While at Catalyst, I was faced yet again with an opportunity to impact a child’s life. I say “yet again” because on missions trips, at conferences, in youth group, by my youth leaders… we were encouraged for years to sponsor a child. My reason for never doing it? “Someone out there can do it, I have a lot going on.” (yeah, pretty crappy attitude to say the least).

So, as I’m sitting there watching this all transpire, I was reminded of the amazing moment I saw the year prior. It was an emotional meeting of a sponsor and the young man who received a major gift in the form of schooling, godly teaching, and the basic necessities. This all happened because a sponsor stepped up and wanted to change a child’s life. Check out the video of their meeting below…

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo. (video embedded above)

God just kind of stirred in me this year. They brought Jimmy back and interviewed him about his experience. Then, they showed of a video as Jimmy went over seas to meet the child he now sponsors. It was inspiring. God was tugging on me to be less selfish and more selfless. So, I walked out, went to their booth, and chose… Salem.

Salem was the only boy left on the table. (his picture @ the top of this post)
He’s 5 years old.
Lives with his mom & dad in Africa, 48 km west of Zeway.
House floor is dirt, walls are mud, and a roof made of scrap tin.
HIV/AIDS is a huge threat in their community.
He’s been missing school because his family didn’t have the money.
Family income is an average of $23 a month.
My family spent more than that at lunch on Sunday.

I’m so glad he is connected to our family.
We’re excited to write to him weekly.
Our goal is to go and visit him in the next few years.
And for $45 a month his life is changed forever.

He gets schooling, a godly influence, Bible teaching, clean water, healthy food, and HIV/AIDS treatments and education. For the price of a quick trip to the grocery store, he’s changing our lives more than we’re changing his. We’re better because of it. It’s teaching us discipline, sacrifice, and loving others before ourselves. When our spending money gets low and we think about how we won’t be going out, we’ll be reminded that we are choosing not to go out because Salem deserves a better life.

Want to sponsor a child through Compassion International?
Click Here To Get Started.

*jdel

*jdel

This Week: My Movie Life
Speaker: James Davis, Student Pastor
Theme: Looking through the lens of “Rocky.” The training and the goal are important. But, the real meaning and crux of taking a look at this – is where you start the story.
You can listen on our website via your computer or mobile device.
Click here for the RSS feed, or…
Click here to view the podcast via iTunes

*jdel

I like my Ray Ban glasses.
Not because they help me see, but because they feel/look cool.
I sometimes buy shirts that have shorter sleeves to show my tattoos.
It takes months for me to pick out shoes (because I care what people think).
Before I leave the house, I put three different sets of gauges in my ears…
As I try to pick the most stylish pair.
I stop frequently to look at myself in the mirror.
I want to make sure I look “kept up” “together” “approachable.”
I read a couple of blogs…
Not because they are helpful, but because it’s what everyone else reads.
Sometimes, I tweet ideas in the hopes of being retweeted by someone popular.
I on occasion do these things to appear like I’m a luxurious mansion.
Like I’m put together and have things in order.

When on the inside I’m just another broken person.
A regular guy in need of a Savior -  just like you.
While the outside looks in order, the inside is just as worn and tattered.
It’s a worn down shanty, patched and repaired by the blood of Jesus.
But their is beauty in these worn down boards.
There’s love behind every nail driven into the repairs of these walls.
These walls tell a story.
A story of redemption and hope.
Redemption from addiction to pornography.
Redemption from a life of stealing and robbing.
Redemption from turning women into objects.
Hope in a Savior.
Hope by bringing me the most amazing wife I could dream of.
Hope by blessing me with two beautiful girls.
Hope in watching God’s community of Forefront changing lives.

These worn walls in this run down shanty are a work of the ultimate artist.
He’s touched these walls and left His mark.
Picaso, DaVinci, Van Gogh, Monet…
Like children’s finger painting compared to the Master’s efforts.
His work is perfect.
His technique has no flaws.
His storytelling is poetic.

And His touch is not only these worn walls, but the works that hang upon them.

*jdel

• It never gets old seeing baptisms on Sunday mornings! I know a bunch of guys sitting, serving, kickin’ it around Forefront who are on the verge of making a decision for God. I love you guys, but let’s do this! Give me a call and let’s talk.
• James Davis knows how to preach God’s word. I’m glad to call him and fellow laborer in Christ as well as a friend.
• Our band has played the “Jesus Paid It All” arrangement by Kristian Stanfill the last two weeks. The truth spoken in that song is what cements my faith. So great.
• I’ve been reading “The Next Christians” by Gabe Lyons. I think he’s on to something.
• I have to refrain from checking Facebook on Sunday and Monday for the most part. For some reason seeing Christians get more hyped and passionate about football than Jesus just hurts my spirit.
• I think I’m voting Independent on Nov. 2nd. These attack ads aren’t doing much for me. You?
• Watching Chloe and the family enjoy the pumpkin patch and hayride today was great. I love spending time with my family.
• So excited about the next series kicking off in two weeks, “Forgotten Virtues.” It will be a challenging series before we get into the holiday season. Then it’s Christmas. Awwww yeah!
• Oh, just in case you were wondering, we are serving our community again this Christmas Eve instead of doing a service. We’re going to have a HUGE Christmas service the Sunday before Christmas. You won’t want to miss it!
• Served at P.I.N. last Sunday with my Gel Group. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. If you have been, bring a friend next time, they need to be there!
• One week away from a big announcement concerning Vietnam! If it comes together. It will be the biggest collaborative effort we’ve been a part of concerning missions. Cannot wait.
• Been listening to the “Wooden Heart” LP by Listener on constant repeat. Stirring up ideas for a series next year. If you’ve never listened to them, watch this, then these, then go download this, then this.
• That is all.

*jdel

Ever feel like that?
I do. A lot of the time.
When I listen to podcasts, watch videos, read books from other leaders- I feel spiritual inept.
Are you like me at times?
Well, the one who does this to me like no other is Francis Chan.
He’s like a spiritual ninja.
Sneaking in, all stealthy and quiet.
He reels me in with his verbal techniques like Mr. Miagi in the Karate Kid.
Just when I least expect it… BOOM! He flips it on me.
He does a little paint the fence or sand the floor- and now I feel like I’m nothing compared to His connection with God. It’s like he has God on a high-speed connection and I’m still working with dial-up. Our staff recently had the opportunity to hear Francis’ heart for God and ministry. Check out an excerpt from his recent talk at Catalyst…

He challenged me that night. Made me think. Made me wonder…
“Would my life fit in the Bible?”
“Does my life mirror those men who paved the way before me?”
“Wow, Francis isn’t that radical after all, I feel better about myself.”
“What is God wanting me to move on, that I have been ignoring or not listening to?”

We need to ask ourselves, “What is my connection to God? If my life were placed in between the lives of those who followed Jesus, how would I compare in my faithfulness? Am I comparing my life to other Christians around me and leaders, or am I measuring myself according to scripture?” As much as I love Francis’ heart, I’m not called to live to his standard- I must measure up to God’s standard. Thank you Francis for living according to God’s word and challenging people, while also being transparent enough to let us know that your following God’s call isn’t as “radical” and “out of control” as many make it out to be. It might be crazy to people outside the church, but for those who love Jesus- this should simply be the norm.

*jdel

A friend passed this video on recently. After seeing Gabe Lyons at Catalyst, I picked up his book “The New Christians.” It’s an interesting study/observation on a cultural shift with followers of Jesus. What do you think? I’m not going to stake my place in all of this until after I finish the book. But… I’d love to hear what you guys (and gals) think.

*jdel

Question:

Is it better to let kids learn lessons themselves or try to steer your kids?

Answer:

My dad didn’t always disclose his past, and I followed in his footsteps. I don’t know if it would have completely kept me from not going that direction, but I don’t think it would have hurt. If I could give any advice… it would be to be an example, while also allowing your children to see your mistakes. Explaining Godʼs love in the midst of and through our shortcomings is one of the greatest ways to teach our kids. We need to be aware and discerning as to how much we share, but sharing is better than sheltering.

Sheltering kids sets them up for failure. At some point in life they are going to encounter the things you are sheltering them from. It’s a difficult balance, but while they are smaller- it’s essential to steer them in the proper direction according to God’s teaching. As they get older, they will begin to make decisions. You should still continue to guide them in God’s precepts, but begin to allow them to journey out on their own.

Until they are 18 and out of your house, steering while also sharing your life experiences is a great way to help your children make wise and godly choices.

Question:

If God came first, where did he come from? Who created him? It is a fact that nothing can spawn, so how did God appear?

Answer:

You are absolutely right, every THING has a beginning and an end. This is true of every THING this side of heaven. The issue is that God does not function in our concept and reality of time/space. He is beyond that. If He wasn’t, He wouldn’t be God. I cannot explain this fact, but if I could, He wouldn’t be God and I wouldn’t follow Him.

Question:

What about listening to and/or singing along with music that has rough themes or cursing? Is that the same or different as cursing in your speech?

Answer:

Earlier in this series of posts, I discussed whether or not cursing is a sin (click here to check out the post). Ultimately, scripture points to foul language, course joking, etc as sinful. Whether it’s a “new” word or not, it’s something even society sees as inappropriate in many facets of society (parental advisory labels, video game ratings, movie ratings, verbal conduct at work, etc). If the world around us, which does not follow God views it as inappropriate, we as followers of Jesus should view it even more as a priority to abstain from.

But what about the music/lyrics? Well, I am pressed to bring up a passage from Philippians 4…

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

If we listen to music that uses foul language, wouldn’t that be filling our minds with these words and thinking about them? And I don’t know about you, but I sing along with my music. If I sing along to music that curses, that would be cursing. I know a ton of people who use the argument “I just listen to the beat, I don’t listen to the lyrics.” [cough, cough] They’re full of crap [cough, cough]. We remember these lyrics, jingles, and commercials we hear around us. They get ingrained into our brains. Many times I wonder how much more I would be able to remember without “Rapper’s Delight, Ice Ice Baby, or Crossroads (Bone Thugs)” stuck in my head! They just won’t go away. Neither do those influences we allow in to our minds. Granted, you won’t be able to completely isolate yourself/family away from language, violence, and sinful practices. But, if you’re living a truly Christian life, you’re going to be around these types of things as you reach out to people who don’t know Jesus.

I struggle with this sentiment when it comes to music. I love and grew up with a lot of rap and punk rock music (Public Enemy, NOFX, Blink 182, NWA, Wu Tang). They enjoyed the four letter word spectrum. It’s nostalgic for me to listen to their albums and remember the place/time I was in life. But, I have had to begin to draw a line when it comes to this. I’ve noticed the more I listen to those things, the more it wants to come out.

To wrap up and put it simply- when you eat, depending on what it is, it will either make your health better or worse. Eat junk, you’ll be unhealthy. When it comes to what we put in our minds and hearts- if we ingest junk, our spirit will begin to show signs of fatigue and being unhealthy.