This past Saturday evening was humbling.  My family and I enjoyed a peaceful walk around the neighborhood before the sun laid down in the bed of clouds above our heads.  My entire Saturday was consumed with my iphone.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Recently, I’ve purchased a few apps that have captivated my attention.  I have an app that keeps me updated on every aspect of MLB (baseball).  I can watch games, listen to games, read about games, and study pitches like a nervous procrastintor before a final.  Little did I know that my time on my phone was hurting my family.  During my walk, I discovered a nasty result of owning a smartphone; my family was neglected.

Do yourself a favor (especially if you are married)…put away your phone.

“It’s sad that your phone is more important to you than your family.”  The words hurt.  The words were truth.  The words were necessary.  For an entire weekend day…I was married to my iphone.  I’d rather forget that evening…but I can’t.  I’m convicted to share with you TRUTH that will help you and your families.  The TRUTH is…your family must always be the priority above your phone.

If you tweet to a world more than you speak to your wife/husband…something is terribly wrong.  It’s not “2012 social media.”  It’s a sin.  Yes, you’ve read that correctly.  If we neglect our spouses for the purpose of seeking acceptance in a world connected via twitter/facebook…we have dropped the ball in our marriage commitments.  It doesn’t mean you never use your phone.  It means you act SMARTER than your smartphone.  For example, I answer my phone, text, check twitter, and other apps during the day if it helps my work and ministry.  If I need a short break, I may play angry birds.  However, I’m developing the discipline now to put my phone away when I come home in order to show Brooke that she is more important.  If you aren’t careful, you can lose an entire evening with your spouse while flirting with your smartphone.  Put it away.  Honor Christ in your love for your husband/wife.

Do yourself a favor (especially if you are a parent)…put away your phone.

Instead of checking twitter at a stoplight…talk with your kids in the car.  Last night, I read a great blog on developing ways to connect with your children.  The author was very clear on the fact that iphones will cause regrets in the future.  Eden is only 2 years old…but she wants to talk with her daddy.  There were times in the past in which I was on my phone while we were heading home from school.  In God’s grace, I am now putting the phone on the floor and talking with her.  It’s hilarious to hear her attempt to share the day with me.  It’s precious.  It’s more valuable than how many will like my most recent status.  In the evening, I am sitting on the floor with her…with FULL attention as we play.  There have been times in the past that I’ve had my phone next to me and only offered her the “leftovers” of my attention.  Your children will know when they are not important to you.  Put your phone away and play with them…before they leave your home and play with this world.  Show them your love before they look for love in other places.  Teach them about Jesus.  Let them see you love your wife/husband.

Do yourself a favor…put away your phone.

Each day, I’m learning to STOP and worship the God of my salvation.  As a minister and staff member of the church…you would think it’s easy to do this.  Trust me, it’s not.  Days in church offices often get full with answering emails, counseling, taking calls, and attending meetings.  Take that and add preaching plus hospital visits.  I can go throughout an entire day in the office without a moment of worship after I leave my home.  Lately, I’ve been convicted and challenged to live a life of continuous worship.  I’m writing this to you…but really, it’s almost like a blog-journal that you are stuck reading.  I’m sorry.  I hope this serves as an encouragement to you as one who worships the Risen One.

STOP! and worship while you are in your car.  At a stoplight, try having a moment of prayer.  Sing a worship song.  Speak the Gospel to yourself.  Instead of checking your facebook status on your smart phone, adjust your current status to be a worshipper of the Lord.

STOP! and worship while you are in the highest moment of stress in your work.  If your job allows, take a moment to place Christ on your mind in a practical way.  Reading a verse of Scripture or praying for a family member can greatly reduce stress and increase your heart of worship.

STOP! and worship without making it too dramatic.  You don’t have to let everyone on facebook or twitter know that you are doing it.  It doesn’t take long to know what is going on with everyone in the world.  Let your time of worship be personal.  Don’t let it serve as a way of dramatic acceptance and applause from others.  Too many pastors in the church are trying to do this.  Trust me, God is not that impressed.

STOP! and worship while you are enjoying the day.  On the golf course, by the beach, in a boat, or with a friend; take a moment and savor the greatness of your God.  You have 150 Psalms to choose from.  Use His Word to guide you.  You CAN worship while enjoying life.  (Don’t be a fool and ignore the fellowship of His church with this point…you are just using God for your enjoyment).

STOP! and worship with your family.  Instead of the super 5 second prayer over dinner…allow your family time to be a time of worship.  Go around the table and share 1 reason why you are thankful.  I believe family worship is a key ingredient to grow and unity in the home.

These are practical steps I’ve been taking lately.  Please feel free to join me.  I close with words from King David.  He STOPPED and worshipped with these powerful verses.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.  I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. - 2 Samuel 22:2-4, ESV

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave

I’m typing this with a broken heart as many of my students are suffering over the tragic loss of one of their friends this week.  We really can’t anticipate suffering.  When it happens, we are caught in a storm of confusion, pain, and sorrow.  I addressed the issue of suffering and Christ this past Monday night in my basement.  I hope some of these words will encourage you today.

As a born again follower of Jesus, I must turn to Jesus when I suffer.  I’ve experienced some minor suffering already in my life…and I know there is suffering yet to come as His grace lets me live.  I type these words with full understanding that many have suffered MORE than I have.  It doesn’t matter the level of any suffering, we must turn to Jesus and look to Jesus for the much needed remedy of peace and hope.

Jesus can fully identify with our suffering.  When we turn to Him, we turn to the Savior who both UNDERSTANDS and has COMPASSION over our pain.  In Hebrews 2:10-18, we are told that Christ is able to help and identify with us in our worldly pains.  He suffered so that He can understand our suffering.  Hebrews 4:15 explains that He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.  I don’t know about you, but I find it more valuable to go to someone who has walked the road before me.  Our Savior did just that.  He created the road.

In John 11:28-44, Jesus cried over the death of His friend, Lazarus.  In a heated moment, He was almost put to blame in Lazarus’ death as a family member needed to grieve.  Jesus wept.  Jesus felt the brokenness of such loss with a family.  Jesus was glorified as His friend was brought back to life.  In Christ, we are given that same gift.  He will mourn with us..but He will also be glorified as saints die to be with Him in glory.  Friend, you are given the road of Lazarus if you trust Him as your Savior.

In Luke 22:47-53, Jesus was betrayed by one of His closest friends, Judas.  He understands our suffering of betrayal.  Have you felt betrayed?  Jesus can identify with you.

In Matthew 27:3-10, the same friend who betrayed Jesus committed suicide.  Jesus can identify with the suffering of suicide as one of His disciples fell victim to it.  We can turn to Jesus with suffering of that caliber.  He understands.  He provides comfort and healing.

In Matthew 14:1-13, Jesus had to experience the death of His cousin.  John the Baptist was arrested and later killed for teaching and living God’s truth.  He was punished for doing what was right. When we experience suffering of people dying that “didn’t deserve it,” we can turn to the life of John the Baptist and find joy in our Savior’s embrace.  His own cousin.  He can relate.  He will understand.

In Matthew 27:69-75, Jesus was neglected by one of His best friends; Peter.  His friend denied knowing Him 3 times in our Savior’s greatest time of need.  Jesus understands our suffering of such heart break.  If someone you love neglects you…turn to Jesus.  He is able to comfort…because He has walked that road before us.

These are some examples that I have found comforting.  After reading these, I find more validity in John 16:33 when Jesus said, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.

How can we get through suffering?  Look to Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dave

Students (Past, Present, and Future)

I just spent a few moments in prayer for you.  Of course, I didn’t mention each of you by name, but I prayed for you nonetheless.  It’s Wednesday afternoon and I’m sitting by myself in the BRIDGE room.  In just a short while, 6th and 7th grade students will join me.  This room will go from a prayer room to a “Chucky Cheese-filled hormone crazed middle school worship room.” I can’t wait.

In my down time, I wasted a few minutes on facebook.  I looked at news from students.  Some students from my days in Kentucky, Georgia, and now in Alabama.  Some pages blessed me.  Some broke my heart.  I felt compelled to send you a short note of encouragement.

Don’t compromise your love for Christ for the sins of this fallen world.  Place Isaiah 55:1-2 and Philippians 2 in your heart.

Don’t allow yourself to enter relationships that cripple the Gospel’s presence in your life.  It broke my heart to see students give up the Gospel for a relationship that hurts.

Find daily examples of God’s grace.  Begin with the fact that you have eyes and a mind that can read these words.  Life can easily distract you from “grace sightings.”  His grace is everywhere.  Begin with what is closest to you.  Move from there.

Hold to the love of Jesus.  You will make mistakes.  Trust me.  The love of Christ far outweighs the mistakes that you will make.  Remind yourself of the Gospel.

Love others…even if they have made mistakes.  Don’t fall into a religious bubble.  Apply the joy of Matthew 5:3-17 to all of your relationships.  Your friends need to see the light of Christ shine in you.  Hold them with Gospel love when they stumble and fall.

Love your families.  Sacrifice your self-centered ego for the treasure of quality family life.  A simple phone call to mom or dad today can honor your Savior.

Don’t neglect the church.  Large worship gatherings with celebrity speakers is not the definition of the church.  Stay true to your church family.  When she hurts, hurt with her.  When she celebrates, celebrate with her.

Finally, don’t waste your life.  Take the gift of today and live with the radiance of God’s Word in you.

I’m privileged to serve you as your youth pastor.

Dave

Tomorrow, I will be 30 years old.  Today is my last day of being 29.  Here are some of my thoughts on my last day of being in the “20 club.”

Life gets sweeter as I get older.  Last night, Brooke reminded me of the grace of God.  As I grow older, my love grows deeper for my Lord, my wife, my daughter, my family and friends.  Each day is a day closer to God’s glory.  Each day is sweeter than the day before…because of God’s sanctifying work in my life.  Moments are treasured more as I get older.  I’m trying not to blink.

I don’t want to be younger.  Not too long ago, I looked through some old high school yearbooks.  I definitely wasn’t popular.  It’s funny how in high school…we strive to gain some kind of social status that will only fade away like smoke after fireworks.  I don’t want to go back to high school.  I don’t want to go back to college years.  I enjoyed them and learned from them…but I’m more interested in the privilege I have in today.  For my students that may read this, don’t allow your school years to rob you of the joy of life in God’s eternal family.  Your seat in the lunchroom is not as important as your seat at His banquet table; provided by the riches of Jesus.  I’m glad I’m getting older.

I don’t want to waste my life.  Ok, I really don’t want to waste my life.  I don’t want to waste my time or money on stuff that doesn’t satisfy.  I recently met a guy who bought tons of stuff to make him happy.  His friends grew envious of him.  He had facebook and twitter “likes” and “retweets.”  I wonder if he is really happy?  I don’t want a truck or house I can’t afford in order to impress people who still won’t like me.  I want to give.  I want to live.  I want to proclaim the majesty of Jesus in every step, within every breath I’m allowed to experience.  Regrets can be avoided if we simply live within the broken chains of our sin; by our victorious Savior.  Christ is enough to satisfy us.

I want to know Christ more.  The Gospel never gets old.  As I get older, I want to go DEEPER in my journey called faith.  JI Packer writes, For what higher, more exalted, and more compelling  goal can there be than to know God (Knowing God, page. 34)? Each day provides an opportunity to deposit the treasure of His Word into the bank of our hearts.  I don’t want to waste the days on depositing false promises by the deceitfulness of sin.  As I talk with older saints, I am amazed by how much MORE they know Christ than me.  Today is a good day to know Him more.  Take that gift and let it grow with interest in your heart.

I’m glad I’m turning 30 tomorrow.  I’m glad I’m 29 today.  It’s a good day.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dave

Today is good.  It’s good for us only when we value the sacrifice of our Savior.  It wasn’t good for the Father as He had to turn away as His blazing wrath was poured out on the cross of His Son.  It’s good for us as we received the perfect exchange of His righteousness for our rebellion.  It wasn’t good for the Father as He had to separate Himself from His Son because of the sin He BECAME.  It’s good for us as we inherited the promise given to our parents in the garden (Genesis 3:15).  Today is good.

Think of the cross today.  Think of the dirty plate of your sinful pleasures exchanged for the clean plate of God’s perfect bread.  Jesus bled and died for your good and God’s eternal glory.  Today is a sad day when we think about the sacrifice.  However, the sadness is overcome with hope as we know that Sunday is approaching.  The quiet sound of death is broken by the chorus of heaven as the empty tomb shines the masterpiece of God’s rescue plan for humanity.  Today is good.  Today is very good.

Everyone has issues.  As each day arrives and departs like an unforeseen plane; I’m drawn to the reminder of God’s grace over me.  As I continue to grow older, I’m more aware of my own issues.  In all honesty, we all have sins that continue to haunt us like body odor to a hormone-consumed teen.  Grace teaches us that Jesus covers our sins and guarantees our eternal satisfaction.  Today, don’t look for the sins of others.  Examine your life and look to the cross.

As an arrogant 23 year old, I lived in Atlanta without much compassion to others and the sins they dealt with.  I became TOO consumed with my pursuit of the Word…that I lost sight of the grace that holds each page together.  I have so much to learn.  Today, I hurt for those that are dealing with some major issues.  I pray our gracious Lord will shower them with His grace like a mid afternoon rain on a hot August day.  The grace of our Lord is so good.  His grace keeps me going and illuminates the darkness of this fallen world.  His grace sings to me a sweet melody that destroys the out-of-tune sin in the chorus of my life.

Did I mention that everyone has issues?  What are yours?  Have you experienced the grace of the Savior?  Have you been washed in His blood and made new in His resurrection? Don’t be afraid to call out to Him.  Don’t be afraid to step into the fellowship of His church.  Don’t be afraid of the judgment of others.  Trust me, they have their own issues.  My prayer for you today is to experience the peace of forgiveness in the Prince of Peace.

Do yourself a favor and read Ephesians 2.  Read all of it.  Live it.  Don’t just win theological debates.  By grace, you have already won the heart of the Father in glory.  Jesus purchased that for you.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dave

This evening, God’s grace allowed me to take Eden to the playground.  With the wind in her hair, she giggled with toddler like joy as I pushed her on the swing.  When we got home, we ate dinner together and watched one of HER shows before bedtime.  As I’m typing this, she is lost in the amusement park of her dreams.

What really matters?

The way I look at it, I only have about 16 years left (Lord willing) until Eden advances into adulthood.  I only have a dozen years left (Lord willing) until her friends become COOLER than her dad.

I can’t afford to waste this precious time.  I can’t afford to ignore her while watching my favorite shows.  I can’t afford to ignore her while worshiping the idols of facebook or twitter.  I can’t afford to place my job above her needs.  (I’m growing more and more HACKED at youth ministers who neglect their families while being the funny “big brother” to lost students.) I can’t afford to view my role as a parent as “babysitting.”

What really matters?

Tonight, what really matters to me is the salvation of my daughter.

Tonight, what really matters to me is the attention my daughter deserves from her daddy.

Tonight, what really matters to me is to have my iphone AWAY so that my family comes first.

Tonight, what really matters to me is NOT the sermon I will preach tomorrow…but the sermons Eden sees in my life daily.

Tonight, what really matters to me is for Eden to always admire the love I have for Brooke.

Tonight, what really matters to me is for Eden to develop a love for the Word of God.

Tonight, what really matters to me is for Eden and Brooke to never be on “dance moms.”

Tonight, what really matters to me is to embrace life as a testimony of God’s grace.

What really matters to you?

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dave

This morning, God humbled me by a baptism.  As a student pastor, I often have the joy and honor of baptizing students.  I love it.  I love seeing the eyes of God’s redeemed children radiate like a bright star in the midnight sky.  As they step into the waters of His grace…His church witnesses what has already taken place; the rebirth of a soul in Christ.  Baptism is a powerful way to begin a corporate worship gathering.  Today, I was humbled by baptism.

My first mistake happened when I completed the baptism of a high school senior.  After bringing her out from the water, I asked her to “place her tongue on the salt” instead of “Take a piece of this salt and place it on your tongue.”  (This is a first century church practice in which believers placed salt on their tongues as a reminder that they were the salt of the earth.) My church family laughed with compassionate love.

My second mistake happened with the following high school senior.  I didn’t judge the length of the tub and her seated position…yup, she hit her head on the edge.  This was far worse than the first mistake.  The church laughed with compassionate love…for the girl whose head was hit (don’t worry, she is fine).

Humility learned is never fun.  Humility taught is never fun. Humility applied is never fun.  I walked away embarrassed by my mistakes.

The beautiful thing about God’s grace is that when we fail…He covers us with His PERFECT love and forgiveness.  I walked away from my embarrassment with the joyful reminder of God’s love for me.  I’ve messed up in many “church services.”  It’s never fun.  Pride is always identified and conquered by humbling moments in our journey called faith.  Friend, you will mess up.  It’s going to happen.  When you do, remember the love your Father in glory has for you…in Christ.  Laugh with others.  Drop your desire to be like SUPERMAN in your faith…and hold to the joy of being  a child of the King.  When others fail around you…love them like my church loved me today.  There will come a day in which you will be humbled by your mistakes.  When that day comes, your heart will grow with intense yearning for the Savior to cover you with His PERFECTION.  He will.  He covered you on the cross.  He covered you in the empty tomb.  He covers you today.  Pride will cause you to look at the imperfections of others.  Humility is the reward of grace in our lives that gives hope and peace in the midst of life’s failures.

I’m never proud of my mistakes in church services.  However, I’m glad that when they happen…I GET to drive home with the thought of my Father in heaven looking down and loving the MESS out of me.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dave

This past weekend was incredible.  I can’t think of another word to describe it.  Seeing students in awe of the ONE who redeemed them was a treasure to add to the box that holds His salvation in my heart.  I absolutely love being a youth pastor.  God, the Spirit moved to bring attention to God, the Son…for the glory of God, the Father.  Students worshipped with anticipation like a toddler running to the door when daddy comes home from work.  Twitter and facebook lit up with excitement as a room full of food was collected for the needy AND $16 grew to $2,100.00 with a 2 hour challenge.  Did I already mention that I love being a youth pastor?

I heard someone tell my parents one time, “Dave doesn’t have what it takes to be a senior pastor.”  That person was so right.  I don’t.  By God’s grace, I GET to serve as a minister to students.  I get to serve THE church for the goal of the Gospel to spread to students like a bad aroma inside a middle school boys room.

Students woke up this morning and walked in the newness of their Savior.  Another treasure to add.  Students read the Word to start the day like a match igniting a campfire.  Another treasure to add.  Students are sharing the Gospel with their lost friends.  Another treasure to add.

Did I mention I love being a youth pastor?

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave