I am privileged to be able to minister to the most amazing youth in the Latrobe-Greensburg area but it is not always easy. No matter where you go, what generation you came from, you always will hear things like…
"What do these kids have to worry about?"
"Kids these days, they have it so easy!"
"Well when I was a kid I had to ________!"
I am here to tell you that being a teenager in today’s world is not so easy. So often I hear someone say, "If I had that when I was kid…" Everyday there are technological advances and new gadgets are created to make our lives easier but yet each year teen suicide is rising. If teens have it so easy then why are the suicide rates rising? In fact I believe these technological "advances" can add stress, anxiety and depression that lead to suicide.
For example the computer, it is the biggest technological tool young people use but it can add stress, anxiety and depression. We live in world that believes you have to achieve and strive for perfection but that is just impossible. Now do not get me wrong trying to be the best at what you do is not a bad thing, unless it takes over your life. In our school system we put so much pressure on the students to achieve and I have heard parents say their kids, "How could you be getting that grade, if I had the internet when I was kid, well I would have had straight A’s."
Another way a computer can add stress, anxiety and depression to our youth is the media that is displayed on it. I receive friend request from porn websites constantly on Myspace and each one of them has a very attractive female as their photo. In other ways I will see advertisements that have sculpted guys selling their product. There is so much pressure on our youth to look a certain way and it is just getting worse.
To make things clear I am not saying the computers are evil or the devil or anything ignorant like that, yet I am just recognizing how the devil can use them against us. Honestly I do not know where this blog came from. I came on to blog about healing but this came out…I guess that will be used for another day.
I would like to leave you with one last point. Two thirds of all teens suffering from depression, the leading cause of suicide among teens, NEVER SEEK TREATMENT! That sounds absurd, if someone was hurting bad enough to kill themselves why would they not say something? Maybe it is because you told them they had it so easy. How long will we close our eyes to the youth?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
1 is greater than 141
I just got done watching a Christian T.V. show. The format of the show was like many others; there was a panel of five experts. The topic which they were discussing was the rapture and I was intrigued because I do not know as much as I should on the topic. So I watch and they began to read an article from another Christian who disagreed with their theology.
I tuned in to this program to learn more about the rapture but it turned into a "Christian Slam Fest." The panel started to label the author and what was wrong in his article. One expert went as far to say that the reason why this author and others like him did not teach his type of theology was because they "could not understand it." Another said "I believe we will all be in heaven one day (talking about Christians, regardless of what type of Christianity you believe in)…but some of us will have our theology corrected."
Mean while I am sitting couch in shock. How often do we do this? In some degrees we are right and in the same way we are all wrong. No one knows how everything works and I am certainly not claiming to know it all either. I know when I stand before God in judgment he will tell me I blew many times but why are arguing with each other?
What good will that do?
How many people were saved because of your beliefs?
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:1-6)
We all have a piece to the puzzle but if we keep on arguing among each other we are just going backwards. There are 141 different Christian churches, by my count and each one has a different view on theology. Honestly if we keep fighting each other where are we going to get?
But what if we worked together? What if a Catholic Church and Baptist church worked together to feed the hungry? What if a Methodist and Lutheran church worked together to bring the gospel to needy people? How many people would be saved then?
What if we put are petty differences aside and became Christians and identified with Christ beliefs rather than our own personal beliefs? It is simple math but 1 is greater than 141!
I tuned in to this program to learn more about the rapture but it turned into a "Christian Slam Fest." The panel started to label the author and what was wrong in his article. One expert went as far to say that the reason why this author and others like him did not teach his type of theology was because they "could not understand it." Another said "I believe we will all be in heaven one day (talking about Christians, regardless of what type of Christianity you believe in)…but some of us will have our theology corrected."
Mean while I am sitting couch in shock. How often do we do this? In some degrees we are right and in the same way we are all wrong. No one knows how everything works and I am certainly not claiming to know it all either. I know when I stand before God in judgment he will tell me I blew many times but why are arguing with each other?
What good will that do?
How many people were saved because of your beliefs?
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:1-6)
We all have a piece to the puzzle but if we keep on arguing among each other we are just going backwards. There are 141 different Christian churches, by my count and each one has a different view on theology. Honestly if we keep fighting each other where are we going to get?
But what if we worked together? What if a Catholic Church and Baptist church worked together to feed the hungry? What if a Methodist and Lutheran church worked together to bring the gospel to needy people? How many people would be saved then?
What if we put are petty differences aside and became Christians and identified with Christ beliefs rather than our own personal beliefs? It is simple math but 1 is greater than 141!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Bad Week
I have had a poop week and it is not over…
Sunday my Girlfriend broke up with me…
Monday I slept all day…
Tuesday bombed a BIO II test and answered a question with "because we would have giant cows…"
Wednesday I pulled my groin, realized I have the rock-down funk and fought with my dad for 3 hours…
…but if you would refer to my first line the week is not over! I realized something today when my dad told me that there are only so many hours in a week. You see my dad feels that I am not making enough money and I should work more hours and spend less at Church. He is right, there are only so many hours in a week and I am too focused on work! I need to relax…I am tired of being so tensed and pissed! I need to focus on what matters to me the most…God, my Family and my friends...you guys!
The week is not over and I ask who wants to do something? Is anybody up for hockey on Saturday morning (groin pending)? My church is having a giant nerf gun war and it would make
my week if you would come!
Sunday my Girlfriend broke up with me…
Monday I slept all day…
Tuesday bombed a BIO II test and answered a question with "because we would have giant cows…"
Wednesday I pulled my groin, realized I have the rock-down funk and fought with my dad for 3 hours…
…but if you would refer to my first line the week is not over! I realized something today when my dad told me that there are only so many hours in a week. You see my dad feels that I am not making enough money and I should work more hours and spend less at Church. He is right, there are only so many hours in a week and I am too focused on work! I need to relax…I am tired of being so tensed and pissed! I need to focus on what matters to me the most…God, my Family and my friends...you guys!
The week is not over and I ask who wants to do something? Is anybody up for hockey on Saturday morning (groin pending)? My church is having a giant nerf gun war and it would make
my week if you would come!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
I believe in Satan
I believe in Satan. That's right that "big red dude with the horns", the Devil, el Diablo, the "Anti-Christ", "Son of Sam", Lucifer, that moronic punk (Yeah PM!!!)…whatever you want to call him, I believe in him. Although a lot of my fellow Christians do not feel the same way about him.
Did he say he believes in Satan??? He is going to be a pastor…shouldn't he believe in God? As most of gasp for air let me explain what I believe about him…
I believe he is…
Evil…
Wicked...
and not a nice person.
I believe he is the reason for so much of our…
Suffering…
Pain...
Loss …
And Emptiness.
I believe that he can be seen vividly in our
Depression…
Drug use…
Alcohol abuse…
And Adultery.
I believe Satan knows me well, not like God but enough to know what gets at me.
He knows I can be easily stressed out.
He knows I can be easily angered at work.
He knows that alcoholism and drug abuse runs in my family.
And He knows that I love God.
And that drives him crazy. He hates that I love God. Every morning I wake up and get out of
bed and he draws a bull's eye on my back. He wants to drive me away from God and into sin.
Like this one time my friend who found out that I was planning on becoming a pastor asked me if
I felt divine intervention. I thought for a second and smiled and said yeah but not as much as satanic intervention. He had no idea what to say…a want-to-be pastor has satanic intervention?
I do…every day. It is called temptation and we all are tempted.
When you want to look at some girls thong that is stinking out, that's satanic intervention.
When you want to get drunk, that's satanic intervention.
When you want to hit someone, that's satanic intervention.
The list could go on and on but as Christians what we need to realize is that the devil is so real.
He is as real as you and me and God and Jesus. But what can we do???
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (1 peter 5:8-9)
1. Be self-controlled and alert. Believe in Satan, he is real and he wants to destroy you.
2. Resist him, Standing firm in the faith…
a. Pray…a lot!
b. Read the bible.
3. Your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. If you are a Christian you should be there for your brother in Christ. You should be there for everybody…
So game on Satan!!!
Did he say he believes in Satan??? He is going to be a pastor…shouldn't he believe in God? As most of gasp for air let me explain what I believe about him…
I believe he is…
Evil…
Wicked...
and not a nice person.
I believe he is the reason for so much of our…
Suffering…
Pain...
Loss …
And Emptiness.
I believe that he can be seen vividly in our
Depression…
Drug use…
Alcohol abuse…
And Adultery.
I believe Satan knows me well, not like God but enough to know what gets at me.
He knows I can be easily stressed out.
He knows I can be easily angered at work.
He knows that alcoholism and drug abuse runs in my family.
And He knows that I love God.
And that drives him crazy. He hates that I love God. Every morning I wake up and get out of
bed and he draws a bull's eye on my back. He wants to drive me away from God and into sin.
Like this one time my friend who found out that I was planning on becoming a pastor asked me if
I felt divine intervention. I thought for a second and smiled and said yeah but not as much as satanic intervention. He had no idea what to say…a want-to-be pastor has satanic intervention?
I do…every day. It is called temptation and we all are tempted.
When you want to look at some girls thong that is stinking out, that's satanic intervention.
When you want to get drunk, that's satanic intervention.
When you want to hit someone, that's satanic intervention.
The list could go on and on but as Christians what we need to realize is that the devil is so real.
He is as real as you and me and God and Jesus. But what can we do???
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (1 peter 5:8-9)
1. Be self-controlled and alert. Believe in Satan, he is real and he wants to destroy you.
2. Resist him, Standing firm in the faith…
a. Pray…a lot!
b. Read the bible.
3. Your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. If you are a Christian you should be there for your brother in Christ. You should be there for everybody…
So game on Satan!!!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Jesus Is With You...Regardless
Recently I have asked a man who I greatly respect how long it would take to read the bible.
He kindly smiled at me and said "12 hours." He continued on explaining how he had read the bible from beginning to end to man who could not read.
I was astonished, that sounded absolutely crazy. If you have ever looked at bible you know it is rather large book. In addition to being long, it was also written several thousand years ago. The language at times can be so difficult, even in modern translations.
When I told him how amazed I was with that he agreed. He told me that the language in the bible could be very difficult and that is why he felt that the bible should not be read.
Again I was astonished by his words. Wait you do not want people to read the bible, but you are a pastor. Would you not want people to read about the life of Jesus or use the bible as a tool to gain knowledge?
Then he said something I believe that was so wise, so insightful. "The bible should be studied."
Let's face it guys, the bible is hard to read. It is the living word of God and so many passages can mean different things in different circumstances. Jesus himself taught in parables because "such knowledge is too wonderful…too lofty to attain." If we just read it we will miss so many points and wisdom.
For example…
41Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Most people read this passage and say, well Mary and Joseph are bad parents but let's study it.
"Why were you searching for me?"
These are the first recorded words of Christ, but why are they so important? Because they question why we search for Christ! Not in a sense of for what reasons do you search for me but rather why? You should know where I am!
"Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
1 Corinthians 3:17 tell us, "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." Jesus has to be in his Father's house, the temple but we are the temple, right?
Yes! Jesus dwells inside of us and he loves us and why bother searching for him…you know where he is.
He kindly smiled at me and said "12 hours." He continued on explaining how he had read the bible from beginning to end to man who could not read.
I was astonished, that sounded absolutely crazy. If you have ever looked at bible you know it is rather large book. In addition to being long, it was also written several thousand years ago. The language at times can be so difficult, even in modern translations.
When I told him how amazed I was with that he agreed. He told me that the language in the bible could be very difficult and that is why he felt that the bible should not be read.
Again I was astonished by his words. Wait you do not want people to read the bible, but you are a pastor. Would you not want people to read about the life of Jesus or use the bible as a tool to gain knowledge?
Then he said something I believe that was so wise, so insightful. "The bible should be studied."
Let's face it guys, the bible is hard to read. It is the living word of God and so many passages can mean different things in different circumstances. Jesus himself taught in parables because "such knowledge is too wonderful…too lofty to attain." If we just read it we will miss so many points and wisdom.
For example…
41Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Most people read this passage and say, well Mary and Joseph are bad parents but let's study it.
"Why were you searching for me?"
These are the first recorded words of Christ, but why are they so important? Because they question why we search for Christ! Not in a sense of for what reasons do you search for me but rather why? You should know where I am!
"Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
1 Corinthians 3:17 tell us, "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." Jesus has to be in his Father's house, the temple but we are the temple, right?
Yes! Jesus dwells inside of us and he loves us and why bother searching for him…you know where he is.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tis the season
Every year it seems Christmas trees appear in department stores earlier than the year before. Our decorations, for celebrating this sacred time, get bigger, larger and more extravagant. The presents, well they just get more valued and more important to us.
Yet we often forget the biggest gift we receive on Christmas.
That we receive every Christmas.
That we receive every day.
The gift God gave us, so that he could be with us…forever… Immanuel.
That is what Christmas is all about. Christmas is about how much God loves you. That he loves you so much he would give his one and only son for whoever believes in him shall not perish but receive eternal life.
This Christmas spend some quiet time with Jesus.
Thank God that he gave up his son for you.
Talk to a friend about Jesus; invite him or her to church.
Most of all remember that we are celebrating the birth Christ, the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Son David, Jesus…so that God could be with us…Immanuel.
Yet we often forget the biggest gift we receive on Christmas.
That we receive every Christmas.
That we receive every day.
The gift God gave us, so that he could be with us…forever… Immanuel.
That is what Christmas is all about. Christmas is about how much God loves you. That he loves you so much he would give his one and only son for whoever believes in him shall not perish but receive eternal life.
This Christmas spend some quiet time with Jesus.
Thank God that he gave up his son for you.
Talk to a friend about Jesus; invite him or her to church.
Most of all remember that we are celebrating the birth Christ, the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Son David, Jesus…so that God could be with us…Immanuel.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
God is just answering my prayers
As many of you probably know…I am a grill cook at…Denny's and…I hate it. Denny's has consistently and constantly kept me from hanging out with my friends, going to concerts and doing things with the youth ministry. A lot of people have told me that I should quit that job, just get a new one, you hate it. I have told people that I could not because it just pays so well, I could not possibly find a better job.
Let's face it guys…I am lying.
What you probably do not know about four months ago I received an e-mail from my pastor. In the e-mail was an application for a "perfect" job. This job was off the hook. I am talking about benefits, I got to create my own schedule, the majority of the work was on a computer and it paid a full dollar more than Denny's. When I left the interview the man told me that I had the job, I just had to let him know if I wanted it. He told me to pray about it and to see what God had to say. I prayed and I prayed and I knew that I could not take the job. Something was not right and God did not want me there.
Immediately I felt convicted, "God is punishing me for not being a good person I thought." You see I have been praying for a long time for God to help me become a better person. I have been praying for God to help me become more patient, to help me control my anger and just be a kinder person. Since I have failed in these areas in my life I honestly thought God just did not want me to be happy.
Wait…that does not sound like the God I know. What happened to the good who lays me down in green pastures even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death? When did God do a 360 and started hating me.
What happened to ask and being given too?
What happened to seeking and finding?
What happened to knocking and that darn door being opened?
Obviously he did not change but why were my prayers not being answered. Well let's look at what I was asking for. I was asking for God to help me become a better person. I wanted to be more patient; I wanted to be able to control my anger; and I wanted to be kinder. All of these things I struggled with at Denny's.
If you ask for patients do you think God just makes you patient? Do you think he just zaps you with patients? Or does he present you with situations to become more patient?
What a fool have I been! Every time a new cook messed up I had a chance to be patient. Every time we got busy I had a chance not to get angry. Every time a server messed up I had a chance to be kind.
So why am I still at Denny's…God is just answering my prayers.
Let's face it guys…I am lying.
What you probably do not know about four months ago I received an e-mail from my pastor. In the e-mail was an application for a "perfect" job. This job was off the hook. I am talking about benefits, I got to create my own schedule, the majority of the work was on a computer and it paid a full dollar more than Denny's. When I left the interview the man told me that I had the job, I just had to let him know if I wanted it. He told me to pray about it and to see what God had to say. I prayed and I prayed and I knew that I could not take the job. Something was not right and God did not want me there.
Immediately I felt convicted, "God is punishing me for not being a good person I thought." You see I have been praying for a long time for God to help me become a better person. I have been praying for God to help me become more patient, to help me control my anger and just be a kinder person. Since I have failed in these areas in my life I honestly thought God just did not want me to be happy.
Wait…that does not sound like the God I know. What happened to the good who lays me down in green pastures even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death? When did God do a 360 and started hating me.
What happened to ask and being given too?
What happened to seeking and finding?
What happened to knocking and that darn door being opened?
Obviously he did not change but why were my prayers not being answered. Well let's look at what I was asking for. I was asking for God to help me become a better person. I wanted to be more patient; I wanted to be able to control my anger; and I wanted to be kinder. All of these things I struggled with at Denny's.
If you ask for patients do you think God just makes you patient? Do you think he just zaps you with patients? Or does he present you with situations to become more patient?
What a fool have I been! Every time a new cook messed up I had a chance to be patient. Every time we got busy I had a chance not to get angry. Every time a server messed up I had a chance to be kind.
So why am I still at Denny's…God is just answering my prayers.
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