Calhoun Youth

Broken

2009-09-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

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

It's been a while...

2009-09-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

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

Lock-In

2009-03-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

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.

Shape Up America

2009-02-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

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

Weekly Worship (Feb 1)

2009-02-03T11:34:00.000-08:00

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

February Events

2009-02-03T11:29:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-03T11:25:00.000-08:00

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

Weekly Worship (Jan 25)

2009-01-27T14:12:00.000-08:00

It shouldn't come as a shock to anyone who knows me well, but I absolutely love music. I love to sing. To this day, I can attest that I do not think I would be a Christian (or at least not a serious one) if it were not for music. There is just something about singing and praising God that captivates me. It enters straight through my ears, penetrates immediately to my heart, and I can't help but radiate with praise.

Okay... I know, that last sentence was really corny, but seriously.... it's true.

One of the most recent songs that I absolutely have fallen in love with is "Ancient Skies" by the Michael Gungor Band. It's somewhat of a modern day interpretation of Psalms 68:32-35. So if you haven't read your Bible today, prayed or praised God yet this afternoon, you should give this song a try.

So first, open a Bible and read the verses (or look it up on the web: Psalms 68:32-35)

Then open up the lyrics to the song: Click Here

Now open up the song: Click Here

Now, just listen, read, sing, let go.

Praise be to God!

From the Chief
Stephen

Cluelessly Content

2009-01-23T11:40:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been trying to figure out what to do (employment wise) over the summer. I'm obviously going to continue working at the church, but that doesn't cover living expenses usually, and I need some experience to put on a resume for my eventual job search. I've had three or four options presented to me over the last several months, but one of them really stuck out. There was one job idea that I had that, hands down, I want more than any other position I could dream up.

There's only a couple of problems... it's pretty low pay, it won't help me at all with practical experience, and perhaps the clincher... it hasn't been offered to me.

Nevertheless... it's what my heart wants to do.

Naturally, I've been praying pretty hard about this decision. Nearly every day for months now I've been petitioning God to help me figure out what is right for me.

I had one job lead... but they never got back to me.

I had another lead about being an undergraduate research assistant... but just yesterday, I was informed that the grant for research didn't pull through.

Which leaves me with no options. Now to a normal person (especially during the nation's economic crisis) this would not be good news. But I couldn't be happier. God is helping me make the decision I've been praying about for so long. Essentially, he's saying "These job opportunities aren't what I have in mind for you." And so he closes the door on that opportunity.

It is so awesome to see God actively working in your life. A couple of people have asked me, "Aren't you nervous about what you're going to do? You don't have a full time job for the summer." And I can honestly say... no. I'm not worried one bit about what I'll be doing this summer or how I'll be making enough money to sustain myself (and wife by that time).

God is showing me where to go. Or at least right now he's showing me where not to go. Either way, I know that he's got control. I'm completely clueless about what he's got in store for me... but for once, I'm content with that.

Wouldn't Christianity be so much better if we Christians could just learn to let God be in control. It's not very often that I can completely give the reigns over to him and not worry about the outcome.

God is in control. Let him show you the way.

From the Chief,
Stephen

Job Titles

2009-01-22T07:56:00.000-08:00

Ever since I started here I've always been afraid of my job title. I'm just not always sure that 'Youth Minister' fits me, but every week I see it in the church bulletin right underneath the Staff section. My name is right there underneath our preacher's name. Something about it always strikes me. I guess I've just always reserved the title 'minister' for people that I know really rock at being a Christian. People who have a degree from a Christian school, people who pray consistently, people who can rattle off verses from memory, you know who I'm talking about, I'm talking about that guy in the pew in front of you who knows exactly who Zephaniah's dad is (Zephaniah 1:1 if you're wondering). The guys who give advice and always know about a story in the Bible that is exactly like whatever you're going through right now.

I'm not one of those people.

I'm not even close.

But for some strange reason... here I sit, with a Bible in front of me, desperately trying to figure out why God called me to be a minister.

Don't get me wrong. I love my job. You can ask my fiancee, Angie. I tell her constantly. Ever since I started I have realized that this is the most rewarding thing I have ever done (also the most frustrating). But the title minister, to me, just means something more than what I'm equipped for.

Being a minister implies that I can do something special for people, something more than the average Joe could. This doesn't really fit me.

What about 'youth director'? I'm okay with that. 'Youth Director' only implies that I direct the youth. I can handle that.

Perhaps 'Youth/Worship Leader'. I'm also okay with this one. After all, I lead the youth group and worship services.

But still... none of these shout "That's what God called me for!"

A couple of months ago I stumbled across a title. And I thought to myself... this is it. This fits me. I found this verse in 1 Timothy 1:15, the King James Version puts it like this:

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."

How awesome is that title, "Chief of Sinners." Paul puts the gospel in one sentence and humbles himself all in 25 words.

How many of the church's problems could be fixed by just admitting that we sin too? So here's me saying, "Hey guys, I sin too." Unfortunately, I sin a lot more than I'd like to admit.

But here's the clincher... Jesus has me covered.

From the Chief,
Stephen

The Holy Spirit and My Mother are Nothing Alike...

2009-01-21T11:07:00.000-08:00

While having lunch with my sister a couple of days ago, I got word of some news that really bothered me concerning one of our mutual acquaintances that is part of the leadership at his church. For talking purposes, we'll say his name is Frank, and Frank is a leader in Wallowing Hills Church (If there is a Frank somewhere who belongs to a Wallowing Hills Church out there... I'm sorry). While talking about the membership at Wallowing Hills, he spoke highly of one the members, Clark, that he really respected. Frank said, "You know, I'd really like to have Clark come over to my house for dinner sometime... but I just can't have that."

Why you ask?

Frank and Clark are not the same race.

"I just can't have my daughter dating Clark's boy," said Frank.

Now I personally haven't been to Wallowing Hills Church in nearly a decade, and to my knowledge, they've always been a rather conservative church... but it really makes me wonder how someone with no love for his own brother in Christ could ever have love for his enemies as Jesus commanded. Furthermore, how does someone without love get selected to be a leader at Wallowing Hills Church in the first place?

Yesterday evening I was reading my Bible and trying to come up with a lesson plan for the youth group for tonight, and I ran across the story of Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10-11). Cornelius really reminds me a lot of Clark. See Cornelius was a really great guy. He was "God-fearing" and "gave generously" but there was one problem with Cornelius...

He wasn't the same race.

You see in Jesus' time you had to be a Jew to be considered God's child. Nevertheless an angel appears to Cornelius and tells him to send for Peter (one of Jesus' disciples turned apostle).

While all of this was going on Peter was dreaming about eating. But there was a problem... Peter's religion specifically forbade him from eating all the things he was dreaming about. Peter jumped up and said "I'm not eating that" (probably just as fast as he denied being a disciple after Jesus was arrested!) So this voice tells him, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

So about this time, Cornelius' messengers arrive and ask for Peter. Then the Holy Spirit speaks to Peter and tells him to go with the men.

Right about now I'm thinking... the Holy Spirit and my mother are nothing alike. My mother would never let me just walk off with complete strangers.

To make a long story short, Peter goes to his house (despite it being against the law) and he's given a real revelation... God's kingdom isn't just for him. Peter realizes that God had given Cornelius' family the exact same gift that the Jews had (Acts 10:47).

When Peter gets back, the rest of the apostles are mad. They wanted to know what was going on. So Peter tells them the words of God. He sets them straight, and then together they praised God.

So what? I mean really... what am I trying to get at here?

Isn't this an awesome real world example? Peter, a prominent leader in the church, follows God's call even into places that he's been told not to go all of his life. He fellowships and studies with fellow believers despite their race, and then shows the rest of the apostles God's will when they've got it wrong. Cultural standards can't get in the way of God's love, and Peter demonstrates this.

But what about Frank? How much is he like Peter? What type of leader in Wallowing Hills is he going to be?

What about you? How much are you like Peter? What type of leader for God are you going to be?

Stephen

Updates

2009-01-20T11:54:00.000-08:00

The movie night went great. I was really happy to see so many people stay, and it gave me a great chance to do some one on one talking to couple of people.

Keep an eye on the calendar and feel free to shoot me some more ideas on fun activities. In the mean time, check out what Craig Hicks (one of the speakers at Discover 08) had to say in his blog. This is part of his "How the devil defeated Jesus" writings.

Link:
http://craigallenhicks.wordpress.com/2007/12/16/and-the-word-became-plastic-and-was-displayed-among-us/

God Bless,
Stephen

MOVIE NIGHT!

2009-01-17T15:34:00.001-08:00

Don't forget we're having a movie night this Sunday night (1-18-09) at church after pm worship service. We'll have popcorn and drinks, a movie and maybe some games. Come out and have a good time.

Calendar

2009-01-17T15:32:00.000-08:00

2009-01-17T15:14:00.000-08:00

Hey guys. We're going to use this site to help us stay organized. Feel free to post comments etc.
More will be up shortly.