Can You Grab the Wind?

Chuck Bomar. I've heard him speak a number of times now, but today was the one time that hit me the most. He was speaking out of Ecclesiastes, which is very quickly becoming my favorite part of Scripture. In his attempt to paint us the big picture of Solomon's last work, Chuck delivered a message that God has been trying to teach me for a couple months now.

What are we doing, today? For most of us young believers, we are continually looking forward to something. I look forward to graduation, getting a job and starting a family. I look forward to the opportunity to impact a young person. I look forward, to the rest of my life. Yet, this process of always striving after what comes next is one that can ruin the life of a young person, one that could possibly put out my flame for the Lord. Because just like trying to catch the wind, chasing after it on my bike with a mason jar, I am always going to be looking forward to my next chance, but never really capitalizing on my current situation. I do not want to lose my heart for youth, or my passion for the Lord. Neither do you.

So what we need to do it a few things. First of all, make sure what we do strive after is something that really matters, something that will impact eternity. For example, what is the purpose of a friendship, or a relationship? It is not to have a friend or a wife, but it should be to come alongside a person in their walk with God, helping them, being there for them, and asking the same from them. Secondly, live every day in light of death. Yeah, death. It's all over Ecclesiastes. Solomon is not being morbid, he is saying that we should make the most of every day, every situation, and every opportunity. And lastly, we should always keep a keen eye on God, so as to never end up pursuing something that will leave us with an empty mason jar.

Forgiven and Loved...

So I heard this song on the radio the other day, and although I have it on my ipod, it really struck a chord this time. Just some of the simple yet magical statements he makes; they make me stop and think about how grateful I should be to have such a loving Creator and Savior. I challenge you to read these lyrics and think about your own life. (i bolded some that got me thinking)

FORGIVEN AND LOVED

Romans 8:1, Ephesians 3:17-19

Written by Jimmy Needham, Ryan Wayson and Blake Samperi

Tell me I’m forgiven and loved

Cause I hear it from the street corner priests

On how God is love and how man can be clean

But my joy has been on holiday

And my peace has almost passed away

Tell me I’m forgiven and free

CHORUS:

O I tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation

But I bought the lie I still have work to do

Now I’m working nine to five like I can earn my own salvation

But there is no condemnation in You

O whisper to me now that its for real

Cause in the silence of these walls righteousness lost its appeal

Dirty deeds have done me in

O but that can’t stop the Faithful Friend

Giving mercy once again as You heal

Here it is I’m feeling it

CHORUS

O He died He died to rectify my hopeless situation

And His blood commands my guilt to leave

Now on Calvary I stand

Empty pockets open hands

O there is no condemnation for me

CHORUS

Child you’re forgiven and loved

Child you’re forgiven and loved

Child you’re forgiven

And Child you are loved

Child you’re forgiven and loved

© 2008 Needhim Music / First Company Publishing / ASCAP / Administered by First Company Publishing

Buffalo Bowl!

For those of you who don't know, Community Grace's youth group hosted a flag football tourny today. First of all it was awesome how God worked everything out for it to happen, with volunteers and donations from many great people. Then, 15 kids made first time decisions for Christ! Along with many other decisions. What an outstanding show of how God can take something so manmade and turn it into a powerful tool. I felt honored to say I was part of it, because I know that if any of us tried to do this on our own without seeking the Lord, it couldn't have happened. Praise God!

If Today Was Your Last Day

Here's a video from a very well known group - Nickelback. This song illustrates what I feel like should be the actions and attitudes of Christians. Unfortunately I think we too often miss it...

Intimacy with Christ

God is not a rock.

Therefore, we should not treat him like one. God has a heart. Therefore, he wants a real relationship with us. He wants us to be intimate with Him. It should be our goal as Christians to not just practice religion, but to strive to have a deepening relationship with Christ. An intimate relationship with our Creator and Savior.

The question came up in my Growth Group last night whether it is easier for women to experience intimacy with Christ than for men. So I did what any smart young man would do... ask his smart young female friend :)

As we discussed the question, it was evident to me that the first thing that needed to be decided was what the term intimacy meant. We decided that it means a close relationship with someone. So close that only you and that person can share it together. It comes almost natural, but it has to be worked at. Real intimacy does not conflict with one's conscience. We know that what is happening is completely true, honest, and pure. And finally, this desire is shared by both sides of the relationship.

As I take that explanation of intimacy to heart, I realize that intimacy with Christ should not be any easier for a man than a woman. Intimacy with our Savior is the purest sense of the word. It is a close relationship with Him that requires work on our part, yet the feeling is mutual. THE FEELING IS MUTUAL! Can you believe that the Creator of the universe wants an intimate relationship with you?!

Intimacy with Christ is something to be grasped. I pray that I can find it, and live my life for it.

Interesting Video

This video was shown in chapel a few ago and I used it in youth group the next week. It's an interesting picture of the American School, and how students act or feel. "Moment" can be used as a great illustration or discussion starter.

go to www.bigstufmedia.com to see how to get it

Change and Future

Well, Recently I've been hit with two really big realizations.

The first is with Change. I need to always let Christ work through my life and be used by him. Such a cliche statement, right? Well, if in order to move beyond cliche and get real, I need to understand that allowing Christ to control my life means I will probably always be changing. As much as I love it when I'm up, and hate it when I'm down, I should never sit on one emotion, situation, plan or purpose. Instead, I should seek to let God speak to me and direct of my life. Thus, I will constantly be changing.

That leads me to the second realization; about my future. Although I should always be willing to change, there is a specific path that God laid out for my life far before I was even thought about. Yes, with the creation of the universe, God created my life, every stage, every experience and every possible outcome to my decisions. I love that idea. The idea that my job here on earth is to seek Christ and the path he wants me to take; and if I fail, He will use my failures to help me become a better vessel. I recently listened to a podcast by John Eldredge, in which he had the following quote:

"Ask not what the world needs, but instead ask what makes you come alive. Because what the world needs are men and women who are alive!"

I want to be alive!