One of the most rewarding and challenging parts of my role as a youthpastor and father are the numerous questions about God that come up. I love it when students and my own children think for themselves and ask questions about the things that don't make sense. I have never had the conversation go where this video goes, but I do find it humorous:
I got the following list from chapter eight of Francis Chan's Book, Crazy Love. Which one is the most convicting for you?:
People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure.Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.
People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else.Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.
People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another.Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to Him (1 John 2:4-6; Matt. 16:24-26)
Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo.A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don’t make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth.As Martin Luther put it, “There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day” (Luke 14:25-35; Matt. 7:13-23; 8:18-22; Rev. 3:1-6)
A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle.Obsessed people know that you can never be “humble enough,” and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known. (Matt. 5:16)
People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden.Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people (Matt. 13:44; John 15:8)
People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers.Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world (James 2:14-26)
A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently.Obsessed people orient the lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.
A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other being.
People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures.Obsessed people don’t put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.
People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him.They are nourished by God’s Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain then for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages.
A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort.Obsessed people know that true joy doesn’t depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God (James 1:2-4).
A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in every aspect of his life, continually saying “Thank You!” to God.An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy.He reveals in his role as child and friend of God.
I am so thrilled to invite all Middle
School, High School and College students and youth & young adult workers to
an incredible student evangelism training conference by the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association called FM419.
John Maxwell has said that Billy Graham
has communicated the Gospel to more than any other person in human
history. This student evangelism training conference will draw from this
historical reservoir of experience in sharing Christ and will be relevant and
fresh for the next generation. See the details below and hurry to reserve
your spot by registering online ASAP.
What? FM419 – student
evangelism training conference from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
and Rock the River
When? May 15th-16th – Friday,
May 15, 6:30-9:30pm and Saturday, May 16, 9am-5pm
Where? Grace Church – 9301 Eden Prairie Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Who? Stellar Kart worship and
concert, training by youth evangelists from the Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association
Cost?$15 includes breakfast and lunch on
Saturday, t-shirt and wristband. For every 10 students who register, 1
goes free.
Seats are going fast. They
can’t guarantee a spot. Register Today
or ASAP online at www.FM419.org or cravegrace.com
The last several weeks I have been
involved in a number of meetings and I am excited for what God is
"birthing" in the Twin Cities for the next generation. I alluded to this in a previous blog post. (You can also read more about Rock the River and FM4:19 on the cravegrace blog).
