Recently, I've been really moved by several videos and worship songs. Most importantly, I've been moved by a song by Ross King, it's called "Clear the Stage". You can hear the song by clicking here.
I really love how true and deep his lyrics reach. He cuts straight to the heart of a very real issue:
Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that's the measure that it takes to crush the idols.
Chuck the pews and all the decorations too
Until the congregation's few then have revival.
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
until you're broken for your sins you can't be social.
I cannot listen to this song, and particularly those lyrics without feeling as though this song were written for me. When I search my heart, all I find is pride, ignorance and selfishness.
I need to be broken.
Broken is such an interesting idea. I have been a leader in churches for several years now, and I have always thought that the key to being a good leader is to be strong...
but God doesn't want that.
He wants us to be weak. He wants us to be worthless. He wants us to be ruined. He wants us to have nothing. He wants us to be humiliated.
He wants us to be broken.
His perfection is gained through our weakness, and we are made strong by it (1 Cor. 12:9-10). So in our quest for becoming broken, lay down our idols. There is no room for pride, lust, selfishness, or even strength.
Just bring God your broken pieces, and he'll put you back together.
Stephen
~Chief of Sinners
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
It's been a while...
It's about time that we get back to blogging. It's been a long summer, and a crazy summer for me, but enough with the excuses. This youth group is about to get back on track.
Stephen
Stephen
Monday, March 16, 2009
Lock-In
The lock-in is this weekend on Friday at 7:00 pm
Be absolutely sure to get a permission slip from us and have it signed for yourself and whatever friends you might have coming along with you.
See Stephen or Tracy for more details about it.
Be absolutely sure to get a permission slip from us and have it signed for yourself and whatever friends you might have coming along with you.
See Stephen or Tracy for more details about it.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Shape Up America
I've recently begun a new quest to get into shape. Three days a week, at five a.m. I'm in the university's pool nearly drowning as I try to shape up. Monday morning, whilst halfway to a heart-attack and far from the end of the pool, I found myself repeating all the motivating phrases that I heard while I was growing up in church concerning growing as a Christian. I was beginning to get tired and was far from my goal of 1 mile, and I was considering just settling for 3/4 of a mile.
'If you're not going forward, you're going backwards'
With that, I pushed harder, and every time I began to feel tired, I told myself, 'If you're not going forward, you're going backwards'.
Long story short I made my goal. But it was then I that realized that what we learn in church and that God's word can be applied not just to living life as a Christian, but just living life. The more and more I thought about my workout regiment and Christianity, I began to realize that the same principles dictated both.
Discipline.
Humility.
Determination.
My first point here is pretty self explanatory. It takes discipline. For my entire life, I have been horrible at reading my Bible daily. I just can't gather the discipline necessary to break open my Bible and read just a chapter a day every day. Yet every morning that my alarm goes off at five o'clock, I jump out of the bed, throw on my trunks and head to the pool. If we are going to get into shape spiritually, then we're going to need the discipline to apply our beliefs in a world that doesn't believe.
As for my second point, humility, some of you might be thinking... what does humility have to do with swimming and getting in shape?
How many of you reading out there have a little cellulite?
What about a flabby abdomen?
Now... how many you out there are willing to parade it around? Not many. As you may know... most swimsuits, for men and women both, are pretty revealing. There isn't much you can hide, so before you ever set foot in the water... you have to first bear it all (or close to all of it at least), and showcase who you are.
Humility.
We've got to humble ourselves before God and this world. That's what repenting is all about. It's us laying it all on the line, saying "hey world, I've got cellulite too."
Lastly, it takes determination. I'm not going to go into much detail with this one... because I think that is it pretty self explanatory as well. You've got to keep it up. Swimming laps or going to the gym once will not give a sculpted body, nor will only praying once or twice and studying his word once a month give you the spiritual results you are looking for.
So set that alarm clock, squeeze into your way too revealing swimsuit (keep it appropriate though), and give your soul the most hard core workout you can imagine.
Let's shape up.
Stephen
'If you're not going forward, you're going backwards'
With that, I pushed harder, and every time I began to feel tired, I told myself, 'If you're not going forward, you're going backwards'.
Long story short I made my goal. But it was then I that realized that what we learn in church and that God's word can be applied not just to living life as a Christian, but just living life. The more and more I thought about my workout regiment and Christianity, I began to realize that the same principles dictated both.
Discipline.
Humility.
Determination.
My first point here is pretty self explanatory. It takes discipline. For my entire life, I have been horrible at reading my Bible daily. I just can't gather the discipline necessary to break open my Bible and read just a chapter a day every day. Yet every morning that my alarm goes off at five o'clock, I jump out of the bed, throw on my trunks and head to the pool. If we are going to get into shape spiritually, then we're going to need the discipline to apply our beliefs in a world that doesn't believe.
As for my second point, humility, some of you might be thinking... what does humility have to do with swimming and getting in shape?
How many of you reading out there have a little cellulite?
What about a flabby abdomen?
Now... how many you out there are willing to parade it around? Not many. As you may know... most swimsuits, for men and women both, are pretty revealing. There isn't much you can hide, so before you ever set foot in the water... you have to first bear it all (or close to all of it at least), and showcase who you are.
Humility.
We've got to humble ourselves before God and this world. That's what repenting is all about. It's us laying it all on the line, saying "hey world, I've got cellulite too."
Lastly, it takes determination. I'm not going to go into much detail with this one... because I think that is it pretty self explanatory as well. You've got to keep it up. Swimming laps or going to the gym once will not give a sculpted body, nor will only praying once or twice and studying his word once a month give you the spiritual results you are looking for.
So set that alarm clock, squeeze into your way too revealing swimsuit (keep it appropriate though), and give your soul the most hard core workout you can imagine.
Let's shape up.
Stephen
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Weekly Worship (Feb 1)
Hey guys and gals, I've got a new song and set of verses for this week. The song is called "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns (get the lyrics here).
I don't think there is anyone out there who hasn't gone through times when they wondered about God's timing. So often in life people get overwhelmed and question God, wondering when he will deliver them from their problems.
Is life hard for you right now?
It might be the economy, a lost job, stress from a job, stress from school, stress from family, or maybe you've lost a loved one. It doesn't matter where your anguish comes from or how severe it is, God can handle your tears, fears and failures.
Even David has questioned God in times of weakness and pain (Psalms 6). But do not forget that God hears your cries, and that he is our help (Psalms 121), and that he watches over us, and protects us.
So if you're going through some tough times, grab some headphones, play this song and read the verses listed above. Let me know if it helps.
P.S. On on the topic of rough times and worship songs give this song a listen. It's called "Cry out to Jesus" by Third Day. You can get it's lyrics here.
Stephen
I don't think there is anyone out there who hasn't gone through times when they wondered about God's timing. So often in life people get overwhelmed and question God, wondering when he will deliver them from their problems.
Is life hard for you right now?
It might be the economy, a lost job, stress from a job, stress from school, stress from family, or maybe you've lost a loved one. It doesn't matter where your anguish comes from or how severe it is, God can handle your tears, fears and failures.
Even David has questioned God in times of weakness and pain (Psalms 6). But do not forget that God hears your cries, and that he is our help (Psalms 121), and that he watches over us, and protects us.
So if you're going through some tough times, grab some headphones, play this song and read the verses listed above. Let me know if it helps.
P.S. On on the topic of rough times and worship songs give this song a listen. It's called "Cry out to Jesus" by Third Day. You can get it's lyrics here.
Stephen
February Events
Mark you calendars-
- Game night: Feb. 7 @ 6:00 pm at the Denton's (THIS Saturday!, see Stephen, Tracy or Whitney for details or directions)
- Food Bank: Feb. 20 & 21 (See Stephen if you need a ride)
- Lock in: Date & time - TBA
Parachutes
Hey guys and gals, I am thrilled to finally say that we are COMPLETELY finished with the parachutes. We will be shipping them out to VOM sometime this week. I want to offer my thanks to everyone in the congregation. So give yourself a pat on the back if you donated fabric or finances for the cause (for you adults out there reading).
I also want to say to the members of the youth that I am really impressed/happy with everyone who came out to help assemble the parachutes, you all did a great job!
Stephen
I also want to say to the members of the youth that I am really impressed/happy with everyone who came out to help assemble the parachutes, you all did a great job!
Stephen
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