Hey guys.  I've been reading Death by Love by Pastor Mark Driscoll and I've also been reading Crazy Love by Pastor Francis Chan.  Both of them are amazing, and I recommend them highly to any of you reading this.  But be ready for a serious challenge to how your living your daily life.

As I was finishing these books up, it occurred to me that Driscoll wrote Death by Love primarily as an apologetic to unbelievers of the work of Christ on the cross, and also as a scholarly work to strengthen the faith and understanding of believers. 

Francis Chan says he wrote Crazy Love because so much of what Christians say they believe doesn't match up with how they are living their lives.  I was kind of shocked to realize, "Francis is writing this book to convince us that another book is actually true!"

Francis is right...American Christians are pursuing the American Dream more than they are pursuing Christ.  In fact, I think it's fair to say that we actually can't have both...they live in opposite directions on the map of life.  You can't walk towards Jesus and at the same time walk toward complete comfort and material satisfaction in life.  They are North and South.  You can't travel in both directions!

I don't want to bash what American Christians are doing too much here.  I'm very prone to getting on the soapbox, and then realizing I should be yelling at the mirror instead.

As a pastor to high school and college students...I feel like I have a unique insight into the potential of this generation that many don't have.  I don't see a bunch of trouble making young people.  I don't see the generation that has turned it's back on Jesus.

We are the generation that can right the wrong in society.

We are the generation that can bring about a much needed Reformation in The Church.

We are certainly a generation that God can use to restore in The Church the principles of love, compassion, kindness, and faithfulness to Scripture.

I believe we have all the characteristics necessary of a people that can exceed the status quo and change the norm.  We are rebellious (though often to a fault).  We are compassionate toward the plight of the downtrodden.  We are socially aware.  We are hungry for truth.  We are haters of hypocrisy.  We are unconcerned with 10 years from now and largely focused on the here and now.

Whether these traits will be our downfall or our definition in success...this generation has been marked by God for something great.

Will you live it today?  Will I live it today?

 

Til the whole world knows,

 

Pastor Kevin

 



 
 

Hey everybody!  I am super excited to announce that we will be piloting our new RE:Generation Student Ministry Habits Study Materials this week at The 705!  We started off 2009 with a series called HABITS: Developing Habits That Will Change Your Life.  The idea is that we all need to be able to grow spiritually on our own...we all need personal spiritual discipline in our lives. 

At RE:Generation, we are taking steps to help our students do that in both High School and College.  Here's what's available:

Our Quiet Time Journal, along with several other journals, is designed to help students develop a consistent, quality HANG TIME with God every day.

Our Back to Back Accountability materials are designed to help students find an ACCOUNTABILITY partner and how to maintain a healthy accountability relationship.

The Hidden Treasures material is a key-ring Bible Verse system that will help our students with BIBLE MEMORIZATION.  Even though we cram tons of useless facts and ideas into our memories every day...memorizing Scripture proves to be pretty tough for lots of people.  The Hidden Treasures material is great because you will have Scripture with you everywhere you go!

The Bank of Blessings materials (along with the How To Get Rich book) is a great way for students to start learning what it means to TITHE, how God would have us use our money and resources, and what the Bible says about stewardship.

Our Rootworks Bible Studies are intended to help students learn to STUDY Scripture on their own.  We have studies in 1 John, Phillipians, and Psalms


You'll notice that you didn't see the "I" in HABITS produced in a material.  The "I" in HABITS reminds us of our call to be INVOLVED in what God is doing in our church...something that I believe our students are really beginning to catch on to. 

Come by The 705 and check out the HABITS Shack!!!


Til the whole world knows,


Pastor Kevin









 
 

Hey everybody...whenever I decide to post to the blog after a long hiatus, I have a million random things to say and write that have just piled up.  I really should post more often so that it doesn't end up this way, but like we talked about in our Revolution Small Group this morning, even good things sometimes get prioritized down when there are too many "good" things to be done.

So...I have an "infection of the throat" as my doctor put it.  Sounds nasty, is nasty...and kind of scary when you're a singer.  I'm trying to take it easy, but it's difficult. 

I think I started with something before Disciple Now and the weekend just made it worse.

Speaking of Disciple Now...what a weekend!  Because we were moving the day before the weekend began, I felt as unprepared for this event as I ever have for any event...but God really used it.  Thanks to Adam Bond, who spoke, and all the great guys and gals on the Adult Leadership Team that made it happen.  You guys are special...in a good way.

Did I mention that we moved?  When my wife posted it on Facebook, everyone thought we were leaving the state...HA!  No way, Jose.  We're not finished yet...too much of this South Florida sun still to be soaked up!  Not to mention the great potential for ministry here in the land of the liberal and the home of the broken. 

So anyway, we moved from the condo that we owned in Plantation, to a nicer, bigger, healthier townhome in Hollywood that we are renting.  It feels great NOT to own a home anymore in South Florida, and I can't overstate the great joy it is to me to be living in the city that God has called us to change.  If you're thinking about going into ministry, live in the community you are trying to reach...it makes a world of difference.

Also, for those of you who were genuinely worried...i DO NOT have swine flu.

For anybody who knows Chris Perstrope...you MUST SEE THIS!  Just follow the link and prepare to pee your pants n laughter

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=73569568485&ref=mf

So...what else?  Sheridan Hills has begun meeting every Wednesday from 6-7 as a corporate body of believers specifically to pray.  I think this is the best idea anyone has had at Sheridan Hills since I've been here.  It's awesome to see people from every ministry together praying as a church (though I'd like to see more teenagers and college students there!).  It really prepares my heart for The 705 worship service and it really encourages me to hear us all praying and lifting each other up.


James 5:16 says this:
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

I don't think we're a confessing people anymore.  I also don't think we pray for each other like we tell people we do.  So, naturally I rejoice to see us taking a step in that direction as a church family!  Come check it out!


I'm sure I'll think of more later...my brain is fried for now!

 

til the whole world knows,

Pastor Kevin