Once, after reading Philippians 4:13, I tried to turn into a blazing fire and travel around like a fiery storm. That didn’t happen. In fact, physically speaking, I stayed like I am, i.e. in human form, and there was no fire in a two mile radius, as far as I know. So maybe doing all things through Christ means a little bit more than making bucket list dreams come true. In fact, God is saying, “All the THINGS I have for you–what you are called to do and be–are achievable through my Son. They aren’t pipe dreams but God dreams from Me to you. You are now empowered to live with the confidence that everything I have called you to be is realistic and near. I am the strength you need, nothing else. I alone know who you are.”
It seems that I am not called to turn into fire. But what I am called to be, God assures me, is more real than any craziness I may conceive of or think that I actually am. So let’s do all things through Christ who gives us strength.
As Grace Church opens a fourth service on Jan. 15, 2012, we are investigating the possibility of going to video announcements for each service. Below is one of the run throughs we did so we could see if video announcements is for us. Enjoy!
I noticed yesterday that my mind natively creates a list of things I want to do during the summer before it passes away. Here’s that list:
1) take my sons to a Durham Bulls game
2) memorize James 1
3) camp in our new backyard, smores and all.
4) visit all of the public playgrounds in Durham that we haven’t been to yet.
5) attend a “Mouse Rat” concert.
6) be the Master of Ceremonies at an awesome summer youth camp.
7) meet our new neighbors. take Elizabeth on a creative date each week.
9) begin writing a book about my adventures at schools called, “What You Can’t Talk About in Class”.
10) take family to Emerald Pointe for the first time.
11) go to “Great Wolf Lodge” like last summer.
12) teach Jilas to swim.
Below is an article written by Tim Elmore discussing the 7 ways a leader loses authority with students. Since I work with dozens of students each week at local high schools, showing them who Jesus is, authority is a big deal. I think this article will be helpful for anyone who follows Jesus and is leading students toward Him.
Seven Ways Leaders Lose Authority with Students
by Tim Elmore
What Do We Mean by Authority?
Authority is a fuzzy word. It conjures up all kinds of emotions inside of us when we hear it. Here, I am defining the term as an inward, moral authority that comes from the life a leader lives, not just his or her position. It’s clout. It is inward power earned by the leader — not automatically included with a title. As parents, it’s what we all want with our kids; as coaches, we want it with our players; as teachers we hope for it with our students; and as employers we desire it with our staff. Perhaps the best way to describe how it is earned is to list how it’s lost by so many leaders.
How Leaders Lose Authority with Students
Hypocrisy: Failing to live up to what you say.
This issue came up first with students. The quickest way leaders lose their moral authority with students is to fail to live the life they demand of others. Your words and your actions don’t match. It’s funny. Kids may put up with this in their peers, but not their leaders.
Cowardice: An unwillingness to demonstrate courage.
Regardless of how brilliant or unspectacular you are as a leader, if you fail to show any courage when times are tough, students’ respect for you will usually diminish. When a decision must be made or a step taken — they expect the leader to step forward and take it, not shrink as a coward.
Posing: Pretending to be someone you are not.
This one is huge with kids today. When adult leaders “pose” as someone they’re not in reality, it’s not only a turn-off, it’s a joke. For students, the only thing worse than being uncool is being unreal. When adults try to act young or hip, and it’s forced or comes across inauthentic — it’s a death sentence for student respect.
Irrelevance: Having no current success stories.
Students lose respect when all they ever hear from their leader is stories from “back in the day.” At first these stories work, but if teens don’t see current stories lived out in front of them, eventually they don’t take you seriously. They begin looking for someone who can do it now. Something current.
White lies: Exaggerating the truth.
This is a double-edged sword. Most students today admit to telling little white lies. Yet, those students lose respect when adult leaders do it. When asked to report on how a game, a project or a performance turned out — they admire leaders who tell it like it is, and don’t make the stats elastic or plastic.
Incompetence: The inability to hone your gift and excel.
This is true for followers of all ages. Leaders lose their moral authority when they can’t demonstrate they have developed their gift or talent and become excellent. This doesn’t mean they expect leaders to be good at everything, just something. It’s the law of respect: Folks follow leaders who are stronger than they are.
Fuzziness: Failure to focus the team on the primary goal.
Finally, you’ll lose authority if you are scattered and cannot focus your instruction to your team. This is why leaders are necessary. Some of your students are smart — but they need you to direct them with clarity. When you don’t, you have a hole in your pocket and you lose a little moral authority.
Keep in mind — it is possible for you to be liked by students as a friend, but not respected as a leader. We all must decide what we want most: Buddies to hang out with or young people who follow our moral authority to a worthwhile destination.
I was in a store 3 weeks ago and I saw the Christmas decorations next to the halloween decorations and I asked myself, “Who puts out Christmas stuff this early?”
This past week I answered the question: “Me”. We put out our decorations the earliest we ever have. My dad was in town and we wanted him to experience the fun and excitement of our three sons flinging ornaments around and yelling with glee.
We all truly enjoyed putting our holiday decor up and I was surprised by my initiative in the event. Doing so reminded me of a link Pastor Jeremy tweeted last year that affected me–by “affected”, I mean convicted. Below is a list of 16 tips by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle for fathers during this Christmas season. I hope you find them as helpful as I do.
16 Daddy Christmas Tips by Mark Driscoll
#1 – Dad needs a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?
#2 – Dad needs to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family.
#3 – Dad needs to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?
#4 – Dad needs to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?
#5 – Dad needs to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?
#6 – Dad needs to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?
#7 – Dad needs to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?
#8 – Dad needs to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?
#9 – Dad needs to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?
#10 – Dad needs to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?
#11 – Dad needs to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?
#12 – Dad needs to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?
#13 – Dad needs to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?
#14 – Dad needs to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?
#15 – Dad needs to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?
#16 – Dad needs to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?
Last night was Grace Church’s high school lock-in. Forty students, 30 pizzas, 12 hours, infinite fun. It really was the best lock-in I have been a part of. The students were all excited. At midnight we had a worship service that was very…well…worshipful. Most of the students stayed up all night, so they will be like zombies the rest of the weekend. They did karaoke for hours: I couldn’t believe it.
Overall, the lock-in made me think about how blessed I am to work with the youth group and be part of a church that makes followers of Christ who can engage culture without compromising the radical devotion necessary in following Christ.
Public High Schools started just weeks ago and Cross Culture on Campus, better known as C3, started it’s 4th school year on high school campuses. C3 is an extension of Grace Church’s high school ministries, Cross Culture, onto 9 school campuses. Below is a video of what students think about C3. It is remarkable to hear and see what Jesus is doing in the lives of high school students: He is changing lives!
Below are 8 free e-books. They are quality resources that can accent your training yourself to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7). Just click on the link and it will take you to the resource. Enjoy!
Jesus. That is the quick answer. That is the correct answer. Watch this video to see a more extensive response to the question, “what is the bible about?”
take Elizabeth on a 
