When you think about growing spiritually, what comes to mind? For many people it seems vague at best, while for others it is simply overwhelming. To say, "I want to be more like Jesus.", seems like the unreachable elusive goal for many followers of Christ. The other day I had an encouraging conversation with one of our GSU football coaches. Let me tell you the story...
To tell you the truth, this semester has been quite refreshing thus far. I have the privilege of meeting with some of the coaches once a week for prayer and Bible study. We meet at the Parrish building at 6:30 for about an hour. The first week, one guy in particular seemed a little reserved for the first 15 minutes or so and then he began opening up about his life. The morning was filled with great conversation and discussion as we shared our thoughts while we read various Scriptures. Later that evening I saw him before the players Bible study and he was so appreciative for the morning's gathering. He said, "Stewart, I have had the God moment. But I want to know how to grow." I could sense his earnest desire to grow and deepen his relationship with Christ. He went on to say, "I have a lot of responsibility. I am a coach, a husband, and a father. I want to be the best I can be."
How about you? How about me? I mentioned that it is best to begin with a pattern of daily prayer and Bible reading. He had asked for a "workout" that would help him. So I emailed him a list of scriptures and a few questions he could pray through each day. I told him that the Lord would honor his desire to grow and that the Lord would begin working in his life. This is true for him and each of us... I need it!!
I read a great quote the other day... "If sin quenches the work of the Spirit in us, a daily dose of Scripture quickens the work of the Spirit in us."
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
One by One Mentoring
I am so pleased that the college ministry has taken a step in a new direction this fall. We have begun a mentoring program focused on mentoring college students. The ministry will develop mentoring relationships between adults in our church with college students in an effort to see them grow spiritually. I have trained 31 adult mentors and have paired them with students for a semester long mentoring experience. I firmly believe that these relationships will encourage the students in their desire to grow in their walk with Christ. It seems that life on life relationships provide the greatest opportunity for sustained spiritual growth to take place. I believe that these relationships will further help our students to be all they have been created to be.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Here is the billboard design for the Contemporary service. This spring we bagan revamping the college service in order to reach young adults and young families in the Statesboro area. There are so many people in our region that have no connection to a church and even more that have never connected with God. We hope and pray that the service will serve as an on ramp for people as they begin the slow and the often arduous journey of faith.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Hard to Believe
WOW! What a difference a week makes... GSU is rolling again and the students are back in full force. I am most excited about the new year... Worship went so well and our leadership team is really taking shape. We have a lot of plans for the new year and it really seems that we have good momentum right now.
I look forward to see how God works this year. Over the next couple of post I am going to give you an idea of the plans we have as the new school year begins.
I look forward to see how God works this year. Over the next couple of post I am going to give you an idea of the plans we have as the new school year begins.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Perspectives
I finished reading The Shack last week and was very intrigued by it. Certainly there are many people who do not like it and have differing opinions about it, but I must say that I was pleased. I would rather be pushed and challenged in my reading rather than just reading something that is vanilla.
I really enjoyed various aspects of the book, but none more than the reality of God being intimately relational with His creation. I loved seeing the joyful interplay of the Godhead and how we are drawn into their relationship as we walk with God. It is good to see God as being interested in our lives and how He wants us to interact with Him in deeply personal way.
Heaven is a mystery but I really like the the thought of knowing one another. How fun is it to consider that in Heaven we will know others and be known by them. Seems kind of silly now to think that in heaven there will be just a lot people hanging out with no names. Seems totally against that creative nature of God.
So I encourage you to read The Shack. Be stretched and pushed. Enjoy the fact that there is just so much we do not know... It is okay. Mystery is good for the soul.
I really enjoyed various aspects of the book, but none more than the reality of God being intimately relational with His creation. I loved seeing the joyful interplay of the Godhead and how we are drawn into their relationship as we walk with God. It is good to see God as being interested in our lives and how He wants us to interact with Him in deeply personal way.
Heaven is a mystery but I really like the the thought of knowing one another. How fun is it to consider that in Heaven we will know others and be known by them. Seems kind of silly now to think that in heaven there will be just a lot people hanging out with no names. Seems totally against that creative nature of God.
So I encourage you to read The Shack. Be stretched and pushed. Enjoy the fact that there is just so much we do not know... It is okay. Mystery is good for the soul.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Random Thoughts
Wow, how time flies. I can't believe that school is about to start back. The kids are getting their new clothes and the teachers are setting up their classrooms. It is so hard to believe that it will be August in two days. The summer has been good, but for some much to short.
"Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut..."
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who had made some ice cream... Butter Pecan. Now say that out loud. Butter Pecan. The word pecan is pronounced in two distinctive ways. But I thought it interesting that even though she pronounced the word (pecahn) one way when describing her ice cream, she pronounced the word (pee can) another way when talking about the nut. I laughed and no that is not a "pee can", a "pee can" is something you set beside your bed. We both laughed and went on our way.
Mr. Toad
I have problem at the house... it is toad. A red toad has taken up residence in on of my ferns. I have taken it across the street, out to the back yard, and even to my neighbors house. I will admit that at first I threw the crazy toad, but now I gently carry it to another spot. This game has been going on for about a month now. I don't want to kill it, and if it comes back after taking if down the street... I will name it.
St Louis
Our trip to St. Louis went so well. The college team that we took really jelled and had a wonderful experience. I am quite thankful for the opportunity to be a part of mission projects like this. We were exposed to a culture that we don't see very often in our own country. We worked in East St. Louis. Like most large metropolitan cities, St. Louis was affected by the "white flight" phenomenon. The needs of the broken families and poverty are tremendous. We learned so much in just a week. One of my greatest joys and challenges was tutoring 5 year old TJ. He was a rambunctious kid with the need to be loved. I learned to patient and love him right where was. I hope that I can apply this when I have my own kids. I am thankful that my parents were and the Lord is patient with me... most of the time, I just don't get it.
"Me & TJ"
"Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut..."
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who had made some ice cream... Butter Pecan. Now say that out loud. Butter Pecan. The word pecan is pronounced in two distinctive ways. But I thought it interesting that even though she pronounced the word (pecahn) one way when describing her ice cream, she pronounced the word (pee can) another way when talking about the nut. I laughed and no that is not a "pee can", a "pee can" is something you set beside your bed. We both laughed and went on our way.
Mr. Toad
I have problem at the house... it is toad. A red toad has taken up residence in on of my ferns. I have taken it across the street, out to the back yard, and even to my neighbors house. I will admit that at first I threw the crazy toad, but now I gently carry it to another spot. This game has been going on for about a month now. I don't want to kill it, and if it comes back after taking if down the street... I will name it.
St Louis
Our trip to St. Louis went so well. The college team that we took really jelled and had a wonderful experience. I am quite thankful for the opportunity to be a part of mission projects like this. We were exposed to a culture that we don't see very often in our own country. We worked in East St. Louis. Like most large metropolitan cities, St. Louis was affected by the "white flight" phenomenon. The needs of the broken families and poverty are tremendous. We learned so much in just a week. One of my greatest joys and challenges was tutoring 5 year old TJ. He was a rambunctious kid with the need to be loved. I learned to patient and love him right where was. I hope that I can apply this when I have my own kids. I am thankful that my parents were and the Lord is patient with me... most of the time, I just don't get it.
"Me & TJ"
Monday, July 7, 2008
Today's Temperature
What is the temperature outside? Right now it is probably between 78 - 82. In my office I like to keep it a cool 64. This keeps me from sweating and feeling uncomfortable. I don't like it when my shirt begins to stick to my back or my arms. It just feels kind of icky.
So let me ask you a question. What is the temperature like in your office relationships or your marriage or your friendships or even with your children right now? Many times the temperature is quite hot and we are uncomfortable but still we do nothing about it. What if we began to pray that God would use us to make a difference. What if you and I began to pray that our attitude would change. But, I can hear in my mind now, "It's not my attitude that needs to change!!". Maybe it will be in the way you handle the situation that can bring restoration.
Now, let me ask you another question. What do people in your circles think about Christians. Often in today's culture people bristle at the notion of being Christian or even knowing one. What has made people feel this way? Many times it is the way act, the words we say, the attitudes we have, or even the way we treat people that look and act differently than we do. Consider with me the words people around you, those that are not followers of Christ, would use to describe people that claim to be Christians. A book I just finished reading, UnChristian, says that the words are not endearing at all. Words like judgemental, hypocritical, and insensitive are just three of the ones most often used.
How can we change this? How can we begin to live in way that people would be drawn to Jesus not repelled by His followers. I am not sure that I have a complete list of answers, but here is what I am considering. I may just begin with an honest assessment of our own lives. I know in my life, the journey has begun as I have prayed about my own attitudes and that the fruit of the Spirit would become evident in me. As I look at the life of Jesus, I am struck by the fact that the outsiders really were drawn to Him. Sadly, this is not true enough of our lives today. I dream that we can get on this path and that we too can begin reveal Jesus once again to the world here in 2008 and beyond.
So let me ask you a question. What is the temperature like in your office relationships or your marriage or your friendships or even with your children right now? Many times the temperature is quite hot and we are uncomfortable but still we do nothing about it. What if we began to pray that God would use us to make a difference. What if you and I began to pray that our attitude would change. But, I can hear in my mind now, "It's not my attitude that needs to change!!". Maybe it will be in the way you handle the situation that can bring restoration.
Now, let me ask you another question. What do people in your circles think about Christians. Often in today's culture people bristle at the notion of being Christian or even knowing one. What has made people feel this way? Many times it is the way act, the words we say, the attitudes we have, or even the way we treat people that look and act differently than we do. Consider with me the words people around you, those that are not followers of Christ, would use to describe people that claim to be Christians. A book I just finished reading, UnChristian, says that the words are not endearing at all. Words like judgemental, hypocritical, and insensitive are just three of the ones most often used.
How can we change this? How can we begin to live in way that people would be drawn to Jesus not repelled by His followers. I am not sure that I have a complete list of answers, but here is what I am considering. I may just begin with an honest assessment of our own lives. I know in my life, the journey has begun as I have prayed about my own attitudes and that the fruit of the Spirit would become evident in me. As I look at the life of Jesus, I am struck by the fact that the outsiders really were drawn to Him. Sadly, this is not true enough of our lives today. I dream that we can get on this path and that we too can begin reveal Jesus once again to the world here in 2008 and beyond.
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