Quieting My Soul

The life of a daddy/elementary school teacher/seminary student/wanna-be preacher is not an easy one. There are constantly projects to complete, papers to grade, sermons to write, and boo-boos to kiss. It can lead to a lot of noise. I came across this verse in Psalm 131 today and it was a message from God.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
- Psalm 131:2

When times get hectic and you can't see the light from the size of what is expected of you, remember to quiet your soul.

I Would Like to Think These Guys Had Awesome Youth Pastors

The video below shows some football players from the University of Nebraska. In a world where a lot of athletes are getting into trouble and finding themselves in the midst of controversy, these guys seems to have their heads on straight and are grounded in the Gospel.

Husker Football Players Share the Gospel - FCA from Three Pillars Media on Vimeo.

(I want to thank Erik from OrdinaryPastor.com for bringing the video to my attention.)

The Meaning of Baptism

I came across this video about the true meaning of baptism. It is more than a simple ritual, something that you have to do as a Christian. I hope and pray that this video will help you to love Christ more and to have a deeper appreciation for your baptism. If you have not been baptized, I pray that it will cause you to want to be baptized.

Funny

(caption: "Don't bother me. I'm looking for a verse of Scripture to back up one of my preconceived notions!")

What are some preconceived notions that you have come across?

Praying for Teenagers

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I often feel drawn to youth ministry. As a result, I read a lot of books and articles in regards to ministering to teenagers. I came across one such article on praying for teenagers by Terrace Crawford.

Here are the highlights:

Areas to pray for

1. Purpose
   
2. Friendships
   
3. Character
   
4. Purity
   
5. Passion
   
6. Money
   
7. Submission and Honor
   
8. Spiritual Growth
   
9. Discernment
   
10. Hope
    

Please read the entire article to get more in-depth information and Scripture that you can use as you pray for the teenagers in your youth group, your church, and your family.

Steve Jobs and Thoughts on Death

As many of you know, Steve Jobs passed away yesterday. Many people across the world had been profoundly impacted by him and the work that he did. I have never been an Apple guy and I don't own a Mac. However, a few years ago, one of the students I taught was gracious enough to give me an iPod Touch as a gift. I must say, it was probably the nicest gift I had ever received from someone who wasn't family. The iPod Touch has been an awesome tool. It entertains my children. It allows me to carry a library in my pocket. I can memorize Scripture in a way that was never available before.

All thanks to Steve Jobs. God gifted Steve Jobs with an amazing mind and the ability to see the future. God has used those gifts and the products that were created as a result to impact many around the world with the Gospel.

It is my prayer that Steve Jobs knew Christ. I have read things that would be to the contrary, but I am hoping that Christ was able to seize his heart and save his soul. Death comes for everyone, not because God intended it that way, but as a result of sin. How we prepare for death and how we leave this world must be decided. Will you choose to follow Christ or will you choose otherwise?

Here is great tribute to Steve Jobs and the impact he had on the spread of the Gospel.

Should I Become a Youth Pastor?

Before I graduated college (it's a long story), I served at a church as a volunteer youth worker. I went back to college and took the year off, then went back to doing it for another year until someone else was hired (again, another long story). Since that time, I have had the opportunity to do a variety of different ministry positions, all on a volunteer basis. I have prayed and asked God to show me the right ministry and I always seem to default back to youth ministry. I have a good number of ministry books on my shelf and a large portion of those books deal with youth ministry. I can't help but wonder if this is an indication from God as to the direction I am being called.

With all of that being said, I have decided to begin my search for a ministry position again. I have spoken to one church (waiting to hear if the pastor is interested in talking to me), I have a lead to a church in Indiana, and I have looked at a few online. I ask that you would be in prayer in regards to my search and what it means for my family and my ministry.

P.S. I apologize that it has been so long since my last post. I have been absolutely swamped with seminary readings and projects. In fact, I should be working on those right now, but, instead, I am posting to my blog. Go figure.