• God’s Word, His Commands, must be a priority in our lives.  We must value them as much as we value our eyesight, ability to breathe, etc.
• His commands are not here to hinder us, but help us navigate life
• We need reminders of His Word constantly
• The voice of temptation, whatever it is, is strong and very compelling
• Seductive words that promote love are hard to ignore without wisdom
• It takes work to live a life full of wisdom (Keep Him Close, Remember Him, learning to choose)
• We make bad decisions because somewhere along the way we’ve lost sight of wisdom
• We don’t see consequences when we’re not close to wisdom
• Want more common sense????  Go after wisdom
• God give me the wisdom and discernment to know what to do….and the courage to do it!  (Andy Stanley quote!  Came to mind!  Awesome!)

1. Build reputation and find favor with others…..this is more important then wealth
2. All people have value…..yes….ALL DO!
3. Always have a plan because it protects you
4. Guard your soul at all times
5. Young people need discipline, it helps them become who they’re supposed to be
6. Gain wisdom and knowledge at all times no matter the cost
7. Be generous, especially to those in need
8. God’s justice will come for the arrogant
9. Think!  Use your brain…..God gave it to you for that reason!
10. Soak up teaching any opportunity you get
11. Mentoring someone and being mentored is one of the most important things you need in your life
12. Learn a skill, get good at something
13. Don’t make excuses…..get after it every day
14. Don’t put up with angry people

#11 and #3 and the two biggest ones in my life right now that I value and need to work on!  What about you?

1. God is in control of your life……Let Him Lead
2. Heart issues must be taken care of……constantly check your motives
3. THINK!  THINK!  THINK!  Be diligent, plan, think before you act
4. Be Teachable
5. Always be honest, keeps you out of trouble
6. Seek Justice at all times for all people
7. Wisdom comes from God and Listening….be Still
8. Right Living is more important then what you give because true giving comes from Right Living
9. Humble yourself, Arrogance gets you Nowhere

What is God saying to you through Proverbs 21?

The first main speaker was Mark Driscoll, from Mars Hill in Seattle. I personally have never heard Mark speak. I’ve read a few articles from him and I know he’s hard core reformed. To be honest I probably haven’t pursued listening to him because of the reputation he has for being black and white in his preaching style.

I came in with a very open mind and I really appreciated what Mark had to share. His whole talk, on leadership, talked about Jesus and how he was the perfect leader because he was a Prophet, a Preist and a King. He was able to be all three, which are all very different, yet needed to run an organization, business and church.

In my context, church ministry, I found it very helpful and insightful to understanding how team dynamics work. None of them are inherently bad, but if you have an unbalanced team (Too many prophets, kings, etc.) it leads to an unhealthy culture.

I love learning about leadership and understanding team dynamics so I was tuned in! As the discussion went on I found myself asking, “Which one am I?” Mark’s premise is that every leader has a dominant one and another one that is secondary, but every leader should strive to have some of all three of them.

I’m definitely a Priest. I care about people. I love stories. I like doing life with others. Walking along side others during a tough part of their journey. Conversations over coffee….people, people, people. Their’s no doubt about it!

But I also, for the last several years, have been encountering this “King” theme in my life. I actually like organization. Bottom line decisions. flowcharts. systems. getting things done. Delegation. Leading others. Speaking for those who have no voice. Defending the powerless. Staying on task. Vision. These are all things that I love, but I have not cultivated to it’s full potential because of my fear or my own selfishness.

Being a King is tough! It’s scary. It’s responsibility. It’s leading by example. It’s owning your mistakes. It’s kicking butt when you need to! These are all things that I know I have, but I also fear. God’s been calling me to something higher for the last couple of years!

It’s time I start listening, pony up and let God do what He needs to do in me!

It’s time to be a King Priest!

There was a group of about 30+ Boy Scouts that walked past and I couldn’t help but notice the comraderie that they had with one another. Sure they didn’t look the “Cool” part (I used to be a boy scout so I feel I can say that!) but it was very unique to see the unity they shared not just with one another but with boy scouts around the world. It’s a brotherhood united in the pursuit of knowledge, achievement and fellowship.

Then about 10 minutes later I come across an OSU fan as I’m walking to get food. Nothing would have tipped me off that he was a Buckeye fan considering he wasn’t wearing anything that made such a statement. However, I had my Buckeye hat on and that’s all it took to have a connection with some random stranger. All he said to me in passing, as he looked at me, was a loud…..O-H. To which, I replied the correct response, …….I-O! In that instant I was able to experience Unity with a complete stranger all because we shared a common bond, a unique unity, a shared experience that is called OSU Football. (Of course with that we share in the shame of our current issues!)

Now what am I trying to get at? Simple! Unity is the lifeblood of achievement. It’s the motor of progress. It’s the horse that pulls the wagon full of dreams. It’s what leads us to accomplishing more then we ever could on our own!

After my encounter today I started thinking about how this applies to the church and to Christians! Most of time, I proudly carry the distinction of being a follower of Jesus. But many times I’ve been torn apart, discouraged, frustrated and to be quite honest ashamed at the lack of unity that comes from carrying this identity.

I think for a majority of churchgoers we started off going to church because we were seeking for something. We needed help, we need love, mercy, grace, healing….you name it! But after awhile we begin to think that church is there for me and me alone. We craved unity when we first sought Jesus, but then we get comfortable and it becomes about me, me, me! And with that, disappears much of the unity that the world seeks.

So, people find it in being a Buckeye. They find it in being a boy scout. They find it anything that unites them with other people who they can share life, experiences, sorrows, pains and joys together.

The church started off as a beautiful place where people were united! They did life together, they shared, they laughed, they graciously disgreed, they got outside themselves and realized that life wasn’t all about them.

It’s time for us, who call ourselves followers of Jesus to take a long look and learn lessons from the Buckeye Faithful and Boy Scouts!

God has been so good this week and there’s simply too much to discuss in a few posts! Up next is our Grand Canyon portion of the trip and I know everyone is sad to be leaving new friends (brothers and sisters in Jesus), but are excited to rest and relax with one another and connect with God.

I’m excited to post some stories from our students in the morning before we leave! Until then, let me leave you with a highlight of the night for me personally.

Casey Stanko, one of our Juniors, got up in front of all 90 students and their leaders from churches in Colorado, Oregon and LA and shared his “God sighting”. This is a term that we’ve been using all week here that pushes students to look for God in others and in their projects to see where He is working! It’s been amazing and more to come with these as we wrap up and into next week after we return.

But, Casey, got up and shared that how his God-sighting has been something that has been occuring over the past 3 1/2 years. His God-sighting was for Adam and David Boddy and their family! Adam and Dave, are a special part of our student ministry! Adam and David are autistic twins and their wonderful parents are Bill and Helen Boddy! I can honestly, say that it is true joy having them be an important part to our group and our students absolutely love them! This was their 2nd time being away on a trip by themselves and I agree with Casey that I see God everytime I look at Adam and David, and Bill and Helen! They are truly some of the most humble and loving people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with!

To hear Casey’s heart for them and to see how it’s impacted both the Boddy’s and Casey’s life is an on-going God sighting for all to see!

My heart is full and I’m honored to be the pastor to this group of students!

More to come in the morning!

*Challenging
*Barrier Breaker
*Carrying each other’s burdens
*Cultivating a Heart of Servanthood
*Life-changing Stories
*Seeing the Real Jesus
*Thought Provoking
*Creating Community
*Eye-Opening

Not enough time to put into words everything that God is doing but I can only say right now that God is moving in our students hearts! Our group sharing times have been very powerful, raw, real and straight up honest discussions about faith. New relationships are being formed, hearts are being comforted and challenged at the same time! Healing is taking place for many of our students. More to come later…..but here’s a few snippets straight from students hearts. Enjoy!

“God has lifted my burdens of eating disorders and Epilepsy. I put all my faith & hopes in the Lord. I know he loves me because He sent He’s one & only Son to die for my sins (Lauren Pfitzmaier, Senior)

-This trip has changed my point of view of working with younger children! I didn’t want to do it at first, but within the first few minutes God changed my heart and it’s been amazing serving them (Thomas Lightbody, Sophomore)

-Through Week of Hope I’ve been able to come out of my comfort zone when helping people. I’ve realized that everyone needs help….even the young, the elderly and the forgotten.” (Emily Peters, Senior)

Praise God!

-Safe and fun travels on the way up (Lots of inside jokes forming!)

-Has been awesome watching the students interact and connecting with students from other groups (Groups are from LA, Oregon and Colorado)

-Amazing worship experience on Monday Night!!!! The Holy Spirit was very thick and doing some business in many of our student’s hearts. I haven’t seen our group be this real in my time here so far and it was super encouraging!

-Hearing all the stories from the different crews and how God is moving in them and through them is just a blessing (Projects include serving the homeless, ministering to elderly, working with abused children, doing various work projects working with organizations that meet the bare needs of the community!…..more to come later

-I love our group! They already connect well together, but God is definitely doing something to break down some barriers and help us get to an even deeper level with one another!

-Watching the students stop and pray for one another on the spot and seeing how joyful they are in serving has been my favorite!

More to come later! And Pics!!!!!!!

However, I still find myself at times struggling with this ability to focus and I can remember joking with a close buddy of mine because he used to take some medicine that we called his “Focus Meds”. I wonder, if I should start taking some of those.

If you’re a big picture thinker like me you hate being boxed in and you’re usually the one who likes to find new ways of doing things when someone tells you this is how we do it. We like to be artists and we love to create and face new challenges.

In the midst of the creativity, inspiration and dreaming….needs to be balanced with organization, tasks, taking care of business….whatever you want to call it. I have found myself one too many times on the first part of this! It’s something I’m proud of, but at the same time something that I dislike about myself.

I love being who I am, but if I’m honest I need to continually focus more on the organizational side of leadership and life.

The article had some helpful tidbits….maybe even some things I could use, but ultimately my strength, focus and ability to get things done can only come from the One who gave me life.

Back to work……..and the saga continues!

I figured, if I don’t make time it will never happen, so I’m going to start making time! Even if only 1 or 2 people are reading this! Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years See you soon!