Hey everyone,
I'd really, really love your input as we are continuing to plan details for next year. It's been an AWESOME fall, and I'm stoked for what God's gonna continue to do in our church and student ministry! Please fill out the form below - thanks!!!
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CIY Pics!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Favorite OT passage...right now.
Exodus 33 - LOVE IT. Take a second and read it 33:7-11 (I'll just focus on these few verses for this post). This passage inspires and challenges me for a three reasons:
1. INSPIRE: The word "anyone" in verse 7. God (even in the Old Testament) wants a relationship with every single person--not just Moses, Aaron, and Joshua--everyone! There were well over a million Israelites, and billions of people today...and God truly has the time and desire to hang out with me--he wants to be there with me...not just for me.
2. CHALLENGE: Verses 8-10 - This kills me...anyone could go in and meet with God personally (verse 7)...but only Moses and Joshua go (verse 11). Why!? Why would the people be content worshipping at the entrance to their own tents...worshipping at a distance. I'm sure it was a cool experience for them to sit back in their "pew" and watch the show...maybe even "sing along"; admire what God is doing through the people up front... can you see where I'm going?
I am 110% all-for having a high-quality worship band, video, lighting, etc...but I believe that it gets way too easy for people to stand and watch (maybe go through the motions of singing words they're not really thinking about)...and never really enter in to God's presence. That challenges me... Are you content with worshipping at a distance, but never really soaking in the transforming presence of Almighty God? What would "worship" look like if the whole church entered into the tent!? Would it be a crazy party? Would we all just be overwhelmed? Would we sing tons of songs and dance?... I don't know...but I want to.
3. INSPIRE: Verse 11 - Wow. Can you imagine? I try to picture what it looked and sounded like inside of that tent!!! Unbelievable. But my favorite part is the last sentence..."Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua...did not leave the Tent." THAT'S WHY I LOVE STUDENT MINISTRY! For the moments when a "young" persons realizes that there is nothing in the world more important than just "abiding." Just soaking in the transforming, healing, inspiring, loving presence of Papa...it just doesn't get better than that. Will you be a Joshua today? Will you join me in letting the business of this world fade away and allow ourselves to go into the Tent of Meeting (which is now in your heart, by the way :). Will you just bask in his Awesome presence? Soak it up...don't leave the tent!
1. INSPIRE: The word "anyone" in verse 7. God (even in the Old Testament) wants a relationship with every single person--not just Moses, Aaron, and Joshua--everyone! There were well over a million Israelites, and billions of people today...and God truly has the time and desire to hang out with me--he wants to be there with me...not just for me.
2. CHALLENGE: Verses 8-10 - This kills me...anyone could go in and meet with God personally (verse 7)...but only Moses and Joshua go (verse 11). Why!? Why would the people be content worshipping at the entrance to their own tents...worshipping at a distance. I'm sure it was a cool experience for them to sit back in their "pew" and watch the show...maybe even "sing along"; admire what God is doing through the people up front... can you see where I'm going?
I am 110% all-for having a high-quality worship band, video, lighting, etc...but I believe that it gets way too easy for people to stand and watch (maybe go through the motions of singing words they're not really thinking about)...and never really enter in to God's presence. That challenges me... Are you content with worshipping at a distance, but never really soaking in the transforming presence of Almighty God? What would "worship" look like if the whole church entered into the tent!? Would it be a crazy party? Would we all just be overwhelmed? Would we sing tons of songs and dance?... I don't know...but I want to.
3. INSPIRE: Verse 11 - Wow. Can you imagine? I try to picture what it looked and sounded like inside of that tent!!! Unbelievable. But my favorite part is the last sentence..."Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua...did not leave the Tent." THAT'S WHY I LOVE STUDENT MINISTRY! For the moments when a "young" persons realizes that there is nothing in the world more important than just "abiding." Just soaking in the transforming, healing, inspiring, loving presence of Papa...it just doesn't get better than that. Will you be a Joshua today? Will you join me in letting the business of this world fade away and allow ourselves to go into the Tent of Meeting (which is now in your heart, by the way :). Will you just bask in his Awesome presence? Soak it up...don't leave the tent!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Small Group Video...
Hey guys, this is the corny little video I shot for you to view together as small groups, and then to GET INTO THE WORD together!! You, soldier, are challenged--how are you doing in battle?
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