The sweet joy of sitting

You can't see him very well, but this is Brad; leading an obstacle course...for the glory of God. (Brad is the guy on the right, now the small guy about to enter the tube hall)

Last night, I sat during our middle school service. Besides doing the media shout, I had the joy of just sitting and participating. As a youth minister, it brings me great joy to observe and give opportunities to college students to lead. Last night, Brad, a 21 year old youth leader in the ministry, preached the middle school message. It was a great message for the students. The content was strong, the illustrations were helpful, and the delivery was given with great confidence. It brought peace to my soul to see another college student step up and lead.

Sometimes I wonder if ministry leaders would benefit more if they intentionally sat once a month and allowed college students to lead. I wonder if student ministers spend time equipping and encouraging college students to lead. Please permit me for a moment to share with you a short history of my relationship with Brad.

I first met Brad when I accepted the call to the student ministry at Summit in November, 2005. Brad was one of the first students to welcome me to the church. He was a part of the 2006 senior class; my first class at the church. They were a great group. Brad left after high school and went to college in Kentucky. After a discouraging first year of school, he left and returned home. For a short while, Brad worked at the hospital and spent his free time just having fun. He was living a pretty easy, young adult life. However, by God's gracious design, Brad developed a stronger hunger for the Word. I've observed him in the past several months diving deep into Scripture with great anticipation. His excitement has moved from the newest album or dvd to a great truth he discovered while studying the Word. Instead of speaking about upcoming shows, Brad comes into my office with one thing on his mind; He wants to talk about his Savior. Last night, Brad preached for the first time in the middle school service. After what the Spirit did through him last night, I'm convinced he will be preaching more.

Invest in your college students. Remind them of their great value to the bride. I'm blessed to work in a church that has recently stepped up the college ministry by bringing on a ministry leader who has taught great truths to eager ears. It is such a sweet joy to simply sit and watch God make His glory known through a college student. Oh to see more college students crave His Word like a baby craves for milk.

Read Psalm 119. 176 verses... the power of His Word never ceases to amaze me. In fact, I'm going to read now...within the sweet joy of simply sitting.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave

A Sweet night at the Ballpark

Dad and I supporting our Cardinals...

Last night I had the rare privilege of seeing the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball against the Atlanta Braves. Even though the Cards lost 2-1 (thanks to the bullpen), it was a fun night. I'm grateful for my dear friend Steve Goforth and his willingness to take me to the park. Nothing like a nice Spring evening of baseball to get this week in motion.

While at the game, several sweet memories of baseball games from the past, with my father, came to mind. My earliest memory that I hold is sitting next to dad, at a Cards game. I remember pouring upon him question after question about the game. I remember leaving and wanting to know more about each player. I remember the day that I finally learned what E.R.A. meant and how it showed the value of each pitcher. I remember how dad explained to me that math was important to the game (figuring out the batting average of each player) and how math should be important to me as well. It was a rich time in my life. Those memories of going to the ball park, with my dad, were indeed sweet. When I see the Cards play, I think of dad and how it would be great to go to another game with him again. (Even last night, he sent me text messages...which is still odd, asking about the score).

When we enter into corporate worship as the bride of Christ, may we indeed enter with great anticipation. May we dive into the rich Word of God which hopes of finding answers to our questions. May we take communion and remember the atonement. May we rejoice together in the joy of salvation and weep together in the affects of sin. May our memories on this side of glory be filled with the greatness of God Almighty and how He daily reveals Himself to His bride.

Just random thoughts for this beautiful day. I hope the cards win today.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave

My first attempt in reaching parents

It's Monday afternoon and I'm resting in my office after a great weekend. I'm so grateful for the vision my gracious Lord gave me a year and a half ago in planning a weekend to equip parents. This past weekend, that vision became a reality as over 50 parents gathered together for a time of fellowship, worship, and discipleship. What a sweet joy it was to see families gathered together, in the midst of tears and laughter, for a time of renewal. I'm grateful for all the parents that were able to attend. The sessions were divided into the following:

1. Know the Word (Do parents know the Word? Do they understand the riches and treasures of Scripture? Do they know it well enough to teach their children?)

2. Teach the Word (Do parents actively engage in teaching their children Scripture as much as they teach them how to: ride a bike, tie a shoe, drive a car, etc.)

3. Share the Word (Do families worship together? I've seen a trend of churches dividing their corporate worship services by age...what a tragedy. Families that worship and serve together produce such beautiful obedience to the King.)

Dr. Allen Jackson, who has become a dear friend of mine, led in these sessions. Allen is a professor of youth ministry at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His leadership, led by the Spirit, was truly a blessing. I praise the Lord for the miracle He performed in Allen's mom. She had quadruple bypass surgery on Wednesday of last week...and went home yesterday! Amen!

James Tealy, a dear friend of mine from New Orleans, along with his friend Jacob, led us in music. What a blessing that turned out to be. The passion for the Lord that is so deeply immersed in James, was a source of refreshment for my soul. This world needs more James Tealys.

My heart still is burdened for parents. My desire is for them to step up daily and be leaders in their home. I'm growing tired of the weekly routines of "drop my kid off at your church and you fix them." Oh, to see parents rise up and preach the matchless Word of Christ in their homes...what a day that will be! As I stated in an earlier blog months ago...I'm not a glorified babysitter. I'm a minister of the Gospel. If that means going past students in order to reach their parents for Christ...then so be it. My prayer today is that the Gracious, Perfect, Holy, and Sovereign Lord will transform homes for His glory.

Just a short reflection from a great weekend. Soli Deo Gloria!

Blessings,

Dave

Some fun in Romans last night

Last night, I had the sweet joy of preaching Romans 5:1-10 to my high school students. I love this text. It reminds me of the grace we have to be justified in our faith in Christ. Justification by faith alone in Christ alone is indeed the root of Christianity. It is the concrete that holds the structure together. All doctrines connect to this truth. When other things are added...then heresies begin. For the message, I used resources such as: "Don't waste your life" by John Piper and "In my place He stood condemned" by Mark Dever and J.I. Packer. Here's a recap of what I preached on:

1. Don't waste your life by waiting..."through Christ"
-this covered the first two verses of Romans 5. I love how the text shows "through Christ" twice. It reminds me that we are justified (dikaioo, to render, to show innocence, etc.) in Christ alone. I don't stand as a guilty sinner in the presence of God Almighty. Instead, I stand as a redeemed, justified, righteous, adopted child; because of Christ. I'd encourage you to read Ephesians 2:18, 3:12 and Hebrews 10:19. When I was 14, I had the sweet privilege of going to a Jars of Clay concert. My youth minister gave me a backstage pass before we arrived to the show. This pass gave my access to the band! I was able to go behind the curtain and meet the guys that I used to listen to in my room. I was boasting in that backstage pass all night. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest (read Hebrews 5 and 7), gives us unlimited access to the Father! We go to Him, redeemed, righteous, and holy; because of this doctrine of justification. Sick stuff!

2. Don't waste your life by waiting...through the trials of this world = eternal hope.
-this covered verses 3-5. Here, I talked about the persecutions we often receive when it comes to our faith. This world, this fallen world, hates truth (read 1 John). I pointed the students' attention to 2 Timothy 3:12. When I was in high school, I was in the marching band. I hated band camp. One summer, a bee flew over and stung my nose! I dropped my horn and ran around the field screaming. I went home and told my parents I HATED band! Even today, as a 27 year old, I have no desire to go to band camp to suffer. Christ redeemed me from the curse f the law (Galatians 3:13). Through His blood, through His obedience, through His resurrection, I am redeemed! Therefore, I can go through trials for His glory, for I know my treasure is found in Him. I encourage you to read the lyrics from the hymn, "Solid Rock." I love this hymn! I love the line, "my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name." Sick!

3. Don't waste your life by waiting...through the atonement of Christ.
-this covered verses 6-8. You can preach an entire year's message on these verses! Well, I spent only 15 minutes in them. I love the word: atonement. Erickson defines it as, "the work of Christ that makes possible the restoration of fellowship between individual believers and God." Sick! We are restored to God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I explained to the students the importance of the Day of Atonement. Read Leviticus 16. It's really cool. 2 goats brought in, 1 slaughtered for the penalty of sin, 1 spared for the fact that we are made right, made clean... 1 dead, 1 alive. We are dead in our sins, but alive in Christ!!! Read Ephesians 1:7. It's sick stuff.

4. Don't waste your life by waiting...through the gift of reconciliation.
-this covered verses 9-10. I love this world: reconcile. It basically means, "to bring together." We are brought together, to God, in Christ, for His glory. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 7:25, and 1 John 2:1. The gift of Christ gave us the joy of being restored to God Almighty. It reminded me of the fact that a recent gift from a family member has made my dream of going back to school...a possible reality. He made it possible, he brought together my hopes of going to school by making a way. John 14:6 reminds us all that the gift of Jesus, the Son of God, who is the way, the truth, the life...has given us reconciliation with our Creator, our Father. Soli Deo Gloria!!

To God be the Glory, Fanny Crosby, 1875.

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

An Unexpected trip to Yorktown

We received news a few days ago about Brooke's grandpa's condition. "Papa" has been in hospice for a few months now. Just last week, his condition turned; leaving him in the hospice house. The doctor estimated only a short time left. So, after church service yesterday, we jumped in the car and made the 600 mile journey to Yorktown. This morning, my body is full of various pains from the car ride and the softball game on Saturday (I'm too young to feel old). I anticipate an emotional visit here.

It's always hard to say goodbye to loved ones. In just a few minutes, Brooke and I will be heading over to the house to visit papa. We are going there to encourage him, love him, and let him know that we appreciate him. Above all that, we want to know if he is ready to see Jesus. Brooke has spoken with him in the past about his faith, and hasn't been given any sign of an absolute hope. This morning, the Word reminded me of the everlasting hope, a hope that never disappoints, a hope that never fails. This hope that we want papa to have is a hope that we can't give him personally. I pray the Holy Spirit will draw him today to that hope, or refresh us in our visit that the hope is already there! I love what Hebrews 11:1 says about faith. We indeed have faith in the Risen Savior, the hope for all generations! May this hope, may the message of Christ dwell richly in papa today. Please pray for him. Please pray for Brooke and her family.

Every morning, I wake up with more anticipation, more love for my Father who reigns victoriously in glory. Oh friend, we indeed receive the treasures of His grace daily; in His Word, in His revelation. Enjoy time with the Almighty today. If you don't have a certain passage to read, I invite you to read Acts 17. I love the passion, the boldness, the confidence of Paul. This woke me up this morning (mixed in with 2 dogs parking and 2 birds screaming...about 8-10 feet away from my head).

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave

Broken Law, pee stained, and cleansing

This morning, Brooke and I woke up and walked down the hallway to wake up Chulo, our dog. As soon as the door opened, we smelled the result of Chulo breaking the law of the quiet time room; he peed. I've told him several times (of course, he doesn't know what I'm saying), that peeing is for the backyard. This is the first time in several months that he has had an accident. He is 2 years old now and is house trained (or he likes to convince his mom of that.) Well, he peed on himself, in his sleep, on himself, and now he is outside waiting for a bath. It's a good thing that my furniture in that room was donated by my best friend Jonathan. It is old. Chulo is wearing the stain of his decision right now. He needs to be cleansed. He reaks.

Oh friend, we can learn from this. All of us, in one way or another, have broken God's law. We have sinned. The Word tells us that (Romans 3:23) we have fallen short of His glory. According to James 2:10, one broken law consequences in all of the law being broken. We need to be cleansed. We need to be washed in the blood of the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 1 Cor 6:11). We need His grace, His cleansing (Ephesians 1:7). We need to be made right (Romans 5:1). We can learn alot from the accidents of animals. I believe, as D.L. Moody preached long ago, that most sermons are preached daily by the shoes of those that walk.

When Brooke gets home from her run, we are going to wash our dog. We are going to restore him to the house and allow him to enter in. Are you washed in the blood?

I close with this old, but powerful hymn

Are you Washed in the Blood? 1878, by Elisha Hoffman


Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

From the Inside out

I love the song, "From the Inside out," by Hillsong. We sing it often on Wednesday nights with our students. It has powerful theology. I especially like the line,

"A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace."

The honesty that shines in that line is encouraging. We are called to be honest with our Maker. Through Christ Jesus, we have the privilege of prayer. I find it very encouraging to admit my mistakes, my failures, my sins...because I taste and rejoice more in His grace. I don't label that grace "cheap," for I am reminded of the price my Savior paid to cleanse me with His righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds me of the fact that He became sin, so that I can become His righteousness. So, confessing (or to agree with the Spirit of your sin, your failures, etc.) leads you and I to taste daily and see how good our God is! (Psalm 34:8). I don't ever want to sound trite in my failures. I'm drawn to live and preach Christ crucified. Praise His Holy Name that the tomb is empty!

I need to share this with you. This morning, I went to the dentist. I sat down with Colleen, one of the new girls that works at the office. Colleen is unfamiliar with my gagging problem. Well, I wanted to keep it hidden, on the inside! I sat down and she lowered the chair...and the dental torture began. I held in as much as I could...the dark secret of my gagging. Well, I lasted just a few minutes. She placed the ice pick scraper deep in my throat...and I gagged! She jumped back and panicked. I then had to sit up and explain to her my gagging problems. (That would've been important to tell her before she opened my mouth.) Very cautiously, she laid the chair back down and continued on. Once the secret got out of my gagging, she worked from a distance and I breathed more out of my nose. 25 minutes later...I was out of there.

I should've been honest with Colleen. I should've been more open with telling her of my gag problem. It really reminded me of 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This confession is a daily confession. We are to daily be open and in agreement with our sinful condition and our need for Christ. I was a fool to hide my gag problem. We are fools if we walk into church buildings and expect to be whitewashed tombs. I'm grateful for those that know my weaknesses and love me anyway. I'm grateful for my bride who embraces me daily and reminds me of my calling. On top of all of that, I'm grateful for my Savior King who has imputed to me the righteousness of my Father in Heaven. I'm grateful for His Holy Spirit that captivates my attention to the glory of God.

Confess daily. Be honest daily. Rejoice daily. If you have a gagging problem, confess that to your dentist.

Blessings,

Dave