extremely important situation. Sometimes the best thing to do is yell, "HEY GET OUT OF THE STREET!" Some will be offended because the tone was harsh and the message short. But, I would much rather explain my love after you are not about to get crushed by a bus. 

The hatred of the prophets is a third element that I want to bring into the light. Prophets were always hated because they called sin into question. They told people to turn to God and that is offensive but the most important message people need. I would say that all pastors have to have a little prophet in them. We have to stand up and declare to our people, "this is what God says." Or if you like an older rendering, "thus saith the LORD!" Sometimes we have to allow the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin through us. People will hate that and even resent the instrument that delivered the message but it is best for the people.

Let me end by saying I am a clay pot. A common ordinary household item that holds garbage or waste or dirt. But, I am pouring out the richest treasure the world has ever known... Jesus Christ. And I am living to please God and not man. Take all that into account when you read these articles.

 

Fighting Presumptious Sin

During communion at church today a verse came to me from recent reading... Psalm 19. There is a point at the end when David says, "Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression" (Psalm 19:12b-13).

Ok, I totally understand the hidden faults. He says in other places search me and see if there is any offensive ways in me (Psalm 139). I understand that in us there is a lot of bad things that we might not even be aware of. We can go on thinking that we are good people but when contrasted with a holy Jesus we are lacking. So, search us and reveal in us hidden sins, and forgive them Lord... but the next line is so bizarre to me. "keep your servant from willful sins; may they not rule over me" (vs 13a). David is praying against the sin that he knows is wrong and does it anyways. 

Friends memorize this verse and fight your 'old self' when he tempts you to sin in a way that you know is wrong. God keep us from willfully breaking your command... don't let our willful sins master us. 

Two things I want you to do with this. 

1) Memorize this verse so you can fight when your flesh leads you to sin.

2) Pray like David prayed... "keep me from willfully sinning. Don't let it master me.

If we learn how to do this we will become more like Jesus. We will be more successful in our sanctification. And we will draw closer to God.

Acts 5- What Kind of Church?

"... And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number" (Acts 5:12-14).

I can picture Luke reminiscing as he wrote about the church services he attended at Solomon's Colonnade. Isn't it strange that no one dared to join them? What's up with that?

Here is what I believe to be the reason why the others didn't dare join them. There was something supernatural that occurred when all the believers got together to worship. I mean it was a display of the Body of Christ and it was holy. It was different than a board meeting or a concert or a sporting event. This was spirit filled people getting together and the presence of the Lord was on them... lets not race over that. I will say it again. The presense of the LORD was on them. It makes me think of Moses on the mountain top with God in Exodus. The Israelites looked up and as the Glory of God descended to meet with Moses it looked like a fire consuming the mountain (Exodus 24:17). The appropriate response of the Israelites was that they didn't want to go near the mountain. In fact when Moses came down they made him cover his face with a veil because he was glowing just from being near the glory of God.

That is how church should be. The glory of God resting on the body of believers like a consuming fire. When an onlooker heard or saw this gathering they wouldn't dare join them (vs 13). I am not going near because I could be consumed by the fire. I am not sure if I am Holy enough to come anywhere near where God is... Yet they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and were added to their number (vs 14). 'Ah, those were the days,' I could see Luke saying. And I also say that in my head as I read.

But, what would it take to see that happen again? It isn't an ideal in history that can never be repeated... I believe that is God's desire for church every Sunday in every city. But what hinders that? First off I would say a lack of faith. We hardly believe that church would have been that powerful in bible times let alone in Beloit in 2009. So friends we must fight the fight of faith... believe that God is living and mighty and consistent with scripture. Believe that if we would take God seriously that He would be honored to show Himself mighty. Secondly, the reason I believe church is so flat is because we lack holiness. God does not honor his temple if it is defiled. He removes His spirit from the Churches that do not pursue holiness(Rev. 2). We can hardly expect God to descend like a consuming fire on a bunch of defiled sacrifices.

So, friends... let us prepare our hearts for Sunday morning. Let us do our work at the cross before we even come into the temple. Golgotha, where the cross was located, is outside of the city. Not in the temple. So we need to do our work of repentance and confession before we enter into the temple. "Let us go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore" (Hebrews 13:13). Take our sin to the cross before we even go to church. So that God would be pleased to attend the temple. Then, let us attend church with faith that He will make His presence known. We should pray that what happens at church is unexplainable. We shouldn't expect everything to go according to plan. We shouldn't expect church to be predictable. It should cause us to tremble.

Lastly, it is out of that sort of holy relationship with the Almighty that service and community outreach and evangelism happen. When the believers have it right first then numbers were added and they were highly regarded by all the people. When we put the priorities on adding numbers first and being highly regarded first then we endanger ourselves of loosing our treasure (Jesus Christ) and becoming a successful philanthropic organization. Which many churches have done. Programming takes the place of the spirit and outreach takes the place of spirit lead evangelism and community service takes the place of regard and respect for godly people. It is a danger that we cannot afford. When I read Acts I desire that we would repent and return to former ways. I ask for the spirit to move in my life so I can experience what those believers in Solomon's Colonnade experienced. And I pray that church would be anointed like that. Imagine what church could be like? It would blow our minds. I am praying for that.

How Do You Read?

Reading the bible is a daunting task... we are encouraging our church(including students) to read the Discipleship Journal Bible reading plan in a year. But, we also recognize the difficulties that confront personal time with God in the Word. Here is an excerpt from J.I. Packer's Knowing God

They tell us that the Bible is the Word of God- a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. They tell us that we shall find in it the knowledge of God and of his will for our lives. We believe them; rightly, for what they say is true. So we take our Bibles and start to read them. We read steadily and thoughtfully, for we are in earnest; we really do want to know God.

But as we read we get more and more puzzled. Though fascinated we are not being fed. Our reading is not helping us; it leaves us bewildered and, if truth be told, somewhat depressed. We find ourselves wondering whether Bible reading is worth going on with.

This is written by a theologian that knows the Word better than most... So what hope does an average person have with a Bible? What Packer goes on to say is that a big problem with reading the Bible is the disconnection most readers have from Bible. Like an outsider looking in... What he suggests is that God does not change so his Word is the same for us in 2009 as it was for Moses thousands of years ago. We need to inject ourselves into the Word as we read. We need to realize that God didn't just speak thousands of years ago but he is speaking to us today. Right now do you realize that God wants to have a word with you. He wants you to sit down and know a little bit more about Himself and His desire for your life. He reveals Himself to you through the Bible. So, bible reading is necessary if we want to know God more and essential if we want to sustain a relationship. Communication is vital in a relationship so we must recognize how vital it is for our understanding of God. 

Here is my word of encouragement... as you sit down with your bible ask God to speak to you. Sure you could read the bible all year and have a great understanding of people and places and what not, but that is not the point. Scribes and pharisees knew the Bible. We want to know the God of the Bible. So, spend some time with Him today.

Thoughts From Psalms

We recently read Psalm 15 in the reading through a bible in a year... When I landed on the first two verses it hit me... "LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill" (vs 1)? Do you feel the weight of the questions? Do you understand the nature of verse one? Who is going to get to be with you LORD? Who could possibly dwell in your presence? I have lived 26 years and have yet to find someone who can stand in the presence of the LORD. David(the author of Psalm 15) I am sure was older and experienced more and saw more upright people... So, he begs the question 'who can dwell with you? Who can be where you are? Remember Moses said of the mountain of the Lord no one should approach the mountain. No one should even touch the base of the mount of the LORD. "Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death" (Exodus 19:12). There is a Holiness about God that draws us to the question, "who can stand in His presence?"

The answer was given to David in verse 2 and on, "He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous." The man who pursues righteousness and holiness. Hebrews 12:24 says, without holiness... no one will see God." Or, when Jesus spoke He said, "blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8).

How are you pursuing holiness? I'll be honest my strategy is clinging to the cross. I can try my hardest to be righteous but even my best efforts are filthy (Isaiah 64:6). So, I beg Jesus to be my righteousness. I know that is such a weird thing but it is the beauty of the Gospel. My hardest effort to be holy is laughable. It is pathetic. Imagine a 5 year old telling his family that he is going to move to the moon and start a successful business... It is cute. But, it isn't going to happen. That's how it is with righteousness. I can tell God that I will be holy but my best efforts will not make me holy. That is why Jesus is so precious. He is our only hope at salvation. He is the only way that I can be in the presence of the Holy One. He is the only way that I can be righteous. He is our righteousness. "I do not have a righteosness of my own that comes from the law, but that wich is through faith in Christ- the righteosness that comes through God and is by faith" (Philippians 3:9). Jesus freely gives us his righteousness when we trust him by faith. We can not earn a right standing with God. He freely gives righteousness so that no one can boast of his goodness (Ephesians 2:9).

Now let me add a word of warning. If you hear what I just said as a license to sin then you are taking a rope meant to be swung on and hanging yourself. You are killing yourself if you think that because you are freely justified you can freely continue to sin without consequence. When you continue to sin you harden your heart toward God and one day you will seek repentance with tears and will not find it. Like Esau in Hebrews 12. "There is a sin that leads to death" (1 John 5:16), and that is a sin that is not forgiven... a habitual breaking of the Lords commandments and presuming His grace leads to a heart that doesn't seek forgiveness and therefore doesn't receive forgiveness. 

The way that we relate to God is through a deep respect and love for what was achieved on the cross at a great cost. Jesus gives us his righteousness and takes our punishment. We gain access to the holy hill... we get to stand in God's presence. What a reward! We are blessed!

Great Fear Seized the Church- Acts 5

This is a problem text... I mean if you have a civil, easy going, carefree picture of God in your head then Acts 5 will certainly upset your view of Him. Two believers sell a field and hold back some of the proceeds. But, what they didn't hold back they lay at the foot of the apostles to distribute to those that have needs.

But, because they hold some back they are immediately executed by God. 

Let me point out a few things that should make you squirm a little. First, think about the fact that this is 5 chapters into Acts. This is only 3 chapters away from the start of the early church!? Ananias and Sapphira probably heard Peter preach in Acts 2 and most likely were baptised.... Ananias and Sapphira would have been counted as church goers by me and you. In fact, their devotion of selling their land probably puts them into a category of serious church folk in our books. I mean they sold land and gave the proceeds away. Sure, they kept some back but which of us wouldn't do that? 90/10 would be fair right. God I will give you 90 percent and only keep back a portion... sounds legit to me. (I am just speculating that the ratio would of been that high because they claim, 'that is all of the money for the land.' I am assuming that the amount they laid at the feet was close to the amount the field would actually sell for meaning they only held back a small enough amount to hopefully be unnoticeable.)

But they lied to the Holy Spirit. They stole from God. They neither feared Him or respected Him. Their hearts weren't right. They had the religious out workings of 'christianity' but they were far from God. And to make a very legitimate and justified point... they die.

This isn't a first and certainly not the last time that such an event occurs. Arron has two sons that suffer the same death sentence when they offer an unauthorized fire on the alter and were consumed by fire from God... When Moses comforted Aaron his remark was, ""This is what the LORD spoke of when he said:  'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored." Aaron remained silent"(Lev. 10:3). Or take for example Uzzah who reached out to steady the ark of the covenant and God's anger burned against Uzzah for his irreverent act; therefor the LORD struck him down beside the ark (2 Sam 6). 

Saying that God isn't like that anymore doesn't work for me. Obviously Acts 5 is a new testament account of the same holy God pouring out with expedience his wrath against men. So, what can we take from this? My suggestion is a healthy fear of God. And I mean shake in your boots fear. I do not mean simply respect although that is surely part of it. But, fear fear. God should illicit the same response in you as He has on the most astute christians like Isaiah... "Woe is me! I am ruined!" That should be your response to reading Acts 5... not a bold argumentative, 'that is not fair God!' Because what would be fair is if He executed that sort of judgement on all men immediately... what is unbelievably not fair is the fact that you deserve that sort of quick punishment but God settled your account on Calvary and is exhibiting great patience with you even today as you continue to sin. He took the swift judgement that you deserve and poured it out in anger and wrath on His son. That is incredibly not fair. That is grace. 

It is awesome that I am not incinerated right now as I sit at my computer right now totally unholy and unworthy to speak about such lofty things. It is incredible that even though your flesh tries to justify you as you read this article that God doesn't bring about justice. God is gracious and slow to anger. He is storing up His wrath for the day of judgement and I think it would be best to get right with Him today while you still have a day. And remember this is for the newbie to the faith and the pastor of 40 years. Because we are told to take up our cross daily. Today we die. Tomorrow we will do the same. Let fear lead you to crucify your wicked flesh. Use Acts 5 to as your example of how to respond to a Holy God, "Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events" (Acts 5:11). Fear is an appropriate response so let me show you some other verses to confirm that God is to be feared:

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). 

"And now, O' Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good" (Deut. 10:12-13).

"The LORD confides in those who fear him; He makes His covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14).

"Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise" (Psalm 111:10).

"Be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24).

Friends, the bible is clear on the matter that we serve a holy God that is to be feared. It would do us well to approach His throne with trembling and repent of our sins while the offer is still being made available. This is not scare tactic evangelism. This is reality.

Choose Wisely

I know that most of my students aren't reading as much as they could be... And I also admit that I have not always been a book worm. I actually have went through many seasons. There are seasons where I read a lot and there are seasons that I read nothing but the bible. The past four or five years was a relatively bookless time in which I read nothing. But, the end of last year and this year I have done a whole lot of reading. What I want to encourage is not necessarily read a lot. But, choose your books wisely. And, let me also say that reading is not a necessary way to grow closer to God... I am saying that very carefully because I think that for so many reading christian literature has had a profoundly huge effect on their spiritual growth. All that to say, if you are going to read make sure you are picking quality books.

Spurgeon says, "Forgo the many books that are 'made to sell.'" Meaning that we shouldn't just go to the bookstore and grab the book that is clearly made to peak your interest. Many authors and publishers are trying to come up with a novelty that they can sell. Something new or fresh. A book with a cool design on the cover and the right accolades on the back to entice you. Avoid those books. And he also says that we should master good books and not read everything... "A student will find that his mental constitution is more effected by one book thoroughly mastered than by twenty books which he has merely skimmed." When you have struck gold with a book master it. Take notes, use a study guide if available, read and re read it. In the words of Spurgeon, "bathe in them until they saturate you."

Here is an excerpt from Feed  My Sheep:

Time is too precious to waste on nonsense. Read more for eternity than time, more for spiritual growth than professional advancement. Think of John Trapp’s warning: “As water tastes of the soil it runs through, so does the soul taste of the authors that a man reads.”

Feed My Sheep Review

I am a youth pastor by trade and call... Also, I am a rookie. This means that over the past year I have really dove into figuring out what it means to 'neglect the ministry of the word for waiting tables' (Acts 6:2). Clearly the apostles put a premium on preaching the word. In youth ministry preaching can easily become secondary. So, I have read several books on the topic. This is my most recent and encouraging read on the biblically mandated call to preach the word. 

I loved Feed My Sheep because it isn't a 'how to' manual. It isn't a pragmatic approach to preparing sermons. It was a breath of fresh air to me because in my opinion there are so many people publishing the need to prepare and present in such and such a way. If you follow a three point strategy, or one point strategy, or s.c.c.o.r.e. strategy you will be a successful youth pastor preacher. I am all for the practical but what my soul needs most is a passionate plea to be faithful to the word. Drink deep of the word and proclaim it boldly to your students. That is what Feed My Sheep accomplished for me.

One of the best aspects of this title is that it is actually a collection of several prominent preacher's thoughts on the topic. So, even though there is one theme running throughout, it doesn't get old because each person brings a new perspective to the topic.

If you are interested in the ever important task of preaching then I encourage you to read this book, or at least recommend it to pastors and teachers so they can be refreshed like I was by reading it.

Read This Book

As I stared blankly at my open bible during my lunch break, I mumbled these words, 'I wish I knew this thing like Bunyan.' 

There is a book called Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan that I believe every person should read at least once in their life. I am not going to say much about the book here but I will share with you some thoughts that I had over lunch break...

John Bunyan was an uneducated tinker.... even the name of his profession sounds insignificant. He was a tinker. But when this insignificant tinker was captured by the magnificence of the Gospel, God did some amazing things with this man. Bunyan became a preacher. The Word of God captivated Bunyan and he felt compelled to preach. There was a problem though... Church and state were very closely weaved and heavily legislated. Bunyan was committed to preaching the whole counsel of God and was imprisoned for it because he was a nonconformist. Meaning he would neither get a certificate for preaching nor change his message.

So, they threw him in prison. For nearly 12 years Bunyan sat in the confines of a cell. Imagine in school suspension but drag that out for months then years. Every day the same story, wake up in a cell, maybe exercise a little, eat drink, think, maybe do a few assigned chores. How did he spend all of his time? Surely there was a lot of down time and he didn't have the luxury of watcing dvds. What would preoccupy his thoughts as he clearly wasted away in a prison? I am sure of one thing. He poured himself over the bible. He became a master of one Book. The bible. He knew the nuances. He read it over and over again I am sure as he sat in prison removed from his family, friends, and church. He probably didn't consult very many commentaries to understand the bible. He probably just begged God to give the meaning. In a way I feel that Bunyan's theology is very pure. A simple man caught up in the majesty of God and wrestling with the mysteries of our faith. Out of that time in prison a book came into being. The Pilgrim's Progress which is an allegory of a Christian's faith journey. 

Given the background of Bunyan's story I sat at my kitchen table and thought about how I handle the Word. I am only speculating but I don't know if Bunyan consulted many extra sources beyond the bible. I actually picture him so in love with the word that it falls out of him onto the pages as he penned Pilgrim's Progress. There are hundreds and hundreds of passages of scripture surgically implanted into the book. The only way that he could possible have written like that is if the bible was part of him. If it was ingrained in his thoughts. So, I want to know the bible like him. I am thankful for the DJ reading plan and how it helps us in the words of John Stott, 'to survey the rolling landscape of scripture.' I am thankful that our church is reading through the bible. I am thankful that there are people like Bunyan out there giving us a goal to be like. I want to know the bible like him. Because I want to know God like he did. So... read Pilgrim's Progress because it will inspire you to be a student of the Word.

A Little Too Friendly With The Enemy- Acts 4

The believers in Acts had no desire to court the world... they weren't strategizing about how to engage the government officials with the gospel or think of creative ways to draw crowds... They weren't using their energies to pander to the world. They actually prayed to God using Psalm 2.

Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand

and the rulers gather together

against the Lord

and against his Anointed One.

The point of the psalm is that the world is opposed to our King Jesus. It is not a popular message to bid the world, "come and die," or, "humble yourself so that God can raise you up," or the most offensive one, "submit to Jesus." That is like a punch in the face to a worldling's ego. So, the believers prayed, "consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness... after their prayer, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly" (Acts 4:29,31). They weren't pleading to have God make their message more appealing. They weren't groveling that God would make the task easier. What they were saying was, 'even if we have to die, make us bold! If it gets harder and we are all getting martyred, don't let us chicken out!' God honored their prayer with His presence, the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God boldly.

Here is my question for you... are you bold for Jesus? Not annoying, some "christians" are annoying... but are you BOLD? Will you openly talk about Jesus and proclaim Him even though the world is opposed? The nations plot against Him. Satan is the prince of the earth and we live in his domain. He hates Jesus. So, are we befriending our enemy? Or are we proclaiming the Gospel boldly in the face of suffering. I have a better inheritance and an abiding one! Take my life! Make my day! Usher me into the courts of heaven. Spew your venom on me and earn me a bigger crown... Let's man up to the gospel and be willing to be bold like the early church was... bold enough to live this thing out.

Are you willing to separate yourself from the world? I know that seems closed minded and legalistic and many other negative things. But, I am sick of Christians playing the relevant card. People want to be relevant so they adopt the pattern of the world to try to minister to the world. I am not sure that works. Like the example of evange-dating. We would never tell students to date someone that isn't a believer with hopes that they can be converted. It doesn't work. You end up doing things that you shouldn't and giving Christianity a bad rep because there is no noticeable difference. So, I think we should do what the bible calls us to and be "called out" and "sent in." Called out of the world to be noticeably different and even opposed, and sent in to be missionaries to our families and friends and coworkers. 

Here is my point. Don't date the world and call it ministry. Don't justify your worldliness by saying you are relevant. Be different. Be bold. In the end that will save more people than any carnal approach you can possibly take. Let's pray that God would make us bold. Pray that we would proclaim Him... and we wouldn't change our strategy because it is hard but we would trust God that He will draw men to himself.

The Beauty of DJ Reading Plan

When I first read through the bible in a year several years ago it was because my parents got me a One Year Bible for Easter. It was awesome. In fact that is where my focused time with God was spent for a couple years... When I was in Florida I would just leave my bible opened to the appropriate date on my desk... It was easy. I just plopped down and read. When I missed a day I would skip it and turn to where I was supposed to be. I got familiar with the Bible over those years.

But, I love the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan for many reasons... one is I am very likely to miss a day. So, instead of having to make it up if I want to understand the story, the DJ plan only has 25 readings a month. So, I can miss a couple times and still not get behind. Then if I keep up I have extra days that I can do any number of things with. I can meditate on a verse, I can take a question that came up earlier in the month and pursue it deeper. I can study a book in the bible that I haven't read in a while, etc...

That's a great reason but the real reason why I wanted to write this is... when you read the DJ reading plan you start with a gospel every day all year. So, your mind is thinking Christ at the very beginning. Then you begin to see Him in every verse that you read. So, when you are reading in Genesis and seeing the wrath of God being poured out on say Sodom and Gomorrah you are thinking about the grace of Christ and the extreme patience of God that He didn't do that to everyone. We are wicked like them but you have been spared because of the Grace and provision of Jesus. I think it is so important to see the thread of Jesus in the whole bible. Jesus when talking to his disciples on the road to Emmaus, "explained to them what was said in the all the scriptures concerning himself" (Luke 24: 27). So, Jesus points out that all the scriptures are talking about and directing us to Himself. Then when Jesus is refuting the Jews he says, "you diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life" (John 5:39-49). There is a way to read scripture without seeing Christ and coming to Him. And, that is the wrong way. All the Scriptures testify about Jesus. Every single verse in the bible is meant to direct you to the Messiah on the the Cross. Jesus poured out. Absorbing the full wrath of God and providing a way to connect us with God.

So, as you read I hope you are blessed to have the right perspective. I hope you can see God's redemptive plan from even before creation. His absolute sovereign Grace weaved through the whole narrative of the bible. Be blessed friends. Drink deep in the well of the Word and pull out the richness of Christ and the magnificence that the Cross achieved for you.

Bible Reading- Spiritual Steroids

This year we are working through a bible reading plan as a church. I am not sure how many people are actually committed to this but I would be a miss if I didn't at least encourage it from every angle possible.

Let me just say that over the years having a bible reading plan has helped me immensely. I used to think that reading needed to be loose and free from any restrictions that would hold it back. I used to think that if you had specific things that you had to read it would become legalistic or a religious check mark... I will be very real in saying that those are very fine sounding arguments that Satan helped me form.

Free from structure is another way of saying not going to happen. If you have no game plan for what you are going to read then realistically you will habitually miss days. When you have no plan it is easy to slip. Days become weeks and then months and you actually end up signed on to a bible reading plan.... it's called not reading.

So, first off lets just put our reservations aside and try it. Give it a week and see if you don't feel swept up into the courts of heaven. You will be surprised at how quickly this will have an effect on your soul!

Here are some links lest you read this with good intentions of starting and then Satan distracts you before you can make it to your bible....
http://www.hopeingod.org/resources/images/1224.pdf
http://harvestnetinc.com/files/Downloads/BIble%20Reading%20Plan.pdf

Acts 3- Get Up And Walk

Have you ever argued yourself out of understanding the Holy Spirit? The common way to justify a lack of looking into the mystery of the Holy Spirit is to read the bible with the thought that the Holy Spirit only worked that way during a specific time period... Really? Even when I write that I begin to feel the heresy. It is so like us to dismiss God's ability so we don't have to wrestle with our lack of faith. 

We don't believe that God is still doing phenomenal healing and certainly not through someone like me. But what was unique about Peter and John? A couple of poor guys that followed Jesus and Jesus commissioned them to do His work... wow, sounds a lot like us. Some spiritually bankrupt people that God has chosen to be His instruments of grace to the world. And, Peter said, "look at us! ... silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk" (vs 4-8). 

As I picture you dear reader I see you as being spiritually lame... It is easy to fall into the category of sitting by the side of the road begging because you are lacking faith... You are lacking faith in Jesus and you are lacking faith in His ability to move in your life. If you are honest you relate way better to the lame man... So I say to you in the name of Jesus get up and walk! 

Stop writing off the Holy Spirit and His ability to work in your life and do amazing things through you. Stop laying around looking for a petty spiritual hand out. Get up and walk. Put your whole trust in Jesus and stop doubting the Spirit's ability to make you whole.

Youth Ministry Thoughts ... Continued

4. Community

A huge element to faith is relationship. It is hard to arrive at any sort of conclusion other than relationships help form Christian convictions. So, I think it is important to help students to develop relationships with their family, with their peers, with their youth workers, and with their youth pastor.

Family relationships need to be a part of our strategy and I believe this needs to be developed more in our ministry. We are working to train parents with seminars and conferences, provide resources to biblically train children, and host family nights to provide an opportunity to have parents and teens in the same place worshiping.

Relationships with peers happens on multiple fronts. We try to encourage relationships through free time during youth group, extra curricular activities like hanging out at Culver's after church, youth group trips, small groups, and the 9am class.

Relationships with youth workers happens at youth group and during the small group times... we try to encourage students to interact with their leaders and ask questions because we know that the relationship with older more mature Christians will have a profound impact on our students.

Relationship with the youth pastor happens obviously at youth group. And also through contacting (meeting one on one at the church or at a public place). 

We recognize the importance of these relationships in developing our students into Godly men and women. Community is the only context that many truths in the bible can be understood and we make an effort to nurture that community at CSM.

Evaluation pt 3

Here is where it gets recent... 2008 was such an incredible year for me. You might read about my many adventures and my rock star lifestyle that I used to live in 2007 and even before and then see my 2008 as being a boring youth pastor, but I actually traded up. When I took the job here at Central I was being blessed with an opportunity to mentor students. A whole lot different approach then doing an outreach. It is the opportunity to see someone on fire one week and then struggling the next. Having to help people understand the God of the bible and trust Him completely. It is the opportunity to counsel and lead by example. It has been awesome. I admit that I spent pretty much my whole first year trying to figure it out. I mean who presumes to know what they are doing in ministry?! Even a seminary graduate will be humbled very quickly when they realize the weight of shepherding students.

As I look at photos of the students I am so blessed. We have a special group. We have such unique individuals and God loves every one of them so much. He is giving me a fatherly heart towards all of them. And I just want the best for them. So, 2008 was a huge win for me. 

And 2009 is going to be crazy awesome. God is good. 

Evaluation part 2

So after Haiti I travelled south to spend time with the OP12 wake team. I needed to make sure that we were all on the same page and God had obviously taken me much deeper than previously. We met weekly for a team bible study and discipleship time. So for a month I was down in Florida training for the wakeboard side of things and mentoring the guys to be ready for the spiritual side of things. God was continuing to work on my heart and I was excited to have an avenue to share.

The summer was a whirlwind. I won't tell you all of the ins and outs of our ministry but we had camps and demos in Florida, Missouri, Illinois, North Carolina, Minnesota, Washington, Virginia, and South Carolina... Many people were blessed by the ministry of Op12 that summer and it was so wild to think that only a few years before we were just a couple of bums feeling like God was calling us to pioneer a ministry and now we were a moderately well known sports ministry.

But, fall came. I hate fall. I don't hate the weather or the season but it always felt like hitting a wall because ministry would come to an abrupt end and the pace that I set earlier in the year was so fast and then nothing... It was always a time of deep depression and reevaluation. In 07 it was different. Not that it wasn't a depressing time but God was opening new doors. God had given me a passion for more than just sports ministry but for the Bride. A passion for the local church. After several weeks of being bored and miserable I started helping at the youth group of the church that I grew up attending... Central Christian Church. The nature of the group was pretty wild because they had a director but no teaching pastor so it was an easy fit for me to begin teaching and preaching for the youth group.... Long story short, I began to feel God calling me to put some roots down here. To settle in and get comfortable because God wanted to take what He had taught me and impart it to these students. My prayers began to get very specific and God started to open doors for me to come on staff at Central.

The decision was made by the end of 07 that starting in February of 2008 I would come on staff as Central's new youth pastor.

Evaluation part 1

Let me just give you some reflections on the last couple years... 

07' was the wildest year of my life...

It started in a van ride to Georgia with my friends from Heartland:PM to attend the Passion Conference. I literally spent new years eve in a 15 passenger van. The conference was awesome... I was a little wounded because I had just had surgery on my knee a month before and I was recovering from a few personal issues that I was suffering at the time too. I was discouraged and ready to bow out of ministry. God had a different plan. When I attended the conference I really connected with one of the speakers, Francis Chan. He shared how he had left his church for a few months because he wanted to make sure he was legit. It was music to my ears. And, his remedy from discouragement was to focus on God through the Word. I began to see God give me a bigger glimpse of his glory and it left me trembling and worshiping.

The next portion of my year was a trip to Africa for a month. I felt that I needed to use my down time to minister to the least of these so I planned to be in Africa from January 20- Feb 18th. During that time God stoked a passion in me for His name and His glory. I was so far removed from the mundane casual mediocre christian life that I led in America. God was transforming me to be completely discontent with living a casual life. The return home was equally exciting because I felt that I was leaving one mission field to go to another. I realized that God was calling me to be an American Missionary with an seemingly impossible task of helping nominal christians actually fall in love with God. I was nervous but prepared.

When I got back stateside I had a trip to California planned for Operation 12 for some snowboard event planning. Before I departed I sent an email to Francis Chan to let him know I was coming out there... I got a hold of some people from his church and made arrangements to spend some time at their church. It was awesome. I was actually at Cornerstone(The church that Francis pastors) when they rolled out the plans to give 50 percent of their income away and make budget cuts to allow them to do so. They also revealed that they were abolishing their building plans in favor of doing something more cost effective. I was crying as I realized that God is raising up a bunch of Christians that are so sold out to God that they would break the mold of church growth and the mega church mentality. I ended up spending several days with Tony Cruz the technical director of Cornerstone. We went surfing a couple times and talked about life and ministry. It was so uplifting and so encouraging. From there I travelled up to the mountains to spend some time with several op12 snow candidates. That was awesome too as we worked out the details of the snow team and what we wanted to accomplish. Even though my knee was still busted up I was able to do a little riding on Mammoth Mountain and it was incredible. But, the trip came to an end and I had to be home so off I went in a little diesel Jetta.

The next trip was a week away. It was a trip to Haiti with my family and pastor David and Deby and a few other friends. Wow, Haiti is an oppressed place. God was revealing the depths of the darkness of sin and showing what it looks like when it runs rampant. In America sin is easily disguised and seldom is exposed for what it truly is. In Haiti there are no pretensions. Satan is the prince of the earth and he parades his darkness across a poverty stricken land with no need to try to market his ways. Being in Haiti made me realize how absolutely terrible sin is and we need to call our friends to a more radical holiness. The trip was awesome but now it was time to start focusing on OP12's busy line up...

Jonathan Edwards Makes Plans for the New Year

At the beginning of the year we all make a bunch of wimpy resolutions... anything from eating better to going back to school to paying off debt. And, I think it is great that we are all focusing on what we could do to make 2009 better.

In 1722 a 19 year old by the name of Jonathan Edwards began writing his resolutions... Remember this is written by a teen and I have been so encouraged by how incredible all 70 of these resolutions are. I commend you to read them and ponder over them. Let's let Edwards lead the way in 2009 of making God glorifying goals.

Be Blessed!

BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.

44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.

46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.

48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.

60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.

61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.

64. Resolved, when I find those groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those breakings of soul for the longing it hath, of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.

66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.

The Beauty of Introspection

I remember in my Psychology class as my professor enumerated the benefits of introspection... how good it is to take a self inventory and to evaluate... the beauty of journaling.

It is a new year and almost everyone is taking inventory right now... which is cool but for most busy people it will last only a couple days. I am resolving to take a little time this new year and really think through the past few years of my life(the most diverse and formative years as of yet) and the next several(where God might take me and what that might look like).

I am at my uncle's cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin right now, the perfect place for this kind of work. Hopefully the fruit of this trip will be a good hearty introspection.