WOW! I cannot believe that I looked at my blog and it has been over a month since I have posted anything. Not that I am an avid blogger, but that is a long time. With the summer almost at an end and school cranking up I think it is a perfect time for us as a church and me as a person to consider this idea of OBEY. Now upon fist glance a series like OBEY may seem a bit childish because we all want to think that the idea of obeying is something that only children struggle with. However, I am learning that as an adult I seem to struggle with obeying even more than I think my own kids do. Please do not tell them I said that it could ruin everything. LOL!
I think as adults we struggle with obedience because most of us have mastered the art of justification. When we do not want to do something we just justify why it does not fit into our lives any longer or if we want to do something that we know is completely against what scripture teaches then we just justify why it is OK for me to ignore scripture. Of course any time we do either of these two thing there are consequences. And just like a child, we never focus on the consequences until they are effecting us in a negative way.
So over the next 2 weeks at www.relevantchurch.com we are going to explore this idea of OBEY through the life of a prophet named Jonah and see how far his justification took him and what it took to get him back on the right path. We are going to use this definition of OBEDIENCE as we journey together.
OBEDIENCE- doing what you are told to do, when you are told to do it, with the right heart attitude.
WOW! Doing all three of those together is going to be difficult but I think we are all going to learn a ton about ourselves through this journey together. I read a verse today in Galatians 1 that rocked my world in consideration of this idea of OBEY. Check it out.
Galatians 1:10 (NLT)
Obviously, I’m not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Strong words and a strong message. Join us this weekend as we kick off "OBEY"
Friday, August 17, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Summer 2012 and the Identifier
I cannot believe that it is already July 13. It seems like yesterday that our family was talking about going on our family vacation to the beach and that already took place a month ago. I can remember as a kid thinking that the summer would never get here and then once it came it was over before we knew it. The same seems to true even as an adult. I always look forward to my kids being out of school so that we can do fun things. We pack as much fun as we can in right after school get out and it is awesome. However, around this time in the summer the fun seems to slow down and the boredom sets in. There seems to be no great recipe for disaster then boredom and kids. Now if your kids are not like mine then the rest of this will not make sense at all, but if they are I will ask for an amen. Boredom in our house leads to trying to find ways to not be bored, which leads to someone picking on someone else, which leads to a frustration in someone, which leads to a blow-up, which usually leads to chaos. Can anyone relate?
This got me thinking about our series that we are currently in right now at Relevant Church called "The Identifier". I think it would be great if we could have some special power to identify the chaos before it get to the point of now return. However, most of the time we identify the problem after the chaos. Hence the term "hindsight is 20/20". It is always easier to identify the problem after the fact but in our spiritual lives we need to identify sin before it destroys our lives. But how do we accomplish this? Last week we identified the sin of fear which many of us have often thought was just a kid sin. However, after last week my prayer is that all week you have been quoting the verse from 2 Timothy:
2 Timothy 1:7(NLT) 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
My prayer is that as we identify the sins in our lives each week we would be collecting the tools that we need to identify them before they wreck us. I am learning this principle with my kids "a little"> Now when Susie and I see the warning signs of boredom we divert the attention. Quite frankly right now I need to go because Ashlyn needs a serious diversion or we could be having some chaos this AM. Can't wait to see you all on Sunday as we identify a whole new issue. All I can say is what do you get when you pair a 32 year old female and a Glee cheerleader costume. "SCARY VILLAIN"
This got me thinking about our series that we are currently in right now at Relevant Church called "The Identifier". I think it would be great if we could have some special power to identify the chaos before it get to the point of now return. However, most of the time we identify the problem after the chaos. Hence the term "hindsight is 20/20". It is always easier to identify the problem after the fact but in our spiritual lives we need to identify sin before it destroys our lives. But how do we accomplish this? Last week we identified the sin of fear which many of us have often thought was just a kid sin. However, after last week my prayer is that all week you have been quoting the verse from 2 Timothy:
2 Timothy 1:7(NLT) 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
My prayer is that as we identify the sins in our lives each week we would be collecting the tools that we need to identify them before they wreck us. I am learning this principle with my kids "a little"> Now when Susie and I see the warning signs of boredom we divert the attention. Quite frankly right now I need to go because Ashlyn needs a serious diversion or we could be having some chaos this AM. Can't wait to see you all on Sunday as we identify a whole new issue. All I can say is what do you get when you pair a 32 year old female and a Glee cheerleader costume. "SCARY VILLAIN"
Friday, June 29, 2012
Things I learned at Middle School Camp
Since last Sunday night Susie and I have been away speaking at camp for a couple of hundred middle school students. It has been nearly 8 years since I have been a youth pastor and I feel like I am still young at heart, however I learned some things this week that I think we can all use in our lives.
1. Passion for Jesus is not just for adults- In fact, this week I witness students worshiping Jesus with a passion unseen in most churches today. They worshiped without all of the fancy lights and sounds and full band that we have come to expect when we worship. These students worshiped to new songs and songs that I sang when I was first in student ministry. I leaned this week passion for Jesus is just that passion and the style of your worship should not dictate your passion. Your love for Jesus should be demonstrated by your passionate worship of Him.
2. Sundays should be mini Camp experiences- Maybe you remember a camp experience that you has as a kid where you were so excited about Jesus that you thought you would never turn your back on him. Most of us when we returned home kept that excitement for about a week then it soon faded. This got me thinking, what if our Sunday experience at church is supposed to be that mini camp experience where we get excited about Jesus and by the end of the week when the excitement begin to fade we come back to church for a recharge.
3. This next Generation is going to change the world- I am amazed at the desire for transformation in this generation of students who are growing up. I know that sometimes people give students a bad rap making statements like "we are in trouble if this is our future". My question is what investment are we making in this next generation.
We can either spend our time padding our 401k plan or we can invest in the next generation. If we invest more in the next generation by modeling for them a lifestyle that honors Christ I believe that our future will be amazing.
God has given each of us a unique opportunity to impact the next generation. And I think as I read scripture I am reminded that most of the time when God wanted to start a revolution he started with the young people. Maybe because they have more energy then old people but maybe it has more to do with the fact they they are willing to believe God for the impossible. I know that I cannot go back and be a middle school student again but I can learn from them about passion and transformation.
It has been an honor to serve as camp pastor for a week and my prayer is that my experience this week will not be a short lived experience but a life changing one.
1. Passion for Jesus is not just for adults- In fact, this week I witness students worshiping Jesus with a passion unseen in most churches today. They worshiped without all of the fancy lights and sounds and full band that we have come to expect when we worship. These students worshiped to new songs and songs that I sang when I was first in student ministry. I leaned this week passion for Jesus is just that passion and the style of your worship should not dictate your passion. Your love for Jesus should be demonstrated by your passionate worship of Him.
2. Sundays should be mini Camp experiences- Maybe you remember a camp experience that you has as a kid where you were so excited about Jesus that you thought you would never turn your back on him. Most of us when we returned home kept that excitement for about a week then it soon faded. This got me thinking, what if our Sunday experience at church is supposed to be that mini camp experience where we get excited about Jesus and by the end of the week when the excitement begin to fade we come back to church for a recharge.
3. This next Generation is going to change the world- I am amazed at the desire for transformation in this generation of students who are growing up. I know that sometimes people give students a bad rap making statements like "we are in trouble if this is our future". My question is what investment are we making in this next generation.
We can either spend our time padding our 401k plan or we can invest in the next generation. If we invest more in the next generation by modeling for them a lifestyle that honors Christ I believe that our future will be amazing.
God has given each of us a unique opportunity to impact the next generation. And I think as I read scripture I am reminded that most of the time when God wanted to start a revolution he started with the young people. Maybe because they have more energy then old people but maybe it has more to do with the fact they they are willing to believe God for the impossible. I know that I cannot go back and be a middle school student again but I can learn from them about passion and transformation.
It has been an honor to serve as camp pastor for a week and my prayer is that my experience this week will not be a short lived experience but a life changing one.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Football, Family, and Dirt
I know at first glance those three words do not typically go together, but in the Wirth house, around this time of year, they do. You see on Monday of this week, Anthony began his pre-football season, skills camp, AKA run and exercise until you throw-up. Actually it is not that bad, and he loves it. Seems hard to believe that my boy has played football for 7 seasons and he is only 13. If I am honest, I love it as much as he does. I love being out on the sideline and on the practice field with him, coaching him and watching him play. It is exciting to see him improve from year to year, and turn into a leader on and off the field. So football is a huge part of our lives from now until early November, and it can be a dirty sport. However, today also marks the beginning of summer as well which for us means family fun time and family craziness. I am sure that over the next 8-10 weeks we will make more than a few journeys to the Magic Kingdom, be out on the boat tubing, and at the beach relaxing, all with family and friends, and I cherish these times. After all, it is what summer vacation is all about.
So you may be asking, "Paul I get the football and family so far, but where does dirt fit in to all of this?" As I was thinking about summer fun and family vacations, it got me wondering how many times do we end up with dirt in our spiritual lives because we just take a vacation from our spiritual journey. You know how it goes... you miss one week due to vacation, then the next week you are too tired from vacation, then work is busy and before you know it you are disconnected from your spiritual community. Now before someone says I do not have to go to church to be a good Christ Follower, I agree. Church is not the answer to all of our spiritual problems. However, I liken church attendance and spiritual health to working out and weight gain. I do not have to workout to maintain a healthy weight but it sure does help. Dirt is one of those things that comes into our lives very suddenly or slowly over a period of neglect. Similarly, weight is gained one small pound at a time, but over the course of a few weeks or a month it can be devastating. Dirt is the same way. Without a regular way to identify the dirt in our lives we just keep piling it on not even realizing the damage it is causing.
This weekend at Relevant we are going to look at another character who was born dirty and lived dirty for the majority of his life, but then he spent some time in the Octagon with God and everything changed. Join us this weekend as we unpack the dirty life of Jacob.
So you may be asking, "Paul I get the football and family so far, but where does dirt fit in to all of this?" As I was thinking about summer fun and family vacations, it got me wondering how many times do we end up with dirt in our spiritual lives because we just take a vacation from our spiritual journey. You know how it goes... you miss one week due to vacation, then the next week you are too tired from vacation, then work is busy and before you know it you are disconnected from your spiritual community. Now before someone says I do not have to go to church to be a good Christ Follower, I agree. Church is not the answer to all of our spiritual problems. However, I liken church attendance and spiritual health to working out and weight gain. I do not have to workout to maintain a healthy weight but it sure does help. Dirt is one of those things that comes into our lives very suddenly or slowly over a period of neglect. Similarly, weight is gained one small pound at a time, but over the course of a few weeks or a month it can be devastating. Dirt is the same way. Without a regular way to identify the dirt in our lives we just keep piling it on not even realizing the damage it is causing.
This weekend at Relevant we are going to look at another character who was born dirty and lived dirty for the majority of his life, but then he spent some time in the Octagon with God and everything changed. Join us this weekend as we unpack the dirty life of Jacob.
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