“1000 DAYS: The Ministry of Christ” by Jonathan Falwell

March 28, 2012 in Book Review with 0 Comments

Jonathan Falwell’s new book, “1000 DAYS: The Ministry of Christ”, takes a look at… yep, you guessed it — Jesus’ 3 years of ministry leading up to His death, resurrection, and ascension. Packed in 15 chapters, and less than 180 pages, Falwell touches on many different aspects of Jesus’ ministry here on the earth. In doing so, the author’s message is simple — yet simply amazing. Falwell does a great job of providing application & personal illustrations that directly relate to Jesus’ purpose & mission proclaimed throughout the text; yet, the author maintained to keep the main thing the MAIN thing… the book isn’t about the author or even the reader — its about JESUS. Jesus is on display & its refreshing that Falwell doesn’t feel the need to take a provocative approach or voice unorthodox ideas to sell a book.

I’m an associate pastor at my church & I oversee/lead/teach the middle school ministry there. I think that this book will continue to provide me with great insight on the life/ministry of Jesus in a way that I can integrate it into my ministry & make Jesus known to young people in a clear, concise fashion.

I would recommend this book as a resource to anyone that is looking to “get back to the basics”. Cliches are cliches because, for the most part, they are true & stand the test of time. For anyone that would look at this book & find it to be ‘old hat’, I challenge you to humble yourself & consider the possibilities that are packed in the simple message of Jesus as the Son of God that was sent to earth to pay the price for our sin & offer us eternal life.

*** Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Calling > Critics

March 14, 2012 in Youth Ministry with 2 Comments

I’m an associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Pacific Hills in Aliso Viejo, CA & oversee the Middle School Ministry – IGNITE. Below is a summarization of my message this past Sunday…

A lot of times, we are criticized for the decisions we make. The places we choose to move to… the people we choose to be friends with… and activities we choose to participate in. Either people think what you are doing is wrong and/or try to persuade you to change your mind with regards to something you are currently pursuing…

And a lot of times, this isn’t a big deal. It could be that maybe they’re right. Or maybe they’re just controlled by fear & worry. Or maybe they’re jealous… there’s a myriad of reasons why people feel the need to contribute their two cents.

But the only time when this really makes a difference is when it interferes with following Jesus. When other people’s influence draws you away from God — now we have a problem.

Scrutiny can come from many different standpoints. In Acts 21, we see Paul’s fellow friends trying to persuade him from going to Jerusalem. We also see a group of Jews in Jerusalem opposing Paul because of a lot of misconceptions concerning his ministry to the gentiles.

Even more so than Paul, Jesus received LOADS-O-CRITICISM during His 3-year ministry on the earth. The Pharisees hassled Jesus throughout the entirety of His ministry… to the point that they plotted His crucifixion. We read in Matthew 16 (verses 21-23) where His boy Peter rebuked Jesus when He predicted His death & resurrection.

In both Paul & Jesus’ situations, they didn’t waiver from the path that God has placed them on… one would end up in Jerusalem & be extradited to Rome; where he would write a large portion of the New Testament… the Other would end up on a cross to die for the sins of the world; to rise from death as the ultimate Hero of all-time.

So whether you are being scrutinized for the things God has called you to accomplish, or you are one that is doing the criticizing – we need to come to the point, like those in verse 14 of Acts 21 (as well as Jesus in Luke 22:42), where we choose to say “The will of the Lord be done.”

Breakfast At The Beach

March 9, 2012 in Life In General with 0 Comments

One of my best friends is Cory Emery.

We’ve been friends since we were 6 years old.

His dad was the pastor of the church we went to while I was growing up.

We played in a band together in high school.

He & his wife, Bekah, introduced me to my wife.

Joy & I kinda-sorta named our first born after him.

This past Saturday morning, our families met up for breakfast at Ruby’s on the pier in Newport Beach. It was awesome. The coolest thing was that the whole time we were hanging out that morning I was completely unaware that Cory was capturing these moments to later compile & create an expression of memories made that day.

I’ve watched this video 10 times in the last day or so & I find myself floored by the flood of emotions that are evoked from my heart.

My daughters are growing up. Fast. AND we are really going to have a THIRD child. I’m blessed with an incredible wife & the precious privilege to be a parent. My children are friends with my childhood friend’s children. How amazing is that?!?

I don’t deserve the friends that I have. I don’t deserve the life that I live…

IT’S. ALL. GRACE.

 

Do you see the evidence of grace in your life? What are you grateful for today?

Gospel-Driven Community

March 8, 2012 in Youth Ministry with 1 Comment

I’m an associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Pacific Hills, and oversee the Middle School Ministry — IGNITE. Below is a summarization of my message this past Sunday…

I grew up in church. When I was 10 years old I ditched my 5th grade mid-week class & snuck into youth group. For the next seven and a half years I was immersed with campouts, retreats, all-nighters, scavenger hunts, milk chugging contests, and a couple of really awkward altar calls. It truly was the pinnacle of my adolescence.

My knowledge of God & relationship with Christ were at times overwhelming, yet exactly what I needed to persevere some tumultuous teenage years. I formed dozens of friendships with guys and gals that I still stay in contact with to this day.

Four of my closest friends were a result of such a dynamic youth group culture. All four of them were groomsmen at my wedding. (One of which was my best man.) We got into all sorts of crazy trouble, but Jesus was always with us — caught up in the mix of the madness. We traversed thru puberty in the abundance of God’s grace, mercy, and love.

I feel bad for kids that don’t have that same opportunity to experience the roller coaster ride of radical times we call Student Ministry. A healthy youth group (as well as a healthy church) should continually leak “Gospel-Driven Community” from every pore of its body.

We all need community. Even the most reclusive introverts NEED community. And the community that we all absolutely need should be gospel-driven.

When we look at chapter 20 of Acts, we find that community was essential for the early church. (And it still is today.)

15 Examples of Gospel-Driven Community Found in Acts 20:

v.1 – embrace our fellow brothers/sisters in Christ

v.2 – encourage our fellow brothers/sisters in Christ

v.7 – ‘together to break bread’

v.10 – embracing the fallen

v.11 – hanging out all night

v.12 – ‘not a little comforted’ (A LOT comforted)

v.18 – ‘lived among you’

v.20 – ‘holding back nothing that was helpful’

v.21- refusing to exclude anyone from the great gift of the gospel

v.23-24 – knowing full well that there is a price to pay for the sake of the gospel

v.25 – the importance of the WHOLE counsel of God

v.28-31 – tend to the flock | watch out for creepers

v.32-33 – Commend one another & DO NOT covet

v.34-35 – Take care of one another | support the weak | listen to Jesus

v.36-38 – GOSPEL-Driven Community cultivates deep relationships

 

Do you see the evidence of these examples in your own culture? You are called to be actively implementing these things into your daily life. Without community, we are alone & grow desperate for for a substitute that is unable to satisfy like Jesus does.

If the gospel is what is driving the fabric of our community & is the catalyst within our lives to worship/glorify God — I truly believe we will see revival. First, within our own lives & then spreading like wildfire to reach the lost and lonely.

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