You have the power and privilege to post anything you want on facebook, twitter, or any social network of your choice.  I’m making that assumption since you have the ability to read this post today on your computer.  It’s a sweet…yet scary reality that  can influence or discourage others within a few typed words.  We can post a video clip or post unnecessary drama for the world to see.  We can do many things that will impact many people.  What do you post?  Why do you post?

I had a wierd thought just now in my basement as my wife mentors a girl upstairs.  Here is my thought; what if today is my last day to post something on the Internet.  If that is true, what would I choose to post?  How would that post honor the Savior who rescued me?  I know…its a morbid thought.  Forgive me.

Since I work with teenagers, I’m stuck in the world of social networking.  Facebook and twitter are machines operated by the souls of people who are searching.  What we decide to post today will impact the life of another.  Will you post wisely?  Will you post selfishly?  Will you post foolishly?  Will you post for the glory of God?

Paul challenged us as believers to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel (Philippians 1:27, ESV).  One practical way to apply this truth to our lives is to THINK before POSTING.  Lately, I’ve asked Brooke to preview my tweets before I send them.  I find her wisdom to be a vital ingredient to my daily development.  My wife has spared me embarrassment on several occasions over the last few years.  I’m so grateful to have her.

It’s easy to post something out of anger or regret.  It’s hard to wipe that post out of the sight and memory of others.  Think before you post.  Let your manner on the Internet be worthy of the Gospel.  Here are some guidelines that I’ve been using in my life.  (I haven’t perfected them…but I use them daily).

• Don’t post to receive public praise or affirmation.  It’s easy to write something in order to have several likes and comments.  I think likes and comments come as a reward from our thoughts…but that shouldn’t be our aim.  If it is, we are trapped in a self-centered world.
• Don’t post to create unnecessary drama.  If you are mad at someone…go to them.  You don’t have to bash them cowardly on the Internet.  Seek forgiveness and move on.
• Don’t post pics, videos, etc., that will humiliate you and your family.  Think about who you represent daily.  Your family, your job, and your life can be impacted by a simple few moments of weakness.
• Don’t post to contradict your values.  AS a Christ follower, I don’t find amusement in posting music videos, movie clips, or statuses that make a mockery of my values.  I know some would disagree…but I find it difficult to represent my Savior while hypocritically boasting in the very things He stands against.

At the end of the day, you are alive by the grace of Jesus.  Facebook and twitter can be used for the glory of His Name.  His Gospel can be communicated in such a fast way that your joy saturates computer screens across the world.  What kind of legacy do you want to leave in this world through the social networking that defines your character?

What will you post?

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dave

Eden is lost in the woods of her dreams right now as she sleeps peacefully.  Brooke is working on tomorrow’s lecture.  The T.V is on, but we aren’t watching it.  It’s the end of a day.  Here are some results of God’s grace .  (Lessons learned…by the perfect subject; my Savior).

1.God’s grace reminded me that His Word is more than just a required read for the day.  In staff meeting today, we reviewed 2 Peter 1:3-8; our Scripture text for memorization this month.  This rich text pierced my heart like Cupid’s arrow.  I was reminded of the love my Father in glory has for me.  Peter wrote, His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire (2 Peter 1:3-4, ESV).  God’s Word is more than just a book that helps boost my theological energy like a middle school student with a 5 hour energy drink.  God’s Word is the metronome that helps my heart beat to the rhythm of His grace.  I’d be lost without His Word.

2.  God’s grace opened my awareness of others.   Tuesdays are my hospital days.  I leave after staff meeting and spend the afternoon in hospital rooms.  His grace reminded me that it’s not a requirement of my job…but a way of serving His Gospel to others.  One precious wife was pacing in the waiting room as her husband was recovering from a serious stomach cancer surgery.  The smile and aroma of her joy was enough for me to skip Starbucks and walk to my car with enough energy to make the next stop.  One precious saint was sitting in her chair next to her bed with a smile on her face. In the midst of serious heart issues…she willingly joined me in prayer.  We worshipped.  I never want to treat my job in the church as a “professional occupation,” but rather a way of being “occupied by His love to serve those He loves.”  I love my job.

3.  God’s grace silenced my sins with the whisper of His wisdom.  I drove home after watching my students play basketball with some worries in my heart.  I thought too heavily on things like; “Do the students like me?” and “Am I as cool as that other youth pastor?” I drove home with sinful anxiety.  I’m just a few months shy of 30.  I’ve been a youth pastor for a decade.  I have no regrets in the last decade He has allowed me to use for His glory.  As I was driving home…I turned around and looked at my precious Eden in her car seat (it was at a stoplight).  She smiled and pointed at me.  The anxious thoughts were gone.  It was almost like the grace of my Father in Heaven silenced my concerns with the whisper of His wisdom.  He is wise.  He knows what He is doing in my life. He has entrusted me to lead the student ministry at CrossPoint church.  I can’t wait until tomorrow.  I read the Bible to Eden and prayed with her.  I’m so glad I get to be her daddy.  That’s my thought right now.  I’m glad the other thoughts were silenced.

4.  God’s grace showed me the importance of my wife.  I don’t want to text, tweet, or talk to any other woman than the woman of my dreams.  Brooke loves me when I’m goofy…and when I’m EMO (look that one up).  At the end of the day, she wants to sit next to me.  She wants to fall asleep with me and greet me in the morning as I worship Christ in my quiet time room.  It doesn’t really matter what happens throughout the course of the day…as long as I get to love and serve that woman for the joy of the Gospel.

How was your day?  What were the results of His grace?  Look for them.  List them.  Begin with the gift of your very heartbeat.  May your days end with joyful praise.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dave

WOW.  That’s the first word that comes to my mind when I think about last weekend.  I’m so grateful for my church’s passion to invest in men.  Each year, we host a “Men’s Weekend.”  Close to 600 men gather from several churches, for a time of worship, Bible study, and accountability.  For the past 2 years, we have had the privilege of hosting Steve Farrar.  Do yourself a favor (especially if you are a man), invest in his resources.  His books are incredible.  Some of my personal favorites are: Finishing Strong and Point Man.  I love his passion for Christ and his family.  We need more men in our churches with that passion. 

The Lord used the Men’s weekend to remind me of the privilege of salvation.  I don’t deserve Jesus.  I don’t deserve His grace or His mercy.  His saving blood has covered me of ALL my unrighteousness.  The Gospel, my friends, should never get old.  We should never get tired of hearing how Jesus saved us.  As a regenerated believer, I am overjoyed with the mere thought of His love…not His wrath, over me.  His saving grace is a privilege. 

The Lord used the Men’s weekend to remind me of the privilege of my roles.  I am Brooke’s husband and Eden’s father.  Above any other privilege that I carry (besides being a child of the King), those roles are my priority.  Too many men are making mistakes and their families are suffering.  Too many men in ministry are ignoring the needs of their wives and children in order to receive public spotlight.  I sat in a row of college students and thought of the last 5 1/2 years of my life.  God gave me a wife and a daughter.  What a privilege!  I couldn’t get girls to like me in high school or college…and God’s grace convinced Brooke to give me a chance.  If you are a man reading this…do yourself a favor; consider your role (if you are married and/or have kids) as a privilege.  My sermons each week are preached in vanity if I neglect the ladies I’m entrusted to lead.  I pray Brooke and Eden will always find joy and comfort with me.  I pray they will grow deeper int he Gospel because of the Spirit’s work in my heart.  I pray God Almighty will always be glorified in the Snyder home.

The Lord used the Men’s weekend to remind me of the privilege of accountability.  Every believer that walks the earth needs accountability.  I wrote on this not too long ago.  I’m grateful for the accountability I have with Jonathan Clark.  It’s lasted close to 10 years now.  Where is your accountability?  Too many men are making mistakes and hiding from confrontation…because they are too afraid of accountability.  Our families and our churches need men that are brave enough to embrace accountability.  It doesn’t matter how “high” any man is on the chart of “Christian success,” the absence of accountability is the introduction of foolishness.  A simple phone call or text message can push anyone’s desire to become more like Jesus.  Pick up the phone and lift another up today.

The Lord used the Men’s weekend to remind me of the privilege of ministry.  For 10 years now, I have been a youth minister.  I’ve seen many boys develop into Godly men over the past decade.  It is a privilege to watch students grow in their faith.  I don’t want to waste their teen years with shallow messages and superficial “hype” in order to draw a crowd.  I’m convinced that we must make much of Jesus in youth groups.  They will be entertained on their own.  Let’s join our students in making war against their sins.  Let’s not be afraid to teach sound doctrine as well as practical Christ-like living to them before the world tries to corrupt (2 Peter 1:3-8).  Let’s work along side parents as they fight through the rough “teen-years.”  My job is a privilege.  West Fork, FBC Murray, Summit, and now CrossPoint have given me that privilege.  I hope to never waste it.

Ok, I’m done.  A few responses to a powerful weekend.  I’m grateful for your time in reading this.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave

Many of you are already aware of the tornadoes that struck the Trussville/Clay area in Alabama.  The devastation in certain subdivisions was unexplainable.  Several families have had their entire lives changed.  My heart breaks for them.  It’s hard to return to my home this evening with the thought of their pain.  In a tragedy such as this…what can be done?  What should be our response? 

Our response is to magnify the name of Jesus with every effort we make in  serving those in need.  People we serve are not impressed with our good acts and popularity of citizen merit.  I’ve seen a scary outburst of pride in some when it comes to “what they have done for so and so.”  Friends, our efforts are not to magnify our name…but to magnify the Name above all Names.  When we are cutting down broken trees or moving dubris from a wrecked living room…let’s do so with the joy of Christ in us.  Last night, I challenged my students to be motivated in Christ with their efforts.  It’s easy to feed off the pain of others when we can receive self-centered praise.  The Psalmist said it best when he wrote, Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness Psalm 115:1, ESV. Please let me be open with you…I was tempted to write today on everything I DID for someone else.  I was convicted by even the thought.  At the end of the day when the sun and moon take turns…Jesus is still the ONLY ONE that shines.  Let that be your motivation when you serve others.  I love what my friend “B” Haskins says in response to those that compliment his leading;  “Thanks, all glory to God.”  What an appropriate response! 

Our response is to show the Gospel with our faithfulness.   When we serve others, we want them to see the joy of the Gospel ACTIVE in us.  As they look with pain-stained eyes over the mess of their tragedy…let’s give them the joy of Philippians 2:1-4.  The Gospel is the solid foundation in the midst of life’s storms.  When we pick up scattered pieces of what once was a protected home, let’s hold fast to the hope that this world  is not our home.  One day, we will not have to worry about the storms of this fallen world.  One day, we will be in the perfect home of God’s family.  Don’t just tell people this.  Tell them and show them by serving them.  Jerrod is a student in my ministry who is suffering because of the storms.  Jerrod loves Jesus and shows genuine joy…because the Gospel is his foundation.  If I ever have a son, I want him to have that foundation of the Gospel like Jerrod holds.  There are many that can echo that testimony.  Our faithfulness to the Gospel interprets Matthew 5:13-16 better than any arrogant theologian.  Jesus said, You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16, ESV).

Please continue to pray for those that are suffering in Alabama.  May God be glorified as His church responds to the needs of others. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave

How would you define “home?” Would it be limited to a certain house with those you share life with? Would it be the history of your upbringing? Do you place your church family within the area you label “home?” I had a few minutes to type today as my friend Brad works in his office…at “home.”

I would define home as the place in your heart in which love defines reality.  When I’m with Brooke and Eden, I feel at “home”.  I hold to the grace of their affection while experiencing life on this side of God’s glory.  Each morning, “home” welcomes me like a college student returning to his family during the holidays.  Brooke teaches me “home” by the daily love and companionship she freely gives.  Eden helps me understand “home” by the joy she spreads in experiencing life.  I love being at “home” with my ladies.

“Home” is found in Athens, AL and the area around.  MY parents and sisters both live there.  The 100 plus mile drive is filled with anticipation as I get to sit and enjoy conversations that only my dad and I understand.  ”Home” is also in Yorktown, VA as we get to enjoy the love of our parents and brother.  They all know us better than anyone…and yet they all love us more than anyone.

I’m in Acworth, GA today.  For around 5 years, this was “home” for us.  Today, it still feels like “home.” In just a few hours, I’ll be reuniting with students and friends that love me.  They were there for my engagement, wedding, newly wed years, and the birth of Eden.  Acworth was and is “home” for us in the sense that many we love still give us the grace of a returned affection.  I’m grateful for the time I had at Summit Baptist Church.  What an incredible family of faith.

Trussville, AL is “home” for us.  Each day is a joy as my family shares life’s journey with our CrossPoint family.  I love the worship gatherings on Sunday as well as the mid-week student worship on Wednesdays.  I love seeing Eden run around the halls and wave at saints that embrace her as their own.  I love the staff that I get to call friends and family.  From tears to laughter, CrossPoint is our “home” in that; reality is defined by the love of the church.

As born-again children of God, “home” is found within the fellowship of the redeemed.  Life makes sense…and life is lived by the strength I receive from brothers and sisters in the faith.  One day, when my heart stops beating and I’m in the presence of God, the Father…”home” will be eternally defined.  One day, when the church is ONE BODY together, under the joy of Jesus…”home” will be eternally defined.  One day, when the new heavens and new earth are brought forward…”home” will be eternally defined.  Hebrews 13:14 said it best.  We all anticipate a future home, a future city to come.  Until then, let’s enjoy “home” on this side of God’s glory.

I’m still recovering from an incredible retreat with my students this past weekend.  We spent the long weekend in Boone, NC.  On Saturday and Sunday we skied at both Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain.  God showed great grace in the fact that we didn’t have to make any trips to the ER!  3 Days of fellowship, Worship, and Bible Study….BOOM!  I love my job.

On Sunday evening, we had an interesting thing happen.  The hotel that we used for our worship room accidentally double-booked the room.  30 minutes into my sermon, I had a youth pastor at the door.  I was hoping he would be more gracious in waiting a few more minutes (for the record, we had the contract on the room…they didn’t).  He wasn’t gracious.  God used an awkward mistake for His great glory.  Please permit me to explain.

Close to 50 students were moved from the meeting room to the hotel lobby.  We continued our worship music as guests arrived to check in.  I loved watching the reaction of the guests as we sang songs of worship to the King.  “In Christ Alone” was heard from the lobby to the breakfast area.  Some dropped their bags and listened.  The Gospel was out in the open.  I’m glad the students had the experience of leaving a comfortable meeting room and worshiping in the open air.  We need more of those experiences.  I should write that youth pastor a note…thanking him for kicking us out of the meeting room.  We were blessed.

Thank you for your prayers.  It’s a joy to serve these students and adults.  I pray God is always glorified in the student ministry He has entrusted me to lead.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave

This post came after a refreshing staff meeting this morning.  Last week, the ministerial staff of CrossPoint started Entre Leadership by Dave Ramsey.  So far, the first three chapters are solid.  I like the practical insights that Dave Ramsey gives in areas such as: goal setting, passion, vision, and time management.  This post contains some of my simple thoughts in regards to time management.

What did you do today with the time our Lord provided?

This simple question has consumed me this afternoon.  (I probably showed poor time management by spending time on a single question).  24 hours are before us like the morning fog over the tree hills of Birmingham.  How will we spend them?

My job is unusual.  Teenagers aren’t really known for warnings about their “drop-ins.”  It’s common to have at least a few students a week come by my office to simply talk about…whatever they want to do talk about.  It’s rare to have a text message or call about these visits.    I love the part of my job that allows fellowship.  Seeing a student walk into my office is sometimes what I need in order to make it through an administrative task.  However, the time that I have before and after those visits is what makes the ministry flow beyond being friends with teens.

I like to keep a check-list of objectives for the day.  When the task is complete,  I enjoy marking it off the paper.  Lists are important for me, because they help me stay on track for the day.  Without structure, I am lost in the world of…random youth pastorland… I want to be professional with the time my Lord and my church entrusts to me.  Again, what did you do today with the time our Lord provided?

I believe we need His grace-filled discernment with time.  I’m not impressed with those in ministry that work like champs and accomplish their tasks while ignoring people and the spreading of the Gospel.  I’m not impressed with those that can’t answer an email and have offices that look like college dorm rooms.  I’m still working on this in my ministry life.  I’m grateful for the challenge of professionalism that Aaron Johnson gave me years ago in Atlanta.  I see it more clearly today than I did as a stubborn 23 year old.  I’m grateful for the ministry side of work that Boyd Smith gave me many years ago in Murray, KY.  I see that sometimes its important to stop what my list commands in order to encourage a troubled teen.  It’s taking years…and more years to come in God’s process of showing me the treasure of time.  I don’t want to waste His time.

You and I can’t afford to waste our time in our work places.  Even if you don’t like your job, take the challenges of Colossians 3:22-24 and Psalm 118:24.  Don’t waste today.  Set goals.  Have a vision.  Look others in the eye..and actually listen to them.  Laugh with a co-worker.  When the day of work is over, shut off your work mode and drive home to those that share life with you.  Let your family benefit from the desire you have to stop wasting your days.  Eat a bowl of ice cream with your spouse and children…stay up and watch a movie…worship Christ in your living room….and let today be a day your joy is full in the glory of God displayed in His time.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave

For the dozen or more that read my blogs, you may recall a post that I wrote a while back about a recent discovery of high blood pressure during an evening trip to the grocery store.  (Short story…I went to the grocery store a few months ago and checked my blood pressure.  It was high and I’ve tried to develop healthier habits since then.)  For a few months now, I’ve maintained a routine of running 4-5 days a week, water has been my main source of drink, and I’ve cut out half of my caffeine.  I’ve done a few other things…but I wanted you to get the point; I have tried to lower my blood pressure on my own. 

Here is my confession to you…I hate going to the doctor. 

Last week, my father-in-law took my blood pressure while were visiting family in Virginia.  Brooke’s dad is a doctor who runs a family practice in his own home.  It’s an incredible set up!  I sat down in his office and to my surprise…my reading was 160/90.  It was worse than the trip to the grocery store months earlier!  Needless to say, I was MAD.  All my running, exercising, and healthy eating led to…no change.  My own efforts did nothing to change the problem.  Dr. Stoutenger (Brooke’s dad) looked me in the eye said what I didn’t want to hear, “You need to go to a doctor when you return to Alabama…you have a problem.”  I’ll never forget the hopelessness I felt.   I went for a walk with Brooke and Eden to get my mind off the issue.  Looking at Eden as she ran across a battlefield in Yorktown was enough for me to get over my stubbornness…and two days ago, I went to see a doctor.

My visit was another practical display of the Gospel on earth.  My reading was even higher (190/105…taken at least a few times).  After the doctor did several tests (some to help pay the electric bill), I was informed of my problem.  “Dave, you have hypertension.  It is genetic from your family history and you will need to take meds.  You can’t lower this on your own.  I listened to my physician and two days later…I’m on blood pressure medicine.  My pressure is back to normal and I feel so much better about the days.

I have excitement in preaching again.  I’ve struggled with stress and anxiety with preaching.  As a 22 year old…I lived for each moment to preach.  Before my visit to the physician…I dreaded preaching.  I would get worked up in my mind to the point of great panic when asked to preach.  I preached this past Wednesday night to a room full of students…and I LOVED IT.  I preached this morning at a middle school…and I LOVED IT.  The joy is returning.

What does the Gospel have to do with hypertension?  I’m glad you are thinking that.  Here is what I’ve learned….

You can’t change the genetics of your sin-stained life; given to you by the fall of your parents in the Garden (Genesis 2-3).  Your efforts in trying to improve yourself may deceive you for a short time…but in comparison with all eternity…they will fail.  You need Christ.  He is the remedy for your sins. 

You need the great Physician.  Jesus is BOTH the doctor and the deliverer.  There is no other Savior.  I needed a physician to look at my body and help me understand what was wrong.  Jesus Christ gave me a new body and took the wrong off of me.  (Luke 5:27-32)

I was told both bad news and good news on Wednesday.  The bad news was the condition of my body.  The good news was the remedy.  There is no Gospel without the understanding of both.  Know your sin, give your sin to the great Physician, and enjoy the remedy of His grace.

I saw this through hypertension.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dave

For the past two months, I have made it an effort to run at least 3 miles a day for about 5 days a week.  On a few occasions, I managed to stretch the run out to 4 and even 5 miles.  I never thought that I would write those words that you just read.  If you are able, step outside today and run.  Stop when you need to stop.  Enjoy the surrounding beauty of God’s glory as His grace has allowed you to experience movement. 

When I run, I carry a watch or my phone.  I hate to admit this, but my reasoning behind carrying those is to boost my competitive pride.  I don’t think there is anything wrong with timing a run.  It’s encouraging to see goals made and broken.  However, I found myself becoming too occupied with HOW fast I was running instead of enjoying the GIFT of running.  Instead of soaking in that exercise-driven solitude…I was consumed with self-centered achievements.  In many ways, I was chained to legalism instead of enjoying a privilege.

Today, I left my watch and phone in my office and I ran with my ipod shuffle.

I’m glad His grace gave me a much needed shuffle in my routine.  Instead of checking my watch every minute, I listened to Gospel-centered worship while admiring creation.  I needed this shuffle.  I needed this movement in my life. 

Think about your life for a moment.  As a redeemed child of God, are you chained to the legalism of religious routine OR are you enjoying the privilege of His grace? Are you checking off boxes each day of what you have done for Him…or are you soaking in the riches of what He has done for you? During my run, I was convicted by other areas of legalism in my life.  Here are a few to share with you.

1. I’ve kept a journal faithfully each day for the past 9 years.  I think less of myself when I write only a page a day…and I think more of myself when I write 3-4.  Why do I focus more on writing and not the privilege of His attention?

2. I like to memorize Scripture.  Instead of wanting to impress God and others with what I know of Him…why not soak in His Word to remind me of His infinite knowledge of…everything in life?

Jesus said it best.  In John 8:36, He spoke these words, So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  This verse rests within a passage centered on the truth of God and how it alone sets us free.  In Christ and His atoning blood…we have been SET FREE.  The wages and wrath that our sins deserved were chained to Christ on the cross in order for us to receive the freedom of the Father’s grace.  Do we live in that freedom?  When was the last time you stopped your religious routine and enjoyed the freedom of your salvation? When was the last time you experienced a shuffle of His pleasure in your life?

I’m glad I ran with my headphones on.   I’m glad I didn’t know the time.  I was lost in His presence…and it was worth every unknown minute.

Ok, I ran 3.1 miles in 25 minutes.  Just kidding.  Just wanted to see if you read my entire post to the end.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dave

Our God is glorious and worthy to be praised. He saved us by the mercy of Jesus Christ. He promised to never leave us by the power of the Holy Spirit. I’m sitting in my bedroom right now fully amazed by the love of my Father in Glory. The concerns of the day have been washed away by the joy of His presence.

Do yourself a favor today. Pick up His Word and read. Pick up a journal and write out the joys of His attention to you. Play Gospel-centered songs of Christmas. Worship Him in your home with your family. I’m so glad we worship the One that has brought us into His family forever.

Random thoughts on a Sunday afternoon….

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave