Great Commision

The next few days are very interesting for those of the Southern Baptist Denomination. The Annual SBC meeting is happpening in the next few days through Tuesday. This is when churches apart of the convention come together for a common purpose.

Now, there are distinct differences from most denominations unique to the SBC. You see, all Southern Baptist Churches are what's called "Autonomous." You may be familiar with that word if you ever watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail, when King Arthur is talking to some peasants and he tells them he is King, to which one responds, "...I thought we were an Autonomous Collective." What Autonomous means is that we are all seperate. Most denominations have a governing body that is over a bunch of churches, but Southern Baptist Churches don't have a governing body. They can be apart of conventions, such as the SBC which is the Southern Baptist Conservatives of VA which most conservative Southern Baptist churches are apart of, and of course the national convention, SBC. Now, there are many advantages to being stand alone. What happens at my church has nothing to do with what happpens at say, Liberty Baptist in Hampton. Both of these churches are conservative, and have the same basic beliefs, but one is not responsible for the other. This is a good thing, especially since there are quite a bit of churches that are Southern Baptist in name, but liberal in practice.

The downside to all of this, is that it's not public knowledge that we are in fact autonomous and so when in the news, churches like Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas (who I will NOT link to as they get money for every web click) the church that protests military funerals and says things like "God hates Gays" and other derogatory words, give Southern Baptists a bad name. Now, they are in fact an Independant Baptist church (and there are numerous types of Baptists) but still people look at that, and may think I believe the same. This is the downside.

But, the point to all this, is the SBC meeting this year is rought with contraversy as it is most years, but this year I believe they are really on to something. Though we are the largest protestant denomination with 16.5 + million members, we are suffering a decline in membership and baptistm's as most denominations. There are many reasons for this, but instead of pointing fingers, this year an initiative has been started. Just as the conservatives won a LONG battle against the moderates and liberals that "tried" to take over the SBC in the 60's, they again are mounting up for a new cause. This cause, simply put, is the GOSPEL.

retooled, this new initiative is called the Great Commission Resurgence and it's purpose is to redirect us from the petty fights, and political attacks, and refocus us to our First calling, which is to go and make DISCIPLES of all nations. The great emphasis is that we would continue to pool together resources, and "monies" into one of the most ingenious funds ever created, simply the Cooperative Program. The Cooperative Program simply put is where ALL the churches in the commision send on average 10 percent, or equivelent to a tithe of their budget to the SBC. The monies, are used to help seminaries and other SBC organizations, though primarily they are used to fund missionary efforts in North America and INTERNATIONALLY for the purpose of disseminating the gospel and training people in the knowledge of Christ. It is quite awesome, and it is one of the many reasons I am proud to be a Southern Baptist.

But really, above all, I'm proud, and Ironically humbled, to be HIS, a Child of God, Saved and called according to HIS purposes! I am praying for the CONVENTION this weekend into Tuesday, and I know God is going to do GREAT things and inspire a great work to be done for Him, because of Him, and it's in His name I'll end here, Amen.

-Brian

ZACH MORRIS

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Its Friday and I present to You...the BIBLE...in a minute..

3 Days

I am 3 days from my Wedding Day (at 1 P.M.) and I am sitting here in a reflective state. I have heard it said, "What would it be like to get everything you've ever wanted?" That comment I have heard in movies and the like, and it has never really applied to me...until now. Two things I have wanted since I was young. 1. To be a Youth Pastor and 2. To be married. In 3 days, I'll have both at the SAME TIME! I'm really not sure how to process it all. It is really all kind of surreal. I'm not out of my mind excited like I thought I might be, but of course I am looking forward to it. For the first time in a long time in my life, I can actually say that I am pretty "chill" about it. 

I have heard that it is different for the guy than it is for the girl, especially on the emotional side. Most guys who are married I have talked to said it didn't really hit them until the day of, or right as they were up on stage, or even the day after. I don't know when it will "hit" me, but all I do know is that I am a man blessed with more than I deserve and I look forward to how God will use both myself and Samantha in our new life together! 

All you married folks out there, any last minute thoughts? 

God Bless,

Brian

This isn't Jugement, this is Love

As a Baptist (Southern Baptist to be exact) the subject of Judgement tends to bring tears of joy to my eyes. That's more of a joke, but sort of true. It has been and probably is being said even as we speak that Baptist's are all about Hell, Fire and Brimstone. "Turn or Burn." They say this to contrast with most denominations emphasis on Grace. Well, I have two thoughts on this subject. 

First of all, why on earth would we preach (as we are so specifically pointed out as doing) a TURN or burn philosophy if we didn't believe in grace? I mean, seriously. If all we talked about was Hell, then we wouldn't ask people to turn, we would just point them in the direction they are already going. Truth be told, and the Bible is my witness on this, the punishment for sin is death, and we are all sinners. 

In archery, when an archer misses the target, it's called a "sin." Simply put, we all miss the target, God's target. So the punishment of sin is death, not just physical, as we are all apointed once to die, but spiritually death, an eternity seperated from the Father and Jesus (and the Holy Spirit for that matter). BUT, the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE with Him in Heaven upon your profession of faith, and confession of belief in Jesus Christ as Savior. This is the TURN part. We do very VERY much emphasize grace! 

Secondly, I read an article today that asked if the judgment of the ungodly was good news, and that we shouldn't talk about that, but rather replace that negativity with grace. Really?

Yes, that's a GREAT IDEA! That's worked so well for this country so far, what with Teen Pregnancy and the ECONOMY! Let's just tell them all the good things that can happen, and never inform or remind them of the consequences for their actions. "No, go ahead and borrow 400,000 dollars even though you make 30,000; it will be fine!" "No condom? No problem! Go for it, if you get pregnant, there are plenty of shelters you can go to for help, or to rid yourself of the problem!" 

That is where we are as a country. We are so KNEE DEEP in what we think "grace" is that we don't even want to touch the judgment aspect because that's negative; especially from Christians because God is a Loving God. Correction; God IS LOVE. He is! This is a wonderful and blessed thing, but He is Also just. Meaning, sin does not, and cannot go unpunished. 

But where Sin increases, Grace increases, for those who know Christ. This is a wonderful and blessed gift of God. And I agree that we should not judge, but calling out sin is not judgement, it's quite frankly accountability. All the Apostles, and church leaders called out sin. Not because they were any less sinners in need of a Savior, but because that is what Jesus did. We are to love the sinner but hate the sin. 

Turning from sin, is turning from eternally burning in Hell, when you Turn to Christ. This is the message of the Bible, I didn't write it, but I'm commanded to go and make disciples, and part of disciple making is growing in the knowledge of the truth, and turning from the life of corruption and sin. It's not just about making a one time decision for Christ; that is but a starting point. 

It's about a life-long, ETERNAL relationship with Jesus Christ! So, when I, a Southern Baptist, say Turn or Burn, and you cry "JUDGEMENT" remember first that Christ died, so that you could live, that He Loved You, ALL OF YOU, He still does, and because of that Love, now in Me, I Love you all too, and want you to know Him as I do. 

This isn't Judgement, this is Love.

Brian 

Rest

I feel like I never have enough rest! Anyone else out there feel that way? I know part of it is my fault, as I stay up late, but sometimes it is unavoidable. I'm finishing up my masters, have work, and of course, prepping for marriage. This takes a toll on every part of you; from physically to socially, emotionally, and so forth. I sometimes wonder how I am going to make it through. 

Then I remember, Jesus gave me, and gave all of us the solution. In the Bible, Matthew 11:28 says,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"

This is such a comforting verse in times of stress and strain. Really, I think it's comforting in most all situations. I have heard it said, if your not going through a struggle, or a valley, you soon will be. You're either coming out of a struggle, or heading into one. This doesn't sound fun, but it is life afterall.

But Jesus tells us that we can come to Him, weary and burdened and He WILL give us rest! When's the last time you've rested in Jesus?

-Brian

EXCITMENT

I am really stinking excited for what God is doing in the Youth Ministry here at WBBC! We are currently going through an 8 week training program on witnessing to give the youth not just the resources they need to effectively communicate the Gospel of Christ, but really to motivate them and create excitment. No one does well when they are not prepared, and the G-O-S-P-E-L way of witnessing created by Greg Stier of Dare 2 Share, is about the best their is for youth. This training program not only helps them learn scriptures needed to communicate, but also how to communicate to those who would be adverse to the Gospel (which unfortunately, now a days, is almost everyone). 

The coolest thing about it, is we are creating some open and honest discussion about what the youth think of things. They get to really share their hearts, their burdens, and concerns, and their knowledge. My goal in all this is that they would OWN their faith. This should be the goal of every Christian, but it is one of my goals set for the Youth Ministry. Some of these youth will be graduating this year, and going off to college, and it is VERY important that they not just be able to tell someone they have a relationship with Jesus, but that they can tell them WHY and HOW. 

It's not enough anymore to simply say your a christian. You have to live it out and be able to defend what it is you believe (I believe that's in the Bible; 1 Peter 3:15)

So, any and all of you out there reading this who are saved, please lift up the Youth Ministry in prayer and we dig deep in the Word to reveal it's truths and motivate these young people to win their lost friends for Jesus. 

For those of you reading this who aren't saved, but want to know more, please message me...Brian.Mitch.Norris@gmail.com

God Bless,

Brian

The story Part 6: The end of the beginning

Much time has been spent in preparation for the final part of "The story" We have gone many places in this journey, and now we reach a type of end. As with all stories, once the climax happens, the story kind of settles down and maybe a resolution to previous issues comes about. 

Think of the story where the prince and princess are in love, and some big battle comes, in which the prince wins, and then at the end, they come back together, and live happily ever after. This is a type of end. But as it relates to "The story" we have to understand that the end is really the end of the beginning. You see, as long as we have breath in us, we have a chance to change. We have a chance for resolution. We have a chance for opportunity. When it comes to Christ, as long as we are alive, we have a chance to accept Him as Lord and Savior. You have this chance! Just like myself, and others who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you too can have one!

Yes, there is a lot of mess in this world. Yes, we do a lot of things to mess up our personal lives. Yes, we have sinned, and done wrong in the eyes of God. But, there is NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING that can keep you from the LOVE OF GOD!!! As a matter of fact, the only Sin God can and WILL not forgive is that you die never having accepted Christ. That's the "unpardonable sin" rejection of the Holy Spirit...which is the counselor sent by God in Jesus absence, that came and comes upon people upon their confession of faith and trust in Jesus. 

So, no matter how far away you believe you are from God, or how many times you have sinned, please know GOD LOVE YOU and wants you to have a relationship with His son, JESUS CHRIST! HE Died on the Cross for our sins! People put Him there but ultimately OUR SIN was WHY He was there. He gave His life freely for us. But that's not enough. It's not enough that Jesus gave His life, so our sin COULD be forgiven, we have to then accept Him asking for forgiveness of Sin and relationship with Him. Then, not only is Sin forgiven and a relationship with God created/restored, but the ultimate reward is ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN WITH HIM!!!

I encourage you to know Christ! Romans 10:9 says "If we confess with our mouths 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the grave, WE WILL BE SAVED." 

That's what it's all about. It's not enough to SAY we know Christ, but we must truly BELIEVE what we say!!! No Matter where you are at in your life, or what is going on within it, God is there for you. He wants desperately to restore that relationship with you, Humanity, that He had from the beginning before we rebelled against Him!

The beautiful thing about this life, no matter how messed up it gets, is that it's life! As long as it's life, even when we reach the end of "The story" we know that the end is really JUST the beginning!

I pray the old Life ends for you today, and that the NEW LIFE IN CHRIST begins for you Today!

God Bless,

Brian

P.S. If there is anything you ever need, please let me know! If you want to talk more about Christ, or what have you, God is here for you and I am as well! 

The story Part 5: Climax

Now, every good story has a climax. You combine the setting and plot, with the characters and you reach a point; a moment of absolute tension just before resolution. We are faced with a setting that is in our backyard, USA, or anywhere in the WORLD. We are faced with the Character of Jesus Christ and his Lordship, and the 6 Billion + Humans who are the villian. Never has their been complete and totally villiany against one Individual. This however, is where it gets interesting. 

Jesus may in fact be one individual, but He is the definition of Transcendent! It's like the Visa card, "He's EVERYWHERE you want to be!" Literally. Everywhere. God is what we call outside of time. Therefore He is currently at our birth, our death, our 50th birthday, this precise moment in time and so forth. Everywhere at once because it's an open timeline before Him. He is the embodyment of perfection, and we are the instruments of evil, when it comes to this world. We are but vessels, and we either give into the world, and Satan (which is most often the case) or we give into Christ. 

Point being: There is no "control." We are either slaves to sin, or to Christ. We don't control either. Not that we are "Made" to do one or the other, but if we do not ALLOW Christ to work in our lives, the world will overcome us. 

Now, we may be the villians, but something amazing took place, takes place, and is TAKING place even now. Jesus perfection, laid down his life for the villian(s) (us). He laid down his life so we could be like him, a CO-HEIR in Heaven. Jesus is the Son of God, but when we accept Him, we become essentially a son (or daughter) of God and a co heir with Christ. We still have faults, and we still do wrong. We still disappoint, break God's heart, but we have forgiveness and mercy and direction from Him when we accept His Son and believe God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9)

This takes us essentially from villian to Jesus calling us friend. It's not that we are a perfect friend as He is, but that His sacrifice made up for all of our faults. Ever. Period.

This is the climax of "the story": At the moment of ABSOLUTE CORRUPTION and evil, Jesus laid it all on the line. Though we point fingers and blame, He made it clear. No one took His life from Him, but He gave it freely. This was the cup He had to bear. This was the cup He chose to bear out of obedience. This was the most defining moment in History, and it defines us even now. 

This climax is different than most as the resolution is not so cut and dry. This climax leaves you with many questions but only one answer. Will you join me for part 6; the final part of "the story"? 

I hope you will, and feel free to comment!!! I would love to know your reading!

Brian

The story Part 4: Hero

Clearly you know by now, that this story is coming from a Christian perspective. This may bring a mix of emotion, and may have even curbed some of the enthusiasm for this blog series as comments and viewership have somewhat declined, but still here it is.

Knowing that this is coming from the Christian perspective you more than likely have already assumed the hero to be Jesus, and you would be correct. Every good story has a hero, and most often a stereotypical hero. But this isn't any old hero. This is Jesus. But this isn't My Jesus or Your Jesus, or at least what We make of Him. You see, as Christians, we believe upon Jesus as Lord and Savior for eternal life. This is all well and good, but do we make of Jesus what we ought to. NO! We do not. And to be honest, nothing we could ever do, would give Him his due.

So this isn't about the Jesus that we have created in our minds, or on our movie screens, but this is about the true Jesus, the authentic Jesus, the son of the living GOD. He is the hero of "the story," and no matter where you are, He is there to rescue.

So many would cite the seeming inconsistency of what I just wrote because of the current issues in Gaza, the pestilence and disease in Africa and other parts of the world, the senseless killings of a terrorist, or babysitter, and the evil that so plagues the world. How can I say that God is there to rescue when He clearly sees what is going on and does nothing.

So often, we are quick to point out the negative without seeing the glorious positive. What God gives us that we sometimes distain, and we don't quite understand, but we would be upset if we didn't have is free will. He gives all of us the ability to do right and the ability to do wrong. Yes, He sees what is going on, but we are not marianettes to be controlled. He always it. But He also allows us the forgiveness of that sin, and a place in eternity with Him if we Believe upon His son Jesus Christ, the Hero of "the story". That is what we don't deserve.

REMEMBER, we are the villians. We are the bad guys. We deserve all this mess (whether you believe so or not) and Jesus deserves nothing but praise and YET came and took on this very same flesh and DIED in your place and in mine so that we could sit here and either a. accept Him and live for Him or b. complain about the horrible world we live in.

A plane crash yesterday where 155 passengers were on board, and 155 passengers survived. Some say that was some good flying, and it was, some say that was a lucky break, and it was, but if ever a miracle could be classified, this would be it. Do you not think God played a part in this?

Either way you look at it, the Christ figure of the Bible is reveared in most all cultures and religions as at the least, a great teacher, or prophet who did many miracles. This is not refuted. But that's as far as it goes in most placed. A prophet a teacher. What makes Him Lord? Is it that you believe He is Lord? That you accept Him as Lord?

No! What makes Him Lord, and default hero of "the story" is that He is Who He says He is. God is God whether you believe He is God or not. Fact. But such a loving and caring God, that He sent His son Jesus to be one of us, and to die for us, all the while Jesus being fully God, didn't set his place as royal or high, but became a servant for us. This is the definition of a hero and the manifestation of Holiness.

Jesus IS, and therefore we are!

Stay tuned for part 5 as we look at the "climax" of "the story" and let me know your thoughts.

-Brian

The story Part 3: The Villain(s)

Every good story has a good villian, or in some cases (like in the case of "the story" villians). In movies, the villian(s) is usually portrayed as someone who is "pure evil" or "without a soul". Sometimes, they are the kind who seem nice but have a dark side or who talk a good game but at the end of the day they are vindictive and criminal. In the world and popular media, we "villianize" whole countries like Iraq and Iran, China, and world wide favorite baddie, Israel.

In the end though, the villian(s) in this story may surprise you. The villian(s) are us. Humanity. The entire population past, present, and future. You may find this harsh, but follow me here. The world is corrupt and everyone of us falls short of perfection. We may try and live our lives as good as we can, but we all slip up and make mistakes. In varying degrees we lie or we have lied, cheat, steal, manipulate, gossip, manuver, have favorites, make alliances against others, think ill and even wish ill upon others, and so on. Just because you haven't physically hurt someone doesn't mean your above reproach in this area.

If you've been following "the story" then you know this is taken from a Christian worldview. While we are on that subject, the Bible tells us, "There is no one righteous, no even one." (Romans 3:10b, NIV). There is no one righteous. It goes onto say there is no one that understands, no one that seeks God. When you look at the world and the way it is at large, you almost have to agree. The villians in this story are us. We are the bad guys.

One of my favorite quotes from the Lord of the rings is "There's some good in this world and it's worth fighting for." Amongst all the fighting and the hate and mistrust and abuse, there is good in this world. But if Humanity is the villian, then where does the good come from?

I'm glad you asked. That good comes from outside ourselves, outside of and yet from humanity. That good comes from the main character of Part 4 of "the story" and I pray you'll join me there!

God Bless,

Brian

The story Part 2: Setting

Every good story has a setting. Most would say that this is the backbone to every story. You can't get a good grasp on what is going on, without knowing where the action is taking place. This story is different than other stories. The setting for "The story" is life. it's Baghdad, Iraq; it's 101 Long Green Blvd. Yorktown, VA. It's 4710 High Street West, Portsmouth, VA. It's your backyard anywhere in the world. Whereever you may be, life is taking place. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, but everytime, it's life.

As was mentioned in the previous post, what happens in this life shapes our worldview. Not just current happenings mind you, but your past; where you came from, when you were there, and what took place during your stay. What were you taught? What did you learn? What guides you? What decieves you?

All these questions, and the answers to them shape the setting for "the story" and a story within a story is born. Each of us, you, me, all of us, has a history. We all have a background, some public, and some not so, and we all have a present. It's been said, "It's the moments that define us." Some of us take that to heart and try to capture every moment, while others of us try to erase such moments from memory.

Some of our stories intersect with our knowledge of Christ. Some of them intersect with that knowledge turning into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. While still some of our stories do not intersect with either the knowledge of or relationship with Christ. This could be because of geographical area (I.e. the middle east) and lack of exposure to the Christian faith, or maybe other countries, where to be a christian is to be a dead man/woman. Or, maybe it's the United States; land of the free and home of the brave, where choices abound and the american dream and Christianity don't mesh for you. Maybe it's not that at all. Maybe you look at Christianity (I.e. the people who claim to be Christians) and you decide that Christian is just another word for hypocrit, and you turn away. Or maybe, just maybe, you waiting, hoping, wondering, when someone will come to you with the truth of the Gospel of Christ, so that you might know him.

Again, whereever you are, life is happening. What is happening and what has happened in your world, effect who you are. It effects what you do, and what you believe. But thankfully, it's not the end of the story.

Will you join me as we continue on this story? Part 3 is coming soon, and I hope as the story unfolds, it will resonate with your life, and help you to search your soul for the answers found in "the story"

-Brian

The story Part 1: Intro

I am starting a series if you will of blogs on the same subject. I'm calling it "The Story." It sounds completely unoriginal, and it may be, but it deals with not so common applications to common words. I plan to look at the different parts of a story...from the setting, to the hero, and the villian, the climax, and the conclusion.

We all have a story, a history if you will, that sets the stage for either who we are today, what we are becoming, or where we are going. There are "benchmarks," life moments that can define us and shape not only our worldview, but our comings and goings in this world.

I pray you'll join me as we look at "The story" that truly defines us all.

God Bless,

Brian

NEW YEAR NEW ME?

I think every year a lot of people set out to change something about themselves as I have mentioned in previous posts! We look at the new year as another chance, a fresh opportunity. For some reason the "I'll start on Monday" with a fresh start is trumped by the turning of the clock to midnight on New Year's Day. In some ways, it's just another Thursday, but as we look at the calendar's, we see that the date has changed to 2009. 

I remember when I was a kid and all the things I thought I would be doing in 2009. I thought about flying cars and other such vehicles and being a wealthy business owner; two things very different from the current reality. I look back on these memories though fondly however, as when I became older, and gave my life to Christ, the dreams and aspirations changed as he led, and they focused on youth ministry, which is where I am now! This was providential in my life, and continues to be the case. 

But here we are in a new year and a new opportunity, and I wonder what I will do with it. Will I let time slip like so many years before? Will I make the most of opportunities God give me to...witness to others about Christ? To help someone in need? To grow in my own faith? These are questions that circle my mind every day, but especially when given a "clean slate" with the changing of the year. I try not to do resolutions but I have goals for this year as I have MAJOR changes on the horizon.

This year, I turn 25, graduate with my master's degree, and get married; all in the same month (Should the Lord tarry). This is HUGE! This will be the most significantly life changing year of my life (besides the year I accepted Christ). Those are great things, but those are slated to take place until May. There's a lot of time between now and May. What will I do with it? 

I want to first make it my goal to update this more. I wanted more viewership and followers as I mentioned many weeks ago, but a sure fire way to do that, is to update often. I want to not take myself to seriously in the new year but also be serious enough to handle the responsibilities God has given me. 

I tend to take things way to personal, and I am working toward letting more roll off my shoulder, so that I may focus on God's many blessings, and resist the curses and temptations. It's so easy to look around at the world right now, and think negatively, but God is alive and well and working in this world. I want my focus to be on that, on HIM. 

Those are just some of the many goals I have, not to be outdone by truly preparing my mind, body, and heart to be the best husband I can be. I am slated to marry not only the most beautiful woman I've ever been graced to know from an external and internal perspective, but a VERY biblical solid, deeply caring individual who is fulfilled by helping others be fulfilled. Full of grace, wonder, and a joy to be around, I do ever so look forward to marrying her. 

I look forward to a lot of things, as I am sure you do. But first and foremost we must remember, that as of now, TODAY, this moment, is all we have. Make the most of it! 

God Bless and Happy New Year!!!

-Brian

P.S. What are your goals and aspirations for this year? Comment away!

CHEEZED

"Hi, I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC." This is a familiar phrase many of us have heard from the various commercials on TV.  PC. That is a very familiar word in our culture nowadays and it doesn't stand for Personal Computer. It stands for Politically Correct. Every you go, you see it. Especially around this time of year. Merry Christmas gets subverted by Happy Holidays. Now sure, it's just words, and some would even say it's just a greeting, and not much thought is put into it, but I beg to differ. 

It doesn't bother me so much when it's said on TV, or done at a store, as I realize the management of these various places are doing what they can to not "offend" clientel. However, when a Christian comes on and says, "Happy Holidays" well that just cheezes me. What is the reason for saying Merry Christmas? Why as Christians do we say it? Hint: IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SEASON!!! CHRISTmas. CHRIST. That is what it is about, Christ. But we don't make it about Christ. We make it about everything but. "Oh, I can't say Merry Christmas because someone might get offended." Well, you know what, as a Christian, you're offensive. You are, hands down, no butts about it. 

The Gospel of Christ, is offensive. The Gospel of Christ makes it clear that what we do is NOT ok, and that we are NOT all going in the same direction, and that withOUT CHRIST we are going to Hell. This is offensive to the culture at large, that believes it's ok to do anything they want. This has become the case so much that now it's almost illegal to have a stand against sin, or to call things like Homosexuality, or adultury, gluttony, sloth and other such things "wrong." 

"Who are you to Judge," they quip. They call us names like biggoted or intolerant. Funny how, they are ALL intolerant of those who don't "tolerate" them. The old adage, "Hate the sin, LOVE the sinner" means very little to people. The common understanding seems to be that if you Love me then you support what I do. When has love EVER been about agreeing with and supporting everything you do? 

Love is a parent who punishes their child for doing something wrong and shows them the error of their ways. Love is helping someone in a time of need or to get out of a bad habit or addiction. Ultimately, LOVE came down some 2000 years ago, as a baby, who's SOLE purpose was to DIE on a CROSS because of all the "SIN" that we feel Entitled to commit without any obstruction or ACCOUNTABILITY.

And then, on top of that, we deep it appropriate as Christians to completely overlook the significance of this event in our history and say "Happy Holidays" What a slap in the face to Christ. 

Whether or not he was actually born on December 25th is not the issue here. The issue is not just celebrating a day for Christ. The issue is, as Christians, are we LIVING sacrifices because of the sacrifice of LIFE that Jesus made for us? Or, are we more concerned with not offending everyone? Everytime we take that approach, we appease them right to Hell. I don't care if someone gets offended by my saying Merry Christmas, but I do care enough to tell them why we are Merry at Christmas, why Jesus came, why he died, and how they can know him, and have Eternal Life in Heaven with Him.

I know that Christmas didn't start as a "christian" holiday as some will be quick to point out, but again, you are missing my point. When it's your birthday, you make that clear, don't you? And sometimes, maybe your birthday comes in the middle of the week, and so you have to celebrate it either before or the weekend after. It doesn't matter that it isn't the "actual" day of your birth, it's the day set aside to celebrate your birth. This is a time honored tradition, especially among the younger of us. 

Yet, the day we set aside, regardless of the historical accuracy of it, for Christ, it gets completely overlooked or overshadowed by either the commercialism of the day, or the potential of offense to someone who isn't a Christian or doesn't believe!

You have every right to not believe in Christ. God was so wonderful, he not only gave us life but free will to do with this life what we want. You can live an alternate lifestyle, and that is your choice. I however, do not have to agree with that, to still validate your humanity. It's funny, you can slander ALMIGHTY GOD, and say whatever about Him that you want, but the first time, I as a Christian, go on the defensive or call out an issue in your life, oh that's off limits. Everyone is "tolerant" of everyone except to the Christians. Regardless of how I feel about it, imagine the mind and heart of Christ. He came and DIED for you, so you could turn around as act and live as if He doesn't even exist. What a Happy Holiday! or Merry Christmas to Him, huh?

Well, regardless, I want to make it clear that when you strip away all of it, all that remains is you and a choice, to accept or not accept Christ. So when I say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, I don't say it to "offend" you because again I could care less, but I do so, because my JESUS died for me, and it's not YOUR day its HIS day, and in truth, EVERYDAY is HIS, the EARTH and ALL THAT IS IN IT!! I for one, am going to celebrate that!

It IS something to CELEBRATE indeed!!!

-Brian

Wanderings

 I am up doing various things, and among them I am thinking. We all have opinions and convictions. We all have belief systems that guide us and thought processes that we follow. This is nothing new, but is certainly something common among us. If you know me at all, you know that I am a very opinionated person. This is not a new revelation, simply a factual one, which I admit is odd, that it's a fact that I am OPINIONated, but I digress. 

I am a believer in Jesus Christ. This shapes my worldview. This shapes how I view actions and attitudes, events and social interactions, people, and all that is inbetween. Also, I am a people watcher. This isn't necessarily tied into my Christianity, but more into my curiosity of the human condition. I like to watch people, their body language, and mannerisms. These are fascinating to me. 

You can tell a lot about a person by the faces they make, or their body movements. You can tell a lot by what they say also. The Bible tells us "Of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." This means what you talk about the most tends to tell a lot about what is important to you. WHO you talk about is also very telling. 

We have this tendency within the church to call things by certain words. This may be done by tradition, because it was always called this, or it may be done by ignorance. Case in point; gossip. If you talk about someone to someone else, especially within the church, this has always been labeled as gossip. Merriam Webster defines gossip as : a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others. Some say someone who says exaggerated of fabricated facts about someone. 

Now, there is some schism there. Is gossip simply talking about someone, or is it fabricated facts about someone. Whether you think it is or isn't, what's important is to ask yourself the question, "is it helpful?" "is it encouraging?" 

Some of you reading may not care if what you say to or about someone is encouraging, but going back to the Bible, and what shapes my worldview, I think we have to stop and take a look at this subject. I will be the first to admit, I am bad about ragging on people. If I have a problem with someone, I am quick to let people know about it. People, by the way, who are not the person in question, and typically people I am aware have a problem with this person as well. I think we all find it easier to talk to someone who shares either a common interest in or distain for a person. Some people enjoy confrontation, but most do not. This manifests itself in interesting  ways, especially within the four wall of the church. We preach a message of Christ, of peace on earth and good will to men, especially around this time of year. Do we mean it? Do we want peace for that person we aren't getting along with, or did us wrong? 

We come to Christmas Eve services, and we light the candles, have quiet reflection, maybe even take of the elements (communion) knowing full well we need to be in good standing with God (not having unconfessed sin) and with our fellow man before partaking. A lot of people over look the warnings that go along with taking communion. Some even take communion openly in a group that have never been saved. This is not what communion is about. It's not just the bread or the cup, its the rememberence and communing with God.

But how can we do so if we don't forgive and reconcile with one another? If we took the time to look at the positives of an individual over magnifying the negative, I wonder what kind of world this place would be?

If anything, this past year, and this time right now, the conviction is clear, that I need to make the best of every situation, I need to make sure like Ephesians 4:29 says that I, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." 

Am I building others up? Am I encouraging? Am I being a benifit to those who listen to what I am saying? If not, and I know some cases it IS not, then I need to change some things. Thankfully we have Christ, and forgiveness, and as we celebrate his TRIUMPHANT escape from the VIRGIN womb, I pray we remember His sacrifice, and live our lives accordingly!

With forgiveness and love,

Brian

GOD WILL PROVIDE

Since I have been a Christian, or at least as long as I can remember in church, I have heard the phrase, "God will provide." It was usually in reference to some necessity a group of people, like say a church, or an individual had. I used to hear the stories about people who were on their last dollar, and at just the right moment, God provided. Stories about people who gave above their means to honor God, and not having enough to make it, and then, God provided. I heard these stories, and I thought to myself how awesome that God provided, but if I was honest, I was also thinking, "Glad that isn't me."

I have never been more vunerable in my life than I am now. I am 5 months and 4 days 16 hours from being married. I've been doing my best to save with what I make, as has my fiancee, and then today, My transmission went out and it's gonna cost me a cool $2000.00. I was just devestated. Ive been working so hard to save and to scronge, to have enough to pay rent, somewhere, anywhere, and this happens. It makes you want to just scream. I hear so many people tell me, these things happen, or "Welcome to adulthood." While there are many thoughts that go through my head, the biggest of these is on trust. 

Do I trust that "God will provide?" I find myself in a situation not unlike those people who spoke on how God blessed so many times in my life. I've always had mom and dad. I've always had every need met, and most wants fulfilled. Always. I thank God for that, but now, I find myself in need, with not a lot of opportunity for provision, or so it seems. 

I've not known what it's like to be in this kind of situation before, and it scares me, more than I can express. Yet, I know I serve a BIG BIG GOD, Jehovah Jireh, a God who CAN and WILL provide. I know this, but I find in all honesty that I'm not internalizing it. I'm working on it though. I ask you all for prayer, and want to challenge everyone, that if you aren't there now, you will be at some point, and its NEVER to early to place your trust in God. 

We all have doubts and concerns, whether you've been a christian a few months, or many years. At some point however, we truly have to walk by faith and Trust that GOD has us in His very capable hands, and he will provide! Pastor or not, I'm a man, wanting to be able to provide for his soon to be wife and family, and needing more faith than ever! 

I give thanks to God, who is STRONG in the midst of my weakness, and I thank Him for already paving a way I yet have not seen. I pray I have the faith to see it through! I pray you all have the faith to trust in God, and maybe...we can make it through this Journey we call life together!

God Bless,

Brian

Help

Dear Blog reader,

I need your help. Normally, I wouldn't do this, but I am rather curious to how this will all play out. I created this blog, primarily, to be an encouraging and exhorting type of site. I am a youth pastor, and I want to fill this blog with real life stories and situations in which Christ is at work, and hopefully challenge you, the avid reader of this blog, to live your life as if Christ exists. 

However, I don't know how many of you are actually reading this blog. I would love to know. So many others have comments galore, alerting them to the fact that people are reading their site, and mostly enjoy doing so. I would love to know that you are reading this, even if you don't like reading it. 

You do not have to have a google account in order to leave a comment, but leaving your name would be nice. If you do perhaps have a google account, then on the top left of this site you can become a "follower" of this blog. That would mean a lot to me. 

All I want for Christmas is blog readers and subscribers, and...a few comments. Thanks!

Now, on to the reason for this blog today, Business. I'm busy. This may not seem to be the case as I sit here rather aimlessly hoping to grab some attention, but I am. I'm busy. Whereever you are, I am certain you are busy as well. We are all busy, with something, in some shape or form. This is nothing new, but with it come the same drawbacks. 

I find myself so busy, that I neglect important things sometimes, like praying (more than a few minutes) and getting into the word. The real reason I neglect these things I find, however, is in the times I'm not busy, im "wasting" time being "busy." Facebook, IM, TV, et cetera. These are all great gifts, but can be and many times are a deterent from me reaching for my spiritual food for the day.

Now, I do not say this to blame these social networking sites, or network television, but simply to say as much as I am busy, truly I am distracted. 

I'm missing the mark. I'm missing the point. It's 16 days until Christmas, and is Jesus really on my priority list? Of all times of the year, shouldn't He be? These are tough questions that lead to many more questions and fewer answers. All I know, is I need Jesus, more and more everyday, and yet I find "time" to add more and more everyday to my life that doesn't give me Jesus. Ridiculous. 

I know what I have to do, but I feel so much like Paul, where, in Romans 6, he talks about what he does he does not want to do, and what he does not want to do, that ends up being what he does. It's a vicious cycle. I know however, that where this cycle ends, Christ IS. That while this cycle is in play, Christ IS, and that no matter what, no matter how hard we fall, or distracted we get, Christ IS, and because He IS, we ARE!!!

I am thankful for that, and this is one of the many motivating factors at digging into his word, praying hard, and trusting harder. I love Christ because Christ is Love, and He first Loved Me!

Comments Welcome!!!

God Bless,

Brian

20 DAYS...Give me Jesus

20 Days until the anniversary of Jesus' Triumphant Escape from the Womb!!! This is incredibly exciting! It should always be exciting, but the season itself brings with it, it's own charm.

Now, having said that, there are some things about the season that I am none to fond of. The radio stations that play non stop Christmas music from the Day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Day. I am not a fan. Don't get me wrong, there are many wonderful Christmas songs that I enjoy. I'm just not a fan of the exclusivity of the genre on the airwaves. You can only hear so many versions of "It's been said many times many ways..." well then stop saying it, ya know? Haha, I digress.

What's the point of Christmas? Really, bluntly, the point is to celebrate the anniversary of Jesus' Birth! There are many who may not see it that way, but that's the purpose. Jesus, in all honesty, is always the purpose. Always has been, and always will be. He's our purpose for being. He's THE purpose for which Salvation came about. Without him, this is it. This volatile, crazy, sinful world would be all there is for us.

Thankfully, this is not the case. Jesus came for us, and he REMAINS for us, and he WAITS for us.

I'm excited about numerous things. I am excited about my next to last semester of Seminary ending next Friday giving me a glorious 30 days or so off of school. I'm excited about the potential of spending 10 of those days with my Fiance', which is more time than we have spent together at one time in a year and 9 months. I am excited about some of the gifts I will be able to put to good use. It's not inherently sinful to be excited about any of these gifts. What I believe is the bigger issue is whether or not remembering that Jesus came excites you.

Now, this is something that happens every year, and like anything, it can become monotonous. For those of us who work in the church, it's a time of business and tradition. It can be real easy to miss it, because we are to busy working through it. How many of us plan to take time to truly take it in what Christ did. His birth, not only a miracle, but seemingly unheard of in the realm of men. Who would give of glory, power, DIVINITY, for simple, servanthood humanity?

The answer is the God who made you and sent His ONLY son to be the sacrifice because WE can't do the right thing. We needed Him (Jesus) not only to show us the right way, but the MAKE the way for us. What a Glorious, Glorious gift.

Give me money, give me games, give me football tickets. Give me a new car, or a new home. New clothes, or a new camera. Or, take that all away. Whether I'm blessed with such things or not, GIVE ME JESUS, and I'll be alright.

20 Days! That's something to celebrate indeed!!!


-Brian

Thanks

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and we are fast approaching the Christmas season. If you work in a church, or parachurch ministry, or really, any profession where you deal with people, then this is a hectic time for you. We have all sorts of events, and social engagements going on at the church, and if that weren't enough, I have 1 week and 5 days left of my semester and O' so much to get done. However, I am thankful.

I have so much to be thankful. The lot of us have a ton to be thankful for. I think about my life, and the pending events. In less than 6 months, I'm supposed to be getting married. That's a wonderful thought. Then I will start my married life with a wonderful woman. Before that, I will be graduating with my Master's Degree. Before that, my 25th Birthday. These are all wonderful events to look forward to. However, these are all events I, nor you, are guarenteed.

So often we talk about what we look forward to, and we miss what we are currently going through. We are so quick to wish our lives away. I remember when I used to say "I can't wait until I am out of High School." Then it was, "I can't wait to be done with College," only to go on to further my education and now I, "...can't wait to finish my master's." Then of course there is, I can't wait until these 5 or so months go away, so I will be married. Seemingly, these are not bad things, but I've heard it said that life is what happens inbetween.

Are you living in the now? Am I? Imagine with me what blessings we may be missing because we are looking forward to a reality that may never exist for us. Have you ever thought about that? The only reality is the here and now. Right now. This very moment. Even while I've been writing this blog, many moments have passed by that we can't have back. I'm not even guarenteed the time it will take to finish this blog. I can't hope for it, "If the Lord wills it" but I have to be content in the now.

That's what I have learned to be thankful for this year. It's not all that's coming, though I look forward to it with anticipation and desire, but I know that if for some reason, I don't get there, then most likely it will be because Heaven came first.

What we were givin, life, and the time that we have, though short for some, longer for others, and but a breath in light of eternity, is precious. We have to take captive all those negative thoughts and actions that keep us from enjoying the here and now, and look past ourselves, our plans, our dreams and goals, and look TO the author and finisher of our Faith.

I realize that life isn't rainbows and butterflies for a lot of people, and this life can bring with it a lot of heartache and pain. We must remember however, that each moment is a gift that comes with a purpose. There is a purpose for every moment we spend smiling, or thinking, or exciting, or sad, or in pain, or angry. Some of it may be because of our own doing, yet still, God has a plan for it.

The bottom line is, be thankful for now, because NOW is what's real. Nothing else matters, because nothing else...exists!

God Bless,

Brian

24

I made this blog for the purpose of spiritual encouragement and discipleship. I realize that for many of you, a countdown to the new 24 TV movie coming out this Sunday, that bridges the gap between season six and the upcoming season 7 wouldn't fit. It may not, in the traditional sense, but what I enjoy about 24 is the journey.

It isn't like most shows that there is an in discriminant amount of time that passes between each episode. Each episode is 1 hour of one day. The next show picks up in the next hour. There are 24 shows, making up 24 hours, completely relevant to the title of the show. Now it has been near 15 years since the first season in the shows time-frame, but it still packs a punch.

I tried to start something like this show in college. 24 Episodes but they would have a christian theme. We're talking spiritual warfare as much as physical. I thought that would be really cool. We never really got off the ground with it, I just mostly stuck with comedy, but I think about counter-terrorism in the every day life of the Christian.

Whether we have wars at home or abroad, we are always at war with the enemy, Satan. I know so many people deny He exists, thinking that really means a. He doesn't or b. they have some power over him if he does, but as they say "that is why you fail."

Some people try to counter it with, well the Devil may exist but I believe in God. Ok, so? Even the demons believe in God, and cringe. Do you believe in JESUS? Cause if you don't, then you don't know God, no matter what you think you believe in.

But we have a battle, all the time. It's a battle most often for the mind. What choices will we make? You may think the mind doesn't have a lot to do with it, but that's where it all starts. It's the initial thoughts. Now, a thought that you may have that's bad, isn't sin. It's something that pops into your head. You then face a choice, will you hold that thought captive, asking Jesus to help you remove it, or let it sit, and dwell. When you dwell you sin. Next, when you dwell, you allow the tought to take shape, and that readily leads to actions based on those thoughts.

Tell me the mind doesn't control the scope of the battlefield. The mind IS THE BATTLEFIELD. And when the mind is lost to sin, so goes the Battle.

BUT, How wonderful it is, that those of us who know Christ, have a mighty warrior leading us. Yea, we may lose some battles time to time in our mind, but His life, death, burial, and resurrection make us sure that we will NOT lose the WAR.

Kind of like an episode of 24, every hour of every day, we have a fight against the terrorists of this world, whether physical or spiritual. Along with that fight we have choices that either make us more like them, or more like Christ. Some battles we win, some we lose, but ultimately with Christ as the head, the VICTORY is ours!

That's something to celebrate indeed!

-Brian

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!!!

WOO

THE SAME POWER...

Are YOU, the reader of this fledgling blog, aware of the Power you have? There are only two "Followers" to this blog as of late, and I know them both to be Christians. Having said that, when we know Christ, we are given more than just a title of "Christian". We are given a new identity. With that new identity comes a new family, the body of Christ. With that new identity comes a new indwelling, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. With that new identity, comes a new home, Heaven when we die or are taken up to be with Him. And with that new identity, comes a new POWER. This power is not our own, but is from God, because of our relationship with Christ, through the POWER of the Holy Spirit. 

Hillsong and Hillsong: London have both sang the song "You are Here (The Same Power)," the lyrics to the chorus of that song start, "the same power, that conquered the grave, lives in me, lives in me..." What awesome and powerful lyrics. It's not MY power, it's the power of Christ. Christ conquered the grave because God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). We were given such power; power that we normally don't tap into. This can be for lack of trying or simply because of lack of understanding, both of which the Bible tells us we don't have an excuse to have. 

We, as those who are in Christ, are not to be ignorant to the truth.  We have the truth, it's called the Bible. Period. If you don't read, you don't know what it says, sure, but your still not given a free ride because of that. We are called to be different. We are set apart for His work.

We have a POWER like no other. Some of us have the power through finances; we can get things done through financial means. Maybe blessing an individual or an organization, or helping a building, such as a church, get built. Some of us have the power through our time and energy; resource power. This helps people, lending an extra hand. 

Even if it's not man power or financial power, ALL of us have the same power through our WORDS and DEEDS. True, some are better orators than others, some can electrify a crowd with smooth words and a dashing persona, like a Barack Obama, or a Billy Graham. Some speak with power and influence such as a Jerry Falwell, or John Haggie. Some have influence over the airwaves such as Dr. Phil and Oprah, Regis and Kelly, or Richard Simmons (I kid on the last one). 

But in every instance, it is amazing to see the Power of words and deeds in the life of an organization, a fellowship, and the individual. We all have great Power in our words and deeds. This is why the Bible talks at length about taming out tongues because bad things can come forth, and that leads to actions, which adds together to be sin. 

However, on the reverse, if we choose to use our words and actions for good, IMAGINE the impact. God has given us such power, and since there is scripture dedicated to the tongue, we know that our tongues, our words have great impact. Sometimes, we need to be forceful with our words and actions. Sometimes we need to take a stand, standing up for what is right.

But most times, we need be slow to speak, and quick to listen. This is how we tame the tongue. When we are slow to speak and quick to listen, we hear the person talking or we hear God speaking, and can direct our action to a more positive outcome. Think about it. You ever had someone smile and it just changed your day? Or a well timed hug that filled you with warmth. A listening ear at a time of need? These are all actions that don't require speech, and make a positive impact.

However, when one does speak in those situations, because of the time taken, it is usually well placed and well received. We have that POWER, and we need to use it, for the good. But we need to be weary of what we say, and that our actions back that up.

If you say you will pray for someone, DO IT! Don't pray imprecatory prayers (against) but pray for them as you said they would. If you say you'll be there for them, then be there for them. You may not be able to change a situation for a person, or make something terrible go away, but you can do what God has enabled you, through word and deed, and trust HIM for the rest!

So the challenge, for my two followers, and anyone else who may stumble upon this page; Speak as God leads and Act on what is spoken! For yourself, and for all of us! This is how we make this world a better place, and this is truly how we see the Same Power that conquered the grave, living in US!!!!

Again, I leave you with wence we started, Are YOU aware of the POWER you have? 

Consistency

I really do a bad job staying on top of this don't I? Most bloggers I know usually post at least once a day, and in some cases, multiple times per day. That's being consistent. And it's not like I don't have anything to talk about, (it is me after all).

I am taking a Homiletic course for my Seminary degree and I will be preaching at least 3 times in the month of November. This is more than I have ever preached in one month. My pastor is excited as it frees him up a little where he can relax and enjoy the preaching of the word instead of delivering it. I am glad to give him that chance, and praise God for the opportunity to preach. The Church has been all over it so far the three times I have preached in this church (the last being a few days ago). I am glad that have got something from it, as that is the point. Even if I am preaching it for a class, I'm not being told what to say, just how to format it all. The words are still God's and the message is still viable and important regardless the reasoning behind it. 

As We sit around and wait for this election to end and a New President to be crowned, we must remember that God gave us Free Will, and He isn't choosing the President, We are! At the same time, however, we must realize God is in control, and that who ever wins needs our prayers of encouragement and admonishment to do right by this country and by God. 

Prayer is Powerful, especially that prayer that goes out for someone running this country, even if you don't particularly like them. 

so, by all means ROCK the VOTE...Obey and PRAY! 

-Brian

HIGH ATTENDANCE WEDNESDAY

I don't have a lot of time to share this, but it is definitely something I have to share, so read quickly as I'm going to write fast.

For the past few months, I have been planning a High Attendance Wednesday during our regularly scheduled youth time on Wednesdays. I planned it for this past Wednesday, October 29th.

I challenged my youth that if we could get 40 youth to come to the church on that night, my hair would be PINK for a week! These youth took this very seriously and we're totally pumped about it. Now, I did make it clear however that the emphasis was the Gospel of Christ. I told them they could invite their Christian friends, but the emphasis was on their non-Christian friends. Again, I had planned this a few months in advance, and I knew God was going to work, but I didn't know in what way he would choose to manifest himself.

This past week, I found out. Last April, over in the Portsmouth area, a girl named Meghan was murdered in her home. She did not go to Churchland High School (where most of my students attend) but she had previously, and a lot of my students knew her. This was tough for them when they found out. Seemingly, the case had gone "cold" until last Thursday when they pulled a student out of class, and then arrested him Friday for her murder. The same kids who knew Meghan, were SUPER close to this guy, and are totally a mess upon hearing this news. The school is in disarray as a wide variety of opinions have come forth as the students reacted, causing a lot of chaos.

This is a horrible situation to be sure, but I realized that this was how God was going to work. Because of the magnitude of the situation, so many of those students were and are searching for something. Searching for some meaning to make sense of what happened, and why things like this happen. They were looking for answers, and were open to just about anything, including the Gospel.

How amazing it is that God can turn a seriously messed up situation into one that brings him glory. So, the night begins and the kids start piling in, and at 6:19 we had about 22 students (This is a new high for my wednesday nights, and the cut off for 40 is 6:30 P.M.) Some students tell me they know a bunch are still coming and I said they had about 11 minutes. Well, a few minutes later, a slew of kids who had transformed their 6 passenger vans into Mexican tour buses, come waltzing in. I didn't have a count but I knew we were under. At this point, I assumed we were not going to make it, though I still thought of it as a success. I didn't want these kids to be dissapointed, but there were still plenty of people. Well at 6:29, in comes the last remaining students. After they had all gathered around the food table, I had them sit down for the count.

I had them count off 1 by one...and at the end it was getting close....the last person says her number.....40!!!

We made it! Not 39, not 41, but exactly the amount of kids needed for me to have pink hair, and pink hair I have (even as we speak). There is proof in a photographical form on Facebook.

After many moments of food, getting to know one another, throwing candy, and such, I was preparing to start the lesson. Now I am at a smaller church, and this was double what I have ever had on a Wednesday and the most kids at a youth event in this church since the late 90's. This was huge. But with that came a huge amount of noise. I was thinking to myself how I was going to get them quiet. Staying away from conventional means of yelling or blowing a whistle, I looked over at two of my guests, two girls many of you know, Nicole and Taliya Gunawansa, and I was inspired. (It just so happens they go to Churchland and are good friends with my youth). When I saw them, my mind flooded back to a few Jedi-Mind tricks I learned at camp. I yelled out "Clap once if you can hear me, Clap twice if you can hear me (CLAP CLAP) Clap three times if you can hear me."

I had to do that a few times and at one point I started the "slow clap" and it turned into a clap clap clap clap clapclapclapclap, at which point I said THANK YOU THANK YOU and they all laughed, but then proceeded to keep talking. Finally I yell out "A-GO" to which two small voices yell out "A-ME" And I explain what it means, and that it's African (which caused all the African American guys to snicker at me, like I don't know what I'm talking about), and then we went on with the lesson.

I led them down Roman's Road and what it means to know Christ. I told them that all of them have dreams and aspirations, but that at any moment it could be their time. Our next breath is not guarenteed us. I told them they had a choice to accept Christ or not. I was very careful to not play on their emotions. I am not so far removed from being a youth that I don't remember what it was like to have my emotions taken advantage of. The message was clear, and taken directly from scripture, and was recieved well. A few students raised their hands stating their desire to know Jesus, and I prayed with them, and will be following up with them. There were at least 14 visitors I had never seen before and I look forward to following up with them when we go out witnessing next week as well!

Two funny moments from the night and then the conclusion. Every good sermon (as I am learning in Homiletics) has serious times and then moments that bring a little laughter or light-heartedness into the mix. This sermon was no different. I'm used to saying goofy things, but these potentially took the cake on such a momentous night. First, when I was tracing the origin of Sin back to Adam and Eve, I had a brain fart when it came to what the Garden was called. I started out with Adam and said (Lauren) SOMETHING THAT RESEMBLED "So, there Adam was in the Garden of EVE..." (Brief silence) (Loud Roar of nervous Laughter) I quickly recanted and said EDEN, Garden of EDEN, but by then the un-intentional sexual innuendo had been discovered. After a brief moment of tattered laughter, and transforming back to myself from being Bob the Tomato, I proceeded on. The next mess up came when I was trying to convince them of their worth and I dropped this tid bit of truth into their lives "The Bible says God knit us in our Father's womb!"

Really? It says that? Anyone else's Bible say that? No? Mine either! I quickly recognized my mistake there as well, and after another brief bout of humor, I continued on. All and all it was a wonderful night, and I believe the kids enjoyed it, and quite a few expressed interest in coming back! Woo-hoo!

For all of you who knew, thank you for praying! God did a mighty work that night and is continuing to even now! I can see God molding me and growing me in my faith, my confidence, and my ability to lead. I look forward to physical as well as spiritual growth in the Youth Ministry at my church, Western Branch Baptist Church!

That's something to celebrate indeed!

-Brian

Pastor Appreciation Month

Tomorrow, October 1st, begins Pastor Appreciation Month 2008! I am very excited about this for many reasons! This is my second year being a Pastor, and so that is exciting, but more over, just that people take the time to thank and remember those people who have tirelessly and effectively led their churches. A time to thank the Pastor's that were there in times of joy, and sadness, great triumph, and even defeat.

Out of all the thankless jobs you can list, I really believe Pastor's are right up there. And I don't say this because I am looking for thanks, but I saw it in appreciation of the fact that they made a month to be appreciated. I'm thankful for the Pastor's I work with and their contributions in my life, their advice, and help in my own ministry, and their friendship.

I am also very thankful for the people who were My Pastor's growing up. It is awesome to see where God has taken me and how they were instrumental in getting me there, even if they don't know it!

I'm thankful for the opportunity I have had to be a Pastor this pastor year and a month or so, and look forward to the future!

God Bless all of you, and please, take some time this month and thank a Pastor!

-Brian

Seminary, Death, and Taxes

I'm starting to wonder if there is a connection between seminary and the TRUE in more ways than one, desire to be with Christ now more than later. Doing it online, and taking classes in an 8 week format instead of 16 weeks has it's advantages, but also many disadvantages. The fact that it's online and in 8 week format, means I can keep my full time job as youth pastor and still get the world class education Liberty University gives. The disadvantage is that it's a lot of work in 8 weeks on top of my duties at church. My social life is non-existent, and, while I am fairly sure I have a fiancee', making her a priority becomes increasingly difficult.

The light at the end of the tunnel, however, comes in May. In fact, so does the end of my "single" life happen and the beginning of my married life take it's place. That is exciting, and I'm praying for it to come quickly.

When I was a kid, I used to try to go to bed really early the night before something very exciting was supposed to happen, (like Christmas Eve for example). The reason being that the next day could seemingly come sooner. Can I just do that for the next 7 months or so?

No? Oh well! Such is life, I suppose. All I know for sure, is I am looking forward to many things ending, and new beginnings with God leading the way.

Here's to it!

-Brian

Life Change

As many people know, September 24th, 2008 (otherwise known as yesterday) was See You At the Pole day. For those of you that don't know, this is a nation-wide event where students meet at their flagpole (typically 30 minutes before school starts) to pray for their school, their faculty, staff, leaders, world leaders, President, et cetera. Also, a time when they pray for their friends they see in school everyday. I participated in this when I was in High School, and my youth pastor would come to my school when we prayed. It's neat now being the youth pastor, and since a majority of my students are from two schools (the rest being home schooled) I was able to go to one last year, and the second one this year. It was awesome to hear my students as well as others with a burden for their fellow classmates and even their teachers!

Well, in Portsmouth, among the Southern Baptists, Nansmond River Baptist Church holds a See you at the pole rally in the evening. So, in lou of our regular Wednesday service, we went over there. We had 19 students go (which is a personal best for a Wednesday Night) and after the music and the speaker, 3 of my students professed that they needed Christ, and I got to personally lead them to HIM! That's a special thing. I've been able to personally lead 4 students to Christ in a youth group thats grown from 8-12-16 and now to 19-20. God has been so good, and I am so thankful for that opportunity.

More than all the kids who come, or the activities we do, or whatever may seem like a very cool thing, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, compares to knowing and having a personal realationship with Jesus Christ. NOTHING! Seeing a youth in my group, let alone being able to lead them to Christ, is a Very Special Thing, and something I do not take lightly!

Christ is awesome, and I look forward to the change in these Youth(s) lives!

That's something to celebrate indeed!

-Brian

AWAKE

So this past week was a very interesting week for me...

This past Monday (7 days ago) I got my wisdom teeth out. 1 was simply pulled, and the other three had to be surgically removed as they were impacted (and sideways, in some cases) and so I was put mostly under, I don't remember any of it, and that went fine. The recovery has been a whole other deal. I took off work Mon-Wed (Thursday is my day off) so I didn't work till Friday. I would have gone in earlier but I got complications. Pain, nausea, pain, stiff jaw, pain, massive headache, et cetera. So Friday, I was still in pain but I went to work and all was good. Friday night however, I developed a cold and started sneezing. Note to all: sneezing hard with 4 big holes in your mouth hurts, haha, so don't do it. Saturday was AWAKENING FESTIVAL in CENTREVILLE VA. We woke up early (The fiancee who was visiting, and myself) and were picked up by friends from church and rode the three hours there. I had a bad runny nose, tissues up my nose still bad headache and mouth pain. Got to the concert it was a good 15 degrees hotter than we anticipated, and we got to hear the wonderful bands. There was run kid run, nevertheless, britt nicole, matthew west, echoing angels, and then speaker (Justing Lookadoo) then the two headliners, with 1 hour and 1/2 sets a piece: SKILLET AND NEWSBOYS!

Well, wonderful story of God's intervention. Before Skillet was to perform and Justin Lookadoo was speaking this bad storm was headed our way. Im talking severe thunderstorm, had taken down trees in the local area bad. So they told us, the radar says its going to completely come over us, and if we see lightning we need you all to go to your cars, and we will let you know if we are gonna continue after it passes, but probably not. So he goes back, (the moderator) all the while...Skillet's sound people are still checking. He comes back out and says I know you guys still want to go on, and you know, we serve a BIG GOD so let's pray. So we prayed that God would move the storm...and keeping in mind the storm is now bearing on us...The radar shows it coming right over us...then all of the sudden, after we prayed the storm moved...not far but it stopped and moved a mile over, and hit that area, completely missing the park at which Awakening Festival was taking place. And then, Skillet came out and rocked it! A little rain came, then it stopped and Newsboys came out and brought it! It was such a blessing (in spite of the fact that i then developed a fever).

God did such a major work, and people Got saved during that day as well through the testimony of the singers, and the presentation led by Lookadoo, and others (like our group) were refreshed in the Lord. What a mighty God we serve indeed!

Sickness or not, I know by his stripes we are HEALED! and that He is in control!

Hope this is an encouraging Monday to you!

God Bless,

Brian

Defining Moments

They say every generation had their defining moment...that moment in time that will be remembered forever. For one it was the stock market crash of '29. For another it was world war 2 and more specifically the Bombing of Pearl Harbor. For another it was Landing on the Moon, or going to Vietnam, and for my Generation, it was watching in dis-belief as the twin towers in NY were hit by American planes hijacked by Terrorists. I was a Senior in High School, and I had a Dr's appointment that morning, September 11th, 2001. When It was over I went back to my house to gather my belongings, as it was in-between class periods, I did not need to be back to school for at least a half an hour. I was watching tv, when I happen to flip by CNN and saw them doing close ups on a plane, and thought that was weird, and I watched as it hit the tower. I didn't even know what to think of it. I went to school, and some of us talked about it in English class. A student mentioned she heard it on the radio, about the towers being hit. Our ever in-tune-with-society English teacher told us, it wasn't real, it was a hoax, there was nothing to worry about. I spoke up that I had watched on CNN that morning that it actually took place. People were beside themselves, not sure what had taken place.

They didn't let us out of school early that day, but I was out early as I didn't have a late class, and I rushed home to find an earily quiet neighborhood. My dad was home from the base as he was now on 6 pm - 6 am duty for the next month or so while the Air Force worked hard (along with the other branches of our armed services) to deal with this issue, a issue we very much are still dealing with today.

I remember going to Church at Liberty Baptist the next day for Youth Group, and Stuart, Rob, and Jamie had put together a video of the twin tower tragedy to the tune of "God is God, and I am not" by Steven Curtis Chapman which was ridiculously powerful and something I will never, ever forget.

Today, we all gather and remember September 11th, 2001, a tragedy. But, I hope also, today and everyday their after, we remember God, our crisis counselor, or wonderful friend, or Lord of all, and His son Jesus, our Savior, and protector.

We don't know why it happened, or why He let it happen, but one thing is for sure, HE is GOD and We are NOT, and He knows what He is doing.

When you've been firmly seated on the throne since you created the "beginning" then you can challenge that, until then Trust in Him, as He is trustworthy.

-Brian

Cartharsis

As I sit here writing, I am deep in thought. I am currently 8 months, 4 days, 13 hours, 51 minutes (as of 11:09 pm) away from my Wedding. This is crazy! Who's wedding? Mine you say?

This is incredibly exciting, however it also is a bit humbling. The closer it gets, the more I think about all the shortcomings I have, and how I hope they don't affect us having a healthy marriage. I think about all the mistakes we've made, and one's we're certainly bound to make in the future, and how I hope we are prepared. I think about the silly arguments, and pesky annoyances we push on each other from time to time, and how it's all fun and games now, but later it may not be.

I also think about this wonderful commitment, and how I am thankful to God for it, however realizing how devastated I could have been to have lost it.

On average, Samantha and I spend 3-4 hours a day on the phone, and text message one another between 15-30 times in a given day. Now, in my defense, she lives roughly 6 hours away, and I don't get to see her but ever 4-7 weeks. I look at all these text messages and minutes spent talking and getting to know each other, and it's wonderful, but I wonder what I would do if an afternoon went by without a text or a phone call from her. It's become so, dare I say "routine" in my life, that not having it after nearly 23 months of it, would be a "shock" to my system.

Now, I never shut out my friends, and I text others probably about the same amount, so this isn't an exclusivity thing, but it's more of a, have I put God first throughout this relationship, type of thing.

Of course, like most of us, the answer is yes and no. There were times and instances where I could see God being right there front and center in my life, and other times where I took "command" and tried to do things the way I thought they should be done. Some of this was unintentional, but still some was very much of my own volition. This brings me back to those mistakes, and thinking, God has to be first NOW if I ever expect him to be first in Marriage.

If while we are apart I can't focus on Him, then what makes me think I'll be able to do so while we are together? I am called to be the spiritual leader, and that's what I must be. But if I Worship HER, how can I lead her to be closer to Christ? I can't!

Now, I'm not saying I worship her, but I've learned a lot and and anything that you put before God is an idol. It's what you worship. It's where your heart is. If I put Sam ahead of God, then that's my idol, that's what I worship. She can't be Lord of my Life. There is only room for one, and that is THE only ONE, The Lord Jesus Christ.

Over the next 8 months, I hope to continue to let God mold me and break me and build me into the Man he has called me to be, and the kind of man that will lead my wife, and have a Godly Life-Long marriage! This isn't game time, this is put up or shut up time.

This isn't a season of my life, indeed it is for the REST of my LIFE! So I better start living it now.

But all the while I deal with these regrets and these shortcomings, I am ever grateful to God for the beautiful, simply yet complicated, and ever abundant amount of GRACE He provides!

After all, it was grace that gave us the ability to be saved, and still, that same grace that helps us live out our saved lives sold out to Him, bringing people to himself, and living Godly lives that reflect an awesome God!

I know God has many great plans for me, some He has already begun in my life, and others that are to come! I pray that I would be the man He's called me to be, so that I may be blessed, Samantha may be blessed, our marriage may be blessed, and God would get the Glory!

Amen,

Brian

Sunday Message

This past Sunday night was only my second time preaching (both times have been the evening service).

I had a wonderful opportunity to preach about worry. This is something I struggle with. First and foremost, if I could use one word to describe what that sermon was for me, it was vulnerable. I was putting myself out there. The purpose of which was not to draw attention to myself, but to hopefully point myself, and those in the congregation, to Christ...our worry free alternative.

For what it's worth, here's a copy of the manuscript I wrote for the Sermon. It's not the same as being there in person, and it doesn't have the funny story about my ADHD that I added, but I do hope despite me, you will get something out of this, and it will be an encouragement to you and me and we Trust God and worry less!

-Brian

DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY

I have to start off by saying that the title of this message is a bit deceiving, more of a play on words. I realize that we were never guaranteed happiness, or that lack of worry, would equate to happiness. However, we all at one time or another have seen how worry has robbed us of happy moments, or times that should be filled with joy. When we are worried, we miss out on What God is doing, and we can miss a lot of blessing.

When I was preparing for this message, and I understood the leading of God to talk on this subject, I had to kind of laugh to myself a little. Of all things I ever struggle with, worry is way up there. You may be sitting there thinking why would I talk about something that I struggle with? Well, I have come to discover quite a few things in my 24 years. Number 1, we are not an island. We were never meant to be on our own. As such, we were meant to be around each other, and to fellowship with, encourage, and help one another. Have you ever been struggling with something, some issue, and you come upon another person, who is struggling with the same issue, and you work through it together? That’s such an awesome blessing that God allows. He gives us people, and His word to get us through.

In His word, he speaks a lot about this issue of worry, because it is such a joy stealer. And the truth of the matter is, when we worry, we cast doubt on the power of God in our lives. We worry because you look to ourselves for strength, instead of God. Hopefully, we can all take something from the reading of this passage, and together trust God over ourselves. Please turn with me to Matthew 6:25-34

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[a]?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The first three verses direct us as to what is truly important. It’s not what we eat or drink, though we know those can have an effect on our physical bodies. It’s not the clothes that we wear, though we know we are classified sometimes based on what we wear. No, what’s important over the food and drink is our lives, and over the clothes are our bodies. Stop for a second and think about our bodies, and the things that we do to it. Some just don’t care. I’ve read the bumber sticker many times in my travels that says “ I am in shape. ROUND is a shape” Others are the exact opposite. They watch every calorie they consume. They check the labels for fat content, saturated fats, Trans fats. All of this in an effort to stay thin or avoid gaining weight. Next is joining a gym. Lifting weights, exercising to stay thin, or to maintain. 1 Timothy 4:18 tells us, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” So there is maybe some profit to working out, but if your not godly, then it only profits in the area of fitness and no where else. In other words it Holds no…eternal value. So when the eating right and the working out don’t produce the results, people get drastic. They get some slim-fast, or Hydroxy-cut. They join a meal plan like Jenny Craig or Nutri-system. Some of us are in between and hoping our metabolisms last long enough for us to “get over” our eclectic taste for the taco bell, and all of the sudden develop a taste for that more nutritious and “good for you” food item.

When you continue reading, you see that the birds of the air, who don’t have a storehouse to put food, are fed by Him. He takes care of them. The point is then made that I hope we can all see and agree on…Are we not more valuable? This is more rhetorical, but it leads to the fact that if he takes care of even the bird, then of course, We, God’s greatest creation, made in His own image, are going to be taken care of because we are of most value.

Continue reading, and you reach what I believe to be the heart of the passage, and truly the focal point of exposing our problem and our sin. Who…by worrying can add an hour to their life? I don’t know about you, but I have spent many an hour worrying about something, whether during the day or up at night restless. I sometimes fear I sit thinking and worrying more than I do praying. For some strange reason, I seem to think worrying about something is going to make it better. But the Bible hits us between the eyes here by telling us, all we are doing by worrying is wasting time.

The next verses deal with the clothing. Think about clothing for a minute. When it comes to our bodies, If it’s not food, then it’s clothing. Some people can’t wear something unless it comes from American Eagle or the Gap. Others can’t afford something unless it comes from walmart. But we all want to wear something that not only looks good but looks good on us. Not many of us seek out clothing to be “different” or looked at strangely, (maybe Some of us) but usually it’s to look good and fit in. We as a people value these things. Funny how that works as these verses say food and clothing are not important. It’s our lives that our important and what we do with our bodies that is important.

Continuing on, the point is made that Solomon in all his splendor does not compare to how the lilies of the field are clothed. Solomon, as many of you know was a great King. He had pretty much any earthly thing anyone could want. He was even credited as being the wisest person ever. And yet, all his riches and wisdom, don’t compare to that of a Lillie in the field. Then, in verse 30, it says that if even the grass, which grows today and is tossed in the fire tomorrow, is clothed with such splendor, how much more will God clothe us, ye of little faith. The point here, God provides for the small, the insignificant, the temporary, and He will that much more provide for us, for we are more valuable to Him. Again, the Bible hits us between the eyes because in fact, it is our lack of faith that produces worry in our lives. It’s not a lack of God’s power or God not working in our lives. It is us not letting God work in our lives, because we are to busy trying to make it Happen for ourselves. Necessary ingredients in this formula such as God’s timing, and our obedience are seen as trivial. We do things in our power, expecting it to work out, then when it doesn’t we worry and blame God. In actuality, it’s our fault and of our making. Rhetorical question: You think God is up there spinning things into motion to give us something to worry about? That was rhetorical of course….(look down) look back up, but the answer is no. He isn’t.

Verse 31 reiterates to us that we needeth not worry about what we should eat or drink or wear. In verse 32 we see an answer to why we shouldn’t worry. Because that’s what the pagans do. That’s what the world does, those that don’t know Christ. Once more, it says The Heavenly Father knows we need these things. If you remember back in Genesis 3:21 shortly after Eve and Adam had eaten the fruit, they hid from God, and they cited their reasons as that they were ashamed because of what? Their nakedness. So God fitted together skins for them as clothes. So even then He understood we needed these things. We need to recognize that God is well aware of what we need. We assume a lot of times because we don’t get things, that God isn’t listening. I really believe a lot of times its because God promised to take care of our needs, but not necessarily our wants. That’s a whole different category altogether. Philippians 4:19 says, And my God will meet all your WANTS according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Is that what it says? No, it says And my God will meet all your NEEDS according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

So we have seen what we do which is worry, we have seen an answer to why we shouldn’t worry and now we see what we should do instead.

Verse 33 tells us 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Finally, verse 34, probably one of my favorite verses in the Bible, yet something I find so hard to do practically is, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. I wonder sometimes how stress free our world would be if we could all adopt that philosophy. Don’t worry about tomorrow. You know I heard it said, that yesterday is history, tomorrow hasn’t happened yet. All you have is today, and you know what’s interesting, when you go to sleep tonight, and wake up, it will be today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Today is all we have. And as we know from experience and we see in this verse, it is full of its own trouble. It’s taking things one step at a time, one day at a time. Cause this may be the last day we have. How tragic it is that some of us never truly get to experience life, because we’re to preoccupied with a “life” we are looking to in the future, or problems that could come about later, and we miss the blessings of today. Of NOW.

You know what you gain when you do that. Regret, at best, and at worst, nothing.

So what we can take from this passage is that we as the children of God need to wise up to the fact that Our God is in control. He knows all that’s going on, and he already knows the results at the same time. The verse about the pagans should convict us, as the pagans worry as they plan and wonder where provision will come from. Why are we as Christians worrying? God says, He knows our need and will take care of us. We need not to worry, but to Trust God.

Enjoy today for what it’s worth. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Let God take care of you.

Let's Pray.

ONE THING ENDS...ANOTHER BEGINS

So Camp is over...and it was very good. The youth enjoyed it, and got a lot out of it spiritually. That is my big non-negotiable. Them having fun is great, don't get me wrong, but if they aren't going to get something out of it that helps them grow in their relationship with Christ, then it's not worth the cost.

But God did a lot of good that week and I am glad it went well. I was very eager to get back however, as I accumulated enough comp days to get this week off to spend with my girlfriend...

WHO...as of last night, is NOW my FIANCE' !!! God is good and after almost 2 years of dating, we finally took the next step. I'm thrilled and look forward to what's next.

Now many want to know how it went down. Basically what happened was this. Monday we went out on a 1 1/2 hour leisure boat road to dolphin watch in VA. Beach. We then went out to eat and then went for a sunset walk on the beach. Now, most people at this point think this was the perfect moment, but it was not. As you see, when we got to a place where it "could" happen, we were next to a public trashcan, and a magician. I'm random, but not that random. So nothing happened. Tuesday night, we went out with some friends. We ate then went mini golfing. Afterwards we stopped because the friends wanted Ice cream (from Sno to Go) So while they went out, Sam and I stayed in the car, and it hit me that it was the moment. I had purchased for her a beautiful, hand-carved wood rose shaped puzzle box from NY. She went to open it, and there inside was the ring. She paused. I grabbed it, looked at her and asked her to Marry Me.

Her next response was of course, "Does my Mom know?" then "I mean YES" then "I mean, does she know?"

Point is, she said yes! She cried, and we called a bunch of people and now we prepare for the madness that is wedding preparation. I'm thrilled though, because as a Pastor, at least at my church, the protocol is to invite all church members. This will make for a rather LARGE wedding, but I'm looking forward to it! And Most everyone is excited for us, so that makes it worthwhile to.

God is so good, and I look forward to spending out lives serving him!!! :-)

That's something worth Celebrating indeed!

-Brian

CAMP

Hello,

So its the third full day of camp, and it's been a "wild" ride, Literally. I don't want to go into all the specifics about what happened on the trip up, but I'll give some highlights

-13 hour trip

-rooms from creepy 1980's movies

- flat tire

- Non-internet activity.

The good news...

- The youth were excellent the whole trip

- due do a very tired, assertive and to the point youth pastor ( that's me) the rooms were changed from STEERAGE to 2nd class.

-We had a spare and one of my youth leaders got it put it on in place of the "broken" tire

-Obviously, the internet situation has been resolved!

The kids are over on the Island, and having a blast. They have actually called me everyday cause they miss me (aww) and myself and my youth leaders went to eat with them yesterday, and will probably do so again before the week is out. I am happy where we are as it is a little refreshing, it wasn't the first day by any means, but God showed me something.

I keep relying on Me. We do that don't we? We rely on OURSELVES, and then Murphy's law kicks in, which says everything that can go wrong, will go wrong, and when it happens, we wonder "Why would God let that happen?"

But it's not God. It's us relying on us. Now I'm not nec. talking about the circumstances that happening on Saturday. I'm referring to life in general. I find an overwhelming amount of evidence that suggests the times when I don't put God first, when I don't get in the word, when I don't pray, when I don't seek to be like Him in my words and deeds, are the times when things get chaotic.

That's not to say things don't get chaotic when your in His will, but somehow, your more at peace when they do, when you've put Him first. But that day, I got the stuff ready, I got the van ready, I got the kids in the van, I organized the trip, I made the reservations, et cetera et cetera. And I also freaked out, got stressed, felt overwhelmed and didn't know what to do when things didn't turn out how I expected it.

Now, things got better (as things tend to do) but I had to suffer a little, for God to get his point across to me.

Circumstances have NOTHING on my GOD, and for that we can Celebrate indeed!

-Brian

So much to do!

Seminary is tough, but I am enjoying learning things. What I have found though is that I did not magically lose my stellar ability to procrastinate after my undergrad years. Nope. Still very good at that. As a matter of fact, procrastinating is like riding a bike.

For example, I meant to write this post yesterday...but here I am...today. Point proven.

But I am on my much needed day off, and have a lot do before we leave for camp on Saturday. I am looking forward to the week though, as I previously said, just not the 11 hour trip.

Last night was awesome! We had another wonderful crowd, and it was kind of a deep time last night. The youth were more quiet than ever, but it's because it was one of those step-on-your-toes type of lessons. We've been talking a lot lately about adjustments in our lives that we need to make in order to go with Christ. Last nights lesson dealt with adjusting attitudes. I don't care how old you are, that's not a fun subject. Especially for teenagers though, it tends to be a difficult subject. There are many reasons for this. The first is that they don't agree that their attitude is a problem most often, and 2, they have a bigger attitude when you tell them about their attitude, which doesn't make for a fun atmosphere.

Indeed, it was rather "tense" in the youth room, but needed. I can't fear bringing up important topics from the word of God, just because of a few bad attitudes. I mean, haha, the fact that people have bad attitudes is why we have these discussions in the first place.

But like I said, we all do in some way shape or form. We all have a sense of entitlement, a sense of what we think we deserve, but really what we all deserve is DEATH in HELL apart from God. But He sent Christ, and upon our confession and belief in Him, we can know Him as Lord and Savior, and be with Him in Eternity.

That's a wonderful thing. But, in the meantime, we are here, on the Earth, and we have a purpose, and guaranteed, having a "stank" or "bunk" attitude is not one of God's purposes for us. As tense as it was, I am excited to see what God will do in their lives if they embrace the fact that they have issues, and need to be more obedient to authority (whether it be their parents, me as their Youth Pastor, or God at large) and that they must rely on Christ to truly change.

Camp comes at a good time, and we have 22 hours there and back in the van, plus time at camp to spend with not a lot else to do but to reflect and hopefully hear what God is saying.

Here's to it!

God Bless,

Brian

CAMP

In a few days (4 days to be exact), Myself, 2 of my youth leaders, and 7 of our faithful youth, will be going to WOL Camp In New York. I am excited about this for many reasons. One of them is that I know the youth got a lot out of it last year when they went to the Florida version and that it's solid Biblically. Second, is that the students have their own counselors and cabins, while the leaders stay in a 4 star equivalence "INN" right across from the camp. So, In a way, this is like a mini-vacation. We spend 11 hours together in a vehicle, then we get a week to ourselves in a way. They have a lot to do for the leaders as well from Bible studies and worship sessions, to the ever needed sporting tournaments. The two leaders that are going with me are a very sweet couple who have been with me, and have been my most dependable youth leaders, for about the year plus that I have been at this Church. I'm excited for them, as well, as this is a mini vacation for them as a couple to just unwind relax and be immersed in God. That goes for all of us, but some of us need it more than others.

I plan on going expecting God to move, and I hope to leave challenged and on fire. I do NOT, however, hope for or expect the same thing that always happens, that you have this "mountain-top" experience at camp, and then you are so excited when you come home and pumped for God, and then slowly it all changes. Maybe it takes a few weeks, maybe a few days, for some a few hours, but "life" finds a way of taking back over, and you find yourself at about the same place you were before you came.

I remember doing that in High School, and I don't want to do it now, or have it happen to my youth. What I have come to discover by way of a solution is that, what happens at camp can't be taken with you. It's then, it's yesterday, and then it's gone. The fire that builds in you when you attend this kind of experience, must be fanned and must be maintained. You can't rely on the "old wood" that started the fire, but you have to get kindling, the small sticks, to keep the fire going.

The same way with the fire from God. It can't be kept by the things that happened at camp, it must be maintained by daily putting God first, daily, getting in the word, daily discovering Him as you did at camp, and not relying on yesterday, but on God TODAY.

Easier said than done, but that's the challenge I have for the youth, and for my own self. I want to be challenged, I want to come back changed, but I want the change to the be the start of a greater change in me that God perfects over the course of my life, until I am perfectly perfected in Heaven!

Here's to an Awesome Camp! For those of you reading the blog, and havent made yourself known, first of all Thank You! and second of All leave some comments so I know who's out there!

And take my poll!

God Bless,

Brian

Deep Thoughts

As I sit here, I realize that my blog is not reaching the population at large. I hollered, or more appropriately gave a hearty "woot" at the fact that I had 13 unique visitors on Friday. Coincidently, I shared with the Facebook population at large about my blog that day. The highest amount of viewers previously to that day, were 3 (and they may have very well been me).

This is discouraging at best, but in the words of the great Tim Allen as Commander Peter Quincy Taggart in Galaxy Quest: "Never give up, Never surrender!"

With that statement as my banner, I press on, and hope to elicit some response from the general populous regarding this or other posts. The ever so kind, and ridiculously hilarious Rob Shepherd, (who's blog you can read here) has provided my only comment thus far.

But in keeping with the title of this post, I will attempt to post some deep thoughts. I am amazed by my students sometimes. While in many ways they are developing and immature, which is common for that age, (or my age for that matter), they can be incredibly insightful and deep.

Yesterday, we had a visitor for Sunday and this person was a great addition, and an obvious believer. After some time of chatting, and then an incredibly worship service, during the invitation time, this person asked if I would pray with them. I of course agreed, and this individual just began to pour their heart out to God, thanking Him for who He is, but also asking Him to heal a lot of hurts and to bring the family this person is a part of closer to Him. What an awesome and sincere prayer.

It was a pleasant reminder to see a student clinging to the coat tails of an Almighty God, believing He will work, and coming to Him because they know without Him, it won't happen. I wonder sometimes, even at 24, If I have become, if even ever so slightly jaded, especially during my prayer time. I pray for things that never seem to change, and I lack-lusterly expect something to happen, or maybe sometimes I don't expect/ want anything to happen.

It's not an everyday thing, but something that I am aware of, and need to address in my own life. Maybe if all of us, when we prayed, expected God to move, we wouldn't be so surprised when He does?

God is always moving, shaking things up, "rocking the boat" as they say, but as we talked about during Sunday School yesterday, we cant stay where we are and move with God.

A formula came out of this that I am going to keep up for a while, or until God tells me otherwise to help the students and really all Christians with the everyday struggles of being a Christian in a post-Christian world.

The formula is:

Faith -------> Action

Action = Adjustments + Obedience.

We have to adjust our lives to be obedient to Christ. He calls us all to something, to all kinds of different things, and if we are content to stay where we are, instead of catching God's vision, then we are not being obedient to Him. We may be making adjustments, but not completely adjusting to align ourselves with His will.

When we do that, when we adjust our lives to be obedient to Christ, we will truly see God at work in our lives like we never have before. Now I don't know what that means for everyone, or what you may have to do to adjust, but I know God does, and when you pray to Him and ask Him to lead, He will take you places you never imagined!

That's something to Celebrate indeed!

Here's to it!

-Brian

Case of the Mondays

For those of you who do church work, or I'm sure lots of other work, Mondays are meeting days. These are the ones where you can kiss your morning goodbye, going through the highlights of the past week (especially Sunday in my case) and what's coming up in the next week or so. It can be drab, but it serves two very important purposes. The first is that it gets everyone on the same page, and the second is that the work day is about half over, by the time the meetings are, which is awesome.

Now, don't get my wrong, I love my job. But I also love time off. So, Mondays are bittersweet in that way.

But the next few weeks will be kind of calm, the its WOL camp in New York then some much needed (and looked forward to) time off. I can't believe it's already almost August. Where did the time go. That youth ministry calendar that looked so full is now looking slim....however, the dreaded "overnighter" is still looming.

But I'm thankful to God for life, and all that it offers, and I am looking forward to a wonderful week ministry and the coming weeks as well!

Here's to it!

-Brian

PRAISE BAND

I am so excited for this evenings youth group! Finally after a year and almost 2 months of praise and worship by CD, we are going to have live music! This is a great thing and I am very happy to have it! What's better is, it's my youth leaders, (and myself on drums) that will be providing the music! I never knew the talents they had (other than singing) and when I found out one of them was learning guitar, I was like, let's do this.

So Tonight we will go live! This is just another step in providing and developing an environment these kids will enjoy being in, and want to invite their friends to. Plus, with leaders being vulnerable and sharing their heart through singing, and worshiping God, it helps disarm the kids, take away some of that fear, and makes them want to sing out to Him as well.

For this I am overjoyed! I am very excited about how God is going to work through this, and am excited for a renewed energy to pump the kids up about Christ!

That's something to Celebrate indeed!

Here's to it,

Brian

The biggest gossip is "They"

I heard it said by someone recently that the biggest gossip in your church always seems to be "they." I thought I understood what that meant, and from a certain point of view I did. But really, I don't think I got it at all until I really started seeing it at work. Basically, any time there is a problem at the church, someone may eventually come to the pastor, or in most cases me, because I am a pastor, but i'm not the Pastor and I guess they think I'll go talk to him for them. But when the person complains it's always, "I'm not the only one that feels this way."

And, naturally the next question is, "well, who else?"

And the next response tends to be, "Well, there's a lot of people" or "they wanted me to come"

"they"

It's interesting, because while some people are good at it, I think most of us share a characteristic, some may even call it a character flaw, and that is in the area of confrontation. The Bible tells us in Matthew 18:15

"If your brother sins against you,^[a] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over."

But so many of us are quick to cop out, send a quick e-mail, or go in with a petition of sorts for "they" that don't want to go and take care of their issue.

Now I realize that it's not always a sin. It could just be something that bothers them, but I think the truth of the passage still applies. If you have an issue with someone, you need to go to them, and take care of it.

Because really, if it's enough for you to complain, and your talkin to each other about it, and gossiping and getting mad, then it very well can lead to sin.

But I am seeing it more and more, and I am just past being at the church a year, and for much of the first year, I think I was in good with pretty much everyone. I still am now I believe, but I think I've got under some people's skin, because when they come to me complaining about anything, especially the Pastor, I ask them the question I've learned to ask, that is really a life-saver and a ministry saver, "Have you gone to this person" 99% of the time they haven't, and they don't want to and are mad when I won't listen to any more before they go. But that's a hill I'm willing to die on because its important and its biblical, and it helps the body be healthy. If they just complain to me and it never gets takin care of then the bitterness will still be there.

But that's a lot of us isn't it. I find myself going to my pastor, about situations in the church, and I think well I'm in a high leadership position so it's ok, but often I'm presented with the same question "Have you gone to that person" and most often, the answer is no.

Guess I gotta work on that PLANK before I reach for that speck. This is what makes me think we all share this concern in one way or another, and Maybe it will take us getting more grounded in the word, and connected to the beating heart of God, for us to be broken enough to take care of any dissension before it causes problems within the body!

Still workin on that. Prayin for the boldness. I have to be the change I want to see in the world, and likewise in the church. If a Pastor won't do it, why should anyone else feel the need to?

But God is good, and his mercy remains. I pray all of us reflect upon this, and seek to weed out any conflict to be in harmony within the body, because if we keep fighting among ourselves, those of us who call ourselves "believers" how do we expect to change a world is dire need of harmony?

Hmm, something to think about. While there are so many questions, the great news is that Jesus is always the answer, and in him, the solution will be found and can be made viable in our lives.

That's something to Celebrate indeed!

God Bless you on your Journey,

Brian

The Freaks Come Out at KNIGHT

...So I went and saw the Midnight + 1 minutes (though it started more like 12:10) showing of the Dark Knight, and it was definitely worth the sleep deprivation. I normally am not off on Fridays, so I wouldn't have even considered it, except this week I was fortunate enough to work Thursday and be off on Friday.

You always hear the stories about how the "freaks" come out at night, well last night they came out at Knight, indeed. Now you had your normal to abnormal fans who wore there bat costumes, and joker costumes, and what have you, and that's all fine and good. But then you had people who had piercings from their ear up, through the head and connected back to the ear on the other side. They considered themselves to be a "new villain" and well, as we like to say in church, "bless their hearts."

But going back to the movie, Heath did a ridiculously good job playing the Joker. He was an ADHD Joker, as for those of you who know me, that's especially fun as that's what I am (minus the Joker part of course).

All of the characters did a good job. If there was one problem I had it was the scruffiness of Christian bale's voice while he is Batman. I realize that have to change the voice and play the role, but it sounded exaggerated and made me want to clear my throat often. Sounded like Batman after 50 years of chain smoking ya know? But it was well done.

One of the quotes that got me last night, is when Harvey Dent's character says,

"You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

When I heard that statement, and reflected on it later, I thought about Christ. I believe he managed both simultaneously. He died a hero for all those who believed, who understood the true meaning of why He died for us on the Cross, and really for anyone who comes to Him, even now, having not believing for so long, they can find Him to be their Hero for all eternity.

But at the same time, He lived long enough (on the earth) and said enough and talked to enough people that He saw himself become the villain. So many rejected and despised Him. They beat and mocked Him. They spat and jeered Him. Even over a convicted murderer, the people at large sought to end His life, end His "reign of lies" or His "blasphemy" calling Himself the "Son of God."

So, he saw himself become the villain, but what's awesome is, this is what Had to happen so that He would reign as the Hero. Little did they know that by Killing Jesus, the one Perfect person ever to live, they actually gave themselves a chance. They actually could finally know true forgiveness.

And what's more, is his statement, so powerful, so awe-inspiring, that no one, NO ONE takes His life from Him, but He gives it FREELY.

He saw himself become the villain. He let himself be killed. He reigns forever the Hero: the author and finisher of our Faith, and our Savior for ALL TIME.

That's something to Celebrate indeed!

So, to recap

Go see Dark Knight, it's good.

And remember above all, the world needs but one hero, and Jesus is the hero of the world!

-Brian

Kent Jackson

I will write about this, but only briefly, because I don't mean to give him to much attention. Kent Jackson was executed by the state of VA today, after being on death row since 2003, for the 2000 stabbing, sexual assault, and murder of his then 79 year old neighbor. It took police a year to match a cigarette left at the scene to Kent Jackson. His roommate, Mark Dorsett was also involved and sentenced to 135 years in prison.

You may wonder why I bring this up. The reason is, I knew Kent Jackson. He lived in Iceland when I did. We played ball together and attended High School together. He was older and was a part of things I wasn't, but we still got along, and he always looked out for me. We lost touch when I moved back to the states, to where I am now, and to find out he lived in VA too and did these horrible things was unbelievable at first. What's more though, is that he never showed remorse.

As a matter of fact, yesterday, before he was executed, his last words were, “You all can’t kill me. I’m the king. Remember me like you remember Jesus. I’ll be back.”

It is a very bittersweet day, as justice was served for the lady involved and her family, and on the same token a family and friends lost Kent.

What's even more sad, however, is if those last words were in any way a glimpse into his heart, then his eternal afterlife will be more unpleasant then anything he ever went through on Earth.

I'm glad justice was served, but see the human element, not just the monster because I knew him, at a time where this madness was a far cry from reality.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, and to Mark Dorsett's family, who if memory serves, also lived in Iceland.

I pray Kent did know, at that Mark would know Jesus.

God Bless,

Brian

Back to the Old Grind...

Can I just say, I ENJOY WEDNESDAYS. Ever since I was in youth group at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, VA, I looked forward to Wednesday. I had an amazing, very large youth group I was a part of, and a solid group of friends I still have now some 6 years since I took my leave and headed to college. When I was 16, and I realized my call from God to youth ministry, I became even more excited about Wednesdays. It wasn't just going to hear Stu speak, or Rob, (Now of Waters Edge Church) though they are great and I hold all of what they spoke near and dear; but rather, it was seeing it from the perspective of that being me someday.

This wasn't in a prideful or vain way, but more an excitement for fulfilling my purpose. Some 6 years later, here I am about a year in of my first full time youth ministry, small in comparison to small church's, especially in comparison to large church's such as Liberty Baptist, but still very much the place God took me, and the place I enjoy serving. I have 15-18 very eager, vibrant youth, and that's a large step forward from the 7 or so that were here when I arrived.

Though at a slow, staggered pace, God is working and his hand is moving in this place, something I am very excited about. Where-ever His hand is, is where I want to be, and where I will remain, until He tells me otherwise.

Now I must take my leave, to go and work on things for youth, and I'm very excited!
Nothing fancy, nothing out of the ordinary for youth tonight, but it's Wednesday, and that's something to be celebrate indeed!

Here's to it,

-Brian

Monday Thoughts

I am still in NC with my lady and her family, and heading back home tomorrow, then back to the office on Wednesday.

I am excited about the rest of the summer, with events such as movie night, beach trip, camp, and then the ever dreaded overnighter in August haha.

It will be interesting but I'm looking forward to it. And later on in August, I'll celebrate one year of officially being a voted in Youth Pastor. That is something to celebrate indeed.

I have cousins at home waiting for me to arrive also so they can attack my wii (which I specifically made off-limits until my return)

Ah well, such is life. Here's to it!

-Brian

Intro

Hello,

I have been blogging for years, but this is my first "professional" blog. I am a youth pastor at a conservative, Bible believing church out in Portsmouth, VA, and I hope to connect with other youth pastor's sharing ideas, talk and reflect on the deep truth's of the Bible, and hopefully permeate this online world with the truth of Christ.

I will keep more in depth later, but for now, I just wanted to get this blog a crankin, and I'll be sure to pump out some more posts in the coming days.

Grace for the Journey,

-Brian