thoughts from where I sit

My wife and I have been here in Florence now for just over five months now. This post comes on the heels of what may prove to be the most important night in our youth ministry. Last night we met with our discipleship group, and it was at time of healing for many. For those of you who don’t know the youth a this church have been through it. the average Youth Pastor stays in one location for 12 to 18 months, and this church has not been the exception. Not only have the students had Youth Pastor after Youth Pastor, according to many they never been challenged or pushed to Chase Him. I am not the average Youth Pastor, and I am here to challenge the norm. I will not be satisfied for the ordinary, as a matter of fact it was that prayer that landed us this opportunity in the first place. Lauren and I would not settle for the ordinary, we wanted the extraordinary! That is what we got. The students here are amazing and are ready to Chase Him.

Healing takes place in His presence. There may have been Youth Pastors that we here before me that were and are more talented, but as John Maxwell says, talent is never enough. My goal is to be a carrier. I want to carry His presence where ever I go. In His presence there is the fullness of joy. I like to stop and think about the fact that in His presence there is fullness. Whatever we have need of can be found in Him. Last night our students let go and moved into a place of healing. It’s out of healing that God will bring to pass the things that have been spoken over this church and this Youth Ministry. It has little to do with Lauren and I if anything. We just get to play a part.

To the power school students, I came to lead a group of revolutionaries, and that is what you are. I challenge you to not settle for the ordinary. I challenge you to stand against the wind. Jesus changed the world with 12 and oddly enough there are 12 in our group….let’s chase Him and change our city. You are all revolutionaries!

Tracy and I are so proud of you guys! We had Pastor Ken over for the ROAR this weekend and we all were saying the same thing. You’ve got an opportunity to be used to bring that healing, and to have a lasting impact on these kids lives.

Have you heard the song “Open Up the Sky” by Deluge (Bethany World Prayer Center – Jonathon Stockstill)? Tracy intro’d in last weekend in church… there is a part that says, “We won’t be satisfied with anything ordinary, we won’t be satisfied at all” and we kept doing it over and over and over. The weight of His glory fell, and everyone was crying out to God… there was a roar that went up in the worship. Wow. Powerful. Thought about it when reading this post.

Comment by Barry Sullivan February 16, 2009 @ 7:01 pm

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Yes I am very familiar with the song. We used to pray and worship to it when we started looking to go full time. powerful album. God is so good and we are just staying close Him and holding on…..tight!! love you guys. thanks. I miss reading your thought on all these ramblings!

Comment by Benjamin Burrows February 16, 2009 @ 7:08 pm

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power school has challenged me and pushed me so much to seek His face & get close enough I can hear His heart beat. you and pl are an answer to many prayers. the steps that led you both here were ordained by Him.

you’re very right, there was some very necessary healing to be done… and although some things leave scars, you never look at the scar and feel pain… instead you see how you have healed and are better now.

were very happy to have you both and get to go to war,..as well as lunch with you guys!

Comment by justsomethingtochewon247 February 19, 2009 @ 6:54 am

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This is one of those blogs you can read for motivation over and over again. lol Awesome! Love you guys.

Comment by Matthew Curtis March 1, 2009 @ 4:21 am

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heyyy

Comment by Olivia Harrison November 4, 2009 @ 5:58 pm

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