#lovemyjob

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If you follow me on Twitter than it’s no surprise that I love what I do.
I mean, seriously…I get to participate in some pretty cool things.
Lead students to a life of faith in Christ, then on the journey to full devotion.
I’ll take that!
It definitely helps that I work with some of coolest people on planet earth.

Last week we had a video shoot that reminded me just how cool my job was.
Here is a photo that sets up what went down.
We called in one of our students, a Plymouth High School linebacker.
The assignment was simple.
Be huge.
Tackle the pastor.
Make it funny.

What we ended up with was 4 or 5 videos that are going to promote our Superbowl Weekend Party in RustProof.
The next day I was pretty sore, I’ll tell ya that much.
You’ll just have to wait and see the videos.

The Gospel

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We started a new series this past weekend at NRSM called “Truth Is.”
To answer your question,
No.
It is not based on the Facebook status phenomenon.
Rather, it’s based on the most important truth in history.
The Gospel.
We started the series out with a talk that was centered around finding a working definition of The Gospel.
And thus this creative element.
We spent a lot of time coming up with just the definition (circled in red).
Then we spent more time developing everything that would go around it.
Although some of the things written were not bad, our point was they are not essential to what the Gospel really is.

What are your thoughts?
What would you have added?
What would you have left out?

155 / 48 = Ephesians

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A few weeks ago I posted a Facebook status about memorizing the book of Ephesians.
It was a bold statement, to be sure.
I had never memorized a book of the Bible.
Sure, some would say it was a homework assignment in High School to memorize Philippians, but who really does homework in High School anyway?
Just kidding.
Kind of.

Anyway, so I felt like in 2012 I needed to step it up with scripture memorization.
I was never super great at Math, but that’s where I had to start.
There is 155 verses in Ephesians.
I want to start the week of January 30.
Exactly 48 weeks until 2013.
155 divided by 48 is 3.22916667

So each week 3 verses will need to be memorized…
with 4 verses possibly the last few weeks.

I’m gonna do it.
It’s time to step up.
Will you do it with me?

I’m going to make a downloadable plan to go along with this…you can look for that the week before we start this.
I hope you’ll join me.

Your Purity is Worth It

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Recently I took a trip to Chicago with the college group of NorthRidge.
It was awesome.
Nothing like 36 hours to cram everything a tourist could do in a major city.
As we were walking, we ran into this massive statue of Marilyn Monroe

That’s me with my hands over my eyes.
It’s a funny way to portray an important lesson.
You need to watch what your eyes are seeing.
That means looking up movie reviews before going to see the movie
That means not watching certain TV shows
That means canceling the Sports Illustrated subscription
That means putting an internet filter on the new iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad you just got for Christmas.
That means asking a trusted friend to hold you accountable.
Do whatever it takes.
Your purity is worth it.

The Best Is Ahead…Maybe.

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I enjoy listening to many pastors,
but one in particular has a phrase that I’ve adopted as my own.

The best is ahead.

Great phrase, right?
It’s a phrase that creates energy.
Makes you think someone has a plan.
People can get behind it.

But as I was talking with my RustProof team recently I ran into this line of thinking…
The best is only ahead if we stay connected to Jesus.
It was a sobering thought, for sure.
Sometimes we can get caught up in our own ego and think
“Yea, the best IS ahead…ya know why? Because I’m awesome!”
When in reality, that’s not at all true.
With Jesus, your best life is ahead of you.
But it’s only with Jesus!

John 15 explains it.
If you’re connected to Jesus, you’ll accomplish much.
If you’re not, you won’t.

It’s up to you.
Will your best be ahead?

365/1

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This past weekend in RustProof was a special one.
To have church on the first weekend of the year is just cool.
It brings focus.
It brings a spiritual energy.

The RustProof directors brainstormed a talk that would use the significance of the weekend to our advantage.
Hence the title.
365/1.
Our main idea?
No matter what happened the past 365 days, God always offers a day one.
BAM.
Makes ya wanna stand up and yell doesn’t it? (oh wait, that’s for the Pentecostal churches, my bad)

We encouraged students that we serve a God who starts EVERY DAY this way.
His mercies are new EVERY morning.
No matter what their past was, there’s always a fresh start.

What if we all chose to live with this in mind?
What if we lived like we believed this?
What could we accomplish if we believed God was on our side?
Neat to think about.
Praying that I live it.

Be Where You Are

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I was listening to a talk by Craig Groeschel at a recent Catalyst conference.
He was talking about how my generation (20/30 somethings) always wants things now.
We want influence that rivals Bill Hybels,
but we don’t want to put in the work and the years it took Bill to get where he is.
Ya know what?
Craig is right.
I’m guilty of that.

But then God gave me this phrase, and I’ve been dwelling and thinking on it for a few weeks now.

Where you are is where God has you. And where he has you is where you’re called to make an impact.  

Dang.
Hit me like a ton of bricks!
Where I am is exactly where God intends for me to be.
And I’d be a fool to think that the reason for my “here” is so that one day I’ll be “there.”
I’m called to BE here.
To learn all I can.
To serve as much as I can.
To give as much as I can.
To love as much as I can.

I’m still learning this…
Don’t get caught in the “someday”
Figure out how you can thrive in the “today” 

Family Time

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Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about this blog.
In my short time as a “blogger” I’ve noticed a tension.
The tension I feel is to bring content Monday-Friday…
No matter what.
Well that’s just unrealistic.
And seeing as how I’m not cool enough to have people guest post to fill days,
there will be some dead-time on the blog periodically.

What was the cause this time?
Family.
We had fun.
I hope you did to.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

#TheBabyIsProof

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I absolutely love this time of year.
It seems as though everyone seems to be on board with celebrating.
As Christians, we choose to celebrate a baby being born.
Jesus Christ.
God with us.
Pretty stinkin’ cool.

I also love twitter (anyone surprised?)
And around this time of year there’s a really neat hashtag.
#TheBabyIsProof
Proof of what?
Proof that…

God loves you.
God has a plan for you.
Your best is not behind you, but ahead of you
There is hope for you
Your failure is not final
You are accepted

All of that is true.
The baby is proof.

Changed to bring Change.

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Elevation Church has a great worship ministry.
Seriously.
They’ve come out with some amazing songs.
Songs that are packed with truth and resonate deeply in my spirit.
This particular song, God be praised, has a bridge that is such a great reminder.

Because I’m alive, I give you my life.
Because I am free, I bow at your feet.
Because I am loved, I’m able to love.
Because I am yours, my worth is secured.

It is because of Jesus that we can finally be free to release our burdens and rest in our Heavenly Father’s arms.
In Him we are free.
In Him we have life.
Let us never forget that it’s through Jesus this is all possible.