Sunday Reflections 12.21.08

Is Christmas really this week? I can't believe 2008 is coming to an end - Once again - I need a machine that can slow down time... Here are some thoughts from the week:

• Here are all the articles/blog posts I thought were worth reading this week!
  

• Dating - Keith Moore wrecked me on dating - he said, "Because some of you haven't been diligent - you haven't met that perfect person yet. It's been the grace of God you haven't because they'd probably look at you and just keep walking - you're not ready yet. Become what you want to attract!"

• One of my good friends, Ryan Walczak, got married on Friday - I'm so happy for him!
  

• I just watched this sermon (Developing an Attitude of Gratitude) by John Maxwell that was unbelievable - I would definitely recommend watching it!

• I've been listening to Keith Moore's series on Diligence - Wow - another (like all of his) must listen to series!

• Revolution (Our Youth Ministry) has a new website up! Check it out here!

• I'm 2 weeks into training for the Pittsburgh Marathon with Scott Dozier and Chris Martin - through the process we're all going to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically - it's a joy to go through the journey with these guys!

• This week I'll be conducting my 2008 review - I am so pumped! If you don't have a review planned for your year - I would strongly encourage you to!

That's enough for now... enjoy your Sunday

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Must Listen to Message on Boundaries

If you're single, dating, or married - you need to listen to this message.

It will help you set standards and boundaries in your life and your relationships.

It is the third message in the series entitled: "Living on the Edge"

It will add a ton of value to your life - I promise!

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Perry Noble's Advice to Single Men!

Beautiful_02- Single Guys Outtake from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

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Going all the Way: Q and A Top Questions

We're wrapping up a series at Rev called Going all the Way. This past Wednesday as well as the weekend we had the Rev staff and 2 of our leaders answer students questions on sex, dating, and the single life. Here are some of the best questions we got:

1. How much does a kiss mean to you?
   
2. Is it ok for gays to have parades or whatever according to God?
3. How far is too far?
4. How do you know when you've found "the one"
5. How do you tell someone you don't love them when they tell you they love you?
6. Is masturbation ok?
7. How sacred is marriage? If it's so sacred how did it get so demoralized in our culture? What is God's view of marriage?
8. Where do we need to get our love? Not the dating kind, but the kind where you know who you are and than you're loved and that we're important...and how?
   
9. What sort of situations should you avoid being in with the opposite sex?
   
10. How do I get over the brokenness of breaking off a bad relationship?
    
11. My entire family has never abstained from sex before marriage. How do I keep myself pure when I'm surrounded by that negative influence?
    
12. Is sex before marriage ok if you've been together a long time or if you're engaged (you know you'll be with them the rest of your life.)
13. What do you do if you have a bf/gf and your parents don't know about it?
14. Is it possible for relationships that aren't God-centered to survive? How does our society do it?
15. What are some specific standards and boundaries in your relationships with others of the opposite sex?
16. What if one of your friends cheated on their bf/gf... what do you do?
17. What is the difference/line between infatuation and real love?
18. What do you do if your parents are encouraging you to wear make up and date the "right" guys for your reputation?
19. How do you get over a broken heart?
20. Where do you see most people "miss it" when it comes to dating?
    
21. What if I've had sex with my bf/gf and can't stop... I know it's wrong, but it's so hard. What can I do?
    
22. What if I'm in a relationship I know I shouldn't be in, but I'm afraid to break it off?
    

Some great questions and there were many more... these were students 12-18 years old... it's cool to see they're interested in what God has to say on these subjects! The podcasts should be up soon if you'd like to listen...

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The Road to Chicago (Part 4)

The Power of a Partner

"A genuine friend encourages and challenges us to live out our best thoughts, honor our purest motives, and achieve our most significant dreams."

-Dan Reiland

Another one of the big lessons I learned throughout the whole marathon training process was the power of a partner. Pastor Larry has been my mentor since I graduated high school in 2003. Since then we've done so much together and now not only is he still one of my mentors, but he is also a great friend. We decided to run this marathon together in January and we've taken the journey together over the past 10 months. I've had so many great talks with PL over our 3-4 hour long runs on Saturday mornings and I could not have done everything we've done if he had not been by my side.

If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in Heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

-Matthew 18:19,20

Is there anything more important than who we take the journey of our lives with? From family, to friends, to who we marry. You will go no further in life than the people you surround yourself with. That is an absolute fact.

So ask yourself... do you have friends, family members, and a possible significant other that encourages and challenges you to live out your best thoughts, honor your purest motives, and to achieve your most significant dreams?

If not I suggest taking the advice of one professional speaker, "My friends told me I could never be a professional communicator. So I did something about it. I went out and got some new friends."

Who are you partnering with?

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Sunday Night Reflections 9.14.08

It's been a pretty sweet week... here are some thoughts:

New Season of Rev- Today we had our last service without a youth pastor. It's been a little over a year of Sean, Zack, and I running youth. I am excited for a new season of Rev and to see it go to another level. I just helped move in our new youth pastor (Nathan Hurst), he is a great guy and I am pumped to see God work through him!

19 North - Zack and Lauren and doing a whole month series called "Co-Ed" which is on sex, dating, and the single life. It's a great series. Last night ZB took talked to the ladies and Lauren talked to the guys. I would recommend listening to the podcasts! Also, we're having the first ever Silver Ring Thing 20-something event at Victory through 19 North this Friday. Do not miss that!

Redefining Relationships - Craig Groeschel had a great blog series this week on redefining relationships. He talked about how the bigger a church gets, the bigger our families become, and as we just grow up in life, we have to constantly be redefining our relationships with people. I'm just starting to see this in ministry and I am realizing it is a very hard thing to go through. Craig's insight really helped me out.

Loves Correction and Submission and Authority - I've been feeding on these two series by Keith Moore... they pretty much rocked my world. Everyone (especially young leaders) need to listen to these two series (along with all of Keith Moore's series!!)

Fear Factor - So we're having a month long Fear Factor competition at Rev. It's been crazy! We had our 2nd round this past Wednesday and made students bob for worms in all kind of nasty junk. It was a blast and I'm pumped for next week... only 4 contestants left!

I'm going out to watch the Steelers game with some great friends tonight... until next time! Love you guys!

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Things I've Been Reflecting On

Ever since I got on staff at Victory I feel as though my life is on an accelerated growth plan! I am learning so much so fast, I am being stretched like I've never been stretched, I am loving my life more than I ever have before!

Here are some things I've been checking out and learning:

Ministry and Who I'll Never Be - These are two posts by Craig Groeschel that rocked my world. Learning to be confident in who God made me and called me to be has been a major lesson lately.

Practical Wisdom - Erwin McManus just finished this series about a week ago. This series rocked my world! He preaches for 25 minutes and then has open mic ? and A. Very Practical! A must listen to series.

Dating - In Erwin's series he was talking about dating. He was talking in context of finding the person you should marry. He said so many times young single people focus on where they are going and where their mate is going. He said that when he met Kim (his wife) she was going to Africa and he was going to L.A., but they were both going to those places with the same intentions (huge!). He said he tells people, "Don't focus on the place... you need to adapt the mindset that I'd rather be anywhere in the world with ____(future spouse), than anywhere in the world without them." (One of the sickest nuggets on dating I've heard!)

Marriage in Ministry - Perry Noble had a great post on Marriage in ministry. Although I am not married, one day I will have to face these challenges, why not learn now so I don't have to fall into stupid?

Holy Discontent and Barbarian Way - These two books have rocked my world. They have completely made me rethink the way I live my life, what I'm here for, my vision, my purpose, and how much risk I need to take in my walk with God. Both are great reads.

I'd love to hear what you're reflecting on and learning... Fill me in!

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